The UK team of contemporary-folk
artists called Merry Hell have released their latest EP album, “Come
On, England!” The EP has been proudly published on the Merry Hell
Music independent record label without the direction of the corporate
music industry. Genuine, polished, proud and uncompromising, “Come
On, England!” is as much a humanitarian rallying cry as it is an
English one.
Asked
to cite some chief musical influences, Merry Hell speak of “A
hugely diverse range, from church music to classic folk, including
Woody Guthrie, Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell, and English artists such as
Dick Gaughan, all that married to the energy of punk and global
politics.”
Merry
Hell's new “Come On, England!” EP showcases two tracks from last
year's popular “Bloodlines” full-length and one from their 2011
LP, “Blink... And You Miss It,” a new live take of “The War
Between Ourselves.” Also showcased on the EP is an an acoustic
reworking of 'Lean On Me, Love' from their debut 2011 record as it is
now performed live.
“It
generally has the effect of bringing even large audiences to
silence,” writes Merry Hell of the track. “It brings couples
together, too. They get inspired by the words and sentiments of the
song.”
“Lean
On Me, Love” is the public's first peek at their forthcoming 2018
album, “Anthems To The Wind.”
Merry Hell's current official bio describes them as offering “a joyful, uplifting slice of folk-rock with a message: an alternative national anthem for these troubled times. Based in North West England, this award winning group celebrate community, togetherness and love as antidotes to conflict, division and hatred.”
Merry Hell's current official bio describes them as offering “a joyful, uplifting slice of folk-rock with a message: an alternative national anthem for these troubled times. Based in North West England, this award winning group celebrate community, togetherness and love as antidotes to conflict, division and hatred.”
Asked
to describe the themes of their new EP, Merry Hell write, “The
songs express the hope that togetherness can be an antidote to
alienation and division, both in politics and personal relationships.
Invoking the power of peace and united voices, ‘We Need Each Other
Now’ speaks for itself, while ‘Come On, England!’ is an
alternative national anthem appealing to the nation’s traditions of
tolerance and resistance to totalitarianism.”
Merry
Hell consistently win awards, often for reasons surpassing those of
mere musical quality. Most recently, Manchester's LBGTQ+ Wigan Pride
organization selected “Loving the Skin You're In” by Merry Hell
as their anthem.
As
one website has described Merry Hell's humanist leanings, “The call
to counter-racism and the encouragement of collective responsibility
has never sounded so damned catchy!”
A
tireless band of players, Merry Hell are slated to perform at gigs
and festivals throughout the UK as their tour continues over the
whole of 2017.
“Come
On, England!” by Merry Hell is available online worldwide from over
600 quality music stores beginning July 31 2017. Get in early, folk
fans. Very early.
-S. McCauley
Lead Press Release Writer
“Come On, England!” by
Merry Hell –
Official Website –
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