The Rising – No Hope Without Love

One of the privileges in discovering new artists is witnessing their progression from early single releases to a later, more refined sound. Over the course of time, the raw material with which they start out matures into something that comes to represent their core identity. And it is this identity, once found, that allows themContinue reading “The Rising – No Hope Without Love”

Jess Setterfield – Burned and Bruised

Jess Setterfield has gone straight for the honesty button with ‘Bruised and Burned’. She hits one of country music’s hallmarks with this, her debut single, about a failed relationship that was her own. It is full of sadness in the genre’s own inimitable way, expressed touchingly through such poetic lyrics as “I’m holding onto brokenContinue reading “Jess Setterfield – Burned and Bruised”

British Country Music Festival 2021 Review

If there was any doubting the strength of the UK’s country music talent then this year’s British Country Music Festival set the record straight. Back in Blackpool’s Winter Gardens after a two-year hiatus (for obvious reasons), the three-day event was a brilliant showcase for both established and emerging talent. There was plenty to enjoy acrossContinue reading “British Country Music Festival 2021 Review”

An Interview with Eleri Angharad

In this latest interview, I chat to Welsh singer-songwriter Eleri Angharad. It takes place in the form of a podcast, the third in a trial series in conversation with Welsh creatives. Eleri talks about her new EP, Nightclub Floor, as well as Swansea’s music scene, songwriting, her creative journey as a musician, and Welsh identity.Continue reading “An Interview with Eleri Angharad”

Katy Hurt – Face to Face

Katy Hurt is back with new music, and it expresses much of what we’ve been through over the last 18 months. ‘Face to Face’ is an ode to that universal feeling of separation and need for connection that we’ve all experienced, in different ways, throughout the pandemic. The line “We’re supposed to be closer thanContinue reading “Katy Hurt – Face to Face”

Daisy Chute – Secondhand Heart

The new single from Daisy Chute is terribly beautiful. ‘Secondhand Heart’ could be described as a tragic love story, told in the most delicate way. The strings of the guitar are plucked so gently, Daisy’s vocals meandering alongside them so naturally, as to give the track a dream-like quality. Snippets of jazz and touches ofContinue reading “Daisy Chute – Secondhand Heart”

Caitlin Mae – Perspective

Caitlin Mae is like a phoenix rising from the ashes on her debut EP ‘Perspective’. The Welsh artist has laid bare her pain and anguish over four tracks but has also introduced hope and healing into them too. Therein is contained a heady mixture of raw feeling and mature reflection as Caitlin looks to exorciseContinue reading “Caitlin Mae – Perspective”

Katherine Priddy – The Eternal Rocks Beneath

Prepare to be transported into the stories told by Katherine Priddy on her debut album, ‘The Eternal Rocks Beneath’. The folk artist does not just tell her tales. She makes you feel them too. Her stirring soundscapes are enough to stir the imagination, give cause for reflection, and transform the poetic form into lyrics thatContinue reading “Katherine Priddy – The Eternal Rocks Beneath”

An Interview with Katherine Priddy

Katherine Priddy is a folk artist with a penchant for lyrics and storytelling, whose debut album, ‘The Eternal Rocks Beneath’, is due for release on June 25th. In this interview, she tells us what we can expect from the record, as well as a little bit more about herself, her musical journey, and the oneContinue reading “An Interview with Katherine Priddy”

Biddy Ronelle – D.R.I.N.K

You won’t get many heavier rock anthems in the sphere of country music this year than ‘D.R.I.N.K’. Biddy Ronelle is drawing on her roots for this party track that she hopes will provide the soundtrack to a lockdown-free summer. But even if restrictions remain, there is still plenty of hardcore head-banging that can take placeContinue reading “Biddy Ronelle – D.R.I.N.K”