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Interview: Robert John Hanson is the ultimate singer-songwriter to learn from on The Bitter Suite

https://open.spotify.com/album/47rCtxG7ZUbm6FBQBXS3fI

We sat down with the hugely experienced Liverpool-born musician Robert John Hanson recently. He tells us about life in the USA, his personal release The Bitter Suite, classical music inspirations, Uncle Wally and The Beatles, reading, mystery authors, unexpected death and much more. Sit back with a cuppa coffee and enjoy learning from an experienced artist who guides us through the life of a solo musician in a forget-me-quick world.

Llewelyn: Hello Robert. We appreciate your time and for joining us. First, what do you have for breakfast usually and where are you currently based?

Robert: Coffee and a cigarette for breakfast. My current home base is Providence, RI.

Llewelyn: How did you first get into music and do you recall your first time on stage and what it felt like?

Robert: My father exposed me to classical music and my mother played the piano. You see, we had a piano in the front room. I took piano lessons at age 9, but in order to save money, I had to go with my best friend’s older sister who was a natural and made me look foolish. I also sang in the choir at the Westminster County Primary Elementary School. But it wasn’t until I moved
to the US that I picked up the guitar. I borrowed a guitar from a young lady. The very first time I put my fingers on a guitar I played a D chord by accident. The first time I played live felt magnificent. I played at the Lincoln School for Girls. I was 15
years old and I thought I was a rock star.

Llewelyn: The Bitter Suite. This is a hugely personal release. Please let us in and tell us what the story is behind your new album.

Robert: In 2019 I was about to record a heavier progressive rock album. But then, one of my best friends, the artist Michael Caviasca, died unexpectedly. At his memorial service, I met his therapist, who turned out to be a mystery author, J. L Doucette. I asked her if she’d ever written lyrics and she said she hadn’t. But a few weeks later she gave me lyrics for a song about connection and loss, which was based on her experience of the therapy relationship, but was universal in what it says about friendship. I’d been working on some music in memory of Michael and her words fit perfectly, and became Hush And A Prayer..And that
changed the direction of the album I was about to make. Hush And A Prayer was the first song we wrote for The Bitter Suite Album.
Just a few months later the pandemic hit and I found myself stuck in an apartment with my guitar. Over the next year, I wrote new music and co-wrote about half of the songs on the album with J.L.Doucette.

Llewelyn: Do you recall much about Liverpool and the feeling around the city?

Robert: I remember Liverpool very well. My first crush was in Liverpool, my teacher, Miss Richmond. I actually wrote a song about her teaching which will be featured in a later album. I remember things like Pancake Tuesday and my Uncle Wally telling me he just met a bunch of guys in a band called The Beatles.

Llewelyn: Is there anywhere in the world you’d like to play live in?

Robert: I’d love to play live at the Cavern.

Llewelyn: What other hobbies do you have besides music?

Robert: I’m an avid reader. I enjoy cooking and worked as a chef to pay the bills. I always like cooking to music and I had a knack for it.

Llewelyn: Last, how do you describe our sound to strangers who haven’t heard your music yet?

Robert: I can’t really describe my sound. I have the luxury of playing what I feel at the moment. I like the music of Erik Satie and his composition Gymnopedie inspired me to write the music for Ukraine Spring on The Bitter Suite Album. I grew up listening to the Beatles and David Bowie and I believe my songs carry those influences. I’m currently working on two different albums, each with a different feel. My next single, “I Can Remember” co-written with Cyndy Brown, was inspired by V. E. Schwab’s time-travel novel, “The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue”. It’s set to release on all streaming platforms on August 11.

Listen up on Spotify.

Follow his career on IG.

Interview by Llewelyn Screen

Holy Joe has made an eponymous indie debut and enriched Liverpool’s cultural tapestry once again after his THE DECEMBERISTS legacy.

After taking what was left of the city of Liverpool by storm after the Beatles tore through the cultural fabric of it in the 80s outfit, THE DECEMBERISTS (no, not the American band who coincidently go by the same moniker), the guitarist founded his new project, Holy Joe, to prove he still has what it takes to make an audience shake, rattle, and roll to the sound of his ingenuity.

In the wake of working fret magic in several revered indie bands, the integral part of the UK indie landscape has stepped to the centre of the stage and established himself as a stellar singer-songwriter in his own right with his self-titled single. The rambunctious record has all the making of a perfect indie-pop release and plenty more in its arsenal.

With the quintessentially affable air of Half-Man Half-Biscuit fused with melodies that will grip the nostalgia-loving senses of the La’s and the Seahorses fans, the single is rhythmic raconteurial earworm which leaves enough room in the indie tapestry for a nuanced Americana folk twang.

Stream the self-titled debut single on SoundCloud now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

The Garnetts released the ultimate summer indie-pop staple with their latest hit single, Jealous

The Garnetts have exactly what it takes to follow in the alt-indie footsteps of their Liverpudlian counterparts, Red Rum Club, as they melodically stride towards success with their nostalgically sepia-tinged latest single, Jealous, which is due for official release on June 2nd.

With the angularly funky staccato guitar chops, crooned guitar lines, and definitively 80s atmosphere in the sentimentally sweet single, you will be immersed in the bitter-sweet narrative of romantic possession from the first infectiously carved chorus.

Any fans of The Maccabees, Foals and Mystery Jets will be instantly enamoured by the bubblegum propensity of this emotionally monolithic hit single that could easily become a staple part of your summer indie pop playlists.

Stream Jealous via SounCloud from June 2nd.

Follow The Garnetts on Facebook and Instagram.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Good Things Come To Those Who Wait: Esme Bridie drops catchy new single Mad About It

Taken as the lead track from her brand new 5-track Something In Your Teeth EP release, Esme Bridie is rather spirited and tells it like it is on her fine new single to get excited inside, Mad About It.

Esme Bridie is a Liverpool, UK-based indie singer-songwriter/multi-instrumentalist who performs with genuine heart on each of her well-loved singles.

On the outside she may look like your average sweet girl, but Esme is a self professed angry girl and this comes through in her newest songs.” ~ Esme Bridie

Lathered in with so much affectionate Wirral-fused energy, Esme Bridie is absolutely mesmerizing in a superb experience which will soothe your soul and perk up our enchanted earlobes.

Mad About It from Liverpool, UK-based indie singer-songwriter Esme Bridie, is a terrific single which will take your breath away for a few seconds. She sings with such a fluid technique that might cause a few veins to shiver slightly, taking us on a wonderful journey your speakers will be thankful for.

Performed with so much precise timing and wrapped in love, this is a quality track to truly enhance our moods.

Hear this new single on Spotify and see more via IG.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Clap Your Hands: Ross Martin (Just Music) brings us the funky fresh vibes to dance with on Just For Fun

Dropping that splendid beat boxing that is stylishly submerged into his loops that takes the atmosphere up a notch, Ross Martin (Just Music) shows us inside that simple symphony on his fine new release, Just For Fun.

Ross Martin is a Liverpool, UK-based indie alternative rock singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist who also integrates in reggae, pop, folk and funk.

After years of playing in bands and busking on the streets of Liverpool and London, this solo project was created pre-pandemic, to an online audience gathering over 1.5 million likes on Periscope.” ~ Ross Martin

Sending our hearts into a better place with an outstanding track that has so much fresh rhythm, Ross Martin returns with a thrilling song which takes your soul to soaring heights. There are so many layers here to be impressed by, which shall brush off any worries that were previously wrapped into our precious souls.

Just For Fun from Liverpool, UK-based indie alternative artist and looper Ross Martin is a relevant release that sooths our tired souls with his RC-505 loop-station and bags of charm. Supplying our ears with something rather brightly tuned and featuring an original soundtrack to get our fingers clicking all night long, this is a track to turn up rather loud.

When you make music for the love, it will hardly ever feel like a job.

Turn up this catchy gem on Spotify and see more on the IG page.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Same Mistake: Mike Blue and The Ghosts of Santa Monica drop visuals for Paper House

After causing our hearts to flutter on the excellent video from April 2022 called Battles We Have Won, Mike Blue and The Ghosts of Santa Monica return with a special effort to play for hours on the 2nd release of the year called Paper House.

Mike Blue and The Ghosts of Santa Monica is a Liverpool, UK-based indie folk singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist who is once again joined by The Ghosts of Santa Monica.

He is currently embarking on his next full-length studio album with the help of his backing and touring band ‘The Ghosts of Santa Monica” which should be completed in early 2023.” ~ Mike Blue

We find another quality single that shall only enrich your soul, while reminding you that the best musicians are the ones who don’t seek fame, only respect from the true fans. Mike Blue is that understated underground legend you have probably walked past before, as he prefers to let his world class music do the talking.

Paper House from Liverpool, UK-based indie folk singer-songwriter Mike Blue and The Ghosts of Santa Monica is the type of song that will make you think about those mistakes that can cause everything to burn down, even if you wanted the opposite.

Performed with outstanding verve and purpose that will fill the room with magnificent energy, to make everything better again.

Listen up to this top effort on YouTube and see more vibes on IG.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Late At Night: Mouth Rüber hears those disturbing teeth grinding on Devil On My Shoulder

Knowing that this devilish creature won’t win this time, Mouth Rüber inspires us all to ignore the noise and do what makes the smile widen despite nagging doubts that need to be extinguished on Devil On My Shoulder.

Mouth Rüber is a 26-year-old Liverpool, UK-based indie pop singer-songwriter who was born in the beautiful city of Budapest, Hungary.

Even though my songs can be easily labelled as mainstream they all have a bit of my personality in them which make them distinctive amongst the sea of commercial songs out there most of them sounding like one another.” ~ Mouth Rüber taking us deep into the vision inside her music

With a genuine message that shows us the strength required to walk away from a spirit who doesn’t have your best interests at heart, Mouth Rüber projects her voice so beautifully to the clear blue sky above that has been waiting for her to release music. Catchy beyond belief and bringing us a sensational song to embrace with love, Mouth Rüber shows us we are all in our own minds if we aren’t able to block out all the meaningless distractions.

Devil On My Shoulder from UK-based indie pop artist Mouth Rüber is a hauntingly truthful single about taking charge of your life when you have been dealing with forces who don’t want you to achieve anything, even if you are good enough. Sung with a pulsating intensity and vibrant vocals that might cause you to listen twice, this is a reminder that we are all in charge of our destiny.

When you’re ready to break free, the keys are right in front of you to reach for the stars.

Listen up loud on Spotify and see more on the IG music page.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Make Me Sorry: Liverpool’s Paul Askew drops delightful 5th single with the romantic gem Connie

Dreaming fondly about holding her tightly in a warm embrace, Paul Askew dedicates his life to a wonderful soul who he cherishes rather sweetly on Connie.

Paul Askew is a 22-year-old Liverpool, UK-based indie pop singer-songwriter and music producer who loves to make his creations from the comfort of his cosy bedroom.

I’m really proud of not just how the tracks turned out in the end after mastering, but of writing them also. I think they’re really well rounded and concise. I’m also chuffed with the release essentially being my first concept release too, it’s sort of like examining the two sides of how a relationship can pan out. I didn’t realize this until after it was out as well.” – Paul Askew chatting about his new releases

Known best as the frontman for his now disbanded outfit, The Callers, the now-solo Paul Askew has the kind of vocal freshness that will get you feeling like tomorrow is going to be a better day. Declaring his love with such a magnetically natural structure that is hugely uplifting, this is the perfect single to play loud when you need a boost-me-up.

Connie from Liverpool, UK-based indie pop singer-songwriter and music producer Paul Askew is a sweet single all about knowing that the love is there if the feeling is reciprocated. Sung with an exuberant tone that will get you feeling like everything is going to be okay, in an inhospitable world that seems so loveless at times.

When you feel the true love deep in your bones, it’s best to express them before the feeling goes away into the wind forever.

Listen up on Spotify and see more news on IG.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Play The Fool: Robert John Hanson knows that its hard to breathe sometimes in that Crowded Room

After stirring up our senses with a quality performance on Blue Cocktail, Robert John Hanson takes that one-more-dance with someone who will hopefully not leave any mental scars on Crowded Room.

Robert John Hanson is a hugely experienced Liverpool, UK-born, Rhode Island, USA-based indie blues singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and music producer.

Hanson has lived in L.A. and New York where he played with Spinal Reflex and Grandma Tootle.” ~ Robert John Hanson describing his career so far

Filling our beating hearts with a reminder of what can be if you take a chance sometimes, Robert John Hanson returns with a top single, which will encourage many to speak up when a connection is felt inside that stuffy room. Packed with terrific vocals and his storytelling brilliance that will have you sensing you are listening to an underground legend who deserves more love.

Crowded Room from Liverpool, UK-born, Rhode Island, USA-based indie blues singer-songwriter Robert John Hanson is a late night single for anyone who needs to believe that there is actually a chance. With true love seemingly hard to find, this is a dreamy single that will get you knocking on the door of your heart again, to see if there is anything romantic left in your soul after so many disappointments.

Sung with his signature deep tone that will make many swoon in delight, showing us that classic music still has a place for those who desire something with actual substance.

Hear this fine release on Spotify and see more on his IG page.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

We Can Live Like Animals: sleeping together wants this love to last forever on Summer Girl

Produced by Tayte Nickols from Madfox Studio, sleeping together guides us through a gloriously innocent romance that ended rather hastily when it had the potential to blossom rather radiantly on Summer Girl.

sleeping together is a Bury, Manchester, Liverpool and Wrexham, UK-based indie alternative band who shows us that memorable music has the power to change your entire mood for the better.

Summer Girl was inspired by a short and sweet summer romance. At the end of summer, the couple agreed to go their separate ways. Like the romance, Summer Girl is short, bright and sweet, capturing the highs of a British summer in its emphatic chorus. However, much like the British summer, this romance was rained off too soon. These fleeting glimpses of a love, destined for rapidly approaching heartbreak, are conveyed perfectly through Summer Girl’s climbing vocals.” ~ sleeping together

Thrilling our sweaty bodies alive and tickling our glowing senses awake to what is possible if two souls can combine for a short time, sleeping together shall have us all smiling cheekily at each other. Bringing us all the way to the top of our emotions and then showing us the other side, this is a must-listen for anyone who still believes that true love is real.

Summer Girl from the UK-based indie alternative band sleeping together is a terrific song from a dynamic outfit who just knows how to make you groove rather sweetly. With a soundtrack to those long days that are filled with sunshine and never seem to end for a few months, you will find yourself clicking repeat on this fine song. Teaching us that all good things have to end eventually, this is a striking single that will make you stop and think about how love actually forms.

Love is so kind and so cruel sometimes.

Tune in on Spotify and see more via the IG page.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen