Halle Kearns Finally

 

Halle Kearns has only been on the music scene for a short time but it really does feel like she is an established artist given the amount of success she has had in such a short space of time. Originally from Colombia MO, Nashville resident Halle Kearns is living her dream, literally. Halle has taken the time to decide what kind of artist she wants to be, what music she wants to make, her own individual style and she is selling it to the world. The world seems to be loving every single second from Pick me up, I Drink Whiskey to the moving Shoes to Fill, Halle is quickly becoming a fast favourite with many country fans throughout the world. Halle has racked up over 300,000 streams on Spotify, had videos premiered on CMT and is more and more in demand for live streams than ever before! What a rollercoaster ride it has been for this talented artist! 

Halle has named this EP Finally as it is something she has always wanted to do for many years, 5 yrs to be exact, and now that she is bringing it out this seemed like the most appropriate title for this EP. I have to firstly mention the cover as what I see is a self assured woman who is comfortable in her own skin and is enjoying the journey she is on with her music and where it is taking her. I really love this artwork. It is also her birthday when this EP drops this Friday.  

This EP has 5 tracks on it with all three previous releases included. The EP opens with the debut single that Halle released to give us all a little pick me up during these different times in the world and what a debut that was! Such a great opening debut to introduce Halle to the world and let us know what she is all about.

The EP's second track is Whatever you do and Halle has spoke on Facebook livestreams about what kind of feel this song has, she has described it as Zac Brown Band feel and after listening to this track I really have to agree. This track will bring summer to your winter as it is such a feel good anthem that would feel at home on a summer playlist. The production is similar to the most country songs of the Zac Brown Band catalogue and it is a very polished vocal performance with exceptional production backing her. This song could easily have been one of the lead singles, any of these songs could have been a single! Wonder how she choose the ones to release first!  

For me the next track Before he Could is one that stands out to me showing more depth and power in song writing and vocals. The meaning of this song is loving someone so much but being afraid of the hurt that could be caused to both parties so instead of trying she hurts him before he could. I find this song to be so moving and gorgeous showcasing a tender side to Halle's vocals with instrumentation that evokes even more feeling, almost to tears. I have a feeling that many people will be able to relate to Halle on a more deeper level when this song is out in the world. This would be a highlight of the EP for me and I will be interested to see the reaction of this song when the EP is out. 

"Ran from what I wanted, that front door was my way out, pulled out the drive way turned on the highway, looking down the easy route, I saw forever in his need you eyes He didn't deserve to hear goodbye but I was scared to let my heart do what it should so I broke it before he could"

The EP rounds of with the follow up two singles, I Drink Whiskey and hopefully this Christmas you can toast to someone with a drink or have a drink to get away from someone for a little while if they are driving you to drink!!

Lastly this EP finishes off with one of the songs Halle has written that is most important to her. Family is an important part of life and when you have family that supports and loves you all the way there is nothing else. Halle talks about this relationship with her father saying a prospective partner has serious shoes to fill to love her as much as her dad does, she won't settle for anything but the best as her father has taught her how important she is. This is a special song that any daughter can relate to who has this relationship with her father. 

This is a stunning debut EP for Halle that will only help validate her place on the music scene and continue this rise to stardom she is on at present! Happy Birthday Halle and what a gift to give yourself and your ever growing fanbase! 

For more information on Halle Kearns go to her website which has all the pre save info for Finally you will need and more info on Halle herself. 

https://www.hallekearns.com/

Happy Christmas Biddy Ronelle and Tommy Taylor

Biddy Ronelle is a UK Americana singer with a powerhouse vocal that will definitely stop you in your tracks especially in the higher registers. She was featured on one of Voice of a Woman radio shows as legend of the week and one to watch as her vocals are just seriously good and the tracks she writes and produces are just stunning. Despite all this year has brought us all in the given climate, Biddy has had a number one EP with Aftershocks, a number one single with Thrill and a top ten single with David Luke to raise money for the Musicians charity in Let the Music Play in the UK iTunes chart. Biddy is cementing her place as a force to be reckoned with in the UK country scene.

Tommy Taylor is an Americana, southern, rock artist with real and powerful raw vocals thrown in with the mix. Could he be the male Biddy Ronelle? Just Maybe, just maybe? The songs he has released this year have gone top ten and have showcased so many different styles in music. He is simply breath taking to listen to. He has been playing in bands and delivering music for audiences for over 15 yrs and decided to release music in his own right. What an impressive start he has had with singles Keep on keeping on , a song for her and Popcorn. He has a top ten under his belt in the iTunes country chart and anticipation builds for what is next for this artist. Tommy also runs a bar in his native North Yorkshire which champions independent artists. 

