The Gabriels

The Gabriels are an indie quartet forged on a love of jangly guitars and classic pop sensibilities. Made up of Gudg (vocals), Fran (Bass), Leon (Guitar), and Stuart (keys), they release their debut album this Spring.

The single is available at Bandcamp.

The leadoff single is ‘Loose Canyon’ and, is as stunning a debut single as your ever likely to hear. The guitars trickle downstream without a care in the world allowing frontwoman Gudg to sprinkle angelic vocal over.

With little England dominating politics and covid19 sucking the morale out of everyone, their yearning to escape is the new year tonic we all need. The shimmering West Coast guitars evoke yesteryear but, remain fresh and purposeful to their scintillating end.

Through their longing to be back in the Laurel Canyon scene, they have encapsulated Roger McGuinn’s ability to make guitars glisten. However, what lifts this song is its ability to capture the heart of Gene Clark. The longing of ‘Set You Free This Time’ and the vulnerability of ‘If You’re Gone’ permeate their dream of escape.

Few debut singles can profess to be this fully formed. Even less can say they are great.

Civic Green

Barnsley’s Civic Green is a four-piece consisting of Danny Hall (vocals/guitar), Andy Lowman (bass/vocals), Gav Darley (drums), and Matt Walker (guitar). The indie quartet has signed with the impeccable These Bloody Thieves Records (False Heads, The Institutes) for the latest single ‘City Streets’.

Let’s check out their latest single and ‘There Is Always A Light’ from earlier in the year.

City Streets

The romanticism of The Enemy’s ‘Sing When You’re In’ flows through the guitars on this heart-pounding anthem.

Laced with heart, this is a clarion call for underdogs. As they decree ‘I don’t need nobody here / I’ll make it on my own’, it’s time for the underclasses to saddle up and join them in battle.

 When that vaccine comes, beers will fly uncontrollably around arenas to this!

There Is Always A Light

Form the playbook that brought ‘More Than A Tramps Vest’ and ‘Hindu Times’, welcome back the radio-friendly indie hook.

They have a flair for Tom Clarke and Noel Gallagher’s style of lyrics. When frontman Danny Hall sings ‘what’s been lost, will come back again’ and ‘faces loved and lost they will live on’, an instant bond is formed between band and fan.

Robust, rebellious, and infectious, it sets the platform for indie classicism to soar once more.

Shade

Many say the North will rise again. When did it sink? It wasn’t with Cabbage, The Blinders nor was it via the resurgence of Johnny Marr’s solo career.

Further proof lies with Manchester four-piece Shade. Signed to Fear Records, they have released two tracks this year. Let’s check them out:

Head In The Clouds

Released in September and produced by the legendary Gavin Monaghan, Shade set their axes to exuberant and blow the fucking doors off.

The hiss of Definitely Maybe loiters with a feverish intent. Dripping in bravado and oozing guts, it holds the same qualities of a resplendent Liam Fray striding out to a sold out Heaton Park. It’s humble and brash, earnest and boisterous. Big stages lie ahead.

Neverdie

Despite their Manchester roots, there is something inherently Liverpudlian about this instant classic!

The effervescence of The LA’s seduces the innocence of Gerry Cinnamon on this fluid piece of magic.

It’s not ‘Live Forever’ but, you’ll crave the solos with the same fervent expectation. The early flourishes lure you into their brand of hedonism before the closing moments sail off victoriously. 

*Image courtesy of Asupremeshot

Test Card Girl

Test Card Girl is the creative moniker for Caffs Burgis, a singer-songwriter from Manchester. In 2017, she attended the iconic Trades Club in Hebden Bridge to watch John Bramwell. It was here she would meet her producer and collaborator Dave Fiddler.

Her latest single. ‘Holds Me Down’ was produced with Fiddler at Fuse Studios in her Manchester. The crisp and quirky synths accentuate Burgis’ acutely soulful vocals. It takes a supreme talent to make synths sound warming. Burgis has nailed it on her first attempt. Enriching and homely, she takes the Celtic soul of King Creosote for a heart-warming day out with Billie Eilish.

