Gig review - Emily Lockett - Biddulph Town Hall

 

And so to Biddulph – a small town just outside Stoke On Trent – to the grandly named Town Hall, which in reality is a very nice community centre, in a small high street of pubs, takeaways and Sainsburys.  Its not a major urban centre, but to Emily Lockett it is home, so where better to host a headline concert marking the release of her latest EP, thanking those who supported her crowd funder and giving us all a chance to see Emily play with her relatively new full band.

Although technically a part of Biddulph festival, the gig was promoted and run by Emily’s family – Dad on tickets and lighting, Mum organised the merch, brother on camera and his girlfriend head of merch sales – which is very much how Team Emily operates. 

 

If you weren’t aware, Emily has spent the last three years studying at BIMM Manchester, and part of her course was to organise a crowd funder and write new music.  The outcome of this (as well as her degree) is her new EP “What The Hell Have I Got Myself Into?”

 

The show was opened by (formerly) local performer Celine Ellis.  Keen on the storytelling element of Country Music, Celine overcame the technical delays to show the almost full hall her folky/Americana voice and her excellent guitar playing.  Celine is quite a humble performer, just her and her guitar playing her upcoming release and some songs that she has thought about re-recording.  Celine with the fuller sound of a band, bass line etc will certainly be worth hearing!

 

We are more used to seeing Emily Lockett as “just her and her guitar” so to hear her music with four other musicians on stage was certainly something to look forward to.  Emily has always had a great stage presence, her ability to talk to an audience and interact is one of the best I’ve seen - as she demonstrated so well at the first British Country Music Festival in Blackpool playing not only one of the first sets of the weekend, but also the tricky outdoor stage.  Surrounded by her friends – all of whom are also BIMM graduates - she really comes out, and the interaction with her band adds to her performance and has clearly added to her own confidence.

 

The set list was a run through of previous releases interspersed with all the tracks from the new EP and was very cleverly split into three – full band for the six numbers, Emily alone playing the next four acoustically with the band re-joining for the final four songs and encore.  Emily’s style is reminiscent of Taylor Swift without being an attempt to copy, but while Taylor Swift writes a song about every single ex, Emily tends to write about the exes she has never actually had!  Able to write from experiences that she is yet to have, she still weaves parts of herself into every song, although the past three years have given her more experiences to draw on – a couple of times she said

 “but at least I got a song out of it”!

Emily is as gifted at telling stories from stage between songs as she is at telling them in her songs.

 

Hearing her old songs with the band gave them a new dimension without detracting from her style and distinctive voice – which combines beautifully with bandmate Harriet Rose on backing vocals as well as acoustic guitar and keys.  Laura Powell plays guitar and adds mandolin to “I said Hi” while the boys at the back – Tom Hetzel on Bass and Michael Shenton on drums keep the rhythm for them all.

It would be hard to pick out favourites from the evening, but some stand out points need a mention.  “If I Live to 100” from the “Do You Wanna Go Out” EP is the soundtrack to a life, and if it isn’t used as a wedding first dance or for a wedding video then people are missing a trick.  Emily sitting down at the keys to play “If Only I” from the new EP was a revelation, and demonstrated her evolving confidence, as she chatted whilst playing the intro like a seasoned professional.  There was just one cover in the hour plus set, and fittingly it was a Taylor Swift song.  How does Emily cover “Love Story”?  With her own style of course, and it was superb! The switch at the end from Emily singing to Harriet was a masterstroke.

The whole performance was polished (despite their rehearsal space burning down!) and as fun to watch as it clearly was to perform.  Sure, the sound mix could have been better to highlight those vocals but all five on stage gave their all to create a performance worthy of any big stage – promoters should take note of this band!

The encore came all too soon, and involved the whole audience standing for “Do You Wanna Go Out?”  It was a perfect ending and the sheer joy on the faces of every band member’s face was evident throughout – especially Harriet’s smile!

Its been a while since I’ve seen Emily perform, and I was keen to find out what she had been up to, and if her university time had changed her. In conversation afterwards she told me

“I am more confident now, because I feel like the band has helped bring out the sound, it felt great to play up there live and it is so much fun to play with the guys”

Emily and the band haven’t been seen on the independent country festival circuit, but they have been playing big gigs such as Foodies festival – where they have opened for Blue and will next month be opening for Natalie Imbruglia in Oxford.

