Beyond The 45
Singles, EPs, Downloads
The Fatea office also serves as a home for our weekly Along The Tracks show on Folk Friday Radio and as a rule singles and Eps have generally gone in that direction whilst Fatea generally concentrates on albums and live reviews for our full length feature, but with more artists going back down the single route to keep themselves in the public eye, we thought it was time to reflect that in our offerings and as rules are made to be broken or at the very least adapted, welcome to the Singles Round Up.
Kirstie Kraus - You Got That Lovin'
www.facebook.com/kirstiekrausmusic
Ms Kraus's music is very much built for the Nashville machine. She is clearly pointing herself towards a career in Country. Having said that it is a lot less robotic than much of that town's product. Soulful organ and guitar fills add a dash of character to a song that feels more genuine than her AI generated artwork. Her Facebook videos of acoustic performances suggest she has the talent if she gets the opportunity. TM
Octavian Winters - Elements of Air
octavianwinters.com
The spirit of the Sisters of Mercy lives on in Octavian Winters. A gothic mix of guitars and drums with a strong female vocal. "Elements of Air is about how we see the world, our chosen frame of reference, and how much power that holds over us, including the power to destroy things we value." As the song progresses it starts to drift towards symphonic metal, but whatever label you put on it, it's a great single. TM
The 4 Of Us - Lean In For A Kiss
www.facebook.com/The4OfUsOfficial
Irish band The 4 Of Us have put into song the dilemma at the heart of every first dance in the slow set at every club in the universe. A gentle pop/folk tune gives the hopeful optimistic feel that accompanies the thoughts in the singer's head. There could be whole concept album in this story as it's left on a cliff hanger, did they, or didn't they? TM
Paul Thompson - Until The Cradle Falls
www.paulsmusic.co.uk/home
A song which unfolds like Springtime. There is a gentle romantic feel to the guitar, strings and piano ballad which is reason enough to want to hear more of his music. Then you read his website and learn that he toured in an electric milk float to the Edinburgh fringe and has written a book about it, Floating to the Fringe. Anyone who can combine that sort of brilliant idea with delightful music which fits into the space between acoustic Richard Thompson and Neil Young deserves our support. His album Passing Places, which I guess he learnt a lot about on his trip, is out later this year. TM
Charlie Padfield - A Boy Named Cigarette
www.facebook.com/padfieldmusic
A fabulously lo fi pop song driven by bass and drums. Charlie Padfield ahs worked on the live circuit around Yorkshire for years and brings his live energy into the studio for this song. Padfield says that this is a song about "It's a song about trying to make your way in the world when the world isn't exactly rolling out a red carpet." That carpet should certainly be rolled out for this punchy tune, which is his debut single. Catch him if he plays near you. TM
Frenchy and The Punk - War On War
frenchyandthepunk.com
Another 80s goth styled song. Samantha Stephenson has studied at the school of Siouxsie Sioux, and there is a very Banshees feel to the whole thing. That is not a bad thing, and the song is well up to the standard set by their inspirations. Analog synths and big drums. Bandmate Scott Helland was part of the hardcore scene that produced Dinosaur Jr. If you have a yearning for 1985 then this is the song, and the band to help you out. TM
Veronica Drozdowski - Out
www.facebook.com/veronicadmusic
A straightforward pop song which morphs into big modern rock on the chorus. She "wrote this thinking about everything that's going on in the world right now." Which is a lot of course, but she manages to convey an angst and worry in sone simple lyrics very effectively. A name to watch for. TM
Anthony O'Neill And The Murder - Daughter Of Fire
www.andthemurder.com
Dark country/folk straight out of the late Johnny Cash school of singing. His social media tells us the song was "inspired by Flamenco legend Lola Flores, the song was recorded in one take, blending Flamenco intensity with alt-country storytelling." Goth with Banjos, and there is an Andalucian quality to the chorus vocals and guitar solo. Unlike anything else I've heard and absolutely worth repeat plays to get your head around this fascinating multi layered song. TM
Mike Blackburn - Tell Me Why
www.mikeblackburn.net
Simply Tell Me Why is Mike Blackburn's response to the USA's killing of over a hundred little girls on the first day of their 'war' with Iran. Acoustic guitar, direct lyrics filled with a righteous anger. Music still ah the power to illuminate the world better than anything else. Listen to this and ponder on his message. TM
Allison Russell - No Springtime
allisonrussellmusic.com
The incomparable Allison Russell returns with a simpler more country led song than some of her recent work. She says "When I talk about reconnecting to something essential, I don't mean grasping for the most available sunshine. 'No Springtime' is about embracing the dark side of the moon - the blues, sadness, melancholy … Blues are activated sadness, never passive, and this is something Black Women deeply understand. It feels so good singing this with my sisters, Joy Oladokun and Julie Williams. Live your blues, don't wallow and loop. No light without shadows!" If you have yet to hear Allison Russell, and if that's so where have you been, this is a good place to start. Previous single Rainbows is part of the package and is another acoustic song, which embraces her soulful side more fully. TM
Camille Camille - J'ai Reve
www.facebook.com/camillecamillehoney
J'ai Reve (I'm dreaming) is a lovely blend of French Chanson and folk, from a Belgian singer who produced and excellent album Could You Lend Me Your Eyes a few years ago. Her husky, vibrato filled voice is affecting and emotional, whether you speak the language or not. The good news is that a follow up album called Enchanted Sea, should be along soon. Listen to this get swept up in the melancholy dream world of Camille Camille. TM
Fine Lines - Out Of Time
wearefinelines.com
A fine country rock song from a well-established band from the North West, of England. At least I hope it is by them as there is no mention of it on their website or socials, and I can't get past the ads for face creams anywhere else on the web. Whoever it is has produced something better than any of the Nashville production line acts manage in months. Classic country with a hard rock skin on top. Great stuff. TM
Emma Jane - Red Shoes
www.emmajaneofficial.com
Country pop from an Scottish singer who once again out does the home of country with a Bluesy performance and a gritty tune. The UK is currently offering a lot of high-quality country artists in all parts of the genre, and Emma Jane's single is up amongst the best. Loud where it needs to be, and gentler where it doesn't. TM
Chasing Twisters - Skinny Dip Creek
www.chasingtwisters.co.uk
And proof of that assertion comes from Stoke On Trent's Chasing Twisters. Avoiding the smooth country trap with a big sound and lyrics which are largely free of the cliches while embracing the country style. A band who are probably great value live and have brought the live energy to their recorded sound. TM
Cowboy Diplomacy - Looney Bin
www.facebook.com/CowboyDiplomacy
Not more Country, hard rock with mostly rapped words, which sounds like a mix of Nickelback and Rage Against the Machine. Political correctness clearly doesn't trouble them over much. Musically right out of the mid 90s, but none the worse for that. TM
Juana Everett Ft Dylan LeBlanc - Whatever It Takes
juanaeverett.com/home
A song which goes through a variety of changes, a Cowboy Junkies/Mazzy Star guitar opening, a Beatles-ish chorus, and a song which starts in Country Folk territory but winds up more indie than folk. A slow anthemic quality to the whole thing makes her upcoming album Past Lives in California something that is now on the eagerly awaited quality. TM
Fatea Showcase Sessions
The Fatea Showcase Sessions are a series of downloads featuring acts that we've really enjoyed and think that more people should get the chance to hear.
Corsair is the current session and features 16 fantastic artists check out the website to find out more about them and download your copy
www.fatea-showcase-sessions.co.uk for all the artist information.
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