Our single of the week comes from London’s DelilaBlack, once again proving that country music can be political. ‘Routine’ features audio samples of news clips reporting police incidences where they killed people, including the audio feed from when Sandra Bland was stopped and ended up dead a jail cell.
The release is a fundraiser for Grassroots Law Project, who “combine the best of grassroots organising with legal expertise to radically transform policing and justice in America”.
London kitchenpunx I, Doris (aka Team LOUD WOMEN) just served up the fifth episode of their Dorising podcast, featuring guests Charley Stone (Salad, Desperate Journalist, and all the other bands), Delila Black, and Stephanie Phillips (Big Joanie).
“Dorising about writing and recording music at home, starting DIY bands, and having accidental smash hits.”
Previous episodes have featured Miss Eaves, Lorna Tieflholz, Debbie Smith, Joyce Raskin, and Audrey Campbell.
The podcast is out on all platforms here or you can listen right here:
Doris, Doris, Doris and Doris from the band I, Doris host the eighth episode of the Dorising podcast – a Christmas Party special! With guests:Charley StoneEfa SupertrampGilanKel of The Empty PageMs MohammedBen Marriott of TWATSSKristina Stazaker of T-BitchMaggie Devlin of Party FearsDorising about the magic of Christmas, the misery of Spotify, social skills practice in 2020, and everyone’s favourite Christmas songs. Plus everyone gets their pets out for the awwws.With music and live performance from all the guests.
Delila Black came and played our Unplugged evening last week and treated us to a thoroughly captivating performance – her powerful voice and skilled songwriting were food for the ears and the soul. Scarcity of hours in the day meant I didn’t get to publish this 10 question interview before the gig, but here it is along with the strong recommendation to check out Delila Black’s music.
1. For people who’ve not heard you play live before, what can we expect from you?
As this will be an acoustic night you can expect a quieter version of my usual set. You’ll hear tales of love, betrayal and vengeance and you’ll get an atmosphere of Country-Noire.
It’ll be a mix of punk-country, rodeo-rock and good ol’ traditional.
2. Which is your favourite song to play and why? Tell us about it …
At the moment it’s Vanilla Ice Cream. I like creating the atmosphere and I like the story. I also like doing High On A Mountain because of the sentiment behind it. It’s simple and raw. Actually, I think the whole set is.
3. Do some super-lazy journalism on our behalf please, and fill in the blanks: “My sound is like …”
Imagine KD Lang, Grace Jones and Jack White at church, then imagine them at Fight Club.
4. What’s your proudest musical moment to date?
Actually there are 3.
1. I was invited to sing solo, a cappella at Westminster Abbey at “A Service For Haiti” a year after the earthquake. I sang a song in Kreyol, that I wrote with my dad . The acoustics were absolutely stunning. An incredible experience.
2. Tony Visconti said he likes my work and
3. the late, great Mr. Tom Paley played fiddle on some of my songs.
5. Recommend a record and a book that you think our readers might not have heard of.
Book: “”The Temple of My Familiar” by Alice Walker. You will not be able to put it down, or maybe that’s just me. I wasn’t able to put it down! It will take you on a journey you didn’t know you needed to take.
Record: Sam Cooke & The Soul Stirrers “End Of My Journey”. It’s pure and raw. Brilliant vocals from each singer and Sam Cooke of course sounds heavenly. Towards the end of the song, when it gets rough and loud, you can catch tiny, little bits of electric guitar -you can actually hear rock & roll being born.
6. One for the guitarists … bore us with the details of your set-up please.
Mr. Buckley will answer this one:
We’re using a Godin 5th Avenue Kingpin with a P90 pickup.The current signal path is typically split between a clean sound sent via DI to the FOH mixer (via an MXR 6-band EQ pedal, in case we need to fine-tune for various venues) and a dirty sound (via a couple of simple but very good overdrive/boost pedals – a Hot Cake and a Fulltone FatBoost) which, in large venues, might typically be sent to an amp onstage (a Laney VC30 or, where we are using other amps, something like a Vox AC30 or another similar valve-driven amp) but which can also all be sent inline via DI in acoustic shows.
7. Who inspires you?
People with no filter (probably for the wrong reasons)
8. What are your musical goals?
Short term: To finish recording my 3rd EP. Electro-Mountain and have it ready for promotion by December. Book some festivals for next year.
Long term: I’d love to get on Jools Holland. I’d also love to get my music in films or television shows (that I like)
9. What’s the most important thing we need to know about your music right now?
There are 2 ‘most important’ things you need to know about my music right now.
1. We will be playing at the Aktion4Prevention Festival at the Bedford, 12th September.
2. The EP Electro-Mountain will be ready in a couple of months!
10. Pass the mic – who are your top 5 contemporary bands/musicians.
I’ll keep this answer to unsigned artists that I’ve played with. No particular order. Hopefully people will check them out. Unsigned and emerging artists need your support.
Dan Caleb – fierce and captivating live performances
Hayley Solas – she sounds like a mixture of Angel Olsen and Stevie Nicks. (it’s a win win)
Juliet & Nanette – original well crafted songs (but don’t go see them if you’re depressed )
The Life & Death – well crafted, beautifully recorded. Great songs.
I can’t think of a 5th one. I’m sure I have one but I’m watching Schitt’s Creek on Netflix while I’m trying to do this and I can’t concentrate because Catherine O’Hara is so brilliant.
For all those who support putting women on stage, and turning up the volume