Coming out of university with a degree, increased confidence and a talented young band, the future looks bright for Emily.  With a pop country/rock crossover vibe (compared to Avril Lavigne and the Cranberries as well as Taylor) Emily wants to emulate other successful UK acts, mentioning Kezia Gill as a level to reach, with a desire to “make it” before she is 30. 

There is no reason why that won’t happen for Emily and the band.

 

Oh, and that degree from BIMM?  It was a first.  Congratulations Emily!

"What The Hell Have I Got Myself Into?" the new EP from Emily Lockett is available now. 

You can find and follow Emily on Facebook, Instagram and Spotify

 

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Gig Review - Country In The Afternoon May 2022 - Half Moon Putney

 

As you walk along the side of the Thames (dependant on mode and route of travel) to the icon venue of the Half Moon in Putney, you know you are in for a great afternoon of music. This year was no exception.

Alan Finlan opened proceedings on Saturday, the big man from a small town continues to play as many gigs and festivals as he can. Playing more originals than covers these days he has built a strong collection blending pop and rock into country to give his upbeat sound. Working from his debut single Whiskey Eyes to bring beautiful storytelling and powerful beats to good old country themes, incorporating his own experiences. Outside of his set you’ll always catch Alan around the bar ready to talk music and supporting his fellow artists.

Emilia Quinn brought both new and old songs to her set, by old, she explained, she means those that you can buy and play at home; one of the better plugs for her merch I’ve heard to date.  With the not to be mentioned gap in live music, Emilia admitted a little worry about hitting the high notes, but there was no need as she belted out song after song with her powerful and gritty voice and had the crowd hooked - and a few bobbing along (it felt later than two in the afternoon) Her set included the love song she wrote for her “wife” Tammy, despite her claims that her love songs always turn out cheesy and its all been said before, (and Tammy’s playful joust this was no different), it wowed the crowd – if that’s Emilia not at her best it is a damn sight better than most, we’ll take it.  

Robbie Cavanagh arrived at the venue as Emilia left the stage; having elevated Gavin’s blood pressure, he incorporated the situation into banter with the crowd. This was a very relaxed Robbie on stage, at ease with the audience, joking that those who continued to pour in to the venue had managed to make him look punctual. This was the best performance I’ve seen from Robbie, at ease which matches his music which I find almost homely (honest and emotional), taking comfort in the ability to predict the rhymes and lyrics.  Not what you might have expected from the long-haired young man in a Stetson and jeans stood in front of you.

If you haven’t been treated enough, Gavin’s energy as he introduced the final act, Balsamo Collins Riley told you something amazing was about to happen.  Each famous in their own right, the skills of Pete Riley, Andy Collins and Steve Balsamo (founding members of The Storys) together on stage for the first time after the guys met up on Monday afternoons via Zoom to keep each over sane and write songs.   Following no set list, the craftsmanship was evident, easily stepping in to support one another’s songs.  It felt like a writer’s round as each had many tales to recall, they are colourful characters, and their friendship and sense of fun was easily reflected from the stage. What an incredible trio, what a treat and what a way to end the afternoon.

 

Large numbers turned up earl again on the Sunday for day 2. Those that attended both days earned a verbal gold star from Gavin, the others “would know better for next time.” 

Tupelo Lime (Gram Phillips with a friend) opened the day.  With an Americana setlist they took the audience on a journey across the States with their songs. Straight in with Girl from New Orleans, they said it was always good to get one out of the bag before we found out more about them. Gram tries to write songs that have a social meaning whilst still being entertaining (and the odd love song, if his partner asks!) With songs of affliction, addiction, loss, hardship and death, it was a happy affair but a gentle introduction to the day.

Did I say gentle?  Well, it was time to be awakened, next up was Eddy Smith & The 507. Offering something a little different (it isn’t quite country or americana - a bit bluesy) this was a punchy performance with a big opener Lost on You and an even bigger finish.  One or two slow songs crept into the set including the new Ballad of Bobby Grey and Eddy thanked those that had downloaded the single, the 10,00 streams that had allowed him to purchase his Lucozade.  Humbled to be there, the five-piece multi-instrumental (every band should have a harmonica) band and Eddy’s husky voice and trademark piano (keyboard) demonstrated why they are gaining recognition fast.

When you thought it couldn’t get any better, Meg McPartlin took to the stage.  Nervous, very humbled to be there, supported by friends and family, even a little out of breath between songs, if you hadn’t heard Meg before, you were about to be blown away! She has one powerful voice, triumphing with a cover of Garth Brooks – Thunder Rolls but also incredible writing skills.  The latest single Falling was written for the boyfriend Scott after just 3 facetimes- yes, she admits she falls fast! Mesmerised by her performance, one lady said the hairs stood up for every song. My favourite has to be Nashville Blues – proud to be a British country singer she doesn’t need Nashville, this went down very well with the crowd – and sums up the majority of the event.  (But then I don’t need to tell you how good British Country Music is, do I?)

But, if you wanted an American act, you got it, and couldn’t ask for more with American Young making the event the release party for their new album AY II.  Kristy and Jon were backed on stage with the British talents of Luke Thomas (guitar), Chris Brice (drums), and Phil (keys and bass) who quite rightly they wanted to keep.

If you haven’t seen the duo before, their high energy sets represent sound without boundaries, music unlike anyone else. Both confident and talented vocalists they were at ease on the stage, with the band and the audience. In-jokes were common, but they involved the audience in telling of the pranks played on Jon before the show. Kristy shone in her glittering full-length dress with side tassels (nothing mumsy there despite the recent addition to the family) and Jon looked cool in a dark shirt and glass, the energy never diminished as they bounced around the stage and the state of the strings on Kristy’s bow highlighted the intensity of the fiddle.

But all great things need to come to an end.

It is great to see Gavin back on the stage, although his own microphone would make a nice future gift, so he didn’t always have to bend down, and stood by the door to the green room whilst Christine mans the merch table. The Chittick’s love of music is evident, but they open up their home and support many of these artists in numerous ways; they are one of a few people who do so much for British country music, so show your appreciation and do yourself a favour and support the next event, there’s bound to be something for everyone and it’s a bargain price. See you in November…

 

Future details of CITA will be found on Facebook, Instagram and of course at Silverball Country!

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Gig Review - The Shires at Birmingham Symphony Hall w/ Kezia Gill and Eric Paslay

 

On Tuesday night The Shires brought their UK tour to Birmingham, and for one night only we built our own Nashville in the grand surroundings of the Symphony Hall.  The audience weren’t quite the Cowboys and Cowgirls that we see when American Artists are in town, it was a more mature crowd, with more reading glasses on heads than Stetsons.

 

We were thrilled to be attending as guests of B:Music who run the Symphony Hall and excited to see the Shires again, having last seen them perform their acoustic set at Buckle and Boots last year – but we were equally looking forward to seeing the opening artist. 

 

Kezia Gill has been on tour with Chrissie and Ben for what seems like months, travelling up and down the UK on the tour bus with her trusty hot water bottle!  Being a Derby girl, Birmingham was almost a home town gig for her  being “just down the road” and when she introduced herself to the audience she was pleased that finally she had a crowd who might understand her! Kezia also mentioned that she had in fact played the Symphony Hall before, albeit to an empty auditorium for a lockdown livestream.  We only had 20 minutes of Kezia but she filled her time superbly with Silverball Country’s favourite songs and stories.  Opening with Country Song from her Mess I Made ep, she followed it up with Local Man’s Star which brought the room to silence, dedicating her performance to her late father with a look heavenwards as she finished.  Moving on to Thirties, Kezia introduced the song with almost a monologue about growing old demonstrating how at ease she is with a crowd, winning them over and entertaining them.  With all her songs written from her real life, Kezia told us after the show that this makes it easy to talk about each track before singing it.  I’m Here, then a great choice of final song in Whiskey Drinking Woman to finish her all too brief set; thrilling the crowd by holding the last note. She left stage to great applause and a lengthy interval queue at her merch stand.

 

Eric Paslay was the second of the support acts.  A very accomplished song writer, Eric has quite a pedigree with songs he has written for other people which he dotted into his set along with a U2 cover and – surprisingly – a country take on Dua Lipa.  Perhaps more of a writer than performer, Eric is also more of a singer than talker, although he did loosen up as time went on.  The audience warmed to him and were more than happy to hold up their phone to recreate the memory of his friends best ever gig back at JFK stadium with 50,00-60,000 lighters back in the day. His best quote was probably about Nashville – where most residents are not Nashville natives but people who have made their way there – “We’re all just crazy dreamers” those born and raised are unicorns. Asking where members of the crowd were from, he spotted a few local unicorns but become unstuck with the pronunciation of Stourbridge. He declared he would like to visit the exotic take on Tower Bridge, but we fear he may be disappointed.

 

After the interval it was time for what everyone had been waiting for – and had been waiting for longer because of the enforced delay to the full tour.  The band walked on to a pounding beat, Chrissy and Ben walked on and the crowd rose to their feet - in fact Ben asked them to rise and directed the standing/sitting throughout the night. The Shires are the anointed representatives of UK Country Music with their brand commercial, pop influenced country music.  They clearly share a passion for the genre, having teamed up ten years ago when Chrissy answered a Facebook ad for a female country singer.  They have gone from strength to strength since those days, as witnessed by a near sold out 2,500 seat hall in Birmingham, and fans who sang along, clapped and danced when instructed to for A Thousand Hallelujahs!  Despite being pregnant – with twins! – Chrissy didn’t falter and didn’t make use of the seat on stage, although she did confess that trainers have now replaced heels with her stage outfit.  Daddy’s Little Girl drew tears, I See Stars had the auditorium lit up with mobile phones and Nashville Grey Skies was sung by pretty much every voice in the crowd.

 

It was great to see a UK Country act performing in a big venue, and also great that one of the support acts was one of our own.  Being in the Midlands if only for a day, Kezia was able to spend some time with husband Lloyd which possibly prompted her final comment to us

“It's a mix of wanting to go home and have a home cooked meal - and never wanting the tour to end”

 

We hope that both Kezia and the Shires enjoy the last 5 dates of the tour – as will anyone who has tickets for the last shows.

 

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Single Review - Wish I Could Give You Up - Katy Hurt

 

At first glance the new single from Katy Hurt - Wish I Could Give you Up - is a love song, the classic story of being in love but wishing you could move on, realising that they aren’t right for you, but knowing that you will never be able to

“I wish I could give you up but you’re in my blood”

In this case though Katy isn’t singing about a guy, she’s singing about the absolute love of her life, the highs and lows of being a musician!  Yes, this time its about music and performing.  Katy herself tells us that she has given her whole life to music, that music has been what she turns to for joy and in her darkest hours but in with the highs there are inevitable lows.  This isn’t the first time that Katy has written about the genuine struggles of a musician, her previous single “Sounds Good In A Bar” was alone the same theme, although this latest singe is more about the deeper personal relationship.

When you reassess a relationship, sometimes the outcome is that you stay, work at it and continue, and that would certainly be the outcome we all selfishly hope for with Katy!

Even with an emotive and personal subject, Katy makes the song light and poppy.  Her voice grabs you from the opening lines, the backing instrumentation carries us along, the drum beat punctuating the story as the melody and song builds with the emotion that is being expressed.

 

Don’t give up Katy!

Wish I Could Give You Up, the new single from Katy Hurt is available to download and stream now

You can find and follow Katy on Facebook, Instagram and on Spotify

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Single Review - When You Were Mine - The Rising

 

It is fair to say that The Rising aren’t the biggest UK Country act, but it is definitely true that they are one of the hardest working.  Throughout Lockdown, Chantelle and Chris have not stopped, recording and releasing new music almost every six weeks plus a regular livestream show - RisingTV

Whilst illness did interfere with the release schedule, the duo have been looking ahead to an album release funded by a kickstarter campaign, and they are now releasing their first single from that album, and their first of the this year.

The Rising are never shy of a debate about the world of the Independent artist, and they are certainly not afraid to push boundaries – their music release strategy is testament to this, and their livestream showed that they can embrace new ways of working and indeed thinking.

This is also demonstrated in the new single – When You Were Mine.  “Fiercely proud” to be DIY artists (Chris is an experienced sound engineer) the single was recorded, produced and mixed in their own studio but, thanks in part to the new way of working imposed by Covid, the Drums, were tracked by Chris Brush in Nashville, while the track was Mastered by Pete Maher (U2, Rolling Stones, The Killers, Snow Patrol and many more). 

Over the last two years we have seen so many artists unable to record in the traditional way and therefore tracks being worked on remotely – in a positive way that seems to have resulted in collaborations that we might not have previously seen and is likely to be a trend for the future.

The song itself is on the love song spectrum – a one night stand with your best friend.  With a heavy guitar track reminiscent of 90s rock there is a certain looking back feel to this.  Many of us will be transported back to those house parties when you wake up in the morning remembering (or not) what happened!  Chantelle’s vocals reflect the genre, showing that she can adapt to suit the vibe of a specific release.  Fast paced, its is a little more rock than Country, but it has story telling and will sound great blasting from a stage.

