MELODICA MELODY AND ME ON TOUR/ RELEASE IMPERFECT TIME

Melodica, Melody and Me have already achieved a great deal for what is still the bands very early days and their individual early years. Their first two singles Piece Me Back Together and Come Outside were play-listed by XFM and enjoyed repeated outings on Radio1, Radio2 and 6Music. While the early internet buzz soon bubbled into the print sphere, with glowing coverage in - to name only a few- NME, Sunday Times Culture Magazine, Songlines and Guardian. Having toured with Laura Marling, Monford & Sons , Bombay Bicycle Club and Johnny Flynn MM&M have, in the past, been filed under nu-folk. However as their new single Imperfect Time - and the forthcoming debut album from which the track is taken - will prove, the sound of MM&M is something far bigger, wider reaching and adventurous. Growing up in Brixton, they were raised on the sounds of thier multi-cultural neighbours spanning countless continents and genres. The songs of MM&M therefore seamlessly marry Latin American notation with African-inspired rhythms, while blurring reggae style skanks with traditional folk finger picking, creating a catalogue of music embracing eclectic melodica lines, charango riffs and violin swoons - all flowing as one harmonious, intelligent, complex, yet totally accessible sound. Or as Observer Music Monthly so eloquently put it: "Incredibly beautiful, with harmonies and rich instrumentation that make you want to dance and cry at the same time."This full to the brim and impressive musicality combined with MM&M’s high-energy live performances soon saw them in demand on the festival circuit, playing to major crowds at Camp Bestival, Secret Garden Party, Electric Picnic, Green Man and even headlining the Club Dada stage at Bestival. In 2012 MM&M return to play:

• 6th June: Empire, Leeds (HEADLINE)
• 7th June: Pangaea Festival, Manchester (HEADLINE)
• 8th June: Jericho, Oxford (HEADLINE)
• 9th June: The Attic Bar, Bristol supporting Laid Black
• 13th: Duke of Cumberland, Whitstable w/ Cocos Lovers
• 14th: June: The Blind Tiger @Playgroup, Brighton w/ Coco's lovers
• 18th: June: The Yard Birds, Birmingham, supporting Rue Royale
• 20th: June: Carlton Cinema, Westgate w/ Coco's lovers
• 21st :June: Hoxton Bar & Grill, London *****SINGLE LAUNCH****
• 28th: June: The Astor Theatre, Deal w/ Coco's lovers
• 1st July: Winterwell Festival
• 22nd July: Secret Garden Party Festival
• 25/26th August: Festibelli, New Forest
• 1st September: Smugglers Festival, Sussex

Melodica, Melody + Me have released a short in-the-studio film showing them at work on their forthcoming single ‘Imperfect Time’ released on Monday 18th June on Two Sisters Records. ‘Imperfect Time’ is taken from the band’s debut album, set for release late 2012. Watch/share the film here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bji_Fq_9DYo&noredirect=1
 
Stream/share the full single ‘Imperfect Time’ here: http://soundcloud.com/twosistersrecords/melodica-melody-me-imperfect + b-side ‘In Perfect Wonder’ here: http://soundcloud.com/twosistersrecords/melodica-melody-me-in-perfect Imperfect Time is b/w In Perfect Wonder (Imperfect Time Remix) and is released on the brand new 7” and download singles label Two Sisters Records on Monday 18h June. MM&M’s debut album follows late 2012.
MM&M: http://www.myspace.com/mmmelodic / Two Sisters Records:http://www.twosistersrecords.com
WHAT THE PAPERS SAY
“…they have developed an incredibly tender lyrical technique, while also incorporating reggae influenced bass lines which have been quick to get the crowds moving at gigs.” - Q (Track Of The Day)
“Like Mumford & Sons and Noah and the Whale, MMM have been taking the no-frills, steady, heavy-gigging, word-of-mouth route to success, and it's working.” - Guardian (New Band Of The Day)
“Beguiling and unique” - Songlines
“A subtle and entirely fresh delight”– Artrocker
“Rather Fantastic” – The Fly 

NEXT BIG THING - EPIC SONGS OF MONSTERS AND MEN

‘My Head Is an Animal’, the debut album from Icelandic alternative folk sensation Of Monsters and Men- #1 in the US iTunes charts, is scheduled for UK release on the 23rd July through Island Records. Of Monsters and Men began as the solo project of Nanna Bryndís Hilmarsdóttir however it quickly grew with the additions of friends Ragnar “Raggi” Þórhallsson (co-singer/guitarist), Brynjar Leifsson (guitarist), Arnar Rósenkranz Hilmarsson (drummer), Árni Guðjónsson (piano/accordion player) and Kristján Páll Kristjánsson (bassist) Crafting epic songs inspired by their amazing homeland, fairy tales and personal history, the band went from battle of the bands winners to the breakthrough act at this year’s Iceland Airwaves and SXSW festival. The bands self-released, first single ‘Little Talks’ to date has sold an impressive 400,000 copies and received 3 million views on YouTube. Of Monsters and Men continue to make waves among fans and tastemakers alike. ‘My Head is an Animal’ has already enjoyed huge success in Iceland and Europe. Mirroring that feat in America ‘My Head is an Animal’ entered the iTunes alternative chart at #1 and album chart at #2 however went on to top the album charts one week later. And in Germany the album debuted at #4 on their official album chart. Album opener ‘Dirty Paws’ which will be the first single to be released in the UK on the 21st May, oscillates between chamber pop, raw art-rock and lusty harmonizing folk and is enjoying plays on 6 Music, BBC Radio 1 and Radio2. Elsewhere on the album campfire sing-alongs such as ‘King and Lionheart’ and ‘Six Weeks’ see Nanna’s lustrous vocals take center stage however it’s when Nanna and Raggi launch into their extraordinary harmonies that the real magic happens. Along with a penchant for crafting rising epic pop numbers ‘My Head is an Animal’ has beautifully delicate moments and signal a fully-fledged band destined to win the hearts of musical lovers worldwide. 

UK DATES

• 10th July 2012 - Oran Mor - Glasgow, Scotland
• 11th July 2012 - Manchester Academy 3 - Manchester, UK
• 12th July 2012 - Scala - London, UK

Of Monsters and Men http://www.myspace.com/ofmonstersandmenmusic
- July UK tour announced – pre-sales already sold out
- Debut album ‘My Head is an Animal’ debuts at #4 on Germany’s official album charts
- Watch their Jimmy Fallon performance back http://videobam.com/RGuBT
Tracks: 1. Dirty Paws, 2. King and Lionheart, 3.Mountain Sound, 4. Slow and Steady, 5.From Finner, 6. Little Talks, 7. Six Weeks, 8. Love Love Love, 9. Your Bones, 10. Sloom, 11. Lakehouse, 12. Yellow Light
WHAT THE PAPERS SAY
“Of Monsters and Men are destined for greatness” – Nylon
“Expect them to be all over the American indie radar shortly”- Rolling Stone
“Nostalgia sets in as soon as you hear Of Monsters and Men.” - Interview Magazine
“Of Monsters and Men’s Little Talks Conjures Mind-Wiping Fantasy” - Wired.com
“We're predicting that Icelandic folkies Of Monsters and Men will have a breakout year in 2012” – Paste

Josh Osho Album ‘L.I.F.E’ plus single "Redemption Days"

Dubbed “the UK’s answer to John Legend”, South Londoner Josh Osho is a naturally gifted singer-songwriter with a life-story packed full of the stuff that films are made of. Born to a half Northern Irish, half Nigerian mother and Nigerian father, Josh Osho has had the life experience of a person twice his age. Following an unconventional and often tempestuous childhood, Josh went from being in and out of home at the age of 16 and dealing drugs from notorious half-way house Ebenezer hotel at 17, to signing a deal with Island Records at 18, finding himself recording in a studio with two members Wu Tang Clan at 19, and releasing his debut album ‘L.I.F.E’ at 20. It may be a universal cliché to say someone has been saved from a darker route in life by music, but when it comes to Josh Osho this really is the case. He is a young man and artist who has come up the hard way and it is there for everyone to hear in his music. Among those to hear it first was Josh’s musical hero Ghostface Killah – who approached Josh about guesting on his debut EP, ‘Redemption Days’. A few studio sessions later and his counterpart, RZA quickly followed suit, stepping up as the executive producer on the track. Now Josh has gathered more fans among some of music’s finest, such as James Morrison and Wretch 32 – both of whom have earmarked Josh as an exceptional talent to watch out for. Other heavyweight Osho promoters include rising star Childish Gambino, (who Josh supported on his recent sold out London shows), Emile Sande and Rizzle Kicks who have invited Josh on the road with them for their recent and UK tours. An impressive debut, Osho’s ‘L.I.F.E’ is collection of expertly crafted songs with spiritual integrity and undeniable commercial appeal, underpinned by one of the finest pop/soul voices to come out of the UK in years. ‘Giants’ is a heartfelt slice of gritty inner soul, while the elegiac ‘SOS’ and the bitter-sweet 'Ebeneezer Hotel' showcase Josh's innate ability to impart life lessons and experiences with a profound mind and a pop sensibility. Other highlights on the album include the beautiful lament ‘Highlight of My Day', the future hit ‘Birthday’, and the infectious R&B masterclass, ‘Redemption Days’, featuring Ghostface Killah, out on June 11th. Watch Josh’s outstanding performance of ‘Redemption Days’ on last night’s Jools Holland show here:

Josh Osho Album ‘L.I.F.E’ Released June 18th - Single ‘Redemption Days’ Released June 11th

“My man Josh is in another lane….” - Ghostface Killah
“A homegrown John Legend or a grittier Seal. If it’s good enough for Wu, it should be good enough for you.” - The Guardian

Make some noIse, find your voice SING.......

I just love this rousing song co-written by Gary Barlow and Andrew Lloyd Webber for the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Celebrations. It features musicians from across the Commonwealth and the wonderful Military Wives Choir. "Sing" released 28th May - Check out the video here

Official Diamond Jubilee song unveiled -Read all about it here http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-18101473

NEW RELEASES - John Osho ‘GIANTS’ EP featuring Childish Gambino

John Osho ‘GIANTS’ EP featuring Childish Gambino Released May 14th. In the run up to the release of ‘GIANTS’, Josh Osho recently supported Emeli Sande and Rizzle Kicks on their UK tour/

Watch the video here:

‘GIANTS’ EP TRACKLISTING:

1.    Giants ft Childish Gambino

2.    Giants ft Childish Gambino (Midi-Mafia remix)

3.    Giants

4.    Giants ft Childish Gambino (Stickey Remix)

5.    Giants ft Childish Gambino (Swindle Remix)

^{Click here to read main post about John Osho and the Giants EP}

http://joshosho.com/ - http://www.myspace.com/joshoshomusic

Paul Weller New single “When Your Garden’s Overgrown” Released on May 20th on Island Records.

Fresh from playing a sold out 5 night run at the Roundhouse and still batting off high praise for number 1 album Sonik Kicks, Paul Weller releases When Your Garden’s Overgrown, the second single from his outstanding new album. The follow-up to That Dangerous Age, When Your Garden’s Overgrown features Noel Gallgher on bass guitar and tips it hat to a certain Syd Barrett: “I think this song’s about Syd Barrett” says Paul. “It’s like, what would it have been like if he hadn’t got into music? If he’d gone off to the continent and just been an artist on the side-street in France. He probably would’ve been happier. There’s some lines in there about the brush strokes of fame and I’m thinking of Syd at the time. He was an artist at heart, not a rock star.” When Your Garden’s Overgrown will be released as a Digital EP and will be backed by new tracks We Got A Lot & Lay Down Your Weary Burden. Paul Weller heads off to play a few live dates in New York and Toronto in May. He fits in a smattering of European dates before heading back to the UK to perform at Jodrell Bank on the 24th June, then headlining the Sunday at the Lattitude Festival on July 15th

