Rum Thief is solo artist Jot Green with support from his band members Kieran Whitehouse on lead guitar, Gary Long on bass and Chris Hobbs on drums. Based in Chorlton, Manchester, the project began when Green, a drummer in bands for over ten years, decided to record some songs of his own. Booking into Manchester’s Airtight Studio, he played the drums, guitars, vocals and backing vocals on his first EP ‘Clouded Mind’. The titular lead track generated interest from media outlets across the north-west and, with the help of his bandmates, Rum Thief secured local gigs, festivals, support slots and airplay on the local and national radio.
Rum Thief’s second EP ‘Reach For The Weather Man’, characterised by Jot Green’s keen ear for melody and sharp observational lyrical content received widespread critical acclaim from the likes of Fred Perry Subculture and much more notable media outlets around the world. After successfully headlining the Manchester Ritz he got down to recording this third EP ‘Time To Make A Move ‘ at the legendary Hackney Road Studio with producer Shuta Shinoda (Ghost Poet ‘Shedding Skin’).
LINKS:
http://www.facebook.com/rumthief
http://www.soundcloud.com/rum-thief
http://www.twitter.com/rumthief
http://www.youtube.com/rumthief
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Rayon Nelson Releases ‘Made of Gold’ Video (The Week in #Indie Segment)
It’s hard to write, much less record, a song that conveys true emotions. That’s why ‘Made of Gold’, the new track and video by Rayon Nelson, is so special. It conveys and expresses those times in our lives that we have all had. Times of loss and helplessness, when we feel at our lowest. Backed by creative genius both musically and lyrically, Rayon’s soulful voice and nuances really give experience to the lyrics and give the listener hope as well as heart.
About Made of Gold
Shimmering guitar lines and a pared-back arrangement serve as a backdrop to Rayon’s heartfelt confessions of failure and imperfection. ‘Made Of Gold’ chronicles those times when the wellsprings of our emotion overcome our flood barriers and overflow as we fail to uphold our own often fastidious psychological standards. “Hard times are no stranger to my door,” he sings, relating his personal struggle with our complicated and erringly human interior lives. It’s a richly layered song that thrums with the splendor of Rayon’s voice. Combining vintage and modern influences, ‘Made Of Gold is a haunting, soulful, and eminently relatable song which lays bare the touching contradictions at the heart of the human experience. It’s an impressive sleight of hand from an artist who is carving an original and beguiling space in contemporary music.Often people think because you present yourself in a certain way, that you have everything together. Made Of Gold song attempts to show that even though these words that I try to live by are ‘made of gold’, I somehow still fall in doubt and I’m most certainly not perfect. I’m a closed person in general so this EP contains some personal songs, and I guess its a way of people getting closer to me.
About ‘Closer’ EP
Written and self-produced by Rayon himself, and mixed and mastered by Alberto Coin, Closer is a set of songs that draws listeners deep into Rayon Nelson’s artistic world. Confessional and tender in tone, the four songs that comprise the EP meditate on the concept of identity from four distinct viewpoints. From the soulful and relatable psychological interiority of lead track ‘Made Of Gold’, Rayon lays himself open. Following that, there’s the familial ‘Granny’ – a poignant thank you message to his grandparents, which he contrasts with ‘Where Were You?’, a heartfelt message to an absent father. Closing with the expansive and ambitious ‘Freedom’, Rayon steps outside of his persona and empathizes with the global oppressed. By his own admission Rayon is a guarded figure, but through the humbling honesty of ‘Closer’ he lays himself bare, and in so doing he reveals himself to be a relatable, charming, flawed, but also an incisive lyricist with an inimitable new sound.EP Track Listings
- Made Of Gold
- Granny
- Where Were You
- Freedom
About Rayon Nelson
Lauded for his captivating and soulful vocals, Rayon Nelson has achieved remarkable status for an independent artist. With eclectic influences from Jamaica, London, and Suffolk, his music presents an inspirational and compassionate lyricism, set often to a sonic backdrop which encompasses a broad fusion of styles. Shaped by early exposure to an array of different music such as reggae, old school gospel, and soul from artists including Bob Marley, Jimmy Cliff and Lauryn Hill, Rayon Nelson’s work is a matchless synthesis of the styles and vibes that formed him. He was shortlisted for Glastonbury festival, performed at Isle Of Wight Festival, and often featured on BBC Introducing and BBC 1Xtra whilst remaining unsigned. His latest EP ‘Yung Solo’ has attracted over 380k streams on Spotify, and has been featured in numerous blogs such as Hilly Dilly while attracting major industry interest. After a one year hiatus, Rayon is now releasing his Closer EP and intends to firmly make his mark in the music industry this year.LINKS:
https://www.rayonsofficialmusic.com
https://www.facebook.com/rayonsofficialmusic
https://soundcloud.com/rayon-nelson
https://twitter.com/rayonnelson
https://www.instagram.com/rayonnelson -
An Interview with The Slow Readers Club
Jammerzine has an exclusive interview with Aaron Starkie from The Slow Readers Club. With today’s release of their new album ‘Knowledge Freedom Power’ (listen below), we get an ever-surprising evolution that is the musical revolution of The Slow Readers Club.
And, in today’s interview, we talk with Aaron about ‘Knowledge Freedom Power’ as well as the music scene post-COVID and what lies in store for the Slow Readers Club.
About The Slow Readers Club & ‘Knowledge Freedom Power’
‘Knowledge Freedom Power’ cover. As forecast by recent singles and emerging fan favorites ‘Modernise’, ‘Lay Your Troubles On Me’ and the title track, the album sees the band moving beyond their dark-hued post-punk roots to embrace luminous synths and anthemic alt-rock that can also appeal to fans of early Bloc Party, Muse and White Lies. And while its themes are still informed by scathing social commentary, ‘Knowledge Freedom Power’ consistently exudes the power of the collective human spirit to counteract the growing dystopia around us.
As vocalist Aaron Starkie explains, “The world had become so bleak it felt a little indulgent to paint apocalyptic pictures when they were playing out in the real world. I thought people would probably want to hear more uplifting things, it was my intention to be a bit more positive. There’s still a lot of melodrama in there and it’s still dystopian in places but there’s more positive shades in this record.”
Beyond the singles, those uplifting moments emerge both lyrically and sonically. ‘Sacred Song’ plays up both elements, its sparkling guitar motif and imagination of a beacon of hope in the shape of a saviour goddess elevating the mood. ‘What Might Have Been’ is thematically more sorrowful, but otherwise beams just as brightly, placing a Balearic twist on an indie-rock heart in a similar way to Foals but with a yearning ‘80s undercurrent. The record closes on a hopeful strand, with ‘No You Never’. It finds Aaron reflecting on his childhood growing up on a council estate, where he felt limited by social and financial concerns. Despite those challenges, his ability to express himself via music demonstrates that there can be opportunities beyond what might immediately be apparent.
‘Knowledge Freedom Power’ is launched alongside a new video for the moody, hooky synth-pop break-up song ‘Forget About Me’. It was the final song to be written for the record and remained in development as the band entered the studio. Its writing was completed in an experimental style, with the band based in the studio while Aaron contributed via WhatsApp as he remained at home with Covid.
Completed by Aaron’s brother Kurtis Starkie (guitar), James Ryan (bass) and David Whitworth (drums), The Slow Readers Club recorded the album with producer Joe Cross (Louis Tomlinson, The Courteeners, Hurts).
The Slow Readers Club recently announced details of a special ‘Knowledge Freedom Power’ album launch event on February 28th. Held at Manchester’s Band on the Wall, the intimate event will feature a live edition of #TimsTwitterListeningParty, which will also run concurrently on Twitter. The band will then take to the stage to perform acoustic versions of some of the new album tracks, as well as hosting a raffle in which fans can win rare memorabilia, merchandise and guestlist places for upcoming shows. The event is already sold-out.
The event follows their recent ‘Knowledge Freedom Power’ preview event, where they were joined by a local legend in the shape of the Mayor of Manchester, Andy Burnham.
‘Knowledge Freedom Power’ is available to stream or buy HERE. The band’s official store also offers limited edition vinyl, CD, cassettes and t-shirts which feature alternate black artwork.
Next month will see The Slow Readers Club take ‘Knowledge Freedom Power’ on the road with a UK and European headline tour, interspersed with a show as special guests to Pixies. Several gigs are already sold-out, with many more to follow imminently. Any remaining tickets are available HERE.
LINKS:
https://www.theslowreadersclub.co.uk
https://www.facebook.com/theslowreadersclub
https://twitter.com/slowreadersclub
https://www.instagram.com/theslowreadersclub/ -
Jammerzine’s The Week in #Indie for 5/16/2022
In this episode of Jammerzine’s The Week in #Indie we have an exclusive interview with Athena Hiotis from Prism Waves. Also new singles, videos, and albums from Billingsley, Ghost Woman, Monte, Rubber, Beauty In Chaos, Indii G., Otoboke Beaver, and Zack Fletcher.
About Prism Waves
Jammerzine has an interview with Athena Hiotis from Prism Waves. Prism Waves (formerly RÊVE), is a band that is becoming as influential as it is branded. And being branded is a good thing. A lot of new artists don’t realize this, but you are all brands. And Athena is an expert at this from multiple angles of the music business. She is also the head of the artist-centric boutique record label Pop Riot.
In this interview, we talk with Athena about being both the frontperson of a successful band killing it on the scene as well as head of a label, making the scene, as well as everything in between (including our mutual love for Sigourney Weaver and the Alien franchise!). This is an interview with a true talent and a conversation with a genuine person.
LINKS:
https://www.prism-waves.com
https://www.facebook.com/prismwavesband
https://twitter.com/PrismWaves
https://www.instagram.com/prism.waves
https://www.popriotmusic.comAbout Billingsley
Billingsley has released their new video for the track titled ‘Long Shot’. I have no other way to start this but to say that this is a fun song. Subtly anthemic, partly quirky, and totally engulfing, this song grows on you after you approve it. I could say it’s the hook. I could say it’s the style. It just is. And it stays with you after that first listen.
Billingsley sounds like a fun band. I hope this pandemic ends soon so we can see them live. I get the feeling their shows are a party. And we’re all invited.
LINKS:
http://www.billingsleyrocks.com/
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8g-tVt4-8Am9G_EAQ4uYDA
https://www.facebook.com/billingsleyrocks/About Ghost Woman
Ghost Woman has released his new video for the track titled ‘Clockwork’, from his upcoming eponymous LP releasing on July 1st via Full Time Hobby.
Set in an old 8mm home movie styling, we get a solid slow burn of 2:26 filled with retroblasting Eazy Ryder style road trip goodness. The song is the real star of the video, in my opinion. Drenched in it’s own style of true grit and guitar, there is no filler from a highway killer of a track trying to find a home before it realizes it doesn’t need one. Only that place in your head or your heart. Minimalism as an audio artform has now been perfected.
LINKS:
https://www.ghost-woman.com
https://www.fulltimehobby.co.uk
https://orcd.co/ghostwomanAbout Monte
Monte has released their new video for the single titled ‘I Hate Me More’. Thrash punk in all of it’s original glory from the heart to the masses with conformity getting the first f*ck you and a no-holds-barred with every lyric, Monte gets right to the point with music that should make a solid comeback, but until then, we have Monte holding that flag. Admit it, this is how we all feel but are too afraid to say anything.
LINKS:
https://www.monteofficial.com
https://www.instagram.com/monte.music
https://www.facebook.com/MONTEtheofficialAbout Rubber
Rubber has today released their new video for the single titled ‘Fries & Wings’. Filmed in a location filled with character and characters, we get a sense of unity via soul, funk, R&B, and heart. Philly has a new sound and it’s Rubber.
The #Indie scene is filled with both originality and unoriginal. Rubber places firmly in the former. Amassed with talent vocally, lyrically, and musically, ‘Fries & Wings’ is but a taster of what I want to expect from a dynamic duo of this caliber. Groove now has an anthem.
LINKS:
https://rubber.biglink.to/dMeD
https://www.rubbermusic.com
https://www.instagram.com/rubbermusic
https://www.tiktok.com/@rubbermusic
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNdDcVTeScKezl_EaKSAfOg
https://twitter.com/rubbermusic
https://www.facebook.com/rubberofficialAbout Beauty In Chaos
Beauty In Chaos has released their new video titled ‘Afterlife’, featuring Tish Ciravolo and from their latest album ‘Behind the Veil’, out now via 33.3 Music Collective.
If ‘Orion‘ is the yin, then ‘Afterlife’ is the yang. We get the bookends of the creative spectrum from a music collective that is as diverse in scope as it is in spectrum. Beautifully shot and contrasted by the locations within the video, those act as the visual accompaniment with the musical and lyrical changes within the song.
That feeling of the last second realization of the meaning of life and personal value of existence along with the unknown of what is next is presented as a soft musical soliloquy to what is, what was, what could have been, and what’s next. Transcendental within the soundscape with hints of clarity in the delivery, ‘Afterlife’ is a love letter to life and a warning to those of use who fail to appreciate it.
LINKS:
https://www.beautyinchaosmusic.com
https://jam2.me/beautyinchaos
https://www.facebook.com/beautyinchaosmusic
https://www.instagram.com/beautyinchaosofficial
https://twitter.com/_BeautyInChaos
https://www.beautyinchaosmusic.com/music-store
https://www.beautyinchaosmusic.com/bic-blog
https://soundcloud.com/33-3-music-collective
https://beautyinchaos.bandcamp.com
https://open.spotify.com/artist/2TwN2egUCb7rbS0Bfkdsd0?si=JcmKLf5MR5iMN6L2KzzInwAbout Indii G.
Indii G. has released his new EP titled ‘Riverhouse’, as well as the new video for the track ‘Soul’ via Epitaph Records.
Indii G. has been solidly establishing himself for a couple years now. With ‘Riverhouse’, he takes root in the music industry as someone who is clearly sticking around. This is the deep end of the pool, and he has no problem staying afloat. A brilliant mix of chillwave, hip hop, soul, and pop, ‘Riverhouse’ spans a gamut of sonically colorful landscapes and takes ownership of his digital destiny with bits of different genres underlying his true talent: himself.
LINKS:
https://withkoji.com/@Indii_G
https://youtube.com/channel/UC6XbVy8jdgdG1Enx8ElERUw
https://www.instagram.com/the_indii_g
https://twitter.com/the_indii_gAbout Otoboke Beaver
Otoboke Beaver has today released their new album titled ‘Super Champon’. Energetic Japanese genre-stitching originality with sheer adorable rebellion that has such a feeling of pure energy and synergy that you can’t help but instantly fall in love with this band as well as anything they release.
While I think the songs are too short, do they really need to be when you think about it? They are just long enough to become addict to them and short enough to leave you wishing they were longer. How the f*ck does an artist or band get in your head like that? To be able to instantly turn you into a fan? I know how. They get to your head through your heart.
LINK:
https://www.otobokebeaver.comAbout Zack Fletcher
It’s always impressive when a musician is able to match melody and landscape. Records influenced by geography have the power to transport us from our current context into a new world. And that’s precisely what Zack Fletcher’s newest album, Ohio Reveries, aims to do. With glittering arrangements and vulnerable lyrics, Fletcher brings the flora and fauna of Ohio to a wider audience.
Fletcher is no lightweight when it comes to crafting gorgeous guitar music. His 2020 instrumental guitar collection Vignettes and 2019 folk masterpiece Moths in the Attic received praise from numerous indie publications, calling his music “captivating,” “beautifully crafted,” and “pristinely executed.” Listeners will soon learn that those same descriptions apply to Fletcher’s newest collection as well.
LINKS:
https://www.zackfletchermusic.com
https://linktr.ee/zfletchermusic
https://www.instagram.com/zfletchermusic
https://www.facebook.com/zackfletchermusicClick HERE to watch Season 8 of Jammerzine’s ‘The Week in #Indie’.
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