Thursday, 22 March 2018

GRDNS - The Division Men - Preoccupations

GRDNS - Juniper.

Background - Psych-rockers GRDNS share latest effort Juniper, the second cut from their upcoming EP out later this year. Emerging from the largely forgotten and multi-cultural northern city of Bradford, the indie quartet burst onto the scene in February with woozy, off-kilter rock number Night Dance before heading out on the road with Husky Loops and whenyoung, drawing widespread acclaim in the process.

Discussing the release, frontman Jacob Lyons stated: "Juniper takes influence from both the modern and vintage surf sounds with a prog/alt section at the end but doesn't particularly sound like either. It was the first song we got together as a full band and the lyrics frequently reference the colour blue and a few of its colour palette relatives. The meaning of the song is open to interpretation, like all the rest will be".

GRDNS' own blend of psychedelia, heavily influenced by Tame Impala and Humbug-era Arctic Monkeys, has already landed them support slots with acts including Stereo Honey, Sea Girls and The Pale White and they'll be playing their debut London show in May before an appearance at Live At Leeds. FACEBOOK, TWITTER.

Live Dates:
02 May – Sebright Arms, London
05 May – Live At Leeds Festival.


We shared 'Night Dance' from the band just over a month ago describing that track as having "a delectable psychedelic feel." The new song 'Juniper' is more alt rock in nature, with GRDNS comfortably demonstrating that they can explore differing styles whilst retaining an armoury of hooks that makes their music so engaging. It has to be said, the EP is eagerly awaited.

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The Division Men - Heaven Knows Why.

Background - "Niños Del Sol" is the 3rd album by The Division Men from Austin, Texas. The album was recorded over a period of two and a half years while touring and living in Texas. Five of the ten songs have been rerecorded. These songs have come off the first LIVE album titled "Live at Clap of Thunder." By revisiting the older songs, the band was able to open itself up to experimentation and collaboration.

The Division Men's named was derived from the idea of artists collaborating from all over the world despite their locations. J. Spencer and wife Caroline continued to actively write and perform together under the already established name.

Caroline was born in San Antonio, Texas. She spent her childhood surrounded by music. Caroline is the granddaughter to the master craftsman, Don Martin Macias, known for his handcrafted bajo sextos. Proud of the craft of her grandfather, she made an effort early on to make music an active part of her life by first experimenting with school band & later picking up the bass guitar. From 2007 until 2012, she played bass guitar for Tito & Tarantula. J. Spencer Portillo was born in Los Angeles, California but was raised in El Paso, Texas. His El Paso roots offer a huge influence on the lyrics which frequently present atmospheric portraits of love, life in a border town and death.

The new album was recorded at their in-home studio in Austin, Texas. The Division Men has a distinctive sound that has been described as dark, romantic, ethereal and haunting. The Division Men will be actively touring and promoting their new album "Niños Del Sol" from August to December 2018. WEBSITE.


From the opening moments the musical production signals quality and depth as 'Heaven Knows Why' quickly unfolds. That's hardly surprising considering the calibre of those who have worked on the new album, beyond quality however there is heart and passion in abundance. I'm not sure what genre to try and fit this song into, lets just say it's unavoidably addictive.


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Preoccupations - Disarray.

Background - Preoccupations are days away from unleashing their latest creation New Material, out this Friday on Flemish Eye in Canada (Jagjaguwar in the rest of the world). Now the band are following with a third single and a stunning new video directed by Ruff Mercy. The video for “Disarray” was shot at Saunton Sands in North Devon in the UK and features Matt Flegel, the band’s songwriter, vocalist and bass player.

Matt says, "When I was writing "Disarray", it started off with an image of a mother combing her daughters hair that came into my mind, I liked the metaphor of splitting the braids and combing through the tangles, and wrote the rest of the lyrics around that image. This song sat untouched for close to 6 months as a recording with just bass and drums before we came back to it and wrote and recorded the guitar line while out of our minds one night in the early AM."

Director Ruff Mercy noted, "For me the word Disarray conjures up images of a mind unravelling in a chaotic way. I wanted to physically show that inner turmoil without having to have Matt or an actor run around with a painted face looking distressed so to cut up and distort and draw over Matt’s image felt like an interesting way to show this."

Preoccupations are preparing for their next world tour which kicks off next month with shows in Toronto (The Garrison, April 13, and a  Horseshoe Tavern on April 14) and then Montreal (Theatre Plaza, April 16). The 4-piece will then tour the North America with dates in Winnipeg, Edmonton, two in Calgary and Vancouver on May 9th, before continuing on an extensive tour of the UK and Europe. WEBSITE, FACEBOOK.


Preoccupations are getting plenty of attention with 'Disarray' having 20 thousand plus views before I can even embed it here. Dreamy indie pop/rock with just a hint of bands like The Psychedelic Furs, this is one gorgeous song from a band who are clearly on something of a well earned roll right now.


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Wednesday, 21 March 2018

MAWD - Atlantic Machine - Krantz - Ganser

MAWD - Dark Room.

Background - MAWD is the moniker of California musician and songwriter Madeline Matthews. Her stunning compositions fuse rock’n’roll, folk/blues and pop. The soulful, textured timbre of MAWD is diverse and ranges anywhere from a breathy and sultry folk/blues vibe, to a powerful Janis Joplin-esque/Karen O. belt. 

Her vocals perfectly imprint upon the sonic foundation laid by quivering electric guitar, haunting harmonies, classic acoustic folk rhythms, south western inspired Americana bass lines, and full percussion. MAWD is a true musician playing the piano, guitar, ukulele, bass, accordion and some banjo as well.

MAWD’s upcoming single ‘Dark Room’, profiles the feeling of isolation that so many of today’s use experience today. “I felt like I was going crazy, sitting in my dark dingy dorm room, struggling with the longing for a comforting feeling, trying to fit in, feeling like a stranger in my skin, and discovering a new dark part of my mind”, reveals MAWD. ‘Dark Room’ is an explosion of soulful husky vocals, over gritty guitars and powerful driving rhythms. MAWD has been compared to the likes of Elle King, Janis Joplin and Alabama Shakes.

Her debut self titled EP is produced by Roger Gisborne of Los Angeles based record label Sound x3 and Josiah Mezzaschi (Rilo Kiley, Kate Nash, The Jesus and The Mary Chain) and mastered by Brian Lucey (The Black Keys, Beck, The Kills). MAWD has headlined sold out shows across the globe and will be performing at SXSW this spring. ‘Dark Room’ is currently available worldwide. FACEBOOK, TWITTER.


The vocals have some fine and natural blues vibes to them on 'Dark Room' a soulful rocker that has both passion and plenty of "play me again" hooks, it's natural and desirable.

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Atlantic Machine - Automatic.

Background - London duo Atlantic Machine have released thier debut single Automatic (16th March) followed by the album Mosquito on 18th May. Atlantic Machine are Producer and Grammy award winning Engineer Jim Lowe (Stereophonics, The Dandy Warhols, The Charlatans) and Vocalist and Guitarist Tiffany Page, who first met in the studio before forming their own musical partnership.

The pairing sees the baritone voice of Jim mixed with Tiffany’s raspy tones to create a unique new wave sound. Debut single Automatic is a dark electro-pop track that builds with synths and strings to a powerful and emotive chorus. The band say;

“It’s about how we all do things automatically through our life. It can be how we automatically love someone or love someone despite being treated badly. It can be how we automatically carry on doing the daily grind. It is abstract enough to make it your own interpretation…"

Recorded in London at Jim’s home studio and Rak Studios, forthcoming album Mosquito includes collaborations with String Arranger and Cellist Laura Anstee, who has performed with Bjork, Kanye West, Adele, Jay Z and Florence & The Machine and Drummer Jamie Morrison (Stereophonics, The Noisettes). WEBSITE, TWITTER.


Atlantic Machine gradually increase the power on 'Automatic' where a seductive vocal duet is backed by an increasingly layered sound-scape, where mystery abounds.

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Krantz - Until We Meet Again / Run Away.

Background - Nashville-based, alt/psych-rock band, Krantz,  drop new lyric video, "Run Away From Me” and single "Until We Meet Again" from their upcoming EP, The Pennock Tapes, due out April 27.  The single is an anthem dedicated to feeling stuck in a rut and disheartened by living in the shadows  and realizing how  nothing is going to change unless one takes a chance.

With a retro style and influence from the golden age of rock and roll, but with a modern touch, Jeffrey Krantz and his band bring a psychedelic/pop/rock edge equipped with an in-your face attitude.

Influenced by his drummer father and the Beatles, he embraced music as an expressive medium at the early age of 12, and developed himself as a musician, songwriter and artist. Leaving his home state of Iowa, traveling the world, touring over 200 days per year with the “Effects” and opening for bands such as the Kings of Leon, Shinedown, Foreigner and the Toadies, Jeffrey made the decision to “live the dream” and eventually landed in Nashville.

Recognizing the world was in dire need of some melodic rock he continued to write, record and eventually self-produced his own self-titled album. Krantz hit the studio between tapings of MTV’s music competition, “American Supergroup” where he eventually became a finalist in the competition.

A entwinement of provocative lyrics and no-holds rock and roll, Krantz sees his music as a balanced combination of frantic ecstasy and introspective depths. Alternating between crazy antics, a dash of face paint, and a meaningful look within, Krantz feels that his music is the perfect blend of his extroverted personality. Drawing from his influences of The Beatles, Weezer, and T-Rex, Krantz looks for meaning and purpose within his rock N Roll sound. WEBSITE, FACEBOOK.


'Until We Meet Again' opens with some classic riffs and a gorgeous guitar sound whilst the vocals are refined and easy on the ear. With 'Run Away' we have more gorgeous rock vibes and once again the melodic hooks are there in abundance. The band clearly have a knack for catchy unpretentious rock songs, that's plenty enough for me!



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Ganser - Avoidance.

Background - “Avoidance” is the second new single and music video that the Chicago post-punk band Ganser has shared from their forthcoming debut album Odd Talk (out 4/20 via No Trend Records). “Avoidance” is a sharp pain of miscommunication, the exhaustion of trying to be understood by someone you love but your language is all wrong. Ultimately, the effort is pointless. Nadia Garofalo's voice rises and falls with synth washes over driving bass and drums, while Charlie Landsman's guitar punctuates with sharp flourishes. In the video, cars race in a sparse desert landscape towards an unknown end.

Throughout Odd Talk, Ganser’s amorphous sound takes on the form of their comedically grim, absurdist subject matter. Exercising both introverted melody and extroverted noise, the band finds meaning through echolalic shouts and murmurs. Garofalo shouts and barks with an acerbic edge, while Alicia Gaines' vocals soothe and swell. Mumbled, spit out, Ganser explores communication breakdown from beginning to end... seeking meaning in mess, they sort through syllables and signals to find the right words. “Avoidance” follows the album’s first critically-acclaimed first single “PSY OPS” (buy/stream), which came out last month.

After the bands’ headlining record release show @ Glitter Creeps’ party at the Empty Bottle on 4/16, the band will also be heading out on tour in support of Odd Talk (all dates below). They’ll be performing a string of shows with Bloody Knives before heading venturing out on their own in the Southeast.
WEBSITE, TWITTER.

Ganser Tour Dates:
3/28 - Chicago, IL - Beat Kitchen (w/ Shopping, Tyvek)
4/16 - Chicago, IL - Empty Bottle (Record Release Show)
4/25 - Detroit, MI - Outer Limits Lounge %
4/26 - Pittsburgh, PA - Howlers %
4/27 - Brooklyn, NY - Alphaville %
4/28 - Philadelphia, PA - Mothership %
4/29 - Providence, RI - Alchemy %
5/01 - Brooklyn, NY - St. Vitus
5/02 - Baltimore, MD - Sidebar
5/03 - Richmond, VA - Flora
5/04 - Raleigh, NC - Slim's
5/05 - Atlanta, GA - 529
5/06 - Memphis, TN - Bar DKDC
% - with Bloody Knives


It is just four weeks since we shared the first single (Psy Ops) from Ganser, 'Avoidance' makes for a very welcome follow up. The music video is retro (just love those classic cars), the song a potent rocker packed with determination and emotion, expect plenty more on the forthcoming album, it's going to be worth the wait.


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Tuesday, 20 March 2018

Man Mountain - JC Brooks Band - Elliott Heath

Man Mountain - Memory Trace.

Background -  There is power in the repetition. When stretched across an infinite plane, even the smallest elements become transformatively integrated into the greater picture. Tones to spectrums. Feathers to flight. Molecules to mountains. Spartan Records proudly welcomes Man Mountain to the family — a melodic, instrumental post-rock outfit from Southeast Michigan. In the honorable lineage of bands like The Appleseed Cast, Sigur Ros, and American Football, Man Mountain's debut record Infinity Mirror is a journey of emotive dynamics set against a swirling dreamlike ferocity.

“With Infinity Mirror, we wanted to capture the sonic intensity of our live set,” says guitarist Mike Reaume, “that feeling when everything kicks in and your are entirely immersed in the sound.” Song by song, the album progresses with an intentionality that allows delicate melodies, motifs, and nuances to build into quaking full-band aggression. “We didn’t want any two songs to sound like different versions of the same idea,” says Reaume, describing the albums play between fragmentation and cohesion. “We wanted each song to explore a different facet of musical influence for us both individually and collectively.”

Intentionally avoiding a traditional studio recording path, Infinity Mirror was tracked in a variety of unconventional locations. With ultimate attention paid to sonic integrity, gear selection, and reckless experimentation, the record took shape over the course of many months. “The overall tonality of Infinity Mirror is much different from anything we’ve done before,” says Reaume. “The clean tones are much more pristine and shimmering, and the heavy bass parts just get amazingly filthy.” Once tracking and mixing were complete, final mastering details were handled by Mike Kalajian (Circa Survive, Prawn, Moving Mountains).

Thematically, the album presents a constant duality. Aptly titled Infinity Mirror, it is hard to ignore the unending and cycling conflict associated with any type of prolonged reflection. Sonically translated, this pondering plays as understated notes and moments reverberating into upheaval and dissonance. While the catalyst for much of this direction can be traced to the internal, the band also acknowledges the influential power of their surrounding physical environment. “Michigan is a beautiful state that really inspires a sense of adventure and exploration,” says Reaume. “It also can be somber and brutal in the winter. I think that definitely can be heard in the contrasting vibe of a lot of the songs we write. Even the way the album flows is from more upbeat ‘summer’ songs to more melancholic ‘winter’ songs — like the cycle of the seasons." FACEBOOK, TWITTER.


I have mentioned before that we do not receive many instrumental based bands at Beehive Candy. Man Mountain are therefore very welcome, especially as their post rock musical material is both refreshing and atmospheric as is the case with 'Memory Trace' one of six tracks on this much recommended album.

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JC Brooks Band - Anywhere But America, Part 1.

Background - “Anywhere But America, Part One” was created to satisfy the need for the JC Brooks Band to return to their soul roots. What was not known was that the song would be a scrupulous break up letter to America that would stab any lover in the heart. The music lays out visuals of a ghostly platform for JC to write his ode to America. The choir and use of the church organ throughout the song, played by renowned recording artist Frank McComb, continues to paint a backdrop of a funeral held in a black church.

JC cleverly entangles lyrical ideas from M.L.K’s “I Have a Dream” speech with the Star Spangled Banner. “Anywhere But America, Part One” is a witty villanelle expressing Black America’s disdain for the country’s actions of the past and present.   

The band’s percussionist JoVia Armstrong composed “Anywhere But America, Part One” and lead vocalist JC Brooks wrote its lyrics. Armstrong focused on creating simple chords for a simple song that will guide attention to JC’s lyrics and vocal delivery. The studio production of the song took it to another level of intensity. The band recorded the song in just two takes. Adding male and female choir-like vocals to the background made it a bit more Gospel. A dark and haunting reverb was added to the kick drum in the verses.

Renowned recording artist Frank McComb was in Chicago during the production of the song and the band was able to grab him to play organ, which really took us to church. The lyrics are compelling and JoVia’s composition and production create a solid, powerful vessel to carry their message. Red Black & Blue, Vol 1 is an EP about the evergreen frustration of being gas-lit by someone who's only slick enough to trick himself but not you. WEBSITE, FACEBOOK.


Soulful, bluesy and rich in emotion 'Anywhere But America, Part 1' is a timeless and fabulous song. The vocals and harmonies are pure roots and gorgeous, the musical arrangement pristine, love it!

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Elliott Heath - Foaming Floor.

Background - Stepping out from behind his Minotawr mask, Elliott Heath has just released the new album Metropolitan.

Previous musical excursions have been both challenging, intriguing, exciting and sometimes almost mainstream and commercial in nature. The rule of thumb is to expect the unexpected, it's the one consistent theme throughout his musical explorations. 

Elliott is not seeking great acclaim, rather just developing his own ideas and looking for new boundaries to cross. 

With the new album 'Metropolitan' the eight songs are concise, the creative ideas are there in abundance, however there is a sense of order, ensuring each song stands out as an individual work, increasing the sense of variety.

The reality that this is assessable, and even compulsive listening at times, is perhaps why the only quote from Elliott was "I'm not even that keen on it really".. BANDCAMP.

It's very difficult to pick just one song from the new 'Metropolitan' album that can be described as typical or representative such are the twists and turns Elliott Heath takes with his music. 'Foaming Floor' is one of my favourites and it's for that reason alone I share it. It is because Elliott tests musical boundaries without any sense of self indulgence, rather with a "well why not?" attitude that I find myself drawn back to his material time and again. Different? Yes, Challenging? Sometimes, Refreshingly Different? Consistently!

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Monday, 19 March 2018

The By Gods - Modern Whale

The By Gods - Wait Up.

Background - Nashville’s awesome garage rock trio The By Gods announced their US tour w/ fellow garage rockers Pat Chow (Australia), along with sharing a new music video for their single “Wait Up” that stars their two dogs, Dookie and Wheezy.

The two bands also teamed up on a split tour-exclusive 7” called No Strings/Try So Hard, which includes a new song from The By Gods that isn’t available anywhere else. The By Gods' sound harkens back to everything you ever loved about your favorite grungey 90’s era indie rock bands… brimming with nostalgia but never feeling forced, the band is touring on the heels of their 2017 album Move On.

Produced, mixed and engineered by Alex Newport (Deathcab For Cutie, At The Drive-In, Bloc Party), the album is the sound of a band trying to come to terms with their own ever-changing and strange reality, pushing themselves out of their comfort zone to finally sculpt their own hard-won identity. WEBSITE, FACEBOOK.

Upcoming Tour Dates
3/22 Nashville, TN @ Radio Cafe
3/23 Bowling Green, KY @ Tidball's
3/25 St Louis, MO @ The Sinkhole
3/26 Chicago, IL @ Emporium
3/27 Newport, KY @ Southgate House
3/29 Columbus, OH @ Ruby Tuesday
3/31 Philadelphia, PA @ Creep Records
4/01 Brooklyn, NY @ Alphaville
4/04 Asheville, NC @ Fleetwoods*
4/05 Atlanta, GA @ Starbar*
4/07 Nashville, TN @ The East Room*
*Pat Chow not appearing.


It was back in the summer of 2016 that The By Gods first appeared on our radar and so the new music video for 'Wait Up' makes for a welcome return for the band. A slower paced but nonetheless grungy sort of rock & roll piece, when the band up the power they do so with raw energy. So if a couple of cute dogs isn't enough for you, this sub three minute rocker should complete the circle.


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Modern Whale - The Dirt.

Background - Brooklyn trio Modern Whale (the brainchild of musician Rob Guariglia) have dropped a new single ("The Dirt") and music video. 

Naturally reminiscent of cult television program The Twilight Zone, the video was produced, directed and performed by Raviv Ullman (as seen on HBO, CBS, ABC, NBC, FOX, MTV, and Disney’s ‘Phil of the Future’) and Martin Spanjers (Grey’s Anatomy, 8 Simple Rules). Maneuvering through New York’s finest visual trappings, the video also stars John Beach.

A “Modern Whale" is not a specimen of the sea but rather a musical crossing. If we are to think about band names as part of an overall expression then this name is enormous. So enormous, so amorphous, that your new favorite group might not fall into your standard “musical genre."

Too pop for indie, too indie for pop, Modern Whale has been Vevo’s ‘Featured Artist’ for each of their four releases on YouTube, with their single “Burn Like the Sun” being a favorite on Hype Machine.

Helmed by Rob Guariglia, the outfit formed in Brooklyn at the infamous rock refuge Meserole Sound Studio (also known as Rob’s home base). Living in Bushwick, ‘90s rock finds salvation and rebirth in Modern Whale. The name then reflects the animalistic tendency of music and is encapsulated through Rob’s dog Stella, his assistant and muse. WEBSITE, FACEBOOK.


Described as "Too pop for indie, too indie for pop" Modern Whale have that little rock something that makes sense of that statement. The video for 'The Dirt' is fascinating and just a little paranoid, the songs energy and musical armoury of hooks ensures they make fine companions, this is classy material.


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Sunday, 18 March 2018

Polychrome - Someone - Spritzer

Polychrome - Final Kiss.

Background - East-London-based Polychrome, who channel the spirit of Cocteau Twins with the electronic ecstasy of M83, are made up of Oliver of The Bronze Medallists and Victoria of Victoria and Jacob. Victoria and Jacob have been championed by the likes of NME, Time Out, The Line of Best Fit, Uncut and DIY to name a few, and have also supported The Mystery Jets, Com Truise, Daughter, and Katy B. Oliver, frontman of indie electronica band Bronze Medallists (also solo performer/activist Olly the Octopus AKA ‘Boris Johnson’s Nemesis’ – City AM), has worked with the likes of Lucy Rose, Mt Wolf, L.A. Salami, and been supported by Radio 1, Radio X, Radio 2, and 6music to name a few.
   
Polychrome now release lead-single 'Final Kiss' off the upcoming self-titled debut album ‘Polychrome’, which opens with crisp production that features floating vocal samples on flowing synthesiser, making for a deep estuary of thick chromatic chords. Victoria’s silky, reverberating lyricism pours through the verses, and rock-pool crevices are filled with intertwining bubbly synthesisers. Single artwork by Print Designer Lisa King whose work has appeared in Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar and W Magazine, and has collaborated with Kylie Minogue
   
Victoria studied Creative Music Tech in Cambridge and has contributed a large amount of the production on the album; she feels there is still a massive fight for women in the industry and wants them to get into production and songwriting in the typically male-dominated industry. Victoria considers production during the songwriting process, visualising which effects, samples, and techniques might be used.

Much of the Polychrome album was written in isolation at Grianian Eco Lodge in Scotland – close to Oliver’s hometown. The band took some time out to focus here. Inspired by the incredible landscape and isolation, the duo feel their sonic soundscapes are massively influenced by the Highland views, rivers and incredible mountains.
   
‘Final Kiss was one of my favourites to work on as I directed the production. I really wanted a vintage sound, and managed to pick up a harmonica mic that I found in a bargain bin. I’ve got a Juni 106 keyboard and a 107 drum-machine keyboard at home that I also recorded to gain the backbone for this track. I’m big on female production and songwriting and seeing how male-led the industry is drives me harder. Olly is always happy to let me take the driving seat as he trusts my style and skill.’ - Victoria. FACEBOOK.


'Final Kiss' opens with some beautifully layered synths that develop into a flowing arrangement with some catchy musical elements that complement the smooth, gentle and notable vocals. It's a little retro in feel, the production however is gorgeously distinct, whatever influences Polychrome might be channelling, they are doing so with significant style.

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Someone - Chain Reaction.

Background - Amsterdam psych-pop artist Someone releases her debut EP Chain Reaction, and unveils 1920s silent-movie inspired video for the single of the same name. The former cutesy singer-songwriter shakes off her previous self to explore the rockier depths of pop composition and discover the power of absolute freedom on her debut EP, Chain Reaction.

First single The Deep had a warm, brooding groove, Say Something brought the fuzz, and third cut Forget Forgive ushered in a more delicate, contemplative and personal side to Someone’s sophisticated songwriting. Final single Chain Reaction is a an infectious indie-rock shuffle, accompanied on release by a short film aping the silent movies of the 1920s. It’s been 4 years since the release of (Songs from) The Sandbox, Jackson’s debut album which bagged an impressive number of plays on the Dutch airwaves, and multiple television features, plus syncs for American commercials and series (such as the acclaimed New Girl).

However, set with the task of writing album number two, the TRJ river was running dry. She discovered that the teenager responsible for the poppy happy-go-lucky tunes of her debut album had been replaced by someone older, someone wiser, and (dare she say?) someone a whole lot more interesting. After three years’ working as a composer for TV and feature film, Jackson’s skillset as a writer and producer was broadening, along with her musical tastes (and dusty synthesizer collection).

Hence the regeneration. “I wanted a name that meant: Don’t worry about who I am. Just check out what I make. I make a lot. Some you may like, some you may not. But I’ll like it. And you know what, I’m someone too.” Though the ear-wormy pop sentiment of TRJ still trickles through the veins of the new tracks, the rest of the music is a far cry from the Sandbox. Enhanced by Jackson’s own abstract artworks and live visuals, Someone is like a trip inside her chaotic, over-productive (but colourful) mind. FACEBOOK, TWITTER.


The video is a piece of art in it's own right, thankfully 'Chain Reaction' is one very fine song and the two go together wonderfully. After the classic introduction we have a feisty psych pop track that is just so addictive, with it's slightly understated arrangement and dreamy vocals the detail for each element is thoughtful and as I say, addictive.


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Spritzer - Little Mystery.

Background - Spritzer is the project of Matthew Meade, founder of Brooklyn chamber-pop band Friend Roulette. 

Though the band features a rotating cast of players, its core members include Ryan Weiner (Tiny Hazard), James Preston (Maybird, Sam Kogan), and Kyle Olson (also of Friend Roulette.) They will release their debut LP, Love. Lies. Decay., on April 27th via Paper Garden Records.

The upcoming release draws influence from a wide array of genres, from indie rock and guitar pop to Americana and bossa nova. Its eight tracks showcase Spritzer's diverse and experimental sound, but the album opens with their most upbeat and pop-leaning song to date: "Little Mystery." Described by Meade as a "fun and shamelessly cheesy love song.”

