Luther Dickinson feat. Datrian Johnson - Willem James Cowan - Down West - Greenness

Photo - Camilla Calnan

Luther Dickinson feat. Datrian Johnson - Who Do You Love.

Luther Dickinson says about, “Who Do You Love.” - "This Bo Diddley classic is built on a track I wrote on bass and keyboards and finished with my Memphis friends, Mem_Mods (Steve Selvidge and New Memphis Colorways). Their contributions and Datrian Johnson's vocals fit so naturally and felt so good, I knew we were on a like-minded endeavor showcasing some of my closest friends as well as scratching an aesthetic and stylistic itch of mine." 

Luther Dickinson of North Mississippi Allstars will release Dead Blues Vol. 1 on October 17, 2025 via Strolling Bones Records. The 9-song set was produced by the 10-time GRAMMY Award-nominated Dickinson and is a collection of blues songs the Grateful Dead performed throughout their career by Blind Lemon Jefferson, Bo Diddley, the Mississippi Sheiks, Willie Dixon, and more. The album features vocals by Datrian Johnson, as well as a host of special guests including Phil Lesh’s son Grahame Lesh, Steve Selvidge of The Hold Steady, Dickinson’s brother and North Mississippi Allstars bandmates, Cody Dickinson, and Ray Ray Holloman (Eminem), and more. 

Dead Blues Vol. 1 lands somewhere between the Mississippi Delta and outer space, reimagining an array of traditional blues tunes from the Dead’s catalog through a boldly experimental sonic palette. The songs here bear little resemblance to their forefathers; the musical beds are more Memphis funk and jazz than blues and folk, and the melodies are completely transformed to match. Only the lyrics remain largely unchanged, and the result is an exhilaratingly adventurous work that’s equal parts innovation and preservation. Dead Blues Vol. 1 is a distinctly modern, original take on the foundational building blocks of American music delivered by one of its most steadfast champions.

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Willem James Cowan - You Will (A Brief Reminder to Look Up).

Willem James Cowan’s new single, “You Will (A Brief Reminder to Look Up),” is a warm, Laurel Canyon–inspired ode to optimism – a gentle reminder that no matter how heavy life feels, things will get better. Breezy yet reflective, the track blends folk, rock, singer/songwriter, and Americana influences to create an uplifting space that feels both timeless and personal.

The spark for the song came in an unlikely place – a movie theatre. “A couple months after ending a long-term relationship, my brother and I went to see the movie Beau is Afraid,” Cowan recalls. “The movie as a whole didn’t have a huge impact on me, but I was really inspired by the dream sequence about three-quarters of the way through where a woman is prophesying a character’s life. Each sentence starts with the phrase ‘you will’ as she details the events to come, and I really liked the way it sounded. I had to pull my phone out and write the idea down (against theatre etiquette – sorry everyone). I went home and wrote the lyrics with the same idea. This song is a reminder to myself and others that no matter how down you feel, things will get better.”

From a production standpoint, Cowan set out to capture the comforting, easygoing essence of the Laurel Canyon scene of the ’60s. “There’s something really comforting and easy about a lot of those records and I wanted to capture that too. It’s definitely lighter and breezier than anything I’ve released before. Less wordy, maybe. I’m not usually so optimistic in my writing, so I wanted the production to reflect that.”

The song’s standout moment for Cowan is a personal one: a clever Joni Mitchell reference in the second verse. “It’s specific to someone in my life and a little more personal than I usually get. I like a lot of the lyrics in this song, though. It’s easy to get corny with songs in this theme, and I think I rode that line pretty well.”

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Down West - Little Big Men.

We have to say there is this timeless vibe about Down West, possibly because of their musical influences that they are quite open about, however the musicianship and quality of songwriting demands to be recognized as something quite special and addictive. 

Celebrating their 10-year anniversary in 2025, Down West began life as an acoustic duo in 2015. Now a (much louder) alt rock trio featuring veteran songwriter Steve Stanard on guitar, Zep fan Theo Waddell on drums, and Echo Park native Ron Feliciano on bass, it's the kind of song-focused rock that could only grow in Southern California. With an unapologetic 90s-era emphasis on guitars, hooks and the message, Down West is driving David Bowie into Crazy Horse’s garage in a noisy R.E.M. Ford Taurus. 

Their rock album Cold Sun is set to release on September 17th. It features the singles “Little Big Men”, “Hollow” and “Break Down The Door”. Cold Sun was recorded at Vinegar Hill LA Studios in Downtown LA, produced by Mario DiLeva, & written by Steve Stanard.

The Cold Sun Album by Down West features nine original tracks of indie, psych, and 80’s rock that are easy to listen to and a bonus cover of “No One Is To Blame” by Howard Jones.  Fans of The Flaming Lips, David Bowie, & R.E.M. would enjoy this album.

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Greenness - Meltdown.

This is a gorgeous song and definitely a band to watch out for, the video adds an additional layer of delight and ticks a lot of positive boxes for Beehive Candy! 

Fresh from their Glastonbury debut, and ahead of a much-anticipated full band performance at Victorious Festival, Greenness released their new single Meltdown last Friday (29th August 2025) via One Fern Records. Following on from previous single Hilltop (“Utterly flawless” - Music is My Radar), this indie alt-pop seaside bop is the second single from the duo's upcoming sophomore album, Honeymoons.

In the words of Greenness’ singer and songwriter Cess, “Meltdown is a tragic-comic take on the modern artist’s struggle to get their voice heard in an endless sea of noise. I wanted to write honest and relatable lyrics for anyone out there pursuing their dreams relentlessly, to the point of burnout and despair; chasing fame like an elusive mistress, trying every trick in the book to get noticed, feeling frustrated and stressed… and almost forgetting who you are in the process.”

“As independent musicians, we give it our all, and get caught up in this kind of madness now and then”, acknowledges Greenness’ producer and composer Graham, who plays every instrument on the track. “No role left unassumed, no stone left unrolled, everything in quadruple! It’s too much and never enough, but what it always comes back to is the joy of making and sharing our very own music, just for the hell of it.”

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Bessie Turner - Parabola West - Georgie and the Georgettes

Bessie Turner - Nino.

