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Blues Music Blog & Promotion

Rome-based Byron Blue Rose refuses to fall for this game again on, ‘Nelly II’

Posted on 29 April 2022

Releasing his 3rd single that takes us to a distressed place in his life that needs to be expressed, Byron Blue Rose wonders why his former lover sticks around and keeps on trying to control him in this sick game on, ‘Nelly II‘.

Byron Blue Rose is a Rome, Italy-based indie blues solo singer-songwriter who performs with many earnest sentiments and reflects the depressed world in its purest form.

”Just another depressed artist? Kinda, but good as hell.” ~ Byron Blue Rose

With a raw feel that takes you to the edge of this mountain that is about to crumble and carry him down to the sharp rocks below, Byron Blue Rose has heard the wicked words and wants no part of what he is currently witnessing right now. His heart is cold and he wants this all to be a distant memory, so that he may start fresh and find a kind new lover with pure intentions.

‘Nelly II‘ from Rome, Italy-based indie blues solo singer-songwriter Byron Blue Rose is the kind of breakup anthem that takes you back to a place where stress reigned when the picture should have been just been packed with love and romance. He sings to us with real emotions and you feel the frustration, at being used and taken for granted by someone who he trusted once.

Sometimes the world can be so harsh, even if you deserve the opposite.

Check out this new single on Spotify and see more vibes on his IG page.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Rock roots wrap around a murder mystery narrative in Robbie Rapids’ single, Who Shot Them Down

Posted on 29 April 2022
https://soundcloud.com/user-697117024/who-shot-them-down/s-9uYf9mNDfbL?utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing

Through his multi-faceted talent, Robbie Rapids recorded his four-decade-era-spanning nostalgic rock track, Who Shot Them Down, while recording his murder mystery audiobook, Arc Road, and instantly became more intriguing than Nick Cave.

With a similar cool yet roots-deep vibe to Left Lane Cruiser, Robbie Rapids and his bluesy take on College Radio Rock which comes with Beach Boys nuances will surely make an impression on the airwaves. Lyrically, it is impossible not to get immersed in the narrative that spins the tale of a murder mystery that happened in 1964 through Rapids’ high energy Americana rock vocals.

Who Shot Them Down will officially release on April 29th, 2022. You can check it out yourselves via SoundCloud.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

LA-based blues artist Mark Edward Fitchett turns up the volume and let’s it rip on ‘Standing Horizontal’

Posted on 27 April 2022

Taken from his brand new 12-track album called ‘Chasing The Blues‘, Mark Edward Fitchett makes sure that we are all around for the last call so we can hear this dynamic musician in action with the new speaker-sizzler called, ‘Standing Horizontal‘.

Mark Edward Fitchett is a Los Angeles, USA-based music teacher and much-loved indie blues singer-songwriter that brings us his whole toolbox on this smashing new single.

”Over the course of 30+ years, he has taught several thousand students, many who have gone on to have professional music careers themselves.” ~ Mark Edward Fitchett

Showcasing his world-class abilities with this outstanding new track that shall have you dusting off those dancing shoes, Mark Edward Fitchett is rather splendid with a single so entertaining, you might need a quick nap afterwards to recover.

”Teaching over these many years has actually made me a much better musician. This not only caused me to dig deeper into the blues and rock music I grew up with but also because of my many student’s different interests I would learn other styles not normally on my radar and ultimately incorporate them into my own bag of tricks.” ~ Mark Edward Fitchett

‘Standing Horizontal‘ from Los Angeles, USA-based indie blues artist and music teacher Mark Edward Fitchett sends a message to all those who believe that it’s too late to show the planet your music. He is on top form with real aplomb that shall take you to a happy place, on a new single that might send you to a nostalgic place in the past you fondly recall. Blues fans are in for a real treat here, from a masterful professional who shows us how it’s done.

Listen to this rocking new track on Soundcloud and see more via his website.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Chris Harris and Erin Newman send our minds into a deep place with the excellent, ‘Ballad of a Broken Friend’

Posted on 22 April 2022

Created at the cosy Quay West Studio, Chris Harris and Erin Newman show us inside a deep story about hopelessness when someone we care about is battling badly and you are worried about what will happen on, ‘Ballad of a Broken Friend‘.

