Adele and Andy Earl

 

Adele and Andy are a husband and wife modern country duo hailing from Staffordshire UK and have been building their reputation and career in the scene throughout lockdown and continue to do so impressing critics and supporters alike. Adele has a pure, raw, vulnerable and silky voice that complements and goes together with Andy's very skilled and talented guitar playing. They have both helped each other gain confidence in their respective skills and to see them play live and see them on live streams is a joy to watch as their chemistry is captivating and their support of each other amazing to see. An award winning duo, together they have released an album "Watch Over You" in 2020 and Where I Belong EP in 2021 both garnered critical acclaim and have solidified their place within the UK country scene. 

Adele and Andy have been building a fanbase on twitch recently where you are able to see them live every wed, Friday and Sunday evening. The growth and experience they are gaining through this medium is exceptional so come along and join them. 

Friday 25 June sees their latest release coming out and it is a heart wrenching tale of "Earl" who was accused of  raping a young girl and he was executed for this crime and he was not guilty. The young girl was just trying to cover up her shame and embarrassment of falling pregnant after a one night stand. Adele and Andy have a unique talent in their song writing to recount these stories which is at the heart of what country music is, three chords and the truth. Their previous single "As Much As I Miss You" was a story about a mother who did not want her son to go to war just like his father did and the video that accompanied this was as moving as the lyrics themselves. 

What words can describe this song, it is heart wrenching, moving and so so sad. The productions and instruments used add to the emotion this song displays in this story and Adele's voice sings of the tale so beautifully it can almost bring you to tears. It is a country song through and through.

" That night in the car she felt so much shame lost all control needed someone to blame Earl worked the fields on her papas farm the boy had a smile and it worked like a charm"

Adele's soft and silky vocal tells this story with so much sensitivity over the soft drumming pattern and that electric guitar that comes in now and again to give a tug to those heart strings. 

The production of this song is soft and takes care of the story and Adele's voice shines throughout

"Earl sat in silence doing his time an innocent boy had committed no crime a death row pardon minutes to late a floored system had sealed his fate" 

My heart breaks for Earl in this song even though towards the end of the narrative the lady comes forward to say he was innocent but it was too late. People fondly remember Earl and pay tribute to him and his memory, thankfully he was pardoned but it was too late. 

The electric guitar at the end is so well timed and placed that it only goes to add to the depth of emotion that this song brings up. This solidifies this couple's talent in song writing tackling real life stories of just sheer heartbreak and injustice and this single deserves so much praise and success. This duo are going from strength to strength and there is an EP to come very shortly including this single which is very exciting. 

Presave on Spotify helps artists gain success and to get them on to playlists to take their music further so help these artists out in the last few hours of today and stream till your hearts content. This country duo are special and look out for their EP coming later in the year! 

Go and follow and support! Not long till this song come out into the world for all to hear! Go click on the link to their facebook where you can find more information.  

https://www.facebook.com/AdeleandAndy

Jenny Colquitt Dirty Town

If you have not heard the name Jenny Colquitt yet this is the time to discover the voice and talent as Jenny releases this first single "Dirty Town" from her upcoming, highly anticipated debut album later in the year. Once you have heard this voice you will want to discover more of her catalogue and be on this exciting journey she is embarking on with her. Jenny's ability in the craft of writing a song from striking, heart wrenching and powerful lyrics and great melodies to the vocal delivery make you listen and take notice as she is one of those talents that are just sheer brilliance. Jenny is and will always be one to watch for Voice of a Woman and she was a featured artist in December 2020 with a stunning live stream of original songs and just to watch her growth and confidence in such a short time is nothing but extraordinary. 

Jenny Colquitt is a singer songwriter from the North West of England who has been making a name for herself building an online following with weekly streams on Facebook, YouTube and most recently on twitch. Jenny is not new to the music scene having started a YouTube channel in 2012 creating original and cover videos. Jenny was voted the best original artist for the Graham Steel Music Company and her song Tell Me Where The Light Is, which is such a beautifully crafted loving tribute to those we have lost, made Halcyon Fatea Showcase Sessions Summer 2021, which is a downloadable body of the year's most recognised music. Jenny has so far released 2 stunning EP's The Quiet Kind (2016), Dear Daughter (2020) and a charity single in aid of the Captain Thomas Moore Foundation.

"Dirty Town" is coming to you this coming Friday and is a song that has a dark theme to it as in life people can subject you to such negativity, not listen to what you have to say and sometimes put you down. This is Jenny's answer to them and in a therapeutic way to explore these feelings and situations and create this song that makes you destress and think of these things yourself. I have done this many times!

Dirty town begins with a soft piano riff and soft vocals from Jenny herself

"I'm wasting time, wasting time catching all these butterflies, stuck in my mouth the words I wanna say to you ain't getting out"

The production on this song has been well thought out with Dave from Alibi productions and together they have created elements using the drum pattern, the riff and guitar that add more depth to the lyrics and theme of the song. Jenny explains it   “The whole track is a tribute to shouting from the rooftops and wanting to escape, be heard, and be taken seriously. (…) It was therapeutic to write and record!” The verse builds and builds to the chorus and I know you will be singing along!! All the JCstreamies do (her loyal supporters)

"Let me out away from all the feeling in this dirty town we'll make a wooden boat so we can sail it out I'll never let them see me turn round"

The song goes softer in the second verse with very striking lyrics that hit home to me when hearing this song 

"you found your voice but no one wants to hear a baby making noise, sit and be quiet there's a corner over there for you dear child" 

The song builds and builds and adds a second chorus cementing the story telling in the song that throughout all the negativity this girl is going to sail away and not look back making all her dreams come true. We all have our story and important message to tell and this is the most important aspect i take away from the song when I listen. Jenny brings her vocal prowess to the forefront in this song as well as her ability to write lyrics and convey to listeners the full emotion of the song. This is only the beginning of the journey ahead. 

The accompanying video for this song will be out two days after the song on 27th and to say that this elevates the song and theme even more is a understatement. Jenny cares about what she is doing and this is so evident in everything she is doing and she got a very talented video company to make the video filmed in her hometown of Widnes with actor Phil Denton and made by Red Visuals company.  

Jenny Colquitt is one of the most talented artists Voice of a Woman has discovered and with every new song and artistic endeavours she does she never ceases to produce the best with passion and heart and this deserves recognition and success in abundance. I would presave, follow and support this talented lady on this journey as she is set to gain even more support throughout this journey of her debut album. I cannot put into word how incredible it is to be a small part of this talented artists journey, Remember the name and go presave, follow and buy her music! 

All socials and pre save link are right here! 

https://linktr.ee/JennyColquitt

I'm ok and you are ok

 

This is mental health awareness week/month. A definition of mental health from the World Health Organisation has a holistic approach to what this is and what it can mean for us in our daily lives. 

"Mental health is the foundation for the well-being and effective functioning of individuals. It is more than the absence of a mental disorder; it is the ability to think, learn, and understand one's emotions and the reactions of others. Mental health is a state of balance, both within and with the environment. Physical, psychological, social, cultural, spiritual and other interrelated factors participate in producing this balance. There are inseparable links between mental and physical health. More than 100 million people suffer from mental health disorders in the Western Pacific Region. Depressive disorders alone are responsible for 5.73% of the disease burden in here"

The question "how are you" is something that each of us ask on a daily basis when we meet someone we have not seen in a long time or if we bump into them in the supermarket. What answer are you hoping to hear, "I am fine thanks" Me too, see you later is sometimes how these conversations could go. Can we listen and be there for someone's honest answer as to how they really are and what they are feeling inside.

"How are you"

"Today I am not feeling my best, I am feeling frustrated with how people are treating me and what is going on in the environment" 

"Tell me more, I am listening and with you to express what that is about for you" 

I called my show Voice of a Woman which has two very strong aspects to it. The first is the exquisite voices women possess in music and what those voices express and tell us. We connect with artists in this way in so many deep levels and in this way this is good for our mental health, music lifts our mood, helps to heal us and validates the way we may be feeling about something that has happened to us in our lives we may not have had a chance to talk to anyone about. 

Grief is something we all go through with so much loss in our lives particularly over the last years with the pandemic and also throughout our lives with those who have died and who we will never forget. Song like this one certainly help to comfort, heal and help us to go through those emotions in a healthy way. Jenny Colquitt's song Tell Me Where The Light is is one song that really helps to cope with these strong feelings and what it can bring up for all of us. We all go through grief and loss in our own different ways and this is a healthy way to do this. 

                       Link to song  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ma7qC0SlD_g

The other aspect of it is voices not being heard or silenced, everyone has their own story of their lives and what that is about for them. Everyone deserves to be listened to and to have empowerment in their own voice and not have the fears of judgement and more that can prevent someone seeking help. 

A sense of belonging is something each of us need to feel in our families, community, work place and within ourselves. So many experiences happen when growing up that can create some difficult challenges that we as humans have to face, abuse, bullying, strong expectations on us to perform and be a certain way at all times, discrimination based on sex, gender, race and disability. Basing this on the who meaning of mental health it is how we function with all this going on in our environments and how we process them when we are alone in our own environments. We can learn ways to cope with this.  

I was bullied at school and this feeling of never fitting in and never feeling that someone had your back is a hard thing to go through and can still go through that today. Not everyone will like you and they will not be shy to tell you that or they can just say the cruellest things and laugh when you cry and dislike the way they have treated you. As with the poster you can feel so alone in this and well meaning advice sometimes does not help, just ignore them, don't let it get to you, don't fight back, they are just going through something in their life, let them be. All well meaning advice but when you are the one being humiliated, hurt by the actions of someone else and you get no support in that it is hard to express through your voice how this can feel. Words hurt deep. 

Labels can be a helpful tool in some respects however in this context it can really hurt and destroy a person's self acceptance and esteem and make them feel guilty just about being who they are. So what if someone is carrying more weight than they should, so what if someone wants to change gender, so what if someone wants to listen to music you may not like, so what if someone has a different opinion to you. Does this mean they are a "Flipping idiot, what do they know" 

I have known individuals who have been so distraught and so in pain they have wanted to take their own lives. What pain and heartache must a person be in to want to do this. I have seen so many negative responses to this that it hurt to my very bones calling a person in pain a "That". Mental illness has come on from many years ago thankfully and there are still ways to go. It is a two way street when providing care and helping people who are in this amount of distress. It is about self compassion and recovery not keeping them stable. Finding meaning in life is so so important as at the end of the day we are all only human. 

Being kind is what has been in the media and what every human being wants in every respect, what does it mean to be kind to you, are  you kind to all the poeple you meert in your day? Are you kind to yourself ? Maybe you can try some of these tips and be kind today and everyday for someone who you may not know and who may just need it. 

Mental health awareness week is the time to start and continue these conversations so they become second nature and something we are all comfortable with doing as they are so so important and vital for so many of us and our health. 

How will you look after yourself and others today? How will you be kind to yourself and to others today? 

Lets Talk. 

Harriet Rose Love me Like That

 

A 12 year old girl by the name of  Harriet Rose who lived in a small town called Barnsley has had dreams of being a successful singer songwriter. Some people told her she would not and could not do it but she has not listened. Harriet has been honing her craft since then by writing, performing, singing and building a strong and supportive fan base.  In 2020 industry professionals, promoters, music lovers, fans and artists alike started to take notice of this stunning country/americana singer songwriter who has amazed people with this talent no matter where you are or what path you are walking in life. Harriet has catapulted herself to being one of the ones to watch in 2021 and beyond in this business by many industry professionals, blogs, presenters and national radio stations. In the last year she has won female of the year in the Women of Country in America beating Ashley Mcbryde and showing the amount of support she has gained through her loyal and supportive fanbase. Other accolades include Female of the year on dirt road fm and she is up for three awards with Belles and Gals UK spotlight awards which are voted for by industry professionals including best newcomer and song. 

Harriet released her debut single on the 21 Aug 2020 making her mark and sending a message to people "No Small Town chains would hold her back no more" This was a strong statement and the song had great production and vocals behind it and a young Harriet Rose holding a balloon in hand. To read this review Voice of a Woman wrote about this track you can go here 

https://voiceofawoman2020.blogspot.com/2020/08/harriet-rose-small-town-chains.html

This brings us to release day of 05 Feb 2021 for Love me Like That. Looking at the cover it made me think of the pain of losing something or someone which gives us the idea that this new track from Harriet has a different story to tell than her debut. The rose petals falling to the floor, dressed in black and in the woods all points to a story of deep emotional pain and loss. 

Starting to listen to the song this is going to be an emotional journey for the listener, the songs starts softly and gently with just guitar and very soft, intentional vocals from Harriet herself. 

"Sitting in another bar, waiting for it all to close

knowing that you're out with her 

and your probably gonna take her home"

This songs topic touches on someone who has been in an abusive relationship and sees this person be in what looks like a loving relationship with someone else. They are sitting there and insecurity takes hold while thinking back on past memories.

"Was there something that I could have done

something that  I could have said to make you stick around"

Reality sets in and questions in the narrators mind build and build to the chorus as the instrumentation and production gently build asking the questions 

"why you gotta love her right"

When I listen to this song and the chorus there seems to be an echo in the chorus wondering and questioning this very thing, not harmonies in the chorus, just a subtle double vocal as it were asking the most important questions and wonder the most important point in the song. It is haunting and poignant, why did I not deserve the love and attention you are paying to her? 

"was it ever your intention boy to stick around

cause all you were gonna do was let me down let me down"

This story continues in what I would term a grief process going through the stages of loss and losing yourself to someone you loved and wondering what has happened. Harriet's Vocals remain pure, vulnerable and bring out the emotion of this story. 

"staring at my phone again , waiting for you to ring"

The second chorus builds up and the drums kick in with some anger as well as sadness in the vocals wondering why he has to love her like that and not her, a most vulnerable place to be and feel and we hear the rawness of this pain in Harriet's voice and simple production. There has to be note of how emotional the guitar solo is in this song and where it comes because while listening this tugs at my heart strings. This is class playing Pete from Flatwave Music. The bridge slows down and again simple instrumentation and Harriet's vocals pondering and wondering about this exact thing, coming to the realisation that it is not her fault, being mistreated by someone is not her fault and healing can then begin to happen. This brings us into the last chorus and the power and skill from Harriet in her vocals

Love me like that shows a different side to the talent Harriet Rose possesses in the music industry and vocally is very different to the sass and feel of Small Town Chains. This song is going to tug at the heart strings, show you the versatility and prowess of the vocals , the talent and though behind the song and production from Pete at flatwave who knows how to bring this story and song to life in this way. What a team and this song is a must listen and Harriet Rose for me is one to watch and support in this music industry for sheer talent, skill and passion and care she gives to everything she does and that Pete at flatwave helps her to create. 

To preorder the song you can go here, it comes out this Friday 05/02/21

Writer: Harriet Rose

Musicians: Harriet Rose, Ben Smith and Pete Thompson

Produced by: Pete Thompson

https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/harrietrose/love-me-like-that

To learn more about Harriet Rose you will find her on all her socials at the following links

Website www.harrietrosemusic.com

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.