Tuesday 28 April 2015

Lyel Q&A

Your name: 
I am Lyel :)

Where are you from?
I am from Garmisch-Partenkirchen, a small town in the Bavarian Alps in South Germany. I have lived in Helsinki, Finland, since summer 2008 working on my music.

How would you describe yourself and your music?
I think I am bit of a perfectionist with everything I do but but at the same time my mind can be up in the clouds a lot -  very active and constantly creating.
Sometimes this makes it hard to focus on one thing only and get stuff finished, like a simple song arrangement for example. But with the right team you can work out any missing peace I suppose and I am grateful for the production team I am allowed to work with at this point plus meditation and a healthy diet helps a lot to stay focused. I'd like to describe my music as  honest, melodic and unfuzzy.

Who are your main influences musically?

I have grown up with a lot of the old rock legends like Pink Floyd, Supertramp, Dire Straits since my mom quite dragged me along heh. I love that kind of stuff but generally it depends very much on my mood and circumstance what music I'd like to listen to. I believe in good music so there isn't any particular genre I'd like to wrap my mind around. Important to me is the right sound, great vibes and a good message. I always adored Maggy Reilly and Tori Amos for their vocals and musical talent but I also do love to listen to more heavy stuff now and then like Alcest, Pantera and such. Mike Oldfield is one of my heroes when it comes to guitar sounds and songwriting while in the indie and elctro-pop corner, I'd like to listen to artists like The sounds, ToveLo, CHVRES or BeBe Rexha for example. I get a lot of inspiration from soundtracks too. I guess I take my inspiration from many corners and the list could go on forever so better stop somewhere :)

What do you hope to achieve in music?

Music for me always has been about expressing and connecting with others and myself. I believe music brings people together and that's exactly what I'd like to do - since I believe what our planet needs now more than ever is togetherness. I'd like to distribute my music globally if I can and hope to play many life shows in the future. I love travelling but didn't take time to go anywhere for many years since I've focused to make my music what it is today. I wouldn't do it any different if I could do it all over again but touring and recording more music would absolutely be something I hope to do more in the future. It's all I ever wanted, as long as I can remember.

What has been the highlight of your career so far, and why?

I'd say it was the moment I realised it was all worth it, the moment everything made sense. Every sleepless night, those many times my fridge had been empty or days spent homesick. I've risked it all and that day it started making sense, the puzzle peaces slowly came together. I was on stage for my release - the first gig of Lyel which had been just two weeks ago here in Helsinki. The band had started playing first notes of the first song of the set and I thought to myself, 'What am I doing here? What made me think I could do this? This is way too big for me'. I was scared and excited at the same time. People who counted on me were in the audience and on stage so I panicked. But as soon as I started singing first vocal lines, looked into those smiling faces in front of me, it was all like wiped away. All my fear and doubts, gone. I knew this is what I wanted to do for the rest of my life and I had so much fun. It was a great first show. Not perfect but worth it.

And what’s the moment you want to forget?

I was on stage with the latest band-project of mine, before I started focusing on my solo career last year. We were participating in a band contest and we haven't had much time to practice the set. Additionally I totally blacked out during the first song and messed up my whole performance and for some reason you couldn't hear half of our instruments in the audience as people told me afterwards so the sound was horrible. My new in-ears decided to fail on me as well so I couldn't hear myself very well or not at all basically and I just wanted to disappear. I think contests in general never really been my thing, they always kind of freaked me out. I believe music shouldn't be competition anyways and after this contest, I decided to never take part in any band contest such as this again haha even though I was happy about this opportunity.

If you had to pick just one of your songs to represent your music, what would it be and why?

That's an easy one. My debut single was just released on April 3rd and the song is called Waterproof. It def. speaks best for the sound of this project at this point. We are currently working on more music and a second single is planned for release this summer.

Where can we listen to it?

https://soundcloud.com/lyelmusic/waterproof-1



Where can we find out more about your music?

http://facebook.com/lyelmusic
http://twitter.com/lyelmusic
http://instagram.com/lyelmusic
http://soundcloud.com/lyelmusic
https://lyelmusic.wordpress.com

Anything else you’d like to say about your music that I forgot to ask?

Music was my first love. It's magic.

Multiplier Q&A

Picture by Trust A Fox Photography
Your name:
Phil Hartley (guitar).

