Any artist is welcome to send us a track via freshonthenet.co.uk anytime between Monday lunchtime and Wednesday evening (or when we receive 200 submissions, whichever is sooner) - and all our moderators, including Tom Robinson, will listen to every track. This is our full inbox from the week beginning Mon 11th December 2023: from Friday afternoon you'll be able to hear our shortlist and pick your favourites on this week's Listening Post which will appear at freshonthenet.co.uk/batch513

If a track you submitted does not appear in this list, it’s probably because another of your tracks appeared in our Fresh Faves or on the BBC Music Introducing Mixtape during the last three months — we ask that artists featured on either wait three months before resubmitting to give others a chance. 

We also don’t accept short previews or SoundCloud Go tracks that can only be heard as 30 second previews, and tracks made private after submission, which cannot be included in playlists. You will be able to resubmit the track in future. Tracks (and remixes of tracks) that have been previously submitted, and tracks from banned artists will also be removed.

Christmas songs and the like are also not eligible for the Listening Post, although we will collect these into a playlist that will be published on 24 December.

ENTIRE INBOX: Batch 513

Weekend Recovery are back with a brand-new single and forthcoming EP. Released in quick succession to their second album ‘False Company’, leadoff track ‘No Guts All The Glory’ is out now, with 4-track EP of the same name scheduled for release February 4th 2022.

A garage rock band formed in 2017, Weekend Recovery have amassed radio support on Radio X, Kerrang! Radio, Planet Rock, Amazing Radio, BBC Introducing local and NME Presents.

The single brings equal measures of in-yer-face vocals, grit guitars, driving beats and hyper fuzz. The release screams out with all we love about their fresh rock sound. It’s this blend that’s seen them featured in Deezer’s ‘Top Rock Hits’, with sell out UK tour dates and adds on over 100 independent stations in the last 12 months.


'I really do like the riffage in that… they certainly are going somewhere!'
John Kennedy Radio X

'Some really nice swampy garage rock'
Johnny Doom, Kerrang Radio

'High energy, catchy, love it.'
Abbie McCarthy, BBC Radio Kent

'A fantastic new tune.'
Charlie Ashcroft, Amazing Radio

'Weekend Recovery deal in garage rock with knock-out choruses.'
Planet Rock Magazine 'Ones to Watch’

RELEASE INFO
Artist: Weekend Recovery
Label: Criminal Records
Single: No Guts All The Glory
ISRC: GBPQF2100029
Release Date: 5th November 2021
EP OUT: 4th February 2022

http://criminalrecords.cc
https://shop.criminalrecords.cc

SOCIAL LINKS
https://instagram.com/weekend_recovery
https://facebook.com/weekendrecoverymusic
https://twitter.com/weekendrecmusic 

FFO: Slaves, Royal Blood, St Agnes, Lottery Winners, Arctic Monkeys, Skating Polly

Weekend Recovery - No Guts All The Glory

ANIMO // OUT 15th NOV. Support @ https://shop.criminalrecords.cc

British solo artist The Kut has announced a US distribution deal with Amplified, for her hotly anticipated second album and a forthcoming video single ANIMO. 

Meaning ‘courage’ or ‘spirit’, ANIMO and the accompanying music video are out on 15th November and are funded by Arts Council England. Dubbed by NYC Takeover as ‘the revolution waiting to erupt’ the latest Kut is fierce; pepper sprayed with haunting melodies, driving beats and unapologetically packed with grrrl power.

Written in support of recent womens’ rights demonstrations in the UK, the single is the first of a series of releases, leading up to The Kut second album, due June 2022. 

The album features all seven members of her collective of women in music, with ANIMO featuring Diana Bartmann (drums), Jennifer Sanin (bass/vocals) and Alison Wood (guitar/bass) performing alongside The Kut.

