Davey Johnstone – To Watford And Beyond
Davey Johnstone has been Elton John’s guitarist for 50 years. He has also played with Alice Cooper, John Lennon, Stevie Nicks, Lenny Kravitz and many, many more! In his role as Music Director he will resume the hugely successful Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour with Elton and the band in the UK this week.
Davey joins Elton John on the first leg of his 9 date UK stadium Farewell Yellow Brick Road The Final Tour – which starts on Wed 15th June in Norwich Carrow Road Stadium and ends on July 4th at Watford Vicarage Stadium and includes a show in Hyde Park, London on 24th June. They return in March 2023 for more shows in Belfast and 5 shows at The O2 Arena London.
Davey’s beautiful solo album “Deeper Than My Roots” was released earlier in the year through Spirit of Unicorn Records.
It can be purchased physically and digitally:
https://geni.us/DJDTMR for physical
https://lnk.to/srgeGwCR digital and streaming
Check out this video “Go Easy On My Heart” featuring the extraordinary talent of Davey’s son Elliot. It is a beautiful track.
During the COVID-19 recess, Davey has recorded an album utilizing the incredible talents of his children, plus a few close friends. The album has a wide range and crosses genres.
Elliot, the youngest Johnstone, is lead vocalist on the record, with Davey supplying one lead vocal himself. Charlie Johnstone recorded many of the basic tracks at their home in California. Charlie also supplied keyboard and background vocal parts. Jesse Johnstone played drums remotely from his home in L.A. Jesse also joined his father and eldest sibling Tam Johnstone, on writing, recording and producing the album’s two instrumentals, “Black Scotland” and “Walt Dizney”. The beautiful artwork for the sleeve was conceived and designed by Juliet Johnstone.
Denny Seiwell, the legendary drummer from Paul McCartney and Wings helped out on three tracks, and Nigel Olsson supplied drums on “Melting Snow”.
Much of the recording was done by Major Wynn at Marlon Hoffman’s Kenrose Studio in California.
Morgan Evans – Getting Stoked
Australian-born star, Morgan Evans, is set to make his highly anticipated return to the UK next month, with a headlining show at the Lafayette in London.
Following this show, he’ll join Brad Paisley to play two arena dates at the OVO Hydro in Glasgow and the 3Arena in Dublin, as part of a world tour which will also find them sharing the stage in the Netherlands, Denmark, Norway, Australia, and New Zealand. Tickets for Evans’ London show are available to purchase here.
The tour, which will be Evans’ first time back in the UK/Ireland since 2019, will see him performing fan-favourites along with songs off his new EP, The Country and the Coast: Side A (released in Oct ‘21). After years of touring as a solo artist with a loop pedal, Evans teamed up with award-winning producer Dann Huff and returned to his roots by building his sound for the project around a full band experience.
Speaking on his return to the UK and Ireland, Evans says, “I couldn't be more stoked to get over to play some more shows in the UK and Europe this year! I think the almost underground nature of Country music in those parts of the world makes for some of the most hardcore fans and most fun shows I've ever played!"
Evans’ recently wrapped a successful weekend at CMA Fest ‘22 in Nashville, where he hosted an intimate Fan Party and played the highly coveted Riverfront Stage on Friday, 10 June. The set included Evan’s current single ‘Country Outta My Girl.’ Morgan recently teamed up with Weezer’s lead-vocalist, Rivers Cuomo, to release their take on the single - available to listen to here. Already established as a global country force, the singer/songwriter and entertainer has also teamed up with Apple Music to share his global perspective on the country genre and showcase performers from all over the world on Country Wide Radio with Morgan Evans. Evans has toured with artists including Taylor Swift, Dan + Shay, Cole Swindell, Brett Eldredge, Old Dominion, Rascal Flatts and Chris Young in addition to sharing his own one-of-a-kind headline sets with sold-out audiences spanning eight countries across three continents.
