Sounds of an Eccentric

Photos by Jack Herron I caught up with J Smirk ahead of his show at Newcastle's O2 Academy to chat about his slot at Hit the North Festival and his new exciting side project. It's been a while since you've been on the blog. Welcome back! You've not been making music for very long but you've already achieved so much! For the readers not familiar with you and your work - give them a whirlwind introduction. I'm J Smirk, I'm a Newcastle based hip-hop/rap/r'n'b artist. I started making music seriously about a year and a half ago and it's just flown over. I've already had the opportunity to work with so many amazing people. At the moment it's all abut pushing forward and experimenting. You've been selected to play Hit the North Festival. Although it's only in its second year, it has established an indie-centric sound. How do you feel about playing a the festival as an urban artist?  It's going to be interesting. ...

Photo by Ant Adams This week's 'Track of the Week' comes from Kent trio Glass Peaks . The dynamic three piece have taken a bold DIY move with their latest single; '(Don't) Ask Me To Dance', as they've independently recorded and mixed the track.  Their ballsy move has definitely paid off, as the track is arguably their most creative work to date. It's more mellow than their previous tracks, radiating a warm, endearing ambiance, that illustrates a cooler, suaver side to the group. Their older tracks use more synth and dance melodies, whereas this track has a more prominent guitar sound and showcases the range of front man Alfie Jefferies vocals, which flit from gravelly rock cries to dreamy lilts. As the track progresses bold riffs and drops gives the song a refreshing grit that's sure to be a 'wow moment' when performed live. The final instrumental incorporates a more upbeat vibe, providing the song with an engaging vigour and end...

Photo by Alethea Shephard March is nearly upon us and with so many exciting independent gigs on the horizon, it's the perfect time to discover your new favourite band. 1st March - Contagious Courageous and In The Tune Presents: Scribble Victory, Rascalton, Emaze and Cameron Sinclair-Harris at the Sitwell Tavern 2nd March - Solis Debut E.P. Launch at Leaf on Portland Street 3rd March - The Harriets at Belgrave Canteen and Music Hall 4th March - Farfisa Single Release at Aatma 5th March - Here Lies Man at the Brudenell Social Club 6th March - THE WORLD IS A BEAUTIFUL PLACE & I AM NO LONGER AFRAID TO DIE at Brudenell Social Club 7th March - Deep.Sleep at the Lending Room 8th March - Spotlight Music Presents: International Women's Day Showcase At Independent 9th March -  Sauvage, Mosaic Sun & Noah Noah at Tynemouth Surfcafe 10th March - Double Denim Live Presents: Avenoir Single Launch at Key Club 11th March...

Photo by Sam Shaw 'When Love Goes Wrong' is the second single from Brighton indie-pop quartet Twilight Driving .  A heavy 80s pop and early 00s indie influence meanders throughout their music, radiating a wholesome, tranquil sound. Imagine The 1975 met Switchfoot  - you'd get a track like 'When Love Goes Wrong'. The simple melody is nostalgic of 00s indie-pop - it wouldn't be out of place in the background of a Hilary Duff Rom-Com. And that's not a bad thing, it just channels a soundtrack vibe. However, the charming synth harmonies gives it a modern edge and lovely ambiance. Intimate lyrics ('we're losing ourselves my dear', 'am I making you happy any more?') provides the track with a warm candidness that gives the track an honest intimacy. As the track conclues they incorporate some unusual distorted riffs. Unfortunately they just sound clumsy and obnoxious and distract from the sweet, twinkling synth and endearing vocals...

On Thursday night Sheffield indie group SHEAFS kicked off their debut UK tour with a bolshie gig at Oporto in Leeds. Kicking the night off was new kids on the block Manuka Hive . A glitzy fusion of gritty riffs, proud harmonies and beefy bass. After opening with a somewhat lackluster track, they erupted into a gutsy, theatrical song that combined 60s rock with 00s indie.  They need to ditch the first track - it's the weakest in their set and they're capable of packing a far bigger punch. Their front man was a bit O.T.T. in parts, with some of his facial expressions just  looking odd or as if he was in pain. It was just a little self indulgent and there needed to be more connection with the crowd. However the bromance between the guitarist and bass player; paired with their big, catchy sound; did redeem their set. Considering they only formed in October, their existing set is admirable, and the weaker elements of their set are just growing pains. There's a lot of...

'Calexico' is the latest single by genre-blending sextet Red Rum Club  . The dynamic "Scouse Americana" group specialise in creating big cinematic tracks with a northern grit and 'Calexico' is arguably their strongest release to date. The track opens with gallant Americana trumpet, reinforced by ebullient percussion and a rich bass line, emitting a a Herculean sound that triumphantly demands the listener's undivided attention. A simple yet bold bass line meanders throughout the track, providing it with a sating depth and assertive, full-bodied sound. Front man Francis Doran's vocals are an inexplicably suave purr, embellished with a powerful grit. Occasionally his accent dominates a word, warming the track with an endearing candidness. His 'ai-ai-ai's' in the chorus gives the track a lighthearted catchiness - admittedly it's more on the Scouse(r on a night out) side than Americana but it's fun and makes you bop along. He ...

