MOUNT KIMBIE
The great thing about dubstep is that is doesn’t really exist. Well, it exists- the studenty wobble stuff that perhaps most obviously signals a dubstep track is still massively popular. But producers are now taking this and turning it into something much more beautiful and interesting.Last year saw an explosion in this. Hyperdub released a string of incredible tracks- morphing almost every element of music into a stunning collection of aural delights. Joker’s p-funk influenced take on it became so acute and refined that he has single-handedly created a new genre all together. Hessle Audio developed a more techno influenced sound- the Leeds label clearly taking influence from their Sheffield neighbours, Warp. And my beloved Darkstar and Joy Orbsion exploded so emphatically that both are now the ‘ones to watch’ of 2010. It was fitting that one of the ‘grandfathers’ of this sound, Zomby, included Animal Collective and the lush neo-classical of Peter Broderick in his end of year chart- these guys crave eclecticism and, most importantly, a level of emotion not previously heard in dubstep.
Mount Kimbie are perhaps not as celebrated as their aforementioned peers but, following two amazing E.P’s last year, i’m sure this about to change. I think their use of vocals is second only to Burial and is often achingly beautiful. I reckon that whatever music you listen to there is something here to enjoy…
Aspen Sails
Describing themselves as ‘emo-folk afficionadoes’, Aspen Sails are a two-piece guitar/vocal outfit who recently won this years 2000 Trees battle of the bands competition, and therefore a spot onstage during the two day festival. Mixing lush vocal harmonies with folk tinged guitar, the pair are an integral part of the istartedthefire stable and are often (almost inevitably) compared to Fleet Foxes, a comparison which doesn’t credit Aspen Sails’ realtively unique sound. Playing a variety of venues locally and further afield, the best way to keep in touch with gigs and appearances is through the bands MySpace page http://www.myspace.com/aspensails
Atlases
They’d been talking about playing together for 18 months; they finally formed in September 2008 and now they’re already making waves. All five members of Atlases originated from the surrounding area: three from Cheltenham, one from Stroud and one from Tewkesbury.
Having experimented in previous incarnations, they got together and found a style that they’re all proud to be exploring.
With a line-up consisting of 3 guitars (Rupe, Jith & Will), a bassist (Lloyd) and drummer (Kenny) the EP ‘When the Ocean met the Sky’ unexpectedly starts with a gentle piano progression accompanied by an electronic drum beat before
dropping into a spacious loose chord sequence, creating an ethereal sound that gently floats along with melodies rising from the detached reverberation of fast picked guitar lines.
Atlases say there are no boundaries when it comes to expanding their sound; that they’d like to incorporate lots of different instruments and elements, perhaps even vocals!
It seems their biggest inspiration comes from knowing what they want to hear from the band they have formed, and are serious about making something beautiful, emotional and epic. They don’t seem to yearn for popularity, preferring to have confidence that if they make what they like people will like what they make.
www.myspace.com/atlasesuk
see the mag for the full band profile
