Listen of the Week – RAMS’ Pocket Radio, Béton

RAMS’ pocket radio – Béton, 2013

I got a press release a few days ago about RAMS’ Pocket Radio‘s debut single Love Is A Bitter Thing which is taken from the album Béton (French for concrete). Béton is RAMS’ Pocket Radio’s first full length album and was privately and uniquely launched last June at The Stiff Kitten in Belfast with the help of Snow Patrol, David C Clements, Duke Special and Soak and publicly released last September 2013. The launch was unique in the sense that it allowed for dedicated fans to get their hands on the physical album before the rest of the world.

The debut single launch is actually the build up to his upcoming tour of the USA and Ireland and SXSW Festival dates. The reason Love Is A Bitter Thing was chosen is this …

Love is a Bitter Thing is the first single to be released from Béton. It has long been celebrated as the jewel in RAMS’ live set, and sits as a reflective pause in the album itself. The single will be accompanied by new versions recorded by Alana Henderson and electronic artist Ryan Vail, as well as an official music video, and live duet with SOAK (newly signed to CHVRCHES’ label).

As I listened to the new single, which I really felt and warmed to immediately, which will be available for purchase and download everywhere on Monday 17th March and which I have kindly featured below, I got the itching to hear and know more about this RAMS fella.

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RAMS’ pocket radio is Peter McCauley, a drummer, pianist, jack-of-all and songwriter. Unfettered personal expression is the impetus of the project and with the works of the 1950’s product designer, Dieter Rams, in mind – purity, simplicity and longevity are the first concerns. (ramspocketradio.wordpress)

So RAMS Pocket Radio is Dieter RAMS who is actually the alias of Peter McCauley. Wha? … to put it simply, Peter is an extremely talented musician and songwriter from Lisburn, Northern Ireland. Wanting to hear more, I got on Spotify and listened to the whole Béton album there and then, plus the singles online too. The result? It’s my Listen of the Week. RAMS is described as a multi-instrumentalist and I’ve read that he takes inspiration from Beethoven to Radiohead to Pop music and when you listen to the album you can hear these eclectic inspirations coming through.

Here’s a few words that have been gushed about him …

… about to scare the ******* out of every other piano based band on the planet – Tom Robinson, BBC 6 Music

Truly remarkable, truly epic.. A great name and a great band – Rory McConnell, BBC Radio 1

Peter McCauley is a frightening talent that will soon be on the world’s radar I have no doubt. I can’t wait to hear what he does next. I think it will be something very special indeed. – Gary Lightbody, Snow Patrol/Q Magazine

Last winter, RAMS’ supported Foy Vance on his U.S. and European tour. Before this, he toured Europe, UK and Ireland, I didn’t go see him obviously but on his return from the U.S. this March I’m going to do my best to catch him in Doyle’s at the Ruby Sessions. Keep note of the date – Tuesday March 25th, the sessions kick off at 9pm.

RAMS’ Pocket Radio Tour Dates: