Summing Up The Shit Show – lostboy
Sheffield indie-pop risers lostboy unveil their eagerly awaited debut EP ‘Bad News’ via Ditto Music, and share lead single, ‘Self(ish)’.
Hot on the heels of continued support from the likes of BBC Radio 1 and Radio X – the ‘Bad News’ EP is an exploration of the stress and emotion endured by the band during the events of the past year and a half, and a tribute to the UK’s ability to carry on and call for change even in the toughest of times; as Max elaborates:
“The EP as a whole is an insight into the thoughts and feelings that were evoked in me during the national lockdowns. I wanted to write songs for everybody, songs that people could listen to and relate to. The 'Bad News - EP' just about sums up the shit show we've all endured this last year and a half; the songs credit our British 'carry on' attitudes, call out for change and touch on taboo topics many of us (myself included) have been reluctant to address.”
With performances at Tramlines and Y Not Festivals already behind them; Max Clutterbuck, joined by his three best friends have set to work on defining their evocative, uplifting take on indie-pop since the release of their 2019 debut.
Combining the twanging guitars and soaring choruses of 2000’s indie with the cheeky, everyman approachability of modern pop, lostboy’s down to earth charm and openness surrounding subjects of men’s mental health have found the band placed on Spotify’s ‘New Music Friday UK, Hot New Bands, Peach and Fresh Finds: Rock playlists alongside plays on E4’s Made In Chelsea and continued support from BBC Introducing’s Gemma Bradley.
Said themes of mental health come into play on lead single ‘Self(ish)’ – an intimate glimpse into the reality of real people’s real life problems, and Max’s way of putting a positive spin on an incredibly tough time experienced by one of those closest to him, as he explains:
“Self(ish) was inspired by a personal struggle my best friend, and bassist, shared with me. I wanted to make what was a negative experience for him into something positive and empowering for all of us, in the hope that sharing his experience might help others who have struggled with the same issues.”.
lostboy’s debut EP, ‘Bad News’ is out now via Ditto Music and available on all digital platforms.
Deeper With Every Listen -Joe Martin
Joe Martin writes with a quality of empathy beyond his years.
His observational songwriting captures the experiences of people close to him as well as imagining the stories of those he meets in passing. The tales of friends and strangers blend seamlessly with Joe’s own ponderings on life for masterfully crafted songs that paint a picture with every verse.
Born and raised in Lancashire, UK, his sights were always set on a big future. He grew up listening to the greats and the influence of artists from Bob Dylan and Townes Van Zandt to Jason Isbell and Kacey Musgraves are evident in his sound and lyrical style. The magic of his live performance lies in his ability to connect a room of people with the emotions of a life they have not themselves lived.
Preceded by singles Heartbreak Cult and the rockier Doesn’t Rain in LA, which were released to critical acclaim last year and have received continued radio support from Country Hits Radio and Chris Country, Joe Martin’s new EP Bound For Lonesome exemplifies the thoughtful reflection that his songwriting is becoming known for. Written during the course of his most recent trip to Nashville in 2018, these new songs are evidence of Joe’s development as an artist. While simultaneously daunting and inspiring, Joe fully immersed himself in the infectious energy of Music City, playing writers’ rounds, joining co-writes and challenging himself to explore new ideas and approaches in his music.
Recorded live with The Chorlton Country Club, with stunning backing vocals from Lauren Housley and effortless pedal steel from C J Hilman (Billy Bragg, Yola), each song on the EP has a raw and energetic quality. Intentionally setting out to not overthink every nuance, the production follows the lead of Nashville producer Dave Cobb and captures the honest authenticity of Joe’s songwriting which is so prominent in his live performance.
“I wanted every track on this EP to sound truthful and honest. When I perform live, I always mean every word I sing, and people pick up on that, it’s harder to convey that on a record, but the live process of recording helps. I’m very lyric focused, and want people to find the layers in the story and to go deeper with every listen. I want it to grow on people, and make them want to come back to it again and again.”
