Walrus - The Luxembourg Signal - BUHU - The School Book Depository - ARGRPH - Tomten

Walrus - In Timely Fashion.

Background - Halifax's Walrus announce tour in support of Family Hangover. Walrus will release their debut LP, Family Hangover, on June 9th via Dan Mangan's Madic Records. 

Currently available for pre-order, it features a soulful, fuzzed-out mix of swirling vocals, wailing guitar riffs, and Spacemen 3-style drone, all with a laid-back, '60s-infused vibe. 

"...just because Walrus doesn’t seem to take itself terribly seriously doesn’t mean Walrus shouldn’t be taken seriously. These lads can do pretty much anything." - Toronto Star.

Today, the band has detailed their tour in support of the album. The Halifax-based band offered a first taste of the album with lead single "Regular Face" and followed it up with the psych-tinged "In Timely Fashion". Live dates are over on Beehive Candy's tour page, website here, Facebook here.

'In Timely Fashion' is a whirlpool of psychedelic vibes where melodic vocals and rich sounding guitars, create four minutes of aural delight.

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The Luxembourg Signal - Laura Palmer.

Background - With the release of their first single and debut album on Shelflife in 2014, The Luxembourg Signal quickly found a loyal following among fans of dream pop/indie pop music, and received enthusiastic reviews for their pop sensibilities, angelic vocals and lush soundscapes.

Since the debut release, the band's lineup of Beth Arzy & Betsy Moyer (vocals), Johnny Joyner (guitars), Brian Espinosa (drums) and Ginny Pitchford (keyboards) has been expanded with the addition of Kelly Davis (guitars) and Daniel Kumiega (bass). 

The seven-piece played a handful of shows in the UK and Europe in the summer of 2015 to promote their debut album, including a Sunday evening performance at Indietracks that many cited as one of the highlights of the weekend. 2015 also saw the release of a split 7” single with Soft Science (Test Pattern Records), which featured a remix of Dying Star by Robert Hampson (Loop/Main).

The band returned to the studio in 2016 to complete their second full length Blue Field coming out this fall on Shelflife and Kleine Untergrund Schallplatten. "Laura Palmer" is the first single from the album and one of our favorite tracks of the year. The b-side is a special cover version of "Let's Make Some Plans" by the Close Lobsters. 

For their follow-up LP, Blue Field (Shelflife), The Luxembourg Signal returned to the studio with engineer Mark Rains and produced an album that reveals a bolder, more developed sound with a darker undertone. The new LP also features guest vocals by Bobby Wratten (Field Mice, Trembling Blue Stars) on the reflective track "Fall Feeling."

The Luxembourg Signal will be playing various dates in Germany (TBA) in September 2017 as well as The Paris Pop Fest on Friday September 22, 2017. Website here, Facebook here.

With a pleasing melody and dreamy vocals 'Laura Palmer' is a gorgeous indie pop song, that just builds and builds to a crescendo of musical power.

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BUHU - La Truth.

Background - 'La Truth' is the first single released by BUHU that was solely written, produced, recorded and mixed by frontman Jeremy Rogers. The song is a retrospective of Jeremy's guilt in being dishonest with his wife and the strains that keeping secrets can cause on a loving relationship. 

La Truth was recorded on a 1990's Korg 8 track multi track recorder. Inspired by the lo-fi recording techniques of Sufjan Steven's Michigan album, Jeremy set out to record a whole new set of "Bedroom Pop" songs that reflect the emotional and complicated relationships he shares with his loved ones and the world around him. 'La Truth' released May 15th on FMF Records

BUHU has also announced the summer 2017 'Love and the Wild' tour in partnership with The National Parks Service. The 'Love and the Wild' tour will take BUHU through Canada, the West Coast and nine national parks. BUHU is doing the tour in advocacy for environmentalism, musicians mental health and the conservation of North America's greatest natural treasures. Live dates are over on Beehive Candy's tour page, Facebook here.

Dominant bass sounds, swirling synths and haunting, distant vocals ensure 'La Truth' is a memorable musical piece. Lo-fi electronic music with an under current of potent power.

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The School Book Depository - A Fork In The Road For Behavioural Science.

Background - The School Book Depository - "A Fork In The Road For Behavioural Science" With this year’s possibly most complicated title The School Book Depository is following up it’s last single ”Salvation” with a both strange and inspiring pop-cocktail. This catchy tune is a psychedelic trip to the outskirts of sanity where groovy, Motown-flavored hip hop meets catchy pop melodies in an awkward universe where absurdity clashes with geniality. 

An odd pop gem in a lo-fi outfit that bring both Beck and Eels to mind. When it comes to the lyrics it would probably require a masters degree in both psychoanalysis and behavioural science to figure this one out. The initial line pretty much sets the tone for the lyrical content: “I’m duct taping pork chops under my feet, the comfort it brings, it is stress release for my knees”. If norm criticism is the popular term for this decade, this song sure would be the perfect theme song, bringing the term yet another dimension. Bandcamp here.

'A Fork In The Road For Behavioural Science' deserves to be heard for the song title alone. Our second feature this year for The School Book Depository and it's another superb piece, where the hypnotic rhythm supports a genre defying mixture of vocals and musicianship.

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ARGRPH - Cymorth.

Background - Cymorth (meaning Support/Help) is ARGRPH's follow-up single to the majestic melancholy that was 'Tywod' from late 2016. Spending studio time again with producer Llyr Parry (Y Niwl, Palenco, Cowbois Rhos Botwnnog), songwriter, guitarist and vocalist Emyr Sion was joined by Caradog Davies (drums+vocals) and Gwyn Rosser (guitar+vocals). 

Together they have created a song that musically brings a darker hue to their already distinctive dreamy, surf pop. Emyr is fastly developing to be one of the bravest and singular new creative voices from Wales. 

Cymorth is a song "Dealing with the inadequate and destructive advice given to those suffering from mental health". "Mocking the sentences that I (Emyr) have heard time after time during the darkest points of my life" Cymorth is a poetic and emotionally bruising song. There lies the magic of ARGRPH sound, making the universal personal and the personal universal with music that is always emotionally stirring and beautifully uplifting. Facebook here.

Singing from the language of your heart always seems to add an additional layer of feeling as, I would suggest, is clearly the case with 'Cymorth'. The song is somewhere between surf pop and shoegaze, a strange combination on paper and a beautiful one in reality.

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Tomten - Limbo's Daughter.

Background -  Cremation Songs is the forthcoming album from Seattle baroque dreampop trio Tomten, known for their dreamy organ tones, analogue synths and enchanting three part harmonies. Cremation Songs, a bittersweet collection of 13 sparkling and singed beauties, will be released on CD, vinyl and digital formats on Plume Records on July 7th.

'Limbo's Daughter' is one of the album's more poppy upbeat numbers, and it came together in an unexpected way, cause half the keyboard on the Wurlitzer was out of tune, so I had to play the Wurlitzer and Rhodes set up next to each other -- higher octave on Rhodes. The happy accident moments like this made recording this LP a more exciting experience...One of my favorite things about this song is the little dueling guitar part in the middle that was played by Jake Brady and Jason Quever: Jake's guitar going direct to get that curdled milk tone, and Jason's FDA approved melody line.

"Cremation Songs features just about everyone we've ever worked with and more, which makes me happiest," says Noyes-Watkins. "We have past band members Gregg Belisle-Chi and Lena Simon on it, as well as Jason Quever who recorded The Farewell Party." Andy Meyer engineered and mixed the album at The Unknown in Anacortes, WA, and Carl Saff, based in Chicago, mastered the record. Facebook here.

'Limbo's Daughter' is an engaging and quite timeless sounding song. At the heart of the song are some most agreeable vocals and harmonies, however the musical arrangement and fine musicianship nudge the song up, making the forthcoming album a very interesting prospect.

