Background from the band - We made a record about you. Yes, you read that right. In a time of disconnect and increased alienation of the individual, the band wanted to make a record that emphasised the singular stories that we all have and share as human beings. What personal story was life-changing for you? How would it come to shape and refine you? What would make your lead headline? Your front page? All of the songs on this record were inspired by personal stories and were utilised as a method to reconcile those feelings of estrangement. It was an attempt to bridge those feelings of isolation that seemingly contradicts a shared environment where people are literally living on top of each other. Drug abuse, mental and physical illness, violence and love – all of these things impact us individually, but when seen as an amalgamation – is the totality of human history. So, we’re here. And we’ll continue to listen to your stories because they inspire us. Thank you for being our muse. Full album releases on September 30th.
'The Leaf House' is a rich alt rock song, with thoughtful lyrics and enough grit and energy to stand out. It's my introduction to the band and a fine one at that. Find out more about Adult Future on their website here.
Background - Jen Baron is a songwriter and producer from Santa Barbara, CA. Her work can be seen in multiple films including Sharon Stone's, Femme. She has worked with some of the industry's top song writers.
She is also the Executive Director of Girls Rock SB, a non-profit organisation that empowers girls through music education, creative expression and performance. More about Girls Rock here.
This song was written and produced by songwriter Jen Baron and sang by recording artist Sophie Rose for the demo
'Til I've Got You' suggests that Jen Baron has a very natural flair for writing intimate and intriguing songs. The production brings the best out of the musicians and vocalist, giving the song that little extra edge. It's also provides me with an opportunity to mention Girls Rock (link above), which is a pleasure.
Background - Nashville singer-songwriter Carey Ott has just dropped his new album Nocona, which follows up the acclaimed Lucid Dream (released by Dualtone Music), 2010’s Human Heart and 2012’s Muddy Water. The album features contributions by a group of Nashville friends and stalwarts that includes Will Kimbrough, Cage The Elephant co-founder Lincoln Parish and Dualtone recording artist Rebecca Roubion.
Ott, who grew up in Ottawa, Illinois, moved to nearby Chicago in the mid-90s where he fronted the band Torben Floor. The group recorded albums with esteemed engineers Steve Albini and Brian Deck and toured nationally before calling it quits in 1999. The breakup allowed Ott to concentrate on his solo career, which found him relocating to Nashville, and has yielded the Uncut Magazine-acclaimed 2006 album Lucid Dream (released by Dualtone Music), 2010’s PopMatters recommended Human Heart and 2012’s Muddy Water, which WRLT radio described as "a landscape of musical soul, grit and passion."
Ott’s songs have been featured in episodes of Grey’s Anatomy, Private Practice and The Gates, as well as the feature films The Killing of John Lennon and 37. Other commercial placements include ads for Coors Light, Piraeus Bank and Burton Snowboards.
Nocona (No-koh-nah), a Comanche word meaning “The Wanderer,” refers both to a small town in Texas and a song that Ott co-wrote with fellow Nashville musician Ryan Culwell, who was actually born in Nocona, Texas, a town which Ott has never visited but feels a spiritual connection to.
Carey Ott’s Nocona, an album inspired by a sleepy North Texas town of barely 3,000 people, is a collection of ten songs – co-produced with Neilson Hubbard – that play like a roadmap through an amalgamation of emotions and themes. Opening track “Nocona (High Hangin’ on a Limb)” (which has already received airplay on Lightning 100, Nashville’s Independent Radio) explores leaving small towns for big dreams; “Til the Well Runs Dry” is a lighthearted and fun song about lust; “Cosmic Joke” asks listeners to learn to laugh, love and live without taking life too seriously; “Speed of Love” is about healing and slowing down enough to appreciate the good that’s all around us; “We Are a Circle” talks about the eternal thread of love that connects all of us.
'Nocona (High Hangin' On A Limb)' is the first of ten tracks on the recently released album. It's a good representation of what is a high quality selection, of Americana and alt rock songs. Carey's music does not follow any one format, the one consistent feature for me are his vocals, the rest is left to discover, song by song.
Background promo - Friday just gone and indie twosome Tammy release their latest single, "Away For The Weekend". Of the track, the band says, "'Away' is one of the first songs we ever played together. When we would play it at shows we'd always say we were playing our future hit single... In the Tammy repertoire, we break most of our songs down into the categories of love songs, hate songs, and songs about making out.. this one, written before we conceived of those designations, doesn't fit so neatly into any one of them. The subject is in love but it's a hopeless kind of love, and in the end we dont get the feeling that it's come to fruition."
Members Aaron and Brooke, who met for the first time at a New York bar called Ioana, possess the kind of undeniable chemistry that brings to mind some of the most beloved American folk duos, like Simon & Garfunkel and Dylan and Baez. Aaron’s bouncy acoustic riffs provide the perfect backdrop for Brooke’s sweet yet sultry, honey-soaked vocals, giving Tammy its truly original and unforgettable sound.
Influenced by everyone from Burt Bacharach to Nirvana, both Aaron and Brooke began developing their musicality at the age of four. Now, asTammy, they draw inspiration from their experiences as New Yorkers. And as Brooke puts it, “We can’t wait to keep singing and writing songs about love, hate and making out.” Website here.
I featured Tammy back in early July and their new song 'Away For The Weekend' really is deserving of a share. This is a slower piece, however the hallmarks of fine vocals, melody and just right music, is all there.
Background - SALT’s intoxicating blend of high-energy, narrative-driven rock’n’roll began to take shape in the summer of 2014 as the five-piece came together to “drink milk and play music”. Milk swiftly drunk, the band turned their attention to the music, forging an exhilarating take on alternative rock, melding elements of Kings of Leon, My Morning Jacket, The Killers and Pearl Jam into a standalone, stadium-ready sound. The youthful outfit’s rapid ascent belies their short lifespan, as they’ve accumulated an avid fan-base to pack out sweaty gigs in their home town of High Wycombe and beyond, as well as having recorded live sessions for BBC radio, enjoyed prime billing at a number of summer festivals and even cut tracks at Abbey Road Studios after emerging triumphant from an online competition. “If The Beatles were bigger than Jesus, then we might just about be on a par with Ant-Man,” says singer Frankie with tongue-in-cheek modesty. SALT may be temporarily under-the-radar but it won’t be that way for long — like the miniature Marvel hero, they pack an almighty punch. SALT are: Frankie Lord, vocals; Jack Reynolds, guitar and backing vocals; Ryan Morritt, guitar and backing vocals; Sam Brookland, bass; Dean Ward, drums.
Directed by Peter Roe with Jesse Llande as director of photography, the striking, stylish video to SALT’s ‘Don’t Look At Me That Way’ frames the band in smoky, atmospheric monochrome, before surreal visual cutaways pair with flashes of colour that soon submerge proceedings in something of a neon storm. It’s a powerful presentation in-keeping with the tenor of the song, a ballad of longing for a distant partner who’s far away from home. Pealing guitar gives way to a crunchy, skittering grunge progression and a rollin’ and tumblin’ rhythm that underpins singer Frankie Lord’s stirring verses and anthemic, arms-aloft chorus, which he emphatically guides to its lung-busting climax. “The song is about a dream,” says Frankie, “where you wake but the dream was so vivid you can't help but attach real emotion to it.” There’s real emotion to ‘Don’t Look At Me That Way’ all right, conveyed here in masterful sound and vision.
Live: Saturday 24 September: Musicians Against Homelessness Festival, Newport Pagnell, Buckinghamshire Friday 30 September: The Troubadour, London SW5 (acoustic set).
The video may be stylish and a little intriguing, however it's the song that really gets me. 'Don't Look at Me That Way' is a really fine rock song. Maybe indie or alt rock, who cares, the musicianship is superb no nonsense rock'n'roll and the vocals are just right for this type of song. I look forward to hearing more!
Background - "Persistence is the key ingredient when it comes to the story of Miniature Tigers. Originally started as a bedroom project by front-man Charlie Brand in Phoenix, Arizona in 2006, the band has since released 4 studio albums, toured the planet and cultivated a cult base of die hard fans through their constant output of brilliantly written records. Early albums such as Tell It To the Volcano and Fortress garnered them critical acclaim from the likes of Pitchfork, NPR and Stereogum while later albums such as Mia Pharaoh and Cruel Runnings (recorded in Jamaica) sent them on more futuristic indie-pop realms, garnering support from Neon Gold and festival appearances at Lollapalooza, ACL, Fun Fun Fun, and international touring with multi-platinum act Fun.
