Travis Oaks are an alternative blues rock band from Cavan. The band consists of Michael Paterson (Rhythm guitar and lead vocals),Taran Plouzane (Lead guitar and backing vocals), Aran McGillick (Bass guitar and backing vocals) and Killian McCourt (Drums). They have been carving their own sound since late 2012 by fusing Indie, Blues, Punk and Rock and now have signed a publishing deal with New York based Big House Publishing.
Their new single ‘Love You More’ shows us why these guys are creating hype. This hook-driven track is a robust, powerful song with a cool, slick, smooth tone in the verses, which oozes confidence and swagger. With bluesy licks, thumping rhythm and lush harmonies its a really slick song to listen to. The intro gives you an instrumental taste of what’s to come and then they hold back while singing the verse making you crave more. You wait through an intense vocal with harmonies and light guitar riff before an explosion into the heavy chorus.These guys know how to grab your attention with catchy chorus and impeccable guitar that keeps you addicted to their sound.
Travis Oaks will have a new EP Black Light out on June 10th and if ‘Love You More’ is anything to go buy its going to be a fantastic EP. Travis Oaks have been invited to support big names such as The Riptide Movement, The Hot Sprockets , ASH and most recently The Strypes, at the sold out Olympia Theatre so live shows are something these guys are not afraid of. Look forward to hearing more from Travis Oaks in the future. These guys are sticking around!
Stream ‘Love You More’ below
The Amazons are an indie rock and roll band from Reading. Members Matt Thomson (vocals and guitar), Chris Alderton (guitar), Elliott Briggs (bass) and Joe Emmett (drums) have been on an upward journey, ever since they first arrived on the music scene with their first demo “Something in the Water” back in early 2015. In March this year they released their new single ‘Stay With Me’ which is an energetic youthful track full of adrenaline. Produced by Tom Dalgety (Royal Blood, The Maccabees), the single has already gathered critical attention. It had its first début on Radio One and has been championed by Annie Mac, Huw Stephens and Phil Taggart.
With thunderous drums and slick guitars The Amazons give us a dynamic fist pumping anthem.This is a melodic track that packs a punch, its sure to get everyone dancing and singing along.
You can catch The Amazons at:
Sat 23 Apr Are You Listening Festival ,Reading.
Sun 01 May FestEVOL ,Liverpool.
Thu 12 May House of Vans, London.
Thu 19 May The Great Escape, Brighton.
Fri 27—Mon 30 May Lost Village Festival, Lincoln.
Sun 29 May Lost Village Festival, Lincolnshire.
Fri 15 Jul —Sun 17 Jul Truck Festival,Steventon.
Fri 15 Jul —Sun 17 Jul Beat-Herder, Ribble Valley
Thu 28 Jul —Sun 31 Jul Kendal Calling, Penrith.
Fri 29 Jul Standon Calling ,Standon
Sat 20 Aug Glass Butter Beach Festival, Abersoch
Sat 03 SepFestival No.6 ,Portmeirion
Watch ‘Stay With Me’ below
Looking for that perfect summer track? Well Fickle Friends have it sorted!
Fickle Friends are an Indie Pop band from Brighton. Natti, Sam, Harry, Chris, and Wilson have brought us our summer heatwave with their track ‘Say No More’. Their shimmering synths, infectious hooks, groovy bass and perky vocals just radiates sunshine. It’s a retro feel-good anthem filled with 80s synths and a dazzling fresh power-pop sound. Its like The 1975 meets Haim.
This warm, feel good energetic track can almost make you feel the heat of the sun an absolutely brilliant track a must listen to!
I’ll look forward to more from Fickle Friends!
Stream ‘Say No More below’
Ginger Tom are a pop-punk band from Doncaster. Dan Washbourn (Vocals/Guitar), Tom Prendergast (Vocals/Guitar), Alex Byard-Cooke (Drums) and Luke Broadhurst ( Bass) released their single ‘Thought You’d Won’ on Friday 15th April. This single is the title track from their third EP and showcases their talent for writing catchy, melodic, harmony driven upbeat tracks.
They had previously wowed audiences at Universities around the UK when they were hand-picked to join the prestigious Coffeehouse Sessions tour last year. Their tour support slots with The Hoosiers, Marillion and The Pigeon Detectives have further increased their growing fan base.
‘Thought You’d Won’ is an energetic track with great hooks and tight harmonies accompanied by radiant guitars and a solid dependable rhythm section. The vocals are smooth and effortless with luscious harmonies that are infectious. This is a positive animated track that’s easy to listen to and sing along with.
The band will be celebrating the release of ‘Thought You’d Won’ with the following tour dates,
5th May – The Lion, BRISTOL
13th May – The Century Club, LONDON
31st May – West St Live, SHEFFIELD
1st June – Think Tank, NEWCASTLE
2nd June – The Actress & Bishop, BIRMINGHAM
3rd June – The Zanzibar, LIVERPOOL
9th June – The Maze, NOTTINGHAM
11th June – Verve, LEED
Stream ‘Thought You’d Won’ below
Serene is a three piece band from Cumbria consisting of Kieran Day on vocals, guitar, bass, synth; Ryan Patterson, lead guitar and synth; Matthew Southwell, drums and percussion.Contrary to what their name suggests these guys are full of loud, big sounding psychedelic, alternative rock. Their song ‘Rainbow Mind’ is a seductive enrapture of psychedelic rock with slick alluring guitars and steady beats. The gritty vocals give a grunge vibe to the chorus, however Kieran’s vocals for the verse is deep and haunting and adds a bewitching mysterious quality to the song. The psychedelic guitar solo is impeccable and breaks the tone a little preparing for the big crescendo.
This is a fantastic song well written and composed and really showcases the talent of these guys. Serene are currently preparing to release their first EP and if ‘Rainbow Mind’ is anything to go by its going to be a strong EP. Bright future ahead for this band!
Stream ‘Rainbow Mind’ below
‘Burn It Down’ is the first single to be taken from The Brazen’s début album. The Leeds/Birmingham-based indie rock band’s single was released on March 25th. Ryan Hobbs (Vocals), Matt Lucas (Lead Guitar), Trev Phillips (Bass), Adam Larner (Drums) and Rob Clayton (Guitars) have created a melodic song with tight instrumentals.’Burn It down’ is full of slick, radiant guitar riffs pounding drums and fluent vocals. This song is very catchy and upbeat and is a very promising track that ticks all the boxes. It is well written and composed with soft verses that burst into a vigorous chorus. A strong single to set us up for what looks like a stunning album to come.
The Brazen’s début album is set for release this May and was recorded with talented producer Ed Heaton (production credits include Jon Gomm, Fold, Ellen & The Escapades & more) at the beginning of this year. With a string of sold out shows and a performance at Elland Road already under their belt, these guys are set to do well.
You can catch them at :
27th May – Leeds, Milo
3rd June – Sheffield, Maida Vale
23rd July – Birmingham, Actress & Bishop
Stream ‘Burn It Down’ Below
Bonsai are a four piece band from Stoke-on-Trent that consist of Chris Hough (Guitar & Vocals), Joe Hough (Guitar), Benjamin Hough (Bass) and Freddie Godley (Drums). These guys have created an alternative rock sound based on raspy vocals, psychedelic riffs and steady beats, that gives a dusty drive in a desert vibe.
‘Houdini’ was released last year and gives a classic rock feel, with slick, prominent guitar throughout and smooth raspy vocals. The guitar gives a trance feel to the song that draws you in right up to the polished sensual guitar solo.
‘Ned’ starts as a mellow track with a nostalgic guitar teasing the tune until the vocals and drums kick in. This track gives a youthful freedom vibe. With the slick skill of the guitar as a prominent feature throughout and well rounded drum beats this song takes you on an epic journey. Just the guitar riffs and solos alone are like a path to ‘Neverland’ that you can’t help but follow.
Two really strong tracks from very talented and skilled lads , will look forward to hearing more from Bonsai.
Stream ‘Houdini’ and ‘Ned’ below
RINSE are Josh Hollingworth, Rich Hewitt, Josh Hassall and Ollie McNicholas. This indie quartet from Stoke-on-Trent released their new track ‘Not Too Late’ earlier this year. This song comes after their track ‘Jude Law’ won the ‘Best Record’ Award. These guys have a tight sound and have created a buzz amongst a growing network of fans.
‘Not Too Late’ is an explosive track with many dimensions, it kicks off with powerful guitar and robust drums which lighten for the vocals to enter with the verse. The haunting nostalgic vocals adds a mysterious tone to the song. The chorus bursts into vigorous guitars and pounding drums. Its a very catchy song with lyrical repetition in the chorus which adds to the haunting effect. This is a very promising band with a raw, real feel, definitely ones to watch!
Alternative Synth-pop band Neon Wolf From Kilkenny. Rob Grace ( Vocals), Stevie Cullen (Guitar/ Vocals), Joe Glynn (Drums), Lee Shanahan (Bass) ,Liam Doyle (Keyboards/Vocal) début EP ‘Love Lost In Design’, topped iTunes charts in Ireland, Germany, Austria and Switzerland and saw them receive both national and regional airplay in those countries. In 2012, the band were also awarded the RTE RAAP Breakthrough Bursary, having been chosen out of a list of thousands of entrants. Since then Neon Wolf have been developing a staunch fan-base and have been playing at many festivals such as Electric Picnic, Sea Sessions, as well as a main stage appearance at Longitude 2015. They have also supported The Courteeners, Alabama Shakes, The 1975, The Districts and most recently Hudson Taylor in Belfast’s Mandela Hall and Dublin’s Olympia Theatre.In 2015, Neon Wolf released their single ‘A Place To Call Home’ on Killing Moon Records in Ireland and UK and have now announced a début headline show Upstairs in Whelans live on Saturday June 11th.
These guys are a must see with their tight instrumentation, fun and catchy pop tunes. Their single ‘A Place To Call Home’ is a sunny tropical infectious tune with punchy drum and lustrous guitars. Its bursting with melodic hooks and shimmering synths. Every note explodes good vibes and sunshine. With soft warm vocals and a falsetto chorus just oozing energy and enthusiasm.
Feel good sunny music on a summers day in June, they will make the sun shine even if its raining. Tickets for the gig are €10 and are available from Ticketmaster.
Watch ‘A Place To Call Home’ below
Anna Liese have released the final two tracks from their début EP ‘Chasing and Fading’.’Chasing and Fading’ the title track is a riff base rock track heavier than the other songs we have heard so far.With an intense Radiohead vibe. The vocals have a mysterious tone to them which really adds to the atmosphere of this track. There is a call and response between the guitar and the vocals which is really effective. The song builds to a heavy end with a strong final note.
‘Green’ is my favourite track on the EP it again starts slow with melancholy vocals and then kicks straight into a rock song with full sound and a proper mosh pit tune, with slick guitars and pounding drums and even a scream in vocals. The vigorous guitars are amazing and really show the skill of theses guys. This is a zealous, blazing track and I can imagine it is magnificent live.
Looking forward to the live gigs!
You can catch Anna Liese at the Thirsty scholar, Waterford on the 27th April and in The Brewery Corner, Kilkenny on the 21st May.
Stream ‘Chasing and Fading’ and ‘Green’ below
Indie: (n) an obscure form of rock which you only learn about from someone slightly more hip than yourself.
