A few years back, at his concert at Melkweg in Amsterdam, Richard Hawley had to resort to his sense of humor to comment on the fact that there were some twenty or so people in the audience: “Well, now I will introduce the band, and then you all can introduce yourselves…”
It was one more proof that some great artists don’t exactly make it wherever they should. His brilliant take on the gentle rock side of the late fifties and sixties is quite big in the U.K., he even gets special TV shows, but elsewhere, it seems to be a struggle for him.
On the other hand, his countryman, Robyn Hitchcock, has all the critics on his side at home, but it is the U.S. and elsewhere for him. At home, he remains an acquired taste. At the same time, some artists make it at seemingly unusual places and not at home. Late Sexto Rodriguez remains an icon in South Africa, while John Hiatt has such a status in Japan and The Netherlands, neither making a wider impact they deserved or deserve back home in the U.S.
Mac DeMarco - Boku Wa Chotto
Mac DeMarco is quite a big name in the U.S. so it was a no-brainer for him to be included in a tribute compilation to Yello Magic Orchestra’s Harumi Hosono. His version here shows that it was an excellent choice.
Ken Pomeroy - Cicadas
Oklahoma’s Ken Pomeroy has one of those ethereal voices so suited for a good, country-tinged ballad, but also songwriting capabilities to make that voice, and excellent guitar capabilities shine.
il sogno del marinaio - Song For Anima Mundi
Mike Watt and his companions here, Stefano Pilia and Paolo Mongardi have already been at it with the experimental takes on modern music, here adding some spoken word to prove their point.
Max McNown - Turned Into Missing You
Max McNown is yet to release his debut album, but this single indicates that he has all he needs to make it within the singer-songwriters who favor the folkier side of rock—a good introduction.
Sam Tabasi - Bloom
Tabasi intended this track, part of his new album as a comedown for ravers taking the train home at 6 am after a night of clubbing. It works to that effect, but also as a stand-alone track too.
Tipa Tipo - Cintas de Embalar
Yacht rock, as a soft rock substitute seems to be taking off (again), and Tipa Tipo proves that if the song is good, it can work in any language, even if it is the one you don’t understand that well.
Nicolette & The Nobodies - Show Up
This Canadian outfit shows why Americana/Canadiana music is at the high at this moment, particularly if it is done as well as Nicolette Hoang and her crew do it here.
Chief State - Living Out A Lie
Vancouver’s Chief State bears the label of post-punkers, but here they go for a lighter side of punk/emo combination that seems to suit them quite well in this introduction to their latest EP.
Alejandro Escovedo - Castanuelas
Escovedo has already shown why he is such an established songwriter and artist, here giving us another take/version of one of his favorite songs so far. A great introduction to his forthcoming new album.
Powerwasher - Catalog
Baltimore’s Powerwasher obviously has a great place in their hearts for the angular post-punk of Gang of Four, which, based on this track, is not only a compliment for the British greats but for them too.
Kelly Jones - Inevitable Incredible
With the help of Stereophonics, UK singer-songwriter Jones, seems to take something of a shift toward a more orchestrated, wide-ranging sound and it seems to suit him quite well too.
Dana Gavanski - Ears Were Growing
Fr her new track, Gavanski does her take on the eighties, or Talking Heads and left-field artists like Claus Nomi here, a somewhat risky move, but Gavanski comes out of it unscathed.
Shabaka - End of Innocence
For his solo debut album, British jazz master Shabaka drops his last name but doesn't drop any of his excellent instrumental skills for this languid piece culled from it. An album to wait for.
Kim Richey - Floating On The Surface
Another showcase from a forthcoming album Richie follows in the footsteps of the greats like Bonnie Raitt and Lucinda Williams and quite well for herself and the album too.
Flung - Lilac
Oakland’s Kashika Kollaikal is Flung and her take on electro-pop has all the right moves toward the left-field side of the genre to make it not only interesting but a good listen too.
Rosali - Bite Down
Oisin Leech is Rosali and this track is taken from her upcoming album produced by guitar virtuoso Steve Gunn, both artists taking a somewhat subdued, but at the same time subtle approach that works so well.
ZORA - hush
ZORA, can sing, rap, and write a good, modern R&B/Soul/hip hop all at the same time. Should hit many playlists with ease with this one too.
Kee Avil - Felt
Back in 2022 Montréal guitarist and producer Kee Avil made quite an impression with her previous album ‘Crease,’ and ‘Spine,’ her latest effort, will most probably have the same effect.
Kiran Leonard - My Love, Let’s Take The Stand
Leonard favors his pop rock on the left-field side of things, but with all the experimental touches that crop up here, he doesn’t forsake the fact that a good melody is often what makes things work.
Keely Forsyth - Horse
Sometimes depicting the darker side of things or life itself is what is needed, and here Forsyth proves that point with this track from her forthcoming album.