Hot bands and big tunes to look out for this summer
Hot off the press this month and already gathering momentum is the new single by Mason featuring DMC (Run DMC) and Sam Sparro called Corrected. Played on Radio One last week for the first time and featuring three top ten artists from 3 different countries this track is already the subject of much International speculation.
This month sees the return of LAs finest music conference Musexpo to the UK. Taking place at the Cumberland Hotel in London from June 29th July 1st and bringing together key international decision makers from the worlds of music, media and technology to share ideas, forge new relationships and discover new music. This is a not to be missed event for any young music based business or self set up label that wants to learn more and be more informed about our industry. For more details or special limited reduced price admission with this link go to https://www.regonline.com/?eventID=700810&rTypeID=249449 for 7/PM Friends & Colleagues Discount Registration of 249GBP.
As MUSEXPO hits the UK it only seems right to ask the organizer and founder as to his thoughts as to acts to watch that are playing at this years event.
Sat Bisla (MUSEXPO Founder) - The act I would have to straight away mention are Danish band The Broken Beats http://www.myspace.com/thebrokenbeatsdk who combine gigantuan lush string arrangements with catchy melodies and quirky Scott Walkeresque pop that reminds me a little of mid 90s pop act My Life Story.The band are led by a great charismatic front man in Kim Munk and are going to be huge. Song to listen to - The Rules. Also another act really worth catching who has just inked her deal is the outragously good Jessie J http://www.myspace.com/musicjessiej. She tore it up at Musexpo LA and if you have nt seen her definitely try and catch her. For details of all MUSEXPO shows go to http://musexpo.net/MusexpoEU09/09artists.html
Kate Miller-Heidke
This brings me on nicely to the next artist I want to mention who is the exceptional Kate Miller-Heidke. http://www.myspace.com/katemillerheidke Kate has just won the globally acclaimed International songwriting prize for her song 'Caught in the Crowd' . She was picked out of 17,000 entries and was singled out as the unanimous winner by a panel of judges that included Tom Waits, Ray Davies, Robert Smith , Jerry Lee Lewis , Neil Finn, Black Fancis (the Pixies) and many more. While signed to Sony in Australia she is completely available to sign everywhere else and will be hitting London later this month for a one-off show at Londons Borderline on July 1st at 9.45 pm as part of Musexpo. This is a not to be missed show. Tracks to check out. "Caught in the Crowd".
Other tips from those in the know this month.
Sim Whitwell - (Club NME Brighton/Kong Promotions)
The best unsigned band I'd have to tip at present are Gold Heart assembly. http://www.myspace.com/goldheartassembly Their schizophrenic arrangements and melancholic pop songs are reminiscent of quintessentially English acts such as Procol Harem and the Animals but with a modern twist. With support from both Radio Ones Steve Lemacq and the NME and appearances at the Isle of Wight festival, Secret Garden and V Festivals this band are set to have a bright future. Tracks to check are - "So Long St Christopher"
Guy Lowman (A&R for Fierce Panda Records)
The best band I have seen live in recent weeks has been 'Wounds'. http://www.myspace.com/thewoundsband A young band from Dublin, mixing edgy punk complete with quirky indie riffs. A perfect crossover! Have recently opened for Cancer bats and Gallows in Ireland and gone down a storm this band are tipped for big things! Influenced by bands such as Lightning Bolt, Black Lips, Refused and The Rapture. Their live set is always an entertaining affair...a must see live!
Sarah Powell (Presenter - Juice Radio (Drive time))
http://www.myspace.com/iceblackbird
The best band I have seen live in recent weeks has got to be Ice Black Birds. They were easily the best band at last months Club NME and while its early days for this band they had every body up and dancing. Get to a show if you can.
Other bands I would whole heartedly recommend checking out this month are
Arthur http://www.myspace.com/arthurtheband from Fleet in Hampshire.
They opened Jon Hillcocks XFM night at this years City Showcase in style and their tracks "Come to Church with me" and "Serial Killer Sunday"are both great snappy edgy female fronted anti pop songs . This band are young, look great with great tunes to boot for anyone interested in bands who tick all the boxes. Also mentioned previously in my last column and for anyone that has not already picked up on them are Yves Klein Blue. They rocked it at the Great Escape and its great to see them now on the XFM playlist . Hopefully it wont be to long before they are back on these shores. www.yveskleinblue.com
Jonny Dollar (RIP)
Lastly I want to mention the death of a good friend and enormous talent Jonny Dollar who died of cancer aged 45 last week week. Jonny was the last person to ever sing his own praises and to me was one of the best kept secrets within our industry. Producing Massive Attacks Blue Lines album and producing co-writing and string arranging both Massive Attacks classic 'Unfinished Sympathy' and Neneh Cherry and Youssou N'Dours '7 Seconds' were just a couple of career highlights. Its very rare that I see genius but Jonny was one and will be sorely missed. My best memory of Jonny was sitting in Neneh Cherrys kitchen with Geffen Records MD Colin Barlow having Jonny playing the backing track to 7 Seconds after he had just laid down Youssou N'Dours vocal and he sang me and Colin how Nenehs part was going to go while conducting enthusiastically with a wooden kitchen spoon. You will be sorely missed.
This month sees the return of LAs finest music conference Musexpo to the UK. Taking place at the Cumberland Hotel in London from June 29th July 1st and bringing together key international decision makers from the worlds of music, media and technology to share ideas, forge new relationships and discover new music. This is a not to be missed event for any young music based business or self set up label that wants to learn more and be more informed about our industry. For more details or special limited reduced price admission with this link go to https://www.regonline.com/?eventID=700810&rTypeID=249449 for 7/PM Friends & Colleagues Discount Registration of 249GBP.
As MUSEXPO hits the UK it only seems right to ask the organizer and founder as to his thoughts as to acts to watch that are playing at this years event.
Sat Bisla (MUSEXPO Founder) - The act I would have to straight away mention are Danish band The Broken Beats http://www.myspace.com/thebrokenbeatsdk who combine gigantuan lush string arrangements with catchy melodies and quirky Scott Walkeresque pop that reminds me a little of mid 90s pop act My Life Story.The band are led by a great charismatic front man in Kim Munk and are going to be huge. Song to listen to - The Rules. Also another act really worth catching who has just inked her deal is the outragously good Jessie J http://www.myspace.com/musicjessiej. She tore it up at Musexpo LA and if you have nt seen her definitely try and catch her. For details of all MUSEXPO shows go to http://musexpo.net/MusexpoEU09/09artists.html
Kate Miller-Heidke
This brings me on nicely to the next artist I want to mention who is the exceptional Kate Miller-Heidke. http://www.myspace.com/katemillerheidke Kate has just won the globally acclaimed International songwriting prize for her song 'Caught in the Crowd' . She was picked out of 17,000 entries and was singled out as the unanimous winner by a panel of judges that included Tom Waits, Ray Davies, Robert Smith , Jerry Lee Lewis , Neil Finn, Black Fancis (the Pixies) and many more. While signed to Sony in Australia she is completely available to sign everywhere else and will be hitting London later this month for a one-off show at Londons Borderline on July 1st at 9.45 pm as part of Musexpo. This is a not to be missed show. Tracks to check out. "Caught in the Crowd".
Other tips from those in the know this month.
Sim Whitwell - (Club NME Brighton/Kong Promotions)
The best unsigned band I'd have to tip at present are Gold Heart assembly. http://www.myspace.com/goldheartassembly Their schizophrenic arrangements and melancholic pop songs are reminiscent of quintessentially English acts such as Procol Harem and the Animals but with a modern twist. With support from both Radio Ones Steve Lemacq and the NME and appearances at the Isle of Wight festival, Secret Garden and V Festivals this band are set to have a bright future. Tracks to check are - "So Long St Christopher"
Guy Lowman (A&R for Fierce Panda Records)
The best band I have seen live in recent weeks has been 'Wounds'. http://www.myspace.com/thewoundsband A young band from Dublin, mixing edgy punk complete with quirky indie riffs. A perfect crossover! Have recently opened for Cancer bats and Gallows in Ireland and gone down a storm this band are tipped for big things! Influenced by bands such as Lightning Bolt, Black Lips, Refused and The Rapture. Their live set is always an entertaining affair...a must see live!
Sarah Powell (Presenter - Juice Radio (Drive time))
http://www.myspace.com/iceblackbird
The best band I have seen live in recent weeks has got to be Ice Black Birds. They were easily the best band at last months Club NME and while its early days for this band they had every body up and dancing. Get to a show if you can.
Other bands I would whole heartedly recommend checking out this month are
Arthur http://www.myspace.com/arthurtheband from Fleet in Hampshire.
They opened Jon Hillcocks XFM night at this years City Showcase in style and their tracks "Come to Church with me" and "Serial Killer Sunday"are both great snappy edgy female fronted anti pop songs . This band are young, look great with great tunes to boot for anyone interested in bands who tick all the boxes. Also mentioned previously in my last column and for anyone that has not already picked up on them are Yves Klein Blue. They rocked it at the Great Escape and its great to see them now on the XFM playlist . Hopefully it wont be to long before they are back on these shores. www.yveskleinblue.com
Jonny Dollar (RIP)
Lastly I want to mention the death of a good friend and enormous talent Jonny Dollar who died of cancer aged 45 last week week. Jonny was the last person to ever sing his own praises and to me was one of the best kept secrets within our industry. Producing Massive Attacks Blue Lines album and producing co-writing and string arranging both Massive Attacks classic 'Unfinished Sympathy' and Neneh Cherry and Youssou N'Dours '7 Seconds' were just a couple of career highlights. Its very rare that I see genius but Jonny was one and will be sorely missed. My best memory of Jonny was sitting in Neneh Cherrys kitchen with Geffen Records MD Colin Barlow having Jonny playing the backing track to 7 Seconds after he had just laid down Youssou N'Dours vocal and he sang me and Colin how Nenehs part was going to go while conducting enthusiastically with a wooden kitchen spoon. You will be sorely missed.