The Davidson Trio discuss their new EP “Follow You,” blues-rock influences, songwriting, Gary Moore, Thin Lizzy and the challenges facing modern musicians in our full review and interview.
Here in the UK it has been unusually hot. I am sitting here with a Dr Pepper, ice, and a headache while completing this feature. I would have finished it yesterday, but I was slowly melting into a pool of sweat on the floor.
Now, I have lived in Madrid — there is sun, baby — so I know what that yellow disc in the sky is lol. The problem here in the UK is that we have no air conditioning in most homes, and upstairs the teenagers have completely confiscated the fan.
Nevertheless, here is today’s review, accompanied by a conversation with The Davidson Trio for your reading pleasure.
The Davidson Trio are:
Owen Davidson–Bass and Vocals
Ben Bicknell–Guitars
Ellis Brown–Drums
The Press Release tells me about the EP:
“The Davidson Trio are set to release their second studio recording, which will be a new 5-track EP called “Follow You,” following on from their debut album “Cougar.” This new instalment is edgier, darker and more oriented toward rock than most of the previous offerings. The collective band express that they felt they wanted to go back to a sound and feel that they would have been previously renowned for. ‘It just feels natural; this kind of music just flows out of us when we get together in the studio’ says guitarist and songwriter Ben Bicknell.”
In 2025 we reviewed “Cougar” (or at least my colleague Stevie did) – she wrote on the song “Cougar” – now this one definitely tells me why I am thinking of Tom Jones! It has a strong funky feel to it and Owen Davidson delivers a strong vocal performance that soars in the chorus, a big vocal performance.
…and on the album she wrote: “In summary, ‘Cougar’ is a growling beast of an old-style blues-rock album, fusing classic vibes with a modern kick. From funky grooves to smoky ballads, this power trio knows how to shake the room. “Catfish Blues” and “Cougar” absolutely steal the show…”
I listened to the album and there were some key funky moments! Is funk part of your musical palette? And how do you take a traditional blues vibe and recreate it for a 2026 audience?
Owen: The Blues was instrumental in and around the foundations, and as we developed that funk feel crept in.
Ben: Yeah Funk is definitely part of our sound, so is rock and even metal in places. With the new EP we definitely leant into the heavier, dropped tuning rock feel which I think is how you have to approach the rock/blues genre in 2026.
Ellis: I am really influenced by metal so i think my style of drumming on bluesy sounding tracks really brings a different modern edge.
As the album was released in 2025, were the tracks on the EP recorded during those sessions, or are they distinctively separate from the songwriting for the album?
Owen: No the songs were not recorded during the same sessions as the Cougar album.
Ben: Most of these new songs we come up with during jam sessions or rehearsals and then we go away and fine tune them or come up with the lyrics. A couple of the songs on the new EP we had the bare bones for such as “Follow You” and “Song For Phil” but we needed more time to get them right.
One of our friends here at the magazine is Shirley King, BBs daughter. She tells us how in songwriting we often return to the blues in our narratives, especially as we get older? Do you agree? Do you feel the narratives in lyrics change with age?
Ben: Yeah definitely, I feel that way with myself anyway. I find I end up writing lyrics about things in life that bring up feelings of sadness, pain, anger or stress which ultimately is what the Blues is all about. Music is a way of expressing those emotions.
Let’s talk about “Disillusion” which I liked as it has this heavy riff, interesting lyric and a sense of world weariness – can you bring me the tale of that one?
Ben: Haha, yeah again linking back to the previous question I wrote the lyrics for this one after we had a good jamming session and Ellis started playing this interesting drum beat and the riff just flowed out of me. We were all feeling pretty miffed off with the music industry, about how really good bands and musicians get lost under the radar and bands get loads of praise when in reality they probably aren’t that good. A lot of the time it comes down to how much money you have to throw at it, money talks unfortunately. I was so Disillusioned with the music business.
And the closing song, and namesake of the EP, “Follow You” – (loved the EP cover btw, which would look great on a country album too!) – this one took me into Whitesnake territory, lovely guitar break etc. Can you give me some thoughts about how that one was formed?
Ben: This one was one that was floating around in my head for a while. I wanted to do a slower type ballad track with some“Gary Moore-esque leads (he is my hero!) Lyrically it came from a feeling of missing someone or something and wanting to follow them but knowing deep down you can’t.
We have a changing, and challenging aspect to the music business at the moment, with the advent of AI, Tiktok listening algorithms (the 30 second song etc) – do we embrace change, or are we to be concerned for the future?
Ben: I am concerned personally, just being a good band isn’t enough anymore. You need to have a full time social media person, be creating content constantly, paying to appear on Spotify playlists to get heard and promotional adverts for reels. It seems like you have to be influencers first musicians second.
A fun question – It is a hard winter’s night. The tour van/bus has broken down and a harsh wind blows through the night. Nearby you see a small house, it seems abandoned, yet there is a fire burning, food on the table and working electricity. While you wait for morning – what book and what film will get you through the night?
Owen: Surely that would mean we would just have more time to write new songs!
Ben: ohh I am not much of a reader but I do love a good horror.
Ellis: yeah a good horror would seem fitting haha
And what plans for the rest of 2026 are you able to share with us?
Owen: Just creating more songs, theres a few in the pipeline.
Ben: just get out there and push for more big venues and festivals
Ellis: Yeah getting out there on some big festival stages would be great!
On to the review:
The EP was released May 1, 2026, so is out on all streaming platforms now.
Produced by: Ellis Powell-Bevan recorded at Otterhead Studios.
The EP has five songs and lasts just under 22 minutes.
I will take a moment to note that I do love the EP cover, very cool!
“Mr Greasy Snake” opens with a heavy blues style rock, complete with guitar breaks and a heavy vocal driven from the Coverdale style of delivery. It is a song dedicated to those greasy low lifes who work on their lies to create trouble in the world. Never trust a snake — eventually the poison always surfaces.
“War” – Is another really interesting art cover I note in passing. Vocally this took me toward Tom Jones, albeit a Tom Jones singing hard rock blues. It is a slower track, music with acid poured through its veins. “At times it took me toward the early Seattle sound, all mean moods and dark atmosphere — entirely at odds with my ice-cold Dr Pepper, but perfectly suited to the weather outside.
“Disillusion” we discussed in the interview. It was a track I liked, vocally emotive and with a strong drum sound that absolutely drives this heavy sounding groove forward. The guitar riff is mean and “brick by brick we turn you down” is the lyrical message delivered to a music business that chews up too many artists.
“Song For Phil” Song For Phil” is a tribute to Phil Lynott of Thin Lizzy. Lyrically and musically the influence is worn proudly, especially in the guitar work, which feels lifted straight from the classic Thin Lizzy playbook. For a moment I was transported back to the days when “The Boys Are Back in Town” ruled rock radio.
“Follow You” closes the EP down with a rock ballad, full of those Whitesnake power ballad moves. The band give a wave toward the great Gary Moore, and the whole feeling is a lament for those we miss in our lives, those we cannot replace.
“Follow You” may only run for five tracks, but The Davidson Trio clearly know the direction they want to travel. There is blues here, hard rock here, hints of funk and classic metal too, yet the EP never feels trapped in nostalgia. Instead, the band use those influences as fuel for something modern, heavier, and emotionally grounded.
Fans of classic blues-rock with a contemporary edge will find plenty to enjoy here.
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You can stream music from The Davidson Trio here
By Anna-Louise Burgess
and Lorraine Foley (review)
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