Tags: (When) The Lights Go Down, Alan McGee, Brixton Jamm, Desert Waters, Richard Acosta, Sierra Maestra

Named after a mountain range that runs westward across the south of the Guantanamo Province to south east Cuba that was prominent in Che Guevara’s uprising, Sierra Maestra is the new musical vehicle of London musician Richard Acosta. After fronting an indie band back in early 2002 in his formative adolescent musical years,  Acosta vacated the band after it seemingly fizzled out after a lack of direction.

But now, with a renewed focus, Acosta has embarked on a new musical jaunt. And it says a lot for a musician when he’s not even fully formed a band and is already garnering acclaim from indie schmoozer Alan McGee. Recording material after the aforementioned lengthy hiatus at Ignition studios in Finsbury Park, his sound pricked the wily old ears of the Scotsmen. It wasn’t long before Acosta was having to speedily put his plan into action for one of McGee’s upcoming Greasy Lips night which is lined up for early February.

And if the hype mill could provide another hurricane in the schedule of Acosta to whip his new fangled band into action, Alabama 3, yes you heard right -one of the most acclaimed live bands in the UK- have booked the band to support them at the Brixton Jamm for their New Years  Eve, Outlaw night. So with things moving quicker than a blink of an eye, lets get down to the music that’s fish hooked industry types so early in the bands infancy. Acosta bares the weight as the sole-songwriter as well as being the lead vocalist. And what comes from the Londoners thoughts is a hazy stream of melancholic synth stabs, industrial drum beats, hypnotic vocals and classic indie overtones.

‘(When) The Lights Go Down’ would find pride of place immersing revellers as the sun sets on a Balearic island, simmering the night away as Acosta sings “Remember those nights, the sun didn’t fade and morning came around, we went our own way, never to meet again”. ‘Desert Waters’ is a murky, sandy pot hole of enthralling swirling synth beats that hover on the surface with Acosta’s languid tone, samples sprinkled around it with its multitude of indie grooves awash with effortless electro ruptured layers.

Now with Acosta fleshing the band out with a new drummer and bassist, Sierra Maestra are in rehearsals ready to begin their musical internship. And, who better to oversee their infancy than the watchful eye of Alan McGee at their second live show. Watch this space, these guys might not be a cinematic backdrop but they have enough in their armoury to ineluctably force you to fall in love with their fusion of slick grooves and loungy synth trajectory.

Below are Sierra Maestra upcoming dates;

31 Dec 2009 Alabama 3 Presents…Outlaw @ Brixton Jamm  Brixton, London
13 Feb 2010 Greasy Lips @ Brixton Jamm – Alan McGee’s Club Night  Brixton, London
9 Mar 2010 Dead or Alive @ The Comedy  Leicester Square, London

Tags: Ben Lovett, Marcus Mumford, Mumford & Sons, Roll Away Your Stone, Ted Dwayne, The Cave, Winston Marshall

Genre: Folk, Rockabilly, Americana

Location: London, United Kingdom

MySpace: www.myspace.com/mumfordandsons

Official Website: www.mumfordandsons.com

Recommended Track: The Cave

Recommended Album: Sigh No More

Our Rating:

If you are a fan of the Fleet Foxes and are looking for new music of a similar vein, then you should find the Mumford and Sons sound an excitingly fresh brand of New Americana with a British twist. American born singer/songwriter Marcus Mumford leads on vocals, acoustic guitar and pedal operated drums and is backed by Winston Marshall on banjo, Ted Dwane on double bass and Ben Lovett on Keyboard. Mumford and Sons are a complete revelation live. With all the assurance and musicianship of an established American folk band; powerful harmonies, deft bluegrass melodies and fast-paced hillbilly chase music, all seem to come too easily for a band from London. It’s a bit like seeing the Dukes of Hazard driving a Ford Capri.

On the strength of tracks like ‘The Cave’ and ‘Roll Away Your Stone’ all signs point to Mumford and Sons turning out a very good debut album and this should hopefully appear before the end of 2009. In a similar way to Arcade Fire or Low Anthem, Mumford and Sons create a vivid image world through their lyrics, made up of rural mysteries by ancient barns and babbling brooks. With a captivating stage presence, you can sense lead singer Marcus Mumford has a bright future ahead. The quality of the harmonies, plus great double bass and banjo give the band an edge. An impressive force when in full flow and currently embarking on a UK Tour, catch them live where you can.

