January 2023 – Page 5 – 1st 3 MAGAZINE

DeadBlondeStars – South Yorkshire’s Finest

14th January 2023

South Yorkshire grunge/alternative rockers DeadBlondeStars album “Metamorphosis” is scheduled for release on 3 rd February 2023.

South Yorkshire grunge/alternative rockers DeadBlondeStars have been performing together for a number of years, building a reputation as one of the area’s finest live rock bands. They released EPs in 2015 and 2018, before finally releasing their well-regarded eponymous debut album in May 2020 (7/10, Classic Rock Magazine).

With COVID 19 bringing the world grinding to a halt shortly after the release of their album, DeadBlondeStars took to the airwaves in pursuit of wider acclaim, with radio airplay reaching far and wide across the globe.

Like every independent band, few opportunities for live performance during the pandemic left the band isolated from their audience. This led them to film live performances of tracks from the album and distribute them via social media. The enforced downtime also gave the band time to write, refine and record around 30 new songs, before whittling them down to an album’s worth of new material.

Once live music returned, the band secured slots at some of the UK’s finest grassroots music festivals in 2022, including Rock & Blues in Derbyshire, Rockin’ The Bowl in Sheffield and Wildfire in Scotland. Continuedinvolvement with independent radio stations helped DeadBlondeStars reach a new audience, with the listeners of Great Music Stories Radio voting DeadBlondeStars their band of the year for 2022 (previous winners include Massive Wagons, Those Damn Crows, Scarlet Rebels and Amongst Liars).

Moving into 2023, and with the inertia of a global pandemic fading into the distance, the new DeadBlondeStars album “Metamorphosis” is scheduled for release on 3 rd February 2023.

DeadBlondeStars are:

Gary Walker: Lead Vocals/Guitar

Tom Gratton: Guitar

Oliver Thompson: Guitar/Vocals

Matt Simons: Bass/Vocals

Jamie Machon: Drums

https://www.deadblondestars.com

Shadow Smile – Join The Dark Side

14th January 2023

Mainly Metal

Sheffield’s rising stars of Alternative Metal ‘Shadow Smile’ return with their new single ‘Signed In Blood’.

This is the title track from their crowdfunded debut album expected to be released in coming months. Produced by Daniel Jeffery and Mixed by James Pinder (The Wildhearts, While She Sleeps, Malevolence) at Treehouse Studios (UK), the single provides an explosive taste of things to come from the British outfit featuring Connor McGovern (Vocals), Adam Smith (Guitar), Ethan Goebel-Todd (Bass) and Joe Fletcher (Drums).

After eight successful self-released singles, ‘Signed In Blood‘ shows Shadow Smile have channelled their varied influences (ranging from contemporary acts like Bring Me The Horizon and While She Sleeps to the stadium filling sounds of Metallica, Def Leppard and Queen) into an accessible yet defined take on Metal, perfect for the 21st century. As part of an overarching concept album about the Seven Deadly Sins, ‘Signed In Blood‘ is written from the perspective of Mephistopheles and sees the listener begged, taunted and bribed into selling their soul. This acts as a metaphor for the way in which people are guilt-tripped into following societal trends and often turn their back on their own core values for prizes that simply aren’t there.

Lead vocalist Connor McGovern comments – ‘We wanted this song to be a modern take on songs like ‘Sympathy For The Devil’ by the Rolling Stones where the listener is being told why they should forget their morals and join the dark side. Those songs have always been a lot of fun and fit perfectly with the dark Shadow Smile imagery’.

Independently released on 13th Jan 2023, Signed In Blood is available on major streaming platforms.

https://open.spotify.com/album/3mmDuwYOQlPFHjeqNHal0j

UK Live Shows

3rd Feb – Old Bus Depot – Nottingham

5th Feb – Hope & Anchor – Islington, London

12th Feb – Hammerfest – Birmingham

27th May – Call Of The Wild Festival – Lincoln

15th July – Nighttrain – Bradford

https://www.facebook.com/ShadowSmilemusic

HYL – Out Of The Shadow

12th January 2023

Mainly Metal

HYL present ‘Into The Unknown’, the first single from their forthcoming debut album on Odium Records

Hyl are a new Italian/Polish atmospheric black metal entity featuring the talents of guitarist/bassist Rick Costantino (Deathwork, Krigere Wolf, Schizo etc), vocalist Shadow (Black Altar, Ofermod, Kriegsgott) and drummer Krzysztof Klingbein (ex Vader, Belphegor live).

The band will release the frozen majesty of their debut album, Where Emptiness Is All, this April, through Odium Records. Now they offer up a first taste of the windswept, icy atmosphere that they have captured in their music with first single ‘Into The Unknown‘. A perfect introduction to the inspired sounds of Hyl that will take the listener on an introspective journey that explores the human condition and mankind’s relationship with the natural world, a lyric video for ‘Into The Unknown’ is streaming now at the Odium Records YouTube channel.

The dark sounds of Hyl were captured by Dionysis Dimitrakos (Burial Hordes, Enshadowed etc) and ex-Marduk bassist Devo Andersson (Protector, Funeral Mist etc) while both the lyrics and chilling artwork were created by Claudia Sanza of Elysivm Art (Krigere Wolf).

For fans of Ruins Of Beverast, Vemod and Mgla this will be one of the most eagerly anticipated albums of 2023. Prepare yourself for the cold to come…

Visit HYL on Facebook

CVC – Get Psyched

12th January 2023

Music News

CVC are pleased to share ‘Music Stuff’, the next single taken from their upcoming debut album Get Real out this Friday (January 13th) on CVC Recordings via Secretly Distribution.

It follows the release of ‘Docking The Pay’, ‘Good Morning Vietnam’ and ‘Sophie’ and is in-keeping with elements of their now signature psych-rock-pop sound. Mojo recently exalted their “seamless three-part harmonies”, describing them as being “touched by some hazy flower-powered yesterday”‘ and Music Stuff’ is destined to become the definitive gateway into the sonic world of CVC.

To accompany the release of Get Real, CVC have also shared a trailer for a forthcoming Short Film called Music Stuff, directed by Edwin Burdis. The film was shot in Cardiff’s sweeping Millennium Centre, capturing the band in their element, while maintaining a glitchy, Sci-Fi feel; which seems fitting since a number of famous scenes of the BBC TV series Dr. Who were filmed in the very same building!

Throughout 2022, CVC were busy on the road, garnering a new and highly devoted fan base due to their incredible and celebratory live show, with The Arts Desk calling them “the best live act I saw last year (of a list which includes Paul McCartney, The Prodigy & Wet Leg)”. Wowing on stages like Reading and Leeds, through to sold-out hometown shows in their native Wales, they’re not a band to miss in 2023. CVC will be going on tour to support Get Real, and have today announced their debut London headline show at Camden Assembly.

Friday 13-Jan-23 London | Rough Trade East

Saturday 14-Jan-23 London | Rough Trade West

Monday 16-Jan-23 Nottingham | Rough Trade Shop

Wednesday 18-Jan-23 Bristol | Rough Trade Shop

Thursday 19-Jan-23 Kingston upon Thames | Banquet Records

Thursday 20-Apr-23 London | The Camden Assembly

Pre-order Get Real here

https://linktr.ee/cvcband

WITCH RIPPER – Bigger, Better, Bolder

11th January 2023

Mainly Metal

WITCH RIPPER release first video single ‘Enter the Loop’ taken from forthcoming new album “The Flight after the Fall”!

WITCH RIPPER have released the tongue-in-cheek video clip ‘Enter the Loop’ as the catchy first single taken from the forthcoming album “The Flight after the Fall”. The sophomore full-length of the American melodic sludge metal outfit is slated to hit stores on March 3, 2023 via Magnetic Eye Records.

WITCH RIPPER comment: “We wanted to start off our new album with a musical bang, and ‘Enter the Loop’ is clearly making a statement about this band”, guitarist and vocalist Curtis Parker writes. “Yes, we can play heavy riffs with pummeling drums, we all know that. Yet with the addition of Chad on guitar and co-vocals, we’re now able to execute big dramatic musical passages inspired by bands that we love like Queen and David Bowie. ‘Enter the Loop’ represents a launching-off point for us both in lyrical and musical terms. It lets people know that they’re in for something special, and that this musical journey is just beginning.”

WITCH RIPPER have created a loving pastiche of the legendary pulp science fiction stories of old. The story told on their sophomore full-length “The Flight after the Fall” has all those tasty ingredients: a mad professor, his dying wife, cryogenic chambers, a black hole as well as themes of love, failure, loss, and acceptance.

Musically, WITCH RIPPER have packed “The Flight after the Fall” with as much aggression and barely tamed electricity as anybody knowing them would expect, but there are also fleetly intricate guitar interplay touches of subtle synth, and cosmic atmospherics as well as unshakably catchy clean vocal hooks. In short, WITCH RIPPER maintain their brutal roots while embracing the arena rock bombast of QUEEN and DAVID BOWIE, the exuberant modern prog of COHEED AND CAMBRIA, and MUSE.

“The Flight after the Fall” is available to pre-order at THIS LOCATION!

Tracklist
1. Enter the Loop
2. Madness and Ritual Solitude
3. The Obsidian Forge
4. Icarus Equation
5 .Everlasting in Retrograde Pt. I & II

Born and raised in the city of grey skies and loud music, Seattle in 2012, Washington’s WITCH RIPPER have seamlessly welded together the contemporary heaviness of such hard-hitting acts as MASTODON, GOJIRA, and BARONESS with the anthemic quality of classic rock artists.

With a self-titled EP “Witch Ripper” (2012) and the debut full-length “Homestead” (2018), WITCH RIPPER garnered both critical acclaim and a strong buzz in the underground metal scene. WITCH RIPPER have performed alongside heavy rock outfits such as MONOLORD, CONAN, and RUBY THE HATCHET as well as modern metal acts including SLIPKNOT, GOJIRA, and KHEMMIS among many others.

WITCH RIPPER is:
Chad Fox – guitar, vocals
Brian Kim – bass, vocals
Curtis Parker – guitar, vocals
Joe Eck – drums

WITCH RIPPER approach their music in true American fashion: big riffs, bigger hooks, and damn, that drummer! With “The Flight after the Fall”, available as translucent sea blue vinyl and as Digisleeve CD on March 3, 2023 through Magnetic Eye Records, this heavy Seattle outfit re-emerge boldly into the guitar-driven US metal scene.

www.facebook.com/witchripper
www.instagram.com/witch_ripper

MICKELSON – Some Unusual Twists And Turns

11th January 2023

Music News

US alternative folk/rock artist – MICKELSON – is back with the brand new single: “Only Grey Matter Boiling In My Head” and news of a fresh run of UK Dates.

Kicking-off the new year with a choice collaboration, the new single sees the San Francisco songwriter teaming-up with XTC legend Colin Moulding, who provides the track with its wandering bassline and production nous.

Hallmarked with the humour, wit and ambition you might expect from a meeting of Mickelson and Moulding’s minds, “Only Grey Matter Boiling In My Head” offers a comical take on those moments of completely losing your cool…. As Mickelson explains:

““Only Grey Matter Boiling In My Head” is a humorous song dealing with anger management issues. This theme of self depreciation shows up in my lyrics from time to time. I am also extremely honoured that Colin Moulding played bass. We had several chats about the song and he also offered some great production ideas.”

Introduced to Colin by his son Lee (who performs in Mickelson’s live band), the chance encounter seemed to chime serendipitously with a new song Mickelson had been writing that bore the arch lyrical quips and off-kilter arrangements not so dissimilar to XTC’s vintage output. Reaching out to Colin with the bare bones of the track, he consequently added his own distinctive stylistics. Speaking about the how collaboration came to be Mickelson adds:

“I’d just written “Only Grey Matter Boiling In My Head” and thought it would be a good fit as there are some unusual twists and turns in the song and to my mind, reminded me of XTC. We recorded the basic tracks and Lee sent it to Colin. I quickly received his bass track and was pretty blown away by it.”

Gifting the track with its notably tilting basslines, the additional grandiose piano lines and accomplished drum rolls are courtesy of Mickelson’s UK-based live band, Jon Buckett and Lee Moulding respectively. Standing as the first piece of recorded music they have laid-down with their frontman, the drums and piano were recorded at Earthworm Recording Studio in Swindon, whilst Mickelson performed, produced, arranged, and mixed the rest from his Bay Area studio.

