Carol Hodge is a seven-fingered, piano-pounding, Yorkshire-dwelling Singer-Songwriter. Think Linda Ronstadt meets Chelsea Wolfe, but with fewer digits and a continuous existential crisis, sandwiched between bitter irony and relentless optimism. You won’t know whether to laugh or cry, but will definitely feel something.
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Best known as live co-vocalist and keys player on the Anarchopunk songs of Crass with The Ignorant Band, and newly reformed rock legends The Wildhearts, Carol's fifth studio album EffortLess InSecurity is a dark, deep dive into Stoner Rock territory with bright bursts of piano-led prog throughout.
As ever, Carol’s strength lies in her highly confessional and relatable lyricism, covering topics such as Neurodiversity, Insecure Attachment, Self doubt/Self worth, and Autistic Spectrum Masking. Musically, this is the heaviest and darkest album yet from her, and the first album she has played guitar on.
Co-produced with Dave Draper (who has worked with The Wildhearts, Jazmin Bean, The Professionals, Kerbdog, Dodgy, and Nickelback), the album is far from one dimensional, and takes the listener on a confidently curated journey, with a self-aware irony and plenty of unexpected Prog twists and turns to keep the ear hooked. Previous singles Manoeuvres and Queen Of Fitting In received plenty of independent radio play and feature videos by artist Rob Heilig.
The album’s third single ‘Small Crumbs' is accompanied by a music video by award-winning animator Sorrell Kerrison, who has created work for Andrew Hung, Lichen Slow and Uncle Kevin. Featuring animated versions of The Carol Hodge Band members, the animated music video is a psychedelic journey through an animal-studded floral fairground world.
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Released on Carol's own label Midnight Stamp Records, Pre-orders for Vinyl (2 colourways of /250, Dusky Grey Ecomix and Black and White splatter), CDs, Hand-written lyrics and Handprint art canvases are now available in Carol's webshop at https://carolhodge.co.uk
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Find Carol Hodge online here: https://linktr.ee/carolhodgemusic
Reviews for EffortLess InSecurity
"The bravery of this album is immense and Carol should draw strength from the fact that she’s pretty bloody good at this songwriting and delivering lark "
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"Her music is eclectic, punky, often heartfelt, and always enjoyable. EffortLess InSecurity ticks all those boxes."
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"EffortLess InSecurity is without doubt a cathartic outpouring of emotion which is soundtracked in such a beautiful and triumphant way that it belies the darkness which lies within. It is also an album which stands as a testament to how Carol’s songcraft has continued to evolve as she once again redefines herself as a unique, creative and very significant songwriter who deserves to be listened to by a much wider audience."
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"This (album) is without doubt fierce in its body, but when you scratch below the tough surface, its also truly an insightful and yet vulnerable ten song moment in life."
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