Alternative/Shoegaze/Goth/Riffs/Ambient

Aughra (pronounced org-ra) are a seven piece Manchester-based band.

Their live sound includes three electric guitars, with bass and percussion, blended with ambient electronic elements and mystical sax. Kyuss, Sleep, Cocteau Twins and Lynchian soundtracks influence the instrumentation. The vocals are inspired by the likes of Elizabeth Fraser, Julee Cruise and Anna Calvi, creating a powerful and elegant vocal over dark melodic arrangements.

“An Aughra performance is a deceptive experience – let your thoughts idle for a few seconds and expect to bear the consequences.” (MIMR)

“Recalling the visceral power of Shellac and the heady atmospherics of Cocteau Twins, Aughra’s strength lies in their brilliant use of contrasting moods and textures - one minute languorous, the next snarling and carnivorous. The end result – as shown on standout songs such as Dead Weight and Corpse White – is the sort of bewitching, mesmeric brew that wouldn’t sound out of place on a David Lynch soundtrack.” David Sue (Manchester Evening News)

“Creating a brimming brew of dark, atmospheric sound steeped in textures, emotional energies and impassioned vocals – Aughra defy genre particulars and instead head straight for the eardrums. Some listeners may lose themselves in the band’s shimmering shoegaze quality, whilst others can thrash and roll with each wonderful weave of noir-rock riffs. This is genuinely interesting music, Sally Mason’s visceral vocals working with the skilled instrumentation of Simon Mayne’s lead guitar, bass from Rob Hatton and James Field on drums to open up tracks such as ‘Dead Weight’ and ‘Corpse White’. A merging of musicianship that develops Gothic-tinges into a gutsy punch over the course of each track.” Emily Oldfield (HAUNT Manchester)

Current Line Up:

Sally (Vocals/Guitar)
Greg (Guitar)
HC (Guitar)
Ellie (Synth)
Alex (Sax)
Andi (Bass)
Max (Drums)

On Julee Cruise:
James Field (Drums)
Rob Hatton (Bass)
Simon Mayne (Guitar)
Sally Mason (Vocals/Guitar)

On Dead Weight/Corpse White/Blue Light:
Drums - Lorna Blundell 
Vocals/Guitar/Bass - Sally Mason

Mixed and Mastered by Mark Simpson (Songcraft Recordings)
Artwork - Garth Simmons

Beats & Pieces Big Band take the big band sound to places it’s never been before, embracing modern textures and techniques while acknowledging and celebrating their big band lineage. 

A driving force of the vibrant Manchester music scene and one of the most striking ensembles of its kind, Beats & Pieces is not an average ‘big band’ – rather a band that’s big.

Microphones, Reflexion Filters™, and studio accessories. Hand-crafted capsules, built the old-school way.

Tear Fet is the sound project of Manchester artist Matt Dalby

HunterAnton is following