Who We're Listening To This Month - February

As you can probably tell, last month we were still a bit hung up on our favourites from last year, but this is a new month and is all about new music, new artists and the tracks we've had on repeat since February 1st.

Starting with BBC Introducing's track of the week, from last week. It's called 'Little Amsterdam' and comes from Welsh four-piece Luna Bay. We love it a lot.

Airways Debut EP 'Starting To Spin'

Earlier this week, we were given the chance to listen to the debut EP from Airways before it was released. Titled 'Starting To Spin', we've seriously struggled not talking about it.

 

Co-produced by our favourites over in Nothing But Thieves, this EP is everything we could have wanted and more.

The Night Cafe : My Sound of 2017

Pretty Vicious were my sound of 2016. Hailing from Merthyr Tydfil, they were the one band I didn't stop talking about all of last year.

 

The small welsh band who played at BBC Introducing's Future Festival last year, are essentially about to let off a small bomb when they release their debut album later this year. With impending riots and chaos due to ensue the day the album drops, if the video for Cave Song is anything to go by,  I know they're going somewhere fast.

This time last year, with only one two track EP and a few singles, it was already clear things were going to kick off.

 

That was last year. 

FØNX

With a debut single as strong as ‘Hit Me Hard’, airplay on Radio 1 and Radio 6, BBC Introducing backing and performances at LeeFest, Barn on the Farm and Isle of Wright, I’m genuinely surprised more people aren’t talking about FØNX.

 

Two days before his BBC Introducing South set, I caught up with FØNX to talk about his new single, inspiration and the problems the music industry faces online.

Younger, Louder And On The Rise

In a small crowded room in Glasgow, I watched my favourite band take to the stage. The same band who I had spoken to earlier in the day, were about to play in one of the most historic music venues in the UK.

 

01/09/2016 Explained : Viola Beach

"What is your opinion on Viola Beach and their debut album? Do you think the right thing to do was release it to the public?"

The bands Maida Vale Session for BBC Introducing was my only time to hear them play live. Before I had watched their Sofar Session, days after it was published, and I love it but Madia Vale was broadcasted live, in real time. In all honesty, I didn't realise how good they were until that night. Up until that point, I had heard of them and knew the track 'Boys That Sing'. It was an 'earworm track', a song I couldn't get out of my head. Hearing that song live at Maida Vale proved to me how good they were. The session itself won me over. Once again, it made me remember why I love small bands, like Viola Beach. The bands who need to work their way up through tiny venues and are nowhere near sold out gigs. People who take music seriously but don't take themselves as seriously. The bands who have something to prove. The people who are content with a small gig and a tiny audience, as long as the audience enjoys it.

Reading And Leeds 2016

 

 When does summer end ? For me, its the end of Reading and Leeds.

 

Viola Beach: The Next Big Thing ?

Young, talented and ready to take on the world Viola Beach may just be the next 'big thing.' 

Pretty Vicious Hottest Record In The World

My favourite band once again are Welsh, this time its Pretty Vicious. Hailing from Merthyr Tydfil with a collective age of under 20, Pretty Vicious are going to be huge next year.

BBC Introducing 2015 Sucess and Going Stateside

 

BBC Introducing is special. This year more than ever, Introducing has came into its own, and maybe its the 'real way forward.' What started in Britain may be able to expand the music industry, far beyond our weather-beaten shores.

Broken Hands : The New Old Kasabian ?

 Broken Hands are the next 'going-to-be-huge' BBC Introducing band. 

 

 

Sunday Soundcloud ft. Ducking Punches, Clean Cut Kid and Lion Bark

Soundcloud is always full of surprises. Sometimes you find not alot that you like and sometimes you find a list of bands you just have to see live, even though you've literally only heard the first few seconds of their song. For me, its been the latter of the two. A pretty good week on Soundcloud.

Pretty Vicious Get Hot

BBC Introducing tent headliners at Glastonbury, Pretty Vicious take to the Radio One spotlight as Annie Mac's Hottest Record In The World. 

 

Pretty Vicious

For a long time my favourite Welsh export was Stereophonics, who became my second favourites after Catfish and the Bottlemen stole my heart, but now Pretty Vicious might change everything.

 

Their young, relentlessly indie-rock and quiet easily will become a huge band, taking over festival main stages, captivating audiences with their music and stealing the nations hearts.

Model Aeroplanes skywards success

With their heartfelt lyrics, tropical summer time feeling and growing success, for Model Aeroplanes the sky’s the limit. 

 

 

 Model Aeroplanes, Dundee's honest, loveable indie four piece, graced King Tuts on Tuesday night as part of their Scottish tour.

Catfish and the Bottlemen 'Rango'

If you've been listening to BBC Introducing you've probably heard the single 'Rango' from one of my favourite bands in the world Catfish and the Bottlemen.

Communion records yesterday announced the bands headline show in London for September - which I wish I was going to - and also they announced the bands single 'Rango' will be released on the 16th of September.

The band are playing Reading and Leeds which is incredible for them and they will be amazing sets to see if you get the chance. For me I'll be watching the sets online, wishing I was there.




This band are just incredible and hopefully they'll just get bigger and bigger.