shelleyhanveywriter's Blog

Brit award-winning folk wonder Laura Marling has premiered the first single to be released from her third solo album. The track, ‘Sophia‘  will be available to download instantly (in the UK), to those who pre-order the album on iTunes from July 26th, 2011, as well as an individual download. The 4:54-second track begins gently with Marling’s unmistakably reflective and hushed vocals, before she is complemented and accompanied on her journey by acoustic strings and ethereal background vocals. When the bell tolls 3:00, the track takes a marked shift towards a perhaps more  traditional folk sound, with definite country elements creeping through. ‘Sophia‘  could be described as a musical antonym to the terms, ‘repetitive’ and ‘predictable’. It would be fair to say that I am somewhat in love with this track at the moment.

The track is taken from upcoming album, ‘A Creature I Don’t Know‘ which is released on September 12th, 2011 in the UK and September 13th, 2011 in the US.

Marling has also announced a new Autumn 2011 tour to support the album. The ‘When The Bell Tolls Tour’ kicks off in the US and Canada, as follows:

• September 17 – San Francisco, Bimbo’s 365 Club
• September 18 – Los Angeles, Masonic Temple
• September 20 – Los Angeles, Troubadour
• September 22 – Chicago, Lincoln Hall
• September 23 – Toronto, The Great Hall
• September 24 – Montreal, Corona
• September 25 – Boston Brighton Music Hall
• September 27 – Washington DC, Sixth & I Historic Synagogue
• September 28 – New York, Webster Hall

The UK tour is as follows:

• October 14 – Exeter, Exeter Cathedral
• October 15 – Winchester, Winchester Cathedral
• October 17 – Guildford, Guildford Cathedral
• October 18 – Gloucester, Gloucester Cathedral
• October 21 – York, York Minster
• October 22 – Sheffield, Sheffield Cathedral
• October 24 – Manchester, Manchester Cathedral
• October 25 – Bristol, Bristol Cathedral
• October 26 – London, Westminster Central Hall
• October 28 – Liverpool, Liverpool Anglican Cathedral
• October 29 – Birmingham, Birmingham Cathedral

I reviewed Noah and the Whale at Manchester Cathedral last year and it will probably go down as one of the best gigs I’ve ever been to; the venue was sublime as was to be expected, but the atmosphere and reaction to the band were just as heavenly. I can’t wait to see Marling perform tracks from what I’m sure will be her equally as successful third album, in such peaceful and serene surroundings.

Tickets for the tour go on general sale at 10am local time on Friday, July 29th, 2011 at www.seetickets.com

www.lauramarling.com / www.twitter.com @lauramarlinghq

shelleyhanveywriter

In honour of my favourite season: that of the summer holiday,  I have compiled a selection of hot and hazy tracks worthy of inclusion in any First Class music lounge…so sit back,  put on your fuzzy felt eye mask and allow yourself to be whisked away from Bombay to Louisiana, via Manchester.

Bombay Bicycle Club, ‘Shuffle‘

‘A Different Kind of Fix‘ is the upcoming third album from London-based alternative folk-rock band Bombay Bicycle Club. ‘Shuffle‘ is the first track to be released from the album, which follows on August 29th, 2011. Following the acoustic and accolade-laden offering of second album, ‘Flaws‘, the four-piece have returned to their electric-stringed roots, whilst never straying too far from their trademark blissful electronic- folk leanings. The soaring and atmospheric synth sounds of ‘Shuffle‘ are the perfect soundtrack to a lazy day on a sundrenched beach, or indeed a lazy afternoon indoors after getting drenched down your local high street…this is the ‘great British summer’ after all.

Michelle Branch, ‘Loud Music‘

My love for Michelle Branch all started in Season 6, Episode 8 of one of my favourite TV series, ‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer‘. Branch makes an appearance at the end of the highly emotive episode, to perform her track ‘Goodbye to You‘ as Giles leaves for England, Tara leaves Willow and Buffy leaves her senses, embarking on a doomed affair with resident badboy vamp Spike. I loved the track and Branch’s raspy and powerful country-tinged vocals, so I set about researching the artist and have never looked back. After two top selling albums, ‘The Spirit Room‘ and ‘Hotel Paper‘, Branch moved in a more defined country direction to form a duo with friend and fellow musician, Jessica Harp; The Wreckers. But now, fresh from putting down roots both family and home, she is back with the perfect summertime roadtrip track ‘Loud Music.’

