• LAUREN AQUILINA •
Bristol born singer/songwriter Lauren Aquilina coined her sound with brutally honest piano-led power ballads and rocketed into the spotlight.Gaining recognition from BBC Introducing, The Line Of Best Fit, The Independent and other taste-makers,she was later hand-picked by Taylor Swift as support for her 1989 tour. From this, came the release of her debut album ‘Isn’t It Strange’ through Island Records in 2016.
Following all the attention and success from the album, came an unfortunate and brave struggle with depression that Aquilina has been very open about. For the betterment of herself, she decided to put her career as an artist on hold, and began focusing on songwriting for others. During the first year of her journey into writing, she co-wrote American singer/songwriter Fletcher’s single “I Believe You”, inspired by her own #MeToo experiences. Her strength, in both her talents, and emotional resolve has not gone unnoticed by others in the industry; as she has been working alongside pop’s hottest names, including: Little Mix, BloodPop and Rina Sawayama.
In September 2018 Aquilina had taken almost two years out to compose, create and evolve her own sound, and she is now making the best music of her career so far! Taking inspiration from raw emotion of Alanis Morissette coupled with the soaring pop melodies of Robyn, her comeback single “Psycho” which received 100,000 streams in its first weekend on Spotify, has truly seen her come into her own.
Words by Lauren O’Neill
• SQUID •
Brought together by Brighton and a mutual affinity for Neu!, Squid were launched into the psyche post-punk universe with a spiralling soar. Unsigned and unfazed, this blazing five-piece have made themselves at home on BBC Radio 1 with their single ‘Houseplants’ being featured by presenters Huw Stephens and Jack Saunders.
Having mastered a form derivative of psychedelic rock, electronic dance music and punk, Squid rejuvenate new music with vitality and expression. Their unique combination of genres and writing perspectives create an undeniable groove and lyrics that punch. It was this verve that prompted a collaboration with London producer Dan Carey on their single ‘The Dial’ which was recorded and produced in two days at the Speedy Wunderground studio; known for hosting Franz Ferdinand, TOY and Steve Manson. Carey helped them to reconstruct the track and accelerate the tempo on their reputation.
This band are sure to seize your attention and amplify it into an obsession!
Words by Heather McKendrick
• TALK SHOW •
Talk Show, a London based 4 piece are embarking on a quest across the country bringing their infectious postmodern punk sound to festival stages this summer. With influences from prestigious acts such as New Order and Savages their infectious sound has made an impact on the live music scene, making them a band you can’t afford to miss. Having recently supported both YAK and Shame, Talk Show had a glimpse of what it’s like to dominate on stage and bring a lively performance for the audience to remember.
Having released their heavily anticipated single ‘Fast and Loud’ on April 26th they have been eager to get back on the road and bring their woozy riffs and menacing yet wise vocals back to the stage. Their debut single reflects on the feeling of impending chaos although the track does not preach to the listener, more so it reflects front man Harrison Swans thoughts on people and cities.
Taking inspiration from a dystopian South London, the track ‘Fast and Loud’ ties its passionate and thoughtful lyrics with the rhyme and chime of infamous Dr John Cooper Clarke‘s Beasley Street. The result is a song built on brutal guitar and chiming synths, brought together with lyrics that grip the listener and deliver an impact everyone can enjoy.
We can’t wait for Talk Show to grace the stage at Dot To Dot and deliver their larger than life riffs and an energy that will have the room bouncing.
Words by Callum Riley
