Swansea rockers TRAMPOLENE continue to spin those creative cogs and storm the underground live scene. With an army of fans behind them, including long-time supporters The Libertines, the band easily can, and will, take on the world. The trio are consistent in their work ethic and ability to deliver fast and loud, potent thrills of […]
The dates, 15th and 16th October, earmark the weekend of A Carefully Planned Festival – a gathering for like-minded music lovers to indulge in fresh and inspiring live music that descends on Manchester’s beloved Northern Quarter. This year promised a few big names amongst an array of fresh-faced newcomers and well-loved local favourites.
HABITATS are the Hampshire hailing four-piece punching a necessary groove into funky indie. Following the success of their ‘Jungles’ EP and impressive debut ‘Diamond Days’, the band’s latest single ‘Guilty Pleasure’ continues their hypnotic guitar-pop score.
Back once again with his folk-tinged eccentric indie-pop, Toothless (AKA Ed Nash) has unveiled his next single on Island Records, accompanied by some striking, intriguing visuals. With captivating, deep soundscapes buried beneath dramatic, string-plucked melodies and absorbing, lifting harmonies (courtesy of The Staves), his latest release is theatrical, engrossing and charming.
A couple of weeks ago marked the 20 year anniversary of the release of Weezer‘s sophomore album ‘Pinkerton’, an occasion that was remarked on widely in the indie-music-press, and with good reason. Whilst the album seems to have been personally labelled as an unwanted milestone around the neck of the at-the-time fame-beleaguered frontman Rivers Cuomo, […]
This September saw alt-pop singer/songwriter Natalie McCool embark on her biggest tour to-date. The young artist kindly agreed to take us along for the ride as the headline tour made its way through some of the mightiest UK cities, we take in the surrounding sights and sounds told from the perspective of McCool, in her own […]
Keir is as hard to check into a tick box on the indie-pop spectrum as the compellingly alternative Ezra Furman. Making music with an eclectic range of influences, from soul, R&B and indie to jazz, futro and electronica, Keir is equally as mystifying.
A lot was resting on Manchester’s inaugural new music festival – Neighbourhood – to be a success. With over 100 acts lined up to play over the course of the all-dayer, ranging between established heavy-weights like Circa Waves and chart darlings Blossoms to fresh emerging talent like Ekkah and Cabbage also making appearances. It was obvious […]
FACE are the first signings to multiple Grammy-winning producer Stuart Price’s new label, AOA. The band, fronted by David Arthur, prove that there’s strength in numbers with bassist Matt Kern, drummer Slim Gabriel and guitarist JC rounding off the exciting four-piece in style. FACE released their first EP – ‘Fear’, produced by Price (The Killers, Everything […]
When I first heard “Lost” (the second in a series of new releases from Sorcha Richardson) I was flooded with emotion. It was as though all the clouds had at once been revealed, and begun to move into the periphery at the same time. Since its infectious and elating chorus first penetrated my ears, I […]
‘Bliss’ is a wonderful, swirly piece of laid-back dream-pop, where the deep, relaxed vocals of Grant Williams echo tranquil, above serene synth-setting. Lifting gently in the choruses, then softly settling back into a dream-groove state in the verses, the track is hypnotic from start to finish. No subtle change is too jarring; yet each movement […]
This September saw alt-pop singer/songwriter Natalie McCool embark on her biggest tour to-date. The young artist kindly agreed to take us along for the ride as the headline tour made its way through some of the mightiest UK cities, we take in the surrounding sights and sounds told from the perspective of McCool, in her own […]
As the allure of the metropolitan festival reaches its peak, when the news of a brand new all-dayer was announced, there was mixed feelings. Yet nothing will deter the Northern capital in its mission of bringing quality entertainment to the masses. The SJM-promoted event see’s a plethora of local talent mixed in with up-and-comers and established greats.
Lewis Del Mar deliver indie pop…with a punch. Their upcoming debut album ‘Lewis Del Mar’, released 7th October, following on from the success of their ‘Loud(y)’ EP, doesn’t shy away from exploring urban landscapes; combining mellow acoustics with flashes of electric guitar, stick-slapping drum beats and footage from the very streets around us.
When embarking on a solo career, trepidation is to be expected. Johnny Lloyd’s previous project Tribes was beloved by many, and his emergence as a solo artist came as a pleasant, albeit unexpected surprise. However, the strength of his Dreamland EP, and the devotion of his fans, has meant that his gig at Gullivers, Lloyd’s first […]
Welsh-born, London-based Sarah Howells soars with fiery intent on the Bill Ryder-Jones produced ‘Honey’. Since setting out on her journey as Bryde, Howells has confounded us in her beautifully inescapable world.
Australia has a new pop beauty to call their name far and wide, Jack River (aka Holly Rankin) announces her intentions with bohemian crowning glory ‘Palo Alto’. The prairie spanning cut is lifted off debut EP ‘Highway Songs No. 2’, and is a love-spurned, attention-grabbing jawdropper.
Appreciation for the inner-city music festival has bloomed in the last decade, but it’s not surprising considering it provides easy access for the music fan to sample a host of fresh sounds from the latest and greatest in emerging talent, and all in comfortable intimate surroundings. A Carefully Planned Festival is the metropolitan new music […]
Today we welcome back SHELLS with another one of her exquisitely crafted songs, ‘Jailbird’ is the Londoner at her most vulnerable and resilient. Breaking away from her captors charms to acknowledge a newfound freedom and self-awareness, it’s a play for inner strength.
London psych-gazers Whistlejacket recently wrapped up their first touring spell of Europe, in this feature we bring you the band’s thoughts on the experience. As the tour continues, this final chapter see’s the band gear up to play Hamburg’s Psyche Fest and enjoy the simple pleasures of good food, good company and home comforts.