Wednesday, 17 January 2018

The Golden Age of TV - Juanita Stein - L.A.D - The Dazies

The Golden Age of TV - Beast.

Background - Leeds’ art-rock 5-piece The Golden Age of TV make their first move of 2018, unveiling the smart and addictive Beast, a rhythmic stomper, destined for the luminous dancefloors of indie-discos of the future.

Whip-smart drums lock in with gloriously fuzzed out glam bass, disconcertingly swirling guitars bounce around your ears whilst vocalist Bea Fletcher sweetly delivers her personal tale of childhood anxiety:

 "It’s telling a story from my childhood, during that cross-over period when I had to be more independent. It was little things; facing my fear of the dark or going to the toilet on my own without my mum standing outside the door. The change and stress manifested into dreaming and imagining a monster coming after me. I'd see it everywhere I went. It sounds a bit trippy. But I guess growing up is?"

The quintet have had a busy start to their career since forming just over a year ago. With only two tracks released, Dust and Between Each Brick, they grabbed the ear of BBC Radio 1 new music doyen Huw Stephens, as well as airplay from 6 Music and Amazing Radio.

The live side too has seen exciting opportunities for the group. Last summer, they sub-headlined the BBC Introducing Stage at Reading and Leeds festivals, as well as also taking in exciting support slots with Fickle Friends, Toothless and Alex Cameron. They were also able to strut their stuff with coveted slots at some of the UK’s premiere new music festivals, Live at Leeds and Liverpool Sound City. FACEBOOK.


'Beast' opens with a rhythmic synth driven beat and gradually moves into a more flowing song where the vocals are melodic and pleasing. The layers of sound intensify and the power really does build on this very engaging song.

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Juanita Stein - I'll Cry (Acoustic).

Background - Juanita Stein will release the America Acoustic EP on 16th February 2018. The Howling Bells frontwoman turned solo artist, who released her America album (Nude Records) last July, recorded the EP at home in Brighton in between recent tour dates with The Killers and her own solo shows.

Says Stein: “I had been asked to record some acoustic tracks for a radio station in the US and it occurred to me whilst doing so just how intimate and special these recordings could be. Ultimately, that’s how all my songs are born: just my self and a guitar usually in my bedroom. So it feels like a deeply honest representation of the music, without any outside interference at all. I wanted them to remain sparse, just a few harmonies and layering. It’s an exercise in itself, leaving the songs bare as bones. A lot of my favourite music tends to be all encompassing or artfully restrained. I wanted this to be just so.”

Made up of the acoustic versions of songs from her acclaimed debut solo album, along with Stein’s cover of Johnny Cash’s A Thing Called Love, a song she often performs at her live shows.

Juanita Stein will rejoin The Killers for a string of European dates this February and March, before joining Bryan Ferry for his extensive spring tour, which starts in Cardiff on 9th April and concludes with shows at London’s Palladium (1 May) and Eventim Apollo (3 May).  She has also just been announced for her festival show this year as part of the bill for Black Deer, joining artists including Iron & Wine, Passenger and Jason Isbell at this celebration of Americana and Country music in its debut year, as well as appearing at SxSW in Austin, Texas in March. WEBSITE, FACEBOOK.


Full dates are:
19th Feb Helsinki, FIN, Hartwell Arena (with The Killers)
23rd Feb Oslo, NOR, Telenor Arena (with The Killers)
24th Feb Stockholm, SWE, Globen (with The Killers)
25th Feb Copenhagen, DEN, Royal Arena (with The Killers)
27th Feb Berlin, GER, Mercedes-Benz Arena (with The Killers)         
28th Feb  Amsterdam, NEL, Ziggo Dome (with The Killers)
1st March Esch Alzette, LUX, Rockhal (with The Killers)
3rd March Paris, FRA, Le Zenith (with The Killers)
5th March Cologne, GER, Lanxess Arena (with The Killers)
6th March Antwerp, BEL, Sportpaleis (with The Killers)
14-17 March Austin, TX, USA - SxSW Festival

