Apollo Junction Release New Album ‘Here We Are’

Apollo Junction is a dynamic indie-pop band hailing from the heart of the UK. Known for their infectious melodies, electrifying performances, and genuine connection with their audience, they are on a mission to redefine contemporary music. With a sound that seamlessly blends anthemic rock and catchy pop, Apollo Junction’s music is a testament to the magic of music that transcends boundaries.

Apollo Junction are primed to take their hallmark uplifting, anthemic sound to inspiring new heights with the release of ‘Here We Are’.

Through 10 masterfully-crafted tracks, Apollo Junction pushes the boundaries of their own genre-defying sound to deliver their best collection of tunes yet. Produced by Andy Hawkins and mastered by John Davis at Metropolis, with artwork designed by Matt Lodge, ‘Here We Are’ stands as a powerful affirmation befitting its title.

Brimming with searing new wave synth-pop and liberally seasoned with rock sensibility, Apollo Junction’s third album tells the story of being a band in a turbulent world. While not everyone can identify with such experiences, the album will resonate profoundly with all who have, at times, felt knocked down by life and yet dare to nurture fresh hopes and renewed dreams.

“2022 was quite a challenging year for us as a band,” says drummer Jonny Thornton. “That kind of went into the record, in a positive way. There’s a little bit of our soul in each of these records.”

With glimmering instrumentals and soul-stirring lyrics, ‘Here We Are’ sees Apollo Junction extend a hand to lift those who feel disappointed or alone, issue a stirring call to action to those in need of a push from behind, and celebrate the special people that stand beside us through thick and thin.

“We are nothing without the people who support us; the team around us and the AJ family,” says lead vocalist Jamie Williamson. “This collection of songs is for the moments that we’re looking to share.”

Poised to take a spot on the official UK charts the band have peeled back the curtain on their dazzling new album, little by little, with the release of six singles that helped secure a coveted Blood Records edition — which sold out in less than 45 minutes — and garnered national radio play.

To wit, penultimate pre-lease single ‘Mil1ion’ has been heard on BBC’s Match of the Day each of the last three weeks, and latest single ‘Magic’ has had repeat plays on BBC2. The building momentum has the band eyeing a feat they’ve never before attained: an official UK charting album. “We’ve never really chased the charts,” says Williamson. “Our record label is in a shed in someone’s garden. We are a quintessential, true indie band.”

But on the strength of a passionate (and growing) fanbase who would love nothing more than to see their band get the recognition they deserve, the album is now potentially within striking distance of the top 40. And the band are ready to follow their own advice, per album single, ‘Endings’, to “give it all you’ve got for tomorrow.” To help the chart push, a deluxe version of the album is now available on CD for just £5 and there’s a digital version on iTunes for £3.99.

Ready to embark on their biggest tour yet Apollo Junction has an 8-stop UK tour planned to follow the album’s release, including a few cities the band has never been to before. Several dates are already sold out. The tour kicks off in Blackpool on October 28, with a uniquely Apollo Junction twist. The band have hired a coach, which will take a few dozen supporters from Leeds for a daytime beach jaunt, and an intimate HMV in-store appearance prior to the evening’s gig. “We thought, let’s do it in an Apollo Junction way,” says Williamson. “It’s about being together. It’s going to be brilliant.”

Emily Marsden – Editor
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Coastal Fire Dept. Release New Single ‘Regret’

Guernsey grunge rock band Coastal Fire Dept. aren’t finished throttling 2023 with new music.  Four punky grungy songs left over from their album recording sessions for ‘Outsiders’ have been finished.  All tracks appear on EP ‘Flood The Saltpans…Save The Vale’ out early next year.  

The song tells the true story of an embarrassing night out in St Helen’s for Ollie some time ago (which is now a regret of his).  Nada Surf’s 1996 hit single ‘Popular’ was the musical influence for ‘Regret’ & Matthew Caws of Nada Surf recently gave ‘Regret’ his seal of approval.

This is almost certainly the first ever grunge single to feature AI performing.  Enjoy the big chorus!

