In Review: Still Waiting by Sadie and the Hotheads

Earlier this month, Sadie and the Hotheads released their eagerly anticipated third album. 'Still Waiting' marks the start of a 27 date national tour, and an exciting new chapter for the band.

The first single from the album called 'Everybody's Got A Song' is upbeat and makes you feel immediately cheery, and the distinctive fusion of blues, folk, big band, country and jazz is apparent throughout the thirteen track album.

Highlights on the album include All My Sins, I'm Doing Fine, Wild Horses and Mother Mary. Indeed, Mother Mary has a special story as it is written by the band for one of their most dedicated of fans.

The band broke with the 'normal' method of releasing music for their new album, with funding obtained through PledgeMusic, a model that allows fans and supporters alike to pledge money to help get the music released. The model has also allowed the band to maintain complete artistic control.

The band is already on its tour across the UK, and will be in Chatham tonight, and Bolton, Wirral and Warrington the rest of the week. For a full tour schedule and to see if tickets are still available click here.

The band, fronted by Elizabeth McGovern has received great acclaim, with critics describing McGovern as "holding the centre stage with a warm, mischievous smile." The Hotheads consist of veteran musicians including Simon Nelson (electric and acoustic guitar, dobro,) Steve Nelson (acoustic guitar, bouzouki, banjo,) Terl Bryant (drums, percussion,) Ron Knights (bass,) Nick Lacey (piano, keyboards, penny whistle,) and Danica Chapman (backing vocals.)

Check out the band's website here and purchase the album!

2013: A Lookback

2013 certainly has been one of the busiest years that I can remember. Both professionally and personally many exciting and lovely things have happened, and it's always great to look back at this time of year to see how things have changed, and anticipate the new in the coming year.

January saw a month of meetings, planning new projects for the new year and evaluating what needed to be accomplished. The first month of any new year for me, at least, seems to be one of evaluation, clearing out the the old, and planning for the new. I love it.

In February I went to the Sadie and the Hotheads gig in Bristol. This was great fun, and I was lucky enough to be included on the VIP guest list. Can't wait to attend more of their gigs in 2014! In February I also said goodbye to my friend who moved back to Sydney for a year- can't wait for her to return later in the new year!

In March I had my first public speaking engagement at the Mostly Women Doing Digital event in Swansea, Wales. Here I discussed Political Style, and how blogging has changed my life. It was fantastic to finally conquer my fear of public speaking! I also saw Dame Helen Mirren in The Audience in London, which has to be one of the best plays I have ever seen in the West End. Truly spectacular!

In April I headed to New York for a short vacation with one of my best friends. As he had never visited the city, it was great to do all the touristy things like go to the top of the Empire State Building, walk Brooklyn Bridge and have a meal at Serendipity.

May and June were full of events and meetings, and in July I hosted my first ever Lean In Circle meeting. It's hard to believe the progress that has been made since our first meeting on Independence Day, and it has definitely been one of the highlights of this year. I also finally got to see Bruce Springsteen play live!

August saw many more meetings and appointments, and I had a short vacation up in Scotland with my family. It was so nice to get away for a few days, and visit Edinburgh, Stirling and Dumfries.

September saw a return to the routine, and in October I went to Grand Designs Live in Birmingham. I also attended a great talk hosted by the National Assembly for Wales that featured Janet Street Porter and her thoughts and experiences about being a woman in the media.

I returned back to New York at the end of October/beginning of November for business, made a trip to Teen Vogue and met with Dayle Haddon, CEO and Founder of Women One. It was also great to meet up with a friend of Political Style, Patricia Maritsch, owner of Piqued PR.

December brought a trip to the new J. Crew in London, and the usual festive events. As I look back on 2013, it's been a year of accomplishments, and I can't wait to share with you what I have planned for 2014!

As ever, thank you for your support and friendship!

xo L

Sadie & the Hotheads, St Georges Bristol

Sunday night I was fortunate to see the fabulous Sadie & the Hotheads at St Georges in Bristol.

Touring their album, How Not To Lose Things across the UK, this was the final date of the first leg of the tour.

A mix of blues, country, folk, acoustic, rock n roll and everything in between, Sadie & the Hotheads is fronted by actress Elizabeth McGovern, who many of you may recognise from Downton Abbey.

McGovern sings lead vocals and plays acoustic guitar, with Simon Nelson (guitar/vocals,) Steve Nelson (bouzouki/vocals,) Ron Knights (bass,) Nick Lacey (piano,) Terl Bryant (drums,) and Philly Lopez (backing vocals.)

The band opened with One Thing Leads to Another (watch a live performance here,) and performed tracks from the HNTLT album which was released in October 2012.

Highlights for me were the Cow Song and Small Tasks, two of my favourites off the album. The sound was immense in an intimate venue, and it was fantastic to see such a great band perform live. It was also great to hear the background story to some of the songs, as well as Elizabeth's simple message- be happy.

If you're quick you can purchase tickets for the two remaining gigs- Sunday 17th February at Union Chapel, London and Monday 18th February at The Stables, Milton Keynes. For more information on these shows and to purchase tickets click here.  Check out the Cow Song and Small Tasks below!

Sadie and the Hotheads Twitter