Alternative Take: Hologram Teen - I Am Karate - WAZA - Kolidescopes

Hologram Teen - Marsangst.

Background promo - Hologram Teen is releasing a 2-track single on 7" vinyl via London's Happy Robots Records. This is the solo electronic motorik disco project of Morgane Lhote, former long-term keyboard player of Stereolab.

Originally from Paris, Morgane moved to London when she was 20 and spent 12 years there. Then she moved to NYC and, nine years later, moved to Los Angeles. Her name is known to many for her work as keyboard player in the seminal indie kosmische act Stereolab, having recorded and performed with the band during their imperial phase between 1995 and 2001, when they released a series of career defining albums including ‘Emperor Tomato Ketchup’ and ‘Dots and Loops’. Fans of Common will also be able to find Morgane on the Sgt Pepper inspired sleeve for his Electric Circus album. She followed her time in Stereolab with a stint in The Projects and, from 2005, played in Garden with members of Simian Mobile Disco before starting the Hologram Teen project.

The Hologram Teen sound, although embracing electronica and pop, does so in a way that is more evocative of a prog rock disco horror soundtrack than the soulless EDM that fills the pop charts. "It's like Fabio Frizzi meets Grandmaster Flash," says Morgane Lhote. Her debut sold-out single 'Post-Apocalypteacakes' was released on London's Deep Distance label and mixed creepy vintage library effects with bouncy dancehall synths and disco beats. Following its release, Pulp's Jarvis Cocker came to be among her many newfound fans.

"With Marsangst, I wanted to write a minimal techno track that still retained groovy, more dance-like elements, with a splash of Krautrock and a futuristic vibe," explains Morgane. "Kyaputen Fyucha is also on the cover, rescuing stranded space explorers one at a time with his magic pink disco vinyl, while Disco Démon gets serenaded by four-eyed cats. Never a dull day in the Hologram Teen galaxy!"

Written by Morgane Lhote and co-produced with Jonathan R. Freihofer, both tracks were mixed by Jonathan R. Freihofer and mastered by Adam Gonsalves at Telegraph Mastering.The single’s glorious sci-fi artwork is by Alex Smith. This single is limited to 300 copies and distributed worldwide by Cargo Records. It is also available direct from the label at www.happyrobots.co.uk

'Marsangst' is a wonderful piece. Have to agree with Morgane's above description of this track, and for me the "splash of Krautrock" is the icing on the cake. Totally addictive music.

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I Am Karate - Bitter (plus Gabriel Gassi Remix).

Background words - DIY duo I Am Karate consists of Erika Soldh and Marta Pettersson, who are known for their contemporary sound of indie electro-pop. Some of their recent success includes a nomination for Best Unsigned in GAFFA along with reaching over 700,000 streams on Spotify. Some of their incredible live performances have led to comparisons to artists including Kloe. The single Bitter has had a very good reaction in their native Sweden, and have already been compared to the likes of The Knife and Young Galaxy.

The two remixers for the track include Gabriel Gassi and Illien, who remixed Mavrick’s single. Both pieces are outstanding examples of the spectrum of sound throughout I Am Karate’s music and prove that the pair can conquer different genres successfully. During both remixes, the melody feels familiar with powerful electronic beats, layering of vocals and a tropical house style; therefore the production has similarities to Jungle and even Major Lazer. Vocally, we can instantly draw comparisons to Purity Ring with a hint of FKA Twigs from the soprano tones. 

Partly to demonstrate just how different and creative the remixes are, I have chosen one remix to compare with original release of 'Bitter' (well that's my excuse for featuring both - nothing to do with just loving them both...). So feast your ears (twice).


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WAZA - Rocks And Bones Feat. Aquila Young.

Background promo - Sydney’s most ambitious beat maker Waza has just premiered single 'Rocks and Bones' over at The Au Review, foreshadowing a spectacular upcoming LP release.

2015 saw Waza's ‘The Art and Techniques Sessions’ come to light, an experimental story told through music in three parts. Such an aspirational project naturally attracted an impressive musical rap sheet, drawing love from all across the nation’s airwaves, with adds and appearances on triple j’s Breakfast Show and The Hip Hop Show, FBi, 2SER, 3RRR and Unearthed.

Shedding his hip-hop roots, “Rocks and Bones” sees Waza getting back to something a little more straight up sonic. Emphasising synth and melody the song is a treasure trove of lush production, polyrhythmic melodies and a massive beat that feels like it’s swinging from a pendulum. The cherry on top comes in the lavish vocals of a dreamy new talent: Aquila Young. “Rocks and Bones” is just a taste of Waza’s upcoming LP Crooked Jaw slated for release in 2016.

'Rocks And Bones' is a creative song with Aquila Young's vocals well up in the mix, where they belong. At times the soundtrack is quite laid back, and seemingly sparse as it teases with the vocals, yet somehow this just seems so right. 

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Kolidescopes - Memory Lane.

Background (brief & to the point) - Kolidescopes is the duo of Dan Dare and Yeah Boy. Dare is a hit producer for the likes of Charlie XCX, Wiley, Juelz Santana and Marina And The Diamonds whilst Yeah Boy hails from Australia and has already seen wild success with Parachute Youth, having reached platinum record sales.

According to Kolidescopes and to quote them "We got all your summer music needs". Well featured song 'Memory Lane' just oozes summer vibes. Hooky, melodic and sun drenched, it's one fine mood shifter, and some...

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A Couple Of Rockers: Gothic Tropic - Self Talk

Gothic Tropic - Stronger.

Background promo - Los Angeles' Gothic Tropic introduces a new brand of female fronted, guitar-driven indie rock. The band will be playing a single release show today May 30th in Los Angeles at Resident.

The brainchild of Cecilia Della Peruti, Gothic Tropic keeps the vibe playful and punchy, bringing audiences into a new era of female rock nobility, nodding to stars like Debbie Harry, and Chrissie Hynde. 

Delivering a blend of Richard Lloyd and Nile Rodgers on guitar, Gothic Tropic's Della Peruti has won sponsorships with Fender, and leading pedal manufacturers, and works professionally as a touring and session player for Charli XCX, BØRNS, and more.

'Stronger' has something of a classic indie rock meets power pop, feel to it. Punchy drums and bass lines drive the song forward with pace, and the vocals and guitars dance melodically above. Good song!

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Self Talk - Clean Washing.

Background promo - Surprise! The talk of the town, Melbourne’s Self Talk have dropped a short sharp single 'Clean Washing' ahead of their upcoming debut EP.

The fresh faced five piece had a lot of eyes on them in April when they released single 'Hypocrite'. Drawing praise and high fives from the blogosphere as well as radio lords triple j, not to mention sharing bills with the likes of Luca Brasi and Ceres. On the back of this success the band are pleased to announce their debut EP Seeing What I Want to See due June 18th, with a new single available right now.

'Clean Washing' is Self Talk's catchiest crowd pleaser yet, blending gripping hooks with tight instrumentation and disarmingly honest lyrics. Coming in at a tidy two minutes thirty it's an abrupt mosh anthem set to throw crowds into an joyous uproar at their EP launch on June 18th. 

'Seeing What I Want to See' EP launch at The Grace Darling Hotel June 18th.

We featured Self Talk not that long ago and then along comes a nice surprise in the shape of  'Clean Washing' the new single. Last time around we said they were “Catchy as hell and buzzing with energy”. This time I would just repeat the diagnosis and add that the band just keep getting better, this is a sparkly no nonsense rock song, just what the doctor ordered...

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Grand Band Names: The Amazing - Iconique

The Amazing - Ambulance.

Background promo - Partisan Records is excited to announce the next album from The Amazing, Ambulance, coming out in the UK on August 5th. On Ambulance, the Swedish band composed of members of Dungen & led by Christoffer Gunrup, continues their journey to a place where music is free of restrictions, offering up another collection of densely concentrated melodies and fractured rhythms. Pitchfork summed their sound up well on their last record, saying "discussion of Picture You can only end up with slack-jawed remarks about how goddamn pretty it is."

Gunrup, the band's lead singer, songwriter and one of three main guitarists, has been playing music all his life. He's a serious musician with a self-effacing demeanor who is known for his reluctance to talk about his process, preferring to let the music speak for itself. He refuses to take part in the promotion of the band, never reveals the lyrics, which are often an impenetrable jumble in the mix, and expresses little satisfaction with any of the music he's recorded.

The Amazing came together a few years after Gunrup's former group, Granada [a renowned Scandinavian pop duo w/ his ex-wife], broke up and he asked Dungen's guitarist and former drummer (Reine Fiske and Fredrik Björling) to join him onstage. After a few personal shifts, the line-up settled down with Fiske on guitar; Fredrik Swahn on guitar and keys; bass player Alexis Benson and drummer Moussa Fadera. The band's previous four records have garnered a loyal following & critical acclaim, landing them on Letterman and on a world tour with Tame Impala.

While Picture You was bright, exploding outward to explore the limits of experience, this next instalment, Ambulance, is more intimate, imploding inward to reconnoitre the uncharted distances that exist between us, even in life's most intimate moments.

'Ambulance' the title track from the forthcoming album, has a hazy, dreamy feel to it. The Amazing are a band who have crafted their skills over time and clearly, have a good ear for excellently produced music. The direction of the forthcoming LP is quite intriguing, and on the strength of this song, could well be a fascinating listen.

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Iconique - Sitting Pretty.

Background promo - How can disco be ethereal? Los Angeles-based trio, Iconique, praised by Gawker Media and  featured  on  Hype Machine, creates something otherworldly with their new single “Sitting Pretty.” The retro-inspired song, second from the group who have been noted as “evoking  memories of disco  icons  like  Sylvester,” by Surviving the Golden Age, is a synthesis of influences like Prince, David  Bowie, and Chic. The band’s previous single, “Step Into The Mood,” boasts over 24,000 plays on  Soundcloud and receives regular radio airplay on KUCI and KCHUNG.

“Sitting Pretty” starts small with a bed of warm synths and drum fills, before bursting into a glistening disco groove. Synthesizer arpeggios and staccato guitar soon give way to frontman Leo Paparella’s knowing speak-sing delivery. The chorus heightens the song’s temperature as Paparella’s vocals take flight—and that’s only the first minute and a half. Even at a brisk four minutes and 22 seconds, “Sitting Pretty” transports you to the back of a dim nightclub circa 1980. Though it may seem like it’s birthed from a bygone era, musically and lyrically, the song is as intriguing now as it would have been then.

Iconique's heavy disco rhythms entwine with silky synth highlights to encapsulate the shimmering grit of the Los Angeles music scene. Self-produced and written, their material lures listeners to the dance floor with a medley of genres ranging from dance to art rock. Formed in 2015, the trio consists of brothers Eric Promani (drums / synths) and Greg Promani (guitar), and frontman Leo Paparella (vocals / synths). 

Live - Labyrinth 30th Anniversary Event @ Central Park, Glendale on June 4th, 2016. 

Iv'e got to be honest Disco was never a big thing for me back in the day. 'Sitting Pretty' however is a song that wanders across genres with a clear disco reference point. Vocals remind me a little of Russell Mael, whilst the harmonies veer towards The Bee Gees circa their disco era. It's a good song, simple as that really & I can tick off a number genre covered by Beehive Candy:)

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Rock'n'Roll Saturday: VanDeRocker - Josh Rawiri - NARCS

VanDeRocker - Fly.

Background bio - VanDeRocker is a Los Angeles based indie-rock project led by lead singer and guitarist, Adrienne VanDeRocker. Raised in Austin, Texas by a family of classical musicians, Adrienne got her start in music playing piano. She was always more captivated by the music of Bowie, Prince and Kate Bush and quickly began writing her own songs on guitar. By the age of 12, she was sneaking in to local bars to perform with her older sister's band and had eventually decided to pursue a music career of her own.

After exploring the performance scene in Seattle and New York City, Adrienne relocated to Los Angeles where she developed the five-piece alternative rock band, VanDeRocker. Recording with talents like Chris Chaney on bass (Jane’s Addiction, Alanis Morissette), Tim Pierce on guitar (Bon Jovi, Rick Springfield), and Jamie Muhoberac on keys (Backstreet Boys, The All-American Rejects, The Rolling Stones), VDR’s latest album, Jupiter's Kiss, has been well received by fans and press alike. The song, “Cupid’s Sting” was recently licensed by AT&T. VDR has played impressive venues on L.A.'s Sunset Strip, including The Roxy, The Viper Room, House of Blues and the band held an extended residency in Silverlake. Jupiter’s Kiss is now available on iTunes and you can learn more about VanDeRocker and their upcoming shows by visiting: VanDeRocker.com.

'Fly' breathes life into indie rock. VanDeRocker delivers a feisty, upbeat and mega tight song with the vocals delivering the melody as much as the band. Short, sharp, in your face and designed to be played again.

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Josh Rawiri - My Call.

Background promo - Years of widespread regional touring have delivered Josh Rawiri’s tunes to stereos across every nook and cranny of the country - his intriguing live performances spilling out of venues and festivals from North to South. Early in his career, Rawiri gained recognition for his heartfelt song writing and powerful live performances – quickly falling into a diligent schedule of national touring. The first two singles from Rawiri’s second album Molecular Teleportation received widespread radio play across Australia (including triple j, ABC, triple R). “Follow the Road” was a #1 Blues AIRIT radio pick and reached #2 on the Great Southern Charts. The highly acclaimed film clips took out five silver Australian music film awards and aired on Rage, Channel V and MusicMax.

