Anna Calvi shares "Ain't No Grave" from Peaky Blinders-inspired Tommy EP

Anna Calvi collaborated with on the score for Peaky Blinders' final season with director Anthony Byrne. Listen to "Ain't No Grave"

Here's the scoop from Peaky Blinders...

Anna Calvi, the artist and composer behind the music of series five and six of Peaky Blinders, has shared her new single ‘Ain’t No Grave’ today. It’s been featured in the show since series 5, so you will know it already. Her new EP entitled Tommy, with four songs inspired by the series, is out next month on May 6th, and includes a cover of Red Right Hand, the iconic Peaky Blinders anthem.

A message from Anna:

"Peaky Blinders is really all about the psychology of Tommy Shelby. As such I always felt he should have an original song that sums him up - he’s the ultimate anti-hero - murderous, cold, terrifying, and yet has a deep love for his family and a naive childlike hope that he will one day rise above it all and be happy. I wanted to portray how he believes he is infallible to the point of godliness, and the lyrics “there ain’t no grave, can hold my body down” fit him perfectly. The song is all about destiny - it rolls forward and even Tommy doesn’t have the power to stop it. All the songs on this EP are trying to encapsulate the contradictions of this fascinating and enigmatic character. I’ve been in the mind of Tommy Shelby for years now, and this EP is a love letter to him, and my way to say goodbye to this iconic show." 

– Anna 🖤

 

Cold Specks signs with Arts & Crafts

Straight outta Etobicoke, promising 23-year-old singer/songwriter Al Spx aka Cold Specks burst onto the global stage recently with a head-turning appearance on the popular British television show Later... with Jools Holland which you can see below.

Full marks to Arts & Crafts who signed the London-based Spx (previously known as Basket of Figs and The Hotel Ghost) and announced the December 13 release of Cold Specks' debut single Holland b/w Old Stepstone well-timed to coincide her Toronto appearance at the Phoenix opening for St. Vincent on December 15.
Spx sites the field recordings of Alan Lomax and the churchy Memphis belthing of James Carr as key influences on her sound which she describes as "doom soul."
It all bodes well for her forthcoming full-length album currently being mixed with legendary acoustic engineering ace Jim Anderson (Ron Carter, McCoy Tyner, Branford Marsalis, John Zorn) with tracks reportedly produced by PJ Harvey sidekick Rob Ellis who worked wonders for Anna Calvi.  Can't wait to hear what she does with the London Community Gospel Choir. I'm guessing you'll be reading much more about Cold Specks very soon. Check out the two songs from her single following the video clip. If you like what you hear, you can get digital versions right here.



Cold Specks on Later... with Jools Holland