Sound InPhotos: Swiss Lips @ Elekrtrowerkz Islington

One of our favourite new acts, Swiss Lips are winding up for their debut album. We can reveal that they'll be one of our acts for 2014 and we'll be posting an interview with them next month, but in the mean time; we saw them kick up a sweat storm in north London the other day and it was pretty special.

Fresh off touring with Bastille,  the boys have certainly picked up some tricks and the atmosphere was electric. Singles U Got The Power and DANZ went down a treat, but the likes of Books and a few tracks that were debuted on the night all sound like they're going to make the album one of the most entertaining ones you'll hear in the Spring.
Without further ado, here's Braden's photos from the night.



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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.
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#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.
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#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.
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#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

Swiss Lips - Carolyn

Recently it has become a bit out of character or us to post individual singles but sometimes we have to make exceptions for the exceptional and the new single from Swiss Lips is certainly that.
Carolyn is a swirling pop track of new-Mancunian wonder about falling in love with someone and driving off into the sunset with them (because isn't that the dream), and its audio is below; but its in the method of creating a video for it that the band really stand out. They've created a video game that creates its own remix version with each individual play.
The collaboration with Phililps' You Need to Hear This has resulted in Playstation 1 style graphics and Game Boy Colour gameplay in the form of the most entertaining interactive music video since Arcade Fire's Wilderness Downtown project. Better still, this partnering up means that you can win headphones or Swiss Lips merch by sharing your individual remix across social-media.

It really has to be played to be described, so we recommend you visit REMIXCAROLYN as soon as you humanly can.

Live at Leeds '13

The 1975 at Live at Leeds

Sound Influx started Live At Leeds 2013 with a visit to The Wardrobe on the Friday night to catch Bearfoot Beware and Wet Nun’s sets. Although Bearfoot Beware entertained, it was Wet Nuns who really impressed. The duo created a sound of a volume seemingly beyond their means. That sound was full of huge riffs and thunderous drums, and boy was it LOUD. Their blend of lo-fi blues/punk really must be experienced live to have its sheer power appreciated fully.

Wild Swim

On the Saturday, it was a long walk to the Brudenell Social Club (buses/taxis are cheating, apparently) to catch the end of Wild Swim’s set. Their emotional songs with Wild Beasts style keys and vocals were certainly worth the walk, especially closer ‘Echo’. Next, to the Faversham, where Swiss Lips’ energetic set surely won them some new fans. The band’s sugar sweet vocals, synths and drum machine beats are easy to hate, but after seeing them live, this cynical view might just have changed for some. The Manc popsters really did bring a fun atmosphere, and live, their sound is just much less, well…annoying. One band who didn’t need to convince anyone was Dinosaur Pile-Up. The local lads certainly know how to whip up a crowd and there were circles going from early in the set. But my god were they loud. Loud is to be expected and anticipated from this band, but ears ringing four hours and the lasting regret of forgetting earplugs isn’t. This was a bit of a shame as it meant the set wasn’t as enjoyable as it could have been.

Swiss Lips

After a break for burritos (the ultimate festival food, probably), we got ourselves to the Stylus to see the fantastic MØ, who’s energetic stage presence combined with infectious pop songs made for a really great set. The use of projections as a backdrop was a nice touch, adding an extra dimension to the show for those at the back. ‘Pilgrim’ and ‘Glass’, with Singer Karen Marie Ørsted prowling the stage in a leopard print bomber jacket. From one definite highlight of the weekend and straight on to another, I managed to get to the front for Savage’s set. That renowned intensity wasn’t hampered too much by sound difficulties with singer Jehn’s mic. Once these problems were fixed the launched into a full on rendition of ‘Shut Up’, and there’s probably some irony to be found in there somewhere. The rest of the set, with rumbling bass, punchy drums and, of course, Jehn’s fierce, intense vocals made sure that savages’ performance stayed in my mind for a good long while. They scared and thrilled in equal measures and SI loved every minute.

Dinosaur Pile Up

After getting slightly lost, SI managed to arrive at the beautiful Holy Trinity church in time for Sóley’s sound check. Her set was beautiful, even despite a quite impossibly loud argument breaking out halfway through, which left a slightly awkward, embarrassed atmosphere lingering for a few songs. However this went away as throughout the rest of her set Sóley created such beautiful, haunting songs which had the audience in a sort of hushed reverence, befitting the church setting. ‘Pretty Face’ and ‘I’ll Drown’, with its echoing, sampled vocals, were the highlights of a truly captivating performance.

