Jay Stansfield

Variously described as - original, affecting and a tad bonkers, North West musician Jay Stansfield has consistently provided us with an eccentrically pleasing back catalogue of music. He's recently added to that with his third; and for me, best album Birth And Death.

It has an interestingly lo-fi feel (probably due to being recorded in his front room with only a microphone for company) from the start with the luscious My Last, My Grain which has it's electronic roots in everything from Yes and ELO to Pink Floyd and ELP. 












Using his musical influences as a backdrop to his life Jay Stansfield takes us on a powerfully melodious and organ filled journey. Second track in Sex On My Mind focuses on his vocal ability whilst Sometimes I Feel Like A Demon has a more aggressive almost punky soundscape.


His journey takes another musical turn with the lilting The Sadness and it has shades of The Moody Blues of the early 70's whilst the quirky intro of Soul Splitter is more reminiscent of Fiona Soe Paing as it falls into another vocal gem.

In his first three years as a solo artist Jay Stansfield has performed at Liverpool’s Sound City, supported Dodgy at one of their comeback shows and already performed a huge UK tour promoting his debut album LOVISM featuring vocals from Hannah Hird (Ellie Goulding / The Slow Club) including a support slot with Mike And The Mechanics on the Isle Of Man.

Jay Stansfield has received frequent airplay in the UK on Amazing Radio and was invited to record a prestigious session for Bella Union boss Simon Raymonde who is a huge fan. UK radio also includes Croydon Radio, AllFM, SevernFM and BBC Introducing in Lancashire and Wales plus of course Radio KC.

I'd intended to put this blog out a couple of weeks ago...but saved it for 2015 as it might just end up being my album of the year. I'll say no more, you decide for yourself...

With thanks to R.S.Connett

Every song has a complimentary piece of artwork by legendary artist R.S. Connett that fits together to form one giant piece of magnificence. 

Visit his website to view this Californian based artist's version of the universe.

Culann

Culann have made no secret of the fact that they want to make 2013 their year and they made a great start by winning the 'Best Rock/Alternative' category of The Scottish Alternative Music Award earlier this month.  Comprised of PJ Kelly - Vocals/Guitar, Sean Kelly - Drums/Vocals, Greg Irish- Guitar, Ross McCluskie- Keys and Calum Davis-Bass, Culann are making rousing folk/rock anthems (sometimes with a hint of prog rock like - 'Beat Your Chest') with almost alarming regularity.








Like their namesake from Irish mythology they forge their music with rousing guitars, swooping keyboards, crashing drums and well crafted lyrics.  





They've brought together elements of some of the great 70's prog rock super-groups like ELP and Yes together with the modern folk stylings of Frightened Rabbit and Admiral Fallow.  They're almost creating their own genre within the current Scottish music scene and you only have to look at their growing fan-base to know they've got the mixture just right.  That's very evident in one of their more powerful and anthemic tracks, the masterful 'Salvation' which builds throughout to a vocal crescendo.










The album 'Culann' is superbly put together and mastered by none other than Jon Astley who has worked with artists as diverse as Abba to The Who and Nora Jones to Led Zeppelin.  It's a debut album and a coming of age in one mighty fell swoop.  Needless to say I'm not going through the whole album...you're going to have to go and find out for yourself, but take my word for it, you'll be buying one of the albums of the year.

After their SAMA win Ralph's roving reporter in Scotland, Malcolm Parry took a chance to ask them a 
few questions.....

Malc: An obvious question to start: So how did you feel when your name was announced as the winners?

Culann: We were genuinely surprised.  We had put a lot of hard work in promoting the event & voting system but it was still very unexpected
.

To have your bands name announced as 'Best Rock' at an event like the Sama's is special, an unforgettable moment for all of us.  We have spent nearly two years on our first album so it feels great to have achieved something like this.

                    

Malc: If you could support one band who would it be?

Culann: This is a tricky question.  All of us have really different influences so It would maybe be 5 different bands!  Being from Ayrshire, I think we would all love an Ayrshire show supporting Biffy Clyro though.

                    

Malc: Do you think the Sama award will help you gain a wider audience & get bigger venue gigs?

Definitely, I think we have already started to get a wider audience & since Friday the feedback has been incredible.  It will help us cast the net further for sure, its a very good platform to build from.

                    

Malc: Briefly, can you tell me any plans for the band that are happening this year?

Culann: We are currently promoting our first album (on Itunes / Bigcartel) and we will be touring Scotland next month, the dates are available on Facebook.  After that we will be playing as many shows as possible over the next few months, and hopefully be appearing at a few festivals over the summer.  Having won the 'Best Rock' prize at the Sama's we really want to capitalise on the achievement and really push on. 

If you think their fans aren't hardcore.....check out these bad boys that @youaremoo did for the guys.....