The track documents the history of a relationship, starting with the first meeting and going through all of the highs and occasional lows, all the while using artists such as Hendrix and Zeppelin as flags or pinpoints throughout the narrative. Branch has always managed to successfully translate her great love of music through her own lyrics and regularly cites her influences through this medium. So if a destination only reachable via a trip down a few dusty highways is more your idea of a perfect holiday, then be sure to wind the windows down and blast out this perfect slice of American pop-rock.

The Travelling Band, ‘Sundial‘

I recently reviewed Friends of Mine Festival for eFestivals.co.uk and had the pleasure of catching a performance by The Travelling Band whilst I was there. Cited as the best folk band to emerge from Manchester, the five-piece performed their upcoming single ‘Sundial‘ which was definitely a hit with the somewhat windswept and watery crowd. The orchestral splendour of this track cannot be underestimated and is truly addictive; I think this band will be filling headline slots on the folk circuit very soon. It’s nice to see some local folkies flying the flag for the genre up North.

Patrick Wolf, ‘House‘

Patrick Wolf intrigues me; he is an intriguing character, one that you could listen to and watch for hours almost as if in a daze. His vocals intrigue me; the depth of his tone commands that you listen and his lyrics command that you hear. He cites poets and speaks romantic declarations and all of this set against an epic and enticing melody. I’ve said enough, I implore you listen and you start with ‘House.’

Friendly Fires, ‘Hawaiian Air‘

‘Pala‘ is the recently released second album from alternative dance trio, Friendly Fires. ‘Hawaiian Air‘ is the second track to be released from the album. This band just keep going from strength to strength and have just this week released more dates on their biggest headlining tour of the UK, coming in the autumn. With its holiday flight-inspired music video, ‘Hawaiian Air‘ is all set to be the scorching hit of the summer radio waves. The rest of the album is just as good I might add, so I’d definitely recommend that it feature on your holiday pool-side playlist.

Britney Spears, ‘I Wanna Go‘

Ah, Britney. Where do I start…well, I’m a huge fan and have loved every track that the Louisiana popstrel has ever released so I’m just putting it out there – if you’re looking for an unbiased review of the artist, scroll up and scroll out! ‘I Wanna Go‘ is genuinely one of my favourites off Spears’ new album ‘Femme Fatale‘, my other pop pick being the Will.I.Am penned track ‘Big Fat Bass.’ The video to accompany this track has just been released on Spears’ official website and on YouTube/Vevo and is a lot of fun. I think Spears has reached the point – perhaps understandably – were she just wants to enjoy herself in her career and this translates in her work; the videos aren’t meant to be groundbreaking, they’re meant to highlight the light-hearted, cheeky and self-depracating character of the performer and that they do. The new album is a dancer’s dream, filled with huge basslines, biting beats and catchy choruses. I’ve just secured myself tickets to see Spears in Manchester on her upcoming UK Tour…needless to say, I am just a little excited!

That’s all for now, happy holidays!

Doris Day as the ultimate Cowgirl, Calamity Jane

I can’t remember the specific scenario or circumstance that led to me watching my first Doris Day film; nor can I remember my exact age. What I can remember however, is that I was hooked after the first few lines of the opening song ‘The Deadwood Stage.’ That would be my first introduction to the genre of country music and for me; both actress and artform have never lost their sparkle and style.

I’m not sure whether it’s the romantic notion of feeling so passionate about your heritage or homestead that you’re compelled to compose, or just the “peaceful, easy feeling of a laid-back country song” (to quote the aforementioned Osmonds favourite) that seduces me most; either way, it would appear that the genre has been steadily garnering its skills in this most lustful of arts, as just this week both academies and worldwide audiences fell victim to its allure. The 53rd Annual Grammy Awards took place this week in Los Angeles, with Nashville country trio Lady Antebellum achieving nominations in no less than six categories; going on to win Song of the Year, Record of the Year, Best Country Song, Best Country Album and Best Country Performance By A Duo or Group With Vocals. The critically-lauded song in question; ‘Need You Now.’

