My musical influences

I think my love for music has been influenced a lot by my dad. I have distinct memories of when I was a little kid, dancing in the living room to 'Brim Full Of Asha' by Cornershop and being lifted to the ceiling by my dad whenever the chorus of 'Lifting' by The Lighthouse Family came round. Being brought up on artists like Madness, The Specials, The Beatles, Talking Heads and various mod bands is probably why I'm more inclined to go for music with lots of guitars and rock or indie genres over pop or r&b tunes. That's not to say I don't like other genres, I'll happily listen to any music style if I'm in the right mood for it.

My dad always tells me about when he was younger, he was a in a band that played a few small gigs here and there. He especially like to talk about his brother, my uncle, who was in a band called Move To India. They were supposedly very good but they went their separate ways a while ago. Here's a  video of them that was broadcast on the BBC.

Some personal favourites from across the pond

The Blow
Mikhaela Yvonne Maricich is the only member of The Blow, electro-indie pop artist from Brooklyn. I would have to say my all time favourite song is 'Parethesis', a really upbeat tune that makes you want to belt out the lyrics. Music that makes you want to do a cheesy dance to Mikhaela is really doing something great here. Currently with K Records I would recommend their LP Paper Television if you're looking for some decent, happy, pop that isn't in the charts right now.

Manchester Orchestra
My friends are probably sick of hearing me rave about these guys, indie-rock band from Atlanta made up of Andy Hull (guitar and singer-songwriter), Robert McDowell (lead guitar), Chris Freeman (keyboard and percussion), Jonathan Corely (bass) and Tim Very (drums.) Their music has quite a melancholy feel to it with moving songs such as 'Play It Again Sam, You Don't Have Any Feathers', 'I Can Feel A Hot One' and 'Don't Let Them See You Cry'. They are becoming more well known having been played on Radio One and they recently played at Camdens XOYO. Currently with independant record label Favorite Gentlemen run by former drummer Jeremiah Edmond, they are releasing their new album 'Simple Math' on May 10th.

Azure Ray

Indie-folk duo from Alabama, made up of Maria Taylor and Orenda Fink. They have this dreamy sound that instantly makes you feel relaxed, they work really well together or as solo artists. I really love 'If You Fall' and  'Rest Your Eyes' with really sweet sounding lyrics such as 'So this is love, well that's a lovely thought. You have to care for it to keep it together.' Currently with Saddle Creek Records, they have also done numerous collaberations with Bright Eyes (singer-songwriter Conor Oberst.) 

Tribes

I first heard these guys playing at Shepherds Bush O2 Academy supporting indie-rock band from London, Mystery Jets in February. A three piece indie band from London consisting of Johnny Lloyd, Dan White and Miguel Koch. Their music has a relaxed feel to it and reminds me of Radioheads stuff from their album 'OK Computer'. They recently release the EP 'We Were Children' with Universal Island Records on itunes, I think it was a good buy for sure. I can't wait to see them again at Camdens Dingwalls in June and I'll be sure to update you on how that goes.

tribes- 'we were children' shoot

A few indie bands you should check out

Last night was awesome I went to see The View, an indie-rock band from Dundee, at Shepherds Bush O2 Academy. Even if I couldn't quite make out what Kyle, their frontman, was saying through the thick scottish accent they still managed to get the crowd dancing (and crowd surfing) with their upbeat songs. 'Shock Horror', 'Wasteland' and 'Girl' were probably my favourite songs of the night, the latter being from their new album Bread and Circuses which I would recommend to any indie lover.


Love In The Asylum
The first support act were another indie band called Love In The Asylum. These guys are from London and I was impressed from the moment they started their set. With songs like 'Pull The Plug' and 'Bumble Fish' they really make you feel happy and want to sing along, I would compare them to Northern Irish band Two Door Cinema Club. Their songs are currently only available to buy from their merch website (I've just ordered their homemade EP and I'm hoping it comes soon!) Four really talented muscians; Danne Dunne, Thomas Greene, Invisible Frank and Charlie Elliott. Check out their video 'Pull The Plug' with Francine Dancer in it, real dancing tekkers.

Sound Of Guns
Second support act of the night were a heavier indie-rock band from Liverpool called Sound Of Guns. Frontman Andy Metcalfe really knew how to excite the crowd, taking pictures of supporters on their cameras, answering peoples phones whilst singing and playing songs for 'the baldies'. Definitely something you can head-bang to, these guys are similar to The Pigeon Detectives. I'm really into their songs 'Alcatraz' and 'Bullets In The Bloodstream' at the moment. They signed to independant label Distiller Records and released their debut album 'What Came From Fire' in June 2010. Check out they're facebook page because they're giving away their EP 'Breakwater' for free.

The Start

I went to a gig last night and the bands supporting were pretty good, but I'd never heard of them before. I guess it kinda made me realise that there are tons of decent bands and artists out there that are unknown by too many people so I wanted to create a place where I can give honest opinions about them and put them out there so more people can listen. I wouldn't say I'm the most musically tuned person, I still get worried looks from my friends when I don't know the latest song in the charts, but I do love music and always have so this is my little project to find and promote local or less well known artists who deserve to have crowds that know the lyrics to their songs. The name probably suggests this is purely indie bands but I think 'decent music' is more apt for the kind of stuff that will be on here. By that I mean music that makes you feel something, makes you want to dance, cry, head-bang, hug someone, punch someone or just belt out the lyrics as loud as you can and a lot of that is probably down to personal taste so lets just hope mines good enough.