Newcastle's Offering's
Air To Achilles – Fields Of Mercy
01 day ago
Air To Achilles are a band who have made an impact on the local music scene by creating their own experimental guitar pop sound. In the past year they have gained support from the likes of Drowned In Sound and BBC Radio 6′s Tom Robinson.
From the banks of the Tyne the band play live music on a regular basis as well as recording and uploading tracks to their Soundcloud.
One of their latest recording that has caught our attention is their single ‘Fields Of Mercy’. The track is light and airy complimentary to their minimalist sound. It is joyous song as it is a musical celebration of love.
Once the song builds up to the chorus it has an anthem like sound which then falls back into a rhythmic mix of gentle guitar hooks and soothing bass. To the end you are left almost day dreaming no thanks to the deep melodic vocals throughout the track.
Apollo Gets The Girl – Kitten
02 months ago
Apollo Gets The Girl are an electronic pop band from Newcastle/Glasgow who of late have been causing a stir on music websites & blogs such as The Sound Of Confusion and Clash Magazine.
Why? You ask. It is because of their new single ‘Kitten’ & adjoining music video which reflects the bands experimental sound and love for a keytar.
‘Kitten’ is layered with a chorus of melodic synths and jaunty guitar hooks which combined give the track a mellow sensibility – as well as an off key pop feel to it.
‘Kitten’ is set to be self-released on the 4th of March.
Also worth a listen to the Francophilippes electro remix of Kitten.
Blank Maps – ‘Everything Ends’
02 months ago
Blank Maps originally formed in 2010 and have been making encapsulating cinematic music in Newcastle ever since, performing across the region and further a field. The band has since gained a number of plaudits including airplay on BBC 6 Music and played the Olympics Hyde Park Event in London.
After releasing their self titled EP last year they are now this year releasing their new single ‘Everything Ends’ along with their B-side ‘Ornament’ on March 4th with a launch night at The Cluny 2 which includes support from Crooked Hands and Lionhall.
The songs collectively are constructed in such a way that they flow into each other while retaining their own individual feel – as the band explains ” they are both made up of the same sounds and themes, like two different takes on the same situation”.
‘Everything Ends’ despite its dark tone it is a melodic pop infused track full of intricate guitar loops and soft encapsulating vocals that echo over the layers of sweeping melodies and uplifting chorus. ‘Ornament’ is a lot more delicate in comparison as it is comprised of haunting echoing guitar and Thom Piddock’s tender vocals help to create a spacious atmospheric feel within the track.
Acrobatic Society – Kick Me, I’m Down
03 months ago
Artwork provided by Sebastian Trend
Dark, alluring, unnerving, hypnotic, ‘Kick Me, I’m Down’ is an enigmatic second EP from Acrobatic Society. Unlike its art work, it is not a psychedelic master piece but instead a topsy turvy musical journey.
What is intriguing about the EP is its raw/experimental sound. Very much like a pick-a-mix this EP has it all from, menacing guitars, skittering synthesisers and eerie vocals which seep into your ears; to sweeping chords and an sense of intimacy which soothes your mind but keeps it guessing of what exactly is going on?
The EP is addictive to listen to so be warned but thats more reason to discover all of its quirks.
‘Kick Me, I’m Down’ will be released on March 4th 2013 through the Gateshead based record label Tiny Lights. The launch night will be on March 8th at The NewBridge Project where the band will be supported by O’Messy Life, Fawn Spots and Yellow Creatures - more details are to follow on time & tickets.
Also you can download the first song off the EP ‘Deek It’ for free Here.
Meghann Clancy . . . Take Flight
04 months ago
Fans of folk music, this artist may just be your musical cup of tea. Meghann Clancy is an acoustic singer-songwriter from North Yorkshire however, is now currently living and making music in Newcastle.
In December last year, she released her debut album ‘Take Flight’ after, releasing her debut single ‘Neck Of The Woods’ which was picked up by BBC Introducing, on BBC radio 6, with Tom Robinson.
‘Take Flight’ is a mixed bag, the album includes a range of upbeat tracks with a wistful sense of love, ‘Love You All Over’, as well as slightly more poignant, reflective, songs, ‘Can’t Do Right For Doing Wrong’. Each track is composed of heartfelt lyrics and, sweeping cords of the piano or the gentle strumming of an acoustic guitar. Both of which accentuate Meghann’s soft northern vocals. Each songs composition compliments her signing rather than drawing your attention away from the story of her lyrics. Overall this is an hidden gem of a debut album, full of raw emotion and talent.
Static Soul. . . You Can Do Better
04 months ago
Static Soul are an electro, pop & soul group hailing from the banks of Newcastle Upon Tyne. We had heard of the band previous to 2013 however it wasn’t until the beginning of this year we got hold of their music – via their Soundcloud.From their selection of singles up online we decided to choose the first song they uploaded which happened to be ‘You Can Better’ . . .
With bounds of soul and sweeping electronic soundscapes this is an uplifting track that wouldn’t sound amiss in a DJ’s weekend dance tracks box.
The song has a poignant start with a layer of beats that compliment the Jane Walkers rich soulful vocals. Then the song builds into the chorus and the beat drops that has you dancing along before long. On the second half of the tack Jamie Johnson joins on vocals giving the song a sense of balance and not breaking into a all girl power ballad but it does retain the feel of a great disco hit.
If you listen to their single & like it you can see the band at The Cluny on the 12th January along with Alex Burgess, Studpuppy, Peculiar Disco Moves & James Allan all performing as part of The Outsider local show case 2013.
Kobadelta – Die A Happy Man
06 months ago
Kobadelta are a collection of four friends who came together to create a dynamic group of musicians. In terms of sound they admit they struggle to put their finger on the kind of music they make; settling to describe it as “indie-psych-rock” as Alex Malliris, guitarist, said: “It more or less sums it up for our songs”.
Their influences between them are vast however what drives their music is their desire to make something “that’s a little bit strange and different, but keep our core sound slightly dirty blues rock.”
However lyrically Dom Noble, vocalist, is inspired by Leanard Cohen and says: “I want to romanticize the everyday and paint my own colours onto old ideas. I want to tell abstract tales the have roots at the core of our deepest emotions” and this you can defiantly see reflected within the lyrics of their latest single.
Their new song “Die A Happy Man” is the lead single out of three tracks the band has recently recorded, all of which are available to listen to now on their Soundcloud.
The single “Die A Happy Man” is seductive, slick, dirty rock. It is packed with attitude and ‘blues rock’, with an American flavor to it. From the get go it grabs with its strong bass line and drum beat that gets you tapping in beat with the song.
Then the guitar kicks in soon after and with the chours “He will die, he will die, he will die, he will die, on the cusp of June and July. In The Red Hot Summer, In the Red Hot Summer, He will die a happy man” the song comes to a climax, which you will surly be singing along by the end of the song. With the same power from the chorus the song ends on a high, having told a tale of love and deceit through Dom’s slick vocals, exploring our raw emotions and desires.
Street Party In Soho … Take Your Time
07 months ago
New bands these days seem to be sounding more professional and radio ready by the day. Wether it is because of the availability of music software on the internet or plain hard work / talent when you come across a relatively new band who have that spark you can’t help but talk about/share/post/or in our case review their music.
This brings us to Street Party In Soho’s new song ‘Take Your Time’ which will be released through End Of The Trail Records on October 29th.
The band only formed in March last year and are already signed to a record label and making tracks you’d expect to hear on say Hew Stephens BBC Radio 1 show – young, fresh with an indie/pop twist.
Their new track is easy on the ears because of its romantic rhythms and fresh, funky style that doesn’t take its self too seriously. However this is only one aspect of the song as it builds up to a indie/rock chorus, “Take your time your life is on the line, moving slow your killing me” each word of which is stressed by Ryan Young’s youthful yet strong vocals. Over the top of a soaring guitar riff and crashing drums which all together creates a gripping song with a pop sensitive undertone.
Below is their music video for ‘Take Your Time’ …
The Heavy Jets … Who you Gonna Tell?
08 months ago
Most people love a bit of Blur or Oasis your classic Britpop bands and it is these bands and that iconic sound The Heavy Jets try to emulate within their music.
The first time I spotted this four piece band was in August this year. When they supported lively local ska band ‘Down Town Lester Brown’ at Newcastle’s Bar Loco.
Live The Heavy Jets didn’t standout at first mainly because I couldn’t hear the vocals properly over the speakers. However going back and listening to their music online, as everyone does these days, their music stood out as yes Britpop but with their own stamp on things.
Taking their song ‘Who You Gonna Tell?’ for example it is a relaxed easy going track with a simple guitar riff, a steady drum beat and Rhys Breen’s soft but sleek vocals. Halfway through the track kicks in with a guitar solo that gives the song a bit of grittyness but doesn’t take away from the overall lax feel of it. Overall it is a stress free song that will have you bobbing along to it chorus simple but effective guitar riff.
Words by Ruth Edmundson
Mr Ben Sir … Portraits EP
08 months ago
Mr Ben Sir are a recording collective based in the North East who in the beginning of September released their ‘Portraits EP’. It is their third release since last year and it is the most emotive one so far.
Fans of the band will notice the ‘Portraits EP’ is something very different from the bands previous American pop releases ‘Cameras Go Click’ or their ‘Transport EP’. However their latest musical offering shows how this band can create a range of styles of music with their own stamp on each.
Only three tracks long the EP has a minimalists feel as each track is simply composed of a delicate guitar riffs, soft drums, some fitting sound effects and haunting piano.
Every song on the EP feels poignant especially the first track ‘We Can Only Fly At Night’ a mellow song which is strangely uplifting thanks to Ben Charlesworth gentle but rhythmical vocals. As a whole the EP is very tranquil taking you out of reality for ten minutes or so.