Spritzer will celebrate the release of Love. Lies. Decay. with a show at Brooklyn's Elsewhere on April 25th. FACEBOOK.


Paper Garden Records have a track record for delivering superb artists material and 'Little Mystery' from Spritzer only endorses that opinion further. Brisk, energised and melodic, the chamber pop band have a very catchy (as in hooks galore) track, that suggests the debut album is going to be, more than worthy of inspection in April.

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Saturday, 17 March 2018

Soft Science - Bandini - Said The Whale - Bodywash

Soft Science - Undone / I Don't Know Why I Love You.

Background -  Dream-gaze syndicate Soft Science have announced a new double A-side single 'Undone / I Don't Know Why I Love You', to be released via Test Pattern Records. This includes 'Undone', the first single off their forthcoming third album 'Maps', and a blissful sanguine cover of the classic House of Love track 'I Don't Know Why I Love You'. This single finds the band flirting in grand waters between My Bloody Valentine on 'Undone' and The Primitives on 'I Don't Know Why I Love You', offering the listener a distinctive mix of sweetness and fury.

‘Undone’ is essentially about loving someone through good times and bad. It is about accepting that although there will always be hard times in life, it makes things easier to go through tough days with people you love. For me, those times make me love them more. That  unwavering love can be like a light,” explains Soft Science vocalist Katie Haley.

The B-side was originally recorded for the House of Love tribute compilation 'Soft as Fire in The House of Love', in limited released via The Blog Celebrates Itself Records, the track has been remastered and, for the first time, is available in wider digital distribution.

Hailing from America’s farm-to-fork Capital in Northern California’s lush Sacramento Valley, Soft Science fuse melody, sound, and texture of 60s pop and 90s shoegaze like molecular gastronomists blend physics and chemistry to transform food. Together this 5-piece band have managed to create their own sweet blend of modern pop music with a sonic edge.

The band’s members share a love of such bands ranging from the Zombies and Beach Boys to Lush, Teenage Fanclub, Ride, Pale Saints, New Order, and Jesus and Mary Chain, along with newer artists such as Beach House and Frankie Rose. Such eclectic artists have influenced their music. BANDCAMP, FACEBOOK.


The new double A side single comprises of 'Undone' an expansive, flowing, multi layered rocker with the melodic vocals immersed amongst the energised music. Accompanying this is 'I Don't Know Why I Love You' a refined and very pleasing cover version of the House Of Card's song.

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Bandini - Late Night Show.

Background - Inspired by the story of a night out in the effervescent streets of London, Late Night Show is the first single from the upcoming album Barflies. 

Produced by renowned UK soul artist Camelle Hinds; Late Night Show is a get up and dance track which combines Blues with Jazz and Gypsy Rock vibes.

Bandini is an exciting new contemporary artist, who through his re-imagining of fusion music has successfully incorporated aspects of jazz, blues, rock and gypsy  into a unique sound. 


Coupled with his enigmatic and theatrical stage performances, Bandini is quickly becoming one of the most relevant emerging acts today. Bandini’s performances have been described as an event, rather than simply a gig. WEBSITE, FACEBOOK.

'Late Night Show' mixes up some contrasting genres and does so with plenty of style. Melodic, upbeat, and vibrant, the question is do you dance to it, or just sing along with the chorus line, the answer might be both, and a beaming smile would be fitting.

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Said The Whale - Congratulations.

Background - Juno Award winning chart-toppers Said The Whale have announced a deluxe edition release of their 2017 LP As Long As Your Eyes Are Wide via Hidden Pony Records. Released one year after the original on March 30, the album will include 10 additional tracks, 5 B-sides, 4 acoustic versions, and 1 new cover song. To celebrate the release, the band has shared one of the previously unreleased tracks “Congratulations”.

Previously operating as a five-piece, the current trio - made up of frontmen Tyler Bancroft and Ben Worcester and keyboardist Jaycelyn Brown - have created their most collaborative, focused record to date. Previous releases highlighted the contrast between the two founders’ eclectic rock influences and salt-of-the-earth folksiness. Here, their styles become one. Despite the album’s many adventurous sonic forays, it remains true to the spirit of their classic work. At its core, As Long As Your Eyes Are Wide is a singer-songwriter record, guided by introspective lyrics and alchemical group harmonies from Ben, Tyler and Jaycelyn.

Additionally, the band will be releasing a 5 episode podcast titled Demoitis - available on iTunes later this month. Each episode explores a song from As Long As Your Eyes Are Wide as well as featuring discussions with peers in the Canadian music scene such as Max Kerman (Arkells), Graham Wright (Tokyo Police Club), Ryan Guldemond (Mother Mother) and more. WEBSITE, FACEBOOK.


Feisty from the opening moments 'Congratulations' is a contagious indie pop/rock song that has the hooks on rapid fire, enjoy!

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Bodywash - Eye To Eye.

Background - Montreal-based four-piece, Bodywash, shared their new single, "Eye To Eye." The new song was produced by Nigel Ward (Seoul) as well as mixed by Austin Tufts & Taylor Smith (Braids). Their debut full length, Comforter (also produced and mixed by the same team as Eye to Eye) is scheduled for a 2018-2019 release.

Bodywash is a Montréal four-piece that layers airy vocals, intricate guitar textures and swirling synths over a heavy rhythmic foundation.

Formed by Chris Steward, Rosie Long Decter and Adam MacPherson in the Residence Basement of McGill University Residence in 2014, they released their four-track self-titled EP almost exactly one year later. This self-titled EP showcased Bodywash finding their feet as a band, experimenting with a range of styles from the thick, woozy electronics of “Nothing At All” to the more overtly poppy approach of “This Cruel”.

The band have since zeroed in on a more focused confident sound that marries all their favourite elements of 90s shoe-gaze & trip-hop, ethereal 80s pop, and contemporary left-field electronic music, in part due to the addition of bassist Tom Gould as well as drummer Ryan White. Notable past and upcoming performances include show support for Arkells, Happyness, Yamantaka // Sonic Titan, Hoan, Lido Pimienta, Moon King, & Doomsquad. FACEBOOK, TWITTER.


The synths gently bring 'Eye To Eye' into focus (pun intended) as the song builds into a mixture of dream pop and softer shoegaze. Atmospheric throughout this is a sumptuous and soothing track to close your eyes and drift along with.

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Friday, 16 March 2018

Almanac Mountain - Alice in the Cruel Sea - Clare Hennessy - The Milkmen

Almanac Mountain - Jane.

Background - Almanac Mountain is the ever-evolving experimental pop project of New England songwriter/composer Chris Cote. Whereas his 2016 full-length Cryptoseismology represented an assertive move towards more challenging conceptual work, his latest, an EP titled Black Collar Vices is a shift towards more straightforward songwriting and pop structure.

