Page 220 – Maverick Country

The sound of tomorrow and yesterday: Talk-Show blend Velvet Underground, Kraftwerk and McCartney into new pop.

With a nod to the future and a nod to the past Talk-Show make smart music: Lou Reed, Sir Paul, German electronica – a heady cocktail of influence and yet once heard it’s easy to say “that’s Talk-Show alright”. Hailing from the unlikely musical petri dish of Maidstone, Talk-Show sensed their marriage of raw guitar, honey baritone and retro synth might have legs. Taking demos of their debut long-player Permanent Honeymoon to songwriting legend Boo Hewerdine he agreed to oversee production. Boo recalls: “These bittersweet vignettes of love gone wrong, right, and everything in between were a kind of new-wave Aspects Of Love. It was clear Lawrence [O’Shea, writer] had a singular voice; an eccentric with a rare gift of making the clever sound simple.” Boo wasn’t the only one impressed. An early exercise in putting the feelers out, 2015’s appetite-whetting EP All Messed Up (And Nowhere To Go) prompted Sound and Vision to declare Talk-Show “expansive and glorious….as good a listen as the music fan can expect to have…flourishing mastery”. **** Others observed the “classy songwriting…crying out for radio airplay” (Get Ready To Rock ****), noting O’Shea (a literature major) to be no slouch in the lyric department. With expectations set, the album comprising 10 hook-laden new tunes has dropped: Permanent Honeymoon boasts a subject-tackling ambition which runs the full gamut from teenage crushes (Molly Ringwald), middle age (Time Thieves), fatherhood (Hello Beautiful), through to wartime balladry (Silent Film) and a blunt plea with the missus to get it on (Sure Thing). Kick-off radio track is Mademoiselle. O’Shea explains the choice: “Audiences are telling us they hear youthful energy, longing, regret and reflection in the songs. I like to think Mademoiselle encapsulates all these in one burst. Plus it has a chorus that goes ‘do do do’, which never did The Police any harm!

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Band on stage playing country music - Maverick Country

Folk Alliance International Celebrates GRAMMY Week 2018 With Inaugural Live Event

Live Events, News / Editor

Folk Alliance International (FAI) has announced its inaugural event in celebration of the 2018 GRAMMY Week on Saturday, January 27 from 1:00PM-3:30PM at Joe’s Pub in New York City. Honoring past and present Best Folk Album nominees and other American Roots music artists, the event will be emceed by Canadian singer/songwriter Rose Cousins, whose album Natural Conclusion is nominated for Best Engineered Album, the matinee event will include performances by 2018 Best Folk Album nominees Olivia Chaney (Offa Rex) and The Secret Sisters, as well as special guests Dar Williams, Best Traditional Blues Album nominee Guy Davis and Fabrizio Poggi, Ashley Campbell, daughter of the late Glen Campbell, who is nominated for Best American Roots Performance. Also attending is special guest Bobby Osborne, Best Bluegrass Album nominee. 2018 marks the Recording Academy’s 60th Anniversary and the 30th Anniversary of Folk Alliance International. To commemorate these milestones and shared history, Folk Alliance International is hosting an event in New York City to celebrate the 2018 GRAMMY Week and this year’s Best of Folk Album nominees. “We’re proud to acknowledge the role of the Recording Academy in elevating and supporting our genre,” says Executive Director of Folk Alliance International Aengus Finnan, “and as our organisation enters its fourth decade it’s important that we celebrate our artists and community at this level.” 2018 Best Folk Album Nominees include: Aimee Mann, Mental Illness Laura Marling, Semper Femina Offa Rex, The Queen of Hearts The Secret Sisters, You Don’t Own Me Anymore Yusuf / Cat Stevens, The Laughing Apple The 60th GRAMMY Awards will air live from New York’s Madison Square Garden on Sunday, January 28, 2018, on CBS.

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Sarah Darling back in the UK after stunning 2017 concert

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Nashville based singer Sarah Darling will be back in the UK this March for a 12-date tour, following her sold out Christmas concert at the St Pancras Old Church last December. The tour stops off at London’s prestigious Union Chapel on Monday, March 5th which also marks Sarah’s biggest headline show in the UK to date. There are just a few tickets left for this, so be sure to pick yours up soon! If her Christmas concert was anything to go by, there will be a mix of songs from her previous albums and plenty of new ones to get you fired up for her upcoming album due in 2018. When we last chatted to Sarah in December ’16, we recommended all readers give a listen to her album ‘Dream Country’, as it revealed an exciting artist breaking out of the box, and the new record promises to be more of the same. Sarah has been working with Mark Bright, the producer responsible for some of country music’s greatest sounding albums by artists including Carrie Underwood and Rascal Flatts. When we asked Sarah about this recently, she sounded very enthusiastic about working with Mark: “Dream Country was such an important album for me, since it was so personal and true to my creative style. Working with Mark has been wonderful and allows me to take my music to the next stage. I’m so excited to share the new music.” The first single from the record will be officially released on March 2nd. Following her opening slots for chart toppers Ward Thomas, touring the UK with her own “Night in Nashville” shows, and performing at the C2C: Country to Country festival (2016 & 2017), Sarah Darling has gone from strength to strength within the industry. On this 12 show tour, the BCMA Awards ‘International Touring Artist of the Year’ nominee will be performing songs from her three studio albums – including the acclaimed 2017 release ‘Dream Country’ and previewing songs from her forthcoming 2018 album. Looking forward to the tour Sarah says “I am so excited to return to the UK for a release party of sorts! My newest single is scheduled to release on March 2nd, and I cannot wait to celebrate with my UK fans.” Sarah previewed some new material from the upcoming album during her sold out Christmas concert at St Pancras’ Church last December. Sure to be performed on this upcoming tour, is a track co-written with Ward Thomas. For one of the brightest new stars in the country music scene, the sky really is the limit. Tickets go on sale Friday 12th January 2018, check out the dates below! 05/03/2018 London Union Chapel 10/03/2018 Brighton Unitarian Church, Brighton 12/03/2018 Norwich The Waterfront 13/03/2018 Gateshead Gateshead 2 14/03/2018 Liverpool Studio 2 15/03/2018 Glasgow Oran Mor 17/03/2018 Cambridge Unitarian Church, Cambridge 18/03/2018 York Basement 19/03/2018 Manchester Night & Day 22/03/2018 Belfast Empire Music Hall 23/03/2018 Dublin Grand Social 27/03/2018 Bristol Lantern www.sarahdarling.com

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Charlie Daniels challenges Taco Bell over commercial referencing Illuminati

News / Editor

Country music hero Charlie Daniels has spoken out against Taco Bell via twitter after the fast food company’s latest ads displayed the “Belluminati” (its take on the Illuminati) who are focused on value-priced snack items over world domination. Daniels, who is best known for his 1979 hit “The Devil Went Down To Georgia,”tweeted: ‘Hey Taco Bell The Illuminati is not a frivolous subject.” It’s unclear if the comment was made in jest, however, Daniels has made references to the Illuminati in past social media posts, saying these groups may be pushing a “one world government administered by the elite and their minions.” Its agenda, he claimed last year, was to “increase and reduce the global population by abortion, euthanasia, starvation and withholding medical treatment from whomever they deem too old or otherwise incapable to contribute to their version of a Utopian global society.” “The whole enchilada is a little too much for me to swallow,” he wrote. “But having said that, I do have some very deep suspicions about people who operate behind the scenes and have undue and unmerited influence in the halls of power of the international political scene.”

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Close up of people dancing in a crowd - Maverick Country

Country legend Loretta Lynn breaks hip months after stroke

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Coal Miner’s Daughter singer, Loretta Lynn, has broken her hip inside her Hurricane Mills, Tennessee mansion just months after suffering from a stroke. The traditional country music singer first had a number one hit back in 1967 with ‘Don’t Come Home A-Drinkin’ (With Lovin’ on Your Mind)’, with plenty of her 70 recorded songs alluding to blue-collar women’s issues and cheating husbands. Many radio stations refused to play her songs as a result, with nine banned. The biographical hit song Coal Miner’s Daughter became a book and an Oscar–winning movie starring Sissy Spacek and and Tommy Lee Jones. The incident comes eight months after Loretta suffered a stroke at home, causing her to cancel her tour dates and delay her new album. A statement posted on Monday on her website said Loretta ‘is doing well and thanks all her fans for their thoughts and prayers.’ The 85-year-old country legend’s sister Crystal Gale took to Instagram on Monday asking for fans to ‘send love and prayers’ and adding that the singing sensation was still ‘in good spirits.’ Lynn was last seen in October at the Country Music Hall of Fame for Alan Jackson’s induction. Lynn joined the country music scene in Nashville in the 1960s.

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Rare fiddle from Roy Acuff up for auction

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A fiddle used by Country Music Hall of Famer Roy Acuff is available at auction, with the highest bid now at more than $2,000. A rare piece of Tennessee music history, the fiddle was handmade by Roy’s uncle, Evart Acuff, who only ever made a handful of fiddles. Born in Maynardville, Acuff played the fiddle throughout the 1930s and performed at the Grand ‘Ole Opry. He was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1962. The donor is currently anonymous but it is hoped the sale will bring well deserved attention to country music traditions. The auction is open until 9pm on Saturday.

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Carrie Underwood may “look different” after fall last year left the singer with 50 stitches in the face

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Carrie Underwood has announced she may now look “different” after sustaining injuries in a fall that left her with a broken wrist and facial stitches. The accident occurred on steps outside the singer’s home back in November, leading the singer to withdraw from the Country Rising benefit show, which aimed to raise money for hurricane relief efforts and victims of the Las Vegas shooting. A photo recently shared on Instagram shows the singer’s face covered with a scarf, prompting fans to shower the artist with words of comfort and support. After the incident a statement read: “Carrie Underwood took a hard fall on some steps outside her home. While there were no life-threatening injuries, she was taken to the hospital to be treated. She sustained multiple injuries including a broken wrist and some cuts and abrasions from the fall.” In a newsletter to her fan members reported via People, Underwood has now revealed how she had struggled to reveal the extent of her injuries because she was not ready. “There is also another part of the story that I haven’t been ready to talk about since I have been living it and there has been much uncertainty as to how things will end up,” she said. “It’s crazy how a freak random accident can change your life. “In addition to breaking my wrist, I somehow managed to injure my face. I’ll spare you the gruesome details, but when I came out of surgery the night of my fall, the doctor told Mike [Fisher, Underwood’s husband] that he had put between 40 and 50 stitches in. She continued: “I honestly don’t know how things are going to end up but I do know this: I am grateful. I am grateful that it wasn’t much, much worse. And I am grateful for the people in my life that have been there every step of the way.” “I am determined to make 2018 amazing and I want to share things with you along the way,” she said. “And when I’m ready to get in front of a camera, I want you all to understand why I might look a bit different.”

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Heartwarming tribute to 2017’s lost artists

Live Events / Editor

Nashville resident Keith Urban played at the town’s annual New Year’s Eve celebration for the second year in a row, performing a tribute to artists remembered for their compelling music. The performance included a backdrop of photos of late artists as a medley of songs played, including “Midnight Rider” for Gregg Allman, “Johnny B. Goode” for Chuck Berry, “Tulsa Time” for Don Williams, “Wichita Lineman” for Glen Campbell and “My Town” for Montgomery Gentry‘s Troy Gentry. Urban closed the tribute portion of his performance with a rendition of “Free Fallin’” for Tom Petty, promompting audience members to join in the singing. Urban then lifted the mood by asking “all the single people” to sing, then demanding the same of the couples in the audience. The evening also included Maren Morris–who dueted with Urban–Cheap Trick, Carly Pearce, Jonny P, Larkin Poe, and the Fisk Jubilee Singers.

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The LYNNeS tour dates announced!

