Ralph's Top 10 Blogged Band Chart - 30.5.15

OK bands you know the score .....

the more hits your blog gets by the fans ..... 

the higher you go .....

So Tweet it, Facebook it .....

Generally expose yourself .....

Now Mr Snuggles and I Have Been sitting with our heads down counting the hits on each blog to see which band's got what place.

The Top Ten Blogged Band Chart is played every Sunday 5-7pm on Radio KC as part of Ralph's Indie Show.

No 1...The Jade Assembly

With thanks to @PhotographyGaz ©

Ralph has had his beady eye on immensely popular Bolton band The Jade Assembly for some time now and with the release of their new single One Last Time on May 5th, what better time to look closer.

Keen to stand apart from their contemporaries, The Jade Assembly say - "We're in this for the long haul and for the right reasons." 

No 2...Vladimir


Riding the crest a wave of up and coming young Scottish bands currently flooding the UK music scene is Dundee band Vladimir. Their industrial yet infectious brand of 'post-punk' is reminiscent of fellow Scots the late lamented Cinematics with a heavier Joy Division-esque vibe. No surprise then that they've been supporting such luminaries as The View and The Fall of late.







No 3...Rory Wynne




Ralph's first introduction to up and coming Manchester singer/songwriter Rory Wynne was Post Party Confusion, his new, quirky and insightful single which views the travails of being a young party animal in today's night-life jungle. 

Not only has Ralph played it on his Radio KC Indie Show a couple of times it's been featured by Radio 1 DJ Phil Taggart.

No 4...Multiplier

Ralph has played tracks by Manchester band Multiplier previously on his eponymous Radio KC Indie Show and to good feedback. So when he heard they were releasing a shiny new EP in may he thought it'd be a good time to take a closer look and listen.

The Multiplier EP is three tracks of sublime Indie Pop goodness with shades of Thom Yorke overlaid 

No 5...Bloodlines

Now it's no secret that Ralph is a big fan of Ayrshire's Vukovi so it's no surprise his ears pricked up when he heard the new single Cathedral by Glasgow based (formerly from Fort William) band Bloodlines from their recently released debut EP Love The Taste. It's accompanied by an atmospheric video, of which more later.

No 6...Officer

The Myriads album is being produced thanks to the love and generosity of Officer's friends as they crowd funded enough cash from his loyal fan-base who were desperate to have a physical copy of the tracks they loved from his live performances.

Both track and video are deliciously dark, atmospheric and well crafted. The video takes you on a soul-searching introspective journey as Officer (aka DC Logan) makes you feel his pain. You can experience it right here on Ralph's Life and it'll be played on Radio KC from this week.

No 7...The Vaulted Skys

There seems to be a trend just now for bands to lean on the influences of the 80's whilst bringing to that era a modern twist and very much at the forefront of that is Saint Albans band The Vaulted Skies.

The Strange EP, released recently is a concoction of mean and moody vocals over swirling guitars and orchestral synths.

No 8...Two Skies

Ralph has had his eyes on Sheffield band Two Skies for a little while now having previously played the deliciously heavy Stay on his Radio KC Indie Show. 

So it was with great interest that he heard that they were realeasing Feel as a single on May 11th.

It's a pleasingly psychadelic offering, evoking memories of early Pink Floyd or pre - Hawkwind the Hawklords.

No 9... Electric Discharge Machine

With a name like Electric Discharge Machine it's no surprise that this young London band have a psychedelic feel to their extremely impressive musical soundscape. Their single Declaration Of War from their recently released EP is a flashback to the late 60's with a modern twist. It's Rock 'n' Roll Jim but not as we know it.

Electric Discharge Machine share their time between London and Paris gigging relentlessly so it's quite apt that Ralph's giving Declaration Of War a spin on his Paris based UK Indie Show on Radio KC this coming Sunday.

No 10 ...The Empty Page

It's always nice when you find a virtually brand spanking new band that sounds like they've been together for years and producing a focused and polished sound. Just such an eventuality is the case with The Empty Page (which it wont be as I've got more to say, otherwise it'd be a short review) from Manchester.

With that in mind Ralph had a quick chat with Jim of The Empty Page with a view to finding out what's driven them to forming the band to bring us their version of 'fuzzy 90's Alt Rock'.

The Empty Page

It's always nice when you find a virtually brand spanking new band that sounds like they've been together for years and producing a focused and polished sound. Just such an eventuality is the case with The Empty Page (which it wont be as I've got more to say, otherwise it'd be a short review) from Manchester.

With that in mind Ralph had a quick chat with Jim of The Empty Page with a view to finding out what's driven them to forming the band to bring us their version of 'fuzzy 90's Alt Rock'.

Ralph: The Empty Page sound like a well established band despite only having formed this year, have you all played in other bands previously?

Jim: Yes. Kel and Giz both play in a long standing punk rock band called Obsessive Compulsive and have toured the UK, Europe and America. 

I was the drummer in Boddickers and before that I drummed in LAP (Life Among People) for seven years touring the UK - mainly Scotland. Kel also works with Ginger Wildheart sometimes, some recordings, some live stuff.




Ralph: What's the glue that binds The Empty Page?

Jim: We've all been mates for years and we come from the same musical background. Music comes first, second and third for all of us. We also have a penchant for bad puns.

Ralph: Studio perfection or getting out there live?

Jim: Live is where it's at. We've been trying to recreate our natural 'live' sound in the studio too, oldschool style, more or less recording live and not trying to achieve perfection. There's beauty in imperfections. A lot of stuff is way too cleaned up nowadays, not a lot of soul in that.





Ralph: Pizza or Falafel?

Jim: Both. And sushi. And tacos. And curry. We really like food!

Ralph: Happy with the Manchester scene or will The Emptly Page be looking further afield?

Jim: The Manchester scene is always changing. It's always evolving and it's a great place to find new music of every flavour. We love Manchester but would never restrict ourselves to one city or scene.

Ralph: You're US influenced, do you prefer the American 'fuzzy' sound?

Jim: We all like all kinds of music but there's a definite influence with this band that comes from the early 90s American fuzzy alternative scene yeah.  We love loads of British bands too though, Radiohead, My Bloody Valentine, Joy Division, The Smiths and PJ Harvey.

So there you have it, a new band that has all the hallmarks of having been together as a tight unit for years. Don't miss out on listening to the Ancoats Sessions EP and with that in mind, Ralph's spinning a track next Sunday on his Radio KC Indie Show (5-7pm). 

Y'all should take the chance to catch their assured, driving sound at their next live show - so get yourselves to The Crescent in Salford, Manchester on June 26th!

Ralph's Top 10 Blogged Band Chart - 23.5.15

OK bands you know the score .....

the more hits your blog gets by the fans ..... 

the higher you go .....

So Tweet it, Facebook it .....

Generally expose yourself .....

Now Mr Snuggles and I Have Been sitting with our heads down counting the hits on each blog to see which band's got what place.

The Top Ten Blogged Band Chart is played every Sunday 5-7pm on Radio KC as part of Ralph's Indie Show.

No 1...The Jade Assembly

With thanks to @PhotographyGaz ©

Ralph has had his beady eye on immensely popular Bolton band The Jade Assembly for some time now and with the release of their new single One Last Time on May 5th, what better time to look closer.

Keen to stand apart from their contemporaries, The Jade Assembly say - "We're in this for the long haul and for the right reasons." 

No 2...Multiplier

Ralph has played tracks by Manchester band Multiplier previously on his eponymous Radio KC Indie Show and to good feedback. So when he heard they were releasing a shiny new EP in may he thought it'd be a good time to take a closer look and listen.

The Multiplier EP is three tracks of sublime Indie Pop goodness with shades of Thom Yorke overlaid 

No 3...Officer

The Myriads album is being produced thanks to the love and generosity of Officer's friends as they crowd funded enough cash from his loyal fan-base who were desperate to have a physical copy of the tracks they loved from his live performances.

Both track and video are deliciously dark, atmospheric and well crafted. The video takes you on a soul-searching introspective journey as Officer (aka DC Logan) makes you feel his pain. You can experience it right here on Ralph's Life and it'll be played on Radio KC from this week.

No 4...Vladimir


Riding the crest a wave of up and coming young Scottish bands currently flooding the UK music scene is Dundee band Vladimir. Their industrial yet infectious brand of 'post-punk' is reminiscent of fellow Scots the late lamented Cinematics with a heavier Joy Division-esque vibe. No surprise then that they've been supporting such luminaries as The View and The Fall of late.

No 5...The Vaulted Skys

There seems to be a trend just now for bands to lean on the influences of the 80's whilst bringing to that era a modern twist and very much at the forefront of that is Saint Albans band The Vaulted Skies.

The Strange EP, released recently is a concoction of mean and moody vocals over swirling guitars and orchestral synths.

No 6...Rory Wynne




Ralph's first introduction to up and coming Manchester singer/songwriter Rory Wynne was Post Party Confusion, his new, quirky and insightful single which views the travails of being a young party animal in today's night-life jungle. 

Not only has Ralph played it on his Radio KC Indie Show a couple of times it's been featured by Radio 1 DJ Phil Taggart.

No 7...Two Skies

Ralph has had his eyes on Sheffield band Two Skies for a little while now having previously played the deliciously heavy Stay on his Radio KC Indie Show. 

So it was with great interest that he heard that they were realeasing Feel as a single on May 11th.

It's a pleasingly psychadelic offering, evoking memories of early Pink Floyd or pre - Hawkwind the Hawklords.

No 8... Electric Discharge Machine

With a name like Electric Discharge Machine it's no surprise that this young London band have a psychedelic feel to their extremely impressive musical soundscape. Their single Declaration Of War from their recently released EP is a flashback to the late 60's with a modern twist. It's Rock 'n' Roll Jim but not as we know it.

Electric Discharge Machine share their time between London and Paris gigging relentlessly so it's quite apt that Ralph's giving Declaration Of War a spin on his Paris based UK Indie Show on Radio KC this coming Sunday.

No 9...Bloodlines

Now it's no secret that Ralph is a big fan of Ayrshire's Vukovi so it's no surprise his ears pricked up when he heard the new single Cathedral by Glasgow based (formerly from Fort William) band Bloodlines from their recently released debut EP Love The Taste. It's accompanied by an atmospheric video, of which more later.

No 10 ...The Phantom Sound

Working on a debut album, The Phantom Sound aka Californian born (now living in London) Marisa Schlussel strives to create honest, powerful and emotional songs, drawing on diverse influences from the late 70's and 80's including Bowie, Blondie, The Ramones and Duran Duran and giving them a contemporary feel.