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.
Boxes - Fighter
www.boxesband.com
An epic blend of Americana from the Tom Petty end of the scale, with big choruses and indie rock guitars. Boxes are a four piece hailing from Manchester, and there is a definite Manchester sound to this song. They have been releasing singles and EPs steadily for the last couple of years and this is a mature piece of work that suggests they will be a great live act. TM
John Monroe - Driving
www.field-music.co.uk
Field Music are a band whose core consists of brothers David Brewis and Peter Brewis. Andrew Moore was the original keyboard player, but for reasons not entirely explained here goes by the name of John Monroe. Apparently 16 years in the making, this piece of intriguing soft rock has bits of Supertramp mixed with the sort of pop/rock singer songwriter that is in short supply these days. Atonal piano over guitar and a 70s synth solo. The Brewis brothers appear and the sleeve credits John Monroe & Field Music. The Songs from the Shelf EP will be out at the end of June and will be worth investigating further. TM
Tomorrow Bird - Falling Down
www.tomorrowbird.com
We've reviewed Tomorrow Bird's singles before, and this is another delightful song. The structure reflects their background writing musicals, and suits the combination of Jen Bird's voice and Simon Driscoll's harmonies and playing. They say "each of theu heartfelt songs is a passionate ode to the human experience... They sing of hope, love, loss, courage and empowerment". And the hopeful, uplifting feel of this song is just that. TM
Pete Briley - Right Place At The Wrong Time
www.petebriley.com
"The main aim with Right Place, Wrong Time was to try to capture a sense of what it's like to be in our generation. We've all had a tough ride and crossed a lot of rainbows to find nothing at the end but the charred remains of a few broken promises." Coming in at barely 2 minutes Pete Briley's second single is an energetic acoustic number. It isn't the tale of woe his comment on it would suggest. He claims to be an "overrated upstart with ideas above his station". Not so, if this fine indie folk song is anything to go by. TM
Raintown Seers - Carolina Sun
www.facebook.com/RaintownSeersUKA sunny country folk tune from a band based in the Northwest of England. The video was shot in a clearly English suburban garden, and just adds to the infectious bounce of this song. The fiddle gives it that authentic Appalachian feel, and singer Sara Beth has the voice to bring the joy of going back to Carolina to your speakers. If you can sit still to this, check your pulse. TM
Clare Sands & Brian Finnegan - DEALAN DE
claresands.com
"Channeling the music of her ancestors, Clare Sands is a unique force in Irish music. Weaving traditional roots with contemporary sounds and influences". Working on this song with Flautist Brian Finnegan there are almost African elements to the tune. Part of a music and film project that will take in all four of the most extreme geographical points on the island of Ireland, this is exactly the blend of traditional and modern that she is striving for. Looking forward to hearing and seeing the whole project. TM
Roll My Dice - Easy To Love
No Website (Yes really)
An interesting soundscape of layers of keyboards and voices, which the insistent drum machine drives forward in the manner of some of Eno's more active ambient pieces. With no other information or visible online presence, I can only say go and play it on Spotify because it's great. TM
Beth Bombara - Everything I Wanted
www.bethbombara.com
Being compared to Aimee Mann and Jewel are slightly misleading reference points for Beth Bombara. While her writing and singing have the substance of Mann, she has a more country feel, without dropping into the anonymity of much of modern country music. Bassist and producer Kit Hamon supplies much of the drive to this song, from an Album (her 4th according to Bandcamp) called It All Goes Up. Bombara is one of those artists with a regional following in the US that sustains he career but deserves a far wider audience. Great songs, put across well on record, and a good find for anyone who likes real country music. TM
Ernie - Pink Headaches
erniethechef.co.uk
"Pink Headaches is about revisiting the scenes of my childhood and the complex feelings that come in tow". Having just played support to Sam Fender at his hometown gig, Ernie is on the rise. This has the sleepy synths of bands like Men I Trust made more substantial with a big guitar and his relaxed singing style. Part-time chef, full-time singer-songwriter, you heard about Ernie here first, if there is any fairness he will be everywhere soon. TM
Allison Russell - The Returner
www.allisonrussellmusic.com
Lead single and title track to her new album, this lush string filled ballad looks set to continue Russell's richly deserve rise to greatness. The lyrics reference her previous song Outside Child, and the album promises to develop that acoustic based album into something bigger and bolder. The album will be released in September and on hearing this single you can call off the search for album of the year. TM
Dragonflies - Won't Go Down
www.facebook.com/TheDragonfliez
A Welsh trio consisting of bass, cajon, acoustic and electric guitar, Dragonflies claim influence from Mumford and Sons and compatriots Stereophonics. This indie folk tune is substantial enough to live up to those influences, with Stereophonics acoustic side being most clearly visible. They say they "have developed a powerful, harmonic pop sound, full of angst and encouragement to defy adversity." They have a little way to go there but this is a solid single release and should prompt listeners to seek out their live shows. TM
Handsome Family - Joseph
handsomefamily.comThe first new music from Brett and Rennie Sparks since 2016, Jospeh shows that their gothic world is still intact. From a forthcoming album Hollow, this Waltz time tune features a Sitar like sound throughout that adds to the eerie words. 'Come into the circle Joseph. There's no moon tonight.' Great to have them back, and if you are new to the Handsome Family's world time to join in. TM
Sister Ray - Teeth (EP)
sisterraymusic.comThere's a real feel of reluctant awakening in Sister Ray's new EP release, Teeth. Ella Coyes' lyrics have an immense power to them, and they don't shy away from using unsettling imagery. It results in an experience that isn't exactly comfortable, but it is incredibly captivating. Teeth is an EP full of intensity and disarming honesty, but which constantly and subtly shifts to make you question what is being said. There's a dark noirish beauty to all four tracks which prove delightfully moreish, and this is a mini collection that can be played time after time. AJ
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.
Folk Friday Radio
Check out our shows and many other great shows on: