Latest News
Introducing… Rebel Westerns
"Fragrant, intoxicating, and wholly beguiling..."
- Clash
Indie-pop four-piece band Rebel Westerns are thrilled to announce the release of their forthcoming single Atomic Blonde, due for release on 9th September 2016 via Depot Records.
Exploring themes of relationships, infidelity and the in built human desire that often propel us to make self destructive decisions, the track premiered on Clash and is available to stream via the band's Soundcloud page now.
Showcasing their synth inspired indie pop, Rebel Westerns manage to strike the right balance between contemporary pop music and the kind of neon tinted 80’s new wave that would have Molly Ringwood shaking her hips. Encapsulating the very best traits of the band, Atomic Blonde opens with snapping drum beats playfully interacting with popping bass lines, lifted by soaring, melodic vocals and combined effortlessly with the uplifting sounds of synth dreamily washing over you.
Comprised of Dominic Thomson (vocals, guitar), Callum Munro (bass), Glen Gordon (keyboard) and Daniel Garvie (drums), the four school friends formed in 2014 after spending a number of years in various bands who were prevalent on the Scottish music scene. The decision to join forces was justified instantly with the band picking up support from the likes of Dermot O’leary’s BBC Radio 2 show, Amazing Radio, Jim Gellatly and The Scottish Sun as well as playing sold out shows at King Tut’s and Cabaret Voltaire.
To celebrate the release of Atomic Blonde Rebel Westerns will be playing La Bell Angele in Edinburgh on 23rd September and have plans to release an EP later in the year.
Atomic Blonde by Rebel Westerns is out 9th September 2016 via Depot Records.
Lowla return with ‘Walls EP’!
"Pop that is unashamed to be pop, that is plastic, fantastic, and completely in your face.” - Clash
Following the success of debut single Reckless, 90s loving denim-clad pop duo Lowla return with their brand new EP Walls due for release on 30th September 2016 via DIY.
Lowla have set out to create a diverse and inspired collection of songs on Walls. Their own unique brand of fun alt pop is ever present but the meaning behind the songs is a little more serious this time around with the girls focusing on relationships and the world around them but there are still some light-hearted moments in-between.
Title track 'Walls' premiered on Gigslutz and you can now listen to it via Lowla's Soundcloud page.
'Walls' flows with delicate harmonies, alongside grittier vocals, tribal beats and screeching riffs. Carrying topical themes of revolution and social awareness, the track is a step away from the romantic reflections of previous single 'Reckless' and sets out to look at the bigger picture. Of the track Lowla say: “‘Walls is all about the here and the now and the world that we live in. It's a very personal number for us. We truly believe in the power of people getting together and making a change.”
‘Those Days Are Gone’ is about a broken relationship and inner conflict whilst ‘Money Doesn’t Matter’ looks at the disparity between the classes - the rich becoming rich, whilst the poor struggle. However, the EP ends on a more positive note with ‘Electrified’ - the track asks us to focus on the positives in life, our relationships and the ones we love.
Meeting by chance when creative stylist Lara featured as a guest vocalist on a track that Lo was producing, Lowla was born and the pair continue to pride themselves on their musical and visually pioneering creations.
After the success of 'Reckless', Lowla aim to move forward into different territory with their latest EP and as pop artists, exploring more serious ground but with an undying love of denim. Some things never change!
Lowla’s EP Walls is released on 30th September 2016 via DIY.
Melissa Bel announces new single ‘Big Boys Don’t Cry’!
"A fresh doo-wop anthem from start to finish."
- Ultimate Music
After a fateful night in Vegas, Toronto-bred Melissa Bel followed her heart and took the leap to move to the UK with her new found love. Her latest album In The Light, due for release on 4th November 2016 via Belhop Records, tells the story of this journey.
New single Big Boys Don't Cry premiered on Ultimate Music and is out 9th September 2016. You can also listen to it via Melissa's Soundcloud page now.
Also taken from the album is single Stay Gone, which you can listen you via Melissa's Soundcloud page and watch the powerful video via Melissa's YouTube channel.
In The Light charts the journey of how a girl from Canada met the love of her life in Las Vegas whilst attending a friend’s wedding. Little did she know, this meeting would change her life forever and she’d be relocating to the rural coasts of Devon as a result. Each track on the album showcases a different side to Bel, filled with the killer combination of infectious pop beats, powerful soul vocals and heartwarming ballads. Opening track ‘Real Tonight’ is an upbeat, funky rendition of ‘that’ night in Vegas, highlighting Melissa’s incredible ability to write an impressive pop hook akin to the likes of Meghan Trainor and Taylor Swift. Previous single Stay Gone along with tracks ‘Dirty Word’ and ‘Big Boys Don’t Cry’ captivate instantly with their contagious pop-infused melodies. Whereas title track ‘In The Light’ is a vulnerable ballad encapsulating the naked hope and fear of finding profound, visceral love.
Melissa grew up listening to soul, classic rock and draws inspiration from the likes of Stevie Wonder, Aretha Franklin and Christina Aguilera amongst others. She also regularly receives creative support from producer/songwriter Justin Gray who has worked with artists such as Joss Stone, John Legend and Amy Winehouse and also produced Melissa’s album.
Melissa is certainly not afraid of hard work, having already released three albums over six years and played numerous live shows including Montreal’s Festiblues and supporting Juno Award winning Canadian artist Matthew Good. With In The Light Melissa has truly found her voice, promising her most vulnerable and electrifying album yet.
Big Boys Don't Cry is out Friday 9th September 2016, and the album In The Light is out on Friday 4th November 2016 via Belhop Records.
John Alcabean announces new single ‘Fire’!
"...a taut, energised piece of noise rock bluster..."
- Clash
Riotous Danish three-piece John Alcabean announce explosive new single Fire out on 12th August 2016 via Tapetown Records.
The track premiered on Clash and is also available to stream via the band's Soundcloud page.
You can also watch the video for John Alcabean's previous single Need Comfort via the band's YouTube channel.
Need Comfort and upcoming single Fire are both explosive, no nonsense post-punk excellence, surrounded by electrifying guitar riffs and undeniably catchy melodies akin to the likes of Drenge and Royal Blood. Real Time Fiction is the result of the duo trying to find their sound for the debut as Victor Ryle Shack (lead singer & guitar) stated that from the beginning of the writing process that the band knew what sound they wanted to sound like and the aim was trying to accomplish this in the studio.
The title Real Time Fiction is about the reality of succeeding in something you once thought was fictional and how mind over matter can prevail. This came to be when Victor had a sudden realisation on the impact your thoughts have on your decisions and how they are almost working against your self development at times. Musically, their sound draws upon multiple influences from indie, pop, alt-rock to post-punk, creating a mix so contagious you will have them playing on repeat for days. Imagine a one-night stand between the music of the 90s and the 00s and John Alcabean is conceived.
Despite being relatively new to the live circuit, John Alcabean have already played Offspring Festival and Uhørt Festival as well as playing at a local carnival in front of three people - including two drunks and a handicapped man - who asked them to “sing him a lullaby”. John Alcabean are now ready to introduce the world to their incredible sound and take the rest of 2016 by storm.
John Alcabean’s Fire is out on 12th August 2016 and the EP Real Time Fiction is out on 2nd September 2016 both via Tapetown Records.
yllwshrk release self-titled debut album!
“...endlessly fascinating and engrossing.”
- The Line of Best Fit
Experimental five-piece yllwshrk have released their self-titled debut EP via Oramic Records and its available to buy now via the band's Bandcamp.
Formed after classically trained Scottish composer Ian Anderson, along with bassist Dave Brown, performed violin and double bass respectively on Radiohead's album A Moon Shaped Pool, yllwshrk have shown an unerring ability to create exceptionally diverse music that has a wonderfully ethereal quality to it. Having premiered the stream for Northern Soul on The Line of Best Fit, yllwshrk have followed this up with the release of their gorgeous video. Exploring elements of prog, jazz, ambient and rock music, the band showcase the full range of their ability to experiment sonically and structurally. Watch the video now via the yllwshrk YouTube channel.
Stream Northern Soul via the ABoF Soundcloud page.
The band have already released the free EP track, a homagé to Jeff Buckley called 'Pull Me Under (In Memory of Jeff Buckley)', which is available to stream and download for free via the ABoF Soundcloud page.
Anderson (rhythm guitar) wanted to tap into his impressive musical knowledge by utilising complex ideas taken from classical compositions, relating to form and harmony, with the aim of implementing them within the context of an alt-rock song structure. Reaching out to Brown, whom he met while touring with Jonny Greenwood and the London Contemporary Orchestra, as well as a number of other musician friends, yllwshrk made their live debut at a London gig in January of this year with Sam West (vocals), Matt Isaac (lead guitar) and Feargus Brennan (drums) completing the line-up.
The band headed to Woodworm Studios in Banbury with the aim of recording their first tracks with producer Graeme Stewart (Radiohead, Ash, Zero 7), the session resulting in three exquisitely crafted songs contained on the EP. All three tracks bear the characteristics that Anderson originally set out to instil into the project with complex rhythms and harmonies scattered throughout, taking inspiration from his work with Radiohead, allied to the majestic, vast vocal stylings of West reminiscent of Jeff Buckley. West’s vocals come close to reaching the same range and emotional intensity as the renowned singer/songwriter with the band giving a clear nod to him on the ode ‘Pull Me Under (In Memory of Jeff Buckley)’.
The rest of the record consists of the aforementioned Northern Soul, displaying gorgeous intricate guitar work which is blended beautifully with technically impressive drumming, and 'Into Her Sleep With Envy', highlighting another incredible vocal performance by West and drawing comparisons with acts such as Grizzly Bear and Dirty Projectors.
To celebrate the release of their EP in August, the band will be playing two more London dates with a show at The Good Ship in Kilburn on 2nd August followed by a launch show on 4th August at 93 Feet East.
yllwshrk’s self-titled debut EP is out now via Oramic Records and is available to buy on the yllwshrk Bandcamp page.