The Sound Influx Playlist: 14.10.13

Whilst we endeavour to bring you music to listen to inside our reviews and general posting activity; there's obstacles everywhere as to what we can bring you and how. Granted, most of those obstacles revolve around our quantity of content, but when it came to creating a playlist for you we had a few problems at root level.
What platform do we use? How many tracks do we include? How popular can a band be before we're definitely playing tracks you're already very familiar with? How old can a track be before we can't put it in the playlist? Most importantly though, how do we present it to you?

In creating this 10-track Soundcloud Playlist on a weekly basis, we hope to have laid as many of those questions to rest as is possible. It's concise, available on mobile, bandwidth friendly and gives us the opportunity to keep it all pretty fresh.
We've also got three featured tracks each week to give you a little insight into our collective minds. We don't have a Sound Influx HQ, we don't have an office, never-mind an office stereo, but what we lack in hardwood flooring we make up for in collective knowledge across the web.
So, without further ado, here's the first Sound Influx Playlist.

Featured Tracks

Hoodlem - Firing Line

This mysterious Melbourne-based electronic pop act caused a wave of interest with their debut track, 'Through'. This second release however shows off a much more dynamic and interesting side to their songwriting that is equally as impressive.
Rob Bramhill

Jungle - The Heat

Gaining a steady traction of hype from some well chosen viral friendly youtube videos (the breakdancing child showcased in the 'platoon' video is a highlight) UK duo Jungle look set to make quite a splash. Signed to Chess Club Records, original home to pop prospects Chvrches and MO, 'This Heat' showcases some serious groove and subtle dance undertones that deserve to reach a broader dance-floor audience.
Toby McCarron

Katie Malco - September

With her newest EP, Tearing Ventricles; Alcopop's finest solo artist Katie Malco has created a live, piano driven selection of tracks that are guaranteed to pull on your heartstrings. September is possibly the most beautiful of the lot. It can often be difficult justifying listening to music on the sad-side, but there's almost never a need to justify spending some time listening to Katie Malco. She'd be as big as the Ben Howard's and Laura Marling's of the world if she recorded a proper record.
Braden Fletcher

Acts to Look Out For: #19-24.

We've neglected our Bands/Acts to Look Out For section for quite some time now; which is strange considering how much music our editorial consumes recently. By way of an apology for neglecting our primary function as a new music site, Braden's decided to do a bumper post of four, stretching from acoustic acts through to some solid pop via post-rock and indie.

#19: KHUSHI

We saw Khushi for the first time at the Great Escape back in May after a tip off from Faded Glamour in March. Since then, singer songwriter Kalim Patel and his band have finally gotten around to releasing their/his debut single Magpie. It's out on a gorgeous clear 7" vinyl from the Laissez Faire Record Club and should see the Londoner rise up billings across the country very soon.

If you're a fan of anything from The National through to Ben Howard, you'll find KHUSI to be one of the most enjoyable new acts this year.
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#20: Dan Croll

First emerging almost a year ago now, Dan Croll's Vampire Weekend come Lucy Rose sound has earnt him a host of high profile support slots (Stornoway, Bastille, Imagine Dragons) as well as a Radio One Live Lounge session and an appearance on the new FIFA 14.

The Liverpudlian, backed with his own band has an array of singles now, all sounding somewhat different from one another; which we can only assume is going to lead to quite the debut album if he can pin it all down. This busy year sees him embark on a few more headline shows in the UK before he creates that all important record though, so whilst we can still call him new, we thought it best to feature the very talnted Dan Croll. Hear his new single (and our favourite to date), Home below.
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#21: Nordic Giants

We've seen Nordic Giants a few times now so you may have noticed them crop up every now and then, but it's been 18 months since they first entered our ears and they've created a host of new material since then including their new single, Violent Lights (below) which may well be their most beautiful yet.
Fans of Sigur Ros and all things of similar beauty will find Nordic Giants to be possibly the most exciting new post-rock act coming through the ranks at the moment. The Brighton duo like to shroud themselves in mystery as well as clad themselves in a selection of rather flamboyant feathered outfits to perform live, and that only adds to their already hugely visual stage setup. Their selection of videos project onto screens around them and create films to which their music triumphantly and often darkly accompanies. Few bands breaking through right now are as interesting as the Giants.
Facebook // New EP Bandcamp



#22: 1984

The Subways were accused of having their thunder stolen by Blood Red Shoes after taking too long a break between records to create their third; but in terms of keeping the scene of '07 alive, BRS may have shot themselves in the foot as well as taking the British glass from Franz Ferdinand's latest record and The Sunshine Underground's more listenable tracks by producing the 1984's latest record Influenza. Whilst on record, they sound not too dissimilar to their predecessors; live they have the shy persona of their fellow Frenchmen Phoenix but mixed with the power that rides through Alex Kapranos and Damon Albarn. They've most definitely been through the British school of what makes a grit rock band, but they've come out without the pretence or bravado so unbearable. Laura Mary Carter and Steve Ansell, give yourselves a pat on the back.
Facebook // New Album Bandcamp





#23. The IC1s

When you think about bands like Editors and The Enemy, you often get lost in references to the 90's and end up in a crowd surrounded by a bunch of self professed 'LADS' who'll spill their £4.50 pint on you and say something about their missus being somewhere infront of you as they push past. They'll later say something about 'banter' and make you wonder why you bothered listening to this music.

Rarely however, do bands come around that sound like this whilst shrugging off the stereotypes with a shed-load of passion and heart.
The persona of a Gallagher is still there, but with the kind of love for music that Noel showed, not the swagshite of Liam. They've even got the backing of Libertine's drummer Gary Powell.
Facebook

#24. Swiss Lips

Oh yes, we've finally got round to formally introducing these wonderful Mancunian gentlemen. It's looking like they're going to finally kick off in the coming few months as they'll be releasing an actual EP entitled YEAH. What we've already learnt about the band is that they're one of the most exciting new pop acts coming through the ranks, hot on the tails of tour buddies Bastille and friends with the likes of The Horrors. We know that Amazing Radio had their debut single U Got The Power at #1 in their charts and we know that they're capable of creating both a month long party on Brick Lane as well as a video game for another single.
Swiss Lips, in their own words are pop-sorcerors that make music to dance to; and we're inclined to agree. 
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So there you have it! Six acts of varying new-ness to add to your listening pile. Hopefully you made it through the whole thing and have a variety of new music to enjoy.
We'll be launching our New Music Playlist next week and will have a new Bandcamp feature coming up soon as well. New acts, prepare to get featured, providing you're smashing!

Braden Fletcher

Sound InPhotos: Summer Camp, PINS and KHUSHI @ The Social

Huw Stephens hosts a monthly night at Oxford Circus' The Social. Situated in the northern outreaches of Soho; the likes of Gaggle, Goldheart Assembly and Chet Faker have all played the Radio One DJ's night in the underground venue of >200.
Announcing the 'Special Guests' as Summer Camp just a few hours before the show guaranteed a show that also featured Bella Union girl-group PINS and opening music from the wonderful KHUSHI; Braden was on hand with a camera to capture the event. Here's the results.




Braden Fletcher

Sound InPhotos: Embers - Sebright Arms, London

Last week, Embers finally burst through the buzz and made their debut headline show. It was also their first London show and yet the debutants did not disappoint. Highlights included their unofficial debut single Sins Unknown and their debut-proper Part of the Echoes. The show was loud, powerful and yet had all of the finesse that you've come to expect from the band in their short time in the public eye.
Support came from the wonderful KHUSHI and his band as well as an off form Deafkid.
Keep a watch for KHUSHI, especially if your'e a Villagers fan; his debut single Magpie is out soon. Keep an even bigger watch on Embers, if their name is anything to judge by, they'll be igniting very very loudly.

Braden was on hand at the Sebright Arms to take photos and our new Sound InPhotos gallery is below.

flickrSLiDR.

Braden Fletcher