Lee Rogers - Buzzard Buzzard Buzzard - Fellow Hollow - CocoRosie feat: Irina Anufrieva

Lee Rogers is a Belfast based singer songwriter and his brand new song 'Haunted' really is a standout track. Lee's vocals immediately resonate with plenty of emotion and raw power, on this powerful folk rocker. ===== Welsh band Buzzard Buzzard Buzzard just released '30,000 Megabucks' whilst announcing a live stream event in December and this feisty alt rock suggests that's going to be a show to watch. ===== Fellow Hollow have created an exquisite new song entitled 'Dog fence weeds' where wonderful vocals and harmonies are matched by a melodic and lovable musical backdrop. ===