Single Review - Better Days - Backwoods Creek

 

Despite all living in different places, the Creeker boys have kept on making music during lockdown and have released a series of videos of them performing covers of some quite diverse songs.  The great thing about these videos is that they show the contribution that each individual member of the band makes – a good reminder of everyone’s musical skill and showmanship in case you are normally focussed on just one or two of the boys. These lockdown performances have also helped to showcase that Backwoods Creek performance style – they are hardly the shy and retiring type but always ready to make you sing, laugh and cry!

Regardless of the quality of the covers they perform, it is refreshing to hear new music coming from the Creek Cave, and this Friday we are treated to their new single Better Days. 

As the title itself suggests, this is all those people reminiscing about the world before the pandemic hit, the better days. The quintet hope that the song will become a unifying singalong anthem.

Better Days tells a deep story of hardship and overcoming, ending with an uplifting & very relevant sentiment "I’ll see you again” Reflecting on choices made and steps taken, our storyteller wants to be taken back to when things were different, back to better days. It has a feel of looking backwards to look forward.

The pounding drums, the almost fanfare of combined instruments before Jamie’s gruff vocals and long notes define it as a Backwoods Creek song. This song leans more towards rock.

It’s loud with punchy statements that you cannot argue with. The dramatic instrumental section after Jamie’s long note,  leads to a softer vocal that creates a picture of the day, with the rain and the smoke, it is depressing and a good comparison to our storyteller’s and our hopes for the future.

The last quivering note from the electric guitar (Yannick) will not  let you walk away feeling blue, it will fire you up to take on the challenges and get through the next however long, or at least to their next release.

Better Days, the new single from Backwoods Creek is available now to download and stream on all major platforms

Find and follow Backwoods Creek on Facebook, on their website and on Spotify

 

 

 

 

 

Single Review - Another You - Kezia Gill

Another You, the new single from Kezia Gill is quite obviously a collaboration, as the instrumentation and production is quite a departure from her usual style, with much use of effects and the mixing desk, rather than her usual acoustic guitar and traditional sounds.

After quite a poppy, jangly opening Kezia’s voice comes in, and when Kezia sings you listen because you know she has something to say.  The song is a declaration of love, and this time it is for real, it is forever.  This is not some sickly love song though, this is powerful, raw and emotional through the vocal.  It is a shouted declaration she wants him to hear it and know it, she wants the world to hear it and know it

The feeling is mutual – he only has eyes for her, he is making her feel loved

The song is sung in such a way that it needs to be played loud – or at least the vocal part.  Kezia has such a voice that the backing instruments are almost superfluous, although the rocking guitar break does strike the right note and the inclusion of just a kick drum may have helped to drive the track

We are lucky as DJs that we have the kit to play this song loud, for everyone else when Kezia plays this loud and proud with her band at a gig or festival, we are all in for a treat!

Another You, the new single from Kezia Gill, will be available to download and stream from 17 April 2020

Keep Kezia company on facebook and her website

EP Review - Intertwine - Sabine

Sabine is a girl, a woman, who knows what she wants.  She wants a relationship, a proper one, the right one, and she is not going to compromise, and she won’t wait around while you get your act together

Listening to the EP I’m not sure if this is just set of songs or a fully auto biographical outpouring!

With the first track - Intertwine -  Sabine is letting him know that she is ready to give this a go, to do what it takes, but you still get the feeling it will be on her terms, under her control.  The song is quite pacey, almost musical theatre with drama just below the surface, helped along by a great drum track which punctuates the feeling. It is up-tempo, Pop Country, but with a strong message

Moving on to Love is Not Enough, Sabine lets us know what happens when that relationship is not right. We had a listen to this when it was released as a single. Love Is Not Enough is about a relationship that is over, a life that must go on – but without you.  It is a song of hope and growth – but from a purely personal perspective, and I found that a very powerful take, but delivered in a very meaningful way

On The Edge takes up the story, with a slow, measured performance. Even when a break up is the right thing to do you can find yourself on the edge of trying again, on the edge of texting or calling…. Our strong woman is not always strong and here Sabine acknowledges that. The slow piano and understated instrumentals in this track perfectly accentuate the feeling.  Whilst not normally a fan of slow tracks, this was Francesca’s favourite track on the EP and it really showcases Sabine’s voice

The EP ends with the end of this story.  Maintaining the slower pace but strong emotion Under is both uplifting and heart-breaking at the same time. The production of this track really tells you that this is the end, and part of Sabine’s new beginning. She has come through and now just wants to settle in her ow mind what happened and why.

