Author Archives: Liam Walsh

Blind Atlas – Kodiak Bear

www.blindatlas.co.uk

Blind Atlas have teamed up again with the incredible animator Volkerfirma films who created the video for ‘My Proud Mountains’ which was ‘Video of the week’ on the BBC6 Music Nemone Show. The latest animation for ‘Kodiak Bear’  is for the title track to their debut album, which is due out in April 2012. The results are simply stunning.

Hailing from Denver, Colorado and disparate points around the UK, Blind Atlas came together in the bohemian suburbs of South Manchester, united by a shared preoccupation with drinking, failed relationships and the Flying Burrito Brothers. Led by singer/guitarist Ross Thompson, Blind Atlas concoct a new take on American alternative country and classic British rock ‘n’ roll, taking inspiration from The Rolling Stones and Townes Van Zandt right through to artists such as Calexico and Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy.

Blind Atlas have notched up headline slots at some of the most iconic venues in Manchester, with dates planned around their forthcoming debut album. They recently released their ‘Iron wall’ EP which, along with their double A-side single ‘4th Street/For Carol“, was produced by The Earlies. Both releases garnered numerous radio plays including BBC Radio 2 (Bob Harris) and BBC6 Music (Cerys Matthews, Jo Good, Tom Robinson, Gideon Coe).

“… dramatic, spellbinding with a touch of darkness in parts make Blind Atlas a thoroughly hypnotic act … powerful and mesmerising… well worth your attention”.  [BBC]

“… grizzled vocals and a heart-wrenching lyric sheet … think Ryan Adams fronting The Black Keys, or perhaps Fleet Foxes with a Led Zeppelin fixation; and clearly all designed to soundtrack long, whisky-addled nights of anguished soul-searching.”  [CityLife/Manchester Evening News]

Jack Robert Hardman ‘Famous’

Impact date: 13:02:2012

www.jackroberthardman.co.uk

22-year-old Jack Robert Hardman writes and records his own brand of quirky pop music from his home studio in Ascot, UK. His intention of pushing the boundaries of production each time he records a new track has certainly been realised. You may have heard how, in the summer of 2011, Jack made his track ‘Sorry to George’ available as a free download. It attracted great excitement and interest from the blogosphere, being described as ‘dangerously addictive’ and ‘fantastically appealing’ by Eclectically Challenged ; support from radio came from John Kennedy (Xfm) and the BBC’s Tom Robinson , Huw Stephens and his local BBC Introducing presenter Linda Serck. See Music Week The Tastemakers below.

‘Famous’ is the first official single and is set for release through Pleasant Pursuits / Essential Music and Marketing. An acoustic blend of distinctive vocals and folk guitar melodies, the track’s intelligent juxtaposition of simple musical style with a lyrically complex theme showcases Hardman’s creative sensitivity at its best. The song tells of a youth’s insatiable desire to make something of their life, without any real plan on how to do it. In Hardman’s words “Famous captures the blissful naivety of youth that leads us to believe we can achieve anything.” You can check out the video below.

News:

BBC Introducing Masterclass:

Jack has been invited to the prestigious BBC Introducing Masterclass 2012 on Thursday 19th January at legendary Abbey Road and Maida Vale Recording Studios. In attendance will be; Trent Reznor (Nine Inch Nails), Wretch 32, Magnetic Man, Maverick Sabre, Jamie Cullum, Frank Turner, Brian Higgins (Xenomania), high profile music industry professionals and BBC Radio DJs:  Zane Lowe, Huw Stephens, Steve Lamacq, Tom Robinson, Jo Whiley, Rob Da Bank, Pete Tong, Tim Westwood, Ally McCrae, Daniel P Carter and Jen Long.

Music Week: The Tastemakers 13.01.12

Quotes:

“His sound and writing have grown in range, and daring every time we’ve heard him”
Tom Robinson, BBC 6 Music

“Harks back to happier days like a pleasing meld of Belle & Sebastian and The Postal Service”
Middleboop

“Jack Robert Hardman should come with a warning label: his insanely
catchy pop will stick in your head pretty much forever. He’s a supreme talent with a unique voice and take on life.”
BBC Berkshire Linda Serck

You can also stream “Famous” from our SoundCloud page:

You can also listen to a sampler of Jack’s album from our SoundCloud page too:

City Reign – Numbers for Street Names EP

Impact date: 28/11/11


Picture this: Four twenty-something guys from various parts of the UK meet at a Ryan Adams gig in Manchester and decide to start a band. City Reign were born (did the Ryan Adams fans among you notice the reference to his track ‘City Rain, City Streets’ there)? Next, BBC 6Music’s Steve Lamacq picks up on and plays ‘Making Plans’, noticing the Idlewild influences. He then invites the band on air for an interview and hails them as a band to look out for, along with The Heartbreaks and Driver Drive Faster. Not a bad start for a DIY single.

Another previous single ‘Out In The Cold’ is included on the ‘Numbers For Street Names’ EP, which received a raving recommendation from The Independent (see quote below and the video on www.cityreign.net).

To complete the EP, there are three brand new tracks recorded at Blueprint studios. As singer Chris Bull says, “We’re extremely proud of these 5 songs. It’s a good mix of the punchier pop songs like the singles Making Plans and Out In the Cold, alongside bigger sounding songs like ‘The Line’. It closes nicely with a new song called ‘Anywhere Anyway’ recorded at the 11th hour, that we knew instantly where had to close the record. Although the song is stripped back, the vocal layers give it depth and it shows the attention to detail we put into everything we do.”

‘Numbers For Street Names’ will be released on the bands own label Car Boot Records on CD and digital download. It will be available to pre-order via the band’s brand new website www.cityreign.net from 1st  October.

Track listing

1 Making Plans (GBK6T1000001)

2 Sleep Easy (GBK6T1000004)

3 The Line (GBK6T1000005)

4 Out In The Cold (GBK6T1000002)

5 Anywhere Anyway (GBK6T1000006)

Quotes

“Fans of Yuck and Dinosaur Jr will approve of City Reign’s anthemic, grunge. A million failing garage bands will ask why.”

The Independent

“‘Making Plans’, I do like that.”

                                                                                                                                                                 Steve Lamacq BBC 6 Music

“I’m really digging the wistful lyrics, powerful guitars and pounding drums. It couldn’t be a better slice of English city life if it tried…it all makes for something very atmospheric”

                                                                                                                                                                               There Goes The Fear

Murky guitar atmospherics, emote an almighty passion and power.

  Manchester Evening News

 This independence of mind can be heard in their driving guitar rock sound, unphased by suggestions that the guitar band is destined for the musical scrap heap.

    Music Week

The Manchester-based band’s third single manages to hit all the right notes.

One’s to watch. 9/10

                                                                                                                                                                                                                      Shout4Music

                                                                                                           

Tour Dates

Oct  26th – The Ruby Lounge – Manchester supporting The Birthday Suit (former Idlewild Rod Jones)

Nov 5th – CC Muziekcafe – Amsterdam

Nov 7th – Ram +Shackle – Manchester

Nov 12th – The Bay – Glasgow

Nov 15th – West Street Live – Sheffield

Nov 19th – Bull & Gate  – Camden, London

Nov 26th – Gullivers – Manchester

Dec 3rd – The Live Lounge – Blackburn

 



The Narrows – Able Danger

Impact date: 07/11/11

http://www.thenarrows.bandcamp.com
 http://www.twitter.com/thenarrowsband 

The Narrows’ second single, Able Danger has already garnered rave reviews from the likes of Tom Robinson, who had the guys in for an interview on his BBC 6 Music Introducing show. This was on the back of their T in The Park performance in August (25:08:11) where they completely wowed the audience, as you can see in the video footage below, which outstripped the views of White Lies and Everything Everything‘s performances.

