4 Music


A chance to catch Courtney


NEW RELEASE: Courtney Barnett


MARCH 23 will see the much- anticipated release of the debut LP proper from Courtney Bar- nett, Sometimes I Sit and Think, and Sometimes I Just Sit. Recorded in the autumn of


2014 in an intense ten-day ses- sion at Head Gap Studios in Melbourne, the album finally brings Barnett’s incisive vision into stark, unflinching focus; her wit sharpened to a knife edge, her melodies more infec- tious and addictive than ever. Following-up 2013’s critically- lauded The Double EP: A Sea of Split Peas (which, as the ti- tle suggests, collected her first two self-released EPs to beguil- ing effect), Sometimes I Sit And Think… cements Barnett’s standing as one of the most distinctive voices in indie rock, mixing witty, often hilarious observations with devastating self-assessment over a beguil- ing collection of songs. It marks Courtney Barnett as


one of the best and most unique voices around. Catch Courtney at Bristol’s Fleece on March 28.


Unique alt blues-rock band’s gig


BRISTOL GIG: Kill It Kid


Kill It Kid have announced a date at Bristol’s Exchange on March 29 following the release of their latest single ‘Blood Stop & Run’ earlier this week. Produced by Mike Crossey Blood Stop & Run sees Kill It Kid’s Chris Turpin step back to allow band mate Steph Ward take lead vocals. ‘Blood Stop & Run’ follows debut single ‘I’ll Be The First’, and follow up ‘Caroline’ taken from new studio album ‘You Owe Nothing’ and continues to showcase their unique alt blues-rock assault on the music scene.


Follow us on Twitter @Argus_The Guide Friday, March 13, 2015


Time to hit the road again


MUSICIANS: Allan Yn Y Fan


LEADING Welsh band Allan Yn Y Fan are delighted to an- nounce their new six-piece line-up and touring plans for this year. In their first line-up change since 2008, the original four members of the band (Geoff Cripps, Chris Jones, Lind Simmonds and Kate Strud- wick) are thrilled to be joined by lead-singer Catrin O’Neill and violinist Alan Cooper. Catrin is well-known as a


solo artist and for also hav- ing been part of the TRAC project “10 Mewn Bws/10


Folk


In A Bus”, while Alan has played his fiddle in a variety of line-ups touring across the world. Catrin, originally from southern Snowdonia, said: “Welsh folk music has been overlooked for so long, even well-known Celtic musicians not really being aware of its existence. “Many people think that


our folk music consists of hymns or male voice choirs


– so far from the reality. The true folk music of Wales can be compared to the carefree passion of Irish, or the beau- ty of Breton music, but with it bringing harmonies and a poetic tradition to rival that of anywhere in the world. I think it would be mean of us not to share it. Joining Allan Yn Y Fan means I get to be part of a band who sub- scribe to generosity of spirit and put the miles in to take our music to new countries, concert halls and festivals – I can’t wait to get on the road.”


Alan says: “I am really ex- cited about the prospects of working with Allan Yn Y Fan and with Catrin O’Neill. As new players for the band we are relishing the opportunity of honouring what the band has created over the past decade, but also to putting our creative stamp on the next chapter of their musical journey.” First up for the new band


is their appearance at a brand new showcasing event the Arainn Ceilteach festi- val being held on Inis Môr,


Aran Isles of the coast of Galway from today (website: ceilteach.ie). Their first Welsh festival appearance this year will be at the Tredegar House Folk Festival on Saturday, May 9. Later in the year the band


will be heading into the stu- dio to produce their sixth album and the first with this exciting new line-up. Catch the new line-up of


the band at Tredegar House Folk Festival, Newport, on May 9. Visit tredegarhousef estival.org.uk


Teen with potential set for big things with hit


SINGER: Nina Jones


AT JUST 17 years old, Nina Jones is an extremely tal- ented teenage vocalist with a big future ahead of her. Based in Newport, her new single is the kind of accessible hit that can go a long way to es- tablishing a new name in the music industry. Never Let You Go is catchy, infectious and toe tappingly paced – soulful pop-funk made to shine thanks to a stel- lar vocal performance from Nina. This has potential pop hit written all over it, and fol- lows the recent trend of chart hits peppered with retro 90s touches. It’s a song about ask- ing somebody to trust you in


love, to let go emotionally and to fall completely for you. Never Let You Go is written


by award-winning songwrit- ers Darren Parry, Dan Curtis and Laura Curtis. Darren has achieved numerous song- writing award wins includ- ing USA “Song of the Year.” Meanwhile, Dan and Laura Curtis have had songs record- ed by Paul Potts, Broadway stars Ramin Karimloo and Lea Salonga and also wrote the star-studded charity track A Miner’s Song. It makes for a heady combi- nation of writing and vocal talent, and, with Darren Par- ry also on production duties,


the track has already had national exposure on Nina’s home turf with BBC Radio Wales. Not bad progress for a


young lady who is also in the midst of her A-levels and performing with a fantastic nine-piece covers band at functions. Two of her musi- cal heroes are Sam Smith and Adele, but those artists had better keep an eye out for this ambitious young performer from across the River Severn. Never Let You Go will be re- leased on April 6. Catch up with Nina’s latest sounds by visiting soundc loud.com/ninajonesmusic.


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