Interview - Slaves - NME Awards Tour

The NME Awards creep up on you each year and you have to fumble to think of deserved winners of the glamorous 'middle finger' award. Unlike some of the winners, which you won't remember in years to come, the NME Awards Show provides some of the finest new talents around to tour the UK around the month of February.

Slaves backstage before their gig in Norwich last year (photo by Cal Beasley).

Traditionally including four acts, although tonight The Amazing Snakeheads have pulled out, the first slot is sacred and held by the likes of Coldplay, Florence and the Machine and the Kaiser Chiefs. This year it's the turn of Slaves to kick off the 2015 NME Awards Tour at The Leadmill in Sheffield, but first they must decipher which is the best flavour of Monster Munch and after settling on pickled onion, they sit down for a chat. Listen to what they had to say through stuffed mouthfuls of stinkin' crisps.

Interview by Josh Shreeve (@JJShreeve)

Slaves Release 'Feed The Mantaray' Video

Slaves have released the surreal video for their latest single, 'Feed The Mantaray'.

The pair, who are currently on the NME Awards Tour, have released their most eccentric video yet, which features, naturally, a giant mantaray chasing them on a sea bed of pick 'n' mix. The track comes of their debut album, 'Are You Satisfied?', which is due for release on June 1st. 

You can watch the video for 'Feed The Mantaray' below:

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Palma Violets Return With New Song 'Danger In The Club'

Palma Violets premiered their new track on Zane Lowe's show last night ahead of a prospective new album in 2015.

'Danger In The Club' is the first track to be released since their 2013 debut album, '180'. It's distinctly still Palma Violets with a plodding melody not dissimilar to Iggy Pop's, 'The Passenger'. You can listen to the track at about 53 minutes by clicking here.

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Metronomy, Ben Howard and Jungle Announced For Parklife Festival

Parklife have announced their biggest line up to date for this year's festival at Heaton Park in Manchester.

The line up, which is usually predominantly made up of DJs, has more than a sprinkling of alternative musicians this year to make up an impressive looking weekend. Joining the likes of Ben Howard, Metronomy and Jungle will be; Disclosure, George Ezra, Mark Ronson, Fatboy Slim, Caribou and Mac Demarco.

There's also a return to the stage for Everything Everything and an appearance from The Brits Critic Choice winner, James Bay on the weekend of June 6th & 7th. Tickets go on sale here from 9am, Friday 13th.

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Ben Howard and Bombay Bicycle Club To Headline New Festival, 'Citadel'

Ben Howard and Bombay Bicycle Club have been announced a the headline acts for new festival, 'Citadel', which will be held in Victoria Park, London on Sunday 19th July.

The one day festival comes from the creators of Lovebox and Wilderness but Ben Howard and Communion record label themselves are the ones sorting out the rest of the bill and judging by their appointment of Bombay Bicycle Club, there could be plenty more big names to come!

Tickets are only £45 and which you can purchase from this Friday at 9am. Alternatively, if you pre-register, tickets will be available from this Thursday at 9am. Click here to find out more about Citadel festival.

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Introducing - Middle Distance

Today's introduction comes to one of the freshest bands around. Not only this their debut single, but a promising one at that.

'Your Honour' comes off the Buckinghamshire band's debut EP, 'Don't Leave Home', which came out on 15th December. Their fresh sound, lively vibes are fused between darker, grungey tones, heavily influenced by the likes of Modern Baseball, and counter-balanced by the equally moody, but technically beautiful Morrissey-style vocals. The alternative-rock riffs and catchy vocals will be left ringing in a bitter-sweet rhythm around your head.

The band have also released a video to accompany the song through a rare 90s camcorder, check it out below, and grab your free download of the track on the band's soundcloud!

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Peace Go Overkill In Video For New Track 'I'm A Girl'

Birmingham outfit, Peace, have released the latest track of their forthcoming album, 'Happy People', released next month.

The track, 'Im A Girl', is the fifth track to be taken off the band's second album, which will also feature previously released singles, 'World Pleasure', 'Money', 'Lost On Me' and 'Gen Strange'. The video for 'I'm A Girl' is the band's first interactive video, as viewers can pick between four scenarios revolved around the lyrics; Harrison writing the lyrics on glass, Dom beating around them on his drums, Harrison and Doug taking to the mic in a karaoke style video, and finally, shots of someone instant messaging the lyrics, emoticons and all. It's fair to say that after sitting through those twelve and a half minutes of their new track, if you don't know the lyrics, then you 'ain't a true fan'.

'I'm A Girl' will feature on the band's second studio album, 'Happy People', released on 9th February. Meanwhile, you can watch the video, or all four videos for the track below:

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Introducing - Rat Boy

Rat Boy is teenager Jordan Cardy who's making sounds not heard since early Jamie T mixtapes.

His scatty guitar and mashed up hip-hop vocals are glitched together in what can only be described as sounding like a mix between the judgemental lyrics of Jamie T, 'I'm not being rude but you've already got babies from two different ladies, how do you want to be viewed?', and the happy go lucky kind of indie guitar vibes of Only Real.

His first mixtape is available to download from Soundcloud and for your daily download I've chosen the pick of the bunch, 'Sportswear'; the most enjoyable mashup of the lot.

Download 'Sportswear' and other tracks from his mixtape below:



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By Josh Shreeve (@JJShreeve)

Introducing - Real Lies

Debut single, 'World Peace' by London trio Real Lies could not sum up a bands sound more accurately. Straight from the kick off, the border of 80s and 90s pop synth is crossed to create a melody almost too close for comfort to New Order; it's spot on.

Sounding just like the Italia '90 hit, 'World In Motion', Real Lies are instant controllers of their own destiny, slipping in clips of 90s football on a box TV and memorabilia strung across the walls in the video for the dance hit. It's almost a surprise that John Barnes didn't crop up with an irrelevant rap half way through. 

