Brighton Unsigned Magazine - May/Jun 13 - Issue 15

© ISSUE 15 • MAY/JUN 2013 • FREE

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This Month FEATURED ARTIST ROTAIT

LIVE REVIEW WOMANKIND @ THE BLIND TIGER PAGE

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LIVE REVIEW TOM STANIFORD E.P. LAUNCH @ THE GREEN DOOR STORE

MEADOWLANDS FESTIVAL

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E.P./ALBUM/VIDEO REVIEWS PAGE

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AudioBeach Studios

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OVERHEAD WIRES EDITORIAL PAGE

Brighton & Hove’s Affordable, Professional Recording Studio

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Unit 7 Lansdowne Mews, Hove, BN3 1FW

01273 252313

info@audiobeachstudios.com

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10am - 5pm Recording Session

£160

6pm - 12am Recording Session

£160

Nylon Sky - Clare Maguire - Amy Macdonald - Birdeatsbaby Pink Narcissus - Screama Ballerina - According to You Caitlin Stubbs - Buffo’s Wake - One Eskimo

Editor:

Deputy Editor:

Jordan Thomas

Steven Probets

Email: jordan@ brightonunsigned.co.uk

Proofreader: Alex Clouter

Front Cover:

Lindsey Davis Photography www.lindseydavisphotography.com

Website Design & Developement:

Jak Kimsey

www.brightonunsigned.co.uk

Writers:

Jordan Thomas Jessica O’ Loughlin Matt Upchuck Kaye Inglis Coralie Oddy Richard Ward Steven Probets Joe Hesketh

JOE HESKETH

LIVE EVENT REVIEW

@ FLAYS THE FLIP Womankind

pop and punk rock in aid of

@ THE BLIND TIGER • 23 MARCH 2013

Don’t let anyone say that alternative music is a lads-only club. It may only be recently that we’ve seen women like Adele, Amy and Florence take the reins of the music industry, but tonight’s Skief Promotions event at the Blind Tiger Club shows that even in the local scene, Beyonce may well be right: girls run the world. And boy, they do it well.

Simonne and the Dark Stars start to get things off to a splendid start. It’s not easy to emote from behind a keyboard, but singer Simonne Weeks, feathers adorning her distinctive hat, finds it no problem at all. At times she gestures emotively to the crowd on ‘Don’t Be Late’, others she’s full-blown assaulting her keyboard on ‘Phoenix Rising’. Also impressive is Jules Lawrence who capably switches from mini saxophone to harmonica, to what I can only describe as a “saw violin”. When the lights were lowered for ‘Love Like You Never’, the band’s mournful Amanda Palmerinspired melodies sounded just as elegant as the flowers adorning Simonne’s keyboard.

Next, Greymatter, who impressed the crowd already by travelling from Berkshire to perform tonight.

While they may lack the theatre of Simonne’s set, they make up for it in quirky humour, especially when vocalist Emma Kavanagh introduces bassist Julie Boyce: “She’ll fit you a good kitchen!” Indeed, the humour fits their Texas and Fleetwood Macesque tunes like a glove, and when Adele’s ‘Someone Like You’ is lended a lighter-hearted cover, it leads to perhaps the oddest dance-pit seen in a local gig for ages. Certainly put a smile on the audience’s faces.

And then, Screama Ballerina. Anyone who’s seen this Vaudeville punk band recently will tell you the same thing: Charlie O’Connor and her compadres are on fire right now. Bursting at the seams of

their vintage clothes with energy, their set tonight is tighter than a well-done corset and louder than pre-Country Life John Lydon. For a band with such a mischievous wit (see ‘Rich Kids’) they have a compelling tender side too, as seen on new track ‘Emmy’s Song’. But it’s the eccentricity that stands them out tonight, and when the frontline members start swaying on ‘Break The Mould’, it proves every bit as infectious throughout the crowd. This band’ll be going places fast.

Following Screama would be a tough task for any band, but thankfully Hana Piranha is more than capable of shouldering the burden. Certainly frontwoman Hana is every bit as eccentric when she exclaims at the start: “Hannibal Lector is the sexiest man around”. While their dark violin-infused rock doesn’t have the raw vitality of Screama’s set, tracks like ‘Sweetest Thing’ and ‘Hourglass’ are every bit as epic and impressive, while the virtuoso violin solos are note-for-note perfect. That the room is fuller than ever when this enigmatic group had finished was testament to the quality of their set, making this London-based quartet one to watch for sure.

