Since they began playing live last year, Leicester’s math rock/ pop quintet Minnaars have already notched up shows all over the UK and in Europe. Produced by Forward Russia’s Tom Woodhead, their brand of incessantly catchy, dark-disco-electro-rock fuses pop orientated intricate poly-rhythms with floor shuddering dance beats and has garnered them attention from every aspect of the music industry.

With pending releases in Japan and Europe, numerous UK Festival appearances this year (including Reading, Leeds and Summer Sundae), a European tour and praise being heaped upon them by Radio 1, Xfm, NME and even Gavin and Stacey star Mat Horne, it seems they really are the genuine ones to watch in the next twelve months.

“…Dancey and direct; very impressive stuff” - Artrocker

“…The Hottest property to come out of Leicester since Kasabian” - Radio 1

“…Right now we’re loving Busy Hands” - NME

“…What track would I play right now? - “Busy Hands” by Minnaars - XFM

“…Last year was all about White Lies. My tip for this year is Minnaars” - Mat Horne

“…What sets Minnaars apart is that they have the tunes and the bravery. Comparisons with Foals, due to a fixation with the bottom 12 frets, I suspect, are wide of the mark. The overly-focused sound of the Oxford indie-math band’s debut Antidotes pales in contrast this. This EP focuses on innovative music which makes you dance, revere and ponder in equal measures…” - A Box of Words

“…I’m exhausted just listening…” - Jo Whiley, Radio 1

www.myspace.com/minnaars

Agent - Lee Taylor

Danny Connors, ex frontman of The On Offs, is back with a new solo project with his band The Ladders. A travelling man who cites Ronnie Lane as a big influence on his life, his movement through scallydelica, 60s Kinks-ish pop, reggae-lite, punkish new wave and even rap make comparisons to Edgar Jones apt. But his new four-piece outfit is perhaps his best move to date. Motown rhythms, melodies and arrangements that recall The Style Council and early solo Paul Weller and a commitment to the sounds and message of funky soul, personified by Curtis Mayfield, have brought much reward (Modculture).

Having written, produced and recorded all these songs solo before bringing in The Ladders to take the new tunes on the road, his music has earned him a growing fan base. So far, this year, its also earned him stadium support slots with Paul Weller on the early part of his 2009 UK tour, a summer support slot for The Blockheads and most recently touring with The Rifles - with more to follow at the end of the year. The self-titled debut EP was released in September and the band are looking forward to going into the studio with Paul Weller to record their debut album.

The Ladders are ready to bring their unique brand of soulful rock n roll to the music industry.

NME’s Joel Reynolds  said: ‘The once-noble genre of ‘rhythm and blues’ has been bastardised so much it now describes no more than some squeaks and farts snatched off GarageBand. Tonight Danny Connors is here to claim it back. The former singer with The On Offs has coralled a new gang of acolytes to aid him in his quest. They’re part Stones swagger, part James Brown showmanship, part P-Funk, and all awesome. They could be the band to save us from a world of Akon and Flo Rida.’ (August 2009)

www.myspace.com/dannyconnorsandtheladders

Agent - Lee Taylor