Alternative Agenda: Fronteers Interview

Interviewed Hull band Fronteers, along with Hullfire podcast Hybrid, before their support slot for Pretty Vicious on 28th November at Welly. They’re a great bunch of lads and they’re definitely going places, making a name for the Hull music scene in the process. We played their single ‘It’s up to me now’ on the show the other week!

Live Review: Bloc Party // Albert Hall, Manchester 03.12.15

Originally posted on The Indiependent.

Bloc Party walk onto the stage – a reasonably modest size for a band that has headlined festival stages – at Manchester’s Albert Hall and the crowd erupts with jubilation. This is the sight of a band about to play their first UK gig with the new line-up. Their love for this band is clearly unwavering even after splitting in two. Former drummer Matt Tong and bassist Gordon Moakes are not present but in their place is drummer Louise Bartle and Bassist Justin Harris. To say they are worthy

Alternative Agenda: Pretty Vicious Interview

I interviewed the Welsh band Pretty Vicious for Alternative Agenda on Hullfire Radio, before their gig at Welly. We talk about the rising popularity of the band which has included support slots with the likes of the Vaccines. There are also interesting stories about gigs they’ve played, from Cardiff Castle to Japan and also their experience of playing in Paris on the night of the terrorist attacks. The interview is below.

Single Review: Seems Like a Good Time // Racing Glaciers

Originally posted on The Indiependent.

Racing Glaciers’ latest single is a grandiose rock song with heavy undertones; a change to some of their previous output, showing a band that is versatile and exciting. The North-west five-piece has steadily built up a roster of musically impressive and anthemic indie-rock tracks over the last couple of years which definitely places them on the bands to watch list. Earlier songs are more hushed, emotional and slower paced, but none the less fantastic tunes.

Album Review: The Making Of // The Bohicas

Originally posted on The Indiependent.

The Bohicas of Essex have released what seems like the extent of their simple, sharp and on the whole satisfying indie rock and roll in debut album The Making Of. They have made their presence known on the indie scene for the past year with singles like ‘Swarm’ and ‘Where You At’ and appear to be on a similar path to British rock bands of recent years such as Catfish and the Bottlemen and Circa Waves. On the surface The Bohicas’ music has a similar swagger and home grown confidence to even the likes of Arctic Monkeys or Kasabian and the band has the style to match, but dig deeper and it unfortunately lacks the lyrical quality or character

Single Review: I Am // AWOLNATION

Originally posted on The Indiependent.

‘I Am’ is the latest boundary pushing single to come from the musician and multi-instrumentalist Aaron Bruno, following the release of AWOLNATION’s second album, Run. Most famous for the hit single ‘Sail’, ‘I Am’ has elements that are very similar to that song, with electronic backing and powerful, varied vocals taking a prominent place. However, in other ways it is very different and showcases the creative and experimental nature of AWOLNATION’s music.

Live Review: Coasts // Fruit, Hull, 03.06.15

Originally posted on The Indiependent.

On the second date of their so called ‘Coastal tour’, Coasts – who recently returned from a successful tour in America – paid a visit to Hull, at a reasonably crowded Fruit. The dockside venue is part of an area increasingly recognised as one of springs of culture that are emerging in Hull, in the run up to its inauguration as City of Culture in 2017. Whilst still a small venue, it is perfectly suited to gigs like this one and should have a great future ahead of it. Just like Coasts in fact, whose musical quality, great sing along tunes and ability to put on an energetic show are sure signs that they are a band with great things ahead.

Album Review: Sometimes I Sit and Think, And Sometimes I Just Sit // Courtney Barnett

Originally posted on The Indiependent.

Courtney Barnett’s debut full length album combines the slacker pop-rock and conversational lyrics which have gained her international acclaim, into a diverse and colourful album. The singer/songwriter, from Melbourne, offers an Australian twang and deadpan wit to her songs that adds to the catchy radio friendly indie rock that features on the album. As well as this, throughout there are a number which are thoughtful and poignant, with deeper meanings apparently close to Barnett’s heart. These often slower and moodier tracks, like ‘Depreston’ and ‘Small Poppies’, offer a change of pace which may be unwelcome particularly if you were enjoying

Album Review: Undertow // Drenge

Originally posted on The Indiependent.

Drenge’s self-titled first album granted the Derbyshire two piece success at the head of a wave of similar blues inspired rock bands in the past few years. This has since been surpassed by the almost stratospheric rise of the equally loud Royal Blood, but their growing popularity has left them with the option to evolve their sound into an even stronger follow up record after a year on tour. Drenge, whilst introducing the Loveless brothers’ sound and song writing capabilities, was perhaps confined to a roster of angst driven, grungy garage tracks. Undertow has gone far and beyond this with a more expansive, ordered and flowing record.

Album Review: The Mindsweep // Enter Shikari

Originally posted on The Indiependent.

The Mindsweep is the genre defying Enter Shikari’s 4^th album and definitely their most expansive and accomplished. The St Albans quartet here showcase an eclectic mix of more intimate and stirring pieces, which surfaced on their previous album, and the rage and pounding beats and riffs that are characteristic of their music. Here they take this mix one step further and whilst this is largely an achievement in many places it can also be the albums main drawback. Equally characteristic of the band are the themes present in frontman Rou’s lyrics, for this is no less an album with a clear focus on political and social struggle and change.