Tiberius - The Outers - Living Hour - Bunnygrunt - Texas Headhunters - The Bats

Photo -  Zoe Hopper

Tiberius - Sag.

Boston’s Tiberius have announced their new album, ‘Troubadour,’ for release via Audio Antihero on November 14th. "Sag" is taken from ‘Troubadour,’ the label debut of Boston’s Tiberius. Originally a solo outing for songwriter Brendan Wright (they/them), the lineup has evolved into a catchy and cacophonous four-piece. With a sound that blends Indie Punk, Alt Country and Psychedelia with confessional but conversational lyrics, Tiberius have dubbed their sound “Farm Emo.” 

After a series of self-releases, which received great praise and support from New England-based press like Allston Pudding and Penny Mag, ‘Troubadour’ sees Tiberius make their label debut with Audio Antihero (Frog / Avery Friedman / CIAO MALZ). 

Artist Statement for "Sag": "Sag is about this dreaded ‘Allston to Bushwick’ pipeline we have in Boston. A lot of musicians end up using Boston to cut their teeth before heading off to New York or LA to pursue their music careers. I wrote ‘Sag’ when I was really playing the ‘comparison game’ in my head and asking myself what role I wanted music to play in my life. It was the first in a batch about looking at yourself in relation to the others around you and trying to decipher who you are without that context.“ – Brendan Wright.

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The Outers - Wishy Washy.

The Outers Channel Gritty Glamour and Sonic Edge in New Single “Wishy Washy” Has the time come for another classic London band? The type that bring a uniquely British slant to indie pop and somehow call to mind the entire city’s heritage of catchy personality led guitar pop from X-Ray Specs & The Bellestars to Lush & Echobelly To The Libertines & The Noisettes. Well, here come The Outers to fill that void for the modern audience with their perky new summer single Wishy Washy.

“Wishy Washy” opens with a sharp bass-line and tight dance groove rhythm section before erupting into a chorus packed with raw emotion and biting delivery. The lyrics chart the downfall of a character fuelled by selfish ambition and surface-level charm, exposing the cracks beneath a carefully curated façade. There is a real sense of narrative tension here, told with both sonic swagger and lyrical edge.

As chirpy as the tune may be, the lyrics actually deal with dark subject matter: “It is about a character driven by disguised self interest always trying to take advantage of people and situations, despite permanent efforts to project a glamorous appearance and chase popularity, actions guided by circumstances and greed will clash with his narrative. Acting behind closed doors to gain power by isolating others or pinning them against each other, the character does not realise his intentions show.” - Ade (Singer).

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Photo -  Devonte Johnson

Living Hour - Wheel.

Winnipeg band Living Hour releases "Wheel" this week, the first single from their fourth album Internal Drone Infinity, out October 17 via Keeled Scales. 

Lyricist Sam Sarty writes: "The story of 'Wheel' begins with buying a car off Facebook Marketplace in BC. Turns out the car was junk, but I had no choice but to drive it home to Winnipeg. It took 3 days. I was driving through the mountains, and the headlights were so dim, and for a stretch there was nowhere to turn off. It felt like a weird, horrific video game–navigating the road and dodging danger and trying not to die. I also felt so deeply betrayed by all the men involved in the whole thing."

The song captures a certain powerlessness involved in the affair: the car salesman handing over the keys, the cops interrogating from the side of the road, the ex arguing from the passenger seat. Sarty continues: "In this song, I was able to imagine an alternate reality where I’m a vengeful spectator in these men's lives. What if I had died on the road, and what if I came back and plagued them all with my powerful essence that they so easily dismissed, contorted and took advantage of in order to sell me a fucked up car?"

Anchored by Sarty’s vivid lyricism, shaped by years as a projectionist conjuring stories in a dark theater, the band explores the quiet magic hidden in everyday life. With wistful vocals, textural distortion, and poetic detail, Living Hour capture the ache of memory, the mess of feeling, and the beauty in what remains.

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Bunnygrunt - Eggy Greggy.

St Louis, Missouri's favorite indiepop nerds Bunnygrunt are to return with a 30th Anniversary reissue of their long out of print cuddle-core classic 'Action Pants.' The band dug deep and unearthed lost recordings that were left off of the album due to last minute line up changes way back in the day. The album will now finally be heard in the way it was meant to way back 30 years ago adding three never before heard tracks. The album comes out on August 8th on HHBTM Records and the band's own Sillymoo Records label.

 St Louis e’er-do-wells Bunnygrunt sprung fully formed into the Great Indie Pop Underground of the early 1990’s, when gas was cheap, 7” singles grew on trees, and every zine had a reader. After a hugely successful turn at 1994’s YoYo-A-GoGo festival and a steady stream of 45’s, the band hit the studio in early 1995 to record their full length debut Action Pants for LA scene makers No Life Records. 

Unfortunately, the band lineup shifted and the track list contracted between recording and release, leaving a few songs on the cutting room floor. Now is the time to re-introduce the world to the Action Pants it needs now more than ever. Alongside the breezy perfection of Just Like Suppertime, the clattering feedback frenzy of GI2K, the jangle motorik of Open Up And Say Oblina, and the other hits you know and love, faithful Bungalos can now feast their ears on the shambling glory of Eggy Greggy, the transmission from another planet of Maude (in two parts!), and originally planned pre-release single Inanimate Objects. 

Meet Action Pants: The Thirtieth Anniversary Director’s Cut! A split release between Georgia’s Happy Happy Birthday To Me & St Louis’s Silly Moo, it’s just like the old one, only, like, better…

HHBTM Records · Eggy Greggy

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Photo - Ray Redding

Texas Headhunters - Gimme Some Love.

Texas Headhunters aren’t here to play it slick; they’re here to play it real. This week, the trio of Johnny Moeller, Ian Moore and Jesse Dayton, drop “Gimme Some Love,” the third single from their self-titled debut album, out August 22 on Hardcharger / Blue Élan Records.

This time, it’s Johnny Moeller stepping out front. Long known for his razor-sharp guitar work with the Fabulous Thunderbirds, Moeller shows a new side of his artistry here -- cool, sly, and soaked in Texas groove. Think Ray Wylie Hubbard swagger meets Delbert McClinton soul, with a little Billy Gibbons grit for good measure.

“This one came together real quick in the studio,” says Moeller. “I’m playing rhythm and singing while Jesse and Ian laid down the ‘ancient art of guitar weaving,’ Texas style, all in one live take. The song’s about looking at this crazy world and realizing we all just need a little more love. I was stuck on the third verse, and my wife said, ‘write something about your dog.’ So, ‘my little sweet Talullah’ made the cut.”

Lyrically, “Gimme Some Love” is a gritty gospel-blues plea for redemption, cut with humor and heart. It’s a song about breaking bad habits, riding the soul train out of trouble, and shining a light in the darkness. Musically, this track rides a low-slung groove. With the swampy pulse of Little Feat, the grit of a Chess Records session, and the laid-back cool of a late-night Austin jam, captured live at Willie Nelson’s Pedernales Studio with producer Steve Chadie.

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The Bats - Lucky Day.

New Zealand indie rock royals, The Bats, have recently had their heads down recording new music and have today announced their 11th full-length album, ‘Corner Coming Up’, out on October 17th via Flying Nun Records. The new album strikes a very distinctive and familiar chord that exists in the fuzzy-loving hearts of fans all round the world. Throughout their 40 plus years of existence, and now with 'Corner Coming Up' ready to share with the world, The Bats have stayed true to their roots, creating timeless music that continues to resonate with fans old and new.

The Bats are Robert Scott, Kaye Woodward, Paul Kean and Malcolm Grant. Since their inception in Christchurch in 1982, The Bats’ music has earned a devoted following around the world, and they remain one of New Zealand’s most cherished and enduring exports. The band has a phenomenal ability to create melodies that linger long after the record has stopped spinning.

This week the band have also shared their brand new video single ‘Lucky Day’. Shot out of a suitcase by Marc Swadel, Julian Reid and Kermath, while on work trips, the accompanying lo-fi psychedelic video was shot in Florence, London, Tokyo, Doha, Taipei, Liverpool, Zagreb, Manchester and Hong Kong with the band filming themselves in Christchurch. This is the fourth Bats video by director Marc Swadel (who has previously worked with Crowded House, Thurston Moore, The Datsuns, Jonathan Bree, Sparks, Liam Finn, Duran Duran, Head Like a Hole and The Chemical Brothers).

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Abbey Lane - Wakey Wakey Rise & Shine - The Bats - Steven Troch Band

Abbey Lane - Baby Steps

Drink in Abbey Lane's signature smooth indie blend in her single ‘Baby Steps’, an ode to the small wins and small joys, released this week.

In her first release of 2025, Abbey Lane showcases the talent she’s nurtured through her 13 years of experience with music, once again standing out as someone who pours her heart into every song. In her time, Abbey Lane has accomplished a great deal, collaborating with writers such as Yung Bleu and Tenille Arts and recently performing at Old Bar Beach Festival (Surftrash, Kim Churchill), Rockhampton River Festival (Eskimo Joe), Never Had So Much Fun (supporting Ula and Eluera) and so much more.

