In the last quarter of 2015, Mason Summit left a lasting impression with his third album ‘Gunpowder Tracks’. Exploring various avenues of pop, Americana and folk, the singer-songwriter showed a talent and knowledge of influences that stretched beyond his years. With the world awash with great music in the digital age, it didn’t quite reach the size of audience it deserved but, for those who actually heard it, the feeling was unanimous – this was an unexpected gem that set expectations high for a follow up.
Tag Archives: singer songwriter
AIN’T NO JOKE: Real Gone Sampler #9
A yearly tradition, the Real Gone Sampler is one of the most popular things in our calendar. In previous years, we’ve given away great music by Kurt Baker, The 1957 Tail Fin Fiasco and Black Moth. Every year, the project rounds up the very best in DIY acts and aims to get great music out to a new audience.
On occasion, we’ve even been lucky enough to give you two end of year samplers. This year, the download is only one disc long, but we bring you over seventy minutes of underground sounds. We’ve got dream pop, shoegaze, roots rock, garage rock, singer songwriters and a whole bunch more. It could just be the best Real Gone freebie to date.
As always, reviews for each album can be found behind the band name links.
Sleeve art designed by Elena Barrio.
Check out Ferris & Syvester’s new single, ‘Better In Yellow’
Earlier in 2017, Americana/pop duo Ferris & Sylvester released their debut, ‘The Yellow Line’ EP. Its songs mixed pop sensibilities with an old fashioned singer-songwriter mentality and was well worth hearing, especially for those looking for a less country alternative to Lewis & Leigh.
BILLY BRAGG – Bridges Not Walls EP
Billy Bragg has never been shy of voicing a political opinion. However, the collection of songs that makes up the 2017 EP ‘Bridges Not Walls’ might just find the singer-songwriter at his most consistently outspoken since 1988’s ‘Worker’s Playtime’. His overtly political stance isn’t without good reason, of course; following his album and tour with US folk musician Joe Henry, the world took a huge turn for the worse. In June 2016, the UK held a referendum on our position within the European Union. With the result favouring those who wanted to leave, the outcome seemed to be the ultimate gesture in cutting off the country’s nose to save face. A few months later, America voted in a new President – a man with absolutely no prior political experience – and the country slowly and painfully began to disintegrate. Both of these subjects colour these five songs to a great extent, and with Billy – often the voice of a questioning contempt – it’s a very interesting listen.
Last Orders, Please: Watch the new video for Charlotte Carpenter’s ‘Hey Mr Cowboy’.
‘Hey Mr Cowboy’ is a dark and haunting tune that is arguably the most striking number on Charlotte Carpenter’s upcoming EP. In keeping with the unsettling sounds, the new video clip also has a somewhat uneasy quality, which Charlotte explains: