Brian's Video Of The Week commencing 15th October is the interestingly disturbing and highly compelling new one from the enigmatic London based Cocoa Futures, baby of Scottish singer songwriter par excellence Greg Sanderson.. Directed by Danny Nellis and Wesley Gonzales
Cocoa Futures - Circus. Released on Lost in the Manor Records.
We've covered Scott Lloyd's releases previously and regularly playlisted on our weekly Sunday radio show on Radio KC. No wonder with quality releases like his new Single Down To Earth which we've had on repeat here all week and now of course Living In The Dark playlisted right away for the Indie Show of Sunday 16th November, so tune in via Internet Radio on the following link: radiokc.fm at 5pm UK Time. Scott Lloyd is producing his own brand of Americana to a quality way beyond his years since we last featured him and no wonder. Born in Middlesbrough, has previously released six EP's independently and played live in venues across the UK and America from San Francisco to Vancouver, Canada, as well as appearing at Glastonbury in 2015 and live on BBC Intro. His widening experience shows through in his increasingly mature and eminently listenable music. It's 9/10 for us.
Last year, in 2017 Scott sold out Jimmy’s venue in Manchester to release his EP In the Garden, a former Ralph's Life Video Of The Week,which was recorded with a full backing band. With roots firmly planted in the North East Scott also wrote songs for his Ironopolis EP, which were inspired by his hometown of Middlesbrough and the EP immediately reached number 12 in iTunes Singer Songwriter charts in 2015. After graduating from a degree in music at Manchester Metropolitan University in 2010, Scott listened to Bob Dylan, Neil Young, Simon and Garfunkel and Bruce Springsteen for their songwriting and inspired, Scott set out to record his first EP Long Live You in 2013.
Scott’s first single released via the fiercly independent Aardvark Records,Looking Out To Sea, gained over 1000 plays on Apple music within a few weeks of release.
Scott’s new single ‘Down To Earth’ goes on sale on Friday 7th September on digital music retail and streaming sites. Aardvark Records have also pressed some CDs. The song was recorded at Red Sand Studio, Chorlton, Manchester and produced by Mathieu Garcia.
For more information about Scott Lloyd please visit his website without delay on www.scottlloydmusic.co.uk to find links to videos and his previous EPs and upcoming gigs. More info you will need as you discover the burgeoning strength of his songwriting and musicianship. His creative maturity is pushing his writing to new levels and who knows what heights the next release will bring. Pretty certain I do and it's all good. Can't wait for more from this charming young man! Bring it on!
Brian's favourite video this week is a premiere of Monster byMillie Manders and The Shutup. Millie had this to say about the video which touches on subject matter very close to our collective heart.
"I wrote Monster while I was in the middle of an anxiety attack. I felt like I had a monster behind me and inside of me chaining me down and feeding me all the nasty things you feed yourself - that you are worthless, pathetic, unloved, alone etc.
I wanted to articulate that feeling somehow; The crippling, debilitating fear that comes with it. The irrationality of it and the confusion. Hopefully I have managed to get that across both sonically and lyrically with this track, and the video."
A review of the video of Monster by writer, spoken word performer and
"Through this video the outstandingly talented and creative Millie Manders has managed to relay a disturbingly accurate description of how it feels to be in the grip of the ‘Monster’ that is an anxiety attack.
I say ‘disturbing’ because, as someone who is host to such a monster herself, seeing that monster exposed so graphically through Millie’s hard hitting and factual experience is a reminder of just how real that monster is and how quickly and unexpectedly its parasitical tendrils can invade any of us at any time as it attempts to dominate and control.
In essence, I absolutely adored this video in all of its truth because not only could I see the monster through Millie’s behaviour I could hear it as Millie’s voice became intermittently darker the more possessed she became and the harder she had to fight.
And that is exactly how it feels to be in the monstrous clutches of an anxiety attack..
In fact, the next time I am struggling to explain to my GP just what I am going through I am going to show her this remarkable video by the unforgettable Millie Manders and I shall simply say “THIS!”.
Brian's favourite video this week is Al Lupo by Hey Bulldog. Like many bands before, Hey Bulldogbegan as a germ of an idea of main man Rob Manton. The multi-talented Manchester-based musician recorded the debut EP, New York City Blues, by himself with the help of a drum machine.
Before turning the project into a fully-fledged band, Manton created a buzz with the help of music websites and a variety of fanzines.
Finding a pair of like-minded cohorts Matt Parry (bass) and Ben Howarth-Lees (drums) Manton turned Hey Bulldog into a live bluesy three-piece psychedelic rock band known for their musicianship and live improvisations.
Brian's favourite video this week is Eyes Of Steel by Déjà Vegawhich sees the band hitting new heights of alt rock glory. Filmed by Shari Denson and Stuart Hadfield. Déjà Vega consist of vocalist and guitarist Jack Fearon, drummer Tom Webster and bassist Michael Newton. After forming in Cheshire, they made the short journey to Manchester, a fitting backdrop to their gritty, guitar led psychedelia, with its red-brick and cobbled streets which has very much ingrained itself in their soundscape.
Brian's favourite video this week is Masquerade by Burnley band The Breaks. The track is from their second EP Trap Door which is available now on Spotify. That's also where you can find their first EP Misery.
Sitting somewhere between sleazy grunge and power indie, MeMe Detroit oozes sultry guitar driven hooks with a head turning vocal andMeMe Detroit has been pulling in fans with a magnetism that is both eloquent yet effortlessly cool.
Previous support slots include bands such as Dead Sea Skulls, Piano Wire, Fun Lovin' Criminals and Asylums. Stand out shows include The main stage at Moto GP, Silverstone, The O2 Academy, Dublin Castle, The Finsbury pub for Get In Her Ears and Jurassic Fields Festival.
Finding herself scrolling through her social media feeds one day, MeMe Detroit realised she had an overwhelming feeling of heaviness in her heart and realised it was due to all the negative crap that was filling her eyes from her screen. She realised there’s something seriously up with a large number of humans and their current constant “need” to spend time on social media. She decided that her time could be much better put to use; put her phone down and picked up her guitar and notebook. Soc Med Junkies is a song about our addiction to social media and the positive outcomes that can be achieved just by taking time to step away and enjoy the 'real world'.
Brian's favourite video this week is Betty by Percival Elliott. Percival Elliott are an indie rock duo from the south coast of England. Olly Hite and Samuel Carter-Brazier united and have since been captivating listeners at sold-out shows across the UK.
Titled in memory of Hite’s great grandfather, Percival Elliott, born in 1883 was an inventor who created one of the first ice-cream emporiums in Brighton. After discovering a dusty box of trinkets in the back of Hite’s family attic, the revelation of long-forgotten treasures became embedded within the duo’s imagination and musical creativity and thus Percival Elliott was re-animated.
Betty bursts with energy, featuring infectious melodies, gritty guitars and powerful dynamics, heightening to a climatic resolution. Betty showcases the versatility of the duo, with a much bolder and statement sound, to the previous Percival Elliott single Forever. Thematically the single focuses on how a life of fame, fortune and stardom can leave you feeling broken and alone. It’s a reminder to those, that success is not measured by levels of prosperity and how the media can distort reality. “This track holds a black mirror to society and reflects on how we all dress ourselves up to the world and pretend to be ok when deep down we’re not”, reveals Carter-Brazier.
The duo are known for their signature style of hard hitting piano melodies, rhythmic guitars and retro vocal harmonies, all underpinned by a string quartet.
The success of Percival Elliott to date includes a national tour with numerous UK charting artists, as well as collaborating with the likes of Fatboy Slim. The duo have recently been causing a stir in the media, gaining the attention of high profile outlets such as Clash and The Huffington Post.Their highly anticipated album Save Your Soulis due soon.
Made Out Of Maps is the first glimpse at an album full of slacker-pop and American Football tinged indie sounds. The track floats in with a bright, cheery disposition building into a full blown catchy pop song. This plays against the lyrical nature of the track which sees Tam Killean vocalising about the repetition and isolation of being in a dysfunctional relationship where you’re both saying to each other “this’ll get better” when you both know it won’t .
What is Home? is the debut album from Brownbear. Combining strong melodies and indie riffs that have come to be expected from the band with an added lyrical maturity, the album covers love, loss and life whilst questioning what exactly home is. The album is preceded by an addictive and accomplished single release by the band in the shape of Truth Without Consequence which is accompanied by an equally accomplished and stylish video. Brownbear are a four-piece indie-rock outfit led by singer/songwriter Matt Hickman.
The group released their debut single Dead or Alive in May 2014 which subsequently gained them national radio exposure and high profile gigs which included supporting The Libertines at their comeback show at the iconic Barrowland’s Balllroom in Glasgow.
Brownbear then went on to join The Libertines again at their BST Summertime show at Hyde Park before playing at a number of festivals including T in The Park & Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival. An acoustic version of Dead or Alive recorded in the BBC Treehouse became the most viewed clip online for T in the Park 2014 ahead of the likes of Arctic Monkeys & Biffy Clyro. The bands first London headline show was a sell out and received a positive 7/10 review from the NME. Brownbear then embarked on a European tour before starting work on their debut album. Early in 2016 they supported The View on the Scottish dates of their UK tour before returning to the studio to finish recording the album, produced by Joe McAlinden. With What Is Home? now complete and set to be released Brownbear are gearing up for getting back out playing live this year starting with the album launch show at Stereo in Glasgow on Friday 20th April and that's one not to be missed! April 20th – Stereo, Glasgow (Album Show) May 3rd – Clarks, Dundee May 4th – Mr C’s, Thurso May 5th – Bakers, Kilmarnock May 11th – The Drouthy Cobbler, Elgin May 12th – Gig in the Goil Festival May 13th – Sneaky Pete’s, Edinburgh May 26th – Ayr Town Hall w/ Tom Clarke June 23rd – Upside Doon Festival, Ayrshire June 30th – Kelburn Garden Party July 27th – Kendall Calling
