News Dot To Dot 2012: The Mixtape

Dot To Dot will be kicking off its three date run tomorrow so we asked our radio hosts to pop us a few words together on their favourite tracks by the bands performing at this year’s event.

Kwes - BashfulThe great thing about festivals is the accidental discoveries of new bands. Kwes was one such band from The Great Escape Festival that left me wishing I hadn’t arrived at the penultimate track. Their complex, layered, electronica-tinged sound, coupled with their unique look, left an immediate impression that lasted long into the band I had actually come to see. So, even if you don’t know who Kwes, yet, why not give yourself a happy accident and be sure to catch more than the last two tracks of their set.

Words: Mikey Four, Dance Dance Dance To The Radio.

Wavves - Head In The SandAs per usual, Nathan Williams lyrical abilities aren’t stretched in this little two minute thirty something piece of surf punk, in fact I think there is only about twenty seven words used in the song. This, however, is no bad thing. Williams’ reverb soaked sneer ‘say what you wanted to say/ I didn’t care anyway/ I’m going to lie lie lie lie lie with my head in the sand’ over thrashed power chords sums up the Cali surf/skate slack culture so perfectly you might as well be drinking light beer in an empty swimming pool while listening.

Words: Tom Dickinson, The Tom Dickinson Show

Cloud Nothings - Fall InThere is no denying that the Cleveland outfit Cloud Nothings have developed and grown between putting out their last two albums. They have fundamentally gone from a one man band to an outfit of three and their sound now is as polished and sophisticated as you are ever likely to find from an idea that was originally spurned from weekend long garageband recording sessions. Their track ‘Fall In’ however, hints at the lo-fi scuzzy pop punk ethic that has made them so popular. Although life is precious, one should definitely give up three minutes and fourteen seconds to hear this record.

Words: Jack Bacon, The Tuckshop Community

Deaf Club - HanaIn much the same way as the diner scene in Pulp Fiction has an unmistakable draw to it, Deaf Club have a dreamy pop sound that is unmissable. Easily comparable to The xx, the band based out of London have a female lead singer who has lumped in with the likes of other outstanding front women like PJ Harvey and Jessica Larrabee of She Keeps Bees. Check out the track ‘Hana’ off of their ‘Lull’ EP and be sure to catch them live at Dot to Dot.

Words: Katie Shepherd, The Beat & The Pulse

Pulled Apart By Horses - ‘V.E.N.O.M’Emerging from the break-up of ‘Mother Vulpine’ - are the kings of the diverse and shiny Leeds music scene. Yes, they do scream down the mic, but they have melody, charm and put 110% in for the live show and that’s how they’ve won everyone over. ‘V.E.N.O.M.’ is a corker track. It was the first I heard of the boys second album ‘Tough Love’ and whilst being a powerful punch for us rockers, tempts more general listeners over to the riff side with accessible lyrics and a chorus! Beware of the video though; exorcism, madness and severed hands. Not for the meek hearted!

Words: Elise Cobain, Alive & Amplified

Neon Indian - Polish GirlNeon Indian, the Texas based solo project of Mexican born composer Alan Palomo, have been consistently tipped as a ban to watch for the past two years. Having played Neon Indian’s newest single on my show I can testify to the hype. Expect wonderfully joyous synth riffs underpinned with a lithe pop sensibility, all of which works wonderfully alongside Palomo’s delicately distorted vocals. Although a solo composer, expect to see Neon Indian take to the stage as full four-piece band, and in particular pay note to Lars Larsen who takes care of the band’s ‘Live Visuals’ – Exciting!

Words: Tom Watts, Tom Watts



Dot To Dot Festival will take place this weekend in Bristol (Saturday 2nd June), Nottingham (3rd June) and Manchester (4th June) - check out dottodotfestival.co.uk for full event info and ticket details. Priced at £20 per day, the multi-venue music festival offers incredible value for money while giving music fans the opportunity to catch future stadium fillers and the most exciting acts around in intimate surrounds.