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 – all released this year, but from a mix of established and new acts. 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. Steve Hackett – Circo Inferno –
Steve Hackett was part of the line-up of prog-rock legends Genesis which produced such classic albums as Selling England By the Pound. Since going solo, he has explored many facets of music, including classical, jazz, world music and blues. His live shows feature work from his solo projects, but he also knows his fans love to hear him playing music from his days with Genesis, and his gig at the Hexagon the other week was no exception, with the first half featuring his solo work, such as his recent single Circo Inferno, which is our choice this week, and the second consisting largely of songs from the legendary double concept album, The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway. https://www.hackettsongs.com/
2. San Demas – Stay Forever –
We included San Demas’s single, Lost Lover, earlier in the year, ahead of their appearance at Wokingham Festival where they delivered a great performance. This is another great track from their EP, Love Sick, that they released in August. 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
3. 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. It’s been a long time coming, but it’s definitely been worth the wait, with a variety of styles and subjects, even including a surprisingly affecting song inspired by a video game. One True Love is a mellow and wistful love song, with a gentle piano introduction. You can see Jess perform at The Flowing Spring pub on 29th November, and she’ll be supporting another playlist favourite, Gemma Rogers, at the Face Bar next January as part of Independent Venue Week for Club Velocity. https://jesstuthill.co.uk/
4. 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
5. John Hackett – Never Gonna Make a Dime –
Brother Steve appeared at The Hexagon the other week, now it’s John’s turn to visit the area, and he plays with his band at the first of what will be a regular quarterly event, The Last Night of the Progs at The Butler in Chatham Street this Saturday, 16th of November. Also on the bill are Reading-based ace producer, guitarist, and member of too many bands to list here, John Mitchell, and psychedelic rock ensemble Hoopy Frood, also based in Reading. https://hacktrax.co.uk/
6. 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 can see them in their Small Fakers guise at Wokingham Music Club at Winnersh Royal British Legion this Friday 15th November. https:// www.facebook.com/theverasmusic1
7. Caitlin Lavagna – October –
A lush production of a powerful and emotional song which is getting great reviews. https://www.facebook.com/caitlin.lavagna
8. Balaam and the Angel– She Knows –
The Forces of Evil EP is available now, and they played live at the Face Bar in Reading last Saturday. She Knows is from their The Greatest Story Ever Told album. https:// www.facebook.com/balaamandtheangel
9. Sonic Whip – Watch It All Begin –
One of the most exciting new groups we’ve seen in the last year. We feature here a new song from their excellent new EP, ‘Spinning Around’ – https://www.sonicwhipband.com/
10. Gemma Rogers – No Future –
Gemma writes socially aware songs with hooky choruses and an edgy sound that makes then sound so right for this crazy world at this crazy time in history! She played a great set at 19 Something Festival at the Face Bar in aid of Age UK Reading and Kids Out. – https:// www.gemmarogersmusic.com/
