Must Hear Mersey Music - February 2018

The bangers just don’t stop in this city.

Whether they’re coming from humble beginnings or firmly stated stars, the tunes keep coming out of Merseyside. This month we’ve got everything from Rock to Pop, from local launches to national, BBC success. However, Folk fans, it is a particularly folksy February.

Seprona – Who Won The War

Soprano are having the time of their lives right now, touring around the UK throughout February and March in support of their latest release, Who Won The War. Their Liverpool date caused quite a stir in the city as the lads delivered their own twist on the Indie/Pop/Rock crossover to their hometown. Stream the track on Spotify here.

Katie Mac – Into The Wild

https://soundcloud.com/katiemacmusic1/intothewild

If you were listening to BBC Introducing from Merseyside last week then you will have been treated to Katie Mac’s, Into The Wild. We’ve cheated a little bit here as this Folk banger was released last year, however, Mac is gathering momentum at an incredible rate, gigging around the city, supporting the right names and being dubbed as one to watch for 2018. With all that, we are destined for new music, so we’re just giving you the heads up early doors to make sure you’re firmly on this bandwagon.

Annexe The Moon – Full Stop

Harping from the sunny shorelines of the Wirral, Annexe The Moon create a particularly 80s brand of, as they call it, Pysch-Scousepop. The electronic elements of Full Stop give it it’s retro feel, whilst the melodies are docilely ‘Beatles-esque’. The throwback goes on even more so when coupled with its intriguing video.

Emilio Pinchi – High Times

We challenge you to find a better storyteller this side of the Mersey. If melancholic Folk is your thing then look no further than Pinchi and his latest release, High Time, in association with Mellowtone. His single release show is set to go down a storm, with Pinchi to be supported by another one of our talented artists on this list, Katie Mac. For honest lyrics and well-crafted chords, High Times is going to be a definite new playlist addition this month. Check out more of his music here, and tickets for his single launch available here.

Sunstack Jones – Sun Is Always

These boys lay halfway between being Lancashire lads and Scouse singer songwriters, but I tell you what, we’re claiming them! Sun Is Always is wistful Indie-Pop tune that makes us wish we were lying on a sunny festival field with a cider and no cares. However, as we’re stuck in February, take a look at their amazingly creative music video instead, to be transported to a world not to dissimilar to Aha’s Take On Me video.

Holly Ellison – Love on the Brain

Does the name sound familiar? It should do. Holly has been all over our TV screens and the local press as of late due to her scene stealing performance on the BBC’s The Voice. Will.I.Am and Olly Murs turned their chairs to be in with a chance of having this Pop princess on their teams with Holly choosing Mr Murs. Since then, Holly & Olly have taken over the internet and we can’t wait to see what lies ahead for this young starlet, in the meantime, check out her latest offering on her Facebook page now.

Chloe Pitchford – Take You There

Chloe Pitchford is quite simply a girl with an acoustic guitar that has a story to tell. Whether you listen to the official single, or catch her live, playing a more stupid back version of the tune, Take You There is an infectious Pop song with as much potential as heart. The track is gaining tens of thousands of listens and it’s easy to see why. Stream from Spotify here.

The Probes – AUTONOMY

The Probes are another Scouse four-piece who are doing incredible things around the country to keep up the Indie-Rock/Pop reputation that the city has worked so hard to create. Their latest release is this mini-album, AUTONOMY, which very artistically shows off their more Psychedelic side. The band do what they do best on the live stage, most impressively supporting Echo & The Bunnymen. These 4 head out on the road again this Feb/March supporting the great Kelley Stoltz.

Esme Birdie – Tower Of Regret

The Folk keeps on coming this February with the angelic sounds of Esme Birdie. Tower of Regret really where’s it’s influences on it’s sleeve, with Leonard Cohen and Paul Simon coming to mind. Birdie not only continues our Folk theme, but the story telling thread, also. Much like to previously mentioned Emilio Pinchi, Esme Birdie weaves a tale that wraps around you and pulls you into it. Here it on the BBC iPlayer as it was played by our very own Dave Monks on his Introducing show last weekend.

Sons of Mowgli – 29 Sundays

Topping off our Folk February is Sons of Mowgli. Yet another charming tune, another beautiful female vocal and another band that are making us lust for festival season. The vocals have a haunting quality to them that gives the track an edge, however it is undeniably feel good and relaxing. Take once daily to make the rest of your day feel like a Sunday.

The music never stops here on Merseyside and we want to know what you’re listening to and what releases you just can’t wait for! Get in touch at alex@theguideliverpool.com and of course let us know who we should be shouting about on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.