Amigo The Devil returns with 'Another Man's Grave' single from upcoming album

December 08, 2020 by David Vousden in Americana, New Single, News, singer-songwriter, Rock, Roots

When the force of nature that is Amigo The Devil toured the UK in early 2020 in support of his fantastic 'Everything Is Fine' album, the world was a far different place. Looking back Amigo The Devil’s dark gothic tales were a perfect match for the upcoming pandemic, but at the time the RGM crew were merely staggered by his ability to mesmerize a crowd. We were witnessing something very, very special and ATD was most certainly the real deal. Nearly a year later and ATD is back with a terrific new single ‘Another Man’s Grave’ from his upcoming Beau Bedford (The Texas Gentlemen / Paul Cauthen) produced album ‘Born Against’ set for April 16th, 2021 release via Liars Club. More about the album including the single follows:

DBA to release 'Halcyon Hymns' CD/DVD February 5th 2021

December 04, 2020 by David Vousden in Classic Rock, Melodic Rock, New Single, Prog Rock

Downes Braide Association aka DBA will release their fourth studio album on February 5th 2021 as a CD/DVD set with a 2LP white vinyl pressing to follow on March 26th. DBA features Geoff Downes (The Buggles/Asia/YES) and Chris Braide who has spent the majority of his career in the USA writing and producing music for film scores, advertising campaigns and working closely with a host of big-name artists including Sia, Lana Del Rey, Christina Aguilera, Beyonce, Paloma Faith, Britney Spears and Marc Almond. If the first single from the album ‘Love Among The Ruins’ is any indication of quality then ‘Halcyon Hymns’ will be high on my list of albums to investigate in 2021. A slightly odd spoken word introduction opens out into a wonderfully melodic song blessed with intricate overlapping vocals and some gloriously expansive guitar breaks. Much more about DBA and the lyric video for ‘Love Among The Ruins’ follows:

Christmas Music @RGM

December 03, 2020 by David Vousden in Hard Rock, Metal, Xmas, Seasonal, Festive

I think we’d all agree that 2020 sucked in so many different ways. So with December now upon us and Christmas just around the corner, it’s time for some festive cheer. Nothing screams Christmas more than the Christmas song. Love ‘em or loath ‘em the Xmas ditty is guaranteed to bring seasonal cheer and a little positivity, so sit back and relax with your Eggnog or Babycham (do they still make Babycham?) as RGM takes you where other websites fear to tread with a selection of the best seasonal music for Christmas 2020.

The Hard Place #5

December 02, 2020 by David Vousden in AOR, Classic Rock, Hard Rock, Melodic Rock, Metal, News, Prog Rock, Rock, Video

We all knew this winter was going to be hard. But nobody could have foreseen just how hard. Here, at the never-beating, black granite heart of The Hard Place, we’d like to think we can make it just that little bit harder. Just for you. “How hard?” you ask, expectant and not a little apprehensive. And the answer is “None. None more hard.” Walk with us now, barefoot, through the broken-bottle-strewn wasteland of rock’s best new releases.

The RGM Inbox November 2020

November 20, 2020 by David Vousden in News, Pop, Soul, Rock, Americana, Country Rock, Southern Rock

It’s time for another dive into the RGM Inbox where a host of gems are ready for discovery. We like to feature a wide range of music at RGM and November has seen a host of interesting releases in a wide range of genres. The advice is always to give things a go, step outside of your comfort zone and discover something a little different. This month we’ve new music from Phil Gould a founding member of Level 42, pop-rock from Andy Keels that harks back to the ‘80s an era that Liverpool band Candy Opera originated from before they took a thirty-year career break. Last but not least we catch up with Zac Brown Band founding member John Driskell Hopkins and a taster from his ‘Lonesome High’ album due in February 2021.

Kandle is licensed to kill on new 007 inspired single/video

November 18, 2020 by David Vousden in New Single, News, Pop, Video

Vancouver based singer-songwriter Kandle and London, UK producer Michael Rendall share a love of James Bond and those fantastically timeless theme songs that are such an integral part of the Bond experience. With an invite to actually record the theme song for a James Bond film about as likely as the latest film in the franchise getting released anytime soon they embarked on a journey to create their own, and the result is ‘Lock & Load’. They’ve also put together a video that perfectly captures the feel of an opening 007 credit sequence. Please read on to check out the video (essential for all James Bond 007 fans) while Kandle tells us a little more about the creative process.

