Rising star and profound songwriter Laura Evans, who is amongst the new wave of the Country, Blues and Roots music scene, released her new single ‘Drag Me Back In’ last Friday. It definitely brings out a more rockier, edgier side to Laura, and follows on the heels of her last single ‘Running Back to You’, the title track from her EP, which charted and went straight to Number One in the UK iTunes Blues chart. The single also entered the US Blues Chart, peaking at Number 43. Laura co-wrote ‘Drag Me Back In’ with London-born and LA Soul/Blues artist and songwriter Desi Valentine plus producer Nicolas Gruter.

Featuring singer Mark Boals (Yngwie Malmsteen, Ring Of Fire, Royal Hunt) and guitarist Ölaf Thorsen (Labyrinth, Vision Divine), today's Track Of The Day is taken from Shining Black's self-titled album out on Friday 10th July, which showcases this new duo's cutting edge Melodic Metal songwriting combined with outstanding vocal ability. The roots of their collaboration date back to 2014 when the Italian Metal band Labyrinth replaced their singer (Roberto Tiranti) with Mark Boals, but conflicting schedules put paid to recording plans and they eventually made a new record with Tiranti back on board. However, Thorsen remained in touch with Boals and the two have now created a fabulous debut.

Expanding on the boundaries of what an Indie-Folk band can be, Laura Cortese & The Dance Cards add a lightness and Pop sensibility on their upcoming album, 'Bitter Better', due to be released on Friday 17th July on Compass Records, of which their song 'Typhoon' is today's Video Of The Day, filmed and recorded before the pandemic in Laura's adopted home of Ghent, Belgium. A stunning lesson in all the ways string instruments can be played – bowed, plucked, percussively - combined with lush vocal harmonies, 'Bitter Better' showcases Cortese and multi-instrumentalist producer Sam Kassirer striving to capture the most adventurous approach to each moment. The result is an 11 track album that incorporates dance-worthy foundational grooves, synth and loops to push the boundaries of the genre.

Utilita Live from the Drive In have announced the addition of Reef to play a special Drive-In tour this August and September. With Gary Stringer on vocals, Jack Bessant on bass guitar and Jesse Wood on guitar, the band will also be joined by former Duran Duran/The Power Station guitarist Andy Taylor, so expect a few choice Andy Taylor numbers in the set too. Plus, to round things off for this special run of dates, the band will also be joined by virtuoso drummer Luke Bullen (Bryan Ferry/Joe Strummer/Chris Squire), capping off one very special line up. Reef will also be releasing a very special vinyl edition of their debut album 'Replenish' on Friday 25th September to celebrate its 25th anniversary.

Today's Track Of The Day, 'Longinus', is the latest single from Deathcore act Clockwork Sky, which has been unleashed via One Eyed Toad Records. 'Longinus' represents the Hertfordshire band’s heaviest release to date, which also makes a powerful impact lyrically. Recorded at The Practice Roomz Studio, Stevenage, the single was mixed and mastered by the band’s own Steven Cela. This level of hands-on-control has granted Clockwork Sky the creative freedom to produce a track truly representative of their creative mindset and musical vision, setting the bar for releases going forward.

In partnership with the Music Venue Trust, Marshall Amplification have launched a special t-shirt as part of their support of the #saveourvenues campaign. All proceeds from the t-shirt will help fund grassroots music venues through the continued economic threats and challenges they face. Taken from UK rockers Bad Touch’s latest album 'Kiss The Sky', a Rock and Roll cover of Kiki Dee’s 1974 hit and today's Video Of The Day, the t-shirt and Marshall encourage everyone in the music industry and their fans to stand up and support their local venues whilst declaring 'I’ve Got The Music In Me'. Launched on 27th April, the #saveourvenues campaign has already amassed over £2,000,000 and indeed hundreds of UK grassroots music venues recently signed an open letter to the government calling for an emergency £50 million of funding to allow them to “hibernate” until October due to restrictions caused by Covid-19.

Detroit rocker Mike Skill, founding member and principal songwriter of The Romantics, is back today with another new solo track, 'My Bad Pretty' - the follow-up to his highly acclaimed single, 'Not My Business'. Skill is on guitars, bass and vocals, Kevin Rankin (A Flock of Seagulls, Animotion) is on drums and Rick Bain is on slide guitar. Meanwhile, the long awaited EP 'Volume lll Fall', from Black Note Graffiti is also out today, and one of the tracks, 'Fallacy', is our Video Of The Day. Consisting of Gabrielle Bryant (vocals/keys), Kris Keller (guitar/vocals), Kurt Keller (drums), Ricardo Ortiz (vocals/guitar) and Adam Nine (bass), the Ann Arbor, Michigan, Rock band has a lot to say with their thought provoking lyrics, heavy guitar riffs and melodic tendencies.

Due to the pandemic and uncertainty when live concerts can take please, King King have rescheduled their October UK Tour to October next year. All tickets remain valid for the new dates. The band release their 10-track fifth studio album 'Maverick' on Friday 16th October via Channel 9 Music – King King’s new independent label. 'Maverick' follows 2017’s critically acclaimed album 'Exile & Grace' and includes the new line-up featuring Alan Nimmo (vocals/guitar), Stevie Nimmo (guitar), Jonny Dyke (organ/piano), Zander Greenshields (bass) and Andrew Scott (drums).

Today's latest Blues Club Podcast Track Of The Day is another two hours of non stop Best in Blues and Beyond with More Music and Less Chat featuring New Releases, Classic Tracks and UK IBBA Presenters' Picks including songs from The Surreal Lockdown Experience, John Primer & Bob Corritore, Hooson Maguire, Jose Ramirez, Micke & Lefty feat. Chef, The Reverend Shawn Amos and The Brotherhood, Fran McGillivray & Mike Burke (pictured) and many more.

Jim Kirkpatrick has decided that the time is right to reignite his solo career with the release of his brand new solo album, ‘Ballad of a Prodigal Son’, due out on Friday 4th September on US One Records. Following on from his 2006 debut ‘Changed Priorities’, this new album took some time to assemble, due to Jim’s FM commitments to touring all over the World, including playing at some of the world’s biggest and most prestigious Rock festivals, and supporting top-flight Rock icons, as well as his recording and touring commitments with some of the UK’s top talent. Having also accumulated over two decades of experience as one of the UK’s most in demand session players, ‘Ballad of a Prodigal Son’ has a very different sound and feel to his debut though. It’s less ‘acoustical’, and indeed Jim has called on a wealth of friends and colleagues in its making, that really showcases where he is today as a guitarist and songwriter.

Karl Simon from The Gates Of Slumber joins today's Zach Moonshine Show Track Of The Day, where the guys talk about the new live album, whats been going on with the band, drug addiction, Covid-19 and much much more. This episode also features new music from Ulthar, League Of Corruption, BPMD, Goatsnake, Thou, Obscene, Lantern, Left For Dead, Insatanity, Satanica, Changing Tymz and Faceless Burial.

Alternative Rock trio Elliott Waits For No One have recently released their self-titled debut album on Dark Star Records/Sony/Universal, and today's Video Of The Day is their first single 'Who Am I'. Based in Chicago and Las Vegas and cleverly named for their mutual affection for Elliott Smith and Tom Waits, their exuberant members endured storied journeys before finally forming what they each consider the best project of their career. Indeed, EWFNO is the result of three separate long and winding roads that converged at just the right time. Inspired by the ups and downs of decades spent in the music industry, they reflect the hope and heartbreak that can only come from lives lived on the road, on the charts and on stage. With songs such as 'Sick of It All' and 'Loathing', as hopeful and catchy as they are dark and aggressive, Brian Troch, Jenny Franck, and Jeff Tortora have sculpted their many adventures into a sound and story fit for the multitudes.