Indie Revolutions Album Of The Month is long awaited come back from The Rifles with ‘Love Your Neighbour’. The album is a gem, a classic.
British indie outfit the Rifles rose to popularity in the mid-2000s with a jaunty garage rock n’ roll sound that has equal parts of Jam-like swagger and a playfulness not unlike contemporaries the Kooks. First grabbing public attention with the 2005 hit “Local Boy,” the band found chart success in the latter part of the decade with their first two albums reaching number two on the U.K. indie charts and 2009’s career highlight Great Escape. Amid subsequent rock-oriented releases like 2014’s None the Wiser, the Rifles also embraced the acoustic format, releasing a pair of acoustic EPs and a 2017 unplugged album which they recorded at Abbey Road.
“Love Your Neighbour is saying we’re all in this big old mess together and it would be good to get along a bit more and enjoy it. Talk to people more, help each other out when you can, say good morning and maybe take your head away from your phone for 5 minutes and appreciate the people standing next to you. I’d like to think that the record captures life’s daily situations that we all come across, all wrapped up in 3 minute bundles that you can sing along to”. – Joel Stoker
‘Love Your Neighbour’ is out now across all streaming platforms.
Led by the charismatic Tristan Cooper on lead vocals and guitar, accompanied by the ethereal backing vocals of Jack Stanger and Tom Bath, the dynamic six-piece ensemble, rounded out by Guy Smith on lead guitar, Adam Goulding on keys, Jon Wright on bass, and Jack’s powerful drum skills, promises a musical journey like no other.
Hailing from Derby, UK, The Mease is a six-piece indie psych rock outfit renowned for their genre-defying sound and electrifying live performances. With a diverse range of influences and a penchant for pushing musical boundaries, The Mease continues to captivate audiences with their distinctive blend of Britpop, garage rock and dreampop.
The Mease Unleashes Powerful New Single “So High” from Highly Anticipated Album ‘The Machine Rolls On…’ Indie rock sensations The Mease are back, ready to set the airwaves on fire with their latest single, “So High,” a high-octane, straight-up rock n’ roll anthem. Celebrating diversity and defiance, this track is a raw, loud, and exhilarating masterpiece that is sure to resonate with listeners worldwide.
“So High” embodies the spirit of rock n’ roll with a sound that is both nostalgic and refreshingly original. Drawing from the gritty elements of garage rock and infused with Beatles-esque guitar licks, the song also features haunting harmonica parts that add depth and intrigue. The Mease delivers a powerful message of rising above naysayers and narrow-mindedness, making “So High” not just a song, but an anthem for today’s diverse and dynamic generation.
With their signature bravado, The Mease has crafted a track that is as bold in its sound as it is in its message. The harmonica’s eerie undertones weave seamlessly with the relentless guitar riffs, creating a sonic experience that is both haunting and electrifying. This single promises to be a standout, pushing boundaries and redefining the indie rock genre.
“So High” is part of The Mease’s brand new album, ‘The Machine Rolls On…’, which is OUT NOW. The album showcases the band’s evolution and their commitment to creating music that is both innovative and impactful. Each track is a testament to their artistic prowess and their ability to capture the essence of rock n’ roll while addressing contemporary themes.
Radio stations and bloggers, prepare to amplify your playlists with “So High.” This track is destined to become a fan favourite and a staple on the airwaves. The Mease invites listeners to turn up the volume, embrace diversity, and rise above with “So High.”
Indie Revolutions chosen single of the week is the sparkling ‘Since Monday’ by The Avelons.
With spine-tingling guitar riffs, and vocals that effortlessly captivate, the Newcastle-based indie rockers continue to propel themselves into a new era with this latest single, which carries a reminiscent sound. An anthem inspired by an unforgettable encounter with a person who feels destined to be a huge part of your life, ‘Since Monday’ is the soundtrack to moments of pure euphoria and joy.
Wrapped up in this buzzy, jangly indie pop tune, it perfectly captures the intoxicating bliss of nights you wish could last forever. In his own words, lead singer Jack shares the meaning behind his lyrics: “Have you ever encountered someone and suddenly found yourself soaring on cloud nine, floating home with an idiotic grin and a belly full of fire? Well, Since Monday is that feeling.
It’s the euphoria of discovering that person, your person. Last week I couldn’t have given a sh**, but since that Monday, I want to give you my everything. Last week I couldn’t be bothered to go downstairs… but since that Monday, I’d go to the ends of the Earth to get to see you again.”
Fast carving out their own worthy place in the current indie scene, The Avelons have electrified audiences with sold-out shows and secured support slots alongside favoured bands like The Clause, Stanleys, and Tom A Smith. Having rocked their largest audience yet at The Cluny, they are now set to take the stage at this year’s Isle of Wight Festival.
