Artist Spotlight: Everyone An Army

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Everyone An Army are an established 3-piece of the Yorkshire music scene who make heavy, dark, grand-scaled rock songs which bely a deal of confidence and competence in songwriting rarely seen in bands before they have released full-length albums.

Musically their sound is massive. Heavy bombastic riffs with thundering drum lines make up much of their songs, but even within this there are much subtler moments where the guitars are reined back slightly, allowing the mellower and more tuneful vocals and bass melodies to come through. This gives their songs an incredible amount of balance, an attribute which the songs of many heavier bands are devoid of. In fact, some of their sustained drones of their guitars almost branch into the territory of the post-rock of bands such as Mogwai, a slightly more nuanced touch that sets them apart from many of their contemporaries.

In the genre of heavier music, vocals are sometime seen as either unimportant or seen a synonymous with the word 'shrieking' (see EEA's take on that here). But Everyone An Army's frontman Martyn Hughes provides a welcome respite that with a falsetto which just drifts over the heavy pounding drums and distorted guitars and providing a lot of contrast and compliment to the instrumentation.

To date they have released 3 very well-produced EPs - their only flaw (if you can call it that) being that a major release has been a while coming. This is something the band or any band can no way be blamed for with the difficulties bands have making ends meet, let alone making a full length release. However the quality of musicianship of their work is a real testament to their deserved place in the DIY and independent music scene as all their music is released by them, straight to the people who want it.

For the incredible value of £1.00 you can  buy every song they've ever released (minus their latest EP) which is definitely worth buying - not only for the sheer volume of tracks but the quality present throughout. You can buy it here. Supporting via bandcamp is incredibly important to keep local artists running by making sure your money gets straight to them so they can use it to make more music.

As someone who has seen them live (albeit some time ago) I can honestly say that they manage to do what so many promising bands fail to - that is translate the sound of the studio to a live setting. They do this with contemptuous ease, creating a solid wall of sound that even dwarfs the already impressive grandeur present in their studio performed tracks.

If you (as I heavily recommend) wish to see them play live, check out their Facebook/Twitter pages for regular updates on their live appearances. For anyone wishing to book the band to play at their venue or event, you can contact them at: everyoneanarmy@gmail.com

Single Review: Signals - Sleep Talk

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Signals are a math-rock four-piece from the south of England who make compelling harmony-laden alternative rock tunes that are a real breath of fresh air ever since the genre has gone somewhat on the back foot - with bands such as Foals embracing pastures new in terms of their style.

Recently they have released their new single, 'Sleep Talk', which is a real step forward in their development from their previous EP. You can actually buy the single on 7'' vinyl here - and it's always great to see any band, especially young bands put releases out on vinyl, which is continuing its strong resurgence.

The song itself shifts its intensity back and forth shifting between melodic verses and lifting choruses, perhaps hitting its best in the last third - which contains a lot of interesting instrumentation which would be a brilliant direction for the band to stay on (I'm always keen to see any electronic elements to creep into bands repertoire)

What gives this song much of its edge and intrigue are the little flourishes of piano, harmonised vocals, gritty bass and pulsing synths present throughout - giving more dimensions to something you could never say was a one-dimensional pop-song.


The rhythm section of bass and drums are as of so often with this band and math-rock in general one of the biggests good points about this song - not content to stick with generic patterns and grooves, it gives the song much more variation.

The vocals are top-draw as one comes to expect from the band; with the singers accent (obviously more noticeable to a northerner) having the same beguiling appeal as that of Kele from Bloc Party and Yannis from Foals' earlier days.

All in all, this is another brilliant release from a band that is going from strength to strength, and with another release hopefully on the way, the future looks bright for the four-piece.

8/10

For fans of: Bombay Bicycle Club // Tall Ships // Local Natives // Koala (their EP reviewed here)

The accompanying video also shows the band's greater professionalism as it is slick and well produced, encapsulating the music of the band; dark, dramatic and full of similar energy.

For those down south wishing to catch the band playing live you can see them at Joiners in Southampton on July 13th

Feature: Nightcap Records

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Recently I caught up with Nightcap Records, an up and coming student music label based in Bristol. Their self-proclaimed mission is to release and promote an eclectic mix of exceptional talent across all genres; and with one quick glimpse at the the bands they cater for and the professionalism with which they do it, shows that they are more than succeeding at that aim.

Placing a high value on creativity, innovation and originality, it is clear to see that all of those involved have both a fervent passion for music, as well as a genuine desire to help those artists under their supervision achieve their full potential.

Nightcap's roster is an impressive mix of both electronic artists and acoustic performers; something most fledgling labels cannot hold a candle to. It will be very enjoyable to see both how the current crop of artists fare in the music business, as well as seeing if Nightcap will branch out to take on more artists, genres and styles.

