The Alternative Brit Awards 2019
The Brit Awards happened just last month; I didn't watch them. I've never been particularly invested in The Brits because I have no interest in most of the artists involved and the winners tend to be frustratingly predictable even when interesting artists are nominated.
This year was no exception with wins going to Ed Sheeran, The 1975, Calvin Harris and "insert another boring whitewashed artist here".
So after seeing people discussing their own preferences in various forums online I figured I'd have a go at picking the artists that I think should be recognised for their contribution to music in the same categories. If nothing else it's a good excuse to talk about some great music.
So, in line with the aforementioned, here it is: The Alternative Brit Awards 2019. Accompanying playlist here.
Male Solo Artist: Jamie Lenman
After releasing his latest album Devolver and staging the first ever Lenmania festival (a massive celebration of alternative artists) in 2017, Jamie hit the ground running in 2018, touring the new album with just himself on guitar and his partner in crime Dan Kavanagh on drums.
Amongst all this excitement he still found time to record Irrelevant, a stunning re-worked version of the album title track with Andrew Groves of Arcane Roots (RIP Arcane) and a scorchingly brutal new track Long Gone with Justine Jones of Employed to Serve.
Both songs were packaged as a 7" single which hit number one in the vinyl charts the week of release and as if that wasn't enough, he released a live recording of his intimate Devolver launch show from St Pancras on Vinyl and DVD.
This year he's set to wow crowds at the alternative music Mecca that is 2000 Trees festival with a full Lenmania stage. Love-heart-eyes emoji.
You can pick up a copy of Devolver from Big Scary Monsters or from here.
You can also read my initial thoughts on Devolver here or my live review of Jamie's February 2018 set in Glasgow here.
Female Solo Artist: A.A. Williams
A relatively unknown prospect from London, backed by the consistently excellent Holy Roar Records, singer/songwriter A.A. Williams has seen a big start to 2019 with the release her self titled EP.
Her vocal performance is tender, heart wrenching and soothing but also seriously infectious, getting right under your skin and into your core being (or something less pretentious).
The instrumentation is ghostly, ethereal and smoky and the soundscapes slowly layer up and build to huge soaring, shimmering passages.
Despite being only four tracks long the EP really leaves a lasting impact and due to the length of each song it feels much more akin to a full release.
With songs like Control and Terrible Friends under her belt, expect big things to come from A.A. Williams.
You can pick up A.A. Williams' EP from Holy Roar now.
Breakthrough Act: Conjurer
After releasing their extremely promising EP I back in 2016, big things were expected from Rugby based band Conjurer. Despite the quality of that release I don't think anyone actually expected a debut album quite as good as Mire when it arrived in early 2018.
It's an album that really made the music press stand up and pay attention, garnering universal acclaim and riding high on many end of year lists and it's easy to understand why.
It's sonically challenging, with fizzing overdriven riffs, gurgling guttural roars and beautifully filthy instrumental sections but above all it's punishingly heavy.
Jan Krause's drums are absolutely crushing, kicking like a machine gun, with Conor Marshall's bass strengthening and darkening the gloom and grime and you get a real feel of all out war as the barrage of riffs and screams from Dan Nightingale and Brady Deeprose cascade in every direction.
When everything calms down the musicianship is gorgeously moody with enough of an edge and grind and squeal to evoke a thick crust of filth all over everything.
Conjurer have broken through in a big way with Mire and are one of the bands on the tip of everyone's tongues in heavy music right now.
Mire is available from Holy Roar Records or from here.
Best Group: Black Peaks
Brighton band Black Peaks continue to be lauded as one of the UK's top metal acts despite only being on their second album and still playing relatively small venues.
Black Peaks became critical darlings in the UK in 2016 with the release of stunning debut album Statues and after the release of their phenomenal follow up All That Divides it's time for the rest of the world to join in fawning all over them.
Vocalist Will Gardener, who just looks like some guy who shuffled into the pub, shows astonishing range when he steps up to the mic; going from enormous earth-shattering screams to soaring pitch perfect falsettos.
Liam Kearley's drumming is an absolute masterclass in powerful and intricate percussion and the heavy riffs and crunching bass smashed out by Joe Gosney and Dave Larkin are both beautiful and skull crushing.
With a collection of songs that sound even bigger on stage than on record Blacks Peaks are a band that deserve to be seen live.
All That Divides is available now from Rise Records or from here. You can also read my full review of the album here or my live review of their October 2018 Glasgow show here.
Album of the Year: Architects - Holy Hell
Metalcore was once an incredibly exciting and popular genre but many are now of the opinion, perhaps rightly so, that it's played out and has run its course.
Despite a seemingly dying sub-genre there are still some bands out there performing it to an impressively high standard and Architects (hailing once again from Brighton, there must be something in the water) are arguably the best of them all.
As an album, Holy Hell is an incredible accomplishment wrought from the devastating death of lead guitarist and songwriter Tom Searle; the anguish of which can be felt in every song.
His twin brother, drummer Dan Searle, took over song writing duties and Sylosis guitarist Josh Middleton was brought in providing some killer leads and razor edged flourishes.
The vocal performance from Sam Carter is raw, powerful and emotional and the rhythm section of Adam Christianson and Ali Dean pump out some punishing riffs, crunchy bass lines and soaring synths; all packing one hell of a punch.
Crushingly heavy, brutally honest, uncompromising, heartbreaking yet uplifting, Holy Hell is essential listening for fans of heavy music.
The short film Holy Ghost documenting the effect that Tom's death had on the band is a difficult yet life affirming watch.
Holy Hell is available now from Epitaph Records or from here.
Best Single: Marmozets - Major System Error
Marmozets are a band that in a different decade would be all over the radio. Their album Knowing What You Know Now is absolutely full of radio ready bangers and none more so than the single Major System Error.
Becca Macintyre is one the most powerful and versatile vocalists out there and she really shines on that killer "I can see a major system error in you" chorus.
Jack Bottomly throws out some gritty, angular and screeching guitar leads, Josh McIntyre smashes his drums within an inch of their life, Sam McIntyre's riffs add life to the massive chorus and Will Bottomley's bass drives everything along with power and precision.
Major System Error is a wonderful song by a great band who just happen to also be brilliant live.
Knowing What You Know Now is available now from Roadrunner Records or from here.
You can also read my full reviews of the latest album, their Edinburgh live show from February 2018 and my impressions on their debut album here.
Artist Video of the Year: The St Pierre Snake Invasion - Remystery
Bristol band The St Pierre Snake Invasion released their debut album A Hundred Years a Day back in 2015 and it's a riotous explosion of punk aggression and furious rampaging riffs; a damn fine record indeed.
Fast forward to Christmas Day 2018 when an apology to fans for a lack of updates appeared on the band's Facebook alongside the video for a new track: Remystery.
This new song comes flying out of the gates with stampeding drums, stabbing riffs and rabid vocals, hitting hard and fast and leaving you reeling.
The video for Remystery consists of old archival, mostly black and white, clips of daring feats, stunts and catastrophes mixed with old cartoons, sci-fi B-movies, nature docs and probably as many other weird old clips you can think of.
It's simple but when combined with the engagingly destructive music it's almost impossible to take your eyes of it.
Remystery also serves as an enticing peak at a new album Caprice Enchante to be released later in 2019 (expected June/July).
Keep an eye on St Pierre Snake Invasion, they might just become your new favourite band.
grandson (sic) wears his Rage Against The Machine influences on his sleeve producing rock and metal protest bangers tinged with electronic dance music, drum and bass and dubstep.
He's currently doing what other artists such as Fever 333 are attempting but in a much more convincing way with the rapping, lyrics and songs to back it up.
Just listen to the venom in songs like 6:00 and Stick Up which both feature great hooks and proper earworm choruses but contain searing commentary on the state of the government and society in modern day America.
Last year saw the release of a modern tragedy vol. 1 which was among my favourite EPs of the year and vol. 2 just dropped on the 22nd February which picks up where the first started with some real bangers, not least of which is Is This What You Wanted; a scathing indictment of western culture.
Together, these collections of songs are a call to arms to encourage you to speak up and make a change and if you like your music with a bit of political fight then grandson is for you.
A modern tragedy vol. 1 & vol. 2 are available from Fuelled by Ramen or from here.
International Female Solo Artist: Emma Ruth Rundle
If you've heard the song Dead Set Eyes then you'll know why Kentucky born Emma Ruth Rundle makes this category. If you haven't heard Dead Set Eyes then please rectify this post haste.
It's a rumbling and brooding track with overdriven guitars, reverb and a vast echoing soundscape. The vocals also have a deliciously familiar Alanis Morissette twang. An irresistible song.
The album On Dark Horses is full of this kind of thing. Every song sounds huge and the production is stellar. The hooks of Light Song for example evoke the ebb and flow of Pearl Jam's Release Me.
The way the sounds layer up and bounce off one another is really something to behold. The drums are massive, the guitars ethereal, crushing and surging, the vocals thoughtful, touching, bruising and soaring; it all adds up into a beautifully evocative emotional wash of sound.
Despite how massive the songs sound there's still an inescapable feeling that even stripped back acoustic versions of these songs would be no less impactful thanks in no small part to the power and beauty of Emma Ruth Rundles voice.
On Dark Horses is easily one of the best albums of 2018 and what comes next should be really interesting.
On Dark Horses is available at Sargent House or from here. You can also check out a short documentary on the album and supporting tour here.
International Group: Zeal & Ardor
Reportedly born from a 4chan forum request to fuse black metal with the music of the underground railroad, Zeal & Ardor have come a long way since the 2017 release of debut Devil is Fine proved this strange concept was viable and interesting as a musical sub-genre.
In 2018, the follow up Stranger Fruits was released, perfecting the formula and providing what I'm certain will be seen as a modern classic in years to come.
The music is heavy and scathing but also bouncy and catchy with the layering of the vocal chants and harmonies being a real high point.
Zeal & Ardor have also come into their own as a live band with frontman and guitarist Manuel Gagneux recruiting Tiziano Volante on guitar, Mia Rafaela Dieu on bass, Marco Van Allmen on drums & Denis Wagner and Marc Obrist on backing vocals.
With a Live in London album due in late March and a plethora of festival slots booked around the world, Zeal & Ardor have become a proper phenomena and the must see live band of the moment.
There really is absolutely no one else out there quite like Zeal & Ardor right now.
Alloysious Massaquoi, Kayus Bankole and Graham Hastings together make up Young Fathers who are another group who really sound like no other and demand to be heard.
They are a genre bending group based in Edinburgh fusing elements of hip-hop, jazz, folk, dance, electronica, world music and quite a lot more.
In 2014 they won a Mercury prize for their debut album Dead with sophomore effort White Men Are Black Men Too following in 2015.
Their third album Cocoa Sugar arrived in 2018 and to rapturous critical acclaim, featuring on numerous end of year lists and rightly so.
The vocal performances are delightfully diverse with the group fusing rap and spoken word with singing, husky whispers and even beatboxing; they will keep you guessing at every turn.
Three track punch Fee Fi, In My View and Turn, on Cocoa Sugar, is one of the most perfect runs of songs you're ever likely to hear on an album and featuring a multitude of instruments and musical styles.
If you like your music to be varied, exciting, experimental, impossible to classify and downright unforgettable then make sure you check them out.
Cocoa Sugar is out now on Ninja Tune or you can pick up a copy here.
Producer of the Year: Will Yip
Ok fine, Will Yip is not British, he's from Philadelphia in the United States of America but he's picked here because he's bloody brilliant and probably the hottest producer in alternative music right now.
Will Yip worked his way up from the bottom rung of the ladder at the legendary Studio 4 ultimately becoming co-owner and one the most sought after producers right now.
Along the way he's worked with legends like Lauryn Hill (even touring as her drummer) and produced Superheaven's classic alt. rock album Jar.
More recently he's worked with some of the most highly regarded bands around: Code Orange on their astonishing record Forever, all of Turnstile's output including the masterful Time & Space, The Wonder Years, The Menzingers, Angel Du$t, Citizen, mewithoutyou, La Dispute, the list goes on.
Such is his reputation as an exciting and relevant artist that he's also ended up working with more mainstream artists like Keane, The Fray and Panic! at the Disco.
Keep an eye on Will Yip, he might just be the producer of your next favourite album.
Global Success Award: Muse
When a band has the money and creative freedom to create an utterly bonkers and divisive album such as Simulation Theory it's hard to deny their global success.
When a band has the money and creative freedom to take said bonkers and divisive album on tour with a giant, neon clad robot suit for front man Matt Bellamy to strut around in, it's impossible to deny their global success.
Who would have thought this is where the bombastic trio from Devon would end up?
Simulation Theory is difficult to love but at the same time it's so stupid and over the top that it's also difficult to hate. Full of sun bleached sci-fi synths, excruciatingly catchy falsetto and auto-tuned vocals, funky guitar riffs, powerful solos and there's even some scratching and theremin sandwiched in there along the way.
Muse have always had an ability to make huge, ridiculous, overblown songs; they do it well and plenty of people still love them for it.
Despite their last few releases, which even die hard fans struggle to defend, Muse are a genuinely brilliant, exciting and world conquering band. When they tour they fill the biggest venues to capacity and play to thousands of adoring fans.
This is in no doubt due to the huge back catalogue they can fall back on and their albums such as Showbiz, Origin of Symmetry and Absolution are looked back on fondly as stone cold classics.
It appears Muse will never be satisfied to just rest on their laurels and soak up their success so the question begs: what on earth are they going to do next?
Simulation Theory is out now at Warner Bros or you can grab it from here.
Outstanding Contribution to Music Award: Pearl Jam
At 15 years old I was introduced to Pearl Jam's debut album Ten which, despite being nearly 10 years old at that point, had lost none of its bite or impact and completely blew me away.
From that moment on I devoured everything I could and I'm now a lifelong fan. It's an album that will never leave my top 5 and is responsible for starting my love affair with rock, metal and alternative music.
It was 17 years after first hearing Ten before I finally got to see the band live. There is always a niggling worry that a band who have been plying their trade for nearly 30 years will begin to sound lacklustre or jaded or just start going through the motions but honestly they were impeccable.
Pearl Jam are still boundlessly enthusiastic and full of energy and have a back catalogue of songs that any band would commit unspeakable acts to be able to call their own.
This back catalogue allows them to do a fairly unique thing. No two shows ever have the same setlist. Ever. They mix the usual crowd pleasers with lesser known fan favourites, obscure deep cuts and unique covers and as a result every show feels unique and personal. More bands should be doing this.
They're also an effortlessly cool band: Eddie Vedder is electrifying and charming on the mic, Stone Gossard wows with his leads and solos, Mike McCready's riffs are from another planet, Jeff Ament's bass lines are funky and thick and Matt Cameron beats out intricate and powerful drums.
Pearl Jam are one of the few bands to have survived the legendary, intensely creative and incestuous Seattle music scene. They were undeniably a huge part of this scene as Pearl Jam but also as members of a multitude of other bands before Seattle really took off as a music Mecca.
It was a scene that brought us incredible acts such as Nirvana, Soundgarden, Alice In Chains, Mother Love Bone (the list goes on) but also saw the destruction of many brilliant artists through drugs and depression.
Their ongoing influence is impossible to fully define, some would argue that they've influenced a dirge of awful bands, definitely true, but more importantly they inspired a generation of young people to pick up instruments and start creating great music.
Despite the self destruction going on all around them they've managed to hold together and release 10 studio albums (and tonnes of bootleg live performances); all completely different but all unmistakably Pearl Jam.
They are a truly great band and are currently in the studio recording new material. The prospect of a new Pearl Jam album in 2019 is as exciting as it has ever been.
Pearl Jam were at Mad Cool Festival in Madrid in 2018. You can read about my experience there here.
Well there you have it. The first Alternative Brit Awards (maybe I’ll think up a better name for it next year). Congratulations to all the bands and artists selected in each category. Please continue to make exciting, divisive and brilliant music.
Let me know your own thoughts and selections in the comments.
Many of the artists mentioned here were also included in my favourite albums and EPs of 2018 lists. If you want to discover some more great music you can read those articles here and here.
Peace.
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