Saturday 20 December 2014

Ralph's Top 10 Blogged Band Chart - 20.12.14


OK bands you know the score .....

the more hits your blog gets by the fans ..... 

the higher you go .....

So Tweet it, Facebook it .....

Generally and expose yourself .....






Now Mr Snuggles and I Have Been sitting with our heads down counting the hits on each blog to see who's got bands which place.  



The Top Ten Blogged Band Chart is played every Sunday 5-7pm on Radio KC as part of Ralph's Indie Show.










No 1...The Peace Collective





Ralph's no stranger to charity singles, having produced the Ralph's Life Double CD for the mental health charity Rethink. So it's no surprise he's donated his Bonio allowance for this month to the release of All Together Now by The Peace Collective.







No 2...Milton Star




Ralph's been checking out Scottish band Milton Star prior to giving their excellent track Salvation a spin this Sunday on his Radio KC Indie Show.

Milton Star are Alan Wyllie and Graeme Currie who write and record their unique blend of indie and dark country in a converted church in darkest Fife. 






No 3...Teenage Wildlife






Photo: The new Teenage Wildlife AA SIDE has hit iTunes. Most Beautiful Thing/The Last Great Live Affair. Get it here: 
https://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/most-beautiful-thing-last/id913694600Ralph played Most Beautiful Thing by Teenage Wildlife (the alter ego of London based musician John Wright) a couple of Sundays ago on the Radio KC Indie Show to some excellent feedback so therefor it's great to be able to bring you news that a new track has been released.


Come On and Shoot is an intricately layered track replete with smouldering vocals and an infusion of electronica - it's tight, smooth, funky yet sultry. 






No 4...The Little Secrets







Indie popsters The Little Secrets have just released All I Need and it's a gloriously exuberant piece of shiny pop which has already garnered critical acclaim and mainstream radio play. Janice Long was quoted as saying - "It's like having sunshine poured in your ears".








No 5...Apple Rabbits





Ralph's played Apple Rabbits a couple of times now on his Radio KC Show and; inquisitive as ever, decided to dig further. It's the alter ego of London musician Jay 
Fisher whose musical pedigree can be traced back to the mid 80's, moving from electronic music to singer songwriter and releasing his first album back in 1990.









No 6...Elephant Memoirs






Ralph recently gave Gateshead Indie rockers Elephant Memoirs a spin on his Radio KC Sunday Show and thought it'd be a good idea to take a look after some great feedback. 

Formed in 2013 by John AspinallBarry Drew and Carl Aspinall they've been working hard to create a catalogue of original material which they've been performing on a regular basis throughout the North east of England.







No 7...Filter Distortion




Due to Ralph's love of guitar type bands he's only occasionally reported on electronica, however on hearing Liverpool's Filter Distortion he's decided to buck that trend after the four piece finally emerged from a self-imposed year of confinement in a windowless room.  

The band set about producing their finest work yet, and have certainly achieved their aim with debut album Transition.  









No 8...MIR





One of Ralph's most Northerly favourites for plays on the Radio KC Sunday Show has been MIR, the ever evolving musical vehicle of ebullient Scottish singer/songwriter extraordinaire Miriam Campbell


Originally formed in 2012, there's now a new line-up about to play their first gig in The Market Bar in Inverness so it's as good a time as any for y'all to take a closer look and a listen to their 'Soul' EP.









Early 2013 Ralph highlighted the debut album by Cole Stacey & Joseph O' Keefe called On Hire and subsequent UK and European tour. Well since then they've been playlisted on BBC Radio 6 and have played Glastonbury, but that's not the best part as they've now re-invented themselves as India Electric Co and will be releasing a debut single Beirut on the 1st of December, plus supporting Midge Ure on his Breathe Again tour in 2015. To coincide with that India Electric Co will be releasing a debut album in March.






Little Brother Eli - EP cover art

Ralph's played Little Brother Eli a couple of times now on his Radio KC Indie Show, so it was with great interest that he heard they were crowdfunding the release of their next three singles.  Their bluesy eponymous debut EP was met with great critical acclaim and lead track Animal Blues is a firm favourite here in the kennel.



















