My Top 10's: Bombay Bicycle Tracks

10.) Beggars (A Different Kind Of Fix, Track 7)

9.) Overdone (So Long, See You Tomorrow, Track 1)

8.) Feel (So Long, See You Tomorrow, Track 8)

7.) Shuffle (A Different Kind Of Fix, Track 6)

6.) Always Like This (I Had The Blues But I Shook Them Loose, Track 6)

5.) Ivy And Gold (Flaws, Track 4)

4.) Dust On The Ground (Flaws, Track 3)

Searchlight: Bully

Who are they?
Bully are a rock band who formed in Nashville, Tennessee (USA) who formed in 2013. The band consists of Alicia Bognanno (vocals), Stewart Copeland (drums), Clayton Parker (guitar) and Reece Lazarus (bass). Bognanno had an internship at a Chicago record shop, when there she started recording demos. She then moved to Nashville and formed her own band after playing with a band called 'King Arthur' for a while.

How can their sound be described?
The band have a very grungy sound to them with big guitar riffs, crashing drums and open lyrics. They also have a punk element to much of their music. In an interview with Gigwise the lead singer spoke about people likening their sound to the 90's. She said "there is no intentional replication of the Nineties feeling... a lot of the artists I like and that influence me come out of that era so it makes sense that subsciously it would turn out like that".

Review: Beach House- Depression Cherry

Beach House are a duo from Baltimore, Maryland (USA) who formed in 2004. The band is made up of Victoria Legrand (vocals) and Alex Scally (guitar). They have a kind of dreamy sound to their music that's very recognisable. They use drum machines and the organ in many of their tracks.

Depression Cherry is the bands 5th studio album. In a recent interview with Here And Now, Victoria said that the new album is "full of many things. Love, pain, getting older, dealing with loss, letting go. It's really ultimately what the listener feels in response to it". This was in response to a question about the meaning of the album. One topic that is tackled though, and also included in the title, is depression.

The opening track of the album is 'Levitation', this contains a simple drum rhythm and organ sound with Legrand's airy vocals over the top. I like how melancholy the sound is and how it immerses you into a kind of imaginary world. The second track, 'Sparks' feels a bit too lackluster and open, it doesn't really have as much direction as I'd like it to. 'Space Song' is a really good track, I really like the chord progressions towards the start that set it up. I also like the synth hook that draws you in further coupled with the catchy chorus.

Review: Foals- What Went Down

Foals are a an indie rock band from Oxford, England. The band consists of Yanis Philippakis (lead vocals/lead guitar), Jack Bevan (drums), Jimmy Smith (rhythm guitar/synth/backing vocals), Walter Gervers (bass/sampler/backing vocals) and Edwin Congreave (keyboard/synth/backing vocals).

'What Went Down' is the fourth studio album that they have released. Previous releases from the band are 'Antidotes', (2008) 'Total Life Forever' (2010) and 'Holy Fire' (2013). Foals have received very positive reviews for their previous albums and singles and have built a large international fan base. They are also famed for intense live shows.

The opening track of the album is the title track, 'What Went Down'. This track is full of powerful riffs and poignant vocals. I really like how the track builds up with so many layers then slowly breaks back down again. The next track is 'Mountain At My Gates' which is the also the second single that was released from the project. This song is really catchy and has a recognisable melody to it that you can't help but nod along to.

Interview: Bloody Knees

I caught up with exciting new band Blood Knees, here is the interview:

Where and when did the band meet? 
"Sam and Brad met in primary School, da lolly man met the guys at Secondary School and Tom's known da lolly man all his life."
Can you describe the bands sound? 
"It's like so close to being so good." 
What were your main musical influences when growing up? 
"I think really boring stuff like Metallica, Queens of the Stone Age and Alkaline Trio. da lolly man really liked HIM."
Do you have a favourite venue to perform at? 
"ermmmmmmmmm one in Leeds. I can't remember what it was called. The venue was downstairs below a really nice restaurant. We got free food from the restaurant y'see. Underground Leeds Restaurant Venue." (The Wardrobe?)

