Maida Vale - New CD Reviews Coming Soon - Album Recording

Just a quick update on what's been going on and what is to be happening soon.

Maida Vale

Last week I went to see the BBC Symphony Orchestra play at Maida Vale. The programme was a series of pieces by Swedish composers, with two of the composers including Gothe being present for the concert to introduce their pieces.

The tickets were free through the bbc website - http://www.bbc.co.uk/showsandtours/tickets/. They often have concerts, tv shows and all other kinds of things available so see which you can get tickets for just by registering to be with a chance of getting free tickets for a great variety of shows (there are a lot in London).

I have been to a few shows this way and all have been fantastic. I would strongly recommend that you check out the website and see what is coming soon to apply for tickets.

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CD Reviews

I have been in touch with a lot of local acts and will be writing a lot of EP/LP reviews over the next few weeks. These include:

Half Crown - Everything Goes LP

Carrie Tree - Home to the Invisible LP

Fools Empire - This Is Not For You EP

InMe - Destinations EP

Wild Rivers - All The Lights LP

Ed Prosek - Willow Tree EP

Phoria - Display EP

Jacko Hooper - For You EP

It looks like it will be a very good few weeks of listening for me!

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Album Recording

On the 23rd June, I will be heading back to Bangor/Anglesey to record an album with my good friend Will Roberts. He was a course-mate whilst I was studying Music and Creative Writing at Bangor University and is a very talented producer, guitarist, pianist, vocalist and all round musician. He is currently playing in a band called Doll Circus as well as doing his solo project, called The Skyward Lemons. Check them out. I'm really excited to be returning to my university city, host my old open mic once more and record this new record with Will's help. Should hopefully have something to bring back with me to see at gigs.

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First of the EP/LP reviews to follow soon. Keep up to date on here on follow me on @tomsayeruk 

June Jams - Six new tracks that you NEED to hear this weekend!

With the World Cup under way and already giving us some surprise results, the only thing that is for sure is that there is a lot of quality new music being made which needs more attention given to it.

Here is my pick of 6 fresh tracks from local and/or unsigned acts to ease you into the weekend:

St. LongPlayer - 'Spread Your Love (Salad Days)' Soundcloud

The new musical endeavour from the former Maccabees drummer Robert Dylan Thomas, teaming up with Ned Archibong and Nicholson Davids from Normanton Street for this new production project. With sharp vocals, tight production and a Sealife Centre backdrop, what more could you want? Debut EP 'OFTM' Out on 10th July.

Sammi Elston - 'I'll Be Your Darling' @sammielston

Liverpool-based singer-songwriter Sammi Elston combines her carefully-crafted songs with guitar, bass and drums in this catchy pop-rock number. This new recording of I'll Be Your Darling with full band was released on iTunes on 1st June 2014 and can be downloaded here.

Jetglo - 'Like A Scratch' @Jetglo_Official

Brighton indie rock band Jetglo are currently mixing their debut album for imminent release. Here is a recently uploaded track of one of the album tracks. With strong dancable rhythms and clear vocal hooks, particularly in the chorus, this is a feel-good hit in the making. 

Sarah Meek - 'Take Over' Soundcloud

Northern jazz singer based in Bangor, North Wales, Sarah Meek is one of the talents emerging from the local music scene. With the help of friends and local musicians, Sarah recently recorded her debut album, 'Beginnings' as a university project, which she was awarded a First for. Check out the first track to be uploaded, with hopefully more of the album to follow soon. Sarah is definitely one to watch in the very near future.  

Jack Rennie & The Nightmares - 'Trapped'  Facebook

What do you get if you cross Stafford brother-sister duo 'The Taskers' with a Jack-of-all-instruments? Jack Rennie & The Nightmares formed recently and quickly recorded a six track mini-album to celebrate. The album is free to download here. Check out 'Trapped' below  for some sleazy lo-fi vibes. They're coming for your heart!

Phoria - 'Undone' @phoria

With an overwhelming online fanbase, live shows including a string quartet and impressive visuals and UK tour and EP launch (16th June in London at St Pancras Old Church, 21st June in Brighton at the Haunt), Phoria are sure to not stay under the radar much longer. This track has accumulated over 125,000 plays in the first couple of weeks alone. Ambient, well produced and with ghostly vocals atop dark piano and drums, it is chilled out but in a slightly sinister way. Check it out and see what you think.

For more local music picks, what's on guides, reviews, interviews and latest releases, follow my blog or catch me on @tomsayeruk on twitter or facebook.com/tomsayeruk.

Brighton EP/LP Launches in June 2014

With so much music going on in Brighton, it can be hard to keep track of everything. Here is a list of CD/EP/ launch nights this June to keep you afloat.

Sat 7th June - Wild Rivers - Sticky Mike's - All The Lights LP

Who: Clark Maides and Josh Renton
Genre: Indie Pop
Info: OUT NOW, Wild Rivers' 11 track debut album is available for just £3.
Contact: www.facebook.com/wildrivers

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Fri 13th June - Via Tirana - GDS - Full Moon EP

Who?: One man and a guitar, amps and lots of effects.
Genre: Electronic, noise
Info: The EP was recorded with experienced producer James Gasson at Brickhouse Sudio.
Contact: www.facebook.com/viatirana

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Sat 14th June - Half Crown - The Haunt - £7 entry - Everything Goes LP

Who?: A diverse and charismatic group with an infectious energy that spreads across the whole band.

Genre: Blues, Folk, Hip-Hop, Reggae 

Info: The band recently won the Best Unsigned Band of 2013 Award from S&M

Contact: www.facebook.com/officialhalfcrown

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Mon 16th June - Fools Empire - GDS - This Is Not For You!

Who?: Led by Chelsie Tyrell's vocals and piano, this Brighton 5-piece create ambient soundscapes of beauty and wonder.
Genre: Electonica, Pop
Info: Surprisingly this is Fools Empire's debut EP!
Contact: www.facebook.com/foolsempire

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Mon 16th June - Jack Evans - Sticky Mike's - £3 entry - Stripped Back EP

Who?: A young Brighton-born singer-songwriter
Genre: Acoustic, singer-songwriter
Info: Jack will be playing all the songs from the EP at the gig, plus there is support from Ella Croucher, Giorgia-May, Robbie Skitmore & the Spanish Harlem Incident
and yourgardenday
Contact: www.facebook.com/JackEAEvansMusic

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Tue 17th June - O'Chapman - GDS - £6 entry - Relapser EP

Who?: A curly haired London
Genre: Folk, shoegaze, slowcore, dream pop and lo-fi rock.
Info: "You're just a sad sack." - Simon Cowell
Contact: www.facebook.com/ochapmanmusic

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Wed 18th June - Last Days of Rome - Hope - £4 inc EP

Who?: Recently renamed from Blind Eye Fury
Genre: Metal
Info: This is their first show with the new name and they have an EP for you, which you'll get for free if you attend the launch night at The Hope.
Contact: www.facebook.com/lastdaysofromeuk

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Sat 21st June - Phoria - The Haunt - £7 entry - Display EP

Who?: '....super-smart and endearingly pieced together from a breathtaking blend of whisper-like vocals and euphoric electronics .' - NME
Genre: Alternative, Ambient, Electronic
Info: The first track off the EP has already accumulated over 100k views in under 2 weeks!
Contact: www.facebook.com/phoriamusic

For more Brighton-based gig info, listings, reviews, CD reviews and interviews, subscribe to my blog or follow me on twitter @tomsayeruk.

If you are a local band and have a new release that you would like me to review contact me on tom@tomsayer.co.uk