Tag Archives: new music

fundraising, news, News & Updates

Molly Karloff release new single in aid of mental health charity Oxfordshire Mind

Leave a comment
NEW SINGLE “SHE SAID”
REMIXED BY ROMESH DODANGODA RELEASED FRIDAY 19th FEBRUARY 2021
PRE-SAVE THE SINGLE
All PROCEEDS IN AID OF UK MENTAL HEALTH CHARITY “OXFORDSHIRE MIND”
MOLLY KARLOFF SIGN RECORD DEAL WITH OFF YER ROCKA
Molly Karloff, the hard-hitting Oxfordshire-based power trio are set to release their new single ‘She Said’ (Romesh Remix) on Friday February 19th. 

All proceeds from the single will be donated to the UK mental health charity Oxfordshire Mind. The single is now available to pre-save from https://mollykarloff.hearnow.com

“Lockdowns are bad for mental health,” says Molly Karloff’s guitarist and lead singer, Simon Gee. “We’ve decided to raise money to help those people who are suffering most. Mental health is a serious issue and that’s why the band are showing their support by donating all proceeds from the new singleOxfordshire Mind.”

“Mind provides help and support to anyone affected by mental health problems. People can donate by pre-saving and ordering the single from https://mollykarloff.hearnow.com or they can donate via our JustGiving page at www.justgiving.com/fundraising/molly-karloff.”

“We’re thrilled to hear that the rock band Molly Karloff has chosen to support Oxfordshire Mind by donating the proceeds of their new single,” says Kathryn Pickup, Community Fundraiser at Oxfordshire Mind.

“The pandemic is changing our lives and placing huge amounts of stress on our mental health. The self-isolation and social distancing measures in place, as well as fears about the virus itself, are adding to the pressures of the current situation.”

“Covid-19 has dramatically highlighted the need for services like ours. Our fundraising has been reduced significantly due to cancelled events and activities over the past few months. We are incredibly grateful for supporters like the rock band Molly Karloff.”

“We have a range of services available, from our Information Line where people can call or email to get support and advice for themselves or others, to peer support groups which bring together people who have a shared experience with mental health in a safe and welcoming space, and crisis support services like our Oxford and Banbury Safe Havens. We have adapted our services to ensure that anyone who needs us can still get support.”

“At Oxfordshire Mind, we firmly believe that everyone who experiences mental health difficulties should have somewhere to turn to for advice and support. By supporting us in this way, Molly Karloff are helping to ensure that we can continue to make that happen.”

To coincide with the new single, Molly Karloff have inked a recording deal with Off Yer Rocka Records who will release the band’s next two studio albums.

Since the release of their ‘Supernaturalation’ EP in 2020, Molly Karloff have cemented their place in the rock music scene with rave reviews and dedicated social engagement.

Having already worked with Romesh Dodangoda (Bullet for My Valentine, Funeral For A Friend, Bring Me The Horizon), on the remix of their previous single ‘Do It Again’, the band invited him back to remix ‘She Said’.  A music video directed by Charlie Smith of Mind Art Visual, will coincide with the new single.

Molly Karloff is Simon Gee (vocals, guitar), Dan Podbery (bass) and Jowie Adkins (drums).

Powerplay Mag described ‘She Said’ as, “Straight to the naughty centre, ballsy rock.” 9/10.

Hard Rock Hell Magazine described Molly Karloff’s music as “An assault on your brain sort of music, smashing its way into your head and staying there in a fabulous way. I bloody love it!”

“I originally wrote the opening riff without the wah, which was added by mistake one day in rehearsal,” recalls Simon. “It sounded cool, so we kept it that way. Everything else evolved from there. The chorus is infectious. You can’t get it out of your head.”

Watch the trailer for the official music video for “She Said” here. 
Advertisement
Fifty Gigs In A Day, news

Album release: Maybe Dreamers by Dandelion Charm – ‘accessible prog with just a hint of jazz’

Leave a comment

Album release date: 2nd November 2019 (digital and CD formats)

Featuring the duo’s signature blend of intricate harmonies, soaring melodies and Olah, their beautiful jumbo twelve-string guitar, Maybe Dreamers is the brand new album from Dandelion Charm. The overarching theme across the album’s ten tracks is an exploration of collective and individual relationships with new media, and the pursuit of fulfilment through consumption. Musically it is more prog and yet more accessible, with just a hint of jazz influence.

John Fowler: “I’m so pleased with this record! Maybe Dreamers reflects our growing confidence and just has more of everything! It’s punchier, darker, proggier in places, yet lighter and more accessible in others. It’s a varied record that hangs together beautifully. It’s definitely Dandelion Charm and I’m really proud of it!”

Very much a personal as well as a creative partnership Dandelion Charm is the inspiration of John and Clare Fowler, based in Newhaven (near Brighton) on England’s south-coast. With a background working in a commercial studio, John brings over twenty years of song-writing and production experience. Clare, meanwhile, is a long-time visual artist and performer and her love of storytelling manifests itself in her heartfelt lyrics and emotive delivery.

Clare Fowler: “Its hard to define Dandelion Charm by one genre alone. We tend to describe ourselves as a bit rocky, a bit folky and a bit proggy. John and I love the process of writing and refining songs so that regardless of whether they are heard as a live duo, trio, band or recording they still communicate a powerful story.”

John Fowler: “Dandelion Charm is just all the things that I love rolled into one! I’m just making the music that I want to hear, and it’s wonderful that so many other people seem to want to hear it too!”

Dandelion Charm’s debut album Tiny Drop was released in 2015. This was followed by a five-track EP Riding The Flood in 2018. As word of Dandelion Charm has spread, following a string of positive reviews, their performances have enthralled audiences at Purbeck Valley Folk Festival, the Cropredy festival fringe, the Cambridge Rock Festival and Brighton Pride – to name just a few.

The release of Maybe Dreamers will be marked with a special launch gig on 2nd November when Dandelion Charm will be performing songs from the album at the Brunswick, Hove’s premier music and arts venue.

Track By Track

Here, Dandelion Charm guide us through each of the ten tracks on Maybe Dreamers:

Cult of More – This short track is an intro to the album that sets the scene. It’s about our obsession with screen use and its influence on our society.

Stephanie – Stephanie is a song about disappointment, failed expectation, loss of innocence and shame. The character of Stephanie is an every-woman, embodying the journey into womanhood. The train is a metaphor for time which moves relentlessly forward regardless of a desire to step off or go back to a simpler more unworldly place.

Maybe Dreamers – The title track is a comment on society’s dwindling creative population. It describes an increasingly dumbed-down society that is mercilessly sold cheap thrills, where truly creative people can feel ostracised and deflated.

Not Just A Kiss – The lyrics to this song were written by Martin King, it’s a beautiful and whimsical love song. It was recorded initially for his album White Sands Desire and Me, which was produced by John Fowler. With its classic vocal harmonies and twelve-string guitar, the track is undeniably Dandelion Charm and won its place on the album.

Arrogance and Blackmail/PityBomb – These two tracks are essentially one song (Saviour for the Lesser Man). It deals with manipulation and the pulling of heartstrings for personal gain. The lyrics were initially written as one huge rant, and as the songs developed they went through many versions as separate songs. Recurring themes both lyrically and musically bonded the songs together and eventually, John and Clare conceded that they needed to sit together on the album.

Afraid of the Silence – This song is about the incredibly powerful influence that consumerism and the media have over us. Life is finite – there is only so much time. Are we spending it wisely, or just pawns?

Trying Hard – Trying hard offers an alternative message of resistance to relentless marketing and consumerism. Its a call to others who are striving to spread understanding, to bring people together, to be creative in a society that seems hell-bent on promoting greed, destruction, and hatred.

Isolate Resolve – This is a love song. It describes two people singularly resolved to appreciate and care for each other despite all outside influence.

