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!
Buford Pope – Sticks In The Throat
Gotland-born Buford Pope is no young pup in the music industry. “Sticks In The Throat” is his 5th full-length album since starting out, and through diligent touring and notable productions, he has slowly but surely built up a dedicated fan base both in Sweden and abroad. Buford Pope has always had a soft spot for the American folk and rock tradition. This time, however, the idea was to chisel out a rawer, less refined sound with a good deal of live feeling. Something that happened of its own accord early on in the process. More information at Hemifran.
Barry Ollman – What´ll It Be?
Barry Ollman has been making music since the age of eight, but it took a burst of creativity later in life to give rise to this surprising and elegant musical statement. These ten songs are varied and intriguing, and each one has a reason to be. With his first album of original music, “What’ll It Be?”, Barry Ollman has assembled an intensely personal and highly musical collection of songs that tells his story in a way that may make you feel that he is telling yours. More information at Hemifran.
One Of The Boys – Pinned Up
Acclaimed rock-and-roll front woman Tina Schlieske is debuting her newest band, One Of The Boys, and releasing a 6 song album titled “Pinned Up”. The offering is a collection of covers by Soul Asylum, Husker Du, The Jayhawks, Prince, The Replacements and Bob Dylan from a uniquely female perspective. More information at Hemifran.
Markus Berjlund/Caroline Af Ugglas – Time For Football
“Time For Football” is, of course, a football song, but most of all it is a song about dreams and companionship. We need each other in this world, as we need each other in a team. No matter if it’s at the school yard or at the Wembley stadium, in family or in the neighbourhood. I need you. You need me. And that’s the truth also when it comes to the challenges of the future for humanity. The song is written by the Swedish singer-songwriter Markus Berjlund who performs it together with Caroline af Ugglas. Andreas Ahlenius is the producer-engineer and among the musicians you hear Marty Wilson-Piper. More information at Hemifran.
True North
True North is an acoustic trio ensemble of three wonderful and well-respected singer-songwriters: Eva Hillered of Stockholm, Sweden, Patrick Rydman of Gothenburg, Sweden, and Janni Littlepage of northern California, USA. Their respective styles traverse many musical genres from folk and americana, to rock, roots, pop, jazz and country, and their performances consist of songs co-written together, as well as their original material arranged for three voices and accompanied by guitars, dulcimer and percussion. More information at Hemifran.
The Cousin John Band – Broken Heart Tattoo
The Cousin John Band is John Mobley, Dave Obrien, Tim Howe and Joe Goltz. CJB music is a hot mixture of folk, country, blues and tight harmony. It tastes just right, there is no genre for this, so its perfect for the band’s irreverent attitude, you could call it americana. More information at Hemifran.
Victor Camozzi – Cactus & Roses
“It’s been said popularity is the hallmark of mediocrity. If that’s true, I must be freakin’ amazing, cause I ain’t remotely popular”, and with that, Victor Camozzi let’s fly with a weathered cackle that seems almost Nietzchen. With two critically hailed albums already under his belt, Camozzi has emerged from the outskirts of Austin once again to release his latest album, “Cactus & Roses”. Where his previous outings proudly displayed musical influences across the full breadth of Americana, “Cactus & Roses” finds Camozzi locking in on a tighter sound. More information at Hemifran.
Heather Stewart – What It Is
Heather Stewart is a singer-songwriter who you’d expect to see on a festival bill with Bonnie Raitt, Brandi Carlile and Sheryl Crow. She sees life the same way she writes and sings about – grounded and for what it is. She takes the good with the bad, and appreciates the beauty of both and the space in between. She sings with range, power and emotion, but it’s Heather’s down-to-earth realness that makes her so easily lovable and relatable. Heather now prepares to independently release her sophomore full-length album, “What It Is”, on May 27th, 2014. More information at Hemifran.
Michael Ward – With Dogs and Fishes
“After the completion of my last CD, I found myself in the grip of post partum diffusion. Aiming to lock myself into proscribed production, I rented a cabin from a friend overlooking Monterey Bay that I could not really afford, which was a workable, but statement making distance from my home of bed and business. The trouble it took to make use of it was designed to require results. Christened Penelope by its owner, it was a unique and unnervingly appropriate structure, which was both fittingly austere and functionally opulent. A monks cell with cable, in a postcard setting, a classically inspired backstory, and an implicit mandate for new work. ‘Weekends On The Wine Dark Sea’ is the product of this subterfuge. More information at Hemifran.
Kina Grannis – Elements
Los Angeles-based indie songstress Kina Grannis’ is proud to announce the release of her sophomore album “Elements”. It follows Kina’s breakout 2011 debut “Stairwells” and showcases a decidedly more mature sound. Produced by Matt Hales (aka Aqualung), whose recent credits include with Paloma Faith, Alex Clare & Lianne La Havas. Kina’s newest songs are filled with layered vocals and harmonies and lush, intricate soundscapes, while documenting a period of growth and change in her personal life, complete with an honesty and a vulnerability that she’s excited to share with her fans. More information at Hemifran.
Paul J. Phillips – Magic
Born in Kentucky to a Southern Baptist choir director and a classically trained soprano, Paul J Phillips was destined to follow a similar path – one in pursuit of musical dreams. Music (specifically piano) and performing took its hold of Paul at an early age; by the age of four, he had already played “When the Saints Go Marching In” at the Cincinnati Conservatory. Unfulfilled by the academic pursuit of piano which continued through college, he began playing guitar and writing songs, and soon set his mind on pursuing music in a big city. It was the flip of a coin that would serendipitously lead Paul to New York City where he immersed himself in the local music scene by teaming up with local indie-folk band Spinoza, who’s 1st release, “Groove Like Corduroy” received critical acclaim. The album release was accompanied by regional touring. More information at Hemifran.