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Introducing… Woodenbox
“...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.
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.
You can watch the video for album track "Asphyxiation" on YouTube.
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 released as a free download on 18th March followed by the official single Courage on 22nd April and the album End Game on 27th May.
Introducing… The/Das
Berlin based duo, The/Das introduce their unique brand of ‘techno tenderness’ with their forthcoming EP Speak Your Mind Speak, which will be released on 29th April 2013 via Sinnbus.
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 number 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’s cutting edge dance label Life And Death. Collaborating with Life And Death’s Tale Of Us - one of the world’s 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.
Fat Goth announce ‘Surf’s Down (live)’ single and tour!
"'Stud' is profoundly uneasy listening at its best, and weirdo freaks everywhere should love it."
- 8/10, Rock Sound Magazine
"You'll be none the wiser by the end of it all, but much richer for stumbling in to Fat Goth's odd little universe."
- 4Ks, Kerrang! Magazine
Fat Goth released their brilliant second album Stud in January and received an array of outstanding reviews from Rock Sound, Kerrang!, Artrocker, BBC, Drowned in Sound and many more.
This led to the FG boys being nominated for Best Alternative Rock Band at this year's Scottish Alternative Music Awards - they're also set to open the event, playing live on March 8th at The Garage in Glasgow with the SAMA results announced on the same evening.
As the boys prepare for a tour in April/May, they're pleased to announced their next single release, a live version of the album track Surf's Down, due to drop on April 1st via Hefty Dafty.
To get a taster, the video for Surf's Down (live) is available to watch now via Fat Goth's YouTube channel.
Catch the boys on tour this April and May. More dates will be announced soon, keep checking Fat Goth's Facebook page for the latest news.
Saturday April 27th - Bar Bloc, Glasgow
Sunday April 28th - Fox & Newt, Leeds
Tuesday April 30th - Undertone, Cardiff
Thursday May 2nd - Camden Our Black Heart, London
Fat Goth previously released two free singles - Debbie's Dirty Harry and Creepy Lounge, both of which you can download via the band's Bandcamp page.
You can watch the video for Creepy Lounge now via the band's YouTube channel.
Stud's opener "Surf's Down" and "Debbie's Dirty Harry" doesn't mess around. Fat Goth immediately drag you into their world with fast-paced, dirty basslines and thumping, lightning quick beats. By the time you hit "Creepy Lounge" you can hear elements of The Jesus Lizard's seminal album "Shot" and moments of Unsane. However, after this gloriously raucous start, "Pinball Moron"takes a massive U-turn. Crooning vocals and a countrified vibe, complete with whistles (!), give you an insight to Fat Goth's humour - very Mike Patton circa Mr. Bungle. Moving on, you quickly realise these boys aren't just beats, drums and loud guitars - behind the pounding force of the music, there are intricate moments that showcase their musicianship and diverse influences - such examples can be found on "You'll Find Me In Da Club (and to be perfectly frank, I'm having a cracking time!)" and "Bang Tidy". Here, Fat Goth effortlessly blend moments of off-kilter instrumental perfection with snarling vocals and balls out rock - imagine what Don Caballero would sound like if they joined forces with the Melvins. The entire album is a masterclass in modern day underground rock, delivering some seriously brilliant songs whilst keeping their tongues placed firmly against their cheeks.Originally conceived in 2007, the band started life with drummer Mark Keiller, guitarist/vocalist Fraser Stewart and their old school friend Allan Mitchell on bass. After releasing their debut album Mindless Crap in 2010 followed by their EP DOLPHINS!!!!!!!!!!!!! and single Willy Wonka And The Charlie Factory, Mitchell left the band and was swiftly replaced by Kevin Black of Dundee underground post-rock greats Laeto. Stud is the fruit of the band's collective labour.
Having already played with Chemikal Underground's Holy Mountain, Japanese noise band Tacobonds, METZ and appearances at Go North and Wickerman and many a headline show, the band are ready to take Stud on the road in 2013 with dates planned throughout March, April and beyond. All of Fat Goth's dates can be found on their Facebook page.
Stud is available to buy via the band's Bandcamp page. Alternatively, you can purchase it via Amazon, iTunes, Play.com or Deezer. You can also listen to Stud via Spotify.
The band's next single will be Surf's Down, due for release on 1st April 2013, supported by a live video.
Homework Release Single ‘It’s All Over’
- Tom Robinson, BBC 6 Music
Homework's latest single, It's All Over, taken from their forthcoming debut album 13 Towers, is available to buy from iTunes today.
Following on from 'The Edge of Control Was Black', Homework continue to prove their credentials as one of the best electronic acts emerging from a burgeoning scene in Scotland.
