Well, I'm not very good at this updating lark am I?Will try and get back and catch up on all the things I want to do at some point, but right now we're moving onto a current favourite of mine. Singer-song writers!
I'm a sucker for a pretty girl singing a song.
This is Laura Marling, I saw her first ever gig at the Way Out West at which I also first saw Jamie T, so it's fondly remembered. She's just recently released her debut EP London Town which appears to be sold out so you'll have to eBay it. It'll be worth it in the future when she's snapped up and you start hearing her lilting away at you when you're shopping in Asda.
Laura Marling - London Town (demo) (Zshare)
The-next-big-thing title has already been bandied about when talking about the Young Marling, and it's an apt one. She writes quirky, songs about relationships in and around the big smoke. More Martha Wainwright than Regina Spektor.
Unlike this Laura. Laura Groves possesses a voice and cuteness not unlike that of Regina Spektor. She's also managed to be dubbed the 'new Joni Mitchell' by the NME. Whilst it's a bit early to be attaching such lofty titles to her, it's clear that there is undeniable talent in the Northern lass.She's got no singles or EPs released as of yet, but you can pick up her song Coasts on the Dance to the Radio compilation, along with other gems from the likes of Sky Larkin and I Was A Cub Scout from here.
Laura Groves - Coasts (Zshare)
Kate Nash has just signed to Polydor and is having her
debut album produced by Paul 'Phones/Epic Man' Epworth, so she'll be fairly massive soon. Already, described as the new Lily Allen (I didn't realise the real Lily Allen was old already) by numerous fashion glossys, the comparison is not unjustified. Her songs use "the authentic language of the suburbs, in her case Harrow in North-West London, and she describes ordinary lives with simple and beautiful poetry. In one of her songs she's stitching her leggings, and making the dinner, and she falls downstairs! But somehow these lives take on an epic heroic quality." As described by a terribly eager Northern man in an interview she did on BBC Radio 3 a while back.She seems equally at home doing heartfelt acoustic ballads, which as you may have noticed is a direct route to my heart, as well as the complete opposite with slightly electro-esque numbers like Caroline is a Victim and Like Maybe. For these songs check the hype.
This song is taken from her first demo, and her voice carries so much emotion and tells such a story, that you can't help but love it, and yes, it's a heartfelt acoustic number.
Kate Nash - The Nicest Thing (demo)
Pre-order Kate Nash's next single, Foundations, here.
Now, I've saved the best until last. Emmy the Great. If there's any sense in the world there'll be a massive ruckus to sign just one of her songs. But, we all know the world makes no sense and it appears she's self releasing her first EP later on this year.Her short, articulate, acoustic songs are beautifully straightforward, yet have such power. Her voice just soothes over the guitar and strings, and as these raw recordings show, it can have such power live.
*favourite*
Emmy the Great - Canopies and Grapes (demo)
Emmy the Great - Atoms (demo)
Emmy the Great - Snow (demo)
Utterly wonderful no? Now you love her as well go here and buy her singles digitally, as the 7" Secret Circus/Hypnotist's Son is unavailable anywhere.
