dottodotfestival

[dottodotfestival]

DOT TO DOT FESTIVAL ANNOUNCES ARTISTS FOR FIRST EVER AUTUMN EDITION OF THE MULTI-VENUE FESTIVAL

Tickets for Dot To Dot are priced from £25 and available now through alt. tickets!*

Dot To Dot Festival have announced the first artists to join the bill for their 2021 event, this year taking place in September; the first autumn event in the 16 year history of the award-winning festival with a reputation for bringing the hottest new talent to city-centre stages.

This year’s event continues Dot To Dot’s rich tradition of championing emerging talent, with the announcement that SPORTS TEAM will headline the festival in Bristol and Nottingham on the 25th and 26th of September respectively. Since last playing mid-way down the D2D bill in 2018, followed by a breakout 2019 for the 6-piece band, Sports Team have garnered an unparalleled reputation for excellent live shows that are guaranteed to be injected with raw energy. Their consistency in both performances and releases, have also earnt them a high standing as one of the best British bands right now, championed by the likes of DIY, 6 Music, NME and many more. 2020 saw the band release their debut album, Deep Down Happy, to much critical acclaim and a Mercury Prize nomination.

Frontman Alex Rice said: “Can’t wait to be back, this’ll be the first time we’ve played our debut album since it was released in 2020. A two night inter-city headline feels the right way to dip our toes back in.”

Joining Sports Team for D2D’s 2021 edition, are British alternative rock band, PALACE. With two albums under their belt and sold out tours at home & abroad, the London trio will be bringing their revered, shimmering indie rock to D2D. Their anticipated latest EP Someday, Somewhere was released in October and builds on the beautiful sound and image they have curated over the previous 6 years, lending promise to atmospheric live performances ahead.

Dublin 4-piece GIRL BAND will also be showcasing their tremendous live reputation in Bristol and Nottingham this September. Highly regarded and renowned for their genre-defying cataclysmic noise and infamously ferocious shows, a taste of which can be heard on their 2020 Live at Vicar Street release, but will really need to be seen first-hand to be believed.

DO NOTHING return to Dot To Dot Festival for 2021. Since emerging through 2018 & 2019, and with debut EP Zero Dollar Bill released in 2020, the Nottingham band have fast become one of the UK music scene’s most exciting prospects; with frontman Chris Bailey’s acerbic & quick-witted lyricism, their driven post-punk-meets-Talking-Heads sound, and a formidable reputation for exquisite live shows. 2021 has already seen the 4-piece release 2 singles in anticipation of their second EP, Glueland, expected March 12th.

Elsewhere on the D2D 2021 line up is genre-bending rap artist, SAM WISE. A member of cult London rap crew, House of Pharaohs, who name Frank Ocean among their fans. The Kennington native has also notably featured on tracks by the likes of Octavian, winner of BBC Sound of 2019, as well as building a solid reputation that is entirely his own through the release of his mixtape, Sorry You Were Saying, showcasing his witty storytelling, impeccable flows and fluid approach to genre and tone.

South-East London collective STEAM DOWN will bring their energetic live show to Bristol and Nottingham. Since forming back in 2007, Steam Down have received two Jazz FM awards, which include ‘Live Experience of the Year Award’ and ‘The Innovation Award’; accolades that clearly emphasise the impact and importance they’ve had on the UK’s flourishing jazz scene throughout the decade.

OSCAR LANG will bring his ever-growing, genre-crossing back catalogue to Bristol and Nottingham this autumn, showing no sign of slowing down following the release of two EPs and one album in 2020. Also fresh from a new release; their debut album, Speed Kills, London’s loudest breakout band CHUBBY AND THE GANG are certain to make an impression at Dot To Dot this year, if the 28 minutes of the album itself are anything to go by. The unruly punk energy and hardcore kid sensibilities displayed throughout the record are guaranteed mosh pit starters that will have crowds spilling pints and screaming gang vocals back at them.

Also on board are minimalist rock band YARD ACT who have been gradually dropping proto-punk/post-punk infused singles since mid-2020, with just a handful of singles and a handful of gigs, they have already earned themselves a tip as “one to watch” from The Guardian back in August. Likewise, self-described ‘dream pop trip hop’ three-piece, DRUG STORE ROMEOS’ appearance at Dot To Dot will certainly be one to catch, after being named for Annie Mac’s AMP London emerging artist series in 2020 and generating further buzz with the release of three singles during the year.

Singer-songwriter AARON SMITH has amassed 8 million+ Spotify streams of his sincere and communicative songs since growing up in the small Scottish town of Polmont, and joins the Dot To Dot bill, as does Birmingham-based rapper KOFI STONE, whose debut album, released in 2019, included features from Loyle Carner, Maverick Sabre and Ady Suleiman, and saw him truly arrive as one of the most exciting rappers on the UK hip-hop scene, thanks to his soulful and introspective flow. New Zealander MOLLY PAYTON will bring her powerful voice and the melancholic vulnerability of her songs to the festival; a relative newcomer, Payton released several attention-grabbing singles throughout 2020, culminating in two EPs. 

British R&B and trap artist S-X is set to perform, having released an impressive three LPs since 2018, as well as gaining notoriety through working with numerous artists as a record producer, including YouTube star KSI, who he occasionally joins on Celebrity Gogglebox, and with a debut album on the way LOW ISLAND will be at Dot To Dot this September, bringing both uplifting electronica and intimate ballads to crowds at the multi-venue metropolitan festival.

Dot To Dot Festival prides itself on seeking out the freshest emerging musical talent and 2021 is no exception, particularly with the appointment of Sports Team as headliners, a mere 3 years since they first played the festival. Dot To Dot organiser and Director of Live at DHP Family, Anton Lockwood, said: “After having to postpone our 2020 event, we couldn’t be happier to be announcing D2D 2021. We simply can’t wait to celebrate live music with some of the most exciting emerging acts this year – Dot To Dot has always been about seeing your new favourite band in the middle of the day and your favourite band as headliners. We’re sure Sports Team became a lot of people’s new favourite band when they played in a late afternoon, smaller stage slot 3 years ago, and having them as headliners now really demonstrates this approach and ethos.”

Completing the bill so far, and filling some of those smaller stage slots that this year’s headliners have graced in the past, are: Bristol-based, queer punk-trio, GRANDMAS HOUSE who combine a love of post-punk with surfy melodies; the unconventional songwriting and pop-leaning sensibilities of MOA MOA; Manchester-based post-punk trio LIINES; WALT DISCO, who draw influence from ‘80s post-punk legends and modern-day art-pop chic; The sweet bedroom pop of 18 year old TINYUMBRELLAS; Crouch End quintet, SAD BOYS CLUB, with their emotive and ambitious indie-pop sound; JOEY MAXWELL, whose bedroom pop is R&B infused and layered with blunt lyricism; Space-rock five-piece, finding romance and humour in everyday life, JUNODREAM; LIZZIE REID and her songs of love, loss and heartbreak from Glasgow; the atmospheric soundscapes of epic proportions created by ELLYSSE MASON; the amorphous creative entity that is FOLLY GROUP, encompassing a group of friends whose practice spans various disciplines; Full-time busker turned indie tastemaker favourite, TAYO SOUND; the macabre stories, told over ear shredding guitar and rattling drums of WYCH ELM; Plus many more still to be announced.

Tickets for Dot To Dot are priced from £25 and available now through alt. tickets: https://bit.ly/3syZyKX

*Subject to Site Permissions and Licensing

With the announcement of the government’s roadmap detailing plans to lift social distancing restrictions by 21 June, we are so excited to be able to bring D2D back to the streets of Bristol and Nottingham in September this year. We’ll be working really hard to ensure we can deliver the Dot To Dot that we all know and love in the most safe and enjoyable way possible. Should there be any changes to government guidelines which cause us to reschedule or postpone the festival, rest assured your tickets will be valid for the new date or refunds will be available.

Subscribe to Dot To Dot’s social media pages on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, as well as online at www.dottodotfestival.co.uk to stay up to date on the latest line up announcements and to keep yourself in the loop for all things Dot To Dot.            

[dottodotfestival]

An update from Team D2D x

Hi everyone

Once again, we want to send out a HUGE thank you to all of you for your patience, kindness and messages of support while we’ve been trying to navigate the tricky situation that is this year!

We were so hopeful that we could bring Dot To Dot Festival to you in 2020, but unfortunately it just won’t be possible. But don’t worry, D2D will be back next year! Tickets purchased for our 2020 dates will be valid for D2D 2021, so we advise keeping hold of yours so that you can celebrate the best in new music with us then.

We’re looking forward to sharing some exciting updates on artists and dates very soon, so please keep an eye on our social channels to be first in the know, we’ll also contact all ticket holders via email to make sure you’re up to date.

We can’t wait to see you! Stay safe and look after each other.

Team D2D x

[dottodotfestival]

A heartfelt update from us at Dot To Dot. Thanks for all your support. x

Hi everyone! First of all, we want to send out a massive thank you to all of you for being so patient with us while we’ve been busy figuring out what the best course of action for D2D 2020 will be.

It is now clear that the festival cannot happen in May but we are endeavouring to make the festival happen in 2020 and look forward to announcing our plans to you all very soon, but in the mean-time we’re advising that you keep hold of your tickets for our 15th Birthday Dot To Dot. Please keep an eye on our social channels where we’ll post updates as soon as we have them, we’ll also contact all ticket holders via email to explain the options. Please rest assured that we’re working round the clock at D2DHQ (from home!) to find a solution that means we still get to celebrate the greatest new music with all of you.

Stay safe and look after each other,

Team D2D x

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MORE ARTISTS ADDED FOR DOT TO DOT 2020!

We’re excited to announce the first 35 artists to join the bill for our 2020 event, a 15 year milestone for our award-winning festival with a reputation for bringing the hottest new talent to stages in Manchester, Bristol and Nottingham over the late-May bank holiday weekend.

This year’s event continues that tradition with the announcement of EASY LIFE as headliners following a breakout year for the band, which included a sold out UK tour, the release of their critically acclaimed mixtape, Spaceships, and a show confirmed at the prestigious Roundhouse in London as part of their forthcoming Junk Food tour. There is no doubt that 2019 was an unquestionable triumph for the Leicester five-piece, which they are certain to build upon over the next 12 months, having already been crowned Best New British Act at the 2020 NME Awards in February, and placing second in the BBC Sound Of Poll 2020 at the start of the year.

Also joining the bill is DOPE LEMON, the vibrant and experimental solo project of renowned Australian musician Angus Stone (one half of the folk-pop duo Angus and Julia Stone). Under the Dope Lemon moniker, Stone has explored new sonic grounds, culminating in the release of his second studio album Smooth Big Cat in September 2019, an album that built on from the success of his 2016 debut Honey Bones in swaggering style, with him ultimately hitting over 100 million streams with music that he describes as “songs for when the eve is about to turn into something special”.

Having opened Glastonbury’s prestigious John Peel stage in 2019, Heavenly Recordings-signed PIP BLOM, along with her namesake band, return to the UK festival circuit for D2D. Last year also saw the Amsterdam-based indie quartet release their debut album Boat, a critically acclaimed offering full of bright and infectious, grunge-infused melodies.

South-East London collective STEAM DOWN will also bring their energetic live show to Manchester, Bristol and Nottingham. Since forming back in 2007, Steam Down have received two Jazz FM awards, which include ‘Live Experience of the Year Award’ and ‘The Innovation Award’, an accolade which clearly emphasises the impact and importance they’ve had on the UK’s flourishing jazz scene throughout the decade.

Wakefield four-piece SKINNY LIVING are set to enchant audiences with their captivating brand of glorious acoustic soul. Having already amassed an impressive back catalogue which includes their recent acclaimed 2019 EP release No Messiah, the band have forged a reputation for crafting songs that contain powerful and heartfelt lyrics which have resonated with audiences en masse.  

Having previously stunned D2D audiences in 2017 with his crooning songs of love and loss, prolific South London songwriter, MATT MALTESE returns to the festival for 2020. His debut album, 2018’s Bad Contestant, was a deeply charismatic release that was closely followed up by sophomore effort Krystal, released a mere 18 months later, both showcasing and capturing his writing talent.

With her 2017 debut album Belladonna of Sadness, Portland artist ALEXANDRA SAVIOR demonstrated her effortless ability to combine dreamy song writing, enchanting vocals and atmospheric arrangements, her eagerly awaited follow up, The Archer, dropped on January 10th, meaning that her appearance at Dot To Dot Festival will be one of the first chances to catch new material live on UK soil.

British R&B and trap artist S-X also joins the bill, having released an impressive three LPs since 2018. On top of that, the Wolverhampton born performer has worked as a record producer with numerous artists on other projects, including producing YouTube star KSI’s hit collaboration with Rick Ross & Lil Baby, Down Like That, which has amassed over 38 million streams on Spotify. He was also Grammy nominated for his work on Childish Gambino’s 2013 album, Because the Internet.

Each year we pride ourselves on seeking out the freshest emerging musical talent and our 15th edition, with the appointment of Easy Life as headliners, demonstrates this approach and ethos right through the core of the festival. Dot To Dot organiser and Director of Live at DHP Family, Dan Ealam, said: “We can’t wait to celebrate the festival’s 15th birthday with some of the most exciting acts from across the World. It’s extra special having Easy Life along to headline after gracing some of the festival’s smaller stages in recent years and we’re excited to mix up the programming to keep the festival moving forward for another 15 years! There’s plenty more acts to be announced as we build up to our birthday and some surprises too!”  

Completing the bill so far, and filling some of those smaller stage slots that this year’s headliners have graced in the past, are: BAMILY, whose D2D debut comes after months of vibrant live sets at unconventionally located secret gigs in London; BIRTHH, the creative “dark alter-ego” of Italian artist Alice Bisi; Swedish-born Robin Lundback, aka BOY IN SPACE, with his emotional musical landscapes; ALLMAN BROWN, who has been hailed amongst today’s most compelling new singer-songwriters; CHARTREUSE, following a recent stint on tour with Bombay Bicycle Club; OLIVIA DEAN’s undeniable voice and youthful “Friday-night-down-the-pub” storytelling; DRUG STORE ROMEOS, having just been named on the bill for Annie Mac’s emerging artist series; GRACEY, who released her debut EP last year after writing hits for some of the industry’s leading pop acts; TAYLOR JANZEN, fresh from gaining critical acclaim from the likes of NPR, New York Times and NYLON; Nottingham-based, JERUB, with his blend of genres and powerful vocals; Creators of good ol' fashioned guitar music, LANGKAMER; Manchester-based post-punk trio LIINES; Electro-pop New Zealander NAVVY; The heartfelt lyricism of TAY OSKEE, whose breezy rhythms are reminiscent of his Mission Beach hometown; EVE OWEN, after recently lending her warm and hopeful vocals to The National’s song Where Is Her Head; PIST IDIOTS, who bring their notorious live show to the festival; PRESS CLUB, the Australian garage-punk outfit who released 2 LPs last year; Emerging artist RESPONS, with influences ranging from the sounds of Gospel to Hip-Hop; Crouch End quintet, SAD BOYS CLUB, with their emotive and ambitious indie-pop sound; Recent Island Records signee from Nottingham, ALFIE SHARP; AARON SMITH, the Scottish singer-songwriter with 8 million Spotify streams; East London-born / Birmingham-raised rapper KOFI STONE, whose 2019 debut album included features from Loyle Carner and Maverick Sabre; the honest songwriting and stadium-sized songs of SOMEBODY’S CHILD; SPACEY JANE with the breezy blend of garage pop & indie rock that earned them a nomination for ‘Unearthed Artist of the Year’ at the J Awards in their native Australia; TIDE LINES, whose songs are sung in English with a nod to their Scottish Gaelic heritage; Championed by BBC Introducing, BESSIE TURNER returns after a D2D performance in 2019; and Jacob Slater’s WUNDERHORSE, joins the bill, fresh from touring with the likes of Dope Lemon and Willie J Healy. Plus many more still to be announced.

