Beard Of Wolves - Wet Mouthed And On The Road

The duo from North Wales may only have got together last September, but they aren't letting the grass grow under their feet (or their beards) with the announcement of a self-titled EP set for release on March 4.

This follows on from their having picked up extensive airplay from the likes of BBC Radio 1, BBC 6Music, XFM and Kerrang! Radio, released a 7” single (through the Too Pure singles club), and supported upcoming bands DZ Deathrays, Milk Maid, Exit International and Castrolova.

Combining the vicious, sardonic bite of Eagles Of Death Metal with the raging approach of DZ Deathrays, Beard Of Wolves are set to rip into 2013 with their explosive combo of drums and bass.

Beard Of Wolves’ new single ‘Wet Mouth’ is out now on limited edition 7" white vinyl through the Too Pure singles club, which you can also stream below.

The band will be playing the following live dates with more to be confirmed in the coming weeks.

TOUR DATES:

February
09 LEEDS - Packhorse 1
17 CHESTER – Brookers Bar

March
08 LIVERPOOL – The Lomax 2
20 LONDON – The Macbeth
23 NOTTINGHAM – The Maze
31 SHEFFIELD – Bungalow and Bears

April
26 WREXHAM – Focus Wales Festival

May
25 LLANIDLOES – KingsFest

Dead Wolf Club Album Taster

Dead Wolf Club, who release their second album 'RAR' on February 11, have unveiled a little taster of what to expect with a video for a new track called 'A vs E'.

What's it all about? Well, here, of sorts, is a description in the band's own words:

"Armageddon - According to one premillennial Christian interpretation, the Messiah will return to earth and defeat the Antichrist (the "beast") and Satan the Devil in the Battle of Armageddon. Then Satan will be put into the "bottomless pit" or abyss for 1,000 years, known as the Millennium. After being released from the abyss, Satan will gather Gog and Magog (peoples of two specific nations) from the four corners of the earth. They will encamp surrounding the "holy ones" and the "beloved city" (this refers to Jerusalem). Fire will come down from God, out of heaven and devour Gog and Magog after the Millennium. The Devil, death, hell, and those not found written in the Book of Life are then thrown into Gehenna (the Lake of Fire burning with brimstone). The Electrician is the Modern Scientist with their scientific views on the way everything is structured and can be explained and fixed given time."

And if you're sorry you asked after all that - just hook onto the video below, which is rather an enjoyable watch we have to say, as is the song.


Dead Wolf Club play the following live dates next month:


February 2013 “RAR” TOUR


08 Isle of Man Douglas Villa Marina

09 Liverpool Shipping Forecast

11 Leicester Scholar Bar

12 Manchester Live Lounge

13 Glasgow bar bloc

14 Chester Compass

15 London Sebright Arms

16 Guilford Boiler Rooms

'Wanderlust' - Cloud Boat's Haunting Double A Side Single

Cloud Boat – aka British duo Sam Ricketts and Tom Clarke – bring a gorgeously original and soulful new slant to electronica with 'Wanderlust'/'Drean', the new double A-Side single from their debut LP (for release later in the year), which drops on March 4 through Apollo Records.

Rich, warm, full of emotion that is largely down to Clarke’s expressive vocals which ebb and flow hauntingly over haunting lyrics like “you won’t find home again, my son”

In support of the release the band also embark on a UK tour in March, beginning on the 5th at London’s Waiting Room.

FORTHCOMING LIVE DATES

MARCH
05 - London, Waiting Room
06 - Birmingham, Bulls Head
07 - Manchester, Trof
09 - Bristol, Start The Bus

Watch the video for 'Wanderlust', directed by Alex Kruszelnicki, below.

& The Centurions Release New Single ‘Skeletons’

Indie-rockers, & The Centurions, have released their first new single since their 2011 debut EP ‘Animalism’.

During 2012 they ventured to London’s Limehouse Studios to record their follow-up EP, from which they’ve released the first track titled ‘Skeletons’.

Talking about the track, the four-piece said “The song in a sense is based on being singled out; the place we go to after something has affected us; the people we become that aren't necessarily who we want to be. It resembles our vices, flaws and addictions, always doing things over and over again in order to feel something, but then having to face the consequences”.

After meeting & forming whilst at house parties in Bahrain, they’ve gone on to support bands such as Bastille, Citizens!, The Other Tribe, and fellow breaking band, Theme Park. Back with their new sound though, you can expect yet more comparisons to the likes of Two Door Cinema Club in their latest single, along with more indie-rock nods to Foals and Bloc Party, as they merge upbeat guitar hooks with joyful and attacking melodies.

“I guess you could say it’s about escaping from a place you don't want to be. Somewhere unknown, somewhere in the future" they add, a sure sign that 2013 is a year that & The Centurions want to remember. With new music like this, it’d be hard to imagine them ever slipping through the clutches of hordes of indie-obsessed fans in Britain right now.

& The Centurions are: Mazen Al Maskati - Vox/Guitar; Vish Mhatre - Drums & Percussion; Rab - Bass; Jad Habib - Lead Guitar

Pyyramids Album Preview

Pyyramids - the Tim Nordwind from indie rock band OK Go and Drea Smith of the electro-pop outfit He Say/She Say helmed outfit - announce the release of their debut album 'Brightest Darkest Day' on April 15, through indie label Paracadute.

The band will be be previewing material from album at SXSW, together dates across the US East Coast, followed by a U.K. tour. Dates will be announced shortly.

'Brightest Darkest Day' finds its creators once again venturing into fresh territory. “There’s a pop sensibility to the album that’s bright but the sound and delivery is dark,” explains Smith.

Introduced by a mutual friend via email, Nordwind and Smith initially bonded over an affinity for first-wave British post-punk and 80’s Manchester bands. They began creating songs together, working from their respective homes, and finally met when a tour brought Tim to Chicago. Drea came out to Los Angeles in early 2012 for their first proper recording session and moved to the West Coast before the year was over.

Recorded in Nordwind’s basement studio, with the final tracks recorded at Dan Konopka of OK Go’s studio, 'Brightest Darkest Day' was mixed by Dave Fridmann (Flaming Lips, MGMT) and Konopka.

The track listing is as follows:

1. Brightest, Darkest Day (Intro)
2. Smoke And Mirrors
3. Don’t Go
4. Do You Think You’re Enough?
5. Paper Doll
6. Everyone Says
7. Invisible Scream
8. Time (Interlude)
9. Time
10. That Ain’t Right
11. Nothing I Can Say


Listen to a taste of the album below with the track 'Do You Think You're Enough?'

How To Dress Well - European Dates For May

Following last autumn’s release of ‘Total Loss’, Chicago based artist Tom Krell aka How to Dress Well - has announced a return to the UK for a string of new dates.