UK LIVE DATES
24 June – The Sound Lounge, Sutton, London
30 June – Barnoldswick Music and Arts Centre, Lancashire
3 July – The Velveteen Rabbit, Great Ayton, Middlesbrough
4 July – The Live Room, Saltaire, West Yorkshire
6 July – The Castle Hotel, Manchester
30 July – Buckle and Boots Country Music Festival
27 November – The Great British Folk Festival
Upon listening to the EP retrospectively, the common theme of loneliness jumped out in this collection of songs. Loneliness from heartbreak, loneliness from being left behind, or loneliness from introspection which leaves us with questions unanswered in songs like Forgotten Country Song and More Than Just Your Loving. The lyrical monologues of each track are layered in meaning, opening them up to be revisited for deeper understanding or new perspectives with every listen. While lead single Take Me Home Tonight may contain the only lyrics which overtly point back to Joe’s personal experience, it’s positioning as the final track on the EP is significant. It serves as a reminder that all of his songwriting is injected with some element of his own truth and ultimately comes from a place of self-reflection.
The past year has been tough on all musicians and like his peers, Joe has desperately missed performing live and connecting with his audience. During this period he has channelled his creativity into producing a new music project, A World United In Music, raising money for Alder Hey Children’s Hospital. Recording a collection of collaborative albums, Joe has worked in the studio with some industry legends including Steve Cropper (co-writer, Sitting on the Dock of the Bay), Bruce Foxton (The Jam), Bev Bevan (Electric Light Orchestra), and Albert Lee (The Everly Brothers, Emmylou Harris, Patty Loveless).
With the gradual return of live music in time for summer 2021, Joe is excited to be looking forward to a busy live schedule in the coming months. He has recently announced UK tour dates commencing in mid-June and will be making appearances at Buckle & Boots Country Music Festival, and the Great British Folk Festival, before accompanying Clearwater Creedence Revival for their Holland dates in October.
“I’ve missed playing live shows the most, for sure. I will never take for granted another second I spend on stage! I’m looking forward to traveling, connecting with friends I haven’t seen in far too long, and hopefully finding new inspiration!”
Big Metal Grooves – Neonfly
Neonfly, formed in 2008 as the brainchild of guitarist and composer Frederick Thunder, took the heavy music scene by storm, releasing two highly acclaimed full-length records and an unforgettable debut EP to date.
The four-piece have played countless tours with acts such as Sonata Arctica, Dragonforce, Epica and Alice Cooper to name just a few, and appeared at a raft of prestigious festivals notably Download, Bloodstock and Masters Of
Rock. On their upcoming third album, Neonfly shows no signs of slowing down: “The Future, Tonight” not only features 10 modern rock anthems, heavy yet catchy allied with hard-hitting riffs, big metal grooves and decidedly socially conscious lyrics, but also signposts a new musical direction and a new creative era for the band.
"The Future, Tonight"
“The Future, Tonight” was produced by Grammy award nominated producer Romesh
Dodangoda (Bring Me The Horizon, Motörhead), with keyboards and orchestra arranged
by Miro Rodenberg (Avantasia, Kamelot). The album artwork has been painted by Korean
artist Gyeong Hwan Noh “Noma”.
Guest appearances by: Björn Strid (Soilwork, The Night Flight Orchestra), Kaan Tasan
Tracklist:
01. This World Is Burning
02. Last Of Our Kind
03. Flesh And Blood
04. The Future, Tonight (feat. Björn Strid)
05. Beating Hearts
06. More Than A Lifetime
07. Another Eden (feat. Kaan Tasan)
08. Steal The World (feat. Kaan Tasan)
09. Final Warning
10. The Things We Left Behind (And The Things That Slipped Away)
Neonfly are:
Willy Norton – Vocals
Frederick Thunder – Guitars
Paul Miller – Bass
Declan Brown – Drums
Montreux Jazz Festival
Montreux Jazz Festival today announces the unmissable programme for this year’s festival, set to take place between 2 – 17 July 2021 in Montreux, Switzerland.
Set alongside beautiful Lake Geneva, surrounded by the striking Swiss Alps, the iconic 16-date festival will debut a brand-new stage, Scene Du Lac: a main stage built on the lake, giving music fans from across the world the chance to see their favourite artists in a truly unique location.
