The Grey Lady Music Lounge, Wednesday 21st December 2011

The Soundcasters were formed in early 2008, when Tom James, 19 (Lead Vocalist/Guitarist) and his long-term friend Scott Russell, 18 (Bass/ and Vocalist), with school friend Simon Watson, 19 (Lead Guitarist and Vocalist) decided to form a band and advertised for a drummer. Matt Gibson, 20 (Drummer and Percussionist) auditioned and joined the band. From the first rehearsal, the boys formed a strong friendship and firm desire to be successful as a band.

Their individual tastes in music range from Punk to Jazz and this is reflected in the diversity of their songs. As young lads, this gave them an edge in today’s music scene and helped them to develop their unique sound. The Soundcasters are influenced by bands such as The Beatles, The Band, The Animals and The Arctic Monkeys. Not only have they been compared to The Arctic Monkeys but also The Kinks and The Libertines.

The Soundcasters began to seriously promote themselves in January 2009. They had a hectic summer, and quickly built up a strong fan base; playing private functions, many local and London venues such as The Fly, Bull and Gate, Hope and Anchor and the Dublin Castle, also performing at festivals such as The Lounge on the Farm, Infest and Togfest, as well as filming for a Documentary for Channel 4.

In March 2009, they produced their first EP which had a 60’s pop feel to it that had a huge response from a mixed audience with such songs as ‘Pauline’ in a blues/shuffle style and ‘French Habit’ with its Russian feel that audiences cannot fail to join in singing and dancing along to. The Soundcasters began the year 2010 with a more mature image, feel and sound and a busy and exciting schedule in place for the forthcoming year with plans to play private functions, charity gigs, festivals and further London venues such as The Half Moon, Putney. In March they successfully launched their second EP ‘Ban the Mind Reader’. The music has evolved into a slightly fuller, darker sound with grit, yet lightened with a little country rock. In May they wowed audiences at the infamous Cavern Club in Liverpool as part of the International Pop Overthrow.

The Soundcasters made their TV debut in August when the Channel 4 documentary ‘Amish: World’s Squarest Teenagers’ was shown. This prompted radio interviews and airplay along with many articles in local and national newspapers and TV magazines including the Daily Mirror and Radio Times.

The Soundcasters episode focused on the experience of a group of Amish youngsters spending a week with an artistic and musical family. During the week of filming, the band took their Amish guests to places of interest in Kent and shared with them their love of music, ending the week at ‘Togfest’, the music festival in Milton Keynes, where The Soundcasters played on the main courtyard stage. Clips of their music featured in the programme, causing a great deal of interest in the band, with much activity on their Facebook and MySpace sites helping to increase their fan base.

Following on from this experience, The Soundcasters look forward to writing and recording more of their songs and to continue performing and wowing audiences in and around the UK.

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37 pizzas later and the band was complete…

Dorey the Wise was formed early 2010 by Aidan Tigwell and Chris Georghiou. The acoustic duo, brought together by a love of music, and food, set out creating songs, songs to woo ladies and melt hearts of stone… They failed on both accounts, but convinced people they were charming and handsome, with their cheeky banter. 

The band then doubled in size, like dough in a warm oven, with the arrival of Mason Holmes and Elliot Lampitt in 2011. Mason turned on his bass face and Elliot added much needed beats (and timing) to the acoustic foundations already created.

Dorey The Wise are currently partaking in Surface Festival where they can be voted for on their website.

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BigFishLittleFish formed in 2008 and, having swiftly moved in on the Tunbridge Wells music scene when they were awarded first place in a local song writing competition, have been making a name for themselves in the area ever since, playing anything from local weddings to music lounges, and from pubs to open-air gigs in Barcelona. The band comprises of Eden Fish (guitar, piano and vocals) and Ollie Bream McIntosh (lead vocals) and their buoyant enthusiasm and polished confidence combined with infamous banter and light hearted style make for a wholly enjoyable performance. They started writing their own music the moment they joined forces and have honed their collective crafts for over four years, which has resulted in a distinctly striking and attractive acoustic sound. The pair’s influences are wide ranging: soul, funk and jazz through folk, blues and indie pop. The duet recorded their first four-track EP in Southampton last summer (which is on sale today), and is looking to spend some more time in the studio in the coming months. Still writing and developing their act, they have high hopes for the future and are always looking for opportunities to perform and gain esteem in the musical world. Along with original material, they perform an endless list of covers, similarly spanning in variety – from old blues classics to current top ten hits, always reworked slightly to add something new and deliver an increasingly recognisable BFLF punch.

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Blending the mellifluous sounds of soul with roots blues and rock, adding a dose of funk and a dusting of jazz, all combining to make Raw Peaches' unique sound. Raw Peaches' energetic and soulful live performances will be sure to get your feet tapping with their funky rhythms and leave you with lingering melodies long after you see them live.

Born in Yorkshire in 2006 Raw Peaches were formed by Jake Waddington with students at Leeds College of music and have been forging a solid name for themselves in Yorkshire and as far afield as Michigan, USA; releasing their first eponymous EP and winning the award for North Yorkshire's best unsigned band in 2010. After being joined by Oli Jenkins on bass in March 2011, Raw Peaches went on to play numerous highly acclaimed gigs and festivals culminating in winning Leeds' best unsigned band, sponsored by Jack Daniels in mid 2011.

Currently expanding their influence and attempting to gain wider audience and recognition, Raw Peaches are now gigging in the South East and London. Keep an eye on this entertaining and exciting act who have been described by those who've seen them as 'the best band on the scene'.

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