BAREFOOT IN THE CAR PARK: A brand new feature on Suzi Chunk and Groovy Uncle's brand new single, featuring 2 brand new tracks!

 

Suzi Chunk and Groovy Uncle have returned with the follow up to their 2013-released studio album "One Vowel Away from the Truth". They have recently released a brand new single featuring two incredible tracks - "Barefoot in the Car Park" and "Wet Weekend". The tunes are taken from the "Persuaded" sessions and hopefully the full length album will follow shortly.

 

In the meantime we catch up with Glenn Prangnell of Groovy Uncle to discuss the new single and the forthcomig album. We also get Suzi to answer our quickfire round and we write up a review of "Barefoot in the Car Park". Check it out below!

 

To stay up to date with future interviews and reviews you can like our Facebook page at the following link - https://www.facebook.com/aldorabritainrecords

 

Enjoy!

 

 

PART 1 - THE INTERVIEW

 

Hi Glenn, how are you doing? I know you are prepping for the release of your brand new album but before we get started on that I think we need to chat about some of your achievements from 2013. The Suzi Chunk album “Girl from the Neck Down” was Hard Rock Café’s album of the year, I know you were heavily involved in this project so how did it feel to get this recognition from such an established and respected company?

 

Glenn: "I'm doing very well, thanks. Yes I was very pleased with that and I'm just chuffed that people are actually listening to what we do and any positive feedback is a great reward. As I've always said, making music is the easy part. Getting people to listen is the real trick."

 

Since the release of your last album, “One Vowel Away from the Truth”, what have Groovy Uncle and Suzi Chunk been up to?

 

Glenn: "Immediately after the release of 'One Vowel...' my thoughts turned to the next record. I wanted to get back into the studio as soon as possible as I already had lots of ideas."

 

You’ve made your comeback with a brand new single which features two very strong tracks. The summery, beat a-side of “Barefoot in the Car Park” and the more moody, psychedelic-tinged b-side of “Wet Weekend”. What are the two tracks about and why did you pick them to launch your new album?

 

Glenn: "Well 'Barefoot' was one of the first tracks we recorded back in January. I wrote it a few years ago and it was one of those happy little nonsense songs with a bit of wordplay and double use of the word 'lying' which I liked. I didn't think that much of it originally but during the recording session it began to sound like a corker! Mole at State Records heard it and immediately suggested they release it as a single with 'Wet Weekend' on the flip side. That track was actually recorded at the end of the 'Play Something We Know!' sessions in 2011 (as was 'You Look Good To Me' - also featured on the new album) but never made it on to the LP. Such a big sounding track and we always intended to release it on vinyl at some point. 'Wet Weekend' was inspired by the Goffin-King song 'Wasn't It You' - that beautiful downcast kind of vibe which I like a lot."

 

The new album is to be called “Persuaded”. Why?

 

Glenn: "I recorded a demo of an instrumental just for fun at home. I put a drum pattern down, then a bass line, then guitar and so on. I made the whole thing up as I went along, not really working anything out at all. The end result sounded a bit like a John Barry theme I thought. He, of course wrote 'The Persuaders' so I called my tune 'Persuaded' as a nod to that."

 

 Can you give us any details about the album? What can the fans be expecting and when will it be released?

 

Glenn: "There are two versions of the title track which top 'n' tail the album. The instrumental opens and the vocal version closes the album. For this record I've brought in the marvellous Miss Modus from Scotland. She sings 'Persuaded' and a few other tunes and she's great. Suzi is there, of course and she continues to amaze. A lot of familiar faces from previous records are there plus a few new ones. Paul Jordanous plays some excellent trumpet parts and on a track called 'No Idea' it's just me and a string quartet! I think the record has a kind of 'cinematic' feel and there's another nod to John Barry in the shape of a Bond theme inspired track called 'Your Weight In Gold'. I'm aiming for a September release."

 

What do you have planned for the rest of 2014?

 

Glenn: "I'll be working with Miss Modus on a single very soon. It will be her record, not a Groovy Uncle release but both songs were written by me. I'm looking forward to that."

 

Thanks for the catch up!

 

Glenn: "Always a pleasure."

 

 

PART 2 - THE QUICKFIRE ROUND

 

Favourite Beatle?

 

Suzi: "George."

 

Favourite band?

 

Suzi: "I can't just pick one - my top four are The Beatles, Bonzo Dog Band, Parliament/Funkadelic and Led Zep."

 

Favourite song?

 

Suzi: "I have hundreds, nay thousands of favourites depending on what mood I'm in. How Can You Mend A Broken Heart - the Al Green cover, not the Bee Gee's original is definitely quite high ranking though."

 

Favourite album?

 

Suzi: "Right now it's Stax Of Funk - The Funky Truth."

 

Vinyl, CD or download?

 

Suzi: "All."

 

When you press shuffle on your iPod, what is the first track that comes on?

 

Suzi: "I Me Mine - The Beatles."

 

Style icon?

 

Suzi: "Sue Pollard."

 

Favourite film?

 

Suzi: "Spinal Tap."

 

Favourite TV show?

 

Suzi: "Good comedy - owt with Alan Partridge in it."

 

Favourite food?

 

Suzi: "Thai."

 

Football team?

 

Suzi: "Fulchester United FC."

 

 

PART 3 - THE REVIEW

 

The new 45 from Groovy Uncle and Suzi Chunk is typical of an Unc 'n' Chunk release - infectiously catchy, irresistably upbeat and undeniably summery; definitely two tracks to add to your soundtrack of the summer!

 

The a-side "Barefoot in the Car Park", featuring garage legend Bruce Brand on the drums and lead guitar, will get you up and grooving at any gig or on any dancefloor. The guitar also deserves a special mention for creating the surf-like vibe which will have you thinking of California all day.

 

The b-side "Wet Weekend" is a slightly more dark and moody affair as Glenn Prangnell takes a more psychedelic-based approach to the song. The track no less still has that Groovy Uncle summer feel to it and is as infectious as the blisteringly powerful a-side.

 

All in all, this limited edition 7" vinyl (only 500 copies are to be made) is one that you MUST have in your collection! Don't wait, get it now to avoid disappointment!

 

 

All photographs taken from the official Groovy Uncle Facebook page.

 

Be sure to bag yourself a copy of the extremely limited edition vinyl release of "Barefoot in the Car Park" and "Wet Weekend" soon while stocks last!

 

 

Hope you enjoyed this feature on Groovy Uncle and Suzi Chunk!

 

Be sure to check out our previous feature on The NewStarts!

 

To keep up to date with Groovy Uncle follow this link - http://craftweb.org/web/glenn/index.html

 

To keep up to date with Suzi Chunk follow this link - http://suzichunk.com/

 

To keep up to date with Aldora Britain Records follow this link - https://www.facebook.com/aldorabritainrecords

 

AB Records

JUST THE WAY WE LIKE IT: Our feature on Kartica's new EP 'Last Gang In Town'! Features a review and band member Joe talks us through the EP track by track!

 

 

Below is our feature on Kartica's superb EP 'Last Gang In Town'! You can see our review of the EP in Part 1 and in Part 2 you can see band member Joe Troughton talk us through the EP track by track!

 

To stay up to date with future interviews like our facebook page at the following link - https://www.facebook.com/aldorabritainrecords

 

 

PART 1 - "AB SAYS..."

