Brighton Unsigned - November 2011 - Issue 2

GUY LLOYD

THUNK INTERVIEW LIVE MUSIC REVIEWS GAVIN’S VIDEO PRODUCTION EP REVIEWS COVERAGE OF OUR LAUNCH GIG

© ISSUE 2 • NOV 11 • FREE

This Month The interest and feedback that gathered from the first issue has been brilliant - and I never thought so many people would end up loving this magazine this much. Also, thanks to everyone who turned up at the magazine’s Launch Night. The venue ended up packed, especially for Paperfaces (last month’s cover feature).

Talking of the Launch Night: we managed to raise £150 towards the printing costs of this issue - every penny counts! Why not come along to our next Brighton Unsigned night for more fantastic music and to raise (hopefully more!) money for the third issue?

Just like the first issue, we’ve found even more talented musicians in Brighton; more advice on video production covered and much more. Get to Facebook and ‘like’ our Brighton Unsigned fanpage for the latest news concerning the musicians featured, the magazine, pictures and live events! Enjoy!

Jordan – Editor

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GUY LLOYD’S BLOG

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JENNA BENNETT

HALF CROWN

GLASS CITY VICE

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9

8

HOLLAND

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THUNK INTERVIEW

MUSIC REVIEWS PAGE 14

LIVE REVIEWS PAGE 6

FILMING YOUR OWN MUSIC VIDEOS PT. 2

FEATURED BAND

Welcome to the second issue of Brighton Unsigned!

LAST MONTHS LAUNCH PAGE EVENT 13

MEOW MEOWS

THE NEW UNION

Luke Hytther & the Colour Club

SAM LELLIOTT

Editor: Jordan Thomas

Design: Steven Probets

Live Photography: Richard Chapman

Email: jordan@ brightonunsigned.co.uk

Proof Reader: James Ogilvie

Photographer & Interview: Donna Clark

Writers: Cindy Cheng (CC) Jessica O’Loughlin (JOL) Lauren Dyson (LD) Zak Reeves (ZR)

© ALL VISUAL DESIGN AND ARTICLE CONTENT IS COPYRIGHTED BY BRIGHTON UNSIGNED MAGAZINE 2011 AND RESPECTIVE RIGHTS ARE OWNED

Last month Gavin O’Mally-Richardson gave us insightful advice on how to get a team together to film what maybe your best music video production ever. If you missed last months article please email us for a free copy of the magazine. This month he is going to cover pre and post production techinques and everything inbetween...

Pre-production Gavin knows better than anyone the demands of producing high quality content - and preproduction is key to success.

“It’s all about being prepared for the shoot and knowing what you want. Do you want a stylized video that requires a studio shoot and lots of lights, or do you need a party atmosphere and a beach?”

The pre-production stage should take care of all the logistics, the location, any extras that may be required to be on camera, crew and equipment - all while working to a budget and a deadline. Also, this is the stage where the ideas need to be locked down and the video should be storyboarded - ensuring that everything is prepared (as best as it can be) for the shooting day.

Use the time available before the shoot for rehearsals, choreography and any lip syncing that may be required. After all, this is your video - and if you are paying for it, then it’s well worth investing some time in this area.

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Lights, Camera, Action!

“A shoot can be manic, exciting, stressful and long - but one thing it’s not is dull.” says Gavin. “Not only have you got your work cut out with what you have planned to shoot on the day - you also have to deal with the unexpected. This is where the skills of a producer and a dedicated team will shine through. I’ve been on a shoot where we needed additional lights, but once we powered them up along with a smoke machine the power went down. I had been loaned the location and couldn’t get hold of the owners, so it was down to me to get it sorted. I ended up splitting the power and using the mains in the building next door along with replacing a lot of fuses, but we got the shoot finished and it was all down to being able to think on my feet.”

What can you do to help the shoot? Be punctual and get some sleep the night before. “I work with HD cameras and if you have bloodshot eyes from the night before, then it’s going to show up!”

