{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2016}} {{Use British English|date=September 2016}}
{{Infobox musical artist <!-- See Wikipedia:WikiProject Musicians --> | 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}} | 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 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, 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 at 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, 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 as part of a 12 guitarist group assembled by Thurston Moore; along with Deborah Goodge, 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=The Barbican}}</ref> In 2022 Aggs was in Nikita Gale's 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, 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, 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|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'' - 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|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|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|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}}
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{{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