John Adams is a Singer/Songwriter/Busker hailing from Aberdare in the South Wales Valleys. With a reach in his tone to match Sam Smith and James Blunt he draws influences from the likes of honest songwriters such as James Morrison, Damien Rice, and David Gray. John’s acoustic approach and atmospheric piano accompaniment compliment his unique and impressive vocal ability as he earns the undivided attention of the listener by addressing them directly with emotive and heartfelt narratives.
This faithfulness to a personal story is mirrored in how John came into the musical world and continues to progress as a musician. A truly homegrown talent, he began his career busking on the streets, using the money to pay for his first release, fittingly entitled “The Pavement is My Stage”. After the album reached No.7 in the iTunes Singer/Songwriter charts in 2016 he took a leap of faith and left his job as a Mathematics Teacher. That gamble paid off and John has gone on to support household names such as Take That, Lemar, T’Pau and Katherine Jenkins. His hard work and impressive live performance have built a strong following of 50,000 online followers, over 6 million views on YouTube and a steady 300,000 monthly listeners on Spotify.
Eager to show his progression John released his album “You Never Know Who’s Listening” in 2018 which combined his live organic sound with a minimal electronic production to make a sound that is satisfyingly different from the usual guitar wielding Singer/Songwriter. The album was very well received by fans and the music industry alike and has already accrued over 6 million plays on Spotify. All 4 singles were playlist by the BBC and Spotify editorials with “See You Again” and “Dandelion Wishes” becoming Radio 2 favorites. He spent the year up and down the country performing at the UK’s largest festivals such as The Isle of Wight Festival, Great Escape, and Victorious Festival, and his headline tour sold out in just two days from release. To end the year on a high his festive hit “Lost In Christmas” became the soundtrack for “La Feltrinelli” Christmas campaign all across Europe.
Not showing any signs of writer’s block, John is excited to reveal ‘Flames’, the first single off his new EP “No White Lies”, was released on February 8th. Directed by John himself and Rhys Davies of Furball films, the stirring music video was imagined after a house fire occurred outside the studio. He explains: “All the usual questions flooded my mind as I strummed my guitar. How did they feel? What did they grab? Who was to blame? I eventually came to the conclusion that they’d be so concerned with survival that these questions were never answered. As dramatic as it seems I felt exactly the same about a relationship at the time and after writing the song I decided to take the same approach to the situation and leave. I centered the song around the lyric “It’s too late to argue who’s to blame, this house will burn down anyway” and pulled on a few semantics to compare the feelings of a house fire to the trapping of a relationship. I tried to mirror this concept in the video with the use of wool. In the beginning, a couple proudly exchanges thread to connect each other and enjoy the unity it brings, but over time the tangled web becomes frustrating and controlling just like a bad partnership.”
LINKS:
https://www.johnadamsmusic.co.uk
https://www.facebook.com/JohnAdamsMusic1
http://www.twitter.com/johnadamsmusic1
https://www.instagram.com/johnadamsmusic
http://www.youtube.com/johnanthonyadams1
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Beauty in Chaos – The Delicate Balance Of All Things (Rapid Reiteration Mix)
Beauty in Chaos has today released their new video for the remix track titled ‘The Delicate Balance Of All Things’ (Rapid Reiteration Mix).
We also have an exclusive interview with Michael Ciravolo, Wayne Hussey, and Cinthya Hussey on how the video came to be and how it was filmed while staying safe in the age of COVID.
Check out the entire interview HERE.
‘The Delicate Balance Of All Things’ (Rapid Reiteration Mix) and video is clearly a massive departure for BIC in both video and audio realms. The video, for one, was shot remotely using an entirely different crew in Brazil and, besides the obvious that Beauty in Chaos’ Michael Ciravolo is not in the video, the departure is in the style and execution.
The track is even more of a complete departure stylistically from what has come before. Now featuring Cinthya Hussey on lead vocals, Wayne on background vocals, and astonishing guitar work by Nick Johnston, is a stellar mix of darkness, suave, and the world, in places you would never expect. The bass gives off an almost ‘Peter Gabriel’ vibe at times before snapping into place in lockstep with the beat that, at times, drags you into the hook but in a good way.
To me, this is an almost Pink Floyd level shift sonically and visually that gives a hint that Beauty in Chaos is becoming comfortable at being different.
Check out our other features with Beauty in Chaos HERE.
