Sunderland
The Lake Poets – April
01 month ago
Since the beginning of the blog we have been big supporters of The Lake Poets, reviewing their latest singles, EP and even interviewing Martin Longstaff himself – the founding member of the band.
Now we are happy to announce that the alternative folk collective are back with a new song ‘April’ due to be released on the 29th April, via Tiny Lights Recordings.
The single is an emotive and poetic song detailing the complex emotions that comes with love, loss and betrayal. Just like previous singles the main focus of the song is a solo acoustic guitar and Martin’s soft Northern vocals embellished with a chorus of harmonica and strings.
Each line of the song is poignant and provokes raw emotions as well as endearing images, “Life goes on, or so they say, what is life without you in it, anyway”. You will be left moved and oddly tranquil after listening to ‘April’ – it is simply a beautiful song.
CD & 7″ are available to pre-order via The Lake Poets Bandcamp and if you pre-order you will get the B-side for free. Fans of the single keep your eyes peeled for music video for the single, coming in the next few weeks.
Masamune – Masquerade EP
02 months ago
Not the easiest band name to say, however, if you enjoy alternative rock music Masamune may just be a band you’ll be talking about soon.
The band originally formed in 2009 after all four members met each other at The Bunker, Sunderland’s popular music rehearsal rooms. From there the four-piece, which consists of Steve Kane on guitar, James Wallace on bass, Jack Johnson on Drums and Neil Anthony on lead vocals, gelled and over the coming weeks became a fully fledged band.
Now the Masmune after spending a few years writing their own material, recording and performing across the North East, are ready to release their debut single ‘Masquerade’.
The single has been self-funded and when released will be accompanied by a music video, created with help from Smooth Motion Pictures.
The single is taken from their debut EP which shares the singles name and was recorded in Room3Recording with resident studio engineer and producer Neil Bassett (from Hyde and Beast).
The EP starts with the single ‘Masquerade’ which is a slow burner. The single is a slick recording with plenty of edginess emphasised by the electrifying guitar hooks throughout. However it is quite mellow in comparison with the other tracks on the EP.
The next song is ‘Dreams For Sale’ which truly captures the bands alterantive rock sound through the mash up of beats, intricate guitar hooks and crashing drums. The best way to listen to this tracks is at full volume.
Ending the EP is a instrumental track ’00:12′ which packs a punch through the combination of a screaming guitar, funky bass and rhythmic drums. You can hear the passion the band has for their music though the construction and sound of the song.
Let’s Away – “Let’s Away … from here”
01 year ago
Photograph by Ian West
Let’s Away are Sunderland duo Neil Wood and Jonathan Winship who began their musical partnership in 2011 – some of you may better know Neil from Abacus Post. Their debut recordings were recorded by Neil Bassett (Hyde & Beast’s very own) and put onto a four track EP titled “Let’s Away… from here”.
Their EP “Let’s Away… from here” spirits you away from the begrudging streets of Sunderland offering you a sense of escapism and tranquillity. Through the crisp vocals and simple melodic guitar hooks the EP is an exploration of human emotions of love and loss – as is most music is it not?
Wistful, Charming and dream like sums up the way in which this EP sounds – it is a delicate composition although to some it may sound borderline melancholy.
However I have to say that I can’t believe a sound like this could come out of Sunderland.Words I last used when talking about local Rock ‘n’ Rollers Reckoner and they still stand true.
Only in Let’s Away case they are making music at the other end of the scale more subtle and and refined. A fresh sound that can not be pigeon holed as Indie or folk but somewhere in between.
The duo will soon enough be joined by fellow musicians from other bands to make their live debut at The Cluny 2 as part of Evolution Emerging on June 1st. They will be performing alongside Amy Holford,Natasha Haws, Fantasy Rainbow. To coincide with this they have released “Concording” off the EP as a free download from their Bandcamp.
Words : Ruth Edmundson
The Lake Poets – City By The Sea
01 year ago
The lake Poets are made up of founding member Martin Longstaff and a group of his friends; who collectively play acoustic, alternative folk. Since their formation in round about 2010 Martin and the band have gone from strength to strength. Now they are releasing their debut single “City By The Sea” through Gateshead label Tiny Lights.
The single “City By The Sea” is made up of the harmonica, gentle guitars and Lake Poet Martin Longstaff’s lovely northern vocals.
The song flows effortlessly as it dips in and out of harmonica solo’s, vocals and guitar and a chorus of voices to the end of the song, that gives it an anthemic feel.
The song also has a spacious feel and the sound of the waves can be heard in the background. This makes you feel as if you could be standing on the beach that Martin sings about.
The lyrics simply said are poetry put to music, ”it cold and hard where I come from, and you do what your dad did or you don’t quite belong, but forget all that as we’ll do as we please there is life in my city by the sea.”
This new single from The Lake Poets just made me smile, cliche to say but it is beautiful.The song, an ode to Sunderland- Martin Longstaff’s “City By The Sea” – gave me a sense of pride to be from such a city that he sings about.
The single will be released on Tiny Lights Recordings on Monday April 2nd, but is available to pre-order now – and there is a special deluxe edition which is limited to 40 copies.
Lilliput – Little Wanderer
01 year ago
“Little Wanderer” Is a mix of delicate acoustic rhythm in the background and husky echoing vocals which at first soothes you like a lullaby. Then the track picks up with the drums and guitar to a dance folk record that gets your toes tapping. This song live I believe will be unbelievable as it is a song to be sung along to for sure…
Stripped Back 2012 Vote !
01 year ago
This is a video of all the acts performances in the first month of the Bunkers Stripped Back 2012 competition.
Video made by Tami Cuff.
The acts who have played so far have been:
ELI
Ani Sandwith
Jamie Devine
Jonathon Booth
Alex Dobson
Johnny Taylor
Amy Holford
Faith Elliot
John Renney
To vote now visit www.bunkeruk.com
You can find out more information about the event here.
Split Festival Christmas Special
01 year ago
Split Festival Christmas Show was brilliant last night! Bar was packed, there were bird masks given out by B>E>A>K, a lot of dancing to Hyde & Beast & lots of singing along. Especially to the The Futureheads & their
rendition of ‘the old dun cow’. To be honest i’m a bit sad it’s all over but can’t wait for the next split festival event!
I have put together a short video of the bands performing below. There were a lot of lights which are on the video just to warn you.
Sunderland’s switch on to Christmas
01 year ago
Brave the cold and get along to sunderland’s annual Christmas Lights switch on, to warm up with its christmas cheer! 
With live music from Spray on Jeans & Natasha Haws, carols and stunning fire work display this evening is topped of by the fact its all FREE.
This year Steve Cram MBE along with Olympic and Paralympic hopefuls Alyson Dixon and Fiona Tozer will along side the Mayor of Sunderland, flick the switch on the lights to dazzle the city centre.
Local band Spray On Jeans said:”When we were told we’d be playing at the lights this year we were over the moon…Natasha Haws is an exceptional solo artist, one of the best to come out of the north east let alone Sunderland.”
“We haven’t decided on a full set list for the actual gig yet although we do have a rough idea, but you’ll just have to get yourselves along and find out for yourself. Hopefully we’ll manage to get rid of a few of our copies, maybe frisbie them into the crowd or something, who knows!”
The whole evening will be hosted by Simon Grundy and the SunFM roadshow.
Thursday 17 Nov 11
6pm to 8pm
FREE
Split Festival To Bring Christmas Cheer
01 year ago
Following on from the success of this summer’s Split Festival, organisers have begun to programme a series of musical and culinary events, which will take place throughout the year, in different venues throughout the city of Sunderland. This is all planned to supplement their annual music festival, held every summer at Ashbrooke Sport Club and ‘give Wearside an excuse to party on a regular basis’.
The first of these events will be the Split Festival Christmas Special which will take place on December 10 at the Sunderland University venue, North Shore. The line up will feature live music from The Futureheads, Hyde & Beast and B>E>A>K and an aftershow club night with a DJ set from Frankie & The Heartstrings. There will also be drinks promos and festive themed food, from BBC Masterchef finalist Stacie Stewart. Tickets are only £12.50 in advance.
Split’s Barry Hyde, who is also front man of The Futureheads, can’t wait to play his beloved home city: “This gig is going to be a very special night; The Futureheads haven’t played a headline gig in Sunderland since September 2010! Far too long!”
In fact Barry will be performing in all three bands on December 10. He plays keyboards in Hyde & Beast, who are fronted by his younger brother Dave and the multi-instrumentalist will also be making a special guest appearance with B Split’s Richard Amundsen, who also performs in B Split’s music programmer and Futurehead, Ross Millard, had this to say: “After meeting Sunderland City Council and the University and getting them both on board, we’re looking to put on more big nights like this in Sunderland and bring in some national touring acts to North Shore in 2012. We also plan to have some good food at these events and Stacie Stewart, who currated our excellent food tent at Split 2011, will be on hand with some festive feasts. It’s exciting times here at Split and we hope to announce our next projects following this one early next year and also confirm the dates of Split Festival 2012.” Ticket details: £12.50 advance/£15 on the door. Tickets available from: Hot Rats, HMV, ALS, RPM, & See Tickets. See www.splitfestival.com, Facebook and Twitter for on line ticket purchases, further details and updates.