Tags: Fenech Soler

Genre: Glam/Psychedelic/Zouk

Location: Kings Cliffe, United Kingdom

MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/fenechsoler

Recommended Track: The Cult Of Romance

Our Rating:

With La Roux breaking into the UK top 10 with “In For The Kill”, and Little Boots hotly tipped by the BBC’s Sound of 2009 among others, there’s no better time for new retro music. Riding on the wave of the current 80’s electro-pop trend come Fenech-Soler, a four-piece band from Kings Cliffe, Northamptonshire, who’ll have the adults reminiscing of Duran Duran and the kids in mind of Grand Theft Auto Vice City.

Their first single ‘The Cult Of Romance’ is funky kookiness in the vein of Ali Love – a track you will instantly love after your first listen. Released on May 11th under French remixer Alan Braxe’s independent label Vulture, it will undoubtedly be snapped up thereafter by any top record label with an eye on the current chart market.

However, unlike their indie contemporaries, such as La Roux and White Lies, Fenech-Soler have an air of exuberance about them. Their songs sound naturally confident, as though they were written in the interests of the band, (which consists of brothers Ben and Ross Duffy, Andrew Lindsay and Dan Francis), rather than at the whim of their managers. Though they have been floating close to the surface of success for many months, whether a record deal will take away from the authenticity of this perky upcoming group remains to be seen.

So, for now I’d grab their debut single whilst the band is still fresh, and more importantly underground.

Tags: Kasms

Genre: Shriekbeat

Location: London, United Kingdom

MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/kasms

Official Website: http://kasms.co.uk

Recommended Track: Male Bonding

Recommended Album: Spayed

Our Rating:

The band Kasms, I feel can only be described in this strange way; you know those adverts “you wouldn’t go out like it”, about how drunken people get and like, the boy gets covered in kebab. But even though these adverts are supposed to raise awareness about alcohol abuse and that, there is always a small part of us where you think “that looks like a fun night out”; this is what the Kasms reminds me of. You know you shouldn’t but you just can’t help but have fun with it. Stumbling across Kasms is like if you fell over in the street and found twenty quid; in this case a little tiny review of one of their live performances underneath a Chicken Shop, and two things stick in your mind. Firstly how stunning their lead female vocalist Rachel looks with her extreme red hair waving about and secondly a chicken shop, excuse me?

When you look at Kasms you expect them to attract the art school type, with their individuality but as soon as the let rip with that sound they have, the shrieking punk rock with hints of Patti Smith, and early Nirvana records, you soon realise that these are the real deal.

Even though they have released their first album ‘Spayed’ out now on Trouble Records, like every up and coming band they have released a few free songs on along the way, to whip up some internet support. Single ‘Male Bonding’ with its beginning piercing guitars and Rachel’s vocals makes a pleasant gothic punk combo that would make Ian Curtis proud. Kasms are not afraid to branch out with their music and will the occasional cover (‘Part of You’ but they have named it Killer (Scentless), they have made it a lot darker than the usual and the grizzly guitars gives it that extra kick.

Their song ‘Murmur’ reminisces of the Long Blondes with black nail varnish, and is may become many peoples personal favourite of their list of melodies because of the flowing beat it has growing in it, up until the chorus where they just release the hot-blooded rage into it.

The Kasms are a band to watch out for, which the publicity they are already getting they are onto hugely beautiful things, and if their songs and unique live shows are anything to go by then these sex-art-types are going to be around for a while.

Tags: The invisible

Genre: Indie/Electro

Location: London, United Kingdom

MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/theinvisiblethree

Recommended Track: London Girl

Recommended Album: The Invisible

Our Rating:

New(ish) London trio The Invisible have been anything but invisible so far this year. Haven’t heard of them? A lot of press coverage has been centred around comparisons to Bloc Party and TV On The Radio. Due to the major differences between them, however these really only draw premise if they were to be mentioned in the same breath reciting a festival line up. The TOTR comparison is inevitable, particularly if one concentrates on something like ‘Golden Age’ from last year’s ‘Dear Science‘,. Both band’s offer diverse (indie rock, psychodelica, jazz, electronic), atmospheric sounds and rolling vocals, although The Invisible are decidedly more minimal and rather less predictable.

Singer/guitarist Dave Okumu, a long time member of London’s jazz scene called upon friends and accomplished musicians Tom Herbert (bass) and Leo Taylor (drums) to assist him in creating his solo project in late 2006. They quickly gelled and became a fully fledged trio, releasing singles in 2007 and 2008 followed by their eponymous debut album in March of this year.

Still think you haven’t heard of them? One song, two words: ‘London Girl’. You may have heard it. Joe from Hot Chip certainly did and proceeded to remix it post-haste. The guys from Hot Chip also invited The Invisible to tour with them, as did Foals and Doves.

