This spring is shaping up to be an exciting one on the Isle of Man as Kameko is booked to play at the Evalt Festival 2013 on April 24^th at the Villa Marina. Kameko is actually the headliner and the creators of the musical genre Evalt that is known as a mixture of several types of music such as classical, soul, hip hop, funk, and pop.

As a result, it should be no surprise that the festival itself is being billed as a mixture of several types of music with additional musical acts including Sabrina Washington, Kathleen Crowe, and four more unannounced guests scheduled to bring in a few more genres of music to make the evening special for all. Among the additional genres due to be represented are electro and rock.

KAMEKO has been on the music scene for years writing music and working with many top recording artists such as Mary J. Blige, Michael Jackson, Vanessa Williams, Erykah Badu, and many more. In 2005 he took some time off to travel and see life outside of the music industry and returned claiming that he had been spiritually and musically reborn.

Now the music that KAMEKO writes, known as Evalt or evolutionary alternative music, is focused on conveying a very vibrant energy that urges people to stand together and know that that people’s greatest strengths are when they work together.

KAMEKO just released his debut single ‘Tire of Being Broke’ off his first debut EP and is scheduled to release a full album titled ‘Royalty’ in 2013. He has already been touring and is known for creating a vibrant and moving show that leaves audiences feeling refreshed and reinvigorated.

The Evalt Music Festival 2013 will take place at the Royal Hall, Villa Marina at 8pm with doors opening at 7pm. Tickets are available to the show now for £25.50 and concessions will be on sale separately at the festival. It is being presented to the public by A List State Productions which represents KAMEKO and Manx Radio.

Tickets can be purchased through licensed online vendors or at https://www.gov.im/villagaiety/eventinfo.aspx?eventID=1905

In addition, they can be purchased in person at the Sea Terminal in Douglas Welcome Centre window on the Isle of Man from 9am to 6pm. The Villa Marina will also have them for sale on Mondays. Interested attendees can also purchase tickets over the telephone at 01262460055.

Last week in South London was witness to The Correspondents release ‘Well Measured Vice’ as a forthcoming single. It is a white and black hand-drawn animated video made up of 2232 different frames, all created by Mr. Bruce, a singer, who made them from scratch while he was recovering from a metatarsal breakage, or a broken foot to you and me. The video gained a top spot overnight on reddit.com, pushing it to over 60,000 views within 24 hours on YouTube.

Now a must at any respectable festival, the live show by The Correspondents have traveled the breadth not to mention the length of the UK and far beyond, capturing audiences with their fast and energetic use of funk, electronic, pop, swing, and bass and drum.

The exceptionally fantastic Mr. Bruce treats his spectators to glimpses of spandex all among a rage of hasty scatting, while Chucks sink a variety of beats and grooves that continuously stimulate further the extremely dynamic dance moves being put down in front of the crowd. Add sensored infra-red light boxes and a travelator and you have all the testimony needed as to how The Correspondents acquired the Top 10 of the Telegraph’s Glastonbury highlights for two years running.

‘Well Measured Vice’ is precisely what that is, the perfect balance of a swing beat from the 60′s with the right amount of bass to fill up the area but without stealing away the groove and giving all the space to the horns, guitar, and organ to endure their moment. The vocals of Mr. Bruce have this mysterious cleverness bordering on melancholy while contently springing along with the song while being commended nicely by the saucy melody from the guitar that adapts so clearly over the entire track.

You can figure this single advancing its manner into the gathering of groove and funk DJs and the remakes from Chucks and Featurecast himself are a fine token of the durability as a specimen. Up with the peak of their releases, it will surely be interesting to behold what the remaining of the opening album comprises of when it ultimately arrives at a later this year.

Esquires, the premier music venue in Bedford, clearly don’t intend for 2013 to be a quiet year, as they are kicking it off with a bang next month. Two of the best up and coming indie bands in Britain; Missing Andy and Tribes are passing through the county of Bedfordshire and performing a couple of super energetic and explosive rock gigs.

The 5 piece Essex based Missing Andy are first up. This band has certainly built themselves a following since they were the runners up in the Must be the Music talent show on Sky 1 back in 2008. Playing in local pubs and clubs, they took on the world of social media with a vengeance and have gone from strength to strength. The group, who are strongly influenced by the Mod era, are being supported by LOLA, The Jebs and Harrington Blues.

Tribes, the lads from Camden, will also be gracing the Esquires stage as part of their current In The Sticks tour, which has seen them travelling to, and performing in, towns and cities across the length and breadth of the UK. Those ardent Tribes fans who are coming to Bedford to see them will be happy to hear tht they will be performing tracks from Wish to Scream, their new album which is scheduled to be released in May.

