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Yeah Saint Paul release ‘Rendezvous’ free download!
Yeah Saint Paul aka Angel Rivers, releases his debut album Women Are Stoned via Loyal Artistes Recording Co. on 4th November 2013.
Ahead of next week's album release, the album track 'Rendezvous' is being released as a free download. You can download it now from the ABoF Soundcloud page.
Album track 'A Universe In The Grain' is also available to download now via the ABoF Soundcloud page.
Angel's influences span a wide range of genres. Women Are Stoned blends a retro sound akin to The Velvet Underground, Syd Barrett and Pavement with a subtle touch of Prince and a sound that Julian Cope has honed on his later records - an interesting mix. 'Gold' is a perfect example of this sound as Angel’s words float lazily over the almost psychedelic melody. The track is quiet and understated but still manages to pack a punch. 'Needle On Plastic' evokes a sound that feels like Can meets The xx, whilst 'Tellstory Eyes' is like one of The Band's more introspective moments. Approaching the halfway point, 'Clocks' and 'Rendezvous' are quietly eccentric and 'A Universe In The Grain' showcases Angel's ear for writing a catchy, unconventional tune - somewhere inbetween Jonathan Richman, Big Star and The Posies with that signature understated, idiosyncratic feel that Yeah Saint Paul has made his own.
Although many different influences can be heard on the album Angel has stated he does not listen to music whilst recording.
The album itself is only about his own personal exploration but the title is a giveaway as to another inspiration - the fairer sex. "I was brought up surrounded by women..." Angel explains, "And women are the only ones who have shown me substantial, credible love and loyalty through life."
Angel composed all the tracks and played every instrument you hear on the album. After the album, Yeah Saint Paul will follow up Women Are Stoned with the release of a 7-inch single of one-off collaborations, and a new YSP album later in 2014.
Pincers ‘The Loanshark’ video and free download
"Wonderful stuff..."
- A New Band A Day
Pincers' debut EP Molt is pleasantly unsettling, darkly satirical and bizarre. The EP is released on 18th November 2013 via Volkspark.
Pincers previously released a video for EP track 'A Sociopath To Fame' which gained the attention of Notion Magazine, Artrocker, A New Band A Day and many more. But if you thought that video was odd, check out Pincers' strange yet captivating video for 'The Loanshark'.
Download 'The Loanshark' from Pincers' Soundcloud now.
Molt takes its name from the process anthropods endure when they shed their exoskeleton, a necessary practice lest they become constricted and die trapped in the shell of their old selves. This is also the function of the EP, songwriting being a necessary process to ensure Pincers can continue to exist.
The music is reminiscent of Nick Cave and Syd Barrett. Macabre yet comical tracks like opener, ‘Death’s Sieve’, describes the archetypical figure of Death reversed, presenting him as a childish transvestite whom rides a rocking horse and prepares die charts under the heaven’s stairs. Pincers has produced a lyrically and musically engaging sound to combine with fascinating video content.
The video for 'A Sociopath To Fame' is available to watch now on YouTube.
The bleak poetry of 'A Sociopath to Fame' tells a first person account of a deranged psychopath who locates a victim via a social media site, murders the boy in a strange ritualistic fashion involving an "eel clogged oesophagus" dumps the body in Shadwell canal and then posts a photo of themselves with the victim onto their ex's social media profile with the understanding they will soon be famous. Molt isn't for the weak hearted.
The vocals sit sonically between accomplished, melodic guitar playing. Pincers uses a hollow body guitar to utter shimmering notes, plucked and strummed to the beat of the squeaking tremolo arm, warping the sound throughout the release. With samples obtained via iPhone and then edited at home foley artist style, Pincers mutilates sound effects and blends them into the music to provide triggers to flare the listener's sense memories, the sound of bicycle spokes grating against a toothbrush being just one example. The process and the results are both distinctive, creating an EP that's challenging, vivid, and wildly imaginative.
Molt is due for release on 18th November via Volkspark Records.
Dante album ‘Wake’ out now!
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- The Sunday Herald
- Artrocker
Scottish five piece, Dante are delighted announce the release of their album Wake, out now via Stitch Records and available to buy on iTunes.
On Wake, Dante triumphantly straddle the line between indie and folk, breathing much needed new life into the scene in the process. Wake has already received glowing reviews from the likes of The Sunday Herald, The Daily Record and Artrocker and follows the release of debut single 'Son' and, most recently, the brilliant album track 'No Original Art'. Pulling on influences such as Lau and Frightened Rabbit, both tracks highlight Dante's unerring ability to produce up tempo contemporary folk music.
Download 'No Original Art' below or from the the band's Soundcloud page.
Watch the video for 'No Original Art' below or on the band's YouTube page.
Showcasing the songwriting talents of Séan McLaughlin (a member of Idlewild's Rod Jones' solo project, The Birthday Suit), the band have captured a modern folk sound that epitomises the Scottish indie scene's uncanny ability to blend contemporary innovation with more traditional values. Ably supported by ex Aberfeldy member Vicky Gray (fiddle / synth / glock / vox), Stephen Thom (electric mandolin / guitar / vox), Ruaridh Kidd (drums / vox) and Stuart Hosking (bass / vox), McLaughlin has created an album conjuring images of weather beaten landscapes, desolate beauty and lives lived at a slower pace, far away from the bustle of an overcrowded city.
