We are delighted to announce the release of our new compilation album 'Another Time, Another Place'.
Featuring 15 original tracks from lesser known and under the radar artists and bands the album is available for free streaming or download on Bandcamp.
Agent Starling are Quentin Budworth (hurdy-gurdy) and Lou Loudhailer (voices & other instruments). Their debut album, 'European Howl' releases on all the usual digital outlets on 4th May 2021. Pre-release is available now on Bandcamp (follow the link at the foot of this article).
Quentin and Lou both have strong musical provenance. Lou was originally in prophetic indie band Red Guitars and has gigged and recorded ever since, heading up psychedelic rock band Loudhailer Electric Company. Originally part of Suns of Arqa, Quentin is the force behind world fusion medieval rave band Celtarabia, also featuring Lou on bass. He spent the year before lockdown touring Europe meeting with other top hurdy-gurdy players exchanging tunes, techniques and experiences. Celtarabia usually play the alternative festival circuit throughout the summer, but due to lockdown restrictions on live music, Lou and Quentin joined forces to create Agent Starling and record 'European Howl'. Recorded in the first three months of 2021, 'European Howl' is full of catchy hurdy-gurdy tunes, new songs, hypnotic drones, live bass grooves and strings, all with an experimental edge. The album also features Dexter Duffy-Howard on violin and cello. The 'European Howl' album is influenced by musical traditions from nations across Europe. A mix of instrumental pieces, spoken word and songs, themes range from a miscellany of Greek Tales ('Wine Dark Sea'), an elegy by a dying lover ('Requiem') to 'Helicopter Arms', inspired by the glorious gurdy tune at the heart of the song. 'Delores County Ride' is a tribute to the women who hop trains in Arno Bitschy’s film 'This Train I Ride', and the album’s title track is an ode to being European, a call for connection in today’s isolationist climate. Keep up to date with all the latest Agent Starling news at:
Jo Beth Young (formerly known as Talitha Rise) releases new single ‘Mechanical Ballerina’ on Friday, 2nd April 2021.
The song is taken from the soundtrack of ‘A Doll’s House 20/20’ film which is a contemporary lockdown adaptation of Henrik Ibsen’s play ‘A Doll’s House’ by Philadelphian photographer and author Kyle Cassidy. The film is currently running online until 9th April and will be out on Amazon later this year. Jo Beth was approached about 'A Doll’s House 20/20' very late on in the project by Kyle Cassidy whose photography and documentation work has become renowned through his ongoing work with artists such as Amanda Palmer. Originally thinking to use online stock music, Kyle who was creating a Kickstarter for the film, decided to ask Jo Beth if she would be interested in lending some already written pieces to it in the first instance, feeling that the worst thing she could say was no. However as they worked together, the project evolved into her creating a totally original soundtrack just for the film. With only 2 weeks to the press deadline, she made the soundtrack alone in her cottage/studio in 2 to 4 days, improvising the emotion to each character. Jo Beth says: “Creating the soundtrack for 'A Doll’s House' has been a brilliant challenge as well as an honour to work along side Kyle Cassidy having been such a fan of his work for some years. 'Mechanical Ballerina' is written from the position of the main character Nora, and her plight out of a rather ‘Stepford Wives’ mechanical existence. The play was really ahead of its time with feminist themes I think many can relate to today; how we can fit into programmed roles or numb out of reality/relationship power balances. I originally wrote the instrumental first and then Kyle said ‘wouldn’t it be great to have a song?’. We were running out of time, so I wrote and recorded the song in 2 hours and with the help of Jules Bangs (bass), Matt Blackie (beats) and Kev Bolus (mixing/mastering) working on it afterwards we managed to pull together something at lightning speed. To work with Kyle and all the incredibly talented cast and crew from across the Atlantic has been utterly inspiring. I don’t think I could have put this together quickly if I wasn’t feeling genuinely connected and moved by the project and performances. I’ve certainly cried at some scenes in particular over and again but I won’t spoil it by saying which ones”. The new single will be available on all major streaming platforms but will also include a special release on her music glue website (as a digital deluxe version which includes a bonus unreleased track from the film ‘Endless Ephemeral’). Hull band, The Gold Needles are delighted to have contributed 2 tracks to a new album, 'JEM Records Celebrates John Lennon'.
Recorded during the early days of Summer 2020, JEM Records artists took to the studio to record their unique interpretations of John Lennon's compositions. From the early Beatles days of 'I Call Your Name' to the final recordings of '(Just Like) Starting Over' this record is the culmination of decades of love of Beatles and Lennon songs. The cover is a reproduction of Al Hirschfeld's 'Lennon at Home'. Sleeve notes have been provided by Beatles expert, Ken Womack. The Gold Needles are the only U.K. band to appear on the album and are proud to represent Kingston Upon Hull. Their 2 tracks are 'No Reply' and a mash up of 'Hey Bulldog' / 'Cold Turkey' The album is being released on 9th October 2020 which would have been John's 80th Birthday. Profits from the album are being donated to New Jersey charity, Light Of Day Foundation, which has many famous supporters including Michael J Fox and Bruce Springsteen. In fact one of Bruce's last live outings was a fundraiser for this Parkinsons Disease charity. Full track listing: 1. The Weeklings - 'The Word' 2. The Midnight Callers - 'Child Of Nature' 3. The Midnight Callers - 'Jealous Guy' 4. The Grip Weeds - 'You Can't Do That' 5. Johnathan Pushkar - '(Just Like) Starting Over' 6. The Gold Needles - 'No Reply' 7. Richard Barone - 'Revolution' / 'Power To The People' 8. The Grip Weeds - 'Strawberry Fields Forever' 9. The Midnight Callers - 'It Won't Be Long' 10. The Anderson Council - 'I Found Out' 11. The Gold Needles - 'Cold Turkey' / 'Hey Bulldog' 12. Johnathan Pushkar - 'I Call Your Name' 13. The Weeklings - 'What's The New Mary Jane?' For more information about the new album go to JEM Records website at http://www.jemrecordings.com. |
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