This latest Pick ‘n’ Mix features eight highly impressive new or independent artists, who I’ve come across either here at Fresh on the Net, seen performing live, or discovered during my travels across the interweb. As previously it’s an eclectic mix, so read on, and take in some musical noise, a bass tart, and… a Turkish rug?

Photo: LEADER

STEREOPOL – The Hitch
Grab a bit of Nordic indie pop and mix it with a chorus to rival your caffeine addiction, and you should be hooked by this track from Oslo 5-piece Stereopol. Something tells me a live crowd would take over vocal duties when it came to the chorus too. Just play on repeat and it becomes more addictive than an espresso! Terrific.
Soundcloud | Twitter | Facebook

MAN RAY SKY – Ether Song
Brighton band Man Ray Sky claim their genre is “musical noise”, but I’d describe this fuzzy scuzzy song as a combination of psychedelic & shoegaze rock, with dreamy vocals and a catchy tune at its core. Suited more to a dance floor than a mosh pit, so if Ether Song is a musical noise, it’s certainly a melodic one.
Website | Soundcloud | Twitter | Facebook

DODO BONES – Tell Me Now
The genre that Hertfordshire’s Dodo Bones play has been described as ‘wood rock’, which is a lot more thought provoking than my less concise take on them, which is a mix of danceable acoustic and Latin inspired rock, and with powerful yet velvety vocals too.
They vary between a 2-piece an 4-piece when they play live, with the expanded version including a “bass tart” of the stand-up variety (double bass), and having seen them a few times I can vouch that they put on a highly entertaining performance, which the breezy melodies in Tell Me Now highlight perfectly. We need more wood rock (and bass tarts) in music!
Soundcloud | Twitter | Facebook

LEAR LAKE – Shadows
This is a soft but stunning song from south east London song writing duo Lear Lake. From the off the delicate piano, smooth vocals and clean production combine with the addictive melody to suck you in. Save this for later at night after the sun has gone down, and you’ll be playing it on repeat. Dazzling.
Website | Soundcloud | Twitter | Facebook

EMMA MCGRATH – Honey
This is a hugely impressive blues folk track from singer and songwriter Emma McGrath, and comes from her EP The Judgement. Distinctive vocals combined with excellent guitar work (which at times seem more blues rock than folk) highlight her excellent but varied song writing and performing skills, which suggest an intriguing flexibility to experiment. Oh, and I almost forgot… she’s only 15!
Website | Soundcloud | Twitter | Facebook

LEADER – Live Like Kings
If you love rock ‘n’ roll bang in your face then turn the volume up and enjoy this rousing track from Oxfordshire band Leader. It’s full of punch, great riffs, and bruised but top-notch vocals. The band was formerly known as Million Faces, but switched names in late 2013, while the video for Live Like Kings is just out. I’ve yet to see them live, but I’d suggest heading straight for the mosh pit.
Soundcloud | Twitter | Facebook

INDRI – Je Ne Sais Quoi
Indri are a new 6-piece outfit from Liverpool, although some of the members have cut their teeth with previous bands. This track, Je Ne Sais Quoi, is their debut release, which mixes art rock with indie and folk to create a charming combination of styles, while it also highlights the wonderfully distinctive vocals of Dan and Clary Taylor. Édith Piaf would be proud.
Soundcloud | Twitter | Facebook

ROPE STORE – Never Too Late To Love
British duo Rope Store appeared in Fresh Faves 164 back in September, with their track That’s Not Good Enough, where our Fresh on the Net boss (Tom) wrote about their “tremendous energy and detailed production”. Never Too Late To Love largely repeats the feat, but travels at a calmer pace. The retro 60s feel and catchy melody remain though, and it has a chorus that would surely have every crowd singing along. To sum things up and create some intrigue, I’ll borrow their own quote… “think Turkish rug”.
Soundcloud | Twitter | Facebook