Opening this amazing new music album we have the leftfield, sonic, powerful, melodic and witty Indie rock merchants NORMA from Belgium. NORMA ( previously known as ZIA )open this album with the delicious Indie stomper " Spending and Smiling". This top track slips and slides it's way through a Teenage Fanclub esq rhythm section, Smashing Pumpkins-esq sonic soundscape and very witty and melodic as hell vocals. This is the voice of a genius musician and songwriter telling it like it is. "I'm' just a man doing all that I can from 9-5, guess I'm' living a lie but truth don't pay me enough to survive". Profound.  The heavenly backing vocals enter the picture and send shivers down your spine. This is brilliant imaginative chugging Indierock of a different kind. Sonic melodies from leftfield heaven. 

Norma ( above ) taken during the finals of Humo´s Rock Rally in the Ancienne Belgique in Brussels (Belgium´s finest concert hall). The Rock Rally is a contest organized by www.humo.be the country´s leading music magazine. This year, there were 733 participating bands, only 10 of them made it to the finals. Previous bands to play the festival were dEUS, Novastar, K´s Choice, Metal Molly, Zornik, Das Pop, Admiral Freebee, Arid and Evil Superstars. Norma are Belgium´s newest and hottest new music export alongside Monsoon.

Bristol's SAYAMA above 

Bristol's powerful and sonic outfit SAYAMA blast onto Elevation next with the uplifting leftfield emotional rock anthem " Zebra Elbow". The guitars riff in and out of the speakers in sharp sonic bursts while the inventive and tight rhythm section moves furiously in a melodic and sexy manner. The vocals go from Chilli Peppers mood to dreamy and melodic in the blink of an eye and the chorus is infectious and uplifting. This is infectious very cool music for speeding down the motorway at 100 m.p.h ( isn't that illegal ? - ed ). Sayama consist of Andrew Gilson (lead vocals), Tom Haynes (guitar), Martin Corfield (Bass) and Darren Moffat (Drums). There sound can be described as emotional rock with a sonic, groovy and melancholic twist. Sayama have played with a fair few gigs with bands such as The Frank and Walters, Lowgold and, most recently, Halo. They have released two EPs - 'You may Find The Words' recorded December 02' at Sawmills studio, Cornwall (also frequented by the likes of Muse, Supergrass and Oasis) and 'Apathy For Beginners' recorded October 03' at Bink Bonk studios, Bristol. Sayama's featured song 'Zebra Elbow' is taken from this EP. A class alternative outfit that do Bristol and honour. Excellent. Go and see them online here: http://www.sayama.co.uk/

The Answer (above)

Drifting into orbit next we have the epic, sonic heavenly rock pioneers THE ANSWER. This Downpatrick based band do not mess around. Their production is mammoth and spacey. Their vocals are powerful, classic and very memorable. Their music is epic, grand and shines in a glorious but leftfield manner. "Now's the time for a new generation" sings Cormac Neeson the Answer frontman with a voice so powerful it shames most of the bands the NME praise on a weekly basis. They license " New Day Rising ". We are not the only one's who like them - “The Answer inhabit a space in the Irish music scene which is entirely their own – possessing the skills of a classic 70’s rock act but with the added bonus of a modern day edge and an intimidating youthful energy”- Alternative Ulster. Steve Lamacq from Radio 1 has tipped The Answer for big things in 2004 and described the new E.P. as the best timed release in recent years. Malcolm Dome from Total Rock Radio says he simply loves The Answer and what they are doing for rock music. Yes it's true we predict that this band will rise to great heights with their slightly 70's esq anthemic stadium sound. Truly Stunning - Matchbox A&R. The Answer have been requested for several television appearances for Spring 2004 including: BBC’s New ATL TV; the brand new Alternative Ulster Music Channel set to launch soon and a new mid week music show on RTE’s Network 2.  Keep up to date with them here. 

The lovely Erika above 

The excellent power pop anthem " Nothing at All" by hot new solo artist ERIKA features next on Elevation. This brilliant Indie rock anthem starts off with melancholy and dreamy guitars and then bursts into a boppy and powerful chugging rhythm section that gets you dancing immediately. The mammoth pop chorus is unforgettable, extremely Radio friendly and sing a long ( Hello Radio 1 your missing out). The production is very good on this track and puts it in line for Rock/pop song of the year. " All I want to see is nothing at all" sings Erika with emotion, melody and conviction. Think Sinead O' Connor Mandinka Era crossed with an Indie Anastasia, Alanis M and Martha and the Muffins. Erika ( A.K.A Saranne) started piano lessons in 1988 and by 89 she was writing her own songs. After fronting a few bands she unleashed this her first solo material ad the rest should be history. " The Verve fronted by Alanis Morrissette" - NME. "Nothing at All" was produced by Peter Lorentz. Brilliant, bright and catchy anthemic pop/rock from a very talented songwriter and artist. 

The very talented BREATHE above 

Featuring next we have the classic and epic sounding outfit BREATHE with the stunning and majestic ballad " Hidden". This amazing,  touching and heartfelt piano ballad starts off slow and moody. The  lovely grand piano and whispery vocals then build into a huge classic orchestral pop masterpiece that should be on a major record label. ( Hello Majors are you deaf ? ).  The production is huge and comes with built in chiming bells and glorious emotional strings. This is seriously excellent and way above average.  Time always exposes the best. Breathe consist of Jeremiah Williamson and Jon Marett .The amazing album this is taken from "Songs to live and die for"  was recorded during the first three months of 2003. This track really should be featured on the next Bond soundtrack ( Hello Pierce - ed ). " precious is the heart that you are left to hold in your hand ".  Brilliant and everlasting. Check out http://www.breathe-online.co.uk

Melodic songwriter Barry Lawton above 

Crewe's passionate, emotional and classic songwriter BARRY LAWTON joins us next with his second track to be featured on a Matchbox compilation. This truly spine chilling track " Grow Together"  features some of the most emotional and touching vocals we have ever heard. This is seriously emotive, sensitive and deep thinking real music that touches the soul and showcases the life of a true artist.  Barry is from the Paul Weller, George Harrison school of music showing a serious talent for writing songs that are dreamy, classic and very touching. This piano ballad is full of lovely dreamy 60's esq chords and lyrics that tell a brave tale. Barry really bares his soul on this one as his vocals soar way past any of Weller's or Harrison's.  It's a sad world when an artist as original and soulful as this is not getting national Radio coverage and selling millions of records. Perhaps the nation does prefer karaoke stars or perhaps they are deaf. Both ways we are proud and Barry's music will last forever. You can buy his album Brown Lipstick from our online shop now.  Truly exceptional. 

Songwriting genius's THE SOUNDFIELDS above 

The extremely brilliant and timeless band THE SOUNDFIELDS feature next with the well produced and epic guitar ballad " One More Love Song". This is absolutely brilliant epic pop at it's best with a lump in the throat chorus that will live with you forever. From acoustic strumming guitars and powerful dreamy electric guitars to majestic strings this song shines with extreme talent . The emotional and strong voice of Craig Banks tells a story that is filled with emotion. Think The Verve crossed with Coldplay but in a perfect pop world of it's own. The guitars are melodic and dreamy and the strings take this to a different level. " One More Love Song for cry babies, One more shoulder to lean on" sings the vocally blessed Craig Banks. They consist of Craig Banks (vocals), Wayne Pauli (guitar) and Carl Train (drums). The Soundfields ( originally from South Africa ) are now based in the U.K and ready to take the music industry by storm. Such talent can't be ignored and this track deserves to be on every station in the nation starting with Radio 1. Were sending a copy to them today.  What more can we say............brilliant !. See more here. 

Slowing the pace down next we have Canada's melancholy, classic, lo-fi and poetic NORTHERN ELEVATOR. The elevator is controlled by songwriting genius B.D Harrington with the help of many hands. He licenses the lovely and dreamy piano ballad " 4-in-the-morning-snow". This epic ballad has a moody dreamy feel throughout and reminds us a lot of some of the finest moments off Pink Floyds Final Cut album. We have not heard any artists or bands that have touched anywhere near that sort of Roger Waters territory until now and it deserves a lot of credit. The vocals go from whispery and surreal to powerful and soulful leading this song into very classic territory. Take this song home to bed with you, listen to it when your down and alone, cherish it and never forget it. Lovely, thoughtful music from Canada. Timeless. B.D Harrington was Born in Ontario, he now divides his time between London and Toronto. Playing live sporadically, erratically, wholeheartedly and in various incarnations on both sides of the pond. A classically trained multi-instrumentalist who pursues his own unique brand of brooding low-fi Americana. Brilliant. Look out for a single on ‘Homesleep Records’(Italy) and another track featured on the much-revered Tract Records (USA) compilation series. 

Talented genius CAMERON SMITH (above)

Staying in piano and Canadian territory we move to new singer songwriter and in our eyes musical genius CAMERON SMITH. Cameron was born in Canada and now lives in the UK and France. He licenses the very different and beautiful ballad " Soul Song" to elevation. This piano based song showcases Cameron's use of folk, classical and acoustic influences. The vocals start off soft and dreamy and soar to almost operatic heights. The piano meanders and rolls under the very infectious melody that follows the piano notes. Soul Song is a classic and amazing song that slowly builds all the way through eventually climaxing with a full almost baroque-esq choir and tear jerking violins from heaven. Absolutely brave, extremely cool and diverse in mood and musical texture. Cameron Smith is a true original talent who is not scared to bring whole choir's and mourning violins into his music. Very good indeed. 

The mystical LILA above 

Staying in lo-fi dreamy territory we move onto the atmospheric outfit LILA. Lila consist of Ecetarina who comes from Moldova (a country near the Ukraine, Romania and the Black sea) and Jacob Rose Moth who hails from Denmark.  They license the modern dreamy electro fuelled sci-fi ballad " Apart from You". The vocals of Ecetarina are beautiful, melodic and soulful with an eastern tinge. The music is experimental with big fuzzy beats, deep bass lines, shimmering analogue synths and dreamy guitars that explode into huge bluesy distorted lead guitars. Lila are influenced by many things including philosophers like Dalai Lamai and Stanislav Grof. They also take influences from pop. rock, ethnic, eastern and trance to make their own style called ETHNI-POP. Dreamy lo-fi space pop/rock at it's best. Check out their website where you can see videos and get more info on this great new outfit. 

dark lo-fi bluesy pioneers redroute above 

Staying in a dreamy mood we move onto to the stunning redroute who license the entrancing lo-fi blues track " Everywhere and Nowhere". This great song starts off with jazzy drums, deep bass sounds and heavenly piano. The meandering piano and tinkling notes lead us into the mysterious and Kate Bush-esq vocals from the soulful singer SOPHIE GARDENER . The other members are DAVID LOUGHLIN (GUITAR/PRODUCTION), RICHARD JORDAN (KEYBOARDS, VOCALS), BEN SINGER (BASS, SAMPLER, VOCALS) AND BARRY STEPHENSON (DRUMS, VOCALS). The route are based in South London but all come from different parts of the UK. This exceptional leftfield blues track combines many influences from massive Attack to Portishead but always stays in a world of it's own. This is pure organic and soulful proper pop with a very bluesy undertone. The chorus has lovely motown-esq stabbing guitars under the uplifting melancholic vocals. This is very stylish and art-noir music for lighting up and drifting off to. Superb. Check out more by clicking here. 

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