Artist Spotlight
The latest news and views from the world of Country Music
Sarah Darling album delay
With the recent announcement from PledgeMusic regarding the suspension of all active projects, Nashville based singer Sarah Darling has seen her planned release date for her new album, Wonderland, delayed. Despite this delay, she does still plan to release the album in 2019.
On Thursday she released the following statement to fans:
Hello Darlings,
Making ‘Wonderland’ has been one of the greatest musical adventures I’ve ever had in my life. Every song is so incredibly special to me and tells my story. It imprints this very special time in my life, when I got to create a country album in the UK. Last night, PledgeMusic announced that that it would be suspending all active campaigns until further notice. The immediate effect is that no new pre-orders of Wonderland are possible at this time. More concerning is that the announcement raises questions about the fulfillment of existing pre-orders. I wanted my fans rest assured that I will do everything in my power to get your fulfillment’s in a timely manner. All of you are the reason I do this, and I’m so grateful for everyone who has taken the time to preorder. At this time we will be moving the release of Wonderland to later date until we get a clearer picture. I’ll keep you up to date as information transpires. Thank you for all your love and support.
Sarah Darling X x
This delay though has not effected her upcoming UK tour. Sarah will be performing songs from ‘Wonderland’ for UK fans at the following locations on her 8-date tour following appearances at London's Country2Country festival.
Sarah Darling March 2019 UK tour:
Tue 12 Mar - Glasgow - Oran Mor
Wed 13 Mar - London - Bush Hall
Thu 14 Mar - Norwich - Arts Centre
Sat 16 Mar - Manchester - Deaf Institute
Sun 17 Mar - Liverpool - Leaf
Mon 18 Mar - Bristol - Fleece
Wed 20 Mar - Brighton - Komedia
Thu 21 Mar - Leeds - Brudenell Social Club
Full ticket links available below
On Thursday she released the following statement to fans:
Hello Darlings,
Making ‘Wonderland’ has been one of the greatest musical adventures I’ve ever had in my life. Every song is so incredibly special to me and tells my story. It imprints this very special time in my life, when I got to create a country album in the UK. Last night, PledgeMusic announced that that it would be suspending all active campaigns until further notice. The immediate effect is that no new pre-orders of Wonderland are possible at this time. More concerning is that the announcement raises questions about the fulfillment of existing pre-orders. I wanted my fans rest assured that I will do everything in my power to get your fulfillment’s in a timely manner. All of you are the reason I do this, and I’m so grateful for everyone who has taken the time to preorder. At this time we will be moving the release of Wonderland to later date until we get a clearer picture. I’ll keep you up to date as information transpires. Thank you for all your love and support.
Sarah Darling X x
This delay though has not effected her upcoming UK tour. Sarah will be performing songs from ‘Wonderland’ for UK fans at the following locations on her 8-date tour following appearances at London's Country2Country festival.
Sarah Darling March 2019 UK tour:
Tue 12 Mar - Glasgow - Oran Mor
Wed 13 Mar - London - Bush Hall
Thu 14 Mar - Norwich - Arts Centre
Sat 16 Mar - Manchester - Deaf Institute
Sun 17 Mar - Liverpool - Leaf
Mon 18 Mar - Bristol - Fleece
Wed 20 Mar - Brighton - Komedia
Thu 21 Mar - Leeds - Brudenell Social Club
Full ticket links available below
New LP from Nashville outlaw country rocker Boo Ray
Outlaw country rocker Boo Ray's forthcoming LP, Tennessee Alabama Fireworks, is due Feb 15. It just landed at #59 in its first week on the #AMA chart - AND the first single ("A Tune You Can Whistle") has gone into regular rotation on Sirius Outlaw Country...
Boo Ray's dramatic southern sound will draw you in, his voice will have you hanging on every lyric and his songs will stick with you like a good friend does. Boo Ray's a southern troubadour who's forged & honed his sound in South Georgia honky-tonks, Gulf Coast jukes, Nashville night clubs & Los Angeles songwriter joints. Hailing from the mountains of Western North Carolina and now spending equal parts time in Nashville Tennessee, Los Angeles California and Athens Georgia, Boo Ray is a troubadour through-and-through.
"Boo Ray sings about fractured communications over a driving honky-tonk rhythm.” - Americana Music Association
The album, in his own words, explores the “nitty-gritty, guts and ugly parts of the human experience.” These songs creep into the brain with his most poignant lyrics to-date. Tennessee Alabama Fireworks was tracked live to tape over five days at Nashville’s Welcome to 1979 Studio, which has recently seen the likes of Rodney Crowell, Steve Earle, Jason Isbell and many more capturing their sounds within. “Those sessions were super special,” says Ray. Producer Noah Shain, whose pedigree includes work with fellow outlaws Nikki Lane, Nico Vega, Dead Sara and Badflower, among countless others, frames Ray’s storytelling in vibrant, aptly-stencilled soundscapes that hit right at the heart without pulling any punches.
Boo Ray's dramatic southern sound will draw you in, his voice will have you hanging on every lyric and his songs will stick with you like a good friend does. Boo Ray's a southern troubadour who's forged & honed his sound in South Georgia honky-tonks, Gulf Coast jukes, Nashville night clubs & Los Angeles songwriter joints. Hailing from the mountains of Western North Carolina and now spending equal parts time in Nashville Tennessee, Los Angeles California and Athens Georgia, Boo Ray is a troubadour through-and-through.
Boo Ray's dramatic southern sound will draw you in, his voice will have you hanging on every lyric and his songs will stick with you like a good friend does. Boo Ray's a southern troubadour who's forged & honed his sound in South Georgia honky-tonks, Gulf Coast jukes, Nashville night clubs & Los Angeles songwriter joints. Hailing from the mountains of Western North Carolina and now spending equal parts time in Nashville Tennessee, Los Angeles California and Athens Georgia, Boo Ray is a troubadour through-and-through.
"Boo Ray sings about fractured communications over a driving honky-tonk rhythm.” - Americana Music Association
The album, in his own words, explores the “nitty-gritty, guts and ugly parts of the human experience.” These songs creep into the brain with his most poignant lyrics to-date. Tennessee Alabama Fireworks was tracked live to tape over five days at Nashville’s Welcome to 1979 Studio, which has recently seen the likes of Rodney Crowell, Steve Earle, Jason Isbell and many more capturing their sounds within. “Those sessions were super special,” says Ray. Producer Noah Shain, whose pedigree includes work with fellow outlaws Nikki Lane, Nico Vega, Dead Sara and Badflower, among countless others, frames Ray’s storytelling in vibrant, aptly-stencilled soundscapes that hit right at the heart without pulling any punches.
Boo Ray's dramatic southern sound will draw you in, his voice will have you hanging on every lyric and his songs will stick with you like a good friend does. Boo Ray's a southern troubadour who's forged & honed his sound in South Georgia honky-tonks, Gulf Coast jukes, Nashville night clubs & Los Angeles songwriter joints. Hailing from the mountains of Western North Carolina and now spending equal parts time in Nashville Tennessee, Los Angeles California and Athens Georgia, Boo Ray is a troubadour through-and-through.
Grammy® Award-Winning Singer-Songwriter Announces Self-Titled New Album
GRAMMY® Award winner Patty Griffin has announced the release of her long-awaited new album. The acclaimed singer-songwriter’s 10th studio recording and first-ever eponymous LP, PATTY GRIFFIN arrives Friday, March 8 on her own PGM Recordings label via Thirty Tigers. The album was recorded predominantly at Griffin’s home in Austin, TX, with Griffin and longtime collaborator Craig Ross co-producing, while the band is made up of a number of friends and frequent accompanists, including Ross, guitarist David Pulkingham, drummer/percussionist Conrad Choucroun, cellist Lindsey Verrill, pianist Stephen Barber, and Robert Plant, who contributes backing vocals to the LP’s “What Now” and “Coins.”
