Hip hop
Leeds is a music city. From the 60s Beat movement on through punk and post-punk, the area has always had a magnetic pull. The past few years have amplified this – Leeds Conservatoire has an international reputation, while a flourishing student community has helped propel the city’s club culture to fresh heights.
With EMI North now opening in the city, it’s provided a shot of confidence to the area. Beneath this, however, you can find an array of flourishing independent labels and DIY communities, each helping to propel the city to fresh heights.
Treeboy & Arc are lucky enough to call the city home, a product of its free-thinking atmosphere and devout independence. Debut album ‘Natural Habitat’ lands on July 7th, and the sessions behind it were deeply complex and involved.
The initial version of the LP was scrapped, before Treeboy & Arc opted to take their music in a much darker, harsher, and more oppressive direction. Light still shines through, however, and the end results span the full spectrum of emotions.
Ahead of this pivotal release, Treeboy & Arc decided to guide Clash through some of Leeds’ most exciting new acts.
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Adult DVD (Isaac’s Pick)
Adult DVD have very quickly become a staple of the Leeds music scene since their launch in early 2021. Their driving synths, catchy vocal hooks punctuated with equally catchy guitar riffs result in a band that doesn’t have a song that isn’t an ear worm. We were lucky enough to have them remix our single ‘Role Models’ last year and frankly they did it better than we did. Adult DVD’s live shows are what really makes them. Everyone in the room is guaranteed to be on their feet singing ‘Bill Murray’ by the end of the night.
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Bug Teeth (Sammy’s Pick)
Bug Teeth are relatively new to Leeds, having moved here from Norwich a couple years back. They blend elements of Krautrock, dream pop and shoegaze together to form really beautiful and interesting textures, topped by PJ’s soft but powerful vocals. Watching them live is always amazing. They like to swap around instruments and are all clearly having fun which I think always makes you enjoy yourself more as an audience member. My personal favourite track is ‘Ice-9’. I think the production on it is really raw and honest, just capturing them as a band super well.
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Jellyskin (James’ Pick)
Jellyskin are an electronic duo from Leeds who have just released their debut record and it’s ace. You could draw comparisons from Jagwar Ma, PVA and Factory Floor. Often with ominous subby bass, intricate arpeggiators and hypnotic vocals filling out each track, their record is captivating from start to finish. My favourite song from the records is ‘Fox Again’. It’s quite a spacious song with interesting dynamics, it’s well placed on the record and currently on all my playlists. They’re supporting sleaford mods at the O2 in Leeds in November which will be a great show!
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The Reflecting Skin (George’s Pick)
This lot deliver an unsettling yet powerful mixture of noise rock and hardcore not for the mild-mannered. Walls of noise built up of harsh guitars and frenzied delayed vocals are a key part of their sound. Their live show is intense and compelling, which is captured perfectly on their first couple of recorded efforts, particularly on their track ‘Irreversible Damage’ from upcoming EP ‘II’.
Whether the track is a slow doom number or a high octane freak out, The Reflecting Skin are always an exciting listen and are an important component of the heavier side of the Leeds music scene.
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Green Gardens (Ben’s Pick)
Green Gardens are Leeds’ latest guitar-based phenomenon, creating gentle and thoughtful art-rock enveloped in dark undertones. The listener’s attention is passed back and forth between soaring vocal harmonies, neatly plucked guitars and Grandaddy-esque fuzzed up riffs resulting in a warm-textured, idiosyncratic sound. Each moment of brightness the band creates is underpinned by ominous themes and a raw honesty that hits you at the back of your throat.
Their debut album is set to be released in August via Leeds label Come Play With Me (newly partnered with EMI North) off the back of two captivating singles. If their previous discography is an indication of what’s to come we are due something truly special.
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Photo Credit: Jord Mercer
