Saying that 2020 has been a bit of a rubbish year for a lot of people is an understatement. This is due to a host of reasons, as well as the well known and obvious one, beginning with C. However, we must hang on to the positives and draw inspiration from anything we can, and, as we all know, especially on this site, music regularly provides a breadth of inspiration in everyday life.
So rather than keep the negativity going, let’s get positive and celebrate people that are trying to make their way through the music industry and burst onto the scene. Of course, here at Vinyl Chapters we review some amazing albums, interview extremely interesting people, and discuss many important issues within the world of music, but we also love giving credit to emerging and unsigned music acts.
So let’s get to it! There aren’t many better places to start discussing British music than Manchester. It’s a city that’s provided, and still is providing, mega amounts of quality music. With inspirational and hugely successful artists coming from all corners of the city it comes as no surprise to find a huge range of talent that is unknown or yet to be signed.
With all of this in mind, have a read below and check out some of these artists, trust me, it’ll be worth your time…
Palava
We begin with a band that pours their heart and soul into the music which is especially evident when they perform live. They have played at a host of venues throughout Manchester and indie music is everything they’re about. You can hear it through their lyrics, see it through their style, and feel it at their live shows.
They’ve provided great support in shows featuring bands such as Planet (from Australia) and The Blinders, as well as headlining and selling out their own EP launch gig at The Castle Hotel. As they’ve recently revealed on their socials, they are currently in the midst of recording new music so keep your eyes peeled, your ears open, and your expectations high as the four-piece work on some top-notch music.
- Notable Tracks – Be Careful What You Wish For, White Denim, Believe
- Spotify – Palava
- Facebook – facebook.com/palavauk
- Instagram – instagram.com/palavauk
MDP
It would be extremely difficult and damn right insane to write a feature on exciting music coming out of Manchester and leave this rap duo out of it. MDP or the Modern Day Pirates as they like to be known. MDP are extremely hot right now, having heavily been involved with music in cooperation with Levi Jeans and played at great venues such as Manchester Town Hall. They are definitely not to be taken lightly.
MDP represent everything that is great in UK Hip-Hop right now and you can certainly hear that through the verses in their top tracks (see below). The two lads are extremely passionate about Manchester and they have battled their way to be where they are so they always appreciate any support and love that is sent their way.
- Notable Tracks – Crisis, Narcotics, Loner
- Spotify – MDP
- Facebook – facebook.com/MDPmusicofficial
- Instagram – instagram.com/mdpmcr
Callow Youth
Friends from a very young age, it’s not difficult to see the chemistry showcased through the sounds of Callow Youth. With a lot of plays from their early singles, they are regularly gaining fans through some of their main tracks they created in one big recording session just after they first formed.
The young four-piece are still working hard to release new music despite the impacts of Covid and they’ve even gone as far as announcing their first live show of 2021 supporting Slow Readers Club through their social media accounts. Now, if that isn’t positive energy and determination then what is?
- Notable Tracks – Did It Really Matter?, Long Way Back, Wake Up
- Spotify – Callow Youth
- Facebook – facebook.com/callowyouth.band
- Instagram – instagram.com/callowyouthband
Ryan Jarvis
Now, this is a man who’s sound has the ability to get your feet tapping and your head bopping. His music has an extremely happy and calming vibe to it and it comes as absolutely no surprise that his hard work resulted in a slot supporting The Courteeners at the Manchester Apollo. They don’t just give opportunities like that to anyone.
You can definitely tell that the Manchester influence has worked wonders on Ryan; his music clearly draws a lot of inspiration from the indie world but he is his own man and has put his own twist on his music. His talent has taken him to many platforms such as BBC Introducing, Kendal Calling festival, and XS Manchester. His sound is backed by fellow musicians Duncan Crichton, Josh Lawrence, and Drew Palmer and their talent in working with him is evident. Definitely keep your ears open for this lot.
- Notable Tracks – Rosie, Shy Away, Carry You
- Spotify – Ryan Jarvis
- Facebook – facebook.com/RyanJarvisMusic
- Instagram – instagram.com/ryan.jarvis
Broke Casino
This five-piece are absolutely guaranteed to bring the energy to whatever venue they end up playing at, and one thing that nobody can accuse them of is being boring. Broke Casino describe themselves as being influenced by the sounds of bands such as Kasabian, Arctic Monkeys and Foals and this influence is 100% evident in their sound.
The band did sign a management deal back in 2018 after word went round from demos of their music. They are clearly determined and not going away anytime soon so it would be best to keep tabs on the indie rock group. They have supported many unsigned favourites within the Manchester indie community and they even played at Dot To Dot Festival last year.
- Notable Tracks – Boss, Wedding
- Spotify – Broke Casino
- Facebook – facebook.com/brokecasinoband
- Instagram – instagram.com/brokecasinoband
Garden Party
Not all of the lads who make up Garden Party are from Manchester but it definitely is the city that brought them together. With only one actual single out there right now it may seem early to some to have them in a feature like this but what a track it is!
Their debut track Tomorrow received so much recognition that it earned them a play on BBC Introducing, not a bad start at all for a group just starting out. I think it would be extremely wise to keep your eyes peeled for more plaudits going in the direction of Garden Party, exciting times are ahead for the lads.
- Notable Tracks – Tomorrow
- Spotify – Garden Party
- Facebook – facebook.com/gardenpartybanduk
- Instagram – instagram.com/gardenpartybanduk
HEAVY SALAD
Formed only a couple of years ago, Heavy Salad have the chemistry of a band that have been making music for years and years. Their high energy is clear for all to see and their work with backing singers that like to be known as The Priestesses is extremely satisfying, making for great listening.
There’s a lot of talk revolving around Heavy Salad at the moment and there’s no wondering why at all; track by track they provide an extremely diverse sound and have a style that could suit pretty much any room. With their music already receiving recognition on stations such as Radio 1 and Radio X, there can be a lot of confidence felt by claiming that this band are one million percent one for the future.
- Notable Tracks – Battery Acid, The Wish, Reverse Snake
- Spotify – Heavy Salad
- Facebook – facebook.com/heavysaladsounds
- Instagram – instagram.com/heavysaladsounds
This is the second ‘Let’s Celebrate’ feature and the first one of this kind. Stay tuned as we will be dissecting more of the emerging and sometimes unsigned music of the UK and could be looking at artists based near you. If you feel that you know an artist of any genre or any type, it could be a band, a DJ, someone in hop-hop, or anybody that you find interesting, inspiring, or just damn right brilliant then, then hit us up on socials, send us a message or comment below. They could very well be on the next feature.
Leave a comment