NEWS
EVENTS
Battle of Britain - Part III: Nottingham
Indie | Friday 21st March 2014 | Michael
Ever since Jake Bugg was thrown hastily into the limelight, thousands of musicians and fans have turned their attention towards Nottingham. It seems that musical styles and genres from all corners are converging in the middle of the country to create some intoxicating new sounds.
Kagoule
Signed by Nottingham’s Denizen Records, this indie-rock trio sway between melodic, shoe-gazing verses and thick, grunge choruses. Monarchy/Mudhole (2013) showcased the band’s sentimental vibe along with the distorted, drunken growl with which their guitars fall, combining dreamy verses with soul-surging, epic choruses. Cai Burns, Lucy Hatter and Lawrence English fall into the whirring, alternative rock category of trios who are able to produce dense, rumbling sounds, complimented by melodic song-writing. December’s ‘Adjust The Way’ took the band to a much more intense level, crashing with a gritty, thumping darkness that has earned rightful acknowledgement from both Zane Lowe and NME. This music surges like a tidal wave; floating with wistful dreaminess at times, but seriously heavy shit when it comes to the crunch.
For fans of: Band Of Skulls, The Subways, The Joy Formidable
Michael A Grammar
Imagine Ian Curtis and Ian Brown take a holiday to the English countryside, make tender love in the evening glow and leave their jacked-up lovechild to frolic in blooming fields of carelessness. The result comes close to what this four-piece are embodying; a combination of atmospheric rock and psychedelic funk rhythms that revitalises the sound of Madchester with a riff-laden twist. Each track from their recent E.P. Random Vision plummets through different layers of swirling ambience, radiant guitar noise and off-beat drum movements that achieve the stoner’s dual paradise of chilled out vibes and booming psych-rock. The variation in each track is constantly enchanting, whilst the overall sound is pure ecstasy, throwing together sounds from the past with an experimental switch.
For fans of: Pond, The Stone Roses, Jagwar Ma
Frolikks
It may seem premature to be writing about a duo whose presence on the internet is so sparse and mysterious, but the few pieces that can be found feel like rare items that are impossible to simply cast aside. Michael Bird’s crackling, electronic production takes on an ambient, 2-step style, fizzing beneath the sweet and delicate vocals of Janet Savage. Both minimalistic and incredibly intricate at the same time, ‘Ballistics’ is a haunting track that stutters and buzzes with energy, indicating huge potential from the pair. A 6-track E.P. was reportedly available on their Bandcamp previously, but has since vanished, therefore we can only speculate over future sounds. Their Tumblr shows exciting evidence of work in progress, so keep an eye out there…
For fans of: Massive Attack, Burial, Portishead
Harleighblu
The newest contender to the chart-topping genre of British female soul, this 21-year-old holds a delicious, full-bodied voice which she puts through its paces on her debut album, Forget Me Not (2013). Her smooth vibrato, groaning tones and powerful range demonstrate a stunning ability to command each song with confidence and ease. But what makes this singer-songwriter so attractive and unique is her feisty attitude; lyrically, musically and in performance, Harleighblu is foxy and full of passion. Stuffed full of pianos, trumpets and strings, this music will be a massive discovery and relief for those Winehouse fans that are still searching for something to fill the void - though not as a replacement - as the next stage of evolution for vivacious female artists at the forefront of British soul.
For fans of: Duffy, Amy Winehouse, Lianne La Havas
Wanderlings
A psychedelic dream-pop quartet - self-defined as ‘Popsycle’ - whose sound is wrapped in reverb and lost in the clouds. It is surprising that this band did not find their sound by the coast when sleepy tones sing “Leave our clothes by the side as we’re falling…” before becoming half-swallowed by their own echoes. Following a series of well-rounded demo tracks their successful debut E.P. VNO was released in 2013 on Viscerality Records. Snippets of film audio murmur over twanging surf guitars, floating synths and tambourines, creating a drowsy sound that longs for summer sun. As they hone in on their true sound, Wanderlings look set to join the subculture of dream-pop that is loved and lapped up by festivals like Secret Garden Party and Latitude. Hazy, free and full of life.
For fans of: Grizzly Bear, Beach House, The Only Ones
Mike Pickering - @mike_pickering
COMING SOON: Part IV - Liverpool
