River Rat Records News

Menace to play at Radio Gagarin "World Space Party"

James Hurst — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 20:12:18 GMT

In aid of Most Mira Youth Festival in Bosnia, Radio Gagrin are throwing a benefit at the New Empowering Church in Hackney, London.

Victor Menace will be headlining, with performances from Shtetl Superstars Orchestra, Nigel Burch, She’Koyokh, and World Of Sevdah.

More details here.

Ruth Theodore in this months fROOTS magazine

Constance Rat — Fri, 26 Mar 2010 18:56:03 GMT

White Holes Of Mole Hills is reviewed by Colin Irwin in this months fROOTS magazine. Available from most UK newsagents or you can click here to read the review straight from the fROOTS website.

It amuses me that as you open the magazine it reads "Frankly, she's not normal. This is good!"

Ruth Theodore confirmed for Larmer Tree Festival

Triona Cummins — Thu, 25 Mar 2010 20:56:43 GMT

Ruth & the Guest Visitors have just been confirmed to play this year's Larmer Tree Festival.

The festival takes place from the 14th-18th of July in the lush Larmer Tree Gardens near Salisbury. Ruth and co will play on Thursday 15th and Sat 17th.

Exact times to be confirmed.

For more information visit the official Larmer Tree Festival site.

New band members for Victor Menace!!!

James Hurst — Thu, 25 Mar 2010 12:36:59 GMT

The Menaces have announced their new line-up, featuring Tansay Omar on drums and Ewan Bleach on Clarinet / Sax:

You can read their blog entry for more details.

Ruth Theodore presenting her new album at Green Note this Thursday 14 Jan!

Liane Escorza — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 19:13:46 GMT

White Holes Of Mole Hills is the compelling and anticipated second album by Ruth Theodore, one of the UK’s most creative New Folk artists. Nine entirely original pieces of characterful storytelling delivered with the utmost care and attention, bringing Ruth’s wholly considered writing to life.

Ruth Theodore is one of those rare talents, for whom creative writing is almost as natural as breathing. Descriptive yet cryptic, honest, tragic, witty and occasionally heart breaking, her deliberate turn of phrase is that of a skilled writer in command of (and having fun with) the idea of contemporary songwriting.

Ruth will be performing her fragile, original and humble work on Thursday 14 January at the Green Note, Camden, London. Do not miss her!

The album is out on Monday 15 February! (More live dates to come)

LOVE RRR xxxx

Listen FREE to White Holes Of Mole Hills by Ruth Theodore for the 12 days of Xmas!

James Hurst — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 11:30:42 GMT

For the 12 days of Christmas you can listen to the brand new album from Ruth Theodore - White Holes Of Mole Hills in its entirety, for FREE, exclusively at http://music.ruththeodore.com

"One drummer drumming
2 pipers piping
6 strings a ringing
one pikey singing

12 whole daaaaaaaaaays!!!

9 whole tracks
played back to back
over 40 minutes long
and with no fucking christmas songs!!!"

It will only be available from the 25th of December through to the 5th of January, so be sure to find yourself a quiet 45 minutes during the festivities!

We're also taking pre-orders now, and if you pre-order before Xmas day Ruth herself will send you a Xmas card entitling you to a FREE copy of Worm Food redeemable at any gig.

You can pre-order the CD, in its unique "White Holes" gatefold recycled card wallet complete with 12 page lyrics book, from: http://www.riverratrecords.com/releases/RRR005

White Holes Of Mole Hills is released on River Rat Records, February 15th 2010.

Merry Xmas!

POLKANANNAY! at The Book Club on New Year's Eve!!!

