Unsung: The Kid Jones

It’s been a long time since Unsung had made a feature, but about as long since The Kid Jones first sent me an e-mail saying hello.

Now I can definitely talk about them though as their first single Juliet is out next Monday. It’s a good catchy number with electronic roots and a chorus that we can all sing. I particularly like the random dreamy bit about two-thirds through… A nice twist on the usual generic indie stuff.

The other songs on the standard myspace listing are also pretty good. Greenlight is the slow and moody guitar one, Mario Sings is the rockier one.

Listening whilst doing other things, it’s proved to be brilliant background music. And, I imagine they’d be a great live band. I might not, just yet, buy any album – but I’ll listen to them again, which is a good thing after a first listen only.

In the Inbox

Once again, I’m afraid to admit that I’ve let my inbox grow too full of unread e-mails from bands, promo companies, etc etc – so what better way to spend a Sunday morning than writing Christmas cards and listening to them? Here’s some of the picks…

Dirty Strangers

You might not recognise the name, but you’ll recognise the style of music. And you’ll certainly spot some of the names in “guest performers”, a certain Keith Richards also writing some of the tracks. In that respect, it’s entirely what you’d expect, a slightly modern Rolling Stones. They’ve been going since the last 80s, but the music is still popular (and will be for ages), so it’s a tried and trusted format! Have a listen to Bad Girls, with Richards.

Dionne Bromfield

Amy Winehouse’s god daughter and on her “Lioness” record label, Amy herself summarises her protégé:

"The first time I heard Dionne sing, I couldn't believe what I was hearing. Such an amazing voice from such a young girl. I'm just so proud of her. I'm very lucky to have a record label. I've got all these people that I love, that are really talented - and Dionne is my number one."

Most of the songs on her myspace are covers of classic Motown numbers, which isn’t a bad thing when they’re sung this well. There’s only clips I’m afraid, but there’s enough to make me want to hear more – which is a nice tease.

Damn Vandals

These four graffiti artists have traded in their ASBOs for rock 'n' roll.

The band met on an internet graffiti forum and together decided to paint "Destroy Mondays" eight foot high on the side of a commuter train parked up near Catford.
It was 2007.
Rumbled by a police sting operation they got 500 hours community service. Their punishment was to re-decorate the local youth club.
After hours one night they stumbled on a room containing guitars and a drum kit.

The rest is soon to be history.

Not bad for a gang of convicts, it has to be said. I think that Tsunami High is a bit Bowie-esque, which is a nice twist on a standard indie-rock selection.

Unsung: Girls

If I said to you Lust for Life, the latest single by Girls wouldn't be what you had in mind. Mind you, from the band name, you wouldn't be expecting two San Franciscans called Christopher and "JR", would you? The first song I heard from the band was the wonderfully grumbling Hellhole Ratrace.

A bit like a non-Scottish Glasvegas, the song seems to drone on in a dreary fashion - which I appreciate sounds very negative but isn't meant to be, it's a character of the song. The bit I am going to say that's negative though is that it does drone on for a little too long - 6 minutes is an overly long song and you do get the feeling it could end much earlier than it does.

Solitude suffers no such problem though, and with the simple accompaniment is perhaps the easiest place to listen to the carefully chosen lyrics of the songs - themes of heartbreak clearly coming from some of the songs as Christopher Owens admits was a source of inspriation. Lust for Life is completely different from the other two I've had the opportunity to listen to - a bit crazier in terms of both lyrics, tune, and definitely video. All in all, it's what I'd best describe as a very "tempting" start - and one to listen to for the future.

Lust for Life is out on 7 Sept, with the debut album imaginatively entitled "Album" following on the 28th over here in Europe.

Catch-up

OK, miles behind with the posts again - several artists to listen up on, review to write on the One EskimO album, need to listen to the Florence & the Machine album properly and make appropriate comments, festival season, and more. Plus, keep watching this space for an hopeful exclusive competition and preview on a soul talent that's really coming onto the scene at the minute.

However, to catch-up, some things that have dropped into my inbox lately, with thoughts in 10 words or less. See how it goes...

Flashguns - I don't not love you - Somewhere between Fleet Foxes and Arcade Fire. Great Litotes.

Thecocknbullkid - Clean apart - Electronica, pop, and an insect-like noise that only dogs can hear. Catchy though. [Note - Bugger the 10 words or less then]

Girls - Hellhole ratrace - San-Franciscan Glasvegas maybe? Lazy summer day.

[Bit extra on Girls - Solitude is the B-side on the 10" limited album, and is much more acoustic and still nicely summer days. Quite retro with the mouth organ and the like. I'll try to do a comprehensive unsung in due course, but if I fail it's worth mention that the album is out on 21st Sept followed by a UK tour at:

SEPTEMBER 
21st  London Lexington
OCTOBER 
9th Nottingham Bodega Social Club
10th Liverpool Korova 
11th Manchester Night & Day 
13th Glasgow Captain's Rest 
14th Edinburgh Sneaky Pete's
15th Leeds Brudenell Social Club
16th Bristol The Cooler 
17th Birmingham Academy 3 
19th Brighton The Albert
20th London Hoxton Bar & Kitchen
21st Tunbridge Wells Forum
23rd Cardiff SWN Festival 

Casio Kids - Finn Bikkjen! - Eh? Bouncy Hot-Chip esque accompaniment, but what lyrics?

Medi and the Medicine - Excuse my French - Mentioned the band before, funky, memorable, distinct.

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Unsung: ila'a'noiZe

Winston mentioned this band some time ago, but I'm still miles behind and have only just got listening to them.

ila'a'noiZe (say that when you've had a few) are, in many ways, a standard indie band. Guitar led, the local twang coming through the lyrcis (singing in an accent still being popular). They've got the standard 'slow number' (Neverland); the standard rockier one with a dance beat (OBS) - we've probably heard all the same before.

And that sounds derogatory. But, it's still a format that works. Just a hint of creativity to be subtly different, and providing it's well sung and well written - just like ila'a'noiZe - it's enjoyable club music. The acid test for this sort of music is if, at a dark and dingy venue, you'd find yourself toe-tapping or bouncing around like a crazed idiot or somewhere between the two (depending on your inhibitions). You may not want to buy an album, but they're just there to let you have a good night.

The test is passed. Therefore, have a listen, and see what you think.

Miike Snow

I recently got an e-mail with this weird "viral" video.

The clips come from the dodgy "cult" 80s TV Show, 'Manimal'. Never heard of it either? It only ever made 8 episodes, I wouldn't worry about it, it's hardly CHiPs...

The music however comes from Miike Snow, who is definitely more of an American act than anyone who's made it over here in Blightly. The three guys who make up the group with their electronic pop are actually mainly Swedish, with only one yank in the line-up.

The tunes are very familiar, with melodies that remind me of One Republic amongst others (see Silvia to see if you agree with that one). But it's the accompaniment that makes the group stand out a bit from the crowd. Stand out track is Song for No One, even though with those opening cars I'm left thinking Vampire Weekend.

Personally, it doesn't stand out that much for me to be crawling with enthusiasm. But as decent background music for radio playlists, it's perfectly in the ball park. Worth a listen.

Medi & The Medicine

I'm no Londonner, but some of you certainly are - so it's time for a gig tip.

Tomorrow (That's Friday), hot new band (I've always wanted to say that) Medi & The Medicine are performing at the Raison d'etre show at Pigalle.

Pigalle being the appropriate place, because the band have made it big in Paris if not yet this side of La Manche. Given I'm a dedicated francophile, all the more reason to go. Time Out have also recommended the gig as a "Clubby session with a jazz/reggae/Afro-jazz/worldbeat feel".

But it's one band that's been tipped to me - and I am immediately impressed. There's a variety of sounds on their myspace, from the sooth acoustic Gone too far to the sing-along dance-crazy I know what you did, all are well written and easy on the ear.

Even though I can't be at Pigalle on Friday, there really is a reason to be (see what I did?) there...

One eskimO

Building on the gorillaz theme, here's another cartoon band. Indeed, the animation is created by Passion Pictures who also did the "original" cartoon band.

OK, chosen one sounds very James Blunt-esque, which loyal readers will know is far from a selling point. I even thought I'd be saying the same about kandi, but it developed into a decent and quite moving duet with some extremely familiar sounding vocals (the female being Candi Statton). In short, if you think gorillaz singing guitar based slow ballads, you're getting on the right track, if not quite totally there.

It's different, but good. And so it should be - produced by Rollo out of off of Faithless, it's got the unique trait that the 10 tracks in the album that was out on Monday ("All Balloons") form a story not just with the songs (which is quite rare in itself nowadays) but also with the videos. It's an animated musical perhaps, just without the complete absurdity of the average Disney cartoon.

The "real people" behind the project is a two piece - Kristan singing and Adam on drums (interview here). Their live performances - and I'm genuinely hoping to catch them at V this year - are a mix between the visuals and themselves, so they are clearly more than just a gimmicky cartoon and can genuinely play their instruments.

I think this album should start to make an impact. We'll certainly see.

Unsung: Blabbermouth

I first heard Blabbermouth on Tom Robinson's Introducing show, with the truly brilliant song Domestic Bliss. Unfortunately, as I'm behind with these reviews, it's no longer available on his myspace, but there's plenty of cracking songs that are. Even if they're not quite as murderous and love-struck as with the line "This is Domestic Bliss / Ain't ever ever felt like this / You seem to have unlimited cash / Since your wife died that in crash". And there's still a video for it:

Just a unique twist and choice of lyrics is immediately catching, together with a wonderful tune - how often do you hear a banjo nowadays? It is folk music, but really not as you know it Jim, and very enjoyable.

The current myspace tracklisting is completely diverse. Amnesia and the slightly morbid 4ft Death (is the Grim Reaper really that small?) is in a similar style to Domestic Bliss, but then you have My Time Machine which is - appropriately enough given the title - futuristic sounding. Nothin in my pocket reminds me of early 90s pop with the "talking lyrics". I could go on, but you can see the pattern - it shows great diversity from a single artist.

Worth a listen.

Nice idea

Launch, as your first single, an effective AA side. With the same song. But different.

I'm explaining it badly, as ever, so instead I'll demonstrate by way of example. Dressed in Dresden and Undressed in Dresden, the "heavier dub-lined" re-working of the former. It's what The Hundred in the Hands have done, and it's very impressive.

You wouldn't actually tell, first off, that they're the same song. Dressed in Dresden is a fast beated but slow paced guitar heavy quasi-electronic number with a repetitive yet catchy female lead vocal. Undressed in Dresden have got a different brass rhythm continuo, and a futuristic electronica element. But, it's that same female lead vocal.

If they're a band to look out for in the future is impossible to tell from just one (set of) song(s). But, I like what I hear - so there's definitely an "eye open" opportunity there.

A label

Time for a slightly different "Unsung" - some time ago now (even longer now because I started writing this before I went offline) I got an e-mail from a record label. A small, independent label - which means small, independent bands. Desert Records describe themselves thus:

Desert Records was established in 2008 by Alejo Rodriguez and Craig Daly. Even in this online digital download world of MP3s and disposable music, we still believe that someone, somewhere, still wants a CD with nice packaging (call us old fashioned). It's easy to make your own home recordings but we have realised that you need a record label to give that final mastered product that 'finished' look. (Myspace)

I don't know if it's possible to do an unsung for a label, but I'm going to try anyway with some of their bands. The catch here being "What song's by which band?" - the songs on the label's myspace listing all being listed as being by the label. A flaw in myspace - there is one afterall! Thankfully, the benefit of album covers and looking at other myspace pages has helped. So, here's what's on offer:

Windnight - The opening bars of Uprooted leave you with no illusion as to where this band come from. Bagpipes - must be Scotland, and to be more accurate it's Glasgow. With guitar though - a highly unusual combination of genres, and with that and also Desert Night, a quite unusual demonstration in modern times of an instrumental. Desert Night is also a perfect example of music and title being properly designed - it sounds Arabian, and yes it could fit into an evening in a bivouac.

Stone Autumn - Continuing the theme of bagpipes, Come to me now does, in some ways, show a recurring theme between the bands on the label. There are more songs to listen to, all with the distinct Scottish folk background but with a slight twist. Mainly traditional stuff, so not entirely my cup of tea, but if you like that sort of thing it's a perfectly fine example.

The Midgierakers - More acoustic folk. Unfortunately, for the purposes of this blog, that's all it is. Nothing eccentric, nothing unusual, and nothing spectacular. It's clear it's good musicianship, but I've not drunk enough cider to really appreciate this sort of this music. Going to have to pass with a "no comment"

Back to the label as a whole though - great to see someone willing to take a punt with something different. Hope it pans out

Note - For those that keep sending me myspace requests, links to free downloads, tips for new talents etc etc etc - I apologise for not either responding or reacting to them. I've got a back log of several weeks, and still wish to listen to everything I've been sent. Please bear with me, and please keep them coming in the interim. I'll try to catch up asap.

Blitzkrieg Unsung

So, once a month Lammo does his "Blitzkrieg Pop" - 30 songs in 60 minutes. I can't profess to be that good - but I'm clearing a few on my unsung backlist by summarising a selection of bands in one short sentence, which will hopefully encourage you to listen to them more. That's the theory at any rate...

Wolfgang - Instrumental alternative well written tunes

Souls of Diotima - Foreign, nice acoustic bits, then it gets raucous!

Andrew Kevin Newton - 80s influence? No, 60s. No, 80s again. Yes, definitely 80s.

Amphibic - Guitar-based indie. Some soothing, some more standard.

Detroit Social Club - Remember 90s American bands? Sing along, but not in an anthemic way.

The Lies - Energetic Indie Rock.

Unsung: Piano

Normally I wouldn't set out to listen to a band like Piano from their description. "Alternative / Rock / Progressive" is what their myspace says, and normally when a myspace listing includes "Rock", it means rock - which I'm not a fan of. I'd listen if asked (so keep those e-mails coming in folks), but not set out to find them. However, when there's a legal element - in that one member is also an active "blawger" - I'm prepared to give it a go. And "Alternative" is always promising...

First things first - bit of background. Piano is a well known band in Japan. But still unheard of in the UK. Why Japan, perhaps Chris can explain, or maybe it's just a weird fact of life. Still, if they can sell out venues half way round the world, they're not all that bad.

And I can see why. OK, I can't stand The Intended, unless it's just intended to drive rats away from the tuneless screaming. That's not a criticism of the band, that's a criticism of the style of music. But all is not lost - that was at the end of the playlist.

Immediately before that, I was finding myself enjoying Free Association Imagery, which is much more melancholy, legato, and harmonic. Even songs like Two Wrongs don't make a right are clearly musically sound. As I'm not overly qualified to comment though, I asked a "heavier" (as in musical taste, he's actually quite small) mate to give his brief opinion:

"Hmmm, it seems pretty good.
The vocals are very Funeral For A Friend-esque, without the screaming parts. Though I can't say i'm personally a fan of their emo style of singing.
The guitar's are hooky like bands like 12 Guage Alliance and InMe.
But yeah, overall they're pretty good, and technically seem pretty together, good use of volume (I know there's a technical term for it, but it's passed me by)
I quite like it really, the drums aren't particularly ground breaking, but it works well with the style of music.
Their best song on their MySpace is probably "Home is where the heart is"."

I think that counts as praise!

Unsung - Also now available in Audio Format

Yes, the special treat I've been working on is a podcast, which you can now download (and I hope you do) to listen the music all in one go.

It's very much a first attempt, production qualities do require a bit of work, so constructive comments are very welcome!