Final verdict? £602 raised for the charity ‘Womankind’ that is dedicated to raising the status of women via direct involvement in the community.

Some genuinely great bands and dances/jigs aplenty - sounds like good fun to me.

Brighton Music Promotions * Music promotion * Blogging * Event promotion * Photography * Artist management

http://brightonmusicpromotions.com facebook.com/BrightonMusicPromotions twitter.com/BrightonMusicPr T. 07773 022 246 E. lenasarah.inglis@googlemail.com

STEVEN PROBETS

‘ELIZABETH’ E.P. LAUNCH @ THE MESMERIST THE FLIP FLAYS @ THE GREEN DOOR STORE • 31 MARCH 2013

A night of female fronted THE MESMERIST

Brighton Unsigned first became aware of the talent that is Tom Staniford as he stood in for a band that couldn’t make the Brighton Unsigned Presents gig on the 14th November 2011. Since then he has played our showcase gigs on three occasions, was our front page artist in August 2012, won a slot to play the Beach Break festival in 2012, did the soundtrack to the award winning film ‘City of Dreamers’ and has successfully gathered a large dedicated group of followers - among many other achievements.

So the chance to attend his second E.P. release launch gig was something we could not turn down - promoted by the highly regarded Lout Promotions.

WWW.TOMSTANIFORD.COM

WWW.SKIEFPROMOTIONS.ORG PRESENTS

LIVE EVENT REVIEW

To kick off the launch we were treated to the buttery tones of Jack Hooper, who sings with nothing else but his guitar. He can produce a great range of notes with his stunning voice and can easily get the audience transfixed in silence, leaving us with tingly feelings.

A great artist whose sensitive side comes across well with his passionate singing.

A full folk band offering in the name of House of Hats got us in the mood for the main event.

They were very much in tone with the crowd and had a great stage presence as if they were your mates before you even saw them live. It’s a great harmonious outfit with male and female lead and backing vocals. ‘Feel good’ summery folk.

Tom Staniford came onto the stage after a great warm up. The Green Door Store was full to capacity, classed as a sell out - showing how his music has attracted such a wealth of support in such a small amount of time of playing with us just over a year ago. Starting off with a favourite from his first E.P., the title track ‘Lesson Still Young’. Most of us could relate to this song that encompasses what love is about, how we can get entwined in love and how much it hurts when it is over and yet you feel there is more to be had. The fragile style and pleading nature of this song was enough to get anyone immersed. A fantastic song that would not sound out of place cranked up at a festival. Something that would not be out of place for Glastonbury in the style of a performance by Coldplay.

After a rapturous applause (littered with shouts of “Go Stani!” from the crowd) we were treated to a new song from the E.P. ‘Elizabeth’. ‘The Step That

I’m Still On’ is a great folky sounding song with a kind of limbo sounding hook. Taking things in your stride while others try to run ahead: “I’d like to see how fast these little men will run before they walk, and if they trip over their ego as they try to talk the talk”.

The classic cover that Tom has been singing since he started playing around Brighton, ‘Starlight’ is a great cover of a Sophie Ellis-Bextor song. It was almost unrecognisable, he really knew how to make this song his own and make it better than the original. Another cover was a song from The Cure ‘Just Like Heaven’ which really sat well with Tom’s incredible vocal performance as he sang solo. His taken style really does do these big artists justice and shows what a wide musical range he is capable of.

Cushioned in-between these two covers was ‘This Time Around’ from the new ‘Elizabeth’ E.P.. Again, a solo from Tom armed with a delightful cello. This is a touching song with the sombre tones of ending a relationship with someone.

After hearing the fantatsic ‘Forever Remember This’ we get to hear ‘Turning Pages’, a powerful track with a simple yet unforgettable chorus line.

From hearing this as an acoustic track in 2011 it was recorded for the first E.P. with a full band with keys, cello and drums. This really gave the track a lift, which is wonderful to hear live.

The crowd, obviously a bit intoxicated with alcohol (hey, it was a Bank Holiday) were eager to hear the new title track ‘Elizabeth’. What a special track it is. Having seen the impressive video on YouTube (incidentally directed by Tom himself ), Tom’s smooth and powerful vocals that we hear on his recordings were duplicated in the live environment.

