After an eventful summer full of festivals, recording and heat avoidance, Newcastle quadrilateral Little Comets are set to release their first single on Columbia Records, “Adultery” on 26 October.

Signed in early 2009, the band released tiny debut ‘One Night In October’ in February, en-gen-de-ring support from the likes of Huw Stephens, Zane Lowe and Sara Cox. Following a nationwide tour in April and a quick-snap performance at the BBC Radio 1 Big Weekend, Robert (vocals), Micky (guitar), Mark (drums) and Matt (bass) trouped off to France to finish recording an actual album.

Watch “Adultery” video:

Creating songs to counter-act the chill factor of their sandblasted, opaque north-eastern rehearsal facilities, their music has a genuine, refreshing degree of energy currently lacking in the British indie scene. But to contrast the band’s warm grooves, Robert’s lyrics represent the more broken parts of life, exploding scenes from kitchen sinks and other testing relationship dramas.

“Adultery” exemplifies such a juxtaposition, as a winding tale of “subtext and lies” and “sullied back doors” interjects with a rhythmic and melodic optimism mining the same rich seam as acts like Vampire Weekend, Modest Mouse and Black Kids.

Blended with surges of Morricone from all manner of sources (kettles, sofas and peculiar percussion), the self-produced single is neatly tempered by the mixing skills of Rich Costey (Glasvegas / MGMT). The track has already had early radio support from Zane Lowe, Jo Whiley and Fearne Cotton at Radio 1 and Jonathan Ross at Radio 2, and is receiving heavy rotation on MTV2 and NME TV.

Eschewing traditional avenues of playing to an audience, Little Comets have instead preferred the more intimate and spontaneous mixture of bingo halls, lecture theatres, tiny-implausible-venues and trams that themselves and their growing legion of fans frequent.

They will be taking this leaf-defeating live set around the UK and Ireland this early-Autumn as friendly guests of The Twang and Noisettes…wow.

“fun-loving, melody-tastic guitar monkeys.” – Huw Stephens

Little Comets October 2009 tour dates:

(Dates and information subject to change.)

With The Twang:

15 October LONDON Koko
16 October BRIGHTON Concorde 2
17 October NOTTINGHAM Rescue Rooms
18 October MANCHESTER Ritz

With Noisettes:

19 October LEEDS Uni
20 October MANCHESTER Ritz
22 October OXFORD Academy
23 October BIRMINGHAM Academy
24 October SOUTHAMPTON Uni
26 October LONDON Shepherds Bush Empire
28 October NEWCASTLE Academy 2

Little Comets MySpace
Little Comets Official Website

‘XFM Debut Sessions’ is a 2CD collection direct from XFM’s archives of session recordings and live performances, including Jack Penate, Jamie T, Kate Nash, Bloc Party and many others.

Focusing on debut albums, this album features some of the hottest UK acts to release their first longplayers in 2007, alongside classic British artists of the last 10 years. Each of the 36 tracks will be a version of a cut from the artist’s debut album recorded exclusively for XFM. These recordings have never been available before and is a must have album for fans of cutting edge new artists and of some of the biggest acts to come out of the UK in the last decade.

The album coincides with the inaugural XFM New Music Awards, which rivals the Mercury Awards for championing great British music.

Here’s a message about the album from our friends at XFM:

“Since XFM first hit the airwaves in 1997, we have lived and breathed new music – breaking bands, putting on gigs, recording some amazing sessions and being at the heart of the alternative music scene. During this time, hundreds of bands have performed for us, and everytime we hit the record button to capture these moments. Now it’s 2008 and we thought it was about time to pull together a compilation of the best tracks that have been recorded exclusively for XFM.

Listening to these recordings has brought back some incredible memories – whether it be an early session from an artist who has gone on to be a big name, or jaw-dropping performances at an intimate money-can’t-buy XFM gig from one of the world’s biggest bands – and we’ve captured as many as we could on this album.

