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George Montague

It seems these days that it’s not enough for new artists to be talented in terms of their song writing, instrumentation and performance quality. These days, the successful artist also needs to be a king or queen of digital marketing – getting their music heard amongst the countless other independent musicians who freely publish their wares online.

George Montague is a rare find in that he seems to be equally proficient in all of the above talents. Not only are his songs top quality and incredibly catchy, he also has the ability to carry off his brand of straight up indie-pop with a wink and a smile. And when it comes to digital marketing, Montague uses YouTube to incredible effect – with over 5 million people having viewed his output, it’s only a matter of time before people really start to notice his growing following. With any luck it won’t be long before his music finds an even wider audience. You can be one of them by getting his new album on iTunes to Amazon.

Joe Rhinewine

A blues songwriter from the US, Joe Rhinewine is something of a different proposition for new music fans. Pulling together a host of styles and genres, his influences take in acoustica, post-rock, blues, funk and a whole lot more, while his vocal delivery lurches from spoken to half-sung as his multitude of ideas spill out like a stream of consciousness.

If that sounds like a criticism, it’s not. In fact, it’s very refreshing as an antidote to the over-produced releases of today. Good on him.

If you like the track above, his new EP is out now on Amazon.

The Kite Collectors

A trio of rock musicians from Wiltshire, The Kite Collectors earlier this year celebrated the release of their debut album, ‘Clockface’. Totalling 14 tracks of blended rock with touches of pop, roots and more, the album has picked up some strong steam online.

To help it on its way, The Kite Collectors have released the track above, ‘Wonder’, to stream online. If you enjoy this little tease, then you should try the full album – it’s well worth a listen, and available at https://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/clockface/id1106341360.

Voodoo Dancer

Voodoo Dancer are a New York artist whose latest single, ‘Forever Girl’, showcases them as skilful writers of soulful pop. However, there’s more to this release than meets the eye, as it comes alongside an excellent Eric Kupper remix.

Both can be purchased from the band’s iTunes page, so whether you’re into dance music or lighter sided pop, there’s something here for you as a supporter of independent music.

Francis Groove

Based between Belgium and Hungary, Francis Groove is an independent producer and DJ looking to spread his influence across Europe and beyond. Following in the footsteps of dance/pop DJs such as Calvin Harris, he is a talented artist whose new single ‘Alright (Take My Hand)’ shows him to be full of promise.

A quick glance at his iTunes releases so far doesn’t reveal much apart from the fact that this release is a remix of a previous single. But don’t let that hold you back – this song is a great calling card to start with.

Rachel Johnson

Out now on iTunes, this is the new single from Edinburgh songwriter Rachel Johnson. ‘Safe Island’ follows hot on the heels of another recent single which got some strong reviews online, and this one will likely be no different.

Johnson is still a young woman honing her song writing, but in ‘Safe Island’ she reveals herself to be quite assured in what she wants to do. Drawing on the atmospheric pop style of artists such as Lana Del Rey, ‘Safe Island’ is more than enough to leave you wanting to hear more.

‘Safe Island’ is out now on iTunes

Philip Murray Warson - Free Download single

An artist with a clear and healthy respect for his folk forebears, Philip Murray Warson is an impressive musician with a warmth to his folk which separates him from the pack. For proof, simply listen to the track above and enjoy the soft build of layers and melody therein.

Titled 'Wild Mountain Thyme', the track is now free to download from Soundcloud, and also comes as part of a £2 EP on Bandcamp. Bargains all around.

MUSIC COMPETITION AUDITION DATES RELEASED - auditions for Open Mic UK 2016

Open Mic UK have announced their music competition auditions dates for Open Mic UK 2016. The Open Mic UK music competition auditions will be hosted at 15 regions across the UK and the competition will be searching to find the UK’s best singers, singer songwriters, rappers and vocal groups.

PERFORM IN FRONT OF RECORD LABEL A&R AND GET YOUR MUSIC HEARD It’s a chance for aspiring singers and musicians to perform to Music industry judges who are at every stage of the music competition from the auditions to the Grand Final. Judges include judges that work for the three major record labels (Universal, Warner and Sony) in attendance at last year’s competition, as well as national radio DJs, regional press and BBC Introducing, with judges getting more prestigious as the competition progresses.

MUSIC COMPETITION AUDITIONS - DATES ANNOUNCED FOR OPEN MIC UK 2016

Open Mic UK is brought to you by Future Music, the company behind the discovery of numerous acts who, have competed in the competitions on their way to being signed to major record labels; Luke Friend and Karen Hardy both of which have had major chart success last year, Jacob Banks, Warner Music’s Birdy, Lucy Spraggan, Union J’s Jaymi Hensley and Jahmene Douglas, both of which are now signed to Sony Music. For more information and to book your audition! Go to the music competition Open Mic UK 2016 website!

OPEN MIC UK 2016 MUSIC COMPETITION AUDITIONS

Open Mic UK will be holding music competition auditions at the following regions for 2016!

Saturday 13th August National Exhibition Centre (NEC), Birmingham, B40 1NT. Sunday 14th August Dingwalls, Middle Yard, Chalk Farm Road, Camden Lock, London, NW1 8AB. Sunday 14th August Royal Northern College of Music, 124 Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9RD. Sunday 28th August Marconi Social Club, Tydemans off Beehive Lane, Chelmsford, Essex, CM2 9FH. Sunday 4th September Sheffield City Hall, Sheffield, S1 2JA. Saturday 10th September Milton Keynes C.C., Strudwick Drive, Milton Keynes, MK6 2TG. Saturday 10th September Britannia Hotel, St James Street, Nottingham NG1 6BN. Saturday 10th September The Gate Arts and Community Centre, Keppoch Street, Roath, Cardiff, CF243JW. Sunday 11th September The Liner Hotel, Lord Nelson Street, Liverpool, L3 5QB. Sunday 11th September 1865, Brunswick Square, Southampton, SO14 3AR. Saturday 17th September TouchBase, 43 Middlesex Street, Kinning Park, Glasgow, G41 1EE. Saturday 17th September Sub89, 110 - 117 Friar Street, Berkshire, Reading, RG1 1EP. Sunday 18th September The Tyne Theatre & Opera House, Westgate Road, Newcastle, NE1 4AG. Sunday 18th September The Old Market, Upper Market Street, Hove, Brighton, BN3 1AS. Sunday 18th September Dingwalls, Middle Yard, Chalk Farm Road, Camden Lock, London, NW1 8AB. Evening Auditions: Thursday 22nd September Charthouse Music 23-27 Crouch Hill, London, N4 4AP Friday 23rd September River Studios, 32 Winsor Road, Totton, Southampton, SO40 9HQ

MUSIC COMPETITION AUDITIONS - OPEN MIC UK 2016

The Open Mic UK music competition auditions are allocated on a first-come, first served basis, audition places are already filling fast so get your audition booked now to avoid disappointment!

You can enter Open Mic UK 2016 by clicking here!

Naomi – Take Back the Power

It only seems like yesterday I was revisiting Naomi’s last video, ‘Rivers Run’, as featured on this very site just a few weeks ago. In fact, it was only yesterday, because it’s a track I revisit regularly.

The fact that ‘Rivers Run’ is a track so worthy of coming back to speaks volumes about the quality on offer from 19 year old songwriter Naomi. And now, here’s new video ‘Take Back the Power’.

It’s the title track from her new EP, out April 22nd, and I have no doubt that this is another video I’ll be coming back to regularly.

http://www.naomimusic.co.uk/

Words by Mark DeSemlyn

Strangers Know More

Also known as SKM, Strangers Know More is a rock trio comprising musicians Sam Burnett, Chris Ames and Stuart Mizon. They have each been forging careers in music since the late seventies, and have now found their way to each other under the SKM moniker thanks to a shared love of 80s pop and rock.

