Mik Artistik's Ego Trip

Mik Artistik is as much an old style performance poet as he is a songwriter. Think early John Cooper Clarke. His track Plastic Fox on the face of it might seem a little daft, perhaps, but he’s actually tapped into the everyday and made it interesting. That kind of sideways look at the little things in life is done so well by the likes of Cooper Clarke, The Fall and, of course, Half Man Half Biscuit.


https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=zUmsVT_R4Eg

As well as Youtube you’ll find Mik Artistik on Spotify if you want to listen before you buy. You’ll find such tracks as: 

Brian Ferry’s Greatest Hits – A track about the wonders we can find when rooting through skips but not all as it seems…

Sweet Leaf of the North – Another observational track about finding a leaf on your windscreen and realising it’s been with you for the length of a long journey. 

Window Cleaner – Is upbeat and sinister and as short as two slurps of my tea as I type this. 

She Looks Like Me Mam - And she's a Leeds fan...

Retired Corr - I'll say no more...

So if you like your music northern, witty, but most all eccentric and eclectic there’s plenty to check out online. I’m told plenty of gigs coming up too.

Links: 

Youtube:

https://www.youtube.com/user/MikArtistiksEgoTrip

Twitter:

https://twitter.com/mikartistik

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/29773546853/

Website:

http://www.mikartistik.com/

Daniel Pearson - Mercury State

Born in 1982 Daniel Pearson is a musician and songwriter from Hull. Mercury State is his critically acclaimed second album released in 2013. I first came across him on Twitter and immediately liked his style. He’s An indie troubadour and proud of it. He’s one of the freshest singer songwriters around and his music blends elements of indie, rock, country, soul and garage blues. You can hear the depth of these influences within the tracks of this album. His songs tackle the kind of subjects you’d expect from a lad from Hull.

Factory Floor – Talks of the fading of youth doing a soul destroying job in a factory only to face redundancy. He asks plaintively what more could you want from me?

Rat Race starts – He talks of his roots and how hard the rat race is. One payday away from repossession.

All is not lost – A relationship has broken down and a lover expresses regret for the way things have turned out. He wants to pretend that all is not lost.

Old Friends – A favourite of mine. A love song to old friends. Those we’ve shared things with that will always be remembered. Even as the years fly by, still old friends remain.

The album is moody and at times melancholic but Pearson’s vocal has a clarity that makes you listen, demanding your attention. The tracks are uncluttered never detracting from the vocal and it’s clear that Pearson likes it that way. I’d compare Pearson to Damien Rice or David Gray. That fine tradition of songwriter that is unashamed to talk of how they feel.

Website: http://danielpearson.net/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/danielpearsonfb?fref=ts

Twitter: https://twitter.com/daniel_pearson

Little Red - That's What They All Say EP

Little Red are a folk trio from the south of England. I first heard them on the excellent Bob's Folk Show in 2014. Little Red are inspired by the traditional and the contemporary according to their Facebook page.

Little Red comprises: Ian Mitchell, Ben Gosling and Hayley Bell. 

That's What They All Say was released in 2014 and is available on all the usual music download sites.

Track listing:

1. What Say You - Has a bright guitar sound and incorporates both male and female vocals. The song deals with relationship difficulties or is it something more sinister...

2. The Cause - This track talks of drunken fornication, and talks to me of a man's regret for leaving the cause. Perhaps also a relationship track? Upbeat, musically interesting with very clear vocals.

3. Petal - Long than the first two tracks but with a longer music break and less lyrics. A rose is used as a metaphor for a relationship here and again we have male and female vocalists. Hayley Bell's solo is lovely here.

4. Cures - This song oozes melancholy, an aching loss of a lover. 

5. The Garden - The final track is the longest track on the EP and perhaps the most musically complex track. The title of the EP is found within the track. Again love and perhaps the loss it features within this track. 

This EP is modern folk at its finest. Nothing is overdone and all of the tracks are well produced. The talents of musicians and vocalists shines through here. I've been listening to this EP for a while now it's not lost it's shine.

Your can find Little Red:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/littleredband?fref=ts

Twitter: https://twitter.com/ianmitchelllr


If you enjoy reading this short blog post please share it for others to enjoy.