Benjamin Booker extended music video and live dates - O2 Academy, Liverpool

 Benjamin Booker extended music video and live dates - O2 Academy, Liverpool

In a double-length video for two songs from his debut album, the punk-influenced blues singer struggles with civil rights issues that we can’t seem to settle. 

“We've all got iPhones and are talking about taking people to Mars, but look at how much we haven't changed. The ‘future,’ a time when all this violence and hatred is looked at as barbaric seemed so far away to me.” – Benjamin Booker

In a new extended music video featuring the tracks “Slow Coming” and “Wicked Waters”, Benjamin Booker moves through a single day multiple times on a loop. Ann Powers at NPR Music describes the short film as “a kind of mash-up of Selma and Beasts of the Southern Wild, with Booker as an unwilling time traveler drawn into an incident of racist violence recalling both the segregated Deep South and current controversial police actions.”

Via NPR Music’s The Record you can watch the short film HERE and read the full QandA between Benjamin and Ann Powers about its themes.

"Contemporary issues that the video references are repetitions of events we have watched happen many times before," Director James Lees explained. "We seem unable, as a society, to break this loop."

Forthcoming Tour Dates

28th May – Barcelona, Spain – Primavera Sound Festival

4th June – Hunter, NY – Mountain Jam

5th –7th June  – New York, NY – Governor’s Ball

11th - 14th June – Manchester, TN – Bonnaroo

8th July – O2 Academy, Liverpool UK*

*ticketweb.co.uk or 0844 477 2000

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Rebecca Downes announces debut album and UK tour dates

Rebecca Downes announces debut album and UK tour dates

New UK blues sensation Rebecca Downes is set to release her much anticipated debut album 'Back To The Start' worldwide on February 9 via Real2Reel Records.

The West Midlands-based songstress is fast establishing herself as one of the star attractions amongst the new vanguard of blues performers in the UK, with her unique and powerful voice, drawing influences ranging from Blues and Soul to Jazz and Rock. Rebecca’s voice and performances have been, quite rightly, likened to such legendary artists as the full on Tina Turner, the bluesy feel of Etta James, and the raw power of Janis Joplin.

The lead track from the album, ‘Basement Of My Heart’, has already caught the attention of regional and specialist radio nationwide, with the video racking up close to 30,000 YouTube views, fast placing her as one of the most vibrant and exciting 'ones to watch' amongst critics of the genre, and a firm favourite amongst her loyal legion of blues-loving fans.

New debut album Back To The Start is an impressive collection of original material, written by Rebecca with co-writer Steve Birkett and produced by Mark V Stuart (Magnum, Jim Lea, Diamond Head and more) of renowned Mad Hat Studios. Songs include the rockabilly shuffle of ‘Basement Of My Heart’, the Santana-esque/Jazzy tones of ‘Fever in the Night’, and the Southern Soul of ‘When I’m Bad’, plus nine other blues gems that will take the listener through an unforgettable musical experience.

On the album, Rebecca is joined by some of the most highly regarded session musicians from both the UK and the US, who have previously provided the musical accompaniment for artists such as Ruby Turner, Climax Blues Band, Roy Woods Big Band, Steve Gibbons, John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers, Chuck Berry and many more, many of which will also be joining Rebecca on her forthcoming live tour.

The new album Back To The Start is released in physical format worldwide on Feb 9.

Order the digital edition now via iTunes: http://geni.us/3YkG or Amazon: http://geni.us/oAX

A string of UK and European dates for 2015 is in the pipeline, with many already announced:

Tour Dates:

Jan 23 - Skegness, Great British Rock & Blues Festival

Jan 30 - The Cluny, Newcastle (with The Trevor Sewell Band)

Feb 07 - Lydney Club, Gloucester

Feb 19 - The Robin 2, Bilston (with The Blues Band feat. Paul Jones)

Mar 15 - The Roadhouse, Birmingham (Ladies Sing The Blues Festival)

Mar 27 - Town Hall, Walsall (compered by Noddy Holder)

May 07 - The Robin 2, Bilston (headline full band show)

May 16 - Stourbridge Blues Festival

Links:

http://www.rebeccadownes.com

http://www.facebook.com/rebeccadownes

http://www.twitter.com/bekah_music

Indie-rock quartet Bernaccia announce free download single

Indie-rock quartet Bernaccia announce free download single 

Blues-rock four-piece Bernaccia are pleased to announce their new EP, ‘Light //-// Dark’, set for release on 24th November.

Download free here

Following the success of their widely praised ‘Cinema’ EP, the Newcastle-based collective return with an explosive anthology of hard-hitting blues, rock and folk – a combination that has already seen them win the hearts of The Crack and Louder Than War, amongst others. Taking influence from the likes of The Doors and Johnny Cash, the foursome create a riveting sculpture of atmospheres, rhythmic slavery, and melodic seduction – one that is simultaneously expansive yet intimate.

Opening track ‘Street Life’ commences with a lone organ, before thumping drums and tremolo-laden guitars take centre stage. Reminiscent of American psychedelic rock group The Black Angels, this blues-licked blockbuster aptly displays Bernaccia’s ability to create dark, woozy soundscapes. Vocalist Jonny Noble’s menacing gravelly vocals cut through the fierce backbone of the track, before a cutthroat harmonica brings the track to a powerful climax.

‘Darkness Walks’, a riff-heavy offering, ups the ante with pulsing Royal Blood-esque melodies throughout. As the title suggests, this is a dark and deadly beast, with a thunderous bassline leading the charge. Noble orchestrates proceedings with his Jim Morrison-like vocal sitting hauntingly over the procession of jangling guitars and thrashed cymbals, while the thunderous finale ebbs into an eerie ending.

Next on the agenda is ‘Manifest’, a powerful blues melody greeted by spaghetti western-esque whistles that is currently being offered as a free download –via their Soundcloud page. Noble drives the affair in characteristically dominant fashion, before being joined by the enchanting voice of guest vocalist Ellen Chetcuti, whose serene trill provides the perfect contrast in this downtempo serenade. Rumbling drums and spacey guitars are a signature of Bernaccia’s sound, and ‘Manifest’ encompasses these features exquisitely, before a lone whistle defiantly returns, elegantly transitioning into the concluding number.

Closing track ‘Blue Man’ opens with a chorus of gospel-licked hums, greeted by dainty swung drums and swirling acoustic guitars, before reverb-charged vocals enter the frame. Chetcuti again shares the stage on the concluding track, adding an Americana feel to this already Deep South-inflected number and leading the EP to a rousing finish.

Having recently shared the stage with the likes of Royal Blood and Wolf People, Bernaccia are taking both the North East and the rest of the UK by storm with their unique take on blues-rock. A show-stopping appearance at Evolution Emerging 2014 demonstrated the group’s telling ability to work a crowd, and ‘Light //-// Dark’ looks set to prove them as a real force to be reckoned with. 

https://www.facebook.com/bernacciamusic

https://twitter.com/bernaccia

https://soundcloud.com/bernacciamusic

Walter Trout announces new album and UK tour

Critically acclaimed American blues rock guitarist, Walter Trout, today announced the release of his new studio album Blues For The Modern Daze.  The album is released by Provogue Records (a division of Mascot Label Group), in the UK on Monday 23^rd April, followed by US release on 24^th April.  

To support the upcoming album, Trout will embark on a UK tour in March. Ticket Hotline: 0844, 478 0898, www.thegigcartel.com.  Dates include Leeds City Varieties (March 8), Sheffield O2 Academy (March 9), Clitheroe The Grand (March 10), Salford The Lowry (March 11), Bristol The Tunnel (March 15) and Tavistock The Wharf (March 16). 

Blues for the Modern Daze, showcases the contemporary guitar legend’s return to his hardcore blues roots.  The album is Trout’s sixth recording for Provogue, and his first fully-fledged blues album in 23 years as a bandleader.  Trout’s practical schooling in blues started when he arrived in Los Angeles in 1973 and secured gigs behind Hooker, Big Mama Thornton, Finis Tasby, Pee Wee Crayton, Lowell Fulsom, Percy Mayfield and Joe Tex. By 1981 he joined the remaining original members of Canned Heat. 

The turning point for Trout was his tenure with British blues giant John Mayall. Trout became part of the Bluesbreakers’ lineage of great guitarists along with Eric Clapton, Peter Green and Mick Taylor. By 1989, Trout formed his own band, released his debut album Life In the Jungle, and rapidly became a star in Europe. His first US release, 1998's critically heralded Walter Trout, made him a permanent fixture in the American blues rock scene.

"My main inspiration for this album,” says Trout, “was the country bluesman Blind Willie Johnson, an early blues innovator who recorded such timeless gospel informed blues numbers as Soul of a Man and Nobody’s Fault But Mine. His music is beautiful, primal, direct and deeply spiritual. “The album explores a side of my music that’s rooted in my first musical love, and it reveals something about me, too. It sums up the thoughts and attitudes of somebody who is getting a little older and is feeling like he’s a part of another era, with different values and a different perspective on life that’s prevalent today.”

http://www.waltertrout.com/

Sandriver - EP Review

Hailing from Durham in the Northeast of the UK has entirely no reflection on the music the sandriver band compose and sing. The music they conjure up is more likely to remind you of the Mississippi and the deep south of America than a city in England. The sandriver band consists of Si Robinson on Guitar and vocals and Guy Siviour on Drums / percussion and their mix of blues and folk influenced music will definitely leave you wanting more.
We were lucky to be invited by the band to review their self titled E.P Sandriver.
Consisting of 6 songs the variation in sounds between them is vast. They cover blue grass, indie, blues, and folk and though at times very derivative they bring a unique and fresh outlook to the music. The slow and melancholy sounds and lyrics of songs such as Love will have you slipping back and wishing of an open log fire to crawl to. Where as in songs, like the reprisal and Kid Dust, are complete contrasts to this and make you want tap your feet and clap your hands. Though, as mentioned before, the songs can be derivative of other musicians, as in the song Letter to the Lovers which sounds not far off a Radio Head track, Si Robinson brings his own unique vocal talent to it so you are soon you are oblivious to any similarity that it may have had.

Over all this was a well rounded EP with much variation on each track so that you don’t become bored listening to it. It opens a new sound to many listeners who may not be familiar with blues and folk and puts a nice slant on the familiar sounds created in this genre

The EP can be downloaded at the site below

http://sandriver.bandcamp.com

http://www.myspace.com/sandriveruk