Beyond The 45
Singles, EPs, Downloads
The Fatea office also serves as a home for our weekly Along The Tracks show on Blues & Roots 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.
The Lost Trades Daffodils
www.thelosttrades.com
The Lost Trades are a trio of Wiltshire based singer songwriters (Jamie Hawkins, Phil Cooper and Tamsin Quin) who joined forces in late 2019. They have a neat line in three part harmonies and this is their first single since a fine debut album 'The Bird, The Book & The Barrel' in 2021.
They describe Daffodils as "a celebration of friendship wrapped up in a melody that shines with the joy of spring." And it is indeed a sunny sparkly country flavoured song that is not afraid to wear it's heart on its sleeve. "Cos you're my confidant, my devil's avocado. Whenever you're around I'm in good company". They are a really good live act as well, and should certainly be on your list of bands to see. Our gardening correspondent takes issue with the line "You bring the sunshine like the daffodils in May". I say why let a little botanical accuracy get in the way of great sunshine song. Your soundtrack for the Spring is here. TM
The Barrys - Gutters & Skylines
vbah.co.uk/the-barrys-gutters-skylines-out-now
Their press release tells us that "'Gutters & Skylines' is the barnstorming debut single by the drunk-folk, acoustic-punk chaos creators, The Barrys." And they do come across as an acoustic folky Clash. Released on the Vandalism Begins at Home label, they embrace their chaotic ethic. The words are spat at you more than sung, like a more forceful version of early Billy Bragg. Mary Wilcockson delivers a violin solo straight out of Dylan's 'Hurricane' and the rest of the minimal music is just enough to get the tune across.
The sedate folk club crowd will probably hate this, but as band leader Liam Burke says: "We don't sound like anyone else, we can only be us. It's all we know". TM
Allison Russell - All Of The Women (dim star remix)
www.allisonrussellmusic.com
A rising star And recipient of 3 Grammy nominations following her brilliant album 'Outside Child' this remix takes an already powerful and adds a whole new punch to it. "It's fear I can bear. 'Cause I'm stronger than eggshells, I'm tougher than luck. Never been despised so much or hit so hard. I couldn't get back up" Hiding the Banjo of the original under huge drums, distorted vocals and a bigger gospel chorus gives this remix a menace that opens her music to a whole new audience. The big departure is a verse from Washington rapper Sa-Roc.
The words are informed by her seven years as front-line mental health worker in Vancouver. This is unsettling music and that is as it should be, it's an unsettling subject matter. Russell has been an established artist for some time with Po' Girl, and Birds of Chicago. She seems to be stepping into her power as an advocate for women's place in the world and music. Single of the year so far. TM
Tomorrow Bird - All I Need
tomorrowbird.comThe second single recently from Tomorrow Bird, the duo of Jen Bird and Simon Driscoll. A darker song than 'Promise of Today', which we reviewed here recently. A more folk oriented piece nonce again highlighting Bird's voice, but with a bigger role for Driscoll's singing both harmony and alone than the last single. "See me now believe in me. Show me how to let it be" is the message of the song, delivered over guitar and keyboards. Bird's background in musical theatre shows through in the narrative style of the song. They describe each of their songs as "a passionate ode to the human experience" Where 'Promise of Today' was uplifting, this is thought provoking, two sides of their music. Both of them worth exploring further. TM
Carys - When Lily Comes to Town
carysmusic.com
Suffolk based songwriter Carys released a song in 2018 called 'Max The Pirate Cat', subsequently, wrote a book and now she has added a song about his siter Lily. Lily is the Smuggler's cat and Carys tells us about over a traditional folk backing. There's clearly going to be a Lily book, and the music, words and Carys drawings that go with them are just great. Visit her website to learn more about the world of Max the Pirate Cat. This is a great fun song, and I'm looking forward to the next instalment. TM
Marc Woosnam - Just Words
marcwoosnam.com
Marc Woosnam's roots are in the music of the Seattle Grunge scene. Just Words builds from an acoustic intro to a full force electric storm on the chorus. The urgent vocal certainly has echoes of Seattle in the 90s, but with some more modern influences in there as well. At just over two and a half minutes it gets in delivers its message and leaves. With an album due in July this is a good introduction, and while there is nothing startlingly new about it, the world always needs more good rock songs, and that's what we have here. TM
Michael Lane - Days Can Last Forever
www.michaellanemusic.de
German based American singer songwriter Michael Lane is bit of a contradiction. The music on 'Days Can Last Forever' is breezy and cheery, and describes itself as "a message of hope and the positive certainty that a time of crisis and reflection will lead people back to the important things."
The story told in his press is of an "artist who has seen the harsh realities in life." The theme of the song is about time going slowly when you want it speed up and move past the hard times. A simply arranged song with an acoustic guitar and some bright percussion carrying the tune. The singer is clearly looking for positivity in a downbeat world, and you can't argue with that. TM
Corner House - Mag's 21st
www.cornerhouseband.com
An instrumental folk piece from a Boston based band that draws on a number of traditions. Made up of songwriter and guitarist Ethan Hawkins, Scottish fiddle player Louise Bichan, bluegrass mandolinist Ethan Setiawan and Cellist Casey Murray. For a group that has such a diverse background, although they met studying at Berklee College of Music, they have the musical telepathy of the best folk groups. Mag's 21st, is very much a Scottish tine with bits of Reels and jigs popping up. They describe their music as "a singular sound that incorporates old time, Scottish, progressive bluegrass and folk". If that sounds intriguing you would be right. Looking forward to hearing their album which is out at the end of May. TM
Lynne Hanson - Hundred Mile Wind
www.lynnehanson.com
It's only a few weeks since we reviewed her previous single, but Hanson is back with a dusty Western inspired song that showcases a different side of her from last single, 'Hip Like Cohen'.
It comes as no surprise to hear Hanson say of her new work: "The upcoming album has a lot of variety on it, and this is definitely one of the more outlaw country tracks". Apprantely based on an event on tour when she was caught u in a hundred mile an hour wind storm. The two singles we have had so far mark her album, titled Ice Cream In November' as another that is definitely eagerly awaited. 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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