9th  April Cardiff, St David’s Hall (with Bryan Ferry)
11th April Liverpool, Philharmonic (with Bryan Ferry)
13th April Manchester, Apollo (with Bryan Ferry)
15th April Newcastle, City Hall (with Bryan Ferry)
17th April Glasgow, Royal Concert Hall (with Bryan Ferry)
19th April Edinburgh, Usher Hall (with Bryan Ferry)
21st April Dublin, Olympia (with Bryan Ferry)
23rd April Belfast. Waterfront (with Bryan Ferry)
25th April Bristol, Colton Hall (with Bryan Ferry)
27th April Oxford, New Theatre (with Bryan Ferry)
29th April Birmingham, Symphony Hall (with Bryan Ferry)
1st May London, Palladium (with Bryan Ferry)
3rd May London, Eventim Apollo (with Bryan Ferry)

22-24 June Black Deer Festival, Tunbridge Wells


We featured Juanita Stein a couple of times last summer including the original version of 'I'll Cry'. The acoustic version gives the song a more personal and intimate feel, it also allows Juanita's gorgeous vocals to really stand out.

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L.A.D - One More Night.

Background - L.A.D are a synth funk trio from Reading, England with a shared love of 80s nostalgia. Multi instrumentalists Jack and Luke, having spent years accumulating vintage synths, guitars and drum machines, have teamed up with ginger bombshell Natalie to update the music they love. After spending the last six months making all kinds of noises in the studio, the debut album is on its way.

They make truly epic Top Of The Pops style classics reminiscent of Madonna at her very pinnacle circa ‘Holiday / Get Into The Groove’ when she had Nile Rodgers bringing that Chic style heat to the mixing desk and consequentially tearing off the roof at every club the world over, however there is still a freshness that UK RnB artists like Kelela and Ray BLK are bringing to the clubs owing much to this sound that is present here too.

Their second single ‘One More Night’ which follows the acclaimed ‘Dance Floor’ which garnered love from the likes of Earmilk, Amazing Radio and Fame Magazine, strikes a slightly different chord. Think of a lonely hearts column in dystopian 80's future. A future where Synth wave rules and the classic power ballad never left our radios. A very emotive subject matter. What apparently didn't matter on the "Dance floor" does in the bed room. FACEBOOK.


Retro in some respects ‘One More Night’ benefits by modern production techniques, that add a deeper arrangement and superior sound quality, compared to the golden days of 80's synth pop music. More to the point, it's also a very catchy song!

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The Dazies - Misery.

Background - After hitting the road in support of the "Seen a Ghost" split at the close of 2017, The Dazies have entered 2018 with a few more shows under their belt and on their schedule before they rest their weary DIY heads and start the creative process all over again. Before that the group brings you their video single for the track "Misery" - featured on the "Seen a Ghost" split. The "Misery" video was directed by: Richard TK Hawke, Michael Elliott Dennis, and M. Holland.

Recorded at Love Magnet in Roxbury, Ma and The Dazies home studio Cat Castle in Somerville. The ‘Seen A Ghost’ split is a true labor of love. Holland wrote/recorded the songs in a particularly reflective state of mind. The weight of wainig friendships and the disastrous political climate lead to songs like ‘Suffocate in the U.S.A’ and his hometown nod to Lawrence, Ma ‘Pawn Shop Guitars’. ‘Seen A Ghost’ was originally conceived as a solo release but the chemistry and friendship between Holland and Schneider had really blossomed in the last few years and Holland wanted to continue their recording streak. After six months of mixing/re-recording at their studio.

The Dazies finished what Holland thinks is his most well crafted songs along with his favorite lyrics that once again come across as diary-esq. The Dazies plan to tour well into the new year and couldn’t be more excited about finally having vinyl with their name on it. ‘Seen a Ghost’ comes from two real rock ‘n’ roll loving vinyl junkies. They’re hoping folks catch on! BANDCAMP.


Not to be confused with the wonderful Madness song of the same name, The Dazies 'Misery' is musically, a vibrant rocker with chunky riffs, accompanied by vocals that are passionate and pleasing. The video adds to the track in it's own off the wall manner, The Dazies meanwhile breathe some new life into rock & roll.


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Tuesday, 16 January 2018

Savoy - Gyasi - Pink Tea

Savoy - January Thaw.

