Years ago, when major record labels were signing acts based on longer term potential rather than on the back of a ready-made social media universe, there was a tradition of bands getting it together in the country. A rented cottage away from the big city, time to write songs and refine arrangements, bond, go to the pub, maybe take a few drugs: much, though not all, of which led to a productive process of artiste development. The art is not lost. In 2014, Liela Moss, vocalist with the seriously good rock band, The Duke Spirit, moved down to Somerset away from the clutches of big city life and started to work on material that might not automatically be a natural fit for the band. The result wa
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outstanding contemporary music through news, album and live reviews, features and interviews.
Music is a great passion of mine. In my teenage years I was an avid record collector and concert goer. Stints as a booking agent, running folk clubs, promoting gigs and even a crack at artiste management followed. While it never became my main occupation, music was always on my personal radar.
During the past 10 years I have written for the leading US music website Consequence of Sound and breakthrough act site, BestNewBands. I am a judge for Glastonbury Festival's Emerging Talent Competition and have reviewed the festival for both the above sites.
Nothing gives me more pleasure than unearthing good, original new music and championing independent musicians. You’ll find many of them on this site alongside some legends of times past and I hope they will bring you as much joy as they give me.
Tony Hardy