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