Pocket Of Lollipops - RJ Thompson - Marble Mammoth - 1971

Pocket Of Lollipops - Ever Needles.

Background - Official video for Ever Needles by Pocket Of Lollipops pays homage to people saying women are weak because they cry. Studies show that when men cry, they are viewed sympathetically, while women are often labeled dramatic, irrational, or manipulative if they turn on the faucet. Crying is a natural healing system.  It's time we reclaim our right to cry, since we have tons of suppressed feelings that are now being voiced by celebrities.

For example treatment of women on social media, sparked by the uproar over actress Rose McGowan's or from Pussy Riot, Nadya Tolokonnikova saying “It’s important not to say to yourself, ‘Oh, it’s O.K..  This video is Pocket Of Lollipops  response to it all, sexual, political, economical; Maitejosune has made her self seem vulnerable for the cameras but the truth is she has healed, and now the viewer has to experience the pain that we constantly hide.

For the Video Ever Needles, Maitejosune took all her angst, tears for the last 2 years and refused to comment on things or even talk about any situation that was confrontational. She held it all in, sometimes she was ill because of it, but she saved those tears for film. She kept telling Tony (husband and drummer of Pocket Of Lollipops) I will let them out soon just have the camera ready. So the band created a "Crying Corner". This past May she texted Tony "I'm on may home, I'm ready for the crying corner." Once she came in she told Tony don't ask questions just tape," I told him to ignore what I was saying,".

Even when Tony watched the footage during editing he would erk at the visual of Maite. Maite's whole goal was to show we all cry. I could be upset about the current political turmoil, a death, the jerks who cut me off. The idea of holding all that tension is what she wanted to release on camera. She worked with Jacqiline Soire to create the other footage. Jacquline had not seen the crying corner footage but Maite did mention they would be combined some how. WEBSITE, FACEBOOK.

Concentrating on the song 'Ever Needles' first, its a creative and absorbing piece which mixes voices and distant vocals above an addictive soundtrack. The video makes sense thanks to the background details above. It is of course quite personal as tears always are.


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RJ Thompson - Blackout Windows.

Background - RJ Thompson has built a name for himself in recent months as one of the countries strongest up and coming singer-songwriters. His poignant lyrics perfectly capture the mood of the past 12 months, with songs that won’t fail to resonate, and all are set against a colourful (and at times nostalgic) soundscape that goes far beyond modern-day singer-songwriter stereotypes.

RJ is an artist who’s had to graft for every great opportunity that’s come his way, getting his big break through consistently playing grass-roots music venues, pubs and clubs in his native North-East. It was a night in Hartlepool where the work paid off. A sound engineer at an open mic night was working with Live Aid organiser and Ultravox frontman Midge Ure. The engineer submitted RJ as a support act, leading to more than 30 shows touring the UK and Europe. Support shows with Gabrielle Aplin, Deacon Blue and Jools Holland (including a performance at the Royal Albert Hall) soon followed as well as several EPs and a live album.

“Up here in the North East there is a saying… “shy bairns get nowt”. You’ve got to put yourself out there, asking and doing, if you want to make any progress. So that’s what I did throughout my early years. I got out and posted my demos to all the local promoters, played at the grassroots venues, the local festivals, and any community event going - even those that had absolutely nothing to do with music!. Every single show has taught me something.”

Now, RJ is stepping out with his first full studio LP “Echo Chamber”. The album features guest appearances from John Waugh, saxophone player for The 1975, and ex-Bellowhead cellist Rachael McShane and serves as a sonic departure from RJ’s traditional singer-songwriter background. After a few tracks, a love for analogue synthesizers and strong electronic-pop production becomes evident. With tracks like ‘The Girl & The Gunman’, ‘Echo Chamber’ and ‘Think About You’, we can hear distinctive retro arpeggios and lush synth chords - perfected with a contemporary mixdown and epic production standard. WEBSITE, FACEBOOK.

The second of nine songs on the 'Echo Chamber' album is 'Blackout Windows' our featured track. It's is typical of the high quality production that is present throughout the collection. Musically and vocally RJ Thompson can and does vary the style, his songwriting is notable as is the quality of musicianship, overall this is a timeless sounding collection of contemporary pop if you will excuse the possible juxtaposition with that description.


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Marble Mammoth - The Girl Of A 1000 Thrills.

Background - Swedish, Stockholm based Marble Mammoth wanders seamlessly between classic genres in a dynamic mix of energetic riff based rock and dreamy, melodic psychedelia. A furious rhythm section, screaming organs and fuzzy guitars greets you on their latest single ”The Girl of a 1000 Thrills”, and give you a taste of what’s to come.

The five track self-titled EP immediately draws your mind to the experimental side of early Tame Impala or even classic rock acts like Led Zeppelin, and we find our self as much in the late 60’s as in the present.

"Marble Mammoth is in many ways defined by an endless search. So it only feels natural that the EP sound the way it does. The songs were written in a state of emotional turmoil, and it wasn't until afterward, with some distance, that I really understood what they were all about." – Tobias Bergholm (singer and guitarist)

With band members that have previously played in bands such as The Unisex, that has shared stage with The Libertines, and Dollhouse, that’s been touring the world and done collaborations with Mike Davis (MC5) and Nicke Andersson (The Hellacopters/Imperial State Electric), this is nothing but a pleasant new acquaintance on the Swedish and the international rock scene.

”The Girl of a 1000 Thrills” is out on all digital platforms on November 17th with the full EP to follow on November 24th. FACEBOOK.

A month to the day since we first featured Marble Mammoth they make a welcome return with 'The Girl Of A 1000 Thrills'. Last month we commented "Old school classic rock with a refreshingly modern twist," this time the alt rock vibes are clearer, the power is if anything even more intense, as is the vocal passion.

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1971 - Anxiety (In the Depths of Northwestern Ontario).

Background from 1971 - In February 2017 our bassist, founding member, and friend Cameron Glen Cranston suddenly passed away in the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Center. He was 25 years old.

We as a band decided to not continue without our brother. Now we’re releasing our last existing recordings with Cameron; two demos we recorded for a grant we received and one of his songs.

The first track “Anxiety (In the Depths of Northwestern Ontario)” was written for Cam in 2016 during a really difficult period while Cam was still around. We’re glad we have “his” song, even though it’s hard to listen to sometimes.

We’ll be releasing this song as well as two others on cassette and 7” vinyl via Art of the Uncarved Block this December 1st. The EP is called No Matter Where You Go, There You Are. We really hope this release properly puts this band to rest and we hope it touches some people who might have experienced something similar to what we went through. Cameron was a great musician and an inspiration to a lot of people he knew. He deserves to be heard and remembered. FACEBOOK.

With the sad passing of band member Cameron Glen Cranston, 1971 understandably have decided to conclude proceedings. All of which makes 'Anxiety (In the Depths of Northwestern Ontario)' a more poignant song. It is also a beautiful track and a stunning tribute of sorts, to a clearly missed young man. In any other setting I would be calling for more.


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Autumn - Useless - Small Reactions - Dot.s - Panteon

Autumn - the fall.

Background - Chicago's newly-formed Sett Records has announced the release of "the fall", the new maxi-single by Minneapolis-based trio autumn, who, in their 20 plus years, have always made a big sound.

Autumn is Julie Plante (vocals), Jeff Leyda (bass), and Neil McKay (guitars). Forming in Minneapolis in 1994, autumn has always sought to create melodies that get the listener to feel something deeply, that have the ability to haunt you in some way after the fact. The band released two albums on Tess Records - "the hating tree" (1996) and "return to the breath" (1999), with accompanying tours in support of each album before taking an extended hiatus.

Time, and perhaps fortune, brought them back to the source, each looking to express that nameless feeling that drew them together so many years previous. In 2016, a plan was hatched, and they contacted producer William Faith (Faith and the Muse, Christian Death, The March Violets, The Bellwether Syndicate), who had produced autumn’s debut album with the idea to bring the home team back together to produce something new, with a bit of old world charm.

Between the lost promises of summer and the bitter austerity of winter lives the time between; the shorter, pallid days, the dying leaves, the melancholic reflection of time as it passes… This pensive time between has been evoked and pondered in the words of poets ranging from Yeats to Keats, and once again it finds sublime expression in the lush, passionate, melodic, dark pop of autumn.

"the fall" is the band's brand-new 3-song single, produced by William Faith and released on Sett Records. Leading off with the track “the fall” the band inhabit the onerous tension between ire and loss, with vocalist Julie Plante spitting “I saw the light, and it was not where I needed it to be” over the haunting guitar refrains of Neil McKay and Jeff Leyda’s serpentine bass work, driving the beat onward. WEBSITE, FACEBOOK.

There is something just a little Gothic sounding with 'the fall' however it is more than that. Layers of atmospheric music swirls beneath the dramatic and emotional vocals, the song builds (& builds) into a storm of passion, fabulous. The second track 'Before & After' if anything takes the emotional vibes even further, followed by a remix of 'the fall' that turns everything around in a curious way, one that I am still not sure about. That said, Autumn have something special on offer with these songs.

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Useless - Madcap.

Background - A lot of bands have dreamed of it - Useless from Winterthur finally have made it!

They've been invited to play on mainstage of Musikfestwochen Winterthur, one of the country's most renowned festivals. 

With their playful grunge and noise-rock they took the audience in a storm. Now Useless release their new ep 'Neglect' with their leadsingle 'Madcap'. 

There the band is combining the melancholy sound of the 90s with their very own energy. Overall lies a strong lo-fi-attitude - and a strong brash feeling. FACEBOOK. 

From the five track EP 'Neglect' we have the opening song 'Madcap' a gritty and loud rocker, with a potent rhythm and fully fuelled vocals. Don't expect any respite from the other four tracks, Useless might be the bands name, but when it comes to serving up Grungy, powerful and addictive rock, they are nothing of the sort.


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Small Reactions - Dinner Song / Dot.s - Rose Lens.

Background - Small Reactions / Dots.s split single release has just been released through Chunklet Records.

Small Reactions: “I’m dying for your light,” Small Reactions’ singer and guitarist Scotty Hoffman sings on the band’s new single “Dinner Song.” Serving as the track’s brief refrain, the line is perhaps more like a mantra for the band’s current state. Small Reactions has always written pop songs, but noise, grit, and reckless abandon helped to not get too comfortable with the label “pop music.” 

On “Dinner Song,” though, the band lets the track stand on its own as an unapologetically catchy single. Trimmed to a taught 3:02, the song finds the band as relentless as ever, but its crystalline post-punk foundation is embraced head on. Polish might not be the right word (it intentionally never will be for Small Reactions), but clarity of sound and purpose is. 16th notes hi-hats, 12-string guitars, a kettle drum, and a file cabinet: it’s a good look. Perhaps pop music is subversive after all? FACEBOOK.
  
Dot.s: Dot.s is the little baby that Ryan James and his friends Bonnie, Joe, Nick, and Garrett brought into the world under their mutual love for drums and synthesizers and the way people move when the two are put together in the right way. Since their initial formation in 2015, 

Dot.s have released two full length albums {Jellyfiss (2015) and We Swim (2016)}. While the two are different in theme and scope, they both attempt to take “dance music” to a place that is unfamiliar and confusing and sweet. “Rose Lens,” their third official release and first official one-off/not-on-an-album thing. It was recorded with Damon Moon at Standard Electric Co. in Atlanta, Georgia. FACEBOOK.

A split single where first we have Small Reactions and 'Dinner' Song'. A tight indie rocker, the vocals are well up in the mix giving the song some character, whilst the band deliver up some pop warmth. Dot.s follow with 'Rose Lens' a psych vibe is there from the opening notes as synths and vocals are supported by more traditional sounds. The contrast between the two songs is significant, however putting them together works really well, they compliment each other in a fine way.


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Panteon - Ballyvaughan.

Background - Brooklyn-based indie-folk singer songwriter, Panteon shares her new single, "Ballyvaughan." The new track comes from Panteon's forthcoming, debut EP, Travel Log 1, due out January 19th.

Curated, written, produced and performed by Yvonne Ambrée, the debut EP is inspired by travels across Europe and The Americas, each composition serving as an ode to the experience of a specific locale. True to its name, the 6 tracks are a charmed soundscape built for going down the road, through the sea, and into the sky. Gorgeous photos (taken by Ambrée herself) of the locations highlighted on the EP were also taken to accompany the tracks, and can be seen in the artwork.

"Ballyvaughan" was written as an ode to Ireland's western coast on the Atlantic. Impose says, "The title of the song – “Ballyvaughan” – comes from the small harbor village close to ‘The Burren’ — a unique rocky wilderness area. Boireann, means “great rock” in Irish and ‘The Burren’ is one of the most beautiful places Ambrée says she’s ever been," adding "A place like this could pull the poetry out of anyone, but there’s something in the way Ambrée expresses it with her dreamy vocals, introspective lyrics, and sonic precision."

An accomplished vocalist, songwriter and musician, Ambrée has traveled the world touring and working with a wide range of artists, such as Sleigh Bells, Little Boots, Lulu Gainsbourg, Eli “Paperboy” Reed and legendary soul singers, such as Syl Johnson, Ann Sexton and Gwen McCrae. She is also one-half of the critically acclaimed duo Take Berlin. WEBSITE, FACEBOOK.

We featured 'White Jaguar' by Panteon less than a month ago and now 'Ballyvaughan' gives us a second helping of gorgeous vocals and another melodic and atmospheric piece. Indie Folk with creative twists and more, this is a very impressive song.

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Mean Motor Scooter - Jonny Taylor - Billy Momo - Table Scraps - Trudy and the Romance - The Night Ships

Mean Motor Scooter - Wavespotting.

Background - Texan quartet, Mean Motor Scooter, hit the road in support their debut full-length. Mean Motor Scooter is a four-piece Garage Rock band from Fort Worth, Texas. Their self-titled debut EP came out in August 2015. In March 2016 the band released two singles "Naked Brunch" and "Such a Seducer."

They were awarded "Best Rock Band" at the 2016 Fort Worth Weekly Music Awards. In 2017 the group was awarded "EP of the Year", "Band of the Year" and "Artist of the Year" by the Fort Worth Weekly. Their first full length record, Hindu Flying Machine was released in October 2017 by Dirty Water Records USA.

