Having listened to an almost insurmountable amount of music this year both for the blog and to playlist for Ralph's Indie Show on Radio KC, it would be very easy to just close the kennel's jukebox on 2015 without looking back and doing any kind of 'Best Of' as is the norm for your day-to-day music blogger. However this year has seen some wonderful contributions to the musical soundscape that is Ralph's Life, and as Ralph's no day-to-day muso, here's a but few more than honourable mentions.
One highlight in Ralph's Life this year was the release of SAMA nominated The Ballads Of Peckham Rye by Blue Rose Code. With this album Ross Wilson has signed his name firmly on the musical songwriting firmament with this almost painfully introverted lyrically, and yet musically delightful insight into the man himself.
The oncoming year will see great things from this truly gifted young man both in further releases and live performances, I can hardly wait!
It's been a year for introverted delights and another notable mention was the release of the single, Black Tie by Glasgow band Nievesis a wonderfully honest, seemingly introverted and extremely emotional piece whichexplores the turmoil within a family who are faced with making the decision to turn off a loved ones life support machine.
The narrative comes from the perspective of the oldest son, who finds himself unable to cope with the lingering doubt in the aftermath of the choice he has made.
The year couldn't end without mentioning another supremely talented singer/songwriter David Logan who goes under the nom de plume of Officer. Mid 2015 saw the release of his album Myriads. It's a complex collection of songs that traps your heart and mind with thoughtful lyrics and comforting melodies.
Having him perform live at an event I organised in July was one of the highlights of this year and I feel more than privileged to now count this gifted young man as a friend. He's as skilful in his manipulation of a live audience as he is in putting pen to paper.
So there you briefly have it, a snippet of Ralph's musical life that will remain forever etched on the vinyl that is my heart. Following on there are videos from some other notable mentions by ladies that have helped make this year special. Don't be upset if you're not included...it's been a long year and there's only so much time left before New Years Eve! Happy New Year everyone...see you in 2016! Fiona Soe Paing
Riding the crest a wave of up and coming young Scottish bands currently flooding the UK music scene is Dundee band Vladimir. Their industrial yet infectious brand of 'post-punk' is reminiscent of fellow Scots the late lamented Cinematics with a heavier Joy Division-esque vibe. No surprise then that they've been supporting such luminaries as The View and The Fall of late.
Ralph's been a fan of Manchester trio Peur since catching their debut EP We Can Build Astronauts back in 2013 so it's with great joy that today sees the release of their much vaunted Future Architects EP. Their music has earned them airplay on BBC radio, most recently on the Huw Stephens Radio 1 show, an up-coming visit to The Shift Radio HQ, and a range of independent and commercial FM and internet radio shows including Ralph's Indie Show on Radio KC.
Now it's no secret that Ralph is a big fan of Ayrshire's Vukovi so it's no surprise his ears pricked up when he heard the new single Cathedral by Glasgow based (formerly from Fort William) band Bloodlines from their recently released debut EP Love The Taste. It's accompanied by an atmospheric video, of which more later.
It's always nice when you find a virtually brand spanking new band that sounds like they've been together for years and producing a focused and polished sound. Just such an eventuality is the case with The Empty Page (which it wont be as I've got more to say, otherwise it'd be a short review) from Manchester. With that in mind Ralph had a quick chat with Jim of The Empty Page with a view to finding out what's driven them to forming the band to bring us their version of 'fuzzy 90's Alt Rock'.
Ralph's been a fan of Glasgow band Nieves since playing their simply sublime and sublimely simple Straight Line last year on his Radio KC Indie Show, so it's no surprise there's a bit of excitement in the kennel on hearing that their new single Black Tieis released today as a precursor to an EP later this year. Initially a duo (Brendan Dafters, vocal/guitar and Herre De Leur, keyboards) Nieves have strengthend both their ranks and their sound by becoming an extremely tight four piece.
Ralph's first introduction to up and coming Manchester singer/songwriter Rory Wynne was Post Party Confusion, his new, quirky and insightful single which views the travails of being a young party animal in today's night-life jungle.
Not only has Ralph played it on his Radio KC Indie Show a couple of times it's been featured by Radio 1 DJ Phil Taggart.
Ralph has had his beady eye on immensely popular Bolton band The Jade Assembly for some time now and with the release of their new single One Last Time on May 5th, what better time to look closer. Keen to stand apart from their contemporaries, The Jade Assembly say - "We're in this for the long haul and for the right reasons."
