The Balcony the debut album out now! po.st/wYIdxN 

Averaging a show every 4 days, releasing 2 singles with a collective 50,000 views on YouTube and completely selling out their first ever headline tour in October, The Ratells have had an incredible 2013.  
The Sheffield, alternative 4-piece, hotly tipped by BBC Introducing’s Christian Carlisle and mentioned on Huw Stephens’ BBC Radio 1 show in the summer, have gained a reputation as one of the most hard working bands of the year. Successful support slots with the likes of The Kaiser Chiefs, The Boomtown Rats and a huge 16 date support tour with Room 94 in July, along with over 40 shows in fans front rooms has seen the band nurture a fantastic grassroots growth in cities hundreds of miles from home.

The Ratells are perhaps best known for their close relationship with fans and incredible use of social media. Their guerilla gigs, in everywhere from Shopping Centres to Train Stations, the constant blogging, regular updates to their 1,500 strong mailing list and their insane efforts at personally replying to their ever growing Twitter (8,000) and Facebook (4,000) followers. The Ratells have done EVERYTHING themselves, from booking their own tours right down to licking the stamps on the envelopes of every piece of merchandise they sell.

This work ethic has seen the band reap in the rewards. Their first ever headline tour in October completely sold out. Their video for summer single ‘FACES’, consisting entirely of photos of their fans, hit 10,000 views within it’s first week and was named in the top 3 tracks of the year by BBC Introducing Sheffield.

Spending 7 days a week in their rehearsal room for the past 6 months has allowed the band to put together an impressive amount of material which they plan to drip feed to their fans with a series of EP’s over the next year. This, along with another relentless tour schedule and various festival slots already confirmed look set to make 2014 a very exciting year for The Ratells.

Winner of The Battle of AIM (Arts, Innovation & Media) 2014, Finalist of Yorkshire Unplugged 2014.

Matt Longden is following