Kidsmoke

The last time Ralph had a sniff at Manchester based Kidsmoke was on the release of their debut EP Higher back in September of 2013. Well at the time I was hooked by their infectious 80's guitar and remain so with the advent of The Reason I Jump, just released as a single from the up-coming EP So Long, Emptiness.

Originally from Wrexham, Kidsmoke are consistently producing contemporary garage-popesque melodies which delight. Eminantly listenable and worthy of repeat. The choppy Roddy Frame guitar influence is on show again in this single and it's backed by smooth vocalising.

Needless to say Ralph's giving the track a spin on his Radio KC Indie Show and it's also been looked upon favourably by Adam Walton of BBC Radio Wales and Amazing Radio. Hardly surprising as The Reason I Jump is perfect air wave material, and I look forward to the release of the EP on April 3rd. 

Kidsmoke are Lance Williams, James Stickels, Chris Kennedy and Chris Trow.


They've backed the single with a suitably psychedelic video (with a dog in) and live-wise they're playing the following dates...

Date		Location				Tickets
	Mar 28	The Compass	Chester, Uk		Tickets	RSVP	Share
	Apr 03	UnDegUn	Wrexham, United Kingdom		Tickets	RSVP	Share
	Apr 04	Fuel	Manchester, United Kingdom		Free	RSVP	Share
	Apr 24	Central Station	Wrexham, United Kingdom		Tickets	RSVP	Share

Puppet Rebellion

After catching a set by PUPPET REBELLION back in July last year Ralph's been sitting waiting patiently for some new material.  Their last EP saw much critical acclaim and the lead track 'Chemical Friends' garnered a good many plays on Ralph's Indie Show on Radio KC.

Well the good news is, a follow up 5 track (including a rather spiffy re-mix of 'Chemical Friends) EP - 'No Means Yes' - is to be released on February 25th and it's already had a spin or five in the kennel and of course with the inimitable Mr Peeps Podcast.





Track one 'Pirouette' kicks in with an infectious choppy guitar, almost ska-like rhythm making it guaranteed radio play material. A tale of deceit and regret told with a strong vocal, the chorus is a real stick in your brain tune and it's my top track on the EP. 

Follow up track 'Cupboards Painted Red' is more melodic with a stylish guitar intro and softer vocal. Shades of del Amitri or Roddy Frame (I can pay no bigger compliment) with a nicely written, plaintive lyric in a PUPPET REBELLION style which builds to a crescendo nicely throughout the track.




Third track in is 'Loner In Disguise' and it's a very Manchester-esque sound. never let it be said I wasn't contentious, but for me not the strongest track on the EP but with a well written, reflective lyric with a good melody and sound vocals none the less.

Fourth of the newly written tracks is 'Green Eyed Monster' with a nice bass lead in to short, sharp vocals and solid guitar work. One to get the fans jumping at their upcoming Manchester gig in Gullivers on February 22nd...






The new PUPPET REBELLION EP finishes of with a re-mix of fans favourite 'Chemical Friends' by Cai Caslavinieri.  Great for a DJ set to kick off any of the following gigs...and thanks as always to trust a fox photography for the pictures.

Sat 22 Feb	Gullivers	Manchester	Tickets
Sat 08 Mar	The Exchange	Stoke on Trent (Hanley)
Fri 21 Mar	Zanzibar	Liverpool
Sat 19 Apr	Manchester Academy 3	Manchester
Sun 22 Jun	Headlander Festival (Stockport RUFC)	Stockport

Kidsmoke

Whilst sitting in the kennel, patiently waiting for the latest release by Rubberbear and sulking because they've got their first gig on when I'm off on holiday - a tweet took my eye regarding fellow Manchester band Kidsmoke who've just released their debut EP 'Higher'.  So as a Jack Russel and inquisitive by nature I stuck the headphones on and had a listen in.  Lo and behold they've put together four tracks of quite lovely Indie Pop which even they admit is influenced by the usual Manchester suspects.

Kidsmoke are Lance Williams, James Stickels, Tomas Hassall and Chris Trow and despite being long time friends they've only formed as a unit in early 2013.  That being said they've come up with a solid, eminently listenable debut EP.  The lead track 'Higher' kicks off with an almost psychedelic/60's California vocal and guitar which goes into shades of Prefab Sprout  and I'm hooked. 

Second track 'Take Me To The River' seems to have it's foundations in a slightly Americanised version of The Cure or New Order 'a la' Wild Nothing.  It's a bouncier track that I can see becoming a fans favourite.  'Tired City Love' on the other hand is a lighter, poppier sound.  It's catchy and for me, a possible single release.  Final track, the aptly named 'Conclusion' has Pete Hook-esque bass-line with Roddy Frame guitar overlaid and a soft vocal that might just be my favourite track.

Let's hope we hear more from these shiny bright young things soon...Kidsmoke are very much on the right track, take a chance and go see them if you can on 10th September in Manchester's Deaf Institute supporting Cayucas or 19th October in Kraak.

Clockwork Noise

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.  

Sean Kennedy.....Debut EP release.....

Young Scottish singer/songwriter Sean Kennedy was brought to my attention by Irvine Beat FM presenter Ben Grant recently.  

Irvine born and bred Sean Kennedy was aiming for the stars whilst on the books at Hibernian FC as a budding footballer but his career was cut short due to a serious injury. 

During his recovery Sean started recording cover songs in the studio, then quickly moved on to perform as a front man of local band October Sky.
Growing in stature he developed quickly in writing songs on his guitar and that was when he turned to a career as a musician.

Kris Kesiak Photography

Having been working hard refining his skills working alongside many highly acclaimed writers and producers such as Duran Duran's Andy Taylor, Nik Kershaw,  and Richard Lobb as well as Peter Vetesse of Jethro Tull who has produced records for The Pet Shop Boys, The Bee Gees and in more recent times Simple Minds.

Sean also has been working alongside Grammy winning mixing engineer Simon Gogerly (U2, No Doubt).

He's got inspiration for some of his tracks after travelling all over the globe resulting in the recently released EP 'Love Don't Live Here' available in iTunes. Sean was also invited down to perform at the London 2012 Olympics.

The 25 year old fuses together his influences of Amos Lee, Gavin DeGraw and Crowded House together with his accomplished songwriting to provide his own blend of home grown Americana. As Sean has grown as a performer it’s evident that his musical talents have matured through time.

The Bluebells

I can hear all that was good in Scottish music in the late 80's early 90' from the likes of Roddy Frame and Aztec Camera or The Bluebells in his tunes.  'Love Don't Live Here' for instance has all the pop like-ability of Edwyn Collins and Orange Juice's 'Rip It Up' and I welcome this return to a clean, crisp Indie pop style.  He's got the musical ability, voice, charisma and looks to take him to stardom.

“With the exposure that’s bound to be generated once his music gets out there, Sean is set to be a major star.” Jim Gellatly

"Sean's a natural, you can't learn what he has. You've either have it or you don't" Andy Taylor