Solo Artist of the Week: Iwan Rheon

http://www.facebook.com/iwanrheon

If you're like me, you know Iwan Rheon as Simon from the hit British show Misfits. (Haven't heard of it? You need to hop on over to Hulu right now and get filled in. Or, if you're opposed to watching shows online, Logo will start airing it July 19 at 10 PM ET. Nice little plug, eh?)

If we're being completely honest, if it hadn't been for the commercial for Misfits I saw on Logo this morning, I'd probably keep this boy all to myself. But that isn't fair to do, so I guess I'll share. (See, I can be nice.) Anyway, I've been turned on to Mr. Rheon's talents for some time now. You see, aside from being a part of such an awesome show, the Welsh actor has also been a part of the cast in the London cast of Spring Awakening (which for anyone wondering is one of my favorites) and-- obviously or I wouldn't be writing about him-- he has a musical career.

His first solo EP was recorded and released in 2010 with help from Kevin Bacon. Okay, not the Kevin Bacon you're thinking of, but it sure did grab your attention, didn't it? It's a four track slice of heaven that features him and an acoustic guitar. His second was recorded and released just last year, so as you can see, though he's been off acting, he's also kept up with this music business.

Now, I know what you're thinking. Vicci, you've told us about him, but what does he sound like?!

Well, my dear, dear readers, he sounds like a man with a wonderfully ear appeasing folk voice accompanied by acoustic guitar. He fits in nicely with the likes of the British Folk Movement that we've seen as of late. You know, that one that includes Mumford & Sons and Bobby Long. This is the type of music that you have playing on a lazy afternoon when you curl up on the couch with a good read and a nice warm cuppa. (cup·pa/ˈkəpə/: Noun: A cup of tea) 


Or on a rainy day.


Or on a nice, sunny Sunday drive.


Or while studying.


Packing for a trip.


Really, you could probably just listen to him whenever the hell you felt like it really. It's so calming and
I really can't imagine anyone being able to listen to his music without just getting lost in it.


Is it completely different from anything we've ever heard? No. It isn't. But there's always room on my 
iPod for a nice and good folk song that wants nothing from me except my undivided attention.


That being said, Iwan is currently working on a full length album to get on out there so we have more to
add to our "Just About Anything" playlist, and we'll be waiting ever so patiently because god dammit,
we love you Barry. Er, I mean Iwan.


(Don't get that reference? Well obviously you need to watch Misfits.)


Go Download: You can pick up both his 'Tongue Tied- EP' and 'Changing Times- EP' on iTunes. 
(Egad! I actually had download links for you guys!)

Blitz Kids

http://www.facebook.com/blitzkidsuk

I've been on the prowl for new music. So with the constant email ping on my phone alerting me to the occasional new twitter follower, I've kept my eyes peeled. Then Blitz Kids popped up. What REALLY caught my eye about them was that Josh Franceschi of You Me At Six follows them, and since I love him, I was pretty certain they must be awesome. (Ya know, since YMAS is awesome. It only stands to reason, right?) Luckily, my logic was not flawed, and as we speak, I have them pumping at me via my headphones. (It would be my speakers if I weren't sitting in the living room, typing away while my mother watches The Talk.) But that's okay, because I can only imagine how great they'll sound blasting out of my car speakers, a theory I'll have to test out quite soon.

Anyway, the first song that caught my eye was "Story," which features Aled Phillips-- you know, the same Aled that sings for Kids In Glass Houses, just ANOTHER band that I adore-- and boy do I like what I heard. It's a polished rock track with killer guitar and hard hitting drums. Not only that, but Joe James' voice is like a breath of fresh air. It's like if the British rock bands of old had a love child with the rock bands now, creating a glorious mix that makes me want to bust out a leather jacket and drive around town with my windows down acting like a total bamf.

Of course, I'm sure that's the exact response they wanted as they ARE named Blitz Kids, also the name of people who frequented the Blitz nightclub and helped create the New Romantic period of the 80s most commonly depicted with eccentric androgyny. Obviously, this band isn't Duran Duran or Boy George. They very much look like men. It isn't that they're bringing back the New Romantic era PHYSICALLY, but they're doing so musically. The music is eccentric, and is a wonderful mix of all the good things in music. (Can I classify them as New Romantics 2.0?)

Aside from that though, without the rather awesome name choice (whether that's what they intended or not), I'm sitting here, bobbing my head and just rocking out. (I'm also getting curious looks from my mom and dogs.) I'm getting completely lost in their music, and I have found myself stopping periodically as I'm writing this because I just keep getting pulled in.

And before you think I'm just being biased because they're British and liked by two bands I love, you should also know that Rock Sound, Kerrang!, Big Cheese and Alter the Press quite enjoy them as well.

Obviously, I was right in assuming that Josh Franceschi has great taste in music, because these guys are the real deal.

Go Download: WELL, if you like their Facebook page, you can download their first two EP's for FREE! So go get on it!

(Have I mentioned how in love with this song I am?)

You Me At Six

http://www.facebook.com/youmeatsix

I love my men like my tea. British.

So it can't be much of a surprise that I absolutely adore You Me At Six. I downloaded their album "Hold Me Down" a while back because I kept seeing them on my tumblr dashboard but I didn't actually listen to it until much later. In fact, I didn't actually listen to it until after downloading "Sinners Never Sleep," which officially gets released in the US January 24 (AKA tomorrow). (Don't worry, I'll be buying it as soon as I actually can. I just figured I owed them more than just my money. Yay blog post!)

Anyway, aside from the completely shallow reasons, You Me At Six is so wonderful because they are so truthful. If we're being honest, listening to "Sinners Never Sleep" is almost like listening to a musical version of my thoughts. Like Josh Franceschi was in my head. Which is also the reason why I think so many people (and by so many, I mean more than usual for a BTNLT, but less than they really deserve) love them. Because they are oh so relatable.

That, and they are also spectacular musicians. I just love Josh's voice, Max Heyler and Chris Miller bring excellent guitar playing to the table, Matt Barnes backs them up spectacularly on the bass, and do not even get me started on Dan Flint's drumming. Together this band has created an album that I personally cannot stop listening. And like I said, it isn't even out in the US yet. (So close.)

Anyway, You Me At Six is one of the finest UK exports that I have found, up there with Young Guns, Earl Grey and Sherlock.

I would give you more reasons to go love them, but really. What more do you need?

Go Download: Ok, here's the deal. As soon as it hits midnight, assuming you read this today (Jan 23) you are going to go to iTunes and search You Me At Six and just buy "Sinners Never Sleep." But my personal favorites are "Reckless" and "Crash," in case you were wondering.

**EDIT** GO GRAB IT HERE!!!!

Young Guns

http://www.facebook.com/younggunsuk

What do I like best about Young Guns...

Honestly? I don't know. But, it's most likely the fact that they are producing some of the best rock sounds I have been able to find in a while. Not pop-rock. Not punk-rock. Straight up rock sound. And I love it.

They are an extremely hard working group of boys, especially Gustav Wood and Fraser Taylor, who are the only ones who have been a part of the band since their creation in 2003. Their debut album, All Our Kings Are Dead, was self-released. And not only was it self-released, but it was a self-release that reached enough people to help them sell out their shows.

AND, not only have they sold out their own headlining tours, but they've even supported Bon Jovi. Yeah. BON. JOVI. So, I feel justified in saying that this band has their shit together, and they are definitely making wonderful music.

Gustav's voice is one of my favorite's in the rock scene. It's just so... pleasant? Is that the word I want? It's.... befitting the genre. And it has this very pure quality to it. It's just really clear, and I like it a lot.

Also, I think it should be mentioned that when I saw Yellowcard, LP was wearing a Young Guns hoodie. I told him I was really freaking jealous cuz I love them and Sean was like "Yeah, they're amazing!" and then rubbed it in that they get to see them next month T.T

Anyway, the moral of that story is that Yellowcard thinks Young Guns is amazing too.

The unfortunate thing about Young Guns is you can't buy their album in America, probably because it IS self-released. I, for one, had to find it off of Mediafire. But, it should be noted that as soon as I CAN buy it, I will. Their next album, Bones, has a planned release date of Febuary 6, 2012. So fingers crossed so we Americans can get in on some Young Guns action, because we are SERIOUSLY deprived.

Go Download: Though you can't buy their full length, you can get their 2009 EP Mirrors on iTunes. (My personal favorite off of it is "The Weight of the World")





AMERICA WANTS YOUNG GUNS!

Ed Sheeran

http://edsheeran.com/

British acoustic folk singer Ed Sheeran isn't exactly unknown in the UK. However, virtually no one knows about him here. Which is sad, because he's WONDERFUL. Armed with nothing but an acoustic guitar, this gifted ginger blows minds with his voice and lyrics. His most known song, "The A Team" is used in many collaborations with rap artists, which creates a beautiful marriage of the two genres. It's also a very meaningful song, written about a girl in a homeless shelter he played a benefit show for and how she got there. I don't know why he hasn't dropped here in the US yet. He was a part of the iTunes Festival this year, but I still have to turn to torrents to get all his music. Which is wrong. I would love to be able to pay for his magnificence.

Go Download: You can get his cover of "Wayfaring Stranger" and "U.N.I" by signing up for his email list on his website :)