Tag Archives: Folk Rock

Artist Showcase with Good Morning Bedlam

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, Bon Iver, 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.

CloudwatcherUno Podcast S4 Ep2 ~ Matthew Fowler

Matthew Fowler’s first album ‘Beginning’ was released when he just turned 19 and he hasn’t looked back since. That’s the record that made his name in music. In this podcast host CloudwatcherUno sits down with Matthew to talk about his journey not only as a musician but as a documentarian, his love for all things Japanese including Godzilla and Akira, why modern movie trailers ruin the movie going experience, Star Wars and his love of Glen Hansard’s music. We get to listen to ‘Blankets’ and ‘Beginners’ from that first album. His next album will be released by Signature Sounds in Massachusetts later this year.

‘Cassie’ (Live in Japan) by Matthew Fowler
Matthew Fowler. This above all: to thine own self be true.
‘Rooftops’ by Matthew Fowler for GemsOnVHS

Matthew started his life as a touring musician with fellow singer and friend Reggie Williams and got see the great American landscape. He’s also collaborated with The Prado Sisters on his first album ‘Beginning’ and have played woodwind instruments on the the upcoming second album. Another passion of Matthew’s is being as a videographer/documentarian and it’s his favourite way to travel filming bands such as ‘Just Neighbors’ on tour in Japan.

‘I Fall Away’ performed by Matthew Fowler and The Prado Sisters.

“PLAYING MUSIC LIVE IS A VERY FULFILLING EXPERIENCE”

Matthew’s music is authentic and you get an immediate reaction that connects you as an audience to something that’s real and fills your head with the music that dreams are made of. It’s like having your life put to music and the soundtrack is one that other travellers can enjoy. Matthew follows in the footsteps of Ryan Adams, Damien Rice, Ray LaMontagne and especially Glen Hansard.

Glen’s music has been such an influence on Matthew and how you can be a vulnerable artist working in the top tiers of music but still remain a normal human being who you could drink and hang out with. Having met Glen quite by accident when going to one of his gigs, Matthew is determined that one day he will collaborate or tour with his idol.

Matthew Fowler from the podcast. Photo: CloudwatcherUno

Music is a language that is spoken all over the world and Matthew can speak it fluently. For the future Matthew is excited for the world to open up again so that he can start touring and promoting his sophomore album when it is released.

Matthew Fowler ~ Bringing joy to your listening world.

Click below to hear the podcast from CloudwatcherUno featuring Matthew Fowler. Also streaming on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Podcast Addict and wherever you listen to your podcasts

CloudwatcherUno Podcast S2 Ep5 ~ New Ellum

Jason Michael from New Ellum. Photograph: CloudwatcherUno ©2020

CloudwatcherUno sits down with Jason Michael singer/songwriter from New Ellum. The band may be new but these are all experienced musicians who’ve paid their dues to the gods of music. To make the sound of New Ellum you have singer/songwriter Sabrina Taylor-Mesh, drummer Ed Chaney, guitarist Mick Tinsley, bass player Randy Morris and fiddle player Orion Pitts. With Jeff McMullen on keys and John Solis on drums to round out the tracks with other musicians.

New Ellum the band your ears have been waiting for.

Born in Lakenheath, Suffolk, England Jason and his family moved back to Texas, where Jason followed his passion as a working musician. Having spent his formative career in Texas, Jason travelled to New Orleans and Los Angeles, coming back to live in Dallas. Returning to his roots Jason wanted to record new songs for a solo album but as it progressed with fellow musicians and players on the tracks New Ellum was formed. A brilliant twist to promote their music New Ellum have produced unique videos for ‘Devil’s Band’ featuring stop motion Lego animation and the comic book animation of ‘Wedding Ring’.

‘Devil’s Bail’ by New Ellum. Director KJ Calderone ~ Stop Motion Animation Genius

In this podcast we get to hear ‘Wedding Ring’ with acoustic versions of ‘Houston Radio’ the new single from the band released on 16th October 2020. We also get treated to an acoustic version of ‘One Short Minute’ an unreleased track.

