Til The Day That I Die - Gitta de Ridder

Our LCM featured artist today is another firm favourite. With her hotly anticipated debut 'Feathers' albums released last year and a new EP series project 'For Everything A Season' underway, London based Gitta de Ridder is going from strength to strength. Our LCM #TrackOfTheDay is 'Till The Day That I Die' the next single release from the wonderful 'Feathers'. With it's mournful cello bass line and chorus harmony structure its always reminds us a little of Mazzy Star's 'Into Dust'. Let us know what you think about the song and video? https://youtu.be/xF25o4j2eiI

The new album EP Box set subscription and pre-sale available now for Gitta's website.

https://www.gittaderidder.com/

A Way With Me - Jack Cathy

For our next LCM featured artist we would like to introduce an Australian singer-songwriter Jack Carty, who will be supporting the Keston Cobblers' Club on their current UK Tour. The London date is at the lovely Union Chapel on 21st April. The tour follows the hugely successful release of his fourth album 'Home State' which reached #1 on the Australian airplay and sales charts. Our LCM #TrackOfTheDay is the very good 'A Way With Me' Jack's new single released on the night of the London gig. The video has a very clever space related theme. Let us know what you think? https://youtu.be/vmfMviSvZN

Many things are born of new marriages. Matching linen, tiny humans and for Australian troubadour Jack Carty, a new album - Home State – independently released Down Under on August 5 2016 and debuting at #36 on the ARIA Albums Chart and #1 on the AIR %100 Independent Album Chart.

Home State was performed, recorded and produced by Carty in his little apartment in Brisbane’s Red Hill, during pockets of time between his upstairs neighbours’ tap-dancing and his new wife Natasha’s Netflix addiction.

From the opening groove of All At Once to the closing chorus of Wedding Song each line is considered, each melody evocative; searching, building and questioning, just like the mind that made it.

The driving rhythms and dreamy countermelodies of Instruments and Kindness Is A Dying Art brim with beauty and tension. Berlin builds through narrative wit to a blistering guitar solo. This Is What It Feels Like To Die showcases Carty’s knack for a gorgeously devastating turn of phrase; and, if you listen closely, you’ll hear a choir of cicadas lend their charm to the stunning simplicity of A Way With Me.

There is an underlying atmosphere of gratitude to this music, revealing a writer excited about the space he is inhabiting - both figuratively and physically.

Impressively, Carty took on the duties of performing every instrument himself except for the bass, which fell to longtime collaborator Gus Gardiner (Papa vs. Pretty) and a few tidy guitar solos from Jordan Millar. Carty’s cousin Airling and Jennifer Boyce (Ball Park Music) also popped in for scones and harmonies before the completed record was shipped off to Melbourne-based mixing magician Jimi Maroudas (Augie March, Kimbra, The Avalanches).

It is clear that - although Carty’s trademark honesty and hopefulness will never desert him - the lovelorn boy of One Thousand Origami Birds, Break Your Own Heart and Esk has evolved into a man of quiet confidence with a renewed excitement for stories and songwriting. Home State is undoubtedly his most accomplished record to date, in a growing catalogue of critically acclaimed releases.

The past year has been a big one for Carty including: Australian tours with Darren Hanlon, Ingrid Michaelson and (most recently) good friend and favourite Josh Pyke; his own hugely successful ‘Intimate & By Request’ run of shows; two tours the UK and Europe taking in cities from Brighton to Berlin and Spain’s famous Primavera Sound Festival; marrying his illustrator/designer sweetheart, and being named as a recipient of the biannual APRA Professional Development Award – not to mention the celebrated release of Home State and subsequent headline tour of Australia and New Zealand – his biggest and best yet.

https://www.jackcarty.com

Saskatchewan 1881 - Colter Wall

We are taking a trip to Swift Current, Saskatoon in Canada for our next LCM featured artist, Canadian singer-songwriter Colter Wall. We think that Colter has a super vocal and our LCM #TrackOfTheDay 'Saskatchewan 1881' provides a perfect live showcase session. Let us know what you think? https://youtu.be/VrIUdXrRZuY

Colter is heading to London in May on tour and you can catch him at the Servant Jazz Quarters on the 23rd and the 24th at The Borderline.

Colter Wall is a young Saskatchewan born songwriter and performing musician. Steeped in Old Timey material and traditional Americana, Wall's sound is comprised of resonate and raw baritone vocals, Folk and Bluegrass style guitar and banjo picking, steady kick-drum stomping, and visually provoking, story telling lyrics. Wall Draws influence from legends of the past such as Hank Williams, Robert Johnson, Bob Dylan, Johnny Cash, Townes Van Zandt, and The Band, as well as more modern Americana pioneers including Shovels and Rope, Jack White, Ray Lamontagne, and Shakey Graves. Despite only recently beginning his musical career, Colter Wall has been seen in the company of Saskatchewan's infamous gritty bluegrass trailblazers,The Dead South. Wall has had the opportunity to open for The Dead South on several occasions with more show's upcoming. In addition to racking up memorable live shows across the province, Wall is planning on releasing an EP in the summer of 2015 and has been busy recording at Regina's own Studio One. From dive bars to fundraiser galas, Colter Wall has a history of leaving audiences in shock at the maturity of his voice as well as his songwriting.

Colter's self titled new album is available to pre-order from his website.

http://colterwall.com

Buy Colter's latest album at Amazon

Beautiful Birds - Passenger ft Birdy

We originally shared the audio for our next LCM #TrackOfTheDay last year, shortly after the release of Mike's latest album. But now a lovely new animated video has been released. This sublime track 'Beautiful Birds' by Mike Rosenberg aka Passenger features the very appropriate young singer-songwriter Birdy. Wonderful lyrics and vocals.https://youtu.be/M2RHLZQbZCU

Mike's next London date is at Kew The Music on the 11th July.

http://passengermusic.com/

Your Only Ride - Kelly Sloan

One of the great pleasures of running LCM is meeting excellent musicians and hearing their music for the first time. Our LCM featured artist today is the latest one, Canadian singer-songwriter Kelly Sloan who headlined with her musical partner Curtis Chaffey at the The Sound Lounge last night. Our LCM #TrackOfTheDay is a lovely live acoustic version of 'Your Only Ride' taken from her 'Big Deal' album released last year. https://youtu.be/11zoMpcAvtI

Kelly is currently touring the UK promoting her 'Big Deal' album and the newly released 'Impressions' album. Kelly and Curtis will be at The Little Rabbit Barn at Ardleigh tonight and then at The Wheelwright Inn, Colyford (Devon) on Tuesday before heading for dates in Europe. Catch them if you can :)

Kelly is a classically trained singer from the Ottawa Valley who spent a third of her life in the Halifax music scene, Kelly’s sound is a blend of diverse styles, ranging from soul, folk, blues, rock & jazz. Her sound combines strong vocals with solid songwriting, backed by stellar musicians that offer a heartfelt and unique delivery. Since returning from Halifax to Ottawa, Kelly has been awarded the Galaxie Rising Star Award, has performed at major festivals and is garnering much media attention for her highly anticipated third album 'Big Deal' which was released in Spring 2016. She continues to work full-time as a touring musician and soloist for hire.

"Kelly Sloan, accomplished on both guitar and piano, has been writing her own material since 2008, with the release of her first album, 'Always Changes' (2008), followed up by her second, 'Kelly Sloan' (2010). Her new album, recorded in the fall of last year at the Echo Chamber in Halifax, remains true to her her raw and earnest songwriting style, with songs steeped in influences ranging from folk and country, to vintage flavours of 50/60’s pop and rock. However, this time, Kelly takes an adventurous step into bolder territory with a stronger presence of guitar work, varying rhythms, and some added synth, which lends to an even more diversified sound." (Terry Steeves, APT613)

http://www.kellysloan.ca/

Sangette - Minnie Birch

Our LCM featured artist today Minnie Birch is not only a wonderful singer-songwriter, but she does a lot a charity projects in her spare time. After volunteering at Care4Calais last summer she was moved to write a new song about her experiences called 'Sangatte', which is our LCM #TrackOfTheDay. https://youtu.be/tvswDNDrvXg

All funds made from purchasing the new single will go to the Care4Calais charity who work to help refugees by providing food, clothing and support.

The track is available from Itunes and all the usual platforms for 99p. but if you want to grab it from her Bandcamp page (link below) you can choose to pay what you like for it and send even more money to the charity.

https://minniebirch.bandcamp.com/track/sangatte
http://www.minniebirch.co.uk/

It Hurts Me, Too - Rob Corcoran

Joining us as special guest at St Pancras Old Church in just over a week's time is our next LCM featured artist Dublin born singer-songwriter but now London based Rob Corcoran. Rob will be joined on the night by the very talented Barbara Bartz, who some of you might know already. As a very good introduction our LCM #TrackOfTheDay is a live version of 'It Hurts Me, Too' taken from an Oak Session last year. https://youtu.be/rJCw2Vzc-nk

It’s hard to categorize Rob Corcoran’s music by genre. He sings and he writes songs, but he's not the typical singer-songwriter. He is clearly influenced by vintage American and Irish folk but he’s in no way a folk singer in the traditional sense. He cites his father’s old vinyl collection which included the likes of Bob Dylan, Makem & Clancy and Simon & Garfunkel as the early gateway to a life long fascination with songs and his later obsession with the lyrics of people like Townes Van Zandt and Leonard Cohen as providing him with the tools to explore the inner, often shadowy core of things.

Those influences are in there, there’s no doubt, some more obviously than others, but Rob's music is something very distinctive. The voice is his own. The turn of phrase is very much his own.

Here are songs, well-crafted and instantly engaging, notable for lyrics that are direct, honest, conversational and at times dark, made to soar by Rob’s soulful and distinctive vocals and the added musical finesse of multi-instrumentalist collaborators Lyle Zimmerman (mandolin, bouzouki and uke-bass) and Barbara Bartz (violin and accordion) and featuring some guest vocals by Danni Nicholls.

“There’s some serious business in these songs. A lot of sleepless nights, tinkering and revisiting went into them, haunted by the fear that one throwaway or less-than-earnest line could diminish the integrity of everything. They mean a lot to me. The pay-off is the thrill of later finding out that people enjoy them and relate to them.”

'The Heart, Head and The Long Since Dead' is Rob's debut EP was released in 2015. A full band live album 'Live in Dublin' was released last year.

https://www.robcorcoranmusic.com

Lie To Me - Twinnie

It's always great to introduce a new singer-songwriter to the Group and today it's the very multi talented Twinnie-Lee Moore, who performed at this years C2C. Twinnie who is also a TV and theatre actress is originally from York but is now London based. Our LCM #TrackOfTheDay is a lovely live acoustic version of "Lie To Me" taken from a Bob Harris UTAT session filmed late last year. https://youtu.be/YEpIlpcWpXs

The feeling of the EP is reminiscent of artists such as The Lumineers and Mumford & Sons, whilst also transcending into a more traditional pop feel akin to the likes of Ella Henderson. The Tracks are defiant and have some heart wrenching moments about losing love with swelling chorus's and soaring vocal hooks that are beautifully narrated in a story telling like manner. Twinnie is bringing a new edge and is a fresh new face to the country pop music scene.

After securing a publishing deal with Universal, Twinnie has branched out into all areas of the entertainment industry. She has performed backing vocals for the likes of Pharrell Williams and Robin Thicke (Blurred Lines and BBC Radio 1’s Live Lounge), Brian May and the Roger Taylor to name but a few. Although her roots are in England, Twinnie also travels extensively to LA and Nashville, working alongside the critically acclaimed songwriters behind artists such as Pink, James Bay, The Shires and Jason Mraz.

Twinnie’s debut single 'Cool' and second single 'Home' also reached number 2 in the iTunes county charts and she has received great support from BBC Radio 2 in particular and press from the likes of Heat Magazine, Digital Spy, Songwriting Magazine. Twinnie is now focusing on her debut album......it's one we are really looking forward to here at LCM HQ.

Why - The Cranberries

With a brand new 'unplugged' album 'Something Else' released on the 28th April supported by a European Tour, our LCM featured band today are Limerick's finest The Cranberries. The new album features the band covering classic hits from their back catalogue together with the Irish Chamber Orchestra plus three new songs. Always a super live band The Cranberries are lead singer Dolores O'Riordan, guitarist Noel Hogan, bassist Mike Hogan and drummer Fergal Lawler. Although widely associated with alternative rock, the band's sound also incorporates indie pop, post-punk, Irish folk and pop rock. Our LCM #TrackOfTheDay is an acoustic version of their catchy new single 'Why', complete with a lovely string arrangement. https://youtu.be/Ce7xqbfriNc

The band's London date is at The Palladium on the 20th May.

