I NME-Europe Battle Of Bands: Let's Hear It For The Winners

The dust has settled, but the show goes on for The Little Hydes, winners of the I NME-Europe Battle Of Bands contest. Despite a heavy schedule, which includes an unplugged set this Wednesday with Ian Prowse at Mojo in Liverpool and studio work on a new single, the 'next four lads to shake the world' managed to find the time to have a quick natter to NME-Europe and tell us all about being champions and what's happening in Hydesville at present. Here's what they had to tell us:

NME-Europe: Well lads, you were the first band to be interviewed on this page and now you're the winners of the I Battle Of Bands. What are your impressions on having beaten some really excellent acts to win the title?

TLH: Yeah I saw a Number Of Fires (who were second) ran us pretty close. When you do BOTB's (and we've done a few! One that we won took us on a mad tour of Europe gigging), you enter if you know you have a good chance of winning it.

NME-Europe: For those who are still thinking 'The Little Who?' (God forgive 'em), tell us a bit about yourselves.

TLH: We've been together about two years now. Myself and Tony (drums) have been playing in bands round town since we were 14/15. It was in my last year of school when things started taking off. Our first recordings had a nice poppy 90's feel, they started getting played on local radio and started a bit of a buzz. These first demo's set us up well and we got a slot at the Mathew St Festival and Creamfields (on the same day!). The first year set us up great, and since we've been working hard on just fine tuning our sound really. We've got an album's worth of new material that we're dyin' for everyone to hear.

Well, I saw The Little Hydes at that Mathew Street Festival (you can see a small excerpt of that set in the video below - there's even a cameo role from me!) and was really impressed by the stage presence of such a young band (in fact, they were part of the reason for starting this site).



You can also hear two tracks, 'Absolute Youth' and 'Dear Diary Days' on the NME-Europe Battle Of Bands contest page and an additional song, the delightful 'As Back When' on their myspace page. Only a fool would not give them a chance and it certainly is an exciting prospect that the lads have an album full of tracks raring to go.

NME-Europe: Apart from being an NME-Europe Battle Of Bands winner, what else does 2010 hold in store for you lot? Any plans for a release or tour?

TLH: We're actually recording our first single at the moment. All of our other recordings are sort of rushed, due to the amount of time and the amount of money it costs to rent a studio even for a weekend. We wanted to do it absolutely properly this time, in terms of a pop single. We have a great pop song that you wont be able to get our of your head (im told this is our trademark) and we'll be releasing it in a few weeks time. We've all got a good feeling about this one. Keep an eye out. 

We certainly will be! It's always a pleasure hearing from this band. They seem to go about things in the right way; quietly confident without loosing sight of reality and above all producing some absolutely sublime tunes.  While you wait patiently for more news on The Little Hydes, why not read some more about them from previous NME-Europe articles? In particular, a special piece on the three aforementioned tracks and the original Myspace Magic interview.

If you're in or around Liverpool, you can see them for free at Mojo on Wednesday, where they'll be playing an acoustic set with local legend Ian Prowse and they're also on at the O2 Academy on March 7.

Last, but not least, many thanks to David, Mick, Ste and Tony for taking the time to speak to NME-Europe. Looking forward to the single, gents!

I NME-Europe Battle Of Bands: The Fat Lady Sang

Well, the polling station closed on Friday and the whole world (ahem) has waited with baited breath since then.

First things first, CONGRATULATIONS and THANK YOU to all the artists who have participated in the I NME-Europe Battle Of Bands contest. If anyone reading this hasn't heard their music yet, then do it now!

Secondly, respect goes to everyone who bothered to place a vote in the contest. Over 1,500 votes in 15 days is a fantastic response and certainly means NME-Europe is looking forward to future events already.

Anyway, let's cut to the chase and see who's Top Of The Pops. The voting was carried out in two parts; the public vote, where each vote was given 1 point, worth 70%; and the 'jury' vote (special thanks here must go to my friends Second and Pipers who have taken time from their hectic schedule to listen to all the acts), worth 30%. Both members of the jury ranked the artists from 1st to 6th, where 1st place gained 1,000 points, 2nd 800, 3rd 600, 4th 400, 5th 200 and 6th 100.

So, where does that leave us? Are you ready? We'll do it in reverse order, just like Miss World.

3rd place goes to Overspill Poets, with 464.8 points. The 'Poets' were relatively weak on the public vote, but did comparatively well with the jury, pulling in a 2nd and 3rd place.

2nd place is for A Number Of Fires, with 784.9 points. A Number of Fires were going like the clappers for a while in the public vote, before having to settle for 2nd place with 607 votes. The jury ranked them 2nd and 4th.

And finally....

1st place (cue the drum roll) is for.....

The Little Hydes





A whopping 993.3 points for the latest scousers to 'shake the world' sees The Little Hydes claim victory in the I NME-Europe Battle Of The Bands. Let's face it, they are worthy winners; a late spurt saw them end as leaders in the public vote with 817 (more than 50%) and the jury ranked them 1st and 4th to ensure they take the glory this time.

Congratulations to A Number Of Fires and Overspill Poets and thanks to the rest of the artists - Cybiont, Inner Voices and P.A. Meirelles for having the guts to take part - I sincerely hope this has been a positive experience for all concerned.


You'll be hearing more from the winners in due course.....

I NME-Europe Battle Of Bands: They Think It's All Over....

Hi everybody. The I NME-Europe Battle Of Bands is entering its final stage. There are just 4 days of public voting left and at the moment there are two bands fighting it out for top spot. Here's the plan:

1. Check out the six artists who are competing (each has two tracks). Click here.

2. Decide who is your favourite.

3. Vote on the public poll in the sidebar. (You have until Friday).

The quality is unquestionable so give yourselves a little musical treat and help one of them on the way to glory.

The final result will be announced on Sunday, once the professional jury (Second and Pipers) has submitted its decision.

Have fun!

I NME-Europe Battle Of Bands: Let Battle Commence!

Happy 2010 to all NME-Europe readers! As tradition dictates, it's out with the old and in with the new, so the Battle Of Bands contest suitably takes centre stage.

By now, you should have all had a chance to have a listen to the six artists brave enough to take part in the I NME-Europe Battle Of Bands (if not, click here to check them out). Now it's time to cast your votes!

There is a poll on the sidebar below the nme-eplayer (which also features the artists) for you to take part in the public vote, which is worth 70% of the overall result. The remaining 30% will be determined by the professional jury formed by Second and Pipers.

Voting closes on 15 January and the winner will be announced shortly afterwards. Please show the participants some support - there is undoubted quality in their work.

NME-Europe wishes everyone the very best of luck!

I NME-Europe Battle Of Bands: The Bands

OK, so you've already seen the names of the participants in the I NME-Europe Battle of Bands, but maybe you need to know a little more about each act and, more importantly, listen to their material. There are 6 contestants from pretty much the 4 corners of the globe.

Here's a plan. Let NME-E give you the run down on each one, have a listen to their tracks (there are two for each band on each individual player) and then start thinking about who'll get your vote when polling starts. (Artists are listed in alphabetical order).


A Number Of Fires (Liverpool, UK)
Year Formed: 2009
Genre: Hard Rock
Releases: None to date
Website: www.myspace.com/anumberoffiresuk

Cybiont (Auckland, New Zealand)
Year Formed: 2008
Genre: Alternative, Experimental, Soul Cabaret
Releases: 'A Trilogy Of Random Thoughts And Considerations' (2009)
Website: www.myspace.com/cybiont

Inner Voices (Bolton, UK)
Year Formed: 2006
Genre: Progressive Rock, New Wave
Releases: 'Surveillance State EP'
Website: www.myspace.com/adambrierley

The Little Hydes (Liverpool, UK)
Year Formed: 2008
Genre: Alternative Pop
Releases: None to date
Website: www.myspace.com/thelittlehydes

Overspill Poets (Cumbria, UK)
Year Formed: 2008
Genre: Indie, Americana, Rock
Releases: 'Thompson Falls' (2009)
Website: www.myspace.com/overspillpoets

P.A. Meirelles (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil)
Genre: Brazilian rock
Releases: 'Pedro Ariel Meirelles' (2008)
Website: www.myspace.com/pameirelles

I NME-Europe Battle Of Bands: Start Your Engines

Much to its delight, NME-E is able to announce there are six (with a seventh possibly getting in at the last minute) entries in the I NME-Europe Battle Of Bands contest.

Participants
The following bands/artists have decided to take the plunge:


A Number Of Fires (Liverpool, UK)





Cybiont (Auckland, New Zealand)







Inner Voices (Bolton, UK)






The Little Hydes (Liverpool, UK)








Overspill Poets (Cumbria, UK)






P.A. Meirelles (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil)




What happens next then? Well, as you can see by the geographical diversity of the acts a live event is pretty much out of the question (unless EasyJet can sort out a few Airbuses to Rio!) so the contest will be online. A profile for each band/artist will appear over the next few days, complete with some essential information, links to their websites and a couple of tracks for readers to get an idea of what they're all about.

Voting
In January, a poll will allow an online public vote which, combined with the assessment of our guest jury - Second and Pipers (see more below) - will result in a winner being selected.

NME-E would like to express its gratitude to all concerned for supporting this inaugural event. Please remember that the artists who are competing are unsigned and are looking for a little exposure. I'm sure readers will give them all the backing they deserve.

More to come, meanwhile a couple of videos from our jury to get you in the mood:

Second are from Murcia, Spain. Since winning the European leg of the 2004 Global Battle Of The Bands contest they have gone from strength to strength. Currently one of Spain's top indie acts, they released their critically acclaimed fourth album 'Fracciones De Un Segundo' in January 2009 and are currently in the thick of a sell-out national tour.




Naples-based Pipers are arguably the best thing to come out of Italy since Ennio Morricone. They too know how to win contests and appeared at the 2008 Mathew Street Festival after coming good in the Streetwaves competition. They have just released their debut album 'No One But Us'.

NME-Europe Recommends: I NME-Europe Battle Of Bands

NME-Europe is delighted to announce the launch of its I Battle of Bands contest.

The competition, which will take place online between 1 Dec and 15 Jan, aims to provide an opportunity for up-and-coming bands/artists from across the planet to gain a little exposure and, with a little luck and help from their friends, win a cash prize.

Any unsigned band/artist can take part and winners will be decided based on the results of a public poll (on the site) and of the guest jury formed by top Spanish band, Second, and Italian starlets, Pipers, both of whom know a thing or two about winning this kind of tournament.

Entry is open until 30 November. All bands will be featured on NME-Europe during December before the final voting commences in the New Year, with the winner set to be announced on 15 January.

If you're interested, you can check out the rules and conditions or submit an entry form. Alternatively, drop us a line at nick.nmeeurope@gmail.com

Good luck to all involved!