Meet The Artist: Hattie Briggs

Hattie Briggs is a Gloucestershire based singer-songwriter and BBC Radio 2 Young Folk Award Nominee 2014. The 22 year-old quit Oxford University in the 2nd year of her Russian degree to concentrate on her musical career in January 2014. Since then, her music has been played on TV, on BBC Radio 1, 2 and 6Music as well as many regional BBC radio stations. She released her debut album ‘Red & Gold’ last year. The album includes a cover of Eva Cassidy’s version of ‘Fields Of Gold’, produced by Eva's brother, Dan Cassidy, who also plays a violin solo on the record.

​Hattie released her debut EP ‘My Shepherd’s Hut’ in November 2013, and has subsequently had 5 singles in the iTunes singer-songwriter chart, including ‘Pull Me Down’ that reached number 19, and ’Old Eyes’, that features jazz musician Alec Dankworth.

Inspired by the likes of Joni Mitchell and James Taylor, Hattie recorded her debut album at Monnow Valley Studios, and it was produced by Waterman (Joss Stone/Uriah Heep/Emma Ballantine). 2016 already promises to be an exciting year for Hattie, her currentUK tour sees her play Ten Feet Tall, Cardiff this evening (May 6) she recently answered questions from Andy Howells.

How did you get into playing music?
I remember singing along to my parents CDs in the car and at home from a very young age. It was something that came naturally to me and I never really thought about it as a skill. When I was 5 I started learning the recorder and later moved on to the guitar and the cello. I can't remember a time when music wasn't a big part of my life, but things became more focused when I started writing my own songs at 17. From then on it became an addiction and something that I can't turn off.

How would you describe your sound?
It's a fusion of folk, pop, americana and quite a few other genres as my influences are pretty broad ranging. My recordings are very immersive, warm and full of rich instrumentation.

Who are your music inspirations?
Primarily the singer-songwriters I grew up listening to - James Taylor, Eva Cassidy, The Beatles, Elton John, K D Lang, Joni Mitchell, but more recently First Aid Kit, James Blake, Katie Melua, The Weepies, The Civil Wars, David Gray and loads of others.

What can people expect from your forthcoming show?
I'll be playing as a trio so there'll be lots of harmonies along with cello and extra guitar. We'll be performing songs from my debut album "Red & Gold" as well as newer songs from my forthcoming album "Young Runaway". I play guitar, uke and keys so there'll be a good mix of upbeat numbers and slower more chilled out tunes.

Can you tell us about your current release?
My second studio album "Young Runaway" comes out on July 8th and has a definite summery feel to it. It has more of a pop/americana vibe than my first album but is still very much in the "singer-songwriter" genre. It's much more upbeat and percussion driven than "Red & Gold", which had more of a contemplative folky vibe.

Who are you currently listening to?
The Weepies, Lewis & Leigh, Hozier, John Smith, Seafret, Adam Holmes...

Where can people find out more about your music?
By visiting my website www.hattiebriggs.co.uk

• A version of this Q&A by Andy Howells appeared in The South Wales Argus entertainment supplement The Guide on May 6, 2016

Balsamo Deighton Discuss Their Debut Release Unfolding

Americana duo Balsamo Deighton released their debut album Unfolding today.

Swansea’s Steve Balsamo is perhaps best remembered for his work as solo recording artist as well fronting the Welsh band The Storys and before that, having a successful run in London’s West End playing the lead in Jesus Christ Superstar.

Rosalie Deighton grew up in the successful folk band The Deighton Family and is considered one of Britain’s finest female vocalists. Following supporting The Storys on tour, the band asked Rosalie to collaborate with them.

When The Storys called it a day, Steve and Rosalie took it as a sign that the time was right to make some music together. They called on friend and songwriter Julian Wilson with recordings eventually taking place under the supervision of John Reynolds in North London. Now, at last, Balsamo Deighton’s album debut is here and Andy Howells puts questions to the pair about the album.

How did you meet each other and what gave you the idea to collaborate?
Steve: Rosalie and I met in London at producer Martin Terefe's studio about 15 years ago. We both love the same music and talked back then of writing together. Rosalie supported our old band, The Storys, and joined a few years later, helping us write our third album, Luck. After the Storys ended, we both had ideas and started writing at Julian Wilson from Grand Drive's South London studio. Very quickly we thought we had some good songs, and then slowly began making our debut album, Unfolding.

You both participated in Wales at Number One at Wales Millennium Centre last year giving a memorable rendition of Nilsson’s Without You, which of course was written by Badfinger. Was that an enjoyable experience?
Rosalie: Amazing! Singing with the amazing orchestra, which I had never done live before brought out such emotion. I'll never forget it. I'd like us to record a few songs like that.

Steve: I've known Lucy Morgan and Matt Brind from The Welsh Pops Orchestra for years. The players they put together that night were sensational, and Matt was really sympathetic to us bringing our duet style to Without You. We had fantastic time.

You both have a mutual admiration for classic styles and musicians. Tom Petty and Ryan Adams have all been named as influences, has that helped you hone in on where you wanted to go musically?
Rosalie: I guess it has. We listen to other artists of the same genre and we live and breathe this style of music. It was bound to filter through into our sound.
Steve: We've just tried to write the best songs we can, taking country influences, some rock and folk. We love a big chorus too, so some of the album is very radio friendly, we think. We've made an album that we'd love to listen to.

