Exhausted Pipes - The Dead Sailor Girls - Febueder - TUELO

Exhausted Pipes - Whisky, Weed, Women and Cocaine.

Background - For most people, the idea of “Whisky, Weed, Women and Cocaine,” sounds like a little bit of a lethal combination, but when it comes in the form of an incredibly catchy song by indie-rock trio Exhausted Pipes, we’re welcoming the combo with open arms. Featuring an addicting guitar melody, it’s no surprise the track is named the way it is.

Besides just its catchy nature, the song features stunning vocal work and the resulting piece showcases just how special the trio are in their ability to capture a story so eloquently within the framework of a three-minute song. They’ve been capturing the hearts of San Francisco’s local indie scene for a while now, and it’s no surprise- the catchy rhythm and utter brilliant storytelling make them a serious tour de force in the underground music scene.

Formed in 2011, they are known for their dynamic songwriting and lively performances, pushing the expectations of a three-piece. The trio doesn’t take itself too seriously, and has a solid understanding of their place in the world. The magic of their upcoming release, New Dust, is that it’s an authentic reflection of a specific time and place in history and manages to avoid any pseudo-intellectual or unnecessarily emotional imitations.

The band came together in Stockton, California where Hunter Steers, David Mayman, and Andy Landgraf met at their University in an unengaged community in which active disinterest shaped the culture. Through this, the band learned some quick lessons, and grew enough to make a move to San Francisco where the reception for live music was far greater. Their high energy performances characterised by three part harmonies, soaring solos and wide ranging dynamics began to draw a regular following. The group self-released their eponymous debut album, Exhausted Pipes, in late 2011.

Funded by a self-made Kickstarter campaign, Exhausted Pipes upcoming album New Dust is a reflection of the DIY / start-up spirit of the 21st century. Their music reflects the struggles and growing pains of a new generation in America tasked with identity creation in an inexact time. The band’s lyrics are close to those coming of age in a rapidly evolving culture where relevance is often hard to pin down. The music itself is tightly curated and intelligent, featuring complexed instrumentation's – and even highlights a few featured musicians – yet holds true to the band’s vocally-driven roots. New Dust feels both relevant and emotionally exhilarating  – solid, coherent and wonderfully accessible. Website here, Facebook here.

I think it fair to say that 'Whisky, Weed, Women and Cocaine' is about as rock'n'roll a song title as any band might come up with, this band are however, more Americana-folk with danceable Indie Rock, a fabulous combination when considered. The song is feisty, gritty and just wonderful, I don't think we should take the lyrical sentiments to seriously, just join in have some fun.

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The Dead Sailor Girls - The Last Tasmanian Wolf.

Background - Blue Rose Music recording artists The Dead Sailor Girls share tales of shipwrecks, crystal balls and ill fated romances on their forthcoming album Rolling Sea, set to arrive on shores April 28, 2017.

Produced by Karl Derfler (Tom Waits, No Doubt, Dave Matthews Band,) Rolling Sea is a chest of influences and experiences. The bubbly debut single “Magic Potion” will captivate fans of 80’s pop,  “Dance Of The Broken Heart” is a bounty of undeniable hooks and “Sensitive Bad Boys” is a refreshing acknowledgement that some of us are not meant to marry men in suits.  The gorgeous “Sail Away” puts Evie‘s striking vocal talent front and center with “Hobo’s Dreams” and “Miles On The Car” seeing the young hopefuls portrayed in the song reflecting on what to do when dreams do not turn out as planned.

The Dead Sailor Girls’ (comprised of Julietta Hay and Evie Rucker) began when the mother-daughter team were singing with Evie’s sister Haley in their family garage in 2012. There, they sang songs about sailors and the sea, joking that they should start a band called The Dead Sailor Girls. The name stuck and Julietta and Evie were soon joined by bassist Ned Doherty and drummer John Stuart. They performed their very first show on Halloween of 2012 and developed a sound that combines the band’s love of music and lyrics with the soul of their craft.

“Each song on the Rolling Sea album is like a window into a life,”  Evie says. “The lyrics are so vivid and the imagery becomes similar.”  Adds Julietta, “Our songs are inspired by ghost ballads, love songs, punk rock, blues, bluegrass, pop and R&B and most obviously we find kindred sounds in the psychedelic rock ‘n’ roll that was born in San Francisco.” Website here, Facebook here.

The new album 'Rolling Sea' due for release next week comprises of eleven songs and the featured track 'The Last Tasmanian Wolf' gives some feel for this fine album. Indie and alt rock, sometime upbeat and even a little gritty, other times softer and quite refined, the album mixes the genres and every song carries it's weight, well worth a full listen at the least.


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Febueder - Morning Yawn.

Background - Morning Yawn' is the first single from English alt-pop outfit Febueder's forthcoming EP From an Album. The song is about galvanising against the trickery, the doubt, the hoax – whatever form that may take in an individual's life. The driving bassline, haunting chanted harmonies, and impassioned vocals are the sound of the tether breaking. This is waking up. Directed by Timothy Jacob Elledge, the video brings the gripping track to life with a raw clarity. 

Febueder (pronounced Fe-byou-der) is lead vocalist/multi-instrumentalist Kieran Godfrey, percussionist Samuel Keysell, and Toby Ingram on bass. 

On May 12 they will release their From an Album EP, a rousing five track project which harnesses the ambition and creative intent typically reserved for a full length release. It captures Febueder in their element, assured in their ability and vision, and emotionally deft in their approach. Facebook here.

It's the vocals that stand out first of all, followed by a refined and funky soundtrack. 'Morning Yawn' is a very addictive song, that builds into a feast of sounds and is accompanied by a video that interprets the piece with dance.


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TUELO - Saint Margaret.

Background - TUELO is led by South African born Tuelo Minah, who blends soul and punk-rock to make what's been dubbed "revival music." She sounds a bit like the rebellious daughter of Nina Simone and David Bowie who grew up listening to the Sex Pistols and Blondie, and took music lessons from Miriam Makeba. 

"Saint Margaret" is a homage to Tuelo's mother, Seabi, whose "English" name is Margaret. After leaving her family farm in South Africa and coming to America, Tuelo found her voice and music as a guide to conquer herself. Her mother has yet to hear her sing or see her perform, yet she remains a favorite topic amongst fans because of how Tuelo weaves her into every conversation and every show. Tuelo credits her love for people, environment, tradition, culture, words and learning, spirituality, and her non-conformist and awkward nature to her mum, and often remarks that if somebody had told her as a child that her mother was God, she would have been a believer a long time ago. 

​TUELO's unreal vocals have filled some incredible venues - Brooklyn Bowl​, Carnegie Hall, Late Night with David Letterman, Central Park Summer Stage, and most recently The Apollo for the Africa Now Festival. Her next show is on a bit of a smaller scale, at Rockwood Music Hall on May 9th. Facebook here.

Tuelo Minah's powerful and passionate vocals make 'Saint Margaret' an outstanding song in their own right. The music adds more with a well balanced soundtrack, that supports the vocals providing a rock feel to a soulful song.

