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Shvllows release new video for ‘Zurich’!
"...an impeccable sense of melody." - Clash
"...a prospect who're impossible to ignore."
- The Line of Best Fit
Indie electro quartet SHVLLOWS have released their latest video for single Zurich, which is due out on 16th September 2016 via Choose Rude Records
The video premiered on Clash and is available to watch now via Shvllows' YouTube channel.
Shvllows create uplifting, atmospheric pop, with Zurich combining soaring melodies and a synth-infused indie sound that has become the Edinburgh four piece's signature sound.
You can also stream Zurich now via the band's Soundcloud Page.
Zurich explores anxiety and self doubt, and the extreme lengths that people will go to overcome them, however the overall message is that no one is ever truly alone. The track itself is vibrant and uplifting in contrast to the lyrics. SHVLLOWS write music that focuses on dissimilarities and allow the listener to create their own concepts.
The band have enjoyed a rapid rise from obscurity following the release and subsequent wide spread success of their debut single, Shake in April 2016. Amongst the band's supporters are BBC Radio Scotland’s Janice Forsyth and Amazing Radio’s Jim Gellatly, who featured Shake as his No.1 track of May 2016 in The Scottish Sun. During 2016 SHVLLOWS rising success has been translated live with the band playing a sold out show at The Mash House in Edinburgh, followed by a headline slot at legendary venue King Tuts Wah Wah Hut in Glasgow.
SHVLLOWS single Zurich is out on 16 September 2016 via Choose Rude Records.
Freja Frances returns with latest single ‘Porcelain Doll’!
"...a powerful and touching pop gem."
- Ultimate Music
Freja Frances makes a welcome return with another batch of delicate, heartfelt tracks that look set to mesmerise her audience once again with the release of her double a-side single, Porcelain Doll / Breathe, on 4th November 2016 via ShimmerSun Music.
Porcelain Doll premiered on Ultimate Music and you can also listen to it via Freja's Soundcloud page now.
Despite portraying individual stories, Porcelain Doll and Breathe still feel as though they come together as one whole. Written around the same time, with Freja enlisting the help of sessions musicians, these two tracks exhibit a significant progress in Freja’s already impressive songwriting skills, as she effortlessly displays a stunning storytelling charm akin to the likes of Gabrielle Aplin. Still remaining centre stage however, are Freja’s effortless, authentic vocals accompanied by her intimate, yet powerful, piano-led melodies helping to bring both tracks to life.
Freja first started writing songs at the age of nine with dreams of starting a rock band and becoming the next big thing. However, due to her ability to prolifically write high calibre music at such a young age, Freja decided she didn’t need a band behind her and ended up with a collection of heartfelt songs which she now has at her disposal. Since the release of her debut EP Ghosts, Freja has received praise from various publications including For Folk’s Sake, Gigslutz and The Girls Are, to name a few. She has also performed at Sofar Sounds London and has been commissioned to write a song for Bossa Studios’ upcoming game ‘Worlds Adrift’, which launches later this year.
With this latest release, it feels as though Freja has started to find her niche as a musician as her songwriting ability continues to go from strength to strength. Catch Freja's next live date below:
Porcelain Doll / Breathe is out on 4th November 2016 via ShimmerSun Music.
Right Said Fred’s ‘I’m Too Sexy’ Anniversary EP and 25 Things You Didn’t Know About The Band!
Right Said Fred have been celebrating the 25th Anniversary of their 1991 hit single I'm Too Sexy this year. In honour of the anniversary, brothers Fred and Richard Fairbrass are releasing a 25th Anniversary I'm Too Sexy EP, which is only available via Pledge.
You can watch the video for I'm Too Sexy now via YouTube.
In honour of the 25th Anniversary, here are 25 Things You Didn't Know About Right Said Fred:
1. Actors Tom Hanks and Andy Samberg parodied I’m Too Sexy on Saturday Night Live in 2013.
2. Right Said Fred made a cameo appearance on Ricky Gervais’ Life’s Too Short.
3. The boys performed at the Royal Performance in 1993 with the Muppets.
4. In 2014 the band appeared on John Oliver’s Last Week Tonight.
5. Right Said Fred were the first British band since The Beatles to have a US No.1 for a debut single (I’m Too Sexy).
6. Right Said Fred performed with Spinal Tap in 1992 at MTV’s Spring Break.
7. Richard has played bass for David Bowie.
8. Fred has played guitar for Bob Dylan.
9. In 1993 the boys were nominated for Best British Group at The Brit Awards.
10. Madonna named Richard as the most bed-able man in pop.
11. Jay Z raps about the band in his song ‘The Ruler’s Back’ - “I’m too sexy for jail like Right Said Fred”.
12. I’m Too Sexy was voted Australia’s Best Party Song Of 2016.
13. Right Said Fred performed at the 2006 World Cup opening ceremony in Germany in front of 200,000 people and again in 2014 in front of 500,000. This is nothing compared to their show at the Bollywood awards though, where they played in front of 300 million people!
14. A man died from 'excessive aural excitement' claims coroner while at a table-dance club listening to I’m Too Sexy.
15. The group was named after the novelty song 'Right Said Fred', which was a hit single for singer and actor Bernard Cribbins in 1962.
16. The 1993 single for Stick it Out from the Comic Relief album Sex and Travel sold over a million copies.
17. Right Said Fred have won two Ivor Novello awards. The first in 1991 for I’m Too Sexy and the second in 1992 for Deeply Dippy.
18. Right Said Fred currently have 424,000 monthly Spotify listeners in 28 countries, but are most popular in Germany.
19. Right Said Fred were named fashion icons in The Observer, circa 1992 and even nearly had their own Right Said Fred clothing line.
20. I'm Too Sexy has been featured on one of TV's most successful cartoons The Simpsons on more than one occasion.
21. I’m Too Sexy made it into VH1’s 100 Greatest Songs of the 90’s chart and was also rated No.2 in VH1’s Greatest One Hit Wonder’s of the 90’s.
22. The brothers have a protein drink planned under the name Fairbrass Sports.
23. I’m Too Sexy was once used in an Australian Safe Sex Fetish Advert.
24. On the day of the video shoot for I’m Too Sexy nothing went to plan, in fact everything on set was literally apparently falling apart, which is one of the reason’s the video is as iconic, comical and rememberable.
25. Robin Williams once sang a rendition of I’m Too Sexy at one of his shows in the style of Elmer Fudd as did Weird Al Yankovic.
John Alcabean’s debut EP Real Time Fiction out now!
"...a taut, energised piece of noise rock bluster..."
- Clash
"...90's indie, pop and urgent rock riffery."
- Classic Rock
"...infectious, fiery, and visceral while infusing a 90s sentimentality."
- The Revue
Riotous Danish three-piece John Alcabean have released their infectious debut EP Real Time Fiction via Tapetown Records, which you can download now via iTunes and stream on Spotify.
You can also stream the EP exclusively on The Revue who described the band as "...Denmark's best outfit...".
The video for the latest single Fire premiered on Upset and you can also watch it via the band's YouTube channel.
The audio premiered on Clash is available to stream on the band's Soundcloud page.
Both Fire and Need Comfort are explosive, no nonsense post-punk excellence, surrounded by electrifying guitar riffs and undeniably catchy melodies akin to the likes of Drenge and Royal Blood. Their debut EP Real Time Fiction is the result of the duo trying to find their sound for the debut as Victor Ryle Shack (lead singer & guitar) stated that from the beginning of the writing process that the band knew what sound they wanted to sound like and the aim was trying to accomplish this in the studio.
