Voice of Aiko - Anna Pancaldi - Jade The Moon

Voice of Aiko - Prescription Dream.

In collaboration with Voice of Aiko, Arts Council England, and charities REST, MIND & APRIL, Enya Belak Gupta unveils a powerful new film to help tackle the global prescription drug crisis. Prescription Dream is a slick and stylish documentary that illustrates with chilling insight the terrible impact prescription drugs can have. The tense, unnerving tone employed throughout represents the helplessness and confusion of dependency sufferers.

Working with Stakk Media and partner charities, the Prescription Dream will be released with a weekly vlog series sharing people's personal stories of their experiences with prescription drugs. Voice of Aiko are also running musical workshops with those affected as part of the campaign.

Voice of Aiko is a creative collective of musicians, filmmakers and artists joining forces to campaign for real societal change. Aiko’s first project Prescription Dream sees founder Calista Kazuko collaborate with fellow musicians Samim, Miguel Toro and Jack Brown and filmmaker Enya Belak Gupta to spotlight an ongoing global prescription drug epidemic. In England alone there are an estimated 1.5 million people suffering from medically prescribed benzodiazepine dependency, and more than 1 million patients are taking dependence-forming drugs unnecessarily.

Antidepressants are also a major problem, with statistics showing that roughly 50 Americans die from prescription painkiller overdoses every day. In partnership with charities REST, MIND & APRIL, Aiko’s Prescription Dream project will raise awareness and open dialogue on this devastating issue. The campaign includes a series of musical workshops with Let’s All Create which use art to help heal those who have been affected. Voice of Aiko is grateful to be supported with public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England. TWITTER.

A creative piece both musically and visually ‘Prescription Dream’ provides an artistic commentary on the ever serious subject unnecessary prescription drug dependency. I wish Voice of Aiko well with this project, wouldn't it be wonderful if the Pharmaceutical industry also genuinely stepped up to the plate on this one, oh well, I won't hold my breath...


----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Anna Pancaldi - Peace.

International songwriter Anna Pancaldi has a lot to look forward to this Autumn with a new project and a string of tour dates to match.

Over the past few years, Anna has been establishing herself as one of the UK’s most promising new singer-songwriters. Her 2017 ‘Sweet Charity’ EP garnered overwhelming support from BBC 6 Music and Radio 2. Online, the tracks were picked up by Line of Best Fit, and featured on New Music Friday, Coping With Loss as well as a number of other official playlists, resulting in over 1.5 million streams on Spotify last year.  All of this, fanning the flames of a lengthy UK tour including four sold out London shows. She’s also supported Prides, Hooverphonic, Bryde, Seafret, Jake Isaac on his European tour and most recently, John Mayer’s and David Ryan Harris.

Not one to limit her horizons, Anna has enjoyed success in both the UK and US, where she made her US live TV debut on CBS. Her music has also been featured on US show ‘Famous in Love’, a popular drama show on ABC Network. She’s also enjoyed an extended collaboration with Levi’s, for whom she penned a song for their Lot 700 jeans collection and featured in the accompanying advert. The expansion doesn’t stop there though, Anna is also one of few musicians that can boast her own brand of gin.

Since working with producer Matt Ingram (Florence & The Machine, Lianne La Havas, Laura Marling). This summer, Anna re-launched her music to the public with a new sound and a new approach to her musical alchemy. We’re used to hearing Anna at her soulful, songwriting best on heartfelt anthems like ‘Brother’ or ‘Keep on Keeping On’. Her summer single ‘What I’ve Become’ was a bold, spirited Indie-Rock anthem showcasing her new love for writing with electric strings. ‘Peace’ is the next step in this evolution. Opening with a rousing four to the floor, Anna builds the track to a lo-fi, anthemic piece of indie-rock. On the track Anna states:

“A challenge at first but now an exhilarating awakening having discovered and then explored the electric guitar. ‘Peace’ is my first ‘foot stomper’ track which I think will surprise listeners who’ve been on the journey with me so far. It feels a bold evolution for me so here we go.” - Anna Pancaldi. FACEBOOK.

Fabulously enticing vocals, a simple and engaging musical backdrop and bags of feisty energy ensures that 'Peace' resonates beautifully. It's Pop with some stripped back Rock and it's just so catchy. 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Jade The Moon - Polaroids And Airplanes.

Jade The Moon tell us "For some, it could be a bike ride through their old neighbourhood; for others, playing in the yard behind their childhood home. While creating “Polaroids and Airplanes,” our new single, we collectively relived our first memorable moments. Early memories of the people closest to us captured on polaroids and VHS tapes were at the heart of the song’s inspiration.

Standing underneath a flight path, watching the planes take off from Toronto's Pearson International Airport is one of Jeremy’s earliest memories with of his dad. There was this great photo that his father took of him sitting on the hood of their car, watching a plane take off overhead. He doesn’t have it anymore, unfortunately, but that image will forever be lodged is his memory. That photo is the main inspiration of the song.

“Polaroids and Airplanes” is the third single to be shared from our sophomore LP, 11:11, set for release this fall. We can’t wait to introduce it to the world". TWITTER. 

'Polaroids And Airplanes' is a hook laden indie pop song, the vocals are melodic and have a level of feeling that adds to piece, and the musical arrangement is tight and vibrant, it's another fine teaser for the album.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Steel Woods - Half Stack

The Steel Woods - Old News.

Old News, the new album from Nashville based southern-inspired rock band The Steel Woods is set for a January 18th release via Woods Music/Thirty Tigers. Centred around the soulful and commanding vocals of lead singer Wes Bayliss and the instrumental prowess of guitarist Jason (Rowdy) Cope, Old News makes a statement in the continuing evolution of The Steel Woods as a unit and the Bayliss/Cope combo as songwriters, something their 2017 debut Straw In The Wind only scratched the surface of. 

Over the last two years The Steel Woods have built a loyal and passionate fan-base through their road warrior touring mentality and extraordinary live shows. Whether headlining or supporting artists such as Dwight Yoakam, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Jamey Johnson, Cody Jinks, Miranda Lambert, Blackberry Smoke and many more, The Steel Woods consistently convert audiences with each performance.

The themes reflected on Old News range from perseverance (“Wherever You Are”, “All of These Years”), to unity (“Blind Lover”) to hope and resilience in the stand out title track “Old News”. Their belief in finding common ground through shared life experiences and a musical connection was inspired by the conversations the band had with people they met on the road.  

As with their acclaimed debut album, The Steel Woods again included a Black Sabbath cover (“Changes”), but also felt the need to acknowledge some important artists we have recently lost. The four tribute tracks honour Tom Petty (“Southern Accents”), Merle Haggard (“Are The Good Times Really Over (I Wish A Buck Was Still Silver)”), their dear friend Wayne Mills (“One Of These Days”) and Gregg Allman (“Whipping Post”).

