abadgeoffriendship

Experimental Scottish band Tryptamines are preparing to release their anticipated concept album, The Way Which Can Be Named Is Not The Nameless Way, due for release on April 20th 2017 via FitLike Records. Tryptamines are aiming to build upon their recent success having been voted Best Eclectic EP at the 2016 Independent Music Awards, judged by the likes of Tom Waits, Slayer and Suzanne Vega. It comes as no surprise that some of the world’s most respected musicians voted for the band considering their expansive approach to songwriting, arrangement and recording which has a grandeur more associated with classical music. On The Way Which Can Be Named Is Not The Nameless Way, Tryptamines have created an avant chamber-like sound: emotive, affecting and truly beguiling. Written as a concept album, Tryptamines have tried to engage the listener in an almost apocalyptic narrative, apt considering the current mood permeating the day to day lives of many people around the world. Asserting that 1984 was written as a warning rather than an instruction manual, Tryptamines have challenged the listener to think for ones self, not to believe everything that we are fed by a corrupt, corporate media and to resist becoming too reliant on engaging with one another through technological means as opposed to real life experiences. The Way Which Can Be Named Is Not The Nameless Way is a cathartic, poignant and, at times, challenging experience knitted together beautifully by the classically trained Callum Peterkin’s talented songwriting ability. Originally hailing from Buckie on the Moray Firth coast of Scotland, Trypatmines are led by composer, multi-instrumentalist and doric poet Callum Peterkin (aka Chemical Callum) and joined by Tom the Noise Monger (vocals, samples, guitars) and Tiny Broken Keyboards (echoes, noises). Remarkably, the band were almost finished before they had even begun after Callum suffered a horrific injury to his arm in 2011, with doctors advising he would never fully recover due to the nerve damage his arm suffered. However, after battling a painkiller addiction, depression and a cancer scare, Callum battled against the odds to rebuild his arm, his life and music career. Fast forward six years and Tryptamines have established themselves both at home and abroad, preforming at a number of psychedelic festivals, releasing several records and, ultimately, gaining recognition at last years Independent Music Awards. The Way Which Can Be Named Is Not The Nameless Way by Tryptamines is out on 20th April 2017 viaFitLike Records. http://www.abadgeoffriendship.com/artists/tryptamines

'You've A Foul Mouth John Barleycorn is the official single by Glasgow's ULTRAS, taken from their self-titled debut album. The record is due for release on 28th April 2017 via Hello Thor Records and Instinctive Racoon. 'You’ve A Foul Mouth John Barleycorn' is a track produced by Miaoux Miaoux’s Julian Corrie and hypnotises you with layers of analogue synths and beats that envelope you. With influences ranging from elements of hip-hop and electronica to rock, pop and traditional Scottish folk music, ULTRAS is the brain child of multi-instrumentalist Gav Prentice. ULTRAS’ eclectic take on modern pop music is as challenging as it is rewarding; a twelve track record that confronts the listener sonically and lyrically, resulting in the creation of a sound that has the ability to reach euphoric highs as well as melancholic lows. Describing the project as “violent pop for the patronised” the ULTRAS live act sees Prentice (beats, guitar, keyboard, vocals), joined by Matt Clark (guitar, bass) and Roy Mohan Shearer (drums, keyboard). The project has already gained support from a number of notable music industry figures with coverage coming from Simon Raymonde and Jim Gellatly on Amazing Radio, Tom Robinson’s BBC Radio 6 show, Vic Galloway on BBC Radio Scotland as well as Goldflakepaint, Song by Toad and Podcart. ULTRAS are currently arranging a tour for May 2017, following on from their successful appearances at The Great Escape, and Wickerman festival as well as supporting the likes of We Were Promised Jetpacks and Admiral Fallow. You've a Foul Mouth John Barleycorn by ULTRAS is out on 7th April and is taken from the debut album, due for release on 28th April 2017 via Hello Thor Records and Instinctive Racoon. http://www.abadgeoffriendship.com/artists/ultras

