Sometimes the most simple and fragile songs are the ones that have the most power over us, and the latest singles from Philadelphia born folk singer/songwriter Katie Buxton is no exception. Now based out of Nashville and having released her debut EP From Songbirds, she has rightfully received plenty of recognition for her songwriting skills since she wrote her first song when she was just twelve years old. ‘You Flew’ is up to the high standard of artists such as Billie Marten and Gabrielle Aplin and tells the tale of loving someone who is not ready to love or be loved. The real measure of songs however is how they make you feel. Katie’s crystal pure vocals and honest heartfelt lyrics feel like a comforting blanket on a cold night, the crackle of a campfire as you stare towards the stars, a caring hand when times are tough. It’s that kind of connection that is so difficult to create and simply too splendid to measure.
music
Interview: Jonny Carroll
Hailing from Grand Rapids, Michigan, spellbinding singer/songwriter Jonny Carroll has spent years honing his craft busking and touring on both sides of the Atlantic. His debut album Leaving On The Light ranks amongst the best releases of the year. His raw and honest lyricism perfectly embodies his mantra “pop hook, folk heart”. With some beautiful music to his name and with his star set to rise, Belwood Music was lucky enough to have a chat with him: Continue reading
Cut and Paste Crisis: The problem with sampling
It’s no secret that when you look at the credits and personnel on certain albums, with hip hop, manufactured pop and modern R&B being the most notable culprits, you will see a long list of writers and producers. Albums from such artists as Beyoncé and Kanye West which have made big waves in the industry this past year seem to practically have an entire office block worth of people credited with making the music that made them famous. I imagine few of these people have made conscious contributions, many of them simply have had their work sampled. Continue reading
Top Tracks: FOXTRAX – Underwater
These New York natives may have written their debut EP in a remote cabin in the woods, but despite the creative isolation they have kept their finger on the pulse. The band’s lead single ‘Underwater’ features some bright indie guitar work that many more established bands would be envious of. Having only been together as a band for a short while they have made remarkable progress, both musically and with their ever growing fanbase. Many indie bands struggle to make music of this calibre and yet here we find FOXTRAX have managed to capture the magic between just the three of them. The band have set their ambitions high and have clearly made a great start on their winding, fox-trodden path to greatness. Unlike the pesky mirages that plague frontman Ben Schneid in their desert roaming music video, this power trio certainly aren’t going to fade away any time soon.
Album Review: Black Foxxes – I’m Not Well
Black Foxxes – I’m Not WellAlbum Review: Happy Diving – Electric Soul Unity
Happy Diving – Electric Soul UnityInterview: Billy Bibby & The Wry Smiles
The time has finally come for Belwood Music’s first ever interview! I caught up with former guitarist and founding member of Catfish and the Bottlemen Billy Bibby to find out more about his influences, the quest for hit singles and his new solo career alongside his backing band The Wry Smiles: Continue reading
Album Review: The Pineapple Thief – Your Wilderness
The Pineapple Thief – Your WildernessTop Tracks: Maggie Szabo – Gold
This Canadian alternative pop artist is on top form with her latest single. Now based in LA, Maggie Szabo has blended together a range of styles to create an intriguing hit. The heavy blues stomp of the intro, the deliberate piano driven tempo, the soulful backing vocals, the in-your-face attitude and the overarching pop mentality bringing all the disparate elements together create something quite unlike anything else around. With ‘Gold’ being the latest in a long line of soul infused pop hits under her belt, including the brilliant ‘Tidal Waves and Hurricanes’, it’s no surprise that she has already gathered a massive fanbase.
Top Tracks: CAPTIONS. – Bearfights
There’s just something so fitting about hazy, genre bending rock that makes it the perfect soundtrack for those long summer nights. The kind of nights filled with all the adventures of youth and trying to find your place in the world. The latest single from Californian band CAPTIONS. is just such a song, equally suited for both exciting escapades and quiet reflection. The nostalgia tinged ‘Bearfights’, the first single from the band’s upcoming debut album ITERATIONS, blends together a hint of 90s alternative with bright indie riffs and harmonies, all set within a billowing cloud of dream pop soundscapes. If the rest of their debut lives up to the standard set by this first track then it’s release will certainly be something to look forward to.
Belwood Music 