Focus Music Notes. "Out of the Blues". Popular music through the decades

Having recently been certified as Nashville’s newest and hottest export, Mona return to the UK (for the third time in six months) to perform a series of live shows that coincide with the release of their first single of 2011. ‘Teenager’ was released on February 28th through the band’s own imprint Zion Noiz Recordings/Island Records on digital download and limited edition 7-inch. 'Teenager’ is the soundtrack for a new generation, an angst driven anthem with vintage roots. Passion, obsession, longing and desire are the backdrop to this gigantic juggernaut of a song. “All people have desire and need more than just themselves, you love love but can’t find a love” says frontman Nick Brown on the theme of the song. Mona finished 2010 on a high after appearing on Later...With Jools Holland, being tipped by all key music press including the BBC Sound Poll and being selected for MTV’s Brand New For 2011. This is not to mention ‘Trouble On The Way’ being record of the week on BBC Radio 1. T...

Since their debut in 1969 Steeleye Span have become one of the most influential names in British roots music, credited with changing the face of folk music forever, taking it from small clubs into the world of gold discs and international tours. Catch them in Barnstaple as they return to the Queen’s Theatre for what’s set to be another cracking performance on Thursday 17th March. Members have come and gone over the years, with past and present line-ups virtually a who’s who of the British folk scene, but Steeleye has always remained an institution, at the forefront of the genre they helped define. With Maddy Prior - the voice of Steeleye for 34 years - back at the helm, the line-up features band stalwart and fiddler extraordinaire Peter Knight, Rick Kemp on bass, Peter Zorn on guitar and Liam Genockey on the drum stool. Steeleye Span’s 35th anniversary year in 2004 saw the line-up hailed as one of the band’s strongest with two sell out UK tours and a fantastic gig at the London Pallad...

Two of the world’s most iconic soul singers are set to share a stage at the Queen’s Theatre, Barnstaple as good friends Gary U.S. Bonds and Ben E. King present The Great American Soulbook on Tuesday 15th March. Along with a stunning 8 piece band made up of the UK’s greatest musicians from the bands of Van Morrison, Eric Clapton, Steve Winwood, Jeff Beck and Jerry Lee Lewis, this is set to be an amazing night made up of some of the greatest soul songs ever written. The legendary Gary U.S Bonds will host the show, and as well as belting out his own hits such as New Orleans and Quarter To Three, you’ll also hear Gary sing some of the world’s most loved tunes from one of the most loved eras. Gary will then be joined by another Soul legend, Ben E. King for what promises to be one of the most talked about tours to come to the region in years. Ben E. King is one of the defining soul singers of all-time. From his early days as the lead singer of The Drifters, through to his solo work, Ben E. ...

After a ridiculously successful 2010 which saw Robyn rank high in many end of year poll’s, from Popjustice’s #1 album of the year to Guardian’s #1 single of the year, to winning Radio 1’s Live Lounge of the year - and pretty much everything in between - Robyn is ready to stamp her platform booted mark all over 2011 just as hard. Not only was she recently nominated for a BRIT Award for International Female Solo Artist (alongside Katy Perry, Alicia Keys, Kylie Minogue and Rhianna), and for ‘Best Dance Recording’ in the US Grammy’s, she also won a massive 4 awards at the Swedish Grammy’s, played a sold out 6000 capacity Radio City Music hall in NYC and has announced a 15 date American tour with said fellow BRIT nominee, Miss Perry, starting in June. This follows Robyns return to the UK for her own select shows this March including a sold out gig at London’s Roundhouse - before Europe awaits. Robyn will release ‘Call Your Girlfriend’, taken from her latest Body Talk album on May 16. Remixe...

Dagenham’s finest Devlin announces his second nationwide tour of 2011. His Feb/March tour of 6 UK venues from Glasgow to London sold out in a flash. His debut album ‘Bud, Sweat & Beers’ has surpassed Silver sales in 2 months. To meet the surplus demand Devlin will be back out on the road with his full live band in May 2011, bringing his visceral mix of consciousness lyrics and grime energy to the Great British public. The Official Bud, Sweat and Beers Tour is the most powerful UK rap show of the spring. Tuesday 10th May 2011 Oxford O2 Academy Wednesday 11th May 2011 Cardiff Coal Exchange Thursday 12th May 2011 Cambridge The Junction Monday 16th May 2011 Manchester Academy 2 Tuesday 17th May 2011 Preston 53 Degrees Thursday 19th May 2011 Edinburgh Liquid Rooms Friday 20th May 2011 Sheffield The Plug Sunday 22nd May 2011 Leeds Stylus Monday 23rd May 2011 Birmingham HMV Institute Tuesday 24th May 2011 Nottingham Rescue Rooms Thursday 26th May 2011 Newcastle O2 Academy Fri...

Following on from their triumphant Royal Variety performance, which saw the band perform for Prince Charles, N-Dubz announce their first release of 2011, brand new single ‘Morning Star.’ Released via All Around The World & Island Records, ‘Morning Star’ is the third single from the Camden trio’s most recent Top 10 album, ‘Love.Live.Life’ with over a quarter of a million copies of the album sold in a month. Another example of the band’s trademark euphoric pop, on this all new radio edit Dappy and Fazer wax lyrical on this brand new single version, about missing someone special, while Tulisa’s sweet, sing-along chorus introduces flavours of the Rose Royce classic, ‘Wishing On A Star’ to a whole new generation. 2010 has been another phenomenal year for N-Dubz. In December they announced their first UK arena tour; the first UK Urban act to embark on such major venues. The Love.Live.Life 10-date tour will see the band play to their biggest audiences ever, taking in every part of the co...

15 year old London-born soul singer Dionne Bromfield, whose debut album introduced the teenager as one of the finest young singers the UK has produced in years, returns with the April 11th release of her brand new single “Yeah Right”. The single, which features rising US rapper, reality tv star, and son of the Rev. Run Simmons, Diggy Simmons, is taken from Dionne’s eagerly awaited new album “Good For The Soul”. Released on friend and mentor Amy Winehouse’s Lioness label, the album is a collection of all new soul songs co-written by Dionne and some of the UK’s premier songwriters, and looks set to establish her as a writer and genuine star in her own right. Dionne Bromfield came to the attention of the world’s media when she became the first signing to Amy Winehouse’s Lioness Records label. ‘Everyone told me I could sing from about the age of ten, but I was so shy I didn’t believe them. It wasn’t until Amy was round the house one night and heard me and said ‘girl, it’s true. You can si...

UK Urban music has a new male group ready to claim their spot in 2011. Encore, aka singers Mark and Cairo and rapper Pierre are freshly signed to Island Records. Having formed in 2009, the boys have already toured the country with likes of N-Dubz, Chipmunk and Taley Riley. Now ready to step out on their own, Encore released their debut single ‘Wind Up’ on February 14th, Valentine’s Day. So what do Encore sound like? They’re not just your average, sweet uniformed male group, Encore create something fresh & original by combining dubstep, R&B and a hint of pop. ‘Wind Up’ takes us through a troubled relationship, urging their girl to “make your mind up”; laced with slick R&B vocals thrown over a tough and edgy dubstep beat. Encore’s debut album will follow in 2011.The group have been in the studio working with top writers and producers from both sides of the Atlantic including Davinche (Kano "P's & Q's") Nate Walka (Jamie Foxx ‘Blame It’) and Ina Wroldsen...

Award-winning, record-breaking singer/songwriter Lady Gaga continues to push the envelope with her edgy fashion-forward aesthetics and massive electro-pop anthems. Get the empowering first single, "Born This Way" , from her upcoming full-length album.The new single launches today

T o mark the release Let England Shake, PJ Harvey will debut her new album live in a one-off, special show from Paris next Monday February 14th. The show will be streamed live on Monday night at 8pm GMT by the French music site Deezer www.deezer.com and the cultural chanel ARTE www.arteliveweb.com The webcast will also be available on the official PJ Harvey site www.pjharvey.net   Let England Shake, Harvey’s eighth studio album is set for release next Monday and has already received exceptional reviews internationally. This week’s NME awards it a rare 10/10, calling it “arguably her most brilliant record to date.”  Harvey will play two sold out shows at The Troxy in London later this month, as well as sold-out dates in Brussels, Berlin, and Paris.

Teenage Cancer Trust at the Royal Albert Hall - Concert Tickets On sale Friday 11 February 09:00am – Beady Eye, Biffy Clyro, Editors, John Bishop, Roger Daltrey, Squeeze, Tinie Tempah CHECK TOUR DATES/GET TICKETS

Here's a quick round up of February new releases and news from Taio Cruz & Kylie, Jesse J, John Fratelli, Nicki Minaj, Lauren Pritchard, Mona, CocknBullkid, PJ Harvey and Devlin CLICK HERE FOR INDIVIDUAL POSTS, NEWS, LIVE DATES AND NEW RELEASES ON THE ABOVE ARTISTS

Jon Fratelli, who has just finished recording his as yet untitled debut solo album in LA with producer Tony Hoffer (Beck, Air, Depeche Mode, The Fratellis!), is set to mark the album’s completion by giving away a new song, ‘Rhythm Doesn’t Make You A Dancer’, on his new website ( http://www.jonfratelli.co.uk/ ) and playing a special show in Edinburgh at the HMV Picturehouse on Feb 12th as part of the HMV Next Big Thing Festival. The show, at which Jon will play alongside much-tipped newcomers Morning Parade, marks something of a new beginning for one of Scotland’s most prolific and talented songwriters. Jon’s band will feature former bandmates from his previous bands The Fratellis (with the one and only Mince Fratelli returning to the drum stool!) and Codeine Velvet Club. Jon Fratelli first came to fame as frontman of The Fratellis, a trio of unruly Glaswegians whose 2006 debut album ‘Costello Music’, featuring the monster hits ‘Chelsea Dagger’, ‘Henrietta’ and ‘Creepin Up The Backstai...

Nicki Minaj, without question the hottest new artist on the planet right now, follows her wildly acclaimed debut album “Pink Friday” with the release on February 21st of her new Young Money/Cash Money single “Moment 4 Life”. The track features label-mate, friend and fellow hip hop superstar Drake and is taken from the 25 year old rap phenomenon’s feverishly anticipated debut. Nicki Minaj’s star has been on the rise since she released her first mixtape, Playtime Is Over, in 2007. Themixtape featured Lil Wayne and the cover showed Nicki posing as a Barbie Doll. A second mixtape “Sucka Free” released a year later, increased the heat around Minaj and was followed in 2009 by mixtape number three “Beam Me Up Scotty”. Shortly thereafter Nicki, aka Harajuku Barbie, aka Nicki Lewinsky, aka Roman Zolanski, aka Ms Step Your Cookies Up, signed to Lil Wayne’s new label Young Money Entertainment and featured heavily on Young Money’s debut album “We Are Young Money” which spawned the massive hit sing...