In my review of Drake’s debut album, Thank Me Later, in the summer of 2010; I pinpointed a parallel that could be drawn between the artist in question and Chicago hip-hop revolutionary Common. On Common’s second album, which was released in the Autumn of 1994; the artist weaved together a collection of lyrically pugnacious, challenging, socially aware hip-hop – penning one of greatest allegorical rap songs ever put together in I Used to Love H.E.R. (more…)
to release new single on November 7th
‘Shine’
following Top 20 debut album
‘Last Smoke Before The Snowstorm’
“A majestic debut” - The Fly
“Brit-folk’s new voice” - NME
“A serious new talent” - The Sunday Times
Following the release of his critically acclaimed debut album ‘Last Smoke Before The Snowstorm’ Benjamin Francis Leftwich prepares to release his third single ‘Shine’ on November 7th.
Delicate yet upbeat, ‘Shine’ perfectly balances Ben’s subtle guitar with his soft and unique voice. With layered hand-claps combining with aching harmonies, this is three minutes of pure positive elegance, further proving that the excitement surrounding Ben as one of the most compelling new prospects of the year is justified.
The single follows in the wake of the acclaim that has been building since the release of his 2010 EP ‘A Million Miles Out’. Ben’s debut album ’Last Smoke Before The Snowstorm’ was recently Album of the Week on Radio 1 and XFM as well as Album of the Day on BBC 6 Music. His debut single ’Box Of Stones’ was also awarded the coveted Zane Lowe’s Hottest Record In The World, adding to a list of honours including multiple Radio 1 Record Of The Weeks and a Maida Vale session with Fleet Foxes. Ben’s cover of Arcade Fire’s ‘Rebellion’ from the Dermot O’Leary Sessions for Radio 2 has been downloaded over 45,000 times, with ‘Atlas Hands’ from the ‘Million Miles Out’ EP being chosen as one of Jo Whiley’s tracks of 2010.
Following on from a summer of festival-storming sets, Ben is currently embarking on a huge October tour that will see him perform at 28 venues across the country with his first show kicking off in Stockton’s Georgian Theatre on September 30th. The tour will head to the capital on October 26th where Ben will perform a sold-out show at Islington’s legendary Union Chapel, before coming to a close in Belfast on November 3rd.
Ben follows his Autumn UK tour by announcing a new London show for 2012, which takes place at O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire on February 22nd; a huge step up from his sold-out Union Chapel show this October.
Benjamin Francis Leftwich – Shine by Dirty Hit
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Taken from her top 5 Mercury nominated album ‘On A Mission’ and produced by Zinc, Katy B is pleased to announce the release of stand-out album track and firm live favourite ‘Witches Brew’ on August 29th. Backed with brand new track ‘See Through’, Katy’s first material since the release of her debut earlier this year – the single will be available digitally.
Currently playing and packing out festival tents throughout the UK and Europe, the 22 year old is still to stop off at V Festival, Creamfields and Bestival ahead of her second headline tour this year in Autumn, where an extra Shepherds Bush Empire date has been added due to popular demand. (full dates below).
As well as receiving critical acclaim across the board for her debut album, Katy’s ability to encapsulate the sound, spirit and unrestrained energy of British youth culture has captured the hearts of many this year, setting her apart from her peers and firmly gaining her status as one of the UKs biggest breakthrough acts of recent years.
Full dates below:
08/10 – Regent Theatre – Ipswich
11/10 – O2 Academy – Leeds
12/10 – O2 Apollo – Manchester
13/10 – O2 Academy – Newcastle
14/10 – O2 Academy – Glasgow
16/10 – O2 Academy – Liverpool
17/10 – O2 Academy – Sheffield
18/10 – Rock City – Nottingham
20/10 – O2 Academy – Birmingham
21/10 – Cardiff University Students Union – Blackweir
22/10 – O2 Academy – Bristol
24/10 – O2 Shepherds Bush Empire – London
25/10 – O2 Shepherds Bush Empire – London
29/10 – Corn Exchange – Cambridge
30/10 – Bournemouth Solent Hall – Bournemouth
31/10 – Brighton Dome – Brighton
02/11 – Plymouth Pavilions – Plymouth
NOEL GALLAGHER’S HIGH FLYING BIRDS RELEASE THE ALBUM “NOEL GALLAGHER’S HIGH FLYING BIRDS” THROUGH SOUR MASH RECORDS ON OCTOBER 14th in Ireland.
Noel Gallagher can confirm that his brand new album “Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds” – the first of TWO albums which have recently been completed – will be released through his own label, Sour Mash Records, on October 14 2011 in Ireland
The album, his debut as a solo artist, was recorded in London and completed in Los Angeles during 2010 and the first half of 2011. It was co-produced by Noel and David Sardy, with whom Noel has worked previously. It features ten brand new tracks.
Guests on the album include The Crouch End Festival Chorus and The Wired Strings (full list below).
The choice of a single will be decided shortly.
A second album, a companion to the above but as yet untitled, was recorded in the UK this year and is now complete. This album is the result of Noel’s continued collaboration with the Amorphous Androgynous, and will be released in 2012.
Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds will tour this autumn, subsequent to the release of their eponymous album.
The track-listing for Noel’s debut solo album is:
EVERYBODY’S ON THE RUN
DREAM ON
IF I HAD A GUN…
THE DEATH OF YOU AND ME
(I WANNA LIVE IN A DREAM IN MY) RECORD MACHINE
AKA…WHAT A LIFE!
SOLDIER BOYS AND JESUS FREAKS
AKA..BROKEN ARROW
(STRANDED ON) THE WRONG BEACH
STOP THE CLOCKS
Guests on the album include:
JEREMY STACEY DRUMS
MIKE ROWE KEYBOARDS
MARK NEARY DOUBLE BASS, SAW, WINE GLASSES, WASHBOARD AND ELECTRIC KETTLE
BECCY BYRNE BACKING VOCALS
JOHN GRABOFF PEDAL STEEL
LUIS JARDIM PERCUSSION
LENNY CASTRO PERCUSSION
GARY ALESBROOK HORNS
ANDREW KINSMAN HORNS
TREVOR MIRES HORNS
THE CROUCH END FESTIVAL CHORUS
THE WIRED STRINGS
“Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds” is the first new material from Noel Gallagher for 3 years.
We are huge fans of BFL so we thought we should update you on him after the release of his album. The debut album by Benjamin Francis Leftwich ‘Last Smoke Before The Snowstorm’ is currently at Number 19 is the UK Album sales chart, this is great news for Benjamin and with the new single ‘Atlas Hands’ due to be released very soon it promises to be an incredible 2011 for the York based artist. You can check out our interview with him here.
The Album is released in Southern Ireland on Friday, July 08th 2011
Benjamin Irish Tour Dates below:
July 15: DUBLIN/Sugar Club (supporting Liam Finn)
July 16: CORK/Cyprus Avenue
July 17: GALWAY/Roisin Dubh
July 18: LIMERICK/Dolan’s Upstairs
July 20: DUBLIN/Whelan’s (upstairs)
July 21: BELFAST/McHughs
ED ZEALOUS REVEAL DEBUT ALBUM PLANS
For a band who has opened for some of the most commendable acts on the planet and who have graced some of the most prestigious festival stages that young bands can only dream of, Ed Zealous have been very quiet as of late. Truth is, the band have been getting down to business and masterminding their long overdue debut album. Ed Zealous made a collective decision seven months ago to stop gigging and concentrate on the most important asset a band require; songs.
This August the band will be working with the Winner of this year’s MPG Breakthrough Producer of The Year award – Eliot James. You will know him from his work with Two Door Cinema Club’s debut album “ Tourist History” along with the likes of Bloc Party, Does it Offend You Yeah?, Noah and the Whale and Kaiser Chiefs. There are no dates as of yet for an album release but expect a single release in early Autumn followed by an extensive U.K tour.
Word on the street is that the EZ demos are complex but utterly danceable, like a fine blend of Bowie & Justice.
“We worked with a lot of great producers across the U.K but in the back of our minds we knew Eliot was really the only guy for the job. We’ve been fanatical about these songs and now that Eliot is on board it feels like the final piece of the puzzle is in place” Stephen McAvoy Ed Zealous
Congratulations on the creation of your debut album Last Smoke Before The Snowstorm. How was the recording experience for you?
I loved being in the studio making this record. The album is produced by Ian Grimble and it was great to have such a creative and experimental producer to work with. Ian really brought a lot to the record especially in terms of the actual sounds we used. It was kind of strange to spend so much time in the studio but it was a really positive process and we had fun…
Do you have a personal favourite song off the album?
I don’t really have a favourite song. I guess I have favourites at different times. It’s always nice to come back to a song after you havn’t played it for a while, it’s good when an old song feels fresh again.
I read that you first started working on the album when you were a teenager, did you always aspire to become a singer/songwriter?
I’ve always loved music as far back as i can remember and i always wanted to play guitar as much as possible! I don’t really think someone “becomes” a singer/songwriter though, I guess you class as a singer/songwriter when you write a song your happy with….
It’s early days to bring up the subject of your next album, but after having so long to write your first how do you think you will approach your second when you will have a lot less time to do it?
I haven’t really thought too much about album 2 yet but I will just aim to release another collection of songs I’m happy with. I really want to go away to somewhere quiet with a couple of friends/musicians for a little while and start working on some new stuff soon..!
What’s the best album you’ve ever bought, when did you buy it and why?
The best album I have ever brought is “Nebraska” by Bruce Springsteen and I brought it 2 years ago as a random buy! I love how all the songs are so powerful but without any huge production or arrangements. My favourite song of the album is “Atlantic City“.
Your cover of Arcade Fire‘s ‘Rebellion‘ from Dermot O’Leary’s Live Sessions has been downloaded online over 30,000 times, and your Youtube channel has passed the 400,000 mark, that’s amazing – how did you gather such a loyal fanbase?
I really don’t know! I guess people hear my music and connect with it, which is great! Things like Twitter and Facebook are also a really good way of staying in touch with your fans and giving away exclusive clips and songs etc.
If you could be the support act for any band/artist, who would you pick?
I would love to play with ARCADE FIRE so I could stand side stage and watch them while they play!
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July 15: DUBLIN/Sugar Club (supporting Liam Finn)
July 16: CORK/Cyprus Avenue
July 17: GALWAY/Roisin Dubh
July 18: LIMERICK/Dolan’s Upstairs
July 20: DUBLIN/Whelan’s (upstairs)
July 21: BELFAST/McHughs
More information on Benjamin Francis Leftwich can be found at:
www.benjaminfrancisleftwich.com or www.myspace.com/benjaminfrancisleftwich
