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Introducing… Right Hand Left Hand
Channelling the spirit of the post-rock scene of the mid to late 90’s, Right Hand Left Hand are due to release their sophomore self-titled album on 12th February 2016 via Jealous Lovers Club. You can preorder the album via the Jealous Lovers Club bandcamp page.
Despite the obvious post-rock influences, Right Hand Left Hand are much, much more than an experimental instrumental band. Intense, powerful yet melodic, Right Hand Left Hand defy the confines of one specific genre as they embrace elements of Krautrock, space-rock and electronica, as well as innovatively incorporating live loops and vocals to great effect.
To celebrate the announcement of the forthcoming self-titled album, Right Hand Left Hand are giving away the soaring album track 'Tarts and Darts' for absolutely nothing! Stream and download the song for free on the ABoF Soundcloud page or by clicking the embed below.
The result is an immersive, technically brilliant record filled with layer upon layer of riffs that subvert the quiet/loud dynamic of post-rock into a loud/louder burst of action. Album opener, and forthcoming official single Seat 18c, kicks off proceedings beautifully and lays the cards on the table for what to expect throughout the 11 track album, as the expertly picked guitar pieces trade punches with meaty riffs, augmented by metronomic drumming. Nightmares In The Afternoon illustrate the bands unpredictable nature as the brooding, unnerving track builds slowly, incorporating vocals alongside their customary love of powerful riffs. While the relentless riffs of the aforementioned Tarts and Darts and Cliff Young Shuffle would make the likes of the Fucking Champs nod in appreciation.
Despite their unerring ability to sonically pulverise your eardrums, Right Hand Left Hand are in fact a two-piece band. Comprising Andrew Plain (drums/guitars) and Rhodri Viney (guitars/ vocals/ drums) and hailing from Cardiff, Wales, the duo played in a number of Cardiff based bands over the years. Having played a show with one of their former bands in a club in Groningen, Netherlands the pair, having heard Trans Am played by the DJ, were inspired to break out on their own, embracing an experimental set up of two members playing guitar, two drum kits, centered around a loop station, incorporating instrument swaps and all the while attempting to find out how heavy is too heavy.
Their decision to do so was inspired and has seen the band headline Swn Festival as well support the likes of Dead Meadow, Errors, The Mahjonng, The Mae Shi, Future Of The Left, Super Furry Animals, Funeral For A Friend and Los Campesinos.
Right Hand Left Hand's self-titled album is out February 12th 2016 via Jealous Lovers Club and can be preordered via the Jealous Lovers Club bandcamp page.
Introducing… Crow’s Feet!
"...utterly enchanting..." - Gigwise
Crow’s Feet is the project of songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Lewis Tollan. Together with a rotating cast of other musicians and friends Lewis composes his music so that no two tracks sound the same, taking influences from those whom he has collaborated with. Describing his style as “pop music on drugs” he is currently working on Crow's Feet's self-titled debut album out later this year.
Crow's Feet's first single, Alarm Clock Bones, premiered on Gigwise and is available to download free via Soundcloud.
Alarm Clock Bones showcases a deep sound with comparisons to Mogwai, Explosions in the Sky or Barbarossa. The song draws on a number of thoughts and feelings but centres around the story of two people, making mistakes in their lives but how those mistakes can be interpreted to mean different things. Guest vocalist Calum Stewart shows off an incredible vocal range, soaring to heights that bring to life the emotion of the song, while the harmonium and strings at its base give it a sombre wintery overtone.
Having played numerous instruments from a young age and been in various bands, most recently WOMPS (formerly Algernon Doll), Lewis has been heavily involved in music for a long time and decided now was the time to turn his considerable talent and experience to his own exciting new project.
Alarm Clock Bones is out now on Old Mill Recordings.
Introducing… Twinnie!
Although known for her role as Porsche McQueen in Hollyoaks, Twinnie is set on making her mark in the world of pop with the release of her debut solo single Cool out January 18th 2016 on TLM Records.
You can hear Cool now on Twinnie's Soundcloud page.
This is Twinnie's first solo release but she has already had long connection to music, being part of the group who went on to become The Shires as well as securing her own song writing deal with Universal Publishing. She has spent many years developing and honing her already sought after talents. However it is her acting that she is probably more widely known for, as well as an 18-month stint on UK soap Hollyoaks she has also appeared in a number of West End musicals including Chicago and Rock of Ages.
Her success on stage and on screen has come with critical acclaim, however Twinnie’s heart has always remained with her music as she notes: “while it was fun I always felt it's not want I really wanted to be doing. I desperately wanted to be an artist”.
On Cool she combines pop and country influences with her beautiful vocals to create a hybrid style which bares similarities to early Taylor Swift. The first track to be released from an as yet unnamed debut EP out in 2016, Cool evokes memories of times gone by, looking back with fondness but also finding them bittersweet, missing those who have maybe drifted away over the course of time.
Cool is out January 18th 2016 on TLM Records.
Follow Twinnie on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
Freja celebrates a successful 2015!
"...an extremely minimal piano ballad which highlights Freja’s amazing vocals..."
- Going Solo"... beautiful, intimate acoustic songs..."
- The Girls AreIts been a fantastic year for young singer/songwriter Freja, who released her debut EP Ghosts in November along with her stunning single Ghosts In The Snow and beautiful free b-side Empire. Freja has received praise from The Girls Are, Going Solo and The Revue amongst others and still has features on For Folk's Sake and Sofar Sounds to come.
Ghosts is a celebration of Freja’s youth, covering themes of love, loss and life mixed with folklore and elements of gothic romance. Her vocals are truly effortless, with a hint of her London accent shining through, as she executes an authentic and completely controlled vocal delivery throughout the record, particularly on songs such as ‘Foggy Days’ and ‘Without You’, not unlike artists such as Lauren Aquilina. With sumptuous piano led melodies entwined with her delicate vocals, the EP gives listeners an intimate insight into Freja’s inner workings and stunning ability as a songwriter.
You can stream Freja’s opening track Ghosts In The Snow via the ABoF SoundCloud page.
You can also stream Freja’s free b-side track Empire via the ABoF SoundCloud page.
Empire is in fact a cover song of local post-hardcore band Disrupt the Skies. Tackling a track by a band who are at the polar opposite end of the musical spectrum allows Freja to really demonstrate her skills as an arranger, as she skilfully makes the song her own.
Freja first started writing songs at the age of nine with dreams of starting a rock band and becoming the next big thing. As time passed, Freja decided she didn’t need a band behind her and ended up with a collection of heart-felt songs which she can now use at her disposal.
At only 20 years old, Ghosts is an ode to her coming of age with Freja chasing four of her favourite songs that she'd written as a teenager, old friends she’s ready to introduce to the world on her debut release. 2016 will see Freja growing as an artist with a few surprises to come along the way.
Ghosts is out now via ShimmerSun Music and available to buy on Amazon and iTunes.
Introducing… POLSKY!
"... poised, dramatic songwriting, outwardly spiky but retaining a romantic core."
- ClashMy Own Company; a frenetic journey of post-punk urgency, electro hysteria and a shaky egg, is the debut album by POLSKY, a musical corporate entity for the modern day.
My Own Company takes you on a journey, as you accompany the protagonist trying to find their place in the world whilst negotiating a maelstrom of mass consumerism, media bombardment, social pressures and "the fear that your decaff skinny mocha-frappe no-foam venti won’t be served at precisely 63 degrees". Featuring special guest appearances from the likes of Joe Watson (Stereolab) and Chris Tickner and the Gregorian Singers (Enigma/Rick Wakeman), My Own Company is a pop record of multiple personalities.
The first track taken from the album Switchboard Operator premiered on Clash but you can also stream it now via the bands Soundcloud.
Granted with a rare opportunity to peer behind the curtain and get a glimpse into the world of POLSKY, I spoke to founder and CEO, Chris Warren about the origins and vision of the band with the anti-corporate ethic. Warren simply stated “POLSKY are a band of the people, by some people”.
Warren (vocals, guitar) explained that POLSKY has evolved from bedroom laptop electronics to a fully-formed, energetic pop band with the appointment of the executive board; Senior Synth Architect, Ben Warn (keyboards), Rhythm Logistics Engineer, Alex Robertson (drums) and Low Frequency Systems Analyst Chris Norman (bass).
Starting his musical career under the wing of Cocteau Twins' Robin Guthrie, while working in their September Sound studio, Warren paid close attention to Guthrie's production and writing techniques while absorbing ideas from sessions with Echo and the Bunnymen, Nick Lowe, Terry Hall, Ian Brodie, Billy Mackenzie and many others.
Warren played in several bands throughout the noughties, including Shadow Orchestra (now Talk In Colour) and agit-pop band BIB - who were given an NME 'single of the week' and toured with XX Teens. During this period he formulated his musical vision for what would become POLSKY and My Own Company, a collection of perfectly formed pop songs about corporate zombies, elderly love affairs, brain function, mid-nineties video game addiction and the undeniable human obsession with shouting louder than everyone else.
Join POLSKY. Embrace their manifesto. Live their ethos. Dance their dance. All applications considered.
The single Switchboard Operator will be out in January, with the album My Own Company released 4th April 2016 via PRODUCT.