ALBUM NEWS: Ray Davies ‘Americana’ out April 21st 2017

-

24 Jan 2017

www.declanmckenna.net
www.facebook.com/DeclanMckennaMusic
www.twitter.com/DeclanMcKenna

The video was directed by Bunny Kinney and filmed in Barnet, North London. It features a range of teenagers who are all engaged, motivated and active in trying to make a difference for their collective futures. The video is interspersed with old stock footage of teenagers from past generations, equally as motivated to campaign and act for a better future. It’s a timely and inspiring watch.

Declan: “The video is about highlighting the genuine concerns of young people, and so in that light, it’s not all about convicting acting performances, but merely letting them talk. It’s something the human race has shied away from doing to its young people throughout history.”

‘The Kids Don’t Wanna Come Home’ will feature on his as-yet-untitled debut album, due for release this Spring through Columbia Records. The new track follows Declan’s inclusion on the BBC’s Sound of 2017 poll, a recent performance at Radio 1’s Future Festival, and a healthy trail of media support throughout 2016 including a show-stealing performance on Later… With Jools Holland.

In a very short period of time, the recently turned 18 years old Declan McKenna has become synonymous with wrapping his fizzing alt-pop songs in smart, engaged lyrical content. It’s been a timely arrival for this young British musician who doesn’t proclaim to have all the answers, but believes it his duty to at least pose a few pertinent questions. Crucially perhaps, none of the activist in Declan comes at the expense of his ear for a melody, and Kids Don’t Wanna Come Home is another tantalising taster to that debut album, due for announcement imminently.

Following the broad scope of issues raised in those early singles; Paracetamol, Bethlehem and Isombard, Kids… once again draws on experience, and positions Declan’s frustrations and thoughts front and centre. The song was inspired by a series of events that occurred over the span of 2015, and was still a work-in-progress until the attack that took place in Paris on the 13th of November left him with a very real sense of fear and vulnerability he had yet to experience. Upon leaving Paris in the early hours of the morning, Declan realised that he had just experienced first-hand what he’d tried to express before in the song – the powerlessness of a young person in today’s world, experiencing the shock and the terror, and helplessly watching those in positions of power cause so much uncertainty for the future.

Kids… is Declan’s rally against the widespread assumption that the younger generation are self-obsessed and merely glued to their mobile phones. In reality, Declan argues, he and his friends are more politically engaged than ever, and do care about things such as conflict, the economy, and climate change. The frustration that they were, until very recently, too young to vote on something that directly affects their futures. Despite those very real frustrations, The Kids Don’t Wanna Come Home is a song that elicits a feeling of hope, and how ultimately the youth want to positively fight for change through both art and conversation.

Declan McKenna Live – Tickets at www.declanmckenna.net:

23rd January – Waterfront Studio, Norwich SOLD OUT
24th January – The Cookie, Leicester SOLD OUT
25th January – Hare & Hounds, Birmingham SOLD OUT
26th January- Studio 2, Liverpool SOLD OUT
28th January – Think Tank?, Newcastle
29th January – Brudenell Club, Leeds
30th January – The Leadmill, Sheffield
31st January – Patterns, Brighton
21st March – O2 Academy 2, Oxford
22nd March – Wedgewood Rooms, Portsmouth
23rd March – The Garage, London SOLD OU

SINGLE & TOUR NEWS: Natalie McCool releases new single ‘You & I’ on 24th March & UK Tour announced

By

-

24 Jan 2017

https://www.nataliemccool.co.uk
https://www.facebook.com/nataliemccoolofficial
www.tri-tone.co.uk

‘You & I’ is a glittering, psych-pop infused ditty about love like a simultaneous equation – something to be solved, even when you can’t make sense of it. Opening with a rock solid beat the verses are delightfully witty “I can’t think, I can’t divide, I can’t even sum myself up on the inside” and the song progresses into a supercool chorus; inventive, off kilter guitar lines that Andre 3000 of Outkast would be proud of are offset hazily against the kaleidoscopic theme of the lyrics “I’m blue, because I never really tried, but I’m seeing red, my heart clashes with my eyes” resulting in a stylish tale of tricky love against a backdrop of slick future pop.

‘The Great Unknown’ is the follow up to 2013’s eponymously titled debut and was recorded and produced with Dave Berger from Outfit at Schall Und Wahn in Liverpool. The album also features additional production and mixes on the singles ‘Pins’, ‘Cardiac Arrest’, ‘Fortress’ and ‘Oh Danger’ by Rich Turvey (Blossoms, Clean Cut Kid, VITAMIN) and is without doubt McCool’s finest and most accomplished set of songs to date.

Perfect future pop that sets Natalie apart from her contemporaries, her early work was built on a foundation of deliciously dark, gloomy indie-pop. ‘The Great Unknown’ is an new awakening – emerging from the shadows and rising victoriously with a number of prickly pop tunes like the newly recorded forthcoming single and Huw Stephens favourite ‘Pins’ and rousing epic numbers like ‘Fortress’ envelop subtly emotive songs such as Radio One playlisted ‘Cardiac Arrest’.

Since arriving over three years ago with the release of her debut album, with whom she collaborated with Suede legend Bernard Butler, the singer, songwriter and multi instrumentalist has picked up a steadily growing support base of fans and critics alike with her truly innovative and beautiful take on pop music.

Vibrant with effortlessly catchy songs, McCool can count The Sunday Times, Wonderland, Q, Clash, Line of Best Fit, The 405, Huw Stephens and Alice Levine amongst her fans, while BBC Introducing described the artist as “one of the finest emerging songwriters around”.

Natalie and her live band will set off on an 8 date UK Tour which kicks off in Nottingham on 14th March, includes a hometown show at 24 Kitchen Street in Liverpool on 17th March and a London date at The Victoria in Dalston, London on the 23rd March 2017.

Tour

MARCH 14TH RED ROOMS, NOTTINGHAM
MARCH 15TH LEEDS BRUDENELL, LEEDS
MARCH 16th THE CLUNY, NEWCASTLE
MARCH 17th 24 KITCHEN STREET, LIVERPOOL
MARCH 21st THE CROFTERS RIGHTS, BRISTOL
MARCH 22nd THE HORN, ST ALBANS
MARCH 23rd THE VICTORIA DALSTON, LONDON
MARCH 25th THE PEER HAT, MANCHESTER

VIDEO PREMIERE: Vuromantics – ‘Waiting On A Storm’

By

-

23 Jan 2017

‘Waiting On A Storm’ is the title track from the bands upcoming debut EP of the same name. The track features piano, synthesizers, bass, drums and a lead vocal that explores the idea of “starting a new chapter in your life”’ quite fitting with this being one of the first tracks released by this brand new band.

Vuromantics are:

Ben Rooker
Jordan Rooker
Sam Christie
Jake Christie
Callum Hall

Pre – Order the EP here:
Amazon – goo.gl/7Ia82M
iTunes – goo.gl/MJpcgP

Catch the band on tour here:

March 2017
3rd – Parish Huddersfield
4th – Verve – Leeds
9th – New Adelphi – Hull
10th – Fulford Arms – York
12th – Stag & Hounds – Bristol
19th – The Maze – Nottingham
22nd – Gullivers – Manchester
25th – Black Heart – Camden

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Vuromantics/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Vuromantics
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC50Y_ffkBBNZpTlhfnM1Hbg

SINGLE REVIEW: jellyskin – ‘Milk of Magnesia’

By

-

21 Jan 2017

Leeds based band jellyskin released their third track ‘Milk of Magnesia’ yesterday. It’s available on all the platforms including Youtube, Soundcloud and Spotify.

One of the tasks of a review is to give you – the reader – some idea of what it it sounds like, something to make you think ‘well I like that sort of thing, let’s give it a listen’. This jellyskin track unfortunately defies easily being put into a niche. This is great for me, I love music that does that.

OK so it’s – deep breath – psychy, post-punky, gothy, drone-y. In some places it sounds like The Velvet Underground, not a copy but that influence is there, in others it’s old school goth/post-punk, and yet again in others it’s psych. It has discordant guitar, sweet harmonies and lush moments that you just wait to happen. It is – in it’s nearly seven minutes – a mesmerising trip of a track.

