Artists who defined 2020
December 2020
All storiesAbout to Break 2021: KennyHoopla
When KennyHoopla's 'how will i rest in peace if i'm buried by a highway' hit one million views on YouTube earlier this year, the industry got on its toe...
By Dork
Hype List 2021: Drug Store Romeos: "We're a bit of a nightmare, to be honest"
FFO The Orielles et al, Drug Store Romeos are the sound of a relaxed Sunday afternoon; a band to wrap yourself up and get lost in the loveliness of.
By Dork
Hype List 2021: Bree Runway: "I feel like I can conquer anything now"
If you're looking for an Actual Future Superstar on this year's Hype List, you could do worse than fix your gaze on Bree Runway. Dropping a year of stellar bangers, she's even teamed up with a living legend (MISSY BLOODY ELLIOTT!) - and she's only just getting started. Next year, she's out to change the game.
By Dork
About to Break 2021: Meet Me @ The Altar
What a year it’s been for bands. Can’t tour; can’t rehearse. Can’t record new music, unless it’s over Zoom. In a period that’s really thrown a spanner i...
By Dork
About to Break 2021: phem
With recent tracks and co-writes with the likes of G-Eazy, Machine Gun Kelly, Lil Tracy and iann dior, it would probably be quicker to list the people L...
By Dork
Down With Boring #0032: <strong>Xmas Special</strong>
It's the Down With Boring festive extravaganza, packed with Xmas crackers!
By Dork
November 2020
All storiesiDKHOW: "For my whole life, I've been told everything I wanted was impossible, but here we are"
Inspired by the sort of otherworldly musicians that stole his teenage heart, Dallon Weekes' biggest hope for iDKHOW was to introduce the likes of Marc B...
By Dork
BENEE: "2020 has been a bloody shitter"
A rare bright point in a pretty damn difficult year, BENEE's arrival has been a serotonin shot in the arm. With her debut album finally here, the future looks brighter already.
By Dork
Will Joseph Cook: "What do people call it, a quarter-life crisis?"
Feeling a bit glum? Will Joseph Cook has the answer.
By Dork
Check out Pillow Queens' Teenage Kicks playlist, feat. CSS, Be Your Own PET, Metric and more
When you load up Spotify, a great big chunk of the time you can’t think what to play, right? You default back to your old favourites, those albums and s...
By Dork
Here's everything you need to know about Seahaven's new album, 'Halo Of Hurt'
Back with their first full-length in six years, here’s everything you need to know about ‘Halo Of Hurt’ from Seahaven themselves.
By Dork
Down With Boring #29: <strong>Hype List 2021</strong>
On this week's Down With Boring, we’re going deep into our 2021 Hype List, highlighting some of the best new names for the year ahead.
By Dork
October 2020
All storiesBlack Foxxes: "Sometimes a band needs a breath of fresh air and a kick up the arse"
Since 2018, Black Foxxes have been through the wringer. Their second album 'Reidi' reigned in some of the cacophonies of their debut in favour of slick...
By Dork
Will Gould: "A lot of the themes with Salem are cute but deadly"
"The funny thing is that aliens landing wouldn't be surprising at this point this year," Will Gould laughs. "You'd just be like, 'oh, of course'." The t...
By Dork
Happy.: "We disguise pretty intense messages in upbeat-sounding songs"
Who doesn't experience imposter syndrome now and again, right? That awful feeling that you alone don't really know what you're doing, and shouldn't have...
By Dork
Black Foxxes: "We don't need that negative energy in our lives anymore"
With a new line-up and a new not-putting-up-with-any-shit attitude, alt-rock favourites Black Foxxes are taking things into their own hands.
By Dork
Bow Anderson: "I was 13 when I injured myself. I couldn't walk, I had to do physio"
Once tipped for trampolining stardom (yes, really), Edinburgh native Bow Anderson has hit her stride this year with a handful of irresistibly- retro pop tunes that couldn't have come from anyone else.
By Dork
Malady introduce themselves to the world with debut single ‘London, I Love You but You’re Bringing Me Down’
It’s a shimmering burst of nighttime-city vibes, released as a part of the Nice Swan Introduces series
By Dork
September 2020
All storiesJamie Lenman: "We all have dark moments, don’t we?"
Those romantic, carefree days of 2019, with Jamie Lenman in his bold red suit belting out his reimagined version of Cyndi Lauper's 'She Bop' or 'Hey Jud...
By Dork
The mysterious world of I Don't Know How But They Found Me
Grainy VHS footage? Check. Mysterious figures loitering in the background? Check. Sparkling pop jams with depth and meaning? Check, check and check. It's iDKHOW's time to shine.
By Dork
Fenne Lily: Life's a breach
Fenne Lily has accidentally made a record that’s very on-the-nose for 2020. Before anyone had even muttered “oh my god, what does self-isolating mean??” she holed herself up to pen an album that focuses on loneliness and mental health.
