Jenn Bostic - Wrestling

LCM Song Of The Day: ‘Wrestling’ - Jenn Bostic

‘Wrestling’ is the anthemic and reflective new single from Nashville based indie singer-songwriter Jenn Bostic. The song is taken from her brand new six-track EP ‘Take My Hand - Part 1’ .The song was written Jenn Bostic, Lauren Christy & Benj Heard

Jenn Bostic is a soulful singer/songwriter with a hint of blues, soul, country, pop and gospel. Her emotive songwriting and powerful vocals have been touching hearts around the world. “Jealous of the Angels,” written for her late father, was championed by both Smooth Radio and BBC Radio 2. She has performed the song on BBC Breakfast, Weekend Wogan, Good Morning Sunday and Songs of Praise, and the music video has over 3 million views on YouTube. She has had 4 singles playlisted at BBC Radio 2, the most listened to radio station in Europe.

In 2012 she won five Independent Country Music Association Awards including "Best Songwriter," "Best Musician," and "Overall Winner." Bostic was also named “International Touring Artist of the Year” in both the 2017 and 2018 British Country Music Awards. In 2018, she co-hosted the event with UK Male Vocalist of the Year, Gary Quinn, and was also nominated for "International Album of the Year" and "International Song of the Year" for Revival.

She has performed sold-out tours across the United States and Europe, and has opened for the likes of Richard Marx, Christian Kane and The Band Perry. Venues have included The Grand Ole Opry, The Ryman Auditorium and Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York City. She currently resides in Nashville, Tennessee, where she has just released her new album "Revival" with six-time Grammy Award winner Paul Salveson.

Photo credit: Sara Kauss Photography

http://jennbostic.com/

Katey Brooks - Trouble So Hard

LCM Song Of The Day: ‘Trouble So Hard’ - Katey Brooks

One of our favourite debut albums this year is excellent ‘Revolute’ by LCM favourite and friend Katey Brooks. This powerful, spiritual gospel and blues-infused track has a real classic feel. We love the striped arrangement, the reverb rich electric guitar and Katey’s wonderful vocals.

Katey will be headlining at the Green Note in London on December 17th.

Katey Brooks is a rebellious artist that resists formula. A devastating songwriting talent this ‘rising singer-songwriter had the crowd eating out of her hands’ (The Independent) and is simply ‘not to be missed’ (Time Out). The ‘powerful’ (Evening Standard) songstress defies easy classification, with a sound blending folk, soul, blues and country. Her finger-picked, harmony-inflected sound on the 2016 ’I Fought Lovers’ EP received an enthusiastic reception from radio stations around the UK and internationally, including BBC Radio 2, BBC 6 Music and CBC Canada and her new album ‘Revolute’ was released in May 2019 to huge critical acclaim across the world. ‘Revolute’ blends soul and folk with Americana to “create something hopefully pretty different…My realm is connection and emotion, something quite raw, I think” – says Katey.

To watch her sing live is to witness emotional exorcism, but when you know her backstory, it’s hardly a mystery why. Growing up inside a cult, as a child Katey found refuge in song. Later, she travelled the world with her guitar on her back, writing everywhere from the Occupied West Bank to an abandoned Finnish island. Over a career spanning four continents, Katey has journeyed from intimate living rooms to opulent concert halls, from dive bars to decorated studios with some of music’s biggest names, boasting famous admirers like Joss Stone. She has recorded with Bill Wyman of the Rolling Stones and Paloma Faith at Abbey Road for BBC Radio 2’s Children in Need single. She has shared bills with a host of big names including Newton Faulkner, Ghostpoet, Martin Simpson, Deaf Havana, Lou Rhodes (Lamb), Mike and the Mechanics, and Mystery Jets. She has played some of the world’s biggest festivals including Glastonbury, WOMAD, the 2012 Paralympics, the Cambridge Folk Festival and Australia’s National Folk Festival.

Photo credit: Nina Gilhooley

https://www.kateybrooks.com/

Please purchase Katey’s new album below >>>

Amanda St John - Muscle Shoals

LCM Song of The Day: ‘Muscle Shoals’ - Amanda St. John

'Muscle Shoals' is the powerful lead single from Amanda St John's upcoming album 'The Muscle Shoals Sessions' which was recorded in the legendary FAME Studios in Muscle Shoals, Alabama.

Ever since she first set foot on stage at the tender age of 14 it was obvious to anyone in attendance that blues and folk-informed, soul-infused, Belfast-based songstress Amanda St John had a voice that could charm the stars from the sky. After learning her trade performing in cover bands for a number of years, the chanteuse, who has collaborated with some of Northern Ireland's best and brightest talents (such as Duke Special, Gareth Dunlop, Ben Glover, ex-INXS frontman Ciaran Gribbin and Simon McBride), reinvented herself in 2012 as a singer/songwriter and, a year later, released her debut EP of original material 'Where Is The Man' to much critical acclaim.

Born out of a near death experience which prompted her to re-evaluate her life, the collection of torch songs saw St John put her apprenticeship to good use and it captured the hearts of many music lovers. Buoyed by extensive radio play and a sold-out show at the Black Box in Belfast, the singer, who was born and raised in the rural village of Glenariffe, then released the rockabilly and jazz-tinged 'Big Strong Man' on March 2014 and the infectious number firmly established her as a versatile artist with a keen ear for a hook.

Now a much-loved and sought after regular on the festival circuit, Amanda St John has performed at Sunflower Festival, the Maiden City Festival, Hilden Beer Festival, the East Belfast Arts Festival, the Lammas Fair, the Atlantic Sessions Festival, Tanglewood Music Festival and Belfast Music Week. Other gig highlights for St John have included sharing a stage with US Grammy Nominee Tift Merritt, being invited to sing backing vocals for Duke Special, performing a two night support slot for Brian Kennedy and playing support for Eddi Reader (of Fairground Attraction) and Mary Coughlan.

Photo credit: Glen Norwood

Katey Brooks - All of Me

LCM Song Of The Day: ‘All Of Me’ - Katey Brooks

It's exciting times ahead for Katey with the London launch and release of her debut album ‘Revolute’ fast approaching on Friday. ‘All of Me’ is the wonderful brand new and third single from Katey's new album. It's full of passion and reflection, with a super smooth soul and gospel vibe.

If you would like to join us at St. Pancras Old Church, places are going very quickly. A few special £10 discounted tickets are available for the LCM community. A special night of music guaranteed.

Katey Brooks is a clear-eyed rebel in an industry that demands consistency. A devastating songwriting talent that has drawn comparisons with Jeff Buckley (Supajam) Brooks has no shortage of famous admirers and yet, she has resisted formula. Over a career spanning four continents, she’s journeyed from intimate living rooms to opulent concert halls, from dive bars to decorated studios with some of music’s biggest names. The wandering troubadour defies easy classification, with a back-catalogue incorporating soul, folk, blues and country. With her new album Revolute under construction, the mercurial songstress is more determined than ever to do things her own way. ‘Revolute will blend soul with Americana and even some country, to create something hopefully pretty different.’ Applauded by the press, this ‘rising singer-songwriter has the crowd eating out of her hands’ (The Independent), and is simply ‘not to be missed’ (Time Out). To watch her sing live is to witness emotional exorcism, but when you know her backstory, it’s hardly a mystery why.

http://www.kateybrooks.com

Mike Farris - Are You Lonely For Me Baby?

LCM Song Of The Day: ‘Are You Lonely For Me Baby?’ - Mike Farris

Our featured track today is a great live version of ‘Are You Lonely For Me Baby’ by Grammy Award winning US singer-songwriter Mike. It’s taken from a Ditty TV concert recorded in Memphis, Tennessee. If you would like to catch Mike and his band they will be at Nells Jazz and Blues in London on June 22nd. Their special guest is LCM favourite, the excellent Elles Bailey..

Coming off of an incredible GRAMMY win for 2015’s ‘Shine For All The People’ (Best Roots Gospel album), Nashville rocker Mike Farris keeps it earthy and personal on ‘Sikver & Stone’, out September 7 on Compass Records. The title refers to his wife Julie's wedding ring, and the album is a celebration of their 23 years of marriage and her steadfastness in sticking by him through his years struggling with addiction and alcoholism. Now sober for 7 years, Farris has the energy and conviction of a man saved, a stack of anecdotes and life experiences that would make most people’s heads spin, and a soulful vocal delivery reminiscent of Sam Cooke or Otis Redding. ‘Silver & Stone’ isn’t a “gospel” album by any means, but Farris still takes us to church on these 12 engaging tracks, including a cover of Bill Withers’ “Hope She’ll be Happier.”

Produced at Compass Sound Studio (AKA “Hillbilly Central” – the birthplace of Outlaw Country) in Nashville by Compass Records co-founder, Garry West, ‘Silver & Stone’ finds Farris imbuing his songs with a vibey, lighthearted feel, returning to his roots as a rocker and soul singer. The album weaves through the traditions of American music the way that Tennessee born and bred Farris has done expertly throughout his 25-year career, starting with his major label band, Screamin’ Cheetah Wheelies.

http://www.mikefarrismusic.com

Katey Brooks - Never Let Her Go

LCM Song Of The Day: ‘Never Let Her Go’ - Katey Brooks

We love this new video from Bristol based singer-songwriter Katey Brooks. The song has been in her live set for a while, but we think this very powerful new version is fantastic.

Katey will be releasing her debut album ‘Revolute’ on May 31st with a launch gig at the beautiful St. Pancras Old Church in London. She will also be holding a second launch gig in her home town on the 7th June at The Redgrave Theatre. Both are highly recommended.

Katey’s musical journey releasing her debut album has been very difficult and heart breaking for various reason, so we are delighted to see it finally come to fruition.

The song was originally written a few years ago after a conversation she had with two Pentecostal Christian producers that left her struggling with a mix of emotions, she chose to write what she called "a gentle protest song" that reverberates with warmth and love rather than bitter resentment even as she openly rejects religious and societal hypocrisy.

Merging gospel and blues with an incredibly powerful and evocative voice capable of channeling the deepest of emotions, Katey sounds confident and defiant but also liberated, even openly using pronouns like "she" and "her" for the first time in a song without hesitation. For someone whose past hardships inspired her turn to music, it's refreshing to hear her simply celebrating being herself.

Photo Credit: John Morgan Photography

http://www.kateybrooks.com

Mike Farris - Golden Wings

LCM Song Of The Day: ‘Golden Wings’ - Mike Farris

The AMA UK showcases this year in London have been excellent. Full of great music and artists. A wonderful mixture of old favourities, people who have been on our radar to see live and exciting new discoveries and recommendations. Our next LCM featured artist today Mike Farris is a super recommendation from Mark Ede. Mike is a great Grammy and AMA winning Nashville based singer-songwriter. We love ‘Golden Wings’ taken from his latest album ‘Silver & Stone’ released in October via Compass. Please check out Mike wonderful back catalogue, it’s full of brilliant gems.

http://www.mikefarrismusic.com