Blues for January

Blues is of African-American origin and traditionally the sound was created through musician's expression enduring oppression and hard times following the American Civil War.

It's said to have started in the South of the US and played by agricultural workers.

Since the era of blues it has heavily influenced many other styles of music including Jazz and Soul.

Blues performers use vocal techniques - sustaining a single syllable across several pitches, syncopation and instrumental techniques like bending the guitar strings or adding a metal slide to create a voicelike sound.

This week, to celebrate the wet January we have had so far, we have curated a special playlist of largely current artists who are still using and recreating this style.

To hear this you can listen in on Friday 13th January from 13.00-14.00 for a great selection of alternative sounds from our usual.

Enjoy!