Old News was recorded at Echo Mountain Studio (Asheville, NC) and Blackbird Studio (Nashville, TN) and features band members, Wes Bayliss (guitar/vocals/keys/mandolin/harmonica), Jason Cope (guitars), Johnny Stanton (bass) and Jay Tooke (drums/percussion). 

The Steel Woods are a band steeped in Southern culture with a modern approach and powerful intensity in live performance. Though their style is apologetically Southern Rock and Rock, just pull back the layers to find lyrics that feature passionate storytelling and messages that resonate. TWITTER.

The Steel Woods have shared the title track for 'Old News' with the album due to drop in January 2019. Southern Rock and associated culture might not be for everyone, however I have to say it has always travelled well, with the likes of The Allman Brothers introducing me in part, at Knebworth Park in England back in 1974 (I was very young - honest).

In the less distant past (under 20 years ago) The Black Crowes are another band that have set standards high in terms of expectation for this classic southern music. I mention this (in part because it might make some old rockers a little jealous), but more seriously, due to the fact that The Steel Woods have made this music their own and are just incredible to listen to. There is heart, passion, and depth to this song alone, it's hard not to be stirred a little, because at the core I sense it is genuine, something good Southern rock has always been.


------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Half Stack - Quitting Time (Album).

Combining outlaw country with sweet 60's psych, Oakland's Half Stack have really hit their sweet spot on Quitting Time, their first LP out this week on taste-making Bay label Processional Cross. Produced by Jay Som's Melina Duterte, the record is simultaneously lo-fi and lush, with slide guitar accents and sparkling leads.

In the past year, Half Stack have played around the Western US, appeared at SXSW, and received a nod from NPR with musical features in its national broadcasts. They're currently riding the waves their new record, Quitting Time, is making, with praise from The FADER, SF Weekly, Bandcamp, Tiny Mix Tapes, and The Deli, among others. Notable performances have included an appearance with Alex Cameron at the Noise Pop Festival in the Bay Area, as well as supporting Chastity Belt, The Garden and many others.

A standout among the flourishing DIY community in Oakland, the five-piece band blends cosmic-Americana with the rough-around-the-edges sound of the East Bay on their debut LP, Quitting Time. Pete Kegler's casual vocals perfectly encapsulate the laid back feel Half Stack cultivates, supported by the pulsing melodies of Callum Beals bass playing and Marley Lix-Jones harmonized, jangly guitar riffs.

All of the groups members have known each other for years, and played in countless bands together. Kegler & Beal spent their college years in the beach town of Santa Cruz, where they first honed their unique talent for surfy twang, and guitarist Oliver Pinnell also tours with Jay Som, who drummer Digger Barrett often tour manages.

On their first full length, Half Stack establish themselves as a fully formed and unique Western outfit, fit for indie rock kids who are ready for something familiar but new. Mostly, they're just here to have a good time. FACEBOOK.

From the opening moments of the first track 'Dually' Half Stack had gained my attention with the musical arrangement, where there is something just a little hypnotic going on behind the carefree vocals and harmonies. Then they change style with 'Quitting Time' a timeless taste of Americana with a loose and enticing feel. From there on the the album 'Quitting Time' continues to work it's charm, twist and turn and impress in a fabulous way. It's all presented below, and well worth a listen.


-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Bessie Turner - Parabola West - Georgie and the Georgettes

Bessie Turner - Nino.

Tackling universal themes with a personal focus, Bessie’s song-writing falls one or two cryptic references short of laying herself totally bare. This mix of openness and obliqueness, alongside a lighter-hearted edge, makes for the beginnings of a captivating collection of releases so far. Her languid garage-rock indebted sound positions her alongside transatlantic artists like Soccer Mommy, Snail Mail or Angel Olsen, with nods to Brooke Bentham and Fenne Lily also.

Continuing this trend is new single Nino, which was produced by Richard Woodcraft, who won a Grammy for his work on Radiohead’s iconic album In Rainbows.

It’s an exploration of anxiety, and the value of having people around you to lean on, to push and pull at the right moments. “'Nino' is something my boyfriend calls me when I say I can't do something,” Bessie explains, “like if I am feeling unconfident about a performance, or something else that I totally have the ability to do, but I feel like I'm not able to, purely because of my own brain.

“The song has some well disguised personal references that relate to me...body image, boredom, sex, and that feeling like you want to go into self-destruct mode because of it all. Life can overwhelm and consume everybody and having someone there to give you a push or a boost is sometimes all it takes.”

Artists are often both a product of, and reaction to, their spatial surroundings. Bessie has lived her whole life in the countryside, and its eerie sparseness, punctuated by points of natural beauty, seeps into her artistic endeavour. Tackling the juxtapositions in both her thematic self-analysis and sonic textures can partially be attributed to the contrasts inherent in the environment that has shaped her. TWITTER.

Bessie Turner delivers gorgeous and sparkling vocals on 'Nino' an uncomplicated mixture of indie pop and rock (with some garage rock styling for good measure), where the hooks dig in early doors and don't budge.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Parabola West - Calling Your Name.

Parabola West is back with her new single 'Calling Your Name'. The artist persona of New Zealand-based American singer and songwriter Amy Tucker West. Drawing inspiration from Celtic and Nordic folk roots, electronica, and organic sounds, Parabola West's music is a lush soundscape of layered melodies.

This new release follows up Parabola West's 2017 EP 'Purity of Weakness' and lead single 'Fire', which was released both digitally and on CD. Her debut EP 'Did You Hear?' was released in 2014. Often piano-driven, her music is laced with hints of Celtic and Scandinavian influences and a dash of fantasy. 

Originally from Springfield, MA (near Boston) on the U.S. east coast and currently based in Raglan, New Zealand, Amy began songwriting on piano as a teenager and, at age 21, she was recruited into the London-based trip-hop band Dreamfield during their recording sessions in Boston. With two critically acclaimed releases to their credit, the band split in 2003 and West relocated to New Zealand.

The self-confessed ‘math & science nerd’ then took a 10-year break from the music industry to work in IT and engineering recruitment, returning to her musical roots in 2013 as solo artist Parabola West. 

“I came to a point where I needed to fully immerse myself again in the creative,” says Amy Tucker West. To achieve that she took the extreme step of moving completely off-the-grid to a rural spot on New Zealand’s rugged West Coast. West has since released two successful EPs and continues to call Raglan home.

"Calling Your Name' expresses the torment of loving someone who has become emotionally numb. Ask anyone on a significant dose of anti-depressants and they'll tell you about the numbing - that slow, subtle nothingness that keeps life ticking over without incident but turns down all the colour," says West. WEBSITE.

'Calling Your Name' is beautiful and has an expansive feel, as both the melodic and captivating vocals and more electronic musical backdrop complement each other wonderfully. Add to that a subtle Celtic feeling, that gives this piece a little extra feeling and warmth, and this certainly is one imaginative song.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Georgie and the Georgettes - Shaloomalooma!.

American singer-songwriter Georgie Cooper and Nub recording artist George Royale have got together to write and record four spanking new songs.

Combining their love of Rockabilly…Doo Wop…1960s Girl Groups…Country and Americana on this Extra Pleasurable Expertly Produced EP Entitled Pertinently…Shaloomalooma! Nub Music - FACEBOOK.

Comprising of four songs, the opener being the vibrant 'Shaloomalooma!' there is not a lot more I can tell you about those behind it, namely Georgie and the Georgettes.

The E.P. itself travels through classic genres in a breathless and totally lovable way. It's a little bit like a retro short, sharp, shock, that demands you stand up, pay attention and then throw yourself around the room in wild dancing abandon!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Venice May - Palberta - Ganser

Venice May - Hiding Place (Video) and the album - Illusion Is Inevitable.

Venice May is a project founded in 2013 by Natalia and Vincent, a couple both on and off stage. Their first common effort, "Illusion is inevitable was released in September 2018. Fundamentally rock, full of melodic  entanglements and ethereal atmospheres, their music also incorporates elements from post-rock. 

They do not like to cite influences, the desire and the ambition to deliver a unique sound being too strong. Listening to them, however, it is difficult to deny their affiliation with PJ Harvey, Sigur Ros, Portishead, A Perfect Circle, Brand New or Radiohead. 

Natalia was born in Ukraine and moved to France at the age of 25, Vincent was born and raised in France. The band is a duo that is accompanied by other musicians for their live performances. The songs were written and  produced by Vincent and Natalia and then mixed and mastered by Alexey Stetsyuk at Grave Town Production. No synths were used, all the soundscapes were created using guitar effects. WEBSITE.

'Hiding Place' is taken from Venice May's new album 'Illusion Is Inevitable' and as we have the option to share both, it a pleasure to do just that. Despite their desire not to cite influences (something their PR couldn't resist above), it's always easy to look for other bands as a reference point. Venice May have an eclectic mixture of musical ideas going on within the album, and central to this is the fabulous vocals and the bands more organic style as they resist the need to use synths.

The result is a gorgeous album where warmth, creativity and a treasure trove of musical hooks, ensure every track is a new adventure. So with or without comparisons Natalia and Vincent have something quite special going on here, so much so that I just hope they reach a wider audience, they are going to appeal to a lot of different musical genre fans, and their originality and fine musical art, deserves some widespread recognition.  


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Palberta - Sound of the Beat (Live at Look to Listen Studios).

Palberta's fall tour dates with Porches, Girlpool and Speedy Ortiz, are accompanied by a new music video for their single "Sound of the Beat," performed live at Look to Listen Studios in Greenpoint, Brooklyn. 

After releasing Roach Goin' Down earlier this year, Palberta continue to bring their hypermelodic brand of experimental pop to hardcore fans and new converts alike. Palberta's Record LABEL.

Palberta Fall Tour Dates and Shows:

10/25 - Boston, MA @ Somerville Theatre #
10/26 - Montreal, Quebec @ Bar Le Ritz PDB $
10/27 - Toronto, Ontario @ The Rec Room $
10/28 - Detroit, MI @ El Club #
10/29 - Toledo, OH @ Culture Clash Records w/ Harmony Tividad (Girlpool)
10/30 - Chicago, IL @ Bottom Lounge #
10/31 - Grinnell, IA @ Grinnell College #
11/1 - St. Louis, MO @ Ready Room #
11/2 - Nashville, KY @ Mercy Lounge #
11/3 - Atlanta, GA @ Masquerade #
11/4 - Asheville, NC @ The Grey Eagle #
11/5 - College Park, MD @ Milkboy ArtHouse #
11/6 - Philadelphia, PA @ Union Transfer #
11/27 - Boston, MA @ Sinlair *
11/28 - Philadelphia, PA @ First Unitarian Church *
 # w/ Porches & Girlpool
$ w/ Porches
* w/ Speedy Ortiz

A new live studio video for 'Sound of the Beat' (and imminent tour dates) are worth a mention and a share, as Palberta delight us with this feisty and lovable song version. At less than two minutes it's also something of a tease to see them live or check out 'Roach Goin' Down' released earlier this year.


------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ganser - Pastel.

Ganser is a Chicago-based band equal parts Space Odyssey and Ghost World that embraces a post-punk ethos with early synth music’s minimal intimacy, formed in 2014 by Nadia Garofalo and Alicia Gaines. Drawing inspiration from visual language commonly associated with film and their shared art backgrounds, the band was joined in the Fall of 2015 by drummer Brian Cundiff and guitarist Charlie Landsman.

This Spring saw Ganser’s debut LP Odd Talk exploring communication breakdown, both in “frayed nerves” (New York Times) and “smothered in anxiety” (Billboard). With their new single “Pastel,” released through No Trend Records, the Chicago post-punk band explores the sticky-sweet, repulsive need for attention.

In a world of parasocial relationships and illusions of intimacy, there is the nagging sense that no one is watching you shout into the void. “Pastel” dances with that particular anxious itch, with Alicia Gaines (bass, vox) and Nadia Garofalo (keys, vox) sharing vocals alongside Charlie Landsman’s angular guitar and Brian Cundiff propulsive drums. Pastel is a true hip-swinging panic dance.

Half boasting (“My blood’s thicker, redder than yours”), half frightened (“Hungry to show anyone anything at all”) the song details the collective consumption of self when everyone is an audience, and everyone a performer. Everything is happening all the time, and isn’t that terrifying?

The band toured the East Coast and South in support of the album, as well as playing multiple festivals this year (Do Division, Athens Popfest, Cold Waves). The foursome has had the pleasure of playing with artists like Modern English, Thee Oh Sees, Ought, Micachu and the Shapes, Cheatahs, Wax Idols and King Woman. Ganser continues to make bright black music for space transmissions and panic attacks. They are currently working on their second album. BANDCAMP.

Ganser Tour Dates
10.31 - Chicago, IL @ Lincoln Hall (Halloween Bomb Bash)
11.17 & 11.18 - Chicago, IL @ Beat Kitchen *
* with Daughters.

Ganser's new video for their brand new single 'Pastel' is our third feature for the band this year and once again we are treated to a retro video accompaniment to immerse ourselves in. Ganser's loose and potent rock and roll is as delicious as ever, and for reasons I am still to work out, both images and music when combined seem to resonate a whole lot more.


