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Retro Video Club – Addicted
Rock music is probably not the first thing you think of when it comes to Scotland. Still, some great guitar bands hail from the country. Biffy Clyro and Honeyblood, for instance, and earlier bands like Simple Minds, Teenage Fanclub and Snow Patrol. Here’s another one: Retro Video Club, one of the most exciting emerging rock bands in Scotland right now.
Liam Allison (vocals/rhythm guitar), Sam McGill (lead guitar), Michael Ward (bass) and Kieran Burt (drums/backing vocals) so far released five singles, with the short and snappy titles Noir, Psycho, Famous, Chemistry and 3AM. Their sixth track Addicted fits in nicely. Just like their earlier tracks, it’s a driving indie anthem that won’t fail to get the crowd bouncing.
There are plenty of bouncing crowds ahead. Retro Video Club is currently on a European tour supporting Barns Courtney, which will be followed by a British tour supporting The Hunna. Subsequently, they’ll do their own headlining tour.
For more great new music, follow the constantly updated Carte Blanche Music playlist.
Music industry watcher and journalist. Worked at a CD club, a record store chain and was editor in chief of an entertainment trade magazine. Has been in the radio business since 1987, producing and presenting shows. Was music director of several stations. Also, he developed the European Border Breakers Chart, Music Moves Europe Talent Chart and ESNS Chart.
Wildcard (week 12):
Shanguy – Toukassé
I’m a fan of Shanguy. It’s their fresh take on electronic pop, which incorporates both funky and jazzy elements, that I’m attracted to. Both their singles La Louze and King Of The Jungle were Carte Blanche Music Wildcards last year.
Until recently, Shanguy was an all-male affair, created in 2017 by Italian DJ NRD1, including French singer-songwriter Eon Melka and Italian singer-songwriter Frank-O. In September 2018, they were joined by Italian singer Shady Cherkaoui-Sørensen. Hers is the female voice you can hear on the band’s new single Toukassé (the title is a corruption of ‘tout casser’, which is French for ‘break everything’). Luckily, the other ingredients remained the same, making this their third great track – and their third Carte Blanche Music Wildcard – in a row!
In the Wildcards 2019 playlist you can find all of this year’s Carte Blanche Music Wildcards so far.
Music industry watcher and journalist. Worked at a CD club, a record store chain and was editor in chief of an entertainment trade magazine. Has been in the radio business since 1987, producing and presenting shows. Was music director of several stations. Also, he developed the European Border Breakers Chart, Music Moves Europe Talent Chart and ESNS Chart.
Nasty Cherry – Win
Los Angeles based indie rock band Nasty Cherry were given a seal of approval by Charli XCX. In fact, it was the British star who first hinted at them. After months of mysterious Instagram posts, it’s now finally clear who Nasty Cherry are: a female quartet, consisting of model Gabriella Bechtel (vocals), Chloe Chaidez of the band Kitten (guitar), Georgia Somary (bass), and Deborah Knox-Hewson plays the drums, just like she does in Charli XCX’s band.
The past few months, Charli helped her protégés create their debut EP. She co-wrote some songs and helped produce videos and visuals for the group in a sort of executive producer-type capacity. She already indicated that if fans were craving more of her True Romance-era music, that Nasty Cherry would certainly satisfy that itch.
Indeed, the band’s first single Win clearly has an XCX stamp on it. The song is as ear-catching as its artwork is eye-catching. A great introduction!
For more great new music, follow the constantly updated Carte Blanche Music playlist.
Music industry watcher and journalist. Worked at a CD club, a record store chain and was editor in chief of an entertainment trade magazine. Has been in the radio business since 1987, producing and presenting shows. Was music director of several stations. Also, he developed the European Border Breakers Chart, Music Moves Europe Talent Chart and ESNS Chart.
