Top Tunes with… A new site feature

Dear Independent Musicians In light of what has happened as a result of the coronavirus, I’ve been wondering how best to offer my support during this incredibly tough time. I know that others are doing their bit to help promote you and your music, and I want to do the same. I don’t want toContinue reading “Top Tunes with… A new site feature”

Laura Oakes – Spring Tour Review

So inconspicuous is Phase One, one of Liverpool’s newest music venues, I initially walk right past. When I eventually spot the white neon sign hanging over the door on my way back down Seel Street, I am overcome with a sudden anxiety about the size of the place. But as I look in, over theContinue reading “Laura Oakes – Spring Tour Review”

Break the Silence – Two Ways Home

The debut album of alt-country duo Two Ways Home has been a long time coming. The anticipation building up to the release of Break the Silence has felt so great at times that the weight of expectation has become almost fragile. For such a lengthy build-up, the risk of disappointment becomes ever greater. No suchContinue reading “Break the Silence – Two Ways Home”

Emily Frith – Open Book EP

Emily Frith’s new EP would make a great companion piece to the new adaptation of Little Women. Having fallen in love all over again with the characters in Louisa May Allcott’s tale, thanks to the excellent direction of Greta Gurwig and a commanding performance from Saoirse Ronan as Jo, I notice that the same themesContinue reading “Emily Frith – Open Book EP”

Country Christmas Singles 2019

In 2018, it was the Christmas EPs of Charlotte Campbell and Jess Thristan respectively that helped get me in the festive mood. In 2019, it is a couple of cracking Christmas singles that are making the run up to the big day all the more enjoyable. Click on the images below to watch/listen:   PadraigContinue reading “Country Christmas Singles 2019”

Lily Garland – Rise From the Ashes EP

It has been a tough day. And on tough days, music is one of the things that sees me through. Earlier I drove to work listening to the meditative sounds of Wildwood Kin. This evening, I just wanted a pick me up. I had planned on listening to Lily Garland’s new EP Rise Above theContinue reading “Lily Garland – Rise From the Ashes EP”

Molly-Anne – Autumn Leaves EP

I am sat listening to Molly-Anne’s new EP Autumn Leaves on a sunny but chilly afternoon. After a night of hard frost, the sun has finally managed to break through, leaving a watery coat on the red, yellow, brown and green of the trees and bushes. They glisten gently in the garden, a decorative spaceContinue reading “Molly-Anne – Autumn Leaves EP”

Vic Allen – Enough EP

With catchy chorus lines, infectious instrumentation, and superb storytelling, Vic Allen’s new EP is a tantalising revelation. Each of its four tracks has been distilled to perfection, producing a lyrical clarity that benefits from a paired back production. Title track Enough exemplifies this, its unpretentious bass line and background harmonies serving to support the first-classContinue reading “Vic Allen – Enough EP”

Emily Mae Winters – High Romance

High Romance from Emily Mae Winters is an album full of delights. Just when you think you know her sound, she will surprise you with something completely different. The first song, ‘Come Live in my Heart & Pay No Rent’, is exactly what I expected. As such, I was preparing for a record full ofContinue reading “Emily Mae Winters – High Romance”

Tennessee Twin – Tips in a Jar EP

Tips in a Jar, the debut EP from Tennessee Twin, is one of my surprise finds of 2019. This acoustic duo from Cambridge have released a set of delicate tracks that rest gently on the listening ear. I couldn’t help but draw comparisons with Alison Krauss & Union Station such is the tender charm ofContinue reading “Tennessee Twin – Tips in a Jar EP”