Her 2024 debut EP release drew in praise from all corners, with the track 'Darling' winning Best Folk Song of The Year at the ASA Awards, 2025 is sure to bring great things too.

‘Baby Steps’ is a daydream, perfectly embodying Abbey Lane’s ephemeral style. Dreamy indie romance guitar, with echoing effects that make this track flow like a lazy river. Abbey’s vocals stand out as something purely magical, possessing the gentle lure of a siren’s song.  The earnest quality of this track makes it feel reassuring, a comforting mid-afternoon ray of sunshine, something the lyrics exacerbate.

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Wakey Wakey Rise & Shine - Rear Meat (EP).

A year after their debut EP, A Good Way to Get Yourself Killed, Bristol's Wakey Wakey Rise & Shine return on April 4th with their sophomore effort Rear Meat.

Blending the irreverent spirit of Devo, The B-52s, and Talking Heads with their distinctive fusion of new-wave and post-punk sensibilities, the quintet’s latest offering marks a significant sonic evolution. Pulsating  with dark rhythms and gritty textures, they collectively push into heavier, more adventurous terrain. "Rear Meat is probably our heaviest set of songs stylistically and represents a significant shift from our previous output," explains synthist/vocalist Harri Elliott. "We've gradually become a bit heavier the longer we have been a band."

The EP's four tracks dive into darker territory while maintaining the band's signature humour. From the genre-blending 'There's Less Trouble When You Stay At Home' to the powerful awakening of 'Skyrats,' each song offers fresh perspectives. The EP's standout focus track 'Armadillo' arrives wrapped in swirling synthesisers and mind-bending effects, inspired by an unsettling dream. "Armadillo is about a dream that Smudge had where a business tycoon would steal from everyone he could which made Smudge super scared but then he woke up and realised it was all a dream." explains drummer Seamus, "The inspiration for this song came from Smudge having that dream, and then we as the band wanted to recreate the different notions of sleep we experience such as REM, waking up from a nightmare, the notion of falling asleep and not being able to get to sleep in a musical sense."

Across this compact but potent collection, Wakey Wakey Rise & Shine plunge into a cathartic space where anxiety and mistrust dance with playful irreverence. Recorded primarily by bassist Duncan and guitarist Cameron in the basement of Bristol's iconic venue The Louisiana, the band took an unconventional approach to production. "One of the main creative processes to this EP is that we recorded the drums without a click/metronome," Seamus notes. "Nowadays that is not standard practice, but I really wanted to capture a flowing energy because when you play to a click sometimes that flow gets lost."

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Photo - Richard Langston

The Bats - Loline.

Look out, it’s The Bats! These New Zealand indie rock royals have had their heads down recording new music and are now ready to share the first offering; ‘Loline’. The new single strikes a very distinctive and familiar chord that exists in the fuzzy-loving hearts of fans all round the world. We can’t wait to see what else this line-up of over 40 years has in store for us this year.

‘Loline’ was recorded at Chicks Studio in Port Chalmers by Flying Nun legend, Tex Houston, with extra keyboards from Ryan Fisherman. The gorgeous music video featuring recent concert footage was directed, shot and produced by Martin Sagadin, ably assisted by Jack Freeman and Lucy Lallemant – and all with the support of New Zealand on Air.

The Bats are Robert Scott, Kaye Woodward, Paul Kean and Malcolm Grant, the much-loved indie rock band from Aotearoa. Since their inception in Christchurch in 1982, The Bats’ music has earned a devoted following around the world, and they remain one of New Zealand’s most cherished and enduring exports. Their music is a perfect blend of bittersweet beauty and deceptive simplicity, and the band has a phenomenal ability to create melodies that linger long after the record has stopped spinning.

Throughout their 40 plus years of existence, and now with album number 11 in the pipeline, The Bats have stayed true to their roots, creating timeless music that continues to resonate with fans old and new.

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Steven Troch Band - God Pulls The Strings.

Steven Troch Band have just released their new single "The Dawning". The song exudes a mystical border town atmosphere and asks the question whether our fate is predetermined. The narrator of this song narrows his scope, to concisely find an answer. This single announces Steven Troch Band's fourth studio album. ‘The Dawning’ which will be released on April 25, 2025 on CD, vinyl and digital services worldwide.

Frontman Steven Troch got “contaminated” by Rhythm & Blues in his late teens. Over the years he has turned into a very fine harmonica player with an extra dose of originality, an accomplished vocalist and clever songwriter.

In 2016 Steven surrounded himself with a very talented & experienced bunch of musicians and the Steven Troch Band was born. Matt T Mahony is carrying the torch high, keeping one eye on tradition while pushing forward into newer areas.  Miss Liesbeth Sprangers keeps a steady pace on her powerhouse bass and drummer Dennis de Gier loves to groove and brews up a wide  variety of rock-solid rhythms like no other.

In their music you will hear the mean menace of modern day life, the sweaty rhythms of the city, the blue notes of days gone by and lyrics that will paint a smile on your face. They are always walking a tightrope between High-Octane Swing, mellow Afterhours Blues and vintage feel-good R&B. Steven Troch Band is a solid four piece band that plays rough-edged contemporary Rhythm & Blues with soul-baring conviction. Without any doubt " Steven Troch Band " is one of the finest bands playing some of the best contemporary and vintage style blues you will hear in Europe today.

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The Bats - Elthia - Kindsight

Long standing New Zealand indie band The Bats are back just four weeks after they shared 'Another Door' with the final single a beautiful, mellow and moving piece called 'Gone To Ground' taken from their upcoming 'Foothills' album due next month. ===== Elthia is a singer-songwriter based in Los Angeles who has just released 'i love you, but you make me cry'. Her defined and pleasing vocals give the track distinction, with the melody and rhythms adding even more hooks. ===== Kindsight are a new band from the Copenhagen indie scene who this week share their second single 'Terminal Daze', which is an original, melodic and refreshingly catchy track. 

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The Bats - Gone To Ground.

The Bats have unveiled their final single ‘Gone To Ground’ from upcoming album Foothills — out November 13th via Flying Nun Records.

‘Gone To Ground’ is a moving, moody song from the never-ending pen of Robert Scott and sees the band interpret and explore the paths we lead in life to consider where yours might take you. This single is a tune from the “before times” that seems strangely relevant now, seeing how we’ve all, for the most part, “gone to ground” and to many it can feel like “no one cares”. ‘Gone to Ground’ is generously served up with lashings of spooky EBow and a sense of soft reflection. Enjoy!

Robert Scott on ‘Gone To Ground’ — “Hide and seek, do we want to be found.... maybe not. Many people have gone to ground in these tricky times. A slight sense of unease pervades the song with the spooky strains of an E bow filtering through the trees. You could walk the marshes and go far. It's funny how you can draw connections between fictitious tales and present day life.”

Annabel Kean has said on the ‘Gone To Ground’ video, “This is by far the longest we’ve spent on a video. We started about a year ago when we heard an early mix of the song, but the discovery of perpetual motion by way of spinning veges really opened a can of worms. Then it took us three attempts to pluck up the courage to light a guitar on fire.” Co-director Callum Devlin adds, “It was a total collaboration, and a very instinctive process. We wanted to try and capture what we felt listening to the song. There’s an uncertainty and a mystery to the lyrics that I feel lead us somewhere a bit more conceptual.”

Spanning the last 38 years, The Bats have now clocked ten incredible albums; each one seeing the band evolve with new material from the prolific songwriting hand of Robert Scott —and their upcoming Foothills is no exception. Add to that tally the extra singles, b-sides, EPs, compilations and tribute songs they’ve recorded, creating a succinct setlist is a nearly impossible task.

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Elthia - i love you, but you make me cry.

Elthia is a singer-songwriter based in Los Angeles. With a songwriting style that references her favorite influences from pop music, while still showcasing the elegance of fingerstyle guitar, Elthia has been penning beautifully nostalgic songs, taking listeners on a colorful adventure.

Following the release of her debut EP, Island of Mine, Elthia is unveiling her new single, “i love you, but you make me cry.” The song was the beginning of her new venture towards indie-pop music with dance elements, showcasing delicate instrumentation, soft, dreamy vocals and glittery guitar harmonics.

Thematically the song was inspired by the pieces of a broken relationship; it’s about trying to reach someone, but they keep putting up their walls, trying to protect themselves, and every time you try to dig a little deeper, it hurts a little more. Elthia explains, “The message of the song is to tell the story of what it’s like to love something that hurts you every time you try to understand it. I wanted to show the duality of the two ideas that are constantly at war while existing inside of you, and showcase what the breaking point would actually be, if there is one at all.”

“i love you, but you make me cry” finds inspiration in magic, with lines like “immersed in your hypnosis, willing to suffocate”, meaning, “I’ll keep obsessing over you, even if I put myself in danger”. The song is about the obsession, knowing that you’re getting hurt and still wanting to reach out anyway. The hypnosis and spells create an image of otherworldly forces taking over you, and that’s what this love feels like.

Emanating sincerity and a raw edge, Elthia shows the emotion behind the song, right down to the shakiness in her vocals. She confides, “I wanted the listener to feel like they could break down to this song as well; I feel like the best time and place to listen to this song is when you need to cry.

Elthia · i love you but you make me cry

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Kindsight - Terminal Daze.

Kindsight is a new act from the Copenhagen indie scene and the first act outside of Sweden to sign with Rama Lama Records (Melby, Chez Ali, Steve Buscemi's Dreamy Eyes etc.). Late August, the young quartet released their debut single 'Who Are You' - a warm, nostalgic and atmospheric indie pop song. Today, the band will put out their second single 'Terminal Daze' - an effort that cements their place as one of Scandinavia's most interesting new bands.

Kindsight are Nina, Søren, Anders and Johannes and formed out of Nina and Sørens shared love for The Sugarcubes. According to the band, the two of them then recruited drummer Johannes to "drag him out of an unsettling obsession with jazz-music" and bass player Anders was chosen "only because of his looks and his ability to fit into small bags.".

The quartet makes retro-tinged indie pop that is instantly appealing and addictive. Nina's vocals crowns the atmospheric soundscape perfectly and makes Kindsight something that's been missing in Scandinavia for a long time.

Who Are You, "a summer song written in January" was just the first taste of their melancholic beauty which we will hear a lot more from the upcoming year as the band are ready to finally share their music. Next comes 'Terminal Daze', another perfectly tuned and polished indie gem that continues to show that the young quartet already are very home in their sound.

Kindsight on 'Terminal Daze': "After countless attempts at keeping Kindsights somewhat rowdy rhythm section quiet in the verses and complementary to the singing, Nina Hyldgaard allowed in her own words, one “Sausage of a song”, and Terminal Daze came to be. As unrelenting as a big train- steady as it goes."

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Flora Hibberd - Lone Kodiak - The Bats

Flora Hibberd is back with a new single and video for 'I'm Gonna Leave You' ahead of next Friday's 'Archipelago' E.P release. Last year we had the pleasure of featuring Flora on four occasions and the new collection of songs showcases her wonderfully distinctive vocals alongside some beautiful musical arrangements. === Lone Kodiak deliver some powerful alt rock with their new song 'PDX '97'. It has all the vital ingredients for a stadium style sing-along anthem, and plenty of passion to reinforce the piece. === Back in 2017 we shared a couple of fine songs from The Bats and the long standing New Zealand indie band are back with 'Another Door' where their ability to create fresh new and fabulous songs remains intact.

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Flora Hibberd – I'm Gonna Leave You.

Flora Hibberd was born in London and lives in Paris. In 2019 she released her debut EP, The Absentee, with London-based indie Clearlight Records. Autumn 2020 sees the release of her second EP, Archipelago, recorded in Burgundy at the turn of the year. 

Flora has numerous smaller projects that you can find on Bandcamp and Youtube, including a collaborative album produced during confinement, and covers of songs by artists including Jason Molina and Townes Van Zandt. 

Archipelago will be released on September 25 2020. Recorded at New Year’s over eight days in a country house in Burgundy, the five songs travel the landscape of love and loss, the terrain of a relationship that is failing –or at least changing –where we simultaneously encounter the joy of freedom and the pain of letting go. Archipelago was arranged and produced by Paris-based Viq, who says, “Flora has a remarkable ability to generate original melodies and intriguing lyrics. 

There is something particularly moving about her deep vocal presence and the subtleties of her renditions. My work consisted only in accompanying them to territories that perhaps seemed unexpected to her –but where we finally met.”Of the EP, Flora says, “these five songs stand for a memory specific and universal. Rupture in its phases, ever-shifting and nonlinear. Love and loss and enduring love. Here, a cluster of islands in an un-distant sea.”

 

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Lone Kodiak - PDX '97.

is an east-Los Angeles based rock trio loosely inspired by (without being derivative of) Hum, Explosions in the Sky, The Cure, and Deftones. Founded in 2016, the band released 2 EPs, became a feature of LA’s independent venue circuit, and was among BuzzBands.LA’s Bands to Watch in 2018 before a serious motorcycle accident involving bassist Daniel Alden sidelined them for most of 2019. 

The unscheduled pause gave them time to reflect and refocus, shuffling their roster by adding drummer Josh Harris and returning furiously in July 2020 with “Make It a Weapon,” produced by Kyle Mangels. 

It’s the first single from their forthcoming 6-song collection, a song lead singer/guitarist Dainéal Parker described in a recent interview with BuzzBands.LA as “motorcycles and protests and getting in trouble.”

Having wrapped production just before the pandemic hit, Lone Kodiak hopes a drawn out release schedule and effective marketing of their new catalog will land them a solid tour in 2021.

LONE KODIAK · PDX '97

 

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The Bats - Another Door.

The Bats have kindly shared a second single, ‘Another Door’ from their upcoming album ‘Foothills’. Guitarist and vocalist Robert Scott has said on the single, “This song is wee ditty about opportunities both missed and taken. It came together really quickly with the band.” Although more lyrically reserved than other songs, ‘Another Door’ is fuelled by familiar and overwhelmingly lush harmonies and features a hypnotic tremolo guitar motif woven throughout. The anticipation for ‘Foothills’ to land on November 13th is ever-growing!

“When meaning falls down and we’ve all left this place. And nothing seems to fit, now we’ve left the race behind
Today”

The video for ‘Another Door’ was filmed not far from where the band recorded their upcoming ‘Foothills’ album and was a collaboration between The Bats’ very own Paul Kean, and FlowStateFPV. Acting as a snapshot of where ‘Foothills’ was immortalised, the video also plays around with hidden (and not so hidden) meanings — but what one takes from it is truly up to the viewer.

Spanning the last 38 years, The Bats have now clocked ten incredible albums; each one seeing the band evolve with new material from the prolific songwriting hand of Robert Scott —and their upcoming Foothills is no exception. Add to that tally the extra singles, b-sides, EPs, compilations and tribute songs they’ve recorded, creating a succinct setlist is a nearly impossible task.

Foothills was recorded in Spring 2018 at a country retreat pop-up studio. At that time, 15 songs were captured and immortalised in the Canterbury foothills of the Southern Alps, Aotearoa (New Zealand). Only too well, The Bats know the possibilities, potentialities and sonic vistas that arise when one takes the reins for the recording process in a beautiful place that’s on home turf.

Robert Scott, on the making of Foothills has said “Time marches on... finally, we found a gap in our busy lives and chose a week to convene. We found a house that is usually inhabited by ski field workers — Kowai Bush, near Springfield about an hour west of Christchurch and of course nestled in the foothills of the mighty Southern Alps. The songs had been written, demo’d and arranged for some time, but still with a little room for trying things out in the studio. Many carloads arrived at the house, full of amps guitars and recording gear, we set up camp and soon made it feel like home; coloured lights, a log fire, and home cooked meals in the kitchen. We worked fast, and within a few days had all the basic backing tracks done, live together in one room, the way we like to do it - it’s all about ‘the feel’ for songs like ours.”

The Bats - AyOwA - Skelhorn

The Bats - Busy.

Background - New Zealand indie-pop legends The Bats started the year off by releasing their ninth album, The Deep Set, and now they finish it with a new video.

Directed by Marc Swadel it sees the four-piece performing the track 'Busy' (off The Deep Set) in Christchurch Emigre, James Atkinson's, practice room under the arches of London's Haggerston Station. 

Filmed the day before their final show in the Tufnel Dome, the onscreen triptych also features footage from around London during the band's UK/EU summer tour earlier this year.

"Marc Swadel has done an amazing job of editing together band footage with some “busy” film of London's underground and overground using a wide triptych format" - Paul Kean, The Bats. BANDCAMP, WEBSITE.

It was back in February of this year that we first featured The Bats. The band end 2017 with a new video for 'Busy', another refined song from the album 'The Deep Set' where indie pop and rock are presented with class.


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AyOwA - Insomnia.

Background - The new single has just been released on Music For Dreams. Awake in the night, the Danish duo AyOwA go searching their sub conscious to the haunting lyrics of Danish writer Mette Moestrup.  “Insomnia” is the first single from their forthcoming EP “Farvel”, to be released in May 2018 on Copenhagen label Music For Dreams. Based on their trademark electronic approach, but this time with many acoustic elements, the duo goes exploring new sides of their nordic, dark and moving electronic songs.

Sung in Danish, but with a certain universal and dreaming approach,  AyOwA combines noise pop with electronica and melodies with improvisation, in an evocative and playful mix.

AyOwA has had a busy year, playing big festivals like Spot and Roskilde.The duo has been featured on BBC 1, Radio X and Apple Music Beats 1, as well as P3 and P6 in Denmark. They were also chosen as one of five bands of significance in 2017 by nordic blog and showcase JA JA JA.  AyOwA has been featured on Wonderland Magazine, Line of Best Fit, The Clash, Noisey, Vice, The Independent (UK) and Huffington Post (US), and marks the very rare occasion of a band singing in Danish, featured outside the country. FACEBOOK.

