The Great Leslie Release New Single ‘Just Say Yes’

Since their formation and debut single in August 2020, the band has been on an upward trajectory with their first single ‘Money’ being selected as BBC Introducing’s Track of the Week and subsequent songs in 2021 garnering further support and accolades from the late Janice Long on The Great Leslie recording their Live album at Abbey RoadBBC Wales, and John Kennedy on Radio X. On top of that, their music video for ‘Out Of My Hands’ was featured on Channel 4’s Sunday Brunch. By the end of 2021, their list of supporters had grown to include: Kerrang! Radio, Planet Rock, Amazing Radio, BBC Introducing, BBC Wales, Islington Radio and XS Manchester, to name but a few.

2022 saw huge success across all their singles, ‘Feel Alive’, ‘Liquid Spells’, and ‘All Good Things’. All 3 managed to land on the Apple Editorial playlist ‘New in Rock’, across multiple locations around the globe. ‘Feel Alive’ obtained the band’s first Spotify Editorial success on the ‘Hot New Bands’ playlist featuring ‘only the best in UK Indie Rock’. Their last single of 2022 ‘All Good Things’ went further, gaining a spot on several Tidal playlists andperforming so well that by the end of the year, Tidal placed it on its ‘UK Indie: Best of 2022′. Additionally, there was continued support from Amazing Radio, both in the States and the UK. ‘Feel Alive’ was also crowned ‘Track of the Day’ by Gigslutz and This Feeling and received airplay on both Radio X and Kerrang! Radio from John Kennedy and Johnny Doom respectively. ‘Liquid Spells’ was played on BBC Introducing and XS Manchester, with them both lauding the track’s energy and rhythm. Accompanying the success of their releases the band played incredible sold-out shows, and secured a career-best support with indie rock legends, Franz Ferdinand, on their European tour, playing in front of thousands of people in Manchester at the O2 Victoria Warehouse.

In 2023 the band released their debut EP, ‘The End and The Beginning’. Their song ‘Can’t Touch’, secured them their first major Spotify Editorial Playlists: ‘All New Rock’ and ‘Rock the World’. Additionally, the single attained repeated airplay on Amazing Radio and BBC Introducing. Their second single from the EP, ‘Get In’ also received further BBC support, and inclusion on Apple playlists peaked at Number 2 in the iTunes Alternative Charts and reached Number 1 on aBreak 58. The rest of the EP was all played on BBC Introducing with ‘Loving and Leaving’ becoming their vibe of the week and ‘Wait Around’ breaking through to the small screen being played on the British reality TV show, ‘Made In Chelsea’. After this monumental success, they released their second EP ‘21st Century Problems’, which received overwhelming praise and plaudits from disc jockeys and fans alike with Simon Le Bon raving about the first single ‘Burn Me, Drown Me’, and BBC Introducing and XS Manchester playing 4 of its 5 songs. And to top off their year they released a live album recorded from Studio Two at Abbey Road.

Now the band are beginning to release their third EP, ’Heavy Unsteady’, with their second single ‘Just Say Yes’. It also features Russell Lissack from the prestigious BLOCPARTY.

Of the single, frontman Ollie Trevers had this to say:

‘The song is about getting to the last phase of a night of partying, reaching a peak where you feel so connected to the music that you end up dancing into the early hours of the morning, filled with tiredness and euphoria, delirium and ecstasy.’

Emily Marsden – Editor
#IndieRevolution
@Indierevuk
Indierevuk@gmail.com

The Now Release New Single ‘Truth Always Comes Out In The End’

Head turning rising rockers The Now release their catchy, synth and guitar driven new single ‘Truth Always Comes Out In The End’. “It’s about the upper classes and the political elite using the working class as pawns for their own game. We as individuals will never have the power to override their demands and as a working class group we depend on the truth of their actions to come out and bring them down.” The engaging and charismatic frontman Shane Callaghan defiantly states, “Think about the way in which the Conservatives have lessened their grip on the government and the truth now coming out about what they did during lockdown.

The conversation provoking track is taken from their much awaited and highly dynamic debut album ‘Too Hot To Handle’ out now on CD/vinyl and all digital platforms via Trew Music direct from the band website. Accompanying the release is the impactful and striking video highlighting the story behind the song that etches a mark on the viewer.

Hailing from South Wales UK, the energetic 4 piece are made up of Shane (lead vocals/guitar), Callum Bromage (guitar/vocals), Jay Evans on (bass/vocals), Will Scott (drums), as a live band they ensure that not only will you see one of the best shows around, there’s a place for you to escape the mundane fallacies of day to day life and to be part of something bigger than you can imagine. Their hooky, instantly relatable music has been featured as a Planet Rock Track of The Week, on ITV, BBC Radio 2 Johnnie Walker Show, Sky Sports to name a few. The stunning debut was recorded at the highly renowned Real World Studios and produced by Grammy Award winning Oli Jacobs, (Peter Gabriel, The 1975).

It’s a safe bet to say that we have something for everyone and we’ve all been through difficult times in our lives – from emotional break ups, to the ever changing transitions we face and obviously the challenges of losing people close to us. We want to take our fans and new listeners on a journey and to pull out their own meaning for themselves from each of our songs.

Having supported Reef, Florence Black and shared the stage with heroes in Placebo, Noel Gallagher, Frank Carter and The Rattlesnakes, in addition to a rapturous reception at The Isle of Wight Festival and a fantastic ovation at Planet Rockstock they are on a mission to leave no head left unturned. The year ahead is finely poised with their headline album launch show at O2 Academy 2 Islington tonight and two special shows opening for the legendary Feeder in Bristol and Cardiff the following nights. Ventures to Europe to be announced.

We believe ‘Too Hot To Handle’ really showcases our diverse range of writing and sound, we’re not to be pigeonholed into one way stylistically! Ultimately you can be who you want to be, make the music you believe in and you shouldn’t care what anyone says about what you choose to do in life as it’s simply too short.” Join The Now and live in the moment.

Emily Marsden – Editor
#IndieRevolution
@Indierevuk
Indierevuk@gmail.com

Avalanche Release New Single ‘Hell’s Getting Hotter With You’

Australian hard-hitting rockers Avalanche come out swinging into 2024 with their incendiary new single & video ‘Hell’s Getting Hotter With You’. Frontman and bass player Steven Campbell excitedly exclaims “It’s about the lure of those Bonnie and Clyde-esque toxic kinda relationships where it seems you’re just dragging each other to hell and back but you like it!” With thunderous guitars, paint stripping vocals, heart-racing drums and catchy riffage, it’s the perfect illustration of what the band offers on record and in their live show which leaves audiences covered in blood, sweat and beers.

Forged in a steel factory in 2018 crashing out of Western Sydney Australia, Steven with aggressively powerful lead guitarist wife Veronica ‘V’ Campbell, Arthur Divis on rhythm guitar and Ryan Roma aka ‘ADHD’ on drums the tightly bound 4-piece play short, fast & loud, no-bullshit rock ‘n roll for a new generation. With previous UK airplay on Kerrang!HRH RadioPlanet Rock and Total Rock, they’re also attracting attention on a global scale with Rolling Stone citing them as “One band you need to watch.” Possessed by a fierce energy this has seen them play alongside BuckcherryFozzyRose Tattoo and taken them overseas headlining their first international festival and tour in Nouméa; New Caledonia and a forthcoming tour of Japan in March.

The accompanying visceral video showcases one of their most forward tilted songs yet with the band laughing, “This really takes ya for a journey through the imagery of the Old West with its own little story going on and maybe our most ambitious idea yet!” Recorded mostly live in 3 takes with Grammy nominated and Australian Recording Industry Association Award winning producer Steve James (Airbourne, Sex Pistols) it’s the frontrunner of many new tracks to come with rumours of their first full length album swirling like spindrift in the air.

Duly igniting the appetite of rock fans for more, Avalanche assures that “With any of our music, we just want ya to have a hell of a good time listening to it, watching the video, catching our shows…and we just can’t wait for you to bang your head to this!

Emily Marsden – Editor
#IndieRevolution
@Indierevuk
Indierevuk@gmail.com

Indie Revolution Single Of The Week – Maze ‘Actions’

Music Scene Wales’ Single Of The Week, chosen by the Indie Revolution Team is the fantastic new single ‘Actions’ by London’s very own Maze. This is their first single since 2022’s debut album ‘Chaos Interrupted’, and it’s a great return.

Emily Marsden – Editor
#MusicSceneWales
@MusicSceneWales
musicscenewalescymru@gmail.com

Album Of The Month – The Heavy North – Delta Shakedown

In a brand new monthly piece, Music Scene Wales will feature a brand new album of the month chosen from the best on the independent music scene by the Indie Revolution team, those being Music Scene Wales, Yr Wyddfa Records, This Is The Music, Upcoming Bands, Wax and Beans Record Shop and In Your Ears Music.

This months chosen Album Of The Month is Liverpool’s finest, The Heavy North’s fantastic new album ‘Delta Shakedown’

“This is a master craft of songwriting and a band at the very top of their game. It oozes class and experience.” – Music Scene Wales

‘Delta Shakedown’ is OUT NOW on 12” gatefold colour vinyl, CD and all download and streaming platforms. Visit www.theheavynorth.com for more information.

Tickets for The Heavy North’s Camp and Furnace show on Friday 1st December are ON SALE NOW. Visit www.theheavynorth.com for more information.




Emily Marsden – Editor
#MusicSceneWales
@MusicSceneWales
musicscenewalescymru@gmail.com

Indie Revolution Single Of The Week – This Is War ‘Laces’

Music Scene Wales’ Single Of The Week, chosen by the Indie Revolution Team is the infectious ‘Laces’ by Merseyside, alternative rock band This Is War. The Liverpudlian five-piece consists of Paul Garden (Vocals), Jonny Roberts (Lead Guitar), Gianluca Rizzoli (Bass), Bertrand Bouyer (Rhythm) and Martyn Leah (Drums)

The band formed in 2021 and have quickly earned themselves a massive following and also Spotify streams.

Of the song Paul says “Laces is about being a child at heart and seeing it from an adults point of view. Be free…Be honest…Be better”

Emily Marsden – Editor
#MusicSceneWales
@MusicSceneWales
musicscenewalescymru@gmail.com

Indie Revolution Single Of The Week – Hazy Sundays ‘Wires’

In a brand new weekly piece, Music Scene Wales will feature a fresh new single chosen from the best on the independent music scene by the Indie Revolution team, those being Music Scene Wales, Yr Wyddfa Records, This Is The Music, Upcoming Bands and Wax and Beans.

First in our new feature this week is Hazy Sundays mesmerizing new single ‘Wires’. Emotional and heartfelt its reminiscent of 90s classics, a real musical treasure.

Emily Marsden – Editor
#MusicSceneWales
@MusicSceneWales
musicscenewalescymru@gmail.com

This Is The Music (Mark Speller) Music Scene Wales Monthly Collaboration

ThisIsTheMusic delivers his first piece for Music Scene Wales and talks about how his page started and the exciting features for the blog.

For those that aren’t aware, I started ThisIsTheMusic during lockdown, initially sharing some of my music memorabilia from gig tickets to photos with band members (Bonehead and Graham Coxon to name two!) and growing my vinyl, before focusing my attention on unsigned bands/artists.

Initially my focus was through playlists, before making the decision to start a “song of the day” providing a summary of why I loved the chosen song. 

This soon progressed into writing blogs, previewing new music releases, from singles, to EPs and albums, with the odd live review added into the mix too, helping to champion new music and bands that are well and truly on the rise. 

In early 2021, I was asked to interview LOCK-IN, a band I’d discovered in September 2020, for a podcast, which at this point didn’t exist!!  In case you weren’t aware LOCK-IN have continued to grow their fan base and just a few weeks ago, headlined the This Feeling tent at truck festival: the first of many headline slots for the band, I’m sure. 

Since those very early beginnings the podcast has continued to grow and it’s been great getting to chat to some many different bands and artists, such as The Shed Project, Columbia (Now Those Heavy Souls), Marseille, San Quentin, Capes and Holy Coves and many more. 

In addition, I host the “Rise of The Indie Artists” show on a weekly basis on Future Hits Radio. I joined Future Hits Radio at the start of 2023, having done a radio show elsewhere on and off for 18 months. Future Hits is a great opportunity for ThisIsTheMusic to shine the spotlight on unsigned bands/artists, through playing forthcoming releases, or songs that the new music community has grown to love! 

As a result of the blogs, the podcasts and the radio show, I’ve been able to make some great friends be that band members or people who are like me, fans. 

So where does ThisIsTheMusic and Music Scene Wales fit together? 

Well, I’ve been presented with a fantastic opportunity to write a monthly article in the Music Scene Wales blog. Whilst I’ll still be writing my own blogs, the monthly article with Music Scene Wales, will see me start a new series, which after much thought and consideration (if you believe that you’ll believe anything haha) will be called ThisIsTheMusic New Music recommendations.

Every month, I’ll be writing about my 5 favourite songs, that I’ve really enjoyed listening to and will hopefully be loved by the Music Scene Wales community.  

I’ll also be contributing to the recently launched Indie Revolution playlist, currently curated by Scott Marsden and Colin Marshall, which is something I’m looking forward to.

For everything ThisIsTheMusic you can find me across social media here https://linktr.ee/ThisIsTheMusic_

The Rise of The Indie Artists show is on Future Hits Radio every Thursday from 7pm 

Mark
ThisIsTheMusic 
ThisIsTheMusic Socials



Emily Marsden – Editor
#MusicSceneWales
@MusicSceneWales
musicscenewalescymru@gmail.com