The Murder Barn Videos for ‘America / Harvest’

For Fans of... PJ Harvey, The Bad Seeds, Anna Calvi

London based six piece The Murder Barn are ready to unleash their own earthy brand of alternative rock this summer with their debut double A-side single America / Harvest, out 11th June 2012. Ahead of the release, they've uploaded two brilliant videos for the tracks, which you can view now on the band's YouTube channel.

If you can't see the video for the track "America" below, you can watch it HERE.



If you can't see the video for the track "Harvest" below, you can watch it HERE.



With this double A-side offering, the band showcase both their brilliant songwriting talent and their ability to weave a wonderful story around the melodies as well. "America" channels influences such as The Bad Seeds and David Lynch, and wouldn't be amiss on the soundtrack for 70s folk horror cult classics like The Wicker Man. Chesca Dolecka's soaring vocals, and sardonic lyrics, juxtapose the simple keys and epic strings to convey this hymn about the religious right and the end of an empire. "Harvest" takes a slightly different direction, with the music and vocals taking on a heavier mantle much more akin to PJ Harvey and Anna Calvi. This is dirty, honest, straight up rock n roll with The Murder Barn's signature introverted, whimsical twist in this dark tale about love and rituals.

The Murder Barn's double-a side single is available to stream on the A Badge of Friendship Soundcloud page now.



The six musicians spend most of their time together in East London hanging out in the real Murder Barn. A Warhol-ian workspace -
the creative nerve centre of the band.

Sisters Chesca Dolecka (vocals / guitar / accordion / piano / ukelele) and Becca Grover Jones (Guitar / vocals) have been playing music together since they were kids along with childhood friend Ryan Wilson (guitars / sax / vocals) and Serbian drummer Velibor Krstic. They had known Matt Jones (previously of Ultrasound, Minuteman, Beady Eye) for years and had worked together before on various projects. Bassist Kev Feazey (The Fierce and The Dead) had produced The Murder Barn's early material before joining the band and completing the current line-up.

America / Harvest is just the first in a series of many releases planned this year with more singles, EPs and a debut album planned. This beautifully peculiar alt rock sextet will bewitch and enchant you, enticing you into their dark and dreamy world.

America / Harvest is available to pre-order from the band's Bandcamp page now.

If you would like more information about The Murder Barn or our PR services, please email info@abadgeoffriendship.com

Esperi: ‘Melancholics Anonymous’ EP and ‘Come Dine With Me’ video!

For fans of... Owen, American Football, Elliott Smith, Mark Kozelek

"Juxtaposing acoustic guitar and a whole host of odd instruments and percussion, Esperi mainman Chris Lee-Marr seems to be making all the right waves." – The List

Multi-instrumentalist Chris Marr makes a welcome return under the guise of Esperi with the release of the EP Melancholics Anonymous, out May 21st 2012 via Fall On Records.

The record typifies Marr’s ability to write heart-warming, personal and evocative tunes, enhanced by the use of an array of weird and wonderful instruments ranging from strings and bells to kalimba and chimes to toys and bikes! Embracing the subject matters of love, friendship, longing and loss, Marr constructs sensitive yet up lifting music aided by childlike percussion and skilful guitar playing.

The video for the EP track "Come Dine With Me" is available to watch on Esperi's YouTube channel now.



Tracks such as “Homer” and “Come Dine With Me” showcase Marr’s song writing ability as well as a keen ear for melody and hooks, not to mention delicate vocals and expert intricate guitar picking. “Broadlands” creates a lovely segue between the first and second half of the EP, a short track emphasising the work of an expert story teller as Marr whispers, “… you’re eyes never too hard to disguise, you’re face never to hard to embrace.”

"Come Dine With Me" is also available to download now from the A Badge of Friendship Soundcloud page.



There is an impressive list of guest musicians featuring on tracks like “Homer” including The Korda String Quartet, Jon Adam (Vasquez), Kev Black (Laeto, Fat Goth) and Ged Grimes (Deacon Blue) contribute as well as the experimental use of a number of unfamiliar ‘instruments’ to add that sense of uniqueness fans of Esperi have become used to.

With the release of the Melancholics Anonymous EP, a tour in the offing, a showcase at the GoNorth festival followed by his debut album In A Moment, Emotion, Sentiment released July 2nd, Esperi look set to continue their sharp rise in the singer-songwriter genre as well as introducing the wider music community to their poignant, soothing sound.

Melancholics Anonymous is released on May 21st 2012 via Fall On Records.

Digital promos of the EP are available upon request.

If you would like more information about Esperi or our PR services please contact info@abadgeoffriendship.com.

Me And My Drummer release single “You’re A Runner”

For fans of... Bat For Lashes, Björk, Florence + The Machine, The Knife

German duo Me And My Drummer release their debut single You're A Runner today, via Berlin based label Sinnbus.

You're A Runner is available to download now for a limited time only via the A Badge of Friendship Soundcloud.



The single is about "someone driven to the edge and an abyss" says singer Charlotte Brandi. "The singer embodies the voice in her head, 'the angel on her shoulder' so to speak." The track builds around this theme with Matze Pröllochs' steady beats acting as a backbone to the melody, which builds perfectly. Charlotte's deliberately off-kilter vocals crescendo into gorgeous lilting tones that match the intense and explosive chorus. You'e A Runner makes a worthy comparison to epic, alternative modern pop acts such as Florence + The Machine and Bat For Lashes.

The video for You're A Runner is available to watch now on YouTube.



Charlotte Brandi and Matze Pröllochs met in Tübingen (Matze's hometown) in Germany whilst doing theatre work. They were stage musicians signed on for three productions in a row. Their mutual inspirations brought them together and those inspirations range far and wide. The pair site Micachu And The Shapes, Beach House, The Roots, Ella Fitzgerald and M.I.A. as some of their melodic influences. Hip hop, electro and pop have all had a baring on how they write music, which is clear to hear on their forthcoming album The Hawk, The Beak , The Prey, out in September.

You're A Runner has already received heavy support from Amazing Radio and BBC 6Music's Tom Ravenscroft and XFM's Mary Anne Hobbs and John Kennedy. With their debut album out in September the band have a busy summer ahead touring and sharing their music with as many people as possible.

In a market saturated by saccharine indie pop nonsense, fluffy haircuts and skinny jeans, Me And My Drummer are a breath of fresh air with music that will not only appeal to a wide audience but a sound that has real soul and depth.

If you would like more information about Me And My Drummer or our PR services please contact info@abadgeoffriendship.com.