Bands and Artists to Watch: Noisettes

Noisettes are one of the most amazing bands I have never heard of until someone, you know who you are demanded I YouTube them. The singer and bass player Shingai Shoniwa has one of the most unique voices out there and when I did eventually YouTube them I was immediately drawn to their cover of ‘When You Were Young’ by The Killers. It was stunning and once I got to their original stuff I was completely blown away. I’m now officially hooked!!! I want to get their first album and all their EPs too....ohhh and I wouldn’t mind seeing them live.

I wonder how I missed them as they’ve been around in terms of favorable coverage by music mags and supporting some big acts like Muse, Bloc Party and Babyshambles and yet they only formed in 2003. I’m looking forward to getting ‘What’s The Time Mr. Wolf? (2007).

Here is a lovely taste of their work courtesy of YT

Bands and Artists to Watch: Howling Bells

(UK Album Cover)

Aussie band Howling Bells have been gaining international attention as the support act for Coldplay on the 2009 North American leg of their Viva La Vida tour. They also toured with The Killers and gave an impressive set at the V Festival this year that had Brandon Flowers singing their praises.

The history of the band is actually really interesting as they are made up of the remaining members of another fairly famous Aussie band, Waikiki who broke up in 2003. They moved to the UK to record their first album, Howling Bells which was released in 2006. They gained positive reviews for their first release and continued to move forward with the release of their second record, Radio Wars in February of this year.

Now...onto sound. You all are probably wondering what type of music do they play and who can they be compared to? Well, it is safe to say these guys (and gal) are in the genre of indie. However, there is a departure from first to second album. The first is more atmospheric and subtle in many ways . It sounds a bit like The Velvet Underground whilst Radio Wars is definitely more mainstream but this is not bad as I think they have just grown in their songwriting and worked with the right people. Anyways, you can judge for yourself.

Here is 'Low Happening' from their self-titled first album.


Now listen to 'Cities Burning Down' from Radio Wars.


I think the key to their recent success has been lead singer, Juanita Stein's sultry, yet not too retro sounding voice e.g. Duffy, Gabriella Cilmi etc... This will set her and the band apart from other singers and bands with female lead singers.

Radio Wars Tracklisting:

1. Treasure Hunt
2. Cities Burning Down
3. It Ain't You
4. Nightingale
5. Let's Be Kids
6. Ms. Bell's Song/Radio Wars Theme
7. Golden Web
8. Into the Chaos
9. Digital Hearts
10. How Long
11. To L.A. (Hidden Track)

There is also a Limited Edition version which has a bonus live CD.

Well go to your nearest record store and pick up a copy and I'll be keenly watching how they are received by the masses while they are on tour with Coldplay!

Bands and Artists to Watch: Little Red

Melbourne based Little Red have been around the usual local venues and been extremely successful but it wasn't until 2008 we got a full LP called 'Listen to Little Red'. They have continued to prove themselves on the festival circuit and had a song on the hit show Underbelly. If you are new to the band I really recommend you check these clips out. They have great songs and a bright future with hopefully many great albums to come.

Sorry about not being able to embed the video for the song, 'Waiting' their YT channel won't allow it.

I will be seeing them at the Hi-Fi Bar next Friday and will give you a full report with pics from the gig. I haven't forgotten my gig review from the Killers set at V, just had real life stuff that has demanded my attention.