An entire hour dedicated to showcasing Music from brand new and established independent artists and bands. Original and covers from both in the UK and Internationally.
To feature on this or any other show on Smile Radio – click on the ‘speech bubble’ at the bottom right of the home page and select ‘I want to become a featured artist’ and follow the instructions or click the tab at the top right of the website home page ‘Become a Featured Artist’.
Ideally, submit a folder with all info and materials in one place.
You can also get in touch via:
hello@smileradio.online or derek@smileradio.online
The real turning point in the evolution of Left Hand Man came with the posing of a question, “Do you want to keep it as a simple acoustic recording, or shall we throw the kitchen sink at it?” Chris Smith (guitars/producer) had been helping Marc Plant (vocals) develop song ideas he had been working on and the kitchen sink meant experimenting with a full range of sounds and recording techniques.
The next few months saw an ‘anything goes’ approach to writing and recording, combining a wide range of influences, from riff laden alternative rock to stripped back acoustic folk. The only mantra that the pair stuck to was Plant’s insistent call to ‘keep it dark’, regardless of the style and tones they were working with.
Nic Burrows (drums/producer) was added to the line up and his heavy hitting/fluent style gave further texture to the sound and saw the ‘First World Problems’ EP released in August 2015 with bass player Ben Wade in the fold. The acclaimed 2nd album ‘Strange Creations’ needed an extra guitarist for live performances, which is where Dave Cotterill (guitars) came on board . The new group of musicians gelled quickly and immediately began work on what would become the band’s upcoming 3rd album “Mission:Transmission”
Previous reviews:
‘An elaborate tapestry of prowling blues rock, loose-limbed indie and elastic soul’ Root and Branches Review
‘The band seem to be able to turn their hands to anything with a great deal of success. The musicianship and creativity throughout the album helps stand them apart’ Spin Magazine
‘Album of the month left hands down! There’s so much musical genius here that I just need to get to the point. Left Hand Man should be considered just as musically credible as bands like Radiohead and Muse because of this album’ Ryan’s Gig Guide
PORT NASIM started out as a prog/hard rock power trio in Hamburg, Germany back in 2011 with the idea to have 3 busy guys playing guitar, bass, drums and keyboards to stretch the limits of a power trio. They gigged eytensively in Germany and released 2 mini albums. After guitaris/singer/songwriter Fran Schilbach moved to Italy in 2019 the concept was radically changed. The band idea with all its limitations has been given up and PORT NASIM has now turned into a truly forward-thinking project with the help of some good friends that combines what some would consider ‘standard’ prog rock with alternative and grunge rock that ranges in influences everywhere and anywhere from Rush and Jethro Tull to Dinosaur Jr. and The Replacements, and you can fill in the other blanks as you go along.
While it sounds like a combination that can fall apart at any moment, it is fully held in control by excellent instrumentation and some exuberant vocals by Shilbach that range anywhere between Jonathan Richman from his Modern Lovers phase and Paul Westerberg at his most shambolic.
They fill it with intermittent violins and mellotrons, bouzouki to boot and female background vocals courtesy of Chiara Giacobbe, resulting in an intriguing prog/alternative rock combinations.
The current line up:
Frank Schilbach – Vocals, Guitars,words and music
Jörg Lenuweit – Bass
Chiara Giacobbe – Violin, Keyboards, Vocals
Rino Garzia – Bass
Nicolas Megna – Drums
with special guest:
Paolo Enrico Archetti Maestri – Bouzouki
4 albums, including two full length ones with the project character have been released so far
They Put A Mind In There (2018)
Edge Of… (2019)
Water Towers (2020)
It’s Murky Gresy (2022)
Jill Hales Barnes & Stewart Kenny
Jill Barnes and Stewart Kenny met online via a Facebook Music Group, Music For Madtimes, over Covid lockdown in 2020. They formed a band, released 5 singles and a full album all within the first year and before physically meeting. Jill in Arizona, USA and Stewart in Dublin, Ireland! October 2021 they finally met in Ireland and played their first live show at a sold out show in county Kildare, Ireland. 2022 will be even more exciting for them as they plan to release another full album and play more live shows as Jill will travel to Ireland. Hope you enjoy this music as much as we enjoy making it, more to follow
Gilad – Avigails Song
Starting out as a cover band in the 90’s Gilad has since created his own musical genre combining his two loves; 70’s Rock and a passion for classical poetry.
Gilad has since gone on to perform on prime-time TV, received national radio exposure, wrote 3 musicals and to top it off received a personal thank you letter for his work from US President at the time, Barack Obama.
Now returning with his new single Abigail’s Song; taken from his forthcoming album, As Time Goes By, you can find more information on this and Gilad by visiting his website
DEUCE Music
3 piece Rock band Lost Without Cause who are based in South East England.
With MTV2 exposure already behind them alongside frontpage news on YouTube, not to mention gigs at a number of established venues around London, Lost Without Cause now release their new single I Don’t Know Why.
Described as having a unique, hard edged yet highly accessible sound combined with a dynamic stage show, you can find more information on Lost Without Cause by visiting www.lostwithoutcause.com or you can follow them on social media.
DEUCE Music
Stickman – Ex-Box Life
Disco Punkers Stickman who are based in Wales.
Drawing on influences that span from Beastie Boys to The Bee Gees, Stickman now release their new single Ex-Box Life.
Further details on this can be found on their websites.
DEUCE Music
My name is Emily Ewing a singer/songwriter, originally from Birmingham. Now living in Worcester. I’ve been on the Music circuit for many years now. I’ve had a number of plays on radio such as BBC Introducing, which also includes being Artist of the week with BBC Introducing Hereford & Worcester in 2017. I’ve recorded and released several EPs. I have and do collaborate with other musicians.
I have also recorded, backing vocals for Ginger Wildheart and his albums – ‘Ghost in the Tanglewood’ and ‘The Pessimist’s Companion’, as well as various songs for Ryan Hamilton. My brand new EP ‘Value of Love’ is out now on all digital platforms. It is my fourth EP released. Amongst some singles and collaborations.
It’s what the fans wanted and it’s what the fans got. YouTube football sensations, 5IVE GUYS FC, are finally releasing their hotly anticipated debut track “Check The Score”.
Dropping on the 22nd May, the track is perfect regardless of if you are listening on a summer rooftop, celebrating a Sunday League win or after cheering on England during this year’s winter World Cup.
The 5IVE GUYS FC YouTube channel has gone from strength to strength since its inception in 2018. They gained 75k subscribers in just 70 videos and are now rapidly approaching the 100k mark, proving they really are the future of entertainment both on, and off, the pitch.
Their passion for entertaining has taken them from the 7-a-side pitch to working with YouTube football royalty, Thogden as well as taking part in Hashtag Utd’s 24 Hour charity football match for Movember and appearing on Sky Sport’s Soccer AM – where they competed against (and beat) ex-Premier League star, Jimmy Bullard.
Alongside the track, 5IVE GUYS are releasing a music video which will also showcase their brand new away kit, which will be available for fans to buy in limited quantities later this year.
Obsidian PR & Media
Born through a shared love of beer, old music, cigarettes, beer, camp-fires, beer and cider, The Quicksilver Kings are purveyors of Sixties inspired, hook-laden songs you’ll think you already know, weaved over a backdrop of blues, folk, country and pop.
This Hull 3 piece are fronted by poet Keith Hagger, whose vocal style is reminiscent of old classics like Buddy Holly and The Everly Brothers, yet has a freshness to it and never fails to blow people away. After his love of tracksuits led to him to appear on Channel 4’s The Secret Millionaire in 2009, the cheeky chav cut his first demos and went on to play the main stage at Freedom Festival in front of several thousand music lovers.
Since forming in 2012, The Quicksilver Kings have steadily built a committed following, had airplay on both local and national BBC radio and have played support slots with the likes of Dodgy, The Beat and The Christians. 2017 will see them release their debut album, and hit the road to cement their growing reputation as festival favourites.
Autumn (While You Were Sleeping) is out now on all streaming platforms.
Obsidian PR & Media
Four lads hailing from the West Midlands, Honey I Shot the President are an eclectic Rock band, who have been performing their high energy rock music since early 2020.
With their debut single “On a Whim” just released and an ep soon to follow the lads are looking forward to a busy year.
Brad on drums, Jack on lead guitar, Josh on bass and Nathan with the vocals and rhythm guitar. They have snagged a spot at the Mello Festival in June courtesy of “Severn Sounds” along with gigs upcoming at the Claptrap in Stourbridge (May 20th), The Giffard in Wolverhampton (June 11th) and the 02 Academy room 3 (June 17th).
The lads have also reached the Final of the Battle of the Bands at SOCALLEDSTUDIOS (June 18th)
Brainchild of songwriter and musician Drew Brashear, The Hourglass Effect is a lush musical project in collaboration with multi-instrumentalist Dave Hardman and vocalist Erin Fox-Clough.
Hailing from Charlotte, North Carolina, the group aligns Southern roots with rock to create unforgettable feel-good tunes, underpinned by bluesy soul. Merging diverse influences like Neil Young, Fugazi and Lana Del Rey, together they create intoxicating songs that are emotive, expansive and unapologetically North Carolinian.
Musik Radio Promotions
It’s 2022 and STANDING LIKE STATUES continue to deliver on their unwillingness to compromise, with authenticity and honesty. This new track is wanting people to know it’s time to question the lies and tell the undeniable truth, to trust in yourself, have faith in your own actions and to be an agent for positive change.
The band’s EP ‘Reality Checkpoint’ saw support from Spotify’s ‘New Punk Tracks’ and ‘The Scene’ playlists, from Kerrang! Radio’s Alex Baker and Johnny Doom, BBC Music Introducing, BBC Look East and hundreds of other radio stations and shows.
This collection of songs explored a difficult time for the band, dealing with some of the personal issues they experienced, which is expressed by the raw EMOtion of the tracks. Those expressions have now matured into something greater… THIS IS SURVIVAL.
The band released their last single ‘Truth Hurts’ in February 2022. It saw its debut airplay on Kerrang! Radio, continuing to build momentum, being aired and featured worldwide. This new era aims to inspire dialogue between people, to get the conversation moving, to shake the fear of rejection. It’s ok to have original thinking and it is ok to express it. We are using our voice to shed light on the dark; this isn’t just about the music, it’s a STATEMENT OF TRUTH.
Plugginbaby
2 hours of mixed Music, usually with a theme - genre, decade, facts & history, instrument focus, pioneers & game changers.A dedicated slot to feature 2-3 new artists & bands, gig updates and announcements. Featured Artists WEAK13 - 'Obey The Slave' WEAK13 is an award winning British band based in Black Country & Birmingham. Featuring Nick J Townsend (vocalist & guitarist), Wesley Smith (bass player) Drums John Stewart (2020-), Justin […]
