Download: Grant Nicholas - Soul Mates [New Track]

Words: Saam Das

I'm pretty sure the first time I heard Feeder was on the coach to play football, with my school friends Will and Simon. I remember being somewhat incredulous that 'Buck Rogers' didn't seem to feature any mention or reference to the TV show. Frontman Grant Nicholas supposedly had written the track for another band before being convinced that it could be a Feeder hit - almost a decade down the line, he's now stepping out on his own.

Nine Acts To See At The Camden Crawl 2014 [Festival Preview]

Camden Crawl (20-21 June '14, London) // Words: Saam Das

Having returned in the mid-noughties following an extended breather, London's Camden Crawl again last year took a step back. After a period of re-evaluation, the festival is back this year at over twenty venues in the Camden area. The 2014 line up is headed by the likes of ABC, Atari Teenage Riot, and The Field - we're not so interested in them but have a selection of recommended acts to check out below.

On Camera #1: Godzilla / Days Of Future Past / Batman v Superman / Doctor Who

Words: Saam Das

This could be the start of something beautiful. Or not. But here's my first film (and maybe a bit of telly) column to capture bits and bobs that we don't always have time to cover elsewhere. I take on recent cinema releases, 'Godzilla' and 'X-Men: Days Of Future Past', along with a digest of recent film and telly news.

Remixed: Bombay Bicycle Club - Feel (UNKLE Reconstruction)

Words: Saam Das

Bombay Bicycle Club have developed with impressive maturity in the past few years, evolving their sound across a series of acclaimed albums. Earlier this year, they lived up to their name (sort of) with the Indian-influenced/sampled 'Feel'. The UNKLE reconstruction takes apart 'Feel', and puts it together with a whole host of new samples. Listen to both versions below.

Seven Acts To See At Bushstock 2014 [Festival Preview]

Bushstock Festival (14 June '14, London) // Words: Saam Das

We're big fans of the Communion Records-led Bushstock Festival, now entering its fourth year of bringing ace new bands to the Shepherds Bush area of London. They've seen the likes of Daughter rise from early on the bill (2011) to being one of the main draws (2012), as well as shepherding (ahem) the likes of Bastille (2012) and Thumpers (2013) to bigger climes. Here's a selection of bands that we urge you to investigate at this fine multi-venue festival.

Film Review: X-Men: Days Of Future Past (2014)

'X-Men: Days Of Future Past' (UK Release: 22 May '14) // Words: Saam Das

Having helped kickstart the franchise back in 2000, 'X-Men' and 'X2' director Bryan Singer returned to the helm for the latest installment, 'X-Men: Days Of Future Past'. Following a relatively bumpy ride in recent years for X-Men films, with a notable low of 2009's 'X-Men Origins: Wolverine', Singer was presented with the unenviable task of mixing the characters from his vision of the series and the more recent reboots, namely 'X-Men: First Class' and 'The Wolverine'.

Simon Says: Then Five Come Along At Once [Album Round-Up]

Words: Simon Opie

Yes that’s right, just like buses 2014 bursts into life with five albums worth checking out so straight to business with some mini reviews - including the return of The Black Keys and side projects from members of Super Furry Animals and Black Mountain.

Surfacing: Liu Bei [New Band]

Words: Saam Das

Liu Bei/Lou Bay. "A warlord in the late Eastern Han dynasty who founded the state of Shu Han in the Three Kingdoms period and became its first ruler". Also, a new band led by former solo artist Richard Walters, and featuring Dry The River live member Patrick James Pearson. Listen to their debut single 'Infatuation' below, ahead of its release on paradYse Records.

Festival Review: The Great Escape 2014 (Day Three - Saturday)

The Great Escape (8-10 May '14) // Words: Saam Das

Battling the winds and late running schedules on day one and day two of Brighton's premiere new music festival, The Great Escape, could have broken us. But we were not to be defeated, returning for more exciting new acts including Honours and Fickle Friends, as well as more established fare such as Charli XCX.

Download: Girls Aloud vs THUMPERS - Unkinder/The Promise (Mash-Up)

Words: Saam Das

In the lead up to the upcoming release of debut album 'Galore', London's THUMPERS have unleashed this splendid mash-up of previous single 'Unkinder (A Tougher Love)' with Girls Aloud's 'The Promise'. The track popped up on Huw Stephens BBC Radio 1 show and while we're still not sure who's behind this tasty slice, THUMPERS have made the mash-up available for download.

Godzilla Through The Ages: Gojira (1954) To Godzilla (2014)

Words: Maxamillian John

“I know what the world needs,” said the CEO of Hollywood Studios. "I know.” A pall of silence fell over the conference room. Beyond its tinted windows aeroplanes scored the sky in white, just as silent as the trembling producers within. "The world needs another Godzilla movie!”

Festival Review: The Great Escape 2014 (Day Two - Friday)

The Great Escape Festival (8-10 May, Brighton) // Words: Saam Das

Following our exploits on day one at The Great Escape, we returned to windswept Brighton with renewed vigour. On day two, we took in more of The Alternative Escape, the set of unofficial gigs which runs concurrently with the main festival - providing even more exciting, new bands to catch.

Listen: LEN - Steal My Sunshine (Remastered Anniversary Edition)

Words: Saam Das

I checked the date - it's definitely not April 1st. Which means that LEN's seminal smash 'Steal My Sunshine' is getting an actual re-release. The good folk at Alcopop! Records are behind this move, which is one of the few times we can abide by re-releasing material. 15 years on from the UK #8 hit single, have a listen to the newly remastered anniversary edition of the track below.

Festival Review: The Great Escape 2014 (Day One - Thursday)

The Great Escape Festival (8-10 May, Brighton) // Words: Saam Das

Wind. So much wind. Bands. So many bands. Those two aspects of The Great Escape pretty much sum up the 2014 edition of the festival. Also, late running trains, but that was more of a personal struggle. Nonetheless, we had our usual great fun in Brighton, catching plenty of new bands as well as few old favourites. We're splitting our review into three sections for ease of reading so do pop back for those soon-to-arrive installments.

Listen: RHODES - Morning [EP Preview]

Words: Saam Das

We'll be heading to Brighton later in the day for The Great Escape and we're certainly not the only ones. RHODES will also be there, performing later this evening, and perhaps by no co-incidence has unveiled the title track from his forthcoming EP. Listen to the soothing 'Morning' below.

Festival Preview: Ten Acts To See At The Great Escape 2014

The Great Escape Festival (8-10 May '14, Brighton) // Words: Saam Das

We're huge fans of Brighton's new music fest The Great Escape and we're always excited to run around and catch as many bands as humanly possible - albeit inevitably losing steam. It'd be easy to pick literally dozens of bands we'd like to catch (especially if we counted the Alternative Escape too) but instead, we're offering a refined list of ten musical performers to catch at the festival.

Review: Sundance London Festival 2014

Sundance London Festival (The O2, 25-27 April '14) // Words: Team FG

The Robert Redford-led Sundance London Festival returned to The O2 in London for its third edition recently. Bringing along several films from the Utah original, the festival also presented plenty of underappreciated and upcoming musical acts. While we didn't take on the extravaganza with our usual gusto, we did catch a few films and a bit of the music.

Surfacing: warrenpeace [New Band]

Words: Saam Das

A few years ago, I briefly worked at a popular semi-independent record store in central London. One of my colleagues was a nice chap called Nick, otherwise known as producer Buddy Peace, who also worked with the likes of Buck 65 and Sage Francis in his other life. Fast forward and he's teamed up with Warren Borg, aka Worgie, to create a debut album of eclectic proportions. And I'm here to tell you about it.

Review: New York Television Festival London 2014

New York Television Festival London (195 Picadilly, 25 April '14) // Words: Jordan Andrew // Photos: NYTVF

Hits as 'The Office', 'The Inbetweeners', and 'Shameless' have all been given US remakes, with some having more success than others. Clearly there is something about British talent that the Americans love, and it's a trend to continue. Since 2005, the New York Television Festival has been striving to help upcoming talent connect with television networks, agencies and product companies. For the third year, the New York Television Festival London graced BAFTA for an afternoon of panel talks and networking.

Listen: Port Isla - Next In Line [EP Preview]

Words: Saam Das

Norwich's Port Isla delivered one of the tracks of the year thus far, with their anthem 'Steamroller' - a bit of a case of nominative determinism there. The opener on their new EP of the same name, here's another big-sounding track in the form of 'Next In Line'. Listen to both songs below.

Simon Says: Three Great Escapees

Words: Saam Das

There’s not been a great deal that has excited this column thus far in 2014. So with the excuse of the anniversary of the Great Escape (WW2, not Brighton), we’ve been looking back at 2013 and unearthed three great albums (courtesy of Magik Markers, The Black Angels, and ASG) that tunnelled under our observation towers the first time around.