Cheshire band a41 looking to win big!

Just come to Ralph's attention via that wonderment of musical promotion that is Twitter is a41, a four piece Alt/Indie Rock band from Ellesmere Port in Cheshire and they are one of the final 28 bands who performed at the Indig02 which was held in the 02 Arena on Saturday 29^th September for this years Surface Festival!

They've played at a variety of venues over the past few months such as Jabez Clegg, Ralph's favourite Dry Live & The Academy 3 in Manchester, competing against other bands from all over the North West. A combination of text votes, audience votes and in the later stages scores from a judging panel have allowed a number of bands to progress to play bigger and better venues and further themselves in the competition.

First up for a listen is the softly softly 'Sons and Daughters' with nice lyrics and even nicer guitar.  Guaranteed to steal your heart away.....

On September the 1^st a41 played at the Academy 3  for the Regional Showcase, securing themselves a place in the International Showcase in London. 15 bands played over the Friday & Saturday night but just 5 made it through to the final.  Word from the band was... 

“We were so excited when they read out our name as one of the bands who'd be going to the 02, we couldn't believe it! We've worked hard over the past year, recording, writing & playing as many shows as possible. Surface Festival is the the biggest gig of our lives so far!”  

'Don't Brake' is a proper rock it out number with punchy guitar and lyrics guaranteed to get the fans jumping at their gigs. Proper tune.....look out for it on the radio.....

The Surface Festival is a European live music event held throughout Europe in aid of discovering and promoting new talent. There are around 15,000 applications every year from bands wanting to take part in the festival. In 2012 events have been held in cities throughout the U.K. and Europe. For bands and artists that reach the final stages of the Festival, both Surface Festival and their sponsors will award prizes and opportunities in excess of £100,000, including festival & tour slots, music equipment, recording time, photo shoots, sales & marketing promotion plus much more!

'Curtain Call' is another rock it out, rasping vocals, thumping drums and thrashing guitar crowd pleaser.....this is the kind of song that'll impress the judges and the fans alike.....

a41  played in front of a capacity crowd and judging panel at the London 02's Indig02 on September 29^th along with 27 other finalists from around the UK and Europe. This years judging panel comprised of Jon Brookes, the founder and drummer of The Charlatans, Alex Baker of Kerrang Radio and Lynsy Wallace, the head of marketing at Universal Music. Bands scores were made up from the judging panel's points plus text votes each band receives from the general public. Awards were then given to the top 3 bands on the day.  Here's the full set from the Indig02 in London for the 2012 Surface Festival International Showcase!

After some technical issues, Matt pulling his cable out twice & playing 2nd out of 28 of the best bands from throughout the UK & Europe, they were positioned 9th out of an initial 11,000 applicants! They'd like to thank all their fans, family & friends for supporting them and helping to get them to the final.



Don't Brake, Sons and Daughters & 3 Second Rule - You can download all 3 of their singles from iTunes for just £0.79 each! 


http://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/a41/id492350390

'Three Second Rule' lulls you into a false sense of security with a gentle first line which runs into a thumping bass followed by frantic geetar.....a great up tempo number for live gigs.....