You Me at Six are a five-piece rock band from the UK who are coming onto the scene faster than Super Mario Bros. running away from mushrooms. Unlike the Lambada, which had a lot of buzz a few decades back (but went from the "forbidden dance" to the "who cares dance" within a flash), there is no denying these Brits are about to catch on like wildfire. Their new album Cavalier Youth hit No. 1 on the Billboard Heatseekers Chart a few weeks back, and in their homeland, it's already a smash and their fanbase has long been off the charts. Finally, we're playing catch up here in the states.
Josh Franceschi, Max Helyer, Chris Miller, Dan Flint, and Matt Barnes have had quite a run lately all over the globe. Their substantive single "Room to Breathe" is in the top 10 on rock radio, and they sold out Wembley Arena right out of the gate. The band is currently on tour, and have killed it at in the festival circuit -- notably sharing a bill with everyone from Coldplay to Lorde at BBC Radio 1's "Big Weekend." Last month, the gang performed exclusively for A-Sides, and knocked it out of the proverbial park on a proverbial off-speed pitch. Watch that, and the interview I did with these gents below. See first hand that modern rock isn't dead -- thank goodness for that. (Videos filmed at The Attic in New York by ShootMePeter.com).
"Room to Breathe"
"Lived a Lie"
"Chatt"
A-Sides "Delve Into Twelve" Countdown
Each week A-Sides unleashes its Top 12 tracks of the week AKA the "Delve Into Twelve"based on the following contributing factors: songs I'm playing out that particular week NO MATTER WHEN THEY WERE RELEASED (think overlooked songs, unreleased tracks, and old favorites), songs various publicists are trying to get me to listen to that I did and dug a bunch, posts and trends I've noticed on my friends' Facebook walls, and -- most importantly -- the songs my two-year-old son gravitates toward by stomping his feet in approval. Yeah, you read that right. This weeks follows below (LW= last week's rank).
12. "Latch" (debut) - Disclosure/Sam Smith (My son is late to the party)
11. "Beware The Dog" (debut) - The Griswolds
10. "Overdose" (LW-11) - Little Daylight
9. "Left Hand Free" (debut) - alt-J
8. "Boom Clap" (LW-10) - Charli XCX
7."Get Hurt" (LW-8) - Gaslight Anthem
6. "I'm Only Joking" (LW-6) - Kongos
5."Out of My Mind" (LW-4) - Magic Man
4. "The Wild Life" (LW-5) - Vacationer
3. "Shadow" (LW-3) - Bleachers
2. "Reverse" (LW-2) - SomeKindaWonderful (Watch them live on A-Sides here.
1."Stolen Dance" (LW-1) - Milky Chance
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About A-Sides Music
Jon Chattman's "A-Sides Music" series was established in August 2011 and usually features artists (established or not) from all genres performing a track, and discussing what it means to them. This informal series focuses on the artist making art in a low-threatening, extremely informal (sometimes humorous) way. No bells, no whistles -- just the music performed in a random, low-key setting followed by an unrehearsed chat. In an industry where everything often gets overblown and over manufactured, I'm hoping this is refreshing. Artists have included: fun, Courtney Love, Air Supply, Birdy, Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings, Pharrell Williams, American Authors, Imagine Dragons, Gary Clark Jr., and more! A-Sides theme written and performed by Blondfire.