SK has shared 'Nostalgia' a smooth and enticing mixture of soul and cool jazz and some beautifully natural vocals, giving the song originality and style.
'London Used To Feel So Cool' from Sonia Stein has one very catchy chorus line and a superb musical arrangement that allows every element to shine through.
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SK - Nostalgia.
It’s no secret that the sounds of Soul & Jazz, have crept back into the forefronts of our musical palette of late.
A new wave of UK artists have been trailblazing the way for a modern twist on the retro genres, leaving fans guessing who the next big name on the scene could be. You want our bet, it’s London-based songwriter SK.
Born and raised in Luton, SK was brought up on her family’s vinyl collection. Immersed in soul music from a young age, she was raised on the sounds of Aretha Franklin and Donny Hathaway. As she approached her teenage years, her tastes evolved towards the jazzier sounds of the musical spectrum. She also developed an appreciation of R’n’B after suffering a heartbreak. All of this, soon became the foundation for her artistic journey as an adult.
Ahead of her first single launch, SK has spent the last few years perfecting her solo material while touring with her band, The Kings. Her first solo excursion is the outstanding new single ‘Nostalgia’. It’s a track that seems to draw on all her musical love affairs over the years. While exquisitely produced, the track has a live performance feel to it, using organic textures and live drum sounds. It’s a vintage take, with a contemporary production.
"Nostalgia was written when I was in my last relationship, it’s about yearning for the infinite possibilities of the beginning and realising after it was over that the only thing I really had the entire time was those memories"
London based songstress Sonia Stein is an exciting new pop voice. Despite a restless upbringing of traversing across continents (Berlin, Poland, America) the music Sonia Stein creates is beautifully anchored.
Quietly determined she creates the sort of songs that are full of drama and emotional complexities describing ‘One Of Those Things’ as being about, ‘The stage of denial about the end of a relationship with someone or something. You hold onto it out of comfort and fear, hoping if you wait a little longer, some semblance of what you had in the first place will show up again. ‘
Produced by Liam Howe (FKA Twigs, Adele, Jessie Ware) the slow-burn R&B-tinged songs on her debut EP ‘One Of Those Things’ feature four songs of exquisite balladry through to the delicious pop of later track ‘Do You Love Me’.
Her songs unfurl themselves delicately, slowly creeping up on you when you least expect it. Like a sort of quiet devastation, these are songs that work their way into your subconscious and never let go.
London Used To Feel So Cool is a song about how places change after having been there with a loved one/someone special. If they felt exciting or fun before, now they feel incomplete without that person there. This is a lighthearted song about falling in love, not about heartbreak of losing someone.
We featured the song 'Are You OK?' by Wasuremono two months ago and the new single 'Self-Help' is a much welcome follow up from the band, this time with an anthemic vibe & engaging melodic chorus.
Diamond Thug have a new single called 'Aphotic Waters', following on from 'Tell Me' which we shared just a week ago, as the band continue to build deserved interest in their Gaiafy EP due out this coming week.
Finally we have 'Damage Done' by Hanna Barakat a melodic rocker that gradually builds into a powerful and hook fuelled piece.
Wasuremono have released a brand new single entitled 'Self-Help' after 6 Music's Steve Lamacq gave the track it's first spin on his show last week. The track is taken from their recently announced upcoming album 'Are You OK?' that will be released on June 14th via The Wilderness Records. The brainchild of Wasuremono, William Southward, explained the meaning behind the song:
"'Self-Help', was the last song to be written. It’s got a Prince kinda vibe, but with low tuned guitars and gospel influenced backing vocals, with call and response. The running theme is one of optimism and feeling less alone, but there is also a sense of urgency to this song, of reaching out; “All I really wanna say, is I wanna help ya’. Essentially, it’s an uplifting and jubilant song that’s supposed to make you feel good and feel like we are all in it together. The hard panned toms of the Linn give it space to breathe and a slightly tribal feel too in the choruses."
Previous singles, 'Are You OK?' and 'Lonely Type' have been picked up by the likes of 6 Music's Lauren Laverne, Steve Lamacq, and Radio 1's Huw Stephens, and Dork recently described the release as "...sure to be a riot of synths and fun. A magic combo".
With the enlistment of friends Madelaine Ryan, Isaac Phillips, and Phoebe Phillips, Southward’s songs come to life. Wasuremono will be performing across the UK this summer in support of 'Are You OK?', with stops at festivals including Live at Leeds, The Great Escape, Bluedot, and Dot To Dot, as well as a headline show at the Sebright Arms in London on June 19th.
Formed in a basement in Kommetjie, a small surf town on the southern tip of Africa, Diamond Thug combine Sub-Saharan rhythms with indie pop dreamscapes, with a vitality and energy bursting from the seams of each track that becomes juxtaposed with melancholic themes.
Lead singer Chantel Van T’s luscious vocals wash over layers of guitar, synth-bass and pounding drums with a certain quiet power. When Chantel was a teenager, she wanted to be a quantum physicist, which may explain some of Diamond Thug’s lyrical subjects.
The band’s debut album Apastron was set within the depths of space, with celestial bodies and laws of planetary motion being used as metaphors for earth-bound problems. New EP Gaiafy turns inward to human experience, pairing nihilism and existential crises with allusions to climate change.
On the new single, the band tells us that “the Aphotic zone is defined as the depths of the oceans,
void of any light. Musically we’re drawing comparisons to Evolution through the cyclical but progressive song-structure. Solace is found through the belief that although we feel distance and unfamiliarity between ourselves, all of our fates are connected.” Gaiafy EP due for release May 24th 2019.
Austin-based, hard/alternative artist, Hanna Barakat, announces her new single, “Damage Done,” ahead of the upcoming album, Siren, due out August 16, 2019, produced by John Moyer (Disturbed).
Born in Texas to an American mother and a Lebanese father, Barakat spent her early years traveling around the world with her family. Barakat pays homage to her roots on the album.
The album was produced by John Moyer, bassist from famed hard rock band, Disturbed, mixed by Martin Nessi (Michael Jackson estate, Ariana Grande, Josh Groban, Celine Dion, Andrea Bocelli, Ricky Martin, Kelly Clarkson), and mastered by Ted Jansen of Sterling Sound (Disturbed, Evanescence, Three Days Grace, Breaking Benjamin, Halestorm, Pat Metheny).
Barakat states on "Damage Done:" - “Relationships are inherently messy, sometimes riddled with indecisiveness, and most commonly, clouded by sexual passion. Knowing what is right for you in a relationship, long term, is not always clear, leaving you struggling with your own intuition to resist falling back into something familiar or comfortable. ‘Damage Done’ is a song driven by passion – a story between ex-lovers, falling back into old patterns, knowing they may not gain anything from their encounter but still feeling alive and loving every single moment of passion they share together. The guitars start us on the journey, gently, but dive into long dramatic riffs as the story develops. As the vocals begin to overlap and build, the chaos created between lovers is reflected in the cacophony of sounds, driving us clear to the dramatic end.”
Native Harrow new song 'Something You Have' has something of a blues feel to it musically, the vocals add additional melody and some heartfelt beauty.
Silverbacks make their third appearance on Beehive Candy with 'Pink Tide' where a chunky rhythm supports some semi spoken vocals as the bands notable style of rock continues to impress.
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Native Harrow - Something You Have.
Devin Tuel may consider herself to be an artist meant for a different time but the singer-songwriter, residing in rural Pennsylvania, now finds herself inhabiting her own true place as she shares the first single from her debut Loose album Happier Now released under her nom de plume, Native Harrow.
Speaking about the single, singer and composer Devin Tuel says Something You Have is written "about a relationship where there is an unbalanced amount of focus on one person. Giving and giving, and giving more even after you’ve sworn not to. Some people seem to have a certain magic about them where they can do no wrong. They are never punished for being a bad friend, lover, child, sibling, etc. I really started protecting my heart and my time this year and at the same time ruminated on the desire I always have to experience emotion as someone else. I struggle with anxiety and bouts of the blues and I look at others from time to time and think, "wow I’d love to know what it’s like to feel this the way you do."
Native Harrow cuts out clear and vibrant narratives on fear, love, the open road, ill-fated relationships, and coping with the state of the world. “I wanted to share that I made it out of my own thunderstorm.” says Tuel. “I had experienced the high peaks and very low valleys of my twenties. I saw more of the world on my own, got through challenges, revelled in true moments of triumph… but all the while the world around me was growing louder, wilder, and scarier. Music for me is a place to be soft. This album was my place to feel it all.”
Happier Now will receive its European release via Loose (Damien Jurado, Courtney Marie Andrews, Israel Nash, The Handsome Family) on 2nd August 2019.
Silverbacks are continuing their fruitful studio partnership with Girl Band’s Daniel Fox with the propelling new track ‘Pink Tide’ that is out now.
“Pink Tide is a song about trendy and stylish revolutions that lack substance and never fully materialise. The chorus is inspired by a YouTube compilation I came across called 'Make Way for The Queens Guard!!!'.
It's pretty much the Queen's Guard yelling the video title every time a tourist impedes them from completing their duty. I told Kilian about the video before he went on a short trip to London and upon his visit to Buckingham Palace he shouted out the line. His moment of inspiration wasn't very well received so we made it into a chorus.
Musically, we had been messing around with the outro guitar riff for a few weeks which we initially attached to another demo, poorly named 'Mark E. Smith Eats His Purple Crayon'. In the end we realised that the riff deserved better, and we started writing what eventually became Pink Tide.”
Annabel Allum makes her fourth appearance on Beehive Candy more a less a year to the day since we last enjoyed a song from her. 'You Got It Good' is another typically emotion packed song, her vocals as earnest as ever and the music equally determined.
'Superclean' from Scott Lavene is accompanied by an engaging video full of low budget moments, that just add to the charm of this hook laden song,
Back in April we shared 'I With Mine' by Merival and now we have 'No Brakes' where the vocals are absolutely stunning as is the refreshing musical backdrop.
Spirit Family Reunion have just released the first taste of their forthcoming album with 'One Way Ticket' a wonderful American folk piece which just fills the room with Americana goodness.
Finally today, Grace Gillespie has released 'I'm Your Man' a song that sits somewhere between Indie pop, rock or even folk, it's might be hard to pigeonhole, but it's an equally addictive and pleasing tune.
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Annabel Allum - You Got It Good.
From playing local pubs in Guildford 6 nights a week, to acclaimed performances around the world, it’d be tempting to call Annabel Allum’s rise a whirlwind. However to do so would belie the steady growth and legwork put in by one of the UK’s most exciting up-and-comers. From single to single Annabel has evolved and added exciting extra facets to her trademark punky sound. Upcoming release You Got It Good, out via cult London label Killing Moon, is the latest peak in her canon of vital, snarling songs.
A common theme throughout her releases is the ease with which tracks boiling over with righteous anger can sit side by side with touchingly sentimental tracks dedicated to friends and family. You Got It Good, with its bouncy 90s style treads that tightrope with aplomb. Annabel explains the origins of the track:
"I wrote this song after a friend came to me in a very low state. This is the conversation I had with them. Sometimes we need to go through hardship to grow as people, and understand ourselves & the world around us better. To adapt & learn from negative situations allows us to appreciate life more."
Long marked out as one to watch, the swell of praise for Annabel Allum from all corners is resounding. Long-time championed by BBC Radio 1, she’s made the daytime playlist, had a live session at the iconic Maida Vale studios as well as performing on their SXSW stage, a festival which she’s now taken by storm twice. Other notable shows include a dream-come-true emotional performance at Reading festival, as well as The Great Escape; tours with Nadine Shah, Sleeper and Beth Ditto have been the perfect way to cut her teeth in the presence of esteemed artists.
Scott Lavene returns his new single Superclean, the latest track to be taken from his forthcoming album Broke that is set for release on 7th June on CD, LP and digital.
Speaking of his latest release, Lavene says “It’s a pop bop, a strut. I wanted to write a song that was less literal than others I write. I wrote it one morning during the recording of the album, in the kitchen of the producer who was letting me stay at his house. It’s about feeling good, a new chapter, eternal optimism, escape.”
Growing up in the eighties his first musical memories were the Stray Cats thrilling rush ‘Runaway Boys’ when he was at nursery before sparking off on The Clash on the Levis ads and Otis Reading, Beatles, Stones and all the classics before embracing the kind of eclectic musical trip that his own songs reflect.
‘I like everything from cheesy pop, hip hop, British music from sixties and seventies Ian Dury, to underground stuff like Suicide and the Membranes. When I first had a band I tried to be something I’m not, cool, hip. indie, like the Kills or The Strokes but I’m not cool and I don’t write songs like that. I’m just a fella from Essex and when I started writing stories and songs about my own life and what I’d seen it all clicked.’
To support the release of his new album Scott Lavene is heading out on the road with his newly formed backing band The Pub Garden.
The new track is shared in-line with news of her debut album, 'Lesson' (out August 2, 2019) which comes produced by Sam Gleason (Charlotte Cornfield, Omhouse). 'No Brakes' sonically finds Merival - who's previous collabs include members of Born Ruffians and Teen Daze - rubbing shoulders with the likes of Haley Heynderickx, Adrianne Lenker and Marissa Nadler; bewitching melodies are intertwined with icy vocals and carousel-like rhythms, all topped off with a slightly tongue-in-cheek video.
Anna is quite open about her mental health and 'No Brakes' explores the writing process when battling these demons. Lyrically, it encapsulates the insecurity that comes with artistry and the perception of 'bad art vs good art', and 'mental anguish vs stability' - whether an artist needs to be in a darker psychological place to conjure up 'good' or credible music.
Speaking about the track, Merival says: “The video for 'No Brakes' was a fun flip around from the track. Whereas lyrically we had a serious subject: depression, and does feeling worse make better art? — This topic was given a spin with contrasting musical elements, for the video we took a kind of goofy narrative and tried to lend some gravitas to the actions around it.”
Nepoer Folk Festival faves Spirit Family Reunion are set to return with 'Ride Free' their first album in four years. Fans will notice a wider variety of instrumentation on a number of songs, from electric guitar to a horn section on “Gradual Power,” though their signature harmonies, Maggie Carson’s banjo, and Stephen Weinheimer’s washboard are alive and well.
Banjo player Maggie Carson contributes lead vocals to the rousing old-time tune “When I Get Home” while washboard man Stephen Weinheimer sings vulnerably about a moment of self-doubt in “Moon In The Mirror.” The insightful “Gradual Power” finds the band exploring the cyclical nature of things. Nick Panken wrote “Come Our Way” towards the end of 2016, exploring the balance between individual action and acceptance on the course of events. The band continues its commitment to traditional folk music with a rousing interpretation of the cowboy classic “Whoopie Ti Yi To.”
Of the single, Panken says, “This is a song about self empowerment, solidarity among outcasts, a thirst for trespassing borders that uphold convention. Being alive is the only permission you need to be here. That is your one way ticket, and it’s as valid as the rest. Though our societies invent criteria that inflict very real suffering upon a multitude of beings, we are all entitled to claim dignified lives simply because we are here. Ultimately this is more real than any fabricated rule or restriction, and this song suggests that the validation you need is contained within you.”
Spirit Family Reunion has played Austin City Limits and headlined the Brooklyn Folk Fest; performed an NPR Tiny Desk Concert; joined tours with Hurray for the Riff Raff, The Alabama Shakes, and Levon Helm; and been streamed well over two million times on Spotify.
London based artist and producer Grace Gillespie is releasing her new single ‘I’m Your Man’, announcing her debut EP ‘Pretending’.
After “a very musically immersive experience” touring as part of Pixx’s live line up “getting to play alongside the likes of - Nilufer Yanya, Sorry, Cosmo Pyke and Trudy and the Romance”, South London based Grace Gillespie is exploring the world of psych-pop with her new solo material.
Releasing her take on a woozy, romantic ballad, a self-proclaimed “pyjama clad, songwriter living in a fictional apocalyptic world”, the track was born from Grace’s job hunt : “I could imagine an interview scenario where I was dressed up very sharply and was selling myself in an Elvis voice, shaking all their hands: look no further I'm Your Man.”
Originally from Devon, Grace was constantly surrounded by art: “Both my parents, my grandmothers, my grandpa, auntie and great aunt are all incredible painters, sculptors, print-makers.”
As a child, the most influential gallery she could visit was her own home, filled with visual art by her parents. She explains, “childishly, I liked seeing how the work that related to me – paintings that my mother or father had painted in the years before I was born or in the years when I was very young.”
“For me, all music - my own song writing as well as much of the music I have listened to throughout my life - is attached permanently to specific images and locations,” she continues, carrying on the artistic tradition.
‘I’m Your Man’ is available on all online platforms on 17th May, is the first track from Grace’s debut EP ‘Pretending’ out 28th July on Kaleidoscope.