Utilising a laptop and guitars (and no live drummer), the track is pulsing with 80s electro-pop or, ‘dark futuristic electro pop’, as the band describe their music. “It’s a three and a half minute frenzy of loud guitars; synths that sound like broken computers; and snake-like drum-loops that keep threatening to go mad and eat someone! It is about fear, government, panic, terror and secrets. A mix between the electronic side of Radiohead, Kraftwerk and Queens of the Stone Age – a real pop song for right now.”

Radio 1’s Huw Stephens and Zane Lowe both tweeted about The Narrows: Zane saying he liked the video to their last single, ‘Initials MM’. Let’s hope he tweets the same about their new video too!


QUOTES:

 Mike Joyce: (BBC 6 Music/East Village Radio)

“I like the fact they don’t sound like they are from Manchester!”

HIGH VOLTAGE:

“Here, right here, we could have the makings of another Manchester legend. Like Delphic run through a dark ambient wringer, or Johnny Greenwood playing session on a Portishead record comes the Narrows’ debut, and it is fucking ESSENTIAL… Manchester’s best dark alternative band… when it comes to current Manchester bands, The Narrows really are leading the pack”

MANCHESTER MUSIC:

“…consistently, utterly brilliant…they have precisley no contemporaries”

M.E.N /CITYLIFE:

“…one of the most original, provocative and iconoclastic new Manchester bands of 2011.”

MUSIC FROM RAINY SKIES:

“The Narrows’ sound almost transcends era pigeon-holing… the lyrical content is every bit as confrontational as the music… piercing lyrical genius, fantastically commanding… The Narrows will take over the world.”

PJ Harvey wins the 2011 Barclaycard Mercury Prize

PJ Harvey was announced on Tuesday, 6th September as the winner of the 2011 Barclaycard Mercury Prize for Album of the Year.   The announcement was made by musician and broadcaster Jools Holland at the Awards Show at London’s Grosvenor House.

Simon Frith, Chair of Judges commented, “In a very fine year for British music, PJ Harvey’s Let England Shake is a record off exceptional depth, passion and imagination: a musical meditation on Englishness that is gripping and profound ”.

Polly Harvey said of her win.  “Thanks for the recognition of my work on this album. It took a long time to write. I wanted to write something that was meaningful, not just for myself but for other people – something that would last.  I’m delighted and happy to have won the Prize tonight because I put so much into this album.  It’s wonderful to have this recognized and to have the opportunity to reach out to a wider audience”.

The Prize recognises and celebrates music in the UK and has a reputation for highlighting a wide range of bands and artists.  The shortlist of 12 ‘Albums of the Year’ is chosen by an independent judging panel, which includes musicians, producers, presenters and music journalists.  The panel’s decision is based solely on the music on the albums and all genres of music are treated equally.

Daystar – Off Our Heads

Impact date: 03/10/11 (Stone Soup Arts)

daystarband.com

     Manchester‘s Daystar return with the second single from their debut album. ‘Off Our Heads‘ is an unashamedly northern take on the notion of escapism from the realities of unemployment and life in the built up urban environment. The song evokes feelings of nostalgia and stoic melancholy (and that ubiquitous sense of regret over ‘lost love’).

   Influenced in equal measure by the 60s, the legendary Brian Wilson and (the equally legendary) Syd Barrett, the single sees the band demonstrate the versatility of their indie-rock style. An anthem for the insomniac on a hypnotic summer’s night, with an extended psychedelic ending. The Daystar world domination master-plan is stepping up a gear.

Watch the official video for ‘Off Our Heads’ here:

See Daystar Live:

Sun 25th September (Stage Time 7.40) MANCHESTER – Supporting Viva Brother @ Manchester Club Academy

Sat 22nd October (Stage Times TBC) SHEFFIELD – Oxjam Festival (More info soon)

Sat 5th November (Stage Times TBC) MANCHESTER – Moho Live in Northern Quarter (Headlining)

Daystar on TV again! 