Chris Harris and Erin Newman is a sweet combination of indie blues/soul and alternative rock who are both based in the UK.

”A requiem of a tragic story told by a close friend. Everyone at some point has felt the harsh pain of their closest friend. They feel powerless in their efforts to help. They worry, stress and panic that the worst could happen. Ballad of a Broken Friend is an attempt to capture the emotions of anxiety, depression, and helplessness that we can all feel when a loved one is suffering.” ~ Chris Harris and Erin Newman

Bringing so much beauty to a worrying story that shall have you crying softly if you have dealt with this intense moment or been exposed to the emotions attached, Chris Harris and Erin Newman lead us inside one of 2022’s most authentic singles. They converge so wonderfully and you will find yourself getting lost in your own thoughts here, which has you wondering if you could have done more.

‘Ballad of a Broken Friend‘ from the UK-based duo indie blues/soul and alternative rock Chris Harris and Erin Newman, is a tremendous release that crashes hard into your healing soul. They sing with such love and tenderness, as each note has been made with that ultimate care that is so rare in this seemingly selfish world. This is a single to embrace warmly with your partner or friend, as you look above to try and find that star of hope to help you recover from previous worry and tragedy.

Music with heart and a real message certainly still exists.

Hear this fine new single on Soundcloud and see more on Erin’s IG music page.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Smethwick-based guitarist Skidders takes us to a happy place on ‘Aunty Bulgaria’

Posted on 22 April 2022

Taken off his brand new album that is due for a 4th May release, Skidders returns with the instrumental gem that will have you sliding your sunglasses on and living life to the fullest with ‘Aunty Bulgaria‘.

Steve Skidmore aka Skidders is a Smethwick, UK guitarist and writer who combines his love for blues, rock and jazz and makes vocal-less music to get our hearts smiling again.

”Song selection is very eclectic, so hard to umbrella under one genre. But compositions range from rock, to blues, to reggae, to Celtic.” ~ Skidders 

Bringing us his West Brom toughness and blessing us with something so calm and catchy at the same time, this is a single that shall have you tapping your feet and clicking your fingers in utter delight from the humble Skidders. There are no flashy moves here, only pure love for music and guitar-playing of the very highest standard imaginable.

”Most self-penned songs are instrumental allowing him to showcase his unique style and sound. This also ensures compositions are well suited to TV and Film ‘sync’ use.” ~ Skidders 

‘Aunty Bulgaria‘ from the prolific UK-based guitarist/writer Skidders is a superb instrumentally compelling single from an underground artist who has total respect from his peers. There is so much to like here about the intricate sound here, that seems to blast a ray of sunshine out from the moody clouds that have been so prevalent lately. A single to get a tan with, this is one of those releases to flip your frown around so that you may see the positive vibes again.

Listen up to this new single on Spotify and see more via the IG page.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Post-Punk Meets Nashville Rock and Roll in The Rhythm Bullies’ Latest Snarling Triumph, Smoke Rings

Posted on 20 April 2022
The Rhythm Bullies

Just when I thought I was getting to the aurally jaded stage of being unable to drop my jaw at new sonic amalgamations, The Rhythm Bullies came along with their discordant cocktail of 80s post-punk & Nashville rock and roll in their latest single ‘Smoke Rings’.

The bluesy psychobilly-Esque heat meeting the chillier post-punk tones under the Gothically drawled vocals and blisters of surf rock proved to be a viscerally alchemic combination. That’s before you factor in the hedonistic nihilist lyrics, such as “the world is burning baby, so grab a cigarette”. Smoke Rings finds a generously subversive way of saying the world is burning, whether we want to see it or not, so you may as well get accustomed to the noxious air.

With riffed-out solos that make the Black Keys and Bauhaus simultaneously sound pedestrian, The Rhythm Bullies have an immense amount of snarling potential. We can’t wait see what they do with it.