Emily Marsden – Editor
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Caitlin Lavagna Releases New Single ‘Run A Mile’

Born in the Rhondda with strong Gibraltarian roots, Caitlin has developed a huge passion for percussion. With a strong, rich vocal and a knack for instant pop hooks, Caitlin blends honest songwriting with an exciting rhythmic core. Whether it’s sharing the bill with other up-and-coming artists, supporting well-established bands, or headlining her own show, Caitlin Lavagna will always bring the fiesta so people can let loose and shake their frames!

Caitlin cites her influences from a wide range of Indie rock/pop and reggae artists beginning with bands like Sting and Fleetwood Mac all the way up to Florence, Pink and Adele. She is massively influenced by strong female vocals and rhythm!

Caitlin Says:
“I wrote this song after someone really hurt me. I was so shocked by their choice of words when I finally asked if we could make things official, that it made me realize how brilliant it was that they wanted to (and I quote) ‘Run A Mile’. This song helped me process anger, low self-esteem and anxiety because of someone who actually never treated me well in the first place. I hope people enjoy the song and appreciate the production. I hope people understand that although the song came from someone saying something horrible to me, it has actually helped me understand my worth and allowed me to process a lot of the toxicity I experienced chasing something that didn’t exist with someone who never cared.”

The fantastic ‘Run A Mile’ is out now on all streaming platforms.

Emily Marsden – Editor
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Smolik / Kev Fox Release New Album ‘Belly Of The Whale’

Smolik/Kev Fox the duo from Poland break all the boundaries when it comes to musical genres. The pair met at a concert in Warsaw and connected over their mutual musical fascinations and immediately locked themselves in the studio for a few days. It has made for a unique and excellent collaboration.

Their first joint release was promoted by the outstanding single ‘Run’. Since then they have gone on to create many epic tracks, full of melancholy melodies that are hypnotizing and unique and Kev Fox’s distinctive vocals finish them off just perfectly.

Out now is their new eagerly awaited album ‘Belly Of The Whale’.

Emily Marsden – Editor
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Ruby J Releases New Single ‘Home’

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.

‘Home’ is out now across all streaming platforms.

Emily Marsden – Editor
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Box Of Trash Release New Single ‘Minnie’s Haberdashery’

Four-piece rock band hailing from Ayrshire in Scotland initially started off as a side project but decided to give it a real go in 2021, the band have been busy since then. They’ve gone on to release some cracking singles such as ‘Hypnotised’ and ‘Spaceman’ followed by the release of their fantastic debut album ‘Candlewood’.

The band return with their latest single ‘Minnie’s Haberdashery’, packed out with powerful riffs that rule the song it makes it a strong single.

Box Of Trash have been busy touring Scotland pulling in crowds and gaining more fans. Keep an eye out for more dates from these lads. These are ones to watch!

Emily Marsden – Editor
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Crook On The Wall Release Debut EP ‘Imperial Mind’

Imperial Mind’ is the exciting debut single from the Manchester-based band Crook On The Wall. ‘Imperial Mind’ sets out the teenaged four-pieces’ intentions with authority and panache.

Fronted by Cole Johnson, whose outstanding Morrissey-esque vocal is the center-piece of ‘Imperial Mind’, Crook On The Wall also features the talents of songwriter and lead guitarist Elliot Carson whose ability to craft something special is obvious on this first release.

‘Imperial Mind’ was produced and mixed by Luke Owens (SHADE, Sarah Owens, Samm Hewitt) at Dusk till Dawn studios in Manchester. The songs’ captivating vocals and thought-provoking lyrics create a powerful and melodic tone. Crook on The Wall makes a powerful statement with this first release, bringing true meaning and emotion into the world of music.

From the beginnings of writing and practicing while at high school, the band, whose members are aged between 14 and 16, have a distinctive flair for originality with their distinct sound and their insightful lyrics. ‘Imperial Mind’ provides deep insight into many politically challenging areas of society while also showcasing their incredible musicianship that belies their young ages.

Handling their set with confidence and passion” – Jessica Draper Mann (from a recent live review).

Crook On The Wall has an array of new music in the upcoming months and their live performances are renowned for being lively. This talented young band are a part of a new movement on the Manchester music scene.