Liane Escorza — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 19:13:15 GMT

Continental Drifts Presents: POLKANANNAY! POLKA Vs ELECTRO SWING NEW YEAR’S EVE SPECTACULAR

"A Smash hit...this dotty dance team benchmark electro swing" The Guardian @ The Book Club 9pm-4am 100 Leonard Street, EC2A 4RH £12 in advance on www.wegottickets.com/event/65616 £18 on the Door www.myspace.com/polkaclublondon

POLKA CLUB Downstairs - Keepin’ the people Jumpin’ with speed gypsy, crazy Balkan brass, and mad polka tunes. We’ll be making like a crazy gypsy wedding...

Victor Menace - LIVE- Hurtling down the road with a 1000 mile an hour fiddle, the Menace sit somewhere between Gogol Bordello and a heaving hoedown. DJ Penny Metal unleashes a torrent of vintage Eastern European and Russian party gems BJ Crna Trava playing Balkan disco and dub mash-ups DJ Chris Von Tofu with his unfailing gypsy, ska and cumbia will be rockin’ the room.

ELECTRO SWING and FREAKEASY Upstairs – Where vintage and 21st Century meet and 78rpm culture is remixed with a scintillating noughties attitude!

Swing Zazou – LIVE - in their London premier. This 8 piece live electro swing band is driven by brass and in love with beats. A unique jumping Django Rheinhardt sound. Dodo – LIVE - Queen of theremin-fuelled twisted lounge and spacey electro swing in a rare appearance. Tallest DJ In The World – of Freakeasy & Invisible Circus fame - The swing dance remix king. DJ Tofu - Whacked up retro dance fever.

Bargains and Bumhugs

Ruth Theodore — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 19:10:39 GMT

Merry greetings everyone.

Getting ready to leave the city for Christmas, listening to Utah Phillips' old radio shows, I remembered that I hadn't thanked you all for coming and supporting me this past year. It has been difficult and rewarding, recording and completing 'White Holes Of Mole Hills', and thankfully the finished product will be handed over on Christmas eve... Hopefully I won't get carried away and open them all in a frenzied search for another mouth watering cracker joke.

So as a thank you from me and the team at River Rat Records. If you pre-order your copy of 'White Holes Of Mole Hills' from our website before December 25th you'll receive a festive voucher that (when produced at an up-coming performance) entitles you to your own copy of 'Worm Food' absolutely free! Thats such a bargain I might even do it.

Enjoy yourselves and get fat. Hah bumhugs all round.

xx Ruth

Nathan Ball's tour update!

Liane Escorza — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 18:51:20 GMT

Dear friends,

Nathan is now just over half way through his Winter Wanderings tour of the UK :-) Thanks to all of you who have come to hear him play over the past few weeks and a warm winter welcome to those of you who signed the mailing list at one of the tour gigs.

The journey so far… It’s been an amazing month travelling the country playing some beautiful gigs – from the jam-packed opening night in London town to the home-from-home that is the Penzance Arts Club… along the way selling out in Brighton, enchanting audiences in Stroud, Norwich and Nathan’s home town of Bracknell and a very special gig on a boat in Bristol with Martha Tilston… it’s been an incredible journey!

Welsh Wanderings (www.nathanball.com/bangor-2009-tour) Next stop on the road is Bangor in North Wales where Nathan will be playing TOMORROW night (Sat 28th Nov) at The Greek, supported by quirky, experimental folk artist Stacey Cohen and her Wild Mountain Giants.

New Manchester dates (www.nathanball.com/manchester2-2009-tour) After that it’s over to Manchester (yes finally some Manchester dates!) for the first of 2 showcase gigs at the For Folk’s Sake Yuletide Special at The Bay Horse on Wednesday 2 December. The second will take place at the Green Room on Friday 11 December.

South Westerly collaborations (www.nathanball.com/gigs) Following the first Manchester date, Nathan will be return to the South West for a series of dates with the inspiringly talented Tobias Ben Jacob of Roots Union… 3 December: EXMOUTH @ The Beachcomber 4 December: TOTNES @ The Barrelhouse 5 December: HEREFORD @ Café Green (Note the change from the previously publicised Glastonbury gig) 6 December: HAY-ON-WYE @ The Globe

And finally… (www.nathanball.com/leeds-2009-tour) The tour will draw to a close with a final Northern date at the Sela Bar in Leeds on Sunday 13th December with the lovely people from Stone Soup.

