Benji Tranter
Speed Camera Wales Utilising a professional lo-fi sound from his own home studio, Benji Tranter makes brilliant and inventive music that fans can’t get enough of. A virtuoso singer and the master of many instruments, the ingredients Benji chooses to make his sounds have varied origins and mentalities. Making music with his friends has been the foundation of Benji Tranter’s expression and his new album Songs To Make You Happy has been dutifully created with himself and the people who make it all fit together. A live band sound is what it’s all about. A member of the power-pop trio Ski Lift and part of the new-folk band The All Night Chemist, a solo project seems perfectly appropriate for this prolific artist. His work has been featured on BBC Radio’s national and local stations, plus Benji Tranter is no stranger to big performances including Glastonbury, Edinburgh Fringe, and support slots for Tom Robinson. Palm muted guitar chords chug out a rhythm as a progression unravels from the sound. Benji brings the song to a bouncy riff that slides from side to side. Homely and clear vocals reach out in melodious phrases, a tongue in cheek nod to the speed camera that hides around the bend. Guitar phrases open out in drumming fills as blues and folk melodies frolic and dance to timings in tune. A fun and uplifting burst of creativity meets meaning and dark imagery a the choppy and tuneful piece evolves. You can follow Benji Tranter on Instagram And Facebook 
John’s House
Mieko Shimizu From Write To Be EP When indie musician Mieko Shimizu was wandering London’s Soho district during the pandemic, she came across a tiny cardboard house propped up in a doorway. The house had walls covered in writing. Fascinated by this, Mieko decided to kneel down and read some of what the boxes had to say. She was moved when rather than meaningless scrawls about who fancies who, the script told tales of sadness. There were stories about friends who died in the Hillsborough disaster here in Sheffield, home of Sound Read Six. There were stories about soldiers coming home from war, a mother lost to cancer, and life on the London streets. When Mieko interviewed the house’s creator, John Daniels, she was inspired to write a song about it. Publishing the track on a compilation EP called Write To Be, in which she and a few contemporaries gave their all, sales and revenue from the music will go directly to St Mungo’s Homeless Charity. The music starts with a voice sample of Mieko’s interview with John. A hardened scouse accent describes the scene. Mieko begins her song, synthesiser and percussion create a strange and enchanting mix of sounds that draw a unique musical picture. Slow and graceful progression brings layers of feeling and form that describe the compassion of the song writer for the spirit of the housemaker. John’s House launches into the air like a swan, powerful and meaningful wingbeats cascade downwards as the passion for the cause inspires such a deeply felt transposition of empathy. Listen to the entire Write To Be EP on YouTube and Spotify Find out more on the Mieko Shimizu website You can follow Mieko Shimizu on Instagram You can give directly to St. Mungo's Homeless Charity 
pMad
Down Co. Galway Released on Valentine’s Day, pMad’s new single covers the deep subject of emotional abuse at the hand of a partner. Leaving one feeling dejected and with the foundations of self-esteem undermined, recovery from this collision of souls can be a life-long process. Because memories are formed by emotion, we typically remember the shocking and disturbing things the most. This is why emotional assaults are so devastating, where-as some can live in their minds alone and ignore these sensations, others can only live in the constant waves that don’t seem to stop. The song is a conscious reminder for all the listeners out there to take care of yourself and protect your energy, learn how to build that mental wall and don’t forget the gate. Influenced by bands like The Smiths, The Sisters Of Mercy, and Suicidal Tendencies, pMad’s brand of alternative gothic rock reaches listeners old and new. A juicy bassline begins the music with a groovy guitar sound that follows quickly after. The drumming hits straight away and leans forward with the oncoming verse lines. Paced lyrics holler into the darkness with reverb and warmth to greet the kiss of cold shadow. Chunky industrial guitars build through the messages to lever the rock attitude in an upward direction. As the chorus hits, layers of melodic guitar and motoring chords coalesce in a draughty swagger of rhythm. Progressive elements give the mix a shifting sensation as the instruments jam in precise motions across the firm and solid bassline. Dancing in underground club bars and pushing the legal limit on the motorway, this is a song for adrenaline and joining in. You can follow pMad on Facebook and TikTok 