The Common Empire - Hoodlums - Amanda Applewood - Me-My-Head -  Amazing Baby - Bombay Bicycle Club

Technorati Tags: The Common Empire,Hoodlums,Amanda Applewood,Me-My-Head,Amazing Baby,Bombay Bicycle Club

Unsung: Lion O'Brien

It's been a while since I've featured a band since hearing them on Tom Robinson's show, but occasionally you hear a song that you immediately fall in love with. Well, that happened with This Life by Lion O'Brien. Sample lyrics:

"I've got a massive unpaid loan / and impending legal action

They might repossess my home / They might force my eviction

But I won't piss and moan / No Crying in the kitchen

'Coz I don't have no right to moan when I got this life"

All accompanied with a bouncy, pleasant out-looking melody. Just the sort of thing to pull you out of a bit of doom and gloom. With recessions and all that junk.

I have to be honest, listening to the rest of the myspace track listing, it's a real standout track. That's not to say that the other tracks aren't good, they're totally fine. Robot Love is different, I'd love to see it out of demo - and overall they are definitely, as Tom said, a real sing-a-long band. Just makes This Life all the better really...

Unsung - Flashguns

Way to tease me into listening to a band. The e-mail I received letting me know about Flashguns told me "they've just been in the studio with Stephen Street (The Smiths/Blur) working on the single".

He should know what he's on about then...

Surprisingly, once again, I then catch up on my RSS and find that Lammo's got there first

"A few days later I was back in north London to see Flashguns, whose '80s references lie more in the Postcard camp. In one of those strange moments of musical synchronicity, there seems to be a rush of bands at the moment who sound - to me at least - like spikier versions of early Orange Juice or maybe like the demos Rough Trade probably got sent in 1987 (have they all been reading Simon Reynolds book Rip It Up And Start Again?)."

-Steve Lamacq's 6 music blog

For once though, I'm not as enthusiastic as Steve. Listening to the band's myspace, I wasn't immediately bowled over by the music I heard. It was fine, I will listen to them again. But, the music, as The Cat says, is very "twisted". For me, it doesn't seem to end up going anywhere. I can't feel any beat. I can't find the tune. I can't sing along. I like music that I can feel. Maybe it is just a bit "too much".

Unsung - Shelly Still

My inbox is now getting steadily fuller with myspace "friend" requests and other e-mails suggesting I listen to a new and potentially up-and-coming artist.

I can still stand by my promise that I will listen to every request that comes in - so please do keep them coming.(1) However, it may take a while, given that I have a 9-5 job nowadays (together with my set of extra curricular activities).

So, I'm no longer going to have "unsung" every other Wednesday, I'm just going to post something when I get time to listen and write something down. Starting this week, with Shelly Still.

Writing this as I am on a Sunday morning, it's clear that the gentle acoustic charms are perfect Sunday morning hangover music (although, yesterday being Valentine's Day, I avoided the city centre at all costs and only had a couple of drinks at home so haven't been able to put that theory to the test). It's getting quite rare nowadays that you hear such soothing folk music, save for specific events. It's not 'radio friendly', which is a great shame. I suppose this is why Shelly will never make it big. But I like it. And there's a free mini-album to download from her myspace too, so there's no reason why anyone can't like it (as Shelly said to me, "Free is good"). It's music for the sake of being music. And we really don't see enough of it.

1 - And, as an aside, if you've heard about a new band and want to "tell the world", feel free to write it yourself. An even if not, there's enough e-mails now I can just forward you details of "Band Z" and let you decide how good they are. So, if you are interested in joining the writing team here at 'Bites, just e-mail.

Two Door Cinema Club

It's interesting how some things 'combine' at times. Not all that long ago, I got an e-mail letting me know about "Two Door Cinema Club" (must be a small cinema, otherwise I'm sure it'll be breaching fire regulations...). I had a listen, read about them - and then in catching up on some podcasts heard them again on Lammo's Radio1 podcast. They're going to be appearing live on that very show on 16 February, so it's clear they've already getting known then - great sign.

I'm not entirely sure how to describe the group. I always like to draw comparisons - it's the easiest way to get a feel for the music after all. However, I'm not really sure there is anything. It's indie music, that's clear enough. But, I can't sort of group them in any way - it's pretty fast paced stuff, good club music, full of harmonies and instrumentalisation (making up words as I go along as ever). What I can say, with confidence, is that I like them. It is the sort of music that gets your attention, and you that want to listen to them. If they're already getting radio airplay, they're definitely one to keep an eye on.

(Apologies for the shorter than usual Unsung this week, I have received a multitude of e-mails with other talents but haven't got the time to listen to them tonight - for reasons which will become apparent before the end of the weekend)

EDIT 13/02/09 18:55 - I've not really thought about the option of this before, but I've been told I'm free to do so. So, I now include in this post the first ever "Asp's Musical Bites Guilt Free Download for your musical listening pleasure" (or AMBGFDFYMLP for short). Something Good Can Work is going to be the band's debut single, and with the airplay they're starting to get you can now say where you heard them first. Or second. Or whatever number this is now :) You just need to click on the title to this post at the top of this post. It'll work differently if you're on an RSS, but I'm not sure how :S

More things to see

My last unsung was looking at some up-and-coming acts in my local area.

Well, the gig lists have been extended since then, so I'm just going to do exactly the same thing this time!

Starting with band of the movement Joy Formidable. I've not mentioned them yet, although I'm not entirely sure how I've not. Thankfully, Winston has. With a track that's been used for a TV trailers (Austere, and Skins); and praise from NME and the Guardian; they're already making waves. A very many people are tipping them to be big. I'd be a fool not to try and get to see them whilst they're still just on that side of "lowkey".

David Ford is nice and folkily acoustic and could be watchable, but talking about folk...

It should come as no surprise to people that read my main blog that I like The Lancashire Hotpots. Similar to the Houghton Weavers (who I've seen live before, at a National Caravan Club rally. Don't ask) - but with more modern references. I've heard the occasional song in the past, and immediately fell in love. Very homely tones for an East Lancashire lad like meself (and I can hear me tekkin' in a more Lancastrian drawl as I write this), and very funny. A definite event.

One extra mention though, who I don't expect to be seeing anytime soon (but we'll see), but after hearing Sea Sore on Tom Robinson's Introducing podcast, have decided to listen a bit more. Convoi Exceptionnel are not French - they're Welsh. As far as I know, neither member of the group are still based in the "mean streets of Aber", and they even live at separate ends of the county - but still are producing great tracks. And listening to the other tracks that are streamable, I do mean great. I don't like rap (as a rule), and I can't speak Welsh (there's a great story about when I decided to try and pronounce a Welsh street name correctly when buying a property there. The telephonist at the sellers' solicitors burst into hysterics at my brave attempt when I was asked what I was calling about), but it's unusual, thus appealing. Yes, it's rap - but there's 'proper' music involved too. From Beat on the Deli its clear they're not fans of 'popular' rap either. And their cover of Paper Planes is intelligent and amusing in equal measure!

Space Echo

Okay, time for me to contribute an up and coming band.

I'm fairly dissapointed in the BBC Sounds of 2009 list - it's very predictable, and most of the acts are hardly original.

I know I'm going to appreciate White Lies, but to be honest, they're not going to be anything different to Interpol or the Editors or their decades before predecessors (Echo & The Bunnymen, Joy Division etc.)

Little Boots, quirky electronica sounds no different to what Client has been doing for years.

So, I throw in a band soon to release their debut album online, SPCECO. Born out of one half of 90's goth tinged shoegazers Curve, this band sound slightly original in a very unoriginal way. That makes no sense I know, but all the ingredients are tried and tested but not in this order.

(By the way, if you don't think you've heard Curve, if you watch Top Gear, you sure as hell do, half their tracks are used for all the car testing clips - their music guy's clearly a wise Curve fan).



And just for a band from last year who have a song that just sounds flipping awesome on the MTV2 playlist - The Airborne Toxic Event and Sometime Around Midnight. Haven't warmed to their other stuff yet, but love this tune.