Like many bands after nearly a decade of hard work and moderate success, Charlie Brand started considering his future. He started an exciting buzz-worthy project with close friend Jeremy Malvin (Chrome Sparks) called Promises Ltd. , wrote and produced for other artists such as rapper Skizzy Mars and after a long relationship came to and end, naturally he turned to what he always turned to….and the output took shape in what eventually would become Miniature Tigers 5th LP.
“I Dreamt I Was a Cowboy was written after the end of a long relationship. I wanted to leave those recordings intentionally raw to maintain the feeling of that time. I wanted it to feel clear and immediate.” As the “demos” came together, it became evident that the recordings were actually album cuts. “I spent a few months couch surfing with friends in Texas and New York before eventually moving to Los Angeles. Many of the songs on the record were written and recorded while I was living on someone’s air mattress. This album felt so specifically personal that when it came time to finish I decided to not re-record anything in a studio and to just mix and master it myself. ”
The end result is a 5th album jam packed with the excitement and energy of a debut album…but with the mastery that can only come from a seasoned writer like Brand, where the lessons learned and scars bourn from a life dedicated to music are not in this case in vain but celebrated in the mastery of expression in it’s truest form.
'Crying In The Sunshine' is from the forthcoming album, "I Dreamt I Was A Cowboy" due 28 October. It's a smooth alt rock song with the quality and production you would expect from a band with their experience. Vocals and music are refined and energised in what is a hook laden piece.
Background from Indiia - We are INDIIA a new act from Stockholm Sweden and we just dropped our debut single “Sunny Day”. Would be humbled if you wanted to post the tune on Beehive Candy.
It's useful (to say the least) if bands/artist or their agents at least forward some background details and information, however the above is all I received from INDIIA and in fairness I quite like 'Sunny Day' so why not just feature it and be done! -- It's a lively indie pop song, see, I can be minimalist to!
Background promo - “Beautiful Life” emits the purest pleasure, Kristin Bigness’s vocals fully capturing the spectrum of happiness depicted in the lyrics. “Let go,” she sings, “We have a beautiful life.” Surrounded by a full band comprised of her husband and long-time friends, Kristin and the rest of The Bigness pay perfect tribute to the 70's greats who inspired them. Truly a work of love, “Beautiful Life” is a refreshing, positive sensibility in Rock.
The Bigness draws its inspiration from the greats, such as Patti Smith, Neil Young and many others, and has been compared to a modern-day Fleetwood Mac. Lead singer Kristin Bigness delivers a soaring yet sultry vocal on a bed of screaming guitars and pick-driven bass plucking, all woven around rock drums. From its modest beginnings as Kristin’s solo project, The Bigness has evolved into a leading-edge indie rock ensemble with an international sensibility and obvious undertones of the 60s and 70s. Consisting of Kristin’s husband, John Bueno, on lead guitar and long-time friends, Stephen Maurer and David Kovach on bass and drums respectively, The Bigness fire s on all cylinders as a sleek, well-tooled, customised vehicle that drives and delivers Kristin’s delicious vocals. Website here.
Leaving the above mentioned inspirations and comparisons aside 'Beautiful Life' suggests to me that The Bigness can deliver their own songs to a very high standard. There is enough natural edge and grit in this song, that the band can rightly call their own and Kristin's vocals work wonders around the soundtrack.
Background - Long Beach trio Oblio have perfectly captured the sound and cynical nature of ’90s alternative rock as they take on “party culture” in their ironically festive single, “Weatherman.” “Weatherman” is the new track from Oblio’s upcoming record, Autophobia. Centered around a character who suffers from the morbid fear of being left alone with one’s self, Autophobia is due out in September, 2016. More information on Oblio and Autophobia is available on the band’s official website.
According to Oblio, “Weatherman” is an exercise in irony in that it is a critique of “party people” that sounds very much like the type of rousing tune they might blast during their most excitable gatherings:
“The protagonist of Autophobia ventures out to social gatherings and tries to connect with friends. After meeting a girl at her party, he muses on his disenchantment of being sociable towards people who gossip, engage in small talk, and masquerade as friends. He then convinces her to leave the party with him. It’s meant to be a fun party song, but it’s intentionally back-handed. It’s a jab at “party culture” and the people who engage in it.”
