Alan Finlan – Big Man, Small Town EP

If ‘making your mark is what living is for’ then Alan Finlan has certainly done that with his debut EP Big Man, Small Town. With classic country tropes emerging in the lyrics to songs that have a contemporary honky-tonk feel, Finlan certainly announces himself as a major player on the UK scene. I immediately putContinue reading “Alan Finlan – Big Man, Small Town EP”

Buckle & Boots Online Festival 2020

After my first visit to Buckle & Boots Festival twelve months ago, I was expecting to find myself making another trip to Whitebottom Farm again this year. But of course, like so many others, the event succumbed to the lockdown restrictions imposed by the coronavirus and was initially cancelled. However, some hard work behind theContinue reading “Buckle & Boots Online Festival 2020”

Charlotte Young – Blown Away EP

The first thing that strikes me about Charlotte Young’s EP is how American it sounds. The production on Blown Away is so identifiable with the kind of modern country coming from across the pond that one could easily think she is part of the US scene. It is only a recognisably British accent that givesContinue reading “Charlotte Young – Blown Away EP”

Twinnie – Hollywood Gypsy

Instagram informed me that Twinnie was going live. It was an album launch party with a difference. With a sofa instead of a stage, and an audience loud with comments instead of cheers, the release of Hollywood Gypsy was being celebrated with a long since opened bottle of wine. Not quite the occasion she hadContinue reading “Twinnie – Hollywood Gypsy”

My Top 5 Showcase: Welsh Country Music Artists

Here at Get the Chance, with opportunities to respond to live cultural events curtailed by the current crisis, it presents an opportunity to showcase talent instead. As country music is one of my greatest loves, here’s my shout-out to five Welsh artists who are worth checking out… Rosey Cale To many, Rosey may be moreContinue reading “My Top 5 Showcase: Welsh Country Music Artists”

Laura Oakes – How Big is Your World EP

It seems that as measures to halt the spread of coronavirus push us deeper into isolation, music is fast becoming a much-needed companion. Turning to streaming services is one way that fans are trying to support artists in the face of unprecedented gig cancellations, pressing repeat on their favourite songs in order to generate someContinue reading “Laura Oakes – How Big is Your World EP”

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”

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”

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”