KARINE POLWART LEAVES A TRANCE LIKE TRACE

ARTIST: KARINE POLWART

ALBUM: TRACES

LABEL: HEGRI MUSIC

TRACKS: 10

WEBSITE: http://www.karinepolwart.com

RELEASED: 13^th AUGUST 2012

Just hearing opening track Cover Your Eyes, Scottish singer-songwriter Karine Polwart had me strapped down tight before sending me off on a jaunty and thrilling ride of pure melodious splendour. The ebb and flow of the tides, the tremendous crashing of twenty foot high waves down to the calm ripples upon the shores through a gentle foam breeze of dense ocean spray. The simple yet ethereal element to the melody is stunning. Traces is so aptly named as it takes you through all manner of weathers and sea conditions leaving behind a lingering trace of the sheer richness of her musical poetry.

King of Birds continues the journey, managing to waft you up with the power of a jet stream while the words hold you tightly in place. Then with a change of key in the melody you soar higher before your wings spread wide to glide back down. Swimming through the lightest clouds on a bright summer’s day, the beauty of nature rolls out below. After playing these opening two tracks for the first time I needed to get a flight back home in order to hear the remainder. They blew me that far away! It is rare but always wonderful when an album from someone previously unknown to me achieves such a thing. Traces induces a euphoric listening experience that becomes personal. Through both the lyrics and music, you are pulled deep into the soul of what each song is about.

The narratives are sweeping and yet they remain just on the right side of overwhelming. Each is an intricately told story, delicately woven into its own pattern. Karine’s vocals are always astounding, fitting flawlessly with the well-crafted musical arrangements. The end result is a rich multilayered buffet of all the tastiest delicacies you could possibly want. There is an overarching theme of darker more depressing lyrics but I reiterate what is fast becoming my mantra. These are the kinds of songs that move us. They are the stories that need putting to music and the ones which serve to create the most atmospheric and memorable records.

Another thing I love about the album is the diversity of the subject matter. From the subtle political motives of Close Your Eyes (protesting against the Trump Foundation’s butchery of the landscape for the golf complex) and King of Birds (a nod to the Occupy movement, particularly in London), even these run far deeper than that thanks to the writing being so personal. Tinsel Show takes what may be considered the raw grotesqueness of industry, power stations and the like, turning it on its head. Teasing out the magical and fantastical stories such places hold for children it builds up into a crescendo before coming to a rest with a gentle swaying of harmonious ‘ahs’. Then there’s the heart wrenching sorrow poured out via We’re All Leaving, Strange News and Half A Mile. I issue a warning for you to prepare to be deeply moved but only because of how involved you will become in these, real-life, tales.

It is impossible to pick out any tracks as the stand outs because each and every one deserves to be labelled as such. This will always be one of those albums you’ll listen to from start to finish because to not do so would be a crime. More or less all songs are stories but some musicians and songwriters produce works of art so accomplished if they were paintings or sculptures they’d be exhibited in the finest museums. This album is one such piece of art and Karine is an artist worthy of such renown.

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Play It Again Sam: Introducing Sam Beeton

I know I wrote up a little about how much I'm enjoying Sam's music in a recent blog post but I've since written an 'Introducing' article I think should be shared. If you've not yet checked out what this hugely talented guy has to offer then quick, get to it before Valerie the banjo playing badger hunts you down and does unspeakable torturous things to you. 'What kinds of torturous things?' You may well ask but then they'd be speakable as opposed to unspeakable as I made clear. Now go! Get to Sam's website before it's too late!

Introducing Sam Beeton

I’ll start this off with a relatively simple but much deserved WOW! It’s amazing just to contemplate the sheer amount of talent Sam Beeton exudes as he goes about everything he’s currently doing. A 23 year old singer-songwriter from Nottingham he’s demonstrated musical and lyrical abilities that have been nothing less than phenomenal. 

This is no run of the mill singer-songwriter either and the originality stretches far beyond the music. Wanting to offer dedicated fans something different he set up The Record Club. This is a unique concept putting him, as an independent artist, in direct contact with subscribers. Receiving a new signed and personalised CD every month gives the feeling these varied and dynamic songs are being written and recorded just for you. Following the success of Season 1 last year Sam recently kicked off Season 2 in April but there is no cut off point for joining. It doesn’t matter at what point throughout the year it is you will receive all of the songs already released in that season so far. 

Volume 1 of Season 2 arrived a few weeks ago with the two gorgeous sounding tracks, Call Me the Loner and Something Out of Nothing. The former starts with a gentle guitar strum before more sounds enter the mix and Sam’s soft and delicate vocal begins lamenting about his need to be alone. All this to a melody that hooks itself somewhere deep inside your mind where it rests snugly waiting to play itself back to you afterwards. Being a tune that is more likely to nudge awake your legs and shoulders, encouraging them into a little jig, the latter perfectly showcases the flexibility to his already very proficient style.

Something I'm finding so inspiring is the versatility he demonstrates in the songs I've heard so far. Hearing just the first couple of samples is enough to sell the deluxe double CD of the complete season 1 for all those who missed out on subscribing to it last year. Featuring 22 astounding tracks including the beautifully cryptic Storyteller, which was released as a single via iTunes on 26^th March, this track alone further exhibits the diversity of his skills as a songwriter. And this is before even considering the likes of Good Natured Child and Rain Down On You which just blew me clean away.

Citing influences including Jeff Buckley and Paul Simon together with the likes of James Morrison, Paolo Nutini and Benjamin Francis Leftwich I would go so far as to say he actually beats most of these and at the very least isn’t too far off meeting the legend of Paul Simon.

The great thing about his already prolific output is that while yes at times with songs like Rain Down on You and Good Natured Child, he may sound similar to a younger Paul Simon, his vocals still have a very distinct and original sound all of their own. The songs offered are also so varied revealing this is no one trick pony. They echo a confidence to his performance that belies his young age.

Hearing lyrics that require some deeper thought if the listener is to prize them apart and truly get what they’re about is a refreshing change. Sam is a rare talent indeed and one the music industry needs very badly if it is to retain any credibility in the face of the manufactured reality television pop world.

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Check out www.sambeeton.com for lots more information about this wonderful artist.

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Band of Badgers Presents #3

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD EPISODE 3

The podcast is also available via iTunes by clicking here

Episode 3: Support & Sponsor

I'm a little frustrated it has taken another whole month to get podcast #3 out as I've had the playlist sorted for some time now. That said (or written, rather - why do I always write that?) I want things to be done properly and I've been waiting for the arrival of the new microphone. Now I no longer need to apologise for the lack of quality of my own ramblings. Well, by lack of quality I mean the sound quality of course and not my, at times, digressions.

There's a slight but not drastic change to the playlist but you can expect Nick Burbridge, Silverbox, Lightfire and Porthaven to be popping up in the next few podcasts. With having some much needed time off work I should finally be able to get ahead with recording at least the next two podcasts which means I'm hoping to get them out a little quicker from now on. There's also potential for some internet radio play which is another reason (but not  the only one) I've invested in the new microphone. 

Like it says on the website, Acoustic Spectrum is all about free music promotion and has been created by three truly amazing individuals who are staunch supporters of indie music dedicating so much of their time to numerous activities that do just this. Tom Oswald, an entrepeneur who has also set up his own indie record label, Red Dragon Records together with the editor of Fatea magazine, Neil King and station director Jody Goldsworthy utilise their links within the industry to import radio shows worldwide and export their own shows back to those stations. So, it's kind of like a big internet radio network if you like. If you're a band or artist who needs to get some airplay or promotion sorted then check out Acoustic Spectrum but don't forget the other two fantastic outlets offered by Tom and Neil in terms of Red Dragon Records and Fatea magazine.

While I'll be more excited than a puppy with a new bone (that sounds kind of wrong but you get my point), if I get some internet radio play for Band of Badgers Presents, this will be more so because I'll be able to fully pay back all those who have kindly let me feature their music so far. Aside from absolutely loving sharing these playlists, it is primarily to help with promotion and exposure so getting so many more listeners would be amazing!

The Playlist:

1. Eve - fiN
2. Turbulence - The Scholars
3. Don't Worry - T J Courtney
4. Dance on, Graves - Good Friend
5. Dirty Stop Out - The Repeat Offenders
6. Song for Infinity - One Cure For Man
7. First Light - Under a Banner
8. Storyteller - Sam Beeton
9. I Held You Once - The Epstein
10. Chasin Elephants - The Havenites
11. Bowies in Space - Flight of the Conchords

Please check out the film Turbulence featuring The Scholars because from the promo bio below it's got me salivating in anticipation of seeing it:

When a failing music venue staffed by fools looks set to close, manager Keith launches a last ditch Battle of the Bands competition. More by accident than by design, musical genius is unleashed by a rapping transvestite, some precocious indie rockers and a barmaid with a golden voice, who together save the world they love. Turbulence, a laugh out loud comedy from a BAFTA winning team.

The Scholars also have a tumblr age >> here. It was here I read a really passionate post from band member Tim Mobbs about why people don't seem to be going to gigs these days. He writes about the quality of venues and the crazy drinks promotions on offer whereby it never seems to really be about promoting the great music on offer, rather just getting young people as drunk as they can for as cheap as possible.

I long for better gigs in Northampton lamenting I have to travel all over the place instead. I don't always mind this because I'm able to see such a great bunch of stuff but it would be nice to be able to just get back from work and take a leisurely stroll to the local venue. Tim's words are written like a sage; from one who just wants to perform good gigs at decent venues for music fans. Come on guys let's get to these gigs and provide the much needed support for these fantastic indie bands. Never forget it is all about your support that keeps the music alive. This is even more crucial for indie artists on indie labels (and even more so for those unsigned) struggling to get themselves out there!

Festivals:

I didn't have any time to talk about festivals as I'd like to have done given the season is now in full swing.

Next weekend (8th to 10th June) sees the mighty rockfest that is Download up at Donnington Park. But alas folks if you haven't already got your tickets I'm afraid short of risking being shot down as you parachute in you will have to wait until next year as it has sold out (I don't advise this method of entry by the way). It's little wonder with the the line up they've managed to knock up including Prodigy, Chase and Status, Tenacious D and Biffy Clyro. This is before even mentioning Saturday night headliners Metallica who are performing The Black Album in its entirety followed by a reformed Black Sabbath to close the festival on the Sunday. 

If you did manage to get tickets before they sold out and you're off to this please make sure you check out  and support two bands I featured in the last podcast, both who are appearing at Download this year too. It's really great they've bagged themselves these slots at such a prestigious event in the music festival calendar because they are so worthy and deserving of it. Page 44 open the Second Stage at 11am on Saturday morning while I Divide feature on the Red Bull Bedroom Jam Stage at about 14:15 on the Saturday afternoon. 

Although I could ramble on about many more of the bands I do want to mention just one more. Bedfordshire based Don Broco are quite simply phenomenal so don't miss their set on the Pepsi Max Stage at 12:30 again on the Saturday afternoon. 

Next weekend also sees Wychwood Festival make its annual appearance at Cheltenham Racecourse. I went along to this one in its early days in 2007 for what was my Levellers fix. I remember being already quite drunk sat down on a chair eating chips when 100 Years of Solitude started. Chips were left behind, drink was swiftly downed so that looning could begin as I weaved my way to the front.

Wychwood is much less rock heavy than Download of course with an emphasis on soft-rock, indie and folk. It's also one that focuses on family so there are loads of things to keep the kids occupied and entertained as well as a remarkable line up. 

Friday night sees headliners in the form of The Damned and Bellowhead while those psychedelic sirens of seventies space rock Hawkwind and indie rock band James entertain the crowds on Saturday night. I was fortunate enough to see James headline the main stage at Beautiful Days in 2010 and they were awesome! 

Welsh band Eric Unseen will also be appearing as part of the BBC Introducing collective of great new up and coming talent. BBC Introducing is a really great avenue for these new bands and artists to use to get themselves out there and heard. Eric Unseen offer a fresh new sound and already have a massive number of live gigs all over South Wales under their belt (with packed out venues to boot), which have received glittering reviews. They made the final of the 'Live and Unsigned' competition at the O2 Arena in July 2010. If you haven't heard them then get over to their Facebook page and check them out. They'll definitely be featuring in the podcast in the future.

Gigs & Other Mentions:

The We The Kings gig in Birmingham at the start of last month was gigtastic to say (write?) the least. Okay, perhaps I shouldn't use such a silly made up word as gigtastic. It sounds rather lame doesn't it? It was one awesome night of music entertainment though as the guys really know how to put on a fantastic show. Thankfully I wasn't the oldest person in the room even though it was beginning to feel like it with so many youngsters in attendance. At least I finally got to see this band who I've been enjoying since 2008. Lead singer Travis did come across a little (and by little I mean a lot) sex-obsessed with almost every word being sex or having a sexual connotation. Not that this bothered me in the slightest of course. The bar staff at the venue were acting a bit like tossers I must say as I was standing near to the bar and they seemed to just be taking the piss a bit, which I was quite annoyed about to be honest. Perhaps it wasn't their kind of music but they work in this place so they should either change their shifts or just shut up, serve drinks or get a job elsewhere!

As great as the headliners were, the highlight for me had to be UK band Don Broco. They're a four piece rock band from Bedfordshire, so as I currently live in Northampton that is kind of my neck of the woods (that saying creeping in again). Well, perhaps more my knees of the woods, I suppose. They are a phenomenal force of musical performance with such a charismatically colourful live presence on stage. They look, sound and feel like they've been doing this professionally for years already so it bodes very well for their future.

Last April, the band supported We Are The Ocean before setting out on their own headlining tour, which I guess explains why they are so damn good. Naturally, I don't wish to offend the more well established US band and like I've explained they were pretty amazing themselves but I honestly would go as far as to say Don Broco were even better. Perhaps I'm just coming down on the side of our very own home-grown talent but I don't think it is just that. To me, they proved to be the better band of the night!

Their single Priorities taken from their soon to be released debut album of the same name, was released on 11th May and is available via iTunes so get checking it out on there where you can also pre-order the full album for just £6.99, which comes out on 13th August (this is also available at play.com). They are both well worth it and I'm going to do my best to be able to play these guys in the future so keep your ears in full attention mode for that! The band are putting appearances in at a number of festivals over the summer including Download (as mentioned above), Rhythms of the World and the Boardmasters Festival in Newquay, Cornwall. This is in addition to a number of other dates across the UK so check out their Facebook page for all the details.

Another band worthy of a mention is Fort Atlantic. Hailing from Birmingham; not my home town this time round but from over the pond in Alabama instead. Their self-titled album has just been released and I admit I haven't bought it yet but will certainly be parting with the very respectable £5.99 for 10 tracks (search for it on iTunes). I was introduced to Fort Atlantic via the Noise Trade website I mentioned in the last podcast. I've been sent links to some truly amazing albums, EPs and what they call tasters. This particular taster left my ears and mind hungry for more and although I've been really busy with other music I noticed Fort Atlantic tweeting about this forthcoming release so thought I'd give them a mention. The music is an alternative indie rock sound with a few delicate numbers that are sublime.

It goes without saying (again, writing?) Sigur Ros have established themselves as a music group of a particularly high quality. I gave a few listens to their new album Valtari when the band kindly made it available for streaming via a number of websites prior to its release. It certainly doesn't disappoint! I find their albums so evocative and just so damn interesting. They're unlike anything else out there and definitely a group I MUST see play live as soon as I possibly can! A number of their US dates later this summer have already sold out but their only UK appearance so far is at Bestival on the Isle of White. This is just too much out of my price range (come on sponsors, send me to cover this festival or indeed send me over to the US for their tour and I'll cover this wonderfully dynamic Icelandic band). I must admit they're a band who I'd rather see their own full show as opposed to a festival slot but of course I wouldn't say no if someone offered me the festival.

Featuring next time round should be the following but as ever the playlist is subject to change:


Everybody Looks Famous
Falling Faster
Lightfire
The Slow Readers Club
Lavers
Jody Has a Hitlist
Whitemoor
James Vincent McMarrow
Nick Burbridge
Gypsy Fire

Until then, peace to you all and thanks so much for listening and all the support!

As always thanks to Mark Blasco at podcastthemes for the intro theme tune. 

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Band of Badgers Presents #2

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD EPISODE 2

Episode 2: Back For More

Also available on iTunes by clicking here.