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The Rhythm Express ft Maiko Watson - Principe Valiente - Naomi Wachira - Max Subar

The Rhythm Express - Jolene ft Maiko Watson.

Background - A few months back I was turned on to a haunting YouTube clip of Dolly Parton singing her most recorded song, “Jolene”. The original 1973 track had been slowed from single format to long playing 33 1/3 speed. That listening experience was both eerie and a revelation. No doubt, Dolly Parton possesses a grand set of pipes. Slowed down it becomes more evident, in that every inflection, bend in a vowel, a word is extraordinary and rocked with emotion. 

With that in mind and captivated by the change of tempo, I began hearing other possibilities. What if this was done with a reggae feel - early Bob Marley and Wailer's rhythm section style and backing vocals reminiscent Marley’s backup singers, the I-Threes. Acutely aware Parton and a cappella sing group Pentatonix just won a Grammy for Best Country Duo/Group Award with an updated version of ‘Jolene’; the song’s alluring story, sumptuous melody and sweeping beauty was more than the Rhythm Express could resist. 

In fact, we decided to keep the song’s country charm with a guest appearance from guitarist Tim Boviconti of Ron Sexsmith/ Burton Cummings fame. Tim’s lap steel, acoustic and electric guitar keeps our ‘Jolene’ rooted in tradition. Great songs lend themselves to all sorts of interpretation. ‘Jolene’ rocks our world. - Enjoy, Bill King (Jolene 7 Arts/Side Door Records). The Rhythm Express Facebook here, Maiko Watson Facebook here.

Making a cover version of a song as instantly recognisable as 'Jolene' does call for some reinterpretation to make it worthwhile. In this case the reggae meets Americana approach is both respectful and creative. Musically The Rhythm Express add their top quality credentials and provide a superb soundtrack, with Maiko Watson's vocals ensuring the genre crossover works. Fabulous version!

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Principe Valiente - Strangers In The Night.

Background - After an outstanding self-titled debut album in 2011 and the breathtaking „Choirs Of Blessed Youth“ in 2014, the Swedish post punk / shoegaze band lead by Fernando Honorato, true to their vision, continues to carve out its own unique musical path. Drawing inspiration from ambient experimentalists like Cocteau Twins, 80's sci-fi soundtracks as well as exuberant vocalists like Bowie and Kate Bush, Principe Valiente ventured deeper into the sonic landscapes of their minds.

The intensity of the athmospheric sound and the interplay of melodic guitar strings, the dark drifting drums, rhythmic bass lines and above all the warm, emotional voice of the singer, have remained. The listener is captured in a mixture of longing and loneliness, which is fluently and hypnotically directed. Calm pieces alternate with energetic compositions, such as the recently released single "Strangers In The Night", and give the album a strong note of ambivalence. The second single "Wildest Flowers" will follow on 28th of April.

With their third work „Oceans“, the band has created another alluring world with "human, all too human" lyrics and phantasmagorical soundscapes. Cool, yet impassioned and loaded with sweet anxiety, Principe Valiente have managed to make an irresistibly beautiful and intense continuation of what was started in the previous two albums.

„Oceans“ was partly recorded by the producer Martin Ehrencrona (Les Big Byrd), and partly in various basements and art school lobbies around their hometown Stockholm, Sweden. The combination of innovative and inspired material makes for an invigorating listen as it is difficult to pinpoint in regard to genre. „Oceans“ will be released on May 12th, 2017 on CD and as a download by afmusic, and as a limited Vinyl edition by Manic Depression Records. Website here, Facebook here.

'Strangers In The Night' has a dark almost Gothic feel to it. Layered rock music swirls around, whilst the vocals add even more atmosphere. There is enough melody, but only enough, the band ensure the feeling they create as the song builds makes this a hypnotic piece.

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Naomi Wachira - Beautifully Human.

Background - “I am an African girl, well I know where I’m coming from, and I know who I want to be...”  is the defiant soul-anthem that jumpstarted Afro-Folk Singer/Songwriter Naomi Wachira onto a whole new path and calling. The words from the title track, African Girl, on her first EP release (2012) paved the way for this Kenyan-born, Seattle-based artist, who is determined make a contribution in the world by offering music that is poignant, hopeful and life-giving.   Five years later, with a critically acclaimed self-titled album (2014), an acoustic EP “ I am Because You Are (2015), comes her sophomore album Song of Lament, which she says, ‘was born out the many tragic losses we’ve witnessed globally - ranging from cases of police brutality to the refugee crisis - that made me grieve about who we’ve become, but also burned a desire in me to create art that would serve society at large and hopefully lessen the chaos around us.’    

Song of Lament, which was recorded at historic London Bridge Studio (Seattle, WA) with producer Eric Lilavois (Saint Motel, Atlas Genius, My Chemical Romance), is a testament to Wachira fully embracing her creative power and its ability spread goodness to the world. As the world churns with chaos and self-inflicted woes born out of fear and mistrust of the ‘other’, she hopes the album will be a balm, a beacon of hope, a reminder of both our darkness and light, but also the belief that mindfulness and empathy can serve humanity in much better ways.  The album delves into issues of violence funneled through political ideologies by weaving real life events with thoughtfulness and compassion, while asking questions about how human beings arrive at this place of utter darkness (Heart of a Man). She highlights issues of human equality, especially when it undermines the divine sacredness of those who are different  (Beautifully Human) and longs for a society that truly takes care of each other (I am Because You Are).  

With an uprise in chaos all over the world,  she acknowledges how easy it is to despair on the status of a world that is hell bent on destroying itself (Up in Flames).  She sings a mournful dirge for the countless lives lost at sea while escaping war torn homelands in search of peace and dignity (Farewell) and questions those who perpetuate violence in the name of faithful religious expression (Where is God?).  And with an existential yearning, she wonders why Africa, one of the most resourceful continents in the world, has struggled to find her footing (Song of Lament).  But not all the songs are heavy.  Her first and last tracks (Our Days Are Numbered, Think Twice) are a reminder that while the sun does not discriminate between the good and the bad, fulfillment is found when we spend our days practicing kindness and wisdom and taking account that our actions really do matter, when all's said and done. She joyously blesses her mother and father, with whom she credits for the woman she is today (Mûrathimwo) and encourages all of us who’ve hit rock bottom in life and feel disillusioned, to never give up or look back (Run, Run, Run).

There is no doubt Wachira is determined to create a niche in the world with her uplifting and sombering music and perhaps inch us closer to one another as we remember our shared humanity.  And like the two predecessors she has long admired, Tracy Chapman and Miriam Makeba, she hopes that she can truly make the world a better place.  Asked about what she really hopes to accomplish with this album she says, “if there’s one thing I learned from my parents, it is to try and leave a place better than I found it. My hope is that this album will do just that. I know we are certainly living in dark times, but I hope that we will all find the courage to be light in whatever way we’ve been gifted… that we will seek to understand those who are different from us and find ways to both acknowledge and celebrate our differences and similarities.” Website here, Facebook here.

The leading single 'Beautifully Human' from the sophomore album "Songs of Lament" is quite stunning. Naomi's vocals have melodic power and range, the music leans a little towards a reggae beat and is vibrant throughout. A song with a simple and yet poignant message, leaves me looking forward to the album with both intrigue and some unashamed excitement.

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Max Subar - Balcony.

Background - Chicago-based singer-songwriter Max Subar has shared his third single "Balcony". Prior to this single Max released two other tracks. The first was "Morning Song", which debuted on Impose and the second was "Blue And Green", which premiered on All Things Go. All three songs will be featured on his debut EP 'In A Dream' due out April 28, 2017. 

Singer/songwriter Max Subar aims to remain bound to his midwestern roots with songs that radiate closeness and warmth. Growing up, his mother’s old nylon guitar became a familiar friend in the wake of moving to Australia and back as well as his parents’ divorce. Max’s grounded relationship to songwriting has helped shed light on his own experiences and struggles; from euphoric intimacy to the isolation of depression and anxiety. His debut EP reflects upon themes of love, loss, and reflection. Website here, Facebook here.

'Balcony' is our second feature for Max Subar, we shared 'Morning Song' a few weeks back. The vocals are again quite intimate and grow in power as the song unfolds, whilst the music is a work of quality and craftsmanship.

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So Many Wizards - JFDR - Garrett Pierce - Hayride Casualties

So Many Wizards - Before She Runs.

Background - So Many Wizards is the dreamy, jangly dream-punk project led by Nima Kazerouni. The band have shared "Before She Runs", the third track off their upcoming album. 'Heavy Vision' is due April 14 on Lolipop Records. 

What began as a solo bedroom project indebted to Syd Barrett evolved into a fully-formed band that has garnered attention from Pitchfork, Stereogum, Aquarium Drunkard, and Impose Magazine; spins on BBC 1, KCRW, and SiriusXM (courtesy of Lou Reed); festival stops at SXSW and CMJ; and US and UK tours. A week after the release of their debut album, Warm Nothing, Kazerouni’s daughter was born causing his sudden move to Tucson, Arizona, taking him 500 miles away from his bandmates. Despite the distance, the band managed to release their “Night Chills”/”Daydream” 7”, a single with Converse Rubber Tracks, and shared the stage with Thee Oh Sees, No Age, Colleen Green, Audacity, Feels, Terry Malts, Lovely Bad Things, and more.

Now as a father, the delusion of adulthood began to set in. A new collection of fears and anxieties began to creep into his psyche. This was exacerbated by a series of deaths – a family member, a best friend, and the end of an 8-year long relationship. The experience left Kazerouni spiritually exhausted, culminating in a nervous breakdown, or “nervous breakthrough.” Kazerouni was finally able to lose a grip of himself and let all the problems and anxieties that he tried so hard to ignore wash over him. It was here where Kazerouni found refuge in the idea of mortality, instilling in him a newfound determination to make the most of the present, because everyone’s life ultimately ends the same way. This emotional journey, from its dark hues to its liberated epiphany, is chronicled in Heavy Vision. Facebook here.

The vocals are buried deep within the mix and to a degree almost resonate as an additional musical instrument on 'Before She Runs' a delicious dream punk song. With refined musicianship and excellent production this is an additive song.

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JFDR - Destiny Is Upon Us.

Background - The newest video from JFDR entitled "Destiny Is Upon Us". It is the fifth track to get a video off of JFDR's recently released debut album 'Brazil'.

JFDR, the latest project from Iceland's Jófríður Ákadóttir (Samaris, Pascal Pinon, Gangly), is a blend of cyclical guitar parts, soft minimal soundscapes, and poetic wanderings of a journey that ends where it began. Drawing from classical, folk, and electronic backgrounds, JFDR amalgamates the sounds of changing seasons, her voice a current that moves through rough seas to smooth waters. But perhaps JFDR shines the most in her capacity as a wordsmith, employing rich imagery to evoke the subtle emotions embedded in each song.

“I got obsessed with her band Samaris a few years ago,” says Björk, “and then it was amazing to see her do her own stuff. She’s surrounded herself with a really authentic community of friends. There are probably about 150 musicians in Reykjavik, and groups there sort of become the opposite of each other, like, ‘Oh, that singer’s dressed like that, I better dress the opposite.’ Such is the tight-knit scene in Iceland, she continues, that “you naturally develop individuality. Also, you’ll be in a classical band and an electronic band and a metal band, and that’s okay. Everything blurs into each other, which I’m sure you can hear in Icelandic music.” - Björk, (The Guardian) ‘Björk On Her Inspirations’. Facebook here.

Our second feature for JFDR and the new video for 'Destiny Is Upon Us'. Once again we are treated to some fine imagery that allows the music to take centre stage. Original, alternative, creative and gorgeous music and just one dimension of a fabulous album.


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Garrett Pierce - These Wounds/Enough.

Background -  SF artist Garrett Pierce shares two new tracks from his forthcoming album, Dusk. Both songs deal with different kinds of heartbreak, "These Wounds" the traditional kind felt after a romantic breakup and "Enough" tackles problems Pierce faced growing up that were beyond his control - he wrote this about "Enough": "This song explores the problems people face in the Tenderloin through a first-person account.  I grew up with a mother with mental health and drug problems, and I was nearly homeless myself during my senior year of high school, so I’ve channeled my experiences to paint a picture of life on the streets.  We recorded around forty tracks of instrumentation (with multiple tracks of keyboards and guitars) to make this song the most lush on the album.”

Garrett Pierce began writing for magazines and playing in rock bands as a teen in Los Angeles before permanently relocating to the Bay Area in the early 2000’s. His first full-length album Like A Moth was a stripped down acoustic affair with guest appearances by notable songwriters Jolie Holland and Matt Bauer. Garrett then traveled and toured Europe where he was honored to support Nick Cave in Greece. With a pocketful of songs, he returned to make All Masks (Crossbill Records) - a lush album recorded in the gold rush town of Columbia, CA featuring strings, wind instruments and a cast of over ten musicians.

Garrett's 2012 record City of Sand (Narnack Records) was largely biographical, commenting on his dizzying relationship with the city and growing desire to leave for more natural settings. During this period, Garrett began splitting his time between Sonoma County and San Francisco - playing clubs throughout the bay area at night and working in the wine industry during the day.

Garrett has completed his fourth record titled Dusk which was released on April 14, 2017 in partnership with Crossbill Records (here), Facebook here.

'These Wounds' and 'Enough' are two superb songs from Garrett Pierce, an artist we first featured in early February. I was pretty certain I wanted the album on the strength of just one song, these two have sealed the deal. Exceptional songs in my opinion.


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Hayride Casualties - The Catskills Aint For Sale.

Background - Everyone would agree that we live in strange, uncertain times, yet too much of the music we listen to fails to reflect this sense back to us. Hayride Casualties is one band defined and driven by the political and ecological crises of our age.

Started in 2013 by songwriter and activist Daniel DeWald and bluegrass musician Jack Marshall, Hayride Casualties released Live at 226 Madison, a gritty, live EP of an apartment concert attended mostly by young folks working on campus fossil fuel divestment campaigns in NYC. A few months later, the band released single A Hundred Thousand Dollars a Day, a satirical ode to then Exxon Mobil CEO, Rex Tillerson.

In the summer of 2014, Marshall left the band, taking much (but not all) of the bluegrass influence with him. DeWald spent the next three years meticulously reimagining the band’s sound. Hayride’s debut full length album, Fossil Fuel Kid, is the culmination of that vision: a blend of the band’s earlier folk and bluegrass-inspired licks with DeWald’s love of hard-hitting underground and indie rock.

With a lineup including drummer Tim McCoy (Darwin Deez, formerly Savoire Adore), bassist/composer Chris Bordeaux (formerly The Aisles and Raheem), guitarist Mike Abuiso (formerly The Gay Blades, The Venetia Fair) and singer/songwriters Alex Pastuhov and Lesley Barth, Hayride Casualties are masters at creating both barebones acoustic arrangements and rock numbers that seriously rock. Lyrically, DeWald has found a home on the razor’s edge: speaking simply and definitively to the environmental and other existential crises of our time, while managing to escape the cringeworthy directness, or, overly cryptic messaging too often observed in protest music. Hayride Casualties' upcoming album is titled Fossil Fuel Kid, Facebook here, Bandcamp here.

One of ten songs from the forthcoming album release is 'The Catskills Ain't For Sale'. It's an album that can be folk and acoustic one moment, and polished indie rock the next. Musicianship is tight and of a high standard, vocals are just right whatever direction each song might take.

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Ratboys - Kudu Blue - T.E. Yates - Mt. Wolf

Ratboys - Control.

Background - Chicago's Ratboys, led by singer/guitarist Julia Steiner and guitarist Dave Sagan, will release its sophomore album entitled GN on June 30th (Topshelf Records). Drawing influence from the down-to-earth sincerity of late-90s Sheryl Crow and the confessional confidence of Kim Deal and Jenny Lewis, the songs on GN (aka ‘goodnight’) “largely detail experiences of saying goodbye, finding your way home, and then figuring out what the hell to do once you’re back,” says Steiner. The Fader, who premiered the album's first single, "Control" says "the song is a perfect example of the special, personal nature of their music.​"

GN offers a bevy of tales, laments and triumphs, which recount near-tragedies by the train tracks, crippling episodes of loneliness, remembrances of a deceased family pet with freezer burn, and on and on. The songs shift and breathe as worlds all their own, tied together by the group’s self-proclaimed ‘post-country’ sound, which combines moments of distortion and a DIY aesthetic with a devotion to simple songwriting and ties to the Americana sounds of years past.

The songs chosen to close both sides of the record – the slow-burning "Crying About the Planets’" and quizzical "Peter the Wild Boy" - unpack the respective journeys of two real people who were quite literally lost and found. ""Crying" tells the survival story of Antarctic explorer Douglas Mawson from a first-person perspective, and "Peter" reflects on the life of a feral child in Germany who was eventually adopted by the King of England," according to Steiner.

Certain personal stories - the tour adventures recapped in "GM," the struggle to learn to show affection as divulged in "Molly" - find Ratboys just as eagerly exploring subject matter that comes from within, and then illustrating the highs and lows with soaring hooks and plaintive ones. Even in the moments that lie somewhere between bliss and misery, a tension persists between Steiner’s sweet vocal delivery and Sagan’s physical, almost-off-the-hinges guitar playing that lends each song a deeper sense of colour and movement.

Ratboys join Pet Symmetry and PWR BTTM for a handful of US shows this summer. All confirmed tour dates on Beehive Candy's tour page. Bandcamp here, Facebook here.

'Control' is an alt rock song that features melodic hooks throughout. The vocals and guitars interact with each other giving the track some additional feeling, it's likeable from the start, and by the finish it's a must listen to again, type of song.

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Kudu Blue - Drink Alone.

Background - Brighton based electronic pop four-piece Kudu Blue have unveiled new single ‘Drink Alone’ - the brilliant second track to be lifted from their much-anticipated debut EP, ‘Shaded’. Written, recorded, and produced entirely in one of their bedrooms in their hometown of Brighton, the upcoming EP incorporates a diverse set of influences to create something that sounds both timeless, yet refreshingly modern.

Pairing glistening RnB touched production ideas, with pop-leaning songwriting, ‘Drink Alone’ is a song which elegantly swells, exposing layers of inspiration and influence as it drifts forward. 

The idea behind new single ‘Drink Alone’ was conceived by singer Clementine Douglas whilst working a bar shift in their home town of Brighton: "The lyrical inspiration came a few years ago now. I was working in a pub in Brighton and we'd often have a drink during our shift. This one day I was trying to be good and decided to stick to some nutritious H2O. The girl that I was working with said "please don't make me drink alone", I thought it could be a good song premise so wrote it down, then had a pint."

The final finished recording of the track itself has been a long in the making. "The track is one of the first that we wrote as a band and has been in the set over 2 years now” the band explains. "It seems to go down well live and people often sing it back to us after the show. It's probably quite relatable, we're in England — everyone likes a drink.” Facebook here.

Our second feature this year for Kudu Blue with the newly released song 'Drink Alone'. Once again the band provide us with another stylish and beautifully constructed song that mixes genres like a cocktail, one that can be drank alone but is better shared (oops, couldn't resist)...

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T.E. Yates - Media Machine.

Background - Most musicians boast of exploding onto their local scene in a glittering blaze of media hype and spontaneous applause. The unassuming, unusual and enigmatic T.E. Yates however, snuck in through an open window.

His name was not on the top line of event posters but rather a discreet artist signature in the bottom corner; his first gig flyers and album covers were ones he designed for other bands not himself. He’s performed in front of huge crowds but always as a hired hand or supporting player, a multi-instrumentalist in the shadows – mandolin, banjo, harmonica, even musical saw – you may have heard him on the tracks of other artists without even knowing it. But now T.E. Yates has stepped out of the shadows, taking centre-stage with a formidable backing band (both onstage and on record) comprising members of Victorian Dad, The Bedlam Six, Ottersgear, Gorilla Riot and Honeyfeet.

Even when performing solo the man doesn’t travel light, his weird and wonderful drawings regularly making an appearance between songs, baffling and delighting audiences in equal measures.
His debut album “Silver Coins And White Feathers” is by turns moving, catchy and ambitious, brimming with influences from all across the genre spectrum, the subject matter ranging from astronomy to the Suffrage movement – a real treat for music lovers of all persuasions.

