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 ears pricked up at the end of last year with the news that Blur-ite (see what I did there) Graham Coxon's favourites Mower were back on the scene after a 12 year hiatus.
Signed to the Blur guitarist’s Transcopic label in 2001, Mower released their Coxon-produced debut album to critical acclaim, lead single Na making it as NME’s Single of the Week.
Reinvigorated with a new lineup, the band recorded their second album with Mike Pelanconi and Stephen Street. Singles After Dark and The Morning After were championed by XFM’s John Kennedy, while also becoming BBC Radio 1 Singles of the Week for Zane Lowe.
The band toured extensively with British Sea Power, Jet, Drugstore and The Futureheads in support of the new album, People Are Cruel, garnering rave reviews for their raucous shows from the usual suspects. The record was Album of the Month for HMV and the band sold out their subsequent London shows.
Now part of the fiercely indie label Reckless Yes they're not letting the grass grow under their feet and Mower are back with a vengeance with their Under The Iron Thumb single. It's is a fast, frenetic and guitar fueled garage gem, as the young people are wont to say...it's gnarly.
Set your alarm for July 21st when the track's officially out, however if you want a sneak listen, tune in to Ralph's Indie show on Radio KC next Sunday (9.7.17) from 5-7pm when it gets a pre-release spin.