“There was a me before you, there will be a better me too”

Intertwine is not so much an ep as a life story/love story, with very clever use of tempo to reflect the stages of what was apparently a very painful relationship.  But just as Sabine will emerge form that with an emotionally strong future, she emerges with this EP with a musically strong future

I hope it doesn’t take another heartbreak for Sabine to produce more music of this quality!

Intertwine is available on May 3 on all usual platforms. 

Sabine can be found on Facebook, and remembering the past while looking to the future!

Gig Review - Live In The Living Room's Little Pizza Express Live Tour

Live In The Living Room has taken to the road and is doing a grand tour of Pizza Express restaurants around the country – well, why wouldn’t you?  And having seen the line-up of artistes… why wouldn’t you?  Good Friday evening it was the turn of Birmingham’s Brindley Place to play host to quite the collection of performers.

A lovely upstairs room (with attentive waiter) first saw the opening songwriter’s round of Jessie Desai – a young female singer songwriter, Andy Hughes who had a very authentic sounding Country voice – as well as a splendid hat/shirt/boots combo, and Sam Shemmell whose looks utterly belied the voice that emerged from him – describing it with mere words can’t do it justice, so think of the deep voices of the 70s C&W superstars…Sam puts it down to his operatic beginnings, but whatever it is, it is worth hearing! 

All three grew more comfortable as the show went on, with three songs each to warm up the evening.

Next up – Sam Coe and the Long Shadows.  This is actually who I came to see (sorry Simon!) as I hadn’t yet had the pleasure of seeing Sam perform live. Sam – and her band – certainly didn’t disappoint. From their first song, Moving On, to their last they performed with constant energy - in fact I’m not sure that they would be capable of playing a song all the way through without going a little crazy!  When a band are clearly having fun, that infects the audience, even if we were only chair dancing!  Sam herself doesn’t have what might be called a classic country voice, she has a voice that was meant to be used for rocking performances, and she uses it for exactly that!  Also, any band that features a Dobro and a Hammond organ are always going to grab my attention!

You don’t always get the chance to see artistes play with their full band as so many play acoustic sets, songwriter rounds etc so it was a real treat to see Simon James play with his band, the Deep River Pilots – leading to a very bearded stage (with one notable exception)  The addition of drums, organ, guitars and a fiddler (without a beard!) really complements and enhances Simon’s voice without masking it as a full band could do.  Simon James has a great style of his own which I have written about before, but as audience member Sally Rea Morris of Gasoline and Matches commented to me, Simon sounds even more confident when accompanied by his band.  Sam Coe joined him for a rendition of Oh Honey, and with both acts being signed to Ginger Dog Records there is some great music on the way to us!

James from Live In The Living Room has done us a great favour by bringing all of these acts out on the road whilst also raising money for some very deserving charities, and I look forward to seeing the audiences grow as the word spreads!

Sam on Facebook   Simon On Facebook   LiveInTheLivingRoom  GingerDogRecords

Music Video Review - When I See You - Danny McMahon

Danny McMahon, a rising star of UK Country music, has come of age. 

“When I See You” shows a really developed, mature side to his music – even his distinctive singing voice sounds to have mellowed in this track. 

Written by a friend as a tribute to his grandfather, Danny felt particularly honoured to be asked to sing this, as he explained at a recent gig when he performed it to an appreciative audience

Originally the single was released in October 2018 and hit #1 on the iTunes Country Chart, Danny has now had the opportunity to make a video to accompany it, which will be released on 26 April 2019, although a teaser is now available

The video itself is a combination of evocative performance shots cut with original home videos of Danny growing up, focusing on his relationship with his own grandfather and his extended family, but through very ordinary scenes captured at various occasions. It is the very “ordinariness” that adds to the emotion of the video – and on first watching I honestly had tears in my eyes and chills down my spine.

While this style of video storytelling is not unique, it works so well for this song and had been put together really well - surely it will be in the ward shortlists later this year, it will certainly be considered for a "Silver Ball"

Both the song and the video are not just a memorial, but a celebration of a life lived, of a life shared, a life that has impacted on others – and lives that must still be lived.

When the video is released later this month, have a Kleenex to hand, a drink to loved ones, and raise that glass to Harold Evans, 1927 - 2004

Gig Review - Demi Marriner, Robbie Cavanagh and Gasoline & Matches In The Round (as support)

To the Kitchen Garden Cafe Birmingham for The Southern Companion - where the opening act was a songwriters round...

