Whitney Rose - David Haerle - Kidsmoke

Whitney Rose new album is entitled 'We Still Go To Rodeos' and it's a fresh collection of twelve Americana songs with plenty of Texan authenticity and it's streaming in full below. === David Haerle's brand new album 'Death Valley' comprises of fifteen new songs from which we have videos for 'Romy And Michele' plus 'Go Do That With Sharon' both of which give a good feel for this fabulous mixture of rock genres. === Kidsmoke have released 'The Bluest You' a very appealing song that sees the band combining dream pop and observations on mental health.
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Whitney Rose - We Still Go To Rodeos (Album).

Whitney Rose has never been daunted or intimidated by challenges. Whether she’s perusing the possibilities that accompany a new project, or following up on her early transition to residency in Austin, she’s always eagerly embraced any opportunity to further amplify her art and her career.

That’s certainly the case with her upcoming album, We Still Go to Rodeos, due out April 24th on Rose’s own artist/management-run record label, MCG. Indeed, it continues a tradition Whitney has adhered to from early on — that is, the ability to share sentiments and scenarios that all of us can relate to simply by being participants in the sometimes tenuous adventure we call life.

Produced by Paul Kolderie, whose impressive resume includes Radiohead, Uncle Tupelo, Pixies, Toots & The Maytals, Hole, and Morphine, among the many, it’s a stunning set consisting of 12 songs, all of which were penned solely by Whitney herself.

While the sound, style and stance retain her trademark reverence for Americana authenticity, her confidence and creativity elevate her to a new plateau. There’s a familiarity factor to be sure, but the album also reflects a rugged independent spirit, one that takes its cue from the best of the Texas tradition.

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David Haerle - Romy And Michele / Go Do That With Sharon.

David Haerle's brand new album Death Valley comprises of fifteen new songs. David tells us - I’m a singer, songwriter and guitar player who grew up surrounded by music and the music business.  My maternal grandparents were owners of the first full time country music radio station in Nashville, TN.  My father, Martin, emigrated from Germany to pursue a dream of working in the country music industry and co-founded the independent label CMH Records, setting up shop in the garage and side room of our family home in Los Angeles.

My own taste was more rock.  I got my first guitar, a Fender Stratocaster around age 13, along with a Fender Deluxe Reverb amp.  I was captivated by the sounds of David Bowie, Black Sabbath, Van Halen and Led Zeppelin, and tried to learn everything I could from my guitar heroes Frank Zappa, Ted Nugent, Jimi Hendrix, and many others.

In 1990, I took over the company, now CMH Label Group and I’ve proudly served as its president for the last 29 years.  While I never stopped playing guitar, running the label meant making my own music had to take a back seat for quite a few years.  In 2009, I began studying with a vocal coach and it was singing that inspired me to focus more time on writing, recording and producing original songs. My first album, Garden of Edendale, began as a passion project and took 7 years to make.  Released in 2018, many of the songs pull from my own life experiences.  I tried to transform nostalgia into beauty, with a fair number of guitar-drums-bass driven jams mixed in. I started from scratch, began writing songs, recording and put together a great creative team, many of whom I continue to work with to this day.

Death Valley is my second album, which will be released in spring 2020.  I titled the album in honor of my favorite place on earth.  Death Valley is always a source of inspiration for me and a place that never fails to renew my spirit.  My family often ended up there on vacation in the summer, when relatives of my dad visited.  I still go as often as I can. Its vastness and beauty give me the direct experience of being part of a much greater whole.  And I love holding those memories of being with loved ones, the mystery of the landscape, and the endless possibilities for adventure. I have to say there are some advantages to releasing your first album in middle age.  I have more life experience to draw on lyrically than I did when I was 20 or even 30.  When I was younger, I wanted to sound like my heroes.  Now, I want to sound like myself.  I continue to explore what that means, writing and creating as much new music as I can. Sometimes you have to live the record before you can make the record.


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Kidsmoke - The Bluest You.

Following on from a thriving 2019, which saw the quadruple accumulate a monumental list of credits under their belt, including showcasing at SXSW in Austin, Texas, Kidsmoke have signed to Libertino Records and will release a new single ‘The Bluest You’ on April 24th.

In a contrast of dreamy pop and rhythmic strings, their new song ‘The Bluest You’ is a sombre observation of mental health and how it can affect loved ones. Initially inspired by Low/Heroes-era David Bowie, the track was intended to be an instrumental - but after intense rehearsals and the addition of some Matt Berninger-influenced lyrics, it morphed into something completely different and became the track we hear today.

The band tells us: “This song is a live favourite of ours. It is a fly on the wall look into a household where one person’s depression is affecting everyone else who lives there. The song doesn’t address the feelings of the person suffering with depression, it is a sort of commentary from the viewpoint of the rest of the family.”

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Rex - The Northern Belle - Anacarina

Rex are back just four weeks after sharing 'Palaces' with the new track 'Lovers Like We Used To Be' and the trio continue to deliver some moody and potent alt rock. === From Norway we have The Northern Belle with 'Gemini' taken from their next album 'We Wither, We Bloom' due for release in August, the featured song brims with Americana styles and some serious pop sensibilities. === Los Angeles singer-songwriter Anacarina just released 'Grave' a song where her vocals are passionate and the musical backdrop is beautifully arranged.
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Rex - Lovers Like We Used To Be.

Known for their curvatures of post punk, new wave and Spanish rhythms, the Amsterdam-based trio Rex explore themes around the darker side of life. Caught in a whirlwind of frustration over dead-end relationships, the band are set release new cut ‘‘Lovers Like We Used To Be’

Straddling genres with a sensational blend of mellifluous guitar riffs, snazzy drumbeats and lead singer Jonathan’s robust vocals, ‘Lovers Like We Used To Be’ is subjected around hopeless romanticism and resentment.

In talks of their new number Rex says: “It’s a story that happens on a certain night, when you think it’s better to leave a person because all that you have done together is repetitive. You’re left feeling frustrated, but soon realise that it’s your own patterns that causes the friction. When you return, it’s too late and realise you hardly knew her.”

This year will see Rex on the rising scale, as they welcome the release of their debut EP this spring.


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The Northern Belle - Gemini.

Written as an examination of personal relationships, the new album by The Northern Belle is aptly titled We Wither, We Bloom. The Norwegian septet is among the pioneers of the nordicana scene that has been gaining momentum in the US the last few years. Fronted by prolific singer-songwriter Stine Andreassen (also of folk quartet Silver Lining) and armed with pedal steel, slide guitar, lush harmonies, a string quartet and their secret weapon, the Norwegian Hardanger fiddle, The Northern Belle have developed their own unique brew of pop-oriented americana and folk music. Imagine Fleetwood Mac fronted by Jenny Lewis in a country mood.

Brimming with melodic tunes and clever lyrics, We Wither We Bloom is the band's third studio album, albeit the first to be released internationally. Having made the difficult decision to quit her day job to pursue music, Andreassen and The Northern Belle received widespread praise and a Spellemann nomination (Norwegian Grammy) for the 2018 album Blinding Blue Neon. In the spring of 2019, Andreassen traveled to Nashville for three months to write the follow-up. The welcoming and thriving music scene found east of the Cumberland River sparked a creative songwriting spell that resulted in this inspired collection of tracks. The distance from home allowed for new views on friends, family, love, loss and homesickness, resulting in the band's most personal album to date.

Constantly evolving as a band, The Northern Belle’s sound in 2020 is inspired by contemporary acts such as Erin Rae, Kacey Musgraves, Phoebe Bridgers and Marit Larsen, as well as legends such The Beach Boys, The Byrds and Glen Campbell. All resulting in a record that pays tribute to its inspirations while also showing true originality.


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Anacarina - Grave.

Los Angeles singer-songwriter Anacarina shares "Grave" the latest single off her upcoming EP 'One of Your Forevers'.

“Grave” is about being in love with someone and the ups but more so the downs that come along with it. It’s about feeling that strong desire, doubting your judgement, feeling shame and insecurity.

Anacarina produced “Grave” with Jonathan Lee Chan and was mastered by Chris Longwood. Together, they create an emotionally powerful track.

"[Grave is] A song about being in love with someone, feeling that strong desire, and not believing/ having little faith in the success of that connection. Doubting your judgement. Feeling shame and insecurity. Grieving and desperate longing."
- Anacarina - 'One of Your Forevers' is out on May 29th via Glass Planets.