Crook On The Wall are:

Cole Johnson (lead vocals & rhythm guitar)

Elliot Carson (lead guitar & backing vocals)

Adam Wood (bass guitar)

Ethan McCusker (drums)

Emily Marsden – Editor
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Indie Revolution Single Of The Week – Hazy Sundays ‘Wires’

In a brand new weekly piece, Music Scene Wales will feature a fresh new single chosen from the best on the independent music scene by the Indie Revolution team, those being Music Scene Wales, Yr Wyddfa Records, This Is The Music, Upcoming Bands and Wax and Beans.

First in our new feature this week is Hazy Sundays mesmerizing new single ‘Wires’. Emotional and heartfelt its reminiscent of 90s classics, a real musical treasure.

Emily Marsden – Editor
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Arcade State Release New Single ‘Life Is Not Linear’

Glaswegian, alternative rock band Arcade State release their phenomenal new track ‘Life Is Not Linear’
The track is a punch to the gut. They bring a heavily guitar driven sound with this new single, inspired by Scottish legends Twin Atlantic and Biffy Clyro, they showcase the perfect blend of melody and raw power.

The song is based on reflections of a difficult year for frontman, Ciaran Murray, with significant loss and a bought of depression inspiring the lyrics. Despite this the song has extremely uplifting powers with a positive message telling you that you can get through the tough times.

Formed in 2020 the five piece are at the forefront of the bustling Scottish music scene, full of hard hitting anthems, pounding drums and beautiful melodies, these are definitely ones to watch!

Emily Marsden – Editor
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Megan Wyn Releases New Single ‘Familiar Faces’

2023 is looking like the year Megan Wyn finally captures the imagination of the people who have somehow missed her slow and steady rise through the ranks over the last two years. 

At the age of just 18, the young starlet-to-be has already achieved so much in her already fledgling career, but latest release, ‘You Don’t Get It’, has certainly started to see Wyn make some serious in-roads. 

After the release in August 2023, Megan has been booked for numerous tastemaker metropolitan festivals dotted around the country including Twisterella and Beyond The Music, as well as, choice support slots with the like of Swim Deep and Andrew Cushin. 

At radio, Megan has already had playlist support from Radio X alongside a live session with John Kennedy. She was also booked to do do a live session with BBC introducing Manchester last minute, whilst gaining repeat support at BBC Radio London and BBC Radio Merseyside. 

Wyn was also Huw Stephens’ Artist of The Week on BBC Radio Wales and added to the station’s playlist.

Now, Megan returns with hugely impressive new cut, ‘Familiar Faces’. Taking cues from contemporaries such like Sam Fender, Olivia Rodrigo, and many more, the young artist sounds like the shackles are finally off. 

Different to her previous dreamlike release, the track is fast-paced, seething and has a point to make. There’s a sense of real exacerbation in lines like: “They only throw stones to leave a scar”

What makes it different to most records though, is the way in which Megan has drawn upon her influences new and old. Her love of Amazon’s blockbuster series, The Six, almost oozes out of your speakers as her PJ Harvey-esque croon delivers ear worm after ear worm. 

Rare that an artist is effortlessly cool whilst calling upon pop sensibilities relentlessly. Wistful but assured in equal measure, it sounds exactly like a teenager figuring themselves out. 

Speaking about the song, Megan said: “Familiar Faces was written at the start of summer after breaking off a situationship with someone who let jealousy and other people come between us. It’s a bittersweet song about the love you have for this person but the angst and anger that comes with jealousy ruining something that could have been great.”

‘Familiar Faces’, was written with and produced by Alex Quinn (The Royston Club, Lottery Winners, Michael Aldag) over the course of an extensive period of writing in Summer 2022.

Previous years saw Megan play The Great Escape, Truck Festival, Y Not and Isle Of Wight Festival. And she completed her debut headline tour earlier in the year.  

 An old head on young shoulders, Megan rightly feels that she has reached her starting point. With live experiences already in the bag, it was just a matter of honing her sound and landing on something that was truly representative of herself. 

It’s also true that moving from her native Anglesey just off the Welsh coast, to her now home of Manchester at the age of 16, would have helped Megan develop not only as a musician but most importantly as a woman. 

Megan grew up wanting exactly what she has now, the ability to put pen to paper and have songs fall out of her, to play shows to packed out venues in Manchester, as well as, elsewhere. And most importantly, play the festivals she probably would have attended anyway. 

Emily Marsden – Editor
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