Tackling universal themes with a personal focus, Bessie’s song-writing falls one or two cryptic references short of laying herself totally bare. This mix of openness and obliqueness, alongside a lighter-hearted edge, makes for the beginnings of a captivating collection of releases so far. Her languid garage-rock indebted sound positions her alongside transatlantic artists like Soccer Mommy, Snail Mail or Angel Olsen, with nods to Brooke Bentham and Fenne Lily also.

Continuing this trend is new single Nino, which was produced by Richard Woodcraft, who won a Grammy for his work on Radiohead’s iconic album In Rainbows.

It’s an exploration of anxiety, and the value of having people around you to lean on, to push and pull at the right moments. “'Nino' is something my boyfriend calls me when I say I can't do something,” Bessie explains, “like if I am feeling unconfident about a performance, or something else that I totally have the ability to do, but I feel like I'm not able to, purely because of my own brain.

“The song has some well disguised personal references that relate to me...body image, boredom, sex, and that feeling like you want to go into self-destruct mode because of it all. Life can overwhelm and consume everybody and having someone there to give you a push or a boost is sometimes all it takes.”

Artists are often both a product of, and reaction to, their spatial surroundings. Bessie has lived her whole life in the countryside, and its eerie sparseness, punctuated by points of natural beauty, seeps into her artistic endeavour. Tackling the juxtapositions in both her thematic self-analysis and sonic textures can partially be attributed to the contrasts inherent in the environment that has shaped her. TWITTER.

Bessie Turner delivers gorgeous and sparkling vocals on 'Nino' an uncomplicated mixture of indie pop and rock (with some garage rock styling for good measure), where the hooks dig in early doors and don't budge.

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Parabola West - Calling Your Name.

Parabola West is back with her new single 'Calling Your Name'. The artist persona of New Zealand-based American singer and songwriter Amy Tucker West. Drawing inspiration from Celtic and Nordic folk roots, electronica, and organic sounds, Parabola West's music is a lush soundscape of layered melodies.

This new release follows up Parabola West's 2017 EP 'Purity of Weakness' and lead single 'Fire', which was released both digitally and on CD. Her debut EP 'Did You Hear?' was released in 2014. Often piano-driven, her music is laced with hints of Celtic and Scandinavian influences and a dash of fantasy. 

Originally from Springfield, MA (near Boston) on the U.S. east coast and currently based in Raglan, New Zealand, Amy began songwriting on piano as a teenager and, at age 21, she was recruited into the London-based trip-hop band Dreamfield during their recording sessions in Boston. With two critically acclaimed releases to their credit, the band split in 2003 and West relocated to New Zealand.

The self-confessed ‘math & science nerd’ then took a 10-year break from the music industry to work in IT and engineering recruitment, returning to her musical roots in 2013 as solo artist Parabola West. 

“I came to a point where I needed to fully immerse myself again in the creative,” says Amy Tucker West. To achieve that she took the extreme step of moving completely off-the-grid to a rural spot on New Zealand’s rugged West Coast. West has since released two successful EPs and continues to call Raglan home.

"Calling Your Name' expresses the torment of loving someone who has become emotionally numb. Ask anyone on a significant dose of anti-depressants and they'll tell you about the numbing - that slow, subtle nothingness that keeps life ticking over without incident but turns down all the colour," says West. WEBSITE.

'Calling Your Name' is beautiful and has an expansive feel, as both the melodic and captivating vocals and more electronic musical backdrop complement each other wonderfully. Add to that a subtle Celtic feeling, that gives this piece a little extra feeling and warmth, and this certainly is one imaginative song.

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Georgie and the Georgettes - Shaloomalooma!.

American singer-songwriter Georgie Cooper and Nub recording artist George Royale have got together to write and record four spanking new songs.

Combining their love of Rockabilly…Doo Wop…1960s Girl Groups…Country and Americana on this Extra Pleasurable Expertly Produced EP Entitled Pertinently…Shaloomalooma! Nub Music - FACEBOOK.

Comprising of four songs, the opener being the vibrant 'Shaloomalooma!' there is not a lot more I can tell you about those behind it, namely Georgie and the Georgettes.

The E.P. itself travels through classic genres in a breathless and totally lovable way. It's a little bit like a retro short, sharp, shock, that demands you stand up, pay attention and then throw yourself around the room in wild dancing abandon!

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Chloey Rose - desert life - Deidre & the Dark & Violet Sands - Sara Noelle - After The Flesh - Zola Courtney

Chloey Rose - Shot You Down.

Delivering powerful pop songs with a theatrical twist, Chloey Rose has been captivating audiences at major venues up and down the UK and in Europe with her dramatic, soaring vocals that have attracted comparisons to Adele and Paloma Faith.

Drawing inspiration from Kate Bush and Taylor Swift, Chloey has just released brand new single ‘Shot You Down’, an edgy pop ballad full of dark sounds that could become the theme tune for the next James Bond Movie.

‘Shot You Down’ follows the story of being in an unhealthy relationship and the strength it can take to walk away. Written by Chloey Rose and produced by Aron Bicskey, the track builds from smoky late night piano atmospheres to become a powerful anthem for getting up again once you’ve been cut down, with a nod to Nancy Sinatra’s classic track ‘Bang Bang (My Baby Shot Me Down)’.

As a songwriter, Rose’s debut single ‘Golden Dreams’ was released in 2016, followed by a string of singles including ‘Hearts On The Line’, which was named Track Of The Week on BBC Radio Lincolnshire and A Best Track of 2021. Not only, a talented singer-songwriter, Rose was a finalist in Miss Lincolnshire in 2018/19 and has also been cutting her acting chops, with the leading role as Ruth Ellis in ‘The Thrill of Love’ and as Leading lady Nina in the BBC’s ‘First World War Musical Show’, amongst numerous other stage and TV appearances.

The video for ‘Shot You Down’ (to be unveiled in the coming weeks) sees Chloey on neon-lit streets in the twilight hours as she searches for answers. The track weaves its hypnotic repeating refrains around her, growing and growing with intensity as she works through her emotions. “I’ll paint your name all over this town”, Chloey sings in this epically woven ballad which combines big production values with raw feelings to really work its way under the listener’s skin.

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desert life - I Don’t Wanna Know.

