Ryan Paul & THE ARDENT are known for their personal and unpretentious songwriting, satiating performances, and acclaimed musician assembly. They are a unique mix of dusty-folk indie pop, brimming with raw spirit. Lead vocalist and guitarist Ryan Paul gathered expert Minneapolis musicians, including his own father on guitar and mandolin, and acclaimed drummer Steve Goold. The band was initially a one-time project, however the band emerged as a vehicle for Ryan Paul’s sincere songwriting – a genre bending brand of Americana rooted in Paul’s personal struggles and story.

One year since the release of their first record, the five some release Cute Souvenirs, a digital EP recorded in just one ten-hour session. The EP exhibits an impressive development in craftsmanship, as well as a much darker character that has acquired comparisons of such opposing artists; The Cure, The Smiths and Arcade Fire.

Released 10th June 2010.

Photograph by Elli Rader

By Sophie Stratford

Race Horses first full length release Goodbye Falkenburg was out mid-January. Thirteen tracks long and with around a quarter of the songs in welsh, this album features a comfortable blend between a modern indie rock vibe and a distinctly 60s feel. There’s clear musical influence from The Beatles with double tracked vocal harmonies and analogue effects like phasing but in my mind Race Horses are more reminiscent of Syd Barrett era Pink Floyd.

Goodbye Falkenburg was recorded over the space of nine months and the band took an unorthodox approach to this debut. “We felt bored with all modern music,” says singer Meilyr Jones. “We wanted to make our fifth album first, if you know what I mean.”

Cake – Race Horses

Race Horses also brought out a 4 track concept EP ‘Man In My Mind’ in December 2009. Although it was an incredibly short release at just under 9 minutes in length, it’s depth made it clear that Race Horses are a band that have the means to last.

Man In My Mind – Race Horses

Released 18th January 2010.

Roses Kings Castles new EP ‘Apple and Engines’ was released on 10/08/09. Adam Ficek is the man behind this act, he is also the drummer for Babyshambles but Roses Kings Castles is a way for him to experiment with his own ideas and material. A selftitled album was also released in September ’08.

Where’s Your Life Gone – Roses Kings Castles

Apples and Engines was released on 7″ vinyl and CD. It’s four tracks long, ‘Some Things are Better Left Unsaid’, ‘Where’s Your Life Gone’, ‘You Alone A Mess’ and Tozek remix of ‘Empty Shells’. It has a distinctly London feel to it and is definitely worth getting.

Hit up this.

Jamie T’s new EP, ‘Sticks n Stones’ was released officially on Monday. He’s a great artist with his lyrics offering a great social commentary of working class life.

So Lonely Was The Ballad – Jamie T

‘Sticks n Stones’, the title track is definitely a title track in the sense that it is easily the best on there but the others are worth a listen. ‘St Christopher’ and ‘On The Green’ are more acoustic in nature.

I’m still not to sure about ‘Dance of the Young Professionals’ though, fuck knows what he was thinking with that, Ukraine’s 2007 Eurovision entry anyone?

Jamie T is releasing his second  album ‘Kings and Queen’s’ “late this summer”, well according to wikipedia (I’m a professional).

Sticks n Stones – Jamie T

St Christopher – Jamie T

On The Green – Jamie T

The Dance Of The Young Professionals – Jamie T

Ten and Six are an interesting indie band from Michigan. They employ a range of instruments into their music, bells in particular which offer quite a unique sound.

Ten and Six started out as a cover band before beginning to produce their own material. They’re first self-titled EP was released in April and is available for just $4.95 here. They also go for the Radiohead, In Rainbows approach of giving fans the option  to download the whole thing hassle free first here at 320kbps quality.

I’ve included the video to their song ‘Bedside Regiments’ below, it’s very impressive.

Trolley – Ten and Six

Bedside Regiments – Ten and Six

Mercury Lullaby – Ten and Six

Paris Song and Michael’s Bells – Ten and Six

Antique Heart – Ten and Six