'We Just Get Our Heads Down and Create': Halo Tora Discuss 'Man of Stone: Chapter One'

A decade ago, there were few places more exciting than the Scottish rock scene. Biffy Clyro had demonstrated that bands north of the border playing heavy off-kilter music could break out and get radio play. The likes of Sucioperro, Twin Atlantic, the Xcerts and Flood of Red duly followed suit, creating a network of like-minded artists who would invariably play each other's shows.

Written by: Jonathan Rimmer | Date: Thursday, 05 April 2018

Mid 30s Angst: Mastersystem's Scott Hutchison on Using The Past To Undersand The Present

Sega started phasing out the Master System in the late ‘80s. That’s just how it goes with consoles. It’s always about what’s new and next. But you can still find them, knocking about under a film of dust in an attic or perched next to an ancient Nintendo on a completist’s shelf.

Written by: Huw Baines | Date: Thursday, 05 April 2018

An Extra Thrill and a Twist: Introducing Marine

Marine’s music pushes the listener into a dreamy state of consciousness with a blend of anarchically melodic instrumental arrangements and a female chorus of trill, tuneful vocals.

Written by: Milly McMahon | Date: Tuesday, 03 April 2018

Bruce Springsteen: How The Boss Found A New Home On Broadway

td#right {display:none !important;} ​ Bruce Springsteen’s Broadway run is about to take its final curtain, and will go down as one of the largest undertakings in a career partly defined by large undertakings. What began as a curio has become an important chapter in one of modern rock’s most engaging stories. Huw Baines was in New York at the start of the residency and found a show that made sense as the Boss’s next step.  

Written by: Huw Baines | Date: Thursday, 22 March 2018

Reflective, Maybe: George FitzGerald Talks Changing Perspectives And 'All That Must Be'

Photo: Rhodri Brooks George FitzGerald’s music blends melancholia and euphoria, building textured, enigmatic atmospheres. When twinned with haunting vocals, it feels poetic. His skills as a producer stretch far beyond the DJ booth, where he’s also at home, and his almost orchestral aesthetic opens the door to ambient, reflective passages and moments of unadulterated ecstasy.

Written by: Milly McMahon | Date: Thursday, 22 March 2018

Thanks For Listening, Thanks For Understanding: The Hold Steady Come Alive In London

Illustration: Thomas Norton There are easier jobs than singing along with Craig Finn, particularly when he’s in this sort of mood. His arms are spread wide, proselytising like the old days. He shimmies and shakes. His guitar, never his closest friend, swings at his waist like an invitation to a party he’s only half into. His words pour out and are yelled back by everyone who can keep pace; anyone who hasn’t already screamed their voice to shreds. It’s good to see him back in a bar band, baby.

Written by: Huw Baines | Date: Wednesday, 14 March 2018

Nobody Loses All The Time: Nervus' Em Foster Talks 'Everything Dies'

Photo: Derek Bremner E.E. Cummings’ poem Nobody Loses All The Time tells the tale of Uncle Sol, who despite being “born a failure” still manages to rack up several attempts at success before drowning himself in a water tank. In death, though, he brings about new life. It’s a posthumous, ironic win for a chronic loser: “Somebody pressed a button (and down went my Uncle Sol and started a worm farm).”

Written by: Laura Johnson | Date: Wednesday, 07 March 2018

'It's Fun To Still Be Surprised': The Changing Face Of Three Man Cannon

Photo: Russell Edling A bands’ band are a well respected part of the furniture in their scene. They have released several records of consistent quality, if not a consistent sound, and those records could be considered influential, even if that’s a relative term. They are probably opening for your favourite band in town tonight because they’re your favourite band’s favourite band. Three Man Cannon are a bands’ band.

Written by: Huw Baines | Date: Tuesday, 06 March 2018

'We Appreciate What We've Got': Embrace Go Back To What They Know

Some folks are set in their ways. Maybe they fear change, or maybe they just know their own minds. Indie-rockers Embrace have always attracted a portion of fans who don’t like the group’s more experimental efforts.

Written by: Simon Ramsay | Date: Monday, 05 March 2018

A Kind of Magic: Introducing The Wandering Hearts

If you don’t believe in destiny, take a quick look at the Wandering Hearts’ story. You soon will. This fast-rising British quartet boasts the kind of origin tale that was surely inked in the stars by a mystical, music-loving force. Beyond that superficial calling card, though, lies a band who, thanks to a sublime brand of alt-folk Americana, have just created one of the most accomplished debut albums of recent times.

