I’m kicking the week off with this massive tack. It’s Maya Von Doll’s new single and it’s out today. Get it.
BBC Sound of 2013 longlist announced!
The BBC has just released it’s Sound of 2013 list of artists. Over the years, this has proven to be one of the most accurate predictors of who’s likely to become a household name (in the UK at least) over the next twelve months, and it’s personally a very exciting thing to see. The list is compiled by the UK’s most influential music industry tastemakers, who were each asked to note their favourite emerging artists.
While I’m familiar with all the acts on these long lists by the time they are published, I do not necessarily agree with all the talent in them (that’s the great thing about music).
Still, every year I like to benchmark this blog against the list to see how many acts I’ve championed, and I’m chuffed to see that most of these artists have been featured on Alfitude over the past year or two (although some of these posts are already so old the sound clips may not be active any more):
- AlunaGeorge – first featured February 2011
- A*M*E – first featured January 2012
- Angel Haze – first featured July 2012
- Arlissa – first featured August 2012
- Chvrches – first featured June 2012
- King Krule – first featured January 2011 as ‘Zoo Kid’
- Laura Mvula – first featured October 2012
- The Weeknd – first featured March 2011
- Tom Odell – first featured August 2012
Other acts on the longlist also include:
- HAIM
- Kodaline
- Little Green Cars
- Palma Violets
- Peace
- Savages
Overall, I think this year’s list covers a much more varied and promising selection of talent compared to 2012, and it’ll be interesting to see who wins. The top five acts will begin to be revealed during the week of 31st December 2012.
Until then, I haven’t made my mind up who will make the shortlist just yet- who would you like to see win?
First Listen: Gus By Heart ‘The Last Place’
Something nice and mellow to wind the weekend down from Gus By Heart. He released his debut EP ‘Rather Be Singing Than Thinking’ on October 10th and this is the second single from it.
New Music: Sarah D
Sometimes all you need is some good, old fashioned radio pop to get you to smile. Not bad for an unsigned talent. Check out here.
Create Without Limits
This is Rio rehearsing one of his tracks. I love it, but I also hate it because I wish I was in that room with them all. Rio’s released the video to launch his new organisation, Create Without Limits, which is set up to support the innovative and artistic community in the Nashville, TN area through videos and live showcases.
New Music: Crooked Hands
Moody, atmospheric and beautiful new indie. They’re releasing their first single ‘Under’ on February 4th. Check out here.
New Music: George Maple
If you like Jessie Ware you may like this: it goes along the same veins. Sexy, sleek beats from Sydney. Check out here.
First Listen: A*M*E* ‘Heartless’
Another pop belter from A*M*E.
Live: Sebastien Tellier at Shepherds Bush Empire
This gig happened on Wednesday but I’ve been so busy this is the first chance I’ve been able to put a couple of pictures up. This man is a musical legend in my eyes. I think he was as confused as we all were during this set, but whatever sounds came out of the speakers was genius.
New Music: Teleman
Cute, jazzy 60’s sound fused with some innocent sounding indie. Check out here.
New Music: Tanlines
I love this a lot. It’s subdued and dark synth pop that pulls on your heart strings. Check out here.
Free Download: Hervé ‘Ghetto Bass Mixtape’
New Music: Roxie LS
I’m a bit speechless with this- it’s uplifting, unique and very special. The whole sound balances between the delicate and the epic. Check out here.
First Watch: Daniela Brooker ‘Chasing The Waves’
Well well well… Daniela Brooker’s making quite the name for herself. This video’s racked up over 350k hits since November 22nd. Sugary pop is as alive as ever.
New Music: Sin Cos Tan
High grade, sleek Finnish electro pop. Check out here.
Remember Artful Dodger?
If you’re a twenty-something UK reader you’ll recognise this track by Artful Dodger and Craig David:
Ironically, I wasn’t a fan of garage back then, but when I heard this new work from the Artful it set my mind back to that time, which is nice. A new EP is out next month.
New Music: Zara Larsson
Not much is out from this lady. She won Sweden’s Got Talent when she was ten, and now she’s a bit older it seems certain she’ll get a contract sooner or later. Check out here.
New Music: Liam Back
German minimal dreampop. Check out here.
New Music: Nord & Syd
I wish this had English lyrics because it’s a beautiful sound. Alas we’ll have to live with the Swedish version, which is stunningly dark and atmospheric. Check out here.






















