Saturday, 1 April 2017

Night Drive - The Little Miss - Karin Page - Winstons - Monarch

Night Drive - Rise and Fall.

Background - Like a synesthesia-induced landscape found within the vivid worlds of films a la Tron or The Neon Demon, Austin + Houston duo Night Drive arrive today with the scattered and lo-fi visuals for their track "Rise and Fall". The group are also thrilled to announce their debut self-titled record, due June 16th via Roll Call Records.

Inspired by sci-fi cinematic landscapes, the duo's modern synth-pop seeks to explore the darker currents of abstract emotion. With infectious melodies wrapped in thoughtful lyrics, layered over pulsing dance beats, the group create an ethereal electronic world drenched in noir aesthetics. With the handful of tracks and remixes they've released, the duo's dreamy songs have already garnered attention from the likes of SPIN as well as causing a stir from tastemakers in the blogosphere.

Night Drive's self-titled debut album brings to mind the aesthetics of acts like Interpol or The Knife, and is an effort best consumed in it's entirety. From the John Carpenter-esque stylings of hazy album opener, "Hyperion" to the urgent synth of "Strange Telepathy" or the slow-burning and subtle "Ghost Craft," from start to finish, the LP is a textured soundscape and surreal journey through sound.

Having recently toured with the likes of CHVRCHES, Austra, Yacht, Robert DeLong, and Miami Horror, Night Drive has several dates coming up in Houston, New York and Austin. Website here, Facebook here.

'Rise and Fall' mixes an uptempo, synthy and layered soundtrack, with vocals that also seem to convey a sense of urgency. It's a little like OMD only with more grit and menace.


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The Little Miss - Doubt.

Background - The Little Miss to release rootsy single “Doubt” April 4th. From the first fuzzy guitar line to organ and to the final fade out, “Doubt”, is relentless. The Little Miss’ new single blends Americana, Fiona Apple and possibly a little White Stripes for a passionate, rousing exploration of self-doubt. The single will be released digitally April 4th. In the words of The Little Miss: Doubt concerns itself with the intellectual understanding that life's answers cannot be summoned, but takes note of the relentless desire to still call for said answers. Essentially, it's about asking questions that you know you will never have an answer for (i.e. "I pray every day and I pray every night, but I'll never know if I am getting it right. Or will I?").

With one foot in the modern era and the other firmly planted in the nostalgia of decades gone by, The Little Miss is a Los Angeles based musician with roots in jazz, blues and folk music. She will be touring the West Coast later this year to support her upcoming EP, "American Dream," recorded and produced by Echo Park local, Joel Jerome. In addition, this will be her first year performing at the Bradley, California-based music festival, Lightning in a Bottle. Hayley Johnson, AKA The Little Miss, is a twenty-six-year-old, folk singer-songwriter originally from San Diego, CA.

Having been inspired by female vocalists such as Fiona Apple and Jewel at an early age, Johnson can remember starting girl bands at recess and writing lyrics in notebooks beginning in first grade. In middle school, Johnson began performing original music around San Diego county with her father at local coffee shops and surf competitions. Having gone by the stage name, "Hazel," for many years, Johnson developed the idea for The Little Miss while in college at San Francisco State University, where she rediscovered her love of music by way of her studies in Philosophy. After graduating, The Little Miss took off down south to further pursue her love of folk, blues and classic Americana music in Los Angeles. She now resides in Echo Park with her dog, Winifred, and continues to start girl bands at recess. Website here, Facebook here.

From the opening notes 'Doubt' suggest your in for some bluesy passion and energy, and the song does not let you down. Vocals are wonderful combined with the guitar lead music which remains potent throughout.

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Karin Page - Still Got You.

Background - Upbeat and irresistibly catchy, Karin Page's latest single Still Got You is a perfect slice of folk pop, dressed up in her favourite embellishments of rootsy grooves and a dusty twang. Taken from her 2017 EP of the same name, Still Got You (produced by ARIA award winning producer Matt Fell) shows why Karin appeals to such a broad range of music lovers – seamlessly weaving several styles together – and is the perfect introduction for new fans.

After 18 months of touring Australia in a caravan with her music/life partner Adam Nyeholt, playing music wherever the road took them, singer-songwriter Karin Page finally arrived at her new home of Byron Bay in 2016. By then, her charming blend of rootsy Americana had already begun making waves around Australia –  emanating from her hometown of Perth – earning Karin a slew of awards and loyal fans in every town she visited.

Karin's nomadic lifestyle has deeply affected her music, which now bears all the character of the endless Australian road. Needless to say, this has made Karin very popular with country, blues and roots fans. Karin took out Female Artist Of The Year and Songwriter Of The Year at the 2017 WA Country Music Awards; she was nominated for a WAM Song Of The Year Award in the Blues And Roots category; she has been nominated for New Artist Of The Year at the 2017 CMC Awards; and she was crowned the 2016 Toyota Star Maker. It seems the harder Karin works, the more her accomplishments are met with recognition.

In support of Still Got You, Karin will be embarking on a slew of dates including a co-headline tour with new pal and talented folktronica artist Tobias. Karin says of the hook-up, “I met Tobias at The Tamworth Country Music Festival in January. I first discovered his music when we were both sitting in the Top 5 of the AMRAP charts. I instantly loved his style and thought our music would work well together on the road." Facebook here. Tour dates on Beehive Candy's tour page.

There is a classic roots vibe with 'Still Got You' that is oh so, hook laden. Vocals are melodic and have some edge, the music plays it's part with a tight and polished delivery.


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Winstons - Enough

Background - Winstons Share "Enough" Video, Single Out Now on Grand Jury/WarHen Records. It follows their first single "Without You". Both tracks will be part of a release slated to come out later this year. The band released two EP's in 2015 entitled 'Turpentine' & 'Black Dust'. Both "Enough" and "Without You" are available via Grand Jury records.

Winstons is a garage-soul duo out of Virginia, residing in Brooklyn. They do love songs, blue songs, and dance songs with drums, guitar, harmonies, and a harmonica. Their live show is raw and earnest, with a dynamic juxtaposing devotion and depravity. Their sound has drawn comparisons to Screaming' Jay Hawkins and The Cramps. Website here, Facebook here.

Our second feature for Winstons, this time we have 'Enough' a blues rock number that packs passion and energy in equal amounts. The band keep it simple, and allow their total commitment to do the work.


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Monarch - Remember Me.

Background from Monarch - We just released our new single “Remember Me”. The three of us come from widely different musical backgrounds, from indie rock to classical to R&B. But when we got together to jam in 2015 we all quickly realized our shared love of synth driven 80s pop-rock and Monarch was born - a mixture of the lush pop harmony and hooks of that era along with experimental modern sounds.

Everyone added their own flavor to this new track, “Remember Me”. Creating the music had to be fun and familiar but with a twist. We wanted to keep it authentic and musically challenging yet lighthearted. Greg brought live classical percussion elements, Ryan, rock guitar and synth solos, and Maya wrote lyrics and stacked those harmonies ten deep - all while keeping common goal - keep the jams sounding like a tropical summer breeze in 1984. Facebook here.

Melodic vocals and a rhythmic backdrop ensures that 'Remember Me' stands out. Add in the synth sensibilities and you have a very catchy song.

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Friday, 31 March 2017

The Proper Ornaments - Hermano Stereo - Greta Isaac - Honeymoon Disease - John Andrews & The Yawns - Ultrviolence

The Proper Ornaments - Deep One Perfect Morning.

Background - The Proper Ornaments – the project of James Hoare (Ultimate Painting, Veronica Falls) and Max Oscarnold (Toy) released their sophomore album Foxhole on January 20 via Slumberland Records (US) and Tough Love Records (ROW).

This week the band shares a non-album track; a cover of The Jesus & Mary Chain's "Deep One Perfect Morning,".  Here's a quote from the band about how the track came together: "We've been obsessed with Darklands for a long time now, we just love that record.  

It's difficult to differentiate the songs, it feels like a big long pessimistic one, like existentialist Beach Boys music, where the ocean is polluted and the nice cars have been burned or stolen." Facebook here.

This cover version of 'Deep One Perfect Morning' is well worth a share and mention. We have featured The Proper Ornaments four times now, so clearly something they do appeals, on this occasion it's to put their own style and feelings on a distinct original.

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Hermano Stereo - Pretty Brave.

Background - New Jersey-based Outsider Alt-Pop band, Hermano Stereo release their brand new video for "Pretty Brave". The single is from their debut album, Charmed, I'm Sure, which was self-released on January 4th 2017. 

The band says, '"Pretty Brave" Is about an invertebrate who takes things too far, too often, and gets lost. Wandering through a dense landscape of shuffling rhythms, washed out guitars, and guttural synths, the invertebrate becomes impaled by sharp bass hooks and is reeled into the sky, where he floats away endlessly, never to return home again." The content is inspired by a true story.

Keeping up with the theme of DIY bedroom recordings, Hermano Stereo are currently working on their second album in yet another bedroom. 

It's not often that three enemies come together, but if buffalos can have wings, anything is possible. Singer/guitarist Scott Thomas and bassist Eric Schiwe met in school. Schiwe pulled Thomas' chain wallet, and it broke. The two have hated each other ever since. Singer/keyboardist Montana Loran and Thomas worked together and hated their job, so in turn, they hated each other. The three often played in the same circles, but never together, until 2010. Wanting to test the limits of patience and sanity, the three decided to form a band in the small town of Montclair, New Jersey. Website here, Facebook here.

Alt pop meets art rock with 'Pretty Brave' a delightfully quirky song accompanied by a video that just adds to the whole.

 

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Greta Isaac - You.

Background - Following her acclaimed debut releases ‘Don’t Tell’ and ‘Intro (Creatures of Habit)’ last  year and early this year, emerging artist Greta Isaac beams into 2017 with her most innovative track yet in ‘You’. 

The young welsh artist continues her beguiling mix of inventive, electronic production and acoustic instruments – mandolin, acoustic guitar and double bass are all present here. It’s Greta’s defiant, siren-like vocal however that cuts through, pronouncing her obsession, darkly and sweetly over the track. 

Greta’s off-beat, avant-garde visuals for her previous releases immediately placed her in a category above her contemporaries, and whilst musical references point to Regina Spector or an early Julia Byrne, her imagination when it comes to visual output is excitingly unique.

Speaking on the track, Greta states: “’You' is an exploration into obsession and infatuation… The character is infatuated with another person to such an extreme that she abandons her own identity to embody the other person. She quite literally wants to Become them. It’s about how a simple little obsession can develop into something destructively extreme.” Facebook here, website here.

'You' mixes Greta's attractive vocals with a semi acoustic musical backdrop. Sometimes she rises powerfully above the music and sometimes melts deep into the beat, always she remains engaging.

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Honeymoon Disease - Big Bird.

Background - Honeymoon Disease just released their cover of American soul legend Eddie Floyd’s track 'Big Bird’. The track is the B-side from the bands upcoming 7" releases 'Electric Eel’ that will be released 2nd of May on The Sign Records. The 5th of may the band will kick off their tour of Spain and will later this summer head into the studio to record the follow up album to their debut ”The Transcendence” (Napalm Records). The 'Electric Eel’ 7" will be released the 2nd of May on physical format. 

Honeymoon Disease is a speedy rock’n’roll quartet from Gothenburg, Sweden. With burning guitar riffs and some sweaty 70’s grooves, this band’s high voltage stage performance will give you a colorful punch right in the face – A glowing black eye with a taste of bands like Thin Lizzy, The Hellacopters and Kiss.

Honeymoon Disease was formed 2014 and only one year after the start they released their debut album ‘The Transcendence’ (Napalm Records).  A well acclaimed debut record which put the band on full throttle and they have been rolling and rocking all over Europe – touring and supporting acts like Imperial State Electric, Graveyard, The Shrine, Horisont and The Vintage Caravan. Website here, Facebook here, tour details on Beehive Candy's tour page.

Honeymoon Disease put their powerful mark on the classic song 'Big Bird' with a solid, timeless rock delivery that demands you pay attention.


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John Andrews & The Yawns - Windmill.

Background - John Andrews & The Yawns share their new music video for "Windmill" off their recently released album, Bad Posture.  Bad Posture is out now on Woodsist Records.

The songs were written slowly & quietly throughout the winter, usually late at night next to the wood stove for warmth. It was recorded in his barn with the doors ajar, welcoming the springtime. The humble recording gear invites the outside noises in. You can hear the crickets chirping with the occasional truck driving by. The songs themselves lend their hand like slow backwoods Beatles demos covered in a thin blanket of tape hiss. John’s voice lulls us in an earthy calmness as he sits hunched like a scarecrow over the piano.

Andrews’ band, The Yawns, has been crystallized with staples from the New England freak scene; Rachel Neveu & Lukas Goudreault (MMOSS/Soft Eyes) & Joey Schneider. All of who have been playing up in the free country for many years themselves and all of who call the same farmhouse home. Facebook here.

Our second feature for John Andrews & The Yawns this time with the brand new video for 'Windmill'. It's a hazy, dreamy track with the vocals and music gently taking the listener along, the melodic vibes create a laid back groove, beautiful.


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Ultrviolence - Guillotine.

Background - Canadian post-punk band Ultrviolence (based out of Calgary) has announced their new Forty Knives EP, which will be coming out on May 12th via Northern Light Records. They also just shared the moody first single “Guillotine”.

Produced by Jason Corbett (Actors) at Jacknife Sound, Forty Knives is the follow-up to Ultrviolence’s 2016 Black Sea EP, which builds on the bands’ signature dark wave, shoegazey sound. Jespersen's lyrics resonate as cold and eerie as the landscape of the desolate Alberta prairie on which he was raised, where he spent years teaching himself how to play a multitude of instruments while honing his craft. Forty Knives echoes the dark solitude that arises when one allows themselves to be completely isolated from the world.

Since we last heard Ultrviolence, they experienced a lineup change saw members of the Vancouver band ACTORS join forces, with Jespersen remaining the sole original member. With the new lineup, the bands' songs take on a life of their own, staying true to his craft and the sound he’s been cultivating for years, regardless of countless roadblocks and misfortunes that threatened the vitality of the band… if anything, they've only been strengthened. Facebook here.

Post punk with some melodic and quite refined music 'Guillotine' has the vocals spot on, both elegant and natural, as a personal introduction to the band this is a very fine track.


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Thursday, 30 March 2017

Marlon Brando Island - Essie - Artificial Pleasure - Jon C Butler - Strange Americans

Marlon Brando Island - A Troubled Past.

Background - The origins of Marlon Brando Island lie in the prolific bedroom recordings and determinedly DIY ethos of vocalist and guitarist Marcus Fulcher, whose up-and-at-’em attitude would soon establish him as a notable presence on London’s solo singer/songwriter circuit. However, it took the muscular contributions of Marco Testa Ryan (drums) and Edward J Thorpe (bass) for Fulcher’s sprawling, widescreen songs to realise their full potential. The London trio’s aggressive, experimental, innovative post-punk output has been variously likened to artists as diverse as Shellac, The National, Cloud Nothings, Talking Heads and Future Islands. 

The glue that binds these disparate influences into a cohesive and intoxicating alt-rock unit is the band’s shared belief that music can be transformational, that it should make such an impression on the listener as to change them for ever. And with a sound as stimulating as Marlon Brando Island’s, that change will only be for the better.

About ‘A Troubled Past’ “When that part of you died, did you feel nothing?” A gritty blast of passionate post-hardcore, where an abrasive six-string arcs across a pounding bass and drum track that strains under its own sense of urgency, ‘A Troubled Past’ delves into themes of apathy and self-righteousness, inspired by frontman Marcus Fulcher’s experiences as a support worker. “I was always appalled but equally fascinated by how inept yet at ease people were in just losing humans between the cracks,” he explains. “It was frightening how that gets rationalised.” The track’s rawness lies in its original conception as a demo, before South London producer Paul of Sound (Goat Girl) turned it into something altogether larger. Yet it retains an exposed feel, leading to an effect both unsettling and ecstatic. ‘A Troubled Past’ makes its mark as an ode to the lost as well as an exhilarating call to arms. Facebook here.

Energy and passion combine with 'A Troubled Past' a sub three minute rocker, that cuts to the chase and left me hitting the replay button straight away.

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Essie - Someone.

Background - Essie is the stage name of alt/rock guitar player and vocalist Essie Laugharne from Perth, Western Australia. Her signature sound is a confident mix of bluesy guitar chops and soaring vocals. 

Essie's debut EP Run Red and single “Sugar Rush” drew on an earthy mix of influences from The Black Keys, U2, and Gin Wigmore, as well as Australian talents Little Birdy and Eskimo Joe. Hailed in press as “Alternative rock with a superb 70s twist”(Fireworks Magazine), the success of these DIY releases prompted Essie to relocate to London in 2015 to pursue a career in music. 

Essie’s new single “Someone” will be released in March 2017 through The A&R Department. This song was written in Essie’s university days, and re-vamped with a fresh set of lyrics during her work with The Animal Farm in 2016. “Someone” was recording at The Animal Farm studios in South London, by Jamie Dodd, with all music and lyrics written by Essie Laugharne and Ben Pohlmann. 

“This song is a typical breakup story, but with gritty undertones of the sorrow and melancholy that can come with the territory.”- Essie 

“Someone” draws influence from the Arctic Monkeys AM album, as well as Band of Skulls, coupled with Essie’s typical Amy Winehouse inspired vocals. It’s as raw as any heartbreak, which suits her trio style performances well: the simplicity of growling guitar riffs, punchy drums, and backbone bass, with vocals soaring overhead.

Performing with her trio, Essie is a regular in the UK capital's clubs, where she is building a devoted fan base enthralled with her raw, confessional songwriting and assertive blues guitar. Her mini EP titled Not Easy was released on The Animal Farm label in September of 2016. Website here, Facebook here.

A little mix of funk and bluesy vocals add to the chemistry as 'Someone' an alt rock song hits the spot, and builds from there.


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Artificial Pleasure - All I Got.

Background - Following their explosive arrival to the scene last year, London quartet Artificial Pleasure have shared their follow up track ‘All I Got’ which has earned the band yet another rush of acclaim. A disco-infused track with shades of Bowie, ‘All I Got’ has been noted for its modern twist that sends an honourable nod to the past.

Now Artificial Pleasure are ready to present a brand new video for their latest single ‘All I Got’. The track is taken off their forthcoming EP ‘Like Never Before’ which follows on April 21st. They band will also play their debut headline show at The Camden Assembly on April 25th.

Directed by the band’s previous collaborator Dylan Holmes Williams (Huntar, O Chapman), the video for ‘All I Got’ moves in surprising directions with a mad chef, camp theatricality and vibrant dance moves all contributing to its surreal visuals. Actor and West End figure Sebastien Torkia (Sweeney Todd, Guys and Dolls, A Streetcar Named Desire) stars as the demented chef who is determined to win over his diner’s date at all costs. Website here, Facebook here.

A fabulous video needs a song to match and 'All I Got' more than achieves that requirement. High Octane rock'n'roll that is delivered in an effortlessly cool manner, and head turning vocals ensure this is a song that will and is getting noticed.


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Jon C Butler - A Little Misunderstanding.

Background - 'There has been a misunderstanding hasn’t there?' laughs Jon C Butler. 'I mean, we all know it isn’t meant to be like this and maybe there should be a reassessment of the deal.

Although we all start out in life with good intentions and kind hearts, things don't always turn out as we hope.

Maybe life has taken us down one too many roads less travelled. Or it’s thrown us a curveball when we needed an easy catch. Or perhaps we flew too close to the sun. Or we made a wrong choice at the crossroads.

We can't go backwards, of course. Carpe Diem! But, sometimes, when we take a quiet moment of reflection to make sense of our life, we're allowed to wonder if perhaps there was a little misunderstanding somewhere along the way.’ A Little Misunderstanding is available from 14 April 2017 on Strataville. Website here.

Well I have had more than a few of these down the years, 'A Little Misunderstanding' is a refined alt rock song with just a hint of Americana about it, and plenty of hooks to pull the listener in.

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Strange Americans - No Punches.

Background - Strange Americans share the video for their track "No Punches". "'No Punches’ explores the relationship between the American Dream and the American Reality," the band explains, "...few of us question the meaning of work, what purpose that work is meant to serve and what direction it will take us in life." The track is from their forthcoming new album, 'Borrow You, Brother,' out later this year. This Saturday April 1st, the band will headline a hometown show at Denver's Hi Dive.

Musically, Strange Americans’ third full-length album, 'Borrow You, Brother' remains committed to the general guitar-driven, blue-collar Americana rock element that permeates their earlier releases. This latest album, however, diverges in subtle ways : from the keys to the drums, bass and guitars, the sounds, tones and parts are more explorative. At times this means dynamic restraint, craft, control and beauty ; at others it means total freedom, chaos and noise.

For the better part of a year, the Denver, CO band made three trips to The Echo Lab in Denton, TX, where they worked with engineer/producer Matt Pence (Centro-matic, Justin Townes Earle). Pence’s penchant for the creative process combined with the band’s original vision for the songs drove the tracking and mixing process and resulted in a unique record that is simultaneously novel but grounded in tradition. Lyrically, the songs tend to explore social themes including income and wealth inequality, individual success and materialism, but also work, travel and happiness.

It’s a little raw, a bit loud, unapologetic and honest. It’s blue-collar rock and roll and it’s something that Denver’s Strange Americans are crafting with both brawn and finesse. Facebook here.

'No Punches' has a well travelled and developed feel, the band are tight and the vocals laid back, however between them the passion and commitment is all apparent, in what is just right rock and roll.


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Wednesday, 29 March 2017

Midweek Muse: Valley Queen - The Moon Kids - The Austen - Argonaut & Wasp - Imaginary People - The Lunas

Valley Queen - Destroyer EP.

Background - On April 26th, Valley Queen will embark on a spring North American tour, spanning from the west to the east coast. The band will headline seven shows, and support Laura Marling on thirteen dates, including Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, and New York.

The Los Angeles 4-piece released their first-ever EP, Destroyer, this month. Singer and songwriter Natalie Carol leads a band reminiscent of Fleetwood Mac and My Morning Jacket with vocals evocative of Florence Welch. The band's sound brings to mind the soul of Motown and the power of southern rock. "Carol presides over ambling Americana jams that positively soar,” said NPR Music upon including the EP’s single “Stars Align” in their SXSW Austin 100. Filling out their sound is Neil Wogensen with bass and vocals, Gerry Doot's drums and Shawn Morones on vocals and guitar. Website here, Facebook here, tour dates are on Beehive Candy's tour page.

Adding to the references above, I would also suggest Heart and Jefferson Starship from the Grace Slick years as pointers to the mixture of tracks on the 'Destroyer EP'. What is clear is the band have a clear talent for developing enticing songs that mix melodic rock with a softer more soulful style. As debut EP's go this is strong throughout.

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The Moon Kids - Something Spectacular.

Background - Hitting the sweet spot between The Small Faces, The La’s and Blossoms, Scottish Psych-Pop outfit The Moon Kids are shooting for the stars.

The band’s latest single ‘Forever Blue’ - a sunshine-drenched slice of 21st century Indie attitude - is the latest salvo in a series of white hot releases that began with their acclaimed debut EP. ‘Rollercoaster People’, the lead track from that self-titled EP, was championed by Radcliffe & Maconie on BBC Radio 6 Music. ’Luna Park’, another of the EP’s highlights, was chosen by an all-star judging panel including Tom Waits, Run DMC and London Grammar as one of the finalists in the worldwide Unsigned Only songwriting competition, it was pipped at the post by Vance Joy’s global chart smash Riptide.  

Follow-up single ‘Strange Thoughts On Sunday’ amped-up The Moon Kids’ psychedelic pop credentials, harnessing a tripped-out melody to the band’s trademark chiming guitar sound. Flipside ‘Popcorn Bullshit’ has since become a staple on Japanese radio. The Smiths/Modest Mouse/Electronic mainman Johnny Marr is a fan. 

Formed in Dunfermline, Scotland, by frontman David Barr, The Moon Kids have honed their sound in the studio with producers such as Michael Brennan Jnr (Super Furry Animals, Mogwai), Tony Doogan (Belle & Sebastian, Young Knives) and Rafe McKenna (Comsat Angels, Thrashing Doves). On the road they’ve played alongside the likes of Glasvegas, Tribes, The View, Raglans and up-and-coming northern rockers Neon Waltz, as well as turning in acclaimed performances at festivals such as T In The Park, Wickerman and Stereofunk. Facebook here, website here.

'Something Spectacular' might be something of a boast however it is not without foundation, particularly if you are enjoying the modern wave of psych pop bands. Musically the band are bright giving the vocalist plenty of layers to add his touch, which matches in to the overall good feeling of this song.

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The Austen - The Austen's Groove.

Background - The Austen was founded in 2014 between London and Milan. Its only stable member is Riccardo Barbieri Torriani, founder of the band, songwriter, singer and harmonica player.

