It’s scary stuff … and it’s filmed in a derelict cottage in Slaithwaite.

Huddersfield songwriter Carol Hodge – a singer and pianist who has just seven fingers – has just released her new single that’s as unsettling as the video she’s shot to promote it.

Manoeuvres is the first release from Carol’s forthcoming fifth studio album, EffortLess InSecurity, and she’ll be playing a gig with US singer songwriter Julia Othmer at The Parish in Huddersfield town centre on Thursday, June 20.

Carol, of Linthwaite, says Manoeuvres oscillates between stomping rage in the verses and dreamy, organ-infused disappointment in the choruses.

The 42-year-old, who has her roots in punk, describes her latest release as a channel for her frustration and disappointment with modern life!

The release is accompanied by a music video by videographer Rob Heilig. It’s a black and white hypnotically manic world of witchcraft and disturbingly lifelike doll faces.

To watch the video (it’s scary!) go to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3gYiRcnqgpw

Carol was born with a rare condition called cleft type symbrachydactly which means she only has two fingers on her left hand but she’s never let it hold her back. As an eight-year-old child she pestered her parents for piano lessons, taught herself to read music and has sung for as long as she can remember.

She brilliantly compensates for her lack of fingers while playing keyboards.

“I’ve only ever had two fingers on that hand so I’ve learned to live with it from birth,” she said. “It’s exceptionally rare and to lose fingers like that – it happens in only one in a million births.”

Born in Scotland, Carol lived in Barrow-in-Furness and Hastings before going to the University of Manchester to study a drama degree and then taught drama, performing arts and media production in colleges in the city.

Now she’s concentrating on her music, notching up a phenomenal amount of gigs both in the UK and overseas, clocking up more than 150 shows over the last 18 months.

Carol’s roots are firmly set in punk and she’s been a long-term collaborator with punk band Crass’ frontman Steve Ignorant and is now touring the world playing keyboards and singing with The Ignorant Band. They are off on tour to Mexico and the USA in early May, playing large venues and a festival.

She has her own Carol Hodge Band and also performs as a keyboardist and backing vocalist with established artists such as Ginger Wildheart and Jon Poole (Cardiacs and Dr Hook).

Carol has been described by online music magazine Maximum Volume Music as “one of the most innovative solo artists around right now.” Read the full review at https://maximumvolumemusic.com/review-carol-hodge-vertiginous-drops-2023/

She has supported the likes of TV Smith, Space, Dan Sealey (Ocean Colour Scene), Marc Valentine, Headsticks and Jess Silk, and played Rebellion, Glastonwick, Settle Down, Gig In A Field, Sun Down and Levy Punk Weekender festivals.

The remainder of 2024 will see Carol teaming up with Kansas City based songstress Julia Othmer for a UK tour in June, playing various festivals with the Carol Hodge Band, releasing three singles and her fifth studio album. She is also continuing to tour the UK with Ginger Wildheart, and touring the songs of Crass around the UK, Europe and the USA with The Ignorant Band.

For more information go to Carol’s website at https://www.carolhodge.co.uk/

Written by ANDY HIRST who runs his own Yorkshire freelance journalism agency AH! PR (https://ah-pr.com/) specialising in press releases, blogging, website content and copywriting.

 

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