Sons records

infobox record label
founded = 2004
founder = Neil Graham, Seb Clarke, Al Padmore, James Wakefield, Tangwyn Davies
genre = Indie rock
country = UK
location = Stoke-on-Trent
url = [www.thesoulofnorthstaffsltd.co.uk/]

The Soul of North Staffs or 'SONS' is an independent record label based in Stoke-on-Trent. Formed in 2004 by Neil Graham, Seb Clarke, Al Padmore, James Wakefield and Tangwyn Davies. The label consists solely of bands native to the North Staffs area and has become a vital part of Midlands Music Scene [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=agczfSoaSds - SONS' band 'This is Seb Clarke' Perform at Midlands festival, Dpercussion] . Having recently received national attention from Steve Lamacq and Huw Stephens (6music, Radio 1) as well as Mark Radcliffe and Stuart Marconie (Radio 2) SONS has earned comparisons to Factory Records for its DIY ethic and its unique label sound. [http://www.bbc.co.uk/6music/shows/music_week/ Broadcast: 03/02/08]

ONS Label Showcases

Every 3 months the label hosts a large showcase event in the centre of Stoke-on-Trent. These events feature all of the bands on the SONS roster as well as big name DJs such as Steve Lamacq, Chris Hawkins, Phil Jupitus, Carl Barat ("The Libertines") and Jon Kennedy. These showcase nights have become a regular marker in the Stoke Music calendar and a centrepiece for the burgeoning scene.

The first SONS Showcase took place at the King's Hall and featured DJ slots from Andy Rourke("The Smiths"), Huw Stephens, Russ Winstanley(Northern Soul Legend). Since then there have been a further two showcase nights which have taken place at the Victoria Hall in Hanley whith the next night planned for the 2nd of August. The last of these shows took place on April 19th and was hosted by Carl Barat and Didz Hammond [ [http://stokesounds.blogspot.com/2008/04/sons-ltd-showcase-victoria-hall-hanley.html Stoke Sounds: SONS Ltd Showcase @ Victoria Hall, Hanley. April 19th ] ] of the band "Dirty Pretty Things".

The next Showcase is due to take place on 11th October and it to be hosted by Alexa Chung, Colin Murray and Phil Jupitus.

Chart Success

SONS' first chart success came with the simultaneous release of 3 singles in January of 2007 by This Is Seb Clarke, Friends of Ken and The Title. These singles charted respectively at 7, 9 and 15 in the UK Independent Chart and received national airplay across 6music and Radio 1.

In March 2008 the label once again released 4 singles simultaneously, all of which entered into the top 5 of the UK Independent Chart in their first week of release: This is Seb Clarke, the label's longest serving signees marked the label's highest chart position to date, knocking The Futureheads off the number 1 spot. However, due to the label's financial constraints, only 1000 copies of each single were pressed, leading to all singles dropping out of the top 40 a week later due to lack of physical stock.

Full release details

*SONSTISC000001 This is Seb Clarke - Rover [CD album]
*SONSTISC0002 This is Seb Clarke - 'Spring Morning Sunshine' [CD single]
*SONSTITL0003 The Title - 'Slippin' and Slidin' [CD single]
*SONSTISC0004 This is Seb Clarke - 'I Just Can't Carry On' [CD single]
*SONSFROK0005 Friends of Ken - 'Backwards' [CD single]
*SONSTITL0006 The Title - 'Madman' [CD single]
*SONSNOVS0001 The Novellos - 'The Lady is Not for Turning' [CD single]
*SONSRAPH0001 Raphaels - 'Charming Man' [CD single]
*SONSTISC0005 This is Seb Clarke - Rock n' Roll Alamo Part 7 [CD single]

Artists currently signed to SONS Records

*This Is Seb Clarke
*The Title
*The Novellos
*Raphaels
*La Dies
*The Capellas
*The Rough Charm

ee also

* List of record labels

References