Tickets for Dot To Dot are priced from £15 and available now through alt.tickets: www.alttickets.com

Subscribe to Dot To Dot’s social media pages on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to stay up to date on the latest line up announcements and to keep yourself in the loop for all things Dot To Dot.      

[dottodotfestival]

DOT TO DOT FESTIVAL ANNOUNCES FIRST WAVE OF ARTISTS FOR ITS 15TH YEAR CELEBRATIONS

EASY LIFE

STEAM DOWN • SKINNY LIVING

ALEXANDRA SAVIOR

CHARTREUSE • DRUG STORE ROMEOS

GRACEY • TAYLOR JANZEN

PIST IDIOTS • AARON SMITH • SPACEY JANE

Manchester: Friday 22nd May 2020

Bristol: Saturday 23rd May 2020

Nottingham: Sunday 24th May 2020

#d2dfest

Dot To Dot Festival have announced the first wave of artists for its 2020 event, marking a 15 year milestone for the award-winning festival. Headliners EASY LIFE, along with STEAM DOWN, SKINNY LIVING, ALEXANDRA SAVIOR and many more will descend upon Manchester, Bristol and Nottingham over the May bank holiday weekend on 22nd – 24th May. The 2020 edition of the event will aim to build on the success of last year’s instalment, which saw record breaking sales of 15,000 unique new music fans at the festival, as it once again curated an expansive line-up of emerging and established artists.

The announcement that EASY LIFE will headline Dot To Dot follows a breakout year for the band, which has included a sold out UK tour, the release of their critically acclaimed mixtape Spaceships and a show confirmed at the prestigious Roundhouse in London as part of their forthcoming Junk Food tour. With COLORS recently proclaiming that “Easy Life aren’t like any other band you’ve heard before”, the band’s ability to effortlessly blend together elements of hip-hop and r&b to create a unique silky-smooth sound is demonstrated perfectly on their latest single Sangria; an irresistible collaboration with pop sensation Arlo Parks. There is no doubt that 2019 was an unquestionable triumph for the Leicester five-piece, this new year has already seen them place second in the BBC Sound Of Poll 2020 signalling another huge 12 months to come, and their headline set at Dot To Dot is set to be another significant milestone in their career to date. 

With its first wave of artists, Dot To Dot Festival have also released the exciting news that its 2020 event will, for the first time, be hosting a new jazz stage at each leg of the festival. The first act announced is South-East London collective STEAM DOWN. Since forming back in 2007, Steam Down have received two Jazz FM awards which include ‘Live Experience of the Year Award’ and ‘The Innovation Award’, an accolade which clearly emphasises the impact and importance they’ve had on the flourishing jazz scene throughout the decade.

Wakefield four-piece SKINNY LIVING are set to enchant audiences at the festival with their captivating brand of glorious acoustic soul. Having already amassed an impressive back catalogue which includes their recent acclaimed 2019 EP release No Messiah, the band have forged a reputation for crafting songs that contain powerful and heartfelt lyrics which have resonated with audiences en masse.  A perfect example of this is their 2017 single Why, which tackles the subject of depression and has clocked up a staggering 15 million streams. The band are also about to embark on a nationwide UK arena tour supporting indie titans Kaiser Chiefs and Razorlight which is guaranteed to propel their profile even further.

Having released her debut album Belladonna of Sadness back in 2017, Portland artist ALEXANDRA SAVIOR showcased her effortless ability to combine dreamy song writing, enchanting vocals and atmospheric arrangements, leading to Pitchfork declaring that “Savior has a penchant for clever wordplay and a voice that can hypnotize, terrorize, or both”. Her eagerly awaited sophomore album The Archer is due for release on January 10th on Danger Mouse’s record label 30th Century Records, meaning that her appearance at Dot To Dot festival will be one of the first chances to catch new material live on UK soil.

Fresh from supporting Bombay Bicycle Club on tour, CHARTREUSE are set to light up the festival with their richly textured, loose-limbed, country-kissed soul music. Released in November 2019, their debut EP Even Free Money Doesn’t Get Me Out Of Bed was recorded with Luke Smith (Foals, Depeche Mode).

 Each year Dot To Dot Festival prides itself on seeking out the freshest emerging musical talent and its 15th year anniversary edition is guaranteed to continue with this tradition. Having just been named on the bill for Annie Mac’s AMP London emerging artist series, 2020 is set to be a seismic year for the self-described ‘dream pop trip hop’ three-piece DRUG STORE ROMEOS, making their appearance at Dot To Dot one to catch.

Also set to perform at the festival is Brighton pop starlet GRACEY, who released her r&b infused debut EP Imposter Syndrome last year, having previously showcased her undeniable talent writing hits for some of the industry’s leading pop acts such as; Jonas Blue, RAYE and Olly Murs. TAYLOR JANZEN will arrive at Dot To Dot fresh from gaining critical acclaim from the likes of NPR, New York Times and NYLON for her stunningly sparse melodies and minimalistic guitar riffs, whilst Australian rock ‘n’ rollers PIST IDIOTS will bring their notorious live show to the festival for what is guaranteed to be a riotous set.

With his debut single ‘Unspoken’ netting nearly 8 million streams on Spotify, Scottish singer-songwriter AARON SMITH will also join the festival line-up, along with SPACEY JANE whose breezy blend of garage pop & indie rock has seen them earn a nomination for ‘Unearthed Artist of the Year’ at the J Awards in their native Australia.

Dot To Dot organiser and Director of Live at DHP Family, Dan Ealam, said: “We can’t wait to celebrate the festival’s 15th birthday with some of the most exciting acts from across the World. It’s extra special having Easy Life along to headline after gracing some of the festival’s smaller stages in recent years and we’re excited to mix up the programming to keep the festival moving forward for another 15 years! There’s plenty more acts to be announced as we build up to our birthday and some surprises too!”

Tickets for Dot To Dot are priced from £15 and available now through alt.tickets:

www.alttickets.com

Subscribe to Dot To Dot’s social media pages on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, as well as online at www.dottodotfestival.co.uk to stay up to date on the latest line up announcements and to keep yourself in the loop for all things Dot To Dot.

#d2dfest

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Dot To Dot Festival 2020

We can't wait to be back this May bank holiday, taking a ton of the hottest new artists of 2020 on tour to Manchester, Bristol and Nottingham!

Make sure you're the first to know about everything by signing up to our mailing list here.

[dottodotfestival]

It’s Dot To Dot Weekend! Some Handy FAQs!

All set for this weekend? Here's some handy FAQs to get you prepared!

-- Where do I pick up my wristband? -- You’ll be able to exchange your Dot to Dot ticket for a festival wristband from 1:00pm at O2 Ritz Manchester, M1 5NQ. From 11am at Thekla Bristol, BS1 4RB. And from 11am at ROCK CITY in Nottingham, NG1 5GG. We strongly advise you to collect your wristband early in the day to avoid long queuing times. *Please note tickets can only be exchanged on the day of the event*

-- What if I have an e-ticket? -- You'll still need to head to the wristband exchange. Just bring your booking confirmation number, ID and you'll be able to swap this for a wristband.

-- Can I pick up a wristband for my friend – Unfortunately not, each attendee needs to be present for a member of our team to apply their wristband.

-- Can I bring a bag? -- Security checks including bag searches will take place during the day, so please leave yourself plenty of time to allow for this. These will take place at Wristband Exchange and on the doors of individual venues. Large rucksacks and holdalls will not be permitted. It is advised that if you must bring a bag, it is smaller than A4. We would encourage people to leave bags at home.

-- What are the venue room capacities? -- Each stage has a specific capacity and when this is reached, entry to that stage will be limited. Because you guys have been incredible this year, and ticket sales have been phenomenally strong, if you want to see a specific band please arrive early so you don't miss out!

-- Where can I find out the stage times? -- We'll have free programmes on the day advertising stage times, as well as set times posters up at venues, but if you want to plan your day in advance all the stage times for all three cities can be found here: bit.ly/2EfXC3b

-- Where can I find out any changes to the line-up?-- #d2dchanges will be the official hashtag we’ll be using to notify customers of any changes to set times and venues throughout the day.

-- Underage drinking -- Dot To Dot operates a zero-tolerance policy on underage drinking. If anyone under the age of 18 is found drinking alcohol or attempting to purchase alcohol, or if anyone over the age of 18 is found to be purchasing alcohol for anyone underage they will be ejected from the festival and have their wristband removed.

For more information check out our FAQs page here.

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INTERVIEW • MONEY FOR ROPE

Join the dots between two other bands to sum up your sound.

Radio Birdman to Stinky Picnic

You released your second studio album ‘Picture Us’ in March, can you tell us some more info about the album, such as the inspiration behind it and whether you’ve done anything differently for this new release?  

This album was a long time coming, and a long time cooking and a long time fishing. We had just finished a European tour and had had some members move on. So we were just three boys living off benefits and recording music on the coast.  We’d fish through the morning to catch our meals and record through the afternoon. I think the tides influenced the record, as well as the amount of free time we had to play with sounds.

You’ve spent a great deal of time touring around the world over the past few years, so we’re guessing that you’ve played some weird and wonderful venues, what is the strangest or most memorable venue that you’ve played at?

We played on a floating stage on a river at a German hard rock festival. We didn’t really fit in with the other bands, Limp Bizkit were playing...We got an invitation from the promoter to attend Wes Borlands birthday party that night. It was a weird experience.

In the past few years, you’ve played at Glastonbury, SXSW as well as playing headline shows across the globe, what’s next for the band and is there anything you haven’t ticked off the bucket list yet?

I’d love to tour the Asian continent. We did a tour of India which was wild. It’s always been a dream to play in Japan. Anywhere that has good soups, Vietnam, Korea, we’d love to tour there.

We noticed that your last two music videos for ‘Actually’ and ‘Earl Grey’ were made by one of your two drummers Erik Scerba, with the former documenting one of your practise sessions. Has Eric got any big plans for future videos? And is your rehearsal room always that messy!?

Eric is a jack-of-all trades. He’s also produced some amazing vids for his other band Hobsons Bay Coast Guard, check em’ out. Apart from that he’s a great music producer  and goulash cook. The rehearsal room is usually spotless. We had to put a lot of time into messing it up like that.

Money For Rope are originally from Melbourne, which is a city that has given us Julia Jacklin, King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard & Courtney Barnett plus loads more, why do you think that the music scene is so fertile in your home city? And who should we be looking out for next?

I think the sheer number of bands in the city produces a sense of friendly competition. There’s also loads of excellent and supportive venues that put on gigs every night of the week. The previously mentioned Hobsons Bay Coast Guard are one to look out for, as well as Thando

Finally, hypothetically you’re DJing the Dot To Dot after party, what’s your final song of the night?

Power of Love into Ghostbusters into Grease.

[dottodotfestival]

INTERVIEW • FEET

Answers from FEET’s bassist Oli.

Join the dots between two other bands to sum up your sound.

The guys are gonna disagree with whatever i put, let’s think realisticaly... The outlandishness of Frank Zappa twinned with the pop(ish) sensibilities of Blur. King Zap influenced us a fair bit during the album writing days, whereas Blur are more our ‘go-to’ comparison for the critics whom are still reminiscent about the ecstasy prices of 1994. Fairs.

The band’s debut album ‘What’s Inside Is More Than Just Ham’ is out this summer, what can we expect from the release?

10 songs that hopefully tell you a little more about us than the convoluted nature of our twitter page. It has influences so broad that we’ve often wondered if the album is in fact a confused mess. Fortunately though we had the foresight to, lets say, “modify” the blood-alcohol level of our guy tasked with writing the album press release, even Andrew Marr was their, dissecting the album’s supposed political message (he actually was).

You recorded the album with producer Cam Blackwood who’s worked with a hugely impressive list of names like George Ezra, Rat Boy and Jamie T, did you enjoy working with him and picking his vastly experienced brain?

Working with Cam was a truly enlightening experience, he looks at songwriting through a completely different lens to us. He’s definitely the first producer that we really seemed to bond with. I’m not saying that you can purchase our devout respect with mere pints and an impromptu trip to Nando’s, but something with bottomless Sprite and side servings of halloumi is a great start (ya’ll should be writing this down). Ly Cam x

Feet originally formed at whilst studying at Coventry University which likely means you’ve played a fair share of riotous house parties, what’s been the most weird and wonderful gig you’ve played to date?

During our time at the uni we probably did 20-30 shows in and around Coventry, loosing three Battle of the Band comps in the process (Kim is still salty bout these, official re- count yet to take place). The best of these shows were undoubtedly at an old (now closed) bar named The Quadrant Club, located just outside the city centre. Paula would let us have the front side of her pub to arrange music nights, and she remains a bastion of the early days of the band. The final hurrah occurred just before the place was shut down, the show was for a couple of years the best and busiest show we’d played. A serious coming of age moment, the gig plays back in my memory with a rich sepia tone, and a Netlix watermark bottom left. We also once played a festival in Luxembourg and Harry was bitten by a dog.

We’ve been really enjoying watching your YouTube channel, ‘Feet TV’, which includes tour diaries, guitar tutorials as well as your brilliant music videos, and is a channel we’d definitely recommend checking out. What’s been your favourite video to record and will there be a special Dot To Dot instalment?

Even though it’s faced some serious financial cutbacks post Brexit, we plan on getting it right back to where it once was (The Glory Days of 17/18). The episode entitled the OGC clan is a personal favourite of mine, spent a solid 10 or so hours editing the bastard, the two dislikes are almost certainly from our Cov landlords. If we do a festivals ep (which i’m expecting we will), i don’t see why D2D wouldn’t be included. Cards are on the table.

Since the release of your debut single ‘Petty Thieving’ in 2017 on ‘Yala Records!’, the band have experienced some brilliant milestones such as playing festivals across Europe and supporting bands like Honeyblood and Declan McKenna on tour, what’s been your favourite moment so far and are there any personal goals you’ve not yet achieved?

Koko with dec was pretty special, a personal highlight for me, jeep and rains, having seen some of our idols take to that stage, but if u talking favourite moment, you’re probably talking about our short stay in Moscow last summer. I mean when do ever really get that opportunity? Great Escape 19’ is an admirable third, but consider that Brighton is to us only £35 away on the train (£43 for Harry since he is reluctant to purchase a 16-25 railcard because that apparently means “they’ve got him”, Brummies eyyy), whereas to get to Russia you’ve got to cross the border, invest in a McDonalds vanilla shake to wash Farage and his friends off with as you pass, once you’re in Putin’s land you all of a sudden realise that you’ve left the most important thing at home, Neil Ward*.

*Neil Ward is our Tour Manager, good pal and owner of the quickest wit in the west.

Oh and our personal goal is to convince Elon Musk to invest heavily into making a singular clone of Neil Ward, for then we can have a day Neil and a night Neil, Neil round the clock. Neil squared.

Finally, hypothetically you’re DJing the Dot To Dot after party, what’s your final song of the night?

The Crazy World of Arthur Brown - Fire

Catch FEET live at this weekend's Dot To Dot Festival, set times below.

Manchester - Night & Day Cafe at 10:45pm

Bristol - HY-Brasil Music Club at 11:45pm

Nottingham - Resuce Rooms at 5:15pm

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D2D IN FOCUS

• MAN & THE ECHO •

Combining a mix of musical styles, northern four-piece Man & The Echo frankly describe themselves as “an eclectic and strange thing” and we’re inclined to agree.

With a style and sound so diverse, it would be impossible to pinpoint just one genre Man & The Echo belong to. Their socially conscious lyrics and quirky noise, accompanied by a wide range of vocal styles, draw similarities to the likes of Franz Ferdinand, The Divine Comedy and Talking Heads. However, unlike any other, their catalogue is a plethora of diversity with no two songs sounding the same.

Their output has been perfectly described by Contact Music “as 'Trojan Horse' music, often toe-tapping tunes concealing hard home truths.”

Man & The Echo are known to be regulars on Billy Bragg’s Leftfield stage at Glastonbury and have shared tours with the likes of The Rifles and The Strypes. Were so happy to have them gracing the people of Manchester, Bristol, and Nottingham with their presence at this year’s Dot to Dot Festival.

Set to release a new album this summer, check out their teaser track ‘A Capable Man’ and prepare yourself for an incredible performance. 

Words by Chloe Owen

• BRAD STANK •

When you ask Brad Stank what type of music he creates he will say: ‘Sexistential pop, baby!’ And we couldn’t think of a better way to put it. This Liverpool lyricists brings with him astounding energy and a love of love, calling his alter ego “a true love boy”. The alter-ego was apparently a complete accident, only creating the artist name for SoundCloud, it seemed to stick after the release of “Flirting In Space”, an ode to alien romance that gained him further attention on the music scene.

International success showed no signs of letup, as the release of his acclaimed EP “Eternal Slowdown” earned the artist sold out dates alongside the likes of Gus Dapperton and Clairo. His blend of bedroom-pop has industry members very excited, Clash Magazine quoted the sound as “music that feels like hot lovin’ on a cold day” and Jack Saunders let his BBC Radio 1 listeners know “this is baby making music”.

This charismatic mix of sexual tension and relaxation is intoxicating to listen to, and a must see for any Jazz fan, or those who want to try something new.  Make sure to check him out at Dot To Dot Festival 2019.

Words by Lauren O’Neil

• DYLAN • 

“I bet you’d want me if I was famous”

If her single ‘Happy Days’ is just the start for Dylan, then her Dot To Dot set is going to be something very special.Taking the stage- complete with keys- Dylan captivates by combining her flirtatious melodies and raw vocals to produce a sound that will move your body and spirit.

Having produced her ‘Take One Series’ of live recordings on YouTube, Dylan demonstrates a vibrant dynamic in her work. Her combination of mellow tones, sample pads and effects suggest her set list will be filled with the same diversity and sublime skill throughout. Dylan’s January release ‘Famous: Take One’ provides an entirely addictive beat, igniting the intensity in her lyrics and leaving listeners at her wanting more. Dylan leaves you obedient as you watch her take the throne. “Just watch me as I take the throne”- Famous: Take One.

Words by Heather McKendrick

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D2D IN FOCUS

• LAUREN AQUILINA •

Bristol born singer/songwriter Lauren Aquilina coined her sound with brutally honest piano-led power ballads and rocketed into the spotlight.Gaining recognition from BBC Introducing, The Line Of Best Fit, The Independent and other taste-makers,she was later hand-picked by Taylor Swift as support for her 1989 tour. From this, came the release of her debut album ‘Isn’t It Strange’ through Island Records in 2016.

Following all the attention and success from the album, came an unfortunate and brave struggle with depression that Aquilina has been very open about. For the betterment of herself, she decided to put her career as an artist on hold, and began focusing on songwriting for others. During the first year of her journey into writing, she co-wrote American singer/songwriter Fletcher’s single “I Believe You”, inspired by her own #MeToo experiences. Her strength, in both her talents, and emotional resolve has not gone unnoticed by others in the industry; as she has been working alongside pop’s hottest names, including: Little Mix, BloodPop and Rina Sawayama.

In September 2018 Aquilina had taken almost two years out to compose, create and evolve her own sound, and she is now making the best music of her career so far! Taking inspiration from raw emotion of Alanis Morissette coupled with the soaring pop melodies of Robyn, her comeback single “Psycho” which received 100,000 streams in its first weekend on Spotify, has truly seen her come into her own.

Words by Lauren O'Neill

• SQUID •

Brought together by Brighton and a mutual affinity for Neu!, Squid were launched into the psyche post-punk universe with a spiralling soar. Unsigned and unfazed, this blazing five-piece have made themselves at home on BBC Radio 1 with their single ‘Houseplants’ being featured by presenters Huw Stephens and Jack Saunders.

Having mastered a form derivative of psychedelic rock, electronic dance music and punk, Squid rejuvenate new music with vitality and expression. Their unique combination of genres and writing perspectives create an undeniable groove and lyrics that punch. It was this verve that prompted a collaboration with London producer Dan Carey on their single ‘The Dial’ which was recorded and produced in two days at the Speedy Wunderground studio; known for hosting Franz Ferdinand, TOY and Steve Manson. Carey helped them to reconstruct the track and accelerate the tempo on their reputation.

This band are sure to seize your attention and amplify it into an obsession!

Words by Heather McKendrick

• TALK SHOW • 

Talk Show, a London based 4 piece are embarking on a quest across the country bringing their infectious postmodern punk sound to festival stages this summer.  With influences from prestigious acts such as New Order and Savages their infectious sound has made an impact on the live music scene, making them a band you can't afford to miss. Having recently supported both YAK and Shame, Talk Show had a glimpse of what it's like to dominate on stage and bring a lively performance for the audience to remember.

Having released their heavily anticipated single ‘Fast and Loud’ on April 26th they have been eager to get back on the road and bring their woozy riffs and menacing yet wise vocals back to the stage. Their debut single reflects on the feeling of impending chaos although the track does not preach to the listener, more so it reflects front man Harrison Swans thoughts on people and cities. 

Taking inspiration from a dystopian South London, the track ‘Fast and Loud’ ties its passionate and thoughtful lyrics with the rhyme and chime of infamous Dr John Cooper Clarke‘s Beasley Street. The result is a song built on brutal guitar and chiming synths, brought together with lyrics that grip the listener and deliver an impact everyone can enjoy.

We can’t wait for Talk Show to grace the stage at Dot To Dot and deliver their larger than life riffs and an energy that will have the room bouncing. 

Words by Callum Riley

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SECOND WAVE OF ARTISTS ANNOUNCED!

The second wave of acts have been unveiled for Dot To Dot Festival 2019. The award-winning day-long event will once again feature a line-up full of both established performers and the best emerging artists from the UK and around the world, over 20 artists have just been added to the bill, including the likes of KING NO ONE and THE SLOW SHOW. They will join the already announced list of acts that includes; CRYSTAL FIGHTERS, JORDAN RAKEI, SWIM DEEP, THE NIGHT CAFÉ, DREAM WIFE to play Manchester, Bristol and Nottingham on 24-26th May 2019 for Dot To Dot Festival’s 15th year. 

Having released their debut album ‘OOMM’ in March, KING NO-ONE’s empowering brand of razor-sharp indie has earned them plaudits from across the music industry. The unsigned act has managed to clock up an impressive array of accolades, including achieving over eight million streams on Spotify, getting played on BBC Radio 1, BBC Radio 6 Music, Radio 2 and XFM, and all without the backing of a major label. King No-One are selling out Academy level venues nationwide, showcasing their pedigree as one of the most in-demand live acts around.  

