Braids - Lazerine - Third Lung - Sam Lapro - Loretta Querceto - Matilda Lindell

Braids - Slayer Moon.

Fresh off the heels of the release of DJ Python’s “Young Buck” remix, which saw support by Pitchfork, BBC 6Music and more, Braids is thrilled to reveal today two brand new songs titled “Slayer Moon” and “2020.” Recorded during the sessions of their last album Shadow Offering.

The band shares their inspiration behind the songs: “'Slayer Moon' is inspired by a Sailor Moon phone case I bought in Tokyo, at 3am while on tour in Japan. Growing up I was obsessed with Sailor Moon, particularly with the ability to magically transform from a normal girl into a full-on mystical and powerful Sailor Scout, battle-ready to combat the evil forces of the world.”

“What a deal, legs with more potential than my life”

“Sailor Scouts have the longest legs ever drawn - so long that I drew a parallel between their immaculate legs, and our frenetic modern minds, lost in the ego abyss of the infinite scroll.”

“I can’t figure out my life blood, what should I prescribe to?”

“‘2020’ was written sometime in 2017, after a long period of being alone – in an abstract sense of the word – while reaching for fleeting physical closeness. I was with friends, but my heart was lonely and longing for companionship, my body confused with the unfamiliarity of new and shallow encounters. I had been meditating a lot during this time 'tracing a line through the centre of my body' – a process of inward-looking that I veer towards when I take the time to sit. I titled the song ‘2020,’ in 2020. Revisiting the song's lyrics through the eyes of our present reality struck a chord with me. I felt as close to the song as when I had first written it. I find that I am asking myself similar questions while in this pandemic, without my friends, my family, my familiar structures.”

“I am of all things, love and hate. Placing the pieces of myself, hopefully, without judgment, without bitterness. To not knowing, who I am entirely. Who am I, without them? Who am I, without you, in my life?”

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Lazerine - I Felt Fine Today

Lazerine is a London based song recording project based around some ideas of mine that have been coalescing for awhile. Our new single, I Felt Fine Today, is due for release on 26 March 2021 via FUGA. Our previous releases are available on all Major Platforms.

Lazerine are: Sean Dempsey Vocals, Keyboards, David Kraft Drums, Bass, Rhythm Guitar, Viola, Violin, Vocals, Chris Evenett Guitar, Bass

I think I should say for avoidance of confusion, including my own, that Gene Lazerine is not real but he has a purpose. When these songs started to come along I could feel that they were from somewhere I'd never spent much time in. I also felt I couldn't ignore them.

Since the songs come from another place, I've attributed them to a distinct "other". It's a bit of mental trickery on myself as much as anything to keep things focused. For as long as it's happening.

So now, thanks to the talents of my co-creators, we of Lazerine invite you to tune in and sooth your weary soul.

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Third Lung - I a Fire.

Third Lung. Emotive, Evocative, Enchanting. Pensive, Powerful and Passionate. Their music continues to capture and inspire, gathering increasing support from Fans and Critic alike. With past praise and compliments flowing from the likes of The Steve Lamacq BBC 6 Radio show, Amazing Radio and The BBC Introducing Team. Always memorable Live. 

Third Lung have performed across the UK. With some notable highlights such as THE GREAT ESCAPE FESTIVAL and CAMDEN ROCKS FESTIVAL.The 4 Piece Power House from Reading, UK long to earn your ears and charge your minds in this exciting new chapter.Third Lung are Sam Waugh - Drums, Rob Jacques - Bass, Cams Jurasek - Lead Guitar/Backing Vox, Tom Farrelly - Lead Vox/Guitar. Each Member with a distinctive Musical heritage, the band draws from a wide variety of influences. 

“It wasn't always Indie Rock music that interested me” says Cams, “My Dad, Austrian born, had a passion for Jazz music. Jacques Loussier trio and Eugen Cicero were just a few of the vinyl she would play late at night while he sunk into his thoughts over a Whiskey” 

Sam’s fascination with Groove. “I started playing drums when I was 12. I had a heavy dose of Motown and blues when growing up, and my love for funk has had a massive impact on the way I play. My favourite recording artist is Chaka Khan and My most influential drummer is Dave Garibaldi from Tower of Power.”

Rob remembers, “My first encounter with my mind being blown musically was when I was 6”. “Mr Angel came into our assembly and tore up cello, pretty much shredded on it. I then spent 2 years learning the cello but the classical music wasn’t cutting it anymore. Especially when you’re 8 and listening to Led zeppelin and Queen.”

For Tom, “There was always music in the house. Mum loves Music. Bruce Springsteen, Fleetwood Mac, ABBA, QUEEN, Simon and Garfunkel, ELO, Bob Dylan, Eva Cassidy and on and on...Dad Loved music too. Luke Kelly, Johnny Cash, Elvis Presley, Glen Campbell, The Fureys, The Chieftains, Charlie Pride, The Dubliners. My parents actively shared their love of music and favourite artists with us”

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Sam Lapro - You Still Need Me.

Sam Lapro (she/her) is a Toronto-based singer-songwriter that knows how to string together the right words to draw the emotion out of and connect with her listeners.

Her soul writing gives the listener an opportunity to know her on an intimate level as her songs represent experiences she has had throughout her life so far.

SAM LAPRO · You Still Need Me

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Loretta Querceto - Eternal Sun.

Sun is the essence of human existence. Without it, we are nothing. To me, "Eternal Sun" means an infinite presence that will carry me throughout this life.

My new song is an affirmation to myself stating that I am self sufficient. I have reached a place in my life where I can confidently say that I have developed a love within myself that can carry me throughout the rest of my life.

I was in a very dark place for the duration of my adolescent and adult life. Now I know that in this moment, I am out of that place and entering a new chapter.

Born and raised in Johnston, Rhode Island, minutes outside of Providence, Loretta Querceto is a 20-year-old student at Berklee College Of Music where she is studying music business and production.

Loretta has been independently writing, recording, producing, and releasing original music since April of 2020. Her released work to date has centreed around the genres of indie and alternative rock with jazz and lo-fi influences. Loretta is a multi-instrumentalist with a primary focus in guitar, self taught from the age of 10.

Loretta Querceto · Eternal Sun

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Matilda Lindell - Dancing Queen.

Matilda Lindell has released her idyllic cover of ABBA’s classic hit, “Dancing Queen.” The experienced singer puts her twist on the legendary disco track by adding vulnerability and a fragile sound. “Dancing Queen” is being released in honor of Women’s History Month and is now available to download and stream on digital platforms worldwide.

Matilda Lindell’s rendition of “Dancing Queen” goes beyond the happy lyrics and upbeat groove. “My version is about female empowerment and encouragement,” Lindell says. “Through the struggles, we need to believe in ourselves and also support each other. A celebration to women!” The track is a perfect complement to Women’s History Month and International Women’s Day. Lindell creates an almost filmic tone allowing listeners to set their minds free and embrace a new experience. 

“The familiar melodies are discovered in a new way,” she adds. “The essence of the original song is there, but I have created a new perspective, and I hope, a new emotional journey for the listener.” Powerful vocals intertwined with an emotional effort to capture the listener pose a level of relatability in “Dancing Queen.” It’s raw and genuine. Lindell created the updated arrangement for the single, while she co-created the string arrangement alongside Erik Arvinder, whose father played violin on the ABBA original. The song was co-produced and mixed by Andrew Lipke at The Studio Lounge in Philadelphia, PA. A music video for “Dancing Queen” will be released later this month.

Matilda Lindell was born and raised in Stockholm, Sweden. It was singing that made her most happy early on in life. “I have been singing since before I could talk,” Lindell admits. “I have always expressed myself through music, singing, and performance. I have never had anything else than a singer in mind for a profession.” At the age of 26, Lindell began touring the United States as one of the principal singers in the tribute act “ABBA THE CONCERT.” 

She has performed at various venues, including The Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles and Wolf Trap Performing Arts Centre just outside of Washington D.C. She’s also had one of her original songs nominated for CARA (the A cappella world’s Grammy equivalent). Lindell’s time on tour sparked the desire to create something personal for herself as the classic songs became such a monumental part of her life. Her upcoming EP is a fascinating deep dive into ABBA, and includes interpretations of a selection of ABBA songs that have brought special meaning to her over the years. With a solo EP, It Should Be Easier (2017), and a handful of original singles already under her belt, Lindell continues on her journey as a solo artist.

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Braids - Juniper Bush - Lavinia Blackwall - Forces - Mardi Lumsden - Kluster B

Braids have just shared a video for 'Snow Angel'. Last November we said of Braids "the indie art rock band manage to achieve everything that genre bundle suggest, doing so fabulously" this new song proves that was no one off event. === Juniper Bush have released a video for 'Turn' where the Winnipeg band deliver a mixture of restrained shoegaze and psych rock with melodic grooves. === Lavinia Blackwall shares 'John's Gone' ahead of her debut album due in May, the song is a vibrant, catchy modern folk song. === Duo Forces have been around for twenty years and 'Say It Now' demonstrates how well their musicianship and song writing has developed, with this energised pop/rock track. === Mardi Lumsden has a brand new album out entitled 'Hiatus' and it's a gorgeous collection of songs from this very talented Brisbane, Australia folk artist. === This is the third song we have had the pleasure of featuring this year from Kluster B  and with 'Graveyard' the bands ability to mix genres and styles in just one song is both fabulous and notable.
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Braids - Snow Angel.

Montreal-based indie trio Braids have announced their decision to push the release of their new album Shadow Offering to June 19th due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In the meantime, however, they will continue to release new songs in the coming weeks. Today, they shared their new video for single "Snow Angel," a powerful opus that features singer Raphaelle Standell-Preston's most visceral performance to date as she leans passionately into her anger, diving deeper into frustrations and anxieties about her internal and external worlds.

Of the track, Braids said: "'Snow Angel' was written in the immediate wake of the 2016 US election, as our collective conscience took a sharp inhale. It's a diary entry of sorts - a snapshot of the mind grappling with our era's endless barrage of content and destruction, continents away and close to home. *This* moment, with our world in the midst of a pandemic, is admittedly a new context. But I can't help but sense the song speaks to feelings many of us are experiencing - uncertainty, angst, and a desperate desire to make sense of it all.

"For me, it was deeply therapeutic to write and sing this song; saying things out loud can help us to not feel so alone, can help validate our natural fears about the future of our world, and can bring to light some of the hard questions that many of us are asking ourselves. I believe that art can change our relationship to fear. We hope this song can offer you a moment of catharsis and relief, in the same way writing and performing it has for us."

"Snow Angel" first debuted on The FADER who stated "Producer Chris Walla (Death Cab For Cutie) lets the band breathe throughout the epic track, letting the energy ebb and flow as Raphaelle Standell-Preston switches her vocals between singing and spoken-word. The whole thing builds to a frantic final third in which the chaos and confusion is palpable."

Releasing through Secret City Records, Shadow Offering finds the band at their most personal, unabashedly flexing a new sense of confidence through songs that reach a higher level of artistry and collaboration. A luscious and expansive release, it leads us through a sonic tapestry of narrative. With heartbreaking honesty and precision, listeners traverse a nuanced and complicated world: one full of beautiful contradiction. Although the album directs itself at the failures of people to love and be loved, it also seeks to restore justice and attain blissful union. It's arc crests through the dark towards the light and learns how to dance with the dizzying rhythms of the heart. The songs bubble, sustain, dissolve, expand, and retract.

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Juniper Bush - Turn.

In their latest video for “Turn,” Winnipeg psych-rock/shoegaze four-piece Juniper Bush explore the fantasy of unrequited love through a dance. The tune appears on the band’s debut full-length record, Healing Through A Sonic Figure, which arrives next week on April 3 via Transistor 66. Reverb-smeared chords and Lizzy Burt’s angelic vocals evoke the emptiness of floating adrift through space, and the impending sorrow of a lust disguised as love.

As Burt explains, “The song’s lyrics express the fantasy of a better life with the object of one’s affection, the inner turmoil and intensity of a one-sided romance, and how patterns repeat despite life’s lessons.” In the video, a wedding dress is used to represent outgrown notions of love and tradition. As the video progresses, a figure dances with a plastic bag, while a chair remains distanced from the figure. The chair is used to represent inner wisdom and truth, and the space between fantasy and reality.

“It’s sort of a dance of self-deception and struggle to maintain a sense of self,” says Burt, who appears in and directs the video. “I appear curled up naked in the chair for a mere moment near the end of the video to signify growth and a new sense of truth and awareness from the experience.”

Comprised of Lizzy Burt (Basic Nature), Adrian Schroeder (Black Cloud), and Danny Hacking and Kyle Loewen (Holy Void and Surprise Party), Juniper Bush has been called a Winnipeg supergroup, merging the snarling psychedelia of The Black Angels, penetrative shoegaze of My Bloody Valentine (circa 1988), and the otherworldly alt-rock of The Cranberries into a concoction that’s both abrasive and sweet. Juniper Bush's upcoming Western Canadian tour is now cancelled due to COVID-19 concerns. The band will announce rescheduled dates in the coming months.

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Lavinia Blackwall - John's Gone.

Lavinia Blackwall is already a well-known name in many circles. Her work with prolific Glaswegian psych-folk outfit Trembling Bells having earnt her a reputation as one of the best voices in the scene, many critics having likened her singing prowess to that of Sandy Denny. Along with Trembling Bells she has released seven full-length albums and performed as the backing band to folk legends Bonnie Prince Billy and The Incredible String Band’s Mike Herron. Now she is striking out on her own with the release of her debut solo album Muggington Lane End which is out on May 1st.

Recorded live, the album is a mixture of wistful longing, joyful exuberance, wheeling psychedelia and classic songwriting. Listening to it, you wouldn’t believe that many of the vocals on the record were recorded in one take, though that’s the kind of faultless performance the classically trained soprano has become known for. Muggington Lane End began its journey back in 2018, with two tracks (Waiting For Tomorrow and All Seems Better) being recorded with former bandmates Mike Hastings and Simon Shaw. “They were in a previous incarnation of what I thought my solo project would be, called 'Orion's Belt'” explains Blackwall, however when she got together with partner and collaborator Marco Rea the project started to shift. “I realised I could get a fresh band together, seeing as Mike and Simon were very busy with their own projects”.  Working with a new group of people breathed life into the project and the ‘Orion’s Belt’ moniker was ditched in favour of Lavinia Blackwall, perhaps an indicator that this would become the singer and multi-instrumentalist’s most personal work yet. “I don't think I've ever worked with a group so committed to working on arrangements, timings and feel. I just love it,” she says. “Marco is a fantastic producer, who pushes me to see things through, consider ideas I'd never have thought about and also just gets what I'm trying to do. We work so easily together”. A sentiment that translates audibly on record.

Lead single ‘John’s Gone’ harks back to 60’s style songwriting, telling the tale of an oddball named John in a style reminiscent of Beatle’s classic ‘Maxwell’s Silver Hammer’. Lavinia’s storytelling skills are artfully showcased throughout the record, Muggington Lane End’s most common thread being the notion of dreaming and escapism.

Muggington Lane End may still incorporate elements of Lavinia’s work with Trembling Bells however it also feels like a step towards a more authentic voice from the singer, singing songs from her own perspective. “I love every song, performance and recording and am so proud of the work everyone has put into making it,” she says, and that love really shines through.

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Forces - Say It Now.

Hi, we’re Forces. I’m Jess and this [motions to the right] is Dave. Dave and Jess, Jess and Dave. It’s been that way for over 20 years. A time long enough that the lines between life, music and love have become beautifully blurred. We wouldn’t have it any other way. The name ‘Forces’ implies a literal “joining of forces” between Dave and I, each contributing our power into doing the thing we love to do most: making music, together.  But, it’s also rooted in our love of joining forces with our musical community, and our passion for creating experiences for our friends to play and perform together.

Forces became a thing in 2017 after we closed the book on a whirlwind decade of recording and touring with our former band, The Golden Dogs.  That trip took us all over the world and we had the privilege to support great artists; biggies like Sloan, Feist, Bloc Party, Libertines, Kaiser Chiefs, Thurston Moore and even the late great Roky Erickson (twice!).  One thing that still astounds us is the number of amazingly talented people who grew through our band who continue to do great things and are still our dearest friends: members of Zeus, Taylor Knox, Wax Atlantic, and Brave Shores, to name a few.  All of these musicians, including Dave and I, cut their rock teeth in the Golden Dogs.

When the band ended, we started exploring in the studio making what we thought would be the next GD record, but deep down we knew that it wasn’t.  What we were making was dancier. It was groovier. We were growing new skin, wearing new hats, trying on ideas of all different sizes. It seems fitting the song that inspired us into a new artistic direction is a song about inspiration itself. ‘Step in a Sway’—our second single, but the first we recorded—felt to us like a true departure both in style and attitude. It was our foray into layering tracks with metronomic, percussive loops, as opposed to the traditional power-pop approach of recording we were used to, a bed-track with drums, bass & guitar.

In the studio, we were inspired by different production styles—the big beat and hypnotic grooves of Liquid Liquid and ESG, the thin guitar and funky bass of Nile Rodgers and Bernard Edwards, the alt pop of Miley Cyrus & Her Dead Petz, New Order’s approach to dance pop, and the layered hooks of the Cure. Forces is us embracing pure pop, and it feels right.  Our rule is, if a song makes us want to get up and dance, then we’re on the right track.

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Mardi Lumsden - Hiatus (Album).

Longstanding Brisbane folk artist Mardi Lumsden has today released her debut album Hiatus, a collection of dreamy folk songs filled with heart, soul and commentary on human nature.

The next step in an already long and illustrious career, Hiatus is an eleven-track delight showcasing Mardi's signature ability to weave heartfelt stories together using banjos, keyboards and electronic drums to create a unique genre of dream folk -  a fusion of the ethereal atmospheres and textures creating a mixture of dream pop with acoustic-based folk.  Recorded and produced by her husband Andrew Pennay in their converted church-turned home studio, tracks such as 'Juniper Trees', 'Someday' and 'Treasure Like This' are delicate, warm and truly uplifting.

The album's release is punctuated by the focus track 'Fiore', written under the inspiration of an Italian summer and the beauty of letting go of relationships. "It's about releasing your expectations and accepting that endings also mean new beginnings," Mardi explains. Her most recent single, 'Heading Home,' also featured on Double J's Tower of Song with Henry Wagons.

Previous success for Mardi Lumsden has included songs from her EP Wherever you go, there you are being featured on Australian TV shows such as Channel 7's Winners and Losers, ABC's Dance Academy and ABC's Time of Our Lives. Also recorded in a church-turned-recording studio (ARIA-winning producer Magoo's Applewood Studios), 'Classified' from the EP received the Q Song Award in the Folk/Ballad category and was nominated for Song of The Year as well as an Australian Songwriting Association award.


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Kluster B - Graveyard.

Kluster B (fka Kluster) are putting out their second album, b, on April 17th. A lot has happened in all the five members lives since the first album, civic (2018). The band was very shattered during the period that the music was written, being far apart from each other both geographically and emotionally, which resulted in turns within the music none of the members could have foreseen. A band crisis emerged, a crisis that was processed in the studio during the recording week, something that has left its clear marks on the record. In the end, the recording of b was an enriching experience for the band, coming out stronger than ever on the other side, with a new name and a new record. There was now nothing left to lose.

The band was founded by four friends and a virtual drummer in Malmö 2014, a real life drummer joined in shortly afterwards and the gang was complete. Since then, the quintet has been active on as well the Malmö indie scene as playing shows in Berlin, Copenhagen, Stockholm, supporting acts such as Frankie Cosmos, Omni and Nicole Sabouné. Debut album 'civic' was released in 2018 and Kluster received praise from Line of Best Fit, BBC Radio 6, major Swedish music magazines and more.

The band returned earlier this year with new singles 'Counterpart' and 'Love Must Conquer', two tracks taken from their upcoming sophomore album that will be released on April 17th via Rama Lama Records. Today, another piece of the puzzle that is Kluster B's second album is released in the form of new single 'Graveyard''.

Graveyard is yet another glimpse of Kluster's playful sound - a melting pot of broad influences such as pop, punk, noise, lo-fi, indie and jazz. Just like its precursors, Graveyard is a development of the sound we got to know on their first album. The interplay and paradox between the complex and simple is still there but the quintet have this time allowed themselves more time and space to experiment with almost jamming parts that creates a larger soundscape hypnotizing the listener.

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Braids - 13//ali_fawn - Wojtek the bear - The Small Press - Mother Mariposa - Alexandria Miallot - Approachable Members Of Your Local Community & Dulcie

Braids have released 'Eclipse (Ashley)' accompanied by a video, the indie art rock band manage to achieve everything that genre bundle suggest, doing so fabulously. === 13//ali_fawn pack energy and creativity into 'Future Swim' a blistering and imaginative rocker. === It's our fifth feature for Wojtek the bear who continue to create personable and oh so likable alt rock as is the case with 'Some States'. === The Small Press have released their debut E.P 'Is This What You Want?' with five really fine indie pop and rock songs the Sydney band are lively and catchy. === We have a new video from recently formed Mother Mariposa entitled 'Pilot Light'. It's a creative ten minutes of dreamy, imaginative and blissful music and it's very addictive. === From Vancouver Island Alexandria Miallot just shared 'Someone To Keep You Warm' a short electro rock song with depth and a sample of this weekends new album release from her entitled 'Benevolence'. === Two bands for the price of one and a new video thrown in as well, now that's a bargain as Approachable Members Of Your Local Community & Dulcie share 'Strangest Places' an upbeat indie pop and rock song with bags of wonderful for good measure.
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Braids - Eclipse (Ashley).

Montreal-based indie art rock band Braids announce the release of their new song "Eclipse (Ashley)." Along with the official video, "Eclipse (Ashley)" marks the trio's long-awaited return and the first taste of their forthcoming new album releasing next year on Secret City Records. Dedicated to the singer's best friend, it's a song that sinks deep into a feeling of reverie for nature, the love found in friendship, and the vital essence of personal reflection.

"'Eclipse (Ashley)' is a love song made for my best friend Ashley Obscura," stated singer Raphaelle Standell-Preston. "During the car ride to go and view the total solar eclipse, we were fretting about not having glasses to stare at the sun, you know, those funny ones that look like you’re sitting down to watch a 3D movie. Amongst the chatter Ashley said 'we should take this opportunity to think about what eclipses us in our lives.' BAM. REFOCUS. We all took this sentiment with us as we sat on the side of the quarry, as the moon came to hug the sun. We sat in silence perched amongst the tall grass, the wildflowers, the rocks and glistening water, closed eyes, reflecting. Returning to the studio, the song poured out of us in one shot."

The definition of an eclipse is "the total or partial obscuring of one celestial body by another." With effortless beauty, Braids have crafted a balm to combat the dark forces that cross us. To overcome the fears that plague us, the planets eclipsing our planetary bodies, the patterns that bind us, the anxiety that grips us, the heartbreak that breaks us. The balm is the perfect antidote to such darkness and chaos: that of hope, pleasure and, above all, always love.

Braids is comprised of Standell-Preston, Austin Tufts, and Taylor Smith. Formed in 2007 in Alberta, they have solidified a decade-long reputation for their musical ingenuity and established themselves as one of Canada's most acclaimed art rock bands, garnering two Polaris Prize shortlists and winning the 2016 Juno Award for Alternative Album of the Year. With Standell-Preston's vocals as the pillar of their sound, Braids weave organic and electronic elements together amidst a lyrical landscape that is intimate, explosive, and emotionally-immersive. Their albums have earned praise from Pitchfork, NPR, New York Times, T Magazine, NME, and The Guardian among many others. They have supported or toured with artists such as Toro Y Moi, The Antlers, Wye Oak, Purity Ring, and Friendly Fires along with festival appearances around the world including Glastonbury, Primavera, Osheaga, Hopscotch, and SXSW.


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13//ali_fawn - Future Swim.

Detroit-based producer and multi-instrumentalist Alister Fawnwoda AKA 13//ali_fawn releases ‘Future Swim’, the first single lifted from forthcoming album ‘Ruby Beach’, due in Summer 2020 and mixed by Welsh powerhouse David Wrench (Caribou, FKA Twigs, Sampha, Shura, The xx, Young Fathers, +++). Born in Motor City, Fawnwoda cultivated his musicianship through learning violin and piano from a young age. Honing his métier, he studied music, poetry and visual arts at The University of Miami and then the Tibetan Buddhist-founded Naropa University.

In 2016 he moved to LA to work under the tutelage of Hans Zimmer as an intern for the following three years. In 2019, Ali moved back to Detroit to quench a hankering for eclectic collaborations, both as a producer and as a musician. To date, he’s worked on projects with producers Cole M. Greif-Neil (Beck, Ariel Pink), Gordon Raphael (The Strokes), Sonny DiPerri (DIIV, Animal Collective), Marta Salogni (Björk, The xx), and many more. Additionally, he’s joined forces with musicians including Alex Carapetis (Nine Inch Nails, The Voidz), Jenny Lee Lindberg and Stella Mozgawa (Warpaint), Mauro Refosco (Talking Heads, Atoms for Peace), and Philip Peterson (Portugal. The Man).

"’Future Swim’ is about time-travel and death, and contemplates whether or not the two are intertwined as one thing," notes Fawnwoda.

