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| Photo - Samuel George Franklin |
London four-piece Speedial blend melodic post-rock, shoegaze, math rock, jazz fusion and noise-rock into a captivating and distinctive sound, reminiscent of everything from Deerhoof and Big Thief to Radiohead, Faraquet and the atmospheric textures of David Bowie's Blackstar.
Dual vocalists Serena and Millie weave intricate harmonies over complex instrumental landscapes, with saxophonist Monarch and drummer Joe's technical ability adding a crucial layer of depth. Produced by Joseph Futak (Tapir!, lilo), new single 'Tourist' - released today - offers a taste of this interplay, with Serena noting the song's lyrics' depiction of "an exaggerated 'evil' version of myself."
Speaking more on new single 'Tourist', vocalist Serena said: "When I'm feeling guilty about something I tend to get quite dramatic and it's easy to spiral into thinking one bad decision makes people think the worst of you. It was cathartic in a way to write all of that negativity down and realise that that isn't really how I am. I wanted the lyrics to be quite bleak and matter of fact. I usually get caught up with flowery language and making my lyrics kind of opaque and hard to decipher but I didn’t want to hide behind that for this song."
A collective of musicians who grew up playing together, Speedial's shared history is evident in their tight-knit sound. Part of London's thriving alternative scene, the band are regulars at The Windmill, The George Tavern, and The Shacklewell Arms, recently sharing stages with acts like Picture Parlour, Camera Picture (black midi), Ugly (UK), Dog Race, The Orchestra (For Now), Deep Tan, Automotion, amongst others.
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Echo Valley is back with a brand-new single from their highly anticipated album, Leave You Behind, set to release this spring. This latest track is a lively and energetic breakup song, blending the band’s signature Bluegrass, Americana, and Country influences with a playful musicality that contrasts its weighty lyrics.
Fiddle player Emily Anderson steps into the spotlight with dynamic lead vocals, bringing both charm and attitude to the song. The contrast between the song's upbeat instrumentation and its poignant lyrics makes for a compelling and unforgettable listening experience.
“I wrote this song while helping a friend going through a breakup.” Says songwriter Lizzy Anderson, guitar player and harmony vocals on the song. “I was helping my friend delete the pictures of her ex off of her phone when I came across a picture that made me laugh. It was a poorly photoshopped photo of a cartoon gravestone with the boyfriend's name. It said “Here lies Billy. He died alone”. I chuckled about it for the next few days till I finally put it down in song.”
Recorded in Nashville, Leave You Behind marks a new chapter for Echo Valley as they continue to push musical boundaries while staying true to their roots.
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| Photo - Sebestian Buzzalino |
Canadian singer-songwriter Lucette shares the slow-burn single "Rodeo Clown" ahead of her new EP Nice Girl From The Suburbs releasing this Friday. Co-written with producer Soren Hansen (New Politics, Elle King, Sam Palladio), "Rodeo Clown" finds Lucette on the wrong side of the joke as opportunities pass to the steady beat of anthemic dream pop synths.
Lucette will play a special hometown show at Edmonton's Double Dragon on April 24, followed by a performance in Calgary on May 2. "'Rodeo Clown' is about feeling like despite giving it your all, you won’t succeed," says Lucette. "Even if you have the same bruises and failures as the ones that have seen glory. It’s about feeling unseen while still admitting to your faults."
Continuing the musical inclinations Lucette (aka Lauren Gillis) first began exploring on her acclaimed 2019 release Deluxe Hotel Room, Nice Girl From the Suburbs is brimming with self-awareness and a sense of shared humanity. The six-song EP mixes self-pity with clever self-deprecation, as the wry observer in Lucette turns her sharply intuitive eye onto herself. She has previously shared three singles from the EP, including a pedal-steel-filled boot-stomper filtered through a slacker-pop lens called “Back in the Blue” (feat. Mariel Buckley), and “Heading for the End,” which finds her living in the complexity of being human while still resisting people-pleasing stereotypes. The latest single “Too Soon For Sorry” starts out as a yearning love song before building to a frenzy of fuzzed out guitar wails, and Atwood Magazine called it "the kind of cathartic confessional that sends shivers down the spine"
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| Photo - Sophie Prettyman Beauchamp |
A shapeshifter, a sonic acrobat, a performer with one foot in the cosmos and the other in arthouse theatrics, Gelli Haha (pronounced Jelly Haha) is a space for pure creative chaos.
For the opening trick, Gelli Haha presents her debut album, Switcheroo. Gelli’s music thrives on duality: playful but profound, tongue-in-cheek but sincere. Switcheroo is the soundtrack to the Gelliverse, a sensory adventure sphere created by Gelli.
Her debut art pop single “Bounce House” flashes back to youth-like innocence with high upbeat energy, turning the dance floor into a playground. The track’s accompanying music video rockets viewers straight into Gelliverse. This live revue is an invitation into a world of choreography, dolphin balloons, flutes, mini trampolines, and a stage bathed in the project’s primary color, red - bold and full of mischief. The 360 experience was shot all in one take by director David Gutel.
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