Latest News
Death Rattle release video for ‘Fixer’
Death Rattle have released their video for 'Fixer', a track featured on their forthcoming EP HE&l out on Frontal Noize on October 15th 2012.
The video is part of a trilogy; Death Rattle's first two videos for 'The Dig' and 'Do As You Please' were both released earlier this year.
You can watch all three videos on Death Rattle's YouTube channel now. Please note, 'The Fixer' contains strobe effects throughout the video.
The band are offering a free download of their Fleetwood Mac cover 'The Chain' for anyone who pre-orders the EP before the October 15th release date. 'The Chain' is currently available to stream via Death Rattle's Soundcloud page but will not be released properly until next year.
Much of their EP 'HE&l' was written shortly after their previous alt grunge band - That Mouth - abruptly disbanded after releasing their debut album. In need of a completely fresh start, the pair followed a new direction musically, going away for a month to write and record something that refleced their darkening and more melancholic tastes with the band citing influence from Depeche Mode's Violater, as well as Fever Ray and NIN. The resulting sound of Death Rattle's debut is one that stands up strongly on its own.
From start to finish, HE&I sends shivers down your spine. Like a sensual futuristic android, Helen's dark and droning vocal harmonies give a robotic feel to their atmospheric opener ‘The Dig’ with Chris' beatsand synth pulses akin to a mechanical heartbeat thumping underneath - Death Rattle’s war cry and signature style. Increasing the tempo, ‘Do As You Please’ follows perfectly with the band’s bold, tribal-esque beats playing a big part once more behind Helen's dark and evocative lyrics. With themes of love, loss, isolation and unity, the duo present more layers to their sound as the last three tracks unfold. ‘Fixer’ is the dark, mutated lovechild of Sleigh Bells and Friendly Fires - beguiling and rebellious with an enticingly catchy chorus. ‘Mouse Chorus’ slows the pace to a gentle hypnotic canter and their fifth and final track ‘Sorry For Your Loss’, seems the perfect end to such a mesmerising and atmospheric journey.
Helen and Chris remain a mysterious duo, amalgamating their identities completely and representing themselves as one unit; their compelling imagery, videos and music working together symbiotically. It was this unique and bold outlook that caught the eyes and ears of European label Frontal Noize and after just two months of writing music together, Death Rattle were offered a deal. Since the signing, the band have been working hard on the live circuit playing Brainchild Festival (Reading), Swanfest (Ipswich), Via Ventosa Festival (Holland) as well as shows in Germany, Luxembourg and Belgium.
Death Rattle’s first release HE&I, is an enthralling and daring debut and an exciting glimpse of what’s in store as the pair prepare for a UK and European tour and make plans for their debut album release in 2013.
Me And My Drummer unveil latest video for ‘Don’t Be So Hot’
Leftfield, Berlin based alt pop duo Me And My Drummer have released their latest video for 'Don't Be So Hot'. This is a track featured as an edit on their forthcoming EP of the same title - Don't Be So Hot (out October 15th) - and also features on their debut album The Hawk The Beak, The Prey (out October 29th).
You can watch the video for 'Don't Be So Hot' on YouTube.
The EP includes edits of album tracks “Don’t Be So Hot” and “Heavy Weight” - two tracks that couldn’t be more different but display the skill and talent Me And My Drummer have for writing gorgeous, layered pop melodies whether they be synth-laden dance hits or more introverted alt-indie ballads. The EP also includes two remixes, one of “Phobia” remixed by label mates La Boum Fatale and another of “Mother Shell”, also from their album. Both remixes turn the tables on both tracks, giving them a real dance-y backbone.
La Boum Fatale's remix is available to download via Sinnbus' Soundcloud page.
Me And My Drummer recently released the free track Heavy Weight, which was the follow-up to their debut single You're A Runner, both received support from BBC Radio 1's Huw Stephens, XFM's John Kennedy and Mary Anne Hobbs, BBC 6Music's Chris Hawkins and Tom Ravenscroft. The video for 'You're A Runner' was also featured on NME, Spinner and Artrocker.
The video for Heavy Weight is available to watch now on Sinnbus records' YouTube page.
With their EP 'Don't Be So Hot' and debut album 'The Hawk, The Beak, The Prey' both out in October, Me And My Drummer prove they are one of the most exciting bands to emerge from Germany in a long while as they blend their collective influences to create music that is beguiling and sublime.
Me And My Drummer will be in the UK from October 22nd-25th, playing a show at London's Hoxton Bar & Kitchen on the 25th.
If you'd like to speak to the band when they are in the UK, would like a copy of their EP or album for review or if you'd like any more information about Me And My Drummer or our PR services please contact info@abadgeoffriendship.com.
Pipers Release Video for ‘Ask Me for A Cigarette’
Italian three piece Pipers introduce the UK to their gorgeous sound with the release of their brand new video for the forthcoming single, Ask Me For A Cigarette.
Formed in 2007, Pipers have undergone a number of changes over the last few years. The band, comprised of Stefano de Stefano (vocals, guitar, piano, harmonica), Stefano 'Stoo' Bruno (bass, mandolin, backing vocals) and Marco Magnacca (drums, backing vocals), developed their sound from electric tinged indie pop to a more mature, layered alt-folk pop sound that has seen them capture the hearts and minds of a number of Britain's most celebrated musicians and bands.
Ask Me For A Cigarette perfectly encapsulates the bands new found folk sound - chiming piano, expertly picked acoustic guitars and heartfelt lyrics all knitted together by gorgeous strings, harmonies and skillful drumming.
Ask Me For A Cigarette is available to watch on YouTube.
Over the last couple of years, Pipers have been personally chosen by Tim Burgess to support The Charlatans in Italy, as well earning a support slot with Ian Brown. The band were also invited to play at a number of UK festivals including Liverpool Sound City, Matthew Street Festival and Creamfields, as their star continued to rise. In 2009 the boys signed with indie label Materia Principale and in early 2010, Pipers debut album, No One But Us, was released to critical acclaim in Europe.
Having spent 2011 touring and rehearsing their new material, Pipers have returned with a refreshed sound more akin to the likes of Elliot Smith and Turin Brakes. The band also scored their first big support slot in the UK when they supported Turin Brakes in Northampton in June 2012 setting up a rousing end to the year and the highly anticipated release of their second album in 2013.
Ask Me For A Cigarette, is officially released on 18th October 2012 via Alvea Records.
Introducing… Three Blind Wolves
“Stadium sized melodies and four-part harmonies without diving headlong into a pool full of clichés...” - MOJO Magazine
Scotland’s Three Blind Wolves release their debut single Parade via Instinctive Racoon on 15th October 2012. They describe themselves as “loud, hairy and unpredictable” and the single has already gained the attention of XFM’s John Kennedy and BBC Radio 1 Scotland.
The band’s sound couldn’t be more different from their native Glasgow, a city covered with atmospheric grey skies, enclosed by heavy Victorian and Charles Rennie Mackintosh, “Glasgow style”, architecture. The four-piece channel vintage Americana influences, with Parade transporting you to the sleepy towns and vast landscapes of the American frontier.
The video for Parade is available to watch now via the band's YouTube channel.
“Parade is about feeling lost, forlorn and disconnected from your personal life and the city you life in,” says lead vocalist Ross Clark. “The one thing that will keep you going is that special someone that will keep you moving forward awaiting the good times, whether they come or not, the important thing is that you keep pushing through.” Parade captures this feeling perfectly with melancholic guitars and vocals coming together with the rest of the band capturing the feeling of trucking on, crescendoing on a positive note. The single is brilliantly composed and highlights Three Blind Wolves as one of Scotland’s most promising young bands.
The band all met playing shows around the Glasgow music scene, Ross 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”. Not band for a wee band from Glasgow.
Parade is released via Instinctive Racoon on 15th October 2012.
Cara Mitchell’s ‘Have You Ever Wondered’ EP Out Now!
Sixteen-year-old Cara Mitchell introduces her enchanting voice to the UK music scene with the release of her debut EP, Have You Ever Wondered, via AGP.
Hailing from Aberdeen in Scotland, the teenager exhibits maturity beyond her years with a flawless debut that showcases her ability to write charming lyrics, further emphasised by her unique, delicate vocals, which she delivers beautifully.
This four track EP, available on Amazon for just £2.76, takes the listener on a journey inspired by Cara’s everyday life – a journey of self-discovery. Tracks such as “Next October” and “Passing Sun”, affirms the gorgeous tone in Cara’s vocals, this allied with strummed acoustic guitar and alluring harmonies, immediately marks Cara out as an unparalleled talent for one so young.
"Passing Sun" is available to download now via the A Badge of Friendship Soundcloud page.
Although she only debuted live in October 2011, Cara has already earned a number of impressive support slots. These range from Gemma Hayes, Juan Zelada and Pearl & The Puppets to underground indie legend Jonah Matranga (Far, New End Original, Onelinedrawing) - the rise has been sharp, but no less than her talents deserve.
The release of the Have You Ever Wondered EP will be the beginning of a very busy end to the year for Cara. September and October will also see Cara embark on her first UK tour with the excellent Esperi.
Have You Ever Wondered, out now on AGP, is available to buy now via Amazon.