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Chalk: Debut album and free track release!
Chalk aka Steven Stride has released his self-titled debut album Chalk this week via Sonic Anhedonic Recording Co. The album is a wonderfully introspective journey that is fully stripped back, just a man, his thoughts and his guitar.
You can stream the album below, or alternatively via via Bandcamp.
The second free track from the album - 'Next To Useless' - is available to download now via Soundcloud.
'In Your Suit' is also available to download now via the ABoF Soundcloud page.
You can also watch the video for 'In Your Suit' via YouTube.
You can also watch Steven perform 'All These Things' on YouTube.
Beginning the album with 'No Ones Listening', the music sounds almost optimistic despite the lyrics: "Got all this stuff to scream but nothing's coming out, got lost in thoughts that once I was about..." With 'Stinted Verse', you can definitely hear Steven's influences breaking through, it's a little Scott Matthews in places with the atmosphere that's built throughout. However, Stride's influences break far beyond the typical singer songwriter leanings you hear on first listen. The guitar and vocals heard on 'Why Do We Have To Get Along' sound like a stripped back version of American bands like Cursive and The Paper Chase. Steven manages to combine his more alternative influences with a sound that isn't dissimilar to Graham Coxon's debut solo album The Sky Is Too High. Chalk's debut album is a highly accomplished effort, it's a personal journey that brings highs and lows and will leave you feeling hopeful
Sunset Graves: ‘Safe And Empty’ video!
Sunset Graves aka Andy Fosberry will release his debut album Variant on 23rd September 2013 via 3rd and Debut Records. The album is a highly accomplished journey of sound that spans genres and creates vast textured soundscapes that showcase Andy;s songwriting talent having written and played all instruments on the album himself.
The video for free track 'Safe And Empty' premiered on The 405 but is now available to watch and share via the Sunset Graves YouTube channel.
'Safe And Empty' is available to download now via the ABoF Soundcloud page.
After releasing five EPs in 2012, Andy became frustrated with his music; he decided to go back to the drawing board and strip everything back. "To find my voice, I had to stop singing..." Andy explains. The result is debut album Variant - each track on the album feels completely unique and showcases Andy's array of influences. Tracks like 'Sixty Minutes Sixty Seconds' and 'Abyssal Ghosts' could have easily featured on Oceansize's debut album Effloresce yet equally on a Russian Circles record. However, then there's 'Under the Widefield' - a track that channels Boards of Canada through acoustic guitars and 'Safe And Empty', which is like an instrumental Massive Attack track. Variant feels like a brocade of Andy’s influences coming together as one, it's a highly ambitious piece but one that feels like a personal journey as well.
It isn't obvious on first listen, but the record is very sample heavy, adding textures to the forefront and deeper structures of nearly all the tracks. Andy wanted to blur the lines between what people perceive as sample based music and music performed by a full band.
Andy's influences span even further than what is actually heard on the album, his inspirations whilst writing Variant flit from alternative metal like Deftones to the indie electronica of Chromatics, the Blade Runner soundtrack, Slayer, Curtis Mayfield and DJ Shadow. A lot of 70s vinyl and films also influenced the recording of Variant and it's clear to hear the latter having a hold on the sound with each of the eight tracks feeling almost filmic at times.
Andy recorded the whole album himself in his own purpose built studio, which he lovingly calls The Graveyard. However, despite the gloomy connotations, this is a place where all of his ideas and feelings are sonically birthed and forged into what you hear on Variant.
Sunset Graves is an exciting project from a real songwriters’ songwriter and marks the beginning of something very intriguing indeed.
Rue Royale: ‘Set Out To Discover’ Video!
Anglo-American duo Rue Royale released their single Set Out To Discover last week via Sinnbus. The single is taken from their forthcoming album Remedies Ahead, which is out on 30th September 2013.
The video features the pair wandering through a strange house as lights flash through the windows, giving the video a haunting atmosphere, which works perfectly with the music. The video for the single is available to watch now on YouTube.
Set Out To Discover is available as a stream via the Sinnbus Soundcloud page.
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. With their third release looming Set Out To Discover samples Rue Royals latest work as a momentous statement of intent.
Set Out To Discover is out now and available to buy via iTunes - the duo's forthcoming album Remedies Ahead will be released on 30th September 2013.
Introducing… The Men That Will Not Be Blamed For Nothing
“Leading lights of the steampunk scene...” - NME
Returning once more as the UK’s biggest Steampunk band, The Men That Will Not Be Blamed For Nothing are a good old filthy slice of Victoriana that slides down the gullet like a dirty shot of Hendricks.
The Gin Song is available to stream now on TMTWNBBFN's Soundcloud page.
Their upcoming double a-side single, The Gin Song / Third Class Coffin will be released on October 7th 2013. ‘The Gin Song’ is a stripped down rabble rousing drinking anthem, with elements of Kurt Weill and more than a nod to Tom Waits' seminal Rain Dogs, best consumed in the forgotten decadence of abandoned cabaret lounges, whilst drowning your sorrows.
‘Third Class Coffin’, brings a touch of class (pun definitely intended) to the proceedings, with a splash of social commentary providing the tonic to the a-side's juniper infused spirit. The release will coincide with one of the band’s biggest headline shows to date at The Garage, London on October 4th.
An animated video for 'The Great Stink' was recently released. The track does not feature on the forthcoming single but it's another visual treat from the band ahead of their London show in October.
The Men That Will Not Be Blamed For Nothing started off in the troubled minds of former Creaming Jesus singer Andy Heintz and guitarist and cult stand up comedian Andrew O'Neill (who’s previously appeared on Never Mind The Buzzcocks and Stewart Lee’s Comedy Vehicle). They were immediately adopted by the emerging Steampunk scene due to their very British Aesthetic, penchant for the ridiculous and determination to put the "punk" back into Steampunk. As time went on, they adopted fellow comedian Marc Burrows (Bass Guitar) and Jez Miller (Drums - formerly of Lords of the New Church and Britpoppers Showgirls).
With two albums under their belts, a Christmas EP and a single released on wax cylinder, along with a long list of festival appearances including Bestival, Latitude and Green Man it didn't take long for the band to catch the attention of the national press and radio. They've earned praise from such publications as the NME, a 4 star review from the Independent on Sunday and can count Steampunk Godfathers Alan Moore and Neil Gaiman as fans. This latest offering is sure to cement and expand their evergrowing fanbase.
The Gin Song / Third Class Coffin will be released on 7th October 2013.
Introducing… Yeah Saint Paul
Yeah Saint Paul aka Angel Rivers, releases his debut album Women Are Stoned via Loyal Artistes Recording Co. on 4th November 2013. The album explores themes such as self belief, change, horizons, sexuality and companionship.
Album track 'A Universe In The Grain' is 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.
Women Are Stoned will be released on 4th November 2013. Videos for ‘Rendezvous' and 'A Universe In The Grain' will be released just before the album's official release date.