BIGMOUTH Music Blog

[bigmouth-records]

New interview with Juvenile Summer

Anyone in search of something new? Search no more. Originating from the remnants of York University’s fresher’s week, Juvenile Summer have already graced some of the major local venues including Central Gig Hall. Looking to spread their wings further afield, it shouldn’t be too long before we’re seeing them crop up across the North East.

First things first, intros. Who are you, what kind of genre do you consider yourselves to be, how did you pick the band name etc. also, the story of how you initially formed sounds pretty interesting, care to elaborate?

Tom: Hey! We're Juvenile Summer. We're a York based indie/garage rock band but we're all from various places from Middlesbrough to near Dubai so pretty big spread! I actually had the idea for the band name before we all met so I suggested it and it just stuck I guess! We formed during university Fresher's when myself and Matt "Ginge" Kitchen (lead guitar) would get drunk and jam on acoustic guitars outside my house. People would gather around and listen so forming a band was the next logical step, so we went and have a drink with Max and Dave which is how Juvenile Summer was born!

Have all the members been in a band previous to this, or are there any newcomers? If so, what's it been like so far?

Tom: Well I was in a band called None of the Above for nearly 4 years. We were a totally different sound to how Juvenile Summer sound so it's a total contrast! I know Max was in numerous bands back home and Ginge was in a band called Unfair Advantage. Dave is the only newcomer really. He's never been in a band before, but he has some great moves on stage! So far it's been great! We're trying to keep very busy by playing lots of shows, writing lots of songs and just having a great time! What were your first few shows like, did you find it all gelled together pretty quick? Tom: we knew it was something special from our first rehearsal because it sounded so ridiculously awesome! We're all into pretty similar bands which always helps when you start out and you don't know the other guys and you need some common ground. The first shows were just so tight and there was so much energy it was amazing. We're still in the early days right now but I can say it's all coming together brilliantly!

You've got a show on the 28th, how are you gearing up for it?

Tom: we're playing the Spread Eagle on February 28th, I did an acoustic set there last week and there were some really rough looking people that came into the pub full of students just looking for aggro. But I kept it together and managed to win most of them over I think. It all turned out ok in the end - I thought it was quite funny. I love the unexpected when it comes to stuff like that, a challenge is always great. I have a bit of a frontman complex so I treat every gig like a theatrical performance. I just let my energy build up and then go on with my lads and put on the best show that I can - and I know the others do as well. To gear up we plan how it's going to go down and then just go for it when it's time!

Central Gig Hall was a notable achievement for you guys. What was it like playing a venue that size, did you find it daunting?

Tom: oh wow that was insane! From somebody who's used to playing tiny little pubs, it was on a whole other level to perform on a stage that big in front of a huge crowd with epic lighting and professional sound tech and our band logo on a massive screen behind us. It was surreal. We felt on top of the world when we played that. We were a bit worried about how we were going to do but we just wanted to do it all over again! We had people singing back to us to our song In The Dark - they'd picked up the chorus and were singing along! It was weird the amount of people that asked us for photos at the end of the event as well. We had a good evening of Uni fame!

When can we expect to see some material, is there anything you're working on at the moment?

Tom: we're hard at writing material at the minute, and the stuff we're coming out of is a bit of a fruit salad - we have some catchy playful songs, some mature grungy songs, some more bluesy songs and some chilled out songs so it's all coming together quite nicely. It will be nice when we write enough material to rotate our set a bit.

Any more shows/releases for the next few months?

Tom: we're playing the Spread Eagle in York on Feb 28th and JJ's in York on March 8th but we're currently in the process of getting some more shows booked in the York/Middlesbrough/Leeds/Manchester regions. We're also going to start knuckling down and get an EP out before the Summer, and might have a cheeky little download heading your way in time for Easter. It's busy in the Juvenile Summer camp right now so watch this space!

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Juvenile-Summer/236531959761574?fref=ts

[bigmouth-records]

Race Car Hearts announce Yearbook sessions

This year, Southern soloist Chris Perrin (Race Car Hearts) has added a twist to his new releases as a way to get more fans involved with supporting the local music scene. ‘Yearbook Sessions’ will be a new set of tracks released on the first day of each month, and include one single with three extra recordings added in. Working under the theme of ‘Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue’, Perrin will release the tracks as limited edition CD’s, charging a modest £1. As well as this, Race Car Hearts are due to release a new album at the end of 2014. In the meantime, you can always check out the debut album ‘Silent Momentum’, available now.

January Sessions

Sweet, mellow and utterly unique, the January editions of ‘Yearbook sessions’ are the perfect way to start the new year. With this set of songs, the notion of simplicity being effective is key. Both lyrically and instrumentally, it’s a well-shaped set of tracks and one can only hope that February brings us something just as good.

‘Ghosts and Shadows’ starts up with a bluesy guitar, accompanied by little more than a drum beat and an underlying acoustic. Like before, simple is effective. The soft vocals are gently carried along by dulcet tones whilst the lyrics are poignant and memorable; ‘She lives in this ache that feels like winter inside my heart’ is a prime example. It’s an engaging, imaginative creation and on the whole, introduces the sessions beautifully.

Any Americana- rock fans wouldn’t be oblivious to the all too familiar bars heard next. Despite the absence of a distinctive harmonica, Race Car Hearts’ cover of Ryan Adams’ ‘Come Pick Me Up’ fuses both Adams’ use of rockier tones, with Perrin’s melodic vocals. It’s always appreciated when an artist takes the time to re-create a rendition of a song and add in elements which are more personal to them, rather than copying the track note for note.

‘Something Beautiful’ is the most recent debut single from Race Car Hearts. To begin with, it’s similar to what we’ve heard before in the previous tracks. However, as it progresses, there’s a noticeable change in pace. The vocals are edgier, instrumentally it’s more energetic and complex and overall, it’s got more of a rock feel to it. Dissimilar from the indie/blues tracks we’ve become familiar with, ‘Something Beautiful’ gives you the impression that RCH can be versatile, and leaves you curious as to what we can expect from Perrin in the future.

‘Sentiment In The Waves’ heralds the ending of the first edition of the Yearbook Sessions. Having come from Perrin's previous band Thirst, before the release of their album, this addition will come as a pleasant, familiar surprise to anyone who has followed Chris Perrin's work from the start. The balanced and rhythmic instrumental wraps the whole set up really well and ends it all on a high note. All for £1, this is definitely worth it.

Head over to http://www.racecarhearts.com/ to order your copy now

[bigmouth-records]

NARCS

Check out the new interview from NARCS. 2013 has been a pretty busy year for them so far, and it doesn’t looks like it’s going to be slowing down anytime soon. Another one for your playlist guys…

  Getting started, introduce yourselves, when/where did you begin etc?

  We're Wilko, Joe, John and Stanley. I (Wilko) began as a twinkle in the eye of a man who looks remarkably like a cross between Hulk Hogan and Josef Fritzl, and was released into the world exactly 9 months and one day after Christmas day via a woman named Jean. Merry Christmas Dad. The other 3 are products of similar forms of lust.

  It’s been noticed by quite a few that NARCS have created a fusion between indie and heavier rock. How did you do it, did it just come about naturally, or was it something you had to work on?

  I think it was a natural thing, we didn't sit down and create a plan for it to be like anything in particular. Me and Joe tend to write the songs and the other two put their own twist on it. Stanley likes to hit the drums really hard so we had to try and match that in terms of volume and energy. It was much easier than trying to explain to him what 'dynamics' are.

  You released your debut album in September. How did the writing/recording process go?

  It was quite quick really. The old songs we had were written over a couple of years by me and Joe and had been played in previous bands, never really fitting together as a complete sound. We had a line up of 4 people that had never recorded together fully as a band so we scrapped basically everything and got writing. The whole thing was written in about 4 months. When we got to recording it we were pretty well rehearsed, so we recorded the full thing over two and a half days as a live band. It was pretty mental but a ridiculous amount of fun.

  Do you have any idea as to what the reaction to it has been like so far?

  Not really. We've sold a fair few albums and people are singing words back at gigs but it's hard to tell. Every review has been really good which is positive so we must have done something right. It was really good fun to make and I can honestly say I couldn't be prouder of it, but I know we've got better in us and I'm determined to get that out. This has been a good starting point for us but we've got new ideas and for how ever long they keep coming to us, if we're all still 100% behind the direction the band is going, we'll keep churning stuff out.

  You also had a single and an EP come out after that. How do you think they were different from Two Birds, One Stone Later?

  They were non existent for a start.

  You’ve played a fair few dates up and down the country this year, have you got a favourite one or one that’s particularly memorable?

  The album launch by far. It was our night and we put everything into it, from choosing the bands to decorating the room with balloons, drawings and toys, it was just immense. People sang their hearts out and by the end of the night the room was a wreck. 

  And finally, what have you got planned for the rest of 2013?

  We've got a few gigs left in Yorkshire in November and we might be doing some live videos towards the end of the year. After that we're disappearing until March/April time, possibly even festival season. We were brain storming about a possible European Tour next summer but we'll see how that pans out.

[bigmouth-records]

JOSH

Having just embarked upon his 4th UK tour, Josh Taerk is due to release his latest album Josh later on this year. There is a certain state which appears to be perfect to be listening to Josh. World off, drink in hand, staring at the sky. The smooth melodic vocals strung through the 10 track collection, backed by soft, rhythmic acoustic create the perfect ambiance for doing nothing at all. Unlike a lot of the albums you may across today, ‘Josh’ offers a poignant, wholly personal edge, each song serving as an intimate window into the 22 year old’s life.

I’ll live For You launches into the Springsteen- esque Americana rock that Taerk has become so well known for. Drifting into an upbeat, harmonious riff, the track is instantly uplifting and provides an excellent starting point for the rest of the album. It is here that you can begin to understand just why this young artist has become so acclaimed, gaining fans worldwide, as well as a few well- known faces, such as E Street Band drummer, Max Weinberg.

Start Again begins with a country feel to it. Like I’ll Live For You, it’s another one of those songs where it leaves you feeling a little more optimistic about the world; however, it doesn’t come across as cheesy. Instead, you get a genuine portrayal of an honest, confident artist who knows exactly what he wants from the world, and he knows exactly how to go about getting it. If anything, listening to this song only once is enough to put you in a better mood than you were beforehand.

After this, we come to Casie. A slow, sad ode to a far- away love; it seems an extremely personal insight into the life of Taerk. Out of them all, Casie is one of the more emotional, heartfelt tracks on the record, and probably one which listeners can relate to most. We’ve all been there, and this song portrays those exact feelings perfectly.

People In The Room exhibits the same raw emotion previously heard in Casie, but with a different message completely. Layered on-top of an electric guitar to compliment the familiar acoustic, the whole song feels more edgy than the rest. Sentimental and poignant, it’s a welcoming addition to the 10 track record.

My Angel kicks in with the similar style, but quickly reverts back to the same acoustic we have become so familiar with. Another melody to a lost love, it evokes the same emotion initially exposed in Casie.

Smell The Roses offers up a sincere portrayal of the world that we live in; the world that moves too fast and expects too much from one person. With the maturity expressed through this song, it’s often easy to forget that Josh is only 22.

As we are introduced to Grace, we are greeted by another song of another love. A sweet, charming mix of fervent lyrics and dreamy guitars, it offers up another intimate observation into Taerk’s mind. Similar to this, both Hopelessly and Virginia provide more melodic vocals and acoustics, with that added country- western edge.

Figure This Out rounds off the whole album well. It provides a passionate message and ends the album on a high. Overall, it shows exactly why Josh Taerk is one of the most talked about up and coming musicians of this year. His maturity, talent and devotion have led him to some impressive places, and it sounds like things are only going to get better from here.

[bigmouth-records]

Race Car Hearts release Aches/Escapes

Beginning at only 14 years of age, Chris Perrin began his music career as a solo artist, hailing from Peterborough in the UK. From then one, he began his first band THIRST, who signed to US based ZIP records, and toured the US and Europe, before beginning Race Car Hearts as a solo project in 2010. After the release of the masterpiece, which was Tender/Violent in November 2010 there were big expectations for the band and with the release of their latest EP Aches/Escapes on October 7th, they didn’t fall flat.

  Check out the review and interview below

  Aches/Escapes opening track ‘Lights’ immediately sets the bar for the rest of the 4- track EP. An imaginative mix of electro and rock seems to be a unique element that Race Car Hearts threads throughout the rest of the EP. The chorus provides a powerful addition to the song, and teamed with the equally impressive bridge, it’s easy to understand the hype that has been surrounding Race Car Hearts since their birth in 2010.

  ‘From The Sky They Came’ sounds very similar to the previous track upon its opening riff. The same mix of electro and rock, covering an underlying bass. Lyrically, the song is flawless. There is no denying that Chris Perrin knows how to pen an awesome track, and although that’s shown all the way through Aches/Escapes, as well as RCH’s back catalogue, this one stands out from the crowd. Again, you only have to listen to the chorus to get this. Fading out with more electronic sounds, you are surprisingly greeted by an acoustic as ‘Circles’ kicks in.

  All of a sudden, its out with the old style and in with a soft, rhythmic melody that gives the track an almost country feel to it (which is only fortified by the undertones of a violin). It isn’t hard to tell that ‘Circles’ offers more personal lyrics than the previous two. Its here that you begin to see just how dynamic RCH can be, and although Circles stands out because of its significant difference from the rest of the EP, it still works.

  And then, we’re back to the familiar. Like ‘Light’s, ‘Shimmer’ provides a pretty powerful chorus layered on top of heavier melodies and mixed to perfection. All in all, it ends the EP on a high note; its one of those songs that sticks in your head long after you’ve stopped listening for all the right reasons. Like ‘From the Sky They Came’, the track is ended with a fading electronic beat, rounding off the track (and the EP) in style.

  Overall, it’s impressive. Although it showcases some of RCH’s best work to date, it has to be said that it works best with a backing band. It’s questionable whether the tracks would have the same compelling feel played on just an acoustic. I strongly recommend you pick up a copy. If you’re looking for a new, energetic artist, Race Car Hearts will not disappoint.

  Chris Perrin talks Aches/Escapes

  Prior to this, the last EP you released was Tender Violent. How does Aches/Escapes differ from this?

  Aches/Escapes contains songs taken from the same studio session, so sonically it's pretty similar - same producer, same studio, same band. Song wise though, I guess it's a little more up beat...a little more band focused.

  Where did you come up with the inspiration when writing/recording?

  Creating sound, mixing noise...it's always been a constant with me, I've never had a day where I haven't felt it there - sometimes it's a really liberating and exciting feeling, other times it can make it very hard to feel satisfied with who I am. When I'm writing it's just an outlet for everything, it's getting away from myself more than anything else. It's the sound that leads me, not the other way around. Like a therapy, like nursing a drink or getting some heat in your bones.

  After Tender Violent was so well received, how do you think people will react to Aches/Escapes?

  I was very happy with the reviews that TV picked up, that EP was born out of a period of a heavy amount of self doubt so it was very validating to know that the music connected with people. I'm very proud of the new EP, I think the songs are strong...I'm hoping people will make the connection once again. It's also been out for a couple of days now, do you know what the reaction has been like so far? I'll be honest and say that right now I have no idea!! I'm waiting for the first reviews to come back!

  From beginning writing, to coming up with the final piece, how was the whole process?

  The EP spans a few years in terms of the initial songwriting to the final recording session and there was a lot of heartaches in between, both personal and musical...so it was a massive relief when I finally got the songs recorded. Like with any song, from the moment I start writing I know how I want it to sound when it's finished, and achieving that is usually impossible - you never really catch that butterfly, you're always chasing some sonic that just won't lay down. But with the songs on this EP I felt really confident in the studio, for the first time I was working with a producer so I was able to bounce ideas around with someone who wasn't a band member, and that was quite refreshing.

  Is there a track that’s your personal favourite?

  Circles - it's about growing up and learning to invest in yourself, loving unconditionally.

  Head over to http://www.racecarhearts.com for more…

[bigmouth-records]

Jarmalade Continued...

Following our review of ‘Jarmalade’, we caught up with the band to hear their thoughts on the new release. Check out what they had to say…

 When did the original ideas for Jarmalade begin to come about? Is this something that’s been in the works for a while?

 Dali: The ideas were from home life and personal stuff in our lives at the time. We upped sticks and left to follow a dream, to which people though I was mad :). The second album was like ‘let's get some more songs down for a second album’ so we got 20 odd down and went from there. We never had a clue what it was gonna be called or anything.

 Keith: About 50% of the ideas for Jarmalade were around during the recording of the first album ‘The Jar Family Album’ the rest emerged one by one up to the point of going back in the studio.

 What was the selection process like for which songs would make it onto the album and which ones wouldn’t?

 Richie: It wasn’t that hard really, as we had songs left over from the first album, the hardest part was the order of track listing. 

 Al: We had no say in it, there was probably 30 songs to choose from and if we had tried to make that decision ourselves we would have went round and round in circles. We gave them all to our bassist/producer Keith Wilko and left it in his more than capable hands to sort out. We were all happy enough with the final 14 tracks he selected so went with it.

 How do you think the material from Jarmalade differs from your previous work?

Max: It’s more mature as a band.

 Dali: It doesn't really, I just think we have grown as musicians. Recording, some times it's an 11 hr practice. We still had a laugh and carry on doing it; we will never change as people so it was as good as making the first album. 

 Is there a particular song on the album which stands out as a personal favourite of the band?

 Dali: Not really I think ‘Tears We Cried’ because I remember how down I was when writing it, I was in a mess; and good times came after that so I look back at how down I was and brush it over my shoulder. :)

 Keith: We all have our own favourites – mine’s Paint Me A Picture.

 Al: I don’t think so, not one that all 7 of us look at as being a collective favourite . Personally, I love Sadie and Paint Me A Picture, I think those two tracks stand up against any track I’ve ever heard of the same genre.

 Richie: Hmmm hard to comment really as a lot of them are very personal. 

 Max: No, not at all.

 Tracks like ‘Spreading out the Pain’ and ‘Tears we cried’ seem to have a very personal message behind them. Do you often draw inspiration from individual personal experiences you’ve had?

 Keith: More often than not I would say – it’s hard to sell something if you don’t believe in it.

 Al: Yeah definitely, we're individuals. ‘Spreading Out The Pain’ was actually influenced by me being stung by 9 wasps when I was a kid. I got attacked by them and stung nine times around my body. I remember a friend asking me if I was in agony and I said ‘no, not really, just numb’. My brain couldn’t focus on one sting, so the pain was spread out, so hurt less. I thought about this in the context of the world we live in, that maybe there's so much pain, so many wars, nobody really gives a fuck anymore. Whereas, if there was only one war or one rogue government in the world, it would be far less tolerable and people would be outraged.

 Collectively, the tracks on the album seem to cover a different variety of genres and sounds, was this the intention or do you just work with whatever genre seems appropriate for individual songs? 

 Max: Genre, or not, its just what direction the song takes us.

 Richie: Yes, this was the intention as we were all solo artists with our own genres from the start, so to keep it as a collective makes it more special.

https://www.facebook.com/TheJarFamily?ref=ts&fref=ts

[bigmouth-records]

Welcome, Jarmalade

Upon hearing the newest edition to The Jar Family’s collection ‘Jarmalade’, you wouldn’t have thought that just a few years ago, they were living rough and scraping just enough to get by. Honestly, The Jar Family can be regarded as a testament to the Northen music scene, showing true grit and determination to achieve their ultimate goal, all symbolised by the old acoustic labelled their ‘meal ticket’.

 If anything, this album exhibits a dynamic mix of genres and may be the bands most eclectic album to date. Immediately, it kicks in with the hard- hitting debut single ‘Machine’, which was also accompanied by a music video. Reminiscent of Primal Scream, to begin with, it seems a far cry from The Jar Family’s ‘industrial folk’ roots, for which they are so widely renowned. However, all is not as it seems. As soon as the second track ‘Moya Moya’, starts up, it’s apparent (after the radio babble) that they have remained true to their roots with the jaunty folk guitar and raw vocals, and yes, this is The Jar Family that you may be a little more familiar with.

 From this point onwards, the album becomes noticeably more mellow, evident from the soft, dreamy introduction of ‘Sadie’, layered over an easy guitar riff and gritty vocals singing of a lost love, providing the perfect finish to the song. Similarly, ‘Paint Me A Picture’ offers up a slow, beautifully mastered sound, embellished by backing vocals during the chorus. It has to be said, The Jar Family have a knack for creating a song which, although simply constructed, has a certain charm about it that makes it so poignant.

 Although more upbeat than the previous two, ‘Footsteps’ maintains the soothing tone, which is uplifted midway through the track, with the help of a harmonica, typical Jar Family at its finest. It seems here that the band does a 180 and backtracks to the same edgy sound first heard in ‘Machine’. ‘You’ll never know’ begins with a tribal drum beat and riff threaded through the whole track that’s reminiscent of early Oasis, and aimed at the ones who have been lost to the ‘cyber- trap’ of social networking.

 ‘Is God My Witness?’ however, reverts back to the easier melody of ‘Jarmalade’, while ‘Tell Me Baby’ heads in a more country- western direction. Without a doubt, it’s the dynamic mix of sounds and genres that makes this album so intriguing, and showcases the versatile talent of The Jar Family. All of a sudden, you’re once again propelled into the hard rock beat of ‘Enough’s Enough’ before settling calmly into ‘Tears We Cried’. With the melodic, raw vocals and breezy acoustic ‘Where Do You Come From Babe?’ instantly brings Bob Dylan to the mind before the introduction of the solemn, yet striking ‘Take Me Home’ before finishing with the delicate ‘Spreading Out The Pain’.

 Overall, I think you have to look at the tracks on this album as individuals, all with their own specific sound and message, which as a collective, showcase some of The Jar Family’s most impressive work. Job well done. 

Jarmalade is now available on Amazon and iTunes

https://www.facebook.com/TheJarFamily

[bigmouth-records]

Idle Violets

Lets backtrack waayy back to July. Doc Browns is, as usual, packed with those awaiting another night of local favourites, and they were not disappointed. An edgy and dynamic mix of punk, rock and Indie bands took over for the night, including Neon Nights, Sirens in the Delta, Idle Violets and Huntsville. I caught up with Idle Violets before the show, check it out…

  Give us some background to Idle Violets I.e. how you formed, where you formed, etc.

The band was originally formed in Liverpool by our singer Joel with a different line-up. The original line-up played gigs for around a year and recorded an EP before the members went their seperate ways. Joel moved home and formed a new band with long-time collaborator and bassist mate Rich, and we found Anthony to play drums a couple of months ago. We decided to keep the name 'Idle Violets' as Joel was the main creative force behind the original band, we like the name and it already had a bit of a reputation we could build on, but we're pretty much a completely new band.

Your show at Doc Browns this week was awesome, how did you feel it went?

Yeah we thought it went really well, especially considering it was only our second gig together and the majority of the set list was brand new - some of the lyrics were written that day! The atmosphere was electric and the crowd were really appreciative. The other bands: Neon Nights; Sirens In The Delta and Huntsville were all brilliant so yeah, good night. It was our first ever gig in Boro and we hope for many similar nights! We'll be coming back to Doc Browns in September and we'll be looking to tear the place up once again.

-till on the topic of Thursdays gig, you said you were really getting into bands like Silence In The Delta, Huntsville and Neon Nights, are there any other local acts that you're liking at the moment?

There's a few other bands we've played with, such as Indigo Vertebrae, Autumn Hostage, as well as other bands a bit different to us in genre, such as the Panoramic, that have blown us away. To be honest, having recently arrived on the scene we are pleasantly suprised by the quality of the bands around the North East. There seems to be a lot of original, creative music, a lot of it with dark undertones, around at the minute and it appears to be specific to our region - it's a really exciting time to be be part of the local scene.

Especially after your move and line up change, how do you think Idle Violets have evolved since its beginning?

Originally the songs were written on guitar with the rest of the music added afterwards. We've evolved now so that there's more of an emphasis on drums and bass in writing and as such we feel that the music we're coming up with now definitely has a lot more groove to it, while still retaining that dark, grungey/hard rock sound. We're all into an array of different bands, artists and genres but we collectively feel that music as an art form should carry a certain weight to it. There's definitely a funk element to our music and we love seeing people dance at our shows, and we like it that we can do that whilst retaining our love of big riffs and dark subject matter.

What make/model of instruments do you all use and why?

Joel - Epiphone Les Paul, Marshall MG100HDFX and Akai Drive3 Distortion Pedal. I've had the Les Paul for years, it was a gift from a girlfriend, my Marshall only cost me £90 because a friend of mine was desperate to sell, and I bought the Akai because it's an amazing pedal for the price.

Rich - I have a bass guitar. But not just any bass guitar.  This guitar was forged in secret within the mountain tunnels beneath the Italian Alps in  the year 1322. It's history is long and shrouded in mystery - it is believed the Low E string is made from the snapped banjo string of Jesus Christ himself; although opinion is divided due to conflicting evidence. The wood used for the body was once part of a chest of drawers in which Henry VIII kept his undergarments, you can still smell remnants of it's history on a rainy day. I usually borrow an amp.

Anthony - SJC Custom kit 13" x 6.5" Snare 12" x 12" Tom 16" x 16" Floor Tom 22" x 22" Bass Drum 14" Sabian AAX Stage Hats 16" Sabian HHX Dark Crash 21" Sabian HHX Legacy Ride 18" Sabian AAX Heavy Crash, Pearl Hardware (hey, you asked...). Events transpired in such a way that I basically got my entire set-up for free, so it would have been stupid of me NOT to have bought this kit.

What have you got coming up in the next couple of months?

 We've got more gigs around the local scene - The Southfield 23rd August as part of the Sumo pre-party, Mink Bar on the 26th, Bank Holiday Monday, Doc Browns 12th September, and Kubar 20th September. We'll be announcing more gigs over the next few weeks, hopefully to include venues in Newcastle and other parts of the region. We also had a little trip up to Edinburgh to play at Whistlebinkies which was cool and offered a nice taste of the touring life, and we'll be travelling to Liverpool in October to be part of Oxjam 2013. We're also on the lookout for a lead guitarist to compliment our sound – it's not a priority and we're in no rush to add anyone for the sake of it, but hopefully we'll find that perfect someone in the next few weeks.

Most importantly we'll be going into the Studio in a months time to record a couple of singles, the first of which we hope to release by November, along with a music video and a promo campaign masterminded by our new manager, so keep an eye out!

[bigmouth-records]

The Panoramic Single Launch

Hidden away at the back of Green Dragon Studio’s in Stockton, the Georgian Theatre played host to newly signed Indie outfit The Panoramic, who graced the stage to rapturous applause for the launching of their debut single on Bigmouth Records ‘Blinded by the Lights’. Met with support and praise up and down the North East, the new material from the 4-piece has gained the attention from radio stations and critics all over, not to mention their 1,065 Facebook fans, who turned out in their droves to support the local favourites. As was expected, it didn’t take long for the place to fill out.

  Not only that, The Panoramic were supported by 3 opening acts, who did an excellent job of getting the crowd warmed and ready for the main event. Kicking it all off was Luke Finn Forster, a young acoustic soloist who, having only announced he would be opening the event 4 days prior, managed to pull off an astounding set with a mix of mellow and upbeat tracks, that started the night off perfectly.

  Distinctly more upbeat, and fast- paced, Indie rockers Comin’ Up Easy produced a fantastic set, running through all the old favourites, as well as some newer numbers, that were received well by the crowd before them. Overall, they definitely kick- started the atmosphere that would soon accumulate into an uproar for headliners, The Panoramic.

  But it wasn’t time just yet. Next up, the 5-piece alternative NARCS took to the stage. Fuelled by a certain indie- punk vibe, the set was filled with energetic, hard- hitting riffs, layered over heavy vocals, making for a set of pure madness. They definitely made themselves known, highly evident by the flurry of listeners crowding their merch table at the mention of ‘free CD’s’.

  Finally, it was time for the main attraction. In true North- East fashion, The Panoramic were greeted with raucous applause from the tightly packed theatre as they made their way through the 45 minute set, ending with a phenomenal performance of ‘Watchmen’ with some audience participation thrown in for good measure.

  Every now and then you get an essence of the raw talent that is available from the Teesside scene, and what it means to artists and fans alike, and tonight was one of those moments. The Panoramic have got exciting times ahead of them, and they definitely rose to the challenge.

[bigmouth-records]

Atlanta

Starting off this week, we have Atlanta. The 4-piece rock band has a Soundcloud brimming with all the wonderful things you would expect from a young, energetic group; strong vocals, original, upbeat guitar riffs, its all there. If you haven’t already, go and pick up a copy of their self- titled EP (its only £1!) for some of their best stuff. Meanwhile, have a look at this interview we did with them a couple of weeks ago

  First off, give us some background I.e. how did you all meet, who influenced you etc? 

Hey we all met through other bands really. Me (Andy) and Mike had played in a band previously which fell apart and I knew Tom and Joel from other stuff I was involved in and we all get together through there. Pretty Cliché I know. We're all influence by similar bands; Oasis, Guns n Roses, A Day To Remember. But then again we all have separate influences; Tom likes anything British and 1990s, I'm into anything bluesy, John Mayer at the moment, Joel's into Biffy Clyro and Mike likes pretty much anything. It's all of our influences that make our music what it is- it's all really eclectic.

  You recently released a cover of The Stone Roses' Tightrope. Was there a reason why you picked that song in particular? 

Tightrope is such a fun song to play! We chose it because the other songs are obvious to cover and Tightrope is a gem really. It just started off as a jam in practice and we worked on it and well there it is. The recording is just a live recording that we did with Insangel and Tim Coid Radio at The Three Tuns, it's really cool they recorded our set because it means we can fill our Soundcloud (www.soundcloud.com/atlantaofficial) with more stuff.

  Whats the reaction been like to your self- titled EP so far? 

Well from the people that have bought it they seem to be really impressed, we get more feedback from live shows and everyone at the shows seems to be really into our music and what we're about so it's all looking up!

  You had some air- time on Radio Northumberland, what was that like for you all? 

