In 2015, I described Natalie Prass’ self-titled debut as “everything I love about music. It’s music you can dance to, and music you can cry to.” Since then, she’s actually recorded two records, scrapped one, and released her proper sophomore record, The Future and the Past, on June 1st via ATO Records. According to an interview with Consequence of […]

When Robb Murphy releases something new, we know that we’re going to be treated to the best that Belfast’s contemporary folk scene has to offer. He’s known for the meaning behind the music. Whether its April Fool’s Day fun or the nostalgia of prom-days, Murphy has a habit of creating tunes that resonate with real life. “Sleep Tonight” follows this […]

With a defying voice and an innovative dream-folk-pop sound, Malena Zavala is making a lot of noise with her first album, Aliso. The record is a collection of sounds and influences that range from ambient layers of synthesizers to clean and crunchy guitars. Malena’s songwriting is very consistent and nuanced, and her melodies flow effortlessly over any kind of beat, making […]

When two artists rooted in AC/DC and Led Zeppelin come together, you’d expect lots of things. Rock, extended guitar solos, and screaming vocals. With their debut album Ro Sham Bo, however, Beaux Cheveux are none of those things. Instead, the combined creative talents of Adrian Conner (Hell’s Belles) and Clementine (Zepparella) have given birth to something somewhat electro, occasionally dream-pop […]

Since 2015, we have asked independent artists to share their favorite memories from their time at SXSW. In just three years, this project has become one of our most popular features thanks to the growing interests of bands and singers from around the world. These memories are from mallrat. The project of Grace Shaw and the self-proclaimed “Hannah Montana of […]

Rules Of Engagement by Ria Hall Every two years, one of the best arts and music festival in New Zealand takes place. Aptly called New Zealand Festival, the three-week extravaganza features the best international and national talent in theatre, film, and music, and the 2018 programs is the Festival’s most ambitious. On Saturday night, Kiwi singer-songwriter Ria Hall put on […]

Achieving chart success with a debut EP is remarkable. Getting there again with a sophomore release can be trickier. Often the best material, honed over years of writing and playing live, gets consumed by the debut. Tazmin Barnes‘ new EP, Powerful, avoids the sophomore trap. Four distinctive yet unapologetically pop tracks display her vocal energy alongside mature songwriting. It’s not […]

Having spotted Lorna Dea as one of our ‘Artists to Watch’ back in 2016 and enjoyed her debut EP, Little Spark, later that year, we’ve been wondering when she would pop up on our radar again with more of her deliciously addictive pop sounds. Sure enough, it won’t be long before we get to hear her latest work. Dea has […]

When you’ve been following an artist as closely as we’ve been watching Albert Man, a new release is always a time of joy and anticipation. He’s been working on a batch of new music for 2018 and the first offering, the single “Say Something Loving”, drops on 2 February. It goes without saying that we’re absolutely delighted to bring it […]

Old and new favorites collide on The Matinee November 17th edition. The mini-playlist has some sweet melodies and heartbreaking ballads plus a few upbeat numbers to get you in a perky mood. Although we usually list the songs alphabetically, we have to start with the return of a young woman who has amazed us when she introduced herself a little […]

Absent Kelly presents….Sonic Sketch, featuring Dishy Tangent. Notting Hill Arts Club 9 September 2017 What’s not to like about Dishy Tangent? Four good looking blokes from Canning Town in the East End of London, creating great tunes. I was asked by DJ Sonic, or bass player Del Sajiwandani as he is also known, to take some portrait shots of the […]

Nicole Atkins has been one of the most consistent sources of great music over the last ten years. Her debut record, Neptune City, was a noir-pop masterpiece, and it was followed by three more great records. On her last LP, Slow Phaser, Atkins freed herself from big label obligation and did it on her own, with a little help from […]

You may remember Nick Heyward as the front man of Haircut 100, a young man with a big old guitar under his arm and a cheeky smile on his face. Most people will have a soft spot for Nick, who was a peer of the likes of Teardrop Explodes, ABC, and Orange Juice – crucial listening for 1980’s students. On 19th […]

Finding an artist with a distinctive voice is always a pleasure. Since we first discovered Essex-based Helen Connelly, back in 2015, we’ve been fans of her jazz-pop vibe. We followed her progress with the release of her single “Behind Your Eyes” last year, and we’re eagerly anticipating the imminent release of her EP, Garden of Kisses. Our patience has been […]

Hot on the heels of his debut single, “You’d Better Sell It While You Can”, released just a few short months ago, Callum Pitt is sending out his second offering. With an arrangement that takes “catchy” to a whole new level, “Least He’s Happy” is a feel-good phenomenon for foot-tapping dance-along fans everywhere. We are delighted to premiere it here […]

We picked out Bobby Uzóma’s forthcoming EP as one of 2017’s most anticipated records back at the start of the year. Then we waited and still are waiting. The EP is still a work in progress, and we completely understand that good things take time. In the meantime, we’re delighted that Bobby has decided to reward our patience with a […]

Since 2015, we have asked independent artists to share their favorite memories from their time at SXSW. In just a couple of years, this project has become one of our most popular features thanks to the growing interests of bands and singers from around the world. Forty-five artists participated in this year’s edition, including Alex Napping. Alex Napping is a […]

Our premiere of the signature single “Carolina” from Brady Toops’ sophomore album Tried & True praised his strong yet authentic vocals. Was it too much to expect that the rest of the album would deliver the same quality? After all, the single release usually showcases the artist’s best work, and Brady had set the bar high. He does not disappoint. […]

I’m not lying when I say I’ve fallen in love a little with She Drew The Gun, the Liverpool-based indie-rock band who are among the UK’s fastest-rising bands. Earlier in the week, they were in Austin at SXSW, showcasing their talents to new fans. They returned to the UK in time to kick off their mini-tour in support of their […]

Received with critical acclaim, Albert Man‘s 2016 album, Cheap Suit, placed him at the forefront of London’s gig circuit and generated praise from the BBC Radio’s Head of Music. We also gave it an in-depth review along with an interview with the man himelf, so we’ve been eagerly awaiting his next release. It comes in the shape of an EP, […]