It's All Over illustrates the bands versatility and ability to produce upbeat, pop-inspired dance tunes akin to Hot Chip and LCD Soundsystem, as well as the experimental, challenging moments that can be found throughout the album.
You can watch the official video for It's All Over on YouTube.
Having formed in the Scottish capital in 2009, Homework attracted immediate attention from the nation's new music tastemakers, picking up airplay from BBC Radio One and BBC 6 Music as well as being selected to play the renowned T Break stage at T in the Park festival after only a handful of live shows.
Since then, the band has performed at some of the UK's biggest festivals including Rockness, Belladrum, Wickerman and T in the Park, supported the likes of Suuns, Wave Machines, The D.O.T (featuring Mike Skinner of The Streets) and Cashier Number 9 as well as showcasing at industry events including GoNorth, Glimps (Belgium) and Wide Days. Their recorded output and live shows have been consistently praised by radio (Lauren Laverne, Vic Galloway, Tom Robinson and Ally McCrae) bloggers, journalists and audiences alike.
Homework are: O. Kass (vocals, synths), R. Baird (vocals, guitar, synths), R. Kass (drums) and A. Dennis (bass). They hail from the exotic Scottish outposts of Inverness, Mull and Dumfries.
It's All Over is available to buy from iTunes and will be followed by a host of live dates throughout the UK in March, April and May.
- 13 March - Glasgow - Milk
- 05 April - INVERNESS - Mad Hatters (Net Sounds Takeover - club night)
- 03 May - ABERDEEN - Snafu (Dirty Hearts Club - club night)
- 04 May - INVERNESS - Brew At The Bog Festival
- 09 May - EDINBURGH - Inspace (album launch party)
Three Blind Wolves: New Video and May Tour!
"Stadium sized melodies and four-part harmonies without diving headlong into a pool full of cliches..."
- MOJO Magazine
Three Blind Wolves announced the release of single In Here Somewhere and supporting b-side "Kid's Allright" last week. The video for the single was premiered yesterday exclusively on The 405 but now you can watch it via the band's YouTube channel.
In support of the release, Three Blind Wolves are currently on tour with Frightened Rabbit.
26th Feb - HMV Picture House, Edinburgh
27th Feb - Aberdeen Music Hall, Aberdeen
28th Feb - Barrowlands, Glasgow
The band have also announced a headline tour in May to support the release of their debut album Sing Hallelujah for the Old Machine, out 6th May.
15th May - The Glad Cafe, Glasgow
16th May - The Glad Cafe, Glasgow
17th May - 20 ROCKS, Dundee
18th May - PJ Molloys, Dunfermline
21st May - Oporto, Leeds
22nd May - Night & Day, Manchester
23rd May - Dempseys, Cardiff
24th May - Sebright Arms, London
25th May - Shipping Forecast, Liverpool
The single In Here Somewhere and b-side 'Kid's Allright' are available to stream now on Three Blind Wolves' Soundcloud.
Having been compared to My Morning Jacket and Neil Young, In Here Somewhere features Three Blind Wolves’ warm Americana-tinged sound, yet with a chilling core. Previously released single Parade, which was released back in October 2012 saw the band rise to great success earning them a great amount of respect. With plays and support from John Kennedy at XFM and Vic Galloway at BBC Radio 1 Scotland and the band also popped into BBC Radio 2 to perform a session for Dermot O'Leary. Amongst a great amount of radio backing the supporting video for Parade was featured on NME and Artrocker.
The band all met playing shows around the Glasgow music scene, Ross Clark (guitar, vocals) was a solo artist and met David Cleary (lead guitar, backing vocals, mandolin) and Kevin Mackay (bass, backing vocals) through their first group Rainbowsheep. They played their first show together in a Japanese noodle bar and their friendship grew from there, playing in clubs, bars, parks and various flats around Glasgow. When it the time came for the friends to form the band properly, Davie and Kevin’s a long time friend, Fearghas Lyon (drums), joined and they immediately bonded over jamming to Cream and Daft Punk covers; Three Blind Wolves were born and the four boys haven’t looked back since.
After releasing their mini album Sound of the Storm in 2011, the band quickly gained support from the press. Scotland’s answer to Time Out, The List Magazine, hailed them as a “countrified Modest Mouse” whilst The Skinny Magazine said their debut recalled "genre-defining artists like Bright Eyes and more recently Bon Iver". MOJO Magazine also featured their track "Emily Rose" on a covermount CD and Rolling Stone said they were "the Scottish answer to the Decemberists".
With this latest single release, a tour with Frightened Rabbit and an album planned later in the year, Three Blind Wolves certainly plan to make a big impression in 2013.