Background - Through a sensual and sultry track impregnated as much with Solange, Air or even Portishead, Praa questions our human connection about the - mostly - virtual relationships we maintain through our screens. An illness, symptom of this generation that is the namesake of this song ‘Y’.
Marion Lagassat, is the real name of singer, musician, composer Praa. She was born in the sunny Southern-French town of Valence. A child of the 90’s born to music-loving parents, she was exposed early on to Brit-Pop sounds and American Folk and grew up with the beats of 90’s RnB. Greatly influenced by Hollywood cinema and conceptual art of the 70’s - 80’s, it was only natural for her to fly to Los Angeles upon turning 18.
Radio airplay and noticed covers on Dailymotion at the age 16 were already promising signs for her future. Through her first Folk project she managed to tour her home country opening for such acts as Angus Stones, Tété, Arthur H… In parallel, she joined a pysch-rock band playing the organ. Her unlimited passion and curiosity most certainly nurtured her rich and original musical eclecticism.
Under her new alias, she imposes a modern neo-soul, ambitious yet light. Taking in the styles of NAO, Jorja Smith, Portishead and injecting a French swagger, commanding her great ability to synthesize all of her influences to emerge free and uniquely her own. Praa tracks traverse RnB to evanescent Trip-Hop and even 90’s New Jack. All based around a sparse and minimalist production sound halfway between electronic and organic, jumbled with French savoir-faire. A universe textured with rich vocal work and from which unfolds a fan containing the warmest of melodies. With only two singles, the Frenchwoman has made her spot in the French musical landscape. FACEBOOK.
It was back at the end of last year when we shared 'Modeling Clay' by Praa and the new track 'Y' is another gorgeous piece. The vocals are sultry and intimate and the layered musical backdrop warm and enticing, put together this is a smooth, rich and hook laden song.
Background - The fifth and final Satellite Stories album Cut Out The Lights is out now via Playground. As fans around the world digested the news, the blow was considerably softened when they heard the first taste from Cut Out The Lights, ‘Coupons’ – with Clash Magazine proclaiming the track “A fizzing, cracking, explosive return.” Next, the single from the album, ‘Carried Away’ was released and singer Esa Mankinen told us "Carried away is a song about losing track with reality, but also realizing that's part of life".
The final chapter in their story has been announced in the form of new video for the title track 'Cut out the Lights'. The band set off on their European Farewell Tour earlier this week and head to the UK on October 15th for a show at the Lexington in London.
Satellite Stories are Finland's biggest and most successful indie act ever, with over 60 million streams worldwide, having appeared at over 300 headline shows, in no less than 17 countries spanning 3 continents. ‘Cut Out The Lights’ is an album where the band have taken the decision to self produce, to maintain complete creative control and make certain the ideas come across fully in the manner they wish. “It is all on us again now, which is a position we love, the challenge is immense, we have put everything into this record, a full year in the making,” says lead guitarist Marko Heikkinen. TWITTER.
Satellite Stories are going out in style as 'Cut out the Lights' amply demonstrates. High quality indie rock which is melodic, catchy and flows beautifully. The video is a pleasing accompaniment, from a band that have clearly put so much energy and heart into their final work.
Background - Amy Rigby will be releasing her first solo album in a dozen years, The Old Guys, in the UK on 30 November. The album has already received ecstatic reviews in the US. After a few English dates in March 2018, Amy returns to the UK for a full solo tour in November.
The Old Guys measures the weight of heroes, home; family, friends and time. Philip Roth and Bob Dylan, CD/cassette players, touring, the wisdom of age and Walter White, groupies, Robert Altman, egg creams, fellow musicians and mentors are paid tribute. Twelve songs written unmistakably by Amy and recorded by Wreckless Eric in upstate New York, The Old Guys is the sound of a good girl grown up, never giving up.
Amy Rigby has made a life out of writing and singing about life. With bands Last Roundup and the Shams in eighties NYC East Village to her solo debut Diary Of A Mod Housewife out of nineties Williamsburg; through a songwriting career in 2000s Nashville and during the past decade with duo partner Wreckless Eric, she’s released records on visionary independent labels Rounder, Matador, Signature Sounds and reborn Stiff Records as well as her and Eric’s own Southern Domestic Recordings. Her songs have been covered by Laura Cantrell, Ronnie Spector, They Might Be Giants’ John Flansburgh and Maria Doyle Kennedy.
For the last twenty years Amy has toured the US, Canada, UK and Europe, appearing on Fresh Air with Terry Gross, Late Night with Conan O’Brien, The Janice Forsyth and Tom Morton shows on BBC Scotland; Hello Goodbye on Resonance FM, and BBC Radio 6 Music’s Marc Riley Show. She lives with Wreckless Eric in New York State. Her record “Dancing With Joey Ramone” is a staple of Little Steven’s Underground Garage radio show, and “Keep It To Yourself”’ (co-written with longtime MOJO contributor Bill DeMain) was recently the inspiration for a short story by renowned crime fiction writer John Harvey. Amy was featured on the Please Kill Me website (the home of Please Kill Me: the Uncensored Oral History of Punk by best-selling authors Legs McNeil and Gillian McCain). WEBSITE.
UK Tour Dates: Sat Nov 10 – Cromer, Hall Wed Nov 14 – Manchester, Gulliver’s Thu Nov 15 – Glasgow, Hug & Pint Fri Nov 16 – Edinburgh, Voodoo Rooms Speakeasy Sat Nov 17 – Durham, Olde Cinema Launderette Sun Nov 18 – Hull, St. John’s Thu Nov 22 – Worcester, Marrs Bar Fri Nov 23 – London, Betsey Trotwood Sat Nov 24 – Portsmouth, Elmsworth Sports Club Sun Nov 25 – Folkestone, Lime Bar Café.
'From Philiproth' is an uncomplicated rocker where a potent driving beat, some slacker guitar work makes for a natural backdrop for Amy Rigby's totally rock and roll vocals.
JJ and The Pillars - Howl (Feat. Alyssa Morrissey).
Background from JJ and The Pillars - In early 2017, we began recording our second album, Daisy, with producer Kevin Dietz (The Cranberries, The Glorious Sons, Circa Survive.) The resulting effort is the band’s best work to date, full of strong songwriting, energetic performances, and powerful delivery.
Our new single, “Howl,” marks a change in my writing style and features the powerful voice of country singer, Alyssa Morrissey. Adding a refined southern flair counterpoint to our feverish pop sound.
“Howl” is about finding someone that makes you feel free, not afraid to be yourself around them. We have always been very comfortable both on/off stage together. Alyssa was always the country girl, while I’m the rock guy. We wanted to write a song about our relationship that was perfect for both of us.
Daisy is slated for release this fall and will be performed in its entirety live at Toronto’s Lee’s Palace on October 5th, featuring special guests Olivia and The Creepy Crawlies. TWITTER.
'Howl' is a refined alt rocker, with some beguiling dual vocals as Alyssa Morrissey adds just a little of an Americana dimension to this fabulous song. As a teaser for the 'Daisy' album this is splendid, as it keeps us guessing where the band might take us next.
Background - LA singer-songwriter Eva B. Ross crafts perfect pop on “Messy,” the first single from her upcoming EP
Eva B. Ross is a Los Angeles born singer-songwriter who grew up writing songs and singing in her family’s garage band. As a teenager, she advanced her studies in singing and songwriting at Interlochen Arts and at the Stanford Jazz Vocal Residency as well as the poetry division of the Sewanee’s Young Writer’s Conference.
During her time at UCLA she studied history and won UCLA's Spring Sing at Pauley Pavilion with her original composition, Chicago. Past recipients of the award include Sara Bareilles and Maroon 5. Eva has been featured twice as a vocalist on WDCB 90.9 FM’s “Chicago Jazz Live”.
She is a familiar face on the LA music scene, including performances at Echo Park Rising, KCRW Desert Nights and as a featured new artist at the Warner Center Summer concerts. Messy is Eva’s debut single. Her debut EP includes 5 additional original songs to be released by the end of 2018. Eva’s EP is co-produced by Grammy-winning Nashville producer Justin Niebank (Sheryl Crow, Dolly Parton, Vince Gill, among others) and Emmy-winning producer, Steve Rashid. WEBSITE.
'Messy 'somehow slipped through our net a couple of weeks back, (so thanks for the polite reminder August!). A bright upbeat and very pleasing pop song with tinges of Nashville in the musical backdrop, as debut singles go, this is spectacular and very contagious.
Background - Jangle-pop four-piece Honey Moon unveil Mover In The Dark, the final aperitif served ahead of their new EP Four More From…, hitting your ears on 21st September, via Manchester boutique label Heist or Hit (Her’s, Pizzagirl).
Snare trills, melodic staccato guitars and barber-shop harmonies transport you through the decades, to a summer evening leant on a parked Chevy Bel Air by a dimly lit beach front. Like a hazy memory however, it’s hard to locate exact feelings, and an eerie tone pervades: “Its vulnerability isn't laid quite as bare and its message not quite as obvious as in some of our other stuff. Kinda creepy, kind of 'dark' - for us cheesy boys, anyway” says ringleader Jack Slater Chandler.
A continued evolution from the dreamy, floaty Honey Moon sound of old, and a side-step from the more straight-up love tunes that make up the rest of the EP, Mover In The Dark is unique take from the four-piece.
Honey Moon’s style is escapist croon-pop looking back at 50s/60s doo-wop and the birth of Pop in Britain and America with rose tinted glasses. Whether or not the innocence of these ‘simpler times’ truly existed is beside the point, the idealised memory is enough to run counter to the modern day problems facing this generation up close and personal.
Strutting around the gig venues of London town for a little while now, Honey Moon have built up worthy buzz followed by invites to perform at Glastonbury Festival and supports with Trudy and The Romance, Fake Laugh and GURR, which has cemented their status as exciting up-and-comers. They’ll furthermore be joining label mates Her’s for a few dates on their upcoming tour, following an EP release celebration at The Waiting Room in London on the 27th of September. TWITTER.
Some very fine retro pop has come our way over the past year or so and 'Mover In The Dark' is a welcome addition in that regards. Somewhere around the late fifties (I'm to young to remember) or early sixties (no comment) I have a feeling that this would have been a strong contender for the Top Forty. That said, it's fresh and timeless quality makes it good enough for any era.
Background - Rosie Carney’s new single, “Thousand,” featuring acclaimed artist Lisa Hannigan was shared last Friday. The track is the fourth to be released from her highly anticipated debut album, Bare, which is now is set for release January 25 via Akira Records/The Orchard.
Of the deeply personal track, Carney notes, “The past few years have been quite a struggle for my family, my mum especially. She’s currently a full-time caregiver for my grandmother (her mother) who is sadly suffering severely with dementia, and has been for quite a while now. We call it the long goodbye as every day a little piece of her leaves us. It’s hard to witness a woman that was once so strong be as vulnerable as a child, but even throughout this struggle, kindness and love have never been absent.”
Regarding the collaboration with Hannigan, one of her musical idols, she continues, “In the past my songs have mainly been on acoustic guitar, but on ‘Thousand’ we introduced drums, bass and cello. When it came time for vocals, I tried harmonizing with myself, which I do on most songs, but it didn’t feel like quite enough…I wanted something richer and deeper. Just before I began recording, I met Lisa at a festival we both played in Cork. She has a big influence of mine since before I can remember. I was, and still am, pinching myself over the fact that she agreed when I sent her ‘Thousand.’ I can’t imagine anything more perfect than singing it with a woman whose musical footsteps I aspire to follow. It is such a huge deal to me.”
Carney was born in Hampshire, England and at 10 years old moved to Donegal on the northwest coast of Ireland. She was inspired by the rugged and picturesque landscapes of her new home and began writing music. At 15 she left school in Donegal to showcase her work in New York and Los Angeles, and was signed to a major label shortly thereafter. In 2013 she received widespread attention with a performance on Ireland’s leading live music TV series Other Voices. That same year she played London’s Bushstock, the first of many high profile festival billings including Latitude in the U.K., Electric Picnic in Ireland, Seven Layers in Amsterdam and SXSW in Austin. Recently she supported Haux on a 28-date tour of 12 countries, including the U.S. and Canada.
Carney’s rapid rise was almost derailed, as her later teen years were largely spent grappling with her own mental health in the wake of personal trauma, an eating disorder and depression. Simultaneously, she struggled to assert herself creatively in a large commercial system, facing pressure to co-write and even change her name—before leaving the major label system altogether. Throughout it all, the one constant has been her songwriting, which is both cathartic and empowering. Bare is the product of that time. TWITTER.
Rosie Carney has been regularly featured on Beehive Candy such is the quality of her music, and the new song 'Thousand' is another musical gem. Accompanied vocally by Lisa Hannigan and with just a little more instrumentation, the piece has additional depth, however the naturalness and personal emotion she brings to her music remains intact and shines as brightly as ever.
Background - 'Portread O Ddyn Yn Bwyta Ei Hun' is possibly the best reflection of Breichiau Hir's live sound committed to record so far; abrasive, ruthless, loud and vigorous. The invasive relentless instrumentation from the orchestra of guitars and sharp pounding drums back up the ‘punk & roll’ approach to the song that carries Portread O Ddyn Yn Bwyta Ei Hun from a meticulous, rhythmic start into an intense, crashing crescendo.
The band describe the writing and recording process: "We recorded two or three different verses where Steffan sung, but they never sounded right. Steffan got incredibly frustrated and ended up changing his entire parts with spoken-word / speak-shout verses."
This frustration influenced the all-out angst heard in the verse’s vocals, where Steffan collages brief snippets of over-heard debates and brash thoughts, jumping from one theme to another, all in an abstract but aesthetically-pleasing manner.
Steffan explains the themes behind the songs ear catching lyrics “I’d say the song is a bit of a mind-trip, aimlessly jumping through different thoughts and conversations but with as much angst as possible, whatever the subject.” “I gloat in the chorus about a boring and meaningless personal victory, keeping people up at night with my self-indulgence.” BANDCAMP.
We have featured a number of songs sung in the Welsh language in the past and whilst 'Portread o Ddyn yn Bwyta ei Hun' might require a literal translation for me to understand, the universal language of passion, emotion and raw power needs none of that, as is demonstrated by this feisty rocker.
Background - Ricky Lewis shares the title track from his upcoming album, 'See You In The Morning' which will be out September 21.
Part coming-of-age story, part letter trying to explain the things you couldn't bring yourself to say, See You In The Morning is the debut record by Ricky Lewis.
Written during that last year of domesticity, and a little bit after too, it's a ten song collection of "heartfelt folk and country rock that's reminiscent of My Morning Jacket, Strand Of Oaks, Ryan Adams, and Kevin Morby" (Stereogum) that adds to the pantheon of breakup records with right to the core lyrics like "I killed all my friends to prove I want you the most" from highlight Death Valley.
The album was produced by Rod Sherwood, also a NYC journeyman, whose resume includes Au Revoir Simone, Pela, and Dirty On Purpose. Ricky watches a lot less TV now. He's got a new band, and has been stockpiling songs in Alphabet City, where he lives with his dog Agnes. WEBSITE.
We featured 'TV On A Tiny Screen' just four weeks ago, and the albums title track 'See You In The Morning' is a welcome follow up and another positive indicator ahead of this Fridays release date. This time there is something of a southern rock vibe to the music, whilst the vocals give the piece a personal, singer songwriter feel, collectively this is gorgeous which will do for me.
Background - No Confidence Man is the funky fresh track from the self-effacing young Bostonites, The Woolly Mammoths. Consummate music nerds The Woolly Mammoths create sly, idiosyncratic dance punk that falls somewhere between Parquet Courts and Animal Collective. Their high energy, cheeky vibe seems to be a direct response to their starchy childhoods on the Seacoast of New Hampshire, where they learned to escape the doldrums by indulging themselves in off-beat esoteric indie rock. Since their inception in 2014, the quintet has cut loose with two LP’s and EP, culminating in 2017’s Resist Consumerism, Buy Our Album which received a positive shout out from Anthony Fantano of The Needle Drop. Their dynamic, collaborative recordings and sweaty live show quickly created a local groundswell, culminating in praise from Greater Boston Music Publications and prodding the band to leave NH behind to pursue music in Boston proper, locking in opening slots for Diet Cig and Vacationer along the way. The move coincided with the respective band members entering adulthood and grappling with the tribulations associated with that pivotal coming-of-age period. The resulting album, Cityzen, is their most topical release to date, with much of material dealing directly with the balancing measures one must implement to fully integrate into society. Lead-off single “No Confidence Man” tackles the first world problems of being a young-adult male, imbuing the booty-shaking groove with a refreshingly irreverent tone that has come to be The Mammoth’s signature stock-in-trade. TWITTER.
Full of charm and just a little quirky 'No Confidence Man' is a feast of rhythms, addictive vocals and just enough jangly indie sounds to complete the musical circle.
Background - Chorusgirl are delighted to announce their brand new release Shimmer and Spin, the album that overcame the odds, due out on 16 November via Reckless Yes. Chorusgirl's second full-length chronicles a tense year, created during a period of crippling anxiety and a relentless string of bad luck and bad news. On first listen these tensions are not immediately apparent but beyond the bright sparkling melodies there are beautifully crafted yet deceptively sharp icebergs lying in wait. The band will be heading out on the road in November with a string of dates across the UK, starting on 9 November at Hackney's The Victoria and ending on 23 November at The Tin in Coventry.
Fronted by London-based, German-born songwriter Silvi Wersing, the band recently brought in Faith Taylor of Suggested Friends on lead guitar to round-out the sound, and she even wrote a couple of songs on the record. Completing the line-up is by Udo Westhoff on bass and Michael Boyle on drums.
With their sound rooted in shimmering indiepop with an undercurrent of darkness, Chorusgirl blend the sparkle of 80s bands like The Cure and the Cocteau Twins, with the close harmonies and surf-inspired indie of Dum Dum Girls and La Luz. The lyrics run from the abstract to the personal, are delicate and angry, but layered underneath a measured dose of noise and happy fizz.
The moment they had started writing the second album, an extraordinary string of bad luck happened that lasted more than a year. As Silvi explains, “There was barely a month without bad news on a personal and wider level, and at the end of that year, my anxiety started to spike badly. The album became a very important anchor. Every note and lyric were raked over and looked at twice; we were hacking and honing away at the songs for months, trying to craft some sort of sculpture of our state of mind.” WEBSITE.
'No Goodbye' is the first single from the album 'Shimmer and Spin' due in November. A sprightly indie rocker where melodic vocals and a fast paced musical backdrop soon deliver their hooks, this really is a fine first taste from the album.
Background - Peckham, London based Rina Mushonga explores space and time with a third single ‘4qrtrs' out today, taken from her upcoming album due early next year.
The Dutch-Zimbabwean artist is pushing her unique afropop-indie-electro fusion to its outer limits – and to her new home in Peckham - with intergalactic and romantic consequences. “4qrtrs’ started in Zimbabwe and came together in London,” explains Rina, “it even references some of the local joints in Peckham. Its name comes from a video-game bar I fell in love with when I first moved here and where I've spent many nights playing Pacman and Space Invaders with friends and local strangers.”
Blending traditional African influences with modern club pop through her wildly uncompromising style, Rina takes her inspiration from Greek mythology and a love of literature, her childhood in Harare, a former life living in Amsterdam and the London locale which she now calls home. Like a love song to her own back yard, ‘4qrtrs’ returns to the faces – and voices – of Rina’s new neighbourhood. Fed through her recent coming-of-age single ‘Jungles’ and the video for ‘Ata|antA’, the track’s opening field recordings vividly capture the hubbub of activity that rose up to the window by which she wrote, whilst recovering from an injury to her Achilles heel. “I would just hear kids coming home from school, and families and traffic, and I’d just be soaking it all in,” she says.
Rina continues; “It's a little bit 'frustrated long-distance relationship' and a little bit 'Zim I really miss you and I don't know how to be with you'. It's a bit of 'I dare you to take a chance on me' with the unfolding joy of where I am now – and navigating and accepting all these different parts of one’s identity. That's probably why it materialised here in good old Peckham, so much of it reminds me of home, the sounds and vibes of Rye Lane – it unlocked something in me and allowed a new sound and perspective to take root. ‘4qrtrs’ speaks to that process and the geography of it all. It's often scary and lonely, but there's no regrets - just a growing, vivid sense of moving into something new that embraces all these different parts.”