Alt-folk/Americana artist, desert life, released their single “I don’t wanna know” a week ago.  Their first release in 4 years, it includes Jon Graboff (Ryan Adams and the Cardinals, Norah Jones, Willy Nelson and Noel Gallagher) on Pedal steel guitar.  It’s a song that sounds as if it was written on the back roads of Nashville, rather than near the sandy beaches of Tenby.  The upbeat acoustic guitar and soaring lap steel guitar, makes you want to put on cowboy boots, rather than a wetsuit.  The song is the tale of how a man's heart sank as he received word of his ex-girlfriend's newfound love.

Desert Life is the moniker of Chris Swales, a Pontypridd born, Tenby based alt-folk / singer-songwriter, and multi instrumentalist, Tom Jordan.  Conceived in 2018, Chris originally released material in a ‘bedroom artist’ guise following an off-the-cuff collaboration with poet Brian ‘Old Pa’ Mackenzie.  Then when Chris started playing the material live, he met Tom at some local open mic events, and quickly realised that they had a strong musical connection and expanded into a duo..

They blend Americana/Alt-folk music with songs that contain imagery of hope, loss and isolation, yet do not take themselves too seriously.  Comparisons to Bon Iver, Jeff Tweedy and Ryan Adams can be heard in some of their songs, yet, the next moment you might think you’re listening to the sonic landscapes of Calexico.

They have played throughout West Wales, at The Swansea Fringe Festival and Lush.  Their first-ever release ‘Not my girl’ was aired by BBC Wales’ Adam Walton via BBC Introducing.  ‘Whisper to the Wind’ won a Syncr Music Competition, and ‘My darling friend’ was the runner-up in the Radio Wigwam’s ‘best single’ category.  They also made the Record Store Day 'Unsigned (2019) long list'.

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Deidre & the Dark & Violet Sands - Desert Rental Home.

Were more than happy to feature the new single and collaboration from Brooklyn based Violet Sands and Deidre & the Dark. Deidre & the Dark is the solo project of Brooklyn-based singer/songwriter Deidre Muro (previously founding front-woman of Savoir Adore). Violet Sands is a sonic trio made up of long-time collaborators Deidre Muro, Derek Muro, and David Perlick-Molinari (French Horn Rebellion).

On “Desert Rental Home,” these two creative forces dance together on the only song Deidre was able to write during the pandemic lockdown in 2020. “During months of quarantine, this was the one song that managed to come out of me. I was feeling very isolated at home with my 1 year-old son while David, my husband, kept our business afloat, working out of a makeshift bedroom studio, for most of the hours of most of the days.

Delusion starts creeping in when you’re unsure how long this will be reality.” Intimate moments of acoustic guitar and voice quickly transform into a grandiose fantasy, soaring and sparkling, while a lurching synth bass hints at the uneasy nature of an escapist dream.

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Sara Noelle - Dry The Rain.

Sara Noelle is a singer-songwriter who creates indie-folk and ambient-inspired music. Her third full-length album, Do I Have to Feel Everything, produced by Dan Duszynski, was released in January.

The album features the singles “Slip Away,” which flickers like a candle lit in a darkened room, “Blooming Yucca,” a surrealistic on-the-road song, “Color of Light on the Water,” a misty twilight meditation punctuated by sound bowl waves, as well as the bright yet searching title track. Do I Have to Feel Everything follows prior LPs including Cover the Blue, also produced by Duszynski, and Noelle’s debut album, Morning Moon.

Elsewhere, Noelle’s annual holiday songs have drawn notice, including her originals, “I’ll Sleep ‘Til Christmas,” “Like Snow (Slowly Falling)” and “Christmas at Sea.”

She also edits the literary journal Lyrics as Poetry, which released its fourth print edition, featuring 28 artists and 20 writers, in November. The fifth volume is set to release later this year.

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After The Flesh - Changeling.

On the heels of their self-titled 4-song EP in May 2023, After the Flesh from Wellington, New Zealand, share ‘Changeling’: the EP’s captivating new video-single, which just made its international debut on Friday via Europe’s legendary Side-Line Magazine. The band’s sound skilfully brings together elements of ethereal gothic dreampop, new wave, post-punk, and modern dark alternative rock.

Formed on the approaches to 2020, After the Flesh showcases the talents of Slovenian-born vocalist and keyboardist Maruša Sagadin (“Marusha”); guitarist and vocalist Alec Morris; veteran local bassist Duncan Nairn; and later addition Sam Leamy on drums.

The new ‘Changeling’ video is filmed and directed by Martin Sagadin (sibling of Maruša), who explains: “After the Flesh asked me to do a video after we did a photo shoot at the Pūtangirua Pinnacles, where we were in the harsh daylight among the cliffs. We decided the next project would be very glamorous, dramatic and interior, layered in plastic and projection, while paying tribute to some of our favourite New Wave music videos…”

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Zola Courtney - California.

Credible British Songwriter Zola Courtney shares an incredibly heartswelling moment and single called “California.” With vocals and writing that swoon, It’s a song fitting for an epic movie montage where flashing memories turn into poetic music between that post break-up ‘what have I done’ and the affirmation phases.

Speaking about the song, Zola explains “California was written in the early stages, during the ‘what have I done’ phase of the breakup. I kept thinking about specific moments in the relationship that had meant a huge amount to me.”

“I did a writing trip to California when I was 19 and had a really awful time. My boyfriend   at the timeflew out to be with me and I’m still so grateful he did that. That was near the beginning of our relationship and New York was the last place we visited together. The song talks about these bookend moments, as well as feelings of doubt and regret, but also care and admiration for him and all the things we did together.”

Zola Courtney today returns to releasing music after playing extensive shows across the county since her last single.  The last single from her debut EP “Nothing To Lose” saw the talented Cornwall native garner withspread support from BBC Radio 1 specialist DJs, and  was later added to their playlist and onto their One Big Weekend festival line-up. She's also enjoyed online tastemaker support from the likes of Complex, Milk.xyz, Clash, Notion & Wonderland to name but a few.

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Joe Kelly & The Royal Pharmacy - Cult Of Venus - Tora Luna

Joe Kelly & The Royal Pharmacy - Cast Me Down.

