Kidsmoke

Whilst sitting in the kennel, patiently waiting for the latest release by Rubberbear and sulking because they've got their first gig on when I'm off on holiday - a tweet took my eye regarding fellow Manchester band Kidsmoke who've just released their debut EP 'Higher'.  So as a Jack Russel and inquisitive by nature I stuck the headphones on and had a listen in.  Lo and behold they've put together four tracks of quite lovely Indie Pop which even they admit is influenced by the usual Manchester suspects.

Kidsmoke are Lance Williams, James Stickels, Tomas Hassall and Chris Trow and despite being long time friends they've only formed as a unit in early 2013.  That being said they've come up with a solid, eminently listenable debut EP.  The lead track 'Higher' kicks off with an almost psychedelic/60's California vocal and guitar which goes into shades of Prefab Sprout  and I'm hooked. 

Second track 'Take Me To The River' seems to have it's foundations in a slightly Americanised version of The Cure or New Order 'a la' Wild Nothing.  It's a bouncier track that I can see becoming a fans favourite.  'Tired City Love' on the other hand is a lighter, poppier sound.  It's catchy and for me, a possible single release.  Final track, the aptly named 'Conclusion' has Pete Hook-esque bass-line with Roddy Frame guitar overlaid and a soft vocal that might just be my favourite track.

Let's hope we hear more from these shiny bright young things soon...Kidsmoke are very much on the right track, take a chance and go see them if you can on 10th September in Manchester's Deaf Institute supporting Cayucas or 19th October in Kraak.

Mama Roux

Ralph's always on the lookout for something a bit different musically and was more than pleasantly surprised when he stumbled across new Manchester band Mama Roux.  They're a sublime soul/jazz/blues fusion comprised of.....
  
Tallulah Anton on vocals, Jack Delaney - Guitar, John Bergin - Guitar, M.Alexander Robinson - Bass and Nicolas Williams on Drums/Percussion.




There's the obvious comparisons to be draw vocally between Tallulah's vocals and Amy Winehouse ('You Know I'm No Good especially) and I find Tallulah to be smoother and just as listenable.  'Reach Out is a fine example of her vocal benefiting from the twin guitar sound Mama Roux enjoy.









'Fire' sticks in your head with some more classy guitar work giving a bit of a rock edge to the track.  This'll be a firm favourite at gigs and with the chance to see Mama Roux live at Kraak in Manchester looming on the 25th of January with The Velocets it's one I'll be paying particular attention to.










'Pointless' is an altogether smoother, sexier track, well suited for radio play.  Laid back acoustic guitar and percussion with some Sade-esque vocalising...one for sitting with a beer, headphones on listening to them on BBC Introducing in the summer sunshine on a lazy Sunday afternoon.










They're on the line-up for Nottingham's Deerstock Festival in July and the Headlander Festival  Friday 21st and Saturday 22nd of June at the Stockport RUFC ground and hopefully news of more gigs to follow soon.....watch this space.  In the meantime they feature on the playlist of A Little Bit Louder and their track 'Fire' has been included on the onlinefestival.com album 'Indie-vidual' due to be released soon.

Seriously?

One allegedly knowledgeable 'muso' with a working class chip on his shoulder and an upper-middle class existence seemed to think they were less 'Authentic Manchester Soul' than Misha B (yeah I had to think for a minute before remembering she was lucky enough to get a break on the X Factor) but on having a look at Misha B's latest release she's more poptastic than soulful nowadays and supported the dreadful Nikki Minage on a tour last year.....I rest my case.