Fresh from the release of their latest single ‘Hard to Hide’, which is their second piece of new material since 2016’s acclaimed album ‘Dream Darling’, THE SLOW SHOW are set to dazzle crowds with their deeply evocative and richly textured sound at Dot To Dot. Having graced stages across some of Europe’s premier venues and festivals, the band’s forthcoming D2D shows will include a must-see homecoming appearance at the Manchester leg of the festival.

Creating an intricate and far-reaching sound that is influenced by his global travels, KIM CHURCHILL will arrive at Dot To Dot fresh from conquering an extensive European tour. Kim recently released a spectacular new single titled ‘After The Sun’, which saw him teaming up with the fabled house and hip-hop producer Vincent Kottkamp. The new single marks the start of an exciting new chapter in the career of the Australian singer-songwriter, as he is due to release further new material later this year, taking inspiration from both people and environments in some of his favourite parts of the world.

Other additions include, Los Angeles group THE MARIAS, who’s seductive fusion of r&b, indie and lo-fi funk has seen Noisey declaring that their sound has the ability to “…transport listeners across genres, decades, languages, cultures, and moods, often within one single track.” Their back catalogue is already brimming with countless summer smashes, which includes the likes of their debut 2017 single ‘I Don’t Know You’, a track that has alone earnt them nearly 17 million streams on Spotify.

2019 has been a huge year for Uxbridge four-piece BLOXX, who will arrive at Dot To Dot on a high having recently completed their biggest headline tour to date, and with their latest EP ‘Headspace’ earning rave reviews from the likes of Dork, who described the lead single ‘Sea Blue’ as “a shimmering groover of a track that effortlessly has our hands in the air like it’s nobody’s business.” Also joining the line-up are 6 Music favourites SQUID, whose current supercharged single ‘Houseplants’ is a regular on the station after earning a place on its ‘A list’, and 4AD records signee PIXX, who is set to release her eagerly-awaited album ‘Small Mercies’ in June.

The full second wave announcement includes; ALICE JEMIMA, ALLIGATOR, BLOXX, BRAD STANK, COUSIN KULA, DO NOTHING, ELM, FEET, JAKE GERMAIN, KIM CHURCHILL, MAN & THE ECHO, MITCH JAMES, MONEY FOR ROPE, NANCY, PHOEBE GREEN, PINKY PINKY, PIXX, ROBINSON, RETRO  VIDEO CLUB, SEAN MCGOWAN, SQUID, TALK SHOW, THE CLAQUE, THE MARIAS, plus many more yet to be announced.

Also set to perform at the 2019 festival are; CRYSTAL FIGHTERS. The band have been an integral part of the alternative dance scene since the release of their debut album ‘Star of Love’ in 2010. Widely adored for their catchy songwriting and penchant for glitter, the English/Spanish trio built upon the momentum created by their debut with the release of 2013’s ‘Cave Rave’ and 2016’s ‘Everything Is My Family’. The group’s endless energy and arsenal of feel-good anthems have made them a magnificent live proposition, helping them to forge a reputation for creating a celebratory party atmosphere wherever they play, including their headline set at Dot To Dot.

JORDAN RAKEI will also be bringing his jazz and hip-hop driven sound to Dot To Dot 2019. The New Zealand born multi-instrumentalist moved halfway across the world to London to pursue a full-time career in music. He has since self-released his debut album, ‘Cloak’, in 2016 followed by critically acclaimed album ‘Wallflower’, released via Ninja Tune in 2017. Jordan has also collaborated with some notable tastemakers including Tom Misch, Disclosure, and more recently, merging the worlds of hip-hop and electronica with beautiful ease on ‘Ottelenghi’ with Loyle Carner.

After previously wowing audiences at Dot To Dot in 2015, SWIM DEEP are welcomed back to the line-up this year. An integral part of Birmingham’s B-Town generation alongside Peace and Jaws, the band currently have two album releases to their name; 2013’s ‘Where the Heaven Are We’ and 2015’s ‘Mothers’. With these albums, came a collection of inimitable singles such as ‘Honey’, ‘King City’ and ‘One Great Song and I Could Change the World’. With a sound that encompasses elements of melodic indie, shoegaze and pop, Swim Deep are guaranteed to produce many singalong moments during their Dot To Dot performance.

Other previously announced artists include; THE NIGHT CAFÉ, DREAM WIFE, THE ORIELLES, 404, ALEX LAHEY, ANGIE MCMAHON, BESS ATWELL, BESSIE TURNER, CROWS, DANCING ON TABLES, DYLAN, FATHERSON, FAYE WEBSTER, HEAVY LUNGS, JAMES GILLESPIE, KOJAQUE, LOVE SICK, MAX RAD, MINI MANSIONS, MISS GRIT, MISSIO, ONR, RACHEL CHINOURIRI, REWS, SONS OF AN ILLUSTRIOUS FATHER, SUN SILVA, SWIMMING GIRLS, WASUREMONO, WOVOKA GENTLE.

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D2D IN FOCUS

• MISS GRIT •

Brooklyn based indie rocker Margaret Sohn started playing music whilst she was studying electrical engineering and computer science at NYU. Written over the course of a lonely January with a head full of musical ideas and guitar in hand, it wasn’t long before her debut EP ‘Talk, Talk’ came to fruition and this is where it all began.

“Sohn’s clear vocal drives deceptively gentle synth-backed ditties into surges of heavier guitars reminiscent of early Yeah Yeah Yeahs.” –  Line Of Best Fit

Taking inspirations from LCD Soundsystem and St. Vincent, the group’s distinctive sound is decorated with edgy synths and piercing vocals that make Miss Grit one to keep your eye on. They’ll be supporting Cigarettes After Sex later this year and have upcoming shows in New York, London and we’re lucky enough to have them gracing the stages of Manchester, Bristol and Nottingham for Dot To Dot 2019!

Take a listen to ‘Running Slow’, the other-worldly new track that Miss Grit dropped this week below.

• SUN SIVLA •

Genuinely forward-thinking indie band Sun Silva have really begun to make a name for themselves. Influenced by the likes of Radiohead, Tame Impala and the emotive, fleshed-out latter work of The Maccabees, the first taste from Sun Silva came in the form of 'Blue Light'. Featuring a full brass section and built around layered, intricate instrumentation and a soaring, harmony-laden chorus, it lands somewhere between Jungle and a more cerebral, ambitious Honne. Thematically dealing with "being obsessed with all these screen-based things that were stressing me out and I didn't even realise", it's socially aware but elusive enough as not to be bogged down by these concerns.

When ‘Blue Light’ got picked up to feature on the soundtrack of gaming bestseller FIFA 19 it was a real sign of great things to come. This release led to the band being championed by indie taste-makers including  DIY, Dork and Clash, alongside strong radio support from Radio 1 and BBC Introducing.

Last month we were treated to Sun Silva’s second single a Temples-esque hard hitter that we can’t wait to see live on the D2D stage. DIY highlighted the track’s “classic driving melodies, woozy psych and a tendency for the unexpected”.

Check it out and get ready for a wild performance at Dot To Dot.

• RACHEL CHINOURIRI •

Created in Croydon with Zimbabwean roots, Rachel Chinouriri marks a new generation of female soul singers. A £20 microphone and second hand laptop was all that the 17-year-old needed to kick start her musical journey. After uploading her experimental tunes onto Soundcloud, it wasn’t long before she caught the eye of BBC Introducing and found her songs on the radio. The release of her beautiful tracks ‘So My Darling’ and ‘What Have I Ever Done’ in 2018 lead to DIY Mag highlighting Racheal in their ‘Get To Know’ feature alongside rising stars like Nilufer Yanya and Mahalia, establishing her as an act to watch.

Soon after, she signed a contract with Marathon Artists and released the dreamy love song ‘Riptide’. NME said: “‘Riptide’ continues Rachel’s development as a musician, with this being her most impressive production and arrangement yet. A hesitant beat is met by swirling vocals, with jazzy-guitar licks sprinkled throughout. A soothing, soulful delight.”

The young creative has proved that her talent is completely independent as she writes and produces all her own music. Last month she released the addictively catchy tune ‘Adrenaline’ and served it with a music video that left us in a daydream. We can’t wait for what are sure to be a series of spellbinding performances Dot To Dot this year!

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INTERVIEW • ALEX LAHEY

Join the dots between two other bands to sum up your sound.

Yeah Yeah Yeahs are a cornerstone of what it means to be a band with a legacy and have influenced me through all of their records. Paramore would have to fit into the same category too

You’re releasing a new album called ‘The Best Of Luck Club’ which will be out a week before Dot To Dot which is extremely exciting! What can we expect from the new album?  

I like to think that the record takes a lot of unexpected twists and turns. It definitely explores some new sonics and pathways in relation to the songs themselves. More than anything, I think it’s a super fun record and I’m pumped to play it live for the first time on this tour

We’re massive fans of your latest single ‘Don’t Be so Hard on Yourself’ (especially the brilliant saxophone solo!) and also of the music video, which sees you playing cricked against some safety inspectors. Could you tell us the inspiration behind the song + video?

Thank you! The song is about my partner who has this wonderful quality of taking everything that life throws at her by the horns. The video is a cooked little number that has a soft Black Mirror vibe to it where we have reappropriated The Best Of Luck Club to be some sort of medical research facility that ends in me playing a saxophone solo into the setting sun *insert shrug emoji here*

You’ve recently announced a huge world tour starting in May, which means you’ll be out on the road for a few months, what is your favourite and least favourite things about touring life?

My favourite thing is meeting so many new people and having ridiculous experiences that would never happen in any other context eg being verbally abused by a Scottish groundskeeper named Willy outside of a hotel (the real Groundskeeper Willy). My least favourite thing is not being able to eat what you feel like at any given time and missing people and cats back home

What other artists on the line-up who you are excited to check out at Dot to Dot?

I’m excited to hang out with my fellow Melburnian Angie McMahon and her crew! Also super pumped to see Faye Webster do her thing, party on to Dream Wife and Mini Mansions

What is your favourite song (either yours or someone else’s) to play live and why?

Playing ‘I Haven’t Been Taking Care Of Myself’ has always been a highlight for me. There are so many singalong parts in that song that we get to share with the crowd, which means that it never sounds the same twice

We’ve been really enjoying listening to your Triple J residency recently, what’s it been like being a radio DJ, and would it be something that you’d be keen to carry on with in the future?

Thanks! I had an awesome time and lots of fun filling in on Triple J the past few days, but I don’t think it has planted some sort of surprising career change for me. That said, I’m always up for a rockstar shift on the airwaves if anyone’s looking for a presenter with a dry sense of humour and a face for radio

Finally staying on the DJing theme, you’re in charge of the decks at the Dot To Dot after party, what’s your final song of the night?

Conga by Gloria Estefan and then we all convoy to the afterparty’s afterparty!

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INTERVIEW • CROWS

Join the dots between two other bands to sum up your sound. 

As a band we’ve never really consciously made a decision to be influenced by anyone, there’s bands we all listen to and are inspired by for sure, but never as a conscious decision. Coming from my own stance in guitar world I can pick out influences though, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club and their first album in particular are why I started playing the guitar and I’ve always played along to their albums and picked up the odd influence here and there that way. Similar story with The Stooges, I loved punk bands growing up as a teenager, but the way Ron Asheton played just seemed so cool to me above any other punk guitarist, really strong rhythmically and understated lead work that wasn’t ego inflating, I’d like to think that’s how my own playing comes across.

It’s been a brilliant year for the band, as you signed to Balley Records (Joe Talbot from Idles’ label) in January and released your debut album ‘Silver Tongues’ in March! How are you feeling right now, and could you tell us more about the album?

We’re just really pleased the album is out and that it has been well received for the most part! It was a long slog for us getting the album out, we sat on it for over a year whilst various labels fed us a variety of bullshit. So when Joe and Mark (Bent, Idles manager) at Balley came along we were over the moon. Running a label whilst coming from an artist’s perspective has just been so easy, they understand how hard it can be and they’re an absolute joy to work with. The recording process was really fun, we have a good laugh when we’re together even though that probably doesn’t come across in our music. 

You’ve previously supported an impressive array of band’s including; Wolf Alice, Slaves, METZ & Idles, who’s been the most fun to tour and play shows with? 

All of those bands you have mentioned are all absolute sweethearts and some of our dearest friends and we have a lot of respect for all of them as artists and bands. Wolf Alice and Slaves we’ve known for a long time and we had a lot of fun hanging out on those tours and playing bigger stages for the first time. Metz are a band we’ve respected for such a long time and knowing what total legends they are from doing that tour only increased that respect. And Idles are my favourite band at this moment in time, they absolutely kill it every single night live and made me feel so tired just watching them play, they’ve got bags of energy, and the 5 of them individually are some of the best people we’ve ever had the pleasure of meeting.

We’re huge fans of your album artwork, who is responsible for producing it? And was it a conscious decision to stick to a particular artwork style throughout every release? 

That would be our boy Elliott Lane. Elliott is an incredible artist and tattooist, he’s our best friend and we love him to bits, he comes along on tour with us whenever he can and helps us out on merch etc. Again, one of the nicest people you could ever meet! It’s always been a plan to maintain a strong identity across all the artwork that we put out and Elliott’s work is always totally on point for us.

You previously said in an interview with NME that “the live show has always been our number one priority”, what can people expect when they see Crows at Dot To Dot? 

I think people can expect to see a lot of energy from us and people can expect to hear a lot of volume. We know our kind of music has the best effect when it’s super loud and people get moving around in the crowd and we feedback off that and it just makes for a real fun time.

We have a very eclectic group of venues used throughout Dot To Dot, what is the strangest venue that you’ve ever played?

Strangest venue we’ve ever played, I can think of 2 for different reasons. We played a festival in Switzerland a few years back and it was in a castle, the catering was served out of a cauldron over an open fire, a friend of ours asked if we were “touring the past” when one of us sent a photo to him. The other would be a show we did in a small venue in Mons, Belgium, it was a tiny little place that looked like someone’s front room had been converted into a bar/venue. It was a good show though.

Finally, hypothetically you’re DJing the Dot To Dot after party, what’s your final song of the night? 

I’d play Silver Machine by Hawkwind. My best friend’s dad ran a venue back in our home town and they used to finish every night with Silver Machine, purely because every single person used to leave before it ended. Time to go home ladies and gents.

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D2D IN FOCUS

• ANGIE MCMAHON •

Floating gracefully through her 20’s on the back of an electric guitar is Australian singer-songwriter Angie McMahon. Making sound from broken instruments and electronics, Angie kick-started her career by winning a competition which scored her a place on tour with Jon Bon Jovi at the age of 19. As a self-confessed ‘sad song’ enthusiast, Angie has seen her music career flourish upon the release of her hit track ‘Slow Mover’ from the EP ‘Missing Me’, which earned her a place on last year’s Hottest 100 and Triple J’s Unearthed. 

Her gritty version of pop-rock ballads exudes a coolness and innovation that hasn’t gone unnoticed. The raw edge of her bold vocals against the heart felt empathy behind the lyrics proves a successful paradox in the music industry as she confesses: ‘I was learning how to use my voice as an instrument and its translated into something much more powerful.’

She’s already had a distinctly live curriculum playing regular festival slots and opening for the likes of Meg Mac, The Jezabels, Alanis Morisette, The Shins and Angus & Julia Stone over the last year; an experience she describes as “very inspiring and crazy.” Just last month, she was crowned the winner of The Grulke Prize for Developing Non-U.S. Act at SXSW Festival and recived a nomination for APRA’s Song of the Year award.

It’s safe to say that Angie McMahon will be in great company on the D2D stage alongside our fellow rising stars, we’re very excited to see what she has in store for us!

• KOJAQUE  •

See life through the lens of up and coming Irish rapper, Kojaque. New to the music scene and taking matters into his own hands, the fresh faced Dubliner has blown listeners away with his blend of hip-hop beats and poetic lyrics. As a budding artist, carrying a niche genre and battling a competitive market, Kojaque birthed the label Soft Boy Records. When asked about the origin of the name in an interview he's quoted as saying “It’s an embrace of being soft… I guess, with great vulnerability comes great art, so there’s truth in that and insight into that that you won’t get if you’re all stiff and hard.” It’s clear his attitude towards life is reflected in his brutally honest approach towards music, 

Producing a vast range of work, both independently and through Soft Boy Records, Kojaque’s influences range from the work of MF DOOM to Stevie Wonder. He has also worked with notable Irish producers, such as JarJarJr, GAPTOOF, and Wastefellow; he has influenced a new generation on the Irish hip-hop scene and the effect is palpable.

When Kojaque made his festival debut at Electric Picnic back in 2016, it didn’t go unnoticed. Boilermaker picked up on Soft Boys ‘fuck it’ ethos and released a documentary on their called Soft Boy For Life: A Irish Hip-Hop Story’. Documented entirely by Kojaque and his friends, it showing the gritty reality of being a young creative defying genres and purporting the highs and lows of the DIY music scene.

It’s safe to say that 2019 is going to be a breakthrough year for Kojaque, and we can’t wait to be a part of it. 

• DANCING ON TABLES •

Gracing the scene with their anthemic songs and Scottish charm, indie band Dancing On Tables have captured listeners from day one. With their debut EP “Don’t Stop” receiving national UK radio airplay, Robbie McSkimming, Callum Thomas, Hamish Finlayson, Gregor Stobie and Reece Dobbin hit the ground running back in 2014.

From the schoolroom to the recording studio, these five have continued to produce a positively infectious sound. At the end of 2017 Dancing on Tables signed to Nashville based indie label, LV Music; their single “OH” followed immediately. The band wrote and recorded the song within 24 hours of travelling to Nashville and recorded in world-famous RCA studio, the likes of which Elvis, Roy Orbison and Paramore have also recorded in.

Things have not always gone so smoothly though. The band originally didn’t have a name. During their first show together, arriving at the venue they realised they didn’t have a band name; they noticed that punters were dancing on tables and decided to run with that, really showing off their optimistic nature, not just in their music, but in their attitude and execution.

And it has worked out for them, as their brand new EP ‘Wonderland’ dropped last week, and it definitely has us dancing on tables. Featuring a beautiful blend of bass and synth-like instrumental, this is one of the tracks to kick off your summer. You won’t let go of this band once you’ve listened to them.

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D2D IN FOCUS

• HEAVY LUNGS •

Born from friendship this loud and proud Bristolian quartet formed in May 2017. With a thirst for artistic and sonic self-expression, they burst onto the post-punk scene with a frenetic bang, their debut EP “Abstract Thoughts” kicking off their journey in a stream of static aggression. Since their packed out show at Crofters Rights, they have set their sights on delivering a loud and agile performance. Their music style and attitude reflects this perfectly, going as far as to record an EP in three days.

“It’s not about what happened in the past, or what you think might happen in the future. It’s about the ride, for Christ’s sake. Irving Feffer said that. We like to think he was right”

However, what these guys don’t take lightly is their respect for each other. The bond that these four share is palpable, showcased in their EP “Straight To CD” released February 2018. They described their relationship with each other as “aggressively caring” which is evident throughout the collection of true blue tracks. Even with all of the love they put into this EP, they still maintain their take no prisoners attitude. “This is the EP your mother told you to worry about. Forget your fears and open your ears”

The love this band receives stretches further than just that of the four members: Danny Nedelko (Lead Vocals), George Garratt (Drums/Backing Vocals), James Minchall (Bass), Oliver Southgate (Guitar/Synths/SFX). The band's lead singer has close ties to band IDLES, their second single from their second album “Danny Nedelko” being solely inspired by the frontman. A politically charged and dynamic track about immigration and the struggles of discrimination within the UK.

In turn, Heavy Lungs released “Blood Brothers” an ode to lead singer of IDLES Joe Talbot. Both bands combined the two tracks into a 7″ ‘Split Single’ released on 30th November 2018. A physical representation of the respect and friendship that both artistic talents have for each other. Together, the bands sold out a UK tour, receiving huge appraisals up and down the country.

• BESS ATWELL •

Bess Atwell is "your new ethereal folk-pop princess" (Wonderland Magazine). In 2015, not long after dropping out of university to pursue music, Atwell garnered the attention of major news outlets after a slew of showcases for The Great Escape Festival. The Independent and The Guardian were among those impressed by the artist’s performances, describing her as “a promising folk poet of suppression and inner anxiety” and “a gifted singer-songwriter with a voice like slow, cool water”.

The release of debut album ‘Hold Your Mind’ in 2016 saw Atwell attract the attention of critics and public alike while picking up radio plays on BBC Radio One, Two and Six Music together with live sessions for Steve Lamacq and Jo Whiley’s shows. Atwell spent the following year gigging, including several sold out headline shows.

The former solo project has now evolved into a full band sound, soaked in four-part vocal harmony fulfilling Atwell’s desire to create a more dynamic live show, with traces of traditional folk music. Atwell’s single ‘Grace’ is the more restrained, intimate successor of her August offering ‘Swimming Pool’, both of which have been added to the playlists of BBC Radio 6 Music.

This month Bess revealed details of a new EP to be released later this month! ‘Big Blue’ was recorded last summer at Soup Studios in East London with producer Giles Barrett (John Grant, Johnny Flynn, Goat Girl). Bess and her band worked on the arrangements in their hometown of Brighton before taking them into the studio for four ambitious days of tracking. Of the EP Bess says “I wanted to release a small project which would hopefully represent a refinement in my sound. The 5 tracks explore conflicting themes on identity, romanticism and reality”

Fans of Sharon Van Etten, Fleet Foxes, and The National should heavily underline Bess Atwell’s set on their festival plans this year. Check out her most recent single ‘Cherry Baby’ below.

• MISSIO •

Bearded besties Matthew Brue and David Butler became the duo MISSIO back in 2015 when Brue invited Butler to collaborate on a few songs for his solo project. In Butler's converted garage/home studio they began crafting their brooding, synthesised sound, releasing hit tracks such as "I Don't Even Care About You," "I Run to You," and "Can I Exist?” which eventually led them to making their debut appearance at SXSW Festival in 2016.

Snapped up and signed by RCA Records in 2017, MISSIO coined their sound to a soulful, alternative and EDM landscape which blew up upon the release of their attention grabbing single ‘Middle Fingers’. The track featured on their debut album Loner and topped the “Alt-18 Countdown” on Sirius XM’s Alt Nation in addition to placing Top 10 on the Billboard Alternative Songs Chart.

These musical misfits continued to ride the wave of success and embarked on an 18 month road trip to which their latest album ‘The Darker The Weather, The Better The Man’ was born. Paying homage to Brue’s roots of suffering with mental illness and in alignment with the utterly honest theme of most Missio tracks, he recalls: “We were driving through East Washington, it was snowy, beautiful, and really quiet. Those words, ‘The Darker The Weather, The Better The Man’ came into my mind. Being an artist, I feel like that’s where my psyche is a lot of the time. For some reason, I believed the more struggles I had personally, the better my art was. In retrospect, I know it’s bullshit. Regardless, it was the first song we wrote.”

Take a listen to their track “Everybody Gets High” (which has almost hit 37 million views on YouTube) and make sure to check them out at this year’s festival!