Minds Behind the Music News, Reviews & Views: folk

Showing posts with label folk. Show all posts

It’s always baffled me how some artists have a knack for building full-sounding songs with very little. This is what Joe Doonan does with his new single “Before You Leave”. There isn’t a whole lot on it, even towards the end, but you can’t think of anything to add. It’s perfect the way it is.

“Before You Leave” is about letting go … or rather, the pain of letting go. Nothing lasts forever, and we can’t always choose who we get to keep in our lives. Most relationships we form end up being temporary. This is something I’ve learned in my nearly fifty years on the planet. Yet, we know when we are losing something very special, something that doesn’t come along very often. This is when we are, as Doonan puts it, “stuck between reason and the chaos in my mind”.

“Before You Leave” is a very strong offering from Joe Doonan. It’s also a fantastic performance: the guitars, the vocals, the subtle drums … everything. It’s one of the best indie folk songs I’ve heard in a long time. It shines.

Listen here: “Before You Leave”

Research Further:

Review by staff at MBTM

Willy Kuo's track, "Don't Have A Minute"

This is Willy Kuo.

A comprehensively passionate songwriter based in New York.

Willy always has had an exceedingly prosperous desire to make exceptional music. He is strongly experienced with songwriting and music arranging, He thought, "It's time to get musical."

As music is the expression of art, he devotes himself to writing for it, life is art, music is the way of helping people truly get into it!

You can contact Willy at: fefe41412@gmail.com

Links:

WillKuoMusic: https://www.willykuomusic.com/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxBUpbdLNDYPcgTa03Ckmfw
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/willykuo_/

The Review - "Don't have A Minute"

This track starts off acoustic, just Willy, his guitar and his camera. Starting off this track with a delightful guitar riff the leads into Willy singing, "Focus, Don't get Distracted...." Willy has this unique way of playing his guitar and tapping his guitar for rhythm, really makes his style of playing similar to that of unplugged Eric Clapton style. Willy plays beautiful chords along with slides and harmonics in his tracks. He has a bright sound for his positive message in this track. Part of his lyrics is, "No Filter, Be true to who you are! Still Shine Bright Like Diamonds..." What a wise statement for everyone! This young man from New York is going to go places in his music journey. Singing tracks about love, being strong, and staying true to who you are.

In conclusion, Willy Kuo never ceases to amaze me with his beautifully played tracks about life, love, hardship and self-confidence. His never give up mentality makes his tracks shine! Readers, Please hit the YouTube links about and find out for yourself.

Review by: SchizoFranic
Link: https://linktr.ee/SchizoFranic

Astounding Album By the Legendary Ten Seconds, Already Released On The 25th April 2023! What an wonderful Folk Album!

About Legendary Ten Seconds!

He is a singer songwriter based in Torquay and He records his songs as the Legendary Ten Seconds. He has recorded another album of his new English folk rock songs. The album is called Astounding. The album release date was, the 25th of April 2023.

Press Release

Astounding Songs by the Legendary Ten Seconds, Released the 25th April 2023

Richard the Third Records R30123

1] Before the Golden Age - 1930s science fiction song
2] That Noble King - a song for Richard III
3] He Got it Wrong - a failed love affair song
4] As Long as You Get Your Way - a song about no giving just taking
5] The Semi Acoustic Interlude - instrumental
6] Keep Us Free - a song for Ukraine
7] The Despatch Rider - a song about a first world war despatch rider
8] Battle of Jutland - the first world war naval battle as a song
9] Omaha Beach - a USA infantry division during the Normandy landings in WW2 in a song
10] A Horseman Came Riding One Day - a fairy tale song
11] Platinum Jubilee - a song about Queen Elizabeth II's platinum jubilee
12] The Valiant Squires - a song for the squires of the Duke of Gloucester in the fifteenth century

Ian Churchward - guitars, mellotron sounds and vocals
Lord Zarquon - keyboards, bass guitar and drums
Phil Swann - mandolin, bouzouki and guitar
Martyn Hillstead - percussion
Ashley Dyer - trumpet
Bridgit England - vocals
Violet Sheer - vocals
Jules Jones - vocals

All songs written by Ian Churchward except for the Despatch Rider written by Annie Routley and Ian Churchward, and A Horseman Came Riding One Day written by Martyn Hillstead and Ian Churchward

