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 folk singer-songwriter, Kyle Britton from Los Angeles is releasing his debut EP, ‘Riddle’, on 8th July. He has enlisted help from Los Angeles’ most seasoned musicians including Kyle Crane on Drums (Daniel Lanois, Elle King) and renowned violist, Ginny Luke (Rihanna, Dave Matthews Band) and famed engineer, Darryl Swann (Macy Gray), on this EP. His single of the same name was released earlier this month and it explores the demise of a poisonous love affair and the enduring pain that follows. ‘Riddle’ is an emotion evoking track which has a theatrical feel as Britton narrates a story to us with the backing of cinematic music. Britton’s vocals begin in an almost whisper-like narration of this tale, like the secret of scandalous story that cannot be spoken aloud. He conveys the longing tone perfectly through his soft emotion filled vocals teamed with a melancholy melody on viola and light waltz like beats. This builds for the chorus and then softens again for the return of the verse. We are presented with mysterious dark undertones giving the listener a feeling that this tale is distressing and eerie. The melody runs smoothly and almost with the sway like effect of a dangerous spooky waltz that will lead to the characters demise. The song builds to an intense and emotional crescendo when finally the track is played out by the lamenting viola.
Stream ‘Riddle’ below
Indie: (n) an obscure form of rock which you only learn about from someone slightly more hip than yourself.
