Editors' Picks

Nashville based country star Michaela Anne was part of the lineup of the AmericanaFest, which took part in London this week.

This week we caught up with Alt Rock/Grunge band Slothrust at the Deaf Institute in Manchester, Wednesday 23rd.

After a few listens to Revelation, most listeners can find that the album does not always follow the pure reggae sound, as it is influenced by other genres, and hence results in a very unique sound. The work of Lee “Scratch” Perry is one of its own, with no similar record we can compare it to.

The Darkness is a british hard rock band, influenced by the glam-rock genre in their usage of distorted guitars, power chords, blazing solos and a focus on the vocal side of the music in most of their pieces.

The talented singer, songwriter and producer, has released a new single titled “Anybody out There” as of the 7th December. The song features strong themes of love, and other people’s company, sometimes even what happens when these things are missing.

White Lies, the post-punk English band, known for the successful “To Lose my Life” record, and their follow-up “Ritual.”, have very recently released a new single for their upcoming album “Five”, expected to be released on February, 2019.

South African groove-rockers' concept album tells the story of life over the last two years as one of their country’s hardest working bands.

The Australian country star Morgan Evans is increasing his traction obtained by his acclaimed record “Things that we drink to”, released in October 2018, with a series of new intimate sets called “Highway 1 Sessions.” The song “Young Again” was released as of 5 Dec 2018. 

Last week, the well-known British alternative rock band released their third studio album after a couple of months teasing the aesthetic and some singles from the album on their social media.

During their latest tour, we caught up with the popular roots-rock sisters, Larkin Poe. On a cold Wednesday night in Islington, it soon became clear there was heated interest in the rock duo with the length of the queue alone; it was also quite an impressive venue too!

It’s been half a decade since 1990s grunge icons Alice In Chains (AIC) released an album. But, as with most good things in life, it’s absolutely worth the wait. And as a reward for our patience, the band has given us another music video, this time for their track Never Fade.

In this exclusive interview, we ask Bailey Tomkinson & The Locals to dive into the inspiration behind the latest single, "Chrysalis," and how it symbolises a personal journey of transformation. Bailey opens up about her creative process, the joys of collaborating with renowned producer Ian Barter, and how her evolution from solo artist to band leader has shaped her sound. She also reflects on what it means to be compared to iconic artists like Taylor Swift and Daisy Jones & The Six, while staying true to her roots in Cornwall's vibrant "Kernowfornia" music scene. From performing at major festivals to intimate gigs, Bailey shares the magic of live shows and what fans can expect from The Locals' upcoming performance.

With her signature Oklahoma twang and gripping storytelling, Kaitlin Butts has been steadily gaining momentum in the country music scene, amassing millions of monthly listeners on Spotify and earning praise from critics who believe she deserves even greater recognition. Rolling Stone describes her latest album as "unafraid to test boundaries."

This summer, she took the stage at major festivals like Lollapalooza and Under the Big Sky, and is currently touring the U.S. with Dierks Bentley. Next week, she’s set to join Flatland Cavalry for a UK tour. I caught up with Kaitlin to delve deeper into her journey and what’s next. Also, listen below.

The internationally acclaimed vocal ensemble, House Gospel Choir, is celebrating a decade of groundbreaking music with the release of their highly anticipated second album. Leading the charge is the uplifting and soulful track "GLOW," featuring collaborations with Rudimental and Afronaut Zu. Released today, August 9th, under the newly launched label Swear Down Music by the Choir's founder and Creative Director, Natalie Maddix, "GLOW" exemplifies the group's signature blend of beats and bass with powerful vocal harmonies.

Venbee is an up-and-coming singer-songwriter whose dance and electronic music, with drum and bass influences, has appealed to millions of listeners. Venbee's breakthrough single "Messy In Heaven" achieved several prominent positions on UK charts and became a hit on the UK dance music scene, spending fifteen weeks at No. 1 on the UK Dance Singles Chart. More recently, she was nominated for a 2024 Brit Award and has accumulated over 200 million streams on Spotify.

Performing at this year's Beat-Herder Festival in the penultimate slot before Sunday's headline act on the main stage, Giz from Music Talkers had the chance to chat with her backstage. Watch the full interview below.

"Love War" marks Fiaa Hamilton's debut as a fully-formed artist. Set against a backdrop of dramatic, full-intensity electro-tinged pop, her voice exudes a finesse that instantly feels like an old favorite. With a compelling backstory, Fiaa has plenty of tales to tell.

Cassa Jackson is an independent artist who demonstrates that rising artists can carve out a name for themselves and achieve significant success without major backing. With 15 million streams under her belt and notable performances at venues like Wembley Arena, as well as opening for The Jacksons, things are certainly looking up for the artist. With a new single just released, I caught up with Cassa to ask her a few more questions.

Harleymoon Kemp, a fixture in the UK country music scene, has roots in a renowned musical lineage. Her father, Martin, is known as a member of Spandau Ballet, and her godfather was the late George Michael. Despite these connections, she modestly remains firmly grounded in her country roots. Today, she unveils her newest single, 'What Good Looks Like'. 

Today, Maya Lane unveils her latest folk-pop infused single, 'Heart for a Heart,' marking another milestone in her career. Positioned as the UK's answer to the illustrious pop/country crossover stars of the US, Lane has been steadily carving her path in the industry. With her music already gracing the airwaves of BBC Radio 1 and earning accolades from major press outlets, she has proven herself as a force to be reckoned with. With these achievements in mind, we seized the opportunity to delve deeper into Lane's artistry and aspirations in an interview.

Millie Manders and The Shutup, the cross-genre punk phenomenon, are gearing up for a season of music releases and live performances. Ahead of their double AA-side 7” single release and UK tour, culminating in a highly-anticipated London gig on May 16th, we caught up with Millie Manders to delve deeper into their upcoming projects and plans.

Karley Scott Collins has recently unveiled her newest single, "Marlboro Reds". Building on this latest release, she unmistakably infuses this country tune with a rockier edge, fuelled by her soulful and gritty energy. Hailing from Florida, she has earned a spot in CMT’s Next Women of Country Class of 2024, solidifying her status as one of the most promising emerging female artists. As Karley gears up for her upcoming European tour next month, including a debut at the C2C Festival, we were intrigued to learn more about her artistic journey.

Corey Kent, originally from Oklahoma and now based in Texas, is a rising star in the country music scene. With over 625 million career streams and a Platinum selling status, Kent is gathering momentum with both industry insiders and fans alike. In 2023, he earned recognition as a CMT Listen Up Artist and was named a Pandora Artist to Watch. He also secured spots in The Opry Next Stage Class of 2023 and the Sirius XM Class of 2022. His impressive achievements include a nomination for the AIMP Nashville Country Awards in the category of AIMP Rising Artist-Writer of the Year.

KillerStar seamlessly merges elements of modern and classic rock to craft a distinctive sound characterized by sophisticated harmonies, infectious hooks, and hints of art rock. Their latest album showcases a collection of unforgettable tracks that marry crunchy guitars with layered synths, gripping vocals, and dreamy harmonies.

Billboard charting Chapman Stick® artist Michael Kollwitz has recently shared his new compilation LP, "Best of Serenity," a remaster from his award-winning trilogy of "Serenity" albums.

From his early years, Owen Rivera demonstrated an innate musical gift. His extraordinary talents led him to share stages with musical stars like Jason Mraz, Mavis Staples, and Graham Nash. Astonishingly, his journey began with endorsement deals from esteemed brands like Soultone Cymbals, SJC Custom Drums, Tycoon Percussion, and Ernie Ball when he was just five years old.

Causier, a Leicester native, recently unveiled his latest single, 'So Far,' featuring his labelmate Erin LeCount. Following the release of this collaborative track, we had the opportunity to interview Causier and delve deeper into his journey as an artist.

In a fresh musical venture, two accomplished musicians, Ashley Campbell and Thor Jensen, bring their expertise across a wide range of genres, including Americana, country, bluegrass, gypsy jazz, and rock. Ashley Campbell, daughter of the legendary Glen Campbell, boasts a remarkable resume, having supported luminaries like Kris Kristofferson and The Bellamy Brothers. She also took to the stage as a part of Glen Campbell's band. With their eagerly anticipated debut album set for release in November, I had the opportunity to ask this dynamic duo some questions and delve deeper into their musical journey.

The self-proclaimed "Appalachian country soul music" band, 49 Winchester, has recently played a crucial supporting role for one of the biggest names in the country music scene, Luke Combs. Last week, I had the opportunity to connect with their frontman, Isaac Gibson, via Zoom, where he delved into various topics, such as the surge in country music's popularity in Europe and their experience touring with Luke Combs.

Originating from modest roots in the working-class regions of Wales, the Los Angeles-based artist Jamie Miller has risen to prominence as a breakthrough pop sensation, achieving remarkable international success. With just a single EP and a handful of singles to his name, he has garnered over a billion streams, with 'Here's Your Perfect' alone amassing more than 500 million streams and reaching #2 on Spotify's Global Viral chart. His talent has earned him praise from notable artists such as Sam Smith, BLACKPINK, Kelly Clarkson, P!nk, and Jennifer Hudson.

Just last week, Lucas Watt took centre stage at The Deaf Institute in Manchester for his headline show—a milestone reminiscent of his idols, such as The 1975, in their early days. Building on the success of his sold-out Gullivers Manchester headline show earlier this year, The Deaf Institute marked a significant step forward in Lucas's journey. Not only did he rise to the occasion, but he also delivered a standout performance that fostered remarkable crowd engagement and interaction.

Country singer-songwriter Tenille Arts has just finished her UK tour alongside Caylee Hammack. The Platinum-selling Canadian artist has already accumulated her fair share of accolades and has gained high visibility through singles such as “Somebody Like That,” “I Hate This,” and “Back Then, Right Now.”