PRESS RELEASES and REVIEWS
NEW!!JUDGES FEEDBACK from Melbourne Fresh Music Industry Showcase.*Fantastic lead vocal – good pitch, strong range. Excellent – lovely to listen to. *Good communication with the audience – be stronger in deliverance – not too shy – engage with them. *Great Songs.Last song a beaute.Well Done!!
- The Melbourne Fresh Industry Showcase is an event that allows Selected Melbourne Artists to present their music to an audience of Music Industry Insiders, Talent Scouts, Managers, Booking Agents and punters
NEW U.S. REVIEW OF "Fragments Of A Glowing Cloud" LPJune Caldwell, Bryan Farrish Radio Promotion....: from our team:Indie Soul Movement, Fragments of a Glowing Cloud.Great R&B, dedicated cd to MJ, like the ballad side of MJ meets Prince. Mutch Katsonga is band vocals, rhythm, writes songs, also guitalr and arrangement assistance by Tony Hunt, who also plays piano, bass, guitar, percussion & programming. The Indie Soul Movement “Fragments of a Growing Cloud”
The Indie Soul Movement is headed in the snowball of a resurgence of soul that has been growing since the 90s in the US. The chords chosen and melodies combined have a tranquil sound that is refreshing to hear. Another interesting feature used throughout the album is the upright bass, which creates a sound that is unique for the audience. Also, the usage of electric guitar at just the right moments adds a great flavor. The band produces beautiful rhythms and the vocals are filled with passionate emotions. There is an overflowing amount of meaning in the lyrics being sung. Musical comparisons can be made to a male version of Corinne Bailey Rae with a hint of Jack Johnson. Mellow listeners should definitely give The Indie Soul Movement a chance because they will not be disappointed with what they hear.
Track 1 “The Weeping Sky”: This song is placed in the beginning of the album and it is a perfect spot for it to be. It has an eye-opening feel to it that is able to bring happy thoughts. The piano is a great addition when it appears later in the song.
Track 3 “Restless Clouds”: The vocals and music match very well and the lyrics are inspiring and poetic. “Restless Clouds” is a great one and really contributes to the album is a positive way. Every instrument used comes together to help carry the song along enjoyably.
Track 7 “Fragments”: A slower song, but still very entertaining to listen to. Every album needs a tune like this to show diversity in the artist’s style. After the calmer arrangement an acoustic guitar fits right in.
Reviewed by Randy Brady of Bryan Farrish Radio Promotion
June Caldwell, Radio & Booking Promotion Consultant,Bryan Farrish Radio Promotion
1828 Broadway, 2nd floor
Santa Monica, CA 90404
P: 310-998-8305, Ext. 19
F: 310-998-8323
The Flyer in the Melbourne Music Magazine "Beat"
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featured in Melbourne Music Magazine "Beat"
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another Flyer for a gig
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As seen in Beat Magazine Melbourne
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UK REVIEW OF THE ALBUM "Fragments Of A Glowing Cloud"Fragments Of A Glowing Cloud lpThe Indie Soul Movement
As lush as a spring meadow made of chocolate HobNobs. As rich as a mahogany bubble bath. As reassuring as a Buddhist coach driver. The Indie Soul Movement do feelgood at its most sophisticated. Comprising vocalist and lead songwriter Mutch Katsonga, along with man-of-many-instruments Tony Hunt, the London duo have put together a collection of songs that massage delicate melodies into breezy Latin and African rhythms. Classy rather than cosy. What’s more, there’s even a successful attempt to reintroduce the bongo into popular music.
“The Weeping Sky” is fairly typical of the stuff on here. Gentle acoustic guitars flutter effortlessly around with cut-glass piano and a wonderfully elastic stand-up bass. Meanwhile, Mutch strokes the heartstrings with a soulful, agile vocal take on Michael Jackson or Terence Trent D’Arby. “Words To Freedom” builds on this with gently powerful Lighthouse Family groove, while “Restless Clouds” throws in some Des’ree folk shapes. Following this, “Material Worlds Apart” has the kind of fuzzy Tracy Chapman feel that could score the low key ending of an indie rom com. People with interesting hair and Converse looking at sunsets over shopping malls. That sort of thing.
“A Better Me” is a very cool adult pop song that steers clear of boy band sentimentality. But while “When” edges that little bit too close to sentimentality, the best moments on here come when the odd cloud gathers on the horizon. “Glow” is a sleek, sexy torch song and “Where I Stand” hangs on a lovely, almost waltz-like, piano riff that swaps the casual vibe for a more formal edge. Best of all, though, is “Fragments”; a stormy, stripped-down piano and bass concoction that comes over like an extremely articulate kickboxing ballet dancer. Aaron Neville meets Billie Holiday. The Indie Soul Movement are masters at creating good sensations.
by Overplay
Visit The Indie Soul Movement page
The new album "Jagged Edge Frontier" is complete and is available from http://www.napster.comhttp://www.emusic.com/
We will keep you updated with all new stuff from the press.
