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. 

Sound Of 2017

2017 looks to be the year of new music. Small UK bands are about to break through everywhere, festivals are being headlined by last year's favourites and some of our old favourites are back with brand new music.

 

Sundara Karma 'Youth Is Only Ever Fun In Retrospect'

Last week, I bought my first album of 2017. Sundara Karma's debut album 'Youth Is Only Ever Fun In Retrospect.' The album we have all waited for is finally ours to own.

 

Sound Of 2017 Playlist

A new year means new music and 2017 looks to be huge. 

 

Celebrating new and upcoming musicians is what this blog does best. Full of my favourite tracks, from new artists and some old favourites, you've got near three hours of incredible music ahead.

You can check is out on Spotify (linked below) and on January 31st 23:30 (GMT) I'll be crowning my Sound of 2017.

Sound of 2017 Playlist

Interviewing MISS

Every time I create a playlist, there's always a stand out track. It's always a track that I love or a track which grabs a lot of your attention. This time it came curtsey of MISS and their latest track 'Can I Spend Christmas With You?'

 

 

I caught up with the band prior to the track's release to talk about inspirations, their plans for 2017 and what led them to self-produce all of their music.

Playlist For The Holidays

My two favourite seasons for music are spring and autumn. I'm not trying to be awkward when everyone else in the world seems to love summer and winter, but I have my reasons.

 

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.

Uncertainty : T In The Park 2017

Soundcloud Sunday : Eric Frisch

In my almost mourning state, I came across a video and band which reminded me of the two bands I championed in 2013. With a sound similar to Two Door Cinema Club and group, not-so-serious videos like Vampire Weekend, Eric Frisch just may have became my new favourite musician.

 

 

Soundcloud Sunday : Bitter's Kiss

I've found my way back onto the Soundcloud and straight onto Bitter's Kiss.

Getting Through Uni Playlist

I get very bored at uni. Even in a course I love, there is alot of time where I find mysef day dreaming or having a spare two hours to do nothing with between lectures. Naturally, I turned to music, this blog and decided to make a playlist encapsulating everything I'm currently listening to. (Of course, if I find other tracks I love I'll be adding them in too.)

 

Aptly named, my 'Getting Through Uni Playlist'.

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.

Crowded Stages and Chaos

01/09/2016

It's a new month.  

 

Reading And Leeds 2016

 

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

 

New track. New album. Same old You Me At Six.

938 days since their last release You Me At Six are back with a new single, new album and new(er) sound.

 

 

The Return Of You Me At Six

I have not written about this band in a long time. Mainly because they disappeared last July after the tweet, 'We'll Be Back'.

 

And true to their word, their back.

Summer Playlist

Photo : Samantha Karys for Shybutlovesmusic

To be honest I have no idea where half of this year has went. It has been a huge year for music with so many new releases and debut albums. After the somewhat success of my first summer/holiday playlist I decided it was time for another.

Hide & Seek Interview

Photo : Hide and Seek

Earlier this year I came across Hide & Seek. With only two live demo tracks on Soundcloud and a few videos on Youtube, it felt like a tease to say the least. I instantly wanted to see them live and, alike so many other fans, needed more music. 

 

Then their debut EP was announced.