MORGAN EVANS 2022 UK/IRELAND TOUR DATES
14 July – London, UK – The Lafayette
15 July – Glasgow, Scotland – Ovo Hydro*
16 July – Dublin, Ireland – 3Arena*
* with Brad Paisley
JIM WHITE – Reading Between The Lines
Americana maverick – JIM WHITE – returns to the UK this Summer to tour his acclaimed current album: ‘Misfit’s Jubilee’.
His most upbeat, hallucinogenic record to date, upon its release in 2020 ‘Misfit’s Jubilee’ was hailed by UNCUT as “the friskiest, most rock’n’roll album of his career” (8/10), while MOJO effused that “the timeless fury of these songs is just what we need more of right now”(⅘).
Fast forward to 2022 and White will be bringing its songs to the live stage for the first time. Performing as a three-piece band, the Georgia native will be joined by Geert Hellings and Nicolas Rombouts, both of whom played on ‘Misfit’s Jubilee’.
Kicking off at The Cluny in Newcastle on 12 June, the ten-date tour will see the band taking in shows at Glasgow, Manchester, London, Birmingham and beyond. With tickets on sale now, full dates and details can be found as follows:
JIM WHITE – UK TOUR: JUNE 2022
12 – Newcastle Cluny 2
13 – Glasgow St Luke’s
14 – Leeds Brudenell Social Club
15 – Manchester Deaf Institute
18 – Nottingham Bodega
19 – Birmingham Actress & Bishop
20 – Bristol Louisiana
21 – Portsmouth Wedgewood Rooms
22 – Brighton Komedia Studio
23 – London 100 Club
Tickets on sale here: https://jimwhitemusic.net/tour/
Known for his catalogue of dark ruminations on all things Southern, White’s latest outing, ‘Misfit’s Jubilee’, features a nonstop parade of manic, blue-collar conflagrations exploring realms dark and light, mystic and mundane, cynical and heartfelt; all presented within a buoyant, hook-laden sonic framework.
Recorded primarily at Studio Caporal in Antwerp, Belgium, the record marks a departure from White’s usual hopscotch approach to collaboration—no bevy of celebrated guest artists and studios scattered across the globe this go-round. The album was written with just multi-instrumentalist White, his longtime drummer Marlon Patton, plus trusted Belgian sidemen Geert Hellings (guitar/banjo) and Nicolas Rombouts (electric & stand-up bass/keys), and the pared-down chemistry on display here lends ‘Misfit’s Jubilee’ a sonic integrity that far exceeds any of White’s previous efforts.
‘Misfit’s Jubilee’ draws from an array of original songs penned by White over the span of several decades—scattered among the recent compositions are songs back-burnered in previous epochs by White’s major label handlers, this after said songs were deemed too extreme for his “brand”. With no such middleman constraints this go-round, in ‘Misfit’s Jubilee’ White has found the perfect vehicle to unleash his twisted take on southern folk rock.
Since its release, White has also published his long-awaited debut novel “Incidental Contact”. Part memoir, part urban fable, the quixotic narrative unspools around a cluster of truly baffling events that befall White during a severe mental health spiral, episodes which lead to him being “discovered” by Talking Heads frontman David Byrne.
Chronicling a harrowing ten year stretch mostly spent disintegrating behind the wheel of a New York City taxi cab, White navigates a daisy chain of gritty intersections between the real and surreal, encountering a dizzying array of agents of synchronicity: drug lords, con men, deviant proctologists, errant pigs, doomed lovers, psychics and psychos, and ultimately a string of cultural luminaries, each bearing enigmatic messages for White from the Great Beyond.
Above all, Incidental Contact is a love letter to the fans of White’s Wrong-Eyed Jesus oeuvre—the marginalised seekers among us: the freaks, the outsiders, the lost souls—anyone who, as White points out in his iconic song Static on the Radio, “thinks less of what is written than what’s wrote between the lines.”
Shuriken Cadaveric Entwinement – Torture And Torment
After a decade entombed in silence the death metal samurai warrior is stirring again!
Multi-instrumentalist Jordan Varela (Lust Of Decay) and vocalist Jay Barnes (Cesspool Of Vermin) have invoked the spirit of Shuriken Cadaveric Entwinement once more, carving eight new masterpieces from the flesh of the Oni with the gleaming blades of their katanas; eight new songs of war that together form their bloody and brilliant new album, Constructing The Cataclysm.
