Albion Release New Single ‘Amy’

Sep 15, 2023 — Leave a comment

Albion are the London based six-piece band composed of members Ben on Lead Vocals, Guitar and Harmonica, Bidz on Vocals and Lead Guitar, Hunter on Bass, Jack on Drums, Jake on Vocals and Guitar and Sophie on Keys. 

With influences ranging from The Beatles to Red Hot Chilli Peppers, from The Rolling Stones to Ludovico Einaudi, each set list and live show from this band is always an eclectic mix of music. They cite themselves as sounding like The Pogues shaken up with a bit of Oasis, with a side of The Velvet Underground!

Formed in 2021 and having released a string of singles to date to include ‘Millenial Me’  and ‘Capital’, in 2021 ‘No One Said’, ‘I Who Never Turned Back’, ‘Everything As Easy’, ‘Roundabout Ruse’ and ‘Silhouette Of Me’ in 2022 and the 2023 releases of ‘Nothing Matters’ (April), ‘Wonderfully Human’ (May) and ‘Nothing New Under The Sun’ (June), the band are now gearing up for their fourth single release of the year the poignant, delicate offering in dedication to the late great Amy Winehouse simply named ‘Amy’.

‘Amy’ is a song about love and loss, unrequited feelings and regret. The title refers to Amy Winehouse and the beauty of her music whilst also detailing the story of a love that never reached its full potential..It’s a bouncy ballad packed with instruments from guitars and keys, to harmonica and mandolin that layer with the harmonious vocals and poignant lyrics making for a rich tapestry of sound. 

The track was written by the band in their formative months of first forming, with the track originally titled ‘Burning Holes’  and it is the first complete track that the band ever wrote.

‘Amy’ is the first song to be released from Albion’s forthcoming E.P, ‘The Rooms Where Songs are Made’ which is due for release on the 29th September 2023. 

‘Amy’ was recorded at The Libertines HQ The Albion Rooms in Margate and was mixed by award winning in -house sound engineer Jason Stafford and mastered by Graham Waller. 

Emily Marsden – Editor
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musicscenewalescymru@gmail.com

Hazy Sundays Release New Single ‘Off The Cuff’

Sep 15, 2023 — Leave a comment

Four piece, Glasgow based, indie rock band Hazy Sundays release their brand new, catchy and fast paced track that will have you hooked from the opening riff. Tackling a difficult subject, the song is about mental health, being stuck in a rut and trapped in your own mind. The band are everything and more you could want from an indie band.

Take a listen to their fantastic new track. The single is out now on all streaming platforms.

Emily Marsden – Editor
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@MusicSceneWales
musicscenewalescymru@gmail.com

Josh Weaver Releases Debut Album ‘Love, Loss & Mental Wealth’

Sep 15, 2023 — Leave a comment

Hailing from Anglesey is solo artist Josh Weaver, Josh has been writing music for many years and playing gigs for a decade now, playing regularly on the North Wales scene.

His music covers all types of genres and will have you dancing, laughing and at times even crying. Josh covers many topics, even difficult ones as of October last year with his independently released single ‘I’m Fine’, a song all about men’s mental health, all royalties for the first 12 months are going to charity.

He takes his inspiration from the likes of Ed Sheeran, Coldplay, Oasis and Blink 182.

His latest album ‘Love, Loss & Mental Wealth’ is out now on all streaming platforms.

Emily Marsden – Editor
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musicscenewalescymru@gmail.com

Finding Bella Release New Single ‘Albion’

Sep 15, 2023 — Leave a comment

Formed in the West Midlands during the latter part of 2020, Finding Bella are the five piece indie rock band consisting of Oli White on Vocals/Guitar, Simon Black on Guitar, Ben White on Keys/Synth/Vocals, Liam Hadfield on Bass and John Woodward on Drums.

From their very inception the band simply burst onto the Birmingham music scene, quickly gaining traction and fans by performing at iconic venues such as the O2 Academy and The Sunflower Lounge.

