Paul Kelly Vocals, Guitar, Keyboards
Joe Greatorex Bass Guitar
Jason Sweeney Drums
Influences
daniel johnston, partridge & moulding, holsapple & stamey, darren hayman, alex chilton, david gedge, brian wilson, j. richman, k. barnes, andersson/ulvaeus, sparks, bowie, eno, r. davies, you know the kind of thing.
Sounds Like
For UK bookings please contact:
pauljosephkelly at hotmail dot com
Sweden/Scandinavia:
christian@grooverrecordings.com
'YOUR SINCLAIR' album
1. Murry & Audree
2. Don't Want To Talk
3. Really Cursed
4. Frost
5. Mod Val
6. Summer Tweed
7. Kicking And Screaming
8. Duality
9. Contemptuous Disdain
10. Finale CDON.com(EU/Scandinavia) Kool Kat Music(USA) Not Lame(USA)
Paul Kelly adopted the name when Christian Örjestål discovered his melodic indie-pop on the 'net and subsequently released material on two compilations by the man’s celebrated Groover Recordings imprint as a result.
Following a favourable reaction across the international pop underground, an EP, “Do It Riot Grrl” was the precursor to the début album “Your Sinclair”.
Recorded in Stockholm with Shout Out Louds producer Ronald Bood, “Your Sinclair” evokes 60s beat, 70s new wave and 80s indie - with a few moments of intense guitar abuse thrown in for good measure. The band toured Norway and Sweden in 2007 to promote the album following positive critical acclaim and continue to enjoy some popularity in that hemisphere.
So far the fickle UK scene has yet to catch up however “Your Sinclair” was album of the week on BBC Radio Scotland’s Tom Morton show. What does he reckon?
"The Martial Arts...roots rooted grand-pop confectioners with guts, glamour and all the potential for glory. The Swedes love 'em. Why can't we?"
It’s not altogether clear how a bunch of youngsters from Glasgow can combine the sounds of Halfnelson (pre-Sparks for any young ‘uns) and The dB's with likes of Hefner and the Violent Femmes, but if any of the aforementioned do it for you then chances are that The Martial Arts will push similar buttons.
"The Martial Arts are in a blissful time warp that traps bands between the 60s and the present day. Equally excellent, check out both "Summer Tweed" and "Finale" to get your daily dose of radiant, sunshiny indiepop." - LOOSE RECORD
“As fortune would have it this album landed with me a matter of days after I narrowly missed seeing them live. A shame really as this is a thoroughbred collection of quality guitar driven pop. The production coupled with a generous use of keys - from theremin to synths - keeps the sound fresh making the influences harder to pin down. 'Contemptuous Disdain' is good example that mixes everything up well and even features a hint of ska. Upbeat opener 'Murry & Audree' is reminiscent of 60s beat but could just as easily be pulling from mid seventies Flamin' Groovies. Not that it matters, it’s three and a half minutes of timeless pop. Don’t Want to Talk continues in the same vain. Four songs in and 'Frost' changes tack a bit - a not quite ballad anchored by piano. Straight away 'Mod Val' kicks in and accelerates away as the guitars are reasserted in something of a punk out. 'Summer Tweed' is another stand out bit of tunesmithery from Paul Kelly - California style pop conceived in Northern Europe. Talking of which, this would have probably been my album for the summer months if it was not already pissing October.” - IS THIS MUSIC?
“Jaw on floor, dancing boots in turbo, absolutely marvellous, marvellous stuff. Expect great things - if not, you’ve only your damn selves to blame.” - THE SKINNY
“I’ve had this album on repeat since I got it!” – Lennart Wrigholm, Musiklandet.se
“An enchanting pop explosion” – Lisa Olaison, Sundsvalls Tidning
“Buy This Record!” – Dalademokraten
“The Martial Arts are the creators of this years indie summer” – Arbetarbladet
“Amazing melodies....the sky is the limit for The Martial Arts” – Groove Magazine
“Almost perfect” - Falu Kuriren, Borlänge Tidning
"An extremely recommendable disc for all" -blondie.cl
"The first words on this great album, are also my last - “Listen up to good advice” - listen to The Martial Arts." - Will Campbell, sohostrut.co.uk
"Don't Want To Talk" on a special edition of my show, The British Breakfast on WRIR 97.3FM Richmond, Virginia USA and streamed live on www.wrir.org this Sunday from 5-7AM my time which is 10AM-Noon UK Time.
"Summer Tweed" by The Martial Arts on my radio show, The British Breakfast on WRIR 97.3FM Richmond, Virginia USA and streamed live on www.wrir.org this Saturday between 9-11AM mytime which is 2-4PM UK time.
Would love to play your stuff on my radio show, The British Breakfast on WRIR 97.3FM Richmond, Virginia USA and streamed live on wrir.org. Can you make that happen? Respectfully, Gene Pembleton ewpsw@hotmail.com 2500 Lauderdale Drive Richmond, Virginia USA 23233
Hey guys finally managed to see you this year!! Gig was fab, really njoyed myself and you played all my fave songs! Hope to see you in under 12 months next time, I hope you managed to hand out more albums on Thurs night.
...But I saw you last night! Good show, good show :) And thank you for the CD aswell, listened to it today :) Hope you lads had a good time aswell! xox Jules
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Good news! The brand new powerpopcompilation "Souvenirs" is being released this week! It contains 21 great North American powerpop tracks from 1975-95. You can hear three of the songs that just have been uploaded on our Myspage page. The CD also contains a previously unreleased song by the great Canadian band Pointed Sticks recorded in the late 70..s. It is availabe from Not Lame Records and Kool Kat Musik, and it will very soon be available from CD Baby.
Join us in one month's time at The Brooklyn Soul Festival, two nights of the legends of soul music, August 28 and 29, featuring Otis Clay, Barbara Lynn, Maxine Brown, Roscoe Robinson, and Hermon Hitson - backed by Eli "Paperboy" Reed and the True Loves (Aug. 28) and The Sweet Divines (Aug. 29).
$15 advance will call tickets still available via our myspace page, as are special $25 two-day passes - save money by reserving early...tickets will be $20 at the door if we have not sold out. Look forward to seeing you there!
Be sure to come early on Saturday, August 29, for our record and vintage clothing fair 11am-5pm - no cover for this part! Top soul DJs from around the world will be spinning the finest 45s for the dancefloor both nights!
Thanks for being our friend!
Let me tell you about RHYTHM FESTIVAL 2009
at Twinwood Arena, Clapham, Bedford, MK41 6AB
over the weekend of
Friday 21 to Sunday 23 August 2009
ALABAMA 3, THE PROCLAIMERS, JAMES HUNTER, TERRY REID
GLENN TILBROOK & THE FLUFFERS, THE BEAT, BLOW MONKEYS
MARTIN TURNER'S WISHBONE ASH, JOHN COOPER CLARKE
+ lots, lots more...
More information from: http://rhythmfestival.net/buytickets.html