Sounds of 2015 - #20 - The New Union

What a way to start out Top 20 Sounds of 2015 list, we've narrowed over 50 acts (from our very long list) down to 20, and The New Union are in it again for a second year, for good reasons too! The best thing about bands originating from Brighton is that they're at a really high standard, and The New Union are no exception! They formed three years ago in Brighton and after a great 2014 they're looking to make 2015 the year they break out!

We short-listed the band earlier on in the year for the Glastonbury Emerging Talents competition based on the song "NOW", and that same song was the one that got a lot of people interested in them. Shows were selling out and the band were all over London playing to packed out venues and with some great support dates too with It's All Indie faves Coasts and Pixel Fix. We selected "NOW" as 'Track of the Week' and when we finally heard their old demo "The Point" again it reminded us how far the band has come, and how far they can potentially go! Scroll on down to listen to all of the music they released in 2014!

2015 can only bring bigger and better things for a band, that I know can push the boundaries and do massive things!

//2015 Live Dates\\
None announced - Click here - for updates

//Free Downloads\\
See the Soundcloud playlist below


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The New Union share old demo "The Point"

We first heard The New Union back in 2012, and back then they had a trio of demos doing them justice and getting them a good name for themselves. One that we never quite got to hear first time round was "The Point", and now they've released a stream of it via BOON Magazine's Soundcloud page.

Scroll on down to check it out!

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Interview with... The New Union

We're big fans of The New Union, and there one of a few bands that we've put on that are still going strong! Heck I even put them forwards for the semi-final of the Glastonbury Emerging Talents Competition! Here I chat to James about their early work, their influences and most importantly, what's next for the band!

How would you describe your sound to someone who hasn't heard of you?

Emotive Pop music with loud instruments.

After releasing two great singles in 2014, do you have another single in the pipeline?

We've been lucky enough to release this single with the backing of a really great label, so we are definitely planning another single later on this year.

Will we ever see "It's You" getting a release? It was one of your early tracks and I just have a complete soft spot for it!

Thank you! It was probably one of the first songs we'd ever written as a band, so will definitely always a favourite of ours. The only reason we stopped playing it is because we felt we couldn't replicate the recording well enough live!

If you could cover an artist who would it be and why?

Personally speaking here, I’d love to cover a really soulful artist, just because I think it would suit Richard’s voice very well. Perhaps Marvin Gaye?

Going on from the question before, who are your influences?

Again, personally speaking , I take a lot of influence from good guitar bands such as Death Cab For Cutie / Local Natives / Bombay Bicycle Club . Richard loves the likes of Elbow / Radiohead / Coldplay. Leo loves lots of contemporary music alongside some rather worrying 90's / 00's metal (make of that what you will) , and Alex loves a lot of American punk bands .

When creating new tunes how do you go about it? Does it start off with a riff/click/beat/lyrics or do you all sit in a room and jam?

Going on from before, because we all have quite varied influences it really helps. Richard will normally bring part of a song to the rehearsal room, and we will spend hours/days/ normally weeks , playing around with different structures and parts. It's a really satisfying way of making music, even if it is time consuming!

What made you pick up the guitar?

When I was about 13 I started really loving Blink 182, and so I bought my friends guitar that he never played for £20, I never looked back!

If you could curate a gig of your own with an unlimited budget, who would be on the bill?

Jackson 5 Marvin Gaye - Bill Withers . We'll take the 7pm opening slot.

What bands are you currently listening to?

At the moment, I'm listening to loads of this guy called Francis Lung, who was previously in a band called Wu Lyf. He's amazing live and very good on record too. Other than that, I recently put about 3 suede albums on my iPod.

Last but not least, what are we going to expect from The New Union in the next 12 months?

Expect more music, more shows and better haircuts.

The New Union are playing at Hackney's Sebright Arms on August 6th to celebrate their new single "Believe In Nothing", you can watch the video for it below!

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The New Union reveal video for "Believe In Nothing"

The New Union are one of the most hard-working bands around, and they've now uploaded their video for their latest single "Believe In Nothing". The single is released Monday 4th August 2014 on Fierce Panda Records/Label Fandango.

The video sees lead singer - Richard - wandering around trying to belive in nothing while other members of the band try to stop him. At the end they all unite as one with face-paint, fires and sparklers. It looks like this could've been filmed at Glastonbury. 

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The New Union unveil new single "Believe In Nothing"

The Brighton based four-piece are back with a stunning new single, their first single of 2014 was called "Now" and that song was the song that put them into the semi-final for the Glastonbury Emerging Talents Competition. But their second single of 2014 is just as good, if not better! "Believe In Nothing" is a lesson how to write an epic sounding Indie anthem without sounding like you've sold, the band have always stuck to their principles, and their talent shines through in this number!

The band are set to play a single launch party at London's Sebright Arms on August 6th, be down for it, we will be! The single itself is out on 4th of August on Fandango/Fierce Panda

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Pixel Fix remix The New Union's "Now"

Pixel Fix are currently on a remix binge, remixing loads of tracks from artists such as Young Kato, Coasts and now The New Union.

Scroll on down to check out the remix.

Glastonbury Festival announces 2014's ETC Longlist

Once again I am very pleased to be a part of this endeavour, bringing to the attention of Glastonbury some amazing acts!

I chose the following acts to put through. 

1. The New Union
"Their sound is reminiscent of early Bloc Party and new Maccabees. "Now" is easily the best track I've heard this year!"

2. The Old Silent
"With gorgeous harmonies and big guitars they remind me of Blur crossed with Crowded House."

3. The Ratells
"With big and bold choruses and lovely guitar tones they're certainly an exciting prospect!"
 

You can listen to the longlist here -- > https://soundcloud.com/glastonburyofficial/sets/etc2014-longlist

The New Union unviel video for "NOW"

The track that's currently our track of the week has now a video to accompany it. The track is out March 17th and to celebrate the band are playing a couple of shows to support it. One in Brighton and one in London. Dates are below!

7th March - Brighton - Bermuda Triangle
14th March - London - Hoxton Square Bar & Kitchen

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Track of the week... The New Union - NOW

"NOW" is the brand new single from The New Union, the Brighton quartet will be releasing this track on their own via the usual online retailers. It's been nearly a year - ten months to be exact - since their last release was out. And since then their EP has got them some serious attention, but after "NOW" I can see this song bringing them a lot more fans.

 
So 2014 is shaping up to be a big year for the four-piece, even if they carry on supporting the bigger bands they're getting their name out there. "NOW" just confirms our predictions last year about them, they're certainly getting bigger and with the latest single, they're getting a bolder sound too, I can see them getting a tremendous amount of hype behind them because of this track! Their début EP and single are both out now, go grab a copy if you like what you're hearing! "NOW" is out March 17th, and they're playing a few shows in and around Brighton too.

You really need to check out one of the leading un-signed bands around, they're going to be signed soon, watch this space!

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The New Union unveil brand new track "NOW"

"NOW" is the brand new single from The New Union, the Brighton quartet will be releasing this track on their own via the usual online retailers. It's been nearly a year - ten months to be exact - since their last release was out. And since then their EP has got them some serious attention, but after "NOW" I can see this song bringing them a lot more fans.

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Sounds of 2014 - #16 - The New Union

We're forever banging on about The New Union, and for good reasons too! Their latest release was the long awaited by us, the "Staying Friends" EP just shows off the band's talent in tremendous light. We've been admirers of The New Union from their very first demos, and after seeing the Brighton four-piece perform last year we knew that their music is going to get them recognised.

Their self-titled EP "The New Union" is out now and is available on vinyl and digital download.  Be sure to check them out live, they're always playing shows dotted around Brighton and London. They've played shows supporting some of the finest bands around, for example The Neighbourhood. They seem to be the promoters go-to-band when they want some quality support for touring bands.

So 2014 is shaping up to be a big year for the four-piece, even if they carry on supporting the bigger bands they're getting their name out there. Maybe and EP release next year, or a couple of singles, but so long as they release something I can see them getting a tremendous amount of hype behind them! Their début EP and single are both out now, go grab a copy if you like what you're hearing!

// Upcoming live dates \\
December 12th @ Also Known As, Banbury

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The New Union unveil video for "Forget Again" [IAI EXCLUSIVE]

We're forever banging on about The New Union, and for good reasons too! Their latest release was the long awaited by us, the "Staying Friends" EP just shows off the band's talent in tremendous light. The closing track on the EP is "Forget Again" - a heart-warming piano lead track with delicate vocals and guitar tones.

The video is getting it's very first airing via our website. It's shot in dark and broody black and white, which is very apt considering the heart-on-the-sleeve song is about forgetting your past lovers. The video focuses on Richard on his own with nothing but a piano. Don't worry guys, no-one will forget this song in a hurry! You can check out the new video from the Brighton four-piece below!

Buy / The New Union - Staying Friends EP
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The New Union unveil video for "WDYTYGW"

Ahead of their show this week at The Old Blue Last (Monday 8th July) The New Union have unveiled a brand new video to accompany "WDYTYGW" which features on their debut EP, "Staying Friends". Recorded at RAK studios in 2013 with Dan Grech, the video features behind the scenes footage.

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Track of the week... The New Union - Staying Friends

We've been admirers of The New Union from their very first demos, and after seeing the Brighton four-piece perform last year we knew that their music is going to get them recognised. Their latest song is the first glimpse of what their self-titled début EP is going to sound like, and it's sounds like they're ready to be in the big time!

"Staying Friends" is much like their past work, well refined, lovely guitar tones and charming vocals. It's a slower song compared to the other songs in their repertoire, however don't that be a defining factor as this song is the centrepiece of their live show. A real love song for the people that have lost love in recent times. They're always playing with the next best thing in the world of music, but after hearing this song constantly for the past week I think it's safe to say that when the EP is out The New Union will be the hottest property going!


Their self-titled EP "The New Union" is out June 3rd and is available on vinyl and digital download.  Be sure to check them out live, they're always playing shows dotted around Brighton and London.

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The New Union share new track "Staying Friends"

The Brighton four-piece that played for us back in 2012 have uploaded the first single to come off their forthcoming EP that's released 3rd June 2013 on limited 12" and digital download on Two Sisters Records.

You can check out the video just below.

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Track of the year - 2012 - Vote here!

You can now vote for one of 12 tracks to be crowned as 'Track of 2012', the vote will close 7th Jan at 12:00noon GMT.

VOTE HERE

The options are...

Swim Deep - King City

Moats - Toothache

In Golden Tears - Underneath The Balance

Ego Trip - Running Out

Eliza and the Bear - Trees

Gentlemen's Club - Accents

Moats - Skin

Bordeauxxx - The Beach Girls and the Monster

These Brittle Bones - Anchor Bleed

The New Union - Without You

Waylayers - Magnets

Port Isla - Tower Breakers

The New Union win 'Track of October' poll

The Brighton four-piece has won the October poll for 'Track of the week', their latest single has gone down really well with us and in October they even played a live show for us!

You can check out their début single below!

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Sounds of 2013 - #6 - The New Union

The best thing about bands originating from Brighton is that they're at a really high standard, and The New Union are no exception! They formed nearly two years ago in Brighton. So what of it, well they bring to the table the dark yet upbeat tones of White Lies and Interpol and the light guitar tones of fellow Brighton boys, The Maccabees, and what a year they've had!

They've now got their début single stocked in Japan and New York City, just one step closer for the big time for this group of talented lads. The New Union are easily ones to watch out for next year, 'Without You' and 'Home' is just the start of things! They're a band that work hard to produce some amazing anthems. When they played for us in October we knew how good they were going to be, I can easily see them growing even more and penning a record deal in 2013.

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The New Union post video for 'Home'

The B-Side to their début single is JUST as good as 'Without You', so the chaps in the band thought it would be a good idea to make a music video to accompany the song.

It's available on limited 7" and digital download on Two Sisters Records.

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Track of the week... The New Union - Without You

Bands from Brighton always seem to be of the highest degree, and the new The New Union track is just one of those! The single came out last week and we've been playing it over and over again, so it's no wonder how their vinyl managed to be sold out in their local record shop and both of the London Rough Trade shops!

They've now got the single stocked in Japan and New York City, just one step closer for the big time for this group of talented lads. The track itself has elements that remind you of early Bloc Party riffs and upbeat melodies from The Maccabees latest endeavour. The New Union are easily ones to watch out for next year, this single is just the start of things!

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