‘One of the most eloquent and raucously British voices in the last 2 decades’ - The Fly Magazine

Chris Helme served his dues as front man of ‘The Seahorses’ in the late 90’s. The York based singer-songwriter, blessed with one of the remarkable voices of his generation and a sublime song writing talent, is now forging a successful and respected career as a solo musician.

Chris is currently writing and recording for his second solo record, due out later this spring on Little Num Num Music, the label he co-founded in 2009. The album sees Chris drawing on lots of early influences, Says Helme: “I’ve been digging out my old blues records again, Big Bill Broonzy, Brownie McGhee, Bukka White and also Billie Holliday and Ray Charles. It sparked a feeling in me and I began to remember what hooked me into playing and singing in the beginning. I’ve always had a tendency to lean towards blues and Jazz and my voice is developing as I get older, so it seems natural to explore that avenue of influence.” However, the new record promises to have some modern, less obvious, twists and will see Helme collaborating with some of the many musicians he has met whilst touring over the last year.

Chris’ first solo album: ‘Ashes’ was released in May 2008. Since then he has been on the road (and rail) gigging almost continuously ever since. Playing over 200 shows in the year following the release has allowed him to reconnect with the legion of fans he had from his Seahorses days and also gain a new generation of admirers of his ‘emotional, stripped down set of late night love songs’ (IsThisMusic.com).

A break from touring at the start of 2009 gave Chris and his then band ‘The Yards’ the chance to put the finishing touches to their swansong record ‘Imperial Measures’. With Helme’s distinctive vocals and song writing running throughout the album’s 12 tracks, the record not only proved the perfect follow up to The Yard’s eponymous 2005 debut, but also to Chris’s more recent solo work; many of the album’s tunes have formed the staple of his live shows over the last 18 months. The Yard’s have since called it a day and this has allowed Chris to concentrate fully on his new record and given him the time to keep up his hectic solo tour schedule.

Whilst putting the finishing touches to his forthcoming album, Chris is still out gigging while he can and it is onstage alone where he really shines, his singing and song writing possessing a honed craft and emotional depth which these days are a rare thing indeed.

(By arrangement with Funkyjam Promotions).

www.myspace.com/chrishelmesolo

Agent - Lee Taylor

Taking their name from a line in Dylan’s Mr Tambourine Man, Reading three-piece, The Circus Sands, are gaining a reputation as one of the most exciting and sought after new bands of 2009. Distorted guitars, sleazy basslines and pulsating drumbeats are what you can expect to witness as they rip through their live shows at ear shattering volume…

www.myspace.com/thecircussands

Agent - Chris Pitt

Nacional have released two singles Telephone/Yorkshire and On T.V with Art Goes Pop records with distribution by Rough Trade and various digital download sites including ITunes. As a result, some of Nacional’s achievements to date include winning the Magnus Magnusson award, completing two successful U.K tours and showcases at Texas’ SxSW, In The City Manchester, Glastonbury, GoNorth and Rockness as well as appearing on Channel M and Popmorphic.

Having supported the likes of The Phantom Band, Pivot, Twisted Wheel, We Were Promised Jet Packs and Detroit Social Club, Nacional have also featured on the current Strummerville compilation with all proceeds heading to the charity inspired by and dedicated to the late Joe Strummer. Other compilation features include the Sweet F.A compilation (which was on the covermount of Artrocker); The Scottish Arts Council compilation for SxSW and GoNorth’s compilation.

Nacional have performed live sessions for Radio 1 and 6Music as well as gathering airplay from Steve Lamacq, Vic Galloway, Huw Stephens, Colin Murray, Tom Robinson and Jim Gellatly as well as being digitised on the wireless by many others including XFM and NME Radio.

The Skinny, Artrocker, NME and numerous British tabloids have also featured rave reviews and thrown their arms towards Nacional in a loving fashion.

Currently recording their debut album with Mother and The Addicts Sam Smith on production duties, it’s already sounding amazing and the band have just signed a production deal with Universal Music through Lo Recordings for their songs Telephone and On T.V to boot. Having received a grant from the Scottish Arts Council to fund recording and mastering, the band are set to tour the UK this summer where they will be showcasing the highly anticipated debut album Greater Inventions to industry and fans alike.

www.mysapce.com/wearenacional

Agent - Lee Taylor

A Leeds collective with a sprinkling of the North East, sets up a fine and very accomplished set of musicians. Formed in back end of 2008, Hail Animator have forced their way on to the thriving music scene showcasing their blend of guitar led indie-pop at venues including Leeds’ Cockpit and Islington’s O2 Academy.

www.myspace.com/hailanimator

Agent - Lee Taylor

Hailing from Oregon’s City of Roses, this hard (post) rocking four-piece have been busy carving up a niche in Portland ’s music scene.

Having been known to emit a certain presence and soul stirring appeal during their live shows, their style emanates rock with an underlying aroma of melodrama and code of mystique. Think Muse meets the Bravery laced with Roxy Music.

www.myspace.com/blackmercies

Agent - Lee Taylor

Kid Canaveral are an Edinburgh based indie pop band who make music you can dance
around and flail your limbs too. They are David MacGregor, Kate Lazda, Rose McConnachie
and Scott McMaster. Over the past few years they’ve been busy writing and perfecting their
noble craft and in true indie spirit have self-released four 7” singles on their own label,
Straight To Video, including a split release with fellow indiepoppers Come On Gang! Their
most recent release saw the band delve even further into the not-quite-extinct-technology
market by releasing their latest E.P. on limited edition cassette tape. Just in case you
chucked that walkman away, the E.P. also came with a free download code.

Kid Canaveral enjoy playing live. A lot. Over the past couple of years they have shared the
stage with James Murphy (LCD Soundsystem), Glasvegas, King Creosote, De Rosa,
Camera Obscura and KT Tunstall. They have played the Wickerman Festival, Fence
Records’ Homegame Festival, Manchester’s In The City, as well as completing three
successful UK tours. The band also put on their own nights in Edinburgh and Glasgow, most
recently hosting a sold out show at the Bowery in October to launch the new EP.

Kid Canaveral have also enjoyed hearing themselves on the radio - on Rob Da Bank and
Steve Lamacq’s Radio 1 shows and Vic Galloway’s BBC Scotland and Radio 1 shows. In
June, the band were featured on Andrew Weatherall’s 6Mix on BBC 6Music. Xfm and BBC
presenter Jim Gellatly saw fit to make the band his Single Of Week and debut single Smash
Hits even made it onto the small screen - with a music video appearance BBC 2’s The
Music Show.

2010 looks set to be the band’s most exciting year to date with the release of their
debut album in late Spring, followed by a tour and select summer festival dates.

www.myspace.com/kidcanaveral

Agent - Lee Taylor