SO here we are The Petes are on us again, where local artists are rewarded for their outstanding contribution to the Coventry music scene.
Best Artist For 2022 – The Dirt Road Band
There are musicians, and there are DRB musicians, singularly these guys (Horace Panter, Steve Walwyn and Ted Duggan) are some of the area’s finest, but collectively they are a powerhouse of rock N blues, musically untouchable and a highlight of so many people’s Godiva Festival.
Best Local Single 2022 – Shiloh Clarke’s ‘A Million Things’
Coventry-born reggae stalwart Shiloh Clarke has been long producing high level music, with a voice many would die for.
His 2022 single ‘A Million Things’ was something of a defining moment in his career. Co-written with Cov musician and songwriter Leigh Malin, Grammy award winning producer Roger Lomas has sprinkled his magic into the mix too by giving the song the most powerful of openings.
Together with guitar solo by Neol Davies and vocal improvisation by Sofia Jones, it makes for an epic.
Shiloh doesn’t do good or okay, and this one is another cracker of a single that follows in the great tradition of Coventry 2-Tone.
Best Local Album 2022 – King of the Alps, ‘Heart of the Matter’
Never plying their trade in the normality of the mainstream, this album positively screams of originality.
The trio Paul Ingram, Simon Ward and Sally Laws, have excelled themselves with “Heart of The Matter” very much finger on the pulse but often dark in places but like the band themselves, always entertaining, a cracker of an album.
Best Newcomer 2022 – YNES
Although this dynamic singer songwriter YNES has been around some three years, 2022 was a defining year for her.
Her high charged original performances at the Tin help put her on the Coventry music map as well as being the Coventry Music Museum’s Artist Of The Month. Very much one to watch for the future.
Best Local Gig 2022 – The Enemy At The HMV Empire
I was there, were you?
If you were (and it doesn’t make any difference what night), you witnessed three Coventry legends we collectively call the Enemy doing what they do best, lighting the fuse but never retiring to a safe place.
It was loud, it was furious, and it was very emotional to hear the epic ‘We’ll Live and Die’ album live again.
Can we hope for more gigs and an Enemy album in 2023?
Outstanding Contribution To Local Music 2022 – Paul Quinn And Carl Richard Aylott
Paul and Carl are responsible for the epic Covtember gigs at The Tin (now in its fourth year).
Both top blokes and both skilled musicians themselves, both are crazily busy, but always there to support local artists.
Never seeking the attention of as much as pats on the back or awards, it’s time these local heroes were celebrated, so here it is. Well done guys.
