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.
RJ Hacker - Punch Drunk
rjhacker.bandcamp.com/track/punch-drunk
Morton Valence frontman RJ Hacker offers a solo single not wildly different to his regular band. They did in fact play this on their recent support tour for The Long Ryders and it is every bit as eerie as it was then. Slide guitar, police sirens and picked guitar replace Ann Gilpin's Marxophone. Essential for Morton Valence fans, and indeed everyone else. TM/p>
Serious Sam Barrett - The Ballad Of Mic & Susie
www.serioussambarrett.co.uk
Serious Sam Barrett describes himself as "a hard touring, folk, and country singer from Yorkshire. Playing honest, heartfelt self-penned and traditional songs on 12 string guitar and banjo". This song is about Mic and Susie Darling, well known activists in the travelling community. The lyrics need careful attention as they a re an eloquent rebuttal of all the stereotypes about travellers. "Drive on Mic and Susie Drive on." TM
Tristan Roberson - Rough Spot
tristanrobersonmusic.com
Country music still has the ability to surprise, and this contemporary tune does just that. More rough edges than much of the genre these days. Fiddle and earnest voice make this an insistent epic tune which reflects the classic country of people like George Strait as much as more recent artists. Proper country done right and sung with passion. TM
Lee Ann Kelly - Willow Tree
www.facebook.com/leeannkelly.uk
Another excellent modern country single, proving it can have some pop added to the mix without losing its heart. Biting guitar and a sweet voice make a great contrast. For a British artist to make the Top Ten in the world songwriters awards for best modern country is an achievement and a well-deserved one. TM
Dave Helgi Johan - All My Love
davehelgijohan.com
An indie-pop tune from Canadian singer songwriter Dave Helgi Johan now resident in Byron Bay Australia. Bits of Americana, bits of 90s pop all wrapped up in a good pop song. Acoustic guitar pushes the beat and a chiming electric accents the anthemic chorus. A song about sending greetings to family and friends at home while separated by distance clearly comes from his own experience. Great stuff. TM
Eliza Delf & The Wilderness - Twine
elizadelf.com/home
Delf calls this "indie music with gothic folk noir in its veins, and art rock in its heart." Her voice has elements of Bjork to it, and the stuttering fiddle adds an edgy sound to the tune which takes it away from standard indie fare. The art rock is courtesy of a 90s Bowie like sound, but she has taken her influences and made something her own from them. Anyone with a liking for alternative rock needs to hear this. TM
Sarah Rose & Matilda Grace - Health Hazard
www.facebook.com/matilda.gracia
A song about dating red flags. It came from a joint writing session "with a very specific idea for a song (a song about two women talking about the same toxic ex). We both took inspiration from two songs we love (Austin by Dasha and Unhealthy by Anne Marie). A couple of months later here we are! Health Hazard is sassy and fun, and I hope you love it!" We certainly do. Country flavoured jazzy pop with bite. TM
Celia Bryce Band - Hours
www.theceliabryceband.com
"Whilst Celia has never had a dog of her own, she knows about the constancy of man's best friend. This song is a testament to that devotion." Any dog owner will recognise the loyalty that she talks about. A sad song certainly but the delicate contemporary folk tune makes this one to hear. Just have a hankie handy. TM
Tim St.Clair - I Need Love
timstclairmusic.com/home
Tim St Clair clearly sees himself as a country artist, but the music has more than a bit of 90s Seattle about it. Nirvana, and Soundgarden are as much touchpoints as anything further south. Having said that it is a good song and well performed. It doesn't let its influences take over and he has a clear sense of his ambition for the tune. If you ever wanted to know what Kurt Cobain in Nashville would have sounded like here it is. TM
Jess Tuthill - Bruises
jesstuthill.co.uk
Reading singer songwriter Jess Tuthill has a way with an intimate folk song which is very beguiling. Ukelele carries the rhythm over her warm voice. The album this is lifted from A Beautiful Disaster was a fairly constant listen when it came out last Autumn, and if you missed it catch up here. TM
Arny Margret - Day Old Thoughts
www.arnymargret.com
Icelandic singer songwriter Arny Margret has a new album out in March, and this is the debut single. An insistent folk song, with bits of synth added to the guitar/drums that make this an atmospheric and delightful song. A new name to me at least, and one which needs some more attention. Looking for to the Album 'I Miss You I Do' coming soon. 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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