One To Watch: Louis Antoniou

There always seems to be a constant stream of young, solo artists trying to build steam in order to breakthrough. Most of it though, is just talk and really just smoke without the fire.
Yes, you might be reading this and thinking this is just talk as well, and you’re right, it is, but this guy is a genuine “one to watch”.

Watford born, singer-songwriter Louis Antoniou has been on the blues indie scene in both Watford and Nottingham for a while now, but its after his recent performance at Y-Not festival that it could be time for you to keep an eye on this blues rocker, as his momentum is now really starting to gather steam.

His track “Forever climbing” is considered to be Louis’ foot-stomping opener when it comes to his live performances, which always seems to go down well as an up-beat opener that really sets the mood for the whole set.

“Modern day blues” could be arguably Louis’ most recognisable track, (the single that Louis has played most on numerous TV appearances for example), offering a punky skittle sound, this crowd favourite is always a record that goes down with a great reception at any of his live performances.

His maturity to be able to understand his audience in order to provide a kick-ass live show is fantastic and probably why he was asked to play at Y-Not festival, plus the incredibly catchy blues rock tunes that have always been great to listen to, especially live.

These singles I’ve mentioned are just tasters though, I personally still feel that Louis will continue to improve alongside the momentum that is really starting to build behind this young artist.

The future looks bright for Louis, the gathering momentum will only send him onwards and upwards.

Watch this space.

Record of the Week #7

This Record of the Week comes from The Bootleggers feat. Mark Lanegan and the song is called “Fire and Brimstone“.
This track was on the soundtrack to the film Lawless. A truly great film and this single is probably the best track from the film. (As well as being just a very cool tune.) The soulful, acoustic blues guitar throughout is accompanied well by the, almost vintage sound the bootleggers carry with them which, in turn, helps create an atmosphere reminiscent of this time period.

Header Photo Credit: themovieblog.com

Record of the Week #6

This pick for Record of the Week is a tune and a half. The track is called “Gimme all your Lovin” and its from ZZ Top. Now I know this song isn’t exactly a new track, and I know it hasn’t been “recently released”, but it is such a banger.

Their iconic heavy blues, ‘in your face’ guitar intro is always great to listen to, and the whole song is just genius.

Enough Said.

Enjoy:

Header Photo Credit: ultimateclassicrock.com

Record of the week #5

Muse aren’t really considered to be a blues rock band as such. However, they have showed spurts, and this weeks record of the week comes from their newest single “psycho”. You’ve probably heard it on the radio quite frequently since its release.
This is one of their finest singles yet, with the hard-htting intro that carries on straight through the entire track; its catchy, heavy and bluesy.

Check it out:

Record of the Week #4

This record of the week comes from a group called The Heavy, and the track is titled “How you like me now“.

You’ll probably recognise this song from quite a few adverts, and The Heavy have also had a few other songs that have been used on quite a lot of adverts before; one of their tracks was also used as the theme tune for Strike Back. But this single is probably their most famous one, and it is a bit of tune:

Cheers.

Record of the Week #3

This weeks entry for Record of the Week comes from Seasick Steve. The track is titled “Started out with Nothin”.

Starting out in the 1960’s, Seasick Steve has continuously been a prominent figure in the world of blues. Recognised all over America and the UK for his shabby beard and homemade guitars, this single has a very specific sound that you may associate with films relating to the prohibition era in America.

With four of this previous albums hitting gold in the UK alone, its safe to say that Seasick Steve is an imperial force within the genre.

“Started out with Nothin” for me, however, is most definitely one of his defining moments as a blues musician.

Let me know what you think in the comments below.

Cheers.

Header Photo Credit: upload.wikimedia.org

Record of the Week #2

This weeks track comes from a band that have been around for a little while now but have definitely gone under the radar a tad. Their called Wolfmother and the track is named “Joker and the Thief“.

This single actually was played at the start of the Hangover and Jackass 2, and to be honest, they’re probably the only places you may recall hearing it.

Well, here it is now, and really shouldn’t give it a miss, a f*cking belter.

Let us know what you think.

Header Photo Credit:f1.bcbits.com

Record of the Week #1

This is a new feature.
Every Wednesday I’m just going to name a single track from a single artist that I think is really worth a listen. If you don’t listen, then trust me, you’re missing out. So listen.

This weeks track comes from a young solo artist named Hanni El Khatib, the track is titled You Rascal You.

A young prodigy in the Blues Rock genre, this San-Francisco born singer-songwriter has previously worked with  musicians such as Dan Auerbach, so he’s obviously got talent.
With an incredibly hard rock intro, Khatib continues with his heavy blues sound throughout to create a rock sound that is just too catchy to ignore. This song is a toooooon.

Lyrics centred around death and mens’ attitude towards women, Khatib clearly possesses strong morale feelings towards topical issues; a mature view on a delicate topic helps this song propel itself into the limelight within this genre.

This track is hard hitting and incredibly catchy all at the same time. So have a listen and give your feedback below.

Header Photo Credit: allstonpudding.com

The Dead Weather: I Feel Love (Single Review)

Carry on reading if you’ve listened to: 

• The White Stripes
• The Raconteurs
• The Kills
• Queens of the Stone Age

The single came out of nowhere, with Jack White releasing Lazaretto in the middle of last year, I expected White to continue with his solo work until he formed a new group, and not continue work with a band that had already released two studio albums. However, because I loved the Dead Weather before, I had no worries about their new single being boring or tame. I Feel Love, for me, goes far beyond the boundaries of what the Dead Weather can limit themselves too. It has the swagger we all now Jack White possess, and his blues rock alternative background continues to flow right through Alison Mossharts’ lyrics until White again swings back around to his amped guitar rift.

This single is of top quality because this is exactly what you’d expect from The Dead Weather. With other groups, when they keep releasing singles that are of a similar sound, they get criticised and rightly so, however with The Dead Weather, and this track, it epitomises everything great about the band and its perfect for a sneak peak of the new album; they have released a hit that has wet our whistles and allows us to eagerly sit in anticipation for the album , and thats exactly what an early single should do.

This new age supergroup had never previously made it all the way to the top in terms of popularity among us Brits but they were ever present in the underground rock and alternative music across the country when hits such as ‘Cut Like A Buffalo’ and ‘Hustle and Cuss’ were released. Now, to follow on from the previous two albums and those tracks in particular, it’s going to take some genius from Jack White to prove that The Dead Weather are not another band that can’t replicate their earlier noughties success. This is Jack White were talking about though, and this record goes some way to proving how Jack White can come from the shadows to create a record that symbolises and amplifies the importance of new age blues rock in the modern era.

Rating: 8.5/10

Header Photo Credit: gigslutz.co.uk