Many have described ANNASAID as one of the most talented current bands. The band possesses an untamed energy and the unique ability to draw the listener into its universe. These young men focus on rhythm and melody and with more than three years experience, 100 live concerts and an average age of merely 20, the band is one of the fastest emerging indie/math rock bands.

The band’s versatility in sound and visual performance, coupled with an already solid fan base confirm its potential, which also landed them a support slot with Glasvegas in the spring of 2009.

ANNASAID’s two first EPs have been highly praised by critics, radio hosts and major blogs both in and outside Denmark. This fall the band played their first European tour which took ANNASAID to both the UK, Germany, Copenhagen, Brussels and Amsterdam – the latter as support for Florence & the Machine.

With references to bands such as Foals, Editors and Bloc Party, ANNASAID offers a highly international sound – ready to be unleashed beyond the borders of Denmark.

The long awaited first single, titled “Dogfight” was released in November 2009, already spinning at on Denmark’s biggest radio shows. The debut from ANNASAID will be recorded and produced in England by UK producer Tom Woodhead (Forward Russia). Due for release in spring 2010.

www.myspace.com/annasaid

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

‘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

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

Singer songwriter Richard Judge puts his first child to bed and with a kiss on each eye; draws back the curtains to reveal ‘i dream in colour’.

Having supported the likes of the Kooks and Jarvis Cocker as well as being exposed by MTV2 and XFM, Richard is no stranger to the big stage. In the summer of 2009 he joined forces with his brother Pete on drums, Michael Thackeray (guitar) and Steve Daniels (bass) to form ‘i dream in colour’.

The band have headlined sell-out shows in Austria with Weekender Records, Brighton’s Club NME and have caught the eye of BBC Radio 1 Introducing, which sees a live session scheduled for June 2010.

i dream in colour will be releasing their debut single/EP in the spring of 2010.

For news, tour dates, and to join the mailing list, visit www.myspace.com/idreamincolourband

Ice Black Birds are an edgy blues-influenced four piece from Brighton via London. They draw influence from 60s and 70s rock ‘n’ roll via Zeppelin, Deep Purple and Sabbath but seem set to bring forth a unique and fresh burst of modern indie blues back into the industry not unlike acts White Denim, The Black Keys, Royal Bangs and early Kings of Leon…but different. Forming from the ashes of old London, Sheffield and Scottish bands, the energy created on stage by this band is second to none. With catchy songs that maintain their own dignity, they are most definitely one to watch for 2010 and beyond.

On the first week of January 2010, Huw Stephens of BBC Radio 1 tipped them for big things in 2010 when playing their demo of ‘As Birds We’d Be Fine’ on his show and included it in his podcast as ‘Tip of the Week’. He then went on to contact all ‘Introducing’ shows on BBC regional stations leading their track to be played on most them across the country.

IBB were hand picked by the likes of Golden Slivers, Joe Gideon and The Shark, Wave Machines, Goldhawks, Post War Years and We Have Band to support them on tour and have played at reputable venues across the whole of the UK.

The band played one of the main stages at 2009’s Secret Garden Party and the main stage at Farm Festival and the White Air Festival in the same year.

‘Their sound is startling and very different. I predict big things for them.’ Huw Stephens (BBC Radio 1)

‘One of the best live acts to cross our boards!’ Club NME

Ice Black Birds delivered their beguiling melodies with a relentless vigour that proved mesmerising.’ Electric Grapevine

‘They take the vigour and raw energy of blues-rock bands like The Kills and The White Stripes and combine them with the hysterical vocals and driving bass lines of early Kings Of Leon whilst moulding it all into good fun guitar music that’s charmingly ragged around the edges …it won’t be long before these guys are too big for a return visit to their favourite club night.’ Brighton Calling (live review)

‘A difficult act to pin down for a sound with bombastic prog, sunshine-pop, southern boogie and even salsa making an appearance… Although they’re an energetic band to watch on stage, cavorting and shaking long hair, there are subtleties; along with the riff bashing there is careful co-ordination between the musicians, daring each other to do something even more impressive. Ever wondered what happened to good old fashioned rock and roll? Now you know.’ Scene Tous Scene (live review)

Debut single ‘Ear to the Ground’ out on 29th March 2010 with a UK tour underway.

www.myspace.com/iceblackbirdsuk

Agent - Chris Pitt

Right, let’s be honest biographies are often boring and monotonous. Four lads from a big city…blah blah blah….Firstly then, perhaps it would be more productive to tell you what The Book Club are not, rather than to tell you what they are about.

For a start you won’t find them dressed in all matching leather jackets, finally arriving on stage a bit worse for wear about an hour after they were meant to go on. They won’t be sporting rosary beads, trilbies or any other unnecessary accessories aimed at promoting an image of the bohemian tortured genius. The very fact that people go to such lengths in order to look like they don’t give a f*ck is quite self-explanatory. They aim not to produce promotional photographs which present the band as a group of angry doormen nor strive to create contrived images of ‘fun!’. Also, and this is most important, The Book Club will never, under any circumstances swear in a sentence that does not require it. Ok that last one was a bit far fetched.

Very well, now the soap box has been put away let’s be serious for a moment. The band does have a bit of previous. Joe was the lead singer in Sheffield favourites milburn but far from dwelling on what might have been he has gathered together a nice little troop of musicians, all cousins, to produce what is quickly becoming a tight knit popular beat combo. Of course Joe’s voice has not changed and there’s still that essence of melody carried on from the milburn days. However, this band is different, this band has got it’s priorities right. Gone are the youthful ideas of world-domination. Here is the understanding that you make your own music your own way. If that means penning little ditties about your other half, broaching a minefield topic such as the hillsborough disaster or even highlighting pessimistic British attitudes mid recession, then so be it. As you may have guessed, they don’t have much time for the over-complicated but by the same token refuse to play the ‘indie tunes by numbers’ game.

The fact of the matter is that this band have quality songs and are outstanding live. Fashions may change and at some point their faces may fit. But for the mean time they’re content to hone their sound and make new friends in the process. Forty years ago this band would have made it, no question. Why should 2010 be any different?

www.myspace.com/thebookclubofficial

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

“This strop pop palpitation is a sub three minute rush of Pretty Girls Make Graves style post hardcore sweetness. Firecracker singer Ellen Murphy sounds pretty much like Kate Nash would if she dropped the prim and proper act and thrashed herself into a full on Kathleen Hanna hissy fit” NME.

Kids Love Lies formed after four strangers were drawn together by their shared love and passion for music. After endless searching, they found the missing link in pop pixie Ellen Murphy.

They have built up a reputation for being one of the most exciting live bands of the moment; their passionate live shows bursting with energy and evident chemistry between band members as they jump about the stage.

They released their debut 7″ single in 2009 on Cherryade Records, receiving great support from Radio 1 DJs such as Steve Lamacq, Nick Grimshaw, Zane Lowe and Huw Stevens and receiving rave reviews in the NME, with The Guardian Guide calling them “…sprightly new-wave hoo-ha, with a lady vocalist who just can’t sit still for an instant” and the Times Online track of the day feature; “Delivering fine power pop that’s packed full of clever lyrics and hooks”

Kids Love Lies played spots on the coveted BBC Introducing stage at Radio 1 Big Weekend as well as The Great Escape Festival and the Camden Crawl. They also recorded their first live session at BBC’s Maida Vale studios for Huw Steven’s show, ‘In New Music We Trust’ on Radio 1.

The band recently released their second single ‘Under the Bed’ in October; poignant, quirky and charming in equal measure - a whirlwind of a song full of attitude that demands your attention. Brimming with a cacophony of relentless, frenetic guitars, an energetic bass line and crashing percussion, all topped off by Ellen Murphy’s Karen O-esque vocals; the result is an explosion of energy which builds towards the song’s clima, which received airplay on Radio 1 and XFM. The track was awarded ‘Single of the Month’ by acclaimed music magazine Artrocker.

The future is very exciting for Kids Love Lies with plans for their debut EP to be released in early 2010; they will be spending the next few months writing and recording new material as they constantly grow and develop as a band.

www.myspace.com/kidslovelies

Agent - Lee Taylor

Image © Ben Hickman

Leigh Mary Stokes is a 19 year old singer songwriter who writes infectious, emotive indie pop. Listening to Leigh is like tea and crumpets before work, roast dinner at your mum’s and listening to your iPod on the bus. It is everything that is right in your world, for you, at that particular time.

BBC 6 Introducing simply said ‘Wow!’

Currently recording her debut EP, scheduled for release late in 2009, Leigh has pre-released three tracks from the EP as a limited edition white label that is available at live gigs. Also available online.

Leigh has spent the last year working with and being backed by some of Portsmouth’s most respected musicians and has collectively, or independently played with such artists The Kabeedies, Frank Hamilton, The Winterkids, Flamboyant Bella, Eliza Doolittle and Sam Isaac. She has also played Bestival, Wight Air 2007, Southsea Fest and Bangers & Mash at Camden’s Proud Galleries.

www.myspace.com/leighstokesmusic

Agent - Lee Taylor

Life In Film are Samuel Fry, Edward Ibbotson, Dominic Sennett and Micky Osment. The band formed when circumstances found the four friends living in the same town, and in fact the same flat in East London. Living together was the perfect opportunity to share their musical likes and dislikes, high and lows, and their passion for good times. It wasn’t long before in a basement under their local snooker hall they were putting together some songs of their own, culminations of varying musical tastes, bands such as The Smiths, The Beatles and Bowie giving influence to the sound.

The band released their debut single ‘’Sorry’’ at the start of the summer 2009, which found it’s way on to, amongst others, John Kennedy on XFM, Huw Stevens on Radio 1 and Gary Crowley on BBC London which culminated in them being asked to headline the BBC Introducing stage at Glastonbury. Described by Steve Lamacq as ‘‘a nice piece of fidgety pop,’’ and compared to ‘‘the kind of light and dark mind-f*ck that Radiohead used to do so, so well,’’ The Independent.

The band’s second single ‘’Get Closer,’’ which was released on the Ban Jam Label is perhaps their most quintessential song to date and shows what the band really has to offer. Its engaging and infectious drive showcases Life in Film’s unique and highly talented song writing skills in a near perfect indie pop song.

Having shared the stage with the Kooks, Super Furry Animals, Air Traffic, Mumford & Sons and Speech Debelle to name but a few the band execute a live set second to none.

One of the most exciting bands in the UK and now making waves in the US they are definitely one of the ones to watch out for in 2010.

www.myspace.com/alifeinfilm

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

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

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

Rochdale four-piece The Hidden Revolution deliver a heady mix of sincerity, angst and optimism that sees them forging their own niche in the current music scene. Their song-writing prowess is further bolstered by the phenomenal vocals of front man Chris Wise, articulating every line with equal amounts of passion and perfection.

Following release of their debut album, in March, on Fat Northerner Records, The Hidden Revolution have already had praise lauded upon them from neighbouring Manchester songsmiths Elbow amongst and the BBC’s Chris Long. It seems it is not just self-belief that builds the anticipation around this bands future.

“Amazing! Beautiful melodies and huge choruses” Mark Potter, Elbow

“The Hidden Revolution’s name is an apt one. What might seem like rock on the outside actually comes with a gently twisted heart, capable of sideswiping you as you sway along. They sound as if they have something mighty brewing. Who knows how big it could be if they manage to let it out.” Chris Long BBC Manchester

www.myspace.com/thehiddenrevolution

Agent - Lee Taylor

2010 is set to be the year for Leeds band The Kiara Elles.

The bands sound ranges from dancey and quirky to dark and punky, invoking memories of anything from Joy Division to Le Tigre or as The Guardian have said “Like one of those out-of-nowhere indie records that has the man in the street singing along to a guitar riff.”

The band recently spent time sparking alight the hormones and setting the pulses of young men and women racing as they travelled around the the UK touring their critically acclaimed ODIO EP, released on Mercury Award nominee Choque Hosein’s new imprint, Vandal. With recording completed, their first full length album Slide Over will be unleashed into the public domain 03 May preceded by a double-A single, Laser Shot/The Bet on 19 April. The band will embark on a UK tour in support of these releases.

Up to this point The Kiara Elles have been surfing the airwaves on a regular basis via radio play from 6 Music’s Steve Lamacq, Gideon Coe, Gary Crowley and Clare McDonnell. BBC Radio 1’s Huw Stephens has spun various tracks from ODIO on his BBC Introducing show.

With glowing reviews from respected music hacks across Europe, The Kiara Elles are tipped to take the step up to the next level into the bloodstream of the public consciousness over the next year.

“Sharp, smart & snappy!” Huw Stephens Radio 1

“No-one makes a noise like this, an enigmatic singer combines brilliantly with wailing guitars to create a catalogue of tunes that convulse like they’re in the electric chair.” Chris Martin NME Radio

“They are indie, they are electro, they are sexy, they are smart, the sound is urgent and fast paced” Music News Scotland

www.myspace.com/thekiaraelles

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

The Troubadours are a foursome of lads - half from Liverpool, half from Wigan - who have been rapidly building a reputation as one of the most exciting new bands of 2009. They consist of Mark Frith (lead vocals/guitar/piano/harmonica), Robbie Taylor (backing vocals/lead guitar/violin), Tony Ferguson (backing vocals/bass guitar), Elmo Nino (drums).

Not your typical indie band to bring out a single and tour the world, The Troubadours have already broken Japan in a big way! They were number 1 in the Japanese airplay and video charts for over a month, resulting in a top 10 album!

Having previoulsy been named as both iTunes Essentials and Q Magazines Best New Acts of 2008 the band bagged a tour with their now good friends The Enemy it wasn’t a bad 2008 for the boys. They were also cherry-picked by none other than the Modfather himself, Paul Weller as support for his UK tour in 2008 thanks to legendary rock photographer Tom Sheehan (Radiohead, Oasis, Robert Smith, Bruce Springsteen) who played their record to friend Paul in a studio after falling in love with it. The band later went on to headline a sold out tour in Japan, perform at the legendary Summersonic festival as well as pleasing thousands at V Festival here in the UK.

Back from Japan, the band are now ready for the UK release of live favourite Gimme Love and debut album The Troubadours, with national tour dates to follow.

http://www.myspace.com/thetroubadoursmusic

Agent - Lee Taylor

What Would Jesus Drive are a London based four-piece ensemble. Forging the explosive energy of hardcore and the subtleties of post-punk, What Would Jesus Drive possess a fascinating sense of urgency and drive - making lively irresistible electro-pop noise uniquely their own. With nods to the synthetic bounce and scrappy DIY charm of Bis or cranked garage economy of their Medway neighbour Billy Childish, the music of What Would Jesus Drive ultimately really just reflects their own bratty, quirky impulses.

So far the band have had the pleasure of sharing stages with Dirty Pretty Things, Bromheads Jacket and Art Brut, as well as completing a string of frenzied performances throughout the US. Signed to Guerrilla Music, the band have been sighted as one of The Sunday Times’ Hottest Downloads as well as gathering praise from Artrocker, Subba Cultcha and Soundsxp.

With a single out on 31 August and their new album forthcoming in 2010, What Would Jesus Drive will be energetically promoting their debut album throughout the UK, US and Europe.

www.myspace.com/whatwouldjesusdrive

Agent - Lee Taylor