Embers were a last minute addition to the line-up, and although they clashed with headliners The Walkmen, they were un-missable, as a band who have played too few shows since they first burst onto the Manchester scene. And they didn’t disappoint, creating huge, reverberating songs that filled the tiny, boiling Nation Of Shopkeepers from wall to wall. It may have been the walking, or the heat, or the lack of sleep, but SI may have found ourselves getting a little emotional towards the end of their set. Embers’ blend of shoegaze and post-rock is immensely impressive live, and SI implores you to go and see them.

After realising that I had missed ‘The Rat’, SI is ashamed to say that we left The Walkmen’s set early. A whole day of intensive band watching, walking and getting lost in Leeds had taken its toll and we needed a bit of a sit down. As the Stylus was packed (and rightly so) for The Walkmen, we wandered down to The Mine to Watch Sky Larkin. To end the weekend with a band who have been a part of the Northern music scene for many years seemed fitting somehow, and was really quite special. It seems they have only got better since we last saw them all those years ago.

Live At Leeds, though exhausting, was a thoroughly fantastic festival with a great atmosphere. And, for this writer, who had never been to Leeds before, it also proved a fantastic tour around the city and some of its impressive venues. The only downside was missing so many bands due to clashes , walking or both. Honourable mentions go to The Crookes, The Staves, Micky P Kerr and King Krule. We’re sure that there’ll be plenty of opportunities to see this lot soon though. Roll on Live At Leeds 2014!

Words: Holly Read Challen
Photos: Braden Fletcher

Swiss Lips and Bastille @ The Rag Factory, London

What happens when you sign a Manchester band to a major label, enable them to relocate for a month into East London, specifically a converted factory space and then allow that space to be used for a host of parties fuelled by a mix of free beer and a series of exciting acts on stage? Well, in short; calculated pandemonium. See, East London, for all of its remaining decadence is an area governed by a complex algorithm of image over enjoyment, yet the blend created within The Rag Factory, or the #SwissLipsUnion as its preferably called for November overpowers the math. As Swiss Lips take to the stage to open the night, there are people dressed to impress (who’s outfits do not accommodate for being at the front of a show) who begin to let loose in a way that you can’t help but feel has as much to do with their lack of free-alcohol-maths as it does the music. People are even nabbing hand-made Swiss Lips tie-dye shirts from a clothes line!

Swiss Lips nonetheless are unphased. Set up old fashioned style by  the microphone master and all round Danz-er known to many as “the old man who dances in Manchester for Swiss Lips”, they rifle through a selection of tracks for half an hour of dance-pop. Even those reluctant to move at the start of Danz can’t resist a gentle bop to the hard-pop sound of U Got The Power and new single In The Water sounds notably better in this surrounding than on record.  As they leave the stage, Swiss Lips can be confident that having opened their own party in style they should see their stock rise once they’re out of this venue in the new year.

Of course, much of the hype surrounding tonight’s show, and probably one of the main reasons that there’s a queue outside the door come ten o’clock is tonight’s “headline act.” In a repeat of their sold-out KOKO show just a week before, Bastille follow Swiss Lips on stage (after a Horrors DJ set that hardly inspires but moves the room back to the bar with enjoyment) and as Dan Smith and company come on stage, the room erupts once more. The front hundred of the three hundred assembled begin to dance as Bastille kick off with usual set opener Icarus. It’s catchy as sin but the majority of people here only know a few songs. After their covers mixtape featured a hugely popular cover of City High’s What Would You Do, that appears to get the biggest singalong of the night whilst last week’s storm of the iTunes chart with the (mostly re-released) Flaws EP saw Flaws rightfully get the biggest cheer of the night as Dan is almost engulfed in the front rows of fans.

Arguably, the highlight of the set is recent single Bad Blood. Mixing a dark bassline, singalong bridge and hugely catchy chorus, Bastille take it up a level, explaining to an extent how they’ve earnt the hype that surrounds them. Of course its not all perfect, some tracks (who’s names don’t stand out) need dropping in favour of a more definitive sound as the band are in danger of sounding both wet and repetitive at points. This though, is hardly a worry as in one song they can turn it around again. Overjoyed has a quiet quality that displays the act’s breadth of material and closing the night’s music on a high with their unique cover of Corona’s Rhythm of the Night as Dan jumps into the crowd is certainly an enjoyable touch.

As the last few percussion hits ripple out of the small white room, Swiss Lips take the DJ booth up again as many decide to leave. The party continues for another three weeks but you can’t help but feel that it’s been caught at its best here. Whilst both acts have weaknesses, the atmosphere of the night adequately suffices as filler before the undeniably catchy pop-belters. It’s no surprise that both acts have been snapped up by major labels for their debut records.

Braden Fletcher