Dry the River

drytheriver.net

It's strictly no rest for Dry the River now, it's tour, tour, tour, and then some. And we're super-excited they're stopping off in Norwich!

No Rest is re-released as a limited edition 7" on 25 June.

"I think people are surprised when they come to see us live." says Peter Liddle, heavily tattooed frontman of London's Dry the River. "They expect us to be really calm and quiet but in some ways we're the opposite."

You can see why people get confused: this five-piece band has all the hallmarks of the latest folk sensation: elemental name, beards, acoustic guitars, even a violinist. But what sets Dry the River apart is a background in hardcore and post-punk bands, hence the tattoos, lyrics that read like a Steinbeck novel and a sonic palette that sweeps from gentle to giant like an incoming storm.

"It's not difficult to see why there is such a buzz about this band" (The Independent)

"A brooding quiet and loud dynamic, unconventional structures and some bold lyrical content. 'Lion's Den' is a fine example of this, beginning gently with impeccably tight harmonies but takes a Jekyll and Hyde-esque turn and explodes into a furious wall of sound." (drownedinsound.com)

Dry the River formed in spring 2009 and have lived together in the same shared house in Stratford east London since. Citing an esoteric list of influences – Leonard Cohen, At The Drive-In, Neil Young, Arlo Guthrie, Neutral Milk Hotel, Bruce Springsteen and Devendra Banhart – the band draw as much from their shared love of US hardcore as they do from the classic songwriters they all admire.

Cut Ribbons

cutribbons.tumblr.com

"This five piece mix girl/boy harmonies with an ability to write some of the most heart-swelling choruses you'll hear outside the Magic FM playlist. And live, they're just as good." (Jen Long, which is why they're on her label, Kissability)

"There's a solid groove provided by an excellent rhythm section, while the jagged guitars add a weight to their songs that set them apart from many of the other rising guitar bands. A dual male/female vocal contrasts nicely and you can see why they've been play-listed by Radio 1. Keep an eye out for these guys on smaller festival stages this year, there could be big things to come." (stereoboard.com)

Deers

wearedeers.co.uk

What do you get when you mix the brooding progressive sounds of Minus the Bear with the raw passion of Biffy Clyro and the beauty of Manchester Orchestra? Deers.

"For all the gentle, delicate natural connotations of their name, Deers sure know how to pack a punch. Their latest EP, Orange, opens with a salvo of punchy guitars on Sleep.Recover before it settles back into a more subdued groove. The choruses however, remain resolutely upbeat – fist raised volleys of passion." (totallyvivid.com)

Download your free acoustic version of Sleep.Recover, and lots more, from Deers' Soundcloud

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