 

"To fill stadiums the eighties had U2, the nineties had Oasis, the noughties had Kasabian and the 2010's will have Kartica. This six-song EP entitled 'Last Gang In Town' backs this up perfectly as the band unleash their arena rock sound on our hears in a beautifully crafted set of songs that clocks in at just under half an hour. You can hear it all - soaring vocals, roaring guitars and a driving rhythm section. It may be easy for reviewers to pigeon hole this band as 'the new Oasis' but we truly do believe there is something more to them than this which is perhaps best demonstrated in the anthemic tones of lead track 'Hard To Find'. Other highlights include the opening combo of 'Where It All Begins' and 'Lonely When It's Gone' which truly do set the tone for anthemic rock with the swagger of the britpop movement of the nineties. However, Kartica are not all flat out rock and roll as they demonstrate well on the acoustic guitar driven 'Fortnight From Now' and the much more laidback 'Dare To Dream'. The EP finishes with a bang with perhaps the strongest song of the lot in the form of the superb 'Just The Way We Like It'. This has perhaps the strongest chorus and will surely be a huge sing-along moment live. Overall, an exceptional EP by a band that will surely be filling the stadiums one day soon."

 

 

PART 2 - "KARTICA SAYS..."

 

Band member Joe Troughton talks us through the EP track by track!

 

"Where It All Begins"

 

"This is an upbeat & catchy song with a weird chord in it that I don't even know the name of! I think it's Bsus98add7A. Lyrically, and the last thing I want to do is sound political in any way, it is basically about the contradictions and hypocritical nature of today's society. It drives me mad and it upsets me that it leaves so many people confused at the thought of what to do to 'fit in'. Think 'Daily Mail'. Everyone should just feel free to be their self!"

 

"Lonely When It's Gone"

 

"Sing-along chorus! I love the simplicity of this song in terms of chords, riff and structure. It's basically about fighting to keep hold of something that has meant a lot to you for a number of years (not necessarily your missus!) It's immense to play live with the tempo changes etcetera - the crowd go mental! I love how it's recorded which is amazing really considering we'd gigged the night before, been blind drunk and the bass player had had zero sleep!"

 

"Hard To Find"

 

"One of my very favourite Kartica songs. To me, musically, it sums up everything about what Kartica should be and are. The lyrics are about keeping things simple and not having your thoughts clouded by surrounding nonsense. It's about perspective; most things are sorted pretty easily if you take a step back. 'It's getting hard to find, but it's easy to see'."

 

"Fortnight From Now"

 

"I love this one although I would say that because I sing it! Recorded in five hours from start to finish in what was meant to be the first of two studio sessions; it came out so well I didn't want to change anything about it. Lyrically, it's basically about not being afraid to make decisions; sometimes you've gotta make your mind up and embrace change. Positivity all the way. There's also a touch of sentiment in there which I'm a sucker for, to be honest."

 

"Dare To Dream"

 

 "Written by Hooky so you'd have to speak to him about the lyrical content. My take on it is that it's about sticking together, not worrying too much and looking forwards; telling someone close to you that you've got their back no matter what. The riff is beyond epic in my opinion."

 

"Just The Way We Like It"

 

"Again, an absolute live winner. It's just catchy rock and roll with a massive, uplifting chorus. That's what music is all about as far as I'm concerned. It's about unity, hope and belief."

 

 

Be sure to bag yourself a copy of this EP it's going to be a rare gem one day! Also, if you happen to be in Sheffield on the 29th March be sure to get along to the Bar Abbey on Abbeydale Road to see Kartica perform live as part of 'The Underground Gig'! It promises to be a good night and the performance is being filmed!

 

 

Hope you enjoyed this feature on Kartica! Check out our previous feature on The  Most!
 

Check out Kartica here - https://www.facebook.com/Karticamusic

Get your copy of 'Last Gang In Town' here - http://kartica.bandcamp.com/

You can also like our facebook page to keep up to date with all future interviews at the following link - https://www.facebook.com/aldorabritainrecords

 

AB RECORDS

FIRE IN THE DAM: We have an in-depth chat with Soul & Fire and review their debut EP!

 

PART 1 - "THE REVIEW"

 

So, Soul & Fire, the latest folk/blues/rock band on the scene. What sets them apart though? Well, the answer to this question is there as-of-yet unreleased debut EP, which is due on October 12th. A date for the diaries. The EP shows why the band list Creedence Clearwater Revival as one of their main influences, as they take a more contemporary take on John Fogerty's original rootsy sound and mix it up with some jazzy drums. The first track "Fire in the Dam" makes for a strong opener and sets the tone for the rest of the EP. The band quickly race into a shuffling song called "Freedom" which is more danceable and even more impressive. The band remain on top form through the remaining three tracks - "Toot", "Flower" and "Wishing You Well". In the words of the band themselves, "on every track you can feel both the soul and the fire". A superb effort and from here Soul & Fire can only get bigger and better.

 

PART 2 - "THE INTERVIEW"

 

1 - What was your earliest musical memory and what inspired you towards pursuing a career in music?

 

Paolo: "I've always been, since thirteen years old, a fan of classical and jazz music thanks to my grandfather, greatest music listener in my entire family. From Giuseppe Verdi, Pavarotti, Placido and Domingo to the jazz of Glenn Miller, Duke Ellington and Benny Goodman and I fell in love with jazz drums."

 

Dave: "I come from a musical family. My dad is an established musician, and all my brothers play, it's just what we do. I was inspired by my parents music collection, they were always playing vinyl's ranging from Beatles and 70's music to much more. I just remember the whole house filled with music, and music seemed a way of life."

 

2 - Had you been involved with any other bands prior to Soul & Fire?

 

Paolo: "Dozens of bands from fourteen years but only a few concrete ones."

 

Dave: "I've always played with my brothers in pubs as a covers band. 'The Mitchell Brothers'. I've jammed with lots of different people but nothing really took off. I had a brief spell with Suicide Party but have been a solo singer/songwriter for a couple of years."

 

3 - How did Soul & Fire?

 

Dave: "It all began in Sicily where we met. We jammed and bonded over Creedence Clearwater Revival and realised each others passion for music."

 

Paolo: "Yes, it was a nice coincidence of life. Join an Englishman and Sicilian both with great love and passion for music."

 

4 - Where did the name Soul & Fire come from?

 

  Dave: "Soul & Fire was one of my songs from my solo days, but we never got to grips with it as a duo. Then when we came around to renaming the band we racked our brains for weeks. Then Paolo phoned me half drunk and said..."

 

Paolo: "SOUL & FIRE. It also translates really nicely in Italian, 'anima e fuoco'."

 

5 - How would you describe the sound of Soul & Fire?

 

Dave: "We have a very raw sound. Bluesy rock and roll mixed with Sicilian percussion."

 

Paolo: "The Mafia (also known as Cosa Nostra, in English "Our Thing") ahahahahaha."

 

6 - Your debut EP is due in October. Can you tell us anything about it?

 

Paolo: "Great party."

 

Dave: "Haha, the launch party will be a great night. In regards to the EP itself, we wanted to produce the songs as close as we could to our live sound, so the EP is recorded live and retains our stage energy. It's a good mix of our different styles.

 

7 - Who would be your dream collaboration?

 

Paolo: "If they were all still alive Led Zeppelin...or Queen."

 

Dave: "Many bands spring to mind, but a realistic dream is that it would be cool to get back with my bros one day - with Paolo smashing out a full drum kit."

 

8 - Any new songs in the pipeline?

 

Dave: "We're always working on new material so you can expect new songs to appear in our live shows in the coming months."

 

9 - When can fans be expecting a new single, EP or album?

 

Dave: "Well the EP is released on 12th October. With regards to a single, we have made a video for our song "Wishing You Well" which will grace your screens very soon. We already have hours worth of material so an album is certainty possible...maybe in the new year."

 

10 - Any live dates coming up?

 

Dave: "We are happy to be involved in Music In The City in Southampton on October 5th at Weigh House but our big night will be the 12th."

 

11 - Who would be in your dream supergroup?

 

Paolo: "Freddy Mercury - voice, John Bonham - drums, Jaco Pastorius - bass, Dave Mitchell - guitar and Paolo Precoraro - percussion."

 

Dave: "Haha, that sounds good, maybe you could ass a bit of Morrison doing some crazy poetry interlude."

 

PART 3 - "THE QUICKFIRE ROUND"

 

1 - Favourite Beatle?

 

Paolo: "Ringo Starr."

 

Dave: "John Lennon."

 

2 - Favourite band?

 

Paolo: "So difficult! No favourite at all...I love the music that gives me emotion and makes me feel good."

 

Dave: "It changes all the time but most consistently The Doors and Pink Floyd."

 

3 - Favourite new band?

 

Paolo: "My favourite new bands are The Temperance Movement and Mamas Lips."

 

Dave: "Me too, but also loving Dead Rabbits new album."

 

4 - Favourite song?

 

Paolo: " O Sole Mio (Pavarotti)."

 

Dave: "No favourite song but currently "I Sat By The Ocean", Queens Of The Stone Age."

 

5 - Favourite album?

 

Dave: "L.A. Woman - The Doors."

 

Paolo: "Led Zeppelin II (1969)."

 

6 - Vinyl, CD or download?

 

Paolo: "CD."

 

Dave: "Vinyl."

 

7 - Style icon?

 

Paolo: "Johnny Depp (film) and Jamiroquai (music)."

 

8 - Favourite clothing brand?

 

Paolo: "I don't care, it is important that I am comfortable."

 

Dave: "Nothing really, I have a pair of Next boxers on, does that count?"

 

9 - Favourite film?

 

Paolo: "Maybe...The Goonies."

 

Dave: "Blow - Ted Demme."

 

10 - Favourite TV show?

 

Paolo: "I have not watched TV for more than one year!"

 

Dave: "Throw Away Your Television - Red Hot Chili Peppers."

 

11 - Who would play you in a film of your life?

 

Paolo: "Jim Morrison."

 

Dave: "Johnny Depp, everyone always says we look alike."

 

12 - Favourite food?

 

Paolo: "PASTAAAAA."

 

Dave: "English breakfast."

 

13 - Football team?

 

Paolo: "Palermo!"

 

Dave: "None."

 

Hope you enjoyed this feature on Soul & Fire! Check out our previous feature on Callahan!

 

Check out Soul & Fire here - https://www.facebook.com/soulandfireuk?directed_target_id=0

 

You can also like our Facebook page to keep up to date with all future interviews at the following link - https://www.facebook.com/aldorabritainrecords

 

AB Records

MIDNIGHT IN PARIS: An interview with 60's-inspired pop outfit The Oreoh!s!

 

Part 1 - "THE INTERVIEW"

 

1 - What is your earliest musical memory and what inspired you to pursue a career in the music business?

 

Henry: "This is really awkward but I used to listen to Status Quo on the way to Scarborough and I asked for a guitar every Christmas till I got one and I recently discovered the song again, it was Pictures of Match Stick Men by Quo."

Ez: "Just listening to The Beach Boys in the back of the car with Sid when we were really young and joining in with all the harmonies. We come from quite a musical family as well so we were always messing about with instruments from a young age."

 

2 - Had you been involved with any other bands prior to The Oreoh!s?

 

Sid: "Nope, The Oreoh!s is the first band we have all been in."

 

3 - How did The Oreoh!s begin?

 

 Esme: "We all met at a party and in the room was a piano. We all took a section of the piano and ended up making a song together."

 

Sid: "We then decided to meet up for a practice, despite me and Ez not being able to play an instrument at all! It started from there really."

 

4 - Where did the name The Oreoh!s come from?

 

 Sid: "It means lovely in Greek. There’s also a small 60’s soul label called Oriole and the name was kind of adapted from that!"

 

5 - How would you describe the sound of The Oreoh!s?

 

Henry: "I would say we have a lot of influenced from post punk up tempo guitar and fast drum beats but also we have a pop side with the guitar hooks and melodies."

 

Esme: "Also a lot of 60’s inspired surf and soul sounds in there."

 

6 - Your latest EP is called 'Sunny Daze And Sleepless Nights'. What inspired this title?

