Madonna arrived in London last night when her acclaimed ‘Sticky & Sweet’ tour triumphed at Wembley Stadium. 74,000 thrilled to new hits “Candy Shop”, “4 Minutes” and “Give It 2 Me” while old favourites like “Borderline”, “Like A Prayer” and “La Isla Bonita” were given exciting new twists. Kate Hudson, Penelope Cruz, Fergie and Gwyneth Paltrow were among the worshippers. What a night!!

Sunday night’s 25th annual MTV Video Music Awards went down as one of the best ever, pulling in record ratings and introducing American television audiences to the inimitable Russell Brand – who won plaudits for a risqué, typically rock ‘n’ roll turn as host. According to Google Trends, “vma host” and “russell brand” were two of the top ten most searched-for phrases on the day of the awards.

Christina Aguilera provided the evening’s star turn with her scintillating performance of her spicy new single “Keeps Gettin’ Better” and a revved-up version of the classic “Genie In A Bottle” – both on the forthcoming hits collection “Keeps Gettin’ Better” due out this November.

If anyone finds a vintage Rickenbacker please call Peter Buck immediately!! This electric beauty was stolen after REM’s Helsinki show on Tuesday night. The guitar has been an instrumental part of REM’s arsenal since 1982. Any information that leads to finding the guitar will be generously rewarded – no questions asked. Email information to fanclub@remtour.com.

Will Young returns this weekend with “Changes”, the first single to be taken from his wonderful forthcoming album ‘Let It Go’. Both the Radio Edit and Chris Lake’s thumping remix are available digitally from Sunday 14th, with the physical single to follow on the 22nd. The remix has gone top 5 in the pop club charts.

Stereophonics have had a hectic North American tour so far. Last weekend they supported Oasis at Toronto’s V festival, Tuesday night they sold out Webster Hall in NYC where the cast of trendy hit show Gossip Girl including Chace Crawford were among those in attendance. Next week they conquer LA! Awesome new single “You’re My Star” hits the airwaves next week.

Martha Wainwright supports Goldfrapp at New York’s Radio City Music Hall tonight following in brother Rufus’ footsteps. He headlined the same venue earlier this year on his ‘Release The Stars’ tour. Catch Martha and her ace band on their 14 date UK tour next month.

Now that the VMA’s are over, MTV is readying itself for their European Music Awards which take place in Liverpool November 6th, 2008. Duffy has bagged 4 nominations while Madonna, REM, Christina Aguilera, Stereophonics and James Blunt have all been nominated.

Duffy has also been nominated for a MOBO Award – Best UK Female. What a glittering year she is having.

We can’t wait for the James Blunt tour to start next month with special guest Teddy Thompson.

Dave Edmunds joined the Stray Cats on stage at Brixton Academy Wednesday night for rocking renditions of “The Race Is On” and “Tear It Up”. This followed last week’s truly memorable showcase at the Gibson Guitar Rooms. His hits collection ‘The Many Sides of Dave Edmunds’ is out September 22nd, 2008.

And finally congratulations to Elbow for their Mercury Prize win. Nominated ‘Raising Sand’ duo Robert Plant and Alison Krauss were both on hand for the celebrations.

Some upcoming 2008 releases:

Sept 14th (Digital) / Sept 22nd (Physical)
WILL YOUNG- CHANGES (RCA LABEL GROUP)

September 15th
ROBERT PLANT & ALISON KRAUSS- STICK WITH ME BABY (ROUNDER/UNIVERSAL)

September 22nd
GUILLEMOTS- KRISS KROSS / CLARION (POLYDOR)

October 6th
JOHN MELLENCAMP- MY SWEET LOVE (UNIVERSAL) DIGITAL ONLY

October 13th
PRIMAL SCREAM- UPTOWN (B-UNIQUE)

October 20th
JERSEY BUDD- SHE CAME BACK (THIS FEELING/BANDSTOCKS)

October 27th (Digital) / November 10th (Physical)
STEREOPHONICS- ‘YOU’RE MY STAR’ (V2)
AIMEE MANN- THIRTY ONE TODAY (SUPEREGO/ADA)

November 3rd
CHRISTINA AGUILERA- KEEPS GETTING’ BETTER (RCA LABEL GROUP)
MARTHA WAINWRIGHT- COMIN’ TONIGHT (DROWNED IN SOUND)

ALBUMS

September 22nd
DAVE EDMUNDS- THE MANY SIDES OF DAVE EDMUNDS – THE GREATEST HITS AND MORE – (UNIVERSAL)

September 29th
WILL YOUNG- LET IT GO (RCA LABEL GROUP)

October 13th
JOHN MELLENCAMP- LIFE LOVE DEATH AND FREEDOM (UNIVERSAL)

October (DATE TBC)
THE KINKS- PICTURE BOX (UNIVERSAL)

November 10th
IL DIVO- THE PROMISE (SYCO MUSIC)
CHRISTINA AGUILERA- KEEPS GETTING’ BETTER – A DECADE OF HITS (RCA LABEL GROUP)

November 17th
STEREOPHONICS- DECADE IN THE SUN: THE BEST OF STEREOPHONICS (V2)

The Ultrasonics will be launching on to the pop scene on August 25th, 2008 with the release of their debut single “Perfect Girl”.

Already championed by the likes of Popjustice (the UK’s number one pop music site) and EQ, “Perfect Girl” is a true electropop gem. The track draws influences from classic ’80s pop, with a nod towards the synth-laden sounds of The Human League and Depeche Mode.

“Perfect Girl” acts as a perfect introduction to the group’s fusion of retro and 21st Century electro.

And the band’s front girl Johanna Lee Gervin is the perfect electro princess. Striking and sexy, oozing a fierce electro-punk attitude, Johanna has superstar quality and when she’s on stage she owns it.

In the run up to their single release, The Ultrasonics have been performing at some of London’s coolest venues including Cafe de Paris and Revue Bar in Soho. You can catch the band as they continue touring the UK throughout the summer, making appearances at a number of high-profile events such as Manchester Pride.

The Ultrasonics – “Perfect Girl” will be available to download from iTunes and other major digital stores on August 25th, 2008.

Song of the Day: “Thunderous disco polish…top British pop.” – Popjustice

“An absolutely stunning pop song… some of the best production we’ve heard all year… we predict big things for this track” – Electronically Yours

It won’t be surprising to me to hear The Ultrasonics at the top of the pop charts soon” – EQ

The Ultrasonics Official Website
MySpace

Mason Jennings is a veteran US songwriter that’s coming into his own. Now signed to Brushfire, his new album ‘In The Ever’ has all the hallmarks of an American classic.

Singer/songwriter Mason Jennings has long been one of the best-kept secrets in American music – but not for much longer. In his adopted home of Minneapolis his shows have recently drawn as many as 3,000 fans, and he was hand-picked last year to perform two Dylan songs, in the recent movie ‘I’m Not There‘, as lip-synched by Christian Bale in the movie.

Watch “Fighter Girl” video

And now, his sixth full-length album, ‘In the Ever’, is being released on Jack Johnson’s Brushfire Records, after the chart-topping performer personally recruited him for the label.

“I’ve known Jack for a long time,” says the affable Jennings, who was born in Honolulu, moved with his family to Pittsburgh when he was two, then dropped out of high school at 16 to relocate to his current Twin Cities home. “We did an outdoor show together at a tiny college in Minnesota about six years ago. We toured for about two months and became good friends. He told me, if I ever wanted to record for his label, he’d love to have me. It seemed to make sense that this would be a good time to do it.”

Coming off his 2006 record ‘Boneclouds’, on Modest Mouse’s Glacial Pace label, Jennings retreated to a studio in the woods, where he set himself up with a laptop and two microphones. The title ‘In The Ever’ comes from his son talking about where he came from before he was born, “Ya know dad, when I was in the Ever?”

“It was pretty raw, but fun, because that’s how I grew up working,” says Jennings about the recording process for ‘In the Ever’. “I wanted to do it quickly in a childlike way. I’d write songs in the morning, record them in the afternoon and finish them up by night.”

‘In the Ever’ continues Jennings’ spiritual journey, informed by his love of influences like Leadbelly, Mississippi John Hurt, Hank Williams, Johnny Cash’s American recordings and Led Zeppelin, his favorite band of all time. “I just wanted to make sure it’s not re-enacted music,” he says. “I have no use for being a retro artist. I want to understand my past and come from something, but move forward at the same time.”

According to Jennings, the songs on the new album can be interpreted about an individual or the longing for God, as in the opening “Never Knew Your Name,” which juxtaposes the harsh earthly aspects of the lyrics with the comfort of transcendence. “If the house is on fire/You’re gonna run for the door/If the door is on fire/You’re gonna kneel on the floor/You get down low/You learn to love the flame/I’ve been loving you forever, but I never knew your name.” His music has its roots in ancient folk tales updated for the modern world.

“Every human being is put in that position,” he explains, “where you must learn to love the very things that threaten you.”

“Something About Your Love” could be an outtake from Neil Young’s After the Gold Rush, while “I Love You and Buddha, Too,” with a vocal cameo by Jack Johnson expresses Jennings’ basic idea of the oneness of all religions. “I don’t believe anybody is on the outside, or excluded,” he says. “We’re all a part of things.”

“Going Back to New Orleans” segues from the tragedy of Katrina to the invasion of Iraq, with a chugging locomotive sound created by “blowing the same note on four different harmonicas at random times.”

“How Deep Is That River” outlines Jennings’ crisis of faith and looking for reasons to believe. “I feel kind of uneasy because I haven’t found any answers,” admits Mason. “Part of the journey for me is becoming more comfortable with not having the answers. That ambiguity is really hard for me.”

With a family that includes two kids, 5 and 2, Jennings continues to balance his touring demands with home life. With ‘In the Ever’, Mason Jennings is looking to expand his cult status, especially since he’ll be touring with Jack Johnson later this summer.

“It’s been a slow growth, but extremely fun for me,” he says. “For me, it’s about expanding and working from a place of joy. If I can enjoy what I do, and make new art that inspires me, everything will work out for the best.”

“Fighter Girl” single is set for release in the UK August 18th, 2008; ‘In The Ever’ album out August 25th.

MySpace
Mason Jennings Official Website

Meet Noah and the Whale – a magical band hailing from London who find inspiration in the films of Wes Anderson and Noah Baumbach and sound a little like Neutral Milk Hotel, The Kinks and Belle and Sebastian.

Charlie Fink started playing the guitar when he was a young man. He started writing songs when he was a little older. He discovered the concepts of love, death and time shortly after this and soon could think about little else. The remainder of his formative years, Charlie spent with his ears inside headphones recording his own songs or listening to musicians with similar preoccupations.

The words and sounds of Dylan, Young and Wilson changed Charlie’s frame of reference. He obsessed about their sense of narrative and their scale, and their ability to combine wit and seriousness. With the proliferation of computer systems, Charlie discovered closer contemporaries. He soon felt empowered by the honesty, immediacy and authenticity of Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy, Neutral Milk Hotel, Daniel Johnston and Jeffrey Lewis.

Eventually it occurred to Charlie that his compulsion to expel in song his deep-set morbid anxieties might serve some public purpose. Initially he ventured forth beyond his gravel drive on his own. Soon however, he decided that he better have his brother Doug on board otherwise he might get lonely and people might not listen properly. Doug plays the drums which can be quite loud, so Charlie took away his cymbals and forged them into a triangle and tambourine. The searing strings of classical violin prodigy Tom Fiddle had long impressed Charlie. Tom liked Charlie’s songs and ‘Noah and the Whale’ was conceived. They played their first gig in late 2006 to the sound engineer, Doug’s housemate and Tom Hatred. They all loved it. So began months of gigging in corners, on tables and inside cupboards.

At length it was decided that more instruments would be needed. It just so happened that an age-old child actor friend of theirs, the dapper chameleon and instrumentally dextrous Urby Whale, who had sunned with the Fink family in seaside Wales throughout the early nineties, was available having recently departed other projects. With his patented wardrobe, cultured dance moves and the ability to play bass guitar and glockenspiel simultaneously, Urby Whale represented the realisation of the famed and famous ‘Noah and the Whale’ stage show which continues to tour to this day. Check them out this summer at Lollapalooza!

‘Peaceful, The World Lays Me Down’ is set for US release September 16th, 2008 (August 11 in the UK).

‘Peaceful, The World Lays Me Down’ tracklist:

2 Atoms In A Molecule
Jocasta
Shape of My Heart
Do What You Do
Give a Little Love
Second Lover
5 Years Time
Rocks and Daggers
Peaceful, The World Lays Me Down
Mary
Hold My Hand As I’m Lowered

‘Peaceful The World Lays Me Down’ on amazon.co.uk

Noah and the Whale on amazon.com

Check out “5 Years Time” single on imeem

Myspace
Noah and the Whale YouTube
Noah and the Whale Official Website

The Splendour was formed by respected Brighton muso Justin Gourlay, intent on making snappy chunky indie rock songs for the masses to enjoy. Together with John Crick (Guitar) and Greg Houghton (Bass) and with this their debut album recorded with Dan Swift, producer of Kasabian, Art Brut and Aqualung, they are succeeding in their quest.

With the first single “Audio”, the band was Emma Scott’s Ones To Watch on Kerrang! Radio, Fresh Meat on Zane Lowe’s BBC Radio 1 show and played at The Great Escape Festival.

Their second single is “Money” and the band have already attracted high praise from the UK press. This groove driven dancefloor filler builds to a triumphant hands-in-the-air chorus that will crack a smile at even the most serious of clubs.

Watch “Money” video:

“Money” is scheduled for release on July 28th, 2008. This full throttle piece of indie rock is accompanied by the characteristic splendour hooks with an added horn section in the mix.

Their debut album ‘The Best Way To Make Money’ is being released with the backing of ILS (Independent Label Scheme) – the new venture from Catskills founder Jonny Reggae and top music lawyer Dean Marsh – which gives the band the infrastructure to release the album on their own Tinyclan imprint while providing experienced record label backing. The debut album is out August 2008.

In the meantime, catch the band live as they play the following dates on their UK tour:

(Dates subject to change.)

July 23rd – Madam JoJos – London
July 25th – The Purple Turtle – Oxford
July 27th – Portland Arms – Cambridge
July 28th – The Swan – Ipswich
July 29th – Queen Charlotte’s – Norwich
Aug 2nd – Gemini – Brighton
Aug 2nd – The Albert – Brighton
Aug 3rd – Northern Monkey – Leeds
Aug 5th – Actress and Bishop – Birmingham
Aug 8th – The Brickyard – Carlisle
Aug 10th – Pivo Pivo – Glasgow
Aug 15th – Tommy Flynns – London
Aug 18th – Hoxton Bar and Grill – London
Aug 24th – Beachdown Festival – Brighton

The Splendour Myspace

There is one classic saying that perfectly describes Naturally 7; Never judge a book by its cover. This is the one case where what you see, just isn’t what you get.

Naturally 7 are seven guys from New York City (although two members Roger and Warren Thomas were born in Manchester, England) whose image brings to mind heavy hip-hop beats more akin to a dollar than 50 Cent and yet here they are on tour for the second time as special guests to Michael Buble.

They have become an international phenomenon, wowing, to standing ovations each night, audiences that range from 30 something professionals to a generation for whom Snoop Dogg would have no meaning. So what is it that makes Naturally 7 transcend all barriers?

Despite a repertoire that ranges from their own self-penned, composed and arranged tracks full of Jazz-tinged, gospel, hip-hop, funk and pop to complete surprises like the Phil Collins’ classic “Feel It (In the Air Tonight)”, a Simon & Garfunkel medley and Mr. Mister’s “Broken Wings”, what is truly stunning about Naturally 7 is that they do what they do with absolutely no instruments.

If seeing is believing, then join the more than 5 Million people that have watched Naturally 7’s impromptu performance on the Paris subway on Youtube:

Watch Naturally 7 perform “Feel It (In the Air Tonight)” on a Paris Subway (video)!

Dubbed VocalPlay by Naturally 7 themselves, they have created a precise art form of using their vocals as instruments. Their entire sound; the rhythms & beats, the bass, the keyboard and up-beat soul vocals are all produced by nothing more than their very versatile voices. Their only problem is complaints to turn the stereo down when they have impromptu rehearsals in hotels.

Naturally 7 are:

Roger – 1st Baritone / Rap
Warren – Percussion / 3rd Tenor
Dwight – 2nd Baritone
Armand – Bass
Rod – 1st Tenor / Scratching
Jamal – 4th Tenor
Garfield – 2nd Tenor

Album – ‘Ready II Fly’ – Released July 21st, 2008
Single – “Feel It (In The Air Tonight)” – Released July 21st 2008

Having just appeared on the Ellen Show in America and Sunrise in Australia, Naturally 7 continue to take the world by storm and return to the UK with Michael Buble for the following dates:

Naturally 7 July 2008 UK tour dates:

Friday 18 July Newcastle Metro Radio Arena
Saturday 19 July Glasgow SECC
Sunday 20 July Liverpool Echo Arena
Tuesday 22 July Cardiff International Arena
Wednesday 23 July London O2 Arena
Thursday 24 July London O2 Arena

Watch “Feel It (In The Air Tonight)” video

Myspace
Naturally 7 Official Website

“Underground” is the debut Ugly Truth single from Das Pop. Produced by acclaimed sonic alchemists Soulwax, “Underground” is hummable, danceable and utterly infectious – imagine a more chipper Strokes being produced by Joe Meek in Motown’s Studio A.

Three parts Belgian and one part Kiwi, Das Pop are Bent Van Looy (vocals), Niek Muel (bass), Reinhard Vanbergen (guitar) and Matt Eccles (drums).

Bent, Niek and Reinhard formed Das Pop whilst still at school in Ghent, with Bent doubling as the singer and drummer until the band recruited Matt (who previously hit skins for Liam Finn’s band Betchadupa) last year. Das Pop signed to Ugly Truth following a barnstorming appearance at 2007’s In The City conference in Manchester.

Das Pop recruited their friends from Ghent, David and Stephen Dewaele of Soulwax (aka 2 Many DJs), to produce their debut Ugly Truth long player. The album was recorded in London’s Konk and Toerag studios and will be released in late summer.

Already feted by Parisian dance heroes Justice (who included an earlier version of “Underground” on their 2007 Fabric Live mix and played a track in their ‘A-Z of Justice’ mix on Rob Da Bank’s Radio 1 show) Das Pop will be supporting them in Paris in May. They also have some upcoming London dates, including the Stag & Dagger Festival in Shoreditch and the Bestival Party.

Das Pop tour dates:

July 2008

5th July O2 Wireless Festival
10th July Jazz Festival
18th July Fabric
19th July Lovebox

August 2008

26th Aug Ibiza Rocks (Supporting Soulwax)

Das Pop Myspace

Opening at Newcastle’s City Hall on November 16th, 2008, he plays a total 17 dates over the following month, culminating in a closing date at London’s Roundhouse on December 12th.

Tickets on sale July 4th, 2008 9am
Buy Will Young tickets online
24hr Ticket line: 0844 576 5483

Will Young 2008 tour dates:

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

NOVEMBER 2008
SUN 16 NEWCASTLE, CITY HALL 0191 261 2606
MON 17 HARROGATE, INTERNATIONAL CENTRE 0845 130 8840
TUE 18 LIVERPOOL, PHILHARMONIC 0151 709 3789
THU 20 GLASGOW, ROYAL CONCERT HALL 0870 903 3444
SUN 23 MANCHESTER, APOLLO 0844 477 7677
TUE 25 SHEFFIELD, CITY HALL 0114 278 9789
THU 27 OXFORD, NEW THEATRE 0844 847 1585
FRI 28 NOTTINGHAM, ROYAL CONCERT HALL 0115 989 5555
SUN 30 PORTSMOUTH, GUILDHALL 0239 282 4355

DECEMBER 2008
MON 01 BRISTOL, COLSTON HALL 0117 922 3686
WED 03 IPSWICH, REGENT THEATRE 0147 343 3100
THU 04 BRIGHTON, DOME 01273 709709
FRI 05 CARDIFF, ST DAVIDS HALL 0292 087 8444
SUN 07 BIRMINGHAM, SYMPHONY HALL 0121 780 3333
TUE 09 PLYMOUTH, PAVILLIONS 0845 146 1460
THU 11 BOURNEMOUTH, INTERNATIONAL CENTRE 0870 111 3000
FRI 12 LONDON, ROUNDHOUSE 0844 482 8008

Will’s performance, as well as featuring many favourites from his enviable back-catalogue, will centre around his new album.

Released September 29th, 2008 via RCA Label Group, ‘Let It Go’ plays to Will’s strengths whilst also pushing him in exciting new directions, melding soul, disco and that extraordinary voice with good old-fashioned pop to create his most arresting record to date.

The effervescent new single “Changes” (released September 14th, 2008) provides an excellent introduction to his new material.

Will Young Official Website

Last week I had the pleasure of watching up and coming band The Fullertons play at The Jericho Tavern in Oxford.

They look and sound great – and could easily have been included in the Glastonbury lineup. Their songs are tight, energetic and the keyboard adds a nice touch to their indie/pop sound.

They’ve got the full package for mainstream success.

More information about The Fullertons:

“Halfway Out” is the infectious debut single from newcomers The Fullertons. The Watford based four piece are set to inject a well needed boost of energy back into the music scene.

The Fullertons are brothers David (vocals / guitar) and Chris Chanell (keys / vocals / guitar), Rik Blake (bass/vocals) and Rich Iles (drums).

The songs, laden with soaring vocal harmonies and timeless pop hooks, trace a lineage that takes in the driving rhythm of the Zombies, the swirling energy of The Stranglers and dusts it all off with a nod to Supergrass.

The band have already enjoyed the support of Music Week, Channelfly, XFM – recent antics while recording the video for their single also ended up with coverage in the Sunday Mirror! However, theirs is not the tabloid lifestyle just yet (!), as they are too busy building up those motorway miles supporting the likes of Good Shoes, Vincent Vincent And The Villains, The Displacements and Blood Red Shoes.

They have been tearing up sold-out venues around the country for the past year with their vibrant performances and infectious song writing nous, and will continue to do so on their forthcoming dates. “Halfway Out” was released by Sons of Stereo on the 23rd June, 2008 backed with “Find Your Own Way Out” and “Rule Of Thumb”.

The Fullertons 2008 tour dates:

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

3 July 2 DJ’s Presents @ The White Heart Corby
4 July The Orange Box (14 plus) Yeovil
5 July Klub Kute @ The Cooler Bristol
11 July The Purple Turtle London
12 July Krisiz Zhanra. MOSCOW Moscow, Russia
13 July MOSCOW Moscow, Russia
14 July MOSCOW Moscow, Russia
31 July The Twist w/ The Paddingtons & Blast Colchester
1 August Live Session. BBC 3 Counties radio everywhere
13 September The Perils of Ping Pong @ The Albert 16+ Shrewsbury
20 September Ban Jam / skip skip jump @ St. Moritz. Soho London

The Fullertons Myspace

By: Jenny May – Band Weblogs

“New Folk Hero” – The Times

**** Observer Music Monthly

***** Time Out

**** Mojo

Seth Lakeman, the West Country born singer and songwriter credited with bringing folk music to a whole new audience since his 2005 Mercury nominated debut, ‘Kitty Jay’, is set to release his eagerly anticipated 3rd album, ‘Poor Man’s Heaven’, on Relentless on June 30th, 2008. He will celebrate with a series of In Stores performances and signings for fans during week of release. Dates and locations are listed below.

