The Inkhearts

North West band The Inkhearts are due to release two tracks - Temper Temper and Uptight - by digital download on November 17th of this very year.

The Inkhearts formed in 2010 when the members, then young teenagers, were introduced to each other at a music tuition initiative at The Engine Rooms, Skelmersdale.





  

Originally a seven piece, it was only when three original members left that the band found their sound and started to write and gig more seriously. 

With three members aged just eighteen and one aged nineteen, The Inkhearts’ music is full of enthusiasm and teenage energy yet it's underlined by a songwriting ability that belies their youth.








 Citing influences typical of their young years like The Vaccines, Two Door Cinema Club and The Libertines, the band seem well versed in the art of mainstream indie pop and their intricately layered tracks have a degree of individualism due to their North Western roots that sets their sound apart, giving them an identity all of their own.

Their last single 'Keeping Up', described by XFM Scotland's Jim Gellatly as a ‘cracking track’, was produced by The Farm’s Carl Hunter and Gary Westhead at Parr Street Studios in Liverpool. The single received widespread airplay across the UK, Europe and America and was chosen as Janice Long's BBC Radio 2 Janice Loves track plus was selected by Artrocker for inclusion in their New Blood feature.







Following on from the excellent Keeping Up which was their last single release, Temper Temper is a bouncy, pop fuelled track reminiscent of another North West band and long time favourites of Ralph,The Lottery Winners. Uptight is slightly moodier lyrically but none the less listenable with choppy guitar and Northern infused vocal.

If they steadily improve in this vein they'll continue to garner more airplay and industry attention in the months to come. 2015 is looking like it'll be a great year for The Inkhearts.

The video below for Keeping Up was shot by students at Edge Hill University, Ormskirk.

Lumin Bells

Bucking the trend for raucous Indie thrashings Ralph's been playing the Lumin Bells track 'Somehow The Same' with reasonable regularity on his Radio KC Sunday Show these last few weeks.  It's a gentle, reflective tune with hints of the early Moody Blues (I'm trying to avoid the obvious Nick Drake comparisons) or the subtle vocalisations of America and it's been received with no small amount of favourable feedback.  None more so than by Janice Long on BBC Radio 2 after they took the 'Ones To Watch' category at the Liverpool Music Awards at the weekend.








Liverpool six-piece Lumin Bells are - Nico Hercules, Mick Dolan, Danny Poole, Austin Murphy, Nick Henman and Colin Lamont. 

The band formed after Nico found a creative collaborator in Mick Dolan through an advert placed in the music press. The duo immediately bonded over a mutual love of artists such as Brian Wilson, Nick Drake, Neil Young, Simon & Garfunkel, and The Byrds.










Their first release 'Hold You Inside' immediately found critical acclaim both by music bloggers and the likes of Tom Robinson. It's a sensitive, wistful and soothing track with immaculate musicality and vocals. Many bands strive for years to grasp what Lumin Bells have crafted on their debut. They're currently in Track Studios with Steve Powell putting the finishing touches to their debut album 'The Hidden Room', scheduled for release later in the year.  They're playing a gig with Red Sails and This Morning Call at LEAF in Liverpool's Bold Street on the 13th September and Ralph's been invited along by Tilt Shift Music and will bring you a live review.

Graham Marshall

"Nothing's really over until you stop trying".....

I was sent a You Tube video a few weeks ago that not only made me laugh but also renewed my faith in seeking out unsigned indie music.  It was self-made by Graham Marshall who three years ago tried to make a living in music but had to do the unthinkable – go back to a 'real job' as a truck driver for ASDA. Almost giving up hope of a musical career he now boasts a trophy awarded by the panel of the Barcelona International Film Festival and a newly released EP.






Graham, currently living in Sunderland, had been a struggling singer/songwriter for over 15 years; success always eluding him. Three and a half years ago, he took matters into his own hands when he self-financed his first EP, a collection of five acoustic guitar driven songs he appropriately titled, 'Ten Years Stuck in Traffic'. Without much fanfare, Graham took to the road, something he knew a little about, to celebrate his self-released collection of music. He vowed to perform his way from John O'Groats to Land's End, busking his way through 18 cities in just 7 days. 








Graham Marshall not only achieved his goal, but with the help of his wife, Helen,  documented the entire experience on a camcorder and despite never having used any form of editing software cut his teeth and his film on Windows Moviemaker. He admits, "I had no clue what I was doing or what I was going to do with it when I finished it!". Inspired by the reality of unfulfilled years attempting to unsuccessfully break into the music industry, he titled his film, Out In The Cold.