What can you tell us about your new album?
Steve:  We started the album in London and finished it in Wales with producer Tim Hamill, in his Sonic One Studio in Llangennech. All the songs are based on experiences we've had in life and love! Since we started the project some friends have passed away, and in my case Frankie, a son has joined sister Issy. All this has filtered into the fabric of the songs. There are songs about falling in love with the right person at the wrong time (Run Back To Your Life), a song about taking chances that come your way (50 Foot Jesus), a song about the late founder and keyboard player of Deep Purple Jon Lord, who I toured with for 5 years until his death (The Dream Song).
The song I'm probably most proud of is the title track, Unfolding. When we toured with The Storys, a guy used to come and see us a lot with his son. He was a soldier and was unfortunately killed in action. We got the news, and before a show, his dad came with a member of his squadron to collect one of our songs to be played at his funeral. It was devastating and humbling to be part of his story, and his unfolding. We were inspired to build it into a song as a small way of honouring him.

Has the album been a different experience to putting together your previous releases?
Rosalie:  Absolutely. For a start, we had no time frame and no record label to influence us in any way. It was so organic, so natural so lovely. So US!

The song Light In The Dark was released in November, it’s a very positive, uplifting song, what inspired it?
Rosalie:  I have a very good friend who has done a few tours of Afghanistan. He was suffering from post traumatic stress I guess. I would lay next to him while he slept and listen to his breathing, sometimes I'd panic as he stopped breathing and then start up again, crying. I just wanted to help him.

Will you both be touring with the new album?
Rosalie:  Yes - I hope this album takes us round the world. I have my passport and guitar ready at all times

Will there be opportunities for you both to revisit older material in your live shows too, because naturally you both have followings from previous collaborations?
Steve: Maybe we will revisit some of our old material, as Andy Collins from The Storys has been writing with us for this album. He's one of my favourite writers and musicians I've worked with, and there's almost a psychic connection between the three of us. I'm really proud about nearly everything I've been involved with artistically over the years, and there have been some really good tunes I've been involved with. However, we've written nearly 30 songs for Unfolding, so there's no shortage of Balsamo Deighton material.
Rosalie: There could be, but as long as Steve doesn't put on his loin cloth and start singing Gethsemane! (a nod to Steve’s role in Jesus Christ Superstar).

How can fans keep up to date with your latest news and developments?
Rosalie: Through our social media, you can find us on our individual Facebook and Twitter pages, and our Balsamo Deighton ones.Come and say Hi!

• Balsamo Deighton’s new album Unfolding is available now. Visit balsamodeighton.com. for details.
• Andy Howells is a freelance entertainment writer. A version of this Q&A was published in the South Wales Argus entertainment supplement the Guide on February 5, 2016.

Meet The Band: Restorations

After a whirlwind winter and spring full of touring in the United States, Philadelphia’s Restorations will finally make their way back across the pond for a headlining summer run throughout the UK including a date on July 11 at Cardiff's Moon Club with Crazy Arm and Sam Russo for support. .

A marriage of big sounds and meaty songwriting, Restorations’ third full length, LP3, swept the music community off its feet upon initial release back in October 2014, with standout single Separate Songs leading the charge. Both the song and album have received high praise from NPR, Rolling Stone, Consequence of Sound, PAPER, Noisey, Grantland, Stereogum and The A.V. Club. With LP3, Restorations has taken every potential cliché and tossed them out the window to create the most memorable and standout record of their career to date.

Andy Howells recently put questions to Jou Loudon from the band

Who are you and how did you come together?
My name’s Jon and I play guitar and sing in a band called Restorations. We got together in 2008ish after our old bands broke up.

Where are you from?
All of us are from Philadelphia.

How would you describe your music style?
Post-Americana

What’s been your best live experience?
For our band: our record release show last fall at the First Unitarian Church basement in Philadelphia.
For me personally: Any time I saw Bear Vs Shark play in the mid 2000s.

You have a new single and album coming soon can you tell us more about that?
Our record LP3 came out last fall on SideOneDummy records. We recorded it in Philly with our good friend Jon Low. We’ve been touring quite a bit this past year off of it and really enjoy playing these songs in a live environment.

You’re touring shortly are you looking forward to that?
I can’t wait. The last time we came through the UK was fantastic. Hoping to re-live the experience.

What can people expect from your forthcoming Cardiff gig?
We’ll be playing songs from all of our albums and going a little longer than usual. We’ve got our dear friends Crazy Arm and Sam Russo as support. It’s going to be great. Our second Welsh show ever.

Will you be playing anymore Wales dates in the future?
Nothing concrete at the moment, but we’ll definitely be back. We played Le Pub in Newport previously and also had a lovely time.

Where can people hear your music?
restorations.bandcamp.com has our entire discography and links to physical copies from there.

• Visit Restorations official website
• A version of this Q&A by Andy Howells appeared in The South Wales Argus entertainment supplement The Guide on July 3, 2015.