We’re delighted to announce a special edition of the #RCMHangout Sessions to coincide with the launch of the Lantern EP from Stylusboy.
Stylusboy Lantern EP
As previous viewers will know Steve Jones (one-half of Stylusboy) is the regular compere for the #RCMHangout Sessions, so it’s great to be able to turn the tables and thrust his music firmly into the limelight.
Stylusboy’s “enchanting lo-fi folk” is the creation of Coventry chap Steve Jones and Northern lass Rachel Grisedale. With arresting melodies and poignant lyrics Stylusboy bring their particular brand of warm lo-fi folk to life. Their music is deliberately stripped-back, purposefully honest, capturing raw emotion at its heart. Jones’ delicate guitar lines and Grisedale’s sumptuous harmony work create gorgeous melodies that bring to mind the first rush of love, (a feeling we know very well here at Right Chord Music!) the warm summer air and the English countryside bathed in sunlight.
Back in June 2011, Stylusboy’s ‘Whole Picture EP’ found critical acclaim with BBC 6Music’s Tom Robinson, Acoustic Magazine and Rock ‘n’ Reel Magazine who all praised their fragile, sensitive folk songs. ‘Whole Picture’ was This Is A Popscene’s EP of Year and received acclaim from around the world, finding fans particularly in Asia. Artrocker described ‘Whole Picture’ as “timeless… blown up with folk galore”. Intimate house-shows, online gigs (live from Steve’s kitchen), main-stage festival performances and support slots for Newton Faulkner, Paper Aeroplanes, Jon Gomm and Rue Royale grew the pair a dedicated following.
In March this year Stylusboy signed to acoustic label Wild Sound, and combining their signature home-spun recording techniques with performances and production assistance from Polly Paulusma created this EP, the appetiser for the feast to follow – a full-length album before the end of the year.
The Lantern EP drips with honest songwriting and a stripped back, quintessentially English sound. The interplay between Steve Jones and Rachel Grisdale is both charming and beguiling. From trying to express true feelings, (Lantern) to the start of new exciting love (Love’s Tale) there is a literal warmth to this EP that draws you in. The final two tracks on the EP are live recordings of previously released tracks, and provide the perfect excuse to raid the Stylusboy back catalogue.
Each physical EP copy will be unique, painstakingly hand-crafted in Stylusboy’s loving tradition. If you can’t wait until Monday, you can pre-order the EP here.
BBC 6Music’s Tom Robinson says: “A leading light among today’s new generation of DIY digital troubadours, Stylusboy’s music reflects their open, yet fiercely independent nature. Whether playing solo house concerts or theatre shows with a full band, everything they do is connected, committed and community-oriented. These are songwriters whose developing career I’ve been keenly following, and which many musicians twice their age would do well to emulate.”
Tune in this Monday from 9pm for a musical celebration, all from the comfort of your living room. The show is free to attend, but we encourage a voluntary donation of £3. All money will be given to the artists.
[nicepaypallite name="RCMHangout" amount="3.00"]To interact with the artists on the night and to help spread the word about this show use the Twitter hashtag #RCMHangout.