Wake was part produced and recorded by Frightened Rabbit's Andy Monaghan, who also appears on the record playing bass and guitar, and was written in the Shetland Islands where Sean and Vicky were born.
In a baptism of fire that sits well alongside their infernal namesake, Dante played their first gig in Polmont Young Offenders Institution almost two years ago, and have never looked back. Since then, the band have grown steadily sharing the stage with members of Snow Patrol, supported The Birthday Suit and played with Washington Irving at the Edinburgh Festival.
The release ofWake is culmination of a busy period for the band. They embarked on a tour of Scotland and northern England throughout September and October. They also played a support slot with Dry the River and the band have been announced to play Celtic Connections on 19th January 2014.
Wake by Dante is out via Stitch Records and available to buy now on iTunes.
Rue Royale video for ‘Pull Me Like A String’ and November tour dates!
Anglo-American duo Rue Royale recently released their stunning third album Remedies Ahead via Sinnbus. Just before the pair hit the UK in November, they have released their latest video for 'Pull Me Like A String', available to watch now via the Sinnbus YouTube channel.
The video for previous single Set Out To Discover is also available to watch now via the Sinnbus YouTube channel.
Remedies Ahead highlighted Rue Royale's wide range of influences with tracks like “Change My Grip” - a folkier version of The XX - and single Set Out To Discover and “Pull Me Like A String” feeling like the best of Andrew Bird mixed with the boy / girl vocal harmonies of She & Him.
The band start the UK leg of their tour in November. A full list of dates is below:
16th November, Old Cinema Launderette, Durham
17th November, The Glee Club, Nottingham
18th November, Four Bars at Dempseys, Cardiff
20th November, Canteen, Bristol
21st November, Glee Club, Birmingham
22nd November, South Arts Centre, Devon
23rd November, Prince Albert, Stroud
24th November, Zanzibar, Liverpool
26th November, The Portland Arms, Cambridge
27th November, The Latest Music Bar, Brighton
28th November, Norwich Arts Centre, Norwich
29th November, Puzzle Hall Inn, Sowerby Bridge
30th November, The Magic Lantern, Tywyn
Unlike their first two LPs, Rue Royale (2008) and Guide To An Escape (2011), Rue Royale have taken a divergent approach, writing most of their forthcoming work on the road. The pair give the impression of being plucked out of a Wes Anderson film with deliberate, methodical accentuation. Forged from addictive bitter-sweet harmonies, delicate guitar plucks and a patchwork quilt of percussion Remedies Ahead marks a huge step-up for the pair.
Working with co-producer Paul Pilot (Duke Special, Beth Rowley, Athlete) the pair raised funds through Kickstarter with fans pledging with Rue Royale ultimately exceeding their target they decamped to Bat Box studios in Lewes where along with a tailless squirrel they recorded their latest work.
Named after a road running through the Chicago Suburbs, Rue Royale developed from Ruth and Brookln’s transatlantic relationship. With Ruth being brought up on brit-pop and northern soul and Brookln on American folk and southern gospel the pair cite influences as Mark Kozelek, Radiohead, Fleetwood Mac, Bob Dylan, Tom Petty, Wilco and Air creating a contrasting array of threads in which Rue Royale can form their distinct tapestry.
With their previous releases receiving numerous BBC 6Music and XFM plays as well as a huge interest in blogs worldwide the pair have showcased their unique brand of indie folk taking in festivals, house shows, club gigs and industry showcases across Europe and the US.
Access Royale return with stunning single ‘Planet Earth’!
- The 405
Following last year's acclaimed debut album, City of Paradigm, Access Royale return with a stunning new single download, Planet Earth, the first of two single releases, out now via ARU Records.
Planet Earth progresses Access Royale’s sound further than ever before, elevating the band to another level. Distorted keys, unsettled vocal passages and expert drumming all add a welcome edge to proceedings as the band look to lay a marker down for their sophomore release, due out next year.
You can download Planet Earth below or from the the ABoF Soundcloud page.
The second single Remembrance is due for release in November and offers uplifting chords as they swell throughout taking the listener on a journey back in time and evoking memories of the freedom of youth. The darker minimalist verses on Planet Earth builds tension, aided and abetted by Vee’s distorted vocals, until the chorus sweeps in and bathes the song in sunlight. Both tracks capture the uplifting message of self-discovery and exploration of life conveyed not only by lyrical sentiment but also in the arrangement and production of the music. The Los Angeles/Washington DC based two-piece have also taken the opportunity to explore some of the darker aspects of their past - resulting in the creation of two perfectly balanced singles to coincide with their forthcoming European and UK tour.
Access Royale were originally brought together by a mutual love of Muse, Radiohead, Vampire Weekend and MGMT. Consisting of Vee Styles (vocals, guitar), Charles Maven (keys) and Art Pacheco making a guest appearance on the drums, the band pull on a number of their influences to hone and produce an accomplished sound that is very much their own.
The band have already garnered some remarkable feedback on the back of their debut album release having been picked up by NME, Spinner Magazine, Artrocker and The 405. They are due to set off on a European and UK tour throughout November which will be announced imminently.
Planet Earth is released via ARU Records and is available to download now.