Well hello there! Over at Into Creative we’ve eaten the last of the mince pies, sculled the mulled wine and packed up the Christmas decorations for another year. With gigs on temporary hold for the time being, we’ve been listening to loads of music – most of which is fantastic – and we want to share some of that with you. Yes, you! So without further ado, check this lot out…. 

Artist: Peter Hall
EP: There’s Something Wrong With Everyone

Peter Hall is a North East lad,  now settled in Nottingham. I didn’t know this when I first listened to the 4 (5) songs on this release and had presumed he was from Bellshill; listen to the wonderful Blood Flows and you’ll know exactly what I mean. 

The tracks ooze melancholy and the sweet rhythms offset Hall’s confident vocal style perfectly. But behind that, the vocals tell stories of fragility, uncertainty and weakness. 

Speaking of the EP, Hall said, “It took me a long, long time to realise that everyone is unhappy in some way. I used to see people and think how amazing their life looks – and how easy it is to think that when we filter the world through Instagram and it’s friends? Once I realised everyone was unhappy in some way, I took comfort knowing that it wasn’t just me. And we can all take comfort from it – we’re not alone and if we stick together, we can make things better.” 

There’s not a bad track here, with the aforementioned Blood Flow leading the way, while Everything Is Fading Fast is delivered in a seemingly effortless fashion before She Fell From The Sky closes the EP….or does it? 

Actually no, it doesn’t because there is a hidden, unlisted track – a cover of Delta’s Funny Looking Angels – and it’s an instant earworm. 

There’s Something Wrong With Everyone is released on The Beautiful Music record label and is available to buy here. You can also keep up to date with Peter Hall via his Bandcamp page here. 

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Artist: Retro Video Club
Single: Boys Like Me

This track was released at the end of October 2021, via Stanley Park Records, and it has cemented Retro Video Club’s reputation as one of the most exciting bands on the Scottish music scene right now. Not content with supporting the likes of The Libertines and Bastille, the Edinburgh indie rockers have also played recent sold out shows at the likes of SWG3 in Glasgow as well as a first headlining tour of England.

The track is a three minute blast of indie pop, with guitar hooks that will draw you in and  clever lyrics which will have you singing along before you know it. An anthemic triumph, it bodes well for the band in 2022. Supporting The Kooks and heading to play the wonderful Kendal Calling festival, the year is shaping up already to be a great one for the band. 

Keep up to date with Retro Video Club via there website here. 

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Artist: The Red Lite District
EP: The Shape Of Things To Come

The Red Lite District are back and follow up their last (excellent) release Peephole with a new five track E.P. titled, The Shape Of Things To Come.

The Glasgow four piece proto punksters have once again teamed up with long term producer Andy Miller (Mogwai, Arab Strap) to deliver a solid EP which not only highlights their punk sensibilities but also shows the band expanding and broadening their sound.

Opener Supersonic is guitar and drum led and is the ideal platform for guitarist/singer David Cameron’s distinctive vocals. Sleeper is a dark, menacing, bass driven prowler of a track with gothic overtones swirling before the band kick in with the refrain of “boredom”. A song I would love to hear in the live environment.

Meanwhile, The Lunatic is anthemic, bold and cocksure in its delivery. It comes across as urgent and really cohesive, showcasing the band’s undoubted skills.

The closer – Made Of Steel – sees the band go down a different path. While not quite laid back, it’s certainly a change of direction, part post punk, part new wave.

The Shape Of Things To Come E.P. by The Red Lite District is out now on DCC Records. You can buy it – and the band’s other releases – via their Bandcamp page here.  

John Welsh
@welshjb

Links:
@peterhall music
@WallyTBM 
@retrovideoclub

theredlitedistrict