Tuesday, 8 November 2016

Globetrotting: Hideout - The Argues - Citizen of the World - Sylva Faye

Hideout - Doctor.

Background - Hideout is Manhattan-based songwriter Gabriel Rodriguez, who's also a longtime band member of Cults. His sophomore album So Many Hoops / So Little Time is set to release on 2/3/17 via Small Plates Records.

It’s been two years since the release of Hideout’s debut album Rookie, and in that time many things have changed for Rodriguez. Most tragically, the passing of his brother. So Many Hoops / So Little Time deals with grief in different spectrums –– the album ranges both sonically & lyrically from whimsical space-pop to crushing acoustic vulnerability. There isn’t a singular concept or message, but the deeper you delve into Hideout’s world the more you feel nostalgia and a sense of loss.

Hideout began as a recording project. The majority of Rookie was recorded while on the road with Cults. Rodriguez took advantage of the downtime by tracking songs in hotel rooms or at friends’ homes. Fast-forward to the forthcoming So Many Hoops, mixed by Loren Humphrey at Stockholm Syndrome Sound Studio in Bushwick, NY, the recording process was far more linear than Rookie. The album evolved predominantly at Rodriguez’s apartment while the surrounding turmoil of loss sunk in. Emotionally charged, he turned to the art of songwriting & storytelling to help navigate through the many answerless questions.

Now a fully realised band, Hideout has been performing live with a rotating cast of New York musicians over the past year. It’s just the beginning. Website here.


I think it's the vocals that initially gained my attention with 'Doctor'. They are distinct and just right for songs like this one. On reflection the music really is the foundation for the track and the subtle chorus harmonies are a treat, I look forward to hearing the album.

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The Argues - Run Till You Drop.

Background - An indie roots-rock family band, The Argues officially formed in Toronto in 2010 and are now based out of Springwater, Ontario –  the location of their studio and the place they park their touring van and trailer!

Fronting the band are sisters Sabrina Argue, 16, and Lauren Argue, 18, who have been wowing audience with their talent on vocals, multiple instruments and songwriting!  They are serious musicians and have led the band at countless live shows over the past five years.  With natural references to TV’s “The Partridge Family“, The Argues sound more like Tom Petty and The Lumineers.   The band performs rock, blues, country and folk covers but particularly enjoys performing their own catchy originals!

The band has performed many times on Rogers TV Toronto including a feature on the 2016 “The Best Of” Toronto Sessions finale and has been featured in the Toronto Star and on the cover of Toronto Today magazine. Their demo CD, recorded at Canada’s legendary Metalworks studio in 2010, has been played on college radio across Canada.  Band members Sabrina, Lauren, Chantale and Michael have charmed radio audiences with on-air antics, interviews and promotions including CKOC, CFRE, The Hawk,  Moose FM and Q107 Toronto’s Rock!

The Argues have shared the stage with amazing Canadian musicians including The David Love Band, Irene Torres and the Sugar Devils, JW Jones, and Jack DeKeyzer and have warmed the stage for Hotel California, April Wine and Finger Eleven.   Energizing theatres, bars, corporate events and festivals all over Ontario. Website here


Having read the above promo piece I was half expecting something that might not be an easy fit for Beehive Candy. 'Run Till You Drop' surprised me, as have all six songs in the collection. Musically they put out some bluesy and rocking material, vocals and harmonies are good (don't expect a Bourbon soaked Janis Joplin sound) and the songs are indeed melodic and pretty catchy. Thankfully they ain't The Partridge Family.

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Citizen of the World - In The Moment.

Background - With their new song, ‘In The Moment’, Citizen of the World explore their Indie-Pop side while maintaining the Folk feel that has come to define the sound of the band. The new release a reflection on intense moments when “living in the present” seemed like a good idea; it’s a celebration of past times with a melancholy undertone.

Citizen of the World has built on the success of the foot stomping Folk-Rock genre, popularised by the likes of Mumford & Sons, to carve a new genre described by one competition judge as “Epic Folk.”

Their last single ‘Embers’ was featured on MTV Upload and has reached over 100k plays across digital platforms since the release in May this year. Their previous single ‘Setting Out’ helped them reach both national and international audiences through triple j, and the internationally syndicated radio show Passport Approved. The song has just been chosen as a finalist in the 2016 Vanda and Young Songwriting Competition. In 2016, the band has been building their reputation as a must-see live act with recent performances such as supporting Woodlock at Plan B Small Club, and other artists such as Grizzlee Train, Rackett, Food Court and The Ruminaters at Coogee’s iconic venue Selina’s.

The song was recorded and mixed, as per tradition, in front man Gerrit’s living room (affectionately known as Bay Street Records). ’In The Moment' finds COTW exploring the depths of their Folk-Rock sound. Vulnerable vocals lead into layered and expansive choruses, proving the songwriting to be at its most uplifting and affecting yet. As with past releases acoustic guitars and beautiful harmonies and backing piano characterise the sound of the new single.

The soon-to-be-released music video for ‘In The Moment’, set in Sydney’s busy CBD, plays with the theme of time and provides appealing visuals to help transport the viewers and disconnect them from their daily routines. “In The Moment” will be released 11th of November 2016. Website here.


Our second feature for Citizen of the World this year, this time with the song 'In The Moment'. As mentioned above the band have veered towards indie pop a little with this song, however the vocals, and especially the harmonies keep their folk orientated feel. Gentler than some of the bands material, it's still a fine melodic and catchy piece.

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Sylva Faye - Blythe.

Background - Ambient-indietronica songwriter Sylva Faye has announced the release of new EP Blythe on November 21st, and title track Blythe has just been released. Sylva Faye is a multi-instrumental solo singer-songwriter creating Indietronica ambient folk music. Her fourth official “Blythe” EP release sees her individual talent combine electronic synths with organic instrumentation, including vocals, guitar, bass, flute (a session flautist for 9 years) and piano. The music has a dreamy ethereal quality to it, Sylva’s delicate vocal floating over the top with gentle inviting warmth.

The EP was recorded in and set over forty-eight hours of Sylva’s real life: visiting abandoned stately homes, silent night-driving, heading to the countryside from the city to reconnect with nature, waking up next to dying outdoor fires and dreamscapes. This narrative has an honesty and melancholic emotion to it that just poured from Sylva when she wrote the EP. This writing occurred during the heightened senses you have when you wake up on a hot summers day or late at night when the loneliness creeps whilst everyone else in the world is sleeping.

Although Sylva is a solo project she has been playing live in London for five years with a full band: Adam Martin (Bass), Will Rathbone-(Sax), Catherine Embleton (Keys), James Oldfield- (Guitar) and Danyal Ince (Drums). The band have played at credible venues including 02 Islington, Proud (Camden), Water Rats and 229 mesmerising audiences with their atmospheric, ambient, folk mélange. Previous support for Sylva’s EP’s releases to name but a few, comes from BBC introducing, BBC 6 music, BBC Beat Live, Faded Glamour, I Love Pie and When The Gramphone Rings. Facebook here.


Sylva EP launch - Monday 21st November @ The Finsbury, London.

Sylva Faye's vocals are adorable on 'Blythe', a gentle almost folk like song, where the delicate guitar and synth background is so very refined and inviting. I think one of the most over used terms PR companies use to describe a song is ethereal, which is a shame as this track cries out for that description, through and through, so the writer of the above material can have a well deserved pat on the back, for getting it spot on!

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Monday, 7 November 2016

Monday Mix: T. Ailey - The Blinding Lights - Darker Still

T. Ailey - It Goes.

Background - Introducing T. Ailey, a new vocal talent from Phoenix with a penchant for ethereal, other-worldly music. Her new single, "It Goes," out now on all streaming platforms, is proof positive of a uniquely talented songwriting and performing voice that draws on myriad influences for music that is equal parts familiar and original.

For best results, make sure to listen on a stereo system or quality headphones, the panning in this track makes this a 3D listening experience.

As she says's - I create with the intention to elicit deep emotion. There is much to be born from Inspiration as well as devastation. Feeling something is always better than feeling nothing at all. Website here.


Regardless of the 3D listening experience mentioned above, 'It Goes' is a creative and intriguing song. Vocally it's delightful and the rhythmic background that's kept low in the mix throughout, is just enough to take this from a pure acapella piece into something with more depth. Either way it's one hook laden piece.

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The Blinding Lights - Can't Get Enough.

Background - Channelling the sounds from some of the greatest eras of raw rock’n’roll and untamed pop, The Blinding Lights have poured their hearts into the exhilarating new single "Can’t Get Enough."

The four-piece may have been growing up a good half-century after the R’n’R explosion but they have embraced all that came before them, distilling the spirit, energy and excitement of the maximum R&B of the 60s, delicious pop hooks and the panoramic drama of Springsteen into their sound.

"Can't Get Enough" plots the tale of a young guy who gets a late night call from his amorous girlfriend summoning him to her place and, after a bus ride over, chronicles their encounter, describing how he is put through his paces to satisfy her throughout a night of raging passion. Wild, urgent and self-deprecating, it’s an electifying ride. And rather like the hot-blooded man in question, you probably can't get enough.

Written in early 2016 by bandleader Callum Lury, the track came about as he gorged on the songs of songwriter-producer Jim Steinman (the man behind Bat Out Of Hell and so much more), plus The Wild, The Innocent & The E Street Shuffle-era Springsteen. Playing around with riffs which would not have been out of place in the golden era of Motown, and shaking it up with a top layer of Steinman-style piano lines, he took it to the rest of the band who worked it up into a frantic rumbling rhythm & blues number, given a further flourish with a horn arrangement to drive it along. Website here.


With a smooth bass riff and upfront vocals 'Can't Get Enough' immediately blasts into action. It's only the lack of vinyl crackles and the sonic clarity, that gives away the fact that this is a modern piece. Beyond that, this could be a sixties recording. Far from being a nostalgia trip, the band have simply tapped into the energy and vibrancy of pure rock'n'roll, giving it some modern edge and relevance. Love it!

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Darker Still - Never Too Late.

Background - Rock is back, and it arrives with Darker Still. This gritty, knuckle grinding, powerhouse rock band shows us all why drums, bass, and a guitar is still the best way to kick ass and do it while looking good. Tony, Patrick, and Quinn somehow manage to feature all sides of rock in just a few short songs. Instantly catchy and unique, their music is wound around basslines that would make John Entwistle tap his foot. 

Throw on a soaring, raspy vocalist and killerguitar riffs, each song carves its way into your mind and reminds you why rock remains supreme. Currently sitting at #8 on the Canadian Rock Charts on Reverbnation. "I Had It All" has been #1 on the Global Rock Charts on NumberOnemusic for 19 straight weeks and #1 All Genres for 16 straight weeks. "Could There Be" was the most requested song of the day and number 4 on the weekend countdown. "I Had It All" is in rotation coas to coast on American radio stations and in Australia, UK, Ireland, Spain, and Canada.

Listeners online have streamed over 170,000 song plays just this year. Word is spreading about this "modern rock band with a sound that mirrors some [of the] greats (Canada's Music, 2015)." After placing 6th in Canada in Hardrock Rising, Darker Still performed at the Hardrock Cafe in Toronto. Inthe International Songwriting Competition, the band's song "I Had It All " placed in the semifinals forbest rock song. They were in an issue of Relix Magazine and are on the cd in the magazine with artistssuch as Tame Impala. Darker Still has opened for Zeus and for Jeff Martin. They have been a featured artist on TMB or The Music Box, as requested by fans. Darker Still was then included on the compilation CD that was distributed to The Music Box subscribers in December 2015.

“Never Too Late" is a single off their new self titled EP “Darker Still” that is scheduled for worldwide release on November 15th. It is currently in the top 10 on the DRT Rock National Airplay Chart and the EP is currently enjoying radio play on college stations nationwide. More here.


Darker Still produce and perform, down the line rock songs, that could have been recorded anytime during the past few decades. 'Never Too Late' is one of them. What I like is the fact they are not pretending to be anything other than a rock band, that loves writing, recording and playing rock songs. It's because their heart is in it, and for them it matters, that gives the band and their songs some real edge.

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Sunday, 6 November 2016

Genre Wander: Jenny Gabrielsson Mare - Romy - Locks - Justin Michael Williams - Natalie Bouloudis

Jenny Gabrielsson Mare - Brooklyn Bridge.

Background - The new album "Comb the Wicked" (La Petite Tempete) was released Friday.

In the fall of 2014 Jenny Gabrielsson Mare spent a month alone in Brooklyn writing songs for a new album. The result is Comb the Wicked – an album inspired by the atmosphere in Brooklyn; from industrial noise to soul and gospel. The songs are based on voice, piano, organ and percussion and she has collaborated with legendary percussionist Michael Blair who has played with some of the greatest like Tom Waits and Lou Reed.

And it is in the land of Tom Waits, Nick Cave and PJ Harvey we find Mare’s music. September 10 a first single was released: Wolves. Based on piano, cello and Jenny’s voice the song creates a dark forest where you are the hunter or the hunted.

The album carries religious and folkloric motifs and themes of guilt and insanity. Parallel with the album Jenny has been writing on her bachelor degree about the Devil in popular music.

Almost four years have passed since her last album The Ritual and during this time she has mostly been seen as one half of the indie-electronica-duo White Birches who’s debut album Dark Waters was nominated in the category “Synth” at the Swedish “indie-Grammy” Manifestgalan 2015. itunes here.


'Brooklyn Bridge' is the second track we have featured from the just released album, having covered 'Wolves' back in September. Jenny has a natural voice for darker more haunting songs, and with this one, you can add in a sense of concern and drama. The album has plenty more, where atmosphere and imagination is in large measure, along with gentle melodies and often understated soundtracks.

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Romy - Frail.

Background - "Frail" tells the story of what it feels like to love someone who struggles with an addiction. The video is directed by Marisa Pena. Amsterdam's by-way-of NYC artist Romy wrote and sings "Frail" in the video.

"We tried to keep the video as open and honest, vulnerable, as possible. It's a heartbreaking song in which I explain why loving someone who doesn't love themselves by having an addiction, will never produce a stable relationship. I would say that my songwriting helped me become a stronger woman/individual and helps my process.  It helps me to understand things that happen around me, and the people around me whom I care for," Romy shares. "My songwriting process helped me to work through loss of a few break-ups too." Romy wrote, produced, and self-released a full-length debut Unbound  in 2014 .

"Frail" is produced by Michael Di Lalla.  Di Lalla and Romy are at work on her next track "Make it Work," releasing to digital stores later this year. Romy will continue writing, recording, and sharing her songs on streaming outlets like Soundcloud and Spotify. Website here.


The music video for 'Frail' adds some drama to the song, which with just the audio, certainly conveys emotion and feeling throughout. This is a serious piece, and the stripped back nature of the song, adds to the mood of struggling with addiction and life.

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Locks - Wishbone.

Background - Locks are a London based alternative skeletal strings bluesy band, a trio made up of Locks Geary-Griffin (lead vocal / guitar), Mike Byrne (double bass) and Marian McClenagan (fiddle). They are releasing their official debut four-track “Rattle Them Bones” EP on 21st November, which has a subtle fixation on the darker unnerving aspects of life and death all whilst keeping a jaunty, up-beat roots based rhythm flowing underneath. Lock’s vocal has a unique tone, which has been championed by BBC 6 music’s Steve Lamacq and previously featured on his credible roundtable show.

After playing with a variety of different bands including rockabilly, traditional Irish, indie and nu-folk, the three misfits found themselves in a rehearsal room together writing parts for murder ballads involving burying bodies, mythological creatures and dark family secrets. Slowly tracking the footsteps of whatever creature has wandered before them, whilst singing songs about whatever's hiding just under the surface or lingering from the corner of their eye, they are together creeping through London's weird and wonderful musical underbelly. Lead track “Wishbone” is about “something” that should never have been let loose and the simplicity of the video shot entirely on a iPhone lets you conjure up your own macabre images from the words alone. Locks hypnotically types out the lyrics on a vintage typewriter and this focuses you back to the sinister meaning of the story of the song. Facebook here.

Locks are a must see live combining their intimate shows with an air of unsettling oddness.
18th November - New Cross Inn, supporting Bess Atwell, London.


'Wishbone' is a strikingly good song. The trio mix natural heartfelt vocals with a distinct and catchy guitar lead soundtrack. The blues feel at the core of the song, again comes across as instinctive to the band, and it's rolling out a cliche time, so, I really am left wanting to hear more (actually a lot more).

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Justin Michael Williams - Here With Me.

Background - Bringing his dream to life, LA-based conceptual artist Justin Michael Williams  releases his debut album Metamorphosis after transitioning from an 8-year career as an international yoga and meditation teacher into recording artist. His meditation practice is what gave Justin the laster focus to get to the top 20 on the pop charts on Itunes without a  manager or a label. “Metapmorphosis” channels classic elements of love, loss, and self-acceptance and is a brilliant examination of the human experience through Justin’s eyes. 

Metamorphosis, features 11 tracks that range from the heart-wrenching ballad "Here with Me" to the pop anthem S##t Gets Better” Justin's R&B vocals mix perfectly together with the sleek instrumentation, similar to artists such as Usher and Jose James.

The album debuted at number 18 on the iTunes Pop charts, and Justin has been featured on Spotify's Discover Weekly playlist, NewNowNext, and the Wall Street Journal. If Maxwell, Prince, and James Blake had a music baby, it would be Justin Michael Williams. Williams is taking pop-infused R&B to a new level that is as inspiring as it is entertaining. Facebook here.


'Here With Me' is one of ten very individual songs on the album 'Metamorphosis'. Actually there is an eleventh bonus track called 'The Story' which is just that, Justin explaining his background and how he came to record the album. Rather than self indulgent it actually pulls the whole thing together. The featured song is a ballad that builds, the album explores so much more, making a genre I normally struggle with actually very engaging.

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Natalie Bouloudis - Burning Pier.

Background - It was while shirking her duties as an arts and culture guide copywriter that Natalie Bouloudis found the seed that would sprout into her debut single. Initially derived from a story she wrote on the job (she wrote various poetry and prose compositions to pass the time), ‘Burning Pier’ is set in a fictionalised amalgamation of the burnt-out husks of Brighton, Hastings and Eastbourne piers. Essentially a meditation on how disasters can both evoke nostalgia and make us question our future in a new light, Natalie conjures all the energy and drama of narrative songwriting forebears like Nick Cave, PJ Harvey, and Kate Bush, while stylistically existing in a sphere of her own. The song was recorded in a live take with the only overdub being drummer Hannah Stacey’s sparkling Rhodes piano. As such, it has all the thrilling tension of a group capturing the thunderclap spontaneity of perfect live communication.

A native of East Sussex, Natalie Bouloudis first got her musical education in childhood, having played clarinet in jazz bands and had a few guitar lessons at school. From the age of seven she started writing her own music and has been (till recently) a secret songwriter ever since. Having lived in London for the better part of the last decade, she decided three years ago to launch her music into the public sphere under the name Aurora Harbinger. She soon played venues like Servant Jazz Quarters and The Victoria in Dalston, quickly building a loyal fan base that enabled her to successfully crowd fund her debut record. 


 For Natalie, playing live is an important consideration in the songwriting process, a process which focuses centrally on generating atmosphere and intimacy. Her debut EP is her first proper recording and it was all recorded live at Wax Studios in London and produced by Robert Strauss. For Natalie, getting the EP right was dependent on how precisely she could evoke the feelings she had in mind. Though armed with encyclopaedic knowledge of narrative songwriters across the spectrum of folk, rock and jazz, Natalie brings to the table her own brand of atmospheric storytelling. 

It’s folky in its arrangements, but in terms of sheer vocal delivery she’s a soulful rock and roller, at times calling to mind the visceral and lurching tones of Patti Smith or Etta James. ‘Burning Pier’ may only be her first single, but already it reveals an artist in the classic sense: thoughtful, precise, and led by instinct and imagination. “My songs tiptoe on the edge of fiction and reality. I like rich melodies, moody skies, dark romanticism, charged atmospheres that tell hard-boiled tales.” Facebook here.

Live Date: Thursday 2nd December: The Finsbury, London N4 (Burning Pier Single Launch).


A distinct and attractive song 'Burning Pier' boasts Natalie's superb soulful vocals against a backdrop of intricate musicianship, that morphs between folk, blues, and rock. As first single releases go, this one sets the standard incredibly high, let's hope this song gets noticed far and wide, that I would say, is a reasonable enough request..

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Saturday, 5 November 2016

Six Of The Best: Ping - Low Island - White Room - The Megaphonic Thrift - Soft Lions - Rosebug

Ping - Something Worth Saving.

Background - Something Worth Saving is the first single from Dublin singer Ping aka Ingrid Madsen.

Whilst the name might be new to people, her voice certainly won’t be. Not long after being a contestant on The Voice of Ireland, Ping was asked to join the Dublin Philharmonic Orchestra on a sold out 10 week tour of the USA on their “Women of Ireland” project. Since then she has been performing constantly throughout Ireland enhancing her reputation as one of Ireland’s finest vocalists.

 Written by PictureHouse songwriter Dave Browne with Lasse Anderson and recorded between Dublin and Sweden by Adam Kviman (Eagle Eye Cherry, Jewel, The Wannadies et al) the track will be released via PHRC on November 25th. Facebook here.


'Something Worth Saving' is a pleasing pop ballad that gives Ping the perfect opportunity to showcase her melodic and engaging vocals. For me it's a real sense of emotion that brings the song to life and gives it enough edge to stand out.

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Low Island - Anywhere.

Background - Blending disparate influences such as Arthur Russell, Caribou, Warpaint and Grizzly Bear into a cohesive yet left-of-centre sound, new Oxford quartet Low Island are set to release their self-titled debut EP this January on Kobalt Music.  They preview the EP’s release with their debut London show at The Sebright Arms on November 28th.

Although still in their early twenties, Low Island share a rich and varied musical background which informs their current synthesis of styles. Carlos (vocals/guitar/keys), Jamie (vocals/guitars/keys/electronics) and Jacob (bass/keys) first played in an alt-rock band together in their teens while Carlos and Jamie also embraced dance music with some success: they held a residency at The Warehouse in Leeds; DJed at festivals such as Glade and Gottwood; and their original productions received Radio 1 airplay.

