Tag Archives: singer songwriter

Indie Quick Picks

 Bandini

Genre: singer -songwriter, indie-folk

Bio: UK singer-songwriter Bandini is becoming known for his timeless songs which arrive fully formed and without unnecessary embellishment. With a yearning, vulnerable voice accompanied only by sparse acoustic guitar, these deceptively direct melodies soon burrow into the gaps between nostalgia and memory, between child-like innocence and painful life experience. Little is known of the reclusive singer-songwriter’s background and personality, other than his love of analogue recording.Sometimes, especially in our age of information overload, it’s better to let the songs speak for themselves.

Track: Little Room

Why we Like It: Its a haunting emotionally raw track soaked in nostalgia. With light accompaniment on guitar Bandini’s passionate vocals resound throughout with an eerie mysterious yet soothing quality. It takes you into a dimly lit room of solitude with nothing but the track to comfort you. Its oddly consoling yet skin crawling-ly haunting.

Follow Bandini on Facebook here https://www.facebook.com/whoisbandini/

Stream ‘Little Room’ below

Penny

Genre: Indie-folk singer-songwriter

Bio: Penny’s Anglo-American heritage and upbringing is a prime influence within her music.The new single ‘Misery Gut’ is lifted from the new ‘If, Buts & Maybes’ EP. ‘If, Buts & Maybes’ comes after several years hiatus since her 2011 self-titled release.With her earlier singles gaining airplay support on BBC Introducing, this new collection of timeless songs will see her music gaining wider recognition and acclaim.

Track: Misery Gut

When asked about the track Penny said:
“I wrote this song when I was surrounded by those who seemed to relish being negative about everything, I’m an upbeat and optimistic person, so I sing Misery Guts to myself when I start to drift into pessimistic thoughts or if my mood gets dragged down by something. It reminds me to just go with the flow, and not let whatever it is ruin the day”.
Why we Like It: Its a bright peppy earthy folk-pop song displaying lyrical wit and an infectious foot tapping beat. Driven by Penny’s strong vocals and hints of country twang its a snappy ball of quirky fun.

Follow Penny on Facebook here https://www.facebook.com/officialpenny/

Stream ‘Misery Guts’ below

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Sarah Munro ‘Say Hello To You’

Sarah Munro is a 20 year old singer-songwriter and guitarist from Hertfordshire who writes jazz-pop songs with a strong emphasis on lyrics and storytelling. She has just released her debut album ‘Say Hello To You’, featuring 10 original songs and a stunning interpretation of the jazz classic ‘Autumn Leaves’. Munro’s music has been championed by Jamie Cullum and Michael Ball, both of whom have played her single ‘For Eternity’ on their BBC Radio 2 shows. She has also received radio airplay on Jazz FM, BBC 6 Music, France Musique, as well as radio stations worldwide and recently supported Paul Carrack on his 24 date UK 2017 tour, playing in prestigious venues including Birmingham Symphony Hall and the London Palladium. She has also supported legendary American songwriter Jimmy Webb, and in January performed a sold-out headline show at The Pheasantry in Chelsea.
‘Say Hello To You’ is the title track on the album and showcases Munro’s beautiful talented knack for charming simple story telling. Displaying her crisp stunning vocal Munro narrates a sweet tender tale of acceptance of ones self. Feathery light guitar accompaniment and twinkling keys lift the track into a flurry of weightless beauty. Its innocent and charming while bringing a tear to your eye. Coated in positive motivational and assuring tones its the track you put on for your sister, daughter, friend etc to tell them be yourself and love yourself. Munro displays a mature voice for her age with control and expression that assures her destiny as a budding star. Whether this is your genre of music or not just Monro’s vocals alone will have you mesmerised and captivated.
Sarah Munro will return to perform at the Cheltenham Jazz Festival, on May 1st, performing in the 600-seat PizzaExpress Live Arena. She will also be playing at the Cornbury Festival on July 9th.
Watch the video for ‘Say Hello To You’ below

Justin Lacy ‘Sealed’

Justin Lacy has recently released his new single ‘Sealed’ from his upcoming record ‘Control Burn’ out on April 13. Lacy is not your typical singer-songwriter, he is equal parts lyricist, arranger, composer and performer.  His oddball vocal delivery of image-heavy lines, steeped in sweeping orchestral arrangements creates his own little pocket of unique yet captivating indie guitar folk.

‘Sealed’ is a prime example of Lacy’s bright quirky approach to song writing that twists your ears to a blissfully unique blend of sweet melodies and subtle bursts of joy. Featuring a  bouncy and optimistic array of inventive instrumentation. With child-like warm toned flickering on guitar, honeyed lull on backing vocals and luscious ear worm melody, ‘Sealed’ fast warms its way into you mind and heart. The use of the glockenspiel adds a darker bittersweet tone while also creating a rich contrast. The song is almost cinematic and theatrical at times adding a little tension and drama to the fluffy candy coated track. For me Lacy’s nylon-string guitar creates a beautiful delicate sound with a warmth and tone that I cannot stop listening to. Lacy’s quirky vocals adds a dramatic almost striking quality however its perfect for this track and completes the songs blossom into the delightful peculiar track that will put a smile  on your face.

Stream ‘Sealed’ below

Charlotte Eriksson ‘Black Rose’

Charlotte Eriksson, is a singer, songwriter and author from Sweden. When she was 17 she moved to London to dedicate herself wholeheartedly to her music. Since then she has started her own record label ‘Broken Glass Records’, released 3 LPs, 5 EPs, had her single ‘I Will Lead You Home’ reach #2 on the Swedish iTunes chart and toured all over Europe. Eriksson has been played on major radios such as BBC6 (UK), Sveriges Radio (Sweden) and 3FM (Netherlands). She’s published three books, telling stories about her wandering ways, life as an artist and travel essays about love and loss. Following the release of her 3rd full-length album ‘Under Northern Skies’ last year she has now released a new single called ‘Black Rose’. This is the second single released from her forthcoming new EP ‘This Silence Now’, which is due out April 21st.
‘Black Rose’ is sublime smokey poetry set to delicate refined music. Emotionally charged this track bleeds tender tones and raw emotion. Light piano accompanies with elegance and beautiful fragile twinkles. Eriksson’s passionate vocals are moving and expressive teamed with heavenly harmony on backing vocals its tear wrenching yet graceful and eloquent. Building with warm tones on acoustic guitar the track is extremely expressive yet simple. With a melancholic sweet melody its compelling. A stunning treasure.
Stream ‘Black Rose’ below

Jack Woodward ‘Let it Happen’

Jack Woodward is an Indie singer-songwriter from Warrington and living in Manchester.He has released his new single ‘Let it Happen’ which is the first single release since his debut EP ‘Fly Away’ and displays Woodwards indie / band sound. It was recorded with Sugar House (producers), who have worked on Viola Beach (Swings and Waterslides) and Pale Waves records. It is likely to be the first single to his next 4-track EP, which he is looking at releasing later this year. Woodward supported the band 706s at the Manchester Academy and Rae Morris at her sold out show at King Tuts Wah Wah Hut in Glasgow. He released his debut EP ‘Fly Away’ in November 2016 with a launch event at Gullivers, Manchester (performing with a backing band). ‘Fly Away’ EP was #2 best-selling singer-songwriter album on iTunes pre-order chart and #82 on the singer-songwriter itunes chart on its release day. ‘Honey’ the lead song on the EP was nominated for Best Song of 2016 by Best of British Unsigned while the single ‘Fly Away’ has been played multiple times on Amazing Radio.
‘Let it Happen’ is a display of bright-eyed and bushy-tailed bubbly indie. Glowing and radiant with bursts of rich sprightly guitar. Its that fun cheerful and immensely energetic track that makes you want to dance around the room. With the frolicsome bouncy rhythm building into a mighty powerful chorus, its a spirit lifting “scream the lyrics as loud as you can” feel good track that is infectious. Woodward’s dynamic strong vocal lifts the chorus into another dimension. If your feeling glum put this track on, let it all go and dance like a fool. You will feel better.
Stream ‘Let it Happen’ below

Kev Minney ‘Dark Stars’

Kev Minney is a Brighton based acoustic guitar player, singer and songwriter. Minney uses open tunings to create a unique haunting and melodic sound.Taking inspiration from musical giants such as Joni Mitchell and Nick Drake, Kev has blended his creative guitar playing with traditional pop melodies. Late in 2015, funded by his fans, Minney travelled to New York, where he recorded his debut EP ‘All You Need’, with Kenny Siegal and Jesse Lauter at Old Soul Studios. Now, working closely with Mercury-nominated producer Jag Jago, Kev has created an album which combines his superlative guitar playing and distinctive vocals with a modern electronic sensibility and orchestral serenity.He is about to release his much-anticipated second album, along with four singles.The first of which ‘Dark Stars’ was just released yesterday.

‘Dark Stars’ is a captivating emotionally charged delicate creation that blends sweet mellow warm tones on guitar with magical almost haunting qualities. A virtuoso acoustic guitar player, Minney creates a feathery light elegant track that sparkles with purity. Wispy strings and swirling soundscapes dance around the track with beautiful grace and delicacy forming into a floaty emotional unique piece of music. Gentle vocals and lush whispered lull on backing vocals add a mythical enchanting quality to the track. Its mellow and gentle laced in thrilling haunting melodies with exquisite guitar display that you can loose yourself in.

Stream ‘Dark Stars’ below