The Round Up, hosted by Two Ways Home, is a Nashville-style songwriters round, a unique performance format where songwriters share the stage, playing their songs in turn and sharing the stories behind them. This intimate setting fosters collaboration, with artists often joining in on each other’s songs, offering a rare glimpse into their creative processes
Featured Artists
Anna Krantz, Poise. It’s not a word you hear too often in the breakneck world of popular music, but Anna Krantz has it to spare. It flows from her elegant song craft and her graceful demeanour, and now the London-born singer-songwriter is pouring her fascinating life experiences into the self-produced album she has always wanted to make. A musical prodigy, she began exploring production technology at ten, writing songs by eight, and soon advanced to sophisticated recording techniques. Inspired by legends like Elton John and Joni Mitchell, Anna’s songwriting is both personal and globally conscious. Her journey includes significant stints in New York and Nashville, where she honed her craft. A pivotal moment was being discovered by producer Peter Van Hooke, leading to a record at Abbey Road Studios. Though the album’s success was gratifying, it didn’t capture her true musical essence.
Anna’s career took a significant turn when she signed with EMI Music Publishing in 2009. Collaborating with an unknown Ed Sheeran, she quickly recognised his talent.
“He turns up with his guitar, I say ‘Play me something’ and he plays ‘The A Team,’ in my living room, on his Martin. I started crying in front of him, called my mum and said ‘There’s an angel in my house.’ I was blown away. I said ‘You don’t need me, but let’s write some songs,’ and we did, we ended up writing maybe five songs together.”
Living in Nashville enriched her collaborative skills, working with top-tier writers like Natalie Hemby. This period also rekindled her passion for production. Returning to London, Anna fully embraced her role as a producer, combining technical knowledge with a clear artistic vision.
Check out Anna here
The Night Hearts (formally The Rising) are best described as blending the fresh-faced sounds of today’s Pop/Rock with a dash of Americana / Modern Country Pop/Rock Stylings. Led by Songwriting and Production Duo Chantelle McAteer and Chris Logan.
They have received support from the likes of BBC Introducing, BBC Radio 2, BBC Radio London, Guitarist Magazine, Maverick Magazine, Hot Press Magazine and Spotify editorial playlist support, such as ‘Very Nearly Nashville’. Achieving well over 280,000 Spotify Streams on their single ‘Bruise You Left’.
A heavy work ethic has seen The Night Hearts tour extensively across Ireland, UK and Europe. They have toured with the likes of Lucy Spraggan and also played several major festivals such as The Big Feastival, Pub In The Park and Country 2 Country Festival in London’s 02, Buckle & Boots Festival and The British Country Music Festival.
The Rising have released two albums and several EPs. However, in 2020 they embarked on a strategy of releasing a single every six weeks. This constant work ethic resulted in the band being named Band Of The Month on BBC Introducing as well as play listing on Absolute Country, RTE Radio 1 and numerous other national stations.
Their upcoming album was successfully funded by fans via KickStarter. The album will be released as a Vinyl Boxset (late 2024/early 2025).
Two Ways Home, the Anglo-Austrian duo of Isabella (Vienna) and Lewis Folkner (Gloucestershire), have crafted a unique sound blending folk-rock with a country twist. Inspired by artists like Lady A, The Lumineers, and Fleetwood Mac, their catchy melodies, lush harmonies, and rocky guitars have earned them extensive media coverage and radio play across the UK and Europe. After a 35-show UK tour in 2019, they were crowned “Artist of the Month” by Caffé Nero and again in 2023 after a standout performance at the Black Deer Festival.
Known for their dynamic live performances, Two Ways Home have played prestigious venues and festivals such as The Shard, Under the Bridge, C2C, The Long Road and Victorious Festival to name a few. Despite the pandemic, they focused on writing new material and performing online, winning ‘Best Duo/Group’ at the Country Music Spotlight Awards. With a string of new releases and a successful ‘Round Up Tour’ in 2023, the duo is creating an ever-growing buzz for their upcoming releases in 2024, promising more enticing shows and captivating performances.
Check out Two Ways Home here
Join these great acts for The Round Up at The Belfast Barge for an unforgettable night!