Our fourth feature for AyOwA this time with 'Insomnia' a gorgeous song sung in the duo's native language. Whatever might be lost in translation, the atmosphere, passion and beautiful music makes up for. In fact for non Danish speakers it adds another layer of fascination.

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Skelhorn - A Wondrous Place Of Our Own.

Background - Skelhorn debut single is 'A Wondrous Place of Our Own'. The song boasts meaningful lyrics, masterful musicianship and polished production techniques to create a record with a unique atmosphere.

Skelhorn makes music to reflect old and new, fusing his acoustic roots with electronica and wonderfully authentic vocals. Tarantino meets Morricone, with a dusting of Twin Peaks and a shot of Rock’n’Roll Quickly garnering support from key radio tastemakers through his strong catchy hooks and meaningful lyrics, the singer songwriter from Liverpool is generating a real buzz across his home city and beyond.

Skelhorn began his musical career at the age of fourteen, performing in clubs and pubs across the North West of England. He was quickly noticed by Radio Merseyside and Radio City and could regularly be heard and seen on live broadcasts and roadshows. Through this early radio support he was able to meet and perform with legendary songwriter Bill Dees (Pretty Woman) and Sonny Curtis (The Crickets).

Skelhorn has recorded, performed and toured with three bands prior to launching his solo career, gaining an enviable reputation and invaluable experience to stand him in good stead for the next chapter. FACEBOOK.

As debut singles go 'A Wondrous Place Of Our Own' has confidence and character to say the very least. Melodic and with lush layers of melodic music the vocals are definitely what give the song that special dimension.


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Saturday Five: Liam Bryant & The Handsome Devils - Foster Olson - Mark Thirkell - La Bête Blooms - The Bats

Liam Bryant & The Handsome Devils - Her Name Means Grace.

Background - Accompanied by his trusty acoustic foot stomp box, “Stompy” and his foot tambourine, “Tamby", Liam recorded his debut album, The Pessimist & The Optimist at Airlock Studios in Samford Valley with Producer Yanto Browning (Art of Sleeping, Kate Miller- Heidke). The album has been mastered by the ARIA winning William Bowden (Gotye).

To complete the album, Liam invited a very talented bunch of musicians named The Handsome Devils who each brought with them their instrument of choice (electric guitar, bass, keys and drums). Their contribution brought great power, dynamic and space to the album recording and has certainly given their live show a devilish amount of depth.

The first single, ‘Her Name Means Grace’ delves into a theme everyone in this world can relate to, love, and so when the time came to storyboard for the animated film clip, Liam knew exactly which story to base the animation on, arguably the greatest and most tragic love story of all time, William Shakespeare’s, Romeo & Juliet.

Inspired by both classical guitar training and a love of progressive rock, Liam brings a new sound to the singer songwriter genre. With his catchy melodies and acoustic and classical guitar stylings it's impossible not to be serenaded and moved by his music. Website here, Facebook here.

Liam Bryant has distinct and pleasing vocals that are sensibly upfront on 'Her Name Means Grace' where his natural ability to play the emotional part within the song is evident. Musically we go from acoustic to full on rock, adding even more to this very fine track.

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Foster Olson - Over Me.

Background - "Over Me came about at a really hard time in my life,” states Foster Olson. A student of music and film at The New School in New York, the half-Australian singer-songwriter with a love for jazz rooted musicians like Billie Holliday, creates a ballad about being in an imperfect situation but knowing that the right person is always over you, waiting. Over Me has drawn comparisons to Florence & The Machine along with contemporaries like Bishop Briggs, as Foster Olson showcases her vocal prowess, hitting soulful notes with confidence and class.

The goosebumps-inducing power ballad does shine light on a deeper subject. “My dad was diagnosed with cancer and my boyfriend at the time had just moved in with me when I realized he wasn’t the right fit for me. And then I met this other guy who was so perfect for me, but I didn’t know how to get out of the relationship I was currently in,” Olson states. “Over Me” is really about believing the perfect person might be hanging over you somewhere.

And just like the artist she idolized, Billie Holliday showed Foster Olson that it’s okay not to be perfect, and that humans are imperfect. When it comes to music, artists are always on the quest for the perfect performance and every note has to be right. But sometimes every note in life, just isn’t right. Facebook here.

Another song where the vocals instantly demand your attention. 'Over Me' mixes a powerful soundtrack with Foster Olsen's more than capable voice in a dramatic, melodic and very catchy piece.

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Mark Thirkell - Say Goodbye.

Background - ‘In One Sense’ is a four-track EP - the latest project and debut solo release from Indie Electro vocalist Mark Thirkell.

Having drawn inspiration from a number of Indie bands and performers such as Roxy Music, Joy Division, The XX, Chvrches, The Cocteau Twins, John Foxx, Visage, Bauhaus, Goldfrapp, Jean Michel Jarre, The Cure and Interpol, the influence drawn from likes of Interpol and The Cure is notable on ‘In One Sense’.

The entire EP is accentuated by rich and resonant guitar riffs accompanied by melodic synths alongside Thirkell’s haunting lyrics. The first two tracks ‘Athena’ and ‘Say Goodbye’ feature intermittent rhythmic drum patterns from David Shaw, later taken over by Steve Wattis on track three - ‘The Chime’s’, putting his signature on the leading feature on the song. To end the project, Mark Thirkell has reserved ‘When She’s With Me’, a track that is once again heavily led by his unique and striking vocals. The production and components of the EP ensure its place firmly within the Indie genre and make it a record to watch out for this year.

Mark has worked on numerous previous projects, on one of which he was the lead vocalist for the synth pop band Ultra Arcanum for their debut LP ‘The Silence Inside’. Another being a collaboration with Alex Ford on which they formed the alternative/dark wave outfit Red September and recorded two LP’s. Facebook here.

Taken from the 'In One Sense' four song EP we have 'Say Goodbye'. A vibrant and rhythmic soundtrack with sweeping and melodic vibes throughout, it's a good indicator of an equally strong EP.

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La Bête Blooms - Low Hummer.

Background - Hull post-punk five piece La Bête Blooms kick off the year with their 2nd EP I Know It’s Nothing after gained praise for their single (& EP opener) Breaking In which included support from BBC 6 Music’s Steve Lamacq, playlist and chart action on Amazing Radio, an Xposure Hot One accolade from Radio X’s John Kennedy and excellent reviews from GigSlutz, UberRock and more.

Produced by Matt Peel (Eagulls, Pulled Apart By Horses), 4-track EP I Know It’s Nothing is rife with lacerating guitar riffs and feedback throughout, while gritty lo-fi vocals, unshakable in their sense of belief and delivery, give the listener a no-nonsense shot in the arm that oozes lo-fi anarchism. Lead singer Daniel Mawer says of the EP that its brutally honest subject matter depicts crippling anxiety and loneliness, tackling the subject matter straight on with defiance and an “us against the world” mentality, fuelled by the bands hometown of Hull.

La Bête Blooms have grown in confidence since their inception, and by merging a wall of noise with a keen ear for melody they have developed from their shoegaze beginnings to become a post-punk powerhouse. The band’s desire to prove their worth with a unique take on life up north echoes their home city Hull’s sentiments as it becomes 2017’s UK City of Culture. Facebook here.

The music and the video for 'Low Hummer' captures the overall feel of the EP in the manner that it is totally unpretentious and cuts to the chase. The attention the band are receiving within the UK is more than merited.

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The Bats - No Trace.

Background - The Bats release their new video for 'No Trace' - the second single off their recent album 'The Deep Set'. Out now one Flying Nun Records. Five years after the release of their last critically acclaimed album, The Bats have returned with album number nine, The Deep Set. A band that continues to defy the odds, allmusic.com recently hailed the band as “one of New Zealand's great treasures... anytime they make a record, especially one as good as The Deep Set, it's an event worth celebrating.”

The video is a heartwarming Scooby-Doo styled game of hide and seek, following a group of children around a rambling house on a scorching summer’s day. Directed by Andrei Talili and shot by Scott Jackson, the video beautifully visualises the band’s trademark jangle and bounce and charmingly echoes Robert Scott’s lyrics of landscape and longing - ‘lost in the street / trying to meet / someone to try and help me / faces around look to the ground / wondering what might be’. A blend of planned shots and spontaneous following, it’s a romantic walkabout around the Christchurch house sure to evoke a nostalgic fuzz in the most adult of eyes. The video’s youthful talent appear delighted in each other’s company; the game punctuated by joyous air guitar sessions and culminating in a fort hangout worthy of Little Rascals. Website here, Facebook here.

The Bats may well have a considerable back catalogue of material, however as the song 'No Trace' demonstrates, they are still more than able to present fresh, and likable songs. Pretty good for a second single from album number nine!

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