Where are you from?
Manchester.

Name of band:
Multiplier.

Who else is in your band?
Andy Gardner on vocals, Danny Callaghan bass and Rod McFarlane on drums.

How would you describe yourselves and your music?
Moody and melodic, loud and quiet. Rich passionate vocals, guitar that shimmers and roars, pounding yet melodic bass and driving drums that interweave the songs rather than merely act as a foundation. Indie, pop, rock, post-rock, shoegaze, it’s all in there, somewhere.

Who are your main influences musically?
Our collective influences are all over the place and we each have our own influences and fave bands. We all come together and agree on bands such as early Radiohead, Doves, Elbow and The Chameleons. We certainly don’t actively try to sound like anyone else, but equally we’re not offended by comparisons. I read somewhere that being in a band is a compromise and it is, but hopefully something unique comes from all the disparate influences we have.

What do you hope to achieve in music?
To be honest, we just want to be the best we can be. We’re serious about what we do without taking ourselves too seriously. Of course we want people to be into what we do, but if the extent of that is a good reaction at a gig, that’ll do. Anything else is a bonus

What has been the highlight of your career so far, and why?
Our debut at The Deaf Institute in Manchester (my fave venue) opening for I Like Trains was special, but also playing Night & Day recently was terrific for the reaction and feedback we received.

And what’s the moment you want to forget?
Probably the most disappointing time was when we were given a support slot for a band that me and Rod really admired but they turned out to be a bunch of c***s! Never meet your heroes as the saying goes!

If you had to pick just one of your songs to represent your music, what would it be and why?
There are a few we’ve yet to record that are even more representative of what we do, but probably Choice from our new EP.  It’s moody, full of dynamics and light and shade but it is also very melodic.

Where can we listen to it?



Where can we find out more about your music? 
https://multiplier.bandcamp.com/releases - Our EP will be available for streaming or high quality download from May 11th.

Anything else you’d like to say about your music that I forgot to ask?
Our debut three-track EP is released as a very limited CD on May 9th and we envisage that it will only be available at the launch show on that day - details on our Facebook page. It can be downloaded from our Bandcamp page from May 11th.

Introducing Conor Dardis

EMERGING suburban folk artist Conor Dardis has shared a series of tracks.

The Dublin-born singer-songwriter - now living in Preston, Lancashire - got in touch with RealSoundsOK to tell us about his music.

He said: "My songs are set in the working class suburban Dublin of my formative years. They depict everyday local characters as the negotiate life's various pressures and challenges.

"The stories and themes could be pulled from the pages of an evening newspaper - singing about railway stations, butcher shops and endless cups of tea.

"The songs lack sentimentality and instead capture those small neighbourhood details that typically slip through the cracks. The whispered conversations at the pub about the couple whose marriage is floundering. Or the rumour about the wild kid who has found unlikely and fleeting calm in a new girlfriend."

You can listen yourself below and catch up with on on Twitter @cjdardis.

New single from Friday Night Trend

FRIDAY Night Trend have put out their new single Wasted Youth along with a video.

Reid Soper from the band told RealSoundsOK the track is a hopeful look towards summer after a "brutal winter" in Toronto, Canada.

He said: "This song is the perfect soundtrack to uninhibited summer nights and a promising sign of things to come.

"Running, biking or walking while the party never stops ... Bellwoods Park, Bayfront, streetcars, College Street, Queen Street, all of the neighbourhoods and underpasses through what seems like the entirety of the city."

That's his description of the video in the three-minute blast of pop rock.

Reid adds: "Friday Night Trend is my attempt at a personal evolution. It's also part of the result of working alongside producer/multi-instrumentalist Derek Hoffman at Fox Sounds that's led me to create more refined lyrical content while still delivering uncompromisingly infectious hooks."

You can watch the video for Wasted Youth below and for more head to facebook.com/fridaynighttrend

Monday 27 April 2015

Mo Evans Q&A

Your name: 
Mo Evans.

Where are you from?
I'm from Scotland!

Name of band:
I call them the nonsense, but generally speaking the band and I are under Mo Evans.

How would you describe yourselves?
I'll leave that to the listeners I think. Quite honestly I don't know how I'd describe myself...confused?

Who are your main influences musically?
Influences? Album wise at the moment I've really loved Bombay Bicycle Club's new album, or Ben Howard's, quite recently got into Gillian Welch too. However my most common comparison is Jeff Buckley, which is nice as I'm a pretty big fan of his.

What do you hope to achieve in music?
I'd like to have people enjoy listening to my music. Would be nice to do it for a living.

What has been the highlight of your career so far, and why?
Highlight of my career would probably be the lovely people I've met through it. There is some amazing talent out there and I've had the pleasure of working with some of the best, both personality and musically.

And what’s the moment you want to forget?
The moment I want to forget? Working in retail.

If you had to pick just one of your songs to represent your music, what would it be and why?
Well, that's tough as you will have only heard four songs of mine. I'm always changing the way I write so I couldn't tell you. But let's just say the second track of my EP 'Close My Eyes' purely because I've really enjoyed performing it live recently. How's that?

Where can we listen to it?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n39ap2ewCmc

Where can we find out more about your music?
www.moevans.com
www.facebook.com/MohanEvansMusic
https://soundcloud.com/moevansmusic
https://twitter.com/moevansmusic
https://itunes.apple.com/gb/artist/mo-evans/id936763656


Video for Enchanteresse from Scattered Clouds

Picture by Francesco de Gallo
EXPERIMENTAL trio Scattered Clouds have released the video for their new single Enchanteresse.

It is taken from the Hull, Quebec, band's first full length The First Empire, which was released via E-Tron Records on April 21st.

They told RealSoundsOK: "The video is a visual collage of found imagery compiled by our friend and collaborator Mike Dubue. It opens up feelings of internal tension, exploring themes of self and identity."

Scattered Clouds has evolved from a home solo project into a three-piece - Philippe Charbonneau, Pierre-Luc Clément and Jamie Kronick - who say their music "sits somewhere between pop songs and the spirit of experimental noise".

Watch the video below and visit scatteredcloudsmusic.com for more.


Video from Quiet Lions ahead of new EP

ALT-rock quartet Quiet Lions have announced they will release their EP No Illusions later this year.

In the meantime the London/Brighton band have given us the video for The Wolves Of The Capital to keep us going.

Frontman Michael Williams told RealSoundsOK: "I wrote this song while working at a previous job. It is basically about my boss and his associates. The company grew rapidly after the dissolution of several competitors only for its growth to be 'too quick', which eventually led to its downfall.

"They preyed on the carcasses of other companies, hiring people on false promises only to let them go when they had what they needed. They displayed a total lack of compassion and any humanistic qualities.

"We hope a lot of people will be able to associate with the video for the track as it's about workplace dynamics and we've all had a terrible boss or two."

You can watch the video below and also catch them live at The Great Escape festival in Brighton on May 15th. Visit facebook.com/quietlions for more.

Right On video from DAVIDS

ELECTRO artist DAVIDS has released a video for the single Right On.

It is the third track taken from the Canadian's first EP 0613EP.

DAVIDS told RealSoundsOK that he hates appearing in videos, so hired black metal band Apocryphal Avulsion to appear instead.

You can watch the video below and with a new EP in the offing, DAVIDS has made his current one available for free here.

Visit facebook.com/DAVIDSmusicdotca for more.


Next Great American Novelist Q&A

Your name:
Sean Cahill (songwriter and band leader).

Where are you from?
We are a New York City band and perform mostly here in town: Lower East Side, Brooklyn, at the bottom of the Hudson River. 

Name of band:
The Next Great American Novelist. Or for brevity, N.G.A.N.

Who else is in your band? 
Jason Cummings, bassist as well as the in-house producer at the Cutting Room studios. Anthony Spinnato, manager at The Cutting Room on drums. We are a power trio.

How would you describe yourselves and your music?
Along the lines of indie folk and rock music. Throw back to classic 1960's sound of the Beatles with lots vocal harmonies. We are influenced by 90's alternative sounds: Nirvana, Elliott Smith and Weezer. 

Who are your main influences musically?
David Bazan of Pedro The Lion, Dirty Projectors, the Beatles and American realist literature.

What do you hope to achieve in music?
Inspiring people to live there lives and to create a feeling of connection. Success for us is reaching a broad audience and touring around the world.

What has been the highlight of your career so far, and why?
Performing at the Rose Bowl in California. Our album release show at the Bitter End in Greenwich village. Pressing our first album to vinyl and releasing it independently.

