Ones To Watch: Savannah - GigslutzGigslutz

Hailing from Telford, Savannah haven’t been surrounded and influenced by a strong local music scene like many new bands, but this has clearly only motivated them more. ‘Raggaman’, the second release from their self-titled EP, shows a definite strength in what they’re doing. In the intro alone, it manages to flawlessly interpret a number of different styles, before settling into a steady alt. rock/reggae feel. Perhaps their clearest influences vocally seem to be The Ordinary Boys and, unsurprisingly, Kasabian, also from the midlands. They’re punchy, but controlled. While the lyrics could be misconstrued as a little lazy, they are comfortably cavalier; sometimes we all need a break from the complexity of the Alex Turners of the world, and instead need the refreshing simplicity of lyrics such as these.

The music itself is where the reggae influence becomes clear. This track doesn’t sound unlike The Skints, giving it an undeniable London reggae vibe, something that is always welcome in new music. What Savannah pull off particularly well is sounding like a number of very established bands, while still managing to maintain their own unique style to the table. They carry hints of everyone from The Ordinary Boys to Kasabian, or even Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds, yet at no point do they appear to be risking an entirely stolen sound. Kudos, guys.

Savannah are due to release their debut EP next month, and have a run of local dates coming up:

04/10 The Crown, Dawley
24/10 The Rainbow, Birmingham
31/10 The Wrekin Inn, Wellington
15/11 The Duke Of York, Oakengates
28/11 Robin 2, Bilston, supporting From The Jam
29/11 The Railway, Wellington

Melissa Svensen

@MelYeaahh