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Introducing… Algernon Doll
Algernon Doll's debut album, Camomile, is set for release on 26th November 2012 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.
Ewan possesses a rare ability of writing off kilter alt-folk music that has depth and richness, which elevates him above the more mainstream folk artists that have arisen in recent years. Camomile is a record that undulates from track to track with a sense of unease and yet there is still an unmistakable strain of beauty coursing through each and every note.
On tracks like “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" is available as a free download on the A Badge of Friendship 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 out at the end of November, Algernon Doll look set to become an influential member of the Scottish music scene.
Camomile is out via Newtown Products on 26th November 2012.
If you would like more information about Algernon Doll or our PR services, please email info@abadgeoffriendship.com
Humphrey Milles supporting Michele Stodart (The Magic Numbers)
After recently releasing free MP3 "Breathe", Humphrey Milles (pronounced "Mills") is about to embark on a UK tour with Michele Stodart of The Magic Numbers, promoting his forthcoming single release Not Enough, out December 3rd 2012.
Humphrey's tour dates are below, you can also grab tickets from Ents24.
- Friday 16th November - The Cockpit, Leeds
- Monday 19th November - The Electric Circus, Ediburgh
- Tuesday 20th November - McHugh's Bar, Belfast
- Friday 23rd November - Clwb Ifor Bach, Cardiff
- Saturday 24th November - Monto Water Rats, London
- Wednesday 28th November - TThe Hope (formerly Polar Bar Central) , Brighton
- Thursday 29th November - The Jericho Tavern, Oxford
- Friday 30th November - The Bodega Social Club, Nottingham
The single is available as a stream on Humphrey's Soundcloud page.
"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 early next year. "Breathe" doesn't feature on the album but is available as a free download. The track is akin to English folk duo Turin Brakes or Athlete but combines this with a more introspective vibe that wouldn't be out of place on a Lonely Dear record.
If you would like more information about Humphrey Milles or our PR services, please email info@abadgeoffriendship.com
Introducing… Fat Goth
"The audio equivalent of a bloody massive T-Bone steak covered in BBQ Sauce..." - Ally McCrae (BBC Radio 1)
Dundonian three-piece Fat Goth release their second album Stud via Hefty Dafty Records on 28th January 2013. With music currently fixated on soppy folk, castrated indie bands 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.
Today, the band have released their first free download single from their album - Debbie's Dirty Harry. It's available to download via their Bandcamp page but you can also grab it from Soundcloud as well.
Album 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.
Johnny and the Giros: Free Download of ‘I Don’t Need A Lover’
Johnny & The Giros have released a free download of their latest single I Don't Need A Lover via Dead Hand Records.
The single is available to download now on the A Badge of Friendship Soundcloud page.
The band draw from a diverse range of influences, including Foals, LCD Soundsystem, Bloc Party, The Rapture, Yeasayer and Two Door Cinema Club (amongst others), feeding into a sound that masterfully combines all of these elements, to create polished dance floor indie gems.
Interestingly, there are strong elements of Math Rock within their style. Imagine this mixed with a smattering of New York style indie performed at The Hacienda in its pomp, and you have Johnny & the Giros - an indie-rock band that have the uncanny ability to hold a dance crowd in the palm of their hands. I Don't Need A Lover is a stunning example of what these guys are truly capable of.
The band will be launching their free single with a live performance at the Short Back & Sides Clubnight at The Old Hairdressers in Glasgow. Helping them commemorate the occasion will be Vigo Thieves and White Vinyl Collective, who'll spend the evening spinning some tunes. If the band's live show is anywhere near as impressive as their performance on record, this is definitely going to be a show that cannot be missed.
I Don't Need A Lover is free to download now via Dead Hands Records. You can download the full press release from the A Badge of Friendship website.
The Murder Barn: ‘Gotta Good Man’ EP trailer
Earthy rock six-piece, The Murder Barn are gearing-up for their debut EP release Gotta Good Man. Ahead of the EP's release, they've released a little viral as a taster of what's to come.
You can watch the viral on the band's YouTube channel.
They also recently released the free MP3 "In Every Sea We Drown". The track does not feature on the forthcoming EP but you can download it from The Murder Barn's Bandcamp page. You can also stream it via the A Badge of Friendship Soundcloud page.
The video for the track is also available to watch via The Murder Barn's YouTube channel.
Gotta Good Man EP is a cinematic trawl through dusty tracks, scorched corn fields and into dark taverns - taking musical lineage from The Band, Scott Walker, Ennio Morricone, Elton John, Wilco, 16 Horsepower, Black Mountain and The Bad Seeds. The Murder Barn weave mesmerising and bombastic creations, each song telling tall tales. Singer Chesca Dolecka's songs bare boned, are laconic, romantic, funny, and horrifying, but are fleshed out into full landscapes by the band. Their epic, filmic arrangements feature laviscious string and horn sections, Ronson-esque guitars and melotrons.
Anglo Polish / Lebanese Sisters Chesca Dolecka and Becca Grover Jones have been making music together since they were children, drawing on a rich family heritage of classical violinists, big band trumpeters, drummers and storytellers. In 2011 they were joined by Matt Jones (Minuteman, Ultrasound, Jamie T and Beady Eye), producer Kevin Feazey (The Fierce and the Dead, The Kills, Lydia Lunch, The Duke Spirit), childhood friend Ryan Wilson and Serbian drummer Velibor Krstic to begin work on The Murder Barn. The band have a fierce work ethic and desire to create their own world, a whirlwind of creativity and excitement, a self contained art house of ideas.
The six members of The Murder Barn have spent a year locked in their studio - a homegrown, home-built, Warhol-esque (also called 'The Murder Barn'), secretly amassing an arsenal of material, recording an album, singles, artwork and films. All films are created in house by Becca Grover Jones, record sleeves by Chesca Dolecka and additional artwork by members of the band.
If you would like more information about The Murder Barn or our PR services, please email info@abadgeoffriendship.com