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Introducing… The Last September!
The Last September unveil their latest single, This Train Remains. The single is taken from their forthcoming album, Volcano released 20th October 2014 via Fountainhall Records.
Stream and download the single for free from the ABoF SoundCloud page, or via the embed below.
This Train Remains opens with a drum flourish from Simon Usher that lives up to the single’s name, before Pete Deane’s haunting vocals take the listener on a journey of ecstatic highs and introspective lows. Archie MacFarlane provides a haunting accordion backdrop to the track, while David Bishop’s bass line provides the spine of the melody, and the meandering guitar from Craig Nicholson counterpoints with the drums, completing the illusion of locomotion.
Earning his stripes playing in Edinburgh-based indie hopefuls Suburbia (which gave him the opportunity to work with renowned producer Tony Visconti), Pete boldly struck out on his own musical path 2004. Along the way he collected a number of like-minded eccentrics over and, the line-up was complete once Simon ʻthe Mad Dukeʼ Usher sat down behind the band’s drum kit in 2013.
With an album due in October, The Last September will be embarking on a Scottish tour this September after putting in appearances at festivals such as Kelburn Garden Party and Fringe By The Sea.
This Train Remains is released via Fountainhall Records.
The/Das release ‘Miami Waters’ video!
Berlin based duo The/Das release their sun soaked video for forthcoming single Miami Waters, released 25th August 2014. The single is taken from their captivating debut album Freezer, released 18th August 2014 via Sinnbus.
The video premiered on Clash Magazine's website, and you can watch it now via the Sinnbus YouTube channel or via the embed below.
The story behind the video is focused on one of Anton Feist's ancestors. The late Friedrich Feist was a sailor and wanderlust vagabond who washed up on the shores of a deserted coastline. Inspired by Anton's family legend, The/Das hunted for, and found, an abandoned resort complex deep in the wilds of the Mediterranean coast. This is where the captain, the video's hero, reclaims his true and only love: the salty seashore and the rise and fall of the tide. In order to maintain his sanity whilst ashore, he begins to treat the neglected relic of the resort as a ship of his own heart. Here he stays, eyes locked on the horizon, with nothing but his sea legs to stand on, as forced solitude creates startled phantoms and friendly specters alike.
Miami Waters further showcases The/Das' multi-faceted sound, building on a simple, driving loop and Fenk's distinct voice. It develops into a hypnotic, as well as confident, clearance like a huge, delightful breath of fresh air.
This single, along with their latest album Freezer, proves they are still very much one of the most innovative bands to emerge from the Berlin scene.
The video for previous single, 'My Made Up Spook', premiered on The Line Of Best Fit, and is now available to watch via the Sinnbus YouTube channel.
You can also watch the video for free track, 'Parallel Worlds', on Sinnbus' YouTube channel and download it from their SoundCloud page.
Miami Waters is released 25th August 2014 via Sinnbus.
Introducing… Little Arrow!
Little Arrow are back with their third album Furious Finite, due for release 13th October 2014 via Bubblewrap Collective.
To give you a taste of the album, Little Arrow recorded an acoustic 'Ski Lift Session' for album track 'Medicine Moon' which you can watch now via their YouTube channel. You can also stream and download the track for free from the band's SoundCloud page or via the embed below.
The album defies genres, incorporating elements of folk, grunge, rock and psychedelia. Reared in the wilds of St. Davids in Pembrokeshire, Little Arrow bottle up the spirit of their natural surroundings and transpose it into an edgy, grunge folk cocktail. Lead singer, William Hughes, describes the album as “concerning the human spirit, the pains and great joys of human relationships as we gain and lose others throughout our life. It also expresses solace, which can be found through immersion into the outside environment. But most importantly it expresses collaboration between five good friends sharing high and lows and dancing in each other’s heads.”
It is for this reason it feels almost unjust not to listen to Furious Finite from start to finish. Every song has a different story to share – each as rich and enchanting as the next. The album opens with ‘Government Bodies’, where you can hear the psychedelic influence immediately. The track then falls into a more comfortable folk/country feel that almost takes you back in time. From here the album moves on to the album’s first single, Medicine Moon. This track expresses unique elements in Hughes’ voice alongside an almost choral background of deep voices that complement the guitar’s distortion and slides. This album has a number of surprises hidden away which keep you guessing throughout.
Little Arrow were formed in 2011 by William Hughes. His acoustic templates have since been broadened with the arrival of Dan Messore (guitar), Ben Sharpe (guitar), Callum Duggan (bass) and Richard Chitty (drums). The resultant sound is open, borne of the folk tradition which is reflected in their suitably chosen band name Little Arrow. Their name was born from three members of the band embarking on an adventure through Europe and eventually ending up meeting a baker named Moon. The three spent their evening with Moon who supplied them with a feast fit for kings. When morning came, Moon had disappeared and left nothing but a pile of three loaves waiting on a square scarf and in the sand, spelt out in rocks next to it, was the phrase “Live your life true like a little arrow”. The rest, as they say, is history.
Furious Finite is released 13th October 2014 via Bubblewrap Collective.
Alburn release free track ‘Mouthful Of Glass’!
Alburn have released EP title track 'Mouthful of Glass' as a free download. The EP is due for release on 25th August 2014 via Spilt Lies Records.
Download track, ‘Mouthful of Glass’, conjures memories of the US underground scenes of the late 90's, early noughties and of bands who have, in the past, been represented by iconic labels such as Deep Elm Records, De Soto and Crank!.
You can stream and download the track from the ABoF SoundCloud page or via the embed below.
You can also stream and download EP track The Nurses Can't Help Me via the ABoF SoundCloud page and watch the accompanying video via the Alburn YouTube channel.
Exhibiting post-rock elements, as well as an emo-infused sound not dissimilar to classic underground American bands such as The Appleseed Cast, Thursday, Jets To Brazil and Texas Is The Reason, Alburn have produced a modern take on these influences to create an impressive four track EP. Opening track ‘The Nurses Can’t Help Me’ sweeps and sways as heavy, laden stop start guitar melodies angrily spit as an interchange of vocals belt out from the speakers and grab you by the throat. while ‘Golden’ showcases the band’s ability to execute the quiet / loud dynamic as well as time changes galore and screaming vocals which are all unified by flawless harmonies.
Mouthful of Glass was recorded with Neil Kennedy (Last Witness, Burn The Fleet) at The Ranch and mastered by Alan Douches (Mastodon, Converge). To support the release Alburn will be playing shows throughout the UK as well as playing a launch show with We Came From Wolves at King Tut’s Rock n Roll Damnation Festival.
Mouthful of Glass is due for release on 25th August 2014 via Spilt Lies Records.
Clockwork Radio release ‘Sitting Bull’!
Clockwork Radio have released 'Sitting Bull' as a free single. The track is taken from their forthcoming debut album No Man Is An Island, released 8th September 2014 via Poly Tune.
Stream and download 'Sitting Bull' for free on Clockwork Radio's SoundCloud page or via the embed below.
You can also stream and download album track 'Fever' for free from Clockwork Radio's official website.
Beginning life as a side project in rural Wales, Clockwork Radio have since explored half of Europe, playing anywhere from rooftops to boats and festival stages. Sculpting their own brand of alternative rock whilst on the road, the band self-released 4 EPs over a two year period, collaborating with artists Agnes Cecile and Juan Carlos Riviera on artwork and videos. Tracks from the EPs were quickly picked up by the likes of BBC Radio One, BBC 6Music, XFM, Q and NME Radio.
In late 2013 the four piece recorded their debut album No Man Is An Island over two days in December in Manchester's 80 Hertz Studios. The album sees the band take a completely new approach to the way they record, taking a snapshot of their live sound, capturing the character of their live shows.
The album is an energetic and accomplished collection of brightly coloured compositions, each member of the band painting part of a musical mural to create an intense and vibrant sound that embodies good times in the sunshine. Tracks like ‘The Balance Of Water’ give the band the opportunity to slow down proceedings and show off their knack for stripped down melodies and subtle vocal harmony. The release is a great showcase for a band who are very much confident in their sound and the effect it has on their audience.
With previous single Feel It Up gaining airplay from BBC 6Music, BBC Radio 1’s Nick Grimshaw and named as one of BBC Introducing… Manchester’s Tracks Of The Year, debut album No Man Is An Island opens a dramatic new chapter for Clockwork Radio.
No Man Is An Island is released 8th September via Poly Tune.