Northern Flame by Emma Johnson's Gravy Boat Emma Johnson’s Gravy Boat comprises Emma Johnson on tenor saxophone, Fergus Vickers on electric guitar, Richard Jones on piano, Angus Milne on double bass, and Steve Hanley on drums. This collective is fast achieving recognition as one of the most innovative and diverse collectives around. I discovered Johnson …
This is the new single from The Way After a band from London/Coventry, and it’s quite a tune! It starts off with a count off on the sticks, which gives way to a very pleasant indie rock number. But what caught my ear is the use of the string quartet on it, really lush strings. …
Years ago I knew a kid in my neighbourhood called Chumbo. His family were from North Africa. I’m not sure exactly where. He was a bright kid, loved his football, and always had a big smile. When he moved, his friends around him were so sad, I never saw him again, and nothing on the …
What I like about this song is the way that it stutters rhythmically. It’s got a tasty groove to it, but to give it more character the synths are punchy, giving the drums more space to stop and start. This also gives way to the vocals being able to be the star here. An enjoyable …
Grumble grumble… Liverpool…. grumble grumble… Talent from drinking the water of the river mersey. Grumble… Annoyingly good songs. Grumble. Oh hey! So…. My boys from Liverpool The Heavy North dropped their new album. And guess what? It’s bloody brilliant. This for me takes over from where their debut album left off, it’s bluesy as hell, …
Congratulations on the release of Shut Up Samuel, how does it feel? It feels good! People seem to like this one! It’s had a few radio plays here and there too, including Mr Robinson’s 6 Music show [the BBC Introducing Mixtape]. We recorded it as a special version of another new song when we realised …
Arizona brother and sister duo Dorsten are back and what a number! This song starts off with footsteps and claps slowly, along with finger picked guitars, then Sophie comes in with her signature powerhouse vocal. Careful. She will knock you off your seat. Little blonde girl with the big voice? Of course she is. This …
Sitars? Of course. This has a bit of the Eastern touch melody-wise combined with a bit of indie pop, and it works really well. The vocals are so clear, and the guitars are put through their paces with phasing, a bit of reverse and tremolo. Great work production wise. This is quite a soundscape especially …
This next one has lots of fuzz on the guitars – this is made up for with big vocals! Unison in the verse and harmonies very much in the 70s rock vein in the chorus. Cowbell? Of course there’s a cowbell. The toms are big as well on this, I wonder if the drums were …
This track is so groovy, from the melodic bass line to the drums doing little funky things in the intro. It’s a great track! It will have you singing that bass line for days, and it’s a good sign. Loving the guitar work too, overall it reminds me a bit of Cory Wong of Vulfpeck. …
