Irish Singer Songwriter Lisa Loughrey has released her debut single, ‘Coming Up’ today. Loughrey has previously written songs that have featured in documentaries (RTE Radio1), radio, music blogs (Folk Radio UK, Tradconnect) and local and national press.Up until now, she has been primarily known for her work with Dublin based Alt Folk outfit, The Mariannes. She also won the inaugural Clancy Brothers Award for Songwriting in 2014.The track was recorded in The Nutshed Studios, and was mixed and produced by Nathan Maher and Joe Egan. Performing on the track with Loughrey is multi-instrumentalist Nathan Maher (Buffalo Sunn, Slackers’ Symphony), veteran bassist Damian McMahon (formerly of Tupelo), percussionist/drummer Jacob Fry (BIMM graduate) and Eoghan Keane on trumpet. ‘Coming Up’ is a track that holds the weight of the world on its shoulders but withstands its brutal force. Buoyant light guitar twangs and lush soft lull on backing vocals set the track afloat creating a weightless warm feel while throbbing bass and steady drums add a heavy pulse and thud. Coated in dark tones this track gives a sense of endurance however the elasticity and spring adds hope and strength. Loughrey’s hazy raspy vocals simmer with moving emotion. Simple and smooth the track is foot tapping friendly with an authentic country tone however with striking lyrical depths that hit you hard and cast an eerie shadow. ‘Coming Up’ is richly textured and sophisticated displaying a compelling vocal expression from Loughrey .
When asked about the track Loughrey said “‘Coming Up’ plays like a confessional and deals with the universal themes of disillusionment and remorse, it acknowledges a person’s constant struggle to get ahead in life despite facing withstand from both outside and within. The song itself is also a hat-tip of sorts to the 1970’s folk song ‘Sonny’s Dream’, written by Ron Hynes”
‘Coming Up’ is the first release from Lisa Loughrey’s forthcoming solo album. The single release will be followed by a launch on 8th June at Arthur’s Music Venue, Dublin 8 so make sure to check that out.
Stream ‘Coming Up’ below
Grant Ashman and Mark Neat who are collectively known as Delta Howl are set to release their debut single ‘Reach The Shore’ this Friday. The duo who both grew up in Dudley recorded, mixed and mastered the track in their own studio. It’s the first single off a five track EP which is due to be released in the summer. ‘Reach The Shore’ is a foot tapping clap along friendly track wrapped in warm nostalgic tones. This track bops along with a chirpy spring in its step. Simple yet effective with mellow acoustic guitar jingles and hand clapping feature it glows with bright qualities and a honeyed melty melody. Sweet county twangs create a cosy camp fire atmosphere while soothing passionate vocals give a snug toasty comforting quality. Bursting with raw emotion this catchy track leaves an imprint in your mind and will have you swaying and singling along in no time.
Hailing from the swamplands of Southern Georgia, raised on a heady blend of rock-and-roll, blues and classic country, sisters Beau + Luci have released their debut EP ‘Fire Dancer’ which along with drawing from real-life experience weaves in elements of visionary storytelling throughout. Inspired by a central character from Cornelia Funke’s Inkheart trilogy—a fire-eater named Dustfinger—the intensely charged title track ‘Fire Dancer’ explores what Luci refers to as “the idea of taking something that could be used for destruction and instead using it to give hope”. ‘Fire Dancer’ starting with almost a cappella vocal harmonies, Beau + Luci demand attention with tight sweet toned vocals backed by rumbling drums. Its instantly catchy. This track twangs in all the right places without too much country in your face. Attitude soaked and bursting with sass and swagger these girls give us earthy yet lush rich textured folk-rock that packs a punch. Smoothly fluid and sleek with immaculate captivating harmonies teamed with elements of bluesy Americana rock thrown in and of course a shredding sharp guitar solo. Its elegantly and daintily lean and mean.
Produced by Dan Hannon (Manchester Orchestra, Aaron Shust), Beau + Luci’s debut EP finds the duo collaborating with a host of esteemed musicians, including guitarist Scott Sharrard and keyboardist Peter Levin (both members of the Gregg Allman Band) as well as keyboardist Rami Jaffee (best known for his work with Foo Fighters and the Wallflowers). Throughout the EP, Beau + Luci show a sharp sense of songcraft honed through their near-lifelong studying of legends like Joni Mitchell and Johnny Cash. At the same time, the two channel pure passion into each track, instilling the EP with powerful energy.
Stream ‘Fire Dancer’ below
David Arn is an American singer, songwriter, musician best known for his highly personal lyrical style. He currently has two albums entitled, ‘Postmodern Days’ and ‘Walking in Dreamland’ (which in 2015 was played on over 85 US and Canada FM stations). Streamed worldwide on myriad outlets, Arn’s music has been featured on NPR stations, BBC Radio and heard on Delta Airlines commercial flights. Hailing from a literary background, the most important aspect of Arn’s songs are the lyrics which have an endearing lyrical style with a poetic flair. David has recently released his new single ‘Power Line’ which was mastered and engineered by Andrew Walter (David Bowie, Coldplay) at Abbey Road Studios and is a musical collaboration with Toby Wilson who features in the single as lead guitarist. As a sophisticated multi-instrumentalist and musician, this particular release is a new sound for David, who cites Leonard Cohen as one of his main influences. The single marks the first release of a larger project set to be released later in 2017. ‘Power Line’ twangs with melancholic nostalgic tones that glimmer with warm mellow scintillation. This new release still retains the lyrical style that David has been well known for in his previous two album releases, however the track echoes more of a mainstream folk sound. Smooth vocals lull you into a state of tranquillity while steady strums surge a hush of serenity with bright evening sun-setting glows. Sweet subtle guitar licks add warm sapid melodious qualities. Its a gentle song to sway to for those thoughtful contemplative moments on the patio.
Stream ‘Power Line’ below
Wales four-piece Folk/Rock band Luna Tides are set to release their debut EP ‘Open Woods’ next week. ‘Open Woods’ is an EP soaked in satisfying rich melodies that glow like a chest of hidden treasure and fill the soul with joy.
Title track ‘Open Woods’ kicks off the EP with sweet mellow twinkle of guitar. Gentle delicate vocals lull and soothe with lush harmony in backing vocals. The soft beat gives the track a cushion bounce. The track builds to an almost tribal repetitive uplifting anthem that would provide courage and endurance to the listener. ‘Last Night’ introduces itself with a strong beat and bright inspiriting vibes. This track weaves luxurious melodies on guitar with sweet infectious vocal melodies creating rich textures that is honey to the ears. ‘Luna’ follows taking a darker tone and giving a night time moon light vibe. A deeper almost rumble on drums and shadowed rhythm gives a magical mysterious vibe. With eerier strums on guitar and wail in the background a sense of danger and peril threatens from the unknown. Deep vocals warn of something menacing while the backing vocals add a haunting quality. ‘Luna’ changes the tone of the EP and gives us a refreshing darker side to Luna Tide’s story telling. ‘What Comes Around’ a track we previously featured on Indie Buddie closes the EP. Its bright warm cosy texture comforts and shields us from the dark tones that we previously heard. However subtly showing its own melancholic undertones with sombre lyrics. The overall bouncy track builds to an infectious sing along chorus with lustrous guitar and elastic rubbery beat that will have you bopping in no time.
Luna Tides ‘Open Woods’ will put a smile on any sour face with their upbeat lively tracks and heart warming soul enriching music.
You can pre order the EP here http://bit.ly/LunaTidesClwb
Watch the video for ‘What Comes Around’ below
Luna Tides are a four-piece Folk/Rock band from Vale of Glamorgan, Wales. Originally under the name Thomas Seddon, they announced the new band name on the 24th January 2016 at the Free For All Festival, Cardiff. Their songs are inspired by growing up surrounded by the raw and inviting Welsh coastlines. Their first single ‘Over the Cliffs’ was praised by the likes of BBC Radio Wales’ Bethan Eflyn & Adam Walton, as well as being featured on 6 Music’s Tom Robinson ‘FOTN’ Mixtape. Over the past 7 months, Luna Tides have supported the likes of Top Loader and Into the Ark on tour, and have graced the stages of festivals; The Big Cwtch and DimSwn. Luna Tides have now released a video for the newest single ‘What Comes Around’. ‘What Comes Around’ glows with bright warm cosy textures. Its cushy bouncy beat and velvety vocals gives the track a smooth quality and likeability. It’s a hot cup of tea or coffee in your hands on a cold day. Sharp zest on guitar acts as a ray of sunshine illuminating and warming all in its path.The track builds for the chorus with harmony on backing vocals creating a sing along effect. The guitar and beat seem to dance in the verse like flames of a fire again enforcing the warm cosy feeling the song portrays which softens the blow of the matter of fact lyrics “I don’t love you any more”.
