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Behind the blog: Flying With Anna

Inspired by the recent campaign with Day V Lately, we’ve been talking to some of our favourite music bloggers.

This time, we catch up with Annapurna Mellor of Flying with Anna about new artists and the best venues in London and Leeds.

What do you write about on Flying With Anna?

Lots of lovely things, mostly musical and along the lines of folk and alternative. I write a lot about new music as I think its great to support new artists and there are so many amazing ones about at the moment. I do gig and album reviews, features on various things and cover as many festivals as possible.

What prompted you to start a blog around that particular theme?

When I was 16 I went to Glastonbury for the first time and as a consequence started getting more and more into newer music and going to gigs around Leeds. After a while I found I knew a lot about new bands and set up my blog as a way to channel that. It’s more focused towards folk music because thats the genre I love and theres a lot of it going on at the moment which is very convenient for me.

Can you tell us who some of the bands/artists you’ve been championing recently are, and why?

I am currently in love with Rachel Sermanni, she’s a singer/songwriter from Scotland with the most beautiful voice and sweet quirky songs. I saw Matt Corby play Communion a few weeks back and was blown away, he has great things coming. I’m a big Summer Camp fan, and I’ve recently been writing lots about Louise and the Pins who I think are doing something really lovely and different. Also check out Stokes William, Roo Panes, Georgia Bruce and Laura Boyle!

Who would you say are the ‘local music heroes’ in your area?

Now I live in London and write a lot about the whole folk thing thats going on. In terms of that, I would say Mumford & Sons have achieved hero status. And Laura Marling too. I think its great for young bands making that sort of music, which in the past hasn’t been popular, to look at the success of these artists and others like Johnny Flynn too and feel like they could achieve what they have. The whole folk thing has really given me hope that bands can make music they love and be successful, you don’t have to go down the manufactured pop route anymore.

We’re looking for those stores and venues etc that you think do an outstanding job. Could you name the top three gigs you’ve ever been to?

Of all time… thats tricky! Glastonbury as a whole is the greatest gig on earth, but taking that aside…

1. Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros at the Old Vic Tunnels, London - the most incredible experience, true magic.

2. Mumford & Sons at the Brudenell Social Club, Leeds - the first time I ever saw them live, it totally blew my mind and without that gig theres no way I would still be doing this. Really great venue too.

3. Arcade Fire at Leeds Festival - I’m not a big fan of Leeds as a festival but this Arcade Fire as a live band are incredible.

Any thoughts on who your artist of 2011 might be (or is it too early to tell)?

I think maybe too early to tell! I think these things often surface after festival season, last year I think Mumford & Sons won that game. But at the moment, I have high hopes for Summer Camp, Marcus Foster and Anna Calvi this festival season. And I’ve been waiting for about 3 years now for King Charles to get big, maybe this year will finally be the year! I’m hoping Edward Sharpe will play lots of festivals and if they do, the whole summer could be theirs.

Behind the blog: My Band’s Better Than Your Band

Inspired by the recent campaign with Day V Lately, we’ve been talking to some of our favourite music bloggers.

This week, we catch up with Ollie Russian from My Band’s Better Than Your Band about new music and his favourite London artists and venues.

Tell us about your blog

I cover the hottest unsigned bands, the coolest new acts, host exclusive tracks from bands I love and seek out the best new remixes every week.
As part of the Blog I also run ‘My Bands Better Presents’. These are monthly club nights that feature the best of the acts I’ve been blogging about.

My Band’s Better Presents @ The Bull & Gate is 1st Tuesday Every Month
My Band’s Better Presents @ The Old Queens Head is 2nd Friday Every Month

What prompted you to start a blog around that particular theme?

I’ve worked in the music industry for 10 years and after leaving Atlantic Records last year (Where I was in A&R) I decided to start a blog and share all the amazing new music I was finding with the world rather than keeping it all to myself. Now the blog is recognised across the UK Music industry as being the place to go for hot new tips!

Can you tell us who some of the bands/artists you’ve been championing recently are, and why?

Since the start I’ve always championed Wolf Gang having worked with them over at Atlantic and now it seems they’re really beginning to smash things. I cant wait for their debut album to be released this summer. Last year I was the first person to blog about Twin Shadow who’s done rather well. Loving hot new UK bands such as Yaaks, Dry The River, Dog Is Dead, Talking Pictures, Kyla La Grange, The Big Sleep, Sissy & The Blisters.

Who would you say are the ‘local music heroes’ in your area?

I guess I spend most of my time up in North London so in terms of where I hang out it’s acts like Tribes who are from Camden and just recently signed to Island, The Vaccines who came up through the Communion / Flowerpot scene. Then people like Frank Turner, Laura Marling etc all have come up via a scene that stems from Nambucca up in Holloway back in the day, the Communion nights based in Notting Hill, the sadly missed Flowerpot and now all still have strong ties with The Wheelbarrow, a new venue in Camden.

Could you recommend any local stores, venues, etc, you think do outstanding job. Could you name the top three gigs you’ve ever been to?

I couldn’t possibly whittle my top gigs down to 3.

The places in London though to check out the best gigs are The Old Queens Head, The Wheelbarrow, The Bull & Gate, Hoxton Bar & Kitchen and The Lexington. All are fantastic venues and always book the best new acts.

Any thoughts on who your artist of 2011 might be (or is it too early to tell)?

Already there seems to be so much exciting new acts coming through, especially UK acts, it’s been rather quiet for UK bands over the last few years. The super new stuff that I’m tipping for 2011 and beyond include Dry The River, Tribes, 2 Inch Punch, Ayar Marar, Various Cruelties