White Boy

If Marc Bolan and David Bowie had produced a bastard son to give their music a twist for future generations, then White Boy is the result. Although recently formed (frontman Joe Jones was previously with the much vaunted Janice Graham Band) they've produced 'Glitoris', an album of ten quality tracks that'll see them quickly rise to become firm favourites in their home city of Manchester (where they're already playing to sold-out venues) and beyond.








Ralph's already played the burgeoningly loud 'Kiss and Run' on his Radio KC show to much critical acclaim and the other nine tracks are no less glorious. The White Boy album is diverse in it's soundscape, all things to all listeners, from the almost disturbing start of lead track 'Mama' to the last note of the orchestral 'Star Child'. 

One of the real surprises is the cover of the (very) old David Essex single 'Rock On'. White Boy give it a fresh, cool direction with some clever use of horns and in your face vocalising.










Off the back of a successful Isle of White Festival performance White Boy are playing an interesting gig soon in The Macbeth, London followed by a return to Night and Day in Manchester. It'll give them an excellent chance to show The Big Smoke and their growing army of hometown fans the quality of this album as a live set, with 'Bleach' and 'Kiss and Run' perfect for the ears of a live audience.

Ralphstock

After the success of Ralph's All-Dayer for the charity Rethink Mental Illness in London's iconic venue Proud Camden last year in association with Radio KC who transmitted the whole day live; with 14 bands playing over 12 hours, he thought it was about time he did another but closer to home. 

So with that in mind Ralph's taking over another iconic venue on August 23rd and unleashing 11 bands on Night & Day Cafe in Manchester over 10 hours. 

Available to buy on the day will be the Ralph's Life CD to raise funds for Rethink Mental Illness.

In association with Hourglass Promo it'll be an outstanding day of live music and; as usual, Ralph's got something to say about everyone on the line-up.



Ambrose Chappel is a Southport DJ/Remixer par excellance who kicked of Ralph's Rethink All-Dayer last year. He collaborates with US Rap artist iKash Flo to produce some of the most funky ass hippety hop this side of the Big Pond. 

He creates a unique blend of Hip Hop fused with House and Electro and is always in demand for his remixing skills. His influences range from the ubiquitous Mr Oizo to Berlin based producer Siriusmo.

Mint are an East Coast (sounds better than saying Grimsby) Indie band fronted by Zak Rashid who are starting to make a name for themselves on the local music scene. 

what better time to bring them over to Manchester and spread the good word about their music which - and I quote - "makes you kiss strangers."







Pusher are a very much up and coming Barnsley band who are making a name for themselves on the live circuit and are a welcome addition to Ralphstock.


Their debut single Shoot Life was described by none other than NME as - "Hair raising slides of guitar and moody vocals make for an absorbing track."







The Loving Memory are another Grimsby band formed by Sam Simmons who performed an outstanding solo acoustic set at the Ralph's Life gig in Camden last year. 

Currently working on their first single Ralph's prediction is they're going to go on to bigger and better things whilst producing their self-proclaimed 'ethereal noise'.









The Fireflys are a highly acclaimed Runcorn band whose musical back catalogue has long been popular with Ralph's Life. Lee and Adele from the band will be performing an acoustic set which will include their recently released single Branches.

Focusing nowadays on their consumate brand of Indie Americana they've honed their music to a very fine point and are popular both locally and beyond. With a hometown gig coming up soon Ralph's glad they've found time to join him in Manchester!







The Mantells are a three piece Indie band from Manchester who have featured regularly on Ralph's Show on Radio KC thanks to their infectious brand of Alt Indie.

Their critically acclaimed debut single went straight into the iTunes Alt Chart and they've not looked back since. Thei new single Payday Playboys is released in June and they have some top gigs upcoming including the the BL9 Music Weekender which features among others The Happy Mondays and Razorlight.







Sixty Minute Man are another Manchester band that are making quite a name for themselves on the local live scene as well as some heavy radio plays.

They're a six-piece Alt Rock outfit that are just launching a new EP and will be playing the highly recommended Blackthorn Festival this year on the SOTN Stage.









The Jade Assembly from Bolton have just released a new single and are gigging fervently to appease 'The Jade Army', including a couple of the local Festivals.Their brand of guitar driven Indie is causing quite a stir in the North West, so it's great to have them on board for Ralphstock. 

Deja Vega are again from Manchester and making no small impact on that city's music scene. Described by Louder Than War as - "Manchester's best kept secret." - they're gigging relentlesly and Ralph's delighted that they've agreed to join the Night & Day line-up.

Ralph's Spinning one of their track Fun Time Jack on this Sunday's Indie Show on Radio KC.








Great Reckoning are a 5 piece Indie Rock band from Tyldesley that take no prisoners with their heavy guitar-based sound. Regulars on the Ralph's Life Indie Show on Radio KC this will be Ralph's first chance to catch their high-powered live performance. 







Culann from the West Coast of Scotland are no strangers to Ralph's Life featuring regulary on his Radio KC Sunday Show and coming all the way down to London to play at the Proud Camden charity gig for Rethink Mental Illness.

They won the Scottish Alternative Music Award Best Rock/Alternative category in 2013 and are high energy performers on stage. One not to be missed!






Duke and The Darlings are big favourites in Manchester's musical world and regularly perform sell-out shows. Their addictive brand of Alternative Indie Pop makes them a huge favourite with their 'Darlings' and Ralph's Life alike.

Such is the regard that Ralph holds them in they're the Ralphstock headliners!





So there you have it, a whole day of the best in UK Indie in Manchester and you can buy your tickets at the Early Bird price right now from the link below or the ralphslife.co.uk website - but be quick!

Come along and say hiya to Ralph!

Ticket Information

TICKET TYPE	REMAINING	SALES END	PRICE	FEE	QUANTITY
Early Bird	100 Tickets	23 Aug 2015	£8.00	£1.13	Ticket Quantity Select                      1                     2                     3                     4                     5                     6                     7                     8                     9                     10

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Broken Witt Rebels

Ralph's featured Birmingham band Broken Witt Rebels a couple of times now on his Radio KC Indie Show and always to some great feedback, so it was with great interest that he checked out their newly released EP Howlin'.

Released this week, it's five tracks of bluesy, gutsy and downright nasty rock 'n' roll in the style of Bad Company or Family from back in the day. Lean, mean, punch you in the face and buy you a drink after tunes, proper music for grown ups.

Thanks to sidavisphotography.co.uk for the pic.

Lead track Shake Me Down is old school that wouldn't have been out of place on a Faces LP with shades of Ronnie Wood's geetar licks and smoky vocals al la Rod 'The Mod' Stewart.

They follow it up with gritty blues based Bottom Of The Hill and it's solid guitar work and raunchy vocal that drags you into the more Americanised Cloud My Day and I'm hooked, it's Broken Witt Rebels doing what they do best.

Thanks to trust a fox photography for the pic.

Lead track Howlin' is a stomper, and the anthem for Broken Witt Rebels on the EP, destined to be a classic fans favourite that'll have them howling along with the chorus at gigs. They round the EP off with another rip roarer in Queen Bee, it lulls you in then picks you up with its gripping vocal.

Broken Witt Rebels are Danny Core - Vocals & Rhythm Guitar; Luke Davis - Vocals & Bass; James Tranter Vocals & Lead Guitar and Anthony Byrne - Drums & Percussion and you can download the EP by clicking on these words!

Villiers

Ralph's been keeping an eye on Lancashire lads Villiers for a bit now and, with the imminent release of a Double A Side single (You're Not Alone/Nowhere Left To Run) as a follow up to the excellent 'Dancer', this seemed as good a time as any to spread the good musical word. They're very much in the same mould as London electro boys Thumpers or Resonate from Sheffield, but with a bit of a mean and moodier edge as shown on 'Dancer'.

With thanks to Andy Parsons - Photographer

The new tracks continue with that edgier feel and 'You're Not Alone' has an almost 80's anthemic feel to it, probably my favourite of the double A-sider. 'Nowhere Left To Run' is a touch softer and reflective but none the less listenable. The band seem to be getting much more comfortable in their own electro-plated skin.







Last summer saw Villiers break onto the UK festival scene with a slot at BeatHerder alongside Clean Bandit, TOY, Temples, Chic ft Nile Rodgers and Groove Armada. This year they played their first headline show at Manchester’s Night and Day, lauded as - 'sealing their reputation as one of the region’s most exciting and innovative new bands'. 










Villiers are...brothers Ben and Daniel Earnshaw plus long time friend Daniel Buckle. The new single 'The Dancer' is out now on...

Itunes/Spotify/Amazon. 

Upcoming gigwise, you can catch them headlining in The Castle Hotel on September 27th alongside Jade Ann, Tigers of Pluto and President Ray-Gun. Don't miss it!

The Bedroom Hour

Ralph doesn't usually put blogs out on a Friday, what with the weekend being sacred and all, however when he heard that The Bedroom Hour were releasing their new album Hinterland on the 11th of July he made an exception and wound up the turntable.

There's a couple of old favourites on there in Nocturnal and Heart Will Haunt, but it's the new material that intrigues.

Thanks to Trust A Fox Photography

Lead track Ocean gives an atmospheric lead in to Sea Without Water and it's The Bedroom Hour at their anthemic best, with soaring vocals throughout. The aforementioned and much loved Nocturnal and Heart Will Haunt take us into the moodier Broken and a more reflective and melodic Sapphires.









The rousing Ghost Of A Smile leads into the more alt rockier WW/Me with shades of Big Country and the album continues on it's immaculately conceived way. Some almost psychedelic, organ infused sounds with I See Suns and it goes into the soaring, brief and eponymous Hinterland. The superbly named A Map Made From My Bones finishes off the album in style with it's synth infused richness. For me, it's the highlight.





They're a band destined for the bigger stage, and if; like me, you grew up with Simple Minds, Big Country and U2 this is without a doubt the album for you...and don't miss The Bedroom Hour  debuting Hinterland in Manchester's Night & Day on the 12th July, it'll be huge!