Apart from travelling, my big passion is music.
Now while travelling around I met several musicians who were still struggling to get known outside of their own area, stuck in playing small clubs in their own cities, ... while clearly talented, these bands could need a push in the back as they deserve more than crowds of 100 people in a local bar.
I am sure anyone knows some talented bands from their own area that could use a bit of promotion, so let's do it and expand the musical knowledge of the fellow forum members :hehe: Post here some info about bands you love who in your opinion need more mainstream recognition. Don't forget a hyperlink to a place where we can hear some songs, maybe some forum members will like them.
I will start off with a few:
THE FOOLS (UK)
I met the guitarist and bassist of this band when I lived in Ireland, they often perform there. Great guys with great music. They have been performing in Greece and California as well, mainly as buskers during holidays though, even though a small paper in LA wrote a short article on them. Their music could best be described as "rock with acoustic and folk edges".
www.myspace.com/thefoolsenjoyit
THE BLACK TOKENS (UK)
Northern Irish band. The singer is a friend of mine from when I lived in Belfast myself. They play what you could call "retro rock": rock but not too heavy, and with some influences of the type of rock that was popular in the late sixties and early seventies.
www.theblacktokens.com and www.myspace.com/theblacktokens
SOLEMN NOVENA (UK)
Well, I am a goth fan so I just needed to post this. Plus, the guitarist and songwriter is a guy I often drank with in the Belfast gothic pub. They play guitar-driven goth music. So the typical dark and brooding atmosphere of gothic, but with no synthesisers and more guitar and bass driven.
www.solemnnovena.com (links to their MySpace are on their site)
THE GHOST OF LEMORA (UK)
Gothic band from London who are really well-known in the British and Irish gothscene but IMO deserve recognition outside of the British Isles. The band play gothic music with both guitar and synths. The big strength is singer Twinkle, who is highly charismatic and could be seen as a sort of "Bowie goes gothic".
www.theghostoflemora.co.uk
ORPHANED LAND (Israel)
Fairly well known in the metal community but little known outside. Maybe one of the best metal bands existing IMO. They combine metal with Jewish and Arab folk instruments and try to make a mixture of western and Middle Eastern music. They also sing in English, Arabic, Hebrew and Yemeni. Add to that they use both Bible quotes, Torah quotes and Islamic prayers in their music. The music they make tries to connect the different cultures of the Middle East and brings a message of peaceful co-existance of Muslims and Jews. Fantastic unique music with a message of hope and peace. The concept album Mabool is highly recommended. Look op the songs Ocean Land and Norra El Norra on YouTube (or do as me: buy the album!)
www.myspace.com/orphanedmyspace
LONDON AFTER MIDNIGHT (USA)
Also quite famous in the goth world, little known outside of the gothscene. The band brings dark and brooding music with somewhat morbid but also romantic lyrics. The band is very well know for their outspoken lyrics and statements on politics (left wing politics), human rights, animal rights, environmental issues, etc. Singer-songwriter Sean Brennan uses the internet to actively communicate with fans and talk to them about politics, social issues and such. Great band and one that tries to spread a message.
www.londonaftermidnight.com
BEN CHRISTOPHERS (UK)
Singer-songwriter who uses synths and many instruments to create a really ethereal and unique sound landscape. Interesting lyrics as well as a very nice octave voice.
www.benchristophers.com
OK, enjoy this. If anyone knows more talented bands that are not yet internationally well-known, please post as I would be very curious to discover more good music from around the world.
Now while travelling around I met several musicians who were still struggling to get known outside of their own area, stuck in playing small clubs in their own cities, ... while clearly talented, these bands could need a push in the back as they deserve more than crowds of 100 people in a local bar.
I am sure anyone knows some talented bands from their own area that could use a bit of promotion, so let's do it and expand the musical knowledge of the fellow forum members :hehe: Post here some info about bands you love who in your opinion need more mainstream recognition. Don't forget a hyperlink to a place where we can hear some songs, maybe some forum members will like them.
I will start off with a few:
THE FOOLS (UK)
I met the guitarist and bassist of this band when I lived in Ireland, they often perform there. Great guys with great music. They have been performing in Greece and California as well, mainly as buskers during holidays though, even though a small paper in LA wrote a short article on them. Their music could best be described as "rock with acoustic and folk edges".
www.myspace.com/thefoolsenjoyit
THE BLACK TOKENS (UK)
Northern Irish band. The singer is a friend of mine from when I lived in Belfast myself. They play what you could call "retro rock": rock but not too heavy, and with some influences of the type of rock that was popular in the late sixties and early seventies.
www.theblacktokens.com and www.myspace.com/theblacktokens
SOLEMN NOVENA (UK)
Well, I am a goth fan so I just needed to post this. Plus, the guitarist and songwriter is a guy I often drank with in the Belfast gothic pub. They play guitar-driven goth music. So the typical dark and brooding atmosphere of gothic, but with no synthesisers and more guitar and bass driven.
www.solemnnovena.com (links to their MySpace are on their site)
THE GHOST OF LEMORA (UK)
Gothic band from London who are really well-known in the British and Irish gothscene but IMO deserve recognition outside of the British Isles. The band play gothic music with both guitar and synths. The big strength is singer Twinkle, who is highly charismatic and could be seen as a sort of "Bowie goes gothic".
www.theghostoflemora.co.uk
ORPHANED LAND (Israel)
Fairly well known in the metal community but little known outside. Maybe one of the best metal bands existing IMO. They combine metal with Jewish and Arab folk instruments and try to make a mixture of western and Middle Eastern music. They also sing in English, Arabic, Hebrew and Yemeni. Add to that they use both Bible quotes, Torah quotes and Islamic prayers in their music. The music they make tries to connect the different cultures of the Middle East and brings a message of peaceful co-existance of Muslims and Jews. Fantastic unique music with a message of hope and peace. The concept album Mabool is highly recommended. Look op the songs Ocean Land and Norra El Norra on YouTube (or do as me: buy the album!)
www.myspace.com/orphanedmyspace
LONDON AFTER MIDNIGHT (USA)
Also quite famous in the goth world, little known outside of the gothscene. The band brings dark and brooding music with somewhat morbid but also romantic lyrics. The band is very well know for their outspoken lyrics and statements on politics (left wing politics), human rights, animal rights, environmental issues, etc. Singer-songwriter Sean Brennan uses the internet to actively communicate with fans and talk to them about politics, social issues and such. Great band and one that tries to spread a message.
www.londonaftermidnight.com
BEN CHRISTOPHERS (UK)
Singer-songwriter who uses synths and many instruments to create a really ethereal and unique sound landscape. Interesting lyrics as well as a very nice octave voice.
www.benchristophers.com
OK, enjoy this. If anyone knows more talented bands that are not yet internationally well-known, please post as I would be very curious to discover more good music from around the world.






