Drifting into orbit next we have the dark, moody leftfield, melodic noise pioneers 10 DAYS. They license the dreamy and entrancing track " Re-arranged" to the Airwaves collection. From start to finish this song is full of mystery, intrigue, other worldly guitars, dreamy vocals, inventive drums and meandering melancholy bass. " I want to change" screams the lead singer in full primal therapy mode over dark metal guitars that are thick and powerful. This song is almost a spiritual experience and stands out in a world of it's own. 10 Days are an experimental band that combine psychedelic moods with the dark side to create a life changing wake like experience of lovely rock. This will change you. 

PSEUDONYM a.k.a Ben Young from Hants is an eccentric new art pioneer who indulges in art, design and music. He licenses the dark pop soundscape " Irrelevant but Beautiful" to the Airwaves. This Sisters of Mercy-esq track is recorded, produced and performed by Ben and features acoustic guitars, moody melodic vocals, distorted screeching guitars and a tune that grows on you with every play. Pseudonym re-recorded this sonic lo-fi post goth track especially for this release. Pseudonym takes emotion and turns it into art. This song meanders from out of this world guitar sounds to melancholy acoustic guitars through a constant almost chanted vocal hook that is then taken over by the  sonic lead guitar. Different, alternative, dreamy, powerful all at the same time. Find out more here. 

Bursting in next we have the very melodic, energetic and extremely catchy NATURAL ACT. This great Indie rock/folk band license the boppy and warm " Stone Island". The guitars are jangly in a 60's esq fashion while the rhythm section moves in a Smith's esq manner under the very melodic falsetto fuelled vocals. Natural Act are from Fife and deliver dreamy guitar pop with energetic smooth and melodic vocals. They have a distinctive and different almost early 80's crossed with Brit pop sound. "I'm' an Island made of Stone". The general sound has a warm feeling but their is a darker almost melancholy mood lying underneath that shows emotion and sensitive songwriting skills. Excellent and a real grower. 

JUST A BOY ( Patrick Snowsell ) above 

The dreamy dark blues fuelled JUST A BOY appear next with the stunning sonic blues track " Rock n' Roll". This energetic and dark pop track has a sinister trance like keyboard bassline that loops around bringing the listener into a trance like state. Then the dirty, fuzzy, other worldly distorted guitars enter the picture before we get the mysterious and groovy vocals of the boy himself a.k.a Patrick Snowsell. This track is lo-fi, moody, catchy and dark all at the same time. It would have been perfect for a murder scene in Pulp Fiction or Reservoir Dogs and bears a slight resemblance to 90's cult dark noise pop merchants Dream City Film club. Different, bold and as enjoyable as hell. 

The men from FACT above 

FACT strum their way onto the scene next with the moody melodic acoustic gem " Pictures and Memories". " Will you love me still when it's all just pictures and memories" sings the passionate vocalist Phil Cook with anger and emotion. Chris comes from Hertfordshire but met up with talented guitarist Chris Anthony while working in the Cotswolds.  FACT was then born. "Invite the flies to the sh.t it makes me sick" seethe FACT demonstrating a protest song mode that touches the soul and opens the mind. Their music is full of energetic strumming acoustic guitars and vocal emotion while the lyrics are profound. FACT are not just musicians they are social and emotional poets with a conscience. This is proper raw emotional music with a very loyal following that we think will grow to cult status. Face the FACT's they won't go away and that makes us all very very lucky. Brilliant - Matchbox A&R.  

Norwich based melodic band ATTICUS FINCH feature next with the very warm, uplifting and touching " Skipping School". This very melodic song starts off with strumming acoustic guitars and strong vocals and harmonies and builds into an uplifting sound that warms the soul. These guys have a very mature and mellow acoustic sound that can only be described as classic. The vocals soar with beauty over the lovely Prefab Sprout/Smiths/Turin Brakes esq soundtrack. Jangly,tuneful, sing-a-long and full of emotion and melody. Excellent and on it's way to a large loyal fanbase. 

The Stylish LAYTON LILLAS above 

From a land down under ( New Zealand ) next we have the stylish and sophisticated pop troubadour LAYTON LILLAS. This now London based solo artist licenses the fantastic MOR pop classic "Rest in Peace".  "Time is the only thing that heals the wounds" sings Layton with heartfelt emotion and 80's esq soul. Layton has been touring the world and has played over 1000 shows in New Zealand, The Middle East, Africa and the UK. He is currently on the road in the UK spreading the word of his music. He is travelling all over the UK to reach a target of 10000 people. If you meet him and have a photo taken with him you can go and see it on his website by clicking here.  "Rest in Peace" is an acoustic based 80's esq ballad with a chorus that never leaves your head after the first spin. His lyrics are very personal, brave and honest and filed with hope and vision. Layton is an artist who does not care about anything but his music and spreading it to as many people as possible. This great pop record even features some "Pink Floyd Final Cut era type lead guitars" and a general warm emotional almost Crowded House-esq feel. Traditional and poptastic. 

Ross B celebrating his success above 

21 year old ROSS BOWDITCH from Oxted in Surrey appears next with the catchy, warm and Beatles-esq pop track " Solid Believer". Ross has a voice that is very distinctive and original and he writes tunes that are so catchy it's almost impossible for them to leave your head after the first listen. This track goes from bouncy acoustic guitars to falsetto harmonies to lead guitars,  tambourines and back again. "Maybe you are the answer" sings the passionate Ross over a punchy sound that bops and rocks all the way through. Catchy, warm, classic, retro and in a great pop world of it's own. Very Nice and unique as hell. 

Entering the frame next we have the dreamy Indie guitar band THE SUSPECTS from Glasgow. They feature with the warm classic sounding acoustic based anthem " If I Can Find".  This very warm and catchy track reminds us of a cross between Oasis and REO Speedwagon and has a melody that sticks in your head. This real grower is mainly acoustic with loads of atmospheric lead guitars and effects. The full line up is: Dave Monaghan (Vocals) , Brian McNulty (Guitar/ Vocals) and Johnnie Clark (Bass). The Suspects formed in the summer of  2003. Excellent. 

Taking us off the air for now we have the perfect end to a perfect album in the form of the dark rock pioneers BLOW J. They license the mellow dark almost prog rock track " Dumb". The vocals are mysterious and strong and this is mixed in with a bluesy fuzzy guitar sound that takes the listener to another world. This is mature leftfield rock with a  mellow almost Jethro Tull meets Metallica type sound. In other words extremely original, different and a song that stays in your head even after your asleep. A great end to a great album. 

 

AIRWAVES

OFFICIAL RELEASE DATE: 22 MARCH 2004

CAT NO: MR0055

Welcome to the album page for our second release of 2004 "AIRWAVES". Airwaves features a hot selection of the hottest new worldwide acts. Ranging in style from anthemic Indie rock, Power pop and melodic Indie balladeers to leftfield dark pop and acoustic alt folk troubadours. Stylish and up to date this album shines with raw talent, anger, energy and emotion. 

This album will also soon be available from CD Baby, Tower Records and many digital distribution sites to be announced. 

You can hear al of these artists as part of our 24 hour playlist on Matchbox Radio 24

The "Airwaves" compilation is now also available from CD BABY in the USA. 

Airwaves is also now available from TOWER RECORDS. Check out the Airwaves/Tower page and hear sound samples of the featured songs. 

 
 

 

Mr.E - Something To Say

LM-24 - Get a Grip On Her

Drinker – Soapbox

Jonny Amos - Waterloo Girl

Lisa Brown – Reverie

Ben Taylor - By The Light of Day

The Jackdaws - Dance a Little Harder

Lloyd Williams – Turpentine

The Rimestones - Sweet Thing

Void - Turn Away

The Attika State - The Downside of Perfect

10 Days - Re-Arranged

Pseudonym - Irrelevant but Beautiful

Natural Act - Stone Island

Just a Boy - Rock n' Roll

FACT - Pictures and Memories

Atticus Finch - Skipping School

Layton Lillas  - Rest in Peace

Ross Bowditch - Solid Believer

The Suspects - If I Can Find

Blow J – Dumb