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Diamond Thug - LUMER - Chances

Diamond Thug - Eclipsed.

Background - In 2016 the South African band, Diamond Thug, recorded their debut EP with the help of Dave Minehan (The Replacements) and released it to waves of support. After significant support from their home country and now at Spotify, where they have had several million plays, and with the wind in their sails, Diamond Thug introduce their music internationally with upcoming single ‘Eclipsed’, an evocative track that takes influence from the likes of Warpaint, Beach House and Vulfpeck.

Since their formation, Diamond Thug have continually evolved, always striving to create a unique sound that’s stay true to their perspective. Their music glides through dream-pop, skittish, off-kilter electronica & psychedelic-rock, creating cosmic-influenced ethereal soundscapes, which swirl below Chantel’s haunting, yet beautiful melodies.

The pursuit of an authentic & honest sound has earned the band various honours in international competitions such as Culture Collide’s pick to perform at SXSW 2017, as well as Converse’s Music Global Takeover and the attention of Grammy Award winner Darryl Torr, who had this to say about the band: "When listening to Diamond Thug, you are taken on a journey.  It’s the effortless vocals, supported by a solid band, that tips you over the edge & pulls you through into their world.  It’s rare to find a voice that can execute such interesting melodies so effortlessly as well as a band that leaves space for the vocals to shine, yet are able to maintain musical integrity." Website here, Facebook here. 

Alternative pop might be something of an oxymoron, however with Diamond Thug and songs like 'Eclipsed' it's pretty much spot on. The track is fabulously original, hard to put in any one genre, and yet the attention this band have received so far, suggests their music is very pop, as in popular.

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LUMER - Gruel.

Background - Hull postpunks LUMER return this Spring with their new standalone single Gruel. With slots at BBC Radio 1 ’s Big Weekend in 2017’s UK City of Culture Hull (the band’s home town) and also Dot to Dot festival in Manchester during the week of release, Gruel takes the band to new heights in their very short life and meteoric rise as “a band to watch out for in 2017/18”.

On Gruel the four-piece have branched out into something borderline schizophrenic, with their twitchy guitar riffs and warped vocals giving way to something softer and more downtempo. To quote the band’s lead vocalist and bass player Alex Evans: “Gruel is about jealousy, anger, and failed attempts at escaping false thoughts. We had a lot of inspirations for Gruel, but mainly it’s a combination of Goth and Post-Punk bands like Bauhaus & Viet Cong (Preoccupations) as well as being inspired by our environment. Practicing in a dark, damp warehouse building in Hull has shaped the dark nature of the song.” This darkness is captured in the single’s somewhat tortured vocal and eerie instrumental middle section.

With their scuzzy and feverish grunge riffs LUMER are fast becoming a manic force to be reckoned with. Recently likened to acts such as Yak, King Nun and Black Flag, LUMER have bloomed out of Hull’s thriving
alternative music scene, holding the garagepunk torch aloft and lighting the way for the angry and the disenfranchised. Formed in the wintery beginnings of 2016, LUMER have develop their cryptic post-punk sound and have gone on to play high-octane shows supporting Life on their UK tour, Weirds and Vulgarians on their Manchester dates plus a performance at the prestigious Rough Trade Nottingham. Facebook here.

'Gruel' is one of those "cut to the chase" pieces. Post punk, ploughs straight into some alt rock, full of attitude, angst and passion. The resulting explosion of incredibly fresh music, gives hope to first generation punks. Those who remain in search of a refill of those years of the youthful vigour. Something only punk genres can deliver.

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Chances - Leave The Light On.

Background from Chances - We are excited to be releasing our new single after our debut single received so much support from listeners and taste makers like you. 

The song is about trusting that you’ve got some things to learn along the way from the connections in life that may be fleeting yet beautiful. It describes going ahead with something or someone, even when you know right from the start that it may not take you all the way to the finish line.

Musically, the song features a rhythmic counter-play between the melody and percussion. We wanted the vocals to be uplifting - infused with a feeling of hope and possibility. Near the end of the song you can hear some french lyrics weaved into the line; reflecting our roots.

We came together in Montreal in 2016 to sketch out a few songs, just to see where uninhibited brainstorming might lead us. New rules brought new possibilities, one person’s writer’s block became another’s building block. Website here, Facebook here.

And if alternative pop is not enough 'Leave The Light On' takes us into the wonderland of experimental pop, and by it's very credentials establishes such a place exists. With this song, it is also clearly thriving.

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My Favourite Things - Feltworth - Alan Getto - Twin Bandit - The Search

My Favourite Things - A Little Closer.

Background - Brooklyn-based quartet My Favourite Things have announced the new album ‘Fly I Will, Because I Can’, which is slated for release on July 14, 2017, but are already teasing the first single 'A Little Closer, loaded with shoegaze and dreampop goodness.

This is the third album from My Favourite Things, founded in Brooklyn by Dorothea Tachler (formerly of Igloo, The Swirlies, Alles Wie Gross). Fans of Beach House, Broadcast, dreampop and shoegaze should enjoy the album’s melancholic swaying, melody-rich offerings. This album should also appeal to lovers of acoustic folk music artists such as James Yorkston and Bonnie “Prince” Billy.

From a young age, her Korean/German/Croatian background has immersed her in a diversity of musical influences, which have shaped her. In 2009, she released “rarara” (Afterhours/Japan), followed by “Tomorrow’s Far Away” in 2013, featuring guest vocals from several friends and former band-mates, including Valerie Trebeljahr of Lali Puna, Damon Tutunjan from The Swirlies, Daru Oda (Norah Jones), Sean Meadows (June of 4, Lungfish), and Doug Scharin (Codeine, HIM, Rex).

Once again, Dorothea wrote and produced all the songs with their many textures, owing to the use of multiple instruments, many of which she also played: violins, flutes and autoharps weave in and out of twinkling glockenspiels, vibraphones and intricate, sometimes shredding guitars, delivered on a solid bed of a grabbing bass and ripping drums, with Dorothea’s balmy voice hovering and twinkling atop. Website here, Facebook here.

'A Little Closer' is one of twelve tracks on the new album 'Fly I Will, Because I Can'. This new collection of material is awash with dreamy, melodic and soothing songs. As a whole I would describe the album as more high quality dream pop than shoegaze, it's refinement and fabulous production, should give the album some deserved attention and wide appeal.

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Feltworth - Forget This Feeling.

Background - Feltworth is a 4-piece rock band consisting of Dezi Feltworth (bass, vocals), his brother Manny Feltworth (guitar, vocals), Morris Katzenburd (piano, keyboards) and Cozy Balboa (drums, tambourine). You may, of course, know of them already if you have children at arm’s length. Feltworth has been an outrageously successful act on the children’s music scene for many years. They burst into the limelight early in their career with their first album of music for youngsters called Super Duper. 

They followed that smash record with both Felty, Felty Places and We’re Feltworth, a pair of multi-platinum releases that saw the “fabric four” begin to add more original material to their repertoire of tried and true children’s classics. Their game changing fourth album, Beanbag Town, was their first album of all original songs for kids. It’s still considered a high water mark on the spectrum of adolescent entertainment.

Though regarded as financially and commercially successful, the fellows of Feltworth didn’t feel creatively satisfied by being pigeon-holed as children’s act. So, against their manager’s wishes, they’ve embarked on making a real pop/rock record that reflects their own personality and their influences - be it The Sweet, Paul McCartney, Brian Eno or Rupert Holmes. With the change in direction, they are challenging their core audience and seeking new listeners. 

It’s been a tough-sell to their manager and label, so the band has decided to self-finance the new recordings that will be released via their own Dezman Productions label. The first release from this brand new batch of activity is a limited edition orange coloured 7” single featuring the rocking “Forget This Feeling” (lead vocals by Manny) and the longing romanticism of “You Turn Me On” (lead vocals by Dezi). There’s more music to come. The past is behind them. The future awaits-ish. Feltworth - Forget This Feeling / You Turn Me On, release date: June 02, 2017. Facebook here.

Having watched and listened to the video, without reading the promo I was a tad confused. Being too old and grumpy to be familiar with the bands background, 'Forget This Feeling' came across as a bright and breezy, unpretentious surf pop type song, with a ridiculous video. OK so now I an on message, and it's still a fine tune.


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Alan Getto - Change.

Background - Alternative folk rock singer-songwriter and guitarist Alan Getto shares his new single, "Change." His debut album, Versus, is due out August 2017. The LP was recorded over one long weekend at Studio 101A in Southern New Hampshire. The recordings were mixed by Simon Katz and mastered by Jonathan Wyner (David Bowie, Nirvana, Miles Davis) a Berklee professor and Chief Mastering Engineer at M-Works.

Inspired by paradoxical elements of life and examining his own transition into his current lifestyle, Getto finds a perfect balance between various dualities through his artistic expression. Having recently located to an unfinished farmhouse in Western Pennsylvania from Brooklyn, Versus presents Getto's personal confrontation with his own ambivalence. The album intentionally plays with cliché oppositions such as nature vs. the city, good vs. the bad and male vs. female. One can’t exist without the other, and for anything to exist, there must be a degree of conflict: "the versus." 

Getto's guitar-driven, simple melodies act as a backbone for the lyrical emphasis in his music. Having studied literature, theology, and philosophy in college, his lyrics pay homage to these intense, existential topics, but with a unique, irreverent spin. Tracks, "Soap In My Whiskey," and "It's Fine; You're Ugly," present Getto's blunt voice and narrative, with gorgeous melodies and organic, roots-y instrumentals. Getto is inspired by rock, blues and folk legends, such as Tom Waits and The Band, and newer folk artists including, Steve Gunn, Lady Lamb, The Tallest Man On Earth and Deer Tick. 

Once Getto had the concept, which was embodied by Leah Blanchette’s cover art, he enlisted friends to play on the album: three out of four members of the Boston “guerilla roots” band Damn Tall Buildings, along with cellist Kurt Villiard, drummer Tim Maxwell and pianist Jeff Davison.

Having previously released a live EP, All Different Times, Versus is the first full-length body of work to be released by Getto. While in Brooklyn, Getto performed around the city at various venues but has since moved out to the country, where he'll finish renovations on his farmhouse during the release of the record. Bandcamp here, Facebook here.

There's a pleasing laid back vibe that courses it's way through 'Change'. Add in the earnest vocals and some classic, bluesy guitar work and we have one superbly natural song, and a real teaser for the August album release.

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Twin Bandit - Everything Under the Sun.

Background - "Everything Under the Sun was one of our first experiences with Co-writing. We were excited to be in Nashville for the first time and wanted to write a song that expressed our gratitude. A tune for the highway on a sunny day, feeling your freedom, bright eyed and thankful."

The song comes from their new album 'Full Circle', which will be out this summer on Nettwerk Music Group.

Twin Bandit is Hannah Walker and Jamie Elliott. Together they bring you an intimate folk/roots performance with strong harmonies & original songs. Website here, Facebook here.

Melodic and refreshing vocals are supported by a smooth mixture of country, folk and roots orientated music. 'Everything Under the Sun' is deliciously addictive as the melody and harmonies add extra sparkle. Album eagerly awaited!

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The Search - I Call You Home.

Background - The band was originally formed under the name “The Silverslut” in 1999 and they recorded 6 EPs before evolving into The Search in 2004. The group has since released 6 studio albums and has faced many changes in their line-up until it was eventually reduced to a trio shortly before the release of their record “Our Need for Solace” (2014).

