I’ve been planning a new series for this blog a little while now, but it’s only just come to fruition. There are so many fresh, talented bands and artists that could use a bit of extra spotlight, so I thought I’d focus on them and why I’m hooked by what they’re doing.

So, the first to feature is Daisy Chains, a once-group-turned-solo act hailing from Lymington. Not only is the resulting raw indie vibe so essential to hear this summer, the four-track EP that recently dropped is also special for another reason. Frontman and now lone wolf, Brandon Toor, is a childhood friend; in fact, I’ve known him his entire life. He was a messy eater, the victim of many an afternoon of dressing up, and a youngster that always made me get involved in pretend sword-fights. Standard stuff. Prior habits changed somewhat when I moved to the north and he picked up a guitar – left-handed, I might add – and orchestrated many a group of lads into a band formation.

The current Daisy Chains has seen many members come and go, has gigged at the infamous Southampton venue, The Joiners, and taken a plethora of Instagram-worthy artsy promo shots. So, it’s well worth both an introduction and a proper presentation…

Toor’s Facebook and Twitter accounts have been teasing information and songs pertaining to the vibrant new EP, ‘Introducing…’, and it’s just begging to be picked up by major websites, radio shows and labels. The self-professed ‘deep south’ boy is true to both his age and outlook throughout the four songs, with dissidence and reckless abandon concurrent themes. The rebellion of youth has always been an awkwardly negotiated subject, but now it’s happily at the fore, and fuelling each track.

Its hugely relatable content is bound to be widely appreciated, but it’s ridiculously sugary and musically pleasing, too. The honest lyrics start in ‘Drug Pop’, the EP’s opener, and continue thereafter. The clarity of the instruments, from the solid drum beats to the typically shoegazy guitar riffs, shine through immediately; it has a fun feel to it, but you can really begin to absorb the underlying angst as well. It has late night summer anthem written all over it. Cleverly, it sounds like Hampshire – the brightness, the melody, the carefree nature, the easy-to-imagine beachside scene. ‘Lust’ is further evidence of this, with its two-fingers-to-the-world delivery.

My favourite has always been ‘Stay Young’, though, despite being spoilt with three other tracks. There’s a hopeful positivity in its catchy harmony, and I think the retention of youth will forever be a goal among humanity. The connection between being young and being happy is overt here, too, and it works so well. Plus you get some textbook indie-mod chords thrown in for good measure.

The jazziest number, ‘Honey’, deftly showcases Toor’s coarse but delicate vocals. It also has a particularly relevant, colourful video accompaniment to check out. The pace of the lyrics is impressive, together with their wistful edge, and the tinkling instrumentals sit with the steely guitar strings in excellent tandem.

It’s important to note how enjoyable this EP is, but also how amazingly it could adapt to being played acoustically. It’s begging to be heard at volume, so embrace it – and the feeling of being alive. The creativity is flowing and the music is sensational; be prepared to hear more in the near future.

Head to Facebook, Twitter and Instagram now, to find out more.

Please note: this is an older post that focuses on Brandon Rivers’ former monicker, Daisy Chains. You can see more about Rivers here. All image credits: Brandon Toor.