NEWS
EVENTS
Battle of Britain - Part II: London
Indie | Friday 14th March 2014 | Michael
Moving from the coast to the city, there appears to be a shift from band-orientated raucousness to a preference for the compositional achievements of the singer-songwriter. Competition is ripe within the capital, forcing some promising talent from its earth.
Kwabs
Creating an enchanting menagerie of sound through elements of soul, gospel and electronic production, the young Camberwell artist is presenting an incredibly modern musical style with beauty and finesse. Evolving from the post-dubstep/alt-r&b vibe that James Blake harnessed on Overgrown, tracks such as ‘Spirit Fade’ combine mellow synths, chilled beats and rich vocals to achieve wonderful and ambitious new music. The few tracks that have been shared by Kwabs so far also show great diversity; ‘Perfect Ruin’ is an emotional, stripped-back piano ballad that allows his deep, powerful vocals to surge, whilst the massive ‘Wrong Or Right’ is a mover that showcases producer SOHN’s melodic and intricate work. It is a type of modern soul music that is vital for the genre’s progression. Without a doubt, Kwabs is an artist that will take British music in a serious new direction in 2014.
For fans of: James Blake, Frank Ocean, Disclosure
Jake Isaac
Here is a warm addition to the British indie folk scene that has grown dramatically over the past five years. Isaac covers all bases of the genre, from whispering poetic lyrics over delicate compositions, to howling over fast-strummed choruses and cleverly crafted hooks. With his gentle, husky voice and resonant acoustic vibe, the South London singer-songwriter has used 2013 to establish a growing fan-base, appearing at Victoria Park’s Lovebox Festival and receiving recent interest from Communion Records. His powerful leading track, ‘Long Road’, was showcased by BBC Introducing and has received much popularity since, sounding like it could be one of the dance-along sounds of summer. Considering the recent success of this heart-pounding musical genre, both in the charts and at massive festivals such as Glastonbury, it is highly likely Jake Isaac will see mainstream exposure in the very near future.
For fans of: Ben Howard, Mumford & Sons, Matt Corby
Kyla La Grange
Okay, she’s technically from Watford, but the 27-year old singer-songwriter has been pursuing her new musical direction in London and it looks like her real success is going to burst from there. La Grange has already established a wide audience with her debut album Ashes (2012); a melancholy collection of indie pop-rock, boasting big choruses and ghostly vocals, which drew both critical acclaim and criticism. However, her new sound has taken on a much more modern twist, ditching the drums and guitars for keyboards and synths, delving into an indie club vibe that is far more original and immediately loveable. Her gentle vocals are easier to appreciate and everything is rounded in a much more gripping way, exposing song-writing and production talent that is well worth acknowledging. Kyla La Grange is maturing as an artist at the right time in the right way.
For fans of: Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Ellie Goulding, Lana Del Rey
The Mispers
Taking on alternative indie rock with a sort of country outcast twist, the five-piece allow their music to flow through different movements of rock and folk to create songs with endless interest. John Balfour Scott’s voice holds a unique trembling quality that distinguishes him from other singers, whilst harmonies and chants from the rest of the band strengthen the songs into something powerful. You can definitely imagine their more stompy tunes blaring out over sun-drenched festival-goers, and judging by live videos their fans are willing to get sweaty. The combination of indie guitars with syncopated drumming and violins is at times reminiscent to the “Thamesbeat” scene that never managed to take off. However, this lot hold an attractive and rebellious charm unlike other indie folk bands, which is sure to separate them from their competitors and gain a lot of interest.
For fans of: The Lumineers, Larrikin Love, Johnny Flynn & The Sussex Wit
Danny Toeman
A charismatic soul-man who writes with musical excellence and performs with incredible flair, this is an artist bringing old-school funk and soul back to life in his own magical way. Working shiny suit-jackets and afro-combs galore, Danny Toeman commands his stage like the sultry love-child of Seth Rogan and James Brown. Infused with a comedic and compelling stage-presence, his music channels some of the best voices of the 60s, with unique charm and effortless skill. Success has come in parts for the guitarist, having had his tracks ‘Soul Candy’ and ‘Keep On Running’ featured on the video game Rock Band, whilst supporting big names including Charles Bradley and Betty Wright along the way. It is nice to see an artist operating in a less mainstream genre with such conviction and talent. His music is a rare delight that should definitely be shared.
For fans of: Otis Redding, James Brown, Stevie Wonder
Mike Pickering - @mike_pickering
COMING SOON: Part III - Nottingham
