Weekend Wonders: Vorsen - Transviolet - Maddy O'Neal - Basement Revolver

Vorsen - Take Your Mark.

Background - From elegantly smooth acoustic tones to powerful blues-soaked choruses, its no surprise Vorsen is turning heads across the country with their diverse yet distinguished sound. The Perth four-piece combine warm smokey vocals with organic intimate melodies to create heart-on-your-sleeve tracks to the likening of acts such as Matt Corby, Of Monsters and Men and John Butler. Despite being tucked between a variety of genres, Vorsen’s characteristic blend of blues/rock tied in with their energetic and devoted live performances have given them a bold name in the local music scene.

Vorsen’s debut self-titled EP was a stunning insight into the sheer range of the bands sound. Their single “Hurricane” from the album was featured in the Top 5 on the triple j Unearthed roots chart for weeks and was well received both online and by radio across the country.

Following the release of their debut self-titled EP comes the lively follow-up track ‘Take Your Mark”. The single has been captured and produced beautifully by engineer Andy Lawson (Eskimo Joe, Gyroscope) at Debaser Studio, and mastered by legend William Bowden (Gotye, Paul Dempsey). “Take Your Mark” represents a perfect fusion of their multi-genre tastes, a lively blend of twangy acoustic guitars, thunderous kick drums, dreamy vocal harmonies and even a horns section. “Take Your Mark” is a beautifully crafted piece that is both polished yet natural with soaring vocal hooks and driving guitar lines, an exceptional follow-up release. Catch their single launch at the Odd Fellow in Fremantle (August 6th) or Eastern States tour mid September.

We featured Vorsen a while back and the new song 'Take Your Mark' definitely deserves a feature. The song has a natural folk rock feel to it, with the vocals and harmonies driving the melody, above the lively and spirited music.

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Transviolet - LA Love.

Background - The band will be playing the Reading and Leeds festivals in the UK this summer, along with Taste of Chicago tonight. They will play their first headlining hometown show at Neon Gold's Popshop in Los Angeles, as well, and will be joining dreampop three-piece LANY on tour this fall.

Transviolet was formed in New York and is now based in Los Angeles. McTaggart explains their choice of name, noting, "We were sitting around the living room with books on mythology and poetry one day, determined to pick a band name (as this had been no easy task for us). Judah came across this poem by Charles Bukowski called 'When The Violets Roar At The Sun.' It goes, 'They've got us in a cage, ruined of grace and senses, and the heart roars like a lion at what they've done to us...' It spoke to me so plainly about how we (the band) felt about the world, how our own apathy has led us to this haphazard way of existing - devoid of reason or purpose, just fumbling around the streets with our heads in our phones, passively falling into the future without any real stake in it. We want to be active in designing our future. We believe that our generation can learn to live mindfully, and peacefully and evolve, thus 'trans' as in short for 'transcendence'. To sum it up, Transviolet is transcendence into a new, violet awareness. We loved that idea, so it stuck."

The band released a self-titled EP last fall and closed out 2015 with one million Spotify listeners, who played a staggering 20 years' worth of the band's songs. Three songs from the EP - "New Bohemia," "Girls Your Age" and "Bloodstream" - have all ranked in Hype Machine's Top 5 and climbed into the Top 15 (or higher) on Spotify's Global Viral charts.

'LA Love' is a refreshing and beautiful pop come rock song. With hooks and vibes like this, it's hardly surprising that the band are already the centre of so much attention.

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Maddy O'Neal - Just A Glimpse.

Background - Maddy O'Neal saw her debut solo effort "No Master Plan" resonate with fans and industry peers alike. Available today is the second single off her forthcoming 'Introspect' LP in "Just A Glimpse". Boasting a visual aesthetic that's directly linked to her music, Maddy O'Neal brings listeners on a visceral, emotive auditory experience. One that showcases the inspirations behind 'Introspect' one release at a time.

'Just A Glimpse' oscillates between a brooding, hypnotic bassline and rhythmic harmonies that introduce piano key strokes, horns and more. The eclectic production is a testament to her classically trained background and multi-faceted skill set.

Maddy is determined to become a female leader in a male dominated live electronic genre. Maddy’s rock n’ roll family roots and growing appetite for old-school hip-hop, give her a versatility that sets her apart from other artists in the scene.

It’s this versatility, paired with her meticulous ear and effortless mixing style that allows Maddy to connect with her audience. By incorporating influences from across the genre board, Maddy’s production are full of melodic overtones, driven basslines, and jazzy hip-hop. Laying her heart and soul out every time she hits the stage, her undeniable passion gives her a massive appeal that any music junkie can relate to. 

' Just A Glimpse' is a vibrant electronic piece, that really does showcase the talent of Maddy O'Neal. With a dominant beat at it's core, other sounds and instruments circle around, creating as much intrigue as it does involuntary foot movement. 

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Basement Revolver - Lake, Steel, Oil.

Background - "These songs were all written at a point in my life where I was experiencing a change in identity. Lyrically, there was a lot of looking back and processing the life and experiences I had been through. As a band we chose these songs in particular because they are some of our favourites from that time and they all share a similar mentality and tone. These are the songs that helped to shape and make us." - Chrisy Hurn

Hamilton, Ontario’s Basement Revolver plays introspective and emotional indie rock music, reminiscent of The Pixies and the Yeah Yeah Yeahs. The drone of the city haunts front woman Chrisy Hurn: stories woven with factory skylines and gritty streets are sung in a voice pure as water, flowing down high escarpment walls. The heavy lines of bass/synth player Nimal Agalawatte and drummer Brandon Munro are bedrock for Hurn's ethereal and immediate guitar work. Developed song craft and infectious rhythms will have you following Basement Revolver into feelings you never knew you had.

Basement Revolver has shared the stage with We Are The City, HIGHS, Dave Monks and Evening Hymns, among others. They are set to release their debut EP in July of 2016.

Basement Revolver are fast becoming Beehive Candy's "house band" with the song 'Lake, Steel, Oil' becoming the band's third feature from us this year! Well we have said a whole lot of wonderful things about their music already, so this time round I will just gently urge you to check them out.

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Genre Wander: SixTwoSeven - LOVEYOU - The Inconsistent Jukebox Feat Ang Kerfoot

SixTwoSeven - Wreckless Soul.

Background promo - Seattle staples, SixTwoSeven are headed out on a West Coast tour this Summer in support of their new record, Some Other's Day, due out August 5th Produced by the infamous Jack Endino (Nirvana), the group impress both on the record and on stage, as they head through cities such as Los Angeles an Portland for the upcoming dates. Currently the band is also sharing their new single, "Wreckless Soul," which sets the tone for the album and tour.

The record shares alternative elements with an indie twist. The group create a stunning debut that is a whirlwind of guitars and vocal perfection.Writing songs has long been the way that frontman Greg Bilderback has expressed himself. Though he’s performed in various band over the years, and has had the sense since he was little that he was a born entertainer, his path to rock ’n’ roll frontman had been circuitous.

Tour Dates:
August 9 -  Le Voyeur - Olympia, WA
August 11 - Johnny V’s Bar - San Jose, CA
August 13 -  The Mint LA -  Los Angeles, CA
August 14 -  Art Share LA - Los Angeles, CA
August 18 - The Analog Theater and Café - Portland, OR.

'Wreckless Soul' has that classic indie rock feel to it. Guitars are tight and precise as is the blistering rhythm section, whilst the vocals are expressive and deliver a sub three minute rock'n'roller.

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LOVEYOU - Outed The Time.

Background promo - Andrew Stogel took some time away from the outside world after a personal and painful time, and drifted into a dream-pop realm of his own creation. He’s emerged with the band, LOVEYOU.

On the group’s debut, Sparkle & Crush, tucked beneath darkly majestic hooks and hazy shoegaze atmospherics is shrouded enlightenment. These anthems for the introspective helped him through a transformative time. Pull back the mystical layers of sound and meaning of the group’s debut, and there is the raw-nerve emotionality of LOVEYOU’s enigmatic principal songwriter. Stogel recounts, “At the time of recording this album, EP, I felt that my music and how I could affect myself and others with it was a defining force that reanimated me in the face of some personal tragedies. I’m hoping it might have a positive impact on someone.”

His steady ally is drummer and multi-instrumentalist DK, who appears consistently on many tracks and is a charter member of the group’s five-piece live lineup. Sparkle & Crush is a majestic 8-song debut that beneath oblique wordplay offers intimate personal revelation. “Art is healing, for me the intrinsic value of making music comes first. Despite the cluttered feelings and ideas I have about my songs, I would come to realize that they were the right responses to how I was feeling when I wrote them,” he says.

The album bursts open with the jangly Beatles-esque “I Want To (Make You Feel Happiness)” which captures the essence of Stogel’s melancholy pop. The hooks are huge, but there is a sweet longing beneath the sugar high. The sleepy psychedelic confessional “Awake At Last” is a blissed out journey into self-realization that’s both tragic and triumphant. “Outed The Time” is a coming of age song about harsh realities forcing you to go within, look at your life, and make brave changes.  Other standouts include the shoegaze pop of “Your Love Is,” and heavy-lidded closing track, “Fuzzy Logic” For Stogel, his journey in music is inseparable from his growth as a person. Filled with epiphanies and new hope from Sparkle & Crush, he’s already preparing another entry of mind-altering pop.

One of eight very strong songs, 'Outed The Time' from the debut 'Sparkle & Crush' needs a couple of plays to grasp the vocals and absorb the superb musicianship. The band can and do vary the styles and pace of songs, whilst maintaining an overall consistent sound. In all fairness the above overview of the album from the promo we received, is a very fair summary, of a very fine collection of songs.

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The Inconsistent Jukebox Feat Ang Kerfoot - Bold Ego Fledgling.

Background promo - The Inconsistent Jukebox has announced the forthcoming release of a new single ‘Bold Ego Fledgling’, which features vocals by Las Vegas-based Ang Kerfoot, via UK indie label Supersonic Media.

The Inconsistent Jukebox is the solo project of Barry Snaith. This is the Pandora’s Box giving rise to his work with incredible artists from all over the world and engaged in various creative genres - music, paint, surrealist human art, motion graphics, dance and video. As a guitarist, Snaith has toured, gigged and recorded with the likes of The Ramones, Chrissie Hynde, Johnny Thunders, and David Johannsen. As a solo artist, he writes and produces soundscapes that have been used in fashion shows, the UK’s first ever digital fiction installation and much more.

His most recent collaboration, released in June via German boutique label Emerald & Doreen Recordings, is the ‘Radio Boom’ single with Jonathan L, internationally known for decades as a radio show presenter and 2015 Euro DJ Personality of the Year award. Almost impossible to slot into a neat little ‘genre’ box, it’s fair to say that ‘Bold Ego Fledgling’ dishes up a stunning slab of gritty idiosyncratic electro rock, combining distorted glitchy guitars with Kerfoot’s deadpan spoken word turned vocals.

'Bold Ego Fledgling' is musical art. It's a wall of hypnotic sounds, that are wonderfully layered together. In the right mood, with the volume belting the song out, it's a total aural delight.

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Midweek Double: Cling - Saints Patience

Cling - The Maze.

Background - Cling are an Essex based duo who formed in 2006 and consist of Susi Lavender (Vocals) and Gerald Patient on Programming and Production. Cling came to recognition from their music making appearances in the cult favourite "Welcome To The Scene". Cling pushed harder, and in 2007, started playing live at some of the top music venues in Europe!

Cling released their music video "Beyond Your Dreams" which gathered 47K hits on YouTube in under 2 weeks and the duo then proceeded to have their music used in adverts for ASICS Europe (JD Sports trainer advert)  and North Face Clothing. Cling's latest release was produced at Cling studio, Essex and is a Drum and Bass Influenced track entitled "The Maze" which is available as a free download via Soundcloud. Cling is a band that has accomplished many feats in their career; some milestones major, others personal.

Whilst Drum & Bass may not feature heavily on Beehive Candy 'The Maze' just grabbed my attention. On this specific song Susi Lavender's vocals remind me in part of Debbie Harry in her heyday, and the juxtaposition of her vocals and the superbly produced soundtrack make for something very special. The good news is it's a great song and nobody need witness me trying to dance to it!

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Saints Patience - Break of Dawn.

Background words - About ‘Break Of Dawn’ Appropriately for a song of such positive intent – the championing of taking risks, living life to the full and immersing yourself in the present – ‘Break Of Dawn’ revolves around a supremely uplifting chorus that will inspire many a communal singalong. This addictive classic-rock anthem kicks off with a choppy guitar riff straight out of a Keith Richards masterclass, to which strident drums, rolling bass and potent synths are expertly attached. Singer Mudibu’s lung-busting, heart-lifting soul vocal implores us to “dance until the sun will rise” as ‘Break Of Dawn’ erupts into an arms-aloft, arena-sized behemoth given a contemporary electro-funk edge by swathes of overdriven synthesizer.

About Saints Patience “We’ve created something epic, something exciting and captivating.” Essentially the project of two London-based musicians, multi-instrumentalist Spencer and vocalist Mudibu, Saints Patience place melody and groove front and centre in a thrilling audio format that mixes the classic and the contemporary by following the lead of such timeless artists as Queen, Otis Redding, Led Zeppelin and The Wailers. Their songs are cohesive amalgamations of Spencer’s prolific guitar jams and improv sessions in his home studio, which Mudibu, formerly of Mantilla, Lostchild and The Jezebel Sextet, enhances via his rich and powerful voice. This intuitive pair – “You know it’s good when you just look at each other and smile” – have now collected the best of their writings into a vibrant full-length album (to be released later in 2016), recorded using minimal gear at Spencer’s studio and thus exuding a fresh and dynamic analogue vibe. All this as Saints Patience are recruiting additional band members to perform the artisanal instrumental parts in a live setting and take this charismatic show on the road. As Mudibu says of the process, “When everything comes together, I know it and feel it running through me." Rest assured that everything is definitely coming together for Saints Patience, and it is coming together apace. Consider ‘Break Of Dawn’ your introduction.

'Break of Dawn' has all the hallmarks of a two man rock outfit, with an intense and powerful sound, great clarity between the instruments and a considerable amount of energy. This is a potent song, the vocals are just so right for this type of music, and for me, this is a real barnstormer.

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Quality Not Quantity: The Swagger - Digging Roots

The Swagger - EP.

Background promo - The Swagger, an original London grit-rock band, has announced their forthcoming debut EP, which was produced by Graham Bonnar (Swervedriver / The Brian Jonestown Massacre) and recorded at the renowned Konk Studios (founded by Ray and Dave Davies of The Kinks) in North London. Slated for release digitally and on CD on July 22, this EP features four tracks from the arsenal of songs they've been performing around the UK. They've picked these particular tracks from an archive of about 100 they've written to date.

Hailing from Hornsey, North London, The Swagger originally formed in March 2012. The band is now made up of two brothers - Lee Stevens (lead vocals, rhythm guitar) and Paul Stevens (lead guitar, back vocals), along with mates Will O’Connell (bass guitar) and Roger Malaquias (drums). The band originally recorded the demos at Tigersonic Studios (Holloway, North London) in late 2015 with co-producer Felix Macintosh, and pretty soon found their way to Konk Studios in Hornsey, North London to record with engineer Josh Green and guitar tech Brendan Quinn. Both The Swagger and The Kinks are local to this area.

The Swagger are among the few bands privileged enough to record at Konk Studios with bands like The Stone Roses, The Kooks, Blur, Franz Ferdinand, Bombay Bicycle Club, Elvis Costello, Steve Winwood, and the Bee Gees having recorded here over the years. The Swagger's debut EP was mixed and mastered by Pat Collier (Vibrators) at Perry Vale Studios in South London. Neil Barrie designed the EP artwork, website and logo. The Swagger will be heading back into the studio at the end of 2016 to start work on their debut album, which is planned for release in 2017. In the meantime, they will be playing various gigs, including the Musicians Against Homelessness concert being organized by legendary Creation Records’ boss Alan Mcgee.

July 23 - The Cavendish Arms, 128 Hartington Road, Stockwell, London
August 27 - The Islington, 1 Tolpuddle Street, Angel, London
October 1 - Musicians Against Homelessness, organized by Alan Mcgee @ T.Chances, Tottenham High Road, London.

Four really good songs on the debut EP suggests The Swagger have a considerable amount of talent, ideas and an already well developed grit rock sound. The band are upfront about their influences which range from The Kinks to The Who via plenty of other bands, however I keep the references short, so as not to diminish the bands superb debut, featured in full below.

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Digging Roots - For the Light.

Background promo - Digging Roots has an answer to the gun violence plaguing the world today: more love, more truth, more music. “I think we can use the word ‘epidemic’ when it comes to gun violence in society today,” says Singer ShoShona Kish of Digging Roots whose powerful and inspirational new video AK-47 calls for an end to violence and oppression through love and understanding.

Digging Roots is a post-psychedelic-blues group, consisting of husband and wife duo Raven Kanatakta and ShoShona Kish, whose music is a love making blend of roots-rock-reggae & hip-hop-blues. Formed in 2004, the duo released their first album Seeds in 2006. The album was a nominee for the Aboriginal Album of the Year at the Juno Awards of 2007. They followed with We Are in 2009, which featured collaborations with Tanya Tagaq, DJ Bear Witness of A Tribe Called Red and Kinnie Starr, who also co-produced the album. We Are won the Juno Award for Aboriginal Album of the Year in 2010. Their most recent third album, For The Light was also was nominated for a Juno Award and the single 'Hwy 17' was awarded the Cobalt Prize for original blues composition at the Maple Blues Awards in Canada. Digging Roots has toured across Canada, the US, Mexico, Europe and recently performed in Australia with highlight performances at the Sydney Opera House and the famous Bryon Bay Bluesfest.

“There’s an Anishinabek word in the chant at the end of the song that distills it all for me,” says ShoShona, “Nizoogide’e”, it means “My heart is a stronghold.” AK-47 is about opening fire on hate, oppression and violence, both lateral and physical. Not with bullets and guns but with the full force of love. Cynics might say that we’re naive but to me it’s the only rational way forward. This song is a proposition that its time to stop oppression and the violence against one another, against ourselves and against the land.” The song AK-47 is available for public download on iTunes. 

2016 Canadian Summer tour dates include:
July 8, Cultura Festival, Toronto, ON
July 9-10 2016, Northern Lights Festival Boréal, Sudbury, ON
July 16, 2016, Wild Mountain Music Festival, Hinton, AB
July 23, 2016, Great Northern Arts Festival, Inuvik, NT
August 4, 2016, Montreal First Peoples Festival, Montréal, QC
August 5-7, 2016, Edmonton Folk Festival, Edmonton, AB
August 10, 2016, TBA, Winnipeg, MB
August 19-21, 2016, Salmon Arm Roots & Blues Festival, Salmon Arm, BC

The video for AK-47 is featured on our BeeVids page and is really worth a look and listen. Also however, I was struck by how good their current album is, and wanted to feature a track from that as well. The band adopt differing styles and genres with ease, keeping the listener in expectation of whats next. Rootsy acoustic blues competes with anything from psychedelic to reggae influences. All in all it's a great listen, and albeit a late discovery for me, but nonetheless a good one.

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Monday Double: JP Klipspringer - Todd Dorigo

JP Klipspringer - Can't Be (Album Edit).

Background promo - Melbourne songwriter and producer JP Klipspringer returns with his biggest effort of 2016, the infectious and sinister pop-ballad “Can’t Be”.

2015 saw Klipspringer release his second EP, Din Deafening, with lead single “I Blame Carl Weathers” enjoying solid airtime on triple j and other community stations across Australia. Two mini east-coast tours later and Klipspringer’s music is gaining the attention of more and more punters nation- wide.

Produced by local stalwart Simon Lam (Kllo, I’lls), “Can’t Be” demonstrates Klipspringer’s keen ability to craft arresting and dynamic indie tunes. Partially inspired by the first season of cult US television series True Detective, and written after backpacking through America’s southern states in 2014, “Can’t Be” is equal parts sugar and melancholy; a story of lust and malevolent intentions set in the overbearing heat of New Orleans, Louisiana.

