Holly Abraham - The Wild State - John Southworth - Alf Hale

'Refine In Fire' by Holly Abraham exudes atmosphere as the acoustic guitar and soft layers of electronic sounds combine to make a sophisticated backdrop for her beautiful vocals. We featured 'Air Runs Out' by The Wild State just over a month ago, and 'Youth' is a contrasting follow up, the bands musicianship is striking and the vocals add real character. John Southworth shares a memorable song where the simple key changes, understated musical arrangement and his personal and tender vocals are just splendid. We have two of the eleven songs that make up 'The Rainy Season' album due out in May, between them they give a good flavour of what to expect within this very fine collection of songs.

Holly Abraham - Refined In Fire.

Refined in Fire is the 2nd single and the captivating title track of Holly Abraham’s forthcoming debut EP. Haunting vocals accompanied by melancholic acoustic guitar, and intricate electronic details create an atmospheric track that maintains both vulnerability and power.

Regarding the single, Abraham says: “Refined In Fire is inspired by a difficult season a group of friends and I went through a few years ago. It’s a reminder that though we never desire painful life experiences, they are necessary for growth and change to occur in us as people. Though it can be raw and messy, it is always worth the gold found on the other side - we just have to remember to look for it.

Holly Abraham is a mellow indie folk singer/songwriter originally from Wales, now based in Bristol. Combining deep, soulful lyrics with raw, misty vocal tones, Holly creates mesmerising melodies which will leave listeners both captivated and enamoured.

After spending the first half of 2018 on a soul-searching trip to Australia and Cambodia, Holly solidified her ambient sound and developed her identity as a solo artist. Inspired by musicians such as Novo Amor and Of Monsters and Men, Abraham began working closely alongside Norwegian producer and lead singer of indie-pop band Firewoodisland - Stian Vedoy. Together they produced Abraham’s debut single “Shore”, which picked up love from BBC Introducing in the West, Indie playlist-curators like Alex Rainbird Music and Indie Folk Central and have accumulated over 18.000 streams on Spotify in only 3 months.


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The Wild State - Youth.

With the release of their powerful debut single 'Air Runs Out' last month, enigmatic new Brighton band The Wild State were instantly earmarked as ones to watch, garnering high praise and comparisons to likes of The War On Drugs and Bon Iver. Today they have shared their follow up track, 'Youth'; a beautiful, melancholic and orchestral ode to juvenescent love.

Speaking about the track, the band's drummer and one of two lead vocalists Oliver Spalding explains "The whole song is viewed from the perspective of someone looking back on their youth, and the intense, desperate and very real love that comes with naivety. Those feelings we experience when reminiscing are rose tinted and dreamlike and that's exactly what we wanted to re create in music".

The Wild State began making music together whilst studying songwriting together at BIMM, and worked in earnest to create their beauteous debut album. From the strength of their initial demos, the band signed a publishing deal with IAMSOUND Music and have now returned from recording their forthcoming debut LP 'Light Along The Waves' in Connecticut, with legendary producer Peter Katis (The National, Interpol, Kurt Vile).

The two singles released thus far are an epic and emotionally rich introduction to the British band, who are already garnering excitement industry wide for their impeccable live show.

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John Southworth - I Loved My Girl.

John Southworth is an archaeologist of love, sifting through relics and artefacts, the compost of this world’s memory, revealing stories that feel caught in slow motion, in mid-air, no beginnings or endings. Everything has always existed in this chaotic present; once distant stars now the altars of Tin Pan-Schubert Alley. Today, the prolific artist shares 'I Loved My Girl', the beautiful first single from his new album, Miracle in the Night.

Out 3rd May on Tin Angel Records (Nicholas Krgovich, Crack Cloud, Trembling Bells), the songs of Miracle in the Night read like a stoic’s recital of an untraceable lieder. Carefully, each is a gradual, unfurling cadence. You may recognise his long-time band ‘The South Seas’ - gentle and steady, calm and restrained, playing just before dawn, a solstice cabaret in a megalithic tower. The endless red curtains from the Lynch dimension rise and fall around you.

Talking about the album, Southworth said: "The songs exist in a kind of inner dimension I like to regularly visit, outside the bubble and the babble. They only really work at night. And only can be really sung in the still of the night. Each a kind of nocturnal prayer. Each containing a little miracle. A little spell. Designed to get you across the almighty swinging bridge, from here to eternity!"

In this world, John Southworth lives in Toronto with his family, teaches the art of song, appears in films and wanders the parks looking for clues. This is his 12th full-length release, arriving on the hooves of 2016’s Small Town Water Tower, which crosshatched a glam-pop ooze into the rigorous comparative mythology of 2014’s epic Niagara. Similarly rich with symbol and folklore and pristine melodies, Miracle in the Night offers us a delicacy of fantasy, focusing our attention into a state of constant revelation, alive in song.

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Alf Hale - My Lover's Arms / Naive (from The Rainy Season Album).

"The Rainy Season" is the second full length album from singer/songwriter Alf Hale which is due for release May 10th.

Having spent almost a decade in the wilderness, Singer / Songwriter Alf Hale had a spectacular return to the music scene with his EP 'Misanthrope' which chronicled his remarkable journey from the depths of alcoholism to his eventual redemption.

This was swiftly followed up by his debut album 'City on a Hill' which saw Alf, accompanied by fiddle player Jade Morris, channel the dark underbelly of Southern American Country, Folk and Blues infused with his unmistakable English charm.

Hoping to build on the success of his first two releases comes "The Rainy Season", which sees Alf yet again take on a new musical direction. Unlike City On a Hill, a more stripped back affair, The Rainy Season saw Alf take to the studio with a full band in tow delivering a fuller, darker sound. 


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Julia Rakel - Paige Stark - Hush Pup

Julia Rakel's music might be described as lo-fi, however it's also packs a dreamy punch with the layers of gentle sounds and her seductive vocals. We've featured Paige Stark once before as a solo artist, along with several Tashaki Miyaki appearances, and she continues to really impress with her latest offering 'Depression Song'. It's less than a month since we first shared 'The Hours' from Hush Pup, 'Oasis' is a very welcome follow up where their experimental pop is once again blissful and endearing.

Julia Rakel - You're Not Getting It.

Umeå-via-Malmö Swedish musician and producer Julia Rakel is the latest addition to Stockholm indie label Rama Lama Records' (Melby, Steve Buscemi's Dreamy Eyes, Chez Ali etc.) roster. Debut single PDFILWM was released in January and have since grabbed the attention from influential Swedish media as well as international blogs, calling it a "lo-fi gem", followed by People in February. New single You're Not Getting It is out now and is the third and final look into Julia's peculiar bedroom pop before her six track debut EP on March 15. 

