BOX OF GHOSTS
We saw an unplugged session of these amazing guys in the Summer. Unsigned but expect big things from them. Lead singer Samuel Mensah has an ‘other world’ voice. With apparition-like qualities, Box of Ghosts have spent the last year passing between the walls of London’s low-level, midweek club and gig scene. Influenced by the city they live in – its wealth of artists, bands & producers, its diverse electronic music scene and its very essence – a multifaceted mass of culture and attitude. This is Ghost Pop – A term coined in an early live review that quickly came to mean much more. An expression, an idea that not only described the band’s unique sound (an alternative take on indie, electronica and pop, propelled by two drummers and lead by a powerful soul vocal) but also an identity, amongst London’s rapidly changing tastes and desires. Self produced in their shared house and in collaboration with Jamie Blanco (Figures), these initial tracks mark the beginning. Both tracks and a remix by Figures are available for free via www.ghostpop.net
Contact: inboxofghosts@gmail.com
VALERIE JUNE
Valerie June
For years Valerie June quietly learnt and worked on her music in Memphis, where her magnetic Southern charm and stunning stage presence earned her a lot of attention. A self-taught guitarist, banjoist and songwriter, June has crafted a sound that draws on the best of southern traditions. Influenced by a kaleidoscope of artists from Nick Drake, Cohen and Dylan to The Carter Family, Elizabeth Cottten and on, Valerie’s is true moonshine roots music, a warm mix of aching old style country, gospel and powerful delta blues. Having just completed recording her debut album, some of which was written and produced with Dan Auerbach (The Black Keys) and Kevin Augunas (Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros) Valerie is ready to serve up her unique sound to the world.
SAINT LOU LOU
Saint Lou Lou
Bouncing between the long cold winters of Stockholm, Sweden and the happy-go-lucky beaches of Sydney, Australia – it’s no wonder there’s a striking contrast infusing the sound of twin sisters, Saint Lou Lou. Ask them where they call home and they’ll most likely answer with a shrug. And it’s this feeling; an aching of displacement and the eternal search for belonging, which informs every aspect of their lives and music. After uploading a demo of their song ‘Maybe You’ online in the Spring of 2012, it quickly picked up the ears of acclaimed French label, Kitsuné who not long after released the single on their label. It also earned them an invite them to perform at Swedish fashion designer, Fillipa K’s show, being named ‘artist of the week’ on Vogue.com, and filling out two buzzing London shows.
MS MR
MS MR
New-York duo, MS MR are a dark, brooding rush of modern electronic pop who have caused something of a stir online, being named ‘Best New Track’ by Pitchfork, ‘Potential Superstars’ by The Guardian website and ‘Very Special’ by The Recommender. One of the most visually compelling new artists around, they are the first band ever to release an EP of all original material exclusively through Tumblr where they have harnessed a unique following through the use of gifs, images and quotes to communicate. Describing their music as ‘Tumblr glitch pop’ ‘soulfuzz’ and ‘electroshock’, their highly adrenalized music and incredible vocals make them a sure ones to watch for 2013.
DEATH AT SEA
Death At Sea
A dizzy concoction of Sonic Youth, Pavement, The Strokes and Echo And The Bunnymen, Death At Sea are the place where coruscating noise meets haunting pop melody and brutal lyrical honesty. They release their debut double AA-side single ‘Drag / Selfless’ on 22nd October through Kissability/ Transgressive.
THE LUMINEERS
The Lumineers
Out of Brooklyn via Denver, The Lumineers are an enigmatic trio with a spine tingling emotive sound firmly imbedded in America’s Deep South with flavours on Americana, front-porch folk, and acoustic rock. Live, they have an energy and raw musicianship that only true roots bands possess and their rise to fame over in the US this year has been unstoppable; signed to a small independent Nashville label ‘Dualtone’ they’ve become one of the biggest US DIY success stories of the year.
DEXTERS
Dexters
Dexters formed in 2011 after growing up together on estates in the rougher part of East London. Their sound merges their wide range of influences from the melodies of The LA’s to the sheer punk, visceral aggression of The Clash and The Specials and the narrative packed lyrics of The Kinks. Their debut single ‘Recover’ is 3-minutes of brash drums and jangling guitars backed by catchy vocals and a huge chorus and is released on 19th November.
FEATHERS
Feathers
All female group Feathers make a sound that could be compared to a female Depeche Mode with their dark grit and pulsing synths, yet they bring a complete uniqueness to their sound with their mysterious glam swagger and siren-song harmonies. They release their debut single ‘Land of the Innocent’ in January.
B TRAITS
B Traits
From growing up in rural Canada to gracing the stages of some of the biggest clubs in the world, hosting her own monthly ‘In New DJs We Trust’ show on Radio 1 and alongside Shy FX and Breakage mixing one of the legendary Fabric Live releases, “Fabric Live 63: Digital Soundboy”, Brianna Price aka B. Traits has already come a long way. Having taken the time to develop her own production style, B now boasts one of the most original sounds on the scene, weaving her cohesive narrative through everything from breakbeats, jungle, dubstep, drum & bass, reggae, dance hall, garage, hip hop, UK funky and house music. Digital Soundboy’s original Digital Soundgirl is set to become one of the most talked about producers of 2013. B. Traits releases her new single “Just Me” through Digital Soundboy early next year.
ZEBRA KATZ
Zebra Katz
From the darkness of the New York underground comes the uber presence that is Zebra Katz. Releasing his debut single on Diplo’s Mad Decent imprint Jeffrrees, the Brooklyn rapper has caused a thunderstorm with the release of the hypnotically sinister IMA READ featuring bad girl Njena Reddd Foxx. As well as tearing up the bass of the most arcane clubs, IMA READ made its debut overground during Paris Fashion Week earlier this year when it was the soundtrack to the Rick Owens Autumn / Winter ‘12 fashion show. For an entire twelve minutes IMA READ was the only backdrop to a catwalk full of models in masks alight with a strip of flames, firmly branding its mark on the fashion glitterati. With fans including Vogue Japan Editor Anna Dello Russo and W Magazine’s Edward Enninful claiming he would ‘sing it to strangers’ IMA READ soon became blogged about as the Song of Paris Fashion Week. Zebra Katz support fellow deviant Azealia Banks on her new tour, remixes of IMA READ come from Azealia, Tricky and more.
FAKE CLUB
Fake Club
FAKE CLUB are the antithesis to a modern brand of music. Their music will make you tingle in places that were left behind when rock n roll was a lifestyle. To the accidental tourist they are the Spice Girls with instruments. To their peers they are a threat. And to the general public they are their new favourite band. Birthed from a society obsessed with fakeness and augmented reality, Fake Club take that attitude and turn it on its’ head, mocking and feeding from any negative associations and creating a refreshing culture of their own.
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