TRACKLISTING EP:

• 1. When Your Gardens Overgrown
• 2. We Got A Lot
• 3. Lay Down Your Weary Burden

www.paulweller.com
Paul Weller New single “When Your Garden’s Overgrown” Released on May 20th on Island Records.
Just some of the praise for SONIK KICKS:
SONIK KICKS IS A REVELATION - NME
There are few things so pleasing as to hear an artist with such fire in his belly - THE WORD
WELLER IS IN THE MIDST OF A SUPERSONIC PRIME - Q MAGAZINE
Weller has always moved with the times and this album proves he continues to deliver. HEAT
Sonik Kicks showcases a man still at the top of his game – SUNDAY EXPRESS
Long may he reign - SUNDAY TIMES
This kicks ass – DAILY STAR
ITS HARD TO THINK OF A BOLDER, BRAVER OR BETTER WELLER ALBUM – Standard

"TOO CLOSE" THE RETURN OF ALEX CLARE

Just over a month ago the career of Alex Clare, whose debut album “The Lateness Of The Hour” was released to widespread critical acclaim in July last year, had reached a bit of a standstill. Alex had returned to working for a friend as an estate agent and had put his music career he figured out his next move. In the meantime he kept receiving emails asking if his single “Too Close” could be used in a Microsoft ad. Eventually he agreed and thought no more of it. Fast forward to now and “Too Close” has turned into a bona-fide worldwide hit single flying high in the charts in the US and the UK and topping the charts in Germany - with his full album peaking at #2 on the iTunes chart there last week. Microsoft poured millions of dollars into a massive US ad campaign with 60-second spots broadcast during prime-time TV shows and in cinemas before major titles like "The Hunger Games." TV viewers and cinema-goers began Shazam-ing the song and searching for the track on YouTube and iTunes. By the week ending April 1, the song had debuted at No. 68 on the Hot 100, and had sold well over 100,000 downloads. The Microsoft campaign was then launched in the UK three weeks ago and the track has now climbed to number 8 on the iTunes chart with the album rising to 24 giving Alex his highest chart positions just under a year after the album was first released. The newfound attention comes nearly two years after the first sessions for "Lateness of the Hour" first began with Diplo and Switch in New Orleans. The renewed interest in Clare's music has prompted the 26 year old Golders Green native to head back in the studio to start work on a planned new EP. A U.S. tour is also in the works.
“Too Close” will be released on May 13th
myspace.com/alexclaremusic
WHAT THE PAPERS SAY
“blue-eyed soul, disturbing dubstep/dancehall shapes, unpredictable...a fascinating new talent” - Sunday Times Culture
“A giddily upbeat and genre-defying outburst of fervent energy, justifying the almost tangible buzz Clare has been attracting” The Sun

blink-182 CONFIRM UK/EUROPEAN TOUR DATES

blink-182 have confirmed that their UK and European dates will go ahead as planned despite the cancellation of US tour dates. The band posted the following news on their website: “The North American cancellation does not affect any European tour dates. blink-182 will start their summer run as planned in Birmingham, UK on June 7th”  The band will be touring in support of their album “Neighbourhoods” which was released in September 2011 and the first new music released by the band since 2003. Blink 182 were formed in San Diego in 1992 by Mark Hoppus and Tom De Longe and later joined by drummer Travis Barker. The bands breakthrough album, Enema Of The State, was released in 1999 and went on to sell in excess of 15 million copies worldwide. Their next two albums, Take Off Your Pants And Jacket (2001) and blink 182 (2003) cemented their position as a pop punk supergroup. Additionally the band have won a number of MTV Awards throughout their career. The band will head to the UK next month and the dates are as follows:

• Tuesday 12 June, 2012 - Dublin, o2 0818 719300 www.ticketmaster.ie
• Wednesday 13 June 2012 - Belfast Odyssey Arena - 028 9073 9074/084427774455 www.ticketmaster.ie
• Wednesday 20 June 2012 - Glasgow SECC - 0844 4999 990 / gigsinscotland.com
• Saturday 7 July – Bournemouth – International Center
• Sunday 8 July – Eden Project - Bodelva

RESCHEDULED 2011 DATES – June/July 2012 UK Dates

• Thursday 07 June 2012 - Birmingham NIA - 0844 338 8000 - Tickets still valid from Friday 01 July 2011
• Friday 08 June 2012 - London The O2 - Tickets still valid from Monday 18 July 2011
• Saturday 09 June 2012 - London The O2 - Tickets still valid from Tuesday 19 July 2011
• Friday 15 June 2012 - Manchester MEN Arena - 0844 847 2000 - Tickets still valid from Friday 8 July 2011
• Saturday 16 June 2012 - Birmingham LG Arena - 0844 338 8000 - Tickets still valid from Friday 15 July 2011
• Sunday 17 June 2012 - Sheffield Motorpoint Arena - 0114 256 5656 - Tickets still valid from Thursday 7 July 2011
• Tuesday 19 June 2012 - Newcastle Metro Radio Arena - 0844 493 6666 - Tickets still valid from Tuesday 12 July 2011
• Tuesday 10 July 2012 - Cardiff Motorpoint Arena - 029 2022 4488 - Tickets still valid from Saturday 16 July 2011
• Wednesday 11 July 2012 - Nottingham Capital FM Arena - 0844 412 4624 - Tickets still valid from Wednesday 13 July 2011
• Thursday 12 July 2012 - Liverpool Echo Arena - 0844 8000 400 - Tickets still valid from Monday 04 July 2011

Ren Harview debut albumn "Through the Night"

21 year old Salford born singer and widely rated newcomer Ren Harvieu, who was included in the BBC’s Sound Of 2012 Poll, has her much anticipated debut album ”Through The Night” released through Kid Gloves / Island Records. The album was originally set for release in the summer of 2011 when Ren suffered a terrible accident which left her with a broken back and not knowing whether she would ever walk again. Thankfully after a miraculous recovery, in less than three months, Ren is back on her feet and finally ready to release her wonderful music and perform live once again. Ren Harvieu is brand new, just turned twenty one. She sounds one way and looks and acts completely differently. No Brit School training, no showbiz connections, just a young girl with a truly remarkable voice and a set of songs that will stir your soul and break your heart. Ren sang in the odd local talent show, one called ‘Salford Superstar’ and attended what she calls the Primark version of a performing arts school where she was told she couldn’t sing. Through a chance meeting she recorded a couple of songs which the guy who was to become her manager heard while trawling through Myspace. Immediately realising he had come across a truly unique talent, he helped her record properly and soon after, on the strength of a handful of stunning songs, they had a deal with Island Records. Ren was set to release this song in July of this year when the accident happened. She’d just spent 2 glorious weeks in the US, where she had been invited to record a song with rapper Nas, who had heard and instantly fallen in love with Ren’s voice, made her first video and found out that she was to perform on the BBC Introducing stage at Glastonbury. Things couldn’t have looked any rosier. Then completely randomly, a guy, messing about at a party vaulted over a hedge, hurtled through the air, and landed on Ren’s spine. Two of her vertebrae broke straightaway and the next two months were spent in a hospital in North London, two hundred miles away from family and friends. One particularly bright moment during her stay in hospital came when she received a phone call from one of her childhood heroes, Johnny Marr. He had heard she wasn't well; he had also heard Through The Night, and had tweeted about this fabulous new singer from his hometown. He wanted to meet her, and make music with her, when she was ready to. Ren has also recently recorded a cover of the Vashti Bunyan classic “The Train Song” with Karen Elson. The two met via a mutual friend and have just shot a video for the song in Nashville. Thankfully after two months of operations and intensive rehabilitation, Ren left hospital and is now finally set to let the world hear and see hear sing her wonderful songs.
http://www.renharvieu.co.uk/
WHAT THE PAPERS SAY
“Singing that switches without warning between bruised restraint and majestic assertiveness – a glorious throwback to peak-period Dusty Springfield, Shirley Bassey and Peggy Lee” Sunday Times Culture
“A voice to die for” Grazia
“blessed with a luxurious smoky voice recalling Peggy Lee and Dusty Springfield.. Utterly startling...Greatness beckons”.MOJO
““She reveals her remarkable voice, a tender and muscular organ, that evokes some of the great divas of bygone years.” The Observer
“A stunning debut album of cinematic orchestral pop and stirring torch songs.” Q
“Songs as rich as chocolate, built on orchestral sweeps and goose-bump modulations” New Statesman