B-side, 'Deeper', is a throwback to Pet Shop Boys as Neil Tennant's mundane vocals echo are near enough present in every nook of the track. The effervescing synth still rings strong into latest EP, 'North Circular', which comprises more toned down and troubling vocals similar to The Streets. 'Dab Housing' on the other hand is dreamy and includes smooth tropical groove without getting too carried away. The track, perfectly suited for those dark and misty club nights is as intriguing as the band members, who choose to refer to themselves by their initials, KK, TW and PK. Don't expect them to remain strangers though, as the indie-dance pioneers bring it back to 2015.

Sounds of 2015 - Palace

As little as six months ago you could've gone past the rather inconspicuous term, 'Palace', without batting an eye-lid. After a support slot of Jamie T's comeback summer tour and a stellar debut EP, our sights are firmly glued on them from now on.

2014 was has been by no means a big year for the London quartet but instead the building of a foundation of what ought to be a fast-paced year ahead of them in 2015. As mentioned, Jamie T himself gave them the nod to accompany him on his comeback shows and has given them further support by inviting them on his European tour next year, so there's more exposure to come. They've earned the praises of the likes of Huw Stephens and their debut EP, 'Lost In The Night', was given a commendable 8/10 by us this year.

Their blend of sleazy guitars and bluesy vocals are brimming with archaic nature, which somehow fits so perfectly into today's music scene. 'Bitter', is one of the most beautifully crafted songs of the year but peel back the layers and you'll reveal 'Veines'; an old crooners crackling rendition of modern day romance. There's nothing really like them at the moment but they're in no rush to go full throttle just yet, as they've told us. Next year should be the steady making of Palace and their tranquil music both on record and live.

Big Sixes reveal new single 'Heaven Sent'

Big Sixes are back with their latest single, 'Heaven Sent', having been premiered as Zane Lowe's 'next hype' earlier this month.

The track is taken from their upcoming 'The Idles EP' which will feature another four tracks. 'Heaven Sent' continues the tender melodies and heartfelt vocals we've become accustomed to from the band and now having been away for a while, and supporting the likes of Deaf Havana and Charlie Simpson, they're ready to embark on their first ever headline tour.

Check out their tour dates, and you can watch the video for 'Heaven Sent' below:

Tour dates:

December
1st The Castle, Manchester
2nd Key Club, Leeds
3rd King Tuts, Glasgow
4th Scholar Bar, Leicester
5th Bodega, Nottingham
6th 2Pigs, Cleltenham
7th Sunflower Lounge, Birmingham
8th Cavern, Exeter
9th Louisanna, Bristol
10th Hope, Brighton
11th Joiners, Southampton
12th The Courtyard Theatre, London

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Raury; what every future singer-songwriter needs to be like

'Raury' is the 18 year old singer songwriter from Atlanta. Also known as the vastly matured, problem stricken, song bird and love child of Andre 3000 and every kid who picked up a guitar ever.

Warning. This content is not strictly indie. Or is it? It's hard to justify. What this young man has got is immense songwriting ability but placing it in a fixed perimeter of a particular genre seems unfitting. I suppose you'd say it's somewhat alternative hip-hop, or not really... Get the picture? Whilst there's similarities lyrically and rhythmically to Outkast and rumours of him collaborating with the ever-growing ego that is Kanye West, his guitar playing casts an alternative shadow on his soulful, teetering on the brink of rap lyrics. 

Is Raury art? It would be unfair to say no. His videos themselves are pretty damn intense and could fit into the most ambiguous of modern art galleries. As for he himself, he's probably what you'd imagine a farmer's hip teenage son to look like. The first and last thing you'll notice about him is his large rimmed floppy hat. Not the silly thing Pharrell Williams tries to get away with wearing, something much cooler, cos it's Raury.

Back to the music. 'God's Whisper' is probably the most attention I've paid to a song in the past year. It grabs you by the throat, sits you down and makes you listen. It's a rally cry, a haunting chant which differs remarkably from 'Cigarette Song', almost the type Rizzle Kicks could've written it if they weren't shit. It's more Childish Gambino anyway, that kind of cheeky chappy take it on the chin kind of unconventional love song. His latest project, 'Indigo Child', is due for release on 25th August and will feature both of the above tracks.

So to set is straight keep your eyes on this one, and if you think you're wanting to be a solo artist, for God's sake take a leaf out of Raury's book. Develop your own respectable, unquestioned style and don't be a shit stain on society like Bieber.

Watch the video for 'God's Whisper' below:

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By Joshua Shreeve (@JJShreeve)

- Introducing - Horsebeach -

Horsebeach are a gentle breath of fresh air into the eardrums of fans lost under the cease of Trophy Wife.

They're a band who seem perfect to introduce right about now. It's that old cliche; it's summery music. But quite honestly, I'd feel as comfortable listening to them on a sunny coastline as I would staring out of a drizzle covered window. There's something attractively lethargic about them. The Manchester quartet will come at you with a canter in the form of instrumental track, 'June', (again another seemingly perfect summer reference) and at times even muster up the courage to switch into a gallop in 'Faded Eyes' and 'Cold Hands'. 

The psychedelic guitar riffs and muffled vocals seem to be all the rage right now but the simplicity of Horsebeach's music is what will grab your subconscious attention. With an EP under their wings and a debut album set for release at the end of the month, they could soon be kicking out the wish-washy psychedelic drivel we've become accustomed to.

Horsebach's self-titled debut album is out 28th July.

For fans of/ Trophy Wife, Splashh, Coastal Cities, French Films

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By Joshua Shreeve (@JJShreeve)