The Tree - Lori McKenna (20/07/18)

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• Artist: Lori McKenna

• Release Date: 20th July, 2018

• Genre: Singer-Songwriter, Country, Folk

• Record Label: Cn Records

• Tracks: 11

• Website:

Home and the people who make it have captivated Lori McKenna for years. Over the last three decades, as she became a wife and mother of five, she has also emerged as one of the most respected, prolific singer-songwriters in popular music. Her 2016 release The Bird and the Rifle netted three Grammy nominations, along with Americana Music Association nods––all firsts for McKenna as an artist. Then, she made history: In 2016, she became the first woman ever to win the Country Music Association’s Song of the Year two years in a row thanks to co-writing Little Big Town’s “Girl Crush” and penning Tim McGraw’s no. 1 “Humble and Kind” solo. Both songs also clinched back-to-back Grammy wins for Best Country Song. In 2017, she became the Academy of Country Music’s first female Songwriter of the Year. The Tree is her much-anticipated eleventh studio album. Produced by Dave Cobb, The Tree takes one of McKenna’s signature themes––family––and builds a tapestry of experiences she has lived and overheard, been told and dreamed up, to create a stunning ode to life’s defining relationships.

All Ashore - Punch Brothers (20/07/18)

• Artist: Punch Brothers

• Release Date: 20th July, 2018

• Genre:

• Record Label: Nonesuch

• Tracks: 9

• Website: https://www.punchbrothers.com/

The excellent new fifth studio album from New York band the Punch Brothers, who are the quintet of mandolinist Chris Thile, guitarist Chris Eldridge, bassist Paul Kowert, banjoist Noam Pikelny and violinist Gabe Witcher. Says the Washington Post, "With enthusiasm and experimentation, Punch Brothers take bluegrass to its next evolutionary stage, drawing equal inspiration from the brain and the heart." Their upcoming album, All Ashore, is out July 20 on Nonesuch Records. ‘All Ashore’ follows Punch Brothers’ critically acclaimed T Bone Burnett–produced 2015 release, The Phosphorescent Blues, of which NPR said, “Punch Brothers sing of distraction and isolation in the digital age...the sound is all their own.” ‘For All Ashore’, the quintet again attempt to make sense of the world around them.

Just 3 EP - Little Sparrow (13/07/18)

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• Artist: Little Sparrow
• Release Date: 13th July, 2018
• Genre: Singer-Songwriter, Acoustic, Pop
• Record Label: Little Sparrow Music
• Tracks: 3
• Website: http://www.littlesparrow.org/  

Having released her debut album ‘Wishing Tree’ to critical acclaim and spending the next couple of years building on this through many successful live performances, Little Sparrow then decided to take some time out to write and record towards her highly anticipated follow up album, which she plans to release in 2019.

Her inspiration for creating the ‘Just 3’ EP was taken from the opportunity she was given in 2016 to perform on the Tim Peaks Diner stage at Kendal Calling as part of an event hosted by BBC Radio 6 & Radio 2 presenter Chris Hawkins.

Also appearing at the festival was much respected composer and musician Robin Dewhurst and suggestion was made by the organisers that Little Sparrow & Robin (along with cellist Sarah Dale) should create & record their own interpretation of 1980’s Madness single ‘Baggy Trousers’ and in addition perform it at the festival.

When performed live the team at Kendal Calling & Tim Peaks FM had this to say: “Little Sparrow & Robin performed the song live to a spellbound crowd on Chris Hawkins Tim Peaks
FM Show, creating a real ‘Kendal Calling’ moment. (It is) one of the best cover versions we have heard in years!"

Having enjoyed the experience they decided to seize this special opportunity to collaborate again and so, with the addition of two Little Sparrow originals, they have created a new EP entitled ‘Just 3’.

Lay Your Head Down - Carolina Story (13/07/18)

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• Artist: Carolina Story
• Release Date: 13th July, 2018
• Genre: Americana, Folk
• Record Label: Black River Americana
• Tracks: 12
• Website: http://www.carolinastory.com/

Songs For The Lost & Found - Hatful Of Rain (13/07/18)

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• Artist: Hatful Of Rain
• Release Date: 13th July, 2018
• Genre: Americana, Folk
• Record Label: Long Way Home Music
• Tracks:
• Website: http://www.hatfulofrain.co.uk/

For their excellent third album and the second release on their own label, the Brighton-based quartet of Chloë Overton, Phil Jones, Fred Gregory and James Shenton again meld together the Celtic, American and English folk influences. 

Hatful of Rain are a British contemporary folk group that combine powerful songwriting with musical flare, inspired by English, Celtic and American Roots styles. They use a single microphone approach to performing. This creates an intimate and engaging atmosphere characteristic of every Hatful show. They have released two albums 'Way Up On the Hill' in 2012 and 'The Morning Key' in 2014.  EP 'Climb the Air' was released last year on their own 'Long Way Home Music label' and their third album Songs of the Lost and Found is due out on 13th July.

Talk Of This Town - Catherine McGrath (27/07/18)

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• Artist: Catherine McGrath
• Release Date: 27th July, 2018
• Genre: Country
• Record Label: Warner Bros.
• Tracks: 13
• Website: http://www.catherinemcgrathmusic.com/

'Talk Of This Town' is the eagerly awaited debut album from young Irish born Country music star Catherine McGrath.