Maple Mars - Tullycraft - Rachael Sage & The Sequins - Kashena Sampson

Maple Mars - Couldn't Have Been A Better Time / Tidal Wave.

Celebrating the 25th Anniversary of LA pop-psych titans Maple Mars, Big Stir Records have just released an all new two track single from the band: “Couldn't Have Been A Better Time” and “Tidal Wave”, a one-two punch demonstrating both the power and the pop that have made them longtime favorites onstage and on record. 

It seems impossible that it's been a quarter of a century since Maple Mars rose from the ashes of front man Rick Hromadka's beloved '90s outfit Double Naught Spies, and the new songs presented here are as full of youthful rock and roll energy as ever. But it's a reality worth celebrating, and the current lineup of the band Hromadka on vocals and guitar, Steve Berns on guitar and vocals, longtime drummer Ron Pak and returning bassist Jeff Legore do so in their customary bracing rock style. 

The songs presented here display the band at the absolute top of their game, too. The A-side “Couldn't Have Been A Better Time” is a pure guitar-pop delight, with soaring hooks and a sense of palpable joy permeating the performance. The title telegraphs a look back at the band's history, but there's more going on here, however coy Hromadka may be about it. “I gave away too much personal info about some of the songs on the last Maple Mars album,” he says of the personal journey detailed in music on Someone's Got To Listen. “Gonna keep this one a secret. Although listeners can probably figure out that it's about someone special in my life.” The song simply radiates warmth, and the blend of trippy touches and Beach Boys like glee are pure Maple Mars.


============================================================================

Tullycraft - Tarrytown / Love On the Left Bank.

Seattle, Washington's own indie pop pioneers Tullycraft are back with two new singles "Tarrytown" & "Love On the Left Bank" off their new album Shoot the Point out now on HHBTM Records. 

Over the years, Tullycraft has penned a handful of songs that practically define the twee movement in America. The chorus "fuck me, I'm twee" was the refrain that launched a thousand t-shirts. “The Punks Are Writing Love Songs” introduced bratty punk to hummingbird twee. "Pop Songs Your New Boyfriend’s Too Stupid to Know About" encapsulated an entire music scene in a single song. 

And yet despite this, for most, the band exists somewhere near the edges of obscurity. Occasionally, they receive a nod (like when their album 'Old Traditions, New Standards' was featured on Pitchfork's list of the 25 Best Indie Pop Albums of the ’90s) but these spotlights don’t tend to happen as frequently as one might think.

While the mainstream has largely ignored Tullycraft, their status in the indie pop underground is undeniable. Formed in Seattle in 1995, they are considered to be one of the bona fide pioneers of the American twee pop movement. Touring relentlessly during the last gasp of the truly independent indie-underground, they influenced countless young bands. They were once called “the Johnny Appleseed of Indie Pop — making their way across the country, leaving new bands, zines, and record labels to sprout up in their wake."


============================================================================

Photo - Anna Azarov

Rachael Sage & The Sequins - The Best Version.

Beloved folk-pop singer-songwriter Rachael Sage and her longtime band The Sequins have released their uplifting new single and video “The Best Version” alongside the announcement of their new studio album Canopy, out October 24 via MPress Records. Standing as Sage’s most soulful and thought-provoking work to date, Canopy confidently spans Americana, pop, and neo-folk while exploring themes of living a purposeful and joyful life rooted in inclusiveness and equality. The new single is a lyrical, piano-pop confession that grapples with social media surrealism and imagines a blissful, unplugged state of being.

“‘The Best Version’ is a pretty different flavor musically from the rest of the album,” shares Sage on the new single. “Over the last few years, I’ve witnessed more and more people throwing up their hands and feeling so continually misunderstood on social media that they’ve had to go on ‘social media fasts’ just to feel sane. 

This gave me the idea of imagining a sort of blissful, off-the-grid state of being where you might gaze into a night-sky, imagine your soulmate(s) living in other parts of the world, and feel simultaneously tiny and huge. In these chaotic times, I personally find a lot of solace knowing from being on tour that I have kindred spirits in many places now and this song expresses the gist of why I love touring so much. I think this is among the most hopeful tracks on the record and we worked really hard to reflect the hopeful, expansive feeling of the lyrics in the string arrangement.”

============================================================================

Photo - Jon Karr 

Kashena Sampson - Ghost Of Me.

Nashville-based powerhouse Kashena Sampson has unveiled the title track of her forthcoming LP, Ghost Of Me, out on October 3. Kashena tells us “Besides being a musician, I have also been a bartender at a music venue for the past 10 years to pay my bills. It’s a great job, but there are some nights that feel like my heart is breaking,” Sampson told Chorus.fm. “Watching others live out the exact dream I’m still chasing, night after night. Having to put a smile on my face and serve industry people who’ve passed on me can be rough, and I can get real down on myself about it sometimes. 

‘Ghost Of Me’ is about those moments. The times when I question my worth, and the internal struggle of not being where I would like to be in my music career,” she added. “It’s about not giving up on my dreams even though at times it feels like it’s killing me.”

“Stuck in the same place, same routine,” she sings, before a swell of gorgeous, nocturnal noise, full of swooning keyboards and atmospheric guitars, like a long-lost Roy Orbison classic reborn for a film noir soundtrack. “Ghost Of Me” follows lead single, “Rearview Mirror,” a song born of intuition and shadow work, a spiritual shake-up designed to clear the path for truth. 

============================================================================

Tullycraft - The Altons - Rogan Mei - Pony Gold

Tullycraft - Jeanie's Up Late Again and Blaring Faith by The Cure.

The indiepop nerdy cuddle-core pioneers Tullycraft are back with a new future classic indiepop single/video "Jeanie's Up Late Again and Blaring Faith by The Cure" off their upcoming new album Shoot the Point, which comes out on August 22nd on HHBTM Records. If you are a indiepop fan the albums are filled with inside jokes and music nerd easter eggs. Bouncy, snarky, very tongue in cheek, and always good for a couple of laughs.

Over the years, Tullycraft has penned a handful of songs that practically define the twee movement in America. The chorus "fuck me, I'm twee" was the refrain that launched a thousand t-shirts. “The Punks Are Writing Love Songs” introduced bratty punk to hummingbird twee. "Pop Songs Your New Boyfriend’s Too Stupid to Know About" encapsulated an entire music scene in a single song. And yet despite this, for most, the band exists somewhere near the edges of obscurity. Occasionally, they receive a nod (like when their album 'Old Traditions, New Standards' was featured on Pitchfork's list of the 25 Best Indie Pop Albums of the ’90s) but these spotlights don’t tend to happen as frequently as one might think.

While the mainstream has largely ignored Tullycraft, their status in the indie pop underground is undeniable. Formed in Seattle in 1995, they are considered to be one of the bona fide pioneers of the American twee pop movement. Touring relentlessly during the last gasp of the truly independent indie-underground, they influenced countless young bands. They were once called “the Johnny Appleseed of Indie Pop — making their way across the country, leaving new bands, zines, and record labels to sprout up in their wake."

Indie pop icons Tullycraft are back! After six years of whatever bands do when they’re not making albums, legendary troublemakers Tullycraft are back with a new studio album, Shoot the Point.

============================================================================

The Altons - Love You Like That.

The Altons return with a one-two punch of sublime summertime sounds. Featuring the ever-soulful Adriana Flores on lead vocals, "Love You Like That" finds the group exploring a funkier, crossover sound that masterfully blends the infectious hooks of classics like Foster Sylvers "Misdemeanor" with the feel-good bounce of contemporary R&B. On the flip is "I Try I Try" - a floaty, mid-tempo banger off of their smash debut LP on Penrose, Heartache in Room 14.

