The Widowmaker - Ian Easton
Solent Univesity student
Debut album - Soundtrack to Reality
Info - Easton was in a band called the Lowly Gallows which inspired his songwriting and encouraged him to work on a solo project.
Key themes: Easton is interested in the mix of magic and the reality of life.
Occultish and dark tones throughout the album.
Folk inspired music/anti folk sound
Black Monday - video filmed for the song.
Influences - Mumford and Sons, City and Color, Laura Marling, Peter Hayes
Appolo's Arrows
Solent University Student
Debut ep - Young romantic mannequins
Info: Started as the band Resonate at 16 in Devon, got a fairly successful following, which lead to some acclaim in Kerrang and Rocksound. Later the group relocated to Southampton where they changed the band name to Appolo's Arrows and recorded after focusing on their new sound recorded an ep.
Key themes - Change of direction for the band, new location and band name.
Start At The End - New track
Influences - the band say they influences are space and life.
Le Martells
Solent Univesity students
Genre - Alternative, french pop, rock, indie
Info - formed at Solent university through the popular music performance course.
Tuesday, 15 February 2011
Saturday, 12 February 2011
Gavin is dancing again
It was the moment we'd all dreamed about, but the possibility became a reality when Dance Gavin Dance confirmed they would be welcoming their original lead singer Jonny Craig back into the fold, for an album, for a tour, for the fans.
The story goes that despite Jonny Craig being a renowned God of vocals, untouchable within the scene and delivering heart tingling performances night after night, something just didn't sit well with the band. This then lead to Craig's removal from the line up, to be quickly replaced with Kurt Travis, giving Craig the opportunity to become the face of then hardcore band Emraosa.
With several line up changes and two albums released since Jonny Craig's involvement with the band, it would seem the whole mentality of the group has progressed. All members have worked with several other projects, Isles and Glaciers, Gatsby's American Dream and solo albums, perhaps giving them the experience needed to be able to join forces once again.
It came as no real surprise that the title of the forthcoming album would be 'Downtown Battle Mountain II', an obvious follow on from Jonny Craig's last offering with Dance Gavin Dance 'Downtown Battle Mountain'. In many ways it symbolizes the fact that the band are not looking to burst back into the scene with a hugely far out experimental album; but rather are looking to simply carry on where they left off.
This is demonstrated within the first release from the heavily anticipated album, 'Heat seeking Ghost Of Sex', the title itself can be recognized as a classic lengthy, inside joke fueled song title that he band are known for.
The song erupts with the sound of Will Swan's gravel enthused screams ready to let us know they are returning to their original post hardcore mob status. The guitar riffs again are in clear Dance Gavin Dance style, jerky and intricate, almost dripping with musicianship and flitting from quietly masterful to raucous and intense.
And then comes the voice everyone is waiting for, Jonny Craig's soul soaked vocals, melt into the guitars and flow through the song forcing every hair on your body to stand up and be counted. The post hardcore mix is a tried and tested formula, but the band manage to give the track unexpected elements, with a breakdown and guitar solo that subtly mesmerizes and a flurry of biting musical overloads that spill out the alternative hardcore sound Dance Gavin Dance perform so well.
With chants and screams coming together in unison towards the closing of the track, the passion and intensity that first gleamed through within 'Downtown Battle Mountain' is luminous again in the band's newest recording, the zealous sound fills until it reaches it's short and stabby ending, leaving the listener needing more than a first listen.
'Heat seeking Ghost of Sex' is a classic Dance Gavin Dance formula, the celebration of the short return of Jonny Craig to the band makes it feel all the more special, yet it seems doubtful whether the band could have made this song ooze such impact and occasion without the return of the infamous original vocalist.
Downtown Battle Mountain II, simply put... just became a necessity.
The story goes that despite Jonny Craig being a renowned God of vocals, untouchable within the scene and delivering heart tingling performances night after night, something just didn't sit well with the band. This then lead to Craig's removal from the line up, to be quickly replaced with Kurt Travis, giving Craig the opportunity to become the face of then hardcore band Emraosa.
With several line up changes and two albums released since Jonny Craig's involvement with the band, it would seem the whole mentality of the group has progressed. All members have worked with several other projects, Isles and Glaciers, Gatsby's American Dream and solo albums, perhaps giving them the experience needed to be able to join forces once again.
It came as no real surprise that the title of the forthcoming album would be 'Downtown Battle Mountain II', an obvious follow on from Jonny Craig's last offering with Dance Gavin Dance 'Downtown Battle Mountain'. In many ways it symbolizes the fact that the band are not looking to burst back into the scene with a hugely far out experimental album; but rather are looking to simply carry on where they left off.
This is demonstrated within the first release from the heavily anticipated album, 'Heat seeking Ghost Of Sex', the title itself can be recognized as a classic lengthy, inside joke fueled song title that he band are known for.
The song erupts with the sound of Will Swan's gravel enthused screams ready to let us know they are returning to their original post hardcore mob status. The guitar riffs again are in clear Dance Gavin Dance style, jerky and intricate, almost dripping with musicianship and flitting from quietly masterful to raucous and intense.
And then comes the voice everyone is waiting for, Jonny Craig's soul soaked vocals, melt into the guitars and flow through the song forcing every hair on your body to stand up and be counted. The post hardcore mix is a tried and tested formula, but the band manage to give the track unexpected elements, with a breakdown and guitar solo that subtly mesmerizes and a flurry of biting musical overloads that spill out the alternative hardcore sound Dance Gavin Dance perform so well.
With chants and screams coming together in unison towards the closing of the track, the passion and intensity that first gleamed through within 'Downtown Battle Mountain' is luminous again in the band's newest recording, the zealous sound fills until it reaches it's short and stabby ending, leaving the listener needing more than a first listen.
'Heat seeking Ghost of Sex' is a classic Dance Gavin Dance formula, the celebration of the short return of Jonny Craig to the band makes it feel all the more special, yet it seems doubtful whether the band could have made this song ooze such impact and occasion without the return of the infamous original vocalist.
Downtown Battle Mountain II, simply put... just became a necessity.
Tuesday, 8 February 2011
Short Solent band reviews
Le Martells - One of those: A pop punky, indie tinged offering that inspires an energetic foot tap and sing a long lyrics.
Apollo's arrows - start at the end: Electronic synth covered beats merge with a beaty alternative sound, chaotic musical jerks reminiscent of At The Drive In.
The Sharps - Midnight State: The track opens with soothing vocals and jazzy beats, which soon becomes a Beatles like poppy track with soaring harmonies.
FlyFrankieFly - We Are One: A synthy electronic starter, quickly accompanied by droning male vocals that are followed up with an array of beeps and cheesy 80's tones, a poor attempt at a Pet shop boys tribute.
The Widowmaker - The colours: An unusal, fairtytale like intro that leads into The widowmakers anti folk style sound, an average listen that fails to keep the listeners fully engaged.
The Chromatones - In my eyes: A stabby guitar riff offers a promising intro, which abruptly twists into a jingly, indie inspired track; mellow vocals accompany and harmonies soar but are unable to make this song interesting.
Annie Posmouna [The soft touch] - Baker street: This function band attempt a cover of the classic Baker street, and for what it's worth do well, the instrumental saxophone parts are pretty much spot on and for what they are aiming to achieve they prove successful.
Apollo's arrows - start at the end: Electronic synth covered beats merge with a beaty alternative sound, chaotic musical jerks reminiscent of At The Drive In.
The Sharps - Midnight State: The track opens with soothing vocals and jazzy beats, which soon becomes a Beatles like poppy track with soaring harmonies.
FlyFrankieFly - We Are One: A synthy electronic starter, quickly accompanied by droning male vocals that are followed up with an array of beeps and cheesy 80's tones, a poor attempt at a Pet shop boys tribute.
The Widowmaker - The colours: An unusal, fairtytale like intro that leads into The widowmakers anti folk style sound, an average listen that fails to keep the listeners fully engaged.
The Chromatones - In my eyes: A stabby guitar riff offers a promising intro, which abruptly twists into a jingly, indie inspired track; mellow vocals accompany and harmonies soar but are unable to make this song interesting.
Annie Posmouna [The soft touch] - Baker street: This function band attempt a cover of the classic Baker street, and for what it's worth do well, the instrumental saxophone parts are pretty much spot on and for what they are aiming to achieve they prove successful.
Influenced bands
Emarosa: Jazz, Soul, Gospel, Metal, Hardcore, Rock, Mowtown
(mewithoutyou, boyzIImen, Ruth Lyons - Grandmother/religious)
Paramore: Pop, Rock, Alternative (New Found Glory, No Doubt, Jimmy Eat World)
Ellie Goulding: Folk, Pop, (Frankmusik)
(mewithoutyou, boyzIImen, Ruth Lyons - Grandmother/religious)
Paramore: Pop, Rock, Alternative (New Found Glory, No Doubt, Jimmy Eat World)
Ellie Goulding: Folk, Pop, (Frankmusik)
Genre
Biffy Clyro - Whorses : Alternative rock
Ian Dury and The Blockheads - Been some clever bastards :brit pop, punk ska
Corrine Bailey Rae - The Sea : jazzy pop, chill out sounds. soulful
Virus Syndicate - Hijak : Grime, Dubstep
- Influenced by Metallica, sounds like Foofighters,
Ian Dury and The Blockheads - Been some clever bastards :brit pop, punk ska
- Sounds like The streets, Just Jack, Lilly Allen
Corrine Bailey Rae - The Sea : jazzy pop, chill out sounds. soulful
- Sounds like early Nelly Furtado, Billie Holiday, Nora Jones
Virus Syndicate - Hijak : Grime, Dubstep
- So solid crew
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