7digital’s Month in Music // September
MUSIC
September brought grey gloom across the UK skies, but the sun is back out and we’re not letting it get us down! We’ve been working hard to bring the best music and artists to our radio programs, music stores and worldwide platform.
In Production: One of this month’s highlight was when Mark Radcliffe hosted young British Folk singer, Megan Henwood, on his Wednesday Folk Show on September 16th, which is produced by our production company, Smooth Operations. The singer-songwriter absolutely smashed it, showing how far she’d come since winning the 2009 BBC Young Folk Award with her Saxophonist brother, Joe.
The BBC Young Folk Awards were launched on 30th September and are open to any folk artists performing as a group, duo or solo aged between 16 and 21. It’s a wonderful way to celebrate promising young folk musicians across the country.
10 acts will be selected from entrants to attend a residential weekend in Kendal, which will have sessions and workshops culminating in a concert on the Saturday evening. The 4 selected as nominees will be invited to the Radio 2 Folk Awards next April and one act will be chosen as the Young Folk Award winner 2016.
In Technics Tracks videos by our 7digital production team, artists share Inspiring Moments, list what they see as ‘My Life In Tracks’ and share how they like to consume music in, ‘My Listening Space’. This month, Technics Tracks featured legend Nick Mason, a founding member of the band that made both Dark Side Of The Moon and The Wall – Pink Floyd, of course. He’s sold an estimated 250 million records and paved the way for countless musicians who followed him.
A very different ‘Technics Spotlight’ shed light on singer James Lavelle. The Founder of the record label Mo Wax and early collaborator of DJ Shadow, James Lavelle has been a productive remixer, band leader, soundtrack consultant, conceptual artist and Meltdown curator.
In Entertainment News, Music Journalist Carla chatted to A-ha about the release of their new album, Cast in Steel. Morten Harket spoke about regrets he had never having worked with Michael Jackson. Although they were both video pioneers, and it had been suggested they collaborate, their schedules unfortunately never synced. Tito Jackson told Carla about meeting Sigala and being proud of the Jackson 5 sample (ABC) used on his single Easy Love, bringing their music to a whole new audience. Tito also revealed he’s working on his first ever solo album, expected out next year.
The team also caught up with Midge Ure, ahead of his UK tour. He was also promoting next year’s 80s Invasion Tour, when he’ll be hitting the road with Curiosity Killed the Cat, Nick Heyward and Big Country. Last but not least, The Osmonds were in the UK promoting their upcoming The Andy Williams Christmas Spectacular, telling us they won’t be dusting off the flares and pointed collars, which is a shame!
On the 7digital music store: Marina Diamandis of Marina and the Diamonds, Stereophonics and Girl Band were three featured interviews this month. The Stereophonics talked about winning new teenage fans at festivals, the early days as part of the Britpop scene and their new album, Keeping The Village Alive. Marina reflected on the persona of Electra Heart for her last eponymous album and talked about how it’d given her the freedom to not care about what people think of her. Fresh young Dublin-formed ‘Girl Band’ also spoke with our Music Editor, Gemma, about how their band was formed and their creative process.
Despite the rain and the nearing autumn, the festival guides kept coming. End Of The Road, Festival No. 6 and Bestival were just a few festivals featured this month.