RGM presents The Maple Leaf Roundup #1

June 21, 2018 by Rich Barnard in Acoustic, Alternative Rock, Americana, New Single, News, singer-songwriter, Showcase, Folk, Ambient

Arts funding for music in Canada means that there is a very healthy scene for up-and-coming acts. Lots of these artists reach out across the water and we’re always pleased to find their little musical messages-in-bottles washing up on the beaches of RGM Island. There’s something new and exciting there almost every day, little gems glinting on the sand as we walk the dogs along the shore. Sadly, we’re so busy writing daft metaphors we don’t have time to cover everything we’d like to in depth, so we’ve assembled a little roundup of the very best Canadian things that have come to our attention in the last couple of weeks. Keep your eyes and ears on the names and remember you (probably) heard about them first at Red Guitar.

No Coward Soul announce July 14th album launch show for 'The Almanac'

June 19, 2018 by David Vousden in Americana, Country, News, Tour Dates

London based Americana act No Coward Soul will celebrate the physical release, on CD and limited edition vinyl, of their debut album 'The Almanac' on Saturday, July 14th at London's Hoxton Square Bar and Kitchen. The album was produced by Jamie Evans (Wildwood Kin) and features a soulful take on classic country with very impressive harmonies, so a great show is on the cards. More about No Coward Soul including a taster from the album 'Death N' Texas' follows:

Counting Crows and Alison Krauss confirmed for BluesFest 2018

June 18, 2018 by David Vousden in Acoustic, Alternative Rock, Americana, Bluegrass, Blues, Classic Rock, Country, News, Tour Dates

BluesFest 2018 at London's O2 was already looking like a pretty special few days and now looks even better. Counting Crows are to headline the Sunday night of the festival and they will be joined by Alison Krauss who will also play a full set with The White Buffalo in support. I think you'd have to agree that this is a very impressive line-up for the closing night of BluesFest 2018. Previous coverage of BluesFest can be found here. More about the artists and the festival follows including ticket details:

Tom Baxter returns with 'The Other Side of Blue' on August 17th

June 15, 2018 by David Vousden in Acoustic, Folk, News, singer-songwriter

Tom Baxter will return to the spotlight with his first official release in a decade on August 17th, 2018. The singer-songwriter is probably best known for the Ivor Novello nominated 'Better' single from his 2008 'Skybound' release. 'The Other Side of Blue' finds Baxter as a true solo artist with just guitar or piano for company on a set of songs that were shaped by changes in his personal circumstances over the last few years. In a recent Scott matthews review here at RGM Rich Barnard included Tom in his songwriters that "help to restore my ailing faith in humanity" which is high praise indeed. More about Tom Baxter and the new album 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:

Sights and Sounds of Tennessee continues at London's Waterloo until June 17th

June 06, 2018 by David Vousden in Acoustic, Alt-Country, Americana, Country, News, Roots, singer-songwriter, Tour Dates

After a successful launch on June 4th with Yola Carter and Gill Landry performing shows the Sights and Sounds of Tennessee exhibit will continue at London's Waterloo station until June 17th. Over the next ten days or so some great artists will be performing 2-4pm on weekdays with a Jack Daniel's Happy Hour from 4-6pm to follow. Bennett Wilson Poole and Worry Dolls are among the top acts playing sets. More about the exhibit, including the chance to win a holiday to Tennessee, who's performing and the idea behind the exhibit follows:

Johnathan Rice is playing 'The Long Game' on new single

May 25, 2018 by David Vousden in Alternative Rock, New Single, News, singer-songwriter

Johnathan Rice has had a pretty busy career. You might not know the name but you've seen Johnathan the actor as Roy Orbison in the Johnny Cash biopic 'Walk The Line' and he contributed songs to 'Ricki And The Flash' starring Meryl Streep and Rick Springfield. Away from Hollywood, Johnathan has released three solo albums and frequently collaborates with Jenny Lewis, sometimes in the duo Jenny and Johnny. Or I could mention his session work which includes contributions to Elvis Costello's 'Momofuku' release...and I've not even got around to his poetry which went from Instagram to a book deal. As I've said, Johnathan Rice is a very busy guy with, you won't be surprised to find, a new album on the way from which the terrific 'The Long Game' is taken. The single is a near perfectly formed, and frankly quite gorgeous, 2.32 which Johnathan describes as a simple love song (the harmony vocal by Courtney Marie Andrews is stunning). The song was inspired by a comment Johnathan's friend Marc Silverstein (the director of the Amy Schumer film 'I Feel Pretty' and co-writer of 'The Vow') made one evening which stuck in Johnathan's head. More about Johnathan Rice and a stream of 'The Long Game' follows:

Luke James Shaffer 'How Sweet The Sound'

May 24, 2018 by David Vousden in Folk, New Single, News, Pop, singer-songwriter

Luke James Shaffer first came to the attention of RGM earlier this year with the infectious 'Pressure' single which cracked the top 20 of the iTunes singer/songwriter chart. His latest release 'How Sweet The Sound' lives up to the title and shows a different, more reflective side of Luke James Shaffer. Based in Washington DC Shaffer has been plying his track for a decade, originally with a run of live-looping cover tunes, but now the original material is starting to flow and 'How Sweet The Sound' is a very impressive calling card. Please read on to find out a little more about Luke James Shaffer and how sweet 'How Sweet The Sound' really is:

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:

Tony Wright & Ryan Hamilton 'Grand Ole Otley' LP and UK Tour

May 11, 2018 by David Vousden in Alternative Rock, Americana, Country, News, Tour Dates

A very welcome surprise in the RGM inbox this morning is the debut single by Tony Wright & Ryan Hamilton with their take on 'Oh Lonesome Me' the Don Gibson classic. Many RGM readers might know Ryan Hamilton from his band The Traitors while Tony Wright is best known as the frontman for Alternative UK rock act Terrorvision. An unlikely transatlantic alliance but very effective if the single is anything to go by. A full album of country classics entitled 'Grand Ole Otley' is due June 8th and the duo will be playing UK shows to coincide. To check out the single, learn more about the duo and those all-important tour dates follow:

When electronica meets country: Kate Ellis 'I Believe' (David Gould Remix)

May 09, 2018 by David Vousden in Ambient, Country, Soundcloud, Electronica, Tour Dates

Time for something a little different at RGM. Many readers will be familiar with Kate Ellis and the track 'I Believe' from her 2017 album 'Carve Me Out'. Out today is a new take on the track as producer David Gould has put together an 'ambient country' remix which mixes electronica with Kate's country vocal. Please read on to listen to the track and leave more about the thinking behind it:

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:

Terry Reid announces London date @ Nell's Jazz & Blues April 26th

April 13, 2018 by David Vousden in Blues, News, Tour Dates

Acclaimed vocalist Terry Reid has announced a show in London on April 26th at Nell's Jazz & Blues. Reid first came to prominence in the late 60's and is still going strong as evidenced by his recent contributions to Aerosmith guitarist Joe Perry's 'Sweetzerland Manifesto' release. Reid has enlisted guitarist Neil Hubbard (Joe Cocker, Kokomo, Roxy Music), bassist Jennifer Maidman (Penguin Cafe Orchestra) and drummer Ash Soan (Del Amitri / The Producers) to form a very impressive band to join him for the show. Opening the show will be a special guest singer-songwriter Jon Allen in advance of his upcoming 'Blue Flame' album release on May 18th. More about Terry Reid, ticket links etc follows: UPDATE: In very late news Jon Allen will no longer be able to perform on the night so Kaleb McKane will be filling the special guest spot.

Black Sabbath announce 'Supersonic Years' 7" Ltd Ed Vinyl Box Set

April 12, 2018 by David Vousden in Box Set, Classic Rock, Hard Rock, Metal, News, Vinyl

Black Sabbath return to the vinyl fray with a new limited edition 7" singles box set due June 8th. The new box looks like the ideal companion to last years gargantuan 'Ten Year War' offering as 'Supersonic Years' brings together the legendary metal acts 70's single releases. The set includes five rare single edits and the ten picture sleeves are a mix of hard to find worldwide reproductions and others exclusive to this set. The audio has been remastered by Andy Pearce and the set includes new liner notes. More about the box including a track listing 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:

Megan O'Neill to release new album June 8th

April 06, 2018 by David Vousden in Country, New Single, News, singer-songwriter, Tour Dates

Megan O'Neill has confirmed June 8th as the release date for her new 'Ghost Of You' album. To coincide with this announcement 'Without' is now available as a single and continues the high standard of Megan's previous two singles 'Ghost Of You' and 'Why I Need You'. Megan has plenty of touring planned for 2018 including an album launch show at 229 in London on April 26th. More about the album, the single and tour news follows:

Missed some great music in March? Check out the RGM Spotify playlist

April 04, 2018 by David Vousden in Americana, AOR, Classic Rock, Compilation, Country, Folk, Melodic Rock, Playlist, singer-songwriter

Well, it's that time again. March is behind us and we're now in April but March was another strong month musically. We had a stunning release from the legendary Joan Baez and Bennett Wilson Poole demonstrated that the UK was up to the task of presenting Americana with an English twist and plenty of 12 string Rickenbacker guitar. The UK was also represented in the field of melodic rock/AOR by FM who continue to release quality records 30+ years into their career. The UK country scene is again featured in our playlist courtesy of Holloway Road who go from strength to strength while Greece is featured for the first time via Gadless and his excellent 'Falling' single. There's plenty of musical variety this month so please don't be shy and give our playlist a go to discover some great new music.

A Song for National Autism Awareness Month from The Nadas

April 01, 2018 by David Vousden in Americana, News

April is National Autism Awareness Month in the USA with World Awareness Day falling on April 2nd. Our own National Autistic Society here in the UK has been raising awareness about autism this week leading up to April 2nd. The Nadas might not be very well known in the UK but the Iowa band recently released their eleventh album of a career that spans twenty-five years. National Autism Awareness Month has special meaning for singer-guitarist Mike Butterworth "Please enjoy this song I wrote and recorded with my band and remember that April is Autism Awareness month and that countless other families living with Autism are trying their best every day.” Please read on to check out the song 'Henry-James' and hear more from Mike as he shares some thoughts on Autism and his family: