Pocket Of Lollipops - RJ Thompson - Marble Mammoth - 1971

Pocket Of Lollipops - Ever Needles.

Background - Official video for Ever Needles by Pocket Of Lollipops pays homage to people saying women are weak because they cry. Studies show that when men cry, they are viewed sympathetically, while women are often labeled dramatic, irrational, or manipulative if they turn on the faucet. Crying is a natural healing system.  It's time we reclaim our right to cry, since we have tons of suppressed feelings that are now being voiced by celebrities.

For example treatment of women on social media, sparked by the uproar over actress Rose McGowan's or from Pussy Riot, Nadya Tolokonnikova saying “It’s important not to say to yourself, ‘Oh, it’s O.K..  This video is Pocket Of Lollipops  response to it all, sexual, political, economical; Maitejosune has made her self seem vulnerable for the cameras but the truth is she has healed, and now the viewer has to experience the pain that we constantly hide.

For the Video Ever Needles, Maitejosune took all her angst, tears for the last 2 years and refused to comment on things or even talk about any situation that was confrontational. She held it all in, sometimes she was ill because of it, but she saved those tears for film. She kept telling Tony (husband and drummer of Pocket Of Lollipops) I will let them out soon just have the camera ready. So the band created a "Crying Corner". This past May she texted Tony "I'm on may home, I'm ready for the crying corner." Once she came in she told Tony don't ask questions just tape," I told him to ignore what I was saying,".

Even when Tony watched the footage during editing he would erk at the visual of Maite. Maite's whole goal was to show we all cry. I could be upset about the current political turmoil, a death, the jerks who cut me off. The idea of holding all that tension is what she wanted to release on camera. She worked with Jacqiline Soire to create the other footage. Jacquline had not seen the crying corner footage but Maite did mention they would be combined some how. WEBSITE, FACEBOOK.

Concentrating on the song 'Ever Needles' first, its a creative and absorbing piece which mixes voices and distant vocals above an addictive soundtrack. The video makes sense thanks to the background details above. It is of course quite personal as tears always are.


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RJ Thompson - Blackout Windows.

Background - RJ Thompson has built a name for himself in recent months as one of the countries strongest up and coming singer-songwriters. His poignant lyrics perfectly capture the mood of the past 12 months, with songs that won’t fail to resonate, and all are set against a colourful (and at times nostalgic) soundscape that goes far beyond modern-day singer-songwriter stereotypes.

RJ is an artist who’s had to graft for every great opportunity that’s come his way, getting his big break through consistently playing grass-roots music venues, pubs and clubs in his native North-East. It was a night in Hartlepool where the work paid off. A sound engineer at an open mic night was working with Live Aid organiser and Ultravox frontman Midge Ure. The engineer submitted RJ as a support act, leading to more than 30 shows touring the UK and Europe. Support shows with Gabrielle Aplin, Deacon Blue and Jools Holland (including a performance at the Royal Albert Hall) soon followed as well as several EPs and a live album.

“Up here in the North East there is a saying… “shy bairns get nowt”. You’ve got to put yourself out there, asking and doing, if you want to make any progress. So that’s what I did throughout my early years. I got out and posted my demos to all the local promoters, played at the grassroots venues, the local festivals, and any community event going - even those that had absolutely nothing to do with music!. Every single show has taught me something.”

Now, RJ is stepping out with his first full studio LP “Echo Chamber”. The album features guest appearances from John Waugh, saxophone player for The 1975, and ex-Bellowhead cellist Rachael McShane and serves as a sonic departure from RJ’s traditional singer-songwriter background. After a few tracks, a love for analogue synthesizers and strong electronic-pop production becomes evident. With tracks like ‘The Girl & The Gunman’, ‘Echo Chamber’ and ‘Think About You’, we can hear distinctive retro arpeggios and lush synth chords - perfected with a contemporary mixdown and epic production standard. WEBSITE, FACEBOOK.

The second of nine songs on the 'Echo Chamber' album is 'Blackout Windows' our featured track. It's is typical of the high quality production that is present throughout the collection. Musically and vocally RJ Thompson can and does vary the style, his songwriting is notable as is the quality of musicianship, overall this is a timeless sounding collection of contemporary pop if you will excuse the possible juxtaposition with that description.


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Marble Mammoth - The Girl Of A 1000 Thrills.

Background - Swedish, Stockholm based Marble Mammoth wanders seamlessly between classic genres in a dynamic mix of energetic riff based rock and dreamy, melodic psychedelia. A furious rhythm section, screaming organs and fuzzy guitars greets you on their latest single ”The Girl of a 1000 Thrills”, and give you a taste of what’s to come.

The five track self-titled EP immediately draws your mind to the experimental side of early Tame Impala or even classic rock acts like Led Zeppelin, and we find our self as much in the late 60’s as in the present.

"Marble Mammoth is in many ways defined by an endless search. So it only feels natural that the EP sound the way it does. The songs were written in a state of emotional turmoil, and it wasn't until afterward, with some distance, that I really understood what they were all about." – Tobias Bergholm (singer and guitarist)

With band members that have previously played in bands such as The Unisex, that has shared stage with The Libertines, and Dollhouse, that’s been touring the world and done collaborations with Mike Davis (MC5) and Nicke Andersson (The Hellacopters/Imperial State Electric), this is nothing but a pleasant new acquaintance on the Swedish and the international rock scene.

”The Girl of a 1000 Thrills” is out on all digital platforms on November 17th with the full EP to follow on November 24th. FACEBOOK.

A month to the day since we first featured Marble Mammoth they make a welcome return with 'The Girl Of A 1000 Thrills'. Last month we commented "Old school classic rock with a refreshingly modern twist," this time the alt rock vibes are clearer, the power is if anything even more intense, as is the vocal passion.

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1971 - Anxiety (In the Depths of Northwestern Ontario).

Background from 1971 - In February 2017 our bassist, founding member, and friend Cameron Glen Cranston suddenly passed away in the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Center. He was 25 years old.

We as a band decided to not continue without our brother. Now we’re releasing our last existing recordings with Cameron; two demos we recorded for a grant we received and one of his songs.

The first track “Anxiety (In the Depths of Northwestern Ontario)” was written for Cam in 2016 during a really difficult period while Cam was still around. We’re glad we have “his” song, even though it’s hard to listen to sometimes.

We’ll be releasing this song as well as two others on cassette and 7” vinyl via Art of the Uncarved Block this December 1st. The EP is called No Matter Where You Go, There You Are. We really hope this release properly puts this band to rest and we hope it touches some people who might have experienced something similar to what we went through. Cameron was a great musician and an inspiration to a lot of people he knew. He deserves to be heard and remembered. FACEBOOK.

With the sad passing of band member Cameron Glen Cranston, 1971 understandably have decided to conclude proceedings. All of which makes 'Anxiety (In the Depths of Northwestern Ontario)' a more poignant song. It is also a beautiful track and a stunning tribute of sorts, to a clearly missed young man. In any other setting I would be calling for more.


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Autumn - Useless - Small Reactions - Dot.s - Panteon

Autumn - the fall.

Background - Chicago's newly-formed Sett Records has announced the release of "the fall", the new maxi-single by Minneapolis-based trio autumn, who, in their 20 plus years, have always made a big sound.

Autumn is Julie Plante (vocals), Jeff Leyda (bass), and Neil McKay (guitars). Forming in Minneapolis in 1994, autumn has always sought to create melodies that get the listener to feel something deeply, that have the ability to haunt you in some way after the fact. The band released two albums on Tess Records - "the hating tree" (1996) and "return to the breath" (1999), with accompanying tours in support of each album before taking an extended hiatus.

Time, and perhaps fortune, brought them back to the source, each looking to express that nameless feeling that drew them together so many years previous. In 2016, a plan was hatched, and they contacted producer William Faith (Faith and the Muse, Christian Death, The March Violets, The Bellwether Syndicate), who had produced autumn’s debut album with the idea to bring the home team back together to produce something new, with a bit of old world charm.

Between the lost promises of summer and the bitter austerity of winter lives the time between; the shorter, pallid days, the dying leaves, the melancholic reflection of time as it passes… This pensive time between has been evoked and pondered in the words of poets ranging from Yeats to Keats, and once again it finds sublime expression in the lush, passionate, melodic, dark pop of autumn.

"the fall" is the band's brand-new 3-song single, produced by William Faith and released on Sett Records. Leading off with the track “the fall” the band inhabit the onerous tension between ire and loss, with vocalist Julie Plante spitting “I saw the light, and it was not where I needed it to be” over the haunting guitar refrains of Neil McKay and Jeff Leyda’s serpentine bass work, driving the beat onward. WEBSITE, FACEBOOK.

There is something just a little Gothic sounding with 'the fall' however it is more than that. Layers of atmospheric music swirls beneath the dramatic and emotional vocals, the song builds (& builds) into a storm of passion, fabulous. The second track 'Before & After' if anything takes the emotional vibes even further, followed by a remix of 'the fall' that turns everything around in a curious way, one that I am still not sure about. That said, Autumn have something special on offer with these songs.

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Useless - Madcap.

Background - A lot of bands have dreamed of it - Useless from Winterthur finally have made it!

They've been invited to play on mainstage of Musikfestwochen Winterthur, one of the country's most renowned festivals. 

With their playful grunge and noise-rock they took the audience in a storm. Now Useless release their new ep 'Neglect' with their leadsingle 'Madcap'. 

There the band is combining the melancholy sound of the 90s with their very own energy. Overall lies a strong lo-fi-attitude - and a strong brash feeling. FACEBOOK. 

From the five track EP 'Neglect' we have the opening song 'Madcap' a gritty and loud rocker, with a potent rhythm and fully fuelled vocals. Don't expect any respite from the other four tracks, Useless might be the bands name, but when it comes to serving up Grungy, powerful and addictive rock, they are nothing of the sort.


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Small Reactions - Dinner Song / Dot.s - Rose Lens.

Background - Small Reactions / Dots.s split single release has just been released through Chunklet Records.

Small Reactions: “I’m dying for your light,” Small Reactions’ singer and guitarist Scotty Hoffman sings on the band’s new single “Dinner Song.” Serving as the track’s brief refrain, the line is perhaps more like a mantra for the band’s current state. Small Reactions has always written pop songs, but noise, grit, and reckless abandon helped to not get too comfortable with the label “pop music.” 

On “Dinner Song,” though, the band lets the track stand on its own as an unapologetically catchy single. Trimmed to a taught 3:02, the song finds the band as relentless as ever, but its crystalline post-punk foundation is embraced head on. Polish might not be the right word (it intentionally never will be for Small Reactions), but clarity of sound and purpose is. 16th notes hi-hats, 12-string guitars, a kettle drum, and a file cabinet: it’s a good look. Perhaps pop music is subversive after all? FACEBOOK.
  
Dot.s: Dot.s is the little baby that Ryan James and his friends Bonnie, Joe, Nick, and Garrett brought into the world under their mutual love for drums and synthesizers and the way people move when the two are put together in the right way. Since their initial formation in 2015, 

Dot.s have released two full length albums {Jellyfiss (2015) and We Swim (2016)}. While the two are different in theme and scope, they both attempt to take “dance music” to a place that is unfamiliar and confusing and sweet. “Rose Lens,” their third official release and first official one-off/not-on-an-album thing. It was recorded with Damon Moon at Standard Electric Co. in Atlanta, Georgia. FACEBOOK.

A split single where first we have Small Reactions and 'Dinner' Song'. A tight indie rocker, the vocals are well up in the mix giving the song some character, whilst the band deliver up some pop warmth. Dot.s follow with 'Rose Lens' a psych vibe is there from the opening notes as synths and vocals are supported by more traditional sounds. The contrast between the two songs is significant, however putting them together works really well, they compliment each other in a fine way.


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Panteon - Ballyvaughan.

Background - Brooklyn-based indie-folk singer songwriter, Panteon shares her new single, "Ballyvaughan." The new track comes from Panteon's forthcoming, debut EP, Travel Log 1, due out January 19th.

Curated, written, produced and performed by Yvonne Ambrée, the debut EP is inspired by travels across Europe and The Americas, each composition serving as an ode to the experience of a specific locale. True to its name, the 6 tracks are a charmed soundscape built for going down the road, through the sea, and into the sky. Gorgeous photos (taken by Ambrée herself) of the locations highlighted on the EP were also taken to accompany the tracks, and can be seen in the artwork.

"Ballyvaughan" was written as an ode to Ireland's western coast on the Atlantic. Impose says, "The title of the song – “Ballyvaughan” – comes from the small harbor village close to ‘The Burren’ — a unique rocky wilderness area. Boireann, means “great rock” in Irish and ‘The Burren’ is one of the most beautiful places Ambrée says she’s ever been," adding "A place like this could pull the poetry out of anyone, but there’s something in the way Ambrée expresses it with her dreamy vocals, introspective lyrics, and sonic precision."

An accomplished vocalist, songwriter and musician, Ambrée has traveled the world touring and working with a wide range of artists, such as Sleigh Bells, Little Boots, Lulu Gainsbourg, Eli “Paperboy” Reed and legendary soul singers, such as Syl Johnson, Ann Sexton and Gwen McCrae. She is also one-half of the critically acclaimed duo Take Berlin. WEBSITE, FACEBOOK.

We featured 'White Jaguar' by Panteon less than a month ago and now 'Ballyvaughan' gives us a second helping of gorgeous vocals and another melodic and atmospheric piece. Indie Folk with creative twists and more, this is a very impressive song.

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Mean Motor Scooter - Jonny Taylor - Billy Momo - Table Scraps - Trudy and the Romance - The Night Ships

Mean Motor Scooter - Wavespotting.

Background - Texan quartet, Mean Motor Scooter, hit the road in support their debut full-length. Mean Motor Scooter is a four-piece Garage Rock band from Fort Worth, Texas. Their self-titled debut EP came out in August 2015. In March 2016 the band released two singles "Naked Brunch" and "Such a Seducer."

They were awarded "Best Rock Band" at the 2016 Fort Worth Weekly Music Awards. In 2017 the group was awarded "EP of the Year", "Band of the Year" and "Artist of the Year" by the Fort Worth Weekly. Their first full length record, Hindu Flying Machine was released in October 2017 by Dirty Water Records USA.

Mean Motor Scooter are Sammy Kidd - Guitar and Vocals, Joe Tacke - Bass and Vocals, Rebekah Elizabeth - Organ and Vocals, Jeff Friedman - Drums and Vocals. France's DIG IT Magazine was overjoyed by the arrival when they exclaimed " "Masterfully out-of-control. Exploding the limits of the genre. Just monumental." - Dig It! (FR). FACEBOOK, BANDCAMP.


We featured Mean Motor Scooter last month however the opportunity to share another song and provide their tour details is a little to good to pass up on. 'Wavespotting' is an incendiary blast of wild garage rock, with epic portions of punk insanity, would you expect anything less from this band?

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Jonny Taylor - Diamonds.

Background - Jonny Taylor is incredibly pleased to share the arrival of his new album Dig Deep, an eclectic yet cohesive collection of songs balancing on the edge of contemporary rock with a hint of grunge and a pinch of hard country. Debuting at #3 on the iTunes Singer Songwriter chart and four years in the making since Jonny’s debut Something to Say landed in the ARIA charts, Dig Deep is loaded with classic songwriting throughout, spearheaded by the thoughtfully penned and guitar driven single Diamonds.

Following on from the upbeat Better Day, Jonny says of Diamonds, "Life doesn't always go our way. Things pop up every day to test us, even when we think we've got it all figured out. Diamonds touches on the notion of just moving forward, no matter what's thrown our way." An emotionally charged musician, Jonny seamlessly fuses his skill for a great melody with his passion for a meaningful story. That natural approach is evident in Dig Deep with the songs creating an expedition through life - delivered in a beautifully produced, high impact, high-energy album.

As an exceptionally committed touring artist based in the small rural WA town of Dumbleyung, Jonny's life on the road has earned him a reputation as one of the hardest working and most powerful young singer songwriters around, often averaging 180 shows annually. 2018 looks to be no different as national dates are starting to accumulate including slots at the coveted Tamworth and Sydney Country Rocks festivals.

With Better Day scoring airplay around the country and Diamonds sure to follow suit, the timing couldn’t be better for Dig Deep to cement Jonny Taylor as one the brightest prospects Australia has to offer. WEBSITE, FACEBOOK.

With his distinct and natural country rock vocals, Jonny Taylor gives 'Diamonds' depth and feeling and plenty of energy that engages the listener. The level of maturity and confidence he brings to his music is perhaps there in part due to his time spent touring, where clearly he has developed considerable talent.


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Billy Momo - We Need Another Shovel.

Background - Billy Momo is a Swedish 7-piece band with diverse musical roots and an instantly recognizable sound. The songwriters Tomas "Barba" Juto and Oskar "Orren" Hovell and their assorted band of merrily bearded men produce music that sounds like it grew out of the warm soil of the American South, yet with a distinctive Scandinavian flavor thrown into the mix.

With three full-length albums already in their catalog, Billy Momo now release a three song EP called "Umbrellas, wings and magic things". The new songs combine the sprawling quirkiness of the first albums 'Ordinary Men' and 'Drunktalk' with the high-end production of their latest effort 'Seven Rivers Wild'. Fans will recognize the D.I.Y. spirit and the musical eclecticism, yet find fresh blood in the ever-expanding horizons of the band's creativity. Newcomers will hear a deeply personal and instantly intriguing sound which draws from many sources, yet sounds like nothing else.

The flavors of Billy Momo are rich and varied, deep grooves meet soulful harmony vocals, with lyrics probing the sometimes murky waters of personal experience. The wide stylistic range of the musicians can take the songs on surprising detours while always remaining true to the core sound.

A Billy Momo live performance always features their quirky sense of humor, which often has a dark undercurrent, and the members of the band are all characters that take on a life of their own during the concerts, with an almost theatrical flair. Their various life stories (which may or may not be rooted in reality, who can tell for sure?) weave tales of broken hearts, debauchery and sometimes more sinister themes.

The intimidating and vaguely threatening Preacher Man, the easygoing charmer Barba, the banjo-wielding raconteur Orren, the playful and usually guffawing Gramps, the colorful soloists Hot Lips and The Head and the mysterious and ever-sarcastic The Coffa make a fascinating cast of characters that keep the audience intrigued and amused throughout the performance. FACEBOOK.

It's pretty much a year to the day since I was introduced to the wonderful music of Billy Momo. 'We Need Another Shovel' continues where they left off last time around, the bands Americana vibes are there alongside some refined pop sensibilities. The video adds a little humour and lots of atmosphere to this fabulous song.


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Table Scraps - Sick Of Me.

Background - Table Scraps have announced their new album 'Autonomy' and premiered a brand new track from it, 'Sick Of Me'. On the song, Scott Vincent Abbott of the band has said “'Sick of Me’ is about when friendships stagnate and minor annoyance gives way to mouldering resentment. 

Then juxtapose that feeling on top of a jangly sunshine pop backdrop (or as close to that as we ever get!). The echo of our breeze block 5m x 5m (and very un-soundproofed) room also perfectly suited the track’s claustrophobic feel. It’s dedicated to everyone just about keeping a lid on telling that one person how you really feel and cutting them loose.”

Their upcoming LP is due out via Zen Ten on February 23rd. Table Scraps have also announced a string of dates supporting the likes of Swedish Death Candy, Black Lips & more. FACEBOOK.

Live Dates::

NOVEMBER
20 - Hare & Hounds, Birmingham (w/Black Lips)
22 - Bierkeller, Bristol (w/Black Lips)
25 - Old Blue Last, London (Free entry)

DECEMBER
9 - The Five Bells, New Cross (w/Peeping Drexels & HUSSY)
12 - Hyde Park Book Club, Leeds (w/secret headliner)

FEBRUARY
23 - Foodhall, Sheffield
27 - Hope & Ruin, Brighton
28 - Shacklewell Arms, London

MARCH
1 - 60MPC, Bournemouth
2 - Hare & Hounds, Birmingham
3 - Old England, Bristol

'Sick Of Me' is straight to the chase garage punk, where energy, menace, and emotion is packed into just over two minutes of angst ridden rock.

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Trudy and the Romance - Junkyard Cat.

Background - With whip-smart imagination and tongues firmly lodged in cheeks, Trudy and the Romance are nowhere boys for the 21st century. Following the release of singles ‘Is There A Place I Can Go’ and the stomping ‘Twist It, Shake It. Rock & Roll’, Trudy today release their ‘Junkyard Jazz’ EP.

Along with Dream Wife and Pixx, Trudy were another of 20 artists picked out of 1200 applications nationwide to have been awarded PRS momentum funding to go towards the recording of their debut album slated for the end of next year. Champions on the wireless come in the form of John Kennedy, BBC Radio 1’s Huw Stephens & Phil Taggart and 6 Music’s Steve Lamacq. KCRW have also given the group their backing with plays coming in from Marion Hodges, Dan Wilcox, Jason Kramer, Chris Douridas among many others.

With the introduction of keys player Alex Stephens Trudy and the Romance have become the complete package, otherworldly, odd and tightrope-dancing somewhere between reality and fantasy, on show in the band’s recent VEVO Dscvr Session.

“We’re real-meets-cartoon… kind of tacky but great, y’know, it’s trashy,” Trudy’s singer and guitarist, Olly, explains. “It’s a bit like Ralph Bakshi’s Cool World, Who Framed Roger Rabbit, Mary Poppins or Space Jam.”

The group have just completed a second UK headline tour playing packed venues up and down the country with slots supporting The Fall and Happyness and appearances at Swn, Ritual Union and Mirrors festivals. WEBSITE, FACEBOOK.

Trudy and the Romance are back for a fourth appearance on Beehive Candy and this time they impress with 'Junkyard Cat'. The bands "Mutant 50's Pop" is in good form, their individual and stylish swagger everywhere, and just enough feel good vibes to put a smile on my face.

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The Night Ships - Half The World.

Background - Half The World, the new single of Dutch-Australian duo The Night Ships, is a song drawing together different melodic and rhythmic elements from countries across the globe, resulting in a beat-driven anthem that will lodge itself in your bones. 

The bass was recorded in South Africa, and the sitar, tar and percussion were recorded just off the Naqsh-e Jahan square in Iran. Translated, its name means “half the world”, and points to the city of Isfahan’s majesty and beauty, as well as the population’s joyous underground celebration of music and dancing. In the same way, the contributors to the song, which include a choir of singers from The Netherlands, the US, Canada, Uruguay, France, England and Ireland, a violinist from Chile, and stunning album artwork from an Australian designer, round off the song’s global reach.