Review: The Fratellis- Eyes Wide, Tongue Tied

The Fratellis are a Scotish indie/rock band who formed in 2005 in Glasgow. All the band members use stage names with the surname Fratelli, which was chosen because it's the criminal family's surname in The Goonies.

They achieved wide spread commercial success with their debut album, including two UK top ten hits with 'Chelsea Dagger' and 'Whistle For The Choir'. This success wasn't replicated to the same extent with their next album 'Here We Stand', and they took a three year hiatus from 2009. 'Eyes Wide, Tongue Tied' is the bands second album since returning from this break.

The first track on the album is 'Me And The Devil', this has a catchy opening piano piece and vocals. I like the chorus, with it's positive chord progressions and upbeat vocals. The second track on the album is where the folk/country sound that covers much of the album kicks in. This track is quite repetitive and annoying in parts, it also lacks the instrumental quality that can be seen on many tracks in the genre.

My Top 10's- Radiohead Tracks

10.) Paranoid Android (OK Computer, Track 2)

9.) High And Dry (The Bends, Track 3)

8.) A Wolf At The Door (Hail To The Thief, Track 14)

7.) Let Down (OK Computer, Track 5)

6.) The Reckoner (In Rainbows, Track 7)

5.) No Surprises (OK Computer, Track 10)

4.) Pyramid Song (Amnesiac, Track 2)

Review: Radkey- Dark Black Makeup

Radkey are a garage rock band from Missouri, United States. They formed in 2010 and are made up of the three brothers Dee (vocals/guitar), Isaiah (bass) and Solomon (drums) Radke. Although the band are quite heavy, they like to keep their tracks catchy lyrically and instrumentally.

The guys from the band were home-schooled together and their dad is their manager. In an interview with Noisey, the band explained how being home-schooled helped them to discover "cool muisc". This subsequently inspired them to form their own band.

The album begins with title track, 'Dark Black Makeup'. This track is lively and has a catchy chorus, I also like the multitude of layers that build up then break back down again at different points. It then transitions into the thunderous opening riff of 'Romance Dawn', before the vocals and main instrumental body of the track kick in. This track is faster than the previous track, making it feel much shorter than its 4 minute running time. The next track, 'Love Spills' is probably my favourite track on the album, it has succulent vocals and Arctic Monkeys style guitar riffs that are near perfect. The only bad thing I can say about this track is that I wish it was longer.

Review: Spector- Moth Boys

Spector are an indie/electronic band who formed in London in 2011. The band is made up of Fred Macpherson (vocals), Jed Cullen (guitar/synth) Thomas Shickle (bass) and Danny Blandy (drums). Since forming, the band have gathered quite a lot of media coverage. They were widely touted as the next big thing in British music and were nominated for BBC Radio 1's sound of 2012 poll.

'Moth Boys' is the bands second studio album after 2012's 'Enjoy It While It Lasts'. Their last album didn't gain as much commercial success as expected and they didn't really live up to the hype that some journalists were surrounding them with.

This album begins with the track 'All The Sad Young Men', this track starts off brooding and downbeat. It then builds into a glorious chorus with a catchy synth line and vocals. It then flows into 'Stay High' which is a smooth and well put together track. I like how the big sound of the chorus contrasts with the slower introduction and bridge sections of the track.

Searchlight: Superfood

Who are they?
Superfood are a four piece indie band from Birmingham. The band is made up of Dominic Ganderton (vocals/guitar), Ryan Malcom (guitar), Emily Baker (bass) and Carl Griffin (drums).

How can their sound be described?
Their music is full of energy and their lyrics are clever and witty. They have a lot of really catchy hooks and an uptempo rhythm. This sound can be likened to 90's Britpop in many ways, which is a genre that they have clearly taken a lot of inspiration from.  