Luna Tides are set to release their debut EP ‘ Open Woods’ on the 24th November 2016, with a launch party that same night at Cardiff’s infamous Clwb Ifor Bach, in conjunction with The Forte Project and the Young Promoter’s Network.
When asked about the concept for the video frontman Thomas Seddon said:
“The music video for What Comes Around was sort of winged! It shouldn’t have been but time and the weather were against us. Id spotted an old advert in a magazine, where they’d layered a very pretty girls face with other images, but rather than using Photoshop I think they had used a projector to create the image, or perhaps double exposure. We had tried something similar ourselves the year before but not with the projector focused on just faces. When we came to filming it, we were delighted by this beautiful concept! It’ll be really interesting to see people’s reactions.”
Watch the video for ‘What Comes Around’ below
South Wales four-piece Climbing Trees consists of members Matthew Frederick (Piano, Guitar, Vocals), Colenso Jones (Guitar, Bass, Vocals), Martin Webb (Guitar, Bass, Vocals) and James Bennetts (Drums, Percussion, Vocals). They describe their sound as Cymrucana (mixture of folk, country and Americana). The band formed in 2011 and came to the attention of BBC Introducing with the distinctive sound of their critically acclaimed debut album ‘Hebron’, which was recorded in isolation in the woods of Carmarthenshire, the band were announced as one of twelve artists to take part in the inaugural year of the BBC and Arts Council of Wales’ Horizons project in the Spring of 2014. They have had appearances at Green Man Festival, Festival No.6 and The Hay Festival and have also performed at the Dylan Thomas Centenary celebrations in Laugharne Castle. With a live session at London’s legendary Maida Vale Studios , a television appearance alongside the BBC National Orchestra of Wales as well as soundtracking the BBC’s Real Valleys season and featuring in American documentary Fade To Winter, Climbing Trees have had a busy few years and gained an ever growing following.
The band have finished their eagerly-awaited and much anticipated second album ‘Borders’ which has been shortlisted for this year’s Welsh Music Prize. This month they released their new single ‘Amber’ which is the third to be taken from the album. The track is flush with bright warm tones and richly entwined with lush melodies and glowing textures. The addition of the string quartet adds a delicate sweet elegance and sway to the track lifting it up and giving it flight and motion. The piano is also gentle and tender and compliments the track perfectly adding a beautiful graceful quality. The vocals are warm and soothing with smooth soft country tones. The guitars glitter and glisten while also adding depth to the elevating song. Climbing Trees continue to progress and perfect their unique sound and give us a track that is feathery light yet dense with warm golden textures.
Stream ‘Amber’below
Brighton’s Folk/Punk/Rock band 40 Shillings On The Drum are Daniel Scully (Vocals), Steven Cobley (Guitar), Seb Cole (Keyboard/Backing Vocal), Barry Bloye (Bass/Backing Vocal), Sue Buckler (Fiddle) and Danny Woodford (Drums). After over a year’s preparation, 40 Shillings On The Drum launched online in July 2016 and performed their first gig on Wednesday 27th July as part of Churchill Square’s Busk Stop event in Brighton. Attracting the largest turnout of all the acts to perform.
The six piece gave us a sneak peak of their single ‘Brighton Belle’ and its a guzzler. Its a fantastic fusion of Gaelic folk and rock. Bursting with brawl-like attitude and drenched in beer and whiskey, this track will pull in the masses for a tankard-clashing hearty anthem. Embroidered with bright sweet guitar and a delicate tender tear jerking melody on fiddle that will bring a proud tear to any strong mans eye. With its rapid tempo and nimble keys its difficult to sit still, its a crowd-pleaser and will have everyone up and jumping. Soaked in cheeky swagger its a ruckus causing high energy infectious back-slapping cheerful song. You just wont be able to stop yourself singing along.
40 Shillings On The Drum are “armed to the teeth with an array of songs about life, love, friendship, and getting smashed out of your brain, and are ready to take on the world, one town at time”.
Their as-yet, untitled debut album is due for release in 2017.
Chalky Seas are a laid back, indie folk band from East Anglia. The line up is made up of like-minded musicians that all met within the local music scene throughout the years. With their ‘gypsy-esque’ style strumming patterns and their ‘rootsy-true’ lyrics comes a very easily listenable ‘Chalky Seas’, appealing to all . They released their debut EP ‘CAVALIER’ earlier this year. Their success from their early release of the first single ‘Plastic Friends’ has gained them an ever growing following and fan-base. ‘CAVALIER’ is an EP packed with good wholesome tracks that flow smoothly and grab your attention with soul touching rich melodies and warm tones. ‘Riverbend’ and ‘Home’ are bright lustrous tracks with soft beats and gleaming guitars that are relaxing and easing to the mind. They are cosy and comforting tracks with the guitar adding a bite and freshness which acts as a ray of sunlight on your face. ‘Cavalier’ is a simple quite track that stills everything in the room and draws you into every word and emotion. With light accompaniment to start which builds to a pulse like beat in percussion adding depth to the track. It has a stilling effect on the mind and a tender tone. The track builds in tempo and becomes uplifting and vibrant. ‘Plastic Friends’ is a beautifully presented track that is aglow with golden glistening tones. With a melancholy tone that will bring a tear to your eye yet holds a strength and courage that is character building. Chalky Seas manage to take the listener on a journey of emotional discovery while they provide comfort from these emotions through a warm smooth blanket of beautiful tunes.
Stream ‘Plastic Friends’ and ‘Riverbend’ below
Airport Impressions are a 4-piece band from Malta. The band consists of Errol Sammut (lead vocals, guitar), Johann Schembri (guitar), Chris Curmi (bass guitar), and Steve Farrugia (drums). Starting out as a duo in search of new musical experiences, Errol Sammut and Johann Schembri’s six-month stay in Ireland in 2005 proved to be an important step in their journey. Apart from consolidating their love of Irish music, it also ignited a new spark in the way they went about writing songs. Airport Impressions have clocked up countless radio hits along the way, among them ‘Borderline’, ‘Wake up’, ‘Walk with Me’ and, more recently ‘Hymns of June’ and ‘Berlin.’ The latter (Berlin) also won first place in the Unsigned Only 2014 edition for the Adult Album Alternative category. Airport Impressions are continuously raising their name and have already booked festivals for 2016 including Midstock and a UK Tour.
The latest album ‘Mariette’ perfectly captures the band’s musical journey to date, its twelve songs reflecting a versatility that has evolved over the years. On this record Airport Impressions show us their blend of pop and rock embroidered with country and indie folk. The country rock influence is evident from the first track ‘Wishing Well’. This track radiates bright vibes coated in country twang with Sammut’s husky vocals adding grit and depth to the track. The blazing guitar lifts the track and gives it a glow and luminosity. ‘Come Along’ has an Irish power ballad feel. Its a melodic track with a proud “hit your chest, call the clan together” and bellow the chorus at the top of your lungs feel. The uplifting positive atmosphere teamed with emotional lyrics pull at the heart strings and evoke joyful triumphant tears. ‘Berlin’ begins with a sweet heartening whistle. The track is bright and bubbly with a bouncy beat and lustrous guitar it will cheer up any glum chum. Try to get that whistling tune out of your head its near impossible.
Title track ‘Mariette’ caught my eye as it is a beautiful gentle track with tender tones to begin with. It starts with a country ballad vibe that builds and develops into a lavishly textured track with sprinkles of folk . Its lamenting tone is conveyed through a graceful and elegant guitar feature that twinkles throughout the track. It has a Bryan Adams feel and warmth that is comforting and charming. ‘Star Signs’ , ‘While You Wait’ , Hymns of June’ and ‘If You Abandon Me’ continue to flesh out Airport Impressions stunning melodies with country rock arrangements each track showing its own individuality while maintaining the bands upbeat positive style and showcasing their exquisite musicianship. ‘Ballymena Sun’ presents us with an almost tropical sun kissed sound, every note in this track is ablaze with golden rays of sunshine. With its sway- like beat and charming guitar feature you will loose yourself in its beach evening vibes. ‘All We Got’, ‘Let It Shine’ and final track ‘Silhouettes’ shows the bands tender ballad skills as they wear their hearts on their sleeve with meticulous instrumentation and beautiful lyrics they serenade us with lamenting tone and sweet sombre vocals.
Airport Impressions will be heading to Scotland on a UK Tour check out their website below for all the dates http://www.airportimpressions.com/gigs/
Check out Airport Impressions video for ‘Mariette’ below
Indie: (n) an obscure form of rock which you only learn about from someone slightly more hip than yourself.