ABOUT BEAUTY IN CHAOS & ‘THE DELICATE BALANCE OF ALL THINGS’ (RAPID REITERATION MIX) FT. CINTHYA HUSSEY
The original version of this song, penned by BIC curator Michael Ciravolo and The Mission’s Wayne Hussey, appears on ‘The Storm Before The Calm’ album. Along with BIC producer Michael Rozon, Ciravolo set out to strip down the ominous tone of the original especially for this remix release. After hearing Wayne’s wife Cinthya’s rendition of The Smith’s ‘Everyday Is Like Sunday’, the idea emerged for her to sing this new version along with Wayne.
This remix was created by legendary producer Tim Palmer (David Bowie, The Mission, U2, The Cure). BIC main-man, Michael Ciravolo says “Tim has always been one of my favorite producers … and one of the silver-linings of this lockdown is that he has time to do this and two other remixes for our new album”.
Far from being a typical band, with its revolving/evolving lineup, videos are truly the ‘face’ of BIC. Ciravolo’s goal is to make each visually different from its predecessor and this new video certainly checks that box!
“When we returned the track, the delicate balance of all things, to Michael with Cinthya’s newly-completed vocals, Michael’s reaction was to declare he loved it and that we had to shoot a video for this version, remixed by the redoubtable Tim Palmer,” said Wayne Hussey.
“With the option of traveling to LA to shoot out of the question due to current Covid-19 restrictions, Cinthya, being in the trade somewhat, contacted a few of her colleagues to ascertain who exactly might be interested in helping us shoot a video in Sao Paulo. Enter the Antipodean Mark Bromilow. Mark and Cinthya had previously acted together on a Kit-Kat advert and had remained friends. The many credits to his name include time spent as artistic director for Cirque De Soleil, where he met the Brazilian Natalia Presser, the featured aerial artist in this video.”
“Locations were scouted, Cinthya having the idea of filming in an old theatre or abandoned warehouse – somewhere strange – while Mark came up with the idea of filming in a currently-closed-down-due-to-Covid circus in Sao Paulo. So the Big Top it was. Using David Lynch as inspiration, we aimed for the video to evoke something otherworldly and magical. So, how did we do?”
The full 27-track collection of the ‘Out Of Chaos Comes…’ LP (available on CD) is deep and diverse and comes with a few surprises, including Ashton Nyte’s gorgeous acoustic version of ‘The Outside’, and an acoustic/mellotron drenched ‘Memory Of Love’ from Human Drama’s Johnny Indovina. There are also some new and fantastic guitar moments from Simon Hinkler (The Mission), Richard Fortus (Guns N’ Roses), Mark Gemini Thwaite (Peter Murphy. The Wonder Stuff), and Nick Johnston.
‘Out Of Chaos Comes… is now available on vinyl (8 tracks), CD (14 tracks), and digitally (27 tracks). The full digital version is included with an LP / CD purchase. Limited-edition colored vinyl also includes an exclusive cover-art poster, signed by many of the artists involved. It can be ordered in its various formats HERE.
SONG CREDITS
- Cinthya Hussey – vocals
- Wayne Hussey – background vocals
- Michael Ciravolo – guitars, textures, and percussion
- Michael Rozon – synth and percussion
- Mike Mallory – bass
- Nick Johnston – outro guitar solo
- Tim Palmer – synth, drum programming, guitars, and co-production
- Additional recording and production by Michael Rozon and Wayne Hussey
- Written by Wayne Hussey and Michael Ciravolo
VIDEO CREDITS
- Cinthya Hussey – the beauty
- Wayne Hussey – the beast
- Natalia Presser – aerialist
- Video concept by Mark Bromilow, Cinthya Hussey, and Wayne Hussey
- Produced by Cia do Polvo
- Directed by Mark Bromilow
- Assistant director: Natalia Presser
- Photography: Nico Serrano
- Camera assistant: Fabrício Cezario
- Production assistant: Patricia Rizzi
- Make up by Marcio Merighi
- Edited by Cinthya Hussey
- Filmed on location in Sao Paulo, Brazil
LINKS:
https://www.beautyinchaosmusic.com
https://www.facebook.com/beautyinchaosmusic
https://www.instagram.com/beauty.inchaos
https://twitter.com/MichaelCiravolo
https://www.beautyinchaosmusic.com/music-store
https://www.beautyinchaosmusic.com/bic-blog
https://soundcloud.com/33-3-music-collective
https://beautyinchaos.bandcamp.com
https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/finding-beauty-in-chaos/1436694940
https://open.spotify.com/album/7cmbwIpDm9aAXS4vVjcq4U?si=LZ_9_Bi1SzaZyN7wOIRCvw -
San Eco – Perspectrum
San Eco combine the unique approach of two musicians, one with a footing in innovative electronica, the other in bombastic indie pop. Five years in the making, their debut album ‘San Eco’ finds them drawing influences from Fela Kuti to Slint, Nathan Fake to R.E.M, into a delicate and emotive electronic alt rock treat.
