Benjamin Folke Thomas 'Modern Man' due November 9th via Aveline Records

September 13, 2018 by David Vousden in New Single, News, singer-songwriter, Tour Dates, Video

Benjamin Folke Thomas will release his new album ‘Modern Man’ via Aveline Records on November 9th. Regular readers of RGM will remember Benjamin as we reviewed his last studio album ‘Copenhagen’ back in 2017 (review link) with Rich Barnard claiming it featured “A diverse and very thoughtfully arranged set of songs”. If ‘Tasteless and Complacent’ the first single from the album is anything to go by then ‘Modern Man’ should be well worth seeking out. Benjamin Folke Thomas is currently on tour playing solo shows with John Murry and will embark on a run of headline shows with his full band on November 21st. More about Benjamin Folke Thomas, the video for the new single and those tour dates follows:

Saxon reissues continue with three more albums on July 27th

June 14, 2018 by David Vousden in Classic Rock, Deluxe Reissue, Hard Rock, Metal, News, Video, Vinyl

August 10th (please note new release date due to manufacturing issues) will see the release of the third wave of Saxon reissues with three more albums getting the deluxe media book/swirl vinyl treatment. The late 80's found Saxon in transition as the band line-up evolved and the 'Innocence Is No Excuse', 'Rock The Nations' and 'Destiny' albums are now ripe for re-evaluation. Once again these releases benefit from deluxe media book packaging for the CDs and impressively colourful vinyl (check out 'Rock The Nations'). The CDs will feature a host of bonus tracks including B-sides, demo and live tracks. A little more about Saxon, pre order links and track listings follow:

Curse Of Lono to release 'As I Fell' August 17th 2018 + Live Dates

May 15, 2018 by David Vousden in Americana, Alternative Rock, New Single, News, Tour Dates, Video

Curse Of Lono will release their sophomore album 'As I Fell' on August 17th, 2018. The album is the eagerly anticipated follow up to their universally acclaimed 'Severed' release from 2017. The album was recorded in Hackney, London and at Rancho V in Joshua Tree National Park, California (surely the ideal location for the band to turn their cinematic songs into a reality). As a taster for the new album 'Valentine' (available now from your preferred digital platform) is an intoxicating mix of mid-tempo, almost, glam rock stomp, menacingly distorted bass and dirty guitar tones all underpinning the harmonies. This is really good stuff and bodes well for the upcoming record. Please read on to check out the single and learn more about Curse Of Lono's plans for 2018 which will include their first headline tour:

It's time to 'Collide' with GIVERS on their new single

April 27, 2018 by David Vousden in Alternative Rock, Americana, New Single, News, Video

GIVERS from Lafayette, Louisiana turned up in the RGM inbox this morning and really brightened my day. The band have been around since 2008 and 'Collide' is the first single from an EP due this summer on Glassnote Records. This is really cool and has a fantastic video to match (not sure about that dog tho). The track was produced by the hottest producer around Dave Cobb (Sturgill Simpson, Chris Stapleton, Old Crow Medicine Show) and Eric Heigle (Arcade Fire, Lost Bayou Ramblers) and incorporates all manner of Louisiana, New Orleans and Nashville influences with Afro-Pop rhythms and a dash of Art-Rock and it works beautifully. More about GIVERS and the video for 'Collide' follows:

Ashley McBryde needs a bigger venue for October headline show

April 16, 2018 by David Vousden in Americana, Country, News, singer-songwriter, Tour Dates, Video

The Ashley McBryde train has well and truly left the station and there's no stopping the singer-songwriter. Fresh from huge acclaim for her performances at C2C this year, and the recent 'Girl Going Nowhere' record, it has been announced that Ashley's October headline show has been upgraded and moved to Islington Assembly Hall on October 10th. Original tickets are still valid with the additional tickets on sale from 9.00 AM on Friday 20th April. This show follows a run of UK dates with Luke Combs including back-to-back nights at Shepherds Bush Empire. Everything you need to know about Ashley McBryde follows:

Diamond Black new single 'Ghost in the Glass' out today

April 13, 2018 by David Vousden in Alternative Rock, New Single, News, Video

London based quartet Diamond Black released their new single 'Ghost In The Glass' today (13.04.18). The band were founded by The Sisters Of Mercy guitarist Ben Christo and the single is a fantastic blend of huge riffs and a wonderfully melodic chorus. Following on from last years debut 'Sorrow' single Diamond Black are definitely going to be one to watch in 2018 and beyond. The lyric video for 'Ghost in the Glass' and loads more about Diamond Black follows:

Airrace preview 'Untold Stories' with a little 'Summer Rain'

April 10, 2018 by David Vousden in AOR, Classic Rock, Hard Rock, Melodic Rock, New Single, News, Tour Dates, Video

UK AOR/Melodic rock act Airrace are back with a new single 'Summer Rain' which is a pleasing antidote to the British weather as I type. The new single is a slight change of direction for the band as it exhibits a soulful charm that was unexpected but welcome. The band have a new album 'Untold Stories' in the can for an August release (10.08.18) with tour dates set for September. Please read on to check out 'Summer Rain' and learn a little more about the upcoming album and tour:

Philippa Hanna is 'Getting On With Life' on new single/video.

March 02, 2018 by David Vousden in Country, Gospel, New Single, News, singer-songwriter, Tour Dates, Video

Philippa Hanna is 'Getting On With Life' via the new single from her recent album 'Come Back Fighting'. The album has achieved real crossover success reaching No.1 on both the UK iTunes Country Chart and the OCC Christian and Gospel Album Chart.'Getting On With Life' is an excellent track with a very relatable theme, backed by an impressive video definitely worthy of your time. Philippa will be on the road in April playing shows in Birmingham, Manchester, London and Sheffield. A little more about Philippa, her new video and those tour dates follow:

Soulful Country with an Outlaw Mentality from Andrew Sheppard on 'Steady Your Aim' March 23rd

February 27, 2018 by David Vousden in Alt-Country, Americana, News, singer-songwriter, Tour Dates, Video

Andrew Sheppard ex Gypsy River Haunts frontman will release his second solo album 'Steady Your Aim' March 23rd on which he melds soulful country and rock n' roll with an outlaw mentality. Andrew Sheppard has shared stages with Shooter Jennings, Jason Isbell and Josh Ritter which should give you a vague idea of where he's coming from musically. Boise resident Sheppard recorded 'Steady Your Aim' at Ivy Hall Studio in Nashville co-producing the record with guitarist Eric Loomis and Wes Walsworth. More about Andrew Sheppard and a video of an acoustic version of the title track from the album follows:

Unheard Chris Cornell track to feature on Johnny Cash 'Forever Words'

February 26, 2018 by David Vousden in Americana, Country, News, Video

Today on what would have been Johnny Cash's 86th birthday Legacy Recordings are releasing 'You Never Knew My Mind' a track from the upcoming Johnny Cash 'Forever Words' album due April 6th (previous RGM coverage of this release including the track listing etc can be found in full here). The song was originally written by Johnny Cash as a poem and has been turned into a new song by Chris Cornell in what would be one of his last recordings. 'You Never Knew My Mind' and the video which features Chris Cornell's thoughts on the words and the recording follows:

The Harpoonist & The Axe Murderer release new 'Hard On Things' single.

February 20, 2018 by David Vousden in Americana, Blues, New Single, News, Video

In an unexpected piece of very welcome news, one of Canada's finest exports The Harpoonist & The Axe Murderer return with a brand new single 'Hard On Things'. The track was recorded in late 2017 as the duo took a break from touring to promote their excellent 'Apocalipstick' album (review). The single was released digitally on February 16th and is available from wherever you get your digital music fix. More about The Harpoonist & The Axe Murderer and the video for 'Hard On Things' follows:

Gitta De Ridder 'For Everything A Season' due March 23rd

February 19, 2018 by David Vousden in Folk, News, Pop, singer-songwriter, Video

Anglo-Dutch singer-songwriter Gitta De Ridder makes a welcome return on March 23rd with her new album 'For Everything A Season' the highly anticipated follow up to 2016's 'Feathers' which was a favourite here at RGM towers. In more good news Gitta will be playing a run of shows in April, so if you've not seen her live you really should. The latest single taken from the album 'The Wheel' is out now and is accompanied by a quirkily cool video. Much more about the new album, the video for 'The Wheel', tour dates and previous RGM coverage of Gitta De Ridder follows:

Lindsay Ell's The Project to get UK Physical Release 9th March

February 09, 2018 by David Vousden in Americana, Country, News, Tour Dates, Video

Lindsay Ell will be returning to the UK in March at the C2C Festival at London's O2 and as a part of the C2C Roadshow. To coincide with the dates her critically acclaimed debut album 'The Project' will receive a very welcome UK physical release on March 9th via BMG/BBR. If you were lucky enough to see Lindsay on her UK visit back in October (review) then you won't need me to tell you she's pretty great live. If you're new to Lindsay Ell then more about the lady, the project and those dates follow:

Megan O'Neill releases video for 'Ghost Of You' single + London show

February 03, 2018 by David Vousden in Americana, Country, New Single, News, singer-songwriter, Video

London based singer-songwriter Megan O'Neill has released a video for her recent single 'Ghost Of You' which does a great job of capturing the essence of the song. Megan and her band will be appearing at the regular Nashville Nights event at Under The Bridge in London on March 10th. In the meantime more about Megan, the video for 'Ghost Of You' and her thoughts on the song/video follows:

Brothers Osborne to release 'Port Saint Joe' April 20th before UK dates

February 02, 2018 by David Vousden in Americana, Country, News, Tour Dates, Video

Brothers Osborne will release their eagerly anticipated new album 'Port Saint Joe' on April 20th via Snakefarm Records. The record is expected to build on the success of their 'Pawn Shop' debut album which has now been certified as a Gold record in the USA. The new album is again produced by Jay Joyce (Eric Church, Little Big Town) and includes their latest 'Shoot Me Straight' single. Following the album release the duo will return to the UK / ROI for a run of dates including an already Sold Out London show at KOKO. Those tour dates, more about Brothers Osborne and the video for 'Shoot Me Straight' follows:

Holloway Road Ticketmaster Session + Live Dates inc C2C shows

January 31, 2018 by David Vousden in Acoustic, Country, Festivals, News, Pop, Tour Dates, Video

UK country duo Holloway Road continue to go from strength to strength on the back of successful UK touring and recent singles 'If She Falls' and 'Under Cover.' The guys will continue their touring schedule with a run of stripped back acoustic dates to showcase another side of their music including shows at the C2C festival for the fourth year running. To give fans an idea of what to expect on the dates the boys recently visited Ticketmaster HQ to play a live acoustic session. Those all important dates and the Ticketmaster session follow:

American Folk OST featuring Joe Purdy & Amanda Rubarth available now

January 26, 2018 by David Vousden in Acoustic, Folk, News, singer-songwriter, Tour Dates, Video, Soundtrack

The soundtrack to American Folk is released today (January 26th) via Thirty Tigers. American Folk features Joe Purdy and Amanda Rubarth as two strangers, and folk singers, whose lives take an unexpected turn after the events of 9/11. The film, which has been picking up awards at various film festivals, is now on release at selected cinemas in the USA while Purdy and Rubarth are touring to promote the soundtrack. More about American Folk including the trailer for the film and 'Someone Singing With Me' a track from the soundtrack follows:

Indie-folk duo Percival Elliott will 'Save Your Soul' in 2018

January 18, 2018 by David Vousden in Acoustic, Folk, New Single, News, Video

Every so often something appears in the RGM inbox so classy that you'd kick yourself if you didn't say something about it. Indie-folk duo Percival Elliott exhibit refinement and grace on their new single 'Forever' which is from their upcoming album 'Save Your Soul' due early in 2018. Olly Hite and Samuel Carter-Brazier are Percival Elliott and their brand of striking piano melodies, gentle harmonies and sumptuous strings has a timeless quality that you just don't hear every day. More about the duo, the family history that inspired the name and the stunning video for 'Forever' follows:

Ladies Of The Blues Return to Under The Bridge, London March 23rd 2018

January 16, 2018 by David Vousden in Blues, News, Tour Dates, Video

Blues fans are in for a treat when three of the very best in the business combine under the 'Ladies of the Blues' banner at Under The Bridge in London on March 23rd, 2018. Finnish slide guitarist Erja Lyytinen will join forces with two of the UK's best blues voices Connie Lush and Kyla Brox to showcase a wide range of blues influences. More about Erja, Connie, Kyla and venue details follows:

Jerry Leger embraces 'Nonsense and Heartache' on new 2LP set

January 09, 2018 by David Vousden in News, singer-songwriter, Tour Dates, Video, Americana

Canadian singer-songwriter Jerry Leger will see his latest album 'Nonsense And Heartache' released in the UK on March 2nd via Latent Recordings with distribution through Proper Music. The album is a double set with an album of bluesy, dirty rock n' roll and a more acoustic-based singer-songwriter record. The album was produced by Michael Timmins of Cowboy Junkies fame. Jerry Leger and his band The Situation will visit Europe in April for a run of shows that include UK dates. More about the album and the tour follows: