Surfacing: Ralph Pelleymounter [New Artist]

Words: Saam Das

We've written about the emotionally resonant sounds of To Kill A King several times over the years, and following the recent release of their third album, they've taken a step back. And in light of that, frontman Ralph Pelleymounter has opted to unveil his official debut solo work.

Download: To Kill A King - Bones [Album Preview]

Words: Saam Das

I'm not sure when To Kill A King were dropped by EMI but no matter, they have already been snapped up again by Xtra Mile Recordings - home to Frank Turner. They will be re-packaging their debut album with some bonus tracks in October, and are giving away the rousing 'Bones' as a bit of a preview. Download below.

Watch: To Kill A King - Wolves [Animated Video]

Words: Saam Das

You may well have heard of Jade Hopcroft, a solo artist who released her debut single on the excellent Laissez Faire Club label earlier in the year. You'll probably also know To Kill A King, and the two have combined - Hopcroft crafting a wonderful stop motion animated video for album track 'Wolves'. Watch it below.

Album Review: To Kill A King - Cannibals With Cutlery

To Kill A King - 'Cannibals With Cutlery' (UK Release: 24 Feb '13) // Words: Saam Das

Joining the likes of Daughter and Michael Kiwanuka as graduates from the Communion Records ranks, To Kill A King have finally released their debut album on EMI. 'Cannibals With Cutlery' comes a good three and a half years after they formed in Leeds - moving to London since to tread the golden paved roads, befitting the rich orchestration and vocals of the band.

Download: To Kill A King & Friends - Choices [Album Preview]

Words: Saam Das

During 2012, To Kill A King's Ralph Pelleymounter invited several of his musical pals to play mini-sessions on the balcony of his high-rise flat. Twenty sessions later and the collection was released on Bandcamp, in aid of Great Ormond Street children's hospital. Listen to my favourite of the offerings, 'Choices', featuring the likes of Emily Wood, BASTILLE and We Were Evergreen.

Live Review: To Kill A King @ Cargo

To Kill A King live at Cargo, London (25th Oct '12) // Words & Photo: Saam Das

It's been over two years (time flies, eh?) since I first wrote about folk-inspired Leeds outfit To Kill A King. They've done some good stuff since then, signing to Virgin Records/EMI, and selling out this headline gig at London's Cargo. Indeed, this was the first time I'd actually seen the band. And they lived up to expectations suitably.

Download: BASTILLE - Other People's Heartache [Free Mixtape]

Words: Saam Das

Fresh from their appearance in our bands to look out for during 2012, Dan Smith et al have dropped a film-inspired collaborative mixtape, featuring the likes of Maiday and To Kill A King. As in the spirit of mixtapes, it is free to share and download. Listen to it in full below and soak in the evocative "film credits" artwork.

Watch: To Kill A King - My Crooked Saint EP [Short Film]

Words: Saam Das

Writing about the new BASTILLE EP yesterday reminded me about To Kill A King's latest EP. The bands have shared roots having studied at Leeds University and had I not perused To Kill A King's Soundcloud page last September, I may never have discovered BASTILLE. I wrote about To Kill A King not long after and they signed with EMI earlier this year. The 'My Crooked Saint' EP came out recently - accompanied by a 20 minute short film, which you can watch below.

Listen: To Kill A King - Fictional State [New Single]

Words: Saam Das

We were one of the first blogs to write about Leeds folksters To Kill A King, when we did a Surfacing piece on them last October. Things have gone rather well since and they are putting out their debut single on the increasingly prominent, Communion, at the end of May. Watch the video to 'Fictional State' below, and listen to the b-side - a quite majestic cover of 'Maps' by the Yeah Yeah Yeahs.