Roundhouse:Rising – Recommended

We select the artist we’re most excited about…

With just over 3 weeks remaining until Roundhouse: Rising kicks off for 2013, we take a closer look at the line up and reveal the acts that we are most looking forward to seeing at the festival. Once again the field is packed full of outstanding young talent, representing a broad range of music styles and we wish that we could include more here as we’ve been surprised by the level of talent across all the shows on offer.

To find out more or to buy tickets visit http://www.roundhouse.org.uk/rising/overview

So, without further delay, here are Clash’s recommendations for Roundhouse: Rising 2013.

1. PINS

Manchester quartet PINS have already been causing a stir with their lo-fi garage rock since forming early last year. They released their first single ‘Eleventh Hour’ on hand packaged gold cassette in April before their ‘LUVU4LYF’ EP on Bella Union in October. Having played on the Line of Best Fit Presents… tour and embarked on an eight date tour last year, their live shows have gained acclaim for their strong noise-pop tunes, onstage charisma and stage presence, all of which they should bring to Roundhouse Rising on Thursday 24th February.

2. Gazelle Twin

Elizabeth Walling is the multi-talented creative force behind Gazelle Twin, whose art rock debut ‘The Entire City’ was released in 2011, gaining huge support. Since then she has been working on a new EP entitled ‘Mammal’, which is due for release at the end of January. Remixes from the likes of Clint Mansell, Kuedo, Renaissance Man and Alixander III (of Azari & III) further emphasize the ripples her brand of moody electronica is causing. She will give a rare performance at Roundhouse;Rising as part of Brighton Label ‘Anti Ghost Moon Ray’s’ showcase on 21st February.

3. FAYE

Formerly a teenage member of Swedish all-girl group Play, Faye has re-emerged recently as a solo talent of genuine potential. After releasing the critically acclaimed debut single ‘Water Against The Rocks’ on Best Fit Recordings, Faye has followed up with two further singles ‘Breathe Out’ and ‘Mad Dog’, both of which have reinforced the promise displayed in ‘Water Against the Rocks’. Due to support Jessie Ware soon and with a collaboration date with KLEERUP in the pipeline, Faye is a songstress whose honest style pulls no punches. At Roundhouse Rising she headlines Best Fit Recordings’ showcase on 22nd Feb alongside Sportsman and NONONO.

4. ELIZA & THE BEAR

Generator is a music development agency based in Newcastle which goes to great lengths to help musicians from the all over the UK develop their talent. One such band are Eliza & The Bear, a four piece indie band from London whose uplifting guitar driven indie folk set the blogosphere alight with ‘Brother’s Boat’ back in August. Since then they have linked up with Peter Miles (Dry the River, The King Blues, Canterbury) to develop their oxygenated brand of uplifting song.

5. Little Simz (Photo credit: Owen Billcliffe)

Since she started rapping at a young age, Little Simz has acquired the nickname ‘the Princess of Rap’, and given that she’s performed alongside Estelle, Tinie Tempah and Ms Dynamite, she may soon be acceding the throne. Co-signed by DJ Semtex, Little Simz recently dropped the enormous ‘Cartoon & Cereal’ and will be launching her new EP, ‘Theologue Theory’ on 23rd February as she headlines ‘Wishes’; a night championing emerging UK grime and hip hop featuring Jacob Banks, Ria Ritchie, Joel baker and Jin Jin and the Ragdolls.

6. Sweet Baboo

As part of the Hub Sessions, the label Moshi Moshi will be putting on a very special night including Sweet Baboo. One of the festival’s more seasoned performers, having peformed at Latitude, Green Man Festival, SXSW and The Camden Crawl, as well as touring Germany with Johnny Flynn and the UK with Islet and Slow Club, he has also released 3 albums with another, Ships, due out in April.

7. NEON NEON

Neon Neon returns with an exclusive laptop set at Roundhouse Rising on 19th February. Producer / musician Bryan Hollon and vocalist / musician Gruff Rhys take new instrumentals from the studio to play in public for the first time as part of Lex Records’ Hub Session.

8. RTKAL

A founding member of Birmingham’s Decypher Collective at the age of 16, RTKAL has been steadily moving into the limelight of the Grime scene. He’s already worked alongside the likes of Don Letts, Skinnyman, and the mighty GZA, as well as being a regular host of numerous dubstep/grime nights under the name of RTillery. Having released on Black Butter Records last year, he performs at Roudhouse: Rising at Bass Culture on 15th February alongside RoxXxan and The Rasites.

9. Drop Out Venus (Photo Credit: Antonio Curcetti)

Trying to find out any details about Drop Out Venus is difficult. Their online presence consists of the usual social media accounts but very few details on the band exist. This is no real matter as their dark take on ‘Junk Jazz’ entices you into the band’s world without the flabby self-promotional gubbins. They play EKO on 24th February alongside PINS, John J Presley and Female Band.

10. RoxXxan

22-year-old Birmingham born and leader of Back Pack Gang, RoxXxan has become a familiar face on the underground scene. With a contagious energy and an eccentric character, RoxXxan brings a welcomed middle finger to the pop world.

11. Death At Sea

Having gained attention from Zane Lowe, Liverpudlian indie rockers Death At Sea have steadily built a following for their abrasive, yet romantic guitar songs. Releasing debut single ‘Sea Foam Green’ in May followed by AA-side ‘Drag/Selfless’ in October on Kissability/ Transgressive, they already have their first album recorded and the ambition to become mainstream. Fresh from supporting Haim on tour in November, they play the Roundhouse Rising Showcase on February 16th.

 

12. The Pictish Trail

Johnny Lynch is the one-man-band behind The Pictish Trail, releasing his well-received lo-fi folk-pop album, ‘Secret Soundz Vol. 1’ in 2008. Multi-faceted and eclectic, he’s part of demented dance pop duo Silver Columns and runs DIY indie label Fence, which hosts the Home Game and Away Game festivals in Anstruther and his Hebridean home island of Eigg. With his electro-tinted second album, ‘Secret Soundz Vol. 2’, released on January 21st to critical acclaim, Lynch will grace Roundhouse Rising as part of The Fence Collective with his alt-folk gems on Sunday 17th February.

Words by Alex Goddard

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