With the extra special oomph of it being live.

The song started with an acoustic start, silencing the crowd; after hitching us into the song it just gradually builds and builds, taking the crowd to new levels throughout the song – I think this is what makes the song special. It builds in delicate ways and peaks to a fantastic end.

This was a fantastic performance from Tom and his band. Every note was felt and every song was a great example of Tom’s musical ability. The incredible way the music comes across live gives visions of stadium grade concerts. Tom’s music is touching, powerful, relaxed, thoughtful, and the fantastic crescendo at the end of some tracks makes the hairs stand up.

VIDEO/E.P. REVIEWS THE WYTCHES

VIDEO REVIEW - “DIGSAW” Genre: Surf / Doom The Wytches have spent the last casting strange spell over Brighton and further afield with their injured sounding psychedelic garage rock; indeed I was fortunate to see them at a Late Night Lingerie night a few months back and ended their set in somewhat of a disturbing trance. Their live set was compelling and energetic, their presence and swirling quicksand sound I thought would lend itself remarkably well to a video outing so when their single ‘Digsaw’ made a journey onto YouTube I was intrigued.

The video looks like it was shot forty years ago and has spent the last few decades festering in a dark vault waiting for the right time to surface. The song is a perfect example of sixties psychedelic, rhythmically edited to a montage of the band kicking around in sand, jumping to disorientating footage of the three of them banging out their noise in a small bedroom.

There is something very occult about the eerie reverb and cutaway shot of smoke and swirling patterns.

The three minutes passes as only a few seconds with the visual noise doing battle with the infectious sound for your attention. Kristian’s voice alone is enough to disturb anyone, sounding like an injured animal awaiting shock therapy whilst the chorus kicks into a full-blown distorted all-engulfing tirade of chaos.

Perhaps like any good piece of art it takes a few attempts for it all to sink in. I must have watched the video twenty times and still every view feels like the first. A remarkably welldirected video married perfectly in rhythm and style to the retro-LSD-soaked bedlam. The video, like the song, is great example of what these guys are capable of, celebrating unnerving psycho-rock infused with trauma and uncertainty. Of the many bands on the Brighton scene right now these guys are perhaps the most exciting.

WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/THEWYTCHES

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MATT UPCHUCK

MATT BLACK & THE EMULSIONS

E.P. REVIEW - “AND WHAT!” Genre: Punk Rock The Brighton punk scene took a large blow with the tragic disbanding of the Asbo Retards who had built up a respectful following of punk rockers everywhere but Matt Black and The Emulsions have continued the spirit of things with their latest E.P. offering.

The opening song ‘Revolution’ is a protest song based very much in the here and now. It’s rhythmic and well-phrased riff punches nicely between the attacks on Conservatism, capitalist greed and the threat of austerity. By the second and third songs, ‘Our Crime’ and ‘Break Down The Walls’ it is clear that MBaTE are the school of punk rock that takes what they do seriously whilst wearing their beliefs with pride. Musically there is a great blend of Rancid style choruses with running bass lines, Subhuman-style grit, odd Husker Du guitar parts and perhaps even a nod to the more modern protest styles of the King Blues.

Punk rock can too easily become a comfortable parody of itself but this E.P., like any proper punk rock, moves well beyond just slavish parody.

Capturing the excitement and chaos of a live show onto record (or mp3) is an age old problem, particularly for punk bands whose sound is geared towards live shows and although MBaTE do a great job of producing a great E.P. that sounds raw it remains the sort of clarity you expect from a record (or mp3 - okay I’ll stop saying that). This is a great E.P. but to their credit, like every good punk band, they do sound better live. It’s free to stream and only £2 to download and what with the predicted increase in cheap alcohol that won’t even get you a two-litre bottle of cider.

WWW.MATTBLACKANDTHEEMULSIONS.CO.UK

E.P. REVIEW

JESSICA O’ LOUGHLIN

Normanton Street’s second E.P., “All For You” shares some obvious similarities with their debut offering, while simultaneously displaying distinct differences which fans of their first E.P. will no doubt notice. Traits shared with the first album include the two main themes that run through the lyrical content: the everyday struggle of the working to middle classes and the continuous lusting after suitable ladies with which to exchange flirtatious text messages. It seems the members of Normanton Street have not had much luck in securing long term partners since their last E.P., meaning positions are open to be filled (no, this is not a euphemism).

