The Milk – LIVE at Clwb Ifor Bach, Cardiff

Cardiff was graced last night with the glowing presence of a truly phenomenal band – The Milk.

The night began in a conventional structure. The group got up on stage in your average t-shirts and jeans, sorted their sound out in your typical band fashion, and started to play their music in a normal sort of method.

But the sound generated was simply incredible. Frontman Rick Nunn’s vocals were stunning; Guitarist Dan Legresley’s playing skills appeared effortless, Drummer Mitch Ayling’s beats were precise, and bassist Luke Ayling brought a new meaning to the word ‘cool’.
Nunn steps to the mic after playing the first song and informs the Cardiff crowd, “This night is about endurance.” After playing some new hits and older ones, the group slither into their popular hit ‘B-Roads’, which was released in December 2011 from their EP ‘B-Roads and B-Sides’. It’s clear to see this song is their unique selling point, proclaiming lyrics that are easy to sing along to.

They rarely gave the crowd chance to applaud their efforts, transitioning from song to song with an artistic ease. This was not a sign of ignorance or arrogance however; instead it appeared to be the band trying to decipher the cliché of your general gig-attending experience and add their own personal twist on the event.

This twist was further recognised just before they played their last song ‘Broke up the  Family’ where Nunn appropriately asserted, “We could do that thing now where we walk off stage and you cheer us back on for one more song, but, if you want us to that is, we’ll just stay and play one more for you”. Clwb Ifor Bach’s audience cheered in approval and The Milk played their last song with great passion and skill.

Quite simply, this band were phenomenal. It doesn’t matter if there were not a huge amount of people there, they are one of the best bands you are likely to see in 2012. They release their new song ‘Broke up the Family’ on the 2nd April, and you don’t need me to tell you to go and get it. 

A 10 out of 10 performance from a 10 out of 10 band.

The Milk played:

Hometown
Nothing But Matter
B-Roads
Mr Motivator
All I Wanted Was Danger
Kimmi Kimmi
Picking Up The Pieces
Every Time We Fight
Broke Up The Family

By Chris PJ Martin

Tags: All I Wanted Was Danger, B-Roads, B-Roads and B-Sides, Broke Up The Family, Cardiff, Clwb Ifor Bach, Dan Legresley, Every Time We Fight, Hometown, Kimmi Kimmi, London, Luke Ayling, Mitch Ayling, Mr Motivator, Nothing But Matter, Picking Up The Pieces, Rick Nunn, The Milk

Masters In France – LIVE at Cardiff Arts Institute, Cardiff

Masters In France performed a compact and intimate set at Cardiff Arts Institute on Saturday night with extreme distinction, despite sound problems affecting their performance.

Their rhythm and tempo graced one another, as the band edged from song to song with great ease. However, some of the sound setup (probably not the band’s fault) did hinder certain qualities of some songs.

The performance of ‘Little Girl’ was outstanding, and proved a popular hit with the small crowd. ‘Mad Hatter’ was equally good, with the band maintaining a high level of accuracy to keep the song’s stop/start nature in check. Meanwhile new song ‘Fall Down’ is one of their best produced songs to date; it was performed with excellence and decorated the room with its very catchy bassline riff.

It was no surprise that the band showcased such a supreme performance. Radio stations going as far as Radio 1 have aired the band, with Huw Stephens and Fearne Cotton both championing them on their individual shows.

The crowd were in a very cheery and rowdy mood following the Rugby victory over England earlier in the day, but still gave Masters In France the commendation that they had merited.

By Chris PJ Martin

Tags: Cardiff, Cardiff Arts Institute, Fall Down, Huw Stephens, Little Girl, Mad Hatter, Masters In France, Radio 1, Welsh Music

Spring Offensive announce new tour and new songs

Oxford-based Spring Offensive have just announced a new tour throughout March and April. The tour will see them take on some of the UK’s biggest cities, as well as a short trip around Europe as well.

Along with this announcement, they have released a video to their new B-Side single, ‘Carrier’. The song is taken off of their upcoming single release ‘Worry Fill My Heart’ which is due out on the 17th of March.

 

Spring Offensive will play:

MARCH

16 The End, Birmingham
29 Electricity Showrooms, London
30 The Green Door Store, Brighton
31 Secret Location, Oxford

APRIL

01 The Castle Hotel, Manchester
02 SOYO, Sheffield
03 The Head of Steam, Newcastle
04 The Shipping Forecast, Liverpool
05 Gwdihw, Cardiff
10 Schon Schön, Mainz
11 MUZ, Nurnberg
12 Häll, Heidelberg
13 Parterre, Basel

 

For more information on the tour, click here.

By Chris PJ Martin

Tags: Carrier, Oxford, Spring Offensive, Worry Fill My Heart

INTERVIEW with JACK ROBERT HARDMAN

Hailing from Ascot, Underclassed Idle Ideas speak to up and coming solo artist Jack Robert Hardman about releasing his first official single in February, how he got into music and how he incorporates his personality into his lyrics.

How did you first get into music?

I come from a very musical family. There was no defining moment where I decided to pursue music; I just grew up around instruments and recording equipment. 

How long have you been performing and writing music?

I’ve been performing in some capacity or another since I was about 7, but I didn’t really start writing my own music until I was 14.

When did the songs start flowing and you thought (or were told) that things were starting to click?

It was when I was about 16. Myspace gave me a platform to show people my songs, so that was a constant source of encouragement and feedback. I’ve always tried to better myself in the songs I write, so I can’t be sure it’s ‘clicked’ even now.

The new release ‘Famous’. What’s the song about?

The song is all about a youth’s insatiable desire to make something of their life, without having a real plan on how to do it.

The lyrics in the song appear to be particularly personal, was this the aim?

Yes, to an extent. There are little parts of the song that relate to specific real life incidents, but others that are completely made up. It’s quite fun to mix fact and fiction like that.

Do all of yours songs bring out your personality in them?

I guess so. I try and follow my instinct when I write and produce, so the ideas are usually quite unique to me. 

I see that a good friend of mine Liam Walsh is PRing your release, a man behind responsible for helping so many artists in the past getting bigger like for example Oasis, Goldfrapp and Badly Drawn Boy. Is it good to have him on board?

It’s great to have Liam in the team, having someone so experienced directing me really helps. He’s worked with some brilliant recording artists, so it’s very satisfying to think that he sees some value in what I do.

What can you see yourself achieving from this release?

I don’t know what to expect, but if people enjoy the music then I will be quietly pleased. I think it’s all about raising awareness at this early stage.

Where would you like to see yourself in say a year’s time?

I’d love to be gigging extensively, while building towards recording my second record. I’ve already written about 6 songs in preparation for the second album shortlist, so I can’t wait to get back into that process.

Can fans expect more releases this year from you? Maybe an EP or Album?

Definitely, there will be a second single and a full album before the year is over. Onwards and upwards!

‘Famous’ is set for release on the 13th February 2012 through Pleasant Pursuits / Essential Music and Marketing. It’s the first release off of Jack’s album which is due in the Spring of 2012. For more information visit http://askmepr.wordpress.com/2012/01/04/jack-robert-hardman-famous/

By Chris PJ Martin

Tags: 'Famous', Ascot, Ask Me PR, Cooking Vinyl, Essential Music and Marketing, Jack Robert Hardman, Liam Walsh, Pleasant Pursuits