Listening post
May 2018
A selection of recordings from Leicester’s singers, musicians and artists.
Andy Garrett
An artist I have known for a long time, Andy Garrett first came to my attention in 2011 when he was in a band called Wave of Brine.
Andy was signed to Atlantic Records and had significant airplay on MTV and Radio 1 with his old band, No Hope In New Jersey. This culminated in a main-stage performance at the V Festival. When the band split, Andy was at a loss, but one day he received a parcel from his uncle: the biography of Jimi Hendrix. The days Hendrix spent as a sideman fascinated Andy, and inspired him to learn more about his craft as a musician. This was the start of eight years’ apprenticeship playing various styles of music in bands all over the world.
In 2015, Andy returned to England. His apprenticeship over, he decided to stay, and work on his own material. Andy advertised online for a drummer and bassist. They started rehearsing and went into the studio to record the three songs which became the Sick EP. The songs ‘Stay Like The Rain’ and ‘Doctor Zane’ were featured on BBC Introducing. Lal Muttock of BBC Northampton said: ‘Absolutely amazing! Riffs man, just riffs. There’s not enough widdle-fest in metal music or rock music [these days].’ These songs were also played on online radio stations, including TBFM radio (soon to merge with Hard Rock Hell Radio) and others, as far afield as Germany.
After the success of the EP and with a stockpile of songs he wanted to record, Andy dove headfirst into making an album at Far Heath Studios in Northampton, with Angus Wallace at the controls (The Prodigy, The Fall, etc.) Drawing inspiration from Nirvana, The Kinks, The Fall, David Bowie, Weezer, The Who, Blur and Neil Young, they recorded two songs a month, and the project grew organically into the album Work of Fiction.
Andy comments ‘Although I was selling other styles of music online for licensing (25 tracks to date), I wanted to make a well-balanced album which was fundamentally rock and roll and referenced the music which inspired me to play in the first place as a teenager. ‘In conclusion’ Andy told me, ‘I like to think of Work of Fiction as fresh and eclectic, and yet possessing integrity.’
Listen to Work of Fiction on Soundcloud
Jonezy
ULP. Leicester rapper and music artist Jonezy has produced yet another CD to add to his substantial back catalogue. The eleven track disk came out in May 2018. Still not shortage of meaningful lyrics with a message, ULP both continues the vein of the artist’s positives vibes as well as moving ahead musically. As with many of Jonezy’s previous records, this one features the vocals of fellow rapper Lacky C. What makes Jonezy standout is his lyrics, stories, vocal themes, message of strong positivity.
Jonezy is launching his album on 13th May at the Trinity Methodist Church Centre in Loughborough.
Day Of The Moon
Leicester band Day of the Moon has released a new EP. If this is a band you do not know well, here is what MIL said about them.
This is a band we have seen a couple of times before. For example, we saw them on 24th February 2017 at the Scholar Bar; we said:
The evening was opened by Leicester band Day Of The Moon. I saw them first at The Shed on 25th November when they auditioned for the Glastonbudget festival. Six young musicians who played well. It was good to see a young band, only recently started, getting a support slot with two established, high-status bands so they could play to room full of people at a key venue. I’ll make sure we report on their performance at the festival in May. Tonight they were on good form. Impactful, robust vocals from singer Tom Davis. Vibrant songs delivered with commitment. A band with plenty of promise. Very enjoyable. [Music in Leicester, October 2017]
They told us – “This is our second EP called Forest Fire, Released on the 13.04.18.”
Forest Fire, Our new EP is out now on Spotify, Apple Music, SoundCloud and more!
Hear the five tracks on Soundcloud.
Recorded and Produced by Adam Ellis in Leicester UK. The members of the band are – Tom Davis; Vocals. Charles Carter: Bass Guitar. Mark Zanker: Drums.Dan Youngs: Lead Guitar.Ben Pullen: Rhythm Guitar. Harry Gilmour: Keys.
Kevin Hewick
Driven by love. Driven by Hate.
Seventeen unforgettable tracks on this must have album are essential listening for Leicester music aficionados. The CD comes in a wallet with an eleven page pull-out booklet giving the lyrics to all the songs. The tracks include many well-known Leicester musicians. Mastered at Deadline Studios, the recordings were made in 2016/17. The album itself came out in 2017. It is, in my view (I nearly said without a doubt) one of the finest records ever made by a Leicester musician and singer. There are some really captivating and compelling songs on this record.
