The song Sanctuary was written and recorded with a message of hope; fortunately many of those prayers have just been answered, giving its lyrics an added celebratory note. North Carolina folk band Hiss Golden Messenger, with M.C. Taylor at the helm, has produced a warm and beautiful slice of Americana in this atmospherically rich number. Sanctuary…
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The Weather Station has released a new single and video called Atlantic, from forthcoming album Ignorance (5th February on Fat Possum). The Weather Station is a project lead by Canadian singer songwriter Tamara Lindeman. This latest work is intensely personal (Tamara also directed the video) and it captures the present mood of uncertainty, with climate…
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A window opened briefly on a world we knew and which will come again. Being able to go to a gig – socially distanced though it was -– brought into sharp focus just what has been missing from life. It’s ultimately about the music but it’s everything else besides – the camaraderie that comes from…
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Let’s go with the positive. This year there has been a plethora of amazing new music from artists both well established and emerging. For many people, listening to music has been a lifeline to turn to in these troubled times. And with lockdown, some have been able to rediscover the pleasure of playing an album…
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Kinbote – otherwise known as found-sound sampling glitch-pop producer Matt Gibb – released a quirky and intriguing single called Hiemalis in the summer, reviewed on Gourmet Gigs. And on 4th December he launched his album called Shifting Distance. The cover of Shifting Distance features slices of scenery, tantalising but unable to be grasped and experienced in…
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The simple and rather beautiful drawing on the cover of Waves of Haste offers a hint of what awaits listeners of this new album by Danish artist Hjalte Ross, his second so far. The illustration by Kasper Eistrup is of the head of a young man – perhaps Hjalte himself. He is lying on a…
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Ed Cosens has just released a video for The River, the second single from his debut solo album Fortunes Favour, here it is below. A long-time lynchpin of the Sheffield music scene, best known as the guitarist and co-songwriter in Reverend & The Makers, Ed waited to make his solo debut until the time felt right. “It’s only taken 10…
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Interview with KIN band member Grace Strickland de Souza, on the day of the release of their new single and video Wander and Lost. Creative female-focused band KIN are keeping things rolling during lockdown. The London-based trio release the new single Wander and Lost today along with a gorgeously atmospheric video. The multi-talented band are…
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Alabaster dePlume new release To Cy & Lee: Instrumentals Vol 1 on Lost Map Records in collaboration with Chicago-based avant-jazz label International Anthem and the Total Refreshment Centre in London. I had to check if this was the same Alabaster dePlume who sang a couple of humorous songs at a Union Chapel daytime session I attended. Although there couldn’t…
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The official video for Anti-Bullying Week 2020 is recorded by CBeebies presenter Andy Day and his band Andy and the Odd Socks, the cover of Sham 69’s ‘The Kids Are United’ features Princess K (who shared the stage with Stormzy at Glastonbury 2019) and the Libera Choir with all proceeds going to the Anti-Bullying Alliance. Stars of CBBC’s ‘Andy and…
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