I’ve written before about Songwriters rounds and about opening acts – and this was a combination of both!  Supporting the Southern Companion on their rescheduled date were two of the power couples of UK Country – a bit of a Double Date according to Steve Marks – but to only describe them in those terms does them a great disservice.

On the left side of the stage were two singer songwriters who happen to be a couple but are skilled writers and performers in their own rights.  Robbie Cavanagh and Demi Marriner sang new songs for us, some of them written together and some older songs but they do combine with Demi singing backing for Robbie, Robbie accompanying Demi on guitar which demonstrates that their similar vocal styles combine beautifully.

Having previously only seen Robbie perform with his full band it was a delight to be able to really focus on his voice and style, listening to him sing his song “Fare Thee Well Letter” (a really emotional song!) his voice was reminiscent of some of the great male songwriters from the 70s – think Jim Croce! 

Demi and Robbie came together again at the end of the set to perform “My Grave” from their sampler EP “This House” which gave the chance for Demi’s voice to really soar as they sang individual parts rather than just harmonies.  A beautiful song which deserves inclusion on a future album, but I think they will have to fight over who gets to release it!

While one pair gave us newly written music, on the right hand side of the stage we were treated to newly recorded music by Gasoline and Matches

Sally and Steve also combine their voices and guitars to a stunning effect, with their style being more on the rock side of country – powerful vocals with quite stunning guitar.  

Following up their debut EP, Gasoline and Matches are in the studio putting the finishing touches to their first album, featuring tracks that have become absolute favourites at their gigs, including the regular song writers round that they host in this venue. New tracks include “Patient Wolves” which went almost straight from writing to recording and the very spirited “Smiling Viper”

“Tequila’s A Healer” became a three-part harmony, as Demi joined in with the “I Love You”, a demonstration that there is no line between the performers, and voices can combine, even briefly, to great effect!

With new music coming from all three, and all performing at festivals around recording commitments we have plenty to look forward to – and perhaps some more double dates too!


Rik attended this one to write the review and be the awkward third wheel in the corner....

EP Review - "Unfinished Business" Katy Hurt

I first encountered Katy at Nashville Sounds in the Round a few weeks ago, performing an acoustic songwriter set with just her guitar and the occasional accompaniment from Steven Marks of Gasoline & Matches.  I was captivated then by her voice, but to now hear her with a full band is another revelation.  The Band call themselves “The Healers” (see what they did there!) and the playing really complements Katy’s vocals giving an authentic country sound

First track on the EP is “Drink” – a “girl in a bar” song to contrast with all those “guy in bar” songs!  Much like an argument you know you are going to lose, the song starts slow and soft, but once the drums kick in, the tempo and the vocal pick up and you know you are in trouble!  You are lulled into a false sense of security with the almost Katie Melua style singing, but the more Katy gets defiant, the more Dolly Parton she sounds!  This song is a girl standing her ground, and it really sounds genuine!

With a dreamy start going straight into a soft vocal, “Natchez” is a song about separation, about missing each other, regrets...but she had to go, she knows inside she had to go. You can really feel the story behind the song, and the emotion is really amplified by a powerful, soaring vocal just before the song ends.  I want to know the backstory, I want to know if she stayed away…I want it to last another 4 minutes 12 seconds….

In a total contrast, “Revved Up” kicks off with a big guitar intro into a solid country beat and a vocal to match that bass line. It is very modern sounding girl country but with a huge nod to the traditional – if that makes sense!  Truly showing the less soft side to Katy, with her powerful singing voice really coming through.

Probably my favourite track on the EP, and already released as a teaser single, “See Ya Later” lifts the tempo again from Revved Up, but this time in a more pop country, pacy and downright fun way!  Based on an incident from a party, it is a song about kicking a guy to the kerb after just his first approach.  You can’t listen without tapping your feet – and having a little sympathy for the guy who hit on the wrong girl!

The title track of the EP, “Unfinished Business” brings the whole package together. It is a song you really want to stop and listen to – which is why Katy wrote it.  It feels almost autobiographical, and it comes from a singer songwriter who is a self-confessed lover of the Country Genre’s storytelling tradition and a way to express feelings and emotions through song. Having listened to the whole EP while writing notes and the review, this one stopped me dead in my tracks – and went straight onto repeat. This song is pure emotion, pure song writing, and pure singing all wrapped up into four and half minutes of magic. 

Overall you feel that Katy is a powerful, self-assured Country girl.  She knows her mind, she knows what she wants – and I know she will go far!

“Unfinished Business” is released on 22 March and can be pre-ordered now from iTunes

www.KatyHurt.com

Gig Review - Demi Marriner (as Support) O2 Academy Birmingham

If you're going to a gig, go early and catch the opening act!

