Legendary singer songwriter Nick Harper is back on the road following the success of his 2016 tour, and he is not alone. He is back with the kids (aka Port Erin) to celebrate the release of their fantastic new album Lies! Lies! Lies! Catch them at Surya, London.
‘The Wilderness Kids’ met up with the renowned solo acoustic singer-songwriter at a record store day event, where they jammed on some of Nick’s tracks from his ‘Best of’ triple LP set ‘The Wilderness Years’. Nick immediately realised the potential, promptly picked up a baritone electric guitar and the pace hasn’t let up since. The exciting energy and chemistry between the 4 has had Nick’s fans in rapture and the combination of the much-loved songwriter added to the zest present in this new gang, made capturing the zeitgeist in the words and music of the new album inevitable. Lies! Lies! Lies! is an intelligent, yet exuberant album rooted very much in the now.
Winter Mountain plays The Castle Hotel, Manchester on the 19th November and Slaughtered Lamb, London on 25th November. He will be performing all his folk hits such as “Things That I’ve Done Wrong” and “Shed a Little Light”.
Hailing from the wild and beautiful northern shores of Cornwall, UK Winter Mountain blends melodic songs, an extraordinary voice and heartfelt lyrics in a sound reminiscent of a time before digital recording, when the emphasis fell on the importance of the live performance and the essence of the song.
The Spring ’17 full band tour was received incredibly well all over the UK with MusicRiot.com calling Winter Mountains London show ‘a night of exceptional music from a blistering, shimmering 4 piece comprised of exemplary musicians who recreate and re-energise the soulful, folk-rock songs from the extraordinary albums that have won Winter Mountain so much acclaim ?????’.
Having toured the UK and Europe extensively as both headliner and support (Seal, Guy Garvey, The Feeling, Richard Thompson, Seth Lakeman, Ben Ottewell of Gomez and many, many more!) Winter Mountain is a songwriter in the truest sense of the word: Think the intimate lyrical poetry of Paul Simon and the passion of Springsteen meeting the roots of great pop tinged with traditional celtic folk.
In November ’16 Winter Mountain released his highly anticipated and critically acclaimed second album ‘I Swear I Flew’. Multiple tracks from the album have received radio play from BBC Radio 2, BBC Radio 6, RTE Radio 1 in Ireland and others around the world.
Reviews for both the album and Joe’s recent live shows have been stacked with praise, come and see for yourself why so many people are starting to listen to Winter Mountain.
Ukrainian 4 piece, Jinjer, are a band who have taken European Metal fans by storm. With songs such as Just Another and Pisces, their Manchester show on November 22nd is sure to be one to remember…
Being the Ukraine’s best-kept extreme metal secret, the technically sophisticated four-piece Jinjer represent an incredibly catchy mix of metalcore, djent, hardcore, and groove metal. Having thrilled the Ukraine with two albums already, the time has now come for them to infect the whole planet with their third full length effort, King Of Everything! With feisty growls and soul-shattering clean vocals, front-woman extraordinaire Tatiana Shmailyuk holds the balancing elements that keep it all together and guarantee to rattle your bones!
Youtuber Social Repose comes to the U.K. for the first time, he plays at Factory Manchester on the 6th of November.
Hailing from Washington, D.C., Social Repose found it’s modest beginnings in the bedroom of singer, songwriter, producer and personality Richie Giese in late 2011. Social Repose, stylistically dubbed S/R, began as a synth-pop act used as a creative outlet that blended experiences, personal struggles, and fictional character storylines into one creative unique experience that fans nation-wide have come to embrace and receive. For most, Social Repose is more than just another creative display of well thought-out lyrics strung together by catchy melodies. More than anything it’s become a life style, a personal expression, and a reality.
Richie’s career over the past year has seen an explosion of fandom as hundreds of thousands have become apart of the S/R experience. Richie himself is known for his unique, yet tasteful appearance that fans have come to embrace. With his trademark purple-feathered headdress and war paint, fans everywhere have shown their support by mirroring his imagery at shows across the country on various tours and solo dates. Since S/R’s inception, Richie has played numerous shows in support of national/ International touring acts such as The Millionaires, Our Last Night, SayWeCanFly, Blood On The Dance Floor, Trace Cyrus of Metro Station and more. In addition, S/R was voted best up and coming artist (twice) in D.C’s Deli Magazine, while holding the #1 spot in electronic genre charts (D.C.) of reverbnation for the entirety of 2014 while embarking on his very first nation-wide tour later that year.
Much of Richie’s success could be attributed to his strong commitment to music and social media, but also the personality attached to the character. Outside S/R’s rapidly growing Facebook popularity, Richie’s YouTube career has also seen a significant influx as fan support over the past months has boomed. His personal YouTube channel now hosts nearly one million subscribers who flock to watch his content on a daily basis. His YouTube channel has generated over 140 million views and as seen music sales and streaming increase in nearly every month since his debut EP, ‘Yalta,’ was released in late 2015, generating multiple million stream singles and tens of thousands of units being sold.
Social Repose will be looking to continue building on his success as he continues to be a model for musicians everywhere, showing that hard work, a strong will to succeed, and dedication to your craft can make a global impression.
Multi-instrumentalist and Blues / Folk musician Harry Manx is back in the UK this November for a not to be missed one off show at The Forge, London. Known for his distinctive style with influences from his travel and tutelage in Canada, Japan and India he is certain to entertain.
Harry forged his distinctive style by studying at the feet of the masters, first as a sound man in the blues clubs of Toronto during his formative years and then under a rigorous tutelage with Vishwa Mohan Bhatt in India. Bhatt is the inventor of the 20-stringed Mohan Veena, which has become Harry’s signature instrument. Harry played slide guitar for many years before meeting Bhatt in Rajasthan,in fact he had been living in another part of India for many years already, but he started at the beginning under Bhatt’s tutelage, unlearning most of what he knew about playing a slide instrument. He learned Eastern scales and eventually ragas, deceptively complex and regimented musical patterns that form the basis of Indian composition. Learning the voicings of Indian music is a subtle art that comes with time. Harry spent most of twelve years in India learning that. It was later on that Harry decided to explore the connection between Indian ragas and blues scales which eventually led to the Indo-blues hybrid that has become his style.
Following the release of her new album ‘Then Up’ earlier this year, which has been described as her most personal album to date, acoustic folk sensation Lisbee Stainton will soon be embarking on her 2nd UK Tour this year. The female singer songwriter will be heading to the Slaughtered Lamb in London, be sure to get your tickets.
‘Then Up’; is Lisbee’s fifth studio album, the first of which that has been entirely self-produced and created over a two year period at Monnow Valley Studios in Rockfield. The album includes co-writes with Eleanor McEvoy and Charlie Dore, and musicians Cormac Byrne (percussionist) and Jack Rutter (guitarist), who both played in Seth Lakeman’s band with Lisbee, as well as Lisbee’s long-time bassist Pete Randall, who took time-out in between touring with Adele to contribute to the album’s recording sessions.
“Bound for glory.an exquisite slice of traditional songwriting” – The Times
“Cultured folk pop” – The Independent on Sunday
“An edifying experience” – The Daily Mirror
“Impressive” – The Daily Express
“Lisbee’s appeal is clear: slowly revolving rhythms, wistful English melancholy with a soul undertow, and a sweet folk-pop voice.” – MOJO
“a terrific singer and songwriter” – R2 Magazine
“A unique genre-less artist who is slowly but surely making her global mark. The suits who choose the Mercury prize nomination albums should take note.”- Maverick Magazine
Exciting post-modern lit hop artist MC Lars will be heading to London this October to kick off the UK part of his Awesome Adventure Friendship Tour. The American multi-talented artist is no stranger to live shows and is bound to put on a not to be missed performance on his 2 UK dates.
