Keep your eyes up: October

Better late than never, right. They've been playing all year and they are just great, so great.

Slapshh - Headspins
Swim Deep - Honey
Blossoms - Cut Me and I'll Bleed
Will & The People - Lion in the Morning Sun
Model Aeroplanes - Club Low
St Raymond - As we are Now

Keep your eyes up: September

Let's make this a monthly thing. One blog post, 5 bands (songs) - go! 

The Delta Riggs - Supersonic Casualties 

Fraser A. Gorman - Book of Love

Spring King - City

The Bulletproof Bomb - Suitcase

Palace - Head above the Water
Gengahr - Fill my Gums with Blood

Keep your eyes up: Bite the Buffalo

A chance encounter. Now, that has got to be one of my favourite things and that's exactly what the story was here. Eagerly awaiting (2 hours early kind of eager) my friends favourite band, we were so lucky as to be graced by the presence of these Zambian brothers.
A duo with the sound of a full band, Bite the Buffalo now call Bath, UK home and can often be found gigging in London and Bristol. Catchy guitar riffs and solid drumming, with the occasional lead singer changes, they have this music thing under their belt.
You won't regret expanding your playlist. 

BITE THE BUFFALO (DOT) COM

Keep your eyes up: The Districts

Discovering bands that will be playing at The Great Escape 2014 was hard. A tough gig (good pun).

Who am I kidding? It was probably my favourite thing to do and these guys popped up just at the right time. 

A friend of mine who is extremely keen on discovering the newest of new, freshest of fresh and as far from discovered as possible backed me up when I was deciding about these guys. And he sure was right.

Country sounding, folky vibed, slightly rock these boys are a sure win - get onto it!

THE DISTRICTS (DOT) COM

Keep your eyes up: Novo Amor

I think Facebook introduced me to this one. Woah, good job facey, definitely some brownie points for you.
Authentic and honest, his sound is strongly similar to Bon Iver and James Vincent McMorrow. Happy for the soul and effortlessly brings warmth to your heart.
GO!

NOVOAMOR (DOT) CO (DOT) UK

Keep your eyes up: Mighty Oaks

Ok, so wow, I'm a little (a lot) behind on this one. My friend told me all about these guys about 4 months ago, because they are German (even thought they're not)/based in Germany and that's a weakness of mine. But it wasn't until two days ago I became hooked.
Oh man they are so good. Like I've had them on repeat ever since.
Get onto it hey, your ears are begging to be subjected to their sweet sweet sounds. Promise you.

Listen: Brother - Mighty Oaks

MIGHTYOAKSMUSIC (DOT) COM

Keep your eyes up: Ewert and the Two Dragons

Thank you to The Great Escape for, each year, introducing me to a variety of wonderful new bands. These boys included. I'm absolutely loving them!
They are an Estonian indie rock band who's front Ewert Sundja's powerful voice will effortlessly captivate you and inevitably have you hooked. With sounds similar to Mumford and Sons and The Lumineers they have nailed this music producing thing and fortunately for us will be releasing an album in just under 2 weeks. YAY! Make sure you add them to your list, whatever that list may be, make sure they are there, and close to the top.

Listen: Good Man Down - LIVE 

EWERTANDTHETWODRAGONS (DOT) COM

Keep your eyes up: The Growlers

From southern Orange County in California The Growlers are 5 young guys boasting a sweet mixture of pop, rock and country.

After becoming more or less a household name (in my house) I finally jumped on the bandwagon, and of course bought a ticket to their upcoming gig - which was WICKED!

Fall for them, GO - thegrowlers (dot) com

Keep your eyes up: Catfish & The Bottlemen

I present to you one of my new favourites. These 4 young lads from Wales have come together and made something fabulous, energising and super fun. 

Front man Van (unintentional rhyming) moved from Australia at a young age and had met a busker named 'Catfish the Bottleman' - hence the name. The boys signed with Communion in 2013 and have released multiple singles since. Their debut album is set to be released in September 2014 (titled The Balcony)! 

