Author: Lisa Hafey

Lisa has been writing for over 20 years, starting as the entertainment editor on her university newspaper. Since then she's written for Popwrapped, Maximum Pop, Celebmix, and ListenOnRepeat. Lisa loves all good music, with particular fondness for Jedward and David Bowie. She's interviewed Edward Grimes (Jedward), Kevin Godley, Trevor Horn, Paul Young, Peter Cox (Go West), Brendan B Brown (Wheatus), Bruce Foxton (The Jam), among many many more. Lisa is also available for freelance writing - please email lisa@essentiallypop.com

Liz Kennedy – ‘Hike Up Your Socks’

April 19, 2019

We last caught up with San Francisco based singer songwriter Liz Kennedy this time last year, with the release of her track, ‘Everyone Knows How It Goes’. Now she’s hiking up her socks in a love letter to San Francisco – in particular Telegraph Hill, historic North Beach, and the steep and spectacular slopes that say so much about the city. She presents herself as a woman who is more than just enchanted by her community and surroundings, she is also deeply invested in her neighbourhood, with the message of her song clearly saying, “a life well lived is one that’s deeply rooted in the local community”.

Brad Armstrong – ‘Fishing Pole’ (ft Maria Taylor) From Upcoming Album ‘I Got No Place Remembers Me’

April 17, 2019

‘Fishing Pole’ is a gorgeously languorous introduction to a man whose musical history is long and glorious. The main songwriter and producer of band 13ghosts (self-described as “critically successful and financially disasterous”) Brad Armstrong was approached by his record company, Cornelius Chapel Records, to re-issue his 2016 debut solo album, the sublime ‘Empire’ on vinyl. Having been working on some new material, Armstrong suggests they might want to also release his new album, ‘I Got No Place Remembers Me’ – they agreed.

Josh Ramsay Speaks To EP About Marianas Trench, New Album ‘Phantoms’, And Touring

April 15, 2019

Canadian band Marianas Trench have been around for the best part of twenty years, forming in 2001, releasing five albums since then, and touring extensively, most often around Canada and the USA, but also in Australia, the UK and Europe. At London’s KOKO venue, during their UK tour in May 2017, lead singer Josh Ramsay said how he was humbled at how many people were at the show, especially considering they had never released an album in the UK. The venue was packed solid, made up of fans, the curious, and media. All left impressed and wanting more. This year, Marianas Trench *have* released an album in the UK, the magnificent ‘Phantoms’, written around the theme of being haunted by the memory of people in our past. Lisa had the chance to speak to Josh Ramsay, and asked him about the album, the songwriting process, and just when they were hoping to get back to the UK.