There’s just one more day left to vote, so please keep those votes coming in! Check the results here and maybe see who else you think needs your vote to help them reach the grand final.
We hope by now you’ve heard all the songs, but here’s one last run down of those we haven’t posted about yet.
Song 21 is Coming Home to Your Love by Hank Sidebottom & the Hell Razors. This recording was made in 2017 and features Martin Sievey on guitars and vocals, Caspian Sievey on bass and Rowan Robertson on guitars. It was produced by Andrew Butler at DB Studios in Stroud. The song was performed at a benefit concert to raise money for the installation of a bronze statue of Frank Sidebottom (alter ego the late Chris Sievey, much-loved brother of Martin and uncle of Caspian). The statue now stands in Chris’s home town of Timperley and jovially greets all visitors with a thumbs up.
Song 22 is the beguiling and futuristic Smoke Screen. Get ready to be blasted off by Mr Marko’s Outer Space Emporium‘s latest intergalactic creation. Marko says, “Smoke Screen is a song with two parts to it. It’s a song with the joy and expression of rooting for someone who is realising their power for the first time. The second half of the song, is the natural reflective daydream and positive effect of doing so. And that’s why I love writing music. :)” … and we love listening to it Marko!
It’s a warm welcome back to a dear friend of Stroud Song Contest – Arty Jackson, who was our first winner in 2019. Arty is a very talented folk musician currently based in Bristol, who has recently performed at Glastonbury festival and Harlequin festival. He also performs regularly as half of folk duo Humm, who were even invited to play in Paul McCartney’s childhood home! Arty tells us about his song My Own Sundial, “This is a summery love song inspired by a range of folk and the upbeat rhythms surrounding the Sahara.”
Have you been down to The Woodz today? You might just find a Stroud Song Contest debut for the original South West Sicko. It’s the one and only Griz-O. Representing the Future Bubblers cohort, Griz-O has found himself performing on stages at BoomTown, Love Saves The Day, We Out Here Festival and Tokyo World Festival as well as performances at The Jazz Cafe in London and the O2 arena Bristol. He has a monthly residency on SWU.FM and was winner of the ‘Best Grime’ category at the 2023 Beacon Urban Music Awards and we’re very excited to have him in this year’s contest!
Song 25 is sweet love song, Because I Love You by 7-piece band, Anomaly. Mike from Anomaly tells us, “I wrote this song when both my daughters were expecting their first child, thinking about the feelings all parents have for their children.” Anomaly formed about 14 years ago, and now play gigs and charity fundraisers of their own material with a few covers thrown in.
At only 2 minutes 52 seconds, song 26 by Ellis Watson is short and sweet, but there’s a lot of Raw Emotion (and beauty) squeezed into that short time. Ellis is 17 and has been writing songs since he was 12. He says, “I have used songwriting as a way to express my inner feelings and cope with the struggles of daily life. I wrote this particular song about the feelings and emotions that cross you in moments within a relationship.”
Living in a tree, Mr & Mrs Spangle spend their days eating leaves, stealing phones to make songs with, and making friends with intruders. At 170 years old, we think it’s about time they had their first hit. After giving us such greats as Potato Salad and How Dare You Mrs Spangle!! Oh no did we write that Delete! Delete! could OH NO! be the one to break through to the mainstream?
Thanks everyone for following this year’s contest. Please keep listening, keep enjoying, keep voting and watch out for the results coming soon!