Hi, my name is Robert Leedham, I study Politics and International Studies at Warwick University, I am the editor of the Beanzine Entertainment Channel and I’m a blog virgin. Don’t worry though, if you’re gentle with me on my first time then I’m sure we can both enjoy the ride. Having pushed the innuendo as far as it will go, let me jovially welcome you to my first Beanzine Blog. Over the coming months I hope to amuse and inform in equal measure as your guide to the wide world of entertainment.

Over the coming month on the channel we’ve collated all your votes on our varying polls for the Beanzine Entertainment Awards 2008 so in anticipation I thought I’d whet your appetites for some annual retrospective action by naming some of my favourite musical treats that may have slipped under your radar. As a self confessed (music) geek I’ll be handing out extra nerd points for any commentors who can claim to share any adulation for the following bands.

1. The Hold Steady (Myspace) – My love for this band knows no bounds. By taking a dollop of Springsteen, a dose of Strummer and a delightful smidgeon of Morrissey, their music and lyrics come together to perfect effect.

2. Glasvegas (Myspace) – Believe the hype. James Allen can lift you up to euphoria and break your heart within the same song. Invest in the upcoming Christmas edition of their self titled album and you’ll be treated to 6 new yuletide themed tracks.

3. Tokyo Police Club (Myspace) – If you like The Strokes, you will adore Tokyo Police Club. Their debut album arrived to little fanfare this year, don’t let it become a forgotten gem.

4. Friendly Fires (Myspace) – Harking back to the boogie nights of The Bee Gees, Marvin Gaye and James Brown, Friendly Fires offer up indie with a romantic twist. You catch them live tearing up the NME Awards Tour in the early months of 2009.

5. Laura Marling (Myspace) – Forget K.T. Tunstall, Dido and Katie Melua. Laura Marling is the real deal when it comes to British female singer songwriters. So shy she refuses to have her photo taken without fellow band mates, unfortunately she won’t be leaving the spotlight anytime soon.

So there are a few of my choice picks. If you’ve got any of your own feel free to post them below. Until next time…