Hero Fisher

Photography by Julian Broad

British-born, French-raised and London-based Hero Fisher (yes, that’s her real name) is returning to release her sophomore LP Glue Moon. Her career has so far seen her collaborate with Alison Mosshart and Boy George in the Mark Ronson scored ballet Carbon Life, open for The Rolling Stones and Neil Young at Hyde Park, and get shortlisted for the 2014 Glastonbury Emerging Talent Prize.

In 2015 Hero Fisher released her debut album, the critically-appraised Delivery which won her fans in The Horrors and Blur. By turns a blistering rock and roller in the vein of Patti Smith and PJ Harvey, and an experimental folk storyteller à la Jeff Buckley, Hero Fisher resists easy generic categorisation with her protean and cinematic musical storytelling. Able to expertly strike a variety of different narrative poses, she is at once the spurned lover and the fired-up rabble rouser.

With previous singles Sylvie and Push The Boat Out, Hero Fisher shows lyrical imagination that is unique and bountiful. Her matchless new single Lonely is the latest chapter in her development as an artist. She’ll reach many more milestones yet on her creative journey.

Hero Fisher in her new song Lonely provides us with a masterclass in reinvention. Rich in ambience and with a slow crawling beat, Her subtle and tender vocal performance evokes a deep sense of isolation amidst the cluttered mysteries of daily life. Drums, pianos and synths all work in tandem brewing a restless sonic tempest as the song subtly crescendos to its cathartic conclusion.


Lonely could be the soundtrack to a deeply arresting and sad movie, long expanses of sound create a panorama over which Hero lays some of her deepest and most internal lyricism yet. If Lonely is any indicator, she’s already one of the most unique new offerings this year.

Hero Fisher had this to say about the single:

"Lonely is about self delusion. We all wear blinkers to hard truths in one way or another. A common condition people have is loneliness or feeling secluded. I think it’s a sentiment a lot of people can relate to, if they don’t, then they may have mastered self delusion.”

See Hero Fisher Live

March 15th: St Pancras Old Church, London, NW1 1UL

May 19th: The Great Escape Festival

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.

Lumin Bells

Bucking the trend for raucous Indie thrashings Ralph's been playing the Lumin Bells track 'Somehow The Same' with reasonable regularity on his Radio KC Sunday Show these last few weeks.  It's a gentle, reflective tune with hints of the early Moody Blues (I'm trying to avoid the obvious Nick Drake comparisons) or the subtle vocalisations of America and it's been received with no small amount of favourable feedback.  None more so than by Janice Long on BBC Radio 2 after they took the 'Ones To Watch' category at the Liverpool Music Awards at the weekend.








Liverpool six-piece Lumin Bells are - Nico Hercules, Mick Dolan, Danny Poole, Austin Murphy, Nick Henman and Colin Lamont. 

The band formed after Nico found a creative collaborator in Mick Dolan through an advert placed in the music press. The duo immediately bonded over a mutual love of artists such as Brian Wilson, Nick Drake, Neil Young, Simon & Garfunkel, and The Byrds.










Their first release 'Hold You Inside' immediately found critical acclaim both by music bloggers and the likes of Tom Robinson. It's a sensitive, wistful and soothing track with immaculate musicality and vocals. Many bands strive for years to grasp what Lumin Bells have crafted on their debut. They're currently in Track Studios with Steve Powell putting the finishing touches to their debut album 'The Hidden Room', scheduled for release later in the year.  They're playing a gig with Red Sails and This Morning Call at LEAF in Liverpool's Bold Street on the 13th September and Ralph's been invited along by Tilt Shift Music and will bring you a live review.

Neil McSweeney

There's a bit of a trend for Indie folk/rock a la James Taylor/Neil Young (no bad thing) at the moment and one of the finest exponents currently is the Sheffield singer/songwriter Neil McSweeney.  Despite his relatively low profile, he's worked with leading lights right across the Sheffield music scene. 






Neil McSweeney has toured with Richard Hawley, written and recorded with drummer and producer Ross Orton (Jarvis Cocker, Arctic Monkeys), attracted album contributions from Dean Honer (All Seeing I, I Monster, Human League) and most-recently, collaborated with the shiny bright young things of the city’s traditional folk scene.







After a spell without releasing any music Neil McSweeney brings us 'The Seventeen EP' with four tracks showing him at his musical and lyrical best.  His first release since Shoreline in 2009, this EP is a precursor to an active summer of gigs and festival performances.  The EP, recorded by leading trad-folk producer Andy Bell is a taster for Neil's third full album 'Cargo' due for release in September.







Lead track 'We Are Here' showcases typical lyrical flair deployed in a stirring tune, bringing to mind the likes of Jim O'Rourke, whilst the tracks 'In A Dream', a cover of Townes Van Zandt's 'To Live Is To Fly' and title track 'Seventeen' highlight his musicality completes a summer set that's initially available only as a limited physical release of 300 CD's.


Live support for the release includes shows with his full band which features leading lights from the UK and US scenes -  Sam Sweeney, Lucy Farrell,  Andy Seward.




Tour Dates are.....

18th May - Electric Circus, Edinburgh
23rd May - Grand Ole Opry, Glasgow
24th May - Puzzle Hall, Sowerby Bridge
26th May - Queens Social Club, Sheffield
6th June - Green Note, London
9th June - Kings Arms, Manchester

Festival Dates are.....

7-9th June - Long Division
5-7th July - Ymuno
19th -21st July - Tramlines
25th - 27th July - Cloudspotting
23rd - 25th August - Shrewsbury

The Folk Remedy

Getting tired of Mumford and Sons churning out the same ole same ole? Then do what I did and take a look at The Folk Remedy from Manchester whose diversity and musicality is as refreshing as it is highly listenable.  These three musicians have merged their own different musical backgrounds into one sound, which brings out their individual personalities whilst staying true to their folk roots. 



 

Sirens is a retrospective, wistful, catchy, head nodding, foot tapping piece of musical loveliness.  The violin adding to the poignant lyrics of the track and the guitar adding to the foot tapping!  They're musicianship is constantly matched by their songwriting ability, bringing us authenticity, warmth, sorrow and joy without 'cloning' previous tracks.

The Folk Remedy are.....Matt Whoriskey, Maria Bonner and Rob Ryle.  Matt and Maria hail from Derry City in Northern Ireland and have been friends for more than a decade.  Matt, got to know Boltonian Rob, who had previously been in bands and played all over the North West. 

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There's blend of folk, blues and traditional Irish music in their approach.  Harmonies remain vital to songs, as does the violin and soothing guitar solos so eventually things clicked into place and through various comings and goings from each other’s homes in Manchester, Stockport and Chorlton, combined with many of the open mic nights that Matt runs in The Bay Horse pub in Manchester’s Northern Quarter The Folk Remedy was born and has seen performances on BBC Radio Manchester’s Introducing and The Liam Bradford Show.



 

You can get to know The Folk Remedy here on this Soundcloud of their interview and live session with BBC Radio Manchester presenter Michelle Hussey. it gives a fascinating insight into the band and their musical roots and inspirations which include Ryan Adams, Bob Dylan, Elbow, Neil Young, The Postal Service, Damien Jurado and many more.

 






Your chance to catch The Folk Remedy live.....


Tour dates



Lisa Redford

So Ralph's reviewing the new onlinefestival.com compilation album Indievidual Vol: 1 and one of the tracks was 'Reminders' donated by Lisa Redford.  It's a beautifully haunting track that made me want to look a little bit closer.  Her star is very much in the ascendancy at the moment and her donation of the track was a real coup for the onlinefestival.com.

Influenced by Neil Young, Neal Casal, Ryan Adams, Josh Rouse, Mindy Smith, Tift Merritt, Hem and Kathleen Edwards, Lisa is a versatile singer/songwriter and musician described as performing delicate acoustic roots pop with heartfelt lyrics, and stunning vocals. She's also worked as a session vocalist and recorded in many genres including dance and electronic.






The 'Call Me Music' remix by Music from the Manshed shows her versatility as a performer as it's a sultry electro-pop dance track which holds its own against any of the established acts in that genre.  Meanwhile the video for 'New York Song' is proof positive of her sensitive and seemingly introspective songwriting ability and strong musicality.  

Lisa released the acclaimed CD’s ‘Slipstream’, ‘Lost Again’ and ‘Clouds with Silver’ and received airplay across the world including Bob Harris’s BBC Radio 2 shows. Her track ‘Dragonfly’ was played on his ‘Best of British’ show’ and she was personally asked to do a live session and interview on the show and also invited to appear as the special guest at a ‘Bob Harris Presents’ showcase.






Big news is Lisa has just been booked to perform at the Big Tree Festival in August along with recently announced Dodgy and Beverly Craven.  Before that she's appearing at the Fisher Theatre, Bungay – Supporting Hazel O’Connor. 

Wednesday March 6th, 7.30pm. Tickets £16. Ticket link

‘one of our finest singer/songwriters’
Bob Harris, BBC Radio 2

‘I agree with Bob Harris’
Dave Cash, BBC Radio

‘It was also wonderful to discover why everyone thinks so highly of Lisa Redford. She was lovely…bright, enthusiastic and talented. She works incredibly hard and takes a hands-on role in all aspects of her career, from recording, pressing and releasing her own CD’s to booking her own tours. .. her second album ‘Lost Again’, contains a superb version of Neal Casal’s ‘Fell On Hard Times’…just voice and guitar. She exactly locates and expresses the plaintive emotion of the song.’

Bob Harris, writing about Lisa and her live Radio 2 session in Maverick Magazine Issue 56

‘without a doubt one of the warmest, genuine and passionate musicians I have had the pleasure interviewing in 2 years I have been presenting my show, and your songs and the way you deliver them can touch even the hardest of souls.’
David Durant, Brooklands Radio

‘The alluring songstress, Lisa Redford is a name recognized internationally with a velvety voice gracing radio waves and stages from Europe to the United States, and an ever growing devoted fan base eager to download her next release. Meeting Lisa, it came as no surprise why she is adored by so many. Her personality gracefully exudes confidence, with an adorable sense of humor and infectious smile. She is honest and humble, and true to her craft’ Nina Wasankari, TalkMagNYC

’delicate acoustic roots pop with heartfelt lyrics and a superb vocal’Reveal Records 

‘Lisa’s well crafted songs bridge the gap between roots and pop with style and integrity and she sings them beautifully.‘ Amberley Folk Club

‘There are singers with great vocals, there are singers with unique vocals and there are singers with special vocals. Once in a while you come across a singer who combines those qualities. That’s when you know you are listening to something special.

Lisa Redford certainly is something special. Having released a number of excellent albums in previous years it is time for a new EP called“Reminders”. The heartfelt lyrics are brought to life by Lisa’s warm vocals and her crafty songwriting. One of her trademarks is that the songs have a certain familiarity to it. On “Reminders” she addresses the dreams, hopes, challenges and struggles that we all can relate to in one way or another.’ Inner Ear Media, The Netherlands