Specialist in Music and Dance and behind the scenes creativity
The charts will soon be awash with Christmas singles, so it’s nice to know that in the dross of baubles soon to adorn the itunes tree, there will be one gem of a track which defies the monotony of the X Factor glitter factory and just offers a simple homage to the festive season.
Indie label, Zang Productions, has assembled its entire roster of artists for this ensemble celebration of the true meaning of an English Christmas, creating a video to go with it.
Vijay Kishore played an exclusive gig to a privileged Birmingham audience in an acoustic solo showcase on Sunday at The Symphony Hall. As a prelude to the Seth Lakeman gig which was taking place in the main arena, Vijay played some tracks from his latest EP against the backdrop of the busy second city, bringing a mesmerising calmness to the crowd with his impressive vocals.
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Kate Beatty’s new collection of work, simply entitled, ‘This is a Story about Love‘ is a daring yet subtle, personal yet universal expression of the highs and lows of love and is an honest and candid one that makes for a beautiful set of pictures. |
Birmingham based internet radio station, Rhubarb Radio streamed the exclusive preview of Jo Hamilton’s debut album, Gown, live from The Glee Club last week and now has a great edited version of this very special gig, presented by Robin Valk. This was somewhat of a coup for Rhubarb Radio, in their first year of streaming, and working with such a prestigious venue should be great for their profile and help to raise the awareness of what is essentially one of the best local and international media tools Birmingham currently has in its bag.
The Glee Club hosted the launch of Jo Hamilton’s debut album, Gown, last night on April 20th. Simultaneously streamed around the world via Birmingham’s internet station, Rhubarb Radio, a diverse audience sat down to enjoy a diverse set that included tracks from the album, alongside featured special guest artists such as Soweto Kinch, Frank Moon and Joelle Barker.
JO HAMILTON VIDEO
Singer songwriter Jo Hamilton is set to release her debut single, Winter is Over, shortly before the launch of the beautifully crafted album, Gown, this April and it seems as though she has captured the music industry’s attention.
Producer Jon Cotton, who has gained a formidable reputation within the industry as producer of Ivor Novello-winning Scott Matthews’ album, Passing Stranger, describes Gown as a labour of love, after pouring his energies into it’s making for the last two years, letting it breathe and evolve with a certain patience and care that is seldom seen within the industry today. The craftsmanship of this record is evident from the opening track, Exist, with it’s turbulent yet uplifting mix of guitar effects and Kate Bush-esque vocals, right through to the mesmerising, gaellic, lullaby drenched Think of Me, the perfect ending to an album which takes you on a real journey. If I had to pick a favourite at this point, I would pick Deeper and Deeper (Glorious), which is like a musical volcano with liquid lyrics pouring over the powerful drums and intricate percussion as the track builds, ebbing and flowing, ending in the crunchy soundtrack of footsteps in the snow. Sheer brilliance! This track is sonic glory, evocative and inspiring.
Tucked away in a little part of bohemian Birmingham, Poseidon, the production company run by Jon Cotton has been shaping one of the most relevant albums I have heard for a long time. All good things come to those who wait and I hope that Jo Hamilton gets all the credit she deserves. This album is needed. I can’t recommend the experience of listening to it enough; it takes you on an escapade, an adventure and cradles you in glorious harmonies and subtle yet powerfully seductive production.
OK, so you might want some points of reference so you can get an idea of what this album offers. Well, expect Joni Mitchell’s eye for detail, Annie Lennox’s vocal range, Kate Bush’s enigma, Garbage’s catchy beats, Bjork’s futuristic eye and Ray Lamontagne’s patience and you are nearly there; not to leave out Nine Inch Nail’s gothic melodies or PJ Harvey’s poignancy. But all the comparisons in the world don’t really account for this album, as Jo Hamilton is truly unique and refreshing, with songs that examine the world and all it’s glory. The collaboration of Jon Cotton and Jo Hamilton’s combined attention to detail is absolutely breathtaking, and has already gained immense interest from music fans and big wigs alike, and so it should.
I have read a few reviews lately about some of Ray Lamontagne’s gigs as he travels the world singing songs from his last four albums. Of the reviews that I have managed to read, the majority have been somewhat negative, focusing on his lack of ’stage presence’ and disengagement with the audience expressed through his silence in between songs, all of which he tends to lose ’stars’ for on the rating systems of critics and reviewers. To me, this is all a little unfair…and if that is truly what the audience is desperately seeking, then they should be booking Robbie Williams seats instead and they will no doubt come out of the arena full of satisfaction from seeing a showman, rather than a true genius.
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Following on from the successful and pioneering e-book, The 20 Things You Must Know About Music Online, Andrew Dubber has begun work on a new book entitled, 100 Questions I Keep Getting Asked About Music Online.
Due to be completed by the end of August, this ongoing study and response to the current climate of the global music industry is available in ‘bitesize’ portions for music makers and music industry moguls alike to digest and share amongst each other. The next installment will be posted on Andrew’s website New Music Strategies in the near future.
This first installment is a great read and vital tool for anyone involved in music, so feel free to pass it on to colleagues, as well as to comment on any of the issues outlined, and add to the ongoing debates surrounding digital music distribution.