The Altons are a soul rock group with a twist of Latin inspired flavors and rhythms. Their music is driven by intense grooves from the rhythm section that will bring you to your feet, while soulful leads inspire lovers to dance a little closer. When they take control of any stage you can always expect a fun and energetic time.

============================================================================

Photo - Mckenzie Reive

Rogan Mei - Lefroy.

Drawing from a life spent between wild northern landscapes and intimate moments of reflection, Rogan Mei returns with “Lefroy,” a hopeful and heart-pulling indie folk track about self-discovery, resilience, and return. Anchored in quiet emotion but expansive in imagery, the song is part meditative memoir/part mountain summit.

Inspired by a painting of Mt. Lefroy by Lawren Harris – viewed during a visit to the McMichael Gallery on the anniversary of his mother’s heart transplant – “Lefroy” emerged as a metaphor for personal reckoning. “As we stood looking at this mountain, I imagined myself climbing it,” says Mei. “The first line and melody just popped into my head, and I wrote the rest in the days that followed.”

The track’s evolution mirrors its lyrical arc. Originally longer and more subdued, “Lefroy” was restructured for live performance as part of Canadian Musicians Co-operative’s Showcase tour before being recorded for his upcoming Dickies Green Plaid Jacket EP. Rather than opt for a studio, Mei and his band recorded it in the house he grew up in – immersed in nature, memory, and intention. “Everything (except the female vocals) was recorded in the same room, by people I know, playing real instruments,” he says. “Very few records are made that way anymore.”

Rogan Mei · Lefroy

============================================================================

Pony Gold - Impossible Dream.

After a run of well-received shows and growing attention across Canadian radio and press following the release of “Big In The City,” alt-country artist Pony Gold returns with “Impossible Dream”, out now via Neon Moon Records. She has also announced her upcoming album High Road Reverie, set for release on October 3rd.

Written in the early stages of her sobriety, “Impossible Dream” feels like someone surfacing for air, only to find the world above just as suffocating. Over steady, unshowy instrumentation, Gold reflects on the quiet grind of survival; where rent, debt, and disappointment circle like clockwork. It’s not a plea for sympathy so much as a hard-won admission: sometimes, even hope feels out of reach.

“I wrote this song in the early days of my recovery when I was just beginning to navigate life without substances. It came from a place of anger, and reflection on how I had been living, where I was headed, and the deep frustration I felt with the state of the world,” she says. “These days it feels like no matter how hard you work, you cannot get ahead. The cost of living is relentless, and for many of us, survival means choosing between groceries, rent, or something to numb the pain. The weight of debt, the fear of bills, the sting of realizing a hundred bucks barely gets you through the checkout line - it can all feel hopeless.” 

============================================================================

Fragile Animals - Tullycraft - Pure Bathing Culture

We have featured Fragile Animals just once before back in 2017 and the new song 'Come Down' makes for a pleasing return, as the trio mix indie pop and rock styles together in a dreamy manner. In December we shared the video for 'Passing Observations' from Tullycraft. We now have a couple more music videos from the new album (The Railway Prince Hotel) of which we previously commented - "the band seemingly tear their way through the album with some highly original indie pop songs, that consistently have the bands unique and adorable sound". Another band making their second appearance on Beehive Candy is Pure Bathing Culture. Their honed and polished indie based music has feeling, originality and plenty of variety.  

Fragile Animals - Come Down.

Following the warm reception late last year of single 'Landing', Sunshine Coast-based dreamy rockers Fragile Animals reveal stunning new single 'Comedown', stepping closer to the release of their forthcoming EP - but more on that soon.

For the particularly observant followers of Australian indie music, Fragile Animals have proven to be a rare treat coming out of the Sunshine Coast and seemingly ready for the big stage. Since 2017 when they released their first single 'Signals' and subsequent EP Light That Fades, their star has steadily grown and led to this point. 'Comedown' precedes a full EP release and is a subtly hooky highlight of the piece with an uncanny familiarity that ropes you in immediately.

Frontwoman Victoria Jenkins says of the song: "It was a song I’d sing in my head while I was gritting my teeth or dead-eye staring my way through my day job. It was written about how it feels coming down after something good happened with the band and having to fall back into ‘reality’. I seriously hate that feeling."

'Comedown' is the second track lifted from their forthcoming second EP (due for announce in the next couple of weeks) and is yet another meticulously executed affair  produced by local Sunshine Coast producer Elliot Heinrich (Ayla, High Tropics) at Heliport Studios in Buderim. It's simply the perfect follow-up to their previous efforts and subsequent achievements. It's anything but a retread of paths once followed. Instead, it's the graduation with flying colours every band looks to strike upon. It's a luscious layering of shimmering guitars with Jenkins' subtle yet hooky melodies at the forefront - part indie pop, part shoegaze paragon.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Tullycraft - It's Not Explained, It's Delaware / Has Your Boyfriend Lost His Flavor on the Bedpost Overnight?

Tullycraft is known for writing indie pop anthems. Over the years they've penned a handful of songs that practically define the twee movement in America. The chorus "Fuck me, I'm Twee!" was the refrain that launched a thousand t-shirts, “The Punks Are Writing Love Songs” introduced bratty punk to hummingbird twee, and "Pop Songs Your New Boyfriend’s Too Stupid to Know About" encapsulated an entire music scene in a single song. And yet despite this, for most, the band exists somewhere near the edges of obscurity.

Occasionally they receive a nod, like when their song “Superboy & Supergirl” was featured in the critically acclaimed Netflix series The End of the F***ing World, but these spotlights don’t tend to happen as frequently as one might think.

While the mainstream has largely ignored Tullycraft, their status in the indie pop underground is undeniable. Formed in 1995, they are considered to be one of the genuine pioneers of the American twee pop movement. Touring relentlessly during the last gasp of the truly independent indie-underground, they influenced countless young bands. They were once called “the Johnny Appleseed of Indie Pop - making their way across the country, leaving new bands, promoters, zines and record labels to sprout up in their wake." In recent years the band has stopped performing live, instead shifting their focus to their personal lives, while still writing and recording music together.

The Railway Prince Hotel is Tullycraft’s seventh album, their first since 2013’s Lost in Light Rotation. This new batch of songs sees Sean Tollefson and Jenny Mears continue to share most of the vocal duties, while long time musical stalwarts Chris Munford and Corianton Hale create most of the music. It would be selling Tullycraft short to say that The Railway Prince Hotel picks up where their last album left off. These new songs have a modestly different sound, somewhat due to the fact that long-time drummer (and original Tullycraft member) Jeff Fell, doesn’t make an appearance, but also because of the fresh approach the band took to recording this record. Equipped with lyrics, vocal melodies and rough bass lines (provided by Tollefson) the band composed many of the new songs from the ground up in the studio. This was an untried approach for Tullycraft. The result is an extraordinary album of 12 ultra-catchy, whip-smart gems that take aim at everything from failed relationships to the danceability of Billy Joel songs.

Throughout the album the music has an exciting urgency which is likely attributed to both the band’s spontaneous recording process and the enthusiasm each member brought to the new material. Are the wonderfully snarky, self-referential indie pop lyrics still here? Of course they are, this is Tullycraft after all. A deep dive into the lyrics uncovers an embarrassment of obscure indie references to be discovered. It’s hard to imagine a band or artist genuinely hitting their stride on their seventh outing, but much like Achtung Baby (U2’s 7th album) or Blonde on Blonde (Bob Dylan’s 7th album) somehow Tullycraft has hit the sweet spot between deliberate and daring. The result is a truly great batch of songs. With standout tracks like “Passing Observations,” “Has Your Boyfriend Lost His Flavor on the Bedpost Overnight?” and the much too short “Lost Our Friends to Heavy Metal” – the question needs to be asked: Could The Railway Prince Hotel be Tullycraft’s true masterpiece? Honestly, it very well could be.



