Woo, website is complete, new banners! I’m the only one that probably cares! woo!

We’re excited at Club Smith towers because we’re getting another album mix through, when you’re mixing a recording and you’re doing it remotely you have these periods of time where you’re just waiting for the changes you asked to be made to recordings to come through. It’s better than us breathing down the mixers’ neck for hours while they are done, but when you’re waiting it’s PURGATORY.  We’re going in to the studio to finalise everything this week. Exciting.  We do not yet know how we will release this yet…one thing at a time I guess…one expensive and confusing thing at a time…

Anyway, enough about me, ok just a little more about me…last year about this time I had the gumption to try and identify some new music for 2011 I thought would become awesome.  I’ve learnt that was an arrogant and presumptuous move, but I’m going to do it again because I’m quite frankly well into my own opinions and when I’m alone in the house on a Sunday doing nothing it seems acceptable that the virtual world can appropriate the idea in my head that these opinions should be shared with all.  It’s your fault internet.

Please note…most of this is Leeds centric as it’s where I live…

Stalking Horse

SKH LP sampler by Stalking Horse

The world needs Stalking Horse, I’m entirely convinced that their album needs to come out this year.  It’s a guy who used to be in a Leeds band called This et al who recorded a really really awesome album then split up.  They were very good live.  Anyway the singer has a new thing, and it’s called Stalking Horse and sounds a bit like In Rainbows by Radiohead had it been more 60′s girl group.  It’s true. The album has a wicked track called 99 stairs which I can’t find recorded on the internet,  but I found it live…so you can hear it HERE.

Ellen and the Escapades

This lot have been doing loads of stuff like playing Glastonbury and what not, but I think their album is coming out this year.  It’s overly nice folk.  It’s so nice I feel like volunteering for a soup kitchen every time I hear it. Once it’s finished I return to being completely self-concerned of course. Perfect.  I think what makes it stand out a bit is the vocals of the lead singer, which I think sounds a bit like when you pick up a shell at the seaside and put to your ear. Perhaps she records vocals through a really good shell, or perhaps she’s just a great singer…I love the mystery?

This video is by our friends “B-side” who have done numerous great videos for Club Smith.

Ellen and the Escapades – This Ace I’ve Burned from (b-side) on Vimeo.

 Sam Airey – The Blackout

This guy occasionally plays footie with me on a Monday night, he’s outrageously tricky, but on the old guitar he’s a bit more laid back.  I think, though I’ve not actually asked, that he might have his album out this year.  He got his first Radio 1 daytime play this week which is really awesome, and recently a youtube video got something like a million views after youtube playlisted it. All deservedly so…this song is my favourite, it shows off his voice, which I think sounds like it is made out of wood.  I hope to provide more absurd descriptions of voices later on in this post.

The Blackout by samairey

Alvin Purple

I’m appearing to be indulging in serious nepotism of sorts now, as this is a band we’ve played with in York a couple of times, and they have another video by B-side, and this song used the same producer as us, so basically I have no imagination? Well I think it’s good, the chorus feels pretty strong but I can’t quite warm to the voice/delivery yet, though I like the little bit of distortion on it.

Paul Thomas Saunders

Yes I did actually point this guy out a year ago.  However he’s just multiplying his awesomeness. I think he’s now signed to a major label which I assume means everyone will get exposed to him more.  Sounds kind of smutty but I think that’s good.  Here is my favourite song off his second EP release:
 Paul Thomas Saunders – Good Time Rags And Requiems by Paul Thomas Saunders
 

Owen Richards / Owen Brinley

Please retain these names in your mind. Confusing, because there are two, not sure which one he’ll go by this time.  He is the former singer of Grammatics, a horribly under-exposed band from Leeds.  He’s recording an album and the producer (who was one of ours) let me hear a bit of one song and it sounds a bit like a male Bjork or something. Massive statement of the post number 2 there. Anyway I think he’s some kind of musical genius he just needs to find his stride, let’s hope this happens this year. Here’s a track from his old band:
Grammatics – Broken Wing by James Kenosha

It’s probably the most poppy thing by Grammatics, the album they did was AWESOME. Grower.  PERSONAL FACT: This particular song attached itself to me like a limpet for the month following the death of my mother.  I’ve probably got a wildly affected opinion of it, but I’m hugely thankful for it as it seemed to speak to me personally without actually being in anyway related to me…I had assumed it was about missing a huge chunk of yourself in some way, and listening to it helped make me feel less than completely alone…isn’t it bloody lovely when songs do that?

Goyte

No point in pretending I’m not a thousand miles behind everyone else on this, but I only discovered it this weekend, and apparently the UK release is this year…it’s a really incredible song and video…

Lonewolf

This guy’s new album should be out on Bella Union (fleet foxes) label this year…not got any links to the music, but keep an eye out it will be Saaaweeet. Check out his previous super hit below:

Lone Wolf – Keep Your Eyes On The Road from Bella Union on Vimeo.