Experimental Scottish band Tryptamines are preparing to release their anticipated concept album, The Way Which Can Be Named Is Not The Nameless Way, due for release on April 20th 2017 via FitLike Records. Tryptamines are aiming to build upon their recent success having been voted Best Eclectic EP at the 2016 Independent Music Awards, judged by the likes of Tom Waits, Slayer and Suzanne Vega. It comes as no surprise that some of the world’s most respected musicians voted for the band considering their expansive approach to songwriting, arrangement and recording which has a grandeur more associated with classical music. On The Way Which Can Be Named Is Not The Nameless Way, Tryptamines have created an avant chamber-like sound: emotive, affecting and truly beguiling. Written as a concept album, Tryptamines have tried to engage the listener in an almost apocalyptic narrative, apt considering the current mood permeating the day to day lives of many people around the world. Asserting that 1984 was written as a warning rather than an instruction manual, Tryptamines have challenged the listener to think for ones self, not to believe everything that we are fed by a corrupt, corporate media and to resist becoming too reliant on engaging with one another through technological means as opposed to real life experiences. The Way Which Can Be Named Is Not The Nameless Way is a cathartic, poignant and, at times, challenging experience knitted together beautifully by the classically trained Callum Peterkin’s talented songwriting ability. Originally hailing from Buckie on the Moray Firth coast of Scotland, Trypatmines are led by composer, multi-instrumentalist and doric poet Callum Peterkin (aka Chemical Callum) and joined by Tom the Noise Monger (vocals, samples, guitars) and Tiny Broken Keyboards (echoes, noises). Remarkably, the band were almost finished before they had even begun after Callum suffered a horrific injury to his arm in 2011, with doctors advising he would never fully recover due to the nerve damage his arm suffered. However, after battling a painkiller addiction, depression and a cancer scare, Callum battled against the odds to rebuild his arm, his life and music career. Fast forward six years and Tryptamines have established themselves both at home and abroad, preforming at a number of psychedelic festivals, releasing several records and, ultimately, gaining recognition at last years Independent Music Awards. The Way Which Can Be Named Is Not The Nameless Way by Tryptamines is out on 20th April 2017 viaFitLike Records. http://www.abadgeoffriendship.com/artists/tryptamines

'Double-Speak' is the brand new single from Pronto Mama. The Glaswegian six-piece are gearing up for the release of their hugely anticipated debut album Any Joy, due for release on 5th May 2017 via Electric Honey. Taking inspiration from their cultural surroundings, the band have created a collection of songs about hope and hopelessness, vice and virtue and how love and friendship go hand in hand with hate and jealously. Any Joy bucks the trend of countless generic indie bands recreating the same, tired old sound, instead Pronto Mama challenge the listener to think for themselves, a process that will unearth something new every time you listen. Blending jazzy tempos, uncommon time signatures and an alternative rock attitude with progressive pop hooks and emotive vocals, Pronto Mama have created a truly mesmeric record instantly demanding your attention. On tracks such as ‘Arabesque’, ‘Rubber’ and ‘One Trick Pony’ Pronto Mama exhibit the brass-inspired alternative indie rock that has become synonymous with artists such as Bombay Bicycle Club and Dutch Uncles; respected contemporary bands who’s sound has resonated with a generation. A more measured, introspective sound can be found on ’Bottom Feeder’ and ‘Sentiment’; tones and textures that traditionally run deep through the veins of many Scottish bands, inspiring the likes of Frightened Rabbit, The Twilight Sad and Admiral Fallow. Like most bands, Pronto Mama began playing together as teenagers in their bedroom; a convenient escape from the sharper edges that existed in Glasgow’s east end where four of the members went to school. Initially, the band were formed when two pairs of best friends came together. Each pair comprised one core songwriter, Marc Rooney (vocals, guitar) and Ciaran McEneny (vocals, keyboard, guitar), and one member of the rhythm section, Michael Griffin (bass) and Martin Johnston (drums). Alex Sharples (trumpet, keyboard) and Craig McMahon (trombone, keyboard, percussion) later joined the band completing the line-up and Pronto Mama were officially born. They have already picked up a slew of press since their inception in 2014 with Vic Galloway’s BBC Introducing show and Jim Gelltaly’s Amazing Radio show both offering continued support throughout. The band have also appeared at T in the Park, performing on the T Break Stage, as well as Wickerman festival, Belladrum festival and selling out Oran Mor at Celtic Connections 2017. Any Joy by Pronto Mama is out on 5th May 2017 via Electric Honey. www.abadgeoffriendship.com/artists/pronto-mama

'Team Handed' is the official single release by Scotland's ULTRAS. The track is taken from the self-titled debut album, due for release on 28th April 2017 via Hello Thor Records and Instinctive Racoon. With influences ranging from elements of hip-hop and electronica to rock, pop and traditional Scottish folk music, ULTRAS is the brain child of multi-instrumentalist Gav Prentice. ULTRAS’ eclectic take on modern pop music is as challenging as it is rewarding; a twelve track record that confronts the listener sonically and lyrically, resulting in the creation of a sound that has the ability to reach euphoric highs as well as melancholic lows. Started on the back of the break of up of his former band, cult pop act Over the Wall, ULTRAS set about making a record with the help of six separate producers, an approach heavily inspired by Gav’s love of hip-hop mixtapes. This bold approach has helped to build a sound full of diversity ranging from the warm, emotional, mournful lament on the aforementioned 'Team Handed', which sees Gav reunited with former Over the Wall partner Ben Hillman, to the layers of analogue synths and beats that envelope you on 'You’ve A Foul Mouth John Barleycorn', a track produced by Miaoux Miaoux’s Julian Corrie. Odd-pop maestro Jonnie Common oversaw the chopped up samples and bass of 'Stepping Out', while on 'This Is Where I Fall' and 'The Path To Getting Paid', we are hit with the big, alternative rock sounds and tight rhythms produced by Joe Cormack, renowned for his work with Pictish Trail. Here, ULTRAS have created a cacophony of rich soundscapes, emotionally demanding your attention throughout due to its rousing, passionate and, at times, witty take on modern life and culture. Describing the project as “violent pop for the patronised” the ULTRAS live act sees Prentice (beats, guitar, keyboard, vocals), joined by Matt Clark (guitar, bass) and Roy Mohan Shearer (drums, keyboard). The project has already gained support from a number of notable music industry figures with coverage coming from Simon Raymonde and Jim Gellatly on Amazing Radio, Tom Robinson’s BBC Radio 6 show, Vic Galloway on BBC Radio Scotland as well as Goldflakepaint, Song by Toad and Podcart. ULTRAS are currently arranging a tour for May 2017, following on from their successful appearances at The Great Escape, and Wickerman festival as well as supporting the likes of We Were Promised Jetpacks and Admiral Fallow. 'Team Handed' is out on 10th March 2017 and is taken from the self-titled debut album, due for release on 28th April 2017 via Hello Thor Records and Instinctive Racoon. http://www.abadgeoffriendship.com/artists/ultras

'Team Handed' is the official single release by Scotland's ULTRAS. The track is taken from the self-titled debut album, due for release on 28th April 2017 via Hello Thor Records and Instinctive Racoon. With influences ranging from elements of hip-hop and electronica to rock, pop and traditional Scottish folk music, ULTRAS is the brain child of multi-instrumentalist Gav Prentice. ULTRAS’ eclectic take on modern pop music is as challenging as it is rewarding; a twelve track record that confronts the listener sonically and lyrically, resulting in the creation of a sound that has the ability to reach euphoric highs as well as melancholic lows. Started on the back of the break of up of his former band, cult pop act Over the Wall, ULTRAS set about making a record with the help of six separate producers, an approach heavily inspired by Gav’s love of hip-hop mixtapes. This bold approach has helped to build a sound full of diversity ranging from the warm, emotional, mournful lament on the aforementioned 'Team Handed', which sees Gav reunited with former Over the Wall partner Ben Hillman, to the layers of analogue synths and beats that envelope you on 'You’ve A Foul Mouth John Barleycorn', a track produced by Miaoux Miaoux’s Julian Corrie. Odd-pop maestro Jonnie Common oversaw the chopped up samples and bass of 'Stepping Out', while on 'This Is Where I Fall' and 'The Path To Getting Paid', we are hit with the big, alternative rock sounds and tight rhythms produced by Joe Cormack, renowned for his work with Pictish Trail. Here, ULTRAS have created a cacophony of rich soundscapes, emotionally demanding your attention throughout due to its rousing, passionate and, at times, witty take on modern life and culture. Describing the project as “violent pop for the patronised” the ULTRAS live act sees Prentice (beats, guitar, keyboard, vocals), joined by Matt Clark (guitar, bass) and Roy Mohan Shearer (drums, keyboard). The project has already gained support from a number of notable music industry figures with coverage coming from Simon Raymonde and Jim Gellatly on Amazing Radio, Tom Robinson’s BBC Radio 6 show, Vic Galloway on BBC Radio Scotland as well as Goldflakepaint, Song by Toad and Podcart. ULTRAS are currently arranging a tour for May 2017, following on from their successful appearances at The Great Escape, and Wickerman festival as well as supporting the likes of We Were Promised Jetpacks and Admiral Fallow. 'Team Handed' is out on 10th March 2017 and is taken from the self-titled debut album, due for release on 28th April 2017 via Hello Thor Records and Instinctive Racoon. http://www.abadgeoffriendship.com/artists/ultras

Having beguiled us on their sprawling 2015 EP Gallows Humour, Rootwork make a welcome return with the release of EP Some Of Us May Never Bloom, out on 18th November 2016 via Ubiquity Project Records. Creating a sound that is as brutal as it is harmonic, Rootwork have embraced many of the elements of modern metal music perfectly taking the listener on a journey through metal, stoner rock, prog, post-hardcore and doom-pop over five faultlessly comprised songs. Rootwork immediately set their stall out on opening track ‘Trust’; hefty guitar riffs are intensified by pointed vocals, flawless harmonies and a booming, incessant drum beat. While ‘Ozymandias’ is like being lost in a sonic maze, riffs twisting and turning throughout, as Rootwork pulverise their way through just over six minutes worth of mesmerising melodies, before closing with a gorgeous dream-like outro. Intelligent, challenging, explosive yet intricate, and technically gifted, Rootwork are a band whose resonance should be felt throughout the alternative rock community much like contemporaries such as Baroness and Torche. Comprised of Max Woodhams (guitar, vocals), Jamie Benzine (bass, backing vocals) and Chris Booth (drums, vocals), the band formed in Farnborough towards the end of 2013 having come together through their mutual love of heavy, melodic and complex rock music. In December 2015 they released their first full length EP picking up support from the likes of Tom Robinson, BBC 6 Music and BBC Introducing. With the wind in their sails the band quickly followed the EP release up with single Code Talker with the video premiering on Team Rock. Now, with a new EP set for release towards the end of 2016 and a number of tour dates in the works, Rootwork are aiming to end the year on a high. Some Of Us May Never Bloom by Rootwork is set for release on 18th November 2016 via Ubiquity Project Records. http://www.abadgeoffriendship.com/artists/rootwork

After appearing as a violist on a number of tracks on Radiohead’s new album A Moon Shaped Pool, classically trained composer Ian Anderson, along with bassist Dave Brown (who performed double bass on A Moon Shaped Pool), have released their debut EP under the name yllwshrk (Yellow Shark) due for release August 5th 2016 via Oramic Records. Anderson (rhythm guitar) wanted to tap into his impressive musical knowledge by utilising complex ideas taken from classical compositions, relating to form and harmony, with the aim of implementing them within the context of an alt-rock song structure. Reaching out to Brown, whom he met while touring with Jonny Greenwood and the London Contemporary Orchestra, as well as a number of other musician friends, yllwshrk made their live debut at a London gig in January of this year with Sam West (vocals), Matt Isaac (lead guitar) and Feargus Brennan (drums) completing the line-up. The band headed to Woodworm Studios in Banbury with the aim of recording their first tracks with producer Graeme Stewart (Radiohead, Ash, Zero 7), the session resulting in three exquisitely crafted songs contained on the EP. All three tracks bear the characteristics that Anderson originally set out to instil into the project with complex rhythms and harmonies scattered throughout, taking inspiration from his work with Radiohead, allied to the majestic, vast vocal stylings of West reminiscent of Jeff Buckley. West’s vocals come close to reaching the same range and emotional intensity as the renowned singer/songwriter with the band giving a clear nod to him on the ode ‘Pull Me Under (In Memory of Jeff Buckley)’. The rest of the record consists of the tracks Northern Soul, showcasing gorgeous intricate guitar work which is blended beautifully with technically impressive drumming, and 'Into Her Sleep With Envy', highlighting another incredible vocal performance by West and drawing comparisons with acts such as Grizzly Bear and Dirty Projectors. yllwshrk’s self-titled debut EP is out August 5th via Oramic Records. http://www.abadgeoffriendship.com/artists/yllwshrk