Press Releases

Metronomy and Ladyhawke announced as first controllers

One of the UK's hottest young menswear brands, Topman, will be launching a unique music platform, curated by some of the most exciting artists of the moment on Monday, March 2nd.

Entitled TOPMAN CTRL, it will be an ongoing monthly series in which some of the most innovative, edgy and emerging musical talent will be taking control of Topman’s music programme and revealing their own personal artistic passions in the process.

Each month a different ‘controller’ will curate live events in cities across the UK, featuring electric performances from up-and-coming live bands and djs. They will also take control of the Topman CTRL blog (www.myspace.com/topmanctrl) with their favourite tips, select a daily track for the page and maintain a ‘scrapbook’ of all things interesting and exciting to them. Weekly themes will expose the cultural passions behind some of the most original musicians around - music, film, fashion, art and more - treating readers to new and exciting discoveries each week.

Already confirmed as the first two Topman controllers are artists who have stormed the UK: Metronomy (March) and Ladyhawke (April).

British electronic 3-piece Metronomy received early acclaim as in demand remixers for the likes of Klaxons and Franz Ferdinand, but went on to release one of NME’s albums of 2008. Joe from Metronomy added "Topman CTRL will be a great chance for me to go out and see some bands that I really like. The best part is that I also get to force people to hear the music that influenced me, or at least force them to read about my influences. I plan to be in everyone's face for a month."

New Zealand’s own Pip Brown (AKA Ladyhawke) released her eponymous debut album last year to rapturous applause and has recently been nominated for an NME Award for Best Solo Artist. On her involvement with Topman CTRL, she commented, "I just want to share with people more of my personality than just the music I make - my favourite artists, photographers, musicians, films, books - and hopefully turn them on to something new and exciting in the process."

On the launch of this impressive initiative Topman Marketing Director, Jason Griffiths said:

"Topman CTRL is a unique new music series which reinforces our strategy of supporting young talent, both in fashion and music. After many years of successful music sponsorships, we feel that the time is right to launch our own platform. We will be handing over the reigns each month to an upcoming artist to bring our audiences closer to their favourite new bands. We are really excited to provide a window to their creative world and are looking forward to seeing what they come up with."

Topman CTRL key dates are as follows:

Monday, March 2nd: Topman CTRL launches with Metronomy

Wednesday, March 25th: Topman CTRL event curated by Metronomy at Hoxton Square Bar & Kitchen, London –Kamerakino, Your Twenties, Koko Von Napoo, Metronomy (DJ set)

Wednesday, April 1st: Ladyhawke takes CTRL

Thursday, April 30th: Topman CTRL event curated by Ladyhawke at The Deaf Institute, Manchester

To register for more information on Topman CTRL, go to: www.myspace.com/topmanctrl