No, no Snuggles 

I said Tom Elias sounded 
 like Tom Waits but without 
  the cigs and whisky not that 
    he should drink and smoke....

OK bands you know the score by now....

the more hits your blog gets by the fans, the higher up the chart you go.....so Tweet it, Facebook it.....and generally expose yourself.....

Top spot this week for Hollywood sound tracked 'TheAlphabet Song' fae Fife it's.....


1. Panda Su

With the news they're playing Audio Glasgow in November, what a difference a re-blog makes......


2. We Came From the Sea

Loads of interest this week due to their big gig in London tomorrow with ex Stone Roses guitarist Aziz Ibrahim.....



3. The Cornerstones

Top spot last week but down three places it's popular Manchester band.....


4. Stolen Haven

Down one place for another Manchester band.....


5. Transition Baby

News of their being Surface Festival finalists is spreading, up from last weeks Number 8 spot.....


6. a41

Staying put this week and becoming a real chart favourite.....


7. Whispery Club

A Liverpool band that won the Houses of Parliament Rock the House competition.....


8. The Verdict

Another Liverpool band still popular with their song Don't Buy The Sun.....


9. The New Caldera

Only just blogged this morning but with news of his first album released in October.....


10. Tom Elias

Tom Elias.....Tom Waits meets Paulo Nutini?

T.G Elias is a prolific writer and performer whose distinctive, subtle and powerful voice holds audiences spellbound with his mesmerizing performances. Drawing from his deeply rooted relationship with Gospel, Country and Blues, the result is a collection of candid tales and life stories, served up by a journeyman with an understated raw emotion.

OK now obviously as a Jack Russell I didn't write that but apart from the fact it uses a lot of big words in a music journo stylee it pretty much sums up what this young man's music is about.  His voice is Tom Waits with less bourbon and cigarettes mixed up with a bit of Paulo Nutini in a Neil Young and Jim James way.  

Ball and Chain is a bluesy, mournful, pluck at your heart strings track written and sung by a young man reaching way beyond his years to make the listener feel his pain.

It's on his debut album T.G.Elias and the good news is you wont have to wait long to grab yourself some of this musical niceness.

He releases the album 'T.G.Elias' through Liverpool based Viper Label/SRD Distribution on the 22nd October 2012 and will be gigging accordingly.  

First off on Thursday 11th October he's playing The Trades Club, Hebden Bridge, quickly followed by an album launch on Friday 19th October in the intimate surroundings of The Black Room in the Ducie Bridge, Manchester followed by Sunday 21st October at The Shipping Forecast in Liverpool.

The Dulcie Bridge.....
Home of The Black Room

Finally he's doing 'Pull Up Roots' at The Slaughtered Lamb in London on the 22nd October.  3rd November he's in Bangor at a venue to be confirmed and finally on the 17th November it's The Blue Rooms, Huddersfield. 

" We don't normally review 'Folk', but this isn't just Folk'. It's something devastatingly refreshing. T.G. Elias is creating quite a stir. Listen to his record now!- fRoots

Now I'm guessing I've not heard of this young man previously because he's not what you'd consider 'mainstream' but if the contents of this album are anything to go by everyone will be hearing a lot more of him very soon.  I for one will be pointing those lovely people at Folk Radio UK his direction and I suggest you do the same.....

Turrentine Jones.....New Single...New gigs!

So someone's had their dad's old vinyl out and learned a valuable lesson.....Manchester band Turrentine Jones are producing 'authentic', old school thrashing guitar, sleazy vocalising organ thumping tunes.  



No surprises they cite The Animals and The Doors as influences (you only have to scroll down their Facebook page to see them pay homage to some of the late and greats of music) and the good news is they're putting out material on a par with any of their illustrious predecessors.  Proper tunes which, if you're old enough to remember The Sixties and the resurgence of Jazz/Rhythm & Blues you'll love it.....or if you're a shiny, bright young thing, you'll love it.....result!

 


The three-piece consist of lead singer and guitarist Julian Neville, drummer Chris Carcamo and Hammond organist Thomas Scotson and have spent the last 6 months creating their next release, only it’s not one release, it’s six.

Julian's thought's on it are.....“We want our music to be accessible, easy to digest. We want people talking about us all year and listening to us all year. It’s easier to share a track between friends than it is an album. Instead of releasing an album we will release a track every 2 months. It’s exciting. Our fans can get new material from us all year”.  

The first of these is “Show Me Mercy”, a coursing, edging number that permeates a sexual yearning, accompanied by sadness, which has become the nature of Turrentine Jones songs and Neville’s lyrical writings.  There's shades of early Manfred Mann and Spencer Davies there too all of which will lend to the across the board appeal of the track when it's released early November.

Le Debut's release found its place in the charts after its February 2012 release. The single 'Slam the Door' reached No. 13 on the Australian Music Charts, and was televised after the band performed live on Channel 4’s Hit the Road Jack . It's an organ driven track with hint's of Booker T and the MG's Green Onions and as sleazy as you like.  

More good things happening too with the band signing an endorsement deal with clothing brand OK Now and inking a deal with touring agency Spoilt Kid, which already houses the likes of Mike Joyce (The

Smiths), Clint Boon (Inspiral Carpets), Bez (Happy Mondays) and Drew McConnell (Babyshambles) who recently did a stint with The Vaccines and I'll be taking a look at another of their acts, Gun Club Cemetery just shortly.