Recorded in South Devon throughout 2021 and 2022

Mixed and mastered by Lord Zarquon

Album artwork created by Graham Moores

That Noble King

His body lying battered
Now the battle has ended
Stripped of his armour that looked so splendid

A once proud King in his armour with gold
A tale of treachery to be told

LINKS:

https://soundcloud.com/the-legendary-ten-seconds/the-valiant-squires

https://open.spotify.com/album/7F2RUFGFwm2GaSsuybwUTt

https://thelegendarytenseconds.bandcamp.com/album/astounding-songs

http://www.thelegendary10seconds.co.uk/

The Review

There are twelve tracks on this album. I will be reviewing one off this album. and add an inculcation at the end of the review of the album in its entirety.

So lets get to the review readers!

I'll be reviewing the track, "Keep Us Free" this is the sixth song on his album.

This track starts out with beautiful guitar playing with a slight reverb sound that moves into violins and the vocals start! The rhythm is quite nice and subtle but noticeable. I love the message of struggle and the changes in power that rule over the land. The break is absolutely beautiful! This track is a beautiful rendition of all people wanting to be free from the rulers that be. And how the people pray for better days, free from struggles.

In conclusion, this track is a wonderful folk song. It describes a time where it was hard for people and a struggle to survive because of all the changes in power that rule over the land. It is a wonderful story, and I encourage readers to listen to this album and listen to the many stories being told about days of struggle. These tracks also relate to our world today. The struggles that we are now going through, day by day. Readers, again give it a listen and sit back and listen to the stories being told. You just might relate to it!

Review by: SchizoFranic
Link: https://linktr.ee/SchizoFranic

Chet Lam's new album... "Back to the Stars Again"

Getting to know Chet Lam...

Storytelling singer Chet Lam spent his childhood in Hong Kong’s gritty, inner city housing complexes with very little resources. As a gay kid growing up in a humble environment while trying to figure out where he fit in, he found solace in the poignant and poetic outlaw and brokenhearted narratives of 1970s Americana and country artists. Chet also saw in USA roots music similarities with Chinese pop, as both brimmed with strong melodies, sensitive stories, and careful attention to lyrical detail. Now, after becoming a highly-respected artist in the Asian market, Chet hopes to bring a heartfelt fusion of East-West pop sensibilities to the Western Hemisphere.

Chet is a worldwide known artist with 33,987 monthly Spotify listens, and a body of work spanning nearly 20 albums, featuring songs sung in Cantonese, Mandarin and English. He writes and sings sensually and sagely about relationships, heartbreak, and new love. “I like to ask the right questions in my songs instead of giving themes and content away. I like to challenge people a little bit,” Chet says.

Chet’s major accolades include winning “Best Folk Singer” at the 2012 and 2016 Top Chinese Music Awards; “Album of the Year (Cantonese)” at the 2012 Chinese Music Media Awards; “Best Folk Artist” at the 2004 and 2005 Chinese Music Media Awards; “Song of the Year” at the 2004 Global Chinese Music Awards; and “Best Original Film Song” at the 2003 Golden Horse Film Festival and Awards.

Back to the Stars Again is a magical folk album inspired by the classic French story “The Little Prince.” Chet wrote the songs from the perspective of the characters of the story and their relation to the story. “The Little Prince is a romantic, of course, The Fox is simply a drama queen, The Rose is spoiled, The Ghosts are actually everyday life people, The Snake is actually innocent,” says Chet. He utilized classic folk instrumentation like the acoustic guitar and soft beats, but he includes fantastical elements like wind instruments and intricate percussions.

Track Listing:
Chasing Sunsets
The Last Goodbye
Trust - The Prince
Nothing’s Changed - The Ghosts
Thanks For Setting Me Free - The Rose
Falling Stars
Just a Little Longer - The Fox
After the Pain - The Snake
When He Sings - The Pilots
From Turkey, With Love
Light Up Your Dreams

Links:
Listen here:
https://open.spotify.com/album/56CpqTO0v7txzhRdNcA3HP?si=HxB7H6fYTaaEQEvq4B66gA

Connect with Chet Lam
Website: http://www.chetlam.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chetlam/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chetlam/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCiznIklBjCQ_kJ2ER2odkkQ?app=desktop
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/0eE5MIp5hONB0TxIJS5H48?si=NoRX1u0ERrmzfq5KhFq1TQ
Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/chetlamhk

The Review... "Back to the Stars Again"

This Album has eleven tracks. I'll be reviewing the two I like the most on this album followed by a conclusion of the album as a whole. So, let's get started.

The first song that I'll be reviewing is the fifth track on the album called, "Thanks for setting me free - The Rose. this song starts out Chet plucking a stringed instrument along with a rhythm guitar as he sings.."I Guess I Have To Sing, I'm Sorry For All The Love That you Gave Me, I Always Knew From The Start We're Never Meant To Be". As you can tell from the lyrics this is a break up song. But not one of those angry break up songs. The way Chet Lam sings this track is a loving way, from a point of understanding. There is a bit of sadness in it, but there is also a anticipation of a new start to find what he is looking for which Chet does not even know what that is. This is a very pleasant song for a breakup song. It's has a beautiful message to this track that it does not have to be a knock down fight with breakups, it's all about letting go.

The next song that I am reviewing is the eleventh track on this album called, "Light Up Your Dreams". This song starts out so lovely with a guitar and bass playing in unison like they are dancing together in a blissful melody that introduces Chet Lam singing, "Stars are twinkling In Your Eyes That Are Going In My Mind." introducing a upright bass playing so smoothly in this track. this is a kind of track that the story of the track is if you are lonely just look up at the stars and think of happy things in your life or even all the fairy-tale things for you and me. Because Chet tells us in this track, things are not what they seem to be. I love this track the feel to it the rhythm of it. The way Chet uses his instrument's to set the mood of this track. This is a track for a dreamer. What a lovely track.

In Conclusion, This album is so unique. With all the different instruments Chet Lam uses gives his tracks a certain sound that makes you feel like no matter what though the ups and downs things will be alright. With his acoustic tracks and his endearing lyrics this is an album you can easily listen to time and time again.

Review by: SchizoFranic
Link: https://linktr.ee/SchizoFranic

The Satellite Station – "Slow"

5 out of 5

"Slow" is full of emotion, hauntingly beautiful and a song that truly touches you. The arrangement is very delicate. There are no big crescendos but yet the way the song unfolds is in a way, perfect. From that point of view, perhaps crescendos are not really needed. One of this track's appeals is that it stays in one feel. I respect that. This is difficult to do without losing the listener. Yet, The Satellite Station does this expertly. They grab the listener in the beginning and don't let go until the very last note.

"Slow" is a show of force from Travis Rue, whose moniker The Satellite Station is. To me it doesn't matter what he calls his project. The music this multi-instrumentalist is producing is wonderful.

Listen here: "Slow" by The Satellite Station

News post by Tom Tikka for MBTM

Greg Herzenach – "A Simple Way"

5 out of 5

Sometimes fantastic music is made at home. Although everything about "A Simple Way" is very rough and ready, including the vocals, there's something about the song that just works. It's very artsy in the folk sense of the word and reminds me of Nick Drake's Bryter Layter. What I can I say ... it's brilliant.

Listen here: "A Simple Way" by Greg Herzenach

News post by Tom Tikka for MBTM

Wild Celia - "Waiting For The Love"

5 out of 5

"Waiting For The Love" is one of those tracks that makes you smile as you listen simply because it's that good. It's a mixture of soul, blues and pop and here's the thing, it's done very, very well. The vocals are top-notch, soulful but not too dramatic and the arrangement works like a charm. I like how the song begins with just an acoustic guitar and some keyboards but little by little grows into a full-blown pop production. As wonderful as the final product is, the acoustic beginning makes you realise that "Waiting For The Love" would have also worked as an acoustic number, it's that well written.

I heard this song in the car for the very first time and it fit the moment perfectly. It was close to midnight, it was raining and I felt down and out. In other words, I was in the right headspace to listen to the blues. Obviously, what I got was much more than that. Some songs have healing power. This is one of those tracks.

Oh, and while I'm not sure if it is wise to wait for the love to come find you, I do know this much: I absolutely adore this track.

Listen here: "Waiting For The Love" by Wild Celia

Review by Tom Tikka for MBTM

Clark Graham – "The Girl With Mountains In Her Eyes"

5 out of 5

”The Girl With Mountains In Her Eyes” is an Irish-flavoured, ultra-melodic pop tune that sounds in part a bit like the Hollies and believe it or not, Sir Paul. This could have been on some of Macca’s Wings albums from the 70s.

I like the fact that the drums are minimalistic and most of the rhythm comes from the acoustic guitars that are the driving force behind the song. Clark Graham does a wonderful job with the arrangement. It all fits and flows forward naturally. On top of that, the track truly has it all: great lead vocals, effective harmonies, subtle but smart use of keyboards (check out the middle eight and the outro) and an absolutely irresistible melody. Oh, and I also want to point out another strength. This song has something that most modern songs don’t: a real, breathing middle eight. In case you are wondering, you are right, that too is very, very good.

I think most men have fallen for that “girl with mountains in her eyes” at least once in our lifetime. Whether we should have held on to her or not is another question. Love can sometimes find us when we are not ready for it and the result is that we foolishly or shall I say carelessly, let it slip through our hands. And you know what? I’m kind of glad that this happens because that’s when songs such as this one are written. The world would be a worse place without them.

Listen here: "Girl With Mountains In Her Eyes" by Clark Graham

Review by Tom Tikka for MBTM

Eyði Horsdal – "Old Friends"

A hauntingly beautiful folk ballad that's packed with so much emotion that it makes the listener stop and reflect. The lyrics are poetic, they probably mean different things to different people. I found myself holding a glass of bourbon in my dimly-lit home studio, thinking of how short life is, reflecting on the path I've travelled, my choices. As I was lost in though, I listened to this amazing song on repeat. A duet between Horsdal and Eva Perrin Fontana, "Old Friends" is a true show of force from the Faroese songwriter, who has an album in the works. I'll listen to it as soon as it comes out. That's how good this single is.

Listen here: https://open.spotify.com/album/0SEe0NXHrPaFMu0DEoR1xc?si=8UWQb8RST3qNzDhN4PyJQg'

News post/review by Tom Tikka for Minds Behind The Music

Subterranean Street Society - Leaves Are Falling In The Summer

Every once in a while you hear a song and performance that stops you in your tracks. When I hit play to listen to "Leaves Are Falling In The Summer" by Subterranean Street Society was one of those instances. This version of the track is a live version. The studio version will be featured on their upcoming album Fado.

There's very little else to say about this tune except that it is absolutely brilliant, as is also the rendition. I am not a fan of live music at all BUT this performance is simply put: majestic. It reminds me of Nick Drake's Pink Moon album, which is meant as the highest possible praise. As far as the performance goes ... well, it couldn't be better: wonderful guitar playing and soulful singing. Chills went down my spine as the song evolved into its crescendo. Wow.

The songwriting is obviously also top notch. Can't wait for the album to come out. I don't care what genre you are into. Go listen to this. You'll love it. That's an order.

Listen and watch here:

https://youtu.be/QaIggCaf4Tc

News post/review by Tom Tikka

www.tomtikka.com

Mellow Yellow

Mellow Yellow: The Donovan Interview!

If you don't know who this music legend is, then go google him. So without wasting digital ink I will just get straight on with the interview.

We know most politicians were born in the fiery pit of hell as the spawn of Satan, but what’s your opinion of the politics of the world today?

Democracy is better than Tyranny. Pericles Speech to The Athenians set the model. It has been modified of course. I was brought up by a Socialist Father who showed me the great strides for freedom that The Unions achieved. Communism has proved to be flawed . The Brother and Sisterhood of Mankind is only to be realized through Transcendental Awareness.

What's your favourite Monty Python film and why?
Satire is healthy for a Society. The Celtic British are masters of Satire. Satire is good if it is not ridicule. That's why all Monty Python Work I love.

If you were an alien visiting planet earth, what would you do? Would turn around and go back? Or stay and try and help? Or maybe conquer?
I am an alien visiting Planet Earth. I see the situation as I meditate. The source of suffering is ignorance. Knowledge of the inner world of Bliss Consciousness is the answer. I tell the Earthlings to visit the David Lynch Foundation Website, as soon as possible.

What has been your greatest achievement so far?
Announcing The Bohemian Manifesto in 1966 with my album Sunshine Superman. An act which unfolds and is not historical.

What has been mankind's greatest achievement?
The invention of lipstick.

If you had the chance to speak to every human being on earth, what would your message be?
SAVE THE WORLD !

Is it really true that you started the rumour about banana skins and LSD? And if so, kudos, very funny! No ..it was not me. It was Country Joe ( and the Fish ). For 40 years the story confounded me. Then one day I was signing The Psychedelic Exhibition Book at the Cleveland Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Museum. Country Joe sat beside me signing also. A long line of fans snaked off into the distance. At one point Joe whispered to me, "It was me man." I turned to Joe, he still wore his khaki 'Flack Jacket' but short hair. " The Mellow Yellow shit Man, it was me". I suddenly knew that the tale that had followed the song Mellow Yellow about smoking dried banana skins would now be revealed. I said, "Joe after we break , you are coming with me".

The signing stopped and I took Joe to a dark and quiet corridor in the museum, and Joe began.

"It was 1966 Man and me an the band needed to advertise our gig, so we put the whole band on a truck and we went down to a spare lot where some old Carnival Shit was dumped, we found a giant banana and put that on the truck too..then we drove through The Haight , playin our stuff really loud!" I stood listening with baited ears . "Then ma girlfriend who was into PR said lets call the radio station an tell them you can get high smoking dried banana skins"Joe paused for effect.

"That prank would have lasted a couple days but that Friday Donovan. You released your single Mellow Yellow!" Joe is a radical and he has done so much to raise consciousness with his work.

If your life depended on it, which Soap Opera would you do a cameo in?
Are you ill?

If a tree falls in a forest, and nobody is around to see or hear it, does it make a sound?
* No its only you.

The 60's and 70's were a great transitional period in human history aided very much by folk music like your own, is it time for another revolution in the spirit of man?
There is only now, it’s an illusion we call the future past and present. The complete instructions to save the planet are announced in the sixties, Buckminster Fuller wrote the book 'Operating Manual for Spaceship Earth' and I write a song with the same name for 'Bucky'. Don't be foolish and think there is need for another revolution. We in the sixties gave it all to you, use it well and see that even those who questioned the knowledge revealed , now see they need it to survive.

Be cool and prosper. I was the herald with Sunshine Superman album , and soon the Bohemian Manifesto was let loose and invaded popular culture. It is clear is it not?

Have you ever felt pressured by the fact that what you sing about affects society? Have you ever wondered whether you were doing the right thing?
We Poets are in service to the tribes of man .We release the obscure emotions of the heart and lead the way within to The Unified Field.

A good friend of mine, Wes Dolan, is a singer/songwriter that we discovered busking in the streets of a local town. I'm personally paying to get him recorded because of his folk music message and skill as a musician. Apart from the obvious question, how about a duet!, what advice would you give to musicians today? And what's your opinion of the highly engineered and marketed music we see in the charts today?

Forget the industry. Without the singer in the club or street or bedroom of their dreams, no future music can be made. It's all made by beginners. there is no music business with the makers of music .forget that you see the industry as powerful. They are powerless without us.

Why do you think music and words seems to work so much better than just words as a means to get a message across?
Poetry and Music are one. They were separated by those who wish to control dreams. Poetry is now returned to the world through the sixties revolution of thought and heart and mind. be cool and prosper.
What kind of movies do you watch and why?
Only classic masterworks and that includes David Lynch.

What are your opinions about the power of the internet?
We imagined the internet in the sixties and it manifested.

Do you think man is created in the image of God or the other way around?
We create ourselves, and for the first 3 weeks we are all female. Gnosis is knowledge. Knowledge is revealed when you transcend. Why are you asking what you already know ?

A recent scientific report stated that religion will eventually die out completely. What's your opinion on that? A good thing or a bad thing?
Religion is a description. Faith is a comfort. Awareness is discovery of the Self. Meditation of a technique lost for millennia in the west, now re-introduced. There is no need for organised faith when all are one.

Is "free will" the whole of the law? Can man ever be truly free?
Free Choice is when you realise what you want and know it will manifest.

I understand you once sang backing vocals on an Alice Cooper track. Who else have you worked with, why and who was the biggest pain in the ass?
Kate Bush was brilliant.

You are one of the giants from a period full of giants. Who, from that revolutionary period, do you admire and why, apart from The Monkees, which goes without saying!
Ray Davies for his humour and Music Hall, and Leonard Cohen for his pretended seriousness and famous blue raincoat, Buddy Holly for his 3 chord symphonies and Neil Young for his True Americana.

Do you back Nuclear Power? If not, why not.
Split Wood Not Atoms!

Do you believe in Ghosts? UFO's (i.e. aliens visiting planet earth)? God?
Dimensions exist and other planes. Mushrooms reveal The Matrix which is the whole universe within our consciousness and flowing through our cellular chemistry. From the invisible world to the diamond crystal , all kinds of ghosts and UFO's appear.

