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

Hugely acclaimed Jackson Tennessee born, London based singer-songwriter Lauren Pritchard, whose 2010 debut album “Wasted In Jackson” introduced an artist with a remarkable voice and a song-writing talent to match, has her new single “ Stuck” released on February 28th through Spilt Milk/ Island Records. Lauren has also been confirmed as the headlining act on one of HMV’s Next Big thing tours. Support comes from Gabrielle Alpin and Natalie McColl. The dates are as follows : 2nd Feb – Birmingham Glee Club 3rd Feb – Manchester Day and Night 5th Feb – Glasgow King Tuts 8th Feb – LONDON Borderline - Headline HMV Next Big Thing Festival 9th Feb – Bristol Louisiana Lauren Pritchard was born and raised in Jackson , Tennessee and played piano from an early age. When she reached the age of 16, she headed, alone, to LA where she sang in a band, fell in love, broke up, ran out of money and was on her way back to Jackson, dream in tatters, when one of her close friends, insisted she move in wi

“Stomp Stomp, I’ve arrived!” struts the opening lyric of Jessie J’s debut single, ‘ Do It Like A Dude’ – a heavy urban-pop tune set to juddering beats and laced with her own brand of ghetto-fabulous, sordid swagger. The instantaneous skank-inducing debut is getting incredible airplay support from the likes of Kiss (B-list), 1Xtra (A-list) and Radio 1. The white hot remix from man-of-the-moment and good pal Labrinth rocketed Jessie J straight to the top of the HypeMachine chart in under 24 hours an impressive 3 months ahead of release. Last year saw Jessie J give a highly applauded performance on the legendary TV show ‘Later.. with Jools Holland’ while the ‘Do it Like a Dude’ video (currently the VIP video across the Box, 4 Music and The Hits) has become an internet phenomenon receiving a staggering 2 million YouTube views in just one week. The unbelievable demand for Jessie J’s live shows has seen her sell out three London dates in as many weeks. The 22-year old, Essex-born songwriter

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’ will be 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