The trio (Charles Kelley-lead and background vocals, Dave Haywood-background vocals, guitar, piano, mandolin and Hillary Scott-lead and background vocals) have been recording together since 2006, and have been a pretty much permanent fixture on the Country Music charts in America ever since. Their self-titled debut album also spawned hit tracks ‘Love Don’t Live Here‘, ‘Lookin’ for a Good Time‘ and ‘I Run to You.’ The album has since been certified platinum in the U.S. ‘Need You Now‘ is taken from the band’s second album of the same name and was also their first number one single. I have always been fascinated by the fact that America has a music chart for almost every genre and sub-genre of music that you could imagine; to think of the level of diversity on offer must be mind-blowing, of course history teaches us that such a fact doesn’t necessarily guarantee that the music-buying public ever get to hear all of these said artists over their radio waves or on their TV screens. Commercialism will always, unfortunately, play its part…albeit on a much lesser scale over the pond when it comes to this particular genre.

Fellow American Idol fans will be familiar with Season Four (2005) winner and Grand Ole Opry favourite Carrie Underwood. Underwood wowed Cowell and co with her raspy range and strong sense of self; that self strived to be the next big country singer-songwriter and in six short years I think it would be fair to say that she has surpassed that dream. Underwood has since become a multi-platinum selling recording artist, a multiple Grammy winner and a Grand Ole Opry inductee (basically, the Mecca of country music performers). ‘Wasted‘ is my favourite song from her debut album ‘Some Hearts‘, which is the best-selling solo female debut album in country music history…I imagine she’s quite chuffed with that. It would take far too long to mention all her other accolades and awards in this piece, but I would recommend that you give the album a listen if you’re partial to a few heartfelt ballads against the backdrop of the black hills. I only wish her management company would succomb to the power of fandom and schedule a short tour of the UK sometime soon.

I have always had a particular soft spot for a LeAnn Rimes big, belting country ballad too. I have so many favourite individual tracks, but my favourite album would probably be ‘Twisted Angel.’ Ironically, or perhaps a sign of my liking to stray from the common path; this album (her seventh) received mainly negative reviews and was said to be in danger of alienating her from her original fan base. Is this really a danger or just an opportunity to try something different and distinguish yourself from the one-trick ponys? Personally, I love to hear new sounds from an artist; it shows that they are not getting complacent and if it doesn’t reach the number one slot and the majority don’t get it, so what? As long as they’re happy with the release and there was genuine passion behind it. ‘One Way Ticket‘ is one of my favourite tracks from the ‘Twisted Angel‘ album. I like the message behind it that so typifies the genre as a whole; strong-willed, independent and fearless.

I may not be a tween and I may not have been personally defiled by Kanye’s stage storming, but I do find great joy and solace in a listen or three to Taylor Swift‘s ‘Love Story.’ It’s just so innocent and warm and wonderful, everything a teen romance should be. Saying that, my own teen romance was only one of those three; I don’t call standing on playing fields in the depths of winter, with a boy named Gez who had significantly questionable hygiene issues, neither warm nor wonderful. Gez was the best friend of the boyfriend I might add, I may have been fourteen but I wasn’t stupid!

Again and perhaps rather embarrassingly, another band that I learned of through American Idol, was Rascal Flatts. Contestants often cited this band as one of their favourites and chose to perform their tracks week on week. One of my favourite such tracks is  ‘What Hurts The Most.’ The country-pop trio have been together since 2000 and have gone on to release eight studio albums. These albums have accounted for twenty-six single releases. All but one of these singles has made the top ten of the Billboard Hot Country Songs charts and eleven have made number one. It would be fair to say that the trio are something of an institution in the U.S. It is impossible not to feel the passion and emotion that has gone in to the composition of this track and that’s what makes it so compelling to listen to when it is performed, whether that be by the original artist or a cover version.

Anyone who has read my blog before will know that I am also a big fan of the Rock Island, Illinois native, Lissie. Lissie is a country and folk-rock singer-songwriter who moved over to London to pursue her dream. Her debut album ‘Catching A Tiger‘ (2010) captured the imagination and interest of critics in the UK and Europe and she has since gone on to release the record in her home country. Her track ‘When I’m Alone‘ was chosen as iTunes UK’s Song of the Year for 2010. ‘Cuckoo‘ would have to be my favourite track from the album, for much the same reasons as mentioned above with the other artists; I like the emotion and meaning behind country songs, the fact that the inspiration for the track came from a real experience or event, rather than something arbitrary. This is just such a track, as Lissie recounts her difficult adolescence and her sense of never truly fitting in anywhere; could there be a more poignant and easily relatable theme?

So in conclusion, I live to dream of a time or place in which all walks of life are represented in music and what’s more; that we all get to hear it.

You know that feeling that you get when you realise you’re in exactly the right place, at exactly the right time and even if given the chance; you wouldn’t change one single moment of it? I had that very feeling when  I visited the Cambridge Folk Festival for the first time this year…it happened, whilst I was watching Johnny Flynn and the Sussex Wit perform.

Being a relative newcomer to the expansive genre of folk music, I had done some research on a selection of the artists performing and made a most delightful discovery in the form of Flynn’s debut album ‘A Larum.’ The 14-track folk-rock recording was released in 2008 and features such superbly crafted tunes as ‘The Box’, ‘The Wrote And The Writ’, ‘Tickle Me Pink’, ‘Shore to Shore’ and ‘Eyeless in Holloway.’ Unlike perhaps some of his current nu-folk contemporaries, Flynn could never be categorised as one-dimensional; with his debut album swaying sweetly in the summer Sussex breeze between ‘pure folk’, country, blues and rock. I like a bit of diversity on a record; which makes it all the more pleasing to hear on a daily basis and not at all repetitive. I do tend to get a bit obsessive with new discoveries; I will find an album that I really like and literally listen to it every day, from start to finish, till I’ve learnt every lyric, every key change, every hidden moral and then I’ll rest for a while. Then the process starts over. I am having just that love affair at the moment with Flynn’s second album ‘Been Listening.’

The album doesn’t care for easing you in gently, preferring to eyeball you with the brass-laden, calypso opening of ‘Kentucky Pill’, watching you shift  suspiciously in your seat, eyes darting and rising as you quickly reach the conclusion that there’s no point fighting it; you’re hooked and there’s no going back. ‘Lost And Found’ follows, allowing the listener to regain their composure with its soothing melody and emotive, maritime-referenced ode to the macabre. It would be fair to say that Flynn’s first album touched more than a little upon the subjects of death and funerals; but strangely enough, never in a morose, depressing sort of way. I am of the belief, to reference one of Flynn’s peers and another favourite wordsmith of mine; Charlie Fink (Noah and the Whale) that ‘…you don’t know how it feels to be alive. Until you know how it feels to die’ (‘Shape Of My Heart’).

I really enjoy the Take-Away Shows on Blogotheque; on which Flynn appears, performing three tracks from his debut album. The videos are shot on location in Buenos Aires and are a perfect introduction to the genius and vision of Vincent Moon. I’d definitely recommend a viewing at the link below:

http://www.blogotheque.net/Johnny-Flynn,4703

Next up is Flynn’s account of loves; past, present and future, throughout the seasons in the evergreen‘Churlish May.’ The album title track, ‘Been Listening’ follows, with some soulful electric-stringed inflections to reel you in, then Flynn’s deep and dark dulcet tones to keep you enthralled throughout. I am in a most enjoyable- albeit fantasy- position at the present moment in time, as I cannot decide which voice alone I would most prefer to hear for the rest of my life; that of Charlie Fink or that of Johnny Flynn…I may have to do some kind of practical experiment in the very near future, so I’ll let you know how I get on with that one. Restraining order permitting, of course.

The track that I remember most vividly from Cambridge would have to be ‘Barnacled Warship’, which is the next track on the album. Flynn showcased his musicality with this number to breathtaking reception, alternating between violin and acoustic guitar with empassioned ease, as he took festival-goers on a trip across the high seas fighting the waves, the enemy and the inner workings of his own mind. A duet, entitled ‘The Water’ with critics-favourite Laura Marling is another album highlight. Marling’s honeyed tones complement Flynn’s perfectly in this dedication to that most pure and essential, yet at times deadly substance; This track has just been confirmed as Flynn’s next single release, on November 1st, 2010.

I am reviewing Mumford and Sons this coming weekend in Manchester, for which Flynn has been confirmed as support. I can hardly contain my excitement at seeing both of these tremendous acts in one billing and have heard great things about Mumford’s live performance prowess. Should be a brilliant show, of which I will of course be reporting back in full on here.

