Trans-Genre Music for the cultured ear
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Grand Ole Opry hosts the 10th Josie Music Awards
Imagine a grand, glittering award show, an evening draped in elegance and anticipation. The air is thick with excitement, and the audience is on the edge of their seats, and you can feel the electricity.
This was the feeling at the Tenth Annual Josie Music Awards held at The Grand Ole Opry House this past October 27th. It is the biggest night in Independent Music with all genres represented. The Josie Music Awards celebrates those in the independent music industry and also the legends the world knows and loves. Founders Josie Passantino-Boone and Tinamarie Passantino planned an unforgettable night for the independent music industry.
Another day, another red carpet
Chris with Josie
Chris with Tinamarie
Upon arrival, nominees were met with a full media area managed by Wayne PR, a luxurious red carpet photo experience managed by Janet Reynolds Photography, and a celebratory show. As founder Josie and guest presenters called out the winners, they were greeted on stage by founder Tinamarie before walking into the legendary circle to make their speeches.
This year 75,000 submissions poured in during the open submission period for a chance to be a part of this epic ten-year celebration of The Josie Music Awards. After careful review 3.2% of submissions made it to nomination. Ultimately, 196 awards were presented during the live production show. This show never disappoints. The magical night included outstanding performances, celebrity presenters, and unforgettable winner's speeches.
The 2024 ISSA Awards
Once in a Lifetime?
Photograph by Tom Martinelli
Here in Atlanta, Georgia it's red carpet photo calls, filmed interviews, presenting awards at the prestigious 'Byers Theater' and performing live on stage in front of a lively, passionate audience. And yes, you're right, it's all fun, fun, fun - as it should be. But the best thing, by far, is meeting up with old friends and making new ones.
But be warned! to do this well, you need to run on a single tank for 48 hours. From arriving at the hotel and saying 'Hi' to everyone then on to Friday night's Pre-Awards Party at the Wild Wing Cafe in Alpharetta, more friends, great bands. Then off to the Awards Ceremony on Saturday for red carpet photos, interviews - and more chatting with friends. Then it's time for back stage preparations and presenting three awards to the ISSA 2024 US Duo Gold, Silver and Bronze winners.
Next up, is a quick drive across town to soundcheck at the Wild Wing Cafe for the 'After Awards Party' and say hello to more friends, have some more photos and then storm through a brief set before enjoying all the talented acts on show.
Are we done? heck no!! Back to the hotel and then do what all good singer songwriters do best, carry on partying by the pool well into the night at the impromptu 'After-Awards Party - After Party'.
If this sounds like something you'd like to do then ask politely if you can join the ISSA, then work as hard as you can all year round and one day you may find yourself in another part of the world, and behind the mics of a large stage, with beautiful friends and you may ask yourself how did I get here?
..................................Well, now you know.
A huge special thank you to Tamanie Dove & the wonderful ISSA folk for your spirit and inspiration and to Joshua and Candy Carpenter for your sound & vision
Seventh Album - Seventh Sin?
After five years of recording and gigging, clearly six albums aren't enough for Sun-Pinned Leaves and so 'Seven Sins Aren't Enough' heralds the latest release from the Kent & Essex duo.
Ten tasty tracks served up with folk, rock and country flavours, and with a little bit of punk and prog added for seasoning. Above all, this is another impressive Americana influenced collection of original works. The tracks are sprinkled with some earthy fiddle playing complimented by elegant pedal steel guitar both weaving their way through the staple of guitars, bass, drums and piano. Then it's all hung on hook lines that can never sink.
Sometimes skirting around the edges of the subject matter and other times tackling a sin full on, you will be taken on a new journey of fascinating tales, some based on history and others based on the players' imagination and artistry. Maybe some of these sins are not so deadly and maybe some are just too hidden to detect.
One of the many stunning images by Christopher Brown that's featured in the 24 page colour booklet accompanying the limited edition CD available from Bandcamp
https://sun-pinnedleaves.bandcamp.com/album/seven-sins-arent-enough
Eaten Alive Zine Review: Aug 2024
Off to Atlanta
then on to Nashville
Following on from 2023's success at the ISSA awards, Sun-Pinned Leaves are off to Atlanta, Georgia in August as judges for this year's event as well as playing a brief live set at the after-show party.
In October there's an opportunity to be in Nashville, Tennessee for the Josie Music Awards at the Grand Ole Opry House where the duo are nominees for Folk/Americana album of the year with their 6th album release 'Tales From The Great Lakes'.
Folk & Ale
Another fun festival in Sandwich, Kent
Sun-Pinned Leaves hit the Willow Stage at Sandwich on Sunday 7th July as part of the week long festival of arts, ale and music - and despite Saturday's showers, a fun crowd enjoyed the sun whilst pinned under the leaves of the very picturesque Quay Green area.
As always, a huge thank you to the organisers, the contributors, fellow performers and to the Folks who came along for a song & dance and Ale.
Hope to See Y'all Again soon.
The Euphoria of Being a Rolling Stone
May release of the new SPL single See Y'all Again
Seventh album coming soon
After winning the International Vocal Duo of the Year award from the International Singer-Songwriters Association in 2023, the UK duo, Sun-Pinned Leaves are still riding high, judging by the exuberant dreamland of nostalgia constructed within their latest single, See Y’all Again.
After the folksy piano keys have delivered their polyphonic euphoria, the rhythm section kicks in to deliver a rhythmically compelling beat that no 70s folk-rock fan will be able to resist. Even if you don’t know the joy of living on the road, you can live vicariously through this zestful vignette of how sweet it is to drift from coast to coast, where no goodbye is a definitive parting.
If Sun-Pinned Leaves aren’t on your radar yet, make room and stay tuned for their seventh LP, Seven Sins Aren’t Enough, which is set to become the sound of the summer when it releases in July.
See Y’all Again is available to stream on all major platforms.
Review by Amelia Vandergast A&R FACTORY
Founder members Christopher Brown and Neil Faulkner produced their debut album in 2019 and as of Summer 2023 these prolific songwriters have now produced their sixth album 'Tales From The Great Lakes' Release date: 01 July 2023
Available on all major streaming platforms.
Order CD from Bandcamp https://sun-pinnedleaves.bandcamp.com/
A collection of musical stories and accounts of events that occurred around the Michigan Peninsula and the Great Lakes - inspired by vocalist and lyricist Christopher Brown's 2022 road trip. From Chicago to Detroit via Mackinac Island, Milwaukee, Green Bay, Munising, St Ignace, Toledo, Ann Arbour and St Joseph, Sun-Pinned Leaves spin their tales as the events unfold along the trail.
The listener is taken on a journey embracing natural beauty, lost love and friendship along with stories of war and separation. Further along the way there are encounters with Chicago gangs and night prowlers. Hear a reflective account of a buried ghost town or maybe experience the perils of the mighty lakes, mysterious lights in the sky and missing folk. And that is just scratching at the surface with many sub-plots to fascinate and absorb. This is the 6th album by the band spanning just five calendar years but all released within a 48 month period. The subject matter gets more compelling and addictive which each release.
This is the second album to feature the artistic creativity of Mike Reynolds who provided the striking imagery for the front and rear CD covers.
ANOTHER 'SUMMER OF LOVE' WITH THE WORLD INDIE MUSIC CHARTS
Following on from previous chart successes in Europe and the World, 'Lakes and Sky', the opening track of Sun-Pinned Leaves' sixth album 'Tales From The Great Lakes' recently topped the World Indie Music Charts. A huge thankyou to everyone for your support and interest in Sun-Pinned Leaves
2023 International Singer Songwriters Association Award Winners
This year's Gold Award for International Vocal Duo goes to Christopher Brown and Neil Faulkner of Sun-Pinned Leaves
Video broadcast from Atlanta, Georgia on Saturday 5th August captures vocalist Christopher Brown accepting this prestigious award on behalf of Sun-Pinned Leaves
Sun-Pinned Leaves members Christopher Brown and Neil Faulkner were today awarded the ISSA 'International Vocal Duo of the Year Award' at a prestigious music awards ceremony held in Atlanta, Georgia USA.
Chris, who flew out to attend the event and to meet the many talented and dedicated people who make these events possible was humbled and honoured by receiving this award.
This is what Chris had to say on stage:
"Thank you to the ISSA, Tamanie, the reps, support staff and judges who work so hard to create opportunities for independent artists. We also thank the hundreds of radio presenters who play our music including Mike Reynolds, Gwen Ever and Pete Saxer. Thank you also to Derrick and Donna of Eaten Alive Zine who have written such generous reviews of all six of our albums.
Thanks also to our wives Ann Brown and Judith Faulkner for their love and support. We are humbled to be in such esteemed company as the ISSA family. We wish all of you the very best for your own musical journeys"
Love and kisses to all from SPL xx (please see the Gallery for more ISSA Pics)
City's Got Soul rises to the top
The first single from the Leaves' latest album hits the number one spot in the European Independent Music Chart.
'City's Got Soul', SPL's lead single from 'Tales From The Great Lakes' has quickly worked its way to the top of the EIMC chart while closely accompanied by some quality artists from around the world. Sun-Pinned Leaves would like to thank all of the radio stations and listeners around the world who continue to support and promote our music. It is an honour and a privilege to be associated with such a wonderful musical community.
The release has also risen to the number five spot in the global chart. Why not head on over to YouTube if you haven't yet seen the video.
August 6 2022
Sun-Pinned Leaves release 5th album
ALTERED STATES
ALTERED STATES
Altered States augments an Americana Folk and Country heart with additional musical genres. It opens with the 1620 crossing of the Atlantic by the ‘Pilgrim Fathers’ to the New World before fast forwarding to tales of the twentieth century and events which shaped parts or all of the US and even the world in ways that still resonate today.
The first two singles from Altered States ‘Long Live’ and Brilliant ‘Jewel’ were featured on the BBC Radio Kent Upload Shows of 26th April and 22nd June 2022 respectively. The follow-up single ‘Brilliant Jewel’ was awarded ‘Best Collaboration’ by the World Songwriting Awards Contest Spring 2022 https://songwritingawards.wordpress.com/spring-2022-winning-entries/
The third single ‘Summer of Love’ was described by award winning Music Blog A&R Factory (10th
July 2022) as “Sun-Pinned Leaves are rather magnificent with a gloriously sung and performed
effort from a team who fuse like two friends who gel like glue when together”. 'Summer of Love was also Banks Radio Australia's number one single for the week ending 25th July 2022.
ILLUSTRATE
The Independent Music
Magazine
Review:
BODIE
by Sun-Pinned Leaves
September 2022
https://illustratemagazine.com/
Sun-Pinned Leaves has blessed country fans with their latest 2022 album release “Altered States” which is their fifth album. After the opening of happy, country tunes and hum-along vocals played on “Voyage of the Mayflower”, the second track “Bodie” sounds like a mellowed-down beauty with the perfect blend of Americana and fast-paced folk creation.
When the UK artist Christopher Brown collaborated with his incredibly talented pal, the multi-instrumentalist Neil Faulkner to create this, they channeled their imaginative love for a leftabout town called Bodie into it. The track is timed as the second shortest in the entire album. However, don’t let it fool you because it is a mashup of Christopher’s amazing vocal devotion embedded with many layered harmonies in its backing vocals and a brilliant country-esque solo by Faulkner in between. The song is calming to the ears, perfect for unwinding with a cold beer after a long day, watching the sunset from your porch.
There’s a storytelling borrowed from an American country club in its lyrics, and a whiff of Texan energy within its guitar riffs. The overall musical tone gives off an incredible synergy between Christopher’s vivid lyrics and Neil’s consistent and outstanding play. It kind of takes you back to 1970s, when this mighty duo met and discovered their passion for writing and creating music. If you’re on a search for new songs to add to your Sunday morning chill or road trip playlist, Bodie by Sun-Pinned Leaves is a guaranteed and exceptional upbeat choice.
Testimonials
Word on the Street
“It (‘Theories of Destiny’) presses all the right buttons for this seasoned lover of music. Mellow vibes to straight out rock”. Mike Reynolds (Presenter Winchcombe Calling) 2019.
Mike Reynolds 2019
“This band should be massive, buy this album (‘Eclipse’) and make it so.
Derrick Moore (Eaten Alive Zine Editor) 2020
Derrick Moore 2020
“Sun-Pinned Leaves are an extraordinary duo producing unique and memorable tunes in a wide variety of styles. Simply put, they are refreshingly eclectic.”
(Pete Saxer Unknown Sounds / Revenge FM) 2020.
Pete Saxer 2020
“When we receive a gem like 'No More Tomorrows' well, that makes our day”
(Michael Charles Dirksen - Big Giant Indie Radio S.A) 2020.
Michael Dirkson 2020
“So much great beauty in this song! It's a must to listen and sit back and let the lyrics take you to Monterey Bay" Craig Eagle (Eagles Nest Radio) 2020
“Sun Pinned Leaves - Already 3 albums in (and counting no doubt) Christopher Brown and Neil Faulkner are veterans of an always healthy Kent and Sussex music scene, which is probably how they manage to hone such musically sophisticated material imbued with a beach bum's sense of relaxed adventure. They also pull off the very clever trick of being incredibly eclectic (a drum and bass rhythm here, an Ian Dury like refrain there, a Britpop motif hither, a heart wrenching ballad thither) whilst not really sounding like anyone else. Brilliant pop music basically, belying their other (also ace) punk rock activities (Nuffin to see here).” Bug Bear (Concert Promotions) 2021
Bug Bear Promotions. 2021
“Sun-Pinned Leaves is a British band which has been gaining notoriety since the release of their debut album. Formed by Christopher Brown as vocalist and Neil Faulkner as multi-instrumentalist. With musical talent the duo have been in business since 2019.
Sweet Sedona features an animated instrumentality of rhythmic beats and guitar together thus creating the perfect soundscape to address happiness and summer. ”
Brazilian Blogger. 2021
Next up new to the shop, a bit of change of pace, just had a listen to this, and is very enjoyable, Americana/country rock n roll from Sun-Pinned Leaves
Rock n road is a fine album, nice one Christopher Brown and Neil Faulkner.
Tony Smith. Sounds of the Suburbs. 2021
Set my CD player up today and thought I’d give this little gem a listen if you like something a bit more laid back this is perfect on a hot sunny day or just cruising in your car I really enjoyed it particularly track 5 a thing called love followed by another one promises (nothing changes) and also tracks 9 and 10 savanna mama followed by as the sun sets in the west well done SPL so different from what you have been doing and look forward to your progression. Xtraverts
Nigel Martin. 2021 - Xtraverts
Sun-Pinned Leaves — Rock — (Four spins on 2021’s single, “Monterey Bay.”) Christopher Brown and Neil Faulkner first began writing songs together in 1975. As stated on their website, the two have a long history and even performed together and separately throughout the 1970’s and 80’s before eventually reuniting to release their debut album, “Theories of Destiny,” in 2019. They describe themselves as a band that makes “trans-genre music for the cultured ear.”
Colorado University’s Radio Station 905.5 FM KCSU.
This is the prolific band's fourth album in three years and once again sees them stretching their wings further into the Americana sound touched on in
their previous album "Eclipse". Indeed from the album art throughout, the band appear to have decamped across the pond whilst leaving everyone here on a covid trip! But I have to say it's again worth it, as the band seem to have honed that rich stream and that great wide open of the new continent, as U2 did with "The Joshua Tree", although Bono and company preferred a rockier vein.
This album by comparison sees the band tripping merrily on the juxtaposition of an amalgamate of Alt-Country styles, sounds and scenes that make it hard to pin them down to just one aspect of the genre, with the thread connecting the songs being one of travel. Be it a journey to a new life, a journey to find one's-self or a journey of escape.
This is another great and wildly different album from the duo, where it's great to hear vocalist Chris Brown singing in his normal English accent rather than trying to be clever and attempting a mid-Atlantic drawl which would have pushed the album into the realms of whimsey. Multi-instrumentalist Neil Faulkner also deserves a mention not only for his playing but for his arrangements that have kept the album on the right side of country rock.
I have to conclude that on the basis of this release, roots labels such as Cooking Vinyl should be seriously looking into signing these guys.
Another album that's gonna be up there in the albums of the year come December!