For those less familiar with the band, they are a band of 4 from Camden and were originally two separate groups who came together in 2010 and never looked back. These indie rock boys have some famous fans, and some impressive contacts in their little black books, and having the BBC’s Zane Lowe dubbing one of their early tracks ‘the hottest record in the world’ certainly doesn’t do any harm. They are headlining their own tour after doing the festival circuit and supporting the likes of the Kaiser Chiefs and The Kooks, so miss the Tribes show at your peril.

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Through recent years, Trekstock has been very successful in supporting young people with cancer. Since the charitable institution’s official launch in March 2010, Trekstock has continuously raised funds for cancer research and awareness by means of music, fashion, art and trekking events.

This organisation’s unique way of raising funds has made it popular around the world leaving the usual trail of gift giving, soul rejuvenating and outreach programmes. Going deeper within every person’s interest is the best strategy made by Trekstock in order to reach a wider range of audience, not only cancer patients but also their loved ones and others who love supporting the work of the charity. With a touch of love, creativity and passion, fund raising is not a difficult goal to achieve.

All Out Youth Support

Supporting the youth with cancer through raising funds for research is just one of Trekstock’s objectives. This organisation is also involved in the dissemination of information all around the world to help people get rid of cancer from an individual standpoint. While relatively young compared to its counterparts, Trekstock has the determination and passion to help people with cancer.

Aside from supporting the UK Cancer Research Scientists whose efforts are focused on seeking ways to detect, prevent and cure cancer, Trekstock has also sought the support of notable people who can promote cancer awareness. One of these is Josh Beech, an international model and musician who recently highlighted his support by modelling Trekstock Loves, the exclusive fashion collection. Clara Paget also shared in the charitable event by lending her expertise throughout the fund raising project.

Trekstock also facilitated successful activities like trekking, marathon, fashion awards and the like. The organisation continues to create events wherein people can express themselves while gaining unforgettable memories.

They also have upcoming fund raising events like “Great Gig in the Sky”, a trekking series to take place in Italy, France and Switzerland planned to occur this summer 2013. Another event is the “Bupa Great Winter Run”, which is a race that will be held in Holyrood Park in Edinburgh. One more event to look forward to is the “Band It Friday”, a series of musical events happening across UK which will also take place this year.

These events organised by Trekstock are but a fraction of the efforts extended by the charitable institution in order to provide for assistance to cancer patients and raise awareness regarding the disease.

An unlikely collaboration has been announced as part of the Save the Children’s ‘Christmas Tree Sessions’. The lead singer of Elbow, Guy Garvey is teaming up with the classically trained and former member of Hear’Say Myleene Klass for a special performance that will take place at the Union Chapel in Islington on the 14^th December. The pair have turned to Twitter to ask fans what they would like to hear at the show to ensure they perform something for everyone.

The ticket for the performance are £40 and other acts that have been confirmed as performing are Band of Skulls and Spiritualized. This is just one of the many events that Save the Children are organising over the Christmas period, and on the same day as this concert they are urging people to pull on their cheesiest Christmas jumper, and many celebrities have been pictured wearing there’s, including Myleene Klass.

34 year old Myleene first came to the attention of the British public in 2001 when she took part in the reality show Popstars where several finalists were voted to become a bone fide pop group, Myleene was one of the 5 chosen to make up Hear’Say, who went onto enjoy a short period of great success including number one singles and a sell out tour. The group broke up at the back end of 2002 and everyone thought the 5 members would slip into oblivion.

Myleene, however, had an ace up her sleeve, and returning to her classical roots signed a contract with the Universal Classics and Jazz label. She has continued to be successful both in music and on television where she has been a presenter of many shows as well as appearing on the celebrity version of Mastermind. She is also known to many due to her successful adverts she has made for the likes of Marks & Spencer and this years Littlewoods campaign.

It is good to see Myleene performing live again as she is an accomplished musician as well as being an ambassador for EMI Classics who have artists such as Alfie Boe on their books. The mother of two young daughters, life is looking rosy for Ms Klass, and performing alongside someone with the street cred of Guy Garvey will no doubt earn her a whole new set of fan as well as showcasing her talents to many who never realised her musical pedigree.

Those of us whose ears are constantly on the look out for new sounds will be hugely interested in the new project simply known as CRIME. This is a collaboration between Mika Risiko and the star of the Scream Club, Sarah Adorable. Fans of this two doyens of individuality and creativity are causing quite a stir with this new duo, and have both a Facebook and Tumblr both under the name of Totally Crime.

They are currently half way through a European tour which kicked off at Berlin’s Marie Antoinette and continues throughout Europe until the 11th December and takes in such cities as Liepzig, Munich, Prague and Wroclaw. Full details of the tour, as well as up to the minute news on how it’s going can be found at http://totallycrime.tumblr.com and http://www.facebook.com/totallycrime.

While on Tumblr you can also check out their brand new video for ‘This Party Blows’, this recently featured at Berlin’s Porn Film Festival. This thrashing electronic fusion smashes away in the background as visually we see many people in the state of sleep or barely awake.

The concept is their personal challenge to the traditional notions of beauty and boredom, and the visual and audio mix certainly gets their message across.

Indie band Alt-J walked away with this year’s Mercury prize last Thursday, heralding the rise of so called ‘boffin rock’. The 4 piece band first met at Leeds University, where 3 were studying fine art and the other English literature. There music can be described as many things, except smooth R&B. The winning album, An Awesome Wave, is a complex mix of styles, with songs about such things as geometric shapes and nods to film and literature.

Since the nominations were announced, they have been at the forefront of the bookmakers predictions, and purists had everything crossed that they would win and hopefully end the recent dominance of big labels and female solo singers. The interest in them was a mystery to some, however, as the release of the album in May fell largely under the radar, failing to get a single review in the broadsheets and one magazine dismissing it as being pompous and whimsical.

When asked if they had had any inkling of what Thursday night had in store for them, the band who took their name from the delta sign shortcut on the Apple Mac keyboard, they said that the first notion they had of the fact they had won was when the presenter, Lauren Laverne, formed an Alt-J shape with her mouth before she actually said it. They liken the moment to a bomb going off in a trench, both overwhelming and traumatic.

The keyboard player, Gus Unger-Hamilton, says that he was totally convinced they weren’t going to win, and thought that Plan B was the clear favourite. He says that all they could hear in the conversations carrying on around them before the event was everyone saying that Plan B had it in the bag, then 5 minutes later deciding that it was Richard Hawley’s night, never once was Alt-J mentioned.

While we may have packed up our tents for the last time and bade farewell to a great year of UK music festivals (with an exception to be mentioned later) the indie scene is still alive and kicking in Europe, Australia and the US. If you are planning a trip any time soon and fancy a bit of indie, then check out these festivals we still have to look forward to.

The 1st of November is the start date of the Pitchfork Fest in Paris. Running through to the 3rd, there is enough fine talent in the line up to satisfy even the most discerning of indie connoisseurs. The Fun Fun Fun Fest in Austin Texas kicks off on the 2nd, and is another 3 day festival with numerous performers. While you will be hard pushed to attend both, a good time is guaranteed at either.

Fast forward to the 7-9th December and you have to opportunity to tend one of the most unique festivals ever held in Somerset. ATP (All Tomorrow’s Parties) curated by The National 2012, has for the past 10 years set itself apart by embracing seemingly desperate genres and bringing them together to create a festival like no other.

On the 7-6th December, but in slightly warmer climes, is the Primavera Club Madrid 2012 festival. With an eclectic, international line up and Sponsored by San Miguel, the drink of choice for clubbers, tickets cost only 25 Euros a day and is a great way to bring Europe’s 2012 festival season to a close.

The last two indie festivals of the year anywhere are both in Australia and both start on the 29th of December, in the heart of the Aussie summer. Peats Ridge in Glenworth Valley and Pyramid Rock on Phillip Island both run from the 29th through to the 1st January, so if you are looking for an unusual way to see in the New Year and hear some great music then either of these will satisfy.

The Calm (campaign against living miserably) charity are set up to raise awareness of the high suicide rate in young men and to offer help and information. A wonderfully worthwhile cause.  They have released a cd titled 31 songs which is an album of established acts and upcoming artists and if you purchase a cd the profits go to the charity so get online, show your support and order one up!

The sponsors of the night are Dawsons Music who are funding the event so that all of the money taken on the door can go to the charity and are also working in partnership with Mayfield Promotions to make an even bigger impact. Now there’s a company out to make a difference as well folks.

Headlining the CALM LIFE! show is Manchester’s up and coming stars the Dirty North who are being championed by everyone from The Stone Roses to Terry Christian, so watch this space folks.

In support is all locally sourced Manchester talent. The guys at Life! are doing what no one is doing on the scale they are approaching it from and that’s creating a new music scene which in this reporter’s opinion is so needed when music seems to be becoming more contrived everyday with new bands mimicking the latest fad rather than being truly original. They have carefully selected bands that will be the new sound we will all be hearing over the next decade, it’s truly exciting!

In first support on the night is the only band you need watch, the new boys in town The SuperSonics. I know I’m meant to be non biased but go check these guys out! I saw them at the retro bar a couple of weeks ago and my god are these guys good! They were the only band to stay at the night club and party on down after they played the show, they are the real deal.