T. E. Yates' debut album 'Silver Coins and White Feathers' is released through Debt Records on Friday 26th May, with a launch party at Gullivers in Manchester’s Northern Quarter on Thursday 25th May. The launch event also features support from The Happy Soul, Aidan Smith and James G. Wilson, with a DJ set from the album’s producer Biff Roxby. Website here, Facebook here.

The opening track on the forthcoming 'Silver Coins and White Feathers' album, is entitled 'Media Machine'. The featured song gives an idea of the style you can expect from the twelve tracks that make up the LP, however this is a collection that ensures each song has individual character. If 'Media Machine' makes an impact with you, the album will not disappoint, in fact I would suggest there are plenty of stronger pieces within this collection, all in all this is worth a full listen at the very least.

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Mt. Wolf - Heavenbound.

Background - London’s Mt. Wolf have experienced much since their early days as a band – line-up changes, enviable hype and interest and, most of all, a sense of expectation that has never left them. With upcoming debut album Aetherlight set to not only meet but exceed those tall expectations, today they release the emotive and thought-provoking video to the anthemic “Heavenbound”. The song owes a melodic debt to the literate, epic songcraft of Echo & The Bunnymen and The National while retaining the sky-scraping atmospherics that have become the band’s trademark, capturing the band at perhaps their most anthemic yet. Visually, the short films captures that same ethereal connection as it charts a man’s final minutes, projecting the sense that love will always be so much stronger than hate.

The director James Ayling, of Cape Films, says of the video: “I think everyone will have their own interpretation of the video. For me, it was about the idea of death acting as a force to unite people. For some death offers the chance to reflect and ask for forgiveness; for others, it provides an opportunity to find peace and the ability to forgive.”

And this from Mt. Wolf frontman and album co-producer Bassi: “'Heavenbound' deals with the different journeys entangled with death. The song is largely about letting go and moving on, while the video takes a slightly different approach: compassion, forgiveness and unconditional love for others can triumph in the face of hate and violence.”

Our first taste of Aetherlight was the 6 minute opus “The Electric” and now alongside the video for “Heavenbound” the album is now available to pre-order direct from their label CRC Music here, Facebook here.

'Heavenbound' is the third song we have featured from Mt. Wolf a band that continue to impress, with a distinct, mature and lofty sound. The video is emotive and pretty deep stuff, it does however add to a track that is heavy on meaning, and delivered with absolute beauty.


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The Foreign Resort - Wy - Idiio - Hajk - John K. Samson

The Foreign Resort - She Is Lost.

Background - Danish post-punk trio The Foreign Resort release their new single 'She is Lost' on April 19. This is the first song from the band’s next full length album, marking a return to the analogue sound of their 'New Frontiers' album, only this time the sound is more minimalistic and with plenty of electronics and spacious drums to create a dreamy yet upbeat soundscape full of contrast. The release is timed with a 10-day Canadian tour and a performance in Toronto at the prestigious Canadian Music Week. 

For lead singer Mikkel B. Jakobsen 'She is Lost' is a very personal song about what he sarcastically refers to as “the summer of love”: “It was one of the worst summers in my life. I came out strong on the other side, but this song was written partly when things were looking very bad and I was not doing the right things to get to a better place and partly when I had realized it was not just me who was the problem. Hence the title 'She is Lost'.” 

The band has also contributed the track 'Skyline/Decay' to 'Alternative F?acts: A Shoegaze Resistance Compilation'. Curated by DKFM Shoegaze Radio, this involves shoegaze and dream pop artists in opposition to tyranny, and in support of civil liberties and women's health. All proceeds from this compilation shall be split evenly between American Civil Liberties Union and Planned Parenthood. 

The Foreign Resort are Denmark's finest musical export of post-punk and dark new wave, led by singer and songwriter Mikkel Borbjerg Jakobsen. The band combines the shadowy mysticism of The Cure’s Pornography era with a driving production aesthetic akin to LCD Soundsystem. Intricate reverb-enveloped guitar lines glide over Steffan Petersen’s motorik bass and Morten Hansen’s powerful drumming, all while Mikkel’s taut and sincere vocal delivery demands your attention. Bandcamp here, Facebook here, website here, tour details on Beehive Candy's tour page.

We are featuring the album version of the new single release 'She Is Lost'. With a very tight rhythm and vocals and guitar carrying the melody, this is a gorgeously refined post punk song.

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Wy - Bathrooms.

Background - Wy stands out like a diamond in the rough in the midst of the occurring comeback of the dream pop genre. The duo combines mellow instrumentation with attitude and desperation - incisive guitar melodies in combination with Ebba's powerful vocals make their songs swiftly shift between a feeling of dejection and hope. 

With their floating synthesizers and melancholic guitars Wy do sad pop music where bare emotions are camouflaged by reverbed pop melodies. This young duo serves up a taste of tears in heaven.

With their debut-EP "Never Was" they gave a glimpse of the deep emotion that lays ground for their contemporary sound. Their upcoming first full-length LP "Okay" will seek to arouse even deeper emotions, with the duo continuing their exploration of the doubt and confusion of being a 20-something today. 

Preserving their sound, but in a well-groomed manner, the first single "Bathrooms" from their upcoming album surely will touch some of your inner areas that you might have forgotten about. Facebook here.

Deep, dreamy and slowly flowing 'Bathrooms' is a beautiful soulful and moody sounding pop song. Full of emotion, the video helps convey the feeling further. Keeping a watch for the new album.


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Idiio - One Night.

Background - Raised in Christchurch, New Zealand and now residing on the Gold Coast, Australia, Idiio are known for their passion towards music. They strive to create emotion through music around people, whatever the situation may be. Idiio are keen as biscuits to today release their new single into our ears. After receiving worldwide adornment with their breakout single, 'Holding Me Back', Idiio's new track, 'One Night' is out today via GD FRNDS.

'One Night' is Idiio appearing as their most resolute to date. Distinctly haunting, the song cruises on neo-soul vibes before descending into some cleverly structured, yet weighty and solemn bass dips. Taking cues from contemporaries Sampha and Jarryd James, Idiio craft ingenious and sensual electronica.

Frontman Tyler Vivian said this about the track, "'One Night' is a calling from a higher energy that you are pouring your heart and soul into. You'd grow with that person being the blossomed flowers on the tree that represents you. But the higher energy gives you insight to be weary about who this person really is, under all the roses. Put trust in that consciousness, put trust in your gut feeling."

After a generous heap of lineup shifts and now adding two live members as permanent editions, Idiio retain as a blusterous four-piece format–sparing nothing when it comes to their power of soul electronica. Emotions are high for Idiio's reinventive clench on electronic music and 'One Night' pushes them further into the void. Facebook here, tour details on Beehive Candy's tour page.

Mixing soul and electronic music in a highly creative manner Idiio have delivered a superb song with 'One Night'. Vocals bring the soulful feelings and the soundtrack is rich in content and something to be enjoyed with the volume just a little up!

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Hajk - Nothing Left To Say.

Background - Hajk's new single 'Nothing Left To Say' is out this week on all streaming services. Debut album 'Hajk' out Spring 17 via Jansen Plateproduksjon.

Hajk’s debut album is finally here, and the newest member of the Jansen family dazzles us all. Their beguiling mix of indie and intricate pop smarts has gone straight to the hearts of the listeners and fans.

Their first release, Common Sense, was listed by Norwegian radio stations almost before the band got out of their rehearsal space, and the follow-up single Magazine received a great reception from international media. In the US, Vice picked up the single straight away, and this blazed the trail for the band over there. Indie Shuffle went on to include Magazine in their top 10 songs of 2016.

Considering that they’re such a fresh band, Hajk have been surprisingly quick to adjust themselves. Not long after they’d written enough for a set of music, they played at Slottsfjellfestivalen, Øyafestivalen and by:Larm. They were playlisted by radio before they left the stage at those festivals, and now they’re here – with a confident debut and a collection of songs that any band would have envied.

Hajk are fronted by Preben Sælid Andersen and Sigrid Aase, who share the vocals, while Johan Nord (drums), Knut Olav Buverud Sandvik (bass) and Einar Næss Haugeth (keys) are the band’s backbone. Musically, Hajk are situated in a modern landscape, but looking back to the fine pop of the past, with an emphasis on very strong melodies. The band are influenced by artists like Dirty Projectors, Unknown Mortal Orchestra and Amason, but still they stand firmly on their own feet, with an original sound that also challenges the genre they belong to. Facebook here.

'Nothing Left To Say' might be described as funky indie pop, and as such you can expect plenty of hooks alongside some vibrant music and vocals.



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John K. Samson - Alpha Adept.

Background - John K. Samson has released a new video for “Alpha Adept”, a song from his latest full-length album, Winter Wheat, which was released in October last year, on Anti-.

The video was made by John K. Samson’s good friend and musician/artist Shotgun Jimmie, who made the video for John as a present.

John K. Samson will be touring in Europe and UK in May this year. Website here, Facebook here, tour details on Beehive Candy's tour page.

Second time around on Beehive Candy for John K Samson and this time with the new video for 'Alpha Adept'. Another fetching song that is accompanied by some intriguing images that give there own story line to the song.


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Souvenir Driver - HotKid - Peaking Lights - San Mei - Mount Song

Souvenir Driver - Voices Of A Traveler.

Background - Portland-based shoegaze band Souvenir Driver new self-titled LP is out today, April 14th via High School Records. The upcoming album was recorded by Tommy Dietrick (David J, Drinking Flowers) in an isolated cabin (a-la-Bon-Iver) on Mt. Hood in Oregon, the 8-track release showcases the four-piece band’s genre-bending sound that blends indie, psychedelic, dream pop, rock and shoegaze. 

The record was mixed and overdubbed at Trench Studios with Gregg Williams (Blitzen Trapper, Dandy Warhols, Sheryl Crow) and mastered by Timothy Stollenwerk (Grouper, Dead Moon, Crocodiles).

This new album will be the band’s fourth release and was written during a four month tour hiatus. The band took their cues from a Lou Reed quote and created this new body of work with minimal chords, while putting their focus on the melodies and moods. Themes range from human vulnerability to relationships to nature to… turtles. Yes, turtles - because of their perception and representation of strength and movement. Separating from the prior album’s vibe, this new release will have a more breezy, casual energy. Bandcamp here, Facebook here, website here.

'Voices Of A Traveler' has the relaxed, easy going feel that is found across the new album. The featured track has a guitar driven melody, with the vocals adding some natural feeling to an alt rock type of song.

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HotKid - Caught In The Light.

Background from HotKid - We are pumped to share “Caught In The Light” from our new LP, Late Night Mornings. “Caught In The Light” is about that feeling of escape you get from watching your favourite old movie, or when you’re upfront at a concert. It’s about that longing to be taken outside of yourself, out of the everyday. It also recognizes how we all exist in-between those moments of escape.

Late Night Mornings is our first full length album as a three piece. Adding bass to our previous guitar/drums duo has allowed for a little more space and freedom in the songwriting and production. 

Working with producer Adam King (Lowell, Mad Ones) gave us the opportunity to spend time experimenting in the studio. We also incorporated self-recorded elements, giving the album a range that spans from more produced and experimental, to a little more raw and immediate. The album is out May 5th. Website here, Facebook here. Live dates on Beehive Candy's tour page.

There is something of a psych meets indie rock vibe with 'Caught In The Light'. Energised and vibrant the song is catchy right from the start.

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Peaking Lights - Everytime I See The Light.

Background - Peaking Lights announce new album 'The Fifth State Of Consciousness' out 16th June 2017 on Two Flowers Records. “A  journey thru an alien landscape where the dream world tells stories of lost innocence, finding strength and seeking an enlightened state of being after trials and tribulations all wrapped up in  two syrupy dubbed to the bone balearic pancakes sprinkled with powdered psychedelia.” — Peaking Lights.

Peaking Lights’ fifth studio album, "The Fifth State Of Consciousness", is a 12-track, double LP produced in the band’s Dreamfuzz studio over the course of the last two years. 

Following 2014’s Cosmic Logic LP on Weird World, it marks both a departure from the new and a return to the old, with a whole new twist on the psychedelic dub-pop they’ve become revered for, a listening experience of otherworldly sounds. Through all its peaks and valleys, the larger arc of themes within “The Fifth State Of Consciousness” surround dreams, strength, a loss of innocence, and seeking an enlightened state of being after overcoming life’s trials and tribulations. 

Musically, the album shifts through many states from beginning to end, resembling a car journey through foreign landscapes. A sense of wonderment flows with each track and with every listen, new sounds and eccentricities begin to surface. Bringing together their love of Psychedelic music, House, Electronic and Reggae, each song lives and breathes it’s own life but as an album, remains knitted together by Peaking Lights’ tight, conceptual writing. Facebook here.

'Everytime I See The Light' is a very well crafted track, that is upbeat both musically and vocally, with a lively beat adding extra fizz.

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San Mei - Until You Feel Good.

Background - San Mei returns with a spectacular first release for 2017, with brand new single 'Until You Feel Good' and a national tour to follow . After the success of last cut 'Rewind', the Gold Coast multi-instrumentalist is gathering some serious momentum, heading straight out on a headline tour in Melbourne and Sydney, capped off with a cheeky support slot for North East Party House in Brisbane. 

'Until You Feel Good' takes San Mei's intoxicating vocals and molds them into lush harmonic arrangements, which glide seamlessly over fuzzy guitar riffs. Combined with understated, subtle production from Konstantin Kersting (The Belligerents, WAAX, Tia Gostelow), the track is full of laid back grooves which escalate into soaring alt-rock melodies. 

Achieving quite the list of accomplishments, San Mei has shared stages with Evar Klar, Polish Club, Elliphant and playing The Mountain Goat Valley Crawl just in the last six months. Swiftly amassing followers from across the globe, she's also received props from the likes of  NME, Indie Shuffle, Nylon Mag and triple j - where she also gained spot rotation for previous single 'Rewind'. Facebook here.

