Fjokra

Following critical acclaim for the Fjokra single Sick Kids, which saw Tom Robinson, Fresh On The Net’s Chris McBride and Duran Duran’s John Taylor all recognise the considerable talent emanating from this highly original progressive-pop fourpiece, Fjokra now release Bang On TheDoor, a new single that again, showcases their multi-faceted talent and points of inspiration. The song came about when band main-man and multi-instrumentalist Fi (full name Fiachra Mac Oireachtai) was performing at Notting Hill Carnival. 

Inspired by the ‘raga beats’ filling the air throughout the event, Fi took these rhythms, mixed them with some didgeridoo loops and the basis of the song was born. 





Fjokra is channeling rap inspiration from mainstream artists Outkast, Danny Brown, Kendrick Lamar and M.I.A, lyrically Bang On The Door is a love song euphemistically using food references similar to the cult Mr Bungle tune Squeeze Me Macaroni featuring Faith No More’s Mike Patton no less! 







Other flavours skilfully woven into the arrangement include an accordion solo, which came about from an incessant amount of listening to Israeli group Balkan Beatbox & Norwegian balkan band Farmers Market plus touches of heavy metal inspired by N.E.R.D’s iconic track Rock Star.

The Bang On The Door video was shot in Portugal – a fitting backdrop for Fjokra out to impress! In fact Ralph was so impressed he's playing Bang On The Door on the Radio KC Indie Show Sunday 30th July.




Having studied at Dublin’s Institute of Technology and then a Popular Music course at Salford University, Fi moved to London where he formed Fjokra whilst also playing, and/or producing with the likes of The Clash, Duran Duran, Tyondai Braxton (Battles), Lazy Habits and Hollie Cook. 

He’s also performed for Quentin Tarantino’s, Ennio Morricone’s and Leonardo Di Caprio’s Oscars after-party!

Fjokra Live...

Aug 20 Landed Festival Llandrindod Wells, United Kingdom TicketsRSVPShare 


Aug 27 Victorious Festival Portsmouth, United Kingdom TicketsRSVPShare

The Boston Shakers Live in The Cavern Club

With thanks to Nicki Vinall Photography ©

It's always nice to get out on a road-trip and when the chance presented itself to catch The Boston Shakers as support to Xander and The Peace Pirates for their album launch in Liverpool it was too good an opportunity to pass up. 

The Boston Shakers closed the recent Ralph's Life event for Musicians Against Homelessness in St Helens and very nearly brought the roof down, so it was going to be interesting seeing them do their thang in a sold out Cavern Club.

In true Boston Shakers style they hit the stage running with Best Things In Life For Free, with Lucas playing fastest finger first building up the beats and charismatic front man Alex flowing at machine gun speed over Jordan Kennie's manic guitar playing.

They're loud, tight and entertaining as they thrash through their set. In no uncertain terms The Boston Shakers are staking their claim as one of the best unsigned bands on the live circuit.



They've already got a bank of tracks that are fast becoming classics, none more so than their electric rendition of Black Magic where again frantic guitar play and speed of sound vocals backed by the heaviest of beats got the Cavern Club crowd jumping.

They finished off by throwing a hoedown with a barn stomping rendition of Keep Of That Grass. 



Next up they're supporting Electric Six in O2 Academy in Liverpool followed by Space in The Arts Club and it's onwards and upwards for The Boston Shakers.

The Boston Shakers

What do you get when you mix Fun Lovin' Criminals with Tijuana Bibles and stir in a bit of John Mayall and Dr Feelgood? Liverpool six-piece The Boston Shakers of course.

They're bringing their own brand of 'in your face', blues infused rock 'n' roll to the table, heavy beats with smattering of rap and no small amount of swagger.

The former barworkers describe themselves as providing - "Big MPC beats, wailing guitars and captivating raps served 'on the rocks', The Boston Shakers are a cocktail of good vibrations you won't get enough of."

Originally from France and the US, electronic rock band The Boston Shakers are now based in Liverpool. 

The band started when six friends with the same passion for music and drinks decided to blend the musical genres they had been listening and playing for years with the nightlife atmosphere and environment they were working in as bartenders.

