I was blown away by Los Angeles singer Banks and her track 'Before I Ever Met You' a month ago and her new track 'Fall Over' doesn't disappoint. A track tinged with soul builds towards a crescendo of roaring emotion. Cathartic stuff.
It's Monday and the little angry fella Jonathan is back. Hello. I was sent a track last week and as soon as I saw the picture I thought 'oh here we go, another singer-songwriter' *yawn* but I decided to give it a listen, expecting that I'd probably find something better to do before it had ended. Something surprising happened in the following 2 minutes and 26 seconds, it had gone from dismissing folk fodder to a spell-binding, haunting, interest peeking piquing track. There is definitely something in Lucy's unique voice that is so enchanting that it makes me [...]
Hello, I'm Jonathan and I'm new here at the Ruckus and I'll be bringing you tracks and videos that have restored my faith in humanity. Unfortunately, I'm quite an angry little man so that forces me to constantly find new music. Here is the first band that has helped me along the way to happiness, Miracles Of Modern Science. I stumbled onto this Brooklyn based 5-piece in my day job, which on that particular day was listening to every single act playing SXSW. I was beginning to lose my mind until I heard The [...]
February is a short month, but I still found a bunch of bands that I really liked! And one I really hated (but I won't say who). February 1 - The Toothaches February 2 - The Fair and the Foul - Like their name, I found The Fair and the Foul has two musical sides. One tends toward acoustic-driven folk, with simple melodies. The other is pulsating with interesting rhythms and vocal crescendos. It was the latter that made me listen to The Fair and the Foul more [...]
In January I had the chance to sit down with Willy Mason and ask him a few questions. The new [...]
Almost a year on from the release of 'Death', Jim Lockey & The Solemn sun are really starting to make waves, both in the UK and further afield. The four piece folk rock band (with an emphasis on "rock") have gone from strength to strength and with 'New Natives' they have a real anthem on their hands. Right from the off you're smacked in the face by a wall of drums and guitars. This melodic assault only stops briefly before kicking right back in again. Tracks like this are the foundation for the boys' live show and one [...]
Two years after their last release, RVIVR are back with a brand new full-length. The uber political four-piece have been busying themselves with reunion shows and solo projects, but have returned stronger than ever with ‘The Beauty Between’ - a record that’s certainly in the running for one of the best pop-punk albums in recent years. Mostly instrumental opener, ‘The Seam’ builds and builds before the drums kick in and it erupts into a crescendo of pop-punk lead by the dual vocal talents of Cannino and Freas. From there you barely have time to catch your breath, as [...]
I just want to take up a few moments of your day to introduce you to Eliza and the Bear . At a time where it is almost 'not cool' (everyone hates Mumfords now right?) to like folk music or folk pop/folk rock etc etc, I can't shout it loud enough that I L O V E Eliza and the Bear. Think your Hey Rosetta! or your Arcade Fire. I'm not sure how I find myself unknowingly listlessly swaying to Eliza and the Bear at The Roundhouse whilst stood next to a [...]
© 2012 Oliver Wilson I saw Throwing Stuff play their first ever show in Manchester. They were thrashy, unkempt and a little all over the place, but that's what made that set so fun to watch. It was like a car crash; I just couldn't look away...but, y'know, in the best way possible. Two years later and they're still exactly the same, but with a few more songs and now some actual recorded material. That recorded material is coming very soon in the form of the band's debut EP. 'TSFU' is being released on [...]
Jim Lockey at The Castle Hotel, Manchester (12/02/13) © 2013 Hannah Neild Jim Lockey & The Solemn Sun are quickly becoming one of the hottest properties in the UK and if, their albums, 'Atlases' and 'Death' didn't convince you of that then their live show will. Having seen them multiple times already this year, I can tell you it never gets old and that these guys are destined for bigger venues than the back rooms of pubs and dark converted cellars. Though they were last performing in front of thousands every night on tour [...]
© 2013 Anthony Barlow When Frank Carter left Gallows behind for pastures new, many were confused with the new direction the punk frontman had taken. His new band, Pure Love, have a more traditional rock and roll round and were far more melodious than the hardcore sound his fans may have been used to. In all honesty, I was never a fan of Gallows and Pure Love's first single reminded me more of, semi-novelty glam rock four-piece, The Darkness than the fresh, cool, punk n roll it was supposed to be. Regardless, I went into their [...]
On a cold February night, Hank & Cupcakes , the Brooklyn duo by way of Tel Aviv, played to a packed room at Pianos in NYC. It was a last minute decision for me to check out the band, who I had unfortunately missed several times before despite the fact that they have played with some of my favorites, and I am so glad that I finally got a chance to see them. Taking their name from [...]
As you might have guessed, I spend a lot of my time listening to acoustic music. The majority of which is great, but sometimes there’s not a lot you can say without re-treading old ground. This is kind of how I feel about writing about this record. Vinnie Caruana, formerly of The Movielife and frontman of I Am The Avalanche, has released ‘City By The Sea’ - a six-track EP that does little to break the mold, but has stuck with me due to the catchy and affecting nature of the songwriting. The EP opens with ‘Somehow The [...]
I've recently gotten my hands on Fort Frances 's new EP, Harbour , and am still working on processing it. Though I can say that I love it and I have a lot of feelings about it- just not semi-coherently yet. As it goes, Fort Frances released "City by the Sea" from the above-mentioned EP today as a free download and I'm thrilled to share it here and have some kindred spirits to discuss it with. From David McMillin: I wrote the lyrics to City by the Sea [...]
There are a couple of things I feel really, really passionately about. First is music, obviously, but I also love Oscar Wilde*, think no summer is complete without a trip to at least one music festival, and have fierce Ohio pride (at least for the southern half; Cleveland is disgusting). You can understand then why I could not be more excited to get to share the Bunbury Music Festival lineup with you all. Set against the backdrop of the Queen City (that's Cincinnati, thank you), Bunbury is a multi-stage fest that takes place in some of the most gorgeous city [...]
I had every intention of reviewing this record in a timely manner but then I got caught up in it. It is pretty much all I've listened to in weeks and I keep finding more with each listen. I've come to the conclusion that Pedestrian Verse is one hell of an album. It's big and just keeps growing. Pedestrian Verse begins with a disarming falsetto piano track, "Acts of Man", cleansing the musical palette for what's to come. Frightened Rabbit couldn't have picked a better ambassador for the album than [...]
For whatever reason, I haven't been able to get this song out of my head all weekend. I couldn't tell you the last time I listened to it or the album it came from, which is a bit of a shame. I would say that The Cure was my first favorite band. The first band I obsessed over, the first band I traveled to see, my first tattoo. But that was a very long time ago. I know a lot of die hard fans didn't care for Wild Mood Swings , but honestly I [...]
It's the home of The Fest, a plethora of fantastic bands and the birthplace of The Ruckus, but Fake Problems and You Blew It! want to make sure you know their great state of Florida doesn't suck. Based out of Naples and Orlando respectively, the two bands differ slightly in style but offer up four brand new slices of indie-punk/emo goodness. With You Blew It! having released a new record late last year, I have to admit I was more interested in hearing some fresh Fake Problems material. Recorded by the band's bass player, Derek Perry, the two [...]
Here is something that'll cheer you up in these wintry days, The Great Escape has released their initial line up. I can feel the Mid-May sun on my face, the perfume of soaked soggy chips, the cackle of seagulls in my ears and the taste of Brighton in my mouth. The best UK festival hits our shores 16-18 May in Brighton Town. I've picked three artists for you to get your programme highlighters out for, and maybe they're a little different to other tastes on the blog, but I'm known for being a little bit different at The Ruck. [...]
The Ruckus
The Postal Service
Inside "Magna Carta Holy Grail" with JAY Z + Samsung
No Age - C'mon Stimmung (not the video)
AlunaGeorge - You Know You Like It
Unknown Mortal Orchestra - "(Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay" (Official Audio)
CHVRCHES - Gun
Mikky Ekko – Kids
Holy living fuck the new Die Antwoord video is intense
Craziest Horse: The 15-Minute Like A Hurricane From Berlin
Ciara’s Own Team Accidentally Leaks Her Album, Officially Too Turnt Up