Working with Frans Verburg who played keys in her old band and Grammy-winning producer Brett Shaw, Rina says her newest material is further refinement of a vision that’s been a long time forming; “‘4qrtrs’ has been prodded, poked and teased into existence. Parts of it belonged to my old, discarded songs, other bits and pieces I wrote more recently. It's become this weird collage or map of where I've been, emotionally and geographically.” TWITTER.
'4qrtrs' is a melting pot of musical styles that are given a cohesive overall sound as they musically morph around. The gorgeous vocals add more, giving this fabulous tune even further edge.
Background - Acclaimed singer-songwriter Terry Emm is returning to music this September following a six year hiatus. Terry Emm’s new EP ‘Ornate’ drops on 21st Sept and he’s just unveiled the striking opening track ‘The Leaving’.
‘Ornate’, the new EP from UK singer-songwriter Terry Emm is as the title suggests, a collection of fragile elegant tracks that have a timeless feel and are crafted as if they are unique objects for mantlepiece display. Fashioned from the love of creation and to catalogue memories and thoughts, they are distinctive and embellished with astute understated beauty at every turn.
Emm’s first release in six years, the EP was a nostalgic experience for Emm with an exploration of his previously unreleased back catalogue of demos. “When I was around 12-15 years old I’d spend every night after school recording tracks on an 8-track in my bedroom. I started to revisit these sessions last year which was like re-connecting to a previous life and a certain freedom and purity. Some tracks were like old friends, some I’d completely forgotten about. I liked the young innocent feel of the tones and lyrics and picked out some previously overlooked elements of some of the tracks that I thought were particularly cool. Each of the tracks on this EP had their genesis in the old demos from these years but were then re-written slightly to enhance them” he says.
The ‘Ornate’ EP has hallmarks of the style of Emm’s previous releases but like all his works reaches into new territory with a new blend of sounds from the atmospheric subtle electronics of ‘Sophia’ a song of unrequited love to the Goddess of wisdom to the deep healing keyboards of title track ‘Ornate’. The palette is expanded also by the addition of an enigmatic female vocalist providing soaring moods to three of the tracks and also some inspired percussion and production wizardry from co-producer Jonathan McMillan at Smokehouse Studios, London.
Throughout his career Emm has developed a style that is idiosyncratic and eschews genre categorization. His most recent album ‘Starlight’ at times sounds like the Americana jams of Wilco yet also the string quartet infused ballads of Clifford T Ward. Previous albums ‘Petals Fallen Off The Sun’ and ‘White Butterflies’ and standalone single ‘Gently’ enveloped alternative folk explorations, sprawling rock epics and psychedelic indie singer-songwriter territory and much more. The emphasis on each of Emm’s songs being from the heart and what it “needs to be” expressively, giving plenty for the likes of BBC Radio 2, BBC 6 Music, The Guardian, MOJO, Uncut and many more to rave about. WEBSITE.
'The Leaving' softly opens with acoustic guitar and Terry Emm's impassioned vocal. A sense of earnest sincerity flows through this beautiful song, a little piano music adds some melody, but the feeling that this is from the heart is constantly apparent.
Background - In One Mile Away main protagonist, little Alex, is participating in local talent show. Unconfident and shy he tries to put on his best performance of a song. During Alex’s performance, nobody in the audience seem to give a f*%@ and, even worse, a fight breaks out. With the show being ruined, Alex accidentally stumbles upon a mysterious tray in the bathroom and decides to give its content a try. The result surpasses all Alex’s expectations, or does it?
“The Hate Club is a place for outcasts to call home, for people to punch in the face the messed up world we live in.” This is how The Hate Club’s (THC) leader and sole member, Alex Poe, describes the mission for his music and his ‘band' overall. Poe has set out to achieve this goal through an amalgamation of the driving bass heavy practices of EDM and the spite and swagger of punk rock, clearly heard through his vocal quality and lyricism.
Growing up in an oppressive Ukrainian household, Poe eventually fled to Los Angeles where he became enamored with the electronic music scene. In 2017 THC released its debut EP, Space Born, made major waves in the underground electronic music scene, becoming a cult favorite in the US primary musical hot spots, New York and LA. Now, with the release of the second EP, Misfits, THC furthers the dark yet charming narrative created by Space Born.
While favorably compared to some Punk and EDM greats like Skrillix, Cage the Elephant, Missio, or The White Stripes, THC is truly in a class all its own. Keeping in the spirit of Punk rock, Poe is a dedicated DIY artist who not only writes all of his music but also tracks all parts, as well as mixing and mastering his songs by himself to prepare for performance with the help of his Ableton Push. This approach has allowed him to achieve the level of excitement, and overall sound, in performance comparable to a full-band. FACEBOOK.
'One Mile Away' has a fresh musical vibe as it opens, adding layers of musical sounds before the vocals give the piece some distinctive rock and roll passion. The video is fabulously crazy, the imagery working so well with the song, this is both clever and catchy.
Background - Tania Vinokur, multitalented and vibrantly unrivaled has been captivating audiences all over the globe with her inimitable fusion of musical, dance and percussive segments inspired by Oriental, Latin, Classical and Gypsy craft.
Tania’s main musical inspirations are drawn from Sephardic, Classical and Gypsy music. The subsequent sonic and movement focused creations are enhanced during her live performances by a selective 5-piece band of talented players. Live shows fully emulate Tania’s triple-threat approach to sharing her artistry with the world portraying her chameleon-like abilities to play, dance, sing and drum. Her stage presence is therefore simultaneously theatrical and magnetic, transporting audiences to her custom realm of music and movement-driven integration leaving them stunned.
Tania’s new single Jaffa is no exception to these striking facets. It is a true celebration of Tania’s shape shifting qualities, incorporating a strong violin line over a dynamic electronic track and highlighting her ability to fuse cultural musical influences into her own style and sound. The single is accompanied by a lively and fitting music video in which Tania’s iconic movement is featured following a storyline which speaks to the contrast of her artistic journey, reflecting the old classical influences versus the new blends she has brought to life.
In recent years, Tania has performed globally on European, American, Thai and Cuban stages as well at various festivals throughout. Most recently she has performed at the ADE festival in Holland and appeared on TEDx Jaffa during which she received an ovation for the most original performance at the event. This honor praised her distinct combination of dancing and violin playing which Tania states is “…the most natural thing for her to do.” TWITTER.
Dance, jig or just tap your feet, the beats on 'Jaffa' will surely demand some involuntary movement. The gorgeous musical styles, the gifted violin playing and some atmospheric Gypsy feeling makes this a very addictive tune.
Background - “A Better Pet” combines unforgiving rhythmic momentum with captivating melodies to evoke the self-destructive apprehension that too often plagues the insecure romantic. It's about an individual who picks fights in their first relationship because they're more comfortable with chaos than coming to terms with the idea of needing someone. The video concept revolves around freedom from insecurity--allowing yourself to enjoy life with the people you love in a no-rules territory. We want to enjoy life and have fun with no strings attached. Sharing these kinds of moments with the people we love is the greatest feeling in the world. These are nights where we feel free and have more fun than we've had in a long time. Curtsy is an indie-rock five piece consisting of Austin Knecht, Crystal Napoles, Kai Dodson, Tamara Simons, and Jonathan Palmquist. Curtsy was formed when Austin Knecht (vocals, guitar) auditioned as a lap steel player for a country-folk band fronted by Crystal Napoles (vocals, keys). After bonding over their mutual love of 80s pop and 90s shoegaze, the pair began writing together.
Jonathan Palmquist (drums), Kai Dodson (bass), and Tamara Simons (guitar) joined the pair along the way, forming a completive, rich rhythm section. Their sound incorporates lush indie pop with dreamy guitars over driving rhythms and haunting boy/girl harmonies wrapped around perfect pop hooks—a sound that creates something both familiar and unique. TWITTER.
The video adds a story line to 'A Better Pet', that said, this gorgeously flowing indie rocker stands on it's own. With plenty of hooks and a clear, polished and notable overall sound, accompanied by natural rock and roll feeling, the band stand out in this highly populated musical genre.
Background - Scandinavian-born Benjamin Folke Thomas announced new album Modern Man to be released on November 9th, a follow up to 2017s Copenhagen (8/10 Uncut), including new single Tasteless and Complacent.
The ten songs on Modern Man draw from Folk, Country and the blues, to reveal the inner thoughts of a songwriter torn between supreme self-confidence and fear of the future.
Folke Thomas was born in the coldest winter recorded in modern day history in Gothenburg; perhaps his obsession for sad, lamenting country songs was inevitable; and grew up on a secluded island off the coast of Sweden, populated by mainly evangelical Christians. However,
Ben never found God. He discovered grunge music instead, and at the age of 11 he was playing drums in a punk band before turning to Folk and Americana music after seeing Kurt Cobain’s performance of ‘In The Pines’ on Unplugged. Steeping himself in Leadbelly, Dylan, and Leonard Cohen, by the age of 20 he was an accomplished finger-picker, confident performer, and mature songwriter. BANDCAMP.
'Tasteless and Complacent' is rich with character and quality. Benjamin's vocals are distinct and very likable, the song has an uptempo modern folk feel, the video adds some humour and angst, the new album is a tantalising prospect.
Background - O Future consists of Katherine Mills Rymer from South Africa and Jens Bjornkjaer originally from Denmark both now living in Los Angeles.
They have previously released two albums under their previous name OOFJ which have been featured in hundreds of international media including The New York Times, The Guardian (Band of the week), and many many others. Their song Smell You is taken from their upcoming album titled Voyeur produced by themselves, mixed by David Tolomei (Future Islands, Dirty Projectors) and features the drummer from Trentemoller, the drummer from Chet Faker and the Royal Danish Orchestra. It is a mix of electronics, voice and symphony orchestra and is generally an attempt of mixing different genres, to produce something that has never been done before.
“I have a very intimate relationship with time. Im preoccupied with avoiding it. If I opened my eyes to the reality of it, or dealt with it like a normal person I think my heart would break. Time is terrible. That is why i can’t stop going near it.” - Katherine Mills
Jens: I love the Nothing Compares to You video that Sinead did. Obviously, most people do. It’s so emotional. Which is hard for a music video. And its odd. Both things we are into.
Katherine: Nuns. Medieval anchorite nuns with that intense ascetic sensibility. Religious hermits basically, these nuns would be built into walls. Live in little towers added to bridges. The whole religious medieval devotion is pretty fascinating, also a bit sexy to me. This communion with their spirituality, sexuality and all the jumble and insanity of it is astounding. We love religious choir music from the middle ages as well. The ascendant horror and terror of it is very beautiful. And as always I am into repetition as thats how my mind works, unfortunately. FACEBOOK.
O Future have a fairly unique sound here, the juxtaposition between the beats and vocals is splendid and the imagination and creativity oozes in all directions on 'Stay'. The video gives some additional artistry and collectively this is very hard to ignore and much easier to be swept away by.
Background - Hull’s Vulgarians are now sharing the Radio 1-supported new single, ‘Dead People Are Easier To Love’. Produced by Alex Greaves (Avalanche Party, The Orielles, Bo Ningen) at The Nave, Leeds, this is the first new music from the band since their 2017 EP, ‘Almost-Instinct, Almost True’. A bullish indicator of what's to come from Vulgarians through 2019, the band will support 'Dead People Are Easier To Love' with a string of dates through autumn 2018, including a stop at The Macbeth, London on September 27 - all tour dates below.
‘Dead People Are Easier To Love’ marks an assertive step forward for the group’s sound, turning to 80s synthesisers and the likes of Cold Cave and John Maus for inspiration. Penned just 72 hours before the band were set to record with Greaves, the new single captures a sonic and lyrical urgency that is hard to counterfeit. Speaking about the single, frontman RW Preen says: “After wandering home from wherever I had been, I noticed a blank billboard, which rather amusingly someone had tagged. I guess we live in a time where culture is so celebrity-driven and popularity accounts for happiness, it’s easy to romanticise that a blank billboard appeals to you. There’s truth and guilt in that we don’t appreciate something or someone until they’re no longer present.”
Since the release of 2016’s ‘Life’s Successful Death’ and 2017’s ‘Almost-Instinct, Almost True’, the Hull quartet have gone on to win support from Huw Stephens and Steve Lamacq (performing on Lamacq’s Introducing stage at The Great Escape), as well as touring alongside the likes of fellow Hull band, LIFE (whom they supported throughout June 2018), TRAAMS, The Wytches and Weirds. In addition, they have appeared at 53 Degrees North (Slaves, The Horrors, Dream Wife) and Another Fest (Yassassin, Heavy Lungs), ticked off a headline slot at Humber Street Sesh and secured further spots with HMLTD, Lady Bird and Protomartyr. FACEBOOK.
We have to go back around eighteen months to our only other feature for Vulgarians who impressed us then with their "anxiety and oh so close to the edge, feast of punk panic". The new track 'Dead People Are Easier To Love' is a more cohesive affair with the band producing a tight and more melodic post punk sound. The vocals remain passion filled and a tad manic in a wonderfully addictive kind of way.
Background - Equal parts sweet and savoury, Sydney femme 4-piece The Buoys are gearing up to release their sophomore EP, after their debut Soft Boy received airtime on FBi and Triple J Unearthed, backing up shows with Aussie outfits such as Big White, Pist Idiots, Julia Why?, Georgia June, Breizers, Cakewalk and Tupperware Party.
The Buoys have a lot to send to your ear holes by way of unrelenting fuzzy guitar tones and honest raw lyrics so keep your ears out. Arm Wrestle is their latest single and has already been featured on the likes of Triple J and Fbi Radio.