I made a trip to the o2 Academy in Birmingham on a windy Wednesday night to catch Elles Bailey on her current tour – but also to see Demi Marriner playing the opening set.  Demi is well known on the UK scene and can often be seen supporting other artists either with her full band or as a solo performer

The Academy 3 is a fairly intimate room with a capacity of 250 and a fairly small stage, which was already set up with all the instruments for the 5 piece headline band.  When Demi came on, just a girl and a guitar there was a danger that she could be a little lost amongst all that kit but her voice, her music and her personality were more than strong enough to grab the 30 or so people in the room

The opening song was “Stay” – a mournful song, apologetic in its lyrics but still catchy – in fact most of Demi’s songs have a catchy chorus, so by the end you are singing along as though you've known the song for years, even on a first listen

The set consisted of songs from the EP “Dandelion”, the EP “Tales” which was recorded on just one microphone and some new songs – one only a week old!

It feels as though we are supposed to always label the genre of an artiste, but with Demi it isn’t straightforward.  She is quite Country, quite Americana, sometimes bordering on Bluegrass with her final song “Sins” and some of her performance is very much in the style of the classic female singer songwriters – think Beverly Craven, Julia Fordham, Judie Tzuke – although her snakeskin boots do scream country!

Working through her songs – “One Way Conversation”, “Sunday Morning Alone” (with some very high notes showing Demi’s range), “What Am I Doing Here”, “Distorted Desire” “Cold Coffee” Demi displayed increased confidence talking between songs but still with that trademark humility whenever she gets applause, with her quite shy “Thank You Very Much” each time, but when she sings you can really feel how confident she is and how much she loves her songs and singing them.  

We were treated to that brand new song “Little Boy” which had a really country theme – advice to the newest baby in the extended family, from the previous youngest family member, dedicated to her new baby cousin

Demi is currently quite busy supporting various tours, but will shortly be back in the studio recording new music – and then we can hope that she will be taking centre stage where she rightfully belongs on her own headline tour

Catch Demi on Facebook, online, on tour(s) or just buy her EPs and enjoy her music

Artiste and Gig Review - Katy Hurt

Appearing on the line up for the February Nashville Sounds In The Round was Katy Hurt.  Likened by fellow guest Kezia Gill to “A Young Dolly Parton”, the comparison is pretty accurate.

Don’t for a moment be fooled by Katy’s youthful looks or her shy, quiet voice.  When Katy sings her voice absolutely soars and is rightfully full of confidence.  The hint of an American accent when she sings not only complements her Country songs, but also suggests her varied geographical roots!

Katy opened her contribution to the night with a song that seems to have no title, has been named three times but she calls it “Because I Do”

Written when she was only 16, the song may be a young girl’s lament but it is written and sung with real maturity, the emotion highlighted by alternating real power and spellbinding softness

Apparently Katy and her co-writer have renamed songwriters as “Word Nerds” as she told us the story of “Abyssinia Lane” contributing an idea for a song, cemented by an incident with a guy at a party. Who knew a song about turning down a guy could be so up-tempo, pacey and fun! “See Ya Later” was all of these!

Songwriter’s rounds really bring out the stories – Katy is a poor sleeper (confirmed by Mum in the front row!), and an early wake up from a confusing dream led to a 4am song writing session inspired by a shaft of light through her window. “Light” is reminiscent to my ears of “Banks of the Ohio” both in style and the quality of Katy’s voice – and yes, that’s another reference to a young Dolly Parton!  On the night Katy forgot some of the words, but it didn’t detract from the performance at all, as her confidence (and Steve Marks stepping in with a guitar solo) kept made for a wonderful, if not word-perfect rendition.

There was a running joke all night about age, and with Katy you have to remind yourself that she is only 21 – her song writing, her performance and her ability to deal with good natured banter from the audience really belie her youth

"Sleeping Next to You" picked up the energy again – the song is a real “toe tapper and hand clapper” which was perfect for the middle of the second half of the show.

A fan of the relatively modern “Bro Country” Katy feels that although there are many, many songs about guys in bars, there are almost none about girls in bars, and so "Drink" was an obvious solution to this!

The final song from Katy was the title track of her new ep.  Loving the storytelling aspect of Country music, and using song writing as a way of expressing her feelings, Katy dedicates “Unfinished Business” to the music lovers who turn up, listen and appreciate songs.

With around 100 gigs booked already for this year, Katy Hurt is easy to find playing live – and worth finding!

Katy can be found on Instagram, Facebook, Spotify, iTunes, every stage in every town and at KatyHurt.com.

We'll Build Our Own Nashville

There was an article recently about Ariana Grande being the most streamed artiste in the UK. 

“Most streamed”

When I was growing up and discovering music it was all abut cassettes, vinyl and the Top 40 on the radio.  The world has changed so much in the intervening years, but one constant is live music.  

To develop true performers, real musicians. We need to have live gigs – and we need to attend them!

If you haven’t been to a small gig recently – what’s stopping you?

There is a regular “small gig” in the Birmingham Country music scene.  I say “small” but it is growing every time, with the latest evening being more than a sell out (don’t tell Health and Safety!)

“Nashville Sounds in The Round” is more than just a Songwriter’s round, it is a chance for Birmingham music fans to see acts they may not otherwise get a chance t see, and to show those artistes that there is a thriving country scene in the Midlands – and we welcome visitors!  A collaboration between music site Your Life In A Song and local band Gasoline and Matches the even has been going now for over a year already and has attracted a stellar array of country artistes from all over the UK – and even from Nashville

Not only the chance to see “new” artistes, but to hear them in a different setting – up close and personal, stripped right back, when you maybe have only seen them rocking out a stage at a festival or at a big venue.  Taking it in turns to sing their songs ad tell their stories you can see from their faces how much this means to the talented singer/songwriters

February saw Gasoline & Matches play host to Simon James who I have met a few times before, Kezia Gill who I met and heard for the first time at the recent BCMA awards and new to me Katy Hurt from London via large parts of the USA

All of the line up have slightly differing styles which complemented well, and the reactions between them all, the spontaneous collaborations and the teasing is a joy to witness!

I personally always leave these events enriched by the music and stories I have heard, and poorer from my visits to the Merch table!

Words alone can’t do justice to these musicians and their craft (but I’ll give it a go) – so check your local listings, head out and catch some great, live music

Artiste Profile – Gasoline & Matches

Sally and Steve are not just one of UK country's power couples, but they are the cornerstone of one of the most exciting "new" bands on the scene. They aren't actually new, having been performing together since 2015 but they are making a very noticeable impression at festivals, invitation gigs and by hosting their own songwriters night on their hometown of Birmingham.

Both Sally and Steve are full time professional musicians, splitting their time between gigging on the local live circuit, promoting at trade shows and writing kick ass country songs.
Despite what TV talent shows may make people think, working out on the pub/club/event circuit is really the only way to really learn and polish your craft

For both of these two, music is not a hobby, it's a living and a way of life

Sally sings lead and plays acoustic guitar, and as a natural performer an entertainer she is very much the front of the band
Steve's style with his more measured vocals really complements Sally, and their voices blend to perfection. 

As well as a fabulous voice, Steve's skills with a guitar are simply second to none, able to persuade 6 steel strings to produce notes, riffs and sounds that you wouldn't think possible.

Taking a solo or duo to full band can often totally change the sound and style but with Gasoline and Matches the addition of bass, keys and drums emphasises but doesn't alter the rocky, country vibe, giving a fuller, almost louder sound, totally filling a large stage, hall or festival.

The original songs from Sally and Steve are honest country, telling a story, relating emotions that everyone can relate to - very much "three chords and the truth"

What's next for Gasoline & Matches? Having released their debut ep in 2018, scoring a UK country number 1 in the process, their thoughts are on a full album after the festival season as well as more and more live performances and representing the ever-growing UK Country Music scene

Song Review - Tequila's A Healer by Gasoline & Matches

After an amazing breakthrough year, opening at festivals, playing huge stages and bagging Duo of the Year at the BCMA British Country Music Association Awards, Gasoline & Matches have given us all a Christmas Present this year by releasing their latest single on Christmas Eve.

More stripped back than the rest of the EP, Tequila's A Healer really brings into focus Sally Rea Morris' vocals with Steven Marks harmonies and a stunning, almost plaintive, guitar solo

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The co-star of this piece is the 40 year old 12 string Epiphone guitar - although its our heart strings that are tugged and plucked in this song of lost love and memories of those loved ones

The song is raw and emotive, in Sally's own words:

"‘We all lose someone we love, and there’s always those things that remind you of them. It’s those memories that keep them alive in your heart and I hope this song helps remind you of that.” 

Do yourself a favour, download this track and play it while sipping a glass of a smooth bourbon, whilst toasting those lost loves, (Jack Daniel's Tennessee Honey for us)

Download Tequila's A Healer