Mid-Week Song

 

While this year's BRIT awards -- the UK's Grammys -- were rightfully dominated by Charli XCX who won five awards, our favorite Sam Fender won the Best Alternative Rock Act.  His latest album, "People Watching," co-produced by Adam Granduciel of War on Drugs, received wide acclaim for its songs and their lyrics.  A track from that album, the Springsteenesque "Crumbling Empire" with Granduciel on acoustic guitar and keyboards, is a stinging commentary on working class life in the UK.  It's our song for today. 

  

Weekend Music

 

Britain's Sam Fender is currently on his "People Watching Tour" across the UK and Europe.  His "People Watching" album is scheduled for release in February, but the title track is already out, and it's a typically fine rocker (co- produced with Adam Granduciel of War on Drugs).  Fender wrote it as a tribute to the late British actress Annie Orwin, who he considered to be his friend and surrogate mom.  Hope you enjoy.

Mid-Week Song: Wild Grey Ocean

 

A little over a month ago, we featured British indie / British heartland rock phenomenon Sam Fender, who says artists as varied as Bruce Springsteen, Oasis and The War on Drugs' Adam Granduciel have impacted him musically. Winning the British Critics' Choice Award in 2018 and last year's Brit Award for Best British Alternative/Rock Act, Fender is also a philanthropist who's supported aid to children in Ukraine and the homeless in his native Newcastle, England. He released a new single yesterday, "Wild Grey Ocean," a powerful song that reflects on fair weather friends, a lost love and his solitude. Enjoy.

Weekend Music

 

The UK's singer/ songwriter Sam Fender has been a known quantity in his homeland since at least 2018, but he's now getting attention everywhere following the success of his second album, "Seventeen Going Under" (2021) and its eponymous single.  We're featuring another song from that album, performed by Fender in July at Finsbury Park in London, "Getting Started."  You may find comparisons that've been made to Bruce Springsteen fair (Fender says he was a major influence), and Fender's jangly guitar style and the lyricism of his compositions certainly add to the impression.  But the multi- instrumentalist is a talent all by himself today.  Hope you like "getting started" on the weekend.