The Hard Place #4

November 09, 2020 by Rich Barnard in AOR, Classic Rock, Hard Rock, Melodic Rock, Metal, News, Rock, Prog

It’s dark. You blink your eyes to try and take in some light but you realise that there is only black. You can barely move, surrounded by rock on all sides. Your heart races but then suddenly you realise you’ve been here before. Yes, you have come again to The Hard Place; you’re not sure how it happened but here you are. Here, and only here, will you satisfy your (understandably secret) desire to discover the very finest new things in the big-haired realm of melodic rock. Relax now, and let us show you the way…

RGM presents The Maple Leaf Roundup #18

November 05, 2020 by Rich Barnard in Americana, singer-songwriter, Folk, Acoustic, Appalachian emo

Crazies keep on crazying, Covid keeps on cavorting but, through it all, Canada keeps on calling. We get so much Canadian music in the RGM inbox it sometimes feels as if we’re being stalked by an entire nation. We are blessed with more than we can reasonably manage but, in our relentless quest for gems, we make sure we listen to everything and, in this, the eighteenth instalment of The Maple Leaf roundup, we share five of our finest finds.

RGM presents The Maple Leaf Roundup #17

September 23, 2020 by Rich Barnard in Acoustic, Americana, Folk, New Single, News, singer-songwriter, Pop, Alternative Rock

And we’re back! Told you we would be. We currently find ourselves inundated with fine Canadian music on a scale that is - wait for it - unprecedented. I assure you, however, we are fully equipped to manage the current surge. Honestly, we are. So, without further facetiousness, here are five more Things You Must Hear from our cousins across the water.

Jon Gomm to release 'The Faintest Idea' via Kscope October 16th, 2020

September 21, 2020 by David Vousden in Acoustic, Folk, News, singer-songwriter

Virtuoso guitarist Jon Gomm has released ‘Deep Sea Fishes’ the second single from his ‘The Faintest Idea’ album due via the Kscope label on October 16th, 2020. The single perfectly showcases the power of Jon’s technique which he uses in a positive and very melodic way to deliver something rather special and more emotional than you might expect. Please read on to learn more about Jon, the interesting back story behind ‘Deep Sea Fishes’, the new album and full details of his upcoming tour in support of ‘The Faintest Idea’ (tour dates are obviously subject to change in these troubling times).

Charity single 'Stand By Me' from Bob Harris and friends due October 27th

September 10, 2020 by David Vousden in Americana, Country, New Single, Pop, Rock

Bob Harris the veteran broadcaster is celebrating 50 years in the business and to coincide his latest project is a charity single in aid of Help Musicians. Bob’s favourite song is ‘Stand By Me’ which coincidentally turns 60 on October 27th, the release date of this new version of the classic track. Bob has seen and done it all in his long career (briefly being employed as John Martyn’s guitar tech is one highlight that springs to mind) and has a pretty envious address book to be able to call on a host of stars to help out with ‘Stand By Me’ including Darius Rucker, Mark Knopfler, Rosanne Cash, Rick Wakeman, Paul Rodgers, Peter Frampton, Richard Thompson, John Oates, Leo Sayer, The Shires, Ward Thomas and many more. Full details about the single, the Help Musicians charity, the artists and links to pre-order/buy the single follow:

RGM presents The Maple Leaf Roundup #16

September 07, 2020 by Rich Barnard in Alternative Rock, Americana, Folk, News, singer-songwriter, Pop

Canada has produced a mind-melting amount of must-hear music so far this year and, as we reluctantly tiptoe into the autumn months, she shows no sign of slowing down. The leaves outside may be turning, curling and falling but the RGM Maple Leaf roundup is, as ever, bursting with life and promise. The recent harvest has been so rich and abundant that it won’t be long before we come knocking with more, but let us not get ahead of ourselves. For now, just see if these perfectly ripe beauties can’t banish your September blues.

The Long Road Festival presents Hometown Sounds - A spotlight on UK Country

September 07, 2020 by David Vousden in Acoustic, Americana, Country, Festivals, News

The destination for many UK Country and Americana fans this weekend (September 12th, 2020) would have been The Long Road Festival but unfortunately, that was not to be and The Long Road will return in 2021. In the meantime it’ll be doing its bit to promote UK Country music with Hometown Sounds a new online event. Hometown Sounds will premiere on Facebook & YouTube Live at 8PM on 12th September, before airing as a special edition of ‘Country Hits Brits’ by Country Hits Radio at 7PM on Sunday 13th September. Content will then be available on-demand thereafter. The show will be presented by TLR's Creative Director and Country Hits Radio Host Baylen Leonard, and feature exclusive live performances and interviews filmed in Camden Town with Ward Thomas, The Adelaides and Ferris & Sylvester - plus a guest performance from Brandy Clark remote from LA. Full details about Hometown Sounds and much more about The Long Road Festival 2021 follows:

The Hard Place #3

September 02, 2020 by Rich Barnard in AOR, Classic Rock, Hard Rock, Melodic Rock, News, Prog, Rock

If variety is the spice of life, then today’s Hard Place menu is, we must warn you, hotter than ever before. We’ve got hard bits, soft bits (sue me) and even prog bits but, as usual, all of our bits are exceedingly good. There are no specials on the board because everything here is gourmet. We have assembled the tastiest new treats on the scene so, get as comfortable as you can in those leather trousers and prepare for a four-course feast of sizzling melodic rock delights.

The RGM inbox September 2020

September 01, 2020 by David Vousden in singer-songwriter, Americana, Folk

September 1st, 2020 and RGM is six years old today. This year has been without a doubt the toughest yet here at RGM, which I’m sure will come as no surprise to anyone reading this little editorial as its been a tough year for everyone. Undaunted, if more than a little battered and bruised emotionally, we are still here looking to introduce you to more new and interesting music in a range of musical genres. With this in mind, the Inbox returns with tunes from both sides of the Atlantic as newcomer Lauren Moon and a returning Sam Brookes are joined by The Jorgensens reinventing a classic and Jake Allen doing his bit for our mental health through song.

Wayne Hussey and friends issue 'Tower Of Strength' charity single

August 28, 2020 by David Vousden in Alternative Rock, New Single, News, Video

Wayne Hussey has enlisted the help of a host of artists from the Alternative and Goth Rock fields to record a new version of the classic ‘Tower Of Strength’ which is released today (August 28th, 2020) digitally with a physical release on CD and 12” vinyl to follow on October 2nd, 2020. The single features such luminaries as Billy Duffy, Midge Ure, Gary Numan, Budgie and Julianne Regan among many others, all of whom chose a charity to benefit from the single. Full details of all the artists involved, the video for ‘Tower of Strength 2020’ and links to buy and stream the single follow:

The RGM inbox August 2020 (Part 2)

August 12, 2020 by David Vousden in Americana, New Single, News, singer-songwriter, World Music, Classic Rock, Country, Pop, Video

In the latest inbox feature, we’ve got a range of international talent for your perusal. From Canada, Terra Lightfoot returns with a new single and an album on the way while closer to home UK pedal steel legend BJ Cole is sharing his love of Hawaiian music. Speaking of sunnier climates (although High Wycombe would give Hawaii a run for its money in the heat stakes this week) we’ve got a London based Aussie in Nick Kingswell with a terrific single and also from Australia The Buckleys a sibling trio breaking out of their homeland with a nice line in pop-country.

FanTracks and DIRECTV to premier never-before-seen 311 Mardi Gras concert

August 10, 2020 by David Vousden in Alternative Rock, Classic Rock, News

An interesting new development for those of us missing live music and in need of our concert fix is available from FanTracks. The newly launched subscription live concert streaming service will give a World Premier to a show by 311 on August 15th, 2020, The HD/4K concert was filmed in February of 2020 during Mardi Gras weekend at The Fillmore in New Orleans. This was one of the last concerts to be recorded before health and safety precautions were put into place regarding live events. FanTracks is premiering this concert to all via their platform and DIRECTV on Saturday, August 15, 2020 at 9pm ET and can be streamed by fans for free with a first-month-free subscription, followed by $1.99 a month. This subscription unlocks a catalogue of shows ranging from classic to modern rock, as well as more features during the concert live streams. The press release follows with loads more details about 311 and FanTracks:

The RGM Inbox August 2020

August 03, 2020 by David Vousden in Acoustic, Americana, Blues, Folk, Funk

The Red Guitar Music inbox feature returns after a brief hiatus with more excellent and varied sounds. In this edition, we’ve music from both sides of the Atlantic. Ace singer/guitarist JD Simo has a new album in the can while another RGM regular Ferris & Sylvester returns with a new EP ready to go and touring plans for 2021. The newcomers this time out are Dan Friese, a singer/songwriter from the USA, and from nearer home (Brighton to be exact) Melanie Howard aka Such Small Hands with an album of melancholy dark pop a decade in the making.

RGM presents The Maple Leaf Roundup #15

June 30, 2020 by Rich Barnard in Country, Folk, singer-songwriter, Pop, News

Canada is overflowing with music. The best songs, having risen to the top, float over the ocean and bubble through the waterways of the UK where we are poised, net in hand, to scoop them up from the little stream that runs behind RGM HQ. We’ve caught some lovely things for our latest Maple Leaf roundup and now we invite you to sit with us in the sunshine and admire each one before we gently lower them back in again to continue their journey downriver.