CloudwatcherUno welcomes you to this website showcasing a range of singer songwriters on a podcast for music lovers. Check out the music blog for more videos, photographs and live music reviews. Listen on the Blog, Apple, Spotify and Google podcast. The definite destination for music fans across the globe.
Tareq. Remember his name it’s going to be all over the cosmos. A true musical genius. His latest album “Prints” was released on 18th July 2020 and it showcases Tareq’s unique musical gifts, sounds and production. A masterpiece of harmonies, orchestral notes, collaborations and birdsong. All conceived in the mind of an artist who has produced the most mature, emotional, raw and honest album in his career.
In this podcast we talk about producing an album from demos to the finished article in lockdown and how artists such as Tareq have had to adapt to this new reality and have come out the other side by producing music that is genuinely thrilling and hooks it’s audience with it’s beats and bass lines.
We get to hear the title single ‘Upside Down’ and his last single ‘One’ ~ remixed by Silverhook. Tareq talks about how the ideas for this song and others that have been built on the foundation of lyrics that are metaphors for the human condition. Love, life, bittersweet optimism and upbeat instrumentals combine to produce beautifully crafted songs.
Tareq’s new single ‘Upside Down’ from the album ‘Prints’ available on all streaming platforms. Artwork by @milky_crafts
I was lucky enough to listen to the album before general release and I quickly became obsessed with all the tracks. From the opening ‘Vertigo’s Effect’ which is a true cinematic soundtrack and feels like the marriage of ‘Blade Runner’ and ‘Escape From New York’ through to his collaborations with artists such as Sarah P on Cross Bones, Natasha Bofiliou on ‘Lift Me Up’ and Sam Rag Da on ‘Five More Minutes’ this is an artist at the top of his game and producing music that is equal parts lightness and darkness.
Tareq ~ Photograph by @jannis_tomic
The album strives for a balance between sadness and happiness in each track. There are many tracks that are my favourite on this album. One especially is ‘OK’ with lines such as ‘How could I forget your face when you have so many?’ The craft of songwriting is alive and well in this digital age.
Tareq ~ Photograph by @georgeraniosphotography
Four tracks on the album were written during lockdown and Tareq produced all of it within a month. The result is a an album that you will be playing over and over again. Hypnotic songs like ‘Road To Somewhere’ and ‘No Time Land’ and will have permeated your consciousness and you’ll need to hear to get another fix of those vibrant melodies and haunting lyrics.
Tareq’s – last single ‘One’ ~ Silverhook Remix
Click down below to hear the podcast from CloudwatcherUno featuring Tareq. Also available on Apple podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts and many other platforms.
Lady Nade is a singer-songstress par excellence. With a smooth velveteen voice she creates audio magic. Pouring heart and soul into her lyrics, ever the perfectionist she has been known to take weeks to craft the perfect song. Lady Nade feels a responsibility to be a voice to those who’ve experienced lifes battles and have come out the other side.
‘Heart Beats Strong’ by Lady Nade
In this podcast we talk about using her voice to send a message to the audience to pay attention and respect the artist and their craft. You would never speak through a movie or the theatre then why do some ticket paying ‘fans’ feel the urge to talk over the live music experience and ruin it for those who are there to listen to these beautifully crafted songs?
Lady Nade performs an exclusive unreleased performance of her song ‘Josette’ which is being played acoustically for this podcast. It forms part of three albums that Lady Nade is working on during these pandemic times. Yes you read that right three albums one of which is an EP another with Ivor Novello songwriter. It seems that Lady Nade is thriving in these strangest of times.
Lady Nade photograph by Josette Bush
Lady Nade gives thanks to the essential work of The Musicians Union which have been supporting artists through these Covid-19 times and feeding body and soul so that the music we love can still be made. On Saturday 18th July 2020 Lady Nade will be giving back by performing in Sheffield for The Musicians Union – Summer Of Live Online Festival.
Click down below to hear the podcast from CloudwatcherUno featuring Lady Nade. Also available on Apple podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts and many other platforms.
Audriix is a musical whirlwind, an extrordinary combination of raw talent honed to perfection to produce pop music with an edge and hypnotic melodies. Her anthem is her song ‘Stampede’ which has 73,580 plays on Spotify alone. The song comes from her 2019 album release Status Change which was produced in LA.
In this podcast we talk about her journey from the age of three playing it seems every known instrument to mankind and mastering piano, viola, guitar and drums alongside training that stunning voice giving her the foundation to sing those epic choruses. As Audriix says her self when she sings in front of audiences who may not know her music by the end of her songs she will have hooked you in so that you’ll be able to sing along to her songs. Audriix performs two of her songs acoustically in this podcast ‘Stampede’ and ‘Ace of Spades’.
In this podcast we speak about how it’s been nearly a year since we met when Audriix opened for the pop duo sisters Aly & AJ on their European tour. And what an amazing journey she’s been on since then, releasing her album and a whole lot of instrumental and acoustic singles from their notably ‘Red Flag’ and ‘Bandit’.
We talk about her love for musical theatre of the drama and powerful songs from musicals such as ‘Phantom of The Opera’ and ‘Wicked’ through to the Disney films ‘Frozen’ and ‘Frozen 2’ and how the lyrics and songs have inspired her to produce monumental pieces of music to capture audience hearts and minds.
We also talk about the #metoo movement and what you have to do to be taken seriously as a female artist within the industry. And how to inspire the generations that are growing up now and showing them a positive and fiercely independent role model that they can look up to. For all the latest news about Audriix go follow her website Audriix.com
Click down below to hear the podcast from CloudwatcherUno featuring Audriix. Also available on Apple podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts and many other platforms.
Ned Roberts lives and breathes music especially folk music, he’s a phenomenal lyricist and his music makes you transcend this world and travel into a world of acoustic harmonies layered with warmth and soul.
In this podcast Ned and I talk about how he crafts his songs, what inspires him to make to create the music he plays, launching an album in these pandemic times and how he is inspired from the great folk artists of the 60’s and 70’s to produce music that is uniquely his.
With Ned Roberts at The Lexington in 2018
Ned performs two songs acoustically on the podcast ‘The Songbird’ from his latest album ‘Dream Sweetheart’ and ‘Sketch’ from his first self titled album ‘Ned Roberts’
‘The Songbird’ by Ned Roberts. I love this song so much it gives me goose bumps every time I hear it and to have Ned play this live on the podcast was totally amazing.
One of the key influences in Ned’s journey in music has to be friend and producer Luther Russell who brought Ned over to Los Angeles to record his first two albums. Having that support was instrumental in shaping Ned’s music. Bob Dylan has also had a major impact in shaping Ned’s music and its important to recognise how on a cellular level we absorb the way certain artists and albums have lived their music and their lives through the songs they have brought to life.
We talk about what makes a song special and how it can resonate with audiences. And his love for performing live and the strange world that artists find themselves in by performing to a virtual audience. Ned’s first livestream is happening on 2nd July 2020 on Facebook at 8.30pm GMT
For Ned Roberts the future is an undiscovered country but one which he is happy to explore.
Click down below to hear the podcast from CloudwatcherUno featuring Ned Roberts. Also available on Apple podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts and many other platforms.
Sara Douga is The Pistol and The Pistol is Sara Douga. A phenomenal country artist from Southwest Louisiana who moved to Nashville but hasn’t lost her Cajun roots. An artist ready to show the music capitol that this country artist has the blues running through her veins and delivers lyrics with a stunning voice and unique sound. Whispering Bob Harris, legendary country BBC radio host said “Her music defines 3 chords and the truth”.
Collaborating with country heroes such as Jim Lauderdale and Lane Mack has opened up new experiences for Sara with other legendary singers and songwriters. In this podcast Sara sings the acoustic versions of two songs, the first is ‘I’ll Forgive You If You Don’t’ and and an exclusive first performance anywhere of Sara’s collaboration with Jay Knowles of an unreleased song.
With Sara at Bush Hall, October 2018. The first time that I got to see The Pistol perform.
That collaboration with Jim Lauderdale also led to Sara performing on stage at The Grand Ole Opry. Next time she’ll be performing not as a guest but as a star in her own right. We talk about her passion for singing and songwriting from the age of 8 and how in high school Sara had already written all the songs for her debut album ‘Boots, Bras and Drawers’.
Before that was released Sara spent time playing with the lead singer from the Cajun Band ‘High Performance’. And it was while playing with Jamie Beard at a private event that she met the love of her life.
Fast forward years later and the whole family have moved to Nashville providing the support and love that lets Sara focus on her music, and this has led her to perform at The Bluebird Cafe.