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Lauran Hibberd - Pantayo - The Modern Society - Hostile Tribes - Beach Scvm

Lauran Hibberd is back for a tenth time on Beehive Candy with the song and video for 'Old Nudes', which sees the slacker pop artist in (as to be expected) splendid form. === Toronto by-way-of Philippines quintet Pantayo share 'V V V (They Lie)', where the driving beats are matched with some fabulous vocals and a haunting musical backdrop. === Our second helping of The Modern Society this year comes in the form of 'Liquid Love' and this annoyingly young band demonstrate plenty of musical maturity and the good humoured video is a bonus. === Hostile Tribes (Paul Baird) has just shared 'Locals' a rhythmic piece where his vocals sway in and out of the track and the video plays into the trippy vibe. === Beach Scvm have shared a new video for 'Forever Sunday' an upbeat dream pop song with a hint or two of shoegaze for good measure.
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Lauran Hibberd - Old Nudes.

Primed to capitalise on growing widespread acclaim, resident slacker pop specialist Lauran Hibberd continues her ascent towards the peak of the indie landscape with playful new cut ‘Old Nudes’, set for release April 23rd.

Producing her most infectious track to date, the hotly-tipped Isle of Wight native’s satirical approach and anthemic tendencies shine through once again, providing the perfect follow-up to pop-infused January release ‘Bang Bang Bang’ and subsequent sold-out UK tour, as she transitions towards bigger audiences and bigger stages.

Occupying a similar space to contemporaries including Phoebe Bridgers and Weezer, Hibberd’s popularity is certainly on the rise, with considerable support across the BBC Radio 1 airwaves (Annie Mac, Huw Stephens, Jack Saunders) and key champions at press (The Line Of Best Fit, Dork, Billboard, Clash, Gigwise) helping her notch gripping UK/EU support tours alongside US heavyweights Hippo Campus and The Regrettes in recent months.

With appearances on the BBC Introducing and The Line Of Best Fit stages at SXSW curtailed earlier this year, the newcomer will be looking to pick up where she left off with a slew of festival appearances and extensive UK dates in the autumn, where she’ll play some of her biggest shows to date.

Detailing her upcoming release, Hibberd revealed: “‘Old Nudes’ is unfortunately based upon a true story. We’ve all been there right!? The track looks back on the ‘mistake’, and almost mocks it using over confidence. It belittles the receiver, and oozes sarcasm and naivety. I keep writing songs about being young because I’m scared of getting too old to joke about these things”.

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Pantayo - V V V (They Lie).

Pantayo, the Vice-tipped Toronto by-way-of Philippines quintet, has just shared their new single, ‘V V V (They Lie)’. The new track is the latest in a string of singles to be lifted from their forthcoming self-titled debut album, set for release via Telephone Explosion Records on May 8, 2020.

‘V V V (They Lie)’ was put together over the course of a single day with the group finding inspiration, to an extent, in bubble tea. “The composition of the song was as a lot like a cup of bubble tea,” says the band. “We added 2 cups of blended percussion as the base, then some analog synth tapioca pearls to keep the texture interesting and fun, and finally topped it off with a few tablespoons of fresh tropical vocal fruits for some added sweetness.”

Pantayo is an audio diary of how the ensemble has grown together as writers and performers. The songwriting process started with members workshopping and performing traditional kulintang pieces whilst adapting kick drums and synths to the modal tuning of the gongs, further expanding Pantayo’s ability to incorporate modern musical expressions. “If you listen to the recordings of our rehearsals and songwriting sessions, you can hear us deconstructing the kulintang parts section-by-section and practicing our songs in different styles,” says keyboardist and vocalist Eirene Cloma.

Grounded in the interpretation of kulintang music, Pantayo can be a vehicle for discussions around diasporic Filipino identity. All five members have different experiences of settling in Canada and with that comes their relationships with music. Kat Estacio, co-founder of Pantayo, says “One way that we can make this world feel like home for folks like us is to mix the kulintang music that we learned with different sounds and song structures that feel familiar to us."


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The Modern Society - Liquid Love.

Cheshire alternative pop fourpiece The Modern Society have announced their new single Liquid Love, which is available to buy and stream now. Aged between only 17, 18 and 19-years-old and forming the band whilst still at school, The Modern Society have a unique sound that blends indie and rock with funk and pop alongside youthful and direct lyrics.

