DEMOS

WE WANT YOUR MUSIC! IF YOU’RE AN UP AND COMING BAND OR MUSICIAN, AND WOULD LIKE YOUR MUSIC REVIEWED IN OUR DEMO SECTION, EMAIL A TRACK TO INFO@NARCMEDIA.COM AND TELL US MORE ABOUT YOURSELF!

WORDS: EMILY INGRAM

In these times of uncertainty (and strangers coughing phlegm on you whilst you try not to cry on the metro), you can always rely on the musicians of the North East to pull it out of the bag. This month’s demos are no different: in true NE style, we’ve received a plethora of tracks from each corner of the genre spectrum.

DEMO OF THE MONTH

Odin Coleman – The Get Down

As always though, there is one stand-out track that seems to have a replay value just beyond the others: our demo of the month for April is The Get Down by Odin Coleman. Perhaps it’s the painful passing of Daniel Johnson still ringing in my ears, but something about this gorgeously lo-fi song just makes you feel right at home. Clearly, there’s a number of all-American influences at play here (despite the fact that Coleman is clearly quite at home within the local music scene). The Get Down combines all of the crackling and rustic qualities of blues field recordings with the twang of country guitar, and joins the two in holy matrimony with a great big dollop of wailing, distant vocals. The finished article is drenched in nostalgia, and finds its place nestled somewhere between Kurt Vile and the Microphones. In other words, it’s a sad, abandoned log flume ride at the county fair, and I want to go round again. www.odincoleman.bandcamp.com

Sandy & Ziad - Sex On The Phone

This lewd and funky number from Sandy & Ziad is an absolute corker. With a name like SEX ON THE PHONE, and a single, mysterious tag on Soundcloud - ‘#disco’ - I wasn’t quite sure what to expect. The track itself brings groovy licks and gritty vocals in equal measure, with lyrics sleazy enough to rival Hugh Cornwell. In any case, maybe try not to listen to it with your nan around (unless she’s into super sexy funk). www.soundcloud.com/sandycmd500

40 RiverSyde – The Words You Fail To Say

RiverSyde are an energetic, punky outfit with enough pep to sort you for the entire quarantine period. At times, The Words You Fail To Say is in danger of straying a little bit too far into ‘I hate my home-town’ territory: it’s a danger that a lot of pop-punk bands seem to face as the genre continues to swell. Nevertheless, fans of early Brand New or A Day To Remember will have undoubtedly found their new favourites with this thumping, guitar-led tune. www.twitter.com/riversydeband_

Mr Bigfoot – Ragdoll

Another one to watch out for in the pop-punk stratosphere is Mr Bigfoot, with their track Ragdoll. What begins as standard alternative faire soon explodes into a veritable delight of big, fuzzy melodies and angsty vocals, rendering this one a solid grower for anyone who’s looking for something alternative, yet fresh. Plus, the positively claustrophobic lyrical content of the track seems eerily fitting for a time when everyone feels like a bit of a misfit. www.mrbigfoot.bandcamp.com

4 Mile Drive – Always Brighter

It’s not all doom and gloom, though. For those who are searching high and low for something with a poppier tone, look no further – 4 Mile Drive have your back with Always Brighter. An impeccably put together track, the band manage to strike the perfect balance on all fronts: the vocals are sugary-sweet, without being sickly; the guitar hooks are catchy, but never generic; it’s just a really great, alternative-leaning pop track. What else could you want? www.4miledrive.bandcamp.com