Globetrotting: Hideout - The Argues - Citizen of the World - Sylva Faye

Hideout - Doctor.

Background - Hideout is Manhattan-based songwriter Gabriel Rodriguez, who's also a longtime band member of Cults. His sophomore album So Many Hoops / So Little Time is set to release on 2/3/17 via Small Plates Records.

It’s been two years since the release of Hideout’s debut album Rookie, and in that time many things have changed for Rodriguez. Most tragically, the passing of his brother. So Many Hoops / So Little Time deals with grief in different spectrums –– the album ranges both sonically & lyrically from whimsical space-pop to crushing acoustic vulnerability. There isn’t a singular concept or message, but the deeper you delve into Hideout’s world the more you feel nostalgia and a sense of loss.

Hideout began as a recording project. The majority of Rookie was recorded while on the road with Cults. Rodriguez took advantage of the downtime by tracking songs in hotel rooms or at friends’ homes. Fast-forward to the forthcoming So Many Hoops, mixed by Loren Humphrey at Stockholm Syndrome Sound Studio in Bushwick, NY, the recording process was far more linear than Rookie. The album evolved predominantly at Rodriguez’s apartment while the surrounding turmoil of loss sunk in. Emotionally charged, he turned to the art of songwriting & storytelling to help navigate through the many answerless questions.

Now a fully realised band, Hideout has been performing live with a rotating cast of New York musicians over the past year. It’s just the beginning. Website here.

I think it's the vocals that initially gained my attention with 'Doctor'. They are distinct and just right for songs like this one. On reflection the music really is the foundation for the track and the subtle chorus harmonies are a treat, I look forward to hearing the album.

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The Argues - Run Till You Drop.

Background - An indie roots-rock family band, The Argues officially formed in Toronto in 2010 and are now based out of Springwater, Ontario –  the location of their studio and the place they park their touring van and trailer!

Fronting the band are sisters Sabrina Argue, 16, and Lauren Argue, 18, who have been wowing audience with their talent on vocals, multiple instruments and songwriting!  They are serious musicians and have led the band at countless live shows over the past five years.  With natural references to TV’s “The Partridge Family“, The Argues sound more like Tom Petty and The Lumineers.   The band performs rock, blues, country and folk covers but particularly enjoys performing their own catchy originals!

The band has performed many times on Rogers TV Toronto including a feature on the 2016 “The Best Of” Toronto Sessions finale and has been featured in the Toronto Star and on the cover of Toronto Today magazine. Their demo CD, recorded at Canada’s legendary Metalworks studio in 2010, has been played on college radio across Canada.  Band members Sabrina, Lauren, Chantale and Michael have charmed radio audiences with on-air antics, interviews and promotions including CKOC, CFRE, The Hawk,  Moose FM and Q107 Toronto’s Rock!

The Argues have shared the stage with amazing Canadian musicians including The David Love Band, Irene Torres and the Sugar Devils, JW Jones, and Jack DeKeyzer and have warmed the stage for Hotel California, April Wine and Finger Eleven.   Energizing theatres, bars, corporate events and festivals all over Ontario. Website here. 

Having read the above promo piece I was half expecting something that might not be an easy fit for Beehive Candy. 'Run Till You Drop' surprised me, as have all six songs in the collection. Musically they put out some bluesy and rocking material, vocals and harmonies are good (don't expect a Bourbon soaked Janis Joplin sound) and the songs are indeed melodic and pretty catchy. Thankfully they ain't The Partridge Family.

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Citizen of the World - In The Moment.

Background - With their new song, ‘In The Moment’, Citizen of the World explore their Indie-Pop side while maintaining the Folk feel that has come to define the sound of the band. The new release a reflection on intense moments when “living in the present” seemed like a good idea; it’s a celebration of past times with a melancholy undertone.

Citizen of the World has built on the success of the foot stomping Folk-Rock genre, popularised by the likes of Mumford & Sons, to carve a new genre described by one competition judge as “Epic Folk.”

Their last single ‘Embers’ was featured on MTV Upload and has reached over 100k plays across digital platforms since the release in May this year. Their previous single ‘Setting Out’ helped them reach both national and international audiences through triple j, and the internationally syndicated radio show Passport Approved. The song has just been chosen as a finalist in the 2016 Vanda and Young Songwriting Competition. In 2016, the band has been building their reputation as a must-see live act with recent performances such as supporting Woodlock at Plan B Small Club, and other artists such as Grizzlee Train, Rackett, Food Court and The Ruminaters at Coogee’s iconic venue Selina’s.

The song was recorded and mixed, as per tradition, in front man Gerrit’s living room (affectionately known as Bay Street Records). ’In The Moment' finds COTW exploring the depths of their Folk-Rock sound. Vulnerable vocals lead into layered and expansive choruses, proving the songwriting to be at its most uplifting and affecting yet. As with past releases acoustic guitars and beautiful harmonies and backing piano characterise the sound of the new single.

The soon-to-be-released music video for ‘In The Moment’, set in Sydney’s busy CBD, plays with the theme of time and provides appealing visuals to help transport the viewers and disconnect them from their daily routines. “In The Moment” will be released 11th of November 2016. Website here.

Our second feature for Citizen of the World this year, this time with the song 'In The Moment'. As mentioned above the band have veered towards indie pop a little with this song, however the vocals, and especially the harmonies keep their folk orientated feel. Gentler than some of the bands material, it's still a fine melodic and catchy piece.

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Sylva Faye - Blythe.

Background - Ambient-indietronica songwriter Sylva Faye has announced the release of new EP Blythe on November 21st, and title track Blythe has just been released. Sylva Faye is a multi-instrumental solo singer-songwriter creating Indietronica ambient folk music. Her fourth official “Blythe” EP release sees her individual talent combine electronic synths with organic instrumentation, including vocals, guitar, bass, flute (a session flautist for 9 years) and piano. The music has a dreamy ethereal quality to it, Sylva’s delicate vocal floating over the top with gentle inviting warmth.

The EP was recorded in and set over forty-eight hours of Sylva’s real life: visiting abandoned stately homes, silent night-driving, heading to the countryside from the city to reconnect with nature, waking up next to dying outdoor fires and dreamscapes. This narrative has an honesty and melancholic emotion to it that just poured from Sylva when she wrote the EP. This writing occurred during the heightened senses you have when you wake up on a hot summers day or late at night when the loneliness creeps whilst everyone else in the world is sleeping.

Although Sylva is a solo project she has been playing live in London for five years with a full band: Adam Martin (Bass), Will Rathbone-(Sax), Catherine Embleton (Keys), James Oldfield- (Guitar) and Danyal Ince (Drums). The band have played at credible venues including 02 Islington, Proud (Camden), Water Rats and 229 mesmerising audiences with their atmospheric, ambient, folk mélange. Previous support for Sylva’s EP’s releases to name but a few, comes from BBC introducing, BBC 6 music, BBC Beat Live, Faded Glamour, I Love Pie and When The Gramphone Rings. Facebook here.

Sylva EP launch - Monday 21st November @ The Finsbury, London.

Sylva Faye's vocals are adorable on 'Blythe', a gentle almost folk like song, where the delicate guitar and synth background is so very refined and inviting. I think one of the most over used terms PR companies use to describe a song is ethereal, which is a shame as this track cries out for that description, through and through, so the writer of the above material can have a well deserved pat on the back, for getting it spot on!

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Monday Mix: T. Ailey - The Blinding Lights - Darker Still

T. Ailey - It Goes.

Background - Introducing T. Ailey, a new vocal talent from Phoenix with a penchant for ethereal, other-worldly music. Her new single, "It Goes," out now on all streaming platforms, is proof positive of a uniquely talented songwriting and performing voice that draws on myriad influences for music that is equal parts familiar and original.

For best results, make sure to listen on a stereo system or quality headphones, the panning in this track makes this a 3D listening experience.

As she says's - I create with the intention to elicit deep emotion. There is much to be born from Inspiration as well as devastation. Feeling something is always better than feeling nothing at all. Website here.

Regardless of the 3D listening experience mentioned above, 'It Goes' is a creative and intriguing song. Vocally it's delightful and the rhythmic background that's kept low in the mix throughout, is just enough to take this from a pure acapella piece into something with more depth. Either way it's one hook laden piece.

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The Blinding Lights - Can't Get Enough.

Background - Channelling the sounds from some of the greatest eras of raw rock’n’roll and untamed pop, The Blinding Lights have poured their hearts into the exhilarating new single "Can’t Get Enough."

The four-piece may have been growing up a good half-century after the R’n’R explosion but they have embraced all that came before them, distilling the spirit, energy and excitement of the maximum R&B of the 60s, delicious pop hooks and the panoramic drama of Springsteen into their sound.

"Can't Get Enough" plots the tale of a young guy who gets a late night call from his amorous girlfriend summoning him to her place and, after a bus ride over, chronicles their encounter, describing how he is put through his paces to satisfy her throughout a night of raging passion. Wild, urgent and self-deprecating, it’s an electifying ride. And rather like the hot-blooded man in question, you probably can't get enough.

Written in early 2016 by bandleader Callum Lury, the track came about as he gorged on the songs of songwriter-producer Jim Steinman (the man behind Bat Out Of Hell and so much more), plus The Wild, The Innocent & The E Street Shuffle-era Springsteen. Playing around with riffs which would not have been out of place in the golden era of Motown, and shaking it up with a top layer of Steinman-style piano lines, he took it to the rest of the band who worked it up into a frantic rumbling rhythm & blues number, given a further flourish with a horn arrangement to drive it along. Website here.

With a smooth bass riff and upfront vocals 'Can't Get Enough' immediately blasts into action. It's only the lack of vinyl crackles and the sonic clarity, that gives away the fact that this is a modern piece. Beyond that, this could be a sixties recording. Far from being a nostalgia trip, the band have simply tapped into the energy and vibrancy of pure rock'n'roll, giving it some modern edge and relevance. Love it!

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Darker Still - Never Too Late.

Background - Rock is back, and it arrives with Darker Still. This gritty, knuckle grinding, powerhouse rock band shows us all why drums, bass, and a guitar is still the best way to kick ass and do it while looking good. Tony, Patrick, and Quinn somehow manage to feature all sides of rock in just a few short songs. Instantly catchy and unique, their music is wound around basslines that would make John Entwistle tap his foot. 

Throw on a soaring, raspy vocalist and killerguitar riffs, each song carves its way into your mind and reminds you why rock remains supreme. Currently sitting at #8 on the Canadian Rock Charts on Reverbnation. "I Had It All" has been #1 on the Global Rock Charts on NumberOnemusic for 19 straight weeks and #1 All Genres for 16 straight weeks. "Could There Be" was the most requested song of the day and number 4 on the weekend countdown. "I Had It All" is in rotation coas to coast on American radio stations and in Australia, UK, Ireland, Spain, and Canada.

Listeners online have streamed over 170,000 song plays just this year. Word is spreading about this "modern rock band with a sound that mirrors some [of the] greats (Canada's Music, 2015)." After placing 6th in Canada in Hardrock Rising, Darker Still performed at the Hardrock Cafe in Toronto. Inthe International Songwriting Competition, the band's song "I Had It All " placed in the semifinals forbest rock song. They were in an issue of Relix Magazine and are on the cd in the magazine with artistssuch as Tame Impala. Darker Still has opened for Zeus and for Jeff Martin. They have been a featured artist on TMB or The Music Box, as requested by fans. Darker Still was then included on the compilation CD that was distributed to The Music Box subscribers in December 2015.

“Never Too Late" is a single off their new self titled EP “Darker Still” that is scheduled for worldwide release on November 15th. It is currently in the top 10 on the DRT Rock National Airplay Chart and the EP is currently enjoying radio play on college stations nationwide. More here.

Darker Still produce and perform, down the line rock songs, that could have been recorded anytime during the past few decades. 'Never Too Late' is one of them. What I like is the fact they are not pretending to be anything other than a rock band, that loves writing, recording and playing rock songs. It's because their heart is in it, and for them it matters, that gives the band and their songs some real edge.

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Genre Wander: Jenny Gabrielsson Mare - Romy - Locks - Justin Michael Williams - Natalie Bouloudis

Jenny Gabrielsson Mare - Brooklyn Bridge.

Background - The new album "Comb the Wicked" (La Petite Tempete) was released Friday.

In the fall of 2014 Jenny Gabrielsson Mare spent a month alone in Brooklyn writing songs for a new album. The result is Comb the Wicked – an album inspired by the atmosphere in Brooklyn; from industrial noise to soul and gospel. The songs are based on voice, piano, organ and percussion and she has collaborated with legendary percussionist Michael Blair who has played with some of the greatest like Tom Waits and Lou Reed.

And it is in the land of Tom Waits, Nick Cave and PJ Harvey we find Mare’s music. September 10 a first single was released: Wolves. Based on piano, cello and Jenny’s voice the song creates a dark forest where you are the hunter or the hunted.

The album carries religious and folkloric motifs and themes of guilt and insanity. Parallel with the album Jenny has been writing on her bachelor degree about the Devil in popular music.

Almost four years have passed since her last album The Ritual and during this time she has mostly been seen as one half of the indie-electronica-duo White Birches who’s debut album Dark Waters was nominated in the category “Synth” at the Swedish “indie-Grammy” Manifestgalan 2015. itunes here.

'Brooklyn Bridge' is the second track we have featured from the just released album, having covered 'Wolves' back in September. Jenny has a natural voice for darker more haunting songs, and with this one, you can add in a sense of concern and drama. The album has plenty more, where atmosphere and imagination is in large measure, along with gentle melodies and often understated soundtracks.

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Romy - Frail.

Background - "Frail" tells the story of what it feels like to love someone who struggles with an addiction. The video is directed by Marisa Pena. Amsterdam's by-way-of NYC artist Romy wrote and sings "Frail" in the video.

"We tried to keep the video as open and honest, vulnerable, as possible. It's a heartbreaking song in which I explain why loving someone who doesn't love themselves by having an addiction, will never produce a stable relationship. I would say that my songwriting helped me become a stronger woman/individual and helps my process.  It helps me to understand things that happen around me, and the people around me whom I care for," Romy shares. "My songwriting process helped me to work through loss of a few break-ups too." Romy wrote, produced, and self-released a full-length debut Unbound  in 2014 .

"Frail" is produced by Michael Di Lalla.  Di Lalla and Romy are at work on her next track "Make it Work," releasing to digital stores later this year. Romy will continue writing, recording, and sharing her songs on streaming outlets like Soundcloud and Spotify. Website here.

The music video for 'Frail' adds some drama to the song, which with just the audio, certainly conveys emotion and feeling throughout. This is a serious piece, and the stripped back nature of the song, adds to the mood of struggling with addiction and life.

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Locks - Wishbone.

Background - Locks are a London based alternative skeletal strings bluesy band, a trio made up of Locks Geary-Griffin (lead vocal / guitar), Mike Byrne (double bass) and Marian McClenagan (fiddle). They are releasing their official debut four-track “Rattle Them Bones” EP on 21st November, which has a subtle fixation on the darker unnerving aspects of life and death all whilst keeping a jaunty, up-beat roots based rhythm flowing underneath. Lock’s vocal has a unique tone, which has been championed by BBC 6 music’s Steve Lamacq and previously featured on his credible roundtable show.

After playing with a variety of different bands including rockabilly, traditional Irish, indie and nu-folk, the three misfits found themselves in a rehearsal room together writing parts for murder ballads involving burying bodies, mythological creatures and dark family secrets. Slowly tracking the footsteps of whatever creature has wandered before them, whilst singing songs about whatever's hiding just under the surface or lingering from the corner of their eye, they are together creeping through London's weird and wonderful musical underbelly. Lead track “Wishbone” is about “something” that should never have been let loose and the simplicity of the video shot entirely on a iPhone lets you conjure up your own macabre images from the words alone. Locks hypnotically types out the lyrics on a vintage typewriter and this focuses you back to the sinister meaning of the story of the song. Facebook here.

Locks are a must see live combining their intimate shows with an air of unsettling oddness.
18th November - New Cross Inn, supporting Bess Atwell, London.

'Wishbone' is a strikingly good song. The trio mix natural heartfelt vocals with a distinct and catchy guitar lead soundtrack. The blues feel at the core of the song, again comes across as instinctive to the band, and it's rolling out a cliche time, so, I really am left wanting to hear more (actually a lot more).

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Justin Michael Williams - Here With Me.

Background - Bringing his dream to life, LA-based conceptual artist Justin Michael Williams  releases his debut album Metamorphosis after transitioning from an 8-year career as an international yoga and meditation teacher into recording artist. His meditation practice is what gave Justin the laster focus to get to the top 20 on the pop charts on Itunes without a  manager or a label. “Metapmorphosis” channels classic elements of love, loss, and self-acceptance and is a brilliant examination of the human experience through Justin’s eyes. 

