Ive got quite a few bands on at In The City fringe events but who are you looking forward to seeing

Alex

A band called The Low Lights. They're from Cardiff and I've been hearing LOTS about them. Not sure when or where they're playing yet but a friend of mine on the ITC team told me I should check them out. Any suggestions from yourself who we should see?

When are the dates?

I'll be interested in individuals with talent and charisma. Too often these days groups have some qualities but more conflicting ingredients that distract from the whole.

"Nice band - pity about the songs" or "Great guitarist but awful vocals".

The most meticulous and talented band I have seen for ages is still the Mercury Men.
A whole team pulling their weight in every way.

You get naturally very cynical when travelling to see acts sadly, more of a case of wondering whats wrong with them, more than anticipation.

Which brings me neatly round to a request for more tips please!

From the official ITC Unsigned check out Little Engine (www.myspace.com/littleenginemusic) - one of the best bands in Manchester and played for me loads

From our gigs check out as much as you can of the near 200 bands myself and 2 other promoters are putting on....the bands everyones talking about though are

* Twisted Wheel
* Carlis Star
* El Policia - www.myspace.com/elpolicia
* Orphan Boy
* The Drainpipes

And new off the blocks with only a handful of gigs between them The Circus Electric, The Sticks, Shanty Town

We did have Doug Walker booked for our event but its looking likely he'll be in New York with someone connected to Coldplay for mixing

Alex

El Policia have good raw potential on this early listen.
I quite envy the producer on this act, there is a gap in the market for the correct recordings.
They also stand up well as they are.
Interesting and very "go for it". The guitar sound is absolutely mental!
I shall have another listen.

Really like it.

When do they come to London ? Scuzzy guitars - great vocal - good songs - not many bands like that out there at the moment in my view who pull it off so convincingly.

I liked the lack of quantizing, the fact you could hear a spark of something, and they are a natural move from the Artics to the mainstream, which they may or may not like.

Yes; nice sound (thanks Alex - more links for the other tips?) but no hits yet.

You want a teen band with a hit? It's called Waiting.... over to you, Mart!

Oddly enough, I get so involved in other peoples stuff I often forget our home grown events.

Heres a link, and thanks for the nudge

www.myspace.com/fitzpain

El Policia will be in London early next year (or possibly shortly after ITC)

Links for the other tips are
www.myspace.com/thetwistedwheel
www.myspace.com/carlisstar
www.myspace.com/orphanboyuk
www.myspace.com/thedrainpipes

Thanks Alex

My thoughts are that there seem to be an awful lot of "influences" - Oasis, punk, etc - and whilst there's nothing wrong with that, there's a very thin line between influence and copying, and all the bands seem to cross that line.

You may say, being an old fart, of course I've heard it all before. I answer - no, I can still spot an original a mile off.

Second - intros; too many artistes seem to forget that the intro is what hooks or doesn't hook the listener so a) make it the greatest part of the track and b) keep it short (even if you repeat it later or build on it).

Nobody has the time or inclination to sit through too much without being bored.

I think that band mentioned above, the low lights, are the same one that are Song of the Day on The Guardian's site today: blogs.guardian.co.uk/music/

"A razor-sharp unsigned act, the Low Lights are that rarest of entities - indie with some sass. You and I Should Go Dancing is not just a song title - it's a damn good suggestion."

?

I like their style a lot and echoing what JK says above, they seem to have pretty good song intros. Is there any listing of their ITC playing time? They seem to be on the ITC myspace but no other details.
J