-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Haiku Garden - Curtsy

Haiku Garden - Catch My Breath.

Hailing from Ljubliana, Slovenia's flagbearers of muddy guitar noise and dreamy vocals Haiku Garden proudly present their highly anticipated debut full-length effort. They play noisy, guitar-driven music, interlaced with poppy vocal harmonies. Shoegaze, dreampop, neo-psych and noise rock are all thrown into the equation.

Since their debut EP Waver in 2016, with single “Rosetta” winning Song of the Day honors on KEXP, the band has run a long way: they already toured Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Serbia, Croatia, Lithuania and Austria, playing festivals all over Europe and opening for the likes of The Jesus & Mary Chain and SUUNS in 2017.

Where If Not Now sounds very much like a cinematic experience, marking the sound of a fully fleshed-out band exploring, disintegrating and advancing their shoegaze foundation with abrasive, experimental, and even melodic approaches, imbuing their sound with a distinctive sonic signature.

Nine songs, filled with yearning, a sense of abandon and longing for things new, unexplored and unknown, unfold like a rainbow of endless colours and feelings, inviting you to escape. Where If Not Now does sound like a film, a film for dreamers with a runtime that always seems too short. During performances, the band is draped in visuals (courtesy of 5th member Kristina), which makes the experience even more mind altering. BANDCAMP.

'Catch My Breath' is the first of nine tracks on Haiku Garden's brand new debut album, showing off the more powerful Shoegaze side of their music. The band are not cornered into any one specific style, the album mixes lighter, melodic songs (coupled with some fine musicianship) alongside some creative explorations where psych, dream pop and good old rockers compete for attention. As debut albums go, there are plenty of hooks and variety and a sense that this band doesn't care to play safe, rather there is a leaning towards experimentation that is both refreshing and highly listenable.


-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Curtsy - Vista Del Mar.

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.

“Vista Del Mar” is about a talented musician that had the tendency to act out of control, black out, be overcome with madness, and wander into house parties that they weren’t invited to. One night, they lit their mother’s bed on fire while being in a blacked out state of mind. They ended up in Aurora Vista Del Mar Hospital, a mental institution that burned down in the Ventura fire last year.

Three years ago, indie-rock quintet Curtsy identified with the luscious soundscapes and pleasant harmonies of love-sick dreampop. Although elements of dreampop and shoegaze still season the backbone of their sound, personal and historic undoings have given Curtsy something to say, and savory sonics are no longer enough. Tell Me How This Ends brandishes relentless drumbeats, propulsive bass lines, and distinctive guitar layers behind cascading lyrics typified by self-destruction, apprehension, cognitive dissonance, and an ever-present lack of control. 

Within song-structures and harmonious melodies that pay homage to Curtsy’s dreampop roots, the seamless unification of Tell Me How This Ends’ instrumentation and biting vocals creates a sound that is both nostalgic and innovative. Tell Me How This Ends is the devastation of unmitigated reality wrapped in a shining bow. It's five people who are in love with music but fed up with its euphemisms. What does angry dreampop sound like? It sounds like this. TWITTER.

The tenth and final track on the bands 'Tell Me How This Ends' album is 'Vista Del Mar'. If this is angry dream pop then it's not short on catchy and very likable songs. In actual fact the band produce a mixture of styles with alt & indie rock overtones never far away. There is an overall polished and tight sound, plenty of natural feeling, and that vital element of emotion that ensures the material registers personally.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Chorusgirl - Lowland Hum - BLOW 3.0 - Twain - Faux Co.

Chorusgirl - In Dreams.

London band Chorusgirl reveal their stunning new animated collage video for "In Dreams", which was created by renowned animator Ruth Barrett. The track is taken from Chorusgirl's forthcoming second album Shimmer and Spin due out on 16 November via Reckless Yes. The band will be heading out on the road in November.

The handmade stop motion video for "In Dreams" consists of an impressive 2500 manually cut out paper prints filmed using the strata stencil technique, an animation technique invented by Javan Ivey, and a further progression of the complicated strata cut technique first used by David Daniels. The video uses the red colour scheme of the album art for Shimmer and Spin and was inspired by the reverb-heavy shimmer of the band’s sound, rollercoaster rides, fireworks, dreams and all things spinning.

"In Dreams" is a song about feeling out of place. It’s a coming-of-age anthem about dreaming yourself out of the small town you grew up in; the place you never fit in. It is also the much more dreamy companion piece to the rather angry "This Town Kills" from the debut album, and describes someone who lives mostly in their dreams, day and night. It is about growing up, feeling unconnected and patiently waiting and vividly dreaming for your turn.

Shimmer and Spin by Chorusgirl is the album that overcame the odds. Their 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. WEBSITE.

We first featured Chorusgirl last month with their first single 'No Goodbye' and 'In Dreams' is also taken from their 'Shimmer and Spin' album set for release next month. Once again the melodic vocals are splendid as the bands distinctive indie rock sound hits the spot with plenty of refined hooks.


-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Lowland Hum - Salzburg Summer.

Lowland Hum have debuted a new song and video and announced their fourth full-length album Glyphonic to be released February 22. The music video was created in collaboration with Pando Creative Co. and shot in the countryside near Charlottesville, VA, where the band is based. The band tell us "This song is in part an exploration of vanity, youthful frivolity, and femininity as it was internalized by Lauren’s pre-teen mind."

Lowland Hum are an art-folk duo composed of husband and wife, Daniel and Lauren Goans. Over their young but prolific musical career, the band have garnered critical acclaim from NPR, The Washington Post, The LA Times, Huffington Post, American Songwriter and more, their lyrics noted as poetic and evocative, their arrangements praised as minimal but dynamic. Creators of the #SupportQuietMusic movement, the band maintain that in an increasingly polarized and noisy cultural moment, vulnerability is a powerful offering and restraint stands in welcome contrast to new, bombastic norms. New album Glyphonic is the purest distillation of this thesis to date, a masterful exploration of stillness in rising chaos.

Lowland Hum are a dedicated touring act, existing on the road nearly 200 days out of the year. The pair just completed an East Coast run with Horse Feathers and in recent years, have played alongside the likes of Josh Ritter, The Oh Hellos, Jesca Hoop and more. They are known for cultivating meaningful connections with fans, crafting customized-to-order "songlets" through their own Send-A-Song service, passing out handmade lyric booklets at shows, and engaging audiences in unconventional Q&As. In every part of their art, these indie pioneers are committed to the human touch. Full headline tour to be announced. WEBSITE.

'Salzburg Summer' opens with a soothing and natural folk feel, the vocals are tender and pleasing and the understated yet catchy musical backdrop gradually adds depth creating a rather addictive vibe.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

BLOW 3.0 - Stella.

