2010 was a pretty exciting year for new music, highlighted of course by Monster Truck’s debut shows at the Good Ship, as well as The XX winning the Mercury Prize and stunning debut albums from Everything & Everything and Warpaint. So what does 2011 have in store for us music fans eh?? Thus far Monster Truck have witnessed an incredibly enjoyable & varied performance by Pete & the Pirates at The Lexington & The Futureheads at the Kentish Town forum who never let you down.
What next? Well we reckon these musical hopefuls could be making an impact on your lives over the coming months, starting with two Monster Truck star turns…
Gallops
2010 was a strong development year for Welsh rocktronica foursome Gallops, which started on the Clash Magazine one’s to watch list alongside overrated tripe The Drums. They were simply incredible as the March headliner of Monster Truck, they’re sci-fi dance rock adventures going down a storm, so much so that they were soon signed to the impressive Holy Roar Records who were in attendance. Having launched the likes of Gallows & Pulled Apart by Horses on the path to great things, Holy Roar seemed a sensible choice to be entrusted with the release of Gallops debut EP. Lead single “Miami Spider” went on to receive critical acclaim, decent levels of airplay and encouraging chatter amongst Radio1 DJ types. In the summer they then impressed at the Big Chill festival.
It is however notoriously hard for instrumental bands to crack the mainstream but And So I Watch You From Afar have found some success and are now touring all over Europe, even supporting Them Crooked Vultures at Brixton Academy last year. A new album from Brooklyn’s Battles, whose sound is more comparable to Gallops, remains unlikely and Gallops are more than capable of filling that void, especially with a the power of they’re android drummer who was dubbed the best in the world by Huw Stephens. That coupled with their complex melodies, thrashing guitars and spacey synths, Gallops are the soundtrack of our future where either civilisation unites to build starships or is destroyed in a robot uprising apocalypse…
IDRchitecture
The marvellous IDRchitecture sparkled at Monster Truck last autumn and everyone in The Good Ship on that night, despite any personally favoured musical genres, instantly fell in love their quirky and cleverly arranged witty dittys about life under the sea (“Sign of The Fish”), money (“Mortimer”) or even being a fly. Similar in sound and delivery to Everything Everything, one of 2010s most interesting discoveries, so expect IDR to follow suit, especially after featuring on the 2nd volume of Huw Stephens’ influential “Music Sounds Better With Huw” compilation.
Originally a multi-instrumented 8piece, IDR finished 2010 with a stunted more acoustic lineup but hope to be back to their full compliment this year – and what a show that will be as with only 4 friendly members the wonderful harmonies and ideas were something to behold. What really sets IDRchitecture apart however is the imagination in their songwriting and white-boy science rap delivery of their talented tall frontman which is highlighted in the ingenius “Sneakerasaurus” where everything from Aliens to Terrordactyls are given a shout out. Watching IDRchitecture create their magical worlds is truly one of the most enjoyable experiences you can have at a gig, do make sure you see them for yourselves this year Truckers!
Kurran & the Wolfnotes
Threading in the nu-folk wake of Noah & the Whale and Mumford & Sons and, all be it with a sightlier rockier edge are the charming Kurran & the Wolfnotes. American Kurran and his trusty band finished 2010 in the studio committing their wistful collection of extremely catchy melodies & singalong choruses to record and the debut album will surely be heard all over the radio. The Wolfnotes have already released the brilliantly named “Whatabitch” (Rough Trade) and the forlorn “Your Four Limbs” (Chess Club).
Bouyed by a devout fanbase, 2010 saw Kurran & The Wolfnotes play to two packed shows on the Camden Crawl, sell out the notorious Macbeth in Shoreditch and support the likeable Light Speed Champion on his UK tour were live favourite “Set You Off” was sung by the crowd with vigour. In the autumn the band performed in the unusual yet grand settings of Kings Cross St Pancras station where they delighted commuters and passers by alike – if 2011 plays out right, it’s unlikely that the band will be playing in such unobtrusive surroundings again.
Which concludes part 1, part 2 (hopefully published next week) will feature Flats, Trophy Wife and Young Legionnaire. Until then…
