Revelling in the heavier side of indie rock, The Colossal Heads are a group on the rise who have been compared to artists such as Queens of the Stone Age, Incubus, Modest Mouse and Nirvana. These are not bands whose names should be taken lightly in terms of comparison – thankfully The Colossal Heads do them justice.
Those bands rose in the 90’s and early 2000’s due to a rock genre that had gone from being anti-establishment to part of the norm. In recent years the cycle has started again, and The Colossal Heads are here to shake things up once more. To offer further proof, check out the album lead track ‘Mammoths’.
Darryl Nash’s debut album ‘Love Sick’ explores the questions of how to treat a broken heart condition and is both sonically colourful and philosophically inquisitive.
Having earned a positive response and support from BBC Introducing South, Darryl Nash is a phenomenal young artist who is about to release an album that takes up the question of whether a broken heart could ever be classified as a serious medical condition. Apart from digging into the depths of love psychology, the multifaceted songwriter has written songs about events that shake up the history of our world, including present day war in the middle east stories about London’s Jack The Ripper in 1800, especially in tracks like the dynamic and captivating ‘The Murder Chain’.
‘The Murder Chain is a cracking track! ‘ – Melita Dennet (BBC Introducing South)
Ronoc is an artist who has a clear vision of his ambitions. Not only is he an exceptional songwriter but he also uses his art to help others. Having raised money with his new single ‘Battling On’ for local charities in Loughborough at the end of last year, the singer is now re-releasing his heartfelt single for a wider audience. Having already earned support from BBC Leicester and BBC Introducing East Midlands, Ronoc is solidly climbing his way up to bigger endeavours.
Magnificent counter-tenor Iestyn Morris, nominated as ‘Best male in an opera production’ in the 2016 Wales Theatre Awards, is about to release more English song; Roger Quilter’s mystically romantic “By a Fountainside”.
Described as “a gifted ‘all-rounder’” by Digital Journal, the musician and actor is one of the brightest stars shining in the contemporary world of classical music. “By a Fountainside” is taken from his upcoming EP release in which he recorded a collection of 19th and 20th century settings of Jacobean texts.
2016 is marking Iestyn’s 10 year anniversary as a professional opera singer which has led him to start recording some of the songs that were part of his journey throughout the last decade. His latest single release is an introduction to a romantic world of nostalgia, taking on a Jacobean text by Ben Johnson. He explains: “Listening again to live recordings of concerts I’ve performed over the years, I feel that many of these songs deserve a proper studio recording.”
Having had extensive experience on the world’s opera stages, one of his latest successes was his role as Peter Pan in the eponymous opera at the Royal Opera House in London last year. His extraordinary interpretation earned many praises in the media such as The Birmingham Post writing:”A new counter-tenor role on this scale is something rather special; Morris was both physically and vocally agile, with a charisma that, at crucial moments, held the whole theatre rapt.”
Winner of awards such as the Tracey Chadwell Award for contemporary song or the Patricia Routledge National English Song Competition, the counter-tenor has performed in various high profile venues around the world. Born and raised in London, Iestyn has had an unusual start to his career having studied Mechanical Engineering at University before going on to study early music and then opera at Guildhall School of Music & Drama. In his spare time he is creative in a somewhat different aspect; as a self-taught upholsterer, he is currently refurbishing a late French chaise long.
The Single “By a Fountainside” is out now from the EP “Iestyn Morris”
Electronic musician Johnny Normal delivers this shiny synth-driven rework of Adam & the Ants’ 1980 classic album Kings of the Wild Frontier.
Reaching number 1 in the UK album chart and spawning three hit singles ‘Kings of the Wild Frontier’, ‘Dog Eat Dog’ and ‘Antmusic’, the original Kings of the Wild Frontier has left its legacy on the world.
Johnny Normal’s download only rework celebrates 36 years since the original release, and sees the talented producer recording his own unique versions of all of the songs. The album features double Ivor-Novello Award-Winning Ants songwriter and guitarist Marco Pirroni.
The album project was initially the idea of Adam Ant himself, who liked the style of Johnny’s music.
As Johnny explains: ‘My version of KOTWF is not meant as a copycat album as we could never improve on such a classic, rather an Ant fan’s homage to the fabulously exciting original record by Adam, Marco and co which had such an impact on my life and the lives of millions of the MTV generation.’
The project sees Johnny teaming up with close friend and guitarist Psycho Pete and backing vocalist/bass player Izzie voodoo. Whilst on tour supporting Adam Ant, Johnny and Psycho played several of their own electronic interpretations of Ants songs, performing to crowds of up to 3000 people. The performances were well-received by audience members, cementing the idea for the duo to create their own electronic cover album.
In 2014, the project came to a frightening halt when Johnny Normal was hospitalised in three intensive-care units with a succession of life-threatening illnesses. His life support was turned off twice and he was expected not to survive. Beating the odds, he pulled through, his family requesting that the unfinished album be played whilst he was in his coma, spurring him on to fight death. ‘I have no doubt this provided me with a subconscious link to the outside world and aided my recovery,’ Johnny has stated.
