Browsing Tag

Folk Rock

INTERCONTINEN7AL made history with the post-rock panache in their globally recorded single, Night Shift

Posted on 9 January 2025

Night Shift, the standout single from INTERCONTINEN7AL’s history-making EP World Over, isn’t just an ambitious cross-continental collaboration; it’s an emotive tour de force, commanding you to succumb to the progressive rock sublimity.

The single opens with a cinematic neo-classical prelude, complete with intricate finger-picked guitars and orchestral swells, setting a reflective and ornate tone. As the track evolves, the mood shifts seamlessly into psych-pop territory, with Beatles-reminiscent guitar riffs that carry listeners deeper into its emotional core.

When the soft melodic rock vocals enter, backed by soulfully ethereal harmonies, another seamless metamorphosis is complete, one which will allow fans of Chris Cornell and Eddie Vedder to recognise the heartstring-pulling resonance as it resounds over the essence of 70s folk rock.

INTERCONTINEN7AL, based in Castle Rock, Colorado, emerged from the COVID-19 lockdowns, redefining global collaboration with their innovative use of virtual tools like BandLab. World Over is their fourth album, showcasing an eclectic range of styles, from progressive rock to bossa nova. By recording instrumentation in locales as remote as Antarctica, they created a genre-spanning collection that’s as inspiring as it is groundbreaking.

With Night Shift, the band transcends novelty and crafted a testament to the universality of emotion, delivering a track that lifts listeners far above the confines of geography or genre.

Stream the World Over EP on all major streaming platforms, including SoundCloud.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Folk Rock Introspection: WLDFLWRS Celebrate the Comfort of Isolation with their Debut, BEST COMPANY

Posted on 16 December 2024

WLDFLWRS’ Americana-inspired debut single ‘BEST COMPANY’ holds a quiet candle to the sanctuary of introversion. The Warwickshire folk rock ensemble crafted a panorama of gentle acknowledgement of how loneliness can sometimes feel like the safest shelter. There’s no forced buoyancy in these southern rock-rooted chords; instead, the guitars and percussion carry a patient hush that intricately resounds everything that needs to be said.

Hints of honkytonk traditions keep the track grounded, while an expressive balance between Bob Dylan’s gravitas and the glimmering cool of The Stones offers a familiar frame. Yet WLDFLWRS colour it with their own hue of raw truth, their vocals authentically aching as they pull listeners into the quiet corners of their world. The resulting sound is a dioramic blend of vintage rock tones that refuses to pander or wilt.

The band’s knack for honest arrangement and subtle swagger allows each note to fall perfectly into place, forming a soundscape which extends connection without stomping on the boundaries between personal reflection and universal resonance.

The official music video for BEST COMPANY premiered on December 6th; stream the video on YouTube now.

Follow WLDFLWRS on Instagram to stay up to date with all the latest releases and tour news.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Denim Dan sought sanctuary in his latest seminal 70s folk-rock single, ‘Circe’s Song (Save Me)’

Posted on 9 December 2024

With another album to round out the year, Denim Dan has served the airwaves once more with his tender harmonies, nostalgia-beckoning instrumentals and lyricism that always knows which emotive triggers to aim for.

As the standout single on Circe, the 70s-inspired orchestral folk-rock ballad, Circe’s Song (Save Me) exhibits Denim Dan at his most affecting; while he never comes in heavy-handed, the delicate ornate grace of this release allowed the singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist to reach his diaphanous zenith.

The way the chamber orchestral strings pull against the steady rings of the acoustic guitar beneath Dan’s organically aching timbre ensures this plea for sanctuary resounds with raw humanist realism.

Between the reflections on existential plight and the poetic projections of a need to find a soul to bolster your own, everyone can find a fragment of themselves within Circe’s Song (Save Me); the lucky will meditate on the single with gratitude for kindred spirits and soul mates, while the lonely will find consolation that they’re never as alone in their alienation as they feel they are.

Stream Denim Dan’s latest album, Circe, in full on all major platforms via this link.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Tim Briggs – The Long Fall from Grace: A Folk-Rock Sanctuary for the Soul

Posted on 12 November 2024

After decades of carving out soul-stirring melodies across various genres and scenes, Tim Briggs converged all his experience into his latest triumph, The Long Fall from Grace LP.

