Whilst M.I.A. is currently busy stirring various journos and focusing on her reputation rather than her music, the latest group to be signed to her N.E.E.T. recording label Sleigh Bells are busy packing a punch in all the right places. With their slamming guitars, thumping bass and screeching vocals, their sound is one that you definitely can't ignore. However, the pounding is so intoxicating that after you hear one song you're left craving more and luckily their new album 'Treats' is brimming with track after track of the dance punk sound that makes them so distinctive. Despite only releasing their first single in April, this Brooklyn duo are already causing such a stir that they played this year's esteemed Coachella Festival. Check out their stormer of a track, 'Crown On The Ground' below to experience this prodigious blitz on the senses yourself. If this band isn't one to watch, then I don't know who is.
Sleigh Bells - Crown On The Ground
www.myspace.com/sleighbellsmusic
Showing posts with label band to watch. Show all posts
Showing posts with label band to watch. Show all posts
Wednesday, 2 June 2010
Thursday, 7 January 2010
Band To Watch: Animal Kingdom
While everyone spent last year raving about Animal Collective's latest offering, some other feral-name inspired musicians were quietly causing a stir and getting ready to pounce. Animal Kingdom, you'll be pleased to hear, are an indie rock quartet from South London rather than something transplanted straight out of Disney's magical world.
Yet the band do actually possess a sense of the magical. Their song Chalk Stars is so beautiful that it transports you to a better place, with a charged simplicity of piano, guitars and xylophone slowly building up into a passionate instrumental crescendo half way through the song. Lead singer Richard Sauberlich has vocals not dissimilar to those soft, high, ethereal tones often associated with Band of Horses or Death Cab, and the heart-searing harmonies are not far removed from Sigur Ros. Whereas many other new bands at the minute try to grab attention with witty/crude/socially depricating lyrics, Animal Kingdom portray such innocence that you can't help but to be pulled to their music if only out of a sense of protection.
Their other tracks possess a slightly edgier sense of the mystical, with heavier guitars and drums playing a more prominent role. The band's distinctive 'other world' sound still remains the focus, and their music videos also reflect the refreshingly unconventional approach they seem to take to their work. But this is just another aspect that makes the band so appealing. They are the breath of fresh air that needs to be injected into the music scene at the minute, just as Radiohead did over a decade ago in amongst a myriad of boy bands, processed pop and incredibly dubious house music. Luckily the house scene is long gone, but in an industry struggling with sales and reinvention, bands with unique approaches such as Animal Kingdom could be just what is needed to help give it a good kick start.
http://www.weareanimalkingdom.com/
www.myspace.com/weareanimalkingdom
Yet the band do actually possess a sense of the magical. Their song Chalk Stars is so beautiful that it transports you to a better place, with a charged simplicity of piano, guitars and xylophone slowly building up into a passionate instrumental crescendo half way through the song. Lead singer Richard Sauberlich has vocals not dissimilar to those soft, high, ethereal tones often associated with Band of Horses or Death Cab, and the heart-searing harmonies are not far removed from Sigur Ros. Whereas many other new bands at the minute try to grab attention with witty/crude/socially depricating lyrics, Animal Kingdom portray such innocence that you can't help but to be pulled to their music if only out of a sense of protection.
Their other tracks possess a slightly edgier sense of the mystical, with heavier guitars and drums playing a more prominent role. The band's distinctive 'other world' sound still remains the focus, and their music videos also reflect the refreshingly unconventional approach they seem to take to their work. But this is just another aspect that makes the band so appealing. They are the breath of fresh air that needs to be injected into the music scene at the minute, just as Radiohead did over a decade ago in amongst a myriad of boy bands, processed pop and incredibly dubious house music. Luckily the house scene is long gone, but in an industry struggling with sales and reinvention, bands with unique approaches such as Animal Kingdom could be just what is needed to help give it a good kick start.
http://www.weareanimalkingdom.com/
www.myspace.com/weareanimalkingdom
Thursday, 29 October 2009
Band To Watch: The Hot Melts
Having been making the rounds on the tedious circuit of self promotion for the past couple of years, The Hot Melts are finally starting to gain the recognition they deserve. Having supported Eagles of Death Metal on tour and headlining the Liverpool Carling Academy two years ago when they were still unsigned, it seems slightly incomprehensible that they remain relatively unheard of.
