Tag Archives: musician

CloudwatcherUno Podcast S3 Ep2 ~ Dalton Mills

Dalton Mills, first amongst equals when it comes to singer songwriters.

Dalton Mills soul sparkles so brightly you’ll need sunglasses to go with a Hazmat suit. An exceptional lyricist he’s captured the lives, loss and heartaches of the disposed. Like a later day Chekov or Tolstoy he sings about the lonely souls in society, those who have fallen through the safety net and then kept falling with no end insight. His self titled album ‘Dalton Mills’ explores the stories of those who don’t register on the mainstream, who aren’t able to voice their pain and longing in a world where increasingly they are becoming ghosts.

‘Tornadoes’ by Dalton Mills

In this podcast we get to listen to two acoustic songs from Dalton they are ‘Tornadoes’ and ‘Mountain Call’ from his majestic album. A labour of love for over a year and a half from taking the songs in lyric form and then with the help of friends, recorded in the back of a record store. The album was recorded just at the cusp of the pandemic, any later and we wouldn’t have such songs out in the world.

Dalton Mills is a bringer of light to those dark areas of the world we all need to see.

Coming from rural Kentucky from the small town of Middlesboro, (a city that’s built in a crater!). Dalton has seen his fair share of those who’ve been affected by drugs, mental health issues and those who’ve been abandoned by their families. Not one for happy songs, Dalton expresses more affinity for songs touched by darkness and damaged people, damaged people are often the most dangerous. They know how to make hell feel like home. Dalton follows in the footsteps of his musical heroes Townes Van Zant, Guy Clark, John Prine in writing and performing songs that matter and connects with an audience who want more than just manufactured pop songs.

Dalton Mills performing live.
‘Last Goodbye’ from Dalton Mills. One of the bleakest songs ever put to music. Magnificent!

Picking up a guitar as a high school student has led Dalton down this path of musical greatness. For the last 5 years Dalton’s been writing songs of a phenomenal calibre. One of the bleakest songs ever put to music is ‘Last Goodbye’ a tale of a bedridden soul, who has lost all hope and waiting to see if he will perish at the hands of his carer. It’s a song that will stay with you hours after you’ve heard it. Go listen to this sensational artist who brings words and stories from the darkest corners of humanity to life.

Dalton Mills from the podcast. Photo: CloudwatcherUno

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

CloudwatcherUno Podcast S3 Ep1 ~ J.Tex

J.Tex has an authentic Texas sound that will immerse you in the stories told in his album ‘Neon Signs & Little White Lies.

Born in the USA but brought up in Denmark, J.Tex (Jens Einer Sørensen) grew up listening to Bluegrass music while other children were dancing to Abba. CloudwatcherUno sits down with J.Tex from his home in Copenhagen where we talk about his childhood, travelling to Tennessee as a teenager, his amazing tattoo’s, busking on the streets of Italy, driving trucks on the Faroe Islands and all the while honing his skills and his sound to produce a sumptuous album called ‘Neon Signs & Little White Lies’ from the Heptown Records label.

‘Way Down In The Country’ by J.Tex from the album ‘Neon Signs & Little White Lies’

This is his seventh album and is simply the nest. The album was recorded in Lund, Sweden with the production skills of Tommy Tift. The album was recorded on the same analogue mixing board which produced the hits for ABBA. With this album J.Tex wanted to capture the sound of that live music experience to his audience. Recorded in the studio over three days the music truly captures the electrifying magic that is J.Tex. Jens describes how his songs grow and develop from practice sessions to live performances. Music is his job 24/7, 356 days a year. In this podcast we get to listen to ‘Way Down in The County’ and two acoustic tracks ‘I Told You So’ and ‘Broken Rose’.

J.Tex ‘Neon Signs & Little White Lies’ needs to be in your album collection. It’s the sound that you’ve been looking for.
Cheers to J.Tex for bringing country and western music to life.

J.Tex mixes Americana, Country, Bluegrass and Roots music and influenced by Doc Watson, Norman Blake, Mississippi John Hurt and Lightnin’ Hopkins. Jens music is a melting pot of sound, riffs and melodies that invoke an era of music that is far from the music that comes out of Nashville now. It connects with your soul, mind and body to make you smile and get up and dance.

J.Tex from the podcast. Photo: CloudwatcherUno

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

CloudwatcherUno Podcast S2 Ep9 ~ Roscoe Parker Band

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.

CloudwatcherUno Podcast S2 Ep6 ~ Will Purdue

Will Purdue in his refurbished VW van which he has used to travel across the UK and will use to travel beyond these shores of Britannia.

Will Purdue is a man of many talents, singer, songwriter, fashion icon (check out the fantastic ensemble he wore on the podcast) and renovator of tour vans (go to @tourbustravels on Instagram for all the detail).

Positivity simply oozes out of every pore from this fantastic artist. Will’s voice is the richest baritone that amazes and spellbinds his audience. Will is a true connoisseur of fashion and heartfelt lyrics enhanced with stunning vocals. His performance on stage comes from a confidence that he wants to show his true self to his fans rather than a persona. Influenced and inspired by Leonard Cohen and Neil Young in his approach to song writing Will has a body of work that just keeps better and better.

In this podcast we get to hear acoustic versions of ‘I Don’t Think We Should Rush In’ and the the new single ‘Heart On Fire’ A Song for Riona & Keith from the band released on 19th October 2020.

‘Heart On Fire (A Song for Riona & Keith) from Will Purdue

This song is both a celebration of the love story of Riona and Keith and their journey together. Aged 34, Riona Kelly fell down the stairs, suffered a rare spinal stroke, and was left paralysed. Her husband then left her whilst she was in the hospital, and she became a disabled single mother of four children. However, not only can she walk, she can jump (and even scoot!). She found love with ex rugby player, Keith Mason, who began helping with her physical recovery, and they kept in touch, and the rest is history. With an incredible amount of perseverance and support, Riona is now walking, and planning to walk 100 miles to raise money for her further rehab.

All of the record sale proceeds will go directly to Riona’s recovery, and any extra will go into a foundation. Will was chosen for the project for his ability to convey both sides of a story within a song, and the track features both the darkness ‘To see the fear in all I hold dear’ and the incredible light of their journey ‘Here we stand, I’ve never been so proud’ The song was recorded on a stunning riverboat studio in London.

The song is out on iTunes and available as purchase only (no streaming, as they need to raise funds).

Will Purdue, an artist of taste and style. Photo: ClodwatcherUno ©2020

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

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 Ep4 ~ Katrina Burgoyne

Katrina Burgoyne

Katrina Burgoyne hails from the land of Oz and clicked her heels to travel to Nashville. Music has been her passion, her life, her reason for living. Trying to squeeze everything into three suitcases, grabbed her guitar with her life savings of $15,000 dollars and landing in a country where she didn’t know a soul. Katrina took that leap of faith to follow her dreams.

Having grown up in Gunneda in north-eastern New South Wales, Australia. The young Katrina listened, played and absorbed country music into her DNA. An hour away was the town of Tamworth a city famous in Australia as an antipodean Nashville. Katrina was soon adopted by the musicians who would look back on awe as a 12 year old took to the stage.

Katrina Burgoyne from the podcast. Photo: CloudwatcherUno © 2020

In this episode Host CloudwatcherUno sits with Katrina and they talk all things lyrics, songwriting, the best way to grab the attention of cows, why it always rains in Manchester and channeling her passion for music into a way of life.

’25 Cents In The Ashtray’ by Katrina Burgoyne

Katrina talks about what it takes to make it in a new country and making her mark on the centre of country music that is Nashville. We talk about how focusing her energies on the positive has resulted in meeting her producer Steve Kinney (and partner).

Releasing her latest single ’25 Cents In The Ashtray’ and how she is trying to reverse the cliche of the struggling artist to a successful household names like Keith Urban and Morgan Evans. So dream big and believe you can make them a reality just like Katrina Burgoyne. An artist who will grow from strength to strength.

Katrina Burgoyne Photo: Steve Kinney

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

CloudwatcherUno Podcast S2 Ep3 ~ So Are We

So Are We are songwriters Guro Vikingstad (L) and Stian Haslie (R)

So Are We are a phenomenal duo who are a refreshing change in the world of Americana music. Guro’s voice is precisely the breath of fresh air you need in your music streams. And add Stian’s dreamy guitar and you’ve got a killer combination to make sure you have their songs playing on repeat.

‘LA Love’ by So Are We

In this podcast CloudwatcherUno sits down with Guro and Stian to talk about growing up in their native Norway and being exposed to the English language in all its forms from movies, television and most importantly music. It’s their mutual love of music that brought them together not only as songwriters but as a couple. In this podcast we get to hear two acoustic songs ‘Be Alright’ and ‘Alive Again’ with ‘LA Love’ as a bonus track.