Have you ever experienced altered states of consciousness? How, why and was it beneficial? And would you recommend it to all politicians, business and religious leaders?
The altering is in fact the wrong word. We are mostly fixated in a complex and brainwashed by school , fear and dogma. When the sacred plants are taken as a sacrament, the real universe reveals itself to us. The only thing that's altered is the conditioning is broken, for often brief periods only, then its back to what we laughingly call reality. This so called reality is a paltry portion of the great and luminous being that we are.

What's the craziest thing you've ever done?
Haven't done it yet.

What would you still like to achieve?
Living in the Evernow

Would you ever record a duet with Justin Bieber?
Never heard of him.

Do you believe in manmade global warming? Or is it natural?
Lighting a cigarette then pulling a plastic bag over you head is probably going to heat things up a bit.

And lastly. Please feel free to say anything at all you want to the world of readers.
Sit quietly on your own soon after you wake each day. Breathe easy and slow.

Well Hello Miss American Pie

Don McLean - Interview

From the book Minds Behind the Music

Seriously, do I have to write a bio of Don McLean? If you don’t know who he is then just where the hell have you been? OK, my publisher is looking strange at me now, so I better write something.

Don McLean is a music legend. Who, on planet Earth has not heard the song “American Pie”? Even Madonna has heard of it. Anyway, it’s nearly 9 minutes long and has been called a cultural touchstone about the loss of innocence. It’s genius, go listen.

Of course, this isn’t his only hit. The song “Vincent” was huge too (also performed as a duet with Ed Sheeran for Teen Cancer America). A beautifully melodic song about the life of Vincent van Gogh. And there’s “And I Love You So” which has been covered by Elvis Presley Perry Como, Helen Reddy and Glen Campbell amongst others. Look, there’s just loads of great songs by Don, go and do a search!

In 2004, Don was inducted into the illustrious Songwriters Hall of Fame. The man is nothing short of, and way beyond, the term, Legend. I was humbled to be allowed close enough to ask him my potty questions.

If you could be any other musician past or present, which one would it be and why?
I would be Duke Ellington because he was a beautiful man with exquisite taste.

If you had to name one song from any genre that really speaks to you, which one would it be and why?
It would be White Christmas by Bing Crosby as I heard in the very early 1950s because it brings me back home again to a kind of perfect happiness.

Are you a Mulder or Scully? Do you believe aliens have visited planet earth and if so what do you think they think about mankind?

I am positive aliens have visited planet earth. To think that we are the only life in an endless universe is like believing the earth is flat.

What was the happiest day of your life and why?
That’s a hard one since I have had many happy days. Perhaps it was getting my first Martin D28 guitar in 1963.

If “God” (whatever your idea is on that) were stood before you now, what one question would you ask him/her and why?
As a former Catholic it would have to be the Holy Trinity and I would ask Jesus if since he is God and all knowing, if he knew when he died that he would rise from the dead. Being God he would have to say yes and he would admit that he really, therefore, did not die.

From the book Minds Behind the Music

The Story Behind a Song

Rockin’ Engine - Broken Angel

Rockin’ Engine’s involvement with Minds Behind The Music started out with a simple conversation on Twitter with one of the members of the organization.

We came across one of the tweets saying they were searching for artists to send songs for consideration for a music video production. Turns out that our song Broken Angel really caught their attention, and we were then contacted in order to plan the eventual project.

However, what started out as a typical music project became something way bigger than we expected. After a few exchanges with the organization, we were put in contact with some of the most talented artists around the world and we were fortunate enough to have none other than Ric Sanders to collaborate on our rock ballad, adding the most beautiful string section to this track.

We eventually shot the music video in our hometown (Ottawa, Canada) and sent our footage to the Minds team, for them to edit and add their twist. When we first watched the end result of this production, we had goosebumps all over. We couldn’t believe how beautiful and emotional this song became, and we are absolutely proud of the result. Here’s the story behind the song…

The Song

Broken Angel: This song is based on a true story from someone I (Steve O Leff) met a few years back. In this one, I describe the absolute horror and pain that this person had to go through as a child, and even as a young adult. However, we are offering hope and love to this person, hoping it can prevent her from taking her own life. In real life, I was lucky to be able to bring back hope into her spirit and guide her to a better life, one of love and compassion.

