Our friends at Criminal Records in the UK are making headlines again with a couple of very intriguing artist announcements.  First and foremost, The Kut has sold out their “Love Hate Vampire Shotgun System Circus” Tour AND is about to commence recording their debut album AND they have a new video AND…well that’s it but, needless to say we are pretty stoked about it.  Maha (lead vox/guitar), Fidan (drums/vox) and Alison (bass/vox) are on fiyah at present and we wish them nothing but continued success.  Can’t wait to hear the new stuff!

Speaking of new stuff, checking out the newest band to sign with CR is an absolute must. Argonaut is a 5-piece ensemble that hails from London Town and are criminally good in their own right.   Lorna (vocals), Abby (keys, guitar, vox), Nathan (guitar), Paul (bass) and Rob (drums) cite a variety of influences that have paved they way to a remarkably original sound…thankfully none of those influences was Englebert Humperdink!  But seriously folks, theirs is a sound awash in gritty guitars, driving drums, siren-esque vocals and just a hint of dissonant angst…very cool.

- Drago

artist: The Kut | genre: alternative, indie, rock | label: Criminal Records

Straight from our friends at Criminal Records, Froglix is stoked to present for your viewing and listening pleasure “Closure” from Britain’s The Kut.  Cool song, cool video, cool band…and I would suspect some cool chics to hang out with.

- Drago

Tune in and logon next week for more incredible indie music and mindless commentary from DMitch, Thurdeen and, of course, yours truly.

There is some exciting news coming out of the UK as we have just recently learned that Criminal Records recording artists The Kut are in discussions with the folks from the Rock Band video game to be included in a future release.  How cool is that?!?!?!?  If it all works out, and we certainly hope it does, Maha, Elvira and Jade could very well find themselves immortalized in video game lore along side other notable artists such as The Donnas, Rilo Kiley, Metric, The Sounds and No Doubt.  Negotiations are on going and a resolution is expected sometime this summer so stay tuned for updates.

- Drago

We round out 2009 with the Best of OuterSound.  It is a compilation of some (but not all) of the best indie music that has been delivered to the Froglix Faithful via our monthly OuterSound podcast and/or our global broadcast on Froglix Radio.  This first year-end edition could easily have been 2-3 times as long as it was very difficult to pick the songs for this episode.  We have, however settled on a final “Best of” list and it is, in order of appearance:

Rude City Riot (Vancouver, Canada), The Kut (UK), IM Munroe (Toronto, Canada), Treading Lemmings (Washington, DC), Lux Leopard (Sochi, Russia),  Everything Zen (Cleveland, OH), Mars Accelerator (Seattle, WA), Glue Factory (Long Beach, CA), Part One Tribe (Long Beach, CA), Cellarscape (UK), Artsy Pop (Paris, France), Black Knight (Australia), Nadine Loren (Los Angeles, CA) and Sharif (Los Angeles, CA).

Best of OuterSound – 2009

Has it been a month already? Apparently, it has! Time once again, boys and girls, for a new edition of Froglix Radio’s OuterSound Indie Music Podcast. This month we decided to forgo any type of quasi ghoulish marketing theme and stick with what we love…New Indie. True Indie. In this episode you will hear new music from: I M Munroe | Toronto, Canada Lux Leopard | Sochi, Russia 3rd Alley | Longbeach, CA The Kut | New Cross, England Glue Factory | Longbeach, CA Animal Filter | Atlanta, GA Rude City Riot | Toronto, Canada Souldier of Fortune | Dogbeach, CA Young Dread | Nashville, TN Nadine Loren | Los Angeles, CA

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We first heard about The Kut a few weeks ago from Sharon Charabi at Criminal Records, an indie record label on the rise in the UK.  Sharon had previously introduced Froglix to The Exits, another excellent English band on the same label earlier this year.  After some good natured  poking and prodding by yours truly, she was kind enough to give us a sneak peak at a couple of  A-side tracks from The Kut which are scheduled to be released “officially” next month…October 12th to be exact.  My first reaction after listening to “Doesn’t Matter Anyway” and “Closure” was “Wow.  I have to play these songs on Froglix!”  But, alas, I had to exhibit some patience while awaiting the final mix downs.  Thankfully, we’ve just recently been given the green light to include both songs as part of our global broadcast and are honoured to be able to share them with the Froglix faithful around the world!

The talented trio of Maha (Vox/Lead Guitar), Elvira (Bass) and Jade (Drums/Samples) lay down a matchless melodic vibe that oozes edginess and attitude from every pore.  If you’re looking for the 2nd of coming of The Go Go’s…keep looking because being an all-female ensemble is where the similarities with the aforementioned group end.  However, if you are in search of a true rock band and not a pop band trying to sound like one, then look no further because the Kut is just that…a rock band and a damn good one.   Take a listen and you’ll hear a myriad of alternative and indie influences all bonded together in a tight little package affixed with a nice red bow…or, perhaps, a shiny piece of barbwire may be more appropriate for The Kut!

-Drago