MICKELSON – NEW SINGLE: “ONLY GREY MATTER BOILING IN MY HEAD”

STREAM ON SOUNDCLOUD HERE

Due to reunite with his bandmates next month, Mickelson will be returning to the UK for a stretch of live shows spanning England, Scotland and Wales. With tickets on sale now, full dates and details can be found as follows:

MICKELSON – UK TOUR: FEBRUARY 2023
14 – Worcester, Marr’s Bar
15 – Birmingham, Flapper
16 – Leeds, The Grove Inn
17 – Glasgow, The 13th Note
18 – Meifod, Penylan Studios
22 – London, What’s Cookin’
23 – Ramsgate, Red Arrow Music Club
24 – Folkestone, The Chambers @ 8:00pm
25 – Brighton, The Folklore Rooms
26 – Swindon, The Victoria

TCKETS ON SALE HERE:
http://www.mickelsonmusic.com/tour

http://www.mickelsonmusic.com

JELLY ROLL – Sin Wins

11th January 2023

Country News

JELLY ROLL SCORES FIRST US COUNTRY RADIO NO. 1 WITH DEBUT SINGLE ‘SON OF A SINNER’.

No. 1 hitmaker and multi-genre phenomenon Jelly Roll scores his first No. 1 on US Country radio, as his debut Country single ‘Son Of A Sinner‘ sits at the top of the Billboard and Country Aircheck/MediaBase charts.

Following a massive, history-making year that included selling out Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena, making his Grand Ole Opry debut, scoring his first Country radio No. 1 and two-week Rock No. 1, and releasing his label-debut album Ballads Of The Broken on BMG/Stoney Creek Records, the Antioch native has more than “cemented his rising mainstream stardom” (Tennessean). Amassing more than 4 Billion career streams, Jelly Roll’s ‘Son Of A Sinner’ continues to dominate Billboard’s Emerging Artist chart for an astounding 20 straight weeks – marking the second-longest reign ever on the chart.

Written by Jelly Roll with fellow Nashville native ERNEST and David Ray Stevens, the Jelly shared with Billboard his appreciation for his first #1 single at Country radio, noting “There is no greater reward for a singer and songwriter in Nashville, Tennessee than to have the #1 song on Country radio. Now, imagine that happening to a guy that grew up in this town…a guy that, at every turn the first 25 years of his life, made the wrong decision. Imagine everyone telling that guy he had no chance at Country radio.

‘You’re too overweight, you have too many tattoos, they will never let another convicted criminal on Country radio’ – now imagine Country radio proving everyone wrong and taking the chance on the song, the message and the man. If you can imagine that, then you can understand why I’m so filled with gratitude as tears stream down my face while I type this: I currently have the number 1 song on Country radio. Thank you, Country Radio and all the Streaming Partners, for making ‘Son of a Sinner’ my first #1 at Country radio. I vow to never let you down or forget the chance you gave me when everyone told you not to! I want to take a second to thank my label STONEY CREEK AND BMG — Loba and his misfits — y’all took the biggest chance. Every label in town told me I had a better chance signing with a label in LA than to ever have a chance in this town with my history — not only did that not scare BMG, it made them want to double down and go all in!”

Last year ahead of his sold-out headlining date at his hometown venue, Bridgestone Arena, Jelly also shared with Billboard, “I want to keep making music that helps people,” and detailed the behind-the-scenes process of his song, ‘she’ the soul-stirring ballad that brings the hidden perils of addiction into the light. Quickly resonating with fans, ‘she’ encouraged people through the music video and Jelly’s partnership with Shatterproof to seek help with addiction and mental health. Watch the powerful video for ‘she’ HERE.

Jelly’s next release from his highly anticipated forthcoming album will be ‘NEED A FAVOR,’ which dictates “the internal fight between faith and vices” (American Songwriter), impacting US radio 13 February. Ahead of its official radio release, the video for ‘NEED A FAVOR’ will premiere this Friday, 13 January, on YouTube, along with a live stream after party for fans HERE.

fter independently building his own fanbase, the past year has marked Jelly Roll’s biggest to date. With his two-week rock No. 1 ‘Dead Man Walking’ – his first No. 1 ever as an artist or songwriter – Jelly became the first act this decade to top the Rock charts while simultaneously having a Top 30 song on Country radio (‘Son Of A Sinner’), and he is the first artist in Billboard history to do so with debut singles. It was also just over a year ago that Jelly Roll signed with BMG and sold-out the Ryman Auditorium in under an hour, prompting an immediate invitation to the historic Opry to make his debut.