The first album by Sara ‘Boots, Bras and Drawers’released in 2018
On 26th June 2020 Sara releases her brand new 3 track EP ‘Lines’ with ‘Fair Warning’, Playbook and Lines. For Sara her next goal is to be signed to a bigger label and publishing deals so that she can share her songs with a wider audience.
Sara Douga performing on her livestream.
Sara has many projects, song collaborations and new music coming out towards the end of the year and February 2021. One song. to look out for is Joe and Gin towards October 2020 with back vocals from the one and only legendary Melanie Cannon.
Sara Douga is ready to entertain you with her smokin hot vocals, killer hooks and timeless lyrics. Go do your ears a favour and open your heart and listen.
Sara Douga’s new EP ‘Lines’ is released on 26th June 2020 ~ Photograph @NomadSoulPhoto
Click down below to hear the podcast from CloudwatcherUno featuring Sara Douga ~ The Pistol. Also available on Apple podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts and many other platforms.
I first saw Scott Nicholls play live last year at Camden Chapel. I was blown away with his performance and thought who is this artist? I need to know more. So I’ve been following his adventures through social media and his growing following as an artist. In 2020 he’s released ‘On Fire’, ‘Wild World’, ‘Cinderella’ and his latest single ‘Humble and Kind’ his version of the Lori McKenna classic.
In this podcast we talk about doing livestreams for a virtual audience and how much it means for an artist to feel the buzz and energy from being on stage and performing. Scott performs his next single to be released ‘More Than Love Is Me’ and ‘Humble and Kind’.
We talk about how love influences his songs and the way that you can’t produce music without it. We then talk about his experience of being a travelling musician on tour with Deanna Wheeler and her band with New Akansans.
We also talk about our love of vinyl and how it is such a special medium in capturing the voice and connecting you with an artist and giving you those goosebumps when you hear a song live.
With Scott Nicholls at Camden Chapel ~ Photograph by Matt Bradshaw
On Saturday 11th July 2020 you can see Scott featured as one of the upcoming acts on Dixie Fields Streamed where he performs his version of Wild World. Check out the video he shot with his producer in Bushey Park, Richmond.
Click down below to hear the podcast from CloudwatcherUno featuring Scott Nicholls. Also available on Apple podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts and many other platforms.
CloudwatcherUno presents the first podcast for this blog with Pete Jackson who weaves his magic with words and guitar to produce something special. This will be the first season of podcasts and in this podcast Pete talks about his passion to tell his stories, whether they be of romance or revolution will make you sit up and take notice of this extraordinary musician.
Pete Jackson
In the conversation that we have we will explore what makes and drives an artist like Pete to make the music that he does and why he continues to strive to release music that matters.
Live in conversation with Pete Jackson
Pete also performs two of his songs live and acoustically ‘With You’ from his album ‘Two Birds’ and his latest release ‘Better Not To’. That first song is what brought Pete’s music onto my radar, I loved the lyrics and have played it on repeat. As Pete says speaking about his songs you’re not sure what songs will connect you with an audience and if listening to an older track brings you to the new music that artist is releasing than thats a great result.
I was over the moon that Pete dedicated this live performance to me during the podcast. His second performance is of ‘Better Not To’ which he dedicates to his friend Phoebe. A word of caution don’t fall in love with your best friend.
In the moment, Pete Jackson singing his latest song ‘Better Not To’
Going forward Pete is looking forward on releasing four to five songs throughout the rest of the year rather than an EP or a dedicated album so that the focus can then be on these songs and they can take can live of their own rather than compete against other songs on an album.
For me this first podcast has been exhilarating and the combination of nervous energy and adrenaline of chatting with Pete was so much fun.
I hope you take the time and enjoy the conversation and songs that make Pete Jackson an extraordinary musical storyteller.
Click down below to hear the first podcast from CloudwatcherUno featuring Pete Jackson. Also available on Apple podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts and many other platforms.
CloudwatcherUno Podcast #1 Pete Jackson (14th June 2020)
Once in a while, a voice stops you dead in your tracks. The voice goes deep into your musical should and stops you cold. You look around to see if you have left this reality or have gone into another realm. I heard Eric Burton’s voice coupled with Adrian Quesada’s guitar on ‘Colors’ last year on Spotify and I must have played that track multiple, multiple times. It brought me immense pleasure and happiness to be moved by this deep, rich totally immersive sound. It was as if I had discovered an unknown treasure from the seventies one that had escaped the notice of all the music that has since passed.