The name of the band is dedicated to a group of students at Hult International Business School in London, a gang of seventy-five people who grew up together between 2012 and 2014. The business school used to give each class the name of a famous author. This particular class was called Jane Austen.

The Austen is always seeking for musicians, songwriters and singers who want to collaborate, perform and create new music under its name. The philosophy behind the project is to merge various genres and cultures to break borders and establish new trends. Consequently, The Austen can be well defined as “an open band”.

The Austen’s Groove - written, performed and produced by Riccardo Barbieri Torriani A hymn to special friends all over the world. Those kind of people you may not have the chance to meet for months or even years, but when you finally join them it’s like you’ve always been together. I was lucky enough in my life to know few of them. Quote: “No matter who you are and where you are, there’s always time for another drink.” Sound Engineer for all tracks: Mr. Max MC Costa, who has worked internationally with John McLaughlin, Sting and Bill Evans. He won 2 Grammy Awards! The Austen - The Opus Day was released last week through Nub Music.

Perhaps it's the bands open structure that helps create some fine variety within the collection of songs that make up 'The Opus Day' from which 'The Austen's Groove' is taken, whatever the case The Austen have delivered some highly desirable tunes, and are now firmly on my musical radar.


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Argonaut & Wasp — Paradise.

Background - Argonaut & Wasp is an indie dance band from Brooklyn, NY. Inspired by the sounds of the kick drum, the electric guitar, the bass, and the synthesizer, the group creates fashionable music for fashionable crowds.

  Trey and I were attending lots of DJ sets at the time (which is one of our favorite evening activities). Anyways, we would show up at all of these hip Brooklyn venues and everyone would be glued to the walls, everyone just standing there - lost in a state of confusion.

We decided to capitalise on this feeling, this need for a rhythm and the need for a beat. We rushed home one of these evenings - grabbed a cowbell, picked up the guitar, and got to work." — Argonaut & Wasp. Facebook here.

'Paradise' is a high-spirited indie dance song, that has a dynamic beat and some crazy vocals that add spice to the whole. Just add some party and cocktails for the full effect!

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Imaginary People - The Pelican Theme.

Background - Imaginary People shares new single "The Pelican Theme" from forthcoming album October Alice

Following 2014’s critically acclaimed opening volley EP, composed of espionage-themed singles, and their 2015 politically tinged full-length debut Dead Letterbox,  New York’s Imaginary People return with their second full-length release, entitled October Alice, due in April 2017. The album was again produced by Kevin McMahon (Swans, Titus Andronicus, Real Estate), reprising his role from their debut LP.

The band swings for the fences on their sophomore LP, recorded in a barn in upstate NY, via a grittier approach, with an eerie, reverb-laden wall of sound abundant throughout, cannily crafted via the use of a second drum kit inside a silo. It mirrors the morbid subject manner of the album, easily their most disarmingly personal material to date. Facebook here.

The third song we have featured from Imaginary People and 'The Pelican Theme' is yet another wonderfully frantic rock'n'roll piece. The album is now a little more than eagerly awaited, to say the least.

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The Lunas - Until I'm Dead.

Background - Indie rock band The Lunas share "Until I'm Dead" the first single off their forthcoming EP A Curious Life.

The Vancouver-based foursome is the brainchild of frontman James Priestner. A former teenage hockey wunderkind en route to the NHL faced a personal and professional dilemma at a young age after discovering a passion for the arts while backpacking through Europe, Thailand, Southeast Asia and Japan. He explains, “Getting out into the world, meeting people, and seeing things firsthand made me realize there was a lot more out there than the rink and stopping hockey pucks."

Since their 2015 formation, the band has toured Canada twice, and shared the stage with JPNSGRLS, Mobina Galore, and Juno-winning artist Barney Bentall, among others. Additionally, The Lunas have been finalist contestants in The Roxy Launch Project in Vancouver BC where the guys won recording time with Tommy Mac from the hit-making pop-rock group Hedley. Facebook here.

A chunky beat and distinct vocals ensure 'Until I'm Dead' is underway and doing it's stuff from the first notes forward. The band can and do turn up the energy on occasion. It's indie rock and it stands out.

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Emily Popli - Natalie Holmes - The Indie Pea

Photo - Tyler Core Emily Popli - Alight. Singer-songwriter Emily Popli releases her new single Alight, the track is a powerful duet featuri...