If you take all the best bits from the Who, The Jimi Hendrix Experience, Big Country and a modest helping of Oasis then you have The SuperSonics. With amazing stage presence, tunes to die for and everything cracked up to ten, I can’t believe that you can see a truly original band at this level who aren’t glorified rock stars yet! So get down early to check em’ out because these guys are going to make it big and you can be one of the first to see them before the waves break!

So rather than try and sum up the event myself I have been sent a rather touching and inspiring press release for your pleasure…

Mayfield Promotions

A bit about us:

Here at Mayfield promotions we do things differently (…this is Manchester after all). We organise live events and club nights like any other promoter, but we believe in nurturing the vast talent pool that Manchester has to offer and this is our main focus. Manchester’s musical history is second to none for any UK city; sure Liverpool had the Beatles, so what! Manchester’s list of legendary bands, past and present, is endless! As well as being the birthplace of UK dance culture. We see no reason why this shouldn’t continue and that’s what we are embracing. We believe no band can ‘break through’ without a strong ‘scene’ and we will do what we can to support and promote that.

What we do:

We run a monthly night called ‘LIFE!’ for live acts in the ‘indie/alt rock’ genre. Formerly held at DRY LIVE, we are now moving onwards and upwards, increasing our popularity. Historically our nights have increased steadily in numbers and we are always pushing to further our success with online promotion as well as good old-fashioned legwork. We are looking to extend our remit to other genres and one off nights. Basically, we’ll promote anything worthwhile!

 We are in the process of setting up a non profit community studio, giving struggling bands and musicians the opportunity to rehearse and record cheaply. Working with local film makers, photographers and artists gives us the opportunity to provide promotional materials at a reasonable cost to said musicians.

Everything we do revolves around Manchester based locally sourced talent. We are always looking for new Manchester based bands, acts, DJs, film makers, artists, fashionistas, etc we love showcasing new talent, some of it just knocks our socks off!!

LIFE!

What we are doing with our monthly live show is establishing a brand which is popular with music fans across Manchester and beyond. Our shows feature the best of what is new on the Manchester music scene and we promote the hell out of it!!

We have showcased the talents of up and coming Manchester bands and will continue in this vein, bringing new talent to the fore, spotting rising stars and helping them on their way.

We are bored of the dinosaurs coming out of retirement to cash in on nostalgia?

We would rather people have the opportunity to be the first to see the new: Joy Division, Buzzcocks, The Fall, Elbow, The Hollies, Inspiral Carpets, Happy Mondays, M-People, The Smiths!, New Order, Oasis, Stone Roses…

Let’s face it when Mick Hucknall gets up with his orchestra, it doesn’t exactly inspire!  What we think does is: Some of the best new live acts in Manchester,  DJs raving it until the early hours, great venues, reasonable ticket prices and cheap deals on drinks!?

CALM LIFE at Factory

Everybody knows what an iconic venue Factory is, the former head office of factory records and given the asset number FAC251, now converted into a venue in its own right along the lines of The Hacienda.

We are very happy to be bringing our charity event to this venue that already has a history of supporting the CALM! Charity – the beneficiary of this event. CALM! work very hard to help deal with the problems of young men who have mental health issues such as severe depression and those in a suicidal state, I’m sure, in this industry especially, we can all relate to that?

The event will run on the 20^th Oct 2012 starting at 4pm with live acts until 11pm and then DJs until 3am

On the bill will be a showcase of local talent along with the best upcoming band in Manchester The Dirty Red headlining! The Dirty Red have just come off the back of supporting The Stone Roses at Heaton park and are being championed by everyone from Terry Christian to Mani and Reni from the Stone Roses.

Tickets for the show will be £10 and we are working hard to make sure as much as possible goes to the charity by asking local companies to sponsor the event, the fewer costs we have the more money goes to the right place. Who knows, that tenner may actually save a life!! How cool is that!

So do I need to say any more folks? Get down to Factory and show your support for new music and the CALM charity.

www.thecalmzone.net/

http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/LIFE/332661980145576

http://www.facebook.com/thesupersonicsmanchester?ref=hl

http://www.myspace.com/dirtynorthband

Get yourself down to the Ducie Bridge in Manchester this Saturday the Life! Night is on again and championing new music. The Life! guys are putting on 3×3 (three bands for three quid) now how good is that, you can’t even get a pint for that knower days!

At only a pound a band, so forty minutes per pound, in this modern day with the price of everything being so costly it’s a bargain! And you get to be one of the first to see new an upcoming talent.

The three bands playing are Cherry Pip (melancholic pop music), Sterling (raucous rock n roll) and Robert John an acoustic act with a twist, akin to Eddie Vedder and Nick Cave. They are all locally sourced Manchester talent!

The event is taking place this Saturday 29^th. Doors open at 8.00pm at the newly renovated upstairs venue in the Ducie Bridge pub.