Summer Lovin'

We're back!! 

The time for fear and boredom has come to an end as The Weekly Stew is back in action once more! We took quite a lot of stick for taking an extended break over the holiday period and yes, I may only post once a week but I want each and every one of those posts to be good so I wasn't going to post anything unless I had time to do it properly and over the holiday period there just wasn't time for me to do that.

During this blog-break some fantastic things happened...David Bowie released new material for the first time in 10 years, The Black Keys announced that a new album is on the way and I (Stu/Stew/The Dark Horse) turned 21. Yes I know that I am now old and thus should start using a typewriter instead of a laptop!

Since you have all been deprived and depraved for such a long time, I thought that I would give you an especially special edition so that you have some summer tunes to enjoy as you trek down to the beach, or if you are unfortunate enough to live in Joburg, as you trek to Sun City!

Without further ado lets begin!

1. Atlas Genius - Trojans

The first Stew of 2013 is kicked off by the infectiously happy sounding and feeling Atlas Genius. The band is comprised of 3 brothers and an English friend, who make guitar-driven indie tunes that are reminiscent of Pheonix, except these brothers come from the beautiful city of Adelaide and not from Southern France! As you listen to these guys you can't help but feel summer is here, from light and clean vocals to strangely harmonious guitars they really put a smile on your face! Another of their songs 'If So' features on Fifa 13 so quite a few males will be acquanted with these boys already! Atlas genius have started to put Aussie dance guitar-rock back on the map.

2. Plan B - Ill Manors

Yes it has finally happened, there is going to be some rap on The Weekly Stew! When you hear the song you will understand why! 'Ill Manors' was one of the most outstanding songs of last year, it managed to capture the anarchy and anger that led up to the London Riots where the youth of London went wild and let all of their pent up frustration go! The song captures the huge divide between the rich and poor in the UK and how it breeds contempt and burning hatred! Ben Drew, also known as plan B is a 29 year old from Birmingham who has had a fair amount of success in Britain with his music and acting, he has moved from hip hop to soul and rap and at all times he has carried a fiercely loyal fan base with him. I can only hope that he continues to create music like this, music that talks to a generation's frustrations and desires!

3. 44th Sunset - Caesar

The Aussies are taking over summer! 44th sunset are yet another infectiously happy sounding group from the land of Koala's and terrible vest tans. These teens hail from Perth and as their music video shows they wouldn't have anything else to do other than ride trains if they didn't make such sweet music. These kids are following in the footsteps of last summer's Aussie teen sensations 'San Cisco'. 'Caesar' is a typical teen summer anthem, it has jangling guitars, a solid drum beat and some rather interesting vocals that give it an eccentric and eclectic sound that sticks with you. My neighbours must be sick of hearing the chorus blaring by now after I've played it solid for the past two weeks! I trust that you will love these kids, who can't dance, as much as I do!

4. Gung Ho - Strangers

Gung Ho are guaranteed to get your fingers tapping and your feet stomping and then haunt you with their eerie vocals that somehow manage to touch your soul. OK reading that back I might sound a little bit emotional but I promise you its true. The Brisbane 3 piece has created an indie-pop sound that seems to flow effortlessly from verse to chorus and back to verse again until suddenly 3 minutes later the song is over and you don't know what happened to you! I am most definitely a fan and cannot wait until they release a full length album of more songs reminiscent of this offering!

5.  Deap Vally - Gonna Make My Own Money

Deap Vally are loud, they are brash, they play hard and they even party hard, best of all...they are females! The duo that is known as Deap Vally come from California and have been turning critics' heads with their particular brand of blues rock 'n roll. They sound slightly like Jack White in all his glory and they have an attitude to match his at the best of times. It looks like these women are going to be dominating the airwaves for years to come, who needs a nagging wife when you have these ladies to screech into your ear!

Thats it for the first Stew of 2013. I hope you enjoyed the madness! See you all again next week!