Sam Simmons

The lead singer of popular Cleethorpes band The Loving Memory (who are coming over to St Helens on September 17th to play Ralph's Musicians Against Homelessness gig) Sam Simmons is flexing his solo muscles and releasing More Than Yesterday, Less Than Tomorrow; an album of his own work, on Saturday August 6th.

The album kicks off in fine style with Closest Thing To Heaven with its Americana-esque lyric overlaid on some nifty guitar work in the stylee of the late great Stuart Adamson. He slows the pace with the melodious and poignant Guess before How Can I Move You pulls on the heart strings a little more.

There's an almost country feel to Long Long Time and one's left wondering how introspective the writing is. The atmospheric Rain continues the reflective feel of the previous tracks although with a more anthemic feel.





Sam gets back on the Indie train with Real Rebecca and for me, it's a fair bet as a single release from More Than Yesterday, Less Than Tomorrow. Follow on track Recall has a Jackson Browne feel to it as Sam again shows his Americana-esque side, whilst Say has a bouncier Brit Pop vibe.

Possibly my favourite track on the album is Secretly which takes the listener on a delightful musical journey. It's a well crafted song that's a delight. Penultimate track Wheel on the other hand is a bit 'samey' to some of the earlier tracks although showcases Sam Simmons immaculate acoustic guitar-play.

Closing with When The Lights Were Dim and Sam's on form again indie-wise, another tip for a single from this accomplished album for one so relatively young.

With More Than Yesterday, Less Than Tomorrow he has made a more deliberate effort to write infectious songs presented alongside bright and driven yet sometimes delicate arrangements. 

The albums lyrics deal primarily with relationships, with how difficult yet rewarding they can be. Many of the albums lyrics are very positive in nature, some are much more reflective. 

The album contains mostly new songs alongside some reworked pieces from the past. It took a year and a half to record and was recorded and co-produced by Sam Carlton who plays guitar in Sam's band. It's released first on CD available via his Facebook followed by a full online release September 2nd.  

Ralphstock

After the success of Ralph's All-Dayer for the charity Rethink Mental Illness in London's iconic venue Proud Camden last year in association with Radio KC who transmitted the whole day live; with 14 bands playing over 12 hours, he thought it was about time he did another but closer to home. 

So with that in mind Ralph's taking over another iconic venue on August 23rd and unleashing 11 bands on Night & Day Cafe in Manchester over 10 hours. 

Available to buy on the day will be the Ralph's Life CD to raise funds for Rethink Mental Illness.

In association with Hourglass Promo it'll be an outstanding day of live music and; as usual, Ralph's got something to say about everyone on the line-up.



Ambrose Chappel is a Southport DJ/Remixer par excellance who kicked of Ralph's Rethink All-Dayer last year. He collaborates with US Rap artist iKash Flo to produce some of the most funky ass hippety hop this side of the Big Pond. 

He creates a unique blend of Hip Hop fused with House and Electro and is always in demand for his remixing skills. His influences range from the ubiquitous Mr Oizo to Berlin based producer Siriusmo.

Mint are an East Coast (sounds better than saying Grimsby) Indie band fronted by Zak Rashid who are starting to make a name for themselves on the local music scene. 

what better time to bring them over to Manchester and spread the good word about their music which - and I quote - "makes you kiss strangers."







Pusher are a very much up and coming Barnsley band who are making a name for themselves on the live circuit and are a welcome addition to Ralphstock.


Their debut single Shoot Life was described by none other than NME as - "Hair raising slides of guitar and moody vocals make for an absorbing track."







The Loving Memory are another Grimsby band formed by Sam Simmons who performed an outstanding solo acoustic set at the Ralph's Life gig in Camden last year. 

Currently working on their first single Ralph's prediction is they're going to go on to bigger and better things whilst producing their self-proclaimed 'ethereal noise'.









The Fireflys are a highly acclaimed Runcorn band whose musical back catalogue has long been popular with Ralph's Life. Lee and Adele from the band will be performing an acoustic set which will include their recently released single Branches.

Focusing nowadays on their consumate brand of Indie Americana they've honed their music to a very fine point and are popular both locally and beyond. With a hometown gig coming up soon Ralph's glad they've found time to join him in Manchester!







The Mantells are a three piece Indie band from Manchester who have featured regularly on Ralph's Show on Radio KC thanks to their infectious brand of Alt Indie.

Their critically acclaimed debut single went straight into the iTunes Alt Chart and they've not looked back since. Thei new single Payday Playboys is released in June and they have some top gigs upcoming including the the BL9 Music Weekender which features among others The Happy Mondays and Razorlight.







Sixty Minute Man are another Manchester band that are making quite a name for themselves on the local live scene as well as some heavy radio plays.

They're a six-piece Alt Rock outfit that are just launching a new EP and will be playing the highly recommended Blackthorn Festival this year on the SOTN Stage.









The Jade Assembly from Bolton have just released a new single and are gigging fervently to appease 'The Jade Army', including a couple of the local Festivals.Their brand of guitar driven Indie is causing quite a stir in the North West, so it's great to have them on board for Ralphstock. 

Deja Vega are again from Manchester and making no small impact on that city's music scene. Described by Louder Than War as - "Manchester's best kept secret." - they're gigging relentlesly and Ralph's delighted that they've agreed to join the Night & Day line-up.

Ralph's Spinning one of their track Fun Time Jack on this Sunday's Indie Show on Radio KC.








Great Reckoning are a 5 piece Indie Rock band from Tyldesley that take no prisoners with their heavy guitar-based sound. Regulars on the Ralph's Life Indie Show on Radio KC this will be Ralph's first chance to catch their high-powered live performance. 







Culann from the West Coast of Scotland are no strangers to Ralph's Life featuring regulary on his Radio KC Sunday Show and coming all the way down to London to play at the Proud Camden charity gig for Rethink Mental Illness.

They won the Scottish Alternative Music Award Best Rock/Alternative category in 2013 and are high energy performers on stage. One not to be missed!






Duke and The Darlings are big favourites in Manchester's musical world and regularly perform sell-out shows. Their addictive brand of Alternative Indie Pop makes them a huge favourite with their 'Darlings' and Ralph's Life alike.

Such is the regard that Ralph holds them in they're the Ralphstock headliners!





So there you have it, a whole day of the best in UK Indie in Manchester and you can buy your tickets at the Early Bird price right now from the link below or the ralphslife.co.uk website - but be quick!

Come along and say hiya to Ralph!

Ticket Information

TICKET TYPE	REMAINING	SALES END	PRICE	FEE	QUANTITY
Early Bird	100 Tickets	23 Aug 2015	£8.00	£1.13	Ticket Quantity Select                      1                     2                     3                     4                     5                     6                     7                     8                     9                     10

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