And what’s the moment you want to forget?
Performing with old acoustic guitars that refuse to stay in tune. The feeling of being too drunk to play the song...

If you had to pick just one of your songs to represent your music, what would it be and why?
Our title track, the Next Great American Novelist. It captures and blends comic book-style lyrics with folk music and classical composition.

Where can we listen to it?



Where can we find out more about your music?
Check our website www.tngan.com and follow the links on our home page to connect with us on social media. 

Anything else you’d like to say about your music that I forgot to ask?
Support independent music and buy our vinyl directly from our website: www.tngan.com/vinyl.html Come out to one of our shows. Words: Love: Music.


Tuesday 21 April 2015

Phil Cohen Q&A

Your name:
Phil Cohen.

Where are you from?
I'm from Westford, Vermont but I live in Brooklyn, NY. 

Who else is in your band?
My drummer/producer is Matthew Vitti from Mother Brother Studios and I have a couple other people that I play with off and on.

How would you describe yourselves and your music?
I describe my music as indie folk if you wanna get it down to a couple words, and I'm big on lyrics but I don't like the sound of singer-songwriter. The album I put out has a strong country/blue grass feel in a lot of it, but that wasn't really the intent with the songs when I wrote them, which is totally cool with me.

Who are your main influences musically?
I'm an insatiable Bob Dylan fan and then the river runs wide after that. I was really into Bright Eyes in high school and the 90's radio stuff (Green Day, Offspring, Nirvana, RHCP). Then I found Alkaline Trio, which I hold near and dear to me still to this day. The first two Against Me albums are amazing. I can listen to Buddy Holly songs all day no problem. I love the way John Prine and Mississippi John Hurt play guitar. 

What do you hope to achieve in music?
I hope to make a decent living touring and playing/writing music. I've gotten so much out of it already that I wouldn't be sad if the big break never came, although I would welcome it with open arms if it did. I like the cultural and intellectual exchange of playing songs for a intimate group of people who are actually interested. Gives me a chance to show a little more about myself than I'm usually willing to reveal.

What has been the highlight of your career so far, and why?
I got to open for Grace Potter and the Nocturnals a few years back which was great because we were both drop outs of St. Lawrence University and we got to play a show back on the old turf. They were nice enough to drop the opening band to let me play the show, which might have been because they didn't have to pay me as much, but I could be wrong. Either way, it was amazing. I don't think I've ever been so scared to do anything else in my life than get on that stage.

And what’s the moment you want to forget?
I'm not a big fan of forgetting anything. I'd like to shake some feeling from some exchanges I've had with people along the way, but nothing stands out as terrible yet. The music world has been pretty kind to me thus far, though I haven't tested its deeper waters yet.

If you had to pick just one of your songs to represent your music, what would it be and why?
I would pick Coming Down with Roses because it's a time piece from when I first moved to New York and it gives me a pretty good idea of how far I've come in the almost six years I've been here. That song sounds like a little worried 20-year-old no matter what way you cut it, but there's a pretty good chunk of myself still in there that I like reflecting on. It's the best journal song. Like I said, I don't like forgetting things, and that one packs a pretty big punch for such a short song.

Where can we listen to it?


Where can we find out more about your music?

Tuath Q&A

Your name:
Rob Mulhern.

Where are you from?
Galway.

Name of band: 
Tuath.

Who else is in your band? 
Ashley Mobasser (sax), Shane McFadden (live drums) and Noel Perry (live bass).

How would you describe yourselves and your music?
Weird fuckers. Our music is spacey and progressive, our first EP is very shoegaze.

Who are your main influences musically?
Robert: Wes Borland and Tool, bitta Deftones.
Ashley: John Zorn/Miles Davis.

What do you hope to achieve in music?
To try and subvert the current status quo.

What has been the highlight of your career so far, and why?
Playing at an event hosted by Irish Burners.

And what’s the moment you want to forget?
Playing acoustic on the radio, we sucked and it was all out of tune.

If you had to pick just one of your songs to represent your music, what would it be and why?
Ocras, the first track off our EP. It's got little bits of all of the things that we flirt with.



Where can we find out more about your music? 
www.twitter.com/tuathband

Anything else you’d like to say about your music that I forgot to ask?
Our EP is self produced ,all our music will be so. :D

Saturday 18 April 2015

Feral Mantra Q&A

Band name: 
Feral Mantra.

Where are you from? 

Doncaster/Sheffield.

Who is in your band? 

Danny, Biff, Ash, James.

How would you describe yourselves and your music? 

Music makers/risk takers, making indie- pop-dream rock.

Who are your main influences musically? 

Marc Bolan, Ziggy Stardust with a pinch of UB40.

What do you hope to achieve in music?

World domination.

What has been the highlight of your career so far, and why? 

Playing music together every day.

And what’s the moment you want to forget?

The moment we forgot who we were, it was brief.

If you had to pick just one of your songs to represent your music, what would it be and why? 

We do a fusion cover of Insomnia and Better Off Alone, two trance classics made into an energetic lucid dream, but you'll have to see us live for that.

Where can we listen to it?

Here's our latest demo It Became Sudden - soundcloud.com/feralmantra



Where can we find out more about your music?

twitter.com/feralmantra
facebook.com/pages/Feral-Mantra/187205627996550

Anything else you’d like to say about your music that I forgot to ask? 

That's as much as we'll say... you have to come watch us play.

Elephant Memoirs release debut single Mug

ALT indie rock band Elephant Memoirs have released their single Mug.

It is the Gateshead trio's first release and is available for free on their Soundcloud page.

The band - John Aspinall (guitar, vox), Barry Drew (drums) and Carl Aspinall (bass) have been making a name for themselves in recent times and have enjoyed significant airplay, including on BBC Radio 6 Music.

They are now planning to head into the studio to record an EP, which should be out later in the summer.

You can listen to Mug below and for more on the band visit facebook.com/elephantmemoirs


New video and EP from The Bandicoots

CANADIAN indie rockers The Bandicoots have released a video for their track Mind Your Manors.

They took the time to tell RealSoundsOK about the project, so here's what they said: "Having trouble finding Waldo? [It's actually Wally in the UK - Ed]. Well, we've got you covered in our latest video. 

"When we're not personally serenading you, we're on the prowl for the elusive man in the striped shirt. 

"Through the barrage of a spaghetti western showdown (that would make Clint Eastwood proud), and heated chase scenes (only slightly less exciting than an episode of Dog the Bounty Hunter), we catch your guy. Although, something tells us you don't really find Waldo - he finds you... but you'll have to see to find out."

The track is taken from the band's EP This Is Why We Can't Have Nice Things, which you can listen to below. For more head to facebook.com/TheBandicootsMusic

Five shows in one day for Palm Reader

HARDCORE outfit Palm Reader are attempting a pretty special feat - five shows in one day.

They're taking on the challenge to mark the launch of their second album, Beside The Ones We Love.

The band will kick off on Monday, May 4th, by playing at The Old Blue Last in Shoreditch, London, at 12.30pm before playing The Black Heart, in Camden, at 2.30pm.

Next up is The Windmill, in Brixton, at 4.30pm, then the Cricketers in Kingston at 8pm before finishing off at The Star in Guildford at 10pm.

A full line-up of bands will feature at each venue.

Frontman Josh McKeown told RealSoundsOK: "Everything about this band revolves around us pushing ourselves and this insane day will encapsulate our approach.

"It is by far the most ambitious challenge we've ever set ourselves and is undoubtedly one of the hardest things we'll ever try to pull off as a band. That said, it's going to be so much fun, so get your Oyster cards topped up and we'll see you there."

For more info head to facebook.com/wearepalmreader

36CF and Funeral For A Friend join Download bill

36 Crazyfists
A FRESH batch of bands have been added to the bill for this year's Download Festival.

Funeral For A Friend, Corrosion of Conformity, Carcass and RealSoundsOK favourite 36 Crazyfists [Get in! - Ed] are among 27 acts joining an already stellar line-up.

FFAF singer Matthew Davies-Kreye said: "Download is a festival very close to our hearts and we're thrilled to have been invited back this year alongside some amazing bands."

They will be joined by Yellowcard, Suicidal Tendencies, Lacuna Coil, Krokodil, Antemasque, Three Days Grace, Malefice, The Wild Lies, Upon A Burning Body, September Mourning, Von Hertzen Brothers and The Qemists.