Written by: Simon Ramsay | Date: Wednesday, 28 February 2018

Words First: Lucy Dacus Gets Her Point Across On The Sweeping 'Historian'

Photo: Dustin Condren Words first. That’s how Lucy Dacus sees it.

Written by: Huw Baines | Date: Monday, 26 February 2018

"I Can't Speak For Others, But I'm Real." Ocean Wisdom Talks 'Wizville'

There's no doubt the wider UK urban music scene is currently enjoying exposure on a level never seen before (Stormzy just won a couple of Brits and called out the Prime Minister on live TV, winning the support of another political leader in the space of 24 hours). But, while much of the mainstream attention has been afforded to the burgeoning grime scene, UK hip hop is enjoying a mini-renaissance of its own.

Written by: Jonathan Rimmer | Date: Friday, 23 February 2018

Don't Repeat Yourself: Introducing Seeb

Norwegian production trio Seeb create precision engineered, massively popular electronic anthems charged with soaring emotions. If you haven't heard of them yet, you will soon.

Written by: Milly McMahon | Date: Thursday, 22 February 2018

All Chips On This Bet: Van William Goes It Alone On 'Countries'

Photo: Silvia Grav Van William’s bandmates are downstairs making breakfast when he rolls out of bed on a Wednesday morning. “We all eat together and then start jamming and just work on the arrangements for a bit,” he explains.

Written by: Milly McMahon | Date: Tuesday, 20 February 2018

Hop On Board With Us: Screaming Females Get Ambitious on 'All At Once'

Photo: Farrah Skeiky Find Screaming Females at the merch desk, say hello. If you’re going to buy a record, they think you should get the new one. It’s the one they’re most excited about. If you like it you can go back and fill in the gaps later on. “We’re an active band. We’re a live band,” Marissa Paternoster says. “We want the audience to be excited about what we’re doing right now. Hop on board with us. Travel with us."

Written by: Huw Baines | Date: Monday, 19 February 2018

Dreams Realised: Hell is For Heroes on 15 Years of 'The Neon Handshake'

There are some albums that you simply can't imagine being released at any other time, or under any other circumstances. In 2003, the rock world was in a strange place: emo wasn't a commercial prospect yet, nu metal was on the way out, and the Strokes hadn't been around long enough to spawn their clones. So, when energetic London quintet Hell is for Heroes emerged, they didn't just plug a gap – they captured imaginations.

Written by: Jonathan Rimmer | Date: Tuesday, 13 February 2018

GoGo Penguin: The Humble Men Behind 'A Humdrum Star'

Photo: Fabrice Bourgelle On a cold, dark evening in February, 2016, GoGo Penguin were preparing to play a sold out Village Underground in Hoxton, east London. It was, at the time, probably their biggest headline gig to date. Most bands - particularly instrumental, experimental three-piece jazz bands - would feel some creeping nerves at the size of the task ahead.

Written by: Tom Seymour | Date: Monday, 12 February 2018

Looking Back, Moving Forward: Brian Fallon Talks Sophomore Solo LP 'Sleepwalkers'

When we last spoke to Brian Fallon it was November 2016, eight months on from the release of his debut solo album, 'Painkillers’. He was riding the wave of newfound creative freedom that comes with going it alone, already writing songs for its follow up and making promises for the future. Unlike many of us heading into a new year, he kept most of them.

Written by: Laura Johnson | Date: Thursday, 08 February 2018

Surprise Surprise: Lemuria Talk Dismissing Expectations and 'Recreational Hate'

A good surprise requires planning, because it doesn’t take long to see through one that’s been hastily assembled. That must have been playing on Lemuria’s mind as they put the finishing touches to ‘Recreational Hate’.

Written by: Huw Baines | Date: Friday, 02 February 2018

Elder Statesman: Jamie Lenman on 'Devolver' And Sending People Home Happy

When Jamie Lenman decided to break up the much-loved rock trio Reuben in 2008, it was more than just the end of an era. He suffered what he later described as complete musical “burnout” and decided to pursue a career as a full time illustrator.

Written by: Jonathan Rimmer | Date: Friday, 02 February 2018