AK & The Red Kites are pleased to release the exciting, uplifting and hook drenched debut EP ‘Proverbial Storm’ available to order on CD and all digital platforms direct HERE. A modern rock band with a retro infused vibe, the band weighs in with big riffs and vast melodic soundscapes with the cornerstone of this new exciting venture in frontman/guitarist Andrew Knightley rising from the ashes of his previous blues rock band Trident Waters.
Having eloped from the city life to the Chiltern Hills UK during the global pandemic, Andrew began writing songs that would shape the EP to come. “I wrote most of my new music looking out the window onto the woods and the Red Kites are always circling overhead. I felt a connection, that they were part of my inspiration, as they glided across the sky crying and going about their business. I wanted to honour that sense of freedom and protection that they have provided me with. AK & The Red Kites is a direct reference to my creative process and where I am now as a person.” The accompanying new single ‘Wolf Moon’ (video courtesy of Very Metal Art) mirrors this vision with howling vocals, biting guitars and sweeping, searing, haunting visuals.
Opening with the previously released dark and brooding “Devil’s Stomp”, which would not be out of place on a hit dramatic TV show such as ‘Yellowstone’ or Marvel’s ‘The Punisher’, the 6 track collection showcases Knightleys eclectic range as a songwriter and musician; ranging from full on high tempo hard rockers to panoramic swamp vibes with incursions into country and delta blues rock territory in the vein of Rival Sons, Ritchie Kotzen and ZZ Top. Andrew muses, “I’ve put a lot of who I am and where I’ve been into the songs and have laid it all on the table. It’s 100% song driven as I’ve grown and wanted to come away from focusing on the guitar to allow myself to be more vulnerable in my writing. ‘Stronger’ is an example of that about not backing down, taking whatever comes to you and dealing with it in a positive way as you’ll feel like you just won a world title by the end.” Delving further, “The title track ‘Proverbial Storm’ can be taken as a relationship song where you feel you don’t match up to expectations with anyone, in any situation, but you have to remain true to yourself. It’s also a respectful nod to my past and welcoming what’s to come in the future.”
Working with multi-platinum award winning producer Mike Krompass (Everybody Loves An Outlaw, Steven Tyler)and recording at his state-of-the-art studio Base Culture has brought out what Andrew believes to be his best work to date. “There’s the delta-blues influences with hand claps in ‘Baby Don’t Love Me’ and foot stomps but there’s a far more contemporary sound to the guitars across the whole and we really focused on my vocal delivery taking precedence which I hadn’t done as much of in the past. We worked quickly and directly from the demos, layering on top aiming to make the biggest sound we could without losing sight of the song as that’s most important.” Adding to the expansiveness, mastering duties were expertly handled by Glenn Thomas of ItuneAudio (Kenny Aronoff, Billy Sheehan) and Justin Shturtz of Sterling Sound (Shinedown, 10 Years).
With this first offering AK & The Red Kites is now perched ready to soar throughout the rest of the year and beyond. “Ultimately I want the listener to interpret for themselves and take away what they choose from the EP…that it can relate to their own lives or help them out in a moment and to enjoy it as this is just the beginning. I can’t wait to get out and play these songs live and there’s a lot more to come yet!”
Cardiff band ‘No Thee No Ess’ return with the announcement of their 8th Studio Album ‘Distant Country’ out now!
Described by Andy Fung, ‘Distant Country’ is a a journey on a wagon, a Waltz through the Country genre with an array of guest musicians joining the band around the campfire, including Gareth Bonello (The Gentle Good) on Banjo, Kate Ronconi (Lost Tuesday Society) on Violin, and Rhodri Ratatosk on pedal Steel.
No Thee No Ess is the long time collaboration between visual artists and musicians Paul Battenbough and Andy Fung.
Both have a high pedigree of previous projects (Derrero, Cymbient, The Cosmic Array amongst others) and they’ve come together to make their 8th studio album ‘Distant Country’ with producer and collaborator Frank Naughton.
‘Distant Country’ is ‘No Thee No Ess’ 8th studio album following on from 2022’s well received, psychedelic ‘Dimmer Switch’.
This album has distinct country hues and a laid back and dreamy feel whilst retaining the band’s signature aesthetic. The album has more traditional song structures and utilises more acoustic instruments to augment the songs but still has a nod to psychedelia.
‘Distant Country’ is ‘No Thee No Ess’ 8th studio album following on from 2022’s well received, psychedelic ‘Dimmer Switch’.
The album was engineered and produced by Frank Naughton and No Thee No Ess and recorded at Ty Drwg studio in Cardiff with wonderful guest musicians Frank Naughton – bass, piano, Rhodri Viney – pedal steel, Gareth Bonello – banjo, Kate Ronconi – violin and Sarah Passmore – vocals helping to elevate this work. The album reflects the band’s love for alternative country music which has always been present.
With spine-tingling guitar riffs, and vocals that effortlessly captivate, the Newcastle-based indie rockers continue to propel themselves into a new era with this latest single, which carries a reminiscent sound. An anthem inspired by an unforgettable encounter with a person who feels destined to be a huge part of your life, ‘Since Monday’ is the soundtrack to moments of pure euphoria and joy.
Wrapped up in this buzzy, jangly indie pop tune, it perfectly captures the intoxicating bliss of nights you wish could last forever. In his own words, lead singer Jack shares the meaning behind his lyrics: “Have you ever encountered someone and suddenly found yourself soaring on cloud nine, floating home with an idiotic grin and a belly full of fire? Well, Since Monday is that feeling.
It’s the euphoria of discovering that person, your person. Last week I couldn’t have given a sh**, but since that Monday, I want to give you my everything. Last week I couldn’t be bothered to go downstairs… but since that Monday, I’d go to the ends of the Earth to get to see you again.”
Fast carving out their own worthy place in the current indie scene, The Avelons have electrified audiences with sold-out shows and secured support slots alongside favoured bands like The Clause, Stanleys, and Tom A Smith. Having rocked their largest audience yet at The Cluny, they are now set to take the stage at this year’s Isle of Wight Festival.
The N.S.O. are a four piece Yorkshire band consisting of Josh Tallis on Vocals and Rhythm Guitar, Reece Howe on Vocals and Lead Guitar, Jordan Watkin on Percussions and William Simister on Bass Guitar.
The band pride themselves on mixing various influences and genres into their work resulting in a sound that is enticingly fresh and exciting, setting them apart from their counterparts. They combine dark and gritty vocals with light hearted melodies making for a truly exhilarating listening experience.
The N.S.O. formed in 2022 and they released their debut single in the November of the same year; ‘Hurts Instead’. This was followed up in spring 2023 with ‘Up and Down’.
The band have spent their time wisely perfecting their music both in the studio and by gigging extensively including festivals such as Tramlines, Bunkerfest (Supporting Mark Morris), Doncaster Summer Of Love (Supporting Neville Staple), Be Reyt and Barnsley Live festivals and performing a series of gigs with new music taste makers This Feeling selling out their own headline gig at The Philadelphia in Sheffield and gigging with other up and coming acts such as Rosellas and Mimosa.
Following on from the release of their previous single “Do Ya” which attained the band praise and play by John Kennedy on his Radio X Radio Show, and following The NSO gaining themselves a lot more fans by virtue of them winning the £1000 cash prize in a battle of the bands competition, they’ve gained over 40k streams across major platforms and over 1000 recordable monthly listeners on Spotify. They are now back with their latest offering ‘Thick As You’ which is a track that is sure to set these lads above their peers as it succinctly showcases the talent on offer.
‘Thick As You’ starts with gentle strumming guitars which are quickly joined by some truly mesmerising bluesy guitar riffs and heartfelt, raw and gritty vocals. The track ebbs and flows along nicely taking you to the crescendo of the final power ballard worthy end chorus.
The band have said of the track:
“The meaning behind the song is best to be interpreted however you choose, if it makes you feel a certain way be that happy, sad or just forget about your own problems for a few minutes and try to put yourself in the shoes of the writer, that’s all we want and that’s why music to us is at times the only solution and the only thing that make sense because often life doesn’t and I suppose briefly to me this song is me trying to make peace with that.”
‘Thick As You’ was written by Josh Tallis and Reece Howe. It was recorded at The Nave Studio in Pudsey, Leeds and was produced By Danny Blackburn.
Upcoming Gigs
13th July – Batton of hope charity gig – Sidney & Matilda – Sheffield
Following four critically praised singles, ‘Hugs’ is a tapestry of songs that invites the listener into the embrace of Olive’s unique sonic world. From start to finish, each song is stripped of all trivialities. It is songwriting at its most raw and vital, where every moment of sadness, wistfulness and honesty is earned. Performing each track entirely solo, Olive has demonstrated her versatility within limitation, embracing and commanding the sonic landscape as her own.
