Unsigned City: Birmingham

Promoting unsigned artists is something we at Gigslutz feel extremely passionate about, with our regular ‘Unsigned Act Of The Week’ and ‘Ones To Watch’ features, as well as a wealth of reviews and premieres. Celebrating new artists, or even people who’ve been making music for years but not got the recognition they deserve, is something we pride ourselves on and feel is an integral part of what the world of music should be about. We therefore thought it would be a great idea to focus on the array of unsigned artists in different cities around the country and spread the word about the huge amount of talent that is out there! 

– Mari Lane, Assistant Editor & Unsigned Artists Editor

 

This week, Kayleigh takes a look at the unsigned scene in Birmingham… 

 

YOUTH MAN: Like your music coated with menace? If so, look no further than Youth Man and the pummeling punch that this trio’s noise exudes. From early 2012, the band’s aural and visual assault have torn through a swathe of inoffensive ‘indie’ rock of the city, standing out like a sore thumb for all the best of reasons. Fronted by Kaila Whyte – an impressive guitarist and committed vocalist – their raucous recent single ‘Joy’ is the best place to start. Sporting scathing lyrics and the riotous energy that their live sets are renowned for, this is blood and spit music. Be ready for it.

 

 

MUTT:  Describing themselves as “Four bodies. Fuzz and guts” is as bold and simplistic as it gets, but if you like your grunge then you’ll definitely be chuffed with MUTT. Existing just shy of a year, the band have been causing a stir at local festivals with tracks such as the rollicking ‘Hammerheart’ – a belter dusted with the sugar-sweet shrieks of Lottie Spencer.

 

 

KIN: If you prefer your music a bit more pop inclined, then KIN are a good bet. Fusing catchy hooks with a grooving bass, lucid whirls and moody undertones, the echoey vocals of Tom Gladstone ricochet in your brain long after their most recent song ‘Loom’ has finished.

 

 

Table Scraps: Girl and boy vocals and three drums are all very good, but one guitar and – er – three amps, makes for a whole lot of fuzz. Not ones to do things conventionally, Table Scraps are easily one of the most exciting of Birmingham’s exports and their minimalist take on rowdy punk is as fun as it is nasty. Scott Vincent Abbott and Poppy Twist drag the dirty noise of most recent single ‘Bug’ out for a mere minute and a half, but it’s enough. Short, blunt and to the point: this duo don’t mess around with filler.

 

 

UUOO: If you are inclined towards something a little different and aren’t agitated by the prospect of r’n’b tinged electronica, then UUOO (pronounced ‘woo’) is a wondrous find. Sam Wooster, the solitary man behind the guise, crafts effortlessly slick songs; his evocative, hushed vocals drawing the listener into a sense of intimacy. His self-titled debut EP is to be marvelled; one listen to Power, and you will be swayed.

 

 

Do you live in Bimingham and know of some great unsigned artists? Let us know at @Gigslutz_ 

 

Kayleigh Watson

@ooKayyy

 

 

 

 

 

Kayleigh Watson
Twenty-something tale-spinner and culture hound. Lover of rowdy rock, synth pop, Game Of Thrones and cake.
Kayleigh Watson

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