Two Good Ones: Finlay Leslie - Gypsy & The Cat

Finlay Leslie - Reality.

Background promo - Finlay Leslie makes up for what she lacks in height with a big voice and a markedly vast range of song writing inspiration, exceeding far beyond her years.  Drawing experience from break-ups, trust, love, being elected Prom Queen alongside her girlfriend and revealing what she would say to her twelve-year-old self, this gifted self-taught storyteller already has a wealth of experience at her song-writing disposal.

In her heart-breaking debut single “Reality”, Leslie showcases her poetic storytelling ability recalling times when a lack of belief in her music and herself almost led to giving up. The touchingly reflective “Reality” is released 18th April 2016.

Nineteen-year-old Finlay Leslie’s talents were discovered when quickly racking up an impressive 80,000 YouTube plays, providing an early indication of her raw song writing talents with distinctive versions and arrangements of well-known covers before posting incredibly well received live versions of her original compositions.

Finlay applies her own unique spin, stripping songs back to their bare bones, showcasing her captivating and honest vocals and emotive guitar playing that lashes more passionately than the tides against the iconic white cliffs of her home town of Dover.

Playing most of these UK Venues for the very first time supporting the likes of Blair Dunlop, Mishka Shubaly and Blackbeards Tea Party, Finlay is quickly drawing attention for her enticing intimate live performances.

Catch Finlay at one of the following shows this spring:
2nd April   Morecambe Platform                Supporting Blackbeard’s Tea Party
21st April  Oxford, The Cellar                     Supporting Luke Daniels
22nd April Birmingham, The Rainbow     Supporting Blair Dunlop
23rd April  Oxford, The Jericho Tavern    Supporting Blair Dunlop
25th May   Liverpool, Philharmonic Hall   Supporting Blair Dunlop
26th May   Chelmsford, Asylum                 Supporting Mishka Shubaly
27th May   Sheffield, The Greystones       Supporting Blair Dunlop

Tender and personal are two words that spring to mind with the song 'Reality'. A stripped back acoustic piece, with Finlay demonstrating her 'storytelling' abilities, there is an underlying maturity to this song. 'Reality' is released Monday 18th April 2016. Whoever quipped that "the only good thing to come out of Dover was the cross channel ferry" (old English joke) would be apologising big time now!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Gypsy & The Cat - I Just Wanna Be Somebody Else.

Background promo - “Change my brain and take my heart out. Guess you're doing fine without it.” — We all go through times when we wish we could just live another life, one without the troubles and sorrows of our own. This is an anthem for those with that longing for escape. The second single off their upcoming album, "I Just Wanna Be Somebody Else" follows up on the success of last month's "Inside Your Mind" which topped charts and got play listed around the world. Gypsy & the Cat are sure to continue winning over listeners on their mission to shower the world in glorious Australian indie pop.

Boasting ARIA and Hype Machine charting singles, three songs in the triple j Hottest 100, plus international chart and touring feats in places like Germany, Denmark and Sweden; Gypsy & the Cat and success are no longer just flirting with each other. They're shacking up and settling down. Champions of a distinctive style that’s continually influenced their contemporaries, the Melbourne duo have an unmistakable sound that’s been described as “the epitome of Australian indie-pop.” (Acid Stag)

This new stuff? There’s no doubt it’s Gypsy & The Cat. Roll call: punchy falsettos, walls of dreamy synths and a reason to dance? All present. Mixed by Dave Fridmann (Tame Impala, MGMT, Neon Indian, The Flaming Lips) it’s another sampling of the full-length album expected later this year. Spending a chunk of the last year in Japan to channel inspiration from a myriad of creative influences, "I Just Wanna Be Somebody Else" and "Inside Your Mind" indicate a new muse. A new era.

This is a good reminder that indie pop can still be pretty special. OK so we could split hairs on the specific genre, however it's still a fine song whatever box you want to put it in. Vocals are stand out, but then again so is the music, the above promo seemed over the top until I heard the song, one for the weekend.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------