Carol Hodge – ‘Stopped Believing In You’ 27.11.2020

“A (modern) equivalent to the Tapestry-era Carole King” – Louder Than War

Play – Carol Hodge – ‘Stopped Believing In You’

British singer-songwriter Carol Hodge releases ‘Stopped Believing In You’ – the second release from her Savage Purge album. The track marks a slight departure from Carol’s usual piano-led style. Here she dips her toe into the Darkwave genre, with synths and EBM drums. The song will put a smile on your face, her soaring vocals will transport you back to the 80s. Put this on the ‘radio-friendly’ pile.  

Carol is a uniquely able keyboard player. She describes herself as a “seven-fingered pianist”. Carol was born with a rare condition called cleft type symbrachydactyly, which appears roughly every one million births.

“I only have two fingers on my left hand. Sometimes the absurdity of my life, touring the world playing keyboards in bands, really hits home! Having a disability definitely colours my life; it’s always been in my nature to defy expectation. To me, normal is boring. I wouldn’t change it for the world.” 


Carol was born with a rare condition called cleft type symbrachydactyly 

This hasn’t held her back as her impressive CV is testament to. Carol performs as a keyboardist/backing vocalist with various touring bands including Ryan Hamilton, Crass/Steve Ignorant, Ginger Wildheart and The Membranes.

‘Stopped Believing In You’ explores sobriety and reflects upon Carol’s experience of quitting alcohol in late 2018. It’s all very positive. Carol explains:

Over the years, my relationship with alcohol became more complex and dangerous. It’s very easy to slip into bad habits when you are a touring musician, with drug and alcohol problems treated as banal, just part and parcel of the music world. It got to the point when I realised I needed to make a decision: either slip into oblivion or take the harder route of getting clean and sober. I am thankful every day for choosing the latter. “


Keeping with the 80s theme the video pays homage to the iconic British music television show The Old Grey Whistle Test. It was made during the lockdown, shot at alternative music venue The Parish, in sunny Huddersfield where Carol is based. Using live footage, light trails, retro filters, and on-screen text give the nod to the aesthetic of OGWT. 

‘Stopped Believing In You’ pays homage to The Old Grey Whistle Test 

All links in one place here: https://push.fm/fl/rocfciek

“If ever there was a case of “the one that got away” then here it is. Huge crossover-appeal on this one… ‘Savage Purge’ is, simply put, life-affirming.” – Devilsgate Music
 

“Carol shows she’s a musician who can switch genres at will, which makes for an eclectic listen.” – IPA Music

“Gathering her musical mojo, Carol has created something special in her vision for Savage Purge. (It) delivers the wholehearted proof… a profoundly wonderful album” – Planet Mosh

To Celebrate National Coming Out Day Roseanna Jones Releases ‘Breathe Out’

‘Breathe Out’ is the first solo release from Roseanna Jones and celebrates National Coming Out Day on Sunday 11 October. 

Roseanna is a singer/songwriter from East London. Best known for her work with UK duo Worry Dolls, who have performed alongside the likes of Robert Plant and Mumford & Sons. This solo single is a departure from her Worry Dolls Americana sound. A tender and beautiful coming-out song in several ways – not only does it mark a new chapter in Rosie’s career – but also establishes her as a queer artist, something she has not previously spoken about publicly. 

It seems more important now than ever, to live openly and honestly, and stand up for our human rights, Breathe Out is about the weightlessness I felt coming out – I tried to capture that feeling to help give others strength who maybe haven’t got there yet.” –  Roseanna

Roseanna

Released on National Coming Out Day, Sunday 11 Octoberthe music video features a group of LGBTQ+ people sharing their profoundly personal experiences of coming out. 

100% of the profits from ‘Breathe Out’ will go towards UK-based charity The Kaleidoscope Trust. The charity works to uphold the human rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people in countries where they are discriminated against or marginalised due to their sexual orientation, gender identity and or gender expression. You can donate here: GoFundMe

Breathe Out was written by Roseanna Jones, Rebekah Powell & Zoe Nicol and was recorded virtually during the lockdown. It features Jo Dudderidge (Lissie, The Travelling Band) on piano – Jo also co-produced the track. Georgina Leach (Seasick Steve, Ethan Johns) plays strings, CJ Hillman is on pedal steel, Dan Wiebe on drums and Harry Fausing Smith on bass. All the parts were recorded remotely and safely around the UK. 

Social media and music links are here in one place: https://linktr.ee/roseannajone

Skylark and the Scorpion – Weather the Storm & Hey Lover.

‘FEATURED ARTIST’ ON GUY GARVEY’S FINEST HOUR (01.09.19)

OUT 4 OCTOBER 2019, VIA SKINNY DOG RECORDS

 DEBUT SINGLE ‘HEY LOVER’ 

ALBUM LAUNCH SHOW – FRIDAY 4 OCTOBER Tickets here

Weather The Storm by Skylark and the Scorpion is both a record of majestic folk beauty and a breathtaking cinematic experience from Skylark aka Petra Jean Phillipson (David Holmes/Martina Topley Bird/Marianne Faithful) and the Scorpion aka Nick J Webb (The Lea Shores/Nadine Shah).

The ambitious musical odyssey tells the tale of two haunted souls on their search for re-connection. It’s a conceptual project formed around the pairing of creator, producer, songwriter Nick and vocalist Petra. The album finds the duo assume the roles of two ill-fated lovers as they traverse through a turbulent story arc told through the album’s captivating song cycle. A real labour of love, the record arrives at the end of a journey almost as epic in reality as it is in its fiction.

To mark the album’s announcement, Skylark and the Scorpion are revealing the first two chapters of a 40-minute short film that accompanies the entire record. The film follows the emotional journey of the two lovers. Viewers will be able to tune into a progressive narrative that will gradually unfurl their destiny with a string of videos, each soundtracked by a song featured on the album with a new instalment set to be unveiled every week leading up to the full release in autumn.

You can watch the videos for ‘Hey Lover‘ – the first track for radio – and the film trailer for ‘Weather The Storm’ below.

Guided by Petra’s inimitable siren song, the lead single (and fittingly the first song Petra and Nick ever recorded together), ’Hey Lover’ flows through layers of languid orchestrations and rippling acoustic arpeggios, with a glorious opening salvo.

Weather the Storm film trailer. Director: Finlay Mackay / Producer and Editor: Nick J. Webb / Director of Photography: Peter Bathurst

Nick and Petra were joined by a talented array of hand-picked musicians and friends. Contributions from ambient music composer Roger Eno (brother of Brian Eno, who added piano and accordion to the mix) and orchestral arranger Nell Catchpole (on violin/viola), with additional contributions from Tim Harries (double bass), Jamie Spencer Smith (guitars), Fontane Liang (harp) and Nick Foot (percussion). Webb, who also plays the cornet, then completed the album by adding brass arrangements, before sending the results to celebrated producer Ben Hillier for mixing the elegant finished article we hear today.

Featured Artist on Guy Garvey’s Finest Hour BBC Radio 6 Music

Weather the Storm album launch show. Friday 4 October at:

St Matthias Church, Wordsworth Rd, London, N168DD. Tickets here


Prose – ‘See Me Like This’

Title: See Me Like This

Artist: Prose

Label: Run With Faith Records

Impact date: available now

Mancunian indie/hip-hop duo Prose and acclaimed chamber orchestra, Manchester Camerata have collaborated on a brand new 5-track EP titled ‘Empty Hands’ 

‘See Me Like This’ is the lead track and singer/rapper Mike Murray has revealed the heartbreaking story behind the lyrics ahead of their UK tour 

Mike  – who formed Prose with Lee Royle (guitar, vocals) – penned the song about his late father after he sadly lost his battle with alcohol and drug addiction. 

He explained: “I wrote this song as my dad was dying in the hospital, due to alcohol and drug abuse. I felt conflicted with my feelings because he hadn’t been there for me and I missed out on things that a normal kid should have had with their dad. But it’s also about how much I still loved him and the pain I was feeling at the thought of him dying. 

Prose have drawn a broad variety of comparisons in their early press coverage. They were described as a combination of down-to-earth U.K. hip-hop, similar to The Streets or Plan B, and a touch of melodic lad rock that took its cues from fellow Mancunians Oasis. Their lyrical approach was inspired by life experience, often covering very personal subjects.

The single is available on all platforms now. The full EP will be available in March 2019. 

UK tour

Friday 1 March:  Bristol:  Zed Alley:   £8

Saturday 16 March:  London:  The Water Rats:   £10

Saturday 23 March:  Manchester:  Academy 2 (with The Manchester Camerata)  £15 

Saturday 30 March:  Glasgow:  Nice N Sleazy:   £8

Tickets for the tour here:

“Prose have experienced the harsher elements of life, and this is reflected in their songwriting. Poverty, hardship, homelessness, struggling to get by… it’s all in there” (Clash)

Manchester Camerata is ‘Probably Britain’s most adventurous orchestra” (The Times).


The EP is part of a project funded by the PRS Momentum Fund

James Holt – Come Out To Play

Artist: James Holt

Title: Come Out To Play

Label: 63 Steps Records

Impact date: 1 March 2019

It’s probably the catchiest chorus I’ve written to date, and it’s become a crowd favourite at gigs,” says singer/songwriter James Holt of his new single ‘Come Out to Play’.

‘Come Out to Play’ bridges the gap between his previous two singles, combining the pad soundscape of ‘Whispers’ with the angular unpredictability of ‘Alone Again’ but with a far more upbeat musical and lyrical theme.

The song draws inspiration from the classic songwriters of the 60/70s and also nods to Crowded House, Aztec Camera and The Smiths. One review commented that it sounded like Johnny Marr had joined the Beatles and the Beach Boys in the studio for a day.

James said, “Lyrically, the song is a journey through the life of a shy, introverted person, and their struggle to socialise – though at its core it’s an uplifting story about overcoming anxieties. There’s never an explicit reason why, but there are hints that they’re hoping for something more. (‘But I just keep holding on, for a day to reminisce on…’).

Each verse is a different stage of his life, represented with references to different seasons, but it’s in the last verse where our character sees himself in his son and tells him not to make the same mistakes he has made.

James provides lead vocals, backing vocals and plays all instruments apart from drums on ‘Come Out To Play’ and has – once again – brought in the production wizardry of Jim Spencer (Johnny Marr, The Charlatans). The release coincides with James’ headline show at Night People, Manchester on Saturday 1 March and then on Saturday 23 March at Academy 2, Manchester (supporting Prose and Manchester Camerata).

Quotes
“Feels fresh and exciting to listen to.” – Brian Eno

“Love James’ voice on that new single. Sounding great”. John Kennedy Radio X

BBC Introducing Manchester have been huge supporters of James. Co-presenter/producer, and Michelle Hussey commented, “It’s beautiful with definite echoes of Cherry Ghost.

Another radio champion, Jim Salveson from XS Manchestersaid, “It sounds very Beatles-esque and – here’s a massive compliment – vocally it sounds very John Lennon.”


“Very talented, very wonderful – absolutely love his voice.”  Natalie BBC Introducing Manchester.

“With an arresting voice that is reminiscent of John Lennon or early Bob Dylan, wily lyrics and an upbeat weave of rock, prog and blues, it’s obvious to see why his remarkable music is turning heads.” Louise Dodgson, The Unsigned Guide.

‘STRAW BEAR: ALL YOU NEED IS AN ELECTRIC GUITAR’

Screen Shot 2015-11-03 at 09.59.05

Straw Bear: (L to R) Ian Ray (Vocals/Guitar), Catie Wicks (Bass), Tom Shipp (Guitar), Chris Gray (Guitar /Keys), Pas Stratos (Drums).

ASKME -singles-button-small

SINGLE – All You Need is an Electric Guitar

IMPACT DATE – 8 JANUARY 2016 (ISRC  GB8S51500001)

Everyone has a record that’s rescued them: a song that’s swept you away and set you back down in a slightly better place.

BBC favourites Straw Bear are back with “All You Need Is An Electric Guitar” – a record that celebrates the irresistible power of a pop song to sink its hooks in and not let go.

They’ve cut their own slice of infectious psychedelic power-pop in the process too:

The London-based five piece’s 2013 album ‘Black Bank’ won gushing praise and regular national airplay from legendary DJ Bob Harris – as well as spins from Dermot O’Leary, Huw Stephens, Cerys Matthews and Tom Robinson, for whom they played a Radio 6 Music session. In 2013, BBC Introducing picked them from thousands of bands to be showcased at The Great Escape Europe’s leading emerging music festival, and highlights from their set were broadcast on Radio 1.

Praise for the band has always centred around their knack for writing pristine pop songs, and “All You Need Is An Electric Guitar” sounds as chiming as ever — but now enveloped in washes of blissed-out psyche guitar.

This is a song showing Straw Bear’s mastery of the pop song — with a truly addictive chorus: one that soars and returns exactly when you hope it will.

“All You Need Is An Electric Guitar”’s video is a story of grind, despair and redemption, and is directed by Jake Robertson. Watch this space!

“For anyone who cares about music, there will be a time when a song or a favourite album has got them out of a hole,” says Ian Ray. “So the song’s really all about how music can come to your rescue; it has an incredible capacity to soothe and elevate you out of the everyday grind.”

The song emerges after a turbulent couple of years, and their new forthcoming album, “Fiction,” is the result of a series of births, deaths and marriages. The band return emboldened by their experiences and are stronger than ever: tighter pop choruses, laser- focused verses and bolder lyrics.

They’ve also built their own studio in Essex, and new LP “Fiction”, set for release later in the year, was recorded there.

For more information about Straw Bear:

www.strawbear.com www.facebook.com/strawbearmusic www.twitter.com/strawbearmusic

HEY ROCCO RELEASE NEW SINGLE “MOM JEANS”;
PLUS XFM SESSION AND DEBUT UK TOUR

HEYROCCO

ASKME -singles-button-small SINGLE – Mom Jeans
LABEL – Vital Music
IMPACT DATE – 27th October 2014

HEYROCCO‘s songs cut to the heart of teenage thrills: young love, long summer days, and the little details that trigger all that emotion.

 

Their new single Mom Jeans encapsulates all of that – and it’s a perfect example of HEYROCCO’s brilliant balance of dark rock, short ‘n’ sweet pop tunes and young, breathless excitement.

It’s the follow-up to previous single Virgin – which was Kerrang! Track of the Week. Mom Jeans has won them radio recognition, too – they will be recording an Xfm X-posure session for tastemaker John Kennedy at the end of October as they complete their debut UK tour.

HEYROCCO are thrilling fans around the country right now, with sold out shows and a huge audience at London’s KOKO kicking off their first UK jaunt.

“…the angst-ridden grunge of Nirvana, while flecks of Pavement ensure a distinctly nostalgic flavour to these young guitar heroes.” – NME

“You know those perfect songs that soundtrack your summer of late nights, romance and hedonism? Well, HEYROCCO have just dropped one.” – Gigwise

Heyrocco’s new single launches us right into 90’s teenage movie nostalgia. Like these Southern sweethearts, we admittedly might not have been the coolest kids in high school—but at least we can pretend like we were while listening to some 90’s inspired rock and roll.” – NYLON

“… a darkly nostalgic vibe – worthy of, say, Radiohead’s much neglected ‘Pablo Honey’ full length.” – CLASH

HEYROCCO ONLINE:
heyrocco.co.uk
twitter.com/whoisheyrocco
facebook.com/Heyrocco
soundcloud.com/weareheyrocco

THE TRAVELLING BAND RELEASE GLORIOUS NEW SINGLE; ANNOUNCE UK-WIDE TOUR

TTB_July_14_MED

ASKME -singles-button-smallIMPACT DATE: 14th September 2014
LABEL: Sideways Saloon


“The sounds they generate took me back to my musical roots… Marvellous music to savour and enjoy”

– Michael Eavis, Glastonbury Festival

The Travelling Band are the kind of group people long to be part of – the kind that stirs deep-set emotions in fans who would dance over hot coals to see this most remarkable of live bands.

Their new single, Passing Ships, is everything The Travelling Band are, and everything their fans adore: bittersweet stories planting little flags in the mind and claiming attention for days, woven in and out of melodies you’ll think you grew up with.

Recorded with a panache to thrill existing fans and tease new ones into exploring much further, Passing Ships is typically-euphoric, carefully-crafted, always-rousing: a hallmark of all the band’s music.

Passing Ships has already been met with breathless praise:

“The track blows by in the best possible way, leaving you a little breathless and wanting even more” – Indieshuffle
“A unique soundexpansive and poppy” – Earmilk

As usual, the band’s huge and loyal following demanded a UK-wide tour, and were of course rewarded with one – with yet more dates to be announced. The song is taken from their new LP, The Big Defreeze, which is released on the 25th August.

Passing Ships is a free download, and is for fans of beautiful, storytelling music like Calexico, Iron & Wine, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Frightened Rabbit and Elbow.

“They produce an inventive brand of guitar-­laden cosmic aesthetic and sprinkles of trademark Manchester’s musical lineage” Clash Magazine
“If you consider the term ‘Mancunian Americana’ to be an oxymoron… try listening to The Travelling Band. Brilliant” ­ Marc Riley, BBC 6Music
“Their harmonies are tight, guitar picking deft and tunes melodic” Q Magazine
“It all here, passionate yet delicate vocals, deep forceful drumming, jangly guitar, fluctuating stings, everything you could ask for from a song that oozes summer” – The 405

The Travelling Band live:

July
12th – Triumph Live Festival

August
8th – Cropredy Festival, Nr. Banbury
16th – Undressed Festival, Halle St. Peters, Manchester
23rd – Green Belt Festival, Northamptonshire
30th – Off The Tracks Festival, Derbyshire

September
7th – Sc4m Festival, The Railway, Winchester
12th – The Institute, Kelvedon, Essex
14th – Shrewsbury Fields Festival

October
2nd – Kendal, The Brewery
3rd – Leeds, Brudenell
8th – Liverpool, The Kazimier
9th – Edinburgh, Voodoo Room
10th – Glasgow, Broadcast
11th – Letham, Letham Hall
22nd – London, The Lexington
24th – Oxford, Arts Bar (Bullindon Arms)
25th – Bristol, The Louisiana

November
28th – Hurst Green, Village Hall

The Travelling Band online:

thetravellingband.co.uk
facebook.com/thetravellingband
twitter.com/travellingband
youtube.com/thetravellingband

HEYROCCO FOLLOW ACCLAIMED FIRST SINGLE WITH “MELT”

HEYROCCO_MELT_LARGE

ASKME -singles-button-small
LABEL: Vital Music Group
IMPACT DATE: 1st Sept 2014

 

After their first free download, Virgin, sped to tens of thousands of plays via word-of-mouth in just a couple of weeks, HEYROCCO are stepping straight back into their new fans’ affections with their new single, Melt.

It’s another grungy and immediately catchy pop song from the South Carolina boys; it’s a wry song on a subject that… well, let’s say it’s one that many teenagers will have prematurely experienced.

And just as Virgin drew many flattering comparisons with rock giants of the early 90s – Melt shows off their ability to straddle the line between the twin thrills of killer melodies and fuzzy guitars.

Melt has been met with breathless praise from highly-respected sources:

“You know those perfect songs that soundtrack your summer of late nights, romance and hedonism? Well, HEYROCCO have just dropped one.” Gigwise

“Heyrocco’s new single launches us right into 90’s teenage movie nostalgia. Like these Southern sweethearts, we admittedly might not have been the coolest kids in high school—but at least we can pretend like we were while listening to some 90’s inspired rock and roll.” NYLON

” A darkly nostalgic vibe – worthy of, say, Radiohead’s much neglected Pablo Honey CLASH

HEYROCCO have the tunes, poise and musical chops to back up their sky-high ambition.

THE MINX TO RELEASE THEIR BRILLIANT POWER-POP SINGLE
 “NO FRIENDS”

the Minx

ASKME -singles-button-small

IMPACT DATE15th September 2014
LABELQueen Street Records

 

Real rebel rockers! Johnny Marr, The Smiths
The best new band in Manchester! John Robb, Louder Than War

“Why so serious?” Guitar music doesn’t have to be po-faced; and The Minx’s happy-go-lucky sense of fun makes them spiritual successors to carefree power-poppers Supergrass – and, as pointed out by Steve Lamacq – Buzzcocks and The Undertones.

 

No Friends is a direct descendant of The Undertones’ My Perfect Cousin – with a youthful spirit and the bounciest Hammond hook you’ll have heard in years.

The crowd favourite has been given a fresh lick of paint by award-winning producer Cenzo Townshend (Florence + The Machine, The Vaccines, Primal Scream, Franz Ferdinand) for this release.

Stars of a forthcoming documentary on underground music scenes by The Street‘s Mike Skinner (who enthused about them being “modern Skindom!”), and having appeared in Dr Marten’s TV ad campaign, The Minx’s music, look and exuberance go pleasingly against the grain.

The band continue to sell out every increasingly big show they headline, and are heading further afield to play more packed venues around the UK – including a show at the Brixton Windmill on 22nd August – confirmation of their rapid ascent.

The band‘s biggest headline gig yet, at Manchester’s Ruby Lounge, is on Saturday 23rd August.

The most exciting new band I’ve heard in years! Pete Jobson, I Am Kloot

I listened to The Minx … decided I liked it and bought it! – Mike Davies, BBC Radio 1

Who are The Minx? Andy Evans (Drums), Chris Haddon (Vox/Guitar), Paul Robinson (Guitar), Steven Stuttard (Bass) & Kieran McIntyre (Keys)

THE MINX live:

27th July – Tramlines Festival, Sheffield
22nd August – Brixton Windmill, London (Headline Show)
23rd August – The Ruby Lounge, Manchester (Headline Show)
30th August – The Rocking Chair, Sheffield (Headline Show)
19th September – Ramsbottom Festival (Headlining second stage)
20th September – The Trades Club, Hebden Bridge (Headline Show)

theminx.co.uk
facebook.com/theminxband
twitter.com/TheMinxBand 

Photo: Dean Chalkley