Cosines - New Music "Introducing"

Facebook / cosines.bandcamp.com/

Getting out there and watching live music is in my opinion the best way of finding new music, recommendations help too narrow the search but sometimes just taking a chance on music is all you need to do, I had a few hours spare on Monday afternoon and did just that. The next couple of posts show off my findings, talent sniffer that I am and all (sarcasm alert).

Cosines are a new indie pop band based in London led by Simon Nelson and Alice Hubley who've been in various indie-pop bands before but have come to my attention in this, their latest band. My destination, The Lexington hosted what was only the groups second ever gig and first as a five-piece (bassist cut from picture) and their upbeat tunes brightened up the dark upstairs room as they opened up an all-dayer headlined by the wonderful Comet Gain.

Two tracks from presumably the bands forthcoming first release (for now left as simply 'Coming Soon...') are up for all to hear on bandcamp, both highlight a sound that revivalists of the retro, electro slant of distinguished labels such as Sarah Records are going to fall head over heels for...

The swirling "Out Of The Fire" sees jaunty synthesisers, punchy drums and spiralling guitar blend perfectly with Alice's wonderfully accented vocals to create a wistfully cool melody that can do nothing but brighten your mood, similarly the more playful "Hey Sailor Boy!" charms with a breezy ease. A toe-tapping beat and sea-faring wit, you can't ask for more than that to put a smile on your face.

See for yourself with streams below. Cosines return to The Lexington on May 21st - details.

Fever Fever - New Music "Introducing"

Facebook / feverfever.co.uk/

Norwich trio Fever Fever are a band I've known about for a while but it was only the release of a quickly sold out tape via Kissability (now available on a second pressing here) that I sat down and listened to them, I'm regretting not seeking them out sooner. The single's title track "The Chair" is overwhelmingly wonderful...

From the relentless drumming to the chugging guitar and buzzing bass-lines "The Chair" is an absolute monster of riffs-and-rhythm, grabbing your attention with grizzly, ear-splitting blasts of distortion, raw, unfussy and full of urgency. The deadpan vocals, half-spoken and half riot-grrrl, sharp and full of punky attitude. Uncompromising from the start, Fever Fever have catapulted themselves onto my horizon of fine noisemakers.

You can catch them brewing up the said storm at The Great Escape on Thursday with a few other dates up on their website here.

Stealing Sheep #4 - Shut Eye

Facebook /  stealingsheep.co.uk

I've mentioned Stealing Sheep a few times recently, the girls are playing at a host of festivals around the country over the next six weeks or so and following their impressive live show at Hoxton Bar & Kitchen in support of Sea of Bees I've past on the highest possible recommendation to see them.

Aside from those live dates, the first chance to hear anything from Stealing Sheep's forthcoming debut LP was shared with us last week, in the form of a wonderful animated video for the album's lead single "Shut Eye" (available via Heavenly Recordings on d/l / 7" May 28th).

The track encompasses everything I've grown to love about the Liverpudlian trio over the past eighteen or so months, a delicious combination of spiralling vocal harmonies, psychedelic melodies and off-kilter drums (not to mention infectious hand clapping), impossible to pigeon-hole, Stealing Sheep deserve their own genre, one that's equally bonkers, enchanting and always fun.

Emily and the Woods #3 - New Live Sessions

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Whilst I (amongst countless others) wait for new music to be released from the sublime Emily and the Woods I find myself relying on recorded sessions and live shows to tide me over, luckily Emily seems to thrive on the often idilic settings of the intimate, acoustic videos that make their way onto the Internet. A couple of news ones recently shared are so good that I can't help but pass them on.

Firsty for Dreamland Sessions is a new track, "Lonely Handed", delicate guitar strums and Emily's beautiful voice are a magical combination, her soft, hushed voice transfixes your attention immediately as intimate lyrics pluck at your heartstrings. Then from her most recent EP 'Eye to Eye', a devastating version of its closing track "More Like Me", I think it's possibly Emily's most powerful song to date and this version for 'The vProject' can do nothing but cause goosebumps.

Emily is currently on tour with Newton Faulkner (full dates) and she plays quite a lot with incredibly talented guitarist brother Bena around London, I'm sure some of you have already, but go and see her.

2:54 #7 - Creeping

Facebook / twofiftyfour.net/

Like London buses my 'Tips for 2012' are announcing news quicker than I can keep up at the minute, the latest are 2:54 who've teased us further ahead of the release of their debut album (due May 28th) with the release of new / old track "Creeping" (with a single release June 18th via Fiction).

The track is one of the first songs which I heard by the London based sisters nearly two years ago now, the original demo band on garageband introduced their now trademark atmospherics, dark and brooding melodies that are equal parts menace and alluring. This spruced up version with slicker production makes the track even more moodier and the extra guitar riffage in the outro is simply wonderful.

If that wasn't enough we've also been treated to the first three minutes of an album track "Easy Undercover", soft dreamy vocals and some of the most hypnotic guitar lines I've heard from the siblings give a tantalising glimpse, simmering beautifully, ominously the track fits in perfectly with the already impressive collection of tracks. The self-titled debut is definitely going to be one that features highly in my, and no doubt countless others, end of year lists.

You can pre-order signed copies of the album via Record Store. 2:54 are due to play a free London show at Rough Trade the same week, May 31st with their biggest headlining show to date the following week on June 7th at Scala - tickets.

HUNK! - New Music "Introducing"

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HUNK! are a brand spanking new band from Dublin who came to my attention because a couple of people in my facebook timeline 'liked' them, a simple but effective means of discovery, how very modern.

It's a great name, I hope they'll be able to keep it without an old American hardcore band coming out of the woodwork with it trademarked a la everyone's favourite band Brother (RIP, sob). I'm not going to start declaring them as the saviours of music, far from it, the two tracks they've put on their soundcloud are quite simple and is nothing that's not been done before (here I could mentioned the rudimentary Ramones, Vivian Girls, Phil Spector yadda yadda influences) but just like fellow Dubliners September Girls Hunk manage to sound fresh and instantly manage to tick all of my boxes.

"I Want To Be Brave" (hello Richie and The Fonz!) starts with slow, melodic guitar riffs slopped in syrupy fuzz and gorgeous harmonies before at half way it changes from hazy surf-rock to full on noise-pop with frenetic drums and thrashing grunge guitars, a delicious change of pace and clattering energy that grabbed my attention of first listen and has still kept it after a half dozen or so more.

"Laidbare" equally impresses, from the moment the bassline starts, quickly followed by thumping drums you immediately forget the days woes, an explosion of upbeat, fast-paced reverb-soaked garage noise. Fans of darkly sweet lo-fi / punk-pop need only apply.