Following a successful tour with Duffy in the UK Fall 2008, Findlay Brown went to the states for a few spirited shows in February, and will release ‘Love Will Find You’ in the US, Spring 2009.

Watch “Love Will Find You” video:

Findlay Brown on amazon.com

Findlay Brown on amazon.co.uk

Former bare-knuckle boxer from Yorkshire, England, Findlay was heralded by many critics as the UK’s answer to Jose Gonzales when his debut album, ‘Separated By The Sea’, was released in the UK on Peacefrog Records in 2007. The release garnering much praise, including a 5-star review in the Guardian, where Dave Simpson described it as the most unlikely classic of the year.

‘Love Will Find You’ moves beyond Findlay’s earlier folk sound to a more ambitious – and soulful – place.

Produced by Bernard Butler (Suede), the album features songs that are lush and intimate, influenced as much by Phil Spector and Ennio Morricone as by Roy Orbison or The Beatles. His music is courageous, triumphant, challenging and otherworldly.

With a brilliant mix of dreamy imagery and a Star Wars-reminiscent holographic appearance, the video for Findlay Brown’s first single, “Love Will Find You,” offers viewers a voyeuristic journey which tells the tale of the ageless desire for love. “Love Will Find You” was directed by Joe Tunmer and produced by Ben Stern at GaiaNova Productions.

“…Beautific.” – Mojo

“Meloncholy, retro-psychedelic folk… The boy’s gonna go far.” – Elle

Findlay Brown March 2009 tour dates:

(Dates and information subject to change.)

8 Mar Fleur-de-Lys club @The Lexington London
20 Mar Top Of The Folk Festival (solo set) Rennes
26 Mar Academy 2 (supporting Ben Lee) Birmingham
27 Mar Stereo (supporting Ben Lee) Glasgow
28 Mar Academy 3 (supporting Ben Lee) Manchester

Findlay Brown MySpace

Hailing from Jacksonville, FL, Black Kids have spent much of the past few months living the UK, but they’re back in the States now, having just rocked Coachella this weekend – now they embark on a North American tour that culminates in NYC on May 18, 2008.

Last fall, Black Kids (comprised of brother and sister Reggie and Ali Youngblood, Dawn Watley, Owen Holmes and Kevin Snow) offered up their ‘Wizard of Ahhhs’ EP as a free download on their website.

The EP consisted of the bands’ demos of “Hit The Heartbrakes,” “I’m Not Gonna Teach Your Boyfriend How To Dance with You,” “Hurricane Jane” and “I’ve Underestimated My Charm (Again).”

Listen to The Twelves‘ remix of I’m Not Gonna Teach Your Boyfriend How To Dance With You on imeem

So far, in 2008 Black Kids have been included in the 2008 BBC Sounds Poll and tipped as Ones To Watch by the NME (amongst others.) They’ve headlined a Vice Tour with Ipso Facto and Friendly Fires, done support tours with Kate Nash and Sons & Daughters, and sold out shows at London’s Water Rats and two ICA headline dates – all before releasing a single.

Black Kids’ debut album is currently being recorded in London by Bernard Butler and is set for release in early July.

After their May tour in the States, Black Kids will head back abroad to headline a UK tour in June 2008 followed by summer festival appearances.

“In the Coachella steam-heat, Black Kids almost became the heroic little-band-that-could that a smattering of tastemakers have professed them to be…Watching them at this moment when talent is in the process of eroding hype’s suspicions is a treat.” – SPIN

Black Kids 2008 North American tour dates:

Dates could be added or changed! Go to Black Kids’ Official Website for the latest tour dates and information.

April 28 – Portland, OR at Doug Fir Lounge*
April 29 – Vancouver, BC at Richards On Richards*
April 30 – Seattle, WA at Neumos*
May 2 – Salt Lake City, UT at Urban Lounge*
May 3 – Denver, CO at Larimer Lounge*
May 5 – Omaha, NE at Waiting Room*
May 6 – Minneapolis, MN at 7th Street Entry*
May 7 – Chicago, IL at The Abbey Pub*
May 8 – Detroit, MI at Magic Stick*
May 9 – Toronto, ON at Lees Palace*
May 12 – Boston, MA at Paradise*
May 13 – Brooklyn, NY at Studio B*
May 15 – Washington, DC at Black Cat*
May 16 – Philadelphia, PA at Pure*
May 17 – Baltimore, MD at Sonar*
May 18 – New York, NY at Bowery Ballroom

*with Cut Copy

Black Kids on amazon.com

Black Kids on amazon.co.uk

Black Kids Official Website
Myspace

Currently on a triumphant Pigalle Club residency, Duffy plays London’s sold-out Bush Hall, March 6th, 2008. Capping off a nationwide UK tour, it’ll follow the Radio 2 A-list single “Mercy” (February 25th) and the eagerly anticipated debut LP ‘Rockferry’ (March 3rd).

Written by the 23 year-old with a variety of songwriters – including Bernard Butler, Jimmy Hogarth, Eg White and Steve Booker – ‘Rockferry’ is a 10-track masterclass. Propelled by her paramount voice and foundation-shaking delivery, it’s essential listening for 2008.

Watch Duffy – “Mercy” video:

Duffy – Rockferry LP on amazon.co.uk

Duffy Official Website

Big news! The wonderful Duffy is playing a free gig at Rough Trade Shops in Ye Olde London Towne on 17 December, 2007.

This is going to be an acoustic set in the snug area of the shop – so no guest list needed. It would probably be good to get there early!

If you want to go to the gig, here’s the information:

Duffy Rough Trade East In-store
‘Dray Walk’
Old Truman Brewery
91 Brick Lane
London
E1 6QL
T: 020 7392 7788

Monday 17th December 2007, 2.00pm

Rough Trade Shops – In Store Gigs

Duffy’s latest single “Rockferry” was just released this week:

Duffy – Rockferry [7" VINYL] on amazon.co.uk

Watch “Rockferry” video

Watch video: Duffy and Bernard Butler in studio – “Syrup & Honey”

Rough Trade Shops Official Website

Duffy Official Website

Duffy is the real deal and is the next big thing. There. I’ve said it. Finally someone has come along – new on the scene here in the UK – who has managed to send chills down my spine.

When I listen to Duffy’s new single, “Rockferry” I’m reminded of the recent trend of old school Serge Gainsbourg, Burt Bacharach and Phil Spector influenced songs and female singers that have been cropping up lately. There’s something different, though with “Rockferry”. It’s Duffy. Her voice is unique and endearing and from the very first note, the song starts off a winner.

With the help of producer Bernard Butler, together they have created a piece of music that could have come out of a 60’s time capsule. Instead, as a new single release out 19 November as a download/vinyl 7″ on 3 December 2007, “Rockferry” will be a welcome addition for radio listeners, and I would hope, will be added to many a radio playlist before the year’s end.

Watch Duffy – “Rockferry” video:

“Rockferry” video link

Duffy on Myspace

Duffy Official Website

By: Jenny May – Band Weblogs

The twist of fate that marks out a favourite son or daughter to rise from the depths of a small seaside community in the North of Wales is hard to fathom. Duffy seems to have been chosen to sing. From her earliest memories, she just knew her destiny. She was going to be a singer.

Watch “Rockferry” video + single review!

In August 2004, Duffy came to the attention of Rough Trade’s Jeannette Lee who became both her manager and her mentor. Just as Vicki Wickham guided Dusty Springfield to the best musical collaborations of the day; or Jerry Wexler and Ahmet Ertegun helped Aretha find her true voice in the Muscle Shoals Memphis studio; Rough Trade pointed Duffy in the direction of Bernard Butler in London’s Crouch End.

The fruit of their very first musical session is “Rockferry” which set the tone and musical direction of the album. Duffy spent the next couple years honing and developing her songwriting skills all the while discovering hidden musical gems that inspired her.

The results will be unveiled with her forthcoming album next year but for now we have the single “Rockferry” available to download from November l9th, 2007 and released as a 2-track 7″ vinyl December 3rd on A&M.

The Observer Music Monthly said of “Rockferry” – “it makes the hairs on the back of your neck prickle with it’s bewitching grace”.

Duffy says “There’s a side of me that’s trying to hold it together but then there’s a side of me that just wants to scream, run out onstage and say “I’m here!”

Watch Syrup & Honey video with Duffy and Bernard recording in the studio:

Duffy Syrup and Honey video link

Duffy Official Website

Somerset House is an 18th century Neoclassical palace and is located between The Strand and the Thames in central London. The idea of going to a live open air event in the courtyard there seems like a nice night out – especially if it’s one of those hot steamy nights in July when the best place to be is outside.

It’s great to see that Guillemots are playing. If you haven’t read the interview already, be sure to check out my interview with Guillemots drummer Greig Stewart. It was interesting to hear about Guillemots’ new studio, what Greig gets up to on a typical day on tour and other fun facts about him and the band.

The dates and bands scheduled to perform at the 2007 Summer Series at Somerset House are as follows:

12 July: Mogwai
13 July: Kasabian
14 July: Bert Jansch with Beth Orton and Bernard Butler
15 July: Guillemots
16 July: Lily Allen
17 July: Mika
18 July: Black Rebel Motorcycle Club
19 July: The Roots
20 July: Amy Winehouse
21 July: Hot Chip

*Dates and acts could change. For more information go to the Somerset House Official Website

Support acts will be announced
Tickets range in price and will go on sale through Ticketmaster

Band Websites:

Mogwai
Kasabian
Bert Jansch, Beth Orton, Bernard Butler
Guillemots
Lilly Allen
Mika
Black Rebel Motorcycle Club
The Roots
Amy Winehouse
Hot Chip

To learn more about Somerset House and the Summer Concert Series go to the Somerset House Official Website

By: Jenny May