Drummer and percussionist Felix adds another dimension to his bandmates’ background in live bands. In addition to touring with the Grammy-winning jazz/rock/soul fusion collective Snarky Puppy, Felix has also performed with the band’s founding member and pianist, Bill Laurance.

Carlos and Jamie discovered Low Island’s sonic style while working on a score for a play. Together with their long-time collaborators Jacob and Felix, they continued to explore their possibilities in their garage-based studio, a space they have filled with electronic, acoustic and found sounds. This combination of elements provides the foundation for their first EP, which was entirely self-produced. Facebook here.


The gentle and bright vocals fit so well with the developing soundtrack of 'Anywhere'. Melodic, very well crafted and produced, the song builds in power without losing any of the clarity and hooks.

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White Room - Stole The I.V.

Background - White Room have announced the upcoming release of their brand new single ‘Stole The I.V.’, a full throttle, lung-bursting, rock n’ roll anthem that’s sure to propel the Brighton outfit to ever greater heights over the coming months.

With an impressive summer of festival appearances under their belts, including performances at Isle Of Wight, Reading & Leeds and Dot To Dot alongside the likes of Black Honey, The Vryll Society and YAK, the five-piece regrouped in the studio with esteemed producer Adrian Bushby (My Bloody Valentine, Muse, The Maccabees) to record another blistering number that serves as a real statement of intent going into 2017.

The quintet’s rapidly developing live reputation has already earned them plenty of plaudits across the country, and this latest psychedelic-tinged effort showcases frontman Jake Smallwood’s incredible songwriting prowess amongst a sea of soaring guitars and killer riffs that hint further at their exciting potential.

Recorded at Vada Studios and produced and mixed by Adrian Bushby. White Room’s Stole The I.V. is released on 18th November and will be available via Spotify, iTunes and Apple Music. Website here.

Live Dates:
05 Nov – The Lending Room, Leeds*
11 Nov – Sofar Sounds, London
12 Nov – Nambucca, London*
25 Nov – Maze, Nottingham*
*This Feeling Club Night

With a confident and powerful musical opening 'Stole The I.V' comes further to life as the perfectly matched vocals take hold of the song. There is that timeless feel with the track, which indeed does build into something of an anthem as mentioned above. Whats more it's very catchy and should get noticed.

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The Megaphonic Thrift - Pilene.

Background - On 11/11, Bergen, Norway-based band The Megaphonic Thrift will release their album Få meg til verden i tide via Old Flame Records.

Earlier this year, the band won a Spellemann Award (equivelant of a Norwegian GRAMMY Award) for best indie album. Få meg til verden i tide is The Megaphonic Thrift's fourth album, and it's the band's first to feature lyrics in Norwegian. Much less guitar orientated than previous albums, Få meg til verden i tide is filled with synthesizers, and it's their first with new collaborators Njål Paulsberg (neo Tokyo/Young Dreams) and Emil Nikolaisen (Serena-Maneesh).

"The four members in Megaphonic have become more unison for each record we’ve made together," says guitarist and vocalist Richard Myklebust. "After the third record, making new music felt like giving each other a hug. We wanted to bring in someone who had a more radical approach to making music. We needed disagreement, and boy did we get it."

A lot has happened since the summer of 2015 when The Megaphonic Thrift filled a car with synths and boxed wine, isolating themselves in a cabin far up in the Norwegian desolate mountains to write what would become Få meg til verden i tide.

"We thought we were just heading into the studio to make the final adjustments and thought it was going to be easy. All the songs were ready. It didn’t turn out easy at all," says bassist and vocalist Linn Frøkedal. The band describes the studio process as a long road trip, where a new driver can take the wheel at any moment. "Nikolaisen is based in Oslo (on the other side of the mountains), and guitarist Clementsen was on a Japanese tour with his other band Electric Eye, so sketches and new ideas were thrown back and forth on seemingly endless mail threads," says guitarist Njål Clementsen. "This record is proof that it is possible to make a really cool record in a really hard way. It doesn’t have to be easy!" Website here.


'Pilene' is a dreamy indie rock song, where the vocals are smooth and atmospheric (whatever the lyrics might be), and the crisp musical backdrop adds melody and depth. I have heard it said many times, that your native language, is the language of your heart, which might explain the passion and feeling that comes across in this song.

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Soft Lions - Digital Girls.

Background - Soft Lions have shared their new video "Digital Girls". The video was directed by Chris Maroulakos and features appearances by fellow San Diego artists including Dustin Lothspeich (Boy King, Diamond Lakes, Chess Wars, Old Tiger), Brian Reilly (The New Kinetics, The Hiroshima Mockingbirds), and Emily Reilly (Birdy Bardot, The New Kinetics). Soft Lion's new EP, XOXO, is now available.

The San Diego trio Soft Lions was dreamed up by songwriter Megan Liscomb (guitar / vocals) in 2013. She is backed by Jon Bonser (drums) and Ana Ramundo (keys/ vocals). The band has previously been described as post riot-grrl, noise pop, beach grunge, or psychedelic garage rock.  On their latest release XOXO, they lean a bit more into a punk style, while staying true to their weird garage roots. Influenced by bands like Blondie, Modern Lovers, Jesus and Mary Chain, and Alvvays, Soft Lions love blending vintage sounds together to create something fresh.

XOXO was recorded at Tiny Telephone in San Francisco, with John Vanderslice as the producer and engineer. The band met him previously on tour, and knew instantly they wanted to work with him at his all analog studio. The result is a more confident and refined version of what the band did on last years Spellbreaker EP.

The songs are a pathway for Liscomb to lay out lyrics that are both intensely personal and deeply relatable. In these songs, freeways and city streets become surreal emotional dreamscapes set to jangly guitars and keyboards. Tracks on the new EP deal with everything from a friend break-up, objectification and catcalling, coping with depression, and falling in love. Website here.


One of six songs on the 'XOXO' EP and 'Digital Girls' gives a good feel for what the collection of songs are all about. Comparisons with early Blondie music is perhaps inevitable, however I think Soft Lions have a more gritty and stripped back, natural feeling going on, in effect blending old and new sounds, as they set out to do.

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Rosebug - I Am The One.

Background - Brooklyn-based punk-pop band Rosebug share their debut single,"I Am the One". Their debut LP, Worst Way out November 11th via Dazzleships Records, is thirty minutes of distress and pretty petulance wrapped up in a bow. The great thing about Rosebug, though? They’re in on the joke. By the time the words find the music, lead singer Becca Chodorkoff is already over it. Or, at the very least, she wants you to think that she is.
 

Worst Way was produced by Miles B.A. Robinson at a Bed-Stuy studio called The CRC. The space is owned by indie darlings, Chairlift, and frequented by the likes of Dev Hynes and MGMT. Rosebug's current line-up consists of Becca Chodorkoff (vocals), Chris Nunez (guitar), Tarra Theissan (bass), and Drew Adler (drums). You’ll want to get to know this band, because, with Rosebug, it’s fun to be sad. Website here.

Live dates:
11.11 - Release Show Part 1. - Barranquilla - Brooklyn, New York
11.12 - Release Show Part 2. - Berlin - New York, New York.


One of nine engaging songs on the forthcoming album and 'I Am The One' is a hint of whats in store. The band mix melody, punkier vibes and some fascinating lyrics. Sometimes a little gentle and occasionally quite potent, the mixture really works. There is no padding with this album, it's thirty minutes of honest music, which does for me!

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Friday, 4 November 2016

Weekend Wonders: Lio Nicol - Shaprece - Adrian J - Venkman - Del Caesar - A Valley Son - Woodes

Lio Nicol - Blame.

Background bio - Lio Nicol is both sage and sass. With honest yet quirky lyrics, she has found a way to reflect her sense of humor while maintaining her grace, setting her apart from other singer-songwriters.

After a few semesters of studying biology at the University of Montana, Nicol left her hometown of Missoula and relocated to California in 2010 to pursue a career in music. A talented pianist and guitarist, Lio Nicol has found her greatest passion lies within songwriting. Inspired by the legendary Diane Warren, Nicol’s songwriting is a reflection of her thoughts, heartbreak, and love. Her powerhouse vocals and catchy indie-pop melodies have led to her being describes as an early Mariah Carey meets Florence and The Machine.

Lio Nicol has toured and recorded with some of the industry’s top musicians as well as Grammy award-winning producers. She has performed all over North America in a variety of concerts including the Dragon Boat Festival, Durango Expo, House of Blues San Diego, The Mint in Los Angeles and many others. Music fans have recognised her 5-octave range and impressive stage presence and continue to come back to her shows again and again. Website here.


Lio Nicol has a very melodic and attractive voice, that is accompanied by a bright and synthy backdrop, making 'Blame' one very catchy song, with hooks here, there, and everywhere. Pristine indie pop!

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Shaprece - How Are You.

Background - Spinning a web of downtempo beats, ethereal orchestration, and a powerfully pure vocal style, Shaprece - flanked by producer IG88 and orchestral arranger Phillip Peterson - has become a recognized name in the recent scene of forward-thinking R&B. She has garnered early support and mentions from KEXP, SPIN, The New York Times, Revolt TV, City Arts Magazine, and many more. Her upcoming debut full length album Coals is set to solidify her as one of the most engaging artists of her genre.

Shaprece's introduction to the world was the 2014 releases of the 'Tell Me // Her Song' split single, and her critically acclaimed 'Molting' EP, which spotlighted her wide range of influences, from Björk to James Blake to FKA Twigs, and laid the foundation for what's to come. 'Coals' is a natural progression but a major step forward in style and substance. The album, which she debuted in full at a live listening with the Seattle Symphony, will feature 11 tracks mixed by Kyle Ross (Kanye West, Zayn Malik, John Legend) including the stand outs "Unwind" and "Send Down Your Love."

Building upon appearances at Capitol Hill Block Party, CMJ, Sasquatch Music Festival, Decibel Festival, Benaroya Hall, and dates with the likes of Bilal, Thievery Corporation, Deltron 3030, The Antlers, SZA, and Daley, Shaprece is more than ready to present a focused and self-reflective body of work. Website here.


Coals is one extremely fine album. 'How Are You' is but a hint of the beautiful and imaginative ten songs that make up the album. Vocals are exquisite and the musical arrangements are sensitively created, as they defy genre identity, and wallow in originality. The songs are awash with imaginative ideas, and  melodic and atmospheric vibes flow throughout. A simple equation: Like featured song = Get The Album (asap).

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Adrian J - The Heartbreaker.

Background - Hot off the heels of his debut single ‘Beautiful’, Adrian J  is back! And he’s bigger and better than before. The drop of his new single ‘The Heartbreaker’ was completely unexpected….but the hype already booming over this new bombshell of a song is smashing through the roof.

Produced, written, and recorded by the man himself, if this is anything to go by, we can be expecting great things from his forthcoming EP release in 2017. With a second single under his belt, scheduling of one-night gigs and performances will be underway, perhaps bringing it home at the Oxford Art Factory in Sydney…a fitting tribute to come back to the place where he was born.

Choosing to steer clear of conventional musical writing, both structurally and lyrically…this is ground few dare to tread on. But man does it pay off! And only something that Adrian can pull off, and do it so well.

In today’s music, it’s often hard to really understand the message of the song you’re listening to…if there’s any message at all! But the message in this song is so in your face…it’ll reach out and slap you! My one and only complaint…is we don’t get the girl’s name! Who wouldn’t want to see what The Heartbreaker looks like!?

‘The Heartbreaker’ is an outstanding performance, and wherever Adrian is performing live.. you won’t want to miss it! This is definitely going to be one of the highlight songs of Spring, heading into the Summer. The Heartbreaker’ will be released 11th November 2016. Facebook here.


With distant vocals and a funky emerging beat 'The Heartbreaker' quickly builds into a flowing and powerful indie rock piece. Add in some soaring guitar work, that interchanges with the vocals and the hooks are everywhere!

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Venkman - Thunder Thief.

Background - "A deliciously original 4 piece band from the Midlands combining melodic boy/girl Harmonies to a funky back beat with a hint of Jazz and a small dose of rock and pop. This is exactly what I'm talking about when I say in order to stand out from the rest bands need to push the boundaries and experiment with sounds, textures and genres to create and produce their own individual signature sound and Venkman do this just perfectly" - David Durant, Brooklands Radio.

Midlands four-piece Venkman have appeared on BBC Radio both in England and Scotland. Alongside coveted slots on BBC Introducing, the band has played with Carina Round and caught the ears of several respected music blogs.

Regarding the new songs & according to their Facebook page they have "finally pulled our fingers out and finished our next release split single Thunder Thief / Some Rainbows available to buy on 14th November. Massive thanking yous to all involved. featuring a chorus of Ali Miles, Andy Crowder, Greg Haines, Rob Allen, Rob Taylor and the piany skills of Alan Baker, Trumping by Dave Boraston". Facebook here.


One of two songs due for release 'Thunder Thief' mixes a clever and funky beat, with some wonderful vocals. Put together with the accompanying and feisty 'Some Rainbows', and we have a double helping of wonderfully hypnotic and play again songs.

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Del Caesar - I'll Bet.

Background - Del Caesar’s new single “I’ll Bet” is released ahead of the bands EP 2, that will be coming out on November 11th through their imprint, Reheated Spaghetti (here).

“I’ll Bet” follows the EP 2’s previous two singles, the raucous lead single “Like They Always Say” and its follow-up, “Lie To Me”. Recorded straight to tape, the EP embodies riff-driven, upbeat garage rock, snarling in a way that betrays some swagger, but never hostility.

Del Caesar has mastered the art of writing irresistible hook-laden songs that feature riffs that’ll get stuck in your head for days, and puts them squarely at the forefront of the garage-psych renaissance… any of the songs on EP 2 sound like they could’ve been recorded last month, or in 1965. Facebook here.


The raw and timeless garage rock feeling continues with 'I'll Bet'. Having featured the last song just over a month back, Del Caesar's latest offering is from the imminent EP2 release, comprising of four wonderful rock'n'roll tracks.

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A Valley Son - Lights in the Sky.

Background - A Valley Son, are a great new indie alt-country band based in Brooklyn who will be self-releasing their debut Sunset Park EP on January 27th. To start, they are kicking things off with the EP’s propulsive, harmony-laden lead single “Lights In The Sky”, which'll get stuck in your head in the best possible way.

As a band that is barely a year old, this collection of songs is simply a starting point for A Valley Son (whose name comes from the title of a deep cut from Grandaddy’s catalog), but it’s a strong one. Much like their home base of New York City, the group is an anomaly, comprised of three Southern transplants that grew up on Stax and Motown, and one Yonkers-born Gospel drummer turned bassist.

