James Riley - Lightning Strikes

LCM Song Of The Day: ‘Lightning Strikes’ - James Riley

Our featured track today ‘Lightning Strikes’ is by fast rising London based singer-songwriter James Riley. It’s taken from his debut album ’Transatlantica’ released in 2018 and produced by Grammy-winning Matthew Odmark. James will be headlining with his band on May 16th at the intimate and multi-award winning Green Note in Camden. Also watch out for his new single ‘New York Minute’.

Born of a transatlantic partnership, James grew up in South East London listening to the folk and soul sound of 70s America and wrote his first melody at the age of four. His first guitar, acquired at the age of nine, became the tool for surviving the tumult of a nowhere place, and helped James find somewhere he felt he belonged. In his early twenties, he took off, alone once again, hitchhiking and busking through Europe from Amsterdam to Istanbul, writing songs along the way. Back in the UK, these songs became a band, but eventually James had to shed another skin, and disembarked in Nashville, Tennessee. Here he found his producer and they set about making the album which had traveled with him to his maternal homeland, where it could finally get free.

https://www.jamesrileymusic.com

Alice Wallace - The Blue

LCM Song Of The Day: ‘The Blue’ - Alice Wallace

Our featured track today is the excellent classic title track from Alice’s latest album ‘Into The Blue’. The multi-award winning Alice is based in Los Angeles and the wonderful video that accompanies the song is filmed across Southern California.

Watch out for news of Alice’s UK tour later in the year.

https://www.alicewallacemusic.com

The Avett Brothers - February Seven

LCM Song Of The Day: ‘February Seven’ - The Avett Brothers

We are big fans of North Carolina based The Avett Brothers here at LCM HQ. Our featured track today is a gem from their back catalogue, the wonderful ‘February Seven’ taken from their 2012 ‘The Carpenter’ album. We love the very memorable chorus to this one.

If you are also a fan of The Avett Brothers please leave us a comment below

https://www.theavettbrothers.com

Amit Dattani - Hummingbird

LCM Song Of The Day: ‘Hummingbird’ - Amit Dattani

We take a trip to Birmingham today to meet our next featured artist singer-songwriter Amit Dattani. Amit is known for his unique brand of roots-driven guitar and striking lyrical originality. Behind his raconteur spirit lies superb musicianship, nimble finger-picking and a versatility which has garnered a strong reputation on the live circuit, with over ten years performing across the UK and Europe under his belt. Our featured track today is a live version of ‘Hummingbird’ taken from his debut solo album ‘Santiago’ released on the 17th February.. The video was recorded by our good friend Rob Bridge at Redwood Photography.
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Amit has played guitar, banjo and lap slide guitar in a number of roots bands across the Midlands, but is now embarked on a solo career. He has shared the stage with the likes of Charlie Parr, John Smith, Blind Boy Paxton, Willy Vlautin, Kathryn Williams and Mark Morris.

https://www.amitdattanimusic.com

Hollie Rogers - Trouble

LCM Song Of The Day: ‘Trouble’ - Hollie Rogers

Our featured track today is a great live version of a Ray LaMontagne classic from the very fast rising Hollie Rogers. It’s taken from a recent live ‘Under The Apple Tree’ session at the home of legendary broadcaster Bob Harris. She is joined on the track by the very talented Maya McCourt on cello and Thomas Holder on double bass

Producer/sound engineer/editor: Miles Myerscough-Harris

If you are in London you can catch Hollie and her band at an intimate performance at The Camden Chapel on March 28th hosted by our friends at Talentbanq..

https://www.hollierogers.com

Passenger - Restless Winds

LCM Song Of The Day: ‘Restless Wind’ - Passenger

Our featured track today is Mike’s wonderful latest single ‘Restless Wind’ taken from his ‘Runaway’ album released in August last year. We love the sentiments in the lyrics, Let us know what you think?

“Well hello there restless wind Its been a long time since you’ve blown through these streets, I really don’t mind If you pick me up off my feet just one last time and take me where you’ve gotta go. See I’ve been tied to a mast. Anchored to a shore. Buried in the earth and rooted to the floor. As long as you’re willing then I’ll be sure to go with you where you’ve gotta go…and I don’t mind where it is we go”

Photo credit: Jarrad Seng

https://passengermusic.com

Mile Twelve - Rocket Man

LCM Song Of The Day: ‘Rocket Man’ - Mile Twelve

After playing their first London date at the much loved Green Note last night, our next LCM featured artists are the excellent Boston based multi award winning Bluegrass band Mile Twelve. Their wonderful encore song was the iconic Elton classic ‘Rocket Man’. Mile Twelve’s highly anticipated latest album ‘City On A Hill’ is set for release on the 29th March and we have added a link below for you to pre-order..

If you missed them yesterday in London, they have promised to return soon. They also still have four further dates on their UK tour if you would like to catch them in Lowestoft, Spalding, Selby and Saltaire.

Although their sound is rooted in traditional bluegrass, Mile Twelve surveys a broader landscape on their newest album, ‘City on a Hill’. All five band members bring their own influences and observations into the music, resulting in a project that feels contemporary, thoughtfully crafted, and relevant. Produced by Bryan Sutton and engineered by Ben Surratt, ‘City on a Hill’ follows significant recognition from the bluegrass community, including three IBMA Momentum Awards. With members based in Boston and Nashville, the lineup includes David Benedict (mandolin), Catherine “BB” Bowness (banjo), Bronwyn Keith-Hynes (fiddle), Evan Murphy (acoustic guitar, lead vocals), and Nate Sabat (bass, lead vocals).

https://www.miletwelvebluegrass.com

Darrell Scott - Love is The Reason

LCM Song Of The Day: ‘Love Is The Reason’ - Darrell Scott.

If you haven’t discovered Bob Harris’ ‘Under The Apple Tree’ live sessions then they come very highly recommended by all of us at LCM, Our featured song today is an acoustic live performance by Nashville based mutli award winning singer-songwriter Darrell Scott. The session was produced and edited by Bob’s son Miles Myerscough-Harris.

Scott has collaborated with Steve Earle, Sam Bush, Emmylou Harris, John Cowan, Verlon Thompson, Guy Clark, Tim O'Brien, Kate Rusby, Jimmie Dale Gilmore, Mary Gauthier, Dan Tyminski, and many others. His music has attracted a growing fanbase, and he tours regularly with his own band. His album, Crooked Road, was released May 25, 2010. In early 2005, Scott's Theatre Of The Unheard won in The 4th Annual Independent Music Awards for Album of the Year.

He won the 2007 Song of the Year award from the Americana Music Association for his song "Hank William's Ghost" which appears on his album The Invisible Man released in 2006.

In 2010, he was announced as part of the Band of Joy, alongside Robert Plant, credited as performing vocals, mandolin, guitar, accordion, pedal, lap steel and banjo.

In 2010, Brad Paisley's cover of the song "You'll Never Leave Harlan Alive" was the closing song played on the TV drama ‘Justified’ during the final scene of the final episode of the first season. It was used again in the final episode of the second season. In January 2011, his album ‘A Crooked Road’ won the award for the Country Album category from The 10th Annual Independent Music Awards.

For all Dixie Chicks fans Darrell also wrote ‘Long Time Gone’ and ‘Heartbreak Town’.