Graham submitted his home-cut film to various film festivals and essentially forgot about it. That is, until recently when he received the unexpected news that he'd actually won at Barcelona. Ironically, after his film submission, he received attention from Forward Motion Records, a small independent record label in LA, who opted to produce and release a full arrangement of 'Makin' It On My Own', a track from Graham's 5-song acoustic EP.







Upon learning of his film award, Marshall, in the midst of an all-night driving shift, immediately sent a text to BBC Radio 2's Janice Long with the news. Janice, clearly touched by Graham’s good news, decided to call him immediately for a live on-air interview. So impressed was Janice by Graham’s story that she asked him to send her his debut single. Two nights later, she played the track to a UK-wide audience which received rave reviews from the public.

Graham has been receiving an outpouring of support on his film, his Castell Award, as well as his new single, 'Makin’ It On My Own. ASDA, the company for whom he trucks, are in full support of Graham’s upward momentum and discussing ways in which they can help Graham Marshall fulfill his musical journey.






His music ranges from the introspective and insightful 'Makin' It On My Own' to the original and humourous 'Mr Complicated', all in his gravel voiced Dylan-esque style. His film is an endearing, sometimes emotional - always fascinating insight into the man and his music during difficult times. The one constant on his journey is he (mostly) never looses his sense of humour, determination or Helen - his long suffering wife - with whom I'm certain he will end up doing it all over again with in America, but the kids'll have to come too!

Phillip Henry and Hannah Martin

Looking for a venue in or around Bradford that offers a mix of music, top artists from around the world in a friendly, intimate atmosphere?  Look no further than The Live Room at The Caroline Social Club in Saltaire.


The Live Room is the brainchild of Ron Dukelow and Hilary Booth, both experienced music promoters, who, for ten years were the driving force behind the highly successful Live at the Talbot series at the Talbot Hotel in  West Wales.

It's their intention to bring the same ethos to their new venue at the Caroline Social Club to make it the best folk and roots music venue in the Bradford area. bIf you have a suggestion for an artist to play there get in touch. They can't promise that they'll be able to present them, but they'll consider all ideas.


After a previous gig featuring My Darling Clementine  this comment appeared on Twitter...  'The Live Room is the best thing that has happened music wise in this area in the 15 year I've lived here' (Adrian Gallagher).


Next gig on the agenda is an absolute cracker as Phillip Henry and Hannah Martin take to the stage at the venue.....Friday 15th March 8pm.

It's a chance to see and hear them perform tracks from their highly acclaimed debut album 'Singing The Bones'.  It's a wonderful fusion of genres and is constantly on Mike Hardings playlist on BBC Radio 2.


Phillip Henry and Hannah Martin are two musicians with a fast growing following on the folk and roots scene. Having just completed two tours with Show Of Hands, they have been receiving very warm reviews of their début album, 'Singing The Bones', including selection for a fRoots magazine compilation and airplay on Mike Harding’s Radio 2 show.


Fast becoming recognised as one of the finest slide guitarists the UK has produced, Phillip Henry is also a virtuoso on the harmonica. He brings together folk melodies of the British Isles, blues, gospel and Indian music in his moving and original compositions and arrangements. His incredible beatbox harmonica technique is legendary on the festival circuit, and never fails to get the crowd on their feet and jumping.

Hannah Martin is a singer, songwriter, fiddle and banjo player from Devon. Recently commended by Mike Harding for her ‘really fantastic singing’, her songs weave folklore and legend old and new with beautiful melodies, while retaining a strong sense of the living tradition.

Phillip and Hannah were spotted busking in the back of a pub by Steve Knightley. Seeing the duo's potential, he invited them to fill some support slots for Show Of Hands. This was the beginning of an incredible year for the duo, joining Show Of Hands for a full concert tour, and culminating with an appearance as part of the headlining Saturday night Ham Marquee gig at Sidmouth Folk Week 2011.
Phillip and Hannah continue to go from strength to strength, and will be promoting their new album ‘Mynd’ on this spring 2013 tour.

‘Authentic, haunting roots music from a first class duo’ - Seth Lakeman

‘I was completely knocked out by this duo... just a terrific album... absolutely great, wonderful’  – Mike Harding

‘….one of the most extraordinary musicians around’ - Steve Knightley, Show Of Hands

Lisa Redford

So Ralph's reviewing the new onlinefestival.com compilation album Indievidual Vol: 1 and one of the tracks was 'Reminders' donated by Lisa Redford.  It's a beautifully haunting track that made me want to look a little bit closer.  Her star is very much in the ascendancy at the moment and her donation of the track was a real coup for the onlinefestival.com.

Influenced by Neil Young, Neal Casal, Ryan Adams, Josh Rouse, Mindy Smith, Tift Merritt, Hem and Kathleen Edwards, Lisa is a versatile singer/songwriter and musician described as performing delicate acoustic roots pop with heartfelt lyrics, and stunning vocals. She's also worked as a session vocalist and recorded in many genres including dance and electronic.






The 'Call Me Music' remix by Music from the Manshed shows her versatility as a performer as it's a sultry electro-pop dance track which holds its own against any of the established acts in that genre.  Meanwhile the video for 'New York Song' is proof positive of her sensitive and seemingly introspective songwriting ability and strong musicality.  

Lisa released the acclaimed CD’s ‘Slipstream’, ‘Lost Again’ and ‘Clouds with Silver’ and received airplay across the world including Bob Harris’s BBC Radio 2 shows. Her track ‘Dragonfly’ was played on his ‘Best of British’ show’ and she was personally asked to do a live session and interview on the show and also invited to appear as the special guest at a ‘Bob Harris Presents’ showcase.






Big news is Lisa has just been booked to perform at the Big Tree Festival in August along with recently announced Dodgy and Beverly Craven.  Before that she's appearing at the Fisher Theatre, Bungay – Supporting Hazel O’Connor. 

Wednesday March 6th, 7.30pm. Tickets £16. Ticket link

‘one of our finest singer/songwriters’
Bob Harris, BBC Radio 2

‘I agree with Bob Harris’
Dave Cash, BBC Radio

‘It was also wonderful to discover why everyone thinks so highly of Lisa Redford. She was lovely…bright, enthusiastic and talented. She works incredibly hard and takes a hands-on role in all aspects of her career, from recording, pressing and releasing her own CD’s to booking her own tours. .. her second album ‘Lost Again’, contains a superb version of Neal Casal’s ‘Fell On Hard Times’…just voice and guitar. She exactly locates and expresses the plaintive emotion of the song.’

Bob Harris, writing about Lisa and her live Radio 2 session in Maverick Magazine Issue 56

‘without a doubt one of the warmest, genuine and passionate musicians I have had the pleasure interviewing in 2 years I have been presenting my show, and your songs and the way you deliver them can touch even the hardest of souls.’
David Durant, Brooklands Radio

‘The alluring songstress, Lisa Redford is a name recognized internationally with a velvety voice gracing radio waves and stages from Europe to the United States, and an ever growing devoted fan base eager to download her next release. Meeting Lisa, it came as no surprise why she is adored by so many. Her personality gracefully exudes confidence, with an adorable sense of humor and infectious smile. She is honest and humble, and true to her craft’ Nina Wasankari, TalkMagNYC

’delicate acoustic roots pop with heartfelt lyrics and a superb vocal’Reveal Records 

‘Lisa’s well crafted songs bridge the gap between roots and pop with style and integrity and she sings them beautifully.‘ Amberley Folk Club

‘There are singers with great vocals, there are singers with unique vocals and there are singers with special vocals. Once in a while you come across a singer who combines those qualities. That’s when you know you are listening to something special.

Lisa Redford certainly is something special. Having released a number of excellent albums in previous years it is time for a new EP called“Reminders”. The heartfelt lyrics are brought to life by Lisa’s warm vocals and her crafty songwriting. One of her trademarks is that the songs have a certain familiarity to it. On “Reminders” she addresses the dreams, hopes, challenges and struggles that we all can relate to in one way or another.’ Inner Ear Media, The Netherlands

Ralph's Top Ten Blogged Band Chart...12/1/13

OK bands you know the score.....

the more hits your blog gets by the fans, the higher you go.....
So tweet it, Facebook it.....and generally expose yourself.....








Now Snuggles and me have been sitting with our heads down counting the hits on each bands blog to see who's got which place.   
So here it is.....

The Top Ten Blogged Band Chart .....

No 1..... Bird




Three piece Liverpool band Bird is the creation of Adele Emmas (singer, songwriter) Sian Williams (guitar, harmonies) and Alexis Samata (drums) Together they create dark, haunting, atmospheric music which will entice you in to their magical, other worldly universe. With beautiful, siren-esque vocals, tribal, hypnotic drum beats and spellbinding guitar work, Bird are refreshingly unlike anything that's currently on the music scene.







No 2..... Wullae Wright




Everybody likes to make a comparison about artistes and Ralph's old man is no exception. He heard Wullae Wright's 'Halo Effect' playing on my laptop and next thing he was wiping the dust of his collection of vinyl, dug out Led Zeppelin I and stuck it under my nose muttering....."Babe I'm Gonna Leave You".  Chance would be a fine thing some would say, however I had a listen and low and behold Wullae Wright is capturing the same raw intensity of vocals that an early Robert Plant did. 




No. 3..... Fiona Soe Paing




After reviewing Plum and Pumajaw recently Ralph's continuing in his mission to bring you the best in Scottish electronica.  With that in mind he could go no further than introduce the sublime Fiona Soe Paing, based in Aberdeenshire and who has been evolving her unique brand of experimental, vocal-led electronica since 2007. 







No. 4..... Pumajaw


About to ride high on the current tsunami of electro/pop sweeping the country are Scottish masters of the art Pumajaw, who are in the throes of planning a gig assault on Britain and Europe.  The release of the album Demonmeowmeow at the end of 2011 saw them tour Europe where for some reason they are more revered than back in the Old Country.  Maybe the more cosmopolitan nature of the Italians is better suited to Pumajaw's 'music is art' approach.  No lightweight electro here but hypnotic, sleazy, mean and moody jazz infused synth.





No 5..... The Tea Street Band




Ralph has just been extolling the virtues of Johnny and the Giros up in Scotland for getting us up on the dance floor and getting down with our bad selves when lo and behold Liverpool lads The Tea Street Band are doing exactly the same thing!

No 6..... Mog Stanley



The laid back, sharp dressed man that is Mog Stanley describes himself as a song singin', guitar playin', foot tappin', blues, folk, indie musician which sounds like he's got a sponsorship with Coca Cola but that really does sum up his stylee.




No 7..... The 1004's


So I got the jungle drums about this Edinburgh band The 1004's who were making big noises.....(on stage and in the press) in the music world.  Favoured by none other than the Jim Gellatly Podcast (Jim himself was heard to say  “One of the hottest bands in Scotland right now”) and they were certainly flavour of the month last August when they released their second single,  a double A side - Lights Out (gonna be an anthem) and Pull It Apart

No 8..... My Forever




Now Ralph's had his eye on My Forever since June of last year and since then things have escalated rapidly for this young band from Thirsk.  They've gone from almost a covers band to a fully fledged in your face rock/pop group with a stellar future in one fell swoop.  









No 9..... The Velocets


Despite Manchester band Velocets describing themselves as being 'relatively new to the scene', 2012 proved to be a very promising year.  After the BBC Introducing picking up on their debut track 'Sophie', the band were constantly gigging throughout the year and went on to play a number of summer festivals including Big Bear, Farmer Phils & ROTR Festival.

No 10..... Southern Tenant Folk Union

One of the most highly acclaimed folk/bluegrass bands in the UK today, Southern Tenant Folk Union are coming to the Live Room for the Yorkshire launch of their fifth album ‘Hello Cold Goodbye Sun’. 

Fun Lovin' Criminals.....Help For Heroes

Now Ralph does his best to write about and support unsigned bands but seeing as it's nearly Crimble he's decided to indulge himself and take a look at a little known combo he personally likes called Fun Lovin' Criminals.  OK, OK it's just Ralph's little joke, but seeing as it is Christmas, Huey did a bit of busking (he raised £131.67) for the Help For Heroes 'charidee' in London recently and it's being followed up with a release by Huey and the New Yorkers of the single 'Christmas By The Side Of The Road'.  All proceeds from the single will go to the charity and it can be pre-ordered on iTunes from this link.....click here.

Now I did mention Fun Lovin' Criminals earler and it would be unfair not to mention the Live album of which there's a very nice interactive picture above with all kinds of interesting stuff to click on.....go buy the album it's a Fun Lovin' Fest...and anyway...how could Ralph not love a band with a song called 'Scooby Snacks'!  

Fun Lovin' Criminals ‏@funlovincrims

@fruitbatwalton eat 15 bonio's yo,its like 1 scooby snack!