‘Howl’ should be a great track to hear performed live, given the instrumentation and vocal skills on display. Listening to Flynn’s work, it is hard to come to terms with the fact that there are artists out there at the moment, enjoying huge success on an international scale, who could never hope to possess such talent as a lyricist, let alone be musically proficient on such a varied scale from brass to strings and beyond. To be fair though, I am pretty sure that international acclaim and everything that goes with it, however nice that would be, is not Flynn’s primary motivation. I know him you see; we’re like that (index and middle finger crossed…)

‘Amazon Love’ is simply beautiful; Flynn’s sister Lillie sings on this piano and cello-led ballad about that emotion which we all feel and all wish we sometimes didn’t. ‘The Prizefighter And The Heiress’ concludes the album with an initially gentle and sauntering take on the differences between two star-crossed lovers, which steadily rides in to a country-fused western number; a fitting note on which to close an album peppered with diverse influences and dramatic displays of musical wizardry.

Flynn embarks on a solo tour of the UK in December, 2010:

Saturday 4th – O2 Academy, Birmingham

Sunday 5th – Academy, Manchester

Tuesday 7th – The Liquidroom, Edinburgh

Thursday 9th – The Trinity Centre, Bristol

Friday 10th – O2 Shepherds Bush Empire, London

Saturday 11th – St Georges Church, Brighton

Sunday 12th – Phoenix Arts Centre, Exeter

I would highly recommend paying him a visit at one of these shows. Tickets can be purchased from www.seetickets.com or via the links below:

www.johnny-flynn.com

www.myspace.com/johnnyflynn

Lissie (full name, Elisabeth Maurus)’s debut album ‘Catching A Tiger’ was released in the UK in June 2010; a year after it was written in Nashville and a good couple of months before it was released in her native America. Since early this year, Lissie has been based in London and the music press and fans alike have since taken her in as one of their own; the reason for this hospitality being not just the obvious and simply stunning talents of the artist, but also the fact that she’s just a genuine, straight-talking, cool chick who shuns the spotlight for the songwriting; and boy is it all the better for it.

‘In Sleep’ was the first single to be released from the blues-rock singer-songwriter’s album, followed by the retrospective and heartbreak-tinged ‘When I’m Alone.’ Lissie has said that her inspiration for the album was her memories of never feeling like she fit in in her hometown of Rock Island, Illinois and of the ‘girls that snubbed her and the boys that broke her.’ Lyrics such as ‘…when I reach out and I only grab air, and it kills me to think, that you never did care’ highlight the longing and isolation that she felt in her own mind as a teenager; if only she knew then just what a gift these feelings were, as well as her own ability to turn them in to something quite special.

I was lucky enough to see Lissie perform live recently at the Cambridge Folk Festival; she had the crowd enthralled from the first track due to the sheer power and passion which emanates from her vocal chords. I think she has perhaps the best tone and vocal capabilities of the vast array of female singers around at the moment; which makes it all the more surprising and refreshing to hear her speak and engage with the audience in such a humble, almost bewildered state. She appeared to be truly amazed at the warm reception that she received from the capacity crowd at Cambridge and from that moment on; she had won me over hook, line and sinker.

I have a few favourite tracks from the album, including opener ‘Record Collector’ which gives an air of resolution or realisation; it sounds on this track like the youthful and naive Lissie has finally become comfortable with herself, ‘…but my blue eyes cannot see, that their true hue is probably green…’  the 60′s-sounding piece with a punch ‘Stranger’ and the delicate strings sound of ‘Look Away’ which speaks about taking vows, taking steps towards the door and taking chances on a union that you both know might not be quite right. It is track 9 however, which delivers something I can’t really put in to words; it’s just one of those melodies that you fall for instantly and you put on repeat until you know all the words and can sing it in your head whenever you just have to hear it again…take a listen to ‘Everywhere I Go’ below and I’m sure you’ll agree.

Lissie does an impressive cover version of Lady Gaga’s ‘Bad Romance’ on her MySpace page (link can be found below), which also happens to be my favourite Gaga track. Lissie delivers an equally striking vocal performance as Gaga,but it is the blues-folk edge to this track which I think further showcases Lissie’s impressive vocal range and ability to turn a hugely commercial dance track in to a soulful and sweet number.

