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>>

Tawiah

Tawiah’s may not be a name that you’re initially familiar with, but for those who have followed the live meanderings of  the likes of Mark Ronson & Corrine Bailey Rae, her face & more importantly her voice will be more familiar than her name initially lets on. Tawiah is the latest Soul prodigy to emerge from London town, finally embarking upon what will be a glittering solo career after recording & touring with the aforementioned artists as a backing singer. A beguiling position considering Tawiah’s depth & soul as a vocal artists.

 

Tawiah is currently an extremely eloquent vowel being vocalised forth from the tongue of BBC Introducing with justifiably good cause. Her voice is deceivingly mature considering her twenty one years, she has a wonderfully sweet vocal styling that flows like honey without ever becoming saccharine. She can sing about something heartbreaking without ever sounding depressing or melancholy, but uplifting & irreverent. Whether this is intentional or otherwise is unknown, but it’s true to say it’s hard to feel down when Tawiah’s voice is bringing you up.

 

Tawiah’s musical style can take on a variety of permutations. Whilst her mainstay is in keeping with the soul aesthetic, she often picks apart characteristics from other genres and melts them together wonderfully. Take, for example, Every Step. It introduces elements that sound as if they have been mislayed by PJ Harvey & John Parish, but when juxtaposed with Tawiah’s soulful serenade we are given a gloriously down-tempo exercise in how effectively emotions can be articulated despite a minimal amount going on within a song. A testament to Tawiah’s talent if ever there was one.

 

With the recent release of In Jodi’s Bedroom, Tawiah seems to be establishing herself as a staple amongst the Nu-Soul collective, not that she has fails to do so thus far, but the help of a debut full length will surely help her name become more recognisable amid the contemporary cultural fabric en masse. Tawiah has stepped from the shadows cast by the likes of Mr. Ronson and is beginning to find her own spotlight beginning to take focus. We will wait expectantly to see if she has both the voice, and the spirit to fill that spotlight.