The title single exhibits the raconteur’s evolution from an eager singer-songwriter in 70s Ohio to a revered figure on the folk rock and southern rock circuits. After years of touring the states and rubbing shoulders with the likes of Lynyrd Skynyrd and The Marshall Tucker Band, a southern rock grit was naturally embedded into his folk-rooted melodies as Briggs sharpened the emotive potency of his vocal harmonies and guitar licks.

The single ‘The Long Fall From Grace’ encapsulates Tim’s adeptness in suckering your soul into submission.  With every steady, sticky-sweet clash of the strings, you’re increasingly convinced your emotions are safe in the deft hands of the artist whose consolingly pure vocal lines enable him to become a confidant, someone to trust with your most visceral emotions.

While nostalgia may run deep in its veins, ‘The Long Fall From Grace’ stands leagues away from being a mere artifice of antiquity. With the natural breeze of 70s folk, the intimacy of college radio rock and the commercial appeal of Nada Surf, It is a modern classic, a testament to Tim Briggs’ enduring impact and artistic integrity.

Tim Briggs’ The Long Fall from Grace LP reached all major streaming platforms on October 27; stream it in full via Apple Music and Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Mt Bonnell – Mistake: A Little Bit of Country, An Unholy Load of Rock n Roll

Posted on 17 August 2024

It’s almost worth enduring agonising lapses in romantic judgement to prise maximum resonance from Mt Bonnell’s latest lyrically bitter, sonically euphoric alt-rock single, Mistake.

The revelation in genre fusion fuses the twangy, intimate and narratively expansive warmth of upbeat country folk with all the fire and furore of a grungy rock anthem and the stylistic edge of indie to establish the artist as one of the most veritable outfits pouring sound out of Austin.

There’s clearly something in the Texan water which breeds peerless talent, but the flavour of Mt Bonnell is something no other outfit is capable of making you savour. Intensity and authenticity run in the veins of the infectiously zealous melodies ensuring you feel every ounce of the affecting weight in this anthem which epitomises what it means to wear your heart on your guitar strings.

As much as the emotively seismic vocals make you feel, that’s nothing compared to the compulsion to succumb to the rhythmic pulse which speaks volumes of how Mt Bonnell has honed their eclectic sound since forming in 2002, with each member bringing their own sonic proclivities to the table.

Mistake was officially released on August 8th; stream the single on all major platforms via this link.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Isiah & The New People led a rhythmic indie-folk-rock revolution with their debut EP, Boxes

Posted on 8 July 2024

Rooted in roots rock tradition and daring in execution, the debut EP from Isiah & The New People proves that no sonic flavour can rival pure, raw creativity. With an unadulterated emotion as the kindling which ignites through the friction of rhythmic volition, the fourpiece tore down the barricades of the soul, one visceral lick at a time with their four-track EP, Boxes.

The Little Chute, Wisconsin collective of veteran artists amalgamated a genre-fluid compendium of songs that dig deep into the trenches of the human psyche while awakening the senses of anyone who stumbles on this encapsulation of sonic liberation, which was released on the symbolic day of July 4.

The opening track, 1000 Tears, smokes out rich organic indie folk-rock textures with the sax lines while bridging the poetic expressiveness of Bob Dylan and the visceral intensity of Eddie Vedder. Isiah Driessen’s vocal versatility resounds as he navigates effortlessly between the deep, soulful timbres of Johnny Cash and the piercing clarity of James Taylor’s emotive howls.

Cherry Tree, shifts gears towards a more intimate setting, weaving Paolo Nutini-esque vulnerability into the fabric of its melody with tender acoustic guitar plucks and heartfelt vocals.  The third offering, The Girl Downstairs, introduces a grittier, blues-infused sound that showcases the band’s ability to morph stylistically. The overdriven guitars and raw energy inject a robust dynamism into the EP, demonstrating their chameleonic adaptability and broad musical palette.

The EP concludes with Where’s Lake Waldo? a track that ventures into psychedelic territory with ennui-pained lyrics and expansively kaleidoscopic sonics. The tinged-with-existential-pondering is a fitting end to the EP’s narrative—questioning, exploring, and seeking.

With Boxes, Isiah & The New People articulated a philosophy of musical and personal exploration. It is the ultimate statement of artistic liberation which lays down a promising trajectory for the band which is sure to resonate with any music fans searching for an aural mode of genuine connectivity.

Isiah & The New People said:

“We put things in boxes; whether it’s people, ideas, or ourselves. However, every day we have the chance to be reborn, let things go, and take on new perspectives. I felt myself being put into a box. My pursuits in music have been about breaking out of it.”

Stream Boxes on Spotify now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Interview with Judas Goat and the Bellwether: Unveiling the Inspirations Behind “There is Always a Dawn

Posted on 25 May 2024
There Is Always a Dawn by Judas Goat & the Bellwether

In this exclusive interview, Judas Goat and the Bellwether delve into the creative journey behind their latest single, “There is Always a Dawn.” Touching on themes such as climate change, the interplay between modern life and nature, and the mystical elements in their music, the duo offers a compelling narrative. The duo discuss their philosophical and artistic inspirations, the importance of reconnecting with nature, and their unique creative process. This conversation promises a deep dive into the minds behind the music and the messages they strive to convey.

Judas Goat and the Bellwether, your latest single, There is Always a Dawn, is a sublime slice of folk poetry, which strikes a deep chord with its metaphorical address of climate change, what inspired you to use a parable as a medium for this important message?

I (Sara) am a philosophical romantic who has been seeking truth and wisdom ever since my sister died in a car accident in 1989 and my quest has led me to a metaphorical oak door where I was guided to knock and seek out the buried pearls of wisdom within our Christian heritage, and thus wondered if I could write something which might have a bit of cultural weight to save “the green and pleasant lands” as did Blake’s poem “Jerusalem “ when it was put to music particularly!

What was it about William Blake’s Jerusalem poem that lit a creative spark? 

The term “dark satanic mills”, which revealed his prodigious insight into the perils of replacing handcrafts with machines and reduced one’s purpose to being cogs in a machine day in and day out, removed from innocence and creative freedom. 

How did it feel to win a recording session at The Bert Jansch Studios in Frome after this single was voted a runner-up in the Climates Songwriting Competition? 

Great!  It really helped us raise our game, recording in a world-class studio.

In your opinion, what is the importance of bridging the gap between the modernised and digitised human experience and the natural world? 

Incredibly important.  If we’re online all the time it wipes us out and we need to get out into nature for at least half an hour a day apparently, otherwise we lose connection with our soul and get depressed; and all sorts of evils flourish out of our disconnection including addictions, mental health issues and self-destruction!

How did you integrate the lyrical content and musical elements in There is Always a Dawn to enhance its spiritual and mystical appeal?

We didn’t have to think about it too much as the art flows rather effortlessly between us luckily.  Pete composes a riff and sends it over to me and then I find the words, and then we work out the shape of the song together and add layers as we go along.

What’s the story behind your moniker, and how does it reflect your artistic identity? 

When we first met we somehow got on to the dark subject of the Judas Goat and how it’s a real thing!  It’s a trained goat which befriends sheep and leads them to their slaughter in abattoirs.  The goat is then sometimes rewarded with tobacco so it has addiction issues too!  Pete thought it would be a good band name and added the Bellwether (lead sheep).

I thought about it for a bit and then realised it could be a really good platform for facing some of the darker, sadder realities of life which Pete’s moody and ominous chord changes evoke (a bit like Pink Floyd), and then we could shine some light and hope on things, as with this song. 

As a duo, how does your creative synergy come to fruition? 

As I mentioned earlier, we have a magical connection (most of the time!) – quite peaceful, graceful and poetic; if something has legs it flows easily luckily and we don’t have to think about things too much.

What’s next for Judas Goat and the Bellwether?

We have five songs essentially ready to go and we’re working with Ben Scott, a producer at Axe and Trap Studios in Wells, Somerset to get them recorded.  We’ve also recruited Jim Scriven on bass and hope to find a drummer soon.

Then when we’re ready to go we hope to get out to play as much as we can.  I’d particularly like to play in America as I’m foundationally influenced by the 60s counter-culture and Canada as they have a revolutionary micronutrient supplement for mental health issues which I’d like to research whilst I’m there, and Berlin is Pete’s spiritual home…

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Stream Judas Goat and the Bellwether on Bandcamp and follow their journey on Facebook.

Interview by Amelia Vandergast

Sun-Pinned Leaves shared the euphoria of being a rolling stone in their folk-rock reverie, See Y’all Again

Posted on 17 May 2024
Sun-Pinned Leaves

After winning the International Folk Duo of the Year award from the International Singer-Songwriters Association in 2023, the UK duo, Sun-Pinned Leaves are evidently still riding high, judging by the exuberant dreamland of nostalgia constructed within their latest single, See Y’all Again.

After the folksy piano keys have delivered their polyphonic euphoria, the rhythm section kicks in to deliver a rhythmically compelling beat that no 70s folk-rock fan will be able to resist. Even if you don’t know the joy of living on the road, you can live vicariously through this zestful vignette of how sweet it is to drift from coast to coast, where no goodbye is a definitive parting.

If Sun-Pinned Leaves aren’t on your radar yet, make room and stay tuned for their seventh LP, Seven Sins Aren’t Enough, which is set to become the sound of the summer when it releases in July.

See Y’all Again will be available to stream on all major platforms from May 15th. Find your preferred way to listen via the Sun-Pinned Leaves official website.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

A New Jerusalem: Judas Goat & The Bellwether’s Arcane Anthem Against the Climate Crisis

Posted on 4 May 2024
There Is Always a Dawn by Judas Goat & the Bellwether

“There Is Always a Dawn” by Judas Goat & The Bellwether pours the ardour of the Neoclassical Romantic Era into a vessel of arcane folk-rock. In a similar vein as William Blake’s evocative poem, Jerusalem, which became an influential precipice for the duo to lyrically jump off, the duo’s aura reverberates around morality while keeping a finely tuned balance of rationality and emotion in the evocatively conjured performance which is a call to arms against the impending threat of ecological collapse, with religious iconography replacing the more direct climate-conscious conversations.

The power of the metaphor came into full force in this fiery protest of how we’ve put the noose around the neck of the environment all in the name of progress that will ultimately become our downfall. The duo, Sara Vian and Pete Vincent, crafted the ultimate clarion call to arms, wrapped in the trappings of folk reverence and light-handed production which corrodes none of the arcane performance. You can’t help but lose yourself in the existential introspection, which exemplifies why the duo have won accolades in The Climates Songwriting Competition.

There Is Always a Dawn hit Bandcamp on April 22 ahead of its release across all major platforms on May 8th.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Nick Cody and the Heartache – Covering These Tracks Vol II: An Americana Tribute to the Art of Song Interpretation

Posted on 19 April 2024
https://soundcloud.com/nickcodymusic/sets/covering-these-tracks-vol-ii-preview/s-o5yN7tRluhx?si=173aa4067474481db2518db607bd2b84&utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing

Nick Cody and the Heartache’s latest album, “Covering These Tracks Vol II,” is a masterful reinterpretation of eight beloved singles through an Americana folk rock lens. This Leeds-based artist, along with his band has created a collection that resonates with warmth and soul.

The album features a diverse range of covers, including Bruce Springsteen’s “Atlantic City,” Nick Cave’s “Nobody’s Baby Now,” and Ray Wylie Hubbard’s “Name Droppin’.” Each track is meticulously reworked, maintaining the original’s spirit while infusing it with a unique folk-rock essence. The result is a cohesive collection that showcases the band’s ability to blend different musical styles seamlessly.

What sets this album apart is the way Nick Cody and his band have deconstructed these classics, stripping them down to their core before rebuilding them with his band’s distinctive sound. The quivering violin strings, the acoustic guitar’s steady timbres, and the spells of vocal alchemy, especially Towse’s crystalline harmonies, create an enchanting experience.

“Covering These Tracks Vol II” is more than a cover album, it is a tribute to the art of song interpretation. This album is a testament to their musical prowess and a gift to fans of Americana folk. It’s a journey through familiar melodies, reborn and revitalised, proving that great music can always find new life in the hands of talented artists.

Stream Covering These Tracks Vol II on SoundCloud from April 19th.

Review by Amelia Vandergast