Photo credit: Rodney Bursiel Photography

http://www.darrellscott.com

The Cactus Blossoms - Desperado

LCM Song Of The Day: ‘Desperado’ - The Cactus Blossoms

We head to Minneapolis today to meet Jack Torrey and Page Burkum better know as The Cactus Blossoms. With Everly Brothers-style harmonies and vintage country influenced rock’n’roll ballads, what’s not to love! Our featured track is a live version of the retro sounding ‘Desperado’ recorded at a Current radio session. It’s taken from their self-produced third studio album ‘Easy Way’ released on March 1st through Walkie Talkie Records.

http://www.thecactusblossoms.com

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Jaywalkers - Set Me Free

LCM Song Of The Day: ‘Set Me Free’ - Jaywalkers

We head to the North West today to meet the wonderful and fast rising young Americana, Bluegrass and Folk trio the Jaywalkers. The band features Jay Bradberry (fiddle, vocals, guitar), Michael Giverin (mandolin, guitar, harmony vocals) and Lucille (bass, harmony vocals). We really like this catchy live version of ‘Set Me Free’ filmed in Chester last year. It’s taken from their latest album ‘Time to Save the World’ released in November.

If you would like to see the Jaywalkers live in London they will be performing at the Green Note on July 20th.

Over the last few years, Jaywalkers have cemented their place as one of the most exciting, virtuosic and entertaining young bands working on the British Acoustic Music scene. Effortlessly creating a unique sound based on their collective and individual musical backgrounds, the band takes influence from Folk, Bluegrass, Country and Western Swing music in the form of virtuosic instrumentals, three part harmony and impressive slap bass. Add good humour, tasteful arrangements and exceptional musicianship to the mix and they are guaranteed to put a smile on your face…. The music Jaywalkers create is innovative, rooted deeply in tradition, and exhilarating.

https://www.jaywalkers.co.uk

Jamestown Revival - Crazy World (Judgement Day)

LCM Song Of The Day: ‘Crazy World (Judgement Day) - Jamestown Revival

Our featured artists today are one of our favourite US duos, Austin Texas based Jamestown Revival. ‘Crazy World’ is the first song from their upcoming third album ‘San Isabel’ set for release later this year.

Jon and Zach comment “Crazy World’ is a song meant for contemplation. At its core, the song is about feeling a bit helpless; feeling like there’s nothing we can do to stop the news from just repeating itself. It’s the bar stool conversation you might have with a stranger as another dismal headline makes its way across the TV screen. Yeah man, it’s still a crazy world… It’s not finger-pointing in any one direction, but a call to action for everyone one of us to reflect and consider our role in this current state of affairs.”

https://jamestownrevival.com

Elizabeth and Jameson - Picture

LCM Song Of The Day: ‘Pictures’ - Elizabeth & Jameson

Perfect for a sunny Sunday is ‘Pictures’ the latest song from Hannah and Griff. We love the use of the new bi-directional condenser mic which creates a lovely rich and 3D sound, The live video is taken from a recent Myrtle session. It is the first in a three video series.

'Picture' is a new song written for our Whitby Project, inspired by the work of photographer Frank Meadow Sutcliffe who lived and worked in Whitby during the late 19th century. Sutcliffe became renowned for his ability to capture images which illustrated 'real life' in Whitby.

Hannah and Griff are currently touring the UK and their London date is at the Green Note on May 1st. Also watch out for new music coming very soon.

Please check their website for all other tour dates.

https://www.elizabethandjameson.co.uk

Jimmie Allen and Abby Anderson - Shallow

LCM Song Of The Day: ‘Shallow’ - Jimmie Allen and Abby Anderson

We love this new cover of ‘Shallow’ by two very fast rising US Country music stars Jimmie Allen and Abby Anderson released yesterday. The song was written by Lady Gaga with Mark Ronson, Anthony Rossomondo and Andrew Wyatt. Both Jimmie and Abby will be at C2C in London in March….catch them if you can.

Big thanks to Luke Roberts at Lime Tree PR for sending us the song and video.