They are touring though Europe and the UK over Summer 2014 and playing Reading/Leeds Fesitvals, Bestival and Latitude to name a few. 

CATFISHANDTHEBOTTLEMEN (DOT) COM

Keep your eyes up: Sticky Fingers

The western Sydney lads weren't the first on my list, but when they announced they would be playing in Brighton, and they are my good friends favourite band, I gave them the time of day. And I'm glad I did. 

A little sentence for the comparison minded "If the Clash, pink Floyd and Arctic Monkeys are three beads of sweat that meet rolling down your back, Sitcky Fingers are there licking it up". Well put together sentence boys. Well put together.

Sticky Fingers the band (dot) com

Keep your eyes up: Matt Corby

This may be a few years too late, but maybe not, because since moving to the other side of the world I can re-live being 14 year old me and tell everyone I know about Matt Corby and how he's going to be huge. 

From Sydney in Australia this long curly haired, surfer boy has a mighty voice and definitely the looks to go with it. Regardless of the fact he was runner up on Australian Idol years ago, he has made a name for himself with his own style of music.

After years incognito, a few less than delightful encounters and profanities but more than delightful music, he has now captured the hearts of many. 

MATT CORBY (DOT) COM

Keep your eyes up: Hozier

Comfortably making a name for himself is Hozier, an Irish musician man who has a bun. 

Yes, bun. I'm glad I now have your attention. 

In amongst my band research for the up and coming Great Escape festival in Brighton I came across this hidden gem.

This one-man-band is successfully making his way to where he should be - the top. Pairing his unique and extremely strong voice with his genius musical talent, he is an incredible act. To be sure to be sure, make sure to listen to him. 

HOZIER (DOT) COM

Keep your eyes up: Dan Croll

Hailing from Staffordshire in Northern England this British lad will have you wooing at his hello. Starting with the amount of hipster he is. Those glasses and them socks. Then when he speaks with his ever so darling Northern British accent you'll not be able to resist.

Having just released his debut album Sweet Disarray, he and his band have embarked on a tour of the UK and USA, if you get the chance to catch him snatch it with both hands.

Go to his website to find his tour dates and buy his album.

You'll thank me later. 

DAN CROLL (DOT) COM

Keep your eyes up: Matthew and The Atlas

London based Matthew Hegarty is the one and only member that makes up Matthew and The Atlas, and really, he's all they need. He was the first artist to sign to London record label Communion and is surely making is way to the top. Matt Corby describes his voice as being "pretty much like rusty vanilla", so basically it's sweet sweet sounding.

He's setting off for Australia later this year and is set to play Bluesfest amongst other shows around the country. He's also just been announced to play The Great Escape in Brighton and I can't explain the excitement I have after the years I've waited to see him. 

MATTHEWANDTHEATLAS (DOT) COM

Keep your eyes up: The Orwells

These guys are fab-u-lus. Like great. With a big side of weird, but you should be able to handle that. 

I was instantly addicted. 

They are 5 lads from Chicago who make music like it's the 70's. They are The Orwells.

Supporting the Arctic Monkeys on the American leg of their 2014 tour and performing on the Late Show with David Letterman, they have been compared to The Strokes and The Doors. Their on stage presence is something of an alcohol/drug infused manic, with lead singer Mario Cuomo stumbling his way through sets. 

Alas, they are doing a good job at making name for themselves. 

THE ORWELLS (DOT) COM

Keep your eyes up: George Ezra

Holy moly. 

ME OH MY. 

This boy is heavenly sounding, delicious and British - I'm not sure you could ask for more. 

His name is George Ezra and he's from Bristol, England. He writes and sings music, which I must note he does insanely well. He's currently touring the UK and Europe and serenading audiences with his bluesy, deep voice. He's set to release his album in Summer of 2014. 

You'd be absolutely bonkers not to get on this bandwagon, he's going to nail the industry of music. 

Oh, and ps, he wears sweaters. Irresistible. 

GEORGE EZRA (DOT) COM