WONGIE FOLK SONG(s) OF THE WEEK: lucy rose - end up here / moirai

lucy rose - end up here
recorded during the sessions of her current album 'something's changing', singer/songwriter lucy rose has offered this brand new song that's just lush! totally acoustic, the sparse song allows us to really enjoy lucy's beautiful vocals that has charmed her fans worldwide. what a joy to get this tune today!

want more? check out a live recording of album track 'moirai' that has been playing on repeat since this summer (easily one of my fave songs of the year!)

lucy rose - moirai

ONE TO WATCH: tom walker - blessings / just you and i

tom walker - blessings

tom walker - just you and i (mahogany session)
with just the EP 'blessings' under his belt, this manchester singer/songwriter has slowly turned into one of my fave debut acts of the year. with his manly growl plus sensitive lyrics overflowing with youthful phrasing, tom is primed for big things in the coming year. check out the double bill of the EP title track (and best video to showcase a successful threesome poly relationship!) followed by one of my fave songs of the year 'just you and i'. sigh...

WONGIE VIDEO(s) OF THE WEEK: bear's den - elysium / agape

bear's den - elysium
this beautiful video by james marcus haney was initially a celebration of the lyrics of UK act bear's den by spending some time documenting james' brother turner, over a university weekend. what was initially a video about youth and innocence turned into a real life tragedy as a gunman shot and killed one of turner's friends leading to the raw documentation that we see here. it's moving and brilliant added with the gorgeous soundtrack by the lovely indie folk band.


bear's den - elysium (live @ vevo dscvr)
and just to prove how lovely these lads are, check out a live performance of this touching song just for you!

oh and check out their other gem 'agape' directed by ed sayers which is lovely too!

bear's den - agape

WONGIE SONG OF THE WEEK: ben howard - end of the affair

ben howard - end of the affair
clocking at almost 8 minutes, this journey of a break up song feels like it goes through all the stages of grief and then miraculously comes through scathed but living in the end. the secretive return of ben howard is looking to be an exciting one!

WONGIE INDIE SONG OF THE WEEK: vance joy - mess is mine

vance joy - mess is mine
with the mega smash riptide still making it's way around the world, james keogh (aka vance joy) is prepping for the worldwide release of his debut album 'dream your life away' with this new gem! throw in this awesome video and james' got another indie hit on his hands. nice one.

WONGIE INDIE FOLK SONG OF THE WEEK: milky chance - stolen dance

milky chance - stolen dance
after uploading this very track on youtube, this german duo amassed a total word of mouth experience that now has 35 million fans around the world enjoying this melancholic folktronic anthem. with their debut 'sadnecessary' out, the two are now embarking on a world tour to a city near you. nice one!

WONGIE SONG OF THE WEEK: johnnyswim - home

johnnyswim - home
oh how i love the husband and wife duo of abner ramirez and amanda sudano-ramirez (aka johnnyswim)! with their intertwined vocals and folk/soul sound, it's crazy to think that they've only released EP's up until now. but what a wonderful debut they have in their album 'diamonds', filled with gems that run the gamut of heartbreaking ballads to this rousing jam. can't wait to see them live this year!

LIVE PERFORMANCE: johnnyswim - tiny desk concert

johnnyswim - tiny desk concert
OH MY GOSH, this husband and wife team of abner ramirez and amanda sudano (singer/songwriter/vocalists who met in nashville) is just goose-bumpingly AMAZING! just look at how they look at each other when singing as if they are just one entity. that kind of connection is a blessing to observe (especially in a small space like the tiny desk) and can only be hypnotic live. my new fave duo out there? i think so!
setlist:
"home"
"falling for me"
"diamonds"

WONGIE FOLK POP SONG OF THE WEEK: george ezra - budapest

george ezra - budapest
honestly just press play and fall in love to this new singer/songwriter that came in 5th on the bbc sound of 2014 list. i'm in swoon city!!


[UPDATE 4/22] with george now embarking on his first visit to budapest, he's invited fans to come along on this journey culminating with a performance in the beautiful city. obviously this means that his lovely song will be his official next single cause they even went ahead and shot a new video to accompany all the upcoming #ezraexpress advanture!

george ezra - budapest

FOLK MIX: john smith - great lakes

john smith - great lakes
with his steel string guitar and smoky voice, folk troubadour john smith is conquering the music world one rabid word of mouth review at a time. quietly selling out his current tour, john hopefully will reach our shores in the coming year cause watching some of his other youtube videos have given me chills.

want more? check out some performances below:

john smith - great lakes (live @ city sessions)


john smith - there is a stone (the crypt sessions)


john smith - i guess that's why they call it the blues (elton john cover)

WEEKEND MIX: passenger - holes

passenger - holes
shot in his hometown of brighton, mike rosenberg (aka passenger) called out to local fans to help make his latest video. it's a lovely tune for a lovely weekend, so um... that's all there is really.