Ags Connolly Reminisces On Friendship in Tejano-American Flavored ‘Say It Out Loud’: Exclusive
by Annie Reuter
Ags Connolly embraces Tejano and American influences within the traditional country ballad “Say It Out Loud,” which Billboard premieres today (Sept. 25).
Accordion features coupled by delicate strums of an acoustic guitar and Connolly’s deep and emotive vocals bring the throwback tune to life.
“This song was one I tried to write for a while,” the English singer-songwriter tells Billboard. “The ‘troubadour’ mentioned is a real person — we played a few shows together at a time when we were both a little jarred and rudderless. The chorus is essentially a direct quote from him. It stuck with me and I suppose I felt it applied to me too.”
“Say It Out Loud” is featured on Connolly’s forthcoming third studio album, Wrong Again, out Nov. 1 via Finstock Music. Connolly says he tried to combine the story of his life and his friend’s within the track, and initially had the idea that “Say It Out Loud” would be a driving song.
SONG PREMIERE: JESPER LINDELL BRAVES “STORMY WATERS” WITH SOULFUL ROCK AND ROLL
Jesper Lindell was the breakout star of 2017 on the Swedish music scene, when he released his debut EP. Produced by Benkt Söderberg, father and former producer of the world-renowned sister duo First Aid Kit, Little Less Blue presented a collection of songs that were equal parts soul, Americana and rock. The praise from Swedish music journalists was immediate: the notable rock guru Jan Gradvall likened Jesper Lindell to a “young, agile and karate-kicking Van Morrison”, and well-respected music magazine GAFFA noted that Lindell was a “shooting star” who seemed too talented to be a product of a such a small country like Sweden.
Lindell went on to star in the acclaimed show “Who by Fire”, a tribute concert to Leonard Cohen organized by First Aid Kit at the Royal Dramatic Theatre in Stockholm, where Lindell performed the Cohen classic “Chelsea Hotel #2”. During a busy year he also opened for Americana heroes such as Justin Townes Earle and Andrew Combs and played at the prestigious festival Sthlm Americana.
Engineered by Zach Anderson, of the American/Swedish band Blues Pills, Jesper Lindell’s enticing debut album Everyday Dreams (out November 29th via Alive Naturalsound Records) is a clever mixture of rock, folk, blues and soul, performed by a 26 year old musician in love with classic pop, Stax-Volt R&B, and that old time rock & roll. The album finds the young guitarist/pianist/songwriter delivering an intimate collections of songs that could have been recorded in the late sixties. This is modern classic rock music, and hearts full of soul will fall in love.
Today Glide is excited to offer a premiere of “Stormy Waters”, one of the main singles on the new album. The song is a groovy nugget of throwback soulful rock and roll. Lindell showcases a voice that is completely original and well-suited to lead a band. Speaking of band, his conjures a subtle yet powerful sound, letting the music ebb and flow around the singer’s emotive vocals and the catchy choruses and harmonies. With its stomping piano and revelatory lyrics that feel like Lindell conquering life’s challenges, it’s easy to picture this song being a hit in the vein of acts like the Black Keys and Nathanial Rateliff.
Soul-Rock’s Neal Francis Contemplates Raw Emotions and Sobriety in “Changes” (premiere)
By Jedd Beaudoin
On “Changes”, Chicago’s Neal Francis embodies the spirit of classic New Orleans artists such as Dr. John, the Meters, Allen Toussaint as well as the deep and mysterious roots music of Leon Russell.
Chicago’s Neal Francis releases his latest LP, Changes, on 20 September via Colemine Records sister imprint Karma Chief Records. Francis embodies the spirit of classic New Orleans artists such as Dr. John, the Meters, Allen Toussaint as well as the deep and mysterious roots music of Leon Russell.