If the prospect of a bass driven, jazz-influenced, minimalist TV On The Radio sound intrigues you then ‘London Girl’ is a song to whet your appetite. The fascinating and impressive thing about this band though is that they offer so much more. Guitar-funk verses followed by indie/post rock (shades of Mogwai) chorus heaven on ‘Monster’s Waltz’. Acoustic guitar meanderings partying with funky riffs and sparring male/(guest)female vocals on ‘OK’. All underpinned by well-crafted, sometimes undetected (in my opinion a strong point) electronic contributions to their soundscape.

The Invisible deserve the attention they are getting, as they generate buzz by grafting a path towards a new sound via their strong interpretations of the sounds and genres that have come before them, and all in a much less obvious way than perhaps some other recent, un-named ‘new sound buzz bands’ (Vampire Weekend).

Tags: Little Joy

Genre: Americana/Folk/Indie

Location: Los Angeles, California, United States

MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/littlejoy

Recommended Track: The Next Time Around

Recommended Album: Little Joy

Our Rating:

Recently there has been a surge of lo-fi recordings sprouting out, which would happily sit in any proud record owners collection. Adding to the crop of bands is Los Angeles, ‘Little Joy’. Formed by Fabrizio Moretti (The Strokes), Binki Shapiro and Rodrigo Amarante, the three piece have been causing a stir in their new adopted home –town of Los Angeles.

Meeting at a festival in Lisbon, Amarante and Moretti chatted late into the night consuming on the thought of writing songs that had no affiliation to their respective bands. It wasn’t till a year later when the pair met Binki Shapiro that their concept of forming a band would unfold. With Binki they developed a focus to write the music they had been fantasising over. The three friends quickly dropped what was their daily routine in their hometowns to make a record; it was here in Los Angeles that ‘Little joy’ was born.

The name ‘Little Joy’ and title for their debut album was taken from the cocktail lounge down the road from their home in Echo Park. Recorded and produced by Noah Georgeson (Devendra Banhart) their album was released via Rough Trade records in November 2008.

‘Little Joy’ is a mixture of lo-fi Americana indie folk. ‘Don’t Watch Me Dancing’ has moments as fragile and majestic as Two Gallants and Devendra Banhart, where as ‘No One’s Better Sake’ has such swing and gusto the likes of Vampire Weekend would wish they have the guile and attributes to write such smooth laid back pop songs.

After forming in 2008 the band have already released a debut album and toured the states. So even with laid back melodramatic pop songs, they have proven that ‘Little Joy’ may not be little for much longer.

Tags: M. Ward

Genre: Indie

Location: Portland, Oregon, United States

MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/mward

Official Website: http://mwardmusic.com

Recommended Track: Chinese Translation

Recommended Album:

Our Rating:

M. Ward’s effortless melodies shuffle along like a happy hillbilly drunk on moonshine in the Mississippi sun. Sixth solo album ‘Hold Time’ follows on from the European success of ‘Post War’ in 2006 and re-affirms M. Ward’s growing reputation as a consistent and original talent. Emerging from the vibrant Portland, Oregon music scene in the mid 90s, M(ark) Ward is a bit of a one-man industry and very much in demand as a multi-instrumentalist and producer. Past collaborators include Cat Power, Beth Orton and Bright Eyes. In M. Ward’s music you can hear the roots of Americana with a modern spin. Touches of Woody Guthrie and Johnny Cash, echoes of Neil Young and all blended together with a slacker indie vibe that’s not too dissimilar to Beck’s early stuff.

There is something quite captivating about Ward’s distinctive soft vocals and evocative lyrics. Like Jack Johnston without the smugness. Take the single ‘Rave On’ from the new album, a reworking of an old Buddy Holly number. A distant train call leads you into a gorgeous summer sunset of great guitar work, low-key shambling drum brushes and sublime harmonies. Supporting vocals come courtesy of singer & actress Zooey Deschanel (she’s in Elf!).

Going back to ‘Post War’, the track ‘Chinese Translation’ is another example of M. Ward at his very best. Like Richard Hawley, he produces solid songs that are taken up a level by quality musicianship, though at times can also sound a bit pedestrian. If you like what you hear, then M. Ward has a substantial back catalogue to explore. Fans of Dr Dog should look no further. Newton Faulkner; hang your ginger dreadlocks in shame.

