Butcher Boy

I was over on God is in the TV earlier and they were recommending this band. And wow, its stunning stuff. Beautifully crafted, beautiful songs. It alternates between beautiful heart-felt songs with a string backing to fun pop in the same vein as The Devine Comedy. If there was any justic this Glaswegian band would get the recognition they deserve.

myspace

Slow Club

Providing an infusion of whimsy and tweeness to the drabness of a northern skyline, Slow Club are Rebecca and Charles and they are totally lovely. Signed to Moshi Moshi (they have an EP out now) they sing about love and animals and shiny things. They'll have an album out soonish and are supporting Tllly and the Wall on their UK tour (jammy gets)

They're well worth checking out. Guaranteed to put a smile on yer chops.

Myspace

Johnny Foreigner

This Brummie trio released their debut album Waited up 'til it was light came out earlier this year and while its a really good debut album it's not a patch on their live performance. Our Bipolar Friends begins with the refrain " If you could see me now landing in like ninja You'd wonder why you bother well someone, somewhere or in any part of you and all I can ask, when I get back if you could leave the light on If you're not staying up?" and then kicks of into the two-way shouty into pop which flows throughout the album. It's fun, its clever and its pretty damn great.

if you get the chance to check them out live, really do. You will not be disappointed.

Myspace

Those Dancing Days

Sweden have a way with pop/indie bands. Those Dancing Days are yet another example of why the Swedes must spend most of their days smiling. In Our Space Hero Suit (their debut album) is set for release in a few weeks and is a lovely portion of Swedish pop with northern soul and 60s influences. They have had a fair bit of exposure with Run Run, Those Dancing Days and Hitten being released over the last year.

They're set to take of in a fairly major way and have an upcoming Autumn UK tour.

21 Oct 2008 20:00	London Kings College	London
22 Oct 2008 20:00	The Deaf Institute	Manchester
23 Oct 2008 20:00	Barfly	Cardiff
31 Oct 2008 20:00	Mejeriet	Lund
15 Nov 2008 20:00	Klubb Velvet	Uppsala
22 Nov 2008 20:00	NiP op festivalen	Mariestad
23 Nov 2008 20:00	Thekla	Bristol
24 Nov 2008 20:00	Goldsmiths Students Union	London
25 Nov 2008 20:00	The Cockpit	Leeds
27 Nov 2008 20:00	Fuzz Club	Sheffield
28 Nov 2008 20:00	Library	Lancaster
29 Nov 2008 20:00	The Other Rooms	Newcastle
30 Nov 2008 20:00	Captains Rest	Glasgow

Myspace

Cats From Paris

Cats From Paris are one of those bands who deserve a lot more exposure than they get. According to DiS they are" Power-prog-pop, filled with fuzzy shrieking violins, effects-heavy doom bass, boy-girl shouting and frantic drums." which doesn't really describe them but that is an impossible task. Courtroom 2000 (their debut album) came out in August to almost universal acclaim (note Pitchfork managed to rouse themselves to give it 6.1 but I'm shocked that they actually reviewed it!)

Foxes is a killer tune and they are immensely impressive live. Check them out!

Myspace

Friendly Fires

they've had a steady build up which has finally peaked with the release of their fantastic self-titled debut album. With corkers like Paris, Jump in the Pool and Photobooth they've caught the eye of the likes of Zane Lowe and are now getting the air play and recognition that they deserve. They were also the first unsigned band to appear on Channel 4s **cough** Transmission **cough**

This St Albans band seem destined for great things and are currently on tour at various venues around the UK and further afield.

Myspace

24 Sep 2008 20:00	Joiners 14+	Southampton
25 Sep 2008 20:00	Roadmenders 14+	Northampton
26 Sep 2008 20:00	Adelphi 14+	Hull
28 Sep 2008 20:00	Korova 14+	Liverpool
29 Sep 2008 20:00	53 Degrees 16+	Preston
30 Sep 2008 20:00	King Tut’s 14+	Glasgow
1 Oct 2008 20:00	Duchess 14+	York
2 Oct 2008 20:00	Ruby Lounge 18+	Manchester
4 Oct 2008 20:00	Clwb Ifor Bach 16+	Cardiff
5 Oct 2008 20:00	Academy 14+	Oxford
6 Oct 2008 20:00	Audio 16+	Brighton
7 Oct 2008 20:00	KCLSU 16+ (Sold Out)	London
18 Oct 2008 20:00	MTV Gonzo Tour - Moshulu	Aberdeen

We Landed on the Moon!

This Louisiana band bring to mind a rockier version of Rilo Kiley. Their second album These Little Wars is out this Autumn and pushes on from their self-titled debut. The biggest surprise is that they are virtually unknown.

Myspace

This really is going to be worth waiting for and could catapult them into the indie psyche. From the catchiness of Solitaire to the guitar lead majesty of Re Your Letter it promises to be a late contender for album of the year.

Thomas Tantrum

This Southampton band consists of Megan Thomas, Ken Robshaw, David Miatt and Jim Shivers and their is a whole bag of hype buzzing around them at the moment. Their debut eponymous album came out at the start of month and garnered very positive feedback. Work It! (their 4th single) came out in August and probably is the start of them breaking through to the mainstream.

They are currently on tour with Glasvegas and carry on around the country:

21 September - The Academy, Birmingham,

22 September - Cardiff Barfly (with Glasvegas)

23 September - London Scala (with Glasvegas)

24 September - Seen, Darlington,

25 September - The Cockpit, Leeds,

26 September - The Social, Nottingham,

27 September - Korova, Liverpool,

28 September - The Barfly, Cardiff,

30 September - Portland Arms, Cambridge,

1 October - Hoxton Bar & Grill, London,

4 October - Joshua Brookes, Manchester (In The City),

10 October - Joiner, Southampton,

18 October - The Vault, Winchester (with Art Brut)

25 October - 'BBC Electric Proms' @ The Barfly, Liverpool

Lazy comparisons to the Ting Tings do not do them justice but may get them the success they deserve. Their brand of lively shouty-pop comes as a breath of fresh air and they are destined for great things. They've gained radio and festival exposure over the summer and have momentum on their side.

Website
Myspace

Seabear

There is something about bands with bear in their name. Grizzly Bear, Panda Bear, Bearsuit, Minus the Bear etc etc. Maybe people who form bands and like bears are just cool?

Anyway, The bear in question today is Seabear. Seabear started as a one-man project of Sindri Sigfússon, but he eventually ended up taking in six other members. This Icelandic band play their own variety of pure Scandinavian pop. I Sing I Swim is a beautiful flowing chystaline pop tune that adds a new dimension to twee. The Ghost That Carries Us Away is a beautiful example of what Iceland has to offer. An album of beautiful pop, with a wide array of supporting instrumentation.

Cat Piano has featured on Gossip Girl and the BBC over the last year. They are currently working on a new album and have a European tour this Autumn.

check them out on Myspace