Scott Swain

Scott Swain has been playing in bands for almost a decade, and has achieved relative success with this: from supporting Biffy Clyro back in the day, to being featured in Kerrang! Magazine.

However it wasn't until his main band took a hiatus in 2016 that Scott decided to launch a solo project. Influenced by the likes of Elliot Smith, Mark Lanegan, and cult cinema, Scott's music aims to combine haunting harmonies with provocative melodies, disarming listeners along the way.

Live Scot Swain is raw: just vocals and an acoustic guitar. In the studio, however, he recruits a small band of 'reprobates' to add some serious colour and angst to the songs he records with them.

Scott Swain also performs with two bands, How to Dress a Monster and Fire at Night. He is therefore likely to be playing live at least a few times a month and always happy to meet new people and chat about bands, music, and/or films.

With regard to his latest single, Scott says: "Oil! is heavily inspired by the film There Will be Blood. Lyrically, I wanted to examine the relationship between wanting to be ambitious and the things which can be sacrificed in the process."

"Also, I want to highlight how miserable it can make you if you let working be the thing which defines you as a human being. I think Daniel Day Lewis’ character painfully personifies both of these ideas in the film.

As the story behind the film is set in the Wild-West of America it seemed only fitting to have a Country style to the song, and nobody does Country with more attitude than the legendary Johnny Cash; so the song is also a homage to him."




As a homage to Mr Cash Oil! is indeed a fitting tribute. From it's thumping drum/acoustic guitar intro to the gritty lyric and soundscape it's very much in the style of 'The Man In Black', embracing both his Rockabilly/Americana feel musically but with a rockier more contemporary vocal by Scott.

Ralph's already given Oil! a spin on his Radio KC Indie Show and it's a fair bet it'll be getting a replay soon. Remember to tune in every Sunday 5-7pm UK time on rkc.noip.me.

Bloch Eyot

The story of Danish born but UK living Nikolaj Bloch who now performs under the pseudonym of Bloch Eyot is as strange and tangential as it is fascinating and absorbing. It leads us to his current incarnation which he describes as, "A new musical journey."

Born in Denmark, his mother taught him Danish political folk songs on guitar from the age of 6. he then trained in classical piano at college, and when he left school he joined a touring blues band.

In his eary twenties he scrapped plans of studying musical therapy, upped sticks and left for London. A year later he formed the band Subcircus and went on to sign his first record deal. That was his musical focus for the ensuing six years.







Now for the tangential part as Nikolaj's journey has been as disparate as it is compelling. From touring the world with an indie band to ghost-writing in Hollywood. Writing with the late Rick Wright of Pink Floyd and Squeeze mainstay Chris Difford to running a studio in the Lebanese mountains. Last but certainly not least, he's performed with Feeder on Top Of The Pops as well as being on the review panel at the influential Sound on Sound magazine.




Therefore it's no surprise that his debut album as Bloch Eyot has received no small amount of critical acclaim ranging from sounding like Cat Stevens, Johnny Cash, Elliot Smith, Tom Waits and Leonard Cohen to evoking the mystique of Scandanavian folklore and fairy-tales.

Magic Folkgrass is a fascinating, eclectic and addictive collection, ranging from the Neil Young-esque Long Highway to the beautifully crafted simplicity of Night Train that bears no comparison.




Nikolaj is currently touring as Bloch Eyot but as you'd expect from the man, it's with a difference. He's abandoned the traditional clubs and venues and is almost exclusively performing private house and boat concerts where you invite the audience and Bloch Eyot provides a unique evening of musical raconteuring.

He's currently working on a schedule for the whole year and in March will be in Denmark performing as Bloch Eyot. Nikolaj is currently organising his schedule for the rest of 2016 if you fancy getting on board with him.

    

Scott Lloyd

The latest sounds gracing Ralph's kennel are some lo-fi tunes courtesy of Middlesborough born Scott Lloyd whose new EP The Northern Gate is due for release on March 10th. Now living in Manchester, Scott's laid back alternative country/folk feel is expressed in five well composed, mainly reflective tunes, delivered with a Jackson Browne or James Taylor vibe but with a modern twist and a northern accent. 






That's to the fore in the lead track on the EP 'Lock The Door' with a track that could have been written by Johnny Cash but sung like he'd been born in the North West (of England) with it's 70's Americana vocal overlaid with Mancunian inflection and infectious hand-clapping.


Second track in 'Morning Light' is more shades of Jim Croce, with a more laid back acoustic guitar, reflective lyric and harmonious melody and is followed by 'Somewhere' which is pure Scott Lloyd, probably the most contemporary track on the EP for me.






Fourth track, 'The Northern Gate' maintains the contemporary feel although lends itself to Jackson Browne. Final track 'Stay With Me' is stripped back, reflective and reminds me of his James Taylor influence (no bad thing). All in all it's a very accomplished EP for one so young and if you're looking for an antidote to Jake Bugg...Scott Lloyd's your man.




Upcoming gigs are...

FRI 14th February – Castle Hotel, Manchester – supporting Bourbon Street Beat
SUN 9th March – The Castle Hotel, Manchester
FRI 28th March – Eagle Inn, Salford


Streets Are The Colours by Scott Lloyd

Scott’s debut EP,’Long Live You EP’, is out now. You can get a CD edition or a digital download from these places.

CD EDITION:

scottlloydmusic.bigcartel.com

DOWNLOADS:

itunes.apple.com

John Mackie

Ralph's jungle drums brought news of a gig in Manchester's Barca, Castlefield on Friday 16th August with a quality line up of local talent that's going to be one not to be missed. Having previously blogged Jess Harwood and Dan Solan it's only fair that he takes a look at John Mackie who's sharing the bill.

Thanks to trust a fox for the photography

A singer/songwriter originally from Glasgow but now residing in Greater Manchester John Mackie's inspirations are from a wide range of varying sources, but his talent for touching, emotive lyrics and ear for melody give him a style that makes him stand out from the crowd. John has been in various bands as creative influence in his career, notably The Broadcast, but now feels the time is right to 'fly solo' and venture forth alone.  Ralph had a quick word with John prior to the night.







 

Ralph: How long have you been down in Manchester and differences in the two music scenes?

John: I've been living in Manchester I think most of my life now. I came here at 8 years old and aside from the odd visits to family, and gigs I've been on Manc soil.

Ralph: Prefer Manchester or Glasgow?

John: Difficult because Manchester is my home these days but both city's are amazing and offer so much not only in culture but more importantly the music scene. I know a lot of people in Glasgow and have been back on many occasions to gig and tour, it has a place in my heart and always will.

Ralph: Alex Harvey or Mark E Smith?

John: Neither I'm afraid, not my vibe, not my era, I've seen more of Ian Brown, and Oasis but now really enjoy Glasgow 4 piece GLASVEGAS with the melancholy sprinkled on top.

Ralph: Do you prefer solo performing as opposed to being in a band?

John: Politically solo - but for rock n roll, a band. I have done the band thing a few times over, seen some countries, made some lifelong friends and made memories I will cherish forever, aside from that I'm a nightmare to work with and don't mind admitting that, so going it alone and only answering to my own reflection is perfect.

Ralph: Any new material - EP or even an album in the offing?

John: I have a small management team on board of recent, so recording is defo in the pipeline, as well as some branding and marketing. So look out I'm sure you'll see me around. Recording is penciled for Nov 2013 in the form of an EP, I'll save my album until I get the backing required, I would rather spend a month in a studio as opposed to a week on a budget.

Ralph: An artist you'd like to be compared to?

John: Jonny Cash, Deffo!!!!! Everything he stands for and the impression he gave was priceless.

Ralph: An artist you wouldn't like to be compared to!

John: Anyone shit!!! Anyone in pop!!!

Ralph: What drives you to write songs (a lot of your work seems to be very introspective)?

John: Introspection is examination of one's own conscious thoughts and feelings: in case anyone wonders what that means. I would agree with you there, it seems to be the way it all began, as a form of escape from the real world, a frustrated teenager, but as I developed as a songwriter the songs seem to have evolved like a chameleon, so that they fit everyone's introspection. There is no set system or direction to writing a song, it just comes out, with me it seems to be what I'm consciously or unconsciously thinking at any one time in any one place.

Ralph: Bit of a folk/country (even bluegrass) vibe to some of your music - influences?

John: Only what the Old man played back in Glasgow when I was a child, he liked a bit of country, but also early Johnny Cash, Bob Dylan, Elvis, Jerry Lee Lewis, etc. I think the folky feel comes from my love of the home country as a whole, Its history you know??

Ralph: Finally - looking to expand further than the Manc scene?

John: Already begun my friend, London first, then UK tour, next year Europe and festivals so its onward upward causing some havoc along the way - hahahahaha thanks!!!!

Burning Condors

Looking for some down and dirty, bluesy and gritty, edgy rock 'n' roll?  The look no further than Burning Condors as they're producing just that in spades!  

London four piece Burning Condors emerged when Marcus Thompson left his roots of Bradford and moved south to London to find acting work and met band mates to be Matthew Edun and Churchy.

With Marcus influenced by British acts like Joy Division and Bowie and Matthew an old school blues nut, the pair introduced each other to their record collections to create a noise which led one reviewer to gush - Burning Condors have distilled the essence of the blues, added a dash of rockabilly swagger and forced it through a modern art punk filter to come up with something fresh and new’.

After cutting their teeth on the London gigging scene, they earned a break with a run of support slots for Punk Blues favourites the Legendary Shack Shakers.  








After seeing Burning Condors strut live, producer Mark Robertson invited the boys out to his studio in Nashville, Tennessee to cut their debut album.  The record also features the talents of Col JD Wilkes of Dirt Daubers and Dave Roe from Johnny Cash's band Tennessee Three and is released September of 2013.

Although their sound naturally draws comparisons to bands from the other side of the Atlantic, they're most definitely a product of their immediate environment and wear their London roots along with their combined musical heart loud and proud on their sleeve.

Alongside their devotion to their craft as musicians, Burning Condors collaborate with emerging photographers, illustrators and animators from the UK’s exciting art scene to create visuals which add a new dimension to their music. The cover art for ‘Dirty Girl Blues’ was produced by Danny O’Connor (aka DOC) who has exhibited alongside some of the world’s leading urban artists including Banksy and Adam Neate. DOC often leaves paintings on the street for people to discover and take home.

Burning Condors’ debut album ‘Round Our Way’ is due to be released in September 2013. ‘Round Our Way’ was recorded at Stainless Sound Studios, Nashville and features a guest performance from the aforementioned Dave Roe.

Hot on the heels of the release of their 2nd single ‘Knockout’, a track described by Fortitude Magazine as - “150% old-school hot…slinky to the point of slithering out of the speakers” - the new single ‘Dirty Girl Blues’ is released on 15th July 2013 through Snakehand Records.







From the first grinding, sliding guitar and cocky vocal backed up by a solid beat (shades of Doctor Feelgood) 'Dirty Girl Blues' grabs you by the short and curlies and doesn't let go as it's soaring slide guitar digs it's nasty way into your heart and soul.  Proper old school and it's Ralph's Record Of The Week on Radio KC this week prior to its release on Monday.

Bonnie 'Prince' Billy

Can I see the darkness?

Just a quickie for today and I'm bringing you one of the weirdest, freakiest most addictive music videos I've ever enjoyed!  It's Bonnie 'Prince' Billy (real name Will Oldham) singing I See A Darkness, which as it happens is a hauntingly catchy, countryish type tune.  It's been covered by Johhny Cash but (no offence Johnny) his gloomy rendering (that being said Billy's 1999 version didn't have the pazzaz of this current rework) just don't cut it for me.




         
          

So I know he's not my normal stylee of listening pleasure but I just can't get enough of either the video or the track (listened to it at least ten times just writing the blog).
  


Go have a look and a listen to I See A Darkness and freak out - or maybe it'll turn you on to some of his other stuff which is legion - later dudes.