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Introducing… GILLBANKS
"a rough-around-the-edges fusion of DIY indie and classic songwriting" - Gigwise
Having already received praise from the likes of XFM and numerous music blogs Sam Gillbanks aka GILLBANKS releases his EP Lend Me Your Skin on November 27th 2015 via Tusk Records.
Opening with single Anxious?, the EP begins with a powerful blast of distorted riffs and pounding drums akin to the jagged indie sound of the Pixies. Counterposed, tracks like Loosen Up and Tiffany are more tranquil and introspect with layered melodies and warm vocals drawing influence from artists like Nick Mulvey. Throughout the EP, GILLBANKS' skilled musicianship and entitled passion are clearly evident and exemplary within these five tracks.
You can listen to Tiffany which premiered on Gigwise on Monday via the ABoF Soundcloud page or by clicking the embed below.
Lend Me Your Skin is a coming of age record about identity and self-acceptance. With lyrics like 'over-tired and underworked, it's always on my mind, I'm just trying to be a man' it's not difficult to see where in his life Sam started writing music. He quickly found a release for his creative ideas and frustration to form Lend Me Your Skin as an EP that is both ferocious and beautiful, whilst also maintaining lyrical depth.
Originally from Falmouth, GILLBANKS now resides in London where he continues to play the London circuit on a regular basis with live band members Hugo Heaverman (drums), Henry Nicholson (guitar, vocals) and Joe Morris (bass), including these upcoming dates.
5th Nov - Our Black Heart - Camden w/ SAHARA + Slow Readers Club
20th Nov - Urban Bar - Whitechapel
27th Nov - Four Quarters - Peckham Rye - EP Release Party
11th Dec - The Sebright Arms, Bethnal Green
Lend me Your Skin is out on November 27th 2015 via Tusk Records.
Introducing… The Frisbys
Twins Helen (vocals, flute) and Nicola Frisby (vocals, acoustic guitar) have been singing and playing music together since they were old enough to speak. Having performed as a duo for many years honing their incredible vocal harmonies, it took a boredom call from a broken-legged Marc Robinson (piano, guitar) to convince them to start a full band. The three were joined by Sam Keer (acoustic/electric/slide guitar), and later, Will Cattermole (bass) and Tom Finigan (drums). They have been producing haunting and emotive music as The Frisbys ever since.
Their double A-side single Born and Raised/Give in to the Dark - the first to be released from EP The Cause (released January 29th 2016) - gives a glimpse of what is to come from this band on the rise. They describe Born and Raised as “light hearted and upbeat...almost a countrified version of 'No Scrubs' by TLC” and Give in to the Dark as a hopeful song about supporting a loved one through dark times.
The band have premiered Give in to the Dark as a free download via Folk Radio but you can also listen to it below or on the ABoF Soundcloud page
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Having received past support from Ruth Barnes, Gary Crowley and Kathryn Tickell on Amazing Radio, Mark Forrest on BBC Radio, Team Rock Radio, and For Folk’s Sake the band already boast an impressive collection of fans. This is already being built upon, with Born and Raised having recently been featured as Track of The Day on Sarah Gorrell’s Drive Time Show on BBC Sussex.
Born and Raised/Give in to the Dark is out on November 27th 2015 via Dantobaccus Records.
HAWK set to release single ‘Once Told’
“…simply sublime…” - The Line of Best Fit
HAWK return with their fantastic new release Once Told due for release on Febuary 19th 2016 via Veta Records.
Like their previous release Glass, which focused on the recent Marriage Equality Referendum that took place in Ireland, Once Told is a track that has activism at its heart. Focusing on Ireland's abortion laws and wider issues around pregnancy, sexuality and contraception the band are trying to help expose the country's "archaic mindsets and processes which systemically lets down women, especially those in more vulnerable circumstances”.
Once Told premiered on The Line of Best Fit but you can listen to it now via the band's Soundcloud page.
Showcasing a darker, grungier and ultimately bigger sound Once Told is the first track to be taken from the band’s upcoming self-titled EP which will be released in April 2016. Having taken a diverse approach to songwriting and developing their sound, the band note, "we've hit a point that we really feel like we've found our identity and these tracks represent HAWK”. The band collaborated with producer Dimitri Tikovoi (Horrors, Placebo, Marianne Faithful) on Once Told with the track mixed by Catherine Marks best known for her previous work with Wolf Alice and Howling Bells.
HAWK's previous EP Clock Hands gained support from the likes of The Line Of Best Fit, Music Week (who tipped them as ones to watch in 2015), as well as Amazing Radio, BBC 6Music’s Tom Robinson, and XFM DJ and Blur drummer Dave Rowntree.
HAWK have been described as everything from noir-rock to alternative-folk. Irish-born lead singer Julie Hawk (vocals and guitar) initially embarked on a solo folk career, and began collaborating with Matthew Harris (guitar) in 2012. After a year on the acoustic circuit, the fledgling duo joined Sam Campbell (drums) and Chris Handsley (bass) to form the band you hear now, adding a new abrasive edge to their sound while retaining the delicacy of their acoustic roots.
Once Told will be released via Veta Records on February 19th 2015.
Introducing… Chris Meid
Chris Meid, originally from Luxembourg, is an artist with a truly diverse musical background. Having come from a more classical upbringing Chris has made a name for himself remixing a wide-array of different artists (including Jose Gonzalez, The Weeknd and Ellie Goulding) to much critical acclaim. Whilst making a name for himself collaborating and remixing, writing and performing his own material has always been the dream and finally, having been recently signed to Warner Music, this has become a reality with the release of his debut single Red River.
You can listen to the track below now or via Chris's Soundcloud page.
Recruiting the talented Swedish/American Tyler Sjöström on vocals and 16-year old Dutch DJ/Producer sensation Martin Wagler, Red River has a noticeably international flavour. Tyler’s vocals with their distinctly country-music sound give a sense of the distance and openness of the Mid-West while Chris’s writing and Martin’s influence grounds the track in a style akin to great European Pop artists like Swedish House Mafia and Avicii.
Receiving praise from the likes of Earmilk, Music Ninja and BBC Radio 1, this is just the beginning and we will definitely be seeing a lot more of Chris towards the end of this year and into 2016.
Red River is out now via Warner Music.
Idlewild set to release latest single ‘Utopia’!
"a Greatful Dead-like grace which could be their best work so far" - The Independent
"Scottish alt-rock legends" - The Line of Best Fit
“…a genre-traversing, surprising, melodic, poetic, anthemic record with heart, smarts and soul.” - Drowned in Sound
Earlier this year Idlewild returned to release their seventh album Everything Ever Written and with the year coming to a close, the band are bookending a successful 2015 with the release of single Utopia on November 27th.
Currently in the middle of a 16 date world tour, covering the UK, USA and Japan, with The Jaguar Club joining them as support on the US leg, the band have had an amazing year so far, with album Everything Ever Written reaching number 20 in the UK Charts and received critical acclaim in the press from the likes of The Independent, The Times, Guardian, Drowned in Sound, Q, Kerrang!, The Skinny and many others.
You can listen to the track now via the ABoF Soundcloud page or by clicking the embed below.
A mix of haunting piano, echoing guitar and Roddy Woomble's wistful lyrics, Utopia is a perfect track to close out what has been an incredible return to form for a band that continues to develop and grow into new musical horizons.
Canadian actor Jay Baruchel (How To Train Your Dragon, This Is The End, Robocop) was invited earlier this year to star in the video for Every Little Means Trust, the third single taken from the album, after the band discovered he was a longtime fan. The video is now available to watch via the band's YouTube channel.
Idlewild's UK dates are below but for a full list of tour dates, visit Idlewild’s website or Facebook page.
24th Nov - Concert Hall - Perth
25th Nov - Ironworks - Inverness
26th Nov - Music Hall - Aberdeen
27th Nov - Barrowland - Glasgow
9th Dec - Unity Works - Wakefield
10th Dec - Riverside - Newcastle
11th Dec - Koko - London
12th Dec - Anson Rooms - Bristol
13th Dec - Rock City - Nottingham
Utopia will be released via Empty Words on November 27th 2015.
Everything Ever Written is out now via Empty Words and available to buy from iTunes and all good online retailers.