Abel Raise The Cain

Abel Raise The Cain are an alternative indie rock band formed in the Northeast who were brought together by a mutual love of atmospheric and epic indie soundscapes influenced by the likes of Arcade Fire, Sigur Ros and Editors.

Their first release, a double A side single Too Late/The Promise brought the band widespread critical acclaim.

Abel Raise the Cain have played shows across the UK, where they’ve earned a reputation for enthralling and energetic live performances, which have led to coveted support slots for Happy Mondays, Primal Scream, Dexy’s Midnight Runners, Spiritualised, Kodaline and Skaters.

The band's outstanding single Black Swans went straight to number one in the Beat 100 music chart. 

The song also led to Abel Raise the Cain winning the Beat 100 Ultimate Musician award, recognising them as one of the most outstanding bands on the network. 

Following that up is their highly anticipated new single Every Rise which is another uplifting and anthemic slice of Indie Pop. It was released recently and is featured on Ralph's Radio KC Indie Show on January 15th. It's a prime example of them taking their musical influences and forging them into their own individual style.

Broken Records

Ralph's man in Scotland Malcolm Parry brings us news of Broken Records latest home gig.....The last time I bore witness to the live antics of Broken Records was a few years back at The Connect Festival in Inveraray as they headlined a stage for up coming bands next to the real ale and whisky tent. I shunned the main stage to take in a few 25 yr old malts while this Edinburgh band provided the soundtrack to a perfect Scottish evening. 

Remembering the first time seeing them live, supporting Twilight Sad I was blown away by the sheer energy from the band, all musicians throwing themselves around the stage. This time Broken Records lead man Jamie Sutherland takes the stage announcing to the packed venue - “This is a friends and family gig” - and - “Tonight is a new song Extravaganza”. 

I'm looking around at the busy, hot venue and can tell there's a lot of die hard fans glad to see their local band back on the live circuit. As member Craig Ross explained afterwards to me  - “Two of us have been away with our partners having kids, so it's been hard to get us all together.”

The band are fired and up for it, so are the crowd. Straight in to 'Weights And Pulleys' and to me Sutherland's sounding uncannily like fellow Auld Reekie musician Paul Buchanan of The Blue Nile likewise on 'Ditty' which came later. Already we're in good company and the vibe again is warm and energetic. I'm feeling the Arcade Fire comparisons and 'Keep The Car Running' drive on 'Winterless Son' and 'A Leaving Song' lifted from their last album. 



Not surprising with a live 7-piece band, strong hold and new to the line up is trumpet player called Steven who provides at times a 'mariachi' feel and echoes of a James- Seven period. Jamie Sutherland's vocal delivery sometimes reminding me of a mix of Bruce Springsteen and Brandon Flowers, especially on 'A Darkness Rises Up' which is very early Killers and nicely uplifting. Jamie is a strong presence, confidently bantering between songs with band members and the audience (even the hecklers). Things at times are slowed down to give us a rest and we hear 'I Used To Dream' and 'A Warning' from the '09 EP 'Out Of The Water'.  An epic 15 songs in before they leave the stage with a rousing almost ceilidh feel to set and finish with closers 'Nearly Home' and 'Until The Earth Begins To Part'.


As we all hoped and stomped for, there was an encore - with Sutherland opening the set again saying - “ We're just a humble rock n roll band “ - and continues - “This song ('Leave You In The Dark') we tried to write in a Roy Orbison style". They follow with set closer 'All Else Can Just Wait' the title being a homage to the band American Music Club. Jamie tells us how he spotted his hero (front man of A.M.C) in a Marks and Spencers services station on the M6 but didn't go and say hi as it wasn't the coolest place to meet him. 

 The new songs have a big and confident sound to them, and Craig again tells me - “There are strings used on the new album but it doesn't sound as big on record, it's more stripped back, obviously with a 7-piece live on stage it does” - he adds - “we hope to get it out early 2014, with an E.P before.”





I ask if there are any more live dates- to which he replied - “We plan some more Scottish dates then go back to Europe, places like Holland and Germany really look after us.”

A great homecoming gig for the lads and their fans, me included who won't be leaving it that long to see them next time. With a strong live band and tunes to carry across all venues from sweat pit's to festival stages I hope to see their name splattered across gig posters in the coming year.

Quinny

Now Ralph had been taking a quick look at Glasgow singer/songwriter Quinny recently with a view to blogging him.  Then last week on Twitter appeared a link to a story in The Sun about a young busker, Peter Quinn who had found £940 stuffed into his collection box by a rather generous passer-by. Coincidence.....I think not.....one and the same.


Quinny's quirky vocal style is infectious, his music addictive.  I've been lucky enough to have had a listen to the new EP 'Read All The Rumours' and it's a guitar driven, introspective gem.  So with the chance of him having a few spare quid to buy me some Bonios' if I blogged him, I asked Quinny a few questions prior to the EP launch night in The Old Hairdresses, Glasgow on Thursday 30th May.




Ralph: There's an EP in the offing, (ironically called 'Read All The Rumours) when's it out.
Quinny: I've not set on a firm date yet, but hopefully April if not sooner.

Ralph: Flying solo or banding together?
Quinny: A bit of both.  It's still a solo project, but only cos no ones ever able to commit and I got tired of waiting around.  I play gigs with a live band as the EP's pretty full on.



Ralph: US influenced?
Quinny: Nah...not at all.  The early Biffy stuff (especially The Vertigo Of Bliss) is a huge influence on my tunes.  I'm always thinking about Radiohead, Belle & Sebastian, Frightened Rabbit and I love the songs from that movie 'Once' by Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova too.  Plus loads of others I can't think of right now.....does Arcade Fire count?  I mean they're Canadian, but it's still the other side of the water.

Ralph: Any plans for gigging outside Scotland/world domination?
Quinny: I'll play where anyone will have me.  I'd love to tour.  World domination would be nice too!  It would mean I could go and visit all my mates in America regularly.




Ralph: An artist or band you'd like to be compared to?
Quinny: Arcade Fire, every time!  I don't sound much like them and I don't know them inside out enough to call them my favourite, but if someone genuinely thought my music was as great as theirs I'd die happy.  Assuming I wasn't being tortured as I died!


Ralph: An artist or band you wouldn't like to be compared to?
Quinny: Ed Sheeran.


Ralph: What would you like to tell people who haven't heard you yet?
Quinny: Have a listen!  Please?




Ralph: Which festival would you like to play first and why?
Quinny: Basically again, anyone who'll have me!  Rockness would be cool. Benicassim and Bestival always look amazing too.  Though I'd have to say 'Brew At The Bog' as I'm a big fan of craft beer and Brew Dog.  I tried to get on this years bill but no such luck!











Ralph: Who'd be your favourite headliner (other than yourself)?
Quinny: Probably Arcade Fire.  It would be incredible to say I've supported Frightened Rabbit, Local natives or The Antlers.  Jack White would be sweet as well.  This questions too open ended...too much choice!






Ralph: What drives you to write songs?
Quinny: Well, one time someone said to me "I can NEVER imagine you being sad or self-concious" which I totally appreciated, but it was total bullshit.  

People never really see that side to me, I never give it a voice.  I try to make my songs an outlet for all of that stuff.  Plus I think I come up with better metaphors the more depressed I feel.

The irony is, as soon as I break the train of thought to write something down, I start to distract myself and feel better!  Good for me but not so productive as far as lyrics go.  I guess I treat it as a form of therapy.




Latest gig dates are.....