PATTY GRIFFIN is heralded by the powerful first track, “River.” The track premiered exclusively via People Magazine. “’Isn’t she a river?’ just kind of came out and the rest sort of followed,” said Griffin. “Sometimes songs are like that. I wasn’t really reaching for anything intentionally - just playing some chords with a feeling inside and there you go.
PATTY GRIFFIN is heralded by the powerful first track, “River.” The track premiered exclusively via People Magazine. “’Isn’t she a river?’ just kind of came out and the rest sort of followed,” said Griffin. “Sometimes songs are like that. I wasn’t really reaching for anything intentionally - just playing some chords with a feeling inside and there you go.
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Griffin will celebrate the new album with a much anticipated world tour, which includes a show at London’s Queen Elizabeth Hall on May 15th. Tickets for all announced shows go on sale next Friday, January 18th and tickets for the London show go on sale Wednesday 30th. Full details, tour updates and much more can be found at www.pattygriffin.com/tour.
May Fri 3rd CORK, IRELAND, Cyprus Avenue Sat 4th DINGLE, IRELAND, Féile na Bealtaine Arts Festival Sun 5th KILKENNY, IRELAND, Roots Festival Tues 7th BELFAST, Black Box Thu 9th EDINBURGH, Queens Hall Sat 11th POCKLINGTON, Arts Centre Sun 12th SHEFFIELD, Memorial Hall Mon 13th GATESHEAD, The Sage (Hall 2) Wed 15th LONDON, Queen Elizabeth Hall Fri 17th ROTTERDAM, THE NETHERLANDS, Lantaren Vester Sat 18th AMSTERDAM, THE NETHERLANDS, Het Zonnehuis |
Tracklisting:
Mama’s Worrier; River; Where I Come From; Hourglass Had a Good Reason; Bluebeard; What Now; Luminous Places Coins; Boys From Tralee; The Wheel What I Remember; Just The Same |
Hayes Carll to release new album - What It Is
February 15 2019 sees the release of 'What It Is,' the forthcoming 6th album from acclaimed US singer/songwriter Hayes Carll, out via Dualtone Music.
Following the 2016 release of the deeply-personal and cathartic 'Lovers and Leavers', 'What It Is' finds Texas born Carll rejuvenated on a new creative plateau. An album which Rolling Stone calls “Carll’s testament to the power of slowing down and appreciating the moment.” The 12 new songs address topics ranging from the ever-changing arc of relationships to our current socio-political climate and showcase a blend of literate and thoughtful songwriting and wry wit, which has already won him an army of fans and critical acclaim in the States.
Hayes offers acerbic observations and pointed commentary on current relatable topics. The incendiary political climate that has permeated the United States, has pushed too many to the far left or far right, while Carll makes an effort to expand the middle. The sardonic “Wild Pointy Finger” looks at how quickly we judge and condemn. “Fragile Men” points to insecurity as the root of one gender’s resistance to change, while “Times Like These” is a reminder that we are letting all the ‘noise’ out there pull us further away from who we are, thus further dividing us.
“What It Is” is not solely a politically driven effort. Carll sings about loss while painting a vivid image of a bar where nothing has changed in decades in “Jesus and Elvis”. He ruminates about eccentric love in “None’ya,” recently premiered by Rolling Stone Country, and reminds himself to not let fear become a mental roadblock in “If I May Be So Bold.” And don't miss Carll affirm his commitment to love in the tender album closer “I Will Stay”.
“What It Is” also features some stellar collaborations, featuring co-writes with Metraca Berg, Adam Landry, Lolo, Charlie Mars and Allison Moorer. Moorer is also credited as co-producer with Brad Jones who returns after producing Carll’s award winning albums Trouble in Mind (2008) and KMAG YOYO (2011).
For more than a decade, Hayes Carll has been highly-regarded by fans, critics and fellow artists as a songwriter’s songwriter with his own voice. He has won multiple Americana Music Awards, received a Grammy nomination, repeatedly topped the Americana radio charts, performed on national television including The Tonight Show and Austin City Limits and has had his songs recorded by artists that include Lee Ann Womack, Kenny Chesney, Kelly Willis and Hard Working Americans. His albums have garnered high praise from a wide spectrum of press, including Pitchfork, Rolling Stone, The New York Times, NPR, Entertainment Weekly, SPIN, People, Esquire, American Songwriter, Paste and many more.
Following the 2016 release of the deeply-personal and cathartic 'Lovers and Leavers', 'What It Is' finds Texas born Carll rejuvenated on a new creative plateau. An album which Rolling Stone calls “Carll’s testament to the power of slowing down and appreciating the moment.” The 12 new songs address topics ranging from the ever-changing arc of relationships to our current socio-political climate and showcase a blend of literate and thoughtful songwriting and wry wit, which has already won him an army of fans and critical acclaim in the States.
Hayes offers acerbic observations and pointed commentary on current relatable topics. The incendiary political climate that has permeated the United States, has pushed too many to the far left or far right, while Carll makes an effort to expand the middle. The sardonic “Wild Pointy Finger” looks at how quickly we judge and condemn. “Fragile Men” points to insecurity as the root of one gender’s resistance to change, while “Times Like These” is a reminder that we are letting all the ‘noise’ out there pull us further away from who we are, thus further dividing us.
“What It Is” is not solely a politically driven effort. Carll sings about loss while painting a vivid image of a bar where nothing has changed in decades in “Jesus and Elvis”. He ruminates about eccentric love in “None’ya,” recently premiered by Rolling Stone Country, and reminds himself to not let fear become a mental roadblock in “If I May Be So Bold.” And don't miss Carll affirm his commitment to love in the tender album closer “I Will Stay”.
“What It Is” also features some stellar collaborations, featuring co-writes with Metraca Berg, Adam Landry, Lolo, Charlie Mars and Allison Moorer. Moorer is also credited as co-producer with Brad Jones who returns after producing Carll’s award winning albums Trouble in Mind (2008) and KMAG YOYO (2011).
For more than a decade, Hayes Carll has been highly-regarded by fans, critics and fellow artists as a songwriter’s songwriter with his own voice. He has won multiple Americana Music Awards, received a Grammy nomination, repeatedly topped the Americana radio charts, performed on national television including The Tonight Show and Austin City Limits and has had his songs recorded by artists that include Lee Ann Womack, Kenny Chesney, Kelly Willis and Hard Working Americans. His albums have garnered high praise from a wide spectrum of press, including Pitchfork, Rolling Stone, The New York Times, NPR, Entertainment Weekly, SPIN, People, Esquire, American Songwriter, Paste and many more.
Whiskey Myers announce 2019 World Tour
Genre-bending band Whiskey Myers have built a loyal following through hits like "Stone" and their hard-rocking live shows. With both Jeff Hogg and Tony Kent on separate percussion sets simultaneously driving the rhythm for frontman Cody Cannon, the indie band heads overseas for their 2019 Die Rockin’ Tour.
Launching January 25 in Nashville, Tennessee, the Die Rockin’ Tour follows a string of sell outs for the band Esquire calls “the real damn deal” and Playboy praises as “the new bad boys of country music.” In the last 15 months alone, Whiskey Myers have sold out more than 115 headlining shows, with several more sellouts on the way through the end of 2018.
“It’s been wild to go into all these new cities we’ve never played before and see those crowds still show up singing every word back to us,” shares Cannon. “We always say that we’re just a bunch of rednecks trying to play rock and roll, so the fact that we now get to go into new countries blows my mind.”
The tour, which includes 38 U.S. dates as well as 15 European stops, will bring what USA Today describes as “a riff-heavy blend of Southern rock and gritty country” and Rolling Stone commends for its “seminal combination of twang and crunchy rock & roll guitars that hits a perfect sweet spot” to a whole new legion of fans.
Launching January 25 in Nashville, Tennessee, the Die Rockin’ Tour follows a string of sell outs for the band Esquire calls “the real damn deal” and Playboy praises as “the new bad boys of country music.” In the last 15 months alone, Whiskey Myers have sold out more than 115 headlining shows, with several more sellouts on the way through the end of 2018.
“It’s been wild to go into all these new cities we’ve never played before and see those crowds still show up singing every word back to us,” shares Cannon. “We always say that we’re just a bunch of rednecks trying to play rock and roll, so the fact that we now get to go into new countries blows my mind.”
The tour, which includes 38 U.S. dates as well as 15 European stops, will bring what USA Today describes as “a riff-heavy blend of Southern rock and gritty country” and Rolling Stone commends for its “seminal combination of twang and crunchy rock & roll guitars that hits a perfect sweet spot” to a whole new legion of fans.
Two Ways Home to release debut album
After 3 successful, well crafted EPs Two Ways Home have decided it's time for a full-length album. Returning from a busy summer, packed full of festivals including appearances at the Long Road Festival, Millport Country Festival, Nashville Meets London and a successful Germany/Austria tour, Two Ways Home are getting ready to get back in the studio. Lyric Magazine describes their song writing as: “breathtaking” and the Essex Chronicle has said that their previous work has been filled with “soaring instrumentation and luscious harmonies”. The new body of work will be exactly that, full of intricate guitar parts, sparkling mandolin riffs and spine-tingling harmonies. Isabella Mariee, one half of Two Ways Home says: “ I am so excited for this new chapter. I love the new songs that we've written. Making an album, especially when it's your first, is exciting but also a little daunting. I can’t wait to record all the songs and show the world how our sound has developed over the past years.” Lewis Fowler adds: “We are really trying to push the boundaries, without it getting too experimental and keeping it in the realms of Americana/Country.”
As a fully independent act Two Ways Home have set up an IndieGogo campaign to help with the recording and PR cost of the album. Rewards will include hand-painted ukuleles, song writing sessions, private concerts and much more. You can find this here.
To top it all off Two Ways Home have been invited to play the first Nash Nights Event on the 10th of November after the founders Janine, Justine and Joanne pass the baton to the in house team at Under the Bridge. They say that the “fantastic country music loving staff are going to take over, they are going to take what we started and make it even better!” Two Ways Home will present some of their new songs at Nash Nights and get the party started with some of their fan favourites adding one or two country covers to get everyone in the mood for an amazing country filled evening.
TOUR DATES
1st Nov – The Round Up – Colonel Fawcett (Acoustic)
10th Nov – Nash Nights – Under the Bridge (Full Band)
2nd Dec – Retune - Bishop’s Stortford (Acoustic)
As a fully independent act Two Ways Home have set up an IndieGogo campaign to help with the recording and PR cost of the album. Rewards will include hand-painted ukuleles, song writing sessions, private concerts and much more. You can find this here.
To top it all off Two Ways Home have been invited to play the first Nash Nights Event on the 10th of November after the founders Janine, Justine and Joanne pass the baton to the in house team at Under the Bridge. They say that the “fantastic country music loving staff are going to take over, they are going to take what we started and make it even better!” Two Ways Home will present some of their new songs at Nash Nights and get the party started with some of their fan favourites adding one or two country covers to get everyone in the mood for an amazing country filled evening.
TOUR DATES
1st Nov – The Round Up – Colonel Fawcett (Acoustic)
10th Nov – Nash Nights – Under the Bridge (Full Band)
2nd Dec – Retune - Bishop’s Stortford (Acoustic)