Ralph's Indie Show on Radio KC Vol 65

Bear In The Hospital

Tiny Detonations

'Here Is Too Near' is the first track from Book Group's new EP 'Tantrums' (out 17th May 2014).

Recorded & produced by Bruce Rintoul, February 2014.

Here Is Too Near

So Many Animal Calls are pleased to announce the release of the free download track 'My Blood's Not Mine', taken from their second EP, Burden, due for release via Bloc+Music on 26th May 2014. 

Burden sees the Glasgow based four-piece make a welcome return after the release of their 2011 debut EP, Eulogy. While Eulogy highlighted the raw, visceral skills of a young talented band, on Burden we see a marked progression in their sound - a more mature sound mixing abrasive alternative rock with layered moments of technical excellence.

Opening track and forthcoming single, ‘From The Sick Bed’, kicks-off proceedings beautifully as So Many Animal Calls illustrate their ability to write solid, sing-along pop-rock songs encased within a song structure that edges towards prog territory. Emotionally charged lead vocals are intensified by relentless drumming and chiming guitars as the track undulates between the quiet/loud dynamic to great effect. Second track, ’My Blood’s Not Mine’, showcases everything that is good about So Many Animal Calls - technical guitar pieces, dreamy vocals and time changes galore display an impressive depth to a band who offer far more than the sum of their parts.

The Glaswegian foursome, consisting of Sean McKenna (vocals, guitar), Ross Stewart (guitar, vocals), Ross Coll (bass) and new member Sam Leighton (drums) with previous drummer Martin Johnston featuring on the EP, recorded Burden with producer Bruce Rintoul (Twin Atlantic, We Were Promised Jetpacks) and the EP was mastered by Carl Saff (Joanna Gruesome, Braid, Speed Ortiz). Drawing on influences that range from The Cure to Motion City Soundtrack, the band have produced a record that would legitimately sit alongside contemporaries like The Get Up Kids, The Promise Ring and Death Cab For Cutie.

Their dynamic sound has also seen the band gain support from the likes of Artrocker, Drowned In Sound, Jim Gellatly, The Herald and Huw Stephens as well as picking up support slots with the likes of Little Comets and The Xcerts and sharing a stage at Rockness with Friendly Fires.

Burden is due for release on 26th May 2014 via Bloc+Music.

http://www.abadgeoffriendship.com/artists/so-many-animal-calls

So Many Animal Calls - My Blood's Not Mine

Chase Yirsel is the lead single to be taken from Stanley Odd's forthcoming EP of the same title, released on Monday 28th April as a CD and download.

The single will also be available as a limited edition 12" (in Track, Instrumental, Acappella format) with B-side 'Let Ma Brain Breathe' released on Saturday 19th April to celebrate Record Store Day.

For more details visit: http://www.stanleyodd.com

Chase Yirsel / Let Ma Brain Breathe

Buy Me?

Chase Yirsel

The Omega Corridor: Bored Yet (Live jam with drum machine)

sail away

Enchanting, power-pop five piece Universal Thee return with their sophomore album, All Watched Over By Machines of Loving Grace, the follow up to the critically lauded debut Back To Earth. The album is due for release on 19th February 2016 via Eventual Heirs Records.

All Watched Over By Machines of Loving Grace sees the band make a natural progression in their sound, with a more focused, more intense record evolving throughout the recording process as Universal Thee embrace the nuances of a bigger polished production as well as an increased level of complexity to their songwriting.

The result is a record that captures all of their most positive skills as a band, constructing songs with an immediacy which is difficult to achieve, as contagious harmonies are married with memorable melodies and wonderfully crafted musicianship. Album opener ‘Why’ leads from the front, setting the tone for an album that contains ten tracks of glowing, uplifting alt-pop. Harnessing the influences of bands such as Teenage Fanclub, Pixies and current favourites Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin, ‘Why’ features the band’s compelling guitar licks, boy/girl harmonies and ear-worm like choruses. ‘Xang’ and ‘Sail Away’ exhibit a grittier side to their songwriting, while forthcoming single Speaker has the potential to capture the imagination of a much wider audience.

Having all studied at Dundee University, James Russell (guitar & vocals), Lisa Russell (vocals), Robin Spivey (guitar) Andrew Perrie (bass) formed the band in Edinburgh, with Matt Grieve (drums) a recent addition. Universal Thee have been building their name north of the border playing a number of shows supporting the likes of Ded Rabbit as well as an appearance on the pyramid stage at the Kelburn Garden Party Festival. With more tours planned over the coming months, a debut London show in the works and the forthcoming release of their rand new album, 2016 is looking like a year where Universal Thee will spread their wings even further afield.

All Watched Over By Machines of Loving Grace by Universal Thee is out 19th February 2016 via Eventual Heirs Records.

http://www.abadgeoffriendship.com/artists/universal-thee

Universal Thee - Hounds

Waro Swaro

A heartbreaking work of staggering genius

You might as well face it you're addicted to drugs

Quite a change to the normal style of music I produce.

Barabbas

My Broken Heart Will Not Decay (breakbeat-indiepop)

Acherontia Styx - Lachesis 231012

Acherontia Styx - Subcutaneous

My name is Chris and music leaks from my bones 

Cheeze whiz and noodles

This is Ralph's Soundcloud.  

He's a Jack Russell that blogs music and this is where he keeps it. 

Submissions to ralphslife@mail.com

He also has a radio show on @RadioKC every Sunday 5-7pm on rkc.noip.me

He can be reached on ralphslife@mail.com mostly.

Please note that Ralph's Life is strictly a UK Unsigned Indie Music Blog.

Universal Thee formed in 2010 as a trio with a faulty Macbook for a drummer. This remained the case for over two years. Only in March 2012 did they perform their first ever gig with a drummer. At least 8 people were in attendance. Things change however and by the end of March 2014 they had recorded and released their critically acclaimed slacker rock album “Back to Earth”.

February 2016 will see the release of their sophmore album “All Watched Over By Machines of Loving Grace” sees the band make a natural progression in their sound, with a more focused, more intense record evolving throughout the recording process as Universal Thee embrace the nuances of a bigger polished production as well as an increased level of complexity to their songwriting.

The result is a record that captures all of their most positive skills as a band, constructing songs with an immediacy which is difficult to achieve, as contagious harmonies are married with memorable melodies and wonderfully crafted musicianship. Album opener ‘Why’ leads from the front, setting the tone for an album that contains ten tracks of glowing, uplifting alt-pop. Harnessing the influences of bands such as Teenage Fanclub,Pixies and current favourites Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin, ‘Why’ features the band’s compelling guitar licks, boy/girl harmonies and ear-worm like choruses. ‘Xang’ and ‘Sail Away’ exhibit a grittier side to their songwriting, while forthcoming single Speaker has the potential to capture the imagination of a much wider audience.

Having all studied at Dundee University, James Russell (guitar & vocals), Lisa Russell (vocals), Robin Spivey(guitar) Andrew Perrie (bass) formed the band in Edinburgh, with Matt Grieve (drums) a recent addition. Universal Thee have been building their name north of the border playing a number of shows supporting the likes of Ded Rabbit as well as an appearance on the pyramid stage at the Kelburn Garden Party Festival. With more tours planned over the coming months, a debut London show in the works and the forthcoming release of their brand new album, 2016 is looking like a year where Universal Thee will spread their wings even further afield.

All Watched Over By Machines of Loving Grace by Universal Thee is out 19th February 2016 via Eventual Heirs Records. 


Bear In The Hospital

Universal Thee

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