‘Cuckoo’ is the next single off the album, set for release on August 30th, 2010 in the UK. This track is about Lissie’s teenage years and her feeling that no one understood her and no one possibly could. The video for the single takes us through her high school years, her first crush, her first guitar purchase and her first arrest! With the help of the very cute young Lissie in the video, the track actually leaves you with a positive, warm and fuzzy feeling that hey, you may get expelled and even arrested, but you too could be headlining Cambridge in a few short years!  

Lissie will be supporting The Script on their upcoming UK tour in September and then doing some headline shows of her own in late October/early November, including:

26th October – Glasgow Oran Mor

27th October – Manchester Academy 2

28th October – Bristol Thekla

30th October – Norwich Waterfront

31st October – Birmingham Academy 2

1st November – London Heaven.

Try to catch a show in a venue near you, I guarantee that you won’t be disappointed. 

All in all, I would give ‘Catching A Tiger’ 9 / 10, although I’m not quite sure what more she could have done to gain that extra mark.

More information on Lissie can be found below at these websites: 

www.lissie.com

www.myspace.com/lissiemusic

When I think back to 2001, I can’t say that any particularly memorable events occurred; having graduated the previous year, I was working in a temporary capacity for a government department in a nearby, again, largely uneventful town. But I do remember there being a certain weekly highlight to my social calendar…the airing of a brand new episode of Buffy the Vampire Slayer!

Before the days of RPattz et al, my sister and I would make ourselves comfortable; before settling down to the wit and wisdom of Joss Whedon’s finest example of a foray in to fantasy television drama. The exploits of Buffy, Willow and Spike kept us hooked for the full 43 minutes, with an unbeatable mix of cutting comebacks and comedy capers; from the early days of  high school horror in ‘The Harvest’ and ‘Halloween’, through to the sacrifice and sophistication of ‘Becoming’and ‘Graduation’, the groundbreaking ‘Hush’ and ‘Restless’ concluding with a clever, 360-degree emotional climax in ‘Chosen.’ For all those who may choose to cast doubt, I simply say this; Buffy was highly influential back then, as well as today; it brought us strong feisty females that didn’t need protecting, became the blueprint for future supernatural televised dramas and the show just never ages, a testament to the quality of the scriptwriting.

There was one particular element of the show which I also looked forward to; the live music/guest star performances in The Bronze. It was here that I discovered the vocal talents and songwriting triumphs of Michelle Branch.

Born on July 2nd,1983 Michelle is an American singer-songwriter, who has experimented with pop-rock, acoustic and country sounds; always managing to sound authentic and real. I put this down to her approachable and down to earth demeanour, combined with her earthy and effortless tone. Michelle’s debut album ‘The Spirit Room’ was released in the UK in 2001 and had three hit singles; ‘Everywhere’, ‘All You Wanted’ and ‘Goodbye to You.’ It was the third of which that she performed on Buffy episode ‘Tabula Rasa.’ (See clip below).

Michelle received her first guitar aged fourteen and after teaching herself, she wrote her first song. Realising her talent, her parents financed her first independent album ‘Broken Bracelet.’ Performing gigs in her native Sedona, Arizona; Michelle covered the likes of Sheryl Crow, Jewel and Fleetwood Mac, all of which she has consistently cited as influences on her music. Another of my favourite Michelle tracks is ‘The Game of Love’, which is a collaboration with Santana. This has a great deep southern summertime feel to it and the mutual love of strings is clearly evident.

2003 saw the release of Michelle’s second album ‘Hotel Paper’; this record wasn’t as well received as her debut, which has always been somewhat of a mystery to me. The pop-rock and country influences are still there, the catchy lyrics and addictive melodies are still there; so why the mixed reviews? 2003 saw a bit of an influx of American look-a-like, sound-a-likes with Vanessa Carlton and Stacey Orrico to name but two, but likewise, when did too much of a good thing become a problem?!

For all you Sex And The City fans out there, you will be familiar with Michelle’s track ‘Breathe’ from a certain episode entitled ‘The Catch’ in Season 6, were Carrie is tasked with trying out a flying trapeze in Central Park and she realises that ‘letting go’ is not so scary as long as you have a good safety net, namely your friends.

