It’s not every day you get the chance to chat to a legend, I use the term ‘legend’ very sparingly these days as it is a tad overused when making reference to famous people but in this instance, I am happy to use it and I’m sure you’ll understand why.

Way back in the late 1980’s there was a music scene that swept the nation, with its quirky, futuristic sound and electronic ‘bleepery’, we were introduced to ‘Acid House’, one of the bands that took the bull by the horns and began creating music in this mould was Manchester based 808 State and I was blessed when Graham Massey from the band agreed to have a chat.

We spoke at length about many subjects including the early days of the band, Manchester’s Hacienda nightclub, the John Peel Radio Show, Top of the Pops and other fascinating topics, read on to see how we got on.

October 2021 - Artist and songwriter Kid Apollo is fresh on the scene with a brand new song titled “Wrong Foot Forward.” The opening line, “Did you actually write that song for me?” reveals the artist’s intimate and spontaneous approach to songwriting. The directness of the lyrics is incredibly endearing, and it almost feels like peeking into a conversation, with the artist pouring his heart out in every word.

Rory Gillanders is an artist and songwriter who developed a penetrating and endearing sound, capable of charming the audience and instantly connecting with people with his vision and creativity. His new release, Wilderness, is indeed a powerful example of what it can accomplish. This music will definitely keep you on the edge of your seat, because there are so many amazing and mesmerising creative influences bringing a unique touch to the project!

I’m not usually one for midweek shows, but when a band has come all the way from a faraway planet, I felt the need to make an effort and get myself to The Phoenix in the heart of Exeter to catch a band called HENGE.

Having been at least 90 days since I last caught Scouting For Girls, I didn’t think that their show was going to be better than it was in that field in July 21’ – Chagstock was the festival and they were the Friday night headliners. Fast forward 3 months to 25th October and I find myself outside the Corn Exchange in the heart of Exeter, shuffling along in a slow moving queue, waiting to enter the building. It was a cool Monday evening (who invented gigs on a school night? whoever it was should take a good hard think and ask themselves, “are they really worth it?”) As we got near the door, it was clear that their fans didn’t care what night it was, it could have been Christmas Day for all they cared….

Check out Jay’s music if you are into artists such as Bat For Lashes, Courtney Barnett, as well as Snail Mail, only to mention a few. Jay has a very unique and refreshing style when it comes to songwriting, and her blend of rock, Americana and pop music is not going to let you down if you are looking for something that’s different from the average offering in this particular genre.

I was approached recently (not in a park after dark) by a guy called Jonny Hughes who is the guitarist from a band called Sandra’s Wedding. He went on to tell me that they’re from a place called Goole in East Yorkshire and that they have received a fair amount of interest from their local ‘BBC Introducing team. I downloaded their latest album ‘Pleasure Grounds’ which sounded immense, so much so, I wanted to learn more about the band. Read on to find out how they formed, their musical tastes, dream Glastonbury Festival lineups and whether they would fight a dinosaur sized chicken or ten chicken sized dinosaurs (we get ALL of the info in our interviews…)

Without a doubt, Rag ‘n’ Bone Man had the most thunderous voice I have ever heard live and backed up with a fantastic band, he shook the foundations at Bristol’s O2 Academy this week at the start of his sold out UK tour.

"The Beachland Ballroom' is a statement-making first preview of IDLES’ new material, introducing a heavy dose of soul into their pummeling, sneering sound—an unlikely swerve the band pulls off, in both surprising and satisfying fashion. Talbot blends his usual harsh barks with plaintive crooning ...over an understated backbeat, organ hum and electric guitars that spend most of the song tightly coiled, only occasionally exploding outward." - Paste

"a soulful number featuring a powerhouse vocal from Joe Talbot." - Brooklyn Vegan

"The Beachland Ballroom' defies expectations as a slow, prom-ready ballad that’s bolstered by soulful vocals. - Consequence

Peter Hook (New Order), Rowetta (Happy Mondays), Brinsley Forde (ASWAD) and others join C McQueen for limited edition CD LP. 'RADIO BABYLON' is a 8-track album raising featuring music industry giants, all to raise money for Musicians Against Homelessness.

“It’s almost impossible not to smile and get into the groove with Skinny Lister’s brand new, feel-good album A Matter of Life & Love.” VINYL CHAPTERS
“The fifth album from Shanty Punksters Skinny Lister is a kaleidoscope of styles and influences... a record of their life and times, adding more colour to their story.” AT THE BARRIER
“Rousing singalongs and traditional rockabilly are the order of the day” NE LIFESTYLE

As a natural next step in a long and storied artistic career, “Ohio, I’ll be Fine” stands among Kramies’ best work to date, showcasing his knack for bringing together the personal and the universal into addictive, accessible folk-pop.

FROM A NEW ALBUM: ‘STONED WEEKEND’
RELEASED SOMETIME SOON… MAYBE

3 Day Weekend’s music should most definitely be something for you to consider if you like to listen to artists like Halsey, Daughter, and Billie Eilish, only to name a couple. The production of 3 Day Weekend is absolutely on point, and it brings a deeper level of enjoyment to this release and the amazing emotional outlook that you can indeed experience when you blast the music out of your speakers, preferably as loud as possible!

Described by peers as electro pop meets alternative hiphop, Etoile's influences range from Portishead and M.I.A to Massive Attack, Jamiroquai, Spearhead and Sade. A mother of two, she endeavours to break the stigmas around being a performing artist and a mother who chooses to pursue an 'unconventional' path. Encouraging a more open minded culture and championing minority groups.

Artist: Pattern Pusher

Release: “Sunrise” EP

EP Release Date: 29th October

“Another Girl” single out 22nd October

Produced by John Waddell and Luke Simpkins

Mixed by Chris Sheldon (Foo Fighters, Biffy Clyro).

Following on from a hectic Summer festival schedule, knocking out a cracking rendition of the National Anthem at the recent Anthony Joshua fight and winning thousands of fans along the way, Becky Hill completes her tour of the UK’s finest arenas including Brixton Academy and as many O2 Academies that would have her! Tonight was the last night of the tour and she decided to grace Plymouth with her presence to celebrate the occasion in style.

It may have been a wet and windy night in Bristol in mid-October, but Becky Hill definitely brought the heat with a lively performance that had her fans chanting her name from the get go. On the back of her long awaited first album, and of course the enforced 'covid' break, the capacity crowd were well up for this and they were even carrying out the fainting bodies before she took to the stage.

BASTILLE ANNOUNCE NEW ALBUM ‘GIVE ME THE FUTURE’ OUT FEBRUARY 4th 2022

NEW SINGLE ‘NO BAD DAYS’ OUT NOW

VIDEO CO-DIRECTED BY DAN SMITH

LISTEN HERE

WATCH HERE

PRE-ORDER GIVE ME THE FUTURE HERE

“RATS really are an exemplary indie band with a twist” - Atwood Magazine

“Classic indie guitar lines, soaring vocals and massive personality” - Radio X

“RATS are bursting at the seams with an energy + charm intrinsic to their genre, capturing the hearts of their fanbase” - The Zine UK