 

Henry: "I think it represents pretty well how the EP consists of upbeat melodies, like Truth Be Told and Deduce, representing the 'Sunny Daze' and then that is contrasted with slightly darker songs like Clover and Midnight In Paris (Sleepless Nights)."

 

7 - Is there anything that inspired the EP as a whole? 

 

Henry: "Not really sure what inspired it really just that we were dying to get back into the studio to get down four of our strongest tracks at the time."

 

8 - How would you describe the evolution of your sound between your first EP and your second EP?

 

Sid: "I think we have improved and adapted our sound and obviously written better songs."

 

Ez: "We have kept certain aspects the same really, keeping in the melodies and harmonies and pop hooks. You can obviously see that in our second EP slightly punkier sounds came out."

 

9 - Who would be your dream collaboration?

 

Sid: "We’re all massive Pixies fans so it would have to be them!"

 

10 - Any new songs in the pipeline?

 

Ez: "Yeah we have been going mad recently writing new songs, a few of which should be on our next EP. Really looking forward to playing some of the new ones live as well."

 

11 - When can fans be expecting a new single, EP or album?

 

Henry: "Hopefully have something out in November, if all goes to plan."

 

12 - Any live dates coming up?

 

Sid: "We’re currently recording and writing through September but have a few coming very soon, watch this space!"

 

13 - Who would be in your dream super group?

 

Sid: "It would have to be Richard ‘Pistol’ Allen on drums! Ace drummer."

 

Ez: "I think Kim Deal on bass and Diana Ross on vocals."

 

Henry: "Definitely Joey Santiago on lead guitar, Edwyn Collins on rhythm and bits of vocals too."

 

Sid: "I think that would make quite a weird band but it would be great!"

 

Part 2 - "THE QUICKFIRE ROUND"

 

1 - Favourite Beatle?

 

Sid: "Ringo."

 

Ez: "Ringo."

 

Henry: "George Harrison"

 

2 - Favourite band?

 

Sid: "The Supremes." 

 

Ez – "Bleached."

 

Henry – "Pixies."

 

3 - Favourite new band?

 

Sid: "Childhood."

 

Ez - "Best Friends."

 

Henry - "Telekinesis."

 

4 - Favourite song?

 

Sid: "And She Was by Talking Heads."

 

Ez: "Do I Love You by The Ronettes."

 

Henry: "Night Club by The Specials."

 

5 - Favourite album?

 

Sid: "The Soft Bulletin by The Flaming Lips."

 

Ez - "Blondie by Blondie."

 

Henry - "Ride Your Heart by Bleached."

 

6 - Vinyl, CD or download?

 

All: "Vinyl."

 

7 - Favourite clothing brand?

 

Sid: "Anything vintage really or Dr Martens."

 

Ez: "This is really too hard to pick one!"

 

Henry: "Ben Sherman."

 

8 - Favourite film?

 

Sid: "Rebel Without A Cause."

 

Ez: "Kill Bill."

 

Henry: "Jackie Brown"

 

9 - Favourite TV show?

 

Sid: "This Is England."

 

Ez: "Friends."

 

Henry: "How I Met Your Mother."

 

10 - Who would play you in a film of your life?

 

Sid: "Winona Ryder."

 

Ez: "Uma Thurman." 

 

Henry: "James Dean."

 

11 - Favourite food?

 

Sid: "Olives."

 

Ez: "Pizza."

 

Henry: "Me too, pizza."

 

12 - Football team?

 

All: "None of us really follow football so England I guess haha!"

 

Hope you enjoyed this feature on The Oreoh!s! Check out our previous feature on Chaos Of Birds!

 

Buy "Sunny Daze & Sleepless Nights" here - http://theoreohs.bigcartel.com/product/the-oreohs-sunny-daze-sleepless-nights

 

You can also like our Facebook page to keep up to date with all future interviews at the following link - https://www.facebook.com/aldorabritainrecords

 

AB Records