One of the best things about running a studio and playing in a band, is that I get to meet a lot of musicians and see a lot of new artsist, before the rest of the population. I had a conversation with my kids, where they accused me of 'only listening to legacy bands'. I was quite irritated by this, as it clearly showed they don't pay attention. So here is a list of some of the best artists I've discovered.
1. Voodoo Radio. This band are a daugher/father duo Paige and Tony who play bubbly, energetic punk rock. I first came across them when Paige was auditioning for a West End show at our studios. She told me they were playing at Guildford, I checked them out and was blown away.
2. Wine Mom. This Dublin band supported The False Dots at The Dublin Castle. We loved them so much we went to see them at The Social the following Tuesday. Think Janis Joplin at her best. I think they'll do really well when they get a good producer and a decent video, well worth watching. My tip for 2025
3. Inbetween Honey. Another Irish band, these guys supported us at Dublin Castle and we thought they were great. They brought the family down and packed the gig out! A great bunch and a top notch band.
4. Soviet Underground. A truly different band, celebrating the underground music scene of the Soviet Union in the 1970's and 1980's. Pretty good if you like a punky vibe. As someone who has always liked music that some may find a bit challenging, this was right up me street. We saw them at The Victoria in Dalston, a nice venue. I decided to go after I checked the venues listings after doing a blog on London's best grassroots venues.
5. The Teskey Brothers. Aussie band. Play a sort Philly soul set. Championed by Robert Elms and great value for money. The singer has one of the best voices you'll hear.
6. Hollie Cook. Daughter of Paul Cook from The Sex Pistols and studio regular. She is an accomplished Reggae artist and well worth a watch. Seen her half a dozen times and always enjoyable.
7. The Cinelli Brothers. Italian Blues band. Absolutely wonderful and well worth checking out if you like blues. I saw this lot at the Torrington Remembered venue in FInchley and thought they were great. Seen them a fair few times.
8. The Rails. A folky duo collaboration of James Walbourne (of The Pretenders) and Kami Thompson. Another favourite of Robert Elms. I went to see them at Boz Boorer's suggestion a few years back. Released three albums, active between 2014-2019. well worth checking out. Should've been massive.
9. The Midnite Crawlers. I'll declare an interest. I went to FCHS with singer Sam and also went to Orange Hill with Singer Paula. If you like a country/rockabilly mash up, you'll love this lot. Super band. Catch them if you can. Depsite knowing Sam and Paula for decades, the band is a post Covid creation. Getting well established on the cicrcuit.
10. Sunny War. Every so often, someone sends me a link and says "You must listen to this" often, it is clips of kids, partners, etc and it is awful. Sometimes though, it's brilliant. This is one such case. Absolutely brilliant and unique. I saw Sunny War at The Slaughtered Lamb a year or so back. She was amazing. Absolutely bonkers but totally unique. Only Sunny War could combine Minnie Ripperton & Crass and make it work!
So there's my choices. Please have a listen. Artists outside of the top rung get little support and it's a challenge to keep motivated. A little love goes a long way. I should know, I've been playing in a band for 45 years! I love it, but it takes a huge amount of work. Please have a listen to our last single. Very fitting today as it was my birthday on Thursday!
..
Cinelli Brothers are different gravy
ReplyDelete