MC Lars is the creator of post punk laptop rap and lit hop, which he has extended and powered into a fusion of rap, punk, rock, ska, pop, and other genres. He is post-modern — combining his music with powerful and present lyrics, and packing concert venues with raps about everything from the iGeneration to Guitar Hero to Edgar Allen Poe to Game of Thrones, the Simpsons and Cyberbullying. He speaks to and for people of all ages, lifestyles, and perspectives, and is a story-teller, covering love, life, loss, confusion, and hope. He does so with energy and wit, joined with a strong sense of humour and perspective.
He is an engaging, exciting and compelling performer, and was selected by 12 Street Press as one of the top 7 nerd rock artists to see live. He tours in the US, the UK and the rest of Europe, Australia, and Japan. His latest tour, the fall 2017 MC Lars Awesome Adventure Friendship Tour, opens in Denver in September, and continues through 20 shows in the US, England, and Scotland.
In addition to touring, he has performed at Carnegie Hall in New York, at South by Southwest, ComicCon, Slam Dunk Festival, Truck Festival, Orlando Nerd Fest, and as part of Vans Warped Tour. He has performed on stage with numerous artists, including Bowling for Soup, MC Frontalot, mc chris, Wheatus, Say Anything, Gym Class Heroes, Brand New, Simple Plan, T-Pain, Snoop Dogg, Nas, and Koo Koo Kangaroo.
Following the release of his all-instrumental solo album Exodus, rock/metal shred guitar star Andy James is heading to the UK as part of his epic European tour with fellow rock master Angel Vivaldi. Check this awesome duo out as they play Factory in Manchester this September.
Andy James is one of the world’s top new Metal and Shred guitar stars with amazing technique, phrasing and all round ability. Andy’s talent has been recognized by guitar stars including John Petrucci, Mark Tremonti and Rusty Cooley, and he’s also played alongside Zakk Wylde, Paul Gilbert, Guthrie Govan and Vinnie Moore and many more.
Now a globally renowned guitarist with thousands of fans to his name, Andy has been featured by magazines such as Total Guitar and Metal Hammer as one of the world’s best.
A Youtube phenomenon with millions of views, Andy is an online legend famed not only for his incendiary playing, but also his tutorials and DVD’s released with leading companies such as Licklibrary and Jamtrax.
Andy has several acclaimed solo releases to his name as well as two successful albums with Sacred Mother Tongue, and is a well-respected metal session guitarist.
Following the release of new music this week, electro pop genius Slow Magic is heading to London as part of his European tour. Captivated by his enigmatic allure, Slow Magic is already rising in the ranks of artists to watch and is guaranteed to put on a live magical experience.
Constantly masked like Deadmau5 but a creator of music much smaller and more serene, producer Slow Magic began releasing his otherworldly and soothing music in 2012. It was that year that he released the album Triangle on the LebensStrasse label, although in mysterious and true Slow Magic form, the album didn’t include the word “Triangle” on the cover, only the shape. He toured with the like-minded artists Gold Panda and Xxyyxx in support of the album; then in 2013, he remixed tracks from Panda along with the Spanish indie dance band Delorean. A split single with Sun Glittersarrived on LebensStrasse in 2014, while that same year Slow Magic released the album How to Run Away on the Sony-distributed imprint Downtown. 2017’s single “Mind” put the focus on Kate Boy’s vocals as well as Slow Magic’s distinctive mix of live and electronic instrumentation.
After last years’ success in the UK, the Inventive, hard working and staggeringly talented Andy McKee is heading back over. Known as one of the finest fingerstyle guitarists with his two handed signature technique he will be putting on shows across the UK that you will not want to miss.
Andy is a self-taught musician who grew up studying cassettes and CDs of artists as diverse as Preston Reed, Don Ross, Billy McLaughlin, and Michael Hedges, Eric Johnson, and Dream Theater. Interesting enough, his slap and pop technique is inspired by Earth Wind & Fire’s bassist Verdine White. He also absorbed the sophisticatedly accessible work of 1980s icons like Toto and Tears For Fears. His compositions and imaginative technique are an amalgamated conception of these disparate aesthetics—the chops-y journeys of guitar masters, the irreverent genius of the modern acoustic wizards, and the creative and hooky compositional and arrangement sense of good 1980s pop. Andy writes with rich impressionistic chords that often evoke beautiful country landscapes. He arranges with a keen understanding of dynamics and how songs have to feel transporting to have emotional currency. And he’s been able to confidently apply his concepts to playfully sincere renditions of pop standards such as Tears For Fears “Everybody Wants To Rule The World,” Toto’s “Africa,” and even a refreshingly rustic rendition of “Stairway To Heaven”. He started his professional career like many musicians as a guitar teacher before his career launching appearance at the venerated National Finger Style Guitar Championships in Winfield, Kansas where he was a top finalist. From that platform he went on to be a recording artist, and sticking close to his indie ideals, he’s managed to sell 50,000 records. He’s also sold thousands of hand-transcribed folio books to those who want to study his music in a more intimate and scholarly way.
To celebrate 10 years of making music together, London’s own soul/funk outfit Mamas Gun are putting on two very special gigs at Camdens JAZZ CAFÉ. September 13th sees the band presenting all the best stuff from the last 10 years plus exclusive brand new material from their forthcoming album due for release early 2018. September 14th is a one-off MAMAS GUN + special musical guests. This evening will see the band performing an exclusive set of live collaborations with an array of very special guests and musical friends.
Mamas Gun are a musically diverse, feisty and fabulous five-piece band fronted by singer/composer/producer ANDY PLATTS. Andy is joined by keyboard player DAVE “EIGHTIES” OLIVER who’s musical education has embraced everything from barbershop singing to French horn and now includes jazz, soul and Cuban playing. Alongside stand out guitarist TERRY “SPILLER” LEWIS who studied music in London and now resides on UK’s south coast and who’s musical journey has seen him work with legendary Marvin Gaye/Minnie Ripperton/Michael Jackson producer Leon Ware, Lewis Taylor, The Impressions (the late Curtis Mayfield’s former group), Jamie Woon, The Valentine Brothers, Jean Carne to name a few. CHRIS “NEW BOY” BOOT took over the band’s drum stool in 2016, bringing with him a career everywhere from Abby Road to Glastonbury and all over the world and with the likes of Florrie, Moya, Lone and Bacchus. Finally CAMERON ‘the Mounty’ DAWSON is the youngest – barely able to drink in America, but already an old soul in his musical capability and contributions to the energetic and memorable stage shows that Mamas Gun never fail to deliver.
As part of their epic European Tour to celebrate the release of their brand new album ‘High Strangeness’ in March, Texan heavy rock trio are heading to Manchester. ‘Do not miss your chance to hop on board and TRIP ON THE SHIP’
Tuesday 27th June, Factory, Manchester
“Such a killer find, man. Can’t wait to see them live!” – Dom Lawson (Metal Hammer / Classic Rock)
“Propelled by a mixture of progressive, experimental rock which seamlessly merges stunning guitar work with that 70s carefree rock attitude, the album manages to produce stunning songs which scream of the classic greats such as Thin Lizzy or Led Zeppelin….the album unveils track upon track of brilliance on the unsuspecting listener leaving you feeling like you were whisked back in time to experience that golden era of rock all over again. Going from this album I will be very surprised if these guys do not become huge.” – Lee Walker (Firebrand Magazine)
“Been listening to Mothership all day now and if feels like UFO and Orange Goblin got drunk with St. Vitus, smoked some weed with Blue Cheer and spewed out the tuffest blues-drenched, no frills love child I’ve heard all month. Some ridiculously badass guitars. And heavy above all else!” – Sword of Doom
“Try to resist a band that plays blues-laden metal with heavy guitar riffs that is also hoping for intergalactic travel. Mothership is a three piece from Dallas that alternates between an almost AC/DC-like sound on a track like “City Nights” and a broader, heavier and more epic sound on tracks like “Cosmic Rain,” “Angel of Death” and the opener, “Hallucination.” – Samantha Power (Vue Weekly.com)
“Texas is well known for three things: the annual ‘Houston Livestock’ rodeo, BBQ ribs and ZZ TOP. Now it’s time for a fourth thing to be added to the Texan list: Dallas’ 70s style heavy fuzz rockers MOTHERSHIP……Spinning this one once more I can almost smell the Orange amps, the unrefined booze and the sweat dripping from their faces while performing in small bar stages. But you guys, you are made for B-I-G. Well done, sirs and Ripple Music!” -Maria Voutiriadou (Metal Kaoz)
Regarded as the best Stone Roses tribute band there is, The Complete Stone Roses are heading to The 100 Club in London for a not to be missed event for all Stone Roses fans looking to relive those nostalgic 90’s Brit Pop days.
The Completes, as they are affectionately referenced to by their fans, play to acclaim both from fans themselves, the press, and even original Stone Roses band members. Stone Roses bass player Mani has not only just appeared as a warm up DJ for the band on the odd occasion but has also played onstage with them as their guest bassist playing She Bangs The Drums on more than a few times when he was touring about with the band. Mani says “they do our songs real justice. At times, they play even better than we did”. They have also performed alongside Peter Hook (New Order), Clint Boon & Tom Hingley (Inspiral Carpets) and the legendary Bez (Happy Mondays), all Manchester legends in their own right and have even created a somewhat celebrity fan-base with artist’s such as Chris Helme, Stuart Fletcher and Andy Watts (the seahorses) Andy Rourke (The Smiths), Rick Witter (Shed 7), Andy Couzens (The Stone Roses), Richard Fearless (Death In Vegas) and Shane MacGowan (The Pogues) who each, individually over the last few years, have either appeared as a support DJ/Guest for the band or have attended one of their gigs purley as a fan of stone roses music being played to perfection in a live enviroment.
After achieving huge success with hits Blurry and She Hates Me, American rockers Puddle Of Mudd are back in the UK and ready to put on a show. Catch them at Gorilla Manchester this summer!
Puddle of Mudd was formed September 13, 1991 by Wes Scantlin (vocals/guitar). According to Wes, the band name was inspired by practicing next to the Missouri River levy, which always inundated the band’s practice space but never ruined their equipment because they were on the second floor. Their first album, ‘Stuck’, was released in 1994 on V&R Records. It spawned two radio singles.
2001 – Now
In September 2014, the band released the non album single ‘Piece of the Action’. In July 2015, the band announced that they were recording their sixth studio album.
Glasswerk are excited to announce they’ve teamed up with the winners of Best Urban Festival Sound City to help create Sound City Emerging… On Tour. Four fantastic free concerts in London and Manchester uncovering emerging talent from all over the world!
Clement Bazin (France): Acombination of sparkling melodies, helium filled vocals and tropical beats, Clement Bazin reaffirms his solar universe, perfect antidote for the too long winters. https://www.facebook.com/clementbazinmusic
The Bongo Club (Sweden): Making their debut with the album ‘Be Careful Not to Stare’ in 2015 and making most of touring after its release, by close to 100 shows over Europe, The Bongo Club got the experience to almost anything and everything. Next up was the hit single ‘All She Said’, which gave the band airplay on tastemaker stations all over the world. 2016 has been full on as well; four shows during Eurosonic, hitting #1 on Spotify Viral Top 50 in March and a visit to cutting edge conference MUSEXPO in Los Angeles in April.
The summer was all about touring again and December 2016 the band will return to the studio to get some new masterpieces underway for early 2017. Still this is nothing complicated, it’s still just indie rock and totally ready to let it all go on any given night. Get with it on this December run! https://www.facebook.com/TheBongoClub/
Cleo T: World music in it’s finest sense. Musicians from eleven countries meet, as do gospel and Balkan beats, Neo Soul and chanson, tender electronica and French pop, velvety crooning and fresh funk. https://www.facebook.com/cleotmusic/
Shijo X (Italy): The sound, always experimental and very personal, drifts away from the trip-pop atmosphrere of the second album to define a much stronger signature style. An admirable range of synth effects ranging from video game sounds to Pink Floyd inspired rattling coins was on display. Accompanied bu hip hop/jazz inspired beats and basslines of a similar ilk to BadBadNotGood and vocals that recall Lady Gaga https://www.facebook.com/shijox/
Swiimers (Korea): Led by MQ Cho, formerly known as UHF of which music was beloved by fans who enjoy shoegazing, dream pop music from Cocteau Twins, Slowdive to local bands like Misty Blue and Blue Dawn. Their music can be categorised as dream pop, but some of their songs feel like they belong to other genres like synth pop or even electronica. https://www.facebook.com/swiimers/
Wasted Johnny’s (Seoul): A crazy power punk band from South Korea, they will stun your with your sound https://www.facebook.com/WastedJohnnys/
7 new dates have been added to the line-up for the ultimate oasis tribute band, Definitely Oasis. Regarded as the best Oasis tribute band there is, this will be a series of not to miss events for all Oasis fans craving the nostalgic days of Britpop. For ticket links see below
The band regularly sell out top class venues across the UK and were recently the first ever tribute band to sell out Glasgow’s iconic Garage Venue quite an achievement when you consider only 3 years ago the band played there first gig in Glasgow to less than 50 people to now playing closer to 1000 people shows how good this band is and how far they have come.
Everything the band does is all about what the fans want to see and hear a lot of hard work goes on in the background making sure that the look and sound are bang on so much so that the band were invited to play to play the iconic barrowlands venue on November 26th 2016 a venue loved by both Liam & Noel and where Oasis played arguably some of there finest ever shows and another first for an Oasis tribute band proves why they are the best Oasis tribute in the Business.
With the real Oasis on an extended break at the moment this is definitely the next best thing Definitely Oasis do an amazing job of keeping the music alive and and set the bar high by re-creating the Oasis look, sound and feel of an Oasis gig that fans come to expect and are also the only Oasis tribute that have both a Liam and Noel sound alikes.
Dates are fast approaching for Ireland’s most accomplished singer songwriter Eleanor McEvoy. With 12 studio albums and tours all over the world under her belt, this wealth of experience will make for an unforgettable experience. Catch her in Manchester or London as she continues to tour her latest album Naked. See below for tickets
Exposed to music at a very early age, Dublin born Eleanor grew up in a strict Catholic household in the grey north-side suburb of Cabra. After a musical upbringing playing the piano, violin and performing on stage with her older siblings, Eleanor graduated in music from Trinity in Dublin and set out to pay her way through life as a jobbing musician. Already writing her own songs, she was waiting for the opportunity to branch out on her own. To initially pay her way, Eleanor spent 4 years in Ireland’s National Symphony Orchestra (NSO), she recorded studio sessions as a singer, fiddle and keyboard player and joined Irish diva Mary Black’s touring band. She then decided to cash in her savings and go for it; spending the cash on better song demos, home recording gear and a decent guitar.
Out of the blue, two chances came along at once. Mary and her record company manager/husband decided Eleanor’s song “A Woman’s Heart” would be a fitting title and lead song for the compilation they were putting together of contemporary Irish female performers. Simultaneously the legendary Tom Zutaut of Geffen Records (who signed the likes of Guns N Roses and Motley Crue), on a scouting mission to Dublin, heard Eleanor in a pub, bought her demo cassette and on the spot decided he wanted to sign her to Geffen.
Everything changed and Eleanor was off to tour the world, while at the same time A Woman’s Heart went into the Irish charts and still remains the biggest Irish selling record in the home market.
Zutaut’s departure from Geffen led to Eleanor re-signing to Columbia Records in New York. By this time she had a band and she cut the album “What’s Following Me?” Columbia reinvested, but Eleanor let the band go and went in to a French Chateau with producer Rupert Hine (Rush, Stevie Nicks, Tina Turner) and engineer Ruadhri Cushnan (George Michael, Mumford and Sons and the Maccabees). Events now took a lurch side-ways, as Eleanor was attacked walking home from the studio in London. Traumatised and with a damaged hand, Eleanor had to recruit a new band to tour the album. Sadly the album was not what Columbia had in mind, and after the briefest airing of “Snapshots”, they let her go. (Bizarrely “Sophie”, a song from the album has become a focus of hope and comfort for anorexics world wide on you-tube with videos made with the song as the soundtrack).
