My first blog for Killing Moon was for Zulu Winter. A band i’ve known about for a few months now and I really think they are one of the most exciting bands to emerge from the UK in a while. And as I mention in the blog, they really have one of the best band names around. Take a listen to the brilliant ‘Let’s Move Back To Front’ below and see what i had to say about them here.

Secondly we have Gross Magic. Sam McGarrigle is the ‘magician’ behind the magic causing a right hot fuss on the blogosphere. With his old school, skuzzy, low-fi, glam pop sound he is certainly one to check out. Take a look at my blog post here and the video for ‘Sweetest Touch‘ below

Aside from the blogging, we’ve been having a great time releasing an awesome EP for Strangers. A Double A-Side of It Was A Sin/If I Found Love came out on the 4th July on Killing Moon Records. Not only are this band very cool guys but they are producing brilliant dark electro pop (think Depeche Mode, Hurts) and we have had the pleasure to release this on a limited run of 300 vinyl! You can get your hands on it here, and come along to the single release show at The Wheelbarrow on Wednesday 13th July and party down with us for free!

There are so many exciting things in the pipeline for Killing Moon Limited including more amazing new releases, some quite brilliant club nights and exciting new blog content including interviews, reviews and as always great new music . Keep up with everything at www.killingmoonlimited.com

There has been a steady hype happening around one of the latest rising acoustic stars coming out of London. Elena Tonra otherwise knows as ‘Daughter‘ has been quietly producing hauntingly beautiful, folk inspired wonderfulness.

Elena has been performing since last year under her own name but only recently decided to go under the pseudonym ‘Daughter’. So although her music isn’t quite as new as I first thought, i’m still excited to now be in the know!

It would be easy to pigeon hole an artist like ‘Daughter’ as just another Laura Marling or alike, but she has managed to break away from this with an all together different sound. Clearly inspired by folk, her distinctive ethereal voice and clear focus to produce music that leans more to creating an experimental sound within the “female acoustic” genre. Check out “Switzerland” for an example of this.

On her Facebook page she explains how she writes about tales of ghosts, drowning lovers and setting fire to her insides for fun. Her ability to convincingly tell her story within her songs is captivating. She goes on to explain that ‘Daughter’ talks about unrequited love, lost hope and death in the prettiest way imaginable. I really can’t argue with that!

I suggest you take a listen to her latest offering ‘Landfill’ from her EP ‘His Young Heart’. Immerse yourself and enjoy.

You can catch ‘Daughter’ performing at St.Stephens Church as part of Bushtock tomorrow.

Last night I had the pleasure of going to Queen Elizabeth Hall on the South Bank to see James Vincent McMorrow play his biggest show to date. As excited as I was to see him, there was actually one other band who I was even more excited to see play. ‘The Civil Wars‘

I first heard of them a few weeks ago through a friend of mine who sent me their debut album ‘Barton Hollow’. A duo made up of California girl Joy Williams and her Alabama partner John Paul White. They bring a mixture of country, folk and Americana combined beautifully in a modern popular way. Joy draws upon her influences from Bille Holiday and The Beach Boys with John Paul finding his inspiration in the likes of Johnny Cash and Kris Kristofferson. Although I feel the inspiration from the South certainly leads the way in The Civil Wars songwriting. There are almost not enough superlatives to explain how amazing their vocal performance is. Both have amazing control, bringing soft, fragile, complex harmonies one minute and powerful, emotive and uplifting melodies the next. Truly one of the greatest vocal partnerships i’ve ever had the pleasure of listening to.

Performing without their band, we were treated to a 40 minute acoustic set. Easily holding the stage with a mixture of wit, charm and banter between them. Whether this was Joy straightening John Paul’s bow tie during a song or John joining Joy to sing at her microphone, it was a pleasure to watch a great partnership at work.  Its hard to pick highlights from such a fantastic set, but there were a few stand out tracks. Firstly their album title track ‘Barton Hollow’. A real ‘steam train’ of song. A simple, solid chugging guitar riff which holds the piece together underneath their fantastic vocal harmonies. Ebbing and flowing like the Mississippi, this song is dynamically enthralling and was rightly rewarded by one of the loudest cheers of the night. My main highlight from their set had to be ‘Poison and Wine’. Left right until the end, I was worried I might not get to hear this great song performed! I really was not left disappointed. This track is another which sums up their ability to write songs that take you on a journey. Starting almost whispered, it slowly builds with Joy now at the piano and John Paul still on guitar. Beautifully simple arrangement lead by their utterly brilliant vocal partnership. Taking turns to sing different parts of the verse gives the listener the chance to hear how great their voices are individually, before coming together at the chorus in perfect harmony. In my opinion this is songwriting perfection. Great musical arrangement, a solid and believable narrative and most importantly raw talent. Joy and John are clearly doing what they were put on this planet to do. Write and perform great songs.

The Civil Wars are already taking America by storm with a performance on Jay Lenno and ‘Poison & Wine’ used on Grey’s Anatomy, but this was their first show in the UK. And I feel after recently supporting Adele in America this won’t be the last. All I can say is that I’m just so privileged to have been part of it.

The Civil Wars debut album ‘Barton Hallow’ is available to download on iTunes now.

I found a beautiful black and white performance video from Louise And The Pins. Performing a song called ‘Bell Jar’ I was entranced. Stunning melody and lyrics. Emotive and heartfelt. Louis Hull had supported the likes of Mumford and Sons, Regina Spector and Martha Wainwright, before enrolling Bethan Gorman and Sara Templeman to form what is now Louis And The Pins.

Clearly 50s inspired not only through their vintage fashion but very much in their sound. With a mix of blues, rockabilly a hint of country and clearly a whole lot of love and passion for what they do, i’m sure Louise And The Pins will be making their mark in the ever growing list of home grown folky, bluesy, country style talent emerging from the UK. And in my opinion, they are very welcome indeed.

See Louise And The Pins at Bushstock on 4th June or supporting Laura Marling from the 22nd June.

I was lucky enough to have the pleasure of meeting and hanging out with the amazing Macrus Foster last month, very randomly at a Royal Wedding street part in Battersea. Surrounded by a man in full armor and enough Union Jack symbolism to make any stars and stripes American feel un patriotic, we chose to drink the day away and take in the bizarre surroundings. I think Marcus likened it to a scene from Monty Python…or was it Black Adder….either way, it was all very strange.

One thing from this very random meeting was incredibly apparent. Marcus is not only incredibly talented, but one of the nicest guys you’ll get the pleasure to meet. Genuine and passionate about what he does whilst maintaining a humility about his success and talent.

I came across a great performance and interview on the Secret Sessions which I believe sums up beautifully what Marcus is all about. Take a look here. You won’t be disappointed.

Marcus Foster “Tumble Down”, available to download on iTunes 4th April 2011

You can catch Wolf Gang on tour with Kyla La Grange over the next few weeks.

Being a fan of all Chris Nolan films I was pretty bloody excited to see this first glimpse of what we might be able to expect of Tom Hardy’s character ‘Bane’ in the new batman movie, Dark Night Rises.

It’s clear Tom has been hitting the gym hard, even making his time as Bronson look a little feeble. I was lucky enough to bump into legendary cinematographer, Wally Pfister last week at a bar in Soho. He is here in London with the whole Batman crew filming for Dark Night Rises. It will great to see how they use London and to portray the dark under world of Gotham.

Its just a shame we all have to wait until 2012 to see the finished product, but if this teaser is anything to go by we’re not going to be disappointed.

I stumbled across The Staves on a great blog called Music Travels, and i’m so pleased i did. Here is their synopsis: “The Staves are three sisters who blend their distinctive voices into beautiful, spell-binding harmonies, singing their delicately crafted songs with a folk-twist here, a nod to Americana there and a distinctly British sound.”

I attempted to write something myself but there really is no better way to describe this wonderful three piece. Really beautiful in every way. Their look and sound are spell binding. True singer songwriters in the purest form. Voices like crystal that blend seamlessly in harmony to portray there emotive and intelligent song writing.

I’ll certainly be heading down to their next London show at St Stephens Church on 4th June.

So Bluebell has recently started to appear within the blogosphere starting a mini buzz. Not much i known about Bluebell other than they are a duo and lead singer Annabel Jones used to be in a band called Lady And The Lost Boys.

What we do know is ‘Normal Heights’ is brilliant. Ambitious, symphonic pop music with a stunning vocal performance holding all together. I’m really excited to hear more about Bluebell. If this track is anything to go by i think we’re in for a few more treats!

Take a look at the viral style video that has appeared recently. Snapshots of holiday good times and the odd boob this video manages to fit perfectly.