New Uh Huh Her single

This week Uh Huh Her have been in the headlines for all the wrong reasons after Southwest Airlines discriminated against them for kissing on a plane. Two things to note here - rather sweetly Leisha and Cam are apparently now an item BUT more to the point it's astounding that in 2011 this sort of thing still goes on. I hope that in my lifetime I am able to live in a society where people are not judged on or defined by who they happen to love. Is this too much to ask for?

Anyway more importantly for all Uh Huh Her fans: this week the band have also released a new single from their hotly anticpated second album Nocturnes. Uh Huh Her have worked non stop all year. Not only have they produced this whole album themselves after splitting from their management, (they even sold stuff to fans to raise money to make the record), they have toured the US and Canada extensively and even put together an EP in a matter of weeks to tide fans over whilst they waited for the album to come out. The wait is nearly over for Uh Huh Her lovers as the album finally comes out on 11th October and yesterday's release of 'Another Case' offers a sneek preview of what to expect:

The dramatic drum intro, reminiscent of a marching band leads in to a rousing electro pop delight which sticks with their signature sound but indicates a more polished direction. Based on this song it seems that the band have built on their brilliant debut album 'Common Reaction' and taken their music to the next level. Cam and Leisha are both phenomenally talented musicians and hopefully this is the album that propels them to the level of notoriety they deserve based on their talents and songwriting alone.

Check out the new song below.

I heart Hootananny

Hootananny Brixton has stolen my heart. Saturday nights will never be the same again. I'm a convert.

This seriously trendy and much loved pub (oh and it's totally free on Saturday nights by the way) bills itself as the best live music venue in London. Time Out called it "The best night out South of the River", I call it the best night out I've ever had in London; three weekends in a row.I can't help but ask what it is about this place though. It's not particularly glamorous, it's sort of in the middle of nowhere, but everything about this wonderful place excites me: the free entry, the jerk chicken, the reasonably priced drinks, lighting and stage area. Everyone is there to have a good time, hear some great music and let their hair down. I have so far not been disappointed with any of the bands I have seen and they have all been incredibly different. From funk and soul to gypsy folk to acid jazz...

Last Saturday I was introduced to an incredible band called The Killer Meters, by far the best band I have seen live for a while. Despite the fact that their songs were largely unknown, the crowd lapped up every note, drum beat and soaring vocal. I couldn't draw my eyes away from their phenomenal lead singer, Emma Prior, who had the stage presence of Beth Ditto/Florence Welch and Karen O all rolled in to one. The rest of the band were equally as skilled, with the drummer, almost resembling Slash with his top hat and curly hair, driving through the rhythms, and I have never seen anyone enjoy playing a bass as much as their bassist. All I wanted to do was dance and I didn't care what anyone else thought.

This is what Hootananny is all about - top quality live bands, unpretentious clientele with a willingness to embrace whatever band arrives to entertain them and a relaxed, vibrant and entertaining atmosphere where you can really let your hair down. I should know, I'm a regular now.

Click here for more on Hootananny

Check out the Killer Meters below and here

New Florence + The Machine Track

After almost two years of patient waiting and listening to Lungs on repeat, yet strangely never getting bored of it, Florence is back with a brand new track from her upcoming second album - due to be released on November 7th and as yet untitled. Her newly released track is called "What The Water Gave Me" and the best thing of all is that IT DOES NOT DISAPPOINT. I could not be more delighted. It's just as rousing, layered, rich and mystical as the majority of Lungs. When you write something as brilliant as the phenomenol Dog Days Are Over and so early on in your career there is always going to be a lot of expectation but judging by this first taster of things to come, we are in for a real treat.

