New acts on the block - the ones to watch

Marcus O'Dair, host of Independent Music Radio, introduces five of the best new acts

Story of the song: Sit Down, James, (1989)

Label: Rough Trade

Music & Me: Yan of British Sea Power

The first record I bought was? The Wurzels’ “Combine Harvester” from Natland Village Hall jumble sale, in Kendal. Strange how fate works as British Sea Power had a lovely tug of war behind Shepherds Bush Empire with The Wurzels a few years later.

Album: Bauhaus, Go Away White (Cooking Vinyl)

Original architects of the goth-rock aesthetic, Bauhaus established a look and a sound that has sustained over a quarter of a century, all the way through to the likes of Marilyn Manson.

March Gig Guide

Dead Meadow Cardiff Clwb Ifor Bach, tonight; Brighton Freebutt 8 March Drummers say it’s harder to groove at slow tempos, but DeadMeadow – Sabbath and Zeppelin-influenced purveyors of gargantuan stoner rock – are masters of the art. Current album Old Growth is as headnod inducing as the hippest hip hop, the beardy Washington DC-formed trio cooking up a mysticism and magic-imbued stew on nuggets such as “What Needs Must Be”. Jason Simon’s low-mixed vocals, more indie slacker than priapic rocker, are the twist.

Cut Off Your Hands, Barfly

Auckland quartet Cut Off Your Hands’ singer Nick Johnston has gained himself something of a reputation for onstage wildness, breaking his leg after falling offstage at a London gig – and carrying on anyway. But tonight, aside from whirling around the mic stand, Johnston leaves the antics to his audience as their energetic pop punk drives the crowd into a frenzy.

Dance now channels the energy of Eighties rave through punk's attitude

Label profile: Skint Records

“Fuse dance and rock.” These historic words were to be the launch pad for Skint Records. They were given as a recommendation to Norman Cook - aka Fatboy Slim - by Damian Harris, one of Skint’s founders who knew Cook from their days working in a Brighton record shop. At the time Harris was working at Loaded Records, Cook was deejaying in Brighton.

Day In The Life: Billy Grant, MD of 2Point9

6amI wake up and reply to e-mails in the hour until my lively son, Elias, comes in and jumps on my head. Luckily, I don’t need much sleep! I used to go to the gym but we’ve just moved house and my company 2Point9 is busy so that’s gone out the window. At 7.30 me, my wife – Aisling –andElias head downstairs to have a bit of breakfast and chill out before the builders arrive.

A simple solution to the copyright debate?

Alison Wenham, Chairman and Chief Executive of AIM, rounds off this month's edition of Music Magazine