COOL AS LEICESTER

This weekly music guide is brought to you in partnership with PPL PRS Ltd. Big thanks for their ongoing support of local acts and venues.

Stay in the know and be the first in line. Every week.

Diary Dates

EARLS – Friday 4 March
The Soundhouse

Black country scum punk.

Scarlet Rebels – Sunday 6 March
The Musician

Scarlet Rebels are a 5 piece band from South Wales. Powerful, anthemic and melodic Scarlet Rebels deliver emotional guitar music that has soul & feeling crossed with raw power with big choruses that stick like super glue.

Wille and The Bandits – Wednesday 9 March
The Musician

The band are famous for creating an astonishingly huge sound, incorporating eclectic grooves from World music to Heavy Rock, using bizarre instrumentation such as Tongue Drum, Djembe, Lap steel guitar and Double bass they push the boundaries of what is expected of a modern three piece. The band are renowned for their diverse songwriting and often likened to the greats of the 70’s such as Led Zeppelin, Santana and Pink Floyd, this comparison, although bold, only scrapes the surface of the Bands influences and sound.

Internal Conflict – Friday 11 March
The Soundhouse

A night of brutal metal. “A head on collision of post-millennial metal!” – Metal Hammer

The Woodentops – Friday 11 March
Firebug

The recently reformed The Woodentops were late 1980s Glastonbury headliners and were much loved by John Peel. The first band to cross over between dance and indie music, they prefigured bands such as Happy Mondays – with everyone from Paul Oakenfold to Ashley Beedle playing their records at early acid house parties.

Uncle Frank – Saturday 12 March
O2 Academy

Multi-instrumentalists Frank Benbini (one third of Fun Lovin’ Criminals) and Naim Cortazzi are the founding members of Uncle Frank. “This is the blues as originally intended, James Brown and all the funkery that goes with that. Add in a dose of electro pulsation and you have something that sits easily in the here and now but also pulls from the glorious past”

David Ford – Sunday 13 March
The Musician

Singer/songwriter David Ford is essential listening for anyone who gives a damn about music. He first achieved prominence with the indie rock group Easyworld, who released an independent mini-album, ‘…Better Ways to Self Destruct’ and two full-length albums on Jive Records before disbanding in 2004. Ford branched into a solo career soon after, and has become known for the sheer passion he puts into his songs, combining Americana, English melodicism and a touch of rock ‘n’ roll, tied together with finely-crafted lyrics. Think Tom Waits, Neil Young and Randy Newman.

Bodega – Friday 18 March
Leicester International Arts Centre

Brooklyn art-rock five piece Bodega blend post-punk, contemporary pop, hip-hop, kraut rock, and narrative songwriting, citing The Fall, Vic Godard and The Who amongst their influences. The NME reacted to their performances at the prestigious SXSW festival by claiming “Bodega are the best band you will see anywhere at SXSW 2018. Hands down.”

Having spent his career studying and working in music, Aaron has recorded music for artists on major labels including Universal Records. Based in Clarendon Park he’s now built a new studio and offers guitar lessons locally. We caught up with him to find out more about him, the new studio and his favourite tracks to teach.

Tell us about your background in music 

I’ve always had a love for music for as long as I can remember.  I used to play in bands when I was younger and then I went to London to study music before relocating to Leicester.  

What’s your favourite thing about the music scene in Leicester?

I actually remember being quite surprised at the number of decent music venues when I first moved here from London where everything gets turned into flats and that’s super important for up and coming musicians to get real gigging experience, connect with fans and just build momentum.  Also check out Sam Hinds and Emma Mae – I discovered them on Instagram/Spotify.  

You teach guitar, how long have you been doing it?

About 10 years full time.

You’ve recently opened a new studio space, what improvements have been made and how will these improve sessions?

Yes! It’s great. I built it with a friend over Winter and I’m still recovering from all the hard work ha.  It’s a soundproof space for students to learn in a relaxed environment with access to numerous guitars.  There’s also the option to record or learn how to record professional sounding guitars and vocals from home as I also use the room to record guitars for artists.  In a nutshell you’re coming somewhere set up to inspire you and help you achieve your musical goals. 

What’s the easiest song for a newcomer to learn on guitar?

A brilliant one is Chasing Cars by Snow patrol, there’s two great guitar parts, a picking part and the strumming guitar and both are pretty easy.

What’s your favourite song to teach?

It changes but right now I enjoy teaching something like Wonderwall because then my students can go and be the most popular person at a party (or the most annoying).

What does 2022 hold in store for you music wise?

After two years of no gigs and my singers moving to London over Covid, I really look forward to getting out and gigging again.  I’m also looking forward to recording lots more for artists at labels like Universal and just working with singers in general making and recording music. 

Where can people find out more about you and the sessions on offer?

Best ways for quick response  

Instagram @musiclessonsleicester 

Facebook.com/LeicesterGuitarLessons 

••••

WEEKLY PLAYLIST

Our weekly playlist this week is looking at some of the best live acts you can catch in Leicester over the coming weeks.

Have a listen and get in touch to tell us which tracks you’re loving.