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

Phantogram are Sarah Barthel (vocals, keyboard) and Josh Carter (vocals, guitar). They caused an impressive stir with the release of their debut album ‘Eyelid Movies’ in 2009 and follow-up EP ‘Nightlife’ (2011). Now they announce details of their highly anticipated sophomore full-length ‘Voices’, which is released on Island Records on June 30 th and will be preceded by the wonderful single ‘Fall In Love’ on June 23 rd . Since forming in Saratoga Springs in upstate New York, Phantogram have evolved their sound organically and gradually. The new album is an atmospheric melding of hazy dream pop and head-knocking rhythms which makes no concession to commercialism and stays ever true to the aesthetic that has won them a wide, devoted and disparate fan base. Drafted and written both back in Saratoga Springs and current hometown Brooklyn, where the duo build their compositions together around Carter’s often sample-heavy beats, it was finished with co-producer John Hill (MI

After a busy couple of months touring the States with Tinariwen and debuting at Austin's SXSW Festival The Melodic are thrilled to be back in the UK and are excited about their  upcoming tour of Europe. The shows kick off this Wednesday 7th May with their biggest gig to date in London at XOYO, Shoreditch. Support comes from the excellent Deep Throat Choir . Tickets available  here :  Spread the Word - Join the Melodic Family on Facebook Keep checking The Melodic facebook, twitter and instagram for photos and updates from the road.   Please show some love and download the album Effra Parade HERE To buy a physical copy of the album Effra Parade click HERE. ----------------------------------------------- WHAT THE PAPERS SAY They have  had some great coverage so far in Mojo, The Sun, The Independent, American Songwriter and Electronic Musician to name a few, with the highlight being the four star album review from The Times newspaper this weekend and Q Magazine de

2014 has officially been Pharrell Williams ’ year, and after g etting Lucky and Happy his sharp fashion credentials were sealed when he wore that iconic Vivienne Westwood Buffalo hat at the Grammys.The talented singer, music producer and designer will be making another fashion statement with his new collaboration with UNIQLO . Pharrell Williams is now the face of UNIQLO’s UT line and he has also created an exclusive collection for the brand.Called i am OTHER , this range includes men's T-shirts emblazoned with Pharrell’s designs, from ‘unlike any Other’ to ‘ The Same is Lame ’. Pharrell Williams presents: "i am OTHER" AVAILABLE ONLINE Pharrell Williams on iTunes G I R L - Pharrell Williams on iTunes

The Melodic just got in touch with the exciting news that their album Effra Parade is finally out this week in Europe and of course the rest of the world! You can discover the album below. This oh so hard working band is currently on the long winding road between Austin, Texas and Nashville, Tennesse. May 7th sees their return to the UK with their largest headline show to date at XOYO in London.  Tickets have been selling fast already so get yours  HERE  to avoid disappointment. They have just announced a series of headline shows across the US and the UK, as well as a support tour with Los Angeles singer songwriter Robert Francis across Western Europe throughout May 2014. Please scroll down for USA and European  tour dates. Please show some love and download the album HERE To buy a physical copy of the album click HERE. USA Tour supporting Tinariwen 18th March - Nashville, TN, High Watt - w/Tinariwen 19th March - St Athens, GA, Georgia Theatre  w/Tinariwen

It's over fifty years since a young Bob Dylan made his way on the now famous "Highway 61" to New York's Greenwich Village. He first performed the iconic "Blowin in the Wind", which he wrote in 1962 at Gerde's Folk City. His debut album "The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan" came out in 1963. His vast back catalogue is testament to the fact that, over five decades, he has been influenced by every style of music. Bob Dylan and his music were featured in Martin Scorsese's documentary "No Direction Home" which was broadcast simultaneously in the USA on PBS and in the UK on BBC2's "Arena" on Monday 26th and Tuesday 27th September 2005". You can preview the songs from his debut album here . My all time favourite is Girl from the North Country and I love the sweet guitar chords on Oxford Town and Corinna, Corinna .  Bob Dylan available on iTunes Wikepedia Stub F ree Wheelin Bob Dylan Blowin in the Wind BBC Rad

The iTunes Festival is from the 12th to the 16th March at Austin’s legendary music conference, SXSW . iTunes will be streaming live performances from Coldplay, Kendrick Lamar, Soundgarden, Pitbull, Keith Urban and more. You can watch the show live on your iPhone, iPad and iPod as well after the performances. Get ready for five nights, five amazing gigs. Click the banner to watch for free

The Melodic are an English afro-folk-pop ensemble , their debut album  Effra Parade is the follow up to the band's acclaimed EP On My Way The Observer described The Melodic as "Incredibly beautiful, with harmonies and rich instrumentation that make you want to dance and cry at the same time," while in the US the band has drawn comparisons to indie darlings Beirut and The Decemberists. The group's members came of age in the South London neighborhood of Brixton amidst bustling streets and open air markets reverberating with a rich assortment of musics from around the world. Spread the Word - Join the Melodic Family on Facebook Music Downloads Come Outside   The Melodic

BRIT AWARD WINNERS 2014   British Male Solo Artist: David Bowie  British Female Solo Artist: Ellie Goulding  British Group: Arctic Monkeys  British Breakthrough Act: Bastille  Critics' Choice (already awarded): Sam Smith  British Single: Rudimental featuring Ella Eyre - Waiting All Night British Album Of The Year: Arctic Monkeys - AM  British Video Of The Year: One Direction - Best Song Ever  International Male Solo Artist: Bruno Mars  International Female Solo Artist: Lorde  International Group: Daft Punk  Global Success Award: One Direction You may also like these downloads MUSIC - New Artists 2014     Brit Awards (UK only)   SPORT - Sochi Olympics   MOVIES - Oscars (US and CA only)  -------------- Send iTunes Gifts

Available on iTunes - Hard To Say No - 4 Track Mind - EP   If you like this you will also like Yardbirds (Greatest Hits) - Yardbirds

Anti-Records have just announced the signing of Saintseneca, a young band from Columbus, Ohio led by singer-songwriter and multi instrumentalist Zac Little. According to their Bio, the group utilizes a wide range of instruments including violin, mandolin, dulcimer, Turkish Baglama, floor percussion with the more contemporary elements such as synthesizers and electric guitars to create a unique merging of rustic and modern. Folk and country motifs converge seamlessly with soaring vocals and a vibrant post-punk energy. While the group formed in Columbus Ohio,  songwriter Little hails from the rural hills of Appalachia. It is a solitary and dramatic landscape that has infused the band's songs with a sense of introspection and some striking narratives. “I was raised on farms in Appalachia,” Little explains, “And I think that my perspective on music was shaped by where I grew up. It was twenty minutes to see the nearest person. Being so isolated forced me to be introspective a

HAPPY NEW YEAR. Hi everyone let's kick off the new year with the launch of The Melodic's single "Runway" It's been an incredible and busy 2013 for the Melodic folk, spending much of it touring overseas in North America but they are pleased to be back on home soil once more and we wanted to let you all know about their first headline show in London for over 6 months! They will be celebrating the release of the new single "Runaway" on Thursday January 9th at the Old Queens Head, Angel. Support comes from the spectacularly talented Cosmo Sheldrake who is certainly not to be missed, so get on down and join the party! Tickets can be purchased by clicking here . Runaway is being released on ANTI Records and is available to download on iTunes now, it's already getting championed by BBC's Music legend Steve Lamacq and receiving glowing reviews on his Roundtable show as well as plays on "Whispering" Bob Harris' Radio 2 show. Early 20