Folk
Classic Album: Jethro Tull – Songs From the Wood
The rise of punk triggered a wide variety of reactions among more established acts. Led Zeppelin nodded in approval, and continued to be Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd channelled their own disenfranchised feelings into the bleak Animals. A few other acts underwent underwent various identity crises, with some attempting to go ‘pop’ with mixed success (Emerson, …
Track: Jesse Jo Stark – Driftwood
With the combination of a peacefully constructed composition and lyrics that show elements of a country inspired noir tale; ‘Driftwood’ by Jesse Jo Stark is an equally haunting and captivating song to listen to. Wonderfully performed with an excellent use of subtlety, it focuses on telling its story through an almost euphoric haze that feels …
Live Review: Tift Merritt at The Lexington, London, 31.1.2017
On this last day in January, with the rain pouring down in the cloying cold outside, upstairs at the Lexington is snug. There’s a dampness in the air as we all warm the wet off each other. The chill that settled into our skin and bones gradually dries away, eased out as Tift Merritt and …
Album Review: Nadine Khouri – The Salted Air
Nadine Khouri The Salted Air There is a delicate quality to Nadine Khouri’s voice when you are first introduced to her; a hushed, bewitching quality that is equally earnest as it is powerful. It’s a contradiction to read, that I am well aware, but it is such a juxtaposition which one would believe lead previous …
Track: Agnes Obel – Stretch your eyes, plus new London date news
Stretch your eyes is the new single from Danish star Agnes Obel, the fourth taken from her critically acclaimed album Citizen of Glass. It Obel’s most successful album to date in the UK, doubling the first week sales of her previous album, 2013’s Aventine, and affording Obel her first top 30 record. It’s easy to …
C Duncan Announces May Headline Dates
Glasgow’s breathtakingly talented composer and songwriter C Duncan has added May dates to his 2017 tour in support of his second album, The Midnight Sun, released in October. He will also be supporting Elbow on their UK tour in March. C DUNCAN TOUR DATES Monday, 23rd January – Eden Court Theatre, Inverness, UK Tuesday, 24th January – …
Not Forgotten: Cat Stevens – Tea for The Tillerman
Maybe it was a reaction to being a social misfit during my school days, but while my contemporaries were falling underneath the spell of various grunge and hip hop acts back in the early 90s, I had started to pay more and more attention to my parents’ album collection. As teenagers during the 70s, they …
Track: Orchid Collective – Courage and talk Exclusively to Backseat Mafia
Orchid Collective return with their latest release entitled ‘Courage’, a 4 track EP briming with their unique sound of rousing alternative folk-influenced rock. Orchid Collective are: David O Shea (lead vocals, guitar), Shea Tohill (lead guitar, vocals), Hugh O’Neill (bass, vocals) and Brian Roony (drums, vocals) Through their own distinct use of vocal harmonies and searing layers …
Track: Tomorrows – ‘Another Life’
Tomorrows are a four-piece indie rock band from Dublin who take their influences from 60’s and 70’s pop, rock, prog, and folk, and combine them with a modern day indie rock sound to create an ‘exciting foray into cosmic pop ecstasy’ Let’s introduce the band: Tomorrows are Conor Deasy (Guitar, Keys, Lead Vocals) Jethro Pickett (Guitar, Keys, Vocals) …
Track: Julia Sheer – Takes One To Know One
After being quiet from the scene for a fair while, Julia Sheer has returned with a new EP on the horizon and a brilliant single to showcase her talents and what to expect with the upcoming release. The opening of ‘Takes One To Know One’ instantly sets the tone for a single that is emotionally …