With some much, youth, energy and enthusiasm, whether of those running it or those signed to it, Nightcap records is a refreshing force on the musical landscape, and a force that you cannot, thankfully, see leaving anytime soon.



Here's my selection of some of the brightest and best of artists under Nightcap's wing:

L'amore:

L'amore is an English House Producer/DJ, from Bristol. The man behind the pseudonym, George, previously made EDM music under the name Jeter but has since reverted to house music, a change I personally feel is for the better as there is such a wealth of expressive house and future garage music around at the moment (expression or emotion are often absent in much EDM), to which L'amore is certainly a welcome addition. His tight production as well as his innovative remixes and collaborations have helped him garner quite a following - many of which are equal to or if not better than many from more established artists.

With impressive viewing figures on his soundcloud he has all the ingredients to hopefully make a real impact on a local, national and international level.  Most of his releases, as with most up and coming DJs and producers, are remixes, but with his upcoming EP AEON, it will be interesting to hear more of his creative prowess. Certainly within Nightcap's roster and with the wider UK electronic music scene, L'amore is one to watch.

For fans of: Eats Everything // Huxley // Joy Orbison // Jamie XX




Cal & Happen:

The Bradford-based duo Cal & Happen are my second pick for special attention from Nightcap's roster. Their music is made straight for the dancefloor with grooves that are just made for dancing. Combining elements of house and EDM with fresh and vibrant samples, the result is a scarily competent foray into electronic music that far exceeds their experience. Indeed, some of the drops and basslines are big that any major DJ would be more than happy for them to be pumping out from their decks.

A nice addition to their current tracks might be just simply some vocals - an avenue certainly worth exploring. Many of their tracks would. if you said they were released by for example Disclosure, they would be lauded as 'another great track from an established artist'. This shows they have the ability, they have the tunes, all they need now is the hype and exposure. And with tracks like these, they will not be waiting very long for either.

For fans of: Disclosure // Bondax // Flume

Artist Spotlight: Avon Avon

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AVON AVON is the electronic project of Tamir Morgan. His style is minimalist electronica with some distinct sampling and instrumentation that puts me in mind of producers such as Bonobo. At the risk of sounding either pretentious or keen to pigeonhole an artist to a particular genre, I'd say that so called 'future garage' is possibly the best fit for Tamir's music - check out some of the newest tracks trending in the genre here

AVON AVON's output only consists of a few released tracks which do show a lot of promise. With this upcoming summer of great music and plenty of time to write, produce and release, we hope to hear a lot more from him.


For fans of: SBTRKT // Bonobo // Jamie XX // Caribou // Kidnap Kid

Artist Spotlight: Allusondrugs

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Allusondrugs are a 5-piece alternative rock band from West Yorkshire who are of late really making a name for themselves in the local and national music scenes for their distinctive blend of psychedelia and heavy rock. Fresh off the back of glowing reviews from high-profile magazines such as Q Magazine, NME and Artrocker, they are starting to take small venues of the UK by storm; one town at a time.

Their ascent can marked by their release of ever more confident tracks and increasingly professional looking photo-shoots - having both the appeal of their music and media seems to be something this band are gifted with, and something which will undeniably not do them any harm whatsoever.

Their music will please both the camps of metalheads and more indie/alternative fans with their mix of heavy chords and drums which can switch to more shoe-gaze styled tune with more subdued vocals.

A great example of this more subdued style is my favourite song of theirs 'Plasters' which is a light and hazy alternative rock classic which is a dreamy combination of fuzz-laden guitars and floating vocals. This is the kind of song where Cobain-twinned Jason Moules' vocals really come to the fore and impress greatly.



The themes of their songs about rock, relationships and drugs reaffirms how this band are very much the archetypal rock band, interested in things rock bands should be interested in. This youthful energy and even naivety is one of the most enduring aspects about the band, since they do not take themselves with the stony-faced seriousness that so many young bands insist on doing it. Every time this leaves me thinking that they enjoy making and performing music just as much as those who are listening to it.

Jason's lyrics and vocals embody the variety that the rest of the band produces in its music. Stretching from lyrical being fun and almost carefree in mood, delivery and subject, to being more sublime, heartfelt and tender.

Now being signed to Clue Records, a major release is overdue but we should be hearing a lot more from them soon as their ascent is beginning to pick up some real momentum. Hopefully they will go the same way as bands such Marmozets whose their live energy and features in magazines such as 'Kerrang!' were some of the major factors in their astronomical rise.

