From Colour It In To Wall of Arms - Evolution of The Maccabees (FEATURE)

Little did I know standing in a sweaty, packed out tent at Oxegen a few years ago that the band I was listening to would very soon become one of my favourite bands. I was hugely sceptical of the whole Indie genre having been brought up on a staple diet of rock, metal and blues, but with no other bands on at the same time I had any interest in, I had thought why not. After being dragged to the tent by a friend who had heard these guys were good, I was less than enthusiastic when the five-piece took to the stage.

Written by: Daniel Lynch | Date: Wednesday, 11 August 2010

UK's Foremost Brit-Ska Band: The Communicators At Boomtown Fair 2010

Next weekend will mark the fourth year of the UK’s Boomtown Fair, a unique festival that offers up the best ska and party bands across the world, including live gigs from an array of gypsy, folk, reggae, dub and country and western acts.

Written by: Jon Stickler | Date: Saturday, 07 August 2010

Stereoboard Interviews The Lottery Winners - 2010 Live And Unsigned Champions

Following on from winning Live And Unsigned, Stereoboard Interviews The Lottery Winners. We find out what winning the competition has meant to the four piece from Leigh and what the band have in the pipeline now they have the title of Live And Unsigned 2010 winners under their belts.

Written by: Adam Simpson | Date: Thursday, 05 August 2010

A Dubstep Too Far? - A Feature by David Evans

If the truth is known, I didn’t deserve to drop lucky on my first ever visit to a car boot sale: after a Saturday night on the town, with a newt following me around taking notes, I should have spent the morning between the sheets, sleeping off the effect of five too many Tequila slammers. I gave the wife du jour a mouthful each time she tried to rouse me, and might possibly have stomached the nagging if the Paracetamol had been close at hand … and if the dog hadn’t been so nimble I would have toe-ended it down the stairs for wagging it’s tail so noisily.

Written by: David Evans | Date: Saturday, 31 July 2010

Life As An Unsigned Band Part 3 - The Sound Engineers (FEATURE)

So far we’ve seen how bands form, practice, get gigs and release music (PART 1) and how promoters work in their jobs of organising gigs, recruiting bands and advertising the show (PART 2). However, there are people working almost behind the scenes who are integral to this whole process. This section will explore the role of the sound engineer. For anybody who doesn’t know, this is the guy who, at a gig, painstakingly mics up every single instrument, drum and voice, and balances all the volumes so that the listener can hear as much as possible with optimum clarity.

Written by: Daniel Lynch | Date: Wednesday, 28 July 2010

Its Grim Up North - Why Is It So Hard For Unsigned Northern Acts To Make It?

Being an unsigned band is not an easy task. Financial issues, working around full time jobs and studying, or just getting a gig. The list of problems are endless and groups often have to do everything themselves. Management, promotion, photography, web sites, whilst still trying to play and write good music. And all this comes with no guarantees, even the fact that you are a fantastic group, with a good fan base and a huge online following means nothing. Getting that elusive record deal is a lottery and only a few lucky ones ever receive the winning ticket. A quick look at MySpace will reveal the vast number of unsigned acts out there all aiming for the same goal and a huge number of these groups are pretty good.

Written by: Adam Simpson | Date: Wednesday, 28 July 2010

Stereoboard Interviews Acclaimed Singer/Songwriter Josh Ritter

Stereoboard received the opportunity to interview acclaimed singer/songwriter Josh Ritter, following the release of his 6th recorded album, So Runs The World Away and ahead of his impending UK tour in September. The artist who has been named as one of the top 100 songwriters of all time and compared with the great Bob Dylan talks about inspiration, his 10 year career so far and the music business.

Written by: Adam Simpson | Date: Saturday, 24 July 2010

No Vuvuzelas… No Flags… No Fun – Are Music Festivals Getting Boring?

Well, the World Cup is over for another four years and, once again, England have failed to return home with the trophy. The last few weeks repeatedly brought bitter disappointment to the English fans, culminating in the team’s defeat by Germany, and many tears have since been shed. However, as always, there is some good news to follow the bad. The endless and monotonous drone that has provided the soundtrack to every match during the entire month-long tournament is finally over. This is, of course, a reference to the infuriating noise-maker that is the vuvuzela.

Written by: Rob Sleigh | Date: Thursday, 15 July 2010

Interview: Stereoboard Talks With Hip Hop Artist, N'FA

N’FA (No Fixed Abode) is a London born rapper, who grew up in Australia. The rapper hit the headlines at the end of 2009, after it emerged that Heath Ledger had produced the music video for N’FA’s track, Cause An Effect, which was released on June 28th. The video was shot in Heath’s garage and was made, just before The Dark Knight. The film which captured Heath at his acting best, just before the Hollywood star sadly died.

Written by: Adam Simpson | Date: Tuesday, 13 July 2010

Interview: Factory Records Legends A Certain Ratio

In the 1970’s Factory Records began revolutionising the way British music was produced and the way artists were managed. The original creation of Tony Wilson and Alan Erasmus, Factory Records soon shaped the Manchester music scene and sowed the seeds for the 90’s Madchester Revolution that followed. The list of acts working under the label are huge and diverse, containing some huge names such as Joy Division, New Order, The Happy Mondays and A Certain Ratio. Factory did not do things the normal way, or the cheap way. Famed for never really making any money, no expense was spared, record sleeves, posters, flyers were all pieces of art in themselves as Peter Saville was given the creative freedom and ultimately the cash needed to produce the artwork that the label was famed for.

Written by: Adam Simpson | Date: Saturday, 10 July 2010

Interview: Aussie Rockers JET

Stereoboard grab the opportunity to interview Australian rock group Jet, prior to their upcoming gig at The Shepherds Bush Empire in London on the 18th of this month. We find out a little more about the group and the upcoming gig as well as their latest album ‘Shaka Rock.’

Written by: Adam Simpson | Date: Saturday, 03 July 2010

Interview: Paul McCartney's Guitarist - Brian Ray.

I had the fantastic opportunity to interview Brian Ray. Brian is an award winning musician, singer and songwriter who has worked as a session musician for the likes of Rod Stewart, Kelly Clarkson, Smokey Robinson and Etta James. But it is as Paul McCartney’s sideman that he is most famed. Playing bass and guitar alongside the ex Beatle. Brian is soon to release some solo material, with an album and a couple of singles on the way as well as touring the USA this summer with Paul McCartney once more. I took the opportunity to interview Brian and find out a little more about his solo venture and also what it is like to work with a British Pop Icon.

Written by: Adam Simpson | Date: Thursday, 01 July 2010

Interview: Dogs Talk Indie Music, U2 and State of Music Industry

I interviewed Dogs, when they played in York on the 20th of this month. The groups lead singer Johnny Cooke took the lead during the interview and let me into his deep personality, the groups desire to make music they enjoy, for themselves and their despair at today’s music industry and the way indie music has turned mainstream, opposing the ideals from what it was formed. Johnny also spoke fondly about the group’s relationship with Paul Weller, with whom the group have worked. Paul Weller is said to be a fan of the group, who liken their early sound to The Jam. Johnny told me how he is shocked every time Paul Weller calls him.

Written by: Adam Simpson | Date: Tuesday, 29 June 2010

Michael Jackson: The Making of a Myth - Part 1 (FEATURE)

One year on, from the shocking events that took place in Los Angeles in the summer of 2009, and the universe of questions Michael Jackson’s extraordinary death threw into orbit shows no signs yet of abating. That Jackson actually died on June 25 is not in question. But it is the manner in which he departed that birthed an epilogue of controversy. Courtesy of TMZ‘s first truly global scoop, conversely at 14:26 pm – recorded as the moment the vitality in Jackson’s body officially flickered and died, the world as we knew it would galvanize into unprecedented hyperlife. AOL would call the ensuing web meltdown a “seminal moment in Internet history.” Jackson’s death would precipitate a virtual news blackout of anything that wasn’t Jackson related. From then to now, speculations of the Grisham-type variety about the state of Jackson’s health and body to conspiratorial scenarios involving AEG, Sony, Jackson’s last advisers, and his doctor – have raged like wildfire across the media.

Written by: Deborah Ffrench | Date: Monday, 28 June 2010

Interview: American Singer/Songwriter E from Eels

After 14 years in the music industry, American act Eels, embark on a world tour later this year, including a visit to The V Festivals in Staffordshire and Chelmsford on the 22nd and 24th August, following the release of the new album ‘Tomorrow Morning’ which is the 3rd album from a trilogy, which have all been recorded in about 18 months, following on from ‘Hombre Lobo’ and ‘End Times’ I interviewed Mark Oliver Everett or E from Eels, to find out a little more about the American singer/songwriter’s world tour and his 14 year career.

Written by: Adam Simpson | Date: Saturday, 26 June 2010

Interview: Nu Metal Group, Earthtone9

Earthtone9, were a nu-metal group, formed in 1998, who really took off after their 2000 album arc’tan’gent. It is ten years since that release and to celebrate that anniversary the group have released a 16 track greatest hits compilation, entitled, Inside Embers Glow, the group are also embarking on a small tour and playing at this year’s Damnation Festival. I interviewed the group’s singer Karl Middleton, to find out more about the revival and see why it all went wrong in the first place, back in 2002, when seemingly things were going so well. The group have often been asked about getting back together, there where stumbling blocks in the way for the group including fall outs within the group, “the main personality clash in the band was between Owen (Owen Packard - the bands guitar player) and Si (Simon Hutchby – the band’s drummer) so it depended upon them becoming friends again.” All that is in the past though and the band have put aside any earlier fall outs to get together and perform again.

Written by: Adam Simpson | Date: Wednesday, 23 June 2010

The Unsigned Guide Edition 4 - The Ultimate Resource for Unsigned Bands

In recent years there has been a significant shift in the way the music industry works, and the Internet has empowered artists to establish themselves independently without needing the support of a major recording contract to 'break through'. Back in 2003 Louise Dodgson launched an invaluable resource for unsigned bands, called 'The Unsigned Guide', for those wanting to break beyond their immediate localities and towns. Detailing a list of contacts in different areas of the music industry, 'The Unsigned Guide' quickly became a bible for the unsigned and emerging sectors.

Written by: Nigel Sachdev | Date: Wednesday, 23 June 2010

Interview: Irish group The Coronas

Stereoboard.com writer Adam Simpson had the pleasure of interviewing The Coronas front man Danny O’Reilly. The Irish group’s success has been quite amazing so far, bagging an award for the best Irish album, the acts following is growing and growing, especially after playing at some big festivals and working with people such as Paul McCartney and John Cornfield. The group have been busy lately playing at several festivals, notably The Isle Of Wight, I wondered how the group had found these venues.

Written by: Adam Simpson | Date: Saturday, 19 June 2010

Interview: Yorkshire Rock Act The Humour

Recently I had an interview with Yorkshire rock group, The Humour. They'll be playing at the Download Festival this weekend, and I spoke with them before they went on stage at The Cockpit in Leeds, to play their album release party gig. The band celebrate the release of their debut album, 'Your Gonna Pay', which is due for release later this month.

Written by: Adam Simpson | Date: Sunday, 13 June 2010

FEATURE: This Ain’t A Love Song... So What’s New?

Before I get started on the meat and two veg, so to speak, it would be wrong to borrow the song title without paying tribute to Scouting for Girls’ well-deserved success. They are a hardworking band; write genuinely good pop songs and are tireless in support of their two chosen charities. I like them a lot … I’m also grateful to Roy and the boys for prodding a notion that has been cat-napping at the back of my mind for way to long … It’s that time of year when I could be forgiven for waxing lyrical about cloudless skies and butterflies hovering around pink-hued acacia blooms; but more than likely, it’s the sight of tawny-limbed lovelies in tight-fitting tank-tops and flouncy rah-rah skirts that stirs the romantic man in me. And what’s more, a stroll through any city centre would show that I’m not a stand-alone guy.

Written by: David Evans | Date: Saturday, 12 June 2010