I'm really struggling to find time to right something coherent on this here blog, so here is a quick missive that addresses 2 points I'm trying to find to write something inteligent about.
#1 is some great bands for 2010
#2 is about how sick I'm getting of derivative bands, bands that seem to exist as a sound before substance
Samuel & The Dragon intrigue me greatly. In one respect they're stylization should be off putting, but musically, it seems brave and dark. Well, that's how "Diamonds On A Boat" sounds as that is the only song I've managed to hear. The moment of silence half way through gives me goosebumps every time I hear it.
They're supposed to be playing A Nation Of Shopkeepers tomorrow night (Sat 13th Feb), I look forward to seeing what else they've got
And don't forget, after probably a bit of a quiet one, next year is the year when a few Leeds bands that have been bubbling under, release albums or get on a little bit more:
I currently have a list as long as my arm of things I wanted to write blogs about, but I've really struggled to find time the last few weeks - the new years is treating busy and there's so much more I wanted to do. I'm not working entirely as hard as I should be though, and have managed to spend most of the last 2 nights watching telly. Including the last few episodes of Gilmore Girls which managed to chalk up mentions for Midlake, Tokyo Police Club, My Morning Jacket and many more
2008 and was a funny year for me, and this time last year I was completely lost... Infact, a few months ago I was a bit lost. Right now, I have a bit of work to continue doing, and finishing producing these new songs by The ABC Club (pretty much done) and Die Video Die (sounding good). Then I might do something for me
Anyway, as is customary, I've had a list of 'hot new bands' growing for a while, and now everyone else has tipped them, please allow me to join the bandwagon
TIPS FOR 2009
This year, it's clear nobody knows who's gonna be big from the tips, bar the bleedin' obvious - that might still bomb completely through complete over hype and over exposure (hello White Lies). BBC Sound Of... poll is always a good barometer of the industry perception of what's going to be big. Last year, yes Adele, Duffy and others piled to the top of the pile, but there were other interesting features, like Santogold who never quite crossed into the mainstream.
There seem a few top tips, specifically on the BBC year's list, that seem very much of this Santogold ilk - I'm thinking mainly Little Boots and Empire Of The Sun. Two bands who I think are great, but I'm not sure I see them reaching Duffy style levels of mainstream success. Will talk a bit about that in a minute, but my great showbiz mate Steve Lamacq has written a great blog on the current state of tipping for the new year (and I agree on the shoegaze revival)
Here's some new bands I like that will release records this year:
LITTLE BOOTS
Yes, she's everywhere - but in her former incarnation as lead singer of Dead Disco, Dance To The Radio released her first efforts, and they were infact the last band to release a single on Fierce Panda unless I'm much mistaken. She's the nu-rave Madonna, or something, and her collaboration with Joe Hot Chip, 'Stuck On Repeat' is a bonafide Disco Anthem. Will she become huge? I don't know, she has an immense pressure behind her from her label (679) who are rumoured to be dropping bands left, right and centre, and the build up to her push has been going on for absolutely ages. And of course I'm sure the songs I prefer least will be the ones to break her... You can't deny her star quality on Jools Holland though:
Let's get the big guns out of the way. This is the Aussie collaboration between the singer of The Sleepy Jackson (remember their New Rock Revolution anthem - 'Miniskirt'? No?) and modular nu-rave heroes PNAU - responsible for the awesome track 'Embrace' with Ladyhawke. Anyway, they've created this odd world, but the songs sound great, though quite cheesy. I'm suprised they're getting hyped as much as they are, but hey it's pretty cool
Actually, this is more retrospective, as they're album came out last year, but they're coming over for a proper tour at the end of February. These guys are ex-Secret Machines guitarist Ben Curtis, and indentical twins Alejandra and Claudia Deheza. This is the one band I am most excited about it has to be said - their track 'Connjur' is one of my favourites at the minute
Right, I have other things to do now, but put those in your pipe and smoke them. Not very interesting or new really I know, but things I wanted to write. Maybe see you tomorrow
The tipsters choice early last year, off the back of two EPs, the Canadians have now signed to Saddle Creek and an album of indie-pop goodness is expected soon
Ok, apologies for the delay. And a disclaimer, I'm gonna write a big thing about a few more bands (like Youthmovies, whose album I got this week - amazing) and a short thing about a lot of bands. And apologies for the short descriptions, but the myspace links are RIGHT THERE.
Another Seattle connection I'm afraid (there's a few more coming up) but this is the new band from Mat Brooke, who played guitar on the first Band Of Horses album. So the sound is kind of like that. Pitchfork put their demo's online last year (get them HERE) and they have an album out on Sub Pop in Mid Feb
Alright with Seattle already! Jaguar Love is Johnny Witney, Cody Votolato and J Clark - and if you don't recognise their names, they've played in bands like Blood Brothers, Pretty Girls Make Graves and Kill Sadie to name but three. They sound like a handsome mixture of what you'd expect, toured with QOTSA last year and are currently recording an album for Matador.
3 guys from Manchester, who wear really strange masks, play some awesome riffs and played one of the best gigs I saw last year. They're album Snake Magnet is recorded and is all kinds of wonderful and will hopefully be out very soon. They're a bands band, and Biffy Clyro are currently singing their praises from the rooftops. Listen to them and then go and watch them when you can.
This post should truely be 'Band I'm Looking Forward To Hearing New Stuff From' or 'Bands That I Hope Do Well This Year.'
Ok, so not 'Tips For 2008' I don't honestly know how 'big' any of these bands will get this year, but here are some bands that I haven't seen mentioned much that have some hot stuff planned for this year:
Portugal The Man come from Alaska, but seem to spend a lot of time in the North West coast of the US. They released an album last year called Church Mouth which is ace, rocking organ and laidback blues punk... I guess.
They're going into the studio later this month to start working on the follow-up, which you'd have to expect to be out later in the year. They're coming over to Europe to tour in February as well, but bypassing the UK unfortunately
This band were the 'talk' of the blogs when I was in America a year and a bit ago with their debut album/mini-album, Broom. They spent the end of last year holed up in 'Will's Aunts House' and the album should be out in March they say
Something I've been looking forward to since I heard Boom Bip & Gruff Rhys collaborate on "Do's & Don'ts" two or three years ago - they now have an album and a fully fledged project on the go.
The album is called Stainless Style and is out in March worldwide
Ok, so that's my first little blast, I hope to add some more bands I like soon and some more general posts. Apologies for the lack of MP3 links - give me some time and I may figure it out! Until then, enjoy Rupert Murdoch's portal to alternative music
Soundtrack to this post: Portugal The Man / Phospherescent / CocoRosie
My name is whiskas or Sam to my grandparents. I live in Leeds, UK
I've played in some bands, and helped some bands, and I've started this page as a little personal outlet. I guess this is and will be a work in progress for a little while. Info on all my goings on are here:
With some trepidation, it would be nice to hear what people think, or even suggestions on topics to wax lyric about
Please feel free to drop me and email at whiskas9[at]valuehost.co.uk- an email that I don't check incredibly regular, but I check none the less. Please put 'Nyevsky Prospect' as the subject to help a brother out
