Hailing from the Midlands, Vega Rally is a self-produced solo artist signed to Spirit of Spike Island. He’ll be heading out on tour (dates below) with his label mates Afflecks Palace and Pastel this summer.
Vega Rally
Helve
The Goa Express
Manchester-based The Goa Express are set to release ‘Second Time’ via Ra Ra Rok Records on the 18th of June. It follows their raucous indie anthem ‘Be My Friend’, can they maintain their form?
The Utopiates
The North London outfit were formed during lockdown. That alone is a message of hope that only an old person planting a tree for future generations can top. They consist of Dan Popplewell (vocals/guitar), Ed Godshaw (keys), Josh Redding (lead guitar), Luke Nottingham (bass), and Joe Jeffreys (drums).
The Voyd
Sunderland four-piece The Voyd have been garnering praise from This Feeling and Gigslutz during lockdown. Let’s check out what they have been up to:
Tiny Dyno
The Outcharms
The Rosadocs
Afflecks Palace
Pastel
Sister Psychosis
Daz Cadwallander
Daz Cadwallander hails from the tiny village of Bolton Upon Dearne in the North West. After performing at Tramlines and supporting the legendary Tom Hingley (Inspiral Carpets) he is back with new single, ‘Dream of Yesterday’.
Skylights
Threads
Bedside Manners
Emily Breeze
Lock-In
London 5-piece Lock-In formed early in 2019 and have been catching the eye of the ever since, especially This Feeling and their loyal army of rock ‘n’ roll lovers.
Breakup Haircut
The Galahads
Manchester’s The Galahads quietly went about their business in 2020. Putting out a series of singles, each better than the last.
Once you have the vaccine, we order you to thank the NHS, call your family then run in to the street and decree ‘The Galahads are coming!’.
Here’s why:
Turns To Hate
The band’s fourth single was released just before Christmas. The lazy haze of Kurt Vile is given a robust workout alongside some lo-fi soul vocals from Oliver Flynn.
The dose of distortion just niggles at the dreamy guitars creating a powerful tension. The threat of eruption is never far away from this
volatile psychedelic gem that wouldn’t be out of place on the Nuggets: Original Artyfacts from the First Psychedelic Era, 1965–1968
Sunday Bop
The ambition of Pink Floyd is taken on a trip through the dreamscapes of Real Estate, Ride, and The Byrds on what is, quite frankly, a modern classic. It spirals through space bringing peace amongst the galaxy with its effortlessly cool and enriching psychedelia.
Get your best Laurel Canyon outfits ready as, post lockdown, a great trip lay ahead!
The Ringards
The Ringards are a post-punk four-piece hailing from East Dulwich in South East London. Formed in 2018, they consist of Enzo Salinie (lead vocals), Vinny Baker (lead guitar), Gary Cartmill (bass) and Jo Hornby (drums).
They have a string of art-rock singles to their name to date. Let’s check a couple of tracks out:
Helen Mirren
Their last single pays homage to the national treasure, Helen Mirren. Bombastic Arctic Monkeys riffs are given fresh impetus with their dark Cabbage-esque production and Salinie’s vocal delivery.
Satanic and sardonic, they walk a dark line but, every so often drip feed a hook to entice you in and never let you leave.
Tit Willow
Straying between the murky psyche of The Horrors and the pop playfulness of Pulp, ‘Tit Willow’ is nothing short of a triumph.
Rasping New Order guitars are giving a heavenly vocal cut through and thus, begin to sparkle in the shadow of a ‘Rise’, ‘Still Life’ and ‘F.E.E.L.I.N.G.C.A.L.L.E.D.L.O.V.E.’. It lacks the true killer moment to stand shoulder to shoulder with these post-punk giants but, it matches them for the heart!
*Image courtesy of Aggie Cherie