Plainsong, the self-produced album from Susan Enan was recorded in 5 different countries features guests musicians including Ashwin Sood, Steve Schiltz, Graham Maby and Oli Kraus, with guest vocals from Declan O’Rouke and Sarah McLachlan.

Enan grew up in Cambridgeshire England. After moving to Liverpool to study music she began playing the local singer songwriter scene. During those University years, alongside the great classical composers, she discovered the simple, yet intelligent, folk songs of Woody Guthrie, and a love for film scores. These passions, simple folks songs combined with more complex musical ideas with a visual leaning, have become the foundation for her debut album, with other influences including Peter Gabriel and Tori Amos.

After leaving Liverpool she moved to Northern Ireland and continued to write and record a few small EP’s released locally, but it was the ‘Moonlight’ EP (2003) which began to get more attention internationally. It led to an opening slot on a three month tour with Ohio based band ‘Over the Rhine’ which in turn led to a signing with Nettwerk Management and a move to New York.

In 2006, while demoing the songs for the album, Enan began receiving worldwide attention after her track ‘Bring On The Wonder’ appeared on the second season of the Fox show ‘Bones.’ Due to a large response from the show, the song was also featured on it’s soundtrack two years later.

See our interview with Susan Enan for more of the story behind the album.

Susan Enan – Bring On The Wonder

Susan Enan – On Your Side

Twitter // MySpace // Facebook

From the Press Release
Usual tags such as ’singer-songwriter’, ‘folk-soul’, ‘troubadour’ are perceived with a considerable amount of cynicism these days, especially since the music scene has been saturated with middle of the road artists, marketed as such by traditional record label formulae. Someone with a discerning ear and trust in their own taste should be able to spot who’s the real deal and who’s not.

His debut album ‘Hope’ is now completed and a close listen demonstrates that Foy is a truly unique talent belonging to a calibre of artists that stand the test of time. The recording process has been very organic and spontaneous capturing the live element and the rawness of Foy’s performance. In his own words: ‘I recorded the album on the Mourne Mountains in Northern Ireland in a cottage I hired up there. I’ve used studios in the past and I’ve always found them a bit difficult when it comes to really getting into the vibe so I figured – I’ll just buy the recording gear I need, hire a cottage, stick a piano in it and record. The whole idea was NOT TO have a design and let the album produce itself. Every night we’d get the fire burning, open a bottle of wine put some mics up and record. A lot of what came out of that is what the album is’.

‘Foy’s a giant’
Pete Townshend

Foy Vance Website // Myspace

Ten Bears are one of the most exciting indie bands I’ve heard this year. They’ve already been picking up radio play on Radio 1 and playing venues and festivals across the country. With a new record in the pipeline, hopefully they’ll be getting the nationwide exposure they deserve soon.

Hailing from Manchester, and with an unbelievably powerful live presence, TEN BEARS are here to stay. Lead by their incredible energy, charm and charisma they have been causing a stir around Manchester and UK music venues, winning over crowds where ever they go. Their energetic ‘cOSmiCDiRtRoCK’ delivers up pop slices such as ‘Charlie’, ‘To The Moon’ and ‘Braces’ – and brings to life the inner mind thinkings of Ten Bears; Kris Hudson, Luke Daniel, Dom Kozubik, Tim Estherby and Sam Hammond.

Myspace // Facebook // Last FM

Imagine Kraftwerk if someone spiked their punch with absinthe, and you’re halfway there.

More This Morning Call Love
“This Morning Call are one of the most wonderful bands we have heard this year.” (Channel 4 Music)

“This Morning Call” is pop music in its best sense. Accessible and easy, yet intelligent and sophisticated” (Sandman Magazine)

A health dose of electronica blended with the soft pop-rock vocals of Ben Heyworth make “This Morning Call” a wonderful, dreamlike experience….”This Morning Call” are here to stay and will be appearing on a radio station near you in the future (WeHeartMusic.com)

“Without doubt one of the most remarkable bands to emerge from the indie deadzone of Manchester in recent history”. (rockrobotrock.blogspot)

Within months of forming, The Vanguards were recording in The Charlatans studio, Big Mushroom, with legendary production duo Dave Tolan and Jim Spencer at the helm. Famed for their work with great British bands such as Primal Scream, The Charlatans and Tears for Fears the production gurus have taken hold of The Vanguards and created a fresh new truly British alternative indie sound.

Really like this indie band from Manchester, looking forward to what they’re going to be doing later this year after releasing this debut single in June.

www.myspace.com/thevanguardsuk // http://www.thevanguards.com/

“Most of the tracks were first takes,” Julie notes, which manifests itself in a sense of both immediacy and intimacy throughout the album. The undeniably catchy track ‘Living in a Movie,’ replete with irresistible hand-claps, seems sent straight from the soundtrack to a film by Michel Gondry or Sofia Coppola. A sweet and somehow cinematic tune that demonstrates Julie’s capability to craft pop songs at once familiar and dream-like, deceptively minimal, ‘Living in a Movie’ is just one of the songs off Near the Sun that compels repeated listens.

Julie Peel Website // Myspace // Twitter

From the Bio..
Fangs formed when The Queen met party casualties Marko Nein & Findlay Falls at the Edinburgh Festival.

Drawing influence from NY’s 70s new wave scene and Londons 80s clubs, FANGS create songs for THE DANCEFLOOR, obvious and raw.

Some more Run Toto Run Love from their biog.

” delightful blend of high tech and lo tech acoustic and marvellous song writing” Tom Robinson-BBC 6Music

More blog love from Breaking New Waves

UPDATE Run Toto Run have just announced the release of a new EP entitled ‘Plastic Gold’ with 5 more beautiful tracks mixing Rachael’s beautiful fragile voice and a mix of lo-fi electronica gorgeousness.

Buy the EP HERE or listen to more tracks on Run Toto Run’s Myspace.