NEWSFLASH: Chapel Club Announce UK Tour

Chapel Club are pleased to announce details of their biggest shows to date.

The band who have just completed their first live shows out of London with a whirlwind seven show blast around the UK spread their collective wings even further with a series of shows throughout April and May.

Having garnered plenty of play with the track ‘Surfacing’ and their first single ‘O Maybe I’ , Chapel Club certainly seem to be ruffling the right feathers with approving noises emanating from their early live performances.

Chapel Club play a venue near you…

April:
07th Portsmouth, Cellars @ Eastney
08th Guildford, Boileroom
09th Oxford, Jericho Tavern
10th Bath, Moles
12th Cardiff, Barfly
13th Wolverhampton, Slade Rooms
15th Sheffield, Bungalow & Bears
16th Liverpool, Korova
17th Leeds, A Nation Of Shopkeepers

May:
19th York, Stereo
20th Newcastle, The Other Room
21st Edinburgh, Cabaret Voltaire
22nd Glasgow, Stag & Dagger Festival @ Stereo
24th Southampton, Joiners
25th Cambridge, Haymakers
27th London, Village Underground

www.chapelclub.com

NEWSFLASH: Solid Gold release new single!

After a whirlwind trip to UK in February, Minneapolis based Solid Gold flew back to USA for SXSW festival – from which, they emerged as hotly tipped by Music Week, NME (Radar – top bands from SXSW), The Times, The Guardian and Rob Da Bank – already off to a flying start this year.  The band’s import albums sold out of Rough Trade & Pure Groove in 2 weeks.  This is a band to watch for 2009.

At just over two and half minutes, new single Bible Thumper whirrs through droning synth swirls and low slung bass lines, with the band’s trademark melodic vocals taking the single to epic heights.  A taste of Power Corruption and Lies era New Order with a hint of Metro Area, the band stand out against the monotonous tide of indie-rock and identikit electro fashion-pop. Remixes will follow soon, including the krautrock-electroacid of Emperor Machine (recent rmx include Franz Ferdinand & Filthy Dukes) and more

Bible Thumper is taken from the debut album ‘Bodies of Water’, due late summer.  Recorded on a budget of nothing in apartments, basements, cabins, and farms, it’s an album that reflects both urban disaffection and a more intimate sensuality, with themes of love, loss, redemption and the human experience. Bodies of Water is marries swirling 70s tinged songwriting with a more contemporary fizzy electronic edge, a kind of Hot Chip meets Fleetwood Mac.

A multi-talented outfit, they have their hands dirty with everything from recording, production, screen-printing their own shirts and clothes, graphic design, installations, stage lighting & projections. 

They return to the UK  & Europe for shows in July, including Hultsfred Festival (Sweden, July 9) Lounge on the Farm (July 11), Loop Festival (July 12) with more to be confirmed

Solid Gold are:
Zach Coulter, Matt Locher and Adam Hurlburt

www.myspace.com/solidgoldband

NEWSFLASH: The Twang Name Their New Album (and give away a free download).

 The Twang return on 6th July with a brand new single. ‘Barney Rubble’ is a taster for their second album, ‘Jewellery Quarter’, named after the area of Birmingham where the band rehearse and also where very special album sleeve artist Temper has his studio.

The Twang were the story of 2007. Bursting into the limelight at the close of 2006, the lads were acclaimed across the board as one of Britain’s most exciting new bands and their progress through that year and into 2008 did not disappoint. NME covers, colossal radio play for the Top Ten singles ‘Wide Awake’ and ‘Either Way’, show stopping moments at Glastonbury, T In The Park and Reading and Leeds confirmed the early opinions whilst their ability to draw strong reactions both good and bad confirmed them as a classic rock ‘n’ roll band. Debut album, ‘Love It When I Feel Like This’ shot into the UK Top 5 and breezed past the 100,000 mark further confirming the arrival of the band in the public mind.

Prior to the release of ‘Barney Rubble’, fans will be able to get a sneak preview of the album via a free download of a track. Available from www.thetwang.co.uk ‘Another Bus’ marks a progression for The Twang and is a good indicator of the depth of the forthcoming album. Built around a delicate piano motif that brings to mind band favourites The Smiths amongst others, further details of the download will be announced soon.

Having spent the last months of 2008 and the beginning of this year working with Neil Claxton in Salford’s Blueprint Studios the band surfaced recently for a sold out off the radar tour to preview new material. They return to live action in May with 4 very special shows as listed below, including a night in the Jewellery Quarter itself. These will be a rare chance for fans to see The Twang in extremely intimate surroundings and are their first shows in their home town since a sold out and exuberant Birmingham Academy Christmas 2007 show. Further live dates will follow later in the year, but, for now, be very quick to get tickets for the following:
Tuesday 19 May     – Dudley – JBs (small room)
Thursday 21 May    – Birmingham -The Boiler Room in the Jewellery Quarter
Friday 22 May         – Birmingham – The Rainbow, Digbeth

NEWSFLASH: Them:Youth to release debut single!

West London five piece, them:youth are preparing to unleash and release their debut single ‘Bow and Arrows’, through Another Music = Another Kitchen Records on May 25th, 2009.

In a few short months, the band have managed to whip the music scene into a frenzy with their distinct, diverse sound and rousing on stage presence.  Channelling the energy and influences of New Order, Spiritualized, Doves, MGMT, Kasabian and flashes of Oasis; the band switch between crowd raising anthems, esoteric dance and gentle lullaby moments with effortless ease and unique charm.

Originally an acoustic track, ‘Bow and Arrows’ developed into a more experimental dance number as soon as the full band recorded it.  Beginning with an almost eerie call to arms, it quickly lifts and continues to power through, delivering an infectious chorus and sound which is soon to become their signature.  This is the song where it all began.  Add to this the requisite looks and charm, there is no doubt that this is a band you need to take note of.

Catch the band live at one of the following shows:
Friday 22nd May   KU Club, Stockton On Tees

Fri 29th May    This Feeling @ Parker McMillan, London
Sat 30th May   The Cellars, Portsmouth
Thurs 4 Jun    Dirty Boots @ Bloomsbury Bowling Lanes, London
Sat 20th June    Dead Cities Club @ Plug n Play, Reading
Friday 31st July    The Aftershow @ Moho Live, Manchester

Bow and Arrows will be available on 7” with a b-side remix by Vandal.

them:youth are: Mark Buckle – Vocals; Paul Buckle – Drums; Ilan Hartogh – Guitars, Vocals/ Synth; Allan Mcbride – Guitars & Percussion; Luke Burton – Bass Guitar.

www.myspace.com/themyouth

NEWSFLASH: Introducing Army Navy!

The bright, energetic debut LP from Los Angeles’ Army Navy blends chiming 60’s pop under blankets of guitar fuzz with hints of bubble gum, new wave, motown, and sunshine jangle, creating a set of absolutely irresistable pop tunes.
 
Frontman Justin Kennedy has moved on from his early days in Seattle’s Pinwheel, a side project with Ben Gibbard (Death Cab for Cutie, Postal Service) to assembling the youthful new quartet made up of close friends in his newly adopted home of Los Angeles.  The band, known for their explosive live performances, have shared the stage with  artists ranging from the Arctic Monkeys to the Soft Pack to Cut Copy.  Their album boasts frenetic drumming by the legendary Pete Thomas of  Elvis Costello and The Attractions fame, who had been a longtime fan of the band and begged to play on the album after hearing that their original drummer had left to pursure a lucrative screenwriting career.
 
Without any help from a label, Army Navy have quickly gained an international presence, are a regular fixture in the  blogosphere and have two songs prominently featured in indie-rock blockbuster Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist, and have just charted in the Top 20 in Australia off the back of hugely enthusiastic radio support and iTunes promotion. 
 
Army Navy’s first UK single, “My Thin Sides” is available NOW on itunes, followed by a 7” in June for “Saints” on Fierce Panda’s Fandango Records and the full LP in late Summer.
 
“A splashy jangle of distorted guitars and winsomely defiant vocals”  Spin Magazine
 
“Irrefutably charming and undeniably infectious.”  Filter Magazine
 
“Classic…enormous choruses, pure alchemy ..Army Navy is a BLAST”  Pitchfork, 7.8
 
“Seriously, I could listen to songs like this from now until the end of time.”  Idolator.com
 
 
www.myspace.com/armynavy
http://youtube.com/armynavy

NEWSFLASH: Patrick Watson to release new album

Tracks: Fireweed /Tracy’s Waters /Beijing /Wooden Arms /Hommage /Traveling Salesman /Big Bird in a Small Cage /Down at the Beach /Man Like You /Where the Wild Things Are / Machinery of the Heavens
“Quietly stunning” – Q
“Extraordinary” – The Sun
“A remarkable one of a kind” – The Times
”Like nothing you’ve ever heard before and, boy, is NME excited” – NME
 “Magic in the making” – Music Week

Wooden Arms is Patrick Watson’s highly anticipated follow-up to the critically acclaimed Close to Paradise, which vaulted the man and his band to international stardom in 2007. The Montreal band toured non-stop for two years following the initial Canadian release of Close to Paradise, and in many ways Wooden Arms is the story and sound of a band waking up in strange places all around the world. 

Less dense than its predecessor, Wooden Arms is a stunning progression. Throughout the record, Watson’s gorgeous voice and orchestrations shine bright against a backdrop of clanging, percussive rhythms that show the band have lost neither their ability to write stunning, heart-break pop or their single minded determination to experiment. Robert Kirby’s string arrangements meet the ethereal orchestration of Ladies and Gentleman We’re Floating in Space, as Wooden Arms showcases Watson and his band mates as genuine composers.

Whether it’s the bicycle-city sound of Beijing, or the country-pop warmth of “a hole in the wall” in “sweet New Orleans” on Big Bird in a Small Cage, or the haunting European waltz of the title track, you can’t help but feel in listening to Wooden Arms like you’re on the road with the band.

Close to Paradise won Canada’s prestigious Polaris Prize in 2007, turning more than a few heads in beating out offerings from Arcade Fire and Feist. In the UK, tiny early London clubs shows garnered plaudits and fans alike. As the band’s profile blossomed, they played spellbinding gigs at London’s ICA and then a triumphant headline show at The Scala last year.

When the dust had settled the band had written enough songs on the road to lay down a new record in a few short months at the end of 2008 in Montreal. On the album’s opener, Fireweed, Watson sings, “So we dug ourselves a hole, and planted all our skin; like a seed in the ground, to grow again.” And you can hear stripped down rejuvenation all over Wooden Arms; from the orchestral pull of Tracey’s Waters, to Simon Angell’s noise-twang on Traveling Salesman to drummer Robbie Kuster’s jaw-dropping performances and his string arrangements on Hommage, to the anchor of Mishka Stein’s bass on the instrumental freak-out, Down at the Beach.

Live:

Thursday June 4th – Union Chapel, London

Patrick Watson are:
 
Patrick Watson (vocals / piano)
Simon Angell (guitar)
Robbie Kuster (drums)
Mishka Stein (bass)
 
www.myspace.com/patrickwatson
www.patrickwatson.net

NEWSFLASH: Scott Matthews to release new album and EP

SCOTT MATTHEWS
NEW SINGLE, NEW ALBUM & UK TOUR
Acclaimed Wolverhampton troubadour Scott Matthews will release his second album “Elsewhere” on May 18th ’09 on the San Remo label through Island Records.  Featuring 11 new Scott Matthews compositions it is produced by Scott and Gavin Monaghan (Mercury Rev, The Smiths, Joe Strummer, Elvis Costello). 

Scott is joined on the album by his regular touring group Danny Keane (cello), Craig Johnson (bass) and Sam Martin (drums) while a string section was drafted in for gorgeous album opener ‘Underlying Lies’ and a horn section for cast iron heartbreaker ‘Suddenly You Figure Out’, while Scott’s brother Darren plays piano on three songs including the first single ‘Fractured’, an atmospheric minor key rocker, which is about needing to help someone once in a while. The song ‘12 Harps’ features vocal contributions from fellow Wolverhamptonian Robert Plant.

Says Scott: “‘Elsewhere’ comes from the feelings and emotions that so often dictate my state of mind.  It captures my thoughts, frustrations and memories and I also look back on a difficult time emotionally, where the music reveals its healing properties.  Hopefully you’ll see ‘Elsewhere’ as a place you can go visit once in a while to get lost in that moment and forget anything you feel needs to be forgotten.”

www.scottmatthewsmusic.co.uk

NEWSFLASH: Starsailor kick off the Gaymers Grassroots Gigs on April 26th 2009

Legendary Indie quartet Starsailor have teamed up with Gaymers Cider for an exclusive show in the bands hometown of Wigan on 26th April.   Now in its second year, Gaymers Grassroots Gigs are a series of shows by the most acclaimed acts from around the country held in the places they began their careers. Starsailor have had huge success since their first release in 2001 ‘Love Is Here’ and now return to a welcoming homecoming crowd.

Starsailor’s new album ‘All The Plans’ was released earlier this year. The first single ‘Tell Me It’s Not Over’ was released on 2nd March, and featured a version of the album title track with Rolling Stone guitar hero Ronnie Wood taking up guitar duties. Remixes were provided by the Thin White Duke (aka Stuart Price) who’s last mix of Starsailor’s ‘Four To The Floor’ went on to sell a million copies worldwide.
Starsailor have sold more than 3 million albums and have grown a legion of fans through their amazing live performances. In the last two years Starsailor have toured the world supporting the Rolling Stones, The Police, U2 and The Killers.

For a chance to win tickets to this exclusive and intimate gig simply log on to www.myspace.com/gaymerslivemusic and enter you details. If you are not lucky enough to win, you can catch it all and more at www.gaymersmusic.com and www.myspace.com/gaymerslivemusic, which will feature videos from the gigs, interviews with the band and behind the scenes photos.

STARSAILOR PLAY GAYMERS GRASSROOTS GIG ON APRIL 26TH

ALBUM ‘ALL THE PLANS’ OUT NOW
http://www.starsailor.net
www.myspace.com/starsailor
www.myspace.com/gaymerslivemusic