This week we've got some heavy blues rock on rotation for you, with some epic new tracks from KWS, The Commoners and the amazing Brave Rival.
Kenny Wayne Shepherd - 'I Got A Woman'
Multi-platinum, Grammy-nominated global superstar Kenny Wayne Shepherd is set to release the highly anticipated ‘Dirt On My Diamonds, Volume 2,’ the follow-up to his acclaimed album ‘Dirt On My Diamonds, Volume 1.’ Slated for a September 20th release via Mascot/Provogue Records, this album continues to solidify Shepherd’s status as a powerhouse in modern rock. Leading the charge is the vibrant single “I Got A Woman” available now.
You can pre-order the album HERE.
‘Dirt On My Diamonds, Volume 2’ expands the musical journey that began with ‘Volume 1’ last November. “When I started writing these songs, two distinct identities emerged,” Shepherd explains. “Both albums share the same spirit, but the songs, sounds, and grooves are unique. We decided to stagger the releases to match how people consume music today – essentially creating a double album. Our creative momentum was strong, so we kept it rolling.”
The album bursts to life with “I Got A Woman,” featuring Shepherd’s powerful riff complemented by a dynamic horn section. “To me, it’s the answer song to Woman Like You, the first track on ‘The Traveler,’” Shepherd notes. “On this record, he’s got her, and she’s everything he hoped for.”
The tracks on ‘Volume 2’ were born during the writing sessions at FAME Studios in Muscle Shoals, Alabama. “The whole reason we went down to Muscle Shoals was to soak up the vibe that’s been left in that room for so many decades,” Shepherd reflects.
Tracking took place at the Band House Studios in Los Angeles just days before the studio was demolished. “It was a really cool intimate old-school studio with analogue everything, but they tore it down straight after we made these records,” says Shepherd.
Forced to hold back new material for the first time in his storied career, Shepherd admits that keeping these latest songs under wraps has been torture. “They’re sounding great in rehearsals and we’ve been dying to get out there and play them,” he says. Now at last, the standard-bearer for 21st-century rock ‘n’ roll is ready to put the cherry atop the Dirt On My Diamonds project with ‘Volume 2.’
“These are two unique albums that stand on their own,” Shepherd considers, “but together, I think they make for such a compelling package. We’ve had tremendous success in my career so far, and I’m so surprised and grateful for that. But even now, I still feel like there’s always more to explore musically. I just want to keep pushing the limits.”
Shepherd’s upcoming tour plans are extensive. Starting in July, he will hit major cities across the country including St. Louis, Milwaukee, and Baton Rouge, while his September plans include his return to the Experience Hendrix Tour which will take him to a wide range of venues from coast to coast, including Seattle, Spokane, and Santa Rosa, among others, allowing fans to experience his electrifying performance live. For more information and to purchase tickets, please visit www.kennywayneshepherd.net.
Brave Rival - Fairytale
Brave Rival Release Second Single 'Fairytale' Ahead of Highly Anticipated Album 'Fight or Flight'
Brave Rival, the multi-UK Blues Award-nominated rising stars, proudly announce the release of their second single, ‘Fairytale,’ from their eagerly awaited sophomore album, ‘Fight or Flight,’ set for release on August 16th.
Fronted by the dynamic duo of vocalists Chloe Josephine and Lindsey Bonnick, Brave Rival stands out with a distinctive edge. The band is rounded out by the instrumental prowess of Donna Peters (Drums, Percussion, and Acoustic Guitar), Ed ‘the Shred’ Clarke (Guitars), and Billy ‘Danger’ Dedman (Bass Guitar).
Vocalist Lindsey Bonnick describes the new single as, "A song filled with darkness but at the end of the tunnel there's light." Chloe Josephine elaborates, "It's dark and heavy and poetically connects with the fairytale feeling of the mental health world. It's relatable but it also rocks." Guitarist Ed Clarke adds, "Fairytale started with a riff of mine, and Lindsey added the slow opening intro, with the chorus growing from there."
Building on the success of their first single, ‘Five Years On’—Winner of Classic Rock’s Tracks of The Week who described the single as a “hooky, toe-tapping ode to overcoming the odds” and named Rush On Rock’s Red Hot Track of the Week—‘Fairytale’ is set to continue Brave Rival’s ascent to rock stardom.
Following their recent tour as special guests on the 40th anniversary tour of British rock legends FM, Brave Rival is gearing up for an extensive tour throughout 2024. To celebrate the release of ‘Fight or Flight,’ the band will host a spectacular launch show at Dingwalls on September 12th, featuring special guests, the Deborah Bonham Band.
Catch Brave Rival on tour and witness their performances live. Metal Talk recently reviewed their London show, proclaiming, “One of the best bands in the country right now and one of our biggest hopes for the future. Music can and should be this breathtakingly good.”
2024 is poised to be a landmark year for Brave Rival with the release of ‘Fight or Flight,’ an album that elevates their signature sound to new heights. With influences reminiscent of Heart, Zeppelin, and Fleetwood Mac, Brave Rival is ready to dominate the rock scene. Don’t miss the chance to experience their breathtaking music live and be part of their extraordinary journey.
The Commoners - Shake You Off
Following the success of their previous five singles, Canadian roots rock band The Commoners are pleased to announce the Friday June 7 release of “Shake You Off” – the final single taken from their highly anticipated third studio album, Restless. The album will be released by Gypsy Soul Records on Friday 5th July 2024, and available to pre-order at www.thecommoners.ca/store.
From Friday June 7th, “Shake You Off” will be available on all major streaming platforms and promises to be a heartfelt celebration to The Commoners’ ever-evolving musical journey. The single is available HERE. Gutsy guitar and driving percussion push “Shake You Off” from the speakers, initiating a gripping track that will have heads bobbing from start to finish. Punchy bass and searing organ pierce the arrangement, rousing listeners to a fever pitch as The Commoners attempt to break loose from restraints.
Having wrapped up a bustling 2023 filled with recording sessions and a UK tour alongside Grammy-nominated duo Samantha Fish and Jesse Dayton, The Commoners have solidified their position as a must-watch act.
The release of Restless will mark the quintet’s return to the road in 2024, with numerous festivals in the UK and EU, including Made of Stone, Steelhouse, and Moulin Blues Festivals, already scheduled for this summer. From the speakers to the stage, one thing is certain: The Commoners are spearheading a party rock renaissance, and the audience is cordially invited.
A natural evolution from their 2022 album Find A Better Way, the forthcoming album Restless offers a peek behind the curtain of success, revealing the grueling routines and ragged emotions that hide behind the glamorous aesthetic of a rock band on the rise. With introspective, slower-tempo numbers pocketed amongst rip-roaring anthems, the new album, recorded at RHC Music in Toronto, is a portrait of a hardworking group revitalizing a classic genre.
“As with our previous album, we wanted to marry old and new southern rock together in a way that was unique to the band’s Canadian roots,” says the Commoners guitarist and producer Ross Hayes Citrullo. “By adding the soul and rock elements of The Black Crowes, and the southern blues rock undertones of The Allman Brothers to a production style akin to Blackberry Smoke and Rival Sons, I think we developed an authentic sound that compares sonically to some of our favourite records across all of those music genres.”
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