Launch gig at iconic venue The Water Rats London 24th June 2025
What an incredible few weeks it's been!! My debut album Westbound was well and truly launched, with a very special gig at The Water Rats last Tuesday. The atmosphere was amazing, and there was so much love in the packed out room. I was joined by a full band of incredible musicians who appear on the album: Carmen Ruiz Vicente (percussion), Duncan Menzies (fiddle), James Keay (piano), Tom Leary (mandolin), Vo Fletcher (guitar), Mat Davies (bass), Robbie K. Jones (banjo & cajon), Tobias Lovell (harmonica), and of course my wonderful producer Marion Fleetwood (strings).
A lovely write up in FATEA Magazine described the night:
"On 24th June Clementine played to a full house at the iconic Water Rats as she launched her début album "Westbound" to a sell out audience. This location has been patronised by both Vladimir Lenin and Karl Marx, although they didn't play, but it was the first UK venue for Bob Dylan and has seen shows by Oasis and Katy Perry amongst other. Now there's a new name to add to the list...
I've seen Clementine a couple of times now and several things strike me about her as a performer. The first is an incredible voice...and the second is the quality of her song writing. She can take an idea and turn it into something both wonderful and remarkable. She can take a simple concept and make it magical...The album, incredible and amazing, is now well and truly launched...For lovers of modern folk it's one to get hold of." FATEA
In the first week of its launch, the album has had radio plays all over the country, including BBC Radio Scotland, Tim Walker's Folk, Coast & County Yorkshire, EDS Classic Folk Show, Black Cat Radio Night of the Artisans show, Sheffield Live Radio Thank Goodness It’s Folk Show, Deal Radio & HQ The Folk Pilot Show, Felixstowe Radio Roots and Shoots show, Roots & Fusion Folk Friday Radio, Wey Valley Radio Folk Friday Radio, Hub-Radio Station Reading Readifolk show, Oldham Community Radio 99.7FM Sounds of Folk show, Brum Radio Alt Roots show, West Norfolk Radio Jane Clayton show, Bishop FM The Folk Show, Argyll FM Folk at Five show, and Tempo FM 102.1 in Yorkshire, BBC Lincolnshire radio Tim Walker's Folk, Forest FM Forest Folk show, Folk Friday Radio plus TD1 Radio in Galashiels Strange Brew show, Folk Music Notebook from the USA, Beyond Radio in Lancashire, Minerva Radio in Liverpool Folkscene show, and The Folkal Point show by Radio Western Ross on Radio West Fife, Dunoon Community Radio, Stirling Community Radio, Crystal FM, HBS Glasgow, and MKB Independent Radio. It's also had airply in Ireland, the USA and Australia.
I had lovely chats with Swindon FM’s Mike Ganley, and Tim Moon at Coast and County Radio, and John O'Regan at Limerick City Community radio which will be aired soon. Westbound was Album of the Week on FATEA's Friday Folk show, Featured Album on the David Dee Moore radio show, and will be Album of the Month this month on Celtic Music Radio Transatlantic Conversations with Bob Leslie.
The album has received some fab reviews and plaudits:
“a stunning debut that effortlessly earns its place among the year’s best and firmly announces Clementine as folk’s new darling”
“..when I read promotional material for Clementine Lovell’s debut album, Westbound, comparing her voice to Joan Baez, Emmylou Harris, and Sandy Denny, I didn’t take it too seriously. Then I listened to the album and from the opening track, I understood exactly why such comparisons would be made. With its impressive range, expressiveness and emotional intensity, Clementine has a voice that really does stand apart from the crowd.”
“Clementine is a real talent, and this is a very accomplished debut. Her compositions and arrangements are impressive, and her poetic lyrics have real emotional impact. And of course, there is her voice”
"a clear distinct vocal that sometimes recalls Sandy Denny. A confident and assured debut that bodes well for Clementine's musical future."
Get Ready to Rock
"Clementine's voice is wide ranging and strong and reminds me, and I do not say this lightly, of such as Sandy Denny and Maddy Prior.. my album of the month"
Bob Leslie, Transatlantic Conversation on Celtic Music Radio
HOW DO I LISTEN??
The album is available in CD fomat via my website, with beautiful artwork and a 12 page booklet which includes background to the songs and the lyrics. It can also be purchased in digital format, which includes digital versions of the artwork and sleeve notes, via Bandcamp. The album is also available to stream via Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube, and other streaming platforms. Click on the buttons below and enjoy listening!