Throughout its 55 year history, Montreux Jazz Festival has hosted many of the world’s greatest artists, from Miles Davis and Wu-Tang Clan to Nina Simone and Prince, as well as providing an invaluable global platform for exciting new talent and the hottest trends. The 55th edition is no exception with a brilliant lineup across two main stages despite the condensed programming and reduced capacity this year due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Two long-term friends of the festival will make their return to Montreux for the 2021 edition: Woodkid and soul giant Rag’n’Bone Man. A multi-award winning music video director as well as musician, Woodkid will perform his percussive masterpieces on July 3 while Rag’n’Bone Man, whose latest single ‘Anywhere From Here’ shot into the Top 10 in the UK chart, will appear on July 11.
Headlining the main stage on July 15 is woman of the hour Arlo Parks, recently named as 2021’s Breakthrough Artist at this year’s BRIT Awards after her album Collapsed in Sunbeams garnered huge critical acclaim. Meanwhile, rising Irish rock band Inhaler will be the first act to grace the brand-new Scene Du Lac stage with their anthemic summer-ready rock, premiering tracks from their upcoming debut album.
The Scene du Lac will also feature performances from several Montreux Jazz Festival Spotlight artists, who were chosen at the start of the year by the festival as Artists to Watch in 2021. Priya Ragu will make her festival debut on July 8 alongside Argentine artist Nathy Peluso, whose fiery blend of soul, jazz and urbano will have the whole festival moving. Meanwhile, Yseult, who picked up the award for the best newcomer at Victoires de la Musique (the French Grammys), will perform her transformative take on pop on on July 6, surrounded by the splendour of the lake and mountains.
MONTREUX JAZZ FESTIVAL
2 – 17 JULY 2021
https://www.montreuxjazzfestival.com/
The Scene Du Lac stage will also play host to huge number of genre-bending and bold artists, from Turkish psych-rockers Altin Gün and trumpet master Ibrahim Maalouf to minimal pop artist Oklou and the father of Italian blues Zucchero.
Over at the Petit Théâtre, housed within the Montreux Palace, there are even more established and emerging artists on show with an exceptional programme dedicated to jazz and soul music.
Flying the flag for UK jazz, there is a supreme line-up of some of the most innovative artists on the circuit. On July 5, one of the most celebrated figures of the internationally recognised scene, Nubya Garcia, will showcase her breathtaking talent, performing tracks from her praised 2020 album The Source. Groove-heavy collective Steam Down, another MJF Spotlight-tipped act, will join Garcia with their hip-hop inflected beats and, on July 10, Alfa Mistwill leave crowds in awe with his slick piano prowess, fresh from the April release of his latest record, Bring Backs.
Swapping warehouses for the dazzling Montreux Palace, techno titan Jeff Mills will perform alongside Tony Allen collaborator Jean-Phi Dary on July 8 as their new project, The Paradox, an experimental, heady mix of club-ready bass and enthralling jazz melodies. Elsewhere, afro-jazz group Nubiyan Twist will have the whole theatre dancing while Yussef Dayes, Rocco Palladino and Charlie Stacey will make their anticipated return as the Yussef Dayes Trio.
Raoul Midón will deliver a true guitar masterclass with other Petit Théâtre highlights including the downtempo flow of Belgian rappers YellowStraps and Grammy nominated jazz pianist Fred Hersch.
Montreux Jazz Festival
Tickets for this year’s festival will be on sale from June 8 via the Montreux Jazz Festival website.
In April, it was announced the festival will return for 2021 with a limited capacity and a brand new stage, the Scene Du Lac. Built 25 metres from the shore, the lake stage realises a long-held wish of the festival’s late founder, Claude Nobs, framed by the the lake and the Alps with a tiered terrace that can accommodate a seated audience of up to 500. For fans unable to experience the festival in-person, the Scene Du Lac stage will livestreamed free of charge via music video platform Qello Concerts by Stingray, so anyone, wherever they are, can enjoy the magic of Montreux Jazz Festival.
As well as the Scene Du Lac and the Petit Théâtre, there are two free-to-watch stages: The Grand Hall of the Montreux Palace, which features jam sessions every evening, and the Palace Gardens, dedicated to impromptu acoustic showcases, chilled DJ sets as well as a beer garden and a cocktail bar. In total, this 55th edition brings together artists from 14 different countries.