What happens when you put these two exceptional artists vocally together writing, recording and releasing a track? Happy Christmas happens and let me tell you I have never been wished a merry Christmas in quite this way before and may not again! At first listen it is a rock ballad that is just epic to listen to and for a moment you are taken with where the heavy guitars and vocals take you, then Biddy reminds us it is merry Christmas the only way she can, vocal gymnastics and reaching notes that could be described as being unable to reach!! 

This track starts of with Biddy's vocal and piano which is gorgeous and beautiful. A strong electric guitar solo then breaks in followed by  Tommy's vocals in the second verse as the song starts to build adding guitars, drums and some serious male vocal gymnastics. This is what can only be described as a serious rock track with serious rock vibes, electric guitar solos that punch you in the gut hearing them. The track continues to build until what I would call the piece de resistance, Biddy wishes you a Merry Christmas the only way she can, with vigour, power and hitting that note right in it's centre! You will know which note I am referring to when you hear this track!! 

This song is a duet I will be listening to every Christmas for many years to come, maybe even if it is not Christmas as this is a really good song, amazing production and the song is laid bare as are the powerhouse vocals of Tommy Taylor and Biddy Ronelle. I would check this out and if you do not feel Christmassy after that, then hit rewind as you will eventually I can assure you! I know I do! This is the Christmas duet you didn't know you needed but now you do! The track was written by both Biddy & Tommy and features Will Watson on guitar, Nic Slack on keys and has been produced by the country producing wizard Stu Magru. Great work guys, I applaud you! 

I would love to see these two pairing up again, well done for the idea at the British Country Music Association Marketing team! Just a thought if you are reading this guys! I am looking forward to what these artists release next!

Go pre order, save, buy and Rock out this Christmas with Biddy Ronelle and Tommy Taylor and "Happy Christmas"  https://outnow.io/t/happychristmas

For more information on Biddy go to her website   

https://www.biddyronelle.com/

For more information on Tommy visit his website  

https://tommytaylormusic.com/

My Voice of a Woman Journey

 

Recently I asked for a social media audit from the fabulous Joey Clarkson and Laura Jenkins of your forte and they were asking me where the idea came from for Voice of a Woman. Voice of a Woman is born from the idea of supporting women in music to give them a supportive platform to show who they are through their music, their songs and their stories. I have always loved women in music and when I have loved a song the songwriter and or singer has always been female. 

Females in the industry I love are Lucie Silvas, Sara Barielles, Harriet Rose, Diane Warren, Natalie Hemby, Lori McKenna, Liz Rose, Hilliary Lindsay, Laura Veltz , Cerian, Daisy Chute, Jenny Colquitt and Kara Dioguardi. This list is by no means exhaustive and I could add to it on a daily basis as there are so many female singer songwriters whose lyrical talent and melodies are just stunning and I just fall in love with them every single song. Country music and the music I tend to gravitate towards are women writing about what means something to them, heartbreak, loss, dreams, fears, inadequacies and really inspiring upbeat songs to just say I am ok and you know what I can do this!

Voice of a Woman to me is also a very personal thing, a journey for me in terms of my own voice and what it is I want to say and who I want to be. Too often in life  through being bullied, being laughed at, being humiliated, being misunderstood, being excluded from groups, losing my mother at a young age, not feeling like you fit in in the world, it has felt like my own voice in a way has been silenced and when I speak sometimes it does not seem to be heard by some of the most important people in my life. 

Losing a mother at a young age is something that has always been hard for me as from an early age I slipped into the mothering role and not the young girl role which made my life a bit different growing up. I did not have those fun experiences other kids had growing up and just being a kid. I was caring for the family and sacrifices were made unknowingly by me. I asked myself "why do I not fit in" "Why Am I being bullied". I did not understand grief and the loss of a mother so young and all that went with that. I wasn't able to talk about it so was alone in all of that. I don't think it is something that can be understood come to think of it, loss is something you may learn to live with however it is hard at times and to understand why would be important for someone so young and at any age. 

Some have mentioned in passing to me "you are too quiet" You are a Loner" which I have to say is so off the mark I do not even know where to begin to answer them. Writing my own story and truth I am a carer and have been in that role for so many years. Firstly with the loss of my mother and then to take care of a family member also took seriously ill. I nearly lost them, they needed me and I was there for them. Caring is a role that people make sacrifices in and lose parts of themselves through that process. In this process though "where was my voice, where is my voice, where am I in all of this" I found myself very alone in it all and not sure where to turn, trying to speak and not being heard or if my words did get heard I was "sensitive", "what was I talking about" and other such disrespectful remarks came my way. 

Music to me is my safest place to be and go through all of this, Harriet Rose was such a gem to have written Imagine Paradise about her story of losing a mother at a young age. When I heard this song healing was taking place. Harriet was telling my story and all the things I wanted and needed. This moment to me was so special and will forever remain so. 

