Artist Spotlight // Rusty Shackle

Rusty Shackle @ The Moon Club, Cardiff - 15/04/16

Members:

Liam Collins, Scott McKeon, James McKeon, Ryan Williams, Baz Barwick, Owen Emmanuel

Location:

Monmouth, Wales

Description:

Self proclaimed "Dirty bluegrass folk 'n' rollers" 

Songs To Get You Started:

3AM (2011), Lucinda Returned (2016), The Bones (2011), When The Morning Comes (2016), DOwn To The Valley (2016)

Discography:

Studio Albums:

1. Wash Away These Nights (2012)
2. The Bones (2013)
3. Dusk (2016) - Stereo Brain Rating: 7.5/10

EP's & SIngles

1. Hounds Of Justice EP (2010)
2. Bandit Down (2011)
3. 3AM (2011)
4. The Bones (2013)
5. Tommy's Letter (Never Forget Your Welsh Heroes) (2014)
6. When The Morning Comes (2016)
7. Down To The Valley (2016)

Social Media:

Rusty Shackle Twitter

Rusty Shackle Facebook

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Rusty Shackle // The Moon Club, Cardiff // 15.04.16

Having released their 3rd studio album 'Dusk' earlier this year, Rusty Shackle embarked on a UK wide tour and the penultimate night was a sold out show in Cardiff. The upstairs bar was packed to the rafters with people struggling to fit into the room, perching on the stairs just to be able to see the tiny stage, a stage made to look even smaller with a six-piece alt-folk band filling it.

Rusty Shackle @ The Moon Club

Opening with the first single from 'Dusk' - 'When The Morning Comes' - the atmosphere was instantly electric. The crowd bounced and sung to every tune creating a carnival of perspiration and happy faces. The band fed off this energy, seemingly enjoying every minute of their show and getting the crowd involved at any possible moment.

Midway through the set the band broke into 'Bonkers' - a cover of Dizzee Rascal's hit song. It's difficult to cover songs of such popularity at the best of times, but with a complete change in genre required from the original, it made it even more impressive that Rusty Shackle executed it perfectly. Certainly worth seeing the band just for this interesting and unique take on the popular song that had the whole room ecstatic.

Trumpeter & Bassist Ryan during 'Bonkers'
Rusty Shackle @ The Moon Club

With the room reduced to a dancing mess, they broke into 'Lucinda Returned' which, despite being relatively new song, appeared to be a huge hit with everyone in the room. By the end the crowd were singing the chorus back to the band with such glee lead singer Liam had to clarify "We're not doing a reprise!". The band then closed with two of their older more popular songs - 'Bones' and '3am' - both of which are clearly well established in the bands set-list and known by all in the room. It was an incredible atmosphere to have at a gig for any band, let alone a lesser known one.

Rusty Shackle @ The Moon Club

The band left the stage and the fans filtered out the room, everyone sweaty but smiling staggering off into the cold april night. After creating such an atmosphere and such a hype, a gig like that can be a catalyst for any band, launching them to bigger and better things and it certainly looks like that's a huge possibility for Rusty Shackle.

-Luke

Review: Rusty Shackle // Dusk

Almost 3 years after the release of their second studio album, Rusty Shackle are back with 'Dusk'. From the hard-hitting and powerful 'When The Morning Comes' to the subtle and heartfelt 'Ellidaey Island' the LP covers every angle of musical style within the band.

Rusty Shackle have been floating around in the alternative folk scene for a good while and have an enthusiastic and loyal following with the first single from the album - incidently the first song on the new LP - reaching as high as #3 in the iTunes singer/songwriter charts and #80 in the iTunes singles chart. A fantastic achievement for an independent band releasing under their own label.

'Dusk' is by no means an album which can be viewed as a whole; listening to it is like a roller-coaster ride of musical styles  with songs varying between exquisite and intricate to the simple and catchy, The variance in sound means there is no doubt a song for everyone to enjoy on the album. Each song can be viewed on it's own as a very different part of the same whole. However the band maintains a theme flowing through the album that ties it all together.

'When The Morning Comes' is a brilliant example, it opens the album hard hitting and in your face. It's the sort of song that finds a little nook inside your mind and stays there; an earworm. In complete contrast is 'Moving On', a duet between between lead singer Liam and Remy Beasley (a talented young welsh singer/songwriter) which, due to the sound of the pairs voices, could be a folked-up Of Monsters & Men song. This continues throughout the LP from the pop-folk and almost 'Disney' sounding ''Lion In Winter' to the quietly plucked 'Lonely Lighthouse Life' and the stunning hook-driven 'Lucinda Returned', Rusty Shackle take you on a journey through the variety that can be achieved within alternative folk.

With each listen this album becomes stronger and stronger and after the 3rd or 4th listen you'll be belting out the lyrics and jigging around your kitchen with it on full blast. A lot of people can be put off by an artist being labelled as alternative folk thinking it's just a Mumford & Sons rip-off, Rusty Shackle are far from that, their sound is much deeper and more musically interesting. They might not reach the heady heights of number one albums but the lads from Monmouth have produced an interesting and engrossing album.

The LP is released on the 25th March under Get Folked Records - the bands own label. Rusty Shackle have a series of headline dates in April/May to promote the release of 'Dusk':

7.5/10

-Luke

Tour dates for Rusty Shackle

Will Varley // Clwb Ifor Bach // 26.02.16

There's something really special about a small intimate gig. One not quite packed to capacity, one with a funny and charismatic artist that interacts with the crowd and one where the crowd is happy to have a laugh as well as a sing along. This is what everyone who went to see Will Varley instead of the rugby was treated to.

The night was opened by Kent band Molly's Lips who said that Will Varley brought them on tour because "he can't drive". For whatever reason they were brought along, it doesn't matter, they were excellent. Beautiful, full acoustic sound created by two blokes with guitars, bringing tears to the eyes and dancing to the feet, bringing a smile to everyone in the rooms face. Warming the room nicely up for Will.

Molly's Lips @ Clwb Ifor Bach

Will Varley came onto the stage, beers in hand with a huge grin on his face before launching into 'As For My Soul', the opening number of his new album.

Will Varley @ Clwb Ifor Bach

The most enjoyable thing about watching Will Varley, somewhat similarly to his record label mate Beans On Toast, is the 'home-made' feel of his shows. Joking and chatting his way through his gigs, you almost forget the odd moment when he forgets the words to a song. However it's this added character what makes you feel like you've not just seen someone stand on stage and play some songs but instead you've witnessed a unique show, something private between you and the other people in the room. It's an effect Will Varley creates exceptionally well in a live environment. Beyond that you even get beautiful music, stunning song writing and a man with an incredible voice.

Will Varley (feat. Molly's Lips) @ Clwb Ifor Bach

Towards the end of the set Molly's Lips were reintroduced to the stage to play as a backing band for Varley. This was a stroke of genius by whoever's idea it was, it added a brilliant atmosphere and a full sound to Will's songs. Something that wouldn't work for an entire show, due to the style of show that he puts on, but something really interesting to experience as part of the gig.
Having spent a long time playing to empty rooms and small crowds and with sold out days on this tour, a series of festival appearances coming up this summer and a US tour with Xtra Mile Recording label mates Beans On Toast and Skinny Lister, Will Varley  is slowly making his way up the musical ladder and could soon be a household name.

-Luke