Hawk

One band currently soaring right now are HAWK (see what I did there) who are currently based in Berlin with a view to boosting their profile whilst returning regularly to the UK for live performances.

The self-styled Alt Noir, Anglo Irish combo release their new single Mirror Maze on November 4th which precedes the She Knows EP due for a March 2017 arrival via Veta Records.

Ralph's already giving the single a pre-release spin on his Radio KC Indie Show on October 23rd and there'll be more from HAWK on the show soon.

The Mirror Maze single sees Julie Hawk's Elysian vocals take a darker edge in this lyrically moody and musically rhythmical release in a This Mortal Coil stylee.

HAWK are not afraid to carry bold messages within their poetic lyrics. Singer Julie explained her stance on, Mirror Maze: “It’s about being torn and suppressed by conflicting expectations that society places on us, mainly from a female perspective." 

Julie goes on to say, "Certain behaviour is seen as feminine from one perspective and weak from another, and others a seen as strong but too masculine. 

It’s about facing these issues in everyday situations, even amongst people who you consider close.” Past releases Once Told and Glass addressed Ireland’s laws on and abortion and contraception and same sex marriage."

HAWK are: Julie Hawk (vocals), Matthew Harris (guitar), Chris Handsley (bass) and Sam Campbell (drums).

They play one of Ralph's favourite London venues, The Sebright Arms on November 11th.

Jane Allison

It's no secret Ralph's a fan of crowdfunding and when he heard that Welsh singer songwriter and actress Jane Allison Stanness would be releasing her debut solo Americana album “Just Another Girl” under the name Jane Allison using Kickstarter it was time to investigate.

The album 'Just Another Girl' was conceived in Berlin in 2011 while Jane was living there amidst the soft lit, subterranean, demiurgic world of artists, misfits & poets.

Thanks to John Morgan for the pics

Recorded & produced in 2013 by Alonza Bevan, at Kula Shaker's studio’s deep in the heart of the Ardennes in Belgium & finished off with some sweet country, bar room licks in the hub of Bristol’s Country roots scene by Mark Legassick of Howlin Lord fame and Country Dave Caven with the help of Massive Attack producer Stew Jackson.

Thanks to John Morgan for the pics

'Just Another Girl' has a down home Country vibe, coloured with a flavor of Jane Allison's childhood influences such as Neil Young, Leonard Cohen & Joan Baez. Telling tales of secret passion, longing, loss and redemption her songs and voice alike betray substance, thoughtfulness and vulnerability delivered with an authenticity that is both captivating and memorable, she's left no box unticked.

Thanks to John Morgan for the pics

It's not often Ralph shells out his hard earned Bonio allowance for countrified music, however, having heard the impeccable stylings of Jane Allison when checking out the successful crowdfunding campaign to produce 'Just Another Girl' he was moved to pledge in order to help ensure her crystal clear 'Americana' vocals would be available to all.

Thanks to John Morgan for the pics

It's easy to compare Jane Allison to Rosanne Cash or Kelly Willis but she's not 'Just Another Girl', producing some well written tunes in what's very much her own fusion of UK Country/Americana and I'm certain we'll be hearing much more of this talented singer/songwriter in the lead up to the album's release in September.