Posts Tagged ‘Alternative’

The New Root – Another Picture

value=”always”> height=”81″ src=”http://player.soundcloud.com/player.swf?url=http%3A%2F%2Fsoundcloud.com%2Frisingstars%2Fthe-new-root-another-picture&g=1&”
type=”application/x-shockwave-flash” width=”100%”>

Q1.Where are you from?

The band is based in Bristol. This is where we formed, met and are based –

although only two of our members are actually from the town.

Q.2 Musical influences?

We all have really diverse influences.

My biggest influence is Radiohead.  I love strong vocals, great lyrics and unusual song writing.  Other influences include Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Arcade Fire, Kate Bush and Jeff Buckley

Dave (lead guitarist) is a big U2 fan, loves texture, creating soundscapes and strange noises.

Craig our bassist’s biggest influences are The Flaming Lips, John Butler Trio, State Radio and David Bowie.

Whilst Joel (drums) claims influences such as Dispatch, The Clash, Fugazi, The Roots, Sufjan Stevens, Jonsi, The Beastie Boys, Cold War Kids, Broken Social Scene, The Beatles, Xavier Rudd, Led Zeppelin, The National, Juarassic 5, Sublime, The Decemberists to name a few J

Q3. What’s your song writing process?

(Trish Boothby) I usually write the songs (chords and lyrics), either on the acoustic or electric guitar.  I like to experiment and play around with chords, rhythms and structure.  I feel most inspired to write songs when I’ve been listening to new music and when I feel like I have something to say.

When I feel confident that I have something promising, I will usually bring it to the rest of the group at rehearsal or demo it at home.  Together as a band, we jam over the chords and through the different song sections.  Sometimes I have an idea of the kind of mood I think the song should convey and other times I am excited to see what we come up with spontaneously.  The songs usually transform once the guys get their hands on it.  Sometime a small song can become epic.  Occasionally it can take a while for a song to come together, whilst at other times it seems to come together easily.  It’s always exciting hearing the final product, and I’m always amazed at what we end up with.

Q.4 Most bizarre gig experience?

On our first national tour after playing at some great venues and nights in London, Cambridge, Sheffield etc we arrived for our gig in Taunton – in a venue we had never played before.  The owner was apparently an ex session drummer to someone famous in the eighties.

The venue was long and thin with a stage in the middle facing literally a wall, and on the wall pictures of witches.  As we got up to play to our audience which consisted just of the members of the other band and one random guy who claimed to be a sound engineer for the Glastonbury Festival on holiday, the owner blasted out the smoke machines and cranked up the reverb.  Which seemed a little excessive to us but hey…

So we played our hearts out with smoke and epicness in a venue that was little more than a corridor, to a wall of witches and one audience member who danced the entire time in the middle of the dancefloor, and apparently loved it J  One of our most memorable gigs.

Q5. If you could share the stage with anyone, who would it be and why?

For me it would be Thom Yorke

Craig – Wayne Coyne

Dave – Bono and The edge

Joel – With Thom Yorke you would always feel you were apart of something awesome and epic, whilst Bono and The Edge would make sure you were connecting with the audience.  With Wayne Coyne and The Flaming Lips you would be guaranteed to have fun whist enjoying awesome music!!

 

In their own words

With an unwavering attention to detail The New Root approach their music-making “like going to war,” says Trish Boothby (singer, songwriter and guitarist).

Bristol’s Venue magazine described the band as being “purveyors of an extraordinary sound…a meld of soaring, volatile voice and fret-vaulting guitar…a Tori Amos/Depeche Mode wrestling match…on their way to save the last polar bear from a fragment of iceberg…the most exhilarating thing we’ve heard all week.”

In 2004 The New Root, then consisting of four University of Bristol students, hit the ground running when they performed their first gig on Glastonbury weekend… to a crowd of homeless people and ex-drug addicts in Bristol.

An early stint of university gigs and fundraising events followed to become a ‘learn on the job’ training ground where more than just a clear chemistry was evident in this raw and unformed band of musicians.  Headed by Trish and Dave Boothby (lead guitar and strange sounds), and backed by synth, bass and drums, The New Root’s immediately unique sound and raw energy seemed to make an instant impression with fellow students and with the press.

Six years on, three EP’s and several line-ups later the early ‘unformed’ nature of the band has become a distant memory, and given way to a live show that has a powerful confidence, shouting that this band know who they are and where they are going.

Having just released their debut album ‘Talk Is Ending’ the band – now including Craig Livings on bass and Joel Mines on drums – are making themselves heard on a wider scale with a number of UK dates, radio play and thousands of free CDs given out at shows.  Venue magazine has described the album as being “the best showcase yet of Trish Boothby’s extraordinary, none-more-urgent-or-distinctive voice.”  The band are already working on follow-up singles.

 

Share

 

The Rumble – City Lights

value=”always”> height=”81″ src=”http://player.soundcloud.com/player.swf?url=http%3A%2F%2Fsoundcloud.com%2Frisingstars%2Fthe-rumble-city-lights&g=1&”
type=”application/x-shockwave-flash” width=”100%”>

Q1. Where are you from?

Whitehall, North Dublin

Q2. Musical influences?

Arctic Monkeys, The Strokes, Kasabian, The Beatles, Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Oasis, Thin Lizzy, Radiohead, Paolo Nutini

 

Q3. What’s your song writing process?

One of the band members plays their idea in front of each member and we all contribute accordingly, usually take the drums and bass into account first and then progress to writing lyrics and catchy guitar riffs

 

Q4. Most bizarre gig experience?

Playing in Belfast recording for Sounds for the Cities. Just before the gig Imelda May came over to talk to us in soundcheck and later on at our gig Mat Horne gave Steven McCann, the guitarist, his jacket.

 

Q5. If you could share the stage with anyone, who would it be and why?

Red Hot Chilli Peppers. Simply because they have fantastic stage presence and can really get the crowd going when they want to, not to mention a huge collection of wonderful songs.

 

In their own words

Hailing from Dublins northside a place associated with U2 and the great Thin Lizzy. This four piece have the coolness of The Clash, the swagger of Primal Scream and a sound that combines Punk, Ska, Rock and Indie in one big musical cocktail. The band consists of Conor Ryder(Lead Vocals), Steven McCann(Guitar & Vocals), Conor McManus(Bass) & Shane Power(Drums). Formed in August of 2009, instantly gaining a large fan base for their song ‘City Lights’, The Rumble have established themselves as an honest, hard working, talented band.

After gaining recognition from their demo (Violence Isn’t Culture – http://soundcloud.com/the-rumble/sets/elektra-studios/), recorded in Elektra Studios – Temple Bar, The Rumble are now working on an EP to launch very soon in 2011.

Described by promoters as “One of Dublin’s most sought after bands” The Rumble have played in all of Dublin’s hot-spots and also established a residence in Quinns Drumcondra in 2010. With a mention in Hotpress and also a some local newspapers, the four lads represented Ireland’s upcoming music with appearance on Channel 4 with Imelda May & The Japanese Popstars, the future looks very bright for The Rumble. Watch this space for new music as a Debut EP is coming VERY SOON.

Share

 

V. Rich – Bachelor

value=”always”> height=”81″ src=”http://player.soundcloud.com/player.swf?url=http%3A%2F%2Fsoundcloud.com%2Frisingstars%2Fv-rich-bachelor&g=1&”
type=”application/x-shockwave-flash” width=”100%”>

Q1.Where are you from?

Born in Michigan, lived in Connecticut for a bit…but claim Washington, DC.

Q2. Musical Influences?

Bob Marley, Chopin, Nina Simone, Marvin Gaye, Prince, D’Angelo, Dave Matthews

Q3. What’s your song writing process?

Depends on where the inspiration comes from. Sometimes the song is inspired by a melody. If that is the case… I sit at the piano and build chords around the melody. Then I add lyrics to the melody.  Sometimes I make a track or I am sent a track and I will listen to the track to figure out how the music makes me feel. From there I think of a concept that fits the feeling. Then I compose a melody and add lyrics.