Having recovered and not about to give up, Eleanor moved to Wexford and recorded “Yola” a far more tranquil and thoughtful album, which remains to this day a talisman in the worldwide Hi-Fi community.
Embarking on full time song-writing during this period, she’s co-written with Rodney Crowell, Lloyd Cole, Henry (The Christians) Priestman and Johnny Rivers. Her most recent and longest writing companion has been Dave Rotheray of the Beautiful South. This culminated in the recording and performance of Dave’s “Life Of Birds” album. Eleanor co-wrote five of the songs, sang and played on several of the tracks and was a special guest on the album’s tour earlier this year.
Only a matter of days before charismatic spoken word poet Shane Koyczan hits the stage for his dates in London and Manchester. Prepare to be mesmerised by the words of the award winning artist who has been described as “at the heart of a Category Five creative hurricane”
In a realm where poets rarely intersect with stardom, the Opening Ceremonies for the 2010 Winter Olympics introduced us to Shane Koyczan. With a collective “wow” across Canada and beyond, we found the poet of our generation. And we weren’t even looking for one. The world took notice when Shane’s influential, anti-bullying, To This Day Project video went viral in early 2013 with over 14 million views and counting. Powerfully engaging and authentic in attitude, his explorations are relevant to our times in the way that Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell, Gordon Downie and Leonard Cohen are to theirs. But unlike the musicians that he’s often compared to, poets rarely infiltrate pop culture. Koyzcan emerges in a new wave of 21st century poetry that dares to belong to the people and speak directly to them in their own voice.
Following the release of her new album ‘Then Up’ earlier this week, acoustic folk sensation Lisbee Stainton will soon be embarking on her Uk Tour. The female singer songwriter known for her use of a distinctive eight-string guitar will be heading to Manchester and London, be sure to get your tickets.
Lisbee Stainton is a 28 year-old singer-songwriter who has been writing music for 20 years. She recorded her first album, Firefly, in 2006 before going on to study Popular Music at Goldsmiths College.
Since graduating, she has recorded a further 3 critically acclaimed albums Girl on an Unmade Bed , Go and Word Games. Lisbee was the first unsigned artist to play London’s O2 Arena. Soon after, 6Music’s Tom Robinson discovered Lisbee’s song ‘Red’, and his support subsequently led to her music being play listed by BBC Radio 2. Since then she has toured with such notable artists as Joan Armatrading, Paul Brady, Gretchen Peters, Paul Carrack and Seth Lakeman, who was so impressed that he invited her to join his band in 2012.
In April 2017, Lisbee released her fifth studio album ‘Then Up’; the first album of hers to be entirely self-produced and created over a two year period at Monnow Valley Studios in Rockfield. The album includes co-writes with Eleanor McEvoy and Charlie Dore, and musicians Cormac Byrne (percussionist) and Jack Rutter (guitarist), who both played in Seth Lakeman’s band with Lisbee, as well as Lisbee’s long-time bassist Pete Randall, who took time-out in between touring with Adele to contribute to the album’s recording sessions.
Lisbee is proud to be an Artist Ambassador for Schertler, who specialise in acoustic stringed amplification. If you see her play live you might notice ‘David’ – Lisbee’s little Schertler amp – sitting on a chair behind her on stage. Schertler make some fantastic (and very aesthetically pleasing) bits of equipment.
With their name taken from American neo soul singer Erykah Badu’s second album, you can already get a taste of what a diverse and eclectic style Mamas Gun have. Currently working on their long awaited 4th studio album, Mamas Gun are heading out on the road and to do a tour of this summer’s festival circuit, including a show at The Haunt in Brighton.
“You must buy the Mamas Gun Album” (Peter Gabriel) “No doubt – they’re amazing!” (Brian May of Queen)
Mamas Gun are a musically diverse, feisty and fabulous five-piece band fronted by singer/composer/producer ANDY PLATTS. Andy is joined by keyboard player DAVE “EIGHTIES” OLIVER who’s musical education has embraced everything from barbershop singing to French horn and now includes jazz, soul and Cuban playing. Alongside stand out guitarist TERRY “SPILLER” LEWIS who studied music in London and now resides on UK’s south coast and who’s musical journey has seen him work with legendary Marvin Gaye/Minnie Ripperton/Michael Jackson producer Leon Ware, Lewis Taylor, The Impressions (the late Curtis Mayfield’s former group), Jamie Woon, The Valentine Brothers, Jean Carne to name a few. CHRIS “NEW BOY” BOOT took over the band’s drum stool in 2016, bringing with him a career everywhere from Abby Road to Glastonbury and all over the world and with the likes of Florrie, Moya, Lone and Bacchus. Finally CAMERON ‘the Mounty’ DAWSON is the youngest – barely able to drink in America, but already an old soul in his musical capability and contributions to the energetic and memorable stage shows that Mamas Gun never fail to deliver.
Only a matter of days till dynamic alternative 3 piece Port Erin head to Liverpool to showcase their newly released album Ocean Grey. With 10 years of live performing experience behind them and last years’ tour as Nick Harpers backing band, only expect great things from these boys.
Friday 14th April – The Shipping Forecast, Liverpool
Garnering near-cult status as purveyors of original genre-bending music, Port Erin are a band of three. Two brothers- Reuben Myles Tyghe, vocals and guitar, flanked by Jacob Myles Tyghe on bass and Cerys Brocklehurst on drums. They hail from Broughton Gifford (a very small village tucked away in South West England) and formed in January 2007. 2017 brings the horizon of album four, Ocean Grey. Ten years distilled into six potent, extended, considered songs. Recorded in the Wiltshire studio of platinum producer and composer, Chris Hughes. Ocean Grey was tracked and mixed by long-time collaborator, Dominic Bailey-Clay (of Nine Volt Leap Recording Studio) following his past work on previous albums, Floating Above The City and Live 2015. Pete Judge of critically acclaimed jazz instrumental outfits, Get the Blessing(link text) and Dakhla plays trumpet aside long-standing collaborator, Simon Williams on saxophone.
Ocean Grey is an album of considered, quiet rage. Lyrically, it explores earth waning themes of displacement and loss yet solace emerges in the thinnest of glimmers.
After an incredible and varied career in the music industry playing with artists such as Ozzy Osborne, Deep Purples vocalist Ian Gillan and several years with the band Desperado with former Twisted singer Dee Snider, Bernie Torme is on the road and embracing his solo success. (See below for tickets)
It has been said of Irish guitarist Bernie Tormé that he plays his Stratocaster through a Marshall as though he knew them in a previous life.
Dublin born Bernie learned his trade from local heroes such as Rory Gallagher, Gary Moore and Eric Bell before moving to London in 74, where he initially played with heavy pub rockers Scrapyard, and then formed the Bernie Torme Band in 76. The BTB toured with Bob Geldof’s Boomtown Rats and Billy Idol’s Generation X among many others. In 2013 Bernie started playing solo gigs again with his favourite three piece line up format, playing festivals in Spain and the UK. He is planning to record a new solo album in 2014, which will be the first Bernie Torme solo album for 15 years.
After the amazing success of last year’s UK tour, and dates with MC Lars, Mega Ran is back in the UK to give us even more of his musical genius through the medium of hip-hop, soul music, jazz and standup comedy, Glasswerk are excited to have to of these dates!
If you put videogames, the ’80s, hip-hop, soul music, jazz and standup comedy into a blender and hit “puree,” you’d have something close to The Mega Ran Experience. Ran’s first album “The Call” was a critical success, featuring tracks with some of the underground’s most respected heads. Ran cut his teeth in the city of Philadelphia as a moonlighting emcee and producer, performing, freestyle rapping, producing and later engineering at a studio. After relocating to Phoenix, competing in the Scribble Jam emcee battle championships and taking an early exit, Ran almost quit before he was even started, when a creative lightning bolt struck, and a fire was lit.