“Can’t Be” is a fresh cut from Klipspringer’s debut full-length album, set for release in September 2016. Details of a national tour to celebrate the release of the album are to be shared in the coming months. “Can’t Be” will be released 15th of July 2016.

'Can't Be' is one of those must play again songs for me. It's melodic and develops a really dreamy vibe, or is that me not understanding what the prearranged signal is (you have to listen). Production is spot on and JP's vocals are a real treat.

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Todd Dorigo - Backdrop To Boredom.

Background promo - It’s the small town blues like perhaps we’ve not heard it before – ever so slightly narcissistic, but with the sink or swim swagger that saw Todd Dorigo land in the big smoke. He emerges with new single ‘Backdrop To Boredom’, with its opening refrain – “Long live me…Time to leave” – serving one hell of an introduction to Dorigo’s booming baritone and steadfast backbeat. Stream/embed ‘Backdrop To Boredom’ below...

“The song was written at a time when I left my home town up north for London,” he explains. “Middlewich wasn’t exactly the melting pot of creativity and I had been playing in Manchester and Liverpool for years cutting my teeth. Everyone seemed to be on the well-trodden path to stability, and I wasn’t really interested. “Chasing my passion for music seemed like two-fingers up to my education and to any well-intended guidance I’d ever received. At the time, I think I was so desperate to shake things up and make things happen that the thought of comfort frustrated me as it suggested a lack of movement or progression.”

Born of modest Middlewich, ‘Backdrop To Boredom’ soundtracks the new Burberry campaign launching this month, in which Dorigo also features. It’s not the first time he’s flirted with high-end fashion, having (somewhat reluctantly) fallen into a Vogue shoot alongside Suki Waterhouse when she saw him sound-checking before a show at The Troubadour in London. ‘Backdrop To Boredom’ marks Todd Dorigo’s first official release, via London-based singles club 0E0E (pronounced ‘Naughty Naughty’) and hints to the forthcoming release of a debut EP later this year.

'Backdrop To Boredom' showcases Todd's distinctive and pleasing baritone vocals. It's also a very good rock song, with a thumping bassline and drums along with super tight guitar playing.

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Quality Not Quantity: Scatter Factory - Yassassin - Tammy

Scatter Factory - Out the Blocks.

Background -  Scatter Factory presents the new single 'Out The Blocks' from the forthcoming self-titled debut album. Set for release via Flecktone Recordings, this track delivers us a motorik, ghostly and infectious roller-skate bass groove.

This is the solo project of Will Foster, a multi-instrumentalist, songwriter and arranger who was a member of acclaimed art-pop band Delicatessen, as well as Top 40 hit-scoring Lodger in the 1990s. He has since written string arrangements for acts under Simon Raymonde’s guardianship, been a touring keyboardist / guitarist with Martina Topley-Bird, Brett Anderson/ Bernard Butler reunion vehicle The Tears, and Heather Nova.  Since 2008, Will has been regularly touring and recording as keyboardist with The Fratellis. Foster neatly sums up his shift in position: “I’m still in the background – but now there’s nobody else there with me.”

Suede’s Brett Anderson, with whom he toured in support of his solo album, describes Scatter Factory's music as “beautiful stuff”. Scatter Factory is an eloquent instrumental album that manages to be both vividly imagistic and intriguingly open-ended, playing as a set piece while ranging across pastoral tranquillity, cosmic spookiness and indeterminate dread. Composed, played, produced and mixed by Foster at his home in Oxford, this album features an array of electronica, pianos, guitars and percussion, while also making imaginative use of field recordings and treated sounds.

‘Scatter Factory’ is a non-prescriptive record that poses more questions than it provides answers and artist James Marsh, renowned for his Talk Talk album covers, has responded to this with a striking, retro-futurist graphic design for the cover artwork. It’s bold and dynamic in a way that befits someone flying solo for the first time, even if they are obscured by clouds. From the nine tracks featured on the LP, one other track ‘PowWow’ (edited version) is available for free download and streaming on Bandcamp. Its mix of light-filled lyricism and downright eeriness illustrates Foster’s knack for shifting mood, as well as pace and tone.

As of July 22, ‘Scatter Factory’ will be widely available through digital stores and also as a handsome digipak CD.

From the forthcomingg self titled album we have 'Out the Blocks', a piece of music than merges elements of Neu!, Kraftwerk and even Can, and yet still has plenty of vibrant originality. This is an incredible album, and whilst I'm name dropping you can comfortably add Vangelis and Mercury Rev into the equation. Some of the music is gently melodic, other tracks leaning towards experimental ideas without being self indulgent, and beyond that you have the steady hypnotic beat of early Krautrock. Collectively this is simply wonderful music, and a must listen for anyone who has a taste for any of the above artists.  

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Yassassin - Social Politics.

Background - Kinetic quintet Yassassin are probably the kind of colourful chaos that you need right about now. With all guns blazing, no exceptions made and nothing left unsaid, Yassassin premiere their debut single ‘Social Politics’. The single is mixed by Margo Broom (Fat White Family, Telegram) and will be available as a limited free download and then released via Enate Records (distributed by PIAS) on all digital platforms in July.

Following successful stints in other bands including The History of Apple Pie and LUST, Yassassin combine insistent, loud-mouthed guitars and throaty bass murmurs with ear-dwelling, pop perfection.

The single is a true reflection of the girls’ ideologies and doing things the Yassassin way. Extrapolating further, they suggest that: ''Social Politics is about standing up to the bullies, both in personal life and in today's society. It's about not always fitting the norm but daring to go your own way. It’s about rebelling against the ‘zombie scene,’ which could be either a social clique where only certain people are accepted, or a society where racism is becoming more glaringly visible.” After just stepping out of the studio with producer Dave Allen (The Cure, Neneh Cherry, Depeche Mode), the band are set to release their debut EP later in the year.

Tuesday 9th August - The Waiting Room, London (w/ Labradoor).

'Social Politics' is a totally likeable indie rock, come jangle pop song. Vocals are part raw and part refined and the harmonies just add melody and beautiful hooks. With a message in the lyrics, and upbeat energy it's one very fine single.

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Tammy - Hated It (With You).

Background - Two people, one name and a wholly captivating style is the simplest way to describe the breakthrough Sex-Folk duo, Tammy. Members Aaron and Brooke, who met for the first time at a New York bar called Ioana, possess the kind of undeniable chemistry that brings to mind some of the most beloved American folk duos, like Simon & Garfunkel and Dylan and Baez. Aaron’s bouncy acoustic riffs provide the perfect backdrop for Brooke’s sweet yet sultry, honey-soaked vocals, giving Tammy its truly original and unforgettable sound.

