Rising stars Picture Parlour pick their favourite new artist

(Credits: Far Out / Picture Parlour)

Musicians are music fans too, you know. In fact, if there’s really anyone’s opinions that should be taken when it comes to the names to note on the new music scene, it’s those embedded within it the deepest. As bands do the circuits, touring around local venues, festival stages and new cities, they get a front-row seat to all the other acts doing the same. Plus, all those hours spent in vans, on trains or waiting backstage means there is plenty of time to keep up to date with the best new releases. Picture Parlour certainly have.

Picture Parlour are storming the new music scene right now. In December 2022, they played their first-ever gig at Brixton’s infamous Windmill venue, where so many bands have been born. That show was so good and had the crowd so hyped that their booker asked them to come back again and again. By the time they’d finished a somewhat residence, word of mouth had spread far and wide of their big guitar sounds and their leader’s unique, swaggering vocals. Even before their debut single, ‘Norwegian Wood’, landed, they were being heralded as the new big thing, with a co-sign from Courtney Love. And ever since, they’ve stayed on top of their game, proving why they deserve that status.

But beyond their own music, the northern four-piece are a key played in the UK’s thriving scene of up and comers. For their first recommendation for their new favourite artists, they shouted out one of their peers. “One of our favourite new bands is Hot Wax,” their singer, Katherine Parlour, said, with the rest of the group agreeing. Bassist Sian Lynch chimed in, “We love Hot Wax. They’re the best; we always bump into them,” recalling the many festivals they’ve now played together, including supporting The Strokes at their All Points East date last year.

“They’re not really a new artist, but they’ve got new music coming out soon,” guitarist Ella Risi said as a disclaimer before recommending fellow Manchester-based musician Phoebe Green. “They’re releasing an EP soon, which I’m so excited for. I loved their most recent album.”

Another new album the band have been enjoying is recommended by their drummer, Michael Nash. “I’m addicted to the new Marika Hackman album,” he said, sharing his praise for Big Sigh, her self-produced fourth project, which sees her balancing introspection and intimacy with huge, orchestral sounds. “It’s really good, really, really good,” he added.

Beyond the world of rock and indie, the band also have a soft spot for alt-pop. “Chappell Roan, of course!” Risi chimed in, shouting out the theatrical pop singer that is swiftly storming to the very top. Her debut album, The Rise And Fall Of A Midwest Princess, secured her place as a rising star, while her latest hit ‘Good Luck, Babe’ seems to have fulfilled the prophecy in record time. Picture Parlour have been on board since the beginning, as they added, “Again, not new though. Everyone’s just late.”

Katherine Parlour’s other recommendation also falls slightly outside of the realm of ‘new’ but feels revived with new energy. “Fontaines [D.C.] have a new era going on,” she said, referencing the sharp change up in sound and aesthetic on their recent single, ‘Starburster’. She’s a fan of the switch as she said, “I’m into it. I’m buying into it.”

No doubt plenty of other acts would pick out Picture Parlour as their favourite new artist as their two singles, ‘Norwegian Wood’ and ‘Judgement Day’ are perfect slices of nostalgia-laced rock. With plenty more on the horizon, they seem set to keep climbing. And if good music is fuelled by good taste, their recommendations should be taken seriously.