In July 2016, Lasers Lasers Birmingham released a four track EP exploring different elements of country music. While the Band-esque ‘Shedd Aquarium’ was undoubtedly the highlight, each number showed Lasers’ head honcho Alex Owen to be a man with a well-rounded talent.
The title cut, ‘Royal Blue’ now has an official video, which you can watch in full below.
For a man of just nineteen years of age at the time of recording this third album, Mason Summit’s songwriting ability stretches way beyond his years. On these twelve songs he applies his craft to retro sounds aplenty, on songs that span AM radio pop, country and occasional jazziness. In doing so, he comes up with a winning formula that should appeal to those who like their music to have a familiar echo of the past. Of all the superb qualities that ‘Gunpowder Tracks’ possesses, however, it is the over-riding sense of warmth that wins out and really makes the album so inviting.
Australia isn’t necessarily the first place you think of when it comes to country music. Aside from Keith Urban, the antipodeans haven’t necessarily had many country music exports since the 60s, but over the years they’ve constantly nurtured their own homegrown scene. Queensland native Kasey Curwen – professionally known as Kasey-Michelle – really grabs a hold of the poppier end of the genre to provide the core sound for her debut EP ‘Young & Reckless’. It isn’t the work of a country purist but, that said, most of this release is still going to be far too country for those who come out in hives at the merest hint of a knee-high boot, and run for the desert plains screaming at the threat of a newer country music and it’s shiny pop fusions. Those who like a bit of a country influence, on the other hand, are likely to find at least two unpolished diamonds within this EP’s five songs.
Helmed by singer-songwriter Alex Owen, the oddly named Lasers Lasers Birmingham are a country influenced band residing in Los Angeles. Their first EP – released in 2004 – wasn’t so much a band work but an outlet for Owen who played and sang almost everything. This second EP finds the man himself with a full band in tow and the resultant four tracks certainly make the best from the talents of all concerned.
A prolific songwriter and member of Los Angeles’ I See Hawks In LA, Robert Rex Waller, Jr puts his mark on 2016 with a covers project ‘Fancy Free’. Named after the Oak Ridge Boys hit that has pride of place midway through his thirteen track journey through the past, his choice of title could also refer to the decrease in pressure that comes from having material already written.