I Divide the Sky as it Burns Red over The Dead Famous as written on Page 44 but First Things First there'll be Dreaming Spires as the Rainy Boy Sleeps atop the Winter Mountain proving there's only One Cure For Man, Under a Banner.

So, here I am again but this time with the second episode of my music podcast. Episode 1 went very well and is getting some plays so I'm quite happy with it so far. I have so much more music yet to play as well as much more from all those who kindly featured in the pilot podcast.

Gigantic universe-sized thanks to them all and for everyone who has checked it out so far. I've already got an almost completed playlist for episode 3 which I'll hopefully have out in about two to three weeks (unless you'd like to offer me some money to quit my job and do this full time in which case I'd be able to speed up the turnaround considerably). I thought I'd have this one up online sooner than now but time just doesn't hold up does it? That's a whole other discussion for another post (or 12) so I won't even start getting into my lifelong fascination with time right now.

Okay so I was unable to follow through on my promise of using a better microphone this time round but this is on the 'to do' list, flagged in red and underlined several times. Oh, it's in bold too! I must therefore apologise for the slight sound distortion at times but thankfully this is only during the bits I'm waffling on about stuff so you know what to do! That's right, just hit that fast forward button/option. You might need to get that replaced after just these first two episodes. Or take out some insurance exclusively for that button.

Putting this playlist together was just as much fun as the previous one and features the following:

1. Introduction - I Divide
2. The Arrival - I Divide
3. Paralysed Lullabies - Sky Burns Red
4. Superstar - The Dead Famous
5. Answers - Page 44
6. Let the Good Times Roll, Kid - First Things First
7. Not Every Song From the Sixties is a Classic - The Dreaming Spires
8. I'm Leaving Home - Dan Donnelly
9. Shopping Centre Song - Rainy Boy Sleep
10. Sarah - Winter Mountain
11. Digits Point - Howard James Kenny
12. Blackbirds - One Cure For Man
13. Another Time - Under a Banner 

The Levellers release their new album, Static on the Airwaves 25/06. You can pre-order this via a number of websites but if you do so by 07/06 at the Proper Music website your copy will be signed.

Please do check out Tweep Nation, the podcast run by Dionne and Amber who I mentioned because they really will have you rolling around the floor laughing your arse off.

Also, a book to add to your reading list, especially if fantasy is a genre you enjoy or like to dip into, is Dionne Lister's recently released debut novel Shadows of the Realm .

I also recommend you check out the line up for this year's Truck Festival because there are some fantastic acts on the bill. I'm a fool for not having a ticket yet but that is also on the 'to do' list. This is right at the top, at the sides and the bottom just so I don't miss it. It also has huge arrows pointing inwards to it and a little note by the side saying I will be severely beaten with very smelly wet fish if I fail to get a ticket and it sells out. I'm on it. I promise. I really don't want to miss this!

The Dreaming Spires I've seen and feature in this episode with their brand new single.

British Sea Power I saw at Beautiful Days Festival a few years ago as I did with US band The Low Anthem who appeared there last year. One of their songs featured one of the guys using a saw as an instrument. Yes, an actual saw as in sawing a plank of wood saw. Like your dad on a Sunday afternoon. 'It's time to just go and saw a plank of wood in half!' (Eddie Izzard) It was different but nevertheless it was musical!

Villagers and Frightened Rabbit I first saw play on Later with Jools Holland and I've been enjoying Get Cape Wear Cape Fly and Mystery Jets for a number of years already. Not 100% sure I've heard any of the others but I need to have a closer look.


The Last Republic I played and championed in episode 1! Fantastic band so to miss out on them when playing so near and with all the other great music on offer I'd need my head examining wouldn't I?


I guess I'll be seeing you there then?

If you have any queries or need more details or links with regards any of the bands featured in the podcast or mentioned here please don't hesitate to contact me at bandofbadgers@hotmail.co.uk or via Twitter (relevant buttons below).

Coming up in episode 3 then I should have the following:

The Scholars
fiN
Sam Beeton
Nick Burbridge
Good Friend
Silverbox
Porthaven
Lightfire
The Epstein
T J Courtney

In addition to a very special musical guest track in the style of David Bowie so make sure you subscribe and tune in for that!


Until then, peace to all of you!

As always thanks to Mark Blasco at podcastthemes.com for the intro and outro theme.

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