The female fronted indie-folk-pop Fishing 4 Compliments new single 'Hard To Please' is released today March 18th, and it is simply wonderful! Fishing 4 Compliments are a quirky Huddersfield-based female fronted indie-folk-pop band which emerged organically around lead singer Eileen’s emotive & enigmatic songs.
The songs began to be steadfastly encouraged and brought to life initially by Ashley (rhythm guitarist) who gradually reeled in Jim (lead guitar & backing vocals) and Steve (bass guitar & backing vocals) with all three being part of a 60s band at the time. Jim initially played drums on the songs but made the game changing decision (which was to be pivotal to shaping the band’s unique sound) that he’d like to switch to playing lead guitar. Before joining the band officially Steve had long been in the background supporting the songs and had always been their dream bass player and was also to become the group’s guru of harmonies.
All four have long shared a passion for developing and creating a sound they like to call their own which has developed naturally through the eclectic mix of influences from which they draw which include; The Beatles, XTC, Tom Petty, Mark Knopfler, The Cure, The Smiths, The Sundays and The Cranberries, to name but a few.
Over the years the four core members of the band have much appreciated times shared with their initial drummer Ben and later David on drums and percussion and his daughter Fenella who has been a brilliant dep drummer/percussionist for the band on many occasions. Beckoning pastures new and changing life circumstances have dictated that for now the Fishing crew continue their journey as a four piece outfit with these three star contributors remaining close to their hearts.
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| Photo - Rachel Lipsitz |
The Moonlandingz that's Adrian Flanagan, Dean Honer and Lias Saoudi share a new single this week titled “Roustabout”, a third preview of their long-awaited second album No Rocket Required, out April 25 on Transgressive Records. “Roustabout”, with Nadine Shah, is a yearning, gothic duet, the Nick Cave and Kylie Minogue two-way for our times. The accompanying music video sees the band collaborate with “The Sign of A Man” director Jeanie Crystal again for another brilliant video.
On the track Johnny Rocket (aka Lias Saoudi) says, “It’s a fictional re-imagining of the complexities, stirrings and courage that appeared to dwell within an unnamed celibate moon faced indie icon from the 80’s!” Nadine adds, “I hope to see this song added to the list of the greatest karaoke duets. Up there with Dolly Parton and Kenny Rodgers ‘Islands in the Stream’”.
The Moonlandingz have returned, seven long years after their debut. When they first emerged from Valhalla Dale they were a semi-fictional band bringing us sticky squelchy pop songs to offer solace and punishment in the months following the Brexit vote and Trump’s first victory. The Moonlandingz conspired with Yoko Ono, Sean Ono Lennon, Rebecca Taylor, Phil Oakey and the Cowboy from The Village People to make one of the great albums of 2017, and we needed it. Interplanetary Class Classics was a dose of unreality equal to the unhinged times we were stumbling into. The Moonlandingz have finally returned – not when we wanted them but now that we need them – galloping in on their four horses, bareback and howling.
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Meet City Cycles, a fab six-piece of musical maestros, all talent! They've set up shop in always-buzzing London, adding their unique rhythm to its already pulsating music scene.
City Cycles continues to carve out their distinct place in the indie pop rock scene with their latest single, Futurist. Building on the foundation set with previous tracks, this new release marks a bold progression in their sound. Futurist is poppier, more epic, and undeniably catchier, showcasing a newfound energy and dynamism that pulls listeners in from the very first note.
Lyrically, the song delves into deep, thought-provoking themes, posing questions about our origins and the uncertain future we face in an increasingly digital world. The lyrics strike a perfect balance between introspection and a call for clarity, as the band explores the crossroads between where we’ve come from and where we’re headed. The evocative line, “Anunnaki of the digital age, Futurist, they write the page”, encapsulates this existential journey, suggesting both the mystique of our past and the unknown potential of our digital future.
With Futurist, City Cycles has crafted a track that not only captivates with its infectious hooks but also invites listeners to reflect on the rapid technological changes shaping our lives. It’s a song that challenges, questions, and ultimately calls for understanding in a world where the future seems both promising and uncertain.
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Bastian Pen, lead singer of the band Tricklebolt, steps into new creative territory with a fresh project under the moniker Baba Pen. Collaborating with a group of talented friends, they form Baba Pen & The Bim Bam Band, a collective destined to make waves. Their debut album, set for release on October 10, 2025, blends 60s-inspired psychedelic rock with hints of folk and cosmic country, all wrapped in the lush, intricate production style of Jonathan Wilson.
The first single, "I Can't See You Cry," introduces Baba Pen as the new spiritual leader from the East. This track unfolds like a medieval love story gone awry, with its unconventional chord progressions leading us through baroque-inspired garden passages. But as the chorus kicks in, the song takes a turn, signaling that things are unraveling within the love-stricken walls.
Featuring members from Grand East, Money and the Man, Tricklebolt, and Jimmy Diamond, is "I Can't See You Cry" a captivating taste of what’s to come, offering a glimpse into the diverse sonic landscape of Baba Pen & The Bim Bam Band. It's a brilliant first step into an album that promises to explore the many shades of Baba Pen's musical world.
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Lavinia Blackwall, the celebrated voice behind Trembling Bells, is set to release her highly anticipated new album The Making on May 30th via The Barne Society, and has just shared what we can justifiably describe as an exceptional title-track accompanied with an intriguing video. A rich tapestry of folk, rock, and psych-power pop, the album showcases Blackwall’s unparalleled vocal prowess and evocative songwriting, further cementing her reputation as one of the most distinctive voices in contemporary music.
A classically trained soprano, Blackwall first gained recognition as the lead singer of Trembling Bells, a Glasgow-based psych-folk outfit known for their ambitious blending of folk traditions with rock and baroque influences. Over the course of seven albums with the band, she honed her signature vocal style - often compared to Fairport Convention’s Sandy Denny - and collaborated with legends such as Bonnie Prince Billy and Mike Heron of The Incredible String Band. Stepping out as a solo artist, Blackwall released her debut album Muggington Lane End in 2020, which was met with widespread acclaim for its lush arrangements and intricate songwriting.
Following the success of Muggington Lane End, The Making is a deeply personal collection of songs that have evolved over time, shaped by both hardship and joy. Written over a four-year period and recorded at The Barne Studio, the album reflects Blackwall’s journey through personal loss, artistic exploration, and renewed creative energy.
“The whole process took much longer than intended,” says Blackwall. “Life seemed to happen around it. There was a lot of darkness - my partner and collaborator Marco lost his mum in 2021 and very nearly his dad shortly after. I lost my dad in October 2023. But there was a lot of light too, a lot of time spent in Italy and up at our cabin at Carbeth, all of which leaked into the songs on the album,” she continues.
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