New single Liquid Love follows recently released debut single Bad Thoughts, which was the first introduction to the band’s sound. Produced by Simon Jones (The Verve), Liquid Love is a jazz-inspired indie pop song written about young love, with innocent lyrics backed by a catchy melody full of romance, hazy days and optimism. The track is backed by a humorous video shot in Brighton and featuring the band themselves. The band say;

“Liquid Love is inspired by the summertime & sunshine and the overwhelming power of young and innocent romance. It is a feel-good, organic, summer love song.”

The Modern Society have been building their local following playing shows in and around Cheshire over the last year, including a recent show at Manchester’s Band on the Wall and the Jacaranda Club in Liverpool. The Modern Society are Lucas Humpheys (vocals & piano), Declan Fowles (drums), Jack Varah (guitar & backing vocals) and Connor Loman (bass guitar and backing vocals).

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Hostile Tribes - Locals.

As a young Mancunian teenager, Paul Baird hung around at a recording studio often enough that they eventually gave him a job. This led to Baird being involved in (read: cleaning tape heads, answering the phone and making brews) the recording of Teenage Fanclub's album, Thirteen and the remixing of The Who's seminal live album, Live at Leeds.

Baird soon cut his teeth as a sixteen-year-old guitarist in Manchester punk band, Breather, receiving national press attention and gigging throughout the UK, including an official show at In the City, in Dublin, at the request of the late Tony Wilson, before suddenly departing the group, to paint abstract canvases and study philosophy, no less! Unintentionally scuppering Breather's plans (of signing with RCA Records) in the process.

Baird later went on to front Manchester dream-pop acts; Glass (Soviet Union Records & Caserta Red Records), I See Angels (Mimic This Records) & Just Everywhere (Ramber Records), chalking up A play-listed singles on the likes of NME radio, playing shows at venues such as the 02 Apollo Manchester and The Fuzz Club (Athens, Greece) and found himself the focus of interviews by the BBC, XFM and the Manchester Evening News, before retreating once more, this time to raise a family, just as things were beginning to look promising.

Ever the outsider, Paul Baird is Hostile Tribes these days… His swooning vocal instantly recognisable as it carries gorgeous melodies across otherwise digitally corrupted indie-pop, synth-pop and dream-pop. An accomplished singer, guitarist, and producer, amongst other things, Baird often throws several synth-led bouts of songwriting into his mixes, reverberated vocal loops and fragile harmonies surging alongside electronic loops and classic hip-hop influenced beats, pretty instrumental interludes, the aching hum of ambience and fuzzy guitars.

An aggressive acid eats away at Baird from the inside; his tracks play urgently as a result, whether they’re of the dreamy electronic variety, psychedelic pop, or short stabs of art-punk, periodically running riot with distortion pedals and protesting guitar squeal. Pin Baird down with any precision to a location and his momentum goes haywire. Track his speed and lose the man in space forever.

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Beach Scvm - Forever Sunday.

'Forever Sunday' the new video clip of dreampop band Beach Scvm definitely brings back memories of happier times. Of times when nobody talked about corona yet. When people in front of stage bounced their sorrows away. Moments in which life just raced by, for example when we were skateboarding. But «Forever Sunday» is as well about those worn-out moments when, after a night of partying and performing live, the sun falls through the windows of the small tour bus.

Beach Scvm are convinced that these times return – an optimism that seems specially authentic as they're a band from France, which has been particularly hit strong by corona-crisis. While others would be accused of spreading platitudes, Beach Scvm know perfectly well how to emphasise their wishes of a fun-filled world in musical ways.

Beach Scvm have wrapped their visions into tasty dreampop and shoegaze. They underline the choruses with their Beach Boys-inspired harmonies, which of course support their surfer image. No wonder that Beach Scvm were invited to play at big windsurfing festivals in their home country in the summer. Whether these events can actually really take place is unsure: it is likely that corona-pandemy will stop them.

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Eliot Bronson (feat Lori McKenna) - Hazel English - Sophia Boro - Ed Rome - TTRRUUCES

Eliot Bronson shares 'Even This Is Going To Pass' featuring Lori McKenna and it's a gentle beautiful ballad with exquisite harmonies. === We have two tracks from Hazel English debut album the title track 'Wake Up' plus 'Born Like' both giving a good feel for this superb pop and rock collection. === Sophia Boro has released 'Nobody Knows' ahead of her debut E.P, the song is both creative and striking, this is promising. === Reggae fans are in for a treat with Ed Rome new Feel No Pain E.P, where he mixes Ska, roots reggae and dub. === TTRRUUCES have just shared 'Evil Elephant' along with a video and this is one fabulous song. Whether you agree with the sentiments or not this is a wonderful track.
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Eliot Bronson - Even This Is Going To Pass (feat. Lori McKenna).