Album opener ‘Get Lost’, sets the tone for the album by introducing Olive’s distinct mix of jazz and folk with a pastoral round of cascading voices, a feature that continues in follow-up ‘Mother Nature’. Both ‘Mother Nature’s’ and ‘Murmurations’’ prosody propel the listener to the heart of their themes; a desire to convene and reunite with nature and its rhythms. ‘Finding Home’ changes pace, highlighting Olive’s background in jazz distinctly in its vocal runs and extended harmony. At the album’s halfway point, ‘I’m Gunna Choose’ is filled with a building tension, both in content and delivery. The enjambment of the verses, married with a step-wise melody, capture the malaise of being trapped in repetitive habits of isolation and self-doubt, only for the choruses to burst in as a promise to choose a path away from loss. ‘My Seeds’, comes as the response.
Via a gospel-inspired melody, Olive creates a vow to care and nurture; singing as if to another but also as a reminder to herself to take care. ‘Soggy Tuesday’ is a carefree and youthful song that captures the mindful moments when one can simply be as the world continues to move. ‘Maybe It’s Time’ and ‘Feeling Queer’ are Olive at her most vulnerable. At once both universal and unique to her own experiences, Olive captures a highly assured vulnerability that is reserved only for the most accomplished song-writers and performers. The album closes with ‘Lost’, the bookend to its opener with the theme returning only to bloom in a fuzz of delay and reverb.
Throughout the album, Olive draws comparisons to artists such as Laura Marling, Snowpoet, Adrienne Lenker and Norah Jones. The album is out now and was engineered and produced by Sam Barnes (AhGeeBee, Part Time Signals, Boy Azooga).
Bursting with high-energy, and powerhouse hard-rock anthems, Mine Road certainly know how to pen songs that were made to be played in arenas! Their new single, ‘Snowplough’ is testament to this as the song builds to a crescendo of colourful melodies that surge with undeniable power and presence.
Speaking of the new single, the band says; “This essence of the song is about loss. The feeling of being covered by a blanket of snow, with the negative aspect in life being the snow itself. We wanted to write a song to combat those negative emotions and try to get a positive take on the negative things in life, all the while finding strength to plough through to the other side.”
The band is made up of brothers Stuart Cash (guitar) and Steve Cash (drums), vocalist Ken Carthy, and guitarist Dave Flood.
The band released ‘Satellite’, a 4 track EP in 2012, followed by a hiatus as Stuart moved to Sydney, Australia soon after its release. Songwriting tentatively began again as the two brothers began to trade ideas between continents, Stuart living in Sydney with Steve basing himself in New York. A return to Dublin in 2019 for the brothers opened the possibility of a Mine Road revival as Carthy and Flood all returned to the fold.
After completing the writing process for their first full length album, the band decided to tour Ireland after Covid had shut down live performances for the previous two years. With a successful run of shows nationally under their belt, the band knuckled down to the task of recording debut album ‘Tomorrow’s Sky’ and it’s been well worth the wait!
Arrow In The Sky are a dynamic duo of multi-instrumentalists, Conor McCauley and Brian Murphy, hailing from the heart of Ireland. Known for their unique sound, they have previously released two acclaimed mini-albums: Do What Thou Wilt (2009) and Winter’s Requiem (2011). Their songwriting partnership creates a distinct world of rapture and sorrow, blending traditional instruments with an unconventional approach.
Arrow In The Sky’s live performances are as captivating as their studio work, featuring looping guitars, blazing mandolins, and a suitcase-turned-bass drum. This innovative style has made them a favourite opening act for renowned Irish bands like Villagers, The Stunning, and Duke Special.
Their previous singles such as ‘Time of Need’ and ‘Fire’ which has nearly 9k streams on Spotify, picked up support in the likes of Hot Press, Pure M Zine, Rolling Stone En Espanol, The Beat, IMRO Radio Nova, RTÉ 2XM, LMFM and more and their single ‘My Sunshine’ has gathered nearly 16k streams on Spotify making the duo a hot one to watch!
Fans can also experience the song live as Arrow in the Sky at their upcoming gig in Clarke’s Mullingar on the 19th of July.
The Girl Who Thought She Was a Bird’, the latest track from Arrow In The Sky showcases the band’s signature blend of lyrical depth and haunting melodies, capturing the essence of human longing and resilience. Originally written during Ireland’s last recession and mass youth exodus, the song’s poignant themes of aspiration and escape remain strikingly relevant today. This modern-day emigration song attempts to capture the enduring human desire for freedom and transformation amidst economic hardship.
The song narrates the story of a young woman dreaming of escape and transformation, set against the juxtaposition of urban sprawl and natural beauty. With vivid imagery of “glass canyon corridors” and a “lion’s roar” sunrise, the song immerses listeners in a world where hope and reality intertwine.
To work on the upcoming single the band brought in their good friend, Leeds violin virtuoso Kieran O’Malley. R’n’B is brought by punk rockabilly double-bass man Tim Fernley and rhythmic powerhouse Michael Cronin on drums.
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