What's their role in the B-town scene?
The band play quite a big role in the thriving music scene in Birmingham alongside Peace, Swim Deep and Jaws. This scene is really exciting at the moment, spawning a stream of fresh, new bands with a lot of potential. The core of this scene is Digbeth where there is regular events on that promote local talent. Dom, the lead singer from Superfood helped to produce early demos for both Peace and Swim Deep, showing the community aspect of the scene.

Review: Frankie & The Heartstrings- Decency

Frankie & the Heartstrings are an indie band that formed in Sunderland in 2008. The band slowly formed around Frankie Francis (vocals) and Michael McKnight (guitar) with multiple line-up changes occurring before reaching its current roster. Frankie started off as a bassist, but changed to vocals when the other members told him he was no good at playing the bass.

Decency is the bands third studio album after 2011's 'Hunger' and 2013's 'The Days Run Away'. The band have gained relative success in recent years, playing support slots for such bands as The Futureheads and The Vaccines. They have also had their own UK headline tours and played shows across Europe, New York and Tokyo.

The album opens with the 42 second long 'Peterborough Dogs'. The next track is the title track, 'Decency', this track is very upbeat and happy sounding. This is a good start to the album in my opinion, it sets the pace and tells listeners what they can hope to hear as the album carries on. 'Think Yourself Lucky' and 'Save It For Tonight' are both similarly uptempo tracks that are vocally and instrumentally very classy  and well executed. They are both riff heavy and the prior track incorporates brass into the chorus.

Interview: Best Friends

Best Friends are a garage band who formed in Sheffield. I spoke to Lewis, the singer/guitarist from the band.  

How did the band meet and how long have you known each other?
"In a pretty boring way really, we started late 2010 after meeting when we all went to uni in Sheffield. I knew Tom a little bit from Norwich as we're both from close to there, Tom lived in a flat with Ed in halls and I met Jack through skateboarding and he was on the same course as Ed. Jack left to travel the world last year so Jonny slotted in on drums nicely. Or maybe we were put together in secret on the X factor after going to Brit school. I find it hard to remember now."

What is the music scene like in Sheffield at the moment?
"From day one other bands in Sheffield helped us out with recording and helping us learn how to play shows and put things out there. We started out knowing fuck all about anything. It truly is a community of people helping each other out cause its fun. Last year Ed and our friends in other Sheffield bands built Delicious Clam studios, and now we can give back in the same way we were helped out. Delicious Clam is a collective, and its a way of being able to record each other, our friends and put them out there. Its really important when you're starting out to have that. Studio time is expensive. If we can use our little bit of success to point them in the direction of the Clam and help our friends along, its a really great thing. Listen to Long Limbs, Thee Mightees, Thumbuster, Nai Harvest, Avida Dollars, Radical Boy, Pet Rock and Fruitbomb. Toot toot!"

Review: KNYTE: KNYTE

KNYTE is a alternative solo artist from Edmonton, Alberta (Canada). He has had seen some success in the past from scoring and writing original songs for short films, however he has more of a desire to create things for himself. He has taken lots of inspiration from alternative, electronic and pop/r&b music to shape his sound.

According to KNYTE himself, he has attempted to create a modern art piece where image, sound and writing all fit together. He has written and produced this album himself to try and realise this vision to a greater extent.

The album starts with a track called 'The Sun', it has a cool wobbly intro that's electronic based. His vocals are well executed, and there is a catchy chorus section. This then leads into 'Neon Lights'. For me this track feels a little rushed with the vocals not quite fitting with the instrumental, this is especially the case at the start of the song.

My Top 10's- The Strokes Tracks

10.) Is This It (Is This It- track 1)

9.) One Way Trigger (Comedown Machine- track 3)

8.) Last Nite (Is This It- track 7)

7.) Juicebox (First Impressions Of Earth- track 2)

6.) Tap Out (Comedown Machine- track 1)

5.) 12:51 (Room On Fire)

4.) New York City Cops (Is This It- track 9)

Searchlight: Dune Rats

Who are they?
Dune Rats are from Brisbane, Australia. They are a rock band that were originally a duet consisting of Danny Beausa (guitar/vocals) and BC Michaels (drums). They then became a three piece as Brett Jansch (bass), from Bleeding Knees Club, joined.

How can their sound be described?
Their sound can be described as surfer rock, with loud guitars and drums. The tracks keep travelling in new directions as Beausa's vocals power through the noise. They sing songs about light hearted topics with no real emotions being touched

What other projects have they been working on?
As previously mentioned, the bassist is also a part of Australian garage rock band, Bleeding Knees Club. The band have also made a short TV show on their YouTube channel called 'DUNIES TV', this documents their tour shenanigans over four episodes.

My Top 10's- Arctic Monkeys Tracks

10.) Teddy Picker (Favourite Worst Nightmare- track 2)

9.) Dangerous Animals (Humbug- track 3)

8.) Piledrive Waltz (Suck It And See- track 9)

7.) Crying Lightning (Humbug- track 2)

6.) 505 (Favourite Worst Nightmare- track 12)

5.) When The Sun Goes Down (Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not- track 11)

4.) R U Mine? (AM- track 2)

Searchlight: Wolf Alice

Who Are They?
Wolf Alice are a four piece band consisting of Ellie Rowsell (vocals/guitar), Joff Odie (guitar/vocals), Theo Ellis (bass) and Joel Amey (drums). They formed in North London in 2010 as the acoustic duet of Rowsell and Odie. Later they changed line-ups a few times and converted to a more electric sound.

How could their sound be described?
They have quite a heavy rocky sound but they change tempo on many of their tracks, slowing down to a halt, just leaving Rowsell's haunting vocals. This changeable sound makes for interesting listening. The band beautifully craft the soft sounding vocals of both Rowsell and Odie with grungy guitars and drums in a way that keeps you guessing.

Review: Mac Demarco- Another One

Mac Demarco is a singer-songwriter from British Colombia, Canada. After being in a number of different bands growing up, he turned solo when he moved to Montreal in 2011.

He has been prolific in his relatively short solo career. 'Another One' is Demarco's fourth studio album, after 'Rock and Roll Night Club', '2' and 'Salad Days'. Mac Demarco is known for his laid back musical style, touted by some as 'slacker rock'.

The album begins with the track 'The Way You Love Her'. This track has all the elements of Mac's regular sound and is a good point to set the rest of the album up. This opening track is by no means one of his best though. The next track, 'Another One' is perhaps my favorite on the album with it's catchy guitar riffs and vocals. This sound is carried over to 'No Other Heart' which has dreamy guitars that are a joy to listen to.

Searchlight- Courtney Barnett

Who is she?
Courtney Barnett is singer-songwriter from Melbourne, Australia. She was a member of a garage grunge band ('Rapid Transit') and a psych/country band ('Immigrant Union'). She then starting her own record label, Milk! Records, to release her debut EP. The genres of her previous bands can be heard in the makeup of her solo music.

In an interview with The Guardian she revealed that she didn't start singing until she was 19 because it was too 'scary'. this anxiety coupled with bouts of depression has been mentioned in songs from Barnett in the past.

What's her style of play?
She has a very effortless sounding style of play with lyrics that seem to ramble on. This isn't actually the case though, with lyrics being carefully carved to explicitly tell a story. The stories she writes are about everyday situations, emotions and happenings that are very relatable.

Searchlight: Twin Peaks

Who are they?

Twin Peaks are a garage rock band from Chicago, Illinois (USA). Cadien Lake James (vocals/guitars), Clay Frankel (guitars), Jack Dolan (bass), Colin Croom (keyboards) and Connor Brodner (drums) formed the band in 2009 while at high school together.
The band recorded their first record, 'Sunken' in James' basement in 2012, before it was released on Autumn Tone Records in 2013. They are now on Grand Jury Music, an independent record label based in New York.

What's their style of play?
Twin Peaks have a very varied sound that takes inspiration mainly from punk, classic rock and some psychedelia. They take a lot of sounds from late 60's/early 70's but include their own contemporary twist. When playing live the band have a lot of energy as they jump around the stage, whipping the crowd into a frenzy.