Latest News
Fable and Orbital’s Paul Hartnoll to release single Human Pretending
"Brooding cinematic Electronica…" - Guardian
"...astute production, a sense of mystery and that powerful vocal all align to create something special." - Clash
Human Pretending - out on 25th March 2016 via 74 Music and available to pre-order now on iTunes - is a twisted piece of electronica wired together by snarling vocals and pulsing beats, brought together by the creative vision of ‘Godfather of Dance’ Orbital’s Paul Hartnoll and twenty-year old Brighton based maverick Fable.
The single was originally conceived by the pair as a subversive, leftfield entry for the 2016 Eurovision Song Contest but rejected for being “a little too much for the Eurovision audience”, which comes as no surprise as Fable is anything but safe. She is otherworldly, an alien, an outsider. Fable is an incendiary creative force that does not bend to the rules - she creates them.
Human Pretending premiered on Clash but you can also stream the track now on Fable's Soundcould page.
Human Pretending is about “the human condition,” explains Fable. “We are all flesh and bone, but we’ve convinced ourselves that intellectually we are part of something far greater, both individually and as a society. There’s a constant battle between our actual being and the personas we’ve created, to the extent we’re losing touch with who and what we really are.”
Previously, Fable has proved herself to be a worthy songstress with single Silence Myself and a creative chameleon with I Am You. However, Human Pretending channels early Prodigy, Nine Inch Nails and Björk on steroids. Fable is far removed from the soft dream pop songstresses and corporate backed ‘artistes’ being churned through the system, ready for ‘safe’ public consumption. Fable wants you to think, to feel, to wake up from your modern malaise.
Fable will join British rock legends The Cult on tour and has previously supported Archive and worked with Bloc Party’s Russell Lissack. The Line of Best Fit, Gigwise, Pop Justice and Clash are amongst Fable’s supporters and with her latest single Human Pretending, she’s sure to gain many more.See below for full details of the dates with The Cult:
26th Feb - Manchester, Albert Hall
27th Feb - London, Brixton Academy
Human Pretending is released via 74 Music on 25th March 2016 and is available for pre-order now on iTunes.
Eric Taylor Escudero releases free track ‘Black River’!
"...haunting and otherworldly..."
- Folk Radio
"...a rich, folk tapestry." - For Folk's Sake
Brazilian born Eric Taylor Escudero has released the stunning free download track Black River. It’s taken from Eric’s debut album We Were Young And It Was Morning, which is out now via City Lights Produções.
Black River premiered on For Folk’s Sake and you can stream it via the A Badge of Friendship Soundcloud page.
Eric Taylor Escudero has the uncanny ability to evoke a British sensibility in his music, with his warming tones a perfect accompaniment to the cold winter months.
Eric’s eleven track debut album, We Were Young And It Was Morning, reflects his emotionality, incorporating themes of love, loss, nostalgia and the difficulties of living modern city life. The album has a predominantly traditional folk feel and uses a diverse range of instruments such as the harmonica, mandolin, guitar, concertina, glockenspiel and violin, allowing Eric to experiment with arrangements, creating wistful, immersive folk music.
Having been influenced by 60s and 70s folk-rock from an early age, it’s no surprise that Eric’s music has blossomed in the way that it has, his impressive vocal delivery is comparable to some of the leading folk artists this country has to offer, conjuring memories of the likes of Idlewild’s Roddy Woomble and Johnny Flynn. The album sees Eric collaborate with the magnificent Ana Luísa Ramos who performs on backing vocals, her voice complimenting Escudero’s perfectly, as their soft, harmonious vocals merge beautifully, particularly on tracks such as We Were Young and It Was Morning - Part 1 and The Uncountable Colours of The Sky.
After playing in several rock bands in his hometown of São Paulo, Eric decided to go it alone and has since released three EPs - Lines We Wrote in Spring, Northern Lights or Summer Skies, and Big City Lights. We Were Young and It Was Morning combines Eric’s previous EPs into a creatively arranged package. The album was recorded in Austin, Texas and features Eric Taylor Escudero (vocals, guitar, harmonica, mandolin), Ana Luísa Ramos (vocals and keys), Marco Minoru (bass and acoustic guitar) and Tomás Telles (drums).
Having already made a name for himself in Brazil with features in publications such as Brazil’s Metro News and 505 Indie, Eric is excited to share his emotive, affecting music with the rest of the world.
We Were Young And It Was Morning is out now via City Lights Produções.
HAWK’s latest single ‘Once Told’ out now!
“…stunning…” - Noisey
“…simply sublime…” - The Line of Best Fit
HAWK’s incredible new single Once Told is out now via Veta Records and is available to stream on Spotify now.
Once Told tackles Ireland's archaic abortion laws, where it's still illegal to have an abortion, with the exception of very rare circumstances. Julie Hawk explains: "This song is just a tiny fraction of the frustration that’s being felt every day."
The captivating video premiered on Noisey and you can also watch it via the band's YouTube channel.
Showcasing a darker, grungier and ultimately bigger sound, Once Told is the first track to be taken from the band’s upcoming self-titled EP, which will be released on 15th April 2016. The band collaborated with producer Dimitri Tikovoi (Horrors, Placebo, Marianne Faithful) on Once Told with the track mixed by Catherine Marks best known for her previous work with Wolf Alice and Howling Bells.
You can also stream Once Told now via the band's Soundcloud page.
Since the release of their last EP Clock Hands in 2015, the band can already count the likes of The Line of Best Fit, Noisey, Clash, Music Week, The Irish Times, Radio X’s John Kennedy, Amazing Radio and BBC 6Music’s Tom Robinson and Chris Hawkins as keen supporters.
Once Told is out now via Veta Records and their self-titled EP HAWK is out on April 15th 2016.
Universal Thee album All Watched Over By Machines of Loving Grace out now!
"Grin-inducing? Very much so."
- The Skinny"Universal Thee should be universally loved."
- The Daily Record"Defiantly alternative but unashamed to be pop…"
- ClashUniversal Thee's brilliant second album All Watched Over By Machines of Loving Grace is out now via Eventual Heir Records and available to buy on iTunes.
All Watched Over By Machines of Loving Grace, the follow up to the critically lauded debut Back To Earth, sees the band make a natural progression in their sound, with a more focused, more intense record evolving throughout the recording process as Universal Thee embrace the nuances of a bigger polished production as well as an increased level of complexity to their songwriting. This is perfectly demonstrated through official single Speaker.
The band's dynamic sound also shines through on the free download track 'Hounds' which you can download via the ABoF Soundcloud page or from the embed below.
The record captures all of their most positive skills as a band, constructing songs with an immediacy which is difficult to achieve, contagious harmonies are married with memorable melodies and wonderfully crafted musicianship. Album opener ‘Why’ leads from the front, setting the tone for an album that contains ten tracks of glowing, uplifting alt-pop. Harnessing the influences of bands such as Teenage Fanclub, Pixies and current favourites Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin, ‘Why’ features the band’s compelling guitar licks, boy/girl harmonies and ear-worm like choruses. ‘Xang’ and ‘Sail Away’ exhibit a grittier side to their songwriting, while official single Speaker has both an immediacy and depth to it that is difficult to create.
Having all studied at Dundee University, James Russell (guitar & vocals), Lisa Russell (vocals), Robin Spivey (guitar) Andrew Perrie (bass) formed the band in Edinburgh, with Matt Grieve (drums) a recent addition. The band have been building their name over the last few years and have received support from the likes of The Skinny, The Daily Record, The Sunday Herald, The Scotsman, Clash Magazine, Songwriting Magazine, BBC Radio Scotland and Amazing Radio's Jim Gellatly as well as playing a number of shows supporting bands such as Ded Rabbit and appearing on the pyramid stage at the Kelburn Garden Party Festival.
All Watched Over By Machines of Loving Grace is out now via Eventual Heirs Records and available to buy on iTunes .
Introducing… Cut Capers!
Cut Capers return with their debut album Say What due for release on March 4th 2016 via Two Wheel Records.
A rerecorded version of their hit 'Say What' will be featured on the upcoming album, but the previously released video is available to watch now on Cut Capers YouTube channel.
Playing on the live circuit and building a following around their energetic and engaging live shows, the band recently hit the studio to construct their debut full length album, featuring a plethora of new material as well as some reworked Cut Capers classics. Taking inspiration from bands such as The Cat Empire, Caravan Palace and Lazy Habits, their cross-genre blend of swing, hip hop, ska and everything in between is a stimulating musical melting pot which is just as impressive on record as the bands burgeoning live reputation.
Before Cut Capers became the eight-piece swinging hip hop powerhouse they are today, they started from humble beginnings in a spare room. Bristol based school friends Nick Van Tinteren (guitar) and Mark Pearce (vocals & tenor sax), had a vision of building a high energy blend of hip hop with swing and ska to create a fun live experience. Adding Galizian emcee Eloy Bandin (vocals), and Matt Sunderland on drums, the group released their first EP Pinstripe Tux as a five piece in 2012. Gigging around Bristol, they continued to meet like-minded musicians and beefed out the brass with the enormous Tommy Taylor (baritone sax), Angel Rodriguez (trumpet), and the incredible female vocal stylings of Jane Thomas. Completing their eclectic and international line up with Dan Plimmer (bass), the band has developed a close personal bond, sharing a combined vision of exploring different styles with a view to having as much fun as possible!
Cut Capers have performed at Glastonbury, Secret Garden Party, Boomtown Fair, and toured Belgium, France, Holland and Ireland. Jimmy Cliff described them as “Inspiring”, and they’ve also shared stages with ska legends Neville Staple and Jerry Dammers. With their debut album planned for March, the band is bringing their vibrant sound to a wider audience both at home and further afield.
Say What is out March 4th 2016 via Two Wheel Records.