However, this shift is not a full-bore retreat from the inventiveness of previous releases, but a more economical distillation of Chris’s core compositional approach. Collaborator Brian James acted as co-producer for the EP and also penned the chamber pop ballad “Perfect For Company” which closes Black Collar Vices.

In crafting the sound for Black Collar Vices, Chris revisited the chorus and delay heavy acoustic guitar and vocal treatment that characterized the sound of Almanac Mountain’s first EP, 2010’s When In Nature. BANDCAMP, FACEBOOK.


The musical production on 'Jane' is crisp and clear  providing each singular element with fabulous clarity. Gently melodic and with plenty of hooks Chris Cote's vocals give the song greater distinction, the new EP 'Black Collar Voices' is eagerly awaited.

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Alice in the Cruel Sea - Between The Devil And The Deep Blue Sea.

Background - Alice in the Cruel Sea is a 3-piece band based in London. Their sound is a mixture of alternative rock songwriting and electronic soundscapes, with synth and samples - driven tapestries of sounds. This  is enriched by lyrical yet minimal guitar melodies. It is formed by singer/songwriter Sara Rinaldi, guitarist/producer Filippo Faustini and bassist/producer Andy Kosakowski. The band is influenced by people like Radiohead, Sigur Ros, Florence and the machine, Bjork, Warpaint and also some cinematic music.

The band is currently promoting their first self-titled, self-produced EP through live performances in venues across London. Heading up to festivals in the summer, they continue pre-producing new songs and working on new material constantly. Their first single “Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea”, was released at the beginning of March 2018 and it will be followed by several other single launches during the following months. The group is also collaborating with the Italian director Annamaria Pennazzi for their first video.

Alice in the Cruel Sea is a project that dates back to 2015, when singer/songwriter Sara Rinaldi coupled with guitarist Filippo Faustini to work on some songs and showcase them at various venues in London. They kept working on the material and when bassist Andy Kosakowski joined the band in 2016, all the arrangements were shunned and the band began an intense period of experimentation on sound textures in order to find their own sound and direction. The guitar work was reduced to a minimum and the songs started to sound more synth-oriented. Samples from old keys, synths, mellotrons etc. started to appear as part of Alice’s sound world and the songs were shaped in their current form. FACEBOOK.


The layers slowly develop on 'Between The Devil And The Deep Blue Sea' a dreamy landscape of beautiful vocals and sensitive musical sounds that occasionally intensify but never dominate or clutter the flowing and ethereal feeling this piece exudes.


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Clare Hennessy - April.

Background - In a world that rejects vulnerability, the most radical thing that musician and writer Clare Hennessy could do was write an album of deeply personal songs. Music helped her to navigate and heal the frayed pockets of her heart; it was only fitting that she might hope to embolden others to do the same. A bright anthem to echo the triumph of new beginnings, April, the single, muses on transformation. With warm clarity, Clare Hennessy reminds us that when the month is right, taking flight is inevitable. Perfect for high-way driving

Considering Clare’s childhood listening to Joni Mitchell records, the heartbreaking honesty and nimble vocals of April are no surprise. She draws inspiration too from the warmth of Laura Marling, the grit of Marika Hackman and the guts of Julien Baker. Her voice soars above grit and sometimes considerable darkness with a lightness akin to Katie Noonan.

When asked to summarise the story of the EP, Clare insists that it is largely one to be felt and defined for each individual listener - though there is of course a clear path between each song to her. The take away: despite harshness, barrenness or hardship, there can be beauty. There will be growth. Hope can grow in desolation with love - and “by allowing truth to be heard”.

A trained playwright, stories have always been her lifeblood. It was no wonder then that she channeled this into her music, which has (since childhood) persistently knocked upon her door. April honours this marriage between stories and song, charting her personal coming of age (and, it marks a professional leap, too).

Growing up enchanted by the fantastical competing worlds of Sydney metropolis and rural QLD where her extended family lived, there is a mirroring duality in the music Clare Hennessy creates; heavily influenced by folk and rock authenticity, she has also been ensnared by the world of the less traditional. The tracks of April chart different landmarks along the journey of her becoming, and can be heard as both stand-alone destinations or pit-stops along a larger journey.

Tonally, the musical landscape feels like something between a Spaghetti Western and Twin Peaks - with a healthy helping of witchcraft in the mix. April was produced by Clare along with Nicholas Maitland, with guitar arrangements composed by Ben McCrum and Andy Mason as sound technician. Clare navigates rock, country and folk with a distinctly Australian flair. The destination: authenticity. Recorded entirely in her bedroom, this musical debut invites us into an interior space in which a heart is thawed out and false identities are abandoned. WEBSITE, FACEBOOK.


The word honest came to mind before I has even read the above background promo. 'April' has so much honesty to it, with intimate and personal lyrics coursing there way through the four songs. Acoustic, melodic and with vocals that can easily touch your heart, I am just so pleased to be able to feature the whole EP.

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The Milkmen - Pirate Boy.

Background - Opening with its spine-tingling first single Pirate Boy, The Milkmen's sophomore album, Behind Closed Eyelids, is an intense and rewarding listen. Driven by the gritty vocal style of Conor Mcloughlin, the band taps a vein of dirty acoustic rock, striking gold with masterfully layered songs that delve deep into the heavier realities of life.

Raw and honest, the lyrics at the heart of Behind Closed Eyelids match the intensity with which they are sung. Each instrument in the arrangement plays its part to perfection – adding the necessary shading that makes up the album's tone. Together, both band and singer bring the powerful narratives of Behind Closed Eyelids to life – delivering wave after wave of uplifting music, even during the album's bleakest moments. To properly capture this energy on tape, the band enlisted legendary Perth producer Rob Grant to sonically sculpt Behind Closed Eyelids.

From the darkest to the lightest moments on the album, the band sound glorious. The slow-burning State Of Mind comes bearing cheery melodies amidst the perfectly gloomy Sold My Soul and the soaring gospel harmonies of I Can Still Hear The Birds. History Repeating Itself and Davy Jones bring heartache, while For The Rest Of My Dayz, Lots Of Love and To Fight For You bring joy.

Formed and based in Perth, The Milkmen have divided their time between Australia and the UK. Now armed with the greatest work of their career, The Milkmen have every cause to get out and take their music to the world. Beginning on their own doorstep, the band will launch Behind Closed Eyelids at the Ravenswood Hotel on April 14 (fb event), kicking off a 12 month cycle of touring.

Having experienced both the intimacy of small clubs and the electrifying rush of performing festivals to thousands of people, The Milkmen are poised to take everything in their stride and embrace each new opportunity. With this tenacity – not to mention a setlist of blistering new tunes – the potential for this unique band is literally endless. FACEBOOK.


Described as acoustic rock 'Pirate Boy' is all of that however it's not soft or sweet, rather potent and mesmerising with the vocals adding some menace and drama, as the band energise the soundtrack.

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Thursday, 15 March 2018

Saltwater Sun - Hedge Fund

Saltwater Sun - The Wire.

Background - Hand In Hive signees Saltwater Sun return with tenacious new offering The Wire, reaffirming their irresistible blend of guitar pop on a whole new level. Marshalled by frontwoman Jen Stearnes’ gritty yet infectious vocals, the Reading quintet’s first release of 2018 boasts stratospheric hooks, explosive guitars and delicious harmonies, elevating them right back alongside their indie peers.

Having spent the last 18 months working on new material after drawing widespread acclaim from the online community and BBC Introducing, the five-piece are now gearing up for a hectic year with a slew of festival dates and releases in the pipeline.

Discussing their forthcoming single, the band stated: “Recently I think we’ve found ourselves part of a society divided by misinformation and distrust. The Wire is taking a look at the turbulent times we live in; the world’s never been so connected, yet it’s very easy to feel detached”. Produced by Alex Loring, Saltwater Sun’s The Wire is released via Hand In Hive (Dama Scout, Swimming Tapes, Zuzu) and is available on all platforms. FACEBOOK, TWITTER.


'The Wire' is a sprightly indie rocker with plenty of melodic hooks and some refined clarity from the musical arrangement, there are no passengers on this song as each band members commitment comes shining through.

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Hedge Fund - True Romance.

Background - The movement from depression into hope unraveled layers of complex cognition and a heightened creative determination for Sydney's Hedge Fund. But here they stand with their most confident single yet - 'True Romance' - their first to emerge following a year of personal turmoil for the group's frontman, self-proclaimed provocateur Will Colvin.

An immaculate melting pot of muscular post-punk grooves and dreamy synth-pop, 'True Romance' is a return to form for the band, rolling with heart and sparking with emotional rawness, think the likes of New Order, Talking Heads and The Cure. For Colvin, it came with a sizable helping of heartbreak.

"True Romance was written as a reaction to the death of my father and the breakdown of my marriage, the loss of the two most important people in my life in a very short period of time. The lyrics are about grief, frustration, failure and the lies that we tell ourselves about who we are as human beings. It's a song about being wrenched into a situation which caused an immense loss of faith in reality."

Recorded alongside longtime producing partner Richard Belkner at studio Free Energy Device in Camperdown, the pair went deep on this one, working hard to merge the pounding combination of bass, drums and vocals at the core of the song. The result - something between Nirvana and Blade Runner. FACEBOOK, TWITTER.


A chunky bass, accompanied by some determined and emphatic vocals open 'True Romance' a feisty rocker with hints of punk angst, backed by a band whose suppressed energy occasionally cannot be held back as they explode into a full on rock assault.

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Wednesday, 14 March 2018

Flower Face - Frederick The Younger

Flower Face - April To Death.

Background - Flower Face is Ruby Mckinnon, a 19-year-old songwriter from Ontario, Canada, whose voice stretches far beyond her years. Taking her musical cues from an eclectic range of influences, her sound sits somewhere between Conor Oberst, Big Thief and The National.

‘April To Death’, taken from new album Baby Teeth, sounds upbeat yet deals with the disillusion that comes with being a human being, and the various methods we use to cope with life, in Ruby’s words “whether that be drugs or dropping out of school or meaningless encounters. It's kind of a cynical take on all the things we do to make life a bit less painful, they feel so passionate and important at the time, but really they're pretty empty.”

Having played piano from the age of 5 and picked up the guitar to record her songs at 15, Flower Face has forged her way as an independent artist for years, amassing 125K+ streams on recent single ‘Honey and Milk’ with no label support or management whatsoever.

While Flower Face’s music has a quiet beauty, lyrically her songwriting deals with the darker side of life. She tells us that “it’s kind of an outlet but also a method of storytelling. A lot of my writing is based on empathy – on putting myself in places I haven’t been as a means of exploring the capacity of my own feelings. I was writing about heartbreak long before I’d ever felt it. I was writing about death before I’d ever lost someone close to me. I had a close brush with death when I was 17 – I went through surgery and chemotherapy for ovarian cancer. A lot of people thought that explained my lyrics, but I was writing about the dark long before I’d been there.” FACEBOOK, TWITTER.


The vocals are melodic and sensitive, the music adds some more energy to the song with its indie folk feel as 'April To Death' quickly establishes itself as one very catchy song.

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Frederick The Younger - Human Child II.

Background - Louisville’s acclaimed psych-pop band Frederick The Younger is hitting the road in support of Houndmouth in April. In advance of the tour, they're sharing their first new song in over a year, “Human Child II”, which is a full band interpretation of the title track to their debut album Human Child that came out last February. The original version of the song was performed solo on the album by their powerhouse vocalist Jenni Cochran, so the band decided to cut a full version after it went over well during live performances in the past year.

Frederick The Younger’s sound is a perfect balance of psych-pop and vintage rock & roll, with Cochran's captivating vocals always at the forefront, drawing comparisons to everyone from Janis Joplin to Karen O. Their album Human Child was produced by veteran sonic wizard Kevin Ratterman (My Morning Jacket, Andrew Bird, Twin Limb), and is a bigger and more exploratory progression of their debut Warm Front EP.

Comprised of Cochran, Aaron Craker (guitar, who’s also playing guitar w/ Houndmouth on these dates), Jake Hellman (bass) and Dave Givan (drums), there is an earnestness to Frederick The Younger’s music that rings true, the kind of sincerity only born from experience. These songs feel alive and well-lived, tragic, beautiful, and contemplative, all with solid hooks. WEBSITE, FACEBOOK.


Upcoming Frederick The Younger Tour Dates:
4/06 - Louisville, KY - Headliners Music Hall
4/12 - Detroit, MI - El Club #
4/13 - Bloomington, IN - Bluebird #
4/14 - Milwaukee, WI - Turner Hall #
4/15 - Madison, WS - Majestic Theatre #
4/16 - Appleton, WI - Tandem Bar
4/17 - Minneapolis, MN - First Avenue #
4/18 - Iowa City, IA - Englert Theater #
4/19 - Columbia, MO - The Blue Note #
4/20 - Kansas City, MO - Truman Hall #
4/21 - Dallas, TX - Granada Theatre #
4/24 - San Antonio, TX - Paper Tiger #
4/25 - Austin, TX - Scoot Inn #
4/26 - Baton Rouge, LA - Varsity Theatre #
4/27- Birmingham, AL - The Saturn #

# - with Houndmouth

It's over a year since were first introduced to Frederick The Younger and it is indeed a pleasure to be able to share 'Human Child II'. The psych elements are there again, along with some superb and dramatic vocals that add a level of mystery to the song, along with the creative and intriguing musical arrangement.