Todd Barrow
Prisoner Of Love Texas With an Akademia Award for Best Country Album and a PRSA Award Of Excellence behind him already, Texas-based Todd Barrow unleashes his latest single. Having been featured in American Pride Magazine, Alternate Root Magazine weekly top-ten, and on AVA Radio, it’s a great time to feature Todd Barrow in Sound Read Six. By taking everything he loves about country music and blending it with modern sounding song-writing, Todd Barrow proves that the genre reaches way beyond the cornfields and red-painted barns. A burst of drums makes way for a graceful guitar strum progression. Melody in the chords elevates the sense of swing as the rhythm pushes forward. Todd Barrow begins, his singer-songwriter style spills over with class and talent as his voice hits the notes in crisp and clear lines. Interesting guitar parts hang neatly behind the main structure of the song as electric guitar merge with acoustic to bring a layered mix. Smooth and summery lyrics evoke scenes of togetherness and story as the singer reveals his depth of feeling. You can follow Todd Barrow on Facebook and Instagram 
The Bellwether Syndicate
Beacons Nexilis Records / Sett Records Already charting at number 4 in the DAC / German Alternative Chart, the second single from the phenomenal Vestige and Vigil album, Beacons hits streaming sites and the media with force. Based in Chicago, the US alternative-rock and post-punk outfit are influenced by bands like Placebo, New Model Army, and Killing Joke. Made up of a plethora of local talent, William Faith on vocals on guitar, Sarah Rose Faith on vocals and guitar, Philly Peroxide on keyboards and percussion, Stevyn Grey on drums, and Corey Gorey on guitars, the band projects perfection in sound from this well-oiled machine. Formerly of Christian Death, Mephisto Walz, and Shadow Project, frontman William Faith joined the Chicago scene from his Los Angeles home in 2010 and with The Bellwether Syndicate he and the band have never looked back. Powerful surging guitars open the track as drums smash the temp down in clear and vibrant bursts of snare and cymbal. The bass chugs the rhythm down like tasty liquor as the music evolves to greet the verse. Melodic guitar ring out in spirals of sound as the lyrics draw us in for a gothic poem. The words evoke dream and mystery as the music boils over for the chorus. Chords crash down through the ceiling to push the tide out further with punchy rock motifs. Wailing sombre delivery with tuneful bass end melody gives a unique edge to the song, as guitars and drums hold the treble in check with continual drive. Energetic and evocative, Beacons from The Bellwether Syndicate surges with fiery purple magic. Find out more on The Bellwether Syndicate website Follow The Bellwether Syndicate on Facebook and Instagram You can buy music from The Bellwether Syndicate on Bandcamp 
The Yets
Letter To A Boy Royal Terns Records Highlighting their new 6-track EP, South Carolina alt-pop group The Yets present a brand new video for their track Letter To A Boy. Released for the new year, it’s the perfect way to start the journey. With Craig Anderson-Snook and Robin Wilson combining their talents to create unique and competent nouveau rock n roll, the world is a better place thanks to their skills. Where Robin is the voice of the band, Craig brings his years of experience in professional musicianship and the all-important indie record label. Robin Wilson, formerly of Skirt, has found her niche in The Yets after moving back to South Carolina after a few years in Georgia. Letter To A Boy is a song about a mother writing to her son and the feelings that come through when thinking of what to say. A burst of drums and a shimmering guitar bring the sound to the front as the swaying rhythm reveals a dreamy sensation. Vocals enter, wordless notes hang in gentle phrases as the music opens further. The verse begins, the shoegazing element clasps the sound in firm fingers as the harmonies and melodies smoothly float through spacious warmth. A formidable talent hides behind beautiful and excellently produced blurs of notation and feeling. A progressive and laid-back number, Letter To A Boy is beautifully written and takes care of the feel-good energy we all need these days. Find out more on The Yets website You can follow The Yets on Facebook and Twitter You can buy music by The Yets on Bandcamp |
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Sound Read Six
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