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.
The Gillies - It Hit Me Like A Bullet
www.thegilliesmusic.com
Folk Americana duo The Gillies new single hits a gentle groove, with spiky guitar and a smooth organ backing Susan Turner's voice on a song which carries enough grit keep this out of country blandness while still offering a radio friendly tune and a catchy chorus. TM
Tony Christie - What I Did For Maria
www.tonychristie.com
A revisit of a 1971 hit single from the veteran singer, given a new lease of life as part of a project called "A New Life" which looks back at songs from his career. He will also be touring the album, which given his 2023 dementia diagnosis may well be his last. A true professional still producing music to entertain a whole new generation. TM
Sarah Riches - We Ain't Getting Out Of Here Alive
www.facebook.com/sarahrichesmusic
A Country meets Bon Jovi anthem, big guitars, and a big voice. She says, "this song is about staying true to yourself and keeping a firm hold of your integrity and authenticity, despite external noise and pressure." She has a richer fuller voice than many in her part of the musical world and this song allows her to use it to full advantage. TM
Brian Bilston - Every Song On The Radio Reminds Me Of You
brianbilston.com
Bilston and his band The Catenary Wires have offered a pop/rock song, livened up by his spoken word section which allows you to play lyric and song title bingo. It's a good song on its own merits but that sets it apart. I've counted about 40, how many did you get? TM
9 Bach - Llaw
www.9bach.com
Calling themselves "Wales' most intriguing musical outliers where ancient Welsh roots collide with cutting-edge soundscapes." This single mix combines their Welsh language song with Andy Gangadeen's beats. Closest musical comparison would be Steve Hillage's System 7. Singer Lisa Jén says "I've composed songs whilst listening to Andy's drum sequences as inspiration. It's good to mix things up with a different approach to tease something new out of me. Songs for me have always started by the piano, but I've loved having a dance beat to vibe me up as I stare at the blank page!" TM
Ciska Ciska - Biotope
www.instagram.com/ciska_ciska
Biotope is the debut single of Ciska Ciska, project of 25-year-old Ghent-based singer songwriter Ciska Dhaenens, one of Belgium's "biggest talents in indie folk music". Combining traditional folk guitar with just enough piano and electronics to be interesting without swamping the tune, this is an impressive debut. TM
Danny Lavender - Maybe It's Me
www.instagram.com/danny_lavender
A sparkly guitar and up-tempo backbeat give an otherwise fairly straightforward pop song a lift that makes it sound both classic and contemporary. This looks to be his debut release in which case it shows more than a touch of promise. TM
Josienne Clarke - Tiny Bird's Lament
josienneclarke.com
Josienne Clarke is one of the treasures of current folk songwriting. Sparse guitar and a voice which you can never tire of listening to make this single of the month, whatever the month. Her lyrics have a quality that need you to concentrate and relisten often to feel their true beauty. New album Far From Nowhere is out later this year and is already greatly anticipated this year, as on this showing it will be one to savour. TM
Lee Ann Kelly - Like I Do
www.facebook.com/leeannkelly.uk
Another of the growing list of British country singers doing it better than Nashville. Packing the best of country music into 3 minutes with style and verve she produces a single which should set the radio alight. She says "Like I Do is a song all about two people coming together… if it's meant to be then it will happen no matter how different you are. Love is love They drive you crazy, but you wouldn't be without them." It also has a line dance created for it. TM
Manran - Something That I Said
www.facebook.com/ManranOfficial
Set a modern folk tune to a dance beat and you the new single from Manran. A summery song that is all contemporary pop but using electronics to create something that has the flavour of more traditional music. If radio got behind this, it would be a hit… TM
The Often Herd - Cool Summer Rain
www.theoftenherd.com
"Wistful sunshine harmonies of Southern California with the striking industrial allure of their home in the North East of England." Bluegrass with more than a bit of the traditional folk of their hoe patch, especially in the fiddle. This sites firmly in the Nu-Grass part of the genre and is quite brilliant. Bluegrass can often be hidebound and set in its ways, but this a breath of resh air. I want to see them live now. TM
Polly Morris - Flip Flop
pollymorris.co.uk
The tribute tune to the staple summer footwear you never knew you needed. Polly claims influence from Victoria Wood and certainly has they same quirky way of looking at ordinary aspects of life. Bouncy, upbeat, and lots of fun, although as it is mostly about the fact that her flip flop is in fact broken that you wonder if a sad blues B side version is not on the horizon. Try some of her other songs as well, just as good. TM
Billy Liberator - Only So Much You Can Hold
billyliberator.com
Melodic hard rock not a million miles form bands like Asia, in its anthemic quality. A big guitar solo drives the song over the chorus. Good new rock singles are thin on the ground and Billy Liberator is the real deal. He draws inspiration from the Alarm and The Waterboys and he would be for fans of both those bands… TM
Rachael Sage - Canopy
rachaelsage.com
Working with The Sequins to record a full band album of which this is the title track. "Equal parts emotional exhale and invitation to a more compassionate future, the inspirational anthem explores radical inclusivity, non-violence, and environmental consciousness." The gentle folk/country lilt underscores the serious message effectively. TM
Atticus The Ocean - The Ocean
atticustheocean.co.uk
A Bournemouth based singer-songwriter who "draws inspiration from the ocean, writing original songs that explore the unspoken facets of life." Some intricate fingerpicked guitar and words that demonstrate a love of the sea. 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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