Feenstra and Simpson

Feenstra And Simpson is a British pop roots-rock duo comprising award-winning songwriter/lyricist/promoter and author Pete Feenstra and former Wilko Johnson championed Feelgood Band main man, multi instrumentalist and former indie recording artist John Simpson.So far the duo have recorded 7 singles, 4 of which have entered Mike Read’s Heritage Chart and the Netherlands Hit Tracks Top 100 John and Pete met in their respective roles as a musician and promoter/nascent songwriter.As Pete explains: “John quit the Wilko Johnson championed Feelgood Band after a 10 year stint. He told me he was going back to recording at his home studio. Many years before he achieved power plays on Capital radio etc.

He also mentioned he could do with some lyrics, so the die was cast.”John adds: “We started off as a pop rock roots project inspired by The Beatles with what later turned out to be Eagles, Squeeze, Tom Petty & Travelin' Wilburys influences, but we also got sidetracked by the well received homage to Wilko Johnson called "I Don't Get It".“A little Wilburys …..nice song.” Will Birch (Producer)“If some famous boy-band or successful The Voice contender was looking for material far above and beyond the usual drivel, they might find it here."Alan Clayson Reviewer (author / musician) “Reminds me of Squeeze in their melodic heyday.”Dave Lewis – (Musicologist /author)“The tunefulness of acts like Tom Petty & The Travelin Wilburys. Velvety guitar layers, & the nuances of love” (Neil Mach Ed Raw Ramp mag).

The duo’s last single ‘Blue Plaque’ attracted media attention because of its original subject matter about the historical marker of the achievements of people in the past with buildings of the present.

Darryl Scotti

Driven by his passion for songwriting and recording, Darryl formed his band ‘Big Yard’ in 2002 to tour in the Northern California CCM market while winning the NACAS Song of the Year title for ‘Take out the Trash’. He was then signed to Fair Oaks Records in 2005 and released his first solo CD ‘The Will & The Way’ produced by Bob KIlptarick featuring guest appearances with legendary Christian Artists Randy Stonehill and virtuoso guitarist Phil Keaggy. Today, Darryl lives with his wife, Yvonne in Cave Creek, AZ enjoying an Arizona lifestyle while actively writing and producing new music. 

With his sights set on developing new upcoming artists while supporting and collaborating with other songwriters and producers for BigYard Nation, the future is bright. “God’s not done with me yet”, so he says. The new 6 song EP release '54th St. on BigYard Records produced by Alex Chacon and mixed by Aaron Howard features co-writes with Bill Dutcher and Arizona blues legend, Chuck Hall. You can join and follow Darryl & BigYard on FB, IG, YouTube and TikTok @BigYardNation.

Redfish Blues Band

 

The Redfish Blues Band have travelled a VERY long way in VERY short time. The U.K. Blues Award nominees have not only developed a distinctive and defining style of their own, featuring the astonishing vocal and guitar talents of Christian Sharpe and the awe-inspiring swirling Hammond organ of Steve McGuckin, they have collaborated with the very best in the blues community, as featured artists on the superb Cinelli Brothers-produced album “No Country For Bluesmen”, considered to be a recent “who’s who” of British musicianship. Christian Sharpe is the consummate master of his craft, delivering jaw-dropping dynamics, tone and phrasing, together with an unforgettable vocal range and soaring power. With Steve McGuckin’s “tower of power” Hammond/ Leslie, he is backed by the rock solid and sympathetic rhythm section of Rod Mackay (bass) and Steve Gibson on drums.With their brand new original album “Together Is Better” now available, this must-see, must-hear band has developed a delicious, bubbling gumbo of blues, soul, gospel and funk, with live performances defined by both energy and restraint, and the visibly obvious delight of personal interaction, in the moment, between performers at the very top of their game.The Redfish Blues Band are landing on festival stages, sometimes headlining, all across the UK. Catch some ‘fish!

Dry White Bones

Festival favourites Dry White Bones, will be at Glastonbury for the 4^th time this year, you could have seen them at Boomtown where they have played 4 times, or many other events where they are always asked back, Watchet, Way out West, Godney Gathering, Bristol Harbourside to name just a few.The band are an eclectic mix of Darren Smith, a very dominating on stage presence, crazy lyricist, magic guitar strummer and front man, Dave Gibson, fine blower of blues harp and rattler of teapots and washboards and Harry Ford now resident stand up drummer driving the tracks along, Darren used to sit down and play drums with his feet, Harry has come in and given Darren the freedom to be the front man he always was.

 

Altered Five Blues Band

Altered Five smokes, smolders and burns like a swig of good whiskey. The hip Milwaukee quintet is known for its strong brew of tough, original blues and hard-hitting live shows. Blues Blast raves that barrel-chested front man Jeff Taylor possesses a “smooth, warm-toned voice as monumental and undeniable as Howlin’ Wolf with the finish and flourish of B.B. King.” Downbeat declares stealth guitarist Jeff Schroedl “reaches the high bar of mixed invention and fluidity.” Fueled by a rhythm section laying down the deepest grooves this side of the MGs, the five blues blasters hit the ground running 22 years ago and show no sign of easing up. Their seventh studio recording, Testifyin', was released March 22, 2024 on Blind Pig Records.

The new EP kicks hard like the four award-winning records preceding it. Cryin’ Mercy nabbed “Best Self-Released Album” at the International Blues Challenge in 2015. Charmed & Dangerous garnered "Song of the Year" at the Independent Music Awards and Wisconsin Music Awards in 2018. Guitar World magazine called the title track a “menacing, swampy blues" and it was in regular rotation on SiriusXM’s Bluesville in addition to many other programs and playlists. In 2019, Ten Thousand Watts reached #10 on the Billboard Blues Chart, hit #1 on both the iTunes and Amazon blues charts, while "Great Minds Drink Alike" captured first place in the blues category of the International Songwriting Competition. Holler If You Hear Me debuted at #3 on the Billboard Blues Chart and received three Blues Music Award nominations, including Album of the Year and Song of the Year. Their 20th Anniversary vinyl LP featured "Great Minds Drink Alike (With Horns)" which also received a BMA nod for Song of the Year.

All band members contribute as a songwriting team to be reckoned with. Memorable, incisive lyrics run the gamut from slyly suggestive ("Ten Thousand Watts") to blues history tributes ("Three Forks") and inventive contemporary themes (“Urgent Care,” “Back Button”). 

Altered Five have consistently checked all the boxes, making lasting, deeply expressive original blues for the mind and body. Up front and leading the big blues train, Taylor exhorts and cajoles while carrying the weight of the lyrical content. Neither imitating nor hiding his debt to the legendary blues singers of the past, he commands deserved attention on his own. Schroedl propels, embellishes, and adds palpable power through his varied rhythm accompaniment and riveting guitar solos. While inspired by, but not tethered to the kings and titans of blues guitar, he has found his own estimable path to personal expression always at the service of the song. 

​The muscular yet limber rhythm section of bassist Mark Solveson and drummer Alan Arber lock into the full range of blues grooves from classic slow Chicago drag ("Holding on With One Hand") and romping Texas shuffles ("Mint Condition") to soulful R&B worthy of Stax Records ("Gonna Lose My Lady"). In addition, returning keyboardist Steve Huebler always provides a rich pad of lush harmony along with his own and soaring solos.

Whether live or on record, Altered Five  performs seamlessly as a powerhouse entity encompassing the timeless blues virtues of passion and unwavering commitment funneled through technical excellence.

Blue Moon Marquee Win JUNO Award For Blues Album of the Year for Scream, Holler & Howl!

 

This time, they’re jumping for joy: Cowichan Valley - Coast Salish Territory, BC, indie blues duo Blue Moon Marquee have scored the Blues Album of the Year at the 2024 JUNO Awards, following their two nominations including Contemporary Indigenous Artist or Group of the Year. The prestigious win is for the group’s 2022 album, Scream, Holler & Howl, a 13-song collection co-produced by the band, the legendary Duke Robillard (The Fabulous Thunderbirds, Roomful of Blues) and Erik Nielsen.

 

The award was handed out on Saturday, March 23 at the music industry’s gala event in Halifax, NS. Following their win, the band quickly became a highlight on the east coast, performing at JUNOFEST that night at The Carleton to a sold-out crowd.

 

“All those years hustling on the road, sleeping in alleys with our instruments, living in our truck playing every little spot all over the country…. This recognition is wind in the sails to keep going.”

 

It’s been quite a year for Blue Moon Marquee. Earlier, the duo of Guitarist/vocalist A.W. Cardinal and standup bassist/vocalist Jasmine “Badlands Jass” Colette were nominated in two categories in the 2024 Maple Blues Awards: Entertainer of the Year and Bass Player of the Year. That followed the band’s sweep of 2023, in which they won Entertainer of the Year, Acoustic Act of the Year, Songwriter of the Year and Record/Producer of the Year—the first time in the 26-year history of the Maple Blues Awards that a single artist has carried those specific categories. The group were also the first Indigenous artist to win those “big four” awards.

 

In 2023, Blue Moon Marquee won the Summer Solstice National Indigenous Awards for Roots Album of the Year and Live Performance of the Year, as well as The Western Canadian Music Award for Indigenous Artist of the Year.

 

Founded in 2013, carving a path through blues, jazz, jump jive, folk, Country, swing and Indigenous soul with an authentic spirit, their sound does not idle easily in one certain category. It stomps and struts through the wilds, conjuring a blend where Howlin Wolf tangos with Django, Earnest Tubbs shoots firecrackers with Louis Prima and Memphis Minnie throws dice with Screamin’ Jay Hawkins.

 

Their gift is they bring all these elements together without anything sounding out of step. They collect the roots and smoothly braid them with lyrics that often touch on the underbelly of society, woven with elements of Indigenous storytelling and poetic cadence. 

 

In addition to mainstays Cardinal and Colette, the act is sometimes rounded out by Darcy Phillips (Jann Arden) on piano and Jerry Cook (Colin James) on tenor and baritone saxophone.  

 

The group is currently working on three unique recording projects all while preparing for a spate of Summer and Fall concert dates throughout Canada.

