Album Review: Live for the Moment // The Sherlocks

Originally published on The Indiependent.

I must admit I did not go into Sheffield band, The Sherlocks, debut album Live For The Moment, with a particularly open-mind. Throughout their relative rise in popularity over the last two years I have happened across their singles in sponsored Facebook posts that appear to have been met with hype and derision in equal measure. It is certainly true that the young band have managed to build quite an impressive indie following through social media campaigns, no doubt inspired by the grassroots, youthful energy of fellow Sheffield band, Arctic Monkeys. That band has probably inspired most guitar rock bands over the last decade in some way but their legacy here mostly spans from their early albums. Another band that The Sherlocks can all too easily be compared to are Manchester’s Courteeners. Indeed, my initial stance on the band was essentially; they’re not going to make my ears bleed but they sound exactly like any number of other bands that I could listen to instead.

Alt-J ‘3WW’ Review

Originally published in The Hullfire.

Alt-J return with something new – and definitely ‘something good’ –ahead of the release of their third album. Their second record, This Is All Yours, followed a similar style to their award-winning and undoubtedly unique debut, An Awesome Wave. If this new track is anything to go by, Relaxer promises to push the boundaries yet again and be something quite special.

Mystery Jets Interview

Originally published in the Nov 2016 edition of The Hullfire.

I met with guitarists and vocalists William Rees and Blaine Harrison of the Mystery Jets before their gig on the 4th October at Welly. The Mystery Jets, originally from Eel Pie Island in London, are a stalwart of the Noughties British Indie scene, first putting out music in 2005 around the same time, Arctic Monkeys, Bloc Party and others were releasing their debuts. Their rise might not have been quite as astronomical but they have a dedicated fan base, and a unique story that sets them apart from your average indie rock band. Not to mention a roster of incredible songs to boot. Their latest album The Curve of The Earth is epic and experimental that could be deemed a cult classic in years to come. Over the course of nine tracks it treads heady ground lyrically and musically but still manages to come back to the family oriented and homely feel of the London band and their ethos.

What has been your experience of Hull?

Blaine: “We’ve played here a lot, stretching right back to our first tour where we played in this venue with Bloc Party in 2005. Bloctober, it [the tour] was called. We’ve played Adelphi, we’ve played Fruit.”

Single Review: The Hubbards // Cold Cut

Originally published on The Indiependent.

Hull band The Hubbards have become one of the biggest bands in the area over the last couple of years and have an impressive EP already out, which has got them airplay on Radio 1 and BBC 6 music. Latest single ‘Cold Cut’ finely tunes their underrated abilities into their best song yet.

The layers of accomplished guitar work that has been present in all their music so far is also present here with a reserved, jazzy intro leading into the energetic verse and chorus. ‘Cold Cut’ is full of intricacies that could go unnoticed, as the song is so catchy and danceable (as is shown in the humorous music video).

Fickle Friends Interview

Originally published on The Hullfire.

Brighton band Fickle Friends came to Hull for their first time ever to play a gig at local venue Fruit on Monday 7^th March. They are an exciting act recently picked up by Polydor records, who are utilising a range of instruments to make groovy indie pop tunes such as ‘Swim’ and ‘Say No More’. Tim and Ben from the Hullfire Radio show Alternative Agenda went to see them and got a chance to chat to Natti, Sam, Harry, Jack and Chris about their experiences on tour, their music and how the indie/alternative genre is changing.