Latest News
Rootwork release video for single ‘Code Talker’!
"Just irresistible..." - Tom Robinson, BBC 6 Music
With their single Code Talker out on June 24th 2016 via Ubiquity Project Records, Rootwork have unveiled their new video to accompany the track.
The video premiered on Team Rock is available to watch now via the band's YouTube channel.
Code Talker, which is taken from last year’s EP Gallows Humour and available now on Bandcamp and iTunes, sees the band showcase their full technically gifted repertoire as blistering, yet intricate, heavy guitar explodes from the speakers, punctuated by piercing vocals, beautifully delivered sweet harmonies all brought together by metronomic, brutal drumming.
You can stream EP track 'Burning Shame' now via the band's Soundcloud page.
Straddling the line between elements of metal, post-hardcore, prog-rock and stoner rock, Rootwork are a band who take no prisoners, disarming you in a whirlwind of harmonies before bludgeoning your eardrums with a ferociousness that is as unexpected as it is welcome. They find the sweet spot either side of technical, contemporary metal combined with an energetic tunefulness rich in hooks, time changes and soaring choruses. Indeed, the aforementioned EP runs through a gamut of influences in just four pulsating tracks; embracing the sludginess that has become synonymous with the likes of Queens Of The Stone Age and Mastodon juxtaposed with the upbeat doom- pop made famous by contemporaries such as Baroness and Torche.
Comprising Max Woodhams (guitar, vocals), Jamie Benzine (bass, backing vocals) and Chris Booth (drums, vocals) Rootwork formed in Farnborough towards the end of 2013 having come together through their mutual love of heavy, melodic and complex rock music. In December 2015 the band released their first full length EP picking up support from the likes of Tom Robinson, BBC 6 Music and BBC Introducing as well as a plethora of blogs, and are delighted to announce the official single and video taken from the record with the band eager to share their sound with a wider audience.
Gallows Humour by Rootwork is out now and available to buy on both Bandcamp and iTunes, with single Code Talker out on 24th June 2016, both via Ubiquity Project Records.
Cadence Kid’s sunny single ‘Hold On Me’ out now!
"...the perfect indie pop tune for long summer days."
- IDOL Magazine
“…an absolute surefire winner…” - Crack In The Road
Multi-instrumentalist Cadence Kid aka Jason Turbin's latest single Hold On Me is out now via My Music Mind and is available to buy on Bandcamp now.
To celebrate the release, the video for Hold On Me premiered on Gigslutz and is available to stream via Cadence Kid's YouTube channel now.
The audio of Hold On Me premiered on Crack in the Road and you can also stream it now via Cadence Kid's Soundcloud page.
Despite Turbin’s naturally introverted nature, Hold On Me breaks free from the shackles of any perceived reserved demeanour, offering an uplifting feel good anthem exploring themes of love, life and freedom. Showcasing his multi-faceted talent, Jason performs all of the instruments, excluding drums which are constructed by Grammy award winning producer Cassidy Turbin, including violin, viola, erhu, flute, recorder, trumpet, trombone, guitar, bass, mandolin, banjo, ukulele, harmonica, piano as well as vocals. Filled with a whimsical indie pop chorus, evoking comparisons with band such as Foster The People and Grouplove, the resultant single is the perfect companion to whiling away the long summer days.
With a strong background in classical music theory and orchestration, Turbin decided to focus on
recording solo material throughout 2016. Returning to his roots as a singer/songwriter, the musician is currently in the studio with brother and producer Cassidy Turbin. Jason has also orchestrated and composed music for many films including Proxy, the NY Times critics choice Dementia, Oculus, Lynsanity, Pawn Shop Chronicles as well as Dream Theater’s number one album ‘The Astonishing’.
Cadence Kid has already received acclaim from various publications including IX Daily, IDOL Magazine, With Guitars and Little Indie Blogs to name just a few and Jason is now eager to share his captivating, upbeat sound with a world-wide audience.
Hold On Me by Cadence Kid is out now via My Music Mind and is available to buy on Bandcamp now.
A Badge of Friendship Bands At Brew At The Bog Festival!
A Badge of Friendship are co-curating the main stage at Brew at the Bog Festival on Friday June 3rd 2016 alongside Podcart and Netsounds.
The festival runs over two days - Friday June 3rd and Saturday June 4th 2016 and we've chosen two London based bands from our roster - Hawk and Ex Libras - to play Brew's main stage on the Friday.
Other A Badge of Friendship artists appearing at this year's Brew include The Van T's (who recently premiered their track Blood Orange on BBC Radio 1 with Huw Stephens), Mairearad Green, Vienna Ditto, Idlewild (headlining on the Saturday) and Schnarff Schnarff.
Listen to all the ABoF artists playing Brew at the Bog 2016 on Soundcloud.
A two-day camping festival, Brew at the Bog showcases the very best home-grown Scottish musical talent, as well as the country’s best craft drinks and food. It’s held at Bogbain Farm in Inverness, which was crowned "Best Unusual Venue" at the 2012 Scottish Event Awards - the perfect setting for a festival that prides itself on championing the best of Scotland’s alternative scene.
As well as the music, there will be a dedicated craft beer bar offering the best selections from across Scotland.
Add to that a wide choice of Scotland’s finest gins, cider from award-winning Thistly Cross and a fizzy treat in the form of a prosecco bar, the drinks line-up matches the music bill in terms of quality and choice.
Tickets are still available to buy HERE.
Introducing… Law Holt!
"...explosive..." - The Line of Best Fit
Law Holt is more than a mere genre. Law is passion. Law is music. Music is the Law. It’s her way, always - no boundaries, no preconceptions.
To celebrate the release of her forthcoming album City, Law has unveiled the track Spit, which premiered on The Line of Best Fit and is available to stream via Law's Soundcloud page. Law is also playing at Edinburgh's Hidden Door on June 3rd, tickets are available now.
Law aka Lauren Holt has had a talent for singing since she was 16 but didn’t turn her hand to songwriting until 2013. Her first attempt, co-written with Young Fathers’ production team was Hustle, a first-take singing performance that led on to a hugely productive recording spree at the Soulpunk studio in Leith, Edinburgh. Other tracks benefitted from Lauren’s other-worldly auto-harp and occasional stabs of raw guitar, all with the distinctive dirty, wonky sound of her producers.
And as the word of Law began to spread, the world began to take notice with the Guardian, Clash, The Line of Best Fit, Time Out and The Skinny amongst others singing her praise. Then misfortune struck. It wasn’t that late. Law Holt was on a bus heading home to Leith in Edinburgh when a crazy woman caught her eye, literally, attacking her with a massive punch to the head for no other reason than that she was sharing the same space. Singing and performing were put on hold until after a series of operations that saved her sight.
Finally able to write and sing again, Law spent 2015 recording in the Soulpunk studio, including the tracks for her forthcoming album City. She’s better, stronger, fiercer and more determined than before. Her uncompromising vocal style beckons you in with sweet RnB tones that twist, turn and transform within the same breath.
Law transcends genres, time and sound. Loneliness, darkness and romance are themes she regularly explores. She describes her music as “Law themed” and she’s spot on - you can look, but there’s no one quite like Law.
The Van T’s announce single ‘Blood Orange’!
“...sounding big, drenched in feedback...” - Huw Stephens BBC Introducing
"...a surf rock band, but only if your idea of surfing involves getting pummeled by a giant wave..." - Consequence of Sound
“… the musical equivalent of a John Hughes movie.” - Clash
The Van T’s are back with the announcement of their brand new single Blood Orange, taken from their forthcoming EP A Coming Of Age out on 1st July 2016 via Bloc+Music
Blood Orange premiered on Huw Stephens BBC Introducing show on Wednesday 25th May and will be released on June 10th. The track encapsulates the bands characteristics perfectly as electrifying guitar howls and echoes from the speakers, bridged beautifully by the twin sisters duel vocals, all neatly harnessed by the simple yet effective interplay between drums and bass. Stream the track now from The Van T's Soundcloud page or via the embed below.
The single follows hot on the heels of free download '35mm' which premiered on Consequence of Sound last month and is also available to stream and download on the band's Soundcloud page.
Having begun writing songs at just seventeen years old, twin sisters Hannah (guitar, vocals) and Chloe Van Thompson (guitar, vocals) decided to start a band shortly after. Initially playing shows in and around Scotland as a duo, the twins recruited Joanne Forbes (bass) and Shaun Hood (drums) in an attempt to add more layers to an already impressive sound. As a result The Van T’s were born, complete with a sunny 50’s jukebox style sound and a twist of cathartic 90’s grunge thrown in for good measure, captivating both fans and music aficionados alike.
Taking inspiration from band’s such as The B-52’s, Veruca Salt, Smashing Pumpkins and Le Butcherettes, The Van T’s have created a contemporary, scuzz-filled record that also has an endearing raw quality pouring out from every note.
Despite the band being in its infancy, The Van T’s have already appeared at T in the Park, Wickerman, Electric Fields, Tenement Trail and Strange Behaviours as well as supporting Catholic Action and Honeyblood. This has seen them pick up support from Clash, The Scotsman, Beat Surrender, Backseat Mafia, BBC Radio Scotland, Amazing Radio and XFM Scotland. 2016 looks like it will be another hectic year for The Van T’s having already made appearances at Wide Days and Stag & Dagger as well as an up coming slot at Brew at the Bog. They also recently played their first London show supporting HAWK before playing with the mighty Yuck in Glasgow and Edinburgh. The band will be playing a number of live shows and festival dates over the coming months:
9h June - XpoNorth - Hootenanny, Inverness
10th June - Blood Orange Single Launch - Broadcast,Glasgow
16th July - St Lukes All-Dayer - Glasgow
16th July - King Tut's Summer Nights - Glasgow
25th August - The List Art Festival - Edinburgh
26th August - Electric Fields Festival
10th September - Edinburgh University Freshers Night
8th October - Twisterella Festival, Middlesborough
Single Blood Orange is out on 10 June and is taken from the EP A Coming of Age by The Van T’s, due for release on 1st July 2016 via Bloc+Music.