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 Darren Holland Project - 8 Billion Butterflies
www.facebook.com/thedarrenhollandproject
A Kansas City indie rock band with a punchy style somewhere between Red Hot Chilli Peppers and Beastie Boys. This is an ambitious single, from a writer who has been composing since he was 5 years old. The chaotic sound is reflected in the words, and it ends up with a powerful mix which is intriguing and enticing in equal measure. TM
Steve Hewitt - If I Said It To You
www.facebook.com/stevehewittmusic
Breezy singer songwriter folk/pop. Hewitt has a dark deep voice which is unexpected when the verse kicks in but adds an edge to the song. A strong chorus pushed by guitar and big 90s drums. The sort of high-quality pop which deserves the airplay which it is getting in Australia, clearly a more open-minded market for great songwriting and top-drawer performance. TM
Otherish - Go Xenon
www.facebook.com/otherishspirits
Nigel Martyn, otherwise, Otherish, produces music which can only be described as "out there." It's strangely compelling though. A snippet of tune pops up every so often, Something almost XTC like drifts past and is swallowed up in an abstract brew of voices and guitars. This is a streamlined version from his 2023 album Book Of Otherish. He describes it as "Slabbering with Elon about the planet Xenon and how to get the green on." TM
Sam Carter - Tubal Cain
samcartermusic.co.uk/home
Well established folk singer Sam Carter offers his take on the nineteenth century American folk song, Tubal Cain ahead of an extensive tour in the Autumn. Just Carter and guitar, but close to the perfect version of a traditional song. Carter is an excellent singer and an intricate guitarist. This is a great taste for what we can expect of him live, so I'll be at The Bristol Folk House in September to hear more. TM
Holly Carter - He's A Man
www.hollycartermusic.com
A local Bristol singer and guitarist. This is a single ahead of her debut solo album. She's as good a songwriter as she is instrumentalist, which is saying something. Having heard her live both solo and supporting another local hero Lady Nade, her album should be one of the highlights of the year based on this single. The ringing guitar and confident delivery make this an uncategorisable joy. Part Folk, part country, but all quality. TM
Atticus The Ocean - This Heart Will Sing
atticustheocean.co.uk
Second single from Bournemouth based singer-songwriter, Atticus The Ocean. "This Heart Will Sing" draws on the more positive aspects of human nature, yes the world can be collapsing around you and fate keeps throwing sand in your gearbox, but then that something comes along, a song, a bird singing or just a word, your heart lifts and you're back in the game. AI
Josienne Clarke _ What Do I Do
josienneclarke.bandcamp.com
I've long been a fan of singer-songwriter Josienne Clarke and it's great that this classic slice of ethereal, dream folk, "What Do I Do" is heralding a new album, "Far From Nowhere" later in the autumn. I love that Clarke constantly transitions herself around a theme, that there is always a boundary for her narrative to push up against and always a song capable of surprise. NK
Captain Howdy And The Sunset Serenaders - Little Sadie
captainhowdythesunsetserenaders.bandcamp.com
Long hot summers are made hillbilly, bluegrassy thrashes like this. Bottle of JD in one hand, joint in the other, dancing on the porch, bills chilling in the icebox. Kansas' Captain Howdy And The Sunset Serenaders know their audience, know their sound and whilst this may not be the devil stalking fiddle players in Georgia, it's one hell of a great two and a half minute. AI
Nathan Evans Fox - Hillbilly Hymn (Okra & Cigarettes)
www.nathanevansfox.com
Nathan Evans Fox aspires to write songs that sound the way gas stations feel. While I'm not entirely sure what that is, this astonishing gospel-based song sounds like something from another time and place. He sings "there ain't no use in prayer at all" over a church chorus with stomping feet and flashes of piano and other instruments building to a wall of sound that is eerie yet uplifting. It sounds like it was recorded outside, and you can picture the group in a forest glade sharing the music. This week's must hear song. TM
A.D.A.M - The Sound Of Sleat
www.mikevass.com
This reimagines the Scottish folk tune 'The Sound of Sleat'. Mairearad Green and Mike Vass's A.D.A.M project (a day a month) produce a drum, and bass meets tradition mix of sounds which sounds natural and vital. Commissioned by Skye based Torabhaig Distillery, this is where the modernising of the pipes actually works. TM
heddlu - Cut The Rope
www.facebook.com/heddlu.music
Heddlu means 'Police' in Welsh, from the words 'peace-force.' Rhodri Davies has produced an emotive song ahead of new album Tramor. Suffering from severe hearing problems this music born out of adversity is the antidote to playing live with his former band Estrons. The album partly sung in Welsh and part in English will be out later in August. TM
3Times7 - Big Train
www.3times7.co.uk
There are only two forms of transport in the country related genres, trains and trucks. "Big Train", has the right whistles, the drum rhythms of the wheels on the track and the driving energy of a song with places to go. 3Times7 bring that southern rock energy vibe to the Home Counties and it's great fun. AI
Mark Nevin - Humility With Style
www.marknevin.com
Of course you recognise the name, it's the bloke from Fairground Attraction, stripped back and doing it solo. "Humility With Style" draws a juxtaposition and makes you really think. Why do the good guys lose? Well the good ones, the really good ones don't make a big deal, they share the credit, good ones post their achievements and seem boastful so it doesn't get out there, a beautifully delivered observation in song. NK
Overcomplicated - Since 89
www.facebook.com/overcomplicatedband
A new band to me Overcomplicated, perform mainly in London and the South East, but if "Since 89" is a guide then they really should be making a break out to wider audiences. A countrified power trio, there's a tightness about the band that suggests that they really should be going places, definitely worth checking out. 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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