Awoken to the punk folk, to give it a name, prowess of Glenn Hodge Banned through the outstanding Iconoclast EP last year, it is fair to say we had a tingle of excitement going into the London based musician’s new single Family Man. Carrying on the infectious adventure crafted by the previous release, the new song is an equally irresistible stroll of lyrical and creative revelry taking another honest and striking look at a slither of life.
Originally from Ashford in Kent, Hodge was brought up in East Anglia but it was once moving to the capital that his musical adventure really began. Surrounded by inspirations to breed his catchy and often mischievous folk seeded songs, the singer songwriter soon built a potent reputation on the city’s live scene before releasing the well-received single Faces on Tables in February of last year. Its success led to keen anticipation of the acclaimed Iconoclast EP, a collection of magnetic songs from Hodge looking at city life and personal relationships with honest social commentary, an exploration as mentioned continuing in Family Man.
The single opens with a strum of guitar which quickly becomes a constant coaxing as Hodge begins his magnetic narrative. It is a lively acoustic start with voice and lyrics easily the focal point but wrapped perfectly in the lean sounds around them. Things expand and reveal greater colour when harmonies caress a moment of calm with their enticing presence whilst after another inviting passage like at the start, the rigorous chorus adds a moment of boisterous energy to the already gripping persuasion. Things continue to ebb and flow in energy but not in magnetism, the song musically and lyrically taking an increasingly tighter hold on ears and imagination as it explores the protagonist of its title and dark secrets.
Family Man just lights up the senses, reinforcing the impact of the last EP and confirming Hodge as one of UK’s brightest and resourceful songwriters/musicians. If the likes of Billy Bragg, Ste McCabe, and Frank Turner catch your ears then Glenn Hodge Banned is an exciting must.
Family Man is available now @ https://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/id990246719
http://www.glennhodge.com/ https://www.facebook.com/GlennHodgeBanned
Upcoming live shows:
11th June Upstairs at the Ritzy, Brixton, London
4th July The Spice of Life, Soho, London
17th July Brentwood Festival, Brentwood, Essex
23rd July Ambition Festival, Matthews Yard, Croydon, supporting Beans on Toast
23rd August Beautiful Days Festival, Devon
RingMaster 06/05/2015
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