It’s taken us ages to decide the tracklisting as there have been so many stunning songs to choose from but after listening to hundreds of tracks and arguing for ages, we managed to whittle it down…

As 2007 was such a strong year for new music, we decided to devote the first CD to bands that emerged last year, and the second CD contains classic tracks from the last ten years.

On The Class of 2007, you’ll hear exclusive songs from some of2007’s hottest new bands including Jack Penate, Calvin Harris and Jamie T.

This year we also launch the XFM New Music Award which recognises the best UK debut album of 2007. Enjoy tracks from award nominees The Pigeon Detectives, The View, The Enemy, Kate Nash, The Twang, The Maccabees, and The Wombats.”

XFM The Debut Sessions on amazon.co.uk

XFM Online

2007 has been the year in which The Coral put the problems of the past behind them and re-emerged stronger and brighter than ever. Their current album, ‘Roots and Echoes’ was regarded across the board as a major return to form for a band who have been in the glare of the spotlight since their Top 10 eponymous debut in 2002.

With Q acclaiming lead singer and lyricist James Skelly as “one of the finest writers, and voices, in British music today”, NME seeing it as “the finest since their debut” and the Daily Mirror conclusively stating “you won’t find a better album this year”, the return of the Wirral six piece was the comeback of the year. Little wonder that ‘Roots and Echoes’ is noted in many of the end of year polls for albums of the year.

The year closed with the band playing three very special home town shows at Liverpool’s Academy with supports from long term fans The Twang and The View in addition to original home town heroes Shack.

2008 sees The Coral release a new single from ‘Roots and Echoes’ in the form of “Put The Sun Back”. The single is released on CD and two limited editions formats. Across the format are 3 exclusive new tracks, a live version of the single and the video.

Watch The Coral – “Put The Sun Back” video:

Details are as follows:

CD “Put The Sun Back” / “Willow Song” / “Put The Sun Back” (Live) / “Put The Sun Back” (Video)
7″ (1) “Put The Sun Back” / “The Dance Lingers On”
7″ (2) “Put The Sun Back” / “One Winters Day”

The Coral – Put the Sun Back on amazon.co.uk

“Put The Sun Back” video

The Coral on Myspace
The Coral Official Website

With the first two albums selling over 350k copies between them, UMTV have put together another brilliant album of the best songs of the year – ‘Essential Songs 2008′, set for release in the UK on 3rd December 2007.

Now that the end of the year is in sight, it’s time to sit back and reminisce about the good times of 2007 and get ready to see in the New Year. What better way to do this than by listening to the biggest essential songs of the year?

The track list reads like a who’s who of pop royalty. From the shiny new, to the classic greats. Starting with the come back kings Take That and their massive new hit “Rule The World” (from the hit movie Stardust), moving onto the collaboration between modern day diva Amy Winehouse and superstar producer Mark Ronson with the track “Valerie”. With new blood from the Coronation Street heartthrob Richard Fleeshman, and classics from legends Oasis, The Cranberries and Paul Weller, CD 1 really does have something for everyone.

The second CD opens with the exclusive of pop prince Mika’s new track “Happy Ending” and carries on with an eclectic mix of songs from artists old and new, with girl power being added by Feist and her catchy “1234″ and Mutya Buena with “Real Girl”.

If that isn’t enough to entice you, ‘Essential Songs – 2008′ also includes tracks from some of the finest artists in the world including The Killers, Nelly Furtado, Embrace and Pop royalty Elton John.

Track List – Provisional:

CD1

Take That – Rule The World
Amy Winehouse – Valerie
Kate Nash – Foundations
Maroon 5 – Makes Me Wonder
Nelly Furtado – Say It Right
James Morrison – The Pieces Don’t Fit Any More
Richard Fleeshman – Coming Down
New Radicals – You Get What You Give
Hoobastank – The Reason
Razorlight – Somewhere Else
The Feeling – Sewn
Train – Drops Of Jupiter
Paul Weller – Changingman
Lighthouse Family – High
Cast – Walk Away
Cardigans – Erase/Rewind
Jamie Scott & The Town – When Will I See Your Face Again
Ocean Colour Scene – The Day We Caught The Train
Stereophonics – Dakota
Oasis – Stand By Me

CD2

Mika – Happy Ending
Keane – Somewhere Only We Know
Timbaland – Apologize
Paolo Nutini – New Shoes
Amy McDonald – Mr Rock & Roll
Mutya Buena – Real Girl
The Twang – Either Way
Travis – Sing
Feeder – Just The Way I’m Feeling
The Killers – Somebody Told Me
Embrace – Ashes
Gabrielle Feat. Paul Weller – Why
Nick Drake – Northern Sky
Cure – Just Heaven
Ian Brown – FEAR
Cranberries – Dreams
Dodgy – Good Enough
James – Sit Down
Aztec Camera – Somewhere In My Heart
Shed 7 – Chasing Rainbows
Elton John – Don’t Let The Sun Go Down On Me

Essential Songs 2008 on amazon.co.uk

The Twang’s new single, “Push the Ghosts / Drinking in LA”, is available to buy from today, November 26th, 2007.

To celebrate, the band have announced a pair of extra special live shows, including a homecoming Christmas party:

20 December 2007 – Birmingham Academy (support from The Sunshine Underground, Look See Proof, plus more TBC)

Also added to the tour schedule:

9 February 2008 – Shepherd’s Bush Empire (NME Awards Show)

The Twang 2007/2008 winter tour dates:

Dates could be added or changed! Go to The Twang’s Official Website for the latest tour dates and information.

3 December 2007 Quattro Osaka, Japan
4 December 2007 Quattro Nagoya, Japan
5 December 2007 Quattro Tokyo, Japan
10 December 2007 Academy **XFM’s WinterWonderland** w/ The Stereophonics Glasgow
14 December 2007 G Mex w/ The Happy Mondays Manchester
15 December 2007 Academy w/ The Coral Liverpool
20 December 2007 Carling Academy Birmingham
29 December 2007 Fat Sams Dundee
31 December 2007 The Ironworks Inverness

FEBRUARY 2008 UK TOUR DATES

6 February – Colchester, University
7 February – Warwick, University
8 February – Northampton, Roadmenders
9 February – London, Shepherds Bush Empire
11 February – Lincoln, University
12 February – Leicester, University
13 February – Dudley, JB’s
14 February – Frome, Cheese and Grain
16 February – Guildford, University
17 February – Falmouth University
18 February – Bournemouth, University
19 February – Reading, University
21 February – Swansea, University
22 February – Bangor, University
23 February – Bradford, University
24 February – Lancaster, Sugarhouse
26 February – Edinburgh, University
27 February – Hull, University

The Twang on Myspace
The Twang Official Website

Singles release dates and information could change!

Go to the bands and artists official websites for the latest release dates, news and information.

5th November

Aim – Birchwood (EP)
Animal Collective – Fireworks (10″)
The Answering Machine – Lightbulbs (7″)
Bedouin Soundclash – St Andrews
Boy Kill Boy – No Conversation
The Brightlights – Inspired By (7″)[Limited]
Calvin Harris – Colours (12″)
Cinematic Orchestra – To Build A Home (7″)
The Cloud Room – Hey Now Now (7″)[Limited]
Craig David – Hot Stuff
David Gray – You’re The World To Me
Dude N Nem – Watch My Feet
Eight Legs – These Grey Days
Elvis Presley – In The Ghetto
Frightened Rabbit – Be Less Rude (7″)
Jape – Floating
Justice – D.A.N.C.E.
Kanye West feat T-Pain – Good Life
Killers – Tranquilize (7″) [Limited]
King Creosote – Home In A Sentence
Laura Critchley – What Do We Do
Mitchell Brothers – Michael Jackson
The National – Apartment Story
Nelly Furtado – Do It
Nicole Scherzinger – Baby Love
One eskimO – Hometime
Palladium – High Five
Paul McCartney – Ever Past Present
Proclaimers – Whole Wide World
Revolt – Call It What You Want (We Call It War)
Seal – Amazing
Shitdisco – I Know Kung Fu (7″ + 12″)
Smith 6079 – Kill Romeo
Stonebridge feat Kenny Thomas – You Don’t Know
These New Puritans – Colours / Numbers (7″) [Limited]
Tracey Thorn – Grand Canyon (12″)
Wet Wet Wet – Too Many People
Whitest Boy Alive – Burning (7″)
Wideboys feat Clare Evers – Bomb The Secret

12th November

Alicia Keys – No One
Angus & Julia Stone – The Beast (EP)
Asobi Seksu – Strawberries
Beirut – A Sunday Smile
Ben’s Brother – Carry On
Bi-Polar Baby – Suicide Girl
Bloc Party – Flux
Christina Aguilera – Oh Mother
Chromeo – Bonafied Lovin’ (7″)
Darren B – Stand By You
Darren Hayes – Me Myself & I
Darren Hayes – Who Would Have Thought (7″) [Limited]
Delays – Love Made Visible (EP) [Limited]
Dizzee Rascal – Flex
Duran Duran – Falling Down
Elektrons – Classic Cliche
Elvis Presley – You Don’t Have To Say You Love Me
Fergie – Clumsy / Fergalicious
Glasvegas – Daddy’s Gone (7″) [Limited]
Grace – Stand Still
Hard-Fi – Can’t Get Along (Without You)
hellogoodbye – Oh It Is Love
Jill Scott – Hate On Me
Jim Noir – All Right (EP) (7″) [Limited]
Kaiser Chiefs – Love’s Not A Competition (But I’m Winning) (7″) [Limited] (Only available from kaiserchiefs.co.uk)
Kid Carpet – The Kid’s Back (7″)
Kissaway Trail – 61
Kylie Minogue – 2 Hearts
Lee Hazlewood – Boots
Linkin Park – Shadow Of The Day
Look See Proof – Local Hero
Lupen Crook & The Murderbirds – Matthew’s Magpie (7″)
Maths Class – Emporio Laser / Cushion Glamour
Maximo Park – Karaoke Plays
Metronomy – Radio Ladio (7″)
Michael Buble – Lost
My Chemical Romance – Mama
Nickelback – Rockstar
Patrick And Eugene – I Bet You Look Good On The Dancefloor (7″)
Phil Campbell – Cold Engines
Pigeon Detectives – I Found Out
Rihanna feat Ne-Yo – Hate That I Love You
Runrig & The Tartan Army – Loch Lomond
Se:Sa feat Sharon Phillips – Like This Like That
The Shaky Hands – The Sleepless
Shayan Italia – Reflection
Shy Child – Drop The Phone
Sia – Day Too Soon
Slaves To Gravity – Meantime
Splittr – All Alone
St Vincent – Jesus Saves I Spend
Vincent Vincent & The Villains – On My Own
The Whip – Sister Siam (7″)
Within Temptation – All I Need
Wolfmen – Cecilie

19th November

Athlete – Tokyo
BC Camplight – Suffer For Two
The Daniels – Lights
DJ Jean – Sexy Lady
Doug Walker – The Mystery
Elle S’Appelle – Little Flame (7″) [Limited]
Elvis Presley – Always On My Mind
Estelle – Wait A Minute (Just A Touch)
Final Fantasy – Hey Dad
Gallows feat Lethal Bizzle – Staring At The Rudebois
The Go Team – The Wrath Of Marcie
Helen Boulding – Breathe
Helen Love – It’s My Club
J Holiday – Bed
Johnny Flynn – The Box
Justin Timberlake & Beyonce – Until The End Of Time
kd Lang – I Dream Of Spring
KT Tunstall – Saving My Face
Lauren Rose – I Go To The Beach
Make Model – The Was
Maroon 5 – Won’t Go Home Without You
Mules – This Is Your Life (7″)
Operator Please – Leave It Alone
Passenger – Table For One
Reverend & The Makers – Open Your Window
Richard Fleeshman – Coming Down
Riz MC – People Like People
Rumble Strips – Time
Shayne Ward – Breathless
Songbirds – The Weatherman
Spice Girls – Headlines (Friendship Never Ends)
Stalkers – Yesterday Is No Tomorrow
Stateless – Bloodstream
The Sugars – Way To My Heart
T2 feat Jodie – Heartbroken
Terra Naomi – Up Here
Trembling Blue Stars – Beautiful Blank / Say Goodbye To The Sea II (7″)
Trembling Blue Stars – Exploring The Shadows (EP)
Wyclef Jean feat Akon and Lil Wayne – Sweetest Girl
Xcerts – Just Go Home (7″)

26th November

Alison Moyet – A Guy Like You
Bodyrox feat Luciana – What Planet You On?
Bonde Do Role – Marina Gasolina
Che’Nelle – I Fell In Love With The DJ
Circuits – City Of Lights / Before Its Over
Deerhoof – Matchbook Seeks Maniac (7″) [Limited]
Editors – The Racing Rats
Electrelane – In Berlin
Elvis Presley – An American Trilogy
Emma Pollock – Paper & Glue
Foals – Balloons
Foo Fighters – Long Road To Ruin
Girls Aloud – Call The Shots
Good Shoes – Small Town Girl
Ian Hunter – When The World Was Round
Jay Sean – Ride It
Joey Nightmare – Was Young Once
Katie Melua – Mary Pickford (Used To Eat Roses)
Mark Brown feat Elena Kats-Chernin – The Journey Continues
Middleman – Good To Be Back
Neon Neon – Raquel
Paramore – Crush Crush Crush
Pendulum – Granite
Peter Gelderblom – Waiting 4
Plain White T’s – Hate (I Really Don’t Like You)
Queens Of The Stone Age – Make It Wit Chu (7″) [Limited]
The Rapture – The Sound (12″)
Remi Nicole – Rock N Roll
Rilo Kiley – Breakin’ Up
Roll Deep – Racist People
Rosalita – Manga Girl
RyanDan – High
Sean Kingston – Me Love
Silversun Pickups – Lovers
Simian Mobile Disco – Hustler
The Twang – Push The Ghosts
Thomas Bromley – Need You So Bad / Nothing To Do Or Say
Todd Terry Allstars – Get Down
Uniting Nations – Do It Yourself
Will I Am – One More Chance
Young Galaxy – Outside The City

If you have any queries please contact manickangaroo at havenforum.co.uk

“Push The Ghosts” is, essentially, the start of The Twang. The first song written by the band after guitarist Stu Hartland joined, the first song on which Phil gave up the bass guitar (to John) and concentrated purely on singing. The first song to be written by the five lads we now know as The Twang. It was the first song the band demoed with producer Gavin Monaghan, who went on to man the desk for the gold certified debut, ‘Love It When I Feel Like This’. For the band, “Push The Ghosts” was the moment when The Twang really seemed like a possibility, the point at which being in the band could replace the workaday lives they were stuck with at the time.

Watch The Twang – “Push The Ghosts” video:

The album version, which features as part of this bundle, is that moment on record. Written by John and Saunders whilst Phil was on holiday with impetus from (now) band photographer Lee, the tune started with Lee playing a bassline on a keyboard in the studio. As with some songs, the verses and choruses flowed and, on Phil’s return, not only did he find he no longer played bass in The Twang, he also found a basic new song that all agreed would be their first real moment. The five then worked this into the song you hear in very quick time, John recalling the whole thing came together in under an hour, Phil remarking that Stu’s guitar line was nailed within 20 minutes of that. As with all band’s signature moments, it all came together so easily it felt like it was writing itself. The Salt ‘n’ Pepa moment is courtesy of John. There’s no big story here, like the rest of the history of the song, he had a moment, tried it and all agreed it worked perfectly.

The acoustic version, in a rare Twang moment, came after the album version. Most Twang tunes are written on acoustic and then fleshed out and re-interpreted by the band. “Push The Ghosts” worked the other way, Stu doing his thing in double quick time, as ever basing the version on an acoustic guitar line that is inaudible in the original.

For the single, the band elected to change the song slightly to re-interpret it more as a dance floor tune. Taking the sample as a reference, the single version loses none of the swagger and majesty of the original but marries it with a more rhythmically strict beat and sparing use of the Salt ‘n’ Pepa “Push It” sample to create a new version of this most important of Twang tunes.

Also part of the package is the video for “Push The Ghosts”, which sees the urban fox of the album cover on the rampage with a friend, the remix of the track by TCS (including one of the world famous Miss Moneypenny’s DJs), and an audio commentary from the band on the importance and history of “Push The Ghosts” for The Twang.

“Push the Ghosts” digital EP is released on November 26th, 2007.

Pre-order Here

“Push the Ghosts” is also available on CD, 7″ and 7″ picture disc.

“Push The Ghosts” video link

The Twang Official Website
The Twang on Myspace

If 2006 was all about promise for The Twang, 2007 has been all about delivery. Tipped by seemingly everyone at the start of the year, the five lads from Birmingham set about living up to such extravagant praise from the off whilst keeping their feet firmly on the ground.

First stop was the recording of debut album, the gold certified ‘Love It When I Feel Like This’ in Wolverhampton with long term associate Gavin Monaghan eschewing the big studios to keep it real. Next stop was a hectic touring schedule that saw the band’s fanbase explode and further saw the lads go to the people across the UK, a decision that has seen The Twang retain some of the most loyal and committed fans of the moment.

Then the promise was fulfilled, “Wide Awake” and “Either Way” becoming mainstays on radio, NME covers but, more importantly to the band, a Top 3 album position and increasingly big shows remain the high points of the year for The Twang. The summer saw them slay T In The Park, Phil unsure as to whether the huge crowd were all watching his band until the hands went in the air from front to back on “Either Way”, a packed John Peel Tent at Glastonbury despite the lake in the middle of the audience, two packed NME / Radio One tents at Reading and Leeds respectively and continued sales for the debut album that the band had thought about since the day they formed.

As The Twang journey around the UK on their biggest tour yet and another sell out to add to the list the boys have re-imagined one of the stand out tracks from the live set and the album for a single release on November 26th, 2007. Built around a cheeky sample of the bassline for Salt n Pepa’s “Push It” by Jon, “Push The Ghosts” has been twisted a little to emphasise the dance floor nature of groove and come out as a sparkling floor filler for the winter months ahead.

It seems even more appropriate – given that this is a song about their ambitions for the band – that it arrives to cap what has been for all five the best year of their lives. The single comes as a Double A with the band’s praised re-interpretation of Bran Van 3000’s “Drinking In LA” for Radio One’s 40th birthday celebrations, given a Midlands twist and a delicious lop sided groove. The formats also feature an unreleased acoustic version of “Push The Ghosts” and new tracks “First Sight” and “Put Your Faith”.

The Twang band members are: Phil Etheridge – vocals; Saunders – vocals; Stuart Hartland – guitars; Jon Watkin – bass; Matt Clinton – drums.

The Twang October/November 2007 UK tour dates:

Dates could change! Go to The Twang’s Official Website for the latest tour dates and information.

18.10.07 – Loughborough Uni
20.10.07 – Leeds Uni
21.10.07 – Keele Uni
22.10.07 – Norwich UEA
24.10.07 – Nottingham Rock City
25.10.07 – Birmingham Academy
26.10.07 – Brixton Academy
28.10.07 – Cardiff University
30.10.07 – Brighton Dome
31.10.07 – Exeter University
01.11.07 – Bristol Anson Rooms
02.11.07 – Oxford Academy
03.11.07 – Southampton Guildhall

The Twang Official Website
The Twang on Myspace