Beautiful dreamy and sweeping vocals are supported by a rhythmic indie pop soundtrack making 'Until You Feel Good' very enticing, and with a simmering refrain it gets even better.

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Mount Song - Here it goes.

Background - Mount Song is pleased to share the second single from his new album "Mount Song" this week. Intimate, heavy and explosive, 'Here It Goes' merges dark, hazy atmospherics to create a moving reaction to loss and change. Back in 2014, singer-songwriter Jacob Johansson released his critically acclaimed debut album under the moniker Det Stora Monstret (The Big Monster). In their review, GAFFA (Sweden's biggest music magazine) named it “Swedish debut of the year and it was nominated for both the Swedish GAFFA-award and the Manifest-prize. Now, Jacob is back with a brand-new venture to sit alongside it: Mount Song. 

Together with his band (Karl Vento, Knut Källgren, Lovisa Samuelsson) and co-producer Filip Leyman (Anna Von Hausswolff, Albert af Ekenstam, Det Stora Monstret), Jacob performs songs that describe and question the world we live in with an intensity, sincerity and an urgency so strong, they force you to stop and listen. His songs are poetic, political and have been described by some as relevant on a global, as well as common, existential plane. 

Brought up on grunge, Jacob's influences range from the psychedelia of The Flaming Lips and MGMT to the more sombre likes of Jose Gonzalez, Bonnie 'Prince' Billy' and Jeff Buckley, whose rich influences this debut offers more than a glimpse into. Life, love, death and fear also seep into the subject matter and make for an emotional listen at times, however always giving way to an ultimate message of hope. 
On the album's subject matter, Jacob says: “I write about that which feels urgent to me, the things that knock me out; my encounters with life's monsters. That which feels most urgent for me in the moment becomes the content of the songs.” Facebook here.

There is plenty of power and sometimes restraint provided through some fuzzy guitars, bass and drums. These provide 'Here it goes' with just the right music for some natural and emotive vocals and harmonies. Potent and passionate alt rock, this suggests the forthcoming album, is one to keep in mind.

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Natalie Bouloudis - Pipsy - Emma Elisabeth

Natalie Bouloudis - Firebird.

Background - About Natalie Bouloudis “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.” 

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. 

About ‘Firebird’ - I wanted to capture a strong empowering feeling in this song, the protagonist is a femme fatale character.  I wanted it to sound like a 60’s girl group jamming with a 90’s grunge band.  Essentially ‘Firebird’ is about taking charge of your destiny, walking through the fire and coming out the other side just as the mythical firebird or phoenix is the embodiments of obtaining a new life by arising from the ashes of its predecessor this song is about emerging out of darker times stronger than ever and looking forward all the way. Facebook here.

Taken from the five song EP 'Dead Sea Scripts' we have 'Firebird'. Natalie's vocals are the first notable feature, exuding passion and sounding so heartfelt and determined. Musically there is a powerful yet uncomplicated soundtrack that adds to the emotion and feel. Like song equals love EP.


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Pipsy - Why Can’t I Get What I Want, For Once?

Background - Pipsy announces their highly anticipated debut single and video ‘Why Can’t I Get What I Want, For Once?’ is released this week via Melbourne (AUS) label Warhammer Kid.

Originally from Dunedin (NZ), Pipsy is the latest project by Melbourne based artist and producer Paul Pouwels.  Named after the local nickname for the Dunedin New Zealand native, Pipsy follows up Paul’s work with critically acclaimed jangle-pop bands Males and blues-luchadors Julian Temple Band. Pouwels steps out from behind the drum kit as a frontman for the new band – offering up visceral, upbeat punk songs, with a soft and gooey pop-caramel core, written during his years as a sideman for other bands in the Dunedin music scene.

Written as a reflection on past mistakes revisiting him time and again, ‘Why Can’t I Get What I Want, For Once?’ is a surprisingly upbeat, tongue-in-cheek musing on bad relationships, bad choices, and that silly desperation that we all feel from time to time – that little voice that says ‘Why me?’, and the other that answers ‘Because you never seem to learn.’ The track was produced by Pipsy’s longtime collaborator Tex Houston, famous for his work with the historically significant Dunedin Sound bands The Clean, The 3ds, and The Verlaines.

Musically, Pipsy explores new psychedelic and soul-pop territories on ‘Why Can’t I Get What I Want, For Once?’ while further stretching his musical muscles by writing, producing, singing and playing guitars and drums on the new track. ‘I felt that it was pretty personal music, so I liked doing as much as I could – plus I still love bashing the drums, so I thought, if Dave (Grohl) can do it, maybe so can I!’ said Pouwels of his turn to songwriting and being a frontman. 

The band is rounded out by Paul’s brother Cameron on bass, longtime collaborator and hip-hop producer Josiah Cowan on guitars, and new member and childhood friend William Powell on drums for live shows.  Pipsy's debut EP will be released later in 2017. Website here, Facebook here.

I get the personal feeling, that was sought for 'Why Can’t I Get What I Want, For Once?' and the video adds a story line with just a little humour for good measure. Musically it's a slightly laid back indie rocker, one that grows quite quickly into a very likable and re playable track.



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Emma Elisabeth - Where Do Tears Go.

Background - Emma Elisabeth is a Swedish artist based in Berlin. She has one foot in the Swedish pop musicscene and the other foot in the fantasies of the fuzzy underground. Sort of like ABBA jamming with Jefferson Airplane and Fleetwood Mac in a 90's grunge club hosted by Garbage. 

A rather wild mixture, which results in playful, gritty pop songs that fearlessly take on hooklines and bring them into unexpected places. It's a shower of jangly guitars and flowing vocal harmonies filled with both elegance and intoxication. 

The expatriate Swede is currently residing in Berlin where she has teamed up with well-renowned producer Victor Van Vugt (Nick Cave, PJ Harvey among others) to produce her upcoming EP.

She has just released her new video "Where Do Tears Go". Facebook here.

'Where Do Tears Go' mixes melodic pop sensibilities with a slightly understated soundtrack that drives the rhythm and adds just enough content to makes it's mark. All of which allows Emma's tuneful, vibrant vocals to add emotion and passion to a very desirable song.


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Olive - Timewarp inc - Narrow Waves - David Philips - Kate Crash

Olive - Changing the World.

Background - Olive announces release of soulful new single ‘Changing the World’, due to be released this Earth Day, April 22nd. 

Olivia Szulgowski, known as Olive, is an independent Australian born artist. Inspired by indie-pop, soul and motown, with a hint of old-skool R&B. Olive has embarked on her own original sound journey, with the essence of the late Amy Winehouse ‘Back to Black’ album, fused with modern-day indie-alt radio hits. “Join me for tea, some afternoon company; we’ll let our fortunes unfurl and talk about ‘Changing the World’”. A big statement from Olive’s debut track titled ‘Changing the World’, the track has a big message and indie-pop, old-soul big band vibe. 

Olive’s debut release is launching this International Earth Day, April 22, to coincide with global consciousness about environmental sustainability for our planet and for us, the humans living on it. Following shortly after the launch of the video, 'Changing the World’ will be relaunched on a worldwide platform by Ear Science Institute Australia, for their global campaign for International Noise Awareness Day, this April 27. 

Don’t be misled by the catchy hook, ‘Changing the World’ delivers a contemporary universal message about each of us doing our small but integral bit. No matter how small the hope, we each have within us the innocence of youth and hope that we can truly make a difference. This soulful message is powerfully portrayed in the head turning music video to be released on the same day. Facebook here.

'Changing the World' starts out simply enough and quickly grows into an extremely catchy song, both musically and vocally. Bright indie pop with some soulful vibes ensures this song gets noticed.

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Timewarp inc - Tropicaliente EP.

Background - The long awaited release from the man behind the label is now true! Timewarp inc returns with a killer new release under the name: Tropicaliente EP. Travel your mind, your body and your soul into the exotic places that Timewarp a.k.a Angelos Stoumpos tried to bring in life through his music. The recipe is simple; all three tracks on the EP are under a common root, that's the Dub, the growing plant births the first twigs, yes that's the funk, and finally we can see the leaves; well yes that's the tropical mood, colorful, happy, sweet, alive and organic! Many great artists participating in this brand new release. 

Half French and half Greek Georges Perin appears on the opening Tropicaliente track with his magical English / French joyful "oh mama" vocals, the lyrics were written with his partner Panagiotis Skraparlis. In this song Al The X-King is responsible for the great performing with his Ukelele. While 7x Greek DMC champion, world finalist legend Sparky T gave his great talented skills, he scratched a few special elements on the track. The rising little star Timewarp Junior appears on the track with his little sweet voice, learning the real word! An instrumental version of the track is also included on the release. 

Reggae on Dope is the next stop. Timewarp tried to give a different breath to his music, approaching reggae & funk with a tropical-mediterranean touch. The result is an amazing non-ordinary track. With his silver flute, Tasos Fotiou is the man behind this great performance. He played precisely the theme melody as Timewarp cached it first on the keyboards, but in the end he gave an extra solo performance with a unique character. Al The X-King is responsible for the great Cuban like chords and the smoked dub and reggae muted guitar riffs. At last Mister Kentro performed the accordion melody line as it was written from Timewarp on the keyboards. Well, that's a dope track indeed! 

Dub in Disco is next, and as the title states it, here you can expect some disco style, slow & down-tempo but yet full groovy with a tropical dub style. Tasos Fotiou participated by providing his great style with a heavy sax section theme score build up. Al The X-King did his thing once again with his dub and reggae style vibes all over the track with his great guitar riffs. The result is a floating dance track, with big dub disco beats and grooves. 

Timewarp inc - Tropicaliente EP will be available on May 12th, 2017 for sale in special edition CDR and digital download at timewarpstore and all mp3 retailers. 

Currently there is a generous twelve minute feature for the soon to be released 'Tropicaliente EP'. The EP is fabulous throughout! Tropically inclined reggae that is uplifting and refreshing.

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Narrow Waves - Letters From Another State.

Background - Boston band Narrow Waves have just released their new EP, Letters From Another State.

All local city musicians, the sextet came together by two degrees of separation, but at times found each other’s beloved record store days separated by ten years. 

Between the metaphoric lyricism of Morrissey and the stadium-indie flush of Arcade Fire, Narrow Waves found their sound. Through listening to one another they have found their voice.

The group worked with producer Jeff Lipton on the EP, whose past releases include Bon Iver, Ladytron, LCD Soundsystem, The Magnetic Fields, Sebadoh and Soul Asylum. Narrow Waves' debut single "Reducer" was premiered on Vanyaland, who applauded it's "beautiful tension and casual urgency." Bandcamp here, Facebook here.

'Letters From Another State' comprises of five well crafted songs that might loosely be described as Indie Rock. There is plenty of melodic feel across the EP and vocals and harmonies are supported by some fresh, breezy music.

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David Philips - Home.

Background - November 2016 to March 2017 David Philips locked himself in his studio and spent the winter months writing and recording new material. Harking back to the full band sound of his debut album, but this time with a grittier sound centred mainly around the electric guitar and his new found love of the drum kit. 

Very much the studio loner David wrote, recorded and produced the whole record himself, playing all instruments and also designing the artwork. David says of the writing process : “With these songs I was experimenting with a new way of writing, something much more spontaneous, organic and immediate, trying my best to keep the inner critic at bay for as long as possible. I was able to centre the songs around what I hope are strong hooks and allowing myself to write with the electric guitar rather than the acoustic gave the songs a different energy.” 

Stylistically sitting somewhere between Ryan Adams and Doyle Bramhall II, yet as ever with his own instantly recognisable sound, Philips mixes pop, blues, rock and a touch of soul on this compact and to the point collection of 8 new songs entitled simply “Winter.” Website here.

'Home' is one of eight songs found on the new release entitled 'Winter'. The song typifies both the quality and superb delivery of each track. Upbeat folk rock, intelligent lyrics and plenty of electric guitar energy makes this a very fine collection of music.

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Kate Crash - Blacked Out the World.

Background - Kate Crash's has shared her newest single/video "Blacked Out The World". It follows her previous track/video "How We Play The Game". Both tracks will be featured on "To You Never Again', which is out 6/16.

Kate Crash is a Los Angeles-based songwriter, producer, filmmaker, entertainer, writer and multimedia artist.  In her teen years she made weird art, wrote poetry books, and played in punk and industrial bands.  After graduating from Cal Arts, she moved to Tokyo where she performed her music in surreal street shows and made avant garde films.

When she came back to L.A. she was discovered and cultivated by legendary producer Nick Launay (Nick Cave, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Arcade Fire).  Launay produced 3 EP’s for Crash that were released under Joan Jett’s Blackheart Records and George Martin’s Grand Master.  She then released a dance-pop EP that she co-produced with various Grammy winners including Jimmy Harry, Jason Evigan, Ethan Kaufmann, and Ryosuke Sakai. Crash now writes, performs, and produces all her songs which are mixed and engineered by Ethan Kaufmann.

On June 16th Kate Crash’s first full length video album “To You Never Again” will be released.  Written, performed and recorded completely by Crash in her apartment, it combines hip hop beats with dark dreamy pop chorus’s and electric guitars.  It is accompanied by raw, hard hitting videos she created with director Ashley Walters, editor Linda Strawberry and actor Brett Grace.  They were shot two days in and around her apartment in order to maintain the vulnerable, volatile, and homemade feel of the album.  It's about a character hitting rock bottom, which causes them to realize that most of what they believe is just programming from childhood, society, and media. Website here, Facebook here.

'Blacked Out the World' has a dark and moody feel to it, that the video tends to expand on. Kate's vocals add some rock'n'roll edge, providing the song with further intensity. With an album on it's way in June, more of the same will be plenty enough.


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