White Denim, 5 CD Albums to Win!

Here at Gettothefront we have managed to get our hands on 5 copies of their new album ‘Fits’ to giveaway to five of you lucky readers!

The trio, hailing from Austin, Texas are known for their take on several influences of garage rock, dub, soul, alternative rock and country, this album has been described as being ‘Brain-frazzlingly original’ (mogo) and ‘Brilliantly Insane’ (Dazed and Confused)

To hear more from White Denim, visit Myspace

To be in with the chance of winning simply fill in your details in the form below with ‘White Denim’ as your subject

Artist: Aimee Newsome-Stone
Album: Spacemen & Monsters
Label: Unsigned
Released: Out Now
Reviewed by: Lynsey Ure

Aimee Newsome-Stone is a young female singer-songwriter from Ringwood on the South Coast of England. The unsigned artist has her 4 track EP Spacemen & Monsters out for public exploration in order to throw her into the big time. Fine plan it may be, however this EP is in no way backed with good tracks, good instrumentation and most of all its not backed by a good voice. Harsh I am sure, but with opening track ”Just Another Day’ the harmonies are out of tune and sound overly strained to reach notes that fall flat on the listeners ears. The piano playing has the sound of elevator music which on the whole isn’t bad, but it just doesn”t have that edge when there is so much completion from other female artists…. who well, have talent!

‘Madeline’ sounds a tad better as it is less fussy a bit more honest and sincere in her lyrics. ‘Radio Song’ at 5 minutes long really isn’t going to do what it says on the tin as it will never get a radio play at that length. The tune however has a playful pop feel and would pass you by unoffending but unnoticeable. The high point to the EP is the delicate fiddle playing that lifts some of the songs from being altogether dull.

Aimee may only have taken on song writing and musicianship this past 18 months but that is certainly something that comes across strongly, here’s hoping that with some time and more practice she will get somewhere in the music industry. On the back of this EP I’d be very surprised.

For more things Aime visit Myspace

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Reviewers: We are being contacted by Promoters to feature live reviews and albums on the site, if you would like to get involoved with attending shows for us all over the UK and/or reviewing albums/ singles for us, Please get in touch via gettothefront@gmail.com

Artist: Thom Stone
EP: Hearts & Bones
Label: Air Records
Released: 10th August
Reviewed by: Nik

Thom Stone’s distint sound is a bit like his appearance…. rough, edgy and it needs a good wash, this shouldnt put you off as with a little time this 2 part EP is a growing masterpiece, recorded over a weekend in his bedroom with one-take guitar and vocals, ‘Hearts & bones’ is as engaging as it is addictive.

Ive been hooked before with edgy live recordings, more recently with The Maccabees early pre album recordings that in my option were comprimised when ‘tidied up’ for release, fortunatley Thom has kept this live nature throughout to create a catchy double EP that will keep you going back for more.

Kicking off with ‘You can do what you like’, the simple acoustic guitar crossed with Thoms dark vocals creates a great intro to his unique sound, Stand out tracks on EP 1 include title track ‘Hearts and Bones’ which involves an addictive sing along chorus, personal ‘Fever’ and ‘Baby Come back’ which should take Thom to the dangers of mainstream.

EP 2 is for those established Thom Stones fans, use EP1 as an intro then dip into the 2nd offering for much of the same that will take a little longer to grab you, when it does however, you are rewarded with some excellent raw acoustic treats such as ‘Buy me flowers’ and ‘Something i said’.

Thom has already been championed by ‘Zipper Zane Lowe’ and he widened his audience by being soundtracked on the first 2 series of teen comedy series ‘The Inbetweeners’, catch Thom whilst hes on the way up and still sounding as cool and raw as he looks.

For more things Thom visit Myspace

Look out for Thom in your local charity shop this autumn for some low key shows.

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Reviewers: We are being contacted by Promoters to feature live reviews and albums on the site, if you would like to get involoved with attending shows for us all over the UK and/or reviewing albums/ singles for us, Please get in touch via gettothefront@gmail.com

Carina Round signed ‘Things You Should Know’ EP to win!

This excellent EP is limited to a digital release but here at Gettothefront we have managed to get our hands on a rare Signed CD version of the EP for one of you lucky readers to win!

To hear more from Carina, visit Myspace

Read our review of the EP at Review

Buy now from Amazon MP3

To be in with the chance of winning simply fill in your details in the form below with ‘Carina Round’ as your subject

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Artist: Pixie Lott
Single: Boys & Girls
Label: Mercury
Released: 31st August
Reviewed by: Chantelle

The new single Boys and Girls from 18-Year-old soul singer Pixie Lott is her follow up single to Mama do. Boys and Girls is a retro flavoured party song and there is no doubt this song will get you in the mood to grab those dancing shoes.

Boys and Girls will remind you of Christina Aguilera’s ‘Aint no other man’ in places, even though it resembles the song it is still unlike any other pop songs we currently have floating around in the charts. Pixie released the song at just the right time, as the song puts a smile on your face and makes you forgot the rubbish English whether.

Lott was quoted as saying she was ‘shocked’ at the success of Mama do, I think it is clear to say she may even be re-quoting herself, as this song is sure set for a high entry in the charts. The song bears all the ingredients of a smash hit and leaves you wondering and anticipating what we can expect from Pixies debut album ‘Turn it up’.

(9/10)

Listen to more Pixie Lott at Myspace

Pre order the single now from Amazon

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Reviewers: We are being contacted by Promoters to feature live reviews and albums on the site, if you would like to get involoved with attending shows for us all over the UK and/or reviewing albums/ singles for us, Please get in touch via gettothefront@gmail.com

Gettothefront: For anyone that hasn’t heard a Secondhand Serenade track how would you describe the sound of your music?

Secondhand Serenade: Haha…that’s like asking someone to describe their face…haha…I don’t know to be honest…it is just what I am capable of writing…and I hope it sounds good!

GTTF: You are a huge MySpace star in what ways do you think Myspace helped you to launch your musical career ?

SS: Myspace was paramount…without it I could not have had any early success, would not have been discovered by my manager or label…and would not be doing this interview right now..haha.

GTTF: Now that you have signed to a label what changes do think it will/has made to your music?

SS: It has given me the ability to bring a full band into the studio for a more complete sound, without that initial financial backing I may not have had that opportunity….also the normal things…distribution promotion…etc etc.

GTTF: Your father is also a musician do you think it was his influence that made you choose to get into music yourself?

SS: I was definitely influenced by my Father and my Brother…they are both amazing musicians and encouraged me to discover my own musical talents…so absolutely yes.

GTTF: Before starting Secondhand Serenade you played in multiple bands, what made you decide to go solo?

SS: Well it was ultimately a rift I had with the other member of a musical duo I was in with a musician by the name of Ronnie Day…after we split I had the confidence for the first time to keep writing songs on my own and see what came out.

GTTF: How did you come up with the name Secondhand Serenade?

SS: Every song I write is about or for a person…so they are getting it firsthand…anyone else who hears the songs is getting the secondhand serenade….

GTTF: You write you own music where do you draw your inspiration from?

SS: Definitely, definitely my own life experiences…everything I write comes directly from things that happen to me and how those situations have effected me.

GTTF: You are effectively a one man band what instruments can you play and is there an instrument that you can’t play but would like to learn?

SS: I would like to keep learning piano more and more…but I can play guitar, bass, and piano well…I definitely cannot play the drums.

GTTF: If you could choose to collaborate with any other artist/band past or present who would you choose and why?

SS: That one is really too tough to answer….I would prefer to just draw inspiration from many artists more so than collaborate on their work…but there are obviously quite a few musicians who it would be an honor for me to work with.

GTTF: What would be your advice for any aspiring artists wanting to get in to the music business?

SS: Just keep working hard and writing songs that really have a ton of meaning to you…because if so chances are they have meaning to others as well.

GTTF: Finally your single ‘Fall For You’ is released 17th august what was the inspiration behind the track?

SS: The concept of when a relationship is kind of on the rocks…and when you have these massive fights you feel like you never want to talk to the person again…but then after a little time goes by and things cool off you begin to fall for them all over again.

Listen to Secondhand Serenade at Myspace

Buy the album from Amazon

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