THE LOST CRUSADERS - 'HAVE YOU HEARD ABOUT THE WORLD?'

Formats

• REFTOSCD35 - CD

  8426946103513

Details

New label to Forte< and this is almost a New York rock and roll supergroup, Former Raunch Hands front man Michael Chandler has been rewriting '50s, '60s, 70's R&B, soulm and gospel music for a quarter of a century, in late 2006 he told pal Buffi Aguero (Tiger! Tiger! / Sub Sonics) of a long time dream to record a truly inspirational LP, in the traditional gospel style. He recruited the rhythm section of Brian McBride, and Joey Valentine, then added "tasty licks" guitarist JOhnny Vignault, and via "Craigslist" found keyboard player Jerome Jackson (organist for Kelly Temple Church of God in Christ, Harlem). THis comprised the heart of the LOST CRUSADERS>..keep up this is where it realises potential: during the recording of this debut album, they were joined by Keith Streng (Fleshtones) on additional lead guitar, Laura Cantrell sang lead vocal on two country numbers, Jon Spencer on lead vocal and mor eguitar!, Steve Greenfield (Fleshtones) on alto and baritone sax, Matt Verta Ray on lap steel, Mike Edison on slide, and other similarly talented guests......produced by Dead Rispler (Little Killers, Shemps, Bamboo Kids) this weighty ensemble...completed 14 killer, i mean really killer honky tonking tracks in 5 studio days! This record is highly recommended!!!

Tracks

N/A

Press

Press and Radio tbc...

Audio & Video

AARON THOMAS - 'FOLLOW THE ELEPHANTS'

Formats

• REFTOSCD32 - CD

  8426946103616

Details

New label to Forte, Aaron Thomas has been writing and performing songs now for ten years. Born in Tasmania, he moved to Sydney at age nine with his mother, his twin brother and his older sister to live with his step father, Lonnie Lee. Lonnie was a musician and had numerous number one hits in Australia during the late 50's to the mid 60's. He taught Aaron to play the guitar and introduced him to a world of singing and performance. After high school he took the strange step of moving suddenly to the Ukraine to spend a year eating too much and trying to learn how to box whilst attending visual arts college (he was an inspiring illustrator). He fell in love with the culture, the people and especially the dark old melodies that could be heard in the small villages outside of Kiev. He returned there again some time later as he continued to travel, ending up in Los Angeles where he lived for a while and performed solo shows in some of the singer songwriter venues around Santa Monica. Now living in Madrid, Aaron has finally channeled these experiences and released his debut album entitled FOLLOW THE ELEPHANTS, a collection of raw and honest material that speaks of the harshness that comes with being a stranger far from home, of the ups and downs of life in general and the frustration of big cities. Songs about relationships, family, distant friends and love. The sounds are raw, the production honest, like the songs, being put together under the careful guidance of producer Julio de La Rosa with Jorge Fuertes (Doss, Pleasure Fuckers, Nudozurdo) on drums, Javi Diez Ena (Dead Capo, Insecto, Ainara Legardon) on double bass and backing vocals by Rebecca Lander (The Knot, Roman Lieske, Alek Stark, Krakovia and others) in the early stages of what is now a strong collaboration between like minded musicians and more importantly, good mates. Currently receiving wide acclaim in the Spanish and Portuguese music press, Aaron has toured the entire country and now plays at all the major music festivals and has had a full concert featured on the most popular TV music show in Spain, Los Conciertos de Radio 3.

Tracks

1. Descending
2. Any More
3. Clattering
4. Wasted or Crazy
5. Far From Home
6. Damage Done
7. Kill This City
8. Down to Earth
9. Aw C'mon
10. We Don't Care
11. Thinking is Unproductive
12. Finish Me

Press

Reviews tbc, Mojo, Uncut, Plan B, more tbc (Independent, Guardian)

Audio & Video

RIVAL CONSOLES - 'HELVETICA'

Formats

• ERATP012 - 7"

  4260176218142

Details

Rival Consoles is 21-year old IDM-smith Ryan Lee West from Leicester in the Midlands of England. After having supported his city neighbours and label comrades Kyte on an extensive European tour in November 2008, West locked himself away all winter to finish his first full-length album, set to see the light of day in mid 2009. In the meantime fans of his debut 'The Decadent EP' will be pleased to hear that on February 23, 2009 Erased Tapes Records will release an exclusive 4-track 7" single / download bundle ? Rival Consoles' take on classical music entitled 'Helvetica'. Instead of X-Box versus Playstation, here West plays classical against dance music! Influenced by impressionists like Claude Debussy and modern electronic artists such as Autechre and Daft Punk, Ryan Lee West created a unique signature sound for Rival Consoles. A playful and brutal mix of electronic beats, emotive piano melodies and warm synth string arrangements. Ryan repeatedly performed at the Tate Britain Museum in London where he drew over 2000 visitors into his unpredictable, yet detailed sound drawings. He was the first to represent Erased Tapes Records at the British Music Week 2007 in Cologne, Germany. Limited to 500 copies only: with download code. Album due later in the year, and it will be one of the years hittest tips...

Tracks

A1. Helvetica
A2. Indie Is Dead
B1. Holste
B2. Seventeen
(IO RMX)

Press

'One very hyper man amalgamating the progressive beats of LCD Soundsystem with the wicked techno chaos of Aphex Twin. It is apparent that this is an act which it?s totally cool for you to like!? ? Rock Sound

Audio & Video