Each week we like to champion the music scene with ten songs in our playlist that all have a connection to the RaW (Reading and Wokingham) area and, sometimes, beyond. This week we have three new additions – two from acts from the South-West who coincidentally both visited Reading recently, and one from a Reading boy who’s paid his dues. As always, we have a wide variety of musical styles, but we think they’re all worth a listen and we hope you find something new to enjoy as well as maybe getting out to experience the thrill of live music.
1. Ez Dickens, Tanti – Take a Breath –
The 19 Something Festival at the Face Bar at the beginning of the month was a feast of musical talent, both local and from further afield. Ez Dickens was just one of the acts that we loved. 19 Something Presents is one of the many organisations doing great things with music in the local area, and they put on the festival to showcase talent and also raise money for good causes – this year, Age UK Reading and Kids Out. Ez Dickens’ music combines reggae, hip-hop, folk and even Latin and Balkan influences, and she’s an engaging live performer. This is her latest single, recorded in Spain with DJ and producer Tanti, and it’s a mellow reggae hip-hop number suggesting that we should take a moment to look around, step back from the rat race and appreciate the good things in life. It’s a little slice of Summer to brighten your day as the evenings close in! https://www.facebook.com/ezdickensmusic
2. Eric Street Band – You’re Living A Lie –
If you like a bit of old-style rhythm and blues with electric guitar and blues harp, Eric Street Band delivers to your door! Reading native Dennis Siggery is the driving force behind the band, and reckons their latest album, The Word on the Street, is their best yet, and we’re not about to disagree; it’s packed with classic blues riffs and tales of bad luck and trouble. The band all live in the Reading area, and the album was recorded at Creation X Studio, just outside Wokingham. This track from the album showcases the guitar of Gordon Vaughn and harmonica of Dave Raphael, alongside Dennis’s distinctive vocal rasp. https://www.ericstreetband.com/
3. Mammoth Toe – MaybePG –
Mammoth Toe are a three-piece from Bristol who played at The Purple Turtle recently, and we were impressed by their instrumental progressive post-rock stylings. This track is the single taken from their recently released album, Ok, Well Done. As all the tracks on the album are instrumentals, the names are rather enigmatic, though we do know that one track is called Chugga because, as bassist Marcus Gee explained at the gig, “It chugs”. Well, you can’t argue with that! They played on a bill with local theatrical prog rock band, Zenden Greenpurp and headliners Hotel du Globe all the way from Belgium. There’s a lot of live music to enjoy in the area, at several venues, and plenty of variety, so do go out and support the local scene! https://linktr.ee/mammothtoe
4. Steve Hackett – Circo Inferno –
The latest single from Genesis guitarist Steve Hackett, who put on a great show at The Hexagon recently. https://www.hackettsongs.com/
5. San Demas – Stay Forever –
Another great track from their EP, Love Sick. You can catch the Buckinghamshire-based melodic rock band at the Face Bar on 23rd November as part of Reading Rising, a festival showcasing a host of up-and-coming alt-rock bands, also including Marisa and the Moths, Lake Malice, One Last Day, Elucidate, InAir, Lake Acacia, and many more, 16 bands in all over the two days, well worth a visit. https://linktr.ee/sandemas
6. Jess Tuthill – One True Love –
Reading-based Jess Tuthill has been writing and performing for 20 years, and this track is a single taken from her recently-released, and very impressive, debut album, A Beautiful Disaster. https://jesstuthill.co.uk/
7. Frant1c – On The Run –
Frant1c is a project initiated by Anne-Claire Rallo of Nine Skies & Solace Supplice and she has created a wonderful album called ‘A Brand New World’ that is out now – https:// linktr.ee/frant1c
8. John Hackett – Never Gonna Make a Dime –
John Hackett played at the inaugural The Last Night of the Progs at The Butler in Chatham Street last Saturday. https://hacktrax.co.uk/
9. The Veras – Davey Walking Round With the Sole Off His Shoe –.
This is the The Veras latest single, with an intriguing title, from their Get It While You Can album. You should also catch them in their Small Fakers guise. https://www.facebook.com/theverasmusic1
10. Caitlin Lavagna – October –
A lush production of a powerful and emotional song which is getting great reviews. https://www.facebook.com/caitlin.lavagna
