Tag Archives: King Harvest & The Weight

King Harvest & The Weight release debut album Maps in-store and online today

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King Harvest & The Weight are Ben Adey ( Bassist and main songsmith), Justin Edley (drums) and Olly Smith(guitar/vocals). They have released their debut album ‘Maps’ today which is a collection of upbeat catchy rock tracks bursting with great vibes and embroidered with dynamic bass, mighty drums and spirited guitar. The album flows fluidly with each track bursting with infectious luscious melodies and fantastic musicianship that will attract repeated listens.
If you are in Dublin on the Sunday August 21st head down to Howth and check out King Harvest & The Weight’s next performance for the birthday celebrations of late Thin Lizzy legend Phil Lynott, at the personal request of his mother, Philomena. A third single release and video for When it Stops will accompany the album launch. Trust me your going to want to see these guys live.

Check out the Press release below

Maps, the debut long-player from West Yorkshire three-piece King Harvest & The Weight gets its eagerly anticipated in-store release today, also becoming available to download from all major online music outlets. Greeted with universal praise from publications and peers throughout the industry, the album’s 14-tracks have been hailed for their infectious blend of pop sensibility, garage-rock intent and AOR sophistication –bolstered by a recent whistle-stop tour of the UK and Ireland
Described as “the greatest lost mixtape –a dashboard discovery for a hot summer’s day”, Maps comes hot on the heels of frenetic lead single Unstuck, and the introspective follow-up Bloodsport, which –alongside a video from up-and-coming filmmaker Jordan Greenwood –explores the effects of depression on relationships.
Opening with Howl –a spoken-word intro from Stooges/Minutemen bassist Mike Watt –Maps features contributions from a diverse host of musical luminaries, including Peter Gabriel vocalist Rosie Doonan, and Ren Harvieu keys-man Andy Bruce. Frontman, bassist and main songsmith Ben Adey is joined by Justin Edley (drums) and Olly Smith(guitar/vocals) to complete the band’s core lineup.
Watch ‘Unstuck’ below

Live Music Review : King Harvest & The Weight and The Sour Seeds

 

The first thing we found out about our trip to The Pine Lodge Cork on Saturday to catch King Harvest & The Weight live was that Myrtleville is the best place to be stranded. We found lovely helpful people that made us feel at home and helped us out after our designated driver crashed into a wall just up the road from the venue, destroying our car but leaving the wall without a mark. A little shook up and bruised we headed to the Pine lodge to organise a way home and of course get to see as much live music as we possibly could before our lift came.

 

The night began with a set from The Sour Seeds an alternative rock band from Dublin. These guys have a slightly unusual set up with the addition of two saxophones. The Sour Seeds are refreshing and talented. Their smooth soulful tunes with added psychedelic and rock influences bring something new to the table, and come on who 20160701_215659_001doesn’t love a saxophone especially when it works well and adds diversity and depth to their tracks. Their witty humour and banter goes down well with the crowd, a brilliant warm up for a great night ahead.
King Harvest & The Weight begin their set with their single ‘Unstuck’ an upbeat catchy rock track bursting with great vibes. This track is brilliant live. It takes a new dimension with a dynamic bass, mighty drums and spirited guitar. This track is a strong opener and is so easy to dance to. It quickly becomes apparent that they are at their best live and to really appreciate their diverse sound you need 20160702_173759to go to one of their gigs .’Dream’ follows with its bright upbeat bubbly sound which I thought had a slight country twang when i listened to the album, however when performed live they give us punchier drums and a fantastic lustrous guitar that is compelling. The edgy bluesy ‘This Town’ give us a rock and roll feel with swagger. The heavy riff is brawny yet flexible and can coax you to dance without you even realising it. Its an energetic track that the crowd reacts well to and seems to sweet talk the crowd to bopping along. They slow down the tone with the melodic smooth ‘Morning Light’ showcasing their lush harmonies. Its a soft track that has a sway almost soft bop effect on the crowd. The set flows smoothly as they glide into the catchy ‘Diana’ which shows us their funky side. Unfortunately we had to leave at this point but not before we got to hear the smooth sensual ‘New York Is Dangerous’ with its slick darker tone.

