David Bowie announces new album

/ James Fenney

bowie-old

Rock legend David Bowie has revealed details about his upcoming 25th studio album ‘Blackstar’. Due to be released on 8th January (his 69th birthday) it contains 7 tracks and is full of jazz influences as well as “Gregorian chants, a soul section, various electronic beats and bleeps, and Bowie’s distinctive vocal”. The ten minute long title track is to be released on 19th November as the lead single. The album is unlikely to be supported by a tour as Bowie has stated that he has retired from touring.

Adele teases new album

/ James Fenney

adele-hello

The bestselling British songstress has announced details about her highly anticipated third album. A snippet of her latest single ‘Hello’ was broadcast during the ad break of the X Factor. Following this she released a letter to her fans announcing the arrival of her new album ’25’, following the naming trend of her previous releases, and stated “I’m sorry it took so long, but you know, life happened”. This is her first release since her record breaking 2011 album ’21’ and will be released on 20th November.

Spotlight!: Dan Owen

/ James Fenney

dan owen

With a gritty voice reminiscent of a young John Fogerty, Shrewsbury bluesman Dan Owen immediately captures your attention. His rendition of the blues standard ‘Little Red Rooster’ sounds unnatural coming from someone so young, like he’s the reincarnation of some whisky-soaked troubadour from the Mississippi Delta. His raw and rustic voice is suited not only to the furious foot-stompers, but also to the softer ballads. Tracks like ‘Splinter’ and ‘Riding Out This Storm’ are full of emotion and relentlessly tug at your heartstrings. He already has Mick Fleetwood among his famous fans, and if he carries on releasing music of this calibre then I’m sure his name will soon be on everyone’s lips.

Lovers of blues, country, folk and voices that make your hair stand on end should check out his debut EP ‘Bad for Me’.

Mercury Prize nominations announced

/ James Fenney

Mercury-Prize

The nominations for this year’s Mercury Prize, one of the most prestigious awards in British music, have been announced. A panel of music critics will select their choice of album of the year from the twelve albums in the shortlist, with the winner to be announced on the 20th November. The shortlist is as follows:

  • Aphex Twin – Syro
  • Benjamin Clementine – At Least For Now
  • Gaz Coombes – Matador
  • C Duncan – Architect
  • Eska – Eska
  • Florence + the Machine – How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful
  • Ghostpoet – Shedding Skin
  • Roisin Murphy – Hairless Toys
  • Slaves – Are You Satisfied?
  • SOAK – Before We Forgot How To Dream
  • Wolf Alice – My Love Is Cool
  • Jamie XX – In Colour

Spotlight!: Tina Refsnes

/ James Fenney

tina refsnes

Rising star Tina Refsnes creates music as beautiful as the striking Norwegian landscape that inspired her. Influenced by such artists as Joni Mitchell and Neil Young, she has created her own brand of affecting Americana. Her latest single ‘I Don’t Know‘ starts with a simple beat and a meandering acoustic guitar, but soon builds to leave you feeling like a leaf drifting on an autumnal breeze. Along with her previous single ‘Upside Down Clouds’, it evokes a vivid vignette of the remote breathtaking setting in which they were written. Her tender voice and the sparse arrangement hark back to the 70s heyday of singer/songwriters wherein I’m sure she’d feel right at home with her rigorous writing ethic making sure that her songs were captured just right.

Fans of The Staves, First Aid Kit, Tobias Jesso Jr and Sufjan Stevens should be on the lookout for her debut album ‘No One Knows That You’re Lost’ out 6th November

Concert survival and etiquette guide

/ James Fenney
Photo by picjumbo.com on Pexels.com

 

I’ve been to enough live music in my time to know my way around. Concerts can be just as stressful as they are enjoyable, especially for the inexperienced. The planning, the crowds and the logistics can all get under your skin and sometimes damper the thrill of seeing your musical heroes in the flesh. Thankfully with a few tips you can keep a cool head and ensure a truly incredible and stress-free concert for you and everyone around you. Continue reading →