KW24 2006 review of the week in overplayAs albums go, ‘Jagged Edge Frontier’ feels a bit like a fortnight in Lanzarote. There are dizzy moments of late night excitement and colourful abandon, but they sit alongside stretches of chilled tranquillity as waves of rippling satisfaction lap around your earlobes. And while this London duo are definitely more soul than indie, there’s plenty of jazz, funk and grown-up pop in there too. What unites it all, though, is the yearning falsetto of principal songwriter Mutch Katsonga. Not to mention an inventive production approach that sees him – along with partner Maciek Pysz and some well-chosen friends – bring a few surprises with every tune.
The title track mutates through vinyl fuzz and stratospheric synths into the sort of sleek contemporary jazz that’s kept Will Young in Hush Puppies these last few years. “Colder”, meanwhile, has all the libidinous drive of a stripped-down Usher track. And there’s just as much energy directed at the slick pop bounce of “There May Come A Time” and “Man In A Cage”.
However, it seems to be on the more straightforward arrangements that the songs really shine. “Colours Of Love” and “With The Wolves At Your Heels” are both delicately crafted low key soul gems that let the melody win out with a more acoustic sound. The live version of “Fire” that closes the album is equally authentic, as it brings a bluesy rawness to the party. “Lighthouse” and “About A Nightingale” go on to add muscle to the charm offensive with breezy mid-tempo vivacity, sweet choruses and lush harmonies that George Michael would write-off his Range Rover for.
If the piano-driven “Battle Of Words” sees things go somewhat awry with a few too many vocal acrobatics, The Indie Soul Movement more than redress the balance on the similarly ivory-ticklingtastic “Smile Again”. It’s a dastardly simple tune that swells with all the grand salvation of “Bridge Over Troubled Water”. The song’s sentiment – basically, if you’re in a bit of a pickle, I’ll make it all better for you - is wide-eyed and innocent in the extreme; but it’s done with total sincerity and huge commercial appeal. It’s the kind of pop ballad that would clean up in the hands of anyone from John Legend to Britney Spears. But let us bow our heads and quietly pray that she never gets near it.
by overplay
Ideabiografica Italy 15.May 2006For our italian music lovers, there is a review of the new album on the web.
Please visit www.ideabiografica.com
than press >enter< , go to the section >news musica libri e cinema< and there you will find the review of >THE INDIE SOUL MOVEMENT<. But careful, it is all in italian!
NME on 21 Feb. 06The Indie Soul Movement appeared in the NME on 21 Feb. 06 in a promotional
campaign for their new album "Jagged Edge Frontier".
NME 26 Nov. 2005The Indie Soul Movement appeared in the NME 26 November 2005 issue on page 66!
"Soma Soma Scene" magazine Issue2 2005When Mutch met Mike and They met Dee....
George Michael, Sting, Seal…but it was the mention of Tracy Chapman as an influence which caught my interest in this band. As a hardcore fan of hers I was intrigued to hear what The Indie Soul Movement had to offer. Also, for me, Indie and Soul are definitive oxymorons and not congruous words to describe a band. However after speaking to Mike and Mutch aka The Indie Soul Movement before their headlining gig at Notting Hill’s newly revamped Blag Club, they beg to differ.
“We embrace all music types and we are a bit of everything…thus ‘Indie Soul’ epitomises us.” Singer/guitarist Mutch tells me with a smile standing rather tentatively in between the toilets and fire exit- the only relatively quiet spot in the venue. From the moment I see them at their soundcheck in Notting Hill there are dancing sparks which resonate from this band. Mutch bears a striking resemblance to my new fav Nigerian/US Soul/Rn’B artist Keziah Jones. I first took heed of Keziah after his mind-blowing performance at the Nice Jazz Festival in July 2004 with powerful songs like '72 kilos of Nigerian Weed' and a hypnotising rendition of 'All Along the Watchtower.' Keziah managed to mess with Hendrix and remarkably came out on top. Mutch oozes as much talent vocally as Keziah and Mike, the reserved lead guitarist, holds his own confidently on stage using styles ranging from Latino to Classical in just a couple of bars. Gosh, he sure can play..
I tell the band that I first read their lyrics before I heard their songs, something which I’m inclined to do when sent lyrics. Mutch’s words are thought-provoking bullets of poems: “Seek me like the echo that you searched for as a child”( Letting Go) is just one fragment of a larger, honest picture that this band paint.
When I heard the track I was stunned to hear an upbeat and melodic tune rather than a more slower and morose sounding track as I had imagined. Songwriter Mutch says, “When I started writing songs, I knew I had a message, a purpose. However there are so many depressing things out there that I wanted to make my songs meaningful but also uplifting.”
How he manages to do this is rather incomprehensible as most musicians will agree that writing uplifting songs is much more of a challenge than penning slower songs, yet writing such songs while retaining a deep message is a monumental hurdle. But that’s what makes this band so exciting. It’s not all “ I love you baby, honey, darling” type of irritatingly happy feel-good music. Indie Soul create intelligent feel-good music and this is because they excel at what they do. Both Mike and Mutch are impressive guitarists and this is helped from their diverse influences ranging from the aforementioned underrated Chapman to Chopin, Chick Corea and Miles Davis. This band are distinctively a mixture of soul, pop and Rn’B but I’ve yet to hear the indie.
Mutch was born in Zambia and grew up in Zimbabwe. I ask him about the music scene there. “I performed a lot over there. However I didn’t really fit with the vibe/style. Some people suggested I moved over to London and try out the scene here. It seemed like a natural step as I grew up listening to British bands and for me it was like, yes!”. Within a few months of arriving here Mutch met Mike who had recently arrived from Poland for exactly the same reasons. “Yes, British artists had a huge impact on me and I always followed British music when I was younger.” And thus the band formed. They are now a regular fixture on the London gig circuit and recently had some songs featured on a compilation CD.
I recently watched MTV Icons honouring The Cure in which the host Marilyn Manson managed to successfully drive the crowd into a frenzy by just being his normal, exceedingly irritating self and where bands such as Razorlight and Blink 182 performed Cure classics to a rather shocked and embarrassed Robert Smith. I ask the band which artist they would like pay tribute to if asked to do so to which they both firmly reply: “We don’t do covers. They’re pretty pointless.” Fair enough, don’t go expecting to hear a knees up rendition of ‘Brown- eyed girl’ when you see these guys live. “But we wouldn’t mind Sting performing ‘Letting Go’ at our MTV Icon show,” Mike hastily adds. To which I question Sting’s availability in 20 years time as he is getting on a bit but then there’s the tantric yoga and the Brussel sprout diet which will probably enable him to live to 200. “Who said 20 years?” Mutch asks astounded. “We mean in 5 years time.” To which I add a rather “Cor blimey, you guys are set on making it! The Cure were only given this honour after 25 years!”
Well unfortunately, Robert Smith’s feelings if Indie Soul were honoured in 5 years time will not be discussed any further here…however SSS recommends The Indie Soul Movement live, with plenty of wine, dancing or at least toe tapping for the fearful. Their jingly, vivacious tunes may even encourage some of you to break out into a left to right foot full on school-disco style shuffle. Wicked. The Indie Soul Movement are playing at SSS next artists’ party so come on down and you’ll see what I’m on about. In the meantime check out: http://www.bertel-mann.de/indie for tunes and photos of the band and listen to some
tunes right here, right now.
Use the internet link below to see the original article!
somasomascene
Rebecca Whitfield (Head of A&R) Sat, 12 Jun 2004Dear sirs
Chromium Records is proud to introduce to you a group called The Indie Soul Movement.
The Indie Soul Movement are a group whom we feel are worthy of a considered listen from yourself. We are therefore contacting you so we are able to provide you with this great music. We have done all the leg work for you.
They have a singer that is a true example of what modern singing is all about, hit songs and a group od musicians who are able to produce a very distinct atmosphere.
We have copies of their material should you wish to request a CD.
Please feel free to contact me at anytime for more information
We cannot highly recommend them enough. Would it suffice for me to send
you a copy of their latest EP?
Happy listening.
Kind Regards
Rebecca Whitfield
(Head of A&R)
"overplay" website 2004Being different doesn't necessarily mean coming up with something completely new, like a Dyson. Sometimes it just means breathing new life into something that's not been widely appreciated for a while, like the big screen adaptations of Charlie's Angels, Starsky and Hutch and, if the rumours are true, The Dukes of Hazzard. The same can be said of the new single from London's Indie Soul Movement. "Heaven" - and the songs that accompany it – give a Wrigley's-fresh spin on some classic soul and world music sounds.
Weighing in somewhere between Suede's "She's in Fashion" and The Isley Brothers' "Summer Breeze", "Heaven" is sweet, soulful pop at its purest. The acoustic six-string shuffle that anchors the whole thing is instant sunshine in a can; while frontman and songwriter, Mutch Katsonga renders an angelic vocal that hovers on the lighter side of George Michael or Al Green. "Everybody got their own kind of paradise," he sings, and even the sparse acoustic version that follows manages to soar without drifting off into the clouds. If the UK ever had a proper summer, this would be the ideal soundtrack.
Things get tropical on the next few tracks. The muted, grinding Latin rhythms of "Say What You Mean", suggest a sweatier, moodier cousin of The Kane Gang's "Don't Look Any Further". Meanwhile, the lilting vibes of "Letting Go" and "Squalid Rooms" present an easy-going sound that sees Mutch and his bandmates, Maciek Pysz and Luke Henderson, mixing South American and African beats with more than a little jazz. Although these tunes don't offer the instant uplift of the lead track, their organic, seductive rhythms trickle down into your being like a Slush Puppy on an August afternoon.
Finally, The Indie Soul Movement take a low-key approach to one of this single's high points. "Careless Child" uses minimal percussion and the most basic six-string embellishment to accompany the best vocal here. Simple but stirring, this delicate tune deserves its own A-side ranking. While "Heaven" is an open-top ride along a coastal road, "Careless Child" is a walk on the beach at midnight feeling a bit tired and emotional. A treat from Colwyn Bay to Costa Rica.
by overplay
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