Latest News
Introducing… Humphrey Milles
Humphrey Milles has released free MP3 "Breathe" accompanied by a gorgeous acoustic version on video to mark his return after a short sabbatical. Although the track will not feature on forthcoming album Tall Stories - out early next year - it is a free track for fans and a little taster of what's to come.
"Breathe" is available as a free download on Humphrey's Soundcloud page.
Watch the acoustic version of "Breathe" on Humphrey's YouTube channel.
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, 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, giving away the free track "Breathe" as a taster of what's to come.
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 February next year. "Breathe" doesn't feature on the album but it will be available as a free download. It showcases Humphrey's ability to write an accessible tune 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.
The first single Not Enough will be released on 22nd October, supported by some UK dates. In the meantime, you can download "Breathe" via Humphrey's Soundcloud page.
If you would like more information about Humphrey Milles or our PR services, please email info@abadgeoffriendship.com
The Murder Barn: Free MP3 and ‘Gotta Good Man’ EP release!
Earthy rock six-piece, The Murder Barn have released free MP3 "In Every Sea We Drown" this week. The MP3 precedes their debut EP Gotta Good Man out on November 5th 2012. Although "In Every Sea We Drown" will not feature on the EP, the band are giving away the track as a little freebie taster and a hint of what's to come.
"In Every Sea We Drown is available to download 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
Released today: Vigo Thieves single ‘Forever’ and The Maginot Band’s ‘Peace and Quiet’ EP
Vigo Thieves - 'Forever'
Vigo Thieves return with their brand new free download single Forever. The track is accompanied by a superb video starring Jody Latham of Shameless and Eastenders fame.
You can download Forever via the A Badge of Friendship Soundcloud page.
You can also check out the video for the single via Vigo Thieves' YouTube channel. The video was released last week and has already had over 25,000 views.
Forever is another big, bold anthemic tune from Vigo Thieves. The track further emphasises the sound the band have worked tirelessly to develop and hone over the last few years – electro style synths, driven, snapping drum beats and soaring, heartfelt vocals. The release tops off a fantastic year to date for the band, after the successful release of their Heart and Soul (Part 1) EP. Gaining support from the likes of Classic Rock Magazine, The 405, The Daily Record, Drowned In Sound Scotland, BBC Radio 1 Scotland and Clyde 1 FM. Vigo Thieves have soared as the momentum has built throughout the year.
The single Heartbeats attracted over 50,000 viewers on Youtube, leading to the track being chosen as the soundtrack to the T in the Park announcement film. An appearance at T in the Park on the BBC Introducing Stage saw a huge crowd gather as the boys rocked their first appearance at a major summer festival. The interest continued with the release of a second single from the EP, She’s On Fire, which pulled in 45,000 views and cemented Vigo Thieves position as one of the up and coming bands currently performing in the UK.
September will be another busy month for the band as they embark on a short UK tour, which sees them take in London, Edinburgh and Glasgow to coincide with the release of Forever.
The Maginot Band - 'Peace and Quiet' EP
The Maginot Band release their debut EP, Peace and Quiet, via When You Awake Records. The EP is available now for £1.79 from 7digital.
Peace and Quiet EP straddles the line between retro-tinged wistfulness and a more modern indie sound akin to bands like The Maccabees and the Mystery Jets. The EP is available to stream now on Drunken Werewolf.
You can also download the EP track "Slow Down Sundial" from the EP via the A Badge of Friendship Soundcloud page.
The band also released a video for the track, which you can watch via their YouTube channel.
Having initially forming as Maydays, The Maginot Band, who hail from Caithness, have been writing music together on and off for the past decade. After numerous changes to their line-up, they finally settled as a six piece in late 2010. Consisting of Jordan Shearer (vocals), Calvin Wilson (bass, vocals), Kevin Swanson (guitar, Vocals), Jamie Swanson (guitar), Liam Whittles (organ, piano) and Darren Coghill (drums), as Maydays they gained some success supporting Field Music and Tango In The Attic as well as support from BBC Radio 1. However, as their musical direction started to mature, they decided a change of name was needed and The Maginot Band was born.
The Jar Family Release ‘Broken Minded’ Single
The Jar Family release their fantastic single Broken Minded today via Jar Records.
The single is a perfect little Jar-shaped slice of “industrial folk” - a genre coined and created entirely for the Hartlepool seven-piece. The band have won many supporters over the last few years with their relentless touring schedule and passionate performances. The single has already been supported by Tom Robinson's Fresh on the Net, Bethan Elyfyn (BBC Wales, Amazing Radio) and Robert Elms (BBC London).
The video for Broken Minded is available to watch via The Jar Family's YouTube channel.
So far this year they have opened for Ocean Colour Scene’s Steve Craddock, followed by a run of tour dates and festival appearances across the UK, including slots opening for The Charlatans and Babyshambles, Ren Harvieu, The Sunshine Underground, King Charles, Jake Bugg etc.
Formed in 2010, Hartlepool band The Jar Family is a collective of singer-songwriters Max Bianco, Dali, Al Devon, Richie Docherty, Chris Hooks and former Squeeze bassist, Keith Wilkinson. After a busy year touring, the boys recently released the free download track "Getting Better" online, Broken Minded out now and their second album, which is due out February 2013.
You can download the free track "Getting Better" from the A Badge of Friendship Soundcloud page.
Providing an escape from the backdrop of their hometown’s economic hardships, and driven by a collective will to succeed, The Jar Family have forged a distinctive style of north-east blues & roots, uniquely coined as “Industrial folk”, which, following a series of sell-out acoustic shows, and the July 2010 release of their now highly collectable Livingston Studio EP, the band quickly built a loyal fan-base.
Having amassed a sizeable collection of songs, the band decamped to the seminal Sawmill Studio in Cornwall, to record The Jar Family Album in June 2011, but not before adding the in-demand Kerry 'jubjub' Edwards on Cajon to complete the 7-piece line-up. Produced by Keith Wilkinson, the album was then mixed by the legendary John Cornfield (Muse, Supergrass, Razorlight, Oasis, Athlete).
November 2011 then saw the release of The Jar Family’s second single In For A Penny which preceded the band’s first ever UK tour, supporting the infamous Alabama 3, gaining them many new fans as they further enhanced their reputation as the north-east’s buzz band.
Having spent the last few years building a loyal fan base live, the band are ready to present their unique blend of whimsical off-kilter folk rock to the masses.
Broken Minded is out now, please email info@abadgeoffriendship.com for further information.
Introducing… Jo Mango
“Immensely charming…" - The Times
"Her gentle voice holds a pure innocence akin to Bjork…" - The Sunday Mail
Jo Mango’s second album Murmuration is set for release on 5th November 2012 via Olive Grove Records. This wonderfully wistful album draws upon Jo’s adventures whilst travelling the world as a member of Vashti Bunyan’s band and her experiences over the last few years completing a Doctorate in Musicology plus her collaborations with David Byrne (Carnegie Hall, NY 2007), Devendra Banhart, Coco Rosie, Teenage Fanclub (Baby Lee, 2011), and Admiral Fallow (Beetle in the Box, 2012) amongst others.
As a lyricist Jo displays the kind of range more often attributed to an accomplished short story writer, equally assured when following the flight patterns of starlings on “The Black Sun” as she is asking difficult questions in the aftermath of a stabbing in Kingdom. Yet, despite the depth of her subject matter, Jo’s music is filled with light; light that comes from her extraordinary ability to paint vivid and enquiring images of the natural world with a voice as delicate and complex as the myriad environments it describes. This beguiling mix is what sets Jo apart in a crowded field of folk-influenced singer-songwriters.
The album track "Cordelia" is available to download now via Jo's Soundcloud page.
The album was recorded and produced by Adem Ilhan (Adem, Sliver Columns) who became a good friend of Mango’s during their time on the road together, performing in collaboration with Vetiver, Juana Molina and Vashti Bunyan in the Zero Degrees of Separation tour and with David Byrne, who curated Welcome to Dreamland, the sell-out show at Carnegie Hall in 2007. What began as a demo EP recording, soon became the beginnings of an album, as the talents of both multi-instrumentalists combined to produce something too special for only four songs. Three years later the album was finally completed, featuring Jo’s trademark combination of guitar, kalimba, omnichord and squeezebox as well as musical saw, harmonium, bowed glockenspiel, and piano.
Jo’s debut album Paperclips and Sand received high praise from the press and her peers. Vashti Bunyan hailed her as “uniquely gifted” whilst The List described the album as “beguiling”, she even won over Rock Sound, with the magazine saying that Jo’s debut “will leave audiences entranced”.
These days it can often feel that albums are born in an instant and consumed twice as quickly. Murmuration is one of those rare records that places a gentle but insistent demand on the listener to stop and consider.
If you would like more information about Jo Mango or our PR services, please email info@abadgeoffriendship.com.