After a busy couple of month’s touring, Nathan will head over to Northern Ireland for Christmas and although there are no Irish tour dates booked in, the traditional festive sessions will no doubt provide ample opportunity for even more musical winter wanderings…

Hoping to pass you on the road...

Nathan Ball & friends

A full list of dates is available at www.nathanball.com/gigs

LOVE XXX

Victor Menace playing at Cargo, Wed 25 Nov!

Liane Escorza — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 23:20:09 GMT

Hello all!! Victor Menace will be playing along a bunch of talented musicians in Cargo on Wednesday 25 Nov. Gypsy Soundclash is a special night with new acts experimenting withblakan, gypsy and yiddish sounds. The Shtetl Superstars Orchestra, Alejandro and the Magic Tombolinos, Victor Menace!!, Guettoplotz DJ set, DJ Penny Metal and DJ Tofu will gather together in this world festival to sweep yourfeet off the ground. Don't miss it - £8 at the door, £5 guest, email at music@continentaldrifts.co.uk. Event from 7pm-1am Cargo, 83 Rivington Road, London EC2A 3AY

xxx

A little message by Ruth Theodore

Liane Escorza — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 20:46:49 GMT

I'm really very happy to say that White Holes Of Mole Hills is having its finishing touches and will be handed over for mastering at the very beginning of next week which means we're on target for the 1st February release date!

Album artwork is in full swing but won't go for manufacture for a week or two and I managed to make a music video along the way.

About a month ago my sister, and 3dgoat film crew (Leah and Fionn drove in a camper van down to the isle of Purbeck in Dorset.We stayed the night and got drunk in the local pub before heading to sea with a bath tub strapped to the back of the van, a 'set' of smelly crabs legs dangling out the window and a large pane of glass that we kept loosing cause it was so clean. The plan was to capture the photo for the front of the album and film exactly how hard things like that are when you do them for real and don't use Photoshop. The film that we took would become the music video for ‘Overflow’, a track from White Holes of Mole Hills.

We had to make two attempts because of the unpredictable tide and finally got the shot we wanted at about 6pm having been there all day. Some of the film footage was unfortunately destroyed by the sand but what remains looks really good and is currently under going its second editing session. Will be viewable around the album release date and I think I'll write the story out properly when I have time but in the meantime, I'll try come to you with a few warm-up gigs. See you soon!

xxxx thankyou

Nathan Ball's 4 additional tour dates

Liane Escorza — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 19:34:50 GMT

Thanks bunches to those who came to the opening night last Wednesday. It was a great surprise to see a packed venue. We hope you enjoyed it! Following an invitation to join up with the wonderfully talented Tobias Ben Jacob of popular folk band The Roots Union, Nathan has now added a further 4 dates to the tour as follows:

3 December EXMOUTH (venue TBC)

4 December TOTNES @ The Barrelhouse

5 December GLASTONBURY @ King Arthur

6 December HAY-ON-WYE @ The Globe3 December EXMOUTH (venue TBC)

Forthcoming gigs:

Stroud (Tues 3rd Nov) with local band Hot Feet

Bristol Thekla (Wed 4th Nov) supporting Martha Tilston

Bracknell (Sat 7th Nov)

Brighton (Wed 11th Nov)

BOOK ASAP as tickets are likely to sell out!!

(http://tinyurl.com/lwxpvz)
(http://www.wegottickets.com/event/60365)

Xxx

Nathan Ball's 'Winter Wandering' TOUR OPENING NIGHT!

Liane Escorza — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 20:25:07 GMT

Nathan Ball Winter Wanderings Tour Opening Night!! With support from Ruth Theodore!!

Wednesday 28th October @ The Magpies Nest, Upstairs at the The Old Queens Head, 44 Essex Road, Islington, N1 8LN Price: £5 adv, £6 on the door Tickets: www.wegottickets.com/event/58926 Doors open 8pm More info: http://www.themagpiesnest.co.uk/gigs/nathan-ball-ruth-theodore

Do not miss it! Peace xxx

Ruth Theodore performing tomorrow Thurs 22nd Oct in Camden!

Liane Escorza — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 20:08:55 GMT

Hey hey!

Ruth Theodore will be performing a 30 min set, tomorrow Thursday 22nd Oct, as part of a showcase in Monkey Chews, Camden, at 10pm. £5 entry for the whole showcase at:

Monkey Chews 2 Queens Crescent Chalk Farm NW5 4EP

To book: http://tinyurl.com/earmusictickets

Don’t miss it! See you there! xx

Nathan Ball's 'Winter Wandering' TOUR details

Liane Escorza — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 20:03:10 GMT

Folks! Make sure you book tickets in advance as the two launch gigs for his latest EP sold out in no time!

Opening Night: LONDON 28 October @ The Magpies Nest, Islington http://www.nathanball.com/london-2009-tour Tickets: http://www.wegottickets.com/event/58926

NORWICH 1 November @ The Cidershed http://www.nathanball.com/norwich-2009-tour

STROUD 3 November @ The Prince Albert http://www.nathanball.com/stroud-2009-tour With support from Marianne Parrish & Jack Page of acclaimed local folk outfit ‘Hot Feet’ Tickets: 01453 755600

BRISTOL 4 November @ Bristol Thekla (supporting Martha Tilston) http://www.nathanball.com/bristol-2009-tour Tickets: http://www.gigantic.com/alttickets/event_ate_10442a.html or call 0117 929 3301

BRACKNELL 7 November @ South Hill Park http://www.nathanball.com/bracknell-2009-tour Tickets: http://tinyurl.com/lwxpvz or call 01344 484123

BRIGHTON 11 November @ Latest Music Bar http://www.nathanball.com/brighton-2009-tour Tickets: http://www.wegottickets.com/event/60365 or call 01273 687171

NEW DATE: PENZANCE 20 November @ Penzance Arts Club http://www.nathanball.com/penzance-tour-2009 Tickets: 01736 363761

BANGOR 28 November @ The Greek http://www.nathanball.com/bangor-2009-tour

LEEDS 13 December @ Sela Bar http://www.nathanball.com/leeds-2009-tour

Go to: http://www.nathanball.com/ or contact River Rat Records for more info.

Peace! xxx

Victor Menace!!! to play Bestival

James Hurst — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 17:56:17 GMT

We've just confirmed Victor Menace!!! will be playing this year's Bestival on the Isle Of Wight, which runs September 11th -13th. Look out for them on Sunday night after the main stages close, on the Continental Drifts stage.. which I think might be called the Polka Tent?

Footprints

James Hurst — Tue, 19 May 2009 17:10:21 GMT

The debut EP from Nathan Ball is now available digitally.. both here or from your favourite digital download service!

It harbors 4 brilliant pieces of songsmithery from this great folk guitarist who can be found at almost every festival this summer.

Digital Download Service

James Hurst — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 17:11:53 GMT

From the "better late than never" department; I'm really really happy to announce the arrival of our very own digital download service!

To date you've always been able to get our releases from your favourite third party service, be that iTunes or eMusic or wherever you prefer. These services are great at providing access to large libraries, but at quite a cost - the artist doesn't end up with much from the average sale on any third party service.

Buying MP3s from our site is really easy. It doesn't matter what software or device you use to play digital music, our files will work everywhere, and are encoded at extremely high quality (320kbps VBR).

Obviously, there is no DRM encryption or tracking or anything horrible like that. Once you've paid, these files are yours to keep, burn, eat, as much as you like.

I've also added an option to pay using PayPal, for those that don't have a credit card. At the moment, it's something of a manual process, but soon it'll be more automated. Generally we'd prefer you paid using your card, as this means the transaction is processed via a UK independent company rather than a huge corporation.. but who are we to dictate?

Time to catch some sun before I miss the day completely..

Free Packaging

James Hurst — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 12:33:52 GMT

We've managed to get our hands on a supply of used Jiffy bags and similar, perfectly suitable for shipping out CDs..

So whilst stocks last, there's no package costs when ordering from this site!

False Alarm Video

James Hurst — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 20:00:05 GMT

Here's a sneak preview of material from Ruth Theodore's next album.. filmed during recent rehearsals.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LW1aO1psjIE

You can catch her with a full band of guest visitors, plus support from Nathan Ball at the Green Note on March 12th.

Tickets are available here: http://www.wegottickets.com/event/44907

Victor Menace!!! Thrice The Party Out Today

James Hurst — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 17:57:10 GMT

This was supposed to be posted this morning, but I got a little distracted playing in the snow..

Victor Menace!!! - 'Thrice The Party' is available today, exclusively from this website. It's just three tracks until we get them back in the studio, but running to a whopping 18 minutes you've got plenty to dance to!

It's available on CD in a 100% recycled card wallet, and also as a digital download from next month.

You can click here to preview the tracks.

Merry Greetings Everyboppy!

Ruth Theodore — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 14:13:16 GMT

Although we seem to be suspiciously modest with our news posts, there have been plenty of goings on and letting the New Year in without an update wouldn't do at all.

For starters, we have this here fancy new website for you to admire, and although many of the new features he has been building aren't visible yet, James assures me it has a much improved rear end.. so expect more soon!

Secondly, Thrice The Party by Victor Menace!!! will be released on the 2nd of Februray, and is now available for pre-order.. and it's fucking brilliant.

Today we are giving two new tracks intended for my second album their finishing touches, and although we're excited about them (and this is a season of sharing), they remain top secret and you can't hear them, so bugger off!

By the way, it is now easier and cheaper than ever to bugger off with a copy of Worm Food, so bugger off!

Merry Christmas!

Ha bumhug!

Lots of love, Ruth and James x

Proper Folk Rising!

James Hurst — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 16:11:50 GMT

Today Proper Music Distribution released a compilation of young folk artists called Folk Rising 2, which features the track Murray's Wives from Ruth Theodore's Worm Food!

The follow up to last year's successful 'Folk Rising' and the phenomenal success of the 'That's Proper Folk!' sampler. This time 23 artists are included on two CDs, reflecting the growing momentum behind the current folk revival and features many artists who are at the start of their careers but who are still attracting considerable critical acclaim and media interest.

Back in May we signed a distribution deal with Proper (the UK's largest independent), which means that you can now buy our releases from your favourite independent record stores, as well as all the major chains like HMV and Amazon, but try and keep that to yourselves :)

Worm Food is also now available from practically all of the digital download services, including iTunes in DRM free format.

So, it's never been easier to grab yourself a copy!

Soon (when I manage to write the rest of the code) we'll be launching our very own digital download service, so you'll be able to buy high quality MP3s direct from us.. all in good time.

The Menacing Odore of a Tom Cat Sized Tofu Ball

James Hurst — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 09:45:52 GMT

Since we finished building the studio it's been non-stop recording at River Rat! Some exciting noises (and some nasty ones) have been shaking the walls here..

We produced an EP for Morricone-inspired rockers Death Cats, an EP of brand new songs from the Tofu Love Frogs who are officially back to eat your babies, as well as the first ever recordings of Victor Menace!!! - some (including me) said it couldn't be done, but with acrobatics and occasional death defying stunts their first CD has been made!

It doesn't stop there though.. Nathan Ball has an EP almost finished, Ruth Theodore is prolific as ever recording brand new material which is really exciting, Alejandro Toledo and the Magic Tombolinos tracked 9 songs before going to Poland to record vocals, and Pintsized has been using downtime to confuse the hell out of the studio equipment with a soldering iron and sticky-backed plastic.

We have other exciting announcements too, but I'll bite my tongue for now.

In the gig space, Ruth Theodore is at Monkey Chews tonight in Chalk Farm with Gabby Young.. should be a great night so we hope to see some of you there! CDs of Ruth's album will be for sale as usual.

On the 22nd of June Victor Menace!!! will be playing with the Tofu Love Frogs at Lea Valley Festival.. keep your eye on the events page for actual details since they're a bit thin at the moment, but it promises to be a fantastic day out!

CO2 Monkeys

James Hurst — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 09:47:29 GMT

We've uploaded our first YouTube contribution.. Ruth Theodore playing 'CO2' at Monkey Chews back in February.. enjoy!

Ruth and her band are back at Monkey Chews tonight, on stage somewhere around 9pm. I'll have copies of her album on me so come out and treat yourself! Full details on the events page as always.

YouTube Rabies Talking Hootananny Babies Heads

James Hurst — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 11:47:39 GMT

Howdy y'all,

So what's new? We've been busy finishing off the studio with more lovely rockwool.. the first recording in the 'live room' happened at the weekend so I guess that means we're up and running! More pics and stuff soon.

On a related subject, we've created our own YouTube channel where we'll be uploading videos.. we've got some great live Ruth Theodore performances from the last Monkey Chews to go up, but most likely we'll get carried away with the novelty and upload useless yet self-entertaining drivel. More details to come..

You've got two chances to catch Victor Menace!!! in action this weekend, they're playing at Brixton Hootananny on Friday night and supporting Rabies Babies at Chats Palace on Saturday. Take your pick!

And finally, get yourself down to Southampton for Easter.. we'll be hosting the first ever River Rat event at Talking Heads on Thursday the 20th of March, featuring Nathan Ball, Ruth Theodore, The Moulettes and of course the marginally insane but consistently entertaining Victor Menace!!!.

See the events listing for full details.

Happy noo year everyone!

Constance Rat — Mon, 07 Jan 2008 12:40:56 GMT

Since the release of 'Worm Food' in November '07 River Rat has been playing 'builders'! With help from a few friends, a love affair with some rockwool and a near death experience with a circular saw, we have transformed two rooms in an old North London factory into a recording studio with control room and separate live room. There's still work to be done before we can begin recording, but now, with a proper base, surrounded by proper rats, at least we look like we know what we're doing!

River Rat launches Worm Food

Constance Rat — Mon, 29 Oct 2007 11:26:32 GMT

Last Sunday we celebrated the launch of River Rat and Ruth Theodore's album 'Worm Food', by hosting an evening at the Vortex Jazz Club in Dalston.

The evening began with a wistful set from Ruth and the band, playing largely the slower songs from the album to a braced and silent audience. After a few words were said on behalf of the record label we introduced Nathan Ball to the stage, who was once more accompanied by that haunting cello and captivating as ever.

After an interval came the second set from Ruth Theodore, this time performing solo and tearing in to her guitar with the faster more rhythmical tracks from the album (including the title track 'Worm Food').

To finish we saw the return of the rest of Ruth's band that drove home the final few tracks to a crowd who's attention and enthusiasm made the whole night really enjoyable for everyone.

'Worm Food' will be available to buy from this website on the 5th of November.

Worm Food

Constance Rat — Thu, 05 Apr 2007 23:00:00 GMT

We're happy to announce that halfway through the 56^th verse of "why are we waiting", the debut album 'Worm Food' from Ruth Theodore was declared finished.

74 slurred verses of "for she's a jolly good fellow" have since been sung... now she's considering releasing that instead!

We hope you like our new website, there's more to come so check back soon..