Guidelines for the suitable candidate are set out on track 6 ‘The Plea’, which states that a “bird” is required who “wears tight, sexy clothes” and “likes some wine when she cooks”. If you think you fit the bill please E.P. REVIEW - “ALL FOR YOU” contact the boys directly. Tracks such as ‘The Rota’ and ‘Sweat Box Blues” Genre: Blues / Hip-hop / Soul are a throw back to their older E.P. - not just lyrically, but musically also; with jazzy trumpet riffs, catchy rhythm guitar hooks and strong percussion sections. This is while tracks such as ‘Painted It All’ and ‘Freeze Time Forever’ move away from the jazz and R ‘n’ B fusion of the afore-mentioned tracks to take on a less edgy, more simplistic, catchy and pop-driven style characteristic of certain laidback, beach music. The catchy rhythms and melodies of these tracks coupled with the one-dimensional lyrics serve to create songs that sneak all too easily into the confines of your head and get wedged there, possibly for days.

WWW.NORMANTONSTREET.CO.UK

VIDEO REVIEWS FRED OSKAR

VIDEO REVIEW - “JUST A HAIRCUT” Genre: Pop

JORDAN THOMAS

PAUL DIELLO

VIDEO REVIEW - “YOU LOSE” Genre: Pop / Folk

There is a rather simple, camp and fun video for this dance/pop track. Fred Oskar (formerly Simon Walton) releases his first single under his new name, bringing the same signature sound from his previous material but with an added edge. Featuring only himself as two characters in the video (one as himself, the other as a badly dressed woman), reminds of a similar humour to what Scissor Sisters would use in their videos. The last thirty seconds of the video is pretty bonkers, this part won’t be mentioned so you can have the element of surprise. It’s pretty weird, random and amusing. Watch it!

The latest video from Paul Diello shows of a fairytale theme with a slight camp flair. Setting the video in the woods, there is a theme of cards playing and doubles of Diello along with a mysterious woman. The track itself is slow yet catchy that gives an edge of fantasy and possibly mysterious. It’s great to chill out along to with interesting visuals and graphics from the video itself. It would be good to see if Diello comes out with similar videos in the future as it most certainly suits him and his material.

WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/FREDOSKARMUSIC

WWW.PAULDIELLO.COM

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E.P. REVIEW NICK WILLIAMS

E.P. REVIEW - “ANNIVERSAIRES” Genre: Folk

Nick Williams and his band have recently supported such acts as Willy Mason, The Magic Numbers and Brit Award winner Ben Howard. Now Nick and co have released a self-produced E.P., Anniversaries, a collection of four songs packed with emotion and acoustic ambience.

Anniversaries are something of an emotional journey and, perhaps as indicated by the misty forest cover art, that journey includes areas of darkness and light, hopelessness and hope.Vocal influences include Neil Young and Bon Iver, with a heavy nod to Mumford and Sons.

The lyrical style and theme of the opening song, the titular ‘Anniversaries’, has a dash of Death Cab For Cutie and Athlete about it. Nick has a lovely, softly-spoken vocal style, although the lead vocal occasionally gets a little lost in this track, which is perhaps more down to the mix than the abilities of clearly talented musicians.

VIDEO REVIEW CLASSIC PLASTIC

VIDEO REVIEW “BUCKET AND SPADE ESCAPADE” Genre: Indie / Alternative

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KAYE INGLIS

At times in this track the vocal harmonies – excellent on other parts of the E.P. – seem to be competing rather than complementing each other, again probably a mixing problem. ‘Anniversaries’ features some interesting and raw mandolin-picking and beautiful string work. Its intimate sound and lyrics seem to draw heavily on personal experience, making it a compelling opening track.

The second track, ‘Birthday Letters’, has a deep, dark and haunting start and is my favourite track on the E.P. Soft, hypnotic drumming draws you right into the track, which harks back to the folk style of Ewan McColl. The backing vocals are much more effective on this track, eerie and complementary. It’s the kind of drawn-out ballad you could easily imagine used on a US television series.

‘Ghost on the Water’ is also suitably haunting, with an opening that is ghostly indeed. Again there are lovely harmonies and some beautiful piano work, although again there is a slight issue with levels at points on this track as the piano is sometimes comparatively too loud compared with the vocal. Overall though, this is an excellent track that builds up with the addition of more instruments as the track progresses. It has a very eerie quality of voices you can hear whispered on the wind, but cannot quite make out.

