CONTENTS 4- 7 SICAL KUDOS TO CLAS 8- 9 H... QUESTIONS WIT EVAROSE 10 -11 INTERVIEW CIRCA SURVIVE AND LIVE REVIEW 12 -15 EEKEND CARDIFF’S BIG W
25-26 @ EVERY TIME I DIE SIX FEET UNDER 27 RVIEW THE XCERTS INTE 28-29 H... QUESTIONS WIT SKY UNDERLINE THE 30-34 CD REVIEWS:
16 MADINA LAKE @ CARDIFF BARFLY
K!, , ATTACK! ATTAC FFAF, DETACHED SOUND N IO N U , ATRA EMAROSA , CASAN TERATI, , EVAROSE, GLIT SET, OCEANSIZE UR, FOLD, STONE SO AVENGED SEVEN WORK THE SOCIAL NET
17 NAL @ EXIT INTERNATIO AL READING FESTIV
35 UGS REVIEW MINERVA EAR PL 36 -3 7 RVIEW PIER STUDIO INTE
18 MMH ALKALINE TRIO @ 19 Y STADIUM MUSE @ WEMBLE 20 -24 HO BILL BAILEY @ SO Y HORSES PULLED APART B INTERVIEW LIVE REVIEW AND
Contributors A-Z ski Davies e, Alex Brady, Em d Nadine Ballantyn Sillitoe, Ed Townen Paul Esp, Anneka
{
Kudos toClassical
Words: Alex Brady
F
rom July to September each year we are graced with one of the most prestigious musical events in the world, The Proms. Started in 1895, The Proms is one of the most concentrated classical events you could ever see or hear, with seats regularly selling out within a couple hours of going on sale, if not instantly; it is an institution to be cherished and something that is championed year after year by musicians and audiences alike.
{
In
the 21st Century we seem spoilt for choice when it comes to genres of music – pop, rock, indie, R&B, hip-hop, electro, blues – but classical is perhaps the least likely to show up on a teenagers list of favourite sounds. It may be because some consider classical music as out-dated, for the elderly or those who were raised in a mansion on the banks of the River Cherwell in Oxford, but it is as powerful and influential today as it was 115 years ago when The Proms began. Consider how music has evolved over time. Looking over the last 50 years you can see how music has changed over the decades into what we have now. Now think back 200 years and you would be hard pressed
to come across anything you could call modern. What we now call classical was their ‘pop’. From what is essentially one vast genre, sprang pretty nearly every mainstream sound we have today. Through new instruments, new technologies and changing tastes it’s offspring went forth into the world to create diversity and the seeds of the future. So, present day music can be seen to have evolved from classical, but what is evolution if not survival of the fittest and centuries later, classical is still going strong, surviving and thriving with composers still scribbling away furiously.
We’ve all seen the images of orchestras; those impressive, grand collections of musicians but take a minute to really look and you begin to appreciate what is taking place. Ignoring vocalists, an average band today will consist of guitar, bass guitar and drums.
SOUNDSCAPE 05
W
hen you look at the average orchestra on the other hand you are faced with violins, organs, pianos, harps, flutes, oboes, cellos, French horns, clarinets, drums and an entire arsenal of percussion, at times many present numerous times throughout. The differences in numbers and instruments involved allow an orchestra to create an intricate
and complicated audio world so far removed from mainstream music that it cannot be compared to any artists who appears on the Radio 1 play-list. Now you have a concept of the numbers involved, try to imagine the mind required to score a piece of music for that many people. Each instrument producing a unique sound,
working in harmony with every other section of the orchestra to produce a coherent audio construct which has to convey emotions, themes and ideas without the vocals and lyrics we have become used to. You may not be surprised to hear then that quite a few composers suffered from some form of mental illness or led very troubled lives.
S
chumann, who is well known for his piano compositions, often considered suicide and in 1854 flung himself into the Rhine River. Though he was rescued before drowning, he appeared to have lost his sanity, resulting in him spending the last two years of his life in an asylum. Bruckner, best known for his nine symphonies, spent three months in a sanatorium and suffered bouts of depression later in life. Perhaps the most famous though would be Beethoven. It is common knowledge that his hearing gradually worsened, eventually becoming completely deaf. Though this prevented him from performing in concerts he continued composing regardless and is considered one of the finest composers ever though all three have produced works that are considered beautiful, highly influential and inspiring and have kept their names alive to this day. You may be thinking that you never listen to classical music, that day in day out you manage to avoid it but there is one place where this genre dominates above all others, cinema.
Jurassic Park, Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings and Star Wars for example, all films that were acclaimed for their soundtracks as well as for their story and production and they are all scores that are classically based. Without that music the impact and excitement of all those films would have be greatly lessened. It is the music that makes the emotions tangible, allowing the audience to empathize with the characters and share in their experience, not to mention that each of the films listed above has a unique theme which anyone will be able to identify from a few simple seconds. If this brief exploration has not convinced you to appreciate and maybe become a bit more involved in classical music, then perhaps it has at least taught you to respect it. For something, which is essentially a form of entertainment, to remain popular as well as to continue to develop and to be a source of innovation centuries after its conception, is highly indicative of the power it possesses, the near-eternal appeal as well as how ingrained it is into each successive generation.
SOUNDSCAPE 07
Q
Q
uestions with
Eva Rose How d id you get sta r ted?
We’ve all been playing music in and out of bands for years. We all came together in 2010 to form Eva Rose. Wha t ha ve you got goi n g o n at the m om ent? Words: Paul Esp
We’re having loads of fun getting back into playing gigs and are extra excited for our debut EP ‘Creation Divide’ to be released, and playing lots of release shows to promote this! Fa vour ite m usic a nd w h y ?
“
gives us peace of David Attenborough, he mind and a sense of life
“
Eva Rose, an all female rock band from Oxford, yes, Oxford! They release their highly anticipated debut EP, ‘Creation Divide’ 18th of October. Soundscape were given a preview of it and what a pleasure it was. Edgy but melodic rock, definitely a release to look out for, and one we have high hopes for. Here’s a few sneaky questions with the gals...
Words: Paul Esp SOUNDSCAPE 08
We’re all into a wide range of stuff, to name a few... Incubus, The Used, Taking Back Sunday, John Mayer, Circa Survive and Regina Spektor. Fa vour ite b ook a nd wh y ?
Graceling by Kristin Cashore, because it’s got a bit of everything, fantasy, romance and action, what else do you need! Fa vour ite film a nd why ?
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Harry Potter’s, Anchorman and Mrs Doubtfire. Anyone who has seen any of these will know there is no need to explain!
B e st e x p e r ie n c e in the bu si n es s ?
Who a r e your r ole m od els/
Well, playing gigs and just getting involved in it. Meeting and speaking to new people who we may have otherwise never encountered.
David Attenborough, he gives us peace of mind and a sense of life.
T e l l o u r r e a d e r s an in t e re s tin g f a c t abo ut t h e ba n d ?
We never stop talking about food. Ever.
idols?
H a r d est thing a b out the current b usiness?
Being a different type of ‘girl band’ and the stigma that comes with it
.
Head over to www.evarose.co.uk where you can download 2 NonEP tracks for free: ‘Cough It Up’ and an acoustic ersion of the EP track ‘Flatline’.
INTERVIEW & LIVE CLWB IFOR BACH 12TH JULY
“
Circa Survive“
Esao Andrews: He is like the visual equivalent to our music
Words & Photo: Emski Davies
SOUNDSCAPE 10
I
end up in a dark room, sat across from Anthony Green, giggling like a schoolgirl for twenty minutes as Mr. Green proceeds to interview me, delving into my choice of lipstick, hair decoration and veganism. He also lets slip of the blossoming romance he is grooming with Coheed and Cambria drummer Chris Pennie. Finally I manage to deliver my inquisitions:
SSM: How are you today?
GREEN: I’m good, a little jet lagged but I’m too excited to really notice it. SSM: Cardiff is the first date of this tour, how are you finding the city?
GREEN: I love it here. We’re used to playing the Barfly, the last time we
T
h ey kick off the night quite predictably with their first single from Blue Sky Noise , the brilliantly antianthem‘Get Out’. The room erupts and within minutes Anthony is in with the crowd and they are loving it, screaming the lyrics and their hearts out trying to get as close as possible to the front man resembling a scene from a Romero movie,
played there it was one of the coolest shows we’ve done over here, everybody was rushing the stage and climbing the ceiling, it was awesome. SSM: Do you guys ever just get to hang out and jam? GREEN: We jam a little. I think its more preparing for a tour. We go in, play songs then hang out and talk about them and other times its just go in, practice and leave. It’s just going through the motions, trying to get yourself ready. SSM: I love the work of Esao Andrews, the artist of your albums! GREEN: Yeah, with all the albums that he has done for us we have sent him lyrics or a piece of music and he’s hit the nail every time.
some of them even trying to claw their way inside him. It’s remarkable that after every track a sense of serenity seems to fall over the venue, matched with a feeling that the peak of the night has been reached. Circa Survive then shatter this reality with the beginnings of a brand new piece of music that seems somehow even more
He is like the visual equivalent to our music.
SSM: You tour with Coheed and Cambria a lot, what are they like to hang out with? GREEN: They’re so cool. I’d say one of the top three bands to tour with. Their crew are awesome and they’re all really cool guys to hang out with. Chris Pennie and I, whenever I see him we sort of like don’t say anything, we do this typical guy thing where we start tackling each other, I think it possibly comes from a place where he’s in love with me. SSM: Are you looking forward to the show tonight? GREEN: Yes. I hope people go crazy, it’s a guitarists worst nightmare but I love seeing kids fall all over their pedals
.
positively charged than before. Impossibly electric. It was also refreshing to see the band taking time out at the end of the night to meet and talk with fans at the merch table, as after all they are just regular guys from Philadelphia doing what they love; making music and sharing it with the world, and they are extremely grateful and happy for it.
Cardiff’s
D N E K E E BIG W
30TH JULY
F
riday night at Cardiff’s Big Weekend proved two things. One: Cardiff has taste and Two: Cardiff has potential. Why? Well Swn Festival hosted the Friday night, and with only four acts from Wales showed how much potential and taste the Welsh capital has… pay attention music business. The Big Weekend is a free event that hosts a lot more than just music, and little attention is paid to the music besides the headliners. Thankfully tonight was a change in all that.
First up were SAMOANS. Despite being dwarfed by the huge stage around them, they packed a solid and very loud punch, taking the uninterested crowds by surprise. Jumping from quiet strains to powering rock chords and drums, Samoans kicked out an unfaltering post-rock set accompanied by screams and confidence. Not a bad start.
SOUNDSCAPE 12
Next up we’re lead by Swn in an entirely different direction with RACE HORSES. Veterans to the Swn Festival, they brought an eccentric, jumpy and incredibly danceable sound the stage. With a definable sharp indie tinge they played vintage looking keyboards and guitars with vintage looking haircuts. Third on stage was a slightly bigger name in LOS CAMPESINOS! Brimming with confidence, front man Gareth spent time in between songs chastising the mainly young audience who had gathered to see The Blackout. The sordid lyrics of their songs matched this attitude, but faced with a crowd in which only a few pockets were their fans, their vigour was certainly brave – probably gaining them a few new followers. The band have headlined Swn Festival before and were playing Big Weekend as part of their festival appearances.
Headlining the night were THE BLACKOUT, who brought out the red carpet and the big guns with a furious light show and a massively energetic performance as the rain that had threatened all evening started to fall. The band pulled out all the stops for a near-to-home crowd – although their attitude to their hometown was less than shining. The set was complete with a huge circle pit and a rousing rendition of Beastie Boys’ ‘(You Gotta) Fight For Your Right (To Party!)’. They also pulled out all of the crowd pleasers like ‘Children of the Night’ and ‘It’s High Tide, Baby’ they ended the night on a huge positive note (with ‘I’m A Riot? You’re A Fucking Riot!’) for Welsh music, showing that for a small country, it kicks ass. The band is set to curate an event at 2010’s Swn Festival to show off their favourite underground bands.
Words & Photo: Ed Townend Words: Keith Lerego Photos: Simon Ayre
Photos: Ed Townend
MADINA LAKE
--------------------CARDIFF BARFLY 2ND AUGUST
A t
s the Cardiff barfly begins to fill with charged Madina Lake fans I will be viewing onights performance from behind the barrier, which from what I expect of tonight’s show is the safest place to be. Tonight the Chicago quartet will be playing as a trio due to the absence of bassist Matthew Leone. Matthew has remained in the states after being brutally attacked whilst stopping a domestic dispute on the streets of his home state. Even with Matthew missing tonight’s show the band still play a powerful set.
Words & Photos: Emski Davies SOUNDSCAPE 16
I confess to not being a Madina Lake fan but I was impressed at how well they played live together and genuinely seem like nice guys. The missing brother doesn’t faze the crowd but instead they show their support with their ‘well wishing’ screams and amount of cuddly toys that seemed a little strange for a ‘rock gig’. At every opportunity lead vocalist Nathan Leone transcends the stage, leaping over the barrier to be closer to their revering fans, singing every word back to him. All in all an emotional yet dynamically convincing performance.
Back stage in the BBC tent you could sense the anxiety emanating from the trio, although you’d
swear they were enjoying it. I spent the duration of the set on stage and witnessed the eruption of dirty, stinking bass lines first hand. My heart felt like it was going to explode into a bloody mess all over the bass bins and I’m pretty sure the BBC cameraman were feeling the same. As always front man Scott makes it his duty to go and ‘say hello’ in his own special way to the crowd. Exit International bombarded the reading festival like a medicated frenetic and everyone absolutely loved it. Catch the boys at their following shows and in the words of Exit “Take your pick, loads of chances to get your panties blown wet”
EXIT INTERNATIONAL
-----------------------
A
fter twelve and a half hours on the road and less again in sleep, traveling from Cardiff to Reading to Leeds and then back to Reading I find Exit International lurking in the guest area at 11am Sunday morning. The boys were looking a little spent but as always in good spirits. They tell me their Leeds performance was a success and with that now behind them they seem focused on today’s show, for the boys it has always been about the Reading show. At 6:30pm it was time to get on stage and do what they do best.
BBC INTRODUCING READING FESTIVAL 29TH AUGUST
ALKALINE TRIO
---------------------------------------------------------------------
MILLENNIUM MUSIC HALL 26TH AUGUST
A
lkaline Trio, a name to me that suggested punk, pacey, fresh spirited rock n roll. And half expecting quite a show off these boys, we were only let down. Fans piled at the front may look like they’re having the times of their life, but
amongst the rubble at the back it’s a different story. The venue had clearly sold too many tickets, the sound was below average and the security couldn’t care, and by the end, many others couldn’t care either. When did Alkaline Trio lose their spark? Perhaps after an hours worth of similar,
out dated material, with a stage presence that suggests they’ve got nothing new to show. The supports showed more character and enthusiasm to impress this crowd – and perhaps this is what sends many home early. Punk rock is dead? Alkaline Trio sure make it feel that way. 5/10
MUSE
-----------------------------------------------PLUS: BIFFY CLYRO WEMBLEY STADIUM 11TH SEPTEMBER
B
iffy Clyro are on the bill, the chances of many angry Scottish blokes there are inevitable. The chances of many foreigners also there who’ll collide with said Scottish people. Definitely. The crowd soon split between hardcore fans and those there just to see Muse when pits open up in seconds of Biffy hitting the stage. Who, thanks to singer Simon Neil’s newly dyed hair you could spot in the furthest point away from the stage. Songs are pushed out, and each tracks pushes a notch up in the crowd to go more insane. Although, the older begrudgingly stand back not keen on beating the heck out of each other. Such a contrast to White Lies who were mind numbingly boring in comparison. A few songs borderline vaguely interesting, but feel too over hyped.
M
use are one of the titans of rock n roll in the UK. One of the most respected, and probably one of the best arena acts you can expect to see off a band this size here. It’s not all about the music though, one look at the set up, at this huge space ship-esque looking stage and you’re wondering what was possibly going through their heads when they came up with this design. But it all ties in as we find out later. They smash through a cliché hits set, but a two hour hits set. Matt cracks an intimate number mid performance with ‘Ruled by Secrecy’, an honour to hear, which is only followed up later on triumphantly with Exogenesis (Part 1). Matt’s voice is truly beautiful, not a note out of place. But it’s not all just about Matt, drummer Dom and bassist Chris get their own
stage time as they parade onto a platform in the midst of the ground and kick off a drum ‘n bass jam. But the momentary jam is upstaged later on when Matt casually and gloriously takes to the platform for a second encore in a flashing, slightly robotic looking suit and rave glasses to play ‘Take A Bow’. Finally ending the set, the exhausted, but relentless to give up crowd are pleasured with ‘Plug In Baby’ and ‘Knights of Cydonia’. Out with a bang as they say. 10/10
Words & Photos: Nadine Ballantyne
SOUNDSCAPE 19
BILL BAILEY
-----------------------SOHO THEATRE 9TH SEPTEMBER
What’s a well known comedian doing playing a small, couple hundred capacity venue and not an arena? Testing out new material is what springs to mind. Ready for an upcoming tour? We certainly hope so. We’re greeted with a rather ill and broken Bill Bailey, seeing him play with a slipped disc keeps our hopes at a level where we know he can’t perform to his best, but will give his best. Bill’s a man that keeps up to date, even with the kids phrases, as he plays an internet emoticon twitter song, to which half the room are probably questioning “What the hell is twitter?”. He plays his usual array of instruments, noise stumbling’s amongst supermarket outings, celebrity bashing, political and intellect jokes questioning doubt and religion. It’s not the type of show you can be passive to, you’re constantly having to keep on Bill’s level of imagination and true, yet slightly worrying look on life. All had forgotten that this poor comic was ill until a rendition of Gary Numan’s Cars on old fashioned bike horns produced a cock up. He could of probably thrown his guts up right there and then, but a quick pause, a laugh, an apology and he carries back on form for the last remainder of the show. What a man! 8/10
Pulled Apart By Horses CLWB IFOR BACH 14TH SEPTEMBER
What’s that, Pulled Apart By Horses played Clwb Ifor Bach again? Only this time they graced the top floor with a real stage, bigger amps, a bigger crowd... In all, it makes a heck of a difference.
PULLED APART BY HORSES
are a band most associate with a chaotic but friendly approach on stage. They’re one of those bands best seen intimately. Tonight however, most back away Main support STRANGE from the stage, and only NEWS FROM ANOTHER STAR 10 or so people really definitely fit their name get into the groove, even (strange ain’t the word as guitarist James in his for it). They all dress in affectionate manner can’t denim, the help but interact with bassist every gig we’ve those few. Feeding them seen them at has a tenwine and dishing of the dency to stand on a chair, hugs – how can you not tonight it’s an amp, and feel happy about that? they have no problems expressing their feelings As well as they play, it for touching girls inapdoesn’t quite feel it’s as propriately. Not literally, glorious as it should be just lyrically, well, perhaps compared to the other in their own time. But for times they’ve played only them to know, which Clwb, that the crowd for sums up their music – just tonight aren’t as keen Inappropriately, interestfor PABH’s eccentric ingly strange, amusing, behaviour as before, and something we’d and having a quiet night. have the pleasure to 8/10 witness again.
SOUNDSCAPE 21
Words & Photos: N Ballantyne
I n t e r v i ew P
ulled Apart By Horses, they may dazzle you with their live presence but off stage these fellas are nothing short of down to earth, rollie smoking northerners. We caught lead vocalist and guitarist Tom and James pre gig at Clwb Ifor Bach.
James: I’ve been listening to my ipod quite a lot recently, in fact all the time. I’ve just been listening to new music. Tom: We can’t keep ourselves sane, there’s no way of doing it. We’ve played a few days and we’re already on the edge. James: Before we’re even in the van we’re going a bit mental anyway. Tom: We’ve a stint of six of seven dates already, then had a day off in Leeds yesterday just to kind of pretend to be normal for a day, and then came back in the van, and now we’re here. James: We haven’t gone mental yet, but it does happen. What do we call it when we get like a mad vibe? Tom: Cabin fever. James: That hasn’t happened yet.
“
“
You’ve got a pretty intense long tour a head of you, here and over seas with Anti Flag, anything you do to keep yourselves sane?
we’ve all got about six songs in our heads tormenting us at the moment, and we haven’t had time to practice at all
James: And we’ve done some festivals like Pukkelpop over the summer. But we’ve been before and quite excited because you know that you get loads of food, and they treat you quite well out there. Tom: You get looked after so well it kind of spoils you, and then you come back to the UK and you get a crate of warm beer... James: Tesco bread... Tom: And a load of warm ham. James: Before, Cardiff Barfly gave us eight bottles of fosters, a loaf of Tesco bread, two apples and a block of cheese... It’s for your health. (laughs)
Can we expect a break for christmas, or is nothing going to stop you from touring and onto the next record? Tom: We’re having a break. We’ve got a few gigs in December and then we’re trying to have a break to actually write more songs. James: We’re going to have most of December off, and we’re going to go away and write the second album.... hopefully write an album, it might even see the day of light next year.
Have you toured much around Europe?
Do you write quite fast then?
James: We’ve been a few times, we went with Future of the Left, Blood Red Shoes. Tom: We played a couple with Dananananaykroyd.
Tom: Once we’re actually all together we do, but normally it’s just us guys, me, James and Rob in our bedrooms putting
stuff together and then we all meet up in a practice and blam it out. But we’ve all got about six songs in our heads tormenting us at the moment, and we haven’t had time to practice at all. James: We write quite sporadically, and we all write together. It’s difficult really. It doesn’t happen that fast but it just tends to click when we’ve got loads of ideas.
You recently just opened up for Muse, how was that? How did you prepare yourself for a gig that size? Tom: All my friends were like “I can’t wait to come and see you with Muse”, and I was just like “Shut up, don’t even mention it”. As soon as we were there and we started to see the people flooding through, coming to the front, the barrier huggers and stuff like that, we were all just like... James: “Fuuuuck!” Tom: It started to kick in just then, none of us had really thought about it. James: Something that big, definitely best not to think about it too much. Tom: We had a power hug before we went on, that made a difference. James: Bit of rum as well. Tom: (laughs) Choose alcohol kids.
What’s been your best experience in the business so far? James: I think the first time I went to Radio 1, did a little interview for Nick Grimshaw and then he played the song through the headphones on Radio 1. I was a bit taken back by that, I was like wow, I’m at Radio 1 listening to our band on Radio 1! Tom: We’ve played so many gigs that it kind of blurs into one. But then when you look back at stuff, even if we were asked to write our top twenty of our best gigs or best moments, it’d be a fucking hard task to do. James: We just tour constantly, so you do tend to forget about some gigs. Reading Festival was amazing this year. It was a really, really big crowd and everyone was really into it and lively. That was awesome. Tom: Proper giddy crowd. Leeds was good as well but we had a short set for that. James: It was Sunday and everyone’s hungover aren’t they. Tom: Everyone was a bit zombified on the Sunday.
country side. Even driving there through all the country it’s a lot more hidden away, where as with Reading you’re basically smack bang in the middle of the town. James: It is kind of weird when you drive to Reading. You’re driving through a city and you’re like “There’s a festival here?,Where?”. Tom: Gig wise, Reading’s always been a lot more energetic. James: I guess it’s down to giddy people living in the city getting giddy about a festival happening in the city.
How different is Leeds to Reading then?
You’ve just released ‘High Five’ as a single, digitally and as a vinyl – what made you choose to release it on vinyl (and a lot of previous releases) ?
Tom: Quite a big difference really. There’s a better atmosphere and vibe at Leeds because it’s in the middle of no where, you’re actually in the
Tom: I’m a massive vinyl geek. If I get an album I’ll make sure I get it on vinyl just for the full artwork, the way it’s meant to be really. (cont)
James: I do get scared about the idea of music albums and singles not becoming an actual product that you can have and buy and hold. It’s scary thinking about it all just being digital files on your computer. It’s nice to have an item that’s nicely packaged. Tom: We always try and do extra stuff with it as well, like the first two singles that we did we had comics slipped into each one, and then the new ‘High Five’ single that’s out we’ve got sew on fabric patches that we screen printed ourselves. So it just gives people a bit more of an incentive to buy it. James: It’s giving something back to the fans as well. Tom: (laughs) It’s just our job to give something back. We just want to do something a bit extra than somebody going on iTunes and downloading files and that’s it.
It feels like you’ve got quite a reputation for chaotic gigs, people expect it, is this something you feel you need to live up to every night? James: The live thing is getting carried away and excited. Sometimes it can be a bit more laid back than people expected, SOUNDSCAPE 24
then sometimes it can get a bit crazy if the crowd are a bit crazy. You bounce off the audience don’t you, you don’t just do it for show, it just happens. Tom: The thing is as well, we’re trying to not to worry about reviews too much. You don’t want to get hyped up and then get dropped down at a certain point. We’re doing what we do and going along with it. James: Deal with it!
If you could go back to any era, which would it be? Tom: I’d go for the seventies, just because that’s when live rock music blossomed. James: Black Sabbath. Tom: Led Zeplin, Hendrix. James: It was all quite exciting back then, it was like “Woah, what the fuck is this?”. Tom: There were festivals knocking around before, but the real rock festivals kind of shone out in the seventies. I’d love to go back to check out Woodstock back in the day. It’d be fucking amazing. James: Free love and drugs as well. That would be quite good as well. (laughs) Tom: Prancing around magical stones James: Full of acid... Yeah, seventies I reckon!
What is the wildest ambition for your band now? James: I’d like a top three, and one of them was to headline Glastonbury on the Saturday. The first time I saw Glastonbury on the TV I was like “I’m going to do that one day, I really want to do that”. I don’t think it’s going to happen, but be it’d be good to tour the world. Do America and Japan. Tom: One of the best things about being in a band is you can use it almost as a vehicle to go to places and meet new people. A lot of bands that are bigger than us talk about touring the US and Japan a lot. We’ve been to Europe a lot of times and we’ll always want to go back, but I think Japan. Something that’s a complete culture fuck basically. That’s completely different to how we do stuff over here, to experience that weird chaotic other culture side of things.
Lastly, describe PABH in three words? Tom: Black Metal Pop. James: Black Metal Pop! Done
.
Head over to http://www.pulledapartbyhorses.com/ to find out when you should catch PABH.
H
ELL ON EARTH ‘10
-----------------------------SIX FEET UNDER 21ST SEPTEMBER
E
very Time I Die return once again to our shores, this time headlining the Hell On Earth tour with a miss mash of metal bands to accompany them.
The gigs been go since 5.30pm, and by the looks of the sweaty lads that emerge to the glorious ‘pit area’ when THE ACACIA STRAIN take to the stage, it shows nothing but appreciation for the lesser known metal scene. Each band is as diverse as the other on the this bill, and The Acacia Strain promisingly show that along with the fans who take to them like a moth to a flame, unlike ALL SHALL PERISH who fail to get as much action as they wish. Even when they outright ask, no one adheres. Though their music appears to have more depth emotionally and
admittedly, more technical out of the bunch, it’s just not as appreciated until their final few songs, to which it feels too late to really make an impression. Even if their final hits spark those fans hiding amongst the crowd to finally throw them selves about. But both bands are no match for TERROR, whose name alone carries an aggressive ambience about it, let alone when the singer walks on stage, and you’re face to face with a tall hardcore angry looking man with a look of chaos and confidence in his eyes. Instantly he gets the ball rolling, one by one he points at the front row, calling them up, handing over the mic, practically telling them to crowd surf as if they have no
choice. Even when there’s all of two rows of people hovering next to the stage, closely followed by those few who’ve been throwing the windmills about all night. Nothing stops these fans, nor the band from killing another percentage of your hearing due to the ferocity and volume the sound man has decided to turn the volume up to. We get a talk of the main man himself, how we’re here to keep the scene going, and how appreciative they are for their fans. How very hardcore of him. (cont)
You’re looking around the venue, and you could imagine the supports playing as headliners in this underground replica of TJ’s, and question that surely ETID should be playing to a bigger audience than this? Or perhaps this is how they like it. Up close and personal with their over loving, sweaty, frenzied fans. Kicked off with ‘No Son Of Mine’, instantly the bodies are colliding, a classic ‘let’s get your head banging’ start to the set.
Words & Photos: N Ballantyne
SOUNDSCAPE 26
If you’ve seen them in the last year, you could guess the setlist – tracks such as Floater, Werewolf, Wanderlust, Ebolarama, The Marvellous Slut and Bored Stiff get tossed in there as a regulars. But each song rightly played in it’s place to keep the fans pulses racing. They even managed to slip in an acceptable Nirvana cover thanks to the vocal talent and persona that is Keith. How he embraces the reception off a rowdy and confident crowd, and how he doesn’t hesitate to get down
and dirty to climb over the front row, along with guitarist Jordan who’s celebrating his honey moon on tour, nothing short of 100% from this band. They end the set with Werewolf, and not even ten seconds into the song the band are lost in a sea of admiring fans dancing like loons all over the stage. The only member left to be seen is Keith rummaging around the dance floor before an abrupt but well deserved exit. 9/10
X
interview Words: A. Sillitoe
the
X
CERTS
T
he Xcerts are one of Scotland’s finest bands and we at Soundscape feel that they’re not given enough media coverage which basically means you may not have heard about this fantastic band. So we grabbed Murray the lead singer and asked him some questions to get you more familiar with this collective. Best experience in the business so far? For me personally it was travelling to New York and recording our 2nd record with Mike Sapone. Mike is a producer I/we have admired for years, so the fact we were at his house recording songs, blew my mind everyday! We may never get the chance to do it again, so our trip to Long Island will be one of my fondest memories in years to come.
What was it like recording in the US? It was incredible. We clicked with Mike pretty instantly as we were all on the same page about how we wanted the album to sound. There was less pressure this time round (certainly in our minds), it felt like more like a holiday than it did work, which made for an incredible atmosphere whilst recording.
What can we expect from the new album? A record with much more depth than the first. It’s a record that requires your time and patience, I don’t think it’s an extremely instant record, but we made it that way for a reason. You can expect a lot more noise and
experimentation. Our love for melody and pop hasn’t vanished, there are still quite a few pop songs on there, they are just dirtier. Do you have an exact date on when the new album is coming out yet? Yes, October 4th. What do you hope for the future of The Xcerts? I hope we can continue to tour and put out records. I would like us to become a much bigger band, so we’ll keep working hard, and see what happens. If you could go back to any era, what would you pick and why? I’d probably go back to the 90’s, just so i could see Nirvana on the In Utero tour
.
Q
uestions with...
Underline the Sky ‘s James Hicks
Check the band out on myspace myspace.com/underlinethesky or facebook facebook.com/UnderlineTheSky
Through hard work and sheer talent right from their formation in 2008, Underline The Sky have gone on to make a mighty impression on the UK and European music scene. Playing shows with bands as My Passion, Save Your Breath and Deaf Havana The bands self titled debut EP was released in December 2009 and has sold out 3 times over since then. They’re hard at work writing and recording their first album but we managed to steal a few moments of their drummer James Hicks time to slam with our usual array of questions.
Words: Paul Esp
Who are you and what do you do? James! aka Hicks, and I play drums in Underline The Sky (and program synth with the help of Dan!)
Other than that we should be recording again soon. The plans around this will all be announced soon - a lot has changed recently and so has our recording plans. Favourite music and why?
How did you get started? Drums I’ve been playing for about 9 years I think. After copious amounts of lessons when I was at school. Underline The Sky has been going for nearly two and a half years now - it’s flown by now I think about it. We’ve achieved so much more in those two and a half years than we thought we would in the whole of our lifetimes. It’s been crazy! What have you got going on at the moment? All sorts! Some of which is secret and some of which is very much shout out to the entire world stuff! We just recently took part in the ‘Live and Unsigned 2010’ competition and managed to come out of it with 3 prizes. We won the rock category which means we’re going to India to play at ‘Independence Rock’ Asia’s biggest rock festival. We also got an endorsement from Rockstar Energy Drink - which is amazing, and will definitely help with my strict personal ban on drinking energy drink! (laughs). I guess we might have a few spare cans around for people if they ask nicely enough!
ever forget. Every time I look back through the videos of the weekend it brings a tear to my eye. Tell our readers an interesting fact about yourself/company/band?
Hardest question in the world much? My favourite song changes every few minutes, but overall my top few bands are Confide, Attack Attack! (USA) and Hit The Lights. (and Basshunter but shhh).
I have a weird shaped chest?! Anybody who has ever met me or hugged me will know. I like to think it brings me good luck.
Confide are probably top of the pile for me. The genre of music they make is just perfect for me. The aggression in the lead vocals and guitars is so dramatically contrasted by the angelic-ness of Joel’s (the drummer) voice. Their live show is second to none. Literally. I was so blown away when I saw them live I genuinely thought it was a dream.
Who are your role models / idols?
Favourite film and why? Tough question, and one where friendships are formed or broken simply on the answer written below... Anchorman? No need for an explanation why really is there?! Best experience in the business? V Festival was a ridiculous highlight of my life. It’s something that I know I and no-one else in the band will
An interesting fact about our band? We formed in a pub!
For me personally, Joel Piper is my absolute idol. He’s an incredible drummer, an incredible singer, an incredible showman, is in an incredible band, has incredible tattoos, incredible hair and is probably the nicest person I’ve ever met. Hardest thing about the current business? Getting shows out of our area. I would imagine it’s the same for most bands of our size with no team to back them. A lot of promoters these days seem to be sticking to the ‘local only’ rule, which is a really sad sight to see
.
CD REVIEWS and more of a hard hitting emotion to it that suggests they’ve acknowledged their place and needed to backtrack old routes. Feeling heavier, yet still retaining melodic routes from Matthew Davies, it replicates that feel of a band starting afresh and not worried what the labels have to say about it.
FUNERAL FOR A FRIEND THE YOUNG AND THE DEFENCELESS EP 9/10 Bands have recently taken to using Pledge, an option that helps funds bands directly, along with donating part of the money made to charity. It’s also a secure way of knowing bands are getting your money and not all the corruption of labels and management getting in the way. Having just lost a influential guitarist, FFAF continued straight on with recording new tracks. Many say over the years they’ve lost their touch and basically, they’re a dying band. Having gone from headlining the CIA to barely filling uni halls, there’s no doubt it’s probably hit them hard emotionally and that’s what creeps up in the EP. In this taster of what’s to come, it has less of a commercial feel
‘Vultures’ is one of the stronger outspoken and climatic tracks, and a sure sign FFAF have been given another life line and aren’t ready to give up yet. We look forward to hearing what FFAF have to offer next. Words: N.Ballantyne
DETACHED
NONE THE WISER If you live in South Wales (or not in my case) you know it’s a haven of bands and pretty much every genre you could ever think of. One genre that might not spring to mind immediately is ska. But you have it there, lurking in the form of Detached. They’ve been around since 2006 and their second EP ‘None the Wiser’ is what lies in my possession. It was released on 13th March this year and is choked full of bouncy tunes (which ain’t good when you’re ill, but I semi bounced my way
through them anyway... good way to cheer one up actually!). The beauty of ska is that the tracks are short and sweet, sharp and to the point! And the 6 tracks on Detached’s EP don’t deviate from the conventions of this genre. If you’re looking for something a bit different in South Wales, then this might just be for you. A band that contains a trumpet and trombone surely differences from that which is so prominent in South Wales. And you can totally get your groove on to this. Catch Detached at a few dates around the country over the next few coming months, including a date in Newport’s Six Feet Under on 12th September. Words: A.Sillitoe
ATTACK! ATTACK! THE LATEST FASTION
8/10
Just released, this is A!A!’s second album and one that feels to of crept up on us quite suddenly.
In the last issue Ryan told us we’d be in for a few surprises, and well, what seemed to strike most is the sense of maturity in the sound of the whole album. It suddenly doesn’t feel aimed at the younger kids any more. Don’t get us wrong, it still has that spirited edge the young ones will love, and will want to sing their innocent minds out to, but it doesn’t feel as commercial as the previous album. It’s a promising sign and step up for them. Produced by the one and only Romesh, we expected nothing less than clear cut, strong and lyrically sound tracks from Attack Attack. But on another note, it’s not as chipper as the first album. It’s going in a more softer and serious direction, close to that of Dopamine (which singer Neil still undergoes in his spare time). Even the guitars racket a more rustic empathy to them. Despite ‘Not Afraid’ being the first single, one thing that A!A! do so well, is it’s too darn hard to choose their strongest tracks. All usually partake with a unique balance of harmonies and a Ryan solo. Believe us when we say if you enjoyed the first album, you won’t regret purchasing this. Words: N.Ballantyne
with the heavy riffs, leads and fast drumming. Just listen to ‘The Game Played Right’, it must go through about six, maybe seven time changes, the song is indeed monstrous, and one of the best on the album.
EMAROSA EMAROSA
10/10
The opening song of this album is one of the best tracks I have ever heard. A bold statement maybe, but true none the less. If you haven’t heard of Emarosa, they’re a post-hardcare band from Lexington, Kentucky, and have a not-so-secret weapon in singer Jonny Craig, who has without doubt one the best voices in modern music right now. A lot has been said about Craig, good and bad, well mostly bad, but regardless of what the guy is like personally, he has a draw dropping voice and can write some exceptional lyrics. This band don’t rely on big shout-a-long choruses but vocal melodies, time changes and tremendous song structures to draw you in. Craig’s almost soulful voice fits in really well
‘I Still Feel Her Pt4’ being probably the heaviest track, with some very aggressive vocals and heartfelt lyrics. The aforementioned opening track ‘A Toast To The Future Kids!’ is an outstanding example of what the band do, heavy yet melodic, complex but catchy and memorable. It takes a hell of a band to pull this off and Emarosa do it with style. I say just go and buy this album. Words: Paul Esp
Want your CD / EP to be reviewed by us? Just email : info@soundscapemagazine..com
Or visit the site for further submission details!
SOUNDSCAPE 31
CASANATRA
SPLIT THE ATOM AGAIN
UNION SOUND SET START/STOP
Union Sound Set’s debut album ‘Start/Stop’ is engaging right from the off. It’s a sound that is both beautifully melodic and yet sonic at the same time. In comparison to other new bands around at the moment their sound is more grown up. Each individual effort made on the record with each instrument, each lyric, painstakingly put together and thought about in great detail. This is a record that will stand the test of time against it’s counterparts as it’s not just a record for the now, but a record for the future. If you get to check out their single ‘Hiding Places’ out September 27th then you’ll get to hear the awesome b-side ‘Parachutes and Flying Machines’. Otherwise the album ‘Start/Stop’ hits October 25th. Words: A. Sillitoe
SOUNDSCAPE 32
7/10
This is the US ban’s first official UK release, but is actually their fourth full length. Casanatra have down on their PR sheet that they are progressive rock (a genre I’m not a massive fan of), but I think they have it all wrong. Upon reading about the band I discover that they have added a new bassist to the mix. A bassist with his background laying in hip-hop and jazz. It adds in a funky as hell tone to this band and reminds me of Incubus of Audioslave. I would totally pin them into that ‘funky metal’ genre that we don’t hear enough about these days and it’s refreshing. Needless to say this album is never going to blow me away, but it’s so nice to find something that seems grown up and has a sense of it’s own identity. Their PR sheet says “the result is a thought provoking album that’s a remedy for the doldrums of modern-day life” and I’d agree with that. Put the headphones in and listen to this and everything will simply melt away. The songs are melodic, the drum beats catchy and the guitar solos aren’t over done on this record, they’re just right. There’s no rush to get from one end of the song to the other, it’s purely for chilling out and savouring. And savouring I do.
So people, the moral of this is never judge a book by it’s cover and go check out this album! Words: A.Sillitoe
OCEANSIZE SELF PRESERVED WHILE THE BODIES FLOAT UP 7/10 As a new listener to Oceansize, it only takes one look at the album title to think this is going to be a dark and soul withering record. Tense screams, slow, bone crunching riffs - and that’s just by going from opener ‘Part Cardiac’. I’m suddenly in the mood for more glorious gloom and doom, but when ‘Superimposer’ kicks in, I wasn’t quite expecting a more buoyant sing song, and what easily put this band on another level of their genre. Drums and guitars however seem to remain rapid and far from the normal eight bars, which keeps the album on it’s toes, as the next track goes back into it’s hasty, gruelling sound. Something easily placed into the same realms as Mastodon,
just with a bloke deciding it’s more appropriate to harmonically sing instead. It works on some tracks, but not others.
Can Pretend Anyway’. The production and musicianship here is supreme, and all topped off with first class songwriting.
It’s all feels a bit pic n mix, you’re never quite sure what sort of track you’ll get next, whether loose, snappy, or downright sounding like a different band all together. However, amongst the fan loved ‘emotional’ flicks, it could do with more dirtier tunes such as ‘Park Cardiac’ or ‘It’s My Tail And I’ll Chase It If I Want To’, because for newcomers like me, after a few listens, it drags, and it’s charm quickly burns out.
We promise you the melodies they have on show on this EP will find their way into your dirty rock n roll skull. The song ‘Kissing Teeth’ is a delightful example of this. The EP ends with the track ‘Glass’, a powerhouse drumming, killer chorus tune. Evarose are definitely a name to remember!
The band slow it down a little on ‘Shanty’, Singer Paul Gautrey gets a chance to flex his, not inconsiderable vocal cords in a song full of cunning hooks. ‘Fight, Fight, Fight’ and album closer ‘Lola It’s Over’ are particular favourites to check out. If you like good-time, catchy, riff-frilled rock, then this is most definitely for you. Welcome back guys, we missed you! Words: Paul Esp
THE GLITTERATI
ARE YOU ONE OF US? CREATION DIVIDE
8/10
Evarose are an all female band from Oxfordshire and they rock... hard! This is the bands debut EP and is due for release on Oct 18th. One of the first thing that strikes you about this EP is how good a singer Dannika is, she has a hell of a voice, powerful and tuneful, just check out opening track ‘We
The album kicks off with ‘Right From The Start’ a monster of a track which tips it’s hat to ‘The Wildhearts’ during the verses, and that is in no way a bad thing. The sound of the album is over powering and vivid, since it was produced by Matt Hyde (of Gallows and Trivium fame).
Words: Paul Esp
Words: N. Ballantyne
EVAROSE
album is packed with full-on, ass kicking rock swagger. This may not particularly be ‘cool’ at the moment, but when it’s this good, who gives a fuck.
9/10
This album was a long time in coming. The Glitterati released their debut album back in 2005, but after various label and line-up changes they’re finally back with ‘Are You One Of Us?, and the question is, was it worth the wait? The answer has to be a big fuck yeah! This is an exceptional second record, full of dazzling tracks which really show off the band’s ability to write. This
AVENGED SEVENFOLD NIGHTMARE 10/10
Avenged Sevenfold suffered a terrible loss at the very end of last year when their drummer (and my hero) Jimmy “The Rev” Sullivan sadly passed away. The band had written this album along with him and decided that they would record and release it in his honour. (cont)
STONE SOUR AUDIO SECRECY Jimmy’s hero, Mike Portnoy from Dream Theater took up drumming duties and I feel has more than done Jimmy justice. Track ‘God Hates Us’ ends in a guitar feel similar to that found on previous Avenged Sevenfold tracks, especially from album ‘City of Evil’. My favourite track on the album is “Fiction” it has a beautiful piano part to it, which at the same time gives an element of a creepy haunted mansion feel to it. It sits along side the marvels of classic pieces that create similar elements. The album is simply brilliant from start to finish and bought beautifully soft and yet rough and gritty at the same time. It’s a sound many bands can’t mix together and pull off at all, let alone in such a spectacular fashion as A7X do. This whole record has taken Avenged Sevenfold to a whole new level and as with their other albums in the past shows the progression they’ve all made as musicians as they seem to get better and better with every release. I can’t wait to hear these tracks live when they tour the UK with Stone Sour this coming October/November. Words: A. Sillitoe
SOUNDSCAPE 34
THE SOCIAL NETWORK 10/10
It’s been a while since Stone Sour’s last album was released and to be honest with you I knew the band we making a third, I just didn’t know it was done and released already haha! I bought it in America on the day of it’s released purely by accident and I’m glad I did. It’s a beautifully written piece of rock rebellion. Corey Taylor as ever chills me to the core. His voice, his lyrics, just spectacular. He can put his strong voice to anything he turns his hand to and this record is no different. Reflecting from the soft ballad of “Miracles” to the rocking tune of “Pieces” which to me screams Stone Sour through and through. Another fantastic piece of rock music laid into the history books in the form of Stone Sour’s third album and I have no doubt that future efforts won’t go along side this album as my favourites. Check out the band on tour with Avenged Sevenfold in the UK through October and November to hear this and their other fantastic tracks in their full splendid live glory. Words: A. Sillitoe
EP FILM TRACKS
6./10
Those who follow Mr Reznor will notice his work lately has been on the more experimental and instrumental calmer side, following his new project HTDA. His collaboration with Atticus Ross for these movie samplers sticks very much to the electronic style he’s been producing lately. You could even possibly imagine HTDA without the vocals and there you have it, tracks for The Social Network. For us, it’s a little too uncreative. Reznor and Ross should be producing much more sophisticated samples than this, but then again, it’s a movie about Facebook. They don’t need to be breaking the stimulating barrier here, just as commercial as can be, since many won’t even appreciate or even notice the music talent behind it. Those who do enjoy older Nine Inch Nails instrumentals such as ‘The Frail’ and the newer project How To Destroy Angels, will notice the similar patterns in drum loops and piano notes that scream out this is a ‘hair standing on edge climatic’ part. But hey, the tracks were free, so we’ll just enjoy them and try not to think about the movie they’re associated with. Words: N. Ballantyne
----------------------------------------------If you’re a musician or regular concert goer like us at Soundscape Magazine then you really should be worried about how it’s affecting your hearing. My dad is living proof that going to a concert without any form of ear protection will cause you to go deaf. Years of seeing The Who from the front row have left us all well and truly fed up with him turning the TV up to the point that the people down the end of the street can hear it. So this year I took the plunge from free ear plugs (something you can obtain from behind the bar at any venue for free), which are better than nothing, but TBH are usually far too big for my ears and don’t actually offer much in the way of protection as they don’t filter out the damaging sound. Minerva Hearing Protection offer fittings all over the country (which I went to and
had a ton of goo squirted into my ear along with some string and was left to set as a mould for my ears). It was the scariest 5 minutes of my life and left me never wanting to be deaf as I watched the fitter and my mum have a conversation… none of which I could hear! So I will be religiously wearing my plugs at gigs from now on so that I may avoid that experience ever again! My ear plugs arrived with a few filters for me to try out to truly give you a full review. The 9dB filters are used for acoustic musicians and concert goers (that’ll be you lot than and us lot then!). The gig I went to test these was loud and yet I could hear everything perfectly with my plugs in, but was safe in the knowledge that there was no damage happening to my eardrums.
The 12dB filters are used for most musicians (if you play an instrument, these are for you!) I tested these bad boys at a band rehearsal I went to recently and they once again gave me the full sound, but with none of the damage. The 22dB filters are specifically designed for drummers and people looking for extra protection (I’d need this filter too!) These I tested out whilst having a good mess around on my drum kit and they were fantastic. I could hear all the notes and really distinguish between them. I personally won’t be going without earplugs in any of my musicians endeavours and I don’t think you should either as they are essentially saving your hearing in later life and that as a music lover is very important!
Words: A. Sillitoe
Words & Photo: N Ballantyne
P
ier Studio
Interview
-------------------------------------------------------
SOUNDSCAPE 36
The place has had a name change, what came about to give it a fresh new appeal?
How many of are there of you working at the studio, and what sort of diversity of producing can we expect from you?
The studio itself has existed for a few years but was never really pushed as a public studio. I came on board and we decided to freshen things up with a new name, new gear and a whole new direction. We wanted something that fitted with the Bay area where the studio is. It’s quirky, and let’s be honest, everybody loves piers.
Running Pier there are two of us, myself and Phil Jenkins but we work with other producers and writers who come in with us occasionally. Me and Phil come from different backgrounds musically and we both have our own ideas and what we think sounds good. Phil’s a very technical, percussive musician and producer where as I tend to work a lot more hands on I suppose. When I work on a track, it needs colour, life, you know?
-------------------------------
The Pier Studio is one of the new many studios opening up in Cardiff, but where most are amidst the backends of industrial estates, this is located down Cardiff Bay and ready to take on new challenges after decided to start afresh.
-------------------------------
In addition to recording services, what else will you offer?
through all the most modern software, pro tools etc, gives a really distinctive sound.
Any way you’ll be promoting yourself to bring in the younger musicians?
As well as recording itself we use the studio separately for different things, we mix and re-mix releases from artists who haven’t always recorded with us. Phil’s also a drum teacher so does a lot of lessons and workshops there. I use it for writing and composing as that’s where my background is. But we also run a gear repair service there for Amps, Speakers, Instruments etc.
Can you tell us about any of the acts you’re working with at the moment? Or have coming up?
Tell us about some of the retro gear you have here, any favourites to work with?
As far as artists coming up go, we’ve got a few big projects coming up, a few label tie ins, but it’s still really early days for us at Pier. I shouldn’t give too much away, you know how this industry is. That’s not to say we’re not looking for new acts to come down though.
That’s true, it’s so much easier than it used to be to record and release stuff from your home. But I still think that the spark you get from a good studio environment and working with decent engineers and producers make such a difference for the artist in the long run. Also, studio gear will usually give your records that extra crispness or sheen that you can’t always get from a home set-up.
Some of the gear we have is insane. We picked up a reel to reel recorder from The Croft venue in Bristol which gives a real warmth to records. Also, we’ve got some old radio mics that Phil got, if people are l ooking for that kind of vintage 60s sound, they are ideal. It’s amazing the quality you get when you run the vintage stuff
The studio is pretty busy, so we get all sorts of acts coming in and out; but some stand out artists recently have been Tom Walton, a hip hop artist from across the Bay as it happens, he’s got some seriously big tracks ready to go.
More bands are becoming cautious with money before recording in studios these days, often recording at home, or via today’s technology - Macs.
I think the best way to promote yourself is to let your output do the talking, if a track you record, write or produce is good then it reflects the way you work. Also I’m a big into realism, some studios and producers will promise young bands and artists the world and it’s hardly ever the case. Just be honest and real with people, it’s the best way and doesn’t fuck people around
.