Wonder PR

BlackSheepLad Releases New EP ‘Lost Time’

Oct 4, 2023 — Leave a comment

Phil Mellen aka BlackSheepLad recently released his stunning ‘Lost Time’ EP – a collection of personal songs that showcases both his creativity and songwriting prowess.

Phil says ‘I am delighted to release this new EP with 5 brand new songs, all based on the theme of time, and how we spend it. I am very proud of this collection and hope you enjoy it.’

Phil plays everything instrument-wise and sings all of the vocal parts on every track. 

Track 1: Going to Sleep as the sun comes up – Originally written in 2020 about not being able to sleep when ill with Covid and has recently been revived during live performances, it was finally recorded in early 2023.

Track 2: Always the Grey – A song written about the frustrations of social media and the lack of nuance in debates that take place and how that can spill into real life.

Track 3: Grow old with me – a beautiful love song about wanting to be together till the end.

Track 4: Making up for lost time – A partner song to track 3 about finding love later in life and making the most of it.

Track 5: Timepiece – An instrumental that builds up in layers to a final crescendo.

This great EP is well put together, with a lot of thought and heart. Out now on all streaming platforms.

The tracks were mixed and mastered by Lynn Carol Monk at Wobbly Music’s Bakehouse studios.

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

Pelikan Rogue Release New Single ‘Crawl’

Sep 18, 2023 — Leave a comment

Pelikan Rogue are going from strength to strength in 2023 with their long-anticipated new releases. Following 2019’s undeniably catchy ‘Podium Queen’, vocalist Scott Russells’ foot-tapping ode to his dancer wife, fans were treated to a more melancholy and poignant tune in the summer of 2023 with the release of live favourite ‘The Vet’, which once again saw the involvement of J.P.  Reid of Succiopero & Marmaduke Duke alongside talented Ayrshire producer Tony Strachan.

Complimenting the watertight rhythm section of Andy Strachan (bass) and Adrian Chow (Drums),new guitarist Gus Manson brings soaring guitar solos and hooks that captivate audiences from Liverpool’s Cavern Club to Glasgow’s King Tuts to packed-out festivals.

The new single ‘Crawl’ shows the depth that new keyboard player Gavin Lauchlan has added to the band through layers of meticulously crafted synths and pumping dance piano. Manson’s guitar hook is an instant earworm, culminating in a solo that reverberates through venues up and down the country.

Despite the upbeat and catchy feel of the song, audiences will find an oddly dark edge to Russell’s powerful lyrics in a cautionary tale of overindulgence and bad decisions.

With more music to come in 2023 and sold-out shows booked, expect the buzz around Pelikan Rogue to grow even louder!

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

Vice Killer Release New Single ‘Where Can I Find Some Peace?’

Aug 8, 2023 — Leave a comment

Vice Killer are Thomas Gilling (lead vocals/guitar), James Langan (lead guitar), Jack Langan (bass) and Lewis Muir (drums). 

Following on from their previous release ‘The Red Sky’ The rising North-East band have returned with their fantastic new single ‘Where Can I Find Some Peace?’ A track of pure nostalgia!

Recorded at Newcastle’s Blank Studios, ‘Where Can I Find Some Peace?’ was produced by Chris McManus. The song is intended as a sequel to the story that was told on ‘The Red Sky’ and represents how being happy can’t be forced upon people; some things take time to find your peace. 

Vice Killer have a growing reputation as a great live band and they have played this new track a few times live now. The band’s frontman Thomas Gilling had this to say: “Where Can I Find Some Peace?” is one of our favourite songs to play live. It creates a massive energy once the bass and the drums kick in. It would be a perfect song for a Guy Ritchie movie I think!”.

Vice Killer have recorded a music video with Blue Bandit Media who work all around the North-East of England. The music video was filmed in the beautiful Durham, which is close to home for them. Part of the music video was also captured at their Newcastle headline show at Zerox.

On the writing process of the song, Thomas added: “I wanted to write something a little more upbeat, and after watching a performance of ‘The Stone Roses – Fools Gold TOTP (1989)’ I sat down with my acoustic and the rhythm/melody came straight away. I wrote the lyrics within probably 15 minutes and the song was done. I didn’t want to dwell too much on the words, and just sing what I was feeling. We jammed the song in our practice room, taking inspiration from the Madchester scene of the 90’s as well as the soul of Curtis Mayfields ‘Move On Up’”.  

Vice Killer released their debut EP in 2021 and quickly gained momentum, headlining sold-out shows in Sunderland and Newcastle in 2022 and they were also featured on BBC Introducing. 

Upcoming Gigs

The Darlington Forum – Saturday 12th August
The Georgian Theatre – Saturday 2nd September

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

Passive Fix Release New Single ‘I’ll Take It All’

Jul 21, 2023 — Leave a comment

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.

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