The final track, ‘Closing Time’ (not to be mistaken for the Stereophonics’ song of the same name), has a sumptuous piano and vocal opening, which is more balanced than in ‘Ghosts on the Water’. Great observational lyrics, describing life after the pubs have kicked out, are further complemented by some suitably sad violin. This is the most theatrical piece of the E.P., with a stylistic nod to Marc Almond in the lyrics and vocal style at places.

An interesting modern folk E.P., well worth a listen.

WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/NICKWILLIAMSUK

JORDAN THOMAS

It’s refreshing to see a change in a new music video where they do not try to look expensive or groundbreaking.That said, this video is in the sense where it easily fits alongside music videos of the 90s BritPop era such as Oasis and Blur. Camera shots used (in a sort of community church hall) could remind you of ‘Last of The International Playboys’ by Morrissey. It is without a sense of pretence or hipster nonsense, the entire thing feels really genuine, especially as it suits the track, which is also very strongly BritPop. It even denies the usage of the usual widescreen, keeping it to the square box screen that we used to have.

It’s well recommended a watch.

ALBUM REVIEW MISHKIN FITZGERALD

E.P. REVIEW - “PRESENT COMPANY” Genre: Alternative

Best known from orchestral rock band Birdeatsbaby, punk pianist Mishkin Fitzgerald can certainly deliver gorgeous musicality. The dark demeanour of the cabaret quartet is lit up by her soulful vocals and playful patter on the keys, so I was excited to hear about her first solo project, Present Company, due out in May 2013.

I was surprised by Present Company, not least because both Skief Promoters, Larissa and myself, had appeared as extras in the music video for the title track without actually hearing any of the songs first. I’d expected the dark theatricality and grand cabaret flourishes as I knew from Birdeatsbaby; when we were making the video, and this seemed to be confirmed by the quirky elegance of the extras and the blood ‘n’ guts feel of the baying boxing crowd. So when we saw the finished video, the sombre, stripped down power of the title track was somewhat unexpected. The meandering simplicity at the start of Present Company beautifully creates an uneasy sense of loss, with the insistent drums and delicacy of Mishkin’s vocals in the second half building to a bleakly powerful climax and quiet, sorrowful finish. Thoughtful, absorbing and grounded in sad realities, this shows a new dimension to Mishkin’s talents.

Indeed, the whole album is different to Birdeatsbaby in terms of its tone and mood. There’s a compelling rawness and vulnerability to every track; it is as if Mishkin has not only stripped back the layers of her musical style, but also the trappings of her character. We know the flame haired, punk persona of Birdeatsbaby, spinning narratives drawn from dark fable and fantasy. ‘Present Company’ offers something quite different; the captivating and sometimes disconcerting sense of a real person laid bare, talking about the everyday darknesses of their life. The gently echoing synth on ‘I Want This’ contrasts with the purity

CORALIE ODDY WWW.SKIEFPROMOTIONS.ORG

of the vocals – I imagine this song as a snatch of thought late at night, as someone looks at their sleeping lover; a moment of clarity in a haze of fears and dreams. ‘My Body, A Bridge’ takes this theme still further. The sheer sparseness of instrumental melody belies a powerful composition, allowing the statement “You use my body as a bridge/To get your way” the space to stand alone, suggestive of the emotional strength and detachment needed to voice a realisation like that.

These themes of desire, loneliness and loss also resonate through ‘The Hanging Tree’, ‘Stitches’ and ‘Wide Eyed’, although this last has a more conventional indie pop feel to it, in pleasing contrast to the fragility and fearlessness of other tracks; some familiar recognition of heartbreak is good to have amongst the more deep seated resonances of being alone and being forced to stand apart. ‘Raise the Bar’ and ‘Sugarknife’ are far heavier and provide a headbanging counterpoint to the delicate introspection of Present Company. ‘Sugarknife’ is darkly seductive and uses piano, drums and guitar to gloriously gothic effect, while ‘Raise the Bar’ features She Makes War, producing a gloom infused pop track that thunders into a refrain to please any metal fan.

Final Verdict? This is a new direction for Mishkin (maybe a couple of new directions), and although a surprise in terms of musical style, I like where it’s going. Present Company is a hauntingly sparse and elegant album that deserves attention for its careful craft and fearlessness in the face of being alone, both thematically and, for Mishkin as a solo artist, quite literally.

MISHKIN’S ALBUM LAUNCH PARTY IS ON THE 1ST MAY 2013 @ KOMEDIA WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/MISHKINFITZGERALD WWW.MISHKINFITZGERALD.BANDCAMP.COM

WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/CLASSIC.PLASTIC.UK

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“Brighton provides a solid platform for independent musicians to share their music with a live audience.”

After previously being in a band named “The Cherries” in 2009, Jareth and Rosanna decided to get together as part of a duo who we now know as Rotait. Brighton Unsigned went to check them out.

Aside from their influences, how did they come up with the name? Rosanna replied, “We liked the idea of a band name that would reflect what we were going to do live at some point like rotate instruments on stage, as well as include both of our names (Tait)”. Strangely enough, this makes perfect sense!

Rotait have been (especially in the past year) growing more popular and well known within the Brighton music circuit, not just popular by good music but popular by personal relations within other musicians and promoters. In the underground music scene, this much is important. “It’s such a thriving music scene.

There are so many artists everywhere you turn. Such a wealth of independent musicians making great music in their bedroom.” But how do they fell themselves about playing in Brighton? “Luckily for us, Brighton provides a solid platform for independent musicians to share their music with a live audience. Thanks to the likes of musicophiles promoters like Rich and George from Overhead Wires, Chuck S J from Hush Hush and Mark Stack (Zooberon).”

As with any music scene, the important thing for any musician is to get contacts that can boost you up with more gig sets and word of mouth. So for budding musicians out there 10

starting out, Rosanna was asked how they got their foot in: “When we first landed in Brighton, we walked all the way up to The Lecturn (Lewes Road) which seemed like an eternity. We were in search of live music since someone had told us there would be some there. Unfortunately, there weren’t any when we got there so it felt like we’d walked all that distance in vain.

However, before we left, I asked the bar man about performing there and he gave me Rich’s (Overhead Wires) number, a couple of weeks later, a band cancelled on one of their nights so we ended playing.” Soon after, Overhead Wires and Rotait both became loyal with many gigs to come. Including supporting several times for The Long Goodbye as well as playing in the band. Like with most things, it came with perks.

“Alfie Bernardi (The Long Goodbye) has the coolest guitar shop in Brighton on Trafalgar St. All vintage stuff. I say this in the hope of getting free guitar strings!!” Rotait are also massive regulars with Zooberon, so how did they get into that also? “We managed to be part of Zooberon thanks to Mark Robbins (bassist of Simonne and The Dark Stars – Brighton Unsigned cover band of September 2012) who kindly recommended us to Mark Stack. Thanks Mark!!”

in their experience that is worth noticing and remembering? “Well, the first one that springs to mind is the making of our album’s title track ‘Sleep Tonight’. We filmed it in the cellar of a squat in Bruxelles which has formerly been a science laboratory”. A science laboratory you say?? “Yeah, it was very eerie down there with cages, toxic waste and all sorts of weird stuff lying around. It was great fun though.” You can check out the video on their website (link at the end). ‘Sleep Tonight’ has also been reviewed in a previous issue of Brighton Unsigned.

Rotait are planning to record a new E.P. this Summer, but while you wait for that, why not check out their monthly gig “Off the Cuff” which features Brighton top bands. Not to mention a couple more Rotait gigs; 17th May at ‘Hot Vox Presents’ at Camden Rock, London. Then on 23rd May at The Fiddlers Elbow in Brighton.

- Jordan Thomas

Check out www.rotait.co.uk for updates, videos and tracks. www.facebook.com/rotaitmusic

Aside from Rotait’s live achievements in little Brighton, what else has they done as a band 11

ELK

24th, 25th & 26th May 2013 www.meadowlandsfestival.com Summer is approaching and that can only mean one thing, a bunch of festivals are beckoning once again! Brighton Unsigned are proud to announce that we are covering Meadowlands 2013 from backstage as well as front of the stage. There are a lot of familiar artists as well as new ones so the following are who to watch out for!

Jordan Thomas gives the heads up on a few of the bands playing..