This is slow burner of a track, it is a minute before there’s any vocals, but that minute is going to drag you in. The track is slow, and it has some wonderful halting moments where it seems like it’s going to fall over but it doesn’t.

Quite what it’s about or why it’s called ‘Milk of Magnesia’ I can’t work out, not that I care about that. It could be called ‘Pink Fluffy Clouds’ and I’d still love it.

If you’ve not heard jellyskin’s music I’d urge you to take a listen to this and also check out their other two tracks. If you’d hooked you can catch them tonight (21st January 2017) at Verve Bar Leeds (see below).

The info

Jellyskin was started in 2016 by Will, Zia, and Olly. They spent months writing and recording before announcing the band. They announced their formation with the release of ‘Grey Glass Hat’ which garnered lots of support online. The track was recently released as a tape on Blak Hand Records. They’ve been gigging solidly since September, securing some support slots for Crocodiles and Will Joseph Cook and more… The plan at the moment is to keep releasing music and playing gigs.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jellyskinband

Live

Double Denim LIVE Presents jellyskin, MOM, ørmstons & Jason Walsh
21st January 20:00–23:59
Verve Bar Leeds
16 Merrion Street, LS1 6PQ Leeds
FREE

SINGLE & TOUR NEWS: Blackwaters announce ‘Down’ & February co-headline tour with Strange Bones

By

-

20 Jan 2017

https://facebook.com/BlackWatersUK/

BlackWaters are a four piece from the depths of nothingness [Surrey]. And yet despite their murky background, they’ve turned aggro and pent-up frustration into rampant, shouty, spit-fuelled, BO-inducing, agitated punk rock’n’roll.

High-octane new release ‘Down’ is the hotly anticipated follow-up to their Carl Barât produced debut ‘So Far Out’. The Libertines frontman and high-priest of contemporary punk was drawn to the immediacy of their fledgling release, which was written as a reaction to Brexit – a decision that will impact the lives of these four lads long after their ancestors are gone.

The energy of the song is ten-fold when experienced live. BlackWaters are a statement band, but they’re not overtly political in their lyrics. Rather they’d like to be subversive by allowing their peers to break free and channel all their rage and apathy into their fire-starting anthems.

“There’s no inspiration, we’ve got no platform to say anything on. Our age restricts what we can and can’t do. If I was born a few days later I’d be able to vote on a decision that will change my life. I’m talking about the Brexit by the way…”

Primed and ready to roll, BlackWaters embark upon a co-headline tour with Blackpool trio Strange Bones for fifteen dates of short sharp introductions. New track ”Down’ will be released next month with an exact date tbc.

BLACKWATERS TOUR DATES

January 23rd – The Tin Angel, Coventry
January 24th – The Louisiana, Bristol
January 25th – The Bodega, Nottingham
January 26th – The Venue, Derby
January 27th – Boileroom, Guildford
January 28th – The Horn, St. Albans
February 1st – Brudenell Games Room, Leeds
February 3rd – Guildhall, Preston
February 4th – Bootleg Social, Blackpool
February 5th – The Fulford Arms, York
February 7th – The Polar Bear, Hull
February 8th – Think Tank, Newcastle
February 9th – Sneaky Pete’s, Edinburgh
February 10th – The Leadmill, Sheffield
February 11th – The Sugarmill, Stoke on Trent

FESTIVAL NEWS: Los Angeles Punk legends Bad Religion confirmed for Rebellion Festival, 3rd-6th August Blackpool

By

-

20 Jan 2017

2016 saw Rebellion Festival celebrate its 20th year alongside the 40th anniversary of punk with a spectacular sold-out event. Over four days at Blackpool’s Winter Gardens, iconic bands from every aspect of punk across the world shared stages with new and emerging talent. And Rebellion 2017 already looks set to be no different. Returning to Winter Gardens in Blackpool from the 3rd to the 6th of August, the line-up is already shaping up to be another punk genre defining event.

