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, and she's interviewed 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

Paula Boggs Band – ‘Holocene’

September 19, 2017

Paula Boggs has had an unusual journey to music. She has degrees from both The University of California Berkeley School of Law, and John Hopkins University, and has also served as an officer in the US Military, before becoming Assistant US Attorney for the Western District of Washington, a partner in the law firm of Preston Gates & Ellis, Vice President at Dell Corporation, and Executive Vice President, General Council, and Secretary of the Starbucks Corporation. Phew! Now, with the Paula Boggs Band, and their new track, ‘Holocene’, she promotes peace with their homegrown “soulgrass” music.

Ace Harper – ‘Neon Heart’

September 18, 2017

Ace Harper comes from a dance background and so feels there is a live performance aspect to everything she does. This is no less the case with her writing, which combined with her quirky and colourful music videos, reminds us a great deal of Kate Bush and perhaps Siouxsie And The Banshees, or Toyah Wilcox. Ace’s new single, ‘Neon Heart’, is paired with a slick and colourful, psych and sensual video, which is the perfect match for her upbeat and catchy track.

Yusuf/Cat Stevens Recalls The Past While Looking To The Future On ‘The Laughing Apple’

September 15, 2017

It was always going to be an ambitious project, but Yusuf (aka Cat Stevens) has managed it, with his new album, ‘The Laughing Apple’, out today on Decca/Cat-O-Log Records. Yusuf celebrates 50 years since his first album, ‘The Laughing Heart’ and reunites with producer Paul Samwell-Smith and guitarist Alun Davies, who worked with him on his seminal album, ‘Tea For The Tillerman’.