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Tuesday, 13 March 2018

Tonota 80 - Ben Glover - Ennor

Tonota 80 - Could Do Better.

Background - With a moniker taken from a vaporising device featured in the 1970's sci-fi novel 'A Whirlpool Of Stars, UK punk-rock trio 'Tonota 80' transmit news that their new album 'Killer Sands And Beating Hearts' will be released via UK/US label Engineer Records on 23rd March 2018.

Originally becoming acquainted through a chance meeting in their local record store; the Maidstone/Kent based musicians David Bloomfield (Vox/Guitar), Richard Pronger (Bass/Vox) and John Edwards (Drums) met again several years later and hatched 'Tonota 80' upon the UK music scene. 

Despite the band being firmly routed in old school British punk reverie, the 3 piece bring in subtle influences from an myriad of genres. Citing the likes of Husker Du, Dinosaur Jr, Swervedriver and Radio Birdman as some of their most influential peers - Tonota 80 are encased with a penchant for brash guitar riffs, colossal melodic hooks and 60's inspired vocal harmonies.

Their self-released debut 'Jonesing For Chips' brought much welcomed support from revered BBC 6 Music taste-maker Steve Lamacq and captured them many fans of underground British rock music. After time spent out to write and produce new material, the punk fuelled anthems of Tonota 80 caught the attention of Engineer Records who shall deliver the digital/CD release of the bands latest creations. FACEBOOK, TWITTER.

'Could Do Better' is a blistering two and a half minutes of classic punk. The track is packed full of hooks largely due to a few subtle chord changes, and when you add in the attitude fuelled vocals, the song really gains traction. 


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Ben Glover - Ride The River (feat. Kim Richey).

Background - Born and raised in Glenarm, Northern Ireland, Nashville based Ben Glover has been hailed by journalists around the world as one of Northern Ireland’s finest exports. A compelling songwriter, who was awarded International Song of the Year at the 2016 UK Americana Awards with Gretchen Peters for their co-written song “Blackbirds,” a song which appears on Glover’s album Atlantic and serves as the title track to Peters’ 2015 solo album, his impending studio album, Shorebound, sees him evolve even further as an artist and collaborator.

The newfound sounds and shapes that comprise Shorebound mark a moment in Glover's musical history — a moment that nods to the past decade of his artistry even while pivoting into the next era. “I’m a believer in cycles, and 2018 will mark ten years since I released my first album,” Glover says, “so it feels very much that this album is a major turning point in a cycle. Shorebound is an acknowledgment of where I am and a celebration of the people who I’ve gotten here with.”

A truly personal collection, Glover is a storyteller who can offer intrigue and insight, while his listeners lose themselves in his rich vocal. Heading up the album is the Kim Richey collaboration, Ride The River.

“Ride The River” is the story of two lovers conspiring to get free together, dreaming and planning their great escape from the commitments of the world. When writing the song Kim Richey and I wanted to use the sense and symbols of time to show just how far these characters would go in their pursuit of being together. No matter what elements and obstacles stood before them they were moving through it all with complete devotion to one another." WEBSITE, FACEBOOK.

Tour Dates:
Thurs 10th May – London, King’s Place (supporting Mary Gauthier)
Fri 11th May – Carlisle, Carlisle Folk and Blues Club  
Sat 12th May – Aberdeen, The Blue Lamp
Tues 15th May – Birmingham, Kitchen Garden Cafe 
Wed 16th May – Tadcaster, Everything Good Goes  
Thurs 17th May – London, King’s Place (supporting Mary Gauthier)
Fri 18th May – Worthing, Coastal Connections          
Sat 19th May – Cambridge, The Junction
Sat 26th May – Culdaff, McGrory’s [Ireland]
Thurs 31st May – Larne, N. Ireland, Larne Town Hall 
Fri 1st June – Belfast, The Black Box.


Ben Glover's rich and distinctive vocals and the gorgeous harmonies from Kim Richey make 'Ride The River' a majestic song. The musical arrangement is refined and beautifully constructed making this one very special and enticing track.


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Ennor - Farewell To Atlantis.

Background - ‘Farewell To Atlantis’ encapsulates the reckless energy of Ennor’s West Cornwall roots to make for three minutes of folk-rock perfection. Sun-drenched melodies, sprightly rhythms, and open road lyricism peg it as the sort of performance that could only hail from the UK’s surfer heartland. It’s both a homecoming story and a bittersweet meditation on change and the passing of time. Frontman Tom Elliott wraps his lyrics in a heartfelt melodic sensibility that recalls the arena-baiting energy of The Gaslight Anthem as the group meander effortlessly through infectious verses, sing-along choruses and a raucously rising middle eight.

The careful balance of driving rock instrumentation and folk lyricism is one ENNOR strike with aplomb. The group headed back to Elliott’s hometown of Penzance to shoot the video for the track with director John Freddy Jones, set in an old outhouse overlooking the Atlantic which the singer spent much of his youth writing in.

With their musical and emotional roots embedded in the far corners of Cornwall, Ennor write songs that have a palpable sense of openness and raw emotion. It’s the culmination both of their journeys across the UK and a nostalgic longing for the Cornish sea. By turns both folk and rock, the four-piece’s infectious sound has garnered attention from London to Penzance, as well as the acclaim of BBC Introducing. The poeticism and sincerity of frontman Tom Elliott is propped by the blistering work of the rhythm section. Adam Williams’s driving drums and the dexterous string work of guitarist Jack Rennie and bassist James Creed has earned their sound a new moniker: ‘Californwall’ - a fitting epithet to describe the perennial summer in their songwriting.

Drawing influence from the likes of Frank Turner, The Gaslight Anthem and Ben Howard, Ennor spent the summer of 2017 touring their sunshine sounds across the UK to the like of Ronnie Scotts, The Eden Project and Boardmasters, before heading into the studio to record new works ready for 2018 and the turn of the seasons. FACEBOOK, TWITTER.


Lively, natural and pleasing 'Farewell To Atlantis' is a marvellous mixture of upbeat rock tinged with some delicious folk sensibilities. West Cornwall is a fabulous place for a holiday (despite the unpredictable Atlantic weather), I'm guessing from this at least some the locals know that it sure beats city life.


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Cactus Lee - Sons of Sevilla - Gwenno

Cactus Lee - Got A Heart Like Rainwater Blues. This spring Cactus Lee released a new self-titled album (with R. Crumb artwork) via the este...