ESPN ‘s Talk of the Terrace  invited Daystar to come back in and play ‘Off Our Heads’. They’ll also discuss which football team each member supports. The guys are split between rival Manchester teams; Manchester United and Manchester City. footage below

Listen to Daystar – Off Our Heads (via our Soundcloud)

ROCKSUCKER Interview 

Mercury Music Prize 2011 shortlist revealed

North West music fans will be pleased to see Manchester’s Everything Everything alongside local heroes and 2008 winners Elbow on this year’s list.

The shortlist provides a snapshot of the year in music, recognising artistic achievement across a range of genres in UK music. Check out the shortlist below or go to the Mercury Music Prize website.

Some harmless fun now. Ask Me PR wants to know who you think should win. Check out our poll at the bottom of the post;

Albums of the Year 2011

Everything Everything ‘Man Alive’

‘Man Alive’, Manchester based Everything Everything’s debut album, was produced by David Kosten. Formed in 2007, the four-piece band features members from Northumberland, Kent and Guernsey. ‘Man Alive’ was released on Geffen in August 2010 and includes the singles ‘MY KZ, UR BF’ and ‘Photoshop Handsome’.

‘An exhuberant musical adventure. A thrilling clash of electro, guitar pop, tight rhythms and smart wordplay’

Elbow ‘Build a Rocket Boys!’

‘Build a Rocket Boys!’, Elbow’s fifth album, was produced by the band’s Craig Potter. The five- piece band are from Bury and their previous album, ‘The Seldom Seen Kid’, won the Mercury Prize in 2008. ‘Build a Rocket Boys!’ was released on Fiction in March 2011 and includes the singles ‘Neat Little Rows’ and ‘Open Arms’.

‘Another compelling collection of songs from one of Britain’s greatest bands. Generous in spirit, brilliantly observed and musically uplifting’

Metronomy ‘The English Riviera’

‘The English Riviera’, Metronomy’s third album, was released by Because Music in April 2011. It was written and produced by the band’s Joseph Mount, originally from Totnes, Devon. The album, recorded in London and Paris, includes the singles ‘She Wants’, ‘The Look’ and ‘The Bay’.

‘A beautifully realised electro-pop dream about growing up on an imagined English Riviera – sparkling, sophisticated and full of intrigue’

Adele ’21’

A worldwide number one, ’21’ was released in January 2011 on XL Recordings and is the follow up to ’19’, Adele’s Mercury shortlisted debut. The majority of the album was produced by Rick Rubin in Malibu and Paul Epworth in London. ’21’ has gone 10 times platinum in the UK and features the singles ‘Rolling in the Deep’, ‘Someone Like You’ and ‘Set Fire to the Rain’.

‘An extraordinary achievement. An emotional set of remarkable love songs brilliantly performed’

Ghostpoet ‘Peanut Butter Blues & Melancholy Jam’

Ghostpoet is London born Obaro Ejimiwe. ‘Peanut Butter Blues & Melancholy Jam’, his debut album, was written whilst at university in Coventry and released on Gilles Peterson’s Brownswood Recordings in February 2011. The album includes the singles ‘Cash and Carry Me Home’ and ‘Survive It’.

‘Mesmerising homemade hip-hop: endlessly inventive beats, laid-back delivery and rueful stories. Completely engaging’

Anna Calvi ‘Anna Calvi’

Anna Calvi’s debut album was released in January 2011 on Domino Records. Recorded in France and Worcestershire, it features a guest appearance from Brian Eno. The album was produced by Anna Calvi along with Rob Ellis and Pritpal Soor. It includes the singles ‘Blackout’ and ‘Desire’.

‘Anna Calvi marks out a unique dramatic territory with powerful vocals and formidable guitar. A passionate and atmospheric debut’

Tinie Tempah ‘Disc-Overy’

‘Disc-Overy’ is Tinie Tempah’s debut album. It was recorded in London and Sweden, and released on Parlophone in October 2010. Tinie, from South East London, is the first UK rap artist to have a million-selling single in the USA, with ‘Written in the Stars’. The number one album also features the Labrinth produced singles ‘Pass Out’ and ‘Frisky’.