There is an urgency in Eric’s voice a message that needs to be delivered to your heart bypassing your mind. It needs to open up that part of you that has become worn down by the relentless grey that is modern existence.
On 7th February 2020 at Islington Assembly Hall, London the Black Pumas continued with their Black Moon Rising tour they came and performed their music onto an audience who had travelled across the globe to hear them play. As far as Venezuela to Spain fans had travelled to experience in person the music of this incredible band.
From the first opening chords of ‘Old Man’ the Black Pumas gripped the audience and a wave of positivity, warmth and electricity flowing through the concert venue which went through each and every fan. We knew this was special that this was a night to say afterwards that we had seen the Black Pumas live. Lets not forget that the Black Pumas are a duo and the other half of that duo is Adrian Quesada and without his guitar and the almighty power he wields with that instrument there would not be those delicious hooks and riffs to thrill and excite your senses.
Hearing the album the self titled ‘Black Pumas’ you are transported to a world full of funkadelic soul, pulsing electronic heartbeats of bass with hypnotic beats. When you hear this music live in concert the effect is magnified a thousand fold sending shivers down your spine. Your feet can’t help but move along to the rhythms of the music.
The whole atmosphere at the audience was electric, sending positive energy back to the band by singing the words to each and every song. And then Eric stepped it up another level by singing ‘Fire’ into the crowd itself. Surrounded by fans the whole audience went estactic.
What a show, a performance from the band that easily rates as being in the top ten live experiences I’ve been to. Well worth the wait of all these past months to a glimpse of the mercurial talents of these exceptional musicians. It’s no wondered Black Pumas were nominated for a Grammy this year for Best New Artist.
Of course it didn’t as the band came back to an uproarious encore when Eric asked the crowd if they wanted to hear another song? The crowd erupted with a almighty ‘YESSSSSS’ and so Eric sang an acoustic version of the Beatles classic ‘Eleanor Rigby’.
‘Eleanor Rigby’ perfomed by Black Pumas.
Then this evening of supreme came to an end. We had witnessed music in it’s purest form connecting us not only with the artists but with each of us who were in the venue.
As if the night couldn’t get any better Eric then launched into a cover of Tracey Chapman’s ‘Fast Car’ a sublime mix of soulful vocals and words to connect with the audiences souls.
‘Fast Car’ performed live by Eric Burton from Black Pumas at Islington Assembly Hall, London on 7th February 2020. Video by Renato Ramone.
What next for the Black Pumas? They are currently on a path that is leading them to be interstellar. For now I can say that I was there at ground zero seeing them lift off on career that will take them into the stars.
‘Bluebird, Blue Flew by caught my eye and I fell in love with blue Don’t know what to do Sweet song lead me on I just wanna follow you.’
‘Bluebird’ by Dawn Landes.
Harking back to the best of country and bluegrass, Dawn Landes follows in the tradition of Hank Williams and Jimmy Driftwood. On 7th December 2019 Dawn Landes performed at The Grace, London and brought with her the echoes of those musical heroes on a grey night. A voice that carries you to a land of harmonies, love and laughter.
Songs that evoke feelings of the open road, travelling across wide open skies, the joys of whiskey and the downfalls of that mercurial liquor. Fleeting memories of heartbreak brought vividly to life on stage by an artist whose dextrous finger picking skills on the guitar are sublime.
Dawn sang songs from ‘Bluebird’ and ‘Meet Me at the River’ starting with the title track ‘Bluebird’, ‘Keep on Moving’, ‘Bodyguard’, ‘What Will I Do’, and ‘Wind and Rain’ which is a stunning song about the effects of the elements not just on the landscape but as a metaphor on the eternal battles that swirl within us all.
The song that brought Dawn to my attention was ‘What Is The Color Of The Soul Of Man’. A song about the politics of colour, race and belonging. An extraordinary song considering it’s origins are from the 1960’s. A time of racial upheaval which still continues to be felt now sixty years later.
This was followed by ‘How To Say “I Love You”‘ and ‘Why They Name Whiskey After Men’. A real show stopper was when Down took off her right shoe to sing ‘I’m Your Mamma’ acapella and create the percussion elements of the song by stamping her feet and her thighs. A truly original way of bringing the song to life and using her own body to be the instruments!
Dawn ended the evening with two songs the first was the classic ‘Lost Highway’ a phenomenal performance which showcased Dawn’s vocal abilities and kept the hearts and minds of the audience captivated.
The final song was ‘Silent Night’ which Dawn performed had only recently added to the setlist. This was the second time that I had heard this sung by an american artist that week. The first had been by Sarah Darling at Union Chapel and now again in a smaller venue but one no less potent or sung with such emotion.
I had been waiting to hear Dawn sing her songs and perform live for more than a year. Now meeting Dawn in person was an absolute pleasure and was the perfect way to end a year of seeing live music and supporting artists from a music genre that is thriving and brings to life a feeling of love and genuine affection from fans from this grey island.
With Dawn Landes at The Grace, London on 7th December 2019.
‘Blue skies smiling at me. Nothing but blue skies. Do I see Bluebirds? Singing a song nothing but Bluebirds all day long.’
Signed album from Dawn Landes at The Grace, London.
When angels visit us, we do not hear the rustle of wings, nor feel the feathery touch of the breast of a dove; but we know their presence by the love they create in our hearts. It was billed as the concert to end all Christmas concerts, something for the history books, a point in time forever etched onto the minds of those who were there.
When Sarah Darling stepped onto the Union Chapel stage on 2nd December 2019 no one could have predicted the joy and happiness that erupted and burst through the winter gloom that had started to grip the capital city.
Opening the evenings entertainment with ‘Where Cowboys Ride’ this ode to the frontiersmen of the west which has over 3 million plays on Spotify exemplified all the best of Sarah’s vocal talents. Backed by her band of brothers the song carried you away to those open skies where horses run and prairie landscapes.
England and more specifically London has been the second home for the Iowan native who has spent so much time touring these isles that when she returns to Nashville friends believe she has an English accent. You know that Sarah has turned native when she sings about the weather, a national obsession for anyone who lives on this emerald isle.
Sarah’s songs such as ‘Blue Sky’ and ‘London Fog’ dramatically conjure up all those feelings associated by being in wide open spaces with azure blue skies and the silvery dusky fog that still settles in London mornings.
Having acted as her own warm up act Sarah introduced Jamie Lawson a phenomenal singer songwriter who was the first artist to signed up to Ed Sheeran’s Gingerbread Man Records. Singing ‘I wasn’t expecting That’ and ‘Hallelujah’ he blew away the crowd with his passion and intensity of delivery to produce a stunning performance.
Now this evening was beginning to look like we had been transported a million miles away to the Grand Ole Opry. Where rising stars of country perform to showcase their unique contribution to the pantheon of country legends that had stepped on stage before them.
The answer to that came in shape of new songs that Sarah had been working on in Los Angeles and the Campfire Sessions. ‘Hungover’, ‘Waves’ ‘Drive away with You’ and ‘Leave the Pieces’
After an intermission Sarah came back onstage in a new sparkly black dress which shimmered in the lights. This was not the only thing that sparkled as Sarah introduced the sister duo Ward Thomas onto the stage to sing three songs ‘Landslide’, ‘River’ and her new single also featuring Ward Thomas ‘Divide’.
Ward Thomas were simply divine and the harmonies that they produced with Sarah on these songs weer breathtaking. It was my first time hearing and seeing Ward Thomas perform and I am forever grateful to Sarah for this gift. Truly the evening was one musical gift after another especially with the three guest star artists that had performed this night.
Then as this was a Christmas concert Sarah sang such Christmas hits as ‘Santa Baby’, ‘Have yourself a Merry little Christmas’, ‘Winter Wonderland’ and ‘Silent Night’. Now when Sarah sang this last song she did so unplugged and acoustically. What better venue to sing ‘Silent Night’ then at Union Chapel. The audience were silent, all were mesmerised by the pure sound coming from the angel praising the birth of Christ.
Sarah left the stage to rapturous applause from the audience. What an extraordinary night had been enjoyed by all who were lucky enough to attend. Would there be anything else left for Sarah to showcase?
The answer came when Sarah appeared on stage again and delivered two more songs ‘Monmatre’ and Hailey’s Comet’. ‘Monmatre’ is Sarah’s love song to the city of love, Paris. It exquisitely captures the essence and magic of that eternal beacon of romance.
What a way to end the nights performance than with this song. A once in a lifetime natural phenomenon that lights up the universe with its fiery approach emblazoned across the night sky.
Sarah lit up the sky’s tonight with her whole soul. A messenger from the Heavens, a traveller from Nashville, tonight heralded the return of the native. The musician who belongs to two cities but who had captured the heart of London this night and every night.
CloudwatcherUno PLAY.LISTEN.ENJOY. 