Mean Motor Scooter are Sammy Kidd - Guitar and Vocals, Joe Tacke - Bass and Vocals, Rebekah Elizabeth - Organ and Vocals, Jeff Friedman - Drums and Vocals. France's DIG IT Magazine was overjoyed by the arrival when they exclaimed " "Masterfully out-of-control. Exploding the limits of the genre. Just monumental." - Dig It! (FR). FACEBOOK, BANDCAMP.


We featured Mean Motor Scooter last month however the opportunity to share another song and provide their tour details is a little to good to pass up on. 'Wavespotting' is an incendiary blast of wild garage rock, with epic portions of punk insanity, would you expect anything less from this band?

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Jonny Taylor - Diamonds.

Background - Jonny Taylor is incredibly pleased to share the arrival of his new album Dig Deep, an eclectic yet cohesive collection of songs balancing on the edge of contemporary rock with a hint of grunge and a pinch of hard country. Debuting at #3 on the iTunes Singer Songwriter chart and four years in the making since Jonny’s debut Something to Say landed in the ARIA charts, Dig Deep is loaded with classic songwriting throughout, spearheaded by the thoughtfully penned and guitar driven single Diamonds.

Following on from the upbeat Better Day, Jonny says of Diamonds, "Life doesn't always go our way. Things pop up every day to test us, even when we think we've got it all figured out. Diamonds touches on the notion of just moving forward, no matter what's thrown our way." An emotionally charged musician, Jonny seamlessly fuses his skill for a great melody with his passion for a meaningful story. That natural approach is evident in Dig Deep with the songs creating an expedition through life - delivered in a beautifully produced, high impact, high-energy album.

As an exceptionally committed touring artist based in the small rural WA town of Dumbleyung, Jonny's life on the road has earned him a reputation as one of the hardest working and most powerful young singer songwriters around, often averaging 180 shows annually. 2018 looks to be no different as national dates are starting to accumulate including slots at the coveted Tamworth and Sydney Country Rocks festivals.

With Better Day scoring airplay around the country and Diamonds sure to follow suit, the timing couldn’t be better for Dig Deep to cement Jonny Taylor as one the brightest prospects Australia has to offer. WEBSITE, FACEBOOK.

With his distinct and natural country rock vocals, Jonny Taylor gives 'Diamonds' depth and feeling and plenty of energy that engages the listener. The level of maturity and confidence he brings to his music is perhaps there in part due to his time spent touring, where clearly he has developed considerable talent.


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Billy Momo - We Need Another Shovel.

Background - Billy Momo is a Swedish 7-piece band with diverse musical roots and an instantly recognizable sound. The songwriters Tomas "Barba" Juto and Oskar "Orren" Hovell and their assorted band of merrily bearded men produce music that sounds like it grew out of the warm soil of the American South, yet with a distinctive Scandinavian flavor thrown into the mix.

With three full-length albums already in their catalog, Billy Momo now release a three song EP called "Umbrellas, wings and magic things". The new songs combine the sprawling quirkiness of the first albums 'Ordinary Men' and 'Drunktalk' with the high-end production of their latest effort 'Seven Rivers Wild'. Fans will recognize the D.I.Y. spirit and the musical eclecticism, yet find fresh blood in the ever-expanding horizons of the band's creativity. Newcomers will hear a deeply personal and instantly intriguing sound which draws from many sources, yet sounds like nothing else.

The flavors of Billy Momo are rich and varied, deep grooves meet soulful harmony vocals, with lyrics probing the sometimes murky waters of personal experience. The wide stylistic range of the musicians can take the songs on surprising detours while always remaining true to the core sound.

A Billy Momo live performance always features their quirky sense of humor, which often has a dark undercurrent, and the members of the band are all characters that take on a life of their own during the concerts, with an almost theatrical flair. Their various life stories (which may or may not be rooted in reality, who can tell for sure?) weave tales of broken hearts, debauchery and sometimes more sinister themes.

The intimidating and vaguely threatening Preacher Man, the easygoing charmer Barba, the banjo-wielding raconteur Orren, the playful and usually guffawing Gramps, the colorful soloists Hot Lips and The Head and the mysterious and ever-sarcastic The Coffa make a fascinating cast of characters that keep the audience intrigued and amused throughout the performance. FACEBOOK.

It's pretty much a year to the day since I was introduced to the wonderful music of Billy Momo. 'We Need Another Shovel' continues where they left off last time around, the bands Americana vibes are there alongside some refined pop sensibilities. The video adds a little humour and lots of atmosphere to this fabulous song.


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Table Scraps - Sick Of Me.

Background - Table Scraps have announced their new album 'Autonomy' and premiered a brand new track from it, 'Sick Of Me'. On the song, Scott Vincent Abbott of the band has said “'Sick of Me’ is about when friendships stagnate and minor annoyance gives way to mouldering resentment. 

Then juxtapose that feeling on top of a jangly sunshine pop backdrop (or as close to that as we ever get!). The echo of our breeze block 5m x 5m (and very un-soundproofed) room also perfectly suited the track’s claustrophobic feel. It’s dedicated to everyone just about keeping a lid on telling that one person how you really feel and cutting them loose.”

Their upcoming LP is due out via Zen Ten on February 23rd. Table Scraps have also announced a string of dates supporting the likes of Swedish Death Candy, Black Lips & more. FACEBOOK.

Live Dates::

NOVEMBER
20 - Hare & Hounds, Birmingham (w/Black Lips)
22 - Bierkeller, Bristol (w/Black Lips)
25 - Old Blue Last, London (Free entry)

DECEMBER
9 - The Five Bells, New Cross (w/Peeping Drexels & HUSSY)
12 - Hyde Park Book Club, Leeds (w/secret headliner)

FEBRUARY
23 - Foodhall, Sheffield
27 - Hope & Ruin, Brighton
28 - Shacklewell Arms, London

MARCH
1 - 60MPC, Bournemouth
2 - Hare & Hounds, Birmingham
3 - Old England, Bristol

'Sick Of Me' is straight to the chase garage punk, where energy, menace, and emotion is packed into just over two minutes of angst ridden rock.

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Trudy and the Romance - Junkyard Cat.

Background - With whip-smart imagination and tongues firmly lodged in cheeks, Trudy and the Romance are nowhere boys for the 21st century. Following the release of singles ‘Is There A Place I Can Go’ and the stomping ‘Twist It, Shake It. Rock & Roll’, Trudy today release their ‘Junkyard Jazz’ EP.

Along with Dream Wife and Pixx, Trudy were another of 20 artists picked out of 1200 applications nationwide to have been awarded PRS momentum funding to go towards the recording of their debut album slated for the end of next year. Champions on the wireless come in the form of John Kennedy, BBC Radio 1’s Huw Stephens & Phil Taggart and 6 Music’s Steve Lamacq. KCRW have also given the group their backing with plays coming in from Marion Hodges, Dan Wilcox, Jason Kramer, Chris Douridas among many others.

