Blue Rose Code - Sam Vance-Law - Elijah James And The Nightmares
Blue Rose Code - Love Is... (feat. Julie Fowlis).Background - Blue Rose Code, aka acclaimed singer-songwriter Ross Wilson, unveils the first cut from his forthcoming new album, The Water Of Leith (out 27th October on Navigator Records). ‘Love Is…’ - a duet with the multi-award winning folk singer and multi-instrumentalist, Julie Fowlis, talks of ideals and anticipation.
Love will save us,
Love will save us,
They say love will save us all -
So, what you waiting for?
A nomad both geographically and musically, Ross writes from the heart eschewing any specific genre and the twelve new songs on The Water Of Leith, addressing themes of love, loss, travel, home, accepting the past and embracing the future, are painted with colours of folk, jazz, soul and pop; an eclecticism that has become a hallmark of Blue Rose Code and has seen him compared to John Martyn, Van Morrison and Tom Waits.
In the space of a few short years and the release of well-received albums North Ten, The Ballads Of Peckham Rye, and And Lo The Bird Is On The Wing, Blue Rose Code has built a growing reputation as a powerful writer and performer, gaining extensive radio play and the praise of key broadcasters. Author Ian Rankin is also a fan and has written insightful sleeve notes for the new album. Website here, Facebook here, live dates on Beehive candy's tour news page.
Although the album is not due until October, Blue Rose Code have given us a head start with the fabulous 'Love Is...' featuring Julie Fowlis whose harmonies add character to the song. Musicianship is absolutely delightful, and as a whole this two and a half minute track is a massive teaser for the album.
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Background - ‘Prettyboy’ is the debut single from Sam Vance-Law, available today on Caroline International. Produced by Konstantin Gropper (aka Get Well Soon), ‘Prettyboy’ is at its core a guitar-driven indie-up-tempo-stomper, though it changes its musical colouring multiple times, effortlessly moving from a string and piano primed introspection into a multi-voiced orchestral crescendo, before finally flowing into a smooth lightness which calls to mind The Smiths and their floating elegance.
‘Prettyboy’ is the first single to be taken from Vance-Law’s debut album ‘Homotopia’ – due In early 2018 - which tells the story of a gay man’s world in the 21st century. Smart, theoretically schooled, and armed with a wide range of feelings, Vance-Law describes the common homo-stereotypes in order to expose them.
Sam Vance-Law’s music could comfortably sit alongside the likes of John Grant, The Magnetic Fields and Father John Misty, it’s also unafraid of nodding to – among other forms – theatre, operetta and orchestral pop. Given Vance-Law’s upbringing, perhaps that’s unsurprising.
Born in Edmonton, Canada to an academic mother and journalist father, Vance-Law moved to Oxford at the age of five, where he soon joined the renowned New College Choir, juggling five services a week with violin lessons. After three unhappy years at one of the UK’s most distinguished boarding schools the family returned to Canada when he was 16. It was here that, especially once he’d begun studying English Literature at university, Vance-Law began to broaden his musical horizons, meeting the likes of Mac DeMarco, Sean Nicholas Savage and Tops’ David Carrier.
“I spent a lot of time with them and others, playing pool, biking around, working a bunch of different jobs, drinking coffees, drunkenly eating pizza at 3am and going to uni,” says Vance-Law. “That might sound laidback, but I was wholly dedicated and focussed on every one of those things.” Facebook here.
The music video for 'Prettyboy' is a joy, however the song on it's own, is exceptionally catchy and vibrant. With the debut album not due until early 2018, perhaps we can look forward to some more single material prior to the release, if not, I reckon the album will be worth the wait.
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Elijah James And The Nightmares - On A Stage (Live From Elevator Studios).Background - Elijah James And The Nightmares are an eight piece band that burst onto the Liverpool music scene in May 2017, stepping onstage for the first time together in front of a 250 capacity crowd to headline the popular venue, District. In short few months then the band have already created a buzz in the city, played Sound City Festival and in June went in the studio to record a live EP.
Live From Elevator Studios is the band's debut EP and includes four songs from their live setlist. It was recorded with Tom Roach in Elevator Studios (The Coral, Echo And The Bunnymen and The Last Shadow Puppets). The EP showcases the band as they play together, capturing the raw energy, intensity and excitement of their live sound. With the accompaniment of Violin (Emily Claire), Tenor Horn (Rachel Notrahw), Clarinet and Saxophone (James Cudworth) the EP ranges from climactic builds to luscious sweeps, this atop of Elijah’s intricately crafted songs creates a dynamic four track EP.
"In terms of writing these songs, I’ve been taking on more of a storytelling role, creating characters and worlds in which the songs explore opposed to being totally autobiographical. I think the songs we chose to perform for this EP achieves a good balance between the two.’’- Elijah James
Elijah James And The Nightmares are hosting a launch for Live From Elevator Studios EP at Studio2 Parr Street in the bands hometown of Liverpool on Friday September 8th, with support from popular and highly anticipated ‘Horrible Pop’ four piece Shy Billy and alt/rock band The Mono LPs. Website here, Facebook here.
If you like this first taste of the EP, then I can confirm that another song/video is due out this coming Friday. 'On A Stage' is a fabulous song, where the band are full of passion and provide a high quality backdrop for some distinct and commanding vocals.
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