Industry news & advice blog

Are you ready for an assortment of killer tracks this month from our members? We hope so! February is certainly shaping up to be a remarkable month…

Kubalove – ‘All I Want’
Described as “the missing link between Goldfrapp and M83”, our chosen track from Kubalove is the epitomy of dark, dense and seductive electropop. Perfect for the month of St. Valentine; its sensual sounds, deep bass synths, echoing drum beats and whispered, sexy vocals will get under your skin.

Anna (aka Kubalove) tells us: “It’s about yearning and being lost in love, in a dream-like trance. It’s a painful but addictive feeling. I started out as a bassist, and I’ve always loved big all-consuming bass sounds. This track was built around that powerful oscillating bass synth, which is the pumping heartbeat of the song.”

Take a look at the accompanying video below, directed by LA based Susie Francis who has worked with the likes of Bob Dylan, Tame Impala, Hozier and Olly Murs. Discovering the track online, she fell in love with it and contacted Anna to ask to film the video. Of course, Anna jumped at the opportunity. 

So far Kubalove has had tracks placed on an advertising campaign for tech brand Hewlett-Packard and has played live for The Fox Problem, an entertainment show hosted by Radio 1 DJ Gemma Cairney and Brits 2014 presenter Georgia La. With an album in the pipeline and plenty of gigs, 2015 looks set to be busy. Catch Kubalove live on 10th February at Metropolis Studios in West London for an exclusive showcase. 

www.kubalove.com 
www.facebook.com/kubalovemusic   
www.youtube.com/user/kubalovemusic 
www.twitter.com/kubalovemusic 
 

Narcsus Prye feat. Tommy Evans – ‘Need Some More’
With strong leanings towards electronic and alternative music, Narcsus Prye draw inspiration from a mixed bag of influences. Featuring the distinctive and soulful vocals of Tommy Evans, band member Duncan explains: “Tommy, the vocalist, is actually a drummer and plays drums for a pretty well-known band. He writes a lot of the music and lyrics for this band and I heard a demo of him singing some guide vocals for one of their new songs. Next thing, he's recording vocals on my new track as I loved his voice so much!”

With a main focus on playing tunes 100% live, Duncan has put together a brilliant band allowing him to fulfil this and they should be hitting the road during 2015. Over the next couple of months, Narcsus Prye will be unveiling a collection of 1 minute-long pieces and plans to release a new EP with more guest vocalists will hopefully be in place before the end of the year.

www.narcsusprye.co.uk 
www.facebook.com/NarcsusPrye 
www.twitter.com/narcsusprye 

Area 52 – ‘What Do You Want’
Area 52 were formed in Reading in the summer of 2013 by 5 mighty talented teenagers Rose, Kat, Katie, George and Max. Embracing a diverse set of influences from the Metallica to Chuck Berry, their sound successfully combines pop hooks with raucous guitars, big drums and life affirming lyrics.

The band has enjoyed a fantastic 2014; ripping through a set of successful live dates, appearing on BBC Introducing and gaining lots of interest and local press coverage, including being voted ‘Track Of The Month’ on Richer Unsigned. Their year ended on a high when they were spotted at a local musical festival by record producer Mark ‘Tufty’ Evans. Our featured Spotlight track is the first of two songs recorded at the legendary Abbey Road Studios with him.

2015 promises to be exciting year with lots of gigs on the agenda. ‘What Do You Want’ is all set for release on iTunes in March and later in the year, the second track from their Abbey Road sessions (Carry On), will follow.

www.area52uk.com 
www.facebook.com/area52banduk 
www.twitter.com/area52uk 

DECO – ‘Don’t Even Know Your Name’
Staffordshire four piece DECO have carved out a distinctive sound, amalgamating 80s post punk and contemporary indie rock and alternative pop.

Musically, it started off with the lead guitar riff being whistled down my phone whilst walking through Camden on my way to work and the whole band chipped in and the song was pretty much ready record within a day because it's so simple. It has always seemed to go down well live ever since.

Lyrically, Don't Even Know Your Name came about after jumping the gun and rushing into decisions, sometimes the wrong decisions but then picking myself back up again. Writing this song was almost a way of doing that. The song is metaphorically representing this in the context of a relationship between two people.

Recent highlights for the band include national BBC Radio airplay, as well as opening for Depeche Mode, Coasts and Skaters. With the 2015 focus being on expanding their fanbase, DECO will be giving them plenty to get stuck into. Their follow up to debut EP will be released in April. Entitled ‘Minus’, our selected Spotlight track is the first single taken from this. With festival appearances and gigs at O2 Academy Birmingham and London’s Barfly on the cards, we’re sure their fanbase will have plenty to be excited about!

www.decoofficial.com 
www.facebook.com/decoband 
www.youtube.com/user/decobanduk 
www.twitter.com/decobanduk 

Winter 1982 – ‘Friend’
Haunting folk music brimming with dark intensity but a beautiful, soulful edge, Winter 1982 create songs about life, mistrust, hurt, heartbreak, love and depression and their sound has been compared to the likes of Ray Lamontagne, Ben Howard and Bon Iver, amongst others.

'Friend' emerged, along with a group of songs, out of a bleak period for the Birmingham based duo. Struggling to live comfortably and find work as part of a generation that has left education to find no jobs and a terrible economy, these troubled times colour the music they make. Constantly challenged in their need to create by little budget and time, they consider making art in any form a great achievement.

With both members boasting a background in moving-image and art, they have plans ahead that should indulge these skills. At present a couple of videos that might be most accurately be described as performance pieces are under development. This month will see the pair record their EP with Ryan Pinson (God Damn) and they are also working on a live show in a very particular format, relating specifically to the way they want people to encounter their music. They intend to incorporate their cinematic interests and are working really hard to build something very unique that isn't limited to recordings of the songs. Whatever the outcome, we’re sure it is bound to be a true spectacle. 

www.winter1982.bandcamp.com
www.facebook.com/winter1982band 

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.

Did we mention we have a number of online radio stations that will air our Spotlight tracks too. 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.