In 2013 Josh formed three piece band Moroccan Knights with a sound that ventured between hearty deep south surf rock and electric blues dipped in the 70’s. Moroccan Knights played a packed out debut festival and headliner shows, toured the east coast twice, had music placed exclusively as the soundtrack of 'Riptide' international summer DVD. In 2014, Moroccan Knights released “The One For You” (single). The catchy, retro-laced single received national airplay including triple j and ABC Radio National, as well as picking up numerous international TV placements.

The last 18 months have seen Josh Rawiri touring with an evolving musical mob, turning heads at popular festivals and crafting a handful of new singles for an upcoming album. Rawiri’s new single “My Call” is an alluring blend of sultry vocals and soulful rock sounds-tackling the brooding themes of temptation, trust, infidelity, touring and long-distance relationships.

“I wrote this song driving late at night, after many weeks on the road away from family. No mobile phone, my only point of contact the odd phone booth - so much relies on trust when you live two separate lives, it’s easy to let our vulnerable imaginations run wild,” says Josh on the story of the track. For the latest touring activity in 2016 visit Josh’s Facebook page. “My Call” will be released 3rd of June 2016. 

Josh Rawiri presents a bluesy, soulful song with 'My Call'. From the opening chords I get the feel of a mature well practised musician, and a band who instinctively know just how to deliver any style demanded of them. This is timeless music and when performed with the passion that we have here, will appeal to rock lovers of any age group.

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NARCS - Bullingdon Boys.

Background promo - Pouring fury on driven-alternative-indie noise, Leeds quartet NARCS create a unique blend of passionate lyrical incisiveness with powerful, spine-cracking intensity and the occasional shaman-like rantings of a possessed mad man. Following on from their dark and tense recent single ‘Pig’ the band are now gearing up to release their new album ‘A Thinking Animal’, which will be released via Clue Records (home to the likes of: Allusondrugs and Forever Cult).

Describing their sound as “guitar-centred alt-rock aimed at Tory scum”, ‘A Thinking Animal’ is a visceral attack on political apathy. It’s a passionate yet desolate onslaught on topics such as misogyny, greed, nepotism and self-loathing. However, this shouldn't be taken as en-vogue right-wing sledging or liberalism, the content is both intelligent and sincere. Speaking on the new album Joe (guitarist) said, “This album came out the way it did because we’ve always used music as an outlet for the darker stuff that we needed to vent. At the moment, the way things are, we just got drawn back to the root of our anger and frustration time and time again: the ruling class, the political class, Etonites, whatever you want to call them. In a better time, we’d never have written this album. Hopefully we never need to write another one like it.

Having said that, we are unapologetic about absolutely everything we are saying on this record. We want to see things change, we want people to feel anger instead of apathy; we’re under no illusions of being any kind of revolution leaders but we’re definitely of the opinion that music changes mood and just being able to connect your frustration to that of a band/song/lyric can make sht a bit easier to get through. Ultimately we wanted to aim this at the people who actually deserve it. There’s nothing more pathetic than artists of any type striving to seek popularity through attacking small fry.  Everyone outside of the ruling class is so busy bickering over small details that we’re still stuck in some sort of feudal system that we’ve been duped into thinking is a democracy.

2015 saw the band play Leeds & Reading Festival, Long Division, Tramlines, complete a full UK tour, whilst picking up acclaim from BBC 6 Music, Amazing Radio, Noisey and more. This year has already seen the band play the DIY stage and Live at Leeds, and Leicester’s Handmade Festival, with 2000 Trees, Tramlines and a number of other dates confirmed for later this year. As a whole body of work ‘A Thinking Animal’ is a punishing yet driving album, which mercilessly fires on all targets. It is the product of both dejection, vexation and resentment for the shape of current affairs, and is both a battle-cry and a wake-up call, which urges you to stand up with the band and scream along with them.

'Bullingdon Boys' now who could they be ? (UK folk ought to know for certain). This is gritty, determined music, that cuts out the waffle and gets to the point. Politically charged, the bands frustrations with our 'wonderful' modern society, are at the fore. Perhaps the dumbing down of so many, keeping them preoccupied with drivel, will hit home with a few more bands. Passion and gutsy rock in abundance, it's also a very good song.

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