On another note, we are currently working on our new EP which will consist of five songs, based on a classic horror movie concept. This album will definitely be our heaviest one yet, musically inspired by some of the greatest metal bands out there such as Gojira and Lamb Of God.

We plan on hitting the studio in early 2022 and hope to make our album release in fall of the same year. We are also planning on shooting at least two new music videos with Dark Moon Productions, and we can assure you that they will be out of this world!

We’re looking forward for the live scene to get back to normal again so we can start expanding our horizons and perform anywhere we can. In the meantime, catch us on social media to stay updated on our upcoming work. Thank you all for your amazing support!

Find out more about Rockin' Engine HERE

The fundraising album is available HERE

The Video

Living in the Past?

Ian Anderson

The Jethro Tull Interview
Excerpt from Minds Behind the Music book

Minds Behind the Music

Ian Anderson is an icon of folk-rock music the world over. His voice and flute go together like, well, like his voice and flute. There’s no comparison. For over fifty years he has been entertaining us, but it all started around 1968 when Jethro Tull rose out of the flames of two blues rock bands. Ian’s uniqueness is matched by his ability to play almost any instrument, write cross-genre hit songs and pull funny faces.

Since then Jethro Tull (or Tull for short) have released 30 studio and live albums, sold more than 60 million records, played more than 3000 concerts in 40 countries and have fans in every single country in the world and some on Mars, honest.

So it was with much trepidation that this thick as a brick author managed to ask him a few thick questions.

As an expressive artist in the music industry, how does the state of the planet make you feel?
Despairing. mostly. But I am an optimistic-enough soul to want to believe that humanity may adapt to survive and prosper. Eventually.

Do you think as a person of some influence that there is a duty on us to help influence humanity for the better?
Of course. In our daily lives, in the smallest of ways and through the kindest of acts.

What one cause would you say you feel most associated with and why? Whether it’s equality, poverty, politics, the environment or other?
The environment, primarily, since so many other "causes" have their profound effect ultimately on the physical state of the planet. Animal rights a close second.

If you were stood before the leaders of the world, what would you say to them?
OK - Let's take a vote.

And finally my last question is in fact one written by Freddie Mercury in the song “Is This the World We Created”:
If there's a God in the sky, looking down
What can he think of what we've done
To the world that He created?
He, She, It or whatever the primal force may wish itself to be called, probably needs a good holiday break from all of us. The last verse of a yet unreleased Tull track, "Mine Is The Mountain" reads:

So think of me fondly in spite of the raging,
the ranting, the raving, the threatening tone.
For I am the father, the power and the glory
and now, for God's sake, kindly leave me alone.
Mine is the mountain.

Is It Foggy on the Tyne?

Exclusive Interview with Rod Clements of Lindisfarne

Ivor Novello Award winning singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist of that wonderful English folk band, Lindisfarne, Rod Clements is also a bloody lovely man, which is much more important in my eyes. But for all you music fans out there you will remember that massive hit song, “Meet Me on the Corner” from 1972 and the fact that Rod was also a founding member of Jack the Lad, working with such greats as Ralph McTell.

And so to the interview.

As an expressive artist in the music industry, how does the state of the planet make you feel?
I am depressed about the state of the planet but I don’t think that’s anything to do with me being an “expressive artist”.

Do you think as a person of some influence that there is a duty on us to help influence humanity for the better?
I doubt that I have the influence that your question implies. But I feel that it is incumbent on all of us to influence humanity for the better. The problem arises when we try to define “better”. After all, Hitler was “a person of some influence” who no doubt thought he was helping to “influence humanity for the better”. We all need to work together on this.

What one cause would you say you feel most associated with and why? Whether it’s equality, poverty, politics, the environment or other?
Firstly, I believe that the “causes” cited in your question (equality, poverty etc) are all part of the same problem. Secondly, I don’t feel associated with any particular “cause” in that abstract sense. I just try to do the right thing.

If you were stood before the leaders of the world, what would you say to them?
I’d ask them to work together on an urgent united global policy to tackle the climate crisis and the worldwide social and health problems created by poverty and inequality. I would remind them of Gandhi’s assertion that “there is enough in the world for everyone’s need, but not enough for everyone’s greed”. They would then nod in agreement, then go away and do nothing about it.

Read more of this interview and 80 other music stars in the book, Minds Behind the Music Minds Behind the Music