SIMONNE

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MEOW MEOWS The Meow Meows are a perfect choice of a band for a festival like Meadowlands. A 9-piece band playin g their own sound of ‘Ska ‘n’ Soul’, they are a fun band, upbeat and catchy. It is clear that this large band loves playing together and has a good laugh while they’re at it. Most noticeably is their track ‘Beep Beep!

Omelette!’, which is probably their most catchiest, dancealong-to and highly rhythmic song that is easy to imagine a bunch of festival goers dancing along to the catchy harmonies and brass. This is one act that Bright on Unsigned will definitely aim to cover.

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RICHARD WARD, THE FOUNDER OF OVERHEAD WIRES MUSIC, gives us insight about what he does for the brighton music scene and has advice for bands and artists tangled up in the brighton music scene.

“A mighty fine hello to readers of our favourite underground magazine and indeed readers of these characters of language of which I am digitally pouring into your eye sockets.

My name is Richard Ward, founder of local independent promotions/record/publishing label Overhead Wires Music.

The good folk of Brighton Unsigned have kindly allowed me to lease some of their coveted space to introduce ourselves and talk a bit about our experience on the music scene.

One of the important things that you should attend, along with gigs and festivals in this Brighton music scene, is the Brighton Music Awards. What’s better to celebrate our underground world of the immense talents we have? Started only recently in 2010, this is the third consecutive awards ceremony and is becoming well known and working close to local music companies and organisations.

Including us, Brighton Unsigned! Along with this we are proud to announce that we are sponsoring ‘Band of the Year’ award! We will also be covering the event for online videos including interviews and performances from winners and nominees alike, so be sure to keep yourselves up to date with us. Here are the following nominees for each main category with a few more at the event...

- Jordan Thomas (Editor)

- BAND OF THE YEAR SPONSORED BY

- KOVAK - SIMONNE & THE DARK STARS - DEAD REDS

- BEST VIDEO SPONSORED BY

- FRAGILE CREATURES - KITTEN & THE HIPS - KOVAK

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- BEST SOLO ARTIST SPONSORED BY

- SCARLETT QUINN - JACKO HOOPER - JENNIFER LEFT

- BEST DJ -

SPONSORED BY

- LUQUAS - GUY LLOYD - EDDIT THE GOATBOY

- BEST SONG SPONSORED BY

KOVAK – LIVING THE DREAM DEAD REDS – PEOPLE RISE KITTEN & THE HIPS – SHUT UP & DANCE

First and foremost, I must emphasize to any budding band, artist, promoter or writer that ANYTHING is possible. The value of hard work and determination should never ever be undermined or dismissed. If you want something – go out and get it; life is far too short not to. I came up with the notion of starting a label a bit over four years ago on a rainy Monday afternoon – just sat in my bedroom bricking the fact that I was finishing unie within a year with no actual plan afterwards.

I have always been a bit of a music enthusiast intrigued by it both musically and artistically, so inspired by the ‘grab life by the throat’ attitudes of Creation Records and Factory Records, and with a disdain for the sterilized corporate whitewash of the world – I just sort of did it.

It was announced to my housemates that I had seen a path. I had no money to my name (riddled with student debt even) and very little contacts or experience, but the passion and enthusiasm brewed inside me like a dozen Yorkshire tea bags.

Skip to 2013 and I’d like to think we’re doing alright. We manage a roster of bands, work with a range of venues and

pubs across Brighton to promote local artists, have put out some records, currently in the process of registering as a publisher for PRS and setting up an online record store.

The point I’m trying to get across is that you reap what you sow. If you want it, go get it mister. Sure, money helps but I think it’s pretty naïve and defeatist to think that it will just come to you and getting pissy when it doesn’t. Be relentless.

Work hard. Constructively analyze and criticize yourself.

Invest time. Speak out. Set goals. Plan targets. Build the full package. Entertain people. Meet people. Shine bright. BE a rock star.” - Richard Ward

Jipsy Magic grew from unrivalled support from Overhead Wires. Brighton based dance-funk quartet Jipsy Magic are playing dates around the UK in support of their forthcoming disco-groove single “Rumspringa”, culminating in what promises to be a blistering homecoming live set on 10th May at The Brunswick in Hove as part of Brighton’s Fringe Festival.

- BEST MUSIC VENUE SPONSORED BY

- GREEN DOOR STORE - CONCORDE 2 -THE BRUNSWICK

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