Second time on Beehive Candy in the last couple of months, this time with 'Weatherman'. On this occasion Oblio deliver a loose sounding alt rock piece, that saves it's energy for the chorus. Ironic it may be, it's also annoyingly catchy.
Background - Officially a must-see act capable of selling out venues throughout the SoCal region, red hot modern rock trio Ceasefire are now taking listeners on a most fantastic voyage into the great unknown with their explosive new single, “Joyride.” Co-engineered by Brian Virtue (30 Seconds To Mars / “Jane’s Addiction”) and Ben O’Neill, mastered by Sterling Sound’s Joe Laporta, and mixed by Grammy-nominated Mark Needham (The Killers, Imagine Dragons), “Joyride” is reflective of Ceasefire’s invincible spirit and hunger for adventure, which features the passion and energy that have enabled the band to rapidly build their fan base on a global scale.
Channeling the best of 80’s new wave and 90’s arena rock, Ceasefire have created a buzz via their electrifying live show, catchy songs, and cool demeanor. More information on Ceasefire is available on their official website. According to singer Ray Alexander, “Joyride” embodies Ceasefire’s lust for life, love, and exploration:
“This song is about a journey. It’s about taking chances and exploring what the world has to offer. It’s about finding love in a place you least expect it, at a time when you are not looking for it. It is a song about love, spontaneity, and excitement. It’s about a wild ride that takes you somewhere you’ve never been.” Comprised of Alexander, Kamren Alexander (guitar), and Anthony Hainsworth (drums), Ceasefire formed in 2011 in Orange County, CA. The band is known for their riveting live performances, captivating vocal presence, and shimmering guitar hooks. Those sonic elements are fully evident on “Joyride.”
'Joyride 'is an expansive sounding song that could easily be accompanied by a stadium of clapping hands. It's rock'n'roll with a hint of the modern, alongside that classic timeless sound. It does not pretend to be anything else, why should it?
Background - Phil Gammage has announced the release of 'Used Man For Sale' due out October 4th This longtime American bluesman has been hard at work at one of his most ambitious projects yet, his eighth solo album, Used Man For Sale.
Phil Gammage is an American musician, composer, and recording artist best known for his eight solo album releases and his work as a songwriter, singer, harmonica player, and guitarist. His recordings are used in film and television projects. His new album is Used Man For Sale which features ten of Phil's song compositions. This follows his critically acclaimed album Adventures in Bluesland which received positive reviews and made numerous 'Best of 2014' lists internationally. He currently performs his roots and blues based music as a solo performer, with his small combo The Phil Gammage Quartet, and with his large band Adventures in Bluesland. Phil Gammage is the consummate live performer, who brings a unique depth and drama to his music.
In addition to his songwriting and performing roots music, Phil is an in-demand blues/rock guitarist and harmonica player. He toured Europe with rock band Certain General in the spring of 2016 and has performed several times at the CBGB Music Festival in New York. Website here.
'Used Man For Sale 'is the title track of the soon to be released album, and gives a good feel for the album as a whole. Phils distinct vocals are backed by some excellent musianship and smooth backing vocals. Musically it's a mixture of blues that leans towards both country and rock'n'roll, and of course Phil Gamage's fine guitar work.
Background - Ben Glover is pleased to share his latest track 'A Song Of Home'. The brilliant new single comes ahead of his new album, The Emigrant - tackling the universal issue of immigration, out September 30 on Proper.
When an ocean separates the two halves of your whole, it's worthy of contemplation. For Irish-born, Nashville-based singer/songwriter Ben Glover, that consideration comes in the form of his new album, The Emigrant, which folds his two worlds into one. Co-produced by Glover and Neilson Hubbard, the album features six traditional folk songs and four original compositions (including co-writes with Gretchen Peters, Mary Gauthier, and Tony Kerr) as Glover addresses the universal theme and personal challenge of immigration.
“Over the past couple of years, I have been going through the process of getting my U.S. Green Card, so the reality of immigration was very present in my world,” Glover says. “Contemplations like 'What and where is home?' were never far from my thoughts,” he adds. To work through it all, Glover turned to music. “Around the same time, my interest in Irish roots music and folk ballads was rekindled. The project is my story - it’s who I am at this time in my life.”
Much like his current life, Glover's childhood in the sleepy seaside village of Glenarm in the north of Ireland had a soundtrack from both sides of the Atlantic Ocean. So, when he started playing gigs in the local pub at the age of 13, he played Irish music, of course, but he also slipped in songs from Hank Williams and Johnny Cash. In the summers of his university years, Glover paid his way across the pond by performing Irish folk ballads along with the songs of Christy Moore and The Pogues in the bars in Boston, while back home in the pubs of Ireland he was singing Dylan and Springsteen.
In 2009, Glover relocated to Nashville and immersed himself in Southern culture. Those experiences informed and infused the soul of his acclaimed 2014 solo album, Atlantic. With The Emigrant, Glover continues to search for his place in the world. Website here.
Ben Glover has vocals that can almost immiediately invoke different feelings and really strike your imagination. 'A Song Of Home' is a beautiful song, with a gentler musical accompanyment allowing his voice to deliver, both the melody and the passion.
Background from the band - 'Palms' is the song that set the trajectory for us writing our entire upcoming EP. It was the first song we wrote that really captured the sound and energy of what we are trying to achieve with Native Other.
This EP 'If I Can Keep It Together' is an accumulation of our diverse origins and experimentation while the content tells tales of growth and discovery of our identity, romantic perspectives and lustful encounters. As we write personal reflections, sonically we construct our own unique sound. This project was recorded by Simon Larochette at Sugar Shack Studio, mixed by Dale Morningstar at The Gas Station Studio & mastered by Reuben Ghose at Mojito Studio. The full release will be coming out on October 7th.
'Palms' is my introduction to Native Other, and it's one striking and notable song. The vocals and harmonies are super smooth and pleasing, whilst musically it's quite an intricate and clever piece, put together they create a great listen.
Background bio - December's Children is an Americana/Alt Country/Rock band from Grafton, North Dakota. The group formed over a decade ago and released four indie albums prior to being signed by Brink Records early in 2015. December's Children's new album, Skeletons, began receiving rave reviews and radio play well ahead of release and their dedicated fan base has been exploding day by day.
December's Children was formed by Ryan Johnston and Kirt Lowe and soon grew to include Ryan's brother Scott and Mark Sands on drums. The line up has had some shake ups over the years but Ryan, Kirt, & Mark have remained at the core with Scott often returning to write and play with the group. These four were the primary writers and players of the band's first four albums: Die Rich Garage, 5 Minutes 5 Years Ago, On the Mend, and Heaven, Hell, & the Journey's End. The Skeletons line up includes Ryan, Kirt, and Mark, and has expanded to include Dean Kotaska, Kim Rost, and Yen Lee Loh. They are heavily influenced by the Rolling Stones, Hank Williams and other 60s rock groups and classic country artists. With a catalogue of over 300 songs, you will find a tune for almost every musical taste from Decembers Children.
With the release of Skeletons, December's Children have their first international distribution and marketing. They will be continuing to tour, write, and record. Their previous four albums will be re-released by their new label in the coming months and the first tracks for the next new album are already being roughed in. From the Album Skeletons (Brink Records) Available from Sep 14, 2016.
'Skeletons' is a gentle alt rock tune that builds gradually and the music is pristine and quite intricate. Vocals are just natural for this type of music, this is one very fine song.
Background - Singer, songwriter, actress, social media sensation, and Fervor Records recording artist Kailey Swanson is turning heads with her new video single “Nashville Stickup.” The song is the title track from her 5 song debut EP release on Fervor Records, dropping September 30th.
The video wastes no time showcasing Kailey’s no-holds-barred, take no prisoners attitude. The confident Ms. Swanson cuts straight to the chase with her take on the current state of the industry belting out, “It ain’t about the fame it ain’t about the flash, it’s about Country music and kickin’ ass!”
Her message is clearly resonating, as her new video is definitely kicking ass. “Nashville Stickup” is already rolling out to over 1750 locations internationally including: colleges, universities, bars, nightclubs, casinos, restaurants, fitness centers, salons, bowling alleys, cruise lines, and corporate campuses. This massive distribution clearly demonstrates the broad appeal of Kailey’s straight up red, white and blue message. Swanson continues, “My way or the highway, this country empire will fall.”
The entire “Nashville Stickup” EP drops worldwide September 30th across all e-tail outlets including: Apple Music, Amazon, Deezer, Spotify, YouTube and beyond. In the meantime, be on the lookout for Kailey Swanson lighting up flat screens internationally.
Beehive Candy may not be the usual place to check first for outlaw country music, that said the policy that we feature the music we like is just that, and 'Nashville Stickup' is one very likable and feisty song. The video is fun and thankfully that was an empty JD bottle thrown at the beginning, otherwise I know just how traumatic a few folk would find it.
Background - "La Sera released their Ryan Adams-produced LP Music For Listening To Music To back in March, and they’re heading out on a fall tour across the country next month.
But before they do that, they’re putting out a digital only EP called Queens on Sept. 30th, and today they’ve shared its title track, a propulsive guitar-rocker that’ll seriously brighten your day.
Tour Dates:
10/07 Pomona, CA @ Glasshouse 10/08 San Diego, CA @ The Hideout 10/09 Phoenix, AZ @ Valley Bar 10/10 Santa Fe, NM @ Meow Wolf 10/12 Austin, TX @ Sidewinder 10/13 Dallas, TX @ Club Dada 10/14 Kansas City, MO @ Riot Room 10/15 St Louis, MO @ Firebird 10/16 Nashville, TN @ High Watt 10/18 Atlanta, GA @ Masquerade 10/19 Chapel Hill, NC @ Pinhook 10/20 Washington, DC @ Song Byrd 10/22 New York, NY @ Mercury Lounge 10/23 Brooklyn, NY @ Baby’s All Right (early) 10/25 Boston, MA @ Brookline Teen Center 10/26 Buffalo, NY @ Mohawk 10/28 Toronto, ON @ Silver Dollar 10/29 Detroit, MI @ El Club 10/30 Chicago, IL @ Empty Bottle 11/01 Denver, CO @ Lost Lake 11/02 Salt Lake City, UT @ Kilby Court 11/03 Reno, NV @ Holland Project 11/04 San Francisco, CA @ Swedish American Hall 11/05 Los Angeles, CA @ Bootleg Theater
'Queens' is a bright indie rock song, and with the alternating share of the vocals the whole thing really does just blast along. Melodic and hooks galore, ensure our ears are well treated!
Background - Like Reinhold Rudenberg, the scientist subject of their moving new single “So Much Sky,”Americana prog rockers Birds Over Arkansasare obsessed with the details of life. Whereas Rudenberg developed the microscope for the purpose of curing polio, New England’s Birds Over Arkansas create beautifully crafted songs such as “So Much Sky” in a way to celebrate human progress; the hardships and perspectives that inspire us to solve problems, and the personal sacrifices that are often necessary in order to achieve something. Blending unorthodox song structures, technical progressive rock rhythms, and Americana instrumentation and harmonies, Birds Over Arkansas are credited by Jamsphere with producing “timeless music” that features “outstanding musicianship, resplendent vocals, and a crisp sound.”
According to lead singer Scott Haskitt, “So Much Sky” is about “being too often consumed by life's bigger picture, and, consequently, losing sight of its finer details.” While the chorus lyrics juxtapose the act of skygazing with that of internal self-reflection, the verses tell the story of the struggles of Reinhold Rudenberg, a scientist and inventor who was in part responsible for the development of the electron microscope.
Formed in 2011, Birds Over Arkansas consists of Scott Haskitt (guitar, lead vocals), Laura Hartshorn (keyboards/vocals), John Mondick (guitar/mandolin/vocals), and Ryan Berg (drums/percussion). The new album will be released later in 2016.
Melodic and with beautiful harmonies 'So Much Sky' comes across to me as more Americana than prog rock. That the band blend genres or styles as varied as the aforementioned is interesting enough, however I guess in the end it always comes down to the actual song, and in this case its a beauty.
Background promo - With sales now topping one and a half million albums and two Grammy nominations to date, Afro Celt Sound System celebrated their 20th Anniversary with a stunning new album, ‘The Source’ released in April 2016 on ECC Records. In October, the band will be releasing, ‘Honey Bee’, another striking single from this acclaimed album to coincide with a major tour taking in 17 towns and cities where they will be providing a live music spectacle, every bit as energetic and captivating as the album.
‘Honey Bee’ features the sultry, soulful delivery of Armagh-born vocalist and flautist Rioghnach Connolly (Real World Records), one of the many contributors to this truly collaborative album.
Afro Celt Sound System are a European and African based collective who’ve been a ground-breaking force in music ever since they started. ‘The Source’ is undoubtedly their most ambitious album yet and one will take their cross-cultural collaboration and acclaimed live performances to another level. It is the first album to fully celebrate the African and Asian roots brought to the band by long-term members’ vocalist, kora and balafon player N’Faly Kouyaté and Dhol drummer Johnny Kalsi. Along with founder member Simon Emmerson (producer, guitars, cittern) and new core member Griogair (vocals, piping, guitars) – winner of Gaelic Singer of the Year at the 2015 Scots Trad Music Awards – the album and the live show features contributions from a host of other outstanding musicians which together fully demonstrates the eclecticism of the band’s music. The new single 'Honey Bee' out 7 October 2016.
I suppose I ought to write a brief disclaimer that I am a massive fan of this bands music and cannot be impartial. 'Honey Bee' is the new single, and if you have not yet checked out Afro Celt Sound System, I genuinely would recommend spending a little time doing so.
Background - After their debut album, released in 2013, Barcelona-based duo Cálido Home now join the label BCore Disc to release their second album ‘Tones and Shapes’ (September 2016), entirely in English and with strong North American folk music influences. The duet stand out for their intensity and the proximity of their live performances which is why their producer, Joan Pons (a well-known artist in Catalonia that goes under the name of El Petit de Cal Eril), advised them to record the album live.
Cálido Home used to call their music ‘motherfolker’, almost like an insult, but Pons asked them to turn it down a bit, to play softer, and by doing so new details appeared, a new fragility and subtleness. They have learnt that when the song is already going upwards, there’s no need to push it. They also discovered silence, inexistent in their songs until now. When Pons suggested they not play together at every moment they were first taken back and didn’t understand. But they listened, and in ‘Tones and Shapes’ silence becomes an active element in the music, the songs breath. And when a small sound like the squeak of a chair finds its way into a moment of silence, it's welcomed: the fact that everything is not always in place can offer, if done well, a more lively and real sound. It gives the song a soul.
Eduard’s guitar is a round trip from the US West Coast to Africa; he search’s for pleasure when playing; if he doesn’t feel that pleasure when performing a song he will never play it again. Anna’s voice, less imposed then before and quieter when the melody gets harder, reminds us of Karen Dalton or Vashni Bunyan. With ‘Tones and Shapes’, Cálido Home have finally found themselves.
'In A Vision Or In None' is the first of ten tracks on 'Tones and Shapes' which is released today! It's a mixture of folk songs, focused around carefully crafted acoustic guitar work, and vibrant vocals and harmonies. There are a mixture of tempos across the piece and a consistent attention to quality. If you like the featured song then check the album out, it's a good one.
Background - At age 5 Ruth Theodore was told that she would never physically be able to play guitar and following a sledging accident, aged 9, that left her unable to speak, singing and playing the guitar were unexpected career choices. Yet by the age of 14 Ruth was earning money as a singer and guitarist, playing in music bars and venues almost every night of the week. Free from knowing the names of the strings, Ruth’s guitar playing and use of unconventional techniques and unique tuning structure has bewildered guitarists ever since. Composing and arranging all of her music by ear Ruth can be heard in recent recordings applying her own unique style to Piano. Ruth started creating her own music as a teenager, teaching herself guitar and busking on Southampton High Street, when staying in the doorway of a branch of WHSmiths. It was a happy time for Ruth and here that she met her ‘muse’ who would walk past and listen to Ruth sing and who Ruth has written about ever since. Ruth also recalls being persuaded by the owner of a music shop to set up all the stringed instruments and showcase them in store for a whopping £2 an hour. Moving to London in 2006 in search of music, Ruth slept (secretly) beneath a workbench in an artist’s workshop, which years later, she and a team of musicians transformed into a recording studio. Following the recording and release of the first of her three self-produced records through River Rat Records, Ruth moved on to a tiny narrow boat with no heating or electricity on the River Lea in East London. This has been her home for the last 10 years. The river and the land on which she moors have been a great source of inspiration, and keen to continue creating on the water Ruth has single-handedly converted a larger boat into a studio space which has become the base for her band and other local musicians and is now home to one of the most unique and truly intimate house concert music events in London. Her albums have received critical acclaim from the UK media, with reviews running in The Guardian & The Observer, whilst also achieving national radio play on BBC Radio3 and BBC 6 music, alongside rave reviews in music magazines Mojo, Q, fRoots and more. When Ruth started the search for a producer to collaborate with on a fourth album she came to the attention of Todd Sickafoose who had recently produced Anais Mitchell's widely acclaimed 'Hadestown'. Not coincidentally Todd divides his time between production work and playing bass for American Folk legend Ani DiFranco for whom Ruth opened two solo London shows in 2012. The fruits of that collaboration, an album named “Cactacus”, is released on September 23rd in a collaboration between River Rat and Aveline Records.
For those who have read the above words, clearly Ruth has a story or two to tell. 'You Can't Help Who You Love' is therefore only a hint of her music, and it's a bright and breezy sounding song, which is both melodic and so, so catchy. Production is superb as is the material and delivery.
Background - Describing their sound as ‘down-tempo jazz-influenced hardcore’, Robocobra Quartet out of Belfast, sound like little else. Combining spoken-word vocals, effects-laden bass, and raw improvisation, Robocobra Quartet’s no holds barred approach has garnered the group a reputation as a must-see live act. Centred on a howling drummer-vocalist and offset by menacing saxophones, the oblique song structures, angular rhythms and direct lyrics built around snippets of quotes and would-be adages allow for only absurd comparisons to reveal anything about their style. You’d be forgiven, for instance, for thinking that they sound like Richard Dawson playing with Brian McMahan, or Steve Reich composing music for Fugazi. Tracks such as ‘Find X’ and the tongue-in-cheek ‘Our Very Own Version Of November Rain’ drive home a bass driven Dischord-era post-hardcore sound laced with avant-garde, jazz-infused woodwind and rhythm sections standing sentinel to drive the music into more experimental territory, as the instrumentation coalesces around drummer-vocalist Chris Ryan’s brooding, meditative lyrics. “Lyrically most of the topics come from conversations or direct quotes (or misconstrued quotes) from friends, enemies, acquaintances and family members.” says Ryan, “…it involves looking back on growing up and past experiences and memories. It's interesting - memories are so malleable and the process of remembering things actually has a lot of room for error or creativity, so you can sort of mine your memory to come up with new ideas.” Characterised by such idioms and narratives, Robocobra Quartet exemplify a both brazen and charismatic identity, which is not only drawn from their entrancing content but largely from its bold delivery. Other album tracks such as opener ‘Correct’ and more prominently ‘Straight Lines’ are visceral in their proclamation. They convey the post-everything nostalgia you might come to expect from latter day post-hardcore bands such as Self Defense Family or mewithoutyou, but also carry confidence in the candidness of their off-kilter narrative. All the while this is handled without pretention because the band genuinely possess the talent to pull it off. This beguiling and idiosyncratic blend of styles and genres has taken them to festivals such as Electric Picnic & Brilliant Corners Jazz Festival supporting the release of a limited run lathe-cut 7" on Smalltown America Records. Bolstered by support from BBC 6 Music and the PRS Foundation, 2016 has seen the band perform throughout the UK, Ireland & Europe whilst conducting recording sessions in studios and concert halls around Belfast. Now, this November, Robocobra Quartet will release a 12" LP titled 'Music For All Occasions', and will embark on another UK tour featuring two Rough Trade in-store shows.
Robocobra Quartet don't so much mix up genres, they decimate them. The new single 'Correct' precedes their forthcoming November album release entitled Occasions. The vocals are as out there, as some of William Shatner's recorded material, and building on that, the musical accompaniment seems to look for boundaries, with the sole intention of crossing them. All in all for me, it's absolutely wonderful!
Adult Future - The Leaf House.
Jen Baron - 'Til I've Got You.
Carey Ott - Nocona (High Hangin' On A Limb).
