we’re super looking forward to catching the amazing JCK over at our Cream of the Crop this month!
they’re an absolute force to be reckoned with on the scene, with fantastic tunes, great stage presence and just lovely lads. they put out two amazing tunes recently “Right By Your Side” and “Lullaby” which sound so boss. well worth a listen – https://open.spotify.com/artist/4J5LHNDijuu9kzSedzhX8I
we’re super glad to announce a brand new release on the label, “3310 & A Pterosaur” from our newest addition to our roster Narwhals!
Narwhals have been on our radar for a while now, their debut album “Two Dark Windows” from 2018 is a brilliant piece of writing, with a gorgeous soundscape behind it from the band and fantastic vocals from frontman Jacob. taking influence from bands such as The National, Frightened Rabbit and the lo-fi indie and alternative scene, they’re a great fit to the label and we can’t wait to see what the future holds for them.
the new single will be released on the Friday 11th of February – we’re so stoked for you guys to hear this, it’s sounding absolutely brilliant – we’ll get pre-save links and the such for you soon! in the meantime, head on over to their Bandcamp at https://narwhalsuk.bandcamp.com/releases to find their debut album in full!
we’re back this week with our open mics! we’ll be down at The Lass O’Gowrie tomorrow night and for this week we’ll be at the Grafton Arms on Thursday!
we’ve had some super fantastic ones lately and we can’t wait to be getting back to it. so many fantastic artists have come down and performed for us, it’s so great to be able to have them all in one place playing their tunes!
if you fancy playing this week, then just get in contact with our very own michael webster who will be able to sort you a slot! with what’s going on at the moment, if you feel unwell then stay home and keep yourself safe
our feature for today’s Just The Crust is the brand new single from Rob Crampton Music “Rich Man’s Clothes”!
throughout the last year or so, Rob’s been putting out a great range of singles and this latest one is another fantastic one to add to his roster. recorded over at the amazing Sloe Flower Studio who are absolute magic
Rob’s amazing songwriting ability is super apparent throughout this track, really blending that old country/americana feel with a modern twist in his Manchester roots. a real mellow song predominantly led by finger-picked acoustic guitar, Rob’s vocal is soothing as he tells his story throughout the track.
this reminds of the old-school storytelling of the likes of Bob Dylan, Willie Nelson and the classic folk heroes – with touching and relatable lyricism, we’re sure that Rob will be one to watch for the future. head on over to his Spotify at https://open.spotify.com/artist/1sfpo5adamTHrcmLRWmVuN to find his full discography, or head on to his YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xRPdnH0m0FQ to check out the music video! fantastic stuff.
find all of our reviews, features, music and more over on our website at www.breadrecords.co.uk
Gideon’s been a regular on the Manchester scene now for a year or so, frequenting our open mics and we’ve had him perform at a few gigs now – the Hebden Bridge-based songwriter is fantastic, with a real knack for lyricism conjuring lovely imagery throughout his songs and even being featured in the likes of Rolling Stone Brazil and other great publications! 😊 he’s released a bunch of singles and even an EP over the past year or two which sound fantastic. he’s able to bring these to life so well within his live performances and we’re stoked to be able to have him on this feature!
Check out our interview below! 🛣
Over the lockdowns and past few years, how’ve you been spending your time musically? (recording, writing etc)
I’ve mainly been writing and recording since the lockdown started, I’ve had a lot of time on my own and music has been my only outlet really. I feel guilty saying this when it obviously caused a lot of suffering for many but I don’t think I would have had the space to write the things I have otherwise, so it’s been a really creative time for me.
What made you want to start making music?
I came to it quite late actually, I’ve always been musical but never wrote a song until 6 years ago then I had a real change in life and discovered music really helped me, so I sat down and started writing songs. It was only really ever intended as a personal thing but a friend suggested I put them on Soundcloud and I mistakenly shared it amongst all my friends on Social Media, anyway people seemed to be complimentary so I carried on! My inspirations are too many to mention really I’ve been very lucky due to my advancing years to have lived through some great times musically but still open enough to appreciate all the new stuff being made.
How have you been readjusting to gigging and post-pandemic music over the past few months?
The main thing has been the ability to get out and do live stuff again after so long and just to be involved in life, there is obviously a lot of caution still around but fingers crossed 2022 surprises us for the right reasons and we can all regain a sense of fun.
We’ve seen a lot of you over the past few months over at open mics and gigs across Manchester – what do you enjoy most about performing live?
Yeah sorry about that! I love meeting people and being able to share the songs and to watch other musicians who have been doing things a lot longer than me, I learn from it.
In the studio what do you usually do to get ready for recording? What kinds of processes do you go through when creating your music?
Coffee, usually followed by putting the world to rights with my producer Si and then seeing what we come up with, the songs are all ideas from me just sitting down with a guitar and coming up with something, and hopefully that initial idea stands in its own right but i think what we’ve tried to do is take that initial idea and say how can we do this a bit differently for a recording. I think the more we have done you just tend to know when something starts to work.
As you can see from your releases, you’re predominantly putting out singles – are there any plans for an album at any point in the future?
Ah album yes! When I started out on this road a few years back that was the plan really just to make an album but I ended up just putting songs out as they were made and we’ve been doing that all the way through but then over the last few months I’ve written a lot of different stuff and I’ve decided to just carry on and put the whole thing out as an album, we’ve got about halfway through it and have just released a song from it called “Fatal Kiss” as a single as a taste of things to come.
When you’re writing, what inspires you the most?
Different things at different times really, observations of life, personal experience, nature, during 2020 I’d just go up the hill behind where I live and sit in the sun listening to music, I listened to Folklore a lot and developed an addiction for mint choc chip ice cream and it just puts you in a good place.
I think things have evolved for me really this all started for me with a spiritual awakening which is something I never sought it was just spontaneous and when I was initially writing stuff I never really considered that as being a subject to write about, but as time has gone on I’ve started to write more about that, “Fatal Kiss” is really about death, but the death of the old me, there’s another song on the album called “Prophecy” which is about a woman stood on a cliff looking out to sea, it’s a dream I’ve had most of my life and has started to make sense over the last few years when I discovered my Grandma used to see the same thing and even though she’s not here I feel like she’s always giving me nudges. So it’s all a bit ethereal really.
How has the past year impacted your relationship with music, creativity and releases?
The last year has been a strange time for me, very introspective for the most part but in a positive way and strangely despite everything going on in the world I’m ok with life . It’s really allowed me to concentrate on music, and getting ideas recorded.
Have you got anything planned for 2022?
Firstly the album, more promotion and hopefully getting out and playing live more, but I’d like to travel again as well, I love seeing new places when I can so fingers crossed things get a bit easier . Other than that, just to be happy really.
It’s so great to see so many different perspectives within music, the influences and experiences that carve a musician’s creativity and Gideon’s is no different! 🙌 Gideon’s drive to perform and create is super inspiring to us and we’re proper lucky to have got to known him this last year or so. We can’t wait to hear his album – each of his singles and EPs have been fantastic so far and we’re sure he’s got plenty more boss tunes on the way. ☀️ a massive shout to him for doing this for us, we love this one with so many intimate and personal details really giving you a proper insight into each of the artists. We’ll be back soon with yet another of these Knead to Know interviews, for the time being check out Gideon’s music below!