Ralph has played tracks by Manchester band Multiplier previously on his eponymous Radio KC Indie Show and to good feedback. So when he heard they were releasing a shiny new EP in may he thought it'd be a good time to take a closer look and listen. The Multiplier EP is three tracks of sublime Indie Pop goodness with shades of
The Myriads album is being produced thanks to the love and generosity of Officer's friends as they crowd funded enough cash from his loyal fan-base who were desperate to have a physical copy of the tracks they loved from his live performances.
Both track and video are deliciously dark, atmospheric and well crafted. The video takes you on a soul-searching introspective journey as Officer (aka DC Logan) makes you feel his pain. You can experience it right here on Ralph's Life and it'll be played on Radio KC from this week.
Working on a debut album, The Phantom Sound aka Californian born (now living in London) Marisa Schlussel strives to create honest, powerful and emotional songs, drawing on diverse influences from the late 70's and 80's including Bowie, Blondie, The Ramones and Duran Duran and giving them a contemporary feel.
Riding the crest a wave of up and coming young Scottish bands currently flooding the UK music scene is Dundee band Vladimir. Their industrial yet infectious brand of 'post-punk' is reminiscent of fellow Scots the late lamented Cinematics with a heavier Joy Division-esque vibe. No surprise then that they've been supporting such luminaries as The View and The Fall of late.
Ralph has had his beady eye on immensely popular Bolton band The Jade Assembly for some time now and with the release of their new single One Last Time on May 5th, what better time to look closer. Keen to stand apart from their contemporaries, The Jade Assembly say - "We're in this for the long haul and for the right reasons."
Ralph's first introduction to up and coming Manchester singer/songwriter Rory Wynne was Post Party Confusion, his new, quirky and insightful single which views the travails of being a young party animal in today's night-life jungle.
Not only has Ralph played it on his Radio KC Indie Show a couple of times it's been featured by Radio 1 DJ Phil Taggart.
Now it's no secret that Ralph is a big fan of Ayrshire's Vukovi so it's no surprise his ears pricked up when he heard the new single Cathedral by Glasgow based (formerly from Fort William) band Bloodlines from their recently released debut EP Love The Taste. It's accompanied by an atmospheric video, of which more later.
It's always nice when you find a virtually brand spanking new band that sounds like they've been together for years and producing a focused and polished sound. Just such an eventuality is the case with The Empty Page (which it wont be as I've got more to say, otherwise it'd be a short review) from Manchester. With that in mind Ralph had a quick chat with Jim of The Empty Page with a view to finding out what's driven them to forming the band to bring us their version of 'fuzzy 90's Alt Rock'.
Ralph's been a fan of Manchester trio Peur since catching their debut EP We Can Build Astronauts back in 2013 so it's with great joy that today sees the release of their much vaunted Future Architects EP. Their music has earned them airplay on BBC radio, most recently on the Huw Stephens Radio 1 show, an up-coming visit to The Shift Radio HQ, and a range of independent and commercial FM and internet radio shows including Ralph's Indie Show on Radio KC.
Ralph has played tracks by Manchester band Multiplier previously on his eponymous Radio KC Indie Show and to good feedback. So when he heard they were releasing a shiny new EP in may he thought it'd be a good time to take a closer look and listen. The Multiplier EP is three tracks of sublime Indie Pop goodness with shades of
Ralph's been a fan of Glasgow band Nieves since playing their simply sublime and sublimely simple Straight Line last year on his Radio KC Indie Show, so it's no surprise there's a bit of excitement in the kennel on hearing that their new single Black Tieis released today as a precursor to an EP later this year. Initially a duo (Brendan Dafters, vocal/guitar and Herre De Leur, keyboards) Nieves have strengthend both their ranks and their sound by becoming an extremely tight four piece.
The Myriads album is being produced thanks to the love and generosity of Officer's friends as they crowd funded enough cash from his loyal fan-base who were desperate to have a physical copy of the tracks they loved from his live performances.
Both track and video are deliciously dark, atmospheric and well crafted. The video takes you on a soul-searching introspective journey as Officer (aka DC Logan) makes you feel his pain. You can experience it right here on Ralph's Life and it'll be played on Radio KC from this week.
Working on a debut album, The Phantom Sound aka Californian born (now living in London) Marisa Schlussel strives to create honest, powerful and emotional songs, drawing on diverse influences from the late 70's and 80's including Bowie, Blondie, The Ramones and Duran Duran and giving them a contemporary feel.
The Phantom Sound aka Marisa Schlussel is exclusively premiering her new song which is called, Voices here on Ralph's Life. It's from her upcoming second album currently being recorded with Ken Stringfellow, who is producing once again. 