The band originated after lead singer Gavin Gardiner wrote songs for a school project while attending Ryerston University. He formed the band with bassist Andrew Wyatt and drummer Chris Cocca, who has left the band.l They originally formed as Friday Morning’s Regret,[2] releasing the song “The Wooden Sky” on the Friends in Bellwood compilation album, but opted to change the band’s name to The Wooden Sky before releasing their debut album.
Their debut album, released in 2007, is When lost at Sea Band members now include Gardiner (vocals, guitars, harmonica), Wyatt (bass, vocals), Simon Walker (piano, vocals, guitar) and Andrew Kekewich (percussion).
Samuel Jack is definitely one to watch. with an album under his belt and a BBC Radio 2, BBC London and BBC Introducing already recognising his talent, 2017 is going to be a great year for this young soulful singer.
Raised on Blues, Motown and Soul music Samuel’s influences and musical style comes from his childhood growing up between Clapham, Johannesburg, and The Netherlands. Now back in the UK from within the walls of his caravan in the rolling hills of Somerset Samuel Jack has spent the last two years honing his song writing craft. Now fully fuelled and ready to go, from his first ever performance at Glastonbury 2015, and with support from his forthcoming single he is not to be missed.
Glasswerk is proud to present the multi-instrumental madness of Patch And The Giant who will be touring the UK in February, click on the dates below for more information and tickets
Patch & The Giant have a rare degree of maturity in their work. Fresh-sounding folk songwriting, the band’s sound – patchwork yet refined – has gradually evolved to occupy its own universe.(Clash Magazine). PATG are a dynamic troupe of musicians and an ever-growing force under the alt-folk umbrella, with a sound build on a rich and unusual union of instruments including cello, flugelhorn, violin, accordion and more. Over recent years, they have made their name on the UK festival circuit including Wilderness Festival, Boomtown Fair, Green Man Festival, Hop Farm Festival, Larmer Tree Festival, Secret Garden Party and at Cambridge Folk Festival as one of the festival’s featured showcase artists. In February 2017 they tour in support of their debut album release: ‘All That We Had, We Stole.’
Mamas Gun are back again and in London in January. The funky 5 piece have an impressive resume of performances and accolades, even beating Madonna to a no.1 spot in Japan. Click on the date below for tickets!
“You must buy the Mamas Gun Album” (Peter Gabriel) “No doubt – they’re amazing!” (Brian May of Queen)
Mamas Gun are a musically diverse, feisty and fabulous five-piece band fronted by singer/composer/producer ANDY PLATTS. Andy is joined by keyboard player DAVE “EIGHTIES” OLIVER who’s musical education has embraced everything from barbershop singing to French horn and now includes jazz, soul and Cuban playing. Alongside stand out guitarist TERRY “SPILLER” LEWIS who studied music in London and now resides on UK’s south coast and who’s musical journey has seen him work with legendary Marvin Gaye/Minnie Ripperton/Michael Jackson producer Leon Ware, Lewis Taylor, The Impressions (the late Curtis Mayfield’s former group), Jamie Woon, The Valentine Brothers, Jean Carne to name a few. CHRIS “NEW BOY” BOOT took over the band’s drum stool in 2016, bringing with him a career everywhere from Abby Road to Glastonbury and all over the world and with the likes of Florrie, Moya, Lone and Bacchus. Finally CAMERON ‘the Mounty’ DAWSON is the youngest – barely able to drink in America, but already an old soul in his musical capability and contributions to the energetic and memorable stage shows that Mamas Gun never fail to deliver.
HISTORY – In October 2009 Mamas Gun released their debut album Routes To Riches. Co-produced by Julian Simmons (Ed Sheeran/Guillemots), mixed by Grammy Award-winning producer/engineer Jack Joseph Puig (Black Eyed Peas, U2, the Rolling Stones) and mastered by the equally notable Bob Ludwig, Routes To Riches manages to combine the euphoria of soul and Motown music with the spirit of Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, Lewis Taylor and the Average White Band at their blue-eyed-soul best. The record is also all about musical enjoyment and nothing to do with the fleets of fashion and this “philosophy” has obviously already hit a nerve as the band have achieved play-list status for their first two singles on the BBC Radio 2 & enjoyed an Album Of The Week feature on the Smooth radio network. More interestingly perhaps, Mamas Gun are currently having a huge impact in Japan where they were heralded as the most played international act in the country, beating Madonna to No. 1 in the airplay charts whilst doing so. The band also managed to achieve the No.3 sales slot on the Japanese Billboard charts.
Second album THE LIFE AND SOUL continued to receive support with further nationally playlist singles in the UK and overseas. This time produced by another Grammy Award winning producer Martin Terefe & Andreas Olsson, the new release propelled the band into the live scene of even more countries and saw them headlining nationwide tours in Germany, Holland, Korea, Japan and the UK. And with word of their talent and music spreading, recording collaborations between top selling artists (notably Beverley Knight, UK & Ben L’oncle Soul, France) came about, propelling the band into new areas of recognition and establishing them further into the market place.
Four lads from South Yorkshire, UK who gleefully share their moniker with an infamous old school South American gang, Alvarez Kings summon pop power through timeless analog synth and guitar magic. The quartet—brothers Simon [vocals, guitar] and Paul Thompson [bass, keys, backup vocals], Sean Parkin [guitar], and Richard Walker [drums, samples, pads]—has quietly built up an international buzz since their 2012 formation.
BBC Radio proclaimed “No Resolve” the “Single of the Year,” while they impressed audiences at Isle of Wight and O2 Wireless Festival in addition to show-stopping stints on the Vans Warped Tour in 2013 and 2015 and support slots on tours with Melanie Martinez, PVRIS, and Echosmith. Their 2015 EP, Fear To Feel, expanded their foothold in the U.S. Spotify featured the title track on coveted playlists such as The Indie Mix and Ultimate Indie Playlist, notching 40K streams in less than 12 hours and eventually amassing over 700K and counting. Meanwhile, they drew acclaim from Billboard, Huffington Post, and more. Preceded by the introductory focus track “Cold Conscience,” their full-length debut, Somewhere Between [Sire/Warner Bros. Records], is now primed to make a significant impact in 2017.
When the new millennium arrived the music industry was in the midst of a new music revolution. The free delivery via shared files online created a new “outlaw” brand, that would prove instrumental in the way music would be not just delivered but created. One of the breakout bands to not just embrace but help shift the tectonic plates of the music industry was Crazy Town. As one of the first hybrid brands, they brought a new ball into the game. Equal parts urban and suburban, Chevrolet and Bentley, they rolled onto the music scene with a slow build that erupted when a “Butterfly” entered the room. The two founding members, Seth Binzer and Bret Mazur were introduced to each other by WILL I AM of the BLACK EYED PEAS. Binzer brought in his long-time friend DJ AM and Crazytown was born.
The band was all the buzz in the industry, the talk of LA. Crazytown-mania created a classic Hollywood record label bidding war in which Columbia Records ultimately won. It was the Columbia/Sony worldwide reach which appealed the most to Crazytown and that reach had them touring the world and eventually garnered them a number 1 record in more than 15 countries, and selling more than 6 million copies of their first album, THE GIFT OF GAME. The success of their worldwide smash hit Butterfly in 2001 was inescapable and reached iconic status.
In 2003, CrazyTown released the follow up to GIFT OF GAME, titled DARKHORSE. Couched by record executives to deliver a harder sound, the band did not follow their instincts in the studio. DARKHORSE was not the follow up record the band wanted to, or should have delivered. The luke warm reception by the media, and lackluster sales of the sophomore effort strained the relationship between the label and the band. Whether or not Crazytown was a vicitim of the changing playing field or of their own success, they found themselves without a record deal soon thereafter. Mazur and Binzer decided to take a little hiatus and re-energize for what would be Crazytowns third record. Binzer went on to have great success with a solo effort and Paul Oakenfold’s Starry Eyed Surprise. Mazur went back to his roots as a Writer/Producer/remixer working with the likes of The Plain White Tees, Julien K, Hollywood Undead and many more.
Months turned to years, and it wasn’t until Bret called Seth to discuss releasing an album of unreleased Crazytown songs that the spark was re-ignited. They decided to get back into the studio and add one, or two brand new songs to the mix. In Mazur’s words “I just felt like we had all these songs that our fans would love to hear! Why let them die in my hard drive.” One or two new songs turned into a complete reformation of a new Crazytown. “We are taking it back to our roots, for the love of what we do”, stated Binzer.
If you were lucky enough to catch the sneak preview of their new track “Lemon Face” you know they mean business. A full record release is in the works for 2014. Well poised for reinvigorating their fans and banging out new ones, the band launches live with a handful of Southwest US dates, including the legendary Whiskey A Go Go in Hollywood. Then it is off to Europe in June to own their slot at uber music fests Rock In Park & Rock Am Ring in Germany, and NovaRock in Austria, before crushing it at Download in the UK. The tour is rounded out by other high profile festivals, and some headline shows.
Crazytown is back. Crazytown is wiser. Crazytown is better. Crazytown is now!
Can it really be twenty years since Mark Morriss first shimmied into our lives as singer with The Bluetones?
Apparently so. But thirteen hit singles, three Top Ten albums and a collaboration with a national treasure later -more of which shortly- – his ability to sieve poetry from the colander of every day life remains unique.
“I always try to add little things that most songs wouldn’t use,” he says of the lyrics on his remarkable first solo album ‘proper’, A Flash Of Darkness.
“If I can squeeze a mention of Bergerac into a song (as he does in surefire smash ‘Consuela’) then I’m happy.”
While it might not take Jersey’s finest to track down a copy, it’s fair to say that the release of Mark’s folk-infused solo debut, Memory Muscle, in 2008 was low key, despite string arrangements from the legendary composer David Arnold.
However, it wasn’t until The Bluetones split up in October 2011 that he thought seriously about his next move.
“To be honest I didn’t know what I was going to do,” he says with typical candour.
“So I threw a lot of irons into the fire.”
While one of these resulted in him writing the music for David Walliams’ audio books (“great fun”), he was still writing songs.
Only this time, with a view to other people singing them.
“It really freed me up. But the songs I came up with were so personal I realized they might be difficult for anyone else to sing them.”
Rather than let the songs, as he puts it, ‘end up on the shelf’, Mark headed to ‘a shed in Surrey’ with long term Bluetones collaborator Gordon Mills. As the sessions progressed, so the pent-up frustrations of the past few years poured out.
“Personally I went through quite a difficult time, and is often the way, that was translated into the songs.”
If there’s a confessional, cathartic edge to A Flash Of Darkness, it also comes with tunes of tungsten-strength. ‘Guilty Again’ is a conscious nod to ‘70’s soft-rock icon Andrew Gold, while ‘This Is The Lie’ splices a jaunty sea shanty against some brutal self-analysis.
Glasswerk is proud to present the incredible Beth Rowley. The British chart topper will be touring in January 2017, for tickets just click the dates below:
She debuted with a bang when her first album release charted at number 3 on the national UK album charts.
She went on to sell approx 100,000 units of this album and toured internationally in its support. She was also nominated for Brit award.
Her long awaited follow up release in near completion & 2016 sees Beth start to introduce her new material to the masses both via an active online social media campaign & a year long tour with Jools Holland which sees her both performing as part of Jool’s ensemble & performing as opening act on some of his key dates. This summer she appears at festivals including Secret Garden Party, Greenbelt and others which she fits in between her studio recording time.
Beth tours her much anticipated new music in the UK from October 2016
Glasswerk are proud to present a huge co-headline tour with Aussie rockers MASSIVE and UK based BAD TOUCH, the co-headliners will be hitting Manchester on the 23rd November at FAC 251, tickets available from the link below
Aussie rockers MASSIVE are signed to Earache records. Having supported the likes of Blackberry Smoke, The Treatment, played HRH festivals, features in Kerrang, Classic Rock, Metal Hammer, inc being nominated for ‘Best New Band’ in Classic Rock!
UK Rockers BAD TOUCH have toured alongside The Answer, The Quireboys, Jared James Nichols, The Kentucky Headhunters, Snakecharmer to name a few. Performed at such festivals at Stone Free, Hard Rock Hell and will be releasing their brand new album in the run up to the tour.
Glasswerk is proud to present Californian nerdcore proprietor MC Lars. The rapper will be accompanied by some other huge names such as SNES gold chain slinging Mega Ran and even LA based mc chris. tickets are available below for both Manchester and London
Northern California rapper, MC Lars, is set to release his 4th full-length studio album, the Zombie Dinosaur LP, at the end of this coming summer. He has returned home to the Bay Area after living in Los Angeles these past three years, and is self-producing his new album with help from friends in Berkeley and San Francisco.
The Zombie Dinosaur LP revisits the satirical, funny, uptempo style of Lars’ 2004 debut album, the Laptop EP. It features guest appearances by Watsky, Kool Keith, and Less than Jake’s Roger Lima. Zombie Dinosaur tackles such topics as postfeminism, in a nod to Game of Thrones (“Dragon Blood”); disappointing reunion bands with very few of their original members (“Sublime with Rome is Not the Same thing as Sublime”); hipster parenting (“Hipster Mom”); and the current state of EDM (“Signing Dubstep”). The project was funded entirely by Lars’s third highly successful Kickstarter campaign, through which he raised over $42k to create and release Zombie Dinosaur under his own label, Horris Records.
In the ten years that have followed his debut release, the Laptop EP, Lars has independently produced and released three other solo full-length albums, four EPs, and a number of mixtapes. He has collaborated with KRS-One, mentored and helped develop the career of fellow Stanford alum K.Flay (with whom he collaborated on the 2009 Single and Famous EP), opened for Nas and Snoop Dogg, and played multiple summers on the Vans Warped Tour. He has also headlined club shows across the US and in Canada, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, and Europe.
Lars has spoken and presented at two different TEDx conferences, performed at Carnegie Hall with a live string section (at Scholastic’s 2012 Art and Writing Awards – where he debuted the video for his song, “Flow Like Poe,” which is the lead single on his 2012 Edgar Allan Poe EP).
Lars has developed and grown Horris Records in this past decade, signing the label’s first artist, Weerd Science (the solo hip-hop project of Cohered & Cambria’s drummer, Josh Eppard). Lars has continued to produce music videos for himself and his friends, including a cameo credit on past musical collaborator “Weird Al” Yankovic’s 2014 “Lame Claim to Fame” (for which Lars was given a special shout out in the liner notes to Al’s Grammy Award winning album, Mandatory Fun).
Having been labeled as one of the pioneers of the underground “nerdcore hip-hop” subgenre, Lars has recently expanded from the studio to the classroom. With visiting scholar/teacher residencies at USC, and in the UK, and across the US in Nantucket, Florida, California, Alaska, and Kansas, Lars has found joy in educating young people about “lit-hop,” a subject term he coined to highlight the connections between literature, classical poetry, and the cultural history of rap.
Lars has continued to work closely with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, teaching workshops on preventing self-harm, and positive ways to use music as creative therapy for depression. He has also worked with the American Heart Association, promoting youth heart health.
Glasswerk is proud to present energetic Scott rockets Broken Records who will be embarking on a UK tour in October, for tickets just click the dates below:
Broken Records formed in 2007 in Edinburgh, Scotland. They use their different musical backgrounds and a wide variety of instrumentation to compliment the eclectic sound they create.
Their 2007 self released debut ‘gig’ EP created a genuine music industry buzz around the band. Drowned in Sound said of the release, “This is magical, engrossing and wholly enveloping, genuinely and excitingly bursting with commercial potential.” They refined their sound throughout 2007 and 2008 with numerous gigs throughout Scotland, including support slots with Idlewild, Sons & Daughters and Editors.
They released their highly acclaimed debut 7″ single, “If the News Makes You Sad Don’t Watch It”, on London based indie label Young Turks in April 2008. This received plaudits from such varied publications as NME, The Guardian, Drowned in Sound, The Sun and The Times. Radio 1’s Steve Lamacq made it his single of the week and Huw Stephens invited them to do a session for Radio 1 at Maida Vale. Limited releases of singles “Slow Parade” and “Lies” led to a scramble of album deal offers, with the band excited to sign to the prestigious 4AD label. They rounded off the year by playing at the Edinburgh Hogmanay Street Party and being tipped for 2009 in Q magazine, The Times and News Of The World amongst others.
In January 2009 they recorded their debut album, “Until The Earth Begins To Part” at Monnow Valley Studio in Monmouth with producer Ian Caple (Tricky, Tindersticks, Yann Tiersen). The album was released on 1st June 2009 to wide praise, and live performances in support of it garnered 5-star reviews in both The Guardian and The Times. Summer saw them perform at many UK and European festivals including Glastonbury, T in the Park, Haldern Pop Festival and a main-stage slot at Latitude. The successful summer culminated in an invitation to support The National at their Royal Festival Hall show in London, followed by their own sold-out show at The Queens Hall in Edinburgh.
Broken Records spent the Autumn touring Europe and the UK as well as releasing the “Out On The Water” EP in November. Early 2010 found them making their well received live debut in the US at the SXSW Festival in Austin, Texas. Their music was also featured in episodes of the TV dramas “Skins” and “Lost”, and once again appeared as support to The National on part of their European ‘High Violet’ LP tour in July. In August the band also announced the move from being a seven-piece band to a six-piece for with the departure of Arne and Gill, and the introduction of new member, Craig Ross taking up bass and guitar duties.
Oct 2010 saw the UK/EU release of their second album, “Let Me Come Home” along with single “A Darkness Rises Up” which was recorded in Glasgow with producer Tony Doogan (Mogwai, Delgados, Belle & Sebastian,). Once again the album received great reviews across press, including an 8/10 in NME and a B playlist on BBC 6 Music for the single amongst others. This was backed by a co-headline European tour alongside US band Freelance Whales and the single release of “You Know You’re Not Dead”.
In March 2011 they embarked on their debut US headline tour to coincide with the North American release of “Let Me Come Home“. As well as performing several sold-out shows they recorded radio sessions for WNYC in New York, The World Cafe in Philadelphia, and Morning Becomes Eclectic on KCRW in LA. The third single “The Motorcycle Boy Reigns” will be released on May 16th and the band will be playing several festivals across Europe throughout the summer.
Glasswerk is proud to present up and coming folker’s Folly & The Hunter. Beautifully crafted music harnessed from previous quarrels, loss and heartache set this band apart from the rest creating a huge dividing line between standard songwriting and crafted waves of emotion. You catch them live and on tour in October, click on the dates below for more information and tickets:
When a group of friends become a band, they tend to evolve like family. In the case of Folly & The Hunter, they experienced great heartache and loss throughout one year, they relied on each other as friends, as bandmates and as family. Through it all, they persevered and crafted the beautiful album Tragic Care.
Although Tragic Care derives its inspiration from tragedy, Folly & The Hunter also conveys the beauty in the breakdown, and the determination to keep the faith in the face of life’s bittersweet nature. Lyrically, the album explores the process of emotional fallout in the face of romantic rejection and betrayal. The album is not so much about a break up itself, as it is about dealing with its after effects. It details a personal struggle with ones inner demons and the destructive effect of ascribing too much importance to ones romantic interest. This album’s subject matter is inspired by the real experiences of singer Nick Vallee during and before the period of the album’s recording. The music and composition is inspired by a broader perspective, which involves experiences of the whole band. During the album’s recording and creation, a member of the band experienced the physical decline and loss of several family members.
Folly & The Hunter came together in Montreal, made up of Nick Vallee from Vancouver, Chris Fox from Sussex, England and Laurie Torres, a francophone native of Quebec of Haitian/Spanish heritage. They had all shared stages at some point over a brief span and found their individual skills worked very well as a collective. They made the album Residents in 2011, recorded and produced by Fox. Fellow transplants to Montreal, The Barr Brothers, offered their support by lending the band instruments as well as playing on the album. Residents is a raw document of a band coming together and finding their sound. The album made them local favourites in a city that was looked upon at the time as a music mecca.
After Residents, the band focused on honing their craft through live performances, playing at any opportunity and immersing themselves in the vibrant local scene. When it became time to record the follow up, they turned to Jace Lasek and Dave Smith at Breakglass Studios in Montreal. “The recording process with Dave and Jace was short and intense” says Vallee; “We had 12 days to record and mix the whole thing, but we had written all the parts in advance so we were ready for it. Dave was an inspiring person to record with because his approach was so calm, and his experience aided us in making the best decisions when inevitable complications arose. Jace became involved when it was time to mix. The album was mixed on their giant SSL console, which Jace mastered beautifully. Jace’s mixing style took the sound of the album to a new level and his willingness to experiment made the final mix even better than expected”.
Folly & The Hunter attempt to explore the bittersweet; the beauty in discomfort. The name Folly & The Hunter is tied into the subject matter of the songs themselves. Most of the songs explore the ever-present absurdity of searching for a satisfaction that can never be found, and the foolishness of searching for happiness in all the wrong places. Folly & The Hunter make music that instils nostalgia and warmth, but at the same time bestows a haunting sentiment of grief.
Folly & The Hunter signed to the Outside Music Label in the fall of 2012 through an unsolicited email sent to the label director, Evan Newman. “I receive a ton of submissions and decided to give them a listen because of their involvement with Jace (The Besnard Lakes are also on Outside Music), upon first listen, I knew this was something special”. Folly & The Hunter have spent the past few months touring, supporting the likes of Half Moon Run, Elephant Stone and Aidan Knight. They also made their first foray down to South by Southwest as well as playing 5 shows in 3 days for Canadian Music Week.
Glasswerk are proud to present Kenneths & Waco. Two punk bands hailing from various parts of the UK. You can catch both of them live as part of their upcoming co-headline tour., expect mowhawks, saftey pins and a lot of pushing and shoving! For tickets check out the link below
Having been a band for less than a year, they’ve already released two E.P’s and toured relentlessly, including every date on the Vans Warped Tour, America’s largest travelling music festival.
Coming together in December 2014 over a mutual love of Descendents, Weezer, The Cars and Stiff Little Fingers, The Kenneths quickly recorded their debut E.P ‘K’ after just three rehearsals.
“We wanted to capture the energy of when you first start playing together. A power trio, live, in a room, drums, bass, guitar and voice”, says Josh W, vocalist and guitarist. “You’re not entirely sure what you’re doing, which makes it exciting as hell. Also, we could only afford three rehearsals.”
The five track E.P is an explosive, cohesive example of The Kenneths’ made-for-radio pop sensibilities (‘What Happened To The Radio’ and ‘Never Good Friends’) and their outsider, classic UK punk side (‘K.E.N.N.E.T.H.S’ and ‘What Happened To My Sex’). The lyrics are cutting, raucous, cynical, occasionally romantic and annoyingly unforgettable. All of the fat has been cut out and hung up to dry. Three minute songs. Two minute songs. One minute songs.Their first video, recorded in a single afternoon in their rehearsal room, starred singer-songwriter Lianne La Havas.
“‘What Happened To My Sex’ was recorded in a basement in Baker St in London in one take. No overdubs”, drummer Aicha reveals.”It is literally a band in a room, tearing out its frustrations about failure, girls, and sex in one minute and twenty eight seconds. We’d known Lianne for a while, and when she said she was a fan we asked her to be in a video. She jokingly said yes. So we called her up in the cold light of sobriety and asked her again. She came to the studio two days later and knew all the words. We shot the video in 40 minutes, and we bought her two pints to say thanks. That’s a good way to pay for a video.”
Quickly getting on the road up and down the U.K, The Kenneths have garnered a reputation for their turbulent live shows. Playing whenever and wherever they could.
“We have a LOT of fun on stage. We want the shows to be like getting a sweaty punch in the face,” says bassist Lewis Maynard.“It’s been absolutely insane seeing people singing along at shows so early on in our career.”
Consequence Of Sound debuted The Kenneths second E.P ‘E’ in June, recorded again in just four days, completely live, with Alternative Press premiering the video for ‘Cool As You’ in August.
“All I had to do was watch their video once and I know I wanted to bring them over, and for Warped to be their first U.S Tour.” – Kevin Lyman, Vans Warped Tour founder and producer.
It’s better than booze and drugs put together. It’s a filthy, sweaty, sing-along great time.
It’s The Kenneths.
Waco
Pure punk rock goodness from beautiful Grey Britain. The new EP ‘Sundown‘ is out on Venn Records limited to 100 tapes.
Towards the end of last year Waco uploaded the video for ‘Agitation’ and soon word spread. Radio 1 DJ Dan P Carter first played the band on his Sunday night Rock Show and now even prolific taste maker Zane Lowe is getting in on the action spinning ‘Wrangler’ during his prime-time 7pm slot.
Gallows guitarist and Venn Records executive Laurent ‘Lags’ Barnard explains how he stumbled upon the band. “My buddy Steve Sears, who I’ve been working with on the Gallows and Krokodil albums, played me these guys he recorded not too long ago. They were called Waco. I fell in love with the hooks and realness of the songs straight away. Next thing I know, I’m hitting the band up to find out what their plans were for the EP release. These are anthems to singalong to until there’s nothing left.”
The quartet, hailing from the weirder ends of the UK (North Yorkshire, Jersey and Coventry), came together through their animalistic compulsion to make noise and their perverted goal to get inside peoples heads, like squatters in an empty condo. Now it looks like they’re here to stay.
Glasswerk are proud to present Casey. Casey are a band whose music is not defined by their image, or where they come from; how they met, or where they’ve been before now. Casey is a means of self-expression created with no underlying motive, only the wish to experience and relate. Music is their labour of love. For tickets click the date below
Debut single “Hell”, an intensely passionate composition describing the progression of grief and mourning in the wake of a failed relationship, is a flawless example of the bands commitment to producing music that is both as emotionally delicate as it is brutally relatable. Produced by Jonny Renshaw (Devil Sold His Soul, The Elijah, Rinoa) of Bandit Studios, who was enlisted to assure that the songs honest and raw aesthetic was embodied in its rich, authentic production quality, rather than a plethora of post-production effects that now seems commonplace in alternative music. “Hell” was coupled by a beautiful one-take music video which to date has amassed more than 120,000 views; an achievement by which the band were completely overwhelmed and humbled.
Having only released one single, the success of their debut saw Casey requested for a 21 date European tour with internationally acclaimed acts Capsize and ’68; a campaign which allowed to promote their honest, unrefined passion for music in 8 different countries to hundreds of new fans. In conjunction with the tour, Casey released a further two singles, “Fade” and “Teeth”, the music videos for which have accumulated a combined total of more than 140,000 views in less than 6 months; opening doors to festivals such as Deadbolt, and the UK renowned metal and hardcore festival Ghostfest, and to interest from numerous independent label representatives.
The band are presently recording their debut album, Love Is Not Enough, at Monnow Valley Studios in Monmouth and Terra Firma Studio in Newport. The record is set for release in the first quarter of 2016.
Glasswerk is proud to present German rock rioters Bonsai Kitten. The fanatically extreme quadrant will be making their way to London in August to kick some teeth and play some tunes, you can catch them at Surya on the 6th August for tickets click the link here [tickets]
Berlin’s Bonsai Kitten has staying power alright, but it would also appear that they’ve just getting warmed up! On their new single, “The Darkest Light,” the drums and guitars rip out of the speakers with vicious teeth, the 3-string bass guitar pounds like Vulcan’s hammer, and singer Tiger Lilly Marleen sounds as if she’s on the verge of combusting. This single sets the band firmly amongst the elite set of Germany’s current crop of rock and punk bands. A fiery collaboration with producer Franz Plasa, the new single has an urgency and force that finally comes close to capturing the band’s sweat-drenched and ecstatic live shows, which have earned them the reputation as one of the most exciting bands to come out of Germany. But beneath the initial force of the delivery, the underlying playfulness of the band is what makes them properly contagious. Whosoever thought guitar-rock was dead can draw a fresh breath. Bonsai Kitten is back. With a blowtorch. This is Riot Rock for you!
Kate Jackson, former lead singer with much missed Sheffield greats The Long Blondes, is back with a new album ‘British Road Movies’ and new band The Wrong Moves. ‘British Road Movies’ will be released on May 20th 2016 via Hoo Ha Records with first track ‘Metropolis’ streaming now on The Quietus and on Spotify.
The record was written by Jackson alongside guitarist and producer Bernard Butler at West Heath Studios in London. ‘British Road Movies’ takes in eclectic musical styles, from synth driven glam rock to Blade Runner electronica, faded piano allure to sweeping strings alt-country. All these recordings have two things in common, Jackson’s unique vocal top line and Butler’s instantly recognisable guitar sound. These are big, melodic alternative pop songs, with the guitarist’s naturally cinematic production perfectly complementing the narrative of the record.
Each new song was conceived as a movie title. “The road, much written about in American popular song, and an American cinematic staple, is often ignored in British culture,” Jackson explains. “As an island our roads lead somewhere far too quickly to hold adventure. We are not the land of Jack Kerouac but of Antiques Road Trip. But who is to say our roads can’t be cinematic?” She cites filmmaker Chris Petit’s ‘Radio On’ film from 1979, Patrick Keiller’s Robinson trilogy and the writing of Will Self and Iain Sinclair as touch points.
The Wrong Moves were formed in 2014 after Jackson’s return from a four year hiatus in Rome where she lived and worked as a painter. Consisting of drummer Shannon Hope, guitarist Seymour Quigley, bassist Reuben Kemp and keyboard/synth player Jasper Kemp, the band bring a heavier take on the studio album, with dynamic interplay between a driving rhythm section and melodic guitar lines, synth sounds and vocal harmonics.
Jackson is also a visual artist. Since studying fine art in Sheffield, Jackson has focussed her attention on painting, developing a style which mimics that of screen printing by building up colour layers with the use of acrylic paint and taped stencils to produce bright, graphic images. Her work is primarily concerned with urban landscapes and architectural forms, a recent series of paintings, ‘Abstract Brutalism’, being inspired by post-war Brutalist architecture. Removed of context, a backdrop or people, a single building often becomes the subject of a painted portrait. Structures and shapes in the landscape made by the concrete forms and shadows of these buildings inspire paintings which seem at first glance to be patterns rather than representations.
Glasswerk is proud to present Nick Harper, son of the legendary Roy Harper, and his band. You can catch them live on the following dates, or if you would prefer the quieter sounds of the man and his guitar you can catch him playing solo:
Described by BBC6Music’s Tom Robinson as “My musical discovery of 2016!”, Nick Harper announces a very special one-off UK tour with a full band, to celebrate the release of the 3 LP box set, CD and book ’The Wilderness Years’. Known for his dazzling performances as a solo acoustic maestro, Nick has teamed up with acclaimed West Country space rock trio ‘Port Erin’ in another guise here as ‘The Wilderness Kids’ to explore his back catalogue of 12 CDs, playing songs previously unheard live and old favourites with a fantastic new twist. If you’ve seen Nick solo then you will not want to miss this unique show. If you’ve never seen Nick before then you will not want to miss this unique show. www.harperspace.com
‘For my money the best singer-songwriter on the planet’ Rob Adams, Glasgow Herald.
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