Ruthie has a new lyric video for 'Twenty Forty Seven' as she makes her fourth appearance on Beehive Candy this year. Her beautiful voice once again pleases on this gentle and rather stripped back track. === With a band name like World/Inferno Friendship Society and a song title such as 'All I Can Do To Help You With Your Nightmares Is Keep You Up Late V1' the song itself had better be good and it is, as these genre mixers splendidly deliver. === Whyte Horses along with the vocals of La Roux have just released 'Mister Natural' which is a gorgeous indie pop cover of a 1974 Bee Gees song. === Another band making their fourth appearance here are Post Louis with the latest song release 'Descender' where we find the art rock band in melodic and reflective mode. === Michael Malarkey has released a second single from his forthcoming album ' Graveracer' in the form of 'Shake The Shiver' which is another refined and atmospheric Americana song. === We are always in search of originality and imaginative material and so Alex Dowling and his new song 'King Of Thumbs' really is a breath of fresh air. It might take a couple of listens because this gorgeous piece has so much to take in.
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Ruthie - Twenty Forty Seven.
This year has seen Ruthie make a compelling introduction, which culminated with the release of her debut EP ‘Universal Heartbreak Now’. She’s recently been named as One To Watch by both The Observer and HMV, which adds to radio support at Radio 1, Beats 1, 6 Music and BBC Introducing, plus playlists including Spotify’s New Music Friday UK, Amazon’s Fresh Indie plus Dazed, NME and DIY.
Now Ruthie shares a new lyric video for the EP’s closing track ‘Twenty Forty Seven’. While ‘Universal Heartbreak Now’ focuses on the finer details as a relationship slowly unravels, this instead reflects on the aftermath. The pain might not be as overwhelming as was expected, but there’s still nostalgia and a yearning for what might’ve been. The song allows Ruthie’s emotive vocal to take centre-stage, with a sparse backdrop of slide guitar, understated piano and stripped back percussion
"‘Twenty Forty Seven’ is about the stories that we tell ourselves after a break up,” explains Ruthie. “We imagine that we’ll never find love again, and instead linger every evening in Tesco, waiting for an ex to show up. These stories play in our heads like old B-movies, implausible and ridiculous but very real."
Ruthie also used that idea for the track’s accompanying lyric video. She made the visual by constructing a collage of clips from various low-budget retro horrors, in the process crafting a playfully OTT backdrop for her revealingly honest lyrics.
Having recently supported Shura and The Magic Gang, Ruthie ends the year by playing London’s Servant Jazz Quarters ahead of a homecoming show at the Brudenell Social Club in Leeds. She’s also just confirmed her first festival date for 2020 at Hit The North, with a whole host of shows to be follow next year.
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World/Inferno Friendship Society - All I Can Do To Help You With Your Nightmares Is Keep You Up Late V1.
World/Inferno Friendship Society are back with a new single from their upcoming All Borders are Porous to Cats LP. The album is set to be released on January 17th 2020 via Alternative Tentacles. In addition to a New Years Eve show in Brooklyn, you can catch the band on tour throughout January and February!
World/Inferno Friendship Society's long awaited new album dares you to try and decipher it’s multi-layered, encrypted message, while dragging you kicking and screaming through a succession of flashbacks, alternate realities and drug and alcohol induced delusions. While World / Inferno is known for its utter disregard for boundaries of genre, All Borders are Porous to Cats deliberately pushes the limits of what could possibly be perceived as punk rock. It scores tales of fugitives, arson, larceny, perjury, drug addiction and freedom with elements of soul, funk, latin, polka, and classical music, as well as World /Inferno’s signature punk cabaret sound. 3 years in the making, 4 missed release dates, 5 lost band members, many a bridge burned, and a defamation lawsuit waiting to happen, The World /Inferno Friendship Society invites you to enjoy the fruits of their perpetual torment.
Take it as a promise, and a patent fact: All Borders Are Porous to Cats. The World/Inferno Friendship Society’s 7th full-length LP finds the collective reset and reinvigorated, behind the lyrics of Jack Terricloth, apparent possessor of the punk rock fountain of everlasting style and rage. The album follows Cat in the Hat (no relation), an undocumented refugee who is framed for a crime and requires the assistance of a ragtag gang of miscreants, academics, orchestra-caliber musicians, and radical insurgents—sometimes art does in fact imitate life!
First single “Freedom is a Wilderness” was fitting first available on an a compilation benefitting Chelsea Manning upon her initial release. The band is uncertain if New Romantic 2 Tone ska is an available generic distinction, but they damn well gave it a shot, and the haunting echo of “who woulda thought?” reminds the listener that for political prisoners like Manning, freedom is a relative concept at best. Upcoming single “Nightmares” improbably adds to the list of genres the band attempts, offering a horn and gang vocal driven shuffle somewhere between Fela Kuti and Elvis Costello. The remainder of the album sees the band at its most expansive musically—covering everything from Bowie-esque ballads to Balkan punk stomps—and inflammatory lyrically, with tales of romance, righteous indignation, and resistance.
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Whyte Horses / La Roux - Mister Natural.
Building up to the release of their latest album - Hard Times is out January 17th 2020 (CRC Records) - Whyte Horses have just released a new single featuring guest vocals from La Roux. The track is a cover of "Mister Natural", originally by the Bee Gees from their album of the same name released in 1974 (styled as Mr. Natural).
Speaking about the collaboration and choice of track, Whyte Horses frontman Dom Thomas shares: “I vividly remember watching a Bee Gees documentary late one night. By the time it got to the mid seventies era the band were talking about how everything was going wrong and they were close to quitting. It cut to some footage of a gig in Melbourne which was meant to be a low point but my ears pricked up when I heard the first few bars of Mister Natural. It was one of the best Bee Gees numbers I'd heard, right up there with Massachusetts and the golden sixties era ballads, in my mind this was an instant classic.
“I sent it to Elly and we decided to do a version at our Royal Festival Hall gig. It's one of those songs we both just connected with and we thought we should record it, this was before the idea of doing an album of covers, maybe it sparked the idea. “It's got a certain charm that's hard to quantify like all the best Bee Gees songs, it's melancholic and a little bit melodramatic" Whilst Elly Jackson (La Roux) adds: “Me and Dom share a love of this song, so it was a lovely opportunity to work with him on the track”
Whyte Horses are an elusive, psychedelic dream-pop collective from Manchester and Hard Times is a “fantasy mixtape”, shape-shifting and re-imagining songs from an eclectic mix of musical backgrounds. Alongside La Roux, an esteemed list of vocal collaborators guest throughout the record from Badly Drawn Boy to Chrysta Bell (Twin Peaks), Gruff Rhys to Melanie Pain (Nouvelle Vague) and more. The album’s grandiose title track features guest vocals from John Grant and was released alongside the album’s announcement earlier this year.