These influences, particularly punk and New Wave ideas, show through in new streaming track ‘Shoot the Witness’. Taken from a recent album, it has now been made available to get the band’s name out there before some new material that’s on the way. There are also a number of gigs coming up for this exciting three piece – all information is available at www.strangersknowmore.com

Jeremy?

It’s not often you hear about new rock bands froom Bulgaria – we can only assume that it’s because there aren’t very many good ones. However, when a rock band manages to gain enough traction to tour around Europe and play a couple of the biggest cult festivals along the way then they must be on to something.

Jeremy? are a four piece looking to build their reputations further still, and singles like ‘Two Weeks to the Great Escape’ (written in honour of one of the aforementioned festivals) will go a long way to helping in that goal.

Calming River

Based in Denmark, singer-songwriter Calming River is the embodiment of the troubadour cliché. Having spent time in UK, the Netherlands, Australia and New Zealand, he has for now settled in Demark for long enough to release a great new EP.

Available from his website, the EP is a strong reminder of just why the classic combo of acoustic guitar and vocal endures. Regardless of how many awful open mic nights you attend, and how many no hopers believe themselves to be the next Bob Dylan, the pairing always has the power to move you. EP ‘The Ones That We Left Behind’ is out now, and is a must buy for acoustic fans, or fans of plain good song writing.

Flaming June

A Cambridge folk songwriter who is now on EP number 8, Louise Eatock (aka Flaming June) is exactly the kind of artist who should be celebrated in independent music circles. A talented artist who keeps releasing new music through thick and thin, you get the feeling that her EPs are released out of artistic endeavour and not a grab for a successful music career and the cash that goes with it.

This feeling comes from the fact that, while accessible and catchy, the songs on new EP ‘In Pursuit of Happiness’ are a million miles away from the music you hear on the radio these days. And all the better for it, as they explore grown up themes of love, womanhood and feistiness in the 21st century.

Naomi

Known only by her first name, it’s perhaps a bit early for British song writing hopeful Naomi to be setting herself up alongside the likes of Whitney and Madonna. However, there’s no denying that the British media are in something of a frenzy over this young up and comer.

At only 19 years of age, Naomi has already found herself featured in some of the UK’s finest national papers, as well as featuring on radio and TV. The track above, ‘Rivers Run’, is a fine example of her smooth pop approach, and more can be found on upcoming EP ‘Take Back the Power’ – out April 22nd.

Tablefox

Tablefox are a band from New Zealand who have made a bit of a splash there thanks to a nationwide tour and the release on debut album ‘Objects’. Buoyed by that success, the band are now releasing the album online worldwide, with the ‘Something Better’ video above offering a neat introduction.

The album is described as a mix of sounds from ‘The Killers to The Cure via The Editors’, and this does a good job of describing their range. Their tracks veer in style – to use a metaphor, some are good old fashioned grainy film stock, while others are pristine digital prints – but what ties them together is a striking vocal, some nice guitar lines and a consistent quality.

Magazine Gap

If you live in London and are into the independent music scene, you may know that there is currently a dearth of strong, top quality pop bands on the circuit. Thankfully, Magazine Gap are here to fill that gap (pun intended).

Arguably the UK’s answer to Maroon 5, Magazine Gap delight in creating thumping pop music with a rocky edge. The latest example is single ‘What’s That About?’, a new single which leads the way before a new album later this year.

Anna Mar

A vocalist who is already building a reputation in her home country of Romania, Anna Mar has released a spellbindingly good new single in ‘There For You’. Out now on iTunes, the track is a cover song, written and performed originally by Damien Marley.

It’s telling that Marley himself has given this ‘remake’ a thumbs up, and with Universal and EMI also lending a helping hand, there’s every chance that Mar can find a brand new audience with this track. And, if it’s true that the cream always rises to the top, the chances are good for Anna Mar.

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