Avenue61 is a leading indie music site that specialises in album and gig reviews, breaking new bands, publicising events, and exclusive interviews with the leading cutting edge acts in the alternative music scene. Avenue61 covers a wide range of artists – some you would have heard of, some you won’t. Artists the site has reviewed recently include the Fleet Foxes, MGMT, Noisettes and Ladyhawke. The site is updated regularly so come back to catch up the latest news and reviews from the bleeding edge of the alternative music scene.
Ok, so first off I must iterate the fact that this particular run down is in no particular order, nor is it a definitive list of the best British record labels of all time (as if such a breakdown could ever be truly quantified). It is simply a list of some personal favourites within the British...MORE>>
London based band 6 Day Riot have been recognised in the industry as the ones to watch out for in the not too distant future.
Signed by their own record label ‘Tantrum Recordings’, the new-
winning producer Steve Levine, producer to such huge names as The Beach Boys and Stevie Wonder.
6 Day Riot are a band who are simply unique. Their 6 members, and another 3 members on the album recording, boast numerous musical talents, ranging from Ukulele, to violin, to trumpet. The band have the uncanny ability to merge a variety of styles to create their own unique sound. At times the band sound like a country folk band, then pop choruses intervene, with Mexican trumpeteering and Spanish guitar.
‘Sky Father’, a song from their forthcoming EP Bring ‘On The Waves’, is so distinctive it is hard to put your finger on what kind of band you would consider they are. The song begins with a guitar riff which sounds distinctively Russian, muted after every note is hit. Then the subtle folksy tones of Tamara Schlesinger ease in to give the intro another dimension.
Clean electric guitar brightens up the tone of the song, which is constantly underpinned by fairly rugged drum licks. This gives the general tone of the song an earthy, organic quality which the raw sounds of the acoustic guitars, violin and trumpet amplify. The chorus has an Americana feel to it; the sound of the trumpets creates an air of simplicity yet it adds another element to the multi facetted composition. The introduction of violin towards the end of the song is a revelation, it really complements all of the other intricate elements of the song.
By all means such a song could be considered as too busy and trying to achieve too much, but certainly not in this case. ‘Sky Father’ has a magnificent collaboration of a variety of sounds which is hard to match elsewhere. The song progresses in a flowing fashion with a gradual development of excitement. ‘Sky Father’ is a wonderfully constructed song, and has all the makings of a big hit in the alternative music scene.
6 Day Riot are currently playing in the UK before jetting off to Canada in March, a location which seems to suit their musical style to a tee.