You can check them out via Facebook, their official website and Instagram.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Robbie Maroon has released his catchier than Corona funk-pop track, Rewind

Posted on 24 March 2022

“Rewind” is the latest jazzy rock-licked funk-pop track from the raw-soul-peddling Australian singer-songwriter Robbie Maroon. After being introduced to his sombre and spacey sound in 2019 through his single, Stepping Stone, this new profoundly hopeful approach to production is quite literally music to our ears. You can’t help but catch the positive vibes that radiate through the release that captures the chaos of our lives and releases us from it with the era-spanning old school grooves.

With vocals that sit somewhere in between Shinedown and the sultry timbre of George Michael, it’s all too easy to find yourself in the heart of the hook-filled track which comes complete with stabbing horns and layers of funk-riding progressions which pull together to deliver a nostalgia hit you’ve never tasted before.

Rewind was officially released on March 18th. You can check it out for yourselves on Robbie Maroon’s website or via Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Find a ‘Moment of Joy’ in Firebug’s Bluesy Desert Rock Single

Posted on 20 March 2022

The immensely and immeasurably talented Joshua Tree recording artist, Firebug, has given us a taste of what’s to come on their forthcoming psychedelic desert-rock album by teasing us with the old-school-rock-but-never-as-you’ve-heard-it-before single, Moment of Joy.

They kicked up the dust on the archetypal desert rock vibes by adding a little New Orleans flavour and nuances of folk and blues. If I could take a bath in the arcanely psychedelic tones that are swathed in 60’s and 70’s nostalgia, I’d be hesitant to get out. For impious musos, sonic experiences don’t get much more spiritual than Moment of Joy which grips you by the scruff of the neck and drags you into the feel-good bliss with the striking vocals as a guide.

So far, the successes counted by Firebug include performing at SXSW in Austin, CMJ in NYC, Sonisphere Festival, and the Viper Room in LA. After this release, it is easy to see that Firebug is only just getting started.

Moment of Joy is part of Firebug’s album, No Return, which will drop on March 18th, 2022. You can check it out for yourselves via Firebug’s official website and SoundCloud.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

UK blues artist Adam Leaver shows us that New Orleans mentality with ‘Give Me The Rain’

Posted on 9 March 2022

Taken off his debut album ‘Vanilla and Cyanide‘, Adam Leaver returns with a much-anticipated single all about wanting that shower to cool down the veins and breathe new life into the day with, ‘Give Me The Rain‘.

Adam Leaver is a UK-based indie blues singer-songwriter who brings us that old school mentality with groovy gems attached that are such a terrific listen.

Adding so much value to a worrying time that can drag you down if you get too wrapped up in the noise, Adam Leaver is at his articulate best as this ultimate storyteller grabs your attention and takes you into his world that is filled with opportunity and love.

‘Give Me The Rain‘ from UK-based indie blues singer-songwriter Adam Leaver, is a superb single from a genuine soul who sings with gritty greatness that makes everything better again. This is the story about looking up to the skies and wishing that things would flow down from above, to soak the souls of those who need to calm down and get the sense that the world is on their side again. This is a bluesy tune for all those who miss that real intent on the speakers, from an artist who keeps it real and never waivers from his morals.

Listen in to this new single on Spotify and see more via IG.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Post-punk meets jazz blues in The Illucid’s defiantly protestive single, Stone Cold Soldier

Posted on 2 March 2022

Taken from their debut EP, Somebody Else, The Illucid’s jazzy post-punk standout single, Stone Cold Soldier, couldn’t have fallen onto our radar at a more sobering time. The catchy rock hooks from the British Indie band almost feel like an act of defiance in today’s chilling geopolitical climate.

On the basis of the frantic bluesy piano keys, the theatrical vocal lines and their ability to squeeze euphoria from darkness, The Illucid almost becomes the thinking man’s Nekrogoblikon while they deliver their Magazine-style enigmatic energy in the single that shames the cold inhumanity behind the eyes of stone-cold soldiers.

Not many bands can convince me that they’re worthy of seeing live with just one single, but the Illucid are easily one of the best outfits to come around since Melt Yourself Down. Get them on your radar.

Stone Cold Soldier is now available to stream on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast