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Introducing… ULTRAS
"...a fusion of colours, tones, and
textures that builds up towards
something gently emphatic."
- Clash
With influences ranging from elements of hip-hop and electronica to rock, pop and traditional Scottish folk music, ULTRAS is the brain child of multi-instrumentalist Gav Prentice. The self-titled debut album is due for release on 28th April 2017 via Hello Thor Records and Instinctive Racoon.
To support the release ULTRAS have unveiled single Team Handed which premiered on Clash, and is now available to stream via the A Badge of Friendship Soundcloud page and on Spotify.
Team Handed follows on from the release of Napoleon, a track that illustrates ULTRAS versatility as composers, and was recently picked up for airplay by BBC Radio 6's Steve Lamacq. The track is available to stream via the ULTRAS Soundcloud page.
ULTRAS’ eclectic take on modern pop music is as challenging as it is rewarding; a twelve track record that confronts the listener sonically and lyrically, resulting in the creation of a sound that has the ability to reach euphoric highs as well as melancholic lows.
Started on the back of the break of up of his former band, cult pop act Over the Wall, ULTRAS set about making a record with the help of six separate producers, an approach heavily inspired by Gav’s love of hip-hop mixtapes. This bold approach has helped to build a sound full of diversity ranging from the warm, emotional, mournful lament on the aforementioned Team Handed, which sees Gav reunited with former Over the Wall partner Ben Hillman, to the layers of analogue synths and beats that envelope you on You’ve A Foul Mouth John Barleycorn, a track produced by Miaoux Miaoux’s Julian Corrie. Odd-pop maestro Jonnie Common oversaw the chopped up samples and bass of Stepping Out, while on This Is Where I Fall and The Path To Getting Paid, we are hit with the big, alternative rock sounds and tight rhythms produced by Joe Cormack, renowned for his work with Pictish Trail. Here, ULTRAS have created a cacophony of rich soundscapes, emotionally demanding your attention throughout due to its rousing, passionate and, at times, witty take on modern life and culture.
Describing the project as “violent pop for the patronised” the ULTRAS live act sees Prentice (beats, guitar, keyboard, vocals), joined by Matt Clark (guitar, bass) and Roy Mohan Shearer (drums, keyboard). The project has already gained support from a number of notable music industry figures with coverage coming from Simon Raymonde and Jim Gellatly on Amazing Radio, Tom Robinson’s BBC Radio 6 show, Vic Galloway on BBC Radio Scotland as well as Goldflakepaint, Song by Toad and Podcart. ULTRAS are currently arranging a tour for May 2017, following on from their successful appearances at The Great Escape, and Wickerman festival as well as supporting the likes of We Were Promised Jetpacks and Admiral Fallow.
ULTRAS by ULTRAS is out on 28th April 2017 via Hello Thor Records and Instinctive Racoon.