Call Upon The Author

Despite the enthusiasm of the audience, the energy of the support acts and the overall rawness of the night so far, everybody backstage is strangely calm. Perhaps it has come with years of constant touring but there was still something quite eerie about stepping from a hallway with boisterous yells bombarding the walls, into a room where the most activity going on was someone shifting to get comfortable as they watched the gig downstairs on screen.

Forming four years ago 20 miles south of central London, Subsource are a band that doesn’t conform to any genre stereotypes. They play dance music with the intensity of a punk band, throwing in elements of dub, drum and bass and metal to create a sound all of their own. In their own words, they [...]

Jon Allen, a guy who goes relatively undetected but a guy who puts too much work in for it to be deserved. Hopefully, with the release of his album Dead Man’s Suit and his impending tour of Europe it’s something that is about to change. He’s a great live performer, fantastic at keeping his audience [...]

Alberta Cross first came to this writer’s, and indeed much of the media’s attention in 2008, belated appreciation for the group’s stripped back, acoustic debut after Oasis had taken them under their wing, with many startled by the emotion carried in Petter Ericson Stakee’s distinct, high-pitched warble. Fast forward to 2009, and, despite the acclaim, a new and very different incarnation of Alberta Cross returned. Stakee’s voice still the wondrous focal point, but with a band that roared its support – no longer sadly lamenting but burning rage. Broken Side Of Time was a stylishly delivered desolate Blues-rock debut that left some listeners cold, but captured the anger and frustration of modern times perfectly for others…

So, here we are at the end of our 2009 roundups, we thought we’d end close to home with three of our favourite acts, all of whom have local roots. Andrew Foster www.myspace.com/andrewfostermusic So, 2009 is pretty much up, how was it for you? A bit like falling out of the tallest tree and landing [...]

From all of us here at Call Upon The Author, have a very merry Christmas. We thought we’d share a little present with you. So below are a few lovely free downloads for you to enjoy! Expatriate have just finished touring with Placebo and release their debut album in early 2010. There are high hopes [...]

Twin Atlantic (Sam McTrusty – vocals) www.myspace.com/twinatlantic So, 2009 is pretty much up, how was it for you? this year has been incredible. it has been a real landmark year for our band and one we will never forget… a trip to the states to record our debut label release and a relentless touring schedule [...]

Le Plat Du Jour (Tallie Kane – vocals, guitar) http://www.myspace.com/leplatdujourestlamusique So, 2009 is pretty much up, how was it for you? Mostly exciting, somewhat difficult and a lot of hard work! Everything’s changing with the band in the new year, but it’s been a lot of fun exploring what I can do if I push [...]

Bemis (Gareth Howells – Vocals, Guitar) www.myspace.com/bemisuk So, 2009 is pretty much up, how was it for you? For Bemis, 2009 has been a brilliant year – we’ve continued our climb onto the festival circuit, got our first album on itunes and other digital distribution, had a rave review in a national magazine, got an [...]

Leigh Mary Stokes www.myspace.com/leighmarystokesmusic So, 2009 is pretty much up, how was it for you? 2009 is nearly over, and it has been a fantastic year for everyone at camp Leigh Mary Stokes. We released an EP, did a tour, played some great supports, got national distribution AND a booking agent and quite frankly, deserve [...]