Chloe Collins
Friends Without Benefits

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We are bringing you one of Nashville's greatest young lights today. Chloe Collins has been singing before she could run and soon after began to learn the guitar. Now she's a top-league talent who has had music featured on TV more than once. Described as a poetic country songwriter with elements of early Taylor Swift and Katy Perry, Chloe Collins has a growing list of tracks that fulfil expectations. Now, as we meet Spring 21, Chloe brings us Friends Without Benefits.


A whirl of tone bursts into the room as a guitar and drum strike the tempo. Chloe Collins begins singing straight away, a slush of music washes down to bring out sleek chords and wailing guitar that dances with her voice. Catchy lines repeat a chorus line asking us if friends without benefits is any fun? It sounds like the beginning of a love story, where two friends decide there's room for passion. We get to hear Chloe describe attraction and desire, it's easy to love and has an upbeat and memorable composition.


You can find out more about Chloe Collins on Facebook


Twitter


and Instagram
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Calvin Loron
Right Now


Taken from his latest 918 EP, Right Now is the latest single for the prolific musician Calvin Loron. Brought up on a steady diet of soul including the likes of Jackson 5, James Brown, and The Temptations, Calvin Loron had a hefty pair of shoes to fill. It seems that he does just that, as at the age of sixteen he released his first single. Since then he's been on the TV at least three times and has acquired a place in the hearts of fans far beyond his local Oklahoma reach.


The music begins with a rush of brass and drum. Saxophone and rhythm hits a catchy bass as Calvin Loron begins to sing. Repeating words and choral echoes push the phonics into groovy sensations. A real disco feel drives this song, smooth rhythms with stylish fills keep the energy in motion as funky composition circles and flutters around the flow of lyrics.


You can find out more about Calvin Loron online


Follow Calvin Loron on Facebook


Twitter


and Instagram

Selina Hawker
A Little Bit Perfect (Feat. Felix Wong)


Norfolk is lucky to be the home of the talented Selina Hawker. When she began performing to local audiences before Covid-19, things quickly got serious. Her definitive sound and stand-out ability have given her the platform she needs to get her songwriting skills heard and admired. Being a teacher by trade, Selina Hawker knows how to entertain a crowd and keep people's attention. She also funds and develops a school for orphans in Uganda which is amazing and shows she has a fantastic spirit. What's not to love? This is A Little Bit Perfect.


A guitar and drum opens the music with a laid-back sound. Selina Hawker begins to sing, her voice is wholesome and rounded to a package that drifts in an RnB style flux across progressive composition. The drums build and reverberate with a swell of warm compression and the words open out into a chorus. A truly catchy melody resonates across chords and drums that reverberate and hum with electronic glamour. As the song moves from verse to verse, self-similarity mixes with fresh perspectives on the rhythm.


You can listen to Selina Hawker on Soundcloud


You can also follow Selina Hawker on Twitter


Facebook


and Instagram

Tristan O'donovan
Bottle O'Red


Out now, this new track from Tristan O'donovan has been selected for RTE2FM Track of the Week by none other than Jenny Greene. She's a hot radio personality in Ireland. Tristan O'donovan has also enjoyed a feature in Cork Beo Magazine, a local culture literary journal. Tristan's family are undoubtedly musical, with a well-known Dad and a dance teacher Mum, the ability of this young man to write a good tune is clearly enhanced. Just like your author, Tristan left school at 18 and began on a music career. He's been a lot more successful a lot more quickly than yours truly however, which is great! This first release for the rising talent is astounding, and a proof of much more ability ready to be put into sound.


The music begins with a vocal holler and some funky reggae chords. Tristain O'donovan saunters through the video while carrying a characterful guitar. Smooth beats and uplifting chords radiate with summery glitz as the song takes us to a place of comfort and red wine. Sections of voice merge with verse and chorus as the persistent rhythm strikes a balanced slow march through feeling and evocative imagery. A middle 8 bursts through with a bluesy melody which bounces back into chorus words and then continues the story. A torrent of clever lyrics and rhyming verses coalesce with catchy easy going composition.


Get in touch with Tristain O'donovan on Instagram


Facebook


and Twitter


You can listen to Tristan O'donovan on Spotify

Strip n Roll
We Don't Need To
From Keep It Real
Out Now


Formed in London when drummer Karl and vocalist Tom met up for a quick session, the rest of the band fell into place quickly after. The band have gone on to release several acclaimed titles and have reached fans from further and further afield. The reviews have been raving and the radio's been repeating, let's see the 60s and 70s reborn in this alternative rock outfit.


It begins on a smash of cymbal and roar of guitars. The chord progression chugs along and reverberated organ wobbles in harmonious fringes. The vocal begins, a smooth distortion warms the sound, lyrics sing about society trying to make decisions for us. We don't need to do that. It can feel like our perspective is the only right one, but we have experienced a unique story and have gained insight in unique proportions. How can we accurately weigh things up in other peoples' lives? This catchy, Hawkwind like, and brilliantly produced track poses these philosophical conjectures.


You can find music by Strip n Roll on Bandcamp


and Follow Strip n Roll on Facebook
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​Christian Wethered
Mon Petit Jardin


Dublin based indie-folk musician and poet Christian Wethered has been rising fast on the local scene and beyond. He's issued fantastic performances at plenty of reputable nights out including The Ruby Sessions, Electric Picnic, and First Fortnight. Christian Wethered's sound is synonymous with subtle personality and meaningful lyrics. We know he has a reputation for evocative songwriting so this latest number is awaited eagerly.


The music breaks open like a morning sunrise, twinkling notes pluck a range of harmonising tones. A smooth drum cracks like warming ice. Then, a voice breezes in with dried leaves and cobwebs shaking as it moves. Melodic vocals form ghostly lines of sung poetry, a gothic feel seeps through the brickwork. The English turns to French, and the song continues with an addition of slender violin. Ambient drones hang in the passages of time as room sounds fill the spaces between. Progressive lines bring forth a summoned energy of passion and emotion as the notes rise in tune to the backing orchestration.


You can find out more about Christian Wethered online


Follow Christian Wethered on Facebook


Twitter


and Instagram


Look out for the single when it gets released on the 15th of March.

Harlow Lake
Bell & Jewel


Cork stage veteran Harlow Lake is back with another stand-out album. His solo efforts recently saw the debut Lilac and Lily hit the mark with a stripped down electronic feel. This second work pushes in the opposite direction with a folky and warm production. Since touring the UK and Europe in his band Jezery and Lamp, we now find Harlow Lake showing us the rest of his ability. A release from the expectations of the prog-rock scene and with a fresh flag to fly, we are treated with a snippet from the upcoming second album with this single.


It begins on a characteristic drumbeat that becomes an accompaniment for melodic guitars. A plucked chord melody frames the lyrics which are delivered in harmonising layers. Certain elements of psychedelia permeate the mixing, odd dramatisations drift with an ever-growing storybook of words that build a continuing picture. The music works like clockwork, steady beats punch in the time-code as humanist lyrics flow in currents around the frame. The music is reminiscent of groups such as Yes and Genesis yet with a modern and rock n roll heartbeat.


You can find music by Harlow Lake on Bandcamp

Follow Harlow Lake on Twitter

Jen Ella
Eyes For You
TBR: 12th March


Today we present to you the fabulous Jen Ella. Now living in Glasgow and originally from Cork, Jen Ella is a high-achieving indie-folk musician who is admired in many talent circles. This first release of the year for the singer sees an expertly composed soft-rock experience make the airwaves. The artist's previous EP from 2020 was featured in Golden Plec and Caesar Live n Loud. We've also seen Jen Ella appear on BBC Radio and Ireland's RTE 1 have added her name to their almighty playlist. Featuring NAME on drums and Venice of the North Studio's Andy Sheppard on bass, singer/guitarist Jen Ella writes about owning our self-worth.


It begins with a soft, twinkling guitar that rises with a splash of cymbal. A smooth snare driven drumbeat provides a backbone for Jen Ella to sing and strum friendly chords. A voice that suits so many sounds drips and pours like smooth and sweet syrup over steady and melodic chord progressions. The music builds with bass and extra percussion elements as subtle undertones rise in harmony with the dynamic flow of the verses. A sing-a-long number with uplifting yet thoughtful words decorates the room with a stylish and modern sound.


Connect with Jen Ella on Instagram


Twitter


and Facebook


Listen to Jen Ella on Spotify


Apple


and Youtube 

While you wait for the new music to be released on the 12th of this month, enjoy the highly acclaimed Lipstick Queen.
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​Alex James Brierley
Icy Cold


It's been a few weeks since we last featured Alex James Brierley on Alternative Fruit. This creative musician just seems to drip with quality music. Now we are able to get a dose of Icy Cold which is taken from his forthcoming alum. Alex James Brierly has been played on various BBC radio stations and has also filled a support slot at the Bolton Wanderers' stadium for Reverend and The Makers and Scouting for Girls. After working with Grammy Award winning Steve Levine, it's obvious that Alex is here to stay.


The music begins with a funky bass riff that fizzes with a blues guitar. New chords fold over and bring out the other side of the tone. Smooth yet distorted fills bounce from splashy drumming as Alex James Brierley begins singing. His voice is laid bare with a electronic crackle which adds another dimension to his timbre. Lyrics are placed in well portioned grooves that bob like boats on a larger and more powerful body of water. The music roars with a funky-blues exploration of tonal qualities.


You can visit Alex James Brierley online


Follow Alex James Brierley on Facebook


Twitter


and Instagram