On the heels of the release of his second single “Make Me Want To,” now in its fourth week at Country radio, and a first-time nomination this week for New Male Artist of the Year at the upcoming ACM Awards, country music breakout Jimmie Allen and fellow country newcomer Abby Anderson have released their own cover of the hit song “Shallow.” The GRAMMY and Golden Globe winning smash performed by Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper in the critically acclaimed and Oscar nominated film “A Star is Born” is up for “Best Original Song” at the 91st Academy Awards ceremony airing this Sunday, February 24.

The accompanying video shows a split screen of Allen and Anderson going about their daily lives before uniting in the studio to deliver the passionately soulful chorus together in perfect harmony. Watch the video here.

“‘A Star is Born’ was one of my favorites from last year, and the performance of this song in the film really moved me as an artist,” shares Allen. “I had chills! Getting to cover ‘Shallow’ with my good friend Abby was such a cool experience. She’s an incredible vocalist, and I’m excited for fans to hear our take on the song.”

“I think I speak for everyone when I say that I bawled like a baby during ‘A Star Is Born.’ The song ‘Shallow’ immediately stood out to me,” says Anderson. “When Jimmie called and asked if I would sing on this song with him, I was honored. I mean I’m no Lady Gaga, but working on this with Jimmie, who pours his whole heart into a song vocally, was an absolute joy.”

Allen burst onto the country music scene with his breakout three-week No. 1 debut single, “Best Shot,” described by Rolling Stone as a “rare honest love song, with a catchy, melodic chorus that flirts with pop-rock power balladry,” and enabled the Delaware native to etch his name in history as the first black artist to launch their career with a No. 1 at Country radio.

The pop-infused follow up single, “Make Me Want To,” is the second from Allen’s Stoney Creek Records / BBR Music Group debut album Mercury Lane, which The New York Times asserts is one of 2018’s strongest and describes it as “a conventional country album, filled with songs about the small details.” Allen is currently supporting Kane Brown on his Live Forever Tour where he continues to break new ground for African-American country artists. He will also be hitting the road this summer as support on Chris Young’s Raised on Country Tour and Rascal Flatts’ Summer Playlist Tour.

Named one of The Bobby Bones Show’s “Class of 2019,” Abby Anderson is also one of MusicRow’s “Next Big Thing for 2019,” and is included in Sounds Like Nashville’s “19 New Country Artists to Watch in 2019,” NYCountry Swag’s “2019 Artists to Watch” and Country Music Tattle Tale’s “Artists to Watch in 2019.” Armed with that support, Anderson is set to take the stage at several music festivals this year including Stagecoach, Tortuga Music Festival, Country Thunder, and Off the Rails Country Music Fest. Making her first international appearance, Anderson is due to perform at C2C in London, UK on March 8. Finishing up in the recording studio now, Anderson is set to release new music on Black River Entertainment this spring.

Photo credit: Austin Peckham

Judah and the Lion (ft. Kasey Musgraves) - Pictures

LCM Song of The Day: ‘Pictures’ - Judah & the Lion (ft. Kacey Musgraves)

When Nashville based trio Judah & The Lion recruited Kacey Musgraves for their latest single, ‘Pictures’, they didn’t realise that their new collaborator would soon become a four-time Grammy winner by the time the song was released.

Accolades aside, the track is a beautifully heartbreaking ballad that deals with the topic of divorce and deceit. Singer Judah Akers trades verses and choruses with the country star before coming together in harmony to sing the gut-wrenching line: "And I hate that I'm taking our pictures off the wall."

Akers explained the song's origin in a statement, admitting it came to him when his family was coming apart at the seams. “I had a really deep moment with my mom when she called me and broke down bawling about how hard it was to move from our family house,” He explained. “I wrote the song from her perspective and it came in a flood, in five minutes, right after the call. I needed to write it because I was heartsick."

https://judahandthelion.com

Jeremy Loops - Waves

LCM Song Of The Day: ‘Waves’ - Jeremy Loops

Our next LCM featured artist is Cape Town based singer-songwriter Jeremy Loops. The melodic and catchy ‘Waves’ is taken from his latest album ‘Critical As Water’ released in March last year.

