Rams’ Pocket Radio

Single: ‘1+2’ released on 26 March

BBC Radio 1 Playlist News, Live Dates (plus Snow Patrol support) also confirmed

“Sensational…Watch this one” Sunday Times Culture

“An outstanding talent…Rams’ engage fans curiosity with beautiful, creative and powerful tracks” Clash

“About to scare the ******* out of every other piano-based band on the planet – Tom Robinson

“An artist of verve and versatility: keep this frequency clear” AU Magazine

Rams’ Pocket Radio has announced details of a brand new single, entitled ‘1+2’. This follows the success of ‘Dieter Rams Has Got The Pocket Radios’, which was playlisted by BBC Radio 1 Introducing in January, and saw spins from the likes of Huw Stephens, Fearne Cotton, Nick Grimshaw and Annie Mac. Rams will complete a UK tour through February, pausing only for a date supporting Snow Patrol at the o2 Arena on February 12.

Rams’ Pocket Radio has earned comparisons with the likes of Frightened Rabbit, and played with everyone from Darwin Deez to Marina and the Diamonds and You Me at Six over the course of 2011. His songs are meticulously crafted and effortlessly epic, mixing elements of pounding, piano-based pop with heavier rock sounds (see Rams’ former life in post-hardcore bands). And it’s all there to be heard in ‘1+2’: driven by a nagging guitar riff and a simple but memorable chorus, ‘1+2’ was written, says Rams, “about making yourself vulnerable to help someone, and the things that can happen as a result.” ‘1+2’ is, moreover, Rams’ most immediate and accessible piece of songwriting to date, settling nicely against some of the EP’s more experimental moments (see the brooding ‘Love Is A  Bitter Thing’, and the glitchy electronics of ‘Swallow’).

The ‘Rams’ in question is Peter McCauley – a drummer, pianist and diverse songwriter from Lisburn. His musical career got off to a less-than-usual start, namely in the National Youth Orchestra of Northern Ireland. McCauley was one of the leading percussionists in the ensemble, boldly tackling the likes of Wagner’s Ring Cycle and Gustav Mahler (not that he knew what he was doing for much of it). Still, it is an influence that you can feel in the big, bold soundscapes Rams has conjured up across these early releases. McCauley then moved to Worthing in pursuit of an Architecture degree, where the desire to design and construct no doubt infused the songs he began to write under the Rams’ Pocket Radio alias.

Who, though, is ‘Rams’, and what is the significance of his pocket radio? Peter’s stage-name is taken from the 1950’s product designer Dieter Rams: viewed by many as the key inspiration behind the iPod (which bears a startling resemblance to the Pocket Radio), and various modern accessories. “His products were relevant to the time but still looked to the future,” explains McCauley. “I like the idea that something we create could have relevance and longevity, accessibility and influence. The way we use and create music changes, but the core principals remain the same.” With his manifesto now nailed, Rams will continue working on his debut album, which will be released later this year.