Here is my final monthly blog for 2020, a year that none of us will forget. Like everyone else, I’m hoping next year will start to see a return to normality in the battle against the virus. But I shall also remember 2020 for being a brilliant year for new music and I’m hopeful that this will continue for some time. I always hunger for great new music but this year the quantity and quality has been unrivaled since the last great indie rock scene of the early Noughties led by The White Stripes, The Strokes and the The Libertines. It’s great being Twitter friends with all the bands and artists and being part of the community of bands, fans, bloggers, DJ's and nutters from the #VirtualPubCrawl. Ladies and Gentlemen, I give you another twenty talented acts from The Roaring Twenties.
1) Anticipation by Crimson Bloom
A surprise release from Crimson Bloom who are moving on up and introducing new elements to their sound. It opens with a wicked bass line, incorporates beats, an organ solo and builds up and up until the drop where it goes all tweaking acid funk bonkers. I’ve not heard a single bad word said about the Blooms’ new direction. Then again, people know I wouldn’t stand for any nonsense. As licky as trips.
2) Tin Man by Thrillhouse
Bloody brilliant single from Brighton’s Brightest. It opens with a whirling tape, crowd noises and a beat reminiscent of The Beatles Magical Mystery Tour. A bit of wacka wacka guitar (for want of a real musical term), the obligatory sax section and an infectious tune that demands repeat listening. However I cannot make any sense of the lyrics so I gave up and just enjoyed it for what it is. Given how prolific Thrillhouse have become, I'll be shaken if they weren’t planning to drop a little festive cheer in December!
3) Equate by Dictator
Equate is taken from a mental health charity EP released last month with two Scottish bands covering each other’s songs. This song was written by Volka and performed by Dictator - a band I have great hopes for. Buy the EP here. https://dictatorvolka.bandcamp.com/album/dictator-x-volka
4) The Ballard of Me And Thee by Liam Hillyer
Liam Hillyer has now expanded his sound by adding a band with no name. The Ballad of Me and Thee is yet another rousing single. I’ve loved the last three or four releases and Liam Hillyer seems to have a regular place on my monthly playlist. It is well deserved.
5) Fairytale Scene by Daydream Runaways
I love the way this song starts with a chuckle, has a doorbell in it and feels like an early Strokes single. The Daydream Runaways are gaining a bit of momentum with the in crowd and were very nearly endorsed by the actor who played Jay from the Inbetweeners! Surely it won’t be long until our Champion Bobby Carlyle gets in on the act.
6) Going Away by Plastic Glass
Top Sunderland band with a powerful blast of indie rock n roll. Check them out and give them a follow on your platform of choice. Plastic Glass have a physical CD for sale on Bandcamp containing this and previous singles Let Me Know and Come Clean. https://plasticglass.bandcamp.com/album/going-away
7) Sally by The Lilacs
Wigan band The Lilacs with their first new release in over a year. Sally is a song about a woman struggling with kids and bills and planning to get back with her ex. The Lilacs are planning to release some vinyl hopefully before Christmas and get back to the studio as soon as the lockdown allows. If you don’t know them then go and check out their previous songs Vicarage Road and Seen It All.
8) First Fire by Red Cavalry
This is my favourite song so far by Red Cavalry. It’s a jangle pop tale of love/lust at first sight.
9) Different Way by Felix Hill
Felix is a talented enigmatic teenage singer-songwriter from Manchester. He sounds uncannily like a young Mozza on Different Way. Felix’s voice and the production on this single are absolutely fantastic so I can’t wait to hear more.
10) Dublin Serenade by Amelia Coburn
Speaking of fantastic voices, Amelia Coburn has one of the finest going at the moment. She’s released a couple of ukulele based cover albums with her interpretations of The Clash, The Jam, The Roses and Bowie among others. This beautiful song is outstanding and is available for pre-order on vinyl over on Bandcamp. https://ameliacoburn.bandcamp.com/
Amelia Coburn and Teenage Waitress are playing an online gig on Facebook on Friday 4/12/20. https://m.facebook.com/rebirthofcoollive/
11) Home by Vela Incident
A ode to retreating from the world to the comforts of your home. An anthem for introvert released during a year of lock downs. The song starts softly and the music builds throughout transforming from a gentle statement of intent to a defiant call. There is no verse/chorus here just a repetition of the same eight lines so the song structure offers stability and suggests a safe place mirroring the theme of the lyrics. A great song that is a firm favourite with everyone who has been snared on its refrain.
12) Hooked by Cobain Jones
Cobain’s latest single opens with an acoustic strum, before drums and bass join the picture. Distant horns enliven proceedings before the outro reverts to vocals and acoustic guitar. Hooked is a modern pop classic song about the free spirited Rosie who always leaves them wanting more with a trail of admirers in her wake His next single Wonder is released this coming Friday.
13) Star City Serenade by Jay Tennant
The second song with serenade in the title this month. I honestly don’t think I’ve ever typed that word before today. Jay is another talented artist in a crowded field. He’s releasing brilliant indie guitar music, has a new album coming out in 2021 and he’s also a top bloke and active on Twitter sharing his favourite songs.
14) S900 by Flip Fantazia ft. ERaze
An ode to sampling taken off Flip Fantazia’s amazing The Trip album. This is my most played track of theirs so wanted to share it. Boom Bap! Another quality emerging act you can support on Bandcamp.
15) Stargazing by Independent Music Club
Beautiful guitar playing, twinkling chimes and an astronomical theme.
16) Wasted by Connie Miles
Now here’s another beautiful emotional song co-written by Connie and her Dad Ian Miles. It’s an excellent performance and great production. It really deserves a wider audience. Connie is also the front woman for Revivalry and a little bird has told me to watch out for a Revivalry Christmas cover song in the next few weeks. Be warned - it might be a little shaky!
17) Sad Eyes by The Shop Window
Maidstone’s The Shop Window have been releasing songs under this name for the past 12 months now having reformed musical alliances that date back to the 90's when they were known as Westpier. Their latest single is an emotional one inspired by Carl’s visit to see his ageing Grandma. The band harmonies and hypnotic guitars are excellent here. The Shop Window plan to release their debut album The State of Being Human in 2021 and there is also talk of vinyls coming soon. Given that it’s December I must give a shout out for The Shop Window’s Christmas song. Signpost is wonderful and the best original Christmas song I’ve heard in the last decade. Listen to Signpost on their Bandcamp site and buy some digital singles. https://theshopwindow.bandcamp.com/track/signpost
18) Bored of Babies by Bad Nerves
Bad Nerves are an East London Punk Band playing fast thrash punk pop songs. They have just released a self titled album full of Ramones inspired rock n roll.
19) All That I Know by Sages Of The Subway
The Sages of the Subway are channeling their inner War On Drugs here to great effect. This band have only released a handful of songs over the last few years and I hope this indie-cates (could help it) their new direction as they do it so well. They are clearly great musicians and songwriters so check out their back catalogue.
20) Merry Christmas by Willie J Healey
A modern Christmas song that sounds traditional. It doesn’t rely upon gimmicks just warms the cockles of your heart. Willie has released a brilliant album this year called Twin Heavy which has the vibe of a post- Beatles solo album from the early Seventies.
Epilogue...
Don’t forget that Bandcamp Friday is 4th December so head there and buy some physical or virtual music and support the artists you love. Also The Mariners new 3 track EP Dear Genevieve is available for pre-order. https://themariners.bandcamp.com/album/dear-genevieve-single
Finally Michael Tanner (Rebirth of Cool Blogger) and myself are currently counting down our combined top 100 independent songs of the year in a series of videos hosted on YouTube. If you want to hear our considered opinions on such matters and learn some new dance moves then you need to check out the Indie 100 countdown videos on the Rebirth of Cool TV channel. https://www.youtube.com/user/Mobytanner
Merry Christmas
Danny / @Oldindiekid1
♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️
ReplyDelete