Belgium-based acoustic-electronic BLOW 3.0 just released their new single Stella. The track announces the mysterious three piece's upcoming second album, scheduled for release early 2019. Over the last two years the band has grown from a busking sensation to a true live-on-stage band that bursts with positive energy.

The masked musicians - two saxophone players and a drummer - started playing on the streets in Ghent, Belgium in 2011. Soon after, some of their videos went viral on social media and soon the three-piece was playing the streets of just about every city in Europe and eventualy, stages of Jazz- & Worldmusic festivals.

The two saxophones roar like guitars and pump like synths supported by a mesmerizing, groovy drum beat, creating the vintage BLOW 3.0-sound. Stella is now available on all streaming- and download services. The album will be released early 2019 via Dox Records. FACEBOOK.

'Stella' has plenty of unique attributes and it's not short on power or intensity. The musical arrangement is fabulous as the band defy any one genre categorisation, on this sublime instrumental piece that just begs for a second play.


-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Twain - Young God (gotta lotta feeling).

Twain has released their first new music since 2017's critically-lauded Rare Feeling. Twain's singer and songwriter Mt. Davidson tells us "This song is about the freedom-feeling of allowing Love its natural Death." NPR All Songs Considered premiered "Young God (gotta lotta feeling)" this week, noting "Twain songs retain a live energy with little editing. Like an old cassette, the sounds on these records are limited to a mild and pleasant midrange and swathed in a lisping hiss. Even as "Young God" rises from its quiet, glimmering opening to a thumping, full band apotheosis, the coloring of that sound frames it like a photo in an album."

With the song, Twain announced a 12" double EP to be released January 25 on Keeled Scales. Titled 2 E.P.s, the 14-track collection represents two distinct moments in the artist's recording history. Side A is New Miami Sound, unreleased material from the Rare Feeling album sessions. Side B is Alternator, an intimate recording of Davidson performing a selection of his songs in a van; it is the first fully solo Twain music to be released on vinyl. The painting ("Margie") featured on the album jacket was made by the group's drummer, Peter Pezzimenti (@friendthathelps).

Over the course of a young but eventful career, Davidson has contributed his virtuoso musicianship to the likes of The Low Anthem, Spirit Family Reunion, Deslondes and more. He spent 2018 on the road, touring as Twain alongside Langhorne Slim, Horse Feathers and Buck Meek among others and making his Newport Folk Festival debut. Demand for his devastatingly raw stage presence continues to build nationwide. He'll begin another run through the South next month. BANDCAMP.

Live Dates:
November 24 | New Orleans, LA @ house show (w. Julie Odell)
November 26 | Gainesville, FL @ Limin Room
November 27 | Orlando, FL @ Gallery Space Called Home
November 28 | St. Augustine, FL @ Sarbez
November 29 | Atlanta, GA @ house show
November 30 | Athens, GA @ Flicker Theatre
December 05 | High Point, NC @ Centennial Station Arts Center.

There is something quite captivating about 'Young God (gotta lotta feeling)' a song that is winsome, creative and very catchy. It's also one of those songs that seems to just build and build and still manages to keep the same personable and beautiful vibe throughout.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 Faux Co. - Set The Record Straight.

Chicago’s Faux Co. is the brainchild of songwriter Ben Mackey. Originally from Santa Rosa, California, Mackey has been writing 60's influenced Indie pop songs for a decade. After stints in the bands the Subtitles and Silver Ships, Ben moved to Chicago in 2012. He formed the Red Threads shortly after with Anna Holmquist (the Curls, Ester), Claire Wellin, Ben James and Jason Homyak. Trevor Pritchett (Lucille Furs) joined the band shortly thereafter and the group played around Chicago for a few years.

In 2015 The Red Threads disbanded as Ben decided to start a new group. Pritchett joined on lead guitar with local DIY legend Chris Lee (Beastii, Bloodhype) on drums and Faux Co. was born. The group played shows locally for a few years, crafting all the layers to Ben's melodic pop songs.

In 2016 the group headed to Downbeat Studios and Minbal Studios and recorded their debut album. Sean Mcconnell and Chris Lee split the engineering and producing duties and the group made a solid record reminiscent of classic 60's pop. After recording sessions spread throughout 2016 with notable guest appearances by Holmquist and Danny Cohen (Terriers), the group spent the next half year mixing and mastering (w/ Mike Hagler of Kingsize Soundlabs) the record. “Set the Record Straight” b/w “Prozac Spacemen” is the first single from the debut (release date TBD). FACEBOOK.

'Set The Record Straight' is a potent rocker, where everything feels energised and yet the musical arrangement leaves room for every musical and vocal element to have clarity. I guess it's a case of modern mixing techniques meet timeless rock and roll ideas, and combine to make some splendid music.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Lifestyles - Amy Rigby - Wild Child - Kaia Kater

Lifestyles - Wail.

Background - Chicago punk band Lifestyles take aim at Scientology on their ripping new single “Wail” that came out late last week. It’s out digitally now ahead of its physical release on 10/26 as part of a split 7” EP with Meat Wave, which their fellow Chicagoans No Trend Records is releasing on October 26th.

The lyrics behind "Wail" came out of Lifestyles' endless obsession with cults and in this case specifically, Scientology. It's about how any written contract among friends or practitioners of a shared belief is inherently a negative and suspicious thing - if one requires a signed contract to prove trust, then that person is clearly indicating they have no trust.

It's also one of Lifestyles' faster songs, with the band dedicating it to the memory of Hüsker Dü’s Grant Hart. Lifestyles' sound is reminiscent of the grungy noise that was blasting its way out of the Puget Sound in the late 80’s and early 90’s... and while often compared to bands like Babes In Toyland, the Wipers and the Misfits, Lifestyles has had no problem implementing experimental song structures and otherworldly vocals in an attempt to carve out their own unique sound. They’re currently working on the follow-up to their self-titled debut album (available exclusively on Bandcamp), which they’ll soon be recording at Electrical Audio. BANDCAMP. 

'Wail' by name and wail by nature, this song let's rip with some full on punk fuelled attitude right from the word go. The tonsil shattering vocals are one of a kind, the band roar along and at just over two minutes duration, that pretty much every pure punk box ticked.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Amy Rigby - Tom Petty Karaoke.

Background - Ahead of her forthcoming UK tour, Amy Rigby will be releasing her first solo album in a dozen years, The Old Guys, in the UK on 30 November.

Amy explains more about the track: "Tom Petty is a guardian angel for me, like he was and is for many musicians. I’ve written about him on my blog a lot because anytime I’m on the road it’s like Tom is there on my shoulder, saying “that’s cool” or “you can do better”. This was true when he was alive and even more now that he’s gone.