Getting airtime is always surreal because it's what we want. It's so weird to hear your song be discussed on the radio and then played, but it's a great feeling all the same. We've been on stations in The USA and other areas of the UK but Polly at Radio Northumberland supports us so much and it's really great.

  Have you got any more plans coming up? 

Gigs, gigs and more gigs! We're hopefully going to keep recording and definitely keep writing, we want some big summer outdoor shows so keep a look out for those on our page www.facebook.com/officialatlanta!

[bigmouth-records]

THE PANORAMIC SIGN TO BIGMOUTH

Last month, BIGMOUTH Records were proud to announce the signing of The Panoramic, the Teesside 4- piece that are set to take the scene by storm. When we interviewed them last, I described them as a ‘testament to the Teesside music scene’, and that hasn’t changed since. Throughout their time as a band, they have evolved and developed to create some of their best work to date, and their live performances and releases have been widely anticipated by their audiences, far and wide.

  Needless to say, members have put in all of their blood, sweat and tears to make this work, and it’s clearly paid off. Every one of them shows raw talent, and put together, they have generated a mix that incorporates Indie, Rock and Blues and makes for a completely unique sound. A prime example of this is their latest single to be released on the label ‘Blinded by the Lights’.

  Without even hearing the track to begin with, you can tell that it’s something special. Already, it has won the top spot on Amazing Radio’s Audition Show, gaining countless views and votes and has gained massive appreciation from live shows.

  The soft acoustic introduction leads into an uplifting sound that has an Indie feel to it, embellished by the vocals that are mixed perfectly with the rest of the track. Like any song by The Panoramic, the lyrics are catchy, yet portray a personal message, and it is through songs such as this that they have been able to connect so well with their audiences, including the crowds of this year’s Stockton Weekender. Listening to this, you also begin to understand exactly why it was these lads who were picked to support rising Indie bands like The 1975, The Jar Family and Little Comets. This song could easily become their most popular single, and after hearing this, you can’t help but look forward to whatever comes next. If this is anything to go by, things are looking up for the newly signed band, so keep your eyes open.

You can check out The Panoramic at their single launch coming August 10th, get yourselves down!

https://www.facebook.com/thepanoramic 

https://soundcloud.com/panoramicofficial

[bigmouth-records]

Raglans 'Digging Holes' EP review

We recently interviewed ‘Raglans’, who are set to make their mark in the Indie- Rock scene. They were nice enough to send over their new EP  ‘Digging Holes’, check out the track- by- track review.

  Digging Holes – An instantly energetic, upbeat anthem that is a guaranteed crowd- pleaser. The rhythmic indie- rock melody is threaded throughout the track, and mixed seamlessly with the catchy, memorable lyrics. Kudos to the production team, everything blends perfectly together. Its tracks such as this that signal that big things are happening for Raglans, and judging by crowd reactions to this one, its easy to see why the accompanying video clocked up thousands of views in a matter of weeks, and was nominated in state.ie best 50 videos of all time. (see below)

  Sand in my Pocket- An overall more mellow feel to this, compared with Digging Holes, but a great track nonetheless. The dreamy guitar tones and melodic backing lyrics flow through it; this one seems made for listening to in the lazy summer sun. Although it is short and sweet, it’s still makes for a fantastic addition to ‘Digging Holes’, and fortifies the band’s talent as one of the exciting newcomers making themselves known to the scene.

Overall, Raglans are a testament to the Indie- rock genre. They are able to write both energetic and mellow tracks, both of which are mixed to perfection and I for one, am very excited to see what they bring out next. 

RAGLANS OFFICAL VIDEO 'DIGGING HOLES' http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tyXyB3kJP20

[bigmouth-records]

The Purnells

Another one of this weeks interview is courtesy of Stu Blackburn, vocalist of The Purnells. After an already hectic year, 2013 shows no sign of slowing down for the band. Having already played a whole host of festivals, performed even more shows and written brand new material, the guys are continuing their rise to the top, preparing for their latest studio album ‘A Half Step Into The Shadow’, as well as playing more gigs throughout the North- East.

 Give us a bit of background of The Purnells

 So The band got started in 2007, I'd just come back from living in London and was having a pint with our drummer Ricky in Stockton, we'd been in a band years before and we decided to get our old bassist, find a guitarist and have a laugh.  Things kind of took off from there Ricky, Glen and I have been plodding on ever since.. Ian is our 4th Bassist but he and I have known each other and jammed together for 15 years.  We got our name because at the time I was living in a flat owned by twin sisters whose second name was Purnell, we'd struggled with a name for 3 months until someone asked me how life was with the Purnells, I put it to the lads and after 3 weeks of bugging them, they caved in.  Since then we've played Middlesbrough Intro, Stockton weekender and Stockton Calling.  In May of last year we brought out our first album 'Resurrection Men'.

 How has 2013 been so far for you. You've had a few shows already?

 2013 has been a good year so far, we've been writing a lot of new material that we're very happy with, and have hit a good run of form with gigs.  We've got a good summer coming up too, playing Redcar Rocks, Stockton Weekender and head lining the Head of Steam.  We're also feeling a lot more at ease on stage this year, we're just having more fun with it this year, in fact I don't judge it as a good gig unless I'm covered in sweat and have at least 2 or 3 minor injuries!

 How did you all find your set at ‘Tuned In’ in Redcar? 

 Tuned In, in Redcar was a great gig, the venue was brilliant, and the crowd was really enthusiastic, We felt really welcome there.  We're back there on November 2nd, really looking forward to playing there again.

 You're playing with a couple of other bands at the KU Bar in Stockton on the 5th, what do you think that's going to be like? 

 Playing KU Bar was loads of fun as always, we've changed a bit in style and sound and it seemed to go down really well.  We have a bit during one of our tunes where I throw on a ski mask, there were some in the crowd that really enjoyed that, usually people are either confused or terrified!  We always enjoy playing KU, it's one of the best venues in Teesside.  Being on the bill with 2 excellent bands like The Humming Birds and Able Raise The Cain is great, as you have the pressure on you to be good, pressure is always a good thing.

 Is there a place in the North East where you particularly like playing, or you've had a good experience of? 

 There are so many great venues around here, and we love playing all of them.  For me, having the chance to play festivals like Stockton Calling and Stockton Weekender has been the most exciting thing in recent years.  There's something about the whole occasion of a festival that raises the stakes, and you find yourself trying new things during the set to make things that little bit more special for the crowd, I'm hoping we can pull that off this year.

 What’s the rest of the year looking like for The Purnells? 

 The rest of the year is looking quite exciting, we've got Redcar Rocks on the 20th of July (we're on the main stage at 6pm) and we open the Vela Stage at Stockton Weekender on Sunday 28th July (1:30pm).  After that, we have gigs through out the year in Teesside, Newcastle and Hull.   But the main project this year is finishing of our next studio album 'A Half Step Into The Shadow'. We have our last studio session in September and we hoping to bring the album out in November. 

[bigmouth-records]

Weird Shapes

Since their beginning in 2011, Weird Shapes have taken the scene by storm, with significant coverage on top British radio stations, as well as slots on popular festivals such as T in the Park and local favourite Stockton Weekender. With things looking up for the band, it’s exciting to imagine what the future holds for them, read our interview below

 You’re due to play Stockton Weekender and Willow Man Festival this year, how have you been getting ready for them? 

 Practising like mad! There’s an added spring in everyone’s step when we’re preparing to play on outdoor stages. We just want everything to sound as good as possible. Marty (our drummer) has been trying to convince us we need to undertake a 10 hour naked yoga session prior to each performance, the rest of the band aren't really sure about this.

 You’ve already secured some impressive radio play on stations such as Q, NME and BBC. How important do you think this has been to the rise of Weird Shapes?

 Hugely important! The BBC have been instrumental in getting the word out about Weird Shapes and what we do. Bob Fischer gave us our first ever piece of Radio play on BBC Tees, we then got picked up by Tom Robison at 6 Music which culminated in a slot at last years T in the Park festival and some airplay on Radio 1. BBC introducing proves that you don’t need to spend a gazzilion pounds on PR to raise awareness.

 You’ve had some great reviews/comments from fans/promoters, are there any that are particularly memorable?

 We were recently reviewed by a journo from Prog Magazine and he described my vocal style as somewhere between Jack Bruce and Donna Summer which I took as a huge compliment!

 Finally, what are your plans for the rest of the year?

 I'm expecting a baby daughter in October (which has left me terrified and excited in equal measures) so we’ll be having some down time over that period. Toward the back end of 2013 we will be releasing a new single and continuing to gig round the North as much as humanly possible.

https://www.facebook.com/weirdshapes

https://www.weirdshapes.co.uk

[bigmouth-records]

Jasmine Ellen Scott

Another day, another sensational acoustic artist to introduce you to. Jasmine Ellen Scott has recently become more prominent in the North East music scene, with a whole host of shows, as well as a small collection of her own material. Being multi- talented, she creates a variety of styles within her shows, and her eclectic taste makes for an awesome range of covers, check out one of her shows!

  To start with, tell us a bit about yourself

I'm Jasmine Ellen Scott, 17 from Middlesbrough. I've been singing for pretty much all my life, I've been playing piano since I was about 9/10 and guitar since the age of 13. I started writing original songs when I was about 14. Music has always been my main comfort zone from an early age, it has always been a really significant part of me, so I'm glad to be able to share it with people!

  You started out playing and singing quite young, have you always wanted to follow a career in music, or did it start off as more of a hobby?

I have been through hundreds of career ideas through the years, ranging from a west end actress to an optician (all extremely short lived phases), but music has always been a very clear option for me. I just didn't have much confidence in myself to believe that I had any potential, it was more a way of letting things out that I couldn't express any other way, but through the past year or so my faith in myself increased dramatically due to gigging regularly, collaborating with some phenomenal musicians and meeting people who have assisted in motivating myself. It's actually astounding what a couple of compliments can do to boost your self esteem! Now, I am definitely looking to pursue a career in music, there's nothing I want more! The idea of possibly inspiring someone with something I created fascinates me, or even just the idea of somebody finding my lyrics or me as a person relatable.

  You play more than one instrument, is there one that you particularly like to play/write with?

I'm much better at piano, as that's my main instrument, but I actually find writing songs a lot easier when I'm playing guitar. I think it's because it's a more familiar sound in the type of music I predominantly listen to, so my main inspiration lies within guitar based music. However, I do enjoy writing with and playing piano just as much. My piano songs tend to be more heartfelt and emotionally raw due to my playing style, but I have been told that my song 'Dilate', which is piano based, is an uplifting song that people enjoy. Although the topic of some of my lyrics can seem quite melancholic, I try to make them sound uplifting. In my opinion, the point of music is to express or relate to something you don't know how to put into words yourself, Music is an extremely therapeutic, cathartic and important thing, it should come from personal feelings and experiences to help others in the same boat.

You’ve recently started releasing more original tracks, do you think there could be an EP/album coming out in the future?

I would absolutely love to bring out an EP or album, I just don't really know how to go about it to be honest! I'm a bit of an amateur when it comes to that stuff! But I am going to find out and make sure that there is a possibility of an EP/album in the future!

  You’ve got a pretty varied music taste i.e. from Incubus to Michael Jackson, how did you discover them?

To be perfectly honest, just having a LOT of free time during my secondary school years. I was one of them weird kids who didn't go out much, instead I listened to absolutely tons of music. My music taste ranges from grunge to hip hop to metal to house to trip hop to classic rock to progressive rock to cheesy 80s pop and beyond! Give me a song to listen to, nine times out of ten I'll listen to it! I don't see the point on strictly confining yourself to one genre when there's so much out there! Despite my eclectic taste, I do have my favourites. These include: Pearl Jam, Incubus, Alice In Chains, Led Zeppelin, Michael Jackson, Rage Against The Machine, Beastie Boys, Soundgarden, Jimi Hendrix, Blind Melon, Alter Bridge, Jamiroquai, Disclosure, Metallica, The Cranberries, Pantera - I will stop there before I get far too carried away but there's tons more!

  Do you think the style of your influences often reflects through your music?

