Sad Cypress - Beau Nectar - The Stanford Family Band - Allison Russell - Josiah and the Bonnevilles - Tanasi

Sad Cypress - The Other Side.

Sad Cypress released her new single ‘The Other Side’ last Friday 8th of May, ahead of Princess of Cups EP on the 3rd of June. Sad Cypress is the alter ego of songwriter and writer Sophie Cartmell, based in Cardiff and with the influence of the mystical and literature. On the 8th of May, she releases ‘The Other Side’ , written when she was 18 on 8-track and the first complete song she ever finished, it has re-recorded for her new EP. A very personal song that reflects her introverted young self, and her plaintive and unsteady growth into her full artist form. 

“Its about being stuck inside myself, sensing that the way out was inward but being too afraid to.” Cartmell explains  “I didn't even really understand what I was singing about until a long time later. I had a difficult time expressing myself, with music as my only outlet, something I'm sure many musicians have experienced.”

Haunting and moving it’s backed by a singular guitar motif, her voice rippling with a wistful sense of longing and artistic layers to unpeel.  It’s the first taste of her new EP Princess of Cups and introduces a narrative written by Cartmell set in Cardiff’s stunning Waterloo gardens that is revealed in a full story she has written to accompany the Princess of Cups EP. “It’s a collaboration across time.” She explains "It's built around a song I wrote at eighteen and a story I wrote decades later using parts work methods. The teenage song named the problem. The magical realism story is about the transition. The remaining songs gathered around that arc on their own.”

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Photo - Sophie Vino

Beau Nectar - Dandy (Album).

Bilingual indie-pop duo Beau Nectar (singer-songwriters Marie-Clo and éemi) share with their first full-length English album Dandy, released alongside lead single “Artichoke,” a project that turns ecological collapse, emotional fatigue, and modern disconnection into something strangely hopeful, playful, and alive. Framed through the lens of personified nature, Dandy imagines a world where flora and fauna speak back; not as symbols, but as characters with agency, humour, and resilience.

At its core, Dandy explores a world “at war with itself,” where attention is fractured, trust is eroding, and creativity is constantly under pressure. Yet instead of leaning into despair, Beau Nectar reframes the chaos with irony and softness. “It’s all fine and ‘Dandy’,” the duo suggest, holding space for contradiction while inviting listeners to reconnect with the natural world as something alive, aware, and emotionally present.

Speaking on “Artichoke,” Beau Nectar channels nature’s perspective through a flash of humour and rage, capturing a moment where Mother Nature pushes back against rising heat, both literal and emotional. “In ‘Artichoke’, Mother Nature is mad that things have gotten so heated; literally and figuratively,” the duo explain. “It’s female rage at its finest. Don’t mess with her, don’t mess with women, because we can take the heat.” The track leans into this energy with a breezy, groovy edge, balancing attitude with playful restraint.

Across Dandy, nature becomes both metaphor and companion. Listeners are invited to meet characters like the Apple, Tulip, Loggerhead Shrike, Lion’s Mane, Dandelion, and Artichoke; each representing a different emotional frequency within the modern world. Rather than distant symbolism, these figures are rendered as relatable beings, encouraging empathy for a natural world often taken for granted.

Beau Nectar · Dandy

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Photo - Milo Costelloe

The Stanford Family Band - When Lonesome.

Brighton’s C86-inspired, retro sunshine pop quartet The Stanford Family Band return in radiant form, announcing their sophomore EP Go Again (out July 17th) alongside the shimmering new single ‘When Lonesome’. The Stanford Family Band extends the musical lineage of lost pop music, threading together the bittersweet glow of 60s airwaves and open-field festivals, with the glammed up intimacy of 70s singer-songwriters. Music that aches and shimmers in equal measure, carrying a sense of longing that feels both timeless and vividly alive.

The new single ‘When Lonesome’ captures this approach perfectly, referencing Queen and Todd Rungran through the band’s unique lens - displaying their part in the new wave of pastiche and retromaniacal old-school devotees such as The Lemon Twigs, Sharp Pins or Drugdealer. The track weaves together clean guitar tones, 70s-inspired keys, and beautifully placed vocal harmonies, all delivered through warm, boxy, tape-style production. 

Emerging from the lingering instrumental intro, it gradually builds in layers, with Beach Boys-esque harmonies creating a sound that balances melancholy with a breezy, summery feel - packing lyrical finesse and sincerity whilst showcasing subtle yet complex musicality. 

Speaking about the track, Laurence from the band explains: “I think at the time I was listening to a lot of Tommy James and the Shondells, also a lot of Carpenters, and I thought the piano break in the verses was a pretty Carpenters thing to do. I then realised that the start sounded like ‘You’re My Best Friend’ by Queen which made me laugh. A boy could only dream of those pipes.”

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Allison Russell - Cold April (ft. Denitia & Kara Jackson).

Allison Russell has announced her third studio album, In The Hour of Chaos, produced by Russell and Dim Star and arriving on July 10th via Fantasy Records. To mark the occasion she has shared her single “Cold April” featuring her tour mate Kara Jackson, Denitia and the Explore! Pop Choir.

Allison Russell on “Cold April” Things are rough. Things have been rough before.  "Cold April" is not laying out the grim facts of the moment.  "Cold April" asks if we can let the music itself restore and recharge us. The act of singing with my sisters, Kara Jackson and Denitia, is a balm for my soul, and a wind at my back to keep on. And my daughter Ida's Explore! Pop Choir?!  Let them tell it: “Calling all birds from across the nation - yeah we got a brand new murmuration - we don’t have to fly in that - old formation, no” - Youth  - and Love - will be served!

Allison Russell’s In the Hour of Chaos is a fervent plea for connection in this time of alienation, isolation and dread. These are songs meant to reverse the tides that pull us farther and farther apart, even from ones we love the most. This is a record meant to make you feel Good, and, in these times, feeling good is a radical act. It’s only fitting then, that Russell leaned into her vibrant and ever expanding community of artists and friends to create a collaborative song suite that goes far beyond a succession of features.

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Photo - Sam Desantis

Josiah and the Bonnevilles - As Is (Album).

Josiah and the Bonnevilles just released his new album As Is, his first for Rounder Records. The 10-song collection was co-produced by Josiah Leming and Konrad Snyder, and marks his first full length album release since his 2023 breakthrough Endurance. Also released this weekend is a live performance video of “Carolina Heart” (By The Tobacco Barn) that will begin the rollout of a series of live sessions he and his band recorded. On Saturday, May 16, Josiah and the Bonnevilles will kick off The Redline North American Tour in Austin, TX, followed by stops in Los Angeles, Seattle, Minneapolis, Chicago, New York and many more. 

Over the last week, Josiah and the Bonnevilles has been featured in The Bluegrass Situation and The Tennessean who proclaimed, "[As Is] paints an impassioned portrait of the proletariat. It's sometimes haunting, sometimes nostalgic, but always tied together with melodic energy and empathy.” In their rave review, PopMatters declared, "Instrumentation is tasteful, complementary, and at times entrancing. The production approach, including notable mixes, panning, and effects, aptly spotlights Leming’s poetic raggedness on the one hand and his indomitable belief in rock glory on the other. It’s Leming’s songcraft, though, that carries the day: his seasoned use of imagery and metaphor, his honed ability to forge and deliver a hook." 

The ten songs that comprise As Is were whittled down from nearly 100 songs written over the last year and includes co-writes with acclaimed songwriters Natalie Hemby, Joel Little, and Scott Harris. “The only goal for me is to make something real and honest that can get people through the day,” Leming explains. “I gave everything I have for this album. I laid it all on the table, which is what I always want to do.”


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Tanasi - Get Up / Ore Mi Kini Se (feat. Billy Cardine, Mary Lucey & Anya Hinkle).

Inspired by the rhythms and melodies of a traditional West African Yoruba chant. This song adapts the polyrhythms of a drum ensemble to Appalachian string band instruments. Hinkle and Lucey wrote words inspired by the irresistible beat, inviting everyone to get up and dance: “Get up, boy, get up, won’t you dance with me. Stay all night, stay and let your troubles free.”

Sonically: The song begins with a simple beat as instruments layer in with interlocking rhythms. Uplifting, carefree, and impossible to sit still to. Dobro, guitar, and bass, with harmony vocals throughout.

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Ruby James - Paper Citizen - Brook Fox - Murray & The Movers - Mon Rayon - Scustin

Photo - Sally Jaye

Ruby James - Honeydripper.

Some songs don’t announce themselves. They take their time. Ruby James’ “Honeydripper” moves that way. It doesn’t rush to explain itself. It settles in, holds its ground, and builds until it gives way to something heavier, and impossible to ignore.

“Honeydripper” traces back to a writing session at the Holiday Music Motel’s “Love on Holiday” gathering in Door County, Wisconsin, where James connected with songwriter Kate Vargas and built the track from instinct. It began with a simple groove, and a shared sense of chemistry.

“I’d wanted to write with Kate for years,” James says. “She has this incredible voice and presence. When we finally connected, it just clicked.” What began as a playfully, provocative point of view has since taken on a different meaning.  James says, "It’s really become about owning your sexuality and your power - all the girls want to be Honeydrippers.”

It was also the song that caught the attention of Lucinda Williams during James’ first Nashville performance. Williams remarked,  “That’s the tune. That funky, soul-driven feel really suits you. Lean into that.”  With “Honeydripper,” Ruby James isn’t fitting into a lane. She’s carving one out, equal parts grit, groove, and a slow burn that eventually explodes."- Ruby James.

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Paper Citizen - Station.

Paper Citizen have just released a new single Station, a song that doesn’t wait for permission; it sprints ahead. It feels like platform lights flickering past. A last call echoing through the speakers. Your bag already packed before you’ve fully decided where you’re headed.

There’s no overthinking here. No perfect plan. Just movement. Just instinct. What starts as anticipation becomes momentum. What feels uncertain turns into something electric. At its heart, Station has a question. A simple one that keeps coming back around: “Who you waiting for?”

There’s a restless energy running through it emulating late nights, loud shows, and chasing something just out of reach. The kind of feeling that pushes you forward before doubt has a chance to catch up. But this isn’t about having it all figured out. It’s about leaving hesitation behind and trusting the pull of whatever’s calling you.

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Brook Fox - Anywhere with You.

Brook Fox is set to release one final single ahead of his highly anticipated debut EP, 'Everybody’s in Love'. Titled 'Anywhere with You', the track arrived yesterday 8th May across all streaming platforms. A highly energetic indie-pop cut, 'Anywhere with You' blends driving momentum with a cinematic sense of escape, pairing the heartland charm of Bruce Springsteen with the jangling guitar shimmer of The Cure. It’s a restless, emotionally charged anthem that captures the tension between nostalgia and the need to leave something behind.

Brook Fox explains: “Anywhere with You' tells the story of wanting to leave your hometown before drama and jealousy boil over. It draws directly from my relationship with Burry Port, a place that shaped so much of my childhood, but one that feels like it’s deteriorating as I grow older.”

The single also serves as a deliberate companion piece to Together, the opening track on 'Everybody’s in Love'. Designed to mirror and deepen the themes introduced at the start of the record, 'Anywhere with You' expands the emotional world of the EP and hints at the narrative arc still to come. With 'Anywhere with You', Brook Fox offers one last glimpse into the world of 'Everybody’s in Love' before the full EP lands on the May 22nd.

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Murray & The Movers - Dirty Laundry.

Murray & The Movers return with ‘Dirty Laundry’, a slow-burning, late-night blues-rock cut steeped in mood, tension and restraint. Fronted by Lizzie Mack, whose voice moves between raw intimacy and controlled power, and anchored by Murray Cook’s instinctive, minimal guitar work, the track leans into a darker, more cinematic space — where restraint and atmosphere take precedence over excess.

There’s a sense of narrative running through Dirty Laundry. It doesn’t rush to reveal itself. Instead, it simmers — drawing the listener into a world of shadow, suggestion and slow-release energy, with Mack’s vocal holding steady at the centre.

Murray & The Movers will also follow up the release of ‘Dirty Laundry’ with ‘Squeaky Clean’, a frisky, electrified reworking that pushes the song into sharp-edged rockabilly territory. ‘Squeaky Clean’ is released on 22nd May and together, the two versions offer contrasting moods — from slow-burn tension to high-energy release — making them a versatile pairing for film, TV and soundtrack placement.

Together, the two tracks reveal both sides of Murray & The Movers: one slow-burning and shadowed, the other sharper, louder and built for speed. Drawing on blues, country, garage rock and classic soul, the band’s sound is never revivalist. Instead, it lives in a distinctly cinematic space — music with dust on its boots, neon in its reflection, and a sense of backstory running through every musical choice.

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Photo - Lionel Turner

Mon Rayon - One of a Kind.

Mon Rayon are one of those rare bands that feel entirely their own, somewhere between “a full English breakfast and the Sanremo Music Festival in the 1960s.” Blending orchestral pop, 60s French influences, harpsichord, and sweeping string arrangements, the Stockholm duo create music that feels both meticulous and alive.

Their new single ‘One of a Kind,’ featuring Vira Milton, is the first taste of their debut album, announced for later this year via Flak Records. Written at Miloco Studios with Charlie Hugall, the track brings forward everything that last year’s EP ‘Post Romantic Stress Disorder’ was praised for: tastefulness, melodic sensibility, and a gentle grandeur that continues to define Mon Rayon’s sound.

“Our core idea from the beginning has been that it should feel alive,” explains Josef Ask. “That we play together, that the playing is real. That it should sound organic in some way - that’s probably the idea we’ve embraced most strongly from orchestral pop.”

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Scustin - The Lock-In (EP).

Irish quartet Scustin release the hotly anticipated new EP The Lock-In (May 8th), a radiant four-track release which blends visceral post-punk with indie tendencies, creating music which delivers intense and evocative bursts broken up by anthemic, melodic turns. Building on a year of rising momentum, the band fully deliver on their promise. From opening for Inhaler at the Royal Albert Hall, Ulster Hall in Belfast, and St Anne’s Park in Dublin, to appearing on major festival lineups and selling out their own headline shows, they’ve steadily proven their ascent. The four-track release showcases some of their most polished and impactful work to date.

From the bombastic satire of ‘Dodgy Box Pyramid Scheme’, to the biting commentary on Irish identity of ‘Scustinism’, the fizzing grit and humour of ‘Pub Talkin’ and the hypnotic, anthemic, trad-folk tinted closer ‘The Ballad Of Scampi Fries’, the EP captures the band flourishing both musically and lyrically - making music which manages to offer scathing, thought provoking social commentary, whilst retaining a vibrant and loveable sense of charm and humour. 

Produced by Richie Kennedy (Interpol, The Murder Capital, Shame, Ride, The Libertines, Last Dinner Party), the EPs guitar led sound is broken up with the subtle addition of keys and brass among the bands punk attitude and indie tendencies. Spacious yet rich in texture, the instrumental backdrops carry a strong sense of depth, all brought into focus by the charismatic delivery of vocalists Joe Hearns and Liam Smith, particularly on ‘The Ballad of Scampi Fries.’

Speaking about the EP, the band add: “The Lock-In is the culmination of everything we’ve built so far, a bit of a sonic tip of the hat to the community that’s grown around us. We’ve spent the early years of this band playing and hanging out in pubs, meeting incredible people along the way, and everything always comes back to a few key things: community, humour and sincerity. That’s what we wanted to capture on this record, and I think we gave it a good shot. As we close that chapter, it feels like we’ve landed on something that’s genuinely connecting with people, you can really feel that in the shows.

Scustin · The Lock-In

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Ringlets - The Legendary Ten Seconds - Pam Ross - Strawberry Alarm Clock - Young Martyrs - Rusty Shackle

Photo - Troy Davis

Ringlets - Hard Evidence.

Ringlets have just shared ‘Hard Evidence’, their sassy and supernal new single, via Flying Nun Records. Touching on labour, collapse, and stolen trousers - arriving with a music video directed by Martin Sagadin - the visual collaborator behind much of Aldous Harding’s acclaimed work - The track finds the Auckland post-punk four piece in vivid, uncompromising form.

‘Hard Evidence’ was recorded over a day at Roundhead Studios with De Stevens - more time than the band have previously been allotted for a single track. That space allowed the song to be developed fully in the room, and the result is audible: delicate, more industrial in texture, and underpinned by a melody a little sweet beneath the surface. Sagadin’s video takes that same physicality somewhere more surreal, where support and strain occasionally look indistinguishable.

Live, Ringlets are a different proposition again. Their first Australian tour culminated in eight sold-out shows, an appearance at BIGSOUND Festival in Brisbane, and festival slots at Rhythm & Vines, Twisted Frequency, and Laneway Festival. They recently opened for Black Country, New Road, and tomorrow will begin a 28-date run of the U.K and Europe including appearances at The Great Escape Festival, ArcTanGent, and headline shows at The Windmill, The Hug & Pint and Supersonic Paris.

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The Legendary Ten Seconds - Sci Fi Hi Fi (Album)

We are always on the look out for something a little different and The Legendary Ten Seconds have consistently delivered on that front both musically, lyrically and by genre. So this time we have and I quote "An album of science fiction and astronomy themed songs featuring the sounds of the Mellotron." The album comes from the South West of England, recorded at Rock Lee, Torquay. Mixed and mastered by Lord Zarquon at Rainbow Starshine Studio in Marldon, South Devon. There's something different in the water the further West you go in England, whatever it is, certainly seems to make the creative juices flow (pun intended).

The album features: Ian Churchward vocals, guitars and keyboards, Jay Brown bass guitar, six string electric guitar and keyboards on The Time Stream, Ashley Dyer trumpet, Alfred Bolt electric guitar, George Bolt keyboards and backing vocals on the Lonely Planet and Lord Zarquon on drums and keyboards.

The Legendary Ten Seconds started off as the solo music project of Ian Churchward during the time when he was the lead guitar player of The Morrisons who were featured on John Peel's radio one show back in 1987. In 2013 Lord Zarquon joined Ian's music project and since then the line up has gradually expanded and various guest musician's and vocalists have helped out in the recording studio.

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Pam Ross - That Kind of Summer.

Award-winning singer-songwriter Pam Ross returns today Friday, May 8 with her new track, “That Kind of Summer,” the first taste of her upcoming LP Wait for It. Built on sun-soaked imagery and a carefree spirit, “That Kind of Summer” captures the kind of moment you don’t plan—you just fall into. From “flip flop summer days” to “a hidden path on an old beach road,” the song leans into spontaneity and escape, pairing vivid storytelling with a breezy, radio-friendly hook: “It’s a top rolled back, that kind of summer…”

Pam wrote the track during a cold February in North Carolina, missing the warmth and freedom of coastal life. That longing translates into a song that feels immediate and transportive—windows down, music up, and nowhere you have to be.

Musically, the single blends Pam’s signature cross-genre style—country, Americana, rock, and pop—into something that feels both nostalgic and fresh. The track was produced by Pam Ross alongside FJ Ventre, with a standout lineup including Yvan Petit (guitar), George Hindenach (drums/percussion), and Franchesca “Chessie” Umbrino (backing vocals).

Pam Ross continues to build momentum following her debut album When Therapy Fails, which produced multiple UK iTunes Top 10 singles and a #1 chart-topper (“Better Than a Good Thing”). A 2024 Josie Award winner for Female Multi-Genre Artist of the Year, she has earned a reputation for both her songwriting and her dynamic live performances.

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Strawberry Alarm Clock - The Sky Isn't Falling.

Original psychedelic rock pioneers Strawberry Alarm Clock return with the new single "The Sky Isn't Falling," a swirling rocker laden with gorgeous harmonies and lysergic guitars that continues to built the buzz for the legendary band's new album due this Summer from Big Stir Records. Together with the recent singles "Blow Your Mind" and "Monsters," it's strong evidence that Strawberry Alarm Clock is still going strong with five original members, and may be the most vital force from their generation on the scene today.

Strawberry Alarm Clock occupies a unique place on the 21st Century psych and indie rock landscape. Few true '60s veterans can boast a lineup as close to their original roster, but here they are with fve members who've been part of their legacy since the start – Mark Stephen Weitz (keyboards), Randy Seol (drums), George Bunnell (bass), Gene Gunnels (drums/percussion), multi-instrumentalist (and Oingo Boingo co-founder) Steve Bartek, plus guitarist Howie Anderson who's been a full member for forty years. 

Even more amazingly and importantly, while they embody the spirit of their original era, they trade not on nostalgia but on pursuing the musical ambition, experimentalism and unbridled creativity that made them shine in those early years. It's on display whenever the band hits the live stage, clad in paisley and stretching out with musical chemistry incorporating not just the expected instruments but marimbas, electric sitars and wild percussion, and it's been the hallmark of the new singles that have heralded their return: the eerie, unsettling “Monsters” which debuted last Halloween and the more recent hook-heavy rocker “Blow Your Mind,” as well as the attendant B-sides “White Light and “Live Water.”

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Young Martyrs - Sugar On My Tongue.

Hot on the heels of April's 'Is There Anybody Out There?, Young Martyrs return today May 8th with their new single 'Sugar On My Tongue' and accompanying music video, the second single to be taken from their upcoming third studio album 'Might Just Be Enough', arriving this Summer. 

'Sugar On My Tongue' was recorded and produced at both Real World Studios in Bath and Indefra Studios in Frome by the band themselves, with co-production from Sebastian Brice and engineering from Ben Koch. The track was mastered by Christian Wright (Ed Sheeran, Franz Ferdinand, Blur, Laura Marling) at London's renowned Abbey Road Studios.

The song is one of three on the album written by lead guitarist Rich Beeby. It sees the band explore the desperately vulnerable yet universally relatable feelings surrounding undeclared feelings and physical longing.

Discussing the lyrical themes explored in the single, Beeby says, "The band rocks and rolls in this song so it needed a lyric that's raw and does most of its thinking from the neck down. It's about the visceral feelings of unspoken attraction and physical longing, and how those feelings might be suppressed, but can eventually develop into fantasy or obsession. It's really down to the listener to decide if surrendering to that intoxicating lustfulness should be avoided or celebrated."

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Rusty Shackle - Your Arrows.

'Rusty Shackle' are back with an explosive statement of intent. Their new single 'Your Arrows' is released today May 8th and is our first taste from the brand new album 'Mayfield' that the band will release and showcase at Caldicot Castle on Saturday 29th August with special guests Taff Rapids, Tom Jenkins and Ernie Emmanuel.

A defiant, cinematic anthem about choosing your own path, the track channels American Western imagery into a modern inner battle between self-doubt and belief. With a vivid, time-bending narrative and a rallying battlecry chorus, it captures the clarity that comes when true intentions are revealed, and the strength it takes to stand up for what you believe in. 

Musically, the track is driven by a bluesy stomp that channels the swagger of Led Zeppelin, opening with a punchy, recognisable drum intro that propels it forward. Dynamic guitar and fiddle interplay add texture and lift, while the soaring lead vocal melodies give it a wide, defiant sense of scale, and gang vocals from all six members of Rusty Shackle bring a raw, anthemic edge.

Rusty Shackle are a hard-gigging folk-rock band from South Wales, known for their infectious energy, anthemic songs, and genre-blurring sound drawn from folk, rock, and indie roots. Since forming in 2010, they’ve built a loyal following through relentless touring and a reputation for exhilarating live shows that get crowds on their feet.

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Social Distortion - The Womack Sisters - 64 Funnycars

Photo - Jonathan Weiner

Social Distortion - The Way Things Were.

Social Distortion have now shared 'The Way Things Were', the final preview of their long-awaited eighth album, 'Born To Kill'. The record, their first in 15 years, arrives this Friday, 8th May, via Epitaph Records. On 'The Way Things Were', Social Distortion look back without losing momentum, as Mike Ness revisits his hell-raising Fullerton youth. It’s a bruised, nostalgic anthem in the vein of classics “Story of My Life” and “I Was Wrong". It is a potent distillation of the Social D ethos, featuring lyrics like “I wrote a song with a stolen riff / If you ain’t got a song you ain’t got shit.”

'Born To Kill' is more than the conclusion to a 15-year wait between Social Distortion albums, it’s a revelation: 11 songs of pure, unadulterated rock fury, joy and catharsis, all imbued with the signature blend of defiance and world-weariness that has made Ness a poet and sage to the dispossessed for more than 40 years.   

Co-produced by Ness and Dave Sardy, and featuring guest appearances from Benmont Tench of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers and Lucinda Williams and collaborative cover art by Ness and Shepard Fairey, 'Born To Kill' is the latest installment in a remarkable catalog that spans nearly three generations, including Mommy’s Little Monster (1983), Prison Bound (1988), the RIAA gold-certified Social Distortion (1990) and Somewhere Between Heaven and Hell (1992), White Light, White Heat, White Trash (1996), Sex, Love and Rock ’n’ Roll (2004), and Hard Times and Nursery Rhymes (2011).

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The Womack Sisters - Chauffeur.

The Womack Sisters – Kucha, Zeimani, and BG Womack – were singing before they could walk. Well that's the back story Beehive Candy have mentioned a few times before. The reality is that it frames their music so accurately and their new single is another confirmation of the talent they have, so here's the (true) story again.

The Sisters grew up on the road. Their schools were stages and studios all over the world, where they sang behind their parents, Zekkariyas & Zeriiya (fka Womack & Womack), alongside their four siblings. Nowhere was home for long. No matter where they lived they were always surrounded by music and family.

Their 2026 self-titled debut album (out on August 14), The Womack Sisters, is the musical culmination of the Sisters’ long and winding journey to find themselves.  Over an intensely soulful collection of tunes that harkens back to when pop music had substance, vibe and purpose, each of their distinct voices have their moments in the spotlight. 

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Photo - Bob Hanham

64 Funnycars - The Barbeque Party.

Hailing from Victoria, BC, 64 Funnycars return with Happy Go Lucky, a reissue of their long out-of-print debut album, preceded by a three-song teaser featuring “The Barbeque Party,” “Flat World,” and “Dull Daddy-O,” out May 6 via 604 Records, with the full album arriving May 27. First heard across Canada’s campus radio networks in the late 80s, the record lands again with its original charge intact, a snapshot of a band that thrived on instinct, hooks, and not overthinking it.

Formed in 1987 by four UVic campus radio regulars, 64 Funnycars were shaped as much by the airwaves as the stage. At a time when Victoria leaned toward the heavier and more confrontational, they carved out their own lane, rooted in melody, movement, and a shared love of jangly, high-energy college rock. Bands like Young Fresh Fellows, Hoodoo Gurus, and The Replacements weren’t just influences, they were part of a broader circuit the Funnycars actively belonged to, charting on campus stations, trading tapes, and building momentum from Victoria out into the wider Canadian network.

That crossover between radio and room came to life at Harpo’s, the band’s early proving ground and a cornerstone of the Pacific Northwest underground, where touring acts like Red Hot Chili Peppers, Alice in Chains, No Doubt, and Green Day passed through on their way up. Within weeks of forming, the Funnycars were on that stage, developing a reputation for loose, high-speed sets with no fixed setlist, three members trading lead vocals, and a kind of organized chaos that kept things on edge. As guitarist Eric Cottrell once put it, the band felt “more like a fun jalopy than a fine-tuned sports car,” a description that stuck.


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Marian - Teagan Johnston - Brother Wallace - Asara - Georgian - The Call & Todd Rundgren

Marian - Play Louder, Hit Harder (Album).

Marian is a music lover’s band. Guided by their collective love for lush harmonies, big riffs, and unforgettable hooks, their debut album, Hit Record, blends the best of rock music’s heyday with a fearless appreciation for the here and now. Whether you’re into the classics or keep your ear to the ground for the next big sound - you need to hear the latest from Marian. Rock and roll hasn’t sounded this sweet in too long.

Weaving together themes of adulthood’s relentless grind and the uncertainty of what lies ahead, sophomore record Play Louder, Hit Harder marks a bold reintroduction for New Brunswick rock trio Marian. Following-up celebrated 2022 debut, Hit Record (Music NB’s Song of the Year and an ECMA Rising Star Recording of the Year nominee), Marian preview Play Louder, Hit Harder with focus tracks “Rock N’ Roll” and “K-Leigh.”
 
“‘Rock N’ Roll’ is the companion song to PLHH,” said Marian’s Dylan Ward (he/him). “It captures the loudness and hardness of the record, and sits directly in the transition point between adolescence and adulthood. This song is the anthem to doubling down, sticking to your guns, and turning up the sound to block the noise.”

“K-Leigh,” meanwhile, channels the same loud, carefree rock energy, but with a gentler message. Jerry-Faye Ward, who works as a teacher in addition to being a musician, wrote the song after seeing so many children having a tough time fitting in. “It’s hard to know your worth if you don’t have anyone telling you that the things you’re insecure about are insignificant to everyone but you,” she said. “This song is for anyone who’s ever felt left out.”

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Teagan Johnston - Beat a Dead Horse.

Toronto-based multidisciplinary artist Teagan Johnston shares her latest offering, “Beat a Dead Horse,” a deeply reflective and emotionally charged single that examines the lingering impact of past relationships and the process of releasing what no longer serves you. Rooted in indie rock and singer-songwriter sensibilities, the track moves through grief, awareness, and ultimately toward a renewed sense of hope and forward motion.

The song was sparked by an unexpected moment during a psychic reading in New York City. “I’m not sure what I believe when it comes to psychics,” Teagan shares, “but something she said really hit me. She told me I was allowing old experiences of dark and painful love to dictate how I love now and in the future.” In that moment, Teagan felt a renewed urgency to step out of cycles of emotional repetition and into something more present and alive.

That sense of reflection carried directly into the song’s visual world. The accompanying video was filmed during a trip to Spain with Teagan’s parents, revisiting a place she hadn’t been since her time living there between the ages of 13-14. “Those years in Spain were before the trauma I reference in the song,” she explains. “It felt like the perfect place to reconnect with feelings of optimism and openness.”

Armed only with a digital camera, Teagan approached the shoot with a return-to-basics mindset, documenting beauty, colour, and everyday moments with a sense of curiosity and emotional clarity. The result is a visual companion that mirrors the song’s central theme: revisiting the past not to live in it, but to finally move beyond it.

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Photo - Hana Snow

Brother Wallace - You’re The Man.

Brother Wallace doesn’t just have a voice, he has command. Now, the West Point, Georgia-bred singer, pianist, and soul revivalist shares 'You’re The Man' alongside an official music video, offering a powerful new centre piece from his forthcoming debut album, 'Electric Love', which arrives this Friday, 8 May via ATO Records.

A darker, harder-hitting side of Wallace’s “Electric Love soul music,” 'You’re The Man' moves with a moody ferocity — a song that stares straight at pride, power, and the stories we tell ourselves when we think we’re untouchable. Built for big rooms and bigger feelings, it’s a performance that doesn’t blink: Wallace’s vocals land with preacher’s conviction and street-corner truth, carrying a narrative that’s both unflinching and strangely compassionate. “That song comes from someone I know personally getting caught up in a treacherous life and thinking they could somehow escape the consequences,” Wallace says. “But then of course they ended up in trouble.”
 
Now midway through a spring tour supporting St. Paul & The Broken Bones across the US, Wallace is set to arrive in the UK for the first time this May. The visit includes performances at The Great Escape and Cross the Tracks, as well as two headline shows in Manchester and London.

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Asara - Thank You, Thank You.

Following the success of his first single "Cute," Asara returns with "Thank You, Thank You," a new track announcing the release of his debut album "028 Crises," scheduled for July 3rd on the Géographie label (Dog Park, Marble Arch, etc.).

With its catchy melody, this second track is built on the groove of a drum machine derived from an old Farfisa keyboard from the 70s, which belonged to his grandfather. Balancing sweetness and gentle melancholy, the song infuses the track with a touch of humor, also present in the music video, and radiates a decidedly positive energy.

Asara is a French multi-instrumentalist artist launching her first solo project. For the past four years, she has been a member of the band Dog Park, where she has played guitar, bass, keyboards, and vocals. She now opens up a more intimate space with her solo project, Asara.

Composed throughout 2025, this debut album is structured like a sonic diary, almost a documentary, retracing this year rich in personal emotions. This collection of songs places the voice at the heart of the project, and the eight tracks that make up "028 Crises" oscillate between melancholy and rhythmic energy. Asara recorded at Studio 48L with her longtime friend and sound engineer, Baptiste Leroy.

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Photo - Aaron Farrimond

Georgian - Californian Jeans.

Manchester-based Georgian continue their fresh chapter today with the release of their cinematic new single and visualiser ‘Californian Jeans’. The single follows recent release ‘Crackled Grounds’ and is taken from their first full body of work the ‘Crackled Grounds EP’ out on 12th June via Heist or Hit (Westside Cowboy, Her’s).
 
Formed in 2024 and with three previous singles in their musical catalogue, Georgian are a five-piece outfit comprising Georgia McKiernan (vocals, acoustic guitar), James Poole, James Polglase (both lead and rhythm guitar, BVs), Connor Alder (drums) and Harry George (bass). Together Georgian have an expansive sound that reflects each of the band’s tastes, retaining a modern approach, but keeping the sound of their influences alive. Wrangling ‘60s pop, country, folk, shoegaze, psychedelia and further-flung traditional styles, their songs tell tales of navigating harsh emotional environments and lived experiences.
 
The debut ‘Crackled Grounds EP’ was laid down with producer Arno Stols at Magenta Studio in the peaceful Amsterdam countryside. Taking a leaf from Brian Jonestown Massacre’s melodic revivalism, Georgian began emulating the warm, unsettling, mysterious 60s-70s production of artists to which they had mutually become accustomed. Lyrically taking the listener to a place of escapism, the songs tell of battling the elements, female empowerment, and deep-rooted nostalgia.

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The Call & Todd Rundgren - The Walls Came Down.

We are catching up somewhat with this release on Beehive Candy, however we feel it's more than worth a share, so here's the back story & please enjoy. Critically acclaimed American modern rock band, The Call along with legendary performer Todd Rundgren announce a fiery call to action on a new studio version of The Call's "The Walls Came Down", which is out now. "The Walls Came Down" is a politically charged 1983 song orginally recorded by The Call, known for its Cold War themes and biblical Jericho allegory, featured on their album Modern Romans and popularized by its black-and-white MTV video, with singer Michael Been leading the band. The song reached #17 on Billboard’s Mainstream Rock tracks in 1983.

Michael Been died of a heart attack in 2010, and the remaining band members (Tom Ferrier, Scott Musick, Jim Goodwin) reunited occasionally but never officially broke up. Taking over lead vocals, this is Todd Rundgren’s first collaboration with The Call.

Released as the lead track from the The Call’s 1983 album Modern Romans, “The Walls Came Down” landed in a world steeped in political tension. The Cold War was at its height: the Berlin Wall still divided East and West, the nuclear arms race dominated headlines, and Reagan’s “Star Wars” defense initiative was on everyone’s lips. Fear of global conflict wasn’t abstract—it was nightly news. Against that backdrop, The Call delivered a track that felt less like a pop song and more like a warning broadcast.

Four decades later, “The Walls Came Down” remains one of the most enduring political anthems of its time. It captures the uneasy heartbeat of 1983, but its message remains timeless. Every generation has its walls—literal and symbolic—and every wall eventually falls. Todd Rundgren would sometimes perform a cover version of “The Walls Came Down” in his solo concerts and get an enthusistic reactions. The remaing Call band members (Jim Goodwin, Tom Ferrier, Scott Musick) came across his videos on Youtube and reached out to see if he would like to collaborate on a new version.

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