Ray Aggs

{{Infobox musical artist  | name = Ray Aggs | image = Shopping at Rough Trade East (49502941056).jpg | alt = | caption = Aggs in 2020 | alias = | birth_name = | birth_date = | birth_place = | instruments = {{flatlist| * Vocals * guitar * violin }} | genre = [[Post-punk]], [[indie pop]] | occupation = [[Musician]] | years_active = 2009–present | label = [[FatCat Records]], [[Upset The Rhythm]], [[Slumberland Records]], [[Rock Action Records]], [[Merge Records]], Mïlk Records | current_member_of = {{hlist|[[Trash Kit]]|[[Sacred Paws]]|[[Shopping (band)|Shopping]]}} | website = }} '''Ray Aggs''' is a musician based in Glasgow.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ray Aggs' Instagram profile |url=https://www.instagram.com/r4ggs/?hl=en |access-date=11 June 2023 |website=Instagram}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=V I S I T ▲ T I O N S {{!}} Rachel Aggs |url=https://www.lostmap.com/visitations-rachel-aggs |access-date=2023-06-11 |website=Lost Map Records |language=en-GB}}</ref> Primarily known for their distinctive guitar work, influenced by both West African [[highlife]] and [[post-punk]], they also sing and play the violin.

==Career== They have been playing with the band [[Trash Kit]] since 2009, formed with Rachel Horwood and [[Ros Murray]] (later replaced by Gill Partington), releasing 3 albums on the [[Upset the Rhythm|Upset! The Rhythm]] Indie-label, a self-titled record in 2010, ''Confidence'', in 2014 and ''Horizon'' in 2019.<ref>{{Cite web |title=UPSET THE RHYTHM {{!}} Artists {{!}} Trash Kit |url=https://upsettherhythm.co.uk/trashkit.shtml |access-date=2023-06-11 |website=upsettherhythm.co.uk}}</ref><ref name="Auto Italia">{{cite web |url=http://autoitaliasoutheast.org/projects/yes-way-2/ |title=Auto Italia — Yes Way! |publisher=Auto Italia |accessdate=2014-07-26}}</ref><ref name="thequietus">{{cite web |url=http://thequietus.com/articles/04170-trash-kit-trash-kit-album-review |title=The Quietus | Reviews | Trash Kit |publisher=thequietus.com |accessdate=2014-07-26}}</ref>

Aggs was also a member of [[Shopping (band)|Shopping]], formed with Andrew Milk and Billy Easter, from 2012 to 2025.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Green |first=Walden |date=2025-08-22 |title=Shopping Break Up, Share Video for Final Single “White Noise”: Watch |url=https://pitchfork.com/news/shopping-break-up-share-video-for-final-single-white-noise-watch/ |access-date=2025-08-22 |website=Pitchfork |language=en-US}}</ref> Other bands have included The Madrigals, Covergirl, Golden Grrrls, and [[Sacred Paws]], who released their debut EP in 2015.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.clashmusic.com/features/premiere-sacred-paws-six-songs-ep|title=Premiere: Sacred Paws - 'Six Songs' EP|date=9 March 2015 |publisher=|accessdate=31 July 2018}}</ref>

In June 2017, [[Sacred Paws]] debut album ''Strike A Match'', released the previous January, was awarded ''Scottish Album of the Year''.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-40444999|title=Sacred Paws win album of the year|work=BBC News|date=29 June 2017|publisher=|accessdate=31 July 2018}}</ref>

They have written several zines, including ''I Trust My Guitar'' and ''DIY Guitar for beginners.''<ref name="tumblr">{{cite web |url=http://r4ggs.tumblr.com/ |title=I TRUST MY GUITAR |publisher=r4ggs.tumblr.com |accessdate=2014-07-26}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Schemmer |first=Cynthia |date=2019-11-06 |title=Guest Editor Rachel Aggs on Decolonizing the Guitar, Gauche, and More |url=https://sheshreds.com/guest-editor-rachel-aggs/ |access-date=2023-06-11 |website=She Shreds Media |language=en}}</ref> Aggs has often been featured in the ''Shotgun Seamstress'' zine,<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-12-21 |title=Shotgun Seamstress |url=https://softskull.com/books/shotgun-seamstress/ |access-date=2023-06-11 |website=Soft Skull Press |language=en}}</ref> a book of when re-released had Aggs involved in a discussion panel of Black zinesters at [[Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library]] in Washington D.C. in 2022.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Shotgun Seamstress Book Launch |url=https://dclibrary.libnet.info/event/7524994 |access-date=2023-06-11 |website=DC Public Library Event |language=en}}</ref>

Following the theme of their zines, Aggs has taught guitar in workshops, one called Decolonising The Guitar and as part of the workshop series leading up to [[First Timers festival|First Timers]] festival at [[DIY Space for London|DIY Space For London]].<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=On the sound of community |url=https://thecreativeindependent.com/people/musician-rachel-aggs-on-the-sound-of-community/ |access-date=2023-06-11 |website=thecreativeindependent.com}}</ref>

Between 2011-2015 they worked at [[Power Lunches]] in Dalston, East London, active in the scene cultivated at the venue.<ref name="powerlunchesltd">{{cite web |url=http://powerlunchesltd.co.uk/ |title=Power Lunches Ltd. |publisher=powerlunchesltd.co.uk |accessdate=2014-07-26}}</ref>

They were a contributor to performance of the [[Pauline Oliveros]] score ''To Valerie Solanas and Marilyn Monroe, In Recognition of their Desperation'' in a performance in the [[Turbine Hall]], [[Tate Modern]], 2012.<ref name="tate">{{cite web |url=http://www.tate.org.uk/whats-on/tate-modern/talks-and-lectures/artist-talk-and-performance-pauline-oliveros |title=Artist talk and performance: Pauline Oliveros | Tate |publisher=tate.org.uk |accessdate=2014-07-26}}</ref> As well as on a second occasion in a film-based performance with other musicians [[Peaches (musician)|Peaches]], [[Catriona Shaw]], [[Verity Susman]], [[Ginger Brooks Takahashi]], and William Wheeler in a film of the same name by artists [[Pauline Boudry / Renate Lorenz]] and shown at [[Museum of Modern Art]], New York, in a special event with the artists, Oliveros and [[Gregg Bordowitz]] in May 2014.<ref name="moma">{{cite web |url=http://www.moma.org/visit/calendar/film_screenings/20983 |title=MoMA | An Evening with Pauline Boudry/Renate Lorenz with Gregg Bordowitz and Pauline Oliveros |publisher=moma.org |accessdate=2014-07-26}}</ref>

On 14 April 2018 Aggs performed at the [[Barbican Centre|Barbican]] as part of a 12 guitarist group assembled by [[Thurston Moore]]; along with [[My Bloody Valentine (band)|Deborah Goodge]], [[Band of Susans|Susan Stenger]], [[Jonah Falco]], Joseph Coward, and more.<ref name="The Barbican">{{cite web|url=https://www.barbican.org.uk/whats-on/2018/event/thurston-moore12x12|title=Thurston Moore: GALAXIES 12x12 Music for Twelve 12-String guitars|website=[[Barbican Centre|The Barbican]]}}</ref> In 2022 Aggs was in [[Nikita Gale]]'s [[Frieze Art Fair|Frieze]] installation 63/62 alongside other musicians Alpha Maid and Joviale.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Dozier |first=Ayanna |date=2022-10-12 |title=Inside Nikita Gale’s Frieze London Installation That Honors Black Women Musicians |url=https://www.artsy.net/article/artsy-editorial-inside-nikita-gales-frieze-london-installation-honors-black-women-musicians |access-date=2023-06-11 |website=Artsy |language=en}}</ref>

