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

Clay Dub Releases New Hip Hop Track, ‘Left Me For Dead’

October 29, 2018

Clay Dub, from South Los Angeles, has released the latest in his three part short film series. ‘Left Me For Dead’ released on 19 November, is the second track in this installation, and is a nod to his early inspirations, including Tupac, Nate Dogg, and J Cole.

Definite Lana del Rey Vibes From Upcoming Greta Jaime Track ‘Temporary Panic’

October 29, 2018

We introduced you to Greta Jaime back in August with her track, ‘Computer Games’. Now the North London artist returns with her latest single, ‘Temporary Panic’, set for release on 2 November.

The Camino Side Project ‘of music & movement’ Is An Introspective Road Trip

October 29, 2018

of movement & music’, from The Camino Side Project, is set for release on November 16. You can pre-order it on Bandcamp.

Berkeley-Based Crooked Flower Release Album ‘Into The Light’

October 29, 2018

‘Into The Light’ is the fifth album for Berkely-based group, Crooked Flower. The eight track album has a vintage 1960s vibe appropriate for a band from San Francisco.

The Travoltas Heed The Last Call For Love With New Single ‘Snowball’ Ahead Of Self-Titled Album

October 29, 2018

Salim Nourallah is a fixture on the North Texas music scene. He first gained initial acclaim with the Denton-based Nourallah Brothers, and has since gone on to release several solo albums, as well as produce many more, including the Old 97s, Rhett Miller, Deathray Davies, and Carter Albrecht. He’s a busy man.

Engelbert Humperdinck Brings Us An Early Christmas Gift With ‘Warmest Christmas Wishes’

October 29, 2018

It seems a little bit ridiculous to be reviewing Christmas albums in October, but given that it’s snowed in parts of the UK over the weekend, perhaps it’s exactly the right time. It certainly felt like Christmas when I was reviewing Engelbert Humperdinck’s new seasonable album, ‘Warmest Christmas Wishes’, The Hump’s first Christmas album in almost forty years. The new release is set to come out on November 16.

It’s An 80s Dance Party With Jaguar Dreams’ New Song, ‘A Real Woman’

October 29, 2018

If you’re like me and grew up in the 80s, then you’d instantly know the sound that Jaguar Dreams are channelling with their latest track, ‘A Real Woman’.

Paul Young, London Palladium - Photo credit: Lisa Hafey

Paul Young Proves That Wherever He Lays His Hat That’s His Home At Smash London Palladium Show

October 27, 2018

Can you believe it’s been 35 years since Paul Young released his album, ‘No Parlez’? His debut record as a solo artist, it reached the number one spot on the UK albums chart, and stayed there for a total of five weeks (non-consecutively), while remaining in the top 100 for 119 weeks altogether.

The Silver Snails – ‘Ave Maria a Zio Virgilio’

October 26, 2018

The goal of The Silver Snails is to create the world’s finest pop rock, and to open hearts through sound, light, and word. A joint Italian and US venture between lead singer Lucas Ward and his wife Elisa Fantini, The Silver Snails take their inspiration from their home in the wine country of Romangna, Italy, yet at the same time they create contemporary pop-rock for a global audience.

Stephen Winston – ‘Maybe It’s For James’

October 26, 2018

Most musicians seem to to all in, chasing their dreams, from a young age, before having to give up when real life gets in the way. Stephen Winston however put his musical pursuits to one side, choosing instead to focus on working in the corporate and communcations world, and is now able to spend all of his time making music. He taught himself to play piano and guitar while at college, and after his retirement he built a state-of-the-art studio at his longtime home, in Littleton Colorado, and another at his new home, in Rancho Santa Fe, California.

Melanie Taylor – ‘Adderall’

October 26, 2018

Los Angeles based singer songwriter Melanie Taylor mixes electro pop elements into her 90s influenced style, and proves that the best thing you can ever be in life is yourself. Her unique approach to her songwriting, which gains inspiration from the likes of Michael Jackson, conveys an authenticity that listeners gravitate towards.

Scott Gray – ‘Raincoats’

October 26, 2018

Scott Gray makes his home in Nashville Tennessee, but his jazz-pop songs emphasise narrative and echo New York voices, including the likes of Leonard Cohen, Laura Nyro, Billy Joel, and Norah Jones. He also draws from the older New York too, such as musical theatre, film soundtracks, and the smokey after-hours sound of the speakeasy.