We would like to wish Chris Hillman, the regular curator of this playlist, a swift recovery from the heart attack he suffered last week. He is recuperating at home, and is very grateful to the NHS! Andrew Merritt, who provides the photos for the playlist, is standing in until Chris can return.
Each week we like to champion the music scene with ten songs in our playlist that all have a connection to the RaW (Reading and Wokingham) area and, sometimes, beyond. This week we have two new additions, one new release and one old, one from an act who impressed us earlier this year at Wokingham Festival, and one from stalwarts of the 80s Goth scene who are celebrating their 40th anniversary with a tour.
1. Caitlin Lavagna – October –
One of the aims of this column, as well as the Wokingham Festival which Chris is also involved with, is to support new talent, as well as promoting grass roots music in general, and Caitlin Lavagna is one more example of an up-and-coming young artist we think has a great future. We’ve just about got this latest single from Caitlin, who was one of the many acts who we enjoyed at Wokingham Festival this year, included in the right month! A lush production of a powerful and emotional song which is getting great reviews and was selected for the BBC Radio Wales A List; her third single, of three this year, to achieve the feat! That’s a great success rate. Also, look to her social media for the video of Caitlin performing the track, which was recorded live at Wokingham Festival, accompanied by Joshua Jefferis on guitar. https://www.facebook.com/caitlin.lavagna
2. Balaam and the Angel– She Knows–
Sid and Nigel from Club Velocity must be some of the hardest working promoters of original music in the area, with a regular stream of events covering a wide range of musical genres, from punk to goth to rockabilly to electronica to industrial noise to many that are simply uncategorisable, but all with something that has caught Sid’s educated ear and makes it worth going along to find out more. Balaam and the Angel formed 40 years ago, and to mark that fact they are releasing a new EP which returns to their musical roots, as one of the bands of the 80s Goth scene. The Forces of Evil EP is available now on vinyl, coming to streaming services in November, and you can catch them playing live at the Face Bar in Reading on Saturday next week – 9th. She Knows is from their The Greatest Story Ever Told album. https://www.facebook.com/balaamandtheangel
3. Sonic Whip – Watch It All Begin –
One of the most exciting new groups we’ve seen in the last year. We feature here a new song from their excellent new EP, ‘Spinning Around’ – https://www.sonicwhipband.com/
4. Gemma Rogers – No Future –
Gemma writes socially aware songs with hooky choruses and an edgy sound that makes then sound so right for this crazy world at this crazy time in history! You can see her perform this Saturday 2nd as part of the 19 Something Festival at the Face Bar in aid of Age UK Reading and Kids Out. The festival kicks off at 4pm, with plenty of quality acts to see, such as Bennet, The Mezz, and Reignmaker, and all in aid of two very worthwhile causes. – https://www.gemmarogersmusic.com/
5. Scott Lavene – Sadly I’m Not Steve McQueen –
This song is taken from Scott’s new album, ‘Disneyland in Dagenham’ which is full of songs that showcase his unique writing talent. Check him out live at Reading Face Bar on Tuesday 3rd December for Club Velocity – https://www.facebook.com/ scottlavenemusic
6. Leddra Chapman – What If I –
Leddra’s performance at the LogIn Lounge in Camberley a few weeks ago was pure class! This is taken from her new album, ‘Telling Truths’ which was released last Friday! Leddra had a full band album launch show last Sunday in London.- https://www.facebook.com/ leddrachapman/
7. The Amazons – Living a Lie –
One of the biggest, current indie bands to come out of Reading and here’s their latest single and it’s quality stuff – https://theamazons.co.uk/
8. Echo Chambers – Cry –
A track that really grows on you from this Reading band’s ‘Versificator’ EP released earlier this year – https://linktr.ee/Echochambersrdg
9. Amanda Lehmann – Memory Lane –
Amanda performed a wonderful set at Wokingham Festival and she also played guitar as part of Steve Hackett’s touring band at Reading Hexagon last week – https:// www.amandalehmann.co.uk/
10. The Dead Can Wait – No One Knows Your Name –
They launched their debut album, In Lumine, at the Face Bar last Saturdayh – https://thedeadcanwait.band/
By Andrew Merritt