Seth’s third album, (the follow up to 2006’s critically acclaimed, gold selling ‘Freedom Fields’), perfectly captures the raw, rhythmic energy of his live shows. Produced in large part by Seth’s brother and fellow band member, Sean Lakeman, ‘Poor Man’s Heaven’ represents a progression for Seth’s sound – while remaining firmly rooted in folk, it moves from a more acoustic-based feel to a fuller, rockier sound, underpinned as ever by emotive lyrics and story telling, this time with a strong coastal theme.

Having taken the leap of signing to a major label off the back his self financed debut, Seth’s 2nd album ‘Freedom Fields’ sold over 100,000 copies following its release in 2006. Since then Lakeman has been branded the ‘Poster Boy of Folk’ (much to his exasperation), has toured constantly, performing to a heaving mass of 15,000 in the ‘New Band Tent’ at last year’s V Festival as well as on two stages at Glastonbury, and has made significant inroads internationally. On ‘Poor Man’s Heaven’ he continues inexorably to take his own brand of ‘indie-folk’ to a whole new generation.

Seth also continues to develop the lyrical themes from the traditional West Country inspired story telling of his previous work. The often historical contexts are bought sharply up to date when pivotal track, “Soloman Brown”, recounts the real-life story of the ill-fated Penlee lifeboat which perished in 1981 while trying to salvage a shipwrecked Union Star coaster. 16 people died in the failed rescue, and Seth Lakeman’s dramatic and powerful take on that night’s fateful events, written in the hope of honouring those men and keeping the story alive, is a modern take on the truest tradition of folk music.

The album ‘Poor Man’s Heaven’ is released on 30th June, 2008.

A digital single “Crimson Dawn” will be released on 7th July, 2008.

Seth Lakeman In Store Shows to launch new album:

Dates and times subject to change. Go to Seth Lakeman’s Official Website for the latest information.

30th June, 2008

HMV Plymouth New George St – 12.30pm
HMV Exeter High St – 5.30pm

1st July, 2008

Fopp Bristol College Green – 12.30pm
HMV London Oxford Circus – 5.30pm

2nd July, 2008

Zavvi Cardiff – 5.30pm

Seth Lakeman 2008 tour dates:

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

27 June The Hawth Crawley
28 June Glastonbury Festival Glastonbury
3 July Rock for the People Hradec Kralove
5 July National Forest Folk Festival Ashby de la Zouch
6 July Guilfest Guildford
9 July Frome Festival Frome
11 July Eastleigh Music Festival Eastleigh
12 July Arley Hall Northwich
18 July Brampton Live Brampton
19 July Hebridean Celtic Festival Stornoway
20 July Larmer Tree Festival Salisbury
21 July Verucchio Festival ITALY
27 July Hatfield House Hatfield
2 Aug Morwellham Quay Folk Festival Tavistock
3 Aug Cambridge Folk Festival Cambridge
7 Aug Rip Curl Beach Sessions Newquay
15 Aug Beautiful Days Honiton
16 Aug Langholm Festival Scotland
22 Aug Arundel Castle West Sussex
24 Aug Regents Park Open Air Theatre London
29 Aug Tonder Festival Denamrk
30 Aug Tonder Festival Denamrk
31 Aug Moseley Folk Festival Moseley
14 Sep Bowood House Wiltshire
15 Sep St Ives Festival St Ives

Myspace
Seth Lakeman Official Website

A one-man assembly of bold and vibrant caricatures in sound; The Voluntary Butler Scheme makes its debut with the EP ‘Trading Things In’ released on The Lowest Layer Of The Trifle Recordings.

22-year-old Rob Jones aka The Voluntary Butler Scheme takes a wry look at life’s shortcomings and styles a plasticine pop of ruggedly organic and excitingly abstract songs.

Opening track “Trading Things In” is lyrically vivid English-summer pop. With ambitiously realised harmonies, and pleasingly shabby arrangement, it recognises the truly defining symptoms of love and devotion; Broccoli, running shoes and bad MP3 playlists.

With “The Eiffel Tower And The BT Tower”, Rob welcomes a swinging, ska inflected Motown group into his Midland home, “The BT Tower is the first thing that catches your eye when you go into Birmingham. Some sort of warped Midlands’ pride made me want to put it in the title.”

The apparent pop soul whimsy of “Hot Air Balloon Heart”, shares the eccentric gifts of Nilsson and more immediately Gruff Rhys, as it spins classic songwriting into new, surreal and otherworldly shapes – “I’ve been dreaming of you so often, makes my hot air balloon heart soften…”

Hailing from Stourbridge, Rob’s inauguration as a solo artist was inspired – albeit indirectly – by fellow mid-lander Pato Banton. Under the misapprehension that collaboration with the lyrical toaster might be on the cards, Rob wrote and recorded an album’s worth of songs. When the partnership inevitably came to naught, Rob set about filling in the gaps with his harmonica and The Voluntary Butler Scheme was born.

Calling forward his own proverb “a bass drum on the back is worth two on the floor”, Rob now tours with a collection of keyboards, guitars, kick drum and percussive accoutrements, recreating his progressive pop opuses as a one man band, most recently alongside Joe Lean and the Jing Jang Jong and Duke Special.

Having garnered the support of Radio 1 and BBC 6 Music, Rob was scheduled for a Huw Stephens session broadcast on 18th June and a Marc Riley session on 16th July, 2008.

Watch “Trading Things In” video:

The video was filmed by James Copeman, the director behind Laura Marling’s “Ghosts” and “My Manic And I”, Mystery Jets “Young Love” and “Flakes”, Noah And The Whale “Shape Of My Heart” and “Five Years Time” and Emmy The Great “Gaberiel”.

July 2008 Live Dates:

July 9th, 2008 London, The Slaughtered Lamb
19th Suffolk, Latitude Festival (Introducing Stage)
26th Ripley, Indietracks Festival

The Voluntary Butler Scheme Myspace

At long last! Welsh pop-punkers Winch House have offered up a sneak peek at the first video from their new, and as yet untitled debut record which is due for release later in 2008 on Altsounds Records.

Fittingly, the Screamadelica Studios Production clip gets a cinematic trailer, and Chris and Mark Maguire’s directorial aesthetic is immediately noticeable.

Keep an eye out for the official worldwide debut of the entire music video very, very soon.

And in the meantime…

Watch the trailer for Winch House “Sweet Taste of Summer”:

Winch House are currently on their 2008 UK tour with various bands:

Dates subject to change.

21 Jun 2008 Plinth + Second chance + Essay 80 + Steve white The Unicorn – Camden
22 Jun 2008 Battle Of The Bands, The Dolls House – Abertillerey
25 Jun 2008 Working class heroes + more, Escapade – Newport
26 Jun 2008 My Favourite Pornstar + Dreamer and Go-x…Plus More!!, Mattisse – Haverffordwest
27 Jun 2008 Mimi Soya + The Auteur + Lost On Campus, The Windsor – Neath
28 Jun 2008 Little Nightmare + The Shower Scene + Downhill & More, Radio City – Dublin
29 Jun 2008 Mornings + Little Nightmare + The Shower Scene & More, The Bunker – Belfast
11 Jul 2008 Cuba Cuba + Working Class Heroes, Taibach Rugby Club – Port Talbot!
14 Jul 2008 (TBC) Mr Shiraz + Essay 80, Bedford TBC
18 Jul 2008 Tonight Is Goodbye & Go-X, Tenby Rugby Club
1 Aug 2008 Dissolved In + Mermiads In The Basement + 2more!!, The Imp – Scunthorpe
3 Aug 2008 Rockshots all dayer!, COCKSTOCK! – Chesterfield
7 Aug 2008 Mermaids in the basement + Surviving Hityiu + More, Adelphi Club – Hull
8 Aug 2008 Bands Tbc, Rugby Club – Bridgwater, Southwest
12 Sep 2008 Consort With Romeo + Go drowsy + Plinth, The Unicorn – Camden
13 Sep 2008 Southwest Youth Fest, Haverfordwest
25 Sep 2008 Johnny Action Finger + Area15 + Boss Not Plastic, TJ’s – Newport
18 Dec 2008 19th Birthday!!, The Witchwood, Ashton

About Winch House

Haverfordwest in Wales, UK is probably the last place on earth you’d expect to find an outstanding band. To tell the truth, if Winch House are anything to go by you are officially advised to start your search by looking there.

In an environment where bands are a dime a dozen they’ve thrived and developed an intensely fresh sound. Living on a diet of Mayday Parade, All Time Low, Taking Back Sunday and Four Year Strong amongst many MANY others, Winch House forge a sound which is both refreshing and unique, whilst at the same time they somehow manage to sound remarkably familiar.

Youth culture, massive choruses and a sound designed to please peoples ears all combine to make Winch House a must know band. Mix this with an awesome sense of humour, dashing good looks and Winch House will quickly take over your life. “In all seriousness”, you need this band in your life!

The boys recorded their debut single at Screamadelica Studios in Cardiff and with an as yet untitled album being released later in the year and available worldwide through Altsounds Records, Winch House appear to be promptly taking the world by storm and are proving to be an unstoppable force.

With a music video for the single “Sweet Taste Of Summer” in the editing stage and a huge mass of UK tour dates on the horizon, its only a matter of time before the words on everyones lips are “Winch House”.

For More Information:

Myspace
Winch House on AltSounds Records

Ed Harcourt recently appeared on Jay Leno, his first US TV performance, and performed a killer version of his new song, “Revolution In The Heart”, one of my new favorite songs of the summer. Great tune.

Watch Ed Harcourt on Jay Leno video

Ed has a few new solo US tour dates coming up, as well as some shows with The Gutter Twins – I’m sure not to be missed.

Ed Harcourt new 2008 US Tour Dates

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

July 10 – The Roxy – Los Angeles, CA *
July 11 – Beauty Bar – Las Vegas, NV
July 14 – Doug Fir – Portland, OR
July 15 – Chop Suey – Seattle, WA
July 17 – 3rd and Lindsley – Nashville, TN (7 PM show)
July 18 – Schubas – Chicago, IL
July 21 – Maxwell’s – Hoboken, NJ
July 23 – T.T. The Bears – Boston, MA
July 24 – Ottobar – Baltimore, MD *
July 25 – The Stone Pony – Asbury Park, NJ *
July 26 – The Fillmore – Philadelphia, PA *
July 29 – Warsaw – Brooklyn, NY *
July 30 – Mr. Small’s Theatre – Pittsburgh, PA *
July 31 – Newport Music Hall – Columbus, OH *
Aug 1 – St. Andrews Hall – Detroit, MI *
Aug 2 – Lollapalooza – Chicago, IL **

* with The Gutter Twins
** NOT playing a set as this show but playing guitar with the Gutter Twins

“Revolution In The Heart” (MP3)

Myspace
Ed Harcourt Official Website

By: Jenny May – BandWeblogs.com

“Soundtrack to the Summer” – Observer Music Monthly

The UK’s most successful new singer-songwriter, Newton Faulkner, goes into summer 2008 with the release of his latest single “Gone in the Morning” on July 7th, 2008 through Ugly Truth Records.

A massive live favourite, “Gone in the Morning” is the perfect summer anthem-in-waiting, ideal for beach, picnic or garden with its infectious chorus, supersharp vocals and rolling bassline.

Watch “Gone in the Morning” video

The single is the latest track to be taken from Newton’s spectacularly successful Number One & Double Platinum debut album, ‘Hand Built By Robots’, which has so far sold 700,000 copies in the UK alone.

23 year old Newton has also started spreading the word globally with his first North American and European live dates – a highlight being an especially exciting performance that took place in a hot air balloon high over the Swiss Alps. Meanwhile his recent US sell-out shows have been watched by none other than Kings of Leon (in Nashville) and Scarlett Johansson (NYC).

After a series of successful festival shows in 2007, Newton comes back to play bigger stages at several key UK festivals this summer including Glastonbury (Other and Acoustic stages), Isle of Wight Festival, T in the Park and V 2008. He also plays various international festivals including Oxygen in Ireland and Lollapalooza & Bonnaroo in the US.

A genuine British grass roots success story, Newton is a true DIY phenomenon with Myspace plays now approaching an amazing 2.5 million.

Newton Faulkner Myspace
Newton Faulkner Official Website

Avenged Sevenfold will issue the single “Dear God” with “A Little Piece of Heaven” as a limited edition single on July 7th, 2008 to coincide with this summer’s festival dates and Twickenham Stadium show as support to Iron Maiden.

Available as a limited edition CD single and on digital download formats, “Dear God” adds a dark country tinge to the band’s patented attack. The CD also features an alternate version of album favourite “Afterlife” that’s also included on the iTunes DMD along with “Crossroads”. The 7 Digital DMD will feature “Dear God” supplemented by a live track (title TBC) and the single will also be available as a one-track DMD.

Avenged Sevenfold are appearing as special guests of Iron Maiden at many of their shows across mainland Europe and Scandinavia this summer 2008. The sole UK date is at Twickenham Stadium on July 5th, 2008. The band will return to these shores to play on the main stage at the Leeds and Reading festivals on August 22nd and 24th respectively, where Metallica headline a bill that also includes Slipknot and Tenacious D.

Produced by the band with Andy Wallace (System of a Down, Linkin Park) on mixing duties, Avenged Sevenfold’s current self-titled album continues their burgeoning reputation as one of the most exciting bands on the contemporary metal scene. The result is an uncompromising collection laden with heavy riffage, fluid leads, battering rhythms and insistent hooks.

Highlights of the set include the first single “Almost Easy” and the vehement opening track “Critical Acclaim” as well as “Dear God”.

Avenged Sevenfold 2008 UK Tour Dates:

5th July Twickenham Stadium (w/ Iron Maiden)
22nd August Leeds Festival
24th August Reading Festival

“It rocks” – Classic Rock

“Some of the most intelligent, heart-in-mouth metal around…A great album” – NME

“Their anthem-filled fourth album’s brazen swagger may prove irresistible” – Q

Avenged Sevenfold Official Website
Myspace