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| Polar Collective |
Polar Collective are a four-piece from Ipswich, Suffolk, with an unusual mix of sounds, including acoustic pop, hip-hop and indie. The band are made up of vocalist Jacob Cardy, guitarist Adam Dodd, saxophonist Ally Newbigging and drummer Gryphon Ford, who formed the band when in college back in November 2011. They've played all over the country and have even supporting Killamonjumbo, who have supported Ed Sheeran on numerous occasions. They released their debut EP, 'Snakes and Ladders' in September 2012 and have built up a strong fanbase since. They've also released a music video for their song 'All This Hype' and have several acoustic covers on YouTube, including Bastille and Taylor Swift, and the band are currently working on some new material. They're lovely guys with a joyful sound, guaranteed to make you want to jump around.
Fenrir
Next up are Fenrir, an alt-rock quintet from Haverhill in Suffolk, consisting of vocalist Ben Slater, guitarists Mike Cockayne and Krishan Alwis, bassist Rich Wallis and drummer Ben Brennan. Forming in late 2011, they released their EP 'Live Like Royalty' in September last year and then made a music video for their single 'Confessions' in March 2013. They toured with fellow MTA Artist Management band Searching Alaska from March through April earlier this year too. The band are currently working on their new song 'Ruins' and hope to release it soon.
The Aurora
6-piece band The Aurora are taking East-Anglia by storm. Hailing from Suffolk, the progressive rock/electronica band were formed in late 2011 with Eliott McCall on vocals and guitar, Oscar Charlton and Joe Mamo on guitars, Michael Whittle on bass, Benji Sadler on synth and electronics and Toby Houghton on drums. In December 2012, they released their EP 'Origami Tsunami' which received great feedback from their fans. They have played at the O2 Islington Academy on multiple occasions, and recently supported punk giants Wheatus when they played at the Ipswich Railway Venue. They play, in their words, "huge melodic riffs with tasty breakdowns and cheeky hook-lines with a big electro/dance input". They smashed Ipswich on the 6th and 7th of July earlier this year at Ipstock and Ipswich Music Day - I think it's safe to say these local champions are going to go far in the music industry indeed.
Maglia Rosa Group
Norfolk-based quartet Maglia Rosa Group are made up of Daisy Lawrence on vocals, guitar, organ and flute, Sam Lawrence on guitar, synth and vocals, Matt on bass and Owen on drums. They have a unique indie-pop sound, and during my interview with them, Matt said "when I first joined the band, it was straight-forward pop, but Daisy's sort of dramatic vocal delivery and the music went like that too, so like pop but a bit more dramatised dark as well." Forming back in April 2011, they released their debut EP 'Nighthawks' in December 2012, managing to sell out their release gig, and have a music video for the track 'Nighthawks' from the EP.
Phoenix Calling
Last but not least comes Phoenix Calling, a five-piece rock band from Cambridge, consisting of Steven Chapman, Dominic Greenwood, Martyn Hilliam, Benedict Greenwood and Jason Howard. Formed in July 2012, these lads are currently writing and recording their debut EP 'Waves', and have already released a music video for their single 'Bring the Roof Down', already planning another music video for their yet-to-be-released single 'Everybody Knows'. The band have shared the stage with the likes of The First, We Are Fiction, Tu Amore, Fights & Fires and more, and have also headlined the main stage at Willow Festival 2013 and played the BBC Introducing Stage at Cambridge Rock Festival.
