Sounds of an Eccentric

'Honey' is the latest track from Liverpool six-piece Red Rum Club . Known for their brazen brand of 'Scouse Americana', the group have had a busy twelve months. From recording their debut album to selling out Liverpool's O2 Accademy, to winning the prestigious Pirate Prodigies and subsequently playing Reading and Leeds Festival - it's clear that the group are set for a bright future. Joe Corby's trumpet fronts the brief intro of the song, with a bold, gutsy sound that captures the listener. Like all of their previous singles, the gallant trumpet melody elevates the track, providing a warm air of theatricality. The trumpet continues to add character throughout the track, but the song could definitely carry an even heavier emphasis on the trumpet. This would compliment Doran's rawer than usual vocals in the undeniably catchy chorus of: "Honey we've got a history, Honey you'll be the death of me". The peppy bass line provi...

Photo by Alethea Shephard This year is flying by! Don't be a fool this April - go support your local music scene. 1st - Arcades with support from The Americas, Bad Bug, Follow the Giant at The Lending Room 2nd - La Rissa, Mutabase, Cynthias Persiscope, Work, Tom Bramfoot at Wharf Chambers 3rd -  Veda at Hyde Park Book Club 4th - Ivory Wave, Northern Comfort, The Brackets, Spearmint Tongues at The Lending Room 5th - SG Lewis at Belgrave Music Hall and Canteen 6th - Tuesday's Secret, The World Keeps, Elastic Waste, Fudge at The Lending Room 7th - Double Denim Live Presents: The Brazen and Neon Dolls Co-Headline at Key Club 8th - Myles Manley at The Carlton Club 9th - Queen Zee at The Castle 10th - This Feeling Presents: Trampolene, Himalayas, Sophie and the Giants at The Junction 11th Keyon Harrold at Brudenell Social Club 12th - Goat Girl at The Shipping Forecast 13th - Orielles at Brudenell Social Club 14th - Double Deni...

Photo by Alethea Shephard Sounds of an Eccentric is three years old! When I spontaneously wrote a review of a Little Comets gig three years ago, I never thought anyone (apart from my mam) would read it,   and to see how the blog has grown over the past few years is incredible and really humbling. I want to thank everyone who has supported me and my writing. Every band, artist, photographer, promoter, writer, or live music fan - you let me indulge in my two greatest passions in life and for that I am so grateful. In particular I'd like to thank Cath Wilcox (my darling Mama Soul and Number One fan), Jack and Carly Bowden, Shaan Sira, Ben Marcano-Olivier and all the Tranqua Lite Boys,  Russel Poad, Karl Hodge, Martina Topic, Richy Southern, Phil Mitchell, Mick Dolman, Chantel Littlewood, Arianne Jessop, Nathan Robinson, Alethea Shephard, Adam Gallagher, Cal Ruddy and all the team at Spotlight UK and Indie Central Music. You're all fabulous and have giv...

This week's Spotify playlist additions come from Glass Peaks, The Blinders, Dream Estate, The Old Pink House and Twilight Driving . Give them a listen and keep your eyes peeled for upcoming reviews and articles.  FOLLOW SOUNDS OF AN ECCENTRIC FACEBOOK TWITTER INSTAGRAM

Photo by Alethea Shephard March is nearly upon us and with so many exciting independent gigs on the horizon, it's the perfect time to discover your new favourite band. 1st March - Contagious Courageous and In The Tune Presents: Scribble Victory, Rascalton, Emaze and Cameron Sinclair-Harris at the Sitwell Tavern 2nd March - Solis Debut E.P. Launch at Leaf on Portland Street 3rd March - The Harriets at Belgrave Canteen and Music Hall 4th March - Farfisa Single Release at Aatma 5th March - Here Lies Man at the Brudenell Social Club 6th March - THE WORLD IS A BEAUTIFUL PLACE & I AM NO LONGER AFRAID TO DIE at Brudenell Social Club 7th March - Deep.Sleep at the Lending Room 8th March - Spotlight Music Presents: International Women's Day Showcase At Independent 9th March -  Sauvage, Mosaic Sun & Noah Noah at Tynemouth Surfcafe 10th March - Double Denim Live Presents: Avenoir Single Launch at Key Club 11th March...

Follow our Spotify playlist - a mix-tape dedicated to promoting the best independent bands from across the UK.  Each week I'll be adding five new tracks - but for the time being here's 30 tracks to get you started.  Featuring the likes of:  Tranqua Lite , Velvoir, Glass Peaks , Naked Six , SONS , Red Rum Club , Rival Bones  and Avalanche Party - you'll never be stuck for something to listen to again.