Post-production

PART TWO Gavin O’Mally-Richardson

MUSIC VIDEO PRODUCTION

So the video has been shot and now it needs to be cut - bring on the edit suite. “This is a skill in itself” Gavin tells us. “A good editor can turn those shots into a masterpiece, apply a grade to the film and give it that big budget feel.” He adds “Editing is an amazingly creative process - and personally, I enjoy laying down the music and cutting the video, adding grading and then seeing it delivered and on-line - it’s a great experience.”

In the beginning, it is important to establish how much time you are getting in the edit suite for your money. It is not a quick process to cut a video well - it takes time. You should expect to get a rough cut first; this gives you an opportunity to see how the video is progressing and to discuss any changes that you want to make. After the 2nd edit you should be pretty close to the finish line with only a few more tweaks. It is at these final stages that the relationship can be tested, Gavin tells us. “There has to be some give and take here. This is a creative process and we are all working together to produce the best video that we can. Changes can be made, but one thing I can’t do is add what we haven’t shot. However, there is usually a Well that sums up the basic process and if done way to work around properly you should have a quality HD Music Video in any noticeable imperfections your hands ready to go anywhere. The next step is to or for a video to take on a get it out there. If you need any help in any production slightly different feel. It’s all contact me at my website below... about communication and putting the music first.”

Gavin O’Mally-Richardson www.visbros.co.uk 5

LIVE REVIEWS

Jessica O’Loughlin

LIVE REVIEWS

JENNA BENNETT Genre: Acoustic / Lyrical

www.facebook.com/jennabennettmusic 6

@ The Latest Music Bar

Five unassuming chaps in skinny jeans, white t-shirts and tattooed arms start setting up stage on a quiet Sunday night with only a handful of people watching. As they tune up four guitars, a keyboard, laptop and drums, they play to a few hangers-on that stuck around after Anagrams ripped up the stage before them. If only those who had already left the building knew what they were about to miss, they would have hung around those few minutes longer. As a soft enigmatic voice pleaded over heavy, powerful instruments we were formally introduced to what newly formed Holland were all about. They boast an original style which is incomparable to

www.thisisholland.co.uk It’s not easy to warm up a crowd, especially when the band you’re warming up for is as hyped up and talked about as Brother and Bones. So when Jenna Bennett, bright and bubbly and full of fresh enthusiasm stepped on stage and affably greeted the chattering crowd, whipped out her guitar and sung over the hum with everything she had, I was impressed at how quickly the crowd warmed

Genre: Funk / Indie Rock / Rap

@ The Green Door Store

any band in particular but at the same time weirdly familiar. After the first tune, the boys asked the sound guy to turn up the bass and I was glad he did so as it demonstrated the significance of the smooth, melodic bass lines riding over the crashing rhythms of the guitars. For the rest of the gig soft, moody, melancholic vocals lead deceptively into harrowing explosions of drum fills and cymbal crashes, roaring guitar hooks and catchy synth sounds. And the band got just as much caught up in the crescendo as the crowd did - and we were all swept along in a bitter sweet trance. However, it would be nice if they snapped out of their trance every now and then and spoke to the crowd. Oh well, I guess you can’t have it all.

HALF CROWN

to her. Bennett was accompanied by two female backing vocalists who added just the right amount of complement to her voice. The three demure, sophisticated (and it must be said, attractive) ladies gave a loose and natural performance that lacked arrogance and pretension and was all about the music instead. Bennett’s song writing incorporates rhythmic, folksy guitar skills with authentic and up-front lyrics sung in a vocal style similar to Florence Welsh or Ani Di Franco. Playing an all acoustic set without her usual full band, Bennett hardly needed any accompaniment at all as her voice tore through the crowd with the kind of mighty, immense vocals that you can but ignore. After a short set, Jenna left the crowd wanting more. In the ladies toilets afterwards, I heard from behind my cubicle door that the usual topic of missing toilet paper and mascara mishaps were replaced by talk of Jenna Bennett and her irrefutably bright future.

GLASS CITY VICE Genre: Funk / Indie Rock / Rap

@ The Pav Tav

If you like your music served raw, real and unpolished, then Half Crown are the boys for you. Incorporating Indie-rock, funk and rap in an upbeat, energetic and care-free manner, this group promises an original and enjoyable live music experience. A word to the wise: this is the kind of act that is best enjoyed while flinging yourself about in a big crowd of fellow mental cases. Unfortunately the small crowd at the Pav Tav were a little too sensible for this and when rapper Louie Syred sent orders to jump, the crowd apparently heard “don’t move”. It is possible however that the crowd were paralysed with awe and astonishment at Syred’s unexpected lyrical mastery and vocal velocity. The man can spit rhymes with incredible speed and style that has to be seen to be believed. Their set involved a mixture of covers and originals but it has to be said that the original songs greatly out-shone the covers. Original songs like ‘Hold your Horses’ and ‘Blues’ really show off the bands unique style and edge. Keep writing original stuff, lads!

www.myspace.com/halfcrownband

Glass City Vice - I’m sure you’ll agree - is a pretty cool name. And this band is certainly both “pretty” and “cool”.

Their music is current and of the popular variety; their lead singer is the “pin-up on your wall and drool over” type and they come with an entourage of young and “cool” followers who know all their words and aren’t afraid to demonstrate it. The band were showcasing a new bass player who was giving it socks on stage trying his darnedest to prove himself - and doing a good job of it. The rest of the band was not afraid to rock out on stage either, making these guys fun and enjoyable to witness.

The lead singer is not just a pretty face either; not only can he hold a note but he is confident and chatty and knows how to build rapport with the crowd. They have the kind of sound that is heavy enough to be exciting, but not too in your face - a rocky sound with catchy melodies. The singer and guitarist mix vocals creating some very nice two part harmonies.

Their songs use a clever blend of varying volume as they intersperse rock heavy with lighter layers. With a well rehearsed and easy to listen to sound, this is the kind of music that is very easy to get into.

www.facebook.com/glasscityvice @ The Prince Albert 7

GUY LLOYD.. .. THE STONE ROSES So The Stone Roses are on. The band announced yesterday that they’d do a couple of gigs in Manchester and then an “extensive” World Tour. I hope this includes the Pav Tav in Brighton. The rumours have been circulating ever since the band split up and it seemed Ian Brown and John Squire were the most resistant to the reunion. Brown has carved quite a solo career out for himself and Squire has been focused on his art (don’t they just splash a bit of paint around?).

But how do I feel about this? I have to say I’ve always been resistant to any band reunion. I’m always suspicious as to the reasons why - and I if I genuinely love the band, as I do The Stone Roses, I really don’t want to see them fail. It’s part nostalgia, part feeling protective of the band itself, the former always being more romantic, albeit through rose tinted glasses (as I believe Ian Brown wore back in the day).

However despite this - I have to say - I was mildly excited when the news started filtering through Twitter over the weekend. And when the press conference was confirmed and they actually turned up, as the original four-piece, I just wanted them to do it and do it well.

Before I knew it I was listening to their stunning debut album (still my favourite album of all time) and texting my friends from the “baggy years” to urge them to buy a ticket come Friday.

They were never a great live band but when they were on it, they were hard to beat. It was always more about the swagger and the times and the Roses arrived at a time when dance and indie got in to bed and made sweet and sweaty love. I don’t do regrets but a time when I came very close to the ‘r’ word was failing to buy a ticket to see them live in Sydney, back in 1993.

They were literally playing across the road but I was too busy pretending to be Ian Brown to buy a ticket. (these were the “partying years” and I had the haircut to match).

I think the fact that they’ve had millions sitting on the table ready for this day makes me less suspicious.

They’ve obviously chosen their moment carefully (though the money will always be a factor) and they are writing music again, which makes me think perhaps they really are up for this.

The likes of Pulp, Blur and even Led Zeppelin have proved that it’s okay to do this - and that these bands are still loved the world over. The game plan has changed and the music industry is a very different place - but if it means that these bands get another crack at a new audience - while making me feel young again - then why the hell not?

As for Steps, well, that’s another story.

The Great Baggy Love-In 8

Catch Guy’s blog at: http://guylloyd.co.uk Twitter: http://twitter.com/guy_lloyd

THUNK

Whether you are a rookie musician looking for pointers, a music aficionado, or just someone who enjoys a good night out - you need to get yourself to a Thunk gig.

Thunk are four musicians who have been dabbling in the Brighton music scene for a number of years before picking each other out from the hoards of musicians resident to Brighton to form one of the best live acts on the scene right now. So how did it all start? Front man Ben Draper explains, “I went on Gumtree and found Thunk, who at the time were (brothers) Jonny and Jai and their mate Joe, who was the drummer. They’d been together, I think at that point, about four or five years with maybe two other singers. Shortly after I joined Joe left and we got Martin in and I think that’s when Thunk really came about.”

With various musical influences between them ranging from Pearl Jam to Iron Maiden, Thunk have, over the last number of years developed a sound encompassing a unique blend of genres. Ben explains how the track “Micromophone” from their first E.P, “Dermatologically Tested”, was the birth of Thunk’s sound as we know it today - “Before that it was probably a bit more middle-of-theroad rock, whereas Micromophone had that real pop and slap bass line that showed where the bass and my style worked together. And Jonny loved that, lapped it up and started thinking along that line with the stuff that he was writing.”

One thing that is clearly visible, even to the most ignorant of spectators, is the natural chemistry on stage between the four musicians. So how does a band maintain such chemistry and respect “You’ve got to have common ground; also you’ve got to have diversity. I have bad ideas when I’m working solo that would never get past Jonny and the other guys. The interesting ideas, the good ones, they’re jumped on. It’s great because when you have four different ideas coming in, although some of them don’t get used, what you’re left with are the best ones.” And the boys are just as tight off stage as they are on stage. Touchingly, Jonny wrote an original piece of music for Martin’s first born son, Ethan. He recorded it and called it “Ethan’s song”. Now that’s true bromance!

Brighton is a veritable jungle of musicians, record producers, promoters and the like. So surely this is one of the best cities in the UK for a band wanting to make it in the music scene - or maybe not? Ben explained how the overflow of bands in Brighton clogs up the stage space, meaning bands like Thunk - who are all about the live performances - spend most of their time badgering promoters for an opportunity to play, rather than showcasing their talent.

“I think promoters need to do a bit more - remember who gives the good nights.”

The lack of gigging opportunities has not kept Thunk away from being productive, however and there are a few treats in the pipelines for fans to look forward to. Jonny has apparently come up with “an awesome, awesome, little tune” that sounds like a “Pearl Jam B-side, really emotive.” And as soon as they can club the funds together the boys are getting back into the studio to record the last three tracks of their up-coming album entitled “Rhymes with...” Now see how many words you can think of that rhyme with Thunk, there’s quite a number! Thunk’s material is currently available on YouTube, Facebook, MySpace and Last.fm

JOL www.myspace.com/wearthunk 9

Birdeatsbaby is probably one of the most unusual yet brilliant bands that any of us has ever heard. There’s no doubt that they deserved a part in Brighton Unsigned and played headline to the magazine’s Launch Night. After a (very) cold night photo shoot and playing with light sabres and all, we settled down to find out what makes Birdeatsbaby, how they find working in the Brighton music scene and why you should know who they are.

Jordan - Editor

Since it’s such a random name - firstly, where did you find the name Birdeatsbaby? Secondly, how did you form and when?

Mishkin: We wrote the music first and then we thought “what do we sound like?” and we thought it was a bit morbid, a bit weird and we just put three random words together and came up with it.

Keely: You kind of had a dream as well.

Mishkin: Yeh some weird dreams that kind of thing.

Keely: Spooky.

Mishkin: We met at uni pretty much and met Garry through Gumtree.

Keely: We started roughly in about 2007 then Charlie arrived last year and it worked really well.

Garry: It was through t h e

casual relationship section.

Keely: We just seen this ad: ‘please I need friends… can you please reply’.

Mishkin: We were like “okay”.

Where do you draw your dark cabaret influence?

Garry: Everything we listen to.

Mishkin: I don’t think it was that intentional to do, we just basically wanted to be in quite a heavy band, like something kind of cool and progressive but I don’t play the guitar so we wrote everything on piano. Then Keely was on the violin so rather than the usual line up we ended up with piano, violin and bass.

Keely: We didn’t want chugging guitars, the violin is quite delicate so everything became a bit more theatrical but still, we’re now working on the electric mostly so it’s getting a lot heavier and we’re using more pedals and things. Garry got pedals for his bass and Charlie beats the crap out of the drums.

Since you toured America and Europe, how do you find playing in Brighton compares?

Mishkin: Oh it’s just amazing.

Keely: That was a bit sarcastic in case you didn’t pick that up. It’s hard to pull a crowd in Brighton, to get anybody interested.

Charlie: It’s mostly friends that turn up.

Mishkin: We’ve played so many times to our friends.

Keely: Because there’s so many bands playing all the time it’s hard to get anybody to come out of their house.

Mishkin: At the same time, every now and then, you’ll play a wicked gig in Brighton. Cos there’s loads of really cool musicians and you end up seeing loads of really good bands.

Charlie: It’s kind of hit and

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miss though.

Garry: It’s very hit and miss in Brighton yes.

Mishkin: It’s a good starting point.

Garry: (Laughs) What we really should do is present a positive spin since we’re getting published in a Brighton magazine… so it’s fantastic.

You’ve got over 100,000 views on You Tube with ‘The Trouble’ - how do you think you achieved that?

Keely: Scantily clad.

Charlie: Mad skills.

Mishkin: Yeah mad skills pretty much.

Charlie wasn’t even in it.

Others laugh Charlie: My skills are still mad.

Mishkin: Charlie’s in the video, he’s just wearing a dress isn’t he?

Keely: (Laughs) We call Charlie Phillipa version 2.0. Phillipa was our first drummer.

Mishkin: I think it was just an unusual video when it came out as well and we labelled it Dark Cabaret because this is what we sound like and we just tagged it as that, then loads of these Dark Cabaret fans were viewing it.

Garry: It’s definitely the Dark Cabaret scene.

Mishkin: Actually, if you type it into Google, we’re the first video that pops up. Most of the views come through that and then the fact that it’s got popular through word of mouth, loads of people talking about it online.

Keely: I remember we worked quite hard on it. It was all Phillipa’s idea as she wrote it and directed it, we just sort of did what she told us to do and it worked out quite well.

Garry: We do a lot of promotion through various mediums.

Mishkin: We really, really pushed that video as it was the first video that we ever put out.

Keely: We were really proud of it.

Garry: We promote ourselves on the basis that people will check out links. I do it myself, I see a link and I’ll click on it and whether I like it or not that comes as a view.

What is Birdeatsbaby’s biggest highlight?

Charlie: For me, playing in America - but that’s because I hadn’t been in the band that long.

Mishkin: I have to say it was probably the same for us going to America was such a big thing.

Charlie: It was on my second gig, I was in America; “What the fuck is this?!”

Mishkin: It’s all been downhill from there hasn’t it? I’m not used to this “where’s the American tour, studio and stuff?”

Charlie: Where’s all the free food?

