*Tips for 2012* #2 Gross Magic

So, after dabbling in a few genres young Sam Mcgarrigle from Brighton has found a style of making music that is on a par with any pop chart regulars in terms of catchiness, but with a refreshing lo-fi sound. Sam seems to have the gift of not only knowing what to take from what has influenced him, but he seems to have been able to piece them together in such a way as to create something really special with his debut release 'Teen Jamz' Ep.
The EP sent the blog world alight with excitement and intrigue earlier this year.

I've read somewhere that the initial creative 'spark' for his sound was a chance finding of an ELO greatest hits cassette in a charity shop. I gather that was his initial inspiration and he then brought his take along with all of his other influences.

I really look forward to hearing what he comes up with next.
He has recently been touring the UK and Europe with Yuck and Metronomy.

Keep an eye on his website and facebook for upcoming shows in 2012. I hear that he'll be over in America for SXSW and you can catch them for free at these UK Vice magazine launches with FANZINE.

*Tips for 2012* #1 Lianne La Havas

Lianne La Havas first caught my eye/ear way back in April supporting the charismatic Marques Toliver. Review here.
She has since gone on to appear on Jools Holland, where she made quite an impression on Bon Iver who decided to take her on tour in the US and Canada.

Lianne has a very soulful smoky voice and a delightful rhythmic way with her electric guitar, which I believe is named 'Connie'. Her first UK tour sold out and even had venues upgraded to accomodate the demand for tickets. She has four dates at The Social in London throughout January leading into February which have all sold out already, but you still have a chance to catch her at The Borderline, London where she'll be playing as part of HMV's Next Big Thing.

Her debut ep 'Lost & Found' was released in November and an album looks set to follow early in 2012.
You can also get a free live ep on her website! www.liannelahavas.com

Lianne has the following dates in 2012 so far:

	Jan 17	The Social, London London, United Kingdom	Sold Out
	Jan 24	The Social, London London, United Kingdom	Sold Out
	Jan 31	The Social, London London, United Kingdom	Sold Out
	Feb 07	The Social, London London, United Kingdom	Sold Out
	Feb 08	HMV's Next Big Thing @ The Borderline London, United Kingdom	Tickets
	Mar 08	Coalition Brighton, United Kingdom	Tickets
	Mar 09	O2 Academy 2 Oxford Oxford, United Kingdom	Tickets
	Mar 10	The Sugar Club Dublin, Ireland	Tickets
	Mar 12	Glee Club Birmingham Birmingham, United Kingdom	Tickets
	Mar 13	Scala London, United Kingdom	Tickets

Upcoming | Local Dates
No local dates.

Daughter joining Ben Howard on tour

No, not his Daughter, but one of our favourite acts this year fronted by Elena Tonra. After an epic tour throughout the end of this year and a debut top 10 album, Ben Howard is back in the UK in February.
They played a few shows together across Europe and will join forces again in the UK. The tour is already mostly sold out.

Dates are as follows:
13th February – Truro, Hall For Cornwall
14th February – Portsmouth, Pyramids
15th February – Brighton, Concorde 2
17th February – Manchester, Ritz
18th February – Edinburgh, Queens Hall
19th February – Glasgow, Oran Mor
20th February – Newcastle, Northumbria University
22nd February – Norwich, Waterfront
24th February – London, Shepherds Bush Empire
25th February – Oxford, Academy
27th February – Leeds, Cockpit
28th February – Birmingham, HMV Institute
29th February – Bristol, Academy

Here's what they got up to last time


I won't go on too much about Daughter as I'm sure if you've read this blog before you'll already have an idea what she's about. If not click here for an old article I wrote.
I will however mention that here follow-up ep to 'His Young Heart' is out and is entitled 'The Wild Youth'. Both ep's can be purchased here

New material from Nathaniel Rateliff

Nathaniel Rateliff offered a taster of what's to come from him next year, playing three tracks from his next album 'Falling Faster Than You Can Run' on OpenAir Public Radio, Colorado. He plays “Three Fingers In”, “Right On" and “When Do You See” as well as talking about touring Europe with Mumford and Sons, what’s on his rider and his biggest rock star moment this year.

Hear the interview and tracks here

Michael Kiwanuka on Jools Holland

Took my time to blog about this, but I've been a bit slack of late...

Here is 'I'm Getting Ready' taken from Michael's performance on Jools Holland last week. So happy to see him music reaching so many others now. Read a review I wrote including an interview from back in May here



If you're lucky enough to have tickets to his Show in Brighton tomorrow night at The Hope again where I first saw him, do enjoy! You lucky b*&?#%ds

Introducing: Ez Stone

Ez Stone is a singer/songwriter from Brighton. Since starting gigging he has grown a reputation for his mesmerising guitar playing, which blended with his story-telling folk songs make for a captivating performance.

You may have seen him giging in Brighton in other projects, but he has decided that the time has come to start out on his own.

He was due to support Kyla La Grange for Communion in Brighton, but she fell ill. The show went ahead with Ez playing a very impressive set accompanied by his female violin wielding backing vocalist. He has shows Throughout December including dates in London and Northampton, where he'll be on the bill with Emily and the Woods.

Have a look at these gems from his YouTube channel.

Find him on Facebook and on his blog
and sign up to Ez's mailing list

Introducing: Jamie N Commons

I love finding artist at gigs instead of via press release :)

I saw Jamie N Commons supporting Marques Toliver a few weeks ago and was astounded by the sound that came from the 22-year-old and his incredibly proficient band.

I saw him again last night, this time supporting another long time favourite of mine Michael Kiwanuka. He again blew me away. I had the chance to speak with him briefly and found that he had studied and trained as an opera singer at Goldsmiths University.

His bluesy inspired, Nick Cave-esque songs fall right in line with my current taste in listening material.

He is simply someone you need to see live!

Jamie N Commons by Jamie N Commons

His debut ep 'The Baron' is due for release on October 17th by Luv Luv Luv Records with a free show at The Old Queens Head, London.

He has had some great support slots with the aforementioned Marques Toliver, Michael Kiwanuka and Dry The River. He'll also be appearing in support or Spector at the following shows throughout October:

18th- Roadhouse, Manchester - £4
19th- Start The Bus, Bristol - Free Entry
20th- Shacklewell Arms, London - £5