Ralph's favourite video this week is In Sicily by Fighting Caravans a 6-piece Alt Rock band from Leeds. Likened to QOTSA, Fat White Family and Grinderman they've had a very successful 2016, including performances at several festivals including Reading & Leeds and Sound City in Liverpool. The single In Sicily is released by Fighting Caravans on Christmas Day. You can order the 7" vinyl or download the mp3 here: http://bit.ly/1tx1XWS
In 2015, Fighting Caravans released
their debut EP, Beasts Of England,
alongside a UK & EU tour, earning strong local and international plaudits.
In 2016 the success of singles Tyrannosaur
and Blue Heart Motel, provided the
opportunity for the band to complete their first ever UK & EU headline tours.
The band are currently recording
their 2nd EP at The Nave, from which the first
single will be released in January.
Earlier this year New York Tourists began recording their debut album which was funded by a successful Kickstarter campaign. In June they played their biggest gig to date in front of 12,000 people as the main support to Status Quo. Well the good news is the kickstarter was successful and the You + Me album will be officially released on April 8th. The You + Me album is composed of 10 tracks of anthemic Indie rock music which should seem them propelled from the local North West music scene to the headier hights of regular national radio play and the bigger festivals in 2017. Speaking of anthemic Indie music, the album kicks of with the impressive and addictive Colours before moving into the choppier and more pop-like Fear. Following on Fools gets meaner and moodier, with a gritty vocal overlaid on driving guitar, what's not to like. It's Call after that with a dirty bass and sleazy vocal which made it a perfect pick as a single previously. Then Adrenaline kicks in before getting heavier again with Two Heartbeats. Then it's the eponymous and aggressive You + Me, and it's got to be a live favourite. On an album of continually strong tracks Lost Love is for me the weakest, but that's me being picky and it's OK as they quickly step it up a gear with the in-your-face A Kick In The Teeth before rounding off with the dreamy and extremely radio-friendly Sirens. With this album Blackburn's favourite sons New York Tourists are making themselves heard and certainly not to be missed live. Speaking of which, check out their gig listings below... New York Tourists Live Dates:
There's been a plethora of guitar driven alt/rock in the kennel's inbox these last few weeks, however only some have floated their way to the top of the pile. One, in particular, is Bath-based Scout Killers who are releasing their track Rip Me Apart as a single on March 28th. The band draws its influence from the likes of Rage Against the Machine, Q.O.T.S.A, Pearl Jam and Red Hot Chili Peppers. Their powerful live sets are defined by viscerally expressive vocals, atmospheric and foreboding guitar swells and shadowy rhythmic undertones which shine through when it comes to Scout Killers songwriting. Rip Me Apart has a Them Crooked Vultures feel to it (hardly surprising given Scout Killers influences) as it builds to a dark, anthemic climax. Strong songwriting, strong musicality, what's not to like for connoisseurs of guitar driven alt/rock and it'll make for a real live favourite when Scout Killers are on tour. Speaking of which...
Ralph's been spinning tracks on his Radio KC Indie Show on a regular basis by Blackburn band New York Tourists who interestingly described as QOTSA meets Foals. Their debut EP received rave reviews from some of the UK's most respected music media outlets and Chew Me Up, Spit Me Out was selected as one of BBC Intro's top 10 tracks of 2013. Hugely coveted support slots followed, with the band bagging appearances alongside the likes of The Subways, The View, The Sunshine Underground and The Buzzcocks plus a headline slot on the Alt Stage at Blackburn Festival.
Earlier this year New York Tourists began recording their debut album which was funded by a successful Kickstarter campaign. In June they played their biggest gig to date in front of 12,000 people as the main support to Status Quo. Well the good news is the kickstarter was successful and the You + Me album will be officially released on April 8th. The You + Me album is composed of 10 tracks of varying degrees of anthemic Indie rock music which should seem them propelled from the local North West music scene to the headier hights of regular national radio play and the bigger festivals in 2017. Speaking of anthemic Indie music, the album kicks of with the impressive and addictive Colours before moving into the choppier and more pop-like Fear. Following on Fools gets meaner and moodier, with a gritty vocal overlaid on driving guitar, what's not to like. It's Call after that with a dirty bass and sleazy vocal which made it a perfect pick as a single previously. Then Adrenaline kicks in before getting heavier again with Two Heartbeats. It's the eponymous and aggressive You + Me after that, and it's got to be a live favourite. On an album of continually strong tracks Lost Love is for me the weakest, but that's me being picky and it's OK as they quickly step it up a gear with the in-your-face A Kick In The Teeth before rounding off with the dreamy and extremely radio-friendly Sirens. With this album Blackburn's favourite sons New York Tourists are making themselves heard and certainly not to be missed live. Speaking of which, check out their gig listings below... New York Tourists Live Dates:
Ralph recently gave Gateshead Indie rockers Elephant Memoirs new single Mug a spin on his Radio KC Sunday Show and thought it'd be a good idea to take a look after some great feedback. Formed in 2013 by John Aspinall, Barry Drew and Carl Aspinall they've been working hard to create a catalogue of original material and successfully so in the case of Mug which kicks off with swirling guitar before thumping into a gritty vocal. Elephant Memoirs have formed into a tight creative unit and are garnering no small amount of critical acclaim.
Likened to such luminaries as Biffy Clyro, Frank Turner, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club and WeezertheNorth East's Elephant Memoirs focus on a forceful guitar, bass and drum sound to to cover such diverse themes as love, prejudice, frustration and life in general. Similarities notwithstanding they're finding their own niche now.
In August of last year Elephant Memoirs hit the studios and recorded a four track demo which has gained airplay on radio stations worldwide. The tracks are accompanied by a selection of four original artworks by band member John. More melodic than the likes of QOTSA their sound should see them acquire an ever increasing following both locally and beyond, especially with tracks like the punchy Dirt.
By far the strongest track of the four demos for me is was lyrically sound and melodically pleasing Champion Of The Universe. Having individually been in several local bands previously, I'm certain as they work together and continue to develop their own sound they'll release more material and play gigs wider afield, acquiring a much wider fan-base. Definitely ones to watch.
Having listened to a lot of Alt/Folk/Rock these last few weeks in a bid to bring you the best of the current Indie crop in that genre (and to release you from the tedium that is Mumford and Sons) Ralph's nipped over the Irish Sea to check out Clockwork Noise as they've recently released an album 'Whethermachines' and it ticks all the boxes. Clockwork Noise are Blathnaid Healy on violins, cellos and vocals - Dylan Nolan on Bass and Vocals - Michael Fenton- Drums and Vocals - Robert Maguire on Lead Vocals and Guitars - Chris O' Connor- Vocals and Guitars. They say they are fascinated by juxtaposition. The marriage of quiet and loud, classical and contemporary, pretty and ugly, chaos and order - 'Whethermachines' being the culmination of a long journey exploring this concept. After releasing an EP ‘Yes and No and Everything In Between’ in 2009, the five-piece band from Ireland set about collecting thoughts for a full-length album. A large number of songs evolved from two years of performing live, and the band began an intense pre-production phase, marshaled by Torsten Kinsella of God Is An Astronaut.
Months of editing, exploration, and experimentation left the band with nine songs, and the concentrated essence of an album. Temporarily divorcing themselves from the live music circuit, Clockwork Noise focused on bringing the songs to life, recording material everywhere from high-tech studios to the streets of Dublin. Over several years the album evolved, and in 2012 was finally cemented into place by Ivan Jackman of Silverline Studios. The finished product is crammed with juxtapositions – it features refined string sections and frantic digital noise; delicate harmonising and visceral screaming.
On first listening, the album may just be all things to all people as the lead track 'A Wake Up Serenade' goes from an orchestral intro into shades of QOTSA. Second track in 'Advocate' kicks off with choppy 80's pop guitar work a la Roddy Frame but soars into a strong Alt/Rock vocal backed by violins. 'Egocentric' has Snow Patrol etched into it, high on musicality and lyrical content. The fourth track 'The Brink' gets slightly heavier with some sublime strings although retaining the Snow Patrol-esque vocals. 'Wizard of Ill' on the other hand is more Alt/Pop with appealing folky strings.
Six tracks in and 'Windows' takes us on a heavier rock trip. The ever present violins backing a meatier vocal with more than a hint of Soundgarden to it (no bad thing). 'Great Escape' follows on with moodier vocals and builds to a powerful US Alt/Rock chorus. The acoustic intro to 'Simple Problems' lightens the music but not the emotions. It's a seemingly introspective track and no comparisons to be made on this one...it's all Clockwork Noise. The album finishes with 'The Tourists' and it's another strong lyric backed by more Folk/Rock violins and choppy guitar. Another track that they've firmly placed their own stamp on and for me, possibly the best track on the album.
Ralph's now got his own Unsigned Indie Mix show on French station Radio Kaos Caribou every Sunday 5 - 6 pm and it's thanks to listening to their eclectic mix of music that he came across Paris based band Wishes.
Always keen to promote 'The Auld Alliance' and via the wonders of email I bring you an interview with Wishes.
You could describe them as an alt/electro/rock band and they're very much in the style of Garbage and, like Shirley Manson lead singer Angie's strong vocals are in no way intimidated by the four man rock machine behind her as she powers through tracks like 'My Promises' then shows her softer side on 'Fifty Years' or the moody 'Ultimate Romance' with hints of QOTSA pumping in the background.
I'll let the lovely Angie take up the story..... Ralph: What's the story behind the band...how'd you get started?
Angie: Yann and Fabian were friends for a long time and they started Wishes together…then Xav joined them and in 2007 they were looking for a singer and I was looking for a band… The first time I met the guys, something special happened, it was as if we had always known!! It was awesome Now we're best friends. Chris joined us a year ago when our bassist had to leave the band. Ralph: The name of the band Wishes seems rather reflective...why did you choose it?
Angie: Absolutely! It’s something positive and a reflection of who we are… open to the world, and each other… we wish to give something positive to people who listen to us... and most of all to share our love for music… our fist EP called “Back to Serenity” the second one “Serenity” and we're still working in this way to give a smile to people that come to our gigs.
Angie: Yann plays Guitar and backing vocals, Chris plays bass, Fabian plays drums and some backing vocals, Xav plays keyboards/sampling and I sing write the lyrics. Most of the times the first riffs are by Yann and we work together on it to make a new song…It’s a real team effort and everyone gives ideas. Then we record the song in our home studio.
Ralph: The question everybody asks...who are some of your biggest influences?
Angie: Yes but that’s a good question… so I think we have two big influences… Skunk Anansie on one side and Incubus on the other …in between there's a lot of bands we love even if they don’t really influences us to a lesser extent like Faith No More, Pink and Shaka Ponk…
Ralph: What other bands/artists are you listening to right now?
Angie: I am a very eclectic person… I listen to a lot of bands/artistes most of the time with a female singer as I prefer girl voices. Currently I’m listening to the new Paramore song “Now”…but I’m listening to some rap like MGK and something really different like Rodrigo & Gabriela, Janis Joplin, Garbage, Florence and the Machine and Pink … I really love these women…
Ralph: Where do you see the band this time next year? Angie: Why not in your country?
We are looking for a booker and we would really love to play everywhere..our music is made to travel…we sing in English that's why we hope to play everywhere, not only in France…we work hard to record a second a album…maybe a video clip, some goodies… a lot of stuff… and we would like to spread the word to the world!
Ralph: Finally...any new gigs or music on the horizon? Angie: Yes! We’ve got a big gig on February 22th and we've got some surprises coming soon…but I can’t say to much...
So there you go...you heard it here first...next year they're crossing the Channel...this year get your earphones on and have a listen to them this Sunday on Ralph's Unsigned Indie Mix Show...they're tres bon!
Ralph's favourite video this week is In Sicily by Fighting Caravans a 6-piece Alt Rock band from Leeds.
In 2015, Fighting Caravans released
their debut EP, Beasts Of England,
alongside a UK & EU tour, earning strong local and international plaudits.
In 2016 the success of singles Tyrannosaur
and Blue Heart Motel, provided the
opportunity for the band to complete their first ever UK & EU headline tours.