Newport's Prodigal Son Joe Kelly & The Royal Pharmacy announces his 2nd album, the terrific new ‘Cast Me Down’ which will be released on April 11th via 'Dirty Carrot Records’ When writing the bio for the "difficult second album" you are supposed to repeat the trope about having a lifetime to compose your debut LP and a few months to pen the follow-up.

Yet while the vinyl release of Joe Kelly & The Royal Pharmacy's acclaimed debut album World On Fire was less than a year ago, much of the record that follows quickly in its wake is the product of the same prodigious gestation period.

Written and recorded in parallel to World On Fire, Cast Me Down is the other side of the coin. A non-identical and more unruly twin, it takes some of the experimental instincts hinted at on album one and doesn't so much as throw everything but the kitchen sink at the songs as rip the kitchen sink clean off the wall, jump inside it and take flight.

It's a heady ride and although Cast Me Down opens with a welcome reprise of the indie Americana sound that characterised World On Fire, an unsettling loop of backwards guitar heralds the arrival of a sequence of songs that channels sixties psych-pop, the Arctic Monkeys at Rancho De La Luna, late-night West Coast soul, Unkle, The Raconteurs, Father John Misty, and side two of Abbey Road.

And that's just for starters. Backed once again by The Royal Pharmacy and produced and mixed by Jon Greening, Joe Kelly is also joined on Cast Me Down by special guest appearances from the golden larynx of Miss Erin McNamara and Scott McKeon from Welsh folk-rock heroes Rusty Shackle, who brings his formidable violin skills to the psychedelic denouement of Living Daylights.

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Cult Of Venus - Algorithm.

This weekend, Cult Of Venus released “Algorithm,” (Liberty Belle Records / Futures) a poignant protest song for this moment - critiquing social media as a violent surveillance tool and its poetry explores how we are all controlled by our platforms and our phones. Currently, she’s on a full USA tour as the main support to CHVRCHES’ Lauren Mayberry.

Cult Of Venus is a multi-instrumentalist performance artist who has played MOMA PS1, Fotografiska's Chapel Bar for David LaChappelle’s FAITH exhibition, The Women's March NYC and put on concerts in prisons, including Riker’s Island women's jail in New York City.

Besides the current tour, she has been touring the West Coast for the past months, playing sold-out shows opening for City Of The Sun.

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Tora Luna - Why Wouldn't You Say So?

Following their previous release 'Wait For Spring', indie duo Tora Luna return with the soulful 'Why Wouldn't You Say So?' on February 14th.

Drawing from the soulful harmonies of Motown and the raw energy of contemporary indie rock, 'Why Wouldn't You Say So?' unfolds as a powerful dialogue between guest vocalist Deslynn Smith and band member Dominic Johnson. The track, created by core members Alex Broadgate and Dominic Johnson, with contributions on piano from Ellie Parker, masterfully captures the unspoken tensions that simmer beneath the surface of modern relationships. Through interweaving vocals and carefully crafted instrumentation, the performance embodies the push and pull of unexpressed emotions, creating a narrative that resonates with anyone who's ever struggled to voice their feelings.

"We wanted to create a conversational tone through the use of two vocalists to echo the internal thoughts of each individual and their growing frustration with each other," shares Parker. This intimate approach extends beyond the vocals into the very fabric of the recording process. "Although difficult, I found playing without a click-track to be a more relaxing style of recording and, in hindsight, felt that this helped the song feel more conversational."

Nestled in the heart of the Wiltshire countryside, producer Gus White's converted barn studio provided the perfect setting for bringing this vision to life. The track blossomed from humble beginnings - "a chirpy, simplistic chord progression" tucked away in Alex's voice notes - into a rich tapestry of sound. The accomplished ensemble features guest musicians including Parker's emotive piano work, guest musician Chloë Meade's soaring violin, Edward Cross's soulful saxophone, and Gus White's intuitive drumming, all weaving seamlessly around the powerful vocal interplay between Smith and Johnson.

Tora Luna · Why Wouldn't You Say So?

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Sarah McQuaid - Karen Myatt - Blake Dagley

Sarah McQuaid - The Tug Of The Moon

Today a new video for “The Tug Of The Moon (The St Buryan Sessions)” has been shared. Sarah tells us "I was inspired to write it by the “leap second” that we had to add to the New Year’s Eve countdown back in 2016, in order to compensate for the slowing of the earth’s rotation caused by the moon’s gravitational pull."

As with the rest of the album, the track was filmed by Cornish filmmaker Mawgan Lewis and second cameraman John Crooks as it was being recorded live in St Buryan Church.

Born out of the pandemic, The St Buryan Sessions is the sixth solo album by award-winning multi-instrumentalist and singer/songwriter Sarah McQuaid, and is her most powerful and emotive offering yet.

The album had its genesis in the spring of 2020, when Sarah’s gigs and tours were cancelled due to COVID-19. Thanks to a successful crowdfunding campaign, she was able to finance a live solo recording(sans audience) in the lovely medieval church of St Buryan, not far from her home in rural West Cornwall.

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Karen Myatt - Goodnite.

Canadian songstress Karen Myatt has released the second single/video from her sophomore album Femoir. Goodnite is the second in a series of singles/lyric videos to roll-out over the coming months.

“As we bid adieu to 2021, Goodnite is a fitting and timely au revoir; bon nuit, bons rêves” shares Myatt. “A gentle and haunting lullaby to remind us that drifting off to dreams brings relief during troubling times.”

Co-written by Myatt and Montreal composer J. Rimbaudelaire, Goodnite is one of several original compositions to appear on the new recording. Femoir’s 14 songs are a fusion of soul, rock, jazz, worldbeat, and more.

The album was tracked at The Sonic Temple Recording Studio in Halifax, NS and engineered by Darren van Niekerk. It was mixed and mastered by Christian St. Germain at Studio 360 in Montreal, QC.

Some of Canada’s most renowned musicians appear on the new recording, including Chris Mitchell (saxophone), Matt Myer (trumpet), Lisa MacDougall (keyboards), Adam Fine (bass), Geoff Arsenault (drums), Shimon Walt (cello) and Jennifer Jones (violin).

 

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Blake Dagley - Ain't Going Down Like This.