“There aren’t too many bands in Manchester with that kind of street cred at the moment.” - Sam Walker BBC Radio Manchester

Turrentine Jones now return with the next single ‘Show Me Mercy’, to be released on CD and 7" through one of Manchester’s most exciting new labels Spoilt Kid. Having been tipped as ones to watch for 2012, the new single sees the Manchester threesome carry on their rich vein of form. Drawing on their flaring, sultry blues reference points such as The Animals, The Doors and Booker T & The MGs' the sleazy nature of earlier single ‘Candy Snake’ is stripped back just enough to reveal a rough sense of yearning.

'Show Me Mercy' was again recorded using analogue tape lending to their gutsy sound and will be available 2nd November.  Ralph's had a sneak peak and it's mean and moody, down and dirty.....you're gonna love it!

The boys will be performing around the single's release date as follows:

	Feb 02	Night and Day	Manchester, United Kingdom		RSVP	Share
	Feb 28	Secret Show	Manchester, United Kingdom		RSVP	Share
	Mar 02	Roadhouse	Manchester, United Kingdom		RSVP	Share
	Mar 09	Wheelbarrow	Camden, United Kingdom		RSVP	Share
	Mar 15	Jacksons Pit	Oldham, United Kingdom		RSVP	Share
	Apr 19	Academy 3	Manchester, United Kingdom		RSVP	Share

The Live Room Saltaire.....Join them

Looking for a venue in or around Bradford that offers a mix of music, top artists from around the world in a friendly, intimate atmosphere? Look no further than The Live Room at The Caroline Social Club in Saltaire.

The Live Room is the brainchild of Ron Dukelow and Hilary Booth, both experienced music promoters, who, for ten years were the driving force behind the highly successful Live at the Talbot series at the Talbot Hotel in  West Wales.

It's their intention to bring the same ethos to their new venue at the Caroline Social Club to make it the best folk and roots music venue in the Bradford area. If you have a suggestion for an artist to play there get in touch. They can't promise that they'll be able to present them, but they'll consider all ideas.

After a previous gig featuring My Darling Clementine  this comment appeared on Twitter.....

'The Live Room is the best thing that has happened music wise in this area in the 15 year I've lived here' (Adrian Gallagher) .


Next gig on the agenda is Tarras on the 7th December at 8pm.....





Tarras are a 6 piece band hailing from the north of England and the borders of Scotland. They play an exciting blend of self penned songs and traditional material, reworked in the bands distinctive way. Using instruments including accordion, violin, cittern and mandolin.

Tarras have a traditional sound, but fused with drums, piano, guitar and bass, the songs and arrangements are contemporary in style and delivery.



 
Previously signed to prestigious indies; Topic Records (UK) and Rounder Records (USA), Tarras released two albums – ‘Walking Down Mainstreet’ and ‘Rising’ whilst still in their teens. Both albums were critically acclaimed, earning them Folk Album of the Month in MOJO magazine, 4 stars in Q, and a nomination at the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards. Despite being called "the most impressive young UK band heard in ages" by fRoots magazine, in 2002.

Ben Murray is one of the founder members of TARRAS and has been singing and playing piano since he was 5. After two albums with the band, he's gone on to work extensively in the music industry, recording and touring all over the world, with artists including Guo Yue, Seth Lakeman, The Imagined Village and Renzo Spiteri. He's performed in a duo with life long friend Rosie Doonan, and  their debut album has been well received. 

If you want to really know what kind of night you can expect with Tarras check their promotional video.....they'll enjoy the night just as much as you will!!!!!

Nudy Bronque.....on the road.....

Want to know what you get when Indie Pop Punk meets The Smiths playing a Ska beat.....it's bright young Wiltshire band Nudybronque.  








They're finally coming of age with their upbeat, make you want to dance like your favourite uncle at a wedding tunes.....and if you don't believe me check out their last single, the bouncy 'Talking Pretty' which is my favourite track on the 'Bottled Blond' EP.  

Other tracks on the EP are the aptly named 'Bottled Blond', 'Movement', 'Fond Of You' and 'I Don't Want Your Problems'.   

Nudybronque are Aidan Sheehan Guitar/Vocals, Luke Wride Bass/Vocals and John 'Wolfman' Wealthdale on Drums.

On stage they're pure energy, delivering tune after tune of infectious, joint jumpin' magic.  Needless to say they're starting to attract a lot of media attention and have featured on BBC Wiltshire Introducing, Amazing Radio, Radio Caroline and Ralph's pal, Tom Robinson on BBC Radio 6.

Big news now on the Nudybronque front is the release of the new single 'Allsorts' and it's a delightfully infectious pop tune with a retro stylee.  Shades of Jarvis Cocker with a sixties keyboard feel.  They've even splashed out and added a funky video.....

 

Gig wise Nudy Bronque are starting a major assault on an unsuspecting public.  So if you're anywhere within easy reach of the following venues take Ralph's advice and go and catch them live.....you'll be in for quite a night!

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FRI 25 JANUARY

The Hobbit Southampton, UK

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SAT 26 JANUARY

The Croft Bristol, UK

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WED 20 FEBRUARY

Cellars, Eastney Portsmouth, UK

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FRI 22 FEBRUARY

The Furnace Swindon, UK

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FRI 15 MARCH

Winchester Gate Salisbury, UK

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SAT 16 MARCH

Charlton Park Malmesbury, UK

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THU 21 MARCH

The Victoria Swindon, UK

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SAT 23 MARCH

The Wunderbar Midsomer Norton, UK

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FRI 12 APRIL

The Victoria Swindon, UK

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SAT 20 APRIL

Salisbury Arts Centre Salisbury, UK