Beerjacket

Cord is the first track to be taken from Beerjacket's most ambitious musical project to date – an album and corresponding book Silver Cords. 

Accompanying the 12 songs on the album are a collection of 12 short
stories; intertwined with the music, intended for consumption alongside it. Of the project Peter Kelly says, 

“At some point in the writing of Silver Cords, I decided the record would live in a book and that each song would be
accompanied by a short story inspired 
by its lyrics.”









The tenderness of the music ebbs and flows, conveyed perfectly with lead single Cord. Refreshing in its
simplistic truth, the track is an elucidation of why Beerjacket has become the cult figure, despite his modesty,within Scottish music that he is.

The accompanying short story, Shoots of Life, focuses on that one connection
in your life that holds everything together. The cord that connects everything.

“I’ve always believed that as people, the threads that tie us together don't just connect us to each other, they
connect us to ourselves and define the ‘selves’ that we claim as ours. 




The decisions we make are seldom made alone and we are seldom alone, even on our own.” – Excerpt from Shoots of Life.

The combination of sound and print is something unique to Silver Cords. Having released five albums in the traditional manner, PeterKelly was keen to release something special. 

Instead he's produced something exceptional in my opinion,something constant that won't be cast adrift on a shelf in favour of a digital imprint. 





This pairing creates an ethereal tone which binds the stories with a dreamlike, magic realism quality, and certain recurring themes of isolation, now-ness,  association, loss and fear. Peter Kelly started writing the album in 2015 and its completion has taken 3 years, but it's well worth the wait, although the only thing missing for me is vinyl but that doesn't deter an all star 5 star award.. 

“Story by story the songs’  siblings entered the room. My imagination superimposing details on the real-life buildings that inspired settings and, the stories play out almost interminably now on three to five minute loops.”  Cord will be released digitally on 7th September 2018 via indie Scottish Fiction records.








The track is imbued with poignant Americana-esque Bonnie Prince Billie stylee vocal (no higher compliment can I pay) as Beerjacket draws the listener in with his subtle engaging tones.

Therefor Cord is as true a musical gem as I've drooled over after listening to recently and his back-catalogue is a must do to search for you and get the headphones on like I did. You will not be disappointed. Ican't wait to give it a spin soon on Brian's Radio KC Sunday Indie Show!

Just click the red link! How many hints do you need? Go!!!

Scott Lloyd

We've covered Scott Lloyd's releases previously and regularly playlisted on our weekly Sunday radio show on Radio KC. No wonder with quality releases like his new Single Down To Earth which we've had on repeat here all week and now of course Living In The Dark playlisted right away for the Indie Show of Sunday 16th November, so tune in via Internet Radio on the following link: radiokc.fm at 5pm UK Time.

Scott Lloyd is producing his own brand of Americana to a quality way beyond his years since we last featured him and no wonder. Born in Middlesbrough, has previously released six EP's independently and played live in venues across the UK and America from San Francisco to Vancouver, Canada, as well as appearing at Glastonbury in 2015 and live on BBC Intro. 

His widening experience shows through in his increasingly mature and eminently listenable music. It's 9/10 for us.

Last year, in 2017 Scott sold out Jimmy’s venue in Manchester to release his EP In the Garden, a former Ralph's Life Video Of The Week,which was recorded with a full backing band. With roots firmly planted in the North East Scott also wrote songs for his Ironopolis EP, which were inspired by his hometown of Middlesbrough and the EP immediately reached number 12 in iTunes Singer Songwriter charts in 2015. 

After graduating from a degree in music at Manchester Metropolitan University in 2010, Scott listened to Bob Dylan, Neil Young, Simon and Garfunkel and Bruce Springsteen for their songwriting and inspired, Scott set out to record his first EP Long Live You in 2013.

Scott’s first single released via the fiercly independent Aardvark Records,Looking Out To Sea, gained over 1000 plays on Apple music within a few weeks of release.

Scott’s new single ‘Down To Earth’ goes on sale on Friday 7th September on digital music retail and streaming sites. Aardvark Records have also pressed some CDs. The song was recorded at Red Sand Studio, Chorlton, Manchester and produced by Mathieu Garcia.

For more information about Scott Lloyd please visit his website without delay on www.scottlloydmusic.co.uk to find links to videos and his previous EPs and upcoming gigs. 

More info you will need as you discover the burgeoning strength of his songwriting and musicianship. His creative maturity is pushing his writing to new levels and who knows what heights the next release will bring. 

Pretty certain I do and it's all good. Can't wait for more from this charming young man! Bring it on!

Tom Lumley

Cambridgeshire native Tom Lumley is set to release his new single 'Crawling' on September 14 via North Acre Records and it's a proper Rock 'n' Rolla which we love. Yes it's shades of Big Country (Nae bad thing) but with a fresh in your face feel.

Leaving the usual singer-songwriter sound in his wake, Tom Lumley and his band are gaining a reputation for taking to the stage with monumental energy that’s felt from the front row to the back of the room. His debut 'Dream City EP', released in 2017 charted at No.2 in the iTunes Rock Charts, with lead singles 'Dream City' and ‘Running From Our Lives’ gaining press support from reputable music journalists and of course now Brian.

Following on from the success of his debut EP, the 22 year old returns with infectious indie rock anthem 'Crawling' and the track is about being trapped in a chemical relationship, to the extent where it’s almost an addiction. Even though you know it’s nothing but bad for you, you just keep going back.  

Speaking about the track, Lumley said, “I feel it reflects a lot of modern day relationships. I feel my generation are very insecure in themselves and in their relationships due to social media and only sharing the “highlight reel”. Everyone shows off the good stuff, but no one ever sees the discord that is often happening behind the scenes in these relationships.”

Photo Credit - Isabelle Ingham

Tom Lumley and his band have supported some of the UK’s hottest bands, including The Hunna, The Sherlocks, Coasts and Airways but that's going to change very quickly as his star is very much in the ascendancy of the rock firmament and it'll be the other way around without a mistake!.

Photo Credit - Isabelle Ingham

He also took to the stage last year to play the very last Secret Garden Party for BBC Introducing, as well as playing Dot To Dot, Splendour and Green Meadow festivals. 

Having sold out The Portland Arms in Cambridge this year already, Tom looks to continue the pace and spread his sound across the country.

Airplay support, Huw Stephens, BBC Radio 1; John Kennedy, Radio X; Tom Simkins, BBC Introducing Cambridgeshire; Charlie Ashcroft, big Jim Gellatly, Josh Hannen, Amazing Radio; Playlisting, Soundlab Evening Experiment & Playlisting syndicated show and of course upcoming airplay on Brian's Indie Show on Radio KC from Sunday Sept 2nd.

The Breaks - Video Of The Week

Brian's favourite video this week is Masquerade by Burnley band The Breaks. The track is from their second EP Trap Door which is available now on Spotify. That's also where you can find their first EP Misery.

Brian will be giving The Breaks a break by playing Masquerade on The Radio KC Indie Show in the near future so make sure you tune in from 5-7pm every Sunday.

Kid Kapichi

After setting the British guitar music scene alight with their riff-filled debut EP, hedonistic Hastings quartet Kid Kapichi return with their much vaunted EP Lucozade Dreams which is released tomorrow March 30th).

Having received support from the likes of Kerrang TV, MTV Rocks and London Evening Standard with their eponymous breakthrough debut EP, the rising indie rockers were being tipped off by industry experts as ones to watch.

No surprise then that Brian is spinning their most excellent single release Puppet Strings on the Radio KC Indie Show on April 15th.

Consisting of Ben Beetham (guitar/vocals), Jack Wilson (guitar/vocals), Eddie Lewis (bass) and George MacDonald (drums), the EP mirrors their colossal riff-infused live shows; driven by monstrous guitars and vocal melodies, which are seamlessly switched between Jack and Ben. King Kapichi have recently been discovered by the Underground England Soundwave’s platform, putting them alongside the likes of Pale Waves and Black Honey.

Dripping with rock tunes that punch you in the chest and leave you humming the chorus with the few breaths you have left, the Kid Kapichi EP with it's blend of heavy, incendiary rock with harmonising vocals, makes it obvious as to why the four-piece are the forerunners of the new generation of bands in the deepest South.

With a sold-out festival show on Hasting Pier already under their belt, Kid Kapichi will be touring the UK showing off Lucozade Dreams alongside one of Brian's favourite Scottish bands and SAMA Best Rock Award Winners Bloodlines. 

March 29^th - Glasgow – The Old Hairdressers

March 30^th - Edinburgh – Banshee Labrynth

March 31^st - Inverness – Tooth and Claw

April 4^th - London – Camden Monarch

April 6^th - Torquay – Apple and Parrot

April 7^th - Hastings – The Carlisle

Once in a while some new music comes along that transports you back to when you first heard a new release by a band that later becomes a true classic. 

Such was the occurrence on first listening to the upcoming EP release by burgeoning Scottish Alt-Popsters Acrylic. 

Listening to their All I AM EP transported me back to first listens to the likes of The Blue Nile and their near incomparable release Stay. The unique vocalisings of Edwyn Collins on Rip It Up with Orange Juice or the perfect pop-song and lush vocal that is First Picture Of You by Peter Coyle and The Lotus Eaters.

Lyrically, a current of anxiety runs through the Acrylic EP with opening track, Where I Lie, exploring fragile connections, the see-saw between feelings of uncertainty in relationships, and moments of clarity and assurance. 

It invites us in tentatively before growing into a tender, yet potent, howl. In Here / Tonight is perhaps the most straightforward rock track on the album, but it is not without its novel features. 

The sweet percussion is irregular and off-kilter at times, dragging us back from the apparently simpler moments and from a false sense of security. 






The track is juxtaposed with the sensitive and sweet Overrun which takes full advantage of the math-rock guitar tendencies purveyed by Acrylic; the primary riff draws in the listener with its mesmerising qualities. 

The eponymous final track closes the EP. A 7-minute epic that traces through all the ideas of the previous three tracks, tying them into a finale of solemn; yet epic, proportions. Seek it out on Scottish Fiction Records.

It's no surprise that Brian will be featuring tracks from the Acrylic EP on the Radio KC Indie Show and that kicks off April 8th with a spin of In Here / Tonight, so remember to tune in from 5-7pm.

Acrylic

Mar 29th 2018 @ Sneaky Pete's

    Edinburgh, United Kingdom

Get Tickets

Acrylic

Mar 30th 2018 @ King Tuts

    Glasgow, United Kingdom

Get Tickets

Coralcrown

Upon settling in London, Coralcrown auteur Luis Gotor took a hiatus from music, crestfallen that his old band had finished. Eventually, the capital’s vibrant and diverse musical nightlife captivated him, and he decided to return to music as a solo artist on his own terms and with complete creative control.
Coralcrown is the result of that. It’s a vital and visionary project, establishing Luis as an ambitious musician with a gifted ear for the kind of restlessly infectious melodies that made popular music from the seventies and eighties so uplifting. Between The Lights is radio friendly and hugely addictive, you have been warned!

Photo courtesy of Daniel Pastor

His technical approach is cutting edge, and the sound he’s achieved is nothing short of the slick professional indie pop production you’re likely to hear on say, a Foals or Bombay Bicycle Club record - audacious and primed for the festival circuit.

The first Coralcrown EP Birth is the culmination of Luis's effortlessly lush rebound back into writing music, and with a live band backing him, the stage is literally and figuratively set to disseminate his canny pop hooks to anyone with a relish for melody.

Between The Lights showcases the subtlety and sensitivity in this body of work by Coralcrown. It’s a song about a shy guy fighting his own insecurities to ask a girl to dance. Unbeknownst to him, she’s fighting her own securities too.
It’s a clever and poignant meditation on the prison of our internal complexes, made into something aesthetically sublime through tactful guitar work and a mastery of vocal layering and harmony.
Brian is playing Between The Lights on the Radio KC Indie Show so tune in Sunday March 18th from 5-7pm.

TALMA

Seamlessly blending alt, classic and art rock, London-based five-piece TALMA command a magnetic sound and presence that comes straight out of the underground scenes of London. The raw and unshackled live performances are where TALMA truly run riot. They’ve supported the likes of Queen keyboard player Spike Edney and received acclaim for their intense energy and all-out charisma from London all the way to LA, including praise from industry commentator and author Ari Herstand.

Singer Henry Adams captivates attention with a bravado and charm rarely seen among many frontmen, while the telepathic tightness of guitarists Jack Rennie, James Creed, bassist Pete Warren and drummer Jonny Harrison make TALMA a force to be reckoned with.

Where TALMA draw direct inspiration from the likes of The Smiths, The War On Drugs and The National, they also incisively employ a musical diversity and dynamic range comparable to the likes of Radiohead and Wolf Alice.

The result is a band who operate without creative constraints and who are primed to challenge the seemingly predetermined conception of modern British rock.








The lead track of the second EP release, Out To Sea is a song of two halves.

TALMA drummer Johnny Harrison explains: "Many of our artistic influences write about death in their music - The Smiths, Nick Cave, Pink Floyd.

In my own writing I sought to approach the subject from a positive viewpoint, or at least a bittersweet one. Out To Sea is about being comfortable with the concept of mortality, an acceptance that can afford us a sense of opportunity in fleeting moments and a perception of fate that gives rise to purpose. The culmination of the track in the second half instrumental almost expresses the ecstasy that comes with these realisations - we can embrace the absurdity of it all.”

APR

05

The Black Heart, Camden

Thursday, 7:00PM

London, United Kingdom