we’ve covered Craig’s music in the past and we’re huge fans of his tunes – upbeat, catchy and nostalgic for old school rock and roll feels, he’s got a real unique sound that you can tell he’s put time and effort into crafting.
this new single “Built On Bones” only furthers his talent, with a real feel-good vibe from the get-go, opening up real mellow and calm as it opens up to a lovely chorus that feels super full with steady drums, driving bass and a real catchy hook that’ll have audiences singing along in no time. the track flows along so well, with a proper groove behind it, Craig’s vocal gliding over the instrumentation super well. it’s amassed nearly 7k streams so far, incredible to see and very well deserved!
we’re back with our next Knead To Know interview, this time with the incredible Gramms! ⚡️
formed by our good friend Sam Jenkins and Paul Bowe, they’ve just put out their debut single “Shut Up A Second“, a riotous, infectious tune filled to the brim with attitude and gorgeous guitar riffs. an absolutely explosive debut release – we’re huge fans of this tune and knew we had to get them on for an interview. check it out in full below! ⬇️
Hey guys, thanks for sorting out this interview! Give us a bit more information about yourselves.
GRAMMS is Sam Jenkins and Paul Bowe and we’re based in Stockport. Started throwing demos across to each other during lockdown and released our first single earlier this year.
We love the new tune “Shut Up A Second” – tell us some more about the tune!
It was the first thing we worked on after the last lockdown and I don’t know if it was because of all that pent-up creativity, but we put it together in a matter of hours.
It’s essentially about our need to express an opinion no matter how baseless or unhelpful that may be.
What started you guys off as a band?
We’ve both been on the scene for a good while in separate projects and have been wanting to sort out some kind of collaboration for years. End of last year we finally both found ourselves with a bit of time on our hands.
Whose the main songwriter in the band, or do you do it all together?
Yea, it’s completely collaborative and the process depends on the song.
What are the processes involved in creating your music? Do you home record, or use a studio?
All the songs have been written and arranged at Paul’s rehearsal studios (Stockport Studios). We then demo them on logic and use that as a guide in the recording studio.
Both ‘Shut Up a Second’ and our upcoming single were recorded in Levenshulme by the musical wizard that is John Simm; formally of Cleft and currently working with Blossoms on their tour.
Where do you get the inspiration for your tracks?
It really varies. The lyrics for Shut Up were inspired by Paul’s riff. Made me think of a circus lion strutting around his cage thinking of ways to escape and the rest fell into place from there.
Over the time you’ve been together as a band, how have you been spending your time musically? (recording, writing etc)
It’s all been about writing and recording at the moment, but we’re planning to put on some shows in the new year.
What kinds of responses have you had from your releases?
Overwhelmingly positive! We’ve had record of the day, week and month from various publications. That leaves, year, decade, century, millennium and all time, so plenty to aim for.
Have you been performing live?
Not yet. Stay tuned!
When you’re performing live, what do you enjoy the most about it?
In previous projects it’s been seeing the impact your music can have on a room of people. Stunning a crowd into silence or inciting them to riot is a very cool power to wield!
We’re really looking forward to the next release, can you tell us any more about that?
It’s called ‘All’s Fair’ and it’s big! That’s kind of the through line for all GRAMMS tracks; it sounds massive. It’s got a slightly more mature sound than the last one but it still has the signature GRAMMS monstrousness to it.
What else is in the works?
We’re looking to release the next single before the end of the year along with another equally bonkers video and we’ll be back in the studio recording the third single in the next couple of months.
we love putting these interviews together, it’s so good to be able to interact with bands and artists on a more personal level – fantastic to see that Gramms have some more stuff in the works and find out the inspirations and backstory to them! we hope that you enjoyed this as much as we have, big love to Gramms for doing this for us! 🍞
our feature for today’s Just The Crust is the brand new single from Jacob Reddy Music “Who You Are“!
another incredible release from the young lad, we’ve covered his music plenty of times now and he always excels with each tune he puts out – a real up-and-coming talent here in the North West.
this new single continues in his usual trend of heavy guitars, anthemic choruses and feel-good lyricism that inspires and uplifts. we’re huge fans of this new tune, it’s a lovely tune celebrating individuality and it sounds huge! the lyricism is on point as always, with gorgeous guitar melodies and riffs throughout, the choruses open up to a massive soundscape, and the breakdown before the final chorus is a lush contrast to the rest of the tune.
our feature for today’s Just The Crust is the brand new tune from DRIAN “Dreaming“!
their second single so far, they’ve been establishing themselves around Manchester performing and wowing audiences especially with their headline gig over at the Eagle Inn the other week! we were a big fan of their debut single and this new one only further emphasises their talent
with a huge groove to the track, with crunchy distortion lining the rhythm of the drums and the bass, it’s got a lovely soundscape to the track – plus, Jordan’s vocal ability is in full scope here as he belts out, especially in the chorus, an anthemic hook that would be sung back at them at any gig. a gorgeous guitar solo too, culminating in a fantastic breakdown that gives a proper depth to the track.
in case you missed it, our last Knead to Know feature with Hayden J Barlow last week was beltin
it was great to chat with him about his new release “Stockholm Syndrome“, plus about his inspirations, creative processes and more! the new tune sounds incredible as well, another in a long list of bangers from the hyper-soul songwriter.
our feature for today’s Just The Crust is the brand new single from KingFast “Feel The Love“, out this Friday the 28th of October!
residing over in Liverpool, the soulful songwriter has been performing and making his mark across the city, with a slurry of fantastic singles under his belt and this new tune only goes to solidify his talent and capacity as an emerging artist in the North West.
the song starts out with a lovely, calm and controlled guitar riff that sets the basis for the entire song: a mellow, heartfelt ballad to a loved one. Kingfast’s vocal talent is on display here, showing his prowess and abilities in full. as it goes into the chorus, the groove of the talent shifts into top gear, balancing his vocal melodies above a lovely pop-infused beat that really makes the track feel like an upbeat, summery tune. the harmonies in the bridge are gorgeous too, a real lovely breakdown that contrasts the rest of the track so well and compliments it entirely.
the full track will be released on all streaming platforms come Friday, but in the meantime you can find it over on YouTube alongside a music video at https://youtu.be/Z821vvKW2es
find all of our features, reviews, music and more on our website at www.breadrecords.co.uk
we’ve got our next Knead To Know interview for you all, with the supremely talented singer-songwriter Hayden J Barlow! 🥖
Hayden’s been making waves on the scene over the past year or so, putting out a slew of releases and singles like there’s no tomorrow, performing across the North and we’ve even had him play a bunch for us – his live performances are so well-honed and intricate, it’s a joy to catch him play. we’ve been massive fans of his music for a while now and his new single “Stockholm Syndrome” is yet another in a long line of incredible tunes from him!
find the full interview below! ⬇️
Hey mate, nice one for doing this interview here with us! Tell us a bit more about yourself.
Hey bud! You’re absolutely welcome. I’m Hayden! I make video game boss music and then sing on it.
We’re massive fans of the new single “Stockholm Syndrome” – give us a bit more of a lowdown on the track!
‘Stockholm Syndrome’ is a tune I wrote a while ago about how much I both love and resent having a career in music. It takes a huge toll on me at times despite how much I love doing what I do. This song is an expression of that.
How did you start doing music?
I started singing and writing my own songs at about 10. It’s just something that has always existed simultaneously alongside my life. It’s only around 16 that I actually considered it to be a possible career. At about 22, I actually started actively chasing that. It’s had its ups and downs but it’s been pretty sick so far.
What are the processes involved in creating your music? Do you home record, or use a studio?
Everything I record is done all at home with a minimal home studio. It’s how I get that ‘D.I.Y’, glitchy sound that I’m starting to become known for.
We already know you produce your music yourself – what led you into self-production?
Honestly? Stubbornness. I am mad difficult to work with (trust me, I do it all the time) because of how unbelievably stubborn I can be when it comes to the sound of my music.
What are your main inspirations for your songs? What artists influence your sound?
It’s an eclectic bunch. James Blake is a big one production wise. In terms of writing, Kings of Leon are a big one as I grew up on them.
When you’re writing, do you focus on a melody first or is it lyrics, or some other way?
I don’t have a set approach, I tend to just go with my gut.
Over the past few years, how have you been spending your time musically? (recording, writing etc)
I’ve been heavily focused on recording these last few years. It’s become one of my biggest passions. Production is a whole other beast and I’ve learned a whole lot by using very little. I’ve had a lot of absolute beginners who have no idea what they’re talking about critique my recording methods. I’ve been honing it for years and these dudes with one set of cheap HS-5s and an ego think they can comment on it. One of my biggest motivations has been sticking it to them by proving you can make high quality, successful records with minimal equipment.
We’ve seen that you’ve been covered on radio a bunch of times now, how are you finding your music is being received?
It’s very validating. We’re slowly but surely getting there.
How are your gigs going? What kinda set up do you take to them nowadays?
To be honest, it’s not my biggest focus these days! I get the most dopamine from recording and making records. If I’m gigging, I want it to be a spectacle or a celebratory, wholesome event. Quality over quantity.
When you’re performing live, what do you enjoy the most about it?
I love translating my songs to a live setting. Whether that be to track, showing off my production skills or reinventing and rearranging my tracks for guitar.
Have you got anything else planned for the rest of the year?
I’ve a whole EP dropping in November! Then it’s onto planning the next batch of releases. Next year is going to be big.
it’s real lovely to put these interviews together and get a more personal and down-to-earth conversation with each artist, find out their motivations, inspirations and what their aims for the future are – seeing Hayden’s approach to music here is super uplifting, taking a much more DIY approach and focusing on the quality of his music is something that we can relate to here at the label. it’s well worth checking out his new tune, it sounds fantastic and if you enjoy it, his back catalogue is full of a bunch of gems as well! big love to him for participating in this and we hope you liked it as much as we did! 🍞
we’re proper made up to be able to bring you this review of HWY‘s new single “Marionette“! 🤘
we had them perform back in July at The Grafton Arms as part of our Toasted night and they proper smashed it. with quality tunes, professional and striking stage presence, and the ability to keep the audience in the palm of their hand, it was an unreal event alongside Stray Weather and BARDS. amazing to see!
they’ve only continued on this with the new single “Marionette” – opening the track with a huge, jolty guitar riff that precedes a massive, in-your-face intro, showing off the individual talents within the band. as the vocal comes in, it commands the track and especially with that drop on the first line from the instrumentation, which then comes back with such ferocity and power. the pre-chorus creates such a contrast to the rest of the track that comes before it, with heavenly synth sounds, matched with a gorgeous vocal that sounds so delicate and intimate, only to open up to a massive chorus that is packed with so much passion, every instrument playing its part in unison and showing the talent and creativity that the band has to offer.
these two singles so far from HWY have been incredible, and have set a real standard for them – definitely one of the ones to watch here in the North West. check out their music over on Spotify at https://open.spotify.com/artist/2vwjiY3CQUtVvwLaXewiB0 – well worth a listen! they’re also performing for us at Zombie Shack on the 27th for our Zombie Prom event with Thunder and the Giants and more! 🍞
our feature for today’s Just The Crust is the brand new single from IsaacNeilson “Tear This Down”!
we’re huge fans of Isaac’s music, having caught him live plenty of times now – performing for us as our feature artist at Foundry Project Manchester last week, and putting out a plethora of incredible tunes in the past.
we’ve been looking forward to the release of this song for ages now, one of our favourites to hear from him and it doesn’t disappoint! opening up with a lovely groove, the first verse slides through so well with a great build, til it explodes into the chorus – a real catchy hook as well! you can hear the time taken putting this song together also, expertly produced and with a great capture of Isaac’s energy that he puts in when he performs. the bridge is incredible as well – the tension and unease conveyed really gives the track room to breathe!
it’s well worth a listen – you can find it over on Spotify at https://open.spotify.com/artist/0ocRRTaorsLc6UUwDBj5xQ and on all streaming platforms, pop on over and check out his full list of releases as well, brilliant stuff.
find all of our features, reviews, music and more on our website at www.breadrecords.co.uk
we’ve got our September edition of The Wrap for you all! ✨ there’s been so many incredible tunes coming out over the past month – it’s fantastic to see such an incredible constant stream of talented artists doing their thing. we’ve got a few reviews for you below, check it out! ⬇️
Liverpool-based Dune Boy has just put out his debut album “We Can Go There If You Want?” – a beautiful collection of indie-folk songs that are delicately put together yet are so expertly crafted, with a real intimate between him and the listener. With gorgeous guitar licks throughout, stern rhythm sections that hold it all together and his soft vocal that glides effortlessly over each track, it’s a gorgeous debut from the songwriter. Reminiscent of artists like Nick Drake, The Mountain Goats and Phoebe Bridgers, this is definitely one to put on during those rainy Northern days. (SPOTIFY / APPLE MUSIC / YOUTUBE / BANDCAMP)
Manchester’s Daniel Darley has just released his debut single “Faking“! We had him perform for us earlier in the year and he astounded us with his stellar songwriting, lovely chord progressions and chemistry with his lead guitarist on accompaniment. This track only proves his talent – his vocal sounds sublime as it comes into the verse, and his storytelling throughout the track is superb. You can really feel the emotion that he’s pouring into this track, and the production with the violinwork and instrumentation in the background compliments him so well. We can’t wait to hear more! (SPOTIFY / APPLE MUSIC)
Indie-pop sensation Scott Magnus has returned with his brand new single “Wanting You Back“! We’re huge fans of his previous releases, his album “COMEBACK STRONGER” was absolutely brilliant and this new tune only cements his talent. With an upbeat yet eerie beat, centred around a lovely guitar riff, his vocal commands the attention of the listener with his powerful and dynamic range – really getting you to hear the story that he’s telling, a ballad of romance, loss and regret. It’s a real honest depiction, lyrically – something we love to see, an outburst of pure emotion and having the strength to be able to put it into words. (SPOTIFY / APPLE MUSIC / YOUTUBE)
Manchester’s very own The Distance have brought out their single “Falling“! We’ve caught these performing a bunch of times now, both at gigs across Manchester and we’ve also had them play for us loads now. This tune sounds fantastic, a real indie-rock anthem that defines their sound so well – feeling like 90’s nostalgia yet also with a modern twist that they can call their own. Jack and Sam’s vocals compliment each other so well on this track, a real great balance between the two of them and it really shows off the chemistry within the band. The breakdown sounds superb too, a lovely contrast to the the upbeat feel of the rest of the track and exploding into the final chorus fantastically. Well worth a listen, we can’t wait to hear their other tunes once they’re out! (SPOTIFY / APPLE MUSIC)
Manchester’s indie punks pyncher have just put out their latest single “The Saddest Man Around“! we were huge fans of their last release and this one is mega. laden with gorgeous ambience surrounding the track, they utilise a lovely and mellow guitar riff to really encapsulate their grungey feel – the build throughout the track is real lush, incorporating so much energy to the song and using the dynamic of the instruments to their full potential. makes us feel like we should be in a basement, hearing them blast out these tunes at full volume! well worth a listen. (SPOTIFY / APPLE MUSIC / YOUTUBE / BANDCAMP)
London’s Tiffany Twisted have teamed up with SUMMER ALONE for their latest single “333” – an infectious, punky and grungey anthem that sounds absolutely huge. the guitar riffs throughout are dreamy and atmospheric yet so eerie, and the drum work throughout is absolutely spectacular. it’s got such a huge groove to the track, the build-up to the chorus is gorgeous, and it explodes in a wave of lead guitar riffs and feedback that just sings in itself. the bridge sounds proper beautiful too, a chaotic contrast to the rest of the track but really adds so much of a haunting atmosphere to it all. well worth a listen, there’s absolutely so much throughout this tune! (SPOTIFY / APPLE MUSIC / YOUTUBE)
Newcastle-based indie outfit Firesites put out their new single “HomeAgain” with Ada Grace Francis! A gorgeous, melodic ballad that opens up with such a soft, relaxed atmosphere, suddenly shifts gear into a jazzy, feel good vibe to it. The vocals throughout are so warm, complimenting one another so well – the track flows so well, you can imagine just drifting along on a cloud with the warmth emanating from this. The lyricism is spot on too, so lovely and raw – plus, we absolutely love the guitar solo, beautiful stuff. They should be reyt proud of this track, absolutely beautiful stuff! (SPOTIFY / APPLE MUSIC / YOUTUBE / BANDCAMP)
Hollows here in Manchester have just dropped this huge single “Ghosts“! we loved their previous releases, fantastic alternative rock tunes that have made a proper impact in the city. this new tune only continues with that, with driving basslines, tight drums that gel it all so well together and gorgeous lead melodies that match Sean’s lead vocal so well – his passion is put superbly into this track, absolutely belting it out at times and sounding so wonderful. the guitar solo is blooming gorgeous too, this one’s definitely a testament to the talent of the band. go have a listen! (SPOTIFY / APPLE MUSIC / YOUTUBE / BANDCAMP)
what a month for music! these releases have been so class to listen to and write up about, really showing the amazing talent on the scene and continuing the fantastic tunes that keep on coming out. we hope you’ve enjoyed this as much as we have – big love to everyone who’s checked this out. ❤️
Make sure you head on down to open mics, gigs, support local music and arts and keep your scenes going! 😊 all music, videos and images remain copyright of their respective owners. 🍞
a gorgeous guitar solo too, culminating in a fantastic breakdown that gives a proper depth to the track.
Bread Records 