Laurel Canyon Music

For fans and musicians of Folk, Americana, Country, Blues, Singer-Songwriter, Rock, Roots & Acoustic and music from the Laurel Canyon late 60’s/early 70’s era.

LCM is a new co-operative music community, promoter, event organiser and on-line magazine to promote & support the music that we love. All the latest news, reviews and interviews

LCM is your indispensable insider guide to the wonderful world of independent music and beyond

We aim to help music fans connect and discover great new music and help indie musicians promote their music and help them build relationships with supporters and industry professionals.

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High Romance - Emily Mae Winters (19/07/19)

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Artist: Emily Mae Winters

Release Date: 19th July, 2019

Genre: Americana, Folk, Singer-Songwriter

Record Label: Emily Mae Winters

Tracks: 11

Website:

Fast rising star on the U.K. Folk/Americana scene Emily Mae Winters has that rare quality in a singer that makes critics reach for the superlatives. Described as having a voice that "stops you in your tracks" and "arresting, enthralling, tantalising" by Americana UK, Emily combines straight-to-the-heart bittersweetness with her own unique passion and drama in performance. Emily Mae Winters' exquisite songs sit between the stormy seas of folk and country influenced by artists such as Gillian Welch, Emmylou Harris, Gretchen Peters, Alison Krauss and Sarah Jarosz. Born in England, raised on the rugged coasts of Ireland, her debut album Siren Serenade produced by BBC Radio 2 award winning producer Ben Walker was released to critical acclaim earning her a host of awards. The record received widespread U.K. radio play including plays on BBC Radio 2, as well as international Folk and Americana radio.

To quote Emily: "In one of my favourite poems by the English romantic poet John Keats: 'When I Have Fears', he looks up at the night sky as his dying day approaches and sees 'Huge cloudy symbols of a high romance'. He worries that he and his pen will not live long enough to trace them all. I've always been a 'hopeless romantic' but I think the older I get, the more the meaning of that phrase changes for me."

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Kate Rusby - Philosphers, Poets and Kings (17/05/19)

  • Artist: Kate Rusby

  • Release Date: 17th May, 2019

  • Genre: Folk, Singer-Songwriter

  • Record Label: Pure Records

  • Tracks: TBA

  • Website:

This the 17th studio album from award-winning folk singer Kate Rusby. Seamlessly blending old and new across 12-tracks of traditional folk, covers and self-penned songs, the inimitable contemporary folk songstress's new solo album is a deeply personal collection which pays homage to her family and musical heritage, and home life in Yorkshire. With Philosophers, Poets and Kings, Kate Rusby raises a toast to her parents. She recalls an upbringing filled with music; whether recording songs performed during wine-fuelled family singalongs or her formative years spent watching festival performances by famed musicians.

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Billie Marten - Feeding Seahorses By Hand (26/04/19)

  • Artist: Billie Marten

  • Release Date: 26th April, 2019

  • Genre: Pop, Singer-Songwriter

  • Record Label: RCA

  • Tracks: 12

  • Website:

Billie Marten follows up her superb debut in effortless style.

Despite the lengthy absence since her last record, a majority of this album was laid down on on a four track tape recorder at producer Ethan Johns's house in just two highly focused weeks of recording.

This organic approach to recording has helped Billie Marten maintain the rough-edge and natural feel of her debut - one of its most praised features - but that doesn’t mean she hasn’t expanded her sound. Where writing of ‘Blues and Yellows’ was deeply atmospheric with skeletal instrumentals, ‘Feeding Seahorses By Hand’ features some more diverse arrangements, incorporating anything from synthesisers to slide guitars and drum machines to choral vocals. Billie masterfully incorporates these new elements with such subtlety and restraint it never seems excessive and never allows them to detract from the raw and subdued nature of the album.

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Dido - Still On My Mind (08/03/19)

  • Artist: Dido

  • Release Date: 8th March, 2019

  • Genre: Pop, Singer-Songwriter

  • Record Label: BMG

  • Tracks: 12

  • Website:

Dido is back with her first new album in five years, the stunning ‘Still On My Mind’. ‘Still On My Mind’ is Dido’s 5th studio album and was written and recorded in England, a result of the fruitful and incredibly natural production/songwriting partnership with her long term collaborator and brother (faithless founder) Rollo.

‘It was simple, I only wanted to make another album if it was with him’ says Dido. ‘It was made in such an easy way, all the vocals recorded on the sofa, a lot of it recorded at home’. It follows the 2013 release of the acclaimed ‘Girl Who Got Away’.

‘Still On My Mind’ encapsulates a variety of styles and genres, ranging from her love of hip hop to her folk roots, but ultimately the entire record carries a dance and electronic music sensibility, even on the tracks with no beats. At the core, it's about the songs which capture the beautiful essence of Dido personally and emotionally.

Dido describes the making of this album as “an absolutely magical experience”. She says: “I wanted to capture the feeling I still get from listening to music, just that rush like you don’t need anything more than this”.

With sales of more than 40 million albums worldwide, Dido is one of the best- selling UK artists ever. Both ‘No Angel’ and its 2003 follow-up, ‘Life For Rent’, still rank among the UK’s biggest-selling albums of all-time.

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Molly Tuttle - When You're Ready (05/04/19)

Artist: Molly Tuttle

Release Date: 5th April, 2019

Genre: Americana, Bluegrass, Country, Folk, Singer-Songwriter

Record Label: Compass

Tracks: 11

Website:

Compass is proud to announce the release of award-winning guitar virtuoso Molly Tuttle's debut album, 'When You're Ready'. An insightful, gifted songwriter who was crowned "Instrumentalist of the Year" at the 2018 Americana Music Awards on the strength of her EP Rise, Tuttle has broken boundaries and garnered the respect of her peers, winning fans for her incredible flat-picking guitar technique and confessional songwriting. Graced with a clear, true voice and a keen melodic sense, the 25-year-old seems poised for a long and exciting career. 'When You're Ready', produced by Ryan Hewitt (The Avett Brothers, The Lumineers) showcases her astonishing range and versatility and shows that she is more than simply an Americana artist.

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Jade Bird - Jade Bird (19/04/19)

Artist: Jade Bird

Release Date: 19th April, 2019

Genre: Singer-songwriter

Record Label: Glassnote

Tracks: 12

Website:

Jade Bird the debut self-titled debut album via Glassnote Records. Featuring breakthrough singles ‘Lottery’, ‘Uh Huh’ & ‘Love Has All Been Done Before’.

Twisting big themes of disillusionment, divorce, cheating, sorrow into the realities of an independent-minded, modern British teenager, Jade's music transcends genre with a wealth of influence coming from everywhere, and anywhere. Classic, contemporary, and a total breath of fresh air in the current musical landscape, Jade Bird is that rare, next-generation artist who appears as clued up on the past as she is determined to learn from its lessons: in control, sometimes in your face, and in possession of gifts beyond her years.

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Good Harvest - Far Beyond EP (17/05/19)

The brand new live EP from one of our favourite Swedish duo’s Good Harvest. This live recording features symphony orchestra Dalasinfoniettan and conductor Jonas Nydesjö. It was recorded in Kristinehallen, Falun on December 5th, 2018.

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Edgelarks - Feather (17/05/19)

  • Artist: Edgelarks

  • Release Date: 17th May, 2019

  • Genre: Folk, Americana, Roots

  • Record Label: Dragonfly Roots

  • Tracks: 11

  • Website: http://www.edgelarks.co.uk

In April 2018, Edgelarks (Phillip Henry and Hannah Martin) retreated to a remote cottage in Ulpha, western Cumbria. They breathed in the mountain view, banked up the fire, and took their many instruments out of their cases. Then they sat down, and wrote. Tired of the navelgazing tendencies of sad songwriting, and the terrible events frequently depicted in the folk ballad tradition, they decided to turn their attention to an oft overlooked but vital facet of our lives: hope.