Tickets for this year’s festival will be on sale from June 8 via the Montreux Jazz Festival website.
Facebook @montreuxjazzfestival
Twitter @MontreuxJazz
Instagram @montreuxjazzfestival
Programme Information: 2-17 July 2021
Stage: Scene Du Lac
Date Artists
Fri 2 Inhaler; Annie Taylor
Sat 3 Woodkid (two performances, 18:00 and 21:00)
Sun 4 Hermanos Gutiérrez, Delgres
Mon 5 Ibrahim Maalouf (two performances, 18:00 and 21:00)
Tue 6 Yseult (piano set); Oscar Anton
Wed 7 Sofiane Pamart; Oklou
Thu 8 Nathy Peluso; Priya Ragu
Fri 9 Brandão Faber Hunger (two performances, 18:00 and 21:00)
Sat 10 Sam Fischer
Sun 11 Rag’n’Bone Man (two performances, 18:00 and 21:00)
Mon 12 Zucchero
Tue 13 Zucchero
Wed 14 Altin Gün; Yet No Yokai
Thu 15 Arlo Parks; Arma Jackson
Fri 16 Fatoumata Diawara; Lass
Sat 17 Kid Francescoli; S+C+A+R+R
Stage: Petit Theatre
Date Artists
Fri 2 Raul Midón; Charlotte Grace
Sat 3 Christian Sands 100%; Gaidaa
Sun 4 Crystal Murray; YellowStraps
Mon 5 Nubya Garcia; Steam Down
Tue 6 Roberto Fonseca; Kali Trio
Wed 7 Forq; Sarah McCoy
Thu 8 Jeff Mills & Jean-Phi Dary – The Paradox; Kety Fusco
Fri 9 Ballaké Sissoko & Vincent Ségal; Sha
Sat 10 Alfa Mist; Louis Matute
Sun 11 Isfar Sarabski; Imelda Gabs
Mon 12 Fred Hersch; Afra Kane & Valentina Kaufman
Tue 13 Robben Ford & Bill Evans; Alina Amuri
Wed 14 Yussef Dayes Trio; Nnavy
Thu 15 Nubiyan Twist; Amine Mhraihi & Valentin Conus Duo
Fri 16 Macha Gharibian Trio; Hely
Sat 17 Jowee Omicil; Blaer
A POUNDING FRENZY – SICKRECY
June 2021 will see SICKRECY, the brand new project consisting of members of Birdflesh, General Surgery, World in Ruins and Damned to Downfall, to release their debut EP on Spikerot Records.
Extreme, fast and chaotic, SICKRECY masterfully conveys the old
school spirit of the genre into their sound, injected with shots of Crust Punk, D-beat and Death Metal, so you know what to expect in terms of sheer anger, brute force, blasting speed and pounding frenzy.
The shovel had already been pushed into the ground in early 2020, but 2021 will be the
year of further digging, with the release of the band’s debut EP ‘First World Anxiety’, a way
to exorcise the anger and frustration for a society in decline. It will be out on June 4th and
is a juicy anticipation of the band’s upcoming full-length album
Recorded and mixed at Basement Ogre Studio, Sweden by Martin Eriksson.
Additional guitars recorded at Sunheight studio, Sweden by Marcus Dahl.
All music and lyrics by Martin Eriksson except lyrics on ‘Liberty’ by Niklas Frohagen
(Forest Of Shadows).
Mixed and mastered by Dan Lundberg, Sweden.
Cover art by Mike Fisher Custom Artwork.
Logo by Patrik at Chainsaw design.
Release: 04.06.2021, Spikerot Records
Tracklist:
1. Man’s The Leech
2. First World Anxiety
3. I Am Paty
4. Banner Of Contempt
5. Liberty
6. Last In Line
SICKRECY is:
Adde Mitroulis – Vocals
Marcus Dahl – Guitars
Martin Eriksson – Drums / Bass
No Win Situation – JAX DIARIES
Telling a thematic narrative, alt rock band JAX DIARIES released their captivating new video “WHEN I TURN I SEE THE FUTURE” on Friday May 28th after its exclusive premiere on Knotfest the day prior.
