by we’ll boss it with the twins(bass), liam whittles (keyboard), darren cogh-ill(drums)...

60 .............................. Friday, April 10, 2015 1SM

WHO: Jordan Shearer (vocals), Kevin Swanson(guitar), Jamie Swanson (guitar), Calvin Wilson(bass), Liam Whittles (keyboard), Darren Cogh-ill (drums)WHERE: John O’GroatsFOR FANS OF: The Coral, The Stone Roses,The BeatlesJIM SAYS: Championed by NME, and with NoelGallagher as a fan, Caithness band Neon Waltzcontinue to impress.

I had no hesitation in making them one of my10 for 2015 acts. With their major label debut setfor release on Monday, things are starting totake off. First meeting at Wick High School,they’ve played together since their early teens. Ifirst came across the guys as Maydays. Laterthey became The Maginot Band, before finally

settling on Neon Waltz. Singer Jordan told me:“We had loads of names written down andbecause we’re a democracy, it took a while tosettle on a name that we all liked. Neon Waltzjust seemed to fit somehow.”

While some acts crave the bright lights, NeonWaltz holed themselves up in a croft betweenWick and Thurso. It’s worked out well for them.

Jordan added: “You have to travel at least 100miles to play in Inverness, so we were neverunder any pressure to play loads of gigs. Wewere able to just lock ourselves away and get itperfect.” The band are co-managed by Howie

cus Russell, best known for managing Oasis.Now signed to the legendary Atlantic Records,the first official release is First Light.

Jordan said: “It’s just like a collector’s item forpeople who dig the band really. It’s pretty muchstuff you’ve been able to listen to online for thelast year. It’s a cool way of announcing thatwe’re signed to Atlantic. The songs on FirstLight will probably all be in the mix to be on thealbum, but none are finished recordings.”

First Light is out on Monday as a limited 12invinyl and download. Dates include the Brew AtThe Bog festival near Inverness on May 2 andthe multi-venue Stag And Dagger presents Liveat Glasgow on May 3.MORE: neonwaltz.comlJim presents Drivetime on XFM Scotland, Monday to Fri-day 4-7pm. xfm.co.uk jimgellatly.com

By JIMGELLATLYNEWMUSICNEONWALTZWHO: Jordan Shearer (vocals), Kevin Swanson

Payne, of Liverpool band the Stands, and Mar-cus Russell, best known for managing Oasis.NEWMUSIC

Waltz take quick step to top

Something for the WeekendSomething 2ONE2

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CHR

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ONE 2 SEE

ONE 2 HEARTWIN sisters Miranda andElektra Kilbey-Jansson grew upin Australia and Sweden.And that unusual mix is work-ing a treat for them as dreampop duo Say Lou Lou.The girls are the daughters ofSteve Kilbey, from Aussie bandThe Church and they’ve got alovely blend of electro popgoing on in their debut albumLucid Dreaming.It’s quirky but it still has amainstream edge. A superbalbum to get the summerstarted.Check it out at sayloulou.com.

GAMEOf Thrones is due backon our screens soon.And that is great news for oneof its stars, Raleigh Ritchie,because it means he can getback to making music.The singer —who plays GreyWorm in the smash-hit show—hits Glasgow’s King Tut’s onApril 20.It is the start of a UK tour andRaleigh— real name JacobAnderson— is also set torelease new single The Great-est.Get all the info at face-book.com/RaleighRitchie

DOOM popsters LonelyThe Brave have Scotsrockers Twin Atlantic’scareers in their hands.

But they aren’t fazed —because they have already donethe same job for rock legendBruce Springsteen.

The band are supportingTwin on their upcoming UKtour — one that includes thebiggest gig of their lives, ahome-town show at Glasgow’sSSE Hydro next month.

Lonely’s guitarist Mark Trot-ter said: “That Glasgow gig isgoing to be incredible.

“We are always so welllooked after up there and getmind-blowing support.

“And it’s an honour Twin aretaking us out. It’ll be us play-ing to some of the biggestcrowds we’ve been in front of.

Our job is to geteverybody going

“We won’t do anything differ-ent. We do what we do and Iguess that’s why those guyshave asked us to play.

“Our job is to get everyonegoing and we’re aware of that.

“So we’ll do our utmost toget everyone in the mood.”

But it should be like shellingpeas after they got drafted inby superstar Springsteen.

Mark explained: “Playing withThe Boss was special.

“Our management phoned totell me it was happening and Ijust told them to p*** off. Butthey were serious.

“Then there we were, liningup before he came out. Yougrow up hearing his songs thenyou’re sharing a stage withhim.”

But the Cambridge bandaren’t just a side act. Their owncareer is burning bright.

Debut album The Day’s War

struck a chord across Europe.Mark said: “We were just des-perate for it to come out.

“We get messages from allover the world from peoplesaying the songs got themthrough things — we’re proudthat people are so into it.”

It’s proved so popular, nowthey’re releasing a Victory edi-

tion which sees the tracksredone. Mark revealed: “Thereare four new songs on there.

“But we’ve also taken some ofthe tracks from the albumcompletely apart and put themback together with differentinstruments and structure.

“We’re keen for people tohear it as some of them sound

totally different.” The guys planto schedule more touring andstart a new studio album in thecoming months.

Mark added: “It’s going to bea flat-out year just the way welike it. If you don’t keep mov-ing, you’re going to get buried.”l Order The Day’s War Victory Edi-tion at lonelythebrave.com.

struck a chord across Europe. tion which sees the tracks

We’llBoss itwiththeTwins