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The Birthday Suit: ‘A Conversation Well Rehearsed’ out now!
"With material this good, Idlewild's hiatus could be rather long..." - Kerrang!
The Birthday Suit - solo project of Idlewild guitarist and songwriter Rod Jones - released their second album this week A Conversation Well Rehearsed; it's 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.
Whilst The Eleventh Hour heralded a triumphant return for Rod during Idlewild's indefinite hiatus, A Conversation Well Rehearsed shows that Rod continues to develop his solo sound with an album that straddles the line between infectious spiky indie rock on tracks 'Uh-huh Uh-huh' and 'A Can Of Worms' and modern day melodic folk rock akin to bands like Frightened Rabbit and The Twilight Sad. 'You Deserve So Much Better' and 'Wait For The River' are wistful and beautifully melancholic, giving the album a real maturity and backbone. However, that infectious, catchy indie sound that made Idlewild famous is never too far away, especially on the band's last single 'Less Worthless Years' and album track 'Bad Dreams'.
Album track 'Uh-huh Uh-huh' is available to stream now on A Badge of Friendship's Soundcloud page. You can download the full track via The Birthday Suit's website.
The video for "Less Worthless Years" is available to watch on YouTube.
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.
A Conversation Well Rehearsed cements The Birthday Suit' place in the UK music scene with Rod proving he is continuing to transcend beyond Idlewild’s musical foundations, laying his own roots as a solo artist.
A Conversation Well Rehearsed is available to buy now from The Birthday Suit's website or you can purchase it via iTunes or Amazon.
Humphrey Milles: ‘Not Enough’ single out now!
After recently releasing free MP3 "Breathe", Humphrey Milles (pronounced "Mills") presents his latest single Not Enough, out now!
"Not Enough" is up now on Humphrey's YouTube channel.
The single is also available as a stream on Humphrey's Soundcloud page.
Humphrey recently completed a tour with The Magic Numbers' Michele Stodart, a daily tour diary is available to read on Artrocker's website.
Humphrey also found time to stop by the Daytrotter studios recently and record a wonderful four track session. You can listen to the full session on the Daytrotter website.
The aforementioned free track,"Breathe" was also accompanied by a gorgeous acoustic version on video. You can watch it now on Humphrey's YouTube channel.
"Breathe" is available as a free download on Humphrey's Soundcloud page.
Humphrey has jostled for his place in the UK music scene now for a few years - having previously shared the stage with the late Amy Winehouse, KT Tunstall, The Magic Numbers, Snow Patrol and the talented, Mercury nominated Ed Harcourt - then followed a dark and turbulent period, with a soured record deal and an important relationship break-up, which slowed this climb. But Humphrey is now back, and back with a vengeance. "Breathe" was just a taster of what's to come with the single "Not Enough" showcasing his talent for writing for writing huge, heartfelt songs.
These tough few years, combined with a surfing and writing sabbatical in Costa Rica, have resulted in the birth of an Ed Harcourt produced album of sheer beauty, raw pain and elegance, with poignant, heartfelt and thought provoking lyrics.
Having contributed some characteristically strong and subtle guitar work, Harcourt said "I was really flattered when he asked me to work with him, and I am really happy to see that this album is finished and ready for your ears. Humphrey writes songs that are crammed full of the catchiest melodies, the most infectious hooks and lyrical twists and deserves to be No 1 across the globe, if there is any justice."
Humphrey's album, Tall Stories, will be out next year.
If you would like more information about Humphrey Milles or our PR services, please email info@abadgeoffriendship.com
Verse Metrics EP ‘Radians’ Out Now!
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Glaswegian four-piece Verse Metrics today release their superb EP, Radians via Return Of Order Records.
Radians is a rare modern record, in that it transcends various genres over the course of just five songs. Pulling on influences from American underground bands such as Polvo, American Football and Don Caballero in addition to more contemporary music, Verse Metrics have produced a technically accomplished record that could be the love child offspring of Mogwai and Interpol
To celebrate the release of Radians, the track Burn Twice As Bright, is available to stream from the ABoF Soundcloud page.
The band, who consist of Robert Dick (vocals, guitar), Martin Dalziel (drums), Dave Dailly (bass) and Al Conway (guitar) recorded Radians at Chem 19 studios with engineer Jamie Savage. Opening track ‘Burn Twice As Bright’ solidifies what the listener can expect to hear – elaborate guitar picking, lo-fi haunted vocals and technically proficient drum playing, which drives the many time changes that develop throughout each track. These are complemented by soulful, intricate bass lines that knit the complex arrangements together, and augmented by other instrumentation (James Swinburne of Remember, Remember/Happy Particles on Rhodes piano, and Corran McArthur of New Town Triptych on cello) to great effect.
Download the single Aches on the ABoF Soundcloud page.
Formed in late 2009, the band spent the following summer recording with Robin Sutherland (Stapleton,Avast!, Laeto, Pensioner), producing the five track EP ‘VM1’, which they released in November 2010. Opening track ‘Tired Lights’ won an honourable mention in The Scotsman’s ‘Radar Prize’ as well as gaining support from the likes of BBC Introducing on Radio 1, BBC 6 Music and Jim Gellatly’s New Music Podcast. Their rise continued into 2011 as the band played a sold out show at King Tut’s ‘New Year Revolution’ festival and made Vic Galloway’s ‘Tips for 2011’.
Verse Metrics don’t strike you as your usual alternative indie rock band, and this is not just due to their obvious love for mathematics. With the release of Radians now upon them and a tour currently in full flow, the band are ready to build on the foundations from the past few years and push their undoubted talents onto a larger audience.
Radians, is out now via Return Of Order Records and can be purchased from the Verse Metrics Bandcamp page.
Algernon Doll: Debut Album ‘Camomile’ Out Now!
Algernon Doll's debut album, Camomile, is out today via Newtown Products.
The brainchild of Ewan Grant, Algernon Doll's Camomile is a cathartic journey through a difficult year dealing with the mentally debilitating toils of extreme anxiety disorder and bipolar. The album documents the struggles Ewan endured in his own mind and his own world, a world confined very much to the four walls of his flat.
To celebrate the release of the album, an exclusive download of the new single Son of A Gun, Brother To None is available to download on the ABoF Soundcloud page.
Algernon Doll's latest video for Son of A Gun, Brother To Noneis also available to watch on YouTube now.
On tracks like first single “Spiral Sounds”, we get a sense of Ewan’s expert acoustic guitar picking. The record is further enhanced by double tracked vocals, jolting time changes and in the case of “Strung Between”, post-rock style guitar that dreamily echoes into the distance. Lyrically, Algernon Doll paints a picture of weariness, loss and paranoia. The album blurs the line between fantasy and reality as Ewan wrestles with his own demons, both past and present.
“Spiral Sounds” can be downloaded from the ABoF Soundcloud page.
You can watch the video for "Spiral Sounds" on Algernon Doll's YouTube channel.
Having come from a family of musicians and composers, Ewan Grant always seemed destined for a life in music. After initially making his way in the punk and hardcore scene, and relishing the aggression that can be expressed in such a format, Ewan felt he needed to progress his sound in order to express the complexity of his feelings.
Camomile was recorded at the tail end of 2011 by Tom Mitchell (Allegro, Black Channels, The Barents Sea) and is the first full offering of Algernon Doll’s unique talent. Having supported the likes of Franz Nicolay (Against Me), Chris T-T, Esperi and Willis Earl Beal and with Camomile already receiving support from the likes of NME.com, Radar Scotsman and For Folk Sake, Algernon Doll could be set to become an influential member of the Scottish music scene.
Camomile, is out now via Newton Products and can be purchased from the Algernon Doll Bandcamp.
If you would like more information about Algernon Doll or our PR services, please email info@abadgeoffriendship.com
Fat Goth: ‘Creepy Lounge’ video and free download
"The audio equivalent of a bloody massive T-Bone steak covered in BBQ Sauce..." Ally McCrae (BBC Radio 1)
Dundonian three-piece Fat Goth present their video for 'Creepy Lounge' taken from their forthcoming second album Stud released via Hefty Dafty Records on 28th January 2013.
With music currently fixated on soppy folk, castrated indie and anything else considered "rock" resembling a Bieberesque haircut and a designer neck tattoo, it's about time Fat Goth came and blew them all out the water.
You can watch the video now on the band's YouTube channel.
The track is also available to download via Fat Goth's Bandcamp page and their Soundcloud.
The band also released the free download single Debbie's Dirty Harry, which is available to download via their Bandcamp page but you can also grab it from Soundcloud as well.
Stud's opener "Surf's Down" and "Debbie's Dirty Harry" don'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 played with Chemikal Underground's Holy Mountain, Japanese noise band Tacobonds, appearances at Go North and Wickerman and many a headline show, the band have steadily gained fans amongst their peers and local press, including BBC Radio 1 Scotland's Vic Galloway.
Fat Goth release their second album Stud via Hefty Dafty on 28th January 2013.