Why Travel When Blake Dagley’s “The Nashville Sessions” Takes You Straight to Tennessee. Take a look inside the emotional smash debut EP that’s sure to make any music lover feel something

What better way to end 2021 than to reflect on the previous few years that we’ve all experienced? After arguably the most emotional time our world has ever seen in decades, Dallas Based singer-songwriter, Blake Dagley, turned all those emotions and struggles with social and emotional anxiety into head-turning music that’s sure to make you think all while singing along to his undeniably ear-catching melodies and relatable lyrics.

“The Nashville Sessions” was recorded with Producer Dean Miller at Sound Emporium Studios & OMNIsound Studios in Nashville, Tennessee. The EP contains 3 powerful, soulful/americana style songs that tug at all the heartstrings. Between Ain’t Going Down Like This, Paradox, and Milly, and with themes like doubt, anxiety, choice, and hope listeners are sure to relate to the lyrics in a variety of ways.

Dagley plans to promote his first EP “The Nashville Sessions” with a whole new visual element. Dagley will release three videos in support of the new EP to gain listener recognition and attraction while increasing his fan base.

"Ain’t Going Down Like This" is a song written to my anxiety and insecurities. After the invitation to come to Nashville, my anxiety came creeping in, and I began to doubt the reality of the moment. I sat down on my back porch (which is my happy place) and began to write a song in response to the doubts and fears that I was feeling. Ain’t Going Down This is a song for anyone with doubts, fears, and anxiety and wants to punch it in the face and tell it; you don’t control me.

 

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Principe Valiente - Darling West - Philippa Hanna - Pollens

Principe Valiente - Running Juveniles.

Background - Principe Valiente’s “Running Juveniles” music video is here: a pure celebration of youth and life. The homonymous song is the third single to be released from the band’s most anticipated latest album “Oceans”. Shot around Östermalm in Stockholm, the video was filmed & edited by the Swedish filmmaker Andreas Hillerborg.

After an outstanding self-titled debut album in 2011 and the breathtaking „Choirs Of Blessed Youth“ in 2014, the Swedish post punk / shoegaze band lead by Fernando Honorato, true to their vision, continues to carve out its own unique musical path. Drawing inspiration from ambient experimentalists like Cocteau Twins, 80's sci-fi soundtracks as well as exuberant vocalists like Bowie and Kate Bush, Principe Valiente ventured deeper into the sonic landscapes of their minds.

The intensity of the athmospheric sound and the interplay of melodic guitar strings, the dark drifting drums, rhythmic bass lines and above all the warm, emotional voice of the singer, have remained. The listener is captured in a mixture of longing and loneliness, which is fluently and hypnotically directed. Calm pieces alternate with energetic compositions, such as the recently released single "Strangers In The Night", and give the album a strong note of ambivalence.

With their third work „Oceans“, the band has created another alluring world with "human, all too human" lyrics and phantasmagorical soundscapes. Cool, yet impassioned and loaded with sweet anxiety, Principe Valiente have managed to make an irresistibly beautiful and intense continuation of what was started in the previous two albums.Website here, Facebook here.

We featured Principe Valiente back in April with a previous song share from their 'Oceans' album. Now we have the new video for 'Running Juveniles'. This is a powerful and atmospheric piece which combines a subtle melody delivered with layer upon layer of musical sounds, along with passionate and striking vocals.


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Darling West - Traveller.

Background - Darling West release a video for their new single "Traveller." The last twelve months of Darling West’s musical career can't be described as anything other than fantastic. Since the release of their second album, "Vinyl And A Heartache", they have played concerts all over the world. 

The band have been play-listed on the biggest radio stations in Norway, appeared on the Top 100 Country charts in the US, amassed more than 2.5 million plays on Spotify, been booked for the biggest festivals in Norway, Americanafest in Nashville, and won a Norwegian Grammy.

Despite all this, the band have no plans of resting on their laurels, and now they’re releasing another new track from a new album they plan to release in early 2018. 

This is the sound of a new and revitalised Darling West. The band are still playing their sweet americana / country / folk, but there’s a lot more drive in the music and the melodies are catchier than before. Facebook here.

It's our second feature for Darling West following on from the track 'After My Time' which we carried back in July. We now have the song 'Traveller'. Once again we have a beautifully melodic piece with those Americana musical flavours and gorgeous vocals & harmonies. 


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Philippa Hanna - Off the Wagon.

Background - Philippa Hanna is returning to the spotlight with her brand new album Come Back Fighting. Most of her sixth studio album was written in Nashville, and she has brought together a range of pop, country and gospel influences, assembling an impressive collection of musicians. With features from BBC Radio 2 presenter Paul Jones on harmonica, world-champion banjo player John Dowling and a leading UK gospel choir.

Working with long-term collaborators guitarist Roo Walker and manager Andy Baker, the production has a fresh and unique flavour that won't leave fans disappointed.

The album is set for release on 24th November, amidst Philippa opening a formidable 29 date UK tour for BGT winning vocal group Collabro which will be coming through your way.

From the acoustic-reggae infused Dorothy to the hard hitting bluesy title track Come Back Fighting, listeners can expect to be drawn into the storytelling narrative that has put Hanna on the singer/songwriter map. The album succeeds in catering for an incredibly broad fan-base that has seen the Sheffield singer open tours for the likes of Lionel Richie, Little Mix, Leona Lewis, Anastacia, and Marti Pellow. Website here, Facebook here, tour details on Beehive Candy's tour news page.

'Off The Wagon' mixes traditional country music, gospel style chorus lines, alongside an upbeat modern feel where the pop sensibilities ensure the hooks are sharp and dig in deep. Refreshing and energised if you cannot tap your feet or sing along to this, you might be in need of a holiday.


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Pollens - Words.

Background - Take experimental rock blended with minimalist avant-pop and art-punk elements, and you've got the beginnings of NYC's group Pollens. Quirky, weird, and in a league of their own, they released their first single "Words" today, off their upcoming EP Mister Manufacture. Pollens sound is like no other blending electronic dance beats, ambient noise, and shouting into infectiously catchy and cleverly woven melodies. "Words" is a untraditional yet uniquely hooky tune, building into a steady earworm.