After another week of discord and divisiveness in the news, I saw a video of J Mascis singing Don’t Do Me Like That in a nearly-empty karaoke bar. I’d sung American Girl with Chuck Prophet and the Mission Express the night before and felt the power of that song reach out and lift people up. Mascis’ karaoke performance was the opposite, it was internal, like prayer. He wasn’t doing it for an audience, he was doing it for himself. I imagined I was J, strummed some American Girl chords and wrote this song."

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. 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

We shared 'From Philiproth' from Amy Rigby just four weeks ago and are mighty pleased to follow that up with 'Tom Petty Karaoke'. There is a sense of real passion from the opening moments, the lyrics are wonderful and the hooks are everywhere.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Wild Child - My Town.

Background - Austin, TX's Wild Child are excited to announce their first run of tour dates in 2019, making stops in Denver, Seattle, Portland, Los Angeles and many more. This follows a winter tour this November & December which will hit New York, Philadelphia and more. Find a full list of tour dates below and via the band's website.

In anticipation of the upcoming fall tour, the band released a one-of-a-kind video for the song "My Town" from their new album Expectations out now on Dualtone Records. Director Aaron Brown achieved a truly unique miniature effect by utilizing two drones: one with a massive spotlight attached to it and the other with a camera. The result is a chilling, "Westworld"-like environment that climaxes with a burning building.

"At the end of last year, we got a small crew of people together to go spend some time out in Teralingua, TX, just shy of the Mexican boarder. It’s surreal out there, beautiful and desolate; West Texas in a nutshell," explains co-frontman Alexander Beggins. "Our director Aaron Brown has a little ranch house out there that we camped out in for a few days but spent most of our time exploring the desert land and were fortunate enough to be allowed to film into some of the towns best kept little secret spots. The entire video really captures a moment in time in our lives"

"This song is one of my favorites from the album. It was very emotional to write and hear come to life in the studio, and it feels even more powerful with the backdrop of the Texas desert behind it," said co-frontwoman Kelsey Wilson. "'My Town was' written from a very dark and isolated place and singing it in a ghost town in West Texas felt hauntingly appropriate. We all had a lot of powerful moments out there together." WEBSITE.

Wild Child made a couple of appearances on Beehive Candy around the beginning of the year and the new video for 'My Town' makes for a very welcome return. Slow paced, melodic and with a beautiful atmosphere both the song and the accompanying video are gorgeous.


------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Kaia Kater - New Colossus.

Background - Grenadian-Canadian artist Kaia Kater announces the UK release of new album Grenades on January 11th 2019 (on Smithsonian Folkways Recordings); including first single New Colossus out this Friday 19th October.

Known for her prowess as a songwriter and tradition bearer who performs with “the skill of a folk-circuit veteran” (Rolling Stone), Grenadian-Canadian artist Kaia Kater took a decidedly different direction for her new album, Grenades. What started out as a search to discover the roots of her identity became a physical and emotional exploration of history, in particular her paternal ancestry, and has led to bold new heights of imagination and creative expression.

Her father Deno grew up in Grenada, fleeing to Canada in 1986 as part young speakers program, after the U.S. invasion. His voice can be heard recounting those events during the album's interludes — a way for the Canadian songwriter to tie her present with his past, in order to understand our current global climate of war, unease, immigration, and displacement. Kater revisits the past in songs like “La Misère” and “Grenades”; touches on the present in “Canyonland” and “New Colossus”; and looks to the future in “Poets Be Buried.”

As Kater explored multiple facets of her identity, so did she explore varying facets of her sound. She partnered with producer Erin Costelo to create a musical aesthetic that pulled from more than just the Appalachian influences of her past musical efforts. Artists like Aoife O'Donovan and Daniel Lanois figured prominently in the artistic vision.

“I play acoustic guitar on the record, and the title track doesn’t have banjo in it, so we knew it would be different right off the bat,” Kater says. “We anchored a lot of the sound with guitar player Christine Bougie (Bahamas, Good Lovelies). I knew I wanted Christine on the record, and we built the sound from there.”

It’s a sound that starts in Grenada, moves through America, and travels into Quebec. It’s the sound of an artist forging a new path into the future, while holding her history close. Grenades tells stories of courage and uncertainty; it is an odyssey reflecting on the nature of personal identity, memory, family — and how sometimes a person must travel across the world to find out where their home is. WEBSITE.

'New Colossus' is a beautiful, timeless folk song with just a twist of Americana feeling. Subtle alterations in pace have considerable impact, the musicianship is pristine and the vocals of Kaia Kater are enchanting. It may be a couple of months wait for the album, this song suggests it will be worth the patience.


------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Frankie Davies - Sofie Winterson - Paige Stark

Frankie Davies - High On Love.

Background - Frankie Davies has shared the new video for her latest single 'High On Love' which sees Frankie meandering home ‘the morning after’ around her local streets with the gorgeous landscape of Jersey as a backdrop.

“Wherever I Go is me, encapsulated,” says Frankie Davies, Jersey-born songwriter, on her highly anticipated debut album. This is an important release for Davies, in fact, she has said that “this represents me, my journey and experiences over the last 4 years.” First single, 'High On Love', is a brilliantly addictive tune that showcases Frankie's exceptional songwriting and heartwarming voice.

Frankie has explained the story within the song: "High on Love is an unusual take on a love story, one that follows an optimist with the ability to conjure up a connection that wasn’t there in the first place. By misreading gestures of kindness for ones of affection, we see just how easy it is to run away with our ideas of love. Being high on that ideal blurs the lines of what is real and masks the truth."

2018 marks an important step in her story, the release of ‘Wherever I Go’, Davies’ debut album on the 2nd of November, something fans have been waiting to hear for a long time. Its variety of influences are tied together by Davies’ evocative vocals and addictive melodies that transport listeners through both painful and joyful moments in her life. WEBSITE.

'High On Love' is a charming and lovable song that is now accompanied by a equally pleasing video, as Frankie Davies teases her fans once more ahead of the anticipated debut album due in just over a couple of weeks.


------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sofie Winterson - Half Asleep.

Background - Dutch musician and singer song-writer Sofie Winterson has announced the release of her sophomore album 'Sophia Electric' on 02 November via Excelsior Recordings.

Following the release of first single 'Military Man', Sofie has now shared another track taken from her upcoming album, and a beautifully intimate video to accompany it. 'Half Asleep' "is about holding back out of fear. When you listen to the lyrics, you’ll know what I mean by this.", Sofie says. "The video is directed and shot by photographer Laura Kampman. We were roommates in LA and she shot this video in and around our house. We became good friends and it was special to shoot this video together, since it’s a personal song and it felt natural to let her literally come as close as she does in the video".