After seeing a generation of bands seemingly value aesthetics over substance, the four members vowed to make music that strips away all of the unnecessary decoration and puts songwriting, emotion and raw musicianship back at the forefront, and their debut EP Sunset Park does just that. The bands’ Southern gothic-inspired, harmony-laden, soulful rock & roll aims to invoke a Sunday service as much as it does a barroom, and the stories the songs tell are no less truthful and honest than the playing. Facebook here.


One of six songs on the debut EP 'Lights in the Sky' is surrounded by equally strong contenders within the collection. The mixture of alt rock and Americana (via southern rock and everything between!), is delivered with passion and sounds so tight, it's hard to believe they only been together for a year or so.

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Woodes - Rise.

Background - Woodes is the moniker for the 24-year-old Melbourne based producer, singer and songwriter, Elle Graham, whose quick ascension into the limelight has caused many a head to turn.

In 2015 her collaborative project with producer Elkkle, garnered instantaneous praise across the radio and blog-o-sphere in Australia as well as internationally. The singles, 'Muddy', 'Cocoon' and 'Flash Mob' were added to community radio across Australia including triple j, won the coveted title of ‘Unsigned Artist of the Week’ by FBi, as well as being featured by Spotify in their coveted ‘Spotlight Australia and New Zealand Playlist. 'Flash Mob' was revealed as one of the top 25 songs most played songs in 2015 across triple j unearthed radio.

In 2016 Woodes released her debut solo single 'Daggers & Knives' which has over 300,000 total plays and it’s been added to rotation on Australian radio; triple j unearthed, FBi Radio, SYN, profiled on Spotify Australia and added to rotation on various US college radio stations. The track was featured by online tastemakers, including Indie Shuffle, i-d mag, Purple Sneakers and Pilerats.

Her recent single 'The Thaw’; another powerfully beautiful track, which combines her poetic lyrics with a textured production has been added to rotation on radio; triple j unearthed, FBi Radio and profiled on Spotify Australia, Spotify Norway, Spotify Deutschland and Spotify Finland as well as debuting at #12 on the iTunes Norway Alternative Chart. Woodes is currently collaborating with local and international artists including Kilter, Milwaukee Banks, Set Mo, Kintaro, FØRD and Golden Vessel. Website here.


From her recently released EP, latest single 'Rise' is our third song feature for Woodes this year. The understated soundtrack again allows Woodes vocals to carry the melody and atmosphere, something she has now ably demonstrated she can do, and to a very high standard.

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Thursday, 3 November 2016

Genre Wander: Matt Tiller - The Franklys - Wrenne - The Pinkerton Raid

Matt Tiller - Flat Packing Anger Management.

Background - Matt Tiller releases new single Flat Packing Anger Management - a melodic indie pop tune about the despair of the emasculated modern man attempting to assemble flat pack furniture while his more competent girlfriend despairs. It’s a duet with singer and actor Diana Vickers who also stars in the video with actor and comedian David Elms. The single is released on all digital outlets and is taken from a short album about stuff.

Matt is a musical comedian (live dates below), writer and television comedy producer behind shows like BBC Two’s Hebburn. He blends musical one-liners, songs and stand up and has won audience appreciation and critical acclaim in clubs and at festivals nationwide, including the Edinburgh Fringe. Website here.

11th Nov: The Hospital Club, Covent Garden London. Album Launch
12th Nov: Sonderfest, Manchester. In the afternoon at Texture
25th Nov Shangri La Cabaret, Prestwich, Manchester.


'Flat Packing Anger Management' is a delightful vocal duet and melodic indie pop tune. Comedic angles aside this is a very likable song. It was many years ago that I swore I would never use flat pack furniture again, still it's interesting to know the domestic angst such products still cause....

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The Franklys - Castaway.

Background - The Franklys play a mixture of garage, heavy rock and punk and provide their audience with an action packed live show full of energy, frenetic guitar riffs and a swarm of blurred hair. Their debut album will hit stores in spring 2017, and until then they are going out to do what they do best, with the promise to those attending the Airbourne dates to “expect some bad neck-pains the day after from waaaay too much headbanging”

To celebrate the tour, The Franklys release the first single from their forthcoming debut album; the frantic and blistering ‘Castaway’.

“We have finally managed to transfer how we sound live on to a record. We have worked with plenty of different engineers and producers in the past, but no one has really been able to capture the rawness from our live show.”  Recorded and mixed with producer Sean Douglas, the result is thrillingly clear and direct. Facebook here.

UK Tour dates:
Mon  - 21st Nov - Birmingham - O2 Institute w/ Airbourne & Crobot
Tue - 22nd Nov - Leeds - O2 Academy w/ Airbourne & Crobot
Wed - 23rd Nov - Newcastle - O2 Academy w/ Airbourne & Crobot      
Thur - 24th Nov - Glasgow - Barrowlands  w/ Airbourne & Crobot
Fri - 26th Nov - Manchester - O2 Ritz  w/ Airbourne & Crobot
Sat - 3rd Dec - London - The Crowndale w/ Puppets of the Supreme Commander.

No nonsense rock'n'roll comes belting your way with 'Castaway'. The Franklys have the chemistry, the melody and the power, all wrapped up in just under three minutes of sonic pleasure.

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Wrenne - Hope.

Background - “ISaidYesToEverything’ is  the debut album from Utah-born, Midlands-based, Post-Mormon-Disney-Punk Wrenne. This highly original UK artist’s first collection is a blend of thoughtful old-skool pop and soaring electronica - a classic voice with a wholly contemporary sound. Collaborators include superstar Idris Elba on “Come Alive” and producers such as Marius de Vries (Björk/“LaLaLand"). 

Wrenne’s featured guests are as diverse as Gary Clark (Danny Wilson/“Sing Street”), Lanterns on the Lake’s Paul Gregory, 5xGrammy-winning vocalists The Swingles and living legend, saxophonist John Altman. She is blessed with some extraordinary friends and fans.

You’ll hear why on ‘ISaidYesToEverything,’ released on November 11th via LoEx Music and Believe Digital, which also contains a thrilling update of Joan Armatrading’s classic “Love and Affection.” Facebook here.


'Hope' is built around Wrenne's melodic vocals and a smooth and slowly developing electronic soundtrack. Just as I think that's about it, the vocals go somewhere wonderful and the song explodes onto another level, superb.

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The Pinkerton Raid - Ghost In My Bed.

Background - The Pinkerton Raid has just released their gorgeous new track, "Ghost In My Bed," from their upcoming record due out in early 2017 titled Tolerence Ends, Love Begins. The group totes rich harmonies and textured instrumental arrangements, with stunning, intricately crafted pieces. They’ve played festivals across the Eastern and Midwest US and have shared stages with David Wimbish & The Collection, Lowland Hum, Noah Gunderson, Denison Witmer and The Soil & The Sun. With two critically acclaimed records in tow, the band is set to take the world by storm on their upcoming release.

Siblings and co-lead singers Jesse and Katie DeConto are deeply involved in Durham, N.C. Jesse is an author, songwriter, and founder of Durham County Beer & Hymns at Fullsteam Brewery. Katie nurtures creatives as co-founder of Mercury Studio and The Makery.

Recorded with Mark Simonsen (The Old Ceremony, Dead Tongues) and Thom Canova at Mitch Easter's Fidelitorium and at Studio M in the spring of 2016, Tolerance Ends, Love Begins is a story of broken love and resurrection, their most hopeful collection to date. Bandcamp here.