------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Pure Bathing Culture - Devotion.

Pure Bathing Culture have announced their first original release since 2015. New album Night Pass will be released April 26 on Infinite Companion. The highly anticipated, third studio album is the most distinguished demonstration of this Portland duo's intensely unique musical identity to date. Over the course of their young but eventful career, vocalist Sarah Versprille and multi-instrumentalist Daniel Hindman have done more than establish a sound; they've honed a sonic virtue.

Night Pass emerged from emotional tumult as the band parted ways from their label and team in quick succession. In a perplexing professional moment, the duo discovered a safe haven in the studio of friend and producer Tucker Martine (REM, My Morning Jacket, Neko Case, Spoon). With Tucker, Sarah and Daniel transformed dramatic change into creative power. The indie pop pioneers' spirit of resilience beats through ten impassioned tracks, exploding into songs like “Devotion,” a danceable canticle in praise of partnership.

Beginning in May, Pure Bathing Culture will embark upon support tours for Lucius and American Football before headlining a run down the West Coast.

Night Pass is preceded by hard-earned reputation. Pure Bathing Culture have worked with legendary producers Richard Swift and John Congleton, toured extensively with Death Cab for Cutie, The Shins and Lucius by headliners' personal request, and contributed to studio albums for Damien Jurado, Foxygen and Jessie Baylin among others. Tennis' Alaina Moore perfectly articulates the band's level of indie world renown: "As a fan, I can’t even feign objectivity … they have made a cult following out of the biggest names in indie."


-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Calva Louise - Team Picture - Tullycraft

Calva Louise - Tug Of War.

London punksters Calva Louise share gripping new single Tug Of War, the third track taken from their debut album Rhinoceros out 1st February.

Laying down a firm marker within London’s raucous punk scene over the last 18 months, the rising trio have since earned support slots alongside the likes of Albert Hammond Jr, Spring King and Anteros and recently finished an extensive UK tour with label-mates The Blinders.

Bursting with ferocity in their trademark anthemic style, Tug Of War encapsulates everything that’s come to be expected of the band. Silky guitar work, biting vocals and infectious, chaotic riffage takes centre stage and only adds to their growing reputation heading into next year’s debut LP release.

Discussing the video, the band stated: “We feel like in any kind of relationship there are unwritten rules everybody should follow, and that becomes a constant tug of war, dealing with unnecessary pressure. If everybody could have a complimentary point of view, then that tug of war could be a fun game where there are no set rules”.

We have featured Calva Louise twice this year and the new song 'Tug Of War' makes it three. The trio once again provide us with an energised punk come garage rocker, where the vocals add some melodic refinement whilst the music just crunches on with exuberance. The video adds a little humour as this London band continues to impress.


-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Team Picture -  Clone You.

Leeds-based six-piece, Team Picture have just shared their new track, ’Clone You’. Co-produced with Chris Mulligan (Treeboy & Arc, WH Lung), the track, which was initially penned during the band’s infancy, arrives as part of a AA-side alongside ‘Bedroom Genius’ which is due for physical release as a limited edition cassette via Big Dumb Music (DSP launch for AA-side set for January 18, 2019).

Speaking about the release, guitarist JL says: “‘Clone You’ and ‘Bedroom Genius’ are two songs dating from a period when we were still experimenting with different sounds and lineups which would culminate in ‘RECITAL'. It's the sound of us trying to reconcile our fondness for floaty waves and chunky guitar habits: of a band in the infancy of trying to educate themselves away from popular alt-rock tropes.” The AA-side release acts as the first piece of music from the band since the 6 Music-supported mini-album, ‘Recital’ which arrived earlier this year, produced by Matt Peel (Autobahn, Eagulls, Menace Beach). News arrives ahead of the band’s headline at Leeds’ Hyde Park Book Club on December 7, 2018 (tomorrow).

“The focus of the lyrics wasn't dwelt upon much at the time, but in hindsight, they both feel like they're about loneliness. Something I only really realised when Rufus Newell (designer) sent through his ideas for the artwork.”

Since forming in late 2016, Team Picture have earned praise at Radio 1, 6 Music, Radio X and BBC Introducing, as well as opening for the likes of Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever, Parquet Courts, The Orielles and Trudy & The Romance. Earlier in 2018, they released the mini-album, ‘Recital’, before embarking upon their debut headline tour, ticking off a stop at Leeds’ Brudenell Social Club and further festival dates at The Great Escape, Liverpool Sound City and Hit The North. The band are set to return to the studio in the early stages of 2019 with view to releasing more new music throughout the year.

It's our third Team Picture feature this year with new song 'Clone You'. Once again the band explore different musical territory with a creative and notable style, the vocals are outstanding the mood a little dark, the overall experience is hypnotic and gorgeous.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Tullycraft - Passing Observations.

Tullycraft debut their first single/video "Passing Observations" off their upcoming 7th album "The Railway Prince Hotel" due out on vinyl & CD on February 8th on HHBTM Records. Tullycraft is known for writing indie pop anthems. Over the years they've penned a handful of songs that practically define the twee movement in America.

While the mainstream has largely ignored Tullycraft, their status in the indie pop underground is undeniable. Formed in 1995, they are considered to be one of the genuine pioneers of the American twee pop movement. Touring relentlessly during the last gasp of the truly independent indie-underground, they influenced countless young bands. They were once called “the Johnny Appleseed of Indie Pop - making their way across the country, leaving new bands, promoters, zines and record labels to sprout up in their wake." In recent years the band has stopped performing live, instead shifting their focus to their personal lives, while still writing and recording music together.

The Railway Prince Hotel is Tullycraft’s seventh album, their first since 2013’s Lost in Light Rotation. This new batch of songs sees Sean Tollefson and Jenny Mears continue to share most of the vocal duties, while long time musical stalwarts Chris Munford and Corianton Hale create most of the music. It would be selling Tullycraft short to say that The Railway Prince Hotel picks up where their last album left off. These new songs have a modestly different sound, somewhat due to the fact that long-time drummer (and original Tullycraft member) Jeff Fell, doesn’t make an appearance, but also because of the fresh approach the band took to recording this record. Equipped with lyrics, vocal melodies and rough bass lines (provided by Tollefson) the band composed many of the new songs from the ground up in the studio. This was an untried approach for Tullycraft. The result is an extraordinary album of 12 ultra-catchy, whip-smart gems that take aim at everything from failed relationships to the danceability of Billy Joel songs.

Throughout the album the music has an exciting urgency which is likely attributed to both the band’s spontaneous recording process and the enthusiasm each member brought to the new material. Are the wonderfully snarky, self-referential indie pop lyrics still here? Of course they are, this is Tullycraft after all. A deep dive into the lyrics uncovers an embarrassment of obscure indie references to be discovered. It’s hard to imagine a band or artist genuinely hitting their stride on their seventh outing, but much like Achtung Baby (U2’s 7th album) or Blonde on Blonde (Bob Dylan’s 7th album) somehow Tullycraft has hit the sweet spot between deliberate and daring. The result is a truly great batch of songs. With standout tracks like “Passing Observations,” “Has Your Boyfriend Lost His Flavor on the Bedpost Overnight?” and the much too short “Lost Our Friends to Heavy Metal” – the question needs to be asked: Could The Railway Prince Hotel be Tullycraft’s true masterpiece? Honestly, it very well could be.

The second of twelve tracks on Tullycraft's seventh album due next February is 'Passing Observations' accompanied by a clever cartoon video. It's a good representation of what to expect from 'The Railway Prince Hotel,' where the band seemingly tear their way through the album with some highly original indie pop songs, that consistently have the bands unique and adorable sound.


-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------