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The Barnum Meserve reveal new video for ‘The Summit’!
“... they could be as huge as their sound.” -
Big Cheese Magazine
"... a large sound and careful arrangement..." - RMP Magazine
"...an eerie, yet catchy, slice of cinematic rock..." - Gigslutz
Turning their back on the traditional rock band set up, The Barnum Meserve aim to breath fresh life into the genre with the release of their epic ten track album When All Is Lost, due for release on 21st April 2017 via
34D Records.
The video for their second single The Summit premiered on Gigslutz and is available to stream on The Barnum Meserve's YouTube channel.
Alternatively you can stream the track on The Barnum Meserve Soundcloud page now.
Sombre, brooding and cathartic are just some words you could use to describe the emotive music created by the Nottingham based three-piece. Despite having the ability to produce a robust, heady alternative sound, they skilfully do so with a cinematic flair and expert musicianship that marks them out from many of their contemporaries. Impressively, The Barnum Meserve are a three-piece rock band who write and perform without the aid of guitars, instead experimenting with piano, bass and drums; and creating an atmospheric record that would be just as impressive emanating from a festival’s main stage as it would appearing on the soundtrack of a classic b-movie disaster flick.
Opening track Flight, which premiered on
RMP Magazine sets the tone for the rest of the album as The Barnum Meserve race out of the blocks, immediately showcasing their distinctive sound as the metronomic rhythm section drives proceedings on relentlessly, piano soaring euphorically, all merged beautifully by the unique vocal range exhibited by Leon Wiley (vocals, piano). While there are elements of introspection evident throughout the record, The Barnum Meserve excel in building layer upon layer of soundscapes, producing a uniquely apocalyptic soundtrack, and emphasising their diverse love of music ranging from Nine Inch Nails and Soundgarden to Hans Zimmer and Clint Mansell.
Having been in a number of alternative rock bands over the years, The Barnum Meserve were formed in 2007 by Leon and Dylan Griffiths (bass), who later added Paul Moss (drums), with the desire of creating a dynamic different from what they had been previously exposed to. They have not looked back since having written two EPs, released their debut album in 2015, picking up support from the likes of Big Cheese Magazine, Prog Magazine, Team Rock and Bring The Noise.
When All Is Lost by The Barnum Meserve is out on 21st April 2017 via 34D Records.
Introducing… Storm The Palace
Storm the Palace are an Edinburgh and London based five-piece band who combine elements of baroque-pop and traditional folk with menacing melodies and cinematic flare. The band are preparing to release their debut album Snow, Stars and Public Transport on 12th May 2017 via Abandoned Love Records.
To celebrate the announcement of their forthcoming album, the band have released the free download track entitled 'DLR Dreaming', which premiered on Folk Radio and is available to stream and download via the band's Soundcloud page.
A labour of love, the record was written over a nine year period while singer, Sophie Dodds, lived in London. Originally from Edinburgh, Sophie used her time in the city to write and create vignettes of her life; snapshots of the people who passed through it and how the city’s unfolding narratives impacted upon her.
The resultant record is an unintentional concept album full of compellingly memorable songs, both challenging and inviting, conjuring memories of chansonnier-style singers old and new; from Keren Ann and Chrysta Bell to Édith Piaf and Françoise Hardy. Taking inspiration from European folk, sixties orchestral pop and nineties guitar bands, Storm the Palace transcend a number of genres over the course of ten captivating tracks. On songs such as ‘Nadir’ the band set the mood for what is to come; off kilter piano is accented by a simple, yet effective, rhythm section, all brought neatly together by Sophie’s pure, passionate vocals. Forthcoming single ‘Moon Above Villiers St’ creates a tension-filled atmosphere, built through a 7/8 time signature, with mesmerising repetitive mandolin fluttering and harmonies soaring, as the band come together as one to produce a rich tone and texture that is as welcoming as it is isolating. On Snow, Stars and Public Transport Storm the Palace have constructed an album full of contrasting styles and emotions, an ability that marks them out from current, contemporary indie-folk bands.
