Each week we like to champion the music scene with ten songs in our playlist that all have a connection to the RaW (Reading and Wokingham) area and sometimes beyond. There’s been a lot of new music, so to try to catch up, this week we have five new tracks for you from acts with connections to Reading and Wokingham. As always, we have a wide variety of musical styles, but we think they’re all worth a listen and we hope you find something new to enjoy as well as maybe getting out to experience the thrill of live music.

1. Wolfsbane – Manhunt Re-recorded –

Time for a RaW Sounds roadtrip, this time to the legendary 100 Club in London (easy to reach on the Lizzie Line), courtesy of promoters Runnin’ Blue. Classic rock purveyors from Reading, The Dead Can Wait were the support band for Wolfsbane. Celebrating over 40 years since they first started and with the original line-up, including Blaze Bayley, who was also front man for Iron Maiden for a while, this was part of Wolfsbane’s latest tour. Both bands kept the packed crowd hugely entertained; this is the lead track from Wolfsbane’s recent live album which gives you some idea! https:// www.wolfsbaneband.com/

2. MOTHER – UNHOLY –

We have featured tracks from Marisa and the Moths here more than once (and with good reason!); this is the first track from a solo project by Marisa Rodriguez herself. A bit heavier than the usual Moths’ material, but nevertheless recognisable in style, the track was recorded and mixed in Reading, at the Mix Den studio. https://www.bowtomother.com/

3. Salvador Scott – Laika Shooting Star –

Laika was one of the first animals sent into space, in the late 1950s; this charming and whimsical song by Reading-based Salvador Scott celebrates Laika, as well as maybe musing on a relationship. Salvador is one of the regulars at open-mic nights at The Butler, and is currently working on a video documentary about music in and around the town, including Wokingham Festival. https://www.instagram.com/salvador.island/

4. Emerson – Can’t Make It Right –

Another great track from Fleet-based Emerson, who impressed when they appeared on the Purple Turtle stage at Reading FC back in March. They’ll be back in town on the 30th of June, when they play on a bill with Dutch blues rockers Sonic Whip and Oxford’s Cheap Suits at the Purple Turtle. All great bands, who have featured here before, so should be a great night! https://linktr.ee/

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5. Nicole Allan- Used To Be –

Nicole Allan is another regular at The Butler, and in fact organises some of the events there, and we saw her performing at DanFest most recently. She’s had great success recently with her Country originals, and we hope this track enjoys the same. It’s a more contemplative vibe, as she looks back at the person she used to be, and how she’s changed. https://www.facebook.com/nicoleallan95

6. Helicon – Arise –

A busy night the other week. After catching punk originals 999 (their second ever gig was at Bones in Reading, 50 years ago) at the Purple Turtle, we trekked across to the Face Bar where Future Transmissions were hosting Helicon, all the way from Glasgow (which made our trip look minor!). We were glad we did, their psychedelic rock, including four guitars, synths, and sitar, was mesmerising. This is the title track from their recent album. https://www.heliconglasgow.com/

7. Echo Chambers – Fraudestal –

We featured a couple of tracks from Echo Chambers a couple of years ago, because we liked them so much. We’re very pleased to report they’ve just brought out an EP of four new tracks entitled Venntriloquy (that’s the correct spelling, a pun on Venn diagrams), and this is the lead track. You can tell they’re from Reading, one of the other tracks on the EP is called Cheeselog! We’ve yet to catch them live, but will definitely keep an eye out! https://www.instagram.com/echochambersrdg/

8. Two-Man Giant Squid – 3 Hits –

A shout out to Neil Goulding, who has been looking after the entertainment side of things at the Purple Turtle for the last couple of years and more, and is now taking a break. He’s been responsible for a string of great bands appearing in Reading from all over the globe, including recently Two-Man Giant Squid all the way from New York City. We went along just based on the name, and our curiosity was rewarded with an evening of wonderful sounds, we loved the dance groove that they injected into their music. https://www.instagram.com/twomangiantsquid/

9. Panic Shack – Girl Band Starter Kit –

Are You Listening? Festival was another great success this year, with over 40 acts performing in six venues around Reading; we managed to catch about half of them! As always, the Festival was well organised, with a range of styles of music and blessed with great weather. One of the highlights were Sub89 headliners Panic Shack, with a joyously energetic performance in front of a packed house, delivering upbeat songs with a feminist message. This is the lead track from their debut album. https://www.panicshack.com/

10. Palindrones – Brightling Star (Strange Futures Remix) –

Beat Cancer is a charity that releases music and hosts events to raise money to fund research to help fight cancer. They have two gigs at the Face Bar this weekend on 29th and 30th May, the first with EBM (Electronic Body Music, new to us!), Industrial, Synthpop & Techno, the second with live bands featuring Deviant, TIRS, The Go Go Cult and Palindrones. We’ve chosen this, the latest single from Palindrones. https://beatcancer.info/

You can listen to all the songs featured in our Spotify playlist at https://bit.ly/rawsoundstoday

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