Background - Frode Unneland, Lauren Savoy and Pål Waaktaar-Savoy (the main songwriter and guitarist in A-ha) debuted as Savoy in 1996 with the album ‘Mary Is Coming’, and followed it with ‘Lackluster Me’ (1997), ‘Mountains Of Time’ (1999), ‘Reasons To Stay Indoors’ (2001), ’Savoy’ (2004), plus the 2007 compilation album ’Savoy Songbook Vol 1’. They have won two Norwegian Grammy Awards along the way, while their best known song, ‘Velvet’, was covered by A-ha on their 2000 album ‘Minor Earth, Major Sky’. 

The group are finally preparing to release their long-awaited sixth studio album, their first in 13 years.’See The Beauty In Your Drab Hometown’ has been described by Pål as “one of the least demanding albums to make as the songs found their shape much faster than before.” Some of the recording sessions took place in Clubhouse Studios in Rhinebeck, New York (close to Woodstock), where the drums and various overdubs were laid down.

Unlike A-ha, Savoy historically has had a down to earth indie rock approach to its music, although the new album does contain more programming than ever before. All of the group’s songs are composed by Pål and his wife Lauren, who is a film maker by profession, while Frode Unneland is recognised as one of the best drummers on the Bergen, Norway scene. He has also played with Sondre Lerche.

The group have achieved great critical success in their home territory and have actually been nominated for 3 Norwegian Grammy Awards. Aside from ‘Velvet’, other well known songs by the band include ‘Rain’, ’Star’, ‘Grind You Down’, ‘If You Won’t Come To The Party’ and ‘Whalebone’ (from the soundtrack of the acclaimed Norwegian film ‘Hawaii Oslo’). The last of these cleverly recycles lyrics from A-ha’s 1993 song ‘Locust’.

When asked if he had to choose between A-ha and Savoy, Pål replies : “You’re trying to get me into trouble here! I really just look upon it as different paths to release music that I’m passionate about. I feel the same about the album I made with [US singer] Zoe Gnecco last year. It’s funny - once you start thinking about an album, no matter what the band is, that’s when the songs start to appear."  FACEBOOK.


Savoy might be a well established act, entering into their third decade and on the cusp of releasing their sixth album, but they are new to me (holds head down in shame and awaits ridicule). So my feeble excuse is that it was thirteen years ago the bands last original album appeared, and lets move swiftly on to say that 'January Thaw' is one pretty addictive indie rocker, where the dual vocals are seductive and the hooks are many!


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Gyasi - All Messed Up.

Background - "'All Messed Up' was musically a return to the very first song I ever wrote when I was 6 years old. Same two chords. The lyrics were about some of characters I had met while on the road with another band...At one of the cities on the tour, I think it was Atlanta, we spent the night with this group of rock n rollers that had this beautiful rebellion about them. I found it very inspiring. There was a sexual freedom and gender fluidity about them that felt truly empowering to me. These were outsiders and free thinkers who were incredibly powerful in their individuality. We had several wild nights staying up and challenging each other’s boundaries, talking about philosophy, poetry, life." - GYASI on "All Messed Up"

 ​In the wild woods of West Virginia, in an isolated hollow, a young boy thought he was a peacock. When he realized, much to his dismay, that he was not a peacock, he picked up a guitar. From then on the sounds of him loudly playing along to the Rolling Stones and Jimi Hendrix could be heard echoing through the hollow. ​

Placed between roaming peacocks, a family of Russian intellectual revolutionaries, and two parents dedicated to living off the land, Gyasi was brought up in an environment that could only be described as unique. It was an isolated world, where life felt more like the 60s than the 90s​.​ Between his father’s early blues 78 collection and the Velvet Underground and T. Rex records of the Russian family next door, his musical education was rich. The world is sorely lacking in rock stars. GYASI is a rock star. FACEBOOK.


It is just over a month that Gyasi first entered Beehive Candy's world & we commented then of the music " it's a kaleidoscope of charismatic vocals and a feisty alt rock soundtrack." The new song 'All Messed Up' is another feast of energised Glam Rock and by Glam Rock I think it fair to say in the timeless form of the genre.

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Pink Tea - smoko.

Background - Pink Tea is a project from local Brisbane bloke Tom Murphy. In his mid 20’s with a lot of stories of past experiences to tell in the form of rock music, he uses a blend of ambient acoustic guitar mixed with sharp distorted electric, to tell tales of heartache and mental strains. After the debut single ‘Send Me A Letter’ (released in 2016) picked up plenty of positive feedback from local radio stations around Australia (4ZZZ, Radio Port Douglas), Pink Tea has been working harder than ever for the follow up - honing in on a new skill set through live performances, musical production and arrangements in song writing.

The self titled Pink Tea EP is a powerful insight into growing up and reaching the final stages of maturing as a man and realising just how little you know. Each song has a common theme, terrible mistakes mixed with the revelations and positivity that comes with losing and finding close relationships. It is made especially clear in the the lead single smoko and Social Graces & Melted Faces that mental health and healthy relationships are an extremely important focal point. smoko is a fast paced indie rock song with strong acoustic and electric rhythm guitars that bounce along to a 70’s inspired bass line. Of the EP as a whole - all together each song has a deeply embedded meaning of self-realisation and growth.

It’s been a revealing, tough road to get to where Pink Tea is now. Beginning song writing back in 2014 in a basic as can be home ‘studio’ with no real goal or true understanding of music and how to use it, the ultimate potential of Pink Tea is only now starting to reveal itself.

The self titled Pink Tea EP was recorded entirely at Pink Tea’s home studio in Brisbane and has taken almost 6 months to bring together the perfect mix of songs. The EP showcases hard hitting rhythm guitars blended with soothing bass tones, dreamy synths mixed in with high flying lead guitar licks and powerful lyrics with a message. FACEBOOK.


The featured song 'smoko' suggests the new self titled EP from Pink Tea is more than worth a cursory listen. The track is described as Indie on Soundcloud, I would say it's engaging, musically sophisticated and Tom Murphy's vocals are infectious.

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Monday, 15 January 2018

Duran Duran - Hobbyist - Ryan Tennis

Duran Duran - Girls on Film - feat. Andy Wickett (Demo Version).

Background - Cleopatra Records has released Duran Duran 'Girls on Film 1979 Demo' EP featuring Andy Wickett on vocals. These are rare debut recordings, which include the original version of the smash hit 'Girls on Film' and 'See Me Repeat Me', which would later be transformed into 'Rio', as well as other songs that the group shopped around to various labels before eventually signing with EMI. Recorded in 1979, these historic previously-unreleased demo recordings by ‘80s new wave icons Duran Duran feature the group’s early frontman Andy Wickett (a.k.a. Fane), alongside Nick Rhodes, John Taylor and Roger Taylor. They were recorded at Bob Lamb's studio (home of the band UB40) in Moseley, Birmingham.

Originally formed in Birmingham by Nick Rhodes, John Taylor and Stephen 'Tin Tin' Duffy in 1978 as an art school band, Duffy left Duran Duran in early 1979. After TV Eye vocalist Andy Wickett left that band, Stephen Duffy took his place. Soon afterwards, Andy was enlisted by Nick Rhodes and John Taylor to front Duran Duran. According to Andy Taylor's autobiography, Andy Wickett had a major part in the writing of 'Girls on Film' during his tenure with the band. Wicket explains that, unlike the sexy imagery depicted in the video for this song, the lyrics were actually inspired by the lives of the stars of old black and white movies.

"It is important for people to understand the true origins of the song 'Girls on Film' and to hear the edgy sound that Duran Duran had in the beginning," says Andy Wickett. "This song was inspired by the dark side of the glitz and glamour, where these perfect idols suffered tragedy and addiction. The film 'Sunset Boulevard' was also a big influence with its tale of a fading movie star."

Andy Taylor confirms that Wickett co-wrote an early version of the song that eventually came to be known as 'Rio'. Indeed, 'See Me Repeat Me' was taken from 'Stevie's Radio Station', a song written by TV Eye when Wickett was their vocalist. A favourite of Nick and John, it was incorporated into Duran Duran live sets during Wickett's tenure. Duran Duran eventually released 'Girls on Film' in July 1981 and it became a Top 10 breakthrough in the UK Singles Chart, peaking at Number 5 that month. The song 'Rio' was released worldwide in October 1982 and became a Top 10 hit in the UK Singles Chart, peaking at #9 in December 1982.

Since these early days in his career, Andy Wickett has come to be known as one of the finest performers and songwriters in the Midlands, having gone on to also front The Xpertz and World Service. Apart from playing arenas and venues around the world, Andy has also produced videos for and co-written albums with world renowned artists such as Nusrat Ali Fateh Khan, Malkit Singh, Stereo Nation, Taz and DCS. Over the years, he's supported The Clash, U2, Culture Club, Burning Spear, Orange Juice, in addition to opening on UK tours with Duran Duran and Gregory Isaacs.

Andy Wickett & World Service have also just released a full-length album 'Creatures of Love' digitally via Cleopatra Records, which will be officially released on CD on March 9, 2017 on that same label. The 'Girls on Film 1979 Demo' EP is available digitally and on CD, as well as on stunning red and clear colored vinyl. Duran Duran WEBSITE, Andy Wickett WEBSITE.


Well Beehive Candy cut their teeth sharing rarities similar to this, albeit unreleased and unofficial versions. The background above is longer than we usually publish, I just felt the full story is worth repeating without any editing. Anyhow the demo version of 'Girls On Film' along with the other material including the intriguing 'See Me Repeat Me' later morphing into 'Rio' makes for a fascinating listen and raises a few what if questions along the way. For Duran Duran fans this is most likely a collectors item in the making, and for Andy Wickett it's some well deserved publicity for his 'Creatures Of Love' album.

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Hobbyist - Teeth Of The Shark.

Background - Hobbyist is Holly Prindle, who sings, and Marc Mozga, who plays guitar, drum machines, drone machines, bass and melodica. The band was formed in 2013 in Chicago, Illinois. The release of their self-titled debut album came that same year, along with the EP Hobbyist in Dub, featuring reggae bass master Dennis Bovell.

After playing numerous rock shows in their hometown of Chicago, Holly went to live and sing in Goleniow, Poland with the experimental theatre group Teatr Brama, who specialize in community art and ancient pagan folk singing. Concurrently, Marc embedded himself for three years with a suburban Chicago family to film them raise their autistic son. The result was Getting To First Grade, an observational documentary produced, shot and edited by Marc, which was completed in 2015.

The duo went on a short tour of the Northwest USA and Vancouver in late 2015. On a rainy night in Vancouver Marc proposed marriage to Holly and she accepted. The trip also led to a fruitful live to tape recording of the song “2244” at Dub Narcotic Studio in Olympia, Washington by Pual Krogh. In 2016 the song was released as a lathe cut 7” picture disc with all proceeds benefiting the Chicago Metropolitan Battered Women’s Network. Early that same year Holly and Marc were wed in the lookout tower of a bridge house along the Chicago River.

In the month of January 2017 Hobbyist took up residence in Barcelona, Spain to work on material for a new album. The gothic Catalonian city in the off season proved a surreal vantage point for Hobbyist to take in news from back home: A germaphobe ex- reality TV star was now president! These experiences inform their new album Sonic Cramps recorded at Pallet Sound, Chicago and due eleased last Friday. WEBSITE, BANDCAMP.


'Teeth Of The Shark' opens with a funky bass line that is joined by some fabulous and emotional vocals. Gradually the layers of sound develop, however there is a minimalist feel across the song, that said, by the end of the song those teeth have sunk right in.


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Ryan Tennis - Two Days on the Fence (EP).

Background - Two Days on the Fence sees Tennis and his virtuosic band ― Joseph Keim (drums), Shaun Hennessey (percussion), Brahm Genzlinger (bass), Maxfield Gast (sax), Nate Graham (keyboards), and Christopher Farrell (guitar) ― locking in with telepathic precision on five luminous new cuts that draw heavily on sounds and rhythms Tennis absorbed during his extensive travels throughout South America and his performances with legendary South African musicians Bakithi Kumalo and Morris Goldberg, both of whom performed on Paul Simon’s historic Graceland album.

“I wanted to explore more powerful rhythms than you get with the usual acoustic singer-songwriter thing,” Tennis explains. “My band can play a lot of incredible grooves, so I know I can throw anything at them and they’ll turn it into genius stuff that makes people move. I’m flat-out amazed at what they did on the new EP.”

Over the years, Tennis has been compared to artists such as Paul Simon, Ben Harper and Bill Withers. The songs on Two Days on the Fence range from soul-enriching ballads to exuberant, body-moving groovers, and they see the inveterately creative singer-songwriter spreading the waters of his influences (“a lot of folk, soul and Afro-Caribbean sounds”) while micro-targeting his lyrics to soothe today’s information-overloaded society.

“I wrote these songs with the intention of giving people hope and positivity in their lives,” Tennis says. “In general, we’re inundated with negativity – from the news to Facebook, it’s so easy to get bogged down. I’m not one to write protest songs, but in a way I did that by writing songs to make people feel good. There’s a lot of power in that message, the audacity it takes to feel joyful in tough times.” WEBSITE, FACEBOOK.


'Two Days on the Fence' is a collection of five tracks that are rich with musical quality and Ryan Tennis's engaging and vibrant vocals. Funky and soulful tunes rub shoulders with more gentle acoustic moments, the musical arrangements are superb and the diversity of ideas remarkable.


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Sunday, 14 January 2018

Join The Riot - Velvet Flare - The Lonely Biscuits - No Alarms - Erin Pellnat

Join The Riot - Fantasies.

Background - Swedish indie band Join The Riot are celebrating the new year with releasing their brand new five-track EP, “Echo”. The first single, ’Pretenders’, has already been rotating on Swedish radio P3 and picked up by Spotify playlists such as Indie Radar.

 "Echo" EP will take you on a voyage deeper into the core soul of the band, immersing in various landscapes, from dreamy arena pop in “Fantasies” and “Bonsoir” to dark epic singer-songwriter ballads like ’Echo’ and ’X My Heart’.

The five Stockholmians Henrik Ljungqvist (vocals), Jonas Engdahl (bass), Simon Santunione (drums), Andre Sund (guitar) and Patrik Berg-Almkvith (keys) met in school and started playing together in 2013 with a vision to make great pop and rock music, inspired by childhood heroes Phoenix, early Coldplay and Empire of the Sun to mention a few. In four years Join The Riot has released their debut album, one EP and several singles, including a feature in the Scandinavian Volkswagen commercial. The energetic indie band has often spiced up their releases working with quite unorthodox methods to find their listeners, sending carrot threats to the media, recording albums in a glass-cage and embarking on crazy China tours.

When Simon has been touring with Zara Larsson the band has played with the backup drummer Leo Sund, who's also Andre’s twin brother. With the original line up, Leo has taken on the percussions instead, making the riot grow even further.Their infectious sound of sunny melodies has started to build a solid fan base around the world and we think it's just a matter of time before Join The Riot gets the global recognition their music truly deserves. WEBSITE, FACEBOOK.


The first of five tracks on the new EP is 'Fantasies' a rich and expansive sounding track. Synths and refined vocals alongside a tight rhythm come together to create a high calibre dream pop song. The band can and do explore other directions across the EP, their overall sound however, remains consistent and pleasing.

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Velvet Flare - Ms Fox.

Background - Following the release of their retro-inspired debut album Worlds Apart last year, Australian rock band Velvet Flare have released the first single from their forthcoming second album. The single is called Ms Fox.

The Ms Fox of the title is a personification of the melting Fox Glacierof New Zealand; the song a lament against global warming.

Velvet Flare consists of Paul English (lead vocals, guitar), Patrick Kennedy (piano, keyboards, backing vocals), Paul ‘Shep’ Shepherd (lead guitar, backing vocals), Graeme Smith (bass) and Plato (drums). 

They have worked with producer Slade Gibson who has also played various instruments on recorded tracks. FACEBOOK.

We featured Velvet Flare back in May of last year and the new song 'Ms Fox' is another very impressive song. Mixing pop and indie rock vibes, the production is distinct and the gentle melody is full of hooks, in what is a top quality piece.


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The Lonely Biscuits - Blue Glass.

Background - Nashville indie-rock trio The Lonely Biscuits release "Blue Glass", the first single off their debut full-length record The Universe In You, out March 30 via Soundly Music. The Lonely Biscuits have released two EPs to date, the most recent being The San Francisco EP which included their hit single "Talk About" and a fantastic cover of Liz Phair's "Never Said".