Flicker – Flicker takes its place as the album’s outro. Its message is simple; all that matters is our relationships. Treasure those around you. There will come at a time when they, and we, are just memories.

Fifty Gigs In A Day, news

‘Stephanie’ the captivating new single from Dandelion Charm 

Leave a comment

Single release date: 8th April 2019

“a song about disappointment and failed expectation, loss of innocence, isolation and shame”

In a busy twelve months for prog folk outfit Dandelion Charm they’ve released a highly-acclaimed EP, extended their reach to many new fans and spent time in the studio finalising a brand new album. The single ‘Stephanie’ provides the first taste of what Dandelion Charm’s new material has in store for fans and will be released as a download on Monday 8th April 2019.

Newhaven-based Dandelion Charm is the creation of John Fowler (guitars/vocals) and Clare Fowler (vocals). They combine prog, folk and rock influences into a luxurious blend of intricate harmonies, soaring melodies, superb musicianship and heartfelt lyrics, receiving plaudits from across a range of genres – from prog to hard-rock to folk.

The single is a captivating and dramatic slice of exquisite prog folk from the highly-rated south-coast duo.

Clare Fowler: “I started writing the melody and lyrics for Stephanie on the bus to Brighton, I was thinking about my daughter and how she had come home from London after making a ‘bad’ choice. She was so embarrassed and crippled by shame and feelings of inadequacy, which were then fuelled and exaggerated by the insta-perfect lives she saw online. As the song took shape, however, I realised that I identified with her feelings and the character of Stephanie grew in my mind into an every-woman, embodying the journey into womanhood. Stephanie is a song about disappointment and failed expectation, loss of innocence, isolation and shame. The train is a metaphor for time which moves relentlessly forward regardless of our desire to step off or go backwards to a simpler more unworldly place.”

Already familiar faces on the Brighton and Worthing music scene, Dandelion Charm have stepped up their live appearances over the past year and won many new fans, performing as a duo or trio and sometimes in an expanded full-band format. Playing Purbeck Valley Folk Festival, being part of the festival fringe line-up at Fairport Convention’s Cropredy weekend and a support slot with prog rock icons Gryphon have been among the many recent highlights for Dandelion Charm.

John Fowler: “It feels like we’ve grown wings, its great when people you don’t know get in contact and want to talk about the music. That’s been the big difference this year it really feels like we’re going somewhere. For me this year has felt like someone has opened a gate to a big field, and we’re walking around the field and experiencing all these new things. It’s been great!”

Dandelion Charm’s debut album ‘Tiny Drop’ was released in 2015. This was followed by a five-track EP ‘Riding The Flood’ in February 2018. A second full-length album ‘Maybe Dreamers’ is scheduled for release in late 2019.

The release of the single ‘Stephanie’ will be marked with a special launch gig at The Observatory, Herstmonceux, Hailsham BN27 1RN on 6th April

Fifty Gigs In A Day, news, Nordoff Robbins

STONE BROKEN release remixed version of The Only Thing I Need

Leave a comment

STONE BROKEN have released a brand new remixed version of The Only Thing I Need; taken from their current studio album, Ain’t Always Easy, the track has been given a fresh arrangement by renowned UK engineer/ producer Adrian Hall, who has previously worked with such artists as ALICIA KEYS, THE CLASH, ROBBIE WILLIAMS & GOLDFRAPP.

For some, these deep winter months can be tough to take, but Stone Broken offer us a glimpse of brighter days in their heart-warming, nostalgia-inducing clip for the song; watch the video here:

Rich Moss, Stone Broken lead vocalist/guitarist, explains: “The Only Thing I Need is a feel good number. We wanted to write a song that would make people think about the friends, relatives, whoever, who mean the most to them; to think back to a point when they were just having fun, when there was no stress, even if only for a small amount of time… because THOSE times are the best times!”

Download or stream ‘The Only Thing I Need’ here: https://StoneBroken.lnk.to/TheOnlyThingINeed