"Arm Wrestle came to be when I had to address the reality of a situation. I had to explore if my thoughts were rational, or if I was making things up in my head and self sabotaging. It details that inner voice argument of, ‘something really bad is going down’ vs ‘don’t be silly, it’s all in your head, you’re crazy’. It’s an exploration of what it’s like to gaslight yourself really, only to find out your gut was right and you weren’t paranoid after all.” - Zoe
Forged in the flames of a failed tinder date, Sydney femme 4-piece The Buoys came to be when singer Zoe was introduced to drummer Tess, the cousin of said date. Next came Anthea, shredder guitarist sourced from none other than Gumtree. Then comes bassist Ros to complete the family portrait (no sponno to mention here).
Six months later and The Buoys have recorded a sophomore EP Split Lip to follow up the previous line-up’s DIY EP Soft Boy. Inspired by a workplace feud and a tonne of bad dates, Split Lip explores themes of uncertainty, disappointment, curiosity and self love. Described by Zoe as her “diary dumping ground” The Buoys writing style is just an extension of everyday relatable experiences.
Influenced by anything fuzzy, loud and fast, The Buoys have been making noise across Sydney to celebrate the release of their latest single Arm Wrestle. With the release of Split Lip at the end of the year and the inevitable return to the studio, they have plenty to send your way. BANDCAMP.
Musically 'Arm Wrestle' is a solid indie rocker that powers along with swirls of guitar and rhythm. The vocals add some emotion and further strength to this very catchy rocker.
Background - The Arthur Brothers began life as a recording project and quickly grew into an artistic alliance centered around the biological brothers Matt and Danny Arthur and the producer/songwriter and multi-instrumentalist J. C. Wright.
Their music is inspired by a mutual obsession for inventive song-craft and a cross-generational love of classic albums with dramatic, bold and intriguing productions. Driven by a devotion to the recording process and a passionate desire to make a record full of mystery, melody, diversity and depth - the Arthurs and Wright, along with a coterie of talented contributors have been on a long and challenging creative expedition.
Their first single release, ‘Ninth’, is the opening stage of the nine part musical adventure that will eventually be unveiled as The Arthur Brothers' debut album....Prepare to be transported through a wormhole en-route to a Westworld-style vacation, accompanied by a soundtrack of cold pianos, dark drones, tribal drums and mantra-esque vocal lines. Imagine distant echoes of Ennio Morricone, Peter Gabriel, Tears For Fears and The Velvet Underground holed-up in a prospector’s mineshaft in space, digging for gold..
'Ninth' was released at the end of August and passed me by first time around, so sometimes a follow up "pestering" by the promo agents works. A creative indie song, The Arthur Brothers have a very definitive sound, where the musical arrangement is imaginative and superbly executed, whilst the vocals add even more character and individuality to a very fine first single.
Background - Frigga the British-Norwegian artist formerly known as Sasha Siem - returns with her most cosmic and sensual single to date, ‘Flower Flower’. Conceived in her home studio in Brooklyn NYC shortly after giving birth to her son, Dylan. The song was recorded in Queens Park, London with the UK producer Danton Supple.
‘Flower Flower’ is a bold celebration of desire, the human body and the pure pleasure of being alive. With her wizard-like word-play, Frigga courageously leads us into the darkest and most challenging of truths while at the same time being radically celebratory and empowering.
Using sacred objects - (crystals, runes, tuning forks etc.) - to create unique percussion sounds and beats, the album also marks Frigga’s return to her first instrument - the cello. Recorded at 432 hertz - otherwise known as ‘the Love Frequency’ - the vibrations and sounds of the record are intended to ‘awaken, restore, uplift’.
Frigga studied music and poetry at Cambridge University and Harvard University. She has written music for the London Symphony Orchestra, The Royal Opera House, The London Philharmonic Orchestra and was the youngest person to receive a ‘British Composer Award. Her first two critically acclaimed albums – ‘Most of the Boys’ and ‘Bird Burning’ - were recorded in Iceland with renowned producer Valgeir Sigurðsson and have been remixed by the likes of Matthew Herbert, Susanne Sundford, HighasaKite, East India Youth, and Rabit. She has performed at festivals and sold-out shows across Europe and the US, including; The Forum, The Ultima Festival, (Le) Poisson Rouge, Latitude Festival, by:Larm, Barbican & Southbank Centre as well as a special album premier performance at Sadlers Wells this year. WEBSITE.
The musical backdrop is rich with detail and intriguing enough within it's self, however on 'Flower Flower' it's Frigga's vocals that really captivate and standout. Like an additional musical instrument played to perfection her singing is something to behold on this charming track.
Background - Dolls spent the summer working with Nick Cave And The Bad Seeds / Grinderman drummer Jim Sclavunos on their new “Pop The Bubble EP”, having spent the previous year relentlessly gigging in and around the capital, packing out venues and being heavily championed by Radio X & BBC Introducing. The 2-piece, comprising Jade (guitar and vocals) and Bel (drums and vocals), can now reveal new single ‘Pink Bones’. It builds into a hit of their infectious brand of grunge-punk.
‘Pink Bones’ was one of the first songs they wrote together, when asked about the meaning behind it Bel explains “I believe this song is like one of those abstract paintings, it can mean many different things to whoever listens to it; and we like keeping it that way. Otherwise it ruins how far your imagination can go!”
The “Pop The Bubble EP”, set for release in September 2018, marked the first time the band have worked with producer Jim Sclavunos whose production credits include The Horrors, The Wytches and Du Blonde. The result is 4 garage-pop anthems with as much sass as they have bite. Duel vocals bounce off each other effortlessly, capturing some of the awesome chemistry these two bring to their raucous live performances.
The "Pop The Bubble EP" will be released by iconic soundtrack labels Mondo/Death Waltz on a beautiful limited edition multi-coloured and etched vinyl LP and digital. The band launch the EP at Rough Trade East with an instore show on Monday 24th September. WEBSITE.
Live Dates: Sept 24 - Rough Trade East, London Nov 4 - The Underworld, London.
Last month we featured 'Sugar Free' from Dolls and the follow up 'Pink Bones' is another hook fuelled song from this feisty and energised rock and roll duo, as their brand of grunge-punk sparkles again.
Background - The somewhat humourous new video for “On Monday” is one of the stand-out tracks from Joey Sweeney & The Neon Grease’s debut album Catholic School. The album is officially out digitally now through Burnt Toast Vinyl and The Giving Groove, with the vinyl edition to follow in late October/early November.
All releases on The Giving Groove include a charitable component, and the release of Catholic School is no exception… half of all profits from album sales, both digital and physical, will go directly to Rock To The Future, a non-profit organization that provides music education for Philadelphia’s underserved youth, at no cost to them or their families. Sweeney & Co will also be celebrating the album’s release tonight in their native Philadelphia with a proper album release show at Everybody Hits.
