Monday 30 June 2014

Me Vs Hero are completely fine

UK pop punks Me Vs Hero will release their long-awaited second album I'm Completely Fine on September 1st.

The band will also support the follow-up to debut Days That Shape Our Lives with a UK tour starting in mid-September in Bristol.

Frontman Sam Thompson told RealSoundsOK: "This album nearly ended Me Vs Hero numerous times. What started out as a joke two years ago paraphrasing Alan Partridge's immortal line - 'yeah, I'm completely fine - actually became too literal for us.

"We put faith in people that couldn't deliver the end product that we knew this record needed. It cost us financially and set us back exponentially.

"In the end we recorded it ourselves, from vocals in a council estate high-rise to guitars in a rubbish-filled garage. It wasn't a pretty sight, it certainly wasn't comfortable and it was hugely hit and miss. Thankfully Romesh Dodangoda of Longwave Studios and Chris Gehringher of Sterling Sound rekindled our passion, delivering a fantastic mix and a flawless master.

"We don't expect people to feel sorry for us, we know people got bored of waiting for us, some people will love what we've done, others won't. We started this record four years ago; we're just happy it's finally coming out."

Fans can preorder on iTunes now here or check out a range of bundle options with merchandise and physical copies here – all preorders come with an instant download of unreleased album track ‘Skin and Bones’.

For more on the band visit facebook.com/mevshero or mevshero.co.uk

Kepler Gold unleashes lead track from new album

HIP hop artist Kepler Gold has unveiled the video for Knights Of The Zodiac, the lead single from his new album PlayRoom.

Paris-born, UK-based Kepler wrote and produced the track himself and says it is inspired by Ganz and Kanye West.

The 11-track PlayRoom was released this week in conjunction with Plasma Chill Records.

You can watch the promo for Knights Of The Zodiac below and for more on the artist visit keplergold.com or keplergold.bandcamp.com


Lions Named Leo Q&A

Your name: 
Rob Saranpa aka "NohawkRob" (I used to have a mohawk, now I shave my head LOL).

Where are you from? 
Bakersfield, California, USA.

Name of band: 
Lions Named Leo.

Who else is in your band?
Joe Barry - Lead vocals and trumpet
Tee Stevens - Lead vocals/guitar and primary songwriter
Samuel McKinney - drums and vocals
And myself on bass guitar and vocals

How would you describe yourselves?
A very unique and refreshing blend of alternative rock/ska/reggae/punk. FUN!!!

Who are your main influences musically?
Wow! Um, too many to list, we all bring our own musical tastes to the mix.
We have been compared to so many...Sublime, RHCP, Reel Big Fish, Madness. One producer said, "sounds like Korn mixed with Bob Marley!"

What do you hope to achieve in music?
Make people happy, think, and enjoy and do this by doing what we love for a living. Leave behind something musically immortal.

What has been the highlight of your career so far, and why?
Personally I would say playing The Hard Rock Cafe Hollywood. This was a ReverbNation contest and there were some celebrity judges there; Aaron Rossi (Ministry drummer) Paige Montgomery - (music industry) and Dan Chlor - of the band Weapon X and a music industry professional.
Anyway, they told us at the onset to make sure we are 'creative'. After we were done one bartender just shook his head and said: "I've seen a lot of these and you guys are like the best I've heard and seen!". We did not win that night but we received a critique from the judges...they said: "Tight musicianship, great enthusiasm and stage presence but your genre is confusing."
WOW!!! We took that as a HUGE compliment!!! Especially after they told us to be creative.
We hear that a lot.

And what’s the moment you want to forget?
Um...I forgot. LOL None really yet...love this group! We have our little issues like all but we are like a family. When we play in my town of Tehachapi,CA, my wife lets the whole band stay at our place. We dont like to party too much when we play so after the gig, usually at 2am, my wife Kit, makes us all shots and quesadillas and has all the bedding ready...she ROCKS!

