BANG BANG ROMEO
Bang Bang Romeo are a Sheffield-based group of talented, driven and larger-than-life musicians with an appetite for success as big as their sound. Their music is timeless and classic, yet modern and exciting and a sound is already causing a stir across the industry and every audience they perform for.
Lead singer, Anastasia, has a voice totally unrivalled by her peers – the power and control that resonates from this 23-year-old girl has to be heard to be believed. The 3 piece which make up the rest of the band are supremely talented musicians with a work ethic – whether on stage or in the studio – of players twice their age.
With festival highlights in 2016 at the Isle of Wight (where they performed on 2 stages including The Big Top), Leeds (where they packed out the tent) and Tramlines (main stage) the scene is set for a packed calendar in 2017. They recently supported Starsailor on their UK tour in December and sold out of merchandise after the 2nd show, in addition the keyboard player from Starsailor asked if he could join them on stage for 2 of the performances after staying up all night learning the parts to 3 of their songs and subsequently asked if he can feature on the album. The band have just signed with Solo Music Agency (U2, Little Mix, Iggy Pop), and talks of major support tours abound.
Their debut album is currently in production but the industry is already talking – this much anticipated record has attracted them a publishing deal before it’s even completed and with offers of TV performances already coming in the release is sure to make a noise.
Bang Bang Romeo have the backing of some of the hardest-working teams in the business and the promotional campaigns that are about to commence will ensure this band achieve the level of exposure such talent and dedication deserves.
Watch this space for one of the most exciting bands to come out of the UK in many years, and one with a global potential unseen since the glory days of the biggest stadium bands in the world.
“…like a Tarantino soundtrack” Huw Stephens, BBC Radio 1
“Mesmerizing live show that drew in the crowds and blew people away – a festival highlight!” Official Leeds Festival
“completely mind-blowing” Louder Than War
“huge sound, like a hard-edged Fleetwood Mac” Radio X
“a rousing soulful gem” Tom Robinson, BBC Radio 6
CORTES
Initially discovered by Rock Show host Dan P. Carter, London twenty-something three piece Cortes first found airplay on BBC Radio 1 via Zane Lowe who described the band as ‘almost certainly better than good’. Following a period of song writing and deal making, the band next appeared on the BBC via BBC Introducing in Devon with presenter James Santer declaring the band one of his artists of 2016, even spinning them on his recent New Years Eve show. Through the support of BBC Introducing, the bands track ‘Close To Nowhere’ made it’s way to Annie Mac who’s new evening show branded the band ‘Ones To Watch’. ‘Close To Nowhere’ (which features on the bands debut EP, a record produced and co-written with Larry Hibbit whose credits also include Marmozets and Nothing But Thieves) went on to make it onto the BBC Radio 1 Introducing Playlist and the band were even introduced on stage by Annie Mac at the ‘BBC Radio 1: One Big Weekend’ festival in Exeter. Further BBC Support came from Huw Stephens who played the band on his 10pm slot at least twice.
Aside from the BBC, Cortes enjoyed a successful 2016 playing a host of festivals, touring with Sunset Sons, selling out The Old Blue Last and The Sebright Arms, scoring XFM Playlists (for 2nd single towers), two New Music Friday tips from Spotify and a HUGE pan-European sync with FORD MUSTANG for the track ‘Close To Nowhere’, landing pre-Christmas. With their sights set fully on 2017, the band have this year recorded a full second EP, are actively seeking a label and have locked in Communion/Bushstock Festival, Boardmasters, Barn On The Farm and more to come. You will not miss Cortes in 2017!
FRAN LOBO
A singer/songwriter and producer from North East London, Fran Lobo’s dark powerfully soulful vocals are accompanied by the hypnotic sounds of a vintage keytar, eerie electric guitars, deep beats, haunting choral harmonies and synth hooks. With influences ranging from Peter Gabriel, Massive Attack, The Pixies, Angel Olsen, 90’s two-step garage and Billie Holiday, her arresting and moving songs about the darker side of love stay with you long after your first listen. In the Summer of 2015, Fran self-released her debut EP Beautiful Blood to widespread critical acclaim, with many of the most influential publications sharing her vision of a new sound:
“With a voice like Nina Simone on Plain Gold Ring and a theatrical ambition like Bjork.” (CRACK Magazine)
“The North East Londoner’s first official release captures the haunting, often nerve-racking rush of adrenalin surging through your veins…her fearless vocals drive onward never letting you go” (Noisey/VICE)
“What an amazing sound!” (Huw Stephens, Radio 1)
“The new single from the genrebending, London artist is an incredibly curious, catchy tune” (The Independent)
“A heady mix of The Eurythmics, Amy Winehouse and Brandy” (NME)
The empowerment and inspiration from her workshop and facilitation work supporting females creating music and art, inspired Lobo to release SURROUND EP in Nov 2016 as a celebration of the incredible work created by women in the industry. Funded by the PRS ‘Women Make Music Fund’ she has collaborated with two of her favorite female artists, Auclair and Hannah Holland, on remixes and created a video in collaboration with Filament Theatre, an inspirational company led by Sabina Netherclift (movement director) and Osnat Schmool (choral composer and leader).
In the lead up to the release she also collaborated with Alexis Krauss of Sleigh Bells and perfomed with the band on Later with Jools Holland. The EP scooped up an array of glittering reviews:
“Grimes inspired Fran Lobo to push the limits of pop but her sound is all her own” (The FADER)
“The Londoner’s voice has more depth and character than every Game of Thrones character combined” (Music Week)
“A complex yet warming soul track” (The Independent)
‘Surround x Auclair’ (Remix) premieres on Clash, and it’s oblique sense of digital soul results in some wonderfully eerie scenes.Similar in approach to aspects of Jessy Lanza’s work, the shuffling rhythm casts 80s machine funk in a state of perpetual evolution. (CLASH Magazine)
Full of growling basslines, warped double vocals and her exploration of dance and electronica, it’s a complete channelling of emotion that takes you through the twists and turns of her life and provides a beautifully cathartic listening experience. Fran Lobo is a force unto herself. (Wonderland Magazine)
After a sold out headline show at Waiting Room for Parallel Lines back in June, Fran Lobo most recently played a packed out show at Pickle Factory in celebration of the release of SURROUND EP. Playing select shows coming up over the next few months including supporting Emel for Bird On The Wire and Rising festival, she is currently working on finishing up her next EP due later this year and a debut album for release next year.
SONIA STEIN
Introducing Sonia Stein, an exciting new pop voice, who has just revealed the video for her sultry R&B tinged release, ‘One Of Those Things’ . The single was produced by Liam Howe (FKA Twigs, Adele, Jessie Ware) and co-written with renowned pop songwriter Hannah Robinson (Lana Del Rey, Zara Larsson) and is Stein’s debut release via Marathon Artists.
Despite a fairly restless upbringing of traversing across continents (Berlin, Poland and America to name but a few), the music Sonia Stein creates is beautifully anchored. Quietly determined she creates the sort of songs that are full of drama and emotional complexities describing ‘One Of Those Things’ as being about, ‘The stage of denial about the end of a relationship with someone or something. You hold onto it out of comfort and fear, hoping if you wait a little longer, some semblance of what you had in the first place will show up again. ‘
For further info on Sonia Stein check out:
Website// Spotify // Facebook // Twitter // Instagram // Soundcloud // Youtube
DAN CROSSLEY
An enigmatic young artist has emerged. 21 year-old singer songwriter Dan Crossley grew up in suburban Telford, beginning to write songs as a young teenager – his lyrics reflecting his emotions and struggles throughout his childhood.
Needing an escape route from suburban life, Dan moved to London when he was 17 to pursue his music career full time. It seemed to have paid off, with his gossamer vocal quickly recognised and Dan being asked to perform at some of the most prestigious music venues in London including The Royal Albert Hall and the O2.
Now Dan steps into the spotlight with his debut release ‘Feel’. Again it’s the silken, powerful voice that first grabs you – dancing around the jutting synths laced underneath on the instrumental. This is an impressive, confident and polished debut from a young artist that’s bringing a credible edge to pop.
ALIKA
Alika is a multifaceted 22 year old songwriter/rapper/singer from West London who began writing at the age of 12 and recording music at 14. In 2015 she set up family run business Aquarius VIP [AVIP] which aims to facilitate the lives and careers of young people. Alika is the head engineer at AVIP’s in house recording studio where she has worked for and with artists such as Novelist, Cadet and Tamera Foster to name a few, it was there that she engineered the rough mix and went onto feature on Nadia Rose’s Poltergeist track on the Highly Fammable EP. Currently working with David Stewart, PassionFroot and Sente, Alika hopes to release her debut EP later in the year introducing you to her sound she calls UKRapSoul. Described as having a lazy flow over urban beats, UKRapSoul is an amalgamation of Alika’s musical genre likes and influences with UK vibes.
HOST: Mark Sutherland (Editor of Music Week)
Location: UNDER THE BRIDGE, STAMFORD BRIDGE, FULHAM ROAD. LONDON SW6 1HS
Tickets – Early Bird: £6 | Early Advance: £8 | Advance: £10 | On The Door: £15
