Background promo - The Brewis boys - David and Peter - released their sixth album Commontime earlier this year as Field Music, and celebrated the influences on the album via their Commontime Radio Time show on Spotify.
Ahead of the latest episode Commontime Extra-Time, the brothers have treated us to a brand new track in the shape of previously unheard "How We Gonna Get There Now". Word is that Field Music set this track aside during the recording sessions for 2012's Plumb because it sounded a little too much like Todd Rundgren, which is a fairly understandable decision.
However with the focus of the extra-time episode being Field Music's favorite b-sides, demos and bonus tracks, we now get to hear this unreleased gem alongside deep cuts from Fairport Convention, Diana Ross and The Rutles. "How We Gonna Get There Now" is every bit the jazzy 70s jam; once the twinkling piano opening subsides we get a song filled with muscular drumming, tight and energetic guitar work and of course the trademark Brewis brothers harmonies. Why this was left on the recording studio floor is anyone's guess, but now that it has been rescued it's plain to hear the song is two-and-a-half-minutes of pop brilliance.
With a gently building musical introduction 'How We Going To Get There Now' develops into a smooth alt rock song, with a hint of Steely Dan here and there (which for me can only be good). This is a fine song, my only complaint would be that it finishes to soon!
Background - Newcomer Begbie offers listeners a first listen to his bedroom psychedelia project with 3-track EP, Riddles. First single from the release is ‘Bottles on the Floor’, a contemplation on the use of psychedelics as a route to self-growth. After performing for years in various different bands and musical acts, Josh Begbie moved in with a close, life-long friend and musical collaborator of his. Over the six, broke months that he lived there, Begbie worked on creating beat-driven, psychedelic tunes that eventuated into his first release, Riddles. This EP was written and recorded in his bedroom, in isolation, and was produced entirely by himself. The EP is a composition of verbally inexpressible ideas or feelings that Begbie has had throughout his life, and he holds it close to his heart because of the amount of passion and time that was put into it, regardless of the fact that it stylistically strays from his usual pieces of music. With the overwhelmingly positive feedback that he has received about his EP, Begbie has seen a huge rise in motivation, resulting in the creation of a collection of new tracks to be performed and released in the future. “Riddles” EP by BEGBIE will be released 23rd of September 2016.
Newcomer he may be, however Begbie's song 'Bottles On The Floor' has an established and mature feel to it. Production is crisp and the music just right for his impressive and imaginative vocal style.
Background - ”Music is what gives me room to blossom as a human being. By the sounds coming through me I am given a chance to heal and to be healed, my chance to make a difference in this time, on this planet.” ”lovelovelove” is the latest single from Era Isabels upcoming ep; DNA360. The single is a RnB-ballad with an unusual beat. It’s recorded in Lab259’s studio and produced by Ludvig Larsson. (Lab259 - 9 September 2016).
The delightful vocals of Era Isabel are given plenty of room to shine through above a synth laden backdrop. The song 'lovelovelove' is a breezy pop number, full of melodic hooks, and sensitively produced to a high standard.
Background - London’s Mt. Wolf today return with a stand out single in “Golden”, which features the intimate vocals of hotly-tipped Australian vocalist St. South. Her leftfield pop stylings compliment the atmospheric electro-acoustic instrumentation on a brooding track that bridges the gap between this year’s critically acclaimed Hex EP and a long awaited debut album coming early 2017. The road up to now has been nothing if not eventful – including a line-up change, sell-out shows across Europe and the US, a brief hiatus last year that only invigorated the band and significant, ongoing critical support. Getting to this point hasn’t been easy but the feeling is that the real rewards, for the band and for us the listeners, are still to come.
Mt. Wolf’s producer / frontman Sebastian Fox “Bassi” says of the collaboration with St. South, who like Mt. Wolf has had considerable blog support over the last couple of years: "We discovered her through Spotify, and asked straight out if she wanted to work on some music together. We sent her Stevie's guitar part and she laid her vocals on that, explaining that it was about struggling with anxiety. I then started producing the track and added vocals making the song a dialogue between one person expressing their anxiety, and the other apologising for their part in causing it, and their inability to diminish it."
Since this year’s comeback EP the band have kept busy writing and recording for their as yet untitled debut LP with Ken Thomas (Sigur Ros, M83, Daughter). Early listens confirm this as their boldest, most ambitious output yet; you can hear for yourself as album material and hotly anticipated new live dates start to surface later this year.
'Golden' is a beautiful collaboration with the vocal interchanges and harmonies quite breath taking. The background is understated enough for the vocals and powerful enough to add considerable atmosphere to this delightful song.
Background promo - Lola Sparks is an English/German singer/songwriter and author based in Berlin, Germany. Moving there at the age of 18, she started having readings and quickly got discovered by her producer and co-writer Kris Steininger. They teamed up and decided to set her material into music. The result is an album made of her very unique reality, flavored with Berlin's pulse of dirty dry electronic beats, analog synths glued together with the classical element of an epic Orchestra - A tuneful masterpiece leading us through everything that goes on in the deepest darkest cornersof Lola´s manic realities... The lead single "Soon To Die" is from her forthcoming debut album "Diary of a Lost Girl". An elektro/alternative-pop/orchestra-album, self produced with Lola Sparks and Kris Steininger. Other guest collaborations include like James Dring (Gorillaz), Alan Moulder (Smashing Pumpkins, Interpol), Dan Gretch (Lana del Rey, Keane), Jules Buckley (Arctic Monkeys, Björk, Flying Lotus) feat. The Metropole Orkest from Amsterdam and the Babelsberger Filmorchester from Berlin, which all participated. Singing is only one artistic expression that Lola Sparks works in. Her time spent in Berlin building up her character -however -true-to-form has paid off. What emerges here is a fully-realized artist just waiting to be uncovered by the masses. Here's a poem in which she describes herself in halves, painting a picture of polar balance.
'Soon To Die' really does mix up differing musical elements in a creative manner, whilst Lola's vocals pull the song together, giving the piece constant direction. Orchestral, melodical, with beats and beautiful vocals, this is delicious.
Background - The Last Royals is the pseudonym of singer-songwriter Eric James, whose second studio album ‘Never Be Alone’ is both a move back and forward. Still co-producing with Mike Beck, the new album returns to an original mode of songs as personal diary entries while also pushing beyond the raucous and at times disjointed feel of debut ‘Twistification’. From smooth jangle indie-pop (“Miles Away”, “Tragedy”), to more electronic territory (“Promise You”, “If You Wanna Say I Love”), the album captures an artist who’s a bit older, a bit wiser and definitely more self-loathing.
The Last Royals saw their first break in 2011 when satellite radio heavyweight Jeff Regan debuted single “Crystal Vases” on SiriusXM and saw the single spend 5 consecutive months on the AltNation Top 18 Countdown. Label Ooh La La Records presented the band as a two-piece band, with James enlisting his friend and drummer Mason Ingram as a would-be second member and ultimately touring a 4-piece band for numerous live performances including Firefly Festival, Summerfest, and tours with Sir Sly and The Hush Sound.
The success of “Crystal Vases” ultimately outpaced the label, however, leading to severe internal discord and ultimately the release of debut album ‘Twistification’ in 2013 without support for followup single “Friday Night”. With Ooh La La refusing to accept offers to partner from better funded options, James choose to cease touring and support for the release, ultimately gaining freedom from the label in 2014.
The intervening time saw James and his wife have 2 more children, for a total of 3, move to Brooklyn, and lose his mother-in-law to suicide. The full TLR touring lineup reconvened in 2015 to record and release two cover songs (The Beatles’ “Real Love” and Flock of Seagulls “I Ran”) but it became clear that James’ new songs would be more suited to a self-recording ethos and collaboration with Beck.
With a rich, melodic, synthy background and a rhythmic beat 'Miles Away' has the perfect musical backdrop for Eric James dreamy vocals.One a fine taster for the album!
Background - Challenging the current pop-punk and heavy music paradigm, Melbourne five-piece Inventions lace everything they do with a touch of drama and emotion, presenting a fresh take on a sound deeply rooted in the early 2000s Alt-rock scene. Armed with biting new single ‘Worthless’, the band are gearing up for the release of their second EP ‘Exist, Explore, which is due out September 23 via Firestarter Distribution.
Produced by none other than studio guru Forrester Savell (Dead Letter Circus, Karnivool), ‘Exist, Explore’ serves up five full bodied tracks of hard hitting, frenetic guitar driven rock, rounded out by frontman Jacob Leaney’s impassioned and theatrical vocals. Lead single ‘Worthless’ features vocalist Vonnie Sofia (previously of Danger! Earthquake!), a track that embodies Invention’s dark and introspective themes.
Since the arrival of their debut release in 2014, Inventions have supported the likes of mewithoutYou (USA), Emery (USA), D At Sea,Masketta Fall and Forever Ends Here amongst others. This October 15 will see the launch of ‘Exist, Explore’ at The Workers Club in Melbourne followed by a national tour soon TBA. ‘Exist, Explore’ featuring ‘Worthless’ is out September 23 via Firestarter Distribution.
Alt-rock band Inventions colaboration with Vonnie Sofia, really does bring the song 'Worthless' up a notch or two. With a driving rhythm and fine guitars the vocal double up, works really well on this hooky song.
Background - DENNIS are a Eight piece roots folkrock & brass band from the former pit town of Hetton-Le-Hole whose songs about the local town captivate audiences across the country. Open Your Eyes is the debut LP from DENNIS
Produced by Darren Hall on location at Easington Lane Miners Hall & Empty Shop Durham and mastered by Andy Baldwin [Coldplay, Blur, Arcade Fire, Oasis] at Metropolis London, the “Open Your Eyes” LP proceeds three acclaimed DENNIS EP releases via Sapien Records Ltd.
DENNIS have to date received generous support via national radio broadcasts (BBC 6 Music, BBC Radio 2, BBC Introducing shows and live sessions), blogs & printed articles / reviews, a number of sold out headline theatre performances and festival appearances.
Members have played European tours, O2 Academy tours and National Brass Band competitions with previous projects, collaborating under DENNIS to create music influenced through a heritage of brass bands, workingmens clubs, pit village life and stories of the working class.
'Give Me Soul' is a good indication of the melodic and very catchy songs on the eleven track album 'Open Your Eyes'. The musicianship is high quality and the vocals and beautiful harmonies are notable throughout the album. Imaginative songs, finely honed music, and top quality production, it's a good one!
Background - Nashville-based Modern Inventors have premiered their track "Tonight". The song is off the 2-song single - “Tonight / Closer," out September 9th. Migrating from Philadelphia to Nashville a year ago, Josh Benus and Matt Kass have expanded on their backgrounds as formally-trained musicians with a sound that’s both unique and powerfully emotional.
After several years of collaborating in a variety of projects, including a soundtrack for the HBO documentary First Comes Love, they solidified their partnership by founding Modern Inventors. Shortly after that, they decided to move to Nashville, where they connected quickly with the city’s vibrant artistic network and — critically important — found the house that functions now as their personal and professional home base.
“Working and living here is great because we can put all of our time into writing and recording,” Josh explains. “We have our hands on every second of these recordings. They are us. And because this house has allowed us to do this, it’s become our signature.” “For me, the allure of Nashville is, that it’s about the songwriting,” Josh adds. “It’s inspiring living here because everyone’s so passionate about their craft. So in retrospect, this is the probably the best move we could have made.”
