Latest News
The Blood Arm: Album ‘Infinite Nights’ out now + new video for ‘Midnight Moan’!
"...playfully knowing indie rock..." - Q Magazine
The Blood Arm return with their fourth album Infinite Nights, which is out now via RIP Ben Lee Records. Infinite Nights showcases a more mature sound after a short break and a move from their LA home to the cool avant-garde city of Berlin.
The band recently released a brand new video for the track 'Midnight Moan'. The video premiered first on Clash Magazine's website but you can also watch it on The Blood Arm's YouTube channel.
"Bubblegum", a track taken from the new album, is available to download free now via the ABoF Soundcloud page.
Infinite Nights is about hopefulness, which seems apt after the big move. Alongside the band’s musical inspiration of Wings and Pulp, Haruki Murakami's novel 1Q84 also set the mood for the record, emphasising the sensation of restlessness and longing, whilst keeping their youthful view of the world around them. With keyboardist Dyan Valdes and frontman Nathaniel Fregoso based in Berlin, their fresh surroundings allowed them to creatively explore themes such as change, relationships and the process of getting older, which was reflected in the new, more experimental, direction of Infinite Nights.
'Wrong Side of the Law' starts the album with an air of introspection harking back to sounds akin to the Jesus and Mary Chain. However, with single 'Midnight Moan', The Blood Arm's foot-stomping, upbeat tempos return as they hone a sound akin to Roxy Music. 'Revenge' is mid naughties loveliness with a vintage Rolling Stones edge whilst 'Sex Fiend' channels The B-52s throw back 60s indie pop. However, this is very much an album of two halves with The Blood Arm's signature head bobbing, party tunes interlaced with reflective ballads and gorgeous acoustic tracks like 'Oh Ali Bell!', 'Happy Hour' and 'Let Me Be Your Guide'. Matthew Wheeler of The Rumble Strips also sings and plays drums on the album, adding to The Blood Arm's fresh new direction.
The album was funded by PledgeMusic. PledgeMusic's aim is to help bands fundraise for releases, encouraging them to participate with fans by creating unique ways to access exclusive content and material, such as a few scarves hand- knit by Dyan and unique songs written for pledgers.
The band plan to tour Europe and the UK over the summer and will embark on an extended tour in Autumn.
Believers Roast presents… The Exquisite Corpse Game
Exquisite corpse is a method by which a collection of images is collectively assembled. Each collaborator adds to a composition in sequence until finally the whole completed picture is revealed. This technique invented by the Surrealists is similar to the old parlour game, Consequences, in which players write in turn on a sheet of paper, fold it to conceal part of the writing, and then pass it to the next player for a further contribution.
A trailer for The Exquisite Corpse Game is available on the Believers Roast YouTube channel.
The Exquisite Corpse Game is a unique musical collaboration based on these rules put together and overseen by Kavus Torabi for his label Believers Roast, featuring Khyam Allami, Karda Estra, JG Thirlwell (Foetus / Manorexia / Steroid Maximus), Kavus Torabi (Knifeworld / Cardiacs / Guapo), British Theatre (Oceansize / Biffy Clyro), Bob Drake (Thinking Plague / 5uu's / The Science Group), Weasel Walter (The Flying Luttenbachers / Behold The Arctopus), Dominique Leone, Appleblim, Katharine Blake (Mediaeval Baebes / Miranda Sex Garden), Max Tundra, Mikrokosmos (Levitation / Dark Star / Cardiacs) and Craig Fortnam (North Sea Radio Orchestra / Arch Garrison).
Once the first 'fold' was recorded each artist was given only the last 20 seconds of the previous composition and had to continue by recording instrumental music in any way they saw fit. Whether they chose to develop themes or take an obtuse 90 degree turn was entirely up to them.
Each 'fold' had to be a response to the 20 seconds they were given and be between one and four minutes long. None of the contributors heard the entire piece until the final 'fold' had been completed
Taken individually, The Exquisite Corpse Game represents thirteen brand new, original compositions by thirteen innovative musical artists but taken as a whole the entire album has a kaleidoscopic, dream-like yet homogenous quality. Themes and ideas seem to repeat and reoccur throughout in a way that could not have been known to the contributors. There is an ebb and flow throughout that sounds both pre-conceived and deliberate.
The Exquisite Corpse Game will be released on 2nd September 2013 and is available to pre-order now form the Genepool website.
An extended press release with information about each artist can be found HERE.
Neils Children album ‘Dimly Lit’ out now!
"...engaging, whip-smart and beautifully textured..."
- Loud & Quiet
"...one of this year's finest albums"
- Drowned in Sound
Neils Children released their third album Dimly Lit this week to brilliant reviews. Drowned in Sound gave it 9/10 calling it a "minor revelation", whilst Loud & Quiet awarded it 8/10 likening their sound to Tame Impala and Louder Than War noted it was a "definite contender for album of the year."
The band have released several videos and a free download from Dimly Lit but there are more exclusive tracks available. If you'd like to feature a track exclusively on your blog or website, please email info@abadgeoffriendship.com for more information.
Album track 'Trust You' was recently released as a free download and is available to stream and download from the ABoF soundcloud page.
The video for 'Trust You' is available to watch now on Neils Children's YouTube channel.
The video for 'Dimly Lit' is also available to watch on YouTube now.
Now operating as a two-piece, Neils Children proudly decamped to Toulouse, France where they recorded Dimly Lit in their rural studio which now takes the founding pair away from their previous guitar-led sound. With the band citing influences such as Broadcast, Silver Apples and Stereolab. Dimly Lit takes a further twist and forms around the clockwork-like churn of analogue synths, drum loops and deep underpinning bass that go to create a psychedelic stimulus and a real sense of escapism.
Dimly Lit makes a real statement of intent and marks a coming of age within the duo. With this full length LP echoing the familiar sound of Tame Impala and Stealing Sheep, Neils Children have crated a uniquely modern, contemporary record that echoes vintage sounds and care free vibes that are abundant in todays culture. Tracks like 'Warm Wave' and 'Those You Thought Would, But Who' feature that warm valve amp bite, whirling synths and hypnotic vocal lines that penetrate the subconscious sending the mind into a humid, dream-like state.
Formed in 2000 in the London suburbs by John Linger (guitarist/singer/song writer) and Brandon Jacobs (Drummer), Neils Children burst onto the music scene in 2003 with their debut single Come Down. The duo soon flung under the media spotlight with top 60 single Always The Same with support coming in from Elle Magazine, The Times and NME. By 2009 the band had two albums, numerous singles and had the privilege of supporting Razorlight, Bloc Party, The Horrors and Klaxons though out their UK and worldwide tours.
After a 3 year hiatus the band returned in 2012 to pick up where they left off and 2013 sees Neils Children seek new heights with Dimly Lit. The band will be playing a string of live dates and this year can only be theirs for the taking with their unique modern take on their vintage influences.
Algernon Doll releases album ‘Citalo-pop’
- Artrocker Magazine
Algernon Doll is pleased to announce the release of second album Citalo-pop, out now via Common Records.
A departure from last years debut album where singer songwriter Ewan Grant expelled the difficulties in dealing with the toils of extreme anxiety disorder and bipolar, Citalo-pop immediately offers a freshness in comparison with the inclusion of fuzzy grunge-esque guitars, distorted, layered vocals and Algernon Doll's trademark off-kilter alt-folk sound exhibited in his releases to date.
This is exhibited in the album track 'Anti-them' which sees Algernon Doll continue to explore his alternative rock roots, as Grant's pained vocals and grungy guitar sound comes to the fore.
You can download 'Anti-them' below or from the ABoF Soundcloud page.
You can watch the exclusive video for 'Anti-them' in the embed below or from Algernon Doll's YouTube page.
Inspired by the likes of Red House Painters on Old Ramon, Mark Lanegan, Elliott Smith and Dinosaur Jr, Algernon Doll continues to display a maturity beyond his years by executing such a rich texture to his songwriting - something many of his contemporaries would aspire to achieve.
As well as 'Anti-them', songs such as 'Cassini' mark an immediate change in direction - up tempo, distorted guitars soar throughout, with driven incessant drumming and time changes galore, all brought together by Grant's emotionally charged vocals. Even the dreamier 'Home- schooled', which has a far more ominous feeling, illustrates the direction Algernon Doll has taken as the track builds slowly into a visceral, heavy outro spearheaded by Grant's expressive guitar playing and intense vocals.
Citalo-pop is a vehicle for Grant to expel his dark outlook on life while allowing him to tap into his punk and hardcore background, creating a schizophrenic sound that keeps the listener on their toes throughout the 13 tracks found on the album.
Grant has assembled a full band for live shows to replicate the bigger sound produced on the album, adding another dimension to his sound. To support the release of Citalo-pop Algernon Doll will be playing a launch show at the 13th Note Cafe in Glasgow on 13th June.
Citalo-pop is out via Common Records and can be purchased on the Algernon Doll Bandcamp page.
<
Poor Things release ‘Hurricane Poor Things’ EP
Scottish three-piece Poor Things release their EP, Hurricane Poor Things, today via Vinyl Richie Records. You can stream the EP exclusively on Hercules Moments now.
The record showcases Poor Things songwriting skills perfectly and highlights the band's ability to deliver up tempo, alt-indie dance floor classics that has seen them gain support from the likes of Glasgow PodcArt, BBC Radio 1 - Introducing and Artrocker.
This songwriting ability can be found in songs such as the recent download track 'Ice Cream' which can be downloaded from the embed below or via the ABoF Soundcloud page.
You can watch the video for 'Ice Cream' from the embed below or via the band's YouTube page.
Opening track, 'Beachcomber', sets the scene well; with guitars and percussion going head to head in a duel. Craig Angus plays ringmaster to these behemoths, reigning them in with his honest and sincere lyrics. 'Summer Clutch' and free download 'Morgan' also comes across in a similar vein; with cloudy dappled guitar riffs and addictive melodies, Poor Things create perfect pop-rock moments in which to get dreamily caught up in.
Originally from Perth and consisting of Craig Angus (Guitar, Vocals), Richard Stratton (Bass, Guitar, Vocals) and Gavin Redford (Drums) the three-piece cite Teenage Fanclub, Pavement and Grandaddy as influences, but their guitar driven alt-indie rock comes flavoured with euphoric moments similar to The Smashing Pumpkins, allied with melodies akin to the likes of Weezer. Bolstered by turbulent rolling drum beats and engulfed by high intensity guitar lines, Hurricane Poor Things comes as a battering of the senses - music in which the listener can lose all inhibition.
The band recently supported mighty Scottish rockers Fat Goth, indie stalwarts Little Comets at King Tuts, appeared at Brew At The Bog and have been added to the T Break Stage at this year's T In The Park, capping an exciting 2013 so far.
Poor Things EP Hurricane Poor Things is out to buy now via Vinyl Richie Records and can be streamed exclusively on Hercules Moments.
If you'd like more information on Poor Things or our PR services, please email info@abadgeoffriendship.com.