Just like previous singles You're Not Getting It is the result of hours of music making in the lonesome bedroom. Julia works at the well-known Malmö studio Tambourine and her credits include sound design and music for the award-winning short film Plankton. With her expertise as a producer she's refined her stripped-down sketches to a daydreaming beautiful soundscape that develops with every listen. This, put together with Julia's individual vocals and often ironic lyrics, create a intimate and memorable sound that there will be plenty more of during the upcoming months.

Debut EP indie fEElz lands on March 15. A six track creation that according to Julia is a try to deal with the very different kinds of relationships we have with each other and ourselves through "a lot of irony, drum machines and way too many choir parts". The tracks treat universal topics such as forced acquaintances, love, desperate attempts to be understood, how we feel about our egos and a sad celebration of friendships.

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Paige Stark - Depression Song.

Paige Stark (of Tashaki Miyaki) releases "Depression Song."

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.

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Hush Pup - Oasis.

Inspired by the films 3 Women and Paris Texas, "Oasis" is about a feeling of blurriness. Sometimes the blur feels blissful and sometimes it feels like a loss of identity. Going in and out of this blur, occasionally you find something to cling to, that's the oasis. Sonically the track is inspired by dusty landscapes and Danny Elfman's music in Pee-wee's Big Adventure.

Hush Pup makes experimental pop music that sounds a lot like driving at night through the board game Candy Land, soft cotton candy trees brush up against the windows of your glass car as you ride toward a friend’s cabin nearby the molasses swamp. Forming for a show in 2012, they have since played across Canada, the U.S. & Europe.

Their EP ‘Flower Power’ & LP ‘Panacea’, a romantic film-inspired album, will be released on a double cassette with Lone Hand (lonehand.xyz) in March 2019.


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Sarah P - The Ninth Chapter - The Arthur Brothers - Trouble in the Wind

We featured the 'Maenads' E.P by Sarah P. back in January however the video for the excellent title track is well worth a share. Australian six piece band The Ninth Chapter mix the genres and styles up with a funk meets folk kinda song. We featured The Arthur Brothers a couple of times last year and now we have an award winning video from them for what is a really good song entitled 'Violet Hum'. Trouble In The Wind share a gorgeous rocker with plenty of passion and feeling to round things off today.

Sarah P. - Maenads.

Maenads is a disco-inspired song about those nights that are empty of feelings. The video's visuals are a fast-forward to Sarah's life in Berlin - rather secluded, away from distractions. "This isolation-by-choice gave me time to process life events that had shaped me."

The song's video features Sarah and Sabina Smith-Moreland cast as a bird that symbolizes mental illness. The video shows the importance of coming to terms with own struggles while not letting them overtake one's life. "I’ve been struggling with depression and anxiety for a long time, but I'm convinced that it's possible to control one’s mental health, rather than living a life controlled by mental illness," Sarah shares.

"Mental illness never truly goes away, but learning more about it can help understand what’s going on inside your body and mind and therefore, control it better."

Sarah P. on the filming of the video: "For the last part of the Maenads trilogy, I decided to film in Berlin - where it all started for me. This video is perhaps my least “ethereal” work-to-date - with “ethereal” being a word that’s often used to describe my work. Berlin isn’t ethereal - it’s boxy and well structured in its chaos. Berlin’s light is very different compared to the light in Athens; in Berlin, the light is moody and arrogant - especially during the winter, where it makes rare appearances. Maenads was filmed at Theaterhaus Berlin - a space that felt homely and brought me closer to my drama school years. I had the pleasure to work with photographer and visual artist Colette Pomerleau and dancer Sabina Smith-Moreland. For the coloring of the video, I worked once again with David Hofmann who previously colored the other two parts of the Maenads trilogy. Although the concept and set are meant to symbolize my life in Berlin, my “Greek Maenads” (Clio “Lil Cli” Arvaniti, Dora Pantazopoulou, Rania Ainiti, Marianna Pagrakioti) make a special appearance on Maenads TV. The additional visuals were filmed & edited by George Geranios, on a rooftop in Athens - the concrete jungle. Lastly, Apostolia Gogara is responsible for the fantastic hair and makeup of the additional visuals."


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The Ninth Chapter - My Own Time.

The Ninth Chapter possess a powerful ability to groove. Layering elements of funk, blues and folk, the Australian six-piece revel in exciting songwriting that takes listeners on a diverse musical journey. With over a decade of touring and three EPs to their name, the band successfully launched their first full-length over the weekend with two massive shows -  to keep the good vibes flowing, The Ninth Chapter will be taking their hot show through NSW and Qld over the coming months.

As an amazing live outfit The Ninth Chapter are renown for pairing its heavy groove with thumping horns, but on record the group sculpt a vast landscape of sounds, moods and tempos - a definitive representation of where The Ninth Chapter's musical evolution has taken them. Led by Jaz Munro’s bluesy vocals and slinky guitar, the ablum is a showcase of The Ninth Chapter's dynamic sound: the driving rhythm section of bassist Daniel Bowland and drummer Zac Page, the expansive percussion of Glen McClymont, and the richly layered horn section of Dillon Carlsson and Tom Hilliar.

Following on from the aptly titled taster What's Going To Happen Next, new single My Own Time is the band in total cruise control - one arm out the window and enjoying the ride. Smooth and summery, it is a song that celebrates travelling at your own pace – an ethos very much at the band's core. With its members scattered across Australia's beautiful north east coast, The Ninth Chapter perfectly encapsulate the laid-back lifestyle of Australian beach culture.

With the band proudly committing to a non-digital recording process with Geoff Wright at Lucky Boy Analogue studios in Byron Bay, The Ninth Chapter presents the group in all their glory – from the broad spectrum of genres they span, to their irrepressible live energy. It is a true reflection of their journey thus far. But beyond all else, The Ninth Chapter is a band about mateship... the kind of brotherhood that feeds creativity – both collectively and for the individuals within it. This more than anything provides the chemistry that makes the band's debut album so true to their hearts.

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The Arthur Brothers - Violet Hum.

The Arthur Brothers; an artistic alliance centered around the biological brothers Matt and Danny Arthur and the producer/songwriter and multi-instrumentalist J. C. Wright. After the releases of ‘Ninth’ and ‘Flawless’, tracks that demonstrated the darker, brooding side of the band, The Arthur Brothers released ‘Violet Hum’ on March 1st via ClearLight Records/Declared Goods.

A rollicking musical collage that seductively takes you on a journey through mad unexpected scene changes.  Beginning with a 1930’s wireless parlour sound which transitions quickly through 70s nonchalant pop, sun drenched Beach Boys-esque a cappella vocal bridges, Welsh colliers choir breaks, a calypso beach party scene, and even a ‘The Who - Sellout’ style radio ad break.

It features a horn section that included trombone and trumpet from Tim Hart and Pablo Mendelssohn (member of The Specials horn section and the Book of Mormons House Band) and a string section led by violinist Sarah Anderson (Chrome Hoof, Deep Throat Choir).

The eccentric, eclectic nature of this musical collage of a song is brilliantly manifested in the award winning animated music video by Tribambuka (Anastasia Beltyukova) who used a mixture of different techniques and styles to take the viewer on a crazy journey with the brothers through strange and whimsical worlds on the back of a grumpy fish to messy abstract subconscious states of mind, where chaos and cosmos collide.

The video has been recognized at a number of international film festivals including, Best Music Video, Feel The Reel International Film Festival 2018, Glasgow, UK and International Animated Film Festival ReAnima 2018, Bergen, Norway, along with numerous other events.


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Trouble in the Wind - Fall Guy.

Presenting the new music video 'Fall Guy' from San Diego Trouble in the Wind. This video marks the lead single off of their album 'Hammer On'.

Trouble in the Wind has been labeled as folk, Americana, alternative, country, surf rock …etc but the Southern California quartet likes to brand themselves as “rock and roll”.

The band’s stripped-down organic sound is a multi-instrumental collective fronted by songwriter Robby Gira, whose staggering powerful voice creates the center of attention of their songs.

The band is completed by musicians Kyle Merritt, Trevor Mulvey, Larry Doran providing lush instrumentation including accordion, upright bass, brushes, banjo and electric guitars. Trouble's songs are emotional at the core and blend a range of styles from ballads to surf folk to soulful rock.


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Porteau - The Hold Steady - Rock Eupora

Vancouver duo Porteau are about to release their debut album 'Water’s Gate' on March 15th. 'Penelope is one of ten songs in the collection and is a good indicator of the quality and beautiful sounds they create. The Hold Steady confirm they still have the knack to write and perform great new songs with this first offering from them this year. Rock Eupora have shared a video for 'Inbetween' a sumptuous rocker that suggests the new album will be rather special.

Porteau - Penelope.

Porteau is the creation of Victoria Williams and Craig Stevenson. The Vancouver duo’s debut album Water’s Gate transports listeners to a world of pragmatic mysticism. Layers of lush vocals and washes of light, modulated guitar are the foundation of their songs. Pulling the record into diverse moods and through vivid textures, their sound weaves through folk-inspired passages, celestial soundscapes, and electronic flourishes. Ethereal and expansive, Water’s Gate is Porteau’s open space for experimentation, and carves a wave into their own unmapped styling.

Collaboration between the couple came about by happenstance. Victoria saw a painting of Andromeda by Gustave Doré and was instantly captivated. She asked Craig if he could help her write music that sounded like the painting looked – cold, urgent, yet liberating. A mutual understanding and inspiration was found from this piece of art. It was a driving and unifying force that was the genesis of Porteau. Using this as a catalyst, a record naturally revealed itself. Sounds which had been independently cultivated now flowed together and a confluence of ideas began to occur. They were heavily influenced by both traditional folklore and the West Coast landscape. Porteau uses this imagery as a backdrop to explore and unearth personal experience.

The couple spent their evenings piecing together the songs on an acoustic guitar. They called upon longtime friends to join them and bring to life their vision of a lush and diverse instrumentation on each track. Utilizing their background in jazz, many moments were improvised in studio, allowing each musician’s natural voice to come through. These recordings of Water’s Gate did not occur overnight – the process took place over the course of many years. Layer by layer, they added individual instruments to the arrangements. With rock-driven drums, fluid basslines, heavy synth, crystalline pedal steel guitar, and pads of unified horn lines, Porteau’s full band sound was slowly brought to life.

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The Hold Steady - The Last Time That She Talked To Me.

The Hold Steady are releasing their first new song of 2019. “The Last Time She Talked To Me” arrives at all DSPs and streaming services via Frenchkiss Records on Friday, March 8. The song is now available exclusively at The Hold Steady’s Bandcamp page. Fans can download the single by donating to The K + L Guardian Foundation, a fund set up to benefit the children of Unified Scene founder “jersey” Mike Van Jura, who died in November 2012.

Recorded at Isokon Studios in Woodstock, NY, with producer Josh Kaufman and engineer D. James Goodwin, “The Last Time She Talked To Me” is the ninth in an amazing series of THS single releases over the past 15 months, a string that includes “Confusion in the Marketplace” b/w “T-Shirt Tux,” “The Stove & The Toaster” b/w “Star 18,” “Eureka” b/w “Esther,” and “Entitlement Crew” b/w “A Snake In The Shower.” Additional performers include Stuart Bogie and Dave Nelson on horns and Annie Nero on backup vocals. All of the aforementioned singles are available now at all DSPs and streaming services as well as the official Hold Steady Bandcamp HERE.

The Hold Steady are visiting London this week for “THE WEEKENDER,” a sold out three-day concert event that will see the NYC-based band taking the stage at London’s Electric Ballroom on Friday, March 8 and Saturday, March 9, followed by a limited capacity third show at Oslo, in Hackney, London on Sunday, March 10. In addition, an exclusive screening of The Hold Steady’s acclaimed 2009 documentary, A Positive Rage, will be held the afternoon of Sunday, March 10 at the Picturehouse cinema in Hackney.

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Rock Eupora – Inbetween.

Neither here nor there: that’s a tough place to be. Sometimes I only feel halfway present. It’s hard for me to live in the now — I’m always looking for the next best thing, always en route. I get so caught up trying to plan and control my future that I miss a lot of realtime fulfillment.

It's safe to say that most of us stay too busy - which I think is partly a reaction to what we value as a culture. We associate worth and meaning with accomplishments. I think it’s good to be driven, but I think it’s more important to be present. I’ve been trying to love myself (and others) right where I am and without qualifications or conditions. I believe that humans are inherently valuable! And if that’s the case, maybe the in-between is what it’s all about

This confession is how Clayton Waller, the Nashville-via-Mississippi fuzz pop artist known as Rock Eupora, opens his self-titled album. With three albums under his belt and an established position in the Nashville rock scene, Waller has developed Rock Eupora’s sound into a perfect blend of punchy guitars and unforgettable melodies.