LA punk legends Bad Religion are now confirmed to return to the festival for the first time in seven years, bringing their addictively melodic, politically-charged, high energy punk rock to the seaside punk event.

“Rebellion is by far the best punk festival on the planet,” enthuses Bad Religion (and Dag Nasty/Minor Threat) guitarist Brian Baker. “I went last year; it was so nice I saw Cock Sparrer twice! And this year you can see Bad Religion and Pennywise and the UK Subs, Sham 69, Skids, Angelic Upstarts and tons more. This is a great festival and i love playing it and I hope to see you all there.”

With every passing day, more bands are being added to the prestigious line-up that already includes such luminaries as mentioned by Brain Baker above who join the likes of The Vapors, Kent duo Slaves, The Skids, DOA, Alternative TV, Neville Staples Band, Good Riddance, Scream (who once featured Dave Grohl), Toyah, Richie Ramone, Leftover Crack, Ruts DC and many many more.

Day tickets are now available at £60 per day and there is also the opportunity to buy weekend tickets in instalments with a deposit.

More bands, running-order and stage times still to be announced.

Rebellion Festival is an ALL AGES, family friendly event and children under 12 are admitted free of charge (accompanied by an adult). More information and tickets are available at:

Website: www.rebellionfestivals.com
Twitter: @rebellionfest
Facebook: www.facebook.com/RebellionPunkMuskFestival

BAND NEWS: Elevant tour, new material upcoming & Wrong 17

By

-

20 Jan 2017

http://elevantband.com/
https://www.facebook.com/ElevantMusik/
https://www.instagram.com/elevantmusik/
https://elevant.bandcamp.com
https://www.youtube.com/user/shedlad93

Announcing: Elevant’s first shows of 2017, a series of brand new studio recording for release later this year, plus an all-new festival in Liverpool of their very own design.

Teasing their first new material since their standalone single ‘Hide it Away’ last Summer, Elevant announce their return with the promise of a smattering of fresh cuts on the way, recorded at none-other than the legendary Abbey Road Studios. The tracks will be made available via the band’s own Loner Noise / Elevant Music Limited imprint later this year. Speaking about the band’s latest sessions, frontman Michael Edward says:

“We cut 5 tracks at Abbey Road, and there’ll be a release a little later into the year, though we haven’t decided what kind yet. The new material trades off a greater focus on hooks with weirder idiosyncrasies in the band’s playing. You can get away with something a little stranger if you wrap it up sweetly.”

With a sprinkling of dates across early 2017 aiming to whet appetites for the new releases in waiting, the genre-busting rock trio will be putting in shows at venues in Liverpool, Newcastle, Manchester, Leeds and Glasgow, whilst also making appearances at festivals including Threshold Festival (Liverpool). Full dates and details below, more shows to be announced in the coming weeks. Joining the band for the Liverpool and Newcastle shows will be the quickly emerging Coquin Migale, who have recently signed-up with the Fierce Panda label and last year headlined the BBC Introducing Stage at Reading and Leeds. Federales and Gravves will also feature as support on other nights of the tour.

In addition, Elevant will be performing at an all-new festival for 2017 – WRONG – a festival in Liverpool organised and curated by the band’s own Michael Edward and the Loner Noise label he operates. Based in Liverpool’s docklands, the festival looks to bring together the heavier and weirder corners of rock music, from punk to noise to psychedelia and everywhere in-between. For one day in April, the festival will present a selection of some of the finest freaked out bands around including Bo Ningen, The Wytches, The Cosmic Dead, Heck, Blacklisters and of course, Elevant. A communal area with art installations, plus record stalls, and ‘Shangri-La’ like settings will also feature – for full details head to: http://wrongfestival.com/

Speaking about the inaugural WRONG Festival, Michael Edward adds:

“Organising WRONG has been about representing the underground rock scene that we’re part of. There are so many fantastic bands that we’ve toured with, and we wanted to really bring them all together to play with some of the legends of the scene and create something that could elevate everyone who played.”

