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April 2017 Issue 01

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Contents

News

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Including Izzie Walsh on her new EP

Features

Editor’s letter

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A Guide to Liverpool ‘s best open mics 13

Festivals Spotlight 14

Liverpool’s Vinyl Store 15

Stillia- Rockers on the Verge 18

View on the Venue: The Ferret, Preston 19

Venue of the Month: The Continental, Preston 20

New York Tourists: The Future Feels So Good

Opinion

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Reality Shows- Enchancing talent or hindering it?

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It’s often said that music scenes come in waves, bringing a few great years of bands that are forever destined to remind you of your heady youthful days, before the next bright young things come along and the cycle starts again for a new generation.

Start to look beyond what is served up in those timely, well-designed packages, however, and you begin to see the wealth of talent in our towns and cities that don’t just come and go with the tide.

Great music is ever-present in the North West, whatever your tastes – you just need to know where to find it.

This magazine was inspired by the artists its pages contain, and by the desire to give them the audience they deserve.

We hope that you find something in here that makes you feel like you did when music first changed your world, and if there’s anyone that you think the world should know about, be sure to let us know — it’s what we’re here for.

Festivals: Save the Date

Reviews

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29

Open mic night at The Ferret 31

Northern Lights

Style

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Street Style

Ones to watch Upcoming artists 2017

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Tom Welsh, Editor Editorial Team: Kirsty Moody: Deputy Editor Bethany Sherry: Digital Editor Annie Rees: Chief Sub-Editor Daphine Bikaba: Digital Editor Writers: Hayleigh Chamberlain Jelisa Hanley George Pickering 3

Desperate Journalist, Gullivers, Manchester (photo: Through The Eyes Of Ruby) 4

Through The Eyes Of Ruby are a photographic duo from Ulverston, Cumbria, who document the UK live music scene in the North West and beyond on black and white 35mm film.

They photograph local artists as well as those passing through on nationwide tours, and are influenced by the work of seminal music photographer Kevin Cummins, who produced iconic images of Joy Division and The Smiths among others.

To see more photos, and to read and an exclusive interview with Ste Fletcher of Through The Eyes Of Ruby, head to www.soundmagazineblog.wordpress.com.

News

The View Set To Celebrate Tenth Anniversary of Debut Album Scottish band The View are heading to the North West for the tenth anniversary of their debut album, Hats off to the Buskers.

The band is set to play Manchester’s Ruby Lounge on Sunday, May 7. Due to the immense popularity of the Manchester show, the band added a second date to play in Manchester on May 8, which also sold out quickly after release.

They play Liverpool on Saturday May 13 at Hangar34, supported by The Blinders, a three-piece alternative group from Doncaster.

The four-man band from Dundee begin their tour at the notorious Glasgow Barrowlands on May 4 before ending the tour in Edinburgh’s Liquid Rooms May 17.

The album, Hats off to the Buskers, was released in January 2007 and included tracks such as Same Jeans, which the band was popularly renowned for after it hit number 3 in the UK singles chart, and Wasted Little DJs, which was voted Best Track of the year at the NME Awards in 2007.

They recorded the album with producer Owen Morris, who had previously produced albums by Oasis and The Verve.

The band has a great reputation for their live performances and are a regular fixture at festivals across the UK. They have played at Scotland’s T in the Park a record eight times.

By Beth Sherry

One Summer to Release Recordings More Than Two Decades Old

Manchester group One Summer are releasing their first EP to commemorate Record Store Day on 22nd of April...more than 20 years after the songs were recorded. Active players in the pop scene of the city during the nineties, the band unfortunately never managed to release their music to the masses in recorded form, as the label they were signed to became defunct.

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(Photo Credit: Bethany Sherry)

Composed of veterans in their local city’s scene, including decorated drummer Chris Goodwin (Buzzcocks, Inspiral Carpets), One Summer rocked Manchester during the years of 1994 and 1995 – their sun-drenched sound proving especially popular during the summer months. The band grew out of iconic local group The High, delivering the same sort of noise and attracting the same sort of crowds. Goodwin himself had played in two of Mani’s (of the Stone Roses) bands, providing yet more street credibility.

The Record Store Day website describes first track Can’t Stop Falling as “A sublime tune, full on passion and riding high on a gut full of great British pop rock”; second track British Summertime as an “indie pop classic”; and third track Spirit as “the band [shifting] comfortably into the sonic stratosphere”. Their sound is exactly what the listener would expect it to be if they are familiar with the Stone Roses and other popular Manchester groups.

As a release, it comes with a unique backstory and would make a great addition to any fan of Manchester’s music scene during the 1990s. It may carry a strong nostalgia factor for those who were there in the middle of all the music and the chaos, such as those who frequented The Haçienda nightclub and possibly saw One Summer perform live.

Fans of the band have expressed their excitement for the coming first release of an EP on the official Facebook page, where a collection of archive footage from the mid-90s has been uploaded by the band. The band has announced plans to perform one or two gigs later in the year, though they have no intention to

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reunite as full-time performers.

All further news on One Summer can be found via their Facebook page: www.facebook.com/onesummer2017

By George Pickering

(Photo Credit: One Summer)

News

COW Liverpool Have First Ever Local Gig 2016.

Bands featured at the gig were Man Doll, Astral Project and Rival Bones, whilst their main headliner for the evening was Mad Alice, an up-andcoming artist from Liverpool.

All bands were chosen specially (Photo Credit: Hayleigh Chamberlain) by the store and all bands fit the Vintage chain store COW in style of COW vintage.

Liverpool had its very own Emma Rosson, guitarist one-of-a-kind gig on Saturday in Astral Project, who reside April 1. in Cheshire wrote on her The store held a gig at Instagram from the night: Maguire’s Pizza Bar launch “Just played the first ever @ the first for COW Liverpool cowliverpool presents! So much after their opening in Summer

fun and lots of pizza.”

The gig was launched as their way to bring fashion and music together, something the locals in Liverpool have a relation to, and to bring local talent to the eyes and ears of music lovers.

Promotion for the COW Liverpool gig was widespread throughout the creative ends of the city, with posters put up in and around Bold Street, where COW Liverpool is, Baltic Creative, and even around Penny Lane - an area wellknown for local gigs.

Other COW stores around the country, such as COW London and COW Manchester, have done gigs like this before to showcase the talent in their own cities.

This was the first gig hosted

by COW, and whilst no plans have been confirmed yet for another, the success of the debut COW Liverpool Presents show suggests it could be the start of something big.

By Hayleigh Chamberlain

Best Thing Since Sliced Bread

Manchester label Bread Records is readying its debut compilation for release at the beginning of May. Michael Webster, who started Bread Records last year, said: “The focus of the compilation, and the label as a whole, is to provide a platform that links the musicians to the people. It’s a ‘for the people, by the people’ sort of thing.”

Webster describes Bread Records as a ‘community-based label,’ which works with artists to help promote and release their music without contracting them exclusively to the label.

The compilation will consist of 12 tracks from some of the best unsigned talent in the North West, with Webster curating the

track listing himself from those who have contributed to the 600-strong online community.

Webster: “I approached the artists and everyone’s been really up for being part of it. I’m hoping to release it digitally at first, but also do a limited (cassette) tape run too as a physical release if I can. The artwork is currently being done so the exact date will be confirmed when that’s ready.”

You can join the Bread online community at www.facebook.com/groups/ breadrecordsgroup Tom Welsh

(Photo Credit: Zarina Akhtar)

Manchester Writing Map Seeks Budding Poets Are you a budding poet? Get yourself on the Manchester Writing Map! Over at Sound, we love everything relating to music and lifestyle and we believe our lovely readers will be interested in this challenge.

There is a call for submissions for writers to submit their work all about Manchester to be added. We’re sure there’s plenty of you out there who could be the next John Cooper Clarke.

To submit your work for this amazing opportunity to get your work out there, you need to write a poem inspired by any physical location in the city, so it can literally be pinned on a map.

From established poets to those who have never published their work before, the website they have launched can also embed other types of media to support your poem.

You could also include an audio recording of you reading your poem, so you could always write your poem out to them but also have the spoken word if that’s what you prefer.

There is no fee available for the successful submissions, but your poems will be out there for you to gain recognition.

Are you interested?

Email your work over to manchesterpoems@gmail.com in the body of the email with the postcode of your location and even an image to go along with it. Don’t forget to confirm the poem is your own and you allow them permission to repost!

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News

Izzie Walsh Debuts First EP

Izzie Walsh unveils her debut EP, The Curse at Manchester’s Deaf Institute on April 14.

Produced by John Kettle of Wigan folk band Merry Hell, The Curse sees Izzie’s rootsy acoustic songwriting bolstered by the energetic countrystyle backing of her band. Read our review of the EP on page 27.

Support for the Deaf Institute show comes from Acid Haystack & The Shattered Villain and Jo Rose, plus more to be announced. Tickets cost £6.

We asked Izzie Walsh to tell us a little more about each of the three songs on the EP ahead of its release…

Clockwise from top Dan Moore, Lewis Mason, Izzie Walsh, Simon Gibson (Photo Credit: Denni Hepburn)

The Curse Izzie: “Everyone has their own curse, whether it’s a story or regret or even someone you love to hate. Maybe it’s a moment you can’t forget, or the time something has made an impact and you remember exactly where you were and what you were wearing. The Curse is about the good and bad times which separate people but also bring them together.”

Sample lyric: ‘I’ve taken all the blame, I should be ashamed, how can I fix this now, this world in which we’re all insane.’

Not Today “Not Today is about running away from day-to-day life and hoping and praying that everything will go okay. Trying to control all the ups and downs of your confidence and insecurities, the song is about having a bad day and leaving worries behind.”

Sample lyric: ‘Destiny is calling, she says she wants to talk, she’s not very happy, not happy with you at all’

Lie To Me “Lie To Me is written about a story of an innocent woman who was in a volatile relationship where they pushed each other to the limit - so much so that it became this beautiful and dangerous connection. It scared me to think of the consequences. The moral is that their love overcame their imperfections.”

Sample lyric: ‘Yes dear everything’s fine, let me sit and listen to heal your twisted mind’ Get tickets for the EP launch at http://www. ticketmoth.com/product/izzie-walsh-ep-launch/ 9

Venue

LIVERPOOL

TOP FIVE OPEN MICS Hayleigh Chamberlain looks at the top spots in Liverpool to stumble across the best new talents on the open mic circuit Liverpool is no stranger to being one of the biggest musical cities of the North West, not to mention the country. The worldwide success of The Beatles made Liverpool the city for music and, since then, music has been one of the city’s biggest strengths.

Liverpool is home to some of the UK’s most recognisable talents like The Beatles (obviously), Dead or Alive, Frankie Goes to Hollywood, The La’s, and Echo and the Bunnymen. So, its no surprise that the city’s love for musical talent is increasing, especially with open mic nights spread around the city centre.

Liverpool have some amazing open mic night venues that have gained attention from music lovers of all ages to coffee drinkers, pizza addicts and cocktail downers. There’s an open mic night venue suitable for anybody’s needs in Liverpool, and here are the top 5 that offer Liverpool’s rising talent:

The Jacaranda

(Photo Credit: Hayleigh Chamberlain)

The Jacaranda is one of the biggest venues for unsigned acts and open mic nights. If you’re wanting to get your name out there, The Jacaranda is the place to go. With an open mic night every Sunday and Thursday, featuring a different host each time, there’s always more and more talent to scout. Almost anybody can sign up here for open mic nights, as it has a mixture of both serious band nights and fun for customers inside the pub who like joining in. The best part about the Jacaranda during open mic nights? If you don’t like who’s playing, then the built-in record players on the tables allow you to pick and choose what you and your friends want to listen to as your drinking, or to drown out any noise.

Camp and Furnace

Leaf

(Photo Credit: Hayleigh Chamberlain)

Leaf on Bold Street is a favourite in Liverpool for those who love eating in aesthetically pleasing places full of fairy lights and cocktails. Leaf have their own stage on the downstairs floor. More of a fancy, aesthetically pleasing place to get vegetarian food, Leaf does offer music nights on the regular. Although you’d have to book in early, or get there quick as this place gets busy very fast, especially on open mic nights which are hosted by many different hosts, including local favourite Johnny Sands.

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(Photo Credit: Getinto)

Camp and Furnace is a night like no other and home to the big bear. Yes, they do open mic nights for unsigned Mersey bands and artists, but it has also been a venue where hit bands have performed

in the past, with the likes of Wave Machines, The Joy Formidable and Eagulls gracing the stage. Set in the scenes of Baltic, Camp and Furnace is a favourite amongst scousers and students, offering all the trendy aesthetics in the setting of a warehouse.

These open mics are on at certain times monthly so it is best to watch out for when they become available as it’s a popular one.

Unit 51 is situated in the centre of Baltic for all the creatives and their offices. It is always buzzing with coffee lovers and music lovers, and they have a whole plant area in the place dedicated to gig nights and offering free local gig posters. When the weekend hits, Unit 51 it becomes more than just a cool coffee/soup hangout; the locals come for DJ nights filled with cocktails and more music offered by the bands and artists of the city. One band in particular, a two-piece formed in Liverpool, have done a few open mic nights at Unit 51 and said: “It is such a great atmosphere here in Unit 51. You get normal passers-by but then you get the odd-ball creative people who work around here. It is so fun.

There are so many amazing open mic places in the city, and even stepping out of the city centre and going down towards Lark Lane too. We always get a good response and its down to the locals! We’re unsigned but its getting out there which keeps us going.”

Baltic outside Barbeque sits around the back of Jamaica Street, and a street away from Camp and Furnance. The outside barbeque offers street food to passers-by in the summer time, along with cultured style dancing and, of course, open mic nights on the rare occasion. This is one of the best; the outside barbeque area is such a tiny space, passers-by are mainly standing on the road space.

The space is lit up with lightbulb fairy lights, and has a small shed seating area and space for dancing and singing.

Obviously, there are plenty more open mic night venues throughout the city that you should go along to - you never know who you might end up seeing, and what better way to support your local music scene.

Don’t forget to follow us on Twitter @sound_magazine_

Unit 51. (Photo Credit: Unit 51 via Facebook)

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Feature

Festival Spotlight

Too, spoilt for choice with music festivals? Well don’t worry, Annie Rees shines a spotlight on a select few festivals happening this summer.

Bluedot Festival. (Photo Credit: Robert Eva)

Sounds from the Other City: Sunday April 30th 2017, 3pm-4am, Various Venues, Chapel St Salford.

Sounds from the Other City festival (SFTOC) is a celebration of new music and performance, uniting the cream of the national and international scene with some of the city’s finest independent promoters, collectives and club nights.

Happening regularly on the May Day Bank Holiday each year along the Chapel St Corridor of the historic city of Salford, 2017 will be the festival’s 13th installment.

SFTOC highlights the best in new and forward-thinking music across multiple stages; 2016 saw 17 stages of varied acts to choose from.

Over the last 12 years, the Festival has seen early career performances from an eclectic array of artists: from Alt-J to Lapalux; the Ting Tings to Jane Weaver; Go Go Penguin to Sampha, and has been covered by many publications like the Guardian, the New York Daily Post, the NME and more.

Line-up: Bad Uncle, Now Wave, Hey! Manchester & Grey Lantern along with the long awaited return of Comfortable on a Tightrope. The Beauty Witch, Fat Out & Paradox, TOPP, Tru Luv, Night Fantasy, Sacred Tapes, Good Afternoon and NTS Bluedot: July 7 – July 9 2017, Jodrell Bank Observatory, Cheshire Following a well-received inauguration last year, Bluedot is back this year with another promising line-up. The festival, which interestingly uses world’s biggest

steerable telescope as the backdrop, will see acts like Alt-J, Pixies, Shura, Warpaint and Orbital grace its stage. From its unique location to its unique line-up, Bluedot presents a good case for being the new must-check for the festival-goers.

The Great Northern Ska Festival: August 19 2017, Bowler’s Exhibition Centre, Manchester Manchester Ska Foundation started life back in 2010 when two musicians decided they wanted to bring the 2-tone era back to people of Manchester. They had a vision of rude boys & rude girls dusting off their cherry red Doc Martins and reliving the days of stomping to bands such as Madness, The Specials, Bad Manners and many more. Out of these fascinating and exciting ideas, Manchester Ska Foundation was born.

Some people know exactly what they want and a well-rounded line-up doesn’t excite them - they just want a heavy dose of a single genre. If the genre happens to be Ska or two tone, you will love The Great Northern Ska Festival. As the name suggests, the annual gathering is one of the biggest celebrations of Ska in the north.

Line-up: Neville Staple, By The Rivers, Dawn Penn, Esperanza, King Hammond, Martin The Mod DJ, The Selecter and The Dualers.

Not enough festivals for you? Go to page 25 and see what other North-West based festivals are happening this summer.

Keep up-to-date with all festival news this summer on our website, soundmagazineblog.wordpress.com, or our Twitter @sound_magazine_

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Feature to the locals. The store is always busy and is frequently coming in with brand new stock. This stock however, isn’t all just well-known bands from the past and present.

Dig Vinyl is a big supporter of stocking local talent and, like Defend, Dig Vinyl want to keep this support current and fresh for local customers, regularly tweeting about the latest local talent they have in stock.

So, what is the point in stocking all these LP’s from artists and bands who people don’t really know, even if they have been signed to local record labels?

Even though these signed bands and artists are signed to local labels, they still need that extra push in promotion to get noticed by more locals. Not everybody in the city who has a passion for music cares about bands who aren’t happening right now - some just go with the way in which bands become more recognised to the public.

“You shouldn’t judge bands and artists by their following.” – Emily Wilkinson, music fan

(Photo Credit: Hayleigh Chamberlain)

Hayley Chamberlain looks into vinyl stores across Liverpool that are contributing to the local music scene...

Liverpool is a big city that has a big reputation for its music scene. There are many independents to go and see throughout the city, but there are many major vinyl stores that everybody who loves vinyls, and music in general, will know about.

These record stores can play a big part in promoting the local scene by stocking Merseyside artists alongside established national acts, and Chris Mac from Defend Vinyl in Wavertree believes that this is an important part of their role.

“We think it’s vital to stock LP’s and vinyls of all sorts - to feature local music for the Liverpool music scene,” says Chris. “Liverpool’s all about music, so we want to show that and get these bands and artists out there for recognition.”

Defend Vinyl is an independent record store situated away from the busy city centre, sitting on Smithdown Road in Wavertree surrounded by takeaways and places serving alcohol till 3am, right in the centre of the student section.

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The shop is small but, a lot like Probe in the city centre, it packs a lot inside, meaning you’re likely to find hidden gems the harder you look. And, when going into vinyl stores it is very likely that the owners are playing vinyl picks of their choice for the store, but don’t be surprised if it’s of a little-known local outfit that they want to promote.

“Its very important to us as an independent record shop,” says Chris. “We’re all about letting customers buy their favourite bands’ albums on vinyl, but we’ve got to show the ones trying to make it big too.”

Defend is actually one of the very few vinyl stores in Liverpool which does offer LP’s from new local acts, stocking many artists signed with Liverpool’s Mellowtone Records in particular, such as local favourites such as Edgar Summertyme and Nick Ellis.

Dig Vinyl, which is probably the city’s most popular independent record store, is another that is known for supporting the local music scene. It is hidden in Soho’s basement but that hasn’t affected it being well-known

On the other hand, some music lovers in Liverpool enjoy getting to know every band they can. Emily Wilkinson, a music lover and frequent vinyl buyer from Defend, Dig and Probe says: “I absolutely adore music, whether that be from old 60s to right now. I love hearing new sounds and if I hear a new band play when I’m out, or I catch something I hear in Dig I’m like ‘I have to listen’, because they could be the up-andcoming band to watch out for. You shouldn’t judge bands and artists by their following.”

Defend and Dig Vinyl are also helping push out promotion for Liverpool’s signed and unsigned by using their social media and store presence to help promote Liverpool Psych Festival (September 22-24), open mic nights, and gig posters for all bands local and new.

“I love how these record places are promoting them and getting them out there for other listeners like myself,” says Emily. “I think it’s vital to support your local music scene, no matter how small or big the band or artist may be. Music are these people’s life in a different way that it is my life, so I fully support vinyl shops contributing to this.”

It is no secret that specific and popular Liverpool record stores are wanting to contribute to their local music scenes, and having these vinyl stores increasing popularity for bands and artists that may not still have touched the radar is important for the city and for music in general.

Want to see more from?

Follow me on Twitter: @hayleighchamb

MEET STILLIA – THE ROCKERS ON THE VERGE Lead Guitarist Johnny stopped in to speak to Jelisa Hanley following the launch of their first single, Let Me In.

(Photo Credit: Dave Hudson)

Feature From getting kicked out of Bradford hotel rooms, to teaming up with comedian Johnny Vegas, the up-andcoming rock band Stillia has proved that they are the band to watch in 2017.

Already living the rockstar lifestyle, Merseyside-raised brothers Jack (lead singer) and Matty (Drummer and Vocalist) started their band of four as teenagers. Both driven and musical in nature, with Jack studying music in college, they scouted guitarist Conner and bass player David on their school playground, with nothing but blind ambition and passion. Jack admitted that through school they all spent a majority of their time in the musical department, and if it wasn’t for their shared interest in music, they all wouldn’t have made it through school.

Looking back in time, the rebellious four remembered their first gig. Minus the departure of bass player David, Jack, Matty and Connor described their first ever gig in St. Helens. “The first one was like playing in front of one man and his dog in a dive of a pub on a rough council estate,” says Johnny, “but it was brilliant because it was our first gig. It’s been a ride and a half since then.”

And a ride and a half it has been as they have worked their way through the North west club scene to become a staple in the St.Helens community.

Without the support of their town, they probably wouldn’t have scored as many gigs as they had. Local pub ‘Park on Club’ open their doors to them free of charge four times a week, letting them practice for hours upon end asking for nothing but a free gig every month. The lads happily oblige, as they are extremely proud of their local roots. Johnny: “We have a lot of people who go all out for us and buy tickets

to see us there.”

They were scouted at one of these local gigs by their current manager Ben, who spotted them at a local gig. Johnny admits that after being hooked up with their management things started to change; the gigs were coming in and the band became more in demand than ever before.

Three local videos that featured much-loved celebrities

** On the road, most of the time, travelling around the North West and to Brighton, the band have spent more time together and found they have more in common than they think.

They describe their relationship as ‘good friends with great banter’. Johnny says: “I think it’s the right type of personalities and chemistry which makes us work” although Johnny has admitted that during jam sessions Matty and Jack will get into massive fights and Connor and himself have to break them apart pretty often.

Plus, there is the hotel situation Johnny hopes will never happen again when they go on tour: “We got kicked out of a hotel in Bradford and we had to find another place to go. I think we were just too noisy. I think we get to these hotels and people just look at each other and say ‘here we go again, these won’t last for an hour’.”

But despite the lads’ lack of beauty sleep, bonding over lager and Jack Daniels is something that joins them back together. Johnny and Connor even admitted to indulging in the odd glass of red wine. Johnny says: “It makes us feel mature when we drink red wine.”

Describing their rehearsals as laid-back jam sessions, the creative process surrounding their music is mostly

Then Thickens - Tiny Legs Chorley’s Then Thickens used much loved local lad Joe Gilgun in their music video: Tiny Legs. In the video it starts off with a fresh faced Gilgun, throughout he slowly gets a make-over, don’t get too jealous think blind three-year-old make-over.

From us here at Sound, Joe Gilgun you can pull that look off!

Death to the Strange - Sign On For all those Emmerdale fans out there you’ll be able to recognise your favourite TV vet Dominic Brunt. But the TV train doesn’t stop at Dominic, Manchester’s Death to the Strange got other Emmerdale actress Sammy Winward to star and it was all directed by Emmerdale’s Jason Merrells. The song ‘Sign On’ is a cheeky tongue-in-cheek reference to Britain’s benefit culture, and sees Dominic Brunt take on a comedy role as a worker at the Job Centre, and sees Sammy Winward showcase her dance moves.

Stillia - Let Me In One of the all-time great northern comics: Johnny Vegas graces the screens starring in Stillia’s ‘Let Me In’. Proving it’s not just teenage girls who go all crazy for boys in a band Vegas goes to extremes to ‘kidnap’ lead singer Jack at the end of the video.

An amusing video, showing Johnny isn’t just a funny guy, he can definitely break down on the dance floor, but more importantly we have learnt that One Direction’s fan girls are nothing compared to a Vegas.

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Feature a collaborative effort. Lead singer Jack has written most of the songs, including their now hit single Let Me In. The single has set the tone for the ‘feel good’ music they create.

Newcomer Johnny has also had his hand in the writing process, admitting to writing another song off the album Cold Coffee. Johnny: “Believe it or not, that song came around as a joke. I went to the café to get a coffee and came home and completely forgot about it and when I went to drink it, it was cold. I was so annoyed. For some reason I just wrote down cold coffee. Next thing you know I was writing this song and I was just releasing a lot of things off my head, and when Matty brought in a drum pad it created this electronic sound. When he brought that in it gave it a very dark mood, especially on the first few verses which kind of made it a massive sound.” Johnny admits that it is one of his favourite songs off the album.

The band’s music has a very strong tone relating to the loss or the gaining of a woman, and when asked about that, Johnny plead the fifth. He had admitted to having his heart broken and admits that very good music can come out of heartbreak. Yet he does admit there are some subjects the band would shy away from - mostly politics, Johnny says: “I don’t like when bands sing about politics, I don’t think public figures should be involved in that.” ** Full-time city fans and part time red wine drinkers Stillia are quickly developing a wave through the Northern music scene. They even caught the attention of actor/Comedian Johnny Vegas, after supporting the bands gigs locally around St. Helens. When an opportunity became available for him to direct a video, sparked by a tweet from members of the band, he rose to the challenge inviting the band to his home.

Over a brew of PG Tips, Johnny, his production team and the band collaborated in the creative direction of the group’s first hit single Let Me In.

Lead Guitarist says: “The concept for the video was Johnny’s main idea. He suggested it at his kitchen table, and we all looked at each other and said, that’s the one.”

The concept for the hit music video is Johnny being an ‘obsessed fan’ of the group, following them to their gigs. With shrines of images and sketches of them on his bedroom walls, the video then ends with the hilarious kidnapping of the lead singer, Jack. The band said collaborating with him was one of the most ‘amazing experiences’ they ever had. On the set of the video, Johnny even sketched portraits images of each individual band member which they have all kept, and even framed.

Johnny said: “I think it was the first day of shooting, and the first scene of where he is watching our old performances and trying to learn the guitar. And Matty called me over and said mate, you’ve got to see this, and when I walked in, it was like a shrine of all our old posters and images, from even before I was in the band. It was like walking into a museum, it was pretty creepy.”

Although pretty creepy, Mr Vegas’s direction attributed to the success of the bands single which has had over 52,000 streams on spotify and 10,000 hits on YouTube within its first week.

The single launch party for their EP held at Manchester’s new club ‘Jimmys’ also went down as a hit, being the first live gig to be held in the venue since the club’s opening. Jack admitted that he was surprised at the reception the band had got in Manchester, with tickets selling out in two days. “I can name at least twenty of my friends who couldn’t get in who couldn’t get a ticket.”

The new album is going to be released this year, and even though Jack says through the Summer, the band are adamant on bringing out two more singles before actually releasing the album. ~ Let Me In is out now on Beautiful Noise/ MUK Records. Read our review on page 27

Want to put names to faces? Check out below and find out which one is the party animal and who’s the ladies man...

Jack - 21 born in November – Mad one - outspoken, come out with the maddest stuff and is a party animal

Connor - 20 born in July – Dark horse - he is quiet but once you get to know him he is hilarious

Johnny- 23 born in December – Funny one and social one

Matty - 19 born in December – Cool one - ladies man and quiet drummer Want to hear more from Stillia? Head over to our Spotify: soundmagazine or our YouTube: Sound Magazine to hear from the boys.

Or go on our Website: soundmagazineblog.wordpress.com to see more related content.

Or do you want to see more exclusive band interviews, go to our Twitter: @sound_magazine_

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Venue

Tim Davies performing as part of Sweet Deals on Surgery. (Photo Credit: Robin Hilll)

View on the Venue: The Ferret, Preston The Ferret is a bar located on the fringe of the student area in Preston, and it has a formidable reputation for hosting live music fit for a student audience. Many current music sensations have played a set at The Ferret in the past, such as Cabbage, Alt-J and Ed Sheeran. They also serve food is served from 12pm until 9pm, and it is guaranteed to fill any stomach great or small.

For over 12 years the building has been in use by the venue, which called itself ‘The Mad Ferret’ for a time. This is evident in some of their branding, particularly in their website and on social media, which they use heavily to attract up-and-coming bands to Preston.

The range of music organised to play at the venue is outside of genre-centred boundaries, with hip-hop and rock music alike. Experimental sounds are encouraged.

Tim Davies, former manager of the venue, now takes a smaller role in organising events for each week.

Preston being the small town it is, and The Ferret having such the significant role in its music scene as it does, the pressure to find the best bands can sometimes get to his head.

“I try to organise things early, and get in contact with people a couple of months before”, says Tim. “Sometimes we’ve had bands which cancel weeks before 18

they’re scheduled to play, and then it’s a huge amount of stress trying to find another group to replace them.

“When we don’t find anybody else, the night has no event on and fewer people come.”

Every summer, usually in July, The Ferret stages a small music festival. Called ‘Glastonferret’ (cheekily modelled after the Glastonbury Festival), the details for the coming event this year are sparse and the organising team at the bar are remaining tight-lipped.

“We have plans,” says Tim, “but we can’t say anything about it yet. My band [‘Sweet Deals on Surgery’; mathrock band in which Tim plays the drums] is performing, so there is that to look forward to.”

The previous year’s Glastonferret was the 10 year anniversary of the event. As part of proceedings, it included a number of bands and artists from the north of England – The Ragamuffins, FirstnameFrank and Gideon Conn to name a few - as well as some novelty acts, such as a throwback to the 1920s with old films backed up musically with live piano.

“It went really well”, recalls Tim. “We pulled in more numbers than we expected and it was a fun weekend for everybody, including the people behind the bar.”

The music scene in Preston has taken a casualty in recent times, with the venue 53 Degrees closing its doors to regular weekly events. In the student area of

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the city, only The Ferret and the student-focused bar Ships N’ Giggles host performances on a regular basis.

Outside of the university area (a fair distance from it, in fact), there is The Continental.

It is hoped that The Ferret, The Continental and its long-standing peers in performance-hosting venues will continue to carry the torch and ultimately bring the city of Preston to a ‘must-visit’ rank for musical acts, both national and international, though this ultimately comes down to the city itself and its battle to find an identity.

Tasty food available at The Ferret. (Photo Credit: Dan Morris)

Venue

The Continental Beer Festival poster (Photo Credit: newcontinental.net)

Enjoy a slap up meal with an affordable menu, plenty for everyone to enjoy! (Photo Credit: newcontinental.net)

Venue of the Month: The Continental, Preston The New Continental, more commonly known as The Continental, or ‘the conti’ to its staff, is a wellestablished and cultured food, drinks and entertainment venue, located amongst a quiet residential area next to the beautifully scenic Avenham Park in Preston.

The dog-friendly pub is a popular place for people visiting the park or locals from the nearby residential area, but most visitors come The Continental to see the wide variety of bands, singers and artists that come to perform there. They also have an events space that is used weekly for music, film, theatre, literature and various other organised groups. The space is also available for private hire, for birthdays or other family occasions.

In the summer there are festivals and outdoor events, such as The Continental’s annual beer and cider festival, showcasing 200 different types of ales, a gin bar and a huge outdoor marque. The chefs from The Continental’s sister pub, The Ferret, serve a smokehouse-style BBQ, and an assortment of different live music acts and DJs will perform across the weekend. Previous bands playing at the beer festival include Manchester reggae band Jeremiah Ferrari and budding post-punk band, also from Manchester, Cabbage.

The enormous variety of bands and singers that perform on a weekly basis at The Continental The New Continental, more commonly known as The Continental, or ‘the conti’ to its staff, is a well-established and cultured food, drinks and entertainment venue, located amongst a quiet residential area next to the beautifully scenic Avenham Park in Preston.

The dog-friendly pub is a popular place for people visiting the park or locals from the nearby residential area, but most visitors come The Continental to see

the wide variety of bands, singers and artists that come to perform there. They also have an events space that is used weekly for music, film, theatre, literature and various other organised groups. The space is also available for private hire, for birthdays or other family occasions.

In the summer there are festivals and outdoor events, such as The Continental’s annual beer and cider festival, showcasing 200 different types of ales, a gin bar and a huge outdoor marque. The chefs from The Continental’s sister pub, The Ferret, serve a smokehouse-style BBQ, and an assortment of different live music acts and DJs will perform across the weekend. Previous bands playing at the beer festival include Manchester reggae band Jeremiah Ferrari and budding post-punk band, also from Manchester, Cabbage.

The enormous variety of bands and singers that perform on a weekly basis at The Continental brewers, as well as a specially-selected wine list curated by award-winning fine wine merchants D. Bryne & Co of Clitheroe and an impressive range of international bottled beers.

The outstanding food at The Continental is another reason to visit the place, boasting new contemporary menu options with excellent presentation. The kitchen offers different menus for the changing seasons, with lighter options like salads in the summer and hearty stews in the winter months. Wherever possible, the head chef, Stephen, sources his fresh ingredients locally.

The Continental is a well-oiled machine thanks to its hard-working team, whose every endeavour is to make each customer’s experience enjoyable whether you are visiting for a music concert, delicious meal, or just a pint.

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Relax with a refreshing drink in The Continental beer

What’s on?

UCLan Music & Preston Jam present Danny Saul / Kinder Meccano / Third City Fri, 31/03/2017 - 20:00 The Continental’s Open Mic Night 1st Thursday of the Month Thu, 06/04/2017 - 21:00 The Jasmine Minks & The Jazz Butcher Quartet Sat, 08/04/2017 - 20:00 SKA FACE Sat, 15/04/2017 - 20:00 O’Hooley & Tidow Thu, 20/04/2017 - 19:00 19

THE FUTURE FEELS SO GOOD FOR

NEW YORK TOURISTS New York Tourists: l-r: Carl Rutherford; Gary Taylor; Adrian McKenzie; Joe Mooney (Photo Credit: Matthew Boone)

Feature

As New York Tourists geared up to go on the road in support of new single Feels So Good, Tom Welsh went to their Darwen base to get the story behind their growing reputation....

“We’ve not gone soft or owt,” insists the voice and face of Blackburn’s New York Tourists, Gary Taylor.

“We’re still a loud, hard-hitting band, it’s just that the songs have taken a different direction – more poppy basically,” he says of the band’s falsetto-heavy sound, which has come a long way since their bluesrock beginnings in 2009 but retains a hard-enough edge to keep old fans happy on infectious new single Feels So Good.

“Gaz bought a Scissor Sisters album,” offers bassist Adrian McKenzie by way of alternative explanation for the evolving sound, an accusation evidently levelled at Gary before given his derisory look as the band laugh it up.

“They’re a great band…” Gary argues, unconvincingly.

New York Tourists’ journey began nine years ago, but the current line-up have just celebrated their second birthday - according to Facebook’s timehop feature.

“It was two years the other day since (drummer) Joe played his first gig,” says Gary, “’cos that picture came up with that shit illuminous green drum kit.”

Singer/ guitarist Gary Taylor and guitarist Carl Rutherford are the ‘OGs’ (as Adrian puts it), who came together through an ad placed for a singer. A few personnel changes later, the band seem certain that this is the definitive line-up, with bassist Adrian McKenzie and other ‘internet member’, drummer Joe Mooney (“it’s like match.com innit” – Gary), seeming like the perfect fit both musically and personally.

The band’s latest two singles, Only For The Summer and Feels So Good, are so far the only two products of this new tight-knit unit, but the groundwork was already put in with 2016’s Kickstarter-funded debut album – the rousing You + Me – as well as two previous well-received EPs. The persistent melodic onslaught that characterises the sound of the new material was evident on last year’s debut full-length, which sounded like the culmination of the band’s varied alt-rock backgrounds coupled with a musical

maturity, which made it an instantly-accessible triumph.

Calling the Kickstarter campaign for the album “the best thing we’ve ever done,” Gary and the rest of the band can scarcely disguise their pride when talk turns to emerging from those uncertain times with a great album and a knowledge that so many people were willing them to fulfil their huge potential.

“People put their hard earned cash in - and some still are – just ‘cos they believe in us. It really means a lot.” – Carl Rutherford “We were cacking it for a good few weeks ‘til it finished,” admits Gary. “We had a target of two and half grand, which we were a bit worried we weren’t gonna hit, but we ended up with three and a half grand, which was amazing.”

“We’ve gained a lot of fans from doing it as well,” adds softly-spoken guitarist Carl Rutherford, who comes across as quietly being a main driving force of the band given his considered yet passionate contributions to the conversation. “People put their hard-earned cash in - and some still are – just ‘cos they believe in us. It really means a lot.”

The campaign brought some interesting gigs for as Gary mischievously puts it - their ‘sugar daddies,’ which included the band playing at a football director’s barbecue. Gary: “We played in his living

room to him and his family, and then went out in a gazebo and drank and ate all his food – it was a good day!”

There were bigger gigs, of course, most notably as support to bands such as The View and We Are Scientists, as well playing an outdoor hometown show at Hoghton Tower as chief support to rock stalwarts Status Quo. The most (printable) rock ‘n’ roll story, however, comes from when the legendary outfit invited them back to play Scarborough Open Air Theatre the following year.

“We got a message the weekend before saying someone had dropped out,” regales drummer Joe. “We said we’d do it, but then we realised Carl was in Korea. We had an emergency meeting, panicking, but it turned out that Carl was gonna get back to England just in time, so we had a guy pick him up at the airport and literally got him there 15 minutes before we went on – straight onto the stage in front of six thousand people.”

Carl acknowledges the story, looking somewhat proud. “Literally got there, grabbed my guitar and walked on stage…”

The last few years have seen New York Tourists tick off so many bucket list moments that you wonder if they’ve stopped to let it all sink in.

“We’ve just gotta keep active,” insists guitarist Carl. “You can do an album and go away for a year but, at the end of the day, we’re still a new band. We’ve gotta keep at it.”

You get the sense that they savour those big events, but also that the pride in getting themselves there off their own backs is the most rewarding part.

A sold-out hometown album launch show at King George’s Hall last year was the culmination of years of hard graft, and was a defining moment that confirmed to the band that they were on the right path.

Gary: “It was a big build up – it was like, thank 21

Feature

(Photo Credit: Sam Fenton)

fuck the nights come along now! It was a lot of effort but the gig itself made it all worthwhile. We had confetti cannons and everything!”

“It felt well-earned” adds Adrian. “We worked hard for it.”

“We wanna work with bigger bands, try and keep it to key dates and make those the best they can be.” – Joe Mooney

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The work never really stopped, and the subsequent stand-alone singles and growing gigs have brought the band to the attention of the organisers of the British Sound Project, a highprofile event in September which will see New York Tourists play alongside some of their favourite artists in a hand-picked celebration of British music in Manchester.

“I don’t even know how we’ve got on it,” says a humble but enthused Carl. “There’s a smaller stage but we’ve been asked to play the main stage, with bands like White Lies, The Horrors, Toy – and Foals are doing a DJ set too. They’re the bands that we listen to – it was great playing with Status Quo but it’s my dad’s sort of scene – this is where we wanna be; this is the stuff we wanna be doing.”

Things are definitely coming together for New York Tourists, and after years of hard work the band seem more than ready to embrace it.

New single Feels So Good marks a new beginning for the band, having started to work with acclaimed producer - and ‘Accy lad,’ as the band seem happy about (relating to Accrington, Lancashire) – Dave Pemberton.

“He’s done stuff for bands like The Prodigy and Groove Armada,” Carl gushes. “He approached us and said he’d like to work with us – as far as we’re concerned we’ll always work with him.”

A fruitful first session with Pemberton also produced next single Skinny-dipping, which is slated for release in the summer in the run up to their British Sound Project show, and no doubt around some festival and headline gigs too.

The band are also now with up-and-coming promotional company and label Scruff of the Neck, which is proving to be a canny move for the ambitious four-piece who look to be reaping the benefits of all those years of graft.

“We just wanna try and keep as busy as possible, but not just do shows for the sake of it,” says Joe. “We wanna work with bigger bands, try and keep it to key dates and make those the best they can be.

“You get out what you put in.”

Feels So Good is out now on Scruff of the Neck Follow the writer on Twitter: @tomwelsh109

Colour Explosion

(Photo Credit: Sam Fenton)

New York Tourists are a band that embrace the art of the music video – even putting their bodies on the line in order to get the perfect shot for the Only For The Summer video (well, kind of…)

Gary: “Joe, the drummer, decided to throw a load of this green stuff down my throat. [I was] literally heaving, being sick everywhere…”

Find out what he’s talking about, and more about singles Only For The Summer and Feels So Good, by heading to our YouTube channel (Sound Magazine) to watch the band take you Behind The Track.

Feature

(Photo Credit: Adam McGrath) Taken at Hoghton Tower supporting Status Quo, Summer 2015

(Photo Credit: Matthew Boone) Taken at the shoot of the video Feels So Good

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Opinion

Reality Shows:

Enhancing Talent or Hindering it?

Reality shows, like the X-Factor and The Voice are investigated by Kirsty Moody to see how the artists style changes through the process.

The X-Factor and The Voice are the two main reality shows which say they help find individuality, but instead disguise it.

When we see artists on shows like the X Factor and The Voice, we just assume they will stay the same as when their journey begins. But how many times have you seen their first audition, and then on the live shows they look completely different? It seems as if the artists are completely changing their style throughout their transition with these shows, but is it the artists’ choice or is it recommended they look a certain way?

Many hopefuls audition for the variety of shows, whether its X Factor, The Voice or Britain’s Got Talent, in the hope that someone will snap them up for a record deal.

I tend to watch these shows as a little bit of a chillout time, but they also can be quite entertaining with comments from the judges.

There have been far too many times watching this show that from the initial auditions to the live shows, I’m left wondering - who is that?! When in fact it’s someone I loved from the initial auditions yet the styling and management team have completely changed the way they look!

This was noticed with Laura White from Atherton, Greater Manchester when she entered the fifth series of The X Factor in 2008. I loved her voice and I was slightly gutted when she was eliminated in the fifth week in a song off against Ruth. However, I noticed her style significantly changed from her first audition.

I loved her first audition and how cool and calm she was, but her hair and outfit represented how adventurous she is. However, when it got to the live shows this was gone.

Her hair was styled to represent the typical X Factor

contestant.

I can’t be the only one to feel slightly annoyed by this. I love the artists who just don’t care about the typical style and will just do whatever they want and want to show the world their own style.

I know musicians like to change up their style every now and again, especially when they’re in an industry which is controlled by fashion and keeping up to date with trends, but I’ve seen so many artists who have kept their own style but rocked the latest trends in their own way.

I think since Laura left The X Factor and has independently landed a record deal (yay finally), she’s shown her own style again.

Growing into a young woman, she has blossomed and is showing a new side to herself, with a new hair style that only she can pull off - it makes me wonder what would we have seen from Laura if she had kept up her crazy original style all the way through The X Factor?

How would she look now, but also would she still be the only singer who was mentioned in parliament due to her exit from The X Factor?

I just wish shows like The X Factor, The Voice and Britain’s Got Talent, didn’t try and change the style of the artists. What happened to it all about being about the talent?

Do you have an opinion? Let us know on our Twitter page: @sound_magazine_ #soundopinion Want to see more of my opinion follow me on Twitter: @hiitskirstyy.

Save the date

Festivals:

Save the Date With festival season in sight, Annie Rees looks at what’s in store for 2017’s local music events.

We’re getting close to festival season now, so it’s time to dust off your old, reliable wellington boots, splash out on some new shades and of course consume your own body weight in alcohol and pizza.

In the North-West, we’re lucky to have some of the best music festivals in the country - with many having been nominated for national awards - proving just how lucky we are to have such a variety of music events on our doorsteps.

This ultimate 2017 festival guide will show all the important save the dates, so you can start booking those days off and get all you excuses lined up, because this is where your summer starts.

Smithdown Road Festival: April 29 – May 1 2017, Smithdown Road, Liverpool Smithdown Road Festival is lesser known and is much younger compared to most major festivals, but for a free festival it does offer a healthy lineup of familiar names. Taking place around various venues on or near Smithdown Road.

Line-up: Dave McCabe (ex-The Zutons), Mark Morriss (The Bluetones), Haarm, Tramp Attack

Lucy Rose performing at Manchester Dot to Dot 2012

Dot to Dot Festival: May 26, Manchester Another past winner of the Best Metropolitan Festival award, the touring Dot to Dot festival started in Nottingham back in 2005 and can also boast featuring artists like Mumford and Sons, Florence and the Machine and Ed Sheeran. The festival begins in Manchester and brings talents across various venues across the city.

Line-up: Spring King, Delamere, Pale Waves and more Threshold Festival 2017

Threshold Festival: March 31 – April 2 2017, Baltic Triangle, Liverpool Threshold Festival is clearly becoming one of Liverpool’s favourite annual events. Now in its seventh year, the event showcases a variety of quality acts during its three day run. The festival takes place around The Baltic Triangle and will be the first event to take place at the Cain’s Brewery, also making use of newer venues like Northern Lights.

Line-up: Hannah Peel, XamVolo, Rongorongo, False Advertising, Lilium, Loka for this year’s bill.

Wrong Festival: April 22 2017, Northern Docklands, Liverpool Liverpool’s northern docklands will see its own share of wackiness in the form of Wrong Festival, taking place at The Invisible Wind Factory, North Shore Troubadour and the lesser- known nearby DROP the Dumbulls. Those with festival commitment issues - but who still have an appetite for the freakier scene - should make WRONG festival their next event.

Line-up: Bo Ningen, The Wytches, HECK and Evil Blizzard.

Beat-Herder Festival. Image by Tysh, sourced by Flickr.com

Beat-Herder: July 14 – July 16 2017, Ribble Valley, Lancashire Beat-Herder is the perfect festival if you like your musical celebrations to happen in the great outdoors.

Taking place around Ribble Valley in Lancashire, the scenery provides the perfect backdrop to a usually wellrounded line-up which offers a fair chunk of electronic music as well as activities like stand-up shows and interactive exhibits.

Line-up: Stay tuned.

Keep up with the latest festivals and line ups on our Twitter page: @sound_magazine_ #soundfestivals

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Reviews

Single of the Month

Josey Marina - HEAVY

“I’ve tried to create a sonic documentation of the frantic storm I was singing about” Tom Welsh spoke to Josey Marina about the new single and her plans for the future…

How did HEAVY come about, and what was the inspiration for the song?

“I wrote the lyrics to HEAVY in my hotel room in Thailand. It’s an amalgamation of some of the things I saw and thoughts I had whilst over there.

I’m intrigued by the atmosphere of hotel rooms - places where people come and go constantly, sleeping in the same bed, filling one room with so many dreams.

“Obviously the country itself inspired me too. In Chiang Mai, all the telephone wires were incredibly tangled above the streets and, whilst feeling kinda sorry for whoever has to maintain them, I find their lack of order quite beautiful.

“The intense weather also plays a central role in the song – we went to Thailand in August, which is during the monsoon season, so it was extremely humid and there was a lot of rain. When I first walked out on the balcony I was shocked by the weight of the air on my skin; I think that feeling was what motivated me to pick up my pen and start writing.”

What influenced the sound of the single, and how did it evolve from the sparse piano demo you posted on SoundCloud?

“I wrote the bones of HEAVY over a year ago so have played it live quite a bit, allowing me to polish it structurally and melodically. I’ve actually had some problems with my vocal health for the past couple of years, so this contributed to me choosing to sing it in a classical style, as it’s better for the vocal chords.

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“I’ve tried to create a sonic documentation of the frantic storm I was singing about so chose to add distorted guitar and orchestral drums etc.

Working in the studio, with my very talented producer/engineer, Jack Beech, allowed me to experiment with lots of sounds and build up from the sparse piano arrangement, to an epic orchestral soundscape.”

Following a 2016 in which you released criticallylauded EP Violet Desires, as well as having your music featured in adverts, what does 2017 hold for you? Is HEAVY to be part of a new album?

“HEAVY is a stand alone single; I feel like it follows on nicely from Violet Desires and is a strong song to be put out on its own.

I’m actually currently working on an electronic album which is inspired by some of my favourite science-fiction art such as The Fifth Element, Vurt, Beyond The Black Rainbow. I don’t want to say too much about it as we’re in the early stages, but it’s going to be very different from anything I’ve done before and I’m ready to push it hard. The first single from that should be out in April and is a hypnotic, kinda trip-hop song.

I’m also working on a really exciting side project with Jack (Beech, producer) – it’s urban jazz, inspired by Manchester and a whole host of cool bands and poets. Our first song is going very well at the minute so I’m hoping to take things further as a duo/band, alongside my own work. It’s really exciting to write from scratch in the studio - a very different approach to what I’ve been used to.”

Josey Marina (Photo Credit: Florian Cats)

Josey Marina - HEAVY [self-released] Following on from last year’s critically-acclaimed Violet Desires EP, Stockport’s Josey Marina is back bewitching listeners with other-worldly new single Heavy. Delicate piano underpins Josey’s haunting vocals, which offer an imagery-laden insight into a restless mind in unfamiliar surroundings.

A rising pulse lurks beneath the ethereal soundscape, bringing an urgency to the track which builds to a dramatic orchestral crescendo, which is as euphoric as it is affecting.

The song itself is deceptively simple, with recurring motifs offering a pop sensibility that belie the grandeur of the production - recalling the best works of the likes of Kate Bush and Bat For Lashes – and placing Josey Marina firmly as one to watch for 2017 and beyond. TW

Reviews New York Tourists – Feels So Good [Scruff of the Neck] Blackburn’s alternative folk-rock heroes New York Tourists have followed up stand-alone single Only for the Summer with the infectious Feels So Good, which further showcases their ear for an insanely catchy hook. Bursting with the energy and excitement of a debut single, the song brings the band’s innate and appealing pop awareness truly to the forefront.

With a refreshing twist to the pop punk genre, Feels So Good will get everyone singing and dancing by the end of the song. The four-piece manage to delicately balance energy and aggression in their music, making it no surprise that bands from The View to Status Quo have been quick to lavish praise on the northerners. Available on Spotify. AR Stillia – Let Me In [Beautiful Noise/ MUK Records] Let Me In, the debut single from all-new St Helen’s indie band Stillia, starts off with heavy studio guitar riffs and a strong instrumental turn into indie soft-rock vocals; think of Catfish and the Bottlemen thrown in with a bit of Blossoms? That’s Stillia.

The indie guitar riffs sound mature, and the recognisable heavy Northern / Mersey accent pays homage to the typical sounds of the North. The lead singer’s lyrics - “And I’ll show you exactly what you’re missing” - get frequent throughout like one long chorus, but does not disappoint.

A comical side to the song is shown in the bands’ music video, which includes Stillia’s friend, actor Johnny Vegas, worshipping the band and even kidnapping the lead singer at the end. Available on Soundcloud. HC Dantevilles - Graffiti [Heist or Hit] Dantevilles are a fourpiece indie band based in Manchester, who have released fourth single Graffiti to coincide with their current UK tour.

In an interview with Clashmusic.com they said: “Graffiti is all about escapism. The actual art form of graffiti is about expression with the ability to stay discrete.”

The track starts with a solo bass riff, followed by acoustic and electric sounds played by three of the four members. The drummer uses brushes to play the snare drum, in keeping with the acoustic theme. The lead vocals are similar to that of The

Kooks’ Luke Pritchard, and the track has that similar uplifting, indie-pop vibe to that of the Brighton band, which makes it the perfect soundtrack for looking forward to the summer.

Available on Souncloud. BS Shoa - Soul Food [C4 Entertainment] When a local unsigned artist manages to bag a recording slot in one of the most famous studios in the world, Abbey Road, you know she’s doing something right. Short but infectious, Shoa Osbourne’s eighttrack EP Soul Food - her second album since 2015 - takes us a journey of life lessons from relationships, black experience and identity.

Singing over a series of throbbing basslines and distorted tracks, the first song Soul Food sets the scene perfectly and ensures you continue listening to the rest of the album.

Unleashing Lauryn Hill influences over hip hop percussion, Shoa draws on racial themes - mostly notably on the track Thunder - ‘‘Fix up a world that hates black girls’’.

With so many versions of Soul and R&B music today, this album feels like a breakout for the 24-year-old from Manchester, who puts her own spin on the genres. Shoa not only artistically incorporates poetry, but is also sure to stamp her Caribbean roots within her lyrics.

Occasionally singing her verses in Jamaican patois on tracks such as I’m Da One (‘‘Run the bloodclart riddim/ bun the bloodclart system’’), Shoa not only makes Soul Food a unique album but she’s also carved out an interesting position for herself that sets her apart from other soul/R&B singersongwriters. Available on Bandcamp. DB BEACH ROYALS TRAP DOOR MUSIC [Self-released] Manchester-based group Beach Royals’ debut EP contains a sound that alternates between Mancunian legends Stone Roses in its spacey, psychedelic moments and the slew of ‘indie’ bands which were prominent during the mid-to-late 2000s in its other moments.

Their music is recognisable to the fans of alternative rock in decades past.

Aural space is aplenty in songs such as opening number Beach Fatigue and closing piece Berlin (The Finer Things in Life). Fans of ambient music would find reason to enjoy this EP as it caters to rockers and chilled minds alike. Heaps of reverb throughout the album spin a web of pleasant sound, typical of a band from the Manchester music scene where sound-enhancing drugs are handed out in gift

bags at children’s birthday parties along with the customary slices of cake and uninflated balloons.

There are the two rock-centred compositions to be found sandwiched in the middle, with Fairweather and Getting There balancing out the collection with radio-friendly music fit for mass consumption.

Fairweather especially is a song I have observed to be fit for a musical, with its Disney-esque subject matter and overall arrangement.

Getting There is steered more towards the crowd who feel nostalgic for the indie music of yesteryear, as it seems directly shifted from the so-called ‘noughties’ era.

Trap Door Music is not a ground-breaking release, but it is a solid start that can still delight and entertain. Available on Bandcamp. GP Izzie Walsh – The Curse EP [self-released] Debut EPs rarely come as accomplished as The Curse, with the three heavily road-tested tracks revealing Izzie Walsh as a crafter of timeless country-tinged songs that belie her tender years.

The voice is the first thing that floors you; from the sweetest whisper to the coarsest growl, Izzie draws you in and makes certain that you are hanging on every word and taking it as gospel. The emotion conveyed in each syllable is meticulous, with her varied phrasing keeping you hooked throughout.

The title track showcases this from the off, and steadily gains momentum through variety and vigour to create an enduring opus which sparks with intensity as well as musical maturity, setting the scene for the whole EP. The lyrics of Izzie Walsh recall enduring folk tales of old - not least in Not Today, which serves to remind that we stand to reap what we sow through the ever-present threat of fate (‘destiny is calling/ she says she wants to talk/ she’s not very happy/ not happy with you at all’).

The band propel the songs through a country backdrop, with the banjo and double bass rooting the sound firmly in the deep American south.

However, the songs here could find a place in many genres, given the strength of the writing.

Closing track Lie To Me in particular is a brilliantly-crafted song which brings together the classic elements of a hushed verse building to a big, catchy chorus, but introduces some clever dynamic shifts to stop it becoming too formulaic.

In all, this EP works to show the immense promise of a gifted songwriter with a voice loaded with charisma and conviction. TW Want to know our all time favourite songs? Head over to our Facebook (Sound Magazine) or Twitter (@sound_magazine_) to see which one of our editorial team is a 5 Seconds of Summer fan...

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Reviews Driftbox – Memory Blocks [self-released] Cheshire-based band Driftbox have followed up their wellreceived 2015 debut Mute Machines with this much-anticipated release, and it doesn’t disappoint.

Driftbox is one of those bands that you wouldn’t normally listen to until someone else recommends them and you fall in love with their sound.

It doesn’t matter what style of music you are interested in, this band fits all of that through the ears. With four tracks on the EP, it’s extremely hard to pick out just one which I prefer.

The genres they have tagged are electronic music and rock, and I 100% agree with this and I even think it could fit into easy listening and calming music, as when I played these songs it sometimes felt like I had clicked play on the easy listening genre on iTunes.

Memory Blocks has quickly become one of the albums I have on repeat as I just can’t get enough of the calming music, as even when the guitar and drums kick in its still soothing. Even though their songs are longer than the usual, with them lasting roughly 6 minutes a piece, it makes life so much easier to just space out to these tracks.

Listening to each individual song, the artists have clearly put their heart and souls into every track, making it so much more enjoyable to listen to, and the lead. Available on Spotify. KM

Scott Lloyd – In The Garden [self-released] Middlesbrough-born Scott Lloyd has been a fixture in the Manchester music scene since his move to the city six years ago, since which time he has released five EPs of solid English pop tunes.

In The Garden, his sixth release, sees him add more muscle to his sound with a full band, which elevates his expert song-craft and brings moments of sheer beauty across the EP’s five tracks.

Kicking off with the title track, a spiky intro gives way to a beautifully breezy ode to more innocent times, a theme recalled throughout the EP. Despite his north-east roots, Lloyd’s delivery is not unlike The Coral’s James Skelly, and the effortless pop sensibility brings to mind a purple-patch-era Ian Broudie, suggesting that the birthplace of The Beatles looms heavy on his list of influences.

This is no retread, however, as the perfectlycrafted songs here suggest a musical maturity that draws on the best of Americana, folk and indie to create something that bristles with melody and verve at every turn.

Highlight Wild Flower twists and turns in some unexpected directions but hangs together perfectly, effortlessly flowing to its conclusion with not a second wasted and having offered some joyous musical moments.This is the story of In The Garden as a whole, an EP which instantly charms with its classic songwriting and reveals hidden depths on repeated listens. Available on Spotify. TW

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Live review OPEN-MIC NIGHT, THE FERRET, PRESTON March 22 2017 Open mic nights in the small city of Preston don’t come aplenty, but the event held weekly at The Ferret is a point of interest for the student population and is surely a definite night to check out at least once. Groups of guitar aficionados take to the stage to perform their music and the crowd listen to the music in a warm, colourful atmosphere with a wooden aesthetic. The Ferret is usually home to the most raucous bands and independent artists that travel up to Preston, but most musicians performing at the open-mic are solo and carrying only acoustic guitars. Other types of performers are still welcome – it is an open-mic, after all.Tonight, a band under the name Dirty Secrets display their energy and ferocious attitude, with a sound similar to the Arctic Monkeys in their more energetic pieces. The drummer blasts away like an animal, and the guitarist and vocalist play with enrapturing noise. For their final song, the band leaves the stage and the singer goes at it alone. The flavour of music you find at The Ferret’s open mic is an individualist sort, where most musicians that grace the stage entertain the crowd by themselves. There have been other types of performers in the past, with the open-mic having given an audience to poets, stand-up comedians and other creative souls.The highlight tonight came when a Frank Zappa clone took to the stage and delivered a radical electric guitar solo and, oh boy, I was immediately transported to the 1980s.

I was witnessing a guitar prodigy – a single person who could deliver on all the energy that large stadium bands such as Iron Maiden, Slayer and others took so long to curate. The music man thrashed through all generations of metal music and was a so-called ‘rock god’.He was later joined by the animalistic drummer, and that was a match made in heaven. At that point, I knew I would never again witness such wonderful talent in one night.Open-mic night at The Ferret takes place every Wednesday.

Entry is free. GP RAY HARRIS, MATT & PHREDS, MANCHESTER Friday March 24 The Northern Quarter, Manchester, hosts arguably some of the best live music venues the city has to offer. Who needs the big stars and the big stages in the 02 when you can be up close and personal to artists equally as talented, in a room small enough that you can actually see them? I personally love the intimacy you have with an artist in a small venue, where they are free enough to improvise and connect with their audience.

If you agree, Matt and Phreds is the venue. Not only is the club super laid-back in their approach to their crowds, but they also open their stage up to some of the most dynamic music coming out of Manchester and from all over the globe. Friday Night was the night that Ray Harris, the talented keyboardist from Glasgow, who has opened up for the Godfather and legend James Brown, graced the stage with his northern wit and fusion band. His music is a genius blend of dancefloor jazz and Latin vibes with a touch of funk and soul. Very popular in the north, there was no surprise to see the venue was packed. The dimly lit room, loud laughter, and the mix of women in stilettos and cocktail dresses alongside others in flip-flops, jeans and white tees describes the mix and blend of the Matt and Phreds atmosphere. Unless you want to stand up, the best thing to do is to book a table upon your arrival, which has to be done at least a week in advance, dependent on the artist. When you do, you are escorted by their polite and accommodating staff to a reserved table where you are assigned your own waitress who will serve you throughout the night. When the music starts the atmosphere changes and people become quiet, and suddenly the tables of men dressed in top hats and waistcoats become

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(Photo Credit: Robin Hill)

Ray Harris. (Photo Credit: Jelisa Hanley)

fixated on the stage. As I joined in the swaying and nodding of heads around me, the incredible sounds of the guitar, bass and percussion filled the club, and after the first intermission and a couple of glasses, people started to dance. Before you knew it, the space around the stage and tables were filled with a now-dancing audience. The crowd stood up and clapped after each song and the vibe was electric. After countless times of coming to this venue, I would recommend you pay it a visit, with a friend, with a date or for after-work drinks. JH Find out where else we recommend for a good night of music, food or entertainment on our website: soundmagazineblog.wordpress.com

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Review

Northern Lights Written and directed by Nicholas Connor Manchester Lift-Off Film Festival, March 28 Seventeen-year-old Oldham writer and director Nicholas Connor has produced a poignant coming-of-age drama in Northern Lights, which truly tells the story through innocent eyes and is all the better for doing so.

Lamenting change through comparisons with the replacement of warm orange streetlights with their harsher counterparts, this 50-minute feature explores anxiety, love and loss from the perspective of its three youthful main characters.

Rob (Rhys Cadman) is secretly in love with best friend Emma (Katie Quinn), whose 10-year-old sister tries all she can to get them together as the two prepare to leave high school. This is not just a story of unrequited love, however, with the death of Emma’s mother hanging heavy over the plot, leaving her suffering from panic attacks and deeper troubles to go with the feelings of faded youth and the burden of the future.

The film has some truly moving moments and serves to showcase the talents of the up-and-coming actors, perhaps none more so than the precocious Megan Grady, who plays Emma’s young sister Mia and possesses an uncanny ability to move from comic to tragic moments in an instant.

The mundane is shown to have a nostalgic, beautiful quality through the considered cinematography, with the varied scenery that Greater Manchester offers creating a familiar warmth that is complemented by the clever northern dialogue.

This is further enhanced by the graceful ambient soundtrack that underpins the more contemplative moments in the film, chiefly provided by Bolton’s Some Kind Of Illness, who excel at conveying raw emotion through their understated celestial compositions.

The forgivable odd clumsy line or plot device does serve to remind of the tender years of the writer but, in the end, they take nothing away from this passionate depiction of youthful longing and trepidation in turbulent times.

-Northern lights is due to be released on DVD and streaming services in the summer.

Left to right: Rhys Cadman; Megan Grady; Katie Quinn. (Photo Credit: Marco Fanton)

To read more reviews, go to soundmagazineblog.wordpress.com Katie Quinn as Emma. (Photo Credit: Marco Fanton)

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Style

Street Style

Sound sent Bethany Sherry to the streets to see what people are wearing and what they’re listening to.

Xiaolin, 23, Preston

What is your favourite song?

Lost Stars – Adam Levine What was the last concert/ gig you went to?

Eason Chen What was the last album you bought/ downloaded?

Beauty and the beast soundtrack Outfit Hat: Bpcall Jeans: BDG Top: Zara Coat: Moment Home Shoes: Zara

Tom, 20, Liverpool

What is your favourite song?

Waterloo Sunset – The Kinks What was the last concert/ gig you went to?

Circa Waves What was the last album you bought/ downloaded?

I See You – The XX Outfit Jacket: Topman T Shirt: Urban Outfitters Jeans: Primark Trainers: Adidas 32

Ahmed, 24, Preston

What is your favourite song?

How Deep is Your Love – Calvin Harris, Disciples What was the last concert/ gig you went to?

V Festival What was the last album you bought/ downloaded?

Zayn Malik – ZAYN Outfit Jacket: Topman Shirt: ASOS Jeans: Topman Shoes: H by Hudson

Celeste, 23, Manchester

What is your favourite song?

Foundations – Kate Nash What was the last concert/ gig you went to?

The Mouse Outfit What was the last album you bought/ downloaded?

Migration - Bonobo Outfit Hat: Depop T Shirt: Pink Uzi Trousers: Topshop Jacket: Rat & Boa

Sophie, 20, Manchester

What is your favourite song?

Have a Nice Day - Stereophonics What was the last concert/ gig you went to?

Justin Bieber What was the last album you bought/ downloaded?

Following my intuition - Craig David Outfit Jacket: New Look Jumper: New Look Leggings: Peacocks Shoes: Topshop

Amelia, 17, Liverpool

What is your favourite song?

What Katie Did – The Libertines What was the last concert/ gig you went to?

Jake Bugg What was the last album you bought/ downloaded?

This Is The Life – Amy McDonald Outfit Jumper: New Look Cord Skirt: Topshop Shoes: Topshop Bag: Accessorize

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Ones to watch

UPCOMING ARTISTS OF 2017

Signing a record contract used to be the traditional route to fame but with the first independent grime album debuting No.1 in UK chart history this year, it’s becoming a lot easier for artists to release their own music without the support of major record labels. Here are five upcoming artists and bands that are touring/gigging in April/May to watch

(Photo Credit: Mica via twitter)

(Photo Credit: Sleepz via Instagram)

Photo Credit: Agbeko via Agbeko)

(Photo Credit: Cabbage via Instagram)

1 Mica Millar Mica Millar’s distinctive soulful voice will paint you a picture and put you in the settings of her lyrics which tell stories of life, love and loss, transporting you back into the past. Described as the ‘next big thing’ by Manchester Evening News, the singersongwriter often sings with minimal instruments in the background, shifting through genres of Jazz, Blues and Neosoul which not only heightens but complements her pure and soothing voice.

Essential track: Down River (A stream of Consciousness)

2 Abnormal Sleepz A creative mix of rap, blues, and 90s instrumentals, Sleepz creates feel-good music with meaning and substance.

Taking inspiration from hip hop’s mix of instruments, Sleepz is sure to switch up the style of his music and offer variety by singing & rapping but also drawing on philosophy and personal hardships. The rapper’s well received EP; The Meditape Two is sure to get your head nodding from the moment you play it.

Essential track: Boyz n Da Hood Ft. Kinkai

3 Agbeko Formed in 2015 and performing at several festivals across the country, Manchester’s Agbeko creates a get-up-and-dance style music that gives you a taste of 70s African dance music.

Influenced by afrobeat and ethiojazz, the 11-piece band combines a unique mix of funk guitars, drums, and trumpets to give an energyfilled atmosphere, that by no doubt will put you in a good mood. Agbeko is unlike anything else you’ll hear.

Essential track: There Must Be (Another Way)

4 Cabbage Loud, rebellious and authentic, Cabbage are a Manchester based five--piece neo-punk band. With explicit lyrics (that have deviant undertones) and a laid-back nature, Cabbage create that type of music you listen to when you’re not in the mood. Even if you’re not into neo-punk music, this band will leave a last impression on you and have you reaching for your best air guitar impression along with headbanging movements to match.

Essential track: Dinner Lady

(Photo Credit: Louis Berry via Twitter)

5 Louis Berry

No better artist to keep an out eye out for other than Liverpudlian singer, Louis Berry. His voice has a distinct rasp and gritty old soul tone to it for a 24-year-old. His vocals are typically placed over fast-tempo alternative surf rock style music which instantly takes you back to the 60s and reminds you of The Beach Boys in particular. If you love rock ‘n’ roll music then Louis Berry is the one.

Essential track: She wants me

Tour Dates 1) Mica Milllar • 1st April – Matt & Phreds, Manchester • 25th May- Matt & Phreds, Manchester

2) Abnormal Sleepz •1st April- Ace Hotel, Shoreditch •8th April- Homegrown Festival, Battersea Arts Centre •27th April- Iluvlive Manchester •30th April- Sounds From The Other City, Salford

4) Cabbage • 12th April- Llandudno Venue Cymru Arena • 18, 19, 20th April- London 02 Forum Kentish Town • 22nd April- Dublin Olympia

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3) Agbeko •16th March - Albert’s Schloss, Manchester.

•19th March - HiFi Club, Leeds.

•14th April - Jam Jar, Bristol.

•19th May, Matt & Phreds, Manchester.

5) Louis Berry •1st April- Riverside Newcastle •26th May- Dot to Dot, Manchster •27th May- Dot to Dot, Bristol •28 the May Dot to Dot, Nottingham •31st May- KOKO, London

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