Tuesday, 5 August 2025

Portland - Cane Rouge - Levi Robin

Photo - Titus Simoens
Portland - Champain.

Portland, the indie band led by Jente Pironet, announces their new album Champain this week and immediately releases the title track. While the latest single "Lay Me Down" was a grand-sounding pop gem with expansive guitars, "Champain" floats quietly in the opposite direction. Jente sings softly and thoughtfully, accompanying himself on acoustic guitar, while producer Tobie Speleman (Blackwave., The Haunted Youth) adds extra color to the song with his vibraphone, and the rhythm section sounds delightfully crisp.

"Champain" is about raising a glass to a happy ending at the end of a dark period. But what if the journey was too intense? What if it was all just too overwhelming? Can you really celebrate with a big smile when the wound heals but leaves a deep scar?

The new album Champain will be released on November 7 through [PIAS] Recordings. It’s an album that wears the scars of recent years on its sleeves, but at the same time expresses an irrepressible zest for life. It reads as an utterly honest travel diary of a wandering soul, from stage to hospital to writing desk and back again. Of falling—hard and deep—and getting back up again. Of a singer and a band who persevere. And the result shows: Portland has never sounded more energetic, mature, and rich than on their new record. 


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Photo - Phil Roberts
Cane Rouge - Lights Out.

Newcastle’s rising alt-rock trio Cane Rouge deliver raw emotion, explosive energy, and bold evolution on their sophomore EP, Lights Out, dropping Friday 10th October. The EP’s title track, Lights Out, has just been released as a single and video.

Formed in 2023, Cane Rouge bring together the formidable talents of Ant Clarke (vocals/guitar), Dale McGee (drums), and Joe Harrison-Brown (bass). Fusing 90s grunge grit, punk urgency, and a touch of indie edge, the band have quickly carved a name for themselves through high-octane live shows and an unapologetically raw sound.

Since their live debut in April 2023, Cane Rouge have been turning heads across the North of England. Known for their intense stage presence and emotional delivery, they’ve earned praise in local tastemaker mags like NARC. and DIRGE, while receiving consistent airplay on SparkFM, Nova Radio, FutureHits, and BishopFM—a testament to their growing buzz in the UK alternative scene.

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Levi Robin - When The Sun Comes Out.

The new single "When The Sun Comes Out" from acclaimed singer-songwriter Levi Robin, has been released today. The new track "is a triumphant farewell to darkness and deceit, embracing truth, peace, and the healing power of kindness." He further confides, "It speaks of a brighter future—a time when the clouds of confusion and contradiction will part, revealing a world where honesty flows freely and our hearts sing openly."  "When The Sun Comes Out" is a beautiful and soul-stirring stripped down indie folk embrace. 

Levi Robin's journey of exploration and curiosity has taken him down many roads. The soul-baring folk artist’s distinctive musical style combines deeply personal and transformative lyrics with emotive stirring vocals, creating a sound that is filled with meaning and connection.

Growing up in Orange County, California, as a teenager Levi became deeply dissatisfied with what he and many describe as “the conveyor belt trajectory of the school system.” With nothing but a shirt on his back and guitar in hand, he took a chance on a different path - a musical one. Levi confides, “From being a runaway to encountering eastern spirituality, from psychedelia to unearthing my own ancient Judaic roots, songwriting has been a uniquely integrating constant.”  Songwriting became a powerful way to translate his deepest feelings into melody and verse. Taking inspiration from an eclectic array of artists including Bach, Stravinski, Mingus, Hendrix, Dylan, Beck, Gaye, D'Angelo and Radiohead, and more, Levi Robin creates his own mindful and genre-defying musical releases. 

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