Formed in Manchester in 2013, Partisan are a Rock band who are committed to their cause. Their punchy, bold and unflinching anthems are taking authentic Rock back into the mainstream, evidenced by their ever increasing fanbase. Partisanare Stuart Armstrong (vocals and guitar), Dan Albon (bass) and Leo Stanfield (drums). Founding member Armstrong's previous bandSix10Repeaterestablished him as a force to be reckoned with; the band won coveted support slots with the likes of Nine Black Alps, Babyshambles, The Damned and Status Quo and appeared in Pro Evolution Soccer. Xfm (now Radio X) named them as Best Unsigned Band 2009, and their supporters included BBC 6 Music.
Partisan have worked with notable producers Jim Spencer and Mike Bennett, they've gigged extensively across the UK and played iconic American venues Pianos in New York and Whiskyagogo in Los Angeles. International airplay has marked them out as one of the UK's hottest exports and 2017 sees them ready to take their career to the next level. New single Ashes is a vital slice of strong guitar riffs, driving beats and infectious melody, raising the stakes when it comes to today's contemporary Rock scene. Ralph's giving Ashes a pre-release spin on theRadio KC Indie Show March 26th so make sure you tune in PLUS you can catch Partisan live at the following... 30th March - The Castle, Manchester 31st March - Dublin Castle, London 6th May - West Street Live, Sheffield 26th May - Big Barn Rally, Stockport 23rd June - Factory, Manchester 14th July - Zanzibar, Liverpool 11th August - Fire Station, Carlisle
Now you know Ralph, always happy to write about and promote unsigned bands and artists, however, every now and again something fascinating comes along that piques his interest. Just such a case is the story of Drewford Alabama. At the start of 2015 Jamie Morrison (Noisettes, Stereophonics) presented to the world the fascinating story of Drewford Alabama. Boasting a number one album with the Stereophonics and a headline tour of festivals and arenas in Europe, one wonders where he finds the time to present such an intriguing story and collection of songs.
For this year's third instalment of the incredible story of Drewford Alabama Jamie presents I Go To Sleep,featuring The Lost Brothers. With Radio X championing the last release (as did Ralph on his Radio KC Indie Show) Time Is On Your Side ft: Bnann, followed by an evening playlist position and spot plays from Radio 1, Radio 2 and BBC London – the song made XFM's ‘The 5 Best Songs of the Week’ playlist, along with George Ezra and Florence and the Machine. I Go To Sleep is a thank you gesture to all the people who showed love and for their continuing support through the year. The song was recorded on a boat floating down the river Thames in December 2012. I Go To Sleep has a beautiful, dream-like quality, which Jamie is certain was aided by the recording experience...
"I am sure it sounds and feels the way it does because we were on a boat floating down a river" The song also features Helsinki / Babyshambles man Drew McConnell and Florence and the Machine harpist Tom Monger. The song was originally written byRay Davis of The Kinks but made famous by The Pretenders. Jamie was first introduced to the song in 2002 while playing with Sia, where it featured prominently on her set list. Never forgetting the song, Jamie knew exactly what to do when the final page of Drewford Alabama's notebook simply said "Now I go to sleep…" Jamie believes this was to be the start of a poem or short story. Regardless, it was too much of coincidence and the idea to record a version of I Go To Sleep was brought to life.
Often collaborating with The Lost Brothers and wanting a male perspective on the song Chrissie Hynde made so famous he took a step in another direction, using their harmonious vocal style to perfectly complement the idyllic world of Drewford Alabama.
Jamie relates the story behind this intriguing collecton of songs... "In 2007 I was in Williamsburg, New York. I had lost all my possessions on the flight over from England so I went to a vintage shop to buy some clothes and what not. I ended up with a jacket and suitcase. When I returned to my hotel I found the lining of the case had been tampered with. On further inspection it revealed an old, tattered book... After flicking through the pages I discovered lyrics and music to hundreds of songs. Written on the spine of the book in black ink - Songs by Drewford Alabama 1943-1951. The book didn't leave my sight and my intrigue kept me reading. I fell in love with the stories written within. It was amazing to me that not a single person I spoke to had heard of Drewford Alabama. After much detective work I tracked down Mary-Anne Alabama. In the summer of 2012 she told me how Drewford loved writing songs but never had the courage to sing to anyone outside the family. After leaving Mary Anne's that night I knew exactly what to do: I immediately picked up a guitar and a tape recorder, taught myself how to play and record, and over the next few years I introduced my friends to the music & incredible book."
Musical news for today comes in the form of a dreamy EP release by Desert Ships called Skyliner.
Desert Ships are composed of Mikey on vocals and guitar, Daniel on bass and vocals with Claude on drums and vocals and forming in 2012 then releasing their debut album Doll Skin Flag in the same year. The album, produced by acclaimed musician and producer Mark Gardener formerly of seminal shoegaze band Ride was met with huge critical acclaim.
The London based trip-tonicDesert Shipsdescribe their sound as heavily cinematic. Haunting guitar loops and hypnotic grooves allow the dream-like melodies to weave in and amongst each other, while the three-part vocal harmonies bring a spacey, ambient tint to the eclectic mix. Comparisons have been drawn with the likes of Brian Jonestown Massacre, The Flaming Lips, Tame Impala, and at times even the rousing film scores of John Barry. Lead singer Mikey describes the band’s music as “a reverb drenched apocalyptic experience”.
Desert Ships have played numerous festivals since the release of Doll Skin Flag, and toured with the likes of The Prodigy, Band of Skulls, Babyshambles and The Rifles as well as radio airplay from XFM's John Kennedy, BBC 6 Music's Steve Lamacq and BBC Radio London Calling's Gary Crowley. They consistently receive radio play on local stations in the UK, US, Europe and South America.
The Skyliner EP is trip-tastic and Desert Ships are psychedelic as you can get, kicking of with the shoegazy title track Skyliner which drifts dreamily into the excellent Shell Shock. They follow that up with Heart Beats which has shades of Rubberbear, before finishing with the more industrial and edgy Ausgang, my favourite on the EP and for me it's a 9/10.
Gigs Sat 8th Nov EP Launch: Cherry Cola club night at The Purple Turtle, Camden, London.
Formed in Manchester in 2013, Partisan are a Rock band who are committed to their cause. Their punchy, bold and unflinching anthems are taking authentic Rock back into the mainstream, evidenced by their ever increasing fanbase.
Partisan have worked with notable producers Jim Spencer and Mike Bennett, they've gigged extensively across the UK and played iconic American venues Pianos in New York and Whiskyagogo in Los Angeles. International airplay has marked them out as one of the UK's hottest exports and 2017 sees them ready to take their career to the next level. New single Ashes is a vital slice of strong guitar riffs, driving beats and infectious melody, raising the stakes when it comes to today's contemporary Rock scene.
Ralph's giving Ashes a pre-release spin on the Radio KC Indie Show March 26th so make sure you tune in PLUS you can catch Partisan live at the following...
