You can catch them live at Amplified Festival on the G Stage in July for which early-bird tickets are on sale now and I'm sure there will be a swathe of UK-wide dates to be announced soon.
Ralph's favourite video this week is the excellent and trippyPush Button Age by Liverpool band Sugarmen. The track is on their soon to be released debut album Local Freaks which sees it's launch party in The Sebright Arms, London on October 5th. Ralph will be giving Push Button Age by Sugarmen a spin on this Sunday's Indie show on Radio KC.so remember to tune ii from 5pm.
Twitter : @Boston_Shakers Special mentions go to: Atrium Films, Christian Scott, Jenny O'Sullivan, Satin Beige, Kingdom Bar & Nightclub and Crash Rehearsal Studios in Liverpool.
Dawley based ‘army of four’ Savannah, are breaking out of the confines of their small town with their brave, bold and unapologetic brand of British rock ‘n’ roll for the masses. Looking to put their town on the map, along with other musical havens like Liverpool and Manchester, Savannah are proving that the genre of rock is by no means dead, as it has so often been declared.
They are Liam Ball (vocals), Jason Lewis (guitar/backing vocals), Harry Neat (drums) and Ellis Holmes (bass), the tight-knit lads are releasing their new hard-hitting single, Taxing Times; a reflection of the prevailing feeling of austerity and oppression in the country today, coupled with the uncertainty of a dismal future. The track was recorded at Savannah’s purpose-built studio in Dawley, engineered by James Revitt and produced/mastered by Gareth Rogers and it'll be playing on Ralph's Indie Show 5-7pm on Radio KC next Sunday (30th July).
‘No trivial silliness could crack this brotherhood – all the sex, drugs, rock’n’roll and money could not get in the way of our divine purpose’.
Savannah take in a plethora of influences when it comes to forming their sound, looking up to the likes ofThe Kinks, BlurandPrimal Scream, as well as indie-rock new boys,Blossoms. With the endless list of inspirational artists coming before them, they feel they are in the prime position to create new music, building on the art of the past with their own stamp of individuality.
Having built a dedicated local fan base which has raised them to the status of local celebrities in Telford, the band have played alongside acts such as Bad Manners, The Troggs and Bruce Foxton from The Jam. When it comes to getting their music out there, Savannah aren’t afraid of doing things the old fashioned way; they’ve driven miles to meet people in person in order to introduce their music and they’ve even performed from the top of the largest inaccessible hill in their area.
Noticeable everywhere from their synonymous local phrase and hashtag ‘#EyUpJockey’, which they have plastered all over the country in the form of stickers, the band have proved that a rock’n’roll revolution is on its way and they're at the front of the procession.
Oranj Son are a four piece Psych Punk band from Ellesmere Port comprising Kieran Linford (guitar & vocals), Lew Yii (drums), Brad Welch-Harley (bass) and Matthew Linford (keys/synths).
“Liverpool is full of great, quirky and fascinating bands at the moment. The latest to catch our attention are 4 piece Oranj Son whose curiously spelt name hints at their twisted and brilliant music which is a tripped out take on wonky psychedelic, gritty northern Fall style grooves and laced with great melodies" - John Robb
Joel Thomas is a twenty-two year old singer songwriter from Liverpool and he is the latest signing to Edge Hill University's in-house, indie record label. Joel has been playing the guitar for the last seven years and writing songs for three. Sunshine Funshine is Joel Thomas' first release on The Label Recordings. An infectious slice of Indie Pop, he says The Smiths were one of his biggest influences. "Because of their melodic guitar work and satirical lyrics" he explains. "That’s where I got the over the top chorus 'as long as I’ve got you I don’t care if my skull caves in' but musically this song is influenced by Ty Segall with his rough around the edges kind of style."
Joel Thomas' Sunshine Funshine was released on The Label Recording's Summer Sampler and if you're looking for the perfect track to make up your summer mix-tape (do people still do that) this one's for you with it's punchy, punky guitar riffage. Ralph gave it a spin on the Radio KC Indie Show last week and will be keeping his ears open from this talented young singer songwriter.
Ralph's favourite video this week is Damocles by Enamel Animal who are an alternative rock band hailing from Liverpool, melding together a sound that encompasses heavy riffs, psychedelic undertones, pulsating rhythm and unique melodica. Since 2012 the band have gone through several phases and lineup changes, with founding members Phil, Ryan and Glen mainstays throughout, sharing the stage with the likes of Bad Sign, Crazy Town, FOES, Exit_International, as well as Ralph's Life favourites The Hyena Kill and Rival Bones. Enamel Animal self-released a debut album, Unfaith, which was released in February 2017 to critical acclaim in underground rock/metal circles, leading them to their recent signing with Holier Than Thou Records. Enamel Animal remain close to their roots, and continue to hone their art by the riverbank in the city they love, allegedly drinking tea and whiling away the hours until the end of the world. Damocles is a song about the corruption of the soul that power can bring, quite apt in these troubled political times.
Once again Ali Ingle has proved his pedigree as one of the UK's most promising singer songwriters with the release of his delightfully retrospective new single Saintly and we're delighted to be giving it an exclusive premiere here on Ralph's Life.
"I'm really proud to exclusively show you my debut video release with Coconut Creatives They are a cool bunch of people who together make up a London based creative content agency."
"Working alongside new and established artists and designers, in both music and fashion, they seek out brands and musicians who are really cool and look hugely fun to work with."
Ali Ingle also had this to say about the inspiration for Saintly and working with Coconut Creatives... "I first had the idea to create the music video for Saintly when I saw a video of the great William Shatner performing Rocket man at a Sci-fi Award show. As soon as I saw it I felt it captured all of the humour, sadness and beauty that I try an express in everything I do. After seeing how stylish and effortlessly cool Coconut are, I was confident they could give it the look and feel it needed. I can't even begin to express how much fun and how brilliant all these guys are. They took a crazy idea and made it real. Ultimately, this is the beginning of a journey through time."
Suhayla of Coconut Creatives had this to say about working with Ali Ingle... "Working with Ali was so much fun. I met him in London a few months ago and he told me about his idea for a music video and the inspiration for it. I really liked it and I also loved the track for it so I suggested that Coconut work on it and it all went from there really. We sat down as a team and thought about how best to bring it all to life and how to really make it Ali's own and I think it's turned out pretty great and I'm super excited for people to see the finished piece. I know we all love it at Coconut Creatives."
After a very successful 2016 playing dozens of festivals such asSound City, Y Not Festival, Dot to Dotetc. and a rather drastic lineup change, fast rising Scouse act The Jackobins are back with an anthemic new single calledNightfire.
Needless to say Ralph will be giving the track a spin on theRadio KC Indie Showand that will be coming up on May 14th from 5-7pm.
Nightfiremight not be as straightforward as the The Jackobins previous songs, yet it is their most enticing one to date. It shows a band that has honed their skill set over the past couple of years and managed to develop their sound with every release.
Here's how The Jackobins describe their subtly stunning new single in their own words...
"Nightfire's concept arises from the idea that when it comes to inner struggle we should open up, rather than let pride act as a vice.
Sometimes our demons are extremely close to consuming ones identity and too compelling to fight on our own. It's a song reminding us that we shouldn't forget that even tho at times it might seem so, we're never alone."