Eliot Bronson whose talents with "bluesy harmonies and a dark sense of humor create powerfully evocative folk songs" earned him the accolade of Best Songwriter by Creative Loafing, releases a powerful new song today. Bronson shares his new work "Even This Is Going To Pass," featuring beautiful harmonies from one of the most respected singer-songwriters, Grammy-winner Lori Mckenna. Proceeds from "Even This Is Going To Pass" will be donated to Feeding America in support of their incredible work year-round, and especially during the Covid-19 crisis.

The video was created by the visual artist Antje Duvekot using a beautiful handmade technique. Next month Eliot will share details on his upcoming album, which will be released this summer.

"Even This Is Going To Pass" was written a few weeks ago just after Bronson’s performance on the popular (now livestream) show Shut in and Sing. Bronson was struck by the realization of all that is going on right now and how it is affecting the people around him; quarantine, social distancing, layoffs, shutdowns, some folks completely cut off from friends and family. In this stressful time Bronson was inspired to give hope.

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Hazel English - Wake Up / Born Like.

“Sometimes I feel like we’re just sleepwalking through our lives. We’re not really present.” Hazel English wants us to open our eyes. Through her shimmering, daydream-pop, the California based singer-songwriter is on a mission to rattle the cages of our very existence, asking us to dig deep and ask challenging questions of ourselves. ‘Wake UP!’, her debut album, is a call to arms: an attempt to “make people become more aware and mindful,” she says.

Since debuting with bittersweet single ‘Never Going Home’ in 2016, the Sydney-born artist has felt the urge to connect with her listeners in a meaningful way. Blending wistful, candid lyricism with jangling psych and beach-pop sounds, English’s compelling songwriting has earned her over 25 million streams, airplay on BBC Radio 1, 6Music and Beats, praise from Lauren Laverne and Annie Mac, and press acclaim with double EP ‘Just Give In/Never Going Home’ labelled by The 405 as “one of the strongest records of the year”. 2019 saw her gain an even wider audience after touring with Lord Huron and Death Cab For Cutie.

Where the double EP was very much a lo-fi, bedroom-produced record, English left her home setup behind in favour of roomy recording studios and tapped up session players for her debut album. Bigger, lusher, and more live-sounding, the LP shows a new side to English: one that conveys the joy and excitement of collaboration. Drawing from a more grandiose sonic palette while pulling on the same sun-kissed thread of her previous work, half of the record was made in LA with super-producer Justin Raisen (Sky Ferreira, Charli XCX, Angel Olsen), while English flew to Atlanta to work with Ben H. Allen (Deerhunter, M.I.A, Animal Collective) on the other half.


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Sophia Boro - Nobody Knows.

Nashville songwriter Sophia Boro has unveiled "Nobody Knows," the first single from her upcoming debut EP, expected this fall. Set for release on April 24, "Nobody Knows" is a rebuke to the establishment. After working as a server, Boro wrote this song to call out toxic work culture, especially in the service industry where she and her fellow co-workers were often treated as insignificant pieces of the process.

Nashville artist Ian Miller produced “Nobody Knows” and also played keys on the track. Ian’s experience as Music Director of Brett Eldredge’s band lead him to provide a keen sense of direction for Sophia’s new tracks. “Nobody Knows was tracked on one of those days where everything starts out a bit chaotic but that energy is reigned in during the recording process to create a real emotion that is tied to the song," recalls producer Ian Miller. When the recording session was held, there was confusion over booking a drummer. Ian came through in the clutch and called up veteran drummer Nate Felty (Kelsey Waldon, Devon Gilfillian). Nate had a plane to catch just hours from then, so he raced over to Ian’s studio, listened to Sophia run through the vocals once, and together the six-piece ensemble assembled for the session that afternoon completed tracking on “Nobody Knows” in 45 minutes.

