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Introducing… The Deep Red Sky
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The Deep Red Sky unveil their majestic sound to a UK wide audience with the release of the free download single and video of the track Zombies, taken from their forthcoming debut album Plans, which is officially released on 13th May 2013.
You can download Zombies below or via the band's Bandcamp page.
The Scottish 5-piece, consisting of Jamie Craighead (lead vocals, guitar); Jesse Stoddard (keyboard, backing vocals); Jos Collins (guitar, glockenspiel, backing vocals); Scott Cousins (bass) and John Alexander (drums), originally formed as a three piece when Jamie, Scott and John met at Napier University in Edinburgh. With the introduction of Jos and Jesse, the bands’ sound subsequently progressed as they developed the stunning harmonies and layered, atmospheric epic sounds that can be found on the album.
First single release, Zombies, captures the band’s intentions perfectly – a song that builds slowly but beautifully throughout and is highlighted by rich lead vocals, pitch perfect harmonies and snappy drum beats, before ending in a crescendo befitting of the journey the listener has been invited on.
You can watch the official video for Zombies on YouTube.
The band cite the influence of The Twilight Sad and Frightened Rabbit in their development, as they attempt to create a sound that has introspective characteristics allied with more accessible vocal melodies, the likes of which Arcade Fire, Snow Patrol and Biffy Clyro would be proud of.
Album tracks such as ‘Getting Easier’, ‘Look On Your Face’, ‘Plans’ and ‘You Had it All’ are real highlights and truly showcase The Deep Red Sky’s quality writing skills, as well as an enviable ability to create both challenging and eminently listenable tunes.
2013 will be an important year for The Deep Red Sky as they follow up 2011 EP, The Job. The Flat. The Girlfriend. The release of Zombies will be swiftly followed up with a UK tour throughout March and April, second single ‘Look On Your Face’ at the end of April and the official release of their debut album, Plans, in May.
Plans will be released on May 13th 2013 via Soundreach Records.
You can catch The Deep Red Sky live at a town near you:
23rd March - Edinburgh - Cabaret Voltaire
27th March - Biggar - Corn Exchange
28th March - Manchester - Retro Bar
30th March - Liverpool- Lomax
31st March - Nottingham - The Golden Fleece
2nd April - London - Nottinghill Arts Club
3rd April London - Slaughtered Lamb
5th April - London - Underbelly
12th April - Perth - The Corrina
14th April - Inverness - Madhatters
Woodenbox release free download ‘Roll For Me’
"...contagious." - Uncut Magazine
Alt-folk sextet - Woodenbox release their second album End Game on 27th May 2013 via Olive Grove. Working alongside acclaimed producer Paul Savage (Chem19 Studios), Woodenbox are building upon the success of their debut Home and the Wildhunt with their wild, vivid and moving unique brand of folk.
Today, the band release a free track from their album 'Roll For Me', which is available to download now via their Soundcloud page.
The video for 'Roll For Me' is available to watch now on YouTube.
The video for album track "Asphyxiation" is also available on YouTube.
End Game demonstrates a perfect juxtaposition that runs rife within Woodenbox, making it both bold and beguiling. "The album was created as a unit falling apart but looking to stay together," says lead vocalist Ali. "We believe so much in the music we are making and it is the first album we have written collaboratively." Forthcoming single Courage is graceful and welcomes influences from heroes such as Scott Walker and Dennis Wilson, whilst "Roll For Me" displays the band's melodic quirks and intricacies sharing modern, akin to the The Felice Brothers.
Nick Dudman (vocals, drums) and Ali Downer (vocals, guitar, piano) met in 2004, the pair played relentlessly around Glasgow under various guises before settling under the guise of Woodenbox with a Fistful of Fivers. Ali then met Jordan Croan (vocals, guitar) and Fraser McKirdy (bass) at STOW College, which saw the group bonding through their love of music. Rather than go to classes the band recorded their debut album Home and the Wild Hunt, which is probably a good thing since Uncut and The Skinny praised the album's refreshing alt folk sound. Citing Scott Walker's Scott Sings Jacq as a major influence on the band, Ali explained "we want to create music that has a story behind it and is not only timeless, but is bold in its creativity and instrumentation." Philip Cardwell, Chuck Dearness and Sam Evans joined the group later adding the horn section giving their sound real depth.
Having played to inspiring crowds at Belladrum, Rockness, Wickerman and T in the Park, Woodenbox have established themselves as incredible live performers. The band have toured the US extensively, including a highly successful appearance at SxSW in 2012.
Now Woodenbox are ready to win over new hearts with End Game and bring their refreshing sound back again to the scene. 'Roll For Me' will be followed by the official single Courage on 22nd April and the album End Game on 27th May. Physical promo copies of Courage and End Game are available for press and radio for review, please email claire@abadgeoffriendship.com for more information.
Death Rattle to release ‘Fortress’ EP
"I was blown away..."
- John Kennedy, XFM
With recent support from John Kennedy (XFM), Tom Robinson (BBC 6Music) and Amazing Radio plus video features on NME, Artrocker and Clash around their last EPHE&l, London based girl/boy electro-gloom-pop duo Death Rattle return with their second offering - four track EP Fortress released via Frontal Noize on 29th April.
Fortress continues where HE&l left us - on an intense and darkly mesmerising journey through icy and desolate soundscapes. Where HE&l gave us the kind of immediate, dark electro pop and nod-along beats that drew instant comparisons to The Knife and Sleigh Bells, Fortress is its insular, brooding cousin subtly creating an even bleaker, impending-doom feel that their previous release always hinted towards with the band's influences - Depeche Mode, Fever Ray and NIN - becoming ever more apparent.
A preview of the EP is available now via Death Rattle's YouTube channel.
Opening with “White Ropes” and a soft fragility similar to that heard on the duo's low-fi, apocalyptic cover of Fleetwood Mac's "The Chain", Helen Hamilton’s captivating vocal slides in enticingly over the music as the song escalates towards a wall of sound that hits at the first chorus. There's something about the intensity of Chris Hamilton's programmed beats, distinctive synth melodies and a-typical production style allied with Helen's metaphorical lyrics that transport the listener right to the core of the duo's inner conscious.
“In Time” follows with sort of restrained, menacing energy that Massive AttackDepeche Mode's Violator or Portishead's Dummy, in “Fortress” lies a dark yet addictive electronic sound that tiptoes on the avant-garde of the genre.
Having gained Amazing Radio's 'Record of The Week' in March with their free download of industrial-electro-pop track “The Blows”, the band will be promoting this and their new Fortress EP release with a European tour in May, adding a new guitarist and Moog player to their live line-up.
'The Blows' is available to download now via Death Rattle's Soundcloud page.
The Birthday Suit to release single ‘Uh-huh Uh-huh’
"With material this good, Idlewild's hiatus could be rather long..." - Kerrang!
"...flashes of brilliance..." - Q Magazine
The Birthday Suit - solo project of Idlewild guitarist and songwriter Rod Jones release their next single Uh-Huh Uh-Huh on 15th April 2013.
Their second album, A Conversation Well Rehearsed, was released on 3rd December 2012; the the follow-up to their critically acclaimed debut The Eleventh Hour, which was released at the tail end of 2011 and received support from BBC Radio 1 Scotland, Kerrang!, Rock Sound, This Is Fake DIY and Drowned in Sound.
A stream of the radio edit for the single is available now via the ABoF Soundcloud page. Physical and digital downloads are available for press and radio, please email claire@abadgeoffriendship.com.
The Birthday Suit released Less Worthless Years as a single from A Conversation Well Rehearsed last year, you can watch the video for the single via YouTube.
A Conversation Well Rehearsed straddled the line between spiky indie rock and modern day melodic folk rock akin to bands like Frightened Rabbit and The Twilight Sad. “Uh-huh Uh-huh” is an infectious, raucous journey that harks back to Rod’s noisy Idlewild days, showcasing his talent for writing a succinct, catchy indie tune.
Formed with Roddy Woomble and Colin Newton in Edinburgh in 1995, Idlewild spent the last 16 years becoming one of Scotland's most beloved indie rock acts. But after seven studio albums, four top 20 singles and numerous world tours, including supporting bands such as REM, Pearl Jam, U2 and The Rolling Stones, the band decided to take a break to concentrate on their individual solo projects.
Since The Birthday Suit released their debut last year, the band have embarked upon several successful UK tours and gained many fans in the press with This Is Fake DIY noting their debut was “packed with hooks” and “pounding basslines”, The 405 claiming they were a “soon-to-be-great band” and their debut picking- up a solid 8/10 review in Rock Sound and 4 Ks in Kerrang! Magazine.
The Birthday Suit will release “Uh-huh Uh-huh” on 15th April 2013, with a tour planned shortly after to support the release.
A Conversation Well Rehearsed is available to buy now from The Birthday Suit's website or you can purchase it via iTunes or Amazon.
The Caulfield Beats release ‘Garage Electronics Vol. I’ EP
Indie electronic crossover kids The Caulfield Beats released their debut EP Garage Electronics Vol. I this week via Noise Praise - a new electronic label founded by Antwerp. The band have already featured on The 405, Huh Magazine and Artist of the Week on The Vinyl District and Band of the Week on FAMEmagazine.
The EP is available to stream now via the Noise Praise Soundcloud page.
On first listen, The Caulfield Beats feel like an experimental techno / dub band but the origin of how they created the songs and their influences span deeper than that. The London three-piece created their songs from the DIY culture of electronic experimentation, which arose from illegal software torrenting. "We're not trying to be clever, just making little collages that come through the world via us," they note.
The Caulfield Beats video for "glitch::glitch::flame" is available to watch on the band's YouTube page now.
Although their influences are vary from blues to garage rock to punk and everything in between, they've cultivated a minimal electro sound that harnesses an 80s electro feel similar to 808 State yet amalgamates it sonically with more modern masters of sound like Kemko and Alejandro Mosso.
The EP track "Two of Swords" is available as a free download now via The Caulfield Beats Soundcloud page.
Developed from the bedroom production of Lawrence Northall, The Caulfield Beats have already gained coverage from a number of blogs and outlets such as Loud and Quiet, Collapse Board and Artrocker during the last couple of years, as well as receiving radio play from the likes of John Kennedy (XFM), Simon Raymonde and Eddy Temple-Morris (XFM).
In the summer of 2012 they emerge as a three piece, after an University induced hiatus with Molly Dixon and Charlotte Northall completing the line-up. This was accompanied by the odd gig including spots at Secret Garden Party (main dance stage), The Great Escape, Xpress festival and a Civil Civic support slot as well as many more gigs in England and especially East London where they are based.
2013 will not only see the release of Garage Electronics Vol. I, the band already have another EP planned, singles and an album. It looks like this year could be theirs for the taking as they push forward with their underground indie electronic crossover sound, creating a fresh new scene of their own.
If you would like more information about The Caulfield Beats or our PR services, please email info@abadgeoffriendship.com