Comprised of Sophie (vocals, guitars), Reuben Taylor (piano, accordion), noted for his work with Meursault and James Yorkston, Pippa Murdie (backing vocals, mandolin), Gordon Webster (drums) and Sam Wilkinson (bass), Storm the Palace are based in Edinburgh and London and are signed to an American label; a transcendence that can be heard through the music they create. After Sophie began performing her own songs in 2013, she gradually accumulated band members along the way until Storm the Palace were officially born.
The album features a number of guest appearances such as Dan Simons (CYMBALS) and Jamie Kenny (The Hallé, Liverpool Philharmonic) and was mastered by stalwart of the Scottish IDM scene C. Mantle. 2017 is setting up to be an important year for the band with their debut album on the horizon and a UK and Ireland tour scheduled for May to support the release. You can catch the band on the following dates:
Sun 7th May 2017, Tin at The Coal Vaults, Coventry, UK
Mon 8th May 2017, The Yorkshire House, Lancaster, UK
Tue 9th May 2017, Castle Hotel, Manchester, UK
Thu 11th May 2017, The Harbour Bar, Bray, Ireland
Fri 12th May 2017, Cobblestone, Dublin, Ireland
Sat 13th May 2017, Glad Café, Glasgow, UK
Sun 14th May 2017, Wee Red Bar, Edinburgh, UK
Snow, Stars and Public Transport by Storm the Palace is out on 12th May 2017 via Abandoned Love Records.
Tryptamines release ‘This Is My Feelings’!
“...full of sadness and ambiguous
grace." - Podcart
Experimental Scottish band Tryptamines are preparing to release their anticipated concept album, The Way Which Can Be Named Is Not The Nameless Way, due for release on April 20th 2017 via FitLike Records.
Tryptamines have released 'This Is My Feelings', their attempt at a mainstream love song and a departure from the rest of the album. The track premiered on Podcart and is now available to stream via the ABoF Soundcloud page.
Tryptamines are aiming to build upon their recent success having been voted Best Eclectic EP at the 2016 Independent Music Awards, judged by the likes of Tom Waits, Slayer and Suzanne Vega. It comes as no surprise that some of the
world’s most respected musicians voted for the band considering their expansive approach to songwriting, arrangement and recording which has a grandeur more associated with classical music. On The Way Which Can Be Named Is Not The Nameless Way, Tryptamines have created an avant chamber-like sound: emotive, affecting and truly beguiling, evoking memories of band's such as Bing & Ruth, Dirty Three and Rachel's.
Written as a concept album, Tryptamines have tried to engage the listener in an almost apocalyptic narrative, apt considering the current mood permeating the day to day lives of many people around the world. Asserting that 1984 was written as a warning rather than an instruction manual, Tryptamines have challenged the listener to think for ones self, not to believe everything that we are fed by a corrupt, corporate media and to resist becoming too reliant on engaging with one another through technological means as opposed to real life experiences. The Way Which Can Be Named Is Not The Nameless Way is a cathartic, poignant and, at times, challenging experience knitted together beautifully by the classically trained Callum Peterkin’s talented songwriting ability.
Originally hailing from Buckie on the Moray Firth coast of Scotland, Trypatmines are led by composer, multi-instrumentalist and doric poet Callum Peterkin (aka Chemical Callum) and joined by Tom the Noise Monger (vocals, samples, guitars), Tiny Broken Keyboards (echoes, noises), Fox Beats (drums, bass guitar, baritone), Ignatious D Funt (guitar, synth) and Mophamish (sound production, design). Remarkably, the band were almost finished before they had even begun after Callum suffered a horrific injury to his arm in 2011, with doctors advising he would never fully recover due to the nerve damage his arm suffered. However, after battling a painkiller addiction, depression and a cancer scare, Callum battled against the odds to rebuild his arm, his life and music career. Fast forward six years and Tryptamines have established themselves both at home and abroad, performing at a number of psychedelic festivals, releasing several records and, ultimately, gaining recognition at last years Independent Music Awards.
The Way Which Can Be Named Is Not The Nameless Way by Tryptamines is out on 20th April 2017 via FitLike Records.
Introducing… Best Youth
“... blissful synth-pop with dreamy, almost shoegaze, harmonies…”
- Clash
Portuguese duo Ed Rocha Gonçalves and Catarina Salinas - aka Best Youth - are re-releasing their debut album Highway Moon on 5th May 2017 via Station 5.
You can now watch the video for Best Youth's latest single Renaissance via the band's YouTube channel.
Filled with reflections on love, sex, doubt and insecurities in the modern world, Highway Moon is a collection of dreamy, electro-fused creations. From the delicate ethereal melodies of single Renaissance and the sensual, laid-back vibes of ‘Black Eyes’, to the twinkling, synth-heavy melodies and driving beats of the likes of ‘Ride’, each track is a sweeping, effervescent indie-pop delight. With Salinas’ silky-smooth vocals flowing throughout and shades of nostalgic 80s pop, Highway Moon will capture the hearts of many.
Having previously played together in the band Genius Loki, Gonçalves and Salinas formed Best Youth back in 2011 although the pair have been playing music together since their teens. They topped radio charts with their 2012 single Hang Out, have played festivals such as Optimus Primavera Sound, NOS Alive and Paredes de Coura, opened for Father John Misty and received acclaim from the likes of Clash and Mahogany. With their debut album having sold out in Portugal back in 2016, the duo look set to gather many new followers with its worldwide re-release this year.
Highway Moon is out on 5th May 2017 via Station 5.
Tokyo Taboo release debut album ‘6th Street Psychosis’!
"Refusing to bow down, the band are fighting against the patriarchy one fuzz pop belter at a time..." - Clash
"A visceral collection of unapologetic pop-punk..." - Team Rock
London duo Tokyo Taboo’s debut album 6th Street Psychosis is out now via TT Records and available to buy and stream via iTunes and Spotify. The album features ten tenacious, in-your-face tracks that combine the band’s rock and pop punk influences.
The duo comprise of singer Dolly Daggerz and guitarist Mike, who are joined by a band for their live shows. Dolly takes inspiration from iconic performers from Heart to David Bowie and Karen O and Mike simply loves a good riff. Tokyo Taboo is a perfect amalgamation of Dolly and Mike’s influences; inspired by Manga, Japanese culture, drag and 80s fashion, they are true performers, with an image that equals the intense vibrancy of what you hear on record.
The video for Tokyo Taboo's recent single Pussy Power is available now on YouTube.
Featuring hectic, heart-pounding hooks and soaring rock-inspired vocals, Tokyo Taboo cover a range of subjects on the album, which was recorded in Downtown LA. From Dolly’s quarter life crisis to politics and vulnerability, they aren’t afraid of smashing the expectations of ‘the industry’ whilst wearing their hearts on their sleeves - cuts, bruises, tears and all.
On the album, ’Bubbilicious’ is a racing, high-octane opener, whilst ‘Emotional Suicide’ is filled with an uptempo, feisty power and ‘N.A.R.C.I.S.M’ oozes brutal honesty, raw riffs and dark undertones. Meanwhile, single Make It Out Alive was inspired by the vote to bomb Syria and the feeling of frustration, hopelessness and anger Dolly felt, which seethe through the music as she spits and snarls each lyric over Mike’s raucous riffs.
Make It Out Alive gained support from the likes of Radio X and BBC Radio 1 and with 6th Street Psychosis out soon, Tokyo Taboo hope to bring their own brand of modern pop punk kicking and screaming into the public consciousness.
6th Street Psychosis is out now via TT Records and available to buy and stream via iTunes and Spotify.