A natural storyteller, Ben de la Cours visceral songwriting grabs you by the heart and doesnt let go. Weaving evocative stories of desperate characters with his signature Americanoir sound, de la Cour shines a glaring light on the human condition. His latest release, New Roses, received from MOJO and was named Album of the Month. While Bens previous album Sweet Anhedonia felt like the American heartland witnessed through the window of a car going 80mph (American Songwriter), New Roses feels like being stuffed into the trunk and driven into an imploding star. The record is a singular and personal vision, with de la Cour playing nearly every instrument and delivering his strongest vocal performance yet. The result is a razor-sharp album full of what he calls night songs haunting, impactful songs that feel like the witching hour. In a collection of songs filled with juxtaposition and duality, de la Cour balances doom and optimism, seeking out kernels of hope in the darkness.

Come & hear Jerry Leger in this special, one-off performance. In the first half, Jerry will be talking about the process of writing the new album, 'Waves of Desire', the circumstances that led him to record it in Germany, as well as play songs from the album. In the second half, Jerry will play an exclusive set of songs by those artists that have influenced his music. Biography Jerry Leger is a singer-songwriter, born & raised in the East End of Toronto. Known for his evocative lyrics & soulful vocals, Leger's music weaves together elements of folk, rock 'n' roll & americana. He was introduced to music at a young age by his grandfather, who played him Hank Williams' honky-tonk & heartache classics. This early exposure sparked a lifelong passion for music & songwriting, drawing inspiration from artists like The Beatles, Bob Dylan, Leonard Cohen, Neil Young & Tom Waits. Since recording his first album at 19, Leger has been a prolific presence over the last 20 years, consistently releasing albums under his own name & through various side projects. For more than a decade, Leger was signed to Cowboy Junkies' label, Latent Recordings. All of his releases on the label were produced by the Junkies' Michael Timmins, with the exception of 2023's Donlands, which was produced by Grammy-winning veteran engineer & producer Mark Howard. Upon release, Donlands received high praise in publications such as Uncut Magazine & Rolling Stone Germany. In 2020, Leger expanded his artistic endeavors by publishing a book of poetry titled 'Just The Night Birds'. Most recently, Leger has signed with DevilDuck Records, based in Hamburg, Germany, for his 14th studio album, 'Waves of Desire'. Besides countless headlining dates across Canada, the United States, Europe & the UK, Jerry has opened for many artists including Steve Earle, Dawes, The Sadies, & renowned Canadian songwriter Ron Sexsmith. Sexsmith has praised Leger as the real deal, highlighting his authentic voice in the Canadian music scene.

To celebrate the release of Starry Eyed's Tony Poole's debut solo album, Faith in Us, Shagrat Records presents a special matinee show at the Betsey Trotwood featuring full band sets and solo spots by Tony and Iain Whitmore

Liverpool legend Ian Prowse makes a most welcome return. It's been a busy time for Ian. When he's not been on the road with his band Amsterdam for The Plough Tour, he was appearing as special guest for Elvis Costello & The Imposters on their "Boy Named If" tour. Take this opportunity to see his solo show where you can look forward to him performing old favourites like the iconic " Does This Train Stop on Merseyside?" through to songs from his new album and everything inbetween!

Rachel Love is founding member of late '70s, early '80s group Dolly Mixture who were championed by John Peel and signed to Paul Weller's Respond label. Born out of punk they also had a love of 60's harmonies and created their own guitar pop sound. Rachel's solo career started more recently, her first albumPicture in Mind in 2021, produced by her husband Steve Lovell [Blur, Julian Cope]. The second album Lyra was released in 2024, co produced with her son David which is a tribute to Steve. These are about to be released on Slumberland Records. Now joined by David and the rest of his band, Telecom, they play a selection of her own songs with some Dolly tracks added to the Mixture! Telecom hot new band out of Brighton. With a blend of melodic vocals and instrumental harmonies that echo 1960s psych pop and contemporary electronica, TELECOM form a unique dynamic. Capturing their influences, they create their own original sound. Keiron Phelan and Peace Signs return to the Trotwood with their '70s tinged baroque chamber pop. Black sheep philosophers, time travelling step-daughters, sixth form poetry, '70s pornography, swiss army knives, imaginary friends, new best friends, long dead friends and more. Shades of Kevin Ayers, a whisper of John Cale, a suggestion of Marc and a soupcon of Harley, with Neil Hannon leading the protest march. "A brightly lit soundworld, capricious magic and some subtly warped reality." MOJO

Old Spot (Rowan Piggott & Joe Danks) burst onto the scene in 2023 with a critically acclaimed debut album and a whirlwind UK tour, quickly establishing themselves as a fresh force in old-time music. Praised for their raw energy and expressive musicianship, the duo lit up stages across UK/EU folk, bluegrass, and old-time festivals. This gig is part of the UK release tour for their second album Old Spot II. Now, in 2025/26, Old Spot continue to push the boundaries of stringband tradition digging deeper into the roots of old-time while crafting a live show that's equal parts intimate and electrifying. Their new album Old Spot (II), recorded in the Scottish Borders, captures this evolving sound with fresh material and atmospheric arrangements. Whether trading close harmonies, ripping into a tune, or experimentally reworking a classic, Old Spot captivate audiences with a sound that's both steeped in tradition and boldly original. Support from Steve Blake Steve Blake is a fiddler and banjo player from London, with a deep knowledge of Appalachian fiddle tunes. A member of The Old Time Wasters and Cut A Shine, he has performed at festivals across the UK and Europe and plays regularly for social dance. Steve draws from a vast repertoire, and this is a rare opportunity to see him perform solo.

Vinny Peculiar aka 'the Tony Hancock of pop UNCUT' plays a rare London show at East London's Betsey Trotwood Cellar Bar showcasing songs from the new album 'The Curse of You Know Who' alongside other favourites from his fabulously eclectic back catalogue. London based songstress, music therapist and Bushwick Bookclub pioneer Amanda Thorpe opens the evening. It's going to be special. Vinny Peculiar [aka Alan Wilkes] grew up in Worcestershire and trained as a nurse before signing to Manchester cult label Ugly Man records [former home to Elbow]. Hes since put out thirteen albums of literate autobiographical pop music over a twenty-year career and has regularly toured band, solo and duo shows. Variously described as an under sung national treasure [UNCUT] a warm-hearted Morrissey [Q Magazine] and the missing link between Jarvis Cocker and Roger McGough [Irish Times] previous work associations include Bill Drummond [KLF], Luke Haines [the Auteurs], Jah Wobble [PIL] and his various bands have included ex members of The Smiths, OASIS, Aztec Camera & The Fall. Hes also written and recorded as Parlour Flames, the band he formed in 2013 with ex OASIS rhythm guitarist Bonehead. Vinny Peculiar, often described as a poet laureate of the everyday, is a singer-songwriter known for his sharp wit, poignant storytelling, and a knack for capturing the quirks of modern life. With a career spanning decades, his music blends elements of indie, folk, and pop, creating a sound that is both nostalgic and refreshingly original. Press notes n quotes. The missing link between Jarvis Cocker and poet Roger McGough IRISH TIMES If Tony Hancock had made pop records, theyd have sounded like this UNCUT MAGAZINE 'Part Pulp, part Kinks, and very much part Peculiar, this is observational, punk-tinged songwriting at its best. HOT PRESS 'Wildly witty with abject sadness and pathos in swathes, like a warm-hearted Morrissey no less INDEPENDENT A strange brave captivating album, matched by fascination, dark humor and warmth DAILY MIRROR 'This fifteen-track album from the Salford based singer songwriter is frankly, unmissable. A real joy. AMERICANA- UK 'Crashing poppily through Vinnys world of nostalgia and insight every song stuffed to the gills with melody and eccentricity, clever, funny and wonderfully weird R2 MAGAZINE 'Wilkes is also one of those few songwriters that can wring genuine smiles and pathos out of ordinary memories IRISH TIMES

We are excited to welcome back Radhika to the Betsey. After her blinding set supporting wor_kspace and Gerard Love a couple of weeks ago, shell be back at the Betsey on 14th June 2026 to celebrate the release of her debut album. Support comes from her Glass Modern label mates Stone Anthem. Doors 7pm. £15adv/£17otd. Tickets on sale now. RADHIKA - Glass Modern is very proud to present the debut album by Scottish dream pop group Radhika, led by Radhika Meera Dade. Out 22nd May, CINE-POP is a collection of songs that flow gently and easily in and out of each other - a suite, a short film, everything an album should be. The album features appearances from a number of Radhika's family, friends and esteemed Glasgow musicians, including Mitch Mitchell (The Pastels), Gerard Love (Lightships/ ex-Teenage Fanclub), and Tracyanne Campbell (Camera Obscura). One of the loveliest voices Ive heard in a long time- Bilinda Butcher (My Bloody Valentine) I think there's something really special in what Radhika does. Influences and inspirations whirl around and are fine-tuned into really good songs.- Gideon Coe, BBC6 Music "Cine-Pop is a one-off, it's unrepeatable - there, gone, the world through the eyes of a dazzling young Indo-Scottish woman.- Stephen McRobbie (The Pastels) STONE ANTHEM is the alias of UK based multi-instrumentalist artist Archie Ingram and his psychedelic DIY Electronica.

The return of 90s indie rock, alt country band Thrum, their first tour in 30 years, in support of their Debut album Rifferama which is being reissued on Fire Records on 26th June.

Trotwood Events are delighted to welcome SunYears to the Betsey for their UK debut plus special guest Richard Olson (The Hanging Stars). With a variety of sonics ranging from wistful folk, Beatles-esque harmonies and psychedelic guitar jangle to singer-songwriter-nerve and shimmering balladry the melodic wisdom of SunYears makes its UK debut live two days before playing the Kilkenny Roots Festival, Ireland. SunYears is driven by Peter Morén (Peter Bjorn And John) as a new angle and fresh start after a long life spent in music. It's an open minded creative songwriting outlet situated somewhere between band and solo as Morén mainly plays with the same musicians, on stage and in the studio! The debut "Come Fetch My Soul!" (Yep Roc!) came 2023 and included guests like Ron Sexsmith, Kathryn Williams and Fruit Bats.It was nominated for a Swedish Manifest award (the Indie-Grammy basically.). The follow up "The Song Forlorn" expands on the debut with an even wider range of styles but stays true to the live based guitar-oriented format. It got rave reviews in different territories and included guests like Lisa Hannigan, Madison Cunningham and Nicole Atkins. Live, Morén and his musicians range from a whisper to a scream with dynamic, intuitive combo playing and an intimate feel. When the urge hits they dip the toe in the never ending well of rock, pop and soul-history and perform a few covers. There's been Bowie, Sandy Denny, Stax, Motown, even rockabilly. Who knows what might happen this night! Come and check for yourself! Morén produced Robert Forsters 2025 album "Strawberries" and tours in his liveband. He has also contributed guitar on the last three Stockholm recorded James Yorkston albums. It's a broad church...the overall effect is of a man ticking his own boxes with craft and glee" ★★★★ MOJO Once more showcases a limber way with guitarpop. Best of all is the title tracks twanging, reverb-drenched smooch 7/10 UNCUT a hopeful, lyrically strong record with plenty of uplifting moments to help maintain a happy/sad balance. For all the shape-shifting it's a curiously coherent and satisfying listen. SHINDIG There certainly is something for everyone here. @americana_uk_ 8/10 Support comes from Richard Olson, singer/songwriter in the Hanging Stars and no stranger to the Betsey. He's currently busy prepping for the release of Hanging Stars album #6, so we're glad he's finding the time to sing for us. He'll be performing songs from throughout his illustrious career. which includes band like The Eighteenth Day Of May, The See See and the Sleeping Flies and The Super 8 Group.,

Trotwood Events present Joana Serrat + Elaine Palmer We are delighted to welcome back Joana Serrat and Elaine Palmer to the Betsey for an afternoon of cosmic Americana and delightful singer/songwriting. JOANA SERRAT Hailing from Vic, but recently relocated to London, the Catalan singer/songwriter has released six critically acclaimed albums (like Mazzy Star guesting on an early Neil Young demo, Mojo), performed on the biggest festival stages across Europe and the USA and supported artists including The Jayhawks, Neko Case, Courtney Marie Andrews, The Handsome Family, and Israel Nash, while performing headline shows across the globe, including the UK. Her music is a perfect blend of Dream Pop, Folkgaze and Cosmic Country with echoes of Cocteau Twins, The Velvet Underground, Fleetwood Mac and Fairport Convention Shell be performing a full band set with her brand new band of London music scene veterans (including members of The Hanging Stars, Lightshines and The See See). ELAINE PALMER Hailing from an isolated village up on the North Yorkshire Moors, Elaine has spent much of her life travelling back and forth to family in Phoenix, Arizona. Growing up in an old Watermill, she immersed herself in music, writing songs influenced by her surroundings both in the UK and USA. Elaine finely honed her distinctive voice and built a reputation as much for her emotive, mesmerizing stage presence as for her fusion of British folk and American country styles. Touring extensively, sharing stages with the likes of Patty Griffin, Lilly Hiatt and Seasick Steve, her two most recent releases Half Moon Rising and Some Seek Silver, Some Seek Gold have seen her working with musician and producer Mike Butler (Phoebe Bridgers, Norah Jones, The White Buffalo) at his Half Moon Lodge studio high in the San Diego hills.

Swings & Roundabouts Promotions Presents The Last Of The Lovely Days with support from Lovejoy Sunday 28 June 2026 at 3:00pm The Betsey Trotwood, 56 Farringdon Road, London, EC1R 3BL £9.00 advance + booking fee: WeGotTickets £12.00 on the door THE LAST OF THE LOVELY DAYS After a run of well received and sold out shows in Brighton, indie-poppers The Last of the Lovely Days are set to make their London headline debut, returning to The Betsey Trotwood on Sunday 28th June 2026 for a matinee show in the main bar. Still riding high after the release of their highly regarded debut album No Public House Talk (John Clarkson at PENNYBLACKS album Of the year 2025) The Last of the Lovely Days, will be playing songs from the album, some new material and as ever some choice covers. Joining them on the bill will be the highly rated Lovejoy (more details below). A wonderful sonic cocktail for a summer Sunday afternoon in the city, this show is not to be missed but dont just take our word for it. Praise for No Public House Talk The Last of the Lovely Days have released one of the indie pop albums of the year with No Public House Talk. PENNYBLACK "What might have happened if Kirsty MacColl had collaborated with choice players in the 80s-to-90s guitar-led underground crowd. Replete with resourceful angles and arrangements, as well as thoughtful songcraft." FREQ "A lovely jangly guitar pop beast of an album wrapped lovingly with charming melodies and hooks that will linger and help your day be a much more enjoyable experience." MONOLITH COCKTAIL "Spiky indie pop, this release feels like a first in spirit; lyrically sharp and musically spry." SHINDIG! The melodic confidence of The Smiths or maybe the Yardbirds, filtered through a 21st century lens, the album picks carefully from the indie pop spectrum to create a satisfyingly complete listen." RnR (★★★★) LOVEJOY Releasing a string of well received albums and singles during the late 90s and early 00's, Lovejoy made a surprise return in 2024 with their acclaimed new album And It's Love! This was followed swiftly by a reissue of their debut album and a collaboration with Creation Records Alan McGee on their 2025 single Let There Be Love. With a new album and further reissues in the pipeline, this is a rare London solo performance by the little known but highly rated Lovejoy frontman Dick Preece. Email: [email protected] Web: https://www.facebook.com/SwingsandRoundaboutsPromotions