Krell and his celebrated band will be in Europe throughout May for dates including Primavera Sound, Brighton’s Great Escape and Field Day in London.

Full dates as follows:

May

02 Berlin, Germany -Berghain
03 Vienna, Austria - Donau Festival
04 Brussels, Belgium - Les Nuits Botanique Festival
06 Poznan, Poland - Minoga
07 Warsaw, Poland - 1500m2
08 Riga, Latvia - Palladium
10 Aarhus, Denmark - Pop Revo Festival
11 Umea, Sweden - Made Festival
14 Leeds, UK - Brudenell Social Club
15 Manchester, UK - Whitworth Art Gallery 1
16 Brighton, UK - Great Escape Festival
18 Glasgow, UK - Stag and Dagger Festival
20 Liverpool, UK - Leaf
24 Barcelona, Spain - Primavera Sound Festival
25 London, UK - Field Day Festival

To celebrate this news, Krell has also shared a new remix of 'Total Loss' stand-out ‘& It Was U’ by Elite Gymnastics - the rising Minneapolis-based producer transforming the bare-bones, vulnerable a capella of the original into an appropriately euphoric, affirming dancefloor hymnal.

Stream the remix here and listen to the original.

LOOM Announce New Single For March Release

Hotly tipped for big things in 2013, Loom release their new single 'I Get A Taste' through the Hate Hate Hate label on March 25.

The single features a cover of the Zombies debut single 'She’s Not There' on the B-side and will be available as a limited edition 7” and iTunes download.

'I Get A Taste' is the follow-up to the band’s first offering 'Bleed On Me' - a cassette-only release on the Heart Throb label - which sold out within hours of its release in December.

As yet there is no audio link to the single, so hearing it performed live and direct by the band is going to be your only option for awhile. Wgich is fortunate as Loom will play the following live dates over the next few months, including an NME show with Fidlar at London’s Garage in aid of Teenage Cancer Trust.

February

Fri 1 London Amersham Arms

Sat 2 Preston Mad Ferret

Fri 15 Sheffield Bowery Free Entry

Thu 21 Brighton The Hope

Mon 25 London The Garage NME Show with Fidlar

Wed 27 London Old Blue Last Free Entry

Sat 2 Milton Keynes Craufurd Arms


April

Thu 4 St Albans The Horn

John Grant - 'Pale Green Ghosts' Video / No Ceremony Remix

With his London album launch show at Heaven (March 13) having long since sold-out, John Grant has just announced news of a second London headline date at Shepherd's Bush Empire on May 15.

A full UK tour is currently being scheduled and will be announced soon.


Listen to the No Ceremony remix of 'Pale Green Ghosts', the album's title track and new single. below.

Australia's Kate Boy Turn On The 'Northern Lights'

Kate Boy, the Australian singer-songwriter Kate Akhurst (vocals) and Swedish production team Hampus Nordgren Hemlin, Oskar Sikow Engström and Markus Dextegen, announce their debut EP 'Northern Lights' for UK release on March 11 on Iamsound Records.

The self produced EP shows off their sumptuous yet spacial take on electro-pop teaming strong melodic hooks with smart production trickery.

“We decided to do this on our own: no producers, no money, no fancy equipment; just our minds and ideas.” say the band. A tactic that's paid off; as one scribe noted, “It’s not their fault that their music oozes luxury.”

B-side “In Your Eyes” is glacially exuberant, delivering another gratifyingly infectious chorus. Also included on the EP are re-mixes of the title track by fellow Scandinavian Victoria Bergsman of Taken By Trees and LA beat-maker Belief plus a reworking by LA based electronic group Superhumanoids.

Full track listing:

Northern Lights
In Your Eyes
Northern Lights (Taken By Trees & Belief Remix)
Northern Lights (Superhumanoids Remix)

Duologue New Single Release - 'Push It'

Duologue released their new single, ‘Push It’ last Monday, 21st, on Killing Moon; preceding the release by the London-based five-piece, of their debut LP 'Song & Dance'. A four-four dance beat gives structure to a hauntingly atmospheric six minute epic of lyrical self-doubt. Soaring strings and guitar melodies combine in the pinnacle which sees the band giving their all in a song replete with daedal rhythms.

The video was co produced and directed by the band and features the BAFTA nominated, Misfits star Robert Sheehan. A fan of the band, Push It is Sheehan’s first foray into music video acting.

'Push It' is available to download now from iTunes.

The album 'Song & Dance' is the culmination of a year’s preparation honing and self-editing their eclectic sound and huge catalog of demos in preparation to record. Having already self-produced and released two EP’s showcasing their ability to encompass a wide range of sounds and references the final piece of the puzzle came with the introduction of producer Jim Abbiss (Adele, Arctic Monkeys, Peace). In March 2012 the band and Jim holed up in a Chatham studio and began work – with many of the parts already formed and recorded, Jim took on a co-production role, intuitively helping them further enhance their sonic make-up. Digital synths were replaced by richer analogue gear, real strings replaced programmed ones, and the inclusion of a church organ.

Duologue are on tour with Post War Years next month, together with their own headlining London album launch show.

Dates:

February 12 - Manchester, Soup Kitchen
13 - London, Hoxton Bar & Kitchen,(ALBUM LAUNCH SHOW)
23 - Reading, Oakford Social Club (w/ Post War Years)* 1

March 1 - Portsmouth, The Registry (w/ Post War Years)*
2 - Bournemouth, Sixty Million Postcards (w/ Post War Years)*
6 - Leeds, A Nation Of Shopkeepers (w/ Post War Years)*
7 - Sheffield, Bungalow & Bears (w/ Post War Years)*
8 - Nottingham, Spanky Van Dykes (w/ Post War Years)*
9 - Bristol, Start The Bus (w/ Post War Years)*

*free entry show

Guards Announce Single Release And Free Download

Fresh from his work as guitarist in his sister’s acclaimed indie-pop act Cults, and fronting garage-rock band The Willowz, Richie Follin and Cults/Willowz drummer Loren Humphrey are proud to introduce their new project, Guards.

Following months out on the road touring, Follin and Humphrey headed into the studio to shape and mould their own ideas, with the initial view of handing them back over to Cults for the second album. The recordings sounded fresh, exciting and blew out of the speakers, with Follin taking the role of vocalist, so they kept the songs for themselves.

With the addition of LA’s Kaylie Church into the band as a dual vocalist, and Guards, a fizzing new concern were fully born.

‘Silver Lining’ is the first offering from Guards’ forthcoming debut 'In Guards We Trust' released on April 29 thru Partisan Records.

Listen to 'Silver Lining' below. Available for free download for a limited period.

Kodaline Have 'High Hopes' - And A Rather Good Video Too!

