Tommy Tokyo & Starving For My Gravy are making waves crossing the North Sea. Norway based Tommy Tokyo, have already released their album 'Smear Your Smiles Back On' on home soil last September. They are now set for a UK release - after performing at the Great Escape festival - later on next month.

The Americana, Physchedelia and Folk-esque band have wowed critics with their latest album 'Smear Your Smiles Back On'. Critics have likened them to artists such as Bob Dylan, David Bowie, Nick Cave and Lou Reed. Contemporary comparisons have also been made with Arcade Fire, Iron & Wine and Modest Mouse.

'Smear Your Smiles Back On' is abundant with musical creativity that only a handful of bands can measure up to. The love, anger, and humour emanating from “The Circle Must Be Broken” make it certain for success. “Somersault” exhales perfect listening pleasure, incorporating relaxed tunes with deep lyrics. The penultimate tune “In The Machine” tops off the album with a pacey, in parts upbeat buzz. Perfectly rounding off this highly original, dynamic and unique album.

Tommy Tokyo and Starving For My Gravy hit London for two more shows before heading back across the North Sea to Norway later this week.

(Dates and information subject to change.)

May 18, 2009 @ The 12 Bar Club, London
May 19, 2009 @ Borderline, London

Tommy Tokyo & Starving For My Gravy on MySpace

Having taken SXSW by storm, Bristol Music Foundation brings the South West sound and knowledge to Brighton’s Great Escape Festival this year, with a full day of events dedicated to raising awareness of Bristol’s burgeoning music scene and heritage.

Thursday 14th May, 2009, 11am-7pm

Taking residency at The Great Escapes HQ, The Thistle Hotel, the mini convention holds host to a series of exciting South West themed talks and panel conferences with leading local industry figures and media partners, all with South West associations.

Speakers include:

Chris Morrison (CMO Management)
Korda Marshall (Infectious - Muse, The Enemy)
Nick Williams (Brit School)
Seth Jackson (Indie Mobile)
John Empson (Eden Sessions)
Jack Kingslake (High Road)
Alison Tickell (Julie's Bicycle)

Chris Morrison and Korda Marshall will be talking individually and participating in a joint discussion about the future of the music industry. The day will also include a discussion on ‘The Evolution of Dubstep in Bristol’s Multi Cultural Music History’.

Following the talks, a drinks reception will take place on the Library Terrace from 5 til 7pm feat music from the Carrivick Sisters, the Volt, Joe 90 (Future Boogie) and introducing Theo. It will feature a Bristol Urban Art Gallery courtesy of Friend & Co, and giveaways including an exclusive limited edition vinyl compilation of Bristol and South West artists. The evening will then continue with gigs from Bristol’s finest, including The Locarnos, Rosie and The Goldbug, Phantom Limb and The She Creatures in venues across the city.

Bristol’s presence resumes on the Saturday at The Great Escape with headline performances from TurboWolf and FREELAND.

For further information please visit:

Bristol Music Foundation Official Website

The Great Escape Official Website

Leona Naess was born in New York, grew up in London, returned to America, studied anthropology, got a record deal at 22, modeled for Calvin Klein and dated Ryan Adams, but the songwriter says she would “rather shoot myself than listen to my own story”.

Watch "Heavy Like Sunday" video (released 2008):

On 11th May, 2009 Leona Naess will release the exquisite 'Thirteens' on Polydor/Kid Gloves - thirteen songs from thirteen homemade lo-fi “albums”.

The album is Naess’s first LP in six years. In early 2004, on the eve of a tour to promote her third, self-titled album on Outpost/Geffen, Naess suddenly found herself mourning the passing of her father. "Did you ever have a day where it all just came apart?" she sings on "Learning As We Go". This, one suspects, was that day. Naess cancelled the tour and disappeared for a while, cutting herself off from the music scene.

Recently, over the past two or three years and while living in London, Naess began playing again, teaming up with friend and producer Sam Dixon for daily writing sessions at his home, and here and there with other musician friends. 'Thirteens' brings together the best from this prolific time - astonishingly pure songs; songs of mourning and realisation and muted joy. Sadness has rarely sounded so sublime, from the slow, beautiful drift of opener "Ghosts In The Attic" to the plaintive and confiding "Heavy Like Sunday".

The record holds happier moments too, reflecting Naess’s unassailable mischievous side: the giddiness of "Lipstick", the rollicking "Unnamed", written drunkenly just before her father's death, and the spirited, rabble-rousing future single "Leave Your Boyfriends Behind". A version featuring the vocal talents of Mr. Ryan Adams will grace the b-side of the single out in June.

Album: 'Thirteens' is released via download on 10th May and in shops on 11th May

Single: "Leave Your Boyfriends Behind" 7” picture disc released 8th June with exclusive version featuring Ryan Adams on the B-Side

“The singer returns with her most personal work to date” - Dazed & Confused

Leona Naess April/May 2009 UK tour dates:

(Dates and information subject to change.)

With A Camp:

April 28 Birmingham Glee Club 0871 472 0400 www.glee.co.uk
April 29 Dublin Academy 0818 719 300 www.ticketmaster.ie
April 30 Belfast Spring & Airbrake 0818 719 300 www.ticketmaster.ie
May 2 Glasgow ABC2 08444 999 990 www.gigsinscotland.com
May 3 Leeds Cockpit 0113 245 4650 www.lunatickets.co.uk
May 6 London Kings College 0871 230 5595 www.seetickets.com / www.kililive.com

Also playing:

May 16 The Great Escape Festival, Brighton @ Red Roaster

Buy Music:

Leona Naess on amazon.co.uk

Leona Naess on amazon.com

Leona Naess MySpace

Leona Naess Official Website

Photo: The Charlatans

Virgin Media today announced that Just Jack and The Charlatans will mentor the finalists of Road to V - the UK’s biggest and longest running search for unsigned musical talent.

Genre-fusing Just Jack, caused a sensation with his breakthrough Brit Hop style... mixing up beats, melodies and witty, conversational lyrics to funky home made loops, creating a sound that has influenced a generation of bedroom beat poets.

The Charlatans, with a history of V Festival performances to their name, now on their tenth studio album and famous for a string of hits including indie classics such as "The Only One I Know" and "Weirdo", will join Just Jack in mentoring the ten lucky finalists of the competition, before two winners are eventually decided by a public vote.

Although coming from two completely different perspectives (both musically and lyrically), these two prolific artists with their combined experience, will offer a complete package of advice to fledgling acts in developing their sound and image, and help set them up for a career in music.

Photo: Just Jack

The recruitment of Just Jack and The Charlatans as mentors marks a first for Virgin Media, which has refreshed the format of Road to V for 2009, offering entrants the chance to be nurtured by established musicians for the very first time. In previous years, Road to V consisted of a judging panel of industry professionals, who selected the finalists before going on to decide on two winning acts.

The competition is now open for registrations, and two winning acts will open up the mighty V Festival, which takes place this summer, in Chelmsford and Stafford on 22nd to 23rd August, 2009.

Acts have until 12th April 2009 to head to www.roadtov.com to register and be in with a chance of being one of the ten final acts to make it through to the live stage of the competition.

Not only will the lucky finalists be mentored by our established artists, they will also get the once in a life time opportunity to play alongside them at the Great Escape festival in Brighton on 14th to 16th May.

In addition, the ten finalists will all appear, with their mentors, on the Road to V show on Virgin 1 which began Friday 3rd April 2009, and airs on every first Friday of the month until August.

You can also tune in to watch extended shows with exclusive interviews and performances on Virgin Media’s music on demand service and on the Road to V website - www.roadtov.com.

After the Great Escape, the artist mentors will whittle the final ten down to six remaining acts. Then it’s over to the fans to decide who wins the ultimate prize of opening one of the UK’s biggest music festivals - V.

Since 2004, Road to V has nurtured great new talent, with bands such as quirky post-punk trio The Young Knives and Bombay Bicycle Club achieving nationwide success. The Young Knives attracted a Mercury Award nomination in 2007 for their second album, 'Voices of Animals', and the Bombay Bicycle club signed a deal with Island Records in 2008.

Rosie Spooner, head of music sponsorship at Virgin Media said, “Road to V is all about the music; it’s so important to have a good calibre of mentors, who can make a real difference to our unsigned music talent. Just Jack has his third album out this year and his new single ‘Embers’ is currently all over the radio, The Charlatans are touring throughout the year and doing special projects like Road to V. Both artists have caused a sensation in their own musical ways - coming from very different musical backgrounds, loved by millions and offering our acts the advice they need to succeed.”

The Charlatans drummer, Jon Brookes comments, “We as mentors will offer the truth to any band that asks us to talk with them about our experiences. It won’t be a pupil / teacher vibe, but something more subtle, a guide or confidant. Hopefully it will be a two-way arrangement and we will all get to share something.”

Whilst Just Jack added, “I’m really looking forward to being a Road to V mentor. When you write songs obviously you put everything into them - however, you need honesty as an artist and you need to hear honest opinions from people”.

Road To V - for more information and to register

Virgin Media Official Website

Every now and then you come across a new band that stands apart from the rest. A band whose songwriting belies their inexperience, a singer whose range and brilliance at once captivates and enfolds, and an energy that is impossible to ignore.

Melbourne four piece THE TEMPER TRAP have persevered since their formation, playing, recording and eventually catching the ear of the all important stations and festival crowds back home.

They now come to the UK for their first ever live shows and debut UK release "Science of Fear".

Watch "Science of Fear" video:

The band, Jonathon, Lorenzo and Toby met Dougy when he emigrated from Bali, Indonesia and they soon earned a fiercesome reputation as a killer live band. With a keen ear for melody, matched by infectious rhythms and symphonic, arresting guitars, the band is further separated from the pack by lead singer Dougy’s captivating, unique vocals - and The Temper Trap soon started earning comparisons to the likes of Radiohead, TV on the Radio and Arcade Fire.

A track "Sweet Disposition" was recorded with esteemed producer Jim Abbiss (Massive Attack, DJ Shadow, Arctic Monkeys) and started generating superlatives from fans and media across the world via their MySpace site. They came to the attention of the BBC with a slot on Zane Lowe’s ‘Introducing’ show and gained prestigious spot in the BBC Sound of 2009 top 15.

The Temper Trap kicked off 2009 playing the travelling Laneway Festival in Australia and then became the first signing to the new Infectious Music.

They will release their debut single "Science of Fear" on April 20, 2009, followed by an album in the summer of 2009. The single will be available on limited 7” and digital and also features remixes by Herve, Mistabishi, Filthy Dukes and Boe Weaver.

The NME has already tipped their “impassioned, infectious, surging sound ... big brash guitars and anthemic songs”.

The band played UK shows in March in London and SXSW in Austin, and will return for a busy summer in the UK.

The Temper Trap UK (+ Paris) tour dates:

(Dates and information subject to change.)

16 April Nouveau Casino 'Custom', Paris France
17 April Club NME, KOKO, London UK
24 April Camden Crawl, London UK

15 - 16 May BRIGHTON, The Great Escape Festival
15th Friday COALITION, Drowned In Sound Stage
16th Saturday Komedia XFM Presents Stage

The Temper Trap on amazon.co.uk

The Temper Trap on amazon.com

The Temper Trap MySpace
The Temper Trap Official Website

In what will undoubtedly be one of the highlights of the year, Kasabian announce a 20-date UK summer tour to coincide with the release of their extraordinary new album ‘West Ryder Pauper Lunatic Asylum’ (June 8th), on Columbia.

Kasabian - Serge Pizzorno (Songwriter, Guitar, Vocals), Tom Meighan (Vocals), Chris Edwards (Bass) and Ian Matthews (Drums) kick off the tour in their hometown of Leicester for a trio of shows (May 29th, 30th, 31st) and round off the tour with 2-dates at the Brixton Academy (July 16th, 17th).

Kasabian also play 9 massive stadium shows this summer as special guests to Oasis, which begins in Manchester, June 4th and brought to a spectacular close with 3-dates at Wembley Stadium (July 9th, 11th, 12th).

Kasabian 2009 UK summer tour dates:

(Dates and information subject to change.)

May 2009
Fri 29th LEICESTER, De Montfort Hall www.livenation.co.uk 0016 233 3111
Sat 30th LEICESTER, De Montfort Hall www.livenation.co.uk 0016 233 3111
Sun 31st LEICESTER, De Montfort Hall www.livenation.co.uk 0016 233 3111

June 2009
Tue 2nd WOLVERHAMPTON, Civic Hall www.livenation.co.uk 0870 320 7000
Wed 3rd WOLVERHAMPTON, Civic Hall www.livenation.co.uk 0870 320 7000
Tue 9th NEWCASTLE, O2 Academy www.livenation.co.uk 0844 477 2000
Sat 13th SWINDON, Oasis www.livenation.co.uk 0179 344 5401
Sun 14th BRIDLINGTON, Spa www.livenation.co.uk 0126 267 8258
Tue 16th DUNDEE, Caird Hall www.gigsinscotland.com 0844 499 9990
Thu 18th GLASGOW, O2 Academy www.gigsinscotland.com 0844 499 9990
Wed 24th NOTTINGHAM, Rock City www.alt-ticket.co.uk 0871 310 0000
Thu 25th LIVERPOOL, Uni www.ticketmaster.co.uk 0844 847 1727
Mon 29th SHEFFIELD, O2 Academy www.livenation.co.uk 0844 477 2000
Tue 30th MANCHESTER, O2 Academy www.livenation.co.uk 0161 832 1111

July 2009
Thu 2nd SOUTHAMPTON, Guildhall www.ticketmaster.co.uk 0238 063 2601
Fri 3rd NEWPORT, Centre www.livenation.co.uk 0163 365 6757
Mon 6th PORTSMOUTH, Guildhall www.portsmouthguildhall.co.uk 0239 282 4355
Tue 7th CAMBRIDGE, Corn Exchange www.kasabianlive.co.uk 0122 335 7851
Thu 16th LONDON, Brixton O2 Academy www.livenation.co.uk 0870 320 7000
Fri 17th LONDON, Brixton O2 Academy www.livenation.co.uk 0870 320 7000

Tickets go on sale 9am Friday April 3rd 2009; Tickets are priced at: £22.50 + booking fee.

Kasabian release their explosive new track "Vlad The Impaler", which is available as a free download from 7.30pm, tonight until midnight, April 3, 2009 only from www.kasabian.co.uk - a sneak preview and the first taster from their eagerly anticipated new LP ‘West Ryder Pauper Lunatic Asylum’ (June 8th), which was written by Serge Pizzorno and co-produced by Serge and Dan The Automator (DJ Shadow, Gorillaz).

Their first physical release is set to be "Fire", out June 1st.

It’s set to be an incredibly busy summer for Kasabian, in addition to their upcoming UK tour and the stadium shows with Oasis they play Brighton’s Great Escape (May 16th), Cornwall’s Eden Sessions (July 4th).

Kasabian on amazon.co.uk

Kasabian on amazon.com

Kasabian Official Website
Kasabian MySpace

Kasabian will headline Brighton's Great Escape, May 16, 2009, the Eden Sessions in Cornwall, July 4th and a Teenage Cancer Trust show at the Royal Albert Hall, March 27th.

Watch "LSF" at Little Noise Sessions:

Kasabian on amazon.co.uk

Kasabian on amazon.com

March 2009
Fri 27th LONDON, Royal Albert Hall (Teenage Cancer Trust)

May 2009
Sat 16th BRIGHTON, Great Escape Festival

July 2009
Sat 4th CORNWALL, Eden Sessions

No doubt the headline slots will feature tracks from their eagerly anticipated LP, out June 1st, written by Serge Pizzorno and produced by Dan the Automator (Gorillaz, DJ Shadow).

Coinciding with the release of the new LP, Kasabian will support Oasis in a string of stadium shows this summer:

June 2009
Thu 4th MANCHESTER, Heaton Park
Sat 6th MANCHESTER, Heaton Park
Sun 7th MANCHESTER, Heaton Park
Wed 10th SUNDERLAND, Stadium of Light
Fri 12th CARDIFF, Millennium Stadium
Wed 17th EDINBURGH, Murrayfield

July 2009
Thu 9th LONDON, Wembley Stadium
Sat 11th LONDON, Wembley Stadium
Sun 12th LONDON, Wembley Stadium

For more music and information, go to:

Kasabian Official Website
Kasabian MySpace