The lyrics of the song are a call to action to women in all countries – and to men – to combat the tyranny of violence, oppression and discrimination that women face every day as half of the world’s inhabitants. It is also a tribute to the work of women, past and present, who strive together to change the world, and to make it a place where men and women in all countries can experience equal rights, opportunity and status. Half the World is a warning that the future itself is bound to change, and that such change is inevitable. As a song with sweeping harmonies, sumptuous strings, and a driving beat, you won’t be able to stop at one listen…

Half The World is released this week on BERT Music (a division of TCBYML) and available for purchase/streaming on all known digital platforms. FACEBOOK.

The Night Ships have created a fascinating and genre defying song with 'Half The World', which somehow packs so many styles and directions into the song and yet remains both coherent and catchy.

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Veronica Bianqui - Rosie Carney - Koda - ONR - Chances

Veronica Bianqui - Victim.

Background - Garage-pop artist, Veronica Bianqui is releasing a new music video for her single, "Victim". “I wrote this song when I started discovering how being emotionally co-dependent has negatively affected my life by creating a pattern of self-victimization. Now, to me, it represents the hope for addicts to escape from their cycle of addiction. I hope it serves as inspiration for addicts and their loved ones around the world that you can put your foot down and change—that you don’t have to be a victim, like my sister—and so many millions of others—unfortunately have been.”

Veronica Bianqui integrates the raw energy of garage rock with the passion of classic soul and R&B, and the pop sensibilities of 60s girl groups while maintaining an intense yet playful edge. Perhaps it’s her background in musical theatre, jazz, classical, and even Indian classical music, or her mother’s propensity for blasting The Beatles and Joe Cocker around the house, but Bianqui’s tastes and influences cross a wide spectrum of sounds. In her live show, Bianqui and her band consisting of up to 10 members—reminiscent sometimes of a revue– combine classic showmanship with a heartfelt directness that keeps the music intimate.

Before breaking out with her solo material, Bianqui made a name for herself in the LA circuit, performing in bands that toured across the U.S. and Europe. As a current member of 1960’s inspired folk/surf/psych rock outfit The Blank Tapes, she balances the two bands, often collaborating with bandmate and co-producer Matt Adams, including on her debut album that is yet to be released.

Her debut album–recorded with Mark Rains (Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, Shooter Jennings, Alice Bag, Death Valley Girls)– is nearing completion, and awaits release in 2018. WEBSITE, FACEBOOK.

Sixties tinged garage pop with just a little rock & roll swagger 'Victim' is a gorgeous song, with a positive message, and a whole load of hooks. It's looking good for the debut album.


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Rosie Carney - Winter.

Background - Anyone coming to ‘Winter’ not acquainted with Rosie Carney’s mature-beyond-her-years songwriting would be forgiven for thinking she was some long lost contemporary of Joni Mitchell with decades worth of experiences to relate about life, love and adversity, and not a brilliant newcomer who’s barely left her teens behind.

Produced with her frequent collaborator Orri McBrearty in her hometown of Donegal, ’Winter’ follows on from her highly acclaimed singles ‘Your Moon’ and ‘Awake Me’, singles which, between them, have racked up over six million streams online and received acclaim from NPR, The Line of Best Fit, The Independent, Crack in the Road and Perez Hilton.

With her dulcet tones, organic textures and subtle, nuanced, and dreamlike ambient production ‘Winter’ is Carney at her very best. In her own words she says:

"Winter is a confessional song written about knowing when something is over. It's inspired by the brutally honest truth experienced when realising something is coming to an end regardless of whether or not that's what you want. It captures the true cold essence of winter which can be felt when letting go. It was, of course, written in the winter. The instrumentation and production were very much inspired by the cold and bare landscapes around me. Everything is raw and minimal.”

The song is just another part of her exciting year so far, having played shows supporting Benjamin Francis Leftwich, Saint Sister and Haux, co-headlining dates with Henry Jamison in the UK and Ireland, alongside festival slots at Latitude, Seven Layers, and the Bon Iver, National, and Cillian Murphy curated Sounds From A Safe Harbour. FACEBOOK.

