17 Artists and Albums you need to know about

Man and the Echo -"Capable Man"- (Men of the moment) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DazMseVYGhU

Man and the Echo are described as an Indie/Alt band from Warrington. They use political issues within their music, and my impression of the band, is that they’re an ensemble of northern lads with a great sense of tongue in cheek humour and a ridiculously talented wordsmith of a lead singer. They have a tremendous stage presence and a list of song's that wouldn't be out of place being nominated at a early 2000's Brit awards.

The album men of the moment, is so highly underrated in my opinion, with songs such as "Give me the pomp,” “On safari,” and my personal favorite "Filthy Jack Pye," predominately for the wrestling references made throughout the song.

I was first introduced to Man and The Echo by my friend Jam, this was around the summer of 2016. Not too long after that I saw them live at Kendall calling festival in 2017. I remember thinking that they had an super stage presence at the time.

They quickly became one of my favorite bands, and honestly everyone I have shown their work to since first hearing them, have became huge fans too.

I bought some tickets for myself and my lass, to see them at a local venue,’ The Cluny in Newcastle,’ in 2019, we had an absolute blast watching their show, even though venue was a tad too small to accommodate their act. Watching the show did consolidate my opinion that Man and the Echo are the most underrated band on the Indie scene at the moment.

I highly recommend listening to the album. I have also attached a link to arguably their most well known song "Capable man". which is an absolute bop of a tune.

A Festival, A Parade - A Piece Of Meat, An Irregular Heartbeat (Album) – "Where’s the Treasure" (song)- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JnW1wGBZqPA

Company(new album)

A Festival, A Parade are a band based out of Newcastle, more proof of the booming music scene in the country's northern regions.

I first saw Festival in 2015 at Evolution Emerging, through a friend, and I have seen them in numerous performances in recent years, The Cluny 2018 and Great Escape, Brighton in 2018, Joe, the lead singer and the band have come on leaps and bounds in recent years, and their performance at the Cluny in 2018 can only be described as an EPIC performance.

That was the first time I had heard their song, 'Where's the Treasure,’which is one of the reason's why I remember that gig so fondly.

In my opinion the best way to describe the style of this bands sound, would be if you blended Mars Volta, The War on Drugs and The DMA's. Even that doesn't give Festival their justice.

On that note they have just released a new album called Company, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eqv1b7AVrV8

Released earlier this year, before the world went to ruin. The album is a beautiful tonic of melancholy, ripping guitar riffs , and classy song writing.

I have also linked the song "Where’s The Treasure" above which is the song that began my love affair with Festival.

Noble Jacks -What the Hammer – "Blacksmith Stomp"-https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pv8XUvIoruI

In November 2019 my girlfriend bought us tickets to see the dead south,they were amazing as you would expect. but it turns out that i became a bigger fan of the Noble jacks after the show , the Noble Jacks have a unique sound the best way i have heard their sound described would be "their music sounds like the sequence where jacks running away from billy Zane's thugs on the titanic" due to this quote i now cannot envision a more random but perfect description to their ensemble.

They're brand of music is a terrific throwback, and as noted by their musical influences which include Mumford and sons, The Levelers as well as the Pogue's.

but in my view, Noble Jacks are a throwback with a modern twist , and will define the indie folk genre , within the upcoming years.

Fur – "If You Know That I’m Lonely" – album and song -https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IXllKXhFMEs

FUR, broke out of the Brighton scene with the tune "If you know that I’m lonely" in 2017 , and became an online Facebook sensation very quickly after the song's release.

I saw them at a local festival show in 2018, but i can't for the life of me remember the name of the festival , it was around the time of the Great Escape festival shows.

The Brighton scene in recent years has produced a tremendous amount of talent and a few diamonds have come out of the seaside city within the past decade royal blood being probably the most well known name amongst them.

Fur are described as an Indie/Alt band, but i think there's a twist to their music style their modern throwback to 70's Beach boy's Kahuna era, but their a throwback that does not parody that era , but improves on their foundations,

I have no doubt that FUR will be a band that breaks out in 2020 with some tremendous new content , and i look forward to seeing them change the industry.

Jaws –Be Slowly (album) "Think Too Much Feel Too Little" -https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hxrYyUe-RDs

Jaws, is the band that i have associated the most with my college years, the other being "The Strypes"

Quite simply Jaws - Be Slowly is a work of art, one of the greatest mystery's in modern music to me is how the album didn't trend as an number one album on multiple indie chart's in it's prime in 2014.

songs such as "GOLD" and "TOUCAN SURF" should be in an shoe-gaze hall of fame when that is eventually created.

and their cover of the foo fighters "Everlong" give's the song a different narrative , imagine that.. the most covered song of all time , changing its narrative because JAWS put a different spin on the classic song. Beautiful

But for me "Think Too Much Feel Too Little"(which is linked in the description) is one of the greatest SONGS of this generation and it’s a travesty that BE SLOWLY Has not been heard by more people.

FANTASTIC BAND , FANTASTIC MUSIC , and for me ERA DEFINING

Clones Of Clones – Monster Heart (album) "I Don’t Need Your Love" -https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U_q_lna4MAs

I first Discovered Clones of Clones on Sound Cloud around 2015, they where apart of a 2015 indie playlist which was probably the most Don playlist iv'e ever heard. unfortunately i broke my sound-cloud in 2017 and lost all of my playlist's of that era (which is a travesty)

but due to that soundlcoud playlist i was introduced to four bands and musicians on this list which pretty much defined my college years. They where Jaws, Clones of Clones, Wesley Fuller and The Seratone’s,

The first song that stood out to me from Clones of Clones was the song “I Don’t Need Your Love” which begins with a beautiful guitar instrumental. Next came the haunting melodies, which turned you inside out, just beautiful.

I emphasized with the music it was Melancholic and told a story, they opened my doors to a new realm of music , and they became a playlist constant for me, to this day “Monster Heart” and “I Don’t Need Your Love" have a place on every playlist that i have.

"Monster Heart" as an album is best described to me as “music that envelopes you on a journey of Zen and Empathy".

Wesley Fuller – Melvista (album) "Change your mind"- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CIb1Xx4gh8Y

I stumbled upon Wesley Fuller on that great Sound Cloud Playlist of 2015 that i mentioned previously.

The song that i came across was “Change Your Mind” and IT IS still an absolute bop. I was bang into Mini Mansion’s at the time and i saw similarities in Fuller’s tunes.

in this list every single song i have listed , brings me back to a moment or a time. and that is no different for "Change Your Mind" i remember having a weekend long party at my home and and sticking it on, when everyone was in a hazy daze to say the least. and everybody started vibing. Great Moment.

and Secondly when i was travelling up through Cologne to go to Dusseldorf Weiss Airport , Which is the complete opposite direction to the normal Dusseldorf airport, i had this tune out load on my old speakers on this rickety Bus for the journey with a Chinese Couple and a polish lady, who just loved it . Great times.

I have linked his music in the description above, this guy certainly deserves a shout.

AIR – Moon Safari (album) – "La Femme d’argent"-https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U4U19zwFENs

I discovered Air-Moon Safari in the summer of 2018, the fact that it took me so long to find this band is literally incredible ,The Album Moon Safari had been out for 20 years at the point of my discovery and i immediately fell in love.

This fresh new style of beautiful instrumental music drove me down a bit of a rabbit hole , I then became enamored by AIR, Tycho and Still Corners

Now these bands are the composers of 3 of my 10 favorite albums of all time,

Moon Safari is at's is best when listened to as a whole, similar to Dark Side Of The Moon , my association with the album always take's me to an art museum the type of album that will envelop your travel with class ,almost as if Thomas crown affair meets Alice in Wonderland.

i know that does not make the most sense ever but trust me this album is Perfection.

Tycho – Dive (album) – "A Walk"- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mehLx_Fjv_c

Tycho is a genius and Dive is and elite album.

even now when i listen to the song ‘A Walk’ I think of Brighton beach front usually whenever i was a bit too worse for wear or having made a ridiculously poor decision and gotten myself stranded in the capital(which happened a few times), I would chuck “Dive” on and have a walk along the beachfront or up to Preston park and have a sit in the shade.

This was all during that ridiculous hot world cup 2018 summer we had , so I have good memories of this album, the ultimate bring you back to reality album.

from a musical perspective its beautiful melodies and symphony , give you a feeling like your in an aroma therapy room in a spa.

just brilliant, I can’t give it higher praise.

Just listen to it.

The Seratones –Take it easy (single)- "Necromancer"-https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y9R-K2CwCJk

Another one of my findings from that legendary SoundCloud 2015 playlist.

Seratones are a fun loving upbeat, 1980’s northern soul throwback

but they were nearly a band that was lost in an era of time for me , after my Soundcloud Broke.

So i was so gassed when I found my old IPOD with this song downloaded, I had been searching for the song "Necromancer" for literally TWO YEARS.

bringing me back to a point in time where it was on repeat on my SoundCloud playlist.

this song became a mainstay again for me during my travels around Europe being a particular savior for me with the layovers in Sorrento (Naples) , Copenhagen and Berlin,

when i think about it now that playlist got me through some horror show train journey’s, I don’t know what came of the Seratone’s if they are still producing music.

but i would love to see them live, and maybe even shoot my shot and do a interview with them for the podcast if there still around.

Kokoroko – Abusey Junction (album) -https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tSv04ylc6To

KOKOROKO-KOKOROKO/ABUSEY JUNCTION

Do you like European music?

Kokoroko is what you get when you envisage yourself outside on an hot summers night having dinner in a quad with a bottle of red vino and a multitude of Tapas dishes. “they are the incarnation of a summers holiday”

By chance when i was going down my Instrumental rabbit hole , i stumbled across the album KOKOROKO/Abusey Junction/WE OUT HERE

I'm not going to lie i still can't find which name is the albums main promotional name, so i just call it KOKOROKO

The band to me is essentially the embodiment of a lover's holiday, late night meal's at a stunning restaurant. then a couple of drinks with the locals , if your struggling with the COVID PANDEMIC , and keep this for when it's all over download it for your next holiday.

Honestly this will be full DON for a post COVID World when you can enjoy your balcony in Greece, Spain or Italy.

Perfect music for a that continental dream.

Pip Blom – "Daddy Issues" – Boat – (Album)- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8lr0ph7lNnE

Pip Blom are a Alt/Indie band from Holland who have an tremendous amount of energy and stage presence, PIP in particular is one of the most talented front-woman that i have seen in recent years.

I have been lucky enough to see Pip Blom on a few occasions those few occasions being at the annual Great Escape festival in Brighton in 2018,than oddly enough maybe a month later when i had to return home to Newcastle at Hit the north festival.

The Album "Boat" is such a well rounded album, Catchy, Indie and Mental enough to want to head bang at times.

I'm not doing this Review nearly enough justice but putting it bluntly

"PIP BLOM" are a DON band with a fantastic lead singer , The song “Daddy Issues” is a song that is literally too catchy to not get into, and I have high expectations for the band in the next few years , hopefully there at GLASTONBURY 2021

Haley Heynderickxx- "Oom Sha La La" –( I need to start a garden ) album-https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZyvYIYwLzTw

I have only seen Haley Heynderickxx once which was at “The Great Escape” in Brighton 2018, but the performance was enough to justify my opinion of her talent.

I genuinely feel that she is one of the most talented musicians of this generation, as she is a complete wordsmith and poet , when i first listened to Heynderickxx. I could see similarities to Courtney Barnett and i cannot imagine in the slightest that she was not influenced by Courtney in some way. But with absolutely no disrespect in the slightest for Courtney Barnett because she is a superstar and i love everything about her music. I think Heynderickxx surpasses Barnett , and any music collector worth their salt should purchase “I Need To Start A Garden" if you haven’t already ,

oddly enough this is quite relevant because half of the country has indeed found the "Need to start A Garden " during the lock down

Heynderickxx has talent and if you enjoy great music, make it a priority.

FIDLAR- "Kick"- Almost Free (album)- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qm2FAadBHqk

I was introduced to FIDLAR In November 2019, and i have not looked back since

This is how i describe FIDLAR to everybody. they are the Peaky Blinders 2021 band.

Every year Blinders , will put a new rock band into their soundtracks for their show. Mainly for the bad-ass walk to battle sequences or any of the sheer mob scenes for the Blinders, if you have seen the show, you know what i mean.

We’ve gone trough the Artic Monkeys, Royal Blood and now IDLES.

FIDLAR in theory should be next in line for the throne , Kick is an absolute rock anthem. but the album ALMOST FREE is essentially "I'm going to kick your head in and your going to like it " type of album beautiful riffs , stunning instrumental , just a bad-ass album all round.

I'm not ashamed to say it I had them on loop for about 3 days when I first heard their music.

If you like solid rock, FIDLAR WILL. Be the next huge band, and to be fair, will deserve everything that comes their way.

Matt Maltese – "Like a Fish" – Bad Contestant (album)- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WImzy5ehjjE

Matt Maltese, has been a more recent artist that i have stumbled across due to Sound-cloud and when i did the song that i was first introduced to was "Like a Fish" honestly when I first listened to the tune i thought it was a parody, but i realized that it was a social commentary on how people act on the breakup of relationships, and i strangely enough emphasized with Maltese. "That's how i drink these days it numb's the envy iiiiiii have' is so catchy i can't help but belt it out whenever it comes on

Matt is a Storyteller , Matt has a ridiculous range ,Matt can write Amazingly, the guys a jack of all trades .

Mark my word's by 2022 he will have a top 10 song.

MINT – "Nothing Seems To Get Me High" (album) and song –https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V40WuQn0WYQ

I was introduced to MINT by my pal Jay in 2016, they played a few shows in Newcastle,they where really good for a band on the up,i thought the front-man Zack had a high level stage presence, but i didn't think they would grow into such a well polished band so quickly.

next time I saw them was live at Kendall Calling 2017 , and they had improved so much, they where on a complete different level to the majority of the bands that where there that day.I'm not blowing smoke but they have that “IT FACTOR" that the music industry always talks about , there just a special group of performers,

that day the 3 bands i came away remembering the most fondly from a festival that included Stereophonic

Where Faithless (obvious reasons) , Mint and Satyr Play

that year the two bands completely stole the show, but with Mint it was with the tune “500 days of summer”

Give the album “Nothing Seems To Get Me a High” a shout.

Download some Tracks and give them a wee shout.

Still Corners- Strange Pleasures (album)- The Trip (song) – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V5YOhcAof8I

Quite Simply. Still Corners – Strange Pleasures is probably the best instrumental album of the last 20 years. I’m not condoning drug use. At all. but if I was then this would be the album to have a smoke too.

“The Trip“ Is in my opinion a masterpiece and is probably the best single piece of music that I have heard in the past 5 years , remember earlier when i spoke about MOON SAFARI and Dive,

Strange Pleasures is a if both of those albums unlocked superpowers , it is not only in my opinion the most underrated album of all time , it is infact my number 1 album of all time,and i have had to seethe through a few.

So, listen to this album, download it and buy it, because quality like this needs to be immortalized.