By Dork
Working Men's Club: "This mundane turn in British music is the most annoying thing"
Through line-up changes and delays, Working Men’s Club’s debut album has had a bit of a difficult birth - but it’s here now, and frontman Syd Minsky-Sargeant isn’t short of things to say.
By Dork
Pillow Queens: "There are songs that'll melt your face, and there are songs that'll melt your heart"
Punching their way out of Dublin with a riotous come-and-join-our-gang enthusiasm, Pillow Queens are cheering up a miserable year with their fight again...
By Dork
Millie B has launched a new video for hilariously barbed viral takedown, 'M To The B'
What a fuckin' racket.
By Dork
August 2020
All stories
Aluna's taking a stand: "You don't want to miss out on challenging yourself"
As one half of dance-pop sensations AlunaGeorge, Aluna has ruled the charts. Now it's time for her to break out on her own.
By Dork
The Lemon Twigs: "I'm not interested in making music for musicians"
Their second album told an oddball tale of a chimpanzee raised as a human boy, but with their new 'un, The Lemon Twigs are looking closer to home.
By Dork
Kid Dad: "Writing is the only way I can tell how I really feel"
German band Kid Dad's debut album is full of huge indie-rock singles. Packed with anthemic, unapologetic hooks ready to blast any lingering lockdown cob...
By Dork
Thousand Below: "This was a totally new experience for us"
If there's been one upside to the past few months of turmoil and learning to live with new rules, it's that many bands have gone out of their way to cre...
By Dork
September 2020 (Wallows cover)
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By Dork
6 headliners, 2 main stages - the first names have been announced for Reading & Leeds 2021
Here are all the men headlining Reading & Leeds next year.
By Dork
July 2020
All stories
Fontaines D.C.: "I'd be ok with the album not going down so well"
Think you know Fontaines D.C.? The Dubliners' second album sees them not just rewrite their own rulebook, but tear it up and throw it away.
By Dork
Dizzy: "I have an unhealthy awareness of death; I almost obsess over it"
Embracing life in their twenties, Dizzy's second album sees them offering up a warm comfort blanket of lovely, lo-fi bops.
By Dork
Hockey Dad: "A lot of the record is exploring getting older and facing changes"
Australian duo Hockey Dad - best buds, Zach Stephenson (vocals/guitar) and Billy Fleming (drums) - are embracing their early-20s with talk of getting ol...
By Dork
Fontaines D.C.: "If you liked who we were on our first album, if you were hanging on to it - that hero is dead"
A post-punk band going Top 10, then getting a Mercury Prize nod? With their debut album, Fontaines D.C. broke out in a way no one expected. Now it’s time for round two.
By Dork
Here's everything you need to know about illuminati hotties' new album 'FREE I.H.'
Songwriter and producer Sarah Tudzin tells us about illuminati hotties' fast-becoming-a-cult-fave second album, 'FREE I.H.'
By Dork
Trunky Juno's track 'It's A Trip' has been given a new remix by Summer Heart
He's hitting the road in January, too.
By Dork
June 2020
All storiesCasa Loma: "I felt I lost everything"
"People have been getting my name wrong all my life," laughs Nik Bruzzese; explaining why his solo venture, Casa Loma, isn't self-titled. But this proje...
By Dork
Vistas are saving a washout summer with an album chock-full of feel-good indie vibes: "Hopefully, it will be some sort of relief to our fans"
Prentice Robertson tells us more.
By Dork
Phoebe Bridgers: "It's more fun to be your entire self all the time"
With a cast of collaborations that reads like a who’s who of modern alternative music and a debut album drowning in a sea of critical acclaim, Phoebe Bridgers has finally delivered her follow-up, 'Punisher'. No matter what the world throws up, there’s no stopping her now.
By Dork
The Ghost Inside: "The accident showed us what this could be, what this means, and what this is"
As quick as a clap of thunder, life can change. Back in 2015, The Ghost Inside's world completely turned upside down when they were involved in a tragic...
By Dork
Here's everything you need to know about Protest the Hero's new album, 'PALIMPSEST'
Billed as “the most challenging record we have worked on” by guitarist Luke Hoskin, Protest The Hero’s new album ‘Palimpsest’ sees the Canadian four-pie...
By Dork
Speedy Ortiz' Sadie Dupuis has unveiled her second Sad13 album, 'Haunted Painting'
She's shared new single 'Ghost (Of A Good Time)', too.
By Dork
May 2020
All storiesPVRIS: Stay gold
With a new label and a fresh outlook, PVRIS are back with a third album - and this time, Lynn Gunn is taking the lead more than ever before.
By Dork
Palaye Royale: "Don't ever let one person's opinion get you down"
From film and TV, to books, to music, who doesn't love a world to get lost in? With their new album, Palaye Royale felt like it was time to craft their...
By Dork
Leeds supergroup Magick Mountain highlight local venues' fundraising efforts
With the world in a 'bit of a state' right now, it's more important than ever before to support the bands, venues, labels, and small businesses you love...
By Dork
Here's everything you need to know about Best Ex's new EP, 'Good At Feeling Bad'
With her new EP ‘Good At Feeling Bad’, Best Ex looks to balance the yin and yang of her life from the past two years - from the ups, to the downs, to th...
By Dork
Track by Track: Crossfaith’s new EP, ‘Species’
Vocalist Kenta Koie talks us through Crossfaith’s adventurous new EP, 'Species', from front to back.Digital ParasiteThis track was written by Kazu, Cros...
By Dork
Twenty One Pilots utilise 80s computers for their new 'Level Of Concern' lyric video
Twenty One Pilots have shared a new lyric video for 'Level Of Concern'.
By Dork
April 2020
All storiesDance Gavin Dance: "The only thing that we have to concentrate on is keeping it fresh"
Since day dot, Dance Gavin Dance have been a rapturous amalgamation of sounds rooted deep into every facet of rock, from hardcore, to melodic metal and...
By Dork
Buzzard Buzzard Buzzard: "We can just have fun, nobody needs to pretend they're cool…"
Welsh four-piece Buzzard Buzzard Buzzard are challenging with it means to be ‘rock’.
By Dork
About to Break: Reminders
Isle of Wight newcomers Reminders have 90s pop-punk coursing through their veins. Burger Records signees, the trio - Leo Dyke (vox/guitar), Theo Afsaria...
By Dork
The Pale White are drawing inspiration from lockdown: "I wrote a song called 'Cabin Fever'"
Catch the band at online festival Homeschool this May Bank Holiday weekend.
By Dork
IDER: "We were staying at a friend's place in Berlin, and both caught coronavirus"
Catch the band at online festival Homeschool this May Bank Holiday weekend.
By Dork
Grand Pax has announced her new EP, 'PWR'
She's shared the title-track, too.
By Dork
March 2020
All stories
Milk Teeth have been through it all, but with their new album they're back stronger than ever before
Line-up and label changes behind them, Becky Blomfield explains why the reborn trio's new album is too important to skip.
By Dork
Brian Fallon gets back to basics: "The idea of making a loud record, just didn't feel like it was working"
Brian Fallon is at a fork in the road as he releases his third solo LP, 'Local Honey'. His heady days rolling with Bruce Springsteen and pummeling festi...
By Dork
The Amity Affliction: "With this record, we've nailed it"
It's been seventeen years since The Amity Affliction burst onto the scene, and seven albums later they've explored change and been through the wringer w...
By Dork
The Chats: "We had a crack at some of the things that piss us off"
Having a quiet chat with The Chats isn't as easy as you'd expect. Not when one hell of a rainstorm is kicking off overhead. It might have once seemed th...
By Dork
Cable Ties: "The scene in Melbourne is incredible"
Guitarist Jenny McKechnie tells us about her new album.
By Dork
Empress Of has shared another new song, 'Love Is A Drug'
It's taken from her third album 'I'm Your Empress Of'.
By Dork
February 2020
All stories
Bombay Bicycle Club: Determined seekers of positivity in a world of doom
Having marked the end of their five-year hiatus with an anniversary trip down memory lane, Bombay Bicycle Club are learning to look forward. Reintroducing Jack, Jamie, Ed and Suren.
By Dork
The Big Moon: Back for round two
After a barnstorming debut album - and a Mercury nomination to boot - The Big Moon have returned with their second album. They’re better than ever before.
By Dork
Four Year Strong: "We've been going on a journey of, who am I?"
Somehow, it has been five whole years since Four Year Strong released their self-titled sixth album. But it’s not like they’ve really been away either,...
By Dork
Dune Rats: Aussie rules
It might be on the other side of the planet, but Australia punches big when it comes to its influence on our scene.
By Dork
The Orielles are set to burn this psychedelic disco down
Another night, another town.
By Dork
The Orielles - Disco Volador
A record that shows the heart and soul of dancing into the sunrise.
By Dork
January 2020
All stories
Gengahr: "It's healthy to remain ambitious"
Three albums deep, and Gengahr - with Bombay Bicycle Club's Jack Steadman in the production chair - are free to let their ideas bloom.
By Dork
Drug Store Romeos: "Trip-hop is an underutilised style"
Dream pop trip-hop Drug Store Romeos have just inked a record deal with Fiction Records.
By Dork
Sløtface: Love, heartache and family
"Why be good enough when you could be a success?" snarls Haley Shea on the very opening line of Sløtface's second record, her vocals isolated before the...
By Dork
Frances Quinlan starts her solo adventure: "I'm still worried it might fail, but it has to be a good thing"
Frances Quinlan's debut solo album under her own name, 'Likewise' isn't a rejection of her band and everything she's done before. Instead, it's an accom...
By Dork
Feet: "There's a big ol' crease wave coming, and you can bet we'll be riding it"
Catch up with Feet ahead of their upcoming support tour with Inhaler.
By Dork
Blossoms: "The moment you become comfortable, it’s not right"
It would be easy to see Blossoms as just another indie band, but that would be selling them short. Never pausing for breath, new album ‘Foolish Loving Spaces’ is a revelation.
By Dork