FURTHER // 

The US deal, which also signed The Kut’s Criminal Records label, moves their US ops to a 700,000 sq ft. US warehouse, backed by Alliance and in partnership with AMPED. Bringing her into an impressive US roster that includes Kobalt, Death Row, Pias, Epitaph, Chrysalis, Nuclear Blast, Papa Roach, Arlo Parks, Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Larkin Poe, Blink 182, Frank Turner and Die Antwoord.

The Kut’s debut album ‘Valley of Thorns’ was produced by James LeRock Loughrey (Skindred, White Zombie, Bjork) and spent two weeks in the UK Rock Albums Chart (No.7) and No. 18 in the Independent Albums Chart. The album was released on Cargo Records, who stay on as the UK & Europe distributor.

Her latest single hit the UK Sales Chart on Christmas Day (No.65) and spent four weeks in the Physical Chart (No.10).  These releases have spawned significant interest in the UK and USA, including major support from Kerrang!, BBC Introducing, Total Rock, Hard Rock Hell, Planet Rock, Metal Hammer, Sirius XM, AAA, College stations, with music videos selected for playlist by MTV, LATV, AXSTV & Music Choice.

With tours in eight countries and performances at Download, Rebellion, Camden Rocks and BBC Introducing Stages, The Kut returned to live post-lockdown, headlining the River Stage at Isle of Wight Festival. The event was followed by the announcement of a long awaited forthcoming single, ‘ANIMO’.  

Other label signings to join The Kut’s record deal includes Everett True who recently released his first-hand account ‘Live Through This (Part 1 – Nirvana), Weekend Recovery, The Last Siren, LORI, Mike Walsh + + 

Mike Donohue, CEO of Amplified Distribution, discussed the mass signing, stating “They are bands that deserve to be heard here in America. Amplified looks forward to this partnership and we are excited about the next level artists Criminal plans to bring to us.”

IN REVIEW // 

The Guardian - Editor's Pick
"Your snarly singer-guitarist... Shades of Courtney, Brody and L7”

Big Takeover NYC
"The Kut is the revolution waiting to erupt."

Planet Rock
"searing live shows and rocking anthems"

Metal Hammer
"awesome riffs and chaotic live shows"

Clash Magazine
"Glamorous rock 'n' roll with a punk edge"

Kerrang! Magazine
"a neat twist on grunge pop"

Q Magazine
"a slice of angst-offloading gutter rock"

Metro
"multi-talented girls with a '90s grunge alt- rock sound"

Classic Rock Magazine
"Punk's not dead, pass it on."

ANIMO

The Kut - ANIMO

The Kut 'SATELLITE' recently charting at #22 in the UK Single Sales Charts and two other official UK Charts.

Remixed by London producer Konkrete, this version brings the EDM and Reggaeton sound, alongside The Kut's melodica.

Satellite (Konkrete Remix)

SATELLITE (Konkrete Remix)

Welsh disco-punkers Stickman have joined the Criminal Records. Their Genre-Meshing Alt.Rock sees them join one of the hottest independent label rosters in the UK right now & rising.

With influences ranging from Beastie Boys to The Bee Gees, their brand new double-A single “Ex-Box Life” / “Binary” is out now, and has seen them added to the playlist of KEXP Punk Rock Show, Seattle.

FFO Electric Six, The Darkness, Lawnmower Deth, Buzzcocks, NOFX, Bloc Party

Ex-Box Life

STICKMAN - "Binary"

The Kut (PhD) is a British Multi-Instrumentalist. Her sophomore album “GRIT” is the musical amalgamation of the journey so far. On record, The Kut leads on vocals & guitar, moonlighting as drummer & bassist on two tracks, alongside her collective of women in music.  Its story mirror's The Kut's journey from major label hopes to the soul searching decision of whether to quit music or self-release her album. Digging deep to choose the latter, with the help of crowdfunding the 2018 debut 'Valley of Thorns' released on her Criminal Records label -  gaining widespread acclaim as it charted at No.7 in the UK Rock Albums Chart and No. 18 in the Independent Albums Chart. 

Punk rock anthem ‘And 1 More…’ is the third single to release from the record and was premiered by Johnny Doom on Kerrang! Radio this week. The album, funded by Arts Council England, includes hit single ‘ANIMO’, which won three awards (UK Songwriting Contest Best Rock Song, Best Music Video & the International Rock Award).  debuted at The Kut headline set at Isle of Wight Festival. GRIT releases following UK support dates with high voltage rockers, Electric Six.

“Remember the fuss people made about Paramore’s ‘Riot’?  They’ll be saying the same thing about ‘Grit’ in a few years too… Expertly executed song-craft… The new queen of punk has arrived” 
9/10 Vive Le Rock, Bruce Turnbull

“An outstanding album from one of the most exciting current UK artists”
10/10 Power Play, Andy Houghton

“A Flawless Punk Rock Album. A Piece of Punk Rock Perfection” 
5/5 ERB Magazine, Dean Parker

GRIT

The Kut - And 1 More...

The Kut is a British rock artist, multi-instrumentalist & double award winner in the UK Songwriting Contest (Feb ’22). Her second album 'GRIT' shares the story so far, releasing to Number 1 Rock Chart status this summer. From the empowering ‘ANIMO' (meaning courage) to the anthem punk rock tones of 'And 1 More', The Kut and her all-star female collective are making their way to the major stages supporting High Voltage US rockers ELECTRIC SIX on tour in UK & Ireland this November/December - bringing with them a hefty dose of energy & unity.

'Fun When You're Winning' is a firm favourite from GRIT since the off, featuring on England World Cup Cricket, Sky Sports, EFL and TalkSPORT in the football highlights, Diamond League Athletics and on the official playlists of over 20 Premiere League football clubs.

Fun When You're Winning

The Kut - Fun When You're Winning

The Kut - On My Own
Out Friday 10th February. GBPQF2300001
From 'GRIT' the UK Number 1 Rock Album out on Criminal Records.

On My Own

The Kut 'On My Own' Radio Edit

Emma Johnson’s Gravy Boat return this Autumn for the release of their second album Northern Flame, a free-flowing, cinematic jazz record inspired by stories of the strength and resilience of Northern women past and present. 

Developed from a commission for Lancaster Jazz Festival 2022, Northern Flame ties together tales from the history of Lancashire about lighthouse keeper Janet Raby (in first track Force of Light) and local hospice founder Sister Aine Cox (in track 3, Sister) with wider themes of light and the feeling of home. 

Celebrating the launch with a debut performance at London Jazz Festival on the 12th November, key Autumn festivals (Marsden, Hull), and tour dates at Howard Assembly Rooms in Leeds, NQ Jazz in Manchester and more, the band share their ‘characteristic Northern warmth & charm’ in live settings through both the music and stories that inspire it. 

Recorded at Giant Wafer Studio in Wales and produced by Ivor Novello nominated James Hamilton, the quintet explores dynamic and interplay further in this new album, which marks a more open and exploratory way of writing and recording for Johnson and Gravy Boat.

Embers - Emma Johnson's Gravy Boat

GBPQF2300039

Nina West is an Australian/British 21-year-old multi-instrumentalist and song writer. Her love of music began early, with her playing piano and singing at age 3 and picking up the saxophone as a second instrument at 11.  

She has since become an accomplished player; Nina is a Grade 8 classical and jazz pianist, Grade 5 jazz saxophonist and Grade 8 vocalist with musical theatre/west training.

Graduating from BIMM London with a Bachelor of Music this year, she is now releasing her first single ‘Trouble’.

“Trouble is a song I wrote during a very dark and traumatic experience that went on to affect every aspect of my life. The lyrics are about how I ignored the red flags and the deep pain this person caused me.”

A song in the works for over 2 years, ‘Trouble’ is produced by Steven Spence and features Nick Barrenechea-Arando on guitar, with Nina playing piano, alto saxophone, bass and vocals.

Instagram: ninawestx | Tiktok: @neens.onthekeys

Trouble

Nina West - Trouble

The debt album 'Cyanide Smile': https://lnk.to/stickman

Hailing from the South of Wales, disco-punkers Stickman have had a whirlwind 12 months. Signed following a Music Venue Trust #ReviveLive Show in a room holding no more than 50 people, they are now releasing their debut full-length, and they do it with a 'Cyanide Smile'.
 
A worthy alt.punk debut, the record shares the flamboyant fruits of their touring & studio sessions at MWNCI Studios. The lead up singles have already gained heavy support from Apple Music, while scoring big plays via Kerrang! Radio, Amazing Radio, Total Rock, KEXP and most recently Houston, TX powerhouse 94.5 the BUZZ.
 
Described as ‘disco punk with a pinch of mid-life crisis’,  their sound is unmistakable; Their craft effortlessly switches up genres, complete with soaring choruses and dynamic melodies.

Recent poll winners at Breaking Bands Festival, the band were voted by the BB Community to return as 2024 headliners. The new record makes them a must listen band for fans of The Darkness, Lawnmower Deth, Electric Six, Blink 182, NOFX, Massive Wagons and Royal Republic. 
 
Their video single of the same name 'Cyanide Smile' releases as the lead track, alongside CDs and their first ever merch, in a bid for the Official UK Independent Albums Chart this week.

ISRC: GBPQF2300031

Cyanide Smile

BAD DREAM

The Melancholic’s lament, oh the time I’ve spent.
All the lies I’ve told myself, all the stories on my shelf.

If I’d had more sense, saved more for less expense
my liver wouldn’t be so blue, I would have held on to you

with my hands around each glass I tell myself this will be my last
but at the bottom of the jar is another trip up to the lonely bar.

I may be in denial but I can quit for quite a while
when things settle down for me I won’t need this dependency.

It’s a habit I can kick if I loosen up a bit
my luck will change, my mood will lift, my head will clear a way through this.

My mind’s as sharp as it ever was, I’ve every faith in myself because
I’ve every reason to think I can lose myself and become the man I always wanted to be.

I always wanted to be able to choose to lose this man
and become the one I know I can

but then with my arms around this glass reflecting my deadlines past
I know that it’s not true and looking back so do you.

A Melancholic's Lament

Having taken their time and not simply rushed out another release, the band have honed and perfected their art and are now ready to unveil to the world their brand new single release of ‘Do Ya’ 
‘Do Ya’ with its strumming and thrashing guitars and pounding, crashing drum rhythms is perfectly offset with the almost dark and brooding vocals that positively open up in the chorus hook lines with a rousing upbeat melody. Its pure indie rock grittiness personified to perfection!
The band have said of the track: 
“‘Do Ya’ is about asking questions in life really; easy questions, hard questions, and questions you already know the answers to, really. It's funny, as the verses I'd had for a while, but I never found a place for them. It wasn't until I revisited an old song Reece had written that I found the chorus. The chorus echoes a sentiment most listeners will understand when your mood is completely opposite to someone else's, so much so that it's almost an annoyance, as you can't grasp how they're okay with everything and you're not. From there, the song fell into place as Josh and Reece worked together on the rest of the structure, and the band finalised the music.”
‘Do Ya’ was written by Josh Tallis and Reece Howe. It was recorded at The Nave Studio  in Pudsey, Leeds and was produced By Tom Orrell.

DO YA

http://www.criminalrecords.cc 
Criminal Records is the lovechild of a talented group of nutters who work tirelessly to seek and represent the best live and recording acts.  Visit our website and sign up for a free membership to keep updated on all the latest gigs, bands, releases and label news.


Fresh On The Net is a music blog hosted by Tom Robinson and Team Freshnet, offering independent artists an open door and a level playing field for their music. Our inbox is open at http://freshonthenet.co.uk every Monday to Thursday morning - if you share a track with us there it will be heard by every member of our moderation team.

IMPORTANT: 
Only send ONE track, and make sure the dropbox says "OPEN".  Sorry, but tracks sent while the dropbox is closed - or shared drectly with this Soundcloud account - will not get heard.

STICKMAN - "Binary"

Criminal Records

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