Browsing Tag

Music Theatre

Stephen Waterhouse brought Broadway to the Airwaves with ‘Feeling Inside’

Posted on 15 April 2024

With hints of Bo Burnham’s INSIDE LP and serendipitously infectious lyricism, the debut intrinsically self-aware single, Feeling Inside, from Stephen Waterhouse is a testament to his cultivated songwriting stripes.

The balance of Lo-Fi bedroom pop intimacy and ornate orchestral elements allows the piano-driven single to unravel as an intensely distinctive musical theatre-adjacent triumph. Vulnerable enough to read as a diary entry, and striking enough to bring a touch of Broadway flair to the airwaves, the single is a revelation that leads to rapture when the orchestral crescendos swell in the soundscape and spill over into your soul.

Stephen Waterhouse’s vocals open a mesmerising juxtaposition within the production; rather than attempting to assimilate, he runs through with his earnestly sincere quasi-spoken word delivery which harmonises as the release builds in momentum.

The Royal Northern College of Music graduate, accomplished pianist and accompanist, and musical director may bring a classic touch to his work, but it doesn’t diminish the commercial cross-over appeal in Feeling Inside, which was released ahead of his 2024 EP which is being primed for a Spring/Summer release.

Feeling Inside was officially released on March 11th; stream the single on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Rock n’ Roll Opera gets overblown and fabulous with ‘The Fortunate Few’

Posted on 26 January 2021

While the lack of lockdown giggery has seen any number of recording projects take shape in home studios the world over, it takes a different kind of boldness to write an hour-and-a-half of brand new rock opera. That, however, is what The Fortunate Few present us with here and…well, it’s ace. Screeching guitar, a perfect Hammond organ part, and stunning male and female vocal parts, this is the opening track to an eighteen-track extravaganza and it sets the tone perfectly; the story begins with Mr. and Mrs. Todd at home, watching television, when a commercial comes on for Bendall’s Clinic…and…we’re off and into the Fortunate Few.

In the not too distant future, babies are grown in clinics and bought like cars or household appliances – sure, it’s easy to draw comparisons to Rocky Horror or Little Shop Of Horrors, although this is closest to the soundtrack to the awesome Circus Of Horrors (there’s perhaps a ‘horror’ theme, here), this is proper bombastic, overblown, 1970’s-style rock pomposity, and frankly it’s absolutely stellar.

Check out the Fortunate Few live, or follow on Facebook or Instagram.

Review by Alex Holmes

Premiere: James W Howard is set to make their debut with their cabaret-inspired Rock Pop single “Twirling The Rosé”

Posted on 8 April 2020
https://soundcloud.com/jameswhoward/twirling-the-rose/s-4ysIDgsZaUr

By drawing from everything from Musical Theatre to Classic Rock to Pop, James W Howard has created an eccentrically uplifting track with his debut single Twirling The Rosé.

Queen fans will definitely be enamoured by the theatrical soundscape which is led by infectiously melodic honky-tonk piano and infused with nuances of Psych Pop and Rock. Adding even more jaunty appeal to the single are James W Howard’s vocals which stand as a testament to his talent as a natural performer.

It’s safe to say that I haven’t heard any new artist offering the same kind of contagiously euphoric exuberance as what you’ll find when you hit play on Twirling The Rosé.

You’ll have to wait a little longer before you can check out James W Howard’s indulgently upbeat sound for yourselves. In the meantime, you can head over to Facebook, Soundcloud and Instagram and keep up to date with news of future releases.

Review by Amelia Vandergast