Bands to watch 2010 – The Federals

27 January 2010

After a year in which folk and electropop ruled the roost it is about time that growling, thrashy rock and roll stuck its head above the parapet again – and The Federals are here to do just that.

Swaggering their way from York, and naming their influences as The Stooges, the White Stripes and BRMC – this four piece provide the snarling vocals, destroyed guitars, and moshable rhythms that should make you stand up and take notice. Violent, unruly and just what the music world needs at the moment – a great big fuck you to the overproduced pop of Mr Cowell.

[The Federals - MySpace | Facebook | Twitter | Last.fm]

The Federals – Transistor
The Federals – What’s Goin’ Around
The Federals – Automatic Breakdown

Download the whole Transistor EP for free HERE

The Rumble Strips & The Maccabees @ Hospital Club 26.01.10

By: Tim

27 January 2010

In: News & Leaks, Reviews

1 comment

Thanks to my lovely friend Tory I managed to get a last minute ticket to see The Rumble Strips (MySpace) and The Maccabees (MySpace) at the distinguished Hospital Club in Covent Garden last night. It was great to see these two back on the same bill again and this was part of the Barclaycard Mercury Prize Sessions which have hosted Noah and the Whale, Florence and the Machine and the Golden Silvers over the past few months.

I hadn’t been to the Hospital Club before, but I have to say its a fantastic venue, with great acoustics and impressive soundsystem, but I think I would be overexcited for any venue showcasing two of my favourite artists of the last four years. In fact, they were some of the earliest bands I featured here in those heady early days of 2006/7.

The Rumble Strips kicked off the gig and showcased a host of new songs which build on their unique blend of soaring horns, thumping drums and Charlie Waller’s voice that swoons with a soul well beyond his years. I’m always excited by a new Rumble Strips record – and with this taster their next will not disappoint.

The Rumble Strips – London

The Maccabees took over from where the Rumble Strips left off and played a host of favourites from their last record Wall of Arms, and the crowd started to have a little dance. Their brew of danceable rhythms and love ballads is infectious as always and personal favourite No Kind Words was a highlight of a consistently awesome evening.

The Maccabees – No Kind Words

Nu-folk artist Adelaide’s Cape touring with First Aid Kit and Alessi’s Ark

By: Lauren

24 January 2010

In: News & Leaks

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We’ve seen some great nu-folk musicians pop up over the past few years – Laura Marling, Mumford & Sons, Noah And The Whale and Johnny Flynn just to name a few – but there are still some brilliant new artists appearing, and the pace at which this ever-expanding ‘folk’ genre is mutating and refreshing itself looks set to continue well into 2010.

I’d wager that the magnificent Adelaide’s Cape is going to be a 2010 poster child for this particular ‘scene’, ‘movement’ or whatever other label we’re pegging on it this week.

If you haven’t heard him yet, head over to www.myspace.com/adelaidescape and take a listen to demo tracks ‘Curled’, ‘Belle’ and ‘Harbour’ – they’re definitely something special. Adelaide’s Cape has even been kind enough to provide us with a free download MP3 download, available by clicking here.

Better yet, Adelaide’s Cape is hitting the road on a range of tour dates supporting Alessi’s Ark, Rachael Dadd and First Aid Kit, as detailed below…

6 Feb Union Chapel (midday gig), London
6 Feb The Luminaire (evening gig), London
7 Feb The Old Queen’s Head, London
10 Feb Moles Club, Bath
12 Feb Cube Cinema, Bristol
14 Feb Portland Arms, Cambridge
18 Feb The Birdcage, Norwich
20 Feb The Hope, Brighton
21 Feb Nation of Shopkeepers, Leeds
22 Feb Bungalows & Bears, Sheffield
24 Feb The Basement, York
28 Feb Hamptons Bar, Southampton
1 Mar The Hawley Arms, London
2 Mar Norwich Arts Centre, Norwich
6 Mar EP Launch @ The Luminaire, London
7 Mar Hamptons Bar, Southampton
8 Mar Instore @ Puregroove, London

Adelaide’s Cape is guaranteed to be one to watch this year, so make sure you jump on the bandwagon and check out this wonderful gent now. Become a fan on Facebook by clicking here.

MP3: Adelaide’s Cape - Curled