Metamorphosis, features 11 tracks that range from the heart-wrenching ballad "Here with Me" to the pop anthem S##t Gets Better” Justin's R&B vocals mix perfectly together with the sleek instrumentation, similar to artists such as Usher and Jose James.

The album debuted at number 18 on the iTunes Pop charts, and Justin has been featured on Spotify's Discover Weekly playlist, NewNowNext, and the Wall Street Journal. If Maxwell, Prince, and James Blake had a music baby, it would be Justin Michael Williams. Williams is taking pop-infused R&B to a new level that is as inspiring as it is entertaining. Facebook here.

'Here With Me' is one of ten very individual songs on the album 'Metamorphosis'. Actually there is an eleventh bonus track called 'The Story' which is just that, Justin explaining his background and how he came to record the album. Rather than self indulgent it actually pulls the whole thing together. The featured song is a ballad that builds, the album explores so much more, making a genre I normally struggle with actually very engaging.

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Natalie Bouloudis - Burning Pier.

Background - It was while shirking her duties as an arts and culture guide copywriter that Natalie Bouloudis found the seed that would sprout into her debut single. Initially derived from a story she wrote on the job (she wrote various poetry and prose compositions to pass the time), ‘Burning Pier’ is set in a fictionalised amalgamation of the burnt-out husks of Brighton, Hastings and Eastbourne piers. Essentially a meditation on how disasters can both evoke nostalgia and make us question our future in a new light, Natalie conjures all the energy and drama of narrative songwriting forebears like Nick Cave, PJ Harvey, and Kate Bush, while stylistically existing in a sphere of her own. The song was recorded in a live take with the only overdub being drummer Hannah Stacey’s sparkling Rhodes piano. As such, it has all the thrilling tension of a group capturing the thunderclap spontaneity of perfect live communication.

A native of East Sussex, Natalie Bouloudis first got her musical education in childhood, having played clarinet in jazz bands and had a few guitar lessons at school. From the age of seven she started writing her own music and has been (till recently) a secret songwriter ever since. Having lived in London for the better part of the last decade, she decided three years ago to launch her music into the public sphere under the name Aurora Harbinger. She soon played venues like Servant Jazz Quarters and The Victoria in Dalston, quickly building a loyal fan base that enabled her to successfully crowd fund her debut record. 

 For Natalie, playing live is an important consideration in the songwriting process, a process which focuses centrally on generating atmosphere and intimacy. Her debut EP is her first proper recording and it was all recorded live at Wax Studios in London and produced by Robert Strauss. For Natalie, getting the EP right was dependent on how precisely she could evoke the feelings she had in mind. Though armed with encyclopaedic knowledge of narrative songwriters across the spectrum of folk, rock and jazz, Natalie brings to the table her own brand of atmospheric storytelling. 

It’s folky in its arrangements, but in terms of sheer vocal delivery she’s a soulful rock and roller, at times calling to mind the visceral and lurching tones of Patti Smith or Etta James. ‘Burning Pier’ may only be her first single, but already it reveals an artist in the classic sense: thoughtful, precise, and led by instinct and imagination. “My songs tiptoe on the edge of fiction and reality. I like rich melodies, moody skies, dark romanticism, charged atmospheres that tell hard-boiled tales.” Facebook here.

Live Date: Thursday 2nd December: The Finsbury, London N4 (Burning Pier Single Launch).

A distinct and attractive song 'Burning Pier' boasts Natalie's superb soulful vocals against a backdrop of intricate musicianship, that morphs between folk, blues, and rock. As first single releases go, this one sets the standard incredibly high, let's hope this song gets noticed far and wide, that I would say, is a reasonable enough request..

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Six Of The Best: Ping - Low Island - White Room - The Megaphonic Thrift - Soft Lions - Rosebug

Ping - Something Worth Saving.

Background - Something Worth Saving is the first single from Dublin singer Ping aka Ingrid Madsen.

Whilst the name might be new to people, her voice certainly won’t be. Not long after being a contestant on The Voice of Ireland, Ping was asked to join the Dublin Philharmonic Orchestra on a sold out 10 week tour of the USA on their “Women of Ireland” project. Since then she has been performing constantly throughout Ireland enhancing her reputation as one of Ireland’s finest vocalists.

 Written by PictureHouse songwriter Dave Browne with Lasse Anderson and recorded between Dublin and Sweden by Adam Kviman (Eagle Eye Cherry, Jewel, The Wannadies et al) the track will be released via PHRC on November 25th. Facebook here.

'Something Worth Saving' is a pleasing pop ballad that gives Ping the perfect opportunity to showcase her melodic and engaging vocals. For me it's a real sense of emotion that brings the song to life and gives it enough edge to stand out.

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Low Island - Anywhere.

Background - Blending disparate influences such as Arthur Russell, Caribou, Warpaint and Grizzly Bear into a cohesive yet left-of-centre sound, new Oxford quartet Low Island are set to release their self-titled debut EP this January on Kobalt Music.  They preview the EP’s release with their debut London show at The Sebright Arms on November 28th.

Although still in their early twenties, Low Island share a rich and varied musical background which informs their current synthesis of styles. Carlos (vocals/guitar/keys), Jamie (vocals/guitars/keys/electronics) and Jacob (bass/keys) first played in an alt-rock band together in their teens while Carlos and Jamie also embraced dance music with some success: they held a residency at The Warehouse in Leeds; DJed at festivals such as Glade and Gottwood; and their original productions received Radio 1 airplay.

Drummer and percussionist Felix adds another dimension to his bandmates’ background in live bands. In addition to touring with the Grammy-winning jazz/rock/soul fusion collective Snarky Puppy, Felix has also performed with the band’s founding member and pianist, Bill Laurance.

Carlos and Jamie discovered Low Island’s sonic style while working on a score for a play. Together with their long-time collaborators Jacob and Felix, they continued to explore their possibilities in their garage-based studio, a space they have filled with electronic, acoustic and found sounds. This combination of elements provides the foundation for their first EP, which was entirely self-produced. Facebook here.

The gentle and bright vocals fit so well with the developing soundtrack of 'Anywhere'. Melodic, very well crafted and produced, the song builds in power without losing any of the clarity and hooks.

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White Room - Stole The I.V.

Background - White Room have announced the upcoming release of their brand new single ‘Stole The I.V.’, a full throttle, lung-bursting, rock n’ roll anthem that’s sure to propel the Brighton outfit to ever greater heights over the coming months.

With an impressive summer of festival appearances under their belts, including performances at Isle Of Wight, Reading & Leeds and Dot To Dot alongside the likes of Black Honey, The Vryll Society and YAK, the five-piece regrouped in the studio with esteemed producer Adrian Bushby (My Bloody Valentine, Muse, The Maccabees) to record another blistering number that serves as a real statement of intent going into 2017.

The quintet’s rapidly developing live reputation has already earned them plenty of plaudits across the country, and this latest psychedelic-tinged effort showcases frontman Jake Smallwood’s incredible songwriting prowess amongst a sea of soaring guitars and killer riffs that hint further at their exciting potential.

Recorded at Vada Studios and produced and mixed by Adrian Bushby. White Room’s Stole The I.V. is released on 18th November and will be available via Spotify, iTunes and Apple Music. Website here.

Live Dates:
05 Nov – The Lending Room, Leeds*
11 Nov – Sofar Sounds, London
12 Nov – Nambucca, London*
25 Nov – Maze, Nottingham*
*This Feeling Club Night

With a confident and powerful musical opening 'Stole The I.V' comes further to life as the perfectly matched vocals take hold of the song. There is that timeless feel with the track, which indeed does build into something of an anthem as mentioned above. Whats more it's very catchy and should get noticed.

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The Megaphonic Thrift - Pilene.

Background - On 11/11, Bergen, Norway-based band The Megaphonic Thrift will release their album Få meg til verden i tide via Old Flame Records.

Earlier this year, the band won a Spellemann Award (equivelant of a Norwegian GRAMMY Award) for best indie album. Få meg til verden i tide is The Megaphonic Thrift's fourth album, and it's the band's first to feature lyrics in Norwegian. Much less guitar orientated than previous albums, Få meg til verden i tide is filled with synthesizers, and it's their first with new collaborators Njål Paulsberg (neo Tokyo/Young Dreams) and Emil Nikolaisen (Serena-Maneesh).

"The four members in Megaphonic have become more unison for each record we’ve made together," says guitarist and vocalist Richard Myklebust. "After the third record, making new music felt like giving each other a hug. We wanted to bring in someone who had a more radical approach to making music. We needed disagreement, and boy did we get it."

A lot has happened since the summer of 2015 when The Megaphonic Thrift filled a car with synths and boxed wine, isolating themselves in a cabin far up in the Norwegian desolate mountains to write what would become Få meg til verden i tide.

"We thought we were just heading into the studio to make the final adjustments and thought it was going to be easy. All the songs were ready. It didn’t turn out easy at all," says bassist and vocalist Linn Frøkedal. The band describes the studio process as a long road trip, where a new driver can take the wheel at any moment. "Nikolaisen is based in Oslo (on the other side of the mountains), and guitarist Clementsen was on a Japanese tour with his other band Electric Eye, so sketches and new ideas were thrown back and forth on seemingly endless mail threads," says guitarist Njål Clementsen. "This record is proof that it is possible to make a really cool record in a really hard way. It doesn’t have to be easy!" Website here.

'Pilene' is a dreamy indie rock song, where the vocals are smooth and atmospheric (whatever the lyrics might be), and the crisp musical backdrop adds melody and depth. I have heard it said many times, that your native language, is the language of your heart, which might explain the passion and feeling that comes across in this song.

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Soft Lions - Digital Girls.

Background - Soft Lions have shared their new video "Digital Girls". The video was directed by Chris Maroulakos and features appearances by fellow San Diego artists including Dustin Lothspeich (Boy King, Diamond Lakes, Chess Wars, Old Tiger), Brian Reilly (The New Kinetics, The Hiroshima Mockingbirds), and Emily Reilly (Birdy Bardot, The New Kinetics). Soft Lion's new EP, XOXO, is now available.

The San Diego trio Soft Lions was dreamed up by songwriter Megan Liscomb (guitar / vocals) in 2013. She is backed by Jon Bonser (drums) and Ana Ramundo (keys/ vocals). The band has previously been described as post riot-grrl, noise pop, beach grunge, or psychedelic garage rock.  On their latest release XOXO, they lean a bit more into a punk style, while staying true to their weird garage roots. Influenced by bands like Blondie, Modern Lovers, Jesus and Mary Chain, and Alvvays, Soft Lions love blending vintage sounds together to create something fresh.

XOXO was recorded at Tiny Telephone in San Francisco, with John Vanderslice as the producer and engineer. The band met him previously on tour, and knew instantly they wanted to work with him at his all analog studio. The result is a more confident and refined version of what the band did on last years Spellbreaker EP.

The songs are a pathway for Liscomb to lay out lyrics that are both intensely personal and deeply relatable. In these songs, freeways and city streets become surreal emotional dreamscapes set to jangly guitars and keyboards. Tracks on the new EP deal with everything from a friend break-up, objectification and catcalling, coping with depression, and falling in love. Website here.

One of six songs on the 'XOXO' EP and 'Digital Girls' gives a good feel for what the collection of songs are all about. Comparisons with early Blondie music is perhaps inevitable, however I think Soft Lions have a more gritty and stripped back, natural feeling going on, in effect blending old and new sounds, as they set out to do.

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Rosebug - I Am The One.

Background - Brooklyn-based punk-pop band Rosebug share their debut single,"I Am the One". Their debut LP, Worst Way out November 11th via Dazzleships Records, is thirty minutes of distress and pretty petulance wrapped up in a bow. The great thing about Rosebug, though? They’re in on the joke. By the time the words find the music, lead singer Becca Chodorkoff is already over it. Or, at the very least, she wants you to think that she is.
 
Worst Way was produced by Miles B.A. Robinson at a Bed-Stuy studio called The CRC. The space is owned by indie darlings, Chairlift, and frequented by the likes of Dev Hynes and MGMT. Rosebug's current line-up consists of Becca Chodorkoff (vocals), Chris Nunez (guitar), Tarra Theissan (bass), and Drew Adler (drums). You’ll want to get to know this band, because, with Rosebug, it’s fun to be sad. Website here.

Live dates:
11.11 - Release Show Part 1. - Barranquilla - Brooklyn, New York
11.12 - Release Show Part 2. - Berlin - New York, New York.

One of nine engaging songs on the forthcoming album and 'I Am The One' is a hint of whats in store. The band mix melody, punkier vibes and some fascinating lyrics. Sometimes a little gentle and occasionally quite potent, the mixture really works. There is no padding with this album, it's thirty minutes of honest music, which does for me!

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