‘Artist Rising’ is essentially a 21 track new music showcase promoted by The Band Agency, a non profit making organisation that aims to develop quality new & unsigned British bands through touring, education, releases, a website and more.

So that’s the pitch, now let’s talk about the music: it’s an eclectic mix that takes in pretty much everything from The Girls and Sound Explosion's scuzzy garage rock to Vib Gyor's skyscraping singer/songwriting; from Absent Kid's adrenaline-fuelled rock to the riot grrrl antics of The Fairies Band. All this and some brilliantly named bands with Amusement Parks On Fire and Peace Burial At Sea chief among them.

Unsurprisingly, the quality wavers: the aforementioned Absent Kid are excellent, Republic Of Loose sound like Level 42. Lazenby’s luscious ‘Circle Of Angels’ oozes sheer class, Dustin’s Bar Mitzvah ape The Libertines note for note.

Contenders, crooners and pretenders - they’re all here. Of course, only a handful of the acts featured here will develop, but ‘Artist Rising’ provides a truly decent snapshot of Britain’s musical underground. Buy, investigate, and support.

For more information about The Band Agency, 'Artist Rising', and a whole lot more visit www.thebandagency.com