Following the critical and commercial success of their last single ‘Fractured (a bit)’ Birmingham-based indie band 3 Little Wolves release a sweeping, romantic single to soundtrack your summer. ‘Torch Song’ is released digitally on Friday 29th July and will be included on the band’s forthcoming LP ‘Fires in the Night’, to be released in October. The single borrows influences from classic love songs through the ages with a unique 3LW twist, featuring sweeping strings, a beautiful keyboard line and chiming guitar. Lyrics about yearning lust and heartbreak and the classic 1950s film poster artwork complete the classical romantic feel. Yet another stylistic leap from a band that refuse to be pigeonholed or tied down to any one musical style or influence.
James Ethington III is an independent singer/songwriter from the small town of Alamogordo, New Mexico. Six years ago the twenty-five year old artist first picked up the guitar in search of a healthy way to cope with anxiety and depression. Since then, his musical journey has led him across the United States and back again. He honed his singing and songwriting skills while busking on the streets of cities from Santa Monica, California to Austin, Texas. A lifelong lover of music, his unique sound is a product of eclectic tastes. James cites the inspiration of artists ranging from The Temptations to Nirvana. We can hear their influences in his soulful vocals, thoughtful lyricism and clever post-modern sensibilities.”Rheacycle” is the debut EP from James Ethington III. The five song collection is an intimate and infinitely listenable introduction to a talented and versatile artist. The record is the perfect showcase for songwriter’s unique ability turn his deeply personal narratives into universally relatable tales. He delivers autobiographical lyrics with a natural melodic sense that pulls us in and finds us singing along as though we were right there with him as the stories happened. Tracks like the “Looking Glass” and the excellent “Becca” feel like we’ve known them for years.Produced and recorded by Eric Gubala of Beacon Hill Recording Studios in El Paso, Texas, “Rheacycle” pairs James Ethington III’s smooth and soulful Pop tenor with an 90’s-style Alt-Folk,Indie-Pop sound. Natural, unadorned acoustic arrangements meet lo-fi Hip-hop beats and a tasteful use of occasional backing vocals. James embraces the strong 90’s influence in his music with some cleverly placed references to pop culture icons like the similarly styled band Counting Crows and TV shows like ‘The Wonder Years’ and ‘Boy Meets World.’ However, the record is no throwback. Throughout the EP the singer plants these songs firmly in the present. Tracks like “Rheacycle Intro,” “Art of My Life” and “Sexy.Juicy.Bouncy” feature lyrical and stylistic flare that could only be born of the 2020’s. This is the sound of a talented young artist with keen Pop sensibilities, a touch of Rock cynicism and a poet’s pen.“It’s funny how memories don’t age like we do.” – James Ethington III – “Becca”
The ZINVANDELS have had a busy year of recording during the course of 2022 as well as headlining The Newton festival to 4,000 on their last tour. The ZINVANDELS released debut single ‘Heartbreaker’ to great acclaim with radio support from John Kennedy, Bethan Elfyn and Tom Robinson, gaining over 30,000 youtube views. They were featured as BBC introducing artist of the week on two occasions. Following this, the band self-released the next 4 singles in anticipation of completing this debut album, which has recently been finished. With new member Matt on board in ’22, the ZINVANDELS have evolved their sound with their latest tunes. The band see next single ‘Blackholes’ as a statement of intent ahead of their debut LP release.
Singer/Songwriter Belle treats us to her stunning debut single ‘Run’ this month. A track written for her younger brother to let him know that she will always be there for him. “The meaning behind why I wrote “Run” says Belle “is a light hearted story, really. My brother was being teased by his friend group at school, and as an older sister my protective mode kicked in, I just desperately wanted to let him know that I’ll forever and always be there for him, no matter the circumstances!’ It’s a beautiful, uplifting pop/rock track taking influence from the likes of Avril Lavigne, Maisie Peters and Holly Humberstone. Belle finds comfort in words and has already written a large collection of songs, drawing on her experiences of growing up and healing after traumatic experiences, a feminist in training she belives in fairness. Her overall message with her music is one of Kindness, Love and Compassion always. With more releases and live shows to come, Belle is truly one to watch for 2022.
British pop-punk new comers Deadlock (UK) unveil news of their lyric video for forthcoming debut single ‘Deadweight’. Clocking in at just over 2 and a half minutes – the adrenaline fuelled and emotionally charged offering showcases a potent taste of things to come from the Norwich based outfit. The band who cite key influences such as Neck Deep, Roam, As It Is and Boston Manor shall be officially releasing ‘Deadweight’ on digital platforms on 29th July 2022.https://youtu.be/ExkWNFs-7l0Frontman, guitarist and songwriter Mikey Murphy propelled ‘Deadlock’ (UK) into existence early in 2022. Born out of his penchant for latter day pop punk and melodic hard-core, Mikey poured his creative energies into morphing a collection of cathartic, guitar-driven & melodically infused tracks. Straight to the point, no nonsense pop-punk that sparkles with overtones of commercial charm whilst still maintaining underground credibility. What began as a collection of self-produced home recordings, soon found their way into the guiding hands of producers Sam Pura and Terry Beckley who helped sonically refine ‘Deadweight’. Lyrically tackling the subject of mental health issues – the single’s underlying theme explores struggling with inner emotional conflict, knowing things wont progress unless you take the first steps by yourself. ‘Deadweight’ is the first in a flurry of releases anticipated in the foreseeable future. The young and ambitious Deadlock have begun their ascent to prove themselves as a promising new rock act. A band with the potential to soon establish their presence within the UK punk scene.
