Holly Miranda and Stornoway among acts at Xfm Xposure night
Xfm’s Xposure show has curated an excellent-sounding night on Saturday 30 January at the Barfly (tickets at £17 | info). As the name suggests, Xposure is focused on splashing new acts, and they have a bumper crop for this live show. We Have Band headline, but check out the undercard: it includes the crazy acid-punk-techno sounds of Dalston’s Django Django, the glad-rock beats of Goldhawks and the sincere folkisms of King Charles (more on him soon) among them. But it’s two other up-and-comers who really get this blogger excited…
HOLLY MIRANDA
Called a “little Feist” by Kanye West, signed to XL, touring with The xx… Holly Miranda’s new solo career (her band, Brooklyn rockers The Jealous Girlfriends, are taking an indefinite hiatus) has certainly gained attention. When you listen to her stuff, you hear why. Apparently Holly uses two mikes on stage to fracture her vocals; and there’s a similar duality to her songs, as well as digi-enhancement. Slowburns like Wavves showcase Holly’s soothing, smoky voice, and befit Sunday mornings with nothing to do. Livelier, with bouncy xylophones and brass boosts, is Forest Green, Oh Forest Green, the first single. Such variety is perhaps due to TV On The Radio’s Sitek, producer of album The Magician’s Private Library, out 23 February.
MySpace | Website | Buy | MP3: Holly Miranda – Forest Green, Oh Forest Green
STORNOWAY
To use a horse-racing term (it’s Sunday after all), Oxford-based Stornoway have great form. The BBC picked them for its Sound of 2010 longlist. The Daily Telegraph asked them to write a series of articles based on their Glastonbury experience in 2009. They played a secret free concert at the Tate Modern in September (they’ve got eco-credentials, y’see). And (here we go again), they’re worth a punt: offering a graceful indie, one lent its ephemeral quality by backing strings, solemn choruses and Brian Briggs’ stark, floaty voice. You’re (one more time) odds on to fall in love with them.
MySpace | Buy | MP3: Stornoway – Zorbing (removed at band’s request)
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