Releasing their debut single “Good Right Now” in February 2022 (42,572 Spotify streams) which was nominated for ‘Crags Radio Listeners Choice Single Of The Year’ the band released two further singles in the same year, “Set It Off” in July 2022 (45,933 spotify streams) & ‘Drama Kids’ in September 2022 which went onto win ‘Switch Radio’s Single of the Year 2022’. The band also came third in ‘Radio Wigwam’s Band Of The Year 2022 awards’. 

2023 saw  the band continue on their upwards trajectory with the release of the first single ‘The Feeling’ from their upcoming EP ‘Bad Intentions’.

‘The Feeling’ with its melodic verses and echoing lead lines was a hit for the band gaining them airplay across the globe not only in the UK, but in France, Canada, America and Australia and praise from press such as:

“Don’t miss this chance to be part of the musical revolution brought to you by Finding Bella. Stay tuned, because greatness awaits!” – Babystep Magazine 

Finding Bella are now gearing up for the second single to be released from their upcoming EP, the politically charge rousing anthem of ‘Albion’ 

‘Albion’ is a musical middle finger to establishment, offering a ‘matter of fact’ yet overdue commentary on life in Britain to a crowd that is already in agreement, comfortable in the knowledge that they are sharing the same experiences that the band are able to recite so fluently. Built-in references to political corruption, corporate greed, and social media influence within the song’s lyrics add a level of level-headed maturity to what could wrongly  be perceived as youthful insubordination.

Finding Bella’s equally built-up passion and frustration bursts throughout the track, pulling listeners in from its early kick drum beat, and gritty bassline. Raw guitar sounds build further authenticity to the track’s sound, supported by the meaningful lyrics that sound as if being shouted through a megaphone to a cheering crowd outside any  building of authority.

‘Albion’ was written collectively by the band and was mixed and produced by Ryan Pinson at RML Studios, Wolverhampton and Mastered by Andy Baldwin from Metropolis Mastering.

The debut EP from Finding Bella entitled ‘Bad Influences’ is a collection of five brand new tracks including ‘The Feeling’  and ‘Albion’ which is scheduled for release on the 29th September. 

PREVIOUS PRESS ACCOLADES 

“This band is the next big band to break out of Birmingham” Away Day Radio

“Just when you think guitar bands have had their day, along comes a no-nonsense driven group of troubadours.” – Slap Mag 

“We can easily see these guys getting big, especially if they keep on releasing music that’ll get you up on your feet!” It’s All Indie

“The sound of this band is refined and solid.” Edgar Allen Poets 

“Offering rock energy and sensibilities, the Birmingham based outfit manages to deliver a sound that’s appealing to a wide variety of listeners.” Your Music Experience

UPCOMING GIGS /TOURS

Friday 20th October – EP Launch Gig Deadwax Digbeth (supports TBA) Ticket Link 

Throughout October, Finding Bella will be touring as part of their own headline tour in support of the EP release. Full Dates and venues TBA

Emily Marsden – Editor
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@MusicSceneWales
musicscenewalescymru@gmail.com

Raging Sons Release New Single ‘Feel Love’

Sep 15, 2023 — Leave a comment

RAGING SONS are the 3 piece alternative rock band from Limerick in Ireland consisting of Fint Tynan  on Vocals, Colum Kelly on Guitar and Adam Reeves on Drums.

The trio burst onto the scene in 2021 with their critically acclaimed debut album titled ‘20:20’; which was dubbed “a fire starter” by Hot Press Magazine. This followed a string of ear-catching singles, including RTÉ 2FM’s Track Of The Week ‘Breathe Easy’, which collectively amassed 200K+ streams on Spotify and all despite the band being a completely independent outfit.

March 2023 saw the release of ‘Talk’, the bands much anticipated first single since their debut album, which garnered much national interest and was picked as Spin South West Track Of The Week. 

Raging Sons are now on the cusp of releasing their second single of the year: ‘Feel Love’ which is  an infusion of electronic, industrial, and alt-rock that explores love from different perspectives. 

The new track showcases the band’s unique sound with a medley of dark, enigmatic synths, roaring guitars, driving bass and powerful drums all forming a hurricane around mercurial and absorbing vocals. It’s a track full of energy, angst, stoicism, heart, and honesty.

The band have said of the track:

“Lyrically, ‘Feel Love’ is a love song from different perspectives. Finding it, having it, losing it, trying to get it back. Right person, wrong time. Wanting someone to wait for you until you’re ready to make that step. It speaks to highs: “feel on high” when love is at its best, and to the lows: “falling to my knees” upon failure, finishing on the line “I feel love, now I’m crawling”, evoking a desperation to get back what you have lost. ‘Feel Love’ is about not looking back: “they say tomorrows on the run as today’s mystery”. Love is often guesswork, so you may as well keep moving.

Musically, we hark back to the debut album 20:20 on ‘Feel Love’, with a blend of electronic and industrial sounds sitting with our traditional alternative rock elements of gnarly guitar, big drums, and rolling bass. ‘Feel Love’ is inspired by the likes of Richard Ashcroft, Elbow and Nine Inch Nails in its electronic, industrial, rock distillation. Combined, ‘Feel Love’ is an infusion of electronic, industrial, and alt-rock that explores the theme of love from different perspectives.”

The track was written collectively by the trio and was Recorded & Produced by Ben Wanders at Wanderland Recording Studio in Limerick.

Previous Accolades

• “Absolutely fantastic” – Chris King (RTÉ 2FM) (On Raging Sons’ single ‘Breathe Easy’)

• “They could be the most exciting Irish band you will hear this year. With the pandemic providing a rare opportunity to get stuck into working on their new album ’20:20′, Raging Sons don’t just blend genres, they smash down walls to create a unique sound, with compelling lyrics driven by a knack for storytelling you’d struggle to find anywhere else. Think Nothing But Thieves, with more grit and more depth.” – Ali Dowey (RTÉ 2XM)

• “… like Arcade Fire, Coldplay and U2 got together to make and album” – The Sounds Won’t Stop

• “melodious and avant-garde” – Rowan Blair Colver (Sound Read Six)

• “gorgeous synth melodies, roaring guitars and meticulous drums” – Robin Mumford (Our Sound Music)

• “We can’t get enough of this band” – Jeremy Bregman (Indie Top 39)

Emily Marsden – Editor
#MusicSceneWales
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musicscenewalescymru@gmail.com

Lewca Releases New Album ‘Boombap for Boomers’

Sep 15, 2023 — Leave a comment

LEWCA is an English singer/songwriter/musician now resident  in France, never having been one for convention, LEWCA started life being born in a squat in Brixton, and by the time he was aged nineteen, he was living in a squat in Paris… After studying fine art and dabbling in film, LEWCA started making music just before, in his own words, he was “too old to die young”. Influences for LEWCA range from decadence to debauchery and musically from the likes of  The Clash, The Streets, Ian Dury, ASAP Rocky, the Sleaford Mods, LCD Soundsystem, Bob Dylan, Eminem, Tom Waits, & more… 

After being in a few bands that fell apart for various reasons, LEWCA decided to go it alone in 2018, his seriousness for a desire to succeed crept in, in around 2019, but then the pandemic hit in 2020 putting laid to his plans for a while. 

Not being deterred, however,  LEWCA’s first EP was released in Dec 2020, with two more being released in 2021, then followed by a remix EP, a charity EP, and the Album; ‘Friday Night Rockstar’. 

Previous releases have seen LEWCA being championed on the likes of BBC Radio 6 Music and featured in official Apple iTunes music charts. 

Although LEWCA collaborates with various different musicians on his projects (most often ex band members) his main partner in crime is S.O.A.P.(aka DJ Sonofapitch – Chinese man, Taiwan MC) who is a Parisian drum & bass DJ & Beatmaker whom LEWCA first met when they shared a billing at a gig together in 2013.  Their partnership has grown from a shared love of wonky beats, UK soundscapes & a healthy dose of humour!

