Skunk Anansie

In honour of their Monto gigs this week (sold out super-fast, didn't get a ticket :( ) I thought I'd post links to a few of my favourites from the powerhouse brit-rockers that are Skunk Anansie ...

• Weak
  
• Brazen (Weep)
• Hedonism
• Twisted
• Lately
• Charlie Big Potato
  

I didn't know Skin's real name was Deborah until I looked at their MySpace just now. There's that gig-envy rearing its ugly head again...

Hipslinky - Natural

Caught these guys at 93 feet east last night with some other great bands:

• the Vibrants - seen them live a couple of times now but keep going back for more...check out 'First Move' and 'I Won't Sleep (Terrify)' from the 'Retaliate EP'
• Scarlet Harlots - came 3rd on Orange Unsigned Act 2009, the tags on Last.fm say dub, soul, indie, hip hop, dance but they came across as odd but interesting drum n bass-style indie rock for me. Awesome and unexpected cover of Montel Jordan's 'This is How We Do It'!
• Anison - new single out this week, this was the launch gig. Really atmospheric, moody, indie rock.
  

But the reason for this post is to bring you:

Hipslinky - Natural

This track really stood out for me in their otherwise also fantastic set; think the OC. Here's their MySpace.

Anathallo

I'm a bit behind the curve on these guys it would seem...Insomnia Radio blogged them at the beginning of March and our mate Thom Lyons also mentioned them to me a couple of weeks back.

There's a lot of audio up on their Last.fm page and their MySpace lists a gig at the Monto on 26 May (but for some reason the venue website says the 25th).

My favourite track, I think, of the ones I've heard so far is 'The River' - piano intro, syncopated rhythm and memories of the Waltons...

Mike Dignam - Anything

I saw him at the Hope & Anchor last month - this 18 year old singer-songwriter from Preston writes with incredible maturity and soul.

Mike Dignam - Anything

Reminiscent of James Morrison, 'Anything' was the first track of his I heard and prompted me to go along. Whispers that he's generating some label interest, I've got a sneaking suspicion I may have had a 'before they were famous' moment.

Here's his MySpace - I also love 'Someone Better' and 'Alive' (the live performance kicked it).

The Temper Trap - Sweet Disposition

The urgency of this track is compelling.

The Temper Trap - Sweet Disposition

It used to be up on the band's MySpace but appears to have been replaced with 'Science of Fear' which is also quite cool. Another Aussie band from me (Howling Bells, Kid Confucius and there's some Pete Murray to come in a while...).

Dreams of sunshine and waves.....

(They're playing at the Lexington on Thu 12 March)

p.s. thanks for the recommendation - you know who you are