well, 2021 has been an absolutely incredible year of music for us all 🙌 there’s been so many incredible releases and we just wanted to talk about a few of our favourites! note, there’s been so so so many we can’t cover them all so here’s a lil list we made up of ones we absolutely loved ❤️
one of our very good friends here at the label and also one of the hardest-working people we know, the fantastic Tay Temple ☀️ throughout this entire year and the last she’s been releasing amazing single after single, cumulating in a full EP release this October, “Painfully Aware“! the EP really shows the connection that she’s got with her band, sounding so tight, the instrumentation all blends together so well and really brings a new dimension to Tay’s music. Her formidable songwriting ability is visible throughout each track, giving you a real insight into her thoughts, feelings and emotions over the past year or two – each song has a life and identity of it’s own and shines bright in itself, but as the full collection, it really gives a full picture when you listen. well well well worth a listen, can’t wait to hear more! 🙌 (SPOTIFY / BANDCAMP / YOUTUBE / APPLE MUSIC)
Another top artist on the Manchester scene, Rob Crampton! This release, “Trade My Troubles For Wine” really hit us with how personal and intimate the track is. The simple, yet effective guitar work, with classic country influence really shine a light on Rob’s lyrics here which are just gorgeous, and really tell a story here. His vocals sound fantastic, and the instrumentation in the background really paint a lovely backdrop for the song – folky, country, Americana yet with a lovely smither of Manchester influence in there. This track is just one of Rob’s best – his previous releases “Until The Wheels Stop Turning“, “Somewhere South of In-Between” and “Deeper Than A Thousand Miles” are yet more indicators of his talent. Definitely one to watch for the future – lovely fella, beautiful songs, great guitarwork and we’re sure lots more to come from him. Also, a massive shout to Sloe Flower Studio for the amazing production on this. One of the best studios in the North West! (SPOTIFY / YOUTUBE / APPLE MUSIC)
Just before the release of this track, we caught the fantastic alternative/americana-based Katie O’Malley performing a headline slot with her band and we were absolutely blown away by her sound. We’d caught her a good few times before as a solo act, but we were amazed by how she’d evolved her performance and how much the band brought her songs to another level. We loved her previous release to this, “Taste The Dirt” with its bluesy tone; but this single “Devil’s Got A Hold” really took us by surprise with it’s groovy bassline, soothing guitar tones, drums giving it so much energy.. and then Katie’s gorgeous, commanding vocal exploding across the track, weaving a story through lyric after lyric. One of our favourite songs of 2021, for sure! One for any fans of witchy, powerful, ethereal tracks… just completely boss. Hoping to see another EP out soon!! (SPOTIFY / BANDCAMP / YOUTUBE / APPLE MUSIC)
Oh heck, when we first heard this from Disobedient Records.. we were absolutely floored. We LOVE this single “Enemies to Lovers” from Katie Wood, what a brilliant brilliant release. Bringing 80s production, synths, drums that explode into the first verse, such fantastic vocals from Katie, then such a well-written track. Such a great chorus and pre-chorus, so many personal lyrics, really setting the scene for the story and just giving us classic gothic vibes and making us wanna jump around and party lol. The highlight of the track for us is definitely that outro – breaking down from the huge chorus to THAT SCREAM, distorted sounds pushing through the soundscape, the lyric “I just know that’s what I’ve got to say.. I’m love’s bitch, babe“.. iconic. Then drifting into the final section of the song, simply fantastic. We can not wait to hear more! ☀️ well well well worth checking out the previous releases too. (SPOTIFY / BANDCAMP / YOUTUBE / APPLE MUSIC)
The debut single from the fantastic Liverpool-based Gen and the Degenerates “Underwear” was easily one of the highlights of the year for us 🤘 with driving riffs, the drums effortlessly pushing the track forward, Gen’s sublime and powerful vocal it’s easily one of our anthems of 2021. The lyricism throughout the entire track is so strong, really setting the scene and lifting up and giving strength to those who fit outside the box – something we really needed in the last few years! We love love love the energy of this entire track, what a debut single – really hammering home the fact that the music scene is theirs for the taking. We really love that outro, building, building and exploding into a schism of sound and chaos that only proves that punk’s not going anywhere. They followed this up with singles “Runaway Blues” and “Wild Thing” which are so fantastic in their own right, it’s well worth checking out these guys, the only way is up for them! (SPOTIFY / BANDCAMP / YOUTUBE / APPLE MUSIC)
Manchester-based alternative outfit Faux Pas brought walls of distortion, beautiful jarring riffs, fantastic vocal dynamics and unreal songwriting content this year in the form of their EP “I Feel Pretty, So Should You“! 🌹 Breathing a breath of fresh air to the Manchester scene, rejecting that classic Oasis sound and really creating something that was unique and personal to them – you can see that they’ve really poured their hearts and souls into this release. Going from walls of guitar riffs and distorted tones to calm and mellow breakdowns within in an instant, and then building up and up to keep you on the edge of your seat, we’re so amazed at the dynamic range throughout this EP and the progression throughout. Our highlight has to be that first track “This Will Kill You” – sounding absolutely huge and then the little sections of production throughout, just making it an absolute tune. Can not wait to hear even more stuff from them! (SPOTIFY / BANDCAMP / YOUTUBE / APPLE MUSIC)
We’ve had Scatterchild perform for us a good few times this year and holy, they only get better and better. “Tough Love” is one of our favourites in a long line of singles from them, with beautiful piano melodies, such strong and lovely vocals from Jay – it’s such a fantastic ballad with really relatable lyricism, and the explosion into the track after that first chorus is just brilliant. Going through to the bridge, bringing ian those backing vocals, piano lead melodies, really opens up the emotion of the track, giving you a real pure insight into the feelings poured into this tune. Their other release of 2021 “No Sense To End” is well worth checking out too, with such unreal imagery conveyed through the lyrics and music. Can’t wait to see what 2022 has in store for these guys, and we’re sure we’ll have them on plenty more gigs ❤️ (SPOTIFY / BANDCAMP / YOUTUBE / APPLE MUSIC)
West Midlands-based britpop artist YNES‘s 2021 single “Used To Be” is easily one of our favourites of the year. With such personal lyrics, almost effortless delivery of them over the track, and influences from punk, indie and more – it’s just bloody great isn’t it. 🤘 an anthem of what we used to be, giving nostalgia and wanting what we had – really hammers home the rejection of societal norms and fitting into a world that doesn’t really give one most of the time. The eruption of YNES’s vocal to an almost shout throughout the second half of the track only shows the feelings involved with this track, and the lyric “I don’t know who I am, I don’t know if I ever have” is one that we’re sure so many people here can relate to. We also love the contrasted ending, the almost calmness in comparison to the last minute or so of energy and power – it really wraps up the track and the ideas put forward so well. Incredible stuff! Well worth listening to their other releases of the year, “God’s Little Punching Bag” is yet another class tune from the singer-songwriter. We’re sure lots of great stuff is on the way in 2022 for YNES! (SPOTIFY / BANDCAMP / YOUTUBE / APPLE MUSIC)
Our final tune is here is the sublime and spectacular release from one of our favourite songwriters, Toria Wooff with “James Edward“! 🏵 another fine example of her crazy songwriting talent, this song weaves the tapestry of the track so so well. The country/americana inspired production is so well done (another big shout to Sloe Flower Studio!), with gorgeous organs, laid-back and effortless drums, really bringing the track together so well. Toria’s vocal here sounds incredible, seamless vocals hitting some lovely notes that show her fabulous range. Yet another unreal release from her, and her other releases of 2021 (“June“, “Drako“, and “Rocket Man“) really let you delve into her world and just bask in her fantastic ability to create, perform and deliver a song with ease. Huge things on the horizon for this one! (SPOTIFY / BANDCAMP / YOUTUBE / APPLE MUSIC)
We CAN NOT wait to see what 2022 holds. ☀️ there’s been so many fantastic releases, gigs and more this year and we’re so amazed by how incredible everyone has been. Until next time, have a great new year 🍞
we can’t wait for our next instalment of Cream of the Crop over at The Thirsty Scholar on the Saturday 15th January!
we’ll be back down there with a stellar lineup of up-and-coming artists, including Josh OlivaChloe SlaterSam Tucker? and JCK performing for us! gonna be a boss one so many fantastic musicians doing their thing!
come on down Saturday afternoon from 1:30pm through til 5pm, always a lovely one down at The Scholar – they have boss drinks on offer, and also veggie/vegan food all day! find out more at our event Cream of the Crop: 15th January
we’ve just made up a lil playlist of all of our 2021 Just The Crust features!
there’s way way too many for us to tag everyone but with 52 releases, including singles and albums, it’s an absolute brill insight into the talent on the scene! so many fantastic artists and tunes – we’re super proud to be able to have covered them all.
taking influence from bands such as The National, Frightened Rabbit and the lo-fi indie and alternative scene, they’re a great fit to the label and we can’t wait to see what the future holds for them. 
so many fantastic artists have come down and performed for us, it’s so great to be able to have them all in one place playing their tunes! 
so many fantastic musicians doing their thing!
Bread Records 