On the new album, Waller contends with the challenges of a 20-something-year-old searching for his place in the world.  Written, performed, and produced by Waller himself, Rock Eupora is simultaneously Waller’s most cohesive and sonically adventurous album to date.

Recorded in a professional studio as opposed to his typical DIY approach, the change in setting allows the depth of detail in each track to be fully appreciated. Seamless transitions weave the songs together in what resembles a stream of creative consciousness — yet, every song tells a story strong enough to stand on its own. With a slight eighties influences and what Waller describes as “psychedelic tendencies”, Rock Eupora makes for a well-developed follow up to 2016’s Soon the Sun Will Come.

Commitment to his craft is what has carried Rock Eupora this far, garnering attention from venerable local media such as Nashville Scene and national outlets like PureVolume. It is evident that Waller really believes every word he’s singing, making it easy for listeners to believe, too. This sincerity is what gives Rock Eupora the ability to connect with people of varying ages and backgrounds, a gift that doesn’t come naturally to all artists. In a live setting, Rock Eupora comes to life as a full band to create a fast-paced and action packed rock-n-roll experience


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Metaspion - Trampoline - Sun Salute - Watling & Bates

The very idea of fusing folk, EDM alongside other genres had me intrigued and Metaspion doesn't disappoint with the splendid track entitled 'Pyros'. Trampoline released their debut album last month and 'Emilys Tea Party' is to good to pass up on even if we are (ahem) a little late to the party. Sun Salute share some gorgeous roots music channelling natural reggae vibes with a timeless feel. Watling & Bates give us a taste of Australia meets Americana style country music, that is both imaginative and a little on the Gothic side.

Metaspion - Pyros.

There is a new single from acclaimed Norwegian electronica artist Metaspion entitled "Pyros" (feat Skam R' Tist). Metaspion is known for fusing folk, EDM and other genres in intriguing ways as evidenced on his 2018 full-length Folktronica Schmolkfonika..

About new single "Pyros", he says: "It was a "wow!" moment when I first put an 808 kick over a Hardanger fiddle playing a folk riff. I remember thinking this is something the world has never heard before. It was like something exploded or caught fire. Which later led to the lyrics."

Metaspion is a departure from Morten Richter’s glam rock past. He felt rock n roll didn't make sense anymore and needed reinvention. His passion for both folk music and electronic music would eventually lead to a new folktronica solo project. It's a fusion of the old and the new: traditional Scandinavian folk music and the quintessentially modern genre of electronic dance music or EDM.  Richter plays the majority of the instruments on the album himself with the occasional guest appearance. Like DJ's today, the fiddler was the star of the party in the 1800's and provided music people could dance to, even capturing them in a trance-like state.

That’s what Richter hopes to achieve with Metaspion; “I want to bring those vibes and that energy into the electronic music today and combine it with crazy new sounds.”


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Trampoline - Emily's Tea Party.

Many say “variety is the spice of life” and that's exactly what Trampoline are bringing to the tablein 2019! With the trio's release of their debut concept album, Happy Crimes (released in February), avoiding the label of just one genre is exactly what makes them stand out from the musical pack.

"Michelle’s provocative vocal delivery – comparable to Patti Smith or Fiona Apple – is tailored to suit the message of each song on Happy Crimes. From the intensity of “Mary Alice” to the sweetness of “Twins on Fire,” she is a singer who employs a wide range of vocal techniques to get her point across with sincerity." - Grace Hrabi, Stylus Magazine - "Trampoline will be everyone's favorite band by 2019." - Gary Yates, film director.

“I think that as soon as a genre becomes established, there is an expectation of what a band/group is supposed to sound like,” Trampoline drummer, Steve Martens, explains. “To some degree, we kinda fit in the rock category; a better summation of us is 'unpredictable human beings making funny and thoughtful noise in an intentional and cohesive manner', but that's a mouthful.”

Charged by the whims of satire, playfulness and deeply heartfelt emotion, Trampoline explores the highs and lows of the human experience and has you bouncing while they do.

“What excites me most about song writing is the notion of transforming something dark and painful into something bright, beautiful and funny,” Trampoline lead vocalist/guitarist, Michelle Lecnik, says. “Suffering quickly becomes comedy once it's worked through my system (or once it becomes more conscious) and the spirit of these songs reflects the process of transcending disturbing emotional material and the bliss that ensues.”


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Sun Salute - No More.

Born of the snow season in Victoria, jamming and snowboarding together, Sun Salute are an international collective of musicians that draw inspiration from nature, travel and community. Their philosophy is both simple and infinitely complex: to use the power of music for healing and change.

Politically driven and unafraid of voicing the truth, Sun Salute are not without their bite, but even at their most lyrically pugilistic they are positive and uplifting. No More, the first single off their album due out this year, is a perfect example of all of the above. Taking a full reggae ensemble, giving the horns a delicious Motown twist, and delivering socially conscious lyrics through an epic tropical melody; No More is a glorious hybrid of tones, styles and ideologies.

Featuring local Indigenous custodian Ken Dodd, No More lends its voice to the original owners of this land and to all people around the world whose cultural values, sacred protocols and ancient voices have been silenced by corruption and misinformation. Serving a call-to-action for people to rise up against the increasing corporate influence over the planet, Sun Salute pay honour to the creed of saying what you mean and meaning what you say. That is the philosophy of Sun Salute in a nutshell. Be real. Speak the truth.

Returning to their roots in the Victorian snowfields, the band tracked their new material at reggae icon Nicky Bomba’s mountain cottage with legendary engineer Robin Mai (John Butler Trio, Melbourne Ska Orchestra). Refining and finishing the tracks with reggae maestro Paulie B (The Beautiful Girls, Bobby Alu), Sun Salute's ARIA Award-winning production team has done an exceptional job in capturing all of the classic reggae rhythms, dubs, solid grooves and jams of the band's notorious live show.


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Watling & Bates - In The Dead Of The Night.

Drawing inspiration from the spirit of the land, Watling & Bates are raconteurs of contemporary rural Australia and revivalists of the country’s past. In The Dead of Night is a song shrouded in magic, mystery and morbid curiosity, as it emerged from the mists of the McPherson Ranges.

Written by Geoffrey Bates, the song arose as if from a dream. It was not until the discovery of some archival news articles that the song’s meaning and story became clear. Its embodiment by the duo becoming eerily potent.

Watling & Bates are songwriters from Unumgar, on the western edge of the Northern Rivers of NSW. Fiddle, banjo, and guitar provide a backdrop for their tales, which recount local history, simple joys, or the complexities of a troubled mind.  Their songs move like a will-o-the-wisp between Australiana and Americana, Gothic country and dark folk, hillbilly and honkytonk. Their influences are drawn from a diverse and eclectic range of artists, from the old time music of the Appalachian Mountains to contemporary Australian country Gothic.

Watling & Bates’ career highlights range from small country halls to the streets of the city. They performed in an Opera Queensland small hall production in 2016, with an original work included in the script. In 2018 they head lined a small hall tour of the Bundaberg region, culminating at the prestigious Moncrieff Entertainment Centre during the Bundaberg Crush Festival.


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Hobby Club - Rainbrother - HunBjørn

Hobby Club make their second appearance on Beehive Candy this year with 'Bedroom'. In January we described their music as " bright indie pop - with some fabulous vocals and a crisp musical backdrop," the new song pretty much confirms they are very good at this. Rainbrother have a new album on the way and 'Warriors' suggests it will be well worth checking out, the band are creative and not stuck in any particular rock genre. HunBjørn shares a gorgeous electro pop song with lush synths and an expansive musical backdrop supporting some very engaging vocals.

Hobby Club - Bedroom.

Jangle-pop duo Hobby Club release their cheerfully melancholic single ‘Bedroom’ from their first EP ‘Video Days’ released 8th March on Manchester tastemaker label Heist or Hit (Her’s, Pizzagirl). Inspired by Arthur Russell, The Beach Boys and Kate Bush, Beth Truscott and Joe Rose’s sound is as unique as their vision of the world – sharing an unusual eye condition they only discovered after meeting each other.

‘Bedroom’, whilst about a bedroom and written in one, was ironically recorded in guitarist Joe’s favourite childhood venue, an ex-shipyard canteen. Faced with the constant threat of closure he describes ‘long nights panic tracking till the sun came up toiling away endlessly in the hopes we would finish before the builders kicked the door in.’

A “by-product of a fleeting obsession with 80's children's tv show theme songs, especially Fireman Sam which has the most perfect guitar tone you could ever dream of” ‘Bedroom’ is the demonstration of Hobby Club’s mastery of musical juxtaposition. Joe considers how “whenever I dip into the bad times, I always seem to counteract it by writing frustratingly happy songs, maybe in some vein attempt to reinterpret nostalgia into something that doesn't leave a sour taste in the mouth.”

Deceptively cheery, ‘Bedroom’ is Beth’s personal account of heartbreak: “turning you from a reasonable human being into a crumpled heap of gelatinous matter and tears, incapable of making a phone call or keeping track of your personal effects.” The track’s upbeat façade represents a feeble attempt to remain composed, when actually “going home to a darkened room becomes the best option after any minor setback whatsoever.” Beth confesses: “this song, in essence, is me ripping my heart out and showing it to all of you, in the hope that the person who I wanted to see it the most would.”

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Rainbrother - Warriors.

Danish band Rainbrother are releasing new single ‘Warriors’ taken from upcoming album Island. The band tell us the new track is about finding conviction in your beliefs, whether they be about love, human connection or politics. In the modern age of increasingly fragmented and disparate, they long for “the old days, back when life was simple and you understood what you were fighting for.”

Fronted by songwriter Bjarke Bendtsen, the five-piece explore themes of voluntary isolation, lost love and self-acceptance over the album’s ten tracks. In order to escape the rat race and record the album, the band relocated to the attic of an old farm along with producer Kennie Takahashi (Danger Mouse, Beck, Black Keys).

On tracks such as opener ‘Black Chemicals’, earthy, textured guitars are paired with distinctive vocal harmonies that are reminiscent of Fleet Foxes. Elsewhere on the record, for example on ‘Rio Rita’, more progressive elements come to the fore with clear nods to Pink Floyd and a wider palette of sounds, both acoustic and electronic.

Along with touring their native Denmark and the UK, the band have appeared at Bestival, SPOT Festival and SXSW – where in fact the band made the news on the BBC and CNN for an immigration debacle involving their front man Bjarke. When he was denied entry, they had to improvise and they used a pre-taped performance from him projected on a screen behind a drummer while they played their parts in sync.

The metaphorical ‘Island’ refers to withdrawing from the digital noise of the physical world, taking stock of what’s important and choosing to spend more time with the people that you really care for.

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HunBjørn - Who Are We To Love.

HunBjørn is a new act on the Danish indie and electro pop scene. Her musical universe is both raw and vulnerable. Catchy melodies, dreamy waves of synths, vocals and distorted guitars in a tight setting of bass and beats. HunBjørn released her debut EP “In Vacuo” in September of 2018, which received great reviews in her home country Denmark and when the first single “A Flutter Of The Heart” was released earlier that year in May, it immediately got selected selected by the hyped music Blog Soundvenue as one of that weeks “Top Tracks”.

She grew an engaged fan base on social media quite rapidly by using new technologies such as a messenger-bot called the She Bear Bot, an interactive behind the scenes experience for her EP that fans could join, and personal V-logs about every song and the story behind it. Now HunBjørn is ready with a second EP with the title “Next Summer”. She produced the EP herself and had it mixed by Brian Batz aka Sleep Party People, with whom she also worked with on her first EP.

The first single will be the song “Who Are We To Love”, which draws an even more electronic and dreamy approach to her music. The single is released March 1st on the Danish label All We Are Music. “Who Are We To Love” is a love song to the environment – a post-it in the forehead on all of us, to remind us that the environment is the responsibility of all of us.

HunBjørn aka Ulla Pihl, former lead singer and songwriter in the experimental pop band Lima Lima is inspired by the sonic structures in music and by the transformation of an instrument’s sound by using effects. Her lyrics always circle the grey areas in life and the complex feelings in relationships between human beings in a complex world. She’s inspired by bands such as Blonde Redhead, Japanese Breakfast, Grouper, Beach House and Alvvays. The name HunBjørn derives from the Latin origin of her personal name Ulla and means “a small she-bear” in Danish. The name is the incarnation of courage, vigour and feminine strength.


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Paper Cameras - Elva - Eyreton Hall

Paper Cameras share some rich and powerful alt rock with 'We Hear Your Name' ahead of their new album due in a few days. The duo Elva are an absolute delight, we've featured Allo Darlin in the past and Elizabeth Morris's vocals can once again charm us as does Ola Innset with his pristine musicianship. Eyreton Hall provide us with a melodic and beautiful song that is steeped in folk sensibilities and crafted to a very high standard.

Paper Cameras -We Hear Your Name.

The Painted Light LP from Paper Cameras has been a long time coming and well worth the wait. The lo-fi polyphonic soundscape is full of ethereal harmonies reminiscent of the 90’s garage influenced rock scene that veteran Portland musician Michael Carothers helped form. The history of Paper Cameras began in 2005, when Carothers (Spectator Pump/All The Dead Horses/The Glib) conceived the project and began writing songs. Three years later, the E.P. Lost Weekend was born. The E.P. was recorded with longtime friend, Nashville’s Jerry Wayne Campbell (Spider Virus/Millionaire Magicians) and producer Sean Flora (Black Keys/Shins/Stephen Malkmus).

The following years Carothers took a brief hiatus from songwriting to open the successful Japanese restaurant, Miho Izakaya and spent the next half decade keeping sake flowing and quietly writing songs in his few spare hours. In 2014, with a renewed musical focus he sold his stake in Miho Izakaya and bought a Tascam 8 track cassette recorder and began new material with longtime friend, Portland musician Nathan Junior(Dandy Warhols, The Early Stuff, M. Ward, Duover, Sea Wolf) and artist and taxidermist Little Debbie Bartling sharing time behind the mic with Nathan Junior. The result was The Easy Wolves Sessions, a lo-fi mix of bubblegum psych pop. Later, in 2016 Nathan Junior and Carothers recorded the E.P. Mars Was Yesterday with producer Adam Selzer (Decemberists/Peter Buck/M. Ward/ Fleet Foxes) at Type Foundry Studios where Carothers’ vision began to take on an identity reflective of the kind of alchemy that comes from friendships and like minded musicians, highlighting the strength and creativity of each member.

Carothers, a native Tennessean, had known Tripp Lamkins (The Grifters/Dragoon) since the early days of famed the Memphis band The Grifters. Upon hearing about the Paper Cameras project, Tripp made his way to Portland, OR to record at Jackpot Studio with Tape Op founder Larry Crane (Elliott Smith/Sleater Kinney/ Go-Betweens/Thermals). They began tracking with no band rehearsal and recorded the record in just only two days. With rhythmic complexity and blended harmonies, the outcome is reminiscent of a lower-fi New Pornographers, Wedding Present, with hints of later Royal Trux. Larry Crane’s honest straight-ahead production style anchors the songs and would easily be in step with fans of Summer Cannibals.

This collaboration of veteran musicians came together more smoothly than they ever could have imagined. After the songs were instrumentally framed, Carothers brought painter Michelle Anne Muldrow to sing with Nathan Junior. The result became the EP Painted Light, due out in the fall of 2018 on No Night Travel. Painted Light floats within sonic range between 90’s garage influenced rock and inventive, harmony-laden 80’s power pop.

Look out for the Painted Light EP out March 8th on No Night Travel Records.

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Elva - Athens.

Elva is the new project of Allo Darlin’s Elizabeth Morris and Ola Innset, of the Norwegian bands Making Marks and Sunturns.

Winter Sun was recorded in the autumn of 2018 in an old school house in the Swedish forest, during moose hunting season. Meaning ”The River” in Norwegian, Elva take their inspiration from the natural world, the beauty of the Scandinavian summer and the harshness of the winter. Several of the songs on the album are tellingly inspired by the birth of Elizabeth and Ola’s daughter.

Some might feel the album is sonically most similar to the Allo Darlin’ album Europe, thanks in part to the lush string arrangements courtesy of long-time Allo Darlin’ collaborator Dan Mayfield on violin and cellist Ofelia Østrem Ossum. Michael Collins, who played drums in Allo Darlin’, recorded and produced the album, building on work he has done in recent years with artists like Metronomy and Girl Ray. Diego Ivars on bass and Jørgen Nordby on drums round out the band.

The sonic palate of the record is detailed and delicate, with a mix of acoustic and distorted guitars, vintage keyboards, strings and intricate vocal harmonies. Lyrically and melodically, the album showcases the depth of both Morris’s and Innset’s songwriting. At times recalling the gentleness and screech of American indie bands like Yo La Tengo, at other times the country-tinged heartbreak of Linda Ronstadt or Laura Veirs, Winter Sun is something of its own: a rich combination of polar opposites. Summer and winter, Australia and Norway.

Elizabeth says: ”I really wanted to make an album that had a nice mix of really quiet and gentle songs, together with the louder feedbacky stuff. It was great to be able to share songwriting duties with Ola, as finding time to write is trickier these days with a baby in tow, so it really took the pressure off to write all the songs myself. It also gives the album another dimension, and I have always loved bands with two songwriters, like The Go-Betweens. Hopefully we bring out the best in each other’s writing. But having less pressure on myself to write all the songs meant that the songs I could contribute felt worthy enough of having a place on the record.”


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Eyreton Hall - Weekend.

Kiwi, chamber folk duo Eyreton Hall share a whimsical new track 'Weekend' off their upcoming album Spaces, which is due out May 24 on Marigold Music.

Eyreton Hall will be celebrating the release of 'Weekend' with an intimate live show at 13th Floor on Sunday 3 March, with special support from Sophie Mashlan.

Long time partners in creativity and in life; musicians Andrew Keegan and Toni Randle make up the heart of folk/chamber pop outfit, Eyreton Hall. Blending wide influences ranging from European jazz to classical to contemporary singer-songwriters, Eyreton Hall bring it all under the warm umbrella of Folk, telling stories of upheaval and coping, love and loss. Shining through it all is the voice of Toni Randle; a talent that urges you to feel the power and emotion in every note, and like the best of voices, draws you in completely to the stories being woven in song. Couple with Andrew Keegan’s intuitive, steady drumming feel, they are a musical pair unmatched.

Stepping forward to the present, Eyreton Hall have crafted a new and stunning album about family, hope, loss and grief, Spaces.

Self-written and co-produced with Ben King (Goldenhorse, Grand Rapids), Spaces is an authentic songbook from Randle and Keegan - written in the depths of coping with loss and grief, recovery, and finding hope and new beginnings. The ten-track story is the hearty follow up to their debut album Featherstitch, which prompted love from niche folk blogs and journalists around the globe. Spaces was mixed by Simon Gooding (The Map Room) and mastered by Howard Rogers (Bring It On Studios).


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VOIID - Seatbelts - Wy - Junodream - Jonny Kosmo - Morabeza Tobacco

VOIID just cut to the chase with Vile, a punk fuelled song without the pretence, but armed with plenty of hooks. Seatbelts 'Spanish Songs' is a refined piece that mixes fine vocals, harmonies and a few spoken words whilst the refreshing musical backdrop adds more. The vocals on 'Softie' are gorgeous and distinctive ensuring Wy standout, as they tease us with this taste of the forthcoming album. Junodream offer some rhythmic indie rock with some sparkling guitar as 'Terrible Things That Could Happen' hits the spot. Jonny Cosmo's quirky video makes a good companion for 'Circus Of Dreams' a catchy vibrant song with plenty of charm. Morabeza Tobacco have a rich and expansive sound for just a duo, what's more their music is lush, melodic and just so dreamy.

VOIID - Vile.

Taking no prisoners with an authentic riot grrrl approach, VOIID's latest belter 'Vile' isn't too dissimilar from what has come before, instead acting as a vivid sign post for what's next.

The video is the ideal DIY affair, directed by Hey Aidan and capturing the band in their natural habitat while confronting the band's punk aesthetic accurately.

The band says of the song: "‘Vile’ is a song written about a personal experience that caused a lot of hardship and pain. While the lyrics convey negative connotations, they are relatable to a lot of situations people in their late teens can go through."


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Seatbelts - Spanish Songs.

Seatbelts have released their first track of 2019, ‘Spanish Songs’.  The second single from their forthcoming EP, ‘Please Slow Down’ - ‘Spanish Songs’ is a thrillingly upbeat and lively ode to the idea of a country. A gonzo-snapshot of way of life, which brings the band’s avant-pop influences to the fore. By using a male-female vocal arrangement, which dances from English to Spanish, Seatbelts tell of the relationships formed between people and place.

As with their previous release, multi-instrumentalist, Nick Branton (Dead Hedge Trio) joins Seatbelts, this time providing bright, mariachi-inspired cornet lines, over the excited “ba ba ba ba ba!” of the backing-vocalists. This joyful experimentation makes for layered, energetic choruses, showcasing an openness to the potential chaos of collaborative-songwriting. A process which Seatbelts’ seem eager to explore.

Towards the end of the track, we hear the lines: “Hay algo real, hay algo fácil, there’s something out there I’d like to find,” sung over drummer, Alex Quinn’s hypnotic beat, and Abi Woods’ (keyboard, vocals) sun-searching synth lines. It’s in this moment when we begin to feel the pull - the sizzling heat, the Spanish skies, the Sangría-drenched dream.

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Wy - Softie.

Swedish duo Wy have announced the follow up to last year's critically acclaimed, underground debut album 'Okay'; with their forthcoming LP 'Softie' - a highly personal, eleven track account from the pair (real names Ebba and Michel), due for release on 30th April via Hybris and Beatnik. With the release of their debut, Wy garnered the highest praise with comparisons to Slowdive, Cigarettes After Sex and Mazzy Star, and the new record is set to further cement their position as one of the most exciting bands around right now. In tandem with the news, they have released a new single; the album title track, which you can listen to via the link below.

This latest track release is loaded with vulnerability; it's a raw, spell-binding ode and apology to those on the receiving end of singer Ebba's bouts of depression. In her words, "Being really down makes me a jerk to people. But if I'm being a jerk to you that probably means I love you very much. It's very complicated."  The single follows the recently released 'Pavements'; a gritty, bold and electric release which was championed by Lauren Laverne at BBC 6Music and described by Consequence of Sound as "weaving atmospheric compositions and emotional lyricism".

The album is very much a statement on the turbulence of human existence, written from Ebba's experience of being bipolar. With their clarity in emotion and unapologetic use of lyrics, it's an important record in more ways than one. She explains, "'Softie' is an attempt at proving there is more than one way of being a functioning human being. The album is about coping, growing out of your fears, learning how to distance yourself from your anxieties and the ups and downs that comes with being bipolar. 'Softie' is ultimately about releasing the pressure from yourself and that's what we have been doing in the process of writing these songs. We ended up with a record that was turbulent, back and forth and non-conforming. And we love that, because it feels very 'us' and we really wanted our second album to hit you in the face rather than rock you to sleep."

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Junodream - Terrible Things That Could Happen.

Bristol born, and now London based band Junodream are announcing the release of their debut EP 'Terrible Things That Could Happen'; as well as sharing the first single and title track.

A 90s inflected indie rock cut bursting with vibrant guitar based instrumentation - the new single..."is a one way conversation between a couple in a car," explains the band's Dougal Gray. "Trying to get a response - by saying increasingly weird things - from someone too distant to listen. It's comical but also very sad."

Taking inspiration from artists such as Beck, Brian Jonestown Massacre, and Pavement - the band have undergone many transformations over the years; recently "evolving into our superior form", as the band succinctly put it. That superior form is Junodream.

Having already surpassed over 1 million streams on Spotify, with no management or label backing, the band have also built up a heady live reputation in London in the short time they've existed as Junodream. Headlining venues such as The Pickle Factory and Bermondsey Social Club along the way - they've busied themselves self-recording and releasing various tracks over the past 12 months - the latest of which, their debut EP 'Terrible Things That Could Happen'. Due for self-release on 12th April, the EP was self-recorded by the band in an old cottage in Andover, using mattresses and pillows for soundproofing.


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Jonny Kosmo -- Circus of Dreams.

Jonny Kosmo shares new single/video "Circus of Dreams" with his forthcoming record out today.

Los Angeles artist Jonny Kosmo is no stranger to groove, most recently performing as the bassist for Los Angeles’ psych-pop synth outfit Mr. Elevator.  Steeped in pop-strange composition and a rich history of musical theater, Kosmo creates songs full of color, movement, and imagination all while keeping ears dosed in a palette of shimmery soul.

Kosmo’s solo debut demonstrates the dynamic hues and shapes his songwriting takes. The LP sees the invitation of funk/r&b idol Aldous RH, drummer Miles Wintner (Ian Sweet), synth-genius Tomas Dolas (Mr. Elevator/Thee Oh Sees), as well as a collaboration with Kassie Carlson (Guerilla Toss). Self-titled release Jonny Kosmo leaves the listener in soundscapes of wonderment and honeyed possibility. The album was recorded by seasoned producer Tomas Dolas at Studio 22 in Los Angeles California.


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Morabeza Tobacco - Ally McBeal.

Swedish duo Morabeza Tobacco have always been ones to repurpose cult TV shows into their music. With their previous single ‘Defenders Of The Glam’ taken from the 80s cartoon series Defenders Of The Earth, the pair now return with their latest release ‘Ally McBeal’, although it is not actually inspired by the hit TV show. 2018 was a blinding debut year for the band, culminating with Pitchfork naming previous single ‘TTYL’ in the Top 100 Tracks of 2018.

“We’re not sure actually [where the name came from]”, the band say. “We were talking about what to name the song, then ‘Ally McBeal’ popped up and both of us thought ‘yeah, that’s the one’. One theory we have is that we associated it with one of the lines in the song (‘it’s no big deal’ =Ally McBeal)”.

Stepping away from the more groove-filled singles of recent, ‘Ally McBeal’ looks to be the band’s more ethereal and psychedelic release, With notable comparisons to the likes of Animal Collective and Toro Y Moi, the single is filled with dreamlike synths and subtle yet commanding basslines that give this new release a very grand and cinematic-like experience.

Speaking about the creation of their latest track, the pair added, “All of it was pretty much written and produced one afternoon. The feel and the harmony were inspired by The Land Before Time, another one of those nostalgia trips. It’s probably the saddest song we’ve written so far. We have one song on the upcoming album that is another candidate in the competition of being the saddest song. Let’s hope that ‘Ally McBeal’ is gonna help some people open up their tear canals for a little cry that makes them feel better afterwards”.

‘Ally McBeal’ is set to feature on the group’s long-awaited new studio album, alongside a number of previously shared singles, adding “It’s going to be an album with eleven songs we have worked on for a long time and that are all unique. You can expect love ballads with wobbly synths, groovy tracks with mystique and our take on lo-fi pop”.


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Cat Princess - Guest Directors - Charlotte Cornfield

Cat Princess serve up a funky and vibrant slice of art rock with some dance along vibes for good measure. Guest Directors new E.P. covers a few rock genre bases, the bands musicianship is noteworthy, as their versatile material demonstrates. Charlotte Cornfield's 'Storm Cloud' is gorgeous, her vocals are beautiful, the lyrics intrigue, and the catchy nature of this song ensures a good few listens are likely.

Cat Princess - Sweet.

Uppsala quintet Cat Princess formed at a New Year's party and debuted only days after playing at guitarist Robin's birthday party. Singer Nils joined the gang after drummer Victor claimed Nils was "a diamond in the rough" of a front-man. Just as spontaneous as the band's birth are their music. Today the catchy Sweet is released, "an ode to the endless pursuit of peace" and the first single from Cat Princess' long-awaited debut album Forbidden Items.

Sweet comes a year after their last single, the retro banging Fly on Your Wall, which was followed by the band's debut London show and a support slot for synth legends OMD. It's a look into Cat Princess at their most dance-friendly and one of the brightest cuts from the upcoming LP which took a majority of 2018 to make. The result is an eclectic art rock mix consisting, equally put together by the bands' influences spanning from 80s new wave to contemporary greats.

Nils Krång, lyricist of the track, tells the story of Sweet: "Straight away in our catchy first single Sweet, the lyrics narrates from the point of view of a person that has regained their senses recently, from having had a long "black out". As sung through the lyrics, the experience shows itself through the return of the sense of vision, (night lights turned on, completely), the reflections of recent experiences (how long was I out for?), saying goodbye to the past (goodbye different time), amongst other themes that coincide with change happening in life, or coincide with being in a state of peace.

It's an ode to the endless pursuit of peace. Lyrics in the verses are moving forward quickly, then comes a more relaxed singing in the chorus, down in the groove with the instruments. Musically, Sweet is straight-on, funky, viby, dancy, feedback-y, a sunny tune with a puls-y, rhythmic, percussion section, punchy, moving drums, touchy cymbals, a cocky bass line, uniting with the vocals in the verses, catchy guitar tones beautiful enough to make unicorns cry, and dubbed vocals with crazy editing and effects. Just as good of a dance tune, just as good of a chilltune.

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Guest Directors - Dream the Currents (E.P).

Guest Directors’ spooky and soulful music evokes images of evergreen silhouettes, dreamy breezes, and the power of seemingly perpetual precipitation. Their third EP, “Dream the Currents,” is the next step in what has amounted to an annual progression of EPs demonstrating harmonic, rhythmic, and stylistic explorations that hover around a familiar sonic center.

These five songs span from Teenage Fanclub-like jangle, the reverb-drenched pop of The Cure, to some unexpected turns in the spirit of bands like Autolux. More shoegaze-adjacent than stalwart standard- bearers of the genre, Guest Directors' confident chemistry and ambitious spirit eschew typical routes in favor of new paths.

Their kaleidoscopic instrumentation is comprised of delightfully tangled Jazzmasters and moody vocals, as well as volatile drumming and propulsive bass work. The group has mastered its musical surveillance, recognizing each bit of sonic space as an opportunity for attention, examination, and artful refinement. Collaborative songwriting unveils surprises, especially on key tracks "Parachute On" and "Minor Mendings”.

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Charlotte Cornfield - Storm Clouds.

“You free yourself when you take away the script,” says Toronto songwriter Charlotte Cornfield. “That’s where this record came from, dismantling patterns and embracing the process.” Cornfield’s third full length, The Shape of Your Name, is set to arrive in Spring 2019 via Outside Music imprint Next Door Records. The album has a more honed studio sound than her scrappier 2016 release Future Snowbird, and for good reason: it was recorded in 5 different sessions over the course of 3 years. The songs are her strongest and most striking to date – contemplative and contemporary, funny and heart-wrenching – and they’ve got that stuck-in-your-head-for-days quality that Cornfield is known for. The Shape of Your Name features a star-studded cast of collaborators including (but not limited to) Grammy-winning engineer Shawn Everett, Broken Social Scene members Brendan Canning, Kevin Drew and Charles Spearin, and Montreal songwriter Leif Vollebekk.

“My initial intention wasn’t to make a record at all,” Cornfield muses. “The whole thing kind of happened by accident. I went to The Banff Centre to do a residency and came out with these recordings that I knew I wanted to use for something but wasn’t sure what.” She brought the unfinished songs to her former roommate Nigel Ward in Montreal. “He fell into the producer role seamlessly,” says Cornfield. “We took it slow and just tried things for a while until the vision settled in. There was no rush. It was freeing, and it gave the songs a lot of breathing room to develop.”

For the past four years Cornfield has been booking and managing Burdock Music Hall, a small venue in the west end of Toronto. The job has offered her stability and a strong sense of place in Toronto’s bursting-at-the-gills music community. She’s also an in-demand drummer and side musician, and has worked closely with Tim Darcy of Ought, Molly Burch, Adrian Underhill, and members of Lake Street Dive. She has toured extensively in North America and Europe and has supported a huge range of artists including Broken Social Scene, Anais Mitchell, Daniel Romano and Sam Amidon.


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