London Indie/Dance act: Kentish Fire - 'In Our Band' (Free download & Music Video)

Last week I spent some time remixing a track by London electronic/indie band Kentish Fire.  It's not available to listen yet as I've only just sent it to the band, but I wanted to post the original up here.

As soon as I heard the track, I wanted to remix it.  The vocals are what stood out most for me - great delivery by the lead singers - and clever lyrics too.  The story behind the song is talking about (either fact or fiction) that they used to be a cover band and in the third verse they use a whole bunch of song titles to complete the story of moving from covers band to an 'original music' band.  Love this idea.

We weren't there in the summer of '69
But we were living on a prayer, we were born to be wild
We would smell like teen spirit, we would drink red, red wine
We were wearing baggy trousers, we would stop...Anna time
On the stairway to heaven we would get our teenage kicks
We would rock an Abba medley and a Grease megamix
When we went under the bridge, we would do the Louis Louis
When we rode with Mustang Sally we would lick her tutti frutti
But these blue suede shoes gave us the summertime blues
We weren't the sultans of swing, we were just daytrippin'
We would get no satisfaction when we played My Generation
We were losing our religion, we had growing superstition
Never Johnny B. Goode, this was bad to the bone
So we just said  'Screw it all!
Show us the way to go home!' 

This song has that extra bit of sparkle that you're always hoping to hear when looking for new up and coming bands. And by that point, I hadn't even seen the video - it fits the song perfectly.

If you want to download 'In Our Band' for free, click on the Bandcamp link below.  I've also listed a few of their other websites as well...

Bandcamp: http://download.kentishfire.co.uk/
Official Website: http://www.kentishfire.co.uk/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KentishFire
Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/kentishfire
Twitter: https://twitter.com/kentishfire

Bilamie - Dead & Walking (WS Remix) - FREE DOWNLOAD!

From a project that started in 2013 and ended in January this year, the album of my electro/alt pop duo BILAMIE is almost upon us.

Whilst we're preparing the uploads and final details, here's a previously unreleased Bilamie song, remixed by myself.

The original version of Dead & Walking will be on the album - it was going to be our first single and we'd already got an *amazing* remix by the uber talented producer BeatM4n - I'll be posting this one up shortly after the album release.  Another remix for the single was the one below that I made late last year.

It's free download as well!

Priveyt - PL&PT (full album stream and download)

Here's the new album by my mate and hip hop artist from Madrid Priveyt! Recorded between 2009 and 2014 and featuring a whole bunch of interesting collaborations and producers.

You can download the individual tracks here:
Priveyt - PL&PT - Parties, lovers and political troubles

EP News: New Collaboration with Of Embla

I've gone a little bit quiet on the live scene at the moment. 2 reasons for this: first of all, I'm dedicating some time to finishing off my EP and secondly I'm saving some money.  I took a good break from work for the last 9 months (I work as an SAP Consultant) but once the EP is complete I'll be heading back to save up some pennies again ready for the next musical excursion.

More news on the EP though, as you know already I'm collaborating with Priveyt for at least one of the songs - he also has a new album out this week, I'll be posting an embedded link to this tomorrow.

And a new addition to the EP is a song I'll be working on with the Norwegian jazz/folk artist Of Embla.  The song is more similar to vein of my track 'Purple Steeple' with a dark Trip-Hop/World influence.

Of Embla


In the meantime, here's my favourite song by Of Embla. Get ready for jazzy, sensual gorgeousness.

Moving House

I may be a little quiet on the social media front at the moment - I'm moving house. Back to normal very soon though!

Tomorrow is a day of recording as I have some vocals to do for BeatM4n and an EP to work on and then Friday I'm getting ready for Saturday's gig at The Islington!

Facebook Event: https://www.facebook.com/events/809080812509660/https://www.facebook.com/events/809080812509660/

See you soonly!

Playlist - February '15 (Electronic / Hip Hop)

Here's some of my favourite tracks from the last few weeks!

Click Play below and listen to the music whilst reading a little about the artists.

1. Clarence Clarity - Meadow Hopping, Traffic Stopping, Death Splash
London electronic musician.  This is a brilliant song - it's reminds me a little bit of Gorillaz but for 2015.
"a charming churn of psychedelics and sputtering electronic beats" (Stereogum)

Clarence Clarity

2. Rangleklods - Lost U
Danish electro-pop duo.  I'm mentioning mainly London artists here but this track is one of the exceptions because its too catchy.
"a bubbling dream-dance cut, encrusted with monolithic percussion and house hooks" (The Line Of Best Fit)

Rangleklods (www.oliver-ruskovic.net)

3. The Very Best - Hear Me (Feat. Vampire Weekend's Chris Baio)
An afro-western mix of dance, hip hop and pop.
A collaboration between London based DJ/production duo Radioclit and Esau Mwamwaya, a singer from Lilongwe, Malawi.
"a song about the corruption, poverty, struggle of Malawi, and how frustrated he [Esau] was about the fact that very little has changed since independence" (press release via Stereogum)

The Very Best (https://www.facebook.com/theverybest)

4. TĀLĀ - Alchemy
Underground Pop from London based Singer & Producer.
"Her hazy voice soars over the sparkling, skittering production that meld together to reach mesmerizing peaks. It’s a delicious morsel of the producer/singer’s incredible talent." (Pigeons and Planes)

TĀLĀ (http://www.dazeddigital.com)

5. Eyeshadows - Jump
Chilled Electro from this London duo.
"I am happy to report that it is damn perfect in every regard and even though we have a long year ahead of us – I am slating the yet to be unnamed EP as one of the top of 2015." (I Vacation In Your Hell)

Eyeshadows (https://www.facebook.com/eyeshadowsmusic)

6. Leks Rivers - When I'm High
Hip Hop from 20 year old London Singer & Producer.
"Unlike so many other new singers who meander around in this alt-R&B zone of cool production and lackluster songwriting, Leks brings a powerful spirit driven by big hooks, strong melodies, and no regard for the trend-following bullshit." (Pigeons and Planes)

Leks Rivers

7. Sme Blqck Kid - Fade Away
Hip hop artist from London. I was meant to play a gig with this guy a few weeks ago but we didn't get the chance unfortunately.  Make sure you listen to the lyrics on this track!

Sme Blqck Kid

8. Priveyt - What Goes Around
Bolivian reggae/urban artist based in London rapping about society, philosophy and the economy.
Love the late night vibe in this track! Also check out the video for his track Partytime here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7iWPEQC4AV0

Priveyt (https://www.facebook.com/priveytprojects)

9. sHef X Hipnotic Jazz X M.O.N.G.R.E.L. X Matthew Watson X Precinct Phantom - The Cypher [Alt version]
A collaboration by sHef, Hipnotic Jazz, M.O.N.G.R.E.L, Matthew Watson and Precinct Phantom. I know this track from Hipnotic Jazz's album Freedom To Fail - a leftfield blend of hip hop, jazz, soul and funk. Also check out his experimental electronic alias Hipnotech.

10. Kweku Collins - Lonely Lullabies
Chilled hip hop from Evanston (IL, United States) artist Kweku Collins (Kway Koo).
"Kweku Collins peaked out from behind the Internet’s infinite curtain towards the end of 2014 as a promising talent, a capable rapper and singer with a style that charmed, adolescent honesty delivered with vibrant sing-song rapping." (Pigeons and Planes)

Kweku Collins (http://pigeonsandplanes.com)

11. Marvel Alexander - Better Days
Hip hop artist from New Jersey.
"will likely go down as one of the best things you hear in 2015" (Hard In The Paint)

Marvel Alexander (https://www.facebook.com/MRVLALXNDR)

12. Flako - Kuku
A slight change of tempo for the last track...
Downtempo/Balearic artist based in London.
"The production is dense, with all manner of synth squelches resounding from the speakers. The percussion retains that latin American kick, except this is viewed from a hyper-modern vantage point." (Clash)
EP on Bandcamp: http://www.juno.co.uk/products/flako-kuku/546857-01/

Flako (https://www.facebook.com/natureboyposts)

Hope you enjoyed the Playlist as much as I did ;-)

I also make music myself, you can take a listen here: https://soundcloud.com/websheldon

Gig Preview: Empathy Test + Vivien Glass + DOLLS + Fauxplay @ The Islington, Fri 6th March.

I usually put together a quick post like this when I'm preparing for a gig I'm due to play...  I won't be playing this one, but I *will* be going to it because it's going to be a night of awesome electronic/synth music which I couldn't possibly miss.

Strangely enough, I'll be playing as part of another mainly electronic line up the following night, in the same venue with New Opera Hero, Crhøma and more: http://web-sheldon.blogspot.co.uk/2015/02/gig-preview-tango-pirates-new-opera.html

Back to the gig on the 6th!

Click play below to listen to music from the bands playing on the night, whilst reading a little about each of them further down.

Tickets £5: https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/date/149775

Empathy Test

"With an insistence on glorious hooks and instantly memorable vocal lines, Empathy Test are refreshingly unafraid to be pop music. soaring synthetic chords, precision beats, and jubilant 80s melodies — all coated in soft, irresistible melancholy — the London-based duo takes inspiration as much from modern acts like CHVRCHES and Purity Ring, as it does from Vangelis and Depeche Mode. But, instead of sounding like a mere update of 80s’ electro, Empathy Test produce a mesmerizing and immersive identity which sets them apart from pretty much everything else currently on the scene."

"Since self-releasing their début EP “Losing Touch” in February, Empathy Test have picked up thousands of fans via sheer word-of-mouth and late-night tweets, and collaborated with Richard Swarbrick on numerous viral animation videos for ESPN and Liverpool FC. Empathy Test signed to Brooklyn’s Stars & Letters Records in the spring of 2014, with their follow-up EP “Throwing Stones” released in December 9th, 2014. Three singles from the EP have premièred on CLASH Music, KCRW and Idolator."

Click here to visit the official website.

Empathy Test

Vivien Glass

"Vivien Glass is an Indietronic three-piece band, merging the elegance of synth driven electro, with modern primal pop."

"Born in 2010, Vivien Glass marries the aggression of industrial music with the elegance of synth driven 80’s electro. Inspired by the dark sound of Depeche Mode and the lyrical musings of such artists as PJ Harvey and Kate Bush, the masculine and feminine intertwine to form a sound which is both haunting and driven."

“Vivien Glass- Stark synthscapes with gently gothique leanings and a cool ambient aura fronted by the lovely ice maiden Ms Glass…John Foxx meets Marilyn Manson via This Mortal Coil…” (BugBear Productions)

Official Website / Visit Amazon to buy their debut album Awake, My Sleeper

Vivien Glass

Dolls

"DOLLS was born in mid-2009 as the more offensive byproduct of a commercial pop career gone AWOL. Drawing her influence from Joy Division, Tears for Fears and Depeche Mode, DOLLS juxtaposes apocalyptic pop vocals with gritty lyricism, creating a uniquely dark synthpop signature.  Bored after penning and performing two mainstream hits for Warner Music (charting top 10/20 in national video/radio), DOLLS moved from Toronto, Canada to London, UK and relaunched her music career as an independent artist, releasing the self-produced SECRET SULK in January, 2013. DOLLS’ inimitable style has enchanted international artists of all descriptions (Salman Rushdie is a fan and Rough Trade‘s Carole Pope described SECRET SULK as “The Best Album Ever”) and she is, as ever, terribly sought after but difficult to pin down."

Click here to visit the official website.

Dolls

Fauxplay

"Fauxplay is producer and DJ, Doug McCourt. Doug started DJing and producing back in 1992, with seminal dance music producer Simon Noble (aka Rebound, Breeder & Maurice & Noble). Producing under many guises over the years, with releases as early as 1993 and support from the likes of Pete Tong (BBC Radio 1), Annie Mac (BBC Radio 1), Eddie Temple Morris (XFM), Sasha, Jon Digweed, James Sabiela and others, Doug has since gone on to produce tracks under the guise of Hassassins, Idiotek, Kenzo and Riot Radio (with Suicide Sports Club front man and DJ/Producer Luke Brancaccio), and his new project 'HAARP' (with producer and collaborator Paul Moloney).  Fauxplay has been holed up in the studio over the last couple of years producing a solo album project, and continues to release remixes and mashups for singers and DJs. Recently Fauxplay has teamed up with bitchpop queen 'Dolls' for a fusion of synth pop and electro beats - coming to a dance floor near you soon."

Click to visit the Fauxplay Soundcloud page and Facebook Fan page.

Fauxplay

All quotes and info regarding the bands is taken from the band's Facebook Fan Pages.