The track listing for the new album featuring a lot of our favourite Cranberries songs are:-

(Signed pre-order copies are available from their website shop)

https://thecranberries.tmstor.es/

Linger
The Glory
Dreams
When You're Gone
Zombie
Ridiculous Thoughts
Rupture
Ode to My Family
Free to Decide
Just My Imagination
Animal Instinct
You & Me
Why

http://www.cranberries.com/

The Wren & The Salt Air - Jenny Sturgeon

It's all very exciting at the moment as the Scottish Folk world is producing some excellent singer-songwriters. Our LCM featured artist Jenny Sturgeon is one of the new group to emerge, grow and flourish. Jenny plays in a duo with Jonny Hardie (Old Blind Dogs, Clype), and with Lauren MacColl and Ewan MacPherson in the critically acclaimed band Salt House. Our LCM #TrackOfTheDay is something quite special, it was created as part of commission by The National Trust For Scotland to celebrate 30 years of St.Kilda become a world heritage site for nature. The title track 'The Wren & The Salt Air' is a wonderful composition featuring the bird song of the very rare St. Kilda wren. The four track EP was released in February. It features the sounds of local birdlife and really atmospheric almost haunting arrangements, fiddles and vocals. It feels like you are being transported in song to the magical and mystical St. Kilda.....It's an EP that is well worth checking out.

Jenny Sturgeon is a singer-songwriter who brings together the old and new with a rare skill. The inspiration for Jenny's lyrics comes from folklore, historical events and personal experience, and having trained as a biologist her enthusiasm for nature creeps into all her work. Jenny sings with a confidence and warmth that endears her to listeners far beyond her native Aberdeenshire. Alongside beautiful interpretations of traditional song, Jenny writes and performs her own songs with a strong traditional feel delighting audiences wherever she sings In addition to touring her new album 'From The Skein', Jenny is involved in several projects including working as a songwriting workshop tutor, writing songs and tunes and collaborating with Aberdeen based artist and fabric designer Helen Ruth.

In 2015/16 year Jenny coordinated a songwriting project in conjunction with FitLike Records called 'Even in Winter', for which female musicians from different genres wrote songs inspired by the women of Aberdeen. 

https://www.jennysturgeonmusic.com

Fletcher Bay - Harry Pane

Recently performing an excellent set for us at The Sound Lounge our LCM featured artist today is Harry Pane. Harry released our LCM #TrackOfTheDay a few weeks ago, a personal and moving new single 'Fletcher Bay' which is a heart-warming tribute to his late father who sadly passed away last year. Now we have a brand new video to accompany it. https://youtu.be/Ym1Jxno_eZM

Inspired by their trip to the idyllic Fletcher Bay in Coromandel Peninsula, New Zealand and Pane’s return there to scatter his father’s ashes last year, the video features Harry performing with his acoustic guitar, entwined with scenes of him on that vast coastline. Directed by Steve Earle, it captures the emotion and personal resonance that Harry seamlessly translates through his music.

This is the first taste of new music from Harry following the release of his 2016 acclaimed EP 'Changing'. The track has been added to numerous playlists on Spotify and has been championed at radio by the likes of Kerrang Radio’s Alex Baker, BBC Introducing London and Northampton as well as BBC Oxford who have invited Harry to play at the O2 Oxford Academy on May 19th as part of their BBC Introducing Uprising showcase.

‘Fletcher Bay’ is taken from his forthcoming EP The Wild Winds, which is due out April 7th and was recorded with Dani Castelar (Paolo Nutini, REM, Snow Patrol) in Valencia at the start of the year. The EP was funded by Island Records after Harry was picked as the winner of #Roadtothe100Club, a competition organised by a new platform called 'Meet & Jam' in association with PRS for Music.

Harry releases his new 'The Wild Winds' EP at a launch gig at The Bedford in Balham which also marks the middle of a UK tour. The EP will be released on the 7th April 2017.

http://harrypane.com

In The End - Lisa Wright

It is thrilling at the moment to have some excellent young UK singer-songwriters in our part of the indie music world and another of our favourites is our next LCM featured artist Essex based Lisa Wright. Lisa is currently the Nashville Songwriters Association's 'Artist to Watch' and BBC Introducing Essex 'Sound of 2017'. She will be releasing her eagerly anticipated new EP 'Wednesday's Child' on the 23rd April. Our LCM #TrackOfTheDay is a super live version of 'In The End',a song written with Holloway Road. https://youtu.be/CD2c0TbzY4w

Despite graduating with an acting degree from the Liverpool Institute of Performing Arts (LIPA), Lisa is quickly becoming known as a fast rising star within the UK’s country scene.

2015 was a game-changer for Lisa. In January, she toured the UK, opening for a number of artists including SaraBeth, Jess & The Bandits and Honey Ryder. The combination of her unique songwriting style and on-stage charisma started to cause a buzz within the UK scene, soon catching the attention of some of Nashville's top producers.

So, in the summer, Lisa flew to Nashville to record her debut EP 'Before I Die', also giving her debut performance at the prestigious Bluebird Cafe. Upon release, 'Before I Die' entered into the iTunes country charts at No.4, making Lisa the only independent UK artist in the Top 20. Since then the tracks have been featured on country radio both in the US and UK, including BBC Introducing, BBC Essex and Amazing Radio.

Described as a cross between Alison Krauss and Kacey Musgraves and bringing an "element of modernity to country/folk", it is no wonder the Nashville Songwriters' Association (NSAI) recognised Lisa as their 'One to Watch'.

Lisa is currenting starring in the West End as Rasa Davies in #SunnyAfternoonUKTour @kinksmusical

http://www.lisawrightmusic.com/

Cinderella - Catherine McGrath

After an super supporting set at Bush Hall for the wonderful Cam our LCM featured artist is a very talented young singer-songwriter originally from Northern Ireland but now London based. Catherine McGrath has recently release a lovely new single called starting from now which is worth checking out (audio in the comments below). Our LCM #TrackOfTheDay is a live version of 'Cinderella' taken from her 2016 debut EP 'One'. We love Catherine's vocals :) https://youtu.be/FDo76AakiP0

Hailing from the rural outskirts of Belfast the 19-year-old singer-songwriter began her musical path when she picked up a guitar and began teaching herself to play music, to accompany her voice. With musical parents by her side and the traditional Irish folk scene around her she delved into the world of music playing regularly at her parents’ Fiddler’s Green Festival. Although thousands of miles from the country music epicentre Nashville, Catherine first discovered her adoration for the sound after being won over by Taylor Swift’s self-titled pre-pop album. Her desire to learn more saw her explore deeper into the genre’s new era of talent in the shape of Kacey Musgraves, Dan + Shay and Maddie & Tae. “Interestingly, Catherine McGrath is a name that is familiar to me as she was a special guest for The Sisterhood’s first headline London show at The Lexington. With just her voice and an acoustic guitar, she captivated the audience with her own compositions such as ‘Cinderella’ as they were full of tone and reminded me of early Taylor Swift e.g. ‘Love Story’. With songs as lyrically strong as this, 2017 is set to secure Catherine McGrath is set to secure a new legion of fans.” Catherine explains, “fit all of the different parts of my personality… I’m writing music that I genuinely love and I care about the message that I’m sending out.”

Little Black Dress - Jarrod Dickenson

After a super set at C2C our next LCM featured singer-songwriter will be headlining at the Borderline on March 23rd as part of a UK and Ireland Tour. Jarrod Dickenson comes from Waco in Texas but is now based in Brooklyn, New York. His music is a fusion of Folk, Americana, Blues, Soul, Country and Rock and Roll, Jarrod is another musician to have to your radar and well worth seeing live. Our LCM #TrackOfTheDay is a live version of 'Little Black Dress' taken from his 2012 'The Lonesome Traveller' album. https://youtu.be/OdKDL5VIre4…

Storytelling is something of a Texas tradition. Tall hats and even taller tales are woven into the fabric of The Lone Star State, and singer-songwriter, Jarrod Dickenson can spin a yarn with the best of them. Hailing from Waco, now based in Brooklyn, Jarrod spends most of his time on the road bringing his own particular brand of soulful Americana to a wide variety of music loving audiences around the globe.

Jarrod's critically acclaimed album 'The Lonesome Traveler' and his subsequent EP 'Songs From Willow St' paved the way for him to tour the UK, Ireland and Europe extensively over the last several years. Breakout performances at Glastonbury and Larmer Tree Festival, along with recent tours supporting legendary artists such as Bonnie Raitt, Don McLean and The Waterboys have earned Jarrod a formidable and loyal fan base across the globe, including BBC radio hosts Dermot O'Leary, Cerys Matthews, Huey Morgan, Janice Long, Robert Elms and Alex Lester.

With a brand new album slated for March 2017 release, expect big things from Jarrod in the months to come.

https://www.jarroddickenson.com

Time Takes Time - Supermoon

It's always exciting when two friends combine on a new musical project and it's our pleasure to introduce today's LCM featured duo Supermoon - Hannah Elizabeth and Griff Jameson. A stunning collaboration between two rising stars of the UK folk/pop/rock scene, Griff Jameson from Fred's House and Hannah Elizabeth, one third of Said The Maiden. Our LCM #TrackOfTheDay is a beautiful ballad and their first single 'Time Takes Time'. 

Initially a solo project for Griff in between Fred's House albums, frequent live performances with the in-demand Hannah quickly found the pair collaborating, simply enjoying the thrill of producing music together and creating what has now become the 'Supermoon' sound.

