Local band The Lottery Winners have dropped a new music video for their latest single featuring Shaun Ryder, simply entitled, ‘Money’.
The Leigh-based four-piece are about to release their new album, A.R.T (Anxiety Replacement Therapy), their fifth record in what has been a whirlwind few years for the band who have shot to fame both on the Manchester music scene and the UK in general.
Having already teased some serious collaborations on this latest project as part of the announcement, not to mention their track with Frank Turner, ‘Start Again’, gaining the group a whole new audience, fans were understandably buzzing to see Shaun Ryder join the roster of feature artists.
Not only does the Happy Mondays and ‘Madchester’ icon offer up his vocals on the track — having apparently ad-libbed his parts and even chucking in the classic line from ‘Call The Cops’ for some added nostalgia — but, as you can see, he is very much the star of the show in the brilliantly shot music video.
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Playing the lord of the manor (the very same Peaky Blinders‘ Tommy Shelby lives in, no less) as the band take on the role of a removal firm, Ryder is treated like the music royalty that he is throughout, with plenty of humour and energy running throughout.
The song is about something we can all relate to at the minute: “being skint”. Story of my life. That’s frontman Thom Rylance’s words, by the way, though it definitely makes the track feel like one for the moment.
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Better still, the band are backing it up with their upcoming UK tour starting this April, having sold out several venues already with their affordable ticket prices. Well in, guys.
While the band are obviously excited to see what people think of the rest of the album when it drops, they are still very much trying to get over having Shaun Ryder involved. Again, Thom’s words, not ours.
“SHAUN RYDER is on our single. How mental is that? Being in the studio with him was a very strange and wonderful experience. He gave me a conker that he had in his pocket for some reason. I love him. He’s a true Manchester music legend and truly is a genius.” Just Shaun Ryder things.
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And if you haven’t watched how they chose to reveal their new album, with a hilariously nostalgic and impressively accurate recreation of 90s TV show, Art Attack, then look no further.
The Lottery Winners‘ new album, Anxiety Replacement Therapy, is due to release on April 28 and Ryder won’t be the only recognisable voice you’ll hear on the baker’s dozen of a tracklist.
From what we’ve heard so far, it’s going to be another belter. You can pre-order HERE.
For now, you watch the full video for ‘Money’ featuring Shaun Ryder down below:
Manchester rapper Aitch is doing a charity skydive for Down Syndrome awareness
Emily Sergeant
Aitch is to brave a whopping 15,000ft free fall as he takes on a charity skydive in the name of Down Syndrome awareness.
You may remember that the chart-topping rapper – real name Harrison Armstrong, who proudly hails from Moston in North Manchester – became an ambassador of the Down’s Syndrome Association (DSA) back in October last year in honour of his sister Gracie, who has Down Syndrome.
The 23-year-old’s role as an ambassador came after he made a generous donation from the budget of his music video for his track ‘My G’ – which is dedicated to his little sister, affectionately known as ‘G’ – to the charity, with the rapper describing the song as the most important track on his debut album, Close to Home.
Aitch said at the time of becoming an ambassador that there was “nothing more important in the world” to him than Gracie, and that’s why the role meant so much to him.
And now, he’s taking his support one step further – and a big step at that.
As this week is Down Syndrome Awareness Week here in the UK, the BRIT Award-winner has decided to take the leap and will be bravely free falling in tandem with an instructor from a plane that’s 15,000ft above the ground this month, all to show just how important Gracie is to him and his family.
Down Syndrome Awareness Week aims to raise awareness about what Down Syndrome is, what it means to have Down Syndrome, and how people who have Down Syndrome play a vital role in our lives and communities.
Aitch will be skydiving alongside his Dad, and successful influencer and former Love Island contestant, Joanna Chimondes – who is also an ambassador for the charity.
“I’m buzzing to jump out of a plane for World Down Syndrome Day,” Aitch said.
“My Dad will be doing it with me, and we’ll be raising awareness for a cause that’s close to me and my family”.
Carol Boys – Chief Executive of the DSA – says that she’s “extremely grateful” to Aitch for agreeing to take on such a big challenge, adding: “Aitch has already done a fantastic job of raising awareness and understanding of Down Syndrome among his fans and followers.
“But to actually jump out of a plane to raise money to help us continue our vital work, is just amazing.”
Aitch has set up a dedicated JustGiving fundraising page for his skydive, and you can find out more and make a donation here.
Featured Image – DSA
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Up-and-coming musicians in Manchester to take over Band on the Wall for FREE shows this month
Daisy Jackson
There’ll be three nights of gorgeous new music taking place across Manchester this month, as the students of Spirit Studios have their degree show.
Up-and-coming talent from the renowned music education provider will take to the stage at the much-loved Band on the Wall and at Spirit Studios itself – and the gigs are totally free.
Spread over three evenings, the degree show will include DJ sets, performances, and immersive audio-visual experiences and soundscapes.
Those showing off their skills have come from the studio’s Electronic Music Production and Performance and Music Production degree courses.
The final year students have been tasked with creating and producing music to show to a public audience as part of their major project.
Spirit Studios. Credit: Supplied
The gigs at both Band on the Wall and Spirit Studios are free to attend, and will take place on 22, 24 and 29 March.
The first event at Band on the Wall will be an evening of live music and DJ sets, spanning indie, hip-hop, EDM and drum and bass.
Then on Friday 24 March, the degree show will head over to Spirit Studios, just past Piccadilly, where guests can explore a range of sound installation, soundscapes, and multi-genre live performances in their very own studios and live venue.
Spirit Studios was established in 1980 as a small creative community of experienced tutors in the heart of Manchester, teaching talented students sound engineering and music production.
As well as degrees, there are other industry and short courses, and the studios and facilities on site can be hired for commercial purposes.
Danny Jones -
16th February 2023 