New Ellum is a refreshing blend of old school folk music with alt country rhythms

The pandemic might have brought many plans to a halt but it can’t stop music. Music comes from the soul and its a universal language for the world to enjoy. If your looking for a true music connection then go listen to New Ellum. They are a band who deserve your full undivided attention.

‘Houston Radio’ is released on 16th October 2020

Click down below to hear the podcast from CloudwatcherUno featuring New Ellum. Also streaming on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Podcast Addict and many other platforms.

CloudwatcherUno Podcast S2 Ep2 ~ William Poyer

William Poyer performing live at Luna, February 2020 ~ Photograph by Matt Bradshaw

William Poyer is as unique as his music. An outstanding lyricist whose words come to life with a passion and haunting elegance that goes beyond poetry into the sublime spoken word of fellow artists Ray LaMontagne and Jason Isbell.

In this podcast CloudwatcherUno sits down with William and discuss his adventures in Mexico City, taking the brave step of moving across the world to find himself and learning to focus on his music and meeting fellow musical souls such as Jairus McDonald and José (Tato) Grageda from the band Peregrino. In those years he learnt a new language, met his wife and they have a beautiful baby boy.

Wiliam Poyer ~ Photograph by Russell Sansom

William has supported Great Lakes Band and Ferris and Sylvester on tour and has performed on stages large and small to connect with audiences with his music. In this podcast we get to hear two acoustic songs ‘Where Do I Begin’ and an unrecorded song ‘Forgiven’ which he will record in the home studio of Ferris and Sylvester.

‘Where Do I Begin’ by William Poyer

For William his passion has always been the acoustic guitar and from there his love of creating hooks, melodies to connect with audiences on an emotional level. William gets to showcase these talents on 10th October by performing in a socially distanced gig at the Old Joinery in Greenwich and a premiere a documentary about artists performing at the Spiritual Bar in Camden on October 22nd / 23rd 2020. Tickets for this event will be out shortly.

William Poyer from the podcast ~ Photograph CloudwatcherUno © 2020

Click down below to hear the podcast from CloudwatcherUno featuring William Poyer. Also available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts and many other platforms.

CloudwatcherUno Podcast S1 Ep8 ~ Two Ways Home

Isabella Mariee and Lewis Fowler are Two Ways Home

Isabella (Isi) and Lewis. Johnny and June. Sonny and Cher. The world of music is full of couples who make beautiful music together. Two Ways Home are the latest in a long line of singer songwriters who came together because of their shared passion for music and then from equal parts combined to become one of the leading UK folk rock country duo’s.

In this podcast we talk about how they first met, their love for playing and singing music from a young age and how they developed their skills with piano, mandolin and guitar. Taking these skills they have travelled far and wide and produced a sound that captures classic country harmonies with a folk rock twist.

Isi and Lewis ~ Two Ways Home from the podcast. Photograph ©CloudwatcherUno 2020

We get to hear exclusive recordings of ‘Broken Hearts Club’ and ‘Break The Silence’ from their album ‘Break The Silence’ released in February 2020. We also hear about how they collaborate with other singer songwriters in Nashville and closer to home to produce such memorable songs as ‘Push and Pull’.

Two Ways Home also host a London based writers round called ‘The Round Up’ a way of getting together independent artists and bands to perform in their very own Nashville inspired round where artists can talk about the inspiration behind their songs.

Two Ways Home performing ‘Broken Hearts Club’ live in Caffe Nero London, February 2020 ~ Video ©CloudwatcherUno 2020

In these pandemic times life is not without it’s difficulties for musicians but Two Ways Home have found ways around the obstacles ahead of them. They regularly host their virtual Tuesday Coffee Mornings and Saturday Afternoon ‘Beer Time’ shows. Lewis has also started a new venture with two other musicians ‘Remote Sound Production’ to offer production facilities for artists who don’t have the facilities to produce their songs by themselves.

Two Ways Home and Coffee. A perfect combination.

Click down below to hear the podcast from CloudwatcherUno featuring Two Ways Home. Also available on Apple podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts and many other platforms.