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Introducing… Between Mockingbirds!
Between Mockingbirds kick off 2015 with free download track Do You. The track blends 90s American college rock and a heavy dose of politics with the band being inspired by 2014’s Scottish Referendum.
Do You premiered on Artrocker and you can download and stream the track for free via the ABoF SoundCloud page.
Although the band are influenced by heavy rock acts like Queens of the Stone Age, Do You has a definite 90s feel about it, reminiscent of hazy US college days in the sun, but this has a definite modern feel taking the best of those halcyon days and combining them with an edgier flavour - think Dinosaur Jr. meets Cloud Nothings.
With the referendum having a huge effect on the whole of Scotland, Do You’s lyrics are told from the perspective of a ‘Yes’ voter. The feeling of excitement around the Yes Campaign was incredible but with the No result, many were left feeling dejected, disappointed and disaffected. It’s no surprise that Scotland’s creatives have been inspired to voice their anger and frustration and Between Mockingbirds display this perfectly as guitarist / singer Michael Davitt sings: “Why ask for change and expect to be the same, do you look around yourself at all?”
Formed in 2012, Davitt, Josh Fletcher (bass), William Matthews (guitar) and Lewis Tollan (drums) all hail from East Kilbride, just outside of Glasgow. Forming from the ashes of an old band, the foursome have already released their debut album, however, Do You is their statement of intent.
Cara Mitchell releases free track ‘Dust To Dust’!
“Beautiful lyrics and a wonderfully quirky voice…”
- For Folks Sake
The enchanting nineteen year old Cara Mitchell is back with download track 'Dust To Dust', taken from her breathtaking latest EP, Afraid of The Dark, out now via AGP.
'Dust to Dust' immediately introduces the listener to Cara’s gorgeous tone. The track builds with the drums a driving force to a beat that you can’t help but tap your foot to.
You can stream and download the track for free via the ABoF SoundCloud page.
Originally from Aberdeen in Scotland, Cara has been honing her skills for the past two years to create something even more flawless than her debut EP Have You Ever Wondered. Cara’s unique vocal tone is just the beginning of her talents, with her charming lyrics and beautifully arranged harmonies bringing each song together beautifully.
In the last two years Cara has supported the likes of Emeli Sande, Rachel Sermanni, Simone Felice and Emily & The Woods. She has also performed a televised session for BBC Scotland as well as picking up support from the likes of Jim Gellatly, BBC Radio 1, The Scotsman and For Folks Sake. Her sharp rise in Scotland saw her gain a nomination for Best Acoustic Act at the 2013 and 2014 Scottish Alternative Music Awards, and she has been pipped as 'One To Watch in 2015' by Netsounds.
Afraid of The Dark is out now via AGP and available to buy digitally on iTunes and on CD from BandCamp.
Idlewild announce single ‘Come On Ghost’!
Idlewild's forthcoming single Come On Ghost premiered on the first Shaun Keaveny Breakfast Show of 2015 on BBC 6Music. It is the second single taken from Idlewild’s latest album Everything Ever Written and will be released 9th February with the album following shortly after on 16th February 2015.
You can listen to the track 2 hours and 46 minutes into the show via iPlayer Radio.
The band’s first single after five years apart was Collect Yourself, which premiered on Steve Lamacq’s BBC 6Music show in November 2014. The love and loyalty amongst Idlewild’s fans was apparent as always with Collect Yourself quickly making the 6Music A-list followed by the Evening Playlist on XFM.
The band’s eighth studio album represents a new chapter, both personally and creatively. Produced by the band’s guitarist Rod Jones and mixed by John Agnello (Kurt Vile, Sonic Youth, Dinosaur Jr.) whom they collaborated with on their 2002 release The Remote Part and augmented by new members Luciano Rossi (piano, organ & vocals) and Andrew Mitchell (bass, guitar & vocals), Everything Ever Written is Idlewild’s most eclectic output to date. The album features twelve tracks of alternative rock woven together from strands of Scottish folk, Americana & Hebridean psychedelia.
"The album was predominantly written on the Isle of Mull", vocalist Roddy Woomble explains. "The record soundtracks a period of transition. Working without time constraints gave the whole thing a creative freedom. Idlewild is a new band to me now; I’m excited for the future."
In October 2014 the group completed a sold out acoustic tour of unique, intimate venues throughout the Highlands & Islands of Scotland, re-introducing themselves to live audiences after a half-decade break, performing re-worked versions of old songs as well as songs from the new album. The still, idyllic settings chosen for the performances hint towards the sense of space afforded in writing and recording the new album, which will be supported by a run of live shows in spring 2015.
All European tour dates are listed below.