Mishkin: America was really cool. As soon as we went out there, the shows were all really good and in such a completely new place. It’s the first time that any of us had toured America.

Charlie: It’s the whole “shit we’re in America!”

Mishkin: Then we went to record as well so it was just one high after another. The studio was amazing and the guy we worked with called Jason Rubal, he was just amazing to work with and the studio was the nicest studio ever and the drum kit was perfect and, the microphones were like the only ones in the world.

Garry: We all owe him a big favour.

Mishkin: It was just incredible so the whole thing we all felt like real rock stars and we came home and we were like “Oh my God!” Garry: On the first tour, one of the gigs we played in Holland, it was the first night and we played to a good three hundred people. It was amazing. Every single night we played, we got a big crowd - it was really great, then we come back to Brighton and we play to ten people in the Caroline of Brunswick.

All laugh Garry: All of a sudden we thought…

Charlie: …massive tour gone now!

Mishkin: It’s a come-down coming home, man. So you’re in Europe and you wake up in the morning and they’re like “would you like a platter of ham and cheese and lovely fruits from the local area by the way?” lalala, have some free beer in the morning.

Garry: Kind of welcoming, the way they treat you.

Mishkin: Welcome you, yes! “Would you like to stay here, is this ok?” And you you’re just like “uhhh yeah it’s cool!”

Keely: This is far better than I’ve ever been treated, even at my parent’s house!

Mishkin: You’re touring England and they’re like, “We’re not gonna pay you and actually you have to sleep in this flea pit over here, like sorry about the broken glass on the floor” and you’re thinking, “ohh thanks!” And then they’re like, “By the way, your set’s only twenty minutes long and there’s no equipment.”

Garry: We definitely learned the hard way.

How do you find you work as a band?

Garry: Very well. We’re quite good friends so it makes a difference.

Keely: We hang out even when we’re not doing band stuff.

Mishkin: In fact more than, we go drinking together more than we actually practice.

Garry: It makes a difference being close and being quite good friends, we do practice and even when we’re not practicing, we’re doing exactly the same thing, just take the piss out of each other.

Mishkin: I don’t think you can have it any other way…

Charlie: You would if it wasn’t that way.

Mishkin: You’d be rubbish ‘cos it’s like you’ve gotta work so hard to be here as an unsigned band.

Keely: You don’t wanna have to work hard on the relationships as well.

Charlie: You’ve got to be mates with the people.

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PAPERFACES

Keely: Whoah, what would we know?

All laugh Keely: We learned it the hard way.

Garry: Enjoy it. Love what you do ‘cos you’ve got to enjoy what you do.

Charlie: Play a fuck load of gigs.

Keely: You’ve got to play the shit gigs, you’ve got to play every gig to start, do the work.

Charlie: Plug every band that plays with you.

Keely: Get to know who else is on the bill. Be polite.

Garry: If you know them they’ll help you out.

Charlie: Get on every social network, on Tumblr and Facebook, everything.

Mishkin: I think you need to know you’ve got something good to start with. I think you need to make sure that you’ve got something that you really believe in, you can really get behind, you’ve got a complete idea and then stick to the idea and don’t let anyone bullshit you, like “You should try this and do this…” - stick to your vision and just completely play every gig.

Charlie: E-mail everyone.

Mishkin: Yeah, be really nice as well. If you’re nice even though it takes you forever to get there, people will remember that you were nice and polite and actually it’s all about helping each other out.

Keely: Nobody likes a dickhead.

Brighton & Hove’s Professional, Affordable Recording Studio

GUY LLOYD HOSTS

What advice would you give to new bands just starting out?

AudioBeach Studios

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Clients Amy Macdonald, One Eskimo, Hazel O'Connor, Simply Red, David Bowie, Danyl Johnson, The Modern, Wolsey White (Hard-Fi), Clare Maguire, Stereophonics, Black Gardenias, My Red Angel, Caitlin Stubbs, Mishkin Fitzgerald, Pink Narcissus, Screama Ballerina, Buffo's Wake Polydor, Universal, Melodramatic, V2, Eden Music Polydo

Garry: We’re starting to write for our next album, we’re in the process of it.