Dinner parties featuring Josh’s gourmet creations morph into jam sessions here. Songs take shape on the weathered upright piano in their living room. Other artists drop in, stay awhile, lay down a few tracks and leave their mark on this ever-evolving community. That’s all part of Modern Inventors’ mission, to keep their door open to anyone who might drop by and contribute ideas and inspiration.
But, always, Matt and Josh helm this ship. “Our long-term plan is to have a sound that people know when they hear it,” Matt insists. “We have the ability to curate not only what we do and to make Modern Inventors a great American rock band but also to say, ‘We really like this artist who opened for us. We want him to come to our studio and work with us, just to see what happens."
'Tonight' begins with an expansive atmospheric sound, and takes things even further when the smooth melodic vocals kick in. With a gorgeous refrain three quarters of the way through, the song builds towards an almost epic finish.
Background promo - Stiffy Jones is back with a brand new album. After the release of their latest EP, the Disconnect Me EP, Stiffy jones has kept on their legacy of loud, sweaty and energetic stage shows to venues all around Sweden. Narrow Road Of Memories is a record full of powerful, melodic and personal punk rock songs that will leave you wanting more. The record is set for release on October 28 CD and digital download.
Since 2009, Stiffy Jones current line-up has invaded the bars and venues of Sweden with their punk rock and constant need to be on the road. Formed in 2005 by four schoolmates in Stockholm without any wider musical knowledge but with the same passion for punk rock and a need to cure boredom. In 2012 their debut album was released and they've since toured Sweden. Stiffy Jones has over the years played with among others; Koffin Kats, Skumdum, Tysta Mari, Strawberry Blondes, Saturdays Heroes and The Friday Prophets.
'Echoes' was on the 'Disconnect Me' EP and not surprisingly has been included on the forthcoming full length album 'Narrow Road of Memories'. It typifies the bands creative mixture of punk rock, with some flavours of celtic and folk twists, never far away. Pretty much energised the whole way through, the new album is a quick cure for apathy.
Background - Ofelia K.’s voice and compelling songs are worn down to perfection and balance wistful maturity with a certain earnest and eternally young expression. Not quite pop, not quite anything else, the young singer-songwriter showcases her beautiful symmetry with her music somewhere between an unrepressed journal entry, a comforting arm around the shoulder and her smoky, shimmering glare, her eyes so knowingly staring into you. With spins from Annie Mac at BBC Radio 1, over 2 million Spotify plays, and features on multiple television shows, the world heard her starry eyed songs and asked for oh-so-many more.
With her upcoming EP release, 'Choas Cave' right around the corner this LA songstress once again sets her sights on capturing the public’s heart with her latest single, "Another World." As Ofelia herself mentions, “Another World seesaws between darkness and light, beauty and pain. My vision for this song was for it to take you through different worlds, as though the listener is traveling and taking in new terrain throughout. I love the visuals that the instrumentation paints, like the sounds are playing with one another and need to be hushed and contained at points. And with Ofelia K, you know that can only result in pure musical bliss.
Regarding the EP, Ofelia adds, "Chaos Cave was recorded at a couple studios in Burbank as well as at my house in Box Canyon. Massive amounts of La Croix sparkling water were consumed. My producer Andy Rosen and I both have some OCD tendencies that get compounded when working together, so there’s a lot of attention to detail throughout. We worked in Ableton, which really influenced the soundscapes we were able to achieve and allowed for quite a bit of creative freedom. My attitude is always that of letting each song go where it wants to and not feeling strictly limited to one genre, so each of the five songs brings a different mood and style to the body of work."
It's the third feature this year on Beehive Candy for Ofelia K, this time with the new song 'Another World'. With such finely crafted music and Ofelia's fetching vocals, can you blame me for taking advantage of the opportunity, to share another gem.
Background - Heidi Talbot's fifth solo LP plays to the tune of quiet skips and giant leaps. It crosses the ages, jumps into the unknown, traverses oceans and musical styles – from folk, through Americana, to classic pop, and back again. The Co Kildare singer / songwriter, who now resides in Scotland with her musical partner and husband John McCusker, is joined by a host of musicians and co-writers on the album, including Louis Abbott (Admiral Fallow), Duke Special, Adam Holmes and Boo Hewerdine.
This sense of family and home is reinforced by the album having been recorded in Talbot and McCusker's self-built studio, housed in a converted eighteenth-century bothy next to where they live in the Scottish Borders. “Recording the album in our own studio was amazing,” Talbot says. “You're in your own environment, you're comfortable, you've got all the time you need, and the kids can come over. It feels like everyone can be a part of it.”
Everyone, on this occasion, means Talbot (voice, ukulele) and producer McCusker (violin, cittern, whistles, harmonium) – plus Innes White (guitar, mandolin), James Lindsay (double bass), James Mckintosh (drums, percussion), Megan Henderson (piano, harmonium), Toby Shippey (trumpet), Andy Seward (banjo), Donald Shaw (harmonium, Wurlitzer, accordion), Michael McGoldrick (Uilleann pipes, whistles), Toby Shaer (whistle), Adam Holmes (vocals), Louis Abbott (vocals, electric guitar), Su-a Lee (Cello) and Sorren Maclean (backing vocals, electric guitar). A barnful, and then some.
The title track is inspired by an old gospel song. “I loved the idea of it being quite uplifting, of it not being a funeral hymn, even though it's about death,” Talbot offers. The same could be said of a bright and beautiful album that touches on grief, depression and love. “It's as sad as you want it to be,” she says, smiling. It's equally heartening, cheering and enlightening. Hope springs eternal.
Heidi Talbot Tour Dates 2016:
Sept 29 Paisley, Paisley Arts Centre Sept 30th Edinburgh, Queens Hall Oct 2nd Derby, Folk Festival Oct 6th Liverpool, Music Room Oct 7th Barnard Castle, The Witham Oct 8th Bromsgrove, Artrix Oct 9th Stroud, The Convent Oct 11th Cambridge, The Junction Oct 12th Bristol, St George’s Oct 13th London, Cecil Sharp House Oct 14th Newbury, Arlington Arts Centre Oct 15th Colchester, Arts Centre Nov 5th Barnsley, The Civic Nov 6th Bury, The Met Nov 10th Peebles, Eastgate Arts Centre Nov 11th Stirling, The Tolbooth
Featured track 'The Year That I Was Born' is a delicate folk song, with Heidi Talbot's vocals soothing, gentle and refined. As I listened without actually watching the video, it felt more intimate and quite atmospheric. The fact that the song is just one dimension of the material she produces, suggests the latest album is a must listen, at the very least.
Background - Originally growing up in the Netherlands, Gitta taught herself to write and play songs on the guitar from a young age, and cites modern folk artists such as Anais Mitchell as her inspiration. Gitta's folkpop songs, with beautifully poetic but also conversational lyrics, go straight to the heart and are performed on a bed of warm fingerpicked guitar. Feathers is an album which follows a true creative vision, focused on the words that make stories come to life, it explores relationships, romance, family and cities, and all that makes us human. Recorded mostly in Gitta's London home-studio with one-take vocals and guitar recordings layered with children's toy instruments, cello's and other sounds; Feathers was created intuitively, realising the treasures are in that what comes naturally. Her debut single 'Mr Yesterday' released in September 2014 gathered attention from BBC Introducing, Amazing Radio and several Dutch radio stations; following up with her self produced EP 'Come Find Me' in January 2015 to shining reviews. The new album Feathers is due for release on September 21st. New single ‘Even If’, a song about friendship – or loneliness, shows Gitta’s lyrical ability in an effortlessly catchy chorus with beautiful vocal harmonies; previous single ‘Alternate Reality’ builds to a crescendo of instruments while first track released 'Lie With Me' closes the album with a gentle lullaby layered over delicate guitar.
