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EP & ALBUM NEWS: Kymberley Kennedy new EP ‘Pacify’ out 4th December, debut album ‘Head Games’ out 25th June 2018

29 Nov 2017

Kymberley Kennedy celebrates her new EP, ‘Pacify’, released on December 4th via Blackout Recordings. The self produced record is the first official offering from Kymberley Kennedy this year.

The melodic title track, ‘Pacify’ is a stunning showcase of ethereal vocals, swirling synths and almost-spectral guitars, drawing comparisons to Massive Attack and Portishead. With Kennedy’s vocals and production at the helm, ‘Pacify’ tiptoes into the forefront with subtle bells and murmurs before progressing into an anthemic surge of throbbing basslines and chants precipitated by the need for clarification in a relationship.

https://youtu.be/f0QFmyjqX6E

‘Pacify’ will be available from all digital outlets with physical copies available from her official website and live shows.

The second track from the EP, ‘Don’t Pacify Me’ is a completely re-imagined version of the title track, written in between live shows with her band, beautifully showcasing Miles Williams’ celestial guitar and Steve Wilkinson’s neo jazz keys, reminiscent of Jorja Smith.

‘Pacify’ follows the launch of a live video for the EP’s buzz track, ‘Wicked Game’, originally by Chris Isaak. Here, Kennedy demonstrates her vocal range amid Steve Wilkinson’s glacial piano and Miles Williams’ haunting guitars building into a brooding crescendo of heartache.

Kennedy emerged in 2013 with her debut EP, ‘Blackout’, which propelled her into the limelight amid critical acclaim from MistaJam and Trevor Nelson (BBC Radio 1Xtra), Huffington Post and Fame Magazine, securing a double synchronisation deal in indie movie Syrup starring Amber Heard and Shiloh Fernandez. Track of the Year winner at the International Breakspoll Awards 2015 and triple Grassroots Awards winner, her live shows are being described as the North’s answer to London Grammar.

‘Pacify’ unites a formidable collection of earlier releases including Head Games, Make Me Wanna and I Decide with new material written and produced for the forthcoming debut album, Head Games, whilst touring last year. The new EP includes an explosive and sonically adept remix of ‘Pacify’ by US producer Neorev and a minimalist yet skillful remix of ‘I Decide’ not dissimilar to early AlunaGeorge, by Norwegian producer MAJESTO.

SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS:

GIG NEWS: Substance Live – Future of the North, Hull, 9th December 2017

LSF Staff Writers

28 Nov 2017

The North has a well-deserved reputation for producing great music and some of the region’s most exciting, innovative and forward-thinking artists are being brought together for a one-off UK City of Culture event on Saturday 9 December called Substance Live – Future of the North

Hosted by BBC 6 Music and Radio 3 presenter Elizabeth Alker, Substance Live features live performances from some of the most exciting and innovative women making music in the UK, musicians renowned for their experimentalism and pushing the boundaries of music to challenge as well as entertain audiences.

They include Nadine Shah’s politically charged post-punk; the psychedelic dream pop of Jane Weaver; Hannah Peel, performing her acclaimed Mary Casio: Journey to Cassiopeia, which melds electronica and brass band, both important musical forms of the North; the cosmic performance art punk of Lone Taxidermist; the contemporary folk of Hull-based The Dyr Sister; Sister Doom duo based in Hull and Leeds Chambers and PINS, formed in Manchester and firing out noisy, textured pop the band are at the vanguard of the New Wave of British guitar Rock and Roll.

Tickets for Substance Live are £8 and £10 and available from www.hull2017.co.uk/substance.

Substance Live takes place on Saturday 9 December and runs from 5:30pm to 10:30pm. It is the musical highlight of Substance, a mixed programme of events, art, installations and provocations taking place as part of Hull 2017 from 1-10 December, celebrating this City of Culture year and the North’s future as a dynamic centre for culture and creativity. For more information visit www.hull2017.co.uk/substance.

LIVE REVIEW: Kazoopa Festival, Various venues Leeds, 25th November

Frank

28 Nov 2017

I’ve got one complaint about Kazoopa – too much great music spread over too many venues! This made it impossible to see every band or artist I wanted to see, which meant a certain amount of picking and choosing. That was the plan but on the day I ended up taking very much a random approach which meant seeing some bands I’d no idea I’d like. Fortunately this worked out. This is very much a highlights review – I caught other bands but for such short times it’s not fair to review them.

I started my day at the main festival venue – The Lending Room – with the opening act The Elephant Trees.

The Elephant Trees were a blast. I’ve long been a fan of their recorded output but didn’t quite know what to expect from them live. I’m guessing the packed room did. Live this band are something else. Martha is a fireball with a voice that grabs you, she bounces, she throws shapes. The band are redhot, they rock.

I was especially looking forward to hearing ‘Monster’ and ‘90 Degrees’ and I wasn’t disappointed. Bloody hell the power of those songs live. Catch this band live if you can – that’s an order.

I stuck around for Atlanta House, a band I’d heard of but had no idea what to expect. I was glad I did. While they might describe themselves as an indie rock/alternative band what that doesn’t even hint at is that they have this funkiness going on, with a strong melodious element to their songs. While the band as a whole are great I was especially impressed by Matt Hirst’s vocals.

So there I was throwing the odd shape to their songs – no mean feat when you have a camera stuck on your face – and then they did this song. A song that was just like a prime piece of AOR balladry. A song that grabbed me. I’m hugely in love with that track.

From The Lending Room I made the trek down to Santiago’s where I caught the second half of Furr’s set. I didn’t exactly see the band as the room was packed but I did get to hear them. Furr are a sort of hard rocking, punky sort of band. Their songs are short and sweet and loud. Pretty much exactly what I needed. Fantastic stuff. Great taster, and I’ve made a mental note to catch their full set as soon as possible.

And so to The Oporto. First up for me there was Mint who played to a packed room.

Well that was fantastic. Mint play a sort of vaguely psychy good time rock. This is the sort of stuff where you can’t decide whether they are entirely serious but frankly who cares it’s way too much fun. There’s crowd surfing, singalongs, blow up crocodiles, mayhem and chaos, and most importantly – we’re all about the music aren’t we – some great songs played really well. Want a good night out, go see Mint.

I stuck around to see The Franklys (well I just had to we do sort of have a name in common). This band are loud, it’s that wall of sound thing going on. If it was just that I wouldn’t have been quite so blown away. It’s the sheer ability that did that. Listen carefully and there’s all sorts of stuff going on – sparkling guitar, bass and drum locked together.

And in that wall of sound there are songs, songs that drive along, songs that get your feet moving. I was enormously glad I stuck around.

And then to Cabezudos. This band are new to me and boy was I happy I stuck around for their set. They play a sort of blues based rock. But it’s epic, there are hints of classic sixties bands like The Doors. Their songs are huge, they draw you in and take you places. The live experience is incredible, this band know how to perform. And they don’t forget there’s an audience – there’s banter and even a joke. Frankly you can’t take your eyes off this band. I was completely bowled over by this band. They deserve to be huge.

All photos in this review © Frank Roper Photography

LIVE REVIEW: Antony & Friends, Todmorden Methodist Church, 18th November

Diana Forrest

27 Nov 2017

This programme, in which Antony Brannick was joined by Jenny Sheldon on piano and David Leys on cello, was mainly by melodious Mendelssohn.

Antony Brannick and Jenny Sheldon opened with a feisty Tarantelle by Nikolai Rubinstein (opus 14). Some of Mendelssohn’s Songs without Words followed, David Leys joining Antony Brannick for the last one (opus 109).

Bizet’s piano duets “Jeux d’enfants” followed. These portrayals of childen’s games included one that sounded like a doll’s lullaby, the galloping of wooden horses set free, a proud trumpet and drum march, and the relatively well known, speedy “Galop” dance.

The second half was nearly all Mendelssohn. Antony Brannick gave an expressive performance of the “Andante cantabile e Presto agitato”. This was followed by the varying moods of the cello sonata in B flat major (Op 45), sensitively played by Antony Brannick and David Leys.

We thought it was all over, but the concert came to a rousing finish with Sousa’s Liberty Bell march, played as a piano duet.

There won’t be another of these concerts till January, so contact abrannick@garrattslaw.co.uk or phone 0161 665 3502 for the date.

LIVE REVIEW: Handel’s Messiah – Todmorden Choral Society and Todmorden Orchestra, Todmorden Town Hall, 26th November

Diana Forrest

27 Nov 2017

Is this the hottest ticket in town? Book early if you want to go next year. Your reviewer only got in on account of a cancellation.

The choral society and orchestra, conducted by Antony Brannick (of the Antony and Friends concerts) triumphed in this well known work. There is the Hallelujah Chorus, and much more. All four soloists had beautiful, expressive voices. The first part was mainly joyful, including tenor Jean-Pascal Heynemand’s powerful solo “Ev’ry valley shall be exalted”, and baritone Stuart Orme’s authoritative “The people that walked in darkness”. These are just some of the sections of this long piece.

The second part, referring to Jesus’ sufferings on earth, began more sadly, including mezzo-soprano Sophie Dicks’ richly-voiced solo “He was despised and rejected of men”. But it builds to the Hallelujah Chorus, in which the chorus and orchestra shone.

There is more to come. Soprano Rebecca Moon, who makes it seem easy, sang the serene “I know that my Redeemer liveth”. In the next to last section “The trumpet shall sound”, and it did, played brilliantly by Todmorden-born Michael Allen. The piece ends with the slow but celebratory “Worthy is the Lamb”.

LIVE REVIEW: Music For Autumn – Todmorden Orchestra, Todmorden Town Hall, 11th November

Diana Forrest

27 Nov 2017

Todmorden Orchestra, with conductor Nicholas Concannon Hodges and leader Andrew Rostron, ably presented a programme full of emotion. It began with Brahms’ Tragic Overture. This had a dramatic, strong opening, with a sense of struggle, resistance, and eventual triumph.

The expert and graceful playing of soloist Michael Foyle in Dvorak’s Violin Concerto in A minor was much appreciated by the audience. The concerto opened powerfully and ended with lively Czech dance rhythms.

The final piece was Tchaikovsky’s symphony no6, the Pathetique. The first movement has a feeling of yearning, but the second is a dance and the third a vigorous march. However, there is a dismissive feel to the march. It is sending itself up. The last movement reveals the feelings that the first movement suggested and the second and third tried to hide. It is full of passionate sadness and dies away at the end.

TOUR NEWS: The Ennis Sisters & Dave Gunning February/March 2018 tour

LSF Staff Writers

27 Nov 2017

The Ennis Sisters have grown up and gone through a number of phases and musical explorations together. Their latest album, Stages, is a return to their roots – singing contemporary folk songs with a traditional Irish Newfoundland twist. The trio are excited to be heading to the UK in Feb / March 2018 with fellow award winning Canadian Dave Gunning. With this double bill you can expect an entertaining evening of the best of East Coast Canadian Folk.

With multiple accolades – a Juno Award, SOCAN Award, multiple East Coast Music Awards, and Music Newfoundland and Labrador Awards, The Ennis Sisters, comprised of Maureen, Teresa and Karen Ennis, are world renowned, celebrated songbirds.

Dave Gunning’s recording career is now approaching full two decades in length (his debut album, Lost Tracks, came out in 1996). Along with richly deserved peer respect, he has also earned a shelf full of music industry awards. That tally now stands at eight East Coast Music Awards and two Canadian Folk Music Awards, plus a 2012 Juno Award nomination in the Roots & Traditional Solo Album of the Year category.

His impressive songwriting skill has also been internationally recognised, with earlier tunes
scoring victories and high placing in some major international songwriting competitions.

FULL UK TOUR DATES

FEBRUARY

22 SHOREHAM BY SEA Ropetackle Arts Centre
https://ropetacklecentre.co.uk/events/the-ennis-sisters-dave-gunning/

23 FAREHAM Ashcroft Arts Centre
https://uk.patronbase.com/_AshcroftArtsCentreEvents/Productions/A510/Performances

24 NEW MILTON Forest Arts Centre
https://uk.patronbase.com/_ForestArtsCentreEvents/Productions/164/Performances

25 SHREWSBURY The Hive
https://hiveonline.cloudvenue.co.uk/theennissistersanddavegunning

26 SETTLE Victoria Hall
https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/date/HFDJMF

27 YORK National Centre for Early Music
https://tickets.ncem.co.uk/en-GB/shows/the%20ennis%20sisters%20-%20dave%20gunning/events

28 BIRMINGHAM Mac Arts Centre
https://macbirmingham.co.uk

MARCH

1 BURY The Met
https://www.ents24.com/bury-events/the-met/ennis-sisters/5141712

2 LONDON King’s Place
http://www.kingsplace.co.uk/whats-on/music/ennis-sisters-and-davegunning#.WgLnAhicZMN

SINGLE REVIEW: Weekend Recovery – ‘Why Don’t You Love Me’

Frank

27 Nov 2017

These days when a band describe themselves as punk there’s a chance you’ll not know quite what to expect. And while this track is very much in old style punk vein – which is why I like it as much as I do – a quick listen to some of the band’s other material shows us that there is a variety to Weekend Recovery’s music that is actually a pleasant surprise.

‘Why Don’t You Love Me’ is a straight ahead old style punk track. It’s raw, it motors along. It’s basically and refreshingly a riff, there ain’t much finesse here, and that is very definitely not a criticism. Frankly the drive this gives the track is a thrill. But wait there are things that take this track to another level – that ‘loudhailer’ vocal section and the guitar break. And the vocal, breakneck, on the edge of raw. What this all adds up to is exciting, it’s a reminder that you don’t need layers and layers of FX and overdubs to make music that is really effective.

Play very loud, keep hitting repeat and get out of your chair and move to this.

The single is released on 30th November.

The info

Originally hailing from Kent, Weekend Recovery are now based in Pontefract.

Links

www.weekendrecovery.co.uk
www.youtube.com/c/weekendrecovery
www.facebook.com/weekendrecoverymusic
www.twitter.com/weekendrecmusic
www.soundcloud.com/weekendrecovery

ALBUM & TOUR NEWS: Calum Scott debut ‘Only Human’ out 9th March, April 2018 tour

LSF Staff Writers

24 Nov 2017

‘Only Human’, Calum Scott’s debut album, will be released by Virgin EMI UK on March 9, 2018.

“I wrote this album with the intention of connecting with people all around the world using my own personal experiences, hoping that if I can inspire one person to be happy being themselves, bring some comfort or just make someone smile with my music, then all of my experiences have been worthwhile,” said Calum Scott.

The pre-order for Only Human is underway now at http://calumscott.lnk.to/onlyhuman. Fans who pre-order the album in digital format will instantly receive “You Are The Reason” and Scott’s two previous singles – his poignant version of Robyn’s “Dancing On My Own,” which charted at No. 1 on iTunes in 11 countries and “Rhythm Inside,” which has over 25 million streams worldwide – along with Tiësto’s remix of “Dancing On My Own.” In addition to 11 original tracks, the album also includes Scott’s haunting acoustic version of Bob Dylan’s “Not Dark Yet.” See below for full track listing.

Only Human – Track listing:
1. If Our Love Is Wrong
2. Give Me Something
3. Rhythm Inside
4. You Are The Reason
5. Come Back Home
6. Stop Myself (Only Human)
7. Dancing On My Own
8. Only You
9. Won’t Let You Down
10. What I Miss Most
11. Hotel Room
12. Good To You
13. Not Dark Yet
14. Dancing On My Own (Tiësto Remix)

Scott played his first UK headline show at London’s KOKO this March, as well as wrapping up his first US headline tour earlier this year with sold-out shows across the country. April 2018 will see Scott play shows across the UK & Ireland, full dates below.

UK Tour April 2018:
Thursday 12th – The Academy – Dublin
Friday 13th – O2 ABC – Glasgow
Saturday 14th – University – Newcastle
Monday 16th – O2 Ritz – Manchester
Tuesday 17th – Hull City Hall – Hull
Wednesday 18th – Hull City Hall – Hull
Friday 20th – Rock City – Nottingham
Sunday 22nd – O2 Institute – Birmingham
Monday 23rd – O2 Academy – Bristol
Tuesday 24th – O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire – London

ALBUM & TOUR NEWS: To Kill A King release ‘The Spiritual Dark Age’ 12th January, tour January 2018

LSF Staff Writers

22 Nov 2017

To Kill A King have today released details of their new studio album ‘The Spiritual Dark Age’, to be released on 12th January on These Are My Bones via AWAL and Republic Of Music. The album contains the single ‘The Good Old Days’, title track ‘The Spiritual Dark Age’ (watch the video here http://vevo.ly/Zips9I) plus recently revealed new track ‘The Unspeakable Crimes Of Peter Popoff’ (listen here https://awal.lnk.to/0VMZt)

Produced by Gethin Pearson and the band’s keyboard player Ben Jackson, ‘The Spiritual Dark Age’ is the London five-piece’s third album and the follow-up to 2015’s critically acclaimed ‘To Kill A King’.

“The Spiritual Dark Age is the last three years of my life painstakingly distilled into 40 minutes of music,” says frontman Ralph Pelleymounter of the album. “It has ballads for my single friends watching everyone else gradually pair off, and deities and fables getting drunk in bars. It has moments of anger and disgust at characters like Peter Popoff and their parasitic feeding of the most vulnerable people, and it has folk songs about two gods who’d rather burn down the world than admit they still love each other. But hopefully, in amongst the chaos and darker tales, it has an underlying message that compassion being such a beautiful and complex thing may just save the day.”

Pre-order the album from https://to-kill-a-king.tmstor.es or iTunes

To Kill A King head out on a full UK tour, starting at Sheffield Plug on January 11th and culminating at Islington Assembly Hall on January 27th. Says guitarist Grant McNeill, “After roughly 2 years in a room with a single window and a bare lightbulb making this record, we can’t wait to get out on the road, if for nothing else but to get some sunlight. That’s why we chose to tour in January.”

After releasing two albums, 2013’s ‘Cannibals With Cutlery’ and 2015’s self-titled follow-up, and touring incessantly since 2010, To Kill a King took a well deserved break in 2016, Ralph using the time to write with Rag’n’ Bone Man and Zibra, while keyboardist Ben Jackson produced albums for Childcare and Little White Things.

Album tracklisting

Spiritual Dark Age
The Unspeakable Crimes Of Peter Popoff
Compassion Is A German Word
Cherry Blossom Falls
No More Love Songs
Oh Joy
The Good Old Days
The One With The Jackals
I Used To Work Here, Perhaps You Did Too?
My God & Your God
Bar Fights
And Yet…

TO KILL A KING, HEADLINE TOUR JANUARY 2018

Thu 11 Sheffield Plug
Fri 12 Hull Früit
Sat 13 Manchester Academy 3
Mon 15 Newcastle upon Tyne The Cluny
Tue 16 Leeds Brudenell Social Club
Wed 17 Nottingham Bodega
Sat 20 Birmingham Mama Roux’s
Sun 21 Norwich Waterfront Studio
Tue 23 Bristol Thekla
Wed 24 Brighton The Hope and Ruin
Thu 25 Southampton The Joiners
Sat 27 London Islington Assembly Hall