Sundays Alternative Take: Pale Honey - Myles Manley - Ida Wenøe - Happy Camper - ALIA

Pale Honey - Why Do I Always Feel This Way.

Background - Kicking off with a Swedish headline tour and much-anticipated sweaty days in the studio, 2017 is set to be Pale Honey’s year. Having wrapped up their praised debut album release, the self-titled ‘Pale Honey’ (May 2015) with live shows across Europe including sold-out shows in the UK, the band is ready to unleash rising danger upon the world with a new album set for release later this year. With the single release ‘Real Thing’ (October 2016) the band gave listeners a hint of what to expect from their upcoming album

Where 'Real Thing' paired fervent guitar and drums, on 'Why Do I Always Feel This Way' Pale Honey switch their focus to synthesizers and vocals bursting with yearning. Recorded with producer Anders Lagerfors in Nacksving Studios in their hometown of Gothenburg, Sweden. Lyrics of love, jealousy and denial are elegantly driven by singer Tuva Lodmark in a way that it is sure to leave no heart untouched. Tour dates on our tour page. Facebook here.

There is a fine mix between minimal synths (albeit pretty potent) and vocals on 'Why Do I Always Feel This Way'. The musical layers gently build as does the emotion and atmosphere, without losing the stripped back feel.

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Myles Manley - Relax; Enjoy Your Night Upon The Town.

Background - "Relax; Enjoy your night upon the town!" with this utterance Myles Manley is being at once both sincere and fatalistic. "I always knew I was the best!" says the dashing and supercilious young artist with a smile, "but at certain points I realise that that might not really be the case. It is always the case though." Myles Manley makes idiosyncratic folk music on guitar with rhythms and colours snatched from various places, most recently Eric B and Rakim, Micachu and The Shapes, Moondog, The Clash's Sandinista, Jinx Lennon, Frankie Cosmos, etc. "I started listening to a lot of early hiphop for some reason and what I loved about it was the clunkiness of the sounds, and the excitement you can hear at a whole new world of opportunities. I bought an MPC and started making idiot beats late at night that I'd write songs to. I've always had an ear for weird rhythms and I was able to make stuff that you'd never come up with rehearsing in a room with a drummer."

Myles Manley was born in northern England and lived in a few places there until his family moved to Sligo, Ireland, where he became the village indie boy. "I'm in love with songs. What I am seeking in my music is naivety and deliciousness; what I find is also an escape from anxiety. And if you want to really hear it, imagine early days, running round a dead, shithole town at 4am in August, with a person you haven't kissed, want to kiss and will never kiss. No power. Night night." "Relax; enjoy your night upon the town" is set for release on February 17th via Dublin's Little L Records, available on 7" and all major digital platforms. See our tour dates page for live dates. Bandcamp pre order here, website here.

After a minute or so of watching the video I still wasn't sure whether to feature 'Relax; Enjoy Your Night Upon The Town'. Something drew me back for another watch and listen, and I have to say I am now totally hooked on this song. Having watched and listened to a couple of other songs by Myles, I think I get it, whatever I love it.

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Ida Wenøe - Lyla.

Background - A new track Lyla taken from Danish artist Ida Wenøe's (pronounced EE-da ven-O) debut solo release Time Of Ghosts (April 7th) has been shared. While she has an obvious appreciation of Americana, Ida's sound is very definitely laced with more English undertones: the kind of sound Edward Woodward might have heard downstairs in the local inn had the Wicker Man been filmed in a remote Danish village, while Sarah Lund scoured for clues in her jumper. Like the best of the Nordic Noir leaving the Danish mainland, the recordings are at once both sonically pure and grimy; there’s a shared loneliness that makes you feel that you’re not at all; and all the while there is an honesty to the songwriting that tugs at your sleeve.

While still fronting the much-feted Boho Dancer, 2014 brought a successful collaboration with Dangers of The Sea, a series of sold out supports in Denmark with Teitur, and a spate of tremendously well received shows both in London and at The Great Escape in Brighton. Now, with a deep breath in her crystal lungs those two brilliant, oxidised copper green eyes flickered across the mixing desk once more as she recorded her debut solo record Time Of Ghosts, reunited with producer Jonas Tranberg who recorded Boho’s first EP. Website here, Facebook here, see our tour dates page for live dates.

'Lyla' is a gentle uncomplicated song with beautiful vocals and a melodic feel throughout. I'm beginning to wonder if Americana has something going on with Scandinavia, the synergies are definitely there, no complaints from me whatever the situation.

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Happy Camper - Easy Way Out.

Background - Happy Camper announces its long-awaited return in 2017 with a brand new album: Gravity. First single ‘Easy Way Out’ released on Excelsior Recordings.

‘Easy Way Out’ represents a significant stylistic shift for Happy Camper, without sacrificing that unmistakable combination of pop levity and powerful subject matter. "‘Easy Way Out’ describes that moment when you lose your own intuition. Something that appears safe and ordinary at first, then suddenly feels very foreign and strange. Within these moments, it becomes harder and harder to assess your next move. Whereas someone from the outside looking in often has a better read on things,” says Job Roggeveen, founder and songwriter of Happy Camper.

Happy Camper is a band and multimedia-project founded by Dutch musician, producer, composer, animator and graphic designer Job Roggeveen. With an extensive cast of guest musicians Happy Camper released two albums brimmed with gleaming and sonorous pop, tunes heavily inspired by chansons and film soundtracks. Subsequently, Happy Camper manifested into a comprehensive, awe-inspiring audiovisual live experience, comprised of up to twenty musicians.Website here, Facebook here.

A bright and breezy vibe runs throughout 'Easy Way Out' whilst the lyrics concentrate on a more vulnerable question. It's pop and very good pop music at that, surely that's enough boxes ticked for one song.

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ALIA - Feminine Medicine™ Volume 1.

Background - ALIA is the visionary behind Feminine Medicine™, a series of collaborative original music albums and stage shows that brings more feminine voices to electronic dance music. After years performing in the festival scene, ALIA set out to co-create with her favorite female artists when she noticed that few other women were being featured on electronic music stages, and that only 3 of the Top 100 DJs in the world are female. Volume 1 of Feminine Medicine features ALIA’s collaborations with numerous other female musicians including revered bass music producer Imagika Om, and revered indie vocalists Heather Christie and Ixchel Prisma.

"I have been working on the music for this project for the last two years. I am so excited to finally share it with you! I really want to thank the incredible women and men I collaborated with on the music for this album, especially Imagika Om, Heather Christie, Tara Divina, Ixchel Prisma, Amma Li Grace and Theo Grace of Entheo, Liquid Love Drops, Eden and Ilan of Amadora, Kaia Ra, and Chris James aka Pattern Disrupt, who spent countless hours in the studio with me. What a beautiful journey we took together". Website here, Facebook here.

The first track 'Madre' on 'Feminine Medicine™ Volume 1' had me instantly hooked and the following pieces are a phenomenal collection of ideas, crafted together to provide something very special. Thankfully I can feature them all. I personally feel that this beautiful musical collection will appeal well beyond traditional EDM fans, potentially from Gong to Vangelis, or Hawkwind to Leftfield. Enjoy!

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Saturday Seven: Neville Staple - Beatrix Players - Black Dough - A Treehouse Wait - The Routes - Nozart - Josephs Coat

Neville Staple - Return Of Judge Roughneck.

Background - On February 17, legendary Specials and Fun Boy Three founding member Neville Staple will be releasing his new studio album ‘Return of Judge Roughneck’ via Cleopatra Records. This double LP features brilliant new re-workings of classic Jamaican cuts, some brand new material, and a few gems from Neville’s past, along with a bonus dub album offering serious bass-bin shaking mixes.

Known as The Original Rudeboy, Neville Staple is a Jamaican-born British singer credited with changing the face of pop music not only once but twice. His 35-year career in the music business is well documented, from the early days with The Coventry Automatics, The Specials and Fun Boy Three to collaboration with Ranking Roger in The Special Beat and various other collaborations during his solo career from the 90s until the present day.

About his musical legacy, Neville Staple comments: “The way we brought it was mixing Jamaican music with the English style, which was actually punk at the time. Now most people are into ska, they listen to all the people that we talked about that they might not have listened to before... This has happened again and again with the different waves of ska. I am hearing lots more young bands now also putting their own spin on ska – some with dance music and some with a rock beat. It's all good. The music just makes you want to dance. Even when singing about tough times, every-day things or bad things, the beat and the rhythm makes you want to move!" The Neville Staple Band is playing shows all around the UK in late winter and spring in support of ‘Return of Judge Roughneck’. Website here, Facebook here.

The Original Rudeboy has returned with a new album and if featured song 'Return Of Judge Roughneck' is anything to go by, we are in for some seriously special ska sounds. Once again Neville Staple reminds us of just how important his role in both The Specials and his other projects were.

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Beatrix Players - Molehill.

Background - Following their single 'Lady Of The Lake'; London-trio Beatrix Players have announced their debut album Magnified will be released on March 31st. Beatrix Players are a London-based all-female trio who make florid, adventurous music that operates at the interface between folk, singer-songwriter acoustica, prog and quasi-classical baroque chamber pop. 

There is a light, translucent quality to the music, and yet when it is not being hushed and reverent, it has the attack and thrust, the surging dynamism, of rock. It can be soft and intimate, but it can also be fiery and intense, epic and immense. There are tempestuous passages in their music that you can imagine being delivered by traditional rock instrumentation but it is the very absence of guitars and drums that means that there is nobody out there quite like Beatrix Players.

Through their enchantingly dark and evocative melodies, expansive arrangements and empowered orchestral sound Beatrix Players tell stories of real life and fantasy. Citing influences as diverse as Michael Nyman and Regina Spektor and drawing comparisons to the likes of Kate Bush and Einaudi Ludovico. In 2015 the band (Amy Birks, Jess Kennedy and Amanda Alvarez) took their unique sound – a beautiful combination of vocals, piano and cello – into the studio to record their self-produced debut album, which has been mixed by two-time BBC Folk Award winner, Jim Moray. Website here.

One of thirteen exquisite and intricately crafted songs on the new album, the featured track & video for 'Molehill' is our second chance to share some of Beatrix Players music. 'Magnified' is a wonderful collection of material that, drifts across genres from folk to chamber music and a good number of styles in between. Vocals and harmonies are on a par with the musical arrangements, this is an album I would seriously recommend if the featured song appeals to you.

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Black Dough - Nighty Night.

Background - Black Dough was formed in Gothenburg, Sweden back in 2013 – and shortly upon that the four piece recorded their debut EP, ”first punch!”. Since then Black Dough has been playing constantly, visiting clubs and festivals all over the world – from Dublin, Ireland to Rabat, Morocco. Sporting a sound hard to define, the experimental unit has been called everything from jazz punk to voodoo rock. With the release of ”Freaky Family”, the band’s new full length album due to May 2017, Miranda Raeder – front person and composer – decides to label it experimental rock. Beautiful, dissonant, heavy and dirty.

I have a thing for the strange and dramatic. When I write a song  I see pictures in front of me like a film. I create a mood in harmonies, lyrics and expression. The music should  fairly be treated as a play in 8 acts.  The story is you as a listener, you create the frames but I provoke them.  It’s not ‘easy listening’ music, you will feel it.

Miranda is the center of the group. She writes all the material and also directs the band’s music videos, but the Black Dough sound first and foremost stems from the four musicians of the unit playing together. Black Dough is a band with 4 members and the sound requires that all 4 of us are involved. I write all the music and decide roughly how it will sound but we rehearse and form the songs together and in that process we all contribute. Website here, Facebook here.

'Nighty Night' immediately gained my attention with fabulous vocals that tease out so much more than just the lyrics, and interact so well with an equally distinct and pleasing soundtrack.  

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A Treehouse Wait - Waves.

Background - A Treehouse Wait would now like to invite you to check out the video of their new single 'Waves'. Waves is taken from the album Interludes.

After spending a month in the USA, being the opening act for a Swedish folksinger, singer and songwriter Jenny Wahlström plucked up the courage to put the songs down on paper and record the songs she didn’t think she’d ever share with the rest of the world. A Treehouse Wait was born.

The music is mostly inspired by the things one is so familiar with, but mostly would not talk about. Like empty city streets during the summer. Or when anxiety leaves. Giving up your love or the fear of leaving home. It’s not all beautiful, but it’s all life. And sharing that experience, the music suddenly creates a place for you to be, and you know that someone else has been there, too. Facebook here.

Our second feature for A Treehouse Wait, this time for the new video and single 'Waves'. With this particular song Jenny Wahlstrom's vocals seemingly move from vulnerable to powerful and back again. Melodic, gentle and full of atmosphere this is one beautiful track.

