Out today are two live recordings from the CloudwatcherUno™ Live Sessions at The Camden Chapel in London in October 2022. Showcasing the very best of independent artists we feature Afreine and Blue Violet. Singing in her first sold out London show Afreine captures the hearts of the audience with her stunning vocals.
The main act of the evening were Blue Violet a phenomenal duo who bring a stripped back acoustic performance that focuses on their harmonies, guitar skills and killer lyrics.
So let yourself be transported to a front row listening experience as you hear these amazing artists sing live on stage in London. These incredible recordings are available on Spotify, Apple and all streaming platforms.
S9 Ep 8 is out Friday 16th December 2022 featuring @fainnmusic We chat with Nashville based indie-pop singer/songwriter, Faïnn, who released her fabulosouros pop ballad, “Sometimes” on 7th October a fantastic example of this genre of music.
It was a grrrrreat talk with Faïnn about her life and musical influences. Faïnn’s impressive vocals showcase her fantastic talent. Such a wonderful soul. Make sure to pre-save Faïnns latest upcoming release “Baby Please Come Home” out this Friday (16/12/2022) as well.
Faïnn focuses on dreamy production aesthetics with soulful vocals. She has been described as, “a skilled lyricist and vocalist who has shown time and time again that she has what it takes to become a leading voice within the genre” (I KNOW A WOMAN Official).
“Sometimes” by Faïnn
Click below to join in with the conversation with CloudwatcherUno and Faïnn. Also streaming on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Podcast Addict or wherever you listen to your podcasts.
SJ Mortimer sits down with CloudwatcherUno to talk about SJ’s new single release “Hear Me Lover”, her life as the lead singer of @morganwayband and SJ’s Songwriters Sessions with @poppyfardell and @elibremusic which will be happening on 8th December 2022 @talltreescambridge so make sure you get a ticket for that!
In the podcast you’ll find out how SJ met @kieran_morganway and the fiddle playing legend that is @nicolejterry and how Morganway the band came together to take on the UK americana/country music scene. Morganway have also released new tour dates for 2023 as well!
We talk about how SJ travelled to Nashville to record her country album “Nashville Sessions” recorded in Nashville and released in 2015. We explore how the band had only recently got together as a group and released their self-titled album “Morganway” in 2019 before the pandemic brought music to a standstill.
“Hear Me Lover” by SJ Mortimer
When things started opening up SJ’s first live experience was at Tennessee Fields Festival and in 2022 the band played at The Long Road Festival. Now there’s a chance for SJ to explore her own musical career apart from the band and it’s taking SJ into a whole new genre. With the help of her brother and friends in the music business SJ’s sound is coming to life.
SJ Mortimer with CloudwatcherUno at The Long Road Festival in Summer 2022
Click below to join in with the conversation with CloudwatcherUno and SJ Mortimer. Also streaming on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Podcast Addict or wherever you listen to your podcasts.
In 2021 we launched the ‘CloudwatcherUno Live Sessions’ to bring independent singer songwriters at St Pancras Church, London an iconic venue. Now on October 27th 2022 we bring two amazing acts to perform acoustically live on stage at The Camden Chapel and they are:
Blue Violet are anglo-Scottish alternative pop duo Sarah & Sam Gotley. Their debut album ‘Late Night Calls’ is out now, produced by the bands regular collaborator Rob Ellis (PJ Harvey, Anna Calvi, Bat For Lashes). Described as ‘Civil Wars meets Black Keys’ by BBC Introducing Scotland, Blue Violet rounded-off 2021 with the release of the emphatic ‘Asylum’. Blue Violet continue their upward trajectory with a set of diverse and intricately crafted genre-crossing songs of beauty, heartbreak and love.
Afreine has made a mark as a being a versatile and underestimated singer-songwriter. Afreine writes deeply from the experience of her childhood, heartbreak, and the natural drama that comes from a small-town music scene. She is a voice representing the queer, BAME, and single parent community and is known for a soulful, yet delicate voice.
CloudwatcherUno chats with Alessia about her EP “Sugar”. We get together after Alessia was recovering from surgery to help her breathe! The EP came about when Alessia was stuck in her native Switzerland and was based on her experiences of falling in and out of love. Even if something bad happens in life Alessia tries to take these happy moments and puts them into her songs.
“Sugar” by Alessia
One of the ways that Alessia produces music is when she plays on piano and is able to freestyle and use less lyrics and emphasise the chords of her music. “Sugar” the track was born in 2020 when other countries were in lockdown, Switzerland was not. The song is inspired by eighties disco pop funk music. The melody was born first and then the lyrics came afterwards for this track.
Alessia has collaborated with songwriters and producers across the world to show her vision of music . Her music is inspired by the music of Kylie Minogue, Abba and bubble gum pop.
Alessia was touring in summer 2021 even when all the naysayers were saying it cant be done. Alessia proved them all wrong. Alessia goals are to travel around the world making music, getting that adrenaline kick of performing in front of a live audience. She loves it when the audience sings back her lyrics to her when she is on stage. Alessia is planning to play at festivals and making her name as the rising star of music.
Click below to hear more from the podcast with CloudwatcherUno featuring Alessia. Also streaming on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Podcast Addict or wherever you listen to your podcasts.
Good things come to those who wait. Russell Marsden and Emma Richardson EMMA RICHARDSON (emmarichardsonart.com) were set to perform live after two years. On a cold February evening at St Pancras Old Church, London an intimate venue fans would see the Band of Skulls duo sing old and new songs from their self titled album “Marsden & Richardson” Band of Skulls | Official Site.
Every inch of the altar was taken up with microphones, speakers, amplifiers, cables, pedal boards, guitars and a string orchestra. The new album is a departure from their trademark loud rock sound and replaced with sweeping violins, strings, acoustic guitars, bass and is more focused on the magic of their lyrics. Their last album was “Love Is All You Love” released in 2019 and they had toured all over England and North America in venues many times bigger than this church.
Signed vinyl by Russell Marsden and Emma Richardson.
The songs for the new album had already been formed and written but never fitted their loud rock personas so during lockdown they rehearsed and then recorded 12 songs. The opening song of the night was “Outsider” the first track from the new album backed with a string orchestra the effect was completely exhilarating. Where there would have been an undulating bass and heavy guitars these had been replaced by the duo’s acoustic voices and filled every heart with awe and wonder.
Russell and Richardson | “Outsider”
In hushed anticipation the crowd listened to Marsden and Richardson sing more songs from the new album such as “One More Question“, “Closer Together” and “Lonely Hearts“. This was serious music for adults, each song hit the audience with precision, the strings carried the songs on an interstellar trajectory to undiscovered musical lands.
One of the outstanding moments of the night was when the duo did an even more stripped down version of “Beautiful Love” with Russell on piano and Emma using hand claps to generate a beat for the song. The effect was electrifying and sent the crowd into rapturous applause at the end of each song.
Old songs were given similar high octane orchestral riffs and songs such as “Honest” and “The Devil Takes Care Of His Own” were such a delight to hear and the result was a charismatic, addictive monstrous songs given new life. These repurposed songs showed the versatility of the song writing and strong foundation of the original lyrics.
Signed set list by Russell Marsden and Emma Richardson.
If this is the future for Marsden and Richardson’s sound then the future looks and sounds totally royally awesomesaurous.
Good Morning Bedlam is a Minnesota based band and is made up of members Isaak Elker (vocals, guitar), his wife Tori Elker (bass, vocals), and Sophie Mae Beyer (violin, vocals). CloudwatcherUno sits down with the band in Tampa, Florida to talk about their new album “Lulu” out on February 4th 2022. In the podcast we also get to hear the tracks “Salt” and “Lulu” from the album.
We talk about the origins of the bands name (Isaak thought it would be cool and now take it as a mantra to greet the chaos of everyday life) and how the band started ( Sophie then 17 and Isaak 19 were inspired to start a band after going to a Davina and The Vagabonds concert). Tori was dating Isaak at the time and wanted to be in the band so much that she sang with the band, sold merchandise and learnt how to play the upright bass.
Good Morning Bedlam’s music is an outpouring of how they are feeling rather than constrict themselves to a particular sound or genre. If they hear a Jazz song that they like then they will go all in and make a Jazz song but with their own unique take on what that should sound like.
“Lulu” by Good Morning Bedlam
Isaak says that, “We are a pop band pretending to be a string band”. Sophie , Teri and Isaak have used their theatre backgrounds to give everything they have and fully embody the energy, heart and passion on their live show. Influences for the band range from Billy Holliday, Otis Redding, BonIver, Pokey Lafarge, Oh Hellos and Phox.
Good Morning Bedlam are known for their contagious energy, with members careening about the stage, jumping and dancing with a wild playfulness. With tight soaring three part harmonies, and thumping kick-drum, they captivate their audience night after night with no intention of slowing down.
In February of 2021 Isaak, Sophia, and Tori returned to Carpet Booth Studios to work with Zach Zurn on their third full-length record Lulu. On May 28th of 2021 they released a single titled “Blue House,” and have continued to release one song off of the upcoming record every five weeks, which will culminate in the official release of the record on February 4th 2022. In July of 2021 they ran a successful Kickstarter for their upcoming album Lulu, where fans from around the world pledged a total of $34,000. It’s easy for artists to make art but it’s difficult for those artists to champion their art and requires a belief that people want to listen to their music.
Click below to hear the podcast from CloudwatcherUno featuring Good Morning Bedlam. Also streaming on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Podcast Addict or wherever you listen to your podcasts.
