10 SHEFFIELD ARTISTS YOU NEED TO KNOW
The next stop on VOCAL GIRLS ON TOUR is Sheffield! Meet our 10 favourite artists from the city who you should definitely check out.
Self Esteem
Alt-pop
Self Esteem is the solo project of former Slow Club member Rebecca Taylor. Pairing honest and relatable (albeit slightly self-deprecating) lyricism with a sound reminiscent of rhythmic early noughties pop and RnB, her recent work has made waves in the music world. Having released her debut album ‘Compliments Please’ - which gave voice to insecurity and misogyny driven frustration - in 2019, she has recently returned with her new single ‘I Do This All The Time’. Part spoken-word ode to to the societal expectations of ‘correct’ womanhood, ‘I Do This All The Time’ sees Rebecca shedding light on topics such as sexual abuse, comparison culture and the often female feeling of guilt. “Don’t be intimidated by all the babies they’ve had, don’t be embarrassed that all you’ve had is fun, prioritise pleasure”, she says, almost instructing listeners on how to cope with the unfair expectations placed on women. An unstoppable force for good, Self Esteem is without a doubt one to watch!
Gia Ford
Alternative / Indie
Under the moniker Gia Ford, Sheffield dwelling twenty-three year old Molly McCormick has created a whole new world through her music; a world that is brilliantly dark, twisted and theatrical. Discovered on Instagram in 2016, Gia was snapped up by record label Dirty Hit (who also represent acts such as The 1975 and Wolf Alice), all down to the strength of just a 60-second, vocals-only video. In the five years since, Gia has worked to develop her sound and in 2020 released her 9-track EP ‘Murder In The Dark’. Although initially setting out to write a “slightly comical, lesbian vampire” themed record, Gia achieved something far more nuanced and sinister with the EP; its 9-tracks transport listeners to her wonderful world of grisly 80s American Pop Culture, influenced by the early films of Tarantino, Black Mirror, and camp-noir horror.
Johnny FK
Folk
Influenced by a vast array of genres, including folk, punk and glam rock, Sheffield based musician, poet and songwriter Johnny FK’s music is both immersive and charming. His recently released single ‘The Well’ (inspired by Haruki Murakami’s novel ‘The Wind Up Bird Chronicle’) draws on subjects such as love, loss and heartbreak from a wonderfully introspective and cathartic stand point. Backed by intricate guitar picking, gentle drums and lively baselines, ‘The Well’ shows Johnny in all his glory, clearly establishing himself as one of Sheffield’s rising stars.
LIO
Alt-pop
Dutch born and Sheffield based musician LIO is one to keep an eye out for. With just three singles under her belt, she has supported fellow Sheffield acts such as Slow Club, Stevie Parker and While She Sleeps, all off the back of her 2018 release ‘Growing Pains’. Drawing inspiration from the likes of Lorde, Florence + The Machine and St Vincent, LIO’s ambient alt-pop sound is completely entrancing and clearly exhibits her knack for capturing the pure essence of human emotion in her music.
Sophie and The Giants
Indie Pop
Sheffield based four-piece Sophie and The Giants are a force to be reckoned with. Having moved from London to Sheffield after graduating music college in 2017, the band have since blown up on the city’s music scene, not to mention the wider world - their 2020 record ‘Hypnotised’ reached triple platinum status in Italy, platinum in Poland and Gold in a further seven European countries! Influenced by the likes of Blondie, Siouxsie and the Banshees, PJ Harvey, and Radiohead, Sophie and the Giant’s sound is uplifting and confident. Their catchy instrumentals paired with lyrics of substance are a refreshing contrast to much of the pop music out there, which often has generic lyrics that leave listeners struggling to connect with the artist. Sophie and The Giants, however, seem to speak directly to their listeners, pulling them deep into the emotions and experiences from which their songs were conceived.
The Seamonsters
Indie Pop
Sheffield based indie-poppers The Seamonsters are flamboyant and full of personality. Combining dreamy vocals, driving bass lines and 80s synth-pop sounds, the 5-piece have been dubbed “the indie Spice Girls” by none other than Fred Perry Subculture. Their latest single ‘How To Be Famous’ is a fun-filled, tongue-in-cheek commentary on the digital age and influencer culture, as the band sing “they don’t know they don’t have to be famous”. Having released their debut single single ‘Lost (and Found)’ in 2017, they have since played alongside Kate Nash, The Undertones, and Bill Ryder-Jones, with more tour dates expected to come soon!
All Girls Arson Club
Alt-Pop
Bought together by “a Lambrini-fuelled screening of Kathleen Hanna’s The Punk Singer'' and a “growing frustration with the (over)abundance of boys in bands'', riotous Sheffield duo All Girls Arson Club are cooking up a storm in the city's music scene. Writing songs inspired by tv shows and the general mundanities of everyday life, the duo have a knack for writing both witty and self-deprecating lyrics. Their most recent release, ‘Untitled’, is described by the band as “the soundtrack to ranting to your mates about relationships being frickin' wank sometimes, but we do it anyway coz we’re all suckers for love'', and sticks to their riot grrrl roots with sharp, driving guitars riffs and fluent vocals. All Girls Arson Club are one to keep an eye out for!
Potpourri
Alt-Pop
Having formed in 2019, purely to bag a performance slot at Lincolnshire’s Bingo Records Festival, Sheffield quartet Potpourri haven’t looked back since. Now, with a stream of singles under their belt - not to mention their debut album ‘First Dance’ released last year - the band have garnered a firm fanbase in Sheffield. Retro and feminine, their jazz-infused pop sound pulls together catchy bass hooks, uptempo saxophone and delicate harmonies, all working to create a beautiful sound!
Katie Pham & The Moonbathers
Soul / Pop / Jazz
Sheffield 3-piece Katie Pham & The Moonbathers are one to watch! Having released just two EPs and two singles since 2017, their observational ‘wallflower’ type songwriting, combined with luscious guitar and gentle vocals, have seen them burst onto the city’s live music scene. Their soulful, jazz-tinged pop sound is completely delightful and well worth a listen!
Coco Don’t
Grunge / Pop
Grungy synth-pop quartet Coco Don’t have made a name for themselves since the release of their 2019 single ‘Go Go Go’. Still the only single under their belt, ‘Go Go Go’ is almost a ‘fuck you’ anthem to an ex-partner, which the band say is a common theme in their songwriting. Also writing emotionally vulnerable tracks which the band see as “explanations” of complex emotions, good things are expected from the four-piece.