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

Every Kingdom is a record that young West Country singer-songwriter Ben Howard has been brewing within himself for at least a couple of years. And yet its careful attention to detail, with tight, homespun harmonies and folk-informed arrangements, could only have been fully realised after relentless road-testing of these songs on stages across the UK and Europe. UK Tour Dates: 9th October – The Phoenix, Exeter 10th October – Princess Pavilion, Falmouth 11th October – The Komedia, Brighton 12th October – Old Fire Station, Bournemouth 14th October – Thekla, Bristol 15th October – HMV Institute, Birmingham 17th October – The Plug, Sheffield 18th October – Brudenell Social, Leeds 19th October – Stanley Theatre. Liverpool 20th October – Ruby Lounge, Manchester 22nd October – The Jericho, Oxford 23rd October – SWN Festival, Cardiff 24th October – Bodega Social, Nottingham 26th October – The Scala, London 29th October – The Riverside, Newcastle 30th October – The Tunnels, Abe

It’s October and it’s time for Annie Mac’s annual review of the hottest dance records of the year that she has been instrumental in introducing to the nation’s pleasure-synapses through her groundbreaking Radio 1 Friday show and packed DJ schedule. Since her first Annie Mac Presents compilation in 2009, Annie has supported acts that have gone from being favourites on her show to national stars ( Magnetic Man , Plan B , Nero, Katy B ) and helped define the dance music zeitgeist. On this comp, 2011’s finest moments are represented. Azari & III ‘Reckless For Your Love’, Toddla T’s ‘Take It Back’, SBTRKT’s ‘Wildfire’ Jamie XX’s remix of Adele’s ‘Rolling In The Deep’. If you’ve been out clubbing this year this neat comp brings together the highlights as well as pointing to some names likely to be lighting up 2012 ( Jai Paul ). Annie has continued to take her signature sound worldwide in 2011; continuing what Diplo has called his ‘favourite party on the island’ in Ib

Ben Howard releases his new single, ‘Keep Your Head Up’ on the 26th September. It is taken from his forthcoming debut album, ‘Every Kingdom’ on the 3rd October 2011, released through Island Records. Check out the video here Every Kingdom is a record that young  & has been brewing within himself for at least a couple of years. And yet its careful attention to detail, with tight, homespun harmonies and folk-informed arrangements, could only have been fully realised after relentless road-testing of these songs on stages across the UK and Europe. It has been an explosive introduction to a broader audience in 2011 for 24 year old Howard. Having only signed his record deal with Island Records at the beginning of the year, Ben had already accrued a hefty fanbase through sheer hard touring and the word of mouth support that followed. His initial success was predominantly buoyed by the incredibly supportive surf community that nurtured Ben in Devon and Cornwall after pulling