Tag Archives: Single

Scottish Indie Rock Band The Phantoms Release New Single ‘Wasting Time’

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Based in West Lothian, Scotland, The Phantoms formed in May 2012, quickly winning an army of fans with their huge sound and infectious on-stage energy.

Scottish Indie Rock Band The Phantoms

It didn’t take long for Scotland’s most influential DJs to pick up on the buzz around the band with debut EP ‘This Is How It Should Be’ earning widespread airplay.  A UK tour and support slots for Catfish and the Bottlemen and We Were Promised Jetpacks preceded the release of the anthemic ‘Revolution’ a single that was played by radio stations across the UK, earning praise for its sweeping guitars and driving beat.

Influenced by Kasabian, Royal Blood, Catfish and the Bottlemen and Arctic Monkeys, their new single ‘Wasting Time’ is a perfect example of the sound that has earned The Phantoms the reputation as one of Scotland’s most exciting prospects.

The Phantoms are:
Colin Simpson – Vocals and Rhythm Guitar
Colin McKillop – Lead Guitar
Peter Stewart – Bass Guitar and Backing Vocals
Blair Cullen – Drums

Gigs:
Saturday 14th March – Glasgow’s King Tuts supporting Cold Ocean Lies

The video for ‘Wasting Time will be released on Monday 16th February.

 

 

Fractions Reveal Second Single Burst‏‏

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Fractions – Fractions EP released via Edils Recordings on September 29th
 

North-East five-piece Fractions are set to release their ethereal self-titled EP this September. A momentous piece developed from sweat, blood and glorious determination, this is Fractions’ debut EP and marks the beginning of an exciting new future for the bourgeoning outfit.

Fractions EP Artwork

Originally a concept for creative outpouring with no concern of marketability or listener numbers, Fractions has roamed gloriously feral amongst the subconscious outback of its originators. This endless freedom reverberates in the EPs sound; an untamed beast basking in its unbridled and limitless landscape. With Fractions organically becoming an increasingly honed and sleek sound over a number of years, steps are now being taken to concentrate more on developing the band and revealing their output to the world.

On describing the mindset of Fractions, guitarist Martin Downing explains it as “a combination of all of our individual strengths rolled into one. We are all fractions of Fractions as we all contribute our own part to what you hear”. A large majority of Fractions’ work is created by its member’s sending work back and forth between each other in secluded home studios, building on each other’s brilliance to create a single entity that is truly great. This insular working environment reflects the multi-disciplined and novel sound of Fractions, above and immune to external pressures or influences.

With their music concentrating heavily on the notions of isolation and abandonment, Fractions take real-world grit and steel and back it up with elegant poise; are a flawless rose wrapped in barbed wire. Into The Earth laments the end of youth whilst Burst highlights how truth is a thin veil purposely chosen by others. One of Fractions’ most poignant pieces, Resist, is a melancholic wonder, focusing on the inevitable onset of old age. Based in the North-East of England, a region that has suffered more than most in the recent economic downturn, Fraction’s EP reminds the listener, in their 21st century insta-happiness ideology and app-savvy stupor, that the real world isn’t always bright mundane skies but is often filled with beautiful, poignant and breathtaking tears.

Fractions’ debut EP will be released on Edils Records (Liverpool) on September the 29th on both physical and digital formats.

 

 

Michael Caines Vegetable Curry With Lentils, Cauliflower, Baby Corn & Spinach

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vegcurry

Prep time; 1 hour

 

Serves 4

 

Ingredients 

 

Spice mix

4 cloves

1 tsp coriander seeds

1 tsp cumin seeds

1 tsp turmeric

1 tsp madras curry

4 gloves of garlic, peeled and crushed

1tsp Root ginger grated finely

2 tblsp white wine vinegar

½ tsp salt

1 tsp palm sugar

150g Red lentils

40ml Vegetable oil

1 large cauliflower cut into even size florets

1 large fennel cut in half and the into 4

1 onion finely chopped

2 red chillies deseeded and finely chopped

200g of tinned chopped plum tomatoes

400ml coconut milk

400ml water

200g Baby corn cut into quarters lengthways

100g baby spinach

4 tblsp coriander chopped

1 lemon or lime

Large sprig of coriander

Sea salt

 

For the tarka or chaunk

30ml Vegetable oil

1tblsp mustard seeds

1tsp cumin seed

1tspfennel seed

3 curry leaves

3 Bay leaves

 

Method

First you need to make the spice paste. For this toast the coriander and cumin seeds in small pan for a minute. Now place into a spice grinder and grind to a finely, alternatively use a pestle and mortar or a blender/food processor.

Place into a small bowl and add the turmeric, madras powder, crushed garlic, grated ginger, white wine vinegar, salt and palm sugar and mix together well. Set aside.

 

Place the lentils in a pan and cover with 500ml of water, bring to the boil and simmer for 15/20 minutes until the lentils are a thick puree. Cover and set aside until later.

 

Heat half the oil in a large pan and over a medium heat; caramelise the cauliflower florets evenly until golden brown. Remove and place on a plate. Now caramelise the 8 fennel pieces and remove. Add the remaining oil and heat, add the chopped onion and fry until golden brown, now add the spice mixture and cook out for 2 minutes. Add the chopped tinned tomatoes and chopped chillies and cook for 5 minutes before adding the coconut milk, cauliflower florets, fennel and baby corn. Bring to the boil and reduce to a simmer and leave to cook for 15 minutes stirring from time to time.

To finish, add the spinach before stirring in the lentil to required texture and consistency and now add the chopped coriander.

 

For the tarka or chaunk

Heat the oil in a small frying pan and add the spice and bay and curry leaves until the seeds start to pop. Now drizzle over the curry.

 

 

Uniform Foodies App
Chef Michael Caines and Uniformdating.com, the UK’s top dating site for uniformed singles, have partnered up to develop an app dedicated to uniformed professionals favourite foods!

 

Following a national survey to find out the UK’s uniformed professions favourite dishes, Michael Caines has develop these dishes into a range of delicious, easy-to-make recipes. All these, and many more recipes are available on the Uniform Foodies recipe app.

 

Uniform Foodies is available on iTunes, iOS, 69p
Please click here

 

 

 

The Watchmakers – Carpe Diem Music News

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The Watchmakers

Their new single on Loaded Soul Records
Illumination / Carpe Diem

Format: Limited Edition Vinyl & Digital Download

The Watchmakers Live

Combining the sounds of classic 60s psychedelia with The Verve, The Brian Jonestown Massacre and Primal Scream, Manchester based four piece The Watchmakers have created a unique blend of psychedelic rock n roll. Their self-produced demos Before Questions Became and Waves earned the band high praise and airplay from the likes of John Kennedy at XFM and BBC Manchester Introducing, leading to seasoned music lovers and music industry insiders clamouring for more material.

Following headline appearances at two sold out Psychedelic Happenings in Manchester as well as playing with the likes of The Pretty Things, Jacco Gardner, Dark Bells and Exit Calm, The Watchmakers were invited to play a BBC Showcase in February 2014 where BBC 6 Music recommended them as ‘ones to watch’. June 2014 see the release of two new tracks – Illumination and Carpe Diem. The songs, the first release from the Manchester based label Loaded Soul Records, will be available on limited edition vinyl and digital download.

“Imagine if Noel Gallagher’s solo record had actually been willing to cut loose and explore its boundaries, and you might be arriving somewhere near to their sound”
Drowned In Sound

Scientists Reveal The ‘Language of Love’

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finding love‘Physically fit’, ‘perceptive’ and ‘passionate’ – the words to a woman’s heart revealed

They may only be words, but the language men use in their online dating profiles can have a serious impact on getting them noticed by the opposite sex.

In a study of 12,000 dating profiles on eHarmony.co.uk, the relationship site identified the top ten words with the ‘D Factor’ – or ‘date factor’ – that were most likely to grab the attention of single women looking for great dates.

The data showed that men who mention some form of physical fitness, or described themselves as perceptive, passionate or optimisticall saw more approaches.

Conversely, women describing themselves as sweet, ambitious or thoughtful were more likely to see men start up conversations with them.

Interestingly the word ‘funny’ saw both male and female dater’s ears prick up, with both sexes ranking it sixth out of the top ten list; showing there are some things men and women do agree on.

And these extra approaches are far from insignificant. Physically fit or perceptive men attracted between 60-70% more interest from women who wanted to get to know them better; whereby sweet, ambitious or funny women saw between 20-45% more approaches.

The study also revealed that women are more interested in what men have to say for themselves, not just their looks – being more likely to consider a man based on his description rather than his picture. Words used on a profile were shown to have a wider impact (-64% to +69%) on women’s decision to approach, whereby this scale was narrower for men (-43% to +46%).

Jemima Wade, spokesperson for eHarmony.co.uk, said: “Whilst the research shows certain words serve to grab fellow daters’ attention, at eHarmony we know that daters are looking for quality dates every time. And that takes more than just a few words; it’s about finding someone with the same values, who instantly gets you.”

Jemima added: “That’s why we worked with the University of Oxford to develop our Compatibility Matching System and employ scientists to keep refining and improving our algorithm to ensure it’s the best tool to help people find that extra special someone.”

The top 10 words with the ‘D Factor’ (female / male)

1. Sweet (+46%) / Physically fit (+69%)

2. Ambitious (+39%) / Ambitious (+64%)

3. Thoughtful (+30%) / Perceptive (+63%)

4. Spontaneous (+30%) / Passionate (+54%)

5. Physically fit (+22%) / Optimistic (+44%)

6. Funny (+21%) / Funny (+38%)

7. Outgoing (+19%) / Spontaneous (+33%)

8. Optimistic (+17%) / Thoughtful (+21%)

9. Hard working (+17%) / Affectionate (+17%)

10. Passionate (+16%) / Outgoing (+17%)

Single Doctors Get Hearts Racing This Valentine’s Day

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  • Teachers and doctors among the top professions looking for love
  • Men begin their quest for love much sooner than women, as 32% more men in their 20s are looking for an online date than women

guardiansoulmates

Another year, another Valentine’s Day, and for singletons it can be a frustrating time. However, we have cause to be more positive this year as research from Guardian Soulmates today reveals that there are far more eligible single men and women than we may have expected. Ever wondered where all the doctors are? All the teachers? Mr/Mrs Right you expected to have married by now? Well they’re on your doorstep, and more importantly, they’re single!

From its dating database of over 200,000 singletons, Guardian Soulmates has found that there are more teachers and academics looking for love than any other profession, with media professionals and doctors coming in second and third respectively. And it’s not just doctors and teachers; those who own their own businesses are also up there with the UK’s most eligible singles, making up 5% of the sites daters.

Sectors with the most single men and women:

1. Education

2. Media

3. Health

4. Self-employed

5. Finance

6. Marketing / PR

7. Third sector

8. IT / telecoms

9. Government

 

Encouragingly our teachers and doctors don’t all fall into one group, and there are opportunities to meet your match regardless of age. Guardian Soulmates’ research shows that men and women in their 30s are the most prevalent daters; of those on the dating website 31% of men and 34% of women are in their 30s. There’s good news for those in their 20s too, particularly any young ladies who are apprehensive about getting online for a date before they turn 30, as 32% more men in their 20s are looking for an online date than women at the same age. Not only are men getting online early, they’re also continuing their quest for love in later life. The research also shows a trend that there are equal numbers of men and women in their 40s and 50s looking for love.

Age does, however, appear to define the type of date you may wish to go on this Valentine’s Day. The research reveals that there are trends in dating patterns across age groups, and even across regions. Those in their twenties are least likely to cook a romantic meal for two, whilst 79% of 30-something daters are cooking enthusiasts and would prefer a comfy night in. For those who believe the way to the heart is through the stomach, London and the North West are fertile dating grounds, as 67% of daters in London and 40% in the North West are cooking fans. Surprisingly, if you want to impress a lady you’re better off asking her out for a drink than a dinner date as 64% of single women enjoy a drink, versus just over half of single men (53%).

 

The Cost Of Love

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We love this infograph about love from prezzybox.com Check it out.

thecostoflove

Chelsea Named as Britain’s No 1 Mistress Hotspot

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If you are a newly wed then don’t move to Chelsea, it is where single women prowl for married men to have affairs with.

And ‘staid’ Tunbridge Wells comes second

Chelsea is the no 1 hotspot for single women seeking affairs with married men, according to new research from AshleyMadison.com.  The world’s leading dating site for extra-marital affairs has found that 43.96% of its women members who are seeking affairs with married men in Chelsea are actually single.

UK.mistress.hotspots

Noel Biderman, AshleyMadison.com founder and CEO says: “Chelsea is part of London’s richest borough and home to some of the capital’s wealthiest men. Single women are drawn to status, to men who have made something of themselves, even if that includes having a wife and family. As Oscar Wilde said and James Goldsmith famously paraphrased, “When a man marries his mistress he creates a vacancy.” It’s no accident that so many mistresses live in Chelsea and our female members such as Lady Catherine and Rosetti Lover are looking for their own Jimmy Goldsmith.’

At Mistress Hotspot no 2, Tunbridge Wells has a more conservative image with its prep schools, Georgian architecture and spa heritage. Yet 42.04% of the women there are single and actively seeking an affair with a married man.

Noel Biderman says: ‘Does ‘Disgusted of Tunbridge Wells’ have an alter ego as Ashley Madison’s HardAsRock or RugbyJunky? There are a lot of well heeled, successful men there, however staid they may or may not be. A Tunbridge Wells man obviously holds promise as a lover, even if he is married.’

St Albans is 3rd on the list for would-be mistresses and Loughborough comes 4th.

With Oxford bottom of the list, it seems that while the single women of the city are inclined to stick to their studies, the academic world is not immune to passion.

Mistress Hotspots: % of female members who are single:

Chelsea, London          42.04%

Tunbridge Wells           42.04%

St Albans                      41.01%

Loughborough              39.17%

Dartford                        38.91%

Hemel Hempstead       38.36%

Chester                         36.94%

Newcastle upon Tyne  36.55%

Bristol                           35.70%

Oxford                          35.45%

Are you going to avoid these areas?