HATCHAM SOCIAL

A funny Hatcham Social anecdote here: Champ saw one of them DJ at The Old Blue Last but didn't realise it was them until our mate Joss told us it was. Ok, not that funny. But who needs funny when Hatcham Social provide dramatic yearning with promise and conviction? 'How do they provide such promised prizes?' you cry! The answer is, with swelling guitar lines bashed out alongside the occasional synth chirp, all underpinned by some solid bass. The vocals are just the right side of dead-pan, with leaks of emotion and fun that make the choruses of songs such as "Crocodile" just that extra bit hummable. Some may quiver at the mention of synths alongside guitars, but like fellow Londoners The Horrors, Hatcham Social make it all work. Fans of a very British musical melodrama will fall in love with Hatcham Social, if you haven't already swooned. Hatcham Social have been doing their thang for a while now, another thing we learnt from Joss. Nice one Joss, nice one Hatcham Social. Next time any of you DJ, Champ will be smiling at you in adoration.

 http://www.myspace.com/hatchamsocial


For Fans Of:

The Horrors, Wild Beasts, Weird Dreams

THE SMILES

There are a few bands on myspace called The Smiles, but avoid them and head straight to the link below this gushing paragraph. The Smiles use of light and sprite-ly guitars will make you smile, the dual vocalists will make you smile and the drums that thud like running feet on sand will make you smile. The Smiles will make you smile with their nuggets of perfected popular song, they will make you smile until your face aches. They have a lot of character, which gives their songs a face that you can really love. Their song "California Girls" for instance, is much nicer than the innuendo-fest of  Katie Perry's song of the same title. Like The Beach Boys before them, their simple yet precise and to the point choice of name, lyrical subject matter and overall sound works like a dog riding a skateboard. It just has so much appeal potential. Seriously, it'll put a smile on your face.

http://thesmiles.bandcamp.com/


For Fans Of:

French Kissing, Vampire Weekend, Harlem

Champ presents SECRET ADMIRER

Secret Admirer is our new fanzine, that aims to ask musicians the questions that all you fanboys and fangirls have always wanted to know the answers to. The first issue is out now, featuring interviews with Lee Francis from Archives and the Camden dwelling band Tribes. We aim to put copies in shops and general lovely spaces all over! So look out for Secret Admirer, pick up a copy and spread the word! Keep it right here at Champ for all the updates on Secret Admirer. IT IS FREE!

NEEDLES//PINS

It is a shame that music has lost a little of it's originality. But why not enjoy the fruits of new musical labour that are still growing ripe, even if they do taste like you've tasted them before. Of course, enthusiasm helps, and NEEDLES//PINS have overflowing buckets of that! Don't you worry! What they also have are skatter-brained, strum-tastic, rip-roaring, life-snorting songs. Their sound is effortlessly infectious, so no need for quirky marketing, keyboards or a beanie hat with these guys. Funny name, but soon the only words you'll be able to think about are the words to anthems like "Drop It" and "Kalifornia Korner". Penned by...you guessed it, NEEDLES//PINS.

http://soundcloud.com/needlesxpins


For Fans Of:

French Kissing, Sex Beet, Lovvers

FOXES IN FICTION

The music floating about under the monstrous moniker of Foxes In Fiction is packed, like a pack lunch made by a loving mother, with soaring swishyness and barely-awake vocal laments. Although Champ cant think of many foxes from fictional stuff apart from Fantastic Mr.Fox, Champ can think of plenty of places to listen to Foxes In Fiction. Part of the fun is trying to decipher which instrument is making which ambient shimmery noise. Another part of the fun is spinning around the room, your ears filled with the glorious songs of Foxes In Fiction. Spinning spinning spinning, until you dizzily drop to the ground.

http://www.foxesinfiction.com/


For Fans Of:

Beach House, Youth Lagoon, Teen Daze

BOTTLE IT

Here's a sneaky peek at some table decorations I've been working on for the Nook Cafe in Northampton. Chlo