Widowspeak - Brudenell Social, Leeds, November 26th (LIVE REVIEW)

‘All Yours’, the latest release from the Big Apple’s Widowspeak proved to be one of the discoveries of 2015, a delicious combination of eerie alt-country mixed with singer Molly Hamilton’s languid femme-fatale vocal. Considering the duo (lead guitarist Robert Earl Thomas is the other original member) are now four albums in with one of their early tracks gaining further exposure, appearing on American Horror Story, they’re still pretty unknown in the UK, their appearance in the games room at Brudenell testament to that with perhaps 50 or so people present here tonight.

Lanterns On The Lake 'Beings' (ALBUM REVIEW)

Up in the north of England, Newcastle is known for being cold but not caring about it – I refer you to its football fans, who have a penchant for going bare-chested in deepest December. Cinematic indie band Lanterns on the Lake take the chill in their native air and distil it down to a crystalline purity which cuts through the warmth and melancholy of latest album Beings for a magnetic record conducted by Hazel Wilde’s remarkable vocals.

Beans On Toast, Brudenell Social, Leeds, November 19th 2015 (LIVE REVIEW)

Photo credit - Jem Mitchel

Since fist encountering Braintree’s modern day answer to Bob Dylan a couple of years ago, Beans on Toast, a.k.a Jay McAllister has continued to gig and record incessantly, developing an increasingly devoted yet chilled out following, a sizeable contingent of whom are out in force tonight.

Foxtrott 'A Taller Us' (ALBUM REVIEW)

A Taller Us is the star-spangled new release from electro sensation FOXTROTT, otherwise known as Montreal-born Marie-Hélène Delorme. Led by the new single ‘Shaky Hands’, the album is an utter delight to listen to. FOXTROTT exudes a rare confidence in her music, characterised by her rebellious beats, forthright lyrics and playful synth-pop melodies. A self-taught singer, songwriter and producer, Delorme’s sound is packed with eccentricities and oozes style.

Gabriel Rios (supporting The Staves), Beckett Uni, Leeds, October 27th 2015

‘I nearly shat myself’ confesses Camilla Staveley-Taylor to a slightly startled Leeds audience, explaining her reaction to a gushing Twitter endorsement from David Crosby, legendary CSN/CSNY frontman and one of The Staves’ all-time favourite bands, as he complimented the ladies’ fine harmonies on the social media channel. High praise indeed for the three heavenly voiced sisters whose second album ‘If I Was’ recently dented the UK top 20.

Metz, Brudenell Social, Leeds, October 31st 2015 (LIVE REVIEW)

I don't know if the planets have aligned or darker forces have been making mischief, but tonight's Halloween gig inside Leeds' Brudenell has been truly off the hook. Toronto's furiously heavy and uncompromising trio Metz have just given a valuable lesson in how to do punk/hardcore/noise-rock at its very best.