'Calexico' is the latest single by genre-blending sextet Red Rum Club  . The dynamic "Scouse Americana" group specialise in creating big cinematic tracks with a northern grit and 'Calexico' is arguably their strongest release to date. The track opens with gallant Americana trumpet, reinforced by ebullient percussion and a rich bass line, emitting a a Herculean sound that triumphantly demands the listener's undivided attention. A simple yet bold bass line meanders throughout the track, providing it with a sating depth and assertive, full-bodied sound. Front man Francis Doran's vocals are an inexplicably suave purr, embellished with a powerful grit. Occasionally his accent dominates a word, warming the track with an endearing candidness. His 'ai-ai-ai's' in the chorus gives the track a lighthearted catchiness - admittedly it's more on the Scouse(r on a night out) side than Americana but it's fun and makes you bop along. He ...

Explosive rock duo RIVAL BONES  are venturing to Jimmy's in Manchester next Sunday to support FALSE HEADS  on their 'Retina' tour. Akin to the likes of Royal Blood and Queens of the Stone Age , RIVAL BONES have established a brand of raucous, ballsy rock music that's apologetically authentic and more importantly, loud. Their seven single discography has earned critical praise from the likes of Louder Than War, All About Rock , RUSHONROCK and Maximum Volume - cementing them as one of the North West's most promising groups. Drummer Chris Thomason said: "We're looking forward to playing at Jimmy's for the first time and can't think of a better band to do it with than False Heads. We've heard great things about Jimmy's and we always have a party playing Manchester - so it's definitely one we're really looking forward to playing!" Get Your Tickets FOLLOW SOUNDS OF AN ECCENTRIC FACEBOOK TWITTER INSTA...

Last week Red Rum Club completed their nine date tour, enthralling audiences across the UK with their suave brand of "Scouse Americana". I caught up with front man Frances and drummer Neil  at the Lending Room to talk about  their tour,  the new single and  romantic mix tapes. 'Calexico' is set to be released this Friday - S.O.A.E. review coming Monday. Check out what I thought of their Leeds gig here. FOLLOW SOUNDS OF AN ECCENTRIC FACEBOOK TWITTER INSTAGRAM

Last night Liverpudlian six-piece Red Rum Club enthralled a lively crowd at Leeds' Lending Room. Kicking the night off was Leeds based four-piece Turnstones . Unfortunately, the majority of their set was timid and unimpressive. Their songs were pleasant enough, just very safe sounding, and they looked painfully awkward on stage. However the last two tracks of their set were fantastic -they skyrocketed from blasé to ballsy. They engaged more with the audience and came out of their shells - it was like watching a completely different band. They need to scrap the first section of their set and focus on creating songs like the last two. Up next was local group Paradas . Their front man had a dreamy rock tone, akin to Kings of Leon's Caleb Followill, with an admirable vocal range. His lilting vocals complimented the gritty classic rock inspired riffs, giving their sound a rich depth. Occasionally their riffs were a bit repetitive, so it'd be interesting to see some ...

Double Denim Live returned to Verve Bar on Saturday 27th January, hosting a night of music from local Leeds and Liverpool based bands. Kicking the night off was Merseyside trio  Ladies . Their sound was fuelled by a cocktail of 60s rock and 00s indie influences, giving it an preppy catchiness. Bold bass lines gave their music a nice depth and their front man's vocals possessed a sweet, wholesome charm. Unfortunately their stage presence was a little static and they need to engage with the crowd more. However, they did mention that they were all a little under the weather, which may explain their somewhat tame performance. Up next was Liverpudlian three piece  Turbulence  -  a quintessential guitar rock group with a beefy bass backbone. Tickling hints of classic indie gave their sound an upbeat edge, whilst the snarling vocals added a suave air to their music. They radiated a really big, impressive sound for a three piece. No frills, just loud energeti...

This week Northern Exposure announced their shortlisted 20 bands for the INMusic Festival slot in Croatia. To win the competition and play alongside the likes of Queens of the Stone Age and Nick Cage & The Bad seeds, the twenty bands have to impress a team of independent industry professionals.  The top six will be announced on Monday 15th January. The bands will then have to play a show at Sheffield Hallam Union on February 10th, where the final winner will be announced. THE RECEIVERS Newcomers The Receivers have had an impressive debut year, releasing their debut EP, getting singed to Alya Records and earning themselves a loyal fan base across Yorkshire. Their sound is characterised by ferocious guitar riffs, relentless percussion and infectiously catchy choruses.  FALSE HEADS Known for their gutsy brand of post-punk guitar rock, FALSE HEADS are one of the hottest bands on the independent circuit at the moment. Their sound is loud and gutsy fre...

The organisers of Reading and Leeds Festival, FestivalRepublic, have faced criticism in recent years for their male dominated line-ups. Melvin Benn, the managing director of Festival Republic,   told the Guardian that the reason behind theirmale-centric line ups was because "they sell tickets... if there was a female act in the rock genre that sold the same amount of tickets as any of the headline acts... I'd book them". However Benn recently announced that Festival Republic is launching a new initiative in 2018 that positively discriminates towards female artists. The Leeds based 'ReBalance' project will run for three years and each month will provide a female musician, solo artist or female fronted band with a week in a recording studio, with all the expenses, travel and accommodation paid for by Festival Republic. However, is positive discrimination the best way to showcase female talent and create a more equal music industry? On one hand ...