If you had to pick just one of your songs to represent your music, what would it be and why?
TOUGH ONE! With two distinctly different lead vocalists and a trumpet so hard to choose.
Our lead singers Joe and Tee blend so well together I would have to say Can I Want the World There Too. Very upbeat, trumpet, dual vocals and FUN!
But it is amazing how different list different songs as their favorites...and there in lies our strength. It always comes down to the songs, and the ability to pull them off live!

Where can we listen to it?



Where can we find out more about your music?
Our main site www.lionsnamedleo.com
@lionsnamedleo on Twitter

 Anything else you’d like to say that I forgot to ask?
We now have an incredible management team led by Grammy winner Dennis Rubenstein, and they are polishing us up to present to major labels. I believe we will be signed soon...question is by who?
We also have major gigs coming up at The Mint in Los Angeles on July 11th and The House of Blues in San Diego on July 27th.

Bowla Cheats Q&A

Name of band: 
Bowla Cheats.

Where are you from?
Rochester, New York.

Who is in your band? 
Steve Dushenko , Ian Neilson, Jon Clement,Christine Shelton, Dylan Hoyt, Tristan Olschowka.

How would you describe yourselves? 
We are a roots rock band with some punk and world music influence.

Who are your main influences musically?
Jimi Hendrix, JJ Cal, Eric Clapton, Fishbone and Rancid.

What do you hope to achieve in music? 
We would like to achieve some success so we can quit our day jobs.

What has been the highlight of your career so far, and why? 
Recording our demo, the climax of hard work over the past year has been a great sense of accomplishment for us.

And what’s the moment you want to forget? 
A project where the leader quit without much notice, leaving us to do our own thing. "Our own thing” turned out to be the best thing. 

If you had to pick just one of your songs to represent your music, what would it be and why?
Get Down showcases our singing and song-writing abilities.

Where can we listen to it?


Where can we find out more about your music?
Instagram: @bowlacheats

Sunday 29 June 2014

Katy Lied Q&A

Your name: 
Jasmin Homer & Julian Hutson-Saxby.

Where are you from? 
Bristol, UK.

Name of band: 
Katy Lied.

Who is in your band? 
Jasmin Homer- vocals and songwriter.
Julian Huston-Saxby- guitarist/producer/songwriter.  
Pete Lendvai- Bassist
Ben Ede- Drummer
We are currently looking for a keyboardist, cellist, and backing singers, male and female!

How would you describe yourselves? 
We would describe ourselves as an original pop/rock band with subtle Celtic and tribal influences in our music. Our songs are very hook and rhythm driven.
We have been writing for the past year and a half, and feel our music as a personal and raw emotive quality because the songs we have written are all based on personal experience, causes and topics we strongly believe in or feel people can relate to. Well we hope so anyway!!

Who are your main influences musically? 
Wow! We have so many ranging from 70s to what’s in the charts now! Currently we are really into London Grammar and Colour the Atlas but some of our biggest influences would have to be the greats such as Aretha Franklin, Joe Satriani etc... We could go on forever!!

What do you hope to achieve in music? 
I think for us our main goal is to be able to keep creating music that people can enjoy and relate to that has real instruments in it and has strong musicality. We want to bring back music that budding singers and guitarists, young musicians of any kind, can look up to and feel inspired by.

What has been the highlight of your career so far, and why? 
We only formed in summer 2013 so we have not been on the scene long, but our highlight so far has been told that in the next two weeks our first original live acoustic song ‘Black’ we will be featured on BBC 6 Introducing Mixtape with Tom Robinson… we are very excited about that.
It’s always such a lovely feeling to know that people are enjoying the music we are creating!!

And what’s the moment you want to forget? 
Oh, there’s many embarrassing moments we would like to forget, but one moment that really stands out was about six months ago. We were recording in the studio and thought it would be nice to take a break and go for a walk to get some fresh air. Jas was insistent about walking in the countryside in her onesie and wellies that were about four sizes to big!
To cut to the chase, Jas ended up stuck in a bog in a swede field and started sinking, and as she tried to move she kept falling into the muddy puddles that were ice cold!! When Julian was trying to help her out she nearly pulled him over as well!
It took ages to get back to the studio, and by that point we were all soaked through and Jas’s onesie was ringing wet and covered in mud, her wellies full to the top with icy water!
As she was so dirty we got the hose pipe and sprayed her down until all the mud came off!!! We couldn’t have had her walking into the studio like that!!
For Jas I think that would be a memory she would happily forget, although we all found it a great laugh!!  

If you had to pick just one of your songs to represent your music, what would it be and why? 
As we are a new band, we have only released one live acoustic track and a few demo snippets of our music. I do think however our live track ‘Black does represent us very well as it is a personal song that means a lot to us and we feel that many people may be able to relate to.

Where can we listen to it?


Where can we find out more about your music? 

Inlaze Q&A

Name of band: 
Inlaze.

Where are you from?
Middle Earth (Near Leeds).

Who is in your band?  Cauley, Ollie, Tom and Joe.

How would you describe yourselves?
A passionate glaze of fuzz and emotion ready to flood your ear canal.

Who are your main influences musically?
Allusondrugs, Nirvana, Foo Fighters, Queens of the Stone Age, The 90’s, Biffy Clyro, Dinosaur Pile-Up, Basement, Daylight, etc.

What do you hope to achieve in music?
To summon Kurt Cobain from the grave.

What has been the highlight of your career so far, and why?
It was the summer of 92. The grunge movement was really starting to make an impact on the music industry. We were on tour with Nirvana and Dave told me he like my shoes. It was the happiest I’d ever been...

And what’s the moment you want to forget?
...until he said ‘NOT!’ 

If you had to pick just one of your songs to represent your music, what would it be and why?
Our new single, ‘Shallow’, because teen angst.

Where can we listen to it?



Where can we find out more about your music? 
Anything else you’d like to say that I forgot to ask?
You should all check out these local bands, they’re all really cool guys! Allusondrugs, Parklands, Beesley, Treason Kings, Fizzy Blood, Keeper, Lost Ground, Yawning Dog.

Friday 27 June 2014

Jonny Debt finally scratch a seven-year itch

CANADIAN rock outfit Jonny Debt have released the single Purple Heart.

Frontman Jonny, from Hamilton, Ontario, told RealSoundsOK: "It's a track that has sat dormant for years, seven years to be exact. I wrote the first track while dating my high school girlfriend and opened the song back up when we recently got back together.

"In addition to young love it's about living in the moment, trusting your imagination and fighting the dark side of your psyche from eating away at your creativity. In order to remain in the moment, we recorded live off the floor. Songs usually mean many things. Recording anything let's you know how short life is, and music needs to remind you of that."

You can listen to the track below and for more on the band visit jonnydebt.com

King Kash Q&A

Photography by Chris Brink
Your name:
King Kash.

Where are you from?:
Walthamstow, London.

How would you describe yourself?
I'm a rapper and producer and I make hip hop music. Growing up in East London I had the benefit of meeting people of different backgrounds and cultures this has helped in both shaping the production of my music and my outlook in terms of my approach to writing.

Who are your main influences musically?
Dr Dre played a very big influence in my life growing up. He has great attention to detail and sound and I try to emulate that ethos of making music to the highest possible calibre. As far as rappers Krs One, 2pac, Nas, are all influences of mine I admire their candid takes on life, they don't sugarcoat the message they're trying to get across therefore their music connects. Even outside of hip hop I really a big fan of George Clinton's work - that guy is a genius!

What do you hope to achieve in music?
To put on my own world tour! Even in this unpredictable social media digital-age of music, one constant since even before the days of vinyl was people's willingness to go out and enjoy live entertainment if they felt it appealed to them. I don't see that need going away anytime soon. I think it would also be great for me to know my music can really cross different cultures and borders.

