Let the fires burn

Samantha Clemons – Burn EP

A standout and mature debut EP from fresh faced artist, Samantha Clemons. Clemons channels sorrow and years of displacement into one soulful experience from start to finish.

Being born into a military family meant that Clemons was constantly on the move before settling into her permanent home of Texas. Since staring her career as an artist Clemons has changed direction in many ways, initially starting as a good pop vocalist she realised that this wasn’t the direction she wanted to go in. Instead adopted for a more political and soulful sound, which has not only enhanced her writing style it has also raised the bar of her as an artist.

The EP not only begins with the current single and title track ‘Burn’, it is a solid statement of what is housed inside this five track ensemble, a scorched reflection into life and love as a young person in today’s America. Be willing to view and try to understand other peoples options’ and feelings is the main message, which flows through tracks like ‘No Room’ and ‘Love For Me’. Whilst the final tracks of ‘Something Special’ and ‘Blow you Down’ reflect on a more personal aspect of loosing something you love. Unfortunatly the EP ends too suddenly and is hopefully just a memo of what is to come.

Clemons title tracked EP ‘Burn’ is out now and full of exceptional highlights from one of THE new voices of the 21^st century.

Going with the flow

The one and only, ‘Queens of The Stoneage’ delivered a hit filled yet mellow set as they return to Madison once more.

Luckily the sun was out on show day, as we headed down to ‘Breeze Field’ in Madison, Wi. This outdoor football field was a great summer setting for a big show like this and our first at this venue. A small amount of seating was in the bleachers but their was plenty of grass to sit or stand on. I was excited about the show as there was an early start time and only two bands on the bill, meaning a big hit filled set by ‘QOTSA’. 

To start the show, basked in the summer sun was a UK band, known very well to me, ‘Royal Blood’. This two piece are like the love child of Robert Plant and Josh Homme, which makes them perfect for tonight’s addition. Their wild sound and energy flows through the crowd as they grace Madison for the first ever time. And I am sure it will not be the last as the crowd chant for more.

The same cannot be said for ‘QOTSA’ as they started off well but lost the crowd half way through as they stuck to a new album heavy set. I myself am a big Queens fan and the band were certainly on top form. The sound was full on but the crowd were just limp as a wet noodle, singing only a minimal amount of words back. It was no surprise then that the set was cut short but no encore. The set lasted about 1 hour 15 minutes which is short for a band who have hit after hit. They also had 40 minutes before their intended curfew, which left a lot including the venue confused as to why they did not come back out.

From the less than 4 hours we were there we enjoyed the memorable yet short sets from two great rock n roll bands of the modern age. Let’s hope Josh isn’t too much of a showman next time to play an encore.

www.qotsa.com/

www.royalbloodband.com/