It’s all about the singer songwriters this week, as I bring you news of two new releases from a couple of local musicians.

First we look at a new single from Adam Melvin.

Adam, 31, has been writing and playing in and around the local live scene for the last 10 years or so.

Having numerous releases under his belt, including ’Stay for Good’ which won the ’Manx Radio Singer/Songwriter of the Year’ award a few years back, Adam followed this up with EP entitled ’The Forth Sessions’, which were recorded just metres away from the Forth Bridge in Edinburgh.

More recently, in the summer of last year, Adam entered the studio in the south of the island with Gypo Buggane at Ballagroove, and will release a new single, entitled ’What Would You Have Done’, on February 18.

It will be available to stream via Amazon, Spotify and Soundcloud.

On this release Adam has been able to capture a sound that has influenced and inspired him for many years, lying in the folk, American and alt-Country scene.

Influence-wise, think Simon & Garfunkel, Jason Isbel, Tyler Childers, Bruce Springsteen and The Eagles.

Adam will be out and about at Shennaghys Jiu Festival in Ramsey this year (April 2- 5) where he’ll be appearing over three slots at different venues over the festival weekend.

For further information on Adam, his live dates and other music releases acne be found at Facebook.com/adammelvinmusic

Now we look at the new single from singer-songwriter and Maldune bassist Steve Nash.

’Dragons’ is his new single and is the follow up to his EP, released last year.

Coming out once again on Manx label Small Bear Records, Steve states that: ’the track is written about egos that have filled the world of politics but trying to be positive in the fact that we can leave the past behind and move forward together.

’It is slightly different to previous releases with a little more of the kitchen sink thrown at it.

’Once again it started out as an acoustic track but very quickly became much more than that as it was clear the track needed that little bit extra. Producer Phil Reynolds at Small Bear added some harmonies to the chorus which lifts the song.’

You can hear the track and Steve’s other Small Bear releases via stevenashsmallbear.bandcamp.com

Finally, this week, local punk, and indie legends The Shedmen are back in business.

Having been regulars in the bars around the island way back when, the group only appear sporadically these days, but still put on a belting night when they do.

Age-defying singer Barry Williams and guitarist Stuart Mills will hammer out classics by the Damned, the The Buzzcocks, The Clash, The Jam and Green Day at the Creek on Saturday night, from 9pm onwards.