The new single 'Even If' is one of ten really good songs on the album 'Feathers'. In genre terms, the album is highly accessible folkpop, with Gitta exploring different ideas from that starting place. Melodic through out, each song has an individual feel to it, with Gitta's vocals just right for the piece. This is one very fine album.
Background - Something has stirred in the darker, lesser-trodden extremities of the UK folk scene. Following 2015’s raucously received (and performed) album ‘Low Noon’, that most carnivalesque quintet, Quiet Quiet Band, have re-emerged into the cold glare. The band’s new EP, ‘Come Home From The War’, released later this year, is a four-song rumination on the aftermath of conflict and, more pertinently, the ways in which humans seek to escape from it. As QQB guitarist Paul Smith puts it: “With society defined by global and personal battles, so many of our pleasures have become tactics for retreat. Pleasures of the flesh, pleasures in a bottle and pleasures of losing your mind inspired this record."
Singing songs of love, death and Tony Robinson, Quiet Quiet Band are the rotting fruits in nu-folk’s verdant pastures. Extrovert practitioners of hillbilly hoedowns, sociopathic shanties and warped waltzes, QQB’s sometimes macabre, sometimes poignant ditties are further animated by a vociferous lyrical delivery, as they channel themes of love, desire, violence and death into wild, witty and wonderfully melodic tunes. “Our songs often evoke fictional characters who are reflecting on their own flaws, regrets, losses and mistakes,” says lead vocalist Tom Purcell. Also comprising Paul Smith (guitar/vocals), Scott Painter (bass), Jon Hare-Winton (drums) and Devon Gillespie (viola), QQB are renowned for their blistering live sets, the ferocity of which was first captured on 2015’s long-player ‘Low Noon’ to all-round praise. Now, a new EP, recorded by Sam Wheat at RekRoom Studios, seems to represent a subtle shift with a more composed, controlled collection. But you don’t need to scratch the surface too hard to know that Quiet Quiet Band still have that wicked glint in their eyes and a shindig in their souls.
Live Dates: Friday 23 September: The Finsbury, London N4 Saturday 1 October: The Bell on the Green, Devizes Friday 4 November: The Finsbury, London N4 (official EP launch) Friday 25 November: Rising Sun Arts Centre, Reading
The first of four songs on the EP 'In The Body' immediately grabbed my attention, and the band held it, all the way through this wonderful EP. Infectious and stirring vocals are accompanied by varying amounts of musical power, sometimes understated, sometimes almost demanding I sit down and listen, to take it all in. Genre wise, it might be folk, rock'n'roll or anywhere in between, for me, it's superb and that's more than enough.
Background - Boston-based trio Dyr Faser have announced they will release their new EP 'Trio' and are teasing this new release with forerunner single 'Estranged'. On 'Trio', the band cleverly blends post-punk, electronic, and psychedelia, often with southern guitar elements. Based in Boston, Dyr Faster is comprised of Eric Boomhower (vocals, guitar, synth, Casio), Thalia Zedek (guitar, slide, backing vocals) and Katherine 'Kate' Murray (synth).
Altough multi-instrumentalist Eric Boomhower originally began Dyr Faser as a solo project, he was eventually joined by indie rock icon Thalia Zedek (Come, Uzi, Live Skull, Thalia Zedek Band). After many recordings, buzz-worthy shows and a successful tour, they were joined by Kate Murray on synth and again head out for additional touring in both the USA and Canada.
Together they make music that is entrancing, hypnotic, dreamy, kraut-rockish, and meditative. On 'Trio' EP, they fuse the European synth avant garde and krautrock leanings of Eric Boomhower and Katherine Murray with the American guitar stylings of Thalia Zedek. "The track 'Den of Sables' is how I imagine it'd be when Soft Cell meets The Gun Club," says Thalia Zedek, whose lengthy career includes founding Come with Codeine's Chris Brokaw and releasing four albums for that project. She has toured with world with Come and Live Skull.
