I've spent the last few months going round tiny random gigs in London listening to some great live music by lots of new bands - well new to me anyway. So I thought I'd share on here and see which other up and coming bands people are loving at the moment. Cream of the crop has to be Paloma Faith (soul music and muchos better than Winehouse), Joana and the Wolf (bit of PJ, bit of Bjork, rocking), Pythia (British Nightwish but not as corny), The Dogbones (punk rock and half of them used to hang with Nirvana), The Urban Voodoo Machine (kind of re-discovering these guys, it's gypsy blues rock with great violin bits) and a lovely solo artist called Melpomeni who sings dramatic tragedies set to piano and cello.

So what's everyone else listening to apart from the Mighty Shaker?

Good post. I haven't heard of any of these bands myself but I'll make sure to check them out.

There's nothing I can recommend myself, or at least, nothing new

I love Laura Marling (folky, Joni Mitchell stylee) at the moment - her album is so dark and beautiful...and she's only 17, what a talent! I'm also loving Pete and the Pirates, and am still into Lightspeed Champion (the solo project of Devonte Hynes from Test Icicles) - his stuff is so awkward and amusing! I also saw a band called Ipso Facto supporting Black Francis the other day, and they were pretty cool - dark girl-rock, with an unbelievably tight rhythm section. 2008 is being lovely to me so far! I'll have to give some of your suggestions a listen Sarah!

Have you guys in the Uk heard of Mando Diao yet? 60s/indie rock from Sweden. Not every song convinces me, but they have some pretty good numbers and are a top live band.

quote:

Originally posted by Exodia:
I love Laura Marling (folky, Joni Mitchell stylee) at the moment - her album is so dark and beautiful...and she's only 17, what a talent! I'm also loving Pete and the Pirates, and am still into Lightspeed Champion (the solo project of Devonte Hynes from Test Icicles) - his stuff is so awkward and amusing! I also saw a band called Ipso Facto supporting Black Francis the other day, and they were pretty cool - dark girl-rock, with an unbelievably tight rhythm section. 2008 is being lovely to me so far! I'll have to give some of your suggestions a listen Sarah!

I was wondering about Laura Marling and whether she was any good, I'll have to check her out if you're liking her. I heard she was kicked out of doing a gig at the Soho Revue as she was only 17 so she went back there to do a gig on her 18th birthday. And some dark girl-rick is always good too.

I haven't heard of Mando Diao (except on your myspace, Andrea!) but I shall have a listen. Also I thought I'd put up a few myspace address of the bands I listed above to make it easier for people to check them out:

Melpomeni - www.myspace.com/melpomenirising
Urban Voodoo Machine - www.myspace.com/theurbanvoodoomachine
Paloma Faith - www.myspace.com/palomafaith
The Dogbones - www.myspace.com/thedogbonesuk
Pythia - www.myspace.com/pythiamusic
Joana and the Wolf - www.myspace.com/joanaandthewolf

Also really liking Dan's (Baron) band Black Betty at the moment.

Also really loving Patti Plinko and Her Boy of late, like a freaky female George Formby mixed with the weirdness of Diamanda Galas. Much better than it sounds, honestly.