[LISTEN] Pete Doherty - The Whole World Is Our Playground

It looks like that Mr Doherty has already got the itch for a new record, and so it seems. The follow-up to his 2009 solo début album is set to be released later on this year. The first track off it was released as a part of Record Store Day, and just in-case some fans didn't manage to grab a copy for themselves here's a stream.

James Bay unveils a new video for "Let It Go"

I swore down that James Bay already had a video for this track, and turns out he has. However this hasn't meant that he's not putting out a new one, this one however seems to have a different feel to the other. James clearly isn't happy here smashing things with a Cricket bat, and also sees a lot of youths having a party to a very distorted version of "Let It Go", also it sees James hat-less.

You can watch it all below.

Watch Tiago Saga's new video for "Spoilt"

Raised in Portugal, born in Norwich and now in Brighton, Tiago Saga is one of the UK's most inspiring singer songwriters. The imaginative artist writes lyrics about real things, words that get you thinking.

With new song 'Spoilt' he strikes a chord and really makes you think. He explains 'growing up in south-west Europe.. we had sun and wilderness, hence the lyrics about smells of eucalyptus and itchy mosquito bites. It's the cliché situation of less is more.'

It's an empowering track and we could all do with slowing down and taking stock.

 

Bear's Den announce new album and UK tour

The follow-up to the band's 2014 Ivor Novello-nominated début, "Islands", the second full-length record is called "Red Earth and Pouring Rain" will be released by the Communion label on 22 July.

Recorded at Rockfield Studios in Wales, the band say the album is inspired by "the paintings of Edward Hopper, the novels of Raymond Carver and film director Robert Altman’s Short Cuts."

Bear's Den UK Tour
November
1 The Dome, Brighton
2 O2 Institute, Birmingham
3 O2 ABC, Glasgow
4 Albert Hall, Manchester
6 UEA, Norwich
8 O2 Brixton Academy, London
9 O2 Academy, Bristol

[LISTEN] Hardactors - It's My Life

Hardactors is the moniker of Joe Bailey, a up and coming singer-songwriter from Suffolk, and his latest track is "It's My Life" (not the Bon Jovi track by the way) and it's a very relaxing affair with some airy vocals, a twist of Americana and some folk twangs too.

The single "It's My Life" is backed up with two new songs "Dum Dum Girl" and "Such a Shame", the single is out NOW in all good digital retailers.

[LISTEN] Lyon Apprentice - Alice

The Australian duo - currently based in Manchester - have revealed a brand new track in the shape of "Alice". The brothers' latest track is a bit more folkier than their previous tracks, with an underlying synth that's just huge and gives the track an extra layer to pick at. With some lovely guitars intertwining with light -strings-like synths.

I've certainly played this more than the once today, stream it just below!

[LISTEN] Gabrielle Aplin - In Your Arms (Demo)

Gabrielle Aplin has welcomed her fans into the new year with a new tune, it's just a demo but she gives a backstory behind it. - "Here's a tune I was lucky enough to write with Foy Vance and Luke Potashnick that didn't make it onto my album. It's just a demo, but it's my Christmas gift to you all. Thanks for all the love and support this year, see you in 2016! Gabrielle x"

You can listen to it below.

[LISTEN] Novo Amor - Anchor

British multi-instrumentalist, songwriter and producer Novo Amor (aka Ali Lacey) follows up his acclaimed 2014 début "Woodgate NY" with beautifully melancholic new single "Anchor". The track's yet another alt-folk track laced with hooks that are destined for your chillout playlists!

If you've not heard of Novo Amor before his work has been on many TV adverts, two examples are the AXE/Lynx advert for where his cover of Guns N Roses' "Welcome To The Jungle" and the latest Expedia advert which has his track "From Gold" in it. Listen to his new track below.

Follow / [FACEBOOK]
Listen / [SOUNDCLOUD]

[LISTEN] A O S O O N - Complicated

I can see this band going a long way in the next 12 months, I saw them perform to a packed (and sweaty) room in the o2 Academy in Bristol at the Dot to Dot festival, and I kinda had an inkling that they'd do well, and with their new track out now I can see them going even further!

The brand new track taken from their "Alot Of Something Out Of Nothing" EP.

Listen / [SOUNDCLOUD]

Jake Isaac shares video for "Home"

Jake Isaac's latest EP "Where We Belong" is available now, his new EP was released on Elton John's "Rocket Records" and he's also released the official video for "Home", the opening track from the EP. He is heading out on tour with Lucy Rose (as the main support) later on this month.

You can check out the tour dates and the video below.

Photo by Oliver Schweers

Jake Isaac UK Tour Dates - supporting Lucy Rose
October
19^th – Manchester, Academy 3
20^th – Bath, Komedia
21^st – Cardiff, The Tramshed
23^rd – Norwich, Waterfront
24^th – Wrexham, Central Station
25^th – Carlise, The Brickyard
27^th – Aberdeen, The Lemontree
28^th – Glasgow, Oran Mor
29^th – Belfast, The Belfast Empire Music
30^th – Dublin, The Button factory

Jack Garratt covers Disclosure's "Latch" in the BBC Radio 1 Live Lounge

Jack Garratt has covered Disclosure's "Latch" in the BBC Radio 1 Live Lounge on Saturday, the singer-songwriter is known for his hearty acoustic/folk tracks and this cover just - if anything - proves his talent and shows if off rather beautifully.

Watch him cover it below.

 
Follow / [FACEBOOK]

[LISTEN] Dolce - Gröna Höjder EP [IAI PREMIÈRE]

Today we've got a brand new EP from Northern Sweden's finest duo DOLCE, it is coming out on August 31st (tomorrow) and we're really excited for it too! The band's been releasing a string of acclaimed singles this year, including the song we featured "Inez Palema" earlier this year, but their début EP is a real step up with some lovely alt-folk cues, beautiful vocals reminiscent of fellow Scandinavian Jonsi and some beautifully gentle guitar hooks. They've recently they performed at a sold out venue at the Way Out West festival in Gothenburg too.

Stream it below.

Bat For Lashes, TOY, and Dan Carey announce new project - SEXWITCH

SEXWITCH is the new project from Bat For Lashes, TOY, and Dan Carey, hand today they have announced their début LP, a new London show, and is streaming its first single. What a day!

According to the band the EP is 6 tracks long and will be "covers of 1970s psych and folk songs from around the world", with the entire EP being recorded live in Carey's studio. The EP is set for release on 25th September.

You can listen to their début track "Heleloys" below.

Tracklisting:
1. Ghoroobaa Ghashangan (Iran)
2. Ha Howa Ha Howa (Morocco)
3. Helelyos (Iran)
4. Kassidat El Hakka (Morocco)
5. War In Peace (U.S.A)
6. Lam Plearn Kiew Bao (Thailand)

 

[LISTEN] IYES - No Love

IYES are slowly but surely streaming their brand new EP - "PART ONE" - and this is the latest cut from it, a rather delicate track called "No Love". It's more like a Spanish-Folk track draped with some gorgeous vocals by Melis and with the addition of some haunting vocals by Josh too.

The duo are really hitting the ground running here, the track evolves really well and towards the end it gives you some trippy vibes - especially if you've just come in from a night out! You can check out the track below.

 
Follow / [FACEBOOK] 
Listen / [SOUNDCLOUD]

[LISTEN] Grant Nicholas - It's Been On My Mind

Front-man of Feeder (Grant Nicholas) has been doing a lot of solo work recently, having came off a long UK tour earlier this year, releasing his debut solo album and an EP too, he's certainly been busy! Yesterday he posted a brand new track for his fans to check out, he comments - "Here's a new song I recorded at the Treehouse a few weeks back. Thanks for all your support and looking forward to seeing you at the festivals. Cheers, Grant".

Much like his album it's a folky number with some dark edges and glorious vocals - but you already knew the last point didn't you! There's no release date for this track, nor has it been announced on any future releases, so at the moment it's a standalone track - listen to it below.

Follow / [FACEBOOK]
Watch / [YOUTUBE]

[LISTEN] Stornoway - The Only Way Is Up (Yazz Cover)

Today Stornoway have announced the release of their brand new EP - "Boxnie Unplucked" - which compromises of acoustic versions of tracks that featured on their latest album "Bonxie" as well as a cover of Yazz's 1988 hit "The Only Way Is Up".

As the band extolled on one of their first ever releases "The Battery Human", we need to unplug and "Fix our loose connection out in the natural world wide web".

Stornoway Live UK Dates:
August

1st - Cambridge Folk Festival
2nd - Port Eliot Festival, St. Germans
7th - Belladrum Festival, Inverness
29th - Towersey Festival, Thame
30th - Purbeck Valley Folk Festival, Wareham
September
6th - Festival Number 6, Portmeirion

Follow / [FACEBOOK]
Watch / [YOUTUBE]

[SINGLE REVIEW] Palehound - Healthier Folk

The slacker-tsunami originating circa late 2013 shows no sign of slowing up, especially with cuts like this from Boston trio Palehound coming thick and fast. “Healthier Folk”, released on Exploding in Sound Records, is pure Pavement via Elliott Smith, with a sprinkling of Silver Jews thrown in for good measure. A song about “people generally being not nice” according to the band’s Facebook page, there is a solemn thread throughout the track, yet still the nonchalant and lackadaisical way it is delivered articulates loud and clear that they can’t be bothered to care about these kill-joys. The production value is low, but not in the scuzzy punky sense, rather in the ‘we’ve only got one microphone, but whatever…’ school; this actually lends a certain intimacy to what is essentially a soft rock song.

Whilst the stumbling and chaotic guitar solo towards the end is reminiscent of Wowee Zowee era Stephen Malkmus, there are also contemporary comparisons to be made. The one that stands out most clearly is to fellow slacker-indie stalwarts Speedy Ortiz- if you squint your ears the vocals are almost indistinguishable from Sadie Dupuis’s off-kilter delivery. Furthermore, fans of NZ shoegazer Shunkan or Welsh weirdos Radstewart will find something to enjoy from this track. Combining an undoubtedly 90s feel with the cutting edge sounds coming from lo-fi groups the world over Palehound are worthy members of this lazy corner of the indie scene. Also, at the end of the day, it’s just a really nice track to listen to, with real emotion shining through.

Written by - Lewis Lloyd-Kinnings

Buy / Palehound - Dry Food

[WATCH] Seafret - Be There

Fresh from their Glastonbury appearance, the duo have revealed a brand new video for "Be There", which was premièred last Wednesday by Annie Mac on her BBC Radio 1 show. "Be There" is taken from Seafret's forthcoming début album which is due out later this year.

The band add - "The track comes from a very personal place, about being there for the person that needs you most in life, no matter what - it's about making more than a promise."

Seafret Live Dates
July
4th, Gloucester, Barn on the Farm
17th, Latitude
18th, Larmar Tree Festival
19th, Curious Arts Festival
26th York Deer Shed Festival
31st, Cambridge Folk Festival
August
1st, Penrith, Kendall Calling
7th, Newquay Boardmasters
September
6th, Festival #6
11th, Isle of Wight, Bestival
28th, Galstres Festival
29th, Victorious Festival

Follow / [FACEBOOK]
Watch / [YOUTUBE]

[LISTEN] Ciaran Lavery & Ryan Vail - Sea Creatures (SOAK Cover)

I've personally been loving Ciaran Lavery and Ryan Vail's collaborations as of late, and I'm also loving SOAK's most recent work too. So you'd expect me to be a bit bonkers about this cover the duo have done? Damn right! The track was performed as an encore following the due's first performance of "Sea Legs" live at Smalltown America back on the 10th of April - but it's only just been made available online.

Buy / Ryan Vail & Ciaran Lavery - Sea Legs
Stream / Ryan Vail & Ciran Lavery - Sea Legs

John E Vistic unveils "Long Time Gone" featuring Katey Brook video [IAI PREMIÈRE]

Black Heart Studios are excited to introduce the new John E Vistic EP "What Will Be", and we're equally excited to bring to you his new video for "Long Time Gone" which features Katey Brook on guest vocals.

The Australian raised singer-songwriter now based in Bristol makes psychedelic country folk, laden with soul and thought provoking literary lyrics. Think Hozier and Johnny Cash meets The Doors with more than a dash of Jack White. So scroll on down and find one of the next big things in folk music!