In 2020 Aggs started releasing and performing solo music, now under the name R.Aggs.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-06-22 |title=R.AGGS (UK) Full Tour Schedule 2023 & 2024, Tour Dates & Concerts – Songkick |url=https://www.songkick.com/artists/10227809-raggs-uk/calendar |access-date=2023-06-11 |website=www.songkick.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=//TAPE 1//, by R.AGGS |url=https://r4ggs.bandcamp.com/album/tape-1 |access-date=2023-06-11 |website=R.AGGS |language=en}}</ref> Their first solo EP, recorded the year before, as part of the second series of [[Lost Map Records]]' 'Visitations' subscription service. Each release in the series is recorded by the artist whilst staying in a bothy on the isle of [[Eigg]], where the label is based, in the Scottish Inner Hebrides.<ref name="The Quietus Visitations" /> Aggs also composed the song Another Road for the 2021 [[Netflix]] film [[Hilda and the Mountain King]] alongside [[Vice Cooler]].<ref>{{Citation |title=Another Road by Rachel Aggs & Vice Cooler |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ykcm1s9vi-4 |access-date=2023-06-17 |language=en}}</ref>

==Discography==

===Solo=== * ''Visitations 0202'' - [[Lost Map Records]], 12” EP, CD, MP3 (2020)<ref name="The Quietus Visitations">{{cite web|url= https://thequietus.com/articles/28712-rachel-aggs-visitations-0202-review|title=Coastal Explorations: Visitations 0202 By Rachel Aggs|website=[[The Quietus]]|first=Stephanie|last=Phillips|date=6 August 2020|accessdate=6 August 2020}}</ref> * ''//TAPE 1//'' - Self release, Cassette, MP3 (2020) * ''Another Road'' - Soundtrack, [[Hilda and the Mountain King (2021 film)|Hilda and The Mountain King]], MP3 (2021)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SDOqg5rEohg|title = Hilda and the Mountain King End Credits|website = [[YouTube]]}}</ref>

===Golden Grrrls=== * ''Golden Grrrls'' – [[Slumberland Records]] / Night School, 12" LP, CD, MP3 (2013)

===Sacred Paws=== * ''Strike a Match'' – [[Rock Action Records|Rock Action]], 12" LP, CD, MP3 (2017)<ref name="Strike A Match review">{{cite web|last1=Sendra|first1=Tim|title=Strike a Match review|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/strike-a-match-mw0002997531|website=[[AllMusic]]|accessdate=3 January 2018|date=2017}}</ref> * ''Run Around the Sun'' – Rock Action (UK/EU) / [[Merge Records]] (US), 12" LP, CD, MP3 (2019)<ref name="DIY Run Around The Sun">{{cite web|url=http://diymag.com/2019/03/20/sacred-paws-new-track-the-conversation-announce-album|title=Sacred Paws share new track 'The Conversation', announce album|website=[[DIY (magazine)|DIY]]|date=20 March 2019|accessdate=20 March 2019}}</ref> * ''[[Jump Into Life]]'' – [[Merge Records]], 12" LP, CD (2025)<ref name="AM">{{Cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/jump-into-life-mw0004467136#review|title=''Jump Into Life'' – Tim Sendra|website=[[AllMusic]]|date=|first=Tim|last=Sendra|access-date=1 April 2025}}</ref>

===Shopping=== * ''Consumer Complaints'' - Mïlk Records/ [[FatCat Records]], 12" LP, CD, MP3 (2013)<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://milkrecords.bigcartel.com/product/shopping-consumer-complaints-lp|title=SHOPPING - 'CONSUMER COMPLAINTS' LP|website=Milkrecords.bigcartel.com|access-date=2018-01-21}}</ref> * ''[[Why Choose]]'' - FatCat Records, 12" LP, CD, MP3 (2015)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://fatcatrecords.bandcamp.com/album/why-choose|title=Why Choose, by Shopping|website=[[FatCat Records]]|accessdate=1 February 2018}}</ref> * ''[[The Official Body]]'' - FatCat Records, 12" LP, CD, MP3 (2018)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://shoppingfc.bandcamp.com/album/the-official-body|title=The Official Body, by Shopping|website=Shopping|access-date=2018-01-21}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://drownedinsound.com/releases/20181/reviews/4151561|title=Album Review: Shopping - The Official Body|website=[[Drowned In Sound]]|access-date=2018-01-21|language=en|archive-date=14 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210114092713/https://drownedinsound.com/releases/20181/reviews/4151561|url-status=dead}}</ref> * ''[[All or Nothing (Shopping album)|All or Nothing]]'' - FatCat Records, 12" LP, CD, MP3 (2020)<ref name="Pitchfork All">{{cite web|url=https://pitchfork.com/news/shopping-announce-new-album-all-or-nothing-share-new-song-listen/|title=Shopping Announce New Album All or Nothing, Share New Song: Listen|last=Minsker|first=Evan|date=5 December 2019|website=[[Pitchfork (website)|Pitchfork]]|accessdate=11 December 2019}}</ref>

===Trash Kit=== * ''Trash Kit'' - [[Upset The Rhythm]], 12" LP, CD, MP3 (2010)<ref name="Trash Kit Trash Kit Label: Upset The Rhythm">{{cite web|url=http://drownedinsound.com/releases/15408/reviews/4140025|title=Trash Kit Trash Kit Label: Upset The Rhythm|date=17 May 2010|first=Dom|last=Gourlay|publisher=[[Drowned In Sound]]|accessdate=28 February 2018|archive-date=28 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180228223514/http://drownedinsound.com/releases/15408/reviews/4140025|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="Trash Kit Pitchfork Review">{{cite web|url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/14284-trash-kit/|title=Trash Kit: Trash Kit|date=2 June 2010|first=Mike|last=Powell|publisher=[[Pitchfork (website)|Pitchfork]]|accessdate=28 February 2018}}</ref> * ''Confidence'' - Upset The Rhythm, 12" LP, CD, MP3 (2014)<ref name="Confidence Pitchfork Review">{{cite web|url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/19995-trash-kit-confidence/|title=Trash Kit: Confidence|date=2 December 2014|first=Paul|last=Thompson|publisher=[[Pitchfork (website)|Pitchfork]]|accessdate=27 February 2018}}</ref><ref name="Trash Kit - Confidence">{{cite web|url=https://www.thelineofbestfit.com/reviews/albums/trash-kit-confidence|title=Trash Kit - Confidence|first=Thomas|last=Ingham|publisher=The Line of Best Fit|accessdate=27 February 2018}}</ref><ref name="Trash Kit Confidence Label: Upset The Rhythm">{{cite web|url=http://drownedinsound.com/releases/18540/reviews/4148506|title=Trash Kit Confidence Label: Upset The Rhythm|date=26 November 2014|first=Tom|last=Fenwick|publisher=[[Drowned In Sound]]|accessdate=27 February 2018|archive-date=28 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180228041515/http://drownedinsound.com/releases/18540/reviews/4148506|url-status=dead}}</ref> * ''Horizon'' - Upset The Rhythm, 12" LP, CD, MP3 (2019)<ref name="Trash Kit Horizon">{{cite web|url=https://www.thelineofbestfit.com/news/latest-news/trash-kit-announce-first-album-in-five-years-with-lead-single-horizon|title=Trash Kit announce first album in five years with lead single "Horizon"|date=16 May 2019|first=Cerys|last=Kenneally|publisher=Line of Best Fit|accessdate=20 June 2019}}</ref>

==References== {{Reflist|30em}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Aggs, Rachel}} [[Category:Underground punk scene in the United Kingdom]] [[Category:Living people]] [[Category:English punk rock guitarists]] [[Category:English punk rock singers]] [[Category:Highlife musicians]] [[Category:English violinists]] [[Category:Year of birth missing (living people)]] [[Category:21st-century British violinists]] [[Category:Black British rock musicians]]