Introducing... Luke Ritchie
Feature by Leanne Sherman
IN THE world of acoustically tuned, lyrically astute singer-songwriter fare certain words seem to be plaguing the current musical landscape. Wet, limp, and frightfully twee being three, those looking for rough diamonds would appear to have their work cut out for them right now.
Thankfully, though there are a few faces out there that seem intent on keeping things a little closer to the raucous roots of folk rock and the like, with Briton Luke Ritchie among the artists in question.
His album, The Water’s Edge, is slated for release in July, and certainly evidences this point in an immediately compelling way.
Nothing if not prolific, the collection represents the best of a bunch of 26 songs, written as part of a personal challenge to pen one track per week between January and July 2010.
That’s some work rate to say the least, and whilst it may suggest a rushed job the final tasting reveals a wealth of strong material, though it’s unclear whether everything created in this marathon process is up to this standard.
The following video has been filmed to promote Shanty, and is exemplary of the quality inherent throughout the forthcoming release.
Recorded at London’s Bush Hall, it also showcases the spellbinding live performances this fast rising word of mouth star is gradually being recognised for. Whether he’ll get his just deserves when the record hits stores remains to be seen, but either way we certainly appreciate his efforts, and hope you do to.
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