Shona Foster - Hard Work

How long have we been waiting for this ?

We look to england again, as usual when its quality, no bullshit, we want.

Brighton/Yorkshire's Shona Foster is no exception.

4 years from now, this blog, and me won't exist. But Shona will.

Foster’s debut is only four tracks long, but that's the only thing needed.

No fillers, no killers. No stuffed turkeys.

I called her Best unsigned artist in the u.k, back in 2007.

Beach Hut Records signed her (Hard Work is their first release).

Sometimes it's not hard work to be a "critic".

In my ears this is one of the best recordings out this year. Arrangements reminds me of the works of Robert Kirby...

Listen to the songs at her myspace




Enjoy this video of her title song:

The Sky Drops - Bourgeois Beat

For those who were fans of their first release "Clouds Of People" 2006, the latest from the The Sky Drops, will be welcomed with open arms (or is it ears?).

Created with the same level of magic, "Bourgeois Beat" is the perfect musical evolution for 2009.

Notable are songs "Swimming With Fishes" and an acoustic departure, "Sleepless". Present throughout are the same luscious vocals of Rob Montejo and Monika Bullette that has become part of their signature sound.

Rob continues to explore new guitar textures in virtually every song rippling about Monika's mighty drum beats.

So far my favorite for 2009, I put "Bourgeois Beat" at the top of my required listening list.

--Hangnail Phillips

Listen to The Sky Drops - Truth Is.mp3

For videos of tracks "Stone White" and "Truth Is" go to
their site

To purchase "Bourgeois Beat" from the Sky Drops Webstore go to:
their shop

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Todays guestpost was written for us by Hangnail Phillips, an eclectic musician/multiinstrumentalist with a career spanning more than four decades! Hangnail has been the founding member of many bands all the way back in the sixties (some of the bands are: The Exotics, The Rubber Band, Icarus and The Voltags). Visit his page at hangnailphillips.com.

Jenny Almsenius - Demos

The cold winter is coming up here. No snow yet, but its there, waiting to come down and hide something to discover the next spring.

Under the surface, there's always, and always will, be something that is growing.

If you take the time, and i know you do, because you still read blogs like mine, you will be rewarded with wonderful artists that still make good music outside of the major stream.

I'm covering a swedish artist this time, her name is Jenny Almsenius, and this multitalented singer/songwriter is from the westcoast of Sweden (Gothenburg/Varberg).

Lust, laughter and tears. A fragile look, 24 years old, but don't be fooled, this is the real thing.

This autumn she's been touring successfully the clubs and folk/blues-festivals of Sweden. Jenny (on harmonica) have been performing her own songs and lyrics, playing together with guitarist Martin Abrahamsson of Jims Combo and Fredik Andersson on double bass.

I'd like you to listen to one of Jenny's new recordings.
It's a song called "Är det något du saknar" (is there something you're missing?). The recording is taken from her debut "demo-cd" that you can order from her directly on her webpage

Jenny Almsenius - Ar Det Nagot Du Saknar.mp3

More songs of jenny and she's on myspace.

Here's a video from last year, recorded at Trädgår'n in Gothenburg. Jennys is singing "Floden" (The river). Enjoy!



Friends of eclectic swedish music, you will not want to miss this one!

Let me know if you can feel it.

Still unsigned, but hurry up!