Latest News
Kill The Waves single ‘The Oak Tree’ out now!
"Fingers crossed that this digital-release album, gains them wider exposure…” - The Herald
Kill The Waves have released their latest single The Oak Tree via Bloc+Music. The track is taken from their debut album, The One That Could Have Been, and is available to buy digitally via iTunes.
The video for the single premiered on The Au Review, alongside an in depth interview with the band. You can watch it now via the band's YouTube channel.
You can also stream the single via the band's SoundCloud page.
Download previous single ‘Better Days’ for free via the band’s SoundCloud page and watch the video on the band's YouTube channel.
While there is no formal theme to The One That Could Have Been, love, death and sacrifice are major inspirations behind Kill The Waves' songwriting, as evidenced in this, their latest single. Kill The Wave's album has already received support from the likes of The Skinny, The Herald, XS Noise, Podcart and BBC Introducing Scotland. There’s a depth to the band’s compositions rarely seen on a full length debut, boasting immaculately arranged strings, synths and guitars which are all held together neatly by Tim Kwant's impressive vocals as he jumps between octaves with ease. While it’s difficult to pigeonhole Kill The Waves as there are elements of lo-fi indie present throughout their work, the band’s ability to create complex, syncopated soundscapes that fill the room bear comparison to the likes of M83 and Four Tet.
Album track 'Vow' premiered on The Skinny website and is available to download on the band's SoundCloud page.
Single The Oak Tree is available to buy on iTunes and is taken from the band's debut album, The One That Could Have Been, which you can also buy digitally.
Introducing… Totem Terrors!
"Absolutely Howling" - Tom Robinson BBC 6 Music
Totem Terrors announce their second album, Hard Science, released 29th June 2015 via Diet Pops.
A sonic punch to the stomach, Hard Science is an accomplished minimalist post punk opus riffing on themes of alienation. To get a real taste of Totem Terrors' sound, you can stream and download album track 'Lies' for free via the Totem Terrors SoundCloud page.
Album opener ‘Big E’ holds nothing back, kicking-off with a glorious smear of distortion and needle-sharp guitar, as Max Hicks’ (vocals, bass & drum programming) robotic chant is counterpointed by Rosie Smith’s (vocals, guitar and synth) Nico-esque responses. The album could easily soundtrack a factory scene from Lang’s Metropolis, with its masterful use of drone and repetition to create a surreal industrial rock soundscape. ‘Narrowman’ showcases the duo’s ability to write stripped back dance floor fillers, with agitprop lyrics and synthetic disco beats surrounded by the chaos of distortion, while tracks like ‘Chicken’ allow Totem Terrors to wear influences like Wire and Big Black on their sleeves, whilst making a sound that is distinctly their own.
Formerly two thirds of the spam-unfriendly Joy Of Sex, Max and Rosie write cool minimalist post-punk songs that are sleek and brainy, all drum machine, bass throb, and guitar as texture. They describe themselves as “…for fans of Wire, Prinzhorn Dance School and films where the hero dies face down in an icy puddle.” Their fantastically surreal album artwork was designed by none other than GHOSTSHRIMP of cult cartoon Adventure Time fame.
Hard Science was written, recorded and mixed by the duo themselves, and they have been known to fabricate their own pedals and instruments, very much staying true to the ideals of their post-punk influences. They’ve already picked up airplay from the likes of BBC 6 Music and Amazing Radio, and with a Summer tour in the works and a limited edition 7” vinyl set for release in the autumn, Totem Terrors ability to shape noise into immediate nuggets of post-punk genius is sure to make an impact on 2015.
Hard Science is released 29th June 2015 via Diet Pops.
Urvanovic release free track & video for ‘Think Fast’!
"Lilting vocals, swirling strings and some gorgeous glockenspiel..."
- Clash
"…thoughtful, delightful orchestral pop with a refreshingly lo-fi aesthetic." - Scotland on Sunday
"It's the kind of music that makes me want to type all day in an attempt to describe its beauty."
- The 405
Urvanovic have released the free track 'Think Fast', taken from their debut album, Amateurs, released digitally via Survivalist on 18th May 2015 and physically on 15th June 2015.
'Think Fast' is a glorious example of Urvanovic's ability to combine live and programable instrumentation to create an overwhelmingly powerful sound. The track premiered on The 405 and you can stream and download it for free via the Urvanovic BandCamp page.
You can also watch the video that accompanies the track via the Survivalist YouTube channel.
The video for album track 'Open Ground' premiered on Clash Magazine's website, and you can watch it now via the Survivalist YouTube channel and download the track for free via the band's BandCamp page.
Straddling the line between traditional folk and indie electronica, for every lo-fi song Amateurs there is an equally anthemic counterpart, whether it’s the distortion heavy and immediate album opener ‘Open Ground’ or the electro heavy ‘Bubblewrap’. Urvanovic are not a band who can be easily pigeon holed, and their ability to create a noise that’s both deliciously complex and eminently listenable is a credit to their ability as musicians. Tom Irvine and Seonaid Stevenson’s vocals blend together effortlessly throughout the release, riding on a wave of polyphony that dances from your speakers and fills the room.
With an EP on the horizon the band also have a host of Scottish shows planned in the run up to the album’s release, including a special collaboration with Edinburgh’s Tinderbox Orchestra where the band will be performing orchestral arrangements of some of their songs. There are also plans for UK tour and the band already have festival slots lined up at Hidden Door and the Kelburn Garden Party, making 2015 a busy year indeed for this Scottish musical collective.
To experience the band's captivating live show first hand, you can watch them perform at the following dates:
18th May - 13th Note (album launch) - Glasgow
24th May - Hidden Door Festival - Edinburgh
9th June - 13th Note w/ Panda Su & Finn LeMarinel - Glasgow
12th June - Wee Red Bar w/ Esperi & The Jellyman’s Daughter - Edinburgh
13th June - Love Music - In-store session and exclusive early Vinyl release - Glasgow
Amateurs is released digitally via Survivalist on 18th May 2015 and physically on 15th June 2015.
Sorren Maclean announces debut album ‘Winter Stay Autumn’!
"A delicately etched piece of work,.." - Clash
"...perhaps one of Mull’s finest, lesser known exports..."
- Folk Radio UK
Sorren Maclean has announced the release of his album, Winter Stay Autumn, available on 8th June 2015 via Middle Of Nowhere Recordings.
To let you get a taste of Sorren's delicate and introspective sound, he's recorded a cover of Roddy Hart & The Lonesome Fire's 'Tree Of Darkness'.
You can stream and download the track for free via the ABoF SoundCloud page.
You can also stream the title track from Sorren's previously released EP Way Back Home via the ABoF SoundCloud page and watch the video that premiered on Clash Magazine's website via YouTube.
The album began taking shape in 2012 when Sorren was commissioned by the Celtic Connections festival in Glasgow to write and perform as one of their New Voices. Originally written for a 7 piece band and recorded shortly after being performed live and in full, there is a sense of weight and purpose to the album. Sorren’s delicate touch can be found in every facet of the arrangements, whether it’s the swelling strings of ‘Bootlace Chases’, the laid back meandering guitar of ‘Aeroplane Leaving’ or the barn-storming ballad, and title track, ‘Winter Stay Autumn’.
Sorren, who hails from the Isle of Mull, has been playing in bands since the age of 11. He recorded his debut album, Island, with Colin MacIntyre of Mull Historical Society, which led to Idlewild singer Roddy Woomble inviting Sorren to co-write his second solo album, The Impossible Song and Other Songs, and they’ve been working together ever since.
As well as playing and touring with Roddy and Mull Historical Society, Sorren also plays in a duo with virtuoso guitarist Finlay Wells. He also produced the EP Echoes by singer Laurie Cameron, which was used in Channel 4’s Hollyoaks and had songs appear in E4's Beaver Falls and the soundtracks to BBC Two’s Hebrides and Katie Morag. He’s worked and recorded with composer Donald Shaw of Capercaillie, creating music for BBC drama Bannan, and composed soundtracks for the BBC documentaries McQueen of Scots and Turas Tony.
Sorren has performed on over 20 albums, including upcoming releases from Nashville singer Eliza Lynn, Rura's Steven Blake, Andrew Mitchell from The Hazey Janes and the legendary King Creosote. Winter Stay Autumn quickly follows recent EP release Way Back Home which picked up support from the likes of Clash Magazine, Folk Radio and BBC Radio Scotland. Having just finished touring with the aforementioned King Creosote, Sorren hit the road with Idlewild throughout the month of March, making 2015 another prolific year for the talented singer songwriter.
EP Way Back Home is out now via Middle Of Nowhere Recordings and available to buy digitally on iTunes.
Album Winter Stay Autumn is available on 8th June 2015 via Middle Of Nowhere Recordings.
Introducing… The Dirty Blonde
The Dirty Blonde are releasing free download track, 'Take You Under' to celebrate the announcement of their latest single Goodbye: Tiny Fractures, out 15th June 2015 via Two States Recording
You can stream and download the track for free via the ABoF SoundCloud page.
You can watch the video that accompanies the track via the band's YouTube channel.
Goodbye: Tiny Fractures begins modestly with a toe-tapping indie vibe but don’t be fooled, these guys can rock. As they reach the chorus, the distorted guitar chords come into play along with lead singer Danny Gallagher’s Dave Grohl-esque husky vocals turning this track into an alt-rock ball of energy. The track is filled with slick guitar riffs and strong chord progressions you won’t forget in a hurry.
The band grew up in the same neighbourhood in Glasgow and were buzzing with musical energy from a young age; brother’s Danny (lead vocals & guitar) and Paddy Gallagher (bass & vocals) came from a musically encouraged family, whilst Dean Canale (drums) and David Rybacki (guitar & vocals cite the likes of R.E.M. and local folk musicians as their musical gateways. All four got kicked out of music classes at school - as was proper for future rockers - and were spurred on to noodle with electronics, pedals and any other noise-making devices.
The Dirty Blonde have spent the last few years playing around Glasgow and the UK, including sold out shows at Nice’N’Sleazy and The 13th Note. The boys used the proceeds to set up their own rehearsal and recording studio and are now ready to unleash their indie rock sound onto the scene.
Goodbye:Tiny Fractures is out on 15th June 2015 via Two States Recording.