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Posted on March 20, 2009 - by Halina Rifai

Cashier No.9 = Cloud No.9

Cashier No.9 = Cloud No.9

St. Paddy’s day was upon us quite literally and I felt that spreading my wings to Belfast for a musical affair would be quite fitting.

Cashier No.9 are frankly one of the sexiest artists to emerge from this gracious and radiant city. Danny Todd, James Smith, Stuart McGowan and Phillip Duffy link together to create a band that not only beams rays of genius but also fuses styles of music in a way that is so addictive it makes you want to keep listening. The beauty being you will never overdose. (more…)


Posted on March 20, 2009 - by Halina Rifai

St Deluxe

St Deluxe

St Deluxe are one of those bands that you should have heard of but instead a random encounter introduced you. Even now when I listen to them I still cannot believe that I did not hear of them sooner. I felt myself verbally shouting my friends down as to why I had not heard of them sooner, as if it was not my fault!

Well, it is my fault. They have those dirty, distorted siren guitar sounds that make you reminisce in a way only fitting for true alternative fans. Some may interpret that as being pretentious but those that love that grungy, melancholic sound will know what I mean. (more…)


Posted on March 7, 2009 - by Halina Rifai

Y’all Is Fantasy Island

Y’all Is Fantasy Island

I have been a dedicated fan of YIFI for about 4 years now. They pullulate my life with an infectious sound that takes me back to a time when bands like Nirvana changed the way we thought about music.

I pray that each time I listen to YIFI their music has swarmed into many more peoples lives like a creeping and tenacious cloud of sonic precipitation. If more people took the time to listen to this band they would realise that artists like this could teach them something. (more…)


Posted on February 21, 2009 - by Halina Rifai

First We Take Manhattan

First We Take Manhattan

First We Take Manhattan hail from Glasgow and create a sound as soothing as a Pacific sunset.

Al Carlisle and Amanda (Panda) combine in a way that is choral unison. These two artists combine to create something requisite. Acoustic, waterfalls of guitars and sweeping vocal harmonies that are so intricate in places you are taken initially to a place where you think you can predict the rest of a song. Then, suddenly you are forced to a higher stratum of sonority. (more…)


Posted on January 29, 2009 - by Halina Rifai

The Cause And Resolve Of Prego

The Cause And Resolve Of Prego

Prego are a London based 5-piece spectacular. The band members are Edd Simpson, Simon Britcliffe, Caspar Williamson, Will Leslie and Paul Jennings. They have been playing for a few years but 2008 brought them to the forefront as an act to watch for. Steve Lamaq, Drowned in Sound and Rocklouder are a few to have praised them.

Their sound is like that of a super sonic jet, a stirring beginning that builds up to an almighty bolt of sonancy.

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Posted on January 18, 2009 - by Halina Rifai

At Regular Intervals We Experience Rapture

At Regular Intervals We Experience Rapture

Scotland has the ability to parent artists that propel a certain aura and hegemony like no other place. The only other land I can think of immediately that levels this comparison is Iceland. It is an awe-inspiring wall of sound and it is one that you have to submerge the whole of your head. It is like sliding down the back of the bath after a particularly trying day. (more…)


Posted on January 14, 2009 - by Halina Rifai

Second Hand Marching Band

Second Hand Marching Band

The start of 2009 has been the best musical start to any year I have ever had. I have been introduced to so many mind blowing artists from Scotland alone that I keep prodding myself with a jittery poke to make sure that I am actually hearing them with every ounce of me.The Second Hand Marching Band (SHMB) are part of this family. Ironically, a family themselves as they are made of about 22 musicians that play every instrument that you could think of. They epitomise the term folk, yes, there is the genre but then there is that meaning of warmth, community, love and passion.

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Posted on January 10, 2009 - by Halina Rifai

Mitchell Museum

Mitchell Museum

The first time I heard Mitchell Museum I felt like a metaphoric baseball bat had hit me in the face.

Let me set the scene, we are on a moving train and in one carriage, we have Super Furry Animals, Oppenheimer, Grandaddy and Flaming Lips. They are having a jamming session, this my friends is the greatest musical orgy ever and it is encapsulated in one band, Mitchell Museum.

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Posted on December 28, 2008 - by Halina Rifai

The Jane Bradfords Strategy

The Jane Bradfords Strategy
When you look at the support back catalogue of The Jane Bradfords, it is quite astonishing.
From The National to LCD Soundsystem they are not exactly your subsidiary artists. Since 2006, The Jane Bradfords have gone from personal project to fully-fledged band. You are now thinking to yourself ‘Show me the wagon!’
They have produced one of my top ten albums of 2008; the self-titled debut is a mixture of dolorous lyrics, electronic surroundings, habit-forming melodies and music that on the grand scheme of things, in its simplest form, makes you feel worthier. (more…)

Posted on December 21, 2008 - by Halina Rifai

Yahweh – Tug Of Love

Yahweh – Tug Of Love
About a month ago, I was fortunate enough to come across a puerile talent by the name of Lewis Cook; he goes by the artist name of Yahweh. His Myspace page blessed my ears enough for me to order his debut album ‘Tug of Love’.
Scotland, this beautiful country I love has so much musical talent bursting out of its land pockets that it is sometimes hard to stand out. Yahweh however, does a meritorious job of doing so. (more…)


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