27th February - Luxor – Cologne
1st March - Lido – Berlin
2nd March - Knust – Hamburg
3rd March - Bitterzoet – Amsterdam
7th March - O2 ABC – Glasgow
8th March - O2 ABC – Glasgow
10th March - The Institute – Birmingham
12th March - The Ritz – Manchester
13th March - Roundhouse – London
20th March - The Academy Dublin - Dublin
21st March - The Limelight - Belfast
Come On Ghost will be available to buy on iTunes and all good online retailers from 9th February 2015 with the album Everything Ever Written to follow on 16th February 2015 in the UK on digital, CD and vinyl. These and a limited, deluxe edition with exclusive live acoustic tracks recorded during the band’s recent Highlands & Islands tour are available to pre-order now from: www.pledgemusic.com/idlewild.
A Badge of Friendship wraps up another amazing year!
It’s December, we’re tired, a little bit chilly and we've heard so much amazing music that we think our brains might melt, but we’re feeling fully festive and very thankful because 2014 has been A Badge of Friendship’s biggest year yet!
This year, our bands and labels have featured on the Guardian, NME, The Quietus, The Line of Best Fit, Drowned in Sound, The 405, Clash, Kerrang! and Rock Sound plus many more.
Up in Scotland, The Skinny, The List, The Herald, BBC Radio Scotland’s Vic Galloway and XFM’s Jim Gellatly have been especially brilliant about championing our bands.
And speaking of radio, BBC 6Music’s Steve Lamacq, the Shaun Keaveny Breakfast Show, Tom Robinson, Lauren Laverne, Danielle Perry over at XFM and those good folks at Amazing Radio have played many of our bands singles this year.
We'd also like to give a special thank you to online hubs such as Podcart, Ravechild, Scottish Fiction, Jockrock, Echoes and Dust, Shout4Music, Atlsounds, Netsounds and Punktastic who have been especially supportive over the last 12 months.
Idlewild joined our roster in autumn. Their album is due for release on 16th February 2015 and it’s already been a campaign that’s started with a bang. Their single Collect Yourself is currently on the BBC 6Music Playlist, has been championed by XFM and everyone from The Quietus to Clash are talking about the band’s return.
Check out the teaser trailer for the album via Idlewild's YouTube channel.
Fat Goth, Bear Arms, Felix Champion and Algernon Doll led the way this year with the rock press, proving that heavy independent music ain’t dead yet. Fat Goth's filth laden, balls out gonzo rock gained praise from Kerrang!, Rock Sound and even The Line of Best Fit!
You can stream our ABoF Scotland Rocks 2014 playlist via SoundCloud.
Our favourite German label Sinnbus has been with us for over two years now. They've gone from strength to strength with four superb album releases this year from Hundreds, The/Das, Einar Stray Orchestra and Miss Kenichi. The quality of their output is unparalleled, proving their 'cutting edge' status with features, premieres and reviews popping up on Clash, The Line of Best Fit, DJ Magazine, Mix Mag, MTV Iggy and many more.
You can stream the Sinnbus playlist via the ABoF SoundCloud page.
This year, we started working with Glasgow based label/venue BLOC. The label has a strong DIY ethic and has put out several fantastic compilations including BLOC Ensemble Vol.2 Part 1 which premiered on The Skinny, BLOC Ensemble Vol.2 Part 3, and the BLOC+TYCI Ensemble Vol.2 Part 4 which premiered on The Quietus.
You can stream and download the BLOC Ensemble Part 2 for free (or name your price) via Bandcamp. You can also check out and download the rest of the series while you're there.
We're sure there's lots of stuff we've missed out, as this has been one of our biggest years so far, but we'll be back in 2015 with releases from clients both old and new, so keep your eyes peeled and, as an early present, check out our ABoF Xmas playlist. Have a fantastic Christmas, and a Happy New Year.
If there are any bands, musicians or labels out there wanting to find out more about what we do, please get in touch with us at info@abadgeoffriendship.com
HAWK single ‘Hush’ out now!
"HAWK combine post-punk and folk in a spine-tingling brew that'll take potshots at your emotional wellbeing" - The Line of Best Fit
"...a searing post-rock epic..." - Gigwise
HAWK have released free single Hush as an emotional and passionate farewell to 2014.
The single premiered on Gigwise, and you can stream and download it for free via HAWK's SoundCloud page.
The single's haunting video premiered on The Line Of Best Fit and you can now enjoy it on HAWK's YouTube channel.
Hush embraces the furthest reaches of light and shade of the band’s uniquely primal sonic tapestry, teasing the pain and pleasure from every resonant chord and truly living the healing power of music through every spine tingling vocal nuance.
HAWK are Julie Hawk (vocals & guitar), Matthew Harris (guitar), Chris Handsley (bass) and Sam Campbell (drums). Hush is a precursor to their first new release of 2015 via Veta Records, the stunning EP Clock Hands.
Hush is available digitally via HAWK’s official SoundCloud page.