'All Roads East' for Eli Lev on new EP

January 12, 2018 by David Vousden in Americana, Country, Folk, News, singer-songwriter, Soundcloud

Washington DC native Eli Lev recently released his debut EP 'All Roads East' with his band The Fortunes Found. Eli at first glance falls into the indie folk singer-songwriter category but give the EP a listen and you'll find a healthy disrespect for musical boundaries. The 5 track EP (now available from all official digital platforms) embraces folk, country with a dash of old-school rock n' roll to keep you on your toes. The first single from the EP 'Go Down' benefits from an unexpectedly cool funky groove while 'Long Way Back To Shonto' is bathed in bluesy slide guitar. If you're lucky enough to live in the Washington DC/Maryland/Virginia area Eli Lev is probably playing somewhere near you as I type. If not then more about Eli including the video for 'Go Down' follows:

Joan Baez to release new studio album 'Whistle Down The Wind' March 2nd

January 10, 2018 by David Vousden in Folk, News, Tour Dates

Joan Baez will release 'Whistle Down The Wind' her first studio album in a decade on March 2nd via Proper Records. The album was produced by Grammy winner Joe Henry in Los Angeles and features songs by some of Joan's favourite composers including Tom Waits and Kathleen Brennan, Josh Ritter, Mary Chapin Carpenter and Eliza Gilkyson. Joan will be undertaking an extensive world tour with UK and ROI dates set for March and May 2018. Much more about the album, the tour and the title track from 'Whistle Down The Wind' follows:

I'm With Her announce 'See You Around' album and May 2018 UK dates

November 09, 2017 by David Vousden in Acoustic, Folk, News, singer-songwriter, Tour Dates

The debut album from I'm With Her will be released February 16th, 2018 on the Rounder Records label. I'm With Her features a trio of artists blessed with considerable vocal and musical talent namely Sara Watkins, Sarah Jarosz and Aoife O'Donovan. Needless to say this makes 'See You Around' one of the most anticipated releases lined up for 2018. The title track from the album is available now so please read on to check out the track, along with more about the trio, and those May 2018 UK dates:

The Wailin' Jennys celebrate 'Fifteen' with new covers album

November 01, 2017 by David Vousden in Folk, News, Acoustic

On January 5th, 2018 The Wailin' Jennys will release their first album of new material since 'Bright Morning Stars' in 2011 via True North Records in the UK. The record 'Fifteen' marks the fifteenth anniversary of the trio hence the title. The album features interpretations of some of their favourite songs including gems originally recorded by Tom Petty, Emmylou Harris, Dolly Parton, Paul Simon and Warren Zevon. More about The Wailin' Jennys, including a track-by-track of the songs on the new album, plus their version of the Tom Petty classic 'Wildflowers' follows:

Glen Hansard announces 'Between Two Shores' due January 19th, 2018 via Anti-

September 28, 2017 by David Vousden in Folk, News, singer-songwriter, Tour Dates

Glen Hansard has announced the release of his third solo album 'Between Two Shores' due January 19th, 2018 via the ANTI- label. His 2015 'Didn't He Ramble' release was superb, as were the live shows in support of the album, so the RGM team are expecting great things. That appetite has been further whetted by the first new music released from the record 'Time Will Be The Healer'. Hansard will be hard at work touring all over in the wake of the album (he never stops it seems) with European dates set for February 2018. More about Glen Hansard, the new record and the first batch of tour dates follows:

Bruno Merz returns with 'Whisper Turn' on October 4th 2017

September 14, 2017 by David Vousden in Acoustic, Folk, New Single, News, Pop, singer-songwriter

The much travelled, New Zealand born, singer-songwriter Bruno Merz will release 'Whisper Turn' on October 4th. The single is a highly impressive teaser, and the title track, from his new album due in early 2018. When your press release includes comparisons to Nick Drake, Simon and Garfunkel, Iron and Wine etc you need to be able to hold your own but fans of his 2014 'Highways' release will need no convincing that Bruno Merz is a talent on the rise. This view is cemented by the achingly beautiful 'Whisper Turn'. More about Bruno Merz including a stream of 'Whisper Turn' follows:

Seth Lakeman News: Deluxe album reissue, new single + Robert Plant tour

August 22, 2017 by David Vousden in Acoustic, Folk, New Single, News, Tour Dates

Seth Lakeman has been very busy indeed in the last year or so. His album 'Ballads of the Broken Few' received some of the best reviews of his career including one from RGM that can be found Here. Since the album release Lakeman has toured extensively and continues to do so. On September 15th the album will be reissued with five bonus tracks including the new single 'Everything' once again featuring Wildwood Kin. In further news Lakeman will be joining rock legend Robert Plant pulling double duty as opening act and as a member of Robert's band. A win-win situation for Lakeman fans. Further details about the album and the tour follow:

Josh McGovern contemplates 'The Devil Below Me' on new single release

August 01, 2017 by David Vousden in Americana, Blues, Folk, New Single, singer-songwriter, Soundcloud

Brighton based Josh McGovern has released a new single 'The Devil Below Me' which finds the singer-songwriter contemplating his life and past mistakes. The results are dark, brooding and introspective and will appeal to fans of Nick Cave and Leonard Cohen. Dig a little deeper though and the versatility of McGovern's voice matched with a darkly spiky arrangement, that utilizes some particularly effective backing vocals, is sure to win the listener over and bodes well for future releases. The stream for 'The Devil Below Me' and a little more about Josh McGovern follows:

Two legendary Folk Festivals combine forces

July 20, 2017 by David Vousden in Acoustic, Americana, Blues, Folk, News

These days there seems to be a new festival turning up every five minutes, but if you want to do things properly, then you can't go wrong with two festivals that effectively wrote the book on the festival experience. The Newport Folk Festival dates back to 1959 and would claim a place in musical/cultural history when Bob Dylan plugged in and switched on in 1965. Coincidentally 1965 would see the launch of the Cambridge Folk Festival so that was a pretty good year. The two festivals have announced plans for a historic twinning of the two festivals to form a unique transatlantic alliance. Please read on for more about Newport, Cambridge and their plans going forward:

Ferris & Sylvester to release 'The Yellow Line' EP June 23rd 2017

June 20, 2017 by David Vousden in Acoustic, Americana, Folk, Tour Dates, Video

Ferris & Sylvester are gearing up for the release of their 'The Yellow Line' EP on June 23rd 2017. The duo recently signed to Youth's new publishing company Painted Word Music. Killing Joke bassist Youth will be most familiar for his impressive string of production credits that include The Verve, Crowded House, Paul McCartney and a terrific album by Howie Day. With this heavyweight support things are looking bright for Ferris & Sylvester and the EP shows immense promise for the future. You can catch the duo live in London on July 12th 2017 at the famed Half Moon in Putney. You can catch the duo live in London on July 12th 2017 at the famed Half Moon in Putney. The press release about the EP and the video for 'Berlin' follows:

Russell Joslin announces new album 'Hey Mathematician' due August 21st 2017

June 11, 2017 by David Vousden in Acoustic, Folk, News, singer-songwriter

A welcome new arrival in the RGM inbox this week introduced us to Russell Joslin and a track taken from his upcoming album 'Hey Mathematician' due August 21st 2017. The press release refers to the track entitled 'Shackles' as a "dark love song" and the video, which features Russell and girlfriend Sarah McCaig, is well worth your time. More about Russell Joslin, Sarah McCaig and the video for 'Shackles' follows:

Two Ways Home to release new EP 'Closest Stranger' June 2nd 2017

May 03, 2017 by David Vousden in Americana, Country, Folk, News

London based alt-country duo Two Ways Home aka Isabella Mariee and Lewis Fowler will release their new EP 'Closest Stranger' on June 2nd. The EP features four new songs including co-writes with Logan Brill. Demi Marriner and Adam James. More about Two Ways Home and the new EP follows:

Ani DiFranco to release 'Binary' June 9th before London Palladium show

April 12, 2017 by David Vousden in News, singer-songwriter, Tour Dates, Alternative Rock, Folk

Ani DiFranco will release her twentieth studio album on June 9th via Righteous Babe / Aveline Records and will support the release with a show at the prestigious London Palladium on July 2nd. Special guests on the album include Bon Iver's Justin Vernon. A host of exclusive bundles are also available via the official Ani DiFranco PledgeMusic page where pledgers who pre-order will receive three instant gratification tracks. More about Ani DiFranco, the pledge music campaign and 'Binary' follows:

Madison Violet support 'The Knight Sessions' album with UK / Ireland dates

April 11, 2017 by David Vousden in Acoustic, Americana, Folk, News, Tour Dates

May 5th 2017 is the date for the latest album from Madison Violet via Big Lake Music which finds the duo of Brenley MacEachern and Lisa MacIsaac creating new music and looking back at songs from earlier in their career from a more organic, acoustic viewpoint. Madison Violet will embark on a run of shows, as a duo, in the UK and Ireland dubbed 'Back To The Roots' to coincide with the album release. More about the album, Madison Violet and those all important dates follows:

Steepways to release 'Holy Smoke' May 7th + tour dates announced

April 11, 2017 by David Vousden in Americana, Country, Folk, singer-songwriter, Tour Dates

The London based duo Steepways aka Blair Chadwick and Charlie Bateson will release their debut album physically on May 7th via Mansion House Records. To support the release they've lined up a string of shows including an album launch event on April 29th at The Fiddler's Elbow in Camden, London. A stream / more about the album and additional tour dates follows:

Chastity Brown to release 'Silhouette of Sirens' May 19th before UK tour

April 05, 2017 by David Vousden in Folk, News, singer-songwriter, Soul, Tour Dates, Pop

On May 19th 2017 Chastity Brown will release her new album 'Silhouette of Sirens' the highly anticipated follow-up to 'Back-Road Highways' her excellent, widely acclaimed, 2012 breakthrough release. In the UK a string of impressive reviews and a TV slot on the influential Later with Jools Holland marked Chastity Brown as a talent on the rise. To support her debut Red House Records release Chastity Brown will be playing UK shows in June including a headline London show at The Borderline. More about Chastity Brown and her new album follows:

Sound of the Sirens emerge from behind a 'Smokescreen'

April 04, 2017 by David Vousden in Acoustic, Folk, Pop, Video

Abbe Martin and Hannah Wood aka Sound of the Sirens will release their debut album 'For All Our Sins' on May 5th 2017 via DMF records. The duo have been championed by Chris Evans which gained them a prestigious spot on his TFI Friday TV show (hopefully Top Gear fans won't hold this against them). The first release from the album 'Smokescreen' is available now and the video follows:

Maverick Festival 2017 full line-up announced

April 04, 2017 by David Vousden in Acoustic, Americana, Bluegrass, Country, Festivals, Folk, Roots, singer-songwriter, Tour Dates

The Maverick Festival recently announced their full line-up for 2017 with a press launch in London. The event was held at the Gibson Brands Studio in central London, with craft beers and duck wraps a plenty, to get those attending in the mood for long summer days in the Suffolk countryside. The music for the evening was courtesy of Dean Owens, Brigitte DeMeyer and Will Kimbrough. Dean has been working with Will on his upcoming album and judging by the tunes performed on the night it’ll be another good one. All you need to know about the Maverick Festival and the full line-up follows:

Kate Ellis to release 'Carve Me Out' on June 2nd 2017

March 18, 2017 by David Vousden in Americana, Country, Folk, singer-songwriter, Tour Dates, Video

Kate Ellis will release her debut album 'Carve Me Out' on June 2nd 2017 and has released a video for 'Ones You Love The Most' the impressive first single from the album. Kate will also play an album launch show at London's Green Note on June 7th. More about Kate Ellis and the video for the single follows:

Cambridge Folk Festival announces a host of additions for 2017

March 16, 2017 by David Vousden in Acoustic, Alt-Folk, Americana, Bluegrass, Country, Festivals, Folk, News

Cambridge Folk Festival has announced a huge update with a host of new additions to the 2017 festival. As is usually the case with Cambridge Folk the festival brings together an eclectic mix of artists old and new from many genres of music.The latest additions announced include Shirley Collins, Loudon Wainwright III, Indigo Girls, Ward Thomas, Cara Dillon and Liv On (Olivia Newton-John, Beth Nielsen Chapman, Amy Sky). More about the festival and the acts set to perform follows: