Blokeacola is the Hangzhou-based, Welsh psychedelic-pop maverick of music.
In October 2023, Blokeacola released a 30 track double album called ‘Quasars and Fluff’. The album was well received by all, the album was described as “ambitious and exciting”, “all killer no filler”.
‘Lost Connection’ was submitted to Fresh On The Net following the double album release last year and was voted a Fresh Fave.
Whilst in 2023 ‘Quasars and Fluff’ was only available on Bandcamp and on double CD, this year sees single tracks from the album slowly released to all the main streaming platforms such as Spotify The latest track to be released is ‘Lost Connection’.
Welsh, Awen Rock band Holy Coves’ Indie Revolution Spring tour kicks off next week, starting in Newcastle and Aberdeen, Followed by Chester and Sheffield, Wrexham’s Focus Wales Festival then Swansea and Birmingham.
The tour will be an Indie Revolution promotion in collaboration with some of the best independent music promoters on the UK tour circuit. DP Events, AGP, Live Rooms, Our Sound Music, Focus Wales, The Bunkhouse & We Believe!
Holy Coves singer songwriter Scott Marsden says “I’ve been working in the background on Indie Revolution over the past couple of years. I’m so happy the Indie Revolution team have pulled together to make this happen! We can’t wait to play all the new cities this year. Holy Coves have had huge growth this year because of independent promoters like the Indie Revolution team. I’m happy we can give something back to them. There will be lots more to come from Indie Revolution & Holy Coves, we’re also planning an Autumn tour together!”
Friday 5th April – Newcastle – Head Of Steam Saturday 6th April – Aberdeen – Tunnels Friday 19th April – Chester – Live Rooms Saturday 20th April – Sheffield – Record Junkee Friday 10th May – Wrexham – Focus Wales Festival Friday 31st May – Swansea – The Bunkhouse Saturday 1st June – Birmingham – Dead Wax
Aaron Spencer & The Memos were formed as a collective at the start of 2023 Aaron previously having been focused on a career as a solo artist. With the addition of 3 other permanent band members joining him in the line-up, being Gary Robertson on bass, Jack Forshaw on lead guitar and Jake Freeman on Drums, the 4-piece have found their niche and plan to make big strides in 2024 and beyond.
Having previously played a sold out headline gig at The Kazimier Stockroom and supported local giants Mexican Dogs at the 700 capacity venue Hangar34, Aaron Spencer &The Memos further cemented their rising star status by playing on the mainstage at The Boof Festival before The Lottery Winners and shared the line up with the likes Red Rum Club, The View and Shambolics.
‘Save Tonight’ is the eagerly anticipated debut release from the band since finalising the new line-up and will be the 7th release from Spencer as a musician in total.
Influenced by the likes of Sam Fender, Courteeners and Blossoms, Spencer holds a mirror up to the grittiness of reality. Taking inspiration from growing up and living in the North-West of England, Spencer’s regional-strong vocals deliver working-class tales of drunken nights out and glad-it-happened heartbreaks all delivered with a kitchen sink social commentary.
Ultimately though, ‘Save Tonight’ is a song about letting go. Lyrically inspired by being in the moment and forgetting the ‘weight of the world’. We all have nights or experiences where everything aligns for us and it feels like magic. That weightless feeling where time becomes irrelevant and the good times take flight. These nights are rare but that’s what makes them so special.
Spencer states “Sonically we wanted a fast upbeat british-summer-festival-esque anthem to match the narrative of the lyrics” / “Nights that are special end as fast as they start”. That’s how I wanted the song to feel.”
‘Save Tonight’ is 2 minutes and 50 seconds of electrifying yet melodic guitar riffs and trademark catchy-choruses with driving drum rhythms setting a euphoric and heady pace throughout.
2024 is undoubtedly destined to be a fantastic year for the band with plans already afoot to take the stage alight with several headline gigs already in the pipeline.
‘Save Tonight’ was written by Aaron Spencer and was recorded at Oscillate Recordings in Knutsford with producer Chris Smith.
