In this feature we ask mainstays of the indie establishment who they think will be the next big act to break.

This time we speak to electronica wunderkinds Kinobe.

Finding prominence with their chilled out euphoria in the late nineties, the group laid relatively low for nearly a decade following 2009’s Choose Your Own Adventure.

They returned last year with a handful of remixes for breakout track ‘Slip Into Something More Comfortable’, a move which “made sense” given their eventual slip into recording new original material, the band’s newfound vocalist Rich Hale tells TMR.

“We work very fast together,” they admit, “I guess because we share a lot of the same musical and media references - really just what we all grew up around and were into.” With a new EP, Thought It Was You, out now and more material incoming, they’re showing no signs of slowing – another EP and an album are both promised before the end of the year.

“It makes a difference,” Kinobe admit of their time away and refreshed line-up.  “It wasn’t at all contrived either; it’s just happened that way and it’s cool - like it should be. Releasing the new stuff has been great and we’re all itching now to get out and gig it.”

Below, the pioneers of ethereal electronica share their eclectic picks for the ‘next big thing’.

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LAUREL

Just released her first EP on Ninja Tune and her voice draws you instantly with its maturity and the complexity of tone. She could sing the back of a cereal packet and make you sit up. We like cereal. She’s only 22, looks great, sings great, writes great and she’s out on the road so check her out and go see her. Oh, and she’s from Southampton. We don’t know much about Southampton.



PAUL Y CARLOS

Cool, understated instrumentals. Elements of Kraftwerk, but with a sense of humour. There’s a lot of intelligence to the way they put their sound together. I think with a vocal it draws the ear so quickly, so there is a real skill in compiling an album of instrumental tracks that can absorb you from start to finish; and we can obviously relate to that. And with these guys, every track has these little surprises; either timing, melody, or just the choice of sound that just puts a smile on your face



WHITEY

He’s kind of dangerous and edgy, Whitey is akin to Lou Reed’s even more degenerate younger brother. Most people first became aware of him from his track 'Stay On The Outside' which was on Breaking Bad. He’s exceptionally prolific and just churns tunes. We met him when we were mixing Firebird with Stephen Hague down in Hastings and have been pretty impressed since.



Thought It Was You is out now and keep your eye out for further Kinobe material in the future.

-Tom Connick