Ahead of the latest PRS for Music event Almost Famous, a night showcasing the best new acts in the music industry, we hear more from three of the featured acts.
Scottish band GoGoBot burst onto the music scene in 2011 with a strident mix of synth anthems and infectious pop melodies. The band’s unique sound is fuelled by their own eclectic tastes, purpose, dark humour and intimacy, cleverly disguised with quirky pop hooks.
How long have you been making music?
Pretty much all of our lives but still not long enough! GoGoBot the band have been around for nearly two years now.
What inspired your latest album?
We haven't released an album as yet, instead this year we decided to release six singles and call it the See Saw Series to break away from the norm a bit. The series was our way of saying hello, we thought it would be a good way to get peoples attention and we felt we had the songs. We're hoping to release our first album next year.
What process do you go through to create your music?
I guess all bands have different processes, but if one of us has an idea, we'll take it into the studio and then all work on it and try to develop it. For the See Saw Series we lived in a cave for a year trying out all different ways of doing things to see what worked for us. The result was a collection of songs that swing around in terms of style, thus the title.
How would you describe your sound?
The series is guitar and synth driven rock but there's a weighty amount of weird pop too, mixed with some electronics – big, big sounds!
What would your dream collaboration be?
I (Marko) would love to do a duet but finding the right girl can be painful. For them I mean! Rosie is all about Prince (amazing!) and for Gordon - Muse, without a question of a doubt.
www.gogobot.co.uk
@gogobotmusic
The Slow Show are a recently formed Manchester based band who, as friends, started jamming and songwriting in early 2011. They have not wasted any time. Their debut EP Midnight Waltz was released in May this year on Thirty Nine Records.
How long have you been making music?
About a year.
What process do you go through to create your music?
We are sending musical ideas to each other, usually recorded on phones or small hand held recorders. The different band members then work out additional parts for it. The ideas that survive are moulded into a structure during rehearsals before the sound and arrangement are finalized in the studio.
How would you describe your sound?
On the one hand there are clear influences from American country and folk bands. On the other hand the use of a colliery type brass band sound and other colourful but subtle orchestration gives the band a distinctive northern English feel.
Where can we catch you performing next?
We will play in Sowerby Bridge on 2 December and Clitheroe on 3 December.
www.theslowshow.co.uk
@theslowshow
Born in South London, Amplify Dot was never far from a music. From the age of four, she would listen to the sounds of Salt n Pepa, Bob Marley and Jimi Hendrix. As the first and marquee signing to Newbran Entertainment, Amplify Dot has released two singles - Born Ready and Semantics - from her debut mixtape titled Born Ready. It features Kano, Booty Luv, and Gyptian amongst other talented artists, with production from the likes of Mr Shae Shae.
How long have you been making music?
I've been rapping for as long as I can remember. But I recorded my first track at the age of 15.
What inspired your latest album?
I take inspiration from everything around me and Born Ready: The Mixtape was a combination of life experiences from growing up in South London to difficult break ups. I try to explore every emotion I go through in my music.
What process do you go through to create your music?
Every song is created in a different way. There are songs I've written in traffic jams or in the bath. What tends to happen with me is I think of a line or a theme and then the bars tend to follow. Sometimes a piece of music given to you by a producer can inspire the lyrics or sometimes the lyrics come first and you search high and low for music to fit with the mood. If I have a good idea I usually record it in my phone and then revisit it when I'm in studio. The worst thing as an artist is when you have a sick concept and then forget it!
How would you describe your sound?
I would describe my sound as orgasms for your eardrum.. eargasms... am I allowed to say that?
What would your dream collaboration be?
My dream collaboration would be Lauryn Hill - she is without doubt my biggest inspiration, closely followed by Jay Z.
Where can we catch you performing next?
I'll be at BBC 1Xtra Live at Brixton Academy on 1 December, which has an incredible line up including the likes of Kelly Rowland, Jessie J, Big Sean and Mz Bratt.
www.amplifydot.com
@AmplifyDot
Also appearing at Almost Famous - Jacob Plant
Dubbed by Music Week as the new 'wonderkid', Jacob Plant has worked with and remixed a whole host of household names, including Jay Z, Tinie Tempah, Ellie Goulding, Donea’o, and Oh Land to name a few. He will be bringing along Majestic, Baby Blue and Annaca to perform at the showcase.
www.facebook.com/jacobplantmusic
@jacobplantmusic