LINDA EM – LONDON IRISH
A Spill Exclusive Album Premiere
On the eve of her release, we are pleased to introduce you to Irish artist Linda Em. Based in London and growing up there after migrating there with her family in childhood, her EP is suitably titled βLondon Irishβ. It releases this Friday, September 21 on CD and digitally via Talking Elephant Records.
Comprised of four tracks, Linda wanders from sonic territory thatβs more in the dark steamy vibe of Nick Drake and Mazzy Star on two songs into singer-songwriter indie folk realms on the two other tracks. While this release marks a transition for Linda into newer adult contemporary and even moody indie music, sheβs got enough here to please loyal fans of her previous musical output. This offering is stunning and timeless, grounding and balanced.
Singles βWild Fireβ and βTwo Handsβ demonstrate a more atmospheric and spacious sound and vocal performance for the songstress. A storyteller, regardless of genre, Linda Em conveys a sincerity and mixture of fragility and sheer strength across her work. On this particular release, she cleverly sets the stage with a wonderful track involving vocals by celebrated Irish artist Gavin Glass.
βLondon Irishβ was recorded, produced and mastered at DublinβsΒ Orphan Recording by Gavin Glass (Paul Brady, John Grant, Lisa Hannigan, Mundy), who is also music director forΒ John Carney’s filmΒ βSing Streetβ). The EP was mixed byΒ Scott Halliday (John Grant, Lisa HanniganΒ and previously guitar tech forΒ PrinceΒ andΒ James Vincent Mcmorrow).
On βWild Fireβ, Glass and Em are as deep as Nick Cave and Kylie Minogue on βWhere The Wild Roses Growβ, but vy for a sultry tandem instead of all that grimness. βTwo Handsβ is about seeking a safe, quiet space in which to gather strength when the trials of your everyday life feel overwhelming. Linda Em co-wrote this song with Ian Montague. βLittle Lightmakerβ and βWhite Horseβ offer something special to those who are more into roots, folk and Celtic music. Linda Em produces music in an extraordinary mix of influences and genres, blending folk (revisited from a current London / Irish cultural perspective), pop rock, Celtic melody and American blues.
Linda first started singing blues and rock βnβ roll in pubs and clubs in her early twenties before meetingΒ Chris Wyatt, with whom she wrote and recorded her first album βShadow Landsβ in 2015. Her sound has grown to adopt strong elements of Americana and folk noir with an ominous and atmospheric Celtic undercurrent to it and splashes of gospel and soul.
“As a lyricist Iβm telling a story and, through working with producer Gavin Glass, I think the musical side reflects and illustrates that. Gavin has managed to give the songs and sound a strong cohesiveness even though the songs are all written with different people,” saysΒ Linda Em.
Linda draws an ethereal energy flow from her inspirations, citing numerous artists as influences, includingΒ Leonard Cohen, Β Edith Piaf,Β Nina Simone, Portishead, Hank Williams, Ennio MorriconeΒ and the poetry ofΒ Ted Hughes.
The ‘London Irish’ EP will be available through the regular online stores and streaming platforms as of September 21, 2018, and will also be available on CD fromΒ Talking Elephant Records at http://www.talkingelephant.co.uk/artist/linda-em.
On September 26, Linda Emβs EP launch show will take place in London atΒ Water RatsΒ (19:30 – 22:30, 328 Grays Inn Road, Kings Cross) with folk music legendΒ Julie FelixΒ as her special guest and with support from local artistsΒ Crayon AngelsΒ andΒ JMK James. Tickets for this event can be ordered at goo.gl/HR3g9b.
Linda Em
London Irish
(Talking Elephant Records)
Release Date: September 21, 2018
London IrishΒ Track Listing
1 Wild Fire
2 Two Hands
3 Little Lightmaker
4 White Horse
ArtistΒ Links
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SPILL ALBUM PREMIERE: MADAME PSYCHOSIS – MP3
SPILL ALBUM PREMIERE: PYPY – SACRED TIMES
SPILL ALBUM PREMIERE: JOE GENI – CITIES BUILT UPON CITIES
