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I've been to see Introducing favourites Sky Larkin and Pulled Apart by Horses three times on their current tour now, and one last time in Brighton tonight before they play their homecoming gig in Leeds on Saturday night.

They're both incredibly good live, the brilliantly named Pulled Apart by Horses causing carnage onstage, heavy and brutal in their delivery, while Sky Larkin make spiky melodic indie songs the kind you thought weren't possible to make anymore. Sky Larkin have a new single they're releasing on a watch. Yes, a watch. They're both different bands but have a common thread in that they're both making music from the heart, honest and exciting.

I've been reading this interesting blog about the Leeds scene, and recent session guests Dinosaur Pile-Up. They look very sweaty don't they? It's about a possible grunge revival too.

Have a grungy weekend!

xH

Well since Greg's posted a blog with my name as a header I thought I'd do the same! He cooked us a lovely meal on a budget yesterday, it was DELICIOUS and NUTRITIOUS too. Just the way I like it. Thanks Greg. And welcome along.

This week on the Introducing show, we have Peggy Sue in session.

Not just one lady called Peggy Sue, they're a three piece who've been on tour with Kate Nash and Dan le Sac Vs Scroobious Pip previously, and cause a quiet storm wherever they play. I loved the show this week, there's tunes in there by Marina and the Diamond and Favours for Sailors, Two Door Cinema Club and Rory McVicar, as well as new tunes by Cock N Bull Kid, a banging d'n'b version of Walk n Skank by Shookz and Tommy Reilly's lovely acoustic meanderings.

Check it out here.

xh

First up, it's a brilliant, weird name.
Then you hear them, and it's a weird mixture of dark yet uplifting groove-based songs.
And then you see the video, and then you hear the session on Radio 1's Introducing show this week, and then it all makes sense.

We Have Band. What a Band!

Eurosonic is a festival that happens in Groningen, the Netherlands, and has been going for the last ten years. John Peel went a few times, and took with him bands like Hefner and Melys, and over the last three years we've taken Das Wanderlust and Pete and the Pirates. This year Radio 1 recorded a set by James Yuill.

Mr Yuill is a wonderful musician; he mixes electro with acoustic guitar, and so sometimes sings tales of love and sometimes creates pounding beats. It works best when he does both at the same time. At Eurosonic, where bands from across Europe go and play and where most of the festival bookers go and decide who they want to play their festivals over the summer, James Yuill went down really well.

You can hear his set on Radio 1 Wednesday night at 9pm, and more from midnight on Radio 1 in England.

Who else was good at Eurosonic? Here's a list -

Dag for Dag - the medieval ting tings!
The Ghost - Good innocent pop with guitar and a drum machine. Almost Keane in parts.
Soap and Skin - Intense.
Hjaltalin - a touch Arcade fire but more interesting, vocals are stunning, instrumentation is awesome. Joyous and gentle. Big colourful band to fall in love with. Soul, classical. Classoul.
Tone. Crunchy and liquid beats collide with the lyricists gorgeous vocals multi-layering to create something etheral and warm. Which is just as well cos Groningen is freezing.
Micachu rules!
First Aid Kit are amazing, really spceial songs.
Rolo Tomassi again are the best.
The Big Pink are loud.
Casio Kids are groovy and end things off nicely.

I had a lot of fun with Friendly Fires on Radio 1 last night. They were taking over Zane's show and brought some of their favourite tunes with them to play, before heading off on the NME tour with Glasvegas, Florence and the Machine and White Lies at the end of the month. They're a lovely bunch, Friendly Fires.

This week I'm very pleased to have a three-decked session.

We have: Derek Meins. He has a wonderful album out on 1965 Records.

We have: . Her single Searching is beautiful and she's a real talent, the first lady signed to Big Dada.

And, We Have: Milk Kan. I've heard him being played on Steve Lamacq and on Chris Moyles' show in the past, he has an album out on Blang Records. A pleasure to have him in session this week!

Back with a bang in the new year with a marvellous session by . The Leeds band, as well as having a great name, are a tip for the year ahead. There's tips everywhere at the start of a year of course; this is what I do on the Introducing show every week! They're mates with Sky Larkin and Pulled Apart by Horses who I'm heading off with soon.

After standing in for Zane last week, it's the bands doing the do this week and next. I'll be in the studio with Friendly Fires tonight (expect beats and bands of their choice), before heading over the Social for the Introducing gig. Rose Elinor Dougall is headlining (she used to be a Pipette) and makes wonderfully warm pop tunes. MC Cashback, The Great Shakes and Catgut are all playing too, and it's free.

Got a special three-headed session on Introducing this week. I'll tell you about it tomorrow!
Xh