For fans of: Dinosaur Pile-up / Marmozets / Nirvana / Biffy Clyro




From listening to their tracks, it's clear that they've got the tunes, they've got the live energy, they've got the following; all they need now is one lucky break to propel them to right up to where they certainly deserve to be - one of the frontrunners and posterboys of exciting young bands in the UK this year.

Their live shows are renowned for their energy, and when so many bands fall flat live after showing the goods in the studio, this is a welcome change.

They have a lot of gigs lined up on their tour, so make sure you catch them live and hear what all the hype is about. - get a hold of your tickets and future dates here

• The Wardrobe, Leeds, FRI 11 JUL

• Exchange Arts Centre Keighley SAT 12 JUL

• The Works Skatepark, Leeds THU 17 JUL

• Proud Camden, Camden,  SUN 20 JUL 

• The Rocking Chair, Sheffield,  FRI 25 JUL (Allusondrugs, Public Enemy, Katy B, Simian Mobile Disco)

• Tramlines 2014, Sheffield, SAT 26 JUL

EP Review: The Witch Hunt - Little Book Of Hate

We're back!

It's been a while but Villainous Folk is back writing for the foreseeable future with more artist spotlights, festival previews and music reviews on the way. First here's something we missed while on hiatus - a new EP from VF favourites The Witch Hunt (see our previous review here)

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The Witch Hunt (formerly just 'Witch Hunt') are an alternative/atmospheric rock duo from Leeds who have been going from strength to strength in the last year since I last reviewed them. Fresh off the success of slots at high-profile events such as Live at Leeds and Tramlines, as well as Leeds Festival (and soon Beacons Festival which I will be attending) they have released their debut EP - 'A Little Book Of Hate'.

This EP foremostly takes what The Witch Hunt do very well indeed - big atmospheric thundering rock belters with outstanding vocals - and refining it somewhat. The production of the EP is also of a very high standard, which, along with more experimentation with effects, really compliments how grand in scope some of their songs are.

Nowhere is this perhaps more evident than on the opening track 'Army Man'. This track is the perfect opener for the EP, slow to start, it builds up from lovely delayed rim-shots accompanied by howling guitar drones building to an incredible crescendo. The whispering echo on the vocals gives the track an almost claustrophobic feel to it with the weight of sounds filling the track as well. This song also showcases Louisa's voice perfectly, it really is a belter of a voice that lifts a lot of the songs on this EP. Its also nice to see a change from the tendency at the moment for vocals which are very much 'an acquired taste'. Voices such as those of John Newman, Alt-J's Joe Newman (no relation to the former I believe) and Sam Smith, all take some getting used to; those on this EP do not however.

'One Big Bite' provides slightly more straight rock fodder, but still has those small flourishes of production and instrumentation that lift it above anything that could be called mundane or ordinary. This track also sees the band's development to focus on more choruses and hooks which make their music which is already interesting, far more accessible. This is also seen on the next track 'Wide and Laughing'.



'Wide and Laughing' is probably my favourite track on this EP and I think it is possibly one of their most well-rounded. The vocals here slip back and forth between sweeter tones and the more familiar blast of volume from Louisa. I also love the shuffling drum beat (interesting and innovative percussion being one of the band's big positives) which puts me in mind of Wild Beasts' 'Daughter' - the album of which I will hopefully be reviewing soon.

The second half of the EP is slightly slower in pace as it winds down. This allows tracks such as 'Can You Believe It' to give more prominence to Louisa's vocals and Chris's guitar-work. Lyrically, the band explores interesting facets of the usual suspects of angst-ridden rock - relationships, emotions and the like - yet not ever straying anywhere near cliche.

The final and title track 'Little Book of Hate' provides an excellent end to the EP. It is slower, softer and less abrasive and intense than any of the tracks that came before it, which showcases the balance that this EP has. It shows that this EP does exactly what it should do - show the versatility and potential of a new band.

This EP shows an uncanny level of competence and maturity in songwriting and you'd be forgiven for thinking that this weren't this first major release. This release therefore makes it very promising for the future as it seems to both address what the band do well, as well as trying to expand upon it. A greater focus on experimenting as well as emphasis on hooks, choruses and melodies will really help the band go to the next level - but it seems in this EP they have made more than bounds in that direction.

9/10

On a side note, the vinyl they produced for this EP is fucking gorgeous. I've seen vinyls as block colours, clear, and even in odd shapes but this purple explosion is best of all.

As with all of their other music you can support them directly by buying it from their Bandcamp page.

If you want to catch The Witch Hunt live, they are performing the following live dates:

• 4th July - King Of The Mountain Festival
• 20th July - Belgrave Music Hall - Leeds
• 7th August - The Adelphi -  Hull
• 8th August - Beacons Festival
• 13th September - Long Division Festival - Wakefield