‘A brilliant new voice in British urban music. Witty, eclectic, charismatic – ‘Disc-Overy’ is completely irresistible’

Gwilym Simcock ‘Good Days at Schloss Elmau’

Gwilym Simcock, from Bangor, Wales, attended Trinity College and the Royal Academy of Music. Gwilym, a renowned jazz pianist, recorded the album at Schloss Elmau, Bavaria. It was released on ACT in January 2011 and co-produced with Siggi Loch.

‘On his first album as a solo performer, internationally acclaimed pianist Gwilym Simcock takes listeners on a spell-binding, lyrical and absorbing musical journey’

James Blake ‘James Blake’

James Blake’s debut album was written and recorded by the 22-year-old Goldsmiths music graduate at his home in New Cross. The album was released on Atlas/A&M in February 2011, following a series of well-received EPs, and includes the singles ‘Limit to Your Love’ and ‘The Wilhelm Scream’.

‘A strikingly original album. Late night songs, delicate sound fragments, intimate and haunting’

PJ Harvey ‘Let England Shake’

‘Let England Shake’ was recorded in a 19th century church in Dorset and features long- time collaborators Mick Harvey, John Parish and Flood. PJ Harvey is a previous winner of the Mercury Prize and this is her eighth solo album. It was released on Island Records in February 2011 and includes the singles ‘The Words that Maketh Murder’ and ‘The Glorious Land’.

‘PJ Harvey confirms her status as one of Britain’s most creative artists with another landmark album. Musical meditations on history, war and Englishness: gripping and profound’

Katy B ‘On a Mission’

‘On a Mission’ is the debut album by 22-year-old Katy B from Peckham. Katy studied music at Goldsmiths and her album, recorded in London, was released in April 2011 on Rinse/Columbia. It features the top five singles ‘Lights On’, featuring Ms Dynamite, and ‘Katy on a Mission’, produced by Benga.

‘Katy B fashions a wonderfully fresh and vivid pop album from the sounds and encounters of contemporary club culture. Immediate and exhilarating’

King Creosote & Jon Hopkins ‘Diamond Mine’

King Creosote is Kenny Anderson, a well-respected singer/songwriter from Fife and a member of the Fence Collective. Jon Hopkins, an acclaimed musician, composer and producer, has worked with Brian Eno and Coldplay. ‘Diamond Mine’ includes field recordings capturing life in Fife and was released in March 2011 by Domino Records.

‘Jon Hopkins creates the perfect soundscape for King Creosote’s beautiful songs of life in a Scottish coastal village. Gentle, evocative and moving’

Alex Hulme – There Was a Boy EP

 Release date: 29/8/11 (Cityscape Records)

myspace.com/alexhulmeacoustic

cityscaperecords.co.uk/music/alex-hulme

20 year old Alex Hulme has been been turning heads all across his native North West. He is a student at Paul McCartney’s LIPA in Liverpool and is already poised to release his second EP There Was A Boy, co-produced by Tom Knott (KT Tunstall, I Am Kloot) on  Cityscape Records. Mixing his use of unusual tunings- inspired by the likes of Nick Drake, Fionn Regan and Foy Vance – with realtime multilayered looping of guitars and vocals (which have to be seen to be believed), Alex creates immediate pop songs with catchy melodies and rich folk guitar. His prolific gigging over the past year has seen him support artists such as Avi Buffalo, Emmy The Great and The Travelling Band, as well as being championed by BBC Lancashire’s Introducing show with Sean McGinty.

Alex’s second EP introduces darker subject matter to his acoustic pop song writing. Title track There Was A Boy follows the aftermath of one of his closest friends losing his mother.

Listen to There Was a Boy:

Bones looks into the deep rooted and often uncontrollable desires we can feel for people .

Listen to Bones:

Forests transports the listener to a forest at day break where you can feel the world wake up around you.

Listen to Forests:

Closing track Dare ends the EP with a moving acoustic lament to daring to be more in life.

Listen to Dare: