advertisement
FYI

Liam Russell: Half Chance

Now based in Nashville, this rootsy and seasoned songsmith releases a new EP next month. This lead single is a plaintive ballad featuring soulful vocals and perceptive lyrics.

Liam Russell: Half Chance

By Kerry Doole

Liam Russell: "Half Chance" (Hidden Pony/Slaight Music): On Oct. 5, this Toronto singer/songwriter (now based in Nashville) will release a new EP, No Contest. The self-produced effort was recorded live off the floor at a cottage in the Ontario winter wilderness with five of his best friends and musical collaborators, and reportedly comprises intimate songs dealing with life, loss and love. 


This lead single is a plaintive ballad that is given resonance by Russell's soulful vocal performance. In a label press release, he explains the song this way: “Sometimes we get so consumed by our hurt in relationships that we close ourselves off from the one person we love and want to connect with most. This song is about that moment when all you really wanna do is plead with your partner to tell you how to fix things but neither of you can find the words to get through.

advertisement

‘Half Chance’ happens to be the name of a real place in Alabama and was too perfect to pass up on. Not to mention the only real notable thing about Half Chance is that it has one of the oldest, still standing iron bridges in America. Yet another metaphor for connecting.”

Definitely a tune to be given more than half a chance.

Russell is the son of noted Canadian folk artist Brent Titcomb. As Liam Titcomb, he signed to Sony Music Canada as a teenager, releasing a self-titled debut album in 2005, followed by two more full-length records, Can't Let Go (2007), and Cicada (2012). No Contest is his first release as Liam Russell.

He performs as part of Canadian Blast at AmericanaFest in Nashville on Sept. 15.

 

Links:

Website

Facebook

Twitter

Publicity: Adam Bentley - Auteur Research  adam@auteurresearch.com

advertisement
Shhenseea, MOLIY, Skillibeng and Silent Addy
ACEPXL

Shhenseea, MOLIY, Skillibeng and Silent Addy

Awards

Here’s Why ‘Shake It to the Max’ Was Deemed Ineligible at the 2026 Grammys — And Why Its Label Calls the Decision ‘Devoid of Any Common Sense’

Representatives from the Recording Academy and gamma. CEO Larry Jackson comment on one of this year's most shocking Grammy snubs.

Few phrases define the year in music and culture like Moliy’s scintillating directive to “shake it to the max.” The Ghanaian singer’s sultry voice reverberated across the globe, blending her own Afropop inclinations with Jamaican dancehall-informed production, courtesy of Miami-based duo Silent Addy and Disco Neil. Originally released in December 2024, Moliy’s breakthrough global crossover hit ascended to world domination, peaking at No. 6 on the Global 200, thanks to a remix featuring dancehall superstars Shenseea and Skillibeng. Simply put, “Max” soundtracked a seismic moment in African and Caribbean music in 2025.

Given its blockbuster success, “Shake It to the Max” was widely expected to be a frontrunner in several categories at the 2026 Grammys. In fact, had the song earned a nomination for either best African music performance or best global music performance, many forecasters anticipated a victory. So, when “Shake It to the Max” failed to appear on the final list of 2026 Grammy nominees in any category earlier this month (Nov. 7), listeners across the world were left scratching their heads — none more than gamma. CEO Larry Jackson.

keep readingShow less
advertisement