 

Their road plans also include a trip to Nashville to appear at Americana Fest and a tour throughout the USA to support.

 

Blue Moon Marquee recently signed with Paquin Artists Agency, one of Canada’s most respected touring agencies. U.S. booking is through Caline Artists International. If you’ve been considering adding this hotly requested show band to your event schedule, the time to act is now. Because these “two small-town Alberta kids” aren’t just going places—they’ve clearly arrived.

Far Wider

Working as a collective, soul and blues-infused band Far Wider are set to release their brand-new single ‘The Other Woman’ on the 29th of March across all streaming platforms. Taken from their upcoming debut album, they’re ready to set the tone with their fresh offering. 

Hooking up with artists from around the UK and beyond, Far Wider has chosen to collaborate with Geneva, mostly known for her time on The X Factor in the girl group Belle Amie. The powerful singer, before appearing on one of the biggest talent shows in the world, won the Spanish TV talent show ‘WOW.’ With a background in pop, soul, EDM and of course rock and blues, she’s the perfect addition to Far Wider. 

‘The Other Woman’ explores a fictional setting that combines sultry and silky sounds to create a sophisticated concoction. Accompanied by a music video, it’s soft, botanical and gentle with a hint of lust. It’s alluring, dark and caramel-soft. 

Far Wider’s sound is influenced by Pink, Beth Hart, Annie Lennox and Florence and the Machine.

Their upcoming album ‘These Other Women’ hones in on different genres and sounds. It hosts a collection of featured characters who all have different passions, deceptions, loves and losses and although it’s firmly rooted in rock and blues, the band push themselves into testing the waters of pop, funk and ska. 

Barbarella And The Boogie Blues

 

Barbarella And The Boogie Blues is a project and band created by singer and song writer, Rachel M. They shared their first sonic salutation, Objectifying You, on December 16th 2023, to be swiftly followed by, Ain't Nobody Know My Pain, which dropped on, January 23rd and has since been heard on the legendary radio Caroline, Jazz FM and several other amazing stations around the world, currently supporting the blues. Won't You Come Back, the third track to be shared by the band in as many months, featured guitar virtuoso, Vince Hall and was first shared on valentines day, 2024.  With plans to share further music imminently and embark on a mini European tour in summer 2024, watch this space for updates.  

 

Lead singer and lyricist, Rachel M has been releasing music since 2016. Her fluidity as an artist has allowed her to create within multiple musical genres. Having received global radio airplay and critical acclaim, her past collaborations include an impressive list of musical maestros from the legendary pianist, Mike Garson, best known for his work with David Bowie, to the internationally acclaimed, Singaporean guitar wizard, Randolf Arriola. At this time, her primary focus is exploring her earliest inspirations in music and passion for the blues, through her new band, Barbarella And The Boogie Blues [full lineup for the live band to be announced shortly]. Rachel would like to thank, Ray Fury, John Morrison, Ed Cunningham, Vince Hall, Sim Hassall, Mark Mochan and Dan Cambell for their time, creativity and support during preparations for the coming live set.

Midnight Fuel

Midnight Fuel is a rock band from Thessaloniki, Greece. Formed in 2013 when vocalist/songwriter Gio Dimitriadis collaborated with keyboardist Aggelos Abatzis and guitarist George Kyrou. A while later, drummer Babis Kalogiannis and bassist Jim Zacharof joined the band after the invitation of Gio Dimitriadis.

Influenced by a wide spectrum of musical styles, Midnight Fuel's sound include rock, indie, blues and alternative elements.

In July 17, 2017, the band released digitally the debut album "River Busted". The production was independent, made by Aggelos Abatzis, while the compositions are written by Gio Dimitriadis*.
The album includes 7 original compositions and a reprise-alternate take version of the "One More Day" original track.

In May 2022, after a long 5-year of being inactive, and with two member replacements, Apo Vamvakidis (guitar) and Vaggelis Katsis (drums), the band ascended with a new powerful album, titled “Figures In The Dark”. It consists of 8 new tracks, two of which are instrumental and once again, the flexibility of the band’s style allows the making of an album with sounds fluctuating from experimental to classic.”

Voodoo Ramble

Following the well received ‘Home Again’ album, band leader Boris Zamba hooked up with guitarist Mick Pini at his House of Happiness studio in Germany.

The two guitarists immediately connected with their love of the blues. They plugged in, jammed and the sparks flew on a sparkling shuffle blues.
As Boris explains: “It’s been a while since the last album and I felt the time was right for a new collaboration.

It was the perfect time to meet Mick, as I wanted to get back to the blues and in his long career he’s played with some of the biggest names including B.B. King to Luther Allison.

The song is the kind of blues shuffle that naturally leads plenty of space for improvisation and that suited us both perfectly. I think it’s a great groove and the slick licks make this song a boomer, and I hope it makes you wanna dance.
Just let yourself flow with the beat, and you'll catch the rhythm.”
 
The single features Boris Zamba on guitar and vocal, Mick Pini on guitar,  groove drummer Damir Somen, and Neven Resnik on Hammond. It was mixed and produced by Dragutin Smokrovic-Smokva (aka The Fig).