The Unsigned Guide Spotlight: January
Blog by Michelle Lloyd under Artist Managers, Creative & Branding, Finance, Law & Music Business, Live, Media, Music Publishing, Music Training & Careers, Record Labels, Recording & Production, Selling & Distributing Your Music
Here at The Unsigned Guide we only made one new year’s resolution, one that we’re pretty certain we can keep, and that was to continue to bring you 5 dynamite tracks every month from our members. January might be a bit of a dreary old month but we’re pretty certain this month’s selected tracks will beat those blues and set you on your way. So sit back, grab some of those chocolates still lurking around and enjoy the dazzling January Spotlight!
Collectors Club – ‘Wanna Be You’
Since playing their first ever gig at the beginning of 2011, Collectors Club have taken their feel good, summery, indie-pop on the road all over the UK, sharing stages with the likes of Mystery Jets, Jake Bugg, Pigeon Detectives, Pete & The Pirates, Mona, The Crookes, Polarsets, Little Comets, Sunshine Underground and Goldheart Assembly along the way.
Hailing from a variety of small towns on the edge of the North Yorkshire Moors, the band originally formed merely as a way to pass the time on their lunch breaks at Sixth Form College. However, things soon took off thanks to strong local support and they quickly found themselves playing at the likes of T In The Park and on the main stage at The Stockton Weekender. And last year saw them gain a place on the coveted ‘BBC Sounds of 2013’ list.
Having been likened to The Smiths, Vampire Weekend and Little Comets, their upbeat, jangly somewhat tropical sounds we felt were most radio-friendly, full of catchy melodies and a perfect slice of indie-pop.
Setting 2013 aside to further shape how they sound both in the studio and in the live setting they’re looking to release an EP with some new tracks and put a tour together ready for summertime.
Shylock – ‘Addicted’
When this elusive track landed in our dropbox it’s safe to say it was a sure hit with us all at The Unsigned Guide as we’re always keen to include tracks that are slightly different. A little bit of digging around and we found that the man behind ‘Shylock’ is Luke Graver so we pinned him down to unearth a bit more about the man behind the beats.How would you best describe your sound?
About a year ago I'd say it was a generic Techno sound but now I'd say some of my tracks are closer to Bass music/post Dubstep even, just as long as it sounds futuristic and has a certain edge I'm happy. My sound changes pretty much daily depending on what I'm listening to and what is influencing me at the time, I'm always experimenting with new ideas and styles.
How did our chosen track ‘Addicted’ come about?
The track was originally for my EP but I felt it didn't fit with the other tracks so I just sat on it for a while. It was part of my Ableton live set which I bounced into Cubase to create the full length track. I wanted to make something jackin' and bass heavy, Most of my music starts life as a doodle in Ableton almost. I then pick the ideas I think will work and work them into longer, more coherent pieces of music.
What would you consider to be your highlights to date?
That's difficult to answer, I suppose getting my first release out was the most important milestone for me as a producer. Going from just doing it for myself and letting a few friends listen to having a proper product that people can buy and play was great. Also having some support by DJs I know in their podcasts and DJ sets was great too. I'll still not feel satisfied until I've got an acetate with my name on though, doesn't feel real otherwise!
What do you have in store for the rest of the year?
I'll be concentrating on setting up my new studio and getting another release finished. I also have a couple of remixes in the works that will be coming out on the 'Currupt Systems' imprint. I've been getting into music library work through my brothers company so I'll be spending more time on that. I take music seriously but, I'm not a full time artist so sometimes just to play with my toys in the studio for a couple of hours is enough for me. Music is a personal pleasure for me.
Any releases/gigs coming up?
I've just put out my second EP called the 'Blueroom EP' on Currupt Systems, it's available at Beatport and other online outlets. Thanks for the plug! I've been working on a live PA for the last 2-3 years which keeps evolving; I don't particularly find DJ'ing of much interest to me, especially playing digitally with CDs and so on. As an artist I'd rather use that time to play my own material and most importantly gauge the crowd’s reaction.
Your New Antique – ‘Chemistry’
Your New Antique are a 4 piece alternative-indie outfit who met at University and their favourite watering hole in Huddersfield. Having released 2 singles last year, our chosen track ‘Chemistry’ caught the ear of BBC 6music’s Tom Robinson which lead to an extremely complimentary ‘New Band Up North’ piece in The Guardian at the end of 2012.
Described as ‘dark pop’ and ‘savage indie’ in the past, obvious vocal comparisons are there to be made with the late Ian Curtis and a hint of Editors. Their curious mix of frantic, strident drumming, ominous lyrics and arrant delivery made for a somewhat infectious combination with us. And like their name suggests, a distinct sense of an older sound being given a modern twist.
Currently releasing music themselves whilst they search for a label; they have an abundance of recorded material ready to go and working on a EP as we speak, as well as music videos with a view to getting back out there and gigging in March.
Anna Sweeney – ‘Don’t Look Down’
This month 18 year old Ayrshire singer-songwriter Anna provides us with perfectly catchy, happy pop-folk. Confident and accomplished at an early age, her infectious gem of a track; light and positive, definitely warms the heart with her strong Scottish accent adding extra clout and character to proceedings.Having acquired a band last year she splits her time between her native Ayr and Glasgow. In just 12 months Anna has won a South Ayrshire Youth Forum award in the entertainment category, won a Young Scot award and nominated for a West FM Up and Coming Youngster award. Airplay has been secured on the likes of Clyde 1 and Amazing Radio and she’s taken to the stage at many of Scotland’s best smaller venues including King Tut’s.
Currently working on her debut self-released EP she’s looking to build on last year’s successes and secure herself a full time music career.
The Deadline Shakes – ‘Sweeten The Deal’
Glasgow based The Deadline Shakes arrived on the scene last year with their classic yet slightly angular edge and quickly gained widespread support featuring on Steve Lamacq’s show and Jim Gellatly’s In Demand show. Vic Galloway then went on to select the band as one of his Breakout Bands on Radio Scotland and Artrocker have also featured the band.‘Sweeten The Deal’ combines a bit of rock, a bit of pop and a smidgen of folk too but above all it packs a punch! Keen to find out a bit more, we caught up with them for a bit of an insight.
Describe your sound for us.
We try to write entertaining, energetic and attractive songs with a bit of heart to them. Indie pop rock might be a sensible description, though we don’t go for a particular style. The quality of the song is the barometer – ‘cool’ is irrelevant. If a glockenspiel will work then it’s going on the record!
How did the song come about?
‘Sweeten the Deal’ was written for a short film a student friend was making. There were some characters (a dapper homeless chap; a lonely and cracked millionaire whose teddy was his best friend; a bored cleaning girl; and a pining photographer), so Greg incorporated little lines or phrases for each of them in the verses with a chorus they all might sing. The overall idea of the song was each of the characters making their appeal to someone. We've never actually seen the film. Greg was the cracked millionaire in a dressing gown. It involved him running around a stately home somewhere in Dumfries, talking to stuffed animals and falling off trees. For some reason he hasn't pressed to see the finished article…
As a band, what’s been your stand out moment so far?
The highlight so far has probably been Steve Lamacq playing ‘Sweeten The Deal’ and giving us his stamp of approval on 6Music. More generally it’s been great to have had such good reviews for and enthusiastic responses to the track. It’s startling to think that the song has been played right across the world, from Sweden to South Africa, America to South Korea. Of course, we’re hardly household names in any of these jurisdictions, but it’s exciting nonetheless.
2013 is here! What have you got planned?
As it’s only early January as we write, hopefully plenty! The immediate project is finishing our debut album in these first few months and then gigging in support of that. There will be single releases and video shoots to do too. We’ll do some summery giggery, perhaps a small festival or two. After that, we’ll be plotting our second album after the runaway success/damp squib of our debut [delete as transpires].
Take a look at our most recent Spotlight blogs here
The Unsigned Guide Spolight: December
The Unsigned Guide Spotlight: November
The Unsigned Guide Spotlight: October
The Unsigned Guide Spolight: December
The Unsigned Guide Spotlight: November
The Unsigned Guide Spotlight: October
How do I get featured on the Spotlight blog?
Our Spotlight blog is compiled every month from fresh new music submitted to us by our members. We want to hear from you! We select 5 of the best tracks from our members, so if you want to be in the running you’ll need to sign up to The Unsigned Guide then follow the instructions in your Welcome email to submit a track for Spotlight consideration to us. If you’re already a member and still not sure about how to submit your music for Spotlight, just give us a shout via our Contact page & we’ll help you out!
As well as being featured in our new music blog, your track will also be forwarded onto these music industry professionals including folks from Amazing Radio, Big Life Management, Club Fandango, Domino Records, The Fly, Memphis Industries, Rocksound, Skint Publishing, Sony Music, Spotify, Fake DIY, Transgressive Records and The Great Escape. View the full list of who listens to our Spotlight tracks here.
Members of The Unsigned Guide get access to our huge directory of over 8,700 UK music industry contacts. Find out more about the directory and the other services we provide to help emerging bands and artists here.
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