Fiction are this weeks London band of the week. I've seen them compared to Vampire Weekend and Talking Heads. Accurate alright, but they have a strong pair of creative legs of their own to stand on too. Bright and clear sounds, chirpy and well put together.
This folk rock thing isn't going away is it? Ah, more of it I say! A band who could soon enjoy the fame and status of the likes of Bon Iver, Mumford and Sons & Fleet Foxes are Dry The River. From sweet, crisp, autumn's evenings melodies to gentle crescendos, building to rousing sing-alongs, it's an infectious sound.
Zoo Kid aka Archy Marshall is spectacular. He's got a sad voice that really gets into your head. I hope this in no way detracts from how anyone appreciates this music is but he's 16 years old. He's got a damn unique way of constructing a tune.
Brian reckons he sounds like a drunk teenage Leonard Cohen. Thanks Brian. Spot on.
Not much more to say, cept watch this space. This guy is super talented, makes lovely music and should be a more permanent fixture in your music world rather soon.
Here are three of his tracks in three different formats.
This band aren't new. They're not London born and bred either. But they're new to me, and many of you too I can imagine. While not household names they have spent most of their career signed to Rough Trade Records. They have just released their first recordings since leaving the label, with an E.P called Troubles Of The Brain.
Finn Andrews is from New Zealand, based in London and is the man behind this band, working with a changing group of musicians. You can get the whole story on wikipedia.
The E.P is beautiful. It's confident, driving and haunting. Simply acoustic at times, at others building, swirling in a celebratory manner.
I try and avoid comparisons but I'm getting bits of Arcade Fire, but not anything that would put you off. Organic, brash instrumentation I suppose. Good music anyway. See what you think.
New feature. I live in London now. I'm gonna get to know my new home. So I've mailed a bunch of bloggers asking them about music in London and they've gotten back to me with oodles of knowledge. I'll be posting one a week. I hope this doesn't put non-Londoners off, just move onto the next thing but know that it's all here should you ever want to visit, and I recommend that you do.
Along with this I'll be running an occasional thing about London gigs and once a week, something about a new London band. Find the latest happenings in the London tab just up there near the top, see? Ok, let's get this going.
This band are called Moon Visionaries. I first heard them this evening and was hoping I'd caught me something secret. Not on your nanny, this talented foursome have been spotted by Steve Lamacq, NME and Q Magazine.
I'm flying back to London tomorrow after an extended Christmas break in Ireland, it's gotten me in the mood!
