Empty Pools Announce Their Split

Some sad news emerged last week from the West Country indie rockers Empty Pools who have announced that front woman, Leah Pritchard, will no longer be part of the band.

Having released a scrumptious album, three delicious EP’s, a delectable single and been part of a disgustingly good compilation album with Battle Worldwide Recordings, it’s a shame to see her leave the band.

Here’s the official statement from the band:
“It’s with heavy hearts that we announce Leah’s departure from Empty Pools; she no longer wishes to do the band anymore. We wish her well and reflect fondly over these three short years. Ironically this sudden news comes just as we have completed a new record that turned out as we’d hoped. It’s a five song EP, aptly titled Liberation Prayers and it’s released digitally worldwide on Monday 28 July via Ben’s imprint Enclaves. The EP’s lead track Pacey Grey is streaming now via Soundcloud and updates on the release will be posted in the coming weeks. Unfortunately, physical release, video and live date plans have been shelved.

Aaron, Matt and Ben will continue to make music. We’d like to thank everyone who has helped Empty Pools, put up with our pestering or who were lined up to work with us in 2014 and beyond. Thanks again for indulging us, see you down the front, lots of love Empty Pools.”

Co-pilgrim – Plumes Album Review

Co-pilgrim’s highly anticipated third album Plumes is set for release on May 26. Following on from the success of last years’, A Fairer Sea, lead single Grew Into Something New/I Know Love has already been gaining some positive attention with plays on BBC 6 and Amazing Radio and has had some extremely kind reviews from the likes of Louder Than War and ourselves, Rocking Republic, respectively. If you dig those Summer vibes then look no further. This is the album for your summer.

Lead single Grew Into Something New/I Know Love are the happy songs on the record. I Know Love has an incredibly upbeat, 60s summer feel to it. This track will guarantee to have your head bobbing, you just can’t help it. It will instantly brighten your day. I Know Love wouldn’t sound a miss on BBC Radio 2 when they play the classic songs from the 50s and 60s.

Grew Into Something New has a slightly more modern feel. There are still influences from the 70s heard in this track though. It’s very catchy and sounds hauntingly familiar, “I grew into something new/Oh yeah/Grew into something new…” with the rolling drums that give it that pop/rock feel that seems safe and familiar.

Come Out Alive is a slow, solemn track with incredibly sweet lyrics, “Good nights and good friends/We have the time/We have time”. It’s instantly likeable.

On the other hand though, I Saw You Heavenly Girl has more of an upbeat feel to it. The guitars (both electric and acoustic) give it that summer vibe, especially the blues slide guitar. The vocals are relaxing as they sing the lyrics, “I saw you heavenly girl/Riding a black and white horse…”

If you thought I Saw You Heavenly Girl was summery, make way for Pushover. This song screams the 60s beach vibe. It’s the hippy tune of the album.

Towards the end of the album, Dancin’ Hoods will remind you of hazy summer evenings with it’s sad, summery tones. Imagery of fields full of luscious greens and sprouting plants come to mind, “Or the blades of grass/Or the setting sun…” Let yourself go with this track – it’s perfect.

Co-pilgrim’s Plumes will be released on May 26.

Co-pilgrim Release Videos For Latest Singles, I Know Love And Grew Into Something New

Co-pilgrim have recently revealed two new videos for their latest singles, I Know Love and Grew Into Something New. Both these singles are taken from the highly anticipated Plumes record which is set to be released on May 26.

Battle Worldwide Recordings Streaming Album, My First Record, My First Store, In Full Now

As part of Record Store Day, which takes place on April 19, Battle Worldwide Recordings will be releasing a limited edition 12″ Vinyl entitled My First Record, My First Store. This record will feature a variety of Battle Worldwide Recordings’ acts covering tracks from albums that truly inspired and helped mould them into the artists they are today.

What is the defining point in an artist’s life that makes them take a path that will envelope their interests and work for the rest of their life? Every musician has a point, usually in their teens, that is an awakening that excites their senses and drives them to pick up a guitar, microphone, drum kit or even a laptop nowadays and start producing music. My First Record, My First Store is a physical and digital diary from Battle Worldwide Recordings’ artistes and partners, put together for Record Store Day 2014.

My First Record, My First Store will map stories from each artiste on the label about the record that most influenced them, where they bought it and why it was important to them. Over the coming months, stories will be added to the Battle Worldwide Recordings website.

But for now, Battle Worldwide Recordings are streaming the My First Record, My First Store album in full here.

On Record Store Day 2014, Battle Worldwide Recordings will release a limited edition colour vinyl compilation of artist recordings of select tracks.

You can follow the campaign here.

Co-Pilgrim Release Songs From Forthcoming Album, Plumes

Co-Pilgrim are due to release songs that have been taken from their forthcoming album entitled Plumes which is due for release on the May 26 2014. The songs, I Know Love and Grew Into Something New, are to be released on March 31.

As Robin Bennett said: “We built this humble shed-like recording studio with our own hands back around the turn of the millennium (my band with brother Joe then being called Whispering Bob, later Goldrush). The first band through the unfinished door, as we may have previously mentioned, was Mike Gale’s dreamy low-fi melodic former entourage Black Nielson, huddled round a one-bar heater in the depths of a colder winter than this one. Back in those days, the main thing was always the ambience. Couldn’t put your finger on exactly what that was but we always made sure we had ambience technicians to hand, just to be safe.

“Mike and I have recently tagged the place Great Western Studios, as you invariably have to wait for several trains to pass the nearby level crossing before you can enter the vicinity (it has also been known as Truck Studios; it rests near the site of the famous music festival of the same name). Soon enough we had all moved on to plusher and more expensive, expansive and far-flung surrounds to cut our tracks; America, Abbey Road even Belgium.

Co-Pilgrim single artwork

“The studio waited, haggard, bare of almost all equipment, knowing its time would come. One day our dear friend Noel re-dressed it in fetching check carpet and gradually some more microphones and amps re-accumulated; a mouse took up residence somewhere in the ceiling. The studio waited proudly for us all to rediscover its new improved merits.

“This summer and winter, more than 10 years after, we have all returned, trusting our songs once more to the studio’s isolated star-spangled ambience. And cradled in this warm carpeted embrace, Co-Pilgrim made their faithful way back with producer/musician Joe drenching some of Mike’s best ever songs (and they are always good) in reverb, harmony and lap-steel and producing a glorious, exhilarating torrent of sound in which your ears may surf freely. The mouse, up there in the ceiling cavity, tapped its little feet along to the stompers and laid on its back gazing at stars for the rest.

“For the return of the Pilgrim, Mike and producer-multi-instrumentalist-harmoniser Joe have been augmented by drummer Ben and the angelic voice and glamorous presence of Claire, Joe’s wife. Yes, I even pitched on some flute. It has been a heart-breaking year for Mike with the passing of his dear Dad with whom he shared a great closeness and who was a great supporter of his music and Co-Pilgrim in general. We know he’d be proud of this record which acknowledges sadness and loneliness but uses them as a basis for some of the most glorious and, yes, happy music you will ever hear. So listen to it and make your friends listen to it. Make everyone listen to it. Let’s hear it for misery….”

And happy is exactly what these two songs, I Know Love and Grew Into Something New, are. I Know Love has an incredibly upbeat, 60s summer feel to it. This track will guarantee to have your head bobbing, you just can’t help it. It will instantly brighten your day. I Know Love wouldn’t sound a miss on BBC Radio 2 when they play the classic songs from the 50s and 60s.

Grew Into Something New has a slightly more modern feel. There are still influences from the 70s heard in this track though. It’s very catchy and sounds hauntingly familiar, “I grew into something new/Oh yeah/Grew into something new…” with the rolling drums that give it that pop/rock feel that seems safe and familiar.

Boys Of Summer is a cover of Don Henley classic. It’s a slowed down, calming version. The vocals are the highlight where the simple acoustic guitar and soft ambient sounds are the only instrumentation. The harmonies are spine tingling. It’s so simple, so stripped back that it shows what this band is capable of.

Co-Pilgrim’s new album, Plumes, is due out May 26. I Know Love/Grew Into Something New is due out on March 31 via Battle Worldwide Recordings.