I had the pleasure of playing keys on the new record from The Cape Race, which you can download for free here. Enjoy! It was recorded by Peter Miles, who recorded my new (unreleased) album and Have You Got Heart?, as well as bands like Futures and The King Blues.

This is Holly Partridge. Not only does she smear cake all over her boobs on a daily basis, but she also makes great music. I’m currently playing piano for her in Devon, where she’s recording some tracks with Peter Miles (the guy who recorded my last album). The songs we’re recording sound like Katy Perry. I love Katy Perry. I am basically in musical heaven. My drummer, Tom, is playing drums. He is laying down the law.

Anyway, check her out on MySpace, follow her on Twitter, and generally become her friend. She is going to be massive, mark my words. 

Futures - The Holiday. Whilst the big release on most people’s lips this week has been Miss Goulding, I’ve personally been all about the debut record from Futures, the band formed from the ashes of Tonight is Goodbye. I first met Futures when I went down to Peter Miles’ studio in Devon in the summer to begin recording my album. Back then they were finishing off this release, and now it’s finally seeing the light of day.

The Holiday contains seven tracks (an EP? Mini album?) of pop-rock joy. If, like me, you’ve heard Futures mentioned in the same breath as You Me At Six et al, forget all of that. This offering has far more in common with the melodic rock of Jimmy Eat World and newer Taking Back Sunday, possibly with a bit of The Rocket Summer feel-good factor thrown in for good measure, albeit without Bryce’s love-it-or-hate-it girly squeal. Good, solid pop-rock with a fun, dance-y, upbeat tinge.

The best thing about The Holiday is that you get it for free with Rock Sound Magazine this month, so if you’re wandering past a WHSmith in the next few days, you should nip inside and grab a copy. You can have a listen to Futures on their MySpace or check out the video for The Boy Who Cried Wolf on YouTube.