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Post Louis - Descender.
“A few years ago, I basically rolled straight off a tour bus and through the double glass doors of a massive office block to start a new job. It was a shock. I worked for endless hours in that place, often well into the night, calculating figures and writing emails at the heart of the corporate machine” says Stephanie Davin, lead singer of exciting five-piece art-rock band, Post Louis. The band garnered critical acclaim for a string of singles sporadically released throughout the last 18 months, and now their iridescent debut album is announced for release on 28th Feb 2020, with lead single and title track Descender.
Descender is about the churn and confusion of working through the day and the night and then back into the daylight, and what this does to one’s mind, body and relationships. “I don’t think people talk about labour enough in pop music, but almost all the musicians I know have done the strangest and most varied jobs alongside making music” says Davin.
And this is the driving force that lies at the heart of the album. Desperate exhaustion – both through mental and physical labour. While the band's previous EPs - This Could Be a Bridge and Uptight were preoccupied with the ways in which people can damage one other, Descender extends this gaze, taking in questions about love, labour, effort and blame.
Written from the perspective of a young woman internalising the effects of the Me Too movement – a burning rage, suppressed by the daily grind of life. “A couple of Christmases ago I was feeling overwhelmed by all the turmoil produced by the courageous disclosures in the Me Too movement. The Brock Turner witness statement had been published in the summer of 2016. That act of bravery occupied my mind, alongside a relentless looping mental image that I couldn’t shake, of Emily Doe (Chanel Miller) lying in the road. I wanted to link that image to the idea of heat, rage and being burnt out - whether by work or aspiration or fury. Fiery anger is often apt, but it can be exhausting as well as empowering.”
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Michael Malarkey - Shake The Shiver.
Multi-faceted musician and actor Michael Malarkey (The Vampire Diaries, Project Blue Book) unveils another dose of indie-laden Americana with ‘Shake The Shiver’, the second single from his upcoming second full-length album, ‘Graveracer’ due for release on 10th January 2020 via Cap on Kat/Kartel. Alongside standard DL, CD and LP, the album is available as a limited signed LP and CD format for pre-order here.
Ahead of the album release, Michael will play an exclusive in-store show at Kingston’s Banquet Records on 8th January. Fans can purchase a copy of the album with tickets from Banquet Records' website. The talented artist has also announced an extensive UK and European headline tour, kicking off at Manchester’s Deaf Institute on 9th January and coming to London’s Bush Hall on 10th January. To buy tickets please visit Michael Malarkey Official.
Written in Michael’s trailer between filming Project Blue Book, ‘Shake The Shiver’ was conceived on Arturia’s KeyStep - which combines step sequencing with keyboard control – to layer the sounds and melodies he wanted before heading into the studio to re-record them, although some of the original demo sounds made it through to the final cut.
Best known as the charismatic Enzo in the CW’s television series The Vampire Diaries and Captain Michael Quinnin Robert Zemeckis’ executively produced Project Blue Book for History. The British-American talent has simultaneously cultivated a body of work that established him as a distinctive and captivating crossover talent, winning over audiences in both the music and acting arenas.
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Alex Dowling - King Of Thumbs.
Irish composer Alex Dowling today shared new single and video “King of Thumbs” from his forthcoming debut album Reality Rounds, due out January 31st, 2020 via Carrier Records.
Reality Rounds was written for four vocalists (who each use customized wireless controllers to manipulate their AutoTuned voices in real-time) and synthesizer (performed by Grammy-nominated composer/pianist Pascal Le Bouef). The album was recorded and filmed live, and in full, at Princeton University by Four/Ten Media.
Dowling built “King of Thumbs” around an imagined deck of cards that the performers recite at the beginning of this ritual. Halfway through, a startling interruption transports the listener to a new sonic environment where the choir’s whistling is transformed into a flickering texture, a type of artificial birdsong. The music has echoes of Aphex Twin or Oneohtrix Point Never seen through the prism of Bjork’s Medúlla.
The full album and video of Reality Rounds will be released digitally and on CD January 31st, 2020 via Carrier Records.
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Showing posts with label Michael Malarkey. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Michael Malarkey. Show all posts
Saturday, 14 December 2019
Friday, 22 November 2019
Armada Of Secrets - The Blue Stones - Golden Cinema - Cox's Army - Izzy Frances - Michael Malarkey - Jody and the Jerms - Piers Faccini
Armada Of Secrets feel that their new song 'Make Me Over' is a milestone for the band. It's also a marvelous and empassioned rocker of a track. === Blues rock duo The Blue Stones have a new video for 'Shakin' Off The Rust', which is a slick and potent song. === The new three track E.P from Golden Cinema is called 'Peachy Keen', and the three member band share some catchy indie rock. === Cox's Army are a bluegrass band and 'New Richmond Town' is a highly engaging track and a fine taster for thier new album. === Ollie Trevers has a new E.P. out and we have 'Can't Make It Up' and 'Stage Of Fools' to relish over, his vocals are wonderful (shades of Jeff Buckley) and the songs are beautiful as well. ===Songwriter Izzy Frances has released 'Safety' a song that showcases both her creative skils and fabulous vocals. === Michael Malarkey has a new video for 'Graveracer', his distinct vocals supported by an understated musical backdrop that gradually builds. === Jody and The Jerms new song 'He Doesn't Know Me Much At All' is a vibrant alt rocker packing plenty of hooks. === Finally today we have Piers Faccini and the beautiful song 'Could Have Been You' where his gorgeous vocals are surrounded by an enchanting musical arrangement .
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Armada Of Secrets - Make Me Over.
"This track is a milestone for the band. All of our songs come from experience, but we felt that we were laid bare with this track. So much so that we delayed releasing it, and even went on hiatus as a result of writing it. It brought all of our anxieties, fears, and accomplishments (and even lack of) to the forefront. That level of honesty scared us. This track symbolises our return, a coming to terms with who we are and what we believe in’’.
Life submerges us all in its intensity. Some rise and some fall beneath waves of self-doubt and self-destruction. On ‘Make Me Over’ Armada of Secrets offer themselves to us at their most autobiographical. Caroline Kabera’s lyrics challenge the constant cloying desire we have to remodel ourselves and to escape into hypothetical new-selves, because the grass always seems greener. Built around Carl Dawkins’ minimalistic bassline (contrary to his usual, more complex approach), the song crescendos towards its explosive choruses through subtle nuances in rhythm and colour. Kabera’s voice is full-bodied, recalling the kind of soul-influenced vocals found in nineties and early noughties sentimental dance classics.
There’s a heart-wrenching and life-affirming intensity to their performance, which the band describes as their simplest yet. ‘Make Me Over’ is a prayer for meaning, pining for an irrecoverable past and an unattainable future. It’s the sound of a band who feel every sentiment close to the bone. The song doesn’t fade out so much as stop, leaving its haunting chimes ringing in our ears long into the lingering silence beyond.