Comprised of four Liverpudlian lads, the band attacks the pop-rock genre with an unabashed vigour and energy that makes them instantly appealable. 'Edith' begins with a frenzied and imperious guitar riff and drum sequence that will have you tapping along within the first three seconds, whilst '(I Wish I'd Never) Been In Love' rushes by in such an angst-filled flurry you might as well be in lead singer and songwriter Will Baylis's stream of emotional consciousness. With the majority of their songs clocking in at under the three minute mark, it's evident that The Hot Melts mean serious business and aren't going to try and flaunt their musical skills by throwing pretentiously drawn-out solos at listeners. The pace they manage to keep up as they storm through the songs with an impassioned power almost feels as if their album is moving at a speed faster than you can listen and the whole thing is over before you know it. This is far from a hinderance however, as you automatically want to press play and listen again in case you missed something the last time.
The frantic wave of guitar you find yourself swept away in is somewhat hindered however, by their rather dubious lyrics. 'Edith' starts off blazing and continues to progress until it hits the second verse, during which Baylis starts singing about having left the chicken in the oven too long and going hungry as a result. I'm sorry, what? For a set of lads who are evidently trying to create a credible name for themselves in amongst the music crowd, starting off singing about the wonders of pot in the first verse was probably a good way to go. Yet by switching to the pains of domesticity straight after they might as well have not bothered with the drugs at all.
However, they undeniably have great potential. Ignoring some of the crap lyrics, they are musically one of the most thrilling British bands to emerge this year, and important industry types can't get enough. It's only a matter of time until you find yourself being scorched by them too.
www.thehotmelts.co.uk
www.myspace.com/thehotmelts
Comprised of four Liverpudlian lads, the band attacks the pop-rock genre with an unabashed vigour and energy that makes them instantly appealable. 'Edith' begins with a frenzied and imperious guitar riff and drum sequence that will have you tapping along within the first three seconds, whilst '(I Wish I'd Never) Been In Love' rushes by in such an angst-filled flurry you might as well be in lead singer and songwriter Will Baylis's stream of emotional consciousness. With the majority of their songs clocking in at under the three minute mark, it's evident that The Hot Melts mean serious business and aren't going to try and flaunt their musical skills by throwing pretentiously drawn-out solos at listeners. The pace they manage to keep up as they storm through the songs with an impassioned power almost feels as if their album is moving at a speed faster than you can listen and the whole thing is over before you know it. This is far from a hinderance however, as you automatically want to press play and listen again in case you missed something the last time.
The frantic wave of guitar you find yourself swept away in is somewhat hindered however, by their rather dubious lyrics. 'Edith' starts off blazing and continues to progress until it hits the second verse, during which Baylis starts singing about having left the chicken in the oven too long and going hungry as a result. I'm sorry, what? For a set of lads who are evidently trying to create a credible name for themselves in amongst the music crowd, starting off singing about the wonders of pot in the first verse was probably a good way to go. Yet by switching to the pains of domesticity straight after they might as well have not bothered with the drugs at all.
However, they undeniably have great potential. Ignoring some of the crap lyrics, they are musically one of the most thrilling British bands to emerge this year, and important industry types can't get enough. It's only a matter of time until you find yourself being scorched by them too.
www.thehotmelts.co.uk
www.myspace.com/thehotmelts
Monday, 26 October 2009
Band To Watch: The Takeover UK
Hailing from Pittsburgh in Pennsylvania and adopting the UK when they discovered 'The Takeover' part of their name was already snagged, this pack of four young, eager musicians pride themselves on producing infectious pop hooks and punk undertones, and quite rightly so.
