EARLY DOORS JOURNAL

all up in your internet

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In Our Ears - 14 September 2015

Liam here, the boys are on their holidays so after finally agreeing to fully join the EDD fold, i’m taking over this entire week. Muhahah etc. Just a reminder, in addition to our next event being 24th of September - come by.. drink, dance, cuddle - if you’re around North Herts/Hitchin area, you should check out the show Andrew and Luke are putting on featuring The Jacques and Declan McKenna. It’s going to be sweaty and saucy like a freshly made McChicken Sandwich.

Right, on with the show...get listening to the below for improved happiness, cognition and reduced erectile dysfunction.* *Awaiting lab tests.

Seth Sentry - Room For Rent

Tongue-in-cheek? Check. Porno-style basslines? Check. Earworm rating of 10/10? Oh yes. Meet Seth, he’s pretty wry for a white guy. He’s also Australian, excellent and heading to the UK next month to play some shows. You should go. What is most hip-hop missing? A solid chorus. This isn’t missing that and thus it is your new favourite song. “We steal internet from our neighbours.” For fans of: Aussie hip-hop (it’s a thing), remembering grotty house-shares and realising you live a better life now, funky basslines. Sounds a bit like: Just listen. Oh boy, WHAT A CATCHY CHORUS!

1st Vows - Perfect Weather

This gentleman used to be in a great rock band called Envy The Coast. What a set of pipes. Now he’s calmed it all down a few notches and creates shimmering, laid back, yet infectious, soulful alternative pop. You’ll love it; music that takes you to somewhere you’re not. For fans of: Shimmering, glistening, summer water.  Sounds a bit like: Ed Sheeran, Jason Mraz, Sugar Ray - but also like, ya know...not at all.

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In Our Ears - 7 September, 2015

We’ve been a bit remiss in the last week, which is said so much by us that I think we need to write a song about it... Anyway, if you’re around North Herts/Hitchin area, you should check out the show we’re putting on in a few weeks time featuring The Jacques and Declan McKenna. It’s going to be ace. In the meantime, here’s a post that should be renamed ‘In Luke’s Ears’, as he didn’t ask for anyone else’s input...

Barns Courtney - Hobo Rocket (Live at Lowlands Festival)

We’ve been following Barns Courtney since we were first introduced to him a few months ago via a scratchy demo via a friend’s earphones, and have been eagerly awaiting any releases. Alas, there’s still nothing out there, but we did chance upon this video from Lowlands of his performance, which is sating our thirst for the moment. He’s literally just inked a pretty impressive label deal, and is opening for The Libertines and Ed Sheeran in coming months. This guys is going to be pretty big... In terms of the song, it’s a bluesy-americana dripped song with a catchy-as-hell chorus that’ll get stuck in your head for days. Listen. You won’t be disappointed.  For fans of: Sitting in the back of pick-up truck with a big ol’ hat on. But ironically. In Ipswich. Sounds a bit like: A rougher Jason Mraz,  Odelay-era Beck, early White Stripes

The School - Do I Love You?

When I first heard The School’s track Do I Love You, I had to check straight away whether Stuart from Belle and Sebastian was involved. Apparently not, but this clearly has a lot of the same influences as Mr Murdoch’s God Help the Girl side project. Northern Soul, 60s girl groups and twee jangles combine perfectly with a sugar sweet, very British vocal. It’s the kind of music to don a nice cardigan and stand swaying in the corner to. And I mean that with all the heart and love I can possible muster. It’s impossible not to heart this track. For fans of: Northern Soul put through a Stuart Murdoch filter. Sounds a bit like: God Help the Girl, Belle and Sebastian, anything Stuart Murdoch as ever touched.

Joanna Gruesome - I Don’t Wanna Relax

Kicking off with a raucous wall of noise that segues nicely into some lovely indie-pop seem to be JoGru’s thing. And it works. I Don’t Wanna Relax is continuing the awesomeness that the Cardiff six-piece smacked us in the face with with Peanut Butter, which is just fine by me. Roxy and Kate’s new vocals fit really well with the band (original singer Alanna parted way with the band a few months ago), and I’m hugely excited for what’s coming next. For fans of: Being sweet and liking pastel-based illustrations one second, and trashing the room while giving everyone the finger the next. Sounds a bit like: Martha, Pains of Being Pure at Heart.

