Single Of The Week ~ Joe Bonamassa & Beth Hart ~ Miss Lady

Hello and welcome to this weeks single of the week! This week I have been really getting back into an artist called Beth Hart recently and in particular one of the songs she performed with Joe Bonamassa on a duet album they made called "Miss Lady". This album came out last year and if you love soul, blues and funk then this is an album for you. 

'Miss Lady' from the first note gives you everything its got and still delivers throughout the song. They have really given this song a lot of thought with all of the breaks in it. Each individual instrument is heard clearly on this song from horns, organ, guitar, bass and of course Beth's vocals. 

The horns are a fantastic edition to the song, it really gives the song a completely new dimension. Using them for the introduction, you know that there's something special on offer. If you really focus on listening to them they're giving the song a lot of diversity and driving the song forward. They can sometimes be overshadowed by Joe's guitar playing, especially in the solo, but keeping song grooving is what it needs. 

One of the highlights of this song is Beth's incredibly soulful voice. With that rasp in her voice, it gives her vocals that edge that is so distinctive. Especially in the break down which sounds like the song is ending already, she really gives it everything she's got. It sounds like she is shouting because of that rasp in her voice, but its pure notations from her and sounds breathtaking!

I would recommend any album by her if you enjoy this song. Even on some of the more mellow songs, her voice continues to impress me. I look forward to a new album from her very soon as its been a long time coming! Even if its another collaboration album with Joe Bonamassa, it would still be an excellent piece of music on display. 

Photo Credit: Christie Goodwin

If you think from this track she is good live, I can wholeheartedly tell you she is incredible live and she's coming back to the UK for a tour next Spring! Here are the dates:

Bristol Colston Hall                         Friday May 1

Liverpool Philharmonic Hall       Sunday May 3

Glasgow O2 ABC                              Wednesday May 6

London Barbican                              Friday May 8

Leeds Academy                                Saturday May 9

Cambridge Corn Exchange           Monday May 11

Nottingham Rock City                    Wednesday May 13

You can expect to find me at the UK date for sure, I've seen her twice already too! Thank you very much for reading and until next time. 

Lewis 

Beth Hart Website

Twitter

Facebook

Single Of The Week ~ Skinny Lister ~ Trouble On Oxford Street

This weeks 'Single Of The Week' comes from the band called Skinny Lister. These guys are an English folk infused punk/rock 6 piece band from London that are all about making a scene. They play wherever their hearts desire and they perform it in emphatic fashion. With the likes of double bass and accordion added into the mix of their sound, you're bound to love these guys. 

Having newly signed to Xtra Mile Recordings, (home to the likes of Frank Turner, To Kill A King and Clap Your Hands Say Yeah) their new single 'Trouble On Oxford Street' is a very bubbly, happy and good ol' fashioned all round dance folk record. With the vocalists unique blend of English come Londoner accent, it makes for a really interesting track. The song gets right into it from the off with the whole band singing part of the chorus. The verses are telling the tale of a guy who's been in a fight on Oxford Street where he's 'lost a little blood and a couple of teeth'. 

The words to the song could be quite dark, but because of the melody and energy of the track, it makes the whole thing seem like a lot of fun. A little bit like if you went out with your mates one night, things got a little bit out of hand and then the next day you all found it funny. 

The video (which I will leave a the bottom of this review) is again, lots of energy, fun-filled and involves London as a whole. The band play on the streets of what I presume is Oxford Street, playing their song on a bus and at a live venue. With double bass twirling, accordion throwing and lots of dancing between the six of them, its no wonder these guys are making a name for themselves. 

Skinny Lister have announced a massive Spring tour too which starts at the end of April and carries on into May. If their live shows are anything like the video, then you're all in for a treat and I may have to go buy myself a ticket too! 

Here's the tour dates:

22/04 Birmingham   The Rainbow 
23/04 Glasgow       Nice N Sleazy
24/04 Edinburgh     Voodoo Rooms
25/04 Newcastle     Cluny 2
28/04 Manchester   The Deaf Institute 
29/04 Leeds           Brudenell Social Club
30/04 Sheffield       The Leadmill
01/05 Nottingham   Bodega
02/05 Cambridge    J2 @ Cambridge Junction 
05/05 Bristol          The Exchange
06/05 Cardiff          Clwb Ifor Bach
07/05 London         O2 Islington Academy
08/05 Norwich        Waterfront Studio
09/05 Leicester       O2 Academy 2


So head on down to one of these dates next year for what is guaranteed a great night. Their new album lands next April 20th 2015 called 'Down On Deptford Broadway' which I personally cannot wait for! So go on... check out this very energetic and thrilling folk/punk band and have a good ol' dance in your house (or work if you're brave enough).

With thanks also to Partisan PR for introducing me to the band. Thanks for reading and until next time. 

Lewis 

'Trouble On Oxford Street'

Website: http://skinnylister.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/skinnylister

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/skinnylister

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/skinnylister

Single Review ~ The Districts ~ 4th And Roebling

Hello, 

Welcome to this single review and today I have a band called The Districts. This four piece from Pennsylvania have been together since 2009 and got signed to Fat Possum Records in 2013 after their impressive style of indie/blues rock.

The single '4th And Roebling' is taken from their latest album 'A Flourish and A Spoil' and certainly caught my attention when I was sent this song for a review. The song starts off with some nice bass lines accompanied by some background beats and tambourine. 

When the guitar starts to enter the scene, its building up to something quite unique. This four piece are really taking your ears on a little rollercoaster. Building up the tension for a split second by cranking it up and then bringing it back down to a softer tone from the guitar. Rob Grote (vocals) has a great vocal range for the band and really gives this band an identity. 

The vocals are used with a nice tone on the microphone to not make it sound crystal clear, a little bit of distortion gives his voice that real grit. You can tell there's power in those vocals that is great to hear from an indie band as a lot tend to stay at one level, but its getting pushed to the limit. 

The chorus' are what make the song, a lot of noise, great guitar tones and getting everything turned up a notch from the verses. The band is really putting a distinct barrier between what is the verse and chorus. Though they come into each other very quickly, there is no warning when its being cranked up for those chorus'. There is a very nice instrumental/guitar solo building up to the eruption of the ending chorus to really end it on a high note.

All in all its a great track that you should go check out! I'll leave a link below for the track. "4th And Roebling" is out on the 9th/10th February on Fat Possum Records. If you can't wait till February then check out their EP they released at the beginning of this year. 


Thanks for reading and until next time. 

Lewis 


Soundcloud link: www.soundcloud.com/fatpossum/the-districts-4th-and-roebling

Fat Possum website: www.fatpossum.com

*BONUS* Single Review ~ Friars Lantern ~ Introduction

Hello!

Welcome to this bonus post for this week about a band that I have mentioned in the past that now have some new material out that I want to share with you all. Friars Lantern are a duo from Brighton who are aspiring to produce music that is inspired by certain programmes ans films such as American Horror Story and others alike.


Last time I presented to you a single called "Possessive Voices" which was a different tone of music I hadn't heard of that uses a womans voice that is layered ontop of guitar pedals and drums. It produced a quite atmospheric but exciting sound and the duo have now released an Introductory piece to their EP which will be out in 2015.

Titled "Intro" the duo seem to be heading down the same path with their sound and using voices over different instruments. Though the specifications of the sound are the same as the previous single, they have managed to use their instrumentation and knowledge to create something fresh and new.


Is introductory to their EP gives the listener a flavour of what's to come in 2015. Its not too long for an intro and its not too short to not give an idea of their sound. The length is 1:45 and is about right to really give people a chance to question about what they have in store next.


They have released a clever little video to go along with the single which involves footage from Charlie and The Chocolate Factory. Where you see Charlie open his chocolate to find the golden ticket which everyone knows. Though they have put a dark, but unseemly simple twist to it where they make it out as if Charlie never opened his chocolate. Rewinding the memories and pausing the moment to make it stop happening. A really clever concept for a video.


I look forward to hearing their EP that comes out in 2015. You can be sure I will be reviewing it in the near future. Make sure you check the band out and support them too.



Thanks for reading and until next time.


Lewis

Facebook: www.facebook.com/friarslanternband

*BONUS* Single Review ~ RJ Marks ~ Calling Out

Hello, 

Welcome to blog post 33! Today I have a wicked band from Nottingham called RJ Marks who is an indie/pop four piece that is certainly writing a lot of music that is turning heads. 

RJ Marks is made up of Richard Howell (vocals, guitar), Jake Buckley (lead guitar), Dicky Fountain (bass) and John Schofield (drums).

The band have a few names they are already associated with such as Jake Bugg with the singer Richard Howell playing for him. Both supporting each other at various venues too and with Jake Buckley (guitar) a virtuoso and naturally talented musician, this band are a force to be reckoned with. 

The single called "Calling Out" raises high hopes in the future for the band with obvious signs of great song writing from each of the band members. Adding elements in the song throughout the song keeps the train rolling and the listener staying to hear what they are offering. 

The single starts off with a quiet guitar riff and starts to pick up with some pretty piano lines and powerful guitar chords struck for the verses. The verses are a great time to really focus on Richards vocals which suit the band really well for the style they are playing.

I look forward to hearing what else they can deliver with Richards heart-felt vocals and impressive song writing for such a young band. With a feature on the 'BBC Introducing' show in Nottingham earlier this year as well, I feel like this is the beginning for this band.

The single 'Calling Out' by RJ Marks will be released on the 27th October so make a note in your diaries!

Thank you very much for reading and until next time

Lewis



Website: www.rjmarksmusic.com/

Facebook: www.facebook.com/rjmarksmusic

Twitter: www.twitter.com/rjmarksmusic

*BONUS* Single Review ~ Friar's Lantern, 'Possessive Voices'

Hello!

Welcome to blog post 28! This is a little review about a Brighton based band who are a little bit out of the ordinary for your ordinary band but has the possibilities to be something big. 

Friar's Lantern is made up of Abby White and Hayden Ashdown. Both from BIMM Brighton, they have formed this band to be out of the ordinary, to do something different and they're on the right path for sure! They are an atmospheric/electronic duo who base their music around various films/tv programmes that fit into the niche of its required sounds. 

This track is inspired by the American hit show 'American Horror Story'. The sounds coming from the both of them are mesmerising in the fact they can produce such interesting sounds with various instruments and technology. 

The track starts off with some dialogue that echo's through the introduction which already sends signals to me that this is going to be no ordinary song. The breakdown turns into layers of interesting guitar rhythms and tones. I know the both of them personally and all the strange, yet hauntingly beautiful screeches are coming from Hayden's guitar through various pedals. He loves his fuzzface and many others that make these powerful and intriguing sounds. 

They are also known for performing live with clips of films in the background. The film doesn't have any sound, but the band play to the track as if they're re-creating the music behind what is going on in the film. They certainly are something else this band which is why I decided to review their first single they released.

I'm sure there is plenty more to come from this duo so keep an eye out for their work in the future! Links will be down below for their soundcloud and facebook. They're relatively new so make sure you go give them some love!


Thank you for reading and until next time

Lewis

Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/friars-lantern/possessive-voices

Facebook: www.facebook.com/friarslanternband

*BONUS* Single Review - Antriksh Bali, 'Daze Blue (feat. Nikita Sailesh)

Hello,

Welcome to blog post 25 and an extra post for all you lovely people this week! Though this won't be as extensive as my main Wednesday posts, I'm sure you'll all love this artist that I have for you today anyway.