Since 2018 the duo have released 3 EP’s, & have been working together on two albums : “Friday Night Rockstar” which was released at the very end of 2022, & “Boombap for Boomers” out now.

LEWCA composes and sings all of the lyrics and toplines on the tracks and is also a  sometimes kazoo player! While S.O.A.P is more on the instrumentals playing keys, saxophone and doing “wicked DJ stuff”!

‘Boombap For Boomers’ was recorded in S.O.A.P.’ s basement studio over the  period of a year and all tracks were all mixed by S.O.A.P. and have been Mastered by Blanka. The album is out now across all streaming platforms.

Emily Marsden – Editor
#MusicSceneWales
@MusicSceneWales
musicscenewalescymru@gmail.com

This Is The Music August Recommends

Sep 15, 2023 — Leave a comment

In the first of an exciting new series for Music Scene Wales, ThisIsTheMusic recommends five must listen to tracks from August 2023

What a fantastic month August was  for guitar music with some superb releases that really struck a chord. It was really tough whittling down my recommendations to just five tracks, so I decided that I needed to include one extra!

So here is the ThisIsTheMusic recommends for August 2023

The Shed Project: Ghost Town 

Bolton’s finest rocknroll band return with a taster from their forthcoming second album and it’s an instant classic. Relatable lyrics about the demise of a northern town under successive governments (it could be written about any town in the country), jangly guitars and frontman Roy Fletcher’s finest vocal yet. Bring on album number 2! 

Issy Sutcliffe – Baby Bye

Debut single from the former Dirty Blonde, frontwomen and it’s an absolute corker. Full of swagger and chaos, dirty guitar hooks and a thunderous bass line that will have you pressing repeat on this track. Can’t wait for more new music before the end of the year.

San Quentin – Feed The Ego 

Southend’s finest, San Quentin have released their debut EP, Feed The Ego and it’s  full of anthemic choruses catchy guitar hooks and relatable lyrics. The song choice here, is the EPs title track, and is about the difficulties artists are up against and features a superlative rap that is worth checking out! 

Basic State  – To Feel Alive  

Cardiff 5-piece Basic State latest single, To Feel Alive, a psychedelic odyssey that’s full of groove and sounds like early The Verve. Absolute classic. 

Ben Walker – Just A Boy 

Ben Walker hails from Montrose in Scotland and in just 4 releases has showcased his amazing musical talent. His latest single is a heartfelt and emotional stomping gem from the rising Scottish solo star and is an artist I’ve championed since 2021. The sky is the limit!

The Rogues – Skinny Dipping 

Glorious upbeat melodies and jangly guitars see the Newport band release an anthem to soundtrack the summer. The Coral would be proud of this track. 

For everything ThisIsTheMusic you can find me across social media here https://linktr.ee/ThisIsTheMusic_

The Rise of The Indie Artists show is on Future Hits Radio every Thursday from 7pm

Mark
ThisIsTheMusic 
ThisIsTheMusic Socials



Emily Marsden – Editor
#MusicSceneWales
@MusicSceneWales
musicscenewalescymru@gmail.com

FOCUS Wales at Reeperbahn Festival 2023!

Sep 14, 2023 — Leave a comment
We’re excited to be presenting a showcase at Reeperbahn Festival, Germany on 21st September 2023 with performances from Adwaith, Mace The Great, and Gillie. Join the team behind the FOCUS Wales festival at Sommersalon, Spielbudenpl. 22, Hamburg, from 1pm for complimentary drinks and networking (arrive early to avoid missing out), followed by music from Wales from 2:00pm.
 
MORE INFO HERE





Emily Marsden – Editor
#MusicSceneWales
@MusicSceneWales
musicscenewalescymru@gmail.com

San Quentin Release New EP ‘Feed The Ego’

Sep 14, 2023 — Leave a comment

Hailing from the seaside town of Southend-on-Sea, San Quentin are the alternative indie rock band who quite simply put, make massive stadium sized anthems with rousing riffs and catchy chorus hook lines. They are a bunch of real working class lads who are looking to take over the music scene as we know it!  

San Quentin formed when songwriter Liam Cass and singer Owen Eves first got together with drummer Luke Johns and bassist Nick Keep back in 2019. They were later joined by Dan Ridgwell as the lead guitarist in 2020 and San Quentin was born. 

The band’s name is inspired by the iconic Johnny Cash  album ‘San Quentin Prison’. Johnny Cash being a major inspiration to songwriter Liam because of his working class background and relatable story telling lyricism coupled with a real rebel attitude.

2022 was a massive year for the band seeing them named as “BBC introducing” Ones To Watch, a sold out 400 capacity headline show with This Feeling, a debut headline London show at the iconic The Water Rats, and an electric performance at The Isle Of Wight Festival.  

The start of 2023 saw San Quentin up the ante once more with the release of their first single to be taken from their debut EP entitled  ‘You’re Lost’ (Feb 23 – 8k Spotify streams) which was released to much praise from the likes of John Kennedy on his Radio X show, BBC introducing, and Apple Music who added the track into their editorial playlist. 

This was followed by the more recent release of ‘Serotonin’ (June 23 – 2.6k spotify streams) and again which was picked by and given a worldwide exclusive first spin by John Kennedy on Radio X radio show. The track was also picked up by Richer Unsigned who made the band their Artist Of The Week and by Our Sound Music who ran an exclusive premiere of the accompanying music video.

“San Quentin are at the forefront of the revival of British guitar music! Due to cries of ‘one more song’ the band swaggered back on stage do just that and finish off their set by playing Step Off, proving that they are well and truly rising rock n roll stars and will soon be a band on everyone’s lips.” – This Is The Music 

“This lot are continuing their ascent as one of the more impactful names on the rise right now” – Mystic Sons

“San Quentin are a solid rock act that brings back the roots of the genre” – Illustrate Magazine

“It’s in your best interest to keep an eye out for this electrifying band” – Richer Unsigned

The ‘Feed The Ego’ EP consists of 5 tracks in total being the three previously released tracks of ‘You’re Lost’ ‘You’ve Got Some Nerve’ and ‘Serotonin’, plus the latest release of the title track ‘Feed The Ego’ and the additional track of ‘You Can’t Stop Me This Time’.

The whole ‘Feed The Ego’  EP is an electrifying mix of raw and driven indie rock showcasing stadium sized anthems that are carried along with heart pounding percussions, thrilling guitar sequences and commanding vocals. ‘Feed The Ego’ is a major contender for EP of the Year Status and it will no doubt cement this incredible band even further in their rise to stardom. 

Lead songwriter Liam has said of the track: 

‘Feed The Ego’ was created from observing how artists artificially inflate their popularity by using tactics like fake followers, bot streams, and likes, all to boost their own sense of importance. The term “Ego” is used ironically to highlight that despite a seemingly positive facade, there’s an underlying insecurity that can only be remedied by seeking validation from others. The writing process drew inspiration from the Marshall Mathers LP, aiming to capture a mix of humour and seriousness, similar to the album. Musically, influences from Rat Boy and Jamie T can be heard. The goal overall was to convey the humorous side of the situation while also carrying a deeper message.

We wanted the whole thing to be kind of a funny take on the situation, but still have that deeper meaning behind it, you know? I called the track ‘Feed The Ego’ in a sort of tongue-in-cheek way. Basically, even though things might look all great on the surface, there’s this underlying insecurity that only goes away when others give them the thumbs up.”

All tracks on the  ‘Feed The Ego’ EP were written by Liam Cass and the EP was recorded at SS2 Recording and was mixed and mastered by Rees Broomfield.  

Upcoming Gigs/Tours –

September 23rd – Real Time Music – Chesterfield 

September 30th Gathering Sounds Stockton

TICKETS CAN BE FOUND HERE 

Emily Marsden – Editor
#MusicSceneWales
@MusicSceneWales
musicscenewalescymru@gmail.com