Tag Archives: independent artist

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CloudwatcherUno Podcast S5 Ep 7 ~ Blue Cactus

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Blue Cactus are the North Carolina duo of Steph Stewart and Mario Arnez. We go behind the scenes to talk about this sophomore LP ‘Stranger Again’ which was released May 2021 on Sleepy Cat Records.

‘Stranger Again‘ by Blue Cactus

The new record is a departure from their previous album ‘Blue Cactus‘(2017) and the sound that was mostly influenced by country-western music. Standout tracks from this album are ‘I Never Knew Heartache (Then I Knew You)‘ and ‘Not Alone (Til You Come Home)’ If these aren’t country songs and then I don’t know what is. The new album ‘Stranger Again‘ musical direction is a mix of the lyrics, different energy and creative ideas and the amalgamation of their life experiences before they recorded this sophomore album. Blue Cactus have created their own genre of music with this album and it is ‘Space Country‘.

‘I Never Knew Heartache (Then I Knew You)‘ by Blue Cactus

On the podcast we explore Steph and Mario’s separate journeys into the world of music and how Blue Cactus was started as a new project after playing together on a string band. It started as a way of really focusing in on country music and they had a new batch of the material that they wanted exploring different kinds of song writing. After an artist’s retreat in 2017 the duo then began writing songs separately and then began the collaborative process of bringing these songs to life.

Steph Stewart and Mario Arnez are Blue Cactus

Standout tracks from the new album are ‘Stranger Again‘ and ‘Rebel‘. For the future Blue Cactus are looking forward to playing live gigs again and bringing their unique space country sound to fans not only in the United States but across Europe.

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

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CloudwatcherUno Podcast S3 Ep6 ~ Third Way

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Xander Edwards and Paul Vilas are Third Way.

Third Way combine the best of synth pop and indie electronic music with an alternative spirituality in their sound. Their music is highly addictive, danceable and has mega melodramatic outpouring of emotion in their songs. They have been gigging for about a year at open mic evenings amongst the people and communicating their emotions and making the audience feel each and every track.

Paul and Xander from Third Way.

In this podcast host CloudwatcherUno sits down with Paul and Xander. Paul handles the synth and Xander handles all the vocals, combined they make dance floor heaven. They have played at The Finsbury in February 2020 (practically a club night), Cafe 1001 and Northcote records before the pandemic stopped them in their tracks. Everyone the musicians and the fans get to benefit on an atomic level from the sounds that emanate from the band.

In this podcast we get to hear two tracks, an acoustic version of their enormous hit ‘Guru’ and studio version of Tides. In 2020 they haven’t been able to be in the same physical space so they have concentrated on producing and evolving their music. ‘Tides’ was released just as the first lockdown came into force so they could only communicate remotely.

Xander and Paul from the podcast. Photo: CloudwatcherUno

There’s a possibility of releasing a fun track called ‘Baby Jesus’ which was composed in a light hearted way but according to friends of the band is the best thing they have have ever produced. There is an originality and honesty to their music. Paul and Xander have been together for the last 7 years and as partners in music their relationship has blossomed. Having played together in previous bands such as ‘The Next De Niro,

‘Guru’ by Third Way

Music is a fabulous outlet for these two musicians and helps them to connect on a metaphysical level with themselves and making the best of an isolating situation where luckily they can make music from their home studio. There is a lot of positives on being able to concentrate just on their music and the result will be a release in the form of a new EP later in the year. Watch this space!

Paul and Xander from Third Way looking forward to their musical future.

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

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CloudwatcherUno Podcast S2 Ep9 ~ Roscoe Parker Band

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Roscoe Parker Band is playing the long game in the world of country and western music.

Roscoe Parker Band needs to be on your music radar. You definitely need to listen to ‘You Might Get Lost, You Might Get Hurt’ it’s a fantastic album full of hidden gems and lyrics that make you want to get up and dance. It’s taken six years to get here but it’s been worth the wait. You’ll think your listening to a mid western country artist except he comes from Malmo, Sweden. Yes, Sweden. The music scene from these countries is breaking through onto the country and western scene.

Roscoe Parker Band will bring the magic to your playlist.

Growing up in southern Sweden, Rickard’s idol was Bruce Springsteen. Who didn’t want to be Springsteen eh? In this podcast we get to hear three songs from the latest album ‘You Might Get Lost, You Might Get Hurt’ and they are ‘Jackson Town’ ‘Let It Burn’ and ‘Still Drinkin’ My Beer from a Can’. The last song Rickard had help from Daniel Hollow but essentially its a biographical song about how deep down you can’t forget your roots.

‘Jackson Town’ by Roscoe Parker Band

We discuss factory made music versus independent artists and the struggle to keep your music authentic and not just a product for the masses. Roscoe Parker Band shows how much fun you can have with the country and western genre. His music combines the best of honky tonk with a clean 21st century sound. Inspiration comes at any time for these songs, from being outside running and walking, cooking in the kitchen even being in the bathroom!

The new album from Roscoe Parker Band. Go get this album! Your ears will thank you.

For the future there are already three or four songs already prepared for the second album. I for one can’t wait to hear these on this future album.

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