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Charley Crockett at HOXTON HALL

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Charley Crockett at Hoxton Hall, London 6th May 2024

Charley Crockett graced London with his music last night in London’s Hoxton Hall. One of three dates billed as an intimate evening with the man himself. It’s a strange little venue which has roots in being a Music Hall, with two upper balconies so that the audience can get an ariel view of the act they have come to see.

Having arrived early to ensure that I got a place at the barrier (there is no barrier just a very high stage) I was greeted by his grumpy management (social skills were not their forte). Security staff were overwhelmed by the amount of fans that had arrived ‘I’ve been working here three years and I’ve never seen a line this big’. Once inside the machines being used to scan tickets didn’t work (not their fault apparently they hadn’t been given the right code).

Charley Crockett transforming London into Southern Texas

The merch on sale was cool with prices to match (especially if you wanted to buy the autographed vinyl or tour poster). Then entering the main hall you got the sense of history of the place with it’s wooden panelling and balustrades.

Charley Crockett on stage in London.

Then Charley came on stage and the audience erupted with whoops and whistles. It was so satisfying seeing Charley where he belongs on stage. I’m not sure if it was nerves or jetlag or a combination of both but the first few songs felt rushed and at times Charley started songs and abandoned them when he felt he hadn’t got them right or couldn’t remember the words. At one point he said to the crowd that he’d been ‘relying on the Blue Drifter’s too much’ and apologised for his guitar being out of tune ‘Usually it wouldn’t matter as you cant here it with the whole band’.

Charley Crockett at Hoxton Hall, London – 6th May 2024 (youtube.com)

The show came to a complete stop when a fan collapsed due to heat Charley had to come to the microphone and said ‘Even in the USA we would get someone to help the lady out’, security did eventually come but it was the fans around her who helped her with water. Afterwards Charley did hope she was well. The break seemed to have given Charley a second breath and he came back more energised.

Just a man singing honest songs about the human condition.

Charley opened with ‘Are We Lonesome Yet’ and went through his extensive back catalogue with songs such as ‘The Valley’, Of The Cottonwood Trees’, and other classics like ‘Black Jack Country Chain’, ‘Juanita’, ‘Odessa’, ‘July Jackson’, ‘Night Rider’ and ‘5 More Miles’.

The one and only Charley Crockett in London’s Hoxton Hall.

Overall Charley gave a mesmerising performance which was worth the price of admission. There were flashes of excellence, an energy that connected the artist to this London audience and flowed back onto the stage.

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CloudwatcherUno Podcast S12 Ep 9 ~ Christopher Seymore

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In this episode we get to chat with Christopher about his life, loves and music. He talks about building a community of like minded artists and how being a founding member of the Houston Honky Tonk Society is helping to bring this dream into reality.

Christopher talks about collaborating with artists such South Texas Tweek on songs such as ‘I Can Get off on You’ they first met at the Continental Club in Houston, and even tour managed Tweek while he was supporting Nick Shoulders. Christopher’s new release ‘Cheated On‘ the original song idea was Tweek’s when Christopher was over at his house for Thanksgiving and Tweek had the a killer line and then Christopher worked on the chorus and melody and after 6 or 7 months they had the final song.

“Everybody wants to be George Jones till there in the dark drinking alone”.

It’s fascinating how Christopher, as a songwriter, delves into the depths of human emotions to create compelling lyrics. His ability to tap into the essence of the human condition and express it through the power of music is truly remarkable. Through his songwriting, Christopher has the unique talent to capture the myriad of emotions that define our existence, from profound joy to deep sorrow, and everything in between. This remarkable skill enables him to connect with others on a deeply emotional level, resonating with the experiences and feelings of his audience. The art of songwriting is a profound and beautiful way for Christopher to channel and share the complexities of the human experience, touching the hearts and souls of those who listen to his music.

Old school Honkytonk and Hillbilly music is how Christopher describes his music. Over the course of twenty years Christopher has collected tattoos all over his body. His first was from Famous Gabe from Pensacola Florida at a place called Through The Moon .

Christopher Seymore

Grew up singing in Church with his family and especially on his mothers side they are a musical family. His parents and his Aunts sang to him Old Country songs and hymns in Church. He always enjoyed singing and making up stories and wasn’t completely serious about a life of music until his late teens and early twenties. In Texas and the Two-Step culture is a whole another experience to connect with the audience. A true spiritual experience, as an artist he is developing himself and the challenge is to truly show himself. It’s all about trying to make a genuine connection between artist and the audience.

Dean Dillon, George Strait and Wayne Kemp are all musical heroes to Christopher and is part of his Country education. The development of a local music scene is directly connected to the availability of mid sized venues and the loss of these venues is felt to every independent artist. Stadium venues will always survive as they can bring in the top tier artists.

“Texas is the epicentre for HonkyTonk music”.

Nowhere else does anybody play a shuffle except a Texas drummer, there’s something in the air and water that makes Texas music awesome and is an alternative to what passes for county music these days . David Miner, Nicky Diamonds, Sam Turner and the Cactus Cats, South Texas Tweek, Patrick B Ray, Nick Garza’s Get Along and Chasen Wayne are all making music there own way in Texas and it’s totally different from that polished Nashville sound. Tim Bolo, Hannah Juanita, Summer Dean, Brennen Leigh and Sterling Drake are exceptions to the this more commercialised music.

Christopher Seymore

Christopher is working on a new album and has enough material for two albums. He will be back in the studio recording albums, one album is more outlaw and darker and another album has a seventies dancehall honkytonk feel.

So listen into this fascinating podcast with Christopher Seymore and CloudwatcherUno by clicking the link below or streaming on Apple Music, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.

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CloudwatcherUno Podcast S12 Ep 8 ~ Dani-Rae Clark

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Dani-Rae Clark and CloudwatcherUno talk together on S12 Ep 8 of the podcast. Speaking from their home in Nashville. We talk about their EP ‘Notes on A Crisis’ and especially their videos ‘Ain’t It Convenient’ with their friend Producer and Videographer Max Harms in Arizona. Originally from Vancouver, Canada they would go on tour once a year and would pass through Nashville, Tennessee and fell in love with it and they would always say they were going to move to Nashville.

During the pandemic the Canadian/American border was closed but because they have a dual citizenship, they were able to cross the border with their dog. It was a liberating moment as they packed everything they could into their very old pickup truck and just drove very slowly from North Idaho. The whole road journey took a month as they drove all the back roads.

They listen to a lot of old country, gospel and soul music and doesn’t listen that much to contemporary artists and their music. When it comes to writing a song, they aren’t sure how it happens, it’s a language that she has learnt how to use without being conscious of it. They feel strongly that songs should not have filler lyrics, each song needs to be crafted in a way that says what they feel needs to be said.

They are on tour and will be travelling to Arizona to record a new album later this month at Max Harm’s studio ‘The Garage’ and you can support them through their Kickstarter. They move around a lot as an artist so will have a band/bandmates all over the place and an absolutely fabulous performance from them and ‘The Let Downs‘ can be seen in ‘Make Me a Sinner’ filmed in Vancouver. A lot of these artists will be playing on the new album including their partner who is from Nova Scotia. The song is a Queer love song and one that challenges the hypocrisy about how women’s sexuality is demonised outside a very ladylike stereotype of marriage.

To afford to go on tour and produce the new album they have five jobs to make ends meet and make the music that brings them and us joy. When writing music, it takes them a lot of solitude so that they can give it their full attention. Lately they have been writing a lot of cheesy country duets, this included Christmas songs which they hate. Despite this they wrote a song for their favourite band ‘Big Fancy & The Shiddy Cowboys’.

They take a lot of inspiration from Tammy Wynette and George Jones and especially the classic track ‘Stand By Your Man‘. They really want to have similar solid duets in the future. Tammy and George made the saddest music of all time especially in country music. Sad music has such an important part in our lives and helps us access emotions that we aren’t able to access. Music lives in a different part of our brain than other information and the way a song can instigate a feeling that we weren’t even expecting.

To hear more from Dani-Rae Clark’s conversation with CloudwatcherUno click the audio below or listen to it on Apple Music, Spotify Music or wherever you get your podcasts from.

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CloudwatcherUno Podcast S12 Ep 7 ~ Vaden Landers

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The Yodeling Country Bluesman aka Vaden Landers is the latest guest on the CloudwatcherUno Podcast. His voice takes you back to the golden era of Country Music, following in the musical footsteps of the great Hank Williams Sr.

From the hills and hollers of Eastern Tennessee emerges the incredibly talented troubadour, Vaden Landers. At the tender age of 17, Vaden Landers embarked on a nomadic exploration, traversing the American highways and railways to learn the art of a true traveler-musician.

The Yodeling Country Bluesman aka Vaden Landers

Vaden’s extraordinary talent and captivating performances have etched his name is etched into Asheville, North Carolina and into the city’s soul, creating an unforgettable legacy in its vibrant music scene. As a torchbearer of the classic country tradition, Vaden emanates authenticity, drawing audiences in with a timeless charm while infusing his music with a contemporary spark that resonates deeply with both long-time enthusiasts and new admirers. His exceptional fusion of tradition and innovation sets him apart as one of the most compelling and magnetic performers in the local music landscape.

‘Cream to my Coffee’ by Vaden Landers / Gems on VHS

Vaden’s journey, spanning the length and breath of America, carved the path for his songwriting, singing, yodeling, and picking skills. With an eclectic fusion of honky-tonk, rockabilly, folk, blues, ragtime, jazz, western swing, and old-time Appalachian influences, Vaden Landers emerges as a pioneer breathing new life into the traditional country music scene. His deep connection to the diverse landscapes and cultures of America is evident in the soulful melodies and heartfelt lyrics that characterize his music. From the raw emotion of a blues tune to the foot-stomping energy of a western swing number, Vaden Landers’ music encapsulates the spirit of adventure and the rich tapestry of experiences garnered on his travels. As he continues to evolve as an artist, it’s clear that his unique blend of influences will continue to captivate audiences and leave an indelible mark on the world of country music.

The podcast is truly a game-changer, packed with exciting upcoming news, the highly anticipated release of a new album, details about phenomenal shows, and the revelation of an upcoming tour that is set to captivate fans worldwide. Notably, the latest release “Goin’ HogWild” by Vaden is already creating quite a buzz.

‘Goin HogWild’ by Vaden Landers

Vaden Landers’ musical prowess extends far beyond the stage, as he effortlessly weaves a tapestry of sound that resonates with the depth and authenticity of a bygone era. His commitment to honoring the heritage of country music is evident in every note he plays, and his performances serve as a testament to the enduring power of tradition in a rapidly evolving musical landscape. With a commanding stage presence and a soul-stirring voice, Vaden Landers captures the essence of a time when music was raw, visceral, and deeply connected to the human experience.

Vaden Landers

In a world where trends come and go, Vaden Landers stands as a beacon of unwavering dedication to the soul-stirring melodies of classic country music. Through his evocative storytelling and masterful instrumentation, he ensures that the spirit of traditional American music lives on, captivating audiences and leaving an indelible impression on the hearts of all who have the privilege of experiencing his captivating performances. As he continues to carve out his unique place in the world of music, Vaden Landers embodies the timeless allure of country music and the enduring legacy of its rich storytelling tradition.

Vaden Landers

This electrifying podcast serves as a hub for all things music, offering a perfect blend of exclusive insights and thrilling announcements, making it a must-listen for music enthusiasts. Stay tuned for more updates and get ready to embark on a musical journey like no other! Click below to listen to the podcast or on Apple Music, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.