Jeremy is currently on tour and will be headlining at The O2 Brixton Academy on November 23rd.

Juxtaposing booming city rhythms with lilting folk, Jeremy Loops perfectly captures the duality of his South African life. The extremes aren't new to the singer, who by day travels to the furthest corners of Africa to battle deforestation through his organization, Greenpop, and by night resumes as raconteur for raucous fans around the world.

Loops debuted at #1 on iTunes in South Africa with his debut album ‘Trading Change’, headlined major festivals, and maintained #1 on the three most prominent radio stations in Southern Africa with "Down South", his breakout single. This South African success was followed by top 40 iTunes debuts in Switzerland, Germany, Belgium, France, and the United Kingdom. Down South has since amassed more than 20 million streams on Spotify alone, and charted on Spotify UK's viral 50.

To say Jeremy merely roams is a disservice to his boundless activism, through his environmental work at Greenpop, he traverses Southern Africa teaching underprivileged schoolchildren how to protect their planet. This connection with the planet and its inhabitants is just one element of the broken tale Loops tells on Trading Change. Fraught with lost love and moving on, Trading Change is a fervent letter on embracing those intimate wounds and taking flight.

http://jeremyloops.com

Ruth Notman and Sam Kelly - Changeable Heart

LCM Song Of The Day: ‘Changeable Heart’ - Ruth Notman and Sam Kelly

Our featured track today is the beautiful and soaring first single from an exciting new duo, bringing together two of the finest folk voices Sam Kelly and Ruth Notman. Their new debut duo album ‘Changeable Heart’ is set for release on March 15th via Pure Records. The album is produced by the very talented Damien O’Kane and I think this track has a similar feel and style to Kate Rusby’s last album. Damien also guests on acoustic and electric tenor guitar, baritone guitar and tenor banjo, alongside Josh Clark on percussion, synth and electric bass, Anthony Davis on keyboards and strings and Ross Ainslie on whistles. We think the album is set to be one of the most folk exciting releases of 2019.

Sam had long admired Ruth’s musical talent. He says: “In my mind it was depriving the folk scene with her not performing.” He decided to contact her out of the blue. Ruth was completing her medical studies; the pair met and got on and the stage was set for them to work together.

Watch out for a full album review coming very soon

Ruth and Sam will be touring the UK in early April with their London date at Rich Mix on April 8th

Photo credit: Rob Bridge (Redwood Photography)

www.notmanandkelly.com

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Hattie Briggs - Just Breathe

LCM Song Of The Day: ‘Just Breathe’ - Hattie Briggs

A perfect combination of song and video today as we feature Hattie’s beautiful new single ‘Just Breathe’. The music video is entirely hand-painted in Virtual Reality. Illustrated by Kayleigh Eliza with Google Tilt Brush in an Oculus Rift headset. The video was edited by Tom Harper. We also really love the pedal steel accents from Matt Park which complement Hattie’s pure vocals.

Hattie is on tour with Alfie Boe in March and April. If you are in London you can catch them at the Royal Albert Hall on April 17th. Hattie will also be supporting Emma Stevens at The Victoria on May 10th.

Please check Hattie’s website for all further tour dates

Photo Credit: Ian Wallman

http://www.hattiebriggs.co.uk

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Daisy Chute - London's On Fire

** Video Premiere **

LCM Song Of The Day: ‘London’s On Fire’ - Daisy Chute

We are thrilled to share with you the online video premiere of the excellent ‘London’s On Fire’ by the very talented Scottish-American singer-songwriter and LCM favourite Daisy Chute.

‘London’s On Fire’ is a single from upcoming début originals album by Folk and Americana singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Daisy Chute. Released on February 13th 2019, it is a foot-stomping, Latin-influenced, fast-paced song that unanimously won the hearts of the judges and audience at 229 The Venue for the Coffee Music Project Singer-Songwriter competition. The song took her to the U.S. for a concert and songwriting tour in October. Daisy launched the new single with her band at the prestigious Century Club in Soho on Wednesday..