Having released two excellent albums in As The Shroud Of Suffering Suffocates The Land in 2007 and Resuscitating The Vile in 2013, it seemed that Shuriken Cadaveric Entwinement may have passed into history. However, in the late summer of 2020 rumours began to spread that the band had signed a new deal with death metal super power, Comatose Music – and now the truth is revealed.
On August 5th Constructing The Cataclysm will be unleashed, the most devastatingly powerful Shuriken… release to date! Prepare to immerse yourself in the mythology of the legendary samurai and face the unspeakable horrors of the Japanese underworld. The jagged riffs and thunderous drums of ‘Insurrection Of The Diabolical’ will transport you to a field of battle where steel blades fight against tusk, tooth and terror, while the gloriously guttural vocals of ‘Insidious Spiritual Incarceration’ will drag you into a subterranean world of torture and torment. The essential elements of death metal are infused with the fire of imaginative and inventive writing and invigorated by driven and dynamic performances, making Constructing The Cataclysm an utterly essential release for all fans of the genre.
Decorated in the awesome artwork of Andreas Christanetoff of Armaada Art (Aborted, Kraanium, NecroticGoreBeast etc) and recorded at Audio Helm Studios with Mike Clevenger (Valar Morghulis, In-Conquered etc), Constructing The Cataclysm is the ultimate Shuriken Cadaveric Entwinement release in every aspect. Sharpen your blades and prepare for war – battle is joined on August 5th.
Face the steel of Shuriken Cadaveric Entwinement now at Slam Worldwide – where first single ‘Breaching The Gates Of Tranquility‘ is streaming now!
LYDIA CAN’T BREATHE – Rocking Out For Paul Chapman
Hard rock metal quartet LYDIA CAN’T BREATHE released a brand new single “Electric Powder” to all major platforms along with the official music video. The band will hit the road this July with special guests Ignite the Fire and The Other LA.
Electric Powder is a high energy song with riveting visuals in virtue of flipping a concept many people can relate to. Aiming to take listeners on a journey through a true story, it is based on determined musicians willing to do anything necessary to follow their dreams. The video invokes feelings of determination and risking it all to succeed.
“I wrote the lyrics reflecting upon a story once shared with me by the great Paul Chapman, who was my guitar teacher for years. He passed away in 2020 and is missed dearly by many. This song is dedicated to his legacy contribution to music culture. We will let you discover the full story by checking out Electric Powder, out now on all platforms!” says the band's vocalist, Kyle Bolduc.
The single is a fresh take on the band’s trademark sound with melodic guitars and dark tendencies. It showcases their ear candy intros, face melting guitar riffs, while still clinging to their heavy transitions and breakdowns.
Lydia Can’t Breathe Warning Tour Dates:
July 14 The Looney Bin- Bradley,IL #
July 15 Rock Fest- Cadott,WI *
July 16 Skylark Studio – Rock Island,IL #
July 17 Papa Petes- Kalamazoo,MI #
July 19 Hamiton St. Pub- Saginaw,MI #
July 20 Maple Grove Tavern- Maple Heights,OH #
July 21 One27 Main- Morgantown,KY #
July 22 Shagnastys- Huntsville,AL #
July 23 Tribble’s Bar & Grill- Piedmont,SC #*
Dates W/ Ignite the fire- # Dates W/The Other LA- *
THE CASE – The Right Amount Of Cryptic
THE CASE has released a new single, ‘Throne,’ a mix of alternative rock, indie, and a bit of garage-rock swagger. The song’s concept stays close and personal to the band’s roots.
In a statement, the band said: “ ‘Throne’ is a look into oneself while trying to find meaning in a world gone mad.”
THE CASE deals in emotion with every track they’ve released, and ‘Throne‘ does not settle for less, as it perfectly encapsulates what the project is all about – a fight with your inner self, an expression of beauty, and infatuation with the world so deep it hurts.
‘Throne‘ is a mood setter with a tremendous atmospheric feeling and profound insights. Depending on your background settings, ‘Throne’ may get you lost in the spiritual space of uncertain authenticity or find you brought to tears hidden in the sad meaning of life. Either way, with THE CASE‘s newest song, there are infinite listening possibilities, each offering an unforgettable experience.
The first of a series of three-songs collaboration with Italian producer Enrico Tiberi, ‘Throne‘ suggests meditation and a reflection on personal life; thus, referring to how we perceive the different stages of life and the attitude with which we relate in relationships with those surrounding us. These aspects are seen through various vices, which can act as an emotional outlet and refuge.
But the calling card of ‘Throne‘ is the powerful lyrics that stand in plain sight among the hoarse yet fragile vocals, anchoring the song’s core theme of conflictual state. Using the powerful vocals as a tool, the Romanian band creates a liminal space between two points of view, making a production that emotionally resonates with people on a personal and universal level.
‘Throne‘ is just the right amount of cryptic while providing the type of rock that’s sure to draw people into their growing discography.
THE CASE is the band that’ll make you reflect and reconsider. Moreover, the band has been described as being able to deliver an energetic performance which makes each show unique effortlessly. THE CASE is a four-piece band based in Timisoara with alternative, rock, and indie influences.
THE CASE:
Alfred Ciprian Paroș – lead vocals, rhythm guitar
Mihai Bele – drums
Adrian Istodorescu – lead guitar
Cristian Paroș – bass and keyboards
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thecaserocks
Instagram: www.instagram.com/thecaseband
Youtube: https://youtube.com/c/TheCaseBand
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/1khrILKEdnCqXssbT5vOWO
WOLFMOTHER – Loud And Invigorating Down In Brixton
After a long and agonising wait, Wolfmother finally returned to the UK for the first time since their Hyde Park performance in 2014 – This was part 1 of their European tour.
With an essence of Black Sabbath meets Led Zeppelin, they brought their unique, energetic and riff filled 70’s vibe fused with 21st Century hard rock to a sold-out Brixton Electric, London, and it was the come-back of all come-backs.
Wolfmother were supported by the self-proclaimed “fuzzed up, grooved out, hook-laden alt rock” group Blue Stragglers. This three-piece band, who hail from Horsham, West Sussex, opened the show with a powerful and passionate performance that lasted from start to end.
Gritty and grungy, their songs built up with catchy melodies and increasing intensity before finally smacking you hard in the face, truly electrifying.
Lee Martin (vocals and guitar), Ali Waite (bass) and Andy Head (drums) wasted no time, and their packed set included the loud, feverish and melodic ‘In Love for Half an Hour’, ‘Late at a Festival’ and concluded with the EP’s “festival anthem”: ‘All Mine (Sometimes)’.
On this night, Blue Stragglers’ infectious energy fuelled the fiery crowd and those memorable hooks have played over and over in our minds for days since.
After the crowd had been adequately pumped with premium 4 star, Andrew Stockdale (vocals and guitar), Bobby Poulton (bass and keys) and Hamish Rosser (drums) entered the stage to exuberant applause.
Loud and invigorating from the start, Wolfmother’s canorous riffs and belting high notes kicked things off with the crowd pleaser Dimension; encouraging immediate audience participation and the first mosh-pit of the evening. This unfaltering enthusiasm from both crowd and band was a constant throughout the whole full-throttle 90 minutes.
The aforementioned mosh pit seemed to grow stronger and stronger with every song. Crowd surfing ensued and there was the obligatory rogue fan who tried to join the band on stage (but was very quickly dealt with by security).
Energy levels were certainly high, all gassed up by the 19 song set list comprising of a good solid mix of old and new, including fan favourites: ‘Woman’, ‘Midnight Train’, ‘Victorious’, ‘Vagabond’ and the grand finale, ‘Joker and the Thief’.
Of course, no great rock and roll show would be complete without an encore and Wolfmother certainly didn’t disappoint. Returning to the stage after a very brief departure, they finished the show with ‘Upload’ and ‘Love Train’.