So, the artist I have for you today goes by the name of Antriksh Bali and is from New Delhi, India. When he contacted me about his single he wanted me to review, I was so captured by the fact he was from New Delhi! This blog goes all the way around the world!

Bali is an electronic/alternative musician that is inspired by a wide and peculiar range of elements in music. From sonic experiments to urban and dissonant orchestral scores, he has the mind set where there are no boundaries or genres. 

His music is very captivating to listen to and whilst doing my internship at Tru-Thoughts currently, its given me a great ear for this sort of electronica music to understand the true meaning behind it. With over-lays and fantastic scores for various instruments on this song, its definitely up there with the best. 

The song is about the phase that an artist goes through many a time in their career which is 'writers/creative block'. This song is about the conflicts and expression of turmoil that artist has when they cannot think of anything creative to put into a song they feel so attached to. 

The single is available on Bandcamp, Ok Listen and Reverbnation along with an extra song called "We Don't Need War, We Need More Satallites", which is a more remixed chilled song. Check out Antriksh Bali's single and support his work!

Until next time

Lewis

Website: www.antrikshbali.com/

Bandcamp: antrikshbali.bandcamp.com/

Facebook: www.facebook.com/antrikshmusic

Twitter: https://twitter.com/antrikshbali

Single Review - The Courtesans, 'Genius'

Hello!

Welcome to blog post 24! Today I am letting you all know about a female indie/alternative four piece band that are hitting the music business hard and not being portrayed as you're typical girl band. These girls are throwing the book out of the window on 'how to be the perfect girl band' by twisting and bending it in such a spectacular fashion that its caught the attention of many people. 

The Courtesans are Sinead Le Bella (vocals), Saffire Sanchez (guitar), Agnes D. Jones (bass) and Victoria Brown (drums). The single is the first song off their new album that will be released on 8th September called '1917'. Until then, the latest single 'Genius' is looking at the portrayal of the 'perfect girl' and that never ending search for her. Thus seeing young teens falling for the cheap lipstick, botoxing, slimming pill versions rather than one of those less genuine natural girls that get hidden in the darkness. 

From the first couple of lines in this song, you can tell this isn't your average girl band song. 

"Holding a gun to his head, she says

Do you love me? 

Do you love me?

Counting down the bullets she says

One for you, One for me

One for you, One for me"

Now, does that sound like something that Little Mix or The Saturdays will sing!? I love this dark side to the such loved cliché for a band. These girls have a fantastic image too that'll have you looking twice...once in shock and two in awe of their adventurousness. Their hair style is brilliant for the band image. Thick, long hair that has colours of red, bright blue, blonde and black, the perfect mix!

The start of the song, sounds like something from any ordinary song and then the struck of a chord on a guitar changes the mood completely. I do like the fact that all the girls in the band play a different instrument and don't all just sing otherwise that wouldn't make this band so unique. I do think that in recent years, girl bands are making a comeback for the greater good and The Courtesans are setting a great example to bring back the image in style!

Don't just take my word for this band, here are some other people's thoughts too:

"...dripping with a melodrama, intellect and wispy mystery not heard around these parts since early Garbage and Shakespeare's Sister" God Is In The TV Zine
"they're tight, they're funky and they’re absolutely terrifying" Never Enough Notes
"a sensual 4 piece audio and visual experience", Hellhound Music
"..saw The Courtesans live and still have not recovered" The Von Pip Musical Express

 Looks like that's all I've got time for today! Do go check the band out and watch the video down below. Another quick thank you to everyone who has been viewing my blog and got it over the 2000 milestone! Amazing, I cannot thank you enough! 

If any artist/managers want to contact me for reviews, then my email is in the 'contact me' section up the top of the page, these guys came to me with open arms and of course I agreed! Yours could be next too!?

Until next time!

Lewis

Wesbite: http://www.thecourtesans.org/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thecourtesans

Twitter: https://twitter.com/the_courtesans

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/CatrionaVillenhardt/videos

Single Review - 'Clocks Of Our Lives' , James Poole

Hello you wonderful lot!

Welcome to blog post 21. Today I'm going to let you all know about a fantastic singer/songwriter that goes by the name of James Poole. His single 'Clock Of Our Lives' has certainly caught my attention and I'm looking forward to share this with all of you. James contacted me and asked if I could review this song for the blog and of course I agreed.  

This song is a very beautiful and moving song, simplistic and emotional throughout. The simplicity of the song comes from it just being James singing and a pianist. His voice really shines through and you can really focus on each note he is hitting. James has an incredible voice and one that should be recognised more in the industry. If you really take in every note, he is a very emotional singer and this shows throughout the song.

James has used the track by Ludovico Einaudi called 'White Clouds' to then place lyrics over the top which is a smart move and works really well the the tone of James' voice. He is very attached to the song composed by Einaudi too. The piano drives the song beautifully, the changes between chords is just faultless.  At times the keys are used with such control that they're so lightly touched, you can only just about hear the notes being played...beautiful. 

When I first contacted James via his Twitter, I noticed he certainly had a fantastic following of fans! Its great for unknown artists to have that sort of following of fans because it keeps the artist going. If they know people are willing to stick around and support, then he will keep going to strive for success. 

The first thing I thought of when I heard the single was it sounds a lot like John Legend 'All Of Me". As I searched through his Youtube page and he has done a cover of this song! Fantastic cover too!

Check out James' single in the video and I'll link below and the original piano track James sung over. Thank you for all the support for the blog and I hope you all enjoyed this post on a beautiful song!

Thanks for reading and until next time! 

Lewis

Twitter: https://twitter.com/JamesPoole_

Instagram: http://instagram.com/james_poole_

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JamesPooleHQ

Single Review - "Bolo", Deafh

Hello!

Before I jump into this quite special review, I'd just like to say thank you to everyone who has viewed my blog since its started! The reason is because it now has over 1,000 views! That number still blows my mind, thank you again!

Now onto the review...this single was actually sent to me by the artist/company themselves, the first one! I was really chuffed when I saw the email, but I still needed to listen to the song. 

Needless to say I was really enjoying what I was listening to. Deafh is an R&B artist who is no stranger or amateur to the business for that matter. He has worked with the likes of S1 (Eminem, Kanye West and Adam Levine) and multi-platinum selling producer DJ Speedy (Jay-Z, Beyonce, Nicki Minaj) to name but a few! 

Usually this type of genre isn't my style or something I go out of my way to listen to, but this song caught my attention. The sound being produced was something original to what I have normally heard from this genre. Deafh has a harmonic flow in his rapping which is refreshing to hear. It reminds me of the old school R&B from the late 90's to early naughties with a 2014 twist on it. 

Its a really well produced song, elements constantly being added to keep it fresh and non-repetitive and Deafh has a great voice. Some of the overlapping on the lyrics can seem a bit too busy at times, but I see that this as a way to keep the song entertaining. 

Although be warned for the sudden ending to the track, it was one of those moment where you think "Oh!? Is it over!?". It was a bit of a strange ending to such a enlightening song to the R&B business, but this shouldn't put you off.  

All in all, for a track that was sent to me, its a pretty decent tune. Like I said earlier, usually this type of music isn't my taste, but this song has a refreshing outlook to R&B. I'm looking forward to following Deafh to see what he comes up with next. 

If you have a song you want me to review, then click the 'contact me' link at the top of the page and email me! I'll give it a listen and let you know! Once again thank you for getting me over 1,000 views for this blog, incredible!

Until next time and thanks for reading!

Lewis

Soundcloud link: https://soundcloud.com/deafh/bolo

Twitter: https://twitter.com/_Deafh

             https://twitter.com/Geodee__