US-BASED singer Callaghan, whose new EP The Other Side was released on June 30 and was promoted with shows in York and North Shields, returns to the North-East later this to appear at the Summertyne Americana Festival, at The Sage Gateshead, on July 23, where she will perform as a guest of Beth Nielsen Chapman.

Moving further towards pop than ever before, yet maintaining the honest emotions of a singer songwriter, The Other Side marks a change in direction for the three-time BBC Radio 2 playlisted artist.

The four-track EP has a much bigger, more cinematic sound, demonstrated perfectly in the euphoric pop of lead single The Other Side.

It’s Callaghan’s most up-tempo song to date and also her most political. “I tend to stay away from politics in my music,” she says. “But having been in the UK for the referendum and the US for the elections I wanted to write a song that touched on how divided people have become, and how some political leaders offer simple solutions to very complex problems.”

Elsewhere there’s opening uplifting anthem, the Celtic influenced ‘Solid Ground’ whilst the understated ‘Surrender,’ which Callaghan recently uploaded to her Facebook with over 63K views and counting, reminds us of the beauty in a simple vocal led ballad. And finally there’s the raw emotion of “I Don’t Know How To Lose You” – a powerful song about grief and losing someone you love.

The EP was recorded in LA, with production from Anthony Resta, (Elton John, Duran Duran and Blondie) and Starr Parodi and Jeff Fair. Having created music for some of Hollywood’s biggest films, working with Starr and Jeff gave Callaghan the opportunity to explore a sound that her previous songwriting has always leaned towards.

“It’s been an amazing experience to write and record in LA, with such a fantastically talented group of producers and musicians” says Callaghan. “We wanted to create songs which draw the listener in, paint pictures in your mind and stir your emotions.”

The Other Side is the beginning of an exciting new chapter for Callaghan. It’s the first of three new EPs planned for the next twelve months, a route Callaghan has chosen over releasing a new studio album.

  • Summertyne Festival, July 21-23 features The Shires, William Bell, Beth Nielsen Chapman, Merle Haggard ‘s Strangers featuring Ben & Noel Haggard, Chuck Prophet, Jim Lauderdale, Sam Outlaw, Marlon Williams, Angaleena Presley, Jesca Hoop, Callaghan, Ashley Campbell, Worry Dolls, Jo Harman, Lisa Mills, Cath & Phil Tyler, Tim Eriksen, Sarah Darling, Earl Thomas and Band, Amythyst Kiah, Savoy Family Cajun Band and many more. For more details, see http://www.sagegateshead.com/tour-dates/summertyne-americana-festival-2017