"Musically and instrumentally we wanted to give the feeling of time warping and stretching as in the intro, and then skyrocketing forward in a linear fashion. Lyrically, the song is about a man who stands at the edge of a sea cliff, and hears the ocean beckons him in. In his head he hears this as an invitation into a portal in which he can go to another time and place; specifically the past to prevent the death of his loved one."

With a keen eye for aesthetics, Fawnwoda enlisted photographer Daisuke Yokota to curate the visual side of the project. Daisuke and www.anothersomething.org share some words regarding the colour photographs, “With this series,” Yokota explains, he “tried not to take pictures,” and instead sought to “draw out the physical aspect of film.” Another Something talk through the physical process,“Yokota layered sheets of unused large format colour film and applied unorthodox developing methods before scanning the results. Here, documentation is replaced with darkroom alchemy in order to show that the essence of photography rests not necessarily with the camera, but in film itself.”

Fawnwoda was influenced by Daft Punk’s breakthrough album, Homework in addition to electronic artists like Suzanne Ciani, Aphex Twin, Helena Hauff and composer Arvo Pärt. Alister’s work is a combination of all these interests, with a deep passion for production processes that harkens back to his love for The Beatles’ White Album.

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Wojtek the bear - Some States.

Scottish Fiction are delighted to present some states, the latest and last of this year's releases from Glasgow's five-piece wojtek the bear. some states completes the band's quartet of singles released during 2019, all of which are now collected on a limited edition 12" vinyl, old names for new shapes.

some states sees the band continue their fruitful working relationship with acclaimed producer Jamie Savage at Chem19 Studios [The Twilight Sad, Miaoux Miaoux, The Phantom Band, RM Hubbert]. some states taps straight into a rich vein of melancholy with it's early '90's alternative guitar line and laid back vocals.  The addition of strings to the bands permanent sound, once again serves to enrich and lift the track with soaring runs that create a lasting smile that only just the right piece of music can do.

Lead singer, and chief lyricist Tam Killean explains how the song came about, "it's a song about that particuarly painful end section of a failing relationship when it feels like all you're doing is arguing with the other person over the most ridiculous things, look who used the last of the toothpaste and didn't replace it.  The title comes from that old(ish) Scottish expression - "I've never been to America, but I've been in some states!"  I just really liked that dark, self-depreciating humour of it.  I think it's that ability to see the humour in the darkest of times that allows us to get through things sometimes."

The video for the single, shot by Kris Boyle, sees the band expand on the darkly-comic theme of failure with a Nigel Mansell obsessed Killean trying, and failing, to emulate his hero's exploits on the track.

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The Small Press - Is This What You Want? (E.P).

Packing a punch with their bright pop-punk bravado, Sydney’s The Small Press are back, releasing their debut EP Is This What You Want?

Energetic and upbeat, the four-piece’s radiant take on pop-punk shines across the project’s five tracks. Opening the EP with their three previously released singles, now remastered for this project, the opening is a brilliant introduction into The Small Press' clever indie punk mix. Whether it be the fast paced ‘Not Afraid to Love You’, boppy ‘Console Kids’ or feel-good ‘Remona’, each single stands out with it's own individual aesthetic.

Easing into ‘This Is Falling’, the first of the unreleased tracks, the group’s versatility is demonstrated brilliantly as they slow things down for this heartfelt piece. Ending on a bang, ‘8 Bit Summer’ is a scorcher which boasts gritty guitar lines and an addictive melody. Contrasting with the lively instrumental, lyrically the track is about a terrible relationship, the emotions during, and the aftermath. "It’s a song about those days when you should be outside basking in the sun, but instead you just can’t help but do nothing, stay inside, sleep in and play videos games," singer Maddie Gilholme explains.

Their three aforementioned singles were released last year, and saw spins on triple j’s Short.Fast Loud and Lunchtime shows, alongside praise across triple j Unearthed. Spending the majority of the year relentlessly gigging and honing their sound, the band have gone on to support the likes of Thelma Plum, dave and High Tropics.


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Mother Mariposa - Pilot Light.

Mother Mariposa is the new project of Jsun Atoms (The Upsidedown, Daydream Machine, PIA) and Thomas Mudrick. For those unfamiliar, Atoms' band The Upsidedown made a name for themselves with TV placements on shows that include HBO's True Blood, Showtime's Ray Donovan, and most recently FX's Animal Kingdom. The band went on to tour extensively with artists such as The Jesus and Mary Chain, The Raveonettes, Psychedelic Furs, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, Echo, and the Bunnymen, Allah Las, Brian Jonestown Massacre, Jagwar Ma, and friends Hope Sandoval, Luna, and The Black Angels.

As one could imagine, being around such an esteemed group of artists has to have some effect on a person. Out of The Upsidedown comes a band two years in the making. Joining forces with New Zealand’s Dan Fernie-Harper (Ride Into the Sun, The Dunes), Austin Barone (Lola Buzzkill), and Trask Schulte (Paste), Mother Mariposa have created a melding of electronica, psychedelia, and post-punk brilliance.

The band is proud to announce their debut album titled The Monarch Key. On first listen, many people think the music draws comparisons to dance music, but the spacious, droning tracks are actually the product of a five-piece band with guitar, bass, keyboards, and drums.  Lead single "Pilot Light" was written with consultation from legendary indie artist Dean Wareham (Galaxie 500) who described the new record as "Epic." The Monarch Key by Mother Mariposa is out everywhere now via Little Cloud Records.


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Alexandria Miallot - Someone To Keep You Warm.

Hailing from Vancouver Island, the genre-blending “swoon rock” artist Alexandria Maillot released her sophomore album ‘Benevolence’ on November 22nd 2019. Armed with razor-sharp wit and hopeless romanticism, Alexandria dissects narratives from personal life-experiences and delivers through sometimes schmaltzy and sometimes electropoppy instrumentation and arrangements. For this, she’s often been compared to heavyweights such as Feist, Stevie Nicks and Alabama Shakes’ Brittany Howard.

Maillot has already accumulated an impressive list of credits including being scouted by esteemed Canadian producer and songwriter David Foster (Christina Aguilera, Madonna, Whitney Houston) aged twelve, collaborating with Randy Bachman (Ringo Starr, The Beach Boys), and securing a feature on the Opera Winfrey network.

Touring extensively across Europe and Canada performing at festivals such as Reeperbahn and Iceland Airwaves, Alexandria is no stranger to the live-circuit. Her debut album ‘Time’ also saw her playlisted across national radio and gained her critical acclaim internationally across industry peers and fans.

With her second full-length ‘Benevolence’, we see a change in the Canadian singer-songwriter. On tracks like ‘I Never Liked Your Friends’, we see her exploring a more sardonic side to her songwriting, while ‘Make It Out’ comes from a darker place; she says it’s “a song about depression; the lack of motivation that plagues the day, where solace is only found in sleep at night.”

‘Someone To Keep You Warm’ sees the soloist showcasing menacing synthesisers after a Kelsey Lu-esque introduction. Themed around the joy she gained after seeing her ex struggle to find a lover, the singer had this to say about the schadenfreudian number; “It’s a song about watching a former partner struggle to find companionship and getting enjoyment out of it.”

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Approachable Members Of Your Local Community & Dulcie - Strangest Places.

Approachable Members Of Your Local Community invite you to join them in another cathartic boogie as they release new single and accompanying video today for ‘Strangest Places’ - a collaboration with fellow Australian indie-poppers, all-female 4-piece, Dulcie. The new release proceeds their forthcoming, Love Thy Neighbour EP, out Jan 31st and comes as the band prepares to showcase at SXSW in 2020.

From the depths of suburban Australia has emerged a commercial partnership so robust, so well-negotiated, that the foundations of our earthly existence have indeed been shaken. ‘Strangest Places’ captures the essence of the band collaborative spirit, “The story of our interstate partnership (with Dulcie) began in the greenrooms of Australia, in what we call the Bitter Winter of 2019. We immediately developed a collaborative commercial relationship with a strong grounding in mutual respect and synergies. Hands were firmly shaken, and the deal was done: a song was to be made. 'Strangest Places' is about making new friends, being in wacky places, and getting up to the business of life.” says Micky Fisher (Bassist) AMOYLC.

Following standout sets at BIGSOUND 2019 and support slots for Polish Club, half•alive (USA), Kira Puru and Joyride and more, the EP marks a culmination of their growth as a band over the last 24 months and features the previously released singles ‘On + On’ and ‘Citrus Fruit’. Working with creative director Giulia McGauran on visuals and writing with the likes of Japanese Wallpaper and Alex Lahey, Approachable Members know that collaboration is key to a successful community. Whatever you come for, Approachable Members Of Your Local Community just want to make you feel at home, and share their little slice of suburban paradise with you.


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