Yung - God

Danish four-piece Yung straddle the edge of punk and shoegaze with their new track. While it’s got a lovely frenetic pace to it, it’s also drenched in reverb and feels a little like it should be accompanied by some liquid oil projection. It’s not the kind of sound you’d usually attribute to Denmark, but it’s a nice change of pace.  For fans of: People who always wanted to start a moshpit at a psychedelia gig. Sounds a bit like: Genghar, Happyness, a punk Sonic Youth

SAILORS - Every Time I Look At You

House-pop duo SAILORS normally wouldn’t be my cup of tea. The poppy choruses and four-four beats are just a bit too WeLovePop, but there’s an edge, especially in the verses, that reminds me of Owl City, with a bit of RAC thrown in. Sure, it gets quite One Direction towards the end, but the first thirty seconds alone make this worth posting. For fans of: Pop. Pure pop. Sounds a bit like: Owl City, RAC, One Direction

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In Our Ears - 24 August 2015

Don’t forget Early Doors Disco at Drink, Shop & Do this Thursday with DJ sets from Alcopop! big man, Jack Clothier, and Tellison frontman Stephen Davidson.

John Grant - Disappointing

John Grant has a voice to die for, and this one comes with the added bonus of Tracey Thorn. Taken from the new album 'Grey Tickles, Black Pressure' due on Friday 2 October 2015, Disappointing doesn’t disappoint, with Grant’s trademark vocals over a swooning electro-disco vibe. Plus, its one of those songs that list things....don't you just love a list-song? And even better, John is channelling the spirit and stylings of the late, great Billy Mackenzie from The Associates. For fans of: Bearded electro-fabulousness. Male divas. Sounds a bit like: The Associates, Rufus Wainwright remixes.

Filious - How Hard I Try feat. James Hersey (RAC Mix)

RAC delivers up another exquisite piece of summer electro vibes. Having first listen to RAC’s mixes about four years ago, it’s been amazing to his progression to one of the truly big hitters of the electro-indie scene. This feels like it should always be played with a montage of summer’s best moments: Sun drenched friends, laughing in the back of a car. Cut to sitting around a campfire on a beach. Cut to walking to the water as the sun rises. Fin. For fans of: Teenage summer montages Sounds a bit like: The Knocks, Hot Chip, Van She

Viola Beach - Swings & Waterslides

Much like RAT BOY and Only Real, Viola Beach’s new single, which is out on Friday, has definite overtones of London’s late nineties indie scene, a la Jamie T and Jack Penate. However, the Warrington four piece blend in some more modern sounds, with elements of Foals, Jagwar Ma and RÜFÜS seeping through. It’s a perfect mix of youthful lamentation and summery loveliness that we can’t stop swaying and smiling to.

Outfit - New Air

The opening track from Outfit’s second album, Slowness, is a bit if alt-J had the conviction to do something a bit more experimental. It’s got a great off-kilter synth/keyboard riff running through it, and has definite 80s feels in its sensibilities and vocals, which, obviously, is not a bad thing. For some reason it makes me think of what Joy Division would’ve gone on to make in the 90s if Ian Curtis had stuck around.  For fans of: Sitting in a dark room with a whisky, surrounded by a cloud of smoke.  Sounds a bit like: alt-J, Radiohead, a more indie Portishead

The Palms - Breaking (In The Summer)

Another slice of summer, the LA duo serve up a sun-drenched dream-pop number while moonlighting from their main band, Terraplane Sun. It’s very much in the same vein as other indie dream-pop folks like Best Coast or Menace Beach, but with more of a pop sensibility... That is, a strong beat, great hooks and a proper singalong chorus. For fans of: The beach. More specifically, Californian beaches. Sounds a bit like: A mix of Best Coast and Tokyo Police Club

Beach Slang - Bad Art & Weirdo Ideas

The Philadelphia band posted this a few weeks ago, but it was the announcement last week of a UK tour that got us excited. Their blend of pop-rock and punk reminds us of a less poppy Los Campesinos! or Menace Beach fronted by a punk singer (that’s our second Menace Beach reference this week...). Whatever the associations, it’s another lovely slice of summer, but this time a bit heavier. For fans of: Sitting on walls. Skateboards. Sounds a bit like:  Jawbreaker, Samiam, early Goo Goo Dolls.

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In Our Ears - 17 August 2015

With new boy Liam contributing some tunes...

