Pennsylvania native Stefanie Johnson released her debut album, “Stefanie”, through Escape Music on 24th February. This is one of those albums that crosses a lot of genres, from rock to pop and country, and had it not been marketed by Escape Music there is a good chance that I wouldn’t have checked it out. I’m glad I did though! Whilst some of the tracks are a bit outside my usual listening range, Stefanie is an extremely talented singer / song-writer and there is certainly enough to warrant a recommendation on the Rock Radio NI website. I played the track "All I Know" on the Friday NI Rocks Show on 24th February.
Swedish band Ages of Reflection released their debut album “In The Heat of the Night” through AOR Heaven on 24th February. The album though is actually the outcome of many years of planning, with the founding members of the band having worked together in other bands for some time. The opportunity to work together on the AOR inspired tracks came in 2013 and over the past couple of years they have working to deliver their vision. I played the opening track “Borderline” on the Friday NI Rocks Show on 13th January.
Read more: NI ROCKS Recommends "In The Heat of the Night" by AGES OF REFLECTION
Mike Tramp releases his latest album entitled “Maybe Tomorrow” via Target Records on 24th February. He’ll be following that up with a UK tour that once again sees him return to the Diamond Rock Club in Ahoghill on 18th March. It will be almost exactly 18 months since his last appearance there, promoting his previous album “Nomad”. That album had been seen as the final part of a trilogy that commenced with “Cobblestone Street” and “Museum”. Thankfully, any perception that there might be some “down-time” from Mike Tramp following the trilogy has proven to be wrong and he is back with another great album. I played the lead-off single “Coming Home” on the Friday NI Rocks Show on 20th January and the track “Rust and Dust” on the Show on 24th February.
Read more: NI ROCKS Recommends "Maybe Tomorrow" by MIKE TRAMP
Three reasons to recommend “Wild At Heart” by The Wild which was released via Steamhammer / SPV on 17th February – (1) It’s a great album. (2) They’re Canadian – and who doesn’t love the Canadians! (3) I get to write about guys called Dylan Villain, The Kid, Boozus and Reese Lightning – awesome!!
I played the track “Livin Free” on the Friday NI Rocks Show on 27th January and “White Devil” on the Show on 24th February.