'What The Water Gave Me' has the signature sound of harps and the crashing crescendos that underpin Florence Welch's breathtaking and unique vocals. This song needs to be played loud and often and will just have to keep me going until November...
See for yourself here:

Song of the week: Crystal Fighters "At Home"

Not to be confused with Crystal Castles, Crystal Fighters have been quietly beavering away over the last few years, gaining quite a following. I have been trying to come up with a way to describe this band and it's not easy so luckily I found this in the Guardian's review of a gig earlier this year:

"Crystal Fighters are a highly bizarre musical proposition: a band of arty east London hipsters who have created an uneven fusion of banging rave-era techno and quixotic folk music that makes use of the idiosyncratic wooden percussion, timpani and pipe whistles of the Basque country".

Yeah, so um, pretty straight forward! Anyway, I listened to them a bit a couple of summers ago but haven't really paid much attention since, until I had the pleasure of hearing a live version of this on BBC6 music this morning. "At Home" is a beautiful, catchy and melodic love song with some striking harmonies and touching lyrics. I haven't enjoyed a song as much as this in a while and compared to some of their other songs is almost verging on quite mainstream. Don't be fooled though. Crystal Fighters are no sell out band and if it's crazy punky folky Basque country music you are after then look no further - but for now just enjoy this and let it wash over you as you kick back and finally enjoy some summer weather:

New Warpaint Video

Last week Warpaint premiered their new video for their self titled single 'Warpaint'. It is directed by Ted Newsome and is set underwater. This is one of the strongest tracks from their album 'The Fool' and the video is a real work of art. See for yourself here:

Song of the week - Ed Sheeran "The A Team"

I am probably a bit late to this song but I only heard it on the radio the other day for the first time. This is a really sweet, summery, guitary-folky number which is a welcome addition to a top ten currently dominated by R 'n' B and rap songs.   It's inoffensive and beautiful and  it's the sort of song that people notice straight away.

I googled Ed Sheeran and discovered he is 20 years old and signed to Atlantic Records. He has also already appeared on Later with Jools Holland. 'nuff said.

See for yourself here:

The Harlots live at Monto Water Rats 13/6/11

Last night up and coming band The Harlots played their first full line up gig at the Monto Water Rats in Kings Cross. The Harlots are a four piece rock and roll band formed by Sherwin Claridge and Kike Moreno and based in London. With influences including Oasis, Stone Roses and The Strokes; their music is 90’s indie Britpop with a 21st century credibility. I feel this warrants them a place in a music industry experiencing a domination of young skinny jeaned indie kids who all look and sound a little bit too similar (think Everything Everything, Two Door Cinema Club and The Vaccines). There was definitely a place for them last night at a venue that in the last few years has played host to bands such as Ash, the Cribs and MGMT.

The Harlots already look, sound and feel like an established rock and roll band. The international line up (Italy, Spain, Philippines and Britain) only came together fully two weeks ago after Kike and Sherwin formed the band in late 2010. Hours of auditions later and the final band were officially unveiled on facebook in the last week. Despite this, the band is already a tight unit – jamming together like old friends. Sherwin’s vocals are strong and shine through in their set of original songs which include firm favourites like Red Dress, Dance the Night Away, We could be lovers and the anthemic Babel. The songs are catchy and solid and show great potential in both their song writing and playing. Kike is an accomplished guitarist who comes in to his own on guitar solos. New additions Francesco on drums and Jake on Bass complete the line up and Francesco’s energy really seems to drive the band. Despite a few fixable sound problems last night their debut gig was a winner and at the end of their brief 25 minute set the audience were warmed up and willing for more. They are performing in various venues over the next few weeks and surely can only get better and better. With gig dates rolling in and a fan base slowly starting to form, I really hope the Harlots can continue to build on their talent, drive and experience and get some material recorded soon – mainly so I can listen to Babel on repeat.

Upcoming gigs:

28th June at 9pm - The Dublin Castle, Camden
5th July at 8pm – The Monarch, Chalk Farm
7th July at 8.30pm - Proud Galleries, Camden
23rd July at 8.30pm - The Bowery, New Oxford Street

www.myspace.co.uk/harlotsuk
facebook

Watch Babel from their last gig in Tottenham Court Road