Acclaimed singer songwriter Josh Ritter returns to the UK for the first time since his incredibly intimate acoustic show at the Barnabus Chapel in London last year.

Josh is heading out on a short tour consisting of three headline performances and eight shows in the UK’s most prestigious music halls as a special guest to Ray LaMontagne.

Josh will be showcasing tracks from his highly anticipated new studio album set for release on Mercury Records early next year, which is the follow-up to his critically acclaimed 2007 LP ‘The Historical Conquests Of Josh Ritter’.

Josh Ritter UK tour dates:

(Dates and information subject to change.)

September 2009
Mon 7th LEEDS, Brudenell Social Club Headline Show
Tue 8th EDINBURGH, Usher Hall
Wed 9th NEWCASTLE, City Hall
Thu 10th WOLVERHAMPTON, Civic Hall
Sat 12th SHEFFIELD, City Hall
Sun 13th MANCHESTER, Bridgewater Hall
Mon 14th PORTSMOUTH, Guildhall
Tue 15th BRIGHTON, Hanbury Club Headline Show
Wed 16th LONDON, Royal Albert Hall
Thu 17th LONDON, Royal Albert Hall
Fri 18th OXFORD, Academy Headline Show

Josh Ritter is currently on an extensive summer tour of the US and recently played two sublime shows fully complemented with a 24 piece orchestra in New York’s Central Park (June 12th)
and The Marquee in Cork (July 4th).

Buy Music:

Josh Ritter on amazon.co.uk

Josh Ritter on amazon.com

For the latest tour dates, music and information, go to:

Josh Ritter Official Website

Ray LaMontagne reached new sales highs this week with his much lauded album ‘Gossip In The Grain’ debuting at #3 on Billboard Charts selling 60,476 albums. LaMontagne’s previous best came on the his last album ‘Until The Sun Turns Black’ with a #28 ranking and 28,000 copies sold this represents an increase of over 115%.

Gossip In The Grain on amazon.com

Gossip in the Grain on amazon.co.uk

The album was the best selling album digitally over the past week landing at #1, selling over 32,081 downloads 54% more than the #2 album by Kenny Chesney. Furthermore the album’s first single “You Are The Best Thing” increased sales by almost 1,000% at iTunes.

Listen to “You Are The Best Thing” on YouTube:

LaMontagne is one of the most respected artists in music today, especially with fellow artists. John Mayer writing on his website only last week said that he “is as brilliant as any artist that has ever lived,” Lucinda Williams recently compared him favorably to Otis Redding.

The press has also latched on to the new album with the Washington Post calling it, “brilliant.” The Boston Globe noted that “LaMontagne’s songs, have grown exponentially with each release.” The New York Daily News in a 4 star review said, the payoff to listening to the album comes in “a sound so concentrated, listening will make you feel like your living right inside the song.”

All reviews have remarked on a more upbeat attitude and a new looser even more soulful sound than previous releases. That sound is epitomized on the Stax inspired horn-led first single, “You Are The Best Thing,” which is racing up the AAA radio charts and will soon hit that charts Top Ten. The song was also recently showcased on Late Show With Conan O’Brien when Ray appeared with Conan’s horn section backing him up.

The Conan appearance occurred on an off day from a North American tour, which goes until mid-November. Spin on its website in rave review of a show at New York’s Radio City Music Hall, “laughter, both by LaMontagne and the audience — that was something new. His fresh style showcased both on his new album and in the performance Saturday, illustrated a near flawless transition from a front porch in Maine to the front of the most prestigious stage in the world.”

For more music and information, go to:

Ray LaMontagne Official Website
MySpace

Ray LaMontagne, one of the most distinct and recognizable voices in music, announced his first North American tour in support of his new album ‘Gossip In The Grain’ due out October 14, 2008 on RCA Records. The six week tour starts September 30 in Indianapolis.

October 14 is the new release date for the album as LaMontagne, struck by inspiration, went back into the studio last week to record additional material. The new album can be pre-ordered at www.raylamontagne.com and the new track listing is below:

1. You Are The Best Thing
2. Let It Be Me
3. Sarah
4. I Still Care For You
5. Winter Birds
6. Meg White
7. Hey Me, Hey Mama
8. Henry Nearly Killed Me (It’s A Shame)
9. A Falling Through
10. Gossip In The Grain

Recorded with returning producer, Ethan Johns in Box, England, and touching upon a range of styles and musical settings – spanning pastoral folk, railroad blues, front porch country, and plangent balladry – ‘Gossip In The Grain’ proves to be his most creative and emotionally expansive collection to date.

Whereas LaMontagne’s two previous albums, ‘Trouble’ and ‘Till The Sun Turns Black’, were largely solo affairs, with Johns serving as multi-tasking instrumentalist, ‘Gossip In The Grain’ sees him joined by members of his touring band, bassist Jennifer Condos and guitarist Eric Heywood (with Johns largely handling drum duties). Along with his band members, LaMontagne is also joined on two tracks – “A Falling Through” and “I Still Care For You” – by singer/songwriter Leona Naess.

Naess will be the opener for the entire tour and is touring in support of her new album ‘Thirteens’ out September 23, 2008 on Verve Forecast.

Ray LaMontagne with Leona Naess 2008 tour dates:

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

September 30 Murat Theatre Indianapolis, IN
October 1 Chicago Theatre Chicago, IL
October 3 Union Theatre Madison, WI
October 4 State Theatre Minneapolis, MN
October 6 Royal Oak Music Theatre Royal Oak, MI
October 7 Queen Elizabeth Theatre Toronto, ON
October 9 Opera House Boston, MA
October 10 Opera House Boston, MA
October 11 Radio City Music Hall New York, NY
October 13 Keswick Theatre Glenside, PA
October 14 The Strathmore Music Center Washington, DC
October 16 Meymandi Concert Hall Raleigh, NC
October 17 Bijou Theatre Knoxville, TN
October 18 The Tabernacle Atlanta, GA
October 19 Ryman Auditorium Nashville, TN
October 21 Uptown Theatre Kansas City, MO
October 23 Verizon Wireless Theatre Houston, TX
October 24 Majestic Theatre Dallas, TX
October 25 Paramount Theatre Austin, TX
October 27 Macky Auditorium Boulder, CO
October 28 Murray Theatre Salt Lake City, UT
October 30 Wiltern Theatre Los Angeles, CA
November 1 Spreckels Theatre San Diego, CA
November 3 Paramount Theatre Oakland, CA
November 5 Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall Portland, OR
November 6 McDonald Theatre Eugene, OR
November 8 Vogue Theatre Vancouver, BC
November 9 Marion Oliver McCaw Hall Seattle, WA

Ray LaMontagne Official Website

Singer/songwriter Ray LaMontagne is set to release his much-anticipated third album, ‘Gossip In The Grain’, on September 30th, 2008 on RCA Records.

Recorded with returning producer, Ethan Johns in Box, England, and touching upon a range of styles and musical settings – spanning pastoral folk, railroad blues, front porch country, and plangent balladry – ‘Gossip In The Grain’ proves to be his most creative and emotionally expansive collection to date.

Whereas LaMontagne’s two previous albums, ‘Trouble’ and ‘Till The Sun Turns Black’, were largely solo affairs, with Johns serving as multi-tasking instrumentalist, ‘Gossip In The Grain’ sees him joined by members of his touring band, bassist Jennifer Condos and guitarist Eric Heywood (with Johns largely handling drum duties).

Along with his band members, LaMontagne is also joined on two tracks – “A Falling Through” and “I Still Care For You” – by singer/songwriter Leona Naess.

As LaMontagne explains “It was time to open up a little bit more, not be quite so reserved in my choice of songs that I wanted to record. I’m really very critical of myself and it’s sort of a process of opening up. I felt like I was in the right space to show that side of myself.”

Recently called by Vanity Fair “a fresh reminder that the genuine artist is not yet an extinct species,” ‘Gossip In The Grain’ reconfirms Ray LaMontagne as an artist and a craftsman without limits, a songwriter who is able to work his melodic gifts and distinctive lyricism through any of the myriad musical traditions that catches his fancy.

‘Gossip In The Grain’ tracklisting:

Henry Nearly Killed Me (It’s A Shame)
Hey Me, Hey Mamma
Sarah
I Still Care For You
Winter Birds
Meg White
Achin’ All The Time
Let It Be Me
A Falling Through
Gossip In The Grain

Myspace
Ray LaMontagne Official Website

Armed with thriving stateside success, her acoustic guitar and an arsenal of songs, emerging singer/songwriter Brandi Carlile plays her first ever London show, which has now sold out, at the Borderline, November 30th, 2007. Joined by her impressive band, she’ll preview tracks from her forthcoming digital live EP (Released November 26th, 2007) and debut LP ‘The Story’, out in 2008 in the UK.

Having toured America as special guest to Ray Lamontagne, The Fray, Chris Isaak and Tori Amos, Brandi Carlile is a talented artist in her own right. Produced by legendary Grammy Award winner T Bone Burnett (Counting Crows, Robert Plant & Alison Krauss), Brandi’s forthcoming LP ‘The Story’ is already making waves in the US and looks set to be one of the ultimate discoveries of 2008.

Her headline band includes: Philip Hanseroth (Bass/vocals), Timothy Hanseroth (Guitar/vocals), Matt Chamberlain (Drums) and Joshua Neumann (Cello).

Captured mainly on tape, ‘The Story’ smoulders with a stark and soulful authenticity, rarely heard today. This is most notable on the rousing title track, which Brandi herself describes as “A pure moment. Technically wrong, but emotionally right”.

Other highlights include “Turpentine”, “Tragedy”, “What Can I Say?” and “Throw It All Away” – which all featured in the smash-hit US show ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ – plus, “Cannonball”, which was recorded in Atlanta with The Indigo Girls.

For more information, go to:

Brandi Carlile Official Website
Brandi Carlile on Myspace

If his critically acclaimed debut was born of reflection in his basement bound home studio, the triumphant swell of ‘Songs For The Road’ is cut from the breadth of his encounters on the subsequent tour.

Hung around the heartfelt embrace of the title track sat at the apex of the album, David Ford moves on from the self-recrimination of his debut, into the narrative and characterisation of a year on the road. Railing against a deep south fanatic on “St Peter”, adopting the affable yet doomed persona of a bar pushing drunk on “Nobody Tells Me What To Do” and at the album’s close, a troubadour’s message of troubled understanding to a friend who chose to end it all “…And So You Fell”.

As before David Ford never dodges his own bullets; opener “Go To Hell” is a crushing opus that would be spiteful if directed at anyone but himself, and while “Requiem” has our protagonist at his most politically disaffected, its conscience is willing to share the blame.

Amid these compromised characters and bouts of self-flagellation is new warmth to Ford’s music. On the Motown romp of “Decimate”, slow burner “I’m Alright Now” and amongst the album’s sweeping strings, is a greater confidence and appeal.

Ford initially worked alone – as he had on his debut – but sensing some tracks needed more than his DIY magic he brought in James Brown (Nine Inch Nails, The Killers, Ash) to co-produce five of the tracks alongside him. After James went back to the States, the production team of Kevin Bacon and Jonathan Quarmby (Plan B, Get Cape, Ian Brown) were recruited to bring their mixing skills to the final four tracks.

“My first album was basically bedroom demos with ideas way above their station,” Ford says. “This one sounds more like a record.”

Following the acclaimed release of ‘I Sincerely Apologise For The Trouble I Have Caused’ in the UK, David Ford spent much of 2005 in the U.S where his debut album – released on Columbia – met with an equally warm reception. Stunning reviews ran in the New York Times, Rolling Stone and Variety and Ford found himself championed by NBC’s Carson Daly on whose show he appeared three times. Support slots with Richard Ashcroft, Ray Lamontagne and Aimee Mann followed, with Ford now counting Neil Young and Springsteen amongst his fans.

David Ford supported Duke Spirit at the ICA on July 29th 2007 as part of the iTunes festival ahead of two headlining shows at THE SOHO REVUE BAR on 1st and 8th AUGUST 2007.

Listen to David Ford – “Go To Hell” MP3

Praise for David Ford’s debut, ‘I Sincerely Apologise For The Trouble I’ve Caused’:

“Simultaneously lacerating and tender… not for the emotionally fragile” **** Q

“One foot in David Gray’s camp and one in Curt Cobain’s… in between is a life lived.” – WORD

“Continues to show how this “sensitive singer songwriter” should really be done” - SUNDAY TIMES

“as full of romantic doom as anything you’ll hear this year. One to watch.” – UNCUT

“This is brilliant – for people who actually give a s***” – **** THE FLY

“a sublime listening experience” – CLASH

David Ford Official Website
David Ford on Myspace

On September 11 2007, Low Altitude Records (the label that brought us Patrick Wolf and the Noisettes) is set to release Australian Sarah Blasko’s second album, ‘What The Sea Wants, The Sea Will Have’. Her sophomore release is a collection of bittersweet songs propelled by her ethereal voice and atmospheric production – a cavernous, haunting presentation recorded live in a converted ballroom.

Sarah Blasko’s first album, ‘The Overture & the Underscore’, launched her into the public consciousness as a purveyor of inventive, intelligent pop music, sparking critical acclaim, a raft of ARIA nominations, a Gold album, sold-out tours (with Ray LaMontagne and Martha Wainwright) and a performance at the Commonwealth Games closing ceremony. Her sophisticated-yet-dreamy vocals and emotive lyrics evoke comparisons to My Brightest Diamond, Nicole Atkins, St Vincent, and Radiohead.

Listen to “Planet New Year” – MP3

Residency at The Living Room, NYC 2007:

Friday, September 7, 7pm
Friday, September 14, 7pm
Friday, September 21, 7pm

Sarah Blasko Official Website
Sarah Blasko on Myspace

Ray Lamontagne’s latest single “Jolene” off of his debut album Trouble is set for release in the UK on May 7, 2007. (The single is not a cover of Dolly Parton’s song “Jolene” by the way.)

Last year I watched Ray Lamontagne perform his single, “Trouble” live at the Top of the Pops studios in London. The other performances that day were by Muse, Guillemots, Ne-Yo, Busta Rhymes and The Fratellis. It was quite an eclectic mix of artists and it’s certainly not every day that you get the chance to see them all together in the same place performing for an intimate studio audience.

Before the bands were due to go on, I remember seeing Ray walking around the Top of the Pops studio and also outside in the BBC courtyard area. There were a couple times that I wanted to go up to him to say hi and that I too am a New Englander who once lived in New Hampshire and spent summers in his home state of Maine. But a rumor was going around that he was shy and didn’t like “being approached”. I’m not sure if it’s true or not, but because of it I didn’t approach him. Oh well. Maybe another time.

Watch the video of Ray Lamontagne performing “Trouble” on Top of the Pops.

Watch a video of Ray Lamontagne performing his single “Jolene”

08/18 Folks Festival Lyons, CO
10/16 St. Davids Cardiff, UK
10/17 Manchester Apollo Manchester, UK
10/18 St Georges Bradford, UK
10/19 Opera House Blackpool, UK
10/22 Olympia Dublin, IE
10/23 Olympia Dublin, IE
10/26 Dome Brighton, UK
10/27 Colston Hall Bristol, UK
10/28 Pavillions Plymouth, UK
10/29 Guildhall Southampton, UK
10/31 Music Hall Aberdeen, UK
11/01 Card Hall Dundee, UK
11/02 Playhouse Edinburgh, UK
11/04 Civic Hall Wolverhampton, UK
11/05 Royal Albert Hall London, UK
11/06 Royal Albert Hall London, UK

Ray Lamontagne Official Website
Ray Lamontagne on Myspace
14th Floor Records

By: Jenny May