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The LYNNeS are Canadian heartbreak poets Lynn Miles and Lynne Hanson. The two songwriters are not new to working together, having toured and written songs off and on over the past 10 years, and with Miles having produced two of Hanson’s albums (River of Sand, 2014 and 7 Deadly Spins, 2015). For THE LYNNeS, songs are what matter the most, and their debut album “Heartbreak Song For The Radio” pairs hauntingly gritty lyrics with tight vocal harmonies. The duo adopted an old school approach to recording their album, choosing to record to tape and recording all the bed tracks and many of the vocal and acoustic guitar parts live off the floor. Tracks like “Don’t Look Down” and “Dark Waltz” showcase the unmistakable touch of Juno-award winning guitarist Kevin Breit (Nora Jones, KD Lang, Rosanne Cash). The infectious “Recipe for Disaster” highlights the songwriting duo’s knack to craft a catchy melody and memorable lyrics, while the radio-friendly title track “Heartbreak For The Radio” begs for the listener to hit repeat. The athletic groove of the funky “Halfway To Happy” is a brilliant counterweight to the airy “Blue Tattoo,” which would not be out of place on a Fleetwood Mac album. Each song on the album is a co-write, producing a truly collaborative effort, drawing on the strengths two Lynn(e), to create a sum greater than two individual parts. The two witty songwriters play off each other live, often leaving the audience howling with laughter with their between-song-banter. Miles has a slight edge in the humour department. In addition to their beautiful harmonies, the two are skilled multi-instrumental musicians (acoustic and electric guitars, piano, harmonica, mandolin, percussion). Lynn Miles is one of Canada’s most accomplished singer/songwriters, with fourteen albums to her credit, the winner of four Canadian Folk Music awards (including 2011 English Songwriter of the Year), and a 2003 Juno award for Roots and Traditional Solo Album of the Year. Her song “Black Flowers” appeared on Claire Lynch’s Grammy nominated album “North By South”. In support of the new album The LYNNeS will be touring the UK in February! Wed 21st CRAWLEY Hawth Theatre £15 on stage 7:45pm https://www.parkwoodtheatres.co.uk/The-Hawth Thu 22nd SHREWSBURY The Hive £12.50 on stage 7:45pm Home Fri. 23rd NEWBALD Newbald Village Hall £12 on stage7pm http://www.wegottickets.com/event/407268 Sat 24th COLCHESTER Little Rabbit Barn £15 on stage 7pm Live Music in Essex Sun 25th LONDON Green Room £10 on stage8pm Home Mon 26th BIRMINGHAM Kitchen Garden Café £12 on stage 7:30pm Main Home Tues 27th LEICESTER The Musician £10adv on stage 8pm http://www.themusicianpub.co.uk/ Wed 28th BIDDULPH Biddulph Up In Arms £12 on stage 7:30pm Biddulph Up In Arms

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Close up of the band on stage playing country music - Maverick Country

Greater opportunity as female songwriters under 20 increase

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More young women are pursuing a career in songwriting and composing, as 40 percent of new PRS for Music members under the age of 20 identify as female, according to new figures. PRS for Music, the performing rights organisation that represents more than 125,000 songwriters, composers and publishers in the UK and beyond, has seen an uplift in the number of young women signing up as members. In the 20-to-29-year-old category, 21 percent of PRS members identify as female, while among 60-to-69-year-olds, the figure stands at just 12 percent. Currently, 17 percent of PRS for Music’s membership is female, keeping the UK performing right society in line with its European counterparts such as GEMA in Germany and Sweden’s STIM, who also report an overall female membership of less than 20 percent. Karen Buse, Executive Director of Membership & International at PRS for Music, said: “The growth in the number of young female songwriters and composers joining PRS for Music is extremely positive, and we look forward to supporting this upward trajectory into 2018 and beyond. However, we recognise there is an issue here. “In 2016 we established a working group to examine the gender imbalance and explore how we could encourage an increase the overall number of female members. “We’ve been analysing data, and gathering information and opinion from a wide number of sources, and we’re of the view that this is an industry-wide issue – we cannot improve female representation across our membership unless the wider community also changes. “To that end, we’re working with national and regional bodies to widen the discussion and action positive change. Our Education & Outreach team is working hard to reach out to women creators across the UK and we continue to increase our presence at targeted events, to raise our profile among the female demographic.” In September, PRS for Music’s Education & Outreach team held a special panel event in Bristol that focused on diversity in music, including how to break down the barriers of stereotypes. PRS Foundation, the UK’s leading charitable funder of new music and talent development, launched two new initiatives for women this year building on its Women Make Music fund, which began in 2011 to support the development of women songwriters and composers of all genres and backgrounds at different stages of their career: Keychange, the international initiative which is empowering women to transform the future of the music industry and encouraging festivals to achieve a 50:50 balance by 2022, and ReBalance, a three-year programme from Festival Republic in association with PRS Foundation, will offer studio recording time to female-led bands and solo artists.

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