We cut through the hype and give the one thing lacking in so many places these days: an honest opinion. We're not going to put something down for the sake of it either. For an honest outlook on music (and other subjects), you're in the right place!
So, another weekend is upon us, time to kick back and relax. So, what better way to start than by checking out some new videos for your viewing pleasure.
First up, we’ve been sent a video by old friend of the site. them:youth were one of our first ever interviews (check it out here) and now, ahead of their debut album which will be released later in the year, is a remix of Lost & Lonely from the always impressive Castaway.
Supposedly recorded for an Eastern European TV show (like our good friends at Breaking More Waves, we’re not so sure) this orchestral reworking of Marina & The Diamonds’Hollywood is superb, possibly better than the original track in fact!
We’ve got young upstarts (and residents of countless Ones To Watch lists this year) Chapel Club’s promo for their new single O Maybe I. Continuing their path of noir-ish pop, this is a great tune and well worth checking out.
We’ve commented on the cover of Pony that Far are releasing before, but here’s an acoustic version for you to have a look at, we’d love to hear your thoughts.
Last but not least, check out the intriguing packaging from rapper Freeway and producer Jake One’sThe Stimulus Package… coming soon on Rhymesayer, this release promises to sound as good as it looks!
With a debut single (‘Bows & Arrows’) that brings to mind the likes of Doves and The Verve, Londoners Them:Youth look set to have an exciting future, so before they hit the stratosphere we thought we’d find out a little bit about them!
Lets start at the beginning, how did you guys get together?
Mark (Lead Vocals) and Luke (Bass) are old school friends who have been writing and playing together for a few years now. With Mark drafting in younger brother Paul on drums for rehearsals in the loft. Ilan and Allan were guitarists doing their own thing but at the start of the year we finally got our act together and started writing and recording tracks as them:youth. Its just five mates doing what they love and making the decision to do it properly, there’s just no point in doing it otherwise.
Tell us about the influences on your music, what has inspired your sound?
The band feed off anything from rare northern soul records to the early manchester dance scene. Channelling the love of bands like New Order, Spirtualized, Faithless, Primal Scream, Doves and of course Oasis into our sound, it means we are not scared of a big chorus and can switch from a slow anthem to a banger at anytime within the set.
You’re about to release your first single, has it been a long journey to get this far?
It hasn’t been too long for us as them:youth. Of course we have all been playing for a long time and all have known this is what we wanted to do, but really we didn’t get started until the turn of the year. So it has moved quickly, very quickly.
Apparantly ‘Bow And Arrows’ started as an acoustic track, what prompted the move to a more dance oriented direction?
The track was taken into the studio and laid down with just vocals and acoustic guitar, we knew it was a tune because it just worked as simply as that. That gave the room to experiment with drums, strings etc, as we knew we always had the the bare bones to fall back on. It got more and more trippy as we went on, we are very pleased with the results.
You’re all Brentford fans I believe, and am I right in thinking Paul even ended up being interviewed about following the club?
Yeah, the Football League approached us to do an interview about the club just as they were closing in on the title. Some of us have been to a few games this season but don’t claim to be experts, since we long gave up our season tickets a few years ago. So Paul took one for the team with the interview and The Bees went on to win the title!!! Champions!!! Good times! It’s not all been plain sailing though, I gather you’re still working day jobs at the moment. It’s something alot of people don’t consider about up and coming bands, but it must be tough touring and trying to make ends meet?
All that a lot of people see about bands is the final product, like watching the band on stage or putting the record on. They probably don’t realise that we all still work and have day jobs, and then spend every minute after on band stuff. It doesn’t add up financially either, as the band get busier the less we can work and at this stage don’t really earn a living from touring. Its probably where a lot of bands are made or broken!! But we won’t be giving up anytime soon, we’re in it for the duration!!
So, whats the next step for Them: Youth, another single? An album?? World Domination???
Like we said, we’re in this for a long time. There will be more singles this year and definitely an album some time in the future. Of course we want world domination and everything that comes with it. We wanna take this to as many people as possible, climb as high as we possibly can. Last, but not least, we’ve been dusting off our trusty time machine, so if we could take you back and nick one song written by another person, which would you pick and why?
Its a tough one cos there’s loads of stuff from the Stone Roses that would be good steals, but we’re gonna have to go with a slow number from the Beatles. “In My Life”, its just a great song, nothing more to say about it, stick it on and you’ll realise why within seconds.
West London five piece, them:youth are preparing to unleash and release their debut single ‘Bow and Arrows’, through Another Music = Another Kitchen Records on May 25th, 2009.
In a few short months, the band have managed to whip the music scene into a frenzy with their distinct, diverse sound and rousing on stage presence. Channelling the energy and influences of New Order, Spiritualized, Doves, MGMT, Kasabian and flashes of Oasis; the band switch between crowd raising anthems, esoteric dance and gentle lullaby moments with effortless ease and unique charm.
Originally an acoustic track, ‘Bow and Arrows’ developed into a more experimental dance number as soon as the full band recorded it. Beginning with an almost eerie call to arms, it quickly lifts and continues to power through, delivering an infectious chorus and sound which is soon to become their signature. This is the song where it all began. Add to this the requisite looks and charm, there is no doubt that this is a band you need to take note of.
Catch the band live at one of the following shows:
Friday 22nd May KU Club, Stockton On Tees
Fri 29th May This Feeling @ Parker McMillan, London
Sat 30th May The Cellars, Portsmouth
Thurs 4 Jun Dirty Boots @ Bloomsbury Bowling Lanes, London
Sat 20th June Dead Cities Club @ Plug n Play, Reading
Friday 31st July The Aftershow @ Moho Live, Manchester
Bow and Arrows will be available on 7” with a b-side remix by Vandal.
them:youth are: Mark Buckle – Vocals; Paul Buckle – Drums; Ilan Hartogh – Guitars, Vocals/ Synth; Allan Mcbride – Guitars & Percussion; Luke Burton – Bass Guitar.
