www.daveandmandymusic.com [Release date 09.14]

The gentle folk/Americana debut self-release by songwriters Dave McGraw & Mandy Fer – Seed Of A Pine (2012) – was a rather fine, if somewhat understated example of the genre.  Deploying the ‘less is more principle’ the delicate balance achieved by McGraw’s smooth baritone and Fer’s beautifully restrained vocals, underpinned by some subtle backings, made the pair’s first official collaboration a GRTR! recommendation.

Their follow up, Maritime, recorded in their home in a quiet forest in northwest Washington over the course of 8 days in spring 2014 reunites them with producer Zach Goheen (Birds of Chicago, Po’ Girl), to record 12 new tracks – as live as possible in the environment that inspired them.  And it’s another superbly crafted collection folk, indie-rock, and Americana.

With subtle contributions from drummer Andre Lauher, Christopher Merill (Birds of Chicago) – bass,  Sarah Von Dassow – cello, Mike Grigon – lap steel, and Jerome Holloway – harmony vocals on Helicopter, the warm emotive and organic delivery, and Fer’s own distinctive guitar work envelop the listener in a wholesome cocoon that feels like your favourite snuggly jumper.

But ultimately, it’s the outstanding songwriting and vocals of both Dave McGraw & Mandy Fer that lift the duo into a stratosphere miles above the rest.  Nothing flashy, just quality with a capital Q.  They play a short UK tour in late September/early October – catch them if you can.  ****1/2

Review by Pete Whalley

UK Tour Dates 2014

Sep 29 Green Note, London (w/ Willy Porter )
Sep 30 Mrs. Yarrington’s Music Club, Senlac Inn Battle
Oct 02 Hen & Chicken, Bristol
Oct 03 Cafe No. 8, Launceston
Oct 04 Blue Walnut Cafe, Torquay
Oct 05 Brasenose Arms, Cropredy
Oct 06 Old Barn Sessions, Sarratt
Oct 07 The Bluebell Inn, Stansted
Oct 08 The Stables, Stage 2 Milton Keynes
Oct 09 Garrett Sessions, Fyfield
Oct 10 Billingley Village Hall, Barnsley
Oct 12 The Live Room @ Caroline Social Club, Shipley
Oct 16 Garstang Unplugged, Lancashire
Oct 17 The Wee Gig, Abington

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Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK

Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions, streamed via Facebook.

In 2023 he signed a recording deal with Sony in Canada and released a new single on 15 September.

Next session: Sunday 1 December

Check out videos here: https://www.facebook.com/getreadytorockradio

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David Randall presents a weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sundays at 22:00 GMT, repeated on Mondays and Fridays), when he invites listeners to ‘Assume The Position’. The show signposts forthcoming gigs and tours and latest additions at getreadytorock.com. First broadcast on 3 November 2024.

UK Blues Broadcaster of the Year (2020 and 2021 Finalist) Pete Feenstra presents his weekly Rock & Blues Show on Tuesday at 19:00 GMT as part of a five hour blues rock marathon “Tuesday is Bluesday at GRTR!”. The show is repeated on Wednesdays at 22:00, Fridays at 20:00). This show was first broadcast 29 October 2024.

How to Listen Live?

Click the programming image at the top of the page (top right of page if using desktop)

Listen via Windows Media Player. Click or tap here and “open file”
Listen via other media player (eg. VLC) Click or tap here and “open file”

Get Ready to ROCK! Radio is also in iTunes under Internet Radio/Classic Rock
Listen in via the Tunein app and search for “Get Ready to ROCK!” and save as favourite.

More information and links at our radio website where you can listen again to shows via the presenter pages: getreadytorockradio.com

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Power Plays w/c 11 November 2024

ARCANE MOON Hello Sun (indie)
S8NT ELEKTRIC XTC (Long Branch Records)
ARCANA KINGS Here We Go (Curtain Call Records)
KLOGR face The Unknown (Zeta Factory)
BEYOND UNBROKEN Dance With The Dead (FiXT)
REVENGIN Decadent Feeling (Wormholedeath)

Featured Albums w/c 11 November 2024

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Singer Songwriter)

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