Today, The James Hunter Six shares the high-energy music video for the blues blaster "Ain't That A Trip," a rare duet with legendary Irish singer Van Morrison. Directed by James Slater (Jamie T, Major Lazer, CMAT), the joyful clip features a group of dancers performing an expertly choreographed, eye-catching routine in a desolate UK factory. The track comes from the group’s upcoming LP Off The Fence, their first release with Easy Eye Sound which is out January 16.
On the music video, Hunter shares: “Nearly all my tunes are written to be danced to and ‘Ain't That A Trip’ is no exception. Anyone who wants to wreck the dance floor (or factory floor) bustin' some moves to it is more than welcome.”
Slater adds: “We shot the video in a textile mill in my hometown of Bradford, England. In fact, it's where my Dad worked up until his retirement. It's a beautiful space. We just turned up, turned the lights on and started shooting. It was choreographed by my long time collaborator Daisy JT Smith who worked with four incredible dancers Saskia, Kadafi, Nicholas and Charlie to create something really free and playful.”
British singer, songwriter and GRAMMY-nominated James Hunter was first introduced to Van Morrison in the early '90s, and appeared on two of his albums – 1994’s live set, A Night In San Francisco and ’95’s Days Like This. The following year Morrison returned the favor, guesting on Hunter’s Believe What I Say. Three decades on, Hunter explains what it means to have him return for another collaboration: “I’ve always reckoned Van’s voice, right from the paint-stripping howls of the Them days to the Smokey Robinson-esque ‘Crazy Love.’ It’s a real kick having him sing on something I wrote. Is that a trip or what?”
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| Artwork & Photo - Calm Elliott-Armstrong |
Vancouver-based country-folk duo Duke & Goldie return with their luminous sophomore EP Romance and Ramblin' – a heartfelt collection exploring love, belonging, and the beauty of being an outsider. Led by the raw and anthemic single "Outsider," the record bridges classic country storytelling with modern reflections on identity and self-discovery.
Produced by acclaimed sonic craftsman Erik P.H. Nielsen (City and Colour, Blue Moon Marquee), Romance and Ramblin' finds Eric "The Duke" Duquette and Jena "Goldie" Gogo distilling the soul of country music through their own lived experiences. Drawing inspiration from icons like Loretta Lynn, Gram Parsons, and Lucinda Williams, the pair reimagine the heartland sound for a new generation – one defined by vulnerability, warmth, and truth.
"I've always been a big fan of classic 70's outlaw country music – folks like Waylon, Willie and Kristofferson," says Eric. "Except I don't live on a ranch, drive a pickup truck, ride horses or have any of the usual country accoutrement. So I felt like a bit of an outsider. When I went back and listened to those old records that I loved so much, I realized that they were singing about being outsiders too. And ultimately, isn't being an outsider what country is really about?"
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Running Out the Clock are making waves in the music scene with sharp guitar hooks, shimmering synth textures, and an unstoppable sense of energy. The band began when childhood friends Aaron (guitar) and Josh (drums) joined forces with Anisa (bass/vocals) and Yaz (lead vocals). Drawing inspiration from indie, math rock, synth-pop, and beyond, they’ve created a sound that’s vibrant, varied, and distinctly their own.
Nimble basslines and explosive drum fills drive adventurous shifts in rhythm and genre, while glistening synths and emotive guitar melodies amplify the blissful vocals and harmonies. Together, they craft songs that are as technically sharp as they are emotionally resonant, with influences ranging from Arctic Monkeys to Olivia Dean.
Running Out the Clock introduced themselves to the synth-pop world with their debut single, ‘Why Wait for Love?’ – an energetic anthem that celebrates self confidence and individuality. ‘Why Wait for Love?’ set the tone for the band’s dynamic style and catchy pop hooks. Building on the momentum of their debut, the band have just released their second single, ‘No Parking’ – an upbeat and fast-paced Indie Rock track that reflects the restless pursuit of purpose and identity. The band are already gearing up for their next single, ‘Without U’, set for release this November.
On stage, Running Out the Clock are equally captivating. Within months of their first live show in spring 2024, they became Rockshore Battle of the Bands finalists, earned airplay on Blast106, and won the Queen’s Battle of the Bands after a standout performance in front of more than 300 people at Mandela Hall.
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White Birches comprise of Jenny Gabrielsson Mare and Fredrik Jonasson who collectively deliver a musical soundscape that is at times expansive and yet feels deep and personal.
Having featured the previous single last month and looking forward to hopefully sharing the whole album in the near future, one thing is clear, although the following two quotes suggest we should expect darkness as a theme, somehow they still mange to factor in a number of other emotional responses leaving me wanting to here more from them.
Their label state "Salt the Earth proves that White Birches continue on their path where the last single Breathing started. The song is dark, melancholic and will embrace you totally. A perfect soundtrack for the season." The band tells us "Life is not just about grief and darkness. It is also about heartache."
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