Broken Bones Matilda are like the minstrels of old travelling the country performing their special blend of harmonies, punctuated with melodious vocals and tinged with Americana blues that are fast becoming their musical hallmark.

Originating in Bath, in the West Country. Broken Bones Matilda are Sarah McGrigor ~ Vocals, Sam Gotley ~ Guitar and Vocals with support from Roselee Levy ~ Keyboard and Backing Vocals. Sarah’s sultry gravelly voice captures your attention holding your hand and leading you into a world that’s dark, mysterious and just a little magical.

Haunting lyrics accompany their live performances. It’s the only way to be transported into the lives and world of the protagonists who inhibit their songs.

I first saw Broken Bones Matilda Band play at Green Note, Camden in July 2019 and was totally captivated by hearing music that took you back to the heyday of seventies production values with their rich harmonies and killer hooks. I knew right then I would need to see them live again.

Performing at The Isis Farmhouse situated on an Oxford Lock, Broken Bones Matilda captivated the audience with their confidant delivery of dark brooding stories fit for an evening of melancholic revelry.

Through the night Broken Bones Matilda performed their songs ‘Midnight Creeper’, ‘Holy Man’, ‘Howl at the Moon’, ‘Runway’ ‘Mama’, ‘Madeline’, ‘Butterfly’ and ‘City by the Bay’. More new music was promised by the band when they announced that they would work on their first studio album in November 2019 and would go on tour in in the New Year to promote the as yet untitled new album.

It sends musical chills up my spine in anticipation of what wondrously dark sensual harmonies that might be brought to life by the band. The bands music harks back to the seventies musical groups and the old school rich production values in music such as the Steve Miller Band, Steve Winwood and Steely Dan. Fuse this with Tom Waits and PJ Harvey and you come close to the essence of Broken Bones Matilda.

Broken Bones Matilda now need to reach a wider audience one that will appreciate the mix of harmonies, vocals to die for and Americana infused lyrics.

Selin is a force of nature. Musical nature. Music flows through her blood stream. Every cell reverberates with the frequency of her love for music. A natural performer she channels her energy into her voice and the effect is astounding.

The opening of ‘It’s Just a Feeling’ starts of gently but by the end you’re enraptured by the sultry voice who surely belongs alongside Billy Holliday for capturing your heart and mind. This song is Selin’s calling card to enter the world of ‘Billboard’ number one musicians which grabs you by the shoulders and doesn’t let you go. Transporting you with equal measure into the worlds of Jazz and Soul music. Haunting and mesmerising the senses revel in the beauty of her voice.

Everything that I look for in an artist, Selin has in abundance. The voice that just hooks into you with it’s range, power and ability to connect with your soul. The performer who gives it her all for the audience. Selin sings for the joy of singing.

Originally from Istanbul, Selin has been honing her songwriting and singing talents at BIMM (The British & Irish Modern Music Institute London). Graduating in 2019 she follows in the footsteps of artists like George Ezra and James Bay. Selin will carve her own way into the world of music. This is an artist to watch, long may her star shine brightly in the sky.

Phenomenal /fr,nomm(Ə)/ adj. 1 of the nature of a phenomenon. 2 extraordinary, remarkable, prodigious. 3 perceptible by, perceptible only to, the senses.

John Newman is the dictionary definition of what a phenomenon is. A electrifying, mesmerising, mind blowing force of musical nature. Last night at Patterns, Brighton John Newman showed what he could do in a stripped back performance to fans who had travelled across from far and wide to hear him sing.

Currently on his Out of the Blue Tour, John is travelling back to those places and venues which have a special significance for him personally and musically and bringing his northern soul magic to more intimate venues. For him the main reason to do this is to reconnect with that hunger, passion and giving his all to his music and his fans. In October 2019 he will be going on a much larger stadium tour but for now he his half way through connecting with audiences on a deeper more personal level.

The anticipation for something special, something extraordinary for the senses was in the air. To the sounds of ‘I do like being at the Seaside’ a cheesy reference to the fact that this gig was in Brighton, John came onto the stage very much like a fighter, a fighter who was there to do battle with not only his personal demons, but expectations from record producers and music labels to produce the next ‘big thing’.

Opening with ‘Come and Get It’ this was a call to action for the faithful who had stood out in the wind and rain waiting to see this legend. They didn’t need to be told twice. The crowd joined in with all their heart and soul to become the backing singers to these anthems.

And what anthems they were ‘Use Somebody’, ‘Cheating’, ‘Losing Sleep’, ‘Feel the Love’, and ‘Love me Again’. The energy of the crowd added to John’s performance exploded into vibrations of pure musical heaven. These were songs that originated on a simple piano, in a bedroom, from a retreat in the lake district to number one smashes on the UK charts and success worldwide.

The next chapter in this story will bring more passion for John to pour his heart out into what he does best, singing. Whether it be in stadiums or venues like Pattern, one things for sure I’ll be there.

Aly & AJ (Aly Michalka and AJ Michalka) brought their ethereal pop act to London shares at Scala on 11th July 2019. Already famous in their own rights as actresses for iZombie and The Goldbergs respectively it was as singers that brought them to back to London to kick off the start of their European tour.

It’s been over 10 years since the band brought their music to this side of the Atlantic. Die hard fans had started queuing for the gig from noon on a very humid day but others had gone that extra mile paying £150 each to get precious seconds with the stars and that all important photograph with the sister act. It was all worth it.

The anticipation of seeing something special was building as the clock counted down until Aly & AJ arrived on stage. Support for the duo came in the form of Audrey (see earlier post) who left the crowd pumped up for the spectacle ahead.

And then stage left Aly & AJ arrived and opened with the crowd pleasing ‘Church’ Immediately fans sang back and in unison with the sisters. Seeing Aly & AJ perform in person, connecting with the crowd showing each emotion of the lyrics was something special. Running through their back catalogue of hits such as ‘Closure’ ‘Star Maps’ and ‘Not Ready to Wake Up’ you could see how much they have grown as musical performers and stars in their own right.

The night ended with an encore and a rendition of ‘Potential Breakup Song’. This may have been goodbye from Aly & AJ but it wouldn’t be the end of the love affair between fans and their music.

Audriix opened up for Aly&AJ the sister pop duo touring Europe. I saw Audriix sing at Scala in Kings Cross, London. I’d never heard of her music before but after the gig I made sure she was on my music radar. On came Audriix and from her first song her voice came and grabbed you and shook you to make sure you paid attention to her powerhouse of a voice. The performance was dramatic with lots of choreographed dance moves which mimicked the lyrics to add flair to what was being sung to the audience.

Looking around at the fellow gig goers you could see eyes wide and mouths open in awe of what was an incredible performance from such an independent artist. ‘Stampede’ is Audriix latest single with a video that shows what a force of nature she is. https://open.spotify.com/artist/42gR1zqqPFRWueHBgFOXec

After the dust had settled from her performance and the main act of the night I got the opportunity to meet up with Audriix after the show. She is a ray of sunshine specifically imported from northern California. A very sociable artist who makes her fans at ease with quick wit and humour. For all the latest news about Audriix go follow her website Audriix.com