Their new album “Songs about Losers” comprises 17 dark/dream pop tracks that remind us of The Smiths and many other British guitar bands of the 80s. Nevertheless, The Search’s minimalistic sound is modern and authentic, providing the perfect ambiance for their emotion-filled stories to unfold. Heart and soul of The Search is Razmig Tekeyan, a talented musician who once again proves his ability to embrace plenty of life’s experiences and blend them into his compositions and lyrics.

Their new album “Songs about Losers” was recorded and produced in the band’s own studio and mastered by Magnus Lindberg in Stockholm, Sweden. “Songs about Losers” may not change the world as we know it but listen to it with an open mind and you may be surprised. Facebook here.

The first of seventeen tracks 'I Call You Home' is a fine indicator of the timeless album that is, 'Songs About Losers'. The sheer number of songs, is not delivered at the expense of quality or originality. In fact for me it is rather a case of being spoilt for choice, and it will take a good few listens before I can narrow down to, which songs are my favourites. Their back catalogue may take some time to go through.

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Beauty Sleep - Carrington MacDuffie - Velvet Flare - The Peace Life - Munroe

Beauty Sleep - All In.

Background - Beauty Sleep are back and have just played their first UK shows at The Great Escape Festival last week. To support, the dream pop 3-piece have a new single ready here called All In.

Turns out the tales are true and one can quite simply never have enough beauty sleep, especially when it’s in the form of a dreamy pop three-piece. Beauty Sleep were born after a bonding session ft. fridge magnets, rude words and a lot of G&T’s (creatives eh) and just one year down the line are giving Belfast another name (on top of Snow Patrol, Two Door Cinema Club and Pleasure Beach) to shout about.

All In when it comes to their upcoming debut EP “Nature Will Eat Me”. “All In” see’s us met straight away with the serene synths we have grown to expect from the trio which, although shockingly somehow manage to seem enough alone, are joined shortly by a pop-meets-indie-and-gets-on-very-well drumbeat and keys. Skip to the chorus and prepare to be hooked, quite literally. With a melody and lyrics highlighting yet again Beauty Sleep’s ‘Sparkling Songwriting’ and guitars reminiscent of Fickle Friends, expect a hook that could challenge even the best of pop ‘hey’s. Facebook here.

'All In' has a vibrant dream pop vibe, where melodies, vocals and harmonies all compete for our attention. For me it's a case of attention gained and I'm loving it!

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Carrington MacDuffie - Rock Me To Mars.

Background - Carrington MacDuffie recently released her latest EP, Rock Me To Mars. The six-tracks were all produced by Rob Halverson, and recorded at his Halversonics studio in Austin. A multi-genre artist, Carrington describes her music “electronic Americana,” while reviewers have called it “alt-cabaret.”

Carrington wrote the songs for Rock Me To Mars on ukulele and keyboards, and plays both acoustic and electric ukulele on the EP. In addition to producing, Rob also plays multiple synths, baritone, bass, guitar, hammered dulcimer, and accordion on the tracks. They were joined on various tracks by Thor Harris on drums, Daniel Jones on drums, and Paul Klemperer on saxophone.

Rock Me To Mars features more electronic influences than her previous recordings, utilizing filters, synths, and voice modulation.

“I’m fascinated with electricity, and how it can be manipulated to make sound,” says Carrington. “I like experimenting with unconventional ways of integrating electronic sounds into my music.”

The title track, “Rock Me to Mars,” is a love letter – of sorts – to a guitarist… but keep in mind Carrington says, “it seems like I always fall in love with every musician I ever played with. It just translates for me that romance and making music are practically interchangeable.” Website here, Facebook here.

'Rock Me To Mars' gives a good feel for the EP. Title track and one of six, it typifies the meeting of natural Americana and electronic sounds, the latter complementing and adding to the songs, rather than dominating. The result is a melodic and desirable EP produced to a high standard.


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Velvet Flare - Ice Age.

Background - Following the release of the singles “6th of June” and “Animal”, Brisbane rock band Velvet Flare announce the release of their latest single “Ice Age” from their forthcoming EP, Archetypes. 

“Ice Age” is a modern tragedy. A girl, who likes her ecstasy, meets a boy whose new drug of choice is crystal meth. In a moment of violence he kills her. The haunting refrain in the outro: “It looks like she showed him now” is pure irony and sadly cynical. “Ice Age” was recorded, mixed and mastered by Slade Gibson at Slade Gibson Music studio, The Gap, Brisbane.

Velvet Flare was formed by Paul English. He writes the music and lyrics, sings vocals, plays the guitars, and some keyboards. Patrick Kennedy plays piano and most keyboard parts. Patrick also provides live Background Vocals. Slade Gibson is a studio only member of Velvet Flare. He has written and played bass, occasional guitar solos and keyboards parts, and has programmed drums. Slade mixed and mastered the songs. 

‘Ice Age’ is in in Digital Stores now, The Archetypes EP by Velvet Flare will be released 9th of June 2017. Facebook here.

It would be easy to draw comparisons with other artists with Velvet Flare, however for me, at least they are some of the finest. 'Ice Age' is full of hooks and has something of an eighties vibe to it, alongside a more modern, richer production quality.


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The Peace Life - Ethenogen.

Background - The Peace Life are a married couple from Minneapolis, Minnesota who have already established their unique brand of euphoric Folk music through the independent release of two albums and a single.

Their latest album 'Jupiter Beach' features seven original tracks with cover artwork designed and hand-painted by Tessa. Jack plays the majority of instruments on the album, including rhythm and lead guitar, drums, percussion and saxophone.

The Peace Life strive to spread positive and peaceful vibrations through their potent blend of retro Folk Rock, Jazz and World Music with a modern twist. 

With a knack for mind-bending, poetical and meaningful lyrics, O’Connor’s songwriting delves into the mystical cosmos, influenced by the likes of Joni Mitchell, The Grateful Dead, The Beatles, John Lennon, Elliott Smith, King Tubby, Pink Floyd and Radiohead. Facebook here.

From the 'Jupiter Beach' album we have 'Ethenogen'. I love the above description of their music as "euphoric folk" as it has stopped me from trying to come up with a decent enough expression. Take that as their musical anchor point, The Peace Life have a long chain and can drift comfortably into other genres and styles.

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Munroe - Oblivion.

Background - Following her self-titled EP, Munroe has announced the forthcoming release of her debut full length Oblivion - out June 16, 2017. Sonically influenced by spaghetti westerns and 60s film scores, the artist also cites the presence and intimacy of vocalists such as Vashti Bunyan and Angel Olsen as musical inspiration. Along with the announce comes the release of the LP’s title track.

Munroe says of the track, “‘Oblivion’ is a confessional, or an exploration of confession. I'd been thinking about a whack of material that deals with that territory - some kind of rupture in the space between private and public selves.” She cites crime stories such as ‘The Jinx’ and ‘Serial’ as examples. “I think there's something interesting about a kamikaze instinct; the way we get compelled to do things that are identifiably bad. I had this idea of someone pleading a case for their own damnation, listing all the bad things they'd done, bargaining with a void, and the image of that conversation is what I was playing with here.”

Born in Hamilton, ON, the artist now splits her time between Toronto and Los Angeles both acting and making music. Michael Keire (co-producer), Benjamin Munoz , and Anthony Carone (Arkells) were all collaborators on this new record and helped Munroe fully develop her ideas into the final 8 vulnerable and confessional tracks. Facebook here.

Haunting and atmospheric from the beginning, 'Oblivion' is a beautifully crafted song. As a teaser for her debut album, it sets expectations high, that said a song half this good will still be wonderful.

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