What has been the highlight of your career so far, and why?
Good question! I would probably say last year when i put on my biggest headline show to date. I've had got a lot of grass roots support and a lot of people discover who I am through my live shows and to see that all come together was a great feeling.

And what’s the moment you want to forget?
I forgot the lyrics to one of my songs one time, which was embarrassing to say the least...

If you had to pick just one of your songs to represent your music, what would it be and why?
I would probably say "Push It Forward", however this is a track that hasn't been released yet - there's only a live performance video of it. It tells of my journey so far and the underlying message of continually pushing towards your end goal is something that I have lived by both inside and outside the music industry. 

Where can we listen to it? 
King Kash Live Performance @ RichMix, Shoredtich: http://youtu.be/dUkSGX2dlK0


Where can we find out more about your music? 

Anything else you’d like to say that I forgot to ask?
Look out for my next single, which will be released at the end of Summer!

The Stone Angels Q&A

Your name: 
Dan Hughes.

Where are you from? 
Torquay.

Name of band: 
The Stone Angels.

Who else is in your band?  
Dan Hughes - Lead Vocals & Guitar, Jamie Kennedy - Bass Guitar, Sam McIver - Drums

How would you describe yourselves? 
We would describe ourselves as a classic rock band with a modern twist.  'A band with a powerful performance and a classic vibe' Deuce Management & Promotions. 

Who are your main influences musically? 
The Beatles, Jimi Hendrix, The Rolling Stones, Red Hot Chili Peppers, The Darkness, Lenny Kravitz, The Killers, Thin Lizzy,Muse, Led Zeppelin! All of the greats basically.

What do you hope to achieve in music? 
As much as possible so that music can be our careers.

What has been the highlight of your career so far, and why? 
We opened the 'South West Music Awards 2013' in Exeter and were also nominated for the 'Best Breakthrough' Award. Numerous airplay across the USA and England.

And what’s the moment you want to forget? 
Nothing apart from a disastrous journey home from a gig in August 2013! Best left to the imagination!

If you had to pick just one of your songs to represent your music, what would it be and why? 
Any song from our new EP that we are in the process of recording. Our debut album wasn't really 'us' as we have had had several line up changes since.

Where can we find out more about your music? 

Thursday 26 June 2014

Mabel Greer's Toyshop Q&A

Your name: 
Robert Hagger (drums).

Where are you from? 
London, UK.

Name of band: 
Mabel Greer’s Toyshop.

Who else is in your band?
Current members: Clive Bayley (lead guitar and vocals) and Hugo Barré (bass guitar and keyboards). 
Earlier members: Chris Squire, Peter Banks, Jon Anderson, Tony Kaye and Bill Bruford.

How would you describe yourselves? 
The band "YES" was previously known as the psychedelically named Mabel Greer's Toyshop (MGT). An English progressive rock band formed in London in 1966 by Clive Bayley and Robert Hagger. The group morphed into the band “Yes” in July 1968, but recently reformed with 2 of its 3 founding members (Bayley & Hagger).
In October 1967 the band played on John Peel’s radio programme, Night Ride at the BBC. Some of the tracks later showed up on a compilation from Peter Banks, “The Roots of Yes” included the original recording of “Beyond and Before” - the song also featured on the first Yes album.
One of the last gig's for MGT was May 2, 1968, in Highgate, London. The line-up was Chris Squire, Jon Anderson, Peter Banks, Clive Bayley and Bob Hagger. The night was described by Bob on the inside cover of the CD “The Word is Live” released in 2008 on the 40th anniversary of the band. Bill Bruford replaced Bob Hagger in July 1968 and Mabel Greer’s Toyshop became “Yes”. Clive then left  the band in late 1968.

Who are your main influences musically? 
Pink Floyd, The Byrds, The Doors.

What do you hope to achieve in music? 
Clive and Bob met up again in 2013 after 45 years and went into the studio to test the old sound. They teamed up with bass player Hugo Barré and the result is a combination of new versions of old MGT songs and new material, planned for release late in 2014.
We think it will be enjoyed by YES fans and others that enjoy classic, progressive and psychedelic rock.

What has been the highlight of your career so far, and why? 
Playing alongside Chris Squire, Peter Banks and Jon Anderson, it was a very creative process.

And what’s the moment you want to forget? 
Everything is a new experience, no regrets, no forgets!

If you had to pick just one of your songs to represent your music, what would it be and why?
It’s on the new album planned for release later this year.

Where can we listen to it?
It will be available worldwide soon...

Where can we find out more about your music?

Anything else you’d like to say that I forgot to ask?
Will there be any future gigs? – Possibly, when we get the new album finished we would love to play it live. The band will decide later this year...

François Q&A

Your name: 
Luke Oliver James.

Where are you from?
Portsmouth, UK.

Name of band:
François.

Who else is in your band?
Just me.

How would you describe yourself?
Dreamy, all of the music I produce is very chilled. 

Who are your main influences musically?
Foals, RY-X, The Acid, James Blake, Chet Faker.

What do you hope to achieve in music?
I hope to one day travel playing my songs and leave people with a smile on there face.

What has been the highlight of your career so far, and why?
Being aired on BBC Radio 6 Music, because my track was introduced by Tom Robinson which was a very proud moment.

And what’s the moment you want to forget?
None so far, hopefully it will stay that way, but who knows? Ha ha.

If you had to pick just one of your songs to represent your music, what would it be and why?
Last Night I Fell - the first song I ever produced, because it was the point when I realised this is what I want, after being in bands before, it made me want to further this project

Where can we listen to it?


Where can we find out more about your music?

Anything else you’d like to say that I forgot to ask?
You can catch me playing live supporting Eloise Keating at The Spinnaker Tower on the 14th August.


Wednesday 25 June 2014

Transcend with Time Q&A

Your name:
My name is Mark Mendieta.

Where are you from?
I am from Brownsville, Texas.

Name of band:
Transcend with Time

Who else is in your band? 
This is a solo project.

How would you describe yourself?
As for me personally, I would describe myself as a thinker, doer, and perfectionist. As for my project Transcend with Time, the music can best be described as progressive New Age/ambient. I tend to draw inspiration from personal events thus adding an intimate element to the music, but all entwined within the New Age/ambient spectrum.
 
Who are your main influences musically?
My main influences are Dream Theater, David Arkenstone, Symphony X, and Jon O’ Bergh.

What do you hope to achieve in music?
Well, I am not going to lie, but I would like to make a name for myself within the music business; however, if I never achieve that type of success, that’s okay.
I would also enjoy the opportunity to make music for films, TV, games, etc. as I really believe my music coincides with those formats.
Another would be having my music connect with fans. For me personally, one of the biggest satisfactions I take is when listeners/fans compliment me on my music. That itself is what being a musician is all about.

What has been the highlight of your career so far, and why?
Well, I would have to say still being a musician. Being that I started this project in 2006 and having released six albums to this date is an accomplishment itself, but being an independent artist is very difficult these days. You have to be musician, promoter, etc., but I would not trade this for anything. Music is my passion, and I will continue doing it until the desire is no longer there.
Another highlight would be that Transcend with Time’s music has been featured worldwide in stations like New Age Stars, Syndae, Night Tides with Renee Blanche, Radio Mystic, Sirius XM “Chill” channel, etc., and my latest album When Emotions Fade was awarded the Best Alternative New Age Album of the Year at New Age Music Odyssey (http://btfasmer.com/2013/12/29/best-alternative-new-age-music-album-2013/)

And what’s the moment you want to forget?
All the tragedy I’ve been through...

If you had to pick just one of your songs to represent your music, what would it be and why?
It would have to be the song As The Angels Tread from my 2012 album The Calling Whisper. I definitely believe that song displayed all of the traits that can be found within my music. Emotional, dramatic, intimate, but most importantly, heart-felt.

Where can we listen to it?
You can listen to my music at www.transcendwithtime.bandcamp.com as I have listed my entire discography there.


Where can we find out more about your music?
Places to purchase my albums
“When Emotions Fade”

“Through Memory’s Perception”

“Reflections of the Soul”

“A Voice of Calmness”

Anything else you’d like to say that I forgot to ask?
I would just like to thank you for providing me with this wonderful opportunity to introduce myself to your readers throughout the world. I hope they will be intrigued with my music and want to check it out.

Flying Cape Experience Q&A

Your name: 
Akira & Jo Annah.

Where are you from? 
Finland.

Name of band: 
Flying Cape Experience.

Who else is in your band? 
Just the two of us. And a few spirits who talk through us.

How would you describe yourselves? 
Jo: Our music? We've described our music a psychedelic therapy. For me personally creating songs is therapy. It is also very spiritual, magical. I feel I'm deeply attached to everything inside and outside during all creative processes. Therefore our music is emotional. 
Akira: At times our music making is self-therapeutic. Sometimes it's very bad therapy, hah! Music just comes from some place, it's like it always already had been there in every possible form and we would just let it to be heard. That's what it is at best, like channelling.
Jo: Yes, just like he said.

Who are your main influences musically? 
Jo: I love silence and the sounds of nature. Life is so hectic. I listen to music very little. We both like rock bands like Stone Temple Pilots, Nirvana, Soundgarden etc. We like The Verve and some of the brit pop bands. We like NIN, TOOL, Deftones, Elliott Smith, Mew, Beck, Massive Attack, Radiohead…We like a lot of music from different genres. We have listened to lot of 60's and 70's music in our childhood, maybe some influences has come from there subconsciously. I really can't say that I hear any of the bands I mentioned in our music though.
Akira: What she said. I guess everything we've ever heard has had an influence on us. The variation between different genres has been so diverse, so it's hard to pick any. Well, one of my early childhood memories include listening to Abbey Road on my own cassette player, and it sounded miraculous! I had no idea of any instruments, this magic just flooded from the speaker!

What do you hope to achieve in music? 
Akira: To be able to continue creating it. 
Jo: To be able to continue to love creating it.

What has been the highlight of your career so far, and why? 
Akira: Some of the album reviews have been so very beautiful and touching, it's been the biggest highlight, to touch people.
Jo: Yes, it has been amazing…that so many people have understood us "right". And for me the highlights are when a new song is born, when the melodies and the chords find each other, those are the most touching moments. And when someone says he's/she's been touched about our music and has had a relief in his/her life through our songs. Those are the super-highlights. 
And, not to forget all the amazing warm-hearted and talented people we have met after we released our first album. Love to The Shoegaze Collective! The support from there has been invaluable, not to mention all the new friends we've had a chance to get to know around the world from the collective. We also found ourselves soul mates from there, and it led us to collaborate with them. Our newest release, a split ep "8" with Joaquim Barato was born that way.

And what’s the moment you want to forget? 
We value all moments.

If you had to pick just one of your songs to represent your music, what would it be and why?
Akira: I'd pick I Love You, as it is the first song we ever made together. Jo sang most of the vocals first and the rest just happened, that represents us well because we just let it out. None of our songs represents our music as a whole, as at least we think that all of our songs have so far been pretty different from each other, and by some coincidence it just happens to be that way.
Jo: I'd pick that too or Unfold. It describes our music a lot. It is calm and it is like a journey. The song actually is about journeys. 

Where can we listen to it? 
Our debut album "Let's sing more about the eyes" and our newest release, a split EP "8" are here: 



Where can we find out more about your music? 
We are active on Facebook. We have a Twitter account, but we are too busy and too dinosaurs for that ;)