FEATURED IN CLASIC ROCK MAGAZINE ‘HOT LIST’ NOVEMBER 2023
INTERVIEW WITH THE BAND POWERPLAY MAGAZINE OCTOBER 2023
REVIEWS OF THE FORTHCOMING DEBUT ALBUM DARKWOOD
ALBUM REVIEW – MUSIC REPUBLIC MAGAZINE
POWERPLAY MAGAZINE OCTOBER 2023
FIREWORKS MAGAZINE OCTOBER 2023
FABRICATIONSHQ ‘PUTTING THE WORDS TO MUSIC’ REVIEW NOVEMBER 2023
https://www.fabricationshq.com/the-blue-lena—darkwood.html
REVIEW: THE BLUE LENA – SEVERNLANDS, by Slap Magazine
The Blue Lena’s latest EP, Severnlands, is a musical masterpiece that seamlessly blends the sounds of southern rock with a modern twist. The EP showcases the band’s exceptional musicianship and artistry, and it’s evident from the opening track that this is a musical journey that you don’t want to miss.
“Only When She’s Dancing” is a standout track that will have you grooving to its catchy beat and infectious melody. The song is a perfect blend of lively drums, soulful vocals, and rhythmic guitar that will leave you feeling uplifted and energised. It’s the kind of track that you can’t help but sing along to and will have you moving your body in no time.
The EP continues with “Sanctity,” a rock anthem that showcases the band’s impressive songwriting skills and musicianship. The track features a punchy drumbeat, upbeat rock riff, and soulful back vocals that will leave you captivated from start to finish. The guitar solos and breakdowns are exceptional, adding a touch of bluesy charm to the track that makes it a must-listen for any southern rock fan.
The EP closes with the emotionally charged ballad, “Sometimes,” a track that perfectly captures the band’s ability to evoke deep emotion with their music. The smooth rhythm, warm guitar sound, and passionate vocals will take you on a journey through your deepest emotions and leave you feeling both nostalgic and inspired.
Overall, Severnlands is a musical masterpiece that delivers on every level. From the soulful vocals to the top-notch melodies, this EP is a wonderful treat for anyone who loves southern rock. It’s a musical journey that will leave you feeling uplifted, inspired, and wanting more.
By: Karolina Eastwood
REVIEW: THE BLUE LENA – SEVERNLANDS, by Velvet Rebel Music
In Reviews by Jason L.04.02.23
He looked like a rock star. Turns out he was. Guitarist Nick Singleton stood out when I saw him drinking a beer in Las Vegas in the before-times (pre-COVID). Our music conversation strolled back through years and he told me about playing in UK melodic-rock band The Firebyrds and performing at the legendary Hammersmith Odeon. Sadly, the band found themselves hitting their stride in the wrong decade when everything good about rock-n-roll was suddenly out of fashion. Fast-forward (that’s how we used to skip songs on cassettes, kiddos) a few decades and the world is emerging from a global pandemic in need of a good time. Enter Nick Singleton and friends with their new project The Blue Lena.
I should probably ask him if they are named for Keith Richards’ 1965 Bentley but I love the idea of that so much that I don’t want to know if I’m wrong. The band’s new EP Severnlands offers a three-song peek into what they have been up to as they work towards a full album and The Rolling Stones are a fine touchpoint for what it sounds like. Mixing blues and melodic rock, the songs dance across the worn floors of forgotten clubs where hard-working bands never meant to play an arena poured out their hearts night after night. It takes musicians who made it a bit further up the career ladder but never lost sight of what really matters – the songs.
Opener “Only When She’s Dancing” elicited a “that sounds like Bryan Adams” from the kitchen when I started listening and I couldn’t disagree. Having recently seen Adams live, his guitar chops and the strength of the songs have lost nothing. Can’t fault a man for writing some movie ballads to pay for new toys and when Bryan Adams wants to rock, he can write a guitar hook with the best of them. “Only When She’s Dancing” is the most straight-ahead rocker on the EP and it grooves. There was a time when you could dance to rock-n-roll and The Blue Lena take me there again.
Leaning harder into the blues on “Sanctity”, the band kicks a bit harder and reminds me that there was some damn fine rock-n-roll in the 90s by a band of Black Crowes who flew high. However, it’s closer “Sometimes” that gets me most excited about a full Blue Lena record. This song would have been a chart-topping ballad for any of a number of 80s melodic rock bands from Cinderella to Warrant to even Bon Jovi. Of course, that only proves that most of the bands I loved as a kid were listening to the second side of Sticky Fingers and no amount of hair-spray can erase the blues from the edges of rock-n-roll. As concert venues find their footing again and amps are loaded back into the clubs, here’s hoping there are more bands like The Blue Lena about to surface from isolation and make us raise our lighters (ok, cell phones) high during an unforgettable chorus or two.
REVIEW: Muirsical News
REVIEW: FRAMEmusic
The Blue Lena are a new rock band, based around the songwriting partnership of former High Treason vocalist Peter Yeomans and guitarist Nick Singleton, formerly of Crywolf, The Tattooed Love Boys, The Firebyrds and 3Sixty. The Blue Lena Music Severnlands
During the lockdowns of 2020/21, Peter and Nick began writing and recording new songs in their home studios. The result of which is an album full of heartfelt songs, stories drawn from the pair’s own lives and experiences, rich in blues rock and southern rock influences.
The first single from these album sessions, Last Chance Saloon, is an excellent introduction to the sound of The Blue Lena. All soulful vocals, bluesy guitars, Hammond organ, southern harmonies and rock’n’roll grooves.
The lockdown filmed video for Last Chance Saloon has had, at the time of writing, 57.000 views on the band’s Facebook page, as well as receiving a lot of airplay, including on Planet Rock and Radio Caroline.
The Blue Lena also feature Martin Raggett (High Treason) on bass guitar. Richie Yeates (Desolation Angels) is on guitar and harmonies. Drummer Jon Clayton (Brutal Deluxe). Matt Raynor on keyboards and harmonies. Singer Fi Channon has recently toured in support of. and as part of, John Coghlan’s Quo live band.
The Blue Lena Music Severnlands