On May 9th we’ve our Pre Great Escape showcase with our SESAC allies back in Paper Dress, and then on May 17th we’re back in our TGE home at The Marlborough Theatre. The Paper Dress show should be a belter, so do grab your tickets asap – a lot of talk about Sharky at the moment; a buzz of label and publishing interest in LEIO; Orchid Collective have a mass of support over in Ireland and are starting to turn heads over here; and the Recoupes are back for a second show having done one for us last year as 17 year olds – it’s great to see how far they’ve come already. Details below…

TICKETS HERE: http://bit.ly/KMxSESACmay

/// Sharky ///

Sharky’s voice acts almost like its own instrument as her vocals slide from one syllable and word to the next, creating a silky and smooth melodic line against an accomplished jazz/funk/soul​ ​musical backdrop. Absolutely one of our ones to watch for 2018/19, she’s got all the star ingredients.

Sharky’s second single Hawaii is the result of collaboration and follows her first single Cause and Effect released in January which gained and is still gaining new support from the likes of
Jamz Supernova, Gilles Peterson, Tru Thoughts, Earmilk and Okayplayer to name but a few. The track was created with brother producer artist duo Speakman Sound​ (Todd and Guy) and Jon Moody (of Franc Moody​) in an evening in the studio. Todd, Guy and Jon had just come back from Glastonbury where they had been inspired the by Parliament’s funkadelic set.

“I wanted to create something funky and with attitude so the influence was hugely relevant.” (Sharky)

The Inspiration for the lyrics came after watching the film ‘The Descendent’. The lyrics are about that moment where you think/feel the grass is greener somewhere else but material excuses stop you achieving peace and reaching the greener grass. Seeing Hawaii on the big screen seemed attractive when feeling low and static in life. Sharky began to conjure the idea of
living there for a while and escaping her current situation.

“I feel This is feeling many people have, and when viewing with an outside eye, I find it quite a comical state of being.” (Sharky)

Ironically the process of writing Hawaii in an encouraging community provided Sharky with all the beauty Sharky desired from Hawaii right here in grey cold wintery London.

/// Orchid Collective ///

Playing packed out tents at almost every festival in Ireland in 2017 (Electric Picnic, Indiependence, Sea Sessions) to making their debut UK appearance at Y Not Festival in Derbyshire. Finding themselves on playlists across RTE 2FM, RTE Radio One, getting spins on BBC Radio One as Phil Taggart’s Future First and BBC Six as Tom Robinson’s Fresh Faves. Recent single L.A.Z.Y has clocked 50,000 streams on Spotify and can be found in Breath of Fresh Eire, Discover Weekly and Fresh Finds playlists. Latest offerering Winter’s Pass seems to follow suit with 7,000 streams in just three weeks.

Through their own distinct use of vocal harmonies and searing layers of reverbed guitars; Orchid Collective make themselves known as a band that set themselves apart from their contemporaries, offering a bold new imagining of the indie genre.

“If you too have been missing the yearning atmospheric guitar fuelled lyricism of Tyneside’s ‘Grand Father Birds’ since their premature demise, may I commend you to Ireland’s splendid Orchid Collective – Tom Robinson (BBC 6 Music)”

“Full on light show, a ridiculously tight band!” – Phil Taggart (BBC Radio One)

“ It’s powerful stuff. So powerful that you’d be surprised if this young band weren’t very big indeed in the not-too-distant future — not least because their sound in moments has echoes of Coldplay channelling Crosby Stills & Nash with bells and possibly whistles on.” – Barry Egan (Irish Independent)
“A rousing independent folk-pop sound with harmony to the fore” – Nialler9
“Lay As Stone” could have quite easily been written by Bon Iver, Sufjan Stevens or Fleet Foxes. This Dublin four-piece has opened its recording account at a level that few young acts could possibly match. – Dan Hegarty (RTE/ CBC MUSIC)
“It’s brilliant”- Stephen McAuley (BBC)
“They make something very difficult sound very easy”- Jim Lockhart (Senior producer RTE/ Horslips)
“Sounds like a band at the start of something…” – Dave Fanning (RTE 2FM)

/// LEIO ///

L E I O is an exciting new British singer songwriter. After spending time honing her writing in the US, her sound began to diversify through collaborations with Grammy award- winning writers and producers, contemporaries of India Arie, Michael Jackson and Alicia keys. Successfully blurring the boundaries between genres, L E I O effortlessly weaves heart-wrenching lyrics between layers of pop soul goodness. Her debut single ‘Unhinged’, produced by Mood Melodies (‘Faded’ Alan Walker) is due out summer 2018.

/// The Recoupes ///

The Recoupes deliver blistering sets, not only in their native London/Essex but across the country
playing venues such as the 02 Islington (supporting The Hoosiers), Camden Assembly and The Good-
ship. With BBC airplay already under their belt, the young band recently worked with Gavin Monaghan
and Joe Murray (Robert Plant, Ocean Colour Scene, JAWS, The Sherlocks) on their Latest track ‘ALL I
Know’ which came out on the 25th January this year.

“Upbeat, catchy and offering a real sense of maturity for. a quartet of 18 year olds.” (REVIVAL)
“The band delivered a blistering hour-Long set of original songs, Hearts and Simple just two of their
standout tracks.” Record Collector 24.09.15
“This new EP is full of punchy guitar riffs, cool Lead guitar Licks and a whole Lot of girl trouble. It’s
awesome.” The Daily Listening
“ALL the tracks on the EP seem to have the same energetic style which is why I declared it as such a
pleasant Listen.” Cindie Music Central
“It is my honest prediction that this band could be one to watch, with talent Like they all hold, they
are sure to be picked up.” Cindie Kiddie
“The response says it all, two encores ensure … Tonight they just blew the doors off a Listed building”
Chunky Monkey
“Impressed with this EP from The Recoupes – definitely don’t miss out on them, and one of the best
EPs of the year.” (TuneBird Press)
“Overall, The Recoupes have an intense yet infectious rock sound and I Look forward to hearing them
Live one day.”(We Want Good Music 25.06.16)
“Not just that, but as a group of 18 year olds from London, the band have a particular energy to
them.” (The Pentatonic)