When I was just a lowly BC writer I was trawling through the un-reviewed CD database and found several interesting sounding albums by unknown — and I would later learn unsigned — bands (The Ruse and American Princes - both bands later became Band of the Week). I agreed to review their CDs and I was astounded by both CDs and knew I had found something special.

The more investigation I did the more I came to realise that those two bands weren’t flukes. There were loads of unsigned bands or bands signed to indie labels that deserved all the attention they could get. Really good music made by talented, enthusiastic artists. Albums and EPs that sounded professional and well produced but in some cases – The Ruse – had been made in the drummer’s closet. So when I was made the Assistant Music Editor the first thing I wanted to do was create a forum for indie bands, a place where they could be heard by a wider audience and Band of the Week was born. It has been more challenging than I think anyone could have known and I have loved almost every minute of it.

So I have chosen five of the best indie bands, featured in Band of the Week, for the year 2006. They have been chosen for more than just their talent and sound, they have also made it onto my list through sheer determination and hard work. For having that true indie artist spirit.

I obviously couldn’t pick ALL my favourite Bands of the Week (there have been so many) and the five I did choose were a struggle to separate from the pack. With so many incredibly talented, hard working, interesting bands, choosing five was almost an exercise in futility but I did eventually decide. However there are two honourable mentions. Two artists so good I couldn’t leave them off altogether.

Aaron McMullan

Aaron’s has one of those distinctive personalities, you’re not quite sure if he is a brilliantly clever artist — in which case you know you’re standing in the presence of future greatness — or he is completely and utterly off his nut and just covers it well. Aaron is a multitalented young lad. Not only does he put out his wildly successful net records (free) but he is also an award winning filmmaker – if you haven’t yet seen Aaron’s beautiful, touching, hilarious film Cliddyplomp I suggest that you do so immediately – and has his own, highly-infrequent but dangerously funny podcast with a loyal, cult-like following. I could go on forever about his multitude of James Joyce-esqe ramblings here on Blogcritics.org. And he is currently writing –- from his home in the deepest, darkest Northern Irish country side — the great American novel.