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.
Ben See & Edward Randell - Oh Boy
www.edwardrandell.com
Having grown up together in South London, it's perhaps surprising that it's taken so long for Ben See and Edward Randell to work together. Their first joint project is six songs that explore the theme of boyhood, taking us from innocence to moments of conflict. Oh Boy really does capture that feeling of the early years finding your place in the world around you. Both artists combine their talents well, creating expansive cinematic soundscapes that highlight the graceful vocals perfectly. Hopefully this is just the start, and we'll get to hear much more from this duo. AJ
Colin Manson - Wayfinding
www.colin-mason.com
There's something quite peaceful and still about the debut EP from Colin Manson. Inspired at least in part by three years of sailing voyages across both the Atlantic and Pacific, there's much of the sea in this recording. It's not a sea buffeted by strong winds and driving rain, however. These are the calmer waters that sooth the soul, the sun glittering across the surface. Every song is full of gorgeous moments, such as the vocal harmonies with Billie Maree on These Words. Wayfinding may only be 16 minutes long, but you'll come out of it feeling a whole lot better than when you went in. AJ
Matt Hawll - Angel
www.facebook.com/MattHawll
Matt Hawll is an artist who has grown on me and has done so by recording songs that have a certain something about them, they are not songs that hit with an oh wow, these are songs that have that something that gives them a chance to grow on, a chance to take root and then suddenly find themselves on your playlist. Often simply recorded, with subtle hooks and "Angel" is no exception, it passes the whistle test. NK
The Sacred Vagabonds - All That Matters
thesacredvagabonds.com
The combination of Marvin & Gentry with Kim Parent may have been formed in Nashville, but there's little of that stereotypical Tennessee sound in All That Matters. There's a whole host of musical genres at play; here a little rock, there a little folk, with the occasion pop sensibility sneaking in. The harmonies give the release a lot of warmth, and while the songs may not stick in your head long after the last note has sounded, it's a beautiful listen. AJ
The Mining Co - Treasure in Spain
theminingco.co.uk
Irish born London based singer songwriter Michael Gallagher is back with something a little different to recent releases. Inspired by time spent in Andalucia, Gallagher has returned to more of a country soul flavour to celebrate a decade of The Mining Co project. The Americana sound works well over the four songs which all have a subtly different sound. From the upbeat title track, to the more haunting We Are Not Alone, the four tracks are compelling and captivating, and a perfect demonstration of Gallagher's songwriting. AJ
Wylderness - Safe Mode
wyldnoise.com
The Welsh indie band's latest is a full of glorious sun-drenched nostalgia. There's a hazy feel at times, reminiscent of days out in the sun, a few drinks down with the buzz taking over. It's understated throughout, and it takes a few listens for the lyrics to start to take hold, such is the enveloping power of the arrangements. Safe Mode conjures up an incredible atmosphere over it's short playing time, and if this is your first taste of Wylderness, it's certain to make you want to explore their back catalogue while waiting for new music from them. AJ
Jess Moskaluke - I Ain't Country
www.jessmoskaluke.com/
An interesting title as the single is definitely country, what it is is putting a truck through the baggage that too much country music comes with, particularly if you're a female singer-songwriter trying to get taken seriously and particularly if you're from out of town and not "Country Enough", this hits that particular nail with a damned big hammer. NK
Katie Spencer - Come Back And Find Me
www.katiespencer.net/music
With a new album, her third, "What Love Is" due in October, "Come Back And Find Me" is the first single on the road to that release. Katie Spencer has really grown into her skin, not only as a singer-songwriter, but also as a damned fine guitarist and a performer confident enough in her ability to be trying something new. There's a wonderful jazz/blues inflection laid onto a track that sounds like it could have come straight out of Laurel Canyon. Definitely one to check out. NK
Virginia Kettle's Rolling Folk - Old London
therollingfolk.bandcamp.com/track/old-london
Based on Virginia Kettle's experience of being a busker in London and released to raise awareness of loneliness and funds for The Marmalade Trust, a charity who try to bring loneliness to an end. For me charity songs have to do more than just raise awareness, they also have to standup in their own right and "Old London Town" really heavily ticks that box and more. Like the legendary "Streets Of London" this song takes you on a journey, it makes you think and leaves the preaching at home. NK
Merry Hell - Only Love
merryhell.co.uk
With their latest album seemingly waking up new fanbases for the band, notably in the US, "Only Love" is a perfectly timed single to get the band on those FM and internet airwaves and playlists with a well crafted slice of folk rock that's good for a bit of a jaunty singalong at a summer bbq, as backing music to a couple of pints or just as a damn fine song with plenty of upbeat extravagance. NK
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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