Keely: Process of pre-production. We’ve started writing the songs.

Mishkin: We’ve got another music video coming out in January I think, which is gonna be for our next single “Incitatus” and after that the album is out in February.Then we’re probably going on a mini tour of the UK, London and Scotland. Then maybe some European dates after and somewhere in America depending on what we can do.

Keely: You know a small tour.

Mishkin: We’ll see… then record another album basically.

01273 252313 | info@audiobeachstudios.com audiobeachstudios.com | twitter.com/audiobeachuk | facebook.com/audiobeachstudios-brighton

Unit 7 Lansdowne Mews | Hove | East Sussex | BN3 1FW

For further information on upcoming gigs check out:

www.birdeatsbaby.co.uk/tour-dates

BIRDEATSBABY

PAPERFACES BIRDEATSBABY

What gigs and new developments have you got coming up?

MY ELEMENT

MY ELEMENT

Mishkin: When you have bad times like when you’re playing at a crap gig or when you’re on a long road, if you’re with people you don’t even get on with then its just… hard.

Charlie: I’ve been in bands where I think someone’s a dick and I’m playing in a band with them and it’s like, I can’t be fucked at this practice.

Garry: Thing is when we go travelling, we’re in the band with each other, we’re side by side so you’ve got to like each other.

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Luke Hytther and the Colour Club are my first favourite band of choice this month. This is firstly because of originality. They are extremely brave to create this type of music in the UK. In the USA, country bands are a dime a dozen but it seems not to be as popular across the pond. They draw influences from artists such as Bright Eyes and Bob Dylan. In my opinion, this band are currently one of the best and most promising around because they recreate my love of some of my favourite modern country and Americana musicians such as The Avett Brothers, The Tallest Man On Earth and The Felice Brothers and put a British, Brightonian stamp on it.

Their new E.P, “When the Evening Comes” is very professionally produced and is truly innovative and spine-tingling. I understand that this genre is not for everyone. It seems chilled out and downbeat - and Luke Hytther’s lyrics could be considered too romantic and poetic for some, but the vibe of the whole band creates a fulfilling toe-tapping vibe. The experimentation of different instruments such as the violin and harmonica create an exciting and interesting sound.

This music isn’t just melodic music for a rainy day and they are not just songs for a broken heart - I could listen to this band anywhere and at anytime. Call me soppy, but my favourite track is “Through December” its breathtaking harmonies remind me of the vocals of Conor Oberst and Emmylou Harris in the Bright Eyes track “Landlocked Blues”. The violin is chilling and the accapella seriously makes me shiver. What a perfect song to end a brilliant album. LD

www.facebook.com/themeowmeows Genre: Indie Rock / Ska

I was apprehensive about this band, because their EP seems quickly and carelessly produced - but this band are amazing live and I believe that for a ska act this is the most important thing. I saw this band at The Hobgoblin in September and I love them. The Meow Meows are one of the best unsigned acts around at the moment, because they infuse 60s rock ‘n’ roll and garage with good old fashioned ska - and it really works.The fact that a band can redeem themselves so much with their live performance makes them extraordinary.

Usually in my opinion, if the band can pull it off, the more members in a ska band the better - because there will be more energy and fun in the music and this is predominantly what I believe ska is about. As a nine-piece band, The Meow Meows work as one as a relentlessly fun skank inducing machine.

If you want a good night out and a bit of a skank and a dance this awesome ska band is for you.This band showed me that the Brighton ska scene is still alive and kicking.LD

SAM LELLIOTT Genre: Acoutsic / Vocals / Indie

Looking at Sam Lelliott, he’s sporting a carefree, grungy Alexei Berrow (Johnny Foreigner) exterior about him.

Peering through the messy fringe is a guy with an easylistening tone, an acoustic guitar, and truths crafted into songs holding vulnerable yet hopeful qualities to them.

The catchy “Sunny Day” is gritty and energetic. “I Wish I Knew” has a fuzzy guitar riff, a deliberate lo-fi quality and chirpy whistling towards the end, making it a brilliant cross of grunge (à la Yuck) and folk (Noah and the Whale).

Recordings of Lelliott with pals talking at the beginning and end of “Sometimes” is Jamie T-esque, clearly one of the singer’s inspirations. At one point someone asks: “Why do they have all the talking at the end”, cheeky, self-referential and ironic which Postmodernists would appreciate. Lelliott replies: “Funsies”, which pretty much sums up the honest, light-hearted EP.

www.myspace.com/lukehyttner 14

Overall, it’s an enjoyable listen and perfect with your back to freshly cut grass, sun on your skin and the sounds of the birds as an accompaniment. Or more fittingly - as the weather has taken a turn for the worse – to welcome the nostalgic images of summer that this EP brings.CC

www.samlelliott.webs.com

Genre: Alternative / Pop / Rock

Genre: Jazz / Classic / Rock

The New Union look and dress like a band, each member in a pair of skinny jeans and sporting sharp haircuts. You expect generic, short, indie guitar-jangles, judging purely by their youthful appearance. In actuality, their sound is more indie/ alternative rock, reminiscent of Local Natives and Mona.

Richard Jackson, lead singer sounds impeccable on the band’s demo. It’s not the most distinctive voice, but it’s impressive nonetheless and doesn’t get irritating after many listens - unlike some bands out there.

There is some smooth crooning on the sentimental and slightly haunting ‘it’s you’s on the song of the same name.

“The Point” you can imagine to be part of a film soundtrack with its dramatic chorus dripping with emotion. “Word Out” is infectious, heady and stands out.

“Tonight”, however, is without doubt the highlight.

It captures you straight off and it’s a beautiful song that would move even the coldest of hearts. The beginning is stripped down, leaving it just to the vocals before slowly building up with Leo Solti’s

Genre: Psychedelic / Rock

MEOW MEOWS

THE NEW UNION

Luke Hytther & the Colour Club

MUSIC REVIEWS

Parker & The Flowing Wow

MUSIC REVIEWS

The enigmatic and aptly named trio “Parker & The Flowing Wow” are a psychedelic rock band hailing from Brighton. Ben Parker and his eccentric ensemble really appeal to “The Bealtes” fan that is inevitably in all of us. Their catchy, well produced music thrusts you, clutching your tie-dye shirt into the melodic elation of music’s golden era. After proving a success at the summer festival scene, Parker and his flowing wow are gracing Brighton’s sunny shores once again with a series of local performances. They are yet to release an official EP, but have released a series of refreshingly relatable recordings.

A personal favourite of mine is their engagingly mellow contribution “Will I Float?”

This sort of stylised recording embeds a grain

drums gently entering - and finally crescendoing with a U2-esque ending.

They have shown they can nail a slower rock song, but more variety in arrangement and a faster-paced, upbeat, possibly heavier rock/pop song would liven things up and show off their capabilities.

But it cannot be denied that they are four musicallytalented guys and have created a consistent and identifiable sound with some great songs. One to watch.CC

www.myspace.com/thenewunionband

of hope that modern music will not be dragged into a repetitive competition as to who can auto tune their ramblings to the most effect.

As a nation we have produced some of the greatest bands ever to have existed - so taking this into account, a talented outfit that takes inspiration from these musical gems and polished them into something unique can only be a recipe for success. They are a thoroughly entertaining outfit, with a distinct sense of humour and quality. As a group, they represent a lot of what is good about the Brighton music scene - one flowing with diversity, talent and unmistakably a whole lot of wow.ZR

www.myspace.com/ parkerandtheflowingwow 15