Dates

18/2 – Liverpool EBGBs w/Coquin Migale, Gravves
23/2 – Newcastle Jumping Jacks w/ Coquin Migale
15/3 – Manchester Castle w/ Mums, Thing, Federales
22/3 – Glasgow, Bloc
23/3 – Leeds Packhorse w/ Honeyspider, Black Pudding
1/4 – Threshold Festival Liverpool w/Hey Colossus
22/4 – WRONG Festival w/Bo Ningen, The Wytches, Heck, Part Chimp etc.

Elevant are the thunderous genre absorbers heading the Loner Noise label. Since their formation in 2014 they’ve fused a host of disparate influences into a sound that can be dark and atmospheric, heavy and crushing, or irresistibly grooving. The trio sounds far vaster than the sum of their parts. Anchored by Tom Shand’s pummelling Bonham-esque beats and Hannah Lodge’s interlocking bassline weaves, lead singer Michael Edward’s lung bursting Chris Cornell-style lead vocals and bludgeoning guitar work make them sound like a six-piece.

Effortlessly twisting a pop hook to their post punk, psych and krautrock sound to great effect, there is an energy and vision that sets them apart from their contemporaries. In 2016, the band released their third and latest long player ‘There Is A Tide’, a record mastered by studio wizard Pete Maher (Jack White, Patti Smith, Scissor Sisters). The album followed their eponymous debut release ‘Elevant’ in 2014 and ‘Dreamface’ the following year.

Elevant are Michael Edward (Guitar / Bocals), Hannah Lodge (Bass / Backing Vocals) and Tom Shand (Drums).

Elevant will release new music in 2017 – watch this space….
MORE INFORMATION

SINGLE & TOUR NEWS: The Shimmer Band release ‘Jacknife And The Death Call’ & tour with Cabbage February 2017

By

-

20 Jan 2017

http://www.theshimmerband.com

Debuted on 6Music this week, the track is rooted in the belief of the healing power of rock ‘n’ roll and comes hot on the heels of their previous critically acclaimed singles, ‘Shoot Me (Baby)’, ‘Freedom’, and ‘Sunkick’, ramping their already enormous soundworld up yet another gear with this David Francolini production. Muscular, smashing drums and a thunderous bass are shot through with lightning-bolt synthesiser hooks and guitars that shift from unhinged punk rock attitude to Dr Dre inspired hip hop motifs, all crowned with Tom Newman’s astonishing vocal performance to deliver their deftly visceral lyrics.

The accompanying video was conceived by the band and filmed by Sam Morgan Moore of Framedogs in the basement crypt of St Emmanuel’s Church, Bristol – the spot where the secretive Cremolla Coven mysteriously spontaneously combusted during a Bacchanalian invocation ceremony in 1642 AD, burning much of the original structure to the ground.

The band follow up last year’s massive autumn UK headline tour with the main support slot for fellow explosive trailblazers Cabbage on their live dates in February. They also play a special warm up show ahead of the tour, headlining the This Feeling Big in 2017 night at Nambucca on Saturday 14th January.

The Shimmer Band support Cabbage on tour for the following dates:

February 2017

Wed 1st CARDIFF, Clwb Ifor Bach
Thu 2nd LONDON, The Lexington
Fri 3rd SHEFFIELD, Picture House Social Club
Sat 4th LEICESTER, The Cookie
Wed 8th NOTTINGHAM, Bodega Social Club
Thu 9th BIRMINGHAM, Hare And Hounds
Fri 10th LIVERPOOL, EBGBS
Sat 11th MANCHESTER, Gorilla
Wed 15th OXFORD, The Bullingdon Arms
Thu 16th READING, Purple Turtle
Fri 17th SOUTHAMPTON, Joiners Arms
Sat 18th BRISTOL, Thekla
Wed 22nd NEWCASTLE, Think Tank?
Thu 23rd LEEDS, Brudenell Social Club
Fri 24th SCUNTHORPE, Café Indiependent
Sat 25th GLASGOW, Stereo

The Shimmer Band are: Tom Newman (singer), Willz Hatcher (drums), Tom Smith (guitar/synths), Tom Kuras (bass) and Babsy (guitar).

SINGLE & TOUR NEWS: Little Comets share ‘Common Things’ & tour in February and March

By

-

20 Jan 2017