Apart from an early pedal-board failure during White Unicorn, which was seamlessly covered by the intuitive reactions from Poulton and Rosser, the show was faultless.
We can only hope that it’s not another lengthy wait before they return next.
PHOTO SET TO FOLLOW
WOLFMOTHER played Brixton Electric – May 31st 2022 – Support from Blue Stragglers
Live gig photography – Mark Thompson
Words – Lucy Thompson
Copyright of the authors and 1st 3 Magazine – Do not reproduce without prior permission
Alexander Ludwig – Muscle And Twang
Multi-hyphenate Alexander Ludwig has announced the release of his full-length debut album, Highway 99, due out August 26th 2022 via BBR Music Group/BMG in Nashville.
Filled with 16 tracks that tell universal stories about small towns, wild nights, broken hearts, and big dreams, the album is glued together by a mix of amplified guitars, climactic choruses, and heartland hooks.
To celebrate the album announcement, Ludwig released the anthemic first single off the LP, ‘Faded On Me’. Blending country storytelling with Rock ‘n’ Roll energy, the summer-ready track finds a balance between old-school twang and modern muscle. Listen to ‘Faded On Me’ here.
“If my album could be summed up in a song it would be ‘Faded On Me’,” said Ludwig. “The song spoke to me so much. As a kid, my parents taught me to roll with the punches, and this song is all about that. Taking whatever life throws your way and throwing it right back.”
A follow up to his 2021 self-titled EP and career-launching 2020 single ‘Let Me Be Your Whiskey’, the album was produced by Kurt Allison and Tully Kennedy — two incredible songwriters who have penned Grammy-nominated hits and are longtime members of Jason Aldean’s band. Other album collaborators include Nashville heavy hitters David Lee Murphy (Sheryl Crow, Kenny Chesney) and Michael Dulaney (Jason Aldean, Reba McEntire). Country icons like Brett Eldredge and Jason Aldean have rallied behind Ludwig too, drawn to his effortless mix of classic and contemporary Country.
A songwriter since the age of 12, Ludwig grew up in Vancouver, Canada. Every weekend, he’d venture into the Canadian backcountry with his family, making the trip up Highway 99 to his family’s cabin on Whistler Mountain. Those drives were filled with music, and it was there — gazing out the window as the car pulled away from the Pacific Ocean coastline and headed toward the snow-capped peaks — that he fell in love with Country music.
In addition to working on new music, the well-rounded entertainer stars in the STARZ TV series Heels, which is currently in production on its second season. Most recently, Ludwig can be seen alongside Uzo Aduba and J.K. Simmons in STX’s college sports drama National Champions as well as the drama film Heart of Champions. Upcoming, he will star in Guy Ritchie’s The Interpreter for MGM and Amazon.
Vala – Worth The Wait
Manchester lo-fi indie band Vala have truly made the first half of 2022 their own.
With sell out shows in both their native Manchester and in the capital, as well as supporting their friend and BBC ‘one to watch’ Sfven they’ve had an amazing run of shows this year already. The band’s previous two singles ‘This Town’ and ‘You Don’t Want My Love’ have gained massive radio play on Radio X, BBC, XS Manchester and Amazing radio UK/US.
Stepping slightly away from the band’s more upbeat, lo-fi indie pop style that earned them a fan and production mentor in The Strokes/Libertines producer Gordon Raphael, the band revelled in changing the pace.
Front man Joe Knowles explains, “We’ve enjoyed slowing down for this track, with it feeling like a continuation of the production and style of our 2021 single ‘It’s Alright When You’re Falling’.The samples of poolside noises are from the film ‘Eighth Grade’, lifted from a scene that was both funny and harrowing and stuck with me so much I had to add the sounds to a song called Swimming. I love the fat drums and bass when they enter around the halfway mark, and is worth the wait to hear one of Vala’s signature moves.”
‘Swimming’ is released via Shoplifters Union Records and distributed via AWAL on 10th June 2022, the third of four tracks assisted by legendary The Strokes producer, Gordon Raphael.