Clerkenville East-West and Decor are delighted to welcome back legendary US musician Chris Stamey to the Betsey Trotwood, following his two sold out shows at the venue in 2023. This will be a matinee with music starting at 2pm and ending around 5pm. Chris Stamey is an indie-rock icon with a long and illustrious history that's encompassed co-founding seminal avant-pop band The dBs, playing with Alex Chilton in the 70s, and more recently with Jody Stephens's Big Star Quintet. His upcoming album, Modernism (June 19 but available at show) was conceived as a companion piece to 2025's lauded Anything Is Possible (with guests the Lemon Twigs), and is a further love letter to the kaleidoscopic variety of music heard on AM and free-form FM radio in the 1960s and early 70s. It features many of his favorite songs from that era, with special guests such as Jody Stephens (Big Star), Pat Sansone (Wilco), long-time cohort Mitch Easter, Probyn Gregory and Nelson Bragg (formerly of the Brian Wilson band), The dB's, NC legend Wes Lachot, and Emily Frantz (Watchhouse), among others. First singles are Hey Bulldog (with Stephens) and Waterloo Sunset (with The dB's). As a producer and a featured singer/songwriter with the Paris-based Salt Collective project, he has collaborated with Matthew Caws (Nada Surf), Juliana Hatfield, Richard Lloyd (Television), Matthew Sweet, Aimee Mann, Andy Partridge, The Lemon Twigs, Mike Mills, and Lynn Blakey, among others. As a producer, arranger, and mixer, he has worked with over a hundred artists, including Alejandro Escovedo, Kronos Quartet, Flat Duo Jets, Skylar Gudasz, Branford Marsalis, Tift Merritt, Le Tigre, Those Pretty Wrongs, Ryan Adams, and Yo La Tengo. Other tracks on the new record Modernism include Sly and the Family Stone's Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin) (featuring the Uptown Horns, Brian Dennis [DAG], and Jon Wurster [Mountain Goats, Superchunk]), Shadows Breaking Over My Head by the Left Banke, Hernando's Hideaway (from The Pajama Game, and a 1954 hit for Everly Bros. producer Archie Bleyer), At Last (by Harry Warren), as well as three new interpretations of his own earlier tunes. There's also a closer of the Rolling Stones Ruby Tuesday, a version produced by Alex Chilton in 1977. BIO: Chris Stamey began writing and playing music in grade school in Winston-Salem, NC, in the mid 1960s, in what is known now as the Combo Corner scene. In 1976, while studying music composition at UNC-Chapel Hill, he self-released Sneakers, one of the very first American indie records. The following year, he relocated to Manhattan to play and record with Alex Chilton in the burgeoning CBGB rock scene, then formed The dB's with fellow Carolinians Will Rigby, Gene Holder, and Peter Holsapple, with whom he made several acclaimed records of original material, including Stands for deciBels (self-produced with Alan Betrock) and Repercussion (produced by Scott Litt). During the next decade and a half in New York, Stamey worked with a wide variety of musicians. He recorded well-received solo records for A&M and Warners and was a part of Anton Fier's Golden Palominos project, alongside an international touring cast that included Michael Stipe (R.E.M.), Jack Bruce (Cream), Carla Bley, and Bernie Worrell (Talking Heads, George Clinton). He continued recording and producing upon returning to NC in 1993. His recent releases include The Great Escape, Lovesick Blues and Euphoria, as well as Falling Off the Sky with The dB's and A Brand-New Shade of Blue with the Fellow Travelers. From 2010-2018, Stamey was orchestrator and musical director for an international series of concert performances of Big Star's classic album Third, alongside Big Star's Jody Stephens, Ray Davies, members of the Posies, R.E.M., Teenage Fanclub, Wilco, Kronos Quartet and Yo La Tengo; Thank You, Friends, a concert film of these arrangements, was released by Concord in March 2017. He currently tours as a member of Jody Stephens's Big Star Quintet, whose line-up includes Mike Mills (R.E.M), Pat Sansone (Wilco), and Jon Auer (Posies). His original radio musical about the early 60s in Manhattan, Occasional Shivers, premiered nationwide on Christmas Day 2016. A 'songwriting memoir, A Spy in the House of Loud (Univ. of Texas Press), was published in 2018, followed in 2019 by his first printed collection, New Songs for the 20th Century, with a companion two-disc CD (Omnivore Recordings). Links: open.spotify.com/artist/1i7YYagcULgnW5Qilsto1d music.apple.com/us/artist/chris-stamey/4034250 youtube.com/channel/UCG3O3S8Zg_WJoz2uTt_duig# instagram.com/mrstamey/hl=en facebook.com/chrisstameymusic/ twitter.com/chrisstamey songkick.com/artists/186319-chris-stamey bandsintown.com/a/78299-chris-stamey deezer.com/us/artist/1279457 tidal.com/browse/artist/3611403 qobuz.com/us-en/interpreter/chris-stamey/515742 audiomack.com/chris-stamey music.amazon.com/artists/B008LPNC4M @chris-stamey.bsky.social chrisstamey.bandcamp.com/

Pay-what-you-want weekly comedy. Take a look behind-the-scenes of the U.K. circuit, as comics hone their newest material. This live comedy event takes place upstairs at The Betsey Trotwood. It's pay-what-you-want with a minimum of £3 per person. Different line-up every Monday. M.C. Jonathan Hearn

The time has come to unleash another LP upon the world. Come celebrate it's birth with me and the band at my favourite Pub! Expect special guests and (miserable) vibes for days

Help us make a film! Come join us the 22nd of April for a fun night of questions, raffles and drinks with many prizes to win, including cinema tickets! All funds raised will go towards a powerful short film driven by an experimental approach to filmmaking. Fragmented memories come back to haunt a young runner as they desperately try to purge themselves of grief on the track. Max team size: 6 Ticket cost: 8 +fees

Clerkenville East-West and Decor are stoked to present a rare London gig by Peter Holsapple - an iconic figure in 80s US alternative rock and power pop. This will be a matinee with live music starting at 2pm and ending around 5pm. Peter Holsapple achieved international fame as co-founder of the The dB's, a band that became an influential force in power pop and college rock in the 1980s. After the band broke up in 1988, Peter became part of R.E.M.'s touring and recording band, where he left his signature guitar and keyboard sound (a role he continues with Hootie & the Blowfish). He is also a member of long-running indie/roots 'supergroup' Continental Drifters, featuring members of Dream Syndicate, The Cowsills and The Bangles. Peter continued to record and play live with fellow dB's legend Chris Stamey and, after reconvening in 2005 for a series of rapturously received reunion shows, The dB's would go on to record a new album and tour again . During this special show, Peter will present his new album, The Face of 68: a personal and layered work in which he reflects on his life, music, and the years that shaped him. He'll be accompanied by James Hallawell, - keyboard player of The Waterboys & Graham Parker band - and percussionist Pat Thomas, counter culture historian and a renowned figure on the US indie underground himself with his bands Absolute Grey & Mushroom. As well as songs from his current album, expect tracks from throughout Peter's rich and varied career and other unexpected treats!

Clerkenville East-West at the Betsey Trotwod presents an afternoon Kentish special featuring garage psych 'supergroup' THE PENROSE WEB, bedsit daydream pop from THE HIGH SPAN and poetry from musician and artist WOLF HOWARD. THE PENROSE WEB is the musical project put together in 2024 by Allan Crockford (The Prisoners, The Galileo 7, The James Taylor Quartet etc) and Ian Button (Death In Vegas, Papernut Cambridge, Heavenly, Swansea Sound, Railcard). Their debut EP and LP (on Spinout Nuggets) in 2025 explored the pair's sunshine pop, psych, indie and garage rock roots - their second album is due later this year. They are joined by other Kent luminaries to deliver the cosmic live PWeb experience. https://thepenroseweb.bandcamp.com/ The four oddly unjaded souls making up THE HIGH SPAN, have previously been spotted in The Subway Sect, Baby Birkin, Ye Ascoyne D'Ascoynes, Armitage Shanks, Canadian alt-rockers Rusty, One Free Fall and Bob Collins & The Full Nelson amongst many others. They use DIY post-pop jangle, experimental sounds & uncynical guitar pop to express suburban awkwardness. https://thehighspan1.bandcamp.com/ WOLF HOWARD is a 58 year old musician, painter and poet from Rochester, Kent. He was a founding member of the Stuckist art movement in 1999 and has played drums in bands such as The James Taylor Quartet, The Solarflares, The Prime Movers, The Daggermen and numerous, differently named outfits with Billy Childish. Wolf has published five books of poetry so far: 'Journals of a jobseeker' (2003), 'Sadness sits waiting in the strangest of places' (2007), 'When tramps wore suits' (2018), 'This wild horse of a world' (2024) and 'A queue for nothing' (2024). https://www.wolfhoward.com

Black Cat Music is proud to present.... Sara Petite (solo show) With support from Paper Fence An outlaw country headliner whose music reaches far beyond the genre's borders, Sara Petite has built an award-winning career with songs that owe as much to the rock & roll roadhouse as they do the honky-tonk. Hers is a raw, rough-edged version of American roots music, delivered by a five-time International Songwriting Competition finalist who's spent nearly two decades calling her own shots. Sara has no interest in chasing trends. She's too busy chasing the muse instead, earning a wide range of accolades including Top 40 success on the Americana charts, international airplay, and more than a half-dozen trophies from the San Diego Music Awards along the way. "When I first began playing shows, people used to tell me 'You've gotta pick a sound,'" she remembers. "I didn't like that advice. I like to do things my way, and that means going all over the map, from country to rock & roll to soul to punk. This music is my own, after all. It should sound like me." The Empress, her seventh record, marks a return to the intersection of country twang and roots-rock bang. It's a place Sara knows well, and she sketches its dimensions in sharp detail. These 11 songs take place in dive bars, trailer parks, the throes of passion, and the feedback loop of addiction, with Sara embodying her characters fully. From the heartbroken narrator of "The Mistress" an old-school country/soul ballad about a lover's affair with alcohol, punctuated by pedal steel and electric piano to the hell-raising hillbilly heroine of "Bringin' Down the Neighborhood," she maintains a strong female perspective, celebrating the full range of womanhood along the way. The Empress is an album for all genders, stocked with songs that tackle the universal struggles we all face. Even so, its central heroes are Joan of Arc, Mary Magdalene, and other woman who, like Sara, have pushed against imbalances in society for the sake of fairness. "'The Empress' comes from the idea that our world is out of balance," she says of the album's anthemic title track, which salutes the empowered rule-breakers of the past with fiddle and galloping drums. "Everything's gone off-kilter, and we all need that mix of feminine and masculine energies in our bodies. The more that women are respected and held to the same level of importance as men, the better off we're all going to be. On this album, I'm not writing about misogyny as much as I'm writing about my own life and the strong women I see in my world." Produced by Grammy nominee Eric Corne, The Empress crackles with the energy of a live band whose performances match the material's unique punch. "Sara is a great lyricist and singer," says Corne, who recorded the bulk of the album during a pair of inspired weekends. "She deals with real emotions, real stories, real feelings. It's easy to understand why great musicians play with her, like piano player Bobby Fuego, who played with Leonard Cohen, and bass player Jorge Calderón, who worked with Warren Zevon. They're the real deal, and so is she."

Railcard play a summer matinee show upstairs at The Betsey Trotwood, with special US guests The Corner Laughers. Railcard formed in early 2025 when Rachel Love (Dolly Mixture) and Ian Button (Papernut Cambridge, The Penrose Web & more) began writing songs together. Along with Peter Momtchiloff (Heavenly, Would-be-goods) on bass and Allison Thompson (Oldfield Youth Club, Heist, Trashcan Sinatras) on trumpet, the band have recorded a stack of material in a very short time. Their trio of eponymous EPs were released as a compilation by Skep Wax and Slumberland in January 2026, and in September there follows another album Two Steps At A Time, with twelve more songs, plus a run of UK gigs. Railcard's individual indie/pop DNA is easy to trace in the music - Love and Button's songs mix up ingredients from their earlier projects, and Momtchiloff's own songs bear his hallmark style. There are shared lead vocals, jangling guitars, sweet strings, organ and cool trumpet lines, plus a drive and punch from the rhythm section that steers into Motown, bubblegum pop/garage and more. https://railcardband.bandcamp.com/ This is perhaps what Stereolab would sound like if, accompanied by a TV show orchestra, they had to cover a "K-Tel's Greatest Unknown Hits of the 1960s and 1970s" compilation. - Pause-Record-Play The foursome shimmy seamlessly between hyper-melodic vintage King's Road psychedelia..featherlight lushness..pop-exotica..sublimely rubber-grooved glitterball-kosmisch.and 70s kitsch curiosity. - Freq Longtime San Francisco Bay Area indie-pop and folk-pop outfit The Corner Laughers weave a tapestry of enchanting, "ridiculously catchy melodies" (Word Magazine) and thoughtful lyricism. Their newest record, the just-released Concerns of Wasp and Willow, is already earning critical acclaim and airplay at home and abroad. For their August performances in England, singer/songwriter/ukulele player and multi-instrumentalist Khoi Huynh will play as an acoustic duo. Check out https://bigstirrecords.com/the-corner-laughers for more information. "The Corner Laughers are a Californian band who come across like a West Coast Belle and Sebastian. Their indie pop is sassy and smart, intelligent and intricate, twee with bite." - The Guardian The Corner Laughers craft a brand of pop that's sophisticated, clever, erudite and memorable one that follows in the proud tradition of great songwriting artists like Carole King and Paul McCartney. SF Weekly