For the first time in the band's history, Eric and Thalia sing together, sharing vocals prominently on 'Hybrid Souls'. Drum loops, synth swirl, dueling guitars, melodic vocals and electronic drum loops make for a hypnotic and inimitable release. "We made this record after years of Thalia and I supporting each other's music. As one time housemates, we talked about music a lot. And unbelievably, I found Kate who shared a love for Krautrock and space rock. With this EP I hope to bring these sounds and talent to the pop world," says Eric Boomhower.
'Den Of Sables' is the first of six tracks on the 'Trio' EP. The band seemingly swim through genres, grabbing whatever parts are right, and with the end result of constructing some intriguing and hypnotic music. It would be easy to describe the bands music as experimental at least in part, with reflection though, I would suggest they have already done the experiments, and are at the stage of crafting distinctive and for me, totally absorbing music.
Background promo - Liam Hudson started writing music from a young age, but didn't begin to hone his skills till his mid-teens when he started writing Jazz, and Baroque and Movie style compositions. Through this time he was heavily inspired by the works of Jazz artists like Dave Brubeck, Bob Mintzer, Ray Charles and composers like Bach, Hans Zimmer, and John Williams. After finishing school, Liam started learning electronic production and recording, writing and recording entirely from his bedroom.
The song ‘You’ll Be Fine’ was written, recorded, and produced all at Liam Hudson’s home. The song came about after a break-up, when Liam’s friends were supporting him, telling him that he will be fine, and everything works out. The song discusses how just because you know everything will be fine in the end, it doesn't make the sadness any easier while you're in that place: “It’s all good to say it'll be fine. Don't tell me what happened to you. I’ve heard your story all before and I know your life’s a bore.”
The song is similar in style to Chet Faker, or Jack Garratt’s ballads, but with electronic elements and vocal play like Safia, whilst still having its own unique sound and tone. “You’ll Be Fine” by Liam Hudson will be released 23rd of September 2016.
'You'll Be Fine' is for me, more of an indie song, than folk. Liam's vocals are such a key component, with the music sensitively placed behind him, in what is one hook laden song.
Background - Kråkesølv comes from Bodø, and they’re not hiding it. Rock music, Norwegian lyrics and great songs and choruses. These are keywords you’ve heard being used about the band previously, but now they’re releasing their fifth album and it’s time to do something different.
The title track, "Pangea" - the first single from their upcoming album - shows a band who can still write anthems in Norwegian, and that easily can play at both big festival stages and at small village parties.
Kråkesølv’s music is still anchored in two guitars, bass, drums and lyrics written in their own dialect. But this time they’ve forced themselves to paint with a broader brush. "Pangea" shows a band challenging staid frameworks, and they’re moving into landscapes that bands like Dungen and Radiohead have plowed before. But, as always, Kråkesølv land safely on their own Northern Norwegian feet.
The reason why Kråkesølv now are taking a different direction than before, is mainly due to their producer, Lars Horntveth (Jaga Jazzist, Susanne Sundfør). In addition to producing, he has contributed in many ways, with giving good advice, with being a motivator and with playing instruments like piano, mellotron and vibraphone. Throughout the entire recording process, Horntveth has also been offering them fresh coffee and fiery cheers.
Their lyrics have the same melancholy character that has coloured Kråkesølv’s universe since their debut album, and they continue to make connections between interpersonal and universal matters.
So many songs from Scandinavian bands are sung in English, which makes sense considering the size of the potential market. 'Lenge sia sist' remains in the bands native language of Norwegian, and once again demonstrates that, music as art can cross any language border. Full of indie rock vibes, there is something quite attractive about this song, melodic, and with fine musicianship and vocals, that just blend with it all so well.
Field Music - How We Going To Get There Now.
Begbie - Bottles On The Floor.
Mt. Wolf - Golden (feat. St. South).
