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Our Musical Tips For 2017 & Beyond

Our Musical Tips For 2017 & Beyond

Despite the lack of venues in the south-coast area, a number of wonderful acts are emerging from around so I thought I’d introduce you to some new fresh faces along with some of the more familiar artists from Hampshire and it’s surrounding areas.

So without further ado here’s a number of acts to keep your eyes out for from the area in 2017 and beyond.

Barbudo – Sun-soaked, slacker- psych-pop in the vein of Mac DeMarco, Ducktails and Smith Westerns, Barbudo have already found themselves with a release on London label Hairy Recordings. We can’t wait to hear more material from the lo-fi psych-poppers based in Havant so keep an eye out on the new outfit.

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Dead Rabbits – Combining elements of shoegaze, space-rock and psychedelia in the vein of Brian Jonestown Massacre, Spacemen 3 and also My Bloody Valentine, Southampton’s Dead Rabbits sound is wonderful distorted, visceral fuzz soaked in beautiful whirling guitars. With a third album released last year on one of the finest psych labels today being Fuzz Club Records and numerous UK and Europe tours, Dead Rabbits are prolific if not utterly relentless.

Facebook | Twitter @DeadRabbitsuk

Diamond Age – Diamond Age make jangly, buoyant, dreamy, indie-pop. Alluring and captivating, it’s hard not too fall for Southampton’s, Diamond Age’s dazzling pop. You’ll be able to find the band taking part in Calvary,  which is a fundraiser being held at 1865 in Southampton tin order to raise money for Greg Gilbert, the artist and lead singer and guitarist of the Delays. Find out more here.

Facebook | Twitter @thediamondageuk

Drug Store Romeos – Possibly one of the least known on this list as of writing this, the young trio from Fleet are making waves in the capital with their alluring, dreampop meets slacker psych. Already one of the most exciting acts from the area though, Drug Store Romeos were actually due to headline The One Eyed Dog at Southsea Fest last year but were sadly turned away from security as they were too young to even get in the venue!  Anyway we’re big fans of the trio at Strong Island and hopefully we’ll see some more material from this incredible new outfit.

Facebook | Twitter @DrugStoreRomeos

Frankie Knight – Creating beautiful, kaleidoscope like, electronic-psychedelic-pop, Franke Knight is an underrated gem from the south-coast. Frankie’s debut EP released near the tail end of 2016 is a wonderful sonic journey that certainly deserves your attention.

www.frankieknight.com | Facebook | Twitter @missfknight

Horseflies – With a name like ‘Horseflies’, you’re not going to to be getting an acoustic, folk artist in your local pub singing chart covers really, are you? Horseflies are nothing but merciless, post-punk coated in hardcore savagery. There is little online for you to hear at the moment but be sure to keep an eye out on them and get down for one of their searing live sets.

Facebook | Twitter @Horsefliesband

Horseflies. Photo by Hannah Mesquitta

Hotel Lux – Another who may not be too well known but with the seeds sown in good, ol’ Pompey, Hotel Lux much like Shame (who they’ve been supporting a lot in the up and coming south-London area) and Lice make angsty, sleaze ridden, post-punk. The young outfit have just recently unleashed their debut single ‘Envoi’ on RIP Records which you can check over on So Young Magazine which seemingly displays their utter contempt for modern day Britain. It’s beautifully abhorrent.

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Is Bliss – Whilst being around for a few years, Is Bliss since their long hiatus are technically a new band with a different line-up, sound and ultimately set. Gone is their blistering, wall of sound and is now a wonderful psychedelic, Brian Jonestown Massacre esque sound giving strong nods to sixties psychedelia. The trio were recently picked up by London independent Club AC30 and with another EP and an album on the way, expect Is Bliss to continue their rise within the leftfield, psychedelic scene since their renaissance. The trio will be playing the first ever Portsmouth Psych Fest on the 29th April.

Facebook | Twitter @isblissuk

Jerry Williams – Jerry has gained airplay on seemingly every other TV show these days and even supported pop megastars Take That which is mighty impressive considering that the young artist is as DIY as anyone else out there at the moment. If you have been living under a rock and somehow haven’t heard Jerry though, expect charm ridden, indie-pop coated in sweet-soaked vocals & enchanting melodies. 2017 is no doubt going to be an even greater year for the talented young artist. You can catch Jerry at The Wedgewood Rooms on the 4th March.

Facebook | Twitter @JerryWmusic

Jerry Williams. Photo by Gareth Gaterll

Kassassin Street – Not much more can be said about Kassassin Street who continuously have been selling out local venues for a while now. Along with new material like ‘Love Without Borders’ a more ethereal, stunning, dreampop anthem, Kassassin Street also have their stadium-ready indie-rock bangers to unleash to the world. Hopefully we’ll finally see that debut album this year from Portsmouth’s favourite sons.

www.kassassinstreet.com | Facebook | Twitter @KassassinStreet

Laurel – Recently signing to Ninja Tune subsidiary, Counter Records, 2017 will hopefully see the long awaited debut album from Laurel. Ditching the more ethereal electronic-pop, Laurel’s latest sonic offerings have brought her back to her guitar roots this time coated in more sludgy-indie-rock. Laurel will be returning to the south-coast on the 27th February at The Edge of the Wedge. You can pick up your tickets from the Box Office or online here.

www.classiclaurel.com | Facebook | Twitter @ClassicLaurel

Laurel

Melt Dunes – Regarded by some already as one of the finest live acts in the country, Portsmouth/Southampton psychedelic quintet are a monsoon of mind altering, frenetic, doom-laden, heavy-psychedelia in the vein of Black Angels and Bo Ningen. With tours and new material imminent, Melt Dunes are no doubt going to be winning over even more fans very soon. You can catch Melt Dunes headline show 3 March with Bo Gritz (feat ex Rickyfitts) and Lice.

Facebook |  Twitter @MeltDunes

Melt Dunes

Sad Palace – Not to be confused with Palace, this new Palace, Sad Palace (that feature familiar faces to some of you), make jovial, tropical, indie-pop. With a release on Kissability Records (ran by Transgressive Records and Jen Long), Sad Palace have made a swift impact already since their formation. Anyway listen to Rainbow Melt below.

Facebook | Twitter @Sadpalaceband

Traams – The most well known on this list, Chichester’s post-punk – kraut rockers, Traams are one of the finest and most ferocious live acts in the country. Mind-bogglingly tight, the hard working trio saw their second album, ‘Modern Dancing’ released last year on seminal Brighton label, Fat Cat Records to much deserved acclaim including BBC 6 Music. Hopefully, we’ll see more from one of the finest ever exports from the PO postcode in 2017 and beyond.

www.traams.tumblr.comFacebook | Twitter @TRA_AMS

Violet Mud – This sludgy grunge meets doom heavy outfit came to our attention after supporting Rickyfitts last year at Al Burrito. Having supported The Wytches across the south-coast, the mind-melting, Violet Mud is one of the most exciting new acts from the area for sure and put on one blistering live set.

Facebook | Twitter @_violetmud


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