After recording and performing with longtime friend and backup singer Jessica Harp as The Wreckers, Michelle has now started writing for her third studio album which will be titled ‘Everything Comes and Goes.’ I’ve been waiting for news of a UK tour since 2001…maybe just maybe, 2011 will be the year! The first single from the album,‘Sooner or Later’, was released digitally in 2009 and I’ve included a clip below to give you a taste of what’s surely to come.

You might like to check out her recent collaboration with Timbaland too; this track ‘Getaway’ is available to download now from iTunes.

Hopefully you’ve found a couple of pieces that you like on here; or perhaps a renewed passion for the original vampire-fighting, splintery-tongued Sarah Michelle Gellar? I’ll finish with another of my most memorable live performances from the show, this time coming from Angie Hart with ‘Blue.’ This was featured during ‘Conversations With Dead People’ from Season Seven and was actually written for that particular episode at Whedon’s request. This video was produced by hauntboo at YouTube, so credit where it’s due on this one.

Grrr! Argh!

Tired Pony, 'The Place We Ran From', out 12th July 2010

In May 2009, Gary Lightbody expressed his love for country music during an interview and his intention to record a country album. In the October of 2009, he announced the members of a ‘supergroup’ who he had brought together to record this album. They were: Peter Buck of R.E.M, Iain Archer, Richard Colburn of Belle & Sebastian and producer Garret Lee. Contributions to this album also came from She and Him duo M Ward and Zooey Deschanel and Tom Smith of Editors. The group would be called Tired Pony.

Now it was a few years before that, when I expressed my love for both Gary Lightbody and his songwriting; so it comes as no surprise to me that I think this album is simply rather marvellous. I love country music, as well as the combination of Lightbody’s vocals and the sweeping lyrical imagery of dusty american plains and quaint little watering holes, ringing out with the sound of strings and the smell of sarsaparilla…I have seen Calamity Jane far too many times…‘Oh the Deadwood Stage is a-rollin’ on over the plains, with the curtains flappin’ and the driver slappin’ the reins. Beautiful sky! A wonderful day! Whip crack-away! Whip crack-away, Whip crack-away!’

God I love that movie and the exceptional Doris Day.  

But back to Tired Pony.

The band’s debut album ‘The Place We Ran From’ hits the shops and the net next Monday 12th July 2010.  For a sneak preview please follow the link below to their official You Tube page:

http://www.youtube.com/user/TiredPonyOfficial

My favourite tracks on first listen are ‘Dead American Writers’, ‘Point Me At Lost Islands’, ‘Get On The Road’ and ‘Held In The Arms Of Your Words.’ Vintage Lightbody at his songwriting best; I could truly listen to this man all day and never get bored; singing, talking, blogging, humming whilst ironing his sweatervests…but enough of my idol worship!

Tired Pony’s debut single ‘Dead American Writers’ is available to download now and I am sure a series of live dates will follow. I’ll be first in line that’s for sure.

www.tiredpony.com

I headed down to the docks on Friday night (in a non ‘lady of the night’ fashion) to review some bands at Leaf Cafe, Liverpool (www.thisisleaf.co.uk). They were performing as part of the Liverpool Sound City festival, which saw over 400 signed and unsigned acts from all over the world descend on the city to perform in selected hotspots.

I managed to catch Billie Van and her Ranchhands, He and She and finally, Hey Tourists.

The first band (www.myspace.com/onebootbillie) are from Copenhagen and fuse country with blues and rock, I really liked the sound of the lead singer on their tracks, very mesmerizing and left you wanting more. The second band (www.myspace.com/heandshe) are from Liverpool and are an unsigned five-piece. These were my favourites of the night; their tracks were a blend of indie and folk and again, the lead singer was very impressive. Her lofty toned vocals complemented those dulcet ones of the lead guitarist perfectly. Looking forward to seeing more from these guys. The final band (www.myspace.com/heytourists)  are also from Liverpool and are a recently formed five-piece, having previously performed as a duo. Their sound was indie-rock with a slight soft punk edge, highlighted by their rousing and rhythmic bouncy tracks.

Full review here:

http://www.efestivals.co.uk/festivals/soundcity/2010/review-leafcafe.shtml