HITS exclusive: "Desire" by Alex Francis

28th September 2019 //

Hey everyone!

Autumn is well and truly here, isn't it?
While we're all busy drinking tea (and perhaps eating gingerbread because it's already available in supermarkers - and let's be real - who can resist?), we need some amazing music to listen to as we gear up for the colder months.

Today we are thrilled to share an exclusive performance again.
We love sharing these acoustic performances with you and we can't wait for you to see the one Alex Francis had in store for us.


Alex Francis is a singer/songwriter originally from Hitchin, UK, currently based in London.
His sound combines the classical singer/songwriter elements with sprinkles of folk and soul, creating a unique listening experience for his fans.

Alex first introduced himself to the music world with his single "Make Believe" back in 2017.
Ever since he has gone from strength to strength, convincing not just the British airplay DJs, the Spotify Germany playlist makers but also acts such as Kelly Jones who invited Alex and his band to support the Stereophonics on tour.

Besides touring with Stereophonics, Alex has also supported Sting, Melanie C - on whose single "Hold On" he also features - and most recently, James Bay. 

His music has allowed Alex to travel a lot, appearing on SXSW, performing at Mad Cool Festival in Madrid, playing The Isle Of Wight Festival, Live At Leeds, Liverpool Sound City and more.

During his German headline tour ealier this month, Alex played shows in Hamburg, Berlin, Frankfurt, Munich and Cologne.


We got to catch up with Alex and got you front seats to his HITS exclusive performance of his brilliant track "Desire".
The video below was filmed by the Isar river in Munich.


Watch Alex's performance of "Desire" right here:




- buy "Desire" -
- stream "Desire" -


Alex Francis online: Website | Twitter | Facebook | Spotify | YouTube | Instagram





Thank you for your visit!

Credits // Words & Video: Vanessa Jetwash | Image: JP Boardman

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HITS exclusive: "Someone Else's Dream" by Charlie Hole

Hey guys!

The area I live in is quite quiet.
It's mostly little villages pilled together in between fields, woods and more fields.

Sure, it's a beautiful area - there are lots of animals (which make my heart happy), but it's just boring if you consider concert venues your second home.

But - since I've started house in the sand, music friends came over to stay for a night or two during tour or I've had artists in the area for a living room show.

Last September the fabulous Charlie Hole played a show in my living room and the next day we decided to film a few videos in my area.

Today I'm finally here to share the final video with you, 

please don't ask what took me so long.
(I'll tell you, it was my brain forgetting the video even existed. Good job, Vanessa.) 

Anyways - let's not wait any further - please check out this HITS exclusive.


Charlie Hole is a singer/songwriter from Bournemouth, UK.

His carefully crafted music combines Acoustic and Folk elements in such elegant manner.
Charlie started making and writing music at the young age of eleven and has been going strong ever since.

With inspirations such as Bob Dylan, Leonard Cohen, Tom Waits & Paul Simon, it's no surprise that we find a lot of personality and intimacy in his songs.

His debut album "The Joy of a Caged Bird" was released in 2013.
With loyal fans and praise from none other than Rod Stewart and three time Novello Award winner Andy Hill, it's safe to say we're not the only ones with his music on repeat.

Charlie released his latest EP "Someone Else's Dream" in October last year and even shared a stunning Christmas cover of Joni Mitchell's "River".

He is currently on a super long tour - click here for tour dates near you.

We shot this video by the local river and were joined by a few curious swans.
I'm not gonna lie - I was a bit worried that they might attack us, but hey - things turned out great. 

I hope you enjoy this little video and that it can remind you of last Summer's warm weather. I know I'd love some sunshine right now.


Check out Charlie's performance of "Someone Else's Dream" right here:




Charlie Hole online: Website | Twitter | Facebook | Soundcloud | YouTube | Instagram



More of Charlie Hole on house in the sand:
Cover The HITS | EP Review | Living Room Gig





Thank you for your visit!

Credits // Words, Image & Video: Vanessa Jertschewske

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HITS exclusive: "Where My House Hit The Ground" by Hyena

Hey guys!

There are some artists I just won't ever shut up about on here.
I do feel very lucky that I have this platform to showcase the music I enjoy.

Within the years I've been able to see so many artists grow and constantly work on new things for the audience to enjoy.
Being friends with a mad man from England is not only very entertaining, but also very insightful. I get to go behind the scenes, hear demos and watch the band grow.
It's actually pretty cool, especially because I have this blog where I can share things with you.

Today I'm super excited to have a premiere for you!
Just two weeks ago I put a brand new band on my balcony and made them play a song for you!

Those of you who either came here because the band sent you and those of you who've read this blog for a while, will all know my good friend Chris Pate. His old band The Arkanes was the most blogged band on HITS and I've also featured his solo music multiple times.
(Remember the time we went on a gig adventure?)

Just a few months ago, Chris formed a new band - called Hyena.
The Alt-Rock trio just got back from their first tour through Germany & Switzerland.
With gripping rhythms, powerful vocals and a lot of energy, the band from Liverpool, UK is taking over by storm and has already made it very clear that they belong on stage.