Morris Cowan (Adam Taylor) cut his teeth in the electronic music scene in the mid-noughties, and since then has released for Nottingham based Wigflex imprint and German label Zaubernuss. He has built up notable admirers, having had his tracks championed by Mary Ann Hobbs and Tom Ravenscroft on their BBC Radio 6 Music shows.
Tom Edney’s brand of alternative indie songwriting has also earned him a considerable following. Never shying away from ambition, his alternative rock music has him drawing inspiration from varied subjects like Victorian Gothic Monasteries on Manchester housing estates to his Lynchian inspired dreams. His efforts such as ‘Hands On’ and ‘The Manchester Underground EP’ have earnt him plays on many stations around the world, including BBC Radio 6 Music.
It was during the recording of Cowan’s ‘Six Degrees’ and Edney’s ‘The Manchester Underground EP’, that the two actually became aware of each other’s music – listening in through a wall between neighboring studios. Cowan tabled an offer of a session, and five years of creativity and hard work later, they are finally ready to release their debut album ‘San Eco’, on Manchester multimedia label ‘Beatphreak.’
LINKS:
https://www.facebook.com/sanecosounds
https://beatphreak.co.uk/artists/san-eco -
Dar.Ra – Stand Up For The Heroes
Dar.Ra has dropped his new single and video titled ‘Stand Up For The Heroes’. Released as a response to these pandemic times, this couldn’t have been a better time for such a reminder to recognize not only the people that throw themselves in harm’s way but live with those dangers every day that they do this. And Dar encapsulates that sentiment with reverence and respect in a moving video and brilliant song done in a way that one hopes those heroes hear this and feel loved.
Check out our other articles featuring Dar.Ra HERE.
ABOUT DAR.RA & ‘STAND UP FOR THE HEROES’
Extraordinary times require the same extraordinary efforts to equalize the situation and none more so has been exemplified by the Keyworkers around the world. While we all in our own small ways did our bit to ease the pressure on our health infrastructures, it seems incomparable to the front line staff who in many cases have literally given their lives to save others.
The word Hero should only be used in such cases where someone stepped out beyond the call of duty and gave everything to make the world a kinder and more stable place to live in.
Feeling the need to honor this sacrifice and bravery Irish solo artist Dar.Ra has stepped up to the plate and written the ultimate anthem for the Key Workers, to thank and remember long after this situation has changed.
It’s all too easy sometimes to forget what previous generations have done to change the world for the better. People sit in the luxury of criticizing the actions of people who showed leadership in times of crisis. The classic statement of ‘What Did You Do In The Great War or The Great Pandemic’ will always ring true, and for those of us with a conscience will be able to say I did my bit.
The tribute song is titled ‘Stand Up For The Heroes’ is a solemn, strings, vocal, and piano arrangement that drives home the enormity of the situation with a lyric that tells the story of the everyday fight in the frontlines. While some gave all, some just caused more confusion, amplified by the lyric “The world is unsteady on its feet, some trying so hard while others close their eyes’
Equally followed by the lines ‘ So much is owed to you, and that sacrifice will never be repaid’. While we are reminded by the vocals that the ‘Tears that have fallen will never be forgotten’ we are urged to pay our respects by ‘Standing Up For Heroes’.
That standing up is not just about applause but by valuing their services with the money they deserve. From the Refuse Collectors, Shop Sales Assistants, Hospital Porters, Care Workers, Nurses, Doctors, Teachers, and everyone else who kept the ball rolling while the majority of us were being asked to stay safe at home – a small price to pay for the safety of others.
Every piece of history needs a piece of music that sums up the moment as Vera Lynn’s ‘We’ll Meet Again’ did during WW2, maybe ‘Stand Up For The Heroes’ will do the same for generations to come.
Stand Up For The Heroes will be released as a stand-alone track on Kusha Deep Records and proceeds will go towards funding for people who are in the frontlines helping to change the situation.
LINKS:
https://twitter.com/kushadeep
https://facebook.com/kushadeep
https://youtube.com/kushadeep7