LIVE: Dawes at Oslo Hackney (27/8/15)

Earlier this week I went to see Dawes playing at London's Oslo, a tiny venue in West London. Support came from soloist Leddra Chapman, who played a great opening set, but what I loved most was her excitement over seeing and supporting the band. 

Released this June, the band's latest record, All Your Favorite Bands, is one of my favourite records of all time with the title track and I Can't Think About It Now particular highlights. So when they opened their set with the latter I knew it was going to be a great gig and wasn't disappointed! The set spanned their back catalogue, with songs from all four albums including a favourite of mine from the third record, From A Window Seat (video.)

In the intimate setting with a great crowd, and considering that the band, based and from America, barely play shows here, it was a really special night, and was fantastic to see that the band were enjoying it as much as us. They're one of the best and most tight live bands I've seen and, after seeing the band back in December 2012, it was great to hear the new tracks that I've been enjoying so much live - including the below video, new track Right On Time. Overall the set was awash with frontman Taylor's contagious energy, and heartwarming sing-alongs and incredible guitar solos from Duane Betts, who is currently playing alongside the band.

LISTEN: The Hoosiers release 'Up To No Good' EP

Released yesterday, the new Up To No Good EP from The Hoosiers features this stunning acoustic session of track Dancer's In The Dark. The band are set to release their fourth studio album, The Secret Service, in October, with this EP and the previously released The Wheels Fell Off signalling a compromise between the band and fans regarding whether they should release a record or a series of EPs.

The new EP features two completely new tracks, both showcasing the typical catchy lyrics and charming riffs that the band are known for. The title track is a particular highlight for me, and one that I can see being a great live track when the band take the album on tour across the UK in October (see my post about the tour here.)

As with the first EP, this too features two live tracks from a show on the band's last tour, this time the fun and crowd pleasing Unlikely Hero and third-album track Somewhere In The Distance. All in all the EPs both give a sign of great things to come from the upcoming record, but for me the acoustic session tracks steal the show on both and make me desperate to see the band play an acoustic set in the near future!

Source: www.thehoosiers.com

You can get the EP from iTunes or listen on Spotify now, or if you pre-order the new record through the band's website you'll receive both EPs instantly.

TOUR NEWS: Mumford & Sons (Oct/Nov 2015)

With headline slots at Reading and Leeds Festivals this weekend, and a string of dates around the US and Europe over the past couple of months, Mumford & Sons have just announced a UK arena tour later this year. The tour kicks off in Nottingham on 28th November, with a couple of dates at London's O2 and finishing off in Glasgow on 13th November. Support (apart from 10th November) comes from Jack Garratt. 

Source: mumfordandsons.com

Sign up to the band's mailing list here to get access to the ticket pre-sale on 2nd September. 

WATCH: Jack Savoretti 'Nobody Cept' You' for Ont' Sofa

Taken from his latest album, Written In Scars, is this Jack Savoretti cover of Bob Dylan track Nobody Cept' You. Being typically smitten by most string sections in songs, I love this performance of the track that Jack recorded for the Cosmopolitan Quartet Sessions and Ont' Sofa. With its beautiful lyrics and Jack's unmistakable vocals, the track could easily be one of his own, and he really  does it justice both on the album version and in this stunning session.

Jack Savoretti has a UK tour upcoming across October, with dates and tickets here - but move quick as a few of the dates are already sold out, with tickets remaining for his Roundhouse London headline show. With the reception of his latest record, and appearances at various festivals and on several TV shows across the past months, it's great to see Jack's career going from strength to strength, and I'd highly recommend taking the opportunity to see him in these smaller venues; I can't wait for his show at O2 Academy Oxford.

WATCH: Public Service Broadcasting - 'The Other Side'

Premiering on Flood Magazine today, here is the latest video from London duo Public Service Broadcasting. Producing a unique blend of music and sampled archive audio from things such as the Apollo space missions, the band create a sound that almost shouldn't work, but does to a spectacular extent. This latest video for new single The Other Side, a track taken from their recent album The Race For Space, featuring footage of their performance at this year's Secret Garden Party. 

Source: https://www.facebook.com/PUBLICSERVICEBROADCASTING

PSB tour the UK later this year, with their biggest headline show to date at O2 Academy Brixton, with tickets for the shows here.

WATCH: Spector - 'Cocktail Party'

Indie rockers Spector released their second studio album, Moth Boys, on Friday. It's the follow up to their brilliant 2012 release Enjoy It While It Lasts - which features tracks Celestine and Chevy Thunder. This is the latest track to be taken from the album, Cocktail Party, the video for which was recorded wholly on bassist Tom's iPhone. 

Spector tour across the UK to promote the record in October, with dates in Birmingham, Nottingham, Manchester, Glasgow, Leeds, Oxford and topped off with a show at London's Heaven, among other cities. Tickets for the run of shows are available on the band's website here.

LISTEN: Dawes - 'I Can't Think About It Now'

If you listen to any of my music recommendations, make it this one. The latest Dawes record All Your Favourite Bands is one of my favourite albums and in my opinion one of the best records I've ever listened to both musically and lyrically. This track from the record, I Can't Think About It Now, has an incredible instrumental section, and I find the progression of the track incredible. Really looking forward to seeing the band this Thursday at Oslo Hackney and hearing the new tracks live. 

TOUR NEWS: The Hoosiers (October 2015)

Source: www.thehoosiers.com

The Hoosiers today announced a UK tour across October, taking in some fairly unusual locations, as well as Birmingham, Leeds, Manchester and an intimate slot at London's The Borderline. The tour is to promote the band's upcoming fourth studio album, The Secret Service. The album is out on the 9th October, with a second EP, entitled Up To No Good, being released a week today (pre-order it on iTunes here.) 

Tickets for the tour are on sale now from the band's website here.

WATCH: Ady Suleiman 'So Lost' for Sofar Sounds

I saw this chap, Ady Suleiman, back in June opening my first Bushstock. My festival buddy couldn't big up his music enough and I wasn't disappointed at all with his set, and this is one of the tracks that stood out for me. I love this new Sofar Sounds session from his appearance at a recent Nottingham show, with his unique vocal style and backing guitar creating a simple but fantastic performance - perfect for the intimate and quiet environment of a Sofar show.

LISTEN: Grace Lightman 'Black Is The Colour' ft. Parallax Orchestra

Following my post about the new Liu Bei track a couple of days ago is this new track from London artist Grace Lightman, a cover of Black Is The Colour featuring Parallax Orchestra (a project involving Will Harvey, previously violinist/keys player for Dry The River). Grace shares management with Liu Bei, as well as creating music with one of the bands members, San Felu (who is the new keys player for Dry The River... confused yet?)

With a successful debut track, Vapour Trails, and her first solo live dates upcoming over the next few weeks I was intrigued to listen to the track. While not perhaps the kind of music I'd typically listen to, I admire the mix of honesty and mystery that the track combines. The strings bring another dimension to the track whilst keeping it stripped back, with Grace's unique vocals taking the forefront, with the vocals and strings combining with piano to create a chilling but beautiful track.

Grace Lightman plays:

August 19th: The Green Door Store, Brighton

September 3rd: The Waiting Room, London

September 12th: Big Next Festival, Ghent, Belgium