Riffed

News has come apparent this week, that from September, certain shows and DJ's will be axed. These shows consist of 'Phalice', Phil Taggart and Alice Levine, Edith Bowman and Ally McCrae and Jen Long to name but a few.

Many are displeased with this news. The new music club, presented by Phil Taggart and Alice Levine Monday-Thursday from 10pm-Midnight and is an oppurtunity for new artists to recieve airplay, is one show to be axed as part of the cuts. Although both Phil and Alice have both been awarded their own shows. Ally McCrae and Jen Long, who present a similar show, BBC's Introducing, where new and young acts recieve airplay, have also been axed by the radio station. Another presenter we are sad to see go is Edit Bowman, wife of Editors lead singer Tom Smith, has been axed by Radio 1 and from now on will only present her show on BBC Radio 6.

What are your views on Radio 1's cuts?

RIFFED x

RIFFED have collated a list of the top 5 young/new artists for 2014. We're expecting big things from the following, and don't be surprised if they do reach the top of the industry by the end of this year. 

5. The Brookes

We recently did an 'Introducing...' interview with The Brookes and now they have made it into our Top 5 Artists To Watch For 2014 list. A Libertines/Oasis/Miles Kane-esque band, a real Britpop/rock gem. We are tipping them to become huge.

4. Childhood

Indie band Childhood have just released their debut album 'Lacuna' and following previous single releases such as 'Solemn Skies', we were expecting this to be a cracker and we weren't let down. Expect Childhood to propel even further forward as a band in 2014.

3. Catfish and the Bottlemen

The Welsh lads have stormed into the media spotlight recently with releases such as 'Kathleen' and 'Rango' and we don't expect them to step out of the spotlight anytime soon with their debut album 'The Balcony set to be released on the 15th September.

2. Johnny Lloyd

The former Tribes frontman has gone solo since the split of the Camden band, but this hasn't affected his brilliance. He was our single of the week with 'Pilgrims' from his forthcoming EP also titled 'Pilgrims', which we cannot wait for. Expect more from Johnny very soon and a tour, we tip him to have a fantastic 2014.

1. Royal Blood

Recently supporting Arctic Monkeys at Finsbury, and having played Glastonbury and with Reading and Leeds to name but a few the Brighton rockers are becoming a household name, but we saw them when they weren't so popular. There was 20 or so people at the Fruit in Hull and it was free entry, yet now look where they, the duo keep on propelling further and further forwards but we expect them to go even further. The best is yet to come from Mike and Ben.

We hope you enjoyed reading our top 5 list of artists we tip to have a brilliant 2014 and we sincerley hope you give them a listen if you haven't yet done so.

RIFFED x

We chatted to Sheffield band Best Friends this week. This is what they had to say:

1) Highlight of your career so far?

Playing with Thee Oh Sees in Liverpool, it was crazy.

2) Favourite gig you've played?

Tramlines 2013 up until our set got cut short; fuck lazy promoters.

3) What can we expect in the near future?

More songs, more shows, more booze, more party.

4) What's it like being in Best Friends?

It's rad.

5) Who's on your playlist?

Beta Blocker and the Body Clock, Poledo, Nai Harvest, The Bohos, Radical Boy, Fruit Tones, The Black Tambourines, Crushed Beaks, Playlounge, Birdskulls, Che Ga Zebra, 2pac.

Cheers Best Friends for the interview. Pleasure.

Listen to Best Friends : http://bestfriendspartyhard.bandcamp.com/

Follow Best Friends on Twitter : @BestFrienddss

Or 'like' their Facebook page : https://www.facebook.com/bestfriendspartyhard

RIFFED x

We chatted with Dylan Williams of the band Dumb. They're not as Dumb as their name suggests by the way.

1) What's it like being in DUMB?

Being in DUMB is a great laugh. We are super busy at the moment with our e.p coming out very soon on vinyl, busy is good!

2) Favourite gig of your career so far?

We played a show at the institute in Birmingham with Jaws not long ago and we had about 600 people jumping up and down singing the words back to us throughout, definitely our best show to date!

3) What can we expect in the future from DUMB?

We have an E.P. coming out very soon!!! Going to be a proud moment.

4) Who's on your playlist?

Our playlist changes all the time. Loving Darlia at the moment and revisiting old favourites like Bjork and All Saints.

5) Who are your biggest inspirations?

We don't really have one big inspiration, we just go with an idea and see where it ends up. We like it when a bands songs each have their own individual identity. A lot of bands can come across quite 'Samey', we don't want this to be us.

Cheers RIFFED, Dylan x

Big thanks to Dylan from DUMB for the interview.

Listen to DUMB via their webpage : www.werdumb.com or via Youtube : https://www.youtube.com/user/WeRDumb2013

Follow DUMB on Twitter : @WeRDumb

Or 'like' DUMB's Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/WeRDumb/info

RIFFED x

We spoke to Hull band AFFAIRS this week. AFFAIRS are set for a huge future, as supporting bands such as Dog Is Dead, Coasts, Jaws and Alt J suggest. This is how it went down : 

1) Who are AFFAIRS?

AFFAIRS are 5 dudes from all over the U.K who are based in Hull.

Vocals- James Robinson

Guitar and backing vocals - Liam Grindell

Guitar and synth - Dan Parker

Drums - Mike Bradnam

Bass - Jack Richards

2) What can we expect from AFFAIRS in the future?

We are set to release our new EP 'Muscle' on the 20th June. We will be releasing singles from the EP over the coming months as well as touring the EP as part of a brand new set. Expect to see us across numerous festivals over the summer. Were are really looking forward to tearing it up in Sheffield at Tramlines, we played a show in steel city last week and it was insane. Hope they can live up to that show.

3) Favourite gig of which you've played

A big one for us was supporting Dog is Dead at Fruit in Hull. The crowd were so behind us that night. Really busy and just a really good atmosphere to the night. Any show we come off laced in sweet and the crowd is too is a good one for us.

4) Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

Either packing out 02 academy shows with big sweaty masses of cheering people or just packing carrier bags at Asda. Both equally as exciting.

5) Who's on your usual playlist?

We usually have quite a mix of genres on our tour playlist for the van. Can range from Wild Swim and Sohn to Duran Duran really. As long as it's something that gets us nice and pumped for a show we are happy.

We shall link you to the EP when its released. Good to have featured.

Regards

Liam Grindell

Thanks Liam for the interview. Appreciated.

Listen to AFFAIRS via Soundcloud : www.soundcloud.com/affairsband

'Like' AFFAIRS on Facebook : www.facebook.com/affairsband

Or follow them on Twitter : www.twitter.com/affairsband

RIFFED x

We spoke to Michael Freeman, the frontman of Grimsby rockers Kismet Ryding. Kismet are a huge band in their home town, playing gigs left, right and centre. They have recently been touring Europe also, showcasing their incredible music accross the continent. Kismet released their debut EP 'Look. See. Don't. Trip.' which was limited to 100 copies. If you are one of the lucky ones to have a copy, hang on to it as we can guarentee that it'll be worth a few pounds in the future. This is what Freeman had to say to us:

1) Who are your biggest inspirations?

As a band we have a wide array of different influences that overhaul our personalities, I (Mike) take lyrical influence from Eminem and Faithless, as these were two artists I loved listening to when growing up. But now I listen to anything from Electro Swing, to Experimental music of all types.

There is a rumour in the band that Jazz loves his girl bands, but he always denies this..... He claims to have a love for John Bonham and tries to prove it by investing in vintage equipment that he shares with the late legend, and by taking on similar drum patterns and fills. He always is deeply inspired by Keith Moon, and any 60/70s rock. He is also an avid listening to Brit Rock (something that we all share) but he definitely has a Girls Aloud CD somewhere.

Josh's main inspirations stem from Brit Rock and 70s music also, with his favourite guitar piece coined as Stevie Ray Vaughan's take on Little Wing. Josh does have his vices though and we rib him a bit for listening to Paramore, but I personally have never listened to them so I might be missing out! I do wish he would stop wearing his Paramore T-Shirt in public though!

Tom doesn't listen to music - he lives, feels, breaths, and I think even his blood is made out of crotchets and quavers. His inspirations are vast and he absorbs everything that makes him feel good, and he is constantly searching for the next song that will stop a group of people in their tracks, and force them into listening.

2) Favourite gig you've played?

This is a tough question as their have been so many. I think the band collectively agree that when we played Markthalle in Hamburg, something definitely happened - Tom got that in to it he fell over (not missing a note I might add) - and the stage had been graced by so many greats, the room itself had an atmosphere about it. Before the gig we was given a book showing some pictures of past artists that we was sharing a dressing room with, it included a very naked RHCP, and a not so naked Kurt Cobain, donning his infamous 90s baggy Jumper.

My Personal favourite gig was definitely a pub in Scunthorpe, where we wrote a couple of songs instead of doing a set, because the only person in the audience was asleep with his dog at the bar.

3) As fellow Grimbarians, which gig venue in Grimsby do you prefer and do you think there should be more?

Yardbirds is obviously awesome, great sound and layout, cheap drinks and a proper gig feel to it. There is a new venue down Freeman Street called the warehouse, that we have had a jam in but not done a gig, that looks like the real deal in there, cant wait to play that. But in terms of actual Venues, there are non that cater for an intermate audience - Spiders Web in Cleethorpes is always a cracking atmosphere and has the right shape about it, but I think its a case of setting up and playing where ever you can in this town, and people certainly do that, which makes for a great musical community! I think we if added more venues it would saturate the audiences, and we wouldn't have that community spirit that you see at all the local gigs, so I think we are doing alright as it is, its one of the best towns for music i've seen during the time spent in the band!

4) Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

Pyramid Stage.

5) Any plans for releases and/or tours?

We are spending a bit of time writing and honing our live set, but we do have recording plans for new songs. We will be releasing our next single from Look.See.Don't.Trip in the not to distant future, and we are planning a town tour in August, which is coming together nicely. www.kismetryding.com for developments on that !

6) Who's on your playlist?

I can only speak for myself here, but at the minute i'm big on Bombay Bicycle Clubs new album, I've recently started listening to the Foals, which is alright - War on Drugs, huge band for me at the minute.... and this crazy band called GRIZ, who just sound like Glastonbury at 3am. All in all quiet a summery set up going on.

Cheers.

Cheers Mike for the interview. Huge pleasure. If you're local to Grimsby, visit The Warehouse on the 14th of June were Kismet are supporting fellow RIFFED introducing artists The Brookes alongside Albion, tickets are only £3.00, so snap them up whilst you can.

Follow Kismet Ryding on Twitter : @KismetRyding

'Like' Kismet Ryding on Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/KismetRydinguk

Or visit Kismet Ryding's webpage : http://www.kismetryding.com/

Purchase their debut EP via iTunes : https://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/look.see.dont.trip-ep/id71091560

Listen to Kismet Ryding on Youtube : http://www.youtube.com/user/KismetRyding

RIFFED x

Indie rockers Catfish and The Bottlemen have recently encountered a huge surge of popularity since their release of new tunes such as 'Rango' and 'Kathleen', as well as smashing their recent headline tour and not letting down on the big stage at Radio 1's Big Weekend in Glasgow. A busy summer of festivals is ahead for The Bottlemen and it's no wonder as to why with releases such as 'Fallout', which this week is our single of the week.

Just like their previous releases, 'Fallout' hasn't let down. Another huge indie rock anthem. A real headbanger, you find yourself playing air guitar mid song whilst belting out the lyrics which are superbly belted out via the voice of Van MaCann which we all know and love. 'Fallout' along with the previous releases are really implying that the Welsh lads debut album is going to be one hell of an album. This week we reward 'Fallout' a 9/10.

RIFFED's Rating: 8/10

Purchase 'Fallout' via iTunes :  https://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/fallout-single/id879442580?ign-mpt=uo%3D4 or on Vinyl : http://www.communionmusic.co.uk/shop/products/fallout-7-vinyl-pre-order/

Follow Catfish and The Bottlemen on Twitter : @thebottlemen

Or 'Like' their Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/catfishandthebottlemen

Visit Catfish and The Bottlemen's webpage : http://catfishandthebottlemen.com/

RIFFED x

 We met Mancs Giant Star and got ourselves with the band aiming to become as giant as their name suggests. Giant Star have recentley released their debut album 'Year Of The Snake' and it has been met b very positive reviews, there's no wonder why. Giant Star are currently going through their Super Nova stage, exploding on to the scene and releasing incredible tunes sending shockwaves accross the music industry. But let's hope unlike out in the galaxy, Giant Star's supernova doesn't end soon. Here's what the band had to say:

1) Who are Giant Star?

The band has an ever changing face with many sides. People come, people go. Currently five, six or seven Mancunians with blood from all over the world.

2) How did the production of the 'Big Time' EP go?

Produced it ourselves at Lisa Stansfields' Gracielands studio in Rochdale, where many legendary albums have been recorded. Such as 'Year Of The Snake' by Giant Star. Available now on iTunes. 99p for a very short period of time. Oops you missed it.

 3) What else can we expect in the future?

We are doing a rare live performance at Sound Control Manchester, Friday 13th June. The 'Big Time E.P' launch party for our next hit single. Then we are back in the studio finishing our second album, which is sounding massive and after being mixed, mastered and shrink wrapped will hopefully take us to many exciting places.

 4) Favourite gig of which you've played?

The one I just mentioned. It's gonna be a top night. Some friends of ours are turning up to play with us, some rich and famous, some rich with infamy, some just richly inflamed.

5) Where do you see yourselves in 5 years?

Staring back from the inside of a very long and blackened mirror, possibly wearing Gold headphones by Dr Hook or whatever his name is, whistling the theme to the Rockford Files and reminiscing about the golden age of dreaming.

6) Who's on your usual playlist?

Curtis Mayfield, Primal Scream, The Clash, Sly & The Family Stone, Flock Of Seagulls, Salvador Dali, Eek A Mouse, Jesus & Mary Chain, Smokey Robinson, Picasso, Walt Disney.

Big thanks to Giant Star for the interview.

Like' Giant Star on Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/giantstarmusic

Listen to Giant Star on Soundcloud : https://www.soundcloud.com/giantstar

Follow Giant Star on Twitter : @giantstarmusic

Purchase Giant Star's debut album on iTunes : https://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/year-of-the-snake/id728469146

RIFFED x

Last week our editor had his article on Kasabian's appearence on Later... With Jools Holland published in NME (but ssh, they could soon become a rival). And here is the article:

Kasabian's appearance on Later with Jools Holland a couple of weeks ago resulted in many split opinions. 'Eez-eh' opened the show, different to Kasabian's usual style but catchy also, although Serge just seemed to bounce about throughout. 'Bumblebee' closed with an engineered racket, once again very catchy in my opinion. But the question is, have Kasabian still got it? I am personally a fan of their new material and I'm sure 48:13 will be another superb album, but some are finding it not so eez-eh on the ears.

Will '48:13' manage to reach the lofty heights of the previous four albums? We at RIFFED are confident that it will do so. 

Pre-order and stream '48:13' here : http://www.kasabian.co.uk/announcing-new-album-4813/

Follow Kasabian on Twitter : @KasabianHQ

'Like' Kasabian on Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/kasabian

Visit Kasabian's webpage : http://www.kasabian.co.uk/

RIFFED x

We spoke to Ilkeston's indie rock band The Young and grabbed ourselves an interview with the young guns on the scene.

1) Who are The Young?

The Young are a four pieced indie/rock band that write and perform original pieces of music aswel as performing their twist on a variety of genre of covers.

2) What can we expect from The Young in the future?

Hopefully in the future The Young will be touring around the world sharing our passion for music with huge audiences.

3) Which gig of which you've played is your favourite?

Our favourite gig would be at The Rescue Rooms, great sound and a great crowd we all thoroughly enjoyed it!

4) Who are your biggest inspirations?

We all have many different inspirations a few off the top of our heads would be The Beatles, The Black Keys, Catfish and the Bottlemen, Royal Blood and Arctic Monkeys amongst many others.

5) Where do you see The Young in 5 years time?

In 5 years we have hopefully been able to tour the world performing at our best with some other great musicians and widening our network resources.

6) Who's on your usual playlist? 

Our playlist not only includes all our inspirations especially Catfish and the Bottlemen who we are in love with at the moment but other great artists such as; The neighbourhood, circa waves, royal blood, the beatles, the jam, the clash, kings of Leon the list just goes on forever.

You can find our tracks and more information on our Facebook an reverb nation!

Thanks

The Young

Follow The Young on Twitter : @TheYoungUK

'Like' The Young on Facebook : www.facebook.com/theyounguk

Listen to The Young on Reverbnation : www.reverbnation.com/theyoung4

RIFFED x