Introducing: Sinclair

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Coming towards the end of the year I'm beginning to put together my end of year lists and what's becoming obvious is that there haven't been any new musical discoveries to shake to them up. A triple threat of factors being that I haven't looked hard enough, I spent time abroad and underground artists are leaving their music behind in tough financial times has left my Introducing section totally bare. However, before the year is out I have one name to save the day and become your new musical crush: Sinclair.
Originally from upstate New York, where she lived just half an hour away from Canada, she moved to Nashville and has since started making music that's alerted the ears of many and earned her a shining reputation. Some of the ears she's captured led to her touring with the likes of Ingrid Michaelson and Graham Colton with perhaps one of the most exciting moments of her career - up until the recent release of Sweet Talk - being her signing to Drive Music in 2013.
Growing up she won multiple awards - both locally and nationally - for her classical guitaring but I for one am so glad she diverted from these classical roots and began experimenting with different sounds and genres to create her own uniquely fun mix of indie pop synthy deliciousness. While the stories she tells in her lyrics often tell of troubling times the upbeat music and her overall positive outlook is inspiring and bound to bring out hardened pessimists' dancing shoes.

Find this talent here:

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Introducing: Cold Summer

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Starting 2012 with Transitions they jumped straight into live shows supporting Deathwish Records’ End Of A Year/Self Defense Family and Aficionado from No Sleep Records. Unwilling to the let the train lose steam, they continued to play regular shows locally and write their second EP Wake which boasted a polished, progressed sound and the opportunity for a larger than life live show that Lemuria fans found out at a sold out gig in Leeds. Then with the end of 2012 in sight they once again went into the studio with Bob Cooper (Hawk Eyes, Nai Harvest, Calls Landing) to write what has become their first ever full length due out on the 1st July. Pushing the boundaries of post-hardcore music further and further with every release Cold Summer are heading in the direction of a band that are set to become an influence on others and are fast becoming a force of nature I wouldn't dare try to stop.

Introducing: Harlot

Harlot are a Newcastle quartet exploding straight onto the melodic rock/metalcore scene with their new single "Saviour" from their soon to be released EP Wolves. Starting out in 2007 the band - James Mclackland (vocals/guitar), Adam Lathan (guitar), Daniel Johnson (bass/vocals), Cameron Brown (drums) - spent time reworking and refining their sound and emerged sounding stronger than ever. Rigorous touring led to a well deserved fan base and popularity amongst promoters allowing them to tour with the likes of Flood Of Red and Obsessive Compulsive. 

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"Saviour" could only be described as a monster of a song with ear shattering layers of drums and guitars complimenting the vocals at all times. Clocking in at 4 and half minutes, the fast paced track sets the standard high for the rest of the EP. Big choruses, with melodies and breakdowns in perfect harmony, their energy and passion is hard to miss proving that they have the potential to progress as far as possible in the industry. The UK's much needed answer to A Day To Remember perhaps.

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Introducing: One Fell Swoop

America is full of bands - some good and some not so good - but luckily for New Yorkers One Fell Swoop they fit firmly in the category of bands I consider really, really good. Amazing, in fact. The quartet is comprised of A.J. Chiarella (Vocals/Guitar), Brandon Florich (Guitar), John Rodriguez (Bass/Vocals) and Frank De Santis (Drums) and amusingly describe themselves as "two scrawny white kids and two chubby pink kids that like punk rock" but i'm here to tell you all that these guys don't just 'like' punk rock but boy, oh boy, they can play punk rock.
The band currently have a stand alone single and three EP's, including one they used to support the Robinhood Foundation to help victims of hurricane Sandy. Ditching the usual heavy guitaring and angry gang vocals of punk rock, the EP showcases their softer side with three haunting acoustic tracks - and if that wasn't enough they even did a mini acoustic tour to promote the EP and raise even more money for the charity.
Bayside, Title Fight and Senses Fail are just some of the bands that they name as their influences but i'm sure that in a few years time, with all the honest hard work they put into the band, i'll be writing introducing posts about bands inspired by them. They've played a ton of live shows with the likes of Set Your Goals, A Loss For Words and other bands destined for a loud future, so my advice to all of you lucky enough to live anywhere near one of their gigs is to go and check these guys out for what is guaranteed to be a crazy energetic show.

Oh and for all you eager fans that already exist you'll be glad to hear they've got a new EP coming out in June. And if you're not a fan already, what are you doing?! Get on with it: 

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Introducing: Inherit The Stars

Hailing from Sheffield, Inherit The Stars are preparing to take the universe by storm with their indelible music. With the near release of their debut full length "We Were Made To Walk The Skies" on the 18th of May, they've made the gutsy ten track album available for everyone to check out now over on their soundcloud and there appears to have been nothing but praise for the quartet's efforts.
Slaving away on the album for a good year, they were lucky enough to work with Jim Pinder at Treehouse Studios where albums from their influences Fightstar were recorded as well bands like While She Sleeps and Rise To Remain. 
Other influences of the band include Funeral For A Friend, Chiodos and Enter Shikari and with what is clearly unadulterated talent they've found their own unique sound that draws on some of the best parts of their influences and ties it together to create a striking finish that is unafraid to experiment and break the boundaries of typical hardcore music. There's synths, strings and screaming and riffs and choruses that will stick in your mind and have you singing along with one listen as well as softer, delicate songs that will evoke goosebumps on even the toughest skin.
So, don't be a fool and help these outstanding guys take on the world to prove they have what it takes and if you're ever in the vicinity of one of their live shows get yourself there as with music like this i'm 110% sure it will be an unforgettable epic show.

Stalk them for yourselves:

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Introducing: The Dress Down Kids

The Dress Down Kids are a group of five genius Manchester lads who have combined hip hop with rock music to create the ultimate musical fusion known as street rock. The first form of the band was an acoustic trio that played shows around the local Manchester area until eventually, after switching who plays what a few times, the final cut of The Dress Down Kids became Tristan on lead vocals; Lee on rhythm guitar; Ajay on drums; Fletch on lead guitar and Tom playing bass. 

The band's YouTube showcases their ability to play acoustically with finesse as well as playing full band just as fantastically. Their most recent song Tear The Roof Off can be seen playing on Scuzz, while eager fans await for it to be officially released so we never have to be without the fun song with an insanely catchy hook that, like the video shows, could even get your grandparents dancing their feet off. The guitars are pop-punk and the music so infectiously bouncy and without even a moments hesitation Tristan can take the punk and turn it into slick rap that never sounds out of place. 

If you happen to live anywhere near Manchester, where they play shows regularly, then please for the sake of those stuck miles and miles away go and check out these guys live as they offer tonnes of energy, epic music and a show i'm sure will be unforgettable as The Dress Down Kids are pure talent. 

Find them here:

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Introducing: Super Prime

Super Prime are a pop-punk group consisting of 3 talented guys from Boston, MA. It may be 2012 but try telling these guys, as their power driven punk music is reminiscent of the 90's - they're a modern day Blink 182 and doing a damn good job at it.

Formed in the Spring of 2011 Marcus James (drums), Adam Newall (guitars, vocals) and Austin Bond (bass, vocals) have been a band for just over a year and in that time have released 2 EP's - Super Prime and Sun's Out Gun's Out - and a full length - #FML - which gives you an idea of just how awesome they are. 

However, if you want the full Super Prime experience you need to check them out live. Their set is always intense and if you weren't a fan before you'll leave in love. With guitar riffs, drums and lyrics that allow the crowd to yell along and jump around like crazy you won't be disappointed if you were looking for fun. If you're lucky enough you'll get to witness one of the greatest covers you'll ever hear as well like Fall Out Boy's 'Sugar We're Goin' Down'.

In their short time as a band they've toured with other musical greats that include Hawthorne Heights, Set Your Goals, Hit The Lights, Fireworks, Cartel, Mixtapes and We Are The In Crowd. 

If you need further convincing to check them out, go here:

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Introducing: Natives

You may recognise these as the faces of Not Advised but back at the start of the year band mates Jim Thomas, Ash Oliver, Andy White, Jack Fairbrother and Greg Day decided to put their years of Not Advised behind them and are now known as Natives. But no matter what their name they still rock.
Back in October they headed out to LA to record their debut album - a release i'm eagerly anticipating - with the legendary John Feldmann and have since put up two songs - This Island and Big Plans - which each offer something different but brilliant at the same time.
Since becoming Natives they've toured with the likes of Deaf Havana, Futures, Don Broco and are soon heading off on a tour with Mayday Parade before going on their own mini headline tour in December.
You can follow their video diaries from recording the album and check out official music videos and acoustics over on youtube and fall in love with these awesome guys at the following places:

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and be sure to get tickets for their headliner tour (they're only a fiver - do it!) here.

Introducing: Arthur Walwin

Playing guitar and providing vocals for awesome pop-punk band Paige, producing tracks and working as a sound engineer just wasn't enough for the super talented Arthur Walwin as he launched his own solo project. And boy am I glad. His voice is rich with beautiful tones, his lyrics are stunning and the music that accompanies him is just as lovely.
It's not just a handful of fans' attention that he caught. He signed to Engineer Records and released his striking EP For One More Night. The 5-track EP sounds like he opened up his diary and sung his heart out. With a softer vibe than the music typical of Paige it really showcases his skills as a solo artist. And if you're lucky enough to own a physical copy of the EP then your ears are treated to the gorgeous Wisteria Lane Poker Club a song featuring AJ Perdomo of The Dangerous Summer. 
It's refreshing to hear an artist these days with the pure talent of Arthur Walwin, and, using his own lyrics here, I pray that you won't go and ignore this post but get yourself a copy of his EP and fall hopelessly in love with the sheer beauty of it.
Also, if you read this and thought hey this guy is familiar you may recognise him from this post here - he is of course the guy who sings alongside the fabulous Becca in Anavae's song This Light.

Stalk him some more in the following places:

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Introducing: Anavae

I can see you all rolling your eyes at the picture and thinking here we go another female fronted pop group trying to make it big. But let me tell you this - Anavae are not what people expect. With intricate guitars, heavy bass lines, drums that could make the calmest person feel like head banging and brutally honest, yet slightly mysterious lyrics, Anavae in fact rock. Formed by vocalist Rebecca Need-Menear and guitarist Jamie Finch in early 2011 and completed by Josh Platt (guitar), Seb Gee (drums) and James Pearce (bass) this London based band are set for a big future.
When I first heard them last October I fell in love immediately and over the past year I've watched them grow and grow. They've acquired over 30,000 twitter followers, 10,000 facebook likes, played an array of shows and have even been seen in Rocksound and Kerrang. All of which are big achievements for such a new band. I haven't even mentioned the fact they're supporting Hawthorne Heights, Kids In Glass Houses and There For Tomorrow on their London dates over the next couple of weeks.
In the year they have been a band they've managed to develop their own sound which I can only describe as early VersaEmerge with their own mix of weird and the song Invaesion - probably the strangest from their EP Into The Aether - even features dubstep alongside the heavy music and meaningful lyrics declaring that 'you don't need to be afraid'.
So, everyone out there. Don't be afraid. Go and check them out, accept the invaesion and join the aermy. It's an awesome place to be, honest. While you're at it i'm going to sit here and keep waiting for the soon-to-be-released video for Sunlight Through A Straw. 

Find these wonderful beings here:

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