Industry news & advice blog

October might have been the month for trick or treating but November is definitely all about the treats. As ever, we’ve picked our favourite 5 tracks from all those uploaded to our SoundCloud dropbox by our members and brought them to you by way of our natty Spotlight blog. So without further ado…drum roll please…here’s who’s made the November cut!

Bears Of Brasov – ‘Sunset’
Having formed last year, Jon (guitar), Issy (drums) and James (lead bass) have spent the last year building a strong following in their respective hometowns – London and Cambridge.

With a sound that combines heavy riffs, catchy melodies and distinctive boy/girl vocals, they’ve been drawing in the crowds with their high octane live performances and unique on-stage chemistry. Slots at the Camden Barfly, The Bowery in Sheffield and a headline slot at The Macbeth in Hoxton have seen their squealing guitars, romping bass and pounding beats enthral.

Our chosen track ‘Sunset’ features on their 4 track EP ‘Good Luck’ which also features ‘One Bitten Twice Shy’ and ‘Two Shadows’, the video to which can be found here. Any northerners keen to check the trio out can do so at The Roadhouse this Thursday 7th November.

www.bearsofbrasov.wix.com/bearsofbrasov
www.facebook.com/brasovbears
www.twitter.com/bearsofbrasov

Amy Simpson – ‘All I Wanna Do’
17 year old singer songwriter Amy Simpson may have only just completed her debut EP but she’s already been tipped in The Huffington Post’s ‘Ten Artists To Watch’ blog and become a ‘Fresh Fave’ on Tom Robinson’s Fresh On The Net.

Her debut single ‘Homemade Rocket’ is due for release on the 16th December with the EP ‘Fairytales, Stories & Myths’ scheduled for February next year. Whilst we’re a fan of the sublime vocal on ‘Homemade Rocket’ it was the pure pop sensibility of ‘All I Wanna Do’ that really grabbed us.

Describing her sound as “emotionally charged”, Amy is currently trying to secure a booking agent in order to bump up her gig quota ahead of her EP launch next year.

www.amysimpsonmusic.com 
www.facebook.com/amysimpsonmusic
www.twitter.com/amysimpsonmusic
www.soundcloud.com/amysimpson
 

Antelopes – ‘Ever Since I Left You’

Based in Manchester and Warrington, Antelopes are made up of Sim Lewis on guitar and vocals, Rob Hatton on bass and vocals and Bob Thorniley on drums. Describing themselves as “3 piece alt rock slacker surf idiots, bouncing between jangly sunshine pop and spiky nuggets of fuzz and feedback”, they’re currently working on demos and recording in preparation for more shows and releases due in early 2014.

Subscribing to the DIY ethic through and through, they tell us “We don't have t-shirts or demo tapes, but have warm hearts and questionable fashion senses” and that definitely comes through in their sound. There’s a certain frantic rawness that really hits you.

www.facebook.com/Antelopesmusic
antelopes.bandcamp.com

Three Dimensional Tanx – ‘I Am Go’

The five members strong Three Dimensional Tanx hail from Lancaster and have been described as “Stooges era punk rock by way of Can and the Velvets”. Between having been sound carriers for Damo Suzuki (ex Can), performing at the Tate Britain with Linder Sterling (ex Ludus) and being hand picked by Spaceman 3's Will Carruthers to provide sounds for an exhibition in Sheffield they’ve garnered quite a reputation with their ferocious live outpourings.

2013 saw highly successful performances at Doune The Rabbit Hole Festival and a rip roaring slot at Liverpool International Festival Of Psychedelia. The finishing

touches are currently being made to their album which is set to be released before the end of the year with a 7” vinyl release also expected in the new year.

The band have recently released a video to accompany our chosen track ‘I Am Go’. Take a look here - we think you’ll agree it’s rather fetching.

www.threedimensionaltanx.bandcamp.com
www.twitter.com/3dtanx
www.facebook.com/ThreeDimensionalTanx

Thugs On Wolves – ‘The Laugh Of The Jackdaw’
Despite their somewhat brutish name, this four piece are something of sheep in wolves clothing; heartfelt and sincere. Thought provoking lyrics embody gracefully crafted songs with atypical and sparing instrumentation.

Essentially their sound is folksy but not the grating twee kind - this is folksy with a twist. Obscure tribal beats mix with spine-tingling strings and electronic deluges. Juxtaposing the jaunty with the mellow, ‘The Laugh Of The Jackdaw’ is instantly warming with its meddling strings.

Masters of the crescendo, their sound takes on a more primitive sound before unfurling with radiant harmonies spanning tales both dark and light. Comparisons have been made with Fleet Foxes and Sufjan Stevens; the frugal instrumentation and distinctive vocals definitely comparable.

Craig, Oliver, Marcus and Ashley will be taking to the stage at The Castle in Manchester on 22nd November for their first headline gig, one not to be missed.

www.thugsonwolves.com 
www.facebook.com/thugsonwolves 
www.twitter.com/ThugsOnWolves

Read the October 2013 Spotlight blog here.
 

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.