Ralph's giving their track Body Mind & Soul a spin on his Radio KC Indie Show this Sunday.

The Boston Shakers are very much the real deal both lyrically (I'm rockin' like Garry Glitter - but I ain't no babysitter), musically and (with a charismatic front man that looks like Russell Brand) live and unleashed. Check out the video filmed in Liverpool's atmospheric Motel Bar on Fleet Street.

Catch them live on 19th November in Bierkeller Manchester if you can!

Outside Your House

Now it's no secret that despite the volume of US rappers knocking at the kennel door, Ralph has no great love of hippety hop - however - the self styled 'Barely Rappers' Outside Your House bring a quirky lo-fi feel to the table in a crossover stylee between Ceiling Demons, To Have Is To Hold and a snippet of Snippet.

The release of The Ones That Left Town EP by duo Outside Your House is the proverbial breath of fresh air in what can be an extremely stale musical genre. 

Ralph's giving one of the tracks a spin on Radio KC next Sunday.











Photos Out There from the EP is spoken word overlaid with a melodious lo-fi soundscape, mixing a hint of Bhangra with an almost Brit Pop feel. It's the first of six interesting tracks and each hold their own individual appeal.

Fading Out (Like The Picture On My Work ID) has a psychedelic 60's flavour with a splurge of Jarvis Cocker whilst Improbable Cities leans on a more recognisable hip-hop style but with a quirky electronica background. Top work by the Outside Your House duo.







Blood In The Laundry continues in that vein with a quintessentially British vocal over an almost disturbing electro track giving them an up to date Scaffold feel.

Dennis Taylor Style and Forks finish off this unique offering with clever lyrics (choking on a home-made ciabata) crossing Sparks with Public Service Broadcasting in both an unsettling and yet fulfilling way.






Hailing from Durham, Outside Your House are folk singing, spoken word rapper Faithful Johaness and sweet-singing sampler and musician Jonathan Swift. Together they strive to be one of a kind, and are succeeding with no small amount of aplomb. Definetely ones to watch.

'It's rap Jim - but not as we know it!'

Grab your copy of the EP from this link!

Richie Ashwin

Richie Ashwin is an emerging South-East  recording artist and producer who’s currently building a name within the UK R&B scene.  He combines his natural audio skills with a keen visual eye that see's him shoot and direct his own music videos.

After some much needed self-reflection and artistic honing over the past year Richie Ashwin has returned to introduce to us his fresh, new musical identity.  






His take on urban music is pieced together with his commentary on social mores.  Tales of dreams, love, lust and heartbreak which are delivered in his seemingly casual but actually acute writing style combined with atmospheric videos that should see him emerge as a force in 2013.  Case in point is the new single 'Hold Your Breath' which will also be the lead track on his forthcoming EP.

His soft, soulful almost plaintive vocal accompanied by simple but effective guitar tell a harrowing and hopeful story.  What sets it apart from his contemporaries is the gritty flow he launches into in the final third of the song which is nicely mirrored in the moody self-directed video.

This single should see him come to the fore in the near future with its almost cross genre feel and hey...the girlies are gonna love Richie Ashwin!

Hector Bizerk

An M.C. and a drummer...

simple words for the complex musical experience that is Hector Bizerk.  Formed just over two years ago and originally comprising of  seasoned rapper Louie and equally experienced drummer Audrey Tait.



They've made massive inroads into the Scottish music scene with their unique blend of Audrey's creative and complimentary drumming style  amplifying Louie's complex socio-political flows.  Hang on I'm starting to sound like one of those overly verbose, up their own arse music bloggers that Ralph hates so much!




So Ralph took the chance of putting a few questions to Louie.....

Ralph:  Next release?

Louie:  "We're currently working on a new album.  'Drums. Rap. Yes.' was pretty ambitious considering we had only been a band for 15 months at that time.  The debut album received good reviews and lots of mainstream radio attention but any artist worth paying attention to will always strive to improve."  

"I've picked flaws in my own contribution to the record, that's how honest artists develop and stay focused.  I'm proud of that record but our next one is going to show further progression and be even more left field."

Ralph:  Main influences/currently listening to?

Louie:  "I always find it tough to define what influences me.  Most of the time I write about my surroundings or feed off things I have read.  I've recently finished a solo album called 'Lost On Hope Street'. It's a social conscious piece about the wider view of working class Britain." 

"I enjoy a bit of everything really.  I absolutely love The Black Keys.  I also like Alt-J and Bastille too. I like a lot of High Focus Records roster at the moment but I also enjoy some of the US underground stuff like Epidemic, Nems, R.A Rugged Man that type of stuff.  Mistah Bohze and NC Epik are always smashing everything too!  Blastoid McGonigle is one of the finest hip-hop albums on the planet."

Ralph:  With the current success of Stanley Odd are you finding it easier to be accepted in the current Scottish music scene (Frightened Rabbit, Admiral Fallow and the like) or do you consider you'd already made the transition?

Louie:  "We're good friends with Stanley Odd but I think we are coming from opposite ends of the spectrum in our music.  Audrey and I try to write hip-hop that can encapsulate an audience even when stripped bare to just drums and vocals."  






"It's dangerous territory and we enjoy to take the rhythms to unexpected places.  I think we have managed to make great strides because of our unique take on songwriting and their is no other show similar to ours.  Musicians can appreciate the berth and depths of Audrey's drumming and my syllable matching.  We can be quite muso. Incidently, Solareye and myself are collaborating with super producer Scatabrainz at the moment and will be releasing a record together in March.

Ralph :  Any aspirations to take Scottish rap to the masses/will it translate 'oot the Auld Country'?

Louie:  "I suppose there will always be a stigma when people label what we do as Scottish rap or Scottish hip-hop.  It's just hip-hop.  People abroad are receptive to our music.  I think they enjoy the different accents and colloquialisms.  Good music speaks for itself and transcends any boundaries that we may encounter."  






"Of course not everyone is going to enjoy our music as it's a bit peculiar to some people but not everyone enjoys Snow Patrol or Kasabian and they sell out arena tours.  I think I am a better singer than Liam Gallacher and he does alright! haha!"

Ralph:  How are you developing the Hector Bizerk sound/musicality?

Louie:  "We have taken a different approach with this new record.  In fact, we have taken a few different approaches this time round.  Obviously we have Jen Muir and Fraser Sneddon on board now and it's nice to bounce ideas off them too.  The latest song we have worked on was Fraser's idea to begin with." 

"It's great to have that input and helps us become even more experimental. Audrey has recently bought this new Akai synth too and uses a I-pad to create the type of sounds that would give children nightmares. Oh, and the drum kit has grown a few more limbs since the last record too, there is now a djembe in the mix too."



Ralph:  How was it sharing a stage with one of the godfathers of Hip Hop, Jo Saddler again recently, learn anything?


Louis:  "It was tremendous.  I had met Flash before when Bigg Taj and I supported him in 2007.  He was very complimentary about our music and particularly how we have a Scottish sound. He reckons we have a unique selling point and a good solid foundation for building upon. We also played with GZA, MF Doom and EPMD."




Ralph:   How hard has it been to establish yourself being self-funded...hints and tips for others doing the same?



"I think writing good music speaks for itself.  We have had no financial backing or label pushing our music.  It's down to the support of genuine music lovers who understand the creative integrity behind Hector Bizerk.  Word of mouth is our secret weapon. Oh, and hard work too." 

Ralph:  How do you seem to stay so grounded with all the recent critical acclaim for both album and gigs?

Louie:  "I look at my bank balance!  haha! I have never thought about it like that.  

When artists disappear up their own arse they stop making the good honest strides that made them likable in the first place. I've saw it happen with bands time and time again and it's important not to get caught up in your own hype. We have made some steps in the right direction but we've made mistakes too.  I think learning from mistakes is just as important as accepting praise from critics and music lovers."

Ralph:  Can you continue to be consistently 'different'?



Louie:  "I believe we can.  Every song is a blank canvas. It's up to us to keep creating new colours and textures."






Ralph:  The importance of socio-political lyrics in rap? Do you think most of the fans take them in...



Louie:  "I think that conscious lyricism is at the heart of hip-hop.  It's all story telling, integrity and perspective.  If people want to hear senseless shite about clubbing and boy meets girl romance they will listen to chart music.  I think our target market have open ears and open minds."