Playing all over the UK with Said the Maiden, Hannah Elizabeth's influences are very much planted within traditional folk roots. This is a stark contrast to Griff Jameson's recent musical history, having penned a string of quirky rock/pop anthems for Fred's House.

Together, Supermoon arguably offers the best of both backgrounds; this is simplistic, classic songwriting at its best: stripped back, harmony-driven with just a guitar, violin and exquisite vocals. The duo's forthcoming EP is a fine example of two outstanding talents hitting their creative peak; intelligent, beautifully crafted acoustic adult pop that never fails to hit the mark.

Touring to promote the release, Supermoon will be making their debut appearance at The Portland Arms, Cambridge (opening up for Ivor Novello award winning Scott Matthews), and launching their Supermoon EP at The Blue Moon, Cambridge, on 18th March 2017.

SUPERMOON Tour Dates

Thurs 9th March, The Portland Arms, supporting Scott Matthews, CAMBRIDGE 7.30pm Sat 19th March, The Blue Moon, LAUNCH PARTY - CAMBRIDGE 7.30pm Sun 20th March, Empire Records, ST.ALBANS 2pm Thurs 13th April, The Half Moon, BISHOPS STORTFORD 8pm Thurs 20th April, The Cherry Tree, Redbourne Folk Club, REDBOURNE 8pm Wed 26th April, The Guildhall, NORWICH

Godsend - Robbie Cavanagh

For our next LCM featured artist we would love to introduce the very talented Manchester based singer songwriter Robbie Cavanagh. Robbie has just released his excellent new single and our LCM Track Of The Day 'Godsend'. We like this one a lot. https://youtu.be/Gu00tF2PtCo

Robbie Cavanagh performs melodic, haunting yet beautiful music, combining his intricate guitar playing with powerful, emotive lyrics. Following the release of his critically acclaimed debut album, ‘The State Of Maine’ in April 2014, Robbie has made a big impact on the country/Americana scene. Developing a dedicated and loyal following around the UK. Robbie writes poetic and starkly honest songs, and performs them with a real passion and sincere honesty that other artists can only attempt to imitate.

http://www.robbiecavanagh.co.uk/

Ones You Love The Most - Kate Ellis

For our next LCM featured artist we would love to introduce an Americana singer/songwriter who was born in Louisiana, raised in New York and is now based in London. Kate Ellis has recently released her wonderful new single 'Ones You Love The Most', which reminds us of Kate Wolf and Emmylou Harris.

If you would like to catch Kate live in London she is playing at the Lucky Pig on 7th March and then at Softly, Softly, Crouch End on 4th June.

Having performed in festivals and concerts across the USA, London and Paris, the timeless sound of her music reflects her love of classic singer-songwriters from Gram Parsons and Gillian Welch, to Mary Chapin Carpenter, Leonard Cohen and Nanci Griffith.

Kate’s southern country-folk roots come from her father, an important early musical influence who once played guitar with Hank Williams on the famous Louisiana Hayride, where Elvis and Johnny Cash started out. The story of her upbringing provides an
interesting background to her musical journey - as well as being a musician, her father worked as an architect and academic in
Manhattan, and her mother was a prominent New York magazine editor. Although Kate had a natural talent for classical piano
and art in her early years, she found herself following a different path before pursuing music, attending law school and eventually
becoming a lawyer. Her debut single ‘Ones You Love The Most’ is released on 10th February 2017.

Observer: “Kate Ellis writes hauntingly beautiful songs and has an amazing voice, I’m a fan!”

TheMediaEye.com: “Kate’s contemporary country-folk classic sound and a voice best described as a cross between Emmylou Harris and Suzanne Vega, make her debut album eagerly anticipated.”

Kate's debut album is due for release in May 2017.

https://www.kateellis.com/

I Didn't Try Hard Enough - Kris Drever

We have been big fans of this gentleman for a while now. A superb singer-songwriter and vocalist, our LCM Featured artist today is Scottish born Kris Drever. One third of the excellent and multi-award-winning Lau. We have chosen one of our favourite songs from Kris' last album 'If Wishes Were Horses' released in March last year. It also celebrates his first decade as an acclaimed solo artist and songwriter. It was his first solo album for six years. Our LCM #TrackOfTheDay is wonderful 'I Didn't Try Hard Enough' Enjoy :) https://youtu.be/VT61DOTJRQQ?list=FLvfeLgDEvtTVxS0YFysy-ew

If Wishes Were Horses is a collection of semi-biographical songs covering the universal, and not so universal, themes of education, politics, sex, love, ennui, self-employment, social migration and Shetland. Drever’s recent outpouring of songs stems from a move back to the Northern Isles, Shetland this time rather than his native Orkney and the discovery of new lyrical voices to describe his life, times and wild new surroundings.

Helping Kris realise the album are the renowned guitar genius Ian Carr, ace bassist Euan Burton and Admiral Fallow frontman Louis Abbott on drums and vocals.

Drever’s voice and guitar is a part of the backbone of today’s contemporary roots and folk scene. Hugely admired as a solo artist, collaborator, and member of folk superstars Lau, he is a phenomenal and prolific artist. Drever has already played alongside Jack Bruce, Bela Fleck, Tinariwen, Joan As Police Woman, Jerry Douglas, Danny Thompson, Tim O’Brien, Sarah Jarosz, Shawn Colvin, Phil Cunningham, Rosanne Cash, Roddy Woomble, Eddi Reader, Adem, Kate Rusby, Julie Fowlis, Karine Polwart and many more.

Alongside the new material from If Wishes Were Horses, Kris will revisit old songs from across his back catalogue playing many outside of the recording studio for the first time. Fans can get involved by posting, on his Facebook page, old songs they would like to hear; Kris will then pick from those selections.

These Things Will Come - Kate Dimbleby

Our LCM featured artist London based singer-songwriter Kate Dimbleby is the latest very good addition to the Folkstock family. London based Kate is releasing her new album 'Songbirds' today at a gig at the Now Gallery. Our LCM #TrackOfTheDay is a live looped of 'These Things They Will Come' taken from a gig at Ustinov Studio, Bath Theatre Royal on 18 Feb 2017. https://youtu.be/5z3dWzUX82w

Described by The Times as ‘One of the most versatile singers on the jazz/blues circuit.. opening up her own Third Way, part-cabaret, part pop concert’ Kate Dimbleby is a natural born performer.

Drawn to music from a young age, she grew up in a family where performing was the norm. Her father is the broadcaster David Dimbleby, and her mother was a trained classical singer. Her uncle on her mother’s side played jazz piano, trumpet and blues harp, and inspired her with his collection of gramaphone records. Her debut album 'Good Vibrations' was released by Black Box Music in 1998.

Kate’s fourth album, a collaboration with pianist Naadia Sheriff “Beware of Young Girls : the songs of Dory Previn” was chosen as one of Sunday Times Top Ten Jazz Records of 2012. The duo have played on Jools Holland’s Radio Show (R2), Woman’s Hour (R4) and this month on In Tune (R3). The live show that premiered at the Matcham Room, Leicester Square Hippodrome was directed by award-winning director Cal McCrystal and is touring the UK this year. Naadia and Kate are also featured in Nick Murphy’s new thriller “Blood” to be released in March starring Paul Bettany. Kate’s first album of original songs, “Things As They Are” is being re-released by Proper Music at the end of February.

As a jazz singer, Kate has released four albums, sold out the Festival Hall, toured internationally and appeared regularly on national radio. Her second album, Ain’t This Cosy, inspired by the life and music of Peggy Lee and recorded with the Geoff Eales trio, was released in 2000 to accompany a 50 date sell-out national tour of her one-woman show Fever! The Making of Peggy Lee, written by Lucy Powell. The show went on to tour Australia and New Zealand and Kate was asked to devise a show with the BBC Big Band at the Festival Hall in 2003 which toured theatres around the UK.

Kate and her jazz trio (“So tight they’re almost vacuum-packed” Time Out) went on to devise Music to Watch Boys By with One Man Two Guvnors/Cirque du Soleil director Cal McCrystal. A whistlestop musical tour of the Seven Ages of Man including songs by Tom Waits, Dean Martin, Elvis Costello and Queen, it had highly successful runs in London and Edinburgh and played several festivals in Australia and New Zealand.

In 2003, Kate moved to Vancouver Island with her husband where she wrote an album of original songs and rediscovered her own voice after several years of playing Peggy Lee.

Returning to the UK, the next few years were spent writing and performing her own songs, training as an Alexander Technique teacher, having two children and recording and collaborating with other artists and songwriters.

In 2009, Kate released ‘Things As They Are’, an album of original songs recorded with her original band. Featuring Malcolm Edmonstone on piano, Jonty Fisher on bass and Ben Reynolds (voted best newcomer for BBC Jazz Awards 2008). The band went on to play venues throughout the UK and at the end of 2010 Kate devised a new cabaret show ‘I’m a Woman’, a celebration of all the women singers who have inspired her, 5 years after the birth of her first daughter. The critically acclaimed show ran for 5 weeks in Hampstead and toured festivals in the UK.

One of the songs from the show, “Lady with the Braid” gained particular interest and it was this that encouraged Kate and pianist Naadia Sheriff to collaborate on ‘Beware of Young Girls : the songs of Dory Previn.

Kate began her career aged 16 as a singer in an all girl group called “The City Charmers”. The grouped busked in Covent Garden, were spotted for Sky TV’s “Star Search” and won a record deal. She honed her jazz skills as a regular singer at Birmingham jazz clubs whilst at university. Moving back to London, she quickly established herself on the jazz scene playing many of the UK’s most prestigious venues. A love of cabaret resulted in a residency as host and singer at Soho’s exclusive club Kabaret as well as frequent guest spots at Lenny Beige’s Regency Rooms and Madame Jo Jo’s in Soho.

http://www.katedimbleby.com/

1954 - Hannah Rose Platt

Our next LCM featured artist fast rising Americana singer-songwriter Hannah Rose Platt is headlining at the Green Note tomorrow for Belles and Gals. Support comes from LCM favourite Kaity Rae. Our LCM #TrackOfTheDay is a lovely live version of '1954' taken from one of Bob's great UTAT sessions recorded last year. '1954' is told through the eyes of an elderly woman suffering from dementia who waits every night for her husband to pick her up as she recalls their first date, while Birthday Card is a tender letter from a mother written to her daughter from prison. 1954’ has also been featured in Channel 4’s Hollyoaks several times this year. https://youtu.be/mCFrVnKqHY8

We are thrilled that Hannah is part of our LCM FB Group :)

Hannah Rose Platt is an enchanting singer-songwriter, talented storyteller and guitarist. She recorded her debut album 'Portraits in Nashville' last year (produced by herself and Michael Bonagura) where she worked with some of the industry’s leading names including Grammy award-winning musicians Mark Fain, (Ricky Skaggs, Dolly Parton), Stuart Duncan (Emmylou Harris, Dolly Parton, The Nashville Bluegrass Band, Robert Plant & Alison Krauss) and Jeff Taylor (The Time Jumpers, Elvis Costello).

Her melodic, poetic and accessible music offers self-written narratives to ordinary people who had no one to unfurl their stories; tales of luck, stoicism, loneliness, love, heartbreak and hope. While avoiding clichés, she warmly builds characters like an author, penning songs that almost eavesdrop on other people’s lives.

Lyrics are the mainstay of her work, while subtle acoustic arrangements and beautiful guitar hooks form an uplifting backdrop. Hannah’s stories get under your skin…she plays with sentiment without being saccharine, focusing on optimism infused with realism and honesty.

Born and raised in Liverpool, Hannah began playing the guitar when she was five, teaching herself how to play. Her musical education came from her stepfather who would encourage her to listen to a wide variety of music, scouring his extensive record collection for inspiration for her.

Having played gigs around the country and in the USA, she released Portraits independently last spring. The album has already received widespread critical acclaim and considerable airplay on BBC Introducing, Ralph McLean Country (BBC Radio Ulster), The Front Porch with Baylen Leonard at Amazing Radio, Resonance FM, and Europe’s leading country radio station CMR Nashville.

Hannah’s track ‘ Portraits was included in Glamour Magazine’s ‘Summer soundtrack 2015, was featured in several ‘Best Of 2015’ lists, and also featured on the back cover of Maverick Magazine and on their compilation CD. Hannah’s performance highlight of 2015 was a slot at Summertyne Americana Festival 2015, (alongside artists such as Rosanne Cash and Emmylou Harris) as well as gigging up and down the country with acts such as Don Gallardo, Sid Griffin, and BJ Barham.

Hannah was invited to legendary BBC presenter Bob Harris’ home to film an ‘Under the Apple Tree Session’ for Whispering Bob TV. She has also appeared several time on Liverpool’s Local TV Channel BAY TV and delivered a Masterclass lecture on song-writing and her independent record release at Paul McCartney’s Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts.

Hannah’s gigging highlight of 2016 year was being chosen to perform by Baylen Leonard, at the inaugural ‘Nashville Meets London’ festival at Canary Wharf alongside acts such as Logan Brill and award winning Nashville artist Ty Herndon. Hannah is now based in London writing her second album, and is gigging across the UK with a fantastic five-piece band.

http://hannahroseplatt.com