Gilberto Gil – A Fond Farewell

11th January 2023

Music News

Brazil Legend Gilberto Gil To Perform His Final London Show At The Royal Albert Hall In October 2023.

Nine-time Grammy-winning Brazilian icon Gilberto Gil has announced that he will perform his last ever concert in London at the Royal Albert Hall on October 11^th 2023. The career-spanning set will see the visionary Brazilian singer and activist draw on a vast catalogue of music from down the decades as he celebrates his sixty plus years in music.

Hailing from Salvador in the northeast region of Brazil, Gil’s early repertoire centred around his love for folk-country sounds before being influenced by bossa nova in the late 1950s. He founded the Tropicália movement with fellow musicians including Caetano Veloso combining Brazilian and African rhythms with British and American popular music. By the 1970s, Gil became a political exile in London during Brazil’s dictatorship beginning a fifty-year association with the City.

Alongside music, Gil also served as Minister of Culture for Brazil implementing new policies around cultural development and diversity. His dedication led to accolades such as Artist of Peace by UNESCO in 1999 and becoming a FAO Ambassador.

Gil celebrated his 80^th birthday last year with a European tour that featured his entire family on stage. The tour was filmed for the second season of the Amazon Prime series Travelling with The Gils, which will air later this year.

Tickets for Gilberto Gil “Farewell To London” are on general sale now and available from https://www.comono.co.uk/live/gilberto-gil-2/.

https://www.facebook.com/gilbertogiloficial

IRIS DEMENT – A Way Of Healing

11th January 2023

Country News

IRIS DEMENT OFFERS HOPE IN TROUBLED TIMES ON TRANSCENDENT NEW ALBUM WORKIN’ ON A WORLD OUT FEBRUARY 24.

On February 24th, acclaimed singer/songwriter Iris DeMent contemplates the external and internal issues of our world with her seventh album, the inspiring Workin’ On A World.

During the course of her celebrated career, the pioneering artist has continued to evolve as she thoughtfully touches on the critical moments in our lives. On Workin’ On A World her songs are her way of healing our broken inner and outer spaces.

DeMent sets the stage for the album with the title track in which she moves from a sense of despair towards a place of promise. “Now I’m workin’ on a world I may never see / Joinin’ forces with the warriors of love / Who came before and will follow you and me.” “Going Down To Sing in Texas” is an ode not only to gun control, but also to the brave folks who speak out against tyranny and endure the consequences in an unjust world.

Workin’ on a World features some of DeMent’s most poignant songs to date. She summons various social justice warriors, both past and present, to deliver messages of optimism. “How Long” references Martin Luther King, while “Warriors of Love” includes John Lewis and Rachel Corrie. DeMent grapples with loss on the deeply honest “I Won’t Ask You Why,” while encouraging compassion over hate in the awe-inspiring “Say A Good Word.” Album closer “Waycross, Georgia,” encompasses the end of the journey, thanking those along the way.

The album was created over the course of six years with co-producers Richard Bennett, Jim Rooney and Pieta Brown. After putting down the work during the pandemic, DeMent revisited the recordings and shared them with Brown, who urged DeMent to return to the studio. Together they wrote “The Sacred Now” and “I Won’t Ask You Why” and finished the recording with Bennett in Nashville, TN in April 2022.

Iris Dement’s debut album Infamous Angel in 1992 has been hailed as one of Rolling Stone’s Greatest Country Albums of All Time and one of Pitchfork’s Best Albums of the 1990s. DeMent has earned numerous Grammy nominations and awards, along with the respect of peers/collaborators John Prine, Steve Earle, Emmylou Harris and others. The Guardian has called her “one of the finest singer-songwriters in America,” while NPR called her “one of the great voices in contemporary popular music.”

