Tips For 2009: Part 1
 

Musically, compared to recent years, it could be argued that 2008 was a slightly disappointing year overall. Here at Altsounds, voting for the best albums of the year proved tricky for some for rather different reasons than usual, with many finding it hard to recall many truly memorable full lengths, rather than the usual problem of whittling down a lengthy list.

So let’s hope 2009 proves to be more fruitful, especially for debut acts, as we’re all about new music here at Altounds. There’s nothing quite like the excitement you feel upon hearing something new and exciting for the first time. MGMT, Bon Iver, Vampire Weekend & Fleet Foxes all produced startling, unforeseen debuts this year, which proved how hard it can be to read a musical crystal ball; but hey, we thought we’d give it a go.

So a few of us Altsounds Editors, and all round new music junkies, have decided to make public our predictions for the year ahead. It could go all go horribly wrong of course and nobody may ever hear from these acts again; but hey, we’re willing to put our considerable reputations on the line here, so please, lend us your eyes (and the acts, your ears).

First up we have myself, Mike aka ‘Heron’; and surprisingly, I am quite excited over something my home city of Manchester has to offer. It’s been too long…

Everything Everything

Band:
Mike: drums
Jonathan: vocals, guitar, laptop
Jeremy: bass, backing vocals
Alex: guitar, backing vocals

Bio: Little is known about this band. Born at opposite ends of the country, but formed in Manchester, this 4 piece who are signed to XL Recordings imprint Salvia produce strong, intelligent and multi-dimensional pop songs complete with original and imaginative song writing. Everything Everything have been playing together for many years, but the recent congregation of band members a year ago, saw them refine their techniques and individual style with superb results.

Mine For ‘09 Because: They are quite possibly the most brilliantly original band to come from Manchester ever; the closest comparison would have to be Battles (mixed with a little Super Furries, TV on the Radio and Animal Collective). Much like those bands, they won’t be for everyone’s taste, so don’t expect to see them top the charts, but then not many great bands do. Debut single ‘Suffragette Suffragette’ was certainly a late contender for single of this year, and from the sound of other tracks, their debut album could well be a contender for album of next year.

Myspace: MySpace.com - EVERYTHING EVERYTHING - NEW SONG UPLOADED!!! - Manchester, UK - A'cappella / Melodramatic Popular Song / R&B - www.myspace.com/everythingeverythinguk

Check out the Altsounds review of their single, 'Suffragette Suffragette' here http://hangout.altsounds.com/reviews...ng+suffragette


Airship




Band: Elliott Williams, Steven Griffiths, Tom Dyball and Marcus Wheeldon

Bio: Airship started in the suburbs of Manchester 2004, with Elliott Williams strumming chords and singing melodies in his bedroom, who was then joined by Tom Dyball on the bass. With a few line up changes along the way, Marcus James joined the band with the intention of playing keyboards, but went on to become the lead guitarist, then Ste Griffiths came and blessed the trio with his drumming skills to round off the solid 4 piece.

They have a sound that can be compared to the pop melodies of The Cure, 90's Alternative American Indie and good, old fashioned songwriting.

The band now in their late teens, are more like a band of brothers rather than a band of just musicians, creating interesting pop and rock songs with uplifting live performances, guaranteed to have you singing along to the catchy vocal hooks and musical melodies throughout the gig and beyond.

Mine For ‘09 Because: More modern Manc brilliance? Ambassador, you are really spoiling us. They may still only be old enough to grow bum-fluff, but these young dudes know how it’s done. They have the indie-dancefloor-hits-in-waiting (‘Algebra’, ‘Kids’ & ‘Spirit Party’), but they also understand when less is more (‘Go to Sleep’). And to top it off, they are clearly ‘cover of NME’ material, with a singer who could cover bedroom walls too.

They’re far from the finished article, so it may be too early for them yet, but I’m not sure the world will be willing to wait; 2009 may well be Airship’s year whether they like it or not (if not then hey, I’ll stick them in ‘Tips for 2010’).

Myspace: MySpace.com - AIRSHIP - We were all born in the, UK - Rock / Indie - www.myspace.com/airshiptheband




To The Bones




Band:
Red (aka Rhys.G.Bradley): Vocals, guitar
Matt Evans: Guitar, vocals
Tommy T: Drums
Wayne Riley: Bass guitar

Bio: Hailing from glamorous Bolton, Greater Manchester (here we go again – ed) the four-piece play a feral mix of riffs and melody; imagine the Pixies tackling QOTSA/Motorhead and you're along the right lines. Vocalist Rhys.G.Bradley possesses the most glorious guttural growl since Kurt Cobain shredded this larynx for our listening pleasure. The band write amazing, hook-laden rock songs that you'll find rumbling around your head days after your last To The Bones fix.
Having released a split single through Org Records at the start of 2008, To The Bones signed up with new label Medici Records in May. In July, the band released a double A-side made up of the scuzzed-up fuzzed-out melody of 'Sonic Mammoth' and the terrifying aural assault of 'Sharkie's Bone Symphony'.

