From the Midlands, phenomenal talent Ruby J fuses multiple genres with her own unique style. Inspired at the age of 13 to pick up the guitar by the likes of Tash Sultana, Arctic Monkeys and more. Now 18 years old, Ruby has been honing her craft and talent, she has stage presence like no other that encapsulates her audience.
Ruby J has gone from strength to strength with each release, he latest being the fantastic ‘Home’. From the outset you are captivated by her unique voice, the percussion and the groovy beats with a retro feel.
The genre-defying Passive Fix return with their new single ‘I’ll Take It All’ which follows up the band’s acclaimed previous release, ‘Red Lights’.
‘I’ll Take It All’ sees the midlands-based band explore their creativity further as the track features on the soundtrack to their upcoming short film, ‘A Divine Descent’ continues the story behind ‘I’ll Take It All’.
‘I’ll Take It All’ was recorded at The Royal Birmingham Conservatoire and the song was produced, mixed and mastered by themselves. Dealing with the cycle of grief, it was written by songwriter, vocalist and saxophonist Alex McCarthy who took the song to the rest of the band who then developed the final structure of the track and added further production elements.
On ‘I’ll Take It All, Alex said: “..the protagonist is experiencing loss and as a result he wants to escape into the wilderness..he starts to question his faith and blames others for his loss, pushing them away. The song’s change in tone represents the protagonist’s journey through the cycles of grief.”
Passive Fix are the previously mentioned Alex McCarthy (vocals and saxophone), Alex Collett-Sinfield (guitar and saxophone), David Kirkham (drums) and Sam Stringer (bass guitar and backing vocals). They have been making waves on the live scene with several well attended headline shows under their belts and successful support slots, including a show at Birmingham’s 02 Academy.
The band strives to blur genres and this new single is no different. With a growing fanbase which is demonstrated by their thousands of streams on Spotify, popular Youtube shorts and a regular vlog named ‘Passive Vlogs’, Passive Fix really have created their own music universe that fans are encouraged to engage with. This is reflected in their live shows which are high octane, unpredictable and thrilling. On stage the band uses a variety of technology and instruments which sets them apart from their contemporaries. Take a look at their live show reel here.
Passive Fix have been described as “a brilliant rising talent“, a “stand out” band who “redefine genres and bring something new to the table”, creating their “own musical universe”. They have been featured on national and international radio stations and podcasts including Amazing Radio, Hive Radio, BBC Introducing in the West Midlands, East Midlands and Northamptonshire.
The Midlands based trio La Vivas return with their exciting new single ‘The Bell And The Butterfly’, the first track to be released from the band’s forthcoming debut album.
Recorded at Wolverhampton’s RML Studio and produced by Ryan Pinson (The Assist, Alex Ohm), ‘The Bell And The Butterfly’ ushers in a new era for the trio. Wearing their rock credentials fully on their sleeves, La Vivas present a song that is brash, immediate and best played as loud as possible. The energetic pace and catchy riff found in ‘The Bell And The Butterfly’ is matched by frontman Kevin Donaldson’s powerful vocal to produce a non-stop, mind blowing, aural assault.
‘The Bell And The Butterfly’ manages to capture the swagger of The Rolling Stones in their heyday, the stomp of The Stooges and also offers Dylan-esque lyrical imagery. This new single sets La Vivas apart from their contemporaries and really captures the spirit of a hungry and motivated band.
The artwork for the track is a unique piece from the Premier League footballer and artist Jody Craddock.
D.O.T.H.S. more formally known as Death Of The High Street are the four piece alt-rock/punk band hailing from the Midlands consisting of Scott Baxter on Vocals/Rhythm Guitar, Ash Simpson on Bass, Andy Purves on Lead Guitar/Backing Vocals and Joe Hodges on Drums.
The band first burst onto the scene in 2020 with their debut single ‘EXIT’ which was released to much excitement and critical acclaim under Alan Mcgee’s label of the time ‘Its Creation Baby. The track received much praise and radio plays from the likes of Steve La Macq on his BBC6 Music Show, and Janice Long on her BBC Radio Wales show as well as many positive reviews and playlist inclusions.
The band’s bass driven, powerful drum beat, high octane riffs and lyrically intriguing kitchen sink commentary sound, means they produce a full throttle energetically, commanding, dominant presence. They possess a certain level of confidence that sees them not being afraid to use the platform of their music to create a stage for political and social awareness.
Following on from the success of ‘EXIT’ in 2021 D.O.T.H.S. first release of 2022, was the scathing social backlash of ‘SYNERGY’ which once again received much critical acclaim from the likes of KEXP DJ John Richard’s who picked the song as his ‘Song Of The Day’ and from BBC6 Music where the track made it onto the listener influenced ‘Introducing Mixtape’. The track also secured the band a place on taste-makers This Feeling ‘Ones To Watch’ list. The band have also enjoyed national radio play with Mickey Bradley on BBC Radio Ulster and Frank Skinner on Absolute Radio.
D.O.T.H.S. are now back with the latest instalment in their tantalising catalogue of powerful, thought provoking anthems.
‘CHANCER’, is an explosive, headbanging and yet somehow emotionally charged and insightful track. It leaps out of the starting gates and takes no prisoners as it zooms along at great pace with its buzzing, electrifying guitar riffs, pounding drums and snarling, realism commentary. Coming in at 3.08 mins it’s a total powerhouse of a track from start to finish.
Lyrically the track shines a light on the sometimes-difficult reality facing individuals growing up in low-income areas with a lack of education and few job prospects, ultimately leading to a life of having to find ways to make ends meet.
Indeed the band have said of the track:
“‘CHANCER’ gives an insight into “a day in the life” of a Chancer, a Frank Gallagher meets Delboy character who’ll sell you a new TV just as soon as he’s lifted it from your living room. Ducking,diving and scheming his way through life. The second half of the track finds the Chancer alone, reflecting, thinking, about mistakes made and agonising over what could have been. CHANCER holds up a mirror to the parts of our society that are often ignored.”
D.O.T.H.S. have recently signed to Bubblebrain Records and CHANCER was recorded at Electric Bear Studios and was Produced by Death Of The High Street.
Indie Revolution 