A lot of the music I listen to comes from Britain and I occasionally look westwards to see what's happening in the States but haven't ever really scoured the globe properly enough to reach Australia. Now this may not be a post that necessarily looks at 'new' music, this artist has been going for a long time, but he's new to me!
Rai Thistlethwayte and Thirsty Merc
An accomplished musician, Sydney man Rai Thistlethwayte has had a relatively successful career down under both as a solo artist and with his band Thirsty Merc. Growing up in a musical family, Thistlethwayte's music ranges from strong jazz to pop ballads all of which are topped off with his penetrating and beautiful voice which work for the numerous genres he switches between. A talented guy whose vocals, playing skills and song writing are mighty impressive; I've put a mixture of covers and originals up here to give you a taster:
It has been a while since I paid some attention to my dear blog and thinking about the amount of new music I need to catch up on does fill me somewhat with worry! But I have a couple of weeks on my hands and I'm looking forward to discovering what bright new things have cropped up since I last explored. I will write something substantial very soon but in the mean time wanted to post about Alexander Wolfe who may already be on many radars but I recently saw him perform at the Edinburgh Fringe with theatre company Les Enfants Terribles. They created a show called The Trench with Wolfe composing the music. It was a beautiful score which you can find here.
It's easy to see why Wolfe was asked to join the show, not only for his flawless soft vocals, but because he creates real atmosphere with his accompaniments and looks to an array of instruments to bulk out his melodies. He played a number of different instruments on stage - it was impressive to watch. As to his future work, I'm excited to hear his new album 'Skeletons' out on Sept 10th. His debut album Morning Brings a Flood is available on iTunes.
Below are a couple of my favourites of his including the title track of the new album - enjoy!
This entry is dedicated to my sweet and quirksome friend Miss Cordelia Bradley. One-of-a-kind, kook and all round babe, you give me nothing but joy, laughter and hopefully in the future, hats. Please have a little listen to the band below, they are one of my favourites:
I hope you like them because on May 1st I am taking you to see them. Please RSVP ASAP that is if you are not too busy reporting sky news.
Bon Anniversaire mon petit choufleur
I am so glad this duo has been brought to my attention because they couldn't be more up my street. Not only I am generally a fan of boy girl duos (see my earlier post about them here) but this Californian-Nashville treat are Grammy award winners and Jools Holland featurees. They are touring in the UK in the coming month but sadly most dates are sold out - they are, however, back again in November time and I for one will be purchasing a ticket. Already rather big within the folk scene, their future can only hold great things. Hope you fall in love with them just as much as I have
Now I don't normally write entries for specific people but my dear friend came to me like a little grasshopper seeking advice to find out what's new, cool and fresh on the music scene. I knew she'd come to the right person for although I do not know what is new, cool and fresh I can find someone who does and regurgitate it for her...
Jake Bugg.
I heard about this young man from a girl I met at one of my many new jobs. She's an aspiring singer-songwriter and has done a few gigs with Jake in and around Nottingham. He's a couple years ahead of her and is really starting to make waves, already making his way onto the line-up of gigs hosted by genius music lables like Communion. Just 18, there is a very strong country Johnny Cash feel to his voice with a hint of Dylan too. Gets thrown around a lot but he really is a fresh sound and his sweet love songs create the perfect soundtrack to spring. A Nottingham original and recording his first album this year in Tennessee - exciting things to come.
Sam Beeton.
Stumbled across this wonderful performance when revisiting Jake Bugg's Burberry Acoustic session and I'm a fan. Continuing with our Nottingham-based guitar boys theme, Beeton is very much a rising star having supported big acts like The Script on tour and Jo Whiley is even a fan. He has also modelled for Burberry so there seems to be very little reason why he won't start to make it big in a year or so. Huma - he is finishing his tour in Nottingham on May 12th if you're keen...I am.
Matthew and Me.
Something a bit more mellow and appeals to the other side of my music taste - the not-so-folky part. This Cornish group are hitting up many of the folk gigs around London and are pretty well known in and around Cornwall. For a few more videos and just for general interest see their website.
Goodnight Lenin.
I may be a bit slow on the uptake with this group as their name has been flying around - a great name too if you ask me. I bloody love Goodbye Lenin so that's already a big tick in the box. They are right up my street with their ability to create fun folk that makes you want to get up and jig to and also sing beautiful harmonies along to piano melodies. An all-round band and one I would love to see live.
Roo Panes.
And finally: Classic guitar playing, lovely garden and great beard. What's not to like?
Listen to a bit more of him here if you like!
I am seeing Ellen and the Escapades tomorrow and I'm very excited. Things have been hectic recently and I haven't been to a gig in a while so tomorrow I will come out from the shadows and return with what I'm sure will be, a glowing report about the gig. Malt Cross. Nottingham. Be there or be square. (That phrase is making a comeback...)
With enough hair to rival Brian May, Rae Morris is a beautiful singer-songwriter from Blackpool. Only 18 years old and tipped for great things in 2012, her name is starting to pop up hear there and everywhere. The songs are fairly poppy but her breathy and somewhat eery vocals give her that 'alternative' edge. You know, the one that so many people are searching for right now. She's doing a few gigs soon in Scotland and Ireland (where is the Nottingham date I cry?). Below is the first song of hers I heard through Watch Listen Tell - a great youtube channel if you aren't yet familiar. Hope you enjoy.
Finding Rae Morris on Watch Listen Tell then lead me to this nugget by Gem Club. Hailing from Boston, Massachussettes and lacking in guitars, Gem Club create pure chill out music that you can be 'reflective' and 'ponder' to. They've recently released their album 'Breakers' which I'm going to have a proper listen to as soon as I get a spare half hour, I'm expecting good things!
And a final treat which brightened up my January evening - if you're on The Staves mailing list (and why wouldn't you be?) or if you sign up today, you will receive a small token of thanks by means of a free download of 'Live at Cecil Sharp House, London - check out http://thestaves.com/
since I last wrote and so to celebrate the start of a brand spanking new year, I am bringing out the big guns in the form of:
Gotye.
or Wouter "Wally" De Backer as he is also known, is an interesting Belgian-Australian chap. Having already released three independent albums he is no stranger to the business but is only just starting to get recognised over here in England's green and pleasant lands. His latest album Making Mirrors released last year is a real gem. Some songs have a real Sigur Ros feel whilst others incorporate elements of blues, jazz or even ska making it a real pick n mix of an album.
At present the only opportunities to see him on UK soil are at Shepherds Bush Empire on 29th Feb or in Manchester on 2nd March but move quick, I imagine these will go sharpish.
