News From Hemifran July 2018

Hemifrån is an independent A&R, promotion and marketing company, based in the heart of Sweden, specializing in, what they call, “gut music” – The kind of music that you can feel in your gut, no matter what. Hemifran is promoting a lot of singer-songwriter, westcoast-pop, country, AOR and more. Here are featured some of their latest news – it is not all west coast, but dig into it!

Ben Bostick– Hellfire

Ben Bostick is a South Carolina raised, Southern California based, outsider country songwriter, musician, and busker. His influences range from Waylon Jennings and Bruce Springsteen to Otis Redding and the Rolling Stones.

After leaving home for a decade of rambling and toiling at odd jobs, Bostick decided to try busking on the Santa Monica Pier, and found that he could make a living playing his original music. Ben saved his busking money and used it to record his debut EP, ”My Country”, in 2016. No Depression said, “he comes on like an unholy alliance of George Jones and Merle Haggard”. ”My Country was nominated for an Independent Music Award in the roots and country category.

His self titled debut album from 2017 takes on a more progressive country tone, recalling such artists as Jason Isbell and Sturgill Simpson, and showcases his versatility as a songwriter. “This eponymous album is so well written that it is to look into the heart of the divine, a true great”, says Liverpool Sound & Vision.

”Hellfire”, Bostick’s sophomore release, is a collection of high energy songs written during his band’s year long weekly residency at The Escondite in downtown Los Angeles. It was during this residency that Bostick solidified the lineup in his band and set out to write material to suit the players and the venue. Bostick describes the sound of the album as “music for driving at high speeds, moving heavy things, drinking  and fighting”. More information at Hemifran.

The Circus In Flames – Outside America

The Circus In Flames is pleased to announce the release of “Outside America”, the band’s latest CD on the Northern Electric label.  With this recording, Vancouver singer songwriter Doug Andrew returns with his latest offerings and The Circus In Flames deliver their best album yet.  Present again is the ‘dark folklore’ in the group’s ‘original, string band music of the Canadian south’, a unique folk, country, blues sound driven by Andrew’s songs but this time it also resonates with the influences of gospel and r’n’b, as well as the anthology of american folk music.  On “Outside America” the songs and The Circus are now older, wiser and grittier.

In a career that began in Vancouver’s independent music scene of the early 80’s, Doug Andrew has shared bills with everyone from Ramones to Raffi to Ramblin’ Jack Elliott.  He is recognized as an accomplished singer songwriter respected by critics, peers and music fans alike.  The Edmonton Journal has described his songs as having ‘slightly twisted, always interesting storyline lyrics’ delivered with ‘an energetic thrust that falls just shy of reckless abandon’. See Magazine has said his songs ‘should shuffle him off into the Canadian musical songwriting hierarchy’ and the Vancouver Province declared ‘Andrew is a great songwriter, while The Circus In Flames are his extraordinarily sympathetic band, a weird mix of musical eclecticism built on a dark folklore’. More information at Hemifran.

Dan Israel – You´re Free

Dan Israel’s “You’re Free”, his 14th studio album, sidesteps midlife crisis clichés while searching earnestly for change, liberation, and the perfect guitar break. Produced during a transitional period for Israel, who left his legislative day job of 21 years to pursue music full time, “You’re Free” is a cry of the heart, showcasing the songwriting chops of someone learning to cope with a plethora of challenges, all while drawing inspiration from the FM radio staples of his youth.

With help from producers and engineers Rich Mattson, who also helped weave the complex guitar interplay, and David J Russ, who also anchors Israel’s sound with his rock-solid drumming, songs such as the propulsive, addictively catchy title track “You’re Free”, the angry, impassioned “Someday You’ll Say”, and the bluesy “Soul Will Be Found” would sound excellent in a basement bedroom decorated with tapestries and can collections. More information at Hemifran.

Steve Future – 7 Cities

Steve Future started his career in 1984 at the Kristianstad Jazz Festival. After 10 years of touring he realesed his 1st album, called ”First Take”, in 1994. Musicans has changed a lot during the years, and at times they were also backing up famous Swedish artists like Totta Näslund, Rolf Wikström, Sven Zetterberg, and even some US artists, like Alan Haynes. ”First Take” is still part of Steve’s blues act and some of the songs are still rocking. ”He Ain’t Blue Enough” and ”Stop It, Stop It” are some of the songs his audiences really like. Steve is truly a performing live artist, killing audiences, big and small. New album ”7 Cities”, his 8th album, will be released in the summer of 2018. More information at Hemifran.

Zan Zone – It´s Only Natural

New York City has long been a place to inspire artists. Countless 1000’s have tried to claw their way up a slippery slope trying to get some kind of recognition in a city that sets the highest standards for artists, yet also puts up roadblocks at every turn. For over 20 years, under the somewhat international sounding moniker, Zan Zone, songwriter and guitarist Zan Burnham has been putting together various musical endeavors in that city, releasing 3 albums and 2 EP’s. Recognition has been slow, yet, still positive. As many have observed, overnight success usually takes years, or decades.

Back in 1995, Zan Zone released 1st CD, “Zan Zone”, to critical acclaim. The Musician’s Exchange called the eponymous album, “Way cool, truly an original CD, the playing is first rate and so are the grooves and songs, it’s wonderful and a definite keeper”. Time And A Word said, “This very cool little album is an impressive debut disc”. The Music Paper noted its variety and excellent production. Performing Songwriter said that Zan Zone “has something to say”, and Rockline’s Guinnevere simply stated that, “this is one of the best CD’s I’ve reviewed. The music is solid, the vocals are great, and I think everyone should check them out”.. More information at Hemifran.