Category - Features Zone

    Last year’s festivals’ menu was a very tasty treat and enticed our fab team to venture forth and cover a few dozen of ’em and...

    The 2025 Jazz FM Awards with PPL and PRS for Music at KOKO in London yesterday evening [Thursday 24th April], celebrated the best in jazz, soul...

  Four decades have passed since Suzanne Vega’s fearless approach to storytelling first halted us in our tracks – but, as her new album proves beyond...

    Hot on the heels of celebrating our eighth birthday on 15/12/24 and yet another year of music is on its way out, Music Republic Magazine...

    Glen Matlock has toured as a member of Blondie for the last three years around the world, and recently the former Sex Pistols bassist and Rock...

    In celebration of today’s [June 21st 2024] solstice Strawberry Moon, US artist Hannah Wicklund has released “Strawberry Moon (Live at...

    London’s sold out Bush Hall on 8th June was the final stop for Judith’s 20-date 2024 European tour, where we caught up with her for...

    UK alt-punk/rock quintet Gen and the Degenerates were this magazine’s favourite band of the entire four day festival at The Great Escape in...

  Having celebrated his 70th birthday at the historic Royal Albert Hall, Midge Ure is keen to continue the celebration of his life in music with a major...

    The Family Rain: Three brothers from Bath in the UK – Will Walter [lead vocals & bass], Ollie Walter [guitar] and Tim Walter [drums]...

Treasured singer and songwriter Judie Tzuke is perhaps best known for her timeless 1979 classic, “Stay With Me Till Dawn”. 45 years later, Judie’s 22nd...

    After five years in the making, Kitty Liv drops her sizzling debut solo album this summer. “Easy Tiger” will surely launch this gifted multi...

    The Libertines release their fourth studio album today [5th April 2024], “All Quiet On The Eastern Esplanade” out today [5th April...

    Paloma Faith kicked off her 26-date tour last night – 3rd April – in Reading [See all tour dates at the bottom of the page]...

  EXCLUSIVE     Hyped to death. Not living up to their own PR. Same old same old billed as the next big thing. Yawn-inducing live. Writing...

  King Nun’s front man Theo Polyzoides talks to writer Lynsey Wright about the band’s latest album “Lamb” and their current 18...

  EXCLUSIVE PHOTO SHOOT IN DUBLIN…   Texas band Wild Child spread their infectious and unique blend of Americana indie-pop across the...

    It’s that time again… As we celebrate our seventh birthday and yet another year of music is on its way out, Music Republic Magazine...

  EXCLUSIVE:   Hit-making artist Rebecca Ferguson is back with a brand new album in the chart after a seven-year hiatus – But she’s also...

  ****** FUTURE STAR ALERT ******       Every now and again as a music writer, you get sent music and/or a video of an artist or band new...

  “To be an artist is to be Dysfunctional”: David Bowie       Paul Fishman was a student at London’s Guildhall School Of...

    Joshua Radin was 30 before he picked up a guitar. A late starter, you could say. But in the last 18 years since, he has had his self-penned songs...

    Howard Jones is hitting the road across the UK later this year to celebrate 40 years since his resounding breakthrough onto the global music...

    Hugh Cornwell: punk legend, reformed drugs hell-raiser and qualified academic biochemist. The former Stranglers frontman has earned himself many...

    Nik Kershaw is probably one of the names we know best of all from the musical circus of the 1980s, and he’s about to bring his band and his...

  Nashville-based, Grammy-nominated session musician, songwriter, producer and former Rolling Stone magazine writer Jon Tiven looks back at 2022 with...

  MUSIC REPUBLIC MAGAZINE EXCLUSIVE:  Sam Brown’s revealing and emotionally heart-wrenching  interview with Lucy Boulter dives deep into the trauma...

    Following two huge Top 10 records and sold out shows across the globe, The Amazons release their “anthem-packed” new album “How...

    All good things come to those who wait, they say – and for pop legend Kim Wilde, the long wait for her greatest hits tour has made it all the...

      If Ruby Turner MBE, Britain’s Queen of gospel-soul, stood still long enough – there’s a fair chance someone may slap a blue plaque on her...

    Scottish band del Amitri (stylised lower case ‘d’) were the darlings of the 80s and 90s, with 15 UK top 40 hit singles, seven studio...

  Brooke Combe is looking likely to follow the success of fellow Scots Lewis Capaldi and Gerry Cinnamon… * EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW & PHOTO SHOOT *...

  “The Tik Tok generation’s Simon & Garfunkel?”         Kawala. Dodgy spelling for a cute furry Antipodean bear-like marsupial...

  EXCLUSIVE: Rising British soul star Mica Millar tells Music Republic Magazine how a horrific accident nearly left her paralysed – almost ending...

  Toyah’s 25-date “Posh Pop” tour kicks off this weekend (15th January 2022) and as she packed her suitcase, Toyah told Lucy Boulter about her battle to...

      As we celebrate our 5th birthday, Music Republic Magazine is delighted to announce our “Best Of 2021”… We didn’t run our usual end...

  Judie Tzuke gifted us her timeless ballad “Stay With Me Till Dawn” more than four decades ago, and has since released more than two dozen...

  Judith Hill’s CV reads like a ‘who’s who’ of the world’s biggest music stars – including Michael Jackson and Prince. But that starry...

  American artist Tori Amos needed the tranquility of her “sanctum” second home in Cornwall during lockdown, to be able to light the flame of...

  Singer and songwriter Don McLean has more than earned the accolade “legend” across the 50 years since his iconic hit “American Pie” was...

  10cc star and famed songwriter Graham Gouldman tells Lucy Boulter how wonderful it is to be back on stage after recovering from Covid, and the...

    Glen Matlock helped to shock the nation when – as bass player and original member of the world’s most famous punk band The Sex...

Shakespears Sister star Marcella Detroit talks to Lucy Boulter about sexism, ageism, long-term love, a star-studded NHS charity single project – and the...

    British songwriting legend Chris Difford is one half of hit partnership Difford and Tilbrook – labelled “the new Lennon and McCartney” for their...

    The Go West frontman tells Lucy Boulter why virtual gigs are not on his radar, lifts the lid on the recording of their timeless hit, “We...

    If you are a fan of defunct British rock band Trapeze with Deep Purple legend Glenn Hughes in the ranks, there are three reasons to be head over...

Bill Nelson is one of most gifted guitar players the UK has produced – the main creative force of 1970s band Be Bop Deluxe.   Ahead of the 50th...

  Nine years ago today (23rd July 2011), Amy Winehouse passed away suddenly at her London home at just 27-years-old.   Her father Mitch Winehouse...

    Andrez Harriott is a member of the UK R&B and pop “boy band” Damage who have sold close to three million records and performed to more than a...

  Soulful singing star Paul Young chats to Lucy Boulter about his amazing career highs, and the ambitions he still has left after five decades in the...

      Music Republic Magazine most definitely has a real ‘A-Team’ of writers and photographers spread across the UK and overseas...

      Almost the end of another year and soon it’ll be the start of a brand spanking new one. So it is now time for us to look back at the...

    Morris Hayes was the legendary Prince’s keyboard player for more than 20 years –  his musical director for much of that time. The longest...

      Vienna-based, US-born, multi-creative Tav Falco is a singer, songwriter, musician and pioneer of underground music, art and literature...

      The island of Jersey is about as far removed from a connection to the music genre of the blues as you can get. Or is it? The home of 41...

      “The dream team…Marco Cinelli’s voice, guitar and song writing talents combined with Danny del Toro’s world class blues harp… Best 2019...

      Wolverhampton-based up-and-coming punk duo Broozer (and yes, that is the correct spelling), dropped their impressively powerful debut EP...

  Earl Slick was David Bowie’s guitarist on seven albums and several tours. Lennon’s favoured sideman on a brace of albums. A road-worn uber-cool dude...

  Tower of Power bandleader Emilio Castillo held nothing back during a brutally honest interview with Music Republic Magazine editor Simon Redley. Talking...

US-based session musician, songwriter, producer and former Rolling Stone magazine writer Jon Tiven, lifts the lid off of the business of making music…  ...

  Last night (8th Feb 2019) in York was the first of 13 UK tour dates for Holy Holy – the starry Supergroup paying homage to late rock God David...

US-based session musician, songwriter, producer and former Rolling Stone magazine writer Jon Tiven, lifts the lid off of the business of making music…  ...

UK singing star Rebecca Ferguson is all loved-up in her private life – she’s also taking full control of her career after a turbulent recent past...

  US-based session musician, songwriter, producer and one time Rolling Stone magazine writer Jon Tiven, lifts the lid off of the business of making music…...

A monthly column from US-based session musician, songwriter, producer and one time Rolling Stone magazine writer, Jon Tiven. Lifting the lid off of the...

  EXCLUSIVE   A decade ago, quirky Manchester boy/girl pop duo The Ting Tings came up with one of those unforgettable songs – “That’s Not My Name”...

  A monthly column from US-based session musician, songwriter, producer and one time Rolling Stone magazine writer, Jon Tiven. Lifting the lid off of the...

    A monthly column from US-based session musician, songwriter, producer and one time Rolling Stone magazine writer, Jon Tiven. Lifting the lid off...

  He wrote a big hit for close pal Elvis. He penned “Rainy Night In Georgia” for Brook Benton and “Steamy Windows” for Tina Turner...

  Grime legend Lethal Bizzle is currently doing his thing on a European arena tour with US hip hop superstar 50 Cent. Bizzle took time out to chat to...

  A monthly column from US-based “A-List” session musician, songwriter, producer and one time Rolling Stone magazine writer, Jon Tiven. Lifting the lid...

  Living guitar legend Duane Eddy will give his loyal fans in the UK a rare treat in the Autumn, when he comes over to do three final shows here. His...

      When Kent teenager Jon Cleary finished his schooling at the age of 18, he knew exactly what he had to do next to answer his calling. Hop...

    “Bowie’s thing was just to kick the music business up the arse”, reveals the man who helped him do just that.   Woody Woodmansey, celebrated...

  There’s a lot more to Mod soul boy Steve Ellis than “Everlasting Love” you know! As his brand new solo album will testify. Brighton-based (he’s a Mod...

  A monthly column from US-based “A-List” session musician, songwriter, producer and one time Rolling Stone magazine writer, Jon Tiven. Lifting the lid...

  Legendary singer and songwriter Rita Coolidge is back with a sparkling new record – at the age of 73. She wants it to inspire those who feel like...

  As front-man of pop group Haircut 100, Nick Heyward was an integral part of the 1980s pop explosion.  But that taste of household-name fame and the loss...

  Legendary singer and songwriter Graham Nash first came to fame as a founder member of The Hollies, before he become part of supergroup Crosby, Stills...

  The Jamaican reggae and ska legend is back in the UK this summer to perform a select bunch of gigs and festivals. He exclusively tells editor Simon...

  The monthly column from celebrated US-based “A-List” session musician, hit songwriter, producer and one time Rolling Stone magazine writer, Jon Tiven...

The straight-talking monthly column on all things country, Americana, roots and acoustic…       My recent trip to Nashville coincided with the...

  Motown legends The Four Tops have been part of the very fabric of the history of popular music for more than five decades. Sole survivor of the original...

  Legendary radio and TV broadcaster David “Kid” Jensen has been hiding a secret for five years – he has Parkinson’s Disease. But his health issues have...

  The monthly column from celebrated US-based “A-List” session musician, hit songwriter, producer and one time Rolling Stone magazine writer, Jon Tiven...

The straight-talking monthly column on all things country, Americana, roots and acoustic…     This is something that I’ve wanted to write about for a...

  Cop a load of that headline folks. A very brave man – considering his American missus is stood behind him and in arm’s reach of several heavy...

  The second and now regular monthly column from celebrated US-based “A-List” session musician, hit songwriter, successful producer and one...

  Hotly tipped British singer songwriter Will Varley is touring in the USA right now, promoting his brand new album “Spirit Of Minnie”, a very...

    Steve Logan is a formidable and respected Welsh singer and songwriter, whose music straddles the folk, rock and roots genres in style. He sings...

The straight-talking monthly column on all things country, Americana, roots and acoustic…     Ever since I can remember, I’ve been a voracious reader...

    US pianist/singer Mitch Woods keeps great company on his stunning new album, which features such legends as John Lee Hooker, Van Morrison and Taj...

    One of Canada’s most respected and celebrated female blues singers, Angel Forrest, is gearing up to tour the UK for the very first time next...

  The brand new monthly column from celebrated US-based ‘A-List’ session musician, hit songwriter, successful producer and one-time Rolling Stone magazine...

The straight-talking monthly column on all things country, Americana, roots and acoustic…     It was a just over year ago that I was invited to write...

The straight-talking monthly column on all things country, Americana, roots and acoustic…       It was quite a surprise when Garth Brooks was...

    Well, what a cracking year we chose to kick off a brand new digital music magazine. 2017 has been a real bumper year for an absolute Tsunami of...

The straight-talking monthly column on all things country, Americana, roots and acoustic…     In my November column, I raised the issue of the high...

  Space Rockers Hawkwind are enjoying a bit of a renaissance after close to 50 years as a band. Their last two albums hit the Top 40, and they are about...

  She’s was a true pioneer for women in music and film in the 1980s. Now Hazel O’Connor is about to set out on a 15-date UK tour, and here she speaks to...

The “Twenty Four Hour Party People – Greatest Hits Tour” celebrates the 30th anniversary of the Happy Mondays’ debut album “Squirrel and G-Man Twenty Four Hour...

The straight-talking monthly column on all things country, Americana, roots and acoustic…   Several quite unrelated incidents over the past few weeks...

Music Republic Magazine tip rising young Irish indie pop band Orchid Collective for good things, on the eve of their fifth single release…    ...

The straight-talking monthly column on all things country, Americana, roots and acoustic…     And the winner is … Traditionally autumn is that time...

What can one write about Shaun Ryder that has not been written or said about him many times before?  That was in my head when I had a chat with the man to plug...

Colin Blunstone talks to Music Republic magazine editor Simon Redley about the band’s fascinating history, revealing some interesting...

The straight-talking monthly column on all things country, Americana, roots and acoustic…       With the recent announcement of the first ‘new’...

The straight-talking monthly column on all things country, Americana, roots and acoustic…   The past few years has seen the emergence of several UK...

    Exciting “new” UK soul man Decosta Boyce is sat at his Hertfordshire home on a warm and sunny Tuesday lunchtime, talking on the mobile about his...

Stax soul legend William Bell – one of the last surviving soul pioneers – has an exclusive UK show with the 12-piece Stax Academy Revue in July. ...

The straight-talking monthly column on all things country, Americana, roots and acoustic…     When I first became seriously interested in music as a spotty...

The straight-talking monthly column on all things country, Americana, roots and acoustic…     I have to admit that I rarely listen to the radio...

The great Toots Hibbert of Toots and the Maytals, once sang: “Reggae got soul”. London singer songwriter Frankie Oliver is the reggae man who definitely has...

  Some weeks ago, I was lucky enough to get my hands on the debut EP from young Manchester-based four piece band Carnival Club. I gave the EP...

    The Country Music Association (CMA) recently announced details of the 2017 inductees into the Country Music Hall of Fame. The late Jerry Reed, an...

The biggest music star in Israel with 25 x # 1s to his name, and collaborations with the likes of Jackson Browne, Wyclef Jean, Steve Earle and Shawn Colvin...

(l-r) Kristian Bush, Drake White, Maren Morris, Bennett Lewis (Morris’ guitarist), Liz Rose and Mac McAnally perform during the sold-out CMA Songwriters...

We were the very first in the UK to review Tanika Charles’ sizzling debut album, ‘Soul Run’ released here in April. We jumped at the chance for a chat with the...

Legendary guitarist Wilko Johnson talks candidly to Music Republic Magazine editor Simon Redley, about cheating death and trying to grasp the fact he is still...

Omar Lye-Fook, one of the UK’s greatest soul voices, talks to Music Republic Magazine editor Simon Redley about his stunning new album “Love In Beats”.  ...

The straight-talking, no-nonsense monthly column on all things country, Americana, roots and acoustic…   March 2017     Americana music...

Manchester alt-rock outfit Mohawk Radio are really making waves out there. The band’s powerhouse singer Mia Page tells Music Republic Magazine about her...

  Incendiary UK soul and blues singer Izo Fitzroy tells Music Republic Magazine editor Simon Redley about being held up at gun point, while working on the...

February 2017 A new Alison Krauss album is always a special event, and WINDY CITY, her first all-new solo album since 1999’s FORGET ABOUT IT, certainly doesn’t...

It has taken British artist Allman Brown circa four years to release his debut album, after the masses of attention and success he achieved back in 2013 with...

The second part of a fascinating exclusive insight into the life and career of jazz giant Sonny Rollins, speaking to Music Republic Magazine editor Simon...

Sonny Rollins, the 86-year-old jazz giant of the saxophone, speaks exclusively to Music Republic Magazine editor Simon Redley about his amazing career and how...

I just read a quote from a US musician and it rang bells. I thought; I am sure someone actually said this to me in recent months. This was the quote: “I wanted...

“Blues is easy to play, but hard to feel.” So said Mr James Marshall Hendrix. Yep; it’s always all about the feel….You don’t have to have lost your wife, kids...

You may be wondering how a young unsigned British band  gets to record a series of debut songs at legendary Abbey Road studios in London, and have Hollywood...