LISTEN UP: THE STROKES - ONE WAY TRIGGER

Well after a bit of a wait - the first track from the upcoming Strokes album has been released to the world! Upon first listen - Listen Up Manchester was thinking A-ha meets Hot Chip. Not an instant Strokes classic, but will it be a true taste of the album to come? Only time will tell! Lets hope the album proves the Strokes still have it in 2013!!!

LISTEN UP: NIKKI MURRAY

I may be an honorary Northerner now but my roots are still down South and far back in my distant past, I went to Secondary School with a guy who displayed a fair amount of promise on the Guitar. After years of graft and touring with the likes of Celine Dion and James Blunt, he’s now won his own record contract and the debut album from Nikki Murray will be released early in 2013. The first single, ‘She’s Electric’, is out now and is a catchy pop tune, with a lively, foot tapping beat. Its fun, doesn’t take itself too seriously and has an infectious chorus that will stick in your head from the first listen. Check out the video below (for an added bonus for fans of the American version of the Office the video features Stanley!!!) - by JB

LISTEN UP: METZ

After a recent tip off - I have been listening to Metz and felt the need to share this band from Toronto (and signed to the legendary Sub Pop label) with all you Listen Up Manchester readers - if you like raw heavy grungy punk rock then take a listen to the below session recorded by our favourite radio station (Seattle's KEXP) - also check out their debut album (it can be found on spotify) - enjoy!

LISTEN UP: ANNIE DRESSNER

Listen Up Manchester and check out the talented Annie Dressner - a singer/songwriter from New York City - she has recently relocated to our shores and has based herself in Cambridge. Her music is both whimsical and melancholic, with a fantastic voice that reminds me a little of Jessica Lea Mayfield - that great combination of beauty and sadness.
After several listens to Annie's album "Strangers Who Knew Each Others Names" its clear she is an accompished artist who is a natural songwriter showing a real range of both upbeat carefree songs and more deeper sadder songs.
Have a listen to "Fly" one of our favourite songs & the opening track to her album below and if you like what you hear then check out more about her and details of where you can get the album from on her website (www.anniedressner.com) & hopefully we'll get to see Annie playing in Manchsester in the near future.

LISTEN UP: FINDLAY

Here at Listen Up Manchester - we have just been turned on to Findlay! As her publicity says: "Findlay is a new 20-something artist from Manchester, and Your Sister and You Gave Me Grace are her first offerings - evoking a gritty and raw garage fuelled energy that could easily give her male counterparts a clear run for their money when she hits the stage. There's a limited 7" released on Manchester label Joyeux Anniversaire Records and she's already won the attention of Jake Bugg who's taking Findlay on tour around the UK in November."
We can say that having checked out her music & video online we think she is awesome!!!
You should all get down to the Castle Hotel on Oldham Street on the 12th October and check her out! (www.findlaymusic.com). If you cant make the gig then check out her video and Listen Up Manchester to Findlay:

LISTEN UP: VELOCETS

Listen Up Manchester and check out the Velocets - a new band (formed in March 2012) from Manchester. They are made up of Adam, Elliott and Dom. Acording to their brief bio they have all previously been in different bands, but have now joined forces to become Velocets. From what we have heard (there are some songs up on their Facebook page: www.facebook.com/Velocets) they sound pretty damn good - go forth and Listen Up Manchester to the Velocets - as they say on their bio 2012 looks to be a promising year for the band.

If you want to see what they sound like then check out this video now! If you enjoy then it looks like they are playing a free live gig as part of the Brewed in Britain bill at Gullivers on Oldham Street in Manchester on the 6th October, so get down and support local live music!

LISTEN UP: THE MUTINEERS

So here's a Manchester band for you all to go and check out:

 

They have been together since 2010 and according to thier bio describe themselves and their debut album as: Manchester’s epic, soulful pop craftsmen Mutineers proudly present their hotly anticipated debut album ‘Friends, Lovers, Rivals’, a breathtaking collection of infectious, colossal potential hits set to inspire a heart-stirring musical future.

But dont just believe what they tell us - check out their music: 

If you like what you hear - make sure you go and order the album from iTunes or even better still get down to Sound Control on Friday the 28th September. Tickets are only £7 (plus booking) so grab yours now before its too late: www.soundcontrolmanchester.co.uk/events/the-mutineers

Links to the Mutineers website, Facebook & Twitter are here so you can help spread the word:
http://mutineersofficial.tumblr.com
www.facebook.com/mutineersofficial
https://twitter.com/mutineers__