RAT BOY - Fake ID

Luke’s favourite Essex-based-indie-rapper has released his latest single, which is more of the same, but that isn’t a bad thing. It still sounds like Jamie T meeting King Blues, but punker and more brattish. It’s still fucking awesome too. For fans of: Writing SCUM on speaker stacks in electrical tape. Wearing ADIDAS in a slightly ironic, but not really ironic, way. Sounds a bit like: Jamie T, King Blues, Only Real

Girl Band - Paul

Andrew’s favourite Dublin-based-shouty band, Girl Band, have also dropped their latest, and similarly it’s more of the same. Again, that isn’t a bad thing. Girl Band have the unique ability to take out of tune, slurred vocals over tsunami of sound tracks and make them oddly danceable and captivating. The video is also trippy as fuck.  For fans of: Howling into a microphone. A migraine, but in a good way. Sounds a bit like: Pixies fronted by Mark E. Smith, Bleach-era Nirvana, Blood Brothers

Eels – Fresh Blood

Fresh from Eels’ 2009 Hombre Lobo. It’s about a werewolf who desires "fresh blood". Nom. I was reminded of it recently when it was used as the opening and closing theme to Amazon's new original series "Sneaky Pete". Eels at their darkest. For fans of: Constrained wildness and autumn in the Midwest. A shearling denim jacket isn’t required but is recommended. Sounds a bit like: You should know what Eels sounds like. Just in case though: The Heavy.

Frank Turner - Get Better

Frank released his latest, Positive Songs for Negative People, last week. It’s potentially a grower, but this feels like vintage Frank. Angry yet positive lyrics, great storytelling and lots of shouting. Check out the Deluxe edition on Facebook for some great acoustic versions of the songs. The man has greater soul when it’s just him and an acoustic... For fans of: Drawing Xs on the back of your hand and shouting with your fist in the air Sounds a bit like: Billy Bragg, Get Cape. Wear Cape. Fly, Ben Marwood

Gurgles - How Could I Tell?

Gurgles, a psych-pop-indie-shoegaze-more genres than you can poke a stick at three piece from Leeds, pushed Gurglefirst? into the world a few months ago. How Could I Tell? is an oddly catchy song that navigates through 80s synth-pop style vocals, with almost Doors-esque twinkly synths, and some choice swears (personal favourite: the quiet echo of ‘fucking idiot’ at about 5:05). For fans of: Quirky music with quality swears. Sounds a bit like: Prefab Sprout, Field Music

Gurglefirst? by Gurgles

Twenty One Pilots – Stressed Out

This one keeps sneaking its way back on the playlist. A perfect mix of darkness and light, a little dub vibe in the pre-chorus, and lyrics we can all empathise with: ‘We used to play pretend, give each other different names, We would build a rocket ship and then we'd fly it far away, used to dream of outer space but now they're laughing at our face, saying, ‘Wake up, you need to make money.’” For fans of: Eclectic pop-rock-come-hip-hop, nostalgia, eternal childhood Sounds a *bit* like: Fall Out Boy, Buck 65, Owl City

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In Our Ears - 9 August 2015

I’m absolutely rubbish at keeping up a regular structure... Let’s try this again, shall we?

Nathaniel Rateliff and the Night Sweats - S.O.B.

Mr Rateliff has been doing the folk thing for a few years, but now he’s got himself a band and dear lordy is this a lovely slice of Rhythm and Blues (the original kind, not the Craig David kind). It’s the kind of song that you can’t help dancing to as soon as it comes on. For fans of: Sweat dripping beards and trucker hats Sounds a bit like: The Heavy, Jack White when he’s not being a pretentious twat, Muddy Waters

Hooton Tennis Club - P.O.W.E.R.F.U.L. P.I.E.R.R.E.

We’re all about the letters and periods this week... Hooton Tennis Club’s latest is a lovely slice of riff-heavy indie-rock meets fuzz-pop. It sits somewhere between Fratellis and Supergrass, with a bit more garage than the former, and a bit more rock swagger than the latter. For fans of: Owning a shitty van as a first car and hanging out in parks Sounds a bit like: Pavement, Parquet Courts, Menace Beach.

Rocky NTI - Ride On

Considering his background of working with the likes of Katie Melua and Ghostpoet, Rocky NTI’s Ride On is not exactly what you’d expect. It’s an infectious bit of pop, replete with jangly guitars and a beat that screams summer in a London park. If it was heavier, it would be almost Tellison-esque, but it almost comes off as a Just Jack for 2015 (However, there’s no cringe-worthy rap verses in this song). For fans of: Sunshine in a London park. Sounds a bit like: Just Jack, Frank Hamilton, The Maccabees

Jen Charlton - Blame It On My Family

This lovely slice of American pop is catchy as all hell, but hides a slightly darker tone in the lyrics. It’s boppy and fun and sounds a bit like a love child of Rilo Kiley and KT Tunstall. For fans of: Drawing on your Converse. Empire Records. Sounds a bit like: Rilo Kiley, KT Tunstall

Lewis Bootle - All I Know

Hertfordshire-based Lewis Bootle recorded this track for Tradiio and it feels a bit like Paolo Nutini singing Ed Sheeran. There’s definite soul here, with the kind of chilled acoustic pop that is perfect to stick on when you’ve got a BBQ going in the UK sunshine. For fans of: That one talented guy in your grade at school who could play guitar Sounds a bit like: Ed Sheeran, Paolo Nutini, Get Cape. Wear Cape. Fly

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In Our Ears - Latitude and Secret Garden Party Special

To make up for missing a week (the festival hangover has set in), here’s an extra long In Our Ears, with all the choice cuts we found at Latitude and Secret Garden Party this year:

Latitude Festival

One of the things I noticed about Latitude this year was the wealth of new talent. They’re usually pretty good with new bands, with the Lake Stage curated by Huw Stephens usually knocking it out of the park. This year, they not only had the Lake Stage, but had DIY curating The Alcove and Other Voices putting on their own brand new stage as well. Here’s a few of the things we picked up...

Real Lies - Seven Sisters

Real Lies are a London three piece, who weave electronica in with 80s pop, ending up sounding a little Pet Shop Boys-esque, but with a modern, deep house / synth-pop bent to it. Quite chilled, but not chilled enough that you can’t dance to it. For fans of: Standing in one spot, closing your eyes and nodding your head Sounds a bit like: vangoffey, Pet Shop Boys, New Order

Rat Boy - Left 4 Dead

We’ve been banging on about Rat Boy since he sent us his mixtape about 18 months ago, but the young wunderkind is proving himself time and time again since he got signed a few months back. The B-Side to Sign On is a lovely slice of Jamie T-esque, sample heavy indie-hop that feels like the perfect encapsulation of an Essex night out.  For fans of: Jamie T, but wish he stopped at Panic Prevention Sounds a bit like: Jamie T, Only Real, The Streets.

Jack Garratt - Weathered

Another one that we’ve been banging on about for a while, Jack Garratt takes James Blakes’ penchant for chest-rattling sub bass and adds a pop musicality that Mr Blake has never quite achieved. His latest single, Weathered, is another beautiful slice of almost acoustic pop, with an anthemic chorus that is somehow both epic and lovely.  For fans of: Singer-songwriters who prefer sub bass over Sub Pop.  Sounds a bit like: James Blake, SBTRKT, Sylvan Esso

Prides - Messiah

Not a new track, but the Glaswegian three piece’s set and subsequent album release have made us dip back into this perfectly formed bit of synth pop. There are so many bands attempting this 80s-tinged pop at the moment, but Pride manage to stand above a lot of them with a perfect balance of emotionally dripping vocals with stadium-rock style anthem. Their set at Latitude was pretty special, replete with a crowd singing every word, pumping their hands in the air. Not bad considering they were on one of the smaller stages on site. For fans of: 80s stadium-filling synth-pop anthems. Sounds a bit like: CHVRCHES, Bastille, The 1975

Secret Garden Party

Secret Garden Party is always an amazing festival for new music. The curators have a knack for picking up acts that go on to make waves, with Jack Garratt, Years and Years, Sam Smith and Clean Bandit all playing months before they got big. This year didn’t disappoint either...

Spring King - Mumma

Spring King are one of those bands that seem to be playing everywhere and supporting everyone at the moment. Seeing them live confirms why. The energy and fun that exudes from the band whenever they play can’t be contained in any recording, yet Mumma comes close. A lovely little fuzzy surf-pop tune with a great singalong chorus. This is summer music. For fans of: Singing along at the top of your lungs and dancing like a loon Sounds a bit like: Public Access TV, Gengahr, The Drums

The Staycations - Brainstorm

We had the pleasure of introducing the Cambridge five piece The Staycations on Secret FM over the weekend. not only are they lovely guys, but they’re also an example of yet another stupidly talented group of youngsters making lovely indie-pop music. Lewis’ vocals on Brainstorm have an almost Morrissey feel to them, yet the music has a definite Fortuna Pop! vibe to it, edging on fuzz-pop meets indie-rock vibe.  For fans of: Morrissey fronting Evans the Death Sounds a bit like: Evans the Death, The Chemistry Experiment, Ancient Times

Rag’n’Bone Man - Hell Yeah

London’s Rag’n’Bone Man has one of the best voices in music today. Fact. The soul-cum-blues-cum-hip hop vocalist is a big man in stature, and has a voice to match, with the kind of vocal delivery that feels like he is pouring his essence into every word. He’s working with some of the UK’s best hip hop talent at the moment, including Kate Tempest and Stig of the Dump, and this 2014 track sees him team up with Vince Staples. For fans of: Singing along to soul songs wishing you had such an immense voice Sounds a bit like: Howlin’ Wolf and T-Bone Walker, but with phat beats

Dizraeli - The Little Things

Dizraeli is a Bristol-based hip-hop artist, probably best known for his band Dizraeli and The Small Gods. His honest, raw, acoustically-tinged hip hop is the kind of sound that got me interested in hip hop to begin with. Intelligent lyricism blended with some folk-tinged music. Dizraeli revealed at SGP that he’s splitting from The Small Gods in a few months and going solo, so there’s going to be some amazing stuff coming from his way very soon... For fans of: Hip hop that isn’t about bitches and bling Sounds a bit like: Cut Capers, Verb T, Aussie Hip Hop

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In Our Ears - 13th July 2015

Here’s what we’re listening to this week:

Clean Cut Kid - Vitamin C

The Liverpool four piece play the kind of disjointed pop that made Vampire Weekend so damn interesting, with enough of a Haim and The 1975 nod to yesteryear to make them hip to the kids of today. Vitamin C is a horribly catchy first single, and it’s probably going to get stuck in your head for days. For fans of: Catchy pop songs that have been through an art school blender Sounds a bit like: Vampire Weekend, The 1975, Matt and Kim

Will Joseph Cook - Beach

Another young wunderkind, Will Joseph Cook is a Kentish 18 year old who has seemingly come out of nowhere with some awesome music. Much like the title, Beach has definite surf-dream-pop vibes to it, while also being incredibly danceable, with a slight early Jason Mraz feel. For fans of: Topshop and the beach. Sounds a bit like: Jason Mraz, Darwin Deez, Jack Panate’s first album.

RÜFÜS - You Were Right

RÜFÜS made an almighty splash when they released Atlas last year, and the Australian three piece are planning to do the same this year. You Were Right is more of the same: Heavy marimbas, deep house beats and gentle Penguin Prison-esque vocals, but damn me it’s good on a summer evening. You can understand why these guys are huge in their native land. For fans of: Beaches at nighttime Sounds a bit like: A deep house RAC, Chet Faker, Flume

Mammoth Penguins - Work It Out

Cambridge three piece Mammoth Penguins are the latest in Fortuna POP!’s formidable stable. Fronted by ex-Standard Fare frontwoman Emma Fupa, Mammoth Penguins have a classic FP sound, loud, jangly guitars, no-nonsense vocals, with some lovely ooos and echos in the choruses from the other band members. This is solid indie pop.  For fans of: The C86 tape. Twee As Fuck buttons. Buttons in general. Sounds a bit like: Spook School, Evans the Death, The Salteens

PAWWS - All I Wanna Do (Demo)

Bubbly doesn’t quite cover off the latest track from PAWWS, the pseudonym for London-based Lucy Taylor. It’s dripped in 80s-tastic synths and the vocals have tinges of Like A Virgin-era Madonna. It’s a lovely little demo, but I’m hoping that she doesn’t overdo it too much on production, as the home-spun synths sound perfect on this track. For fans of: Crimped hair and neon, but reduce the tempo by 40bpm Sounds a bit like: Chromeo, New Build, Madonna

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In Our Ears - 6th July 2015

Here’s what we’re listening to this week:

vangoffey - Race Of Life

Supergrass’ drummer, and the writer behind some of their best songs (Alright and Caught by the Fuzz anyone?), is back in a new guise. vangoffey’s (an amazing pronunciation of Van Gogh) Race of Life has definite 80s Pet Shop Boy feels, with some lovely nu-disco background. For fans of: Dressing in neons and posturing Sounds a bit like: Pet Shop Boys, the rap bit out of Just Jack’s Starz in their Eyes

LA Priest - Lady’s In Trouble With The Law

Another 70s infused disco-esque track, this time from Sam Dust aka LA Priest. The track is an odd, slightly down-tempo number with Sam embodying some form of cosmic crooner. It’s a strange beast, but one that is definitely going to make LA Priest a hipster favourite. For fans of: The 70s, but the 70s, like, in space Sounds a bit like: 2 Bears more disco moments, Todd Terje if he had more vocals.

RADIDAS - Stay Here

Stay Here, the debut track from Maidstone-based RADIDAS, is the kind of track you want to be listening to at the end of a summer party. Blissed out on an outside sofa, embers of a bonfire dying, balmy summer night air all around. It’s a lovely piece of chilled, dream-poppy, electro-fuzz, with an almost dub, plodding tempo. For fans of: warm, sticky summer nights Sounds a bit like: A Foals 45 played at 33, a dream-pop Burial

Chance Waters - Break of Dawn

Another slice of Australian hip-hop, fresh from the other side of the world, Chance Waters is an independent hip-hop artist out of Sydney. He’s been touring non-stop for 4 years, and his new track Break of Dawn is an absolute blinder. It’s a perfect example of the uplifting hip-hop that comes out of Australia that makes me love it so much. For fans of: Recognising the hip-hop doesn’t need to be all bitches, bling and massively inflated egos. Sounds a bit like: Thundamentals, Seth Sentry

Oberhofer - Memory Remains

The new track from Oberhofer, which primarily revolves around Brad Oberhofer, is the kind of lo-fi bedroom indie that has a perfect mix of today’s indie and classic 60s guitar-pop. The verses get you bopping along, and then the chorus hits hard and chugging, making me desperately wanting to see them live, just so I can see the crowd chanting along. For fans of: no nonsense indie, with big, anthemic choruses Sounds a bit like: White Rabbits, The Cribs, Brandon Flowers

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In Our Ears - 29th June 2015

Here’s what we’re listening to this week:

Girls Names - Zero Triptych

Girls Names are a four-piece out of Belfast, who ride the darker side of surf-pop, pulling in drone-y, psychedelic feeling into the mix as well. Interesting side note, they were originally pulled together purely because they wanted to support Wavves at their Belfast show, with only a month to learn how to play together and write some songs. Zero Triptych is a behemoth of a track that could provide a nice background to sitting in a VW Campervan in a field somewhere. For fans of: Taking LSD and staring at a painting for hours Sounds a bit like: Wavves, Spectrals, Best Coast

Jet Setter - Forget About It

Andrew seems to have a thing for Dublin-based bands, but listening to Jet Setter’s latest I can understand why. It’s no-frills guitar-based indie, which seems to be having yet another resurgence, but putting this one on loud on a sunny day is definitely a good idea. Lovely fuzzy guitar, earnest vocals and a decent beat. For fans of: Guitars, skinny jeans and sunshine Sounds a bit like: Menace Beach, Circa Waves

The Jungle Giants - Kooky Eyes

The Jungle Giants, out of Brisbane, Australia, are definitely a product of their surroundings. Sun drenched indie, that veers from 60s-esque jangle straight into psych-dripped surf chorus. It’s a slight departure from their usual dancey indie-pop, but we’re loving it. For fans of: Wearing oversized sunglasses on an Australian beach Sounds a bit like: Loon Lake, Ball Park Music, Bombay Bicycle Club

Declan McKenna - Brazil

Fresh off of winning the Glastonbury Emerging Talent competition, this kid is storming the scene. One listen of Brazil makes it clear why, with an effortless jangle-pop sound, it’s another perfect accompaniment to Summer. For fans of: Stupidly talented minors who play all their own instruments Sounds a bit like: Jake Bugg, RAT BOY, 

Cut Capers - Lighter

While this song isn’t new, it’s come onto our radar because of their slot at Secret Garden Party this year. This Bristol based collective blend ska, swing and hip-hop into one of the best party-music vibes I’ve heard since Cat Empire. Lighter is a tune and a half, and I can’t wait to dance along to it next month in person. For fans of: late night parties, rum and pork pie hats Sounds a bit like: The Cat Empire, Dizraeli & The Small Gods, Gentlemen’s Dub Club

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In Our Ears - 22nd June 2015

We’re going to start to post a bit more regularly (we always say that). One of the ways is to do a weekly run down of the things we’re listening to. Here’s week one:

Loon Lake - Just Now

Loon Lake are a 5 piece indie band from Melbourne, Australia, who’s raw, jangly indie has been lighting up our sun-infused days. I’m sure in a week’s time we’ll be more into gloomy-death-folk because #ukweather, but for now this does nicely. For fans of: Summer, vintage 90s surf films, drinking outside Sounds a bit like: The Libertines, The Drums

Emily C Smith - 1, 2, 3, 4

Emily C Smith deserves to be in everyone’s ears far more than she is. She’s a hard-gigging Londoner, who’s vocals seem to feel somewhere between punk and blues, but definitely speak of one pissed off woman. Have a listen to her self-branded 'death folk' For fans of: Tunefully shouting and being pissed off Sounds a bit like: PJ Harvey, Le Tigre, Elastica

Beaty Heart - Seafood

Mixing in angular indie-electro and Africanesque beats, Beaty Heart is a band after my own heart, with their latest single one of our soundtracks to Summer 2015. For fans of: Making art rock cool again Sounds a bit like: Vampire Weekend, Django Django, Everything Everything

The Burning Hell - It Happens in Florida

The Burning Hell are currently touring our fair isle for the second time ever, and their set at Sebright Arms last Friday was one of the best that we’ve seen in a long time. We’ve been dipping into their back catalogue, and It Happens in Florida is such a brilliant, bittersweet yet oddly amusing track. These guys are lyrical masters... For fans of: Lyrics that are far too clever for their own good Sounds a bit like: They Might Be Giants, Cake, Los Campesinos!

The Beach - Thieves

Londoners The Beach have some definite Jeff Buckley love going on in their latest single, which starts off as a nice little acoustic-y track, but really kicks in towards the end and makes me want to get up and dance. For fans of: Soaring vocals with a side of boogie Sounds a bit like: Jeff Buckley

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Our Record Store Day Indie Picks

I’m sure most of you have been camping out and are probably currently sitting fifth in line at your favourite indie record store, but just in case you hadn’t made up your mind as to what you’re going to try and snag today, we thought we’d put together a short list of the five that we’re on the hunt for today...

Courtney Barnett - Kim’s Caravan

We’ve gone on and on about Courtney Barnett, and after her stonking Cambridge gig a few weeks back, we’re probably not going to stop soon. For RSD Marathon Records are releasing an exclusive 7″ of the slow burner Kim’s Caravan from her excellent Sometimes I Sit And Think, And Something I Just Sit. The B-Side is a new cover of John Cale’s (I Keep A) Close Watch, which should be an interesting one.

Demob Happy - Young & Numb EP

We saw Demob Happy at the DIY’s HELLO 2015 gig in January. They’re a fuzzy, wall of noise style garage rock band. It’s a bit like throwing early Nirvana in with some Cold War Kids, along with a dash of White Stripes’ bluesier moments and waiting to see who wins the fight. Their Young & Numb EP is getting all the praise from the music press, so should be a good one to get your hands on.

Django Django - Beginning to Fade

Django Django’s upcoming album is one of our most anticipated albums of 2015. If their first single, First Light, is anything to go by, it sounds like they’re going to deliver something that might trump their self titled, which is no mean feat. For RSD, they’re releasing another single of the new album. If you’re a fan of psychedelic pop that somehow recalls a future vision from a dystopian 1980s, then get your hands on Beginning to Fade.

Late Nite Tuff Guy - Party Time/Hands Up

Late Nite Tuff Guy is by far one of our favourite DJs, and his edits always bring a smile to our faces. If we could ever play a bill with him and Apple Scruffs, our disco-alter egos would die happy. His edit of Weekend by Class Action is a choice bit of original disco (the original Class Action 12″ was actually mixed by Larry Levan, the godfather of disco DJs). This one won’t be an easy record to get your hands on, as there are only 500 copies globally, and I’m guessing a large portion will be sold in his home country of Australia, but keep an eye out!

Sleaford Mods - Tiswas EP

Another one that we can’t shut up about, Sleaford Mods are making 2015 for us. They've actually been selling the Tiswas EP at their live shows for a few months, but that doesn’t take away from how special it is. Quite a few of the tracks have more of a live band feel than they usually do, which makes Jason’s hard hitting punk-hop vocals even more in your face. Personal favourite is Bunch of C*nts, but the title track comes pretty close. Also keep an eye out for their collaboration with The Prodigy, Ibiza.

So they’re some of our picks. It’s hard to narrow down, and there’s loads more we’ll be on the look out for, like The 2 Bears, Grace Jones (Larry Levan mix), John Cooper Clarke, Imagine Dragons, Death Cab For Cutie and LOADS more. Let’s see how quickly we can bankrupt ourselves...

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New Artist: Luke Wellington

I (Luke) just arrived back from sunny Australia, which brought a wealth of new music to my ears (mostly thanks to Triple J, which I sorely miss). It was because of one of these new bands that I ventured down to Oxford Art Factory to see Our Man In Berlin support Avivaa, both very good chilled indie-electronica in their own right, but what I wasn’t expecting was to be blown away by the opening act.

Taking the stage in a lovely matching chintz suit, armed only with a Pocket Piano and a small attached drum unit, Luke’s brand of quirky love song instantly reminded me of a lo-fi slant on The 2 Bear’s more melodic moments. Joined on stage by two unnamed associates on a Bolsa Bass, ukulele and some disarmingly beautiful harmonies, they had me transfixed with the kind of 8-bit indie that you don’t hear often enough. I had a massive smile on my face the entire time.

There’s very little online from Luke, with his day job as a tour manager and musician in various bands seems to take precedence, which is a massive shame. I’m hoping to see loads more, and hopefully even make his way over to the UK. He has at least one massive fan already.

Links: Youtube | Twitter | Facebook

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New Band: The Metatrons

We've been on the lookout for local indie-pop bands in our homeland of Hertfordshire and chanced upon this little group last week. When I loaded up their Soundcloud to have a listen I felt like I'd wondered directly in the middle of the Fortuna Pop stable. Their brand of twee indie-pop meets fuzzy post-punk bears a strong resemblance to bands like Shrag or Allo' Darlin, although they say they're more Blondie meets Phil Spector. Neither comparison is far off the mark, but that shouldn't discount them. Their melodies are lovely and light, the guitar is the perfect kind of lilting but loud indie pop that has a special place in my heart and they know how to write a good song.

To say they're a new band is probably not entirely accurate, as they seem to have been touring their socks off for the past 4 or so years at least, having played all the local venues in Herts and Beds, as well as quite a few of the better venues in London. However, I can only see them getting more and more attention as indie pop seems to be having a resurgence of late, which I'm definitely not complaining about.

If you happen to be around the Hitchin area, they're playing a gig at Club 85 with The Astronauts on March 7. Otherwise, give them a listen on the links below...

Links: Soundcloud | Twitter | Facebook

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New band: HAWKING

I have a confession: I used to be in an emo band. I know. We've all got skeletons. I therefore have a soft spot for anything that has emerged from this fated, dead sub-sub-sub genre. One of the things I've noticed in the last few years is this kind of emo meets math-rock meets indie genre, which basically means slightly pop-punky vocals mixed with some interesting guitar-based music. Think Django Django if they started as a punk band.

Vancouver based HAWKING are very much in this vein, reminding me quite a lot of Australian underdogs Blueline Medic, or a slightly more anthemic Tellison, but with the guitar work of At the Drive-in. Their debut Cold Hands has a jaunty indie drive that reminds me of early Foals or the rockier edge of afforementioned Django, and when the middle eight soars towards the end, it's like an eagle. A majestic, heavily fringed eagle with slight mascara issues.

If you used to like emo bands, but now prefer your music a little more grown up and a tad more indie, you should check out HAWKING. They've got a few dates in Canada and the US at the moment, but are apparently planning a UK trip in the next couple of years. Can't wait to see them out here!

Links: Website | Bandcamp | Twitter | Facebook

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Best. Festival. Ever.

Oh my golly gosh, that was a fucking fabulous weekend... We've (almost) recovered, and in a lucid moment put our heads together to list out some awesome/random memories...

Chilling out to The Staves….grooving to Django Django….jumping around to Hadouken!

Imbibing tent-heated 'dark fruits' 'cider' just shy of 11. In the morning.

The amazing Churros. mmmmmmmm.

Discovering at least half a dozen new, awesome bands on Where The Wild Things Are stage that we desperately want to book in the future.

Powders - The laundrette that never sleeps. Not only did they let us DJ and people actually danced, but the place actually smelled like a laundrette.

The random Red Arrows flyover on Friday morning.

DJing to a backdrop of spectacular fireworks.

Playing 'Gay Bar' in a gay bar.

Meeting Care Bear Bob, the only bearded transvestite in Newcastle. He apparently has seven tattoos of Care Bears, but we can only vouch for three...

Seeing He's My Brother's singer propose to his drummer girlfriend of seven years at the end of their set on Friday, and then only having it topped by the couple who got engaged right in front of our booth, followed by a necessary spinning of Donna Summer's 'I Feel Love'.

"Having one more in the tent" = demolishing a lovely bottle of red (middle class festival goers unite!)

The best coffee I've ever had at a festival.

Precious' outfits throughout the entire festival. Personal favourite: the wrestling outfit.

Andrew swapping his favourite Hawaiian shirt with Maurice from Liverpool because he admired it. And because Maurice was a top bloke.

It was phenomenal and there's also a few people we want to give huge thank yous to:

Clayton, Terry, Precious, Matt and all those involved with Bearded Kitten and Little Gay Brother.

The Head Gardner for being a dude and giving us a big hug when we caught up with him. His dad is pretty cool too.

The guy that danced like he was living and sharing every word of Rudimental’s “Feel The Love”.

Sam and his wizardy mates, who trekked through the rain in sodden robes to come and dance to our set. 

The guy that came over to say he loved what we were playing, and when asked if he had a request, said that he didn’t because we were playing it all! Clearly a man of taste, not least because of the amazing glitterball helmet he was wearing.

Until next year!