J R Harbidge Turns The Screw

British singer songwriter J R Harbidge has announced that he will be releasing his debut solo album, the majority of which, was recorded at The Twang’s Jump The Cut studio. First Ray Of Light, will be via Absolute Label on October 5th.

The 10 track album has been Inspired by the likes of Jackson Browne, Ryan Adams, Bob Dylan, Crosby Stills & Nash and Neil Young and is a collection of soulful, country-tinged and often-contemplative songs. The album seeks to be both personal and political, but rooted in the everyday experience of coping with life’s ups and downs.

“Sometimes the only way to get something out is in a song,” says James. “You can find something positive in a rough situation; if you can write a song at least you’re perhaps turning it back on itself”.

The lead single, Turn The Screw, is an accusatory song about people in control who wreak havoc and cause damage with no comeback. It encapsulates the mistrust of the institutions that is so prevalent in the world, and how the rest of society has to suffer due to their actions. The sentiments in the song can be related to on both sides of the Atlantic.

The acoustic guitar led single is accompanied by a simple but effective video. Mainly shot in monochrome, with flashes of colour, it has 3 James Harbidges, playing guitar, bass and drums. The video perfectly compliments the simple song with exquisite melodies.

A rocker from the Black Country with strong roots in the Birmingham music scene, James Harbidge has been playing, writing and producing for over twenty years with over 1 million streams/views of his music. He has always had a love of production. Finding a home in fellow Birmingham band The Twang’s studio space enabled James to hone his craft, often working with and learning from producer Gavin Monaghan (The Editors, Ocean Colour Scene) which eventually led to him engineering JAWS debut album in 2014.

James’ musical nurturing came from his father, and embraced polarities. Every morning they’d listen to either Paranoid or Deja Vu, and along the way he also picked up an abiding love of The Beatles. Thus his instinct to rock was always tempered by a high regard for melody. The rock won out with Third Bullet, the trio he formed in the mid-noughties with Steve Busby and Matt Challoner. Labelled as a grunge band and a ‘more melodic Soundgarden’ their Revelations album (produced by Monaghan) gained good notices; Resistance Is Futile was used in a Harley Davidson advertising campaign and posthumously interest has continued to grow.

Although live dates have yet to be confirmed, you can expect an announcement of dates after the release of First Ray Of Light.

Wolf Alice Return With Euphoric New Single ‘Bloom Baby Bloom’

London’s genre-defying quartet Wolf Alice have returned in full bloom with their new single, Bloom Baby Bloom—a vibrant, effervescent track that signals a fresh chapter for one of Britain’s most dynamic modern rock bands. Released after a period of relative silence since their Mercury Prize-winning 2021 album Blue Weekend, the single has sent ripples through the alternative scene, sparking excitement about what might be next for the group.

Pet Needs Are Primetime Entertainment At The Old Church

It’s lunchtime in sunny Stoke Newington, the part of London that really feels like a village. Most of the crowd lined up outside the historic Old Church are making this the first stop on their weekend, and as they mingle among the old tombstones with beers in hand, the anticipation is fizzing in the air. For the fourth year in a row, Pet Needs are about to kick off their Fractured Party weekender, and we’ve so far beyond ready for it.

Alice Phoebe Lou Enchants London At The Roundhouse

On Friday, 2nd May, 2025, the Roundhouse in London played host to a spellbinding performance by South African-born...

Lizzie Esau Unleashes Explosive New Single ‘Bugs’ — A Dark, Defiant Step Forward From A Rockshot Favourite

Rockshot Magazine favourite Lizzie Esau continues her rapid ascent through the UK’s alt-rock landscape with the release of her most accomplished single to date, Bugs. A darkly euphoric track filled with emotional grit and lyrical nuance, Bugs sees the 25-year-old Newcastle native confront the chaos of creative self-doubt with ferocity — and catharsis.

EMMMA Finds Power In Heartache With Stirring New Single ‘Wednesday’s Child’

EMMMA is no stranger to vulnerability — but with her latest single, Wednesday’s Child, the rising UK-based alt-pop artist turns raw emotion into a seismic act of self-empowerment. Released as the next step toward her second EP, the track is a defining moment in her artistic evolution: darker, bolder, and more emotionally fearless than anything she’s released before.

Jon Allen Unearths Gritty Past Of 18th Century London With Immersive New Album ‘Seven Dials’

British singer-songwriter Jon Allen invites listeners into the fog-shrouded streets and shadowy corners of 18th century London with his latest album, Seven Dials. Known for his earthy blend of folk, blues, and Americana, Allen trades modern-day themes for a haunting historical portrait that’s as cinematic as it is emotionally raw.

Josh Groban Shines Bright With New Career-Spanning Album ‘Gems’

Josh Groban is entering a new era of reflection and celebration with the release of Gems, a deeply personal,...

Sophie Grey Is Not Waiting Anymore — She’s Putting You ‘On Hold’

Rising electro-pop artist Sophie Grey. is back with a brooding new single, On Hold, and it’s everything we’ve come to expect from the multi-talented producer, performer, and provocateur — shimmering synths, bold visuals, and an anthem for the digitally disenchanted. Out now with an equally cinematic music video, On Hold is a hypnotic blend of retro-futurism and raw emotion, delivered with Grey’s signature flair and fiercely independent spirit.