The band breaks down the lyrics, "It's a little anthem for how a monster gets to be a monster.. because we're not listening... especially in the summer, and at any time that precedes kissing. All the tells and omens stack up as promises rather than warnings. And for all the reasons we shouldn't, we must... I could tell you all of this upfront, and instead of being afraid, you'll probably be endeared to my disclosure. It's not a trick, but it is a trap." Written in minimalistic songwriting style, it's an attention grabbing example of "less is more".

"Words" comes as the first single off the group's upcoming EP Mister Manufacture, out October 27. It will be available for free in digital format; with limited edition cassette tapes available from the band at their record release celebration show on November 16 at Secret Project Robot in NYC. They'll be joined by Operator Music Band, Salt People and a special guest (to be announced); full details on Facebook here.

If you are in need of something a little different then 'Words' has plenty of that. This is fabulously quirky, massively addictive and an absolute gem of a song. Lets add in sumptuous and resplendent to make the point!

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Josienne Clarke - Anna Sun - The Delines - The Wild West - Amy Jay

Josienne Clarke - Driving at Night.

When award-winning singer, songwriter and producer Josienne Clarke was performing at a show prior to lockdown, a moment meeting a fan afterwards remained fixed in her memory. “There was this one woman who came up to me at the merch table in tears. She was a fan pleading with me to write something in the style of how I write, but more positive,” Clarke recalls, saying that while the fan had been visibly touched by her emotive, melancholic songs, she was craving something more joyous. The fan told Clarke she was going through her own difficult time. “She wanted something with hope, something with a bit of light in it,” Clarke recalls.

This is where Clarke’s new EP, I Promised You Light was born. After the release of her critically acclaimed album A Small Unknowable Thing earlier this year (which earned four-star reviews from the likes of The Financial Times and MOJO), Clarke set about her next project with the words of her fan front-and-centre. “It stayed with me,” Clarke says of her message. “It made me really think: do I need to try and frame things more positively? Maybe I haven’t been able to in the past because I’m still working through things – my work is very autobiographical and cathartic – but I’m only now just finding more positive threads through new experiences and what I’ve learned over this last year.”

Clarke has certainly worked through a lot. Rejecting the male-dominated system, in 2020 Clarke ripped everything up and started again. She went solo and for the first time she was in complete control of everything from her songwriting to arranging and production – and she even released on her own label, Corduroy Punk. The result, after years of being told women couldn’t do all those things in a patriarchal industry, was an album variously described as “the sound of an artist in full bloom”, “a remarkable, impeccable collection” and “her finest work to date.” The experience gave her confidence to try a new direction on her latest EP.

Lead single, ‘Driving At Night’, saw Clarke going directly back to a time she lost her own way. “It’s essentially a song about escaping,” Clarke says, explaining it was about driving away from the last ever gig she performed as part of a duo at the interval. “I literally drove for hours across Europe. I wanted as much physical space between me and my previous career as possible at that point. The feeling of release of having finished that final gig was huge, as was the exciting air of possibility that came about having left behind a thing that was so difficult for me for a long time. It was like a literal lift: I felt everything would suddenly be easier now.” The song’s message, she says, is simple: “it’s – just leave,” she laughs. “It’s alright to leave because all this other great stuff awaits you if you just walk away.”

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Anna Sun - What A Shame.

(New York, NY) On the new single, “What A Shame,” Anna Sun delves into a deeply personal story, capturing the trauma of loss through a filter of enthralling vocals and explosive energy. The song is the latest single from the indie-pop-rock trio’s upcoming self-titled debut EP, due out January 14, 2022. 

“What A Shame” was written as a catharsis for lead singer Samantha Aneson as she was losing her mother to dementia. “I’ve grown to love the dichotomy of pain and lightness in art. How one can make the other so much more pronounced,” Aneson reflects. “I was in a place (am forever in a place) of begrudgingly agreeing to this reality that’s been forced upon me. Having to move forward without railing against existence for doing something that once seemed so unimaginable. Having to find light in my nightmare.”

As evidenced in this single, the core of Anna Sun’s appeal lies in Aneson’s diary-like songwriting. Drawing on her background in theatre, her songs dig much deeper into relationship dynamics than the average pop song, all while remaining exceptionally catchy.

Across its six tracks, the Anna Sun EP manages to capture the triumphs and anxieties of being alive in such a strange time. Sometimes thought-provoking, sometimes heartbreaking, these songs always seem to find an underlying sense of optimism, a reflection of their writer’s personality.

Originally Aneson’s bedroom project, Anna Sun has since grown into a collaborative trio including drummer Nikola Balac and bassist Andrew “Shwogs” Shewaga, who previously played alongside Aneson in the folk-rock band, Satin Nickel. When that group disbanded in 2020, Aneson began adding original indie-pop-rock songs to her repertoire and recruited her former bandmates to bring them to life, marrying classic pop aesthetics with adventurous modern production. Making music that is meaningful and accessible is a rare thing these days, but Anna Sun seems to have achieved a perfect formula for their unique brand of expression.

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Photo - Summer Luu

The Delines - Past The Shadows.

Portland, Oregon based country-soul group The Delines share the second single and video from their upcoming album, The Sea Drift, which will be released on February 11, 2022 via their new American label home Jealous Butcher Records. 

The new single, titled “Past The Shadows”, is a sultry and smoky ballad that wraps the heartbreak of its lyrical themes in a warm blanket of horn arrangements and tenderly played keys. The song is accompanied by a music video of the full band performing “Past The Shadows” in the studio, highlighting the rich backing instrumentation that serves as the bedrock for The Sea Drift as well as Amy Boone’s spellbinding vocal performance at the center of it all.

Speaking on his inspirations for “Past The Shadows”, songwriter Willy Vlautin said “I was thinking about that self-destructive dream of never having to live like anyone else, of not having to be a part of regular society. That pull of living like a vampire, the romance of it, the freedom of it, but also the darkness of it. We wanted the song to be a seduction itself, easy and catchy, warm and velvety but underneath is a world of scars and failure.”


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The Wild West - Comes A Time.

