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It had been discussed that this week’s TOTW should be Guy Fawlkes themed, some kind of connection with blowing up, burning stuff, gunpowder etc but then rather promptly reminded ourselves TOTW is really all about good music, pure and simple and not themed sillyness.

So today we’re very pleased to present for your listening pleasure – Evryone!

Evryone is a 3 piece band from Hampshire, where the swell landscape and the tranquil village life work as a catalyst for 3 members of a band – Tom (21) keys/vox and Chris (22) drums met on a local bus where Chris impressed Tom with his impossible hairstyle and a daring dress sense that seemed more akin to teenagers in the big smoke than someone who is at home in their slow paced village. Both immediately bonded over their passion for jazz (and presumably sill hair)

The idea of forming their own band took shape in autumn 2009 when a musical archetype of theirs, bass player Nick (25) returned home from a yearlong trip around the world. The other 2 made it their mission to convince Nick that they needed him to complete their dream line up for a band that knew no musical boundaries. Ambitious! After years of playing in various bands Nick however was ready to pursue a career outside of the music industry and turned down the boys’ request. Persistence and above all the musical ideas and the enthusiasm of Tom & Chris won Nick over and so EVRYONE was born.

The featured track Thrill Seeking is, as no doubt intended an ambitious statement. Soaring piano melodies create a soundscape that is pumped and bulldozed forward by a muscular rhythm section. You might be reminded of early Keane were it not for the rougher/tougher edge; that and the fact that Tom’s voice is undoubtedly unique, reminds us a bit of Kevin Cronin (look him up, see if you agree). Combined it’s a really refreshing interesting combination. Their 1st double single Flamingo/Thrill Seeking goes to radio next week so listen out for it – could be huge!!!

Hear Here:

Anyway, this is track of the week not a sodding weather summery! Today chums we are very pleased to present London-based indie folk band Urusen. The band was formed in Somerset by cousins Peter (vocals and guitars) and Ben (vocals and guitars), and joined in London by Nick (cello), Jay (bass) and Kieran (drums). Since 2008 Urusen have risen from grass roots into the UK indie folk scene and they are now working on an album with super Producer Steve Osborne (Happy Mondays, Placebo, Suede, Elbow, Doves, KT Tunstall). With Mr Osborne at the dials and this band’s ability to consistently write such wonderfully rich, wistful and harmonious material it’s hard to imagine them not becoming a “have you heard [fill in latest buzz band name here] yet?” type-of-act very soon.

The featured track Train Song has the sort of homely comforting vibes that makes you want to take a day off, escape to a cottage in the woods, light a big fire, curl up by the window and watch the wind bully the trees into relinquishing their brownie, yellow foliage! (hm, yes….. I think I need to get out of the city.)

Here’s what they say:

‘Sweepingly memorable.’Metro

‘Terrifically atmospheric.’Telegraph

We want more you say? here

Check out the track here:

Our featured track The Lovers, does a very neat trick in avoiding being a sentimental, insipid love song despite the lighters-in the-air vibes, (or should that be smart-phones-on-brightly-lit-screen-in-the-air vibes??) the 6/8 ‘classic ballad’ time signature, big orchestral flourishes and heart felt cries of “we’ll be all-right”. How?? Because popsters he’s believable. It might be well covered ground but told/sung/delivered with an honesty like this you can’t simply can’t deny it. It’s a track that wouldn’t be out of place on a James Morrison or Damien Rice album but with a touch of grit and no major record label testosterone and essential vocal auto-tune.

As well as being a performer in his own right Sam also stays at the front of the music radar by hosting his own succesfull nights. “Fat Sam’s” at the Boogaloo and “Hawley Arms presents….” where he plays regular sets along with great new acts he wants to champion. Sam recently performed at Brixton Academy for David Arnold’s concert for care with artists including Gary Barlow, Damien Rice, and The Kaiser Chiefs.

Sam is soon to complete his next album at Abbey Road and will be releasing in EP later this year.

Check out the track here:

The featured track Oh Mary relays an old fashioned murder story alongside an evocatively pounding balladic tune, it tells the tale of a man determined to cleanse himself of his wife’s demanding ways – resorting in the end by bludgeoning her to death. – Nice one!

Compelling in its authentically antiquated production, Oh Mary masterfully revives the glorious days of old, conveying a realistic echo and cackle that is usually reserved for the rights of vinyl and gramophone. This tender touch delicately imparts the respect and passion the quartet hold for their older day Blues influences, and yet the affect is hugely atmospheric and haunting.

Oh Mary will be available for download through Smoky Carrot Records on 15th November.

Check out the track here:

The featured track Silver & Gold possibly has elements of  the kind of confident finger shaking, head wobbling ‘nah uhhh’ swagger of acts like En Vogue but there’s an honesty and Englishness here which really adds another dimension and gives her an individuality which is all too rare in this genre these days.

Currently Angel is prepping a new band for her solo material and co-hosting the fantastic weekly Stripped Back Soul night at Camden’s Blues Kitchen where she can heard making easy work of Dusty and Aretha classics, she really is one worth popping out to see live. More please you say? Here!

Check out the track here:

Arlen’s distinctive, filmic style of composing seamlessly blends flavours from hip-hop, jazz, atmospherics, dub, break-beat, to create his own unique cool, urban sound. This is beautifully displayed in today’s track – a brooding early Massive Attack-esque slow builder perfect for a moody, grey Autumn day. It’s taken from the movie One Night Stand (Dir. Mike Figgis) which Arlen scored. If you’d like to hear a load more from Arlen go here.

Check out the track here:

WTBB hail from the Pacific Northwest, and play trad bluegrass music, although their last album ‘Sole Kitchen’, from which the following track is taken, features all-original tracks. It also sees them throw in elements of other genres too, like punk and rock, to give it the whole thing a bit of a harder edge. They’ve been receiving airplay from the likes of Mark Lemarr and Pat Kenny over on the Daytime Radio Show on RTE1, and the album is getting some great reviews.

As well as being a duo in their own right Trevor and Hannah Lou are also members of the group Danny and The Champions of the World. Next week Danny, Trevor and Hannah Lou will be going out on tour in support of The Magic Numbers, as the ‘Bluegrass’ version of The Champs.

Funnily enough I just had the pleasure of sitting in Danny’s mum’s kitchen the other night, watching Danny, Trevor and Hannah Lou record the last 2 songs of what will be a limited edition album, only on sale on tour. Recorded in 1 day, using the same model of 4 track that Springsteen recorded his first album with, it sounds incredibly good.

Here is their last single ‘England’, a slightly mournful track borne out of Trevor’s patriotism, and what this country means to him.

As an extra treat, here’s a really lovely video they shot themselves which features an entirely different version of the song – it’s really interesting hearing this compared to the album version: