Manchester’s musical reputation has led it into a maniacal roundabout being pulled in and out of favour; it falls and dies and then is lifted from the depths to be proclaimed once again. Far away from Saromon’s frozen eye of London the press need some sort of nostalgic narrative to juice up interest again. But, it is important to remind London, that other places continue to exist when it isn’t looking. And this city drinks and breathes and generally doesn’t give too much of a fuck about the creative succubus that sucks everything up its arse. Manchester is where the truth lives. Fuck hype lists - this is a truth list. Take it. Here is a list of truth. All of these artists deserve a larger following, support and recognition. And are far more interesting than most ‘artists/business people’ that you find suffocating the end of year/beginning of year lists that generally only just churn out tepid takes on outdated genres and half-cooked, safe, over trod ideas. There is sick all over this mud. Let’s take a walk in the good air.
Irma Vep
Taking his name from the 1996 film directed by the French director Olivier Assayas Irma Vep’s lo-fi ballads have been a long standing highlight in Manchester’s DIY literati for years. Performing intimate shows through the city’s dark independent venues (whatever they are) and this week playing a Marc Riley session on 6Music Vep has cemented his reputation as an original and untouchable songwriter. These love ballads show a purity and melodic optimism that will break you in two and remind what’s important in life again. There also seem to be a sum total of 7 physical releases to date to get immersed in.
Wedding
Ironically titled melancholic slacker-pop five-piece hold a strange position in Manchester. They write brilliant songs as seen below and everyone’s waiting for them to get the attention they deserve. They are currently recording a new EP with one record already out on Maternal Voice last year titled Mania Whatever. This year will continue to see them touring and recording. Keep a look out. Great songs.
Franklin
Having featured in many of the cities more experimental groups and a constant of avant-sect Mabel’s Labels, Franklin is one of the many projects from the saw playing, art-genius John Hancell. Most recently, Hancell (under the moniker Fukc_boi) has released a video of explicit modern erotica featuring himself and an unknown actor getting sexy for his latest track. A disillusionment with modernity and the arts runs through the music and Hancell has created his own idyll safe from the shit storm outside pummelling us with…shit. While Franklin is melodic and gorgeous, Fukc_boi creates a glitchy, outsider anti-electronica and laughing at the language used by a generation who has perhaps lost it’s respect for words this project works within the systems it is satirising. Also worth listening to a secret hit ‘Hatred’ from his old band ‘Butchers’. It’ll knock you off your torture seat. He is currently working on a collection of poetry.
Charlotte Cannon
Charlotte is living in a frosty room in the infamous nightclub The White Hotel in Salford. She took the stage with Damo Suzuki of Can last year in the club. Her songs are surreal, narrative driven, pyscho-sexual diatribes that will shock and beguile and lead change. There is much to be expected from her unique vocal and songwriting ability and especially after a lot of major label interest. Her recordings a DIY gems which show a lot of promise. She has also worked collaboratively with musicians such as Tom Furse (The Horrors), Bill Ryder-Jones (of Coral fame) and Ed Harcourt. She is currently recording and working on a debut release.
Duds
Angular art noise-rock from Mancunian miscreants. (Quite like that). Getting more and more attention at the end of last year and increasing support from 6Music’s Marc Riley. This band are a Mancunian super-group made up of the cities more experimental agents. Dressed like munitions factory workmen on a lunch break or a Salvation Army band in the pub they are here to stand proud against reason and the state. Signed to Castle Face Records, home of Thee Oh Sees and Ty Segal, comparisons have been drawn to Devo but with a metaphysical spanner lodged in the engines. A Da-da take on left-field guitar music and esoteric twitch-rock.
Aldous RH
Lead singer of precocious kraut-outfit Egyptian Hip-Hop, Aldous RH is the lead man’s geek-soul project injected with humour and catchy sensuality. Having travelled to LA off his own back to record this track Aldous moves through the city’s cafes and bars to spend time away from working on music. He has lived in Islington Mill and has now moved to Longsight and is in need of some lovin’. Sort him out. This boy has the sauce!
Pearl City
Another Egyptian Hip-Hop ex-member Nic De Lap and his partner Greta Carrol team up to create mystical dream-songs with jazz infused vocals and future pop electronics. Previously signed to Bella Union with different band Bernard and Edith their new tracks were made in the bedrooms of south Manchester where it is always night. The pair’s myth-pop is made through an obsession with nature, sexuality and love. Carrol’s vocals have drawn influence from Kate Bush to Billie Holiday and are musical references have been likened to The Knife but this band stand on their own in terms of their catchy songs and groove heavy appeal.
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Words: James Carroll
Photo: Press
Design: Anoushka Khandwala
