Preview Review of the next single

It isn't out until 4th June, but we already have a review of the next single... giant thanks to Christopher Nosnibor and Aural Aggravation for covering it with so much enthusiasm and for really getting the concept of a proper single (which is one of the many things we like about Big Stir records too).

"Well here’s a wakeup: The Speed Of Sound are into their fourth decade, yet are so underground they’ve bypassed me all this time. I feel a certain sense of both guilt and shame for this. Obviously, no reviewer can know everything about every band going, but sometimes, a band will slip under the radar and leave you kicking yourself. The Speed Of Sound is one such band.

The fact they’re releasing a double A-side says something about their vintage. 7” singles may still be a thing, but they’re a niche, collector thing rather than the thing you’d experience as a youth. I was in my early teens – perhaps younger – when I’d go into town and visit WHS or Boots or perhaps Woolworths and pick up a 7” single for 99p, and the B-side would often be as integral a part of the experience as the A-side, while a AA sometimes meant the second A-side – the one less likely to be played on the radio – was the better one. Hearing it would be a revelation after you slipped it over the spindle and onto the turntable. It was a magical experience that words struggle to convey.

The two tracks on this release are thematically-linked in that they’re all about the band’s love for sci-fi soaked in reverb and with some hints of dappled sunlight mellowness.

The inspiration behind ‘Replicant’ probably requires little explanation as it draws the comparisons to the world of Bladerunner and the contemporary corporate world. Hearing Ann-Marie Crowley enunciate ‘Replicant’ calls to mind Johnny Rotten emphasis on ‘Pretty vacant’, but more than anything, the uptempo acoustic guitar that leads the track has a distinctly 90s indie flavour to it, and it jangles along nicely.

‘Melancholy Rose’ is a spacey indie-psychedelic folk effort with the jangle of the early 90s and some mellow shoegaze meanderings, sort of like The Fall covering The Charlatans. There are hints of sleepy, summery funk to the track, too.

Together, it makes for a nice single that does very much evoke the experience of yesteryear’s 7” purchase."

Big Stir Records – 4th June 2021

You can find the piece here:

https://auralaggravation.com/2021/05/28/the-speed-of-sound-replicant-the-melancholy-rose/

Christopher Nosnibor

Aural Aggravation

Whats The Alternative?... THIS IS! in the Manchester Evening News

The Manchester Evening News has a preview of February's What's The Alternative?... gig with Little Sparrow:

You can read it on their website here

Reject corporate pop and revel in true independence.

South Manchester's Little Sparrow has developed into a uniquely talented artist through her imaginative song writing and the captivating delivery demonstrated in her live performances.

The delicately crafted songs contained within her debut album ‘Wishing Tree’ and her new EP ’Struck Gold’ combine flawless vocals, angelic strings and tender harmonies, taking listeners on a journey from heart breaking sadness to uplifting joy.

And Manchester's The Speed Of Sound continue to ply their original music that manages to cross the Velvet Underground with The Jam and Neil Young with Siouxsie & The Banshees in their own idiosyncratic manner.

Both will play 40 minute sets.

Live from 9pm.

Little Sparrow is as captivating to watch as she is to listen to.
Her beautifully emotive use of expression mirrors the sincerity of her delivery, making her someone not to be missed.
Her delicately crafted songs are created with a combination of flawless vocals, strings, guitars, percussion and tender harmonies.

Singer-songwriter Katie Ware adopted the name Little Sparrow about four years ago as she felt it characteristic of the sound she was beginning to create and the direction in which she wished to travel.
Drawing upon influences as diverse as Kate Bush, All About Eve and PJ Harvey she creates songs that are filled with a blend of styles, woven into the colourful tapestry of her music, often with a mysterious fairy tale quality.

Her debut album ‘Wishing Tree’ features brand new tracks written for the album and also those which have become favourites through her live performances.

She recently released her new EP 'Struck Gold' which along with the title track (taken from her album) contains two previously unreleased tracks.

www.itunes.apple.com/gb/album/wishing-tree/id871212909
www.uklittlesparrow.bandcamp.com/album/struck-gold-ep

A growing amount of media attention and live appearances in 2014 culminated in her making an appearance at the beautiful Union Chapel in London.

2015 promises to be a very exciting year for Little Sparrow.
www.littlesparrow.org/
www.twitter.com/uklittlesparrow
www.facebook.com/singinglittlesparrow
www.youtube.com/user/uklittlesparrow

The Speed Of Sound

Purveyors of original independent Manchester music since 1989 with various lineup changes along the way but always retaining the same guitar/vocal combination of founder John Armstrong, Kevin Roache is the bands longest serving bass player and the pair are now joined by 18 year old powerhouse drummer Owen Deane.

"A cool mix of punk and The Byrds 5th Dimension LP" - LORD LITTER Radio DJ Berlin Germany

"Have you ever wondered what it would be like to hear a merger between Jimi Hendrix, The Rolling Stones and Lou Reed?... The vocals are dark and melancholy - they have an intense quality that makes me stop everything I'm doing and just listen. The music surrounding the words pulls me along like a tide, making me drift away from reality without feeling that I have an option" MUSICVSTHEWORLD BLOG

"Quite a modern folk rock feel with a definite dash of 80's post punk/alt thrown in... vocally there is a hint of Lou Reed, Iggy Pop, bit of Jagger, great sound. Musically the sound alternates between Rock; verging on heavy/psych to alt/punk with some great instrumentation along the way." MADFERRETS MUSICBLOG

http://thespeedofsounduk.blogspot.co.uk/

http://www.reverbnation.com/thespeedofsound

http://thespeedofsound.bandcamp.com/

£7.00 (£4.00 concessions)

January What's The Alternative in The News

Manchester Evening News :
Neat.
click here to see on their website

Reject corporate pop and revel in true independence.

Salford chanteuse Turner is ear catching, eye catching and described as "One to watch" in John Robb's Louder Than War website; Turner invites you to sample her excellence in wistful melancholic joy.

Meanwhile Manchester's The Speed Of Sound continue to ply their original music that manages to cross the Velvet Underground with The Jam and Neil Young with Siouxsie & The Banshees in their own idiosyncratic manner.

Live from 9pm 

With DJ after the live music continuing til late

£7 (£4 concessions)

Turner: This is Turner... Born and bred in Audenshaw Tameside, Turner was introduced to the world with music coursing through her veins & even as a young girl was spoon-fed delicious melody's from the greats such as Dusty Springfield, Scott Walker, Blondie, The Beach Boys to name but a few!

After moving up the road to Salford & a chance meeting with Guy Garvey at a recording studio Louise was asked to appear on the Mercury Prize-winning & platinum-selling album 'The Seldom Seen Kid' with Elbow from then on Turner made many Manchester connections with even Peter Hook asking to jam sometime!

Salford-based Louise then teamed up with the successful "Art&Soul" band DC Fontana from 2012-2013 and enjoyed a busy action packed year gigging around the country, appearing at numerous venues including the 100 Club London and Euro YeYe festival in Spain and receiving fantastic reviews for the bands EP Pentagram Man which was produced by Julian Cope's Guitarist Donald Ross Skinner & working closely with 60's legend Don Fardon.

She already enjoys a successful career as an in-demand session singer...& with a string of collaborations and guest appearances on tunes featuring Primal Scream's Denise Johnson, Manc Poet and songwriter Edward Barton, Bluebird Kid Clark & The Electric Stars.

Indeed, her crystalize vocals and powerful lungs have appeared on numerous records but despite her prowess as a much sought-after studio singer this Salford Chanteuse decided to step out on her own with her debut Minin Album This Is Turner.

Turner has had an action packed 2014 building her platform and becoming the first female solo artist to sign with respected indie label Detour Records.

The 6 track album was produced by another respected Manchester face - Yves Altana (The Chameleons/I Am Kloot/Mark Burgess) and showcases the many sides of Turner, all part of her vintage charm, one minute classic Dusty, the next epic Scott Walker style ballads & just for good measure a track that could easily fit into the next Bond Film.

Ear catching, eye catching and described as 'One to watch' in John Robb's Louder Than War Turner invites you to sample her excellence in wistful melancholic joy.
www.thisisturner.com
www.facebook.com/thisisturner.com
www.youtube.com/turnerfilm
www.twitter.com/turnersalford

"Turner is one to watch out for" - LOUDER THAN WAR

"With her platinum bob, panda kohl eyes and expressive voice... Part Dusty/Part Debbie Harry, she's very adaptable to many styles and sounds" - NO OTHER PRESS

"This is Turner! And Ladies & Gentlemen, we should be glad, For here is an artist who is far more than a singer songwriter. Turner is an icon in waiting. She is totally out of step with the mass produced, unit shifting pop of today and that Music Lovers is a good thing ! Turner's songs are dripping in melody & emotion. Lyrically she can be both disturbing and mysterious, without ever losing her knack for a killer hook. Her 2013 take  on bohemian suss, make her the perfect antidote to the TV conveyor belt of shame !" - TONY SALT (Manchester Underground Scene)

The Speed Of Sound:  Purveyors of original independent Manchester music since 1989 with various lineup changes along the way but always retaining the same guitar/vocal combination of founder John Armstrong, Kevin Roache is the bands longest serving bass player and the pair are now joined by 18 year old powerhouse drummer Owen Deane.

"A cool mix of punk and The Byrds 5th Dimension LP" - LORD LITTER Radio DJ Berlin Germany

"Have you ever wondered what it would be like to hear a erger between Jimi Hendrix, The Rolling Stones and Lou Reed?... The vocals are dark and melancholy - they have an intense quality that makes me stop everything I'm doing and just listen. The music surrounding the words pulls me along like a tide, making me drift away from reality without feeling that I have an option" MUSICVSTHEWORLD BLOG

"Quite a modern folk rock feel with a definite dash of 80's post punk/alt thrown in... vocally there is a hint of Lou Reed, Iggy Pop, bit of Jagger, great sound. Musically the sound alternates between Rock; verging on heavy/psych to alt/punk with some great instrumentation along the way." MADFERRETS MUSICBLOG

http://www.reverbnation.com/thespeedofsound

http://thespeedofsound.bandcamp.com/

Viva Magazine has done a preview feature on our 7Th November gig with The Transmitters: 

Manchester’s underground alternative band The Speed Of Sound are back in action after their Night and Day gig on 16^th October with their new drummer; 18 year old Owen Deane joined veterans of the independent music scene John Armstrong and Kevin Roache in their new pan-generational line-up.

 “Age isn’t important in music, it’s about enthusiasm and ability” said bass player Kevin.

John added that “Every time the line-up changes the songs evolve, everyone brings something different in their style. Pete (the last drummer) was sparse and minimal where Owen’s drumming hits you like a waterfall - it’s very different.”

Following on the success of their Manchester Fringe all day “What’s the alternative?” event, the band will be returning to the theatre at The Kings Arms in Salford to host a series of gigs featuring other independent and minor-label artists. The first is on 7^th November with visitors The Transmitters have a change from their tour slots supporting music legend Bruce Foxton’s From The Jam. David Lees, singer with the Bolton based four piece said“We are mixing new recordings at the moment and we will have some new songs for you in the Kings Arms set.”

The “What’s The Alternative?” nights will continue to run in alternate months throughout 2015. John from The Speed Of Sound said “It’s great to be back playing in such an intimate space as the Kings Arms Theatre again with some very exciting bands; some we’ve played with before, others are bands I’ve only seen from the audience. Music in the 21^stcentury is very much alive and well, we want people to realise there is an alternative out there.”

You can hear The Transmitters on Soundcloud HERE

The Speed Of Sound’s recent double-A single is on sale in Piccadilly Records and Vinyl Revival as well as on the internet via Bandcamp plus the usual digital retailers. 

You can listen it HERE

Advance tickets are available on the Kings Arms website HERE

You can see the full article on Viva's Site HERE

The Transmitters