Skilled musician, songwriter and producer - Luca Nieri, is one of UK music's best kept secrets. His subtle, intricate folk songs are so beautifully crafted, setting him apart from contemporaries. His own renditions of classic folk songs are also stunning. These include Davey Graham's 'Hummingbird', and Jackson C. Frank's 'Milk and Honey'. Before going solo, he was the drummer for Welsh indie band - Colorama, and was then a member of London Folk band - The Monks Kitchen. He also co-wrote and produced RW Hedges' albums - 'The Hunters in the Snow' and last years 'The Hills are Old Songs'. Both modern classics in the Folk/Americana genre. His fourth Solo album - Always You, is out at the end of March, on the Wonderfulsound record label. I catch up with Luca, ahead of the release:
Q. Tell me about your new album. What new ideas, sounds e.t.c. can we expect? A. The new record is very delicate. I chose to record an album of songs apposed to the last record that was all instrumentals.The sound on the new record is stripped back. I wanted a sound that was intimate without layering tracks up.
Q. Who are your biggest influences? Old and new artists who have inspired you. A. I think that Bert Jansch, Davey Graham, Joao Gilberto and Chet Baker have to be the artists that have inspired me the most. As for new artists, I haven't really heard anything that has come out that has inspired me. Q. Did you get into music at a young age and what started your love of music? When did you first start writing songs? A. My first memory of music was when I was about 8 or 9, at school, in the morning assembly, I would put my name down to play piano (although I never had lessons and didn't know what to play) and I would perform a made up piece that was probably nonsense, but musical nonsense! After that I would try instruments in music class. I tried the flute, trombone and piano. It was later that I found the drums and guitar and taught myself how to play them. I started writing songs at about 14 -15. Q. You often write songs with RW Hedges. What is the typical songwriting process? For example - Does he come up with an idea/concept and you help write the music, melodies e.t.c.? A. There is no typical process. It can vary depending on the song. Some songs have no lyric and some chords, so we work it out. Some songs have everything but the correct time signature. Some songs we both have to write lyrics. It really is random, but in some way we have “our” way of working.
Q. You are also a member of the band The Monks Kitchen. Their last album was a while ago (2013). Can we expect more from them? A. Yes.We have written and recorded many songs, so there is always a possibility of releasing them.There is a Dylan covers record that we have made that we are finishing up. I am also producing one of the Monk’s solo record that will be released at some point in the future. Q. Of all the songs you have written, which are you the most proud of? A. To be honest I'm not sure. I'm proud of all the songs I have recorded. Q. A lot of your songs are very short, around 2 minutes or under. Is there a reason why you prefer to write in this way? A. Songs shouldn't hang around. I like songs that get to the point and leave you wanting more, rather than the opposite. Q. Which of all the albums you have been involved with (producing or your own) did you enjoy making the most? A. I enjoy all the records I work on. Q. What is your favourite song to cover? A. At the moment I like playing “Accustomed To Her Face”, a song that was written by Loewe and Lerner, covered by Wes Montgomery. I learned Wes’ version and have been enjoying the chord progressions.
Q. Do you have a favourite song and album of all time? A. I listen to a lot of different types of music so picking one song and album is quite hard! It really depends on what mind set I'm in at the time. You can listen to and buy the new album Always You, here on Wonderfulsound Available end of March.
Released: 21 Feb 2020 Label: _ Listen and Buy Here New York songwriter Kyle Forester is a new discovery for me. He is a member of the bands - Crystal Stilts and The Ladybug Transistor. The first song I heard of his was the beautiful 'Won't Go Crazy', from his self titled album from 2016. It is a perfect guitar pop song with added synths, a little reminiscent of Real Estate. His new album is brings more heavenly melodic pop songs. It opens with 'Know What You're Doing' which is lovely and heartfelt with instantly memorable hooks. I can also hear vague vibes of The Velvet Underground. 'Marigold' is sophisticated and laid back in sound, with an uplifting chorus. Other highlights include title track 'Hearts and Gardens' which is simple yet melodically perfect, with added swagger, and even goes a bit psychedelic towards the end. 'Up Their Sleeve' is a sublime ballad and the combination of guitars, harmonies and synths is very effective.
It ends on the hypnotic soundscape 'On the Way Down', which again has chilled out vibes and electronic hints. A great album and well worth checking out, especially if you like The Velvet Underground, Ultimate Painting e.t.c. A much recommended listen.
Released: 14 Feb 2020 Label: Decor Listen and Buy Here Superb guitar pop band - Eyelids, from Portland, are back with a new album and it is a wonderful listen. I have been aware of the band for a few years, which includes former band members of Guided By Voices, Elliott Smith and The Decemberists. Their song 'Slow It Goes' from album - Or (2017) was the first song I heard by them and its so brilliantly melodic, I was hooked. Their new album is produced by Peter Buck of R.E.M. It opens with the beautiful 'Dream' which has lovely harmonies and is quite laid back. Lyrically, there are lots of references to space, time and religion. Some of the lyrics on the album are by poet - Larry Beckett (who has collaborated with Tim Buckley)
My favourite song on the album is the title track 'The Accidental Falls'. A great example of anthemic, melodic power pop. Other highlights include 'River' which is very psychedelic and chilled out with Pink Floyd vibes. 'At Sea' is another brilliantly crafted and energetic pop song. 'Found At The Scene of a Rendezvous that Failed' has some dark, highly descriptive and vivid lyrics. Musically it is piano and strings driven, reminiscent of later Beatles. '1 2 3' is heavier psych rock and quite moody, featuring some great guitar work. A brilliant album with such a variety of sounds, and an epic listening experience. Highly recommended.
Released: 21 Feb 2020 Label: _ Listen on Bandcamp I've liked Chicago indie rock band Mooner for a while now. I was aware of them through their 2015 album - Masterpiece, which is really superb, especially the song Shapeshifter. Their sound is reminiscent of The Shins, Weezer and Teenage Fanclub.
The song - 'Only Light' is very heartfelt and moving. I had the impression it is about parenthood: 'You are my friend I don't know, but I'll know all my life. Watch you grow, go to school, I'll be home.' It is quite simple and highly melodic, with subtle electronic hints in the production. 'The Dawning Hour' is another lovely song and brought to mind Neil Jung by Teenage Fanclub. Two beautiful songs, from a band who are well worth checking out.
Released: Jan 2020 Label: Kool kat Musik Buy Here The Overtures have a very retro 60s sound with Beatles and Byrds vibes. Although they may not be doing anything new, you just can't beat this kind of music and this is a highly enjoyable album. It opens with 'Till Your Luck Runs Out' which is a re-working of Den Pugsley's former band, The Pencils' 80s classic. It is wonderfully catchy and sounds like it could have been a hit in the 60s era. I would also recommend you checking out The Pencils Anthology (also available on Kool Kat). It is full of great Power Pop songs, especially 'Paper Heart' and 'Can't Hide Love'. My favourite song here is 'You've Been Gone' which is so beautiful and has all the ingredients of a classic. I really could have chosen many of these songs here as they are all well-written and memorable. Title song 'Onceinaworld' is also superb. Retro 60s jangle at its finest.
Released: 31 Jan 2020 Label: _ Listen and Buy Here Songwriter - Peter Hall from Nottingham, UK, is a new discovery for me. This sublime EP of highly sophisticated, melodic guitar pop is a much recommended listen. It opens with 'Hold Me', a lovely ballad with hints of Soul and beautiful harmonies in the chorus. The sound is reminiscent of Teenage Fanclub's later output. 'Blood Flow' is a heartfelt song with themes of life, death and love lyrically - 'Soon all I'll be is a dim memory with a photograph to represent me. I know this will happen, its all that I'm certain about, but I don't know when it will be.' However the song is more about making the most of life rather than dwelling on it.
My favourite song on the EP is the wonderful 'Everything is Fading Fast', which is an incredibly moving listen. The soaring, orchestral production really adds to the emotional impact. A delicate and heartbreaking acoustic song - 'She Fell From The Sky' ends the EP. A great EP with superbly crafted, thoughtful songs. Highly recommended.
Released: 7 Feb 2020 Label: Sound Asleep/Bobo Integral Listen and Buy Here I have been aware of Scottish jangle pop band - Dropkick for a few years. As soon as I listened to the 'Good Vibes' compilation, I was hooked. They are fantastic at writing ultra melodic, summery pop songs, and this is demonstrated further here. It opens with 'Feeling Never Goes Away' which is about as perfect a 2 minute pop song as you will ever hear. It is so uplifting, straight away recalling The Byrds and Teenage Fanclub. Other highlights include 'Catching On' which has some lovely harmonies and heartfelt lyrics. 'A Matter of Time' is another sweet love song, simple yet well-written and memorable. 'Home Early' is an emotional listen, as is the beautiful closing song 'You'll Always Be There'. The latter has slight Americana vibes too. Dropkick don't stray away too much from their comfort zone of guitar pop ballads, but this is a good thing and it is a very enjoyable listen. Especially 'Feeling Never Goes Away' which made it feel as though Summer had come early. A superb album.