Calling themselves The Wild West, six of the most treasured female singer-songwriters in Los Angeles forged a strong bond of friendship that led them to write and record their first single “Better Way.” The empowering message of the ensemble’s first single is shared equally by its members, all of whom have enjoyed significant success as solo artists: (pictured above L-R) Manda Mosher, Deb Morrison, Amilia K Spicer, Tawny Ellis,  Pi Jacobs, and Heather Anne Lomax.

Touted by Relix as a “Female supergroup,” The Wild West is currently working on their upcoming EP and were listed in Holler Country's The 10 Best Emerging Acts of Americanafest “They offered an impressive performance boasting no shortage of verve and variety - it would be hard to find a combo with a greater degree of talent or tenacity. Clearly, this bunch is ready to rumble.”  --Holler Country

They were also touted in No Depression’s Guide to Americanafest. with Amos Perrine is quoted as saying, “…the definite highlight promises to be The Wild West, six of the most highly respected female singer-songwriters in Los Angeles: Tawny Ellis, Pi Jacobs, Heather Anne Lomax, Amilia K Spicer, Deb Morrison, and Manda Mosher. Expect fireworks.”

All six members of The Wild West write, produce, and oversee the recording process for songs they bring to the band. They take turns singing lead while supporting each other instrumentally and topping each song off with The Wild West's signature harmonies.

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Photo - Katrina Sorrentino

Amy Jay - Commute.

Amy Jay has released the single, "Commute," taken from her upcoming album, Awake Sleeper, to be released on 2/4/2022.

Exploring the boundaries between acoustic and synthetic, minimalist and ornate, Awake Sleeper echoes a breathtaking cross-pollination of introspective songcraft, surprising textures, and hypnotic soundscapes. The album was produced by Amy's longtime collaborator, Jonathan Seale of Mason Jar Music, known for his work with Feist, Fleet Foxes, Aoife O'Donovan, and more, as well as his solo efforts released under the moniker Son of Cloud.

Jay's day-to-day life in New York City profoundly influenced Awake Sleeper, which you can probably pick up from "Commute." "Another mundane morning commute with train thoughts. I am a stranger in this city even though I've known it for over a decade, even though I see the same faces in the same train cars day after day. The window of the train car was left open that morning, and the tracks were screeching and air blowing so loud I couldn't think about anything else," she says of the birth of the song. "Ironically, I rarely listen to music or podcasts on the train, so I looked around to see if anyone else noticed or was bothered by the sounds. Everyone looked like zombies... heads down on their phones, completely consumed. I realized this sound is not the loudest' sound' in the room. Their phones are. And even if I screamed at the top of my lungs, I'm not sure I would break through the noise to get anyone's attention."

Amy Jay · Commute

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Alison Sudol - Brian Dunne - Ryan Daykin - Darling West

Alison Sudol - Come On Baby.

London-based American singer-songwriter and actress Alison Sudol has followed up on the release of her autobiographical and intimate new album, Still Come The Night, with the moving visuals for her poignant single “Come On Baby.” The song and video powerfully capture the shared journey of grief Alison and her partner, Welsh actor and director Tom Cullen, experienced following the miscarriage of their first baby during lockdown. This new visual arrives ahead of tomorrow’s reading of the U.K.’s Miscarriage Leave Bill in the House of Commons, which if passed would ensure three days of paid bereavement leave for people who have experienced miscarriage.

“In the days following my pregnancy loss, I was physically and emotionally crushed,” shares Alison. I was meant to be on tour when it happened, but due to the pandemic, the dates were canceled and I was lucky enough to have time to recover at home. Most women aren’t so fortunate, and have to go into work despite their tremendous emotional and physical grief. This bill would at least provide a small buffer in a difficult time, as well as an acknowledgment of the gravity of the loss. I deeply hope the UK government will recognize this need and act accordingly.”

Written and directed by Tom, the visuals are permeated by the disarming honesty and integrity both Alison and her partner share as artists. Transforming their own pain into beauty, Alison and Tom created a piece of art that transmutes their trauma into a healing experience.

“It was deeply meaningful when she asked me to write and direct the video for ‘Come On Baby’,” says Tom. “It’s a searing, raw and deeply moving song.” “The song addresses the night the miscarriage happened as directly as I could,” explains Alison. “I needed to face it head on. It’s what the whole album is centered around.”

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Brian Dunne - Stand Clear Of The Closing Doors.

Brian Dunne shares his new single “Stand Clear Of The Closing Doors,” off his upcoming album Loser On The Ropes, which releases April 14 via Kill Rock Stars.

“Any New Yorker knows the phrase ‘Stand Clear Of The Closing Doors’ because it’s what comes over the loudspeaker on the subway at every stop,” states Dunne. “I hadn’t ridden the train in a while because of the thing (trying not to mention the pandemic for the entirety of this album campaign) so when I hopped back on in mid-summer 2020, I really ‘heard’ it for the first time. Get in or get out, but get out of the way. And that’s really how I was feeling. So I wrote this narrative about a character who’s spent a lot of time ‘living, laughing, loving’ her way through the modern world, only to be jolted by a revolutionary awakening. And she has to make a choice, whether to embrace it, or run from it. It’s really an indictment of my younger self, if I’m being honest.”

Dunne signed with Kill Rock Stars on the strength of his demos for Loser On The Ropes, which he’d whittled down from nearly 200 tunes penned over several years of incessant writing. Working with producer Drew Vandenberg (Faye Webster, Of Montreal) in Athens, he fleshed the tracks out with analog synthesizers and reverb-drenched guitars, taking cues from Jonathan Richman, The Pretenders, Dire Straits, and Tunnel of Love-era Springsteen to cast a warm, cinematic haze over the whole thing that helped blur the already fuzzy lines between fantasy and reality for the characters who populate the collection.

Loser On The Ropes explores defeat and denial, fortune and faith, shame and redemption, all set against the backdrop of a world run by blowhards and bullshitters who manage to perpetually skate by without cost or consequence. The songs are lean and gritty, cutting straight to the heart of things with Dunne’s raw, understated poeticism, but rather than getting lost in the darkness of it all, Loser On The Ropes emerges as something much more resilient and exhilarating.

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Ryan Daykin - Tears Of Sin.

Ryan Daykin Victorian based Singer/Songwriter is back, leaning into his authentic approach to crafting REAL songs, with the Alt. Country tinged “Tears Of Sin”.

