“IDRAW SLOW : DOWNSIDE (self released) NARRATIVE-DRIVEN COUNTRY RECORD AS COMFY AS YOUR FAVORITE SWEATER. Boasting tales of lesbian lighthouse keepers, a lovelorn prostitute and a pair of pilgrims on a journey to non belief, Downside is a cracking record that wears it's alt-country influences on its tattered tartan sleeve. Over the span of 11 moonshine steeped tracks, song writing siblings Dave and Louise Holden and their band treat us to their take on music that originated in the Apalachian Mountains by putting a distinctly Irish spin on things. In many ways Downside is a bit like a comfy cardigan - what it lacks in style and sophistication, it more than makes up for it in warmth, and this record has it by the bucket load. EDWIN MCFEE KEY TRACK : OH SALLY”

“I DRAW SLOW : DOWNSIDE : No label **** Louise Holden is one half of the brother-sister duo whose songs power this very impressive, if occasionally rough, debut album in the bluegrass/old time tradition. Ms Holden is a contributor to this paper's education pages, but the songs (written by her brother Dave and herself) easily eclipse her previous creative bursts. The rest of the five-piece band is actually drawn from another, the excellent Prison Love, and they help colour and drive the music, particularly Adrian Hart on fiddle. However, the real joy here lies in the songs and her singing of them - even if at times she could project her voice more. There can't be too many tunes about lesbians in lighthouses, certainly none as infectious and intriguing as Ligthhouse. Santiago, Little Switzerland, Sisken Song, That Boy's Not Fair and Dead in the Morning are all steeped in tradition but rendered fresh and colourful in the telling. One to watch. : JOE BREEN”