Looking Back UK to release music featured in an award-winning film

Posted on 10/01/202010/01/2020 by Revolver Records

South Staffordshire band, Looking Back UK, have released the album “Can Anybody Hear Me?”. The title track is featured in the new film “How to Build a Girl” and will be released on Revolver Records from the 10th of January 2020.

“How to Build a Girl”, based upon a screenplay written by Caitlin Moran, the film has won ‘The Prize of the International Federation of Film Critics’ (FIPRESCI Prize) at The Toronto International Film Festival in 2019. The film has received many positive reviews from critics, stating “Some pure Caitlin Moran gold is to be had in this very funny and sometimes inspiring coming-of-age comedy” – Peter Bradshaw, The Guardian.

With links to the midlands aplenty in the film, it only made sense that some of the music would feature artists of the area. Looking Back UK, comprised of the members; Derek Ridgway, Darron Hickey, Ian Nichols, Henry Bradley and Peter Hoggins, have been an active band since 2012 and have played in venues all over the UK. On getting the track into the film, Derek explained how it was all by chance encounters and knowing the right people. “Gareth Scales, who is now one of the top film editors around contacted me about our music. The film company needed an original song for the film ideally by a Wolverhampton band and did we have anything suitable. I contacted my song writing partner, Darron, and we sent all we had over to the film’s musical producer. For months we heard nothing then quite out of the blue we were contacted and asked if they could use our song “Can Anybody Hear Me”. We were over the moon and that finally after over 30 years of writing songs and being on the road we were to get some recognition for our work.”

The album is to be Released by Revolver Records, based in the midlands, on the 10th of January 2020 and can be found on all major streaming services.

Revolver’s ‘Anthony Wilson Prize’ won by University of Wolverhampton Student

Posted on 16/09/201916/09/2019 by Revolver Records

Revolver’s ‘Anthony Wilson Prize’ won by University of Wolverhampton Student

A University of Wolverhampton graduate has been awarded a prize which is designed to encourage students to study arts in the midlands.
Keira Carter, 20 from Birmingham, studied for a Popular Music degree at the School of Performing Arts based at the Walsall Campus.
She was awarded a certificate and a cheque for £250 by Revolver Music who have committed to supporting graduates over the next five years.
The annual award, “The Anthony Wilson Prize for Excellence in Popular Music, Sponsored by Revolver Music”, will be presented to one graduate per year over the next five years for excelling in their music studies.
Revolver Music is an international, independent music label with a base in Wolverhampton that has signed The Stone Roses, Jaynes Addiction, Magnum and hundreds of other artists across North America and Europe.
Paul Birch, director of Revolver Music, said: “Anthony Wilson was the owner of Factory Records in Manchester and also the Hacienda nightclub. He signed Joy Division, New Order, James and the Happy Mondays – he was also a continuity announcer and a newsreader on Granada TV.
“He sadly passed away ten years ago after battling with cancer and this annual prize is designed to keep his name alive. His flair, can-do attitude and determination singled him out as a unique and stoic entrepreneur. He went from famous to legend when Steve Coogan played him in the film, 24 Hour Party People, which documented the iconic Manchester label and nightclub that he founded.
“We hope that a prize award in his name will inspire music students for generations to come.”
Keira hit the right note last year when she released her first single on Spotify and iTunes after responding to a brief to compose a song suitable to celebrate the graduating class of 2018 Performing Arts students. Her composition, ‘You Light Me Up’ was played at all the University graduation ceremonies.
Keira said: “I am very grateful to be honoured this prize which will benefit my professional status in the music industry. I have many aspirations and goals set out for my music career including working with videographers to shoot a music video for the Graduation Song of 2018 “You Light Me Up” with the help of local creatives.
“I am looking forward to my future now that I have collected the skills I needed in order for me to progress and appreciate all the help from people I have met along the way to make this journey possible.”
For anyone who already has their results, applications can now be made through the Clearing website, calling the HOTLINE on 01902 518585 or contacting us through our Social Media channels on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram. Anyone interested in studying at the School of Performing Arts should register for the next Open Day on Saturday 12th October 2019.

The Hidden Hand Review: Genius Babble

Posted on 27/07/201606/03/2017 by Alex Knight

Pete Kent – The Hidden Hand – Album Review

Genius Babble: Sunday, April 24, 2016

Written By Tom Coombs

There is nothing more beautiful to behold than a perfectly played guitar. I am not talking rock chords here, I am talking classical or the way the guitar should be played. With this in mind I would like to introduce you to Pete Kent and his second album ‘The Hidden Hand’.

Pete Kent from Wolverhampton is a finger-style instrumentalist who is at the top of his game and is the ultimate in one man musical genius and skill. It seems that I am gushing but just wait until you hear the music, doing all percussion himself along with the guitar in what are amazing compositions.

Following on from début album ‘The Sands of Time’ Pete Kent is bringing you more of the same energy that you wouldn't expect from an instrument only eleven track album. Most of the songs are his own but he also has three covers, consisting of ‘everywhere’ by Fleetwood Mac, ‘The Way It Is’ by Bruce Hornsby & The Range and Level 42’s ‘Hot Water’ which really shows the mix of music within Pete Kent’s repertoire.

There is something relaxing but energetic with the sounds of an acoustic guitar only, and the riffs from top to bottom just keep you glued.

From the upbeat songs like ‘Icon’ to the soulful slow songs like ‘When The Lights Go Down’ the sound is mesmerising and beautiful to hear.

5 Stars – Once you hear the skill and energy in the music you will have to own it

Review Sourced From: http://geniusbabblereviews.blogspot.co.uk/2016/04/pete-kent-hidden-hand-album-review.html

The Hidden Hand Review: Watdonline

Posted on 27/07/201614/03/2017 by Alex Knight

PETE KENT - ‘THE HIDDEN HAND’ (2016)

Watdonline: June 2016

Written by Bobby Scaife

The last few years have seen a boom in fingerpicking style guitarists wowing audiences all over the country, however in the instrumental market it’s easy to grow desensitised by the amount of unbelievable talent available. Nevertheless, the one man band community has just received a serious shot in the arm with the arrival of Pete Kent’s second album, ‘The Hidden Hand’.

The Wolverhampton hero wows from the off with gorgeous introduction ‘Icon’, which follows a lovely fast paced motif that leaves the listener uncontrollably following every movement until little off the cuff guitar runs eliciting – well this writer at least, massive grins all round.

The album as a whole darts between apace and slow moving, leaving the listener guessing. Tracks one through to four for example, sees Kent change from unbelievably quick guitar work, to a slower, more grooving offering; then to the quick Gaelic-influenced title track, and then back to a more gentle feel.

The audience is then treated to a great cover of the famous Level 42 song ‘Hot Water’. Level 42’s Mark King is an advocate of Kent and it’s easy to see why. The iconic track is given a great reimagining, featuring fantastic movement between playing styles, and terrific use of harmonics.

Any criticism of the album is perhaps unfair to Kent himself. It’s easy to say that some of these songs sound like something is missing due to the nature of the instrumental genre. ‘When the Lights Go Down’ sees Kent employ delicate arpeggios reminiscent of the late Jeff Buckley, and its all too easy to picture an equally delicate voice singing over the top to possibly give tracks such as this all that they deserve.

However Pete Kent is obviously content being the show stopping one man band - rather than play the Marr to someone else’s Morrissey he has crafted his own dynamic place within the one-man-band field, and that’s perfectly okay with us at Wolf at the Door; I mean, you only have to listen to the opening few seconds of the epic closer, ‘One Trick Pony’ to see why. Whereas the one man band used to be seen as amongst the loneliest of musical directions, Pete Kent shows just how fun it can be.

7/10

Review sourced from: http://watdonline.tumblr.com/post/140220024743/pete-kent-the-hidden-hand-2016-the-last-few

The Sands Of Time Review: ELO Beatles Forever

Posted on 27/07/201607/03/2017 by Alex Knight

REVIEW: SANDS OF TIME [Pete Kent]

ELOBeatlesForever.com: FRIDAY, 18 JULY 2014

Written By KEITH J SINCLAIR

Hello ... Hello ... my old friends ... It's great to see you once again! Regular visitors to ELO Beatles Forever [ELOBF] will know that it is a great pleasure of mine to also occasionally introduce and recommend talented local artistes to you too. One of the plus points of last week's Brewood Music Festival was to witness an astounding exhibition of fingerstyle guitar craft by Wolverhampton's very own Pete Kent in support of The Trevor Burton Band. His performance was so good that I got hold of a copy of Pete's debut album "Sands Of Time" [Revolver Music #REVXD2016] for a listen.

If you are also a fan of Mike Oldfield, Gordon Giltrap and/or Lindsey Buckingham, then this eleven track release may well appeal to you. With two unique covers of Level 42's "Something About You" and The Police's "Roxanne" nestled in amongst nine of Pete's own compositions, this is an excellent showcase with the title track, "Postman's Knock", "Soul Mates", "Slipstream" and "The Spiral"particularly impressing. "Believe Me Now" ... It's a great record to listen to with the headphones on and it's a great record to have as a companion in your car too! [8/10]

Review Sourced From: http://elobeatlesforever.blogspot.co.uk/2014/07/review-sands-of-time-pete-kent.html

The Hidden Hand Review: Minor 7th

Posted on 27/07/201614/03/2017 by Alex Knight

Pete Kent, "The Hidden Hand," 2016

Minor 7th: May/June 2016.

Written By Kirk Albrecht

It's ironic that the last cut on Pete Kent's second solo acoustic guitar CD is titled "One Trick Pony," because as a guitarist, he's not that! Kent shows off about every trick in the modern fingerstyle arsenal – tapping, slapping, harmonics, percussive effects, slides, bends, and straight finger picking – all to good effect on the 11 tunes on "The Hidden Hand." He is deft when needed, simple in the best sort of way by not trying to do more with a phrase than the music requires. But Kent can play, as evidenced by the opening cut, "Icon," as he slaps and picks, mixing in a few ripping arpeggios to make sure you're not lulled by the grooving rhythm.

The CD has eight originals and three covers: a terrific version of Bruce Hornsby's hit "The Way It Is" that captures the drive of the original; "Everywhere" by Fleetwood Mac, where we can almost hear the melody sung by Christine McVie; and Level 42's "Hot Water" played with sass and funk. "Every Time I See Your Face" is a delicate flower. The title cut "The Hidden Hand" begins with a Spanish-style repetition with reverb, then shifts into another gear of single note runs while retaining an Andalusian feel. "Summer Daze" has a sing-song quality as the bass and melody tick-tock back and forth like a rocker on the front porch in the cool evening air. Maybe it's the title, but "The Devil's Chair" has a certain drive and power all its own in a haunting kind of way as bass plays off harmonics through much of the song. There's not a weak song on the CD. British audiences are being treated to some fine playing when Kent takes the stage, and we can only hope for more offerings as creative and well played as "The Hidden Hand."

© Kirk Albrecht

Review Sourced From: http://www.minor7th.com/m7_6_16.html#Kent

The Hidden Hand Review: Fatea

Posted on 27/07/201614/03/2017 by Alex Knight

The Hidden Hand

Fatea-Records.com: Date unknown

Written By: John Knighton

A road trip to Glasgow with my two twenty-something lads was a good chance to see if they shared my taste in acoustic music. And Pete Kent's album of instrumentals might have been a step too far but I needn't have worried. Eleven tracks featuring eight originals and three intriguing covers makes for an interesting collection of tunes. From the first bars of the opening track Icon, they were full of appreciation.

His debut album, Sands Of Time, was released in 2013 and The Hidden Hand follows a similar path. There are three covers - Everywhere by Fleetwood Mac, The Way It Is by Bruce Hornsby and Hot Water by Level 42.

The entire album showcases this Wolverhampton-based guitarist's immense talent. There is a whole rage of different techniques to appreciate. The sublime finger-picking is there for all to hear, sometimes accompanied with some rhythmic percussion. And while an entire album of guitar instrumentals may not be everyone's cup of tea, there is enough light and shade to keep most people happy. The hi-tempo opener is followed by a slower, slap-happy Every Time I See Your Face, a throbbing bass line holding it all together very nicely.

The title track is another up-tempo whirlwind of a tune - with mesmerising single string runs. I can see why Level 42's Hot Water is a favourite of Pete's - with it's superb bass lines - this is a superb version, full of fretboard gymnastics. Excellent. After the fireworks of Hot Water we are brought down to earth with the lilting When The Light Go Down, a reflective piece that soothes the soul.

Fleetwood Mac's Everywhere is superbly carried off - sometimes it hard to imagine there's just one player here. Lovely. The Devil's Chair heralds more string-sapping runs, Skyline is more thoughtful but nevertheless intricate. The Way It Is is another excellent example of Pete's skills, slapping away while the guitar gently weeps. Superb stuff.The final track, One Trick Pony, is the shortest on the album but it is a cracker to finish with. Fireworks indeed.

If you appreciate consummate musicianship then this one album you should listen to.

Pete Kent- The Hidden Hand PRE-ORDER INFO

Posted on 16/02/201616/02/2016 by Revolver Records

We’ve been teasing you a little with the news of Pete Kent’s second album, and we can now officially reveal the artwork, track listing and how to get your hands on it! Big thanks to Helen Dale for the fantastic artwork that you’ll see below. But, we know all you want to know is how to pre-order it!

There are 2 versions you can pre-order. You can either pre-order “The Hidden Hand,” and his debut album “The Sands Of Time,” as a double package for £15, or you can pre-order just “The Hidden Hand,” for £10.

To pre-order, all you have to do is email us at sales@revolver.coop and tell us your name, which version you’d like to order, your address and a contact phone number. We’ll call you in the week before the release to process payment and we’ll ship it straight out in time for release! The first 1000 albums will be pressed on a vinyl style CD, so you’ll have a special limited version before they revert to standard discs.

So, what are you waiting for?! Get hold of your copy before they disappear!

Tracklist:

Icon (Kent)
Everytime I See Your Face (Kent)
The Hidden Hand (Kent)
Summer Daze (Kent)
Hot Water (King, Lindup, Badarou, Gould)
When The Lights Go Down (Kent)
Everywhere (McVie)
The Devil’s Chair (Kent)
Skyline (Kent)
The Way It Is (Hornsby)
One Trick Pony (Kent)

Produced, Engineered and Mastered by Greg Chandler at Priory Recording Studios, Canwell.

Artwork by Helen Dale

Photography by Helen Lloyd & Scott Dale

More Ways To Connect

Posted on 15/01/201615/01/2016 by Revolver Records

Oh, hi there. How are you on this fine winter’s day? Good to hear it! Here at Revolver, we’re gearing up for a pretty busy year, and we’re slowly but surely giving you a ton of new ways to interact with us. You’ve seen on the right our Twitter feeds are live and being used as much as possible. Well, now we have our Facebook pages up and running again! You can either click on www.facebook.com/revrecs and www.facebook.com/heavymetalrecords or follow the widget links on the right. Youtube and Instagram are coming…just a ton of other stuff to do first!

Also, Raw Energee’s single “Climb The Wall,” is available now on all good digital stores, so make sure you check it out!