A Genuine Freakshow are an artful blend of pop sensibility, icy soundscapes and blistering walls of noise. Their sound, while impressively focused, covers a range of musical staples, with the group letting influences from Mew to Sigur Ros and The National surface throughout.

Their songs capture quirky, catchy pop akin to Pulp in their pomp and grandeur – and even geeky charm. This ability to combine the poppier elements of indie rock whilst maintaining an intricate, delicate soul is what they do best. With a line-up that adds violin, cello and trumpet to the standard rock four-piece of guitar, bass, drums and vocals, their live shows are a master class in how to do epic without slipping into pompous.

There’s no real way to tell when A Genuine Freakshow came into existence, as the group are fairly unsure themselves. It has been agreed, for the time being, that the official Reading based seven-piece line up was born in 2008. After finding their equilibrium with a handful of self-released singles, the group settled into a touring schedule that saw them play over a hundred live festival, showcase, and headline tour shows from 2009 onwards, recently culminating in a televised performance of their set from the Reading Festival in late summer 2011.

With early support from BBC radio’s Tom Robinson and Steve Lamacq helping them on their way, the journey of this firmly bonded septet has taken place through the old-fashioned world of word-of-mouth and touring. In 2010 they headed into the studio to record their debut album, Oftentimes, which was released via the band’s own Peartree Records, all members making a firm decision to take control over their musical destinies.

Press

“A thrilling Reading-based seven-piece… String section, sheets of Pink Floyd and Sigur Ros fed through the Radiohead filter” Mark Ellen, The Word

“A seven-piece experimental post-everything pop bonanza, and as you’ll hear, A Genuine Freakshow are even better than that. What an absolutely marvellous band” Tom Robinson, BBC 6 Music

“There are elements of the baroque, halting fragments of folk, exultant flourishes of pop – properly rationed, of course – and just a hint of rock onslaught to make an emotional point.” Manchester Evening News

“Combining the grandeur of post-rock with lush orchestration, pop sensibility and a rare vocal sincerity, A Genuine Freakshow is an exciting band… Traces of Arcade Fire, Elbow and Radiohead are evident, however, there is far more under the surface.” The List

www.agenuinefreakshow.com/

Agent – Colin Keenan

There’s a difference between retro chique and the reinvention of a genre. Bleech manage to give their burning guitars, heavy drums and howling vocals a modern touch of “NOW”. They have breathed new life into the genre, which even Kurt Cobain pronounced dead.

Bleech released their first single ‘Is It True That Boys Don’t Cry’ on Ban*Jam/Island Records on limited edition vinyl. On the week of its release the single was on the NME ‘Songs To Listen To This Week’, NME Radio A- list and
Radio 6 playlist as well as Best of Myspace Number 1.

Their second self released single ‘The Worthing Song’ was Clash Magazine ‘Single of the Month’ and was NME Radio A-listed.

BLEECH are set to release their new single ‘Adrenaline Junkie’ on May 28^th and debut album ‘Nude’on The Diamond Jubilee Bank Holiday, June 4^th through Billie Records/ Bucks Music Publishing.

The new single ‘Adrenalin Junkie’ is an anthemic follow-up to recent single ‘Monday’s’, with a catchy melody and mighty chorus that will have you hooked. The single precedes the release of the band’s debut album ‘Nude’, packed with striking stand-alone tracks, which will not disappoint.

Bleech has built an impressive fan base including Steve Lamacq, John Kennedy, Lauren Lavern, Mark Richardson (Skunk Anansie/Feeder), Billy Lunn (The Subways). Having toured with Wolfmother, and supported the likes of  The Kooks, The Subways, Pete Doherty, The Rifles and The Joy Formidable has  helped build a formidable live reputation.

With two Headline U.K and European tours, plus a trip to the U.S of A under their belt, you wouldn’t bet on them slowing down anytime soon!

www.youtube.com/officialbleech
www.musicglue.net/bleech
www.facebook.com/bleechofficial
www.twitter.com/bleechmusic
www.bleechblog.blogspot.com

http://www.bleech.me.uk/press/”

Agent – Colin Keenan

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A collector of her own bones and things that puzzle or spin new thoughts, Cara Sebastian was always a little awkward and uninterested in talking about the weather. Born in France and shuffled through various cul-de sacs in the Midlands, she was often facing something new. She became addicted to notebooks early on and continues to fill them up with small things worth noticing. Her primary pieces are rooted in 80’s & 90’s pop and soul music which have leant her her clear songwriting ideas and romantic and almost melodramatic character. After being introduced to Jimi Hendrix, Bjork, and PJ Harvey in one sitting Cara sneakily sold her saxophone and bought a guitar.

Her self-taught style has mostly seen comparisons to an early Ani Difranco who inspired and excited Miss Sebastian for many years, and has helped her trace her way through a couple of albums with numerous collaborators. Now Cara’s influences range from old skiffle & swing through to prog and wonky blues.

Cara Sebastian is a guitar thumping- string twanging- old record of a person who likes to observe people and catch herself at her most extreme. She has just finished recording an EP in a tiny bedroom in Dalston with one mic and an old friend who refuses to record digitally, and is very proud with how its turned out and that they didn’t kill each other in the process.

The ‘Wolves’ EP is now available to download for free online and she’ll be playing an adventurous selection of live shows solo and with her full band around the UK from January 2012.

www.carasebastian.bandcamp.com
www.facebook.com/carasebastian

Agent – Lee Taylor

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‘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.

www.chrishelme.co.uk

Agent – Colin Keenan

Leeds-based four piece Club Smith (Sam Robson: Main Vocals/Guitar, Vijay Mistry: Drums, Lee Clark: Bass/Vocals, Neil Clark: Keys/sampler/vocals) release their debut AA side single ‘No Friend Of Mine’ / ‘Young Defeatists’ on 6th June 2011 via Front Wall Records. Promo copies feature a remix by Copilots (Jamie Ellis of Battle and Russell Lissack of Bloc Party).

The tracks have been produced by Will Jackson (Pigeon Detectives/The Music) and mixed by James Kenosha (Dinosaur Pile up/Pulled Apart by Horses /Grammatics). The propulsive rhythms, fuzzing bass and rabble-rousing vocals lay the foundations for a dark, dense slice of angry post-punk. Sam, a fearlessly candid and articulate lyricist, carefully negotiates the melodrama of the every day and the timeless struggle of the angry young man, to create impassioned and emotive lyrical content which deals with his growing despair over the state of the country today…a call to arms perhaps?

Now, with the band very much in existence, they have already picked up radio plays from indie arbiters of taste Steve Lamacq (who came to see them play in London) and Tom Robinson, who had the band in for interview after their shows on the BBC Introducing stages at Leeds/Reading 2010. They’ve also had plays from Huw Stephens, Frank Skinner (Absolute Radio), Rory McConnell (Radio 1) and have supported The Naked and Famous, Iliketrains, The Sunshine Underground, The Mystery Jets, Two Door Cinema Club, The Neat and Hockey.

www.clubsmith.co.uk
www.facebook.com/clubsmithmusic
www.twitter.com/clubsmith
www.youtube.com/joinclubsmith

Agent – Lee Taylor

22 year old Davey Horne has caused quite a stir since forming his solo project at the beginning of 2011. A handful of live dates, including a euphoric, sold out show at Glasgow’s King Tut’s Wah Wah Hut, exposed the Scottish live scene to Davey’s mesmerising and inimitable voice.

In an incredibly short space of time Davey has established himself as one of Scotland’s freshest and most exciting talents. So much so that he has was been invited to play at several major festivals including Wickerman 2011 and T in the Park 2012.  The release of his debut EP showcases his songwriting skills as well as his phenomenal voice. Each track of the EP demonstrates a love and affection for the past 40 years of soul, pop and Americana.

‘Davey is in possession of an incredible, raw, bluesy voice. His backing band are note perfect’ Heather Crumley – The Fly

As well as an obvious love for music that has gone before, there is something resolutely youthful and invigorating about Davey’s song writing and he has even been paid the compliment of being compared to several Scottish song writers who came to light at young age including Gerry Rafferty, Roddy Frame and Edwyn Collins.

‘Horne is certainly no shrinking violet and seems a natural frontman in this impressive outfit’ Wickerman Review – The Skinny

‘Davey Horne is an extremely special talent’ David O’Hagan - Mercury A&R

Website - daveyhorne.com

Facebook - facebook.com/daveyhorne

Soundcloud - soundcloud.com/daveyhorne

Agent- Colin Keenan

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Es Muss Sein is Poppy Wilson – Kent’s newest and finest singer/songwriter. Having recently supported Glasvegas, Poppy releases her debut EP this month (April 2012). The three track EP featuring “Sail”, “Seeping”, and ‘Those Eyes” showcase Poppy’s voice brilliantly in it’s rawest and most sincere way.

Bandcamp

Agent – Lee Taylor

Hailing from Leicester UK and spending the past couple of years between Los Angeles and London, British artist KAV’s sound has been compared by UK Press to Bob Dylan, Primal Scream, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, The Rolling Stones and The Stooges.

KAV launched his solo project in 2008, backed by his full live ‘Band of Blaggers’. He recorded his album in LA with Producer Josh Ostrander from the band Eastern Conference Champions and his live album which was recorded in Bedrock Studios, Echo Park.

In the past KAV has also played guitar and toured with Manchester legends Happy Mondays. He helped reform the band in 2004 with Shaun Ryder and co-wrote their last album, plus the track ‘Playground Superstar’ title track for the film ‘GOAL!’ released on Big Brother Records (The Gallagher’s label).

KAV is preparing to release his album in Summer 2012, with two singles out in March and May.

Press

“KAV combines the speed of the Scream with the swagger of the Stones, This Blagger is a Latter-Day Jagger” Paul Lester – THE GUARDIAN

“This fuzz-ridden piece of Punky Britpop carries off its rickety, shambolic aesthetic with style. THE SUN – HOT TRACKS ‘Blaggers N’ Liars’ Review – March 2012

“KAV has a penchant for Classic Rock & does he know how to get down….Gutsy Blaggers ‘N’ Liars 2012 caught punters off-guard, jamming a beefy sound that mixed US punk à la The Stooges and earthy Brit rock….

Sonic Soul Lovin’ was a near-anthemic mix of dirty bluegrass instrumentals, killer riffs and a singalong vibe that smacked of early Primal Scream. Eat your heart out, Ryan Adams.” The Daily Star – Live Review @ Gibson Studios London – Feb 2012

“KAV is one of those one in a million artists that just exudes talent… Imagine if Bob Dylan was young in modern times & he had an addiction to sleaze and you’d be half way to understanding KAV’s sound… Simple, perfectly executed sleazy rock with hidden depths. Sick” Alex Baker – KERRANG! RADIO 

www.kavblaggers.com

Agent – Colin Keenan

“With its succinct, she-wolf-in-ewe’s-clothing connotations, Kitty the Lion’s name provides a clear pointer to this young Glasgow quintet’s smart, mouthy, adrenlin-fuelled folk-pop.” Celtic Connections brochure 2011

“The song-writing really showcases the talent of this band, with harmonies and hooks adding to Anna’s lyrics and honest delivery. A band I can actually believe in.” Ally McCrae, Radio 1

In the two short years since the release of Kitty the Lion’s debut single, the band have gained considerable support and acclaim from the Scottish music scene and beyond, earning them coveted slots at Rockness and T in the Park, and the chance to play to thousands at Edinburgh’s Hogmanay festivities at the turn of 2011. In the last year, the band have played several dates with Communion Record’s Ben Howard, and had their music featured in BBC drama series ‘Lip Service.’

The finely-crafted lyrics by front-woman Anna are perhaps the defining aspect of the band. Word-play and double-entendres characterise Kitty the Lion’s songs, as well as the waspish delivery of the lines: “imagine a less laconic, much cleverer, Scottish Lily Allen” (The Scotsman). What matters most to the band though are their ballsy live performances, causing a fine racket and setting every toe tapping.

Having released two singles and and a three-track EP on their own label, Kitty the Lion are now preparing to release their debut album in the summer of 2012. During their time playing together, the band’s sound has matured and developed, and they are looking forward to showcasing the new material in the coming year.

Agent – Colin Keenan

Mark Morriss is a singer songwriter who famously made his name fronting English indie outfit The Bluetones. Mark fronted the four piece over a successful and fruitful 15 year period, scoring 14 top ten singles and 3 top ten albums, whilst touring the UK, Europe and Japan. At the back end of 2011 the decision was made to disband The Bluetones, resulting in a shock farewell tour.

Hordes of loyal Bluetones fans turned out in their thousands to give the band they called their own, a fond and sad farewell. A case of unfinished business, Mark Morriss has now turned his attentions to his solo career. After releasing ‘Memory Muscle ‘ in 2008, Mark has since penned material for a new record. Due for an Autumn release, early demos recorded with long standing Producer, Gordon Mills (Ed Sheeran/Newton Faulkner) have sparked great excitement from fans and industry a-like. Fans have been treated to a two track giveaway in ‘Low Company’ & ‘Guilty Again’ through his official website www.markmorriss.me

Agent – Lee Taylor

Misty’s Big Adventure are an 8 piece band from Birmingham led by Grandmaster Gareth, who John Peel once pronounced “The New God”. Since 2004, Misty’s Big Adventure have released four studio albums to critical acclaim, with the NME calling their last album “a masterpiece”. They have toured all over the UK with The Zutons, The Guillemots, The Magic Numbers, Dodgy, The Bluetones, 50 Foot Wave and most recently with Dan Le Sac vs Scroobius Pip. They’ve also made many festival appearances including End Of The Road, Green Man, Bestival, and Get Loaded in the UK and also in Germany, Holland, Poland and Lithuania.

They have recorded radio sessions for Stuart Maconie, Gideon Coe, Tom Robinson, John Kennedy and Rob Da Bank, as well as being played by Don Letts, John Peel, Phill Jupitus, Huw Stephens, Janice Long, Chris Hawkins and Irwin Chusid amongst others.

Dave Gorman is a big fan and asked them to write the theme music for his BBC2 show Genius. One of their songs is currently the theme tune for a new Radio2 show called Jimmy Carr’s Comedy Cuts. Their new album The Family Amusement Centre features a guest appearance by Sir Patrick Moore and will be out this year. Previous albums have featured a Noddy Holder voiceover and Gruff Rhys eating vegetables! Grandmaster Gareth has also collaborated with Broadcast, Jeffrey Lewis, Kimya Dawson, Pram and The Zutons.

http://mistysbigadventure.com/

Agent – Lee Taylor

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Nine Black Alps were formed in 2003 in Manchester, UK, by Sam Forrest, David Jones, Martin Cohen and James Galley.

After just a handful of local shows the band were caught up in a frenzy of media and record label interest and in 2004 they signed to Island Records.

After a debut single ‘Cosmopolitan’, Nine Black Alps spent 2004 touring the UK and went on to record their debut album ‘Everything Is’ in Los Angeles with producer Rob Schnapf. During 2005 the album was released and the band enjoyed touring extensively around the world, including the US, Europe and Japan. ‘Everything Is’ was particularly successful in the UK, with Nine Black Alps playing several large tours and building a dedicated fanbase.

After a final and highly successful ‘Everything Is’ UK Tour in February 2006, the band spent the majority of the next 12 months in the US, touring and working on their second studio album, ‘Love/Hate’. This was also recorded in Los Angeles with producer David Sardy, and saw the band experimenting with a more varied sound with a greater range of instrumentation. ‘Love/Hate’, was released in October 2007, featuring the singles ‘Bitter End’ and ‘Burn Faster’. Nine Black Alps toured the UK through 2007 in support of ‘Love/Hate’, playing shows with bands such as Biffy Clyro and Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, as well as Reading and Leeds festivals, amongst others.

Following this, the band-members took some time out to pursue other interests, but in October 2009 Nine Black Alps had released their third and heaviest album ‘Locked out from the Inside’. The album was produced by Dave Eringa and saw a return to their distinctive sludge-rock sound with the corrosive singles ‘Buy Nothing’ and ‘Vampire In The Sun’.

Nine Black Alps regrouped in 2011 to record their fourth, as yet untitled, album and made plans for their return to the live circuit.

www.nineblackalps.com 

Agent – Lee Taylor

The brainchild of 26-year-old Brighton born singer/songwriter Mike Rosenberg, Passenger is redefining the troubadour for the 21st century. Formerly a five-piece band, Passenger has now pared back to basics, quite literally bringing music to the streets on a series of lengthy busking journeys across Australia, America and the United Kingdom. A classic journeyman musician, cut from the same mould as Van Morrison, Neil Young and John Prine, Passenger has the unique ability to move from the humorous to heartbreaking with every song.

After a year spent crisscrossing the UK and US with his debut album Wicked Man’s Rest, Passenger’s markedly stripped down and soulful second album Wide Eyes Blind Love was brought to the public as it was created: on the road. Setting up on street corners across the UK and Australia, Passenger halted passers by in their hundreds; all connecting to the mellifluous tones and powerfully hewn lyrics emanating from this lone figure and his guitar. This is music as Passenger means it to be, unvarnished and honest, just pure talent and powerful tunes that tap straight into the heart of the crowd.

Struck by the dynamic freedom of the troubadour life, Passenger developed the grass roots method of Wide Eyes Blind Love into the germ of a new album. Impressively and entirely self funded through busking income, Passenger set about recording a series of collaborations with musical friends met along the way. Flight Of The Crow is the remarkable result of Passenger’s intrepid journey, with Australian artists Lior, Josh Pyke, Katie Noonan, Boy & Bear, Kate Miller Heidke, Philadelphia Grand Jury, Brian Campeau and Elana Stone, Matt Corby, Jess Chalker and Dead Letter Chorus all lending their voices to this serendipitous creative venture. Flight Of The Crow was recorded in Sydney’s famous BJB studios over February and March of 2010, and co-produced by Berkfinger (AKA Simon Berkleman from Philadelphia Grand Jury).

As a second album born of the road, Flight Of The Crow speaks to the compelling quality of Passenger’s music and the striking sincerity of his lyrics, both of which are matched by his dedication to this grass roots style of craftsmanship and collaboration. How utterly remarkable that a lone musician can travel the globe, and literally from the street, connect with some of Australia’s finest musical talents to produce a self-funded album. This is the stuff of legend, with Passenger clearly evoking the humble, hardworking creativity of the troubadours of old.

Agent – Colin Keenan

In their strongholds, especially Manchester and southern Europe – in Greece, they play to tens of thousands – Puressence are treated as idols. Elsewhere, they’ve had chart success in the days when the charts mattered, though they’ve never benefitted from being part of any trend. When schoolmates James and Tony Szuminski (drums) met Kevin Matthews (bass) and founding guitarist Neil MacDonald on the bus to The Stone Roses’ legendary Spike Island show in 1989, they formed a band that married the presence and attitude of the Roses to a darkly haunting and molten guitar rock that last hit the heights during the era of Joy Division and Echo & The Bunnymen.

Most recently, reviewing Puresssence’s homecoming show at Manchester’s Ritz in April 2011, John Robb wrote, “This is the real sound of Manchester- just like the Chameleons or the early Roses- those fluid rock bands with imaginative guitar players and charismatic singers building soundscapes- this is the very core of Manchester that has nothing to do with fashion or the much edited lineage that dominates the city’s narrative.”

20 years since Puressence formed, they’re still improving, still refining, still expanding. The clichéd press approach to the band – that they deserve to be much more widely recognised – becomes less relevant as time goes on.

“It makes me laugh when people underestimate me,” a combative James grins. “My appetite for music is just getting whetted. To me, the band is massive because we write massive music, and through word of mouth, we get bigger every year. As long as I can find the germ of an idea and create something from it, and get it across live, with passion, and people tell me they love it, I’ll keep going. And we’ll only stop when we stop feeling that.”

“It’s only a matter of time before the world catches on how earth shatteringly important Puressence are.” The Guardian

“An epic quartet fronted by a voice of rare power & distinction” Mojo

www.puressence.co.uk

Agent – Colin Keenan

Indie pop punk five piece hailing from Bradford.

www.redwireofficial.co.uk

Agent – Lee Taylor

Adam Ficek is most commonly known to the general public for his day-job as drummer in notorious British rock act Babyshambles. As a member of the band fronted by Pete Doherty, the most talked- and written-about rock star of our time, Adam has seen the best and worst of life at the casualty-laden core of the music industry, but what many people don’t know is he is also a talented multi-instrumentalist who writes and performs beautifully crafted songs under the nom-de-plume of Roses Kings Castles.

Originally conceived as a creative outlet whilst Babyshambles were on holiday, Roses Kings Castles became something more than a means of occupying himself during down time. “I continually write, whether it’s big band arrangements, electro riffs or folk-pop songs. I just needed an avenue to walk down.”

The Roses Kings Castles sound is lost somewhere between Belle & Sebastian’s pastoral warmth and the hallucinatory six-string invocations of Syd Barrett, and manages to blissfully combine astute acoustic pop melodies with the finest elements of classic British songwriting.

Adam’s eponymus debut album has sold more than 3,000 copies since its release in September 2008 and a number of dates around Europe and America has seen him picking up many new fans across the globe. A string of low-key UK and Scandinavian shows in Spring 2009 saw Adam previewing new material, and working with a full band.

Following the release of a 6 track limited edition cassette only release (!) in May 2009, Adam re-entered the studio and cut a number of tracks. The first fruits of his labour were released as the ‘Apples & Engines’ EP, and a new album, Suburban Time Bombs was recorded in the months that followed.

The first single from the album, ‘One Born Every Minute’ was issued on 3rd May, and will be followed by an album this summer.

www.myspace.com/roseskingscastles

Agent – Lee Taylor

Creating semi-acoustic, part-psychedelic bundles of rustic pop joy inside The Factory Of Unprofessional Sound deep in the heart of the English countryside, Sam has emerged with another wicker basket of wonder-The Edge Of Nowhere.

This latest offering, released March 5th, is a true gem amongst his ever-growing solo collection. Known as front man of sludgy din makers, Nine Black Alps, Sam put out his first solo offering, Down The Hillside, in 2008 a year after the Alps’ released second album Love/Hate and were freed from their Island Records contract.

But the major label split only heightened Sam’s musical output and once Nine Black Alps independently released third album, Locked Out From The Inside, Sam pumped out Paper Crown in 2009 and both Born Again EP and No Imagination in 2010.

In his spare time, he continues to collaborate with fellow singer-songwriter Hayley Hutchinson, as The Sorry Kisses whose albums include 2008’s Hard Drive, 2009’s Um and Ah and 2011’s Keep Smiling. The pair also set up Desert Mine Music to house their offerings as well as producing the soundtrack to independent film, CrimeFighters.

If that isn’t enough, Sam also became a record producer, working with Benjamin Francis Leftwich and Chris Helme as well as throwing a fourth Nine Black Alps album to tape. Somehow, he’s found time to record The Edge… an album that bursts with dry, vintage acoustics, bending backwards guitars, waltzes of wonder and hushed vocals of eerie lyrics from the darkest woods of England.

www.samforrest.com

Agent – Lee Taylor

Skint & Demoralised began as a fusion of performance poetry and Northern Soul-inspired grooves when 18-year-old Wakefield lad Matt Abbott began to work with Sheffield-based producer MiNI dOG over MySpace in May 2007. Demos were written and recorded via e-mails, and in November of the same year their track ‘Red Lipstick’ was played by Steve Lamacq and Colin Murray on BBC Radio 1. Lamacq named the band at #3 in his Top 100 New Bands of the Year at the end of ’07, and by the start of 2008 their demos were nearing 10,000 free downloads.

In March 2008 they signed a deal with Mercury Records which saw them flown out to New York City to begin sessions for their debut album ‘Love, And Other Catastrophes’. They recorded with legendary soul session band The Dap-Kings (who also played on Amy Winehouse’s ‘Back To Black’) and in November 2008 their debut single sold all 500 copies of a limited 7” on pre-order. The track, ‘The Thrill of Thirty Seconds’, was named as Colin Murray’s Record of the Week on Radio 1.

A headline tour and the release of ‘This Song Is Definitely Not About You’ was followed by a hectic summer schedule – which saw the band become a hit on the major festival circuit – and in July the track ‘Red Lipstick’ was released. Despite heavy airplay on Radio 1, the track failed to make it into the Top 40 and Mercury called it a day before the album was even released.

Matt went back to his performance poetry routes whilst working at HMV, blending his material with stand-up at Latitude and Leeds Festival over summer 2010. Abbott and MiNI dOG decided to record an album of material at their home studio in Sheffield with no budget or solid plans in place, and then in spring 2011 they agreed a deal with independent label Heist or Hit Records. Second album ‘This Sporting Life’ was released on 2nd August as part of a 2CD Bonus Edition alongside the previously unreleased debut. Single ‘The Lonely Hearts of England’ saw them return better than ever and the band are completing 2011 with a full UK tour, including dates with The Crookes and Art Brut.

http://www.skintanddemoralised.co.uk/

Agent – Lee Taylor

Spotlight Kid are a Nottingham-based shoegaze band whose lineup consists of drummer Chris Davis on drums, Rob McCleary and Katty Heath on vocals, Karl Skivington and Chris Moore on guitars and Matt Holt on bass.

Spotlight Kid have supported The Joy Formidable, Esben & The Witch and played at the 2011 Glastonbury Festival. Selected by a panel that included Zane Lowe, Steve Lamacq, Jo WIley, Tom Robinson and Emily Eavis – they appeared on the BBC Introducing stage.

The band have been played on BBC Radio 6music Tom Robinson, Gideon Coe, Radio 1 Jen Long show and have recently been selected to be playlisted on daytime Radio 1. Spotlight Kid’s music draws influences from the likes of My Bloody Valentine, Spacemen 3, Lush and Swervedriver. It features mixtures of shoegazing, Krautrock and 90s psychedelic rock.

www.spotlightkidsound.co.uk

Agent – Lee Taylor

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Tango in the Attic are really struggling to write the first line of this biog. We know how important it is for the first line to grab your attention and compel you to read on, so we are really trying. Once we get that first line out of the way we can start to tell you about how five guys in their early twenties, having grown up together in the small Scottish town of Glenrothes, formed a band whilst studying at Edinburgh University.

We found some practice space under a vintage clothes shop where we really started to develop our sound. Borrowing antique organs from grandparents, thieving cowbells from unsuspecting farmers and grabbing every unused table lamp we could get our hands on, we created an instrumental and ambient environment that has contributed directly to our overall style.

We take influence from the best pop, avant-garde and east coast garage music made over the last forty years. Acts such as Paul Simon sum up for us the art of writing a good pop song in an original way and we admire the pioneering work of bands such as The Velvet Underground for their unique approach to instrumentation and arrangement.

Taking heed from these examples, we attempt to write pop songs that are both unobvious but undeniably optimistic, encouraging listeners to engage and enjoy our energetic, uplifting music. We echo this sentiment through our live performance which succeeds in transferring our musical energy to the feet and hips of an ever growing and gratifyingly loyal fan-base.

Our live show has grown from playing small local gigs to touring nationwide. In the summer of 2009 we played several small festivals along side our National festival ‘T in the park’. Our performance there was enjoyed by 2000 festival goers who crammed themselves into a packed tent during an already impressive festival line-up. In addition to the public response we received very positive reviews in the national and music press.

In just under 18 months we’ve established ourselves as one of the freshest and exciting bands in Scotland. This is reflected in the admiration we have received from BBC Radio 1 amongst others in the media.

This progression was further established when our song Jackanory was selected by national fashion retailer Schuh as a synchronisation for their latest UK and Ireland wide TV campaign. This has cemented Tango in the Attic as a credible yet accessible, published artist.

We have self released three singles in 2009 which have grown positively in turn and as such given us the opportunity to tour our products extensively.

In July 2010 we released our debut record ‘Bank Place Locomotive Society’ on our own label. This has recieved rave reviews on both sides of the atlantic. A full touring schedule had been planned for this product. We have self financed all these projects so far and have managed to sustain a good financial balance. This has been aided in part by our strong merchandising function, which has helped us to establish a recognisable and successful brand image.

We are very serious about our progression and see this music business as a ‘business’ we have a strong business plan with a good product and understand the need for professional services such as press pluggers and agency

Nevertheless, we can’t even begin to tell you any of this until we find that all important first line! Wish us luck.

www.myspace.com/tangointheattic

Agent – Colin Keenan

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Rod is best known as a songwriter/guitarist in the Scottish group Idlewild. Alongside Roddy Woomble and Colin Newton he formed the band in 1995. Over a period spanning 15 years the band have toured the world as headliners and also in support of Pearl Jam, R.E.M., U2, The Rolling Stones and many more. Their album “100 Broken Windows” was recently voted Scottish album of the last decade by fans in the Skinny magazine and continues to have a fanatical following. Their follow up album “The Remote Part” debuted at number 3 in the UK charts with the single “You held the world in your arms” reaching number 9. The band have released seven studio albums to critical acclaim and continue to sell out concerts across the globe.

Aside from his work with Idlewild, Rod is also a singer songwriter under his own name, releasing a debut solo album “A sentimental education” in 2010. He has also collaborated on several other projects including the currently unreleased “George is Jones” album with American singer Inara George.

More recently Rod alongside Emma Pollock has been curating and organsing music events for The Scottish Mental health Arts and Film festival every September/October. Born out of this “The fruit tree foundation” was set up by Rod and Emma to bring together various artists to collaborate, write and record an album in aid of promoting awareness of mental health wellbeing. The project has been a huge success and the first album “First Edition” features members of Frightened Rabbit, Sparrow and the workshop and Twilight Sad with James Yorkston, Jenny Reeve and Alasdair Roberts working alongside Emma and Rod. The album is released worldwide in mid June 2011.

Given the busy schedule Rod has kept up for the last 15 years you might think he would want to take a break whilst Idlewild were on down time but no…. Enter “The Birthday Suit”. Over the early part of 2011, Rod has been working in the studio on this latest record. Sounding more akin to early Idlewild, the record is a noisy yet poppy return to Rod’s roots and that combined with involving a collection of local musicians and friends, he felt that that it should be presented as a new band.

The first single “Do you ever?” will be released as a free download on August 30th 2011, with a follow up and the album to be released in late October. Audio tasters of a few songs are available on Rod’s solo page on facebook.

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Agent – Colin Keenan

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The Mantra Above The Spotless Melt Moon (a.k.a. The Mantra ATSMM) hail from the outskirts of Naples, Italy. They are both members of a revered musical tradition (Naples) as much as they are steeped in contemporary rock (Radiohead, Mogwai, The Mars Volta, Bjork, Sigur Ros) with strong leanings towards electronica, psychedelia and prog.

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Agent – Lee Taylor

A four piece from Northampton, The Moons were founded in 2008 by singer, songwriter and guitarist Andy Crofts, formerly the bassist in The On-Offs and today Paul Weller’ s keyboardist. The group have just finished recording their second album, Tales Of The Unexpected, the follow up to 2010’ s Life On Earth. The album, a 14 tracker, was recorded over three weeks at Edwyn Collins’ West Heath Yard studio in London with Edwyn and Seb Lewsley producing four of the 14 tracks and it is signature Moons, defined by strong songwriting, delicious harmonising and tight musicianship.

Influences range from Joe Meek and Syd Barrett to The Zombies and the high points are many, including the startling Jennifer Sits Alone, the garage nugget Double Vision Love, a frenzied reworking of live favourite It’ s Taking Over and the duet Something Soon with Paul Weller.

The group have also just appeared on the JD Set celebration of the Smiths as a guest of Primal Scream’ s Mani, which was aired on Channel 4. The Moons’ line-up is completed by bassist/keyboardist Tom Warmsley, drummer Ben Gordelier and guitarist James Edward Bagshaw. As a member of indie band Sukie, James wrote a 2008 Number 1 indie hit Pink-A-Pade. He also plays keyboards in the Lightning Seeds.

The Moons’ debut album 2010’ s Life On Earth was an indie Top 30 hit and a HMV One To Watch. Paul Weller played piano on album track Wondering and played guitar on track Last Night On Earth. Sold out headline slots at London’ s The Borderline and 93 Feet East followed as did a storming show at the Isle Of Wight’ s Summer Madness festival. The group also supported Ocean Colour Scene on a country wide tour culminating at London’s Royal Albert Hall.

Press
“ I really like the way The Moons mix Joe Meek with great Bowie-esque chord changes and choruses then add a psych energy to make out there sounds that you’ re still humming two days later.” – Nick Power, The Coral

“ Great songs and playing, well thought out arrangements, a lot of love has gone into this record.” – Paul Weller

“ I think the group sounds terrific – great vocals and sound, lots of sixties atmosphere.” – Rod Argent, The Zombies

“ Emotional, funny, quirky, warm, sad, reflective, thoughtful and unique songs. Love the guitars and the vocal sincerity.” – Dave Davies, The Kinks

“ It’ s a pleasure to hear a great new band who echo the finest traditions of songwriting and performance whilst keeping them alive and vibrant.” – Ian Broudie, Lightning Seeds

www.themoons.co.uk

Agent- Lee Taylor

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So Hull gets tainted by many things, grey stone, burning abattoirs and a dying fish trade; however there has been some spunk of late; Hull’s exciting wild shirt clad hipsters have been seen all over the place and during the last two years they have supported Warpaint on a series of NME Award events, played festivals in Amsterdam, performed in front of a live televised audience in the vaults of BBC Maida Vale and featured on Rough Trade’s infamous Counter Culture CD. Furthermore their previous singles have both been single of the month inArtrocker an achievement which led to the band gaining a best new band nomination at the annual Artrocker Awards(2011) and their debut ‘In Youth is Pleasure,’ was the 2010 winner on Steve Lamacq’s BBC 6 roundtable single of the year. However that was then and this is now and the now is damn urgent thus The Neat are on the brink of releasing their 3rd official single ’New Kids’ via pop sex ltd a tune that will be spinning from 2nd July 2012 and will be available digitally and from all good independent record shops so in their own words,’It’s what the NEW KIDS do!’

“Latter day Fall jostling with the XX Teens; the drums pound along mercilessly, while the sinewy guitar sounds like it’s been exhumed from 1979 and the dry staccato vocals stab mantras through the flailing body.” Steve Lamacq (BBC6)

http://soundcloud.com/theneat
www.theneat.blogspot.com

Agent – Lee Taylor

The Shutes are a four-piece from the Isle of Wight who make well-crafted indie-rock with psychedelic and surf flourishes. They are releasing an EP of new recordings through Cross Keys Recordings who came on board in early 2010 to release their most recent single ‘Noah’s Ark’.

Released on April 2^nd, the Echo of Love EP showcases a band that sound like they are quickly accelerating towards the pinnacle of their powers with songs that demonstrate confidence and maturity.

Singer/songwriter Michael Champion has delivered his strongest set of songs to date – recalling everyone from Ariel Pink to the Strokes – and, with his brother David joining the band on guitar, The Shutes have developed a richer sound, both in the studio and on the road.

The upcoming five-track EP was recorded with producer Julian Simmons (Midlake, Guillemots, Ed Sheeran) at East London’s Din Studios towards the end of 2011 and was mixed by Rich Woodcraft (Radiohead, Neil Young, The Arctic Monkeys). The title track ‘Echo of Love’ is the first to be heard from it and is a testament to the strength of The Shutes’ songwriting.

The band have toured Europe twice, played Bestival and the Isle of Wight festivals and supported the likes of Howler, The Go! Team, The Bees, Alexander Ebert and Peter, Bjorn and John

 “…glimmers with the kind of effervescent zeal that makes British Sea Power so striking when they delve into their more melodic side.” NME

“Finally … potentially … possibly we may have stumbled across a British guitar band to truly believe in. We heart The Shutes.” Snipe London

Agent Lee Taylor

THE VICTORIAN ENGLISH GENTLEMENS CLUB get pleasure from building cold-hearted shambolic weirdo pop music with drums, voices, electric mandolins, an Indian shruti harmonium, a self- made bow-screamo (wire nailed to wood), sparrows, telephones and a church bell hit with a hammer. They listen to Grinderman, Liars, ’154′ by Wire, Deerhoof, Cardiacs and ‘Flowers of Romance’ by PiL, but have an affinity with the three-minute pop song. A bag of 3 noisy, existentialist, Dada-esque punk mercenaries who have been sent from afar (Cardiff) to re-ignite the discordant DIY art school blaze. With unashamedly lo-fi leanings they’ve progressively evolved from minimalist post-punk to the far darker no-wave feel which they now piss proudly from every pore.

TVEGC formed at Cardiff Art School, art being a driving force behind the bands creation. With no clue of what a band should do they started playing terrible shows immediately, using a lot of visual imagery and songs that had a tendency to implode. The first 34 demos were recorded in a city centre youth project for £3.20 an hour. They quickly got good and Fantastic Plastic Records released the sparse and shouty self titled debut in 2006. Love On An Oil Rig followed in 2009 on This is Fake DIY Records – a darker, heavier record influenced by a discovery of Wire and PiL. The new album, Bag Of Meat (2011) is a weird dark pop record, the most accessible and coherent. TVEGC have toured enough times to drive round the UK and Europe blindfolded, played the USA three times, and toured with Sons And Daughters, Archie Bronson Outfit, Deerhoof and British Sea Power. They write daily and are, as always, working on a brilliant and original new record.

Agent – Colin Keenan

Formed in their native Weston-Super-Mare, Towns are four close friends who grew up together with an inspiration taken from 90’s guitar music. Keen to do things their own way Towns have spent 2011 hosting band nights in Bristol, which has seen the likes of Tribes and The Chapman Family headline, releases a cassette through local label Howling Owl Records and continued to write, record and hone their shoegaze inspired sound.

Towns follow their debut single, ‘Gone Are The Days’ with a second for Cartoon Records on 28^th May. ‘Just Everything’ will be available as a digital download and, for those very quick off the mark, as a cassette single limited to just 50 copies on Howling Owl Records.

Towns debut single, ‘Gone Are The Days’ saw the band showered with praise from all corners, with the likes of NME, The Fly, The Guardian, Zane Lowe, XFM and 6 Music marking them out as Ones To Watch. With NME declaring ‘Towns are about to cover themselves in glory’ and The Fly thrilling to their ‘electrifying mix of thick fuzz and squealing guitar hooks’ it is little wonder that the band are now talked of in excited whispers in all the right places. ‘Just Everything’, like ‘Gone Are The Days’ was produced by Owen Morris.

With this release Towns continue their local love in with Howling Owl the label that released the first ever Towns demo and special limited edition label EP for Record Store Day, alongside United Fruit, Fairhorns and Spectres. Felix, from The Naturals, another Howling Owl band, directed the video for ‘Just Everything’.

Towns take to the road again for the single release following shows with everyone from Toy to Tribes in a joint headline tour with Sulk including a Fly Ones To Watch at the Barfly in Camden on the day of release, they also confirmed for festival appearances at The Great Escape, Dot To Dot, Boardmasters and Sound City over the summer.

www.townsband.co.uk/

Agent – Lee Taylor

Welsh band, Toy Horses, seem poised to break into the mainstream with their inventive, exciting and radio-ready indie gems. Early demos became a word-of-mouth and internet viral success in 2010, gaining national (BBC Radio 1, BBC Wales, BBC 6music etc) and international radio play and were made “Featured Band” on various music sites including Myspace, XFM, ThisIsFakeDIY etc.

Within a very short space of time they were flying out to America to record their debut album with Wilco’s Ken Coomer, became Nic Harcourt’s (KCRW DJ, Music Editor LA Times) & Steve Lamacq’s pick of SXSW and saw Stephen Fry proclaim Toy Horses his “new favourite indie band” to his 3.3m followers on Twitter. If you take in to consideration that all of this has happened without any active self-promotion, you start to see a genuine, natural phenomenon.

Début album ‘Toy Horses’ (released 2011) has been a critical success (“Critical List – The Independent, “Album Of The Week” – Daily Mirror, ***1/2 – Rolling Stone, “Timeless Classic” – Music Week, “The best thing to come out of Wales since the M4″ – Hit Sheet) and was among the early bookies favourites for the 2011 Mercury Prize. Adam & Tom from the band have also recently been invited by J. R. Rotem’s Beluga Heights in L.A. to write for some of the worlds biggest selling artists including Jason Derulo, Sean Kingston, Drake etc.

Having received fantastic live reviews for their first headline UK and European tour, 2012 is shaping up to be a very exciting year for Toy Horses.

www.facebook.com/toyhorses

Agent – Lee Taylor