Karl Culley

Karl Culley joins us in the studio this week for another edition of 'Bands in the Basement'. Karl Culley has been a favourite on Recharged Radio over the past year, both for his incredible songs and his unworldly guitar playing talent. During this session, Karl surely didn't fail to impress on both counts, whether it was wowing us with the melodic complexities of Suffering (For Your Love)', or getting us dancing to the beat with the addictively rhythmic 'In Her Nature'.

Bio -

Karl's first memory is one of travelling through the dark. Heading to a now forgotten destination in the back of his parents car drifting in and out of a dream. Paul Simon's voice sparkled soporifically in the air. Years passed.

On the eve of his 18th birthday Karl was given an acoustic guitar by his father who had himself played, entertaining Odeon cinema audiences during intermission as a boy with his band The Whirlwind Trio. Karl taught himself a few chords and almost immediately began writing songs, exploring a wide variety of subjects. Karl is a published poet and his lyrics, likewise, display a talent for imagery and a pre-occupation with otherness and that which is beyond our grasp - "My songs are about being stuck, being affraid, love, alienation," says Karl," metaphysics, light, dark, stuff like that."

After a few years fronting an indie band called The Mindermasts Karl stopped writing songs to concentrate his energies on poetry, prose and painting. But committing song ideas to a 4-track tape recorder sometime later rekindled Karl's love of song-writing and soon he was gigging in and around Yorkshire, in Leeds, York, Hull, Manchester, and Sheffield, including festival appearances and radio sessions.

Karl Culley has somehow managed to distill his many influences (listen closely for wisps of John Martyn, Elliott Smith, Paul Simon, Nick Drake, Kelly Joe Phelps, Richard Thompson, Bob Dylan, Tori Amos, Thom Yorke, Michael Stipe) into something uniquely his own in which a compelling tension ensues between breathtakingly visceral frenetic finger-style guitar and the vunerable spectral quality of his voice.

"I'm somewhere else when I play. I sing with my eyes closed. When the song's over and I open them again, it seems that i've been away," Karl tells of his live performances. "It's both cathartic and meditative for me to perform."

Karl continues to live in Harrogate, North yorkshire, where he was born in 1979.

Ross and The Wrongens

Ross and The Wrongens are the latest band in the studio to take part in our 'Band in the Basement' feature. Full of energy and raring to go, Ross and The Wrongens get off to a lightning start with the irresistibly catchy 'That Magic Feeling'. Up next is the charmingly melodious 'Forbidden Love', then finally finishing on the foot tapping riffs of 'Make You Right'.


Bio:


They came together at the start of 2009. Got on the web January 27th @ www.rossandthewrongens.com

The band like “anything that’s good” from sinatra to the pistols, you can fill in the blanks….

Since forming, they have performed at o2 Academy Islington, Barfly Camden, The Dublin Castle Camden, The Fly London, Bar Music Hall London,The Windmill Brixton,Tommy Flynns London, Camden Rock London,The Last Days of Decadance London, Tunbridge Wells Forum, Tap n Tin Medway, Absolute radio to 1.2 million listeners, were finalists in BT's Sound of the Summer festival, Ross solo supported Chris Difford of Squeeze, did the London to Brighton mini run where they played at Crystal Palace Park London then on a route master London bus on Madeira drive and at Hectors House in Brighton, the Hertiage Motor Centers launch party, and back for the festival for 50 years of the mini celebrations, supporting Russ Swift, stunt driver for the Italian Job movie. This event was a media only event, drawing together over 200 of the world’s leading media professionals (Tv, Radio, Press).

The song ‘That Magic Feeling’ was nominated for best pop song at the Exposure Music Awards 2009, and received air play on BBC Kent Introducing, as well as other various internet radio stations.

BBC Radio Kent’s Top drive time DJ Andy Garland has taken a shine to the lads, championing what they’re up to their songs and live performances.

The bands future is to make great records and have a great time and, with a start like this, it won’t be too long before they claim that future!

The Fancy Toys

Dynamic Duo 'The Fancy Toys' join us in the studio this week for electrifyingly enjoyable set, full of imaginative hooks and quirky melodies. Dazzling us first with the catchy 'Gypsy Eyes' , then sauntering on to majestically melodious 'King and Queens' and finally ending with the mind blowing, and Recharged favourite 'For You and Me'.

Bio -

- Finalists of Metro's 'Best New Band 2008' competition.

- Nominated 'Best International Act' - Balcony TV Music Awards 2009

- Finalists of The Next Big Thing 2009'.

"The Fancy Toys have mustered some impressively jaunty, craftily catchy tunes. They will find fans across a wide variety of audiences." (Metro Newspaper - 16/09/08)

THE FANCY TOYS' RECIPE...

Take 2 guys, give them some toys, a big appetite, a vast imagination, a quirky sense of observation, a ticket to visit the world - shake them really hard, and that’s it! You get a delicious and delightfully refreshing cocktail...

James Duncan and Mickaël Téo have been writing, playing both live and in the studio, with many artists since they were really pretty young. They have performed at some of the most prestigious venues, all over the world.

With the Fancy Toys, they unleash their creativity, challenge themselves through the use of different and unusual instruments, explore new sounds and caress various emotions and the front row!

Trying to describe their style is impossible: There is literally nothing like it. You might be able to spot a few influences here and there but these will soon whizz off somewhere else in an exciting and unusual way.

The Fancy Toys live performance is a unique and unforgettable experience, so if you haven't seen them yet, have a look at their gig diary or send us an email and we will keep you informed.