I’ve dreamed of covering a Placebo song for years. I think it always had to be “Without You I’m Nothing”, a song of longing and loss that for me will always feel current and relevant, as someone who always felt that human connection was the key to happiness – and as an outsider looking in, as someone uncomfortable in their own skin.”

Placebo’s song, perhaps notable for featuring backing vocals by David Bowie, was a huge critical and popular hit with fans and became a staple in the band’s live set up until 2012 where it has been performed more sporadically, in part due to the band’s insistence of not playing ‘hit’ songs during live sets. The song however, provides the perfect tone and emotional gravitas for an artist of A. A. Williams’ capabilities and her version is sure to be a hit with her audiences.

An upcoming North American tour with Sleep Token will undoubtedly open doors to whole new sets of admirers for Williams and, with her unique blend of strings and guitars, the artist continues to gain attention from listeners of all genres. Williams will be embarking on a co-headlining tour of the UK and Europe with Kalandra this November and December. Tickets can be purchased here.

A. A. Williams UK and Europe Tour:

17/11/2023 – Brudenell Social Club – Leeds
18/11 – The Dome – London
19/11 – Botanique, Grand Salon – Brussels, Belgium
20/11 – O’Sullivan’s Backstage by the Mill – Paris, France
21/11 – Altigone – Toulouse, France
22/11 – Moby Dick – Madrid, Spain
23/11 – La Nau – Barcelona, Spain
23/11 – Salamandra – L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, Spain
24/11 – Maison des Choeurs – Montpellier, France
25/11 – Le Transbordeur – Villeurbanne, France
27/11 – Berghain/Kantin – Berlin, Germany
28/11 – Chemiefabrik – Dresden, Germany
29/11 – 2progi – Poznan, Poland
30/11 – Hydrozagadka – Warsaw, Poland
01/12 – Kamienna 12 – Krakow, Poland
02/12 – Instant – Budapest, Hungary
03/12 – Kasarna Karlin – Prague, Czech Republic
05/12 – Legend Club Milano – Milan, Italy
06/12 – Teatro Perla – Bologna, Italy
07/12 – Magazzino Sul Po – Turin, Italy
08/12 – La Port Franc – Sion, Switzerland

Fresh from a summer that saw them gig all over London and play with the likes of Bruce Springsteen and Kasabian at Hard Rock Calling, the folk rock trio are now ready to unleash their debut E.P, Dusty Road. At a time when folk rock is at it’s most sought after for decades, the band have timed it to perfection, and following the recent news that Mumford and Sons are set to take a break from music, Hunter And The Bear could be the heirs to their throne atop the kingdom of British folk rock. Tracks full of raw emotion, enough energy to make the duracell bunny look like a lazy stop out and a DIY ethic to put other bands to shame, Hunter And The Bear have the exact hand needed to make sure 2014 builds on the groundwork they set this year.

Dusty Road seems destined to make people sit up and take notice. Consisting of four tracks that each have their individual qualities to set them aside from each other, the only complaint is that it is only four songs. Opener and lead single Forest On The Hill is three minutes of punchy acoustic goodness, with the husky vocals giving the track some strength while harmonies in the background make for a soothing, gentle start to the record. Second track The North is more of a sombre affair, with beautiful flowing strings adding another dimension to their already versatile collection. Lead singer Will’s southern drawl-esque vocals act as the ideal voice to capture the story, which makes you want to jump on a horse and head straight for the sun.

Title track Dusty Road is the most melodic song on the E.P, with a soft opening minute and a half featuring some docile acoustic quality before the foot tapping instrumental chorus kicks in, giving a full blooded folk sentiment about the song as the strings make a triumphant return and close the song emphatically. Closing tune Taliesin is a more up tempo affair, with a joyful feeling a constant throughout to keep a cheesy grin a permanent fixture before a huge ending with gang vocals.”You are not alone, brothers we will roll”. Alone they are not, and brothers they are. It’s not so much a roll Hunter And The Bear are currently on, more of a full steam ahead that will see the group take 2014 by storm. Dusty Road comes out on 28th October.