His impressive body of work, including his 2019 EP “Keeping Secrets” and previous single penned with Felicity Urquhart “Broken Feathers” has racked up accolades, but more than that, it has cemented Ryan’s place as an artist with a mission to create music that rises above the ordinary, that captures emotion and tells stories that draw a listener in.

Tears of Sin shows us a darker side of the previously more pop country leaning stylings of Ryan Daykin a “It’s a provocative story that talks to our internal struggle of who we are versus who we think we should be”

To compliment the edgy concept of the song, Ryan entrusted iconic producer Matt Fell to produce the track, allowing a more alternative country instrumentation and production, showing us a matured and versatile side to Ryan Daykin. ‘I was trying to move away from the pop/country based vibe of my previous releases, but not stray away completely because it would be inauthentic, I think we came up with a solid compromise”

Tears Of Sin is a personal story of an internal battle, and one that Ryan knows too well, having struggled with his self identity for many years, Ryan drew on support from Mary Harrison to express his feelings and at the revered DAG songwriting retreat, Tears Of Sin, which had been a work in progress for Ryan for years, became a co-write between the two artists.

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Darling West - Still Here.

The music on the new album 'Cosmos' searches outward, while the lyrics look inward. The resulting record includes elements of pop, while it pushes the envelope for what Norwegian americana can sound like. Cosmos is also about loving yourself, and there are of course a handful of love songs about shaky relationships – as we’ve come to expect from Darling West. The band continues to develop their unique musicianship and Cosmos is indeed another masterstroke from the band.

We are told the following about 'Still Her. Being in a long-term relationship is not always easy, as you can tell from a lot of songs in any genre. This one explores a moment when you realize that you have to deal with something and not put it on hold any longer. Most of us have been in these situations. It can fall both ways, but you have to choose. Work on it or let it go. When Thomas hit us with this drum groove in the chorus we almost fell off our chairs. So surprising and fun to play along with.

When Mari and Tor Egil Kreken started Darling West back in 2013, the project was intended as a way to give the married couple an opportunity to spend more time together. Tor Egil was one of Norway’s most critically acclaimed studio/live musicians, and he frequently toured the world with some of Norway’s biggest artists.

Mari was hardly idle at home, and although she didn’t play any instruments at the time, her beautiful voice landed her gigs as a backup singer for artists such as Marit Larsen, Stein Torleif Bjella and Maria Solheim. After a few years of practicing the guitar, harmonica and other instruments behind closed doors, Mari was ready to enter the stage as the frontwoman of Darling West. In creating Darling West, Mari and Tor Egil combined their fascination for American songwriting traditions and their ability to write catchy and memorable melodies.

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Genesis - Lamb Tour Florida 1975

This is Genesis back on the 10th January 1975 in concert at the Convention Hall, West Palm Beach, Florida, USA.

There are hundreds of Genesis bootlegs in circulation spanning their history, this is from the Lamb Lies Down On Broadway tour, and is regarded as one of the best quality recordings from that tour, however there is a story behind this.

The concert has been circulated under different names and through differing CD sources including Descends on Waterbury, Supper's Ready With a Little Lost Lamb, Hogweed 5, Burp 09, SAB 06, Digital West Palm Beach. This copy is from SAB06.

The Genesis Movement site tells us, regarding the SAB06 version (Notes from Dan) - "Although I have a direct DAT clone of the Chris Davies tapes, I used a DAT clone from an unknown source which sounded a little bit better. I edited out as many 'artifacts' as I could find, but the 'reel squeals' are still there. The Shrine '75 recording was used to fill out the missing pieces of the show. The filler was 'enhanced' to make it sound as close as possible to the rest of the show. Obviously, this is not a 'pure' recording, but it is definitely an enjoyable 'Lamb' listening experience."

Another commenter stated - Definitely better that the others in terms of sound quality - I guess the listener will have to choose a "Pure" show with fillers from audience tapes, or a premium remaster like this that is in my opinion true to the actual concert. The way the necessary fillers are blended in on this remaster, makes this a great listening experience and because it deserves to stick out I give it an A+ rating. Fillers or no fillers, the sound quality on this is truly excellent.

From a personal point of view, when one considers the amount of 'enhancement' that can go into an officially released live album, the work on this bootleg is no different and possibly even less played around with, more a labour of love, it sounds superb.

Source: FM Broadcast

Sound Quality: Very good stereo mp3@320kbps 

Genre: Rock, Prog Rock.

Set: Full Concert.

Set List:

101 The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway
102 Fly On A Windshield
103 Broadway Melody Of 1974
104 Cuckoo Cocoon
105 In The Cage
106 The Grand Parade Of Lifeless Packaging
107 Back In NYC
108 Hairless Heart
109 Counting Out Time
110 Carpet Crawlers
111 The Chamber Of 32 Doors

201 Story Of Rael
202 Lilywhite Lilith
203 The Waiting Room
204 Anyway
205 Here Comes The Supernatural Anaesthetist
206 The Lamia
207 Silent Sorrow In Empty Boats
208 The Colony Of Slippermen
209 Ravine
210 The Light Dies Down On Broadway
211 Riding The Scree
212 In The Rapids
213 It
214 The Musical Box

Website: Official Site HERE. Genesis Movement HERE.

Comments:

The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway is a double concept album recorded and released in 1974. It was their sixth studio album and the last album by the group to feature the involvement of lead singer Peter Gabriel.

The album tells the surreal story of a Puerto Rican juvenile delinquent named Rael living in New York City, who is swept underground to face bizarre creatures and nightmarish dangers in order to rescue his brother John. Several of the story's occurrences and places were derived from Peter Gabriel's dreams, and the protagonist's name is a play on his surname. In an interview Phil Collins remarked, "It's about a 'split personality'.

In this context, Rael would believe he is looking for John but is actually looking for a missing part of himself. The individual songs also make satirical allusions to everything from mythology to the sexual revolution to advertising and consumerism. The title track, as well as "The Carpet Crawlers" and "In the Cage", are live favourites for the band. Both "In the Cage" and "The Carpet Crawlers" were included in 2007's Turn it On Again: The Tour, with "The Carpet Crawlers" played as the closing number. 

New file link in comments below - Re-uploaded 2012 (Stealth project).