Showing posts with label Amazon. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Amazon. Show all posts

Thursday, 28 July 2016

Hitting The Black Wall


Photo courtesy of Rosie Bans

Occasionally Ralph strays from the musical path and dabbles in other arts related forms and on this occasion it's Hitting The Black Wall, a book of poetry by respected Louder Than War writer and fellow music blogger extraodinaire (under the nom-de-plume of Hiapop) Paul Scott-Bates.

Originally a Burnley Lad, he's now based in Lanchashire's Rossendale Valley where he enjoys 'The Good Life' with his family. 

This book though examines quite the opposite, delving at times almost painfully into the frailties of man's existence. There's longing, suffering and death alongside love, regret and malice. 





Release Me

I'm Sorry
For being quiet today.
I didn't mean to hurt you in any way.
But sometimes, I need my solitude
That's not to say I don't need you.

Release me
(from the pain of thinking I may not love you enough)
Release me
(from the pain of thinking I cannot return your love)
Release me
(from the shadow which I try to hide behind)
heaven knows,God knows,
I know,
I try.



Is this book of poems by Paul Scott-Bates retrospective? 
Probably. 

Cathartic? 
Hopefully. 

Enjoyable? 
Uncomfortably. 

Unmissable? 
Definitely.

Hitting The Black Wall by Paul Scott-Bates is available now on Amazon.

It wouldn't be a blog by Ralph without music, so I thought 'Love And Regret' by Deacon Blue would be apt. Enjoy.







Monday, 12 August 2013

The Expedition - an Indie Film in the making


As an aficionado of all things Indie Ralph's attention was peaked when he caught a sniff of The Expedition, a low budget horror movie by award-winning film producer Ben Loyd-Holmes was  shooting in the UK and scheduled for release in 2014.






Here's the plot - deep in the Amazon jungle a research team lead by a respected Professor embark on an expedition to protect vulnerable and endangered species. After a series of strange events their superstitious guides abandon them but the team choose to remain deep in the jungle, dedicated to the project...

As night falls in the camp they begin to realize that all is not as it seems, and that they are in the hunting ground of a predator.... one they never could have expected.









The Expedition will be directed by Adam Spinks whose feature film Survivors is due for release later this year. As a way of involving fans in the production, The Expedition will be raising some of it's budget via crowdfunding. In return for a pledge they'll receive film related merchandise, experiences or end credits in the movie!

A few years ago making The Expedition wasn't possible on the kind of budget they're proposing, but a lot has changed in recent times that mean that now, a lower budget can make it not just a reality, but a success.







A feature film, The Expedition is a contemporary twist on the monster movie filled with real characters, complex personal drama and heart thumping scares! They're not interested in covering the screen with blood and guts - the story sets out to do so much more!







They talk in the movie about logging and deforestation in the Amazon and other worldwide rainforest ecosystems - and this is a real social issue and while this film will be a work of fiction and is designed for entertainment purposes, they want to draw attention and do their part to raise awareness for the conservation of the incredible Amazon basin and the peoples who reside there.










The great thing about the crowdfunding aspect of the film is, we can all get involved.  For every pledge (no matter how small) there's a reward - from a digital version of the film's poster for just £1 - to being an Executive Producer with an IMDB and movie credit for a 'slightly' more substantial pledge of £2,000.  There's even a fun interactive zone for The Expedition fans.




Help make it happen for the team! Contribute to The Expedition Movie Project- Phase II.





You can also really help the campaign by following them on Twitter.  Support them by re-tweeting to spread the word! @ExpeditionMovie

You can also LIKE their Facebook page here http://www.facebook.com/expeditionmovie






The Expedition is being made by a brand new creative team formed in London, UK. With a wealth of professional experience between them, the project is in safe, dependable and dedicated hands.







Ben Loyd Holmes- Producer/Actor

In 2012 Ben Loyd-Holmes won Best Producer for "Art Of Darkness" at the London Horror Film Festival and in 2011 Ben produced and starred in "The Hike" which was sold to LionsGate.


Ellie Harvie-August- Producer

Ellie is a graduate from the University of Central Lancashire where she studied Film & Television Screenwriting. Subsequently, Ellie has worked in marketing for film and media as well as a producer. She produced the 2012 Virgin Media Short "Breaking" & the 100% fan funded feature film "Survivors".  Ellie is currently in pre-production on her debut short film as a writer/producer "Yellow" due out in late 2013.


Adam Spinks- Writer/Director

A graduate from Royal Holloway University of London, Adam has been working on film and media projects for several years. In 2013, Adam has directed a double episode of the series "All In The Method" and several short films, his debut feature film as Director "Survivors" is due out Winter 2013.

Richard Osborne- Director Of Photography

Richard graduated from Royal Holloway, University of London in 2012 where he studied Directing Screen Fiction, winning one award and being nominated for others for his graduate film ‘So Haunted.’

He has since been directing, shooting and editing under the name of Green Goat Films, making visually exciting music videos, commercials and promos for companies including P&O Ferries and Carpet Right and musicians like Benjamin Francis Leftwich and Dollface.


Mark Williams- Production Sound Recordist

A graduate of Royal Holloway, University of London in 2012, Mark specialised in Creative Sound Design and authored a dissertation on ‘Sound Design in Post-Classical Hollywood’. Upon leaving, Mark honed his recording skills as boom operater for a feature film, and has since become head of sound department on crime thriller feature ‘Abusing Protocol’, a comedy web series and several shorts. As well as sound recordist, Mark is an equally confident sound designer and composer.


Lucy Friend- Make Up Designer

Lucy is a freelance Hair and Make-up Artist based in London, working internationally in Film, Television and Theatre, whilst also providing skills in Catwalk, Fashion and print.
After training at the Christine Blundell MakeUp Academy, she has accumulated a list of credits including Skyfall (2013), Philomena (2013), Salmon Fishing in The Yemen (2012), John Carter (2012) & Holby City (2011-2013), Clash of the Titans (2011), Sherlock Holmes (2011)
Her most notable work has been makeup for principal cast in Skyfall. She has just finished the hair and makeup for the principal cast of Philomena, starring Dame Judi Dench. Her hair and makeup skills were used for National Geographic in 2009,  She also did the hair and makeup for a full fashion feature shoot for Coco Eco Magazine in 2009.
She was the key hair and makeup artist for comedian Micky Flannagan in 2012 Stand Up to Cancer Comedy show and the key hair and makeup artist for Derren Brown for re-shoots of Apocalypse (2013).
She has been in a featured article for Port Magazine, where she and her hair and makeup mentor (Naomi Donne) were interviewed and photographed


Holly Sermon- Make Up Supervisor

Since graduating Holly has worked on a number of music videos, tv adverts, fashion shoots, short films, including films for the BFI, Virgin Media shorts & the 48hr Sci-fi film challenge. I have also worked on a number feature films and theatre productions including "The Guardians Of The Galaxy", "Thor 2", "Malificent",  'Where the Wild Things Are' & 'Higgelty Piggelty Pop' at the Barbican theatre.









Thursday, 24 January 2013

The Online Festival Compilation Album Indievidual Vol: 1




Ralph's been a member of the Online Festival almost from day one and watched it grow over the last few months as Indie bands, artists, producers, music bloggers and fans have joined and created an online musical community.  The Online Festival is free to join and its sole purpose is to promote unsigned music via Social Media so artists that would normally struggle to find an audience can be heard and enjoyed.





They've already had two events (one in Grimsby and one in Manchester) where members have been able to perform and another is taking place on Saturday 2nd February back in Grimsby.  In order to promote as many artists to as wide an audience as possible Hourglass Recordings was set up.  Their first production is a compilation album called 'Indievidual' Volume 1 and it's available on iTunes and Amazon mp3.






I've taken a look at the tracks can tell you now that at only £5.49 for 15 tracks it'll your best investment for music in a long time.  They're all strong tracks in their own right and available to buy individually for only 69p but I'd recommend getting the whole album.




Indievidual Volume: 1



01 - Mama Roux - Fire

'Fire' sticks in your head with some more classy guitar work giving a bit of a rock edge to the track.  This'll be a firm favourite at gigs and with the chance to seeMama Roux live at Kraak in Manchester looming on the 25th of January with The Velocets it's one I'll be paying particular attention to.




02 - Alexander Vann - I Will Be The Air 

Nice choppy guitar intro into this well written track with an almost Californian feel to it.  Smooth vocals and nice keyboards round off this, chillin' on a lazy Sunday gem.



03 - Lisa Redford - Reminders

A beatiful vocal on this poignant track by Lisa showing strong lyrical content accompanied by a haunting melody.  You'll get a chance to see her live on August 4th at the Big Tree Festival in Suffolk.




04 - Orphan Boy - Letter For Annie *

A first hearing for Orphan Boy and it definitely wont be the last.  An atmospheric start that runs into a guitar riff that runs into the vocal and you just don't want it to stop.  It's Indie pop at its very best.


05 - Velocets - Naked

Strong lyric writing ability on this track for ones so young.  It's a low tempo, plaintive track full of sweet strings and a strong vocal that'll pull at your heartstrings and stick in your head.






06 - The Vindickers - Buddy Song 

A proper pop tune this one in the style of Supergrass, it's a bouncy, get up and dance fans favourite type tune.  Strong guitar and bass driving the track on and it'll stick in your head like glue.





07 - Transition,Baby! - Manners Are Wasted On You

A great piece of pop punk (shades of XTC) and probably my favourite track from this Manchester band.  It was one of the highlights of their set that I caught at Dry Bar recently. 





08 - Crystal Seagulls - Ups And Downs

A bouncy poptastic tune from these cheeky chappies in the vein of early Blur.  It's been a popular play on a number of internet radio stations and BBC Three Counties. 





09 - The Relics - Been down To The Bottom

This one tips a hat to West Coast America with a CSNY vibe infused with a bit of Bob Dylan, smooth vocals plus very accomplished musicianship and songwriting ability.






10 - Sonnic Image - Sunday Sofa Sisters

A mod sound from these Warrington lads that can be traced all the way back to Steve Marriott...gritty vocals, nice guitar and it's got me hitting the replay button.






11 - The Revival - Katie

Great little Indie pop song with hints of all the usual suspects running through it from The Stone Roses to The Libertines, this could be a good year for them if they keep up their tunes up to this standard. 






12 - Stolen Haven - Decent Shoes

A long time favourite for Ralph this one, a heartfelt, heartrending vocal.  Unmistakably Manchester and another band looking set to break in 2013.





13 - Tomlin Leckie - Earthwalker 

A real Indie folk vibe to this one and reminds me of an early James Brown.  Strong songwriting ability mirrored by his musicianship.  Another young man we'll be seeing more of soon.





14 - We Came From The Sea - dog dog dog

These guys are another Ralph favourite and this tracks a bit of a coming of age for them.  It's a haunting track that flows smoothly and builds up to a crescendo. More like this please guys.





15 - Cherry Head Cherry Heart - The Illusionist 

Hints of an early Beautiful South from these guys in a nice smooth Indie jazz/pop stylee.  Clever lyrics and a lovely voice...what's not to like!










* Orphan Boy appear courtesy of concrete recordings, song taken from the album Passion,Pain and Loyalty 

http://www.orphan-boy.com/releases.php?id=6

We would like to thank all the bands and musicians who have kindly donated their songs for us to use in this compilation album. They are all members of our sister website www.theonlinefestival.com 



You can buy any or all of the tracks from the links on the player below.....