After establishing that alt-rock sound in The San Francisco EP, The Lonely Biscuits teamed with Cage The Elephant guitarist Nick Bockrath to produce “Blue Glass”, a driving anthem with creative production that mixes fuzzed out rock with hints of motown esque percussion. "Blue Glass" coincides with the launch of the independent zine, Ordinary Thoughts, curated by lead singer Grady Wenrich.

Grady was inspired by all of the art happening around him from his friends like Cyle and Cain Barnes of The Weeks, Ian Bush of Diarrhea Planet, Grant Gustafson of Blank Range, Mackenzie Howe of The Wild Reeds, Aaron Martin and Kole Sharp of Okey Dokey, Liza Anne, Becca Mancari, Wrenne Evans and more. He wanted to put something together to document this and share with his friends and community.

The Lonely Biscuits formed in August 2011 at Belmont University, where Wenrich and Sam Gidley were roommates and bassist Nick Byrd lived on the same floor. They first started gaining attention on college campuses around the country while they were still students themselves. Since, they've played on numerous festival stages such as Bonnaroo, Lollapalooza, Hangout Fest, Austin City Limits, LouFest and SXSW. In 2013, MTVu named The Lonely Biscuits “College Artist of the Year”. WEBSITE, FACEBOOK.


'Blue Glass' is a very catchy indie rocker with a melodic feel throughout and choruses that are almost anthem like. There is a simmering level of power beneath the surface of this song that suggests the band could explode into a full on rock crescendo at any given moment.


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No Alarms - Right is What's Left.

Background - "'Right Is What's Left' is ​​about the little lies we tell each other to paint a false picture of ourselves. Especially early in a relationship or a friendship, before the veneer wears off, we sometimes try to convey a character that we think the other person wants to see, instead of just conveying ourselves.​ ​This is about ​​realizing that the only way to genuinely connect and move forward in a relationship is to convey your actual self and let the other person form their own picture of you​ ​based on that.​ ​" - No Alarms on "Right Is What's Left"

After nearly an entire decade of searching for the ideal sound to share with the world, multi-instrumentalist Andrew Boles made the most important move of his life by relocating to Detroit to bring his music-career to the next level in 2016. Boles decided to shift away from solo-life to a five-piece band, taking on the incredible talents of 4 up and coming Detroit local musicians into the official lineup to play the songs live. Immediately discovering the depths of the bond between them – the songs Boles had written never sounded better; the high-energy melodies and dynamically transformative, wild, synth-drenched indie-pop music of No Alarms became the realized version of its intentions & ambitions.

"What's Right Is Left" is the first single from No Alarms's forthcoming EP, which was self-recorded in both Texas and Detroit, and mixed and mastered by a legend in the industry, Sefi Carmel​ (​Phil Collins, Massive Attack​). The EP conveys the struggles of getting through to friends with serious addictions, codependency, and finally, the overwhelming hope of getting through to the other side. FACEBOOK.


Potent synths and feisty guitars come together to provide a robust backdrop for 'Right is What's Left'. The vocals have a measure of angst and emotion to them, giving the song some real edge.

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Erin Pellnat - Neighborhood Boys.

Background - “Neighborhood Boys,”  a song about falling in love with a guy on a bus — but he just gets off at his stop and leaves you with the neighborhood boys....

Erin Pellnat is a Brooklyn-based singer-songwriter whose lovely voice can be tender as well as forceful, but always completely expressive and intimate. BANDCAMP
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It was back in December 2016 that we were introduced to Erin Pellnat at that time she had just released her 'Dream in Color' EP a collection of songs that impressed me big time!

It's a pleasure to be able to share her brand new tune 'Neighborhood Boys' where once again the vocals are distinct and engaging. Gentle and melodic and with charming lyrics, lets hope it's not to long a wait for some more tunes from Erin.

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Anna Smyrk - ZOCO - Howling Bells - TCBYML

Photo - Michelle Grace Hunder Anna Smyrk - This is a Drill . Naarm/Melbourne based singer-songwriter Anna Smyrk shares a poignant moment o...