Colour of Noise. LTNT, Blue Pills, Fidlar, Get Hot, Chunk! No Captain Chunk!, E of E, The Struts, Like A Storm, The Cadillac Three and The Lounge Kittens make up the new additions.

The festival takes place June 12-14 at Donington Park and will be headlined by Slipknot, Muse and Kiss with main support from Judas Priest, Faith No More and Motley Crue with Marilyn Manson, Slash, Enter Shikari, Five Finger Death Punch, Black Stone Cherry and A Day To Remember also on the bill.

For more information - including day splits and ticketing - visit downloadfestival.co.uk

Jess and the Bandits Q&A

Your name: 
Jess Clemmons.

Where are you from? 
Houston, Texas, and London, UK.

Name of band: 
Jess and the Bandits.

Who else is in your band?
Ricci Riccardi, Louis Riccardi, Dave Troke, and Steve Williams.

How would you describe yourselves? 
We are a contemporary country band.

Who are your main influences musically? 
Everyone from Stevie Wonder to Dolly Parton.

What do you hope to achieve in music? 
Our hope is to continue making albums, touring, and taking the world by storm!

What has been the highlight of your career so far, and why? 
There have been many highlights, but our highlight as a band was probably playing the Country to Country Festival and finding out that we filled the Brooklyn Bowl to capacity on both days and had a huge queue of people waiting to get in!

If you had to pick just one of your songs to represent your music, what would it be and why? 
It's hard to choose just one but it would probably be the new single 'You Can't Stop Me'. It gives you a really good idea of what the whole album is going to sound like.

Where can we listen to it?
www.jessandthebandits.com
Amazon: http://amzn.to/1w7EOev
iTunes: http://apple.co/1BKWKuO




Where can we find out more about your music?

www.jessandthebandits.com
www.twitter.com/jessthebandits
www.facebook.com/jessandthebandits
www.youtube.com/jessandthebandits
www.soundcloud.com/jessandthebandits
Amazon: http://amzn.to/1w7EOev
iTunes: http://apple.co/1BKWKuO

Anything else you’d like to say about your band/music that I forgot to ask? 

Our debut album 'Here We Go Again' is out now! Check our website for festivals and tour dates.

The Phantom Sound Q&A

Your name: 
Marisa Schlussel.

Where are you from? 
Los Angeles, California, but I currently live in North London, England.

Name of band: 
The Phantom Sound.

Who else is in your band? 
I am currently looking and putting something together...I would like to do some shows and then tour as much as possible soon...

How would you describe yourself and your music? 
I really like listening to punk and new wave music...music with a bit of truth and angst...and while the music itself isn't necessarily dirty, the lyrics I write are honest and come from a deep place...

Who are your main influences musically? 
I'm influenced by David Bowie, Chrissie Hynde, PJ Harvey, Roxy Music, and The Ramones...but, the list goes on and on...

What do you hope to achieve in music? 
I want a large number of people to hear my music, and then come to my shows...then, repeat the process...

What has been the highlight of your career so far, and why? 
The highlight has been being able to work with Ken Stringellow of The Posies...he produced the album and played on it, and I learned so much from him about music, and this whole process...I can't really put it into words. I would also have to add that having Clem Burke on board for drums has been a dream, and just all the musicians who played on the album, and put their mark on it...Pierre DeReeder, Frankie Siragusa, Jeffrey Spring...

And what’s the moment you want to forget? 
I have no regrets...or moments I would like to forget...just moments I feel I maybe could've done better, but...that's just because I am a perfectionist...

If you had to pick just one of your songs to represent your music, what would it be and why? 
I would pick the single,"Get to Me"....it's got lots of synth, lots of guitar, cool harmonies, mixed with honest words, and this is what my music is about, and what you can expect from the rest of the album...it's taking a moment in time and saying, "get the fuck up and dance...and maybe have a shout, while you're at it..."

Where can we listen to it? 
You can hear my debut single,"Get to Me", at SoundCloud here: https://soundcloud.com/the-phantom-sound/get-to-me  or, you can watch the video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=syfLsIlsa3I ...also, on my SoundCloud page there are links to Bandcamp, my website, and other places to find me at as well...!!



Anything else you’d like to say about your music that I forgot to ask?  
If you've got another question, I'd be happy to answer it...:)