Formed in 2014 Mikey Ball & The Company first came together to bring to life the songs of principle writer Mikey Ball, through the years they have evolved through line up changes until 2018 when they settled on the current lineup. Each evolution had its influence on the sound and stylings culminating in the high energy rock sound the band has today. Boasting passionate and energetic live shows that are always made unique by the band’s chemistry on stage. 2022 saw the band seclude themselves away for a week to record their new album. A collection of songs with themes of escapism, lost love, loss of youth and finding identity at the core of the infectious chorus’, thundering drums, rock solid bass and expressive guitars. Pure heartfelt Rock music.
Hailing from Los Angeles and the beach cities of Southern California, Velvet Starlings was founded by guitarist and organ player Christian Gisborne. And while known for his concert attendance record and impressive Lego collection, it is his musical prowess as a performer, writer, recording artist and producer that is putting him on the map. Gisborne not only tracked all of the instruments, but also engineered, mixed and produced the LP – in the middle of his living room. While it reflects influences that range from early Jack White, to Thee Oh Sees and Arctic Monkeys, the album showcases Velvet Starlings own take on neo-60’s-garage – best described as “beach-fuzz-psych” with a big cheeky nod to the UK Invasion. Technicolour Shakedown is the follow up to 2019’s EP Love Everything, Love Everyone. Christian – who turned 18 in May – released his debut self-titled EP Velvet Starlings when he was 15. Both EP’s charted in the top 5 at Specialty Radio and hit #1 on KROQ’s “Locals Only.” Gisborne also caught the attention of, among others, BBC Radio and Shepard Fairey, who featured Velvet Starlings on Rain Phoenix’s Launch Left podcast. Several of the tracks have been licensed including, an international ad campaign, Netflix television and Amazon films. Speaking about the album Gisborne says “in the doom and gloom of Covid I found myself reminiscing all the time about the days when we would wait in line for hours to see our favorite bands. The songs on the first album reflect everything I felt I was missing out on.” With a bevvy of new songs written and ready to unleash, Gisborne was craving the comradery of a band. He turned to brothers Foster and Hudson Poling who play drums and bass respectively. They first met in line outside of a 2019 Cage The Elephant show and, discovering a shared love of The Who and SpongeBob, quickly found themselves making a plan to meet up at a rehearsal space to jam. Gisborne had previously used session musicians to augment his live set but as his friendship with the Polings grew, so did his realization that they were the perfect fit for this new era of Velvet Starlings. Looking to 2021 and beyond Christian says, “I think a Rock n Roll renaissance is coming after this crazy year of lock down. We’re hoping that a full front-to-back of Technicolour Shakedown will evoke the feeling you get at a rock n roll house party – wherever the listener may find themself.” Los Angeles based, Kitten Robot Records will be releasing the vinyl for this LP in February, 2022. The video for the single, “Can’t Control” was produced in Scotland and features local Edinburgh artists, Martin Hughes (Angelica Mode) as the actor. Hughes brother, Brian Hughes co-directed the video with French director Joseph Calhoun. Gisborne met the Hughes brothers while touring Scotland at a Velvet Starlings show and struck up a friendship that resulted in the collaboration. “Can’t Control” is presently being championed by Scottish actor/DJ, Robert Carlyle known for his role in the award-winning film Trainspotting. VELVET STARLINGS UPDATE 2022 1. New LP, Pacific Standard Time, Singles and videos out in Spring 2022. – Produced by Christian Gisborne and Joel Jerome (Phoebe Bridgers/Cherry Glaser) – Mastered by Brian Lucey (Black Keys, Cage The Elephant, Beck, Arctic Monkeys) – Digital distribution – Sound x 3/The Orchard – Vinyl – Kitten Robot Records 2. SXSW 2022 – first round pick 3. Isle of Wight (This Feeling Stage) – UK 4. Summerfest 2022 – Milwaukee 5. Shellraiser – w/Starcrawler, etc. 6. UK “This Feeling” Tour – 2 weeks in June (England & Scotland) 7. Technicolour Shakedown – Vinyl Release on Kitten Robot in February 2022 8. Radio – 90+ stations worldwide /#1 Radio Alliance – Extensive airplay on Amazing Radio, Sirius and BBC Radio 9. Beach Life Festival Riptides Stage (w/Black Pumas & Weezer) May, 2022 Recent Anaheim Observatory show clip: https://www.instagram.com/p/CUqQLRnBz6U/ San Clemente show clip: https://www.instagram.com/p/CV0qYaUBhIZ/ Upcoming local dates: – Zebulon – Alex’s Bar (Long Beach) – The Echo – Phoenix Theater (Petaluma)
From the peaceful green valley of Abertillery, South Wales, comes Rory Challenger, a singer-songwriter producer/ guy-with-a-guitar at parties.The motivations of Mr Challenger are the usual for any underdog artist: wanting to uplift, inspire and bring together as much of the world as he can with his music. Whether or not he quits his day job in this pursuit remains to be seen.Borrowing influences from the worlds of Pop, Rock, Funk and Folk, Rory creates a warm, tasty blend of sound (with fruity notes), that is complex enough yet accessible to all.
