Avenue61 is a leading indie music site that specialises in album and gig reviews, breaking new bands, publicising events, and exclusive interviews with the leading cutting edge acts in the alternative music scene. Avenue61 covers a wide range of artists – some you would have heard of, some you won’t. Artists the site has reviewed recently include the Fleet Foxes, MGMT, Noisettes and Ladyhawke. The site is updated regularly so come back to catch up the latest news and reviews from the bleeding edge of the alternative music scene.

Ok, so first off I must iterate the fact that this particular run down is in no particular order, nor is it a definitive list of the best British record labels of all time (as if such a breakdown could ever be truly quantified). It is simply a list of some personal favourites within the British...MORE>>

Colourful, energetic pop duo Mini Viva may be a name already familiar with many of you, from their first infectious single ‘I Left My Heart In Tokyo’ (backed up by NME naming it “The Catchiest Single of 2009”). They are now back with an equally addictive pop nugget, ‘I Wish’ and a new album, eager to imposed their relentless dance-pop on the nations ears – which will no doubt stay there for at least a week after.

With a website, MySpace and music videos full of fancy clips and exciting photo shopped images, Mini Viva look as though they don’t need our help and have already made it, it’s hard to believe they have only had one single. An unlikely duo, i.e. not Girl’s Aloud or Saturdays wannabes, Mancucians Frankie and Britt have their own look and stand out from other pop acts, increasing their appeal and

making them intriguing to listen to and watch. In both of their music videos they have a variety of outfits, all which clearly young girls will be too keen to emulate, and therefore provide a refreshing change to short skirts and low tops sported by other girl bands.

In the video for ‘I Wish’ the girls can be seen injecting some of their happy bubblegum pop into boring and dull buildings along New York streets, representing what their fun music brings to monotonous life. More of a ballad than the first single, yet not a stereotypical pop ballad, ‘I Wish’ still has the obligatory dance backdrop, which echoes the current pop climate -minute – such as number one tracks by Calvin Harris, Dizzee Rascal and Tinchy Stryder, Mini Viva perhaps have noticed this and are trying to create a number one track of their own. Although the ballad/pop song combination may be slightly different from stereotypical pop, they still have the staple requirements such as the ‘Whoah’ to sing-a-long to and the break down three quarters of the way through where the song becomes slower and more dramatic, before launching itself back into the full on assault of a sugary dance whirlwind. ‘I Wish’ is a song easy to pick up, like all great pop should be, easy to dance too and sing to but also easy to let slip into the background at points.

Working with hits factory Xenomania, who have worked previously with Girls Aloud, Sugababes and Sophie Ellis Bextor, Mini Viva seem to be on the right jelly tot road to stardom and commercial success. Look out for the release of their new album at the end of this month.