An artist with a seemingly impossible backstory of struggle through to success and enlightenment, Brendan Kelly showcases the very best of his songwriting and emotive performance abilities, with the catchy and euphoric single Brother.
Country
Bringing the passion, poetry and euphoria back to anthemic country songwriting, Gary Dranow & The Manic Emotions return this season with an intoxicating country-dance single that’s instantly engaging.
Introducing a superb new single from an established artist with a beautiful voice and wonderfully original songwriting – Madilynn Treasure is amazingly still just ten years of age, and the quality and depth of Nashville Dream is all the more phenomenal in that light.
Heartfelt poetic songwriting and raspy vocals lead us through a finely crafted Americana soundscape of organic guitars, slide, bass and drums – Kelly Collins brings the passion and melody, with the evocative and intense Sanctuary Land.
Melodically infectious, musically on-point, Travelling Man sets itself up to be a timeless Americana classic, with a welcomed twist of mainstream pop in how catchy the central hook and presentation is. The genre is huge right now, and this one makes for a nostalgic easy contender.
Composer and lyricist Basya Schlecter joins forces with Shaul Magid, creatively intertwining Appalachian music with Jewish Friday night prayer, for the organic and beautifully moving Folk and World album Kabbalachia.
Lifelong songwriter extraordinaire Sid Hagan and the Right Click gang bring talent and passion back to the stage, with the long-awaited release of their completed, self-titled album Right Click.
Presenting an increasingly enchanting, uplifting and memorable arrangement, You gathers momentum consistently and impressively, finding its groove amidst the brightness and embrace of Country and Americana, with an impassioned vocal delivery and chorus that naturally lingers in the mind.
Ambient acoustic country with a smooth sunset vibe and a catchy melody – Annika Catharina brings the lyrical originality, with the contemplative plot and desire of Bandit.
Building up slowly by way of a colourful soundscape and a mellow but increasingly passionate vocal, Kansas soon finds its feet as a pop-rock anthem of warmth and energy; not hugely dissimilar to the likes of Bruce Springsteen or, more recently, Sam Fender.
These days it seems like a rare experience to stumble upon a song that feels as if it were written during a time when there was not a shallow thirst for fame driving the creative process. Songs that feel timeless, authentic and heart-warming in a manner that’s unique to the listener, are few and far between.
Following the release of his iconic new single and video American Made, we caught up with lifelong musician and songwriter Sebastian James, to find out more about the song, his journey so far as an artist, the upcoming album, and plenty more. Here’s how it went.