Living in Leeds, we’re treated to one of the greatest local music scenes in the UK. Even on a weekday, you’re offered everything from indie-pop to neo-soul or hip hop – and that’s before you’ve even had your tea.
With that in mind, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by your options. Where to start? Don’t fret; inthemiddle has got you covered. In our new Hidden Gems feature, we send our writers out to do the hard work, hunting down local talent to provide you with the hottest acts faster than you can say #EdgyGirlLeeds.
This week, Zyggy, Ben and Jonny ventured onto the mean streets of Leeds, bringing back the flavours of funk, emo rock and jazz-tinged math pop…
Happy Daggers
For Fans Of: The Bee Gees, Chic, Average White Band
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/happydaggersband/?fref=ts
I’ve been onto Happy Daggers since last year when I saw their exhilaratingly convincing performance at 360 club. 70’s disco funk has been brought back to life in Leeds by the charismatic 5 piece; they’ll be a favourite for any Chic fans out there. An E.P. and a single have been more than enough to show Happy Daggers’ worth. Basslines that penetrate the heart, beautifully melodic guitar lines and hip shaking beats come together to form perfect dancing music. Make sure you listen to ‘Salem’, my favourite song, and I promise you’ll be dying to hear the rest.
Words by Ben Roberts
Possum
For Fans Of: American Football, Cap’n Jazz, Tiny Moving Parts
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/possumsongs
Formed in 2014, Possum are a young energetic trio playing a variation on the emo revival sound. They are best known for their bombastic live performances, combining a youthful sound with a musicianship rivalling veterans of the Leeds music scene. Their debut EP, Wake Up Kid, consists of five expertly crafted tracks showing the best of the genre, with virtuosic guitar work from frontman Adam Crockett being complemented by his brutally honest lyrical style. Recently, the trio have performed alongside acts such as The Computers, Big Jesus and Wallflower, as well as playing Tramlines Festival in Sheffield. Though they are young, they’re definitely a band to watch out for.
Words by Zyggy Ollie Padua-de Somogyi
Tall Talker
For Fans Of: Foals, Don Caballero, Cleft
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TallTalker/?fref=ts
A young, new and energetic band as local and as charming as it gets; Talker play a live set of complex math pop, driven by the technical proficiency of jazz, the rhythmic playfulness of math rock and rounded out by a thudding bass. There’s a definite pop influence in the catchy grooves and warm textures of their instrumental music, reminiscent of math rock pioneers Don Caballero in their more intricate moments and turbo-proggers Cleft in their louder blasts. Currently in the process of recording their first EP, the best taste you can get of Tall Talker comes courtesy of Something Productions and the recently released live session of the stand out track, ‘River Hands.’
They have previously supported the likes of post-rock giants Tides From Nebula and Ireland’s finest math-poppers Enemies, and are set to play Manchester’s premium inner-city festival A Carefully Planned Festival, later this month. All in all, an instrumental math-rock 3 piece, with grooves, dense textures, complexity, tapping, jamming and catchy riffs.
Words by Jonny Gleadell