Voice of this woman was born out of all this, a path for me to become who I am, to love what I love, to do what it is that is important to me, to have something that is mine that I just am so passionate about and love.  

This is just the tip of the iceberg in what voice of a woman really means to me and the true place it came from. Voice of a Woman means more to me than anyone could ever know. Maybe now you can have some insight into what it truly means for me and not something to exclude anyone. Part two coming soon. 

Together Country I Won't Forget To Miss You

Everything starts with an idea and this idea with help and support comes to fruition. This single is a collaboration between Scarlet River Management, Country Chat with Dom and all the artists within the picture above, Brittany McLamb, Daniel Borge, Charlotte Young, Georgia Nevada Emilia Quinn, Bob Fitzgerald, Emma Moore and Kyle Elliot and the song is written and produced by Tyler Spicer and Aidan Thompson. This group of people have come together to become Together Country to bring you the song "I won't forget to miss you" in aid of Mental Health charity Mind. 2020 has not been the year that everyone had planned. The pandemic around the world has meant people have not been able to see loved ones, have lost livelihoods and have seen huge losses in terms of business and even lives so this unity and song brings some hope and a message to send to our loved ones all year round but particularly this Christmastime. Physical health is important but we cannot forget how important our mental health is and how we take care of ourselves and our family is equally as important always. 

I Won't forget to Miss you is beautiful ballad that will make you reminisce about those loves ones you have in your life that you want to see, hug and be with them but due to the difficult and challenging climate at present around the world this is a challenge we were not expecting in 2020. We can't travel to enjoy music with friends, we can't travel to see people in other countries without being in isolation for two weeks. It is hard on all of us and music is something that can bring us altogether. The songs makes me feel nostalgic when I listen to it remembering people in a loving and caring way, those I love who are here and those who are no longer here. I am missing many people and not being able to go and see them makes me miss them all the more. There is no way I will forget to miss them and this song is a loving tribute to all of them, to all of you. They are always on my mind and with this song it really is a loving way to let them know.  It is a beautiful modern country track that I can see people sending to their loved ones this Christmas and possibly many of them after. I messaged the artists to ask what it meant to be involved in the song and what it meant that it was for mind mental health charity.

Georgia Nevada said "It’s been great to be a part of a feel good collaboration like this with so many awesome artists. They’re all so talented and I am so grateful to have been asked by SRM and Country Chat With Dom to be a part of it"

Kyle Elliot "It was such a rewarding opportunity to come together with other artists and friends from around the world to create such a meaningful project. It’s experiences like this that make me thankful to be apart of such a unique industry that allows us do such good for our community and our world. I hope this song can help brighten someone’s Christmas!”

Emilia Quinn "I was asked by Rachel to feature on the track and when she told me the whole concept and charity it was supporting I was definitely up for it. It was a really fun project to be part of and a little different to what I've done before! I think Mind is a really awesome charity, I actually did a Christmas gig with Whiskey Kisses to raise money for mind last year so something I'm totally up for supporting. This year especially everyone's mental health has taken a hit and if it helps support an organisation that help that it's worth every second I put in"

Emma Moore "It was so lovely to be asked to be a part of the song, especially by two people who work with a huge of amount of talented artists - it was such an honour. I think a small silver lining of this year has been in the value people have placed on their mental health, and how many more conversations are opening up about it. Mind do an incredible job of supporting people who are struggling and I think it’s the perfect choice to donate to this year, as the one place we should always feel completely safe is in our own mind"

Brittany McLamb "It was such an honor to have even been considered as a contributing artist for this project! I’ve never been a part of a collaboration of this size before, so I was excited to get involved and hear the track! When Dom and Rachel sent the track over my initial response was “This is good stuff!” I could immediately relate to certain aspects of the song! You’ll know what I mean when you hear it! :) The song lyrics and melody are a bit of an earworm, so don’t expect to get them out of your head for at least the rest of 2020! Haha! I love creating music in general, but when the music is able to support such a wonderful charity as Mind it puts the icing on the cake! Mental health is such an important subject matter and something that gets brushed under the rug all too often! It’s important that we have organizations that folks can reach out to when they need help and support!The process was unique in that we all recorded our vocals from different countries and brought them together to make a beautiful track. I learned my vocal parts and recorded them from my upstairs office with the assistance of my boyfriend, Aidan Thompson. It was a fun experience and I think everyone will love how it all came together and turned out!"

Charlotte Young "Loved being involved, an awesome team behind it in terms of writing, production and promotion and just felt nice to be a part of something special, mind is an extraordinary charity and very worthy cause, having being lucky enough to haven’t majorly suffered with mental health, I know it’s a battle I will see many loved ones fight and Mind do incredible work making sure we all stay afloat and are feeling healthy . With winter being a hard time for some hopefully this song will bring comfort and some cheer to this dreary year"

Bob Fitzgerald "I was delighted to be asked to be part of this beautiful project and to be working alongside so many great artists, all be it remotely. It’s a great track by Tyler Spicer and a truly wonderful and timely idea of Dom and Rachel to put it together. Mental Health awareness is such a meaningful and very relevant cause, right now as much as ever. Please do pre-order your copy and help raise awareness for Mind Charity.

The song itself has a very catchy hook and chorus that as Brittany says you will be singing and humming when you go shopping in the supermarket, yes I did that! Wait till you hear it and you will too! The riff at the beginning leads you in nicely to the song and the singing is gorgeous and to me shows another side to these artists voices. I must admit I had trouble deciphering a couple of voices! I have been listening to it a few times to try and figure that one out! Shows versatility in the vocals. 

"I want to hold you neath that New York skylight, stare into those big blue eyes, and celebrate another year oh how time flies, In a year that's been full of woe, holding onto family, holding on to hope, there's just one thing I want you to know I won't forget to miss you underneath the mistletoe"

This is the chorus which builds throughout the song and everyone sings it together at the end and it leaves a lump in my throat. 

Send love to family, friends and the wider community, it is that one thing that will always help and heal during these difficult times and always.

Go and pre order this song and send it as gifts to your family and friends and raise money for Mind Mental health Charity to do their important work now and always. 

Sending love.

Here is the pre order link for the single which all profits are going to mind mental health. 

https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/togethercountry/i-wont-forget-to-miss-you-feat-charlotte-young-kyle-elliott-bob-fitzgerald-emma-moore-emilia-quinn-daniel-borge-brittany-mclamb--georgia-nevada

You can also donate to Mind Mental Health charity if you do not have itunes right here https://www.mind.org.uk/

Harriet Rose Small Town Chains

 Harriet Rose is a UK country singer, songwriter and multi instrumentalist who has been taking the UK scene, particularly the country music scene by storm with her songwriting craft, her song writing ability, her professionalism, her slick guitar changes and her vocals. Harriet lives in a small town and has big dreams to do what she loves and is in her heart to do, sing her own songs, tell her own story and do it in her own way allowing nothing to hold her back. Harriet describes her sound and songs as " sass, flare and a little bit of heartache" 

Harriet has been working the live music gigging scene for years and has honed and developed her sound and confidence and is now ready and in a place to release her debut single "Small Town Chains" This is possibly one of the most anticipated and in demand debut releases for a long time given how Harriet's fanbase has grown over time with consistent and stunning live streaming over lock down complete with her guitar named Shelia. Harriet wows everyone who hears her. I discovered her over lockdown and proud to support her always. Of all the songs Harriet has in her repertoire she could have released any number of them. On a personal note and a story I share and feel with Harriet, Imagine Paradise is one of those songs that got my heart as I know and have lived through that story. This song got me. Harriet got me. Since then each and every song is like she is telling my story. Country music is just that real people telling real stories that make you feel something and heal and inspire you all at the same time. 

This release of "Small town chains" is one of the most clever choices for Harriet to release. The narrative of the song is living in small towns there are so many people who can hold you back, want a piece of you to tear you down and why would anyone want to be successful, it's not going to happen. Harriet has other ideas cause the small town chains they won't hold me back no more. The song starts with steel pedal sound with acoustic guitar and Harriet's clear, crisp vocals kicking in and she is here to stay. She is commanding your attention with her vocal and the small town chatter where people just want to spend their time taking you down.  The drum pattern then kicks in and this sound to me is organic, strong, upbeat, a song that makes you want to dance, headbang and feel full of inspiration and that you too can take on the world and win. I listened to this song while driving and you cannot help but be carried along with the song and the feel and vibe created on this track. The production on this song is well intentioned, slick and superb all thanks to Pete from Flatwave. From reverb to echo to the whole vibe and feel of the track it is just superb from start to finish.  What a team to put this song together to start this incredible story of a small town girl who is moving on up and won't forget her roots but she won't be looking back she will be looking up. 

"Cause these small town chains they cant hold me back no more got some big time plans and that's all I'm living for"

I also find the cover artwork very poignant and moving. This is Harriet at a very young age, innocence and anything is possible holding a red balloon. The world awaits her and this small town decides this young girl can't amount to anything  because of where she is from. This isn't the real truth and a strong message from this song. Anyone can do anything if they believe and work hard. This message goes out to anyone now at any age. 

Harriet Rose is a name you will definitely hear more of in the future. She is destined to take the UK and worldwide music scene by storm on a rollercoaster ride of emotions through her skill, talent, drive and sheer powerhouse vocals. This doesn't feel like a debut, it feels like she is releasing a new single and is an established artist who has been in the music business for years. Harriet has earned the respect of fans, critics and music industry insiders and this will only grow overtime. This is a stunning debut and only the beginning of this story. She is moving on up!! 

Writer and vocals Harriet Rose

Musicians Danny Smart Tom Jane Harriet Rose

Production Pete Thompson

For more information and to pre order track release Friday 21 August go to https://www.harrietrosemusic.com

Emilia Quinn Firecracker

Welcome to the world of a firecracker. Emilia Quinn has definitely got what can only be called a powerhouse vocal with true grit, soul and passion behind it when she sings. Emilia is an independent artist supporting herself and this new release is the follow up to her 2019 EP Wrote Off. Emilia writes her own material and works hard in the industry and has built a strong fanbase and has proven herself to be a talented force to be reckoned with. Songs like sorry momma, wrote off and woman like me introduced her to fans and now we have the next chapter in the Emilia Quinn story. 

The firecracker release has seen her having the spotlight on her today from the British Country Music Association and a feature of artist of the week on this pages twitter/instagram and facebook. To describe the music of Emilia Quinn you could say the true elements of the heart of country is there and on top of this Emilia adds her alternative sound and herself to the lyrics and music to make her trademark sound that is sassy, gritty, full of strength and power and a message of be true to yourself coming through.

This new release starts of with a single guitar on the first track Ready Right Now. Emilia's vocal soft to start telling us she is ready right now, she is ready to fight now. She is a soilder to her own heart. This track builds as it goes on and has such a slick guitar solo adding sheer class to it. Great start to this 4 track EP.

The second track is Nothing to Lose which you could say is one of the more traditional country sounding track and has different instrumentation and backing than the other three tracks and fits very well as part of the story of firecracker. I hear country, Americana vibes and versatility in songwriting from Emilia here. The grit in her voice, the instrumental solo is classic on this track, this one could turn into a fav very quickly. "Oh lord please help, ive been running trying to be someone else" you hear Emilia plead at the start. Be true to yourself and don't let anything external define who you are.

Track three is Drunk. Great title for an alternative country song. This song starts with muffled vocals from Emilia and drums kick in "everybody's got problems, I wish I could solve them I dont pretend that I know best" "I cannot keep saving you baby" This song is again sassy, gritty and another well produced track for the firecracker era. This song sounds like an ode to asking someone why they need to be dependent on something so much and to please help themselves. A strong and well produced track.

The final track on this 4 track ep may just be the highlight of this EP. Emilia mentions that it is her fav for the moment. Guitars and distorted vocals begin this track telling who may be listening to "take a sip and see if you can handle me" This track is Outlaw and this sounds like a movie theme soundtrack! You can hear it fitting very well "outlaw outlaw take me by the hand, show me whose the baddest bitch in the land" This song has a chorus of well known artists and music lovers of the genre including Louise Parker, Danny Coffill Brown, Becky Lawrence, William Hope, Tommy Taylor, Rob Lewis, Shannon Hynes, Luke Williams, Michael Addy and John W Doyle. This song feels like this is me and I am fine on my own but if you can handle me  and get me then lets go and be outlaws together! Great imagery and story telling.

This EP is a powerful and exceptional follow up to wrote off for Emilia which will only see her growth within the industry rise to new heights. Don't just take my word for it, go listen and hear this for yourself. It is well worth it!!

Congratulations to Arjun on production, Ben Pike and Mike Addy on guitar, pedal steel and base and Steve Matthews on drums. So much talent involved in bringing this EP together.

For links to buy the EP and merch go here
 https://emiliaquinnmusic.bandcamp.com/

Tennessee Twin Every Story

Tennessee Twin, Victoria and Geoff, are a modern country music duo from Cambridge who have been working in the UK country music scene and have had considerable success with a number one EP. Their music can be described as modern country with elements of americana, rock and pop undertones. A male and female duo who blend harmonies into their songs that adds depth and beauty to each track. Anyone who is familiar with this duo will know how gorgeous these harmonies sound

Lockdown and covid 19 has changed the music industry in many ways with live gigs stopping and artists having to find creative ways to go live, record music and release music. Every Story, the new single is the first single that Tennessee Twin have released since lockdown began. Every Story is due for release on July 10 and can be pre ordered from Friday 26 June. 

Every Story is a cautionary tale about not taking everything at face value. The lyrics features three mini stories about fictional characters whose back stories are more complex than they first appear.

This song kicks in with strong instrumentation with a modern country feel to it telling the stories of what people think and what the reality is for people and how these can be very different. Victoria and Geoff take solos on different parts of these stories and come together in the chorus which builds with stronger instrumentation and the gorgeous harmonies that Tennessee Twin are well known for. An example of a story and one of the most striking messages in the song talks of a ten year old child who hangs up the clothes for an alcoholic mother and "misses school for the family he cares for but the neighbours think he's just the kid next door" This is so profound and true in many ways, you can never know a person's real story from commenting on what you see. What a great track that will be released on July 10th from Tennessee Twin. A solid country track recorded remotely with their band the railroaders. A well thought out production and with drums, guitars and great instrumentation this is set to be another great release for this country music duo. 

You can see Tennessee Twin every Sunday at 3pm on the songs and stories collective with Sarah Yeo and Donna Marie where they talk all things music, country music, making music, producing music and also with themes sing one cover and one original each to go with the theme. They also feature a special guest. A lovely way to spend a Sunday afternoon and hear these artists live. 

For more information and to pre-order every story go to their website https://www.tennesseetwin.com/ Pre order from Friday. 

Kelsey Bovey I'm Not Scared Anymore

Kelsey Bovey is a Country Pop artist from Bristol, UK who aspires to make music that will empower the lives of young people. Her debut EP featured a track Kelsey wrote about her experiences being bullied called "Define Me". This special song and EP brought Kelsey to the attention of the country music scene. Kelsey prides herself on writing songs from personal experiences that she hopes others will relate to. She is able to bring a level of intimate vulnerability in her lyrical content that is open-minded and diverse, and is combined with a slick country-pop production. This new EP journey started with Magnetic as lead single which with support from fans and industry alike and hard work from the team around her it got to number 2 in the itunes country charts. Kelsey is here to stay and releases this highly anticpated EP this month. Pre order NOW!!

In Kelsey's own words about this highly anticipated release,

“This EP showcases my outlook on life and wanted to prove that my past experiences don’t hold me back from being true to myself. I felt ‘Not Scared Anymore’ was the right way to represent this EP as it sums up the growth that I have experienced. If you’re looking for music to let your hair down to this is the one for you!”

There are so many fans, music professionals and fellow artists who are very excited for this EP release and after hearing it there is good reason to be. It's exciting to watch this rising star grow and develop within her own style and be guided and supported by a wonderful team around her to create an excellent and well produced body of work.

The artwork is striking for this EP. A Silhouette of Kelsey holding a guitar. It's a strong, confident statement of the artist she is becoming right before our eyes. Kelsey is one of the ones to watch. Taking her time and being around the supportive team she has will only produce great things and I will be here supporting her in this journey. 

Out of Our Minds This is the first track from this new EP. It's a light hearted, feel good track and has country pop at it's heart. You can't not feel good and hear the story that Kelsey has to tell "met this boy inside a shop, he bought a regular coke for his bottle top" Young love at first sight. Great story telling and imagery and great production behind this opening track making you want to listen again. It is full of fun and makes you smile. Production slick and credit goes to Puzzle Maker Studios for that. This brings a smile to my face and a spring in my step!

Magnetic Is the next track on the EP which was the leading single that definitely, as Kelsey said herself, is a good representation of what this EP is like and the direction it is going in. Magnetic is such a great track about that very first moment you fall for someone and not knowing if you want to tell the person as you were hurt before. Kelsey has grown so much within a short space of time. Her vocals are strong, heartfelt and dance over the production of the track.In this track I hear growth in the strength of her vocals and in performance. A track that makes you want to sing along and live stage shows when they do return with full band will be so much fun to look forward to.

Not Scared Anymore This is the title track of the EP. A young lady giving advice to young girls as well as reminding  herself. Believe in yourself. Define yourself how you are despite the negative experiences in life. "Don't think you have to change for those magazines" You don't need to stay on that bathroom floor, stand up for yourself and be strong. It's in you to do that and only you can define you. An important message for anyone in life and I love the feel of this track and the production is toned down slightly to focus on the vocals and message in this song. Thanks Kelsey for speaking your truth.

Hold Tight Sit Still Listening to this it sounds like Kelsey giving someone what for and her revenge is just to be herself and persue what she loves. Again Puzzlemaker studios nail the huge production that hooks you in and makes you want to give this person what for! "I'll make you feel all the hurt you gave to me" Country pop at it's heart and it is good and a joy to listen to! Kelsey's own words are definitely true as you listen. Dance, sing and feel good!! This is the EP for you!

To Kelsey and the team, well done guys on all the love, hard work, support and thought that has gone into this body of work. It is class and I don't like comparing new artists to established ones as they are developing in their own style nd growing in their own right however one day Kelsey can have the success that she sees her idols having now. Keep going Kelsey! This is special! 

For more information go to this site 

https://www.twitter.com/kelseyboveyuk

Wildflower by Lorraine Nash

Lorraine Nash has come on to the music scene in Ireland this year and released her debut single Wildflower in February. Due to recent times her EP release date was put back but happy to say this EP is now released into the world for all music lovers to listen to. Changing tides was the second single recently released just before the EP and has been playlisted in rte radio 2 weeks running. For those interested there is also a live stream gig launching the EP so go to her facebook page to check this out. 

The music on the EP has a mix of styles and genres with a running undercurrent of folk and at times country and americana running through it. A well thought out track listing.

Breathe is the first track on the album which grabs your attention immediately and is an upbeat track with lots of production behind it and a steel guitar feel to it all the way through. "All that I have done was all that I could do" reminding us to breathe. A great start to this EP. 

Changing Tides is next on the EP and is the current single playlisted on RTE radio. There is a change of pace on this track using guitars and banjos.  I hear folk tinged vibes on this track. "In this changing tide let the waves crash by your side" Change can sometimes be hard but sometimes embracing it can be helpful. I like the feel and vibe of this track. The banjos really work well and harmonies sound like waves of the tides that will come and go in life.

Everything To Me This is the third track on the album which focuses more so on Lorraine's gorgeous vocal and the lyrics of the song. Minimal production is used with gentle guitar, percussion and harmonies, it is simple yet effective and shows a gentle and soft side to this artist and her music. "I've been trying to write a song on a single string but that's not enough" "So fill me up don't let me down let me in just don't shut me out" This for me is a stand out track on this EP.

River This track begins with strong harmonies acapella which draws you in and is just beautiful. Gorgeous harmonies throughout the track. "Run river run run wide and free" Instrumentation and production is beautiful on this track sounding to me like the river running to the sea as Lorraine sings about in this track. There is a folk and americana feel to this track on the EP. An uplifting track that leaves you feeling good after you hear it. 

Wildflower This is the closing and title track of this debut EP. This was the leading song from the EP and love the feel of this track and the instrumentation used. Gentle, uplifting and builds throughout the track then closing with Lorraine's gorgeous vocals "where the wildflower finally finds it's home and has no place to go you must let it grow" Uplifting track about life, choosing your own path and growing in your own way and your own time and letting it happen. 

This is an impressive debut EP from a talented singer, songwriter, multi instrumentalist from Ireland and a strong, well produced body of work. An impressive debut and definitely one to watch. Lorraine has star potential and is someone who will follow her own path in terms of music and the direction she wants to go in. Go stream, share and support this independent artist from Ireland

To purchase the EP go to the link below

https://lorrainenash.bandcamp.com/releases

Heart of Mine EP review

Sabine is a UK singer songwriter whose music draws influences from country, folk and pop genres to create her own beautiful melodies to tell her story of love, life and heartbreak. Sabine released her debut EP intertwine in May 2019 and hasn't looked back since. This EP told her story of a really bad breakup that she went through with honesty and purity. Sabine is set to release the follow up EP to this Heart of mine this friday 5th June.

Heart of Mine to me describes in such detail and honesty how healing can take time from such a painful experience that can come from breakups. Listening to this EP is like Sabine's heart is talking to you and is telling you about the process through which the heart of a woman heals.

Over is the first track of this 5 track EP which was the leading single received to high critical acclaim and success. The production and instrumentation on this is powerful with the beautiful melodies Sabine writes for all to hear. A relationship being "over" could be a good thing but can also be more painful for one than the other. In the long run though for the heart it needs to happen.

Let You Go is the next track from this EP and listening to this it sounds like a continuation of the narrative of Over. How can I find a way to let go of all the hurt and finally find a way to move on and let a new love in. This song sounds so uplifting and positive using strong instrumentation and melodies. Listening I can hear the positive vibes in the process of finding ways to let go of this negative experience that has caused the pain.

Heart of Mine is the third track on the EP and is the current single. I love the sheer honesty and purity of this track. It begins with just piano and Sabine's beautiful and soft vocal. What an honest track about the heart "you don't know yeah you don't know about this heart of mine" "you don't know the little parts that make up this heart of mine" How can anyone know what goes on in someone's heart and all it's part. This song builds to a stunning and beautiful climax of the song. A gorgeous track and one of Sabine's songs I particularly love and relate to the most. Moving on but you don't want to be hurt again so guards are up to try and protect your heart.

Colour Will Come Back is the fourth song on this EP and is a stunning song with minimal instrumentation for the whole song. It is Sabine singing with her pure honest vocal and only a piano backing her. This is the hopeful side after heartbreak "All I am is all I own, my heart is all wrapped up in stone but I live in hope Colour will come back". This is a co write and collaboration with singer song writer Laura Mustard. I love the simplicity in this song created by all who have worked on it. Simple yet effective and uplifting.

The EP comes to a Close with an acoustic version of Over. How sobering not to feel the sting of heartbreak so much and move on to something new and exciting. What a positive thing to come from some thing so hard and painful.

This EP is such a well thought out body of work from track listing, production and instrumentation bringing Sabine's pure, honest, heartfelt and raw vocals and story to the front. All credit to Nye James for production and all his work on this. This EP is a treasure that has come from something so painful and is so uplifting to hear the journey a heart goes through from pain to healing an being hopeful to let true love in. It's intimate, uplifting, melodic, powerful and a heart's truth. A body of work to be proud of and one that will be a treasure for a long time to come. The rainbow does come after the rain.

For more information about Sabine and to pre order and buy this EP and other items go to sabineofficial.com

Fearless Emily Faye

Emily Faye is a British country singer who has released music that has a sweet concoction of Nashville and the English countryside. Emily has a love of songwriting and telling a story. Emily brings Fearless into the world on 29 May, the follow up to the rocking Leaving Looks Good On You.

I first heard Fearless in a live setting where Emily had introduced it as a song she had written more about herself as songwriters she had worked with commented that she always wrote from others perspectives. Once she sang it I related to every single word she was singing and felt it all profoundly. It was the realness and honesty of the performance that drew me into the song. In Emily's words "Fearless came from a place of vulnerability and courage and the fact that they come hand in hand. It's raw and my absolute truth and it basically shows my ongoing journey from trying to be perfect, to learning to accept that its ok not to be"

I have been eager to hear this studio version of Fearless and it surpassed anything I could think from pace to clarity of production. This song kicks of with very clever production and instrumentation that backs the theme of this song so well and credit for that goes to Sue Mcmillian. It's raw, honest and vulnerable from the start of the song "I'll say that I'm fine when I'm not really fine and if I'm honest that's most of the time" Emily's vocal rings out throughout the track narrating her own honest truth " hiding my heart behind a grin". Its a stunning track that has a great drum pattern behind it and crescendos througout the song. Emily's vocal is strong as well as raw. It's a defining moment in Emily's career and a turning point in her songwriting from this point on. Country music is always mentioned as three chords and the truth and this song embodies a truth that deep down anyone can relate to you. Its a song that you can feel understood and comforted by as well as inspired. It's an uplifting song and a stunning track. A defining moment in the journey of this singer songwriter with lyrics that any individual can relate to and if I can be bold enough to say her strongest vocal yet.  Close your eyes and listen "I wanna be fearless I wanna be cool, stop comparing part of me to you" It is truth that being fearless is the bravest and courageous thing to do no matter what you face in life. Thank you Emily for your honesty, your story and this song. It's a special moment. 

Fearless is out 29 May and It truly speaks to me as I am sure it will you.

Emily's website https://www.emilyfayemusic.com/

If You Want Me To by Joey Clarkson and Louise Parker

Canadian country singer songwriter Joey Clarkson and chart topping British country pop singer songwriter Louise Parker have teamed up to release this duet on Friday 29 May. This lockdown has not prevented them from releasing music to bring some lightness and relief during this time. This track was recorded remotely from everyone's home with performances and mixing from Ryan Griffiths and mastered by Peter Hewitt Dutton from LA. 

Joey explains" following lockdown measures, the entertainment industry seemed to grind to an abrupt halt but after initially grieving for the sudden loss of work we realised we had the means to continue content creation from home. We chose to release this track now with the intention of lifting the nation's mood during the pandemic"

Louise adds "After being friends online for a number of years, Joey and I wrote " If You Want Me To" on the day we first met face to face. Unfortunately we didn't get to record the number prior to lockdown, so we laid down a demo remotely. Listening back we realised the drum loop was reminiscent of the soundtrack from Disneys the Princess diaries. It transpired the film had been a childhood favourite for both of us and decided there and then that the track would be produced in that same style"

The start of this track kicks in with the intro featuring gorgeous harmonies from Joey and Louise and great production throughout the track. It feels to me like a good track that would fit in any summer playlist and is definitely a princess diaries meets country sounding track. It definitely put a spring in my step and can lighten your mood. As a listener I relate to the narrative of the song letting someone know you could be the one for them and the love you could have have could be a great romance, "you could be my johnny to my june" " This could be the start of a new beginning I could be the one if you want me to". I know I would love this kind of relationship, having that one by your side and being vulnerable enough to say so to them that if you want me I am here, "if I hold your hand can I call you mine?" I hear a different side to Joey and Louise's vocals which are soft, beautiful and gentle during this track and their voices blend so very well together. The harmonies add depth and texture to this gorgeous track. Congratulations to all involved for producing a great track and I see it doing very well indeed.

This is Joey's first release since her album in 2019 The Year That Never Happened and Louise is gearing up to release new material in June and throughout the year. 

For more information on these artists go to their websites for more information.

Joey Clarkson https://www.joeyclarkson.com/

Louise Parker https://www.louiseparkermusic.com/