You can catch The Rising in person this summer at not one but three major festivals – Buckle and Boots (paddock stage) Tennessee Fields (main stage) and the British Country Music Festival.

 

When You Were Mine, the new single from The Rising is available to download and stream from all major platforms from Friday 20 May.

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EP Review - Senses - Danny McMahon

Danny McMahon is back in the studio and the result is his new 6 track EP Senses. 

With that number of new songs it is almost an album, but we won’t quibble over a name.  If we are being pedantic – he’s not back in the studio, as the EP was recorded at Danny’s own Puzzlemaker studio in Bristol. 

But enough of the English lesson – what about the music?

Many artists hope to recreate the studio quality sound when performing live.  In a way Danny does the opposite – he brings his liver performance energy into to the studio and onto the recording.  In each track you can hear the trademark sound, which I have likened in the past to Chesney Hawkes!  It has the same exciting energy, the same clever use of sounds and effects.

The EP has pulled in a range of musicians and features co-writes, but is of course centred on Danny’s distinctive vocal style.  As you would expect from any Puzzle Maker release, the production is spot on, balancing vocals with backing instruments perfectly – the subtle drum line on Good or Gone, the exquisite steel on Its Too Late.  Parachutes has a rocky, guitar driven edge, but a surprisingly reflective theme to it – very cleverly woven into race car metaphors. Senses has the pop country  style we are familiar with when listening to Danny’s music.  These Hands strips right back musically, which really suits the story being told about your hands experiencing life’s journey with you – an unusual take but done well.  Lights Of Our Hometown was previously released as a single, and musically it acts to draw together all the elements of the EP.

Danny takes song writing very seriously – as seriously as he takes performance, and every song on the EP has its own story – how it came about, why it is on the Ep and its own personal meaning.  This whole work deserves a storytelling session in a writers round style.  Its Too Late is obviously a very personal song, and one that I will be excited to hear sung with the extra emotion that naturally comes with a live performance.

Senses is exactly what I have come to expect from Danny – great writing, superb production, excellent instrumentation and on top of it all, Danny’s trademark “give it everything” performance.

In support of the release, Danny and the band are taking to the road this month with a mini tour taking in Fife, Birmingham and Bristol.

 

Senses, the new EP from Danny McMahon is available to download and stream from Friday 18 February

 

Find and follow Danny on Facebook, Instagram and on Spotify – and at his live dates (details on his website)

 

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Single Review - Better Than That - Jessica Lynn

Unusually for a song from Jessica Lynn the pace and feel of her new song Better Than That are set by the pedal steel (rather than the usual guitar driven tune), which provides the opening to this almost ballad.

I say almost as it isn’t quite a slow song and isn’t quite a love song. Its about a very familiar love triangle – him, her - “the one”, and the third party - our storyteller who knows you Better Than That and is more likely to actually be “the one”.  She’s the one you come to, the one you talk to, the one who knows you and certainly the one who thinks that you’d be better off with her!

She knows this man "Better than that", hoping he will see what is in front in of him, the person who has always been there. 

Is there a touch of the green eyed monster, is she hoping he will see, so she can be that one.  The other girl brings him down, but we don't know anything else about that relationship. 

If you’re hanging in there for the one, this song will relate and hopefully spur you on. 

The feminist within me says, don't open that door at 2am, stop being the fool, maybe, just maybe, that will make him think twice.

Photo - Scott Vincent

The whole band is present on the backing, and the country roots are certainly evident.  It is a great mix of the stripped back songs that Jessica has released recently and that haunting steel sound.

The pace of the song reflects the feelings involved, and shows that Jessica can not only swap between genres but also between heartfelt storytelling and her well known stage rocking style!

It is a catchy little tune that will have you singing along, perhaps even a sway or a little dancing too, especially the opening. 

 

A great piece of song writing, Better Than That is a co-write with Clay Mills who has a distinguished pedigree, having written for artists including Darius Rucker, Trisha Yearwood, and Little Big Town.

 

Jessica and the Band will be in the UK for their long awaited return, starting in London on 9 May, moving on to Southampton, Birmingham, Derby, Swansea and more through the month.  Full details on the website - tour dates

Better Than That, the new single from Jessica Lynn is available to download or stream from Friday 4 October.  Find and follow Jessica on Facebook, Instagram and Spotify

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