Ceiling Demons

Ralph has followed the musical progression of North Yorkshire based dark hip-hoppers (it's grim up north) Ceiling Demons with increasing interest as they develop their unique soundscape. 

Never shy about capturing the frailties of the human state after initially getting together to pay tribute to a lost friend and then through their musical practice addressing mental health issues; Ceiling Demons have, with the release of their new single March Forward attained a new level of not just retrospective sadness but optimism and aspiration.

Driven by the warm sound of brass, March Forward marks the transition of the seasons as the death of winter is reborn into spring. The track sees twin siblings Psy Ceiling and Dan Demon go through an emotive journey of loss and acceptance. The recognition of our mortality and inner struggles is interspersed with an uplifting message which offers a sense of hope.

Since the release of their experimental EP, Belly Of The Hopeless and the stand-alone split 7" Lost The Way on Come Play With Me late last year, Ceiling Demons have been crafting a fresh body of work which will be released later this year via Durham-based DIY label Win Big Records. 

March Forward is an addictive and emotive insight into this new oeuvre, and the first track to be released from the album. The project is once again produced by Beat Demon and features instrumentation from their live band.

Ralph will be playing March Forward again via the Radio KC Indie Show on Sunday May 28th, so tune in from 5-7pm.

LIVE DATES:

Friday June 16th - 360 Club at The Library  Leeds

Cowards

Cowards was born in and around Blueprint Studios, Manchester by three musicians disillusioned with the local gig scene but still in love with making music. Picking themselves up from the ashes of previous bands and united in a mission to create something meaningful and beautiful, determining to make an album before ever playing a gig.

From their inception in 2013, the band abided by one rule, they would not compromise their sound and what followed was a year in which they begged, stole and borrowed; vintage synths, field recordings, a whole brass section. If the creative process demanded it, they resolutely delivered it.

Armed with Mike Charles' electronic sketches, the trio found an ally in their producer turned band member Dave Woodhead, who helped perform open heart surgery on the songs and found the album's heartbeat. Finally, whilst in the pub between recording sessions, Cowards found singer and pianist Esther Maylor, completing the band's line up which includes founding members Grant Tildsley and Iwan Jones.

With debut album Teeth finished, 2016 saw Cowards begin the complicated process of translating the album in order to play live. 



They had created an album out of subdued falsettos, acoustic guitars, industrial electro, undulating pastoral soundscapes - and a subconscious obsession with bones and body parts - using a brass band, field recordings, ad-hoc choirs, guest musicians, and vintage synths they didn’t own. Overcoming these limitations and re-inventing the songs was no easy task, however the process has resulted in the band arriving at a point where they're ready for live performance. 

With that in mind, Cowards will launch Teeth at their debut gig on April 15th 2017 at Manchester's Deaf Institute and Ralph will be featuring them on the Radio KC Indie Show on February 26th.


The album is a joy, with nine tracks that  bring a different something to the table for all. They're channelling everyone from Lou Reed and Depeche Mode to Joy Division and CHVRCHES, all wrapped up in their own unique and innovative groove. The thumping Industrial electricity of Polar Bear leads you into the unexpectedly synthy, bouncy indie poppiness of The Cut. 

I could go on at length but that would be unfair as you should get the chance to be surprised by the diversity of Teeth in the comfort of your own headphones. 

It's as good as debut albums get.