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ESTRONS’ incredible EP ‘Whoever She Was…’ is out now!
"...a fierce declaration of the band's dynamic sound." - Noisey
“...the energy of a hyped up caffeine addict spinning off a treadmill”- DIY
“...a rollicking slice of punk…” - Gigwise
ESTRONS have been building towards their fantastic debut EP Whoever She Was… for the last few months with NME, Noisey, DIY, The Line of Best Fit and BBC Radio 1 amongst some of the band's early supporters.
The EP features four incredible tracks including free download Aliens, which premiered on Exclaim! and available now via the band's Soundcloud Page.
NME.com initially premiered ESTRONS’ EP on their website with the video for the band's single Make A Man premiering on Noisey. The video is available to watch now via the band's YouTube channel.
ESTRONS means ‘aliens’ or ‘strangers’ in Welsh and this band of misfits may at times seem very far removed from any particular scene because they make music their own way, when they like, how they like.
They write about sexual dominance, belonging, divorce, self doubt… themes that matter to them and they write about them with passion and truth. They sing in English and Welsh, sometimes flitting between the two depending on the feel of the song. Their debut EP Whoever She Was… includes opening track and single Make A Man, which not only presents the band’s dynamic indie sound, but the sentiment behind the song is just as meaningful with the idea of female objectification turned on its head. Previously released single ‘Aliens’ is another indie-punk belter that will have you bouncing off the walls, whilst Welsh spoken track ‘Ysbrydoli’ has a slightly more indie-pop edge to it but still manages to maintain the same kick-ass attitude throughout.
ESTRONS met after a chance encounter in 2012 on a beach in Aberystwyth. Although the core members consist of Taliesyn Källström (vocals) and Rhodri Daniel (guitar), the band are actually a collection of people that come and go, all strangers who have one sole purpose and common denominator - to make great music that says something.
Last year Taliesyn gave birth to her son Björn and toured Wales within a month of his birth. The band’s video for Aliens and the EP artwork features her breast feeding. A subject that has received much attention over the last year yet ESTRONS approach all subject matter with ease and a good sense of humour.
The band have already played the length and breadth of their home country at festivals such as Swn Festival and Festival no. 6. BBC Radio Wales’ Adam Walton plus BBC Radio 1’s Huw Stephens and Annie Mac as well as BBC 6Music’s Steve Lamacq and Tom Robinson are also huge supporters alongside Kerrang! radio, Radio X, NME, DIY, Noisey, The Line of Best Fit and Gigwise. ESTRONS are ready to take their sound and present it to the world, flying the flag for Wales, the UK and for anyone who loves music with balls.
Whoever She Was… is out now via Gofod Records Ltd and available to buy via iTunes or stream via Spotify.
Universal Thee announce forthcoming sophomore album!
Enchanting, power-pop five piece Universal Thee return with their sophomore album, All Watched Over By Machines of Loving Grace, the follow up to the critically lauded debut Back To Earth. The album is due for release on 19th February 2016 via Eventual Heirs Records.
To celebrate the announcement the band have release the track Hounds which is available now as a free download from their Soundcloud page.
All Watched Over By Machines of Loving Grace sees the band make a natural progression in their sound, with a more focused, more intense record evolving throughout the recording process as Universal Thee embrace the nuances of a bigger polished production as well as an increased level of complexity to their songwriting.
The result is a record that captures all of their most positive skills as a band, constructing songs with an immediacy which is difficult to achieve, as contagious harmonies are married with memorable melodies and wonderfully crafted musicianship. Album opener ‘Why’ leads from the front, setting the tone for an album that contains ten tracks of glowing, uplifting alt-pop. Harnessing the influences of bands such as Teenage Fanclub, Pixies and current favourites Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin, ‘Why’ features the band’s compelling guitar licks, boy/girl harmonies and ear-worm like choruses. ‘Xang’ and ‘Sail Away’ exhibit a grittier side to their songwriting, while forthcoming single Speaker has the potential to capture the imagination of a much wider audience.
Having all studied at Dundee University, James Russell (guitar & vocals), Lisa Russell (vocals), Robin Spivey (guitar) Andrew Perrie (bass) formed the band in Edinburgh, with Matt Grieve (drums) a recent addition. Universal Thee been building their name receiving critical acclaim from the likes of The Skinny, The Daily Record, The Sunday Herald and Jim Gellatly and playing a number of shows supporting the likes of Ded Rabbit as well as an appearance on the pyramid stage at the Kelburn Garden Party Festival. With more tours planned over the coming months, a debut London show in the works and the forthcoming release of their brand new album, 2016 is looking like a year where Universal Thee will spread their wings even further afield.
All Watched Over By Machines of Loving Grace by Universal Thee is out 19th February 2016 via Eventual Heirs Records.
Strange & Primitive release Highwayman video!
"...an explosion of ideas that crafts an intimate, intense experience." - Clash
"“…traces the border between the cerebral and the imaginative...” - Gigwise
“…a journey through exotic, electro-tinged and undeniably catchy soundscapes.” - Exclaim!
Canadian duo Strange & Primitive have released a fantastic stop motion video to accompany their track Highwayman, which features on their self-titled debut album out now via The Deep Floor Inc.
The video premiered on Clash but you can watch it now now via Strange & Primitive's YouTube page and download the track for free via Soundcloud.
The video sees the return of 'Spaceman' and 'Robot' to continue their obsession with hot dogs as they go on a holiday to see the sights of the galaxy! Though much like in their previous appearance in the Eureka video, Spaceman again takes advantage of Robot's unquestioning love for him when things start to go wrong.
You can listen to Highwayman and the other singles from their debut album on Soundcloud playlist.
There’s a distinct 80s flavour to the album, albeit the darker side of the era. Difficulties Be Damned is tense - tribal beats and robotic synths entwine, crescendoing with electronic eloquence. The track is trance-like, with Jeff Musgrave channelling Mark Hollis-esque vocals, in homage to influences like Talk Talk. ‘Eureka’ is lighter in comparison but still in keeping with the bands brooding sound. ‘The Hunt Is Over’ harks back to the aforementioned Talk Talk’s moodier moments whilst track ‘Highwayman’ takes us for a drive in the dead of night, synth-laden beats and guitars fuelling the journey as the band steer us towards an end point that seems to mysteriously dim as we get ever closer. ‘Keep Your Eyes On Daylight’ is the one instrumental track on the album, which gives us an insight into the less ‘human’ element of the band, before they decided to add vocals to the proceedings. The 7-minute track breaks the continuity at the exact half-way point of the album as we reach our second act. Its filmic, futuristic quality sounds like a Tron: Legacy soundtrack that could have been.
Jeff and Graham Fish grew up on different sides of Canada. Jeff was born in Osaka, Japan but brought up in Vancouver, with Graham born and raised in Guelph, Ontario. Jeff moved to Guelph to attend University in 2005, where he met Graham after responding to an advert looking for a singer / guitarist. They enjoyed jamming together, infusing their styles, honing their craft and released an instrumental album Melody In The Half-Light in 2012 under the name Audiograft. Self-titled album Strange & Primitive is their latest creation - a rebirth of enmeshed styles, influences and experiences.
In the studio, the pair take on whatever role is required of them with the exception that Jeff sings on every track. As Strange & Primitive they are one heart, one soul, one melodic organism brought to life by music.
Strange & Primitive’s self-titled debut album is out now in the UK and Europe via The Deep Floor Inc. and is available now on iTunes.
Mairearad Green free track and 2016 album news!
”…beautiful...” - Folk Radio
After releasing the gorgeous Tanera Talisman, Mairearad Green has shared a second track Blessing On Tanera as a free download taken from her upcoming album Summer Isles, out on February 26th 2016 via Buie Records.
The track premiered on For Folk Sake's festive advent calendar and is available to stream and download now on the ABoF Soundcloud page.
Having grown up in the Scottish Highlands and performed in various folk bands, The Summer Isles and the folk tradition are deeply rooted in Mairearad Green’s composition. As a result, Mairearad has produced a beautiful new solo album, Summer Isles, a seamless and exciting progression from her previous work.
2014 saw Mairearad spend many weeks researching stories from the islands; as she located publications and poetry to help set the direction for Summer Isles. The album is an exquisite collection of acoustic, folk and cinematic vignettes that create an overwhelming listening experience. Each track tells a story of the islands’ history, embracing a contrasting emotion from track to track.
Mairearad (piano, accordion, bag pipes, vocals) is joined by a number of guest musicians including legendary singer/songwriter King Creosote, Hector McInnes (vocals), Ross Saunders (bass), Scott MacKay (drums), Jo Nicolson (clarinet), Pat McGarvey (banjo), Mike Vass (fiddle), and Annie Grace, Jeana Leslie and Hamish Napier (backing vocals). Combining each musicians’ stylistic background, producer Iain Hutchinson has created a refined and inventive sound that faultlessly captures Mairearad’s vision.
Living in an area steeped in culture and local traditions, Mairearad was introduced to folk music at an early age. Renowned for her deft and lyrical accordion style, as well as her dextrous piping, Mairearad is in great demand, not only as a performer, but also as a composer. She regularly performs alongside multi-instrumentalist Anna Massie and has previously toured with Eddi Reader and Karine Polwart to name a few. Mairearad has also been dominating the folk festival world; performing at Celtic Connections Festival, Cambridge Folk Festival, Hebridean Celtic Music Festival, and Tonder Folk Festival.
Next year looks to be an exciting time for Mairearad and her music, watch this space for an exciting new single release in the run up to the album after the new year.
Summer Isles is out on February 26th 2016 via Buie Records.
Sam Brockington’s new single ‘Follow’ out now!
"...a remarkably endearing pop track." - Gigwise
Sam Brockington’s latest single Follow is out now via Prospect 21. Drawing influences from folk, blues and soul, on Follow, he's blended these genres into his own unique, fresh style.
In celebration of the release, the video for the track premiered on Gigslutz and you can also watch it via Sam’s YouTube channel now.
Follow is a memorable track that captures the struggle between friendship and individuality. Sam’s intricate guitars and delicate vocals build into layers of beautiful melodies and effortless harmonies - fans of Nick Mulvey and Matt Corby will feel at home here.
Having moved to London at the age of 18, Sam began to explore the live circuit before eventually craving a change and moving to Melbourne. Here, he was able to develop his sound in a new environment - sunshine and good vibes. Now based in Bristol, Sam continues to hone his individual blend of alternative indie-folk and impressing the likes of 6music and BBC Introducing. Sam has also been smashing the festival circuit this year, performing at Glastonbury, Leeds Festival, Y Not Festival and 2000trees to name a few.
Follow is out now via Prospect 21.