William William Rodgers: "Pond Life" video

English singer-songwriter William William Rodgers has unveiled a video for Pond Life, the title track from his latest album: "an ode to the countryside where life does not flash you by, but where you have an opportunity to stare into the distance, wondering what is that makes a particular animal tick." The clip was directed by Abigail Braithwaite.

Live dates:

• 11/07 Birmingham @ Victoria (duo set with Kate Thompson)
• 12/06 Birkenhead @ Future Yard

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HCTF review of Pond Life

William William Rodgers: shows in Edinburgh and Birmingham

English singer-songwriter William William Rodgers will be performing solo @ Waverley Bar in Edinburgh on June 1st. Next up are a full band show @ Pan-Pan in Birmingham on June 4th and a Secret Garden Session appearance @ Digbeth Community Gardens in Birmingham on June 6th.

William William Rodgers: "Live @ Sound Records in Stroud" video; tour dates

The instore performance @ Sound Records in Stroud on March 7 by English singer-songwriter William William Rodgers and his band was filmed. This gives a pretty good idea what it will be like on his upcoming shows in the UK.

Live dates:

• 04/11 The Holloway, Norwich
• 04/12 The Snug, Atherton (supporting the Shipbuilders)
• 04/26 The Exchange, Bristol (supporting the Shipbuilders)
• 05/10 waterintobeer, London (w/ Watch Paint Dry)

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HCTF review of Pond Life.

William William Rodgers: tour dates

After announcing a show in Birmingham English singer-songwriter William William Rodgers has unveiled the dates of a proper tour. He will be performing solo, as a duo, and with a full band to promote his latest album Pond Life: "An ode to the countryside where life does not flash you by, but where you have an opportunity to stare into the distance, wondering what is that makes a particular animal tick. It is a landscape where he can get away with murder (Turning the Plough), the next best thing to paradise (Eden) and a safe spot for floating in the water without a care in the world (In the Swim)."

William William Rodgers: show in Birmingham

English singer-songwriter William William Rodgers will perform @ Hare & Hounds in Birmingham on February 27. Expect lots of songs from his latest album Pond Life: "An ode to the countryside where life does not flash you by, but where you have an opportunity to stare into the distance, wondering what is that makes a particular animal tick. It is a landscape where he can get away with murder (Turning the Plough), the next best thing to paradise (Eden) and a safe spot for floating in the water without a care in the world (In the Swim)."

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HCTF review of Pond Life.

HCTF's best of 2024 (5-1)

• 20-16
• |
• 15-11
• |
• 10-6
• |
• 5-1

» Best of playlist

» Listen here

HCTF's annual list of the 20 albums that will be in regular rotation for many years to come. As per usual many genres are represented. Here Comes The Flood covers a lot of ground and it shows in this eclectic, final tally.

Today: final countdown from number 5 to 1.

Please shop at your local record store. Most of the stores have a pretty good website where you can order your stuff. It might even be cheaper than the big ones on the 'net. The folks who work there know their stuff and can recommend artists you might like.

Buy directly from the artist, attend live shows and stop by the merch table. And be sure to tell your friends about that great new act you discovered. Word-of-mouth can't be beat as the prime source to discover new music.

William William Rodgers: "Landscape With Midges" b/w "Hot House" on vinyl

Landscape With Midges and Hot House, two tracks from the new William William Rodgers album Pond Life, are being released on a limited 7" hand cut lathe vinyl via Shipwrecked Records.

Only 50 copies were made, making it an instant collectors item for those who can appreciate a sharp-witted folk singer: "Think Ray Davies reinvented as an early '70s psychedelic crooner, topped off with Nick Drake's phrasing."

William William Rodgers: Pond Life

BEST OF 2024
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HCTF

English singer-songwriter William William Rodgers makes a case for all creatures great and small on his new album Pond Life, an ode to the countryside where life does not flash you by, but where you have an opportunity to stare into the distance, wondering what is that makes a particular animal tick. It is a landscape where he can get away with murder (Turning the Plough), the next best thing to paradise (Eden) and a safe spot for floating in the water without a care in the world (In the Swim).

Rodgers' knack for creating pastoral melodies to wrap around his scathing, but always on point, lyrics is in full bloom. In Hot House he switches between perspectives: a kid, an old man, and his actual age. It is basically a short story set to music, whose various endings involve smashing up things and torching the place. Think Ray Davies reinvented as an early '70s psychedelic crooner, topped off with Nick Drake's phrasing.

William William Rodgers: Hot House

English singer-songwriter William William Rodgers had not much fun when he was a schoolboy, but as Dutch writer Gerard Reve wrote: "an unhappy childhood is a writer's goldmine". On his single Hot House he switches between perspectives: a kid, an old man and his actual age. It is basically a short story set to music, whose various endings involve smashing up things and torching the place. Using 70s inspired upbeat folk, the message is delivered with a smile, albeit a wry one.

William William Rodgers: show in Newcastle

English singer-songwriter William William Rodgers does not have to travel far when he plays @ The Cumberland Arms in Newcastle Upon Tyne on August 17. He pokes fun at himself and others, but dig a little deeper and it becomes clear that he is making a case for being nice to outsiders.

