Saturday 28 November 2015

Ralph's Top 10 Blogged Band Chart - 28.11.15

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 .....


                                                 ralphslife.co.uk



Follow Ralph's Life Indie Music Blog on Pinterest.






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.












Jimmy & the Revolvers have been lauded as one of the UK's most exciting emerging bands. When they're not gigging up and down the country making new friends and fans wherever they go, they're running a monthly club night in their home city of Liverpool as well as finding the time to champion up and coming talent on the scene.









No 2...Peach Trees



As an East meets West collaboration (that's Cleethorpes and Southport, not Russia and America) Peach Trees have come up with a pretty damn fine piece of get up on the floor, funky-ass disco music, made all the more listenable thanks to the soulful vocals of London-based Mr Ernie Jackson.


The release of This Is The Love by the nascent get-together of musical minds Ambrose Chappel and Dave Hubbard brings a poptastic blend of retro disco vibes and soul vocalising.








What do you get when you mix Fun Lovin' Criminals with Tijuana Bibles and stir in a bit of John Mayall and Dr Feelgood? Liverpool six-piece The Boston Shakers of course.



They're bringing their own brand of 'in your face', blues infused rock 'n' roll to the table, heavy beats with smattering of rap and no small amount of swagger.








No 4...Patersani



Ralph is always on the scrounge, looking for new tunes to play on his Radio KC Indie Show, so when the Patersani single release Lost And Found was brought to his attention his interest was peaked and it's not left the turntable since.

Pounding percussion and a full-on driving guitar intro give this debut single a delightful alt-pop feel but with a decidedly rock-like foundation.









No 5...Snippet



Long time Ralph's Life favourite Johnno Casson, prior to releasing the third album by his alter ego Snippet has regaled us with a collection of tracks that detail the last ten years of that particular musical incarnation.


What follows is a delightful trip through his self-styled 'Wonky Pop', from the psychedelically dreamy The Digital Yes to the trippy 50 Pounds Each it makes you smile and makes you groove in equal degrees.










No 6...Silver Coast


Image of "Seasons" EP PRE-ORDER NOW
Ralph's given tracks by Inverness-based band Silver Coast spins on his Radio KC Indie Show a few times now over the last couple of years so it was with great interest that news of the new Seasons EP (which includes the recently released single Wake Up) hit the kennel's inbox.


Wake Up is possibly Silver Coast's most 'bouncy' track to date and definitely aimed at a wider audience. Still holding onto the anthemic feel of earlier releases (big guitars and soaring vocals) but it has a more 'populist' and radio-friendly feel in a Twin Atlantic stylee.




Anyone that follows Ralph on Twitter will know he's partial to a bit of toast, preferably charred around the edges, so it's no surprise there was a bit of excitement here in the kennel when the soon to be released (November 2nd) Money As Debt Double A Side Single by Official Burnt Toast hit the turntable. With flip side Hi Time it's a great intro to their Tubs 'n Tongue-Fu album on Sonskrif.









No 8...Jimmy Brewer



It seems like Jimmy Brewer has been possessed by the artistic soul of James Taylor during the early Sweet Baby James years with the release of  Strangers, a follow-up to his highly acclaimed debut album As Time Stands Still two years ago.

Jimmy Brewer exudes songwriting of the highest and most emotive quality for one so young and no surprise he's supported the likes of Joan Armatrading prior to embarking on a headlining tour to promote the release of Strangers







These Are Not The Drugs (You Are Looking For) cover art

Along with the 'B' Side Whisky Going Free, the tracks are from the most excellent new album Rocket Out Of London which has been receiving rave reviews from all the usual suspects and featured as a Steve Lamacq BBC6 Music Recommend. 

Lead track I Hate School is Alice Cooper meets The Stones with a soupçon of Sex Pistols and it's deeee-liciously manic rock 'n' roll by Damn Vandals.





No 10... The Society  


There's always an abundance of Manchester bands to listen to who tend to try and sound like the usual Manc suspects, however, shiny bright young things The Society are going some way to buck that trend with the release of their latest track Given Up

They've got a fresh sounding guitar driven sound and; (it's got a lighter, bouncier Editors feel to it in a Lottery Winners styleedespite a relatively low on-line profile, The Society seem to be garnering a loyal following locally.



Thursday 26 November 2015

Snippet



The Grooveplay Recordings cover artLong time Ralph's Life favourite Johnno Casson, prior to releasing the third album by his alter ego Snippet has regaled us with a collection of tracks that detail the last ten years of that particular musical incarnation. Here he gives us an insight into that nascent period...

"In late 2004 I tentatively started planning to record a new solo project and back then there was no Soundcloud, no Bandcamp and no iTunes.


MySpace was about to kick in however, there was an online platform where some like-minded DIY musicians were sharing their musical creations called Grooveplay." 







"With no gear outboard gear to record on other than a trusty yet beaten up Yamaha acoustic, a bunch of samples, a shit microphone and a half dead PC in a tiny corner of our already very full flat - Snippet was born."

What follows is a delightful trip through his self-styled 'Wonky Pop', from the psychedelically dreamy The Digital Yes to the trippy 50 Pounds Each it makes you smile and makes you groove in equal degrees.


He cut his musical teeth as the lead singer of trip hop pioneers Deep Joy, working with the likes of Primal Scream's Andrew Weatherall, James Lavelle of Mo’ Wax/UNKLE fame and Adrian Sherwood of On-U-Sound plus touring extensively; including with The Farm.






"After being in Deep Joy and having had a wonderful break starting a family I needed a new outlet for my creative juices and so it came to pass that 2005 was the birth of Snippet on grooveplay dot com

These wonky sound collages were never released. To celebrate 10 years of Snippet they are out in all their dirty glory. Lo-fi and proud they're available as a pay-what-you-want to anyone who fancies a journey down the memory lane which gave birth to Snippet." 











Wednesday 25 November 2015

Graham Domain


Snowfall (Single) cover art

As it's getting near Christmas Ralph thought he'd spread some charitable thoughts with you as well as bringing you news of some great music.  

Manchester singer/songwriter Graham Domain is releasing a new single this week which is aptly called Snowfall and all profits from its sale will be going to a Manchester City Centre homeless charity.



It's a quirky mix of synths, beats and off-edge vocals that; If they'd ever made a Christmas single, is evocative of Devo. As the colder weather approaches what better time to buy this release that's aimed at helping the homeless at Christmas and beyond.

Graham Domain has been gigging throughout Greater Manchester area including a support slot with Ralph's Life favourites Multiplier and a number of other local acts.




It's been released in a limited edition CD format and a downloadable digital version on Bandcamp available by clicking on this link: grahamdomain.bandcamp.com and Ralph will be giving it a spin on his Christmas Show on Radio KC.

So in keeping with the spirit of goodwill to all men, dip in your pocket and buy a copy of the single to help the homeless.




Saturday 21 November 2015

Ralph's Top 10 Blogged Band Chart - 21.11.15

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 .....


                                                 ralphslife.co.uk



Follow Ralph's Life Indie Music Blog on Pinterest.






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...Peach Trees



As an East meets West collaboration (that's Cleethorpes and Southport, not Russia and America) Peach Trees have come up with a pretty damn fine piece of get up on the floor, funky-ass disco music, made all the more listenable thanks to the soulful vocals of London-based Mr Ernie Jackson.



The release of This Is The Love by the nascent get-together of musical minds Ambrose Chappel and Dave Hubbard brings a poptastic blend of retro disco vibes and soul vocalising.






No 2...Silver Coast


Image of "Seasons" EP PRE-ORDER NOW
Ralph's given tracks by Inverness-based band Silver Coast spins on his Radio KC Indie Show a few times now over the last couple of years so it was with great interest that news of the new Seasons EP (which includes the recently released single Wake Up) hit the kennel's inbox.


Wake Up is possibly Silver Coast's most 'bouncy' track to date and definitely aimed at a wider audience. Still holding onto the anthemic feel of earlier releases (big guitars and soaring vocals) but it has a more 'populist' and radio-friendly feel in a Twin Atlantic stylee.




Anyone that follows Ralph on Twitter will know he's partial to a bit of toast, preferably charred around the edges, so it's no surprise there was a bit of excitement here in the kennel when the soon to be released (November 2nd) Money As Debt Double A Side Single by Official Burnt Toast hit the turntable. With flip side Hi Time it's a great intro to their Tubs 'n Tongue-Fu album on Sonskrif.









No 4..Jimmy Brewer



It seems like Jimmy Brewer has been possessed by the artistic soul of James Taylor during the early Sweet Baby James years with the release of  Strangers, a follow-up to his highly acclaimed debut album As Time Stands Still two years ago.


Jimmy Brewer exudes songwriting of the highest and most emotive quality for one so young and no surprise he's supported the likes of Joan Armatrading prior to embarking on a headlining tour to promote the release of Strangers





No 5...The Undivided



It's always nice to see a band with a bit of heart and soul and there's none more so than Welsh four-piece The Undivided as their new single and accompanying video Invincible highlights the need for organ donors and compassionately outlining the issues of gain and loss involved.

Formed in 2009 The Undivided have made quite an impact on the South Wales musical landscape and now their anthemic brand of alt rock is reaching further afield.  They're impressive live and have a growing fanbase.  










Jimmy & the Revolvers have been lauded as one of the UK's most exciting emerging bands. When they're not gigging up and down the country making new friends and fans wherever they go, they're running a monthly club night in their home city of Liverpool as well as finding the time to champion up and coming talent on the scene.


Formed in early 2013, Jimmy & The Revolvers are, Jay Rehm on Vocals & Acoustic Guitar, Jordan Wright on Vocals & Bass, Jimmy Moon on Electric Guitar and Ash Michael on Drums.














What do you get when you mix Fun Lovin' Criminals with Tijuana Bibles and stir in a bit of John Mayall and Dr Feelgood? Liverpool six-piece The Boston Shakers of course.



They're bringing their own brand of 'in your face', blues infused rock 'n' roll to the table, heavy beats with smattering of rap and no small amount of swagger.









No 8...The Society





There's always an abundance of Manchester bands to listen to who tend to try and sound like the usual Manc suspects, however, shiny bright young things The Society are going some way to buck that trend with the release of their latest track Given Up

They've got a fresh sounding guitar driven sound and; (it's got a lighter, bouncier Editors feel to it in a Lottery Winners styleedespite a relatively low on-line profile, The Society seem to be garnering a loyal following locally.









These Are Not The Drugs (You Are Looking For) cover art

Along with the 'B' Side Whisky Going Free, the tracks are from the most excellent new album Rocket Out Of London which has been recieving rave reviews from all the usual suspects and featured as a Steve Lamacq BBC6 Music Recommend. 



Lead track I Hate School is Alice Cooper meets The Stones with a soupçon of Sex Pistols and it's deeee-liciously manic rock 'n' roll by Damn Vandals.







No 10...Hyena Kill




Ralph's not averse to rocking it out and there's few better rocking it out duos on the unsigned circuit than Manchester's Hyena Kill (Steven Dobb on vocal/guitars and Lorna Blundell on drums) who are crowdfunding part of the release of their debut album.

The idea behind the crowdfunding project on pledgemusic.com is to allow the fans to become involved and help them finish this debut album, which they've managed to fund themselves up to this point.