Ward Thomas are back with the first taste of brilliant new music from their infectious forthcoming studio album ‘Invitation’– out October 2nd on WTW Music through eastwest.

‘Sweet Time’ arrives today and lays down an impressive marker. A graduation in sound and a newfound maturity makes for a profound step up. The track opens the album in style, injecting an exciting pace from the get go, with Haim-like guitar work and bursting with youthful energy.

 Listen to ‘Sweet Time’ HERE

Largely produced by Jonathan Quarmby (Lewis Capaldi, Tom Walker, Finley Quaye), and mostly recorded in lockdown from their Hampshire cottage, ’Invitation’ is a coaxing doorway for all into an exciting new chapter as the fog of a global pandemic begins to lift. There’s palpable energy by the bucket load, and many of its songs benefit from a coming of age for sisters Catherine and Lizzy and a new found voice sees them diversify their sound.

The girls say; “2020 has been a year full of learning, which we feel has changed our approach to this album. We recorded a lot of it from our cottage, and working remotely came with its share of challenges, but also new opportunities. Although recorded during uncertain times, the record feels like an invitation to a more positive time; to a more open and exciting new chapter. We named it after a lyric in the song ‘Open Your Mind’ because the album feels like an invitation – whether it be figuratively, an invitation to self-reflect, or physically, to a time when we can all party again.”

‘Meant To Be Me’ delivers a new twist on their country roots showcasing a wonderful pop sound mixed with clever use of mandolin, whilst ‘Dear Me’ briefly strips away the music, making for a stunning Imogen Heap-style near acapella performance. There’s also a strong James Bond-esque candidate in ‘My Favourite Poison’, and even their more traditional country-pop tracks have found a new level, with the brilliant ‘Wait Up’ and previously released ‘Hold Space’. Other highlights include the strikingly rhythmic ‘Don’t Be A Stranger’ and epic ‘Someday’.

As bonus tracks the album also includes a cover of Fleetwood Mac’s iconic track ‘Landslide’, their feature with James Blunt on the brilliant ‘Halfway’ from his 2019-released Top 3 album ‘Once Upon A Mind’, and a jaw dropping live performance of The Killers’ ‘Human’ with Jack Savoretti at his huge Wembley Arena headline show last year.

The girls will also embark on an intimate “Invitation” acoustic tour, which was rescheduled due to Covid-19, for April next year. The 16-date run will include two dates at London’s Union Chapel on the 26^th& 27^th.

2020 may have been a year of global ups and downs so far, but as one door closes, another opens. Enter an exciting new chapter for Catherine and Lizzy Ward Thomas.

UK TOUR DATES (tickets on-sale HERE)

April

Fri 9^th                          LIVERPOOL, Grand Theatre
Sat 10^th                        LINCOLN, Engine Shed
Sun 11^th                       BARROW, Forum Theatre
Mon 12^th                     LEEDS, City Varieties
Tue 13^th                       NORWICH, Epic Studios
Thu 15^th                       GLASGOW, Mackintosh Church
Fri 16^th                         EDINBURGH, Queen’s Hall
Sun 18^th                       LEAMINGTON SPA, Assembly
Mon 19^th                      BOURNEMOUTH, O2 Academy
Tue 20^th                       WOKING, New Victoria Theatre

Wed 21^st                        SOUTHEND, Palace Theatre

Fri 23^rd                          BRIGHTON, St George’s
Sat 24^th                         BATH, Forum

Sun 25^th                        MANCHESTER, RNCM Theatre

Mon 26^th                      LONDON, Union Chapel

Tue 27^th                        LONDON, Union Chapel

‘Invitation’ – Track Listing

1. Sweet Time
2. Don’t Be A Stranger
3. Open Your Mind
4. Someday
5. Meant To Be Me
6. Dear Me
7. Hold Space
8. Wait Up
9. My Favourite Poison
10. Painted Legacy
11. If There Were Words
12. Halfway(with James Blunt)
13. Human(Live from Wembley Arena with Jack Savoretti)
14. Landslide

Pre-Order the album HERE.

One of the US’ hottest news acts, The Heavy Hours, have released their infectious debut single “Don’t Walk Away”. Co-written with Black Keys frontman Dan Auerbach and produced by Simone Felice (The Lumineers, Jade Bird, Matt Maeson) the track, released through S-Curve/BMG, heralds the arrival of the Cincinnati quartet.

“Don’t Walk Away” provides an ideal glimpse into the band’s particular magic, fusing epic hooks, affecting lyricism, and indelible melody with studio invention and timeless pop smarts. The four friends at the core of the Heavy Hours have been collaborating in some sense since high school, united by a shared passion for a wide range of sounds, from alternative rock and contemplative folk, to radio-friendly rock ‘n’ roll.

Watch the video for ‘Don’t Walk Away’ HERE

Adopting the band’s name from a line in William Butler Yeats’ Autobiographies, The Heavy Hours emerged in 2018, eager to explore a long-standing fascination with time-honored songwriting and production. Their music soon made its way to Dan Auerbach, who invited his fellow Ohioans to visit his Easy Eye Sound headquarters in Nashville for a few days of collaborative songwriting. The sessions were both productive and a revelation, inspiring the band to strip away some of their previous artifice in order to touch a more universal chord. Armed with a cache of new songs and innumerable ideas, The Heavy Hours traveled to rural Catskills in New York state, to record under the aegis of producer Simone Felice. The winter sessions proved incredibly fruitful, yielding a collection of distinctive new music that serves as an undeniable milestone on The Heavy Hours’ ongoing creative journey.

Having found their voice, The Heavy Hours are now fully focused on the future, determined to develop and expand the parameters of their intrepid sound and vision. Indeed, the band’s musical capacity seemingly grows more adventurous with each passing day. Brimming with self-assurance, creative ambition, and infinite artistry, The Heavy Hours are set to take on the world.

The Heavy Hours:

Michael Marcagi – vocals * AJ Yorio – guitar

Jonathan Moon – bass * Ian Malott – drums

The famous square and natural harbour of Portofino, one of the most symbolic places of the Ligurian Riviera and the Mediterranean, will soon be brought back to life with the stunning voice of Jack Savoretti.

‘One Night In Portofino’ – an intimate, exclusive and socially distanced concert – will take place on September 4th and will be streamed globally – with tickets on sale July 31st HERE.

Alongside a very small number of guests, Jack is also offering some incredibly lucky fans the opportunity to join him to experience the show live in Portofino. Fans can enter the competition HERE.

Amongst fan favourites and his best known songs, Jack will also perform ‘Andrà Tutto Bene’ live for the very first time – the song he recorded with his Italian fans on Instagram, as an act of solidarity and to show support for the country worst affected by the Covid-19 crisis. A percentage of the show’s proceeds will be donated to the San Martino Hospital in Genoa – the same hospital that all proceeds from ‘Andrà Tutto Bene’ were donated to.

The concert aims to represent a new chapter of live music in Italy, in a place like Portofino, known all over the world, synonymous with elegance and dolce vita. The place of origin for Jack’s Italian heritage.

https://www.jacksavoretti.com/

Robert Plant will mark the eagerly awaited third season of his hugely popular podcast, Digging Deep with Robert Plant, with the release of a career-spanning new 2-CD set DIGGING DEEP. The limited edition collection – also available for streaming and digital download – gathers 30 extraordinary songs spanning four decades, including three previously unreleased new tracks. DIGGING DEEP will be available worldwide via Plant’s own Es Paranza label on Friday, October 2nd.

PRE-ORDER DIGGING DEEP

DIGGING DEEP showcases landmark tracks from each of the 8x GRAMMY® Award-winner’s 11 masterful solo albums, including a number of songs featured on Digging Deep with Robert Plant. Highlights include the #1 rock hit, “Hurting Kind,” and the GRAMMY® Award-nominated “Shine It All Around,” alongside the previously unreleased exclusives, “Nothing Takes the Place of You” (written by New Orleans musician Toussaint McCall and recorded for the acclaimed 2013 film, Winter In The Blood), “Charlie Patton Highway (Turn It Up – Part 1),” taken from the soon to be released album Band of Joy Volume 2 and a spectacular duet rendition of Charley Feathers’ rockabilly classic, “Too Much Alike” featuring Patty Griffin.

Plant is accompanied throughout DIGGING DEEP by a truly remarkable lineup of musicians, including Jimmy Page, Buddy Miller, Patty Griffin, Phil Collins, Nigel Kennedy, Richard Thompson and his brothers, Strange Sensation/ The Sensational Space Shifters.

Digging Deep with Robert Plant begins its third season today, July 27th. Five brand new episodes will premiere every two weeks, all recorded earlier this year with BBC 6 Music’s Matt Everitt before a live audience at London’s Rough Trade East.

Robert Plant’s music is the result of a lifetime of journeys exploring the music from the welsh borders to the Sahara and from Nashville to the misty mountains. The influences and friends collected along the way can be heard in his songs. Digging Deep with Robert Plant finds him delving into his back catalogue to revisit songs recorded on his  incredible history while also telling stories of inspiration, collaboration, and intervention. The podcast has fast proven a popular and critical success, with over 1.6 million streams/downloads. Digging Deep with Robert Plant is available from Apple, Spotify, and YouTube, with new episodes available every two weeks.

ROBERT PLANT

DIGGING DEEP

(Es Paranza)

Release Date: Friday, October 2nd

TRACKLISTING:

CD1

Rainbow

Hurting Kind

Shine It All Around

Ship of Fools

Nothing Takes the Place of You *

Darkness, Darkness

Heaven Knows

In the Mood

Charlie Patton Highway (Turn It Up – Part 1) *

New World

Like I’ve Never Been Gone

I Believe

Dance with You Tonight

Satan Your Kingdom Must Come Down

Great Spirit (Acoustic)

CD2

Angel Dance

Takamba

Anniversary

Wreckless Love

White Clean & Neat

Silver Rider

Fat Lip

29 Palms

Last Time I Saw Her

Embrace Another Fall

Too Much Alike (Feat. Patty Griffin) *

Big Log

Falling in Love Again

Memory Song (Hello Hello)

Promised Land

* PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED

# # #

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE VISIT ROBERTPLANT.COM

Diana DeMuth shares her fourth single, “Into My Arms,” today, along with a video featuring Wesley Schultz from The Lumineers. Her debut album Misadventure is due out via Thirty Tigers later this year, and the single follows Diana’s previous tracks, “Hotel Song,” “Rose of Nantucket” and “Steady Rolling” — a cover of Two Gallants’ hit.

Produced by Simone Felice & David Baron, the soaring, new single comes complete with a cinematic music video that depicts a heist — sheep masks and all. DeMuth is joined by Wesley Schultz of The Lumineers, who she was set to tour with before this years’ concert cancellations. The video is directed by Nicholas Sutton Bell and produced by Neighborhood.

DeMuth delves deeper into the message and inspiration of the song, saying, “Into My Arms is about breaking away from what holds you back (small town talk, toxic relationships, dead-end jobs) and how liberating that feels. It’s the kind of song you stomp your foot and sing at the top of your lungs to. Whenever I sing it I’m always reminded of summers when I was young and driving around late at night with the windows down. There’s a joy to it that I love and it’s message speaks to the album as a whole. I hope people feel that joy and release when they listen.”

Watch the video for ‘Into My Arms’ HERE

Simone Felice, who was named one of Billboard‘s Top 10 rock producers right now, produced DeMuth’s forthcoming, debut album, Misadventure, due out in 2020, along with David Baron. Felice has also worked with The Lumineers, who DeMuth has announced tour dates with, as well as with Jade Bird, Vance Joy, Bat For Lashes, Noah Kahan, Phoebe Bridgers, Felice Brothers, Conor Oberst, and Matt Maeson.

With a few surprises coming, and stadiums that will soon be filled with DeMuth’s voice, melodies and story, 2020 will surely see her name stamped on new fan’s hearts. Stay tuned for more releases and announces for Diana DeMuth.

Website | Instagram | Twitter | Facebook

Following the release of the deluxe edition of his UK top 3 album, ‘Once Upon A Mind’, James Blunt has announced a string of UK 2021 dates. The tour includes the re-scheduled date at London’s Royal Albert Hall on 21st May which was postponed due to Covid-19. 

Of the tour announcement James said, “My Royal Albert Hall show has been rescheduled to 21st May next year so I thought I’d celebrate and add new shows in Bournemouth, Liverpool and Leeds at the same time! I can’t wait to get back on a stage for all of you!”

James Blunt plays the following UK dates. Tickets on sale now HERE.

May 2021

Weds 19th BOURNEMOUTH, Bournemouth BIC

Fri 21st LONDON, Royal Albert Hall

Sat 22nd LIVERPOOL, M&S Bank Arena 

Sun 23rd LEEDS, First Direct Arena 

The deluxe version arrived as ‘Once Upon A Mind’ fast approaches Gold status, smashing 100,000 UK sales, and features two brand new, original demos, and five stunning, acoustic versions of songs from the album. His classic 2004 debut album ‘Back To Bedlam’, was recently named as one of the top ten best selling albums of that decade, and with ‘Once Upon A Mind’, James Blunt has reinforced his reputation for writing honest, emotional songs that people can easily relate to.

‘Once Upon A Mind’ has marked a return to what James Blunt does best – writing classic songs that touch both the heart and the head. Amongst the string of six hit singles, the album includes the breezy first single ‘Cold’, the heartbreaking ballad for his father ‘Monsters’, and the latest smash ‘The Greatest’ – of which the video applauds the NHS and health workers in the frontlines, battling the coronavirus.  

James Blunt has sold over 23 million albums, had a global smash hit with ‘You’re Beautiful’ and has showcased his wit and charm more recently with his always engaging twitter account.

https://www.jamesblunt.com/

“Stunning.” – Telegraph 5*

“Laser sharp.”  – Observer 4*

“Still political, still resilient.” – Independent 4*

“The only thing that I do not like about ‘Gaslighter’ is that I could cry for want of jumping round to a live gig in celebration of those women and their supreme songs.” – The Arts Desk 4*

After nearly 14 years, the 13-time GRAMMY award-winning, multi-platinum selling global superstars, The Chicks, released today their highly anticipated fifth studio album, GASLIGHTER, via Columbia Records. The record release also brings the trio’s second single off the album, “Sleep At Night,” with a powerful new music video shot in the Mojave Desert. GASLIGHTER was co-produced by GRAMMY award-winning singer-songwriter, record producer, and friend of the band, Jack Antonoff. Order GASLIGHTER here and watch the official music video for “Sleep At Night” here. 

Collaborators on GASLIGHTER alongside Natalie Maines, Emily Strayer, Martie Maguire, and Jack Antonoff include master sound engineer, Laura Sisk, and award-winning singer-songwriters, Sarah Aarons, Ben Abraham, Annie Clark, Teddy Geiger, Ross Golan, Ian Kirkpatrick, Charlotte Lawrence, Julia Michaels, H.G. Penne, Ariel Rechtshaid, Joe Spargur, Justin Tranter, and Dan Wilson.

The Chicks are proud to announce the “For Her Alliance,” a collection of female visual artists who collaborated with the band to create visualizers for select tracks off the album. The talented artists whose work is represented in these videos include Miranda Burke on “Tights On My Boat,” Lucy Dyson on “Texas Man,” Cosima Elwes on “Everybody Loves You,” “For Her,” “Set Me Free,” and “Hope It’s Something Good,” and Paloma Grim, Sam Cutbush and Milly Constanti on “For Her.” The Chicks collaborated on the visualizers for “My Best Friend’s Weddings” and “Young Man.” The “For Her Alliance,” Creative Director is Seanne Farmer, Executive Produced by Natalie Maines, Emily Strayer and Martie Maguire and Produced by Mindi Pelletier. Watch the videos today via the The Chicks official YouTube Channel here.

To celebrate the album’s release, The Chicks appeared on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert last night for their debut performance of “March March.” The band also performed “Sleep At Night” for the first time this morning on the TODAY Show’s Summer Concert Series with a special performance of “Gaslighter” exclusive to TODAY.com. The Chicks will end the day with a simultaneous YouTube and Twitter live Happy Hour, complete with a few surprise guest appearances.

GASLIGHTER TRACKLIST:

1. Gaslighter

2. Sleep At Night

3. Texas Man

4. Everybody Loves You

5. For Her

6. March March.

7. My Best Friend’s Weddings

8. Tights On My Boat

9. Julianna Calm Down

10. Young Man

11. Hope It’s Something Good

12. Set Me Free

Earning universal recognition as the biggest-selling U.S. female band of all time, The Chicks have sold more than 30.5 million albums and are among an elite group of artists and the only female group to achieve multiple “diamond” selling (ten million copies) releases. Counting 13 GRAMMY Awards, six Billboard Music Awards, four American Music Awards, and numerous Country Music Association Awards among many other accolades, their last record-breaking studio album, TAKING THE LONG WAY (2006), won five GRAMMY Awards including “Album of the Year,” “Record of the Year,” and “Song of the Year.”

Most recently, The Chicks collaborated with Taylor Swift on “Soon You’ll Get Better,” a track from Swift’s seventh studio album, Lover. The collaboration resulted in The Chicks returning to the Billboard Hot 100 Chart, their first appearance on the chart in 12 years.

FOLLOW THE CHICKS
Official Website * Facebook * Twitter * Instagram

ARTIST PROFILE

iTunes | Spotify | Apple Music | YouTube | Amazon

Metallica and San Francisco Symphony’s September 6 & 8, 2019 S&M2 concerts were historic on multiple levels: They served as the grand opening of San Francisco’s Chase Center, reunited the band and Symphony for the first time since the 1999 performances captured on the Grammy-winning S&M album, and featured the first-ever symphonic renditions of songs written and released since those original S&M shows.

The sold out shows were rapturously received by the 40,000 fans who traveled from nearly 70 countries, as well as the media: Rolling Stone raved “the group proved that anything was possible,”Variety noted an atmosphere “buzzing with excitement,”while the Mercury News witnessed “a concert that fans will be talking about for decades to come,”and Consequence of Sound hailed “a true celebration of Metallica and their musical prowess.”

On August 28, S&M2 comes to life once more with the release of Metallica and San Francisco Symphony: S&M2. S&M2 will be available in a staggering array of formats, ranging from a digital album on all leading streaming outlets, to 4LP vinyl, 2CD, DVD and Blu-ray versions, to a limited edition color vinyl 4LP + 2CD + Blu-ray Deluxe Box featuring sheet music, guitar picks, poster and more, all the way up to a Metallica.com exclusive Super Deluxe Box, limited to 500 copies, each featuring actual sheet music used by the Symphony during the shows and hand-signed by all four band members (in addition to including everything in the Deluxe Box).

With this long-awaited Blackened Recordings release, S&M2 can be fully experienced by others beyond those who squeezed into the Chase Center over those two unforgettable evenings.

S&M2 is a landmark release in the Metallica catalogue, both sonically and visually. Produced by Greg Fidelman with James Hetfield and Lars Ulrich, the S&M2 live album captures more than two and a half hours of James, Lars, Kirk Hammett and Robert Trujillo joining forces with the nearly 80-strong SF Symphony, legendary Musical Director of the orchestra Michael Tilson Thomas, and conductor Edwin Outwater. The concert film is a brand-new edit done by Joe Hutching (Through The Never) and both the audio and visuals have been taken to the next level from the October 2019 theatrical version that played in over 3,700 cinemas worldwide

S&M2 is available for pre-order now, preceded by the S&M2 versions of “All Within My Hands” and“Nothing Else Matters,” both now available across digital platforms. See below for track listing and detailed list of configurations, and stay tuned to metallica.com/sm2 for further information.

METALLICA & SAN FRANCISCO SYMPHONY: S&M2

Configurations:

– Deluxe Box (limited edition 4LP color vinyl, exclusive photobook, 2CDs, Blu-ray, sheet music, five guitar picks, poster, download card)

– Super Deluxe Box (all of the above + original sheet music signed by the band. Limited to 500 via Metallica.com)

– Black 4LP set w/photobook and download card

– Color 4LP set w/photobook and download card (exclusive to indie retail + Metallica.com)

– 2CD set w/36-page booklet

– 2CD/Blu-ray set w/36-page booklet

– 2CD/DVD set w/36-page booklet

– Blu-Ray

– DVD

– Digital Album

– Digital Movie

Track Listings:

      LP 1 / SIDE ONE

     1 The Ecstasy of Gold

     2 The Call of Ktulu

     3 For Whom the Bell Tolls

     LP 1 / SIDE TWO

     1 The Day that Never Comes

     2 The Memory Remains

     3 Confusion

     LP 2 / SIDE THREE

     1 Moth Into Flame

     2 The Outlaw Torn

     LP 2 / SIDE FOUR

     1 No Leaf Clover

     2 Halo on Fire

    LP 3 / SIDE FIVE

     1 Intro to Scythian Suite

     2 Scythian Suite, Opus 20 II: The Enemy God and the Dance of the Dark Spirits

     3 Intro to The Iron Foundry

     4 The Iron Foundry, Opus 19

     5 The Unforgiven III

     LP 3 / SIDE SIX

     1 All Within My Hands

     2 (Anesthesia) – Pulling Teeth

     3 Wherever I May Roam

     LP 4 / SIDE SEVEN

     1 One

     2 Master of Puppets

     LP 4 / SIDE EIGHT

     1 Nothing Else Matters

     2 Enter Sandman

    CD 1 

     1 The Ecstasy of Gold (Live)

     2 The Call of Ktulu (Live)

     3 For Whom the Bell Tolls (Live)

     4 The Day That Never Comes (Live)

     5 The Memory Remains (Live)

     6 Confusion (Live)

     7 Moth Into Flame (Live)

     8 The Outlaw Torn (Live)

     9 No Leaf Clover (Live)

     10 Halo on Fire (Live)

     CD 2  

     1 Intro to Scythian Suite (Live)

     2 Scythian Suite, Opus 20 II: The Enemy God And The Dance Of The Dark Spirits (Live)

     3 Intro to The Iron Foundry (Live)

     4 The Iron Foundry, Opus 19 (Live)

     5 The Unforgiven III (Live)

     6 All Within My Hands (Live)

     7 (Anesthesia) – Pulling Teeth (Live)

     8 Wherever I May Roam (Live)

     9 One (Live)

     10 Master of Puppets (Live)

     11 Nothing Else Matters (Live)

     12 Enter Sandman (Live)

     DVD / BLU-RAY 

     1 Menu (features “Moth Into Flame”)

     2 Intro (features “Wherever I May Roam” and “All Within My Hands”)

     3 The Ecstasy of Gold (Live)

     4 The Call of Ktulu (Live)

     5 For Whom the Bell Tolls (Live)

     6 The Day That Never Comes (Live)

     7 The Memory Remains (Live)

     8 Confusion (Live)

     9 Moth Into Flame (Live)

     10 The Outlaw Torn (Live)

     11 No Leaf Clover (Live)

     12 Halo on Fire (Live)

     13 Intro to Scythian Suite (Live)

     14 Scythian Suite, Opus 20 II: The Enemy God And The Dance Of The Dark Spirits (Live)

     15 Intro to The Iron Foundry (Live)

     16 The Iron Foundry, Opus 19 (Live)

     17 The Unforgiven III (Live)

     18 All Within My Hands (Live)

     19 (Anesthesia) – Pulling Teeth (Live)

     20 Wherever I May Roam (Live)

     21 One (Live)

     22 Master of Puppets (Live)

     23 Nothing Else Matters (Live)

     23 Enter Sandman (Live)

     24 Credits

     25 Behind the Scenes: Making of the Show

     26 All Within My Hands Promo

     DIGITAL FILM 

     1 Intro (features “Wherever I May Roam” and “All Within My Hands”)

     2 The Ecstasy of Gold (Live)

     3 The Call of Ktulu (Live)

     4 For Whom the Bell Tolls (Live)

     5 The Day That Never Comes (Live)

     6 The Memory Remains (Live)

     7 Confusion (Live)

     8 Moth Into Flame (Live)

     9 The Outlaw Torn (Live)

     10 No Leaf Clover (Live)

     11 Halo on Fire (Live)

     12 Intro to Scythian Suite (Live)

     13 Scythian Suite, Opus 20 II: The Enemy God And The Dance Of The Dark Spirits (Live)

     14 Intro to The Iron Foundry (Live)

     15 The Iron Foundry, Opus 19 (Live)

     16 The Unforgiven III (Live)

     17 All Within My Hands (Live)

     18 (Anesthesia) – Pulling Teeth (Live)

     19 Wherever I May Roam (Live)

     20 One (Live)

     21 Master of Puppets (Live)

     22 Nothing Else Matters (Live)

     23 Enter Sandman (Live)

     24 Credits

Acclaimed classical-soul pioneer, composer, producer and the UK’s biggest selling pianist of this year so far, Alexis Ffrench, is all about breaking barriers. His eagerly anticipated new album, ‘Dreamland’, finds him sketching a musical landscape more Moby than Beethoven, more Air than Bach, driven by a love of Tyler The Creator, Anderson. Paak and Kaytranada.

‘Dreamland’ is his second album on Sony Music, the follow-up to his impressive 2018 debut “Evolution’, and was mixed at Abbey Road Studios, mastered at Air Studios​, and features collaborations with the ​Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra.

In the past two years Alexis has performed across the globe including a sold out concert at London’s Queen Elizabeth Hall last year. He also boasts 200 million streams and two million monthly listeners across all digital platforms, as well as sharing the same management company as Little Mix & Niall Horan.

Alexis says; “I am delighted to release the Dreamland Deluxe album and hope that listeners are able to derive a sense of comfort and renewal from the music in transporting them to a place of magical escapism”

For a kid who grew up in Bagshot, Surrey, on a steady diet of Stevie Wonder, Bob Marley and Ella Fitzgerald, while learning the works of Beethoven, Chopin and Bach at his kitchen table before he even had access to a piano, this unorthodox mix is a total delight as evidenced across all 14 tracks on ’Dreamland’. As The Beatles once said, turn off your mind, relax and float downstream. His music is a warm hug for these troubled times.

His pedigree is as impressive as his taste in music, having been a graduate of the Royal Academy of Music. Alexis was also a student at The Purcell School before going to Guildhall School of Music.

Passionate about ensuring music education is accessible and that young people feel empowered to create, he led a workshop with The Prince’s Trust in London earlier this year, joined by MJ Cole and Marvin Humes among other special guests. He also releases tutorial videos online offering budding pianists the chance to play along and learn from home.

‘Dreamland’ was about to take off when the pandemic struck, but it’s release now is a blessing for us all. His autumn UK dates including a show at the Barbican look set to fall victim to Covid’s curse but will no doubt be rescheduled next year.

For now, dim the lights and turn up the volume. ‘Dreamland’ awaits.

Alexis Ffrench ‘Dreamland’ Track Listing

1. Dreamland
2. Forever Song
3. Wishing
4. Heartbeats
5. Rivers
6. Story of You
7. One
8. These Days
9. Coming Home
10. Shine
11. Written In The Stars
12. Crest of a Wave
13. Rapture
14. Footprints In The Sand
15. Walk With Us (for Black Lives Matter)
16. My Time
17. Vistas
18. Unbreakable
19. Rivers (Remix)
20. Heartbeats (Remix)
21. One (Remix)
    

Follow Alexis Ffrench:
FACEBOOK​ | ​TWITTER ​| ​WEBSITE​ |
SPOTIFY

“A stately pop throwback full of Wainwright’s signature vocal grandeur”

Rolling Stone

“Mighty return from Baroque Pop Renaissance man… has the kind of flourishing confidence of an artist recording at the peak of their powers.”

Q Magazine 4 star review

“Brimming with memorable melodies, swooning arrangements and smart lyrics dreamily sung…”

Uncut 9/10 review

Singer-songwriter supreme Rufus Wainwright announces the release of his long-awaited, critically-acclaimed, new album, UNFOLLOW THE RULES, which arrives today via BMG.

Listen to UNFOLLOW THE RULES HERE

Rufus has also announced the rescheduled dates for his UK headline tour, including two shows at the London Palladium on 18^thand 19^thOctober 2021. Tickets are available HERE

2021 Tour Dates

June

Sat 26^th           BATH, UK, Forum

Sun 27^th          LLANDUDNO, UK, Venue Cymru

July
Thurs 1^st           RUDOLSTADT, DE, Rudolstadt Festival

Sat 3^rd              CALDAS DE REIS, ES, Port America Festival

Weds 7^th          MADRID, ES, Noches del Botanico

Mon 12^th          AMSTERDAM, NL, Live at Amsterdam Bos

Tues 20^th         CARTAGENA, ES, La Mar de Musicas

Sat 31^st              GLASGOW, UK, Kelvingrove Bandstand

October
Weds 6^th           SOUTHAMPTON, UK, O2 Guildhall
Fri 8^th                NEWCASTLE, UK, The Tyne Theatre & Opera House *
Sat 9^th                EDINBURGH, UK, Usher Hall
Sun 10^th             MANCHESTER, UK, Bridgewater Hall
Tues 12^th            SHEFFIELD, UK, City Hall
Weds 13^th          YORK, UK, Barbican
Fri 15^th               CAMBRIDGE, UK, The Corn Exchange
Sat 16^th               LIVERPOOL, UK, Olympia
Mon 18^th            LONDON, UK, The London Palladium
Tues 19^th            LONDON, UK, The London Palladium
Weds 20^th          BRIGHTON, UK, Brighton Dome
Fri 22^nd              SOUTHEND-ON-SEA, UK, Leas Cliffs Pavilion
Sat 23^rd              EXETER, UK, The Great Hall
Mon 25^th            BIRMINGHAM, UK, Symphony Hall
Tues 26^th            OXFORD, UK, New Theatre Oxford
Weds 27^th           CARDIFF, UK, St. David’s Hall

• = moved from The Sage in Gateshead

To announce the album Rufus shares the video for “Devils and Angels (Hatred)” which was directed by the singer’s husband/co manager Jorn Weisbrodt with costumes by renown designer Zaldy.

Watch the video for ‘Devils And Angels (Hatred)’ HERE

Wainwright says of the song, “My Queen moment? I wouldn’t go that far, but ‘Devils and Angels (Hatred)’ is the single and I think it’s an important song. It’s about what’s going on in the world today. We’re in the midst of a “war” that has to be won and to do that requires a dog spirit, a triumphant attitude. The concept comes from an opera I saw in Italy with my mum many years ago–Gluck’s Armide, premiered merely 10 years before the French revolution. There’s an amazing scene where the main character has to summon hatred in order to save herself. She sings an aria and hatred rises. Of course, hatred isn’t great, but it’s not all negative. It is an energy required in battle. That’s my sister Martha Wainwright on backing vocals. All of my albums have a Martha moment and this song required the big guns,” as for the video he remarks, “ we shot the video on the last day before the lock down in California. I think it captures a little bit of that end of the world spirit that people felt when this happened.”

Following the success of ‘Want One’ in May, Rufus will join Tim Burgess again for a special release week #TimsTwitterListeningPartyto share stories surrounding ‘Unfollow The Rules’ on Tuesday the 14th July at 19:00 BST. Fans are also invited to attend an #UnfollowTheRules VIP Virtual Record Release Party on July 11 at 11 AM PT/ 2 PM EDT/ 7 PM BST / 8 PM CDT. Attendees will have a first look at some exclusive one-of-a-kind Unfollow The Rulesmerchandise, and will get a private virtual concert, including meet and greet and a tour of Wainwright’s Laurel Canyon home. For tickets and special merch bundles, visit rufuswainwrightvip.com.

Wainwright’s ninth studio LP and first new pop album since 2012, UNFOLLOW THE RULES finds the artist at the peak of his powers, entering artistic maturity with passion, honesty, and a new-found fearlessness while remaining as creative, bold, and mischievous as ever. Produced by Mitchell Froom (Crowded House, Paul McCartney, Richard Thompson, Suzanne Vega, Randy Newman) at a variety of legendary Los Angeles studios – including Sound City Studios, United Recording, and EastWest Studios – the album serves as both bookend to Act I of an extraordinary career which, like Unfollow The Rules, began in the studios of Los Angeles, but also now as the first lines of a remarkable new chapter. Inspired by middle age, married life, fatherhood, friends, loss, London, and Laurel Canyon, songs like “Only The People That Love” and the spirited, symphonic “Hatred” find the gifted singer-songwriter ready to tackle new challenges, yet compelled to confront his past by making sense of how he has grown both as a musician and the contented family man he has become.

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Delivering another anthem with global potential and following the release of latest single ‘Troublemaker’, Irish international phenomenon, Picture This, unveil a brand new single entitled “Unconditional” today.

Listen to ‘Unconditional’ HERE

Handclaps and a stadium-ready beat propel the track as lush guitars ring out. At its core, this high-energy love song delivers a chorus meant to be chanted aloud with power and passion. Be on the lookout for the music video very soon!

Of “Unconditional,” lead vocalist Ryan Hennessy said, “Unconditional is a song about the intoxicating, exhilarating and all-consuming feeling of falling deeply in love with somebody. Sometimes in love and life you have an undeniable spark with somebody, then when it’s reciprocated and explored it can lead to the most magical and hallmark moments of your life.  I wrote this song not only as an ode to that feeling and adventure, but also to the fear of ever losing it. “I’m so afraid of losing your love” not because I think I’m going to, but because if I ever did I don’t know how I could fill the space it would leave behind.  This song is about how much I love ‘love’.”

Picture This have quietly generated 200 million-plus global streams and sold out stadium tours. They supported the Jonas Brothers earlier this year and graced the stage of the virtually broadcasted One World: Together At Home, in support of healthcare workers in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.

Ireland’s hottest musical export in decades, Picture This arrived as a phenomenon with their self-titled 2017 full-length debut, Picture This. Certified triple-platinum in Ireland, it held the #1 spot Overall in the country for four weeks, while topping the Streaming Chart for seven weeks. Since the band’s formation, they’ve impressively sold over 400K tickets.  In 2017 they headlined a sold-out UK and Ireland tour highlighted by gigs at O2 Shepherd’s Bush London, SSE Arena Belfast, and 3Arena. Summer 2018 marked the band’s first stadium tour in Ireland, which capped off with a 35,000-person stadium show selling out over 3 months prior. During late 2018, they teamed up with super producer Jayson Dezuzio to record the 2019 follow-up, MDRN LV.  Since its release, MDRN LV has become the top selling album from an Irish Artist in 2019. Continuing the band’s record-breaking tour achievements, just this year the band sold out a five-night stand at 3Arena in Dublin.

www.picturethismusic.com

Following the release of the blissful and poignant single ‘Return Me’, acclaimed UK based singer-songwriter Emily Barker has announced that her forthcoming album, ‘A Dark Murmuration of Words’, will be released on 4^th September on Thirty Tigers. Emily has also released a lyric video for her beautiful new single, ‘The Woman Who Planted Trees’.

‘The Woman Who Planted Trees’ was inspired by Kenyan activist Wangari Maathai, who founded The Green Belt Movement in order to reforest degraded land to provide food and empower women in her community. Emily’s commanding vocals keep the listener grounded on ‘The Woman Who Planted Trees’, just like the trees and nature that she sings about. Of the single Emily said, “I grew up planting trees with my family along the Blackwood River to help prevent erosion, and in barren paddocks that had been cleared for livestock during colonisation,” she added, “Those lessons stuck with me and I’ve continued to support tree-planting schemes, especially in Australia where there are huge problems with salinity due to swathes of land being cleared by the early settlers.”

Watch the lyric video for ‘The Woman Who Planted Trees’ HERE

Produced by Greg Freeman (Portico Quartet, Peter Gabriel, Amy Winehouse) and recorded with an incredible band featuring Rob Pemberton (drums, percussion, synth, backing vocals), Lukas Drinkwater (bass, guitars, backing vocals), Pete Roe (guitars, keys, backing vocals), Misha Law and Emily Hall (strings), ‘A Dark Murmuration of Words’ searches for the invisible connections that shape a rapidly shifting modern world. Recorded at StudiOwz in Pembrokeshire, Wales, the album is a timelyexploration of climate change, racism, sexism, and myths of economic progress through the lens of what it means to return “home.”

Emily draws connections between the familial, the local, and the global: a mother sings to her unborn child, asking for its forgiveness on “Strange Weather”; ‘When Stars Cannot Be Found’ explores the humbleness and comfort of the night sky when far away from home. Other highlights include the nostalgic ‘Return Me’, the gloriously defiant ‘Machine’ and the effortless album closer ‘Sonogram’.

‘A Dark Murmuration of Words’ Tracklisting:

1. Return Me
2. Geography
3. The Woman Who Planted Trees
4. Where Have The Sparrows Gone?
5. Strange Weather
6. Machine
7. When Stars Cannot Be Found
8. Ordinary
9. Any More Goodbyes
10. Sonogram

Emily’s last album ‘Sweet Kind of Blue’ was recorded at Sam Phillips Recording Service in Memphis with Grammy-winning producer Matt Ross-Spang (Jason Isbell, Margo Price). The success of the album and the globe-trotting tours to support it helped land Emily the accolade of UK Artist of the Year at the 2018 UK Americana Awards held at Hackney Empire in London. She is perhaps best known as the writer and performer of the award-winning theme to BBC crime drama Wallander starring Kenneth Branagh. She has released music as a solo artist as well as with various bands including The Red Clay Halo, Vena Portae and Applewood Road and has written for film, including composing her first feature film soundtrack (for Jake Gavin’s lauded debut feature Hector starring Peter Mullan and Keith Allen).

www.emilybarker.com