 

King Harvest & The Weight make performing  look so effortless and easy with the flowing guitar solos, polished bass and punchy drums while they blow us away with a mixture of genres and sounds. There 20160702_173954is no doubt of their talent.
I would highly recommend going to see both these bands live and unfortunately I didn’t get to see The New 52 perform but i will definitely head down to one of their next shows.
Stream The Sour Seeds ‘Can’t Bring Me Down’ and King Harvest & The Weight ‘Unstuck’ below

A Chat With : King Harvest & The Weight

 

We caught up with Ben Adey from King Harvest & The Weight ahead of their UK and Ireland tour and the release of their unmissable debut album ‘Maps’.

Can you explain King Harvest & The Weight to anyone who doesn’t know you?
There’s plenty of bands out there who shamelessly ride their influences out to death, But we try not to ape our target too closely for our own good and come across like soulless bandwagon chasers. We love the music we grew up with, which is rooted in seventies good times rock n roll.

How did the name King Harvest & The Weight come about?
I wrote a load around 50 songs, demoed them all on a battered old Yamaha acoustic and then hooked up with Olly (guitar) & Justin (Drums) we recorded the tracks and got our arses in gear and booked some shows.

Your album is full of 70’s classic rock tracks with catchy hooks and well crafted melodies How did you decide on this style of music ?
It’s just what comes out, it isn’t over thought, or planned. It’s every free flowing creative and writing process.

Your music seems to have the ability to transport the listener back to that 70s rock period with such ease, is this a natural effect of your music flow or was it something you had to try hard to achieve?
Dead easy. Play what you like and do what feel is right for you. It’s not about being cool, it’s about doing what you enjoy, with no boundaries.

Your debut album Maps is due for release on June 20 what can we look forward to or expect from ‘Maps’?
Blistering 3 minute tracks, crammed with hooks.

What was your favourite part of making this record?
Recording it and playing music with superb people.

You have some great riffs and guitar solos in your tracks was this something you spent ages on to get right or did they come naturally?
Ideas come in all shapes and sizes. From rehearsal jams to the bare embryos of IPhone recordings.

Which of the songs on your album are you most proud of and why?I’d say, This Town. It was the first track I wrote, which actually spearheaded me into doing the album. It was the track that made me think that I wanted to actually have a go and play live again.

Had it not  arrived, I’d probably be spending my Saturday nights just driving back and forth to Tesco buying White Magnums & Bier d’ore. It saved me from decadence,ha!

Did you come cross any challenges when recording this album?
Yes, trying not to be impatient and rushing things.

You have a number of live shows coming up to promote the album what can people expect at these shows?
Loud noise, riffs and a pop song shower

Which venue are you looking forward to playing the most?
All of them.

What is your Favourite song to perform live and why?
Tough one, not sure yet!
You have three dates in Ireland this July is this your first time playing in Ireland and have you any expectations from the Irish crowd?
It is our first time as a band, yes. And we’re expecting it to be a great time.

What advice do you have for people who want to form their own band?
Pick up whatever is in sight, bang it, beat and have fun. Most importantly fuck what anyone tells you is cool and do what you love X

You can catch King Harvest & The Weight live at
Saturday 25th June – The Glad Cafe, Glasgow
Sunday 26th June – Voodoo Rooms, Edinburgh
Friday 1st July – Pine Lodge, Cork
Saturday 2nd July – Roisin Dubh, Galway
Sunday 3rd July – Grand Social, Dublin

We will be definitely heading down to one of the Irish shows to check out their “Loud noise, riffs and a pop song shower” .

Watch  King Harvest & The Weight ‘Unstuck’ below