Tag: Leeds

Video by William Ruben Helms

New Video: Up-and-Coming Leeds, UK-based Band Koyo Returns with an Arena Rock-Friendly New Single

Now, if you’ve been frequenting this site over the first few months of this year, you may recall a post featuring the Leeds-based indie rock quintet KOYO. Comprised of Kettering, UK-born, Leeds-based founding members Huw Edwards (lead vocals, guitar) and Jacob Price (synths and samplers) along with Seb Knee-Wright (guitar), Dan Comlay (bass) and Tom Hingham (drums). the up-and-coming British indie rock act have received attention across the blogosphere and elsewhere for a sound that reportedly draws from n across the blogosphere for a sound that draws from 90s grunge and alt rock and from Edwards’ and Price’s parents’ classic rock and prog rock-heavy record collections, as well as the electronica and post rock sounds of Floating Points, JOVM mainstays Mogwai and Brian Eno — but manages to sound as though it nodded at the work of Tame Impala, Wish You Were Here and The Wall-era Pink Floyd, 90125-era Yes and Radiohead as you would have heard on “Tetrochromat,” the album title track and first single off the band’s forthcoming full-length debut Tetrochromat.

The album’s latest single “Lost in the Kingdom” continues in a similar vein as its preceding single as it clearly draws from prog rock and art rock while being remarkably accessible, thanks in part to a rousingly Brit Pop-like hook; however, “Lost in the Kingdom” may arguably be one of the most ambitious and adventurous songs the up-and-coming British band may have written and released to date. In fact, the song sounds as though the band actively were trying to write an arena rock anthem that nodded at the likes of U2, Coldplay and others, while retaining a buzzy psychedelia.

Filmed and edited by Barry Hoffman at Soundyoucansee with additional footage by Joseph Burn and Joseph Burn Video Production and Kayla Cosgrove at Loving Lotus, the recently released music video for “Lost in the Kingdom” employs kaleidoscopic footage shot in the desert, superimposed with footage of the band performing the song, followed by other surreal and dream like imagery — and it’s done in a way that sort of reminds me Candlebox’s “Far Behind” and others.

Single Review by William Ruben Helms

At the end of last month, I wrote about the Leeds, UK-based indie rock/post-punk trio Cowtown. Comprised of David Michale Shields (drums), Hilary Knott (bass, keys and vocals) and Johnathan Nash (guitar,vocals), the British trio have over the course of three full-length albums have developed a reputation for  angular, super caffeinated post-punk that draws from Gang of Four, DEVO, Talking Heads, much like “Motivational Speaker,” the first single off the band’s forthcoming album Paranormal Romance slated for an August 19, 2016 release through Athens, GA-based HHBTM Records in the US and Sheffield, UK-based label Audacious Art Experiment.

Clocking in at 92 seconds, Paranormal Romance‘s second and latest single “Tweak” sounds as though it were indebted to the Ramones and 90s alt rock, as the the trio pairs propulsive and thundering drumming with blistering power chords and an anthemic and infectious “oh oh oh” at the hook that you can imagine a crowded and sweaty bunch of kids yelling lustily while moshing — and with a youthful abandon.

Single Review by William Ruben Helms

 

Over the past two years or so, Vancouver, BC-based producer, electronic music artist, Pat Lok has quickly built an international profile. Lok’s 2013 remixes of Cashmere Cat and Justin Timberlake, along with his own original single “Remember” received BBC Radio One airplay – and an AlunaGeorge bootleg, which was praised by the renowned electronic act received over 300,000 plays. Original singles like “Move Slow” and “Same Hearts” were released to critical praise from the likes of Vice’s THUMP and iTunes — and at at one point, the Canadian electronic music artist received over 1 million Soundcloud plays. Adding to a growing international profile, Lok has played clubs across Canada, Western Europe, Mexico, Columbia and the US.

Lok has been rather prolific this year, releasing a number of high profile singles that have captured the attention of this site and other blogs — and he ends the year with the release of “Your Lips” feat. Dirty Radio, a single that has seen airplay from BBC Radio 1Xtra, as well as spins by a number of renowned DJs including Tensnake, Moon Boots, Goldroom, Just Kiddin, Nick Catchdubs and others. And when you hear the song, you’ll see why it’s received such attention early on as the song pairs layers of cascading synths and skittering drum programming with Dirty Radio’s sultry vocals to create a song that possesses a seductive and dance-floor ready groove — while nodding to synth pop and R&B. Sonically, the song reminds me a little bit of a house music-version of Michael Jackson‘s “I Can’t Let Her Get Away.”

The Vancouver, BC-based producer and electronic music artist recently announced the release of the “Your Lips” remix package, which features remixes from Dutch producer Tony Tritone, Leeds, UK-based artist Crvvcks and renowned Chicago-based duo Christian Rich.  The Tony Tritone remix (below) retains the soulful vocals but pairs them with hard hitting drum and bass and atmospheric synths to give the song an airy and  funky soul-leaning feel that makes the song sound as though it were drawing from Dam-Funk and 80s synth R&B — all while remaining dance-floor friendly.

 

Single Review by William Ruben Helms

New Audio: Introducing the Atmospheric and Dramatic Sound of Leeds, UK’s Actor

With the release of their first two singles “Feline” and “Swim,” the Leeds, UK-based electro pop trio Actor, comprised of singer/songwriter Louisa Osborn, producer Chris Mulligan and drummer Ste Anderson received national attention as blogs […]

Single Review by William Ruben Helms

New Audio: Menace Beach’s Latest Single “Ghoul Power” Channels 90s Grunge Rock

With the release of their debut full-length effort, Ratworld earlier this year, the Leeds, UK-based quintet Menace Beach, comprised of Ryan Needham, Liza Violet, Matt Spalding, Nestor Matthews and Nick Chantler received international attention for what has been described as channelling grunge/alternative’s […]

Uncategorized by William Ruben Helms

Comprised of Harriet Bevan (vocals), Jim Swainston (guitar), Nico Carew (guitar), Dave Vachon (bass) and Dom McCready (drums), the Leeds, UK-based quintet of Black Moth captured the attention across the UK with a stormy, power […]

Uncategorized by William Ruben Helms

Based in Hamilton, Ontario and Leeds, United Kingdom, the quintet of New Hands is heavily inspired by 80s New Wave and contemporary electronic dance music, and their first single “Strange Attractor” manages to bear a […]

Uncategorized by William Ruben Helms

Comprised of childhood friends, Scott Johnson (vocals and guitar), Giuseppe De Luca (vocals and guitar), Adam Taylor (bass), Sean Goodchild (guitar) and Graham Robson (drums), the Leeds, UK-based quintet of Goodbye Chanel came about as several members […]

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Joseph Eaves, who writes, records and performs under the moniker of Eaves is a 20-something Leeds, UK-based singer/songwriter, who has won quite a bit attention across his native UK  an old fashioned DIY manner – […]

Uncategorized by William Ruben Helms

Album Reviews: Dream Koala’s Odyssey EP and Hookworms’ Pearl Mystic

Dream Koala Odyssey EP Release Date: October 1, 2013 Growing up in Paris to Brazilian parents, the now 19 year-old Yndi Ferreira quickly taught himself to play guitar and sing by ear, and he began […]

Uncategorized by William Ruben Helms

The Leeds, UK-based quintet Hookworms have developed a reputation for their thunderous live sets, opening for the likes of Wooden Shjips, Sun Araw and Peaking Lights. And they won over quite a few fans in […]

Uncategorized by William Ruben Helms

Formed in 2011, the Leeds, UK-based band China Rats released a debut EP, To Be Like I which was released by Once Upon a Time Records. The album quickly gained the attention of BBC Radio 1’s […]