Hyena are:
Chris Pate (vocals, guitar)
Daz Mangan (bass)
Adam Rooney (drums, cajon)

I'm very excited to be the first person to share an exclusive session with you.

Please check out Hyena's performance of their song "Where My House Hit The Ground" and share it if you enjoyed it.





Hyena online: Twitter | Facebook | YouTube | Bandcamp | Instagram




Thank you for your visit! 

Credits // Text, Image & Video: Vanessa Jertschewske

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HITS exclusive: "This Is The Moment" by Chris Pate

Hey guys! 

Creating content for HITS has given me so many amazing opportunities.
And I definitely enjoy everything "new" that's happening; it's so excited to meet new people, create new segments and so on.

But sometimes it's just lovely to work with familiar faces - you know, the people you call friends. 
Whenever my Scouse mate Chris is on the road in Germany, I'm usually armed with a my camera and some food to join him on the road.

Just a hour before his previous Germany gig at Riffelhof in Burgrieden, we shot a little live performance.

Who is Chris Pate though?
His friends will introduce him as a “music making mad man”, his fans will tell you how incredible his music is and critics will point out what Chris Pate stands for: honest, storytelling and often critical lyrics, expressive and dominant vocals and controlling instrumentals.

Chris Pate is that kind of musician who will walk into a room, spot a guitar and immediately pick it up to jam away.

He’s passionate and has always been; the musician started playing the guitar at the age of 14, with Nirvana’s ‘Come As You Are’ being the first song the left handed guitarist learnt to play.

Besides Nirvana, Led Zeppelin and Oasis, Chris’ music is influenced by a wide range of acts. Growing up in the Liverpool area, Pate proves one stereo type: the love for the Beatles.

Knowing that Chris Pate has been into music for many years now, it won’t surprise you when you find out that eight years of his music life were spent as front man of Liverpool based rock band The Arkanes. Together with his band mates, Chris regularly toured Germany, Switzerland and Austria building a loyal fan base by putting on energetic live shows. 

The band broke up in Summer 2015, but Chris never lost his passion for music.
So now he's writing, recording and touring pretty much all the time.

Now go on and check out Chris' performance of his song "This Is The Moment".





Chris Pate online: Twitter | Facebook | Soundcloud | Bandcamp | YouTube | Instagram



Thank you for your visit! 

Credits // Text, Image & Video: Vanessa Jertschewske

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HITS exclusive: "Heart On A Wire" by Martin Kelly

Hey guys!

Over the years I got to film quite a few performances.
A lot of them were filmed in backstage areas, dressing rooms and living rooms.
But my favourite shoots are outdoor shoots.

It's always so much fun to wander around to find the perfect spot. You never really know what you get and that's pretty cool in my opinion.

Today I'm happy to present you a lovely HITS exclusive performed by Martin Kelly.


Martin Kelly is a musician originally from Scotland, now based in Berlin, Germany.
He is one half of house in the sand's favourite duo, Martin and James.
With the band being on a break, both individuals are now making music on their own.

Martin's music combines honest songwriting which could remind you of Simon and Garfunkel, clever guitar riffs and melodies, and a voice you won't forget.

So far he shared a few of his new songs online (find all his links below!) and sold a five-track EP on the road.

This performance was filmed in February when Martin was touring Germany, Switzerland and Austria.
We filmed it in my hometown, on a little bridge in the woods. (Well, I wasn't on the bride. Click here for a little behind the scenes impression.)

Now, enjoy Martin Kelly perform one of his new songs "Heart On A Wire" for house in the sand.




Martin Kelly online: Twitter | Facebook | Soundcloud | YouTube | Instagram

As usual, massive thank you to Ryan and Martin. Was a blast to wander around town with a dying camera battery!




Thank you for your visit!

HITS online: Twitter | Facebook | YouTube | Instagram

Credits // Text, Image & Video: Vanessa Jertschewske | Video intro (audio) & performance: Martin Kelly

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HITS exclusive: "Real Boy" by Shape Of The Sun

 

Hey guys!

I've written so many intros where I've told you how much I love working on house in the sand.
Yet I feel like, I still need to mention it every now and then.

The amount of joy this website has given me is incredible.
There are so many highlights, there are so many things coming up - but I think my favourite part of all of this is the creative freedom.

You can just do pretty much whatever you want when you work alone and it's pretty cool!

Just like me, today's artist is doing everything on his own!

The one man show Shape Of The Sun is a music project by Nate Linek from Ohio, USA.
Nate sings and plays all the instruments you can hear in Shape In The Sun. Besides that he also records and mixes his music himself. 

Influenced by acst such as David Bowie, Beach Boys and Cold War Kids, the sound you get to hear could be described as alternative and indie rock. 

The first self-titled EP already convinces with strong rhythm sections and catchy guitar riffs. The simplicity of the verses gets shaken up by clever arrangements in the choruses. 

Today Nate is here to give you the perfect example of his music.

Here's a live performance of "Real Boy", exclusively for the wonderful house in the sand audience!
Enjoy!

Shape Of The Sun online: Twitter | Facebook | Bandcamp | YouTube

Many thanks for Nate for taking the time to record this performance for us!

Thank you for reading!

 

Credits //

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