The Xcerts - To be the first UK band to be produced by Mike Sapone (Crime in Stereo, Brand New, Public Enemy…)

“Ludicrously Punchy” – Steve Lamacq
'...classic piece of air-punching melancholia' - Observer

THE XCERTS have already kicked 2010 off in style supporting the incredible Fightstar. Later this week they will be heading off to the U.S. to begin work on the follow up to 2009’s critically acclaimed debut album ‘In The Cold Wind We Smile’. Their as-yet-untitled second record will see Long Island based producer Mike Sapone at the helm. Sapone has an impressive track record and has produced records for the likes of Crime in Stereo, Public Enemy and Brand New.

Initial talks about the possibility of Mike Sapone working with The Xcerts came about due to lead singer/guitarist Murray MacLeod’s love for the bands that Sapone has previously worked with. MacLeod said “Mike has produced some of our favourite records and creates unique sounding albums. We are honoured to be the first UK band that he will have produced. To say we are excited is an understatement... We cannot wait for you to hear this record.”

The Xcerts forthcoming album will be released on Xtra Mile Recordings later this year and you can expect to hear the first fruits of their labour in late spring/early summer.

www.myspace.com/thexcerts & www.xtramilerecordings.com & www.myspace.com/xtramilerecordings

The Xcerts debut album ‘In The Cold Wind We Smile’ is out now on Xtra Mile Recordings! Here’s what the press had to say:
“Charged with youthful hope and exuberance, every riff and anthemic chorus points to a bright future for these talented lads." - Kerrang! 4/5
“...this debut is inch-perfect, merging heartstring-tugging delicacy with buoyant distortion... If you're searching for pop with balls but no bullshit, look no further.” - Rock Sound 8/10
"'In The Cold Wind We Smile' is a triumphant, life-affirming classic" - Big Cheese 5/5

For more information please contact info@presscounselpr.com – 020 7792 9400

Frank Turner - Headline Show at London O2 Academy Brixton

Having sold out London’s Roundhouse venue 2 months in advance, Frank Turner is overwhelmingly excited to announce that he will be headlining London’s Brixton’s 02 Academy later on this year.

The show will be his largest headline gig so far and an incredible achievement considering his humble beginnings of playing tiny venues, house parties, pubs, car parks and anywhere else that would have him - only a few years ago. Testament if ever there was need for one, that Frank Turner has turned underground cult status into a mainstream success story.

Frank says: “Life has been getting increasingly surreal in recent years, but headlining Brixton really is something special; I'm not sure I ever dared dream I'd get to this stage. It's an honour.”

The news comes just weeks before Frank embarks on his huge headline tour running throughout March, culminating in the sold out Roundhouse gig on 24th March. Coinciding with the tour Frank will also release a live version of hit single ‘Long Live The Queen’ digitally and on limited 7” vinyl on 22nd March 2010. Recorded at Frank’s incendiary sold out O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire show which took place last October, ‘Long Live The Queen’ captures the energy and passion of a triumphant pinnacle of Frank’s solo career. It features on ‘Take To The Road’ - an all encompassing DVD/CD package also released on 22nd March through Xtra Mile Recordings. Picking up where 2007’s ‘All About The Destination’ DVD left off it includes the entire live set from O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire, the sold out show at Union Chapel at Christmas, as well as promo videos, tour diaries, backstage interviews, a photo gallery and the audio of the Shepherd’s Bush gig as a bonus CD disc.

Full dates are:
HEADLINE UK TOUR
MARCH 15 Northumbria Uni, Newcastle
16 Edinburgh Picture House
17 Manchester Academy
18 Leeds 02 Academy
19 Bristol 02 Academy SOLD OUT
21 Birmingham O2 Academy
22 Norwich Waterfront
23 Portsmouth Pyramids
24 London Roundhouse SOLD OUT

**EXTRA DATE ADDED DUE TO POPULAR DEMAND**
DECEMBER
12 LONDON O2 ACADEMY BRIXTON

Following the tour Frank will release the beautiful song ‘Isabel’ as the third single to be taken from his Top 40 album ‘Poetry Of The Deed’. To be released on 12th April 2010

Currently supporting Flogging Molly on their huge arena tour in the USA and having recently sold out solo shows in Toronto, Montreal and LA - the international plot continues to grow with a confirmed set at Coachella Festival in April, dates on the Revival Tour in Australia, gigs in Hong Kong and a slot at the famous Calgary Folk Festival in July. Further summer festivals to be announced over the next few months.

Zane Lowe’s Album Of The Week on Radio 1

“’There’s a beautiful straightforwardness to ‘Poetry…’ that will ring true if you’ve ever been young, in love, lonely, angry at the world or just plain happy to be alive. Which is all of us right?” 8/10 NME

“A latter day Billy Bragg.” 3/5 Q Magazine

"‘Poetry Of The Deed’ passes the test with flying colours." 8/10 Rocksound

“With a growing arsenal of hits and live favourites, Frank’s unleashed another album that will have you singing every word.” 4/5 Big Cheese

"More brilliant folk-punk strummery from everyone's favourite post-millennial wandering minstrel..." KERRANG!

www.frank-turner.com & www.myspace.com/frankturnerwww.xtramilerecordings.com
For further info contact: Dani/Charlie – info@presscounselpr.com 020-7792-9400

Crazy Arm - New single ‘Still To Keep' out 22nd March 2010

Jon Dailey: guitar/bass; Darren Johns: vocals/guitar; Simon Marsh: drums; Tim Rowing-Parker: bass/vocals

Crazy Arm release their third single ‘Still To Keep’ on 22nd March as a digital download and very limited 7” vinyl, to coincide with their 21-date UK and European tour with Frank Turner (and Chuck Ragan in the UK only). The 7” vinyl will be released as a split with Frank Turner’s live version of ‘Long Live The Queen’, exclusively for the tour.

Taken from the debut album ‘Born To Ruin’, the song has been a hugely popular mainstay of the band’s set throughout the past couple years, inspired at once by the crunchy pop majesty of Ted Leo and the earthy protest lore of Dick Gaughan and Phil Ochs. Despite calling out the cruel incompetence of parliament, the police and mindless patriotism, ‘Still To Keep’ proffers a world where positivity and a keen fighting spirit can prevail if we stick together and help each other out – on a personal and political level – even if the answers aren’t always forthcoming.

Crazy Arm’s debut album, 'Born To Ruin' – recorded by Pete Miles on the edge of Dartmoor – was released on Xtra Mile Recordings in June 2009 to much acclaim from fans and critics alike. The title is a celebration of history’s conscientious troublemakers as well as a respectful nod to Springsteen. The album is released on mainland Europe, through Gunner Records, on 19th March 2010.

Full CRAZY ARM tour dates:
March:
Sat 13th White Rabbit, Plymouth
Mon 15th Northumbria University, Newcastle*
Tues 16th Picture House, Edinburgh*
Weds 17th Academy, Manchester*
Thurs 18th Academy, Leeds*
Fri 19th Academy, Bristol*
Sun 21st Academy, Birmingham*
Mon 22nd UEA, Norwich*
Tues 23rd Pyramids, Portsmouth*
Weds 24th Roundhouse, London*
Sun 28th Exil, Zurich, Switzerland***
Mon 29th Universum, Stuttgart, Germany***
Tues 30th Schlachthof, Wiesbaden, Germany***
Weds 31st Uebel&Gafarhrlich, Hamburg, Germany***
April:
Thurs 1st Zakk, Dusseldorf, Germany***
Sat 3rd Lagerhaus, Bremen, Germany***
Sun 4th AB Club, Brussels, Belgium***
Mon 5th Effenaar, Eindhoven, Netherlands***
Tues 6th Tivoli, Utrecht, Netherlands***
Weds 7th Vera, Groningen, Netherlands***
Thurs 8th La Peniche Du Pianiste, Lille, France***
Fri 9th Boule Noire, Paris, France***

* w/Frank Turner & Chuck Ragan
*** w/Frank Turner only

What they said about ‘Born To Ruin’
‘Stunning’ KKKK – Kerrang!
‘Quite brilliant’ – Rock Sound
‘Best New Band’ of 2009 award – Big Cheese
‘Sure-fire contender for best debut album of 2009’ – Rock Midgets
‘An explosive blast of glorious creativity, power and honesty’ – Go2
‘They deserve to be huge’ – Mass Movement
‘Born To Ruin erupts into the room’ – The Music Fix
‘A dramatic, intelligent and impressive debut’ – Sputnik Music

www.myspace.com/crazyarm

For more information please contact info@presscounselpr.com 020 7792 9400

Trail - Release new single 'City' on 1st March

On 22nd February 2010 London five-piece Trail will release their stunning debut album ‘To the Rest of the World’ through indie label Twistid, which will be closely followed by the new single ‘City’ on 1st March 2010 – a driving Editors-esque song with a haunting grooved bass line and melancholic rock riff.

As their name suggests Trail are beating their own path to musical notoriety and acclaim. Formed in 2007 by singer songwriter Charlie Afif and guitarist Alex Mattey the pair brought together their varied influences from Dylan and the Water Boys to 90’s grunge and started to craft a sound of their own. Recruiting mates Simon Glynn on bass, Eireann Kelly on guitar (and later joined by Minco De Bruin on Drums), they started to play some local shows and with a surprising amount of early support quickly became regulars on the London circuit that year playing the O2 Wireless festival in Hyde Park as a result of making the final 11 in the O2 Undiscovered contest (from over 3000 entrants).

With a rapidly growing fanbase Trail started to raise money on inspirational financial platform slicethepie.com. In just 9 months they had successfully amassed enough investors to raise £20k to help record their debut album. It was around this time they began attracting attention from across the Atlantic and soon multi-platinum producer Matt Wallace (Faith No More/Maroon 5) took an interest in the band and their songs. Recognising their songwriting abilities and potential he invited them over to LA to record their album and together they created, ‘To the Rest of the World’.

’To the Rest of the World’ is a mature debut - a sonic journey that takes the listener through all the tumultuous highs, lows and confused in-betweens that follow on from early youth. Opening with the instantly hooky Muse-like ‘Prism’ it's full of high energy, catchy rock anthems (Flare, Forever Young and Fumes) sure to incite approving nods from Foos and Biffy Clyro fans as well as dark, menacing tracks (‘All Down’, ‘I Want To Know’) before the album title track brings the record to a hypnotic climax.

Confirmed live dates:

21 Feb Tommy Flynns Camden, London
22 Feb The Luminaire - ALBUM LAUNCH NIGHT! Kilburn, London
26 Feb The Met Lounge (14+) Peterborough, Midlands
3 March The Zanzibar (16+) Liverpool
4 March The Blue Cat Cafe, Stockport
5 March Milo Leeds
10 March Tommy Flynns Camden, London
25 March Bar Music Hall - Shoreditch, London
26 March The Prince Albert Brighton
31 March The Central Nottingham
22 April Cross Kings London, London
29 April The Camden Rock Camden, London

www.myspace.com/trailmusic

Latitude Festival 2010

Latitude Festival returns for an incredible 5th edition on 15-18th July 2010, taking place once again in the sumptuous surroundings of Henham Park Estate set within Suffolk’s stunning Sunrise Coast.

Celebrating its fifth year in 2010, Latitude has already become a firm favourite of the festival circuit. Starting out as a small and curious gathering of people in 2006, Latitude’s bold and pioneering approach of incorporating the full range of arts over one weekend has helped to secure its reputation as one of the most respected and highly anticipated events of the season.

Over the past four years, Latitude has inspired and charmed; shocked and educated; bewildered and beguiled. It has entertained its crowds with an eclectic blend of established and emerging acts, all of the highest calibre. With the arts very much at its core, Latitude’s dizzying display of talent is spread throughout the site in perfectly designed and dedicated arenas that entice you in.

Cherry-picking the very best from the worlds of music, theatre, comedy, literature, film, poetry, dance, fashion and cabaret - it is a festival like no other; an intimate place that encourages you to be all that you’ve ever wanted to be; and indulge in the spirit of exploration and discovery.

A Brief History...
In its first year Latitude boasted a mind-blowing headline set from Antony & The Johnsons, Howard Marks provided the shocks and laughs with tales from his hit book ‘Mr. Nice’ in the Literary Arena and the legendary performed two very special performances on not only the main music stage, the Obelisk Arena, but also in the Poetry Arena.

Having already secured its pioneering reputation in its inaugural year, tickets to Latitude’s 2nd edition sold out fast and with the likes of Arcade Fire, Jarvis Cocker and The Good, The Bad & The Queen providing a top quality soundtrack and comics including Bill Bailey, Alan Carr, Dylan Moran and Mark Steel providing the laughs its easy to see why.

A blisteringly hot 2008 saw the festival bloom into a larger and even more popular event featuring music from Sigur Rós, Elbow, Grinderman and Joanna Newsom, and renowned English composer and pianist Michael Nyman mesmerised the Film & Music Arena with a spellbinding solo piano piece, a presentation of his own short films and an intimate Q&A with the audience. Also boasting such literary giants as Hanif Kureishi, Iain Banks and Irvine Welsh as well as the nation’s very own Poet Laureate Carol Ann Duffy; and the Theatre Arena expanded into a mini festival of its own with the National Theatre, RSC, Paines Plough and Royal Court bringing everything from emerging playwrights to classical Shakespeare, musicals to zombies!

And last year’s fun-filled weekend was perhaps the best yet; musically it featured a fabulously glamorous headline set by disco icon Grace Jones who bedazzled the crowd with a variety of costume changes for every song and put on an incredible hula-hooping display during ‘Slave To The Rhythm’, against a moody backdrop of thunder and lightning. The Obelisk’s other headliners Pet Shop Boys delivered hit after hit to a hypnotic visual display of graphics and lights whilst Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds brought the festival to a fitting close with a perfectly menacing performance.

Elsewhere over the weekend Media & Culture Minister Ben Bradshaw sparred with Jon “The Reverend” McClure over the state of British media at Instigate Debate in the Literary Arena; Sadler’s Wells presented Hofesh Shechter who brought his all-female cast of world renowned dancers to the floating stage on the lake; Latitude welcomed the Royal Opera House and the first full orchestra to appear at an outdoor music festival; Britten Sinfonia; And teams of budding dancers learnt salsa, ballroom and tap with dedicated workshops. Another first was the fashion show by House Of BlueEyes whose models defied physics by strutting on water down a catwalk on the lake. And the woods rang out with the sounds of both the human beatbox chorus of Shlomo & The Vocal Orchestra.

Other highlights over the weekend included an amazing show of vocal and musical beauty courtesy of special guest Thom Yorke who played the now established Sunday morning headline set; Spiritualized provided a wall of light and sound whilst Little Boots further cemented her hold on the British pop scene with an electropop-tastic set on the Sunrise Arena.

Whilst Latitude’s extensive line-up is an incredible assortment of riches that can keep you entertained all weekend, there is also another side to Latitude… a leisurely stroll through the festival’s magical woods and beyond can lead to all manner of untold treasures and unexpected pleasures.

By day you can stumble upon impromptu acoustic performances, fascinating political debates and interactive art installations that will transfix you for hours. But after sundown, in true Bacchanalian style, discover Latitude’s dark and decadent side as the enchanted woods transform into a secret world of temptation and intrigue. A haven for nocturnal animals in search of some mischievous fun under a canopy of fairy lights and imposing oak trees.

Day and night, Latitude Festival is the place to let the experience lead you; to explore the extraordinary and relish in unknown delights – the perfect place for the open-minded, culturally inquisitive and free-spirited.

So as the winter months take their toll, start daydreaming of happier, warmer climes and book yourself a slice of unadulterated cultural fun and adventure this summer at the fifth Latitude Festival on the Sunrise Coast.

Tickets to go on sale at the Latitude Festival launch on
Tuesday 9th March 2010

www.latitudefestival.co.uk

For more information please contact Press Counsel PR
Dani and Charlie – National
Anthea – Regional
Griff (Dan) – Online
FirstName@presscounselpr.com 020 7792 9400

PRESS REVIEWS FROM LATITUDE 2009

"Top-class performers, multi-coloured sheep, an exquisite lake setting and soil so porous no showers could muddy it. Latitude is becoming a fine alternative to Glastonbury."
Observer

"In four years Latitude has established itself as a big stop on the summer festival circuit." The Times

"Latitude is about the atmosphere, it is about the families, it is about that inviting patch of matting in the poetry tent for the man who has had no sleep."
The Independent

"Latitude in Suffolk last weekend was something of a triumph...this could be a serious, even unmissable date in the literary calendar."
The Daily Telegraph

"Once again they've given us the perfect festival."
Uncut

"The Latitude Festival is fast becoming the place to showcase innovative theatre to a previously untapped audience (including) a rostrum of new-writing talent that would makehttp://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=5575891666499119866&postID=7799853620064906994 Edinburgh a little green with envy."
The Stage

“An elegant and eclectic affair for the discerning festival goer.”
Clash Magazine

Tickets to go on sale at the Latitude Festival launch on
Tuesday 9th March 2010

www.latitudefestival.co.uk