Tags: I Heart Hiroshima

Genre: Grime/Big Beat/Power Pop

Location: Brisbane,Queensland, Australia

MySpace: http://www.mypace.com/ihearthiroshima

Official Website: http://ihearthiroshima.com

Recommended Track: Punks

Recommended Album: Tuff Teeth

Our Rating:

Born of back street Brisbane parties, where the trio cut their teeth, I Heart Hiroshima have taken their aggressive start and stop sound out to the masses touring relentlessly throughout Australia and playing with a multitude of acts from Deerhoof to Ratatat. A quick line up reshuffle then the release of ‘Tuff Teef’, their debut album released through Valve Records, twelve short fired songs encompassing their trademark bass-less sound and aggressive delivery. ‘Punks’ is their single release from the album and the one to look out for, a tambourine shaking, guitar twanging, and snare smashing song, with vocals that slap you in the face.

Fundementally IHH’s round revolves around a backbone of electric guitar that runs deep through the bass-less torso of this Power Pop body. Rebellious tones play like vinyl on a turntable pushing aggressively through a crowded room, pressing ever more to be heard through the inconsequential bodies that surround. A marriage of simple rhythm with a symbiotic guitar and drum relationship effortlessly delivers their message in three minute stripped down bursts.

With a well grafted album under their belts they now take on the British, with tour dates in May after a riotous and successful tour with the Rakes, I Heart Hiroshima might just leave their mark in our hearts.

Tags: Asher Roth

Genre: Rap/Hip-Hop/Soul

Location: Morrisville, Pennsylvania, United States

MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/asherrothmusic

Official Website: http://thedailykosh.om

Recommended Track: Love College

Recommended Album: Asleep In The Bread Aisle

Our Rating:

Ok, so there is a big white elephant in the room and the sooner we talk about it the sooner we can get on with the show. Asher Roth is a White Rapper! Right, does everyone feel better now? Can we continue? Rightly or wrongly he will be always be compared to Eminem not just for the colour of his skin but the vocal style and delivery are strikingly similar. But let’s see past the obvious and dig a little deeper shall we.

His image is firmly set within who he is: a white upper middle class kid from Pennsylvania who makes no bones about being from the ‘burbs’ and would sooner reference Quiditch than Cristal. I suppose whether you like him or not, hangs on if you find this shtick funny or nauseating.

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His breakout single ‘I Love College’ is an ode to getting drunk and having sex at university, although not groundbreaking or insightful, much like university itself it is none the less enjoyable. Asher’s lyrics tread familiar ground, mainly concerning themselves with getting stoned and getting laid with the odd bit of class cutting thrown in for good measure. His beats are good and lyrics more often than not will raise a smile. On the track ‘Fallin’ from his debut album ‘Asleep In The Bread Aisle’ Asher, although still chronicling the lives and loves of education, takes a Ben Kweller sample and comes up with something altogether better.

The real originality in Roth is not so much in his music but is to be found in the angle he approaches it from, it’s his class not race that sets Roth apart. The American Dream and Hip Hop culture dictates that the rags to riches story is the lone way integrity can be gained. But Roth appears at best indifferent about this. In ‘As I Em’ Roth tackles his biggest=2 0comparison and appears to map out his own future.

“So different, the image they don’t get it
Its simple, I’m just a kid who wants to rap to make a living”

Tags: Chew Lips

Genre: Electro

Location: London, United Kingdom

MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/chewlips

Recommended Track: Solo

Recommended Album:

Our Rating:

Electro-pop is blanketing the British musical scene in the early part of 2009 and yet another band have come along to throw their bleeps and bloops into the picture. Chew Lips are only a year old but have already amassed a horde of online support, using a drum machine and assorted instruments to craft pop hooks drenched in repetitive, pulsating beats.

Quick to act, the group wrote ten tracks upon their initial rehearsal, before setting out to play at house parties and backstreet clubs across London. The trio have since toured endlessly, travelling the length of the UK and even heading over the pond to demonstrate their electro expertise to mainland Europe. Pouring forth like a lo-fi Crystal Castles, the group are carving yet another notch in the new electro wave that is crashing on the shores of the British music scene.

Chew Lips leading tracks is ‘Solo’, a rolling, vibrant tune that bounces atop a beauty of a bass line and sways alongside front woman Tigs’ clear and distinctive vocals. Also worth a listen is the funk-filled ‘Toro’ and ‘Play Together’, a synth-fest fuelled by playful lyrics.

The band have a heap of gig dates over summer, including festival appearances at Glastonbury, Rockness and Bestival, so there really is no excuse for missing them live. Releasing their stuff on acclaimed French record label Kitsune, they are earning a respected (albeit difficult, sending many searching for a non-existent electro trio called Tulips) name for themselves left, right and centre. Although beloved by Steve Lamacq, Chew Lips still have a way to go and a debut album could either make or break the fledgling career of the electric three whose promising start hints at a future filled with success.