Posts Tagged ‘indie’

Eighteen Nightmares At The Lux

February 18, 2010

Fuzz Pedal? Check. Surf Drums? Check. Organ? Check. Bow Ties? Check. Nightmares? Check!!!!!

ENL are a young London band who released their first EP last night at the Notting Hill Arts Club, entitled Fuzz Candy, it draws inspiration from the whole array of styles that changed the face of Rock and Roll.

They know their music well, and inspire themselves from the best of each decade, a little 50s rockabilly here, a little surf rock there, a pinch of 60s garage, a spray of  ’77 punk , and the result  is the infectious rock and roll that blares out of ENL’s amps.

Last night’s short gig saw the venue packed with fans, casual listeners and even a hater, who threw glasses and shoes onstage, to which lead singer Shimmie politely responded “People came here to listen to us, if you don’t like it you might as well get out” a response which could only shut that individual up and let the rest of us enjoy the gloriously energetic show.

Fan favorite ”Ketchup Stains” got the crowd dancing/moshing/cheering as Shimmie wailed “This is the grand finale” over and over, luckily for us it was only the second song in the set and more was to come.

Progressing through their set and playing newer songs, they showcased their sound as the guitars intertwined with each other while the fuzz bass and the catchy surf drums kept the distorted beat.

ENL made sure to remind us that fuzz candy is not what you would find in a tuck shop near their school but the driving force behing their sound; turning the bass fuzz to 11, setting the keyboard on haunted house organ mode and ripping through their set as a nightmare would rip your brains apart in your sleep, only difference, there is no waking up from these eighteen nightmares!

Considering their young age and their influences the future is bright and exciting for these nightmares as they expand from the Lux to the rest of the world.

Listen to Eighteen Nightmare at the Lux here

Dev Hynes: Indie Music’s Chameleon

February 12, 2010

Dev Hynes was the heart of one of the mid-noughties’ biggest indie/rock/nu-rave/whatever-name-you-want-to-give-it sensations, Test Icicles.

A band with a funny name that released only one album in 2006 called “For Screening Purposes Only” and split up a year after its release. Their edgy, Bloc Party-ish single Circle Square Triangle was an anthem for indie discos across Europe. Soon Test Icicles were sanctified into indie rock heaven, and even more so for splitting up before their tunes started getting weaker (i.e. Bloc Party).

After their split, Devonté Hynes started a new career under the alias Lightspeed Champion, this time playing a very different genre, where the distorted guitars made way for acoustic ones and the screaming mutated into singing. Along with his new solo endeavor, he has also written songs for Florence and the Machine, Basement Jaxx and the Chemical Brothers.

At the end of 2009, with a new look, looking more like a cross between Love’s Arthur Lee and a delta bluesman than the indie fashionista he has always been, a new found love for Danelectro guitars and a new album, “Life is Sweet! Nice To Meet You” things are finally starting to look good for Dev.

First single “Marlene” starts with a thumping bass and drum, where country violins and bells infiltrate into the background before a Danelectro surfy riff leads to the chorus, accompanied by  more bows and a lighter chorus, only to fall back in the bouncy beat.

This is an  interesting and new direction for one our generation’s artistic chameleons, who has has found a new detour in his musical path. Dev’s ever-changing ways and new musical maturity keep us curiously wondering  what is to come next!

Ones to Watch in 2010

February 1, 2010

EGYPTIAN HIP HOP

Neither Egyptian nor rappers, EHH are a four Mancunian 17 year olds still in high school. Their music is a mix of infectuos new wave guitar riffs and dreamy keyboards. First “single” (they are still unsigned) “Rad Pitt” was an underground Autumn sensation, firing up blogs all over the web. Have a listen here to see if you agree with the hype.

A second track that has surfaced from these young and talented schoolboys is “Heavenly”, far less dark, fewer guitars, more keys and R&B beats make this track a perfect example of modern synth pop, the double haunting vocals work well with the beat, and although it ain’t no “Rad Pitt” it’s still a very decent song!

SMOKE FAIRIES

Smoke Fairies are two stunning ladies from Sussex who play their vintage guitars in, well, a vintage way. Folky Blues is the music they play and on top of the intricate guitar licks their heavenly voices intertwine melodically in a way that can only be pleasing to the ear.

Latest single “Gas Town” b/w “River Song” has been published on Jack White’s Third Man Records label, and the White Stripes/Racounters/Dead Weather etc.. man himself gives the girls a hand by playing the drums on both tracks, helped by his trusted Raconteurs and Dead Weather bassman “Little” Jack Lawrence.

You can listen to both Third Man Records tracks here

And here is a guitar only live version of “Gas Town”

FIONN REGAN

Fionn Regan first hit the airwaves in 2006 with excellent acoustic folk album “The End of History” with brilliant tracks such as “Be Good or Be Gone” and “Put a Penny in The Slot”, drawing inspiration from  great folksmen such as Bert Jansch, Neil Young and Bob Dylan.

Unfortunately the album was not a commercial success and Regan remained an underground sensation limited to a niche of listeners.

With his new album, “The Shadow of an Empire” to be released on February 8th 2010, Regan has followed his mentors’ footsteps in particular Dylan’s, as the minstrel switched from acoustic folk to a full electric band in 1965 with the album “Bringing It All Back Home”, Regan adopts the same kind of sound with witty and political lyrics commenting the current economic crisis.

Here is the first new single, “Protection Racket”


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