Q4. Most bizarre gig experience? I was performing one night and decided to sing “Ain’t no Sunshine” as a cover. Well while I was singing that song and older lady… probably in her 70′s starts grinding at the front of the stage at me…So I started grinding back at her!! Lol The audience loved it!!!

Q5. If you could share the stage with anyone, who would it be and why?

Prince… because he is a musical Genuis!

 

In their own words

Masterful and vibrantly fluid on keys, his voice blends unique textures and a stratum of harmonic ability into contemporary R&B. V. Rich is an artist of innate musicality equipped with an arsenal of skills as a singer/songwriter, musician, arranger and producer. With sultriness reminiscent of Maxwell and musicianship influenced by the likes of Prince and Stevie, his solo EP project, “V.Rich – Songs from the album ‘Addicted’” meshes Neo-soul, R& B, and hip-hop energy with panache so irresistible, so catchy, it’s hard to know exactly what rhythm grabs your attention first.

Born Vincent Richardson in a small Michigan town, V. Rich spent his childhood in New Haven, Connecticut where he learned the power of music and its ability to connect to the hearts and minds of its listeners. Growing up the son of a preacher, in a family of singers, musicians, and music lovers, the young V. Rich was exposed to a vast array of musical genres and quickly became fascinated by the greats: Bob Marley, Nina Simone, Marvin Gaye and Oscar Peterson and the classical giants: Chopin, Debussy and Beethoven.

His fervor for music deepened in the eclectic musical hub that is Washington DC; known then as “Keys”, he founded a critically acclaimed hip-hop band Lauda and began playing keyboards and singing backup for major R&B recording artist, Amel Larrieux. The exposure gave V. Rich greater desires to one day perform at the front of the stage. But he continued to add depth to his catalog and in 2005 he scored scenes in the BET made for TV movie “Multitude of Mercies”. He began to gain momentum in the music industry and began working with a number of local and national artists including Navasha of the underground giant “Fertile Ground”, Grammy – nominated performers Wayna and Raheem DeVaughn, and Grammy award winners Mya and Lauryn Hill.

The culmination of this diverse and eclectic musical journey is highlighted in his first self-contained solo project, “V.Rich – Songs from the album ‘Addicted’”. On the edge of freshly defined tracks with the lyrical swagger of a virtuoso, this tunesmith and accomplished producer bares his seasoned soul. The beauty is not only in each chord and its progression but also in V.Rich’s ability to write, produce, arrange, record, and mix most of this EP at his own studio, Vibrato Studios. His energy and silvery polished quality demands attention in songs like, “Lovely” and “Spontaneous”. “Addicted” bleeds prowess and vulnerability; a euphonious blend of his rich and soulful artistry layered over infectious tones. His first single, “Bachelor” demands attention from radio. And “C.R.A.Z.Y Girl” Is sure to make some noise as he describes a possessive girl who through it all, still loves!

V.Rich has worked with and/or shared the staged with artists including: Bilal, Chrisette Michele, Lauryn Hill, Amel Larrieux, EnVogue, Mya, Will Downing, Melanie Fiona, Raheem DeVaughn, Laura Izibor, Anthony David, Howard Hewitt, Goapele, Res, Martin Luther, Melba Moore, Eric Roberson, Tony Terry and Chuck Brown to name a few. As well as platinum selling producers Chucky Thompson (Grammy), Glen Mosley, and the Heatmakerz. V.Rich also co-wrote Jay Hayden’s single “No Where”, which is currently in radio rotation and has already hit the Billboards charts at #98.

 

Share

 

Broken Glass On Broadway – Liar

value=”always”> height=”81″ src=”http://player.soundcloud.com/player.swf?url=http%3A%2F%2Fsoundcloud.com%2Frisingstars%2Fbroken-glass-on-broadway-liar&g=1&”
type=”application/x-shockwave-flash” width=”100%”>

Q1. Where are you from?

Clonmel, Co. Tipperary

Q2. Musical influences?

Jeff Buckley, The Strokes, Muse, Royseven,The Smiths, Codes, Florence and themachine,Biffy Clyro, The Coronas, Elvis.. To name a few.

Q3. What’s your song writing process?

Usually our singer Kyle would write a song with a melody hook or an idea and bring it in and the band would build something around it and then other times of one the guitar players might have a hook on the guitar or synth and we would just jam it till we got a vibe.

Q4. Most bizarre gig experience?

Am probably playing at a talent competition and having to go on after a man with a dog that does tricks.. Weird…

Q5. If you could share the stage with anyone,  who would it be and why?

We would love to gig with The Coronas. As they have such and great and loyal fan base and we have a similar target audience.

In their own words

“I’m drifting further from this town”

Clonmel five piece, Broken Glass On Broadway, maybe be relatively new to the music circuit but they’re already making a considerable impression.  Most bands who only arrived at their final line-up nine months ago can’t boast of support slots with Miracle Bell, Royseven, Ryan Sheridan and Ollie Cole.. but these boys can.

Guitar driven with smatterings of electro/synth sounds, the uptempo, singalong anthems of Broken Glass On Broadway have won the affections of the public and promoters alike. Songs like “Liar” and “Numbers” have helped the band’s fanbase grow exponentially over the past few months with appearances in the final of “Tipp’s Got Talent” and on Balcony TV, complimenting energetic and memorable performances in The Stables, Limerick, Whelan’s, The Village and The Grand Social in Dublin, to name but a few.

“You find yourself- you find another way around”

“We’ve had a great few months” lead singer, Kyle Fitzpatrick says, “We’re just going to keep writing songs, and doing what we love most- playing music together.”

The next few months will see the band focus on writing new songs, recording demos in preparation for their debut album, and getting in the odd gig here and there for good measure. If they’ve started as they mean to go on, Broken Glass On Broadway will be a household name before too long.

Broken Glass on Broadway are: Kyle Fitzpatrick (Lead Vocals), Dylan Fogarty (Guitar/Keys/Synth), David O’Connor (Guitar/Keys/Synth), James McGrath (Bass), Alex Ridley (Drums/Percussion).

Share

 

Chris Keys – City Lights

value=”always”> height=”81″ src=”http://player.soundcloud.com/player.swf?url=http%3A%2F%2Fsoundcloud.com%2Frisingstars%2Fchris-keys-city-lights&g=1&”
type=”application/x-shockwave-flash” width=”100%”>

Q1. Where are you from?

Portstewart, currently living in Newtownards

Q2. Musical influences?

Bob Marley, John Mayer, Jack Johnson, U2, Sheryl Crow, John Martyn, Van Morrison & many more…

Q3. What’s your song writing process?

Get a tune going, then a vocal melody over the tune and finally write the lyrics.

Q4. Most bizarre gig experience?

Tripped on a lead and pulled a drum cymbal down on top of me, this hit me right on the nose while on road show through a performing arts course.

Q5. If you could share the stage with anyone, who would it be and why?
Any of these three, John Mayer, Jack Johnson, U2 just because I love their stuff and there live performances are amazing too!

 

In their own words

Northern Irish Singer/songwriter Chris Keys had a passion for music from a young age. He grew up in Portstewart, a small seaside town where the beach, night sky and surfing brought out his creativity and had a big influence on his songwriting. As a teenager Chris played in many bands gigging around the north coast area and began writing original material. In 2005 he won North Down ‘Pubstar’ wowing the Judges with his increasing catalogue of songs. Chris has been performing for years as a solo artist at a wide range of events. In 2010 he has made appearances on Balcony Tv, Blast Fm, feile Fm, Bandwagon Tv, Drive Fm, Iur-fm and performed at many great venues in Belfast and throughout Northern Ireland. Also in August 2010 Chris went to No.1 on the N.I Chart with ‘City lights’, followed by a second No.1 in December with ‘There for you’. He is continously writing new material and looking for opportunities to showcase his music to a wider audience. Check out his website for up and coming shows.