Superbird – Year On String Along
Cola Bottle Fizz was a great introduction to British trio Superbird, but there’s more where that came from. Year On String Along is the band’s third effort, and once again, Joe Sin (lead vocals, guitar), Alex Ash (drums, vocals), and Freddy Sidero (bass, vocals) drag us back to the wonderful 80’s. The tune is driven by the funky, groovy kind of retro vibe that’s already starting to become the group’s signature sound. I’d be surprised if this wouldn’t do well both on the radio and live.
But don’t take my word for it, just see what Superbird say about themselves. Their bio claims this is ‘a band of genuine peacocks re-defining the term ‘flamboyancy’ with a red-hot live show, entailing wild frontman Joe’s soaring vocal-range and signature leg-kick, enhanced by Alex’s melodic & rhythmical disciplinary – accomplished by the bands “not-so-secret” weapon of funk Freddy’. Seeing is believing, I guess…
For more great new music, follow the constantly updated Carte Blanche Music playlist.
Music industry watcher and journalist. Worked at a CD club, a record store chain and was editor in chief of an entertainment trade magazine. Has been in the radio business since 1987, producing and presenting shows. Was music director of several stations. Also, he developed the European Border Breakers Chart, Music Moves Europe Talent Chart and ESNS Chart.
Jonas Brøg – All Across The Sky
Born in Denmark and based in the Netherlands, Jonas Brøg is a very talented producer, songwriter, singer and musician. After working behind the scenes for numerous artists, his solo career is only three songs old.
All Across The Sky is the latest of his first trio of tunes. A classic pop song with a modern touch. Where other current singers and producers apply tons of voice effects just because they can (not to mention the side effect of concealing bad vocal techniques), Brøg adds just enough to give the track an edge. Think of it as I Am The Walrus with a ponderous drum beat (or whatever other combination that springs to mind).
Talking about vocals: just like in his latest single I Think Of You I Cry, the singer’s voice is contrasted by a wonderful female counterpart, courtesy of Astrid Lagerstedt, who also co-wrote the song. And to continue the namedropping: famous Dutch composer Jochem Fluitsma lent his talents also, as well as playing some instruments. A great collaboration that adds an additional touch of quality to Brøg’s slowly expanding repertoire. We want more!
For more great new music, follow the constantly updated Carte Blanche Music playlist.
Music industry watcher and journalist. Worked at a CD club, a record store chain and was editor in chief of an entertainment trade magazine. Has been in the radio business since 1987, producing and presenting shows. Was music director of several stations. Also, he developed the European Border Breakers Chart, Music Moves Europe Talent Chart and ESNS Chart.
Barry Moore – Hey Now
Barry Moore is an Irish singer, songwriter and musician, who is starting to conquer the world via France…
He was only a child when he learned himself to play his father’s guitar, followed by his first gigs in clubs in North-Dublin. At the age of 10, his family moved to San Francisco. Back in Europe, he started busking the streets and playing local live venues in Dublin, London, Paris and Salamanca.
Recently, Moore got signed by French label Spookland Records. He was only their second signing, after talented artist Jain. The two are currently on tour together.
Meanwhile, Moore is readying his first EP, which will be out this spring. Hey Now is his debut single, and a very good one indeed!
For more great new music, follow the constantly updated Carte Blanche Music playlist.
Music industry watcher and journalist. Worked at a CD club, a record store chain and was editor in chief of an entertainment trade magazine. Has been in the radio business since 1987, producing and presenting shows. Was music director of several stations. Also, he developed the European Border Breakers Chart, Music Moves Europe Talent Chart and ESNS Chart.
Royal Republic – Fireman And Dancer
Royal Republic was formed in 2007 in Sweden. Since then, they’ve been a fixture on my radio playlists. Underwear, Everybody Wants To Be An Astronaut, When I See You Dance With Another, Baby, Uh Huh, Kung Fu Lovin’… I played them a lot (and loud!).
Fireman And Dancer is the band’s addictive new single. Another king-sized tune with riffy guitars, this time complete with a saxophone and a vocal flanger effect that make you wish the 80’s had never left the building. Looking forward to their forthcoming album Club Majesty!
For more great new music, follow the constantly updated Carte Blanche Music playlist.
Music industry watcher and journalist. Worked at a CD club, a record store chain and was editor in chief of an entertainment trade magazine. Has been in the radio business since 1987, producing and presenting shows. Was music director of several stations. Also, he developed the European Border Breakers Chart, Music Moves Europe Talent Chart and ESNS Chart.
S.O.S – Firebrick
Originally born in Malta, 24-year-old Anglo-Maltese singer, songwriter and producer Sophie DeBattista followed her British roots and moved to the UK at the age of 18. Most days, she’s busking with her acoustic guitar on the London Underground. It was here she was spotted by The Mayor of London Culture Chief, who offered her a 3 year scholarship at the ICMP music faculty.
An important part of her studies was the creation of her artist brand S.O.S and the creation of her debut EP Edges Of The Mind. This EP contains the four tracks Sophie released over the past three years, and her new single Firebrick.
She explains about the song, which she wrote and co-produced herself: “Firebrick was inspired by a young woman who I’ve known for many years. The song tells the story of how she hasn’t had the best experiences when it comes to the men in her life. Although she’s been cursed with this bad luck, the silver lining in the narrative is that no matter how bad it’s been and no matter how many men have tried to control or deflate her, she comes back fighting each time.”
For more great new music, follow the constantly updated Carte Blanche Music playlist.
Music industry watcher and journalist. Worked at a CD club, a record store chain and was editor in chief of an entertainment trade magazine. Has been in the radio business since 1987, producing and presenting shows. Was music director of several stations. Also, he developed the European Border Breakers Chart, Music Moves Europe Talent Chart and ESNS Chart.
Man & The Echo – A Capable Man
When they debuted in 2016 with their eponymous debut album (including the great single Distance Runner), Man & The Echo called their music ‘radical pop’. They claim to make the music they like best themselves, which happen to be tunes with a political message. In that respect, nothing changed since then…
The Warrington working-class heroes’ biting new single is called A Capable Man. Sparse and angular in its arrangement, it brings back memories of Roxy Music and early Franz Ferdinand. Lyrically, it’s a smouldering takedown of the wealthy middle-aged white male stereotype. Written by capable songwriters, performed by capable musicians.
Man & The Echo are currently producing their forthcoming album Men Of The Moment with Raf Rundell (The 2 Bears). A Capable Man is the first single off it.
For more great new music, follow the constantly updated Carte Blanche Music playlist.
Music industry watcher and journalist. Worked at a CD club, a record store chain and was editor in chief of an entertainment trade magazine. Has been in the radio business since 1987, producing and presenting shows. Was music director of several stations. Also, he developed the European Border Breakers Chart, Music Moves Europe Talent Chart and ESNS Chart.
Wildcard (week 11):
Sam Fender – Hypersonic Missiles
Ever since his early single Greasy Spoon, I’ve been a fan of Sam Fender. I’m sure you will be soon as well (if you’re not already), for his singles keep getting better and better. And that’s not all, he is also embrace by ever larger live audience all over Europe. Last summer, I witnessed his show at the Lowlands festival, which was overwhelming, both for the crowd and Sam and his band. This show got his single Dead Boys some well-deserved extra media attention.
Step by step, Fender’s star is rising, so Hypersonic Missiles is a very appropriate title for his new single. The track is as catchy as can be, and even features a Clarence Clemons-like sax. There’s absolutely nothing not to like in this song. Likely to become an interstellar success, Carte Blanche Music launches Hypersonic Missiles as the new Wildcard!
For more great new music, follow the constantly updated Carte Blanche Music playlist.
Music industry watcher and journalist. Worked at a CD club, a record store chain and was editor in chief of an entertainment trade magazine. Has been in the radio business since 1987, producing and presenting shows. Was music director of several stations. Also, he developed the European Border Breakers Chart, Music Moves Europe Talent Chart and ESNS Chart.
