Showing posts with label Blue Rose Code. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Blue Rose Code. Show all posts

Wednesday, 16 April 2025

Lightheaded - Blue Rose Code - Waiting for Smith - The Hengles

Lightheaded - Same Drop.

Skep Wax have teamed up with legendary US label Slumberland Records to release Thinking, Dreaming, Scheming, the new album from Lightheaded. Carrying on the long tradition of sentimental jangle pop songwriters, Lightheaded distil decades of lovelorn tunes into sounds for modern softies. They have the sunshine sparkle of The Left Banke and Margo Guryan, the C86 charm of Dolly Mixture and Would-Be-Goods, and the cinematic swell of Belle & Sebastian and Camera Obscura.

Formed on the shore of New Jersey in 2017 by Cynthia Rittenbach and Stephen Stec, Lightheaded took time to hone their sound with a rotating crew of drummers, guitarists and backup vocalists. They found a community of like-minded bands in a vast but tight-knit international indie pop scene, which eventually led them to the iconic California label Slumberland Records. Their debut cassette EP Good Good Great!, a collection of five perfect pop songs, landed in 2023, followed by the full-length Combustible Gems in 2024. A European tour and gigs opening for bands like Heavenly, The Softies and The Ladybug Transistor rounded out their breakout year.

Thinking, Dreaming, Scheming is their most collaborative and earnest release to date. A side of five brand new songs is combined with the five tracks from Good Good Great!, now available on vinyl for the first time. The opening track (and first single) Same Drop sets the tone. An uncanny pop song, it sounds like it comes from the past and from the future, all at once. There is something unusual about this band - something truly special.


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Blue Rose Code - Easy As We Go.

'Easy As We Go', the third single from Blue Rose Code's Scottish Album Of The Year nominated 'Bright Circumstance' is out now. A clarion call for Spring with an unapologetic optimism for new energy and new life. Easy As We Go is a meditation on the interdependence of the human condition, the changing of the seasons, and the turning of the tide.

Featuring some of Scotland's finest jazz musicians and in-demand Conor Smith on pedal steel. 'Bright Circumstance' was awarded five stars in the Scotsman and named a folk album of the year, the Times said - 'Wilson makes wide screen Soul in the spirit of Van Morrison, full of sincerity and holy fire' and the Spectator said - 'a beguiling execution of the age-old Caledonian reel between the light and the dark.'

To coincide with the release, Blue Rose Code are excited to announce a stripped back duo UK tour spanning Spring / Summer 2025, as well as four Edinburgh Fringe appearances: see bluerosecode.com. Blue Rose Code is a band led by singer-songwriter, Ross Wilson. At once, one of Edinburgh's favourite sons and still one of Scotland's best kept secrets. Containing within their music, the tenderness of John Martyn, the Caledonian Soul of Van Morrison, and the powerful roots mastery of Nathaniel Rateliff, Blue Rose Code channels the spirit of these masters with a sound that is bold, authentic, and undeniably their own.

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Photo - Tobias Tiedeman
Waiting for Smith - I Like Life.

Waiting for Smith is the musical project of Harry Lloyd, a British artist whose journey has been shaped by both extraordinary challenges and transformative experiences. After breaking his back at 24 and spending a year in recovery, Lloyd rediscovered his passion for music, picking up the guitar and writing songs with newfound purpose. His eclectic life path – from traveling across the world, learning languages, and becoming a ski instructor, to overcoming mental health struggles and healing in South Africa – has deeply influenced his music. Now based in the Netherlands, Waiting for Smith creates music with a mission: to help others live a happier state of existence, feeling less worry and more love and joy, offering a sense of lightness and hope through his soulful, heartfelt sound.

His latest single, “I Like Life,” encapsulates this ethos, inviting listeners to reflect on the simple yet powerful question, “Do you like life?” As Harry explains, “It’s a question we all feel, and it’s so simple but profound.” The song also introduces the concept of “Love Town,” a place described in the lyrics as “Hey, won’t you come down to the place I call the Love Town.” While open to interpretation, the idea behind it is clear: it's about choosing to view life through a lens of love, shifting from the mind to the heart, and embracing a positive, more joyful state of being.

“This song came about 4 years ago when I turned up to a writing session in Amsterdam. I didn’t wanna go that day because I felt kinda unmotivated - Ironically the song that appeared was the most uptempo thing I’d ever created.”

Written with fellow musicians Jara de Werd and Ramon de Wilde over coffee, the three spoke about life, about the books that inspired them, about changing tastes, early bedtimes, philosophy and the power of now. The result is a single that radiates a feel-good vibe with its melodic bassline and toe-tapping rhythm, complemented by infectious harmonies that will have you chanting along in no time. It’s the perfect anthem for lifting your spirits and spreading smiles.



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The Hengles - Yes & No.

Experience the sonic tapestry of Yes & No, the new single by The Hengles. A captivating blend of influences that transcends time.

The track opens a portal to "things I've never felt before," blurring the lines between reality and dream. Imagine the pulsating synth soundscapes of seventies German Krimi-like soundtracks, interwoven with the melodic sensibilities and driving beats of late 80’s Manchester sound. This unique fusion creates a compelling backdrop for raw, introspective lyrics.

"All I want, all I do, all I see, all I fear…is a lie," the chorus declares, a powerful statement of vulnerability. The Hengles challenge listeners to question perceptions, confessing "I'm not that cool, nor the fool that you take me for." From wistful reflections on aging to distorted realities, the song explores the complexities of self-discovery. Yes & No culminates in a poignant reminder of life's transient nature: "I'm living in a world of come and go." Listen now and let The Hengles take you on a journey you won't soon forget!
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Monday, 22 January 2018

MARCV5 - Gundelach - Son Little - Blue Rose Code

MARCV5 - Gingerman.

Background - MARCV5 on "Gingerman" J.P. Donleavy's "The Ginger Man" was written far before the beat generation movement and we really thought we had to make a song about it as it’s a real masterpiece. For all of us, this is our favourite single from the album. The song came almost naturally to us. For the video, we just set up a camera in front of our actors, put the music on and let them spontaneously do their thing. Following our director, the casting was just perfect, disciplined and well organised. The 8 actors represent very well the diversity of Brussels.

MARCV5 (pronounced MARCUS) are Stephane Matten, and brothers Davy and Geert Standaert. They formed over ten years ago and achieved great success in their home country, Belgium, as well as in various European countries. Their first album "God Save The King" was released in 2008, followed by several singles such as "15 Feb." (2011), "Weekendancer" (2012), and "Mystique" (2014). After recording their first album, MARCV5 went on the road playing throughout Europe. On more than one occasion, the band performed 3 gigs in less than 48 hours, traveling over 1500 kilometers by tour bus.

They have shared the stage with artists such as Selah Sue, Chromeo, Aeroplane, Vive la fête, and Boys Noize. The band also hosted a radio show for 4 years on Belgian's radio FM Brussels. With influences from the likes of Vitalic, James Holden, Leonard Cohen, Red Zebra, Camper Van Beethoven, and Cocteau Twins, MARCV5’s music is a fusion of post-punk, dance and electronic. You can expect fast BPM's, noisy guitars and distorted voices. The trio focuses strongly on live performances as they purposely build up the atmosphere using heavy synths and thumping beats.

“We Can Do More” is MARCV5’s second studio album. It was recorded largely during trips to Brighton, Düsseldorf and their hometown Brussels in the long drawn out days of winter. Capturing the lethargic mood at the time, every song on the album has its own story that intricately links together in some form or another. A hybrid of rock, electronica, and punk influences, “We Can Do More” is held together with an honest look at humanity and the new challenges each of us has to face in the future. WEBSITE, FACEBOOK.

Opening with a swirling synth and soon followed by spoken vocals 'Gingerman' quickly builds into a solid electro piece with some biting edge. Rock without the guitars, or electronic with attitude, you decide.

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Gundelach - Duck Hunting.

Background - Having gained recognition with the release of his debut EP as well as his latest collaboration on ‘Games’ with a fellow Norwegian artist ARY, 2018 is looking very promising for Gundelach. Taken from the forth-coming ‘Baltus’ LP, ‘Duck Hunting’ is just one piece of Gundelach’s sonic buffet which showcases his intricate creativity. Built on a variety of analogue synths, the single reflects on love, relationship and hope as well as depression, fear and numerous insecurities haunting the individual behind the lyrics.

Recorded between Oslo and London with Knut Sævik (Mungolian Jetset), John Calvert (Ghostpoet, NAO), and Øyvind Mathisen (Cezinando, Nils Bech) as co-producers, this Nordic-noir analogue-electronic piece is beautifully topped with Gundelach’s effortless Bon Iver-esque falsetto.

Kai aka Gundelach says: “The song is about being in a relationship, about being depressed and having someone helping you through it. I was listening to “I’m on fire” by Bruce Springsteen on repeat all summer and wanted to channel the feeling of that song with a song of my own. I sat down with my Juno 60 and had it ready in no time. Ultimately it’s hopeful but still sad. I named the demo “Duck Hunting” because it symbolized nostalgia to me and it just stuck. I used to play that game on my Nintendo, with the plastic gun and everything.”

‘Duck Hunting’ will be available for sale and download from 19th January followed by the ‘Baltus’ LP out everywhere on 16th March. WEBSITE, FACEBOOK.


'Duck Hunting' is a gorgeous song, where the falsetto vocals exude a level of intensity that really does give the track an addictive and natural feeling. The refined synthy background just adds to the piece. I guess if you are going to be influenced by a Bruce Springsteen song, the least you can do is aim for gold!

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Son Little - Mad About You.

Background - “Can someone tell me if it’s wrong to be / so mad about you,” posits singer and songwriter Son Little on “Mad About You”, a yearning love song from his latest critically acclaimed full length New Magic. Watch Son Little aka Aaron Livingston navigate flirtatious moments and traverse deserted terrain in the song’s new video.

Son Little first came to the public’s attention through his collaborations with The Roots and RJD2, and has since toured with artists as diverse as Mumford & Sons, Kelis, Shakey Graves and Leon Bridges. In addition, he won a Grammy for his work producing a Mavis Staples EP.

GQ describes Son Little as “soul music for the hip hop generation”, and the tracks on New Magic certainly draw from the diaspora of American blues and soul that includes not only modern R&B, but also rock & roll and hip-hop. 


He then transforms them into a singular sound that is propelled by his mesmerizing and soulful vocals and production that artfully balances between rustic immediacy and hip hop cut-and-paste. WEBSITE, FACEBOOK.

We spoke highly of Son Little's music back in September and 'Mad About You' just begs to get the same attention and applause. Soulful and just a little bluesy Son Little once again demonstrates sophistication and heart, with style.


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Blue Rose Code - Ebb & Flow.

Background - Blue Rose Code, aka acclaimed singer-songwriter Ross Wilson, released The Water Of Leith, his first album for Navigator Records, in autumn 2017. A host of stellar reviews culminated in the award for Scottish Album of the Year from The Skinny, whose 5* review stated: “each song fuses a multitude of elements to produce breathtaking beauty”.

Stand-out album track Ebb & Flow was released as a single on January 19, and described by Ross thus, “Above the entrance to the Scottish National Gallery Of Modern Art there is a neon sign that exclaims "Everything Is Going To Be Alright!". The problem that I have with that is I wasted so long waiting for everything to be alright, waiting for something to happen but now, the truth as I see it is that everything is alright. A subtle but powerful difference. There is nothing wrong with right now, that's what the song is about.”

A nomad both geographically and musically, Ross writes from the heart eschewing any specific genre and the twelve new songs on The Water Of Leith, addressing themes of love, loss, travel, home, accepting the past and embracing the future, are painted with colours of folk, jazz, soul and pop; an eclecticism that has become a hallmark of Blue Rose Code and has seen him compared to John Martyn, Van Morrison and Tom Waits. WEBSITE, FACEBOOK.


We featured Blue Rose Code back in August of last year and the new song 'Ebb & Flow' is a most welcome follow up for Beehive Candy. The musical arrangement is beautiful, the vocals upbeat and engaging, and a feelgood vibe just cannot be restrained.


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Monday, 21 August 2017

Blue Rose Code - Sam Vance-Law - Elijah James And The Nightmares

Blue Rose Code - Love Is... (feat. Julie Fowlis).

Background - Blue Rose Code, aka acclaimed singer-songwriter Ross Wilson, unveils the first cut from his forthcoming new album, The Water Of Leith (out 27th October on Navigator Records). ‘Love Is…’ - a duet with the multi-award winning folk singer and multi-instrumentalist, Julie Fowlis, talks of ideals and anticipation.

Love will save us,
Love will save us,
They say love will save us all -
So, what you waiting for?

A nomad both geographically and musically, Ross writes from the heart eschewing any specific genre and the twelve new songs on The Water Of Leith, addressing themes of love, loss, travel, home, accepting the past and embracing the future, are painted with colours of folk, jazz, soul and pop; an eclecticism that has become a hallmark of Blue Rose Code and has seen him compared to John Martyn, Van Morrison and Tom Waits.

In the space of a few short years and the release of well-received albums North Ten, The Ballads Of Peckham Rye, and And Lo The Bird Is On The Wing, Blue Rose Code has built a growing reputation as a powerful writer and performer, gaining extensive radio play and the praise of key broadcasters.  Author Ian Rankin is also a fan and has written insightful sleeve notes for the new album. Website here, Facebook here, live dates on Beehive candy's tour news page.

Although the album is not due until October, Blue Rose Code have given us a head start with the fabulous 'Love Is...' featuring Julie Fowlis whose harmonies add character to the song. Musicianship is absolutely delightful, and as a whole this two and a half minute track is a massive teaser for the album.


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Sam Vance-Law - Prettyboy.

Background - ‘Prettyboy’ is the debut single from Sam Vance-Law, available today on Caroline International. Produced by Konstantin Gropper (aka Get Well Soon),  ‘Prettyboy’ is at its core a guitar-driven indie-up-tempo-stomper, though it changes its musical colouring multiple times, effortlessly moving from a string and piano primed introspection into a multi-voiced orchestral crescendo, before finally flowing into a smooth lightness which calls to mind The Smiths and their floating elegance.

‘Prettyboy’ is the first single to be taken from Vance-Law’s debut album ‘Homotopia’ – due In early 2018 - which tells the story of a gay man’s world in the 21st century. Smart, theoretically schooled, and armed with a wide range of feelings, Vance-Law describes the common homo-stereotypes in order to expose them.

Sam Vance-Law’s music could comfortably sit alongside the likes of John Grant, The Magnetic Fields and Father John Misty, it’s also unafraid of nodding to – among other forms – theatre, operetta and orchestral pop. Given Vance-Law’s upbringing, perhaps that’s unsurprising.

Born in Edmonton, Canada to an academic mother and journalist father, Vance-Law moved to Oxford at the age of five, where he soon joined the renowned New College Choir, juggling five services a week with violin lessons. After three unhappy years at one of the UK’s most distinguished boarding schools the family returned to Canada when he was 16. It was here that, especially once he’d begun studying English Literature at university, Vance-Law began to broaden his musical horizons, meeting the likes of Mac DeMarco, Sean Nicholas Savage and Tops’ David Carrier.

“I spent a lot of time with them and others, playing pool, biking around, working a bunch of different jobs, drinking coffees, drunkenly eating pizza at 3am and going to uni,” says Vance-Law. “That might sound laidback, but I was wholly dedicated and focussed on every one of those things.” Facebook here.

The music video for 'Prettyboy' is a joy, however the song on it's own, is exceptionally catchy and vibrant. With the debut album not due until early 2018, perhaps we can look forward to some more single material prior to the release, if not, I reckon the album will be worth the wait.


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Elijah James And The Nightmares - On A Stage (Live From Elevator Studios).

Background - Elijah James And The Nightmares are an eight piece band that burst onto the Liverpool music scene in May 2017, stepping onstage for the first time together in front of a 250 capacity crowd to headline the popular venue, District. In short few months then the band have already created a buzz in the city, played Sound City Festival and in June went in the studio to record a live EP.

Live From Elevator Studios is the band's debut EP and includes four songs from their live setlist. It was recorded with Tom Roach in Elevator Studios (The Coral, Echo And The Bunnymen and The Last Shadow Puppets). The EP showcases the band as they play together, capturing the raw energy, intensity and excitement of their live sound. With the accompaniment of Violin (Emily Claire), Tenor Horn (Rachel Notrahw), Clarinet and Saxophone (James Cudworth) the EP ranges from climactic builds to luscious sweeps, this atop of Elijah’s intricately crafted songs creates a dynamic four track EP.

"In terms of writing these songs, I’ve been taking on more of a storytelling role, creating characters and worlds in which the songs explore opposed to being totally autobiographical. I think the songs we chose to perform for this EP achieves a good balance between the two.’’- Elijah James

Elijah James And The Nightmares are hosting a launch for Live From Elevator Studios EP at Studio2 Parr Street in the bands hometown of Liverpool on Friday September 8th, with support from popular and highly anticipated ‘Horrible Pop’ four piece Shy Billy and alt/rock band The Mono LPs. Website here, Facebook here.

If you like this first taste of the EP, then I can confirm that another song/video is due out this coming Friday. 'On A Stage' is a fabulous song, where the band are full of passion and provide a high quality backdrop for some distinct and commanding vocals.


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The Wildmans - Mollie Elizabeth - Jazmine Mary - Mariel Buckley

Photograph by Magnolia Ellenburg The Wildmans - Autumn 1941. The Wildmans will release Longtime Friend on July 11, 2025 via New West Record...