Following on from their second album (Divine Invasions), collaborations with Welsh poet Autumn Juvenile and Polish Artist Michal Iwanowski, plus an R.E.M cover, Daniel Barnett and drummer/producer Andrew Sanders -aka electronic postrock duo RITUAL CLOAK – present their single, ‘Shell’ which is about being in a dream where you’re constantly searching for someone but never quite finding them.
It’s an idea that’s been floating around for a few years and gone through a number of different versions before becoming what it is now. Originally Shell was written for acoustic guitar and had a completely different feel. Dan remembers re-listening to Metals by Feist and being inspired by the dramatic intimacy of the album, leading to Shell being rewritten for piano. When the song was brought to the studio Sanders suggested taking the vocals outside of the usual comfort zone.
The inspiration for this method of production was taken from Bon Iver and Mogwai, experimenting with vocoder and the deliberate use of autotune for the first time. As a result the song entered new musical territories, and served as a reminder to ourselves that there are no rules in what we do. Have a listen below…
With over fifteen years of releases under his belt on acclaimed labels such as Cardiff’s Associated Minds, Dial Up Records, Ruztik Records and B-line Recordings, BLAKTRIX has also gained supported from Clash Magazine, BBC 1Xtra and HTV. Blaktrix is already a name worthily cemented in the rich history of UK Hip Hop.
The Village Live Records rapper latest single, ‘Shoey’ was produced by A.H. Fly who has produced for many UK hip-hop heavyweights including Lee Scott and was the producer for Universal Soldiers. ‘Shoey’ is Blaktrix first release of 2022 and follows in the wake of acclaimed single ‘5 Euro Shades’ which made quite an impact, and Blaktrix last EP ‘Dumb’ which was very well received with Radio & Press.
‘Shoey’ features Sonnyjim an exciting rapper who’s smashing it at the minute and is considered one of the biggest names in UK Hip Hop scene. Hailing from Birmingham ‘Sonnyjim’ has worked with many other top UK Hip Hop artists and producers such as like Jehst, Verbz, Confucius MC, has recorded an EP in the US with ‘Buckwild’ and has also produced with Chris Crack. Check out ‘Shoey’ below…
DFlexXx‘s single, ‘Today’ was inspired by Ice Cube’s ‘It Was a Good Day’ and Tyga’s ‘Good Day,’ but with his unique spin added to it.
In the track, the Welsh rapper, songwriter, actor and dancer talks about pressures that young adults have to deal with today by putting on a fake face to fit into society.
Hot on the heels of the release of his latest album, ‘Take Me As I Am,’ and sell out show at the Parc and Dare Theatre, Rhondda, Welsh performer, singer and now songwriter LEE GILBERT has shared his new single waiting to be embraced by the listeners entitled ‘Soldier On’.
This emotional, multi-layered, Pop song was co-written between Lee and a new international songwriting collaboration called The Grand Cru. The Grand Cru includes… ex Jesus Christ Superstar lead, Steve Balsamo (who’s written for Slash, Meatloaf, Cliff Richard) and ex member of The Story’s and Balsamo/Deighton. Also on ‘The Cru’ is multi-award winning Welsh singer/songwriter Darren Parry, who’s a former UK Songwriting Contest winner, Billboard, Unisong, ISSA and USA Song Of The Year award winner (who’s co-written with The Korgis, Dan and Laura Curtis and others). In addition, the fourth member of ‘The Cru’ is Florida based Bonnie Skop, whose family has a long history in music; including her Dad managing Ted Nugent and Bob Seger in their early days.
As for Lee… he needs no introduction in the Welsh music scene; he is an acclaimed singer /actor. His 25 year career has spanned from Theatre, Radio and TV work which runs alongside his music career. As an actor Lee has performed in Musicals, Drama and Comedies, credits available via Spotlight. As a singer he has produced two other studio albums, ‘Just One Voice’ and ‘All of Me’. He performs in Theatres and venues around the UK and Europe as a solo performer or as front man with a 17 piece Big Band. His stage show ‘That’s Life’ is a full 2 hr extravaganza of music and dance. He is a regular performer of cabaret in London’s West End Cabaret venues and throughout the country, with other regular appearances in Greece and Switzerland.
Lee says… “The new song ‘Soldier On’ was written via Zoom during the lockdown periods, initially for a Hollywood film. Unfortunately, due to lockdown restrictions in the US and some problems the film did not go ahead (for now anyway) but the song still remains”. Lee says… “we dug into our own emotional well’s for this song. We wanted to express the struggle that people go through in overcoming adversity in everyday life, how they soldier on. Written long before Ukranian conflicts, this song now has a new meaning due to that we suppose but the song is hopefully universal in its message, it’s about rising above problems to a better place, it can mean different things to different people”!
Hot on the heels of his summer ear worm track, ‘Summer Of Love’, multi-award winning Welsh, singer/songwriter DARREN PARRY returns and treats us to a stunning ballad entitled ‘Unconditional’.
Darren says of the meaning behind the latest single… “If you describe something as unconditional, you mean that the person doing or giving it does not require anything to be done by other people in exchange or return”.
‘Unconditional’ was co-written with ex Jesus Christ Superstar lead Steve Balsamo (who’s written for Slash, Meatloaf, Cliff Richard and who also co-wrote Darren’s summer track ‘Summer Of Love’) and one of Wales’ top vocalists/performers, Lee Gilbert.
The single was written via Zoom during the lockdown periods, initially for a Hollywood film, which featured a 12-year-old-boy saying a tearful farewell to his father. Due to lockdown restrictions in the US, the film did not go ahead – but the song still remains!
So without further ado, it’s time to listen to Darren new heartfelt single below…
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