The title Real Time Fiction is about the reality of succeeding in something you once thought was fictional and how mind over matter can prevail. This came to be when Victor had a sudden realisation on the impact your thoughts have on your decisions and how they are almost working against your self development at times. Musically, their sound draws upon multiple influences from indie, pop, alt-rock to post-punk, creating a mix so contagious you will have them playing on repeat for days. Imagine a one-night stand between the music of the 90s and the 00s and John Alcabean is conceived.
Despite being relatively new to the live circuit, John Alcabean have already played Offspring Festival and Uhørt Festival as well as playing at a local carnival in front of three people - including two drunks and a handicapped man - who asked them to “sing him a lullaby”. John Alcabean are now ready to introduce the world to their incredible sound and take the rest of 2016 by storm.
John Alcabean’s debut EP Real Time Fiction is out now, and available to buy on iTunes and stream on Spotify.
Schnarff Schnarff release ‘Flip The Cross’!
"...murky grunge, crunchy alt.rock, 90's indie and shoegaze with a Southern rock aroma..." - Rock Sound
"...drawing upon influences from grunge and metal, through to pop-punk and emo." - Team Rock
"...darker lyrics propel the band’s sound forward..." - Punktastic
Schnarff Schnarff show their darker side in the animated video for the track 'Flip The Cross' which premired on Upset Magazine and is taken from their forthcoming album The evil that we do…, out on 9th September 2016 via Black Dug Records.
You can stream 'Flip The Cross' via the Schnarff Schnarff Soundcloud page.
Skilfully constructing a sound that is undeniably their own the Glasgow based five piece have drawn on influences ranging from metal to pop-punk and grunge to emo, a sound that has seen them pick up recent support from the likes of Team Rock, Punktastic and BBC Introducing Scotland.
'Flip The Cross' follows the band's latest release 'Cadavers', where Schnarff Schnarff exhibit the deeper complexity to their sound, this time offering a nod to the grunge-heavy sound inspired by the likes of Nirvana, adding a dissonance and grit to an already wonderfully eclectic alt-rock album. The track premiered on Team Rock and is now available to stream on the Schnarff Schnarff Soundcloud page.
It’s easy to see why BBC Radio Scotland’s Vic Galloway described Schnarff Schnarff as “staccato grunge pop” with tracks such as the aforementioned ‘Flip The Cross’, former single ‘This Is How We Get Some’ and free download track 'Mario1-2' which premiered on Punktastic, all delivered with the impetus and snarl of bands like Biffy Clyro, Saves The Day and Taking Back Sunday. Myles Bonnar’s (vocals) lyrics and expertly delivered vocals are flanked impressively by Jamie Douglas (drums), Paul ‘Thunder’ Tracey (bass) Richard Douglas (guitar) and Andrew ‘Turtle’ MacLean (guitar) as Schnarff Schnarff really let loose, showcasing their ability to marry hooks and choruses to complex time changes, mighty guitar riffs and metronomic drum fills.
Originally hailing from Inverness, the band formed while they were all scattered throughout the UK, bonded together by a desire to go against the grain of the current accepted norm in music with the aim of producing music similar to the bands that influenced them growing up. After relocating to Glasgow they haven’t looked back since, continually creating music and playing live shows, before recording their album with renowned Scottish producer, Paul Savage (Mogwai, The Twilight Sad, We Were Promised Jetpacks).
Over the last few years Schnarff Schnarff have gained support from the likes of Radio 1 (Huw Stephens), 6 Music (Steve Lamacq), BBC Scotland (Vic Galloway), Amazing Radio’s Jim Gellatly, Team Rock, Rock Sound, Upset Magazine and Punktastic as well performing at festivals T in The Park, Belladrum, Wickerman, and Brew at the Bog.
The Glasgow-via-Inverness band will play each of the tracks at the album’s launch party, taking to King Tuts in their now-hometown on Friday 16th September. You can now purchase tickets via the band's Merch page.
The evil that we do… by Schnarff Schnarff is released on 9th September 2016 via Black Dug Records.