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Quickbeam release self-titled debut album!
Quickbeam today release their self-titled debut album. The album has been part funded by Creative Scotland, and released through Scottish label Comets & Cartwheels.
Quickbeam is an atmospheric tour de force for a band still in its relative infancy, exhibiting a level of musicianship normally displayed by a band who have been together for many more years. Quickbeam have produced an album of such quality they have gained praise from the likes of Frightened Rabbit and Deepak Chopra, as well as picking up support from This Is Fake DIY, The 405, The Skinny and The Sunday Herald.
You can download the album track 'Grace' from the embed below or from the band's Soundcloud page.
Watch the video below or from the band's YouTube page.
Formed in Glasgow in 2010 by Monika Gromek (Vocals/Harmonium) and Andrew Thomson (Guitar/Vocals/Piano), the band have since evolved into a four-piece with the addition of Liam Chapman (Drums) and Ruth Campbell (Cello), finally releasing their first single Seven Hundred Birds to widespread critical acclaim last year.
The resulting collection of songs captured on the album further reveal Quickbeam's growing maturity as songwriters and highlights the chemistry between the members - orchestrally arranged strings, brass, and rich harmonium pitted against thunderously distorted guitar passages and pounding rhythms. As a result, Quickbeam showcase their undoubted skills by producing an album filled with melancholic beauty which captivates the listener to stunning effect.
The last year has seen Quickbeam quickly become one of the most exciting acts to emerge from the ever impressive Glasgow music scene. They have received praise from many of the movers and shakers in the UK music industry and have captivated live audiences who have seen them grace the stage. None more so than their album launch show which was held in the Victorian swimming pool of Govanhill Baths. Having secured funding from PRS For Music Foundation in order to stage a special series of events, Quickbeam collaborated with local artist Annie Crabtree (Picture Window) and Becca Thomas (Pidgin Perfect) to produce a very special event experience that encompasses environmental artistry, projection, theatrics, and of course Quickbeam's own brand of majestic and cinematic music.
Quicbeam´s self-titled debut album will be available from most good UK independent record stores. Support your local record store and enjoy a physical copy of the album with liner notes and a four page pull out of the album artwork by Scottish artist Katherine Ho. If you can´t make it to a record store this week, order the physical copy through the shop page of www.quickbeammusic.com or wait for the digital release on Monday 10th June.
Quickbeam´s self-titled album is out now via Comets & Cartwheels and can be purchased through the band´s Bandcamp page.
Neils Children announce free download of ‘Trust You’
"...engaging, whip-smart and beautifully textured..." - Loud & Quiet
"...absolutely vital." - NME
In preparation for the release of their third album Dimly Lit, out on 10th June 2013, Neils Children are releasing the album track ‘Trust You’ as a free download.
‘Trust You’ 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.
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.
The video for 'Dimly Lit' is also available to watch on YouTube now.
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.
To celebrate the release of their album, Neils Children will play the Shacklewell Arms on Monday 10th June.
The/Das release video for ‘Have No Fear’
Berlin based duo, The/Das have released the video for 'Have No Fear'. The track features on their recently released debut EP Speak Your Mind Speak, out now via Sinnbus.
The video premiered first on Clash but is now available to watch no via the Sinnbus YouTube channel.
On Speak Your Mind Speak, The/Das wield the electronic avant-pop sensibilities of Matthew Dear with an understated melodic charm akin to Darkstar and create something that's laid back and intriguing.
Opening track 'Have No Fear' is the perfect dancefloor comedown whilst 'Keep This' is hypnotic and trancelike. 'Hope And Air' and 'Colin' are beautiful and dreamy with 'Colin' expertly blending elements of post rock and dub. The/Das are heralding the way for a new wave of alluring techno-tinged pop.
The EP track "Keep This" is available to stream via the Sinnbus Soundcloud page.
The/Das first sprung to life in 2012 with their Fresh Water EP, released on Italy' cutting edge dance label Life And Death. Collaborating with Life And Death's Tale Of Us - one of the world' hottest techno acts - they released two remixes for Me And My Drummer that caught the attention of the press and their peers all over Europe.
A remix of "Keep This" by Tale of Us is available to stream now on Soundcloud.
The/Das duo Fabian Fenk and Anton K. Feist have previously played together with Bodi Bill. As Bodi Bill, the band released four albums together and built a considerable fan base in their native Germany. In the UK, XFM, NME Radio and BBC 6Music picked them up with reviews and features coming from RCRDLBL, Notion, Shortlist Magazine and numerous websites and blogs online. They are no strangers to the live circuit either having played Melt, Eurosonic, Iceland Airwaves, Ekko Festivaland many more festivals and shows all over Europe.
Sinnbus have created a set on Soundcloud sampling all of their artists including the aforementioned Me And My Drummer and Bodi Bill.
With the release of their debut EP Speak Your Mind Speak, The/Das prove to be one of the leaders and innovators of their genre, showcasing their pop sensibilities as they did with Bodi Bill yet with an edgy toned down vibe making them an exciting prospect for 2013.
Poor Things release video & free download for ‘Ice Cream’
Scottish three-piece Poor Things release their free download track and video for 'Ice Cream'. The track is taken from their forthcoming EP, Hurricane Poor Things, released on 10th June via Vinyl Richie Records.
'Ice Cream' showcases Poor Things songwriting skills perfectly and highlights the band's ability to deliver up tempo, alt-indie dance floor classics.
You can download the EP track 'Ice Cream' for free 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.
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.
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' 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.
The band recently supported mighty Scottish rockers Fat Goth, indie stalwarts Little Comets at King Tuts, appeared at Brew At The Bog and will be taking to the T Break Stage at this year's T In The Park, capping an exciting 2013 so far.
Poor Things release Hurricane Poor Things on 10th June via Vinyl Richie Records.
If you'd like more information on Poor Things or our PR services, please email info@abadgeoffriendship.com.
Woodenbox and Three Blind Wolves albums out now!
After a sensational May we end on two hugely exciting releases from some incredibly promising talent. Both hailing from Scotland, Woodenbox release their album End Game and Three Blind Wolves unleash Sing Hallelujah for the Old Machine.For information, free downloads and video links read on. As always, if you want a digital copy of anything below for review please email info@abadgeoffriendship.com. For all other information about our clients and the work we do, please visit our website.
Woodenbox - End Game
Alt-folk sextet Woodenbox release End Game on Olive Grove Records. Citing Scott Walker’s Scott Sings Jacq as a strong influence, there is a muscular sense of contrast with End Game.Coloured by dark, brooding vocals, flourishing piano churns and intricate brass sections Woodenbox have played to inspiring crowds at Belladrum, Rockness, Wickerman and T in the Park picking up a strong and established following. The band have been championed by MOJO, The Skinny, Uncut, The 405 and The List. End Game is also streaming exclusively now on Gold Flake Paint now.
The videos for album tracks 'Roll For Me' and 'Asphyxiation' are available to watch on YouTube now.
Three Blind Wolves - Sing Hallelujah for the Old Machine
Following on from a successful tour with Frightened Rabbit and Wintersleep, Three Blind Wolves debut album Sing Hallelujah for the Old Machine, is out now via Instinctive Racoon.Gaining support from John Kennedy (XFM) and Vic Galloway (BBC Radio 1 Scotland), The 405 called their debut "a delight" whilst The Vinyl District hailed the boys as “the most important new band to emerge from Scotland this year”. Sing Hallelujah for the Old Machine is a remarkable statement of intent from this Glaswegian four-piece.
The album track 'Gold On The Cross' was recently featured exclusively on This Is Fake DIY and the band have already released two brilliant singles from the album - Parade and In Here Somewhere - you can watch the videos for these now on the band's YouTube channel.