When asked to write a song about London for the competition, Daisy opted to write about the duality of the city she has lived in for most her adult life; on the one hand it is a creative and inspiring city, and on the other it can be destructive and difficult to live in a “city always moving on”. Written and recorded in London in collaboration with Tim Baxter (Andy Burrows, The Editors, Nick Mulvey), ‘London’s On Fire’ will be released with the accompanying music video featuring iconic London places including Primrose Hill and The Shard.

This may be her debut originals album, but Daisy is no stranger to the studio with 3 previous albums with Universal under her belt as founder member of Platinum-selling classical group ‘All Angels’. A regular in the London music scene and an award-winning singer and songwriter, Daisy has been mentored by rock royalty Sir Ray Davies, featured as a vocalist on Radiohead's latest album ‘A Moon Shaped Pool’, and even got the thumbs up from Sir Paul McCartney after a performance at the Royal Albert Hall.

"Beautiful, exquisite melodies, insightful lyrics and a wealth of wonderful musicality makes Daisy an artist that is destined for great things.." Tony Moore (Soho Radio, The Bedford)

The single is available to purchase from all the regular online platforms.

http://www.daisychute.com

Music and Lyrics by Daisy Chute and Tim Baxter
Produced and Mixed by Tim Baxter
Mastered by Mazen Murad (Metropolis Studios)

Vocals, Guitar: Daisy Chute
Keys: Tim Baxter
Double Bass: Will Collier
Drums: Chris Brice
Cello: Midori Jaeger
Additional Guitar: Max Cliverd
Backing Vocals: Cerian Holland and Greg Bishop

Video: Seven Hills Films
Director: Bartek Podkowa
Steadicam Operator: Shaun Waldie
Focus Puller: Aadhar Gupta Aadhar Dmt
http://www.sevenhillsfilms.com

Lyrics
Vein of London far below
that freezes with the snow
and never feels the fire’s glow

is threading through the city docks
and winding with the clocks
and mourning with the tower blocks

Faded glass that sunlight shone upon
buildings with more buildings built upon
A city always moving on

London’s on Fire
London's on Fire
We go round this town, and burn it down
and build it back up higher and higher
London’s on Fire

Saving for our holiday
we justify our pay and
look the other way
our back against the flames

who will pay the price?
Could I sacrifice
my right to live in paradise?

Faded glass that sunlight shone upon
Bodies with more bodies buried on
A city always moving on

London’s on Fire
London's on Fire
We go round this town, and burn it down
and build it back up
Higher and higher
London’s on fire
We go round this town, and burn it down
And build it back up higher and higher
London’s on Fire

Canen - I Don't Know Enough About You

LCM Song Of The Day: ‘I Don’t Know Enough About You’ - Canen

Our LCM featured track today is a wonderful live cover of a Peggy Lee classic by one of our favourite young US singer-songwriters. If you haven’t checked out Canen’s music yet, it is well worth exploring further. We think she is a superstar of the future and has a fantastic pure vocal. Canen recorded her first music at 12 years old and has been impressing audiences ever since.

LCM ‘One to watch’ in 2019

https://www.canensings.com

Frank Turner - Don't Worry

LCM Song Of The Day: ‘Don’t Worry’ - Frank Turner

Our featured song today is the latest single from the multi-award winning Hampshire based singer-songwriter Frank Turner. It’s also the opening track from Frank’s seventh studio and latest album ‘Be More Kind’ released back in May last year.

If you would like to catch up with Frank in London he will be at Omeara on the 15th February, doing a booking signing at Waterstones, Tottenham Court Road on 22nd March for his new book and performing again at Camden Rocks Festival on the 1st June. Please check out all other tour dates on his website.

https://frank-turner.com