Iris DeMent U.S. Tour Dates

Feb 17 – Notre Dame, IN – DeBartolo Performing Arts Center
March 9 – Lafayette, LA – Acadania Center for the Arts
March 10 – Houston, TX – The Heights Theater
March 11 – Austin, TX – The 04 Center
March 12 – Dallas, TX – The Kessler
April 28 – Grass Valley, CA – Center for the Arts
May 12 – Green Lake, WI – Thrasher Opera House
May 13 – Stoughton, WI – Stoughton Opera House
May 13 – Eau Claire, WI – Jamf Theater

https://irisdement.com

The Now – Escape The Mundane

11th January 2023

Music News

Welsh Rockers ‘The Now’ Releasing New Single ‘The Devil Inside Me’ on February 17.

The highly infectious and guitar-heavy hooks of four-piece band The Now were born in South Wales in 2018 after Shane Callaghan (Rhythm Guitar & Lead Vocals), Will Scott (Drums), Callum Bromage (Guitar & Vocals) and Jay Evans (Bass Guitar) met at a local jam night.

Their stage presence was something special, and after perfecting their sound, The Now released its debut single “Friendly Fire” in 2021, followed by the 2022 debut 5-song EP ‘The Truth Always Comes Out In The End,’ which spawned the singles “Holy”(which was chosen as “The Coolest Song in the World” by SiriusXM’s Little Steven’s Underground Garage) and “Rockstar,” both of which landed them exposure on ITV, BBC, Sky Sports, MTV and a number of local independent radio stations.

The last year found The Now selling out the opening of their hometown Swansea Arena and supporting the likes of Placebo, Noel Gallagher, Reef, Trampoline, Florence Black, The New Roses, and more.

With an average age of 25, the Welsh rockers deliver a huge punch to the head with superb lyrics and highly charged instrumentals.

Having already worked with legendary producers like Grammy award-winning producer Jason Perry (McFly, Busted, Don Broco, The Blackout), Adam Noble (Coldplay, Biffy Clyro, Liam Gallagher) and Richard Jackson (The Automatic, Super Furry Animals and Duffy), the band is excited to announce a February 17 release date for their new single “Devil Inside Me,” The track will appear on their upcoming debut full-length album, produced by Oli Jacobs (The 1975, Harry Styles) and due out this summer.

Pre-save ‘Devil Inside Me’ here.

Upcoming Shows:

Feb 22- London, England @ The Camden Assembly Tickets

April 27- Poole, UK @ Lighthouse Tickets

Monthly Archives: January 2023

DeadBlondeStars – South Yorkshire’s Finest

South Yorkshire grunge/alternative rockers DeadBlondeStars album “Metamorphosis” is scheduled for release on 3 rd February 2023.

Shadow Smile – Join The Dark Side

Sheffield’s rising stars of Alternative Metal ‘Shadow Smile’ return with their new single ‘Signed In Blood’.

HYL – Out Of The Shadow

HYL present ‘Into The Unknown’, the first single from their forthcoming debut album on Odium Records

CVC – Get Psyched

CVC are pleased to share ‘Music Stuff’, the next single taken from their upcoming debut album Get Real out this Friday (January 13th) on CVC Recordings via Secretly Distribution.

WITCH RIPPER – Bigger, Better, Bolder

WITCH RIPPER release first video single ‘Enter the Loop’ taken from forthcoming new album “The Flight after the Fall”!

MICKELSON – Some Unusual Twists And Turns

US alternative folk/rock artist – MICKELSON – is back with the brand new single: “Only Grey Matter Boiling In My Head” and news of a fresh run of UK Dates.

http://www.mickelsonmusic.com

JELLY ROLL – Sin Wins

JELLY ROLL SCORES FIRST US COUNTRY RADIO NO. 1 WITH DEBUT SINGLE ‘SON OF A SINNER’.

Gilberto Gil – A Fond Farewell

Brazil Legend Gilberto Gil To Perform His Final London Show At The Royal Albert Hall In October 2023.

https://www.facebook.com/gilbertogiloficial

IRIS DEMENT – A Way Of Healing

IRIS DEMENT OFFERS HOPE IN TROUBLED TIMES ON TRANSCENDENT NEW ALBUM WORKIN’ ON A WORLD OUT FEBRUARY 24.

https://irisdement.com

The Now – Escape The Mundane

Welsh Rockers ‘The Now’ Releasing New Single ‘The Devil Inside Me’ on February 17.

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