Our regular roundup of some of the hot new bands we've been hearing. This time we discover...ELLIE GOULDING, ADELAIDE'S CAPE, BLACK HAY, DIANA VICKERS, ALEX SHEPPARD, KEEGAN DEWITT and APOLLO 101.



ELLIE GOULDING

It's rare to find a needle in a haystack or a diamond in the rough, but when you do, you celebrate that fact by telling anyone who will listen. Recently, on fortunate occasion, I came across one gem of a pop act by the name of Ellie Goulding. Very unique in every respect, her voice sizzles like a fizzing paracetamol in water, exploding in the magical 'Starry eyed'. The funky, acoustic dance beat is breathtaking and box fresh, making Ellie stand out as an artist in this industry today. The singer-songwriter has been stirring up quite a storm across the country and in Myspaceland, stretching her musical talents and collaborating with powerpop 'frankmusik' in the solemn but soothing 'Wish I Stayed'. However it doesn't stop there for the 21 year old songstress. Covering the beautiful Bon Iver track 'The Wolves', Ellie captures the authenticity in perfect fashion, yet twists the tune with her own distinctive vocals. Refreshing in every aspect, Goulding's talent goes further than her myspace page. Collaborating with X Factor finalist Diana Vickers, the singer/songwriter has helped pen songs for the reality TV stars debut album. Exquisite in detail, diverse in vocal, Ellie Goulding is definitely one talent to watch this year and next. Her tunes, catchy and very cool are songs you should listen to this very instant.

www.myspace.com/elliegoulding
Listen To: Starry Eyed/Sleepyhead (Passion Pit Remix)



ADELAIDE'S CAPE

Adelaide's Cape are an indie folk duo originally from Norwich but as of this month will be based in Bath. Their music gathers the best parts of Mumford & Sons and Bellowhead to form a totally eclectic and contemporary musical sound. They've been called "mystical post-folk" by the esteemed East Anglian music magazine Outline and have received copious amounts of praise from independent blogs. After a sell-out gig at Norwich Arts Centre earlier this year, I have no doubt they'll be taking the South West by storm in 2010.

www.myspace.com/adelaidescape
Listen to: Stay

By Lauren Razavi



BLACK HAY

Very few genres manage to last long enough to see the rise and demise of all others but rock n roll has outlived them all. The latest band to further evolve this genre is the dark, melodic and heavy Black Hay from the very depths of London. If Queens of the Stone Age collided with Tom Waits and Nick Cave then slipped over the splattered musical liquid, the amalgamated remains would be this pleasurable trio. They have everything from driving tunes to jazzy rock classics.

www.myspace.com/blackhayband
Listen to: We Crash Cars

By Josh Charig



DIANA VICKERS

As the X Factor returns to our screens, we begin to wonder what ever did happen to last year’s contestants? Did they end up playing Butlins or in the end, did they bag themselves a nice shiny record deal? One finalist who invested in the latter had everyone talking last year. From her 'claw' (a moving hand which had a mind of its own) to her illustrious vocals, Diana Vickers 'the little hippy' had everyone intrigued. Nowadays you can find the once-favorite-to-win songster concentrating on her debut album. Signed with the label group, RCA, Vickers has collaborated with many big names in the music industry to produce and write the LP. Famed singer/songwriter Nerina Pallot, indie pop sensation Patrick Wolf and the NME praised Lightspeed Champion are some but to name a few. Exciting as it sounds, the album won't be out until early 2010, but if you can't wait until then check out leaked 'Jumping into Rivers' a light, breezy summer tune, very reminiscent of Vickers unique vocals! Two thousand and nine has been a very busy year for Miss Vickers, and with her album very much underway, heres hoping it's a cracker!

www.dianavickersmusic.com
Listen To: Jumping Into Rivers/Hallelujah (Incredible version found on Youtube)

By Scott Gallagher



ALEX SHEPPARD

Alex Sheppard is an indie, folk, anti-folk, singing, songwriting musical poet. And in case you didn't gather it from the number of words in that last sentence, she's rather difficult to define. Based between London and Norwich, Alex has been featured in NME, opened for Dirty Pretty Things and played Latitude Festival, as well as establishing radio play and the praise of notable BBC Radio DJs including Zane Lowe, Huw Stephens and Steve Lamacq. Her fantastic and flawlessly creative musical offerings are always talent-filled and real, with a beautiful raw quality that no listener can get enough of.

www.myspace.com/alexsheppard
Listen to: Run

By Lauren Razavi



KEEGAN DEWITT

When I first heard Keegan DeWitt I didn't know I was hearing him. It was while watching the film Quiet City. His delicate soundtrack is the best part of the film - spare piano arrangements open up into wide skies of thoughts and hopes and take the listener to places that the film would never have gone on it's own. Now he has a new album out this September called Islands - which "pulls from literary and cinematic references to create layers steeped in moments, images, and scattered memories throughout."

www.myspace.com/keegandewittmusic
Listen to: Telephone



APOLLO 101

Apollo 101 are an indie rock trio from East Anglia, and to be blunt and honest, they are absolutely brilliant. With extensive experience playing music in other bands, including a stint in the porn music industry for band member brothers Chris and Andy Walker (yes, you read that right), the three members have come together to create an effortlessly appealing and totally unique breed of music. Their epic and totally accessible sound is cross-genre and inspired, and they are a band who are effortlessly in touch with their music, their fan base and their industry. Ones to seriously watch out for, both in 2010 and for the rest of 2009.

www.myspace.com/theapollo101
Listen to: Push