OK bands you know the score .....
the more hits your blog gets by the fans .....
the higher you go .....
So Tweet it, Facebook it .....
Generally expose yourself .....
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Now Mr Snuggles and I have been sitting with our heads down counting the hits on each blog to see which band's got what place.
The Top Ten Blogged Band Chart is played every Sunday 5-7pm on Radio KC as part of Ralph's Indie Show.
Anyone that follows Ralph on Twitter will know he's partial to a bit of toast, preferably charred around the edges, so it's no surprise there was a bit of excitement here in the kennel when the soon to be released (November 2nd) Money As Debt Double A Side Single by Official Burnt Toast hit the turntable. With flip side Hi Time it's a great intro to their Tubs 'n Tongue-Fu album on Sonskrif.
It seems like Jimmy Brewer has been possessed by the artistic soul of James Taylor during the early Sweet Baby James years with the release of Strangers, a follow-up to his highly acclaimed debut album As Time Stands Still two years ago.
Jimmy Brewer exudes songwriting of the highest and most emotive quality for one so young and no surprise he's supported the likes of Joan Armatrading prior to embarking on a headlining tour to promote the release of Strangers.
No 4...Hyena Kill
Ralph's not averse to rocking it out and there's few better rocking it out duos on the unsigned circuit than Manchester's Hyena Kill (Steven Dobb on vocal/guitars and Lorna Blundell on drums) who are crowdfunding part of the release of their debut album.
The idea behind the crowdfunding project on pledgemusic.com is to allow the fans to become involved and help them finish this debut album, which they've managed to fund themselves up to this point.
Ralph's given tracks by Inverness-based band Silver Coast spins on his Radio KC Indie Show a few times now over the last couple of years so it was with great interest that news of the new Seasons EP (which includes the recently released single Wake Up) hit the kennel's inbox.
Wake Up is possibly Silver Coast's most 'bouncy' track to date and definitely aimed at a wider audience. Still holding onto the anthemic feel of earlier releases (big guitars and soaring vocals) but it has a more 'populist' and radio-friendly feel in a Twin Atlantic stylee.
No 6...The Undivided
It's always nice to see a band with a bit of heart and soul and there's none more so than Welsh four-piece The Undivided as their new single and accompanying video Invincible highlights the need for organ donors and compassionately outlining the issues of gain and loss involved.
Formed in 2009 The Undivided have made quite an impact on the South Wales musical landscape and now their anthemic brand of alt rock is reaching further afield. They're impressive live and have a growing fanbase.
Manchester band All The King's Men have released a new EP called Making My Escape and it's another step up in their attempt to establish themselves as one of the top rocking it out Indie bands in the North West.
Lead track Fever is very much in the rocking it out vain and guaranteed to be a live favourite, whilst Someday has a more laid back psychedelic feel. It's one for a lazy Sunday's listening pleasure.
Ralph's just blogged SAMA winners Colonel Mustard and The Dijon 5 and having dug his disco ball out of the shed, Ralph thought it was about time he further investigated Scotland's burgeoningly manic and funky 'disco-tastic' ska scene.
Where better to start than with The Cut Throat Razors and the release of their latest EP Motown's Lost It's Soul which is due out on November 27th. Having recently played their track Jessica Rose on the Radio KC Indie Show to some excellent feedback.
Ralph has been giving Edinburgh band Black Cat Bone the odd spin on his Radio KC Indie Show recently due to their intensely likeable bluesy sound, so it's with great pleasure that we can announce the release of their debut album Growl on the 31st October. Ralph has had a sneak preview and I can tell you now their alt rock bluesy style is shining through with this release.
From the moody John The Revelator to the gritty Canned Heat-esque (think On The Road Again) eponymously titled lead track Growl Black Cat Bone are laying out their musical stall...
As unique musical artists go they don't come any more individual and talented than the artist formerly known as Ray McCartney and now referred to as The Ramisco Maki Maki Rocking Horse, accompanied by The Wat Wat Kings. He's as indie-vidual and alternative as you can get and we love him dearly here in the kennel and on Radio KC.
Spring Break are a three-piece hip hop collective who invite us to join them on their journey of ambitious diversity whilst they explore a broad palette of influences that they've marinaded in a melting pot of multiple genres. The result is one of the best albums I've had on repeat so far this year.
