Billy Bibby & The Wry Smiles

Billy Bibby & The Wry Smiles have been long time friends of Ralph's Life both here on the blog and on the Radio KC rotations so we were intrigued to hear about the new single Together? which strays from the usual path a tad; with no small degree of radio friendly aplomb we soon discovered.

Who better to explain that than Billy himself: 

"Together? is something I wanted to write so that it would push the boundaries of the Billy Bibby & The Wry Smiles sound but still maintaining the hooks that I personally always look for when writing a song. I don't personally like going into too much detail about the lyrics but hearing them for yourself you'd probably figure out that it's about a love triangle of sorts told from the perspective as the outsider of the three."







Billy went on: 

"I wanted to see how I could make the verse and chorus fit together but at the same time have them quite different in sound. 

The verse seems quite happy and then the chorus comes in hard and to the point! Live, this song isn't one to be missed because before we even released it people have been starting mosh pits as the last chorus kicks in! And we all need a song like that, right?"

We'll be playing Together? by Billy Bibby & The Wry Smiles on the Radio KC Indie Show on March 18th so tune in on rkc.noip.me internet radio from 5-7pm GMT.

MARCH

02 Chester | Telford's Warehouse 

06 Manchester | Jimmy's

15 Cardiff | Gwdihŵ

16 Leeds | Verve Bar

17 Sheffield | The Leadmill | supporting The SSS [SOLD OUT]

23 Birmingham | The Flapper | supporting Big Ginger Kid

30 Nottingham | The Toll Bar

31 Liverpool | EBGBS

APRIL

01 Merthyr Tydfil | The New Crown Inn

05 Dunfermline | PJ Molloys

06 Glasgow | The Record Factory

14 Selby | Test Fest

21 Bolton | The Blind Tiger | supporting Twisted Wheel

Dates are constantly being added. Check HERE for the latest gig info or go to billybibby.com

CHROMA

South Wales trio CHROMA set to release their explosive new single Vampires October 27th via Datod Records with the track already available to download.

Vampires is their first release since playing the BBC R1 Introducing Stages at Reading & Leeds Festival 2017. Needless to say Ralph's giving Vampires a spin on the Radio KC Indie Show so tune in on Sunday 5th November for the Bonfire Night Special from 5-7pm UK time.

CHROMA has seen plays from Huw Stephens plus Inclusion on The Best Of BBC Radio 1 Introducing playlist; a feature in Metro Newspaper; 5 weeks Playlisting on The New Rock Show on Planet Rock, BBC Radio Wales; BBC Radio Cymru; Amazing Radio; Hoxton Radio and Roundhouse Radio.

CHROMA are a three-piece bilingual band from the South Wales valleys which formed in the summer of 2015. They won the Cardiff Music Award for Best Breakthrough Act 2017 and C2 BBC Radio Cymru's Brwydr y Bandiau 2016 as well as reveling in Katie Hall's obvious love of big woolly jumpers.

Vampires is the second cut off their self-titled 2016 EP, is a ferocious offering from the young, Welsh upstarts and is driven by a angry, noisy thundering bass riff and the powerful vocals of Katie. So much so, it's been on replay here in the kennel all week.

The pacey new CHROMA single sits comfortably alongside the big hitters in the world of indie and alt rock. In fact you’d be forgiven for thinking that there is more than just three members to this frenetic young band.



LIVE

Debut Headline Show - Le Pub, Newport - November 10

Clwb Ifor Bach, Cardiff - supporting ESTRONS - December 9

Lazlo - Video Of The Week

Ralph's favourite video this week is Man Up by Yorkshire band Lazlo.

Roy Williamson - Vocals
Ben Sullivan - Guitar / Vocals
Mike Hanson - Guitar / Vocals
Reece Miles - Bass
Joe Wilson - Drums

SONG CREDITS
Artist | Lazlo
Song | Man Up
Producer | Dave Ingham

VIDEO CREDITS
Director | Leon Watts
Actor | Dan Weiss

http://lazloband.bigcartel.com/

www.instagram.com/lazloband/

www.soundcloud.com/lazloband

www.twitter.com/lazloband

www.youtube.com/user/lazloband

Rony Trio

Not surprising that Ralph's been featuring Rony Trio on his Radio KC Indie Show of late, as their eclectic, poppy, folk-based blend of upbeat musical goodness always draws great feedback. Formed around London based Rony Berrebi, ably supported by Oliver Mitchell on Bass and drummer Jim McRae they've acquired an ever-growing band of faithful followers in the London area (and beyond) due to their relentless gigging.

The Rony Trio sound is heavily influenced by Rony's multicultural background, with a Brazilian Mother, Tunisian father his childhood was spent listening to bossa nova, oriental music, blues, jazz, rock and French songwriters.






The Rony Trio five track debut EP released last year is a gloriously infectious blend of styles, with shades of G.Love & Special Sauce to the likes of Animal Liberation Orchestra, all mixed up with their own distinctive musical style. 

From the painfully reflective Strong (proceeds from the sale of which go to help provide a new helipad for King's College Hospital)  to the irresistibly upbeat and funky Mystery they've got you hooked.

Scott Lloyd

The latest sounds gracing Ralph's kennel are some lo-fi tunes courtesy of Middlesborough born Scott Lloyd whose new EP The Northern Gate is due for release on March 10th. Now living in Manchester, Scott's laid back alternative country/folk feel is expressed in five well composed, mainly reflective tunes, delivered with a Jackson Browne or James Taylor vibe but with a modern twist and a northern accent. 






That's to the fore in the lead track on the EP 'Lock The Door' with a track that could have been written by Johnny Cash but sung like he'd been born in the North West (of England) with it's 70's Americana vocal overlaid with Mancunian inflection and infectious hand-clapping.


Second track in 'Morning Light' is more shades of Jim Croce, with a more laid back acoustic guitar, reflective lyric and harmonious melody and is followed by 'Somewhere' which is pure Scott Lloyd, probably the most contemporary track on the EP for me.






Fourth track, 'The Northern Gate' maintains the contemporary feel although lends itself to Jackson Browne. Final track 'Stay With Me' is stripped back, reflective and reminds me of his James Taylor influence (no bad thing). All in all it's a very accomplished EP for one so young and if you're looking for an antidote to Jake Bugg...Scott Lloyd's your man.




Upcoming gigs are...

FRI 14th February – Castle Hotel, Manchester – supporting Bourbon Street Beat
SUN 9th March – The Castle Hotel, Manchester
FRI 28th March – Eagle Inn, Salford


Streets Are The Colours by Scott Lloyd

Scott’s debut EP,’Long Live You EP’, is out now. You can get a CD edition or a digital download from these places.

CD EDITION:

scottlloydmusic.bigcartel.com

DOWNLOADS:

itunes.apple.com