Ardyn are twin sibling duo Rob and Katy Pearson from Gloucestershire.Their band name originates from the Latin word for ‘enthusiastic’. Their music is a blend of psychedelic/folk dipped pop with a “doom” filled ballad vibe. They released their debut EP via National Anthem (Chvrches, HAIM, Wet) in 2015 which gave us hypnotic, melodic tunes that you can just loose yourself in. Their new single ‘Over the River’ which was released Monday is a light airy track that starts with a simple sweet melancholy piano. The song builds as it progresses into vocal rounds which is very effective. The exhaled vocal in the verses with a kind of tribal beat has a dance feel to the song and consumes you in a hypnotic trance that is intense but still holds a light blissful bright feel. Ardyn create picturesque music so effortlessly as you almost get an image of the trickling of water from the soft piano at the start to a rushing river by the climax.
Ardyn have created a warming melodic sound with hypnotic pop elements. A really great track from the twins look forward to hearing more.
Watch ‘Over the River’ below
Based in Shrewsbury, Shropshire indie/rock five-piece Shoot The Symphony have been creating a buzz since they released their first single ‘Unwind’ in late 2015, which was recorded at RML Studios, and got them quickly named Band Of The Week by Salop Radio, one of the most well known stations in their home town. Scot Kelly, Stephen Dalziel, Bobby Brazier, Conor Hubbard and Joe Goodman released ‘Sadie’ earlier this year, it is only their second released track but confirms their style and talent. ‘Sadie’ opens with a whirl of lustrous guitar riffs and rumbling drums. The verses soften with the hazy smooth vocals as the main focus, that builds into a lively, infectious indie rock chorus with rigorous guitar hooks and thumping beats and high energy. Its an animated track with a melancholy tone which is conveyed through the vocals which adds a nice contrast to the track.
Shoot The Symphony will be releasing their first EP Side Effects later in the year. If ‘Unwind’ and ‘Sadie’ are anything to go by it will be a solid EP with tracks that have serious radio potential.You can catch Shoot The Symphony On the 13th of May at the O2 Institute in Birmingham.
When Entering the quiet little pub of Eddie Murphys in Thomastown you expect, by its cosy old fashioned make up, that you would be settling down for a nice quiet drink, but Eddie Murphys had other plans. If you pass through the charming room and head outside to the back, passed “Le Bog Pour Les Femmes”you find a building with a good fashioned rock and roll vibe with wooden benches and tables where bands can make as much noise as they want and this is where we found our Alternative Rock band Beautiful Corruption and their support act Brand New Dead Things.
Dublin’s Brand New Dead Things kicked things off with melodic groovy sounds and strong riff based tunes. Maurice Ramsbottom (Guitars/Vocals), Dec Clarke (Drums) and Aaron Grimes (Bass/Vocals) gave us a diverse energetic set with polished sleek base riffs, robust drums and zealous guitar.Their array of tracks showed off Ramsbottom’s strong vocals as he slid into falsetto effortlessly. There was no shortage of humour either from these guys which kept the crowd entertained while they were tuning and blowing their nose. Brand New Dead things are a fun energetic band with serious skill. Looking forward to their new tracks to come Beautiful Corruption waisted no time in following. From the first song they exuded energy. The Kilkenny band Oisín Wolfe (Lead Vocals/Rhythm Guitar) , James Brown (Lead Guitar/Backing Vocals), Rory Cooper (Bass) and Simon Cooke (Drums) started with ‘Leather’ a solid riff based song to get everyone pumped, followed by an impeccably rehearsed set that was still a fresh performance from the boys. Half way through the set they do a crowd pleasing cover of wolf Alice’ Moaning Lisa smile’ The second half of the set explodes into frantic head banging tracks with slick nimble guitar as Wolfe coaxes the crowd to their feet to dance and mosh (even a guy on crutches gets up to join in) The set comes to an end with the band giving a final burst of energy on their final song of the night.
London band Dead! have just released their new single ‘ Your So Cheap’. Its a solid rock track with proficient guitar and pounding drums. The verses feature clever well written lyrics with strong vocal. Although the tone is bitter, its a kick ass track with a catchy sharp chorus and cutting vocals. With a razor-sharp guitar solo before the intense bridge that shows a well arranged song and lives up to the hype surrounding this band.
We are also treated to a second track with the release of ‘Your So Cheap’ this comes in the form of the energetic dynamic track that is ‘Save Me’. This is a banging tune full of energy with an infectious melody that seeps into your brain and leaves you craving more. With strong bass line, guitar hook and thunderous drums.The chorus explodes into a fierce full sound with passionate vocals. The bridge brings us that mosh worthy instrumental that Dead! are famous for with, of course the vocal scream
Dead are a force to be reckoned with!
Stream ‘Your So Cheap’ and ‘Save Me’ below
Little Grim the South London quartet have released the video for their new single “Sparks”, ahead of its release on Newspeak Records on June 3rd. Its a 70’s funk and soul track which shows us another side to Little Grim. With a rhythmic groove on bass and syncopated guitar riffs with the classic wah-wah sound effect of the 70’s. This track makes you want to strut your stuff turn on a disco ball and dance. The video is portrayed as a 1970s British gangster film and was produced by film-makers Do Not Entry and stars Chris Fairhall, as a rough, scar-faced gangster hell bent on a violent journey to recover his missing wife.
The band are embarking on ‘The Indie Heroes Tour’ a project which will see them play a series of live shows at independent music venues across the UK starting at Southampton’s Pre Bar on May 5th, make sure you check them out.
Travis Oaks are an alternative blues rock band from Cavan. The band consists of Michael Paterson (Rhythm guitar and lead vocals),Taran Plouzane (Lead guitar and backing vocals), Aran McGillick (Bass guitar and backing vocals) and Killian McCourt (Drums). They have been carving their own sound since late 2012 by fusing Indie, Blues, Punk and Rock and now have signed a publishing deal with New York based Big House Publishing.
Their new single ‘Love You More’ shows us why these guys are creating hype. This hook-driven track is a robust, powerful song with a cool, slick, smooth tone in the verses, which oozes confidence and swagger. With bluesy licks, thumping rhythm and lush harmonies its a really slick song to listen to. The intro gives you an instrumental taste of what’s to come and then they hold back while singing the verse making you crave more. You wait through an intense vocal with harmonies and light guitar riff before an explosion into the heavy chorus.These guys know how to grab your attention with catchy chorus and impeccable guitar that keeps you addicted to their sound.
Travis Oaks will have a new EP Black Light out on June 10th and if ‘Love You More’ is anything to go buy its going to be a fantastic EP. Travis Oaks have been invited to support big names such as The Riptide Movement, The Hot Sprockets , ASH and most recently The Strypes, at the sold out Olympia Theatre so live shows are something these guys are not afraid of. Look forward to hearing more from Travis Oaks in the future. These guys are sticking around!
Stream ‘Love You More’ below
The Amazons are an indie rock and roll band from Reading. Members Matt Thomson (vocals and guitar), Chris Alderton (guitar), Elliott Briggs (bass) and Joe Emmett (drums) have been on an upward journey, ever since they first arrived on the music scene with their first demo “Something in the Water” back in early 2015. In March this year they released their new single ‘Stay With Me’ which is an energetic youthful track full of adrenaline. Produced by Tom Dalgety (Royal Blood, The Maccabees), the single has already gathered critical attention. It had its first début on Radio One and has been championed by Annie Mac, Huw Stephens and Phil Taggart.
With thunderous drums and slick guitars The Amazons give us a dynamic fist pumping anthem.This is a melodic track that packs a punch, its sure to get everyone dancing and singing along.
You can catch The Amazons at:
Sat 23 Apr Are You Listening Festival ,Reading.
Sun 01 May FestEVOL ,Liverpool.
Thu 12 May House of Vans, London.
Thu 19 May The Great Escape, Brighton.
Fri 27—Mon 30 May Lost Village Festival, Lincoln.
Sun 29 May Lost Village Festival, Lincolnshire.
Fri 15 Jul —Sun 17 Jul Truck Festival,Steventon.
Fri 15 Jul —Sun 17 Jul Beat-Herder, Ribble Valley
Thu 28 Jul —Sun 31 Jul Kendal Calling, Penrith.
Fri 29 Jul Standon Calling ,Standon
Sat 20 Aug Glass Butter Beach Festival, Abersoch
Sat 03 SepFestival No.6 ,Portmeirion
Watch ‘Stay With Me’ below
Looking for that perfect summer track? Well Fickle Friends have it sorted!
Fickle Friends are an Indie Pop band from Brighton. Natti, Sam, Harry, Chris, and Wilson have brought us our summer heatwave with their track ‘Say No More’. Their shimmering synths, infectious hooks, groovy bass and perky vocals just radiates sunshine. It’s a retro feel-good anthem filled with 80s synths and a dazzling fresh power-pop sound. Its like The 1975 meets Haim.
This warm, feel good energetic track can almost make you feel the heat of the sun an absolutely brilliant track a must listen to!
I’ll look forward to more from Fickle Friends!
Stream ‘Say No More below’
Ginger Tom are a pop-punk band from Doncaster. Dan Washbourn (Vocals/Guitar), Tom Prendergast (Vocals/Guitar), Alex Byard-Cooke (Drums) and Luke Broadhurst ( Bass) released their single ‘Thought You’d Won’ on Friday 15th April. This single is the title track from their third EP and showcases their talent for writing catchy, melodic, harmony driven upbeat tracks.
They had previously wowed audiences at Universities around the UK when they were hand-picked to join the prestigious Coffeehouse Sessions tour last year. Their tour support slots with The Hoosiers, Marillion and The Pigeon Detectives have further increased their growing fan base.
‘Thought You’d Won’ is an energetic track with great hooks and tight harmonies accompanied by radiant guitars and a solid dependable rhythm section. The vocals are smooth and effortless with luscious harmonies that are infectious. This is a positive animated track that’s easy to listen to and sing along with.
The band will be celebrating the release of ‘Thought You’d Won’ with the following tour dates,
5th May – The Lion, BRISTOL
13th May – The Century Club, LONDON
31st May – West St Live, SHEFFIELD
1st June – Think Tank, NEWCASTLE
2nd June – The Actress & Bishop, BIRMINGHAM
3rd June – The Zanzibar, LIVERPOOL
9th June – The Maze, NOTTINGHAM
11th June – Verve, LEED
Stream ‘Thought You’d Won’ below
Serene is a three piece band from Cumbria consisting of Kieran Day on vocals, guitar, bass, synth; Ryan Patterson, lead guitar and synth; Matthew Southwell, drums and percussion.Contrary to what their name suggests these guys are full of loud, big sounding psychedelic, alternative rock. Their song ‘Rainbow Mind’ is a seductive enrapture of psychedelic rock with slick alluring guitars and steady beats. The gritty vocals give a grunge vibe to the chorus, however Kieran’s vocals for the verse is deep and haunting and adds a bewitching mysterious quality to the song. The psychedelic guitar solo is impeccable and breaks the tone a little preparing for the big crescendo.
This is a fantastic song well written and composed and really showcases the talent of these guys. Serene are currently preparing to release their first EP and if ‘Rainbow Mind’ is anything to go by its going to be a strong EP. Bright future ahead for this band!
Stream ‘Rainbow Mind’ below
Indie: (n) an obscure form of rock which you only learn about from someone slightly more hip than yourself.
