Watch: Altre di B - Sherpa

Altre di B is a five-piece band based in Bologna, Italy.

"Sherpa" is the first single taken from their second album untitled "Sport", which is set for release in November 2013 by Italian labels Muki and La Fame dischi. The band stated the song is dedicated to Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay who were the first men to climb mount Everest in 1953. The video is directed by Claudio Stanghellini.

The band are aiming to be in the UK at the end of next spring so watch this space.. For now just enjoy their great video!

Watch: The Kemistry & Abiade - The Lynx 'ALT'

Check out the cool new video from London based The Kemistry. These guys are one stunning band too catch live too..

Listen & Download: Reuben Hollebon - Faces

This your chance to download for free Reuben Hollebon's new track Faces

Reuben Hollebon returns with a brand new track ‘Faces’, available for free download from 12th August onwards, as well as to buy from digital stores on the same day.

Reuben worked with London based producers Craigie Dodds (Gorrilaz etc) & Charlie Hugall (Florence & the Machine etc) to craft ‘Faces’, and has taken a sonic leap forward from last year’s critically acclaimed debut EP ‘Clutch’.

Reuben will debut his 4 piece band in the coming weeks, as his sound continues to evolve, and plans to present a raw, distinctive sound more Arcade Fire than John Martyn.

‘Faces’ will be followed by an official single this Autumn, plus a string of live dates in London and through out the rest of the UK.

Download Reuben's stunning track via soundcloud

Interview: Stuart O'Connor + Live Looping Video

Lost in the Manor catch up with the very talented travelling musician Stuart O'Connor

Hey Stuart, for all of the people reading, give us a brief summary on who Stuart O'Connor is....

I'm someone who's been touring for the best part of 7 years now. I've put out 4 solo albums on my little label and have played 1500 shows in that time to keep the ship afloat. Prior to that I've released an album as a part of Prog Rock group 'My Pet Junkie' who have toured sporadically since 1998

So having been involved in bands, what drew you to playing solo with a loop pedal which has now become your trade mark?

I love playing solo and the use of a loop pedal has felt at times essential to help add depth and variety to my one man touring show. That said I play with other musicians every chance I get. I have a wonderful band who play on the albums and live when we can. We've also been able to utilise the loop station into the band set with all 5 of us looping parts into one mic.

You travel all over the world non stop with your music. Which would you say is your favourite place?

New Zealand is probably on top. It's just mind bogglingly beautiful. The long drives between shows is definitely no chore.

What was your favourite food when on tour and do you have a fav now after travelling so much around?

Ramen without a doubt. I became hooked and would finish many nights with a bowl. I even went to the Ramen Museum in Yokohama.

Whats the most random gig you have done so far?

Sometimes it feels like every gig out-randoms the next. It's funny how once you've been on the road a little while the random kinda seems like the norm. I played at a gallery space in Bangkok. It was pitch black and there was a dancing girl covered in luminous paint. That felt pretty random.

What's next for Stuart O'Connor?

France, Holland, Germany & Poland for a month followed by the UK for another month. Then an Italy tour in November. There's also talk of an arts centre tour (With Matt Stevens) back in the UK early 2014.

Live Review: The Young Aviators @ The Finsbury 09/08/2013

Young Aviators @ The Finsbury 9/8/13 With an Oasis-like sense of dramatic timing, Babeshadow, the night’s scheduled headliners, apparently split up just prior to the gig. You could argue they chose a good day to self-destruct. Their support, Young Aviators – three young fellas from Ireland who crossed the North Channel to plant roots in Glasgow – proved themselves a tough act for anyone to follow.

Although occupying territory that has been generously populated with guitar-wielding wannabes since The Strokes swaggered on to the scene at the turn of the millennium, Young Aviators’ take on melodic garage rock had more than enough verve to rise above the hordes. Their clipped, driving guitar-based indie was tight, razor-sharp and, most crucially, built around memorable pop hooks delivered with uplifting three-part harmonies. At their most exuberant they brought to mind the finest practitioners of the genre, acts such as Arctic Monkeys and The Young Knives. And like the latter, Young Aviators are blessed with easy, appealing wit – no demure indie boys these. The singer offered a withering assessment of the band’s London mini-tour, one which “offered so much but delivered so little”, noting the aloofness of the capital’s gig-goers. This old-beyond-his-years cynicism was countered by a determination for the Finsbury crowd to prove an exception; the ‘self-help’ books that were distributed as ironic gifts were further evidence of the trio’s anti-earnestness. Two audience members were even invited on stage, with only the lankiest being deemed worthy of a prize. It was all a disarmingly funny foil to Young Aviators’ buzzsaw new wave: dynamic, chunky tunes like ‘Future Pill’ and ‘Forward Thinking’ were raw rock’n’roll belters, while ‘We’ve Got Names For Folks Like You’ was a groove-built blast of disco polemic, essentially a floor filler, but more daft punks than Daft Punk. The band encored with a high-velocity cover of ‘Get Over You’ by The Undertones, those expert Irish exponents of eminently hummable overdriven pop. That figured. Young Aviators are supporting Travis on a couple of dates later this year. ‘Driftwood’ after this lot? Don’t be altogether surprised if Travis suddenly announce their retirement in the run up to the show...

Introducing: The Jar Family

Three years ago Max Bianco (vocals, guitar, harmonica and percussion), Dali (vocals, guitar, slide guitar and percussion), Al Devon (vocals, guitar and percussion), Richie Docherty (vocals, guitar and percussion), Chris Hooks (vocals and lead guitar), Keith Wilkinson (bass and vocals) and Kerry Edwards (cajon) gave life to a collective of musicians called The Jar Family. The name comes from the jar where the band used to collect money at the end of every performance, just to give the final amount to the member of the band who needed it the most.

These independent musicians and songwriters got together mainly to escape the greyness of Hearthpool – their hometown – they all brought something personal and unique that led to forge a sound the band dubbed Industrial Folk a harsh mix of blues, folk, and why not a little bit of country. Two years after their first album The Jar Family Album, the band is about to release their second full length record Jarmalade, be ready to be mesmerized by an impressive ensemble of songs that will drag you on a travel that crosses several music genres, the main element in common is the superb level of their lyrics.

Introducing: Robbie Boyd

Folk is everywhere and to make a difference artists need something to stand out from the crowd; Robbie Boyd grew up listening at the classic songwriters that rockers keep dearly to their hearts Bob Dylan, Paul Simon and, of course, The Beatles. To this exceptional background, Boyd added his peculiar fusion of pop and folk with hints of blues and jazz now and then, just to make things more interesting. He is supported by his energetic and enthusiastic band made up by Adam Fletcher (keyboard and vocals), Hew Benyon (drums), Simon Fitzpatrick (bass), Mared Evans (violin and vocals), Russel Smith (mandolin and electric guitar), Mike Newman (trumpet, percussions and vocals) and Cat Marshall (saxophone and clarinet).

He started busking and became a major hit on youtube with 500.000 subscribers to his channel; he just released his third EP Painted Sky comprehensive of four tracks. Boyd has the talent to create ships that will gently carry you in his world, it's not only about the music; sound and words melt together and give life to a magical atmosphere. He's appealing not exclusively to a young audience, seniors and middle-aged people have been spotted at his crammed live performances.

Watch: Your Favorite Enemies - I Just Want You To Know

Released: 28th October 2013

Canadian sextet Your Favorite Enemies is about to release their first UK single I Just Want You To Know. The band self produced their work through their own label Hopeful Tragedy Records. The band are Alex Foster (vocalist), Jeff Beaulieu (guitar), Sef (guitar), Ben Lemelin (bass), Miss Isabel (vocals and keyboard) and Charles “Moose” Allicy (drums); they have toured all around the world – Japan, Australia, Europe, Canada, Indonesia and China – and they will go on a short tour in Japan before coming to the UK in October.

The song is a complex mix of instruments, effects and poetic lyrics; the voice is not predominant and it has got an opaque and husky quality that gives almost a Gothic effect to it. The piece kicks in straight away with epic riffs; it grows even more in the refrains and towards the end.

Watch: Bombers - Forecast

Originally from Birmingham, Bombers – Matty Wark (Guitar), David Owen (Drums), Darren Mullen (Bass) and David Duell (Guitar & Vocals) – are shaking their hometown music scenario with their modern post punk that winks back to bands like Clash and Joy Division.

They're about to release digitally their new single Forecast, the first after two-years-hiatus following their first début EP Film Fanatic in 2011. Dead London Records has got their back also for this second work. Forecats is a more mature work that marks a change, the post punk veins is still there just more elaborated and polished. The song is a two-minutes-pill with a steady rhythm that, at the same time, manages to grow; powerful percussions and drums, with an hypnotic guitar and a velvet voice are the elements of this song. Really curious to see what comes next.

