Recently, I've been on a complete musical binge and I’ve been trying to find new, unknown acts and bands that you should be listening to. Unfortunately, revision got in the way but now those pesky exams are over, I’m now free in my musical quest to find VERY GOOD NEW MUSIC. I’ve found these bands over the internet or via friends of friends. Rather strangely, some bands have started following me on here or on Twitter, and I’ve been sure to check them out.
This is the band of a guy who was a couple of years above me and who also used to play in the same concert band with me. The new band he is in, is based in Falmouth and goes by the name of Tiger Years. They are clearly a talented group of musicians (they interchange instruments and lead vocals) who write thoughtful, clever songs, full of lush textures and harmonies. They perform mostly acoustically and their voices lend well to their guitars as well as blending together in the most calming, warm manner to soothe the soul. For this reason, Tiger Years are a band that are far too good to go unnoticed. I hope they get the recognition they deserve. If not, I may slap myself and lose all faith in mankind’s taste.
Long live Tiger Years, and all that.
Songs you should check out: Safensounds, Don’t Look At The Sun, Good Plans, Symmetry, SPNG K.
An extremely young band who started following me on Twitter and who seem like lovely fellas from the tweets that I exchanged with them a couple of weeks ago. I was instantly struck in particular by one of their demo tracks, Innocence which reminded me of a young Maccabees track in its intricate melodies but less fragile and with more power within them.
Songs you should check out: Innocence, Wired.
Wanderlings are an up-and-coming Nottingham based band whose songs are laced with dreamy melodies, jangly guitars and echoing woozy pop moments. They have the kind of songs dark enough to enjoy on a gloomy day but that will still make you happy and chilled on a hot midsummers’ day. Considering they are based in Nottingham, I am keeping a good eye out for when they will play a gig near me. For now however, I will have to stay content with the cool old school videos that they’ve put up on YouTube.
Songs you should check out: Plague Me, Two Casual, Swingin’, Sleeping As A Saint.
Jake Hart seems like an mysterious lad who hails from good old South London. He manages to mix interesting samples and guitar loops and What Are We Now is a prime of example of his brilliance. His songs have a dance feel but still retain that lovely guitar brilliance. He reminds me (in a very good way of) Bombay Bicycle Club.
Songs you should check out: What Are We Now?, Let’s Pretend
Vlad sound Eastern European solely in name. They are reminiscent in a small way of Radiohead and very early Muse before they began singing about Black Holes & Relevations and dating Hollywood actresses. There’s something very 90s grunge and nostalgic about them - which can only be a good thing considering life in the 90s was great - a world without Facebook, MySpace and The Only Way Is Essex.
Captain Scarlet yelps with scuzzy teenage anger whilst one of their other songs, ’92 (the year I was born) is 2 minutes and 24 seconds of alternative bliss - a song that alternates between quiet shy jangly guitars and raw distorted vocals and guitar lines. They have already been featured in NME and seem to me like a band to watch.
Songs you should check out: Captain Scarlet, ’92, Caramel, Breathe Safe.