Over the past 25 years, Joey Sweeney has become a staple of Philadelphia’s influential songwriting and literary scene… he got his start as a music critic, before eventually fronting acclaimed Philly bands like The Trouble With Sweeney and The Barnabys, as well as recording and performing as a solo artist. Combining AM-friendly classic rock influences with what Bandcamp Daily calls “riotous” and “…jagged-edged, bristling Americana”, Catholic School is album is so steeped in dad-rock influences (and lots of sax) that it’s wearing a Members Only jacket and trying to get a job working for the city.
It’s also an album very much about cities, and the way Sweeney's city or your city is changing. You could say the city is the central character, but there’s also much about hope, falling in and out of love, being with your friends and not being with your friends... all set against the backdrop of looking for some kind of grace, while down the street, they’re tearing down your old church. TWITTER.
We have already shared a couple of tracks from the brand new 'Catholic School' album and 'On Monday' plus the new video are equally welcome. There is a moody late night groove to the song, some refined melodic vibes and those "oh so" rock and roll vocals. If you like the song check out the previous features and dive right into this amazing album.
Background - A regular guest vocalist for Tom Misch since his debut EP back in 2014, South-London singer-songwriter Carmody has just returned with a second single from her forthcoming solo EP ‘Caching.
The track is a slow-burning tour de force, drawing on deep bass, electronic and R&B influences to explore the ephemeral and incendiary first stages of a relationship. Both haunting and sublimely danceable, ‘Summer Rain’ pairs Carmody’s trademark lyrical skill (“Freefalling through the clouds, you chase a fantasy / I can hear a song in every sigh / Unspoken melodies”)with one of her most powerful choruses to date: a harmony-soaked celebration of love in its purest form, where rain-soaked couples dance and ‘Move unheard / Weaving patterns of light into each day”.
Carmody began writing ‘Summer Rain’ at home in South London and (in stark contrast to the sun-drenched blissfulness of the song itself) completed it with Silverglade in the depths of a freezing cold Chicago winter, surrounded by 10 inches of snow.
About the track Carmody says: “I'm a big romantic when it comes to rain in the summer time. There's something about the heat, coupled with a fleeting downpour of rain, that I love. It's momentary and beautiful. ‘Summer Rain’ is about those ephemeral moments when you fall in love; when there is no doubt - just pure elation - lost in each other's minds and bodies.” TWITTER.
Carmody's soulful and intimate vocals are sublimely enticing on 'Summer Rain' a song that oozes class and refinement. The arrangement and production does this piece justice, as all elements shine through and the hooks dig deep.
Background - The Badasonics mixes soul and funk together with Jamaican riddims and horns with the soulful rock and reggae voice of Caz Gardiner to deliver a pulsating party of soul steady beats.
Caz has performed with the BandHouse Gigs, Newmyer Flyer productions and The Beat Hotel. She was the lead singer for The Ambitions, a 60's influenced soul/ rock band which in 2008 was nominated for a Wammie (Washington Area Music Association) in the best new band category; and the rocksteady / reggae band Caz and The Day Laborers. In 2010, she was nominated for a Wammie in the best traditional blues / RnB vocalist category for her work with Caz and The Commotions.
The Badasonics, consisting of former members of The Moon Invaders & The Caroloregians, were also known as the busiest backing band for Jamaican artists in Europe and have played with Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry, Ken Boothe, Alton Ellis, Dave & Ansel Collins, Rico Rodriguez, Doreen Shaffer, Pat Kelly, Derrick Harriott & many more.
Caz Gardiner & The Badasonics debut LP will be released this month. WEBSITE.
Whilst the featured song 'Out Of Time' might show off the bands more soulful and funky side, doing so with some high class style I would hasten to add, there is more to them than this. They can and do conjure up some tempting reggae sounds, and jazz things up gorgeously with horns. Overall the feeling is positive and upbeat, and their musical fusion is highly contagious.
Background - "Americana has become a mainstream staple in music and for the most part, the sound has been watered down throughout the years by corporate America…Edward and Jane though, they’re cut from a different cloth," says Ghettoblaster of the Chattanooga, Tennessee-based folk-rock collective's new tune "More," which it calls an "emotional masterpiece." The song is featured on the band's new EP Too Early To Tell, set for release on September 28th. Edward and Jane will celebrate the album's release with show at The Camp House in Chattanooga on October 13th.
"More," which features the angelic vocals of band co-founder Emilie "Jane" Creutzinger, is a tribute to those who have shaped us into who we have become. "We are who we are because of the people who raised us--the care we received, or lack thereof in our upbringing" says co-founder Timothy "Edward" Carpenter. "However your childhood experience, you are who you are much to the credit of your mother and father. You clench tightly to their best qualities, and avoid their worst, but in my experience the apple never falls far from the tree. Everyone has parents. Everyone can understand this. 'More' is an attempt to show our deep gratitude for those who raised us into the people we are today, for better or worse."
On a mission to cultivate a communal environment at their shows where everyone belongs and feels like a necessary piece of the puzzle, Edward and Jane use their art to take listeners back to a simpler time—a time where music could steal you away from the worries of the world. With the help of Anderson, Indiana-based producer, Jonathan Class, Edward and Jane have found their voice and unique Americana sound. They have toured extensively for the last three years, landed multiple television placements on MTV and A&E, and have shared the stage with the likes of Mandolin Orange, Jon Foreman, Elenowen, Birdtalker, and Aaron Lee Tasjan.
The band’s desire to make true folk-rock music is heard in their honest lyricism and incredible family band instrumentation, all beautifully showcased on Too Early To Tell. The album, which distills influences from Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers-esque classic rock to soul-moving gospel choir harmonies, is a nostalgic journey to freedom that blends the bittersweet pain of departure with the flourishing beauty of independence. WEBSITE.
Gentle and melodic 'More' slowly builds with emotional intensity and feeling. The musical backdrop is sublime, understated at times when additional layers of instrumentation are added they resonate beautifully.
Background - Austin, TX based Alternative Rock/Reggae Band Audic Empire has released the official music video for their single "Turmoil," the second single from the their upcoming LP, Indica Nights. Written by Ronnie Bowen and produced by James Wisner (Silverback Records), "Turmoil" drops September 10th
Audic Empire has been turning heads in the Austin, TX music scene with their psychedelic, reggae/rock and feel good tunes. They have a high intensity performance and an astonishing sound with the contrast of two singers Ronnie Bowen & James Tobias, their red hot solo guitarist Travis Brown, psychedelic keys from Carver Ripley and rock solid rhythm section Jess Leonard.
Audic Empire has played with numerous great artists and festivals. Audic’s first album Sativa Sunrise was released in 2015. They have 6 singles that have been released over the past 4 years, which are available on all online platforms.
Currently the band has finished and about to release their 2nd full length album Indica Nights with producers James Wisner and Miles Brown. With the rapid growth of their reggae/rock sound, Audic Empire is on the rise with their journey to produce a unifying sound wave of love and music. TWITTER.
Audic Empire have something very special going on here. The bands mixture of alt rock and reggae is seamless and highly up skilled. 'Turmoil' demonstrates this with style and the vocals are in total alignment as the band traverse between genres. This is very impressive and totally engaging music.
Background - 'All the King’s Horses' marks a shift from Lung’s first album, Bottom of the Barrel. The content was largely influenced by the band’s experiences from their national tours. “We’re excited that it [the new album] is going to be out of our heads and into the world.” Wakefield explains, “The album reflects what we (Daisy, Rachelle, and me) have experienced as a band touring around this confusing and awesome country. It is a snapshot of what we have seen, lived-through, and what’s been shared with us. The record aims to take you on a journey of personal and shared struggles and goes to some pretty vulnerable places. I hope that people listening to the record get some sort of cathartic release by the end of it.”
Sonically the album has a dark, biting edge. Kate Wakefield (vocals, cello) and Daisy Caplan (drums) have developed a powerful, sinister sound created from total immersion into music culture and life on the road. Thematically, the record has a wide range, with songs directly confronting issues of consent such as “Brock” and “All the King’s Horses” in addition to more fantastical narratives of reality as in “Spiders” and a few pointed anti-love songs. The art for Lung directly reflects these intense experiences. Their artist, Rachelle Caplan, interprets the music visually in real-time as songs are being written and consistently tours with the band.
Lung, which formed in April of 2016 and includes Daisy Caplan on drums, has played over 250 shows to date. Known for their live shows, they are looking forward to returning to the West Coast, hitting spots old and new. “I’m excited to play places we’ve never been before, to see every part of this country,” says Daisy. The two are not new to the road. Both have performed in multiple touring projects. Kate has been writing and performing solo since 2014. Daisy was a core member of the prolific rock band, Foxy Shazam and feminist punk band, Babe Rage.
When asked about what we can expect for the next record, Wakefield hinted at heavier thematic material. “This next record is going to bring something different. A lot has happened in the world since our first release (Bottom of the Barrel, Spring 2017) and this album reflects that intensity.” Tracks from All the King’s Horses show a maturation in the band’s songwriting and an evolution in content. There is a more demanding and provocative edge to the record that illustrates undeniable feelings of paranoia and unease with the onset of the Trump presidency. “We were in Texas during the election. Nobody could believe it. We were playing small towns and big cities alike. The feeling was intense; a new ‘uncomfortable normal’ began to take over,” said Wakefield on the experience. WEBSITE.
Taken from the duos brand new 'All The Kings Horses' album released this week we have 'Butcher'. Lung are a potent musical pairing, the instrumental choice adding natural individuality, and the vocals delivering plenty of attitude and emotion, this is passionate and feisty.
Background - Following the release of their first album Worlds Apart in 2017, Velvet Flare announce the release of their second album Despair and Desire, which includes the latest single My Femme Fatale.
My Femme Fatale is inspired by classic 1940s/50s Film Noir. A seductive woman persuades her new lover to kill her husband for financial gain, but she ultimately betrays that lover. This dark theme is punctuated by humour with lyrics such as: “Got you what you wanted - Got his money and a room with a view - I lost my moral compass - When you asked if I could ‘just shoot him too’ - Shoot him too? Well, what else could I do?”
Despair and Desire includes the previously released single Ms Fox, which was reviewed by Beehive Candy: “.... ‘Ms Fox’ is another very impressive song. Mixing pop and indie rock vibes, the production is distinct and the gentle melody is full of hooks, in what is a top quality piece”. Ms Fox is the personification of Fox Glacier, NZ and the song is a lament for global warming.
Despair and Desire is primarily a collection of songs about relationships in various states of disintegration or buoyant aspiration. The album was recorded and engineered by Slade Gibson at Slade Gibson Audio, The Gap, Brisbane.
The release of their first album Worlds Apart in 2017 included the singles 6th of June, Animal (Arun Kendall in Backseatmafia: “Straight out of Brisbane and seemingly via the tenements of London comes Velvet Flare with Animal, a visceral, angry stab of glam rock that has all the hallmarks of an Antipodean Suede. Singer Paul English has a soaring voice, complete with eviscerating lyrics, that moves effortlessly into a falsetto…… a refreshing blast of unadorned indie guitar music with all the necessary posturing and sneer any good rock song should have”.) and Ice Age (which was No. 22 in Tomatrax Top 100 Songs of 2017). These singles and the album track The Brightest Light have all had airplay in Australia, England and Europe, and the USA. FACEBOOK.
Our third musical share for Velvet Flare comes in the form of their latest single 'My Femme Fatale'. The duel vocals really work well on this song, at times almost duelling rather than harmonising, doing so above a vibrant rocking backdrop.
Background - I began writing Never Stop Learning To Love on an escalator in a mall in Spain. The mall had about ten floors and by the time I got to the top I had a verse and a chorus. All that was at the top was a restaurant so I went back down.
The song is a reminder to myself to always practice tolerance and acceptance amidst chaos, the way children do. It’s about as psychedelic as I get in my writing. Not the Jimi Hendrix, Sgt Pepper version of Psychedelia, but the Brian Wilson, Disney version.
I always subscribed more to that: The idea that psychedelia isn’t entirely about drugs, but rather about a return to childlike innocence through purity of mind and a reverence for the natural world. For this reason, we felt it appropriate to shoot the video on the same beach where I spent so much time as a kid, just running around with a dog. It seemed to say everything about the song.
I recorded my upcoming solo EP with Tennis at their home studio in Denver and recruited Beach House drummer James Barone for the studio sessions. TWITTER.
Our second song from Johnny Payne is the gorgeous 'Never Stop Learning To Love'. Understated psychedelic vibes pour out, with some timeless sixties charm and fabulous hooks, this is instant replay material, and some.
Background - London trio Value Void share the third single, "Teen For Him", from their debut album Sentimental, due out on 26 October via Tough Love, released on limited edition green vinyl, CD and download. Last week the band played their first ever BBC6 Music session for Tom Ravenscroft. They will play an album launch show at The Stag's Head in London on 1 November.
Marta Zabala from the band explains more about the "'Teen for Him' was written in Buenos Aires ages ago, probably 2015 whilst Paz and I were working as assistants in a Social Gaming Company. It's a childish song about those moments when someone is having a personal crisis and are overcome by some weird infatuation, where the object of their desire has nothing to do with them. Like filling a gap."
This follows the singles "Babeland" and "Back In The Day." The album is instantly affecting, with an ease and clarity that suits the elegance of the lyrics: coded love songs and cool reflections on life which are all the more vulnerable and touching sung in Paz Maddio's lilting, ultrachromatic voice - a ceramic-sharp diagonal transatlantic on a pure open tone, with subtle waves of vibrato at its top end. It's a particular heart breaker on tracks such as “Babeland” and “Dead Ladies Lament”. BANDCAMP.
Having already featured the first two singles from Value Void 'Teen For Him' makes it three and does so with class. The bands individual and delectable sound is all apparent, the vocals slipping into pure London accent at times is charming, the album 'Sentimental' is now a must hear asap!
Praa - Y.