Listen: Fé. - Time + Debut Headline Show

Checkout the classy debut single by newcomers Fé.

Their Debut single 'Time' produced by Luke Smith (Foals, Depeche Mode) is out on Monday 23rd September 2013 and you can catch them at their debut live show at the Old Blue Last on 11th September

They first met in a meat container under the Westway, London, in which Leo lived. Straight away they began writing together and so began a musical marriage that has consumed their lives ever since. With no running water or heating to speak of, for years they spent tireless hours locked away crafting their songs, fusing their love for classic songwriting with contemporary electronics. Finally this spring they felt ready, and decided upon the name Fé, which has been borrowed from Leo’s Grandmother.

Live Review: The Bishops + The 286 @ The Finsbury 26/7/13

A neatly garbed trio with tailored tunes to match, The Bishops have been making eyes at the music industry’s movers and shakers for several years now, chalking up an impressive roster of festival slots and big-name supports in the process. Although clearly not a band to dwell on past achievements – much of tonight’s set comprised new material from third album All Lost Time, out in October – such experience has brought them patent self-assurance. At ease in the spotlight, brothers Mike, on guitar and lead vocals, and Pete Bishop, on bass and backing, strode about the stage sharing harmonies over a set of precise and angular punchy pop. Perhaps the most ear-catching of the instrumentalists, though, was drummer Chris McConville, whose oft-contrapuntal beats contrasted with the brothers’ straight delivery and lent several numbers their original edge. But essentially this band is a collective effort, each member aware of the others’ roles, and every break, every refrain, has been thoroughly honed. That said, and far be it from me to bash The Bishops (yeah, like they’ve never heard that one before), as the set unfolded it threatened to become as homogeneous as might be feared from an unadorned guitar-bass-drums three-piece. But the band’s agile songcraft managed to mostly keep things fresh; these were tunes to entice further listening. Tonight’s immediate highs were mod stomper ‘City Lights’ from 2009’s For Now, and new material on which Mike’s resounding guitar peals topped some arty white-boy funk à la Franz Ferdinand, promising much from the album to come.

Prior to The Bishops, The 286 took to the stage minus their two cellists, which was a shame as it would have fleshed out the group’s vaguely anaemic Anglo-pop. The remaining quintet did include a violinist - Emma - who sawed away admirably behind her music stand. But the dominant sound was that of the electric piano, nudging the band towards the middle of the road. Some pleasant enough tunes could be found among the fromage, however, suggesting that The 286 could have commercial impact given the necessary studio sheen. Standing out was the penultimate Sgt Pepper-esque fanfare of ‘Month of Sundays’, delivered with an appropriately nasal vocal twang, before it was all back to Hamburg for the set-closing rocky rumble of ‘Little Louisa’. But whether it was the fault of those missing in action or not, there was little fluidity in the band’s sound, mirrored by their slightly stilted stage presence. The set snagged on a tentative approach, and if they don’t shake off the shackles and inject a little soul, then The 286 may be forever destined just to make up the numbers.

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Introducing: Louise Golbey

I first stumbled across jazz/soul diva Louise Golbey back in 2008 whilst playing a gig in Kentish Town. I had just finished destroying everyone’s faith in live music when, up next on stage, stepped the modest and smiley figure that was Louise Golbey. In a flash the crowd was quiet. Their ears and attention engaged by this little piano-playing brunette who sat before them. No drunken shouts. No shuffling of feet. No whispered conversations. Just the rich, soulful vocals of a little lady from Bournemouth. Job done, faith restored.

Where as since those heady days my career has coughed and spluttered into oblivion, Louise’s career has – as expected - gone from strength to strength. She frequently performs (now with full band) on the live soul/jazz circuit, playing regularly at many legendary venues (Ronnie Scotts, The Hippodrome, The Jazz Café), has worked on tracks with Example and The Newham Generals and supported and shared the stage with a number of acclaimed artists including Jessie J, Paloma Faith, Katy B, Mikill Pane, Lianne La Havas, Ryan Keen and Anthony David (at both Bush Hall and Islington Assembly). Believe me, the CV is bigger than this, but I couldn’t fit it all in. I haven’t even mentioned she’s played both Glastonbury and Isle of Wight (he has now!).

Not bad for someone who isn’t a household name. I get the feeling that LG is one song away from being thrust into all our lives.

So if you’re a soulster, have jazz tendencies, or perhaps even a sucker for real singing voices, then Louise Golbey is definitely someone worth checking out. For gig information visit her site here. You can also buy her music on iTunes

Check out Louise’s new video ‘Up To Me’

Introducing: Tandem

It's refreshing to hear such talent come from a band when they ask you for a gig. The answer to Tandem was yes and this is a band you should defiantly come and watch as it's stunning!

Their music is a blend of traditionally inspired, contemporary fiddle and guitar duo, with electronic injection. Their Debut album 'From Good Stock' was released June 2013. Tandem are Dave Malkin, Charlie Pell and Ben Corrigan.

Enjoy and please do share this great new band!

Live Review: The Meg Cavanaugh Band @ The Finsbury 14/7/13

The Meg Cavanaugh Band @ The Finsbury 14/7/13

Manor House sure ain’t Mississippi, no matter how much Bourbon you knock back at the Finsbury, but last Sunday, with the thermometer stuck in the 20s come dusk, Meg Cavanaugh’s sultry country swing band brought a sense of the Deep South to this precious venue a few miles north of the River Thames. Originally from the Midwestern environs of Ohio and now based in London, Meg, Epiphone in hand, led her group with a crystalline vocal that shone more brightly even than her golden hotpants. Her worldly takes on heartache and hedonism were backed by luscious, never-faltering harmonies from keyboardist Bridget, and, behind these two, a trio of experienced hands looked, and sounded, as if they’d been a steadying presence on many a stage; the guitarist, in particular, added colour to the frame with his slide and subtle lead-play. It all resulted in comforting bluesy alt-country Americana, and while it seems a little lame to compare Meg to guitar-toting female solo artists on a similar tip, her more rockish numbers, such as the hooky ‘Adventurous’, brought to mind a rootsier Sheryl Crow. Meg has an easy on-stage charisma, too, supplementing between-song banter with jokes that’d make Frankie Boyle blush, and demonstrating that the best thing to do when there isn’t a trumpet-player in the house is to impersonate one yourself. A pleasantly laid-back scene-setter then, for a steamy summer evening, evocative enough to bring on a kind of hazy US dive-bar reverie, at least until a lamb doner, a pint of milk from Costcutter and a traffic snarl-up on Green Lanes swiftly fractured the illusion on the walk home.

Introducing: Hana B

Hana B are an Italian London-based band, the members – Fab Vitale (vocals), Valerio Morrone (drums), Francesco Menegat (bass) and Alessandro Ciani (guitars) – met in early 2000 and have recorded three albums since; their latest work Doors is scheduled to be released in September. Their roots spread all over the genres: Radiohead, Neil Young and Leonard Cohen, Bon Iver, Marvin Gaye. And a little bit of Coltrane are the main names in a long list of influences and preferences. Since their first album they have been supported by the Italian independent studio Operà Music.

Their third record sees a prominent electronic vein, a different ethics that led the band to entrust the video of their first single Merry-go-round to their friend Eleonora Mignoli because – as Francesco Menegat explained – they're trying to create a Hana B experience made up by music, words and images. The first single Merry-go-round and its b side Hole in my soul are built on a solid rock base where electronic effects cling on the walls of the songs and pulsed beats, aggressive riffs and a hoarse voice make an exciting preview of what we can expect from the upcoming album.

Checkout their current video Merry-go-round

Watch: The Helmholtz Resonators - Odyssey

If you haven't seen these guys live before they are one of the coolest bands ever to watch..

The new single from the Helmholtz Resonators – ‘Odyssey’ released July 15th 2013 on Genepool Records, from the forthcoming album ‘Mystery Of Woolley Mountain’ coming late 2013.

As you can see via their new video below London based time-travelling audio scientists The Helmholtz Resonators have been hard at work in the lab again, and this time, they’ve certainly put the sun back into summer time! Odyssey, their latest creation, is sure to set dance floors alight in this Bee-Gees-esque manic mega-dance romp classic….

JUNE 2013 - REVIEW PODCAST feat. Dear Pariah

A chance to listen to us and our special guest Dear Pariah reviewing some great new music for our June Podcast. July's edition coming very soon...

June - Lost in the Manor // Music Review Podcast by Lost In The Manor // Podcast on Mixcloud

Zervas & Pepper - Jerome

Childhood - Solemn Skies

Landshapes - Limbo

Zoe Konez - Haley Don't Say Goodbye

Dear Pariah - Interview & Session - Brother

The Veils - Deep Dark Woods

Symphonic Pictures - Backwoods

The Harlequin Dynamite Marching Band - Jonah

To Submit Track for the next podcast email to chris@musicborn.com

Review: Animal Noise + Felix Hagan & The Family - The Finsbury 28/6/13

Time was when the Glastonbury Festival was at the heart of the British counterculture, and time was when The Rolling Stones at least pretended to be. So on a weekend when the two came together for a televised event that was about as insurrectionary as the Jubilee flotilla, it was good to find that rock’n’roll can still be at its edgiest and most electrifying at the roots.

Particularly when the sounds are emanating from a group as lithe as Animal Noise, an Essex trio whose explosive rifforama powered a breathless opening segment of a Finsbury set built on furious chops and brutal beats somewhat comparable to Queens of the Stone Age - and this bunch (blond, basin-haired singer-guitarist; stoner-rock rhythm section) had the musical nous to pull it off. As the set progressed, so did Animal Noise’s flexibility, their influences diversifying as the giant of a bassist strummed, slapped and flicked at his fretboard, while the guitarist switched from chorused finger-picking to uptempo off-beat skank, linking with the tattoo-torsoed sticksman for the kind of intuitive musical interplay that sometimes only stripped-down three-pieces seem able to convey. But among all the stomping grooves and pulsing head-shakers, do the band have the hooks, the pop sensibility to pull out truly enduring tunes? The euphoric ‘Bag Of Bones’ certainly suggested they do. Crafted on to a rhythm so fresh it was verging on hardcore highlife, it was a jaw-dropping finale.

So how do you follow a band like that? Well, how about a tongue-in-cheek, theatrical Rocky Horror-tinged show from a two-tiered septet whose near-anonymous instrumentalists supply the slick foundation for a self-deprecating, classically voiced bandleader to croon operatic innuendo-laden vignettes while assisted by a pair of glamorous gothic sirens who perform melodramatic choreography and instigate audience participation that culminates in jumping into the crowd to initiate a wild, climactic dance-off? Phew. That was how Felix Hagan & The Family chose to do it, anyway. And if their performance art-cum-music-hall-revue-cum-Eric-Idleish-surrealism seemed a little incongruous on the Finsbury stage at times, it was no less entertaining for it. Just the sort of thing you could imagine going down a storm in a marquee at an innovative festival, perhaps. Eat that, Glasto.

Follow Nick Mee on Twitter: @nickjmee

Watch: Cloud Control - Dojo Rising + UK Dates

Originally from Blue Mountains, near Sydney, Cloud Control – made up by Alister Wright, Heidi Lenffer, Ulrich Lenffer and Jeremy Kelshaw – are now residing in the UK. They are currently working on ‘Dream Cave’, their second full length album after ‘Bliss’, which received the Australian Music Prize in 2011.

They are now working with producer and mix engineer Barny Barnicott, whose collaborations include several names of indie rock bands such as Arctic Monkeys, Plan B, Peace and Franz Ferdinand. Their latest single ‘Dojo Rising’ adds to their typical psychedelic touch and harmonies from the West Coast rock/electronics effects. The mix of a pop beat and a feeling of nostalgia will make you feel like one of those days when the sun is out but rain falls down on you and you can't help wondering how a person can feel happy and sad at the same time.

The band will be touring from August in UK and Europe before their Australian tour.

September dates Mon 23 LONDON Xoyo Tue 24 MANCHESTER Deaf Institute Wed 25 GLASGOW King Tuts Thu 26 BIRMINGHAM Hare & Hounds Fri 27 BRISTOL Start The Bus

Checkout their current video Dojo Rising

Introducing: Bird

Singer songwriter Adele Emmas and guitarist Sian Williams met in late 2000 and, over their mutual love for artists such as Leonard Cohen, Kate Bush and The Cocteau Twins a decision was made to found the band Bird. The quartet is completed with drummer Alexis Samta and Mike Bennet at the keyboards.

The band signed with Jack to Phono Records and launched their first EP ‘Shadows’ in 2012. Their second, ‘Ophelia’, was released in February and they're working on their first full length album.

Bird have gained a strong and solid fan-base as well as praise from eminent voices of the music industry. Winning ingredients of their project are Adele's hypnotic voice, dreamlike lyrics and melodies that will capture your heart with their fusion of tribal, folk and classic beat.

Their songs manage to create an atmosphere like a Grimm's tale. You think you're reading an innocent and innocuous bedtime story but a moment later you're shifted in a thick and dark wood. You excitedly feel lost and attracted by the danger hidden in the dark.