Following multiple acclaimed videos and the band’s debut album, this cinematic visual methodically depicts what is left when two sides battle but neither win.
Knotfest Exclusive Premiere
https://knotfest.com/culture/jax-diaries-delivers-rousing-rock-with-the-premiere-of-when-i-turn-i-see-the-future/
Stream “WHEN I TURN I SEE THE FUTURE”
https://open.spotify.com/track/5phMjiW9vdfpn6gihJ8HKb
"Existing between the past and future, we never seem to live in the present. When two opposing sides clash, the battle begins and then ends. There is noise, there is exertion, but no one wins. All that’s left is the silence, absolute zero."
Jax Diaries
Based in Italy, JAX DIARIES is an alternative rock band originally created by Jaxon and his brother Andrew in the summer of 2019. Both of them were previously in the metalcore band Cry Excess, who performed around the world supporting bands like Papa Roach, Korn, and Walls Of Jericho.
After recruiting Andrew and Frankie to complete the band’s lineup, they found quick success in 2019 with their debut single “Shine On” as the music video for the track hit 20K views in its first week. Later that year, tragedy struck when Jaxon was nearly killed in a motorcycle accident. Persevering from his hospital bed, he continued writing new music with his bandmates during daily visits. Once on the mend, in March of 2020, the band went into the studio and recorded what would become their first full-length album ‘Riverside Motel’.
Giving fans a taste of what was to come, they released the single “Came Down To Say Hi” featuring DD Lacuna of Lacuna Coil in September of 2020 along with its music video which currently has over 106K views. Keeping the momentum going, their follow-up single “Fury Roads (Boom Boom)” has garnered over 140K views since its release in November of 2020. The full album ‘Riverside Motel’ was released on May 14th, 2021.
Now, bringing their catchy track “WHEN I TURN I SEE THE FUTURE” to life, JAX DIARIES released a music video for the song on May 28th, 2021 following its exclusive premiere on Knotfest. This visual will capture your attention with a well-developed and beautifully delivered storyline.
Making Waves – REGENT
Southampton rock’n’roll staples REGENT return with their stunning new single ‘She Rocks My Soul’, out NOW.
Cutting right to the centre of pure, uninterrupted rock, REGENT are the unruly rocks of Southampton. Taking inspiration from the seminal songbooks of The Beatles and The Rolling Stones and the masterful melodies of their many Brit Pop acolytes, Regent revel in the works of those past masters and carry their mantle on to a new generation. Receiving acclaim for the last single, the four piece have received recent airplay across the globe with plays from BBC Introducing, Radio X, Amazing Radio, and even SiriusXM in America.
Making waves across the blogosphere too, the band have been praised by Louder Than War, Ear Milk, Gigslutz and more, with the latter hyping the band’s comparable: “swagger and sonics of 90s flag bearers like Ocean Colour Scene, Oasis and The Verve”. Already taken to the hearts of their devoted local fanbase, Regent are now well accustomed to sell-out shows in Southampton, with word quickly spreading to other corners of the UK and beyond too.
Now, the band have offered up another one of their exhilarating new tracks ‘She Rocks My Soul’, out 21st May 2021. Jam-packed with a grungy, unstoppable guitar hook and unfiltered vocals, the track is a true earworm- inviting all who listen into the bands whirlwind sound. Throughout, lead singer Ben Rooke sings lyrics bursting with emotion, rooted back to the muse in his life he attributes for his re-immersion into the music scene.
“The track is a song written about my fiance who I had to fight hard for to get her over here from India, after her returning to see her parents in September last year,” says Rooke. “We've been together a couple of years now, and she's the reason I got back into music. The song is about the enormous positive effect she's had on my life the last couple of years, how I've changed and become more dedicated and focused on music. It's an upbeat in your face rock n roll love song dedicated to my beautiful fiance…”
Alongside the release, the band have announced a home-town show to take place at The Joiners on Saturday 3rd July 2021, with tickets on sale now. Already well-accustomed to capacity shows in their hometown, tickets are expected to sell like hot cakes. With the temperature rising, and the bands unadulterated sound in full force, the event is set to be one to remember, for the band and fans alike.