Indie Quick Picks

Veins

Genre: alt-rock

Bio: Veins is the new project of Stevie Rees, Scott Warner and Dan Appleyard, who have toured the UK, Europe and Japan in bands as diverse as The Junket, Defenestration and Acoda playing everywhere from pubs to major festivals and arenas. Veins brings together their combined experience and influences to create a band and sound that is greater than the sum of its parts.
For their debut release, the band have been in the studio with legendary producer Russ Russell (The Wildhearts, Napalm Death, New Model Army) who has added a stadium-ready gloss to their anthemic, yearning rock.

Track: Ambi

Why we Like It: its a captivating piece of epic alternative rock. Mighty and airy with ethereal guitar lines that sweep you up into their brooding breezy atmosphere. The absorbing gritty vocals pull you into this gripping emotionally deep track while the pounding drum patterns add brawn and a potent punch.

Follow Veins on facebook here: https://www.facebook.com/veinsbanduk
Watch the video for Ambi below

The Magic Es

Genre: rock n’ roll

Bio: Since forming in 2014, The Magic Es, Pete Thompson (Vocals/Guitar), Jasper Stainthorpe (Bass), Stuart Catchpole (Drums/Vocals) and Phil Woods (Guitar) have been busy. All lifelong musicians with world tours, top 40 singles and a wealth of musical experience under their belts, the boys came together after a chance meeting at a wedding led to them finding common ground in the simple pleasures of classic records and punkish rock n’ roll.

Track: Running Scared,
When asked about the song frontman Pete Thomson said :
“It’s about the oldest topic in town – love & relationships. It’s about a relationship I was in that ended many years ago. I should be thankful, as it produced a few good tunes that have made it into Magic Es sets. For me it’s the bass and drum groove at the beginning that really set up the song and once we’d got that down it flowed quickly. Funnily, the “La, la, la” chorus was supposed to have words but the first time we gigged it I forget them so improvised – it seemed to work so we kept it in!”.

Why we Like It: Its gritty punchy rock that blends out into a bright friendly anthem. Tight harmonies, blistering guitar and a melody that will have you singing along to that “La la la” in no time.

Follow The Magic Es on facebook here https://www.facebook.com/wearemagicuk
Watch the video for ‘Running Scared’ below

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The Dangerhounds

Genre: Punk indie-pop

Bio: Since forming in 2015, The Dangerhounds, Brad Moorcroft (Bass) Tris Ellis (Drums) Adam Hume (Rhythm Guitar/Vocals) and Obi Davis (Lead Guitar) have been busy playing a series of riotous live shows and making a name for themselves on the fertile Leeds indie rock scene. Their debut EP and 2016 singles led to airplay with BBC Introducing, who were quick to spot their knack for Saturday night indie-disco melodies and energetic riffs. With celebrated local producer Ed Heaton at the controls, their new material builds on the punch and swagger of their earlier recordings and offers more examples of their high-octane, pop-punk thrills.

Track: Nobody Gets Hurt

Why we Like It: Its a snappy infectious slice of indie pop with punchy drums vigorous guitars and rapid tempo. The rhythm will have you dancing in no time its finger clicking good
Stream ‘Nobody Gets Hurt’ below

Useless Cities

Genre: Indie Rock

Bio: Since arriving fully formed in 2016, Useless Cities, Tom Argent (Vocals & Guitar) Conny Bent (Vocals & Keyboards) Clare Caldwell (Bass) and Sebastian Brebu (Drums) have been busy playing a string of live shows around London (including gigs at renowned venues The Sebright Arms, The Monarch, The Good Ship, O2 Islington Academy, The Black Heart and The Amersham Arms) and building a fanbase for their unique take on nineties and noughties-influenced indie rock. Their debut EP ‘Stay’ quickly turned heads at radio with Hoxton FM, Croydon Radio and Spark Sunderland playlisting tracks, while the band’s songwriting and intricate soundscapes were praised by Wolf In A Suit, Music Is My Radar and Independent Music UK in a series of glowing reviews.

Track: New Feelings
Why We Like It: Its a uniquely chilling piece of indie rock with icy guitar lines, alternating and weaving male/female vocals all bound together with relentless drum patterns. Its smooth and delicate with the right amount of raw edge and grit to keep it fresh and breezy.

Watch the video for ‘New Feelings’ Below

Cherry Head, Cherry Heart

Genre: alt-pop

Bio: Cherry Head, Cherry Heart, Andy Johnson (Vocals, Guitars, Drums, Bass) and Naomi Lowehave (Vocals ) picked up BBC Radio 2 and BBC Introducing airplay with the ultra-catchy Road To Rome, been selected as Track Of The Week on BBC Radio Tees and won over new fans all over the UK with their live performances. Following their lo-fi 2015 debut LP ‘Chihuahua Deluxe’, Tarred & Feathered leaps from richly-detailed indie-pop arrangements to Spaghetti Western inflections (and most places in between) without losing their core personality and gift for melody.’So Much More’ is taken from their recently released second album ‘Tarred & Feathered’.

Track: So Much More

When asked about the album co-frontman Andy Johnson said: “Tarred and Feathered” is held together by a loose narrative about a young couple travelling around Europe trying to escape something or someone unspecified. The songs talk about being an outsider, displacement and also the romance of the underdog as well as the inevitable desire for a home. Musically the album is a love-letter to pop music in its many forms. Influences include – Nancy Sinatra and Lee Hazlewood, Taylor Swift, The Shadows, Ennio Morricone and The Beautiful South.

Why we Like It: Its smothered in timeless Britpop songwriting. Its upbeat bopping fun with sweet sublime melodies, genre-hopping musicality and effortless charm.

Stream ‘So Much More’ below

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