Welsh singer-songwriter Paige Wolfe has started how she means to go on. She has dug deep into her soul to co-produce her first release, ‘Why Can’t My Heart?’. Borne out of personal experience of domestic abuse, Wolfe acknowledges the part played by Millie Bloom in “digging right down to the furthest root, pulling it out,Continue reading “Paige Wolfe – Why Can’t My Heart?”
Category Archives: UK Country Music
Elles Bailey – Shining in the Half Light
Elles Bailey’s latest album, ‘Shining in the Half Light’, has been forged in the fire of the last few years. It is a record that speaks to the experience and perspective of the independent musician over a particularly turbulent period. There are hints and nods to both Brexit and Covid without ever being explicit aboutContinue reading “Elles Bailey – Shining in the Half Light”
Nia Nicholls – If You Want a Sign
The latest single from Nia Nicholls cements her growing reputation as a British Taylor Swift. It is no exaggeration to say that in both her vocals and subject matter, the Welsh singer-songwriter displays the kind of Swiftian vibes that reverberate back to the American’s earlier canon of hits. ‘If You Want a Sign’ stands onContinue reading “Nia Nicholls – If You Want a Sign”
Clara Bond – Backtalker
Clara Bond may have her roots in British Country but she has grown far beyond its borders. The Exeter-based singer-songwriter has embraced a confident pop sound mixed with RnB and rock sensibilities to make her a truly cross-genre artist. It means her latest EP, ‘Backtalker’, is that wonderful blend of atmospheric soundscape and affective lyrics.Continue reading “Clara Bond – Backtalker”
Tenille Townes – When’s It Gonna Happen
Tenille Townes continues to bear her beautiful soul with her latest single ‘When’s It Gonna Happen’. Honesty has always been the Canadian singer-songwriter’s best policy, and here she reveals how she feels sometimes about being single. Delivered in her own inimitable style, she discloses a part of herself usually hidden behind the “laughing… smiling face”Continue reading “Tenille Townes – When’s It Gonna Happen”
Country Music: 2021 in Review
In this end-of-year review, one of our writers*, Gareth Williams, shares his personal favourites from 2021. Song of the Year – ‘Next Girl’ by Carly Pearce If there is one song that has been going around in my head this year, it is the insanely catchy chorus to ‘Next Girl’, part of Carly Pearce’s CMA-winningContinue reading “Country Music: 2021 in Review”
Eleri Angharad – A Merry Eleri Christmas
Welsh singer-songwriter Eleri Angharad is ending a successful 2021 on a suitably festive note. A Merry Eleri Christmas is a pleasant four-track EP that returns to her folk roots whilst retaining an element of that experimental pop that worked so well on her debut EP, Nightclub Floor. Opening track ‘Homemade Christmas’ certainly evokes the feelContinue reading “Eleri Angharad – A Merry Eleri Christmas”
Country-Pop Music: Chet Atkins and the Nashville Sound
Critics of the ‘Nashville/ Taylor Swift effect’ often argue that it has led to an identity crisis in country music. Debates over the last few years have centred around the idea that the genre has moved so far toward pop that it has somehow lost its soul. Songs such as ‘Meant to Be’ by FloridaContinue reading “Country-Pop Music: Chet Atkins and the Nashville Sound”
Caitlin Mae – Tunnel Vision
Fresh from winning Song of the Year at the ARC awards for ‘Take My Demons’, Welsh singer-songwriter Caitlin Mae releases her brand-new single ‘Tunnel Vision’. It posits much of the same heady mixture of attitude and vulnerability as her prize-winning track whilst conveying a strength and confidence that were only just emerging in the former.Continue reading “Caitlin Mae – Tunnel Vision”
Elles Bailey – Sunshine City Tour
It may have been a feast of fireworks in and around Liverpool on Friday night, but there was a different kind of bonfire blazing inside the Royal Philharmonic Hall. The venue’s Music Room was set alight with a blistering performance from Elles Bailey, who is fast becoming the queen of UK Blues. On this, theContinue reading “Elles Bailey – Sunshine City Tour”