Guro Vikingstad and Stian Haslie from the podcast. Photo: CloudwatcherUno © 2020

We also discuss what it takes for artists to create, produce and release music in these pandemic times and what drives Guro and Stian to want to showcase their sound onto the global stage. Norway has seen an explosion of singer songwriters who have carved out a place for themselves in this uniquely western of genres.

‘Alive Again’ by So Are We

Having just released their latest single ‘LA Love’ from their upcoming album ‘Piece of the Puzzle’ out on 9th October 2020 the talented duo are making sure their musical vision is being heard loud and clear.

‘Piece of the Puzzle’ is the upcoming album by So Are We.

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

CloudwatcherUno Podcast S1 Ep9 ~ Chase Crawford

Chase Crawford

Chase Crawford is the real deal. 100 percent Country and Western, born in Nashville, raised in Alabama, Texas and all the parts in between. As the son of a travelling Pentecostal Preacher who lead tent revivals across the country Chase absorbed all the musical influences from Southern Gospel, Honky Tonk, Rhythm and Blues and Appalachian mountain music which you can hear right now in the EP “The Neon Lights Go on Forever” The album was finished in 2019 but released in 2020.

Chase Crawford

In this podcast we talk about the history of country music from pioneers like Deford Bailey to modern artists such as Mickey Guyton. And how modern country and western music could not exist without such artists and how instruments such as the banjo hailed from West Africa play such a key component of bluegrass music. When hillbilly music became mainstream it was then marketed as that or as a race record. Eventually many of these black artists became overshadowed or forgotten but their influence can be seen in the music that we listen to every day.

Chase Crawford

We get to hear two acoustic versions of songs from the new EP ‘Be Your Johnny Cash’ and ‘The Problem With Angels’ These two songs showcase the breadth and scope of Chase’s talents. ‘Be Your Johnny Cash’ is a love letter to his wife and he sang this to his bride on their wedding day, it features exceptional word play and is crafted like a carpenter may craft an item of furniture from a block of wood with love care and attention. ‘The Problem With Angels’ is a ballad of love and loss in a relationship and the struggle to keep love alive between two souls.

The new EP “The Neon Lights Go On Forever”

The whole EP comes fully formed with not one note, lyric, guitar riff, banjo twang out of place. It took minutes of inspiration, hours of hard work and years of dedication to produce a stunning album such as “The Neon Lights Go On Forever” So go show some support to an artist who truly deserves your love and attention.

Chase Crawford from the podcast Photograph © CloudwatcherUno 2020

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

Ain’t That Hard ~ Lauren Jenkins

‘Ain’t That Hard’ Video ~ Lauren Jenkins

Lauren Jenkins has just released her new video to ‘Ain’t That Hard’ one of the first of many releases as an independent artist for her upcoming second album. The lyrics capture the fragility of the love and how easy it is to hurt or crush other peoples hearts. Our very nature, history, literature is wrapped around the heart as a living beacon of our desires and wants. A repository for all we are and all we will ever be to another human being.

‘Ain’t That Hard’ ~ Lauren Jenkins. Photography by Brooke Stevens

The video is an extraordinary showcase for Lauren’s talents as she wrote, produced, directed and edited the video with zero budget, crew or gear but with the help of long time friends and collaborators Brooke Stevens as Director of Photography, Gideon Klein as Cellist and Mixed by Howard Welling during a pandemic that has taken over the world. The result is a video that shows the whole world the unique voice that has captured the ears, minds and hearts of fans all over the world.

‘Ain’t That Hard’ ~ Lauren Jenkins. Photography by Brooke Stevens

Ain’t That Hard is the next chapter for Lauren Jenkins as life as a independent artist. After being abruptly dropped by her label Big Machine for reasons known only to themselves, Lauren has taken to the virtual world of Stage It shows and live streams to promote her music to an ever growing audience who can’t get enough of her songs. One of which has become the official anthem in these Covid-19 times ‘Dance In The Kitchen’.

‘Ain’t That Hard’ ~ Lauren Jenkins. Photography by Brooke Stevens

So go and spread the word of an artist who has risen from the flames like a phoenix, stronger than ever to shine who has captured the essence of human emotions with her lyrics, guitar hooks and melodies.

Lauren Jenkins on stage in Cologne, Germany ~ January 2020. Photograph by CloudwatcherUno

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.