Bostin News - A Black Country Playlist
Live music and performance has been hit really hard during the pandemic but that doesn’t mean people have stopped performing, playing and recording. We asked Head of MAS Records (an innovative non-profit, government funded, artist development scheme) Scott Garrett to give us the lowdown on the musical talent from across the Black Country that we should be looking out for and supporting.
“There is a strong tradition for really good music in the Black Country,” Says Scott. “The region is hailed as the birthplace of heavy metal, home to Slade, Judas Priest, and Led Zeppelin’s Robert Plant, and later The Wonder Stuff, Pop Will Eat Itself and Ned’s Atomic Dustbin.
Until the global pandemic hit MAS artists past and present could be found across the Black Country, in the many live music venues that were alive and kicking. I was commissioned to curate a Spotify playlist of current Black Country MAS artists so we can keep the tradition of good Black Country music alive.”
Here’s Scott’s top 10 picks…
Nova Bloom – Cigarette City
Wolverhampton based Nova Bloom have been working with MAS Records Wolves based RML Studios for a few years towards their debut album. They say about the process “When writing the songs we wanted every song to have it's own individual impact on the audience. It's important to get straight to the point so each song has it's own flavour both lyrically and rhythmically enabling you to engage with our album no matter what mood you are in.”
More info - https://linktr.ee/novabloom_official
Via Spotify
Akande - George
https://open.spotify.com/track/3IsTu4CjdbhN3V7BrWLitO?si=yjhx_SM5SfuFF_pbVg-krQ Indie-funk 70s nostalgia from the beating heart of Wolverhampton! Akande have only been formed since Jan 2019 but in that short time have played every cool and hip gig in the city and recent spins on BBC Introducing WM! We are looking forward to their debut retro vinyl land in the MAS Records postbox!
More info - https://www.facebook.com/akandetheband/
Alex Ohm – Going Nowhere Fast
Sedgley songsmith Alex Ohm now has a number of sold out shows already under his belt, Alex has also opened shows for the likes of Ian Brown, The Charlatans, Ocean Colour Scene and Peter Doherty to name a few. Alex has toured worldwide with his old band ‘The Lines’ who were with MAS a few years ago. We are delighted we can continue to support Alex on his new ventures.
More info - https://www.alexohm.com/
Via Spotify
Jack Fletcher Band – Carousel
The Indie-rock four piece from Wolverhampton are what can only be described as real- with their stripped back guitar music, midlands twang and their live for the moment attitude. To date these ‘Black Country lads’ have played numerous festivals and venues including Lakefest (supporting the likes of Primal Scream, The Coral, Cast and Star Sailor), Party in the Pines Festival- where they supported Twisted Wheel frontman Johnny Brown; who has since played alongside them at their own headlining gig, and Wolverhampton’s Slade Rooms where they supported Ocean Colour Scene’s Steve Craddock.
More info - https://www.musicglue.com/jackfletcherband/
Via Spotify
Outline – Candid
Outline are an indie-pop four-piece from Hagley near Stourbridge, stemming from jazzy bedroom beats in their humble DIY studio, after years of honing in their vision, the band have blossomed into a genre-bending collective. Having drawn eclectic influence from the likes of indie-pop anthems, to old school hip hop beats, it has become apparent the band have crafted a truly unique identity with the help and development of MAS Records Base Studios in Stourbridge and RML in Wolverhampton.
More info - https://www.outlineband.com/
Via Spotify
Echo Gecco – Sit In Glass
Echo Gecco are three friends from Stourbridge and Kidderminster that want to push boundaries with their music. They have created a sound all of their very own that has the ability to mix and blend genres that shouldn’t normally mix. Heavy riffs in a smooth jazz song? Who knew that would work?! The band believes that this type of versatility will make sure that any and every person that listens or watches Echo Gecco will find something they will enjoy.
“One of the best live acts I have ever seen. End of.” - Andrew Marston (BBC Introducing)
More info - https://www.facebook.com/echogecco/
Via Spotify
In Our Lives – Our Moment
Pop Punk Rock’n’Roll from Dudley! these lads were born to Rock! They have been working hard on the debut EP at Base Studios Stourbridge with MAS Producer Simon Henley.
More info - https://www.facebook.com/InOurLives2018/
Via Spotify
The Space – Retire From Love
The Space's modern and versatile approach to indie rock music sees them mixing its flowing riffs and catchy vocals with elements of rap and story like lyrics. Telling their perceptions of the world and what happens within it through their driven indie rock feel creates a unique style they have been developing since 2017.
More info - https://www.facebook.com/thespacebandoriginal/
Via Spotify
Tall Stories – Concrete Heads
Tall Stories are a post-punk outfit from Stourbridge. They have spent the last few years gigging around the West Midlands, including providing support for indie legends Swim Deep at Birmingham’s much loved Sunflower Lounge in June 2019 and for The Novus at their Muthers Studio sellout in April 2019. The band were also one of the winners of Truck Festival's Band App competition, beating thousands of other artists to open the Market Stage in July 2019.
Via Spotify
Neds Atomic Dustbin – Your Only Joke
Obviously not a MAS Records band! But we are lucky enough to have Ned’s Singer Jonn Penney as our MAS Records ‘Artist Development Lead’ so I wanted to feature one of my favourite Ned’s tracks! ‘Your Only Joke’ is from their last album before they broke up (the first time around) which I always felt was a underrated masterpiece! We are all glad they are back on the stage now and rockin again in 2021 (we all hope!!)!
Via Spotify
This playlist was produced by Scott Garret of MAS records and commissioned by content editor Louise Bloomfield.