GrumpyRocker

The ink is barely dry on Mike's chat with Grumpyrocker, but written before, during and after the interview, Jimbo reveals his thoughts on Mike Marlin's second album Man on the Ground.

2011 was an amazing year for Mike Marlin, he released his debut album Nearly Man, turned 50 and was featured as HMV's 'Next Big Thing' - he also appeared in Jimbo's top albums of 2011, but that aside Mike was more than willing to answer Jimbo's questions about music, life and a little insight into his new album Man on the Ground.

Now anything that is free in this current age of austerity is warmly welcomed, so when news reached us at Grumpyrocker that Young Astronaut's debut album Fawn was available to download for free, we felt it only fair to share it with you all. The full news release is after the jump as well as the link to where you can get your hands on an album described as being between "Ben Howard, Frank Turner and a young Radiohead".

For those not aware of Slovenia's Elvis Jackson we are not talking about famous ex-pop stars brought back from the dead, but some rather interesting ska post-punk fusion rhythms. Full details of their UK tour is after the jump as well as the rather excellent video for single Street 45.

When Juan Zelada's debut album High Ceilings and Collarbones arrived in the office, d-jaysea got very excited and wittered on about mini-discs and tapes, so to keep him quiet we handed it to him to review.

For a band who were one of the major indie bands in the late 1980s, with the iconic George Best cover and named debut album, The Wedding Present have always been seen as David Gedge's baby and all those years later that still hasn't changed. As The Wedding Present gear up to release their 9th studio album, Gedge is assisted by Graeme Ramsay (who's been around a bit), Pepe le Moko (who's not been around that long) and Charlie Layton (the newest member who's just picked up the sticks), with more details of what's happening to The Wedding Present in 2012 available after the jump.

You might argue that there was a Leeds obsession last year on Grumpyrocker and although I promised I would try not to fall into that trap this year, what should fall across our lap, but Leeds band Holy State. Whilst trying to avoid any clichéd references, Jimbo was dispatched with a cup of Yorkshire Tea in hand to provide his thoughts on Holy State’s new single Dial ‘M’ for Monolith.

Zoe White Chambers, not a name many of you will have heard, but as lead female vocalist of the Cornish trio who make up Auction for the Promise Club, she could well be about to launch the band into the conscious of the indie music listening nation. With an uncanny nack of sounding like Ellie Goulding, details of their debut EP, where you can catch them live and a video of their new single Under China are available after the jump.

Bloodloss might well be a new name in terms of metal bands, but with debut mini album out in March, there's plenty of time to grow accustomed to these five lads from South London. With more details of debut mini album The Struggle and a link to track This Still Remains after the jump, you'd be mad not to click on full story.

Just a very quick news item to highlight that after the critical acclaim of their debut EP the "Bahraini/Austrian/Londonian" duo Straylings; in anticipation of their debut album Entertainment on Foreign Grounds due out in March, are making an early live showing at the Camden Barfly this Saturday (14th January). Tickets are available on the door or a little cheaper via this link.

If you want to check out a quick sample of what the Straylings offer then head over to Soundcloud and check out Carver's Kicks.