Sofie grew up in a house full of music on a small peninsula in the Netherlands called ‘Marken’, just outside of Amsterdam. From a very young age, her father had all four children singing together and, later on, he even formed a band with them and toured in the Netherlands and Indonesia, where he was stationed as a doctor on the Maluku Islands. Her parents always thought that music was an important part of life, but didn't expect all four children would have ended up being musicians. Sofie's sister and brother are in a band called ‘My Baby’ and her older sister is in a band called ‘Blue Crime’. Her whole youth was filled with music and she drew a lot of inspiration from 70’s folk artists as well as soul legends. For her own music, and the latest project in particular, she returned to the folk.

Her new album 'Sophia Electric' is a personal document about love, letting go, change and memory. The music was written and recorded in different locations, namely Los Angeles, Lisbon, Haarlem and Amsterdam, but her guitar was always within reach.

The initial spark that lit the creative fire came when DJ Turquoise Wisdom introduced Winterson to a couple of obscure folk singles during a session on Red Light Radio that she attended. This prompted her to go back to her old love of writing songs in their bare essence on guitar. When she spotted a record player's amplylier saying 'Sophia Electric' on it, she put two and two together. She consumed a lot of music along the way; the deft experimentalism of Arthur Russell, the bare-boned songwriting approach of Big Thief and Elliott Smith, the lush, nocturnal atmospherics of Beach House and Mazzy Star… and yes, the commanding pop aura of Beyoncé too. This confluence of different beats was forged into a singular vision. TWITTER.

The musical backdrop has an intricate and detailed rhythmic feel on 'Half Asleep' whilst Sophie Winterson's vocals have an intimate and personal feel that combine to provide a quite addictive song.


------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Paige Stark - Albatross.

Background - Paige Stark is a songwriter, multi-intstrumentalist, & producer from Los Angeles, California.

She has released records with her band Tashaki Miyaki & contributed production to fellow Angelenos L.A. Witch & Cherry Glazzerr as well as her own band, Tashaki Miyaki.

This is her debut solo effort. It was recorded by Grammy winning engineer Cassidy Turbin (Beck) with contributions by Jon Brion.

"among the most lovely pieces of music that I’ve heard so far this year. I wish we didn’t have to wait until at least Spring of 2019 for the full album, but I suppose that does make the saying about the best things in life being worth the wait ring truer than ever." - Marion Hodges, KCRW. BANDCAMP.

In the early months of last year we featured Tashaki Miyaki three times and were very impressed with their music. Now we have Paige Stark's debut solo piece 'Albatross' which as expected has her gentle melodic and tender vocals. The musical arrangement is subtly matched and those hooks are everywhere on this wonderful song.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Lauran Hibberd - Wooing - ElectroBluesSociety feat Michel Peters

Lauran Hibberd - What Do Girls Want? / Call Shotgun.

Background - Fresh off the back of her heavily coveted single ‘Call Shotgun’, a release that landed her praise at The Line Of Best Fit, Clash, BBC Radio 1, 6Music as well as a spot as BBC Introducing’s Track Of The Week, Isle Of Wight native Lauran Hibberd returns with the release of her new cut ‘What Do Girls Want?’ out now via Be-Known Music.

Continuing her brand of off-kilter indie-pop, ‘What Do Girls Want?’ channels the tongue-in-cheek lyrical flow of Courtney Barnett, as she soars through energetic guitar riffs and ironical content to deliver a wonderfully catchy return to the scene.

With influences stemming from bands like Weezer, the frontwoman’s latest single is a stern slap in the face for conventional attitudes. Treading her own path in the industry, this latest release cements her as one of the most exciting and divisive new names in British’s indie music.

Speaking about the new single, Lauran explained, “For me, ‘What Do Girls Want?’ is a good punch to the mouth. It’s sarcastic, and bleakly honest. It highlights what it feels like to be young, and obsesses over the ideas that come with being just that.” TWITTER.

We featured Lauren Hibberd three times last year and although it's been a while 'What Do Girls Want?' was worth the wait. Actually if we had picked up on 'Call Shotgun' a couple of months ago, this would be our second 2018 share, but better late than never so here are both splendid songs. Once again our Isle Of Wight musical favourite delivers her infectious brand of charming pop with style.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Wooing - Could Have Been.

Background - Wooing has announced a new 7", The Clouds, due out November 9th via Kanine Records. It features singles "Could Have Been" and "In Her Head," the first two Wooing songs that were written collaboratively by all three members: multi-instrumentalist and lead singer Rachel Trachtenburg, guitarist JR Thomason, and drummer Rosie Slater.

The band have just shared a video for "Could Have Been," a song that examines the disappointment of shallow friendships and the need to move on from them. With a hazy, dream-like quality that matches the song's swirling, psych-tinged vibe.

Trachtenburg has been performing in the New York music scene since she was six years old, first with The Trachtenburg Family Slideshow Players and later in Supercute! (alongside Slater.) With Wooing, her haunting, etherial vocals float above echoing guitars, for a sound that mixes elements of '90s rock acts like Helium and Quasi with the sounds of '60s Syd Barrett. The band has shared stages with San Cisco, Black Lips, Dream Wire, Hinds, and more. WEBSITE.

Wooing has a string of live dates coming up with Wavves, along with a couple of hometown shows.
* w/ Wavves
10/18: Dallas, TX @ Deep Ellum Art Co*
10/19: Austin, TX @ Empire*
10/20: San Antonio, TX @ Paper Tiger*
10/31: Brooklyn, NY @ Elsewhere* (Elsewhere 1 year anniversary w/ Wavves, Beach Fossils & more)
11/6: Ridgewood, NY @ Trans Pecos (w/ Dehd & Patio).

'Could Have Been' is an expansive indie rocker packed with power, emotion and plenty of musical hooks. The trio have a distinct sound where potent rock is balanced with some melody, and a fine hint of psychedelic feel, and just a little loose rock and roll swagger.


------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

ElectroBluesSociety feat Michel Peters - I Got My Mojo Workin.

Background - ElectroBluesSociety is formed by Jasper Mortier and Jan Mittendorp: two guys and a bunch of junk with a broad taste and an open mind mixing the old with the new.

Modern technologies combined with 30+ years of live stage experience in the European blues / roots music scene. The musical input ranges from Alan Lomax to Roxy Music and from Charlie Parker to Led Zeppelin.

On stage you will find computers, a double bass, foot pedals, vintage amps, midi controllers, an old drumkit and lots of cables. All of this handled by the two band members.

This time they took a classic blues song and invited Michel Peters for the vocals, RECORD LABEL.

This is our third feature for ElectroBluesSociety this time the vocals are provided by Michel Peters on 'I Got My Mojo Workin'. Once again the mixture of timeless natural blues is performed with passion and the modern electro influences add another fabulous dimension to the song.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Leonie Kingdom - Mr. Koifish - Rosie Carney - The Trials of Cato

Leonie Kingdom - So Much More.

Background - So Much More is the second track from Leonie Kingdom’s debut EP Night Terror’s. So Much More is exactly how it sounds. It’s a song written to remind people that although times may feel unbearable and dark, you will get through it and there is so much more to keep going for. So Much More is about learning from mistakes and life experiences, learning and growing along the way.

“I’ve always taken experience from the darker side of life. This is where most of my experience in song writing comes from. I like to write about things that are important, and people can relate to. I thought it would be refreshing to put a bit of a lighter and positive feel into a song with a big meaning. Encouraging people to keep going when life gets tough and remember there are other people going through their own struggles in life. We are not alone”. – Leonie Kingdom

The song structure for So Much More is quite simple with guitar picking and simple piano. The track was recorded and produced by Robert Mackay in Pacific International Studios with mixing and mastering by Levi Dunn. Pacific International Studio is located in Leonie’s home town, Hervey Bay, QLD.

Leonie has been performing live and entertaining crowds for around eight years. From playing at pubs, to festivals and specials events. To date, Leonie has performed at Tamworth music festival, The Gympie Muster, Heart of Gold International film festival, Queenscliff Music Festival, Spirit of Bundaberg Festival and Hervey Bay Ocean festival. In 2017, Leonie took the winning title in Hervey Bay’s Unplugged competition. This awarded her the production of Night Terrors, her debut EP. WEBSITE.

Leonie Kingdom's prepossessing vocals quickly gained my attention on 'So Much More' a charming and uncomplicated singer songwriter piece, where personal feeling and natural emotion resonate beautifully.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Mr. Koifish - Hang Our Coats.

Background - Mr. Koifish is Morten Køie’s new band. It’s all about kicking back and taking it easy - letting the stress flow off your back. You might remember Morten from Danish ‘Best Live Band’ Turboweekend, where he brought a smile and a raised eyebrow to a packed festival or concert hall on his bass - now he’s going to show you his new vibe with songs written during the Turboweekend years and produced by Hot Gills with a new collective of musicians, family and friends.

Hang Our Coats is the second single by Mr Koifish, and is a bitter sweet song that urges you to sacrifice everything to live your life with no regrets and to feel the blood pumping in your veins. You need to leap on the table and give exactly no fucks. Maybe life is only so so sweet because there isn’t all the time in the world - there’s only now. So get to it!

Mr. Koifish also feartures on Blvk Iris first single “put it on” and has contributed to LMOCPCAOPWH a new art publication curated by Jir Sandel that was published in August.   

Morten says: “…Mr. Koifish is the place where I can fit all my inspirations, personality and my sweet friends in music into one big family of sounds. And in this track I talk about standing your ground and doing the best you can with what you got before you hang your coat up for good” FACEBOOK. 

'Hang Our Coats' is subtly engaging at first and after a couple of listens quite compelling to play again. Musically there is plenty packed into this song, it's clever but not showy, and the vocals are a natural ingredient in the piece such is their match with the music.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Rosie Carney - Orchid.

Background - Rising Irish singer-songwriter Rosie Carney’s new single, “Orchid” is now available. The song follows last month’s release of  “Thousand,” featuring Lisa Hannigan, which has already been streamed over 1.3 million times on Spotify. These tracks appear on Rosie Carney’s highly anticipated album, Bare, which debuts January 25 via Akira Records.

Of “Orchid,” Carney notes, “As the song developed, I saw the opportunity to really expand beyond my usual production and it’s now the most layered song on the album, with strings, drums, tremolo guitar etc. I could just hear the strings while working on the demo and when it came time to actually track them, we used Radiohead’s ‘Nude’ and some of Lana Del Rey’s dreamier tracks as a reference—two artists that are huge influences on me.”

With her full-length debut album still to come, Rosie Carney’s music has already been streamed over 18 million times, and she currently has over 1.4 million monthly listeners on Spotify.

Carney was born in Hampshire, England and at 10 years old moved to Donegal on the northwest coast of Ireland. Inspired by the rugged and picturesque landscapes of her new home, she 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.” TWITTER. 

I think it's probably fair to say that when Rosie Carney releases a song and we can feature it, then the result is, it gets featured. 'Orchid' continues that trend for no other reason than it's gorgeous.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Trials of Cato - Gloria.

Background - The Trials Of Cato have just shared their new single "Gloria", the first to be taken from forthcoming debut album "Hide And Hair." Guitarist and vocalist Tomo Williams comments on the track; “When the band first returned from Lebanon we travelled around the folk clubs of the UK in our van and came across an inspiring individual that we couldn’t resist writing about. It’s a story of self-discovery and a celebration of being true to oneself. Lots of old folk songs talk about women dressing up as men for financial or personal gain, and we wanted to write a song about someone doing this simply because they want to! This is a song about the emotional journey of a person who comes to terms with their own identity and learns to take pride in it.”​

The Trials Of Cato, a band that arrived fully formed and functioning from Beirut in the winter of 2016, have since torn a shape very much their own into the canvas of the UK folk scene. Originally from North Wales and Yorkshire, whilst living in Lebanon they spent a year boiling down the roots of their sound into a sweet hybrid of traditional influences that intrigued Lebanese audiences in the country’s biggest venues. They moved back to the UK to quickly produce their self-title debut EP at the Abbey Road Institute in London. The recording was well received – BBC Radio 2’s Mark Radcliffe hails them as “one of the real discoveries on the folk circuit in recent times.” Their musical development in the run up to their debut album proper, has been swift and sure.

This winter the trio release Hide And Hair, after a year of near-vertical ascent from a standing start. The trio may inhabit the folk genre with a grateful respect for its history but with this album they twist its old bones into something febrile and contemporary. Stunning instrumental technique hooked to an innovative presentation of traditional and original material leads to a sound where a seventeenth century widow’s lament for a lost soldier lover (My Love’s In Germany) can segue into a stomping dance tune – transporting us from the gloom of the Thirty Years War to the vibrant bounce of beckoning festival main stages. 

With a clear nod to the musical revivals of the sixties and seventies, Hide And Hair is rooted in the folk traditions of Ireland and Britain but the themes remain decidedly contemporary and questioning. Recorded in the spring of 2018 at Penylan studios in mid-Wales, the array of material is hugely diverse, the album almost being treated as a journey across both time and continents. WEBSITE.

The Trials of Cato provide a sophisticated musical tapestry for 'Gloria' however it's the vocals and harmonies that really impress. This is highly addictive folk music (I never though I would describe more traditional folk along those lines) where the band carve out a timeless sound doing so in a very talented manner.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------