Swiftly, a set of songs and tunes emerged. Stories of wonder from the natural world; tales of rejoicing and long lost returns; and simple thanksgiving for their own surroundings and place in the landscape. Informed by world rhythms, British folk roots, and the duo's penchant for making as much noise as possible with only two people, the album is an upbeat celebration, an incitement to hope. The album will launch with an accompanying tour in May 2019.

Phil and Hannah have already proved themselves one of the most captivating and innovative acoustic duo’s in the UK and their fifth studio album certainly doesn’t disappoint. ‘Feather’ comprises ten original songs and a unique take on a traditional English folk song. All the excellent trademarks of previous albums are there. Phil on dobro, lap steel and beatbox harmonica and Hannah on banjo, fiddle and her distinctive vocal. Stomp and shruti box adding to the mix. Following on from his solo project ‘True North’, Phil also add more of his vocal to the new album.

Phil and Hannah comment that ‘Feather’ was borne out of a creative block. Weary from a lot of time on the road after worldwide tour, they retreated to a remote cottage in the Cambrian Lakes.

Hannah comments “We went there in the spring and breathed in the mountain air. We turned off our phones, banked the fire, stocked the fridge and wrote. Having had no time or energy the stories started to unfurl and we found that we were writing about hope. We had been lucky enough to experience solace, rest and welcome and these were now the things we wanted to sing about. We return from Cumbria with a suitcase full of new material - songs of hills, wild rain and sunshine and the circle of all things, songs for tired hearts and troubled minds.”

The album was produced by the in-demand Mark Tucker along with Phil at The Green Room in Devon.

The opening and title track of the album ‘Feather’ is inspired by finding a lone feather in the middle of a stone circle in Dartmoor. It’s a percussive, banjo driven track showcasing the duo’s wonderful musicianship. The sublime ‘Where I Stand’ was inspired by the Ogham stones and one in particular, the Dartmoor’s Roborough Down stone which commemorates two people with the underlying theme of migration.

One of the albums stand out songs is the breezy and carefree ‘Back From Hope’ with shared vocals and great fiddle playing from Hannah. It’s a song about a city based husband and wife who love to hike in the the Peak District. The contentment continues in ‘Wanting Nothing’ with wonderful dobro and banjo interplay, while twin guitars are the foundation to the slow paced beachcombing song ‘What We Save From The Tide’. I love the poetic parallels to the flotsam and jetsam of the creative process.

In the hypnotic ‘Oyster’ the pair explore the hope that can be found in nature, with a nod to a Emily Dickinson poem. Unusually Phil is playing banjo on the track with Hannah adding her tenor guitar. Watch out for the lovely build and an Indian mantra-like close. The gentle ‘Time Away’ advocates the importance of holidays with it’s looping rhythms that build into soaring strings and then fall back into a beautiful suspended stillness.

Full of beautiful dobro and banjo interplay ‘Growing’ celebrates a small miracle and is based on a true story of a lost and found wedding ring. While another album standout ‘Wander’ is a ‘song of belonging and welcome’ and showcases Phil’s fantastic beatbox harmonica playing. It tells the story of the loss of regional accents and offers the thought that ‘home’ should be defined by individuals and the place they put down roots rather than birthplace.

The only non original song on the album is their own very atmospheric and quite haunting version of the much recorded Traditional ballad ‘Spencer The Rover’. The album closes with ‘The Longest Day’ inspired by the turning of the year and the promise of summer. It’s a dreamy, calming finale brimming with promise with the dancing fiddle mimicking the rising of the sun in the summer sky.

‘Feather’ is a collection of ‘bright songs for dark days’, whether the darkness is perceived as seasonal or global. The album is very timely and perfectly on point, showcasing the music of one of the best Folk, Americana and Roots duos in the UK.

Phil and Hannah are currently on their UK album release tour with their London date at Cecil Sharp House on May 30th. Don’t miss them live.

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Joy Williams - Front Porch (03/05/19)

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  • Artist: Joy Williams

  • Release Date: 3rd May, 2019

  • Genre: Singer-Songwriter, Folk, Americana, Country

  • Record Label: Sensibility Recordings

  • Tracks: 12

  • Website: http://www.joywilliams.com

The excellent second studio album from Joy, who was part of the Grammy award winning The Civil Wars.

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Danni Nicholls - The Melted Morning (12/04/19)

  • Artist: Danni Nicholls

  • Release Date: 12th April, 2019

  • Genre: Americana, Folk, Singer-Songwriter

  • Record Label: Danni Nicholls Music

  • Tracks: 11

  • Website:

"A dark polished gem" - 8/10 AmericanaUK.

With the wind in her sails from receiving two consecutive Americana Music Association UK award nominations (2017 UK Album of the Year for Mockingbird Lane and 2018 UK Artist of the Year), singer/songwriter Danni Nicholls has embarked upon her next artistic journey - her third studio album 'The Melted Morning' with a new producer at the helm. Once again, Nashville, Tennessee, has played host to her musical undertaking, as the city has long held a special place in Danni's heart.

'The Melted Morning' was produced by Jordan Brooke Hamlin (The Indigo Girls, Lucy Wainwright-Roche) at the idyllic woodland studio MOXE, Nashville TN.

Closely personal yet widely relatable, the themes of this album span an array of life's takeaways; from the pain and darkness of rejection, the fear of losing yourself and the power of human connection to offering up hope and new perspectives in the face of adversities.

Love and guts, moxie and magic… that's the stuff dreams are made of, and Danni Nicholls' dreams are coming true.

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Mile Twelve - City On A Hill (29/03/19)

Mile Twelve - City On A Hill.jpg

Artist: Mile Twelve

Release Date: 29th March, 2019

Genre: Bluegrass, Country, Folk, Roots

Record Label: Delores the Taurus Records

Tracks: 10

Website: https://www.miletwelvebluegrass.com

Although their sound is rooted in traditional bluegrass, Mile Twelve surveys a broader landscape on their newest album, ‘City on a Hill’. All five band members bring their own influences and observations into the music, resulting in a project that feels contemporary, thoughtfully crafted, and relevant. Produced by Bryan Sutton and engineered by Ben Surratt, ‘City on a Hill’ follows significant recognition from the bluegrass community, including three IBMA Momentum Awards. With members based in Boston and Nashville, the lineup includes David Benedict (mandolin), Catherine “BB” Bowness (banjo), Bronwyn Keith-Hynes (fiddle), Evan Murphy (acoustic guitar, lead vocals), and Nate Sabat (bass, lead vocals).

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Sarah Darling - Wonderland (07/06/19)

Artist: Sarah Darling

Release Date: 7th June, 2019

Genre: Country, Americana, Singer-songwriter

Record Label: Be Darling Records

Tracks: 13

Website: https://www.sarahdarling.com

A host of exceptional writers and producers came on board to collaborate with Sarah on ‘Wonderland’, from both the US and UK. Working with these songwriters has been a dream for Sarah, who took the challenge of writing with guests in her stride, “I’ve been in England for most of the year co-writing and working with producers. On this project, it’s really about new friends and new ideas. I literally would walk into a co-writing session, and had never met the person before. It’s so incredibly exciting to be finishing up the album, and to say I’ve recorded this in a different country. It’s a true reflection of me, and the current ride I’m on. Not to mention, I have new friends and memories for life. Music is about the connection. I’m so proud to share this trans-Atlantic collaboration. It’s the greatest adventure of my life to date!”

Calling the UK her “second home”, the Nashville based singer set out to embrace everything the UK had to offer, “I hope everyone gets to experience all the magic I had while recording it. I never imagined in a million years I’d be recording an album in the countryside of Wales. I wouldn’t change it for anything!” Whilst the early foundations for the record came together in Nashville with Mark Bright (Rascal Flatts, Carrie Underwood, Keith Urban), Sarah soon relocated to London where she spent much of 2018 working with acclaimed writer/producers Ash Howes (Kylie, Gabriella Aplin), Pete Hammerton , producers MyRiot (London Grammar), and songwriters including Shelly Poole and Jessica Sharman (Ward Thomas).

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