Being able to lift the pop of Haim towards the power of Zola Jesus is rapidly beckoning her towards national treasure status Test Card Girl releases her debut album ‘Seven Dolls’ later this year.

Test Card Girl · Holds Me Down

Columbia

Columbia are five piece from Liverpool consisting of Alex Sheppo (vocals), Jonny Eccleshall (bass & vocals), Jay Sweeney (lead guitar), Tom Comer (rhythm guitar) Jay Culkin (drums).

Named after the Oasis classic and, recording with The Real People’s Chris Griffiths, they are set to light up big stages, when they’re allowed.

Let’s take a look at what they have been up to in 2020 so far:

This Life

A death defying renewal of ‘Definitely Maybe’s spirit. Taking no prisoners, it’s a tirade of debauched escapism.

The release of Jay Sweeny’s guitars is an exhilarating joyride that is going to send the re-opened gig venues of the UK into sweat dripping frenzy. They’re matched, in the closing moments by front man Alex Sheppo as he wrenches out an Ashcroft “this is a big / fuck you / come on” moment of demonic brilliance.

Nothing Left For Me

Channelling Richard Ashcroft’s William Blake mode, Columbia wander lonely streets on this record. Sweeney’s guitars, are beset with turmoil, try to find the light but, a fraught danger is forever in looming.

The contrast of acoustic and electric guitars bring memories of The Verve and Oasis’ glory days flooding back. Is it just pastiche? Perhaps, but, when it’s this good, it deserves to stand alongside the giants of working class glory.  

Meanwhile, frontman Sheppo offers his most interesting vocal to date. John Power and Richard Ashcroft lurk but, something melodically deranged formulates like Mansun’s iconic Paul Draper. With an innate ability to play vocal textures like this already, it poses a great future from a remarkable star.

In Earnest

In Earnest are three-piece band from Southend-on-Sea. Consisting of Thomas Eatherton, Sarah Holburn (Vocals) and Toby Shaer, they are self-professed sad indie noise enthusiasts.

17th April marked the release of their debut single, ‘Put Me Under’. It focuses on singer-songwriter Holburn’s chronic anxiety and depression, conditions which prevent her from holding down regular jobs. Luckily, for the rest of the wold, she has channelled it on this sublime song.

Lyrically, Holburn goes a long way to paint the perspective of anxiety sufferers. The awareness of what should but can’t be done builds a tension full of integrity. The isolation she puts over with ‘every now and then I sleep in someone else’s shoes’ is a remarkably honest notion. She goes on to deliver the tracks true standout line:

“You are everywhere and nowhere / just don’t put me under your spell”

A line to think on, especially in these secluded times.

Together, the three piece have launched themselves to the world with a stunning piece of music. At points, Holburn’s vocals have the haunting beauty of Julien Baker but, they surpass her during the climatic crescendo.

Shaer’s acoustic picking layers delivers nice nods to the atmospheric joy of Bon Iver. Meanwhile, Eatherton’s guitars, are of such quality that, they seem to ooze from earth like John Martyn’s classic ‘Small Hours’.

With a six track EP due soon, In Earnest have arrived in both, great style, and substance. Watch this space!

TINFOILS

Manchester’s TINFOILS release their new single, ‘Spitting’, Friday 17th April across all digital platforms. Having had to postpone gigs with the sublime Mysterines and the emerging C33s, they have brought this release forward as much needed uplift to their fans.

All images courtesy of Trust A Fox

The garage psyche of Thee Oh Sees is given a jaunty trip down The Libertines frenzied Albion coast. Raucous and riotous, but, always heart-warming, TINFOILS have found away to step away from life’s bullshit and create their own world.

At times, somehow, they make rolling with life’s heavy punches sound euphoric at times. Largely though, this is the sound of working class Britain. Taking the piss out of everything and not giving a shit.

Joyous!

The Red Stains

The Red Stains, just another band from Manchester? No. They’re another fucking great band from Manchester!

Photography by Andi Callen

The four piece are made of Natalie Emslie on vocals, Sterling Kelly on bass, Ella Powell on synths and guitar and Ben Dutton on drums. Only a year into their existence, they have already garnered interest from the iconic Tim Burgess and the wonderful people at Vanadian Avenue.

April 24th will witness their debut single ‘Mannequin’. Even during lockdown, it’s one of the most eagerly anticipated singles in recent years.

The throbbing baselines paint a dank landscapes for Emslie to deliver her venomous insight into objectification. Much like Ari Up, Emslie has the ability to be make almost every syllable sound like a right hook whilst, simultaneously, containing great melody.

This summer, Covid19 permitting, they will be appearing at Kendal Calling. Visions of people arriving to a stage three hours early are forming of the back of this great debut.

Nobodies Birthday

Nobodies Birthday are a five-piece rock ‘n’ roll outfit from Reading. They consist of Dom (vocals), Ryan (lead guitar), Steve (rhythm guitar), Brendon bass guitar) and Tom (drums).

Having supported The Cribs, Pigeon Detectives and The Sherlocks, they look set to have a big year with a new EP due for release this year.

Clouds

Frontman Dom takes from all the 00s greats. The cuteness of Kyle Falkner (The View), the debauchery of Matt Bowman (Pigeon Detectives) and the adorable yet confrontational style of Tom Meighan all come together here.

'Clouds' greatest asset though, lies within its warmth. The guitar licks and stomping drums can only emanate from true friendship. This is the sound of mates forging memories. Yes, we want all our bands to sell out tours, but, let it never detract from the romance of the bond and the art they can make along the way.

Lemonade Wages

Sometimes, it feels like all is lost with music. Then, a song falls into your lap like 'Lemonade Wages'. It pays great homage to the lyrical romance of 'Sally Cinnamon', the melody of Oasis’ 'I Will Believe' and the swirling genius of 'Columbia'. Suddenly, it's not cold anymore, you can get the girl and political hope isn’t naive.

Cleargreen

Manchester, oh Manchester, how you continue to speak this rock n roll nation’s soul. Cleargreen, made up of songwriting duo Ali Staley (Vocals/Guitar) and Liam McIver (Vocals/Bass), plus Josh Haworth (Lead Guitar) and Mike Wilcock (Drums) look set to be the next crucial act from the North West.

Let’s check out some why:

Blue Lights (Sirens)

Staley and McIver’s vocals will beckon fans of The Twangs 2007 cult classic ‘Love It When I Feel Like This’. The beauty of Staley and the aggression of McIver combine to give rock n roll another much-needed working-class voice.

However, it’s Josh Howarth’s stunning Nick McCabe guitar work which steals the show. His solo, a destructive piece of shimmering rock n roll not take you away from reality, it will blow it away. Remarkable when you consider Jorja Smith’s beige original.

Gone

As free and easy as The View and DMA’s, they have a richness that threatens to take them way beyond the aforementioned.

The guitars have the immediacy of ‘Definitely Maybe’ but, through Staley’s vocals, a warmth is emitted akin to the great soul and Motown records of the ‘60s.

Like all great records, this has great juxtaposition. Amid the warmth is a defiance that launched The Roses and Oasis, and now it’s going to launch Cleargreen. It’s inevitable.

(To Be Understood) In My Paradise

Indebted to the Roses (especially 'Mersey Paradise'), Cleargreen have channelled The Enemy’s working-class romanticism through the Roses’ paisley era.

Although the magic of Squire is not there, they’ve taken a shot at forever and, they’re really not that far away. ‘Supersonic’ has a clip of Noel furiously explaining to journalists that “our music will stand the test of time”, that spirit is out in full force here.

*Image courtesy of Sarah Oglesby

Our 8th birthday party is Friday 2nd August at the New Cross Inn. Click the image below for tickets: