Today sees the release of longstanding indie band Tinderstick’s ninth studio album. Hailing from Nottingham, UK, the avant-pop band debuted 20 years ago in 2002 with single “Patchwork”. Following a five-year hiatus they reformed in 2007 with three members of the original line-up along with some new additions, and since then they have been ever progressing, nurturing and evolving their sound into something unique.
Already hailed “A mind-blowing poetic masterpiece” by the Rolling Stone, this album is one to watch out for! You can also catch the band playing a four night residency at the Soho Theatre from 22nd-25th February, several European dates throughout March and at the End of the Road Festival later this year.
Black Butter Records, one of the most respected Grime / Bass labels in the UK, has been chosen by Radio 1′s Huw Stephens for his weekly ‘Label of Love’.
“The Agony & The Ecstasy” is the second single off High Contrast’s forthcoming and highly anticipated fourth artist album with the same title. The eponymous single follows “The First Note Is Silent”, his massive collaboration with Tiësto and Underworld which marked the first single released from the new album.
Recording his debut album “True Colours” when he was only 22 and starting off as a virtual unknown, High Contrast has quickly become one of the most iconic and respected Drum & Bass producers around. His album “High Society” was voted by Knowledge Magazine as one of the top 3 jungle albums of the last 10 years, and he has received continuous support from Radio One, winning the radio show’s Essential Mix of the Year in 2007.
The title track of the EP features the beautiful vocals of upcoming star Selah Corbin, soaring over an energetic drum beat, organ and uplifting strings. The four-track release also includes the original mix and remix by CRST, as well as a deeper, haunting track, “Father, Can’t You See I’m Burning”. Watch out for the album, which is due to be released at the end of February through Hospital Records.
James Vincent McMorrow – Early In The Morning (Special Edition Album)
Label: Believe Digital
Release date: 2/5/12 James Vincent McMorrow is going from strength to strength. His debut album “Early In the Morning” has earned him an extensive fan-base and significant critical plaudits since its release in March 2010. The record has since gone Gold, been nominated for the Choice Music Prize and the Irish Mercury, and has seen James spend the last two years touring the US and Europe extensively (stopping off at Glastonbury, Latitude and ‘Later…With Jools Holland’ along the way).
Following the success of his new single, a cover of Steve Winwood’s “Higher Love” featured in LOVEFiLM’s TV ad campaign through November, December and January and the single’s top 20 success in the charts, James will release a special edition of his acclaimed debut album on February 5th through Believe Digital, before embarking on a tour around the UK this month. His 7 date tour will end with a sold out show at London’s Royal Festival Hall on February 15th.
The physical release of the Special Edition album, featuring 4 bonus tracks including his stunning version of Higher Love, is available here:
Alternatively you can get a digital copy with 3 bonus tracks here:
Hello to all you nice and decent people,
A million thank you’s for every gram of affection you’ve shown us and our music from day one… especially this past week.
We can taste the love in the air… it tastes like the finest woodland truffle. Have a listen to our Album ‘Be Strong’ now, just click on the image below (or HERE)
If you pre-ordered our album ‘Be Strong’ from Our Website, Itunes, Amazon or Recordstore, it should be with you by now (or well on it’s way)
If you haven’t, we’re here to tell you that it’s available from all of the above, you can listen to it in full first HERE
Look out for a free mixtape download later this week on our Facebook, meanwhile If you’re in the London area on Friday come to our Fabric ‘Be Strong’ launch party… details HERE
Bear Hugs to you and yours,
Special Edition of ‘Early In The Morning’ released February 5
UK Tour: February 15, Royal Festival Hall (sold out)
“Sounds both fresh and as if they’ve been in your head forever…McMorrow’s debut deserves its success” Q, ****
“The Irish songsmith’s haunting, soulful sound blossoms….he will be unstoppable” Guardian ****
“Vocals, lyrics and arrangements whose restraint and subtlety are totally at odds with the profound impact and resonance of his songs’ Sunday Times Culture
“Dusky vignettes on unseen and wondrous magic…gorgeous” NME
“Captivating…An arresting journey from emotional trials to aural pleasure” Uncut, ****
“His high, hoarse timbre is used to magnificent effect” Mojo, ****
Dublin’s James Vincent McMorrow will release a special edition of his acclaimed debut album, ‘Early in the Morning’, on February 5 (Believe Digital). This follows the Top 20 success of McMorrow’s new single, ‘Higher Love’, which currently soundtracks the LoveFilm adverts. James will now tour the UK in February, before playing a sell-out date at London’s Royal Festival Hall on February 15.
‘Early In the Morning’ has earned James an extensive fan-base and significant critical plaudits since its release in March 2010. The record has since gone Gold, been nominated for the Choice Music Prize – the Irish Mercury – and seen McMorrow spend the last two years touring the US and Europe extensively (stopping off at Glastonbury, Latitude and ‘Later…With Jools Holland’ along the way). This beautiful special edition of the record sees the addition of McMorrow’s most recent hit, ‘Higher Love’, as part of an extra disc of bonus tracks: these include live takes of the album track ‘We Don’t Eat’ and Chris Isaak’s ‘Wicked Game’, together with the gorgeous ‘We Are Ghosts’.
The success of ‘Early In The Morning’ is far removed from the slow-but-steady route McMorrow took when making music. Having begun his career drumming in hardcore bands, James dropped out of college and spent his teens laboriously teaching himself how to sing and write songs: four years were dedicated to simply learning his craft, whilst making ends meet pushing trolleys at an airport. McMorrow later accepted the offer of a six-month stint in an isolated house by the Irish Sea, where his songwriting finally flourished. An album quickly emerged inspired by everything from Donny Hathaway to the dark, turn-of-the-century narratives of John Steinbeck and F. Scott Fitzgerald. As his recent success is a testament to, James’ pursuit of perfectionism was worth the wait.
February 8 – Liverpool - Masque
February 9 – Gateshead - Sage
February 10 – Sheffield - Plug
February 11 - Bristol - Fleece
February 12 - Oxford - Academy
February 13 - Norwich - Arts Centre
February 15 - London - Royal Festival Hall *sold out*
James’s cover of the Steve Winwood song, Higher Lover, was selected by LOVEFiLM to be the sound of their November, December and January television ad campaign. The single is raising money for Headstrong, a charity dedicated to changing the way Ireland thinks about young peoples mental health. Support James and Headstrong by grabbing your copy of Higher Love below.
A recent addition to the Believe Digital family are up-and-coming hip-hop collective 2morrows Victory. Hailing from Southwest London, Rafael Powell, Alex G B and Greg B formed after they met tinkering with fixie bikes in their spare time and discovered a shared love for music. The group have since nurtured an independent spirit, choosing to record in a home studio to achieve their raw edge of live sound, and a kaleidoscope of creativity with members designing all the collectives’ artwork, illustration, photography and even filming.
Working with coveted Brownswood Music, the group are pushing their ambitions with their first EP Food released, which dropped in the autumn, and quickly return to keep the momentum withsingle Lost and Found to hammer home a luminous kick-off.
Check out ‘Visual’ from the Food below:
Citing influences ranging from James Blake, Coldplay, Little Dragon and Madlib the records have a distinctive sound by mixing the rawness of live performance into recordings, weaving in left field aesthetics across the hip hop design and smart rhymes.
The single is called ‘Not the Christmas Number 1’ and it’s a celebration of all the little things that make Christmas special. The lyrics have been crowd-sourced from hundreds of Greggs Facebook fans and Twitter followers and the project is fronted by the unique figurehead and ringmaster in the shape of a Greggs Festive Bake! He is a jolly little chap and his name is Festive Jake who is rapidly becoming a Twitter celebrity.
The song was written and performed by up-and-coming indie band, ‘Silvers’. Everyone involved has contributed their time and skills for free – or not for profit. This project brought together an amazing collection of creative talent – united in their desire to create something amazing for such a good cause. The single was recorded at Britannia Row Studios, previously used by iconic bands such as Pink Floyd and was mastered by Metropolis to make it sound fantastic on all different kinds of speakers. The project was conceived, managed and brought to life by digital agency STEEL.
James Vincent McMorrow is going from strength to strength. His debut album “Early In the Morning” has earned him an extensive fan-base and significant critical plaudits since its release in March 2010. The record has since gone Gold, been nominated for the Choice Music Prize and the Irish Mercury, and has seen James spend the last two years touring the US and Europe extensively (stopping off at Glastonbury, Latitude and ‘Later…With Jools Holland’ along the way).
