What’s On: Raglans with support from MUNKY and WOLFF
Dublin based indie rock band Raglans will be playing their infectious irresistible tunes for a jolly Christmas session at The Bowery Rathmines, Dublin on the 23rd December. Officially formed in 2011, they consist of Stephen Kelly, Conn O’Ruanaidh and Rhos Horan. Their self-titled debut album was released in March 2014 through IRL Records, and reached no.5 in the Irish Album Chart and no.1 in the Irish Indie Chart.They have toured extensively worldwide, as well as providing support to bands such as The Strypes, Twin Atlantic, Haim, The Courteeners, The Fray, The Libertines and Lifehouse. Raglans debut album and live shows have both received critical acclaim. In March 2016 Raglans began recording the follow-up to their 2014 debut album in Los Angeles with Chris Murguia and Jason Wade of Lifehouse. The record was released in October 2016, before they went for another tour. These guys will bring a massive high powered show to the Bowery and it’s one not to be missed and if that’s not enough the grungy-disco deity MUNKY will be supporting them along with the slick trashy blues swagger soaked WOLFF. It’s sure to be one hell of a night. You’ll regret it if you miss it.
Our Worth A Listen Track This Week Comes From Wulfman Fury
Sheffield five-piece Wulfman Fury burst on to the scene with their debut single ‘Nightsweats’ this October, and have swiftly followed the release with another stellar new track ‘Draw The Line’ which was produced and mixed by George Moran, frontman of Wulfman Fury and an accomplished session player having toured extensively with Miles Kane and shared stages with Alex Turner and Paul Weller. ‘Draw The Line’ whizzes along at a breath-taking pace with a rush of intensity and an instant buzz of excitement. Where to start, this track exudes effortless confidence and swagger with all the component parts of a hit track. Dazzling sharp guitars whirl around an infectious vibrant melody lifting each chorus to soaring adrenaline rushing heights. Lush passionate vocals thrill with an energising stamina and power while punchy drums keep a flexible foundation for the instrumentation to rebound dynamically off. Just when you think this track can’t get any better they pelt you with a satisfying riveting riff before the swirling psychedelic tinged bridge. These guys know how to craft a relentless enthralling track to leave you craving for more. Its utterly absorbing with a crisp biting chorus and fresh breezy sound, it’s a mighty anthem. Wulfman Fury are a band to watch out for their sound is spellbinding and wholly captivating. These guys are a band to get excited about.
Manchester four piece Palava have released their new single ‘Sometimes (I Wonder)’.It’s a blistery biting indie rock track displaying a laid back frosty sound that grooves sways and cuts deep all at once. A dreamy hazy melody melts upon crashing sharp guitar stings and punchy drums creating the perfect enthralling contrast. With velvety smooth vocals and breezy aerial soundscapes it’s a refreshing nose cutting display. The piercing guitars cut through the track with a bitter jagged scintillation while the bouncy rhythm adds a vibrancy and light flutter to this atmospheric airy track. These guys have a tight sound and each track they wallop out confirms they are ones to keep an eye on.
Population 7 are a nine piece alternative UK hip-hop and neo-soul band from the West-Midlands.The band have released their video for their new single ‘Lowlight’. This chilled effortless cool track exudes soulful breezy swagger and placid grooves.So laid back with velvety vocals lush harmonies which is blended with vocal rapping these guys present a smokey fluid track that evaporates, glides and cruises with ease. A soft beat encases the track in a buoyant blanket while gentle piano floats with fine elegance adding a cold classy chicness. It’s soaked in a subtle panache with a fiery attitude displayed through the rapping but still holds a delicate finesse and soulful passion.
Christian Berghoff and Sebastian Haas are two lifelong friends from Saarbrucken, Germany who back in 2007 formed the band Pretty Lightning. The duo tick off a long list of influences from 60s psych and delta blues through to krautrock and drone and the end-product is a heavy dose of raw, twisted psychedelic-blues.The two-piece have two highly-praised LPs behind them and have now released their new album ‘The Rhythm Of Ooze on Fuzz Club Records. ‘This Machine Is Running’ is the perfect example of what this duo have to offer.This relentlessly dizzying track is a constant assault to the senses of bewildering hallucinogenic soundscapes that melt your mind in a blissful woozy staggeringly striking blast of psychedelia. An entrapping stomping rhythm pumps adrenaline through your veins while fuzzed out guitars add a disoriented daze and thrilling labyrinth to wander through, its lushly mesmerising yet darkly eerie. Reverb vocals echo throughout creating a hazy soothing effect to the rushing surge of instrumentation. The perplexing invasion of your mind only slows down in pace to submerge you in a swirling whirlpool of deranged meandering keys. It’s an enthralling stupefying heavy dose of psychedelic rock. A trip you won’t return from quite the same again.
Bath family of five, Voyages have released their new single ‘New Year’s Day’. Voyages is the creation of singer/songwriter, Will Walter whose work began in Spring 2017 in his home studio in the West Country. Enriched by psychedelic sounds, Walter’s journey started to create a modern alternative production and a new sound from everything he loved about his record collection before adding a band of brothers together for the ride. The band, who now perform and record as a 5-piece, are twins, Will and Tim Walter on vocals/keys, their brother Ollie Walter on guitar, alongside another set of twins in James and Lewis Woods who take care of the rhythm section on bass and drums. Their live show has become a huge part of what they do and they plan to be on the festival circuit for summer 2018. The quintet are about to release their debut EP with five fledgling tracks under the guise of ‘New Year’s Day’.
‘New Year’s Day’ is a mouth-watering luscious guzzle of infectious 60’s drizzled pop with a snappy peppy beat rebounding and vibrantly springing off a melty dreamy melody. With heavenly nectarious harmonies and a golden sun soaked radiance this track is a majestic little ear worm destined to brighten any day. Perfectly placed clap along percussion teamed with laid-back cruising guitars which wind in and out playfully between the melody create a snappy humdinger. Well layered and perfectly crafted you hear a new little jingle with every play. It’s mellow, immensely melodic and Beatles- esque with The Beach Boy’s vibes sprinkled on top. Voyages are ones to watch out for. This track is superb.
“The New Year’s Day EP is based around the mistakes made over the last year and the notion that if you didn’t make any you probably didn’t take enough chances, ” explains Will Walter, who wrote lead single, New Year’s Day originally as a poem, on New Year’s Day. “It was ultimately a stream of consciousness brought on by a goddamn awful year and catastrophic New Year’s Eve party which resulted in loss of phone, wallet and mind.”
The EP is available on all digital platforms as well as pre-orders for vinyl copies which include instant digital download. Visit https://voyagesmusic.bandcamp.com/releases for all info.
PAPER CRANES are an Indie Folk duo hailing from the South of the Lake District. Consisting of Jon Dawes providing vocals, guitar as well as percussion alongside Beckah Lloyd lending her melodies and harmonies and acoustic bass. Their delicate, yet powerfully formed vocals are accompanied with a percussively played guitar which is dynamically reinforced by Kieran Day’s layering electric guitar, percussion and an array of sympathetically crafted sounds. Paper Cranes have released their long awaited second single ‘Lights’ to coincide with their next EP due for release early 2018.
‘Lights’ is a soft flurry of nourishing indie folk. Delicate and gentle this track is rich unadulterated purity oozing warmth and honesty from its very core. With soft guitar weaving gracefully between Dawes and Lloyd’s immaculate wholesome harmonies it’s a sincere beautiful display. With a playful rhythm adding a rich texture and danceable beat this track is a flickering thought -provoking charmer. It is so sweet and gently soothing yet lavishly layered creating a sophisticated refined sound that is luscious and delicious to the ears. The track glides with fine elegance and a feathery lightness. It’s a beautiful tender treasure.
West London based singer-songwriter and abstract artist, FREEMAN has released his new single ‘Good Times’ on Catapult Records.’Good Times’ is the follow up to the recent and acclaimed debut ‘Lay On’ and was recorded over the Summer at Eastcote Studios in Kensal Rise with Jamie Brown and engineer Andy Hughes. ‘Lay On’, which picked up widespread support from the likes of The Huffington Post and BBC Radio London, came with a video featuring footage from the Oscar winning French short ‘The Red Balloon’ and had 180k views and over 1.5k shares on its first week online. The new single is another indication of what to expect from the singer’s forthcoming album ‘Truth’ which is scheduled for release early next year.
‘Good Times’ is a heartfelt warm number that oozes fireside glowing wholesomeness. It’s soft with gentle percussion tapping playfully along the tender beautiful melody. Cosy guitar strums twinkle between FREEMANS warm soothing vocals. It’s sing along ready and instantly swayable and charming. Its delicate and feathery light with an infectious buoyancy and positive atmosphere that will put a nostalgic smile on your face. A lovable track that will warm you up on a cold winters day. It is a pure snuggly delight that is so easy to listen to.
Dublin-based trio The Elephant Room released their debut album Body in 2014, followed by the EP ‘Blotch’ last summer. They have now released their new single ‘Naive Green’. This psychedelic tinged track is sun kissed lazy days bliss. With smooth laid-back vocals and soft bouncy percussion all wrapped in a breezy mellowness it’s an instant tranquilising shot of ecstasy. With diluted guitar lines paving the path to the dreamy wobbly promised land this track is that subtle gesture and nudge that takes you to your mind-numbing state of bliss. With simple hypnotising “do do do” lyrics and fluffy comfy swirling soundscapes it’s the most luscious melty track that calms, sedates and fills you with hazy summer joy. This track is well crafted as The Elephant Room lull and coo with sublime weaving instrumentation as the perfect backing. Slightly trippy and sweet and oh so smooth these guys are ones to keep an eye on.
Bio: The Tates are a Welsh Indie Pop five piece consisting of Liam Fusco, Tom Ryan, Matt Kilgariff, Jac Robin and Shaun Gwizdak. This new track has been eagerly anticipated after the success of the band’s debut release ‘Electric Girl’. The song was supported by Huw Stephens, BBC Introducing, Radio 1 and gained Amazing radio playlisting as well as being A-listed on BBC Radio Wales. Energized by their summer tour in support of ‘Electric Girl’ a confident and inspired band returned to the studio in Cardiff to work with producer Steffan Pringle (Estrons, Himalayas, Future Of The Left) again.
Track: Water
Lyrically ‘Water’ asks a poetic question exploring themes of nature over nurture, as Tom the guitarist explains: “Are the flaws that we share with our parents who we are, or have we learnt from them? Are we free to be the people we want to be or are we trapped by our genetic makeup and our immediate environment and society?”
Why We Like It: It’s a refreshing glistening indie pop track. Infectious sun soaked and brimming with rich textures and melodies. Shimmering synths teamed with zesty stings on guitar and smooth vocals create a sublime hazy dazzling track so succulent and silky it’s mouth-wateringly good.
Bio: Half Jordanian, half Irish singer Keeva was discovered after ex-White Denim members Austin Jenkins and Josh Block found her demos online. Growing up between Ireland, Jordan and also London, young Keeva has taken inspiration from musical traditions from all three places while also obsessing over the cult 45s of Sun Studios/RCA’s Studio B, alongside the likes of Patsy Cline & Willie Nelson to deliver her debut single Whiskey.
Track: Whiskey.
Why We Like It: It’s a timeless track elegant and delicate in its approach with graceful piano accompaniment and soulful emotional vocals. It’s strong, sure and brave as a firm chord progression gives strength and courage. The melody has sweet tender moments while also filling and seeping with firm endurance. It’s a power ballad for sure but more one to inject power to the listener to get up and get on with it.
Follow Keeva on Facebook here https://www.facebook.com/keevamusic
Watch the video for Whiskey below
Polar States
Genre: Indie
Bio: Liverpool-based quartet Polar States début single won them the attention of Grammy Award winning producer Jon Withnall (Coldplay, Elbow) and since then its been none stop. The band have now released their debut four track EP ‘Lost’.
Track: ‘Lost’
Why We Like It: Title Track ‘Lost’ is the perfect example of Polar States infectious indie rock. Smattered in bubbly pop elements with a laid back smooth ear worm melody it’s a melodic flavoursome little ditty. Sharp guitar injections and dark undertones add a nice bite and gritty texture and teamed with punchy drums and lush vocals it’s the perfect blend. This track is radio ready and one which can be enjoyed by all. Make sure to check out the rest of the EP it’s a doozy.
Follow Polar States on Facebook here https://www.facebook.com/PolarStates/
Stream ‘Lost’ below
https://soundcloud.com/polarstates/lost
Joe Russell-Brown
Genre: Dream Pop
Bio: 19-year-old Joe Russell-Brown’s has released his debut EP it is a collection of songs created on a cheap microphone and laptop in his grandma’s bungalow. It captures his transition from acoustic songwriter to dream-pop band leader
Track: Post-Youth Depression
When asked about the track Joe said:“Post-Youth Depression is a retrospective euphoria of the days you can only appreciate when they’re gone. It’s about friends, living in a shit town and the acceptance of whatever’s to come.”
Why We Like It: It’s a chilled lo-fi track, so soothing laid back and sweetly nostalgic. With slurred vocals and hazy soundscapes it’s like walking into a dream. The subtle guitar adds a whimsical idealistic mist to the track. Smothered in a blurred illusion that gives the track transparency, giving the sense of a euphoric memory in the back of your mind – you can’t grasp it as it is almost vaporous just there to cherish in the moment but cannot be held on to. Another sublime EP which you should check out.
Follow Joe Russell-Brown on Facebook here https://www.facebook.com/joerussellbrownmusic/
Watch the video for Post-Youth Depression below
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Indie: (n) an obscure form of rock which you only learn about from someone slightly more hip than yourself.
