JUST ANOTHER MANIC MUSIC MONDAY!

Indeed it is! A typically manic music Monday at that but here at the Badger's Set we do like our music a bit on the manic side. When there's so very much going on it makes Monday a much better place to be, wouldn't you agree? Things are bad enough having to return to the mundane routine of the hamster wheel so with such great music out and about, we can at least have a bit of a jig about on that wheel to get us through to the next weekend.

You may (or may not) be glad to know that I'm almost done with the final part (2) of the overview review of 2012 I've been putting together for what feels like an eternity. I'm trying to balance it as best I can by not waffling on too much and not embedding so much code the entire internet collapses. I'm hoping this will be published by the 31st at the latest so it is at least not the second month of the year. Evil time-sucking monsters may prevent this but with any luck The Doctor is on the case. Or was on the case. Temporal language can be a bit tricksy. It does mean the blogcast for podcast #12 will be delayed a little longer than I'd planned but ah, who am I kidding? Plans? Yes, well. There's a little bit of planning this year so podcast #13 as well as its blogcast shouldn't be too far behind #12. If you want to get a quick listen to #12 now you can do so at this link http://bandofbadgerspresents.podomatic.com/. Let's not forget I've got to fit in book reviews this year too.*collapses*

With everything I'm already putting together it can only be my screwed up logic to compose and publish a completely fresh post for this Monday evening. The truth is there is just too much going on today that needs to be shared before I'd have a reasonable chance of doing so via the next couple of posts. So here they are. Please enjoy and do share what you can.

THE SCHOLARS 
 NEW SINGLE - LOVE THE THUNDER

First up is a band I will be seeing live this coming Friday. How did that arrive so soon? Very excited about this gig in their own hometown of Banbury. It is also free so if you're nearby get yourself there for a Friday night of top live music! 

Love The Thunder is the second of five planned single releases following Wired, which was out last October (with its alternate version out the following month). It's another very strong tune from these guys who prove time and time again they have what it takes to make it out there today. They, of course, need your help in getting them there. So please part with just 79 itsy bitsy little pennies to download this awesome single and do try and get to one of their gigs if they are playing where you are. You'll have one heck of an enjoyable night as a result. You can read this spectacular review of Love The Thunder >>here<< which sums it up perfectly!

The Scholars pull no punches and are producing very tight, inspiring and innovative tunes. This is a huge sounding, verging nicely on epic and anthemic, track. Those backing vocals are pitched so perfectly too. It's big and catchy and contains a wonderful mix of sounds. I'll be playing Love The Thunder on podcast #13 and will be sure to write up a brief review of Friday's gig soon after that too. Now, before moving on to the next, enjoy the video above then get clicking to buy your copy of this cracking song. Then you may proceed at your leisure. Although, actually you will be wanting more of these guys I expect! In that case check out all their dates and stay updated via their official pages at Facebook and Myspace AND there's more. Listen Again via BBC iPlayer to their feature and interview on BBC Oxford Introducing for a personal insight into what they've been up to and what's to come. 

BLOODFLOWER 
FREE DOWNLOAD - INDIGO

Very excited about this project from former frontman of Welsh indie rock band The Last Republic, Jonnie Owen (and yes, I am still gutted they are no more). Together with producer and long term friend Tom Manning they are making some really unique and awesome sounds via Bloodflower. Sharing a few ideas while at Monnow Valley studios back in September last year spiraled and progressed into what will be debut album Circadian Clock. Indigo is the introductory track and has already received considerable radio support from BBC Introducing, Huw Stephens on Radio 1, John Kennedy at XFM and Kevin Hingley at Q Radio. A very impressive start for something so relatively new. Not just new, however. Something different and damn good! I'm excited about hearing the next tracks from this superb project and while we wait for that, grab your FREE DOWNLOAD here >>http://www.musicglue.net/black-and-white-music/<<

AIDAN LOGAN
FREE DOWNLOAD - STANDING NEXT TO ME

 With his debut album due out this year things are going to work out great for this Belfast-based lad. The first song of his I heard was Let Them Know, written and recorded as a charity single for suicide prevention group Pips. With the album delayed a little and being the thoughtful chap he is, Aidan wanted to share something new with his fans to thank them for their support and encouragement. He has produced Standing Next To Me entirely by himself from what he's been learning from the recording process. This cracking song has not only one, not even two, but three different guitars laid down on it! The resulting track is incredibly impressive! This freebie demonstrates what greatness is to come from this guy, in my opinion.
 
 

LIGHTFIRE

EP LAUNCH

Just hit play on the track below and if you haven't heard these guys before now, you deserve a good slap. Just go on, listen to it and you will agree with me. *gets hand ready to slap you*

Their sound is so huge and epic and perfect alternative rock! Yes there is a lot out there at the moment. A lot of really great stuff but I must admit even so, Lightfire are so high up there when it comes to quality in this part of the unsigned market it is a crime they are not actually signed! What are these record companies waiting for??

Their EP launch is imminent. This Saturday to be precise so check out the details for it and get along. It is going to be one heck of an amazing night! Be prepared for a very loud night though, the way it has to be! Tickets are just £3 and there will be a whole host of other bands to support the guys including We Are Saviours and Mercians (both very good bands in their own rights). At least £1 from each ticket will also be going to charity. The snow has cleared up now so there's no excuse you Midlanders. Make your way to the Bridgtown Social Club in Cannock this Saturday from 19:00. Or else!

 

REICHENBACH FALLS

I'LL NEVER GO ANYWHERE WITHOUT HER NOW

 EP - PRE-ORDER

We started near Oxford, traveled on to South Wales before crossing the water to Belfast and returning to Cannock in the Midlands. It's time to return to Oxford and find those tranquil Reichenbach Falls. Just listen to those falls and take in the wonderment of these tunes! Blessed Blush is taken from the forthcoming EP, I'll Never Go Anywhere Without Her Now, and available to sample at their bandcamp page where you can also pre-order it. I advise you do because, you know, if you're anything like me you may well forget come release day. This way, you've already done the important part and just have to wait for the nice surprise of receiving the EP. You know it makes perfect sense, folks.



I will most certainly be covering more on this band because their music is the type that makes life feel so amazing even if reality sucks. They're the kind to really get you through the blues and realize that hey, you know what? Life is pretty damn fine to be fair. There's also a lyric video for this track. 

SUKH 

DEBUT SINGLE - KINGS

I make it known how I am WOW'd quite often as I get introduced to so much fantastic music. Debut album Kings from Manchester-based singer-songwriter Sukh has WOW'd me well and truly, completely and thoroughly! The title track, Kings was released as a single on 14th January and is available via iTunes by clicking >>here<<. Have a wee listen to it below and I'm pretty sure you'll be clicking off to that link to part with just another 79 wee itsy bitsy few pennies. Come on folks! I've directed you to some free tunes here as well so a couple more top tracks for under £1 each isn't too much to ask. We've got to keep these talented musicians at it or else we'll be the ones who end up missing out when some of them can't afford to keep doing what they so need to be doing.


Kings is a nicely upbeat kind of track with a real driving rythmn to it that screams, 'jig to me and sing along NOW'! The lyrics show Sukh's already strong songwriting talent as he admits drawing on elements of Austrian nuerologist and psychiatrist Victor Frankl's "mans search for meaning" in his thought process. As a former philosophy student and someone still very much interested in Existentialism, this type of contemplative songwriting strikes a powerful chord with me. I can rarely be unimpressed when musicians put such thoughts to music. It is almost like the results provide something profound in and of themselves. I've listened to the album in full a few times now and it is a real treat. The songs are so musically beautiful, like st cats and to the lighthouse. I wish I had time to write a review here but sadly, I don't. I really hope I'm able to get one up for this because I need to share more thoughts on such an amazing debut.
I will also try and get a few question across to his PR peeps and hopefully post the answers with the album review. 

 

THE BLACK FEATHERS

FREE DOWNLOAD TO VOTE FOR HARD ROCK RISING

This magical folk duo need your help please. They would like the opportunity to play at the Hard Rock Cafe Hard Rock Rising 2013. From the songs I've heard and the videos I've seen thus far, they certainly deserve to be there this summer but they need people to vote for them to be in with a chance. All you have to do is simply download a cracking free tune from the link below, which will give them your vote. It's as simple as that. Plus you get yet another FREE download for your personal playlists.

Visit this link to download your free song and cast your vote >>here<<. Muchos thanksos! 

ANDREW PAGE

NEW LIVE VIDEO - HAPPINESS

I cannot express enough just how much I need to see Mr Page play a live gig. He has such a presence! Each and every video he films, be it a cover or an original song of his own, never fails to fully captivate me and hold my attention so strongly. This latest one to test out a new camera, is the song Happiness from his debut album Open The Door. 

You can purchase this via his website here >>http://www.theandrewpage.com/<<.
  

That just about sums it up for this manic music Monday then. Hope you've enjoyed this little sharing exercise. Please do share on. Catch you soon. Peace.


Tweet