'Battle of the Bands' and 'School of Rock' Another busy month for the local labels here in Leicester, Sorted Records are running a ‘Battle of the Bands’ night at the Attik every Tuesday. The winners will be decided by the audience on the night, so get down there and exercise a bit of people power! There will also be a 4 track 7” featuring each of the bands that win the individual nights. Latest news was that Sorted were still searching for a couple of bands to perform. So, if you're in a band or sing solo in or near to Leicester, send an email to sortedrecords@hotmail.com or demo (PO box 5922, Leicester, LE1 6XU).
 | | ButterflyPolite chill-out |
Meanwhile, for the younger wannabe rock stars out their, the Charlotte is running a 'School of Rock' competition with a top prize of £1000 of equipment for the winners' school. Check out their website for details by clicking on the link at the top right of the page. Don's make international mag cover cd. Meanwhile, congratulations to Sorted aficionados Don’s Mobile Barbers for their inclusion on the latest ‘Comes with a Smile’ magazine cover disk. You can check out the band for yourself on 7 July. at the Charlotte with ‘A Million Billion’ aka. Ryan Smith from ‘The Silent League’. Ryan is also working with the band whilst in England; his pedigree is indisputable having previously remixed for Public Enemy and Block Party. Should be one to watch! ButterflyPolite's relaxed summer soundtrack If laid-back honeyed vocals and chill-out music is more your scene, check out ButterflyPolite at the Musician on 23 June, showcasing songs from their forthcoming album. Lead singer Sarah Marshall’s melancholic, often haunting voice is intertwined delicately with the band’s off-beat lyricism and tantalizing arranged melodies. Support comes from Dan Kijowskic. Pre-Glasto gig for local stars Sonic Audio One of local music’s best kept secrets must be dance-indie collective Sonic Audio.
 | | Ambrose Tompkins - core listening |
The band are all in their twenties and have spent recent months touring with the Original Happy Mondays line up, including Shaun Ryder and Bez! With a headlining slot on Glastonbury’s Leftfield stage and the year ahead focussing on their own material, Sonia Audio should have a stellar 12 months ahead. You can check out the band’s sound yourself, described as a cross between the Chemical Brothers and the Rolling Stones at an exclusive pre-Glastonbury warm-up gig Monday 20 June at Revolution bar. Ambrose Tompkins Mini-tour Finally, firm favourites Ambrose Tompkins are embarking on a mini-tour with the first two gigs taking place in Leicester. You can see them supporting Mark Eitzel from seminal San Francisco outfit American Music Club at The Charlotte on Friday 3 June. Keep in touch with all your latest news: email your info and pix to leicester@bbc.co.uk or use the form below... | 