Today, Tammy reveals their debut single, "Hated It (With You)." Of inspiration for the candid single, Tammy says, "Brooke had a bad breakup and they starting writing hate songs to make her feel better.” “Hated It” is about trying to forget the bad, walking in the sunshine, and ultimately, moving on. The bridge presents the man who has been left behind, admitting to his loneliness and distress, in a rare moment of clarity. The response of the woman is fittingly unforgiving. She only offers the hopeful image of her pink shoes, along with the simple admission that she "really f##kin' hates you."

Influenced by everyone from Burt Bacharach to Nirvana, both Aaron and Brooke began developing their musicality at the age of four. Now, as Tammy, they draw inspiration from their experiences as New Yorkers. And as Brooke puts it, “We can’t wait to keep singing and writing songs about love, hate and making out.”

Oh what a timeless and beautiful song 'Hated It (With You)' is. It's hard to know what to add beyond the press release above, which is refreshingly accurate. It's a pristine modern folk/pop song with plenty of natural emotion and feeling.

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Genre Mix: Suit of Lights - HOO HAs - Stevie

Suit of Lights - Break Open The Head.

Background - Suit of Lights is an American music group founded by Joe Darone, formerly of The Fiendz and The Rosenbergs. Described as genre-defying, Suit of Lights artfully blends elements of 60's pop, punk, progressive rock, metal, jazz, and baroque pop. The group's alumni boasts members of Mr Bungle, Thursday, Streetlight Manifesto and The Tea Club.

At an early age, Joe Darone dedicated his life to making art and music. Darone’s career as a drummer took him everywhere from CBGB’s to The Fillmore, from opening for The Ramones in his punk band, The Fiendz, to touring with Echo & The Bunnymen with The Rosenbergs.

Darone is also a visual artist, creating artwork for the likes of Madonna, Agnostic Front, and Van Halen under the name Zeckle. He continues to create the album artwork for each Suit of Lights release.

In 2003, Darone began focusing on songwriting, and Suit of Lights was born. Not satisfied to stand still creatively, each new Suit of Lights album is a new musical adventure. “Some bands go for 30 years with one sound, and there’s nothing wrong with that. But that’s boring to me,” Darone says. And so, fans have come to expect change from Suit of Lights.

“Amazing,” “Brilliant,” “Beautiful,” and “Truly great” are some of the words critics have used to describe Suit of Lights’ previous releases. Break Open the Head is the follow-up to the band's critically-acclaimed Shine On Forever, which was included in "Top Albums of the Year" lists from Brooklyn's The Big Takeover to the UK's Instrumental. Break Open the Head, produced by Tim 'Rumblefish' Gilles, is a bold, energetic leap forward, at once dense and challenging yet very accessible and insanely catchy. The lyric writing contains the most positive message to date: “honor your higher self.”

'Break Open The Head' opens with nice chunky bass and guitars, providing a suitable soundtrack for the distinct and likable vocals of Joe Darone. However it's the mix of both and a really good melody that makes the song stand out. It's one of many good songs from the sound shifting band, Suit Of Light.

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HOO HAs - This is the New Me.

Background - HOO HAs are an indie-rock quartet hailing from London. Frontman Jamie started off writing poetry which progressed to working alongside his old friend the late Robb Skipper, helping to write lyrics for his post-Holloways projects. After meeting Mark and Adam when they were performing in various musical outfits (including Hares), jamming at parties led to sessions above the Silver Bullet in Finsbury Park and electric late night gigs downstairs followed soon after. Incendiary live shows have always been a big part of HOO HAs heritage and they have since played shows supporting the likes of Gaz Coombes and alongside their good friends in the local scene such as: Francobollo, LA Salami, Mohit, Amaroun and Itchy Teeth.

Combining cocky and powerful guitar hooks with anthemic vocal melodies and memorable shout-along lyrics, tracks such as ‘This is the New Me’ and ‘Hanna’ feel like they have been plucked from golden-era of NME indie. The band cite their influences as everything from “from JJ Cale to J Dilla”, and it shows, there are clear influences in the earlier tracks on the EP from the likes of Blur, whilst also calling to mind the sounds of Babyshambles and at times Art Brut. The latter tracks on the EP such as ‘Tippex Jeans’ display a completely different element of the HOO HAs songwriting technique with hints of Captain Beefheart and more prog-blues infused guitar lines and psych driven bass parts. Similarly the vocals take a beguiling avant-garde tone and melody whilst the lyrics still retain their acuity.

This EP, much like 21st Century life, is a fast one-way play-through, tackling a whole range of emotions and post-millennial topics. It’s a loose narrative of the low-stakes anxiety that prods us throughout our waking lives, touching on topics usually only discovered post ‘coming of age’ along with the realisation that things are only as hard as you make them for yourself. HOO HAs are writing genuine songs about modern living and irreverently having a good time doing it, and as far as introductions go, their uninhibited and refreshingly original debut is as proficient as it is authentic. It’s reflective, percipient and demands multiple listens – It’s not one to be missed.

The song 'This Is The New Me' has London vibes running right through it. It's a classic indie rock song with hooks galore and lyrics that will have folks singing along in no time.

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Stevie - Decay.

Background - Brisbane based altpop duo Stevie have returned spectacularly with their new single ‘Decay’, and have sweetened the deal with a coinciding video.

Stevie is Phoebe Imhoff of Go Violets fame and revered producer Miro Mackie (The John Steel Signers, Major Leagues, Babaganouj). Their combined talents make for a powerful sonic experience, and have led to them sharing the stage with the likes of Philadelphia Grand Jury, Jeremy Neale and Big Strong Brute.

Borrowing from nineties house music, ‘Decay’ is Stevie’s most mature single yet. A bed of lush synth heavy production allows Imhoff’s signature vocals to bloom effortlessly; the song has a sombre vibe but will have its listeners dancing. Sonically ‘Decay’ is enthralling, a co-production by Mackie and Graham Ritchie, legendary bassist for Holy Holy, Airling and Emma Louise. Featuring stunning visuals centred on a stark urban environment, the video captures the essence of ‘Decay’ without overpowering it. The band will be touring in 2016 in celebration of yet more music slated for release in the near future. 

'Decay' merges potent synths and addictive vocals in a genre mix that's part electro, part old school house and part alt pop. If the melody does not get you, theres a good chance the rhythm will.

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Friday Four: Ivey - Mother Leads - Lunch Duchess - Old Sault

Ivey - All Things Good.

Background promo - Fresh faced, born and bred to take on new adventures, Gold Coast's Ivey have been charming the pants off music fans and critics alike since 2013. Remaining just as breezy and young in their delivery but continuing to tighten the screws, Ivey ask nothing more of you, dear listener, than to revel in their indie-pop dream.

With half the band still tending to their high school studies, the young troupe is led by young Millie (15), with Lachlan (18) co-fronting on vocals and guitar. Matthew (17) and Dante (19) fill the rhythm out. With Millie at the front-and-centre, Ivey is empowering young teens, irregardless of gender, to pursue their passions.

Building on the warm familiarity of previous single, 'Smell of Smoke' but also daring to tread new grounds, 'All Things Good' both sways and wallops with its charming delivery of honest lyrics that imbed in your brain. 'All Thing Good' was recorded with the helping hand of producer extraordinaire Konstantin Kersting (Yes Sir Noceur, the Belligerents, WAAX) at Brisbane's Airlock Studios and mixed by both Kersting and Gold Coast's own George Carpenter (Waxhead, Jimmy the Saint & the Sinners, Karl S. Williams).

Ivey are not only maturing as musicians, but are doing it with style and ease. Continuing to further their shimmering, indie-pop sound that fans have come to adore just reaffirms the group's much deserved, unremitting success.

Single Launch Shows:
July 8 - Elsewhere - Gold Coast, QLD*
July 16 - Foundry Records - Brisbane, QLD (All Ages)
August 19 - NightQuater - Gold Coast, QLD*
August 27 - ShakaFest - Gold Coast, QLD
* w/ Peach Fur & Lotus Ship

'All Good Things' runs the risk of too many age related comments, because it's such an excellent and well developed song. So lets just say if you love beach pop, then it's happy days all round (including teenagers).

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Mother Leads - Lost Cosmonauts.

From the band - This is a new song about leaving it all behind. About leaving that place or person..or thing.

Sometimes leaving it all behind means that you end back up where you started. We've found that music is best set against the vacuum of space... the never-ending expanse that begs to be flooded with all that your imagination can conjure, until the inevitable return to Terra Firma.

'Lost Cosmonauts' or 'Lost Cosmos', whichever you prefer, is a soundtrack for your imagination. It's the dream of loss and rediscovery that we've all experienced. Wether it be your town or city,  job or family, boyfriend or girlfriend...or even your metaphorical 'space ship'...we hope this track will guide you back home.Stay in tuned for more and keep your imagination alive. -- Mother Leads.

With a funky alt rock soundtrack and suitably fine and punchy vocals, 'Lost Cosmonauts' is an immediately catchy and very solid song. Ontario band Mother Leads have a well developed and tight sound, that's nicely shaken up by their enthusiastic playing, ensuring those old rock'n'roll vibes come through.

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Lunch Duchess - Cry.

Background - The Minneapolis, MN grunge-pop band Lunch Duchess have headed out on their first US west coast tour. Their EP “My Mom Says I Have A Rich Inner Life” was released in March 2016 and quickly garnered enthusiastic praise from local radio and local press. The band will soon be recording their debut full-length album for a planned 2017 release.

Tour Dates:
7/1 Kansas City, MO – House Show
7/2 Denver, CO – Club Scum
7/3 Provo, UT – Studio Studio Dada
7/5 Bellingham, WA – Alternative Library
7/6 Vancouver, BC, Canada – TBA
7/7 Seattle, WA – Lucky Liquor
7/8 Spokane, WA – Baby Bar
7/9 Missoula, MT – The Palace
7/10 Billings, MT – Railyard
7/11 Rapid City, SD – Black Hills Vinyl.

'Cry' is the first song off the four track EP (on Bandcamp) released back in March. The band have a wonderfully distinct sound, that is very infectious, and pretty hard to pigeon hole in any one genre.

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Old Sault - Sail Home.

Background promo - ‘Sail Home’, the haunting second single from Gold Coast “bandless band” Old Sault aka Angie Farr, was borne out of an existential crisis. Rich in eerie imagery, Farr penned the track after coming to a realisation that much of humanity has struggled with. ‘Sail Home’ unpacks the epiphany that no “grand ark” was ever going to arrive to sail her to her dreams in style – that she simply needed to “get in my shity inflatable boat and start the trek right now.”

This new glimpse into Farr’s ponderous soul follows the success of Old Sault’s debut single ‘Ghost’. The track received triple j airplay as well as praise from influential taste makers, from Italian blog Going Solo all the way to triple j's Richard Kingsmill himself. Both singles were recorded with the help of the ARIA-winning Govinda Doyle (Angus & Julia Stone). Old Sault’s debut EP Mostly Worried is set for an imminent release.

We featured Old Sault's first single back in March and the new song 'Sail Home' is equally delightful. It's an atmospheric composition, that allows Angie Farr to create a stirring mood with her fine vocals, whilst the soundtracks melody unfolds. Looking forward to the next. 

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Lake Ruth - Actual Entity (Album Release)

Lake Ruth - Dr. Snow And The Broad Street Pump.

Background promo - Lake Ruth was formed in 2015 by multi-instrumentalist Hewson Chen of The New Lines, drummer Matt Schulz and vocalist Allison Brice, best known for her prior work with UK groups The Eighteenth Day of May and The Silver Abduction.

With a unique sound rooted in 1960s experimentation, the trio blends elements of baroque pop, pysch, kraut, jazz and electronic music – resulting in rhythmically propulsive tunes, rich with multilayered guitars, modular synths and atmospheric vocals. The nine songs of 'Actual Entity' are highly varied in style yet sonically cohesive, ranging from cinematic Italian soundscapes and post-C86 pop anthems to delicate English folk songs and extended motorik jams.

The album's title 'Actual Entity' is a reference to the Process Philosophy of Alfred North Whitehead, and alludes to the fluid nature of reality. Its nine songs are populated with a collection of marginal characters – the dispossessed, the isolated and the dead. An artificial intelligence losing its mind during an endless winter. A necromancer unable to raise the dead. The revolt of nature against industrialism. The ghost of a vengeful mother forever hunting down her daughter's murderer. A Victorian physician desperate to save a dying community.

The Stereo LP (cat: 132) is available from the label The Great Pop Supplement (Spacemen 3, Dean & Britta, Wooden Shjips) in a limited edition pressing of 400 (released 24th June 2016), and available for streaming and download via all major digital distributors.

'Dr. Snow And The Broad Street Pump' is one of nine, really fine songs on the new album 'Actual Entity', (there's also a video for this song which will be added to our BeeVids page). The band cover a lot of musical territory with this album, sometimes it's quite retro, with sixties psychedelic vibes coming to mind, then there's a more modern chamber pop feel on some songs, then if you add folk flavours through to layered synthy music, we start to build the overall picture. It's a treasure trove of beautiful songs, the background above is pretty much spot on, as the old cliche goes - if you like the featured song , you'll love the album.

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Quality Not Quantity: Febria - Moddi - Brother Hawk

Febria - The End Of Something.

Background promo - Febria is a five-piece alternative rock band washed up on the banks of the river Usk. Originally formed in high school in Pontypool, and influenced by everything from prog, metal, grunge, indie and folk, they have recorded several EPs and a full-length live album, and have played many gigs around South Wales and the UK. Their music reflects a wide range of influences, varying from acoustic folk all the way through to dense prog, and they are proud of not easily fitting into one particular genre as a result. Their latest EP, 'The Sea Around Us', is their fifth recording, and they are currently working on their next release.
 
This EP represents an evolution in sound, carrying even further the complexity and rejection of traditional structure already shown in some of their previous releases adding multiple layers of vocals and guitars. One of the approaches to the songs was the idea of writing music which sounds like math/post-rock, but with vocals, focusing on the concept of introducing motifs and melodies in one section which then reappear in another section, over completely different chords - this occurs in every song. Despite all the repeating parts in many of the tracks, very little was looped artificially, but instead was played naturally from start to finish, to try to retain a sense of atmosphere and feel.

'The Sea Around Us' EP has been available on-line for sometime, with Nub Music recently releasing it. The first song and featured track 'The End Of Something' gives a good indication of the reasonably distinct sound the band create. Febria are clearly musically very competent and not afraid to test boundaries and experiment, whats more important is that they are also one very fine listen.

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Moddi - Army Dreamers.

Background details - “What a waste of Army Dreamers” – it’s an anti-war sentiment that was openly echoed through BBC play lists before its systematic suppression more than 10 years after release. Penned by Kate Bush in 1980, the Top 20 single was blacklisted during the Gulf War in 1991 – joining a list of 67 songs simultaneously banned from BBC airplay, including The Beatles, Frank Sinatra, ABBA and Queen.

It’s the latest track reworked by Norwegian singer/songwriter Moddi, from forthcoming album ‘Unsongs’ – released Friday, September 16 via Propeller Recordings. The album aims to uncover a collection of 12 songs that have, at one stage or another, been banned or suppressed, with the attempts to silence them as mild as an airplay ban (in the case of ‘Army Dreamers’) and as brutal as a murder. “Army Dreamers became one of Kate Bush’s most popular songs and was widely played on radio and TV until the First Gulf War in 1991, when it suddenly disappeared from all BBC playlists” Moddi explains. Despite on line records and a full list published by New Statesman and Society, in conjunction with Channel 4 [1991], “the BBC has had an absolute no-comment policy on this issue,” he says. “It has been impossible for me to verify that it has even been removed from radio airplay.”

‘Army Dreamers’ follows Moddi’s rework of satirical hymn ‘Punk Prayer’, that had Russian feminist collective Pussy Riot trialled and imprisoned in 2012. Watch it HERE. The track is partnered with news of Moddi’s European Tour to mark the release of ‘Unsongs’, including a one-off London show at St Giles-In-The-Fields on Monday, October 3rd.

I find the idea behind Moddi's planned album extremely appealing, so much so, that had his cover of Kate Bush's 'Army Dreamers' only been average, I would probably have featured it, to highlight this project. As it happens, his version is quite inspiring and also respectful to the original. The link for his Pussy Riot 'Punk Prayer' above is also worth checking. Moddi, is a very talented individual, who creates a beautiful sound both vocally and musically. Definitely an album to keep in mind.

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Brother Hawk - Have Love Will Travel.

Background bio - Brother Hawk puts on its morning jacket, unhitches its crazy horse, and gallops off in the direction of a big pink house somewhere over the hills and faraway. With this much horsepower at your command, why would you need to reinvent the wheel?

The four piece Atlanta band deals in raging riffs and huge hooks. Rhythms pound and pulse as serpentine guitar leads uncoil and slither, spiked with venomous licks that only a forked tongue could produce.

Their blend of Southern fried blues rock is firmly rooted in the earthy tricks traditionally traded for at the red clay crossroads but their live performances convey an electrified ebullience that blasts them into the stratosphere. On stage, they’re riding rockets fueled by a vicious cocktail of sweat and hellfire. An uncut, undeniable purity of purpose is palpable when the band is firing on all cylinders. Brother Hawk’s sound is the sunset that the hero rides into. It’s red hot white light. It’s honest emotion. It’s alive.

Having released the album 'Big Medicine' not that long ago Brother Hawk head out on a USA national tour this week (tour dates here). We feature the first track on the album 'Have Love Will Travel' which gives a flavour of their bluesy, soulful 'southern' rock. It's a little like early Black Crowes material, where you sense they are not trapped in any one genre, indeed as the album develops 'alt rock' seems just as appropriate as a description. Timeless and wonderful!

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Genre Wander: A Treehouse Wait - Searls - Basement Revolver - Chelan

A Treehouse Wait - Faith.

Background promo - Jenny Wahlström from A Treehouse Wait grew up with one foot at a country farm in the south of Sweden. She had her other foot in Asia, where her parents worked for several periods of time during her childhood. She has mainly worked as a songwriter in the EDM-stage, co-writing and performing with acts like Martin Garrix (Virus), Shermanology (Stranger) and Ferry Corsten (Many ways).

Realising that it wasn’t just songs that made sense to herself, but the fact that people actually listened when she started singing re-inspired her. After spending a month in the USA, being the opening act for a Swedish folksinger, singer and songwriter Jenny Wahlström plucked up the courage to put the songs down on paper and record the songs she didn’t think she’d ever share with the rest of the world. A Treehouse Wait was born.

The music is mostly inspired by the things one is so familiar with, but mostly would not talk about. Like empty city streets during the summer. Or when anxiety leaves. Giving up your love or the fear of leaving home. It’s not all beautiful, but it’s all life. And sharing that experience, the music suddenly creates a place for you to be, and you know that someone else has been there, too.

Tour:
8-07-2016 Gullbranna Festivalen, Eldsberga, Sweden
07-08-2016  Rörstrands Café, Stockholm, Sweden
13-08-2016 The Brave Festival, Amsterdam, Holland.

Jenny Wahlström delivers a heartfelt song in the form of 'Faith'. Musically it just builds into something quite powerful before a wonderful refrain calms thing's down. It's hard to pigeon hole this song genre wise, which I so often feel is actually the sign of imaginative song writing.

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Searls - Follow (Prod. LJ Looper).

Background promo - The 'Follow' EP is a collaboration between singer/ songwriter Searls and electronic producer LJ Looper.

Searls, originally from Ireland, is a musician who takes older influences from the likes of Brian Eno, Kraftwerk and blends contemporary acts such as James Blake, Jessie Ware, Shura and mixes it all up to create his own sound. Learning his craft as a backing singer, he decided to turn his attentions to songwriting. Last year he released his first single Doing Time and remixes of the track received great attention from the dance community. This summer will see him release his debut-EP.

All of the EP was produced by LJ Looper, a London based Electronic Music Producer & DJ. Looper is mostly known for producing an ‘Electronic Urban’ sound; his future Bass remix of Doing Time was play-listed on Reprezent Radio. In April 2016, Looper was supported by the MOBO Awards for his track ‘Let Me Know’, featuring Keith Sweats’ protege, Jason Little. Regarding his latest collaboration, he says: “Searls’ vocal range was incredible to work with, allowing us to record an intimate lead performance, backed by rich, haunting choral layers. The distinctiveness and heartfelt emotion in his voice is what drew me to working with him in the first place.”

The EP consists of 3 tracks: Demons, Hurricane and Follow. Songs that are heavily infused with haunting Celtic choral backing vocals to Searls’ soulful lead. The songs explore themes such as addiction, sexuality, love and oppression through an electro-ambient RnB lens. Follow will be released on all platforms.

'Follow'gives you a really good feel for the new EP. It's a collection of lush, highly crafted songs and the collaboration has in my opinion really paid off. Here you have three imaginative pieces produced to achieve optimum audio and artistic quality.

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Basement Revolver - Words.

Background from the band - Last week we shared our second single 'Words' off our upcoming EP.

“Words” was written when I was in my last semester of university. I lived downtown and school was up on the mountain and somewhat inaccessible by bus. I was writing my honours psych thesis at the time, as well as many other papers, when it all began to feel meaningless.

 No matter what I said, in the end, words are just words, they can be stringed together to form something powerful but without context they become as mundane and uncontrollable as one’s commute to and from school. Similarly, a paper is just a paper, a degree is just a degree, and there is so much more to life than the plans and the empires that we build for ourselves.

Second time around on Beehive Candy for Basement Revolver, this time with the a new song 'Words'. I was mightily impressed with the first song 'Johnny' which I'm pleased to say will also be one of the four songs on the forthcoming EP. This band exude wonderful melodies, well written songs, and they put them together with so much heart and feeling. I'm way to old to be a gushing fan of any artists, however this band are testing me on that.

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Chelan - Beams.

Background promo - Its been a busy couple of years for Chelan (sh-lan). The american synth/indie pop band (based out of Joshua Tree CA) immediately started the planning process for their newest album "Vultures" after the early 2015 release of their 4th full length album "Equal Under Pressure." Chelan, who formed in California in 2007, is historically the duo of classical music teacher Jennifer Grady and film/tv music composer Justin Hosford. However, in early 2015 they added a third permanent member, Chad Austinson, to play drums. After a series of live performances and writing sessions, the group spent a year meeting for long periods of time at Hosford's studio in Joshua Tree and producer Matt Drenik's studio in Portland, Oregon. In addition to bringing on Drenik to co-produce the album with Hosford, they linked up with Doug Boehm (Guided by Voices, Girls) to mix a handful of tracks.

Vultures is Chelan's most ambitious studio effort to date but they were also careful to ensure they can replicate the album during live performances. When asked about the writing process for Vultures Hosford says "Its been a fun challenge morphing from the mostly electronic, subdued indie aesthetic of our last couple albums to the wall of sound, big production synth pop thing we went for on this record." The album surrounds layered vocals with lush analog synths, guitar, drums, cello and piano.  Chelan is currently planning a tour in the spring of 2017. Vultures was mastered by Jared Hirshland of Elysian Mastering. Album Artwork by Kime Buzzelli.

'Beams' is the first of nine songs on the new album 'Vultures'. The analog synths add a richness to the beautifully constructed and quite melodic music, and the vocals add even more colour. This is a clear and positive step forward from the previous album suggesting a band that are confident in their musical direction. 

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Sunday Gems: The Big Bend - Robbie Miller - Naropa

The Big Bend - Celebrate.

Background promo - “Celebrate” is the title track to The Big Bend’s new album that the always-reliable label Misra Records (Phosphorescent, Melaena Cadiz, Destroyer, etc) is putting out on July 22nd. Celebrate is the band's fourth release and has all the hallmarks of a career milestone, calling to mind early-‘70s Neil Young in its songwriting, with vocals reminiscent of The Mountain Goats’ John Darnielle.

The Big Bend is led by Chet Vincent, who's been kicking around Pittsburgh playing in bands since he was a teenager. A regular fixture of the city’s quietly thriving music scene, he's established a reputation as one of the city’s most dedicated figures. Celebrate shows the band’s dynamic range - from the first discordant, psychedelic notes of album opener “The Spins,” through the closing bars of the stripped-down, folky “Su La Ley.”

In between, Vincent’s vocals show range stylistically, from shouts on the rowdier tunes, to lilting crooning reminiscent of The Weakerthans’ John K. Samson on the softer songs. He’s always been a storyteller, weaving characters and situations into songs, but here he takes on social issues, both obliquely and directly, on songs like “Cut Us Down” and Fingertrap.”

A few artist references in the promo above, however I reckon it's fair to say that The Big Bend have enough good attributes of their own as the song 'Celebrate' clearly demonstrates. I have not had a chance to check out any other material by the band yet, however on listening to this again today, that's down to happen pretty soon now.

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Robbie Miller - Road.

Background promo - Robbie Miller continues to forge his own path with new single 'Road', and whispers of a new EP to come later this year.

Keeping busy following the release of triple j favourite, 'The Pain' and 2015 EP The Faster the Blood Slows, the Brisbane based Indigenous artist went straight back into the studio to create a wealth of new tracks. Devised as a collaboration with friend and band mate Nathan Morrison, 'Road' brings more electronic elements to Robbie's folk sound than ever before. Pulsating synths swirl around his signature brooding vocals to create an emotionally powered three and a half minutes. Connecting with listeners already, the track is off to a flying start, added to triple j rotation this week just a day after its debut on Good Nights with Linda Marigliano.

Road-testing the new material with a number of coveted support spots, Robbie recently toured alongside Josh Pyke and will support Dustin Tebbutt on his upcoming First Light album tour in August. He then releases his much anticipated second EP later this year with a few more surprises still to come.

'Road' really does showcase Robbie Miller's wonderful vocals. What's equally fine is the song, melodic, and sensitively layered, it's one of those instant likes for me.

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Naropa - If Only While I'm Sleeping.

Background from the band - We're a band from London called "Naropa". We're University students and have been really busy gigging around London for six months, as well as constantly writing and rehearsing, working on developing our sound and live set.

These demos got us a load of great reviews which you can check out on our website and we ended up getting completely booked up by London promoters four months in advance, as well as getting us some attention and airplay from BBC Introducing and further radio play worldwide in places like Holland, South America and USA. To keep building momentum, we got back into the studio as soon as possible and recorded our new single. The track is called "If Only While I'm Sleeping", and was officially released on all major streaming platforms yesterday, 25th June.

There's bags of passion and energy within the new song 'If Only While I'm Sleeping' from Naropa. It's clear the band have developed their sound through live gigging and plenty of graft, and by the sounds of this I'm not surprised they have been getting attention and performances. Ones to watch out for, I would say.

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