Thursday 29 June 2017

Sons


Image may contain: 2 people, selfie and close-upBrighton's SONS release Zealot is arguably their biggest, most mainstream track to date.

First two Singles, Reptiles and A Love Song? have both done exceptionally well with everyone from Radio X to BBC Intro and of course Ralph on Radio KC heaping praise plus repeat spins on brothers Lee and Nick.

Zealot is hailed by SONS as "a song for the times, a scream to engage with the desire for change. A potent and powerful commercial blast that hits your heart and your head with SONS typical uncompromising venom."

Do we like it, yes we do. It's a banger and we'll play it on Ralph's Indie Show, yes we will. Tune in to Radio KC on Sunday 9th of July from 5-7pm when we're giving it a spin.




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In times of political uncertainty, the new single is the band’s stand up, fight back anthem. Speaking on the track, SONS said, "The song is about rising up, using your voice to let the powers that be know you won't just take it.

Push them, shout at them, whatever you know is right don't give up until you're heard. It isn't easy but until we push for the change then nothing will change".

Recently, the band had wildly popular shows at Camden Rocks festival and The Great Escape, as well as a number of gigs across the UK. With more gigs lined up over the coming months, SONS is a name to keep an eye on for the remainder of 2017 and beyond.





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Mower

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Ralph's ears pricked up at the end of last year with the news that Blur-ite (see what I did there) Graham Coxon's favourites Mower were back on the scene after a 12 year hiatus.


Signed to the Blur guitarist’s Transcopic label in 2001, Mower released their Coxon-produced debut album to critical acclaim, lead single Na making it as NME’s Single of the Week. 

Reinvigorated with a new lineup, the band recorded their second album with Mike Pelanconi and Stephen Street. Singles After Dark and The Morning After were championed by XFM’s John Kennedy, while also becoming BBC Radio 1 Singles of the Week for Zane Lowe. 


Image result for mower under the thumbThe band toured extensively with British Sea Power, Jet, Drugstore and The Futureheads in support of the new album, People Are Cruel, garnering rave reviews for their raucous shows from the usual suspects. The record was Album of the Month for HMV and the band sold out their subsequent London shows.

Now part of the fiercely indie label Reckless Yes they're not letting the grass grow under their feet and Mower are back with a vengeance with their Under The Iron Thumb single. It's is a fast, frenetic and guitar fueled garage gem, as the young people are wont to say...it's gnarly. 

Set your alarm for July 21st when the track's officially out, however if you want a sneak listen, tune in to Ralph's Indie show on Radio KC next Sunday (9.7.17) from 5-7pm when it gets a pre-release spin.

Tuesday 27 June 2017

Ralph's Indie Show REPLAY as played on Radio KC - 25.6.17


Ralph's Indie Show Replay

As played on Radio KC

Sunday 25th June 2017 from 5-7pm GMT


Internet Radio on rkc.noip.me



Played in 158 countries 

Worldwide on 2 satellites


Website: ralphslife.co.uk


Ralph's Life Music Blog: fruitbatwalton.blogspot.co.uk


Submissions: ralphslife@mail.com


Twitter: @fruitbatwalton

PLAYLIST :

Dronningen - Sugarbox
AT THE SUN - Breathe
Method Actress - Point Of View
BLOODY KNEES - I Want It All
Ghostpoet - Immigrant Boogie
Left Of Summer - This Love Thing
BANNERS - Holy Ground
Featherwest - A Baby Not Yet
Noiiises - Unholy Walls
Cassia - Weekender
Scott Swain Music - Like Nothing Else
The Phantom Sound - Voices
Jaayns Music - Danger
The Winachi Tribe - Seeds Will Grow (Danny Saber remix)
PUBLIC SERVICE BROADCASTING - People Will Always Need Coal
Millie Manders and The Shutup - Pretty Green
Our Girl - Being Around
The Hyena Kill - Red
My Forever - Not Enough
Secret Cameras - For You
Frightened Rabbit - Fields Of Wheat
JEKYLL - Cramp
The Orchid Hunters - Execution No Solution
Coquin Migale - Plans
Alisha Vickers - Hide
Macedo Music - Supernatural








Monday 26 June 2017

The Moods - Video of The Week

Ralph's favourite video this week is Joy by Manchester band The Moods.

The Moods released Joy ahead of UK tour. Joy is accompanied by a thought-provoking short film starring actor and musician Steve Evets, who found fame in the leading role in 2009 film Looking For Eric, and formerly played Bass for The Fall.

Shot on location in Salford and Manchester, the story follows two wildly different characters as an average day unravels and they both meet dramatic and contrasting fates.
As well as Evets, the video, directed and filmed by Croftwerk Productions, features established local actors Nicole Evans, John Mackie and radio broadcaster James Stannage.




Video - www.croftwerk.co.uk

Produced & Released by - www.a1mrecords.com

Saturday 24 June 2017

Ralph's Top 10 Chart - as played on Radio KC - 25.6.17






Tracks from the Top Ten Blogged Bands are played 
every Sunday 5-7pm on Radio KC as part of 
Ralph's Indie Show.







LISTEN TO THIS WEEK'S TOP 10 HERE

AS PLAYED ON RADIO KC - 25.6.17





RALPH'S BRAND NEW TOP 10 CHART 

Published 24.6.17 and as played on 

RALPH'S INDIE SHOW on RADIO KC - 25.6.17






No 1: Culann



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Culann are long time Ralph's Life favourites after not only donating a track for the Ralph's Life CD for Rethink Mental Illness but travelling down to London to play the CD's launch night in the capital's iconic venue Proud Camden.
The Culann journey has seen them play The BarrowlandsKing Tuts 13 times, Wickerman Festival, Tiree Music Festival, GoNorth & Celtic Park, home of Celtic Football Club.








No 2: Ali Ingle 


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Once again Ali Ingle has proved his pedigree as one of the UK's most promising singer songwriters with the release of his delightfully retrospective new single Saintly and we're delighted to be giving it an exclusive premiere here on Ralph's Life.

"I'm really proud to exclusively show you my debut video release with Coconut Creatives They are a cool bunch of people who together make up a London based creative content agency."









No 3: The Moods



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Ralph has been featuring the Blackthorn Festival on the blog recently due to the fact that it's near Manchester and probably the best value for money small festival in the UK.

We've also been singling out a few Manchester bands for some special attention and today it's The Moods turn.












No 4Guide Dog



With a name like Guide Dog, how could Ralph resist checking out their first single I Am The Daddy which is the debut release from their Lovely Domestic Bliss album. 

The tale (or should that be tail) of Guide Dog is many-fold and intriguing and unfolds thus...











No 5: Wozniak



Edinburgh shoegazers Wozniak head south for a handful of shows in the next few weeks, touring their debut album Courage Reels

The band have teamed up with Ralph's favourites Goodsouls Promotions to put together the dates in London, Brighton (in conjunction with Acid Box Promotions), Leeds and Salford. Other than in London, this will be their debut in each of these places. Live, Wozniak are loud, intense and powerful. 









No 6: Artbreak



Ralph's favourite video this week is Will To Survive by London band Artbreak.


Debut single from Artbreak Listen on Spotify














Jamie & Shoony play anthems that have them making waves in Scotland and collecting a loyal fanbase. 

They have played to sell out crowds in some of the country's finest venues such as Glasgow's Barrowland Ballroom, O2 ABC, Kings Tuts, The Electric Circus and Saint Lukes.













No automatic alt text available.Enamel Animal self-released a debut album, Unfaith, which was released in February 2017 to critical acclaim in underground rock/metal circles, leading them to their recent signing with Holier Than Thou Records

Enamel Animal remain close to their roots, and continue to hone their art by the riverbank in the city they love, allegedly drinking tea and whiling away the hours until the end of the world.No automatic alt text available.








No 9: Equinox


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Ralph covered the book release by the mysterious Yorkshire poet Equinox last year with the promise that an album featuring works from the book would appear featuring collaborations with a range of musicians.

Well that time has come to pass as It's Hard To Be Happy When Your Head Is Full Of Sin is now available in digital and CD formats. 












Ralph has followed the musical progression of North Yorkshire based dark hip-hoppers (it's grim up north) Ceiling Demons with increasing interest as they develop their unique soundscape. 

Never shy about capturing the frailties of the human state after initially getting together to pay tribute to a lost friend and then through their musical practice addressing mental health issues; Ceiling Demons have, with the release of their new single March Forward attained a new level of not just retrospective sadness but optimism and aspiration.