See the day out while doffing your cap to some of Bristol’s musical greats with these mellow, chilled out tracks, spanning everything from trip hop and house, to folk and acoustic; from veterans of the city's music scene to exciting rising stars alike.
Portishead – 'Glory Box'
Arguably Portishead’s most well-loved song, ‘Glory Box’ is a bonafide moody feat, that goes arm in arm with the sulky later hours. The song found its rousing climax with a 1997 performance at New York’s historic Roseland Ballroom (as above), where you’ll see the band’s inimitable front woman Beth Gibbons taking sultry drags on her cigarette throughout.
Goan Dogs – ‘Running’
Goan Dogs are a desert rock five-piece from Bristol, whose music is textured with 'rich harmonies, infectious rhythms and a shade of the calypso sleaze’ – it’s the latter here that makes ‘Running’ a brassy late-night winner.
Tricky – ‘Aftermath’
Bristol native Tricky may have first cropped up as an early collaborator with Massive Attack, but it wasn’t long before his solo career gained momentum and spawned hits such as ‘Aftermath’, a brooding trip-hop track with sensual vocals from former girlfriend Martina Topley-Bird.
Kosheen – ‘Resist’
Kosheen were an electronic trio based in Bristol, whose 2001 debut album ‘Resist’ reached the number eight slot in the UK charts. This single of the same name features lead singer Sian Evans’ signature folky vocals set against a steady trip hop beat, a combination that’s perfect for easy listening in the dark hours.
This Is The Kit – ‘She Does’
The alias of British musician Kate Stable, This Is The Kit is an alternative folk project that splits its time between Bristol and Paris. Debut album ‘Krulle Bol’ was released back in 2008 after being worked on in Bristol by long-time PJ Harvey producer John Parish, and ‘She Does’ is one of the best tracks to kick back to with a late-night brew.
Smith & Mighty – ‘Same’
Take a trip down trip-hop memory lane with Smith & Mighty’s ‘Same’, one of the Bristol group’s moodier down-tempo classics featuring vocalist Tammy Payne.
George Ezra – ‘Barcelona’
BIMM alumnus George Ezra is one of Bristol’s biggest recent success stories, with his debut 2014 album ‘Wanted On Voyage’ nominated for a Brit award. Possessing a rich voice that sounds far more mature than his years might suggest, he's able to harness the vocal gusto in upbeat tracks such as 'Budapest', whilst also streamlining the powerful tone into delicate, easy-listening music like ‘Barcelona’.
Up, Bustle and Out – ‘Coffee At Senor Roody’s’
Up, Bustle and Out’s sound is a powerful fusion of jazz, hip-hop and funk that takes on various Cuban and South American influences, and while ‘Coffee At Senor Roody’s’ – released on 1994 album ‘The Breeze Was Mellow’ via Ninja Tune – may be one of their simplest instrumental tracks, it functions as a lesson in what happens when you marry a pure hip hop beat with jazz.
Julio Bashmore – ‘The Moth’
One of Bristol’s most popular recent exports, Julio Bashmore is a heavyweight of the ever-prevailing house scene. While the producer is known for dancefloor anthems, 'Battle For Middle You', ‘Au Seve’ and, more recently, ‘Holding On’ and ‘Knockin’ Boots’, he’s also able to diffuse the hyperactivity more often associated with the house genre to create more mellow tracks such as ‘The Moth’.
Oliver Wilde – ‘Play & Be Saved’
Signed to Bristol’s celebrated alt label, Howling Owl Records, Oliver Wilde is a singer, songwriter and producer, whose lo-fi blend of folk, fuzz and electronica makes for a poetic, hazy wind-down at the end of a day.
Like this? Check out these five Bristol bands that didn't receive the attention they deserved.