Jade's Music Blog

Here are six of our favourite unsigned local acts. Our reviewing team have picked the bands they love from widely different genres, which have very different sounds, but the thing that unites them is quality. They are all excellent musicians and songwriters, and we think they encapsulate the best of the Merseyside sound right now.
One thing is sure though - these are six of the best, we're not saying they are the six best - there are many other talented acts out there and we're hoping to repeat this showcase as often as we can.
For now, have a listen to these guys on MySpace and let us know what you think in our all new forum - see yesterday's forum post on here for details of how to leave your views.

Charlotte O’ Connor – a sure thing
Reviewed by  Jessie Alison
 
‘One of the Angels’ is the best, most accomplished, original song  I have heard in a long time. It’s a number one single of the future, it’s the one the auditioners on X Factor will be murdering, the one you’ll hear at weddings and funerals, it will be the ‘our song’ for a whole generation of lovers. When the angelic voiced Charlotte is ready to release this, she will have to hold onto her hat, as she gets swirled away in the inevitable media tornado! She is a superb musician, with a huge future ahead of her…
Remember, you heard it first here, and one day soon, I’ll be more than happy to say I told you so!

http://www.myspace.com/charlottesoul
 
Standout song on her MySpace player – One of the Angels
 
 
Thomas Western – a hidden gem
Reviewed by Rick Underwood
 
With his voice of fragile beauty, which is like no other, Thomas makes simply marvellous music! With its echoes of another time another place, his modern folk music transports you on waves of melodic pleasure to a very beautiful world. Thomas is as modest and unassuming as his music, but don’t be fooled, his is a mighty talent! Thomas has a place in the music world waiting just for him, and it’s not just for lovers of folk music, but for everyone who knows and appreciates great music when they hear it. 
 
Standout song on his MySpace player –  Your Front Door
 
 http://www.myspace.com/thomaswestern
 

Ragz – Siren with star quality
Reviewed by Rikki Wright  

Ragz is a treasure, with her warm sweet intoxicating vocals, dazzling musicianship, gorgeous insightful songs, and a beautiful face too, for those who care about such things. So the great question is – why is she not already the household name she deserves to be? I have no explanation for this oversight by the great listening public, other than her gentle nature. She doesn’t seem to have a pushy bone in her body…
So it is up to those who seek true quality in their musicians to seek her out, until she inevitably finds herself in the limelight where she belongs. Do yourself a favour and beat the crowds, catch her singing live now, in the local venues she still plays – you’ll only be able to see her as a dot on the stage of the giant stadiums before long!
 
Standout song on her MySpace player – Breathe Live
 
 http://www.myspace.com/ragzmusic  
 
Revenge Tragedies – Something irresistible
Reviewed by Rikki Wright  

There is something irresistable about Reid Anderson and his band, Revenge Tragedies. The songs on the player, The Tracey Swan Song, and Take a Little Light, are strange, haunting, intelligent and beautifully crafted. The melancholy guitar and silky vocals transport you to a sweet dark dreamy place of reverie and enchantment. I cannot categorise the genre Revenge Tragedies fit into, beyond being interesting, intense, original and poetic. To give a little flavour of their sound, I can say that I  caught fragments of sounds a little like Brian Eno, Roy Orbison, Leonard Cohen, Jarvis Cocker, and something else that can only be Revenge Tragedies themselves.
Revenge Tragedies may not be to everyone’s taste, but they wouldn’t want to be – they are fiercely independent, highly unusual, and really rather wonderful!
 
Standout song on their MySpace player – Take A Little Light

Elevaters - Will give you a lift

The hottest thing on eight legs right now. They’ve got soaring harmonies, killer hooks and  melodies that’ll stick in your head all day. Once encountered, you just cannot escape from their infectious, exuberant take on life that is 100% Nu-Scouse, and 100% brilliant! These lads are riding the Cultural Wave, as Liverpool remembers what an amazingly important place it is in the global music scene, and gives us a taste of the next North Western music revolution, that’s just around the corner…
Elevaters are just waiting to take the charts by storm, with Pieces, from the first bars of that delicious jangly guitar. Coupled with Phil's emotive vocals, this band will simply lift you to a better place!
www.myspace.com/elevatermusic
 
Standout song on their MySpace player - Pieces
 
 
Kinkade - catch them while you can

Kinkade’s jazzy, smooth, rock film noir feel and intelligent vocals mark them out as ones to watch.  Never afraid to experiment with different genres, these lads make their skill sound effortless. Surprisingly, Dave Williams’ vocal sometimes reminds me of the late, great Freddie Mercury, with its dexterity, range and inventiveness. Kinkade are superb musicians, and their unique sound is infused with a clear love of what they do - and their audience loves it too! This band is special. They make friends, and win respect wherever they go, and rightly so.
If Kinkade are playing a local venue near you, go and catch them while you can – they are headed for the very top, in the not so distant future!
 
www.myspace.com/kingkadelive
 
Standout song on their MySpace player – I like you