Tips for 2011 – One Year On (Part Two)

6. Kitten

Part one saw me go through five acts that released albums in 2011 and everyone one of them has made my 40 album long short-list (an oxymoron for you) for my top 25 albums of 2011 (which depending on how I've structured these posts after writing them towards the end of November will either be posted soon, or has already been posted), part two is a little different.


Kitten, a band that jumped onto my radar in October 2010 haven't released anything officially in 2011, there's been a handful of live videos shared and numerous shows (included a return to the UK in May where I saw the band perform a fiery, energetic and possibly slightly too enthusiastic set) as well as a CD re-issue of their EP 'Sunday School'. Signed with Atlantic Records they are clearly taking their time with the young band - I think there has also been a line-up change with their facebook referring to them as a trio.

So nothing new to review really, though on "Kill The Light" Chloe and Kitten show the sort of promise that still leads me to believe that Kitten is definitely a band worth keeping an eye on with their debut album due in 2012.

Kitten - Kill The Light





7. Let's Buy Happiness

Another act I've gone all gooey eyed for numerous times in the past eighteen months are Let's Buy Happiness, while they've yet to release their debut album the four part Geordie one part Mackem blog-darlings have still had a pretty successful year cumulating in a support slot for Primal Scream in Brixton last month.

What they have released in 2011 has continued their 100% success rate with my ears, in February came the wonderful "Fast Fast", tropical, fast drums, shimmering guitars and celestial vocals, it earnt them mainstream airplay and numerous glowing reviews, live festival shows over the summer further enhanced their reputation and September saw "Dirty Lakes" released as a digital single, a joyous melody and delicious chiming soundscapes, the band can do no wrong as far am I'm concerned.

The development on stage has been equally encouraging, it might be a little OTT to say Sarah resembled a deer caught in the headlights the first time I saw the band but I've now seen them play seven times and I'd definitely say they've all grown in confidence and ability, their live show is a genuine joy. Though guys,  please put "Devil's Show" back in the set!

With tracks like "Skinny Moon" and "Clean Mistake" still sitting unreleased the future looks even brighter, ones to watch 2012? Almost definitely (giving away a future post here!).

Buy 'Fast Fast' and previous release 'Six Wolves' from the band on their bandcamp.

Let's Buy Happiness - Dirty Lakes




8. Terror Bird

Terror Bird sound tracked the first part of my 2011, I discovered the band at the back end of 2010 and quickly snapped up their 'Shadows in the Halls' and 'Shame Is On Your Side' EP's, the combination of dark haunted gloom-pop arrangements, the catchy, upbeat melodies and the hypnotic voice of Nikki Never were enough to melt my heart and encourage me to approach the band with the view of releasing their material on via my own living-room run label.

In early 2011 and the band were unrelenting with their output, their debut full length 'Human Culture' picked up some great reviews from those in the know, thirteen synth/piano and drum lo-fi through reverb and Nikki's stirring, emotive vocals. Then there were two UK releases to support a European tour in March, firstly the ghostly synth wonder 'Outside / When I Woke Up' released by the excellent Night School and then (full disclosure via my label) a four track EP 'Waiting For Nothing'. I love it, it's obvious I do so I'll just give you a track to listen below instead of my .

Terror Bird shouldn't be overlooked, the band are preparing more releases going into 2012 and hopefully more European shows to come too. All the bands 2011 releases are available in Rough Trade or Norman Records now.


Terror Bird - She Kissed Me (And I Fell Ill) by Verulamium Records





9. Summer Camp

It's impossible not to like Summer Camp, their music delights on every listen, joyous and uplifting while their online presence on twitter and numerous interviews / sessions shows them as two of the nicest people in the industry today. Seriously, how many other bands can you name that have given their fans an audio book of an entire Adrian Mole book!

The band have had a pretty busy and spectacular 2011 by all accounts, a few UK tours both as support and headlines in their own right on the release of their debut album 'Welcome to Condale' in the last quarter of the year, a brilliant mélange of straightforward bouncy pop-hooks on tracks like singles "Better Off Without You" and "Down", where catchy beats and gorgeous vocal harmonies do a good job of hiding the love turned bad lyrics, a common theme throughout the album and darker, heavier tracks like "I Want You" awash with a fizzing synth pulse.

The Glastonbury sets were spectacular, Jeremy's spontaneous acoustic of rendition of "Karma Police" was a genuine highlight of the festival, their overall whole package is perfect for an 80's kid like myself, retro imagery and sounds that offer ideal memoirs of youth, some sepia coloured blinkered memories of sometimes falsely remembered events that's ideally fantasised, romantic and thoroughly enjoyable.

Summer Camp - Better Off Without You



10. I Break Horses

From the instant I heard the initial demos from I Break Horses in July 2010 I knew we were in for something special, snapped up by Bella Union (of course) we had to wait until May to hear any concrete news but from the moment I heard the final versions of the stunning "Hearts" and "Winter Beats" I knew my early optimism was completely redeemed.

"Hearts" for me is the signature I Break Horses track, perhaps because it's what hooked me first, it's simply heavenly. The glistening, frozen beats the fizzing, pulsating momentum, the echoey drums and the hushed yet stunningly ethereal vocal of Maria Lindén . Her voice, as beautiful as it is, acts as another layer of the instrumentation where the lyrics matter little. The album continues in similar luxurious fashion, a sonic orgasm of swoonsome atmosphere. Personal favourites are "No Way Outro" and "I Kill Love, Baby!" but really this album demands whole consumption rather than cherry picking for the whole thing is nothing short of completely and undeniably luxurious.

I Break Horses are about to make their live debut, excitement overload in anticipation of Cargo on December 5th.To tease we've been treated to a few live videos, 'bedroom sessions', the slow-building beauty is slowly, surely delivered. Everything about the project has been so exquisitely crafted and delivered and surely I Break Horses have delivered one of the finest debuts in a year of incredible debuts.


I Break Horses - Winter Beats by Bella Union

The Great Escape 2011 - Saturday Review

(Thursday Review and Friday Review).

So we quickly arrive at the third and final day of The Great Escape, Saturday starts earlier than the previous two days with a trip to Shipwrights Yard to catch local four piece Fear of Men who charm the crowd with their lush indie-pop full of hooky guitars and charming melodies, about perfect for the half-warm early summers day. It was the first time I'd seen them and if they carry on the way they are going, it certainly won't be the last. Stand-out was the first track I heard by the group "Phantom Limb".

Next I decide to have some much needed caffeine and warm donuts (I am in Brighton after all) before heading to what used to be the flagship venue of TGE, The Queen's Hotels for Generator's North East Invasion show, I catch the end of Polarsets set, their sound is pretty massive, some epic percussion dance tracks and they go down well with the crowd, next up were Mammal Club who again play to a large audience in the converted hotel space, enamouring the crowd with a couple of North / South jokes early on before playing a storming, indie set, if you are a fan of Friendly Fires / Foals / Delphic style experimental pop you'll do no wrong with both these sets of Geordie lads.

The primary reason I'd made my way to Queen's and was willing to forget about the impending FA Cup Final was for the afternoons last two acts, firstly it was the turn of Let's Buy Happiness and a mear sixteen or so hours since I'd seen them the previous night. If anything they were even better, sound even grander as their textured kaleidoscopic guitar sounds filled the room with graceful beauty. Since last nights amnesia I've remembered another new track to keep an eye out for, "Skinny Moon"! I'm sure we'll be hearing some new news from LBH soon, hopefully we will anyway!

Next on are headliners Lanterns on the Lake, a band I was pretty excited to see again (as I've previously mentioned), as soon as they start with "Lungs Quicken" I remember why, it's utterly gorgeous, with stunningly beautiful instrumentation the six piece band layer their sound with celestial melodies and ambient guitar soundscapes. The sound of silence you hear whilst they place is around a hundred people falling in love. The music is heartfelt, emotional and sublime, they do a musical swap-shop of instruments during song changeovers, though Hazel takes the majority of the vocal duties. The show has to be cut short by a song (I'm guessing so the evening show can sound check - though I'm not sure what harm five extra minutes would do?!) which is a shame but for the twenty five minutes set, the band manage to fill the audiences ears with the utter joy.

If a show is judged on the length of the queue to buy CD's afterwards then Lanterns are clear winners, as I walk out (I already have their three EP's) their is a long precession of punters keen to snap up the lovely handmade EP's. The debut album on Bella Union is nearly ready, cannot wait.

The afternoon is still not over, it's time to head back to Shipwrights Yard to catch EMA, another artist I'm particuarly excited to see, the show is rammed, after queuing (I'm guessing the majority are here for Frankie and the Heartstrings who are on after) I finally get in - the view isn't great (see picture below) but we are treated to twenty minutes of fuzzed up guitar heaven. "Marked" opens a shortish twenty five minute set which plays heavy on the droning, soaring intensity of Erika's guitar play never better than on her albums opener "The Grey Ship". It's a rather better set than this paragraph, the aperitif for more EMA later that evening because as we leave I'm handed a flyer saying EMA is playing an additional show at 22:30, deal.

It's surprising to some that there is a two to three hour break between 4:30-7:30 at The Great Escape, I tend to think it gives you chance to recharge, grab a bite to eat (or a nap) and not miss anything too exciting though I do think before long TGE could well be an all day affair. Saturday evening starts with a trip along the pier to Horatio's to see Canadian four-piece Braids, one of the biggest "buzz" bands in the lead up to the festival.

They play for probably slightly less than their allotted half hour to a jam packed and lively Horatio's and complete just four tracks due to the lengthy nature of their meandering experimental indie tracks, but on "Lemonade" especially it's just perfect, beautiful soaring vocal harmonies alongside intricate and technically superb instrumentation, Braids justify their hype.

I'm stuck between a rock and a hard place again as there are so many places I could go next, I choose to leave the larger Horatio's venue where EMA is playing next and see Kitten at The Haunt, the venue is new to me and it's fair to say I don't like it's dark and cheap club feel, the smoke machine in my face doesn't help either.

They arrive stage and deliver a blistering, energetic version (probably too energetic) of "Transmission" where Chloe jumps onto an amp with a clear aim of blowing away any cobwebs from the audience. "Kill The Light" is superb, slightly more reserve is shown as Chloe concentrates on guitar and her delivering her wonderful vocals and it works better for it, I said this last year and I still think it true, this band could well go far. Chloe's stage presence is superb though with the amount of tambourine bashing going on,  I'm pretty sure she'll have some painful bruises on her legs in the morning.

I quickly run (walk quickly) to Komedia where I find Lanterns on the Lake almost halfway through their set though I'm lucky enough to hear the track that I missed earlier in the day, their gorgeous noise fills the much larger room wonderfully and their are plenty of impressed on-lookers (although some annoying chattering can be heard behind - why do people do this!?). They seemed to finish before their allotted time which is a shame for me, especially as I decide to leave before Guillemots arrive and head elsewhere...

I go to Jam and catch nearly the entirety of a set I didn't plan on, French group Team Ghost and I'm pleasantly surprised, during their post-punk influenced sounds of wailing guitar crescendos and crashing drums wrapped in waves of synths I'm gradually pulled closer and closer to a pretty exhilirating set. It's an aggressive assault throughout but if this show is any indication of their sound then they are certainly worth further investigation.

After Team Ghost finish pretty much all of the crowd depart too leaving EMA to setup their equipment and sound check in an almost empty venue, it makes the Englishman in me nervous (and the band too, Erika looks

on with mild bemusement) thankfully before they start the room fills up to a more acceptable level.

It's a longer set than the earlier one at Shipyards which allows EMA more time to play more tracks off her album 'Past Life Martyred Saints', on a live stage it manages to pack even more punch, raw and intense, varying between grunge soaked guitar heavy hooks to a softer yet brutal motional roller, for the small audience here it's pretty fabulous

Top marks goes to her backing band, the drummer so nonchalant for twenty five minutes suddenly expoldes with a charge of packed precise drumming and the electric violinist is perfect throughout, though star of the show is undoubtedly Erika Wielding her star covered guitar she sludge's out her reverb-heavy distorted guitar lines whilst her singing recalls a younger PJ and Cat Power.

Closing with her noisy anthem "California" she finds a way into the crowd, before returning with a wry smile after a few punters back away from her advance. Then it's over, it's been utterly captivating. There may have been about 50/60 people here tonight but those who were walked out know they'd seen something pretty special.

There is still time for one last act, one quick alleyway away is The Loft where Alpines play a late night show. On tracks like "Empire" and "Ice & Arrows" their sound is fantastic, intense drums (from a real drumkit and an electric one) alongside Catherines soaringly powerful vocal (her look reminded me of Lykke Li), perhaps the show is a little too repetitive and a couple of tracks that don't use quite the same vocal range would add more variation, my tired legs are starting to feel it and I decide on one last trip to the over-prices seaside chippy and with that The Great Escpe 2011 ended, it was a pretty good year, yeah? Roll on 2012.

The Great Escape 2011 - Bands to Watch (Part One)

I'm going to do this for every festival I go to this year, a list of 'ones to see', starting with The Great Escape in Brighton which kicks off next Thursday 12th May (that's exactly one week away!), it'll be my fourth visit and I think this year is probably it's best line-up to date (scratch that, it definitely is).

If you don't know what The Great Escape (TGE) is, take a peek here - 3 days, 30 venues, 300+ artists and without a doubt the best new band festival in the UK if not Europe, at time of writing weekend tickets were in short supply but not sold-out.

Robin over at Breaking More Waves has done a better do's and dont's post than I could attempt, so head over and read his here - basically if you want to see a band that filled a two page spread in the nme the week before at a 200 capacity venue don't roll up ten minutes before they are due to start and expect to get in, let alone get to the bar beforehand. As with any festival common sense and a sensible schedule is important, Horatio's is a good walk down the pier, you aren't getting from it to Concorde 2 in five minutes. Basically use your head but more importantly have fun and try and uncover a couple of new gems, my general school of thought is to see new acts ahead of ones that I've already seen - though we'll see how that plays out next week!

Straight onto my ones to see live, I'll split this into two posts, firstly this part which will cover ten non-UK acts (based - there are a couple of UK born artists that now live abroad here), the second part containing ten UK based acts comes tomorrow. In alphabetical order:

Braids

     Komedia (upstairs), Saturday 14th May 15:15
     Horatios, Saturday 14th May 19:45


A band I'm very much looking forward to seeing for the first time, Canadian four piece Braids released one of the best LP's of January with 'Native Speaker', experimental multi-layered melodies which ebb and flow with fizzing guitars, bubbling electronics and the glorious voice of Raphaelle Standell-Preston, which like the music moves around with equal parts ethereal grace and energetic bounce. "Glass Deers" built around looping synths and beautiful vocal harmonies whilst "Lemonade" their most commercial track has earned them some high praise in nme, expect their shows to be packed and a bit bloody good too.

For fans of Animal Collective / Dirty Projectors.



EMA

      Shipwrights Yard, Saturday 14th May 16:00
      Horatios, Saturday 14th May 20:30

Another artist I'll be seeing live for the first time will be EMA (Erika M Anderson) who came onto my agenda in early April (I've since discovered her first band Gowns). I've had her debut LP 'Past Life Martyred Saints' on repeat for the past couple of weeks or she is very high up on my "must see" list. The album is heartfelt, dirty and raw with variable structures and incredible guitar playing throughout. Listen to opener, "The Grey Ship" - The first half is like sailing in a melancholic, tranquil ocean that suddenly crashes in a thunderstorm with throbbing bass, over-amped guitar, crazed violin and thumping drums. Absolutely stunning, just like the whole album. A sure fire end of year list favourite. If you aren't in Brighton, EMA play a free show in London 11th May.

For fans of PJ Harvey / Nico



Emika

       The Loft, Thursday 12th May (Alternative Escape) 20:30

Emika's sound is seductive and spooky dubstep / minimal electronica, I blogged her just this week so read that post for more information on her and to listen to three tracks. Let's just leave it as I'm pretty smitten for the what I've heard and will certainly hope to get to see her at The Loft as part of the Alternative Escape on a night hosted by her label (free to wristband holders and available to non-festival attendees too). I'm surprised she isn't on the main line-up to be honest.

For fans of Portishead / Amnesiac era Radiohead



The Jezabels

       Above Audio, Friday 13th May 13:15
       Queens Hotel, Friday 13th May 20:30
       Digital Saturday, 14th May 15:20
       The Loft Saturday, 14th May 00:30

A prolific number of shows will help my clash-centric weekend veiwing for sure, I discovered The Jezabels researching this very festival and here is what I wrote in March, I think it's pretty accurate: Epic and confident indie-pop anthems built upon layer-upon-layer of beautiful sweeping soundscapes, melodramatic soaring guitars all driven by emphatic galloping drums though, the real jewel in the crown has to be the absolute powerhouse vocal of lead singer Hayley Mary, her falsetto is insanely grandiose, ranging from haunting beauty to delicate sweet in a matter of seconds. If that sounds your thing then take your pick from the shows above, I reckon I'll find myself at two of these.

For fans of (this is tough) The Killers (before they went shite?) / Shakespeare's Sister



Josh T. Pearson

          Pavilion Theatre, Friday 13th May 22:45

A man and an acoustic guitar, Josh T. Pearson spent many years in the wilderness, he returned this year with 'Last of the Country Gentlemen', a truly magnificent album, sparse and gentle arrangements, seven epic tracks (most track lengths are over eight minutes long) full of desperately sad songs weaving along a contemplative and sorrowful journey, one that is equally heart-wrenching and hauntingly beautiful. This show could be just spectacular, an acquired taste for sure, the Texan isn't all too accessible for your general Vaccines fan, but for the mature and cultured ear his appearance at this years Great Escape will be one to saviour.



Kitten

        The Haunt, Saturday 14th May 20.45

Kitten have been on my radar since they blew me away at the Camden Barfly last Halloween, "Kill The Light" is simply on of the best indie-rock tracks of last year and it beggars belief that Chloe is just (now) 16 years old. These dates mark the groups first return to the UK since then and I'm pretty excited about their return, if you are looking for an act to see and like indie-rock music with a singer with an incredible stage presence then Kitten are well worth your time, "Kitten With A Whip" was a favourite at that Barfly date, utterly insane. I hope they add another date somewhere too as I'll be needing to do a quick dash from elsewhere to see them on time (hint - run a little late please!).

For fans of Yeah Yeah Yeahs / The Joy Formidable



Modern Superstitions

       Above Audio, Friday 13th May 19:30

For me Modern Superstitions were a surprise (a very good one) addition to The Great Escape line-up, I've been enjoying their EP for a while now and didn't really expect to see the Canadian group heading to the UK anytime soon, now they are I'll be sure to make sure I'm in attendance to see them play their first European shows, like Kitten above, Modern Superstitions are a indie-rock built around an absolute knock-out female lead singer, in this case Nyssa Rosaleen who on the live videos I posted here commands the stage and your attention, can't wait to see it for myself. There are some London shows before and after TGE too.

For fans of The Strokes / The Pretenders



Planningtorock

       Green Door Store, Friday 13th May 00:00


There is only once place to finish your Friday night - Bolton born but now settled in Berlin, Janine Rostron aka Planningtorock is ready to blow us away with her new album 'W' (out 16th May) and this show just a few days earlier will potentially be the biggest and most flamboyant of the whole festival, PTR's distorted vocals over layered electronic synth. "Doorway" is utterly mesmerising, combining threatening atmospherics and general nonsensical experimental soundscapes to spectacular effect. Do not miss this.

For fans of Fever Ray / The Knife



The Soft Moon

        Audio, Thursday 12th May 20:00

Luis Vasquez the creative force behind The Soft Moon who released his debut LP in the UK early this year, it's a masterpiece of desolate, dark, moody and damn right sinister gloom in which Vasquez has successfully created his own distinct sound despite clear trademarks of late 80's post-punk sound. If that sounds right up your street then Audio is the place to be on Thursday at 8pm, I'm interested to see how his album is transformed into a live show.

For fans of Joy Division / Bauhaus / New Order



Warpaint

         Corn Exchange, Thursday 12th May 23:30

To end this part of bands to watch is a rather obvious choice but it'd be wrong not to include them. I've seen Warpaint rise from playing The Lexington to selling out Shepherd's Bush Empire since the time I first saw them at Horatio's during The Great Escape 2010, it's great to have them return a year later and play (the much larger) Corn Exchange. If you haven't heard of the Los Angeles based four piece by now you've clearly been living under a rock, let's just say that live the girls are arguably the most hypnotic and seductive band I've ever seen and boy does Stella know how to hit those drums. Must see.

For fans of Warpaint



If you made it here from an external link you might want to see the second part, which is here.

Kitten #3 - Live at The Echo, Los Angeles

http://www.myspace.com/KITTENtheband

If you look back on my archive you'll see I was blown away when I saw Kitten live at the end of October, since I've picked them as one of my bands to watch in 2011 and their debut 'Sunday School' (buy) is one of my favourite EP's of the year. So naturally I was very happy to come across this very nice live recording of one of their gigs from LA a few weeks back...

It's a great combination of their own material, released and un-released and some well placed covers too. If you've not listened to Kitten before, change that now.

EDIT: The band have released a brand, spanking new demo today: Apples & Cigarettes. It's very nice too, not as energetic as "Kill the Light" but it's lovely little song, Chloe's voice as gorgeous as ever. You can listen and download below:
Kitten - Apples & Cigarettes (demo mix) by morrisday

Read more »

Tips for 2011 - Fifteen Bands Who've Caught My Eye (Part Two)

Here is the second part of my hopes for 2011. Part One is here.

6. Kitten

www.kittentheband.com/

One of the newest discoveries on this list, I came across Kitten just a few days before I saw them play at Camden Barfly back in October where they completely blew me away with a dazzling performance.

This young band from Los Angeles have produced a fine EP this year named 'Sunday School' which highlights a wonderful indie-rock sound. Lead singer Chloe channelling a serious Karen O vibe, "Kill the Light" especially shows some incredible potential. Can't what to see them live again, they were relentless, energetic and most importantly of all, fucking brilliant. "Kitten With a Whip" was pretty insane live.

Check out the acoustic video below to see that as well as their energetic rock performances, they can just as easily produce a gorgeous mellow sound too, Chloe's voice is exceptional.

Make sure you get their 'Sunday School EP', looking forward to what comes next. Hopefully a UK return before too long.

Listen:
Kitten - Kill The Light

Watch:

Kitten » Cat Power from The Voice Project on Vimeo.

7. Let’s Buy Happiness

http://letsbuyhappiness.bandcamp.com/

If you come here often then hope won't be much of a surprise. I've mentioned Let's Buy Happiness on numerous occasions over the past six months.

Jangly, swirling indie-pop tunes are the Newcastle bands hallmark and their debut EP 'No Hot Ashes' highlighted them to be a band with excellent potential, single 'Six Wolves' cemented that before a couple of radio sessions since (with two exceptional new tracks "Clean Mistake" and "Fast Fast") have made me stupidly excited to hear the new material.

"Six Wolves" combines a flurry of percussion and shimmering guitar lines making a wonderful texture and combined with Sarah's beautiful ethereal vocal make it an absolute gem. LBH are one of my favourite new bands. So far, I've seen them twice, both festival slots (The Great Escape and Glastonbury). I'm looking forward to seeing live again soon and as the headlining slot this time, thankfully I don't have to wait too long as they are playing London early next year (January 27th 2011 in Hoxton).
Book them as tour support TJF please!

Listen:
Let's Buy Happiness - Works Better on Paper by letsbuyhappiness

Watch:


8. Terror Bird

www.myspace.com/xterrorbirdx

Terror Bird's music hit me like a big truck towards the end of the summer, their single "Shadows in the Halls" started me off, followed by the simply amazing B-Side "We Were Monsters". Further delving into the duo's archive uncovered the equally wonderful "Shame is on Your Side EP".

Terror Bird is Vancouver duo Nikki Never and Jeremiah Haywood. Their ghostly synths and Nikki's melodic voice are perfect for their dark electro-pop tracks.

2011 will bring some new releases (an LP on the Night People label and a EP on a label I may or may not have something to do with - more to come on that soon!). There is a European tour in Feb / March. UK dates are as yet unannounced but will be in early March. So, so excited for those dates. Listen below...

Listen:
Terror Bird - Shame Is On Your Side by morrisday

Watch:


9. Summer Camp

www.myspace.com/summercampmusic

Summer Camp are Jeremy Warmsley and Elizabeth Sankey. Their Nostalgia filled, sugar-sweet synth laden pop songs are pretty infectious, they are signed to Moshi Moshi label home to Slow Club and Florence. This years 'Young EP' gave us a great introduction to the band, hopefully a full-length will follow next year and build on the potential shown .

Their music comes across as effortless, it's upbeat approach, beautiful vocals and twee harmonies that makes for an easy and enjoyable listen, best highlighted for me on "Was it Worth it?", "Ghost Train" and the unreleased "88".

Listen:
Summer Camp - Christmas Wrapping

Watch:



10. I Break Horses

www.myspace.com/ibreakhorsesmusic

Signed to Bella Union in the middle of 2010, they teased with a three songs on their myspace and since then we've heard absolutely zilch.

Those songs however were so good that I have every faith that I Break Horses will be a major player next year under the management of the always reliable label.
I Break Horses is Maria Linden from Stockholm, her songs are dreamy shoegaze-pop songs which by the early demos promise an awful, awful lot. The 'Terminator' style synth beat in "Hearts" is killer with a hushed, whispered vocal and "Wired" a more traditional distorted shoegaze song is also well worth your time.

Yeah, I'm looking forward to hearing what this Swedish act has in store for us in 2011.

Listen:
 Removed until the launch of I Break Horses, coming soon.

Kitten #2 - Live at Camden Barfly

Further to my post last week, I did go to check out Kitten and Ramona at the Barfly on Friday night. I'm very glad I managed to get my tired bones to Camden as I had another great night.

The stand-out were definitely Kitten, they literally blew me away with a relentless, energetic 45 minute show of spellbinding indie rock that started with a cover of "Transmission" before showcasing their EP and some other songs I wasn't familiar with. It's fair to say the set has given them the tag of "my favourite new band".

On hearing the EP I labelled them with indie-pop, I'd certainly upgrade that sound for the live show, their set was full of frantic raw emotion that completely belied their age (apart from some repeated shouts of "we're called Kitten and we're from LA" - we got it the first time!). For a self professed "bunch of kids" the show was amazing. Chloe has a stage presence that draws comparisons to Karen O and as a live act Yeah Yeah Yeahs are probably a very good choice of similarity. There stint of London shows is now over but they are playing a few shows in LA. Next time they are back in London, I'll be there.

You can watch two live songs from a recent CMJ show here and you can order their debut 7" here - a CD version of the 'Sunday School' EP looks penned in for a December release.

The song "Kitten With A Whip" was so good live, Chloe was crawling around the floor and looking pretty crazy, loved it. Listen to the EP version of "Kill The Light" below:
Kitten - Kill The Light by infinityyeah

Kitten - New Music "Introducing"

http://www.myspace.com/kittentheband

Sometimes it's good to research gigs for the week ahead. A band I recently covered Ramona play Camden Barfly this Friday (tickets £4) for a late Fly Magazine show, the headline were a band I'd not come across before called Kitten.

They are from Los Angeles and are currently in the UK for a few show such as the one above and a support slot for Twin Shadow on Thursday.

If you are quick, before 1st November you can download the entire five track Sunday School EP for FREE right HERE.

It's good. Their sound has a pretty yet straight forward female led indie pop vibe with an edge of punk which seems to tick my boxes. I was amazed to read the age of guitarist / lead singer Chloe, she has a great voice that's for sure. Whether her age will be the catalyst to the main stage the sound and maturity portrayed in this EP highlights time will tell, it seems record labels like a unique selling point these days, it's certainly one of them - fear not I'm not turning into Simon Cowell, the band wouldn't be appearing here if I didn't think this was good, there is also a lot of potential here.

Listen to "Kill The Light" below:
Kitten - Kill The Light

and a video of Chloe doing a Cat Power song "The Greatest" - I told you her voice was good. 15, Jesus:

Kitten » Cat Power from The Voice Project on Vimeo.