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Leeds bands and artists to watch in 2012
The Chevin.
In search of some new music for 2012 that isn’t Rihanna or Lady Ga Ga? Grant Woodward asked those in the know to gaze into their crystal balls and tell us the bands and artists from Leeds worth listening to this year.
Nathan Clark, manager of the Brudenell Social Club in Hyde Park, predicts a big year for Various Cruelties, fronted by Leeds singer Liam O’Donnell.
The band, who appeared on Later With Jools Holland at the back end of 2011, showcased their ‘shabby Motown pop’ sound perfectly on insanely catchy single Chemicals and are set to release their debut album in April.
“They are one of the bands who have got the crossover appeal of being a bit leftfield but also pretty poppy,” says Nathan. “They’re playing the Cockpit this month and are definitely one of the ones to watch this year.”
He’s also fan of the haunting folk-tinged harmonies of Paul Thomas Saunders, as well as championing fellow Leeds singer-songwriter Sam Airey.
Then there is Tristan Mackay, who will be familiar to many as the trilby-wearing busker who serenaded shoppers on Briggate before being discovered by Grammy award-winning producer Martin Levan and bagging a record deal.
“For the past two years he’s been writing songs and he’s bringing out his debut album this year,” says Nathan. “He’s very pop and could be one to look out for in 2012.”
PLAYLIST
* Various Cruelties Chemicals (available on iTunes)
* Paul Thomas Saunders Let The Carousel Display You & I (free download at paulthomassaunders.com)
* Sam Airey The Blackout (download at samaireymusic.bandcamp.com)
* Tristan Mackay Untitled (taster track at tristanmackay.co.uk)
Ian De-Whytell, owner of Crash Records on The Headrow, is optimistic that 2012 will see the long-awaited return of guitar bands after a year dominated by lightweight pop.
Top of his list are Pulled Apart By Horses, the Leeds post-hardcore rockers whose riff-heavy tunes found wider recognition last year and release their second album on January 23.
“I’m expecting to see them move up another level this year,” says Ian. “It seems to be building for them. They were playlisted by Radio 1 and are really starting to get a nationwide following.”
He’s also impressed by Otley band The Chevin, whose debut EP came out last October and are signed to Fierce Panda Records - the breeding ground for the likes of Keane and fellow Leeds outfit The Music.
Melodic Leeds four-piece The Finnlys, who supported Britpop legends Ocean Colour Scene on their recent UK tour, are another of Ian’s tips for the year ahead.
And he’s also impressed by Leeds/York band Club Smith, who opened for Shed Seven on their reunion tour and are currently recording new material at Soundworks Studios in Leeds.
“There was a real dearth of guitar bands in 2011,” says Ian, “so I’m hoping we’re going to see a lot more of them making inroads this year.”
PLAYLIST
* The Finnlys For Love Nor Money (download at www.thefinnlys.bandcamp.com)
* The Chevin Champion (available on iTunes)
* Pulled Apart By Horses V.E.N.O.M (first single from new album Tough Love)
* Club Smith Call To Harm (available on iTunes)
Adam Gillison, from Jumbo Records in the St John’s Centre, is a fan of the psychedelic sound of Leeds five-piece Hookworms.
Dubbed ‘the shoegazing Lynyrd Skynyrd’, their music has also been likened to a mix of Spacemen 3 and early Verve.
“I don’t know if they’re going to be huge stars but they look like they could be quite big this year,” says Adam. “At least in an underground sort of way.
“They’ve actually got a mini-album out already which was a really good seller for us over Christmas.”
Adam also fancies homegrown folk pop quintet Ellen and the Escapades to do well in 2012. Having enjoyed regular airplay on BBC Six Music their debut album is set for release this year.
Others on his list include another folk pop outfit in the form of Bradford’s Wilful Missing, plus Leeds band Vessels.
“Vessels was a big seller for us last year and there seems to be quite a lot of interest building in them.”
PLAYLIST
* Hookworms Teen Dream (download at amazon.co.uk)
* Ellen and the Escapades When The Tide Creeps In (available on iTunes)
* Wilful Missing Don’t Be Scared 48 (download at music.wilfulmissing.co.uk)
* Vessels The Trap (available on iTunes)
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Saturday 26 May 2012
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russellg
Tuesday, January 10, 2012 at 07:38 PMCheck out this top Leeds band- SOUL CIRCUS- Best band in Leeds
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