They received airplay from Zane Lowe and Bruce Dickinson at the BBC and were invited to record an Xfm session for John Kennedy. The NME, Rock Sound and The Fly gave them mentions – from out of nowhere had appeared a fearsome new force in rock. Even MTV2 noticed what was going on, playing the band's video on 120 Minutes and Headbanger's Ball. Having heard about the building buzz, producer Dave Eringa (Manics, Idlewild, Ash) offered his services to the band for free. In 24 hours, the band recorded and mixed their second Medici Records single. Entitled 'Rex', and released on September 29th, it's a hypnotic, mesmerising blend of crushing riffs and tribal, chanted melody.

It's a song that demands an immediate re-listen – and then another, and another and another... With two new b-sides and featuring exclusive artwork by acclaimed comic book artist Jack Ademus, it's another signal of intent. On 29th September, they released their debut album, ‘Duke Type A’ to rave reviews.

Mine For ’09 Because: The world has been crying out for a hard rock band that could actually garner interest from the ‘indie’ community since QOTSA mellowed out (basically when Nick Oliveri left).They sound like a cacophony of many of the best hard rock bands ever, Motorhead, Bleach-era Nirvana, Pixies and the criminally underrated Eighties Matchbox B-Line disaster. Music needs a band like this in my opinion. The world was such a better place when bands like those above were around and at their peak, so when To The Bones reach theirs, I wanna be down the front, red faced, shirt ripped, salivating like a rabid dog!

Web: To The Bones
Myspace: MySpace.com - To The Bones * Duke Type A - Out Now! * - Bolton, Manchester, UK - Rock / Alternative / Indie - www.myspace.com/tothebones




Passion Pit




Band: Michael Angelakos, Ian Hultquist, Ayad Al Adhamy, Jeff Apruzzese, Nate Donmoyer

Bio: Boston’s Passion Pit began as a one-man project of singer and songwriter Michael Angelakos to produce a Valentine's Day gift for his girlfriend which then prompted him to give it out to friends and fellow students at Emerson College. Angelakos wrote and recorded the entire record by himself and it only hints at what is to come from this extremely talented perfectionist. Eventually, Passion Pit became not only a vehicle for the romantic expressions of Angelakos' heart but a full-fledged band, at least for live gigs -- and opened for a number of well-known artists including Death Cab for Cutie. This momentum led to label interest, and in 2008 the Frenchkiss label picked up Chunk of Change for re-release, even going so far as to tack on two bonus tracks. A full-length from Passion Pit was in the planning stages and a 2009 release date was said to be in the cards.

Mine For ’09 Because: Electro pop with heart and soul; it’s not often you find it, and it’s rarely executed as well as this. This year’s debut EP, ‘Chunk of Change’ was probably the EP of the year, a wonderfully melodic romantic gesture, originally written for just one, singer and songwriter Michael Angelakos’s girlfriend, and recorded as a last minute Valentine’s Day gift, ‘Chunk of Change’ found its way into the hearts of many. Early ’09 will see Passion Pit release their debut full length, and undoubtedly bring them many more new fans; ‘Passionates’ if you like. Then again, let’s hope Passion Pit don’t sell too many records or else Angelakos may just start buying gifts for his girl.

Myspace: MySpace.com - passion pit - CAMBRIDGE, Massachusetts - Big Beat / Soul / Pop - www.myspace.com/passionpitjams

Check out the Altsounds review of their EP, 'Chunk of Change' here http://hangout.altsounds.com/reviews...=passion+ pit


Fanfarlo




Band:
Simon Aurell: Vocals, guitar
Mark West: Guitar
Leon: Trumpet, piano
Justin: Bass
Cathy: Violin, keys
Amos: Drums

Bio: Fanfarlo were conceived by Simon Aurell while he was taking shelter in a forest from a particularly heavy snowstorm in Sweden. Inspired to move to London to form the band, he quickly found allies in Justin (bass) and Leon (trumpet/keyboards) when playing small gigs around the city. Mark (electric guitar, keys, vocals, accordion, fanfarlophone) then joined, and Fanfarlo’s electronic backing track was ceremoniously destroyed when Amos (drums & percussion, vocals) was enlisted to complete the rhythm section. After the launch gig of their first single,’Talking Backwards’, in late 2006, Cathy (violin, keys, mandolin, glock, vocals, saw) was wooed over banana smoothies and the line-up was complete.

Their second single ’You Are One Of The Few Outsiders Who Really Understands Us’ was BBC Radio 6’s single of the week, and they’ve released the double A-side, ‘Fire Escape / We Live By The Lake’ (on White Heat records), Fanfarlo have been recording their debut album during the summer of 2008.

