Ahoy Mateys: Rusty Shipp

Hailing from the city music created (Nashville TN if you didn't already know), Rusty Shipp are creating incredible music that has the ability to transport anyone back to the 1990s. With heavy and obvious influences from bands like Nirvana, the Foo Fighters and Queens Of The Stone Age, they create amazing riffs and that are laced with traces of lank hair and ripped clothes, almost as if they were handed to them by Kurt Cobain himself.

Their first and only EP to date, Hold Fast To Hope, can only be described as awesome and although their influences can be dated to 20 years ago, they are creating current music that is worthy of a place in today's rock charts.

With most bands, having a theme can be slight gimmicky. Looking at Lordi, Steel Panther and even Kiss to some extent, can convey a band who take their image more seriously than their music, however, Rusty Shipp's nautical theme is not reflected by their attire, but is hinted at in certain guitar riffs that feel like heavy sea shanties sang by pirates and sailors alike. 'Davy Jones Ain't Got Nothing On Me' is a perfect example of this. Mixing classic shanties with their inspirations proves that the guys know exactly what they are doing and deserve ways more than <1000 listens on Spotify.

We cannot wait to hear what Rusty Shipp have stored for the future and we wish them the best of luck for any projects they go to work on.

You can buy the band's EP and band merch from their Big Cartel page.

#TBT: March 26th

Classic rock is probably one of my favourite things in life, and on this day in 1986, one of my favourite vintage bands signed their record deal.

Guns N Roses are the epitome of classic rock and have creates some of the most iconic songs in general. Back in 1986, they were signing their contract with Geffen Records. An action that led to the creation and popularisation of songs like Sweet Child O Mine, November Rain and Paradise City. 

Slash is playing a set on the Sunday at Download Festival this year, and it will not be one to be missed!

Music Crush Monday: Pvris

A girl and two guys.

Nope, not Paramore, but Pvris. Lyndsay, Alex and Brian have appeared from nowhere and have created a huge stir in the indie and rock worlds.

The band are currently supporting Pierce the Veil and Sleeping with Sirens on the second US leg of their huge world tour and are then supporting Lower Than Atlantis almost immediately after for their sold out UK tour during April.

We hope to see the band on their own headline tour in the future and we can't wait to see them continue to dominate the rock charts.

Have a listen to their song St Patrick and let us know what you think.

5 Bands We Can't Wait To See This Year

We have been to some incredible concerts over the years and this year looks like it's going to kick their asses. We have some amazing tickets lined up, and some that we've unfortunately had to miss out on. Let us know which gigs you're planning on going to this year, we might even see you there!

5. Twin Atlantic

These Scottish beauties have gotten me through a lot over the past two years and after narrowly missing out on seeing them during their last tour, I have secured tickets to their UK tour in May. Get ready to sharpen your Scottish accents because this tour is going to be a belter.

Song I'm most looking forward to hearing live: Free

4. Lower Than Atlantis

The Watford pop punk quartet are touring the UK during April just in time to launch us all into the summer with their catchy lyrics and summery riffs. Get ready to sing your hearts out and dance your socks off!

Song I'm most looking forward to hearing live: Emily (obviously)

3. Crown The Empire

Okay, so this might not technically count because we have already been to see them, but we are hoping to see them again later this year. Possibly some of the nicest guys I've ever met and as an added bonus they create incredible music. Crown The Empire are one of my favourite bands to watch live and their often intimate gigs just make the atmosphere even better.

My favourite song to hear live: Makeshift Chemistry

2. Fall Out Boy

Returning to the UK this October after their incredible Save Rock And Roll tour last March, the guys are now touring with their new album American Beauty /American Psycho. Do they ever rest?! After last year's honestly emotional performance seeing the guys recover from technical difficulties and a gorgeous acoustic session that only the first 2 rows could really hear, I can't wait for another magical night.

Song I'm most looking forward to hearing live: Uma Thurman

1. Pierce The Veil

The top spot has to go to my favourite Mexicore rockers from San Francisco. I have been waiting for a very long time to be able to see these guys live and after securing presale tickets before Christmas, the very long wait is almost over. After watching their Yahoo live stream from the US last month, I am so excited to see what Pierce the Veil have to offer. They promise to put on an incredible show and I know they will live up to their word.

Song I'm most looking forward to hearing live: A Match Into Water

EDM Dreams: Miika Weimann

Positivity, inspiring lyrics and romantic promises. Not things you usually find in music these days, especially not in EDM, but Miika Weimann, otherwise known as Above Stars, is changing the face of electronic music slowly but surely. Taking inspiration from EDM geniuses like Owl City, Breathe Carolina and Avicii, he is not only working on his own music, but is also helping those who want to break into the music business.

Coming from a musical background, it is no shock that Miika has found himself creating music for a living. His father is a classical musician, his mother is a singer and his grandfather was also a classical musician and composer which he said has 'played a big part' in him wanting to pursue a career in music.

Creating music obviously came naturally to Miika, and he loves having the 'freedom to do whatever [he] wants'. He is not often found 'playing something someone else wrote' as he fully appreciates the chance to write his own material, unless he can find a way to inject his upbeat energy into another artist's track.

As well as working on music for his main project, Above Stars, Miika is also working on 'a side project for fun, that is completely different' from his EDM roots that we here at 4.3.5 cannot wait to hear. The positivity from his music honestly reflects Miika as a person. He is always looking for talented musicians to work with. It doesn't matter what their background is like, just as long as they speak English, Miika is interested. Being so flexible can only work in his favour, and he thanks the Internet for allowing him to connect and work with a multitude of musicians around the world. No matter the project, he always looks forward to making music.

He has promised us that his new music is even better than the last EP he released If The Sun Burned Out (which has now become my favourite EP to get me in the mood to party). If Miika can live up to his promise, get ready to fall in love with EDM again.

Giving up is not something Miika believes in, and he left us with some advice for everyone who wants to make it into the music industry: 'Practice hard, get help and study. If you are good at what you do and your dream is to do something with it, then never stop trying and pushing and being creative.'

You can download Above Stars' music here or check him out on Spotify. Miika is looking to work with artists from all over the globe, contact him to arrange a session.

Review: Smoke & Mirrors

It's been three years since Imagine Dragons bust onto the scene with Night Visions and it's delightful to hear from them again. Their light electro-pop vibes are here in time for the Spring and I can guarantee that at least one of these songs will become your summer anthem.

Just like Night Visions, a lot of the lyrics from the songs on Smoke and Mirrors are very deep which contrast beautifully with the chilled out aura they project, which makes this album perfect for both dancing around in a field and the angsty rages in teenage bedrooms.

I couldn't help but notice a slight shift away from the heavy drums used in their previous songs and a jump towards indie rock, with what sounds like influences from Jack White and The Black Keys. 'I'm So Sorry' sounds a lot like it would not be out of place if it was thrown into the middle of a White Stripes set. Don't get me wrong, their indie lightness is still there in places. 'The Unknown' makes you realise that yes, Imagine Dragons already had a strong sound set out in Night Visions and fully intended to bring these sounds into their second album, however, it is fully obvious that they have grown as a band and know their influences.

Imagine Dragons are touring in November and I can't wait to see what they do with this album. I loved the drum build ups and the staging that came with Night Visions and I really hope they do something similar for Smoke & Mirrors. A magic theme would be brilliant if you;re reading this lads!

Photo Credit: Eliot Lee Hazel