Wednesday 17 December 2014

The Little Secrets



Now given that Edge Hill University is just 'up the road' from Ralph's kennel and The Farm's Carl Hunter (who is a senior lecturer at the university) heads up their newly formed record label The Label Recordings which has just recorded a track for Liverpool duo The Little Secrets, it's only fair he had a listen in.

Indie popsters The Little Secrets have just released All I Need and it's a gloriously exuberant piece of shiny pop which has already garnered critical acclaim and mainstream radio play. Janice Long was quoted as saying - "It's like having sunshine poured in your ears".











The Little Secrets formed in 2010 after meeting at The Cavern, Stacy was singing with another band when Kevin spotted her and decided to ‘steal’ her for his new project.  After two years of writing together and experimenting with different line-ups and sounds, the pair hit on their infectious slice of pop, echoing the likes of Glasgow's Camera Obscura and Ralph's long time favourites BMX Bandits (all the best Indie Pop comes from Scotland of course).  






“We asked ourselves what kind of songs would we like to hear and set about writing them” Kevin explains. “The songs are written as a true partnership, both musically and lyrically. The initial idea can start from either one of us and is then crafted further towards the sound we are trying to create, infusing as many of our influences as possible.”











As it's Christmas and Ralph's Radio KC Show is taken up with The Crimble Top 50 next week and his 100 'Best Of' extravaganza to celebrate his 100th Show on the 28th, it'll be the January 4th Sunday Indie Show before he'll be spinning All I Need, so be sure and tune in! 



Saturday 13 December 2014

Ralph's Top 10 Blogged Band Chart - 13.12.14

OK bands you know the score .....

the more hits your blog gets by the fans ..... 

the higher you go .....

So Tweet it, Facebook it .....

Generally and expose yourself .....






Now Mr Snuggles and I Have Been sitting with our heads down counting the hits on each blog to see who's got bands which place.  



The Top Ten Blogged Band Chart is played every Sunday 5-7pm on Radio KC as part of Ralph's Indie Show.










No 1...The Peace Collective





Ralph's no stranger to charity singles, having produced the Ralph's Life Double CD for the mental health charity Rethink. So it's no surprise he's donated his Bonio allowance for this month to the release of All Together Now by The Peace Collective.







No 2...Milton Star




Ralph's been checking out Scottish band Milton Star prior to giving their excellent track Salvation a spin this Sunday on his Radio KC Indie Show.

Milton Star are Alan Wyllie and Graeme Currie who write and record their unique blend of indie and dark country in a converted church in darkest Fife. 






No 3...Teenage Wildlife






Photo: The new Teenage Wildlife AA SIDE has hit iTunes. Most Beautiful Thing/The Last Great Live Affair. Get it here: 
https://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/most-beautiful-thing-last/id913694600Ralph played Most Beautiful Thing by Teenage Wildlife (the alter ego of London based musician John Wright) a couple of Sundays ago on the Radio KC Indie Show to some excellent feedback so therefor it's great to be able to bring you news that a new track has been released.


Come On and Shoot is an intricately layered track replete with smouldering vocals and an infusion of electronica - it's tight, smooth, funky yet sultry. 







No 4...Elephant Memoirs






Ralph recently gave Gateshead Indie rockers Elephant Memoirs a spin on his Radio KC Sunday Show and thought it'd be a good idea to take a look after some great feedback. 

Formed in 2013 by John AspinallBarry Drew and Carl Aspinall they've been working hard to create a catalogue of original material which they've been performing on a regular basis throughout the North east of England.






No 5...MIR





One of Ralph's most Northerly favourites for plays on the Radio KC Sunday Show has been MIR, the ever evolving musical vehicle of ebullient Scottish singer/songwriter extraordinaire Miriam Campbell


Originally formed in 2012, there's now a new line-up about to play their first gig in The Market Bar in Inverness so it's as good a time as any for y'all to take a closer look and a listen to their 'Soul' EP.





No 6...Apple Rabbits





Ralph's played Apple Rabbits a couple of times now on his Radio KC Show and; inquisitive as ever, decided to dig further. It's the alter ego of London musician Jay 
Fisher whose musical pedigree can be traced back to the mid 80's, moving from electronic music to singer songwriter and releasing his first album back in 1990.










Early 2013 Ralph highlighted the debut album by Cole Stacey & Joseph O' Keefe called On Hire and subsequent UK and European tour. Well since then they've been playlisted on BBC Radio 6 and have played Glastonbury, but that's not the best part as they've now re-invented themselves as India Electric Co and will be releasing a debut single Beirut on the 1st of December, plus supporting Midge Ure on his Breathe Again tour in 2015. To coincide with that India Electric Co will be releasing a debut album in March.




Little Brother Eli - EP cover art

Ralph's played Little Brother Eli a couple of times now on his Radio KC Indie Show, so it was with great interest that he heard they were crowdfunding the release of their next three singles.  Their bluesy eponymous debut EP was met with great critical acclaim and lead track Animal Blues is a firm favourite here in the kennel.










No 9...Filter Distortion




Due to Ralph's love of guitar type bands he's only occasionally reported on electronica, however on hearing Liverpool's Filter Distortion he's decided to buck that trend after the four piece finally emerged from a self-imposed year of confinement in a windowless room.  

The band set about producing their finest work yet, and have certainly achieved their aim with debut album Transition.  









No 10...The Inkhearts


North West band The Inkhearts are due to release two tracks - Temper Temper and Uptight - by digital download on November 17th of this very year.



The Inkhearts formed in 2010 when the members, then young teenagers, were introduced to each other at a music tuition initiative at The Engine Rooms, Skelmersdale.

Wednesday 10 December 2014

Filter Distortion




Due to Ralph's love of guitar type bands he's only occasionally reported on electronica, however on hearing Liverpool's Filter Distortion he's decided to buck that trend after the four piece finally emerged from a self-imposed year of confinement in a windowless room.  

The band set about producing their finest work yet, and have certainly achieved their aim with debut album Transition.  

Ralph will be spinning Neon Nights on Radio KC just after the New Year.







Recorded using just 3 microphones, Filter Distortion wrote and produced all the album's tracks before mastering with engineer and producer Daniel Woodward at the Whitewood recording studio.


it's unashamedly entrenched in the 80's but they've imbued their sound with powerful percussion and guitar to make the transition into today's music scene. 

Filter Distortion have created a soundscape that draws on everything from Depeche Mode to Public Service Broadcasting to create an album that's as easy to listen to as it is powerful, with each track a stand-alone.



Photo: Filter Distortion's debut LP available now at Dig VinylFilter Distortion are attracting an ever-increasing following, due to having their music featured on Ch 4 as well as BBC 6 Music and international radio. Tracks from the album Cameras in the Dark and Neon Nights were selected as Tom Robinson's Fresh on the Net Fresh Faves.

Transition is available as a digital download and limited edition vinyl from Dig VinylProbe Records, Piccadilly Records and mail order via the band's website.








Photo: >>> New Show <<<
Delighted to announce a little Christmas EVOL at The Magnet Liverpool on Friday 19th December. Guest stars Filter Distortion finally headline after releasing their debut album a couple of weeks back, Jennifer Davies makes her long awaited home debut, D R O H N E will be on some next level shit and Queen Maud return with their rolling electronic noise. Plus on the ones & twos an old Evol resident is back Paul Hutchinson aka DJ MrPaul with young cohort Jimmy Allen, our boy Tom Dani and myself will be on warm up duties. Doors are 8pm - 4am and we'll be letting our hair down. Tickets only £5 advance from http://bit.ly/1rC3fyK SEE Tickets.

Saturday 6 December 2014

Ralph's Top 10 Blogged Band Chart - 6.11.14

OK bands you know the score .....

the more hits your blog gets by the fans ..... 

the higher you go .....

So Tweet it, Facebook it .....

Generally and expose yourself .....






Now Mr Snuggles and I Have Been sitting with our heads down counting the hits on each blog to see who's got bands which place.  



The Top Ten Blogged Band Chart is played every Sunday 5-7pm on Radio KC as part of Ralph's Indie Show.










No 1...Teenage Wildlife






Photo: The new Teenage Wildlife AA SIDE has hit iTunes. Most Beautiful Thing/The Last Great Live Affair. Get it here: 
https://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/most-beautiful-thing-last/id913694600Ralph played Most Beautiful Thing by Teenage Wildlife (the alter ego of London based musician John Wright) a couple of Sundays ago on the Radio KC Indie Show to some excellent feedback so therefor it's great to be able to bring you news that a new track has been released.


Come On and Shoot is an intricately layered track replete with smouldering vocals and an infusion of electronica - it's tight, smooth, funky yet sultry. 






No 2...Milton Star




Ralph's been checking out Scottish band Milton Star prior to giving their excellent track Salvation a spin this Sunday on his Radio KC Indie Show.

Milton Star are Alan Wyllie and Graeme Currie who write and record their unique blend of indie and dark country in a converted church in darkest Fife. 








No 3...MIR





One of Ralph's most Northerly favourites for plays on the Radio KC Sunday Show has been MIR, the ever evolving musical vehicle of ebullient Scottish singer/songwriter extraordinaire Miriam Campbell


Originally formed in 2012, there's now a new line-up about to play their first gig in The Market Bar in Inverness so it's as good a time as any for y'all to take a closer look and a listen to their 'Soul' EP.









Early 2013 Ralph highlighted the debut album by Cole Stacey & Joseph O' Keefe called On Hire and subsequent UK and European tour. Well since then they've been playlisted on BBC Radio 6 and have played Glastonbury, but that's not the best part as they've now re-invented themselves as India Electric Co and will be releasing a debut single Beirut on the 1st of December, plus supporting Midge Ure on his Breathe Again tour in 2015. To coincide with that India Electric Co will be releasing a debut album in March.




No 5...Elephant Memoirs






Ralph recently gave Gateshead Indie rockers Elephant Memoirs a spin on his Radio KC Sunday Show and thought it'd be a good idea to take a look after some great feedback. 

Formed in 2013 by John AspinallBarry Drew and Carl Aspinall they've been working hard to create a catalogue of original material which they've been performing on a regular basis throughout the North east of England.







Little Brother Eli - EP cover art

Ralph's played Little Brother Eli a couple of times now on his Radio KC Indie Show, so it was with great interest that he heard they were crowdfunding the release of their next three singles.  Their bluesy eponymous debut EP was met with great critical acclaim and lead track Animal Blues is a firm favourite here in the kennel.










No 7...The Peace Collective





Ralph's no stranger to charity singles, having produced the Ralph's Life Double CD for the mental health charity Rethink. So it's no surprise he's donated his Bonio allowance for this month to the release of All Together Now by The Peace Collective.













No 8...Peacock Affect


Recently whilst checking out the recently released double A side single by Peacock Affect; which is the alter ego of young Essex musician George Holman, it was interesting to hear his experiences and thoughts on his own struggle with mental health and how music helps him to cope.

George has been writing music from his home in Exeter since he was sixteen. Influenced by the ill-fated Elliott Smith and The Smiths, George's music stems from melodies that he picks on the guitar and lyrics that flow directly from his feelings. 









No 9...Apple Rabbits





Ralph's played Apple Rabbits a couple of times now on his Radio KC Show and; inquisitive as ever, decided to dig further. It's the alter ego of London musician Jay 
Fisher whose musical pedigree can be traced back to the mid 80's, moving from electronic music to singer songwriter and releasing his first album back in 1990.











No 10...The Inkhearts


North West band The Inkhearts are due to release two tracks - Temper Temper and Uptight - by digital download on November 17th of this very year.



The Inkhearts formed in 2010 when the members, then young teenagers, were introduced to each other at a music tuition initiative at The Engine Rooms, Skelmersdale.