‘YEAH YEAH’ Explosive Beats and Blues from Willy Moon

Willy Moon’s ‘I Wanna Be Your Man’ was a sharp and stylish opening gambit from dapper 21 year old Willy Moon, which has already clocked up over 400,000 plays on Youtube and had Rough Trade record shop call it the “best single of the year”. Since then, this sharp-dressed rockabilly Moon has been working on new music in his home studio, and ‘Yeah Yeah’ is the first result. Taking its cue from the early hip hop block party blueprints laid down by Afrika Bambaataa and his Zulu Nation, the track is a riot of explosive beats and blues shouting built around a sample from Wu-Tang Clan’s classic ‘Wu-Tang Ain’t Nuthing Ta F’Wit’. The result is the missing link between Sun Studios and Def Jam, a rowdy, highly compressed cut-up collision that sounds like Grandmaster Flash throwing down with Carl Perkins. Don’t step on his blue suede shell toes. Willy has recently taken his distinctive sound live playing at YoYo and an NME Awards show at Heaven and Camden Crawl. A killer club remix comes from electro house don Fake Blood who ramps up the tempo to turn it into a party starter of epic proportions.

Willy Moon ‘YEAH YEAH’ released May 6th Luvluvluv Records myspace.com/willymoon

WHAT THE PAPERS SAY

“Like Bo Diddley, remixed by Swizz Beatz” – The Guardian

MAC MILLER Brings Blue Slide Park Tour UK Tour Dates

With over 17 million views on YouTube, ‘Frick Park Market’ is the massive new single from Pittsburgh native Malcolm “Mac Miller” McCormick, one of the most exciting young emcee’s of the moment. Named after the food store where Mac once worked, ‘Frick Park Market’ is taken from the No.1 US debut album ‘Blue Slide Park’. Keeping true to his backpacker style, Mac Miller was signed independently to Rostrum Records, also home to Wiz Khalifa, in 2011, ‘Blue Slide Park’ became the first independently distributed debut album to top the US charts in 15 years. On May 21st, ‘Blue Slide Park’ gets its UK release through Island Records. Still only 20 years old, in his early teens Miller began to take his influences from the likes of A Tribe Called Quest, Big L, and Outkast, which helped him develop a reputation for delivering jaw-dropping freestyles in Pittsburgh. Like most of his contemporaries, he first came to prominence by dropping a host of mixtapes, six in all. It was with ‘K.I.D.S’ and ‘Best Day Ever’, released 2010 and 2011 respectively, that Mac really rose from local sensation to online phenomenon, with each of his music videos clocking views by the millions on YouTube. This in turn led to the young American selling out shows across the US and Europe, which remarkably included a sell-out gig at London’s Shepherds Bush Empire last year. Mac Miller continues to tour the US extensively this year. He returns to the UK in May, for the European stretch of his Blue Slide Park Tour. His seventh mixtape ‘Macadelic’ is available to download here: http://www.macmillerofficial.com/.

Blue Slide Park UK Tour Dates: 

• May 24th LONDON The Forum 
• May 25th MANCHESTER The Ritz 
• May 26th BIRMINGHAM HMV Institute 
• May 27 BRISTOL O2 Academy 

Single ‘Frick Park Market’ Album ‘Blue Slide Park’ Released May 21st