Arts & Entertainment

Listen Up - Bands to Watch Vol.1

By tim ⋅ March 27, 2008 ⋅  Email this post ⋅  Print this post ⋅ Post a comment

Welcome to the music section of The Supplement
Here we plan to showcase the best newly signed and unsigned upcoming bands and DJs that would be a great addition o everyone’s iPod. It is done in conjunction with TheBlueWalrus, which offers downloads of a variety of the bands and artists featured. So without further ado, enjoy:-

Noah and the Whale
These guys have been making a name for themselves for creating beautifully crafted folk pop, singing about the traditional ideas of love, loss drinking, zoo visits and James Dean impersonations. Some of their songs may start off as slow ballads, but there is always a happy, clappy delight to follow that you will want to be listening to whenever the sun comes out. They have only released a couple of singles on Young & Lost Club so far, but expect to catch them, possibly with a little help from Laura Marling, at a number of festivals over the summer.

Listen: 5 Years Time [YouTube]
http://www.myspace.com/noahandthewhale

Friends of the Bride
Sounding like they’ve come straight out of the 1960s and looking sharp in snazzy sports coats, these crooners add a modern twist to the sounds that made London swing half a century ago and make you want to find your dancing shoes. Catchy rhythms and crooning vocals that wouldn’t sound out of place in Bugsy Malone are blended together to create songs that will make you want to dig out your dancing shoes. Only a few singles are available to buy via Young & Lost Club and Brainlove, but you want to hear them live for the full experience.

Listen: So, You Think You Can Dance [YouTube]
http://www.myspace.com/friendsofthebride

Broken Records
Glasgow generally gets the credit for the birthplace of great Scottish bands, but Broken Records from Edinburgh are evening that up a bit. Their influences shine through with some elements of Scottish folk, a vocal drawl that is reminiscent of Johnny Cash and a climatic elegance like Sigur Ros which they develop into their own unique style. You can pick up their EP from their MySpace or at their live shows and catch them at the Bongo Club when they come home in April.

Listen: Slow Parade [MP3 via TheBlueWalrus]
http://www.myspace.com/brokenrecordsedinburgh

The Moths
The Moths are getting major label interest and for good reason after winning a RockSellout unsigned competition and doing sessions for XFM. With just a singer, a guitarist and a keyboard player over a drum machine they offer exciting, growling punk pop with influences from ranging from the Buzzcocks to the Killers. So far they have only released a triple A-side (yes that means three awesome tunes for the price of one) on Fandango, and have plenty to download on RCRD.LBL.

Listen: Valentine [MP3 via RCRD.LBL]
http://www.myspace.com/themothsuk

Bag Raiders
If electro is more your thing you need to get hold of the dirty growling beats that is currently coming out of Australia with the Bag Raiders. Think a heavier version of Daft Punk with all that synth dominated elctro goodness and beautifully crafted climaxes that make you want to hit the dancefloor. They have so far just released a fucking awesome 12” EP on Bang Gang that gives you a taste of their full breadth of styles from more poppy danceable disco of Fun Punch to the electro house of Nil By Mouth.

Listen: Nil By Mouth (Knightlife Remix) [MP3 via TheBlueWalrus]
http://www.myspace.com/bagraiders

We Are Terrorists
With all the great electro coming out of France on labels such as Ed Banger and Kitsune it is no surprise that neck of the woods. These guys are from around Lyon and unsigned but create some of the most catchy and danceable yet heavy electro that I’ve heard in a long time. You want this blearing from your speakers and you want it loud.

Listen: Western Spaghetti [MP3 via TheBlueWalrus]
http://www.myspace.com/weareterroristsmusic

Tags: band, dj, electro, Entertainment, indie, mp3, Music