Kodaline, the hotly-tipped quartet included in the BBC Sound of 2013 long list – will release their new EP, 'The High Hopes EP,' on March 18. This precedes their debut album 'In A Perfect World' which follows a week later.

Having previously debuted two tracks from the EP – a stripped back, acoustic cover of the LCD Soundsystem song 'All My Friends' as well as 'The Answer' that was premiered late last year –'High Hopes' finds the band at their most brilliantly anthemic, as a delicate piano intro slowly builds before bursting into life on a wave of crashing drums, echoing guitar lines and Steve Garrigan’s heartfelt vocal.

The video for 'High Hopes,' directed by Stevie Russell who directed the video for the band’s track 'All I Want' and which features Irish actor Liam Cunningham – currently starring in Game Of Thrones - can be seen above.

Having played a series of sold out shows in November, the band will embark on a UK tour in February, including an NME Awards show.

Dates:

February 7
York Fibbers

February 8
Edinburgh Cabaret Voltaire

February 9
Coventry Kasbah

February 11
Brighton Green Door Store

February 12
Cambridge Portland Arms

February 13
Oxford Jericho Tavern

February 14
London Dingwalls (NME Awards show)

Kodaline will also play their debut US shows later this month in LA at the Hotel Cafe on January 28 and then at New York’s Mercury Lounge on January 31.

One To Watch :: Blondfire

If you like your alt-pop sweet and sultry, then the Los Angeles based Blondfire should fit the bill nicely.

The brother-and-sister duo of Bruce and Erica Driscoll - originally from Grand Rapids, Michigan - are not exactly new to the scene, but the release at the end of last year of their 'Where The Kids Are' EP and breakthrough onto the Billboard charts, has thrust them to the forefront of electronic pop.

Formerly known as Astaire, the siblings were forced to changed their name to Blondfire in order to avoid any potential legal problems with the iconic actor's estate. Though their name had changed, the Driscolls kept the band's sound the same: electronic tinged pop that swells on the west coast lush vocals of the female half.

They released their debut EP 'Don't Whisper Lies' on their own label Wax Divine, before signing briefly to EMI in 2006. Their debut album 'My Someday' saw light of day on their own second independent set-up, Tender Tender Rush label.

The newly monikered Blondfire eventually signed with Warner Bros last year, to release 'Where The Kids Are'.

March/April sees them supporting AWOLNATION across the US.

The Shiny Darkly Danes Do 'Diana' On Video

Danish alt-rock band Shiny Darkly have released a new video for live favourite 'Diana'.

The leather jacketed Danes turn out, as to be expected, a film that is both intriguing as it is intense; taking on shades of the modern goth coupled with elements reminiscent of Joy Division and Jesus & Mary Chain.

The doom psych-rockers make a return visit to the UK next week to play two dates: Tuesday January 29 at Old Blue Last, London, and Wednesday 30 at Sticky Mike's Frog Bar in Brighton. For both shows they will be joined by Crunchy Frog labelmates Snake & Jet's Amazing Bullit Band.

New Video 'Octopus' From King Krule

The 18 year old south Londoner King Krule is already being feted as one of the brightest lights for 2013.

Before the release of his debut album later this year comes this moody video for “Octopus”, the flipside to the “Rock Bottom” single that was released late last year on Rinse.

Directed by Paraic and Michael Morrissey, it is reminiscent of a surreal, Lynchian dystopia, with Archy Marshall wandering around a bathroom in a suit as a girl sits, expectantly, in the bathtub. As befits the track, it is beautiful, abstract, compelling and entirely haunting.

First Listen :: Centre Excuse

Centre Excuse, the hard hitting trio from Rutland, unveil another blast of their 80's style synth pop with the raw energy of punk rock on new single release 'In Your Mind' - which follows on from their 'Generation Z’ EP.

Their previous single 'Don’t Let Go' was featured on Q and BFBS Radio and most of 2012 has seen them pick up a huge following on Facebook and YouTube.

Their unique sound is created through crafting intricate layers of driving rhythms, catchy melodies and meaningful, sometimes almost poetic lyrics. 'In Your Mind' combines TOY-like driving guitar riffs with a post punk/garage attitude.

We like them. You can feel the energy and enthusiasm and live they should pack a punch.

Centre Excuse are; Teddy Lewis – Lead Vocals/Keyboards/Guitar and programming; Jamie Rush – Backing Vocals/Lead & Bass Guitar; Alex Rush - Drums

Vuvuvultures Announce Single Release...Sort Of

The London-based quartet Vuvuvultures are to release 'Stay Still' as a single. As to when and what formats, well, that seems to be a guessing game for the moment. But if you want a sneak listen, check out the stream below.

The moody, abrasve-soundng Vu's formed in London in 2011, releasing their debut EP last year alng with UK and Eurpean tours. They featured in Vogue, Wonderland and a whole host of tastemaker fashion and music blogs and also supported Eighties Matchbox B-Line Disaster at their sold out Halloween show at Electric Ballroom in Camden.

Their debut album is also set to be released in 2013. When? Er...

The band are: Harmony Bouche, lead vocals; Nicole Bettencourt Coelho, bass; Paul Ressel, guitars; and Matt Christensen, drums.

Dark Horses Unveil 'Traps' Video And March UK Tour

Dark Horses (who won best single at the 2012 Artrocker Awards with 'Radio') have announced the release of 'Traps' as part of a double A side with 'Boxing Day' on March 11. Both are taken from their debut album 'Black Music' which was released at the end of last year on Last Gang Records.

The band are also heading out on tour with fellow Brighton residents, Kins. The Artrocker tour hits Reading, London, Manchester, Leeds, Nottingham, Bristol, Portsmouth and Bournemouth. All shows are free entry.

Dates are as follows:

20th March - Reading, Oakford Social
21st March - London, Babble Jar
23rd March - Manchester, Night & Day
26th March - Leeds, A Nation of Shopkeepers
27th March - Nottingham, Spanky Van Dykes
28th March - Bristol, Start The Bus
29th March - Portsmouth, The Registry
30th March - Bournemouth, Sixty Million Postcards

Dark Horses are: LISA ELLE - Vocals, Harmonica; BOBBY WATERSON - Organ & Guitar; ANDY BANG - Guitar; STEVE INGHAM - Drums; HARRY BOHAY-NOWELL - Bass, Italian synths; TOMMY CHAIN - Percussion

January 25 2013 - Five Hot Ones For The Week

Girls Names - Pittura Infamante






Mozart's Sister - Mozart's Sister






The Chapman Family - Adult






Cloud Boat - Wanderlust






Jim James - A New Life

Primavera Sound 2013 Announces Full Line-Up

Setting the standard for all other festivals in 2013, Primavera Sound has announced the line-up that will play at its 13th annual event that will take place from May 22 - 24 in Barcelona.

The list of names reads like a Who's Who of the current top names in music to see. Take a look below.

CONFIRMED ARTISTS 23.01.2013

Adam Green & Binki Shapiro, Aliment, Animal Collective, Antònia Font, Apparat plays Krieg und Frieden, The Babies, Band Of Horses, Barry Hogan Dj, Betunizer, Blue Willa, Blur, Bob Mould, Bored Spies, The Bots, The Breeders performing Last Splash, Camera Obscura, Cayucas, Chris Cohen, Christopher Owens, Dj Coco, Crime & The City Solution, Crystal Castles, Dan Deacon, Daniel Johnston, Daphni, Daughn Gibson, Daughter, Dead Can Dance, Dead Skeletons, Death Grips, Deerhunter, Degreaser, Delorean, Dexys, DIIV, Dinosaur Jr., Disclosure, Do Make Say Think, Dope Body, El Inquilino Comunista, Ethan Johns, Extraperlo, Fidlar, Fiona Apple, Four Tet, Foxygen, Fred I Son, The Free Fall Band, Fuck Buttons, Fucked Up, Ghostigital, Glass Candy, Goat, Grizzly Bear, Guadalupe Plata, Guardian Alien, Guards, Hal Flavin, Hidrogenesse, Honeybird & The Birdies, Hot Chip, Hot Snakes, How To Dress Well, Jackmaster presents Tweak-A-Holic, James Blake, Jessie Ware, The Jesus And Mary Chain, John Talabot, Jozev Van Wissem & Jim Jarmusch, Killer Mike, King Tuff, The Knife, Kurt Vile & The Violators, L'Hereu Escampa, La Bien Querida, La Brigada, Liars, Local Natives, Los Planetas tocan Una semana en el motor de un autobús, Mac DeMarco, The Magician, Manel, Matthew E. White, Meat Puppets, Melody’s Echo Chamber, Menomena, Merchandise, Metz, Mount Eerie, Mulatu Astatke, My Bloody Valentine, Neko Case, Neurosis, Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds, Nick Waterhouse, Nils Frahm, Nurse With Wound, Om, Omar Souleyman, Orchestre Poly Rythmo De Cotonou, Paus, Peace, Phoenix, Pony Bravo, Poolside, The Postal Service, Rodriguez, Roll The Dice, Savages, The Sea And Cake, Sean Nicholas Savage, Shellac, Simian Mobile Disco, Solange, The Suicide Of Western Culture, Swans, Tame Impala, Tarántula, Thee Oh Sees, Tinariwen, Titus Andronicus, Toundra, The Vaccines, White Fence, Wild Nothing, Woods, Wu-Tang Clan.

As always Primavera Sound keeps an eye on the local scene and, as well as the presence of Los Planetas in Parc del Fòrum, we will be able to see the Barcelona band Manel presenting their third record, John Talabot, our most internationally well known musician, the surrealist tinged pop of the Mallorca band Antònia Font, El Inquilino Comunista, historical band from the 90s, the powerful sound of Toundra from Madrid, Pony Bravo and Guadalupe Plata from Andalusia, Extraperlo’s elegant pop, the presentation of The Suicide Of Western Culture’s second album, the experimentation of Betunizer and other artists of the moment such as La Bien Querida, Tarántula, Fred I Son, La Brigada, The Free Fall Band, Hidrogenesse and L´Hereu Escampa.

Dance music and electronic pop will, as always, have their place at the festival. The sound adventures of Kieran Hebden with his band Four Tet, the new British house sensation Disclosure, Hot chip’s superlative pop and the overwhelming live performance of Simian Mobile Disco are the main draws in this section. We will also be able to see a special 80s set by Jackmaster and listen to the revisited italo disco from The Magician or kings of Californian daytime disco Poolside, along with Daphni the new Project from Dan Snaith (Caribou).

As well as the main programme, that will be performed across eight stages (including the Auditori), the Parc del Fòrum will be the site of other activities such as the record fair, traditional meeting point for national and international independent labels, the touring concert poster show Flatstock, that is coming back after the success of last year, and the children’s activity minimúsica, that will host a handful of concerts in which the bands adapt their repertoire for the little ones.
Primavera a la Ciutat will also put on other activities such as Primavera al Parc, Primavera als Clubs and the screening of music documentaries by Beefeater In-Edit.

The price of the full festival ticket is 160€ until February 6. The sales points are Codetickets, Atrapalo, Ticketscript, Ticketmaster, Seetickets, Fnac France through the web and Primavera Sound’s Facebook.

The combined Primavera Sound 2013 in Barcelona + Optimus Primavera Sound 2013 in Oporto full festival ticket costs 235€ until February 4. It can be bought on Codetickets, Seetickets and the Primavera Sound web.

The Vaccines 'Bad Mood' It March

The Vaccines have announced the release of a new single, 'Bad Mood', through Columbia Records on March 4.

Released on download and 7”, the single continues the theme of each band member writing a B-Side – this time guitarist Freddie Cowan provides a song produced by his brother, Tom Cowan of The Horrors.

The single is taken from their 2nd album, 'The Vaccines Come Of Age', which made U.K. number 1 when released in early September. It followed their platinum selling, Brit nominated and NME award winning debut 'What Did You Expect From The Vaccines?' which was released in March 2011.

Following their recent sold out UK headline tour, which culminated in a show at London’s Alexandra Palace, the band have announced details of an arena tour in May 2013.

MAY

1st Margate Winter Gardens

2nd London O2 Arena

4th Carlisle Sands Centre

5th Leeds Millennium Square

6th Llandudno Cymru Arena

The Walkmen are very special guests in London, while TOY support on the whole tour and Temples will be appearing at all shows, apart from London.

The Vaccines are: Arni Arnason (bass), Freddie Cowan (guitar / vocals), Pete Robertson (drums) & Justin Young (vocals / guitar).

Damn Vandals March Single Release

Alt-rock quartet Damn Vandals announce the release of their next single ‘Kings Of Never’ on March 18. The track features on their highly critically acclaimed debut album ‘Done For Desire’.

The B-side, ‘The Revenge Of Spider Toothy’, is a song written by a 3 year old child. Yes, it is true, songwriters are getting younger by the year.

As well as seeing their debut album release and numerous live UK shows, 2012 was a busy year for the band – culminating in a live session broadcast on Sky TV’s prime time Loaded TV show. Their exhilarating live shows have also gained them a reputation as one of “the most talented and exciting rock band on the music scene for years” (TAPEtoTAPE), and 2013 will see further touring along with a number of UK festival appearances already agreed.

The single is produced by Julian Simmons, whose credits include Ed Sheeran, Midlake, The Phenomenal Handclap Band, Guillemots, and Goldheart Assembly.

Damn Vandals are: JACK KANSAS - Vocals; FRANK PICK - Guitar; ADAM KILEMORE GARDENS - Bass; CHRIS CHRISTIANSON - Drums

Parquet Courts 'Light Up Gold' And London Live Shows

Parquet Courts initially released their debut LP “Light Up Gold” on their own label Dull Tools in July last year, but the resultant buzz and excitement has seen the band snapped up by What’s Your Rupture? and Mom + Pop, and gets an official UK release April 15.

From start to finish, this is a full throttle experience which you have no choice but to dive in to headfirst, with ridiculously infectious melodies and propulsive guitars which grab you as Brown and Savage (with assist from Max Savage and Sean Yeaton) spin their short, sharp tales of quarter-life ennui (“Borrowed Time”), weed-induced inertia (“Stoned and Starving”) and job anxiety (“Careers in Combat”) with concise, laserlike precision.

TRACKLISTING

Master of My Craft
Borrowed Time
Donuts Only
Yr No Stoner
Yonder is Closer to the Heart
Careers in Combat
Light Up Gold I
Light Up Gold II
N Dakota
Stoned and Starving
No Ideas
Caster of Worthless Spells
Disney P.T
Tears O Plenty
Picture of Health


After playing across the US, Parquet Courts will be at SXSW in March before heading to the UK for their first ever live shows, one of which is supporting the like-minded rabble rousers The Men.

LIVE DATES

March

19 – The Garage, Highbury (w/ The Men)

20 – The Shacklewell Arms

21 – Sebright Arms

Wet Nuns Detestival Line-Up

Hell-raising duo Wet Nuns, in association with KRAKEN RUM and THRONG OF NOBS, have announced the full line-up for their very own festival, 'Detestival', this coming March 30 - 31 2013.

The monster line-up for the two-day festival is now confirmed as Wolf People, TOY, Hawk Eyes, Bo Ningen, Wet Nuns, Temples, Hookworms, Black Moth, Throng, Kult Country, John J Presley, Salem Rages, Blood Sport, Temple of Coke, Dry Heaves and Flaming Skulls.

The festival takes place at Queen’s Social Club in Sheffield over the Easter weekend of March 30th and 31st, with limited weekend tickets available now for just £14 in advance from harleylive.co.uk/ticket-shop, seetickets,com, and other selected outlets.

The line-up for Detestival was exclusively hand-picked by Wet Nuns and with the support of Kraken Rum. This is what the band had this to say about their very first Detestival;

“One of the best things about being in a band, along with substandard motorway food, unimaginable inter-gig boredom, fractured relationships and soul crushing financial sacrifice, is the opportunity to play alongside and witness other bands.

Detestival is basically an incredibly selfish opportunity for us to put on what we think is the best line up of bands in the UK, every single band performing on the weekend we have either played with or seen in the last couple of years. We adore and hate every single band with a fiery intensity, they are all far too good and talented and we hate and love them for it. Now we have created an opportunity for us to play with them all, in the city where we have honed our sloppy talent.”

Weekend tickets (£14 advanced) for Detestival are on-sale from the following online Seetickets.com

Tickets are also available from the following outlets in Sheffield; The Harley, The Wick At Both Ends, Record Collector, HMV Sheffield, The Old Sweet Shop.

More news and info about Wet Nuns and Detestival can be found at http://www.wetnuns.com

TOY's Heart Skips A Beat With March Release

TOY kick off 2013 with the announcement of the release of a new single.

'My Heart Skips A Beat' will be released on Heavenly Recordings on March 12 2013. The single, taken from their self-titled debut album, was recorded during the spring of 2012 with Dan Carey in his South London studio as part of the album sessions. Released on 12” and download, it includes brand new previously unreleased tracks 'She’s Over My Head' and 'Layered Electronics' and a Lauren Laverne BBC6 Music session version of the album track 'Kopter'.

TOY have also recently announced a number of dates in the spring of 2013, including an NME Awards show and arena shows with The Vaccines.

Dates as follows:

FEBRUARY 12
London Scala (NME Awards show)
MAY 1
Margate Winter Gardens *
MAY 2
London O2 Arena *
MAY 4
Carlisle Sands Centre *
MAY 5
Leeds Millennium Square *
MAY 6
Llandudno Cymru Arena *

* with The Vaccines

January Video Box - 6 Visual Highlights

Opening the video box for January, a round-up of some of the best that have been on repeat.



LULS
Never Let It Go

London trio starting to kick up a storm.





FACTORY FLOOR
Fall Back

London combo's single - out now - from their coming-soon debut album.






LIFE IN FILM
Cold Wire

Single release on February 18 following their Sony signing.






POST WAR YEARS
All Eyes

This has been around since 2011 but the East London quartet giving it another spin in advance of their forthcoming 'Galapagos' album out on February 25.






BLOOD RED SHOES
Red River

From the 'Water' EP out on January 21, with footage taken from their recent visit to Russia.






THE 1975
Chocolate

They brought you 'Sex', now it's 'Chocolate'. We think there could be a link there from this cheeky Manchester lot.

Laura Mvula New Single 'Green Garden'

Laura Mvula, nominee for the 2013 BRITs Critics’ Choice Award and ranked highly in fourth place for the BBC Sound of 2013, is to release her new single, ‘Green Garden’ on February 24 through RCA Victor (Sony).

‘Green Garden’, taken from the debut album ‘Sing to the Moon’, is an uplifting track which infuses Laura’s signature use of percussive chimes painted with enchanting harmonies - a unique sound that has wowed critics helping to make her one of the names on everyone's lips this year.

Laura’s debut album ‘Sing To The Moon’ is now available to pre-order and will be released on March 4.

January 18 2013 - Five Hot Ones For The Week

Verity Susman - To Make You Afraid





Devendra Banhart - Fur Hildegard von Bingen





Coasts - Oceans





Chapel Club - Good Together





Psalms - Low Plane

The Rapturous Return Of Exit Calm

It's been a wait, but finally after two years it looks like South Yorkshire's finest shoegaze export Exit Calm are back. A glimpse of their forthcoming album was unveiled today with a new single 'The Rapture', set for release on February 18.

Described by Huw Stephens (Radio 1) as a band who is 'truly epic', and praise from Guitarist Magazine who called their debut album 'a sonic and soulful masterpiece', their recent live shows have seen not just the inclusion of the baggy/grunge anthem of ‘The Rapture’, but also ‘Albion’ and the melodic ‘Fiction’.

Exit Calm, both live and on record, are without doubt a band that while displaying both technical nous and quality in showmanship, have not yet taken off into the wider realms as one might have expected. Why, is a mystery. 2010's self-titled debut album clearly demonstrated their ability to create psychedelic indie/rock sonic landscapes of masterful guitar sounds via Rob Marshall and Simon Lindley's melodic bass, against the intense and raw edged vocals of frontman and lyricist Nicky Smith. 'The Rapture' and the later release of their follow-up album could be about to finally put Exit Calm on the map.

'The Rapture' will be available as a limited vinyl 7" release thru Club AC30.

Exit Calm will be playing the following UK dates during February/March.

February 21 - London, Borderline
February 22 - Sheffield, Academy 2
February 23 - Cheltenham, Sound Music Venue 2
February 24 - Birmingham, Academy 3
February 28 - Manchester, Deaf Institute

March 1 - Glasgow, King Tuts
March 2 - Leeds, Cockpit
March 3 - York, Duchess

Chapel Club Are Back - And Good Together

Now being referred to as a 'synth pop' five-piece' in reference to the East London boys' newly found synth direction, Chapel Club kick off 2013 with a host of announcements.

After a number of remixes by others as part of the band's remix project - including Thom from Alt-J (see below), the band themselves now release their own original version of 'Good Together', which will be available on iTunes from January 20.

They play a special one-off London date at Islington's Electrowerkz on January 22 (now sold out), which they describe will be "a night of samplers, synths and reworked versions of some of our older songs. After all, a bleep is as good as a twang." This will precede their headlining appearance in the north-east on March 30 at Stockton Calling. Chapel Club have also been announced to play Liverpool Sound City, May 2 - 4.

Autoheart Return With Third Single 'Lent'

Following on from their acclaimed debut single ‘The Sailor Song’ - championed by Radcliffe and Maconie, Shaun Keaveny and Bob Harris and which became an instant underground classic, clocking up 150,000 views on YouTube - East London boys Autoheart return with their third single, 'Lent' (available for download on iTunes from February 11).

With a disco beat, its incessant Blondie-esque rhythmic vocal, it's something of a departure from the melodic piano-led pop they have become known for. But the song is distinctly Autoheart.

Singer Jody Gadsden says: ‘Each song on our album 'Punch' has its own character but there is continuity to the album which brings it all together as a complete piece of work. Lent is our ‘disco’ song, albeit a weird broken down, broken hearted disco song. It sounds sweet, but it’s lyrically quite bitter - which makes it a perfect antidote to Valentine’s Day madness.’

Having supported The Hidden Cameras, and Scott Matthew, and performed at Hyde Park this Summer during the Olympics, the band’s night - also called Punch - which ran for all of 2012 featured breakthrough acts including Fiona Bevan and Black Gold Buffalo.

Autoheart’s debut album ‘Punch’, recorded with Coldplay producer Danton Supple (X&Y), is set for release in April.

Josephine Single Release & Paloma Faith Tour

Josephine - aka Josephine Oniyama - the Manchester songstress who received acclaim last year for her debut album, releases her new single 'Portrait' on the February 25 through Ark Recordings. It is taken from her recently released debut album of the same title.

This single, 'Portrait', is arguably one of the most striking songs from her album of the same name.

Josephine concludes the year on the road with Rodrigo y Gabriela, ahead of a full UK tour alongside Paloma Faith during this month and next. Josephine also headlines Bush Hall in London in February.


Josephine Live with Paloma Faith:

21st January - Dublin, Vicar Street
23rd January - Manchester, O2 Apollo
24th January - Manchester, O2 Apollo
25th January - Nottingham, Royal Court Concert Hall
27th January - Leeds, O2 Academy
28th January - Glasgow, O2 Academy
29th January - Edinburgh, Usher Hall
31st January - Newcastle, O2 Academy
1st February - York, Barbican
2nd February - Wolverhampton, Civic Hall
4th February - Brighton, Centre
5th February - Portsmouth, Guildhall
6th February - London, Bush Hall *HEADLINE SHOW*
7th February - London, Hammersmith Apollo
9th February - Cardiff, Arena
11th February - Sheffield, Academy
12th February - Leicester, De Montfort Hall
13th February - Blackpool, Opera House
15th February - Plymouth, Pavilions
16th February - Reading Hexagon
17th February - Cambridge, Corn Exchange.

On An On 'Give In' And Head To Europe

After a string of dates across the US this month, On An On embark on a short European tour in support of their debut album.

Nate Eiesland, Alissa Ricci and Ryne Estwing's - aka On An On - 'Give In' comes out on January 29 thru Roll Call Records in North America and City Slang in the UK.

On An On European Dates

February
12 - Paris, FR @ La Flèche d'Or
14 - London, UK @ Birthdays (PIAS Night)
15 - Brussels, BE @ Botanique
17 - Amsterdam, NL @ Paradiso(4pm show)
18 - Hamburg, DE @ Turnzimmer
19 - Berlin, DE @ Flux Blau

I Am Kloot Dave Clarke Remix

Manchester trio I Am Kloot's single 'These Days Are Mine' gets the remix treatment from techno legend Dave Clarke.

Taken from the band's forthcoming studio album 'Let it All In', 'These Days Are Mine' is available via Beatport on Monday, January 14. The album 'Let It All In' is released the following Monday 21st via Shepherd Moon / [PIAS] Recordings.

Unknown Mortal Orchestra - 'II' And New Video

Unknown Mortal Orchestra, the psych trio from Portland, Oregon, release "II" on February 4 (UK, through Jagjaguwar, along with annoucing a string of live dates.

Tracklisting:

1. From the Sun

2. Swim and Sleep (Like a Shark)

3. So Good at Being in Trouble

4. One at a Time

5. The Opposite of Afternoon

6. No Need for a Leader

7. Monki

8. Dawn

9. Faded in the Morning

10. Secret Xtians

They have also unveiled a new video to 'So Good At Being In Trouble' from the album.



The musical vision of Ruban Nielson started as an anonymous home-recording project that fused psychedelia, soul, choppy percussion and funk. UMO came to life in basements and bedrooms after Nielson moved from his native New Zealand to Portland, Oregon with his family. Following the recruitment of a new drummer Greg Rogove (in addition to longtime bassist Jacob Portrait), and a deal with Jagjaguwar, UMO toured the US with Grizzly Bear and Liars.

"II" builds on the break-beat, junk-shop charm the 32-year-old multi-instrumentalist and songwriter came to be renowned for following his self-titled 2011 debut, and signals the solidification of Unknown Mortal Orchestra's position as an endlessly intriguing, brave psychedelic band. UMO is unafraid to dig deeper than the rest to lock into their intoxicating, opiate groove and bring rock'n'roll's exaggerated myths to life.

Pulling Pink Floyd, the Family Stone, The Beatles and the Soft Machine through his warped rock'n'roll filter; Nielson created a collection of expressive, psychedelia. Unknown Mortal Orchestra was once Ruban Nielson's closeted concern. With an album that uses his singular musical imagination and extraordinary talent to parade his emotions with unyielding honesty, it is now a fully realized band operating at the peak of its powers.

Following appearances in New Zealand and Japan, UMO head to Europe for the following dates:

February
5 – Cargo, London
6 – Trixi, Antwerp, Belgium
7 – Paradiso, Amsterdam, Netherlands
8 – White Trash, Berlin, Germany

January 11 2013 - Five Hot Ones For The Week

Parquet Courts - Stoned and Starving




Blonde Louis - Stars & Stripes




Mykel - Sweet Valentine




Wolf Alice - Fluffy




Bloodgroup - Fall

Mykel's Sweet February Valentine

Irish singer/songwriter and producer Mykel - aka Michael Fitzpatrick - releases his debut single 'Sweet Valentine' via Ntrang Music on February 18.

Merging electronic beats with organic pop, 'Sweet Valentine' which 'explores themes of love and lust in the depths of soulful electronica' it will also be available on iTunes from February 13. Influenced by the likes of Knife Party and Labrinth, Mykel has also been working on a five track EP - ‘Hold On’ - which will be released later in the year.

One To Watch :: The Vestals

Okay, let's start off by saying there is not a lot to be found about The Vestals. What is known is that there are five of them and they hail from Newport, south Wales. They appear to have formed late in 2011 and may have connections to a previous band named Boy Wonder. Other than that, they have style, catchy tunes and a live stage presence that looks set to put them out there for big things this year. With a handful of shows during 2012 (including an appearance at Swn Festival) they kicked off 2013 last night playing at London's Hoxton Bar & Kitchen for the Artrocker New Blood Festival. Bit bloody good they were too.

But don't be swayed by what we say. Listen to their debut single release 'Perfect Pain'/'Seventeen' out on February 11 through Killing Moon and decide for yourself. We think you'll like it.

And we did find out that they purport to be: Adam - lead vocals, guitar; Sam - lead guitar, Rich - drums; Rohan - bass; Gethin - guitar, backing vocals.





The Vestals have also just been announced as support for Pure Love on all dates for their UK tour next month:

1st February – Tunbridge Wells Forum

2nd February – Coventry Kasbah

3rd February – Cambridge Portland Arms

6th February – Manchester Deaf Institute

7th February – Glasgow King Tuts

8th February – Edinburgh Electric Circus

9th February – York Duchess

10th February – Preston 53 Degrees

12th February – Nottingham Rescue Rooms

13th February – Norwich Arts Centre

14th February – London XOYO

18th February – Brighton Haunt

19th February – Southampton Joiners

20th February – Newport Le Pub

21st February – Bristol Croft

22nd February – Birmingham Temple

23rd February – Bedford Esquires

The Dirty Rivers Get Down And Dirty With 'Filth'

The Dirty Rivers, the young (ages range between 17 - 23) five-piece Liverpudlian outfit who formed in 2011, have announced the release of their debut single via Deltasonic: 'Black Heart'/'Filth' arrives in early February.

Described as being like 'BRMC crossed with early Oasis', the band play This Feeling's BIG IN 2013 night at the Queen of Hoxton, London this Saturday, January 12, along with The Sundowners, Young Kato, Coves, Filthy Boy, OK Social Club and John Wean.

The Dirty Rivers are: Mike Ellis - vocals; Jay Roberts - guitar; Lloyd Shearer - Bass; Ryan Ellis - guitar; Ben Robinson - drums.

Five Minutes With...THE CHAPMAN FAMILY

Hello Kingsley. How you doin'?

I'm in a mental insomniac netherworld. I have been for sometime. This sounds incredibly (and predictably) goth and dark but it's not meant to, I would honestly love to sleep.

Ah, right, well before you do tell us who you are and what you do.

My name is Kingsley, I'm 5ft11 and I sing with the English north eastern rock band The Chapman Family. I have no tattoos but I do have a dog.

Were you named after Kingsley Amis. the author - or someone slightly more gloomy?

No. Do you know some other gloomy Kingsleys? I've never actually asked what I was named after to be honest with you. All I know is that it's an incredibly difficult name to introduce yourself as when you're a child or a teenager in the north of England.

Is it a myth that you're more morose than Morrissey?

People have a perception that I'm a depressive angry miserablist but I'm not - I'm just not ashamed or embarrassed to get depressed, angry or miserable if I happen to feel that way. I quite literally have lots of emotions. Besides, I think Morrissey is pretty funny.

You're from Stockton-on-Tees, are you its one claim to fame?

The mere fact that you're asking that question makes me worry about how little you were listening at school as you don't appear to know about the worlds first passenger railway - the Stockton to Darlington Railway, Stephenson's Rocket, or the birthplace of the friction match. Stockton is also the place that The Beatles were performing on the night JFK got shot in 1963. Everyone always says that they remember where they were when it happened and I'd love to ask Paul McCartney if he does. Ridley Scott went to my Sixth Form and he got inspiration for Blade Runner from the industrial architecture that surrounds the town which probably tells you what you need to know about how pretty it is round here. Chris Issak is from Stockton too - but the Californian version. Chris Issak has a voice like Galaxy caramel.

Thanks for that, erm, really just wanted a quick response! So let's get on to what you have to plug for us?

My awesome band are touring throughout England and Wales in February and we will also have a free download available then as a precursor to more new material to follow soon after.

Acting as your own PR here, give us a short spin on this upcoming tour.

I'm not going to lie we're a pretty challenging band and we can sometimes come across as a tough nut to crack. We're not though, we're all about entertainment...it's just a bit different. For this tour we're increasing the intensity visually and sonically. We want challenging. We want difficult. We want excitement. I'm an avid gig goer myself and I'm sick to death of being pummeled by blandness or being able to spot a knowing marketing campaign trait a mile off. I'm disappointed that the idea of "a band" isn't being used to challenge or provoke anymore. I am bored shitless of people wanting to be famous. I want to see people pouring their hearts out and sweating blood onstage as if it's the only possible thing they could do in life - I'm tired of seeing people play who'd seem more at home presenting fucking T4.

Go on then, give us a link to it and we'll stick it up.

February 7 - The Hop, Wakefield
February 8 - The Studio, Hartlepool
Febnuary 10 - Kraak Gallery, Manchester
February 11 - Fruit, Hull
February 13 - Clwb IFor Bach, Cardiff
February 16 - Joiners, Southampton
February 17 - The West Coast, Margate
February 18 - Green Door Store, Brighton
February 19 - Arts Centre, Colchester
February 20 - Surya, London
February 22 - The Rainbow, Birmingham
February 23 - The Cockpit, Leeds
February 24 - The Cluny 2, Newcastle

Margate and Brighton should be nice for the beach....in February!

You could replace the word "February" with any other month really couldn't you? British summertime now consists of two days in mid April where it stops raining for a bit. I'm alright with rain and wind and all that though, it's exciting.

You're releasing new choons I understand to coincide - what's this all about? Where and when will we be able to hear these wonderments?

We'll be releasing a free download and a video to coincide with the tour. Plus we'll be selling some exclusive self made CDs containing brand new demos that will only be available at the gigs - as if you needed another reason to come - then we'll be putting out a single soon after the tour, then an album later in the year.

You put a call out for Street Teamers. Right, let's get this show on the road: what do you need and where should interested parties apply?

"Street Team" sounds a bit intense doesn't it? Believe me, it's not. We're not asking people to give blood or anything, all we're after is for them to put up a few posters in chip shops and record stores and pester people who look like they might want to come and see us. As payment they'll get guestlist for themselves and a friend and maybe a couple of warm cans of Carling from our rider. If anyone lives in the towns we're playing just get in touch with us on Facebook or Twitter and we'll sort it. I know it sounds incredibly unglamourous but band promotion due to the complete over-reliance by everyone of the fakery of the Internet has made it near impossible to get people to step away from their laptops.

You have a very interesting collection of material in your back catalogue. Which is the one track of your own you are most proud of and why?

I don't believe in being more proud of one than another as they're all my little babies. That'd be like David and Victoria Beckham publicly coming out saying they preferred Romeo over Harper Seven.

Who are your musical influences?

Anything that boils my blood.

Do you really think 'this English life is falling apart' as you claim on 'This English Life'? What would be your plan to stick it back together again?

We need - as a nation - to wake ourselves out of this idiotic cultural coma we've found ourselves in and stop being interested in utterly pointless things like Peter Andre's life being videotaped till the end of time for our pleasure on ITV2; the significance of the word "pleb"; and ex-soap stars ice skating badly in order to attempt to flag their long forgotten careers. I wonder if Shayne Ward realised when he won X Factor that only a few years later he'd be nervously shunted around an ice rink by a sparkly ex-professional akin to how a child casually prods a piece of shit with a stick in a park. These people aren't forced to do this rubbish, they have a choice - just as we have a choice not to watch it. The human being is a complex and wonderful thing capable of amazing things but unfortunately we're in danger of devolving into some sort of fame obsessed orange mush. Or "Katona'd" as it's more commonly known.

Last word: spill your word or words of wisdom. Say 'pass' if you have none.

Be polite and don't be an arsehole.

Thanks Kingsley.


Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/thechapmanfamily

Twitter:
http://www.twitter.com/chapmanfamily

To Kill A King Unveil 'Cold Skin' Video

To Kill A King, the London-based folk/rock group, have released a video to accompany 'Cold Skin', the lead single taken from their debut album 'Cannibals With Cutlery', both dropping February 24.

The band have just announced a further dates in support of the album, which can be seen below. In March they will head out as main support for Bastille, followed by a headline tour in April, including their largest headline show to date, at London's Scala.

March (w/ Bastille)
19th - Sheffield Leadmill
21st - Nottingham, Rock City
23rd - Cardiff University Student Union
25th - Brighton Concorde 2
27th - Bristol O2 Academy
28th - London Shepherd's Bush Empire
29th - London Shepherd's Bush Empire

April (headline)
9th - Birmingham, Temple
10th - London, Scala
11th - Leeds, Brudenell Social Club
12th - Manchester, Ruby Lounge
13th - Glasgow, Nice n' Sleazy

First Listen/First Interview :: Ecstasy

"That agony and the ecstasy is a dynamic that we want to attain in some ways"


Without fanfair or much brouhaha, a few weeks before Christmas several tracks appeared without ceromony on Soundcloud by a band that probably were - and still - only known to their families and close friends.

Without as yet a manager, a PR or any hype or fanfair other than what their music stands by, Ecstasy have become one of the hottest names to kick off 2013.

The quartet who are London-based within a matter of weeks have created a buzz amongst bloggers, excited by the electronica/dreampop sound that sounds like everything and nothing you've heard or think you've heard before.

In their first ever interview, we put a few questions to vocalist and synth/samples man Joe for more on this intriguing foursome (also consisting of Laura, vocals; Rosemary, synths; James, guitars/synths/percussion).

I think a lot of people are intrigued as to who you are and where you've come from!

There are four of us at the moment - we have a drummer too, but he's not fully committed yet! - and we're all friends or friends of friends.

Why the name Ecstasy - could be more than one connotation here!?

Ha, I will accept this is true but we prefer the original meaning, kinda like Nirvana! Plus all the kids do 'MDMA' instead now anyway. The connotations of the word make it striking but just think of it as us trying to reclaim the word.

You're from London or at least London based, right?

We are all scattered about in London: west, south and Hertfordshire.

How would you describe your sound? Certainly electronic, but perhaps a little more to it than the usual...?

Yeah, it is very synth driven but I wouldn't go as so far to call it electronica because we retain rock structures to the songs. Ideally we'd like to sit in the indie world because when we start gigging we want it to very much be a live experience. We wouldn't wanna exist as two DJs hunched over laptops or anything like that.

The two tracks on Soundcloud - are they original works bar 'The Funeral'?

Yep. So far 'White Limos' and 'Shinjuku Bride' are our own works and we will be dropping more tracks over the next couple of months, plus another cover track - Rihanna actually!

Why choose that Band Of Horses cover in particular?

It's a majestic song and to be honest we are still trying to work out our sonics and aesthetic so covering tracks can help with that process. We didn't change it drastically but I think the synth basis and group vocal hopefully do take it into a different place from the original. For us it is a tune that manages to be depressing and dark and uplifting at the same time depending on the mood of the listener, that's what drew us to it. That agony and the ecstasy is a dynamic that we want to attain in some ways.

What were the three of you doing before and why haven't we heard of you before - or have we?!

Nothing much really. I have done music tech and did some electronica stuff but nothing was ever released and James also did music tech at uni. We met through his ex-girlfriend who is Rosemary's sister. Laura is a mate who was keen to do some vocals and I think her voice is great and is really beginning to take off with every extra session we do in the studio.

What are immediate plans for 2013?

We want to get enough tunes ready to start gigging, so maybe six or so, make sure we are all watertight with the live set and get some bookings. We also have some music videos in the pipeline. We are happy to self release the tracks on iTunes and Spotify or give away freebies for now.

So far you have done no gigs as Ecstasy? Is there anything in the pipeline? How are you looking at transforming your material to live performance?

All of the tracks are written with a view to be translated live. There is a lot of noise beds and pads in the tracks but as it is all loop based it will be easy to control with pedals and samples. It should be really exciting.

January 4 2013 - Five Hot Ones For The Week

Ecstasy - White Limos




Stornoway - Knock Me On The Head




Jack Savoretti - Not Worthy




Laurelle & Alexander - Pale Blue Trees




Navaho Blue - Romance The Enemy