Appealing to both Adam and the Ants fans and electronic music lovers, it’s a record that all kinds of music enthusiasts can get into.
There will be an ‘album listening party event’ in London on Friday 17th June, tickets and info from www.johnnynormal.net
Featuring a killer hook and a lively party atmosphere, ‘Wreckless’ is the new fun single from Essex-born, Bournemouth-based rising UK hip hop star, J Keys.
The rapper started writing music 10 years ago, his debut album ‘When Idols Become Rivals’ dropping a couple years back, receiving much praise from fans.
With a new LP in the works, J plans to slowly drip-feed us a new track each month, ‘Wreckless’ being the first taster. It comes accompanied by some vibrant action-packed visuals.
J has previously worked with artists such as K Koke and Little Mix vocalist Megan Cotton. He also has experience as an actor and has appeared in Eastenders, The Bill and a number of short films.
On top of music, J Keys is also heavily involved with personal training and kickboxing: ‘If I’m not at the studio, I’m at the gym!’
‘This band has undeniable chemistry!’ – IndieBerlin
‘Kakkmaddafakka can get the muddy dance floors of the European festival circuit pumping – but they can prop you up against a tree to lounge in the midsummer sun, too.’
– Noisey
Norwegian indie band KMF (Kakkmaddafakka) spearhead their own unique effervescent sound on this summery single ‘Young You’.
The song is a feelgood blend of groovy bass, bouncy pianos and breezy reverb-soaked vocals. You can feel the warm rays of the sun on your face whilst listening to it.
The band hail from the beautiful city of Bergen, where they have grown from a small local group to an internationally recognised act. Their Facebook band page currently has over 150, 000 likes.
Having toured all over the world, KMF regularly play to 5000 fans at their own club shows across the continent and have appeared at and headlined stages at renowned festivals such as Melt! Festival, the Montreux Jazz Festival, Arenal Sound in Spain and Hurricane Festival. With support constantly coming their way, they seem destined to continue onwards and upwards and are not likely to stop until their out the stratosphere.
The group proclaim themselves to be ‘sauna extremists’, having gone so far as to perform naked in a sauna once on Norwegian national news!
Amongst sauna-extremism, the band’s other hobbies include football, gaming and Djing (two of the members Axel and Pål run a popular club concept ‘Klubben’ and a hip hop night in Bergen – proof of a band with eclectic musical tastes).
On May 31st the band will be playing an exclusive UK show at the prestige O2 Academy Islington.
‘Young You’ is out May 13th and is set to appear on the group’s upcoming self-titled album KMF set for release June 3rd.
Revelling in the heavier side of indie rock, The Colossal Heads are a group on the rise who have been compared to artists such as Queens of the Stone Age, Incubus, Modest Mouse and Nirvana. These are not bands whose names should be taken lightly in terms of comparison – thankfully The Colossal Heads do them justice.
The new EP from Colossal Heads showcases a heavier side to Indie Rock. Following in the footsteps of the 90’s to early 2000’s rock revolution these guys are here to make their mark.
These boys work hard, and its definitely paying off, touring from New Orleans to California sleeping on floors all the way. The grass roots approach continues with their promotions, earning well-deserved recognition from local radio and Facebook. These guys just keep on getting bigger, ‘Mammoths’ their latest EP is just another step in their evolution, breaking the boundaries of Rock as we know it.
Electronic producer Kaytranada has teamed up with soul singer/rapper Anderson. Paak resulting in this insane track. Rapping in a unique lazy flow, Paak’s chilled tone perfectly matches the trippy trap laid down by Kaytranada. This is followed by a glorious beat change at the three minute mark, Paak exchanging spitting for soulful singing over some shimmering keys. The duo are sounding deadly here.
‘Glowed Up’ is set to appear on Kaytranada’s upcoming album 99.9%.
Loopexx is a new exciting duo featuring half-Filipino/Austrian human drum machine Pipo (aka James Philip Platzer) and Austrian singer and guitarist Eric K.
Their unique style is a blend of beatboxing, distorted guitars and positive lyrics that inspire social change.
Loopexx have already released previous single – emphatic pop/rock tune ‘Here We Are, There We Go’– carrying motivating lyrical themes and all profit going to charity.
Both from very different backgrounds, Pipo comes from an r&b background whilst Eric’s background is primarily in rock.
The pair’s altruistic outlook is a reflection of the difficulties they have both had to face in life and having to overcome them.
Whilst living in Austria, Pipo has battled with racism for his Filipino roots. He is the lucky survivor of 2013 cyclone, Typhoon Haiyan, one of the strongest tropical cyclones ever recorded. Pipo has family in the Philippines who he regularly visits.
Eric meanwhile was forced to abandon a promising career as a professional footballer after an injury in 1991, unable to walk for an entire year.
Loopexx’s quirky musical concoction of rock and hip hop and their world-encompassing message of unity and philanthropy make them an inspirational and exciting new group in this generations bustling musical landscape.
As with previous tracks, all profits gained from this single go to charity.
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