Editor, Author at Maverick Country

Maverick's May Cover – Cyndi Coloured Country

Actress, singer, songwriter and musical icon, Cyndi Lauper, has reached over 50 million global record sales thanks to her much-loved and critically acclaimed writing and performances. Her career has spanned 30 years, she has been inducted into both the Hollywood and Songwriters Hall of Fame, creating Hey Now (Girls Just Wanna Have Fun), True Colours, All Through The Night, Time After Time and Change Of Heart, to name just a few of her smash hits. Cyndi can be credited as a musical revolutionary, bringing punk elements of style and attitude into the mainstream, thanks to her signature fashion, vocals and liberal lyrics. Cyndi Lauper was the first woman to have four top five hits from a debut album, the first woman to win the composing category solo during the 2013 Tony Awards and one of a select list women to have won competitive Grammy, Emmy and Tony awards. Most reccently, she has wowed with her unique, cross-genre albums. Lauper has also become a powerful LGBT advocate (she is both a gay and feminist icon) campaigning for equality through charities and Gay Pride events around the world. She co-founded the True Colors Tour for Human Rights throughout the United States and Canada in 2007. In 2010, Lauper’s True Colors Fund launched the Give a Damn campaign, to help get straight people more involved in LGBT rights. Cyndi Lauper is a woman who, after years of gaining respect and admiration in the music industry and now 62 years old, can pretty much do what she wants – and what she’s chosen to do now is a country album! DETOUR, released on May 6, is an 11-track cover album, featuring some of country music’s very best artists and session players. It’s also her first solo album in six years. I spoke with Cyndi Lauper to find out why, and it seemed that her motives and outlook on the album were just as charming and colourful as her New York accent and bright pink hair… Read the full interview in the latest issue of Maverick – Cyndi Lauper is our May cover star…

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Luke & Mel announce double A-side single Bad Habit / Somethin’ About A Woman

News / Editor

Luke & Mel formed in 2012, having met through performing in the UK’s top touring theatre show, Country Legends. Luke’s experience as a session guitarist has seen him play on top theatre stages in the UK with shows like ‘One Night of Elvis’, ‘Dolly The Show’. ‘Country Legends’ and PJ.Proby’s 2010 UK Tour. He has also performed on other artist’s albums including Raintown’s WRITING ON THE WALL and Thorne Hill’s NO MORE HOLDING BACK. Before meeting Luke, Melanie was performing singer/songwriter shows as well as performing in musicals up and down the UK including London’s West End. Having built a name for themselves on the live circuit, the duo released their debut EP In December 2014, which debuted at number two on the iTunes UK Country Album Chart, where it stayed in the top 10 for 2 weeks. The duo have since been championed by BBC Introducing, Amazing Radio and Chris Country. They have supported Engelbert Humperdinck, Will Hoge and the Pistol Annies’ Angaleena Presley. At the end of April Luke & Mel will take to the road once again, joining British/Texan quintet Jess and The Bandits on their headline tour. The duo will hit the festival circuit once again this year, with performances at FSA Fest, Rock Ridge Roundup, TowerFest, Buckle and Boots and Dart Music Festival. As they build towards their summer packed with dates, the duo are also excited to unveil their new double A-side – Bad Habit (https://youtu.be/0Ly8BN90Jhg) / Somethin’ About A Woman (https://youtu.be/bHeIVCczsYs). Of the release the duo state: ‘We’re releasing a new Double-A side which will feature our brand new single Bad Habit and also a new mix of our award-winning song Somethin’ About A Woman. We chose these two songs because we feel they represent our sound going forward. Bad Habit represents that age-old problem of always finding someone who treats you badly but you can never seem to let go of them – it’s also an upbeat edgy track with a catchy riff. Somethin’ About A Woman won us the award of Song of the Year at the British Country Music Awards 2015 and we wanted to include a new mix of it in our new release as a way of honouring that.” Tour Dates: Wed apr 27: Hull, Fruit Thu 28: Birmingham, The Dark Horse Fri 29: London, Bush Hall Sun May 1: Gateshead, The Sage Mon 2: Southampton, Talking Head Sat 7: Norwich, Waterfront Studio https://www.facebook.com/lukeandmel https://twitter.com/LukeandMel

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Sheelanagig launch their new album at The Islington, London, Thursday April 28

News / Editor

Folk band, Sheelanagig, will soon release their fifth album, BEARD TOWN. The album was recording at the the legendary Real World Studios; the band will celebrate its release with an album launch at The Islington, London on Thursday April 28. Sheelanagig have become a West Country institution for the past decade. The quintet come armed with a whole host of stringed instruments including banjo, fiddle and double bass. Their joint-jumping tunes ensure that a live show from the band is energetic and full of life. The band has performed extensively across the UK and Europe. They’ve honed their live show from playing venues from music clubs to theatres and from free street carnivals to major festivals like Beautiful Days, Glastonbury and Womad to name a few. The five members put their stomp and skank into gypsy-flavoured tunes from the Balkans and beyond. Their showman attitude brings a little of the circus and the theatre into every show. Tickets for the night will cost £14.75 (available at 0207-684-1577). Doors open at 7.00pm.

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Broken Witt Rebels announce UK tour dates

Live Events, News / Editor

Exciting newcomers, Broken Witt Rebels, will release their new 5-track EP GEORGIA PINE this April. THE NEW 5-TRACK EP RELEASED APRIL 2016. The British blues-rock and soul band from Birmingham have been making a name for themselves after impressive live performances throughout 2015. 2015 saw Danny Core (vocals, guitar), Luke Davis (vocals, bass guitar), James Dudley (drums) and James Tranter (vocals, lead guitar) play at the Camden Rocks Festival in London, as well as two Time Out London concerts including The Time Out Best of Rising Stars 2015 at London’s sold out Jazz Café. GEORGIA PINE, with its bluesy, rootsy, rock blend, looks set to become huge. The band’s sound can be likened to acts like Alabama Shakes and Black Keys. Broken Witt Rebels bring the sounds of old blues and Stax guitarists, whilst adding a modern authenticity into the mix too. GEORGIA PINE was engineered and produced by Tom Gittins, who has also worked on recent recordings by Robert Plant (Led Zeppelin). Gittins has described the Rebels’ lead singer, Danny Core, as an amazing vocal talent in the tradition of Steve Marriot and Joe Cocker. The band have announced dates for their GEORGIA PINE tour, as well as in support of country star, Brantley Gilbert. GEORGIA PINE UK tour Sat Apr 2: London, The Water Rats Fri 15: Birmingham, Sunflower Lounge Sat 16: Sheffield, Rocking Chair Main support on Brantley Gilbert’s May UK tour Thu May 5: Glasgow, Oran Mor Fri 6: Manchester, Academy 2 Sat 7: Birmingham, O2 Institute Sun 8: London, Shepherds Bush Empire

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Holloway Road announce the release of their new EP, ROOTS

News / Editor

Following up from the release of their single Little Harder and two performances at C2C in London, UK country-pop duo Holloway Road have announced the release of their second EP, ROOTS. The collection will see Holloway Road going back through previous genres they’ve written and played over the years – their aim was to fuse a little bit of everything into the tracks in one way or another. Robert & Jack locked themselves in their home studio for a couple of months, until they could emerge with five brand new songs. The tracks included their first ‘slow jam’. In their own words: “It’s the most personal record we’ve made to date, but it’s still fun! We had some songs written, but then some (female related) things happened and we wrote new ones, which turned out to be even better material. Love can be a horrible thing but we’ve realised it helps make a kick-ass record! It doesn’t matter if we sell 5 or 5,000 copies – we’ll still be proud of it. We’ve made the record we wanted to make.” ROOTS was self-recorded; produced; mixed and mastered, and is an independent release. The EP will be released on April 18 through digital stores but a limited first press CD will be available at their UK tour dates with Dexeter. Sat Apr 2: Leicester, Duffys Sun 3: Addingham, The Swan Thu 7: Bournemouth, Chaplins Fri 8: London, The Garage TBC: Brighton, Green Door Store

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The Diablos celebrate their ten year anniversary and release charity single

News / Editor

The Diablos are proving to be one of the more enduring country acts on the British market, this year seeing their tenth anniversary. In these ten years they have produced four albums, including latest release ONE DEGREE OF SEPARATION. The Diablos have become known for a rockin’ country style but they brought a more reflective side out in their latest album too. The band’s next release is out in April – a beautiful song titled You’re In There Somewhere. Seemingly a simple love song but showing more complexity on closer inspection. All the proceeds from iTunes downloads of You’re In There somewhere will be donated to the Dementia Friends Charity. To mark their ten years together, the band are also in the process of recording a live ‘Best Of’ album which will be released by the end of the 2016. The Diablos will also share a stage with an eclectic mix of artists such as Reef, Newton Faulkner and Chas and Dave at this years Jimmy’s Farm festival on July 23. Closer to their Brighton base they will also play Eastbourne’s Underground Theatre on April 16 (tickets £8 in advance from the box office).

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Guitar legend Robben Ford announces UK show at Under The Bridge

Live Events, News / Editor

Award winning West London venue Under The Bridge is to host one of the greatest guitar players of all time Robben Ford on the July 11 this year. Throughout his career Ford has paved new ground in multiple genres including blues, jazz and rock and was also a key player in seminal jazz-fusion band L.A Express. Ford has also collaborated with some of music’s true greats including Miles Davis, George Harrison, Joni Mitchell, Chick Corea, Gregg Allman and Marcus Miller. This special show will see Ford play classics from his extensive back catalogue as well as new tracks from his most recent studio album INTO THE SUN.

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Danni Nicholls announces spring UK dates

Live Events, News / Editor

Americana-country-soul singer-songwriter Danni Nicholls has announced spring 2016 UK tour dates in support of her widely acclaimed new album MOCKINGBIRD LANE. Growing up in Bedfordshire, Danni Nicholls was drawn to the sounds of her grandmother’s favourite music – the American roots, soul, rock ‘n’ roll, country and folk, which now permeates her own music. Nicholls always dreamed of visiting Nashville, where, in January 2015 she recorded her second full-length albumMOCKINGBIRD LANE. Released in October 2015, MOCKINGBIRD LANE displayed Danni’s continuing skill and confidence as a songwriter, taking the listener on an emotional rollercoaster ride, while shining throughout is Danni’s strong, soulful, captivating voice. She is a vibrant, spell-binding singer and songwriter and one of the UK’s leading artists in the expansive Americana genre. Her passionate delivery, powerful voice and charming between-song banter have compelled live audiences so far. Tour Dates (Accompanied by Max Milligan) Fri Apr 1: Luton, The Bear Club Sat 9: Inverness, Hootananny Sun 10: Aberdeen, The Blue Lamp Thu 28: Witney, Fat Lil’s with Don Gallardo Sun May 1: Brighton, The Verdict Tue 3: Kenley, Croydon Santini’s Restaurant Wed 4: Birmingham, Kitchen Garden Cafe Thu 5: Canterbury, The Marlowe Theatre Studio Sat 7: London, The Winemakers Club, Farringdon Street Thu 12: Norwich, Bedford’s The Crypt Sun 28: Silverstone Woodlands, Bucks. Under The Apple Tree Roots Festival, Sessions Stage Fri Jun 3: Milton Keynes The Stables, Stage 2

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Old Dominion Win First ACM Award For Best New Vocal Group

News / Editor

Old Dominion are excited to have been announced as the winner of ACM Newcomers New Vocal Group Of The Year award. They shared their delight on their official Facebook page, ‘Unbelievable. Thank you thank you thank you’ they exclaimed. The band’s first win at the ACM Awards, they are also nominated for vocal group of the year alongside artists such as Little Big Town and Zac Brown Band. The ceremony will take place on April 3rd in Las Vegas. It has been a huge year for the Nashville 5-piece. They scooped a major-label contract, released their debut album ‘Meat and Candy’, scored their first #1 with hit single ‘Break Up With Him’ and performed on prime-time US television. The band also took their first trip to UK to perform at London’s C2C Festival, where their energetic country-rock went down a treat. At their sold-out show at London’s Hoxton Bar & Kitchen the packed out crowd were singing along to every word. This ACM win is the icing on a very big cake. Old Dominion are heading for great success.

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James Mckean and the Blueberry Moon

News / Editor

The megalomaniac blues of James McKean and the Blueberry Moon’s previous single The Redeemer garnered radio airplay on Tom Robinson’s Saturday evening BBC 6 Music show, led to a live session and interview on Will Gompertz’s BBC Oxford programme, and was included on the BBC Introducing Mixtape. The song’s “intense atmospheric quality” led to comparisons with Cohen, Waits, Dylan and Dr John. New single I Long To Make Your Dreams Come True is cut from a very different cloth… It springs along on a comparatively jaunty folk-jazz groove, with something of the Caledonian soul of ‘70s Van Morrison. As on The Redeemer, long-time collaborator Ross Palmer and I are ably supported by Hoatzin, who swap their own brooding, twisting alt-rock sound to provide violin, double bass and drum accompaniment. My brother Daniel provides the dextrous lead guitar. It’s available now as a free download from theblueberrymoon.bandcamp.com. The track comes backed by two new b sides: the minor key rock of Long Forgotten Winter, plus a cover of the old gospel number I Was There When It Happened, popularised by Johnny Cash in late 1950s. New album No Peace For The Wicked will be available on CD and download from Sunday 27th March 2016. We’ll be launching the album with a gig at The Gladstone in Borough, ‘the coolest little pub in South London’ – Time Out.

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