London’s Armada of Secrets is made up of vocalist Caroline Kabera and bassist Carl Dawkins. They met in music school after Kabera immigrated to London from Burundi. Carl then toured the world in a variety of bands, and Caroline kept her singing national while working hard for women’s care refuge charities - a cause close to her heart. They later reignited their explosive musical chemistry as Armada of Secrets.
A rollicking drum-and-bass-driven power duo, marrying danceable post-punk with raw, soulful singing, and deeply affecting observational lyricism, their project is a heady and untameable mix, vital and undeniable, greater than the sum of its parts. They themselves have struggled to label the sound for years. Their closest approximation comes to ‘Post Punk Power Pop Alternative Dance Rock’ but at its core they suspect it’s probably rock and soul, though they’re keen to hear what fans think. After going on hiatus when they finished writing ‘Make Me Over’, it took a chance re-listen to their tracks - with the encouragement of friends and fans - for them to come back and once more give their distinct life and light to the country’s indie scene.
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The Blue Stones - Shakin' Off The Rust.
Alternative-blues rock duo, The Blue Stones, shared a futuristic music video for their latest single “Shakin’ Off The Rust”, out now on Entertainment One. The clip finds the band and their fans jumping into the virtual world for a concert that evolves into a dance party with a strange twist. Meticulously layered with cannon-esque percussion and electrifying guitars, “Shakin’ Off The Rust” culminates in an inspiring chorus focused on fresh starts. Working with producer Paul Meany (Mutemath, Twenty One Pilots), guitarist/vocalist Tarek Jafar and drummer/vocalist Justin Tessier managed to sonically create an emotional intensity that sets the table perfectly for Jafar’s powerful vocal delivery. Having just wrapped up a European headlining tour, the band are gearing up for 2020 with a new album on the horizon and more touring to come.
On creating the video, the band stated: “We wanted to do something a little different this time around. We think it’s funny that someday — maybe sooner than we think — we won’t have to tour, but can do shows from wherever we want. The video gets a little crazy at times, but we had fun doing it.”
When Tarek Jafar and Justin Tessier formed The Blue Stones, they were facing uncertainty about who they were individually. What they did know for sure, though, was that they wanted to make music together - and, so they did. Following the success of their debut album, Black Holes, the band quickly found a following in the alternative rock world that lead to them sharing the stage with the likes of grandson, Welshly Arms, and Reignwolf. As they began working on new music, The Blue Stones caught the attention of producer, Paul Meany (Mutemath, Twenty One Pilots), with whom they would eventually enter the studio with this past summer.
Working with Meany lead to The Blue Stones exploring – and creating – music in a different way than they had before, and led to a new approach by Jafar when it came to tackling lyrics. The result was the band truly discovering who they were during the writing process. They’ve crafted something that shimmers with such purity and truth – musically and lyrically – that one can’t help but be swept up and carried off by the songs that will eventually form their as-yet-untitled sophomore album slated for release on Entertainment One next year. The duo may be redefining who they are, but their decision to pursue the rock’n’roll dream holds as strong as ever as they enter the next stage of their journey.
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Golden Cinema - Peachy Keen (E.P).
Based out of Canada’s smallest province, Prince Edward Island, Golden Cinema is a three-piece indie band with a penchant for summary melodies and bouncy rhythms. Their new EP, "Peachy Keen," is comprised of three songs. It's their first EP and leans into moodier grooves and guitar chimes.
“Our new “Peachy Keen EP” was recorded over the summer of 2019, with Derek and I recorded our parts on Prince Edward Island and Chris recording his guitar and vocals in Toronto. Due to working on a shoestring budget we weren’t all able to be in the same place, which started off feeling like a roadblock but ended up being a fun experiment!
"After the basic recording was done we sent the songs to our mixer and long-time pal, Dan Griffin (Teen Ravine, Arkells), who added some killer synths and strings and mixed the hell out of it. Dan Weston, who Chris actually plays on a softball team with, mastered the songs which was exciting because he mixes and masters records for a lot of our favourite Canadian musicans, such as Daniel Romano. We’re thrilled with how the songs turned out and can’t wait to get back to work on more music. Maybe it’s finally time for a full length album…” – Andy
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Cox's Army - New Richmond Town.
Cox's Army is a bluegrass band that performs classic and original material in the traditional style. Founded in 2016, the band is led by 'Cousin' Chuck Cox (Guitar, Lead Vocal) and features Laird Patten (Banjo), Jeff Burke (Mandolin, Baritone Vocal), and Jack Campbell (Bass, Tenor Vocal). The band keeps things traditional and acoustic, but believes that there is plenty of room for new material and innovation within that style. Their live show is built around a blend of Chuck Cox's original songs and a healthy dose of classic bluegrass songs. Authentic performance is a core value of Cox's Army. The band most often performs around a small mic cluster to deliver their signature vocal harmonies and they 'work the mic' like classic bluegrass bands to emphasize featured instrumental breaks.
Bandleader Chuck Cox originally hails from Cincinnati, OH, one of the historic centers of bluegrass music in the post-war era. After a 20 year career playing many other styles of music, Chuck found bluegrass through a search for his roots, which took him into Jackson County, KY. The search connected him with far more than he bargained for, finding many living cousins (in order of discovery): The Kirby Knob Boys, Larry Sparks, Dale Farmer (director of The Mountain Minor film), and eventually to David Harvey. Inspired by their examples as true originals, Chuck has worked hard to find his own sound and style as a bluegrass guitar picker, and songwriter.
Cox’s Army’s upcoming album New Richmond Town, planned for release in November of 2019, was recorded in the same spirit as each track is a complete performance without edits or modern studio tricks. The album was recorded in Chicago with Chris Walz producing the sessions and the tracks were mixed with the experienced ear of Rickey Wasson in Clay City, KY. Cox’s Army’s debut album Green Eyed Train, released in 2018, was recorded in the same style with production and mixing by the same team.
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Ollie Trevers - Can't Make It Up / Stage Of Fools.
‘The EP’ - Cordelia evokes themes of heartache, melancholia, catharsis and emotional claustrophobia. It is about feelings which often transcend our ability to describe them in words. With his idiosyncratic ear for melody and hooks, and a dynamic sense of opposites (light and dark, loud and quiet, bitter and sweet etc.), Ollie Trevers fires a salvo of emotionally charged numbers that cull influence from across the spectrum of popular guitar music. Cordelia is a narrative of heartbreak, showing the duality of relationships and their untimely endings. It is an exploration of unrequited love and its causes and effects: depression, addiction, disillusionment and longing.
London based singer/songwriter Ollie Trevers studied at Leeds College of Music and ICMP. He started writing and performing music at fourteen years old, harbouring artistic aspirations from the very beginning. A veteran of the band circuit, Ollie released his first solo EP Saucy Naughty Rubbish in 2018. Stylistically, the record saw Ollie exploring a powerful and energetic blend of post-punk and classic rock. His musical direction has since evolved into the five songs you hear on his new EP Cordelia.
It is a kaleidoscopic meeting of styles, channeling punk, alt rock, prog, blues, folk, and psychedelia. Ollie takes inspiration from artists such as Led Zeppelin, Ella Fitzgerald, Edith Piaf, Tim Buckley, Jeff Buckley, Pink Floyd, Queen, Jimi Hendrix, Joni Mitchell and David Bowie. Having only performed with his new band since March 2019, Ollie toured in the South of France a few months later. He plans to tour Britain, Europe and Nashville throughout 2020.
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Izzy Frances - Safety.
Songwriter Izzy Frances has placed herself firmly on the radar as one of the most exciting up and coming songwriters in the UK. Since releasing her first single ‘You Lost The War’, she’s picked up support from BBC Introducing, Impose Magazine and a number of key Spotify playlists taking her to over 10k streams in her first month.
Performing from a young age, Izzy started by singing and soon taught herself piano out of a passion for performance. Her songwriting life started in her teens when she wrote her first piece of music. She soon found a therapeutic quality to writing music that came from putting life experiences to music, though her inspiration often comes from a number of different sources.
"I've felt strongly about things that have happened in the books I've read or things that have happened in my friends / families lives and often then the songs just kind of pour out."
Still in the early stages of her songwriting journey, Izzy’s hard work and undeniable raw talent is beginning to bear fruit. Her new single ‘You Lost The War’ has been picked up by BBC Introducing, who invited Izzy to their studio for an interview and performance. She’s also picked up live shows at London institutions The Bedford and Spice of Life.
She’s now returning with her second single ‘Safety’ which reinforces her honest songwriting style and undeniable talent. An emotional piece of piano-led pop, it’s a dreamy new single that packs a songwriting maturity beyond Izzy’s years. On the new single she states:
"Safety is about stripping bare and exposing your soul in order to fully love. We're often so afraid of failure, ridicule or rejection that we feel a need to hide who we really are and to pretend the darker parts of us don't exist. But expressing these parts of ourselves should be fanning the flames of real love and strengthening that connection, not dampening it down. No fear, no judgement. 'Treat our love like a gun'"
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Michael Malarkey - Graveracer.
Multi-talented singer-songwriter-actor Michael Malarkey renders another brooding deep cut with new single ‘Graveracer’, the first offering and title track from Michael’s upcoming second full length album, due for release on 10th January 2020 via Cap on Kat/Kartel. Michael has also announced an extensive UK and European headline tour, kicking off at Manchester’s Deaf Institute on 9th January and coming to London’s Bush Hall on 10th January.
Best known as the charismatic Enzo in the CW’s television series The Vampire Diaries and Captain Michael Quinn in Robert Zemeckis’ executively produced Project Blue Book for History. The British-American talent has simultaneously cultivated a body of work that established him as a distinctive and captivating crossover talent, winning over audiences in both the music and acting arenas.
Written in 2018 between Puerto Rico and Vancouver whilst Michael was working on both the 50 Cent-produced crime drama The Oath and Project Blue Book, during a time of physical and emotional turbulence – Michael, the cast and crew were evacuated from Puerto Rico during the build-up of Hurricane Maria – an experience that has bled into the artist’s lyrical imagery through the record, perfectly depicting the tense feelings coming from the fragile balance of work and home.
“During the time I was working on the record, I escaped two hurricanes - as well as a third, I suppose, my own personal one. This record is my Odyssey in a way. It’s the journey back home after being ravaged in the seas of your own mind and finding the strength to carry on after the storm. I was left with a feeling of freedom and I found it through these songs. The opening track to the record, ‘Graveracer’, is the hearthstone of this journey. The road may be dark, but the night is full of stars”, reveals Michael.
Recorded at Tesla Studios in Sheffield, UK and produced by Michael and dark-folk maverick singer-songwriter A.A. Williams, ‘Graveracer’ is a visceral body of work and a masterful culmination of the last few years of Michael’s musical development, drawing together the strength of his unique live performances and influences in what is one of the most captivating releases of the year.
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Jody and The Jerms - He Doesn't Know Me Much At All.
Previously achieving success with The Anydays, Jody and the Jerms pick up the indie baton and look to power-pop, new wave and classic indie to light their path, with chiming guitars, 80’s Juno synth waves and Jody’s swooningly wide-eyed vocals.
Previously playing in bands who have received BBC Radio 2 plays, played major festivals and played alongside the likes of Radiohead and Supergrass, guitarist Niall Jeger and drummer Alex Bridge have hooked up with newcomer Jody on vocals to reinvent themselves as a band who are happy to ignore trends and play the music that excites them.
Now in the run up to their EP release, the band have shared a brand new single 'He Doesn't Know Me At All'; a nostalgic pop delight, that blends all those glittery, uplifting melodies and radiates the band's bubbly personality.
Looking to release their 2020 live dates in the near future, the Oxford trio are bringing back harmony-laden indie pop with an unmistakable nostalgic edge.
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Piers Faccini - Could Have Been You.
In 2018, Piers Faccini came up with the idea of releasing an EP vinyl series for his label, Beating Drum, in order to champion the kind of eclectic and talented artists the label meets and seeks out for their productions. The EP collection called, 'HEAR MY VOICE', began with three distinct and original voices from around the world, the Neapolitan songwriter, GNUT, New Zealand songstress, TUi MAMAKI and the Trinidadian poet and singer, Roger Robinson under his Folk alias, HORSEDREAMER.
For the fourth EP in the collection and wishing to highlight the series more, Piers Faccini decided to release one of his own.
In his previous albums, 'I DREAMED AN ISLAND' (2016) and 'SONGS OF TIME LOST' (2014) with cellist Vincent Segal, the songwriter had explored cross cultural routes to reach a form of songwriting without borders but for his 'HEAR MY VOICE' EP, he found inspiration in the kind of British and North American folk that coloured his first forays into songwriting and the result is vintage Faccini songwriting ; sparse, essential and poetic.
The first two songs on the EP, ‘Could This Be You’ and ‘Hope Dreams’ are dressed in the string arrangements of composer Luc Suarez, a collaborator in Faccini’s first band, Charley Marlowe in the 90’s and also feature drums played by Ken Coomer, (Wilco, Uncle Tupelo). Two more intimate tracks, ‘Angel of Mercy’ and ‘Say You Don’t Know’ are reserved for side B, songs with with which we can picture the songwriting artisan, at work in his hideaway in the hills of the Cevennes in southern France.
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Armada Of Secrets - Make Me Over.
"This track is a milestone for the band. All of our songs come from experience, but we felt that we were laid bare with this track. So much so that we delayed releasing it, and even went on hiatus as a result of writing it. It brought all of our anxieties, fears, and accomplishments (and even lack of) to the forefront. That level of honesty scared us. This track symbolises our return, a coming to terms with who we are and what we believe in’’.
Life submerges us all in its intensity. Some rise and some fall beneath waves of self-doubt and self-destruction. On ‘Make Me Over’ Armada of Secrets offer themselves to us at their most autobiographical. Caroline Kabera’s lyrics challenge the constant cloying desire we have to remodel ourselves and to escape into hypothetical new-selves, because the grass always seems greener. Built around Carl Dawkins’ minimalistic bassline (contrary to his usual, more complex approach), the song crescendos towards its explosive choruses through subtle nuances in rhythm and colour. Kabera’s voice is full-bodied, recalling the kind of soul-influenced vocals found in nineties and early noughties sentimental dance classics.
There’s a heart-wrenching and life-affirming intensity to their performance, which the band describes as their simplest yet. ‘Make Me Over’ is a prayer for meaning, pining for an irrecoverable past and an unattainable future. It’s the sound of a band who feel every sentiment close to the bone. The song doesn’t fade out so much as stop, leaving its haunting chimes ringing in our ears long into the lingering silence beyond.
London’s Armada of Secrets is made up of vocalist Caroline Kabera and bassist Carl Dawkins. They met in music school after Kabera immigrated to London from Burundi. Carl then toured the world in a variety of bands, and Caroline kept her singing national while working hard for women’s care refuge charities - a cause close to her heart. They later reignited their explosive musical chemistry as Armada of Secrets.
A rollicking drum-and-bass-driven power duo, marrying danceable post-punk with raw, soulful singing, and deeply affecting observational lyricism, their project is a heady and untameable mix, vital and undeniable, greater than the sum of its parts. They themselves have struggled to label the sound for years. Their closest approximation comes to ‘Post Punk Power Pop Alternative Dance Rock’ but at its core they suspect it’s probably rock and soul, though they’re keen to hear what fans think. After going on hiatus when they finished writing ‘Make Me Over’, it took a chance re-listen to their tracks - with the encouragement of friends and fans - for them to come back and once more give their distinct life and light to the country’s indie scene.
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The Blue Stones - Shakin' Off The Rust.
Alternative-blues rock duo, The Blue Stones, shared a futuristic music video for their latest single “Shakin’ Off The Rust”, out now on Entertainment One. The clip finds the band and their fans jumping into the virtual world for a concert that evolves into a dance party with a strange twist. Meticulously layered with cannon-esque percussion and electrifying guitars, “Shakin’ Off The Rust” culminates in an inspiring chorus focused on fresh starts. Working with producer Paul Meany (Mutemath, Twenty One Pilots), guitarist/vocalist Tarek Jafar and drummer/vocalist Justin Tessier managed to sonically create an emotional intensity that sets the table perfectly for Jafar’s powerful vocal delivery. Having just wrapped up a European headlining tour, the band are gearing up for 2020 with a new album on the horizon and more touring to come.
On creating the video, the band stated: “We wanted to do something a little different this time around. We think it’s funny that someday — maybe sooner than we think — we won’t have to tour, but can do shows from wherever we want. The video gets a little crazy at times, but we had fun doing it.”
When Tarek Jafar and Justin Tessier formed The Blue Stones, they were facing uncertainty about who they were individually. What they did know for sure, though, was that they wanted to make music together - and, so they did. Following the success of their debut album, Black Holes, the band quickly found a following in the alternative rock world that lead to them sharing the stage with the likes of grandson, Welshly Arms, and Reignwolf. As they began working on new music, The Blue Stones caught the attention of producer, Paul Meany (Mutemath, Twenty One Pilots), with whom they would eventually enter the studio with this past summer.
Working with Meany lead to The Blue Stones exploring – and creating – music in a different way than they had before, and led to a new approach by Jafar when it came to tackling lyrics. The result was the band truly discovering who they were during the writing process. They’ve crafted something that shimmers with such purity and truth – musically and lyrically – that one can’t help but be swept up and carried off by the songs that will eventually form their as-yet-untitled sophomore album slated for release on Entertainment One next year. The duo may be redefining who they are, but their decision to pursue the rock’n’roll dream holds as strong as ever as they enter the next stage of their journey.
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Golden Cinema - Peachy Keen (E.P).
Based out of Canada’s smallest province, Prince Edward Island, Golden Cinema is a three-piece indie band with a penchant for summary melodies and bouncy rhythms. Their new EP, "Peachy Keen," is comprised of three songs. It's their first EP and leans into moodier grooves and guitar chimes.
“Our new “Peachy Keen EP” was recorded over the summer of 2019, with Derek and I recorded our parts on Prince Edward Island and Chris recording his guitar and vocals in Toronto. Due to working on a shoestring budget we weren’t all able to be in the same place, which started off feeling like a roadblock but ended up being a fun experiment!
"After the basic recording was done we sent the songs to our mixer and long-time pal, Dan Griffin (Teen Ravine, Arkells), who added some killer synths and strings and mixed the hell out of it. Dan Weston, who Chris actually plays on a softball team with, mastered the songs which was exciting because he mixes and masters records for a lot of our favourite Canadian musicans, such as Daniel Romano. We’re thrilled with how the songs turned out and can’t wait to get back to work on more music. Maybe it’s finally time for a full length album…” – Andy
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Cox's Army - New Richmond Town.
Cox's Army is a bluegrass band that performs classic and original material in the traditional style. Founded in 2016, the band is led by 'Cousin' Chuck Cox (Guitar, Lead Vocal) and features Laird Patten (Banjo), Jeff Burke (Mandolin, Baritone Vocal), and Jack Campbell (Bass, Tenor Vocal). The band keeps things traditional and acoustic, but believes that there is plenty of room for new material and innovation within that style. Their live show is built around a blend of Chuck Cox's original songs and a healthy dose of classic bluegrass songs. Authentic performance is a core value of Cox's Army. The band most often performs around a small mic cluster to deliver their signature vocal harmonies and they 'work the mic' like classic bluegrass bands to emphasize featured instrumental breaks.
Bandleader Chuck Cox originally hails from Cincinnati, OH, one of the historic centers of bluegrass music in the post-war era. After a 20 year career playing many other styles of music, Chuck found bluegrass through a search for his roots, which took him into Jackson County, KY. The search connected him with far more than he bargained for, finding many living cousins (in order of discovery): The Kirby Knob Boys, Larry Sparks, Dale Farmer (director of The Mountain Minor film), and eventually to David Harvey. Inspired by their examples as true originals, Chuck has worked hard to find his own sound and style as a bluegrass guitar picker, and songwriter.
Cox’s Army’s upcoming album New Richmond Town, planned for release in November of 2019, was recorded in the same spirit as each track is a complete performance without edits or modern studio tricks. The album was recorded in Chicago with Chris Walz producing the sessions and the tracks were mixed with the experienced ear of Rickey Wasson in Clay City, KY. Cox’s Army’s debut album Green Eyed Train, released in 2018, was recorded in the same style with production and mixing by the same team.
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Ollie Trevers - Can't Make It Up / Stage Of Fools.
‘The EP’ - Cordelia evokes themes of heartache, melancholia, catharsis and emotional claustrophobia. It is about feelings which often transcend our ability to describe them in words. With his idiosyncratic ear for melody and hooks, and a dynamic sense of opposites (light and dark, loud and quiet, bitter and sweet etc.), Ollie Trevers fires a salvo of emotionally charged numbers that cull influence from across the spectrum of popular guitar music. Cordelia is a narrative of heartbreak, showing the duality of relationships and their untimely endings. It is an exploration of unrequited love and its causes and effects: depression, addiction, disillusionment and longing.
London based singer/songwriter Ollie Trevers studied at Leeds College of Music and ICMP. He started writing and performing music at fourteen years old, harbouring artistic aspirations from the very beginning. A veteran of the band circuit, Ollie released his first solo EP Saucy Naughty Rubbish in 2018. Stylistically, the record saw Ollie exploring a powerful and energetic blend of post-punk and classic rock. His musical direction has since evolved into the five songs you hear on his new EP Cordelia.
It is a kaleidoscopic meeting of styles, channeling punk, alt rock, prog, blues, folk, and psychedelia. Ollie takes inspiration from artists such as Led Zeppelin, Ella Fitzgerald, Edith Piaf, Tim Buckley, Jeff Buckley, Pink Floyd, Queen, Jimi Hendrix, Joni Mitchell and David Bowie. Having only performed with his new band since March 2019, Ollie toured in the South of France a few months later. He plans to tour Britain, Europe and Nashville throughout 2020.
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Izzy Frances - Safety.
Songwriter Izzy Frances has placed herself firmly on the radar as one of the most exciting up and coming songwriters in the UK. Since releasing her first single ‘You Lost The War’, she’s picked up support from BBC Introducing, Impose Magazine and a number of key Spotify playlists taking her to over 10k streams in her first month.
Performing from a young age, Izzy started by singing and soon taught herself piano out of a passion for performance. Her songwriting life started in her teens when she wrote her first piece of music. She soon found a therapeutic quality to writing music that came from putting life experiences to music, though her inspiration often comes from a number of different sources.
"I've felt strongly about things that have happened in the books I've read or things that have happened in my friends / families lives and often then the songs just kind of pour out."
Still in the early stages of her songwriting journey, Izzy’s hard work and undeniable raw talent is beginning to bear fruit. Her new single ‘You Lost The War’ has been picked up by BBC Introducing, who invited Izzy to their studio for an interview and performance. She’s also picked up live shows at London institutions The Bedford and Spice of Life.
She’s now returning with her second single ‘Safety’ which reinforces her honest songwriting style and undeniable talent. An emotional piece of piano-led pop, it’s a dreamy new single that packs a songwriting maturity beyond Izzy’s years. On the new single she states:
"Safety is about stripping bare and exposing your soul in order to fully love. We're often so afraid of failure, ridicule or rejection that we feel a need to hide who we really are and to pretend the darker parts of us don't exist. But expressing these parts of ourselves should be fanning the flames of real love and strengthening that connection, not dampening it down. No fear, no judgement. 'Treat our love like a gun'"
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Michael Malarkey - Graveracer.
Multi-talented singer-songwriter-actor Michael Malarkey renders another brooding deep cut with new single ‘Graveracer’, the first offering and title track from Michael’s upcoming second full length album, due for release on 10th January 2020 via Cap on Kat/Kartel. Michael has also announced an extensive UK and European headline tour, kicking off at Manchester’s Deaf Institute on 9th January and coming to London’s Bush Hall on 10th January.
Best known as the charismatic Enzo in the CW’s television series The Vampire Diaries and Captain Michael Quinn in Robert Zemeckis’ executively produced Project Blue Book for History. The British-American talent has simultaneously cultivated a body of work that established him as a distinctive and captivating crossover talent, winning over audiences in both the music and acting arenas.
Written in 2018 between Puerto Rico and Vancouver whilst Michael was working on both the 50 Cent-produced crime drama The Oath and Project Blue Book, during a time of physical and emotional turbulence – Michael, the cast and crew were evacuated from Puerto Rico during the build-up of Hurricane Maria – an experience that has bled into the artist’s lyrical imagery through the record, perfectly depicting the tense feelings coming from the fragile balance of work and home.
“During the time I was working on the record, I escaped two hurricanes - as well as a third, I suppose, my own personal one. This record is my Odyssey in a way. It’s the journey back home after being ravaged in the seas of your own mind and finding the strength to carry on after the storm. I was left with a feeling of freedom and I found it through these songs. The opening track to the record, ‘Graveracer’, is the hearthstone of this journey. The road may be dark, but the night is full of stars”, reveals Michael.
Recorded at Tesla Studios in Sheffield, UK and produced by Michael and dark-folk maverick singer-songwriter A.A. Williams, ‘Graveracer’ is a visceral body of work and a masterful culmination of the last few years of Michael’s musical development, drawing together the strength of his unique live performances and influences in what is one of the most captivating releases of the year.
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Jody and The Jerms - He Doesn't Know Me Much At All.
Previously achieving success with The Anydays, Jody and the Jerms pick up the indie baton and look to power-pop, new wave and classic indie to light their path, with chiming guitars, 80’s Juno synth waves and Jody’s swooningly wide-eyed vocals.
Previously playing in bands who have received BBC Radio 2 plays, played major festivals and played alongside the likes of Radiohead and Supergrass, guitarist Niall Jeger and drummer Alex Bridge have hooked up with newcomer Jody on vocals to reinvent themselves as a band who are happy to ignore trends and play the music that excites them.
Now in the run up to their EP release, the band have shared a brand new single 'He Doesn't Know Me At All'; a nostalgic pop delight, that blends all those glittery, uplifting melodies and radiates the band's bubbly personality.
Looking to release their 2020 live dates in the near future, the Oxford trio are bringing back harmony-laden indie pop with an unmistakable nostalgic edge.
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Piers Faccini - Could Have Been You.
In 2018, Piers Faccini came up with the idea of releasing an EP vinyl series for his label, Beating Drum, in order to champion the kind of eclectic and talented artists the label meets and seeks out for their productions. The EP collection called, 'HEAR MY VOICE', began with three distinct and original voices from around the world, the Neapolitan songwriter, GNUT, New Zealand songstress, TUi MAMAKI and the Trinidadian poet and singer, Roger Robinson under his Folk alias, HORSEDREAMER.
For the fourth EP in the collection and wishing to highlight the series more, Piers Faccini decided to release one of his own.
In his previous albums, 'I DREAMED AN ISLAND' (2016) and 'SONGS OF TIME LOST' (2014) with cellist Vincent Segal, the songwriter had explored cross cultural routes to reach a form of songwriting without borders but for his 'HEAR MY VOICE' EP, he found inspiration in the kind of British and North American folk that coloured his first forays into songwriting and the result is vintage Faccini songwriting ; sparse, essential and poetic.
The first two songs on the EP, ‘Could This Be You’ and ‘Hope Dreams’ are dressed in the string arrangements of composer Luc Suarez, a collaborator in Faccini’s first band, Charley Marlowe in the 90’s and also feature drums played by Ken Coomer, (Wilco, Uncle Tupelo). Two more intimate tracks, ‘Angel of Mercy’ and ‘Say You Don’t Know’ are reserved for side B, songs with with which we can picture the songwriting artisan, at work in his hideaway in the hills of the Cevennes in southern France.
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Thursday, 31 August 2017
Desert Mountain Tribe - Michael Malarkey

Background - London based alternative/indie rock trio Desert Mountain Tribe are releasing the song ‘Interstellar’ from their 2016 debut album ‘Either That Or The Moon’ as a new single. It coincides with the band’s appearance at Manchester Psych Fest 2017 on 2nd September.
Edited from its original nine minute duration to just under five, the BVB Version of this epic track also boasts a superb video directed by Daniel Turner of Sound & Colour.
Turner explains the extraordinary camera method employed on the promo clip as follows : “It is effectively made to look like one single shot - going from wide to super close up, with the band rotating on a stage, speeding up and slowing down in a sort of ‘Matrix’ effect, with lights flashing and streaking in sync with the music. Together with my Director of Photography, I have developed a way to use multiple cameras to make a super-huge frame that we can zoom in and out of, and a way to time all the effects to the music.”
‘Interstellar’ follows a pair of digital EP’s, ‘If You Don’t Know Can You Don’t Know Köln’ and ‘Live At St. Pancras Old Church’, plus the single ‘Enos In Space (Top Of The World)’, which was mixed by Youth. The band have also spent much of 2017 on the road, including an extensive spring tour of North America and summer festivals in mainland Europe.
Formed in 2012, Desert Mountain Tribe released their debut album ‘Either That Or The Moon’ in the spring of 2016 to positive reviews from UK publications such as Shindig, Classic Rock, Louder Than War, Drowned In Sound and The Arts Desk. The album achieved heavy rotation at US college radio, while their latest single has received support across BBC 6 Music. Facebook here.
Powerful and expansive ‘Interstellar’ teases the listener on first listen, with it's beautiful refrains and moments of high energy. In between this, there are some superb vocals and the wonderfully epic guitar solo's, just add to the bands sense of drama.
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Michael Malarkey - Uncomfortably Numb.
Background - Vampire Diaries actor Michael Malarkey’s has just dropped a new single called Uncomfortably Numb, written about the overbearing expectations placed on an artist thrust into the spotlight, it’s pretty fitting to the man behind the music.
Michael is about to release his debut album called Mongrels this September followed but a full set of EU/UK Tour dates booked in (below). Described as “folktronica” by Metro, the new record is a modern mash up of Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds with Tom Waits.
Quote from Michael: It is about disconnectedness to this society but being forced to participate in it anyway, the contrast in the music and the lyrics reflects the unpredictability of mood swings and depression, the subconscious games we play with ourselves, how we react to that feeling of flight or fight when neither are appropriate, the love/hate relationship with addiction.
Whatever crutches people turn to out of desperation or habit when walking through this world becomes tiresome - and the sometimes overbearing expectations placed on the reclusive artist thrust into the spotlight and forced to deal with the unquenchable thirst of the public. All of which magnifies the internal battle of lightness and darkness, the animal vs the man, the reclusive artist vs the public performer. It’s a fight song for the soul. This struggle is one of the main themes of the record. What does it take to be man? Is that even the right question? Facebook here.
Second song this month from Michael Malarkey this time with 'Uncomfortably Numb'. We stated last time that "The album comprises a fine mixture of material, occasionally dark in nature (but only occasionally), the refined melodies and desirable feel of each song, makes for a rich and pleasing listen. This deserves to be heard not because of The Vampire Diaries, but because it is a very affecting album". This song I hope endorses our opinion, enjoy!
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Wednesday, 9 August 2017
Lauran Hibberd - Year of October - Michael Malarkey - Soviet X-Ray Record Club - Kansas Smittys House Band

Background - Lauran Hibberd’s low-key, beautifully arranged nu-folk single “Old Head Young Shoulders” seems to drift through eardrums and straight into the listeners’ souls. Innocent, soft and with more than a breeze of fresh air around it, it will warmly appeal to the fans of Lucy Rose, Laura Marling or Billie Marten.
In ‘Old Head Young Shoulders’, this Isle of Wight based singer/songwriter manages to convey wisdom and talent well beyond her tender years. At just 19, Lauran is beautifully skewing her love of literature with her ethereal vocal and delicate guitar style.
If The Guardian’s Kitty Empire named Ben Howard ‘a surfing troubadour high on a new wave’, we’d like to hail Lauran Hibberd ‘a truthful spirit high on a low key nu-folk wave’. Why? With the hope this will encourage you to hear this 2:51min sonic window into this genuine teenage girl’s existence.
Already supported by BBC Radio 1, BBC 6Music and Radio X, Lauran says: “To me ‘Old Head Young Shoulders’ is all about losing touch with my youth and the shelter that comes with it. It was one of the first songs I ever wrote, and definitely one of the most honest. I wrote it at a time, where I had no idea what I was feeling, no idea where I was heading and certainly no idea what life was actually all about".
Real is rare, isn’t it? Well, Lauran Hibberd’s child-like love and innocence effortlessly flicker through her new single ‘Old Head Young Shoulders’, which will be available everywhere 1st September. Website here, Facebook here.
Now as I have so many fond memories of holidays and days out on the Isle of Wight, any artist from there is potentially on the receiving end of some rather friendly bias. 'Old Head Young Shoulders' needs none of that, in fact Lauran Hibberd could be from St Kilda Island (UK) albeit that would be impossible (oh just Poogle it) this is just one fabulous vibrant and lovable song.
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Year of October - Come & Get It.
Background - Sweltering husband-wife duo, Year of October, are excited to unveil their first official single “Come & Get It”, from the impending 3rd studio LP Trouble Comes, out in (you guessed it!) October. Following the release of their critically acclaimed 2nd album Golden Days, the singer-guitarist duo, Phlecia and Josh, toured throughout Tennessee, Kentucky, and the South.
They have built up a loyal fan-base, and have received raving media attention from outlets like No Depression, PRX.org, Country Fried Rock, and Indie Band Guru. “Come & Get It” is a groovy, distortion-laced track that teeters between aggressive and soulful. Phlecia said of the new project, “We like to take influences from all genres of music. We find inspiration in everything and I think if something is good then it doesn’t necessarily have to sound just like us to be a major influence.”
Formed at University of Kentucky in 2010, Year of October is the passion-project of Phlecia and Josh Sullivan. Mixing their diverse influences of Led Zeppelin and The Beatles for Josh, and Etta James and Ella Fitzgerald for Phlecia, Year of October stands out due to their clawing Nashville-rock edge, and yet soulful, swirling vocals.
Previously, the band has released debut LP Stories and sophomore album Golden Days. Year of October has played over 250 shows across the South, and has built up a devoted community of fans with their cohesive yet genere-elusive style. Check out their brand new single “Come & Get It”, and stay tuned below for the new album out in October! Website here, Facebook here.
'Come & Get It' is a bluesy and potent rocker. The vocals are full of passion and feeling, whilst the band kick out some feisty riffs.
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Background - This is the title track from the forthcoming album, accompanied by a new video shot in the UK. Mongrels will be released 8th September 2017 via Cap On Cat Records and you can catch up with Michael Malarkey on the road shortly after for the next step of the journey.
Quote from Michael: "Mongrels represents the many-faced animal within us that is here but never quite from here; the dreamer within us, stricken with wanderlust, who is tuned to the frequencies of change; the nomad within us whose roots grow not in the ground, but in the wind. It represents the mystery of our vagrant nature, at times a source of weakness and at times a source of power.”
Michael Malarkey rose to fame, appearing in the HBO series The Vampire Diaries where he played the character of ‘Enzo’ up until the series finished last year.
An avid singer/songwriter, Michael has turned his attention back to touring, with more dates still to be announced around the release this fall. Live dates are over on Beehive Candy's tour news page, Facebook here.
The title track and one of twelve songs on the forthcoming album 'Mongrels' helps showcase Michael Malarkey's distinct and somewhat poignant vocals. The album comprises a fine mixture of material, occasionally dark in nature (but only occasionally), the refined melodies and desirable feel of each song, makes for a rich and pleasing listen. This deserves to be heard not because of The Vampire Diaries, but because it is a very affecting album.
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Soviet X-Ray Record Club - Houses.
Background - Soviet X-Ray Record Club are set to launch new EP 'Houses' today Wednesday, 9 August 2017. Since the release of their debut album 'Wake', SXRC have incorporated glitch, electro and industrial influences into their established shoegaze, post-punk, surf fuelled sound. More upbeat in comparison to their first bleak album, the new EP ‘Houses’ will be released on 9 August 2017 and will be accompanied by a vinyl release featuring new singles ‘Glasslicker’ and ‘Love So Cold’. 'Houses' will be the band’s first multi-track release since 2015.
Lead single 'Glasslicker' features an aggressive bass and drum track, interspersed with laconic vocals. The track is an observation into the push/pull awkwardness of dancefloor relationships, and is complimented by unique pop/industrial keys to complete the club setting.
'Love So Cold' underscores crooning, decaying vocals and harmonies with an insistent drum track and polystyrene static, bound together by SXRC's signature haunting shoegaze/surf melodies. Lyrics like "I'm living it up, while my family dies" hide amongst the noise-pop guitar-jangle and add to the impact of the song's title, “No list of emerging artists on the Brisbane music scene would be complete without the inclusion of this band… they are deservedly growing in stature on the back of their commendable ability as a live act.” SONAR
SXRC have received acclaim for their intense and explosive live performances, and have toured with Australian and International acts such as Flyying Colours, Hinds, The Belligerents, Raave Tapes, The Peep Temple, The Courtneys, New Gods and Nantes. Facebook here, Bandcamp here.
The new 'Houses' EP is featured in full here, with each track demanding attention as the band drift between a multitude of genres. Sometimes it sounds a little like Ultravox with a bad attitude (OK I know there are more recent references to be had), whatever this is a potent collection of songs, more than worthy of a feature.
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Background - Leave all your preconceptions at the door this is Kansas Smitty's House Band. Since their last studio album, the band have headlined and sold out shows at Ronnie Scott's, the Jazz Cafe, and the Shoreditch Town Hall and became proprietors of their own bar.
Kansas Smitty’s House Band’s music is not without influence. Imagine a head-on collision of the sonic worlds of Louis Armstrong, Charles Mingus, Curtis Mayfield, Brad Mehldau, and Willie Nelson. Don't get ideas though, this sour mash of jazz genres is steeped to perfection, making the the KSHB's music very much their own.
‘Party Party Party’ is the next track to be taken from the band’s forthcoming new album ‘Movin On’ due later this year and is an infectious summer anthem-in-waiting. Opening with raucous crowd noise and with a gang crowd vocal main hook, the track sums up the band’s incredible flair and taste for live performance with a tropical feel that invites a vibin’ party atmosphere that could potentially be heralded as an instrumental on par with Average White Band’s ‘Pick Up The Pieces’.
Kansas Smitty’s House Band loves company and has inducted a host of performers into their scene down at their East End London bar. The band features leader Giacomo Smith with the KSHB steadfast lineup of Pete Horsfall, Adrian Cox, Theon Cross, Pedro Segundo, Joe Webb, Ferg Ireland and Dave Archer while the shortlist of internationally recognised musicians who've been down to the bar to play or just to dig what the KSHB do include: Louis Cole, Nitin Sawhney, Kit Downes, Nick Mulvey, Laura Marling, Beth Rowley, Michael Janisch, and Shingai Shoniwa to name a few.
The eclecticism in the KSHB's sound is rooted in this diverse buzz around Smitty's Bar. It's the constant flow of people through their home that makes collaborating with artists ranging from Curtis Stigers to Kitty, Daisy And Lewis easy for the band to flit to and from.
Smitty's have also taken the show on the road. When they can, the band likes to bring their bar along with them. Takeovers at the Peckham Liberal Club, Stamford Works, The Vault Festival, four nights at the Cheltenham Jazz Festival and for an entire month at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival - where they programmed a series of concerts in their pop-up venue featuring Sons of Kemet, Swindle and Ska-legends Bad Manners alongside themselves.
The band continue their exciting touring schedule following a main stage shows at Love Supreme and Cornbury Festival with appearances at Boomtown, Goodlife Experience and a return to Shoreditch Town hall as part of London Jazz Festival. Live dates are over on beehive candy's tour news page, Website here, Facebook here.
Today we can end on a real high! 'Party Party Party' is just so invigorating, wonderful, fun packed and vital! Hopefully you get where I'm coming from....
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