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The Routes - No Permanence.

Background - The Routes always seem to be do something different stylistically on every record they release; from their largely R&B influenced debut album “Left My Mind”, to the playful US garage drenched “Alligator”, to the Strummin’ Mental madness of the “Instrumentals” album, right up until “Skeletons” in 2016 which saw them on more of a modern garage punk trip. It doesn’t seem to matter what they do, and who plays in the band; it still unmistakably sounds like The Routes .

“In This Perfect Hell”, the fifth album by The Routes, brings you ten original songs. No filler and no covers. From the start, you can tell it’s not going to be your stereotypical garage album. This time The Routes seemed have strayed far from your average garage bands comfort zone. They have stripped everything right down in the playing department, with leader Chris Jack playing pretty much everything apart from the drums.

The stripping down seems to have the opposite effect, of creating a huge, thick, heavy wall of sound. The nasty Japanese fuzz pedals, and very simple guitar leads stab through the wall, and stick into your brain. It’s not exactly your typical garage, it’s not exactly psych; it’s not exactly any one thing in particular. Is this a mutant musical manifestation of Chris Jack’s musical taste? One wonders if he opened the floodgates on his musical tastes and just let it all come through.

The brain penetrating heavy fuzz, and Maureen Tucker-esque rhythm of opening track “Thousand Forgotten Dreams”, instantly tells you we are again on a new, different tangent. The hypnotic guitars are actually not unreminiscent of early Spacemen 3 or Jesus and Mary Chain. “Worry” sounds like it could be the cover of a long lost Tamrons acetate, being played by The Fall. You have catchy up-tempo lyrically playful numbers like “Peeling Face” and “Housework In My Head”, sounding like The Kinks meet The Modern Lovers, meet Guided By Voices; “Something Slipped Through My Window” and “Oblivious”, again see the band in fine songwriting form, with The Routes Acetone organ resurrected. Website here, Facebook here.

The video reminds me of an early Pink Floyd performance, however that's where comparisons must stop. 'No Permanence' is a feisty rock'n'roll number with fuzzy and vibrant guitars, loud and proud vocals and a driving rhythm.

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Nozart - Puppet.

Background - Nozart is a cinematic post-rock project lead by composer/pianist/producer Noah Kellman, based in New York City. He grew up in Syracuse, NY, where he often sat at the top of the staircase in his home, listening to his father play a variety of pieces by Chopin, Beethoven and Mozart. 

By age 5, his father had taught him most of these pieces by ear. When he was 10-years-old, Kellman heard Duke Ellington for the first time and began studying jazz intensively.

While building his skill as a jazz pianist, Kellman was constantly composing and producing songs. Kellman's musical foundation stems partly from his long devotion to jazz. He was often inspired by the story-like musical nature of the collaborations between pianist Brad Mehldau and composer Jon Brion. Other important influences come from classical music and soundtrack composers, including greats such as John Williams, Danny Elfman, Stravinsky and Ravel. Website here, Facebook here.

Despite Noah Kellman's musical upbringing 'Puppet' is a long way from any classical or jazz genre. However as is often to be expected with those a fore mentioned styles originality is here and in abundance. Post rock is a reasonable label, it's also accessible, and the vocals tend to give the whole piece a consistent sound, whilst the music dips into different places, adding layers of sound.

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Josephs Coat - Breathe.

Background - Josephs Coat is the new project by multi-instrumentalists and song writers Abe and Ben Camden. Together they have founded a number of bands over the last 15 years, each being an integral part of the musical journey they boys have been on. 2017 finds the band on the cusp of releasing their second EP, and they could not be happier with the direction it has taken them.

‘Breathe’, the first offering from the upcoming EP is a lyrical celebration of new love, with the verse spilling a message of reassurance, before leading into a triumphant chorus were the vocalist gloats over his new-found situation. With a funk driven pulse through this track, it maintains its rock thread with an infectious vocal melody that will get stuck in your head for days.

After spending a few years apart exploring separate parts of what the east coast of Australia had to offer, the Camden brothers decided it was time to get back in the studio and do what they enjoy most. So, in 2014 the sessions began for their debut EP titled The Black Ocean, and were recorded at Love Street Studio on the Gold Coast. They both decided to call Coffs Harbour home again. Between surfs and catching up on good times with family and friends, the year was spent launching their genre defying sound. Which is a unique, alternative take on funky blues, hints of jazz, with a tasty twist of reggae rock grooves. Best to be heard to understand the marvellously eclectic sounds being projected into your ears.

Playing some prestigious and vibrant venues such as The Basement in Sydney, to the great northern in Byron Bay. The list of artists that the Brothers have together shared the stage with kept growing, Adding Jebediah, Sea Legs, Tired Lion to a list of previous artists such as Cog, Grinspoon, Dead Letter Circus and The Butterfly Effect. With appearances at festivals such as Turtle Fest in Bellingen with Mark Seymor, Katie Noonan. And The Banana Field Festival in Coffs Coast with Illy, British India, Phil Jamison, Art Vs Science, and with Sea Legs at the Falls Festival pre-party in Byron Bay. Facebook here.

At first 'Breathe' seems to tease the listener as to which particular direction the song is going to take. It settles on a funky alt rock style and throws up enough hooks to keep my attention, and settle on another listen.

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Weekend Wonders: American Anymen + Lise - Anna Coogan - AyOwA - Rosie Carney - New Mystics - Patrick McKinney - Ravines

American Anymen + Lise - Nobody Made Me Smile Like You Did.

Background - New York City outfit American Anymen have released their new 'OUI EP' with Lise, a Parisian singer and pianist. The first single 'Nobody Made My Smile Like You Did' is accompanied by a charming video shot around the Big Apple. This is the second collaborative release for American Anymen and LISE. In 2014, they released a demo called the '+EP'. In the two years that have since passed, they have jointly played shows in NYC and Paris. 

American Anymen is a music collective, whose view on art is that what you have to say is more important than the equipment you own and that passion is more important than technical expertise.  Hailing from Paris, Lise’s eponymous debut album was released in 2011 on French label Cinq7. Versed in piano since she was five, her music path took her on a detour from her classical music education at the Conservatory of Narbonne.

"The two American Anymen + LISE albums present more personal songs. These 4 new songs are about how I dealt with my time in prison, my 13-year battle with heroin addiction, the memories of friends who made me happy but are not around to hear these new songs, and how the world is much simpler than the ruling elites make us think," explains Brett Sullivan. American Anymen Facebook here, Lise Facebook here.

If a beautiful vocal duet and understated yet sophisticated soundtrack sounds good for you then 'Nobody Made Me Smile Like You Did' could well be just for you, it's gorgeous.

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Anna Coogan - Burn For You.

Background - Anna Coogan has been preparing for this moment her whole life, ever since she was a girl growing up in Boston, influenced by her classical opera training and her father’s protest albums by Phil Ochs and Bob Dylan. After several efforts with her Pacific Northwest-based alt-country band north 19, a pair of well-received indie solo releases and a collaboration with producer JD Foster (2014’s Birth of the Stars), Coogan’s latest is a stylistic breakthrough. Anna Coogan will release The Lonely Cry of Space & Time on April 28.

The album, a virtual two-person effort which features Willie B (Brian Wilson) on drums and Moog bass, combines Coogan’s three-octave soprano vocals, electric guitar soundscapes and pointed social commentary into a fierce cohesive piece which combines the personal and the political, in a musical hybrid of rock, country, pop and classical opera into a unique whole.

A true independent, Anna releases her own albums and books her own tours, which have taken her all over the world, including international festivals like the Blue Ball in Lucerne, Switzerland, the Maverick in Suffolk, U.K., as well as the Glasgow Americana Festival and Celtic Connections in Scotland.  She has also played extensively in Germany and the Netherlands, and toured as a member of the Johnny Dowd Band. Website here, Facebook here.

'Burn For You' is a straight forward and pleasing simplistic rock song until... well until it upgrades into something absolutely wonderful as Anna Coogan just nails the whole thing with her incredible vocal abilities.

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AyOwA - Rus.

Background - AyOwA are back with a beauty of a 3rd single coming out 24th Feb. “Rus” follows the critically acclaimed singles ’Newcross’ and ’Sommer’ leading up to AyOwA’s debut EP set for release in May on Copenhagen label Music For Dreams.

It seems the melancholy is coded in to the Scandinavian DNA. Many months of darkness and anticipation for a summer that sometimes never comes, sets the tone for soulful longing. Danish duo AyOwA takes this melancholic keynote and makes it into music, and armed with modular synths, old reel-to-reels, and Schneider’s haunting voice, they create their dark and moving electronic pop songs.

Sung in Danish, but with a certain universal and dreaming approach, this band combines noise pop with vapor wave and melodies with improvisation, in an energetic, evocative and playful mix. “Rus” marks the duos 3rd single, leading up to their debut EP set for release in May on Copenhagen label Music For Dreams. In an intoxicated state of mind,  AyOwA finds themselves on a quest to break free of the walls around them, giving in to new love, and letting go of the past. Facebook here.

Our second feature for AyOwA this time with the delicious track 'Rus'. Mixing vibrant synths with dreamy vocals the duo have impressed me again, and some!

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Rosie Carney - Awake Me.

Background - "Awake Me” is a song that’ll stop you dead in your tracks. From the swirling ambience permeating the track to the tender plucked arpeggio, Rosie proves a deft hand at creating sublime tonal flourishes to compliment her vivid lyrics and enchanting voice. At just 19, Rosie Carney has already experienced more of the tumult of life than most her age. Through her raw poetic talent, her experience is channelled into her beautiful music which, at times, recalls the vivid and imaginative folk ambience of Joni Mitchell.

For Rosie to be getting on with her career she has had to overcome insurmountable odds. In a year where discussion about mental health both in the music industry and in broader society has come a long way in removing the stigma and providing insight into sufferers, Rosie is determined to help others by being vocal about her own experiences through her music and her website/blog here, and Facebook here.

It's not far off a year ago that Rosie Carney was first featured on Beehive Candy. 'Awake Me' is a gentle drifting song, where the music is calming and creatively structured, the vocals once again make the track into something very special.

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New Mystics - Modern.

Background (and a minimalist one at that) - New Mystics is the solo project of the Other Lives band member who has previously toured with Radiohead, The National and Bon Iver and played major festivals including Glastonbury, Coachella, Outside Lands, Lollapalooza, Latitude, Sasquatch, and more.

Upcoming collaboration with NoMBe “Can’t Catch Me” hand selected by Pharrell for his executive produced HBO documentary series, to be released as next single in March.

New Mystics releases second single “Modern” via TH3RD BRAIN Records, and is now on all streaming platforms. Debut Los Angeles Show at the Bootleg Theater February 21 at 9pm. Facebook here.

The above promo doesn't give much away about New Mystics, however 'Modern' is a powerful alt rock track that is laden with hooks, charm and emotion, and more than good enough for a feature here.

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Patrick McKinney - Want You To Know.

Background - Patrick McKinney is a singer/songwriter from Queanbeyan, New South Wales. He is currently releasing his debut single ‘Want You To Know’ on all major digital platforms, on the 17th of February. ‘Want You To Know’ was recorded at the Canberra Institute of Technology's Music Industry Centre.  The song has been produced by James Costin & Patrick McKinney.

The song is about going through life and the trials it can throw our way, and how often people stay silent but need to let these feelings out. The song has a pretty relaxed but deep vibe throughout, showcasing elements of low key rock and pop, including a classic guitar solo just after the bridge.
 
Patrick McKinney and his band, will be showcasing the release at Transit Bar Canberra, supporting The Byzantines & The Montreals on the 2nd of March 2017. Patrick’s band includes Paul Moon (Bass Guitar) & Anthony McGaun-Smith (Drums). The trio all met whilst studying music at the Canberra Institute of Technology.

Upcoming Show - Mar 02, Transit Bar, Canberra, (ACT) “Want You To Know” is available on 17th February at all online music stores. Facebook here.

Patrick's distinct and emotive vocals are hard to ignore and who would want to on this gorgeous song. 'Want You To Know' also packs in fine harmonies and a pleasingly robust musical arrangement.

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Ravines - Breathe.

Background - Indie/electronic duo Ravines are releasing their latest single ‘Breathe’ ahead of the release of their forthcoming EP Ordinary.

‘Breathe’ is about a power struggle in a relationship – it’s about a couple suffocating from the over-dominance of one of the partners. The driving beats of the chorus and darker harmonies called for lyrical content that was strong and assertive, and challenged the listener to think beyond the obvious ideas and sets of imagery being used. Ravines (formerly Ophelia) launched their first EP under the new name with a performance at Cassette Nine in Auckland, on February 3rd 2017.

Ravines is a name inspired by the channels and routes music takes to reach people, reminiscent of streams of water through ravines. Their most varied release yet, Ordinary is a continuation of their ever evolving sound, showcasing dense electronic textures combined with rich orchestral scoring.

Ordinary was recorded throughout 2016 in Auckland at Opus Studios and Roundhead Studios, mixed by Patrick Shanahan and Jordan Stone (Wilco, The Datsuns, Crowded House). The tracks 'Ordinary' and 'Breathe' were recorded in Sydney at Alberts Studios and were produced by Michael Szumowski (Josh Pyke, Guy Sebastian, The Veronicas). Website here, Facebook here.

With a simple and  minimal synthy start it's the melodic vocals that first gain attention on 'Breathe'. As the track gently builds the musical soundtrack develops as does the singing, adding a layer of power to what is a very catchy song.

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Thursdays Alternative Double Take: Someday - Teenage Wedding

Someday - This Doesn't Exist (Album).

Background - Seahorse Recordings presents the new 10-track album from Someday, called ‘This Doesn’t Exist’. Now based in Turin (Torino), this trio is comprised of Daniele Bianco, Michele Fierro, and Fabio Digitali. The first single from this album is ‘Last Lesson’.

This is Someday’s debut album, entailing a search for balance and essentialness that may be appreciated by fans of early Tokyo Police Club and Foals, Bombay Bicycle Club, Placebo, Born Ruffians, Hot Hot Heat, and The Stills. The band cite numerous influences, including early Sparklehorse, The Smiths, Joy Division, Placebo, Sonic Youth, The Cure, Paolo Conte and La Crus.

Someday was formed in Collegno, a city close to Torino (Piedmont, Italy) by two childhood friends – Daniel Bianco (guitar/vocals/lyrics) and Michele Fierro (bass). Initially rehearsing in Michele's living room and Daniel's cellar, they began making demo tapes, had several singles on Italian music compilations, and eventually released their debut EP "Flowers in the Cellar" and two singles 'Divano Pulito' and 'Rifugi' in 2016, produced by Luca "Vicio" Vicini of Subsonica. They were then joined by drummer Federico Segato to form a trio, who was subequently replaced by Fabio Digitali.

'This Doesn't Exist' will be available digitally via key digital music platforms as of February 10 and is already available for pre-order (here) on Someday's Bandcamp. In late February, it will also be available on CD with distribution via Audioglobe. Facebook here.

It's not often that we share an entire album however with 'This Doesn't Exist' from Someday, I can, and I found it hard to resist. In the promo above there are a good number of musical influences, alongside artists and bands whose fans, may well find Someday of keen interest. That in itself gives away the diverse nature of the album, sometimes quite dark and moody, other times melancholic, juxtaposed by more new wave and expressive songs. Easier to listen to than describe, enjoy, I think some of you really will...

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Teenage Wedding - City Lights.

Background (and we quote) - Weirdo pop group from Victoria BC Canada, Teenage Wedding, just released their debut album The Great Sadness.

Teenage Wedding began in 2015 when Nick Joy of Zuzu's Petals and Mouthbreathers Owen Hooper began to work on an album that would eventually become The Great Sadness.  Soon joined by Claire and Cosima of Aquarius on keys and guitar/vocals and Ben of Mouthbreather on drums the band began playing relentlessly in Hoopers bedroom.

Though Teenage Wedding was trying form a punk band the amount of grass that filled the jam space cause the music to mellow out and get more and more dreamy. This is where they developed a pretty dissonance, a sonic range somewhere between Pavement, and Asturd Gilberto, or between Sonic Youth and Stevie Nicks.

The band then travelled to Saltspring Island for a weekend of wonder where they recorded the entirety of The Great Sadness. Fuelled by tequila and fettuccine alfredo chilling on mountain some chillers say is made a quartz. Teenage Wedding preformed some weird alchemy.Bandcamp here, Facebook here.

'City Lights' is one of six songs on the bands debut album 'The Great Sadness'. Weirdo pop group? I don't know, I think they are being a little hard on themselves with that description. There are some "interesting" moments where the odd chord change might seem a little bit "out there", otherwise mellow dream punk, might be more fitting. Either way it's a delicious collection of play again songs, unless I just happen to be a weirdo to (don't answer that!!).

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