This is the fourth time we have featured Rosie Carney and her music continues to impress me in a big way. 'Winter' is gentle, intimate and just so natural. Conjuring up images of cold, short days in my imagination, her song writing and musical compositions are pristine.

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Koda - Curse.

Background - Koda shares his latest video for new single "Curse". The track is from his forthcoming album 'I Hope This Makes Us Better', which is due out spring 2018.

The grandson of a famous Haitian singer, alternative artist/producer Jordan Sudak (aka Koda) spent the first half of his life as an army brat, being yanked from city to city across the globe. Living in three countries by the age of 15, Jordan watched as his free-spirited parents turned to a radical form of born-again Protestantism, banning contemporary art and burning his Harry Potter books in the process.

After finally settling in Columbia, South Carolina, Jordan's family values took a bizarre turn as his father's close call with a heart attack triggered an 180 degree flip on religion for the entire household. His parents eventually opened for an experimental rock band called The Radar Cinema. His mom claimed Jordan to be a family cousin, and he then became the band's frontman.

Between rehearsals, Jordan would get together with the band's keyboardist to listen to doom metal and sludge records while "circuit-bending," the art of making new instruments through soldering circuit boards from toys like Furbies and Speak 'N' Spells. From there, Jordan made the deep dive into ambient and experimental music, teaching himself QBASE, a popular production software for electronic artists. WEBSITE, FACEBOOK.

'Curse' has an multi-layered musical sound where synths and rhythms seem to explore and interchange elements with each other. Add in the smooth vocals and this is an intriguing and pleasing song.


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ONR - 5 Years Time.

Background - Scottish artist ONR. started making waves after leaking demos through indie label Leftwing, before swiftly signing to Capitol Records in the US.

His debut single 'Jericho' was released this summer, and has received early support from Spotify, and US stations KCRW, KCSN and Live 105. 

Early reviews have lauded the ‘supreme confidence’ of ONR.’s sound, drawing comparisons to Echo & The Bunnymen, 1975, Depeche Mode, Arcade Fire and David Bowie.

ONR. is currently recording with producers Mark Crew (Bastille, Rag & Bone Man), Doc McKinney (The Weeknd) and legendary mixer Spike Stent. A run of UK dates this December (including three sold-out Scottish shows) leads in to US dates confirmed for next year - including SXSW. WEBSITE, FACEBOOK.

We featured ONR & the song 'Jericho' less than a month ago and it is a real pleasure to be able to share the brand new song '5 Years Time'. Once again the vocals are distinct and melodic. The music starts out with some delicate synthy sounds before building into a powerful and very catchy piece.

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Chances - Rishikesh.

Background - It was in late 2016, that Montreal-based musicians Chloé Lacasse and Geneviève Toupin, both singer songwriters and pianists, along with drummer Vincent Carré, decided to come together to sketch out a few songs, just to see where uninhibited brainstorming might lead. With two well received singles already released in 2017, 'Rishikesh' is their most experimental and vibrant effort yet.

A world music/electronic music mashup that becomes otherworldly in its atmospheric builds. Catapulting rhythms, syncopated vocals, and bubbling synths envelope around a loop of singers recorded on the banks of the Ganges. Exquisite in the execution, lyrically 'Rishikesh' is all about choice and intention, and musically it's about exploration.

Here are the band's thoughts on the new track: We love this song and feel it has a certain power to it. It's about choice and intention...the intention to trust your instinct, and to align action with thought. The song's driving rhythm continually pushes forward, the vocals play off each other in a sort of call and response, the synths spark up a colourful chaos. WEBSITE, FACEBOOK.

The song is tagged experimental pop and 'Rishikesh' is all of that. Vocals swirl and intertwine above a vibrant electronic soundtrack. Imaginative and impressive it's also one of those songs that quickly demands another listen.

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