Explosive rock duo RIVAL BONES  are venturing to Jimmy's in Manchester next Sunday to support FALSE HEADS  on their 'Retina' tour. Akin to the likes of Royal Blood and Queens of the Stone Age , RIVAL BONES have established a brand of raucous, ballsy rock music that's apologetically authentic and more importantly, loud. Their seven single discography has earned critical praise from the likes of Louder Than War, All About Rock , RUSHONROCK and Maximum Volume - cementing them as one of the North West's most promising groups. Drummer Chris Thomason said: "We're looking forward to playing at Jimmy's for the first time and can't think of a better band to do it with than False Heads. We've heard great things about Jimmy's and we always have a party playing Manchester - so it's definitely one we're really looking forward to playing!" Get Your Tickets FOLLOW SOUNDS OF AN ECCENTRIC FACEBOOK TWITTER INSTA...

Photo by Maddie Bright  Here it is! The very first episode of Booze, Bands, Banter - the show that toasts to and with the independent music scene. Big thank you to Below Stairs for letting us film in your gorgeous bar and our special guests Tranqua Lite. Catch Tranqua Lite at their headline gig at Chapel next Friday - click here to check out my review of their single 'Tempered Tides'. So without any further ado, kick back and have a cold one with us. FOLLOW SOUNDS OF AN ECCENTRIC FACEBOOK TWITTER INSTAGRAM

Last week Red Rum Club completed their nine date tour, enthralling audiences across the UK with their suave brand of "Scouse Americana". I caught up with front man Frances and drummer Neil  at the Lending Room to talk about  their tour,  the new single and  romantic mix tapes. 'Calexico' is set to be released this Friday - S.O.A.E. review coming Monday. Check out what I thought of their Leeds gig here. FOLLOW SOUNDS OF AN ECCENTRIC FACEBOOK TWITTER INSTAGRAM

"Rib rattling riffs with a Mancunian Kiss" - Manchester trio Carnation's latest single 'Fatal Attraction is our track of the week. The track opens with whirring synth before welcoming poignant guitar and front man Saul Parker-Backhouse lilting vocals. The  crescendo into the catchy chorus engulfs the listener with in an armada of aggressive, distorted guitar, beefy bass and suave vocals, radiating a cool, 'give no fucks' vibe. As the song progresses garish punches of synth are added, giving it a ballsy edge and complimenting the intricate counter melody riff. The band are playing a sold out show this Friday at Jimmy's in Manchester with support from Sway and Little Strange. If you didn't get tickets, you can catch them in Sheffield , Manchester , Stockton or London in the upcoming weeks. FOLLOW SOUNDS OF AN ECCENTRIC FACEBOOK TWITTER INSTAGRAM

Enigmatic art-rock group Velvoir return with their explosive single: 'Jackboot' The track opens with a frenzy of pulsing bass and aggressive guitar before welcoming front woman Verity Jasmine Bee's gritty, alluring vocals. The single has a more of a rock edge than their previous tracks, with a bigger focus on the raw, ferocious energy that makes their live sets so compelling. However, like their previous releases the lyrics are evocative and thought-provoking, resonating with an intense, twisted sermon-esque vibe. As the track concludes, Bee channels her usual theatrical flair through a belligerent belting verse before erupting into a banshee-like scream. This is reinforced by an uninhibited wave of ebullient bass, herculean guitar and punchy percussion, emitting a colossal sound. It's a track that is easy to envisage in a live setting - it radiates with a nuclear buzz. Although their recorded material is great, Velvoir are a group that you have to experi...

'Never Mind' is the debut single by Newcastle born artist Amy Marrianne. The twenty year old singer-songwriter has combined her background in musical theatre with her love of pop and folk music to create a bewitchingly mellow track. It's clear that she has been heavily influenced by French artist Bon Iver - as the single sounds like a middleman between 'Holocene' and '715 - CRΣΣKS'. The songs opens in an acapella style, delicately layering ethereal harmonies with vulnerable vocals, to create an hauntingly beautiful ambiance. Occasionally there's a glimmer of a Geordie accent tickling the vocals, which gives the track an endearing warmth and sense of character. As the song progresses, minimalist piano and flute accompanies the vocals, adding a sweet depth to the tranquil melody without compromising its gorgeous simplicity. Overall, it's a very promising debut single that highlights Amy Marrianne's ability to craft engaging and compos...

Double Denim Live returned to Verve Bar on Saturday 27th January, hosting a night of music from local Leeds and Liverpool based bands. Kicking the night off was Merseyside trio  Ladies . Their sound was fuelled by a cocktail of 60s rock and 00s indie influences, giving it an preppy catchiness. Bold bass lines gave their music a nice depth and their front man's vocals possessed a sweet, wholesome charm. Unfortunately their stage presence was a little static and they need to engage with the crowd more. However, they did mention that they were all a little under the weather, which may explain their somewhat tame performance. Up next was Liverpudlian three piece  Turbulence  -  a quintessential guitar rock group with a beefy bass backbone. Tickling hints of classic indie gave their sound an upbeat edge, whilst the snarling vocals added a suave air to their music. They radiated a really big, impressive sound for a three piece. No frills, just loud energeti...

Photo by Alethea Shepherd February 2018 is an exciting time for the independent music scene, with every day hosting an exciting gig from an up-and-coming band or artist.  So forget about how you're going to declare your undying love for someone on Instagram and support your local scene. 1st February - The Seagulls at The Lending Room 2nd February - Cassia at Chapel 3rd February - Idle Ross at Verve Bar 4th February - Baby Strange at Jumpin' Jacks 5th February - HAUS at Brudenell Social Club 6th February - VUUR at The Wardrobe 7th February -Red Rum Club, Lending Room 8th February - No Teeth at The Head of Steam 9th February - Crywank at Temple of Boom 10th February - Honey Arcade at Key Club 11th February - Spring King at Brudenell Social Club 12th February - Peach Pit at Headrow House 13th February - Avalanche Party at the Polar Bear 14th February - Julien Barbagello at Hyde Park Book Club 15th February - Joe Kelly at Ver...

'$pend $ome Tim€' is the latest release from Newcastle solo artist $lick king a.k.a.: Callum Casey. Casey is renowned for composing pieces that are satires of alternative genres, creating catchy tunes that incorporate muzac themes and pairing them with farcical music videos. He has described the song as: "a bunch of 'indie cool kid' music clichés thrown together. It's a basically Chamber of Reflection by Mac DeMarco, Boredom by Tyler the Creator and Tame Impala all blended together". The track opens with a simple, twinkling synth riff, before welcoming a disco beat and mellow vocals. It's the ultimate 'chill in the bath' track. It's an easy listen with a heavy 80s influence that gives it an upbeat catchiness and an endearing warmth that'll make you want to smile and bop along. DooDle$ by $lick King FOLLOW SOUNDS OF AN ECCENTRIC FACEBOOK TWITTER INSTAGRAM

'I See Faces' is the latest single from Mancunian electronic-pop trio Ambiere . Their sound is akin to the likes of The xx and Glass Peaks, combining lilting vocals with ambient synth and sturdy beats, creating a suave lullaby sound. The group released their debut E.P, 'Tree of Life' earlier this year and 'I see Faces' is a gorgeous, atmospheric addition to their set. The track opens with brooding synth, heightened by an intricate guitar riff and a siren-song vocal hook. As the track progresses a stronger drum beat is woven in and the vocals adopt a suave tone, emitting a cool, surreal vibe. It's deliciously dark with a toe-tapping beat. Ambiere have a wonderfully versatile sound: the chilled vocals have a soothing effect on the listener whilst the percussion gives their tracks a dancey edge, making it appeal to a wide variety of moods and audiences. FOLLOW SOUNDS OF AN ECCENTRIC FACEBOOK TWITTER INSTAGRAM FOLLOW AMBIERE F...

Middlesbrough pub and rock music venue; Doctor Brown's ; has caused outrage after implementing a ban on female fronted bands, stating their customers believe that women can't sing rock music well. The story gained national attention after The Northern Echo published a damning article on the situation.  Consequently, residents and musicians have started to boycott the venue. I contacted Doctor Brown's to hear their side of the story. Had the situation been blown out of proportion on social media, or were outdated, sexist attitudes being called out? Paula Rees, the pub's manager cited that the Northern Echo had lied and "twisted her words" and she was eager to talk to me to "set the record straight". She said that was more than happy to talk, asking me to ring up later when the pub was a little quieter. Rees also confessed that she wasn't a "big rock fan" and was just going with what her customers wanted, stating that they had...

Manchester indie-rockers Carnation , are set to headline a riotous show at The Peer Hat on Friday 15th December . The Manchester gig is the final date of their winter tour. The group have already played Birmingham, Newcastle, Leeds, Sheffield and Kazoopa Festival  and have received rapturous praise for each performance. Their sound is characterised by suave, angsty vocals, distorted riffs and gritty bass lines, all delivered with an unrivaled herculean energy. Supporting the ballsy three-piece is Messengers and AutoPilot  - both of which are renowned for their feel good indie-rock in their respective scenes. Front man Saul Backhouse describes the band as: "a three piece comprising of an Italian, a ginger and a gypsy - our riffs are heavier and more exciting than Kim Kardashian's left arse cheek". The band have expressed their excitement for their final show of the year, stating that the night "will be carnage". GET YOUR TICKETS HERE ...