Kissing Other ppl - Kissing Other People.
kissing Other ppl, is the team-up of rising indie-folk artists Rachel Baiman and Viv & Riley. Together, they made a gorgeous, indie-folk album of interpretations of a variety of choice covers. The band is kicking off a two-leg tour, the first in August and the second in October, and it includes a set at western MA’s Arcadia Folk Fest. The artists combined have a monthly listenership of some 160,000 on Spotify alone.
As the three began working out an arrangement for Lennon Stella’s “Kissing Other People”, sitting cross legged on the floor in Griffith’s living room, Griffith stealthily placed microphones, as well as a vintage camcorder in the room. What emerged was a completely live take of the song, organic and full of magic. The recording set the tone for what followed, an 8 track album of covers ranging from cult favorites like Magnolia Electric Company, Dr. Dog and Joan Armatrading, to modern but lesser-known writers like Waylon Payne.
With Griffith’s influence, the project explored more analog, indie and grunge sounds than any of the individual artist’s previous work. The recording captures the beautifully uncaged feeling of the collaboration, as Leva switches to playing drums for “Hold on Magnolia”, and Baiman plays a wildly dissonant guitar solo on “Woncha Come On Home”. Every idea was attempted, and every song was captured in real time.
Kissing Other PPL is a project about openness to exploration, collaboration, and creativity above technicality. It finds a trio of accomplished musicians that seeks to unlearn boundaries of perfection and find the best sound for the given song in the given moment.
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'Running in the Gutter’ is BABAL’S 13th album, but the first to be released by Fruits de Mer Records. The band will be unveiling the LP at this weekend's 'Son Of Sardonicus' festival in Cardigan this weekend.
“Could it be argued that Crass are joining force with Cardiacs to deliver a Beefheart take on Byrne? Possibly, but instead of attempting to work out the influences and wonder how to describe them, instead say this is classic BABAL with the band putting their troubles behind them and being at full strength.
Long may they continue as for prog to survive it needs to be as uncompromising and challenging as this.” - Kev Rowland: Prog Archives.
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Following her successful debut, rising singer-songwriter Margaux Regan drops new single "Radio Silence" today August 8th.
A reflection on unrequited love and longing, the power-building ballad is emotional in its progression and resonant in its vulnerable themes. From piano clad verses and poetic lyrics to a powerful chorus and standout bridge, the track achieves a range of moods and moves seamlessly through different tempos. Margaux’s voice impresses with sweet layered harmonies and strong belts that serve to enhance the track’s raw emotionality. Careful production and a mix of ad-libs and sound effects make the track a dynamic pop anthem.
With “Radio Silence”, Margaux explores feelings of both jealousy and uncertainty. The track’s intense bridge declares, “I have a million questions that now you won’t answer / Like are you with her / You left me pacing in my own mind / Oh I bet you have someone you call.”
Inspired by Gracie Abrams’s momentous hit “I love you, I’m sorry”, Margaux set out to create something relatable in subject matter yet unique to her own personal experience. “I wanted a strong bridge and a change of beat or tempo change… I wrote (Radio Silence) after having been ghosted by what I had believed to be a situationship, while still not having gained any clarity and still being confused where our connection stood,” says Margaux of the track’s inception. She continues on today’s dating culture, “I think this happens too often in our generation and I didn’t know any song talking about it that I could aggressively cry to.”
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It was during the lockdown that Richard Williams, sometimes ‘Will’ or ‘Dil’ began writing poetry and prose. He had a 38 year career in Mental Health as a CPN but had been diagnosed with a severe life limiting lung disease. It was suggested that singing may have a good therapeutic effect on the illness, so the poems became songs.
It was a chance meeting with Adrian, Paul Edwards’ father, where it was suggested that Paul may help Richard with his songs. His first album called Interstella under the name of Dil Williams was well received and clocked up substantial global airplay. It was a meeting with local music commentator ‘Stag’ Marks where it was suggested he change his name to Interstella Boy.
Under that name a second album ‘Terminal Earth’ was recorded, featuring the hit single ‘Warm Love’. ‘Anvil Sand’ is Interstella Boy’s third album with ‘Waiting for the Ding’ the first single release. A lovely textured layered vocals. However, it is ‘Life in a Seaside Town’ the focus track that stands out, as we reminisce about time's gone, with 70s/80s welsh holidays by the seaside, compared with the current state of our beloved 'Porthcawl' - A music video created by TIWN's Kaysha Louvain features her very own family cine camera footage of her grandparents, uncles and mother that has encapsulated the essence of the song.
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