Every week we like to champion the music scene with ten songs in our playlist that all have a connection to the RaW (Reading and Wokingham) area and, sometimes, beyond. This week we have three new additions, one from new band that stunned everyone who saw them at shows in Wokingham and Reading recently and two from a couple of very contemporary and unique singer songwriters..
Sonic Whip – Watch It All Begin –
I keep reading people stating that rock is dead and that there are no good new rock bands anymore! Well those people can’t have seen Sonic Whip! They are a young three piece band from the Netherlands and they are surely one of the most exciting live bands around at the moment. We first saw them at the Radio Wig Wam Awards where they were so good that they were invited to headline the second stage at Wokingham Festival. What a performance they put on there! Incredible! A week later they were at Reading’s Purple Turtle. Just before they came on I turned to Andy M, our esteemed photographer and commented that there probably wouldn’t be many there as it was a Monday night and they were a relatively unknown band from overseas. How wrong was I? As soon as they took to the stage a large crowd appeared and it was clear that many had seen them at Wokingham Festival and had been so impressed that they’d come along to see them again! I’m sure everyone was so glad they did as this tight three piece, comprised of the impressive musicianship of Florian, Meryn & Kevin, took the roof off with an incendiary awesome performance which even included guitarist, Meryn, coming into the crowd whilst performing some incredible guitar solos! If you get the chance to see them when they next visit don’t miss it. Definitely one to check out before they get as big as they deserve to be! We feature here a new song from their excellent new EP, ‘Spinning Around’ – https://www.sonicwhipband.com/
Gemma Rogers – No Future –
One of the best gigs we’ve attended this year was Paulo Nutini’s Mount at Wasing show and in particular the support slot by Gemma Rogers and her fine band. Gemma writes socially aware songs with hooky choruses and an edgy sound that makes then sound so right for this crazy world at this crazy time in history! She has recently released a new four track EP which is available as a limited edition red 12” single and includes this title track – https://www.gemmarogersmusic.com/
Scott Lavene – Sadly I’m Not Steve McQueen –
Well, he may not be Steve McQueen but he certainly impressed Sid from Club Velocity. Sid has booked Scott for a show in December after seeing him during May’s Are You Listening? Festival! This song is taken from Scott’s new album, ‘Disneyland in Dagenham’ which is full of songs that showcase his unique writing talent. Check him out live at Reading Face Bar on Tuesday 3rd December – https://www.facebook.com/scottlavenemusic
Leddra Chapman – What If I –
Leddra’s performance at the LogIn Lounge in Camberley a few weeks ago was pure class! This is taken from her new album, ‘Telling Truths’ which is released this Friday! Leddra has a full band album launch show this Sunday 27th at Omeara in London. We would recommend going along – https://www.facebook.com/leddrachapman/
The Amazons – Living a Lie –
One of the biggest, current indie bands to come out of Reading and here’s their latest single and it’s quality stuff – https://theamazons.co.uk/
Echo Chambers – Cry –
A track that really grows on you from this Reading band’s ‘Versificator’ EP released earlier this year – https://linktr.ee/Echochambersrdg
Amanda Lehmann – Memory Lane –
Amanda performed a wonderful set at Wokingham Festival and she also played guitar as part of Steve Hackett’s touring band at Reading Hexagon on Tuesday this week, 22nd – https://www.amandalehmann.co.uk/
Mackenzie – Better Off Alone –
Mackenzie performed a tight exciting set with her excellent band at Wokingham Festival – https://linktr.ee/Mackenzieofficial
Hats TM – just like this –
The sound of Hats TM is modern pop with a sort of indie dream pop feel but it has a unique quality too – https://linktr.ee/hatstm
The Dead Can Wait – No One Knows Your Name –
Get along to the band’s album launchshow at Reading Face Bar on Saturday 26th – https://thedeadcanwait.band/
You can listen to all the songs featured in our Spotify playlist at https://bit.ly/rawsoundstoday
