Theo Bard feels that his best way to communicate with the world is through music. Inspired by the stories found in traditional folk, he sets razor-sharp lyrics to a stripped-down acoustic guitar, allowing his words to speak for themselves. His musical journey started at the age of just 4, when Theo began learning violin. He is thankful for such early experiences. “Learning violin makes you humble,” he says. “There are just a handful of people in the world who have truly mastered the instrument. You learn to work hard, and always demand better from yourself. It’s all about discipline.” Perhaps this explains his prolific songwriting record, and dedication to his adopted instrument, the guitar. His time spent learning violin might also have contributed to his ear for a catchy tune.

“For me, songwriting is more about poetry than music.” He says. “Sometimes, I get an idea for a song which is just a concept. It might be a love song or a political one but the key is to make sure it’s really strong. I always think simple is best, because I want to be understood. At other times, it might be a few of the lyrics that determine what the song is about.”

In 2008, Theo saw reggae star Natty in a crowd at Secret Garden Party. “I immediately ran to get my guitar and approached him. I’d been onto his music for about a year and loved his bittersweet sound and lyrics. He’s got a great voice as well.” After a quick introduction, Theo asked if he could play Natty a song. “He was really open to it, which surprised me, so I played him “Listen”, then and there, and he immediately asked me to play another one. I couldn’t believe it when he asked me to play at his album launch, after I’d met him 10 minutes before!” Since then Theo has played Glastonbury, Secret Garden Party, Vortex Tour East, The Roundhouse and The Union Chapel.

He is equally at home in the world of folk. Well versed in the British tradition, Theo has performed with rising Scottish folk star John Langan, London’s Cut A Shine and regularly at The Magpie’s Nest folk club, who put him on the bill at Camden’s Roundhouse. “I’ve been learning folk songs since I was six,” explains Bard, “and have always loved the way the lines naturally lodge in your head, making the words easy to remember. It’s content. Content is the key” he gushes. “All I want to do is communicate. If you listen to a song of mine and at the end you’ve learnt about how I see the world, or how I feel about something, then I’m a happy man. I might even make you feel something similar too.”

Theo is the lead singer and songwriter in Brothers Bab, an 8-piece he started two years ago, pulling together ska, calypso, gypsy and reggae styles. It’s a fruity blend that few can resist. Regulars on the festival circuit, Brothers Bab marked the start of 2009 with their first release, “Freshly Squeezed.”

“I just wanted to put a smile on people’s faces” he says, “and maybe make them sweat a little. When I play solo, I communicate through my lyrics, but with dance music it’s totally different. The only way to put the music across is with your body. You have to fling yourself around. You’re like a singer, actor, dancer and MC rolled into one.”

As for the future, Bard is dedicated to developing on all fronts. “I’ve got so many songs now, enough for at least a couple of albums, and I can’t wait to get them all recorded.” It looks like he might not have to wait too long.

Theo is signed to brand new label Tape Records, and will release a second EP and debut album with them in 2009.

“Gratifying truth serum for your ears” – The Blue Light District

“reggae-infused pop philosopher” – East

“three-dimensional poetry”

Without You
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Middle Class Boy
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Everything You Have
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Listen
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All the Orders Gone
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www.myspace.com/theobard
www.taperec.com

At his home studio, Barney has written and produced many tracks in a variety of different styles – including progressive and dubwise drum’n'bass, neo-soul, alternative hip-hop, future funk, dub and film soundtracks – some of which have been licensed for use in a range of TV programmes and one in particular was signed to drum’n'bass legend Marcus Intalex’s Soul:R label, arguably the best in the liquid d’n'b scene. This track – Smash VIP by Amaning & Dubwise – has been played out in clubs all over the planet by some of the world’s top DJs and also featured in the highly acclaimed FabricLive mix CD series on issue 35.

Barney is always working on new material, so expect to see more of his tracks released in the not too distant future. As well as being a music producer, Barney DJs in bars and clubs across London; he runs his own weekly session in Camden called Stir It Up! showcasing new and unsigned talent; he works as a sound & light technician at Soho Theatre and also works in post-production, editing and authoring DVDs.

Resolve
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Unrest
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Melt
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Rage
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Martello is a 26 year old Estonian writer and music producer with 8 years experience. He is an electrical engineer by trade, music producing and music itself is his hobby and love.

He began by messing with tracker type programs like ModPlug tracker and similar. 2 years ago he discovered sequencer type programs and currently uses Cubase 4. His music is 100 % software and samples. He loves playing with soft-synths’ different features and feels like crazy scientist in another era!

He sums up his style with 3 simple words – electronic dance music. He most loves deep house, dubstep, old school jungle and also modern dance/club music sounds. All these styles influence his music. When he was 6 years old he found his father’s old broken tape-recorder, got it fixed, and found some old tapes by Whitney Houston. This was Martello gone – the music captured him.

Martello says signing with Mai Plues is his first official milestone. His music has also been broadcast several times on Estonian radio station Radio 2.

Bass O’ Mania
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Dub 4
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London Jump
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http://www.martellorotativo.com
http://www.myspace.com/mrotativo

After the successful release of “The Mondestrunken E.P.” through Stiff Records back in February, F.Lunaire has been a busy boy, relentlessly playing at packed out shows and firmly making an imprint on the London scene, he has at the same time, been writing and working on his first album, “Chopin Waltz”.

Produced by Aaron Horn (son of Trevor Horn), the album is currently being recorded at Sarm studios, where he and F.Lunaire are moonlighting in the wee hours, whenever studios are empty. Themed on Pierot Lunaire (a character in an opera drawn from a series of French poems), the album builds on the darkly creative spirit and ballad-esque work of the recently released E.P.

F.Lunaire settled in London where he was first weaned into the limelight whilst playing keys with Kid Harpoon. This elusive character is swiftly gaining recognition for his own music. Having played his first public gig with WowoW at The Tate Britain, working with DA gallery, Pat & Trevor, and possessing the ability to seek out a squat party like a squalid-art seeking missile, he has no risk of losing his arty edge. His music however, inspires the feet to move and heart to race of a much broader crowd.

Quantum Physics

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Tarantella

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You might have heard them on Radio One, XFM, BBC6, Resonance or The Selector, or perhaps found them in The Sunday Times, DiS, Rough Trade, and even the Daily Mirror! They released their first single with Fierce Panda’s baby label Fandango, and soon are releasing their second single, Revolve, on April 7th, with Alcopop! Records.

They have a headline tour later in March, are Rocking Against Racism in late-April and. In December 2007 recorded their first album at the legendary Hook End manor, since closed.

They did two headline tours, and Huw Stephens brought them to BBC Maida Vale to do their first radio session. Nima had a cold. They toured with Ed Harcourt & Fields, and played shows with Vetiver, Akron Family, Clearlake, Sunshine Underground, James Yorkston, and many other fine people.

This unique band have a signiature sound; it flows, undulates, builds up, cools down, and transports you to a world without a name. Hush the many, heed the few.

Revolve
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Story end
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www.myspace.com/hushthemany