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HCTF review of William William Rodgers Hits the Floor.

William William Rodgers: William William Rodgers Hits the Floor

English singer-songwriter William William Rodgers likes to hide behind self-deprecating humour - and he is doing a fine job most of the time - but he is quite serious on his double A-side single William William Rodgers Hits the Floor. With Hanging with the Boys he takes a swipe at macho culture, wherein the lads build a unvisible yet sturdy wall to keep the less butch guys out.

The deceptively upbeat Top Me Up shows him drowning his insecurities at a party by getting raging drunk. He acts like the perennial outsider, taking notes and turning them into carefully songs that dig deeper than most of his competitors.

William William Rodgers: tour dates

English folk singer William William Rodgers will be on the road to promote his latest EP Four Nights at the Hotel Rodgers: "four gentle songs about the "condition humaine", wherein people are trying to make it work, or at least make some sense of it all". He is working on a new album, Pond Life, so chances are that a couple of new songs will make it into the set.

William William Rodgers: "The Lost Tapes" screening @ Artefact in Birmingham

Last year English folk singer-songwriter William William Rodgers created a mockumentary, The Lost Tapes, about his made-up life in California in Laurel Canyon in the 70s. It will be shown again @ Artefact in Birmingham on July 29.

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HCTF review of Four Nights at the Hotel Rodgers.

William William Rodgers: "Love & Paperwork" video

English folk artist William William Rodgers has unveiled a video for Love & Paperwork, a track from his Four Nights at the Hotel Rodgers EP: "four gentle songs about the "condition humaine", wherein people are trying to make it work, or at least make some sense of it all". The clip was filmed and edited by Vlad-Cristian Costache.

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HCTF review of Four Nights at the Hotel Rodgers.

William William Rodgers: Skate On

English folk singer-songwriter William William Rodgers has released a Christmas single that does not suck. With Skate On he seems to offer an open invitation to get away from it all, before making it clear that it is not him with his loved one twirling around on the frozen waters. He is happy for her, kind of.

William William Rodgers: Four Nights at the Hotel Rodgers

English folk singer-songwriter William William Rodgers channels to the sound of the early '70 US West Coast pop on his new EP, Four Nights at the Hotel Rodgers. He added melancholy and humour, and ended up with four gentle songs about the "condition humaine", wherein people are trying to make it work, or at least make some sense of it all.

Booze, breakups, red tape, and other stumbling blocks getting in the way of living a happy life are covered in lush, orchestral arrangements, as to soften the blow of realizing that it all might be futile.

William William Rodgers: "The Slippery Slide" video

English folk artist William William Rodgers has unveiled a video for his new single The Slippery Slide: "Singing about getting out of a bind only to be drawn into it again, it is a perpetuum mobile of hope and giving in. Rodgers' way with words and ironic outlook on life are presented on a bedding of '70s production values, complete with a singalong part and rather smart violin touches. Imagine Nick Drake in a cheerful mood being applauded by Al Stewart". The clip was made by made by Elsie Plimmer (Watch Paint Dry).

William William Rodgers: The Slippery Slide

English folk artist William William Rodgers dives into orchestral, luscious pop on his new single, The Slippery Slide, a track from his forthcoming Four Nights at the Hotel Rodgers EP. Singing about getting out of a bind only to be drawn into it again, it is a perpetuum mobile of hope and giving in. Rodgers' way with words and ironic outlook on life are presented on a bedding of '70s production values, complete with a singalong part and rather smart violin touches. Imagine Nick Drake in a cheerful mood being applauded by Al Stewart.

William William Rodgers: shows in Banbury & Manchester

English folk artist William William Rodgers will be performing @ Banbury Folk Club in Birmingham on July 20th and @ the Night Garden Festival in Manchester on August 13. The latter is a semi-private affair. Send him message him via Facebook and he will send over a link with ticket info.

He will playing songs from his debut album William William Rodgers Sings the Yellow Pages: "Mixing wit and joy with sadness and melancholy, he finds a way to make small things into events with universal happenings. Whether he goes out to sea with a friend (Gone Shrimpin') or describes a girl urging her lover to look away, when she is in tatters at her birthday, with smudged mascara and smelling of factor 50 (Are We Still On?), his way with words always enables him to turn into a poem set to music".

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HCTF review of William William Rodgers Sings the Yellow Pages.

William William Rodgers: show @ The Platform at The Station in Birmingham

English folk artist William William Rodgers will be performing @ The Platform at The Station in Birmingham on June 30th. He will playing songs from his debut album William William Rodgers Sings the Yellow Pages: "Mixing wit and joy with sadness and melancholy, he finds a way to make small things into events with universal happenings. Whether he goes out to sea with a friend (Gone Shrimpin') or describes a girl urging her lover to look away, when she is in tatters at her birthday, with smudged mascara and smelling of factor 50 (Are We Still On?). His way with words always enables him to turn it into a poem set to music".

Also on stage are Filthy Steps, Corrie Palmer, and David Freja. Tickets are only £ 3 for a night of damn good entertainment.

» William William Rodgers on Facebook

HCTF review of William William Rodgers Sings the Yellow Pages.