I think it does, because I always seem to get influenced to write songs after listening to my favourite bands who influence me. I always find that Incubus get my creativity flowing the most, just because I admire them so much as musicians and people, and they're so versatile, which is what I want to be. Metanoia was heavily influenced by the style of Incubus, mostly Brandon Boyd's lyrical style. I am also very strongly influenced by Eddie Vedder's lyrical style and look up to him and the rest of Pearl Jam in a massive way. I'm hugely into the 90s grunge movement, I think that reflects in some of my songs, particularly In My Vault. Also, listening to female led bands such as The Cranberries, The Sundays and Portishead help me to create vocal melodies to suit my voice's range.

  What are you going to be up to in the future?

In the future, I am hoping to get into Goldsmith's University of London to do a degree in Popular Music. Whilst I'm in London, I'm going to keep gigging as much as I can, until I hopefully can pursue my dream of living comfortably from my own creation.

[bigmouth-records]

Lucy Mae Jeff

This week we introduce Lucy Mae Jeff. Like many aspiring singers, she started off with the help of YouTube covers and things have kept getting better from there. Not only had she played gigs up and down Middlesbrough, she has had a fair bit of recognition, including supporting The Futureheads, and having a cover video recognised by The Script. If that doesn’t impress you, go head over and check out her YouTube channel!

  How did you first begin as a solo artist?

I first began as a solo artist in Secondary School, I mean I always used to sing in the shower and round the house but I'd hardly class that as the moments that I discovered I wanted to pursue music. I think one of the things that really got me thinking about singing was an after school club I joined. It was a singing group full of musical theatre kids, the want to be rockers, the girls that swear they'll be the next Amy Winehouse and all that. With the club I got to sing in assemblies and in front of a few people and that's pretty much got me thinking to do music.

  Was there a particular reason why you wanted to be a soloist rather than front a band?

I think every teenage girl who grew up listening to any band with a female vocalist secretly wanted to be them, I know I had a phase of wanting to be Hayley Williams from Paramore. I think its just because when you're on stage on your own you have a lot more control of whatever’s going on, if the music’s sounding good its all because of you and its a really rewarding feeling that you can please a crowd of people all on your own.

  You started out by posting YouTube videos, was that ever a daunting prospect to share with so many people, and did you ever expect to gain as many subscribers as you have done?

I remember the first time I posted a YouTube video and it was just of a track I recorded because I was so nervous to just sit in front of a camera and sing. I also remember not telling anyone in school about it, its really scary knowing your class mates are a click away from hearing you sing, especially when you don't really know if you're any good, I was so scared people from school would watch it and think I was awful! After a while I got a lot more confident and started showing my face and playing guitar. I think the moment that changed my whole YouTube experience was when I started posting my own songs. I had no idea that they would ever be as popular as some of them are. So many people message me saying that they can relate to my songs or they even got emotional listening to them and it’s very overwhelming. I will always appreciate every subscriber I have on YouTube, I mean 600 doesn't seem like a lot but if you put them in a room it'd make one hell of a crowd and that's so much more than what I ever expected from posting videos

  What make/model of guitars do you use and why?

I use Tanglewood guitars on the grounds that I'm faithful to them, they've always served me well and I like what I know but I've recently dabbled in Epiphone acoustics, especially the EJ200 because the body and the tone are just gorgeous. I'm hoping a few more guitars will join my family soon, I call it a family because all my guitars have names, it’s my slightly weird way of keeping track of them all

  What kind of advice would you give to any other soloists looking to start out in similar ways to you?

My advice would probably be, take as much advice as you can get. Don't ever think you know it all because no one ever does. When you're starting out you should always be looking to improve and work with people who are going to help you reach your full potential

  How would you describe your style to new listeners?

To anyone who hasn't heard my music before I'd say I'm an acoustic artist but with a dash of a country vibe. I think my music is the kind of thing you listen to when you need to know at least one person in the world knows how you feel, as all of my songs are written about the people you never want to see again, the one you regret losing, the day that changed your life. I try to take a moment that anyone could look at and say, yeah I know how that feels. My music is for anyone who wants someone to relate to, even if it’s simply through a song

  What are you going to be up to for the rest of the year?

I'm dedicating this year to as writing as many songs as possible, not meaning I'm going to just force them out but there so many things that have gone on in my life that need to be in song and I really want to focus on that. I'm hoping that towards the end of this year I'll be ready to record some songs professionally for the first time, which will be really fun but only time will tell!

https://www.facebook.com/LucyMaeJeff

http://www.youtube.com/user/TheRealLucyMae

[bigmouth-records]

The Broken Broadcast

Our newest interview comes from The Broken Broadcast, a band who have been celebrated by the Teesside crowd since their beginnings in 2009. Since then, despite some major changes, they have remained just as popular, playing a whole host of shows and festivals up and down the area, as well as creating a back catalogue that has attracted a lot of positive attention. Another North East favourite for you check out, go and show them some love!

 First off, introduce yourselves and give us a bit of background to get any new fans up to speed with ‘The Broken Broadcast’

We're The Broken Broadcast, we consist of myself James on guitar and vocals, Gary on bass, mark on Banjo, Alex on cornet, Emma on drums, Snowy on glock and percussion and Bex on cello. We try and play uplifting folk rock fables

 How did you find your recent show at Ropner Park?

A bit weird playing to lots of kids and dogs running around, the music seems to disappear on outside shows. We still love them though and we're certainly made for outdoor festival situations.

  You were also gearing up to play Willow Man Festival, how was that?

We've recently played Willowman, which was fantastic as we headlined the creative intentions stage, it means we generally get full attention than playing earlier in the day. We try and do a practice per two shows, so there's plenty of time between now and Redcar Rocks and Stockton Weekender

 Not only that, you’re also releasing a new album ‘How Not to Cut a Buffalo’ how are you feeling about that?

It's taken us 2.5 years and 4 studios to find a balance, a few line up changes and label change hasn't helped so we're pretty relieved. It's not a conventional release but we're pretty pleased with the outcome.

 What can fans expect from it?

More fable like fantasies, its bagpuss meets folk rock.... kind of.

 What are your other plans for this year, after the release?

We need to expand our territories, so visit places like London, Manchester and Sheffield etc.