Mildred's Dairy

Second of the Glasgow bands with new albums out featured by Ralph this week is Mildred's Dairy and their quirkily named offering The Helsinki Bus Station Theory. In keeping with the retro feel of the album's packaging (niftily designed by Alf Button) slightly 80's vibed tunes and faux record effect, it would be all the more impressive served up as a vinyl platter.




Mildred's Dairy have the feel of a grown-up Orange Juice, Aztec Camera and Deacon Blue throughout this release with well-crafted, well-written tracks immaculately played and produced. Then there's the relatively tongue-in-cheek nature of the sleeve notes and the band's ambiguously anonymous bio. Possibly self-explanatory when you think more about the album's title which is based on The Helsinki Bus Station Theory. 

First outlined in a 2004 graduation speech by Finnish-American photographer Arno Mikkinen, the theory claims that the secret to a creatively fulfilling career lies in understanding the operations of Helsinki's main bus station. With that in mind this offering may be a Mildred's Dairy Last Train To Glasgow Central.

This album is infectious to listen to, with some extremely radio friendly tracks. Ralph's already played Evergreen on his Radio KC Indie Show and they've featured on Tom Robinson's Fresh On The Net program recently. They will also lend themselves very well to live performances. 

It's on the cards that the band will be gigging with increasing frequency throughout 2016 and with tracks like Fools Rush In they'll quickly get the crowds on-side and grooving along.

Zurich

Oxford based Zurich have just released their eagerly awaited debut EP Small Wars and Ralph was quick to give the single release from it, Alone a spin on his Radio KC Indie Show recently. 

They're described as post-punk with more than a smattering of eighties electro, which I feel they've managed to give a fresh twist.

Zurich is comprised of, Adrian Banks on Bass/Vocals, Chris Gillett on Guitar/Vocals and Leigh Taylor on Drums/Samples

Alone has already drawn Zurich to the attention of Fresh On The Net with Tom Robinson drawing the conclusion that they're the result of Simple Minds having consumed Big Country and Echo and The Bunnymen. 

For my part, I'm getting shades of Depeche Mode overshadowed with New Order and Tears For Fears.

It's a very assured piece of work for a debut EP but hardly surprising as Zurich have had award winning producer Gary Stevenson working with them.




Upcoming gigs:

Aug 29 Woodstock Live Woodstock, United Kingdom  
Aug 30 Vestival Banbury, United Kingdom  
Sep 18 ALSO KNOWN AS Banbury, United Kingdom  
Sep 19 The BullingdonOxford, United Kingdom Tickets
Sep 22 Rye WaxLondon, United Kingdom  
Sep 27 Homegrown Ox And Bucks Festival Oxford, United Kingdom 
Sep 29 Wild Boar Warwick, United Kingdom 
Oct 02 Verve Bar Leeds, United Kingdom  
Oct 05 Bannermans Oxford, United Kingdom  
Oct 07 Lancaster Uni Lancaster, United Kingdom  
Oct 08 Dublin Castle London, United Kingdom  
Oct 10 Dog And Parrot Newcastle, Australia  
Oct 14 White Bear Barnsley, United Kingdom  
Oct 17 South Sea Sheffield, United Kingdom 

Two Skies

Ralph has had his eyes on Sheffield band Two Skies for a little while now having previously played the deliciously heavy Stay on his Radio KC Indie Show. 

So it was with great interest that he heard that they were realeasing Feel as a single on May 11th.

It's a pleasingly psychadelic offering, evoking memories of early Pink Floyd or pre - Hawkwind the Hawklords.

Gaining critical acclaim including Q Magazine saying - "They deal in bass-heavy, freak out friendly reveries" and Tom Robinson no less was heard to say - "Soaring vocal and big drums".

Comprised of Dan Cutts on Vocals and Guitar, Jamie Cheetham on Bass and Oliver Harrap on Drums Two Skies are a powerful live band that are creating solid, eminently listenable indie psych music that will appeal to fans of many different genres.

To quote the band - "Two Skies were driven together by a mutual love of ethereal noises and powerful trippy grooves".

My best advice would be catch Two Skies live in Carsons Bar in Middleton on May 21st as their powerful psychedelic guitar infused live sets are becoming legendary and with strong new tracks like Feel and the flip side Broken Hearts to add to their armoury of haunting anthems, it'll be a night to remember.

Other Live Dates are...

MAY

21 - Carsons Bar, Middleton

30 - Opium 10, Barnsley...with Blossoms

JULY

03 - Kraak, Manchester... with Dom Keller

24 - Tramlines festival, Sheffield

25 - Karma, Leeds

The Clear

Now you know Ralph's a fan of unsigned Indie and that's mainly all he writes about. However he does indulge himself now and again when a truly classic piece of songwriting finds it's way into the kennel.

Sheffield's The Clear and their latest single America which is fresh, yet nostalgic and beautifully channels classic West Coast Pop is just such an example. 

America is a slice of classic songwriting, harking back to that golden age of perfectly-crafted pop songs which Ralph's playing on Radio KC next Sunday

Colin Elliot (producer of fellow Sheffield star Richard Hawley) heard The Clear and their songs so after working with Kylie Minogue at Abbey Road Studios he invited them to his own studio to capture their warm & glossy sound. A fruitful session followed out of which the tracks America and Sunlight were born.

The debut single was released a while back and DJs Gary Crowley, Tom Robinson, Janice Long and top tastemaker Simon Raymonde rushed to play it on this shows. Gary went as far as naming Sunlight one of his “favourite songs of the summer.” 

Since Sunlight the band have been signed by the inimitable Lance Freed to Rondor Music and America is the new single to be released this summer by The Clear as part of the build up towards their debut album. 

Personally, I can't wait!

Neutronic

Now Ralph's more of a guitar band animal, however after having covered Liverpool's The Little Secrets and SeaWitches recently he's been showing his mellow side. So much so, he had a listen in to the low-fi electronic vibings of Chester duo Neutronic.

They've just released Closer on download earlier this month and it's a delightfully melodic soundscape using the contrast of Luliana's slightly accented vocal backed by Paul's smooth English tones overlaid on Neutronic's cleverly worked 80's electro musicality in a Cocteau Twins stylee.














Having previously worked together on a one-off electro pop project they've got together again to bring us Neutronic.


The duo have crafted an exceedingly assured sound which is proving popular with radio stations. Needless to say Ralph's giving Neutronic a spin on his Radio KC show. They've featured on Tom Robinson's BBC Radio 6 Mixtape and Dave Monks on BBC Radio Merseyside.

Filter Distortion

Due to Ralph's love of guitar type bands he's only occasionally reported on electronica, however on hearing Liverpool's Filter Distortion he's decided to buck that trend after the four piece finally emerged from a self-imposed year of confinement in a windowless room.  

The band set about producing their finest work yet, and have certainly achieved their aim with debut album Transition.  

Ralph will be spinning Neon Nights on Radio KC just after the New Year.







Recorded using just 3 microphones, Filter Distortion wrote and produced all the album's tracks before mastering with engineer and producer Daniel Woodward at the Whitewood recording studio.


it's unashamedly entrenched in the 80's but they've imbued their sound with powerful percussion and guitar to make the transition into today's music scene. 

Filter Distortion have created a soundscape that draws on everything from Depeche Mode to Public Service Broadcasting to create an album that's as easy to listen to as it is powerful, with each track a stand-alone.



Filter Distortion are attracting an ever-increasing following, due to having their music featured on Ch 4 as well as BBC 6 Music and international radio. Tracks from the album Cameras in the Dark and Neon Nights were selected as Tom Robinson's Fresh on the Net Fresh Faves.

Transition is available as a digital download and limited edition vinyl from Dig Vinyl, Probe Records, Piccadilly Records and mail order via the band's website.

Snippet

Snippet aka Johnno Casson is the quintessential English musician.  Prolific, diverse, entertaining, clever, wistful and whimsical (no more so on his previously released mini-album 'DIY' and the track 'Let's Talk About Us' on which he comments on his winkle (and he isn't introducing us to his pet mollusc Brian). Prolific as ever Snippet has released an EP of tracks that should be on everyones 'Summer Playlist' and it's called, appropriately enough, 'The Sunshine EP'.




Previously Ralph's referred to Snippet as being all things to all listeners bringing you everything from funk to electro. If you haven't already been introduced to his inimitable stylings then this is the perfect lead in...go and seek out his back catalogue or even better check him out live...I think you'll find he's one of the nicest blokes you'll ever meet, as was proved when he kicked off the Ralph's Life CD all-dayer in London's Proud Camden earlier this year.





The EP was performed, recorded, produced and mixed by the man himself and mastered by Wim Oudijk. Snippet was quoted as saying "the EP is six unique nuggets of sunshine 'SnipHop' that are big on bounce, low on fat (but always 'phat') & full of technicolor loveliness."

Following on from the previously mentioned and critically acclaimed D.I.Y Album, Snippet takes it up a notch with a batch of killer songs cloaked in sweet layers of retro synths & hand crafted loops, topped off with vocal hooks to die for...music to lift your spirits & put a spring in your step.





From the first bars of the lead track 'We Luv The Sunshine' the lyrics are uplifting and the whistling infectiously cheerful. Second track in and the instrumental 'This Way Up' with an Ivor Cutler harmonium vibe leads you into the optimistic and bouncy 'Can I Luv You'. 

'Misplaced Youth' is a more soulful, reflective track whilst 'Run For Your Life' moves up a gear again with a 'SnipHop' vibe, finishing off with the quirky 'fLIP' showing just how versatile Snippet can be.




We Luv The Sunshine by Snippet

If you don't believe me then... 

“Snippet: A National Indie Treasure…The most played artist ever on BBC Introducing - Fresh On The Net” 
Tom Robinson BBC 6 Music

Brynovsky

The new album from Brynovsky is the aptly titled 'Time Is Now' as it's bringing a classic yet fresh Reggae sound into 2014 melding the smooth tones of Jah (Leroy Jones) Dave with those of Scottish songstress Idana (the name picked for the Edinburgh singer by the seminal Reggae producer Lee 'Scratch' Perry). 

With songwriter/producer Tim Brynovsky they've produced a perfect match of well written, chilled out reggae/dub/funk with a sprinkling of soul throughout the tracks and 'Time Is Now' is currently on repeat in Ralph's kennel.






Leroy (aka Jah Dave) was an original member of roots reggae band The Congos and has worked with artists like Gregory Isaacs, Horace Andy, Johnny Clarke and Dub Syndicate. He joined Brynovsky in 2012 after Tim's band had supported The Congos back in 2011. 





He's proper 'old school' and his pedigree shines through. Backed up by Idana's jazz based alto vocalising and Tim's musicality, their sound guarantees a pleasurable, mellow listening experience.





This is the second studio album from Brynovsky and it's already garnered no small amount of critical acclaim from the likes of Fresh On The Net contributor Johnno Casson and of course Tom Robinson himself. Hardly surprising with the sublime vocal harmonies of Jah Dave and Idana bringing out the best in 12 well crafted musical gems from Tim. 




If I was being picky, there's no stand out track, but for me that's no bad thing as the whole album melds together to provide just shy of an hours perfect chill out listening. 

OK...OK...if you're going to push me 'Freedom For The People' is my favourite! I'll be keeping an eye open for them heading south of the border, but in the meantime up-coming Brynovsky gigs are...

2014

29th January - MacSorley's, Glasgow, Scotland

Reggae Burns Night and Time is Now album launch - FREE Entry after 9pm.
With DJs Hectorrr, Harri & Dirtsman (aka BassWarrior).
Private seated dinner 7pm - 9pm (enquiries call 0141 248 8581).

1st February - Glencairn Institute, Moniaive, Scotland

Time is Now album launch with DJs including Sunny Govan's DJ Hectorrr.
8pm - 2am. £5.00 on the door.

The Ralph's Life Charity Double CD for The Fine Line Project and Rethink Mental Illness

The crowd funding project for the Ralph's Life charity CD was a great success and people pledged mainly through Twitter, in order to finance it's distribution, the launch gigs and of course to raise funds for the mental health awareness charity Rethink which will be passed on through The Fine Line Project.

A copy of the limited edition 40 track Double CD is available now inclusive of UK postage at just £8 with proceeds going to the charity Rethink Mental Illness. Please buy a copy today to help Mental Health Awareness.
  

In order to raise further funds we are still selling copies of the Ralph's Life Double CD and with 40 tracks it's a real bargain. So if you're a fan of unsigned Indie music and would like to help raise funds for mental health awareness please join Ralph by buying a copy of the Double CD for only £8 and of course he'd loved to have seen you at Proud Camden where we presented a cheque for £2,500.



Buy your copy of The Ralph's Life CD for Rethink Mental Illness here...

The line up for the Ralph's Life Double CD. Click on the band's name to follow them on Twitter...


The Travelling Band - Took My Soul



Tom Robinson - The Mighty Sword Of Justice



Wullae Wright - Fight Or Flight 

(prod. by Ambrose Chappel)



Culann - Jerusalem


Plum - Casting Shadows


Pumajaw - Mask


Velocets - Secrets


The Varese's - Spotlight



Snippet - Celebration



Elia and The Low Tears - Sweet Lies


Fat Goth - Creepy Lounge



The Bedroom Hour - X Marks The Spot



Jess Harwood - Feeling Fine



The Mutineers - Tell Me Why


Steve Heron - Eleanor



Have Mercy Las Vegas - Pappy


Vukovi - Schwagger


Debs McCoy - Wendy



The Ninth Watch - Forever's a Long Time


The Folk Remedy - Sirens


The Fireflys - Hummingbird


Graham Marshall - Freedom Call


Whispery Club - The Boy


We Came From The Sea - Animalskin


Stillia - You Only Live Once



TiTORS iNSiGNia - Beg, Plead And Pray


Tingle In The Netherlands - Prostitute's Handbag



Helen McCookerybook - Monday's Mood



Mog Stanley - Mind Games



The Low Countries - At The End Of The Day



Robb Murphy - Never Letting You Go



Ambrose Chappel - Pick It Up ( ft. iKashflo)



Twin Hidden - A Berry Bursts



Fiona Soe Paing - Daymoon Sun
(With thanks to the BBC Radiophonic Workshop's
Daphne Oram Trust who gave permission for the 
sample on this track)



Great Reckoning - Bleed For Your Life


Feral Five - Skin

King And Queen Of Sorry - (Couldn't Get) High Enough 



Tea Street Band - Push The Feeling On (Tom Eno Remix)

Mono Life - Disco In Paris

Shiny Rhino - I Love My Radio






Radio KC where Ralph has his Indie Show on a Sunday have donated airtime from 9pm on Monday 18th November where they will be playing all the tracks and messages from some of the bands and artists involved. You can tune in by clicking on this link > rkc.noip.me

My thanks to Simon Meakin and SCG Advertising for the CD's graphic design work, and to Dave Maughan for mastering the CD.