TRACK REVIEW: Rory Cannon - Vital Signs

TRACK REVIEW:

Rory Cannon

Vital Signs

9.3/10

Vital Signs is available via:

https://soundcloud.com/rory-cannon/vital-signs-1

GENRES:

Folk; Singer-Songwriter

ORIGIN:

Nottingham, U.K.

RELEASE DATE:

16th March, 2018

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THIS time around…

I am looking at an artist who is producing some wonderful sounds and is someone who deserves big acclaim. I shall chat about Rory Cannon in a bit but, before then, I want to investigate a few other things. I want to look at atmospheric, acoustic music and why it should be heralded and elevated this year; the Midlands and why it is an area that gets overlooked; artists you’d want to get out there and see tour; music that soothes the imagination and calms the body; a little about evolving music and embracing everyone – finishing by looking at where Cannon might go. What interests me about Rory Cannon is his style of music and how rare it is in the modern scene. When you look at artists out there and what is happening in the music world; there is still an emphasis on the more sprite and fizzy style of song. That sounds rather crude and simplistic but I listen to the radio and tend to hear more uplifting and energised songs. That is what many people go for: they do not often look for something more downbeat or calmed. I listen to Rory Cannon and have a great sense he will go far and something great is going to happen. It is quite a challenge going out into the market and delivering music that has quite a seductive and deep sound. There are acoustic artists out there but, for the most part, you tend to hear few on the big stations. Cannon has a Folk songwriter who immerses the listener into his world and reminds one of the greats of the genre. I want to hear more radio stations concentrate on artists away from the charts; those who produce music to make you think; something evocative and settled. There is plenty of passion, emotion and drama in a song like Vital Signs – a track that could score any mood and eventuality. I am hearing a lot of Alternative acts and chart-bound artists but few of them really resonate and remain in the mind.

Maybe this is down to the rush and quantity of music we are exposed to; it might be the nature of the songs – delivering something instant – but I feel we are always looking for sounds that lodge right in the brain and we do not have to think too much about. Cannon is someone who will find favour among Folk stations and get airplay on those stations with broader minds. I wonder how long it will take before our bigger commercial stations begin to embrace acoustic music more. Aside from a few artists – the likes of Ed Sheeran – there are not that many finger-picking acts being spun on the biggest stations. Maybe we are all looking for music that puts us in a better frame of mind and gets us moving. The reason why I feel acoustic music needs better regard is the fact it can ease our stresses and provides fascination, beauty and allure. If we balance this type of music against the usual fare; I feel we will be broader-minded and more rounded as listeners. Look ahead to the future of music and we have to wonder what is needed in order for it to sustain and inspire. Music will always be around but I fear the stations with a wider remit are less popular and heard than those who feature similar and commercial music. One cannot object to people’s tastes but you have to question why the music of the charts is being given greater credence than music with greater nuance and musicianship. Rory Cannon is a man who puts his all into music and wants his music to connect with as many people as possible. That ethos and ambition deserve reward and applause. I listen to acoustic music and find myself more involved in the music. I am powerless to imagine what is being sung and where the song is heading. You can say Rock, Pop and other genres are powerful and instant: I feel Folk and acoustic-led music is much more affecting, long-lasting and emotive. I hope stations broaden a bit and start shining a light on artists like Rory Cannon.

I want to come back to this point but, right now, let’s look at the Midlands and why we need to look over there. I often talk about London and why we concentrate here. It is the capital of the nation and, with that, houses all the biggest labels, studios and artists. That is fine but that does not mean we have to focus entirely on this part of the world – there is a rich and full nation of music for us discover. I have been campaigning for parity and greater awareness among listeners and journalists. What we need to do is keep London high in the thoughts but look elsewhere and experience all the U.K. has to offer. I have talked about the North and all the fantastic musicians in cities like Manchester and Liverpool. Many people know of the Midlands’ music but how often do we see artists from here featured in the big publications and websites? Maybe there are fewer big-name artists from here: plenty of new musicians with heart and promise are performing around the Midlands. Rory Cannon is a Nottingham-based artist and is in a city that has its fair share of wonder. You can throw in cities like Birmingham and you have cities that are vast and ever-growing. Maybe it is hard to tackle every corner of the U.K. and get a grip on what’s happening. I do not accept the fact most of the wonderful music around comes out of London. It certainly fosters our best radio stations and labels but musicians of all genres are spread evenly. You can get a fantastic bunch of Rock artists in Glasgow; some brilliant young bands in Brighton – look to Nottingham and there are some great artists emerging. It only really takes the celebration of one Midland-based artist to get the ball rolling and cast eyes that way. Rory Cannon is typical of what Nottingham and the Midlands is producing. I do not mean that in terms of genre and sounds: more, a broadness and quality that mixes commercial possibility with unique and personal merit.

I am based in the South and find there are plenty of great artists to get my teeth into. Brighton and London and close by and, with it, you get a nice variety of sounds. I travel further up the country and that does not really change. Wherever you head, you’ll get a brilliant array and choice. The Midlands is attracting more and more artists in terms of touring. Whether it is the nature of the people or the sustainable and excellent venues there – I notice more and more are booking Midlands dates and wanting to get up there. It is hard to pay equal attention to all areas of the country but the Midlands has always been relevant and strong. Rory Cannon could relocate further north or south but where he is, there is enough support and potential so he can grow his music and get where he needs to. I wonder what the long-term effects will be of that one-track-mind and singular focus. There is less money and support in the Midlands but, the more we look at artists here, the more people will invest. It is a great and fascinating time for new music. The scene is more arresting and open and, because of that, listeners and musicians are expanding their minds and drinking it all in. I have alluded to the fact we often overlook acoustic music in terms of its potential and commercial appeal. The same might be said of areas further north (of London). If we are going to embrace and celebrate the best of music’s banquet; we need to investigate areas like the Midlands and what is happening there. For the moment, we have artists like Rory Cannon who are perfect advocates of the area. I wonder whether, as he grows more popular, he might relocate to an area like London or Manchester. Right now, he is based somewhere that has fantastic venues and has brilliant musicians working and striking.

I am hearing a lot of mixed reviews from artists on the touring circuit right now. It is the time of year we are all clambering and getting out there. The weather has turned and the sun is out; we are looking at the summer festivals and seeing what’s what. I am keen to get out there if I can and see a few gigs. The warmer and more settled the weather means we are more active and energised to see live music. Whether you are heading to an indoor venue or a festival; it is important to look at all the musicians out there and keep the mind open. I know I am talking a lot about broadness and letting music’s full spectrum in. Artists like Rory Cannon might sound quite calming and soft on paper – acoustic music tends to have its particular audience and potential – but there is so much to recommend about the music. Maybe he will find less favour on huge festival stages but his music is just right for the time and conditions. Listen to those beautiful notes and heartfelt vocals and seeing that up-close and live is a different experience. You are not exposed to walls of processed beats and shonky vocals; the predictable sounds one might get from a lot of festivals acts. Instead, you have an artist who is putting his heart out there and keen for his music to connect with every member of the audience. Apply that logic to a more intimate space and you have an artist more adaptable and diverse than most out there. From a church space to a small-sized space; Rory Cannon can bring the people in and keep them hooked. The grace and universal sense of understanding – we can all relate to what he is saying – should be proof enough he merits serious focus and fandom. I feel a lot of artists are being overlooked because we still clamber towards bands and a certain type of music. Even if you are not a fan of Folk and acoustic music; you have to concede that Rory Cannon has a balance of intensity and beauty that gets into every corner of the body.

I am keen, as I said, to get out there and see artists play and feel Cannon would be a great choice. There are artists out there who are being let down and played by promoters and crew at shows. It might take the form of a reduced set or inattentive crew; venues who are not keeping their end of the bargain and treat artists fairly. I would like to see these kinds of problems tackled and addressed. The reason I have brought this up is that there are traps and issues for artists playing gigs at the moment. It is not that common but one has to be aware of what artists are exposed to when they play. It is hard enough to get gigs and sustain interest; really difficult to keep the money coming in and succeed. I am not sure where Cannon is heading in the next few weeks but he is exposed to the same issues as his peers. I am sure he has had one or two bad gig experiences but, looking back at reviews and reading up on him, he is a celebrated performer and someone who holds the crowd in his palm. It is a tough market but we have, in Rory Cannon, a performer who is the complete package. His music runs a gamut of emotions and he is a captivating and reliable performer. You do not get lashings of reverb and percussion with Cannon; you do not get something raucous and sweat-inducing. What one does get is an accomplished and hungry musician who puts his everything into his shows. He works hard to get bookings and ensures each show he plays at is as full and promising as possible. I know Cannon will grow and he will get dates all around the country. It is a competitive market but it is such an asset to have in your locker – being able to hook and effect when you are up on the stage. You just know the space of the stage is the most important thing to him. Nothing else matches the thrill and naturalness of being up there and sending those vibes to the crowd. Looking at his Facebook page and it seems Cannon has had a couple of great gigs. He has played in Nottingham and Sheffield and is getting out to the people. I know Cannon will want to capitalise on the momentum he is creating and getting Vital Signs out to the masses.

I will come to the song in question soon but, before then, a little nod to the music Cannon is playing and what he is all about. He takes influence from artists like Ben Howard, Bon Iver and Nick Drake: acts who have inspired many and have immense power. I listen to someone like Nick Drake and am affected by what he delivers and compelled by the music. It runs deep and I am attracted to the beautiful noted, incredible lyrics and fantastic vocals. Whereas a lot of mainstream music does only one thing or is quite basic; with Folk and artists like Nick Drake, you get something a lot more appealing and resonant. Rory Cannon is the same kind of artist. He considers every angle of his sounds and writes what is true to him. The performances are universally fine and you get such a hit and impact with every song. Cannon’s vocals are superb and one hears so many contours and dynamics working away. His lyrics, as I shall explore, are intelligent and thought-provoking. It is fantastic listening to this artist and seeing what he is all about. Cannon’s looping and finger-picking creates a special sound and gets into the soul. I always look for music that ticks all boxes and has the promise to endure for years. It is, without doubt, I recommend Rory Cannon to people and suggest people throw their weight behind him. When you listen to a song like Vital Signs; you get so many hits and highs. It is a brilliant experience and you are taking somewhere very special indeed. I should move on to the song itself but I will round this section up by talking about Cannon as a complete package. He is someone who, like Bon Iver and Ben Howard, has acoustic and Folk at the roots but builds on that and pushes outwards. The inventive and restless spirit of his music is an attempt to reach all sorts of people and push the limits of music. I feel many of us get hooked up on the fact Folk and acoustic-based music is going to be quite simple and boring. There are artists who are quite basic and uninteresting but the new breed, with the likes of Cannon in their midst, are showing what is possible and what the genre is all about.

The opening notes are gentle and propulsive at the same time. One hears something enticing and soft; there is a strength underneath that builds some energy and projects images. A complex and satisfying brew that gets right into the head and settles you down. When Cannon come to the microphone; he delivers words that raise questions and spike the senses. “It must have been fine and faltered/Let’s pretend…” are curious words and ones that make me think about relations and going through motions. That contrast of ‘fine’ and ‘faltered’ gets me thinking about the different minds and views of a relationship. Maybe things are endangered and they are holding onto something flat. The song’s title, Vital Signs, provokes images of cardiac arrest of weakening signals. The man’s beating heart is failing and he seems tired of games being played. Rather than present a relation and state of affairs in rather basic and generic terms; he produces sentiments that mix poetic expression with something oblique and distant. You can hear how much the words mean but the intensity of the situation means there are few explicit thoughts. That is good as each listener can picture their own scenes and piece the story together. It is clear there is a lot of pain and regret working at the moment. The vocal pitch and changes put me in mind of Damien Rice. Cannon has a deeper and more gravelled voice than Rice. The two do share a sense of command that means the song hits you right away and has a huge sense of confidence and authority. Cannon mixes simple and stirring finger-picking with some interesting additions – percussion and strings – that gives the song a richness and complexity. The way he changes pace and tone – the verse and chorus have distinct and different sounds – impresses me. You are compelled and invested in the first verse and wonder where things are headed. Dreams and frustrations are brought in; the snow has been salted and is desecrated.

You get all these vivid images and stunning words that get the thoughts working and pulls at the mind. These tense and epic emotions are bubbling away and you wonder whether there is any way there is reconciliation and chance. Maybe things are not as simple as a relationship crumbling and losing hold of love. The hero is looking inside himself and investigating where things have gone wrong. Whilst blame is not necessarily placed on the other party; you get the impression they have not been as loyal and invested as they could have been. I follow the song and picture what is going on. The strings are expressive and punchy; they convey so much and take the song to a different level. I keep thinking about other interpretations and what the words could be saying. “These memories through glass drained yet mistaken/Desired direction time to mend…” make me think about relationships but hopes and dreams. The young man is looking at his life and investigating what is happening around him. Maybe he is going through tough times and not as happy as he could be. Whatever the real truth of the words; you are compelled to stick by him and see things through. The chorus projects chances of improvement and hope. The silence covering frustrations and the snow clearing; that clarity and direction that leads the hero home. Things have been hard and times are unsure right now. You get the sense Cannon wants everything to be alright and see his heartbeat return strong and noble. The title gains new relevance when you follow the words and get more engrossed. I listen to the final words and get the feeling Cannon is in a better place than recent memory but there are still things he needs to address and get through. Whether Vital Signs is purely about faded love and finding new happiness: maybe there is this personal exposure and tackling some rather harsh and unforgiving scenarios.

In any case…one can get lost in the pleasures and notes of Vital Signs. It is a wonderful song that sounds great in isolation. I know it would be great accompanied by other songs on an album or E.P. Maybe you’d get more of a background and history if it was flanked by other numbers. Right now; it is a fantastic single that shows what a strong songwriter Cannon is. You wonder how strong the song could be if it has the backing of other material. I don’t know but I get the impression, when listening to the song, it is something that is part of a wider story. It seems Cannon is in productive mood and creating some great music right now. I hope he gets into the fore and gets his music out there. Right now, he is performing and looking ahead to the summer months. Vital Signs is a terrific song from a bold and impressive artist who has a long future ahead of him. I am interested to see where Cannon can go and what he has coming up. Make sure you get behind him and follow what he does next. The future is very bright and I am pumped to see how far Cannon’s music can go.

Rory Cannon has been keeping busy and is getting Vital Signs out to the world. It has got a lot of love and plays on SoundCloud and people are responding to it. The songwriter was unwell last month and suffered a bit, it seems. He is back now and determined to get on the road and thank his fans for listening to his latest single. I know many will be eager to catch him on the road and hear more music. I know Cannon will be booking dates and trying to get as far and wide as possible. I would love to hear some more singles and see the young songwriter keep that pressure on. He will want to get Vital Signs out there and take it as far as he possibly can. When that is done, and he looks ahead, I am curious what direction his music will take and what he will write about. Things are moving in the right direction and it is a fantastic time for the Nottingham-based songwriter. It is always hard for solo artists to compete with bands and get those big gigs. The songwriter has a lot of love in his local area and is making waves in other parts of the U.K. I can imagine, soon enough, international venues looking his way and pricking their ears. I am not sure what Cannon has in mind but it will be excited following his moves and where he is heading. It has been an eventful and busy 2018 for him and he will want to keep that fascination and success going. Make sure you listen to Vital Signs and keep involved with the fantastic artist. I am hooked on his music and will continue to back him and get involved with his releases. There are few artists who manage to compel in as many ways as Rory Cannon. He has that passion burning and knowledge of music that means his music goes further and deeper than most. If you are unfamiliar with the music of Rory Cannon then make sure you get behind him and show his sounds…