Adam Shoenfeld sits down with CloudwatcherUno to talk about his new album “All The Birds Sing“. The album was a team effort with his producer and wife Katie Cook and the album was produced in his home studio where he has access to his many guitars, drum kits and musical paraphernalia. The album was inspired by the music of ELO, George Harrison, TheBeatles and Tom Petty. Around 5 to 6 years ago Adam began singing lead vocals on stage and building his stage presence before a live audience. One of the highlights is is the track “The Sky Is Falling Down“. We also get to hear Adam’s cover of The Beatles “Norwegian Wood“
“The Sky Is Falling Down” by Adam Shoenfeld.
There’s a lot of authentic love in the lyrics in this album. The majority of the tracks were written by Adam or with Katie except for “Lose To Win“which was a collaboration with another songwriter. We discuss “Her Song“, “The Sky Is Falling Down” and “All The Birds Sing“. For Adam his songs come to him quite easily as he consciously tries to harness the electricity and magic that runs around in his mind. Adam played bass, keyboard, guitar and drums on all of the tracks.
The first songs for this album began life on 2018. In early 2019 after a particularly heavy day doing session work Adam told himself he would start work on an album and finished writing songs in Feb 2021. Adam explains how he was offered record deals in the past but studios wanted him to be more Country and he always saw himself as Rock and Roll. It’s because of that sound that he is one of the most sought after session guitarists in Nashville.
Adam Shoenfeld in action.
Adam’s album is a Modern Classic , drawing inspiration from sixties and seventies and bringing it bang up to date. Adam is looking forward to playing the album live in front of an audience and I for one would love to be at that gig.
Click below to hear more from the podcast with CloudwatcherUno featuring Adam Shoenfeld. Also streaming on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Podcast Addict or wherever you listen to your podcasts.
Lucy Grubb is a singer/songwriter from Norwich who combines modern Americana with Country hooks and lyrics. Her new EP ‘Waste of Time‘ came out in June 2021 and features some terrific songs such as ‘You Don’t Do Anything‘ , ‘Waste My Time‘ and ‘Other Side‘
‘You Don’t Do Anything‘ by Lucy Grubb
Lucy has been compared to Allison Krauss and Emmylou Harris for her lyrics, storytelling and voice.
In this podcast we chat about how Lucy started off learning guitar at the age of 10 and was writing poetry and then adding her voice to her words was a natural progression for the girl from East Anglia. The universe has blessed Lucy with a stunning voice that makes you stop in your tracks.
Having a very experienced backing band has enabled Lucy to grow as an artist and gives her the confidence to go out on stage. Lucy travelled to Austin, Texas to join song writing residencies and Americana fests to hone her music and her art. During the pandemic Lucy has taken the time to look at her songs, her live show and see how it can become an even richer and better experience for a live audience.
Click below to hear the podcast from CloudwatcherUno featuring Lucy Grubb. Also streaming on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Podcast Addict or wherever you listen to your podcasts.
Maja Francis is that rare beast of an artist, a unicorn amongst those special beings called musicians.
‘This Womans Work’ by Maja Francis
The life of a pop star beckoned with the release of Cry Baby Pt 1 and Pt 2 but this life wasn’t all that it was cracked up to be. So as quickly as Maja’s star rose in the incandescent world of pop Maja withdrew from it all under a cloud of depression and panic attacks. From the ashes Maja poured everything into her diary, her constant companion through those dark times, her confidante and saviour.
We also talk about what it means to be an artist in this day and age and what it means for your mental health to have all this celebrity status thrust upon you, the on and off stage persona and what it means to live your life where everything is scrutinised in the court of social media.
‘Anxious Angel‘ by Maja Francis
Maja’s new album ‘A Pink Soft Mess‘ is the product of those days and diary entries brought to life. It’s an extraordinary expression of Maja’s inner life, a passport if you will to her life dreams hopes and desires. The album featured an amazing collaboration with mega superstar sisters Johanna Söderberg @jksoderberg and Klara Söderberg@klaramsoderberg from First Aid Band@firstaidkitband on the single ‘Mama’.
In the podcast CloudwatcherUno sits down with Maja Francis @wherearetheunicorns a truly special singer songwriter from Sweden. We talk about guilty pleasures such as True Crime TV, growing up with Cartoon Network, the joy of reading and the legend that will forever be Kate Bush. Her 2020 cover of @katebushmusic ‘This Womans Work‘ has over 2 million streams on @spotify
Photos by Emelie Erikkson and Milkdrop
Then there’s her track ‘Kids in Love‘ with over 7 million streams on Spotify alone and was featured on the Netflix@netflix show ‘Anarchy‘. Maja is a special soul who’s come to make your world shine. Make sure you follow her on a journey that will take you into different worlds far apart from this pedestrian universe.
Click below to hear the podcast from CloudwatcherUno featuring Elles Bailey. Also streaming on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Podcast Addict or wherever you listen to your podcasts
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