A Suzuki trained violinist with roots in the theater, Sophia Boro has an affinity for the melodramatic and romantic. Her poetic lyrics are laced with metaphors and intricate stories, while her unique and sultry vocals lend to a 90’s-esq folk-rock sound. It wasn’t until her time at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln when Boro discovered her passion for music. During college she honed in on her vocals and upon moving to Nashville she has expanded her songwriting ability.

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Ed Rome - Feel No Pain (E.P).

The Feel No Pain EP is the brand new, highly anticipated release from critically acclaimed recording artist Ed Rome, out on Kingston Express Records in late April.

Ed Rome’s first release for more than 5 years, the Feel No Pain EP was recorded, mixed, produced and mastered by Ed Rome at his studio: Slam Door Studios.

The Feel No Pain EP features four brand new tracks, ranging from pumping Roots Reggae to authentic Trad Ska, plus a bonus dub version of the 2015 BBC Radio favourite ‘Don’t Believe The Hype’ featuring Freddie Notes (Montego Bay - Trojan).

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TTRRUUCES - Evil Elephant.

If you’ve been following the trajectory of TTRRUUCES, you’ll have seen that the duo place creativity and imagination at the forefront of everything they do. Spinning free of the confines of genre. they’ve created an otherworldly narrative that’s been further explored with a series of striking videos.

It’s an approach that’s winning support from Jack Saunders and Phil Taggart at Radio 1, Tom Robinson at 6 Music, John Kennedy at Radio X, plus Clash and DIY. They’ve also been added to key playlists at Spotify, Deezer and SoundCloud.

Now TTRRUUCES’ vision is set to be fully unleashed with the news that they’ll release their self-titled debut album on June 26th. The album is launched with the new single ‘Evil Elephant’ alongside an official video.

Written as a rock opera, the album is a dream-like adventure, simultaneously euphoric and disorientating in both mood and execution. At its core is the story of a Sad Girl and a Lost Boy, whose quest to acquire a new drug named TTRRUUCES takes them on a mind-altering journey. The album’s sound is equally audacious. The Anglo-French duo - Natalie Findlay and Jules Apollinaire - are full of starry-eyed ambition, and have crafted a saturated fusion of symphonic pop, boisterous beats and reflective ballads. Each song is accompanied by a visual which will ensemble into a final movie.

The first character that the narrative introduces is Sadie, the 17-year-old Sad Girl. She’s disenchanted, depressed and out of place in the world. Desperate and unhappy at home and in need of real sensations, she leaves home looking for a new experimental blue substance TTRRUUCES, promising to expand your mind and offer true happiness. We’re then transported to the local disco, where we meet Syd, the Lost Boy. He’s a little older than Sadie, but he’s also an outsider. He can’t find his lust for life, despite living a hedonistic existence of risk-taking and epic nights out.

They meet and together they embark upon an unlikely rite-of-passage, which encompasses experimenting with TTRRUUCES, inducing an insanely powerful bad trip followed by and ecstatic and Joyfull roadtrip, ultimately, the possibility of a spiritual awakening and a life-long bond.

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Empathy Test - Roly Witherow - The Texas Gentlemen

Empathy Test forthcoming single 'Monsters' is a powerful anthem that exudes indie and synth musical traits and passionate vocals. === We are always on the lookout for different but good and Roly Witherow meets all of those hopes with 'Row Bullies Row' where punk meets sea shanty and folk (wonderful). === The Texas Gentlemen have just shared 'Ain't Nothin' New' it's a little psychedelic, a tiny bit country rock and a whole lot addictive, a fine taster for their July album release.
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Empathy Test - Monsters.

Monsters is the forthcoming single from synth pop magicians, Empathy Test, the lead track from their forthcoming album which looks to cement them as one of the most inventive, emotionally affecting and addictive musical experiences around. Written collectively by all four band members, Monsters is described by the band themselves as, “an ode to anxiety” and is accompanied by a highly anticipated upcoming video, directed by the award-winning Calum Macdiarmid, which has been nominated for this year’s Berlin Music Video Awards

As the first release from the album, Monsters, which, with extraordinary prescience, covers themes such as isolation; fear; the dangers of social media and paranoia, Empathy Test’s forthcoming single sees the band at the height of their powers, with liberal doses of dark electronic atmospherics, Chrisy’s extraordinarily thunderous percussion and a lyric which deals head-on with the modern day curse of anxiety and loneliness which is often exacerbated by social media:

“When the emptiness arrives/And you've nowhere left to hide / When it's stacking up inside - From the corners of your mind”

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Roly Witherow - Row Bullies Row.

Having made a name for himself as a successful composer of music for film and television, Roly Witherow has chosen an entirely different direction for the first solo release – traditional folk music. Telling stories through his music comes naturally to Roly and by expanding his universe to include sea shanties, styles from not just around the British Isles but also around the world, as well as the whole gamut of life, love, death and a dash of humour, Ballads and Yarns provides a modern yet classic celebration of the art of folk music.

Ballads and Yarns is preceded by the rollicking sea shanty, Row Bullies Row, recorded most famously by Ewan Maccoll but now updated to feature electric instruments and even Korg synthesiser, with an even keener emphasis on the sleazy and the bawdy, a brilliant and evocative tribute to the crumbling British seaside town! The album is a diverse collection of folk styles, from the  lullaby on the plight of Mankind in Paean to Earthly Things; the sparse and plaintive lament, Lord Franklin (notably recorded by Pentangle) and Wedding Song which even features a recording of Devonshire sea shanty collective, The Old Gaffers, from Roly’s wedding day! The reworking of traditional songs on Roly’s debut album are reverential whilst taking them into a more widescreen territory, fitting perfectly alongside his originals which both tug at the heartstrings and nibble at the funny bone!

Hailing from Peckham, London, though currently based in East Portlemouth on the South Devon coast during the lockdown with his heavily pregnant wife, Roly Witherow has composed for television programmes such as BBC’s hit, Who Do You Think You Are? and Channel 4’s On the Edge as well as for films such as 2014’s Gregor; Sex Ed (2017) and Try (2018). Ballads and Yarns was written and recorded in Roly’s own home studio and was mixed by Joao Noronha in Brazil (where his wife hails from). A nod to the past, present and future, Roly Witherow’s Ballads and Yarns is 21st Century folk music in all its glory.

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The Texas Gentlemen - Ain't Nothin' New.

The Texas Gentlemen will release Floor It!!! on July 17th via New West Records. The 13-song set was produced by Matt Pence (Jason Isbell, John Moreland, Midlake) and recorded at the legendary Fame Studios in Muscle Shoals, AL, Niles City Sound in Ft. Worth, TX and Pence’s own EchoLab Studios in Denton, TX. Floor It!!! is the follow up to their acclaimed 2017 debut TX Jelly which Vice/Noisey described as “a fantastic collection of good-ass guitar music. Sometimes it sounds like The Beatles, sometimes Jefferson Airplane, sometimes Leon Russell.

It’s both funky and psychedelic, softly acoustic singer-songwriter, and occasionally perverted.” The band’s sound is steeped in ‘60s and ‘70s rock & pop with elements of funk, soul, country, R&B, southern rock and gospel (just about all of them played in churches early on). The album includes woozy, brass-fueled Dixieland-style jazz, to slinky, chicken-scratch country funk to lushly orchestrated pop-soul balladry all within its first ten minutes. There’s a dreamy, spacey, and occasionally progressive element to what they do that seems to detach the music from belonging to any particular place and time. It’s a rich and righteous ride.

The Lone Star-bred Texas Gentlemen consist of co-frontmen Nik Lee & Daniel Creamer (who also handle guitar and keys), Ryan Ake on guitar, Scott Edgar Lee, Jr. on bass, and Aaron Haynes on drums (who has since been replaced by Paul Grass). The band take their cues from some of the most iconic acts of the past. The quicksilver brilliance of The Wrecking Crew, The Muscle Shoals Swampers (who backed everyone from Aretha to Wilson Pickett), Booker T. and The M.G.’s, Little Feat, and Bob Dylan’s one-time backers The Band are the most obvious examples.

Originally assembled as an all-purpose studio band for an eclectic array of singer-songwriters including Leon Bridges and Nikki Lane (among others), The Texas Gentlemen quickly found themselves backing everyone from George Strait and Kris Kristofferson to Terry Allen and Ray Wylie Hubbard in a live setting. The legendary Joe Ely once described them as “the best backing band I have ever played with. Seriously.” Of a Kristofferson & Texas Gentlemen performance, the Fort Worth Star Telegram exclaimed, “Time and again, the room would seem to bloom - a feeling of dawn breaking, just barely visible but discernible, behind some of the best songs ever written.”

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