Naah Then! is Sheffield’s independent music festival that hosts 3 stages with the best the UK has to offer of up and coming acts, this Saturday, 23rd March. Follow the link below for tickets:
Hailing from East Lothian, Scotland, THE RAH’S unveil their new single ‘Blood For Gold’ released via their own EH32 Records with digi distribution by Emu Bands. ‘Blood For Gold’ is the first taster of the quintet’s second album, THE COMMON GROUND, for which they have a vinyl release with Assai records, a limited release with Blood Records and vinyls being made by the first Scottish vinyl pressing plant Seabass Vinyl.
THE RAH’S formed in 2020 in East Lothian, Scotland and released their debut LP in 2021. After a deliberate radio silence they are back, grown up, angry and focused on their goal of becoming an alternative rock sensation. After success from their self/crowd-funded debut album WHEN DOES IT BECOME REAL? with the singles ‘Time Is Now’, ‘If You Never Try’ and ‘She’s Not’ being played on BBC Radio 1, Radio X, KROQ, RTE 2FM amongst others, now, they’re getting serious with album number two. THE COMMON GROUND. As you’d hope and expect it’s rammed with all the emotional baggage and catharsis of modern life. This new record is the sound of a band having grown up, moved on and aren’t afraid to show their influences, while taking aim on all things mainstream. THE COMMON GROUND is set for release on 12th April 2024, followed by a tour of the UK taking their new sound up and down the country. The band have already supported some huge artists, at the iconic Barrowlands and O2 Academy Leeds, playing Isle of Wight and YNot Festival, and sold-out back to back headline UK tours.
Of the new single band frontman Jack says, “ For us this track is the driving force of the album. The main reason being the lyrics. Blood For Gold is written about the life of being in an unsigned band and all the harsh realities that come with it. “It looks good from the outside…” relates to the tough times of being musicians and the perspective of others looking in. Everyone will find their own persona meaning in the lyrics, but this track will undoubtedly resonate with all those underground artists putting their blood sweat and tears into their projects, and the hard work we have put in screams throughout this track”.
Upcoming Gigs 2024 Sat 23rd March – NAAH THEN! Festival April Sat 20th April – Liverpool The Kazimier Thurs 25th April – Newcastle The Cluny Fri 26th April – Manchester The Lodge at Deaf Institute Sat 27th April – Edinburgh La Belle Angele Fri May 3rd – Margate The Albion Rooms Sat May 4th – London The Grace
‘Man On Fire’ is the first example of Fruitz’ music since the release of indie banger ‘Visions of You’, which landed in the hands of their loyal fan base in the summer of 2023.
The beautifully composed three and a half minutes of indie bliss captured in ‘Man On Fire’ guarantees to captivate the listener with its nostalgic overtones featuring exceptional layered guitar playing from James Keegan, accompanied by an intricate bass line from Adam Whelehan. .
Fruitz frontman James Keegan declares “This is a statement release from us, it is the start of a new chapter for Fruitz “‘Man On Fire’ is a perfect example of our sound and our vision”
The lads rejoined forces with engineer Cian Synnott on the new track, who they worked closely with on 2021’s successful single ‘Be Like This’ , last year’s single ‘Visions Of You’, and their debut EP,‘ The Pits and The Glamour’.
Dubbed as one of the most exciting emerging bands in Ireland, Fruitz launched into the music scene in late 2017, quickly making a name for themselves as an exciting live band.
Releasing indie rock bangers such as ‘Knotz’, ‘U&I’ and ‘Girl Around The Corner’, just to name a few, Fruitz quickly became the name on the lips of Indie music lovers throughout the country and beyond. Releasing songs to tickle everyone’s taste buds, Fruitz have steadily earned themselves an international following, playing their UK debut to a sold-out crowd in Liverpool’s famous Zanzibar Club and gaining radio play from all around the globe, including support from Dan Hegarty at RTE 2FM, Mickey Bradley’s ‘Record Show’ on BBC Radio Ulster, and radio play on RTE2XM in Ireland, alongside widespread UK and international radio play.
‘Be Like This’, the popular first single and fan-favourite track from debut EP ‘The Pits and The Glamour’ cemented the lads as a serious prospect to watch, with Irish media outlet, Hot Press describing the single as “A modern indie classic”, as well as receiving raving reviews in the UK and further afield.
Returning to the live scene in October 2021 with a sold-out show with Ryan Sheridan, and a tour support slot with Louis Berry, the future for Fruitz blazes brighter and brighter, whilst new single ‘Man On Fire’ promises to be at the forefront as they continue to forge ahead in the indie music scene.
“I wrote this in 2020 the day after we supported Louis Berry. The tune actually came from the name of the tour he announced that day, “The Man On Fire Tour” and it kind of just stuck. Musically as well you may hear his influence. The timing to release this song just felt right, it’s a proper indie banger.” – James Keegan – Vocals & Guitar
“This new song encapsulates lively rock guitar sounds, punchy bass lines and a driving drum progression” – Adam Whelehan – Bass
The highly anticipated Manchester band SHADE have just releases their single ‘Break Out’. SHADE are definitely a band to keep a close eye on, as this track will be their first single of many for 2024.
This Track has been produced by renowned hit-maker Gavin Monaghan (Editors, Sherlocks, The Blinders, The Twang, Robert Plant, Paolo Nutini) at the prolific Magic Garden Studios. SHADE are set to lead the way for new bands coming out of Manchester. ‘Break Out’ is the start of a new chapter for “SHADE” lyrically and sonically. With their new single’s energetic drums and melodic vocals, with a modern alt-rock and upbeat vibe, they incorporate their Manchester sound with a refreshing twist.
They performed alongside well known artists ‘Blossoms’ and ‘The Cribs’. This next tune is set to be another exciting and striking release just like the last. Paving the way for 2024 SHADE have many UK festival performances lined up and also more electrifying singles awaiting in the pipeline. You’ll need to catch and bounce off SHADE’s raw energy on their way to the top….
“The journey for these lads is just beginning, make sure you’re along for the ride”- Louder Than War
An emotional whirlwind of frustration and defiance in equal measure, ‘Giving Up’ chills with one hand and comforts with the other, amidst epic indie splendour. Singer, Mark Harris says, “This is a heartbreak anthem. A song about drinking all day with good friends to ease the pain. Drinking away the heartache with every bottle.”
‘Giving Up’ is French Mothers’ debut release on the independent record label Vandalism Begins At Home Records, signalling the start of a busy year for the band with more releases to look forward to throughout 2024. Here is a band that will stay on track, it’s time to get on-board.
For Fans of Bombay Bicycle Club and The Maccabees.
Introducing the sound of Silveroller. Hi-energy rock n’ roll played with heart and soul, played tight but loose, with the kind of swagger you just don’t hear anymore. Their songs act as a rallying call for those that believe that the most important thing in life is the freedom to be free, with subtle undertones of protest songs from days gone by.
“We’re so proud to present our debut record to the world. For one reason or another, this collection of songs hasn’t been easy to get out to you, like many bands before us, a lot has stood in the way. But now, without restraints, we’re glad that you’re finally able to hear them. We hope you dig what you hear, and that you come with us on the ride! We wanted to record a snap shot of who we were at the time we went into the studio and we can’t wait to get out on the road and play these songs live. With love, Silveroller”
With their own inimitable blend of high energy, rock n roll stylings, Silveroller throw their music out with a low slung, loose hipped swagger that is seriously infectious and utterly irresistible. The evolution of Silveroller is here with ‘At Dawn’, and every bit as fabulous as expected from these hugely talented musicians!
This is the band to watch out for in 2024, fans of The Black Crowes, Bad Company, The Faces and Stones keep your eyes peeled and ears open, for Silveroller, “the future is bright and it’s patchouli-scented”.
Tour Dates Supporting DEWOLFF: Mar 19, The Louisiana, Bristol Mar 20, The Bullingdon, Oxford Mar 21, Bodega, Nottingham Mar22, Black Box, Hastings Mar 23, Omeara, London
Indie Revolution 