Mine For ’09 Because: They’re the closest thing England has to some of my favourite bands of recent years such as Arcade Fire, Beirut and Clap Your Hands Say Yeah. They make wonderful folky pop moments, which are destined to be cherished by many (‘Talking Backwards’ still gives me goose-bumps). Already on board the good ship Fanfarlo is David Bowie after he heard their second single, "You Are One Of The Few Outsiders Who Really Understands Us", on Marc Ricley's 6Music show and put them in his "top 10 best new music".

Web: Fanfarlo
Myspace: MySpace.com - Fanfarlo - London, UK - Alternative / Pop / Folk - www.myspace.com/fanfarlo




DeVotchKa




Band:
Nick Urata: vocals, theremin, guitars, piano, trumpet
Tom Hagerman: violin, accordion, piano
Shawn King: drums, percussion, trumpet
Jeannie Schroder: sousaphone, upright bass, vocals

Bio: DeVotchKa is a four piece multi-instrumental and vocal ensemble that fuses Romani, Greek, Slavic, Bolero, Mariachi (and many more styles) music with American punk and folk roots. They take their name from Anthony Burgess' Nadsat word for "young girl" which is itself derived from the Russian word (девочка) of the same meaning. Based in Denver, Colorado, the quartet is made up of Nick Urata, who sings and plays theremin, guitar, bouzouki, piano, and trumpet; Tom Hagerman, who plays violin, accordion, and piano; Jeanie Schroder, who sings and plays sousaphone and double bass; and Shawn King, who plays percussion and trumpet.
Originally a backing band for burlesque shows, in their early years DeVotchKa also toured with fetish model Dita von Teese. Numerous nationwide tours in support of self released records earned the band an underground following. Their song ‘How It Ends’ was featured on the trailer for the film ‘Everything Is Illuminated’ and also used in the ‘Gears of War 2’ TV spot, introducing the band to a widening audience. Their performance at the 2006 Bonnaroo music festival was considered a breakout event. In between tours, the band was picked by first time film directors Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris to score ‘Little Miss Sunshine’, a 2006 film that would go on to garner four Academy Award nominations. DeVotchKa, along with composer Mychael Danna, composed and performed the majority of the music for the film's soundtrack and were nominated for a 2006 Grammy Award for Best Compilation Soundtrack

Mine For ’09 Because: Any band that sound like Arcade Fire if they shacked up with Gogol Bordello would always win my favour, but the very fact they were originally a burlesque backing band and toured with Dita von Teese no less, just adds to their kudos. Also, as mentioned above, they composed and performed the majority of the soundtrack for multi Academy Award nomination ‘Little Miss Sunshine’, but it’s the mesmerising sound of ‘How it Ends’ playing through TV sets all over the world that could finally see the band break through into the big time. Comparisons with friends Arcade Fire will come largely from this track, as it sounds like a natural progression from ‘Neon Bible’, but elsewhere they draw influences from all over the globe. However, whilst 2009 could well see them break through, again this is certainly not a band for everyone. Four of you may wonder what the hell it’s all about, but one of you will no doubt fall in love.

Web: 'A Mad and Faithful Telling' on sale now! | DeVotchKa
MySpace: MySpace.com - DeVotchKa - Indie / Rock - www.myspace.com/devotchkamusic




Nat Morris aka ‘Nat Morris’

Ladyhawke




Bio: Originally from Masterton, a town near Wellington, New Zealand, Phillipa "Pip" Brown (born c. 1981), better known by her stage name Ladyhawke, is a solo singer-songwriter, playing all the instruments in studio and touring with a band. Born with Asperger's Syndrome, she was formerly a part of the Wellington band Two Lane Blacktop and the Sydney duo Teenager with Nick Littlemore of Pnau. Ladyhawke named herself after the Rutger Hauer film ‘Ladyhawke’. Ladyhawke is best known for the 2008 single "Paris Is Burning", which she wrote after a visit to Paris. Her debut album was released on Modular Recordings in September 2008.

Mine For ‘09 Because: Hailing from Wellington, New Zealand, the electronic/pop/rock goddess will follow up her rise to the number 16 spot on NME’s top 50 of 2008 with a no doubt epic year in 2009, still living on the thrill of her massive debut self-titled album.

After selling out her first headlining London show at Scala a few months ago, and with a tour planned at the beginning of the New Year with the Ting Tings (please don’t let that count against her!), she will surely be everywhere you look in no time.

Web: ++ LadyHawke ++
MySpace:. MySpace.com - LADYHAWKE - Wellington/Sydney/London, NZ - Pop / Classic Rock / Electro - www.myspace.com/ladyhawkerock


That's it for Part 1, and the predictions of Nat and I. In Part 2, both Lina and Mark have a crack at musical clairvoyance. Stick around for more of the 'new sound'.