With the introduction of keys player Alex Stephens Trudy and the Romance have become the complete package, otherworldly, odd and tightrope-dancing somewhere between reality and fantasy, on show in the band’s recent VEVO Dscvr Session.

“We’re real-meets-cartoon… kind of tacky but great, y’know, it’s trashy,” Trudy’s singer and guitarist, Olly, explains. “It’s a bit like Ralph Bakshi’s Cool World, Who Framed Roger Rabbit, Mary Poppins or Space Jam.”

The group have just completed a second UK headline tour playing packed venues up and down the country with slots supporting The Fall and Happyness and appearances at Swn, Ritual Union and Mirrors festivals. WEBSITE, FACEBOOK.

Trudy and the Romance are back for a fourth appearance on Beehive Candy and this time they impress with 'Junkyard Cat'. The bands "Mutant 50's Pop" is in good form, their individual and stylish swagger everywhere, and just enough feel good vibes to put a smile on my face.

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The Night Ships - Half The World.

Background - Half The World, the new single of Dutch-Australian duo The Night Ships, is a song drawing together different melodic and rhythmic elements from countries across the globe, resulting in a beat-driven anthem that will lodge itself in your bones. 

The bass was recorded in South Africa, and the sitar, tar and percussion were recorded just off the Naqsh-e Jahan square in Iran. Translated, its name means “half the world”, and points to the city of Isfahan’s majesty and beauty, as well as the population’s joyous underground celebration of music and dancing. In the same way, the contributors to the song, which include a choir of singers from The Netherlands, the US, Canada, Uruguay, France, England and Ireland, a violinist from Chile, and stunning album artwork from an Australian designer, round off the song’s global reach.

The lyrics of the song are a call to action to women in all countries – and to men – to combat the tyranny of violence, oppression and discrimination that women face every day as half of the world’s inhabitants. It is also a tribute to the work of women, past and present, who strive together to change the world, and to make it a place where men and women in all countries can experience equal rights, opportunity and status. Half the World is a warning that the future itself is bound to change, and that such change is inevitable. As a song with sweeping harmonies, sumptuous strings, and a driving beat, you won’t be able to stop at one listen…

Half The World is released this week on BERT Music (a division of TCBYML) and available for purchase/streaming on all known digital platforms. FACEBOOK.

The Night Ships have created a fascinating and genre defying song with 'Half The World', which somehow packs so many styles and directions into the song and yet remains both coherent and catchy.

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Veronica Bianqui - Rosie Carney - Koda - ONR - Chances

Veronica Bianqui - Victim.

Background - Garage-pop artist, Veronica Bianqui is releasing a new music video for her single, "Victim". “I wrote this song when I started discovering how being emotionally co-dependent has negatively affected my life by creating a pattern of self-victimization. Now, to me, it represents the hope for addicts to escape from their cycle of addiction. I hope it serves as inspiration for addicts and their loved ones around the world that you can put your foot down and change—that you don’t have to be a victim, like my sister—and so many millions of others—unfortunately have been.”

Veronica Bianqui integrates the raw energy of garage rock with the passion of classic soul and R&B, and the pop sensibilities of 60s girl groups while maintaining an intense yet playful edge. Perhaps it’s her background in musical theatre, jazz, classical, and even Indian classical music, or her mother’s propensity for blasting The Beatles and Joe Cocker around the house, but Bianqui’s tastes and influences cross a wide spectrum of sounds. In her live show, Bianqui and her band consisting of up to 10 members—reminiscent sometimes of a revue– combine classic showmanship with a heartfelt directness that keeps the music intimate.

Before breaking out with her solo material, Bianqui made a name for herself in the LA circuit, performing in bands that toured across the U.S. and Europe. As a current member of 1960’s inspired folk/surf/psych rock outfit The Blank Tapes, she balances the two bands, often collaborating with bandmate and co-producer Matt Adams, including on her debut album that is yet to be released.

Her debut album–recorded with Mark Rains (Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, Shooter Jennings, Alice Bag, Death Valley Girls)– is nearing completion, and awaits release in 2018. WEBSITE, FACEBOOK.

Sixties tinged garage pop with just a little rock & roll swagger 'Victim' is a gorgeous song, with a positive message, and a whole load of hooks. It's looking good for the debut album.


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Rosie Carney - Winter.

Background - Anyone coming to ‘Winter’ not acquainted with Rosie Carney’s mature-beyond-her-years songwriting would be forgiven for thinking she was some long lost contemporary of Joni Mitchell with decades worth of experiences to relate about life, love and adversity, and not a brilliant newcomer who’s barely left her teens behind.

Produced with her frequent collaborator Orri McBrearty in her hometown of Donegal, ’Winter’ follows on from her highly acclaimed singles ‘Your Moon’ and ‘Awake Me’, singles which, between them, have racked up over six million streams online and received acclaim from NPR, The Line of Best Fit, The Independent, Crack in the Road and Perez Hilton.

With her dulcet tones, organic textures and subtle, nuanced, and dreamlike ambient production ‘Winter’ is Carney at her very best. In her own words she says:

"Winter is a confessional song written about knowing when something is over. It's inspired by the brutally honest truth experienced when realising something is coming to an end regardless of whether or not that's what you want. It captures the true cold essence of winter which can be felt when letting go. It was, of course, written in the winter. The instrumentation and production were very much inspired by the cold and bare landscapes around me. Everything is raw and minimal.”

The song is just another part of her exciting year so far, having played shows supporting Benjamin Francis Leftwich, Saint Sister and Haux, co-headlining dates with Henry Jamison in the UK and Ireland, alongside festival slots at Latitude, Seven Layers, and the Bon Iver, National, and Cillian Murphy curated Sounds From A Safe Harbour. FACEBOOK.

This is the fourth time we have featured Rosie Carney and her music continues to impress me in a big way. 'Winter' is gentle, intimate and just so natural. Conjuring up images of cold, short days in my imagination, her song writing and musical compositions are pristine.

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Koda - Curse.

Background - Koda shares his latest video for new single "Curse". The track is from his forthcoming album 'I Hope This Makes Us Better', which is due out spring 2018.

The grandson of a famous Haitian singer, alternative artist/producer Jordan Sudak (aka Koda) spent the first half of his life as an army brat, being yanked from city to city across the globe. Living in three countries by the age of 15, Jordan watched as his free-spirited parents turned to a radical form of born-again Protestantism, banning contemporary art and burning his Harry Potter books in the process.

After finally settling in Columbia, South Carolina, Jordan's family values took a bizarre turn as his father's close call with a heart attack triggered an 180 degree flip on religion for the entire household. His parents eventually opened for an experimental rock band called The Radar Cinema. His mom claimed Jordan to be a family cousin, and he then became the band's frontman.

Between rehearsals, Jordan would get together with the band's keyboardist to listen to doom metal and sludge records while "circuit-bending," the art of making new instruments through soldering circuit boards from toys like Furbies and Speak 'N' Spells. From there, Jordan made the deep dive into ambient and experimental music, teaching himself QBASE, a popular production software for electronic artists. WEBSITE, FACEBOOK.

'Curse' has an multi-layered musical sound where synths and rhythms seem to explore and interchange elements with each other. Add in the smooth vocals and this is an intriguing and pleasing song.


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ONR - 5 Years Time.

Background - Scottish artist ONR. started making waves after leaking demos through indie label Leftwing, before swiftly signing to Capitol Records in the US.

His debut single 'Jericho' was released this summer, and has received early support from Spotify, and US stations KCRW, KCSN and Live 105. 

Early reviews have lauded the ‘supreme confidence’ of ONR.’s sound, drawing comparisons to Echo & The Bunnymen, 1975, Depeche Mode, Arcade Fire and David Bowie.

ONR. is currently recording with producers Mark Crew (Bastille, Rag & Bone Man), Doc McKinney (The Weeknd) and legendary mixer Spike Stent. A run of UK dates this December (including three sold-out Scottish shows) leads in to US dates confirmed for next year - including SXSW. WEBSITE, FACEBOOK.

We featured ONR & the song 'Jericho' less than a month ago and it is a real pleasure to be able to share the brand new song '5 Years Time'. Once again the vocals are distinct and melodic. The music starts out with some delicate synthy sounds before building into a powerful and very catchy piece.

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Chances - Rishikesh.

Background - It was in late 2016, that Montreal-based musicians Chloé Lacasse and Geneviève Toupin, both singer songwriters and pianists, along with drummer Vincent Carré, decided to come together to sketch out a few songs, just to see where uninhibited brainstorming might lead. With two well received singles already released in 2017, 'Rishikesh' is their most experimental and vibrant effort yet.

A world music/electronic music mashup that becomes otherworldly in its atmospheric builds. Catapulting rhythms, syncopated vocals, and bubbling synths envelope around a loop of singers recorded on the banks of the Ganges. Exquisite in the execution, lyrically 'Rishikesh' is all about choice and intention, and musically it's about exploration.

Here are the band's thoughts on the new track: We love this song and feel it has a certain power to it. It's about choice and intention...the intention to trust your instinct, and to align action with thought. The song's driving rhythm continually pushes forward, the vocals play off each other in a sort of call and response, the synths spark up a colourful chaos. WEBSITE, FACEBOOK.

The song is tagged experimental pop and 'Rishikesh' is all of that. Vocals swirl and intertwine above a vibrant electronic soundtrack. Imaginative and impressive it's also one of those songs that quickly demands another listen.

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Dub Proof - The Spook School - Lucille Furs

Dub Proof - Not Enough.

Background - Dub Proof is a groove oriented band based in Asbury Park, NJ., comprised of Nick "Turtle" Paolise (bass), Rory "Roke" Fream (guitar & lead vocals), Pat Clarke (drums), Dave "Dr. Dave" Hollander (sax & k/b), and Joe Harvard (guitar, lap steel, k/b, Kaoss /samples, b/u voc). Formed in 2007, the band has become known for it's hardworking professionalism, intriguingly original live sound and freewheeling shows.

Dub Proof's music incorporates the social conscience of Bob Marley, the irresistible danceability of George Clinton funk, and the deep grooves, sweeping delays and fresh originality of 70's dub reggae, topping this basic recipe with a frosting of classic lead guitar gunslinging and a tasteful sprinkling of jazz and psychedelic electronica. Nick and Joe put the skills that earned multiple Asbury Music Awards [including Top Bass & Top Multi-Instrumentalist] to good use, while Dave, Roke and drummer Pat Clarke deliver performances that should guarantee their own AMA's soon.

The band continues to write songs that pare songs down to their essence, building arrangements that eschew long individual solos in favour of team interplay and rhythmic. The group is now in pre-production for their first self-recorded LP, while their constantly evolving sound continues to impress audiences at shows up and down the East Coast. WEBSITE, FACEBOOK.

I am always partial to some fine dub, you can blame the late great Horace Swaby (aka Augustus Pablo) for that!  'Not Enough' is a lighter dub affair with plenty of traditional reggae vibes alongside. Add in the upbeat rhythm and musical arrangement and melodic vocals & we have a very catchy groove going on here.


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The Spook School - Less Than Perfect.

Background - The Spook School shares the second single and video from its eagerly anticipated third album Could It Be Different?, due Jan. 26, 2018 on Slumberland Records and Alcopop! in the UK. If a debut LP is an artist’s introduction to the world and their sophomore release is their now-or-never moment, their third is their most cathartic: they’ve made it out, they’re here. Glasgow, Scotland’s indiepop optimists The Spook School, despite personal and political obstacle, made it out, and their latest full-length Could It Be Different? is here. It’s been a journey of self- discovery and feel-good realism; modern, dance-friendly indiepop fueling the fun. They made a name for themselves for their exultant and empowering pop, and now, they’ve shown real growth in nuance.

The Spook School are Nye Todd (guitar/vocals), Anna Cory (bass/vocals), Adam Todd (guitar/vocals) and Niall McCamley (drums). Could It Be Different? Is, well, different—it’s a collaborative album of personal storytelling that works through life’s hardships with positivity—even at their most beaten down, The Spook School manage to find hope free of naivety. That’s clear the second the album opens with “Still Alive,” and its ascending chorus (and soon-to- be crowd favorite) of “F You, I’m Still Alive,” written by Nye after surviving an emotionally abusive relationship. The song avoids villainizing the past, instead, it celebrates the present and welcomes the unknown future.

Could It Be Different? is a human release—a record full of the insecurities and anxiety that arrive after self-awareness, in learning something new and potentially frightening about yourself. But at it’s heart is joy—there’s no desolation on the LP, because The Spook School manage to find light in moments of darkness. All things glum must pass—even if hope comes only in the form of acceptance.

“We try to take sad songs and not shy away from them, but come out thinking ‘things will change.’ Otherwise everything would be dreadful and I feel bad enough as it is,” Niall laughs. “We need a bit of light in our lives.” Adam agrees, “We started this for fun. We want our shows to be fun. We want the people who come to our shows to feel welcomed, and to have fun. There’s a bit of party in our songs, no matter what the subject matter is.” Why cry when you can dance? FACEBOOK.

'Less Than Perfect' is a feisty indie rocker, with gorgeous vocals and harmonies backed by some crisp and determined music. With more to follow early next year this is a tasty appetiser.


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Lucille Furs - Pink Noise / The Fawn of Teal Deer.

Background - Chicago’s Lucille Furs play psychedelic rock and baroque pop in a tradition that dates back to the 60s and is championed by contemporary bands like Temples, The Horrors and Tame Impala.

The band came together in 2015 and comprise of Patrick Tsotsos, Nick Dehmlow, Brendan Peleo- Lazar, Trevor Newton Pritchett, Constantine Hastalis. 

The original band name was Shah Jahan, however they rebranded themselves with a name that Trevor Newton Pritchett threw out in a brainstorming session. Patrick Tsotsos stated in an interview earlier this year that the change to Lucille Furs stemmed from some listeners taking offense to the initial name (something they had no intention of doing).

The band’s self-titled debut album is available on limited edition vinyl (with windy city label TMB Limited offering it up on cassette). WEBSITE, FACEBOOK.

From Lucille Furs self titled and totally inoffensive (see above) album I have chosen a couple of songs  'Pink Noise' and 'The Fawn of Teal Deer'. They are both pretty different, something that is a hallmark of this fabulous album, and collectively provide a clearer indication of what to expect. Baroque pop & psychedelic rock are equally presented within this collection of songs, with a modern twist and some timeless feeling.


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Hockey Dad - The Fireflys - Gasoline Lollipops

Hockey Dad - Homely Feeling.

Background - Australian surf-rock duo Hockey Dad unveil the suitably raucous visuals to latest single Homely Feeling, the first taste of their sophomore album Blend Inn set for release on 9th February via Manchester Indie label LAB Records.

An ode to the search for that sense of homely comfort whilst being miles away from your roots, this for Hockey Dad being the small, laid-back coastal town of Windang, Australia, Homely Feeling is a fuzzy blast of youthful energy. Now the tune is accompanied by a video that’ll make you pine for the glory days of MTV; a drained pool, inebriated-skating-grandpa antics and a whole heap of mates capture the charm and energy of youth with which Hockey Dad won hearts originally. 

Billy Fleming (drums) and Zach Stephenson (guitar, vox) have come a long way since sneaking underage into their local dive venue to catch their favourite bands. Once able to get their own regular slots they quickly built an ever-growing following, before releasing a debut EP Dreamin’ in 2014, then 2016’s acclaimed debut album Boronia. The 18 months since Boronia’s release has seen the duo tour extensively through Australia, before heading out to North America to take in SXSW, jump on a Canadian tour with Dune Rats, play shows in the UK and Europe before finally taking in some of their home country’s biggest venues with the iconic Wavves.

This stretch of playing live, and the reaction to their debut record has allowed Hockey Dad to ally the youthful electricity they possess in abundance with renewed sense of perspective, and an expanded mind-set. “We’re still kids,” reflects Fleming “But we’re just a little bit more... tinged”

Landing in Seattle, the recording of Blend Inn began with renowned audio engineer and producer John Goodmanson (Bikini Kill, Sleater-Kinney, Cloud Nothings) at Robert Lang Studios. The studios, supposedly haunted, echo with their iconic past - housing many of rock’s legends over its time, The Foo Fighters, Soundgarden, Death Cab For Cutie, Alice In Chains, for example, but most notably Nirvana, who recorded their last single inside - the mic used by Kurt Cobain still hanging in tribute. Here, Hockey Dad found a home away from home - immortalising their time in the album artwork, which depicts the house in a film photo captured by Fleming.

The single Homely Feeling is out now on all streaming platforms, and LP Blend Inn will be out on 9th February via LAB Records. WEBSITE, FACEBOOK.

It's around eighteen months since we were first introduced to Hockey Dad and back then I stated "the duo's brand of indie pop is just so bright and smile inducing." Fast forward to 'Homely Feeling' their latest single and the sound has matured into some vibrant energised surf rock. It's looking good for the next album.

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The Fireflys - Grace.

Background - The Fireflys are an Alt Americana band from Runcorn, north west England, who release their first single 'Grace' in November 2017. The track comes from their fifth studio album, which is slated for release early next year.

The songwriting of vocalist/guitarist Lee Wylding underpins The Fireflys' creative output, augmented by bassist Sam Bramhall, pianist Chris Tann, drummer Andie Packer, acoustic guitarist Joe Paul Forber and guitarist Phil Conway. Marking the beginning of a new generation of UK Americana/alternative guitar based bands, The Fireflys are indebted sonically to the likes of Neil Young and Tom Petty, as well as the links of R.E.M. and City & Colour.

The band are regularly played at Old Trafford stadium on match days and have been featured on MUTV, BBC Manchester and That's Manchester TV, affording them the cult status across the Northwest of England.

Fireworks Magazine has labelled them "The UK's answer to Counting Crows", whilst Mike Peters of The Alarm descrived them as "a good mix of REM and The Gin Blossoms" during a recent live television interview. FACEBOOK.

'Grace' is clearly influenced by all that is good with Americana music and the host of genres and identities that seem to come under that umbrella term. Fast, refined and raw enough to ensure the passion and heart shines through, The Fireflys have something quite special going on here.


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Gasoline Lollipops - Mustangs.

Background - Colorado-based band Gasoline Lollipops shares new track "Mustangs". "Robert Louis Cole, who traveled the South on a one-car tour with Gasoline Lollipops frontman Clay Rose a few years ago, wrote 'Mustangs' as a sparse acoustic blues," the band explains of the track, "we're honored to give it a rollicking full-band treatment on Soul Mine." Gasoline Lollipops will be playing an album-release show at Fox Theatre in Boulder on 12/16, along with a number of other shows listed below:

11.15 - 12.3 - Belgium and the Netherlands
12.16 - Fox Theatre - Boulder, CO
1.19-21 - Ambergris Caye, Belize
12.31 - Hodi's Half Note - Fort Collins, CO
1.5 - Alamo Drafthouse - Denver, CO
1.26 - Vail Ale House - Vail, CO
1.27 - The Historic Lariat

Gasoline Lollipops is a Colorado band that combines the sincerity of dirt-floor folk with the energy and rebelliousness of punk. It's an all-new incarnation of alt-country that’s both high-energy and heartfelt, like the American highway's soundtrack. This year marked the release of the GasPops' debut full-length album, Resurrection, and the band’s first-ever vinyl release, Soul Mine, will be celebrated at the Fox Theatre in Boulder on Saturday, December 16.

Colorado Daily readers voted Gasoline Lollipops "Best Local Musician/Group" for 2017, and in 2016, Denver Westword named Gasoline Lollipops Colorado's Best Country Artist. 2014 and 2015 brought multiple awards and accolades to the Gasoline Lollipops, including being selected to play six showcases in Austin during SXSW 2014; getting voted "Best Local Musician/Group" in the Colorado Daily's 2014 and 2015 polls; being selected as one of only six bands across Colorado for the highly coveted SpokesBUZZ Emerging Artists Incubator program; and winning the Oskar Blues Battle of the Bands in 2015. WEBSITE, FACEBOOK.

Our second feature for Gasoline Lollipops in a couple of months and following on from 'Soul Mine' this time we have 'Mustangs'. Gritty, edgy and most certainly dirt-floor, this is a fabulous rootsy song that is both mean & addictive!


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I Hate You Just Kidding - Christopher Pellnat - Janileigh Cohen - Line & Circle - Vern Matz

I Hate You Just Kidding - Smokestacks.

Background - Jeremy and Jessi Brock are the husband & wife songwriting duo known as I Hate You Just Kidding. They started making music together shortly after meeting and formally formed the project in 2009.

Their music has been featured in film/television and commercials, and they have gone on several national tours, leaving two EPs and one full-length album in their wake.

Upon releasing their debut "Days Grow Longer" in 2011, I Hate You Just Kidding began writing a follow up. However, the touring life sometimes takes a few detours. After a 5 year hiatus, the sophomore album “Constellations” will be released on Groundhog Day, February 2nd, 2018. WEBSITE, FACEBOOK.

Live: Nov 15th 2017 - The Satellite, Los Angeles, CA.

'Smokestacks' is a tuneful catchy indie song. It's starts out as uncomplicated pop that occasionally builds into a more of a rock track, either way it addictive & gorgeous.

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Christopher Pellnat - Honey Venom Wings.

Background - Christopher Pellnat is a singer-songwriter from Hudson, NY, USA. Chris also collaborates with other musicians - for example, Mercy Weiss. He also play electric guitar in the Poughkeepsie, NY-based band, The Warp/The Weft.

His brand new album is called “Honey Venom Wings”, and is available now through Bandcamp. Talking about the new collection of material Christopher states "this album is not your typical singer-songwriter fare - it veers off into many directions that I hope you will find interesting".

You can find and hear some of Christopher Pellnat's collaborations with Mercy Weiss on her Bandcamp page (here). The Warp/The Weft's website is (here). More from Chris Pellnat on FACEBOOK, BANDCAMP.

We have featured Christopher Pellnat with Mercy Weiss and also The Warp/The Weft in fact this is our fourth feature for Chris including those combinations. I have chose to feature the title track from 'Honey Venom Wings' simply because it sits somewhere in the middle of the differing directions the album takes. Some tracks are more personal or intimate sounding and overall it is definitely up there with his other collaborations.

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Janileigh Cohen - Same Old Road.

Background - Bolton folk singer-songwriter Janileigh Cohen has released her new single Same Old Road this week through Funnel Music, which follows recent single Sister.

Same Old Road is captivatingly unique, yet almost sounds like a song you’ve heard before, with a warming vocal that pulls you in tightly like an old friend that you don’t want to leave. Backed simply by piano and violin, Janiliegh’s raw and intimate voice does all of the talking in this delicate and emotive track. Janileigh says;

"During the time I composed this song, I was not putting my music online or playing live so it was a song for myself to let out how I was feeling. I had a musical dream and this song helped cement the fact I wanted a career in music. I’d never really composed a song on piano until Same Old Road and it felt like it really came from the heart.”

Same Old Road follows recent single release Sister, previously self-released EP As a Child and cover of Blues Run The Game, which featured on the US TV drama This Is Us and has over 150,00 plays on Spotify.

Vocally and lyrically miles ahead of her young years, Janileigh writes on both piano and guitar, with a sound influenced by the likes of Joni Mitchell and Leonard Cohen. Her lyrics tell a personal story; exposing the joy, disillusionment, confusion and romance of life. Janileigh has honed her craft busking in her Northern hometown and around Europe, along with performing at open-mic nights, and is a must-see live. FACEBOOK.

We featured the song 'Sister' a few weeks back and the new single 'Same Old Road' is another absolutely beautiful release, last time I stated " I try to avoid writing this to often however Janileigh Cohen is definitely one to watch out for in the months to come." I am even more convinced that is the case now!

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Line & Circle - Vicious Folly.

Background - Ohio-born, Los Angeles-based Line & Circle will follow up their acclaimed singles and debut LP with their new EP Vicious Folly, due December 1st via Grand Gallop. This week they share the title track. At a moment when societal divisions seem increasingly tense and tribalistic, Vicious Folly explores a belief the Romans held centuries ago: homo homini lupus — man is a wolf to man. Whether the conflicts here are romantic ("Man Uncouth"), ideological ("Vicious Folly"), or familial ("Who Runs Wild"), the songs contemplate the disquieting idea that man himself is his own greatest threat.

Vicious Folly brings the resulting emotional complexity to life by expanding on the band's characteristically moody but vibrant color palette. Interweaving bass clarinet pulses and distorted tape loops move underneath minimalist patterns of chiming guitar and bass melody counterpoint. Singer/guitarist Brian J. Cohen's dramatic tenor pulls across the songs' brisk rhythmic foundations, which are more unhinged here than in previous releases.

The bulk of the record was tracked live to tape in one day at Los Angeles' Vox Studios with Michael Harris (Angel Olsen's My Woman), with additional sessions in various warehouses, bedrooms, and backhouse studios around the band's Echo Park neighborhood. The project was mixed with frequent collaborator Jonathan Low (The National, The War On Drugs) at Aaron Dessner of The National's Long Pond studio in Hudson Valley, New York.

Vicious Folly's cover features Peter Flötner's 16th century hand-painted playing cards from post-Reformation Germany. Flötner used his cards to depict and denounce the perceived greed, gluttony, and folly of his time. That the imagery strikes a chord today — as it surely did then — is either deeply comforting, or incredibly disconcerting, depending on your information filter. FACEBOOK, BANDCAMP.

Less than a month since we shared 'Man Uncouth' along comes 'Vicious Folly' from Line & Circle. The vocals slowly emerge from within the mix, as the band play some dynamic guitar lead rhythmic music that carries the power.

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Vern Matz - Trampolines.

Background - Indie rock trio Vern Matz share the lead track off their forthcoming self titled debut LP, due out January 2018. Vern Matz is comprised of guitarist and singer Danny Belgrad, pianist Michael Lituchy, and drummer Noah Silvestry. 

Not only are they bandmates, they are also all students together at Yale University. Speaking on "Trampolines," the band states, "At its core, Trampolines is a nostalgic piece that yearns for something that never really existed. It's like driving through a suburban town and feeling a longing for a time and place that you never experienced. You know you can't have it, you never did -- it's just this feeling of reaching out."

The EP was born out of several road trips between New Haven and Philadelphia. In a lot of ways, the EP is about Vern Matz coming of age - as individuals and as a band. Faced with finding a place in the world, the EP is about fleeing from those decisions and trying to ground themselves. Vern Matz says of the record, "Much of the EP is an expression of a feeling of displacement and an attempt to restore a sense of wholeness.

There's a lot of confusion and nervousness in the fact that you don't know what needs to be restored. We looked backwards a lot to resolve that uneasiness and got very swept up in nostalgia." The Vern Matz EP was recorded at Miner Street Recordings, produced and mixed by Matt Poirier, and mastered by Greg Calbi and Ryan Schwabe. FACEBOOK.

The distinct and engaging vocals are notable from the beginning on 'Trampolines'. The musical arrangement is refined and quite beautiful. This one is set to get quite a few personal plays, if the album is half this good, it will still be a must have.

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Broads - Big Bill

Broads - Climbs (ft. Milly Hirst).

Background - British electronic duo Broads have announced that they'll be releasing their new album 'Field Theory' in the new year.  But for now, they present the first single from that 11-track album, called  'Climbs', which features mesmerizing vocals from Milly Hirst, who also co-wrote this track with band members James Ferguson and Mark Jennings.

Mainstays of the Norwich music scene, Broads deliver a variety of music - always delicious - ranging from synth-pop bliss to a hybrid fusion of genres straddling the divide between ambient drone, post-rock and shoegaze. Broads takes a fascinating approach with this album, tastefully showcasing completely different sides of their musical spectrum.

‘Climbs’ recalls Melody’s Echo Chamber and Broadcast, while 'The Lecht' brings to mind both Mogwai and Boards of Canada. 'Mixed Ability Sequencing' most strongly aligns with My Bloody Valentine and Slowdive, leaving you hanging with less than minute of pure guitar reverie, while 'Habitats' brings the duo delightfully close to New Order territory.

After several releases as a solo artist, James Ferguson says Broads’ dynamics started to change with the release of the ‘Hellas’ LP (Jan 2016), undergoing a kind of sonic breakthrough with Mark now joining James for live shows and co-writing one of its tracks ‘Soft Homo’ – the first time Broads had really arrived at their now-signature sound, marrying droning, lo-fi synths and slow build through repetition with straightforward electronics. FACEBOOK.

'Climbs' is a good indicator of  'Field Theory' the album due in the new year. Although the featured song has the additional benefit of Milly Hirst's gorgeous vocals, the duo are creative and adventurous across all eleven tracks, allowing their imagination and creative minds to develop some very engaging music.

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Big Bill - Pharmacy.

Background - Austin's favorite punks, Big Bill, have been busy gearing up to release their debut LP, "Stand By Your Bill." We get the first gift and glimpse from that new LP with the release of their video for "Pharmacy,"

“Pharmacy” was originally an acoustic country demo that members, Alex and Eric, put together. It eventually became simpler and accompanied by more aggressive, shouting vocals. The track is the narration of a person afraid to admit any vulnerability, thinking that doing so will do him in. Instead the ridiculous solution offered is to avoid admitting you're sick, and avoid taking medicine. It's a steady progression from the pharmacy, to the infirmary, to the mortuary, and finally to the cemetery. Maybe a bit morbid, maybe a bit strange, but guaranteed to be stuck in your head. 

Big Bill is a punk band made up of brothers Eric and Cody Braden, Alan Lauer, and Alex Riegelman. The band formed in 2011, when Eric moved back to Texas from New York, and Cody finished college in Houston, though the seed for the band was planted years earlier, when the Braden brothers were in high school. Eric and Cody wrote countless songs together despite being untrained in music, and made entire “albums” of bizarre homespun folk, found sounds, and bad jokes. Even in Big Bill’s current, slightly more professional compositions, the element of the outsider artist that set them and their sound apart lives on.

Big Bill's debut LP, Stand By Your Bill will be available worldwide on November 17. WEBSITE, FACEBOOK.

Vocals with plenty of punk attitude are accompanied by a guitar lead no nonsense rock groove on 'Pharmacy'. At just over two minutes a second play is almost mandatory, whilst the video suggests Big Bill have a good sense of humour and fun.


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The Limiñanas - Jacob Thomas Jr. - Fever High

The Limiñanas - Shadow People (feat. Emmanuelle Seigner).

Background - French psych duo The Limiñanas have released a new track taken from their ‘Istanbul Is Sleepy’ EP out 17th November. Featuring acclaimed French accress Emmanuelle Seigner, 'Shadow People' was recorded in The Limiñanas' home studio in the South of France, and finished at The Brian Jonestown Massacre's Anton Newcombe's studio in Berlin.

Lionel from the band explains: "The shadow people are an American myth, they are described as furtive apparitions, comparable to ghosts observable from the corner of the eye. These "spirits" accompany throughout your all life, a sort of paranormal glue stuck to you... Emmanuelle came to visit us in the South of France, and we asked her to sing "Shadow People" with Renaud Picard, the singer from Hair and the Iotas.

We recorded it in just a few minutes over an afternoon...". Emmanuelle Seigner added: "A friend introduced me to The Limiñanas, I was in love with their Music. Three days before our first meeting, Lionel Limiñana called me and offered me to sing on one song off their new album. He sent me 'Shadow People'. Then we recorded directly at their home, it was fast, easy and pretty natural". FACEBOOK.

We first featured The Limiñanas around six weeks ago, & following quickly after we now have 'Shadow People'. Last time we mentioned that the song was psych through & through, with the latest track there is more melodic sound and the mixture of vocals adds to a catchy & richly layered piece.


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Jacob Thomas Jr. - Running Through My Mind.

Background - Nashville artist Jacob Thomas Jr. has released "Running Through My Mind," the second single from his upcoming LP, Electric Sex, out February 16, 2018 on Summer Dress Music. "I wanted to write about my divorce, but I’ve never been someone who’s able to articulate thoughts and feelings while I’m in the midst of extreme emotional situations," reflects Jacob. "I find it more beneficial to wait until there is some time and space to gain perspective. ‘Running through My Mind’ is hard to talk about. It’s one of those songs that reminds me of a period in my life when I was a person that I no longer am. It’s not a cryptic or vaguely written song. It’s about as straight forward as a song can get.”

Jacob’s debut album, Original Sin (2014), was a solo-acoustic dive into his past that explored the path that brought him to Nashville in 2008. On that brutally honest debut, we learned about his dramatic shift from Louisiana pastor to Nashville musician. After being fired by his own Parrish for spending too much time performing in bars, Thomas made the incredibly difficult decision to leave his wife and pursue music full-time in Nashville. If the bare-boned songs on Original Sin shone a light on Thomas' ability to pack a punch with little more than an acoustic guitar and a gorgeously ragged voice, then Electric Sex — full of heartfelt, anthemic anthems about getting laid, getting lost and getting left behind — shows the full range of his abilities. Electric Sex explores his life after the church, with Thomas telling us, “At 25 years old I said ‘f it all,’ and this album is me trying to reclaim my sexual identity after years of growing up in the church.”

10 years into his professional music career Thomas has played out with some of Nashville’s best country/rock artists including Rayland Baxter, Uncle Kracker, Sonia Leigh, Randy Montana, Logan Mize, Elise Davis, Goodbye June, and Danielle Bradbery to name a few. However, on Electric Sex he's a frontman, leading a studio band whose members include pedal steel wiz Drew Belk (Billy Currington, Midland), producer and keyboardist Jason Morant, bass player Jason Harris and drummer Jake Finch. Together, they make a sound that nods to rock & roll's biggest moments — from Fleetwood Mac to ELO to Silverchair's Diorama — while still pushing into new territory. WEBSITE, FACEBOOK.

'Running Through My Mind' is one of those songs where less is more. Heartfelt, personal vocals that are full of emotional intensity, are backed by a beautiful musical arrangement that slowly builds adding to the mood.

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Fever High - Casting My Spell.

Background - Brooklyn's Fever High released their long-awaited full length album FHNY. The duo - multi-instrumentalists Reni Lane and Anna Nordeen - made their debut with last year's critically acclaimed All Work EP.

FHNY continues the band's collaboration with Adam Schlesinger (Fountains Of Wayne, Ivy) who also produced the All Work EP. Reni says, "After releasing All Work, we entered a new stage where we really honed our sound, lyrics, and mood... the new batch of songs takes everything to the next level." Adds Anna, "We want to sing about things we really feel and have fun at the same time."

After releasing the All Work EP, Fever High began to play live, with Adam and drummer Brad Wentworth joining Anna and Reni onstage for a run of club shows, as well as a string of dates supporting synthpop pioneers Book Of Love. They found radio support from influential stations like Los Angeles' KCRW and Austin's KUTX, and their songs showed up in numerous films and TV shows, including the CW comedy Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, Netflix’s To The Bone, and three songs in the 2017 film Fun Mom Dinner. WEBSITE, FACEBOOK.

The opening piano chords had me interested, then when the vocals kicked in 'Casting My Spell' had me hooked. The production quality gives away that this is a more recent song, the style however is timeless & gorgeous.


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