Tour Dates:
11/10 - The Garage - Winston-Salem, NC
11/18 - Schoolkids Records - Raleigh, NC 
12/3 - The Kraken Bar - Chapel Hill, NC
12/4 Mercury Studio - Durham, NC
2/10 - Motorco Music Hall - Durham, NC


Something of a simmering power permeates through the beginning of 'Ghost In My Bed'. The musical arrangement is top quality allowing both vocals, harmonies and instruments to come together with clarity. It's also a restrained anthem of sorts, again where melodies and textures, are allowed to shine through.

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Wednesday, 2 November 2016

Midweek Muse: The History Of Colour TV - AyOwA - In Light Of - Childcare

The History Of Colour TV - Wreck.

Background - Berlin-based trio The History of Colour TV is back with new music, presenting 'Wreck', the first single from their forthcoming third album 'Something Like Eternity'. For this, the band travelled to France in the spring of 2016 to record with Peter Deimel (The Wedding Present, Shellac, The Ex) at the legendary Black Box Recording Studio. The result represents a departure from their hallmark sound by bringing a raw, minimalist aesthetic to the new release.

Stylistically, 'Wreck' is a dynamic and open live recording with minimal overdubs and, in this respect, represents a snapshot of the overall album. With an elongated structure and narrative theme, the song itself blends melodic sensibilities with ragged guitar textures. Building on melancholic arpeggio patterns, 'Wreck' unfolds in intensifying sequences, crescendoing in a raging wall-of-sound that engulfs the song in a billowing cloud of guitars.

The History Of Colour TV was founded in Berlin in 2010 by British artist Jaike Stambach, initially conceived as a solo multimedia project involving noisy hypnotic output through audio, video and soundtrack offerings. Over the course of two albums and multiple EPs, released through Bruit Blanc and Saint Marie Records, the band has been unabashedly diverse in their approach, exploring harsh noise, sound collages and reverb-saturated dreampop, to the stripped-down rock of their more recent offerings. They also toured extensively while establishing their notable presence within the Berlin music scene. The current lineup also includes Markus Mocydlarz and Janek Sprachta. 'Wreck' will be released digitally on November 25. Their album 'Something Like Eternity' will be released in early 2017 via French label Cranes Records and the band's own imprint Weird Books. Website here.


'Wreck' has a raw live feel, not surprising as it was pretty much recorded that way. The play between guitar and vocals works well, and the rhythm adds energy and direction.

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AyOwA - Newcross.

Background - The Danish duo AyOwA came out the gates running with wicked hit ‘Sommer’ earlier in 2016 which attracted frequent play across Europe on BBC Radio 1 (Huw Stephens), Radio X, Amazing Radio and Apple’s Beats 1 with heavyrotation on Danish P6Beat. Huffington Post (US), Noisey, Vice and other international sites have taken the band which mark the rare case where Danish language music crosses borders abroad.

Friends Nicolai Kornerup and Hannah Schneider turned their companionship for musical alchemy when they started creating electronic music together as a band AyOwA. The two spent a summer in Valby to experiment with modular synths and old tape machines, and began to make their dark and evocative electronic pop songs.

"On the first floor there is no home. It has not been long." Take a little Underworld, mix it with a little Aphex Twin and sprinkle a bit Cocteau Twins on top and you land somewhere near AyOwA's second single ‘Newcross’. Still sung in Danish, AyOwA travelled through the past of familiar streets in London’s New Cross while looking at the dark windows and abandoned apartments and wondering where everyone went. Facebook here


It's been a while since I've been around 'Newcross', a part of London I used to drive through regularly. So it's interesting to hear a song sung in Danish about said place. However this is a superb track with intricate sound mixing with dreamier vocals, the promo description above kind of nails it.

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In Light Of - Bless Your Heart.

Background from Jason & Sandy (In Light Of) - The two of us live in different cities without any mutual connections. We met when Sandy responded to a job posting of mine and quickly bonded over a shared appetite for the kind of boundless sonic exploration found in post-rock (and the like). It's been a long-distance relationship ever since. 

We're truly the perfect pairing. Sandy's known as the idea starter or "vibe setter". He sent me a rough idea that he captured on his iPhone. I took it, developed and finished the track in my studio, and kept many of the original lo-fi recordings in the final mix. This is a song writing formula that works perfectly for both of us. 


Sandy and I have never written a song together. That is together in the same room, or even the same city. Yet, all five songs on this debut EP, Little Treasures, were pieced together from ideas shared from one device to another, many kilometers away. And now for the first time, through the magic of technological advancement, it's in your hands to listen and consume. Facebook here.


'Bless Your Heart' is a soothing and flowing piece,that builds beautifully in all it's ambient glory. It's good to feature instrumental music when we can, with this song its a real pleasure.

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Childcare - Film Club.

Background - 'Film Club', the formidable new single from arch capital-city rockers Childcare, will be released on Lost in the Manor Records on 18 November. Childcare are supporting Bastille on their nationwide arena tour ahead of the release. Channelling post-punk, slacker rock, G-funk and bhangra, ‘Film Club’ – inspired by Childcare singer/songwriter Ed Cares’ trips to cinematic gatherings in order to impress a fellow attendee – evolves from unruly beginnings into a lick-laden dual-person narrative rich in celluloid reference. Set this to a jagged guitar refrain and riotous global beat, and you have a track brimming with killer hooks, cultural nous and compelling wit. One for the canon of intelligent British pop, ‘Film Club’ is a key exemplar of Ed’s smart, skilful songcraft, as well as his band’s singular sensual verve and ear for the cream of new wave.

It's 2014 and Ed Cares sits contemplating the formation of an oxbow lake. Despite being one of west London's most in-demand male nannies, Ed isn't entirely content with his lot. But, overheard humming a song he had written years before, Ed is persuaded by Katie, aged six, to form a band. Josh, eight, boldly proclaims: "You're probably my second favourite artist after Katy Perry." And so, after sourcing some neighbourhood musicians capable of living up to Josh’s heady billing — specifically Emma Topolski (bass), Rich Legate (guitar) and Glyn Daniels (drums) — Ed now had an able band to perform with under the only logical moniker in the circumstances: Childcare.

Enthused with the energy of punk, drenched in the off-kilter pop sensibilities of Missy Elliot, the infectiousness of The Police and a by-numbers approach to songcraft akin to Happiness In Magazines-era Graham Coxon, Childcare played some of their first shows at the Reading and Leeds festivals, and soon released their debut single 'Omega Grey'. The song gained radio play from Annie Mac, Huw Stephens and Steve Lamacq, was named Track of the Day at Radio X, playlisted at Amazing Radio and garnered extensive blog coverage from the likes of Clash, Indie Shuffle and more. Also paying close attention were Lost In The Manor Records, who, after witnessing Childcare at one of their vivid and visceral live shows, wasted no time in proffering a contract. Facebook here.


Tues 8 November: Birmingham NIA
Sat 12 November: Glasgow SSE Hydro
Sun 13 November: Newcastle Metro Radio Arena
Official ‘Film Club’ launch show - Mon 28 November: The Waiting Room, London N16
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'Film Club' is rapidly clocking up the listens, and it's hardly surprising with this feisty and potent song. If the rhythm doesn't get you the upbeat vocals and guitars could well hook your ears!

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Tuesday, 1 November 2016

Globetrotting: The Wedding Present - Hickory Signals - Snowapple - Songbird

The Wedding Present - Two Bridges.

Background - ‘Going, Going…’ is the title of the widely anticipated ninth studio album from UK indie darlings, The Wedding Present, but, in typical Wedding Present fashion... it’s not a conventional release! Going, Going... is out November 18th in North America on HHBTM Records, the album tells the story of a road trip across the USA, revealed across a collection of twenty ‘linked’ songs, each with an accompanying short film.

Always challenging and experimental, the idea to release the new project in a multi-media format is something that has been marinating with bandleader David Gedge for some time. As he points out, work began soon after the unveiling of The Wedding Present’s 2012 critically acclaimed album ‘Valentina’. “I’d already decided by then that I didn’t want to make the next release just ‘another album’ and so I came up with the idea of twenty ‘interconnected’ pieces of music. Then, in the summer of 2014 I travelled across the USA with photographer Jessica McMillan and we made some atmospheric short films to accompany the tracks. Since then it’s been a case of progressing through the music, trying all sorts of ideas, seeing how they work set against the visuals.”

Recorded at Studios La Fabrique in the south of France and Parr Street Studios in Liverpool with multiple Grammy award winning producer Andrew Scheps (Red Hot Chili Peppers, Black Sabbath, Adele) the resulting twenty tracks represent arguably The Wedding Present’s finest work to date, with Gedge, as always, showing himself to be the unrivalled master at observing human relationships from an everyman perspective but with the touch and artistry of a poet.

Formed in 1985, The Wedding Present are one of the UK’s most longstanding and much-loved indie bands with eighteen UK Top 40 hit singles to their name. That’s not bad for a band that has, from its inception, stubbornly refused to play the record industry’s game. The breathtakingly honest love songs immersed in whirlwind guitars quickly caught the attention of the late John Peel, who said: “The boy Gedge has written some of the best love songs of the rock ’n’ roll era. You may dispute this, but I’m right and you’re wrong!” USA vinyl pre-order here.


From gorgeous instrumentals through to more typical Wedding Present fayre such as the featured 'Two Bridges' the new album is, put simply, fabulous! Where to begin with twenty songs (and another eight bonus tracks), I will just say, Wedding Present fans will I reckon be besides themselves, for everyone else, this might just drive you to go through the bands entire back catalogue, enjoy.

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Hickory Signals - Noise Of The Waters.

Background - Brighton, England folk-duo, Hickory Signals are pleased to announce their second EP and new single of the same name 'Noise Of The Waters'.

Inspired by the sea-inspired James Joyce poem of the same name, ‘Noise Of The Waters’ is the second EP from Brighton folk duo, Hickory Signals. Made up of multi-instrumentalists Laura Ward and Adam Ronchetti, the pair combine strong vocal melodies with vibrant guitar, shruti, flute, glockenspiel and pulsing percussion; layering sounds carefully and minimally to create magical and atmospheric folk.

Making melodies reminiscent of music past, their inspiration comes not only from bygone songs and lyrics but also the illustrative world of literature and poetry. When singing ominously about 17th century soldiers burning down fields and stealing grain in ‘Irish Ways’ – the duo conjure up darkened images of Ireland’s past made all the more arresting by the conviction and purity in Ward’s voice. Elsewhere, traditional song, ‘The Unquiet Grave’ echoes Laura Marling’s sing-song, confessional style - with string accents adding a mysterious air to the tale of decaying hearts and lost love.

Title track, ‘Noise Of The Waters’ merges haunting flute lines with cleansing water imagery, offering a redemptive feeling that evokes a by-gone era of ominous storytelling, while ‘Take The Window’ descends into a raging revenge ditty, made all the more piercing by Ward’s clear and meandering vocal style.

Another, ‘Bows and Arrows’, sees the duo explore the mechanics of man-made arrows, traps and fishing lines for catching unattainable birds, deer and fish. The song states that building anything (bridges, schools, tools) requires education “but still there are things we cannot know…”. A cautionary tale that subtly explores the dangers of our human penchant for fixing and often, destroying.

Ward and Ronchetti are joined on this EP by Stick In The Wheel’s Ian Carter, who provides the production, and skilled violinist, Tom Pryor, whose sensitivity and musicality help make the collection an utter joy to listen to. Hickory Signals work stands out here as haunting, cinematic and un-rushed, cementing their careful, timeless sound as one to watch indeed. 'Noise Of The Waters' EP is out December 2, 2016. Website here.


'Noise Of The Waters' is a tender folk song, with a fine and pure traditional feel. The arrangement is crisp and clear as each instrument delicately supports the atmospheric vocals. The duo clearly know their craft and the folk music world is all the better for that.


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Snowapple - Any Way.

Background - Figures stream through the early-morning haze on the platform, or rest in the cozy comfort of a late-night compartment. Some are fleeing the horrible, some steaming toward a lover, a home, a new unknown city. The train cars rock and clack, lull and ache.

Amsterdam’s Snowapple chronicle the romance and alienation, the weird stories and intriguing characters of the trains as they ride the rails for their third album, Tracks (Zip Records; release: October 28, 2016). Along the way, they connect their globally informed, jazz- and improv-inflected home scene with resonant harmonies, clever arrangement, and dreamlike lyrics that span the heartfelt and the playful. Coupling a keen sense of the theatrical with exquisite vocals, the trio has an ongoing collaboration with several Amsterdam fashion designers, most notably Mo Benchellal.

Snowapple is a remarkable band. The three front women come from different backgrounds namely Jazz, Gospel and Opera. In the songs that they describe themselves as fairy-tail folk/pop/opera/impro, the three exceptional individual voices move into majestic harmonies. The girls accompany themselves on multiple instruments such as guitar, mandoline, keys, flute and percussion.

Snowapple released 2 studio albums that both gained international success resulting in releases in Europe (V2 Benelux, Rough Trade), UK (Debt Records) and USA (ZIP Records). Snowapple did multiple international tours in Europe, the UK, the USA and Mexico. Website here.


One of ten songs on the new album, 'Any Way' gives a good flavour of the quality and melodic nature, we find within their third album release. Vocals delight the musical arrangements are consistently good, this is another fine collection of songs.

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Songbird - Street Walker.

Background - Steph Jolly, Songbird, is an emerging Singer-Songwriter based in Adelaide, South Australia. Juggling work, study and having a heightened passion for songwriting has been a challenge, but also extremely rewarding personally, professionally and most pleasingly musically.

‘Street Walker,’ the debut release from Songbird, is an energetic, upbeat track, with plenty of sass and funk to get you grooving. Steph's honest and raw lyrics come straight from the heart and draw on past experiences and innermost thoughts and feelings. They express personal observations of a world sometimes cruel, sometimes beautiful. Live recordings have been utilised to create an upbeat, acoustic feel that excites the ears and reassures the soul.

‘Street Walker’ has received rave reviews locally and has been capturing attention all across the country. This success has also led to regular performances on the contemporary winery circuit, thanks to her gentle yet powerful vocals and warm, inviting presence.

Plying her trade in city bars, Steph has honed her craft by building her confidence and helping her create and develop the stage persona that is Songbird. Combining with the intricate yet melodious style of guitarist and longtime friend Michael Collins, Songbird is one of the freshest acts to come out of Adelaide in a long time. “Street Walker” will be released 11th of November 2016. Facebook here.

A simple stripped back acoustic song, 'Street Walker' is the perfect setting to showcase Steph Jolly's dynamic and melodic vocals. The energy and feeling comes across oh so well, no wonder the local interest, and hopefully wider audience soon.

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Isabel Rumble - KĀMA - Mollie Elizabeth - Maddison Kate - MF Tomlinson

Photo - Elise Idiens Isabel Rumble - Soften. Indie-folk songstress Isabel Rumble just released her captivating single 'Soften' and ...