With echoes of both old school punk and the more recent British alternative scene in their music, The Takeover UK are relevant without the impression that they've had to necessitate towards current trends in order to attract listeners. The band rattle furiously through guitar riffs and lead singer Nic Snyder snarls his way through the vocals; both are so tightly wound together that you wouldn't even know where to begin in prising them apart. Whereas a lot of bands find a tempo they're good at and stick with it, The Takeover UK aren't afraid to switch between edgier and softer melodies. The distinctly punk 'Never Been So Sick Before' sits on a rather different end of the scale in comparison to the more pop-based and melodic 'Golden Age'. 'Ah La La' has a ridiculously catchy chorus and as Snyder sings 'ah la la la la la la la/over and over til you get my point' and this then ticks over in your head for the following few days, you know they have certainly succeeded in putting it across.
The fact they have only been together for five years and sound as in-sync and established as they currently do makes the fact that they are still unsigned even more surprising. Unfortunately, unsigned bands are the ones that often have the most charm and The Takeover UK is certainly doing a great job in proving this. Money and backing from a record company may equal copious amounts of promotion and fancy studio production, but this can sometimes cause even some of the rawest bands to sound too manufactured and polished. The Takeover UK successfully sustain their tangible edge in the studio whilst producing tracks that don't sound at all unaccomplished; a problem many of their peers often face.
I for one cannot wait until these guys head over to the shores in which their name is embodied. If their live shows are anywhere near as impressive as their debut album, then we are definitely in for a treat and it won't be long until they veritably become the prevalant force that their name insinuates them to be.
www.myspace.com/thetakeoveruk
With echoes of both old school punk and the more recent British alternative scene in their music, The Takeover UK are relevant without the impression that they've had to necessitate towards current trends in order to attract listeners. The band rattle furiously through guitar riffs and lead singer Nic Snyder snarls his way through the vocals; both are so tightly wound together that you wouldn't even know where to begin in prising them apart. Whereas a lot of bands find a tempo they're good at and stick with it, The Takeover UK aren't afraid to switch between edgier and softer melodies. The distinctly punk 'Never Been So Sick Before' sits on a rather different end of the scale in comparison to the more pop-based and melodic 'Golden Age'. 'Ah La La' has a ridiculously catchy chorus and as Snyder sings 'ah la la la la la la la/over and over til you get my point' and this then ticks over in your head for the following few days, you know they have certainly succeeded in putting it across.
The fact they have only been together for five years and sound as in-sync and established as they currently do makes the fact that they are still unsigned even more surprising. Unfortunately, unsigned bands are the ones that often have the most charm and The Takeover UK is certainly doing a great job in proving this. Money and backing from a record company may equal copious amounts of promotion and fancy studio production, but this can sometimes cause even some of the rawest bands to sound too manufactured and polished. The Takeover UK successfully sustain their tangible edge in the studio whilst producing tracks that don't sound at all unaccomplished; a problem many of their peers often face.
I for one cannot wait until these guys head over to the shores in which their name is embodied. If their live shows are anywhere near as impressive as their debut album, then we are definitely in for a treat and it won't be long until they veritably become the prevalant force that their name insinuates them to be.
www.myspace.com/thetakeoveruk
Band To Watch: Little Red
Continuing the trend of great bands emerging from Australia come five-piece indie rock and roll outfit Little Red. Endearingly describing their music as 'Doo-wop Punk', these guys sound like they've had a run-in with the Beach Boys' producer up in Camden, as 1950s style harmonies and springy instrumentals encapsulate their overall more up-to-date inherent sound. There is an undeniably chilled, summery feel to their tracks, providing a stark contrast to the many brooding and sagacious lyrics that are flowing into microphones otherwise. Yet this provides a surprisingly welcome change, and after growing up on the coast of Melbourne it isn't very difficult to understand by what and how they have been influenced. It is easy to see why they have toured with Vampire Weekend; both sing about topics that their peers might consider nonsensical, but it's refreshing to be transported to a lyrically retro era where the biggest concerns were about holding someone's hand.
Having already made waves in their homeland, Little Red are in the process of launching an attack on the UK, with their debut album due on our colder shores on 16th November and several London shows planned in support of this release. With the cold winter months drawing in, you'd be foolish to overlook a band whose music makes you feel like you're being coated in a warm blanket of honey.
www.myspace.com/littleredmusic
Having already made waves in their homeland, Little Red are in the process of launching an attack on the UK, with their debut album due on our colder shores on 16th November and several London shows planned in support of this release. With the cold winter months drawing in, you'd be foolish to overlook a band whose music makes you feel like you're being coated in a warm blanket of honey.
www.myspace.com/littleredmusic
Monday, 21 September 2009
Band To Watch - The Checks
Great things to have come out of New Zealand...
1 - Lord of the Rings/Peter Jackson (we all know they are one and the same really)
2 - the All Blacks Rugby team
3 - Flight of the Conchords
4 - Ernest Rutherford - only one of the greatest scientists of the twentieth century, don't you know
5 - Richard O'Brien of Rocky Horror Show fame. Techincally born in UK but raised in NZ... can't afford to be picky about these kinds of things as the list is pretty slim pickings at the minute.
That's about it.
But not anymore!
The Checks are the latest New Zealand import to hit our conscious minds and I'm pretty damned confident in saying that we're all the better for it. Having supported Oasis, Jet, The Killers and Muse on various international tours, the band are already accustomed to playing big audiences - they are just yet to find one over here.
Formed in 2003, the five piece rock outfit debuted at a friend's birthday party and after a succession of wins on student and regional radio station band competitions, have continued to develop under an umbrella of acclaim from industry veterans Michael Stipe and Jonathan Poneman (aka the great Nirvana discoverer). Yet despite such successful progression and recognition from the big wigs, the band remain unsigned and most recently released their second album, Alice by the Moon, under their own record label, Pie Club Records. You can hardly accuse them of not being dedicated to their cause.
Citing The Rolling Stones and Jack White as two of their influences, the band present us with a combination of heady electro rock threaded with a few strands of cheeky pop. The Checks are everything that the English music scene is raving about at the minute, so it surely won't be long until their sound infiltrates our northern shores and checks into a music venue near you.
www.myspace.com/thechecks
Song to listen to: You and Me
1 - Lord of the Rings/Peter Jackson (we all know they are one and the same really)
2 - the All Blacks Rugby team
3 - Flight of the Conchords
4 - Ernest Rutherford - only one of the greatest scientists of the twentieth century, don't you know
5 - Richard O'Brien of Rocky Horror Show fame. Techincally born in UK but raised in NZ... can't afford to be picky about these kinds of things as the list is pretty slim pickings at the minute.
That's about it.
But not anymore!
The Checks are the latest New Zealand import to hit our conscious minds and I'm pretty damned confident in saying that we're all the better for it. Having supported Oasis, Jet, The Killers and Muse on various international tours, the band are already accustomed to playing big audiences - they are just yet to find one over here.
Formed in 2003, the five piece rock outfit debuted at a friend's birthday party and after a succession of wins on student and regional radio station band competitions, have continued to develop under an umbrella of acclaim from industry veterans Michael Stipe and Jonathan Poneman (aka the great Nirvana discoverer). Yet despite such successful progression and recognition from the big wigs, the band remain unsigned and most recently released their second album, Alice by the Moon, under their own record label, Pie Club Records. You can hardly accuse them of not being dedicated to their cause.
Citing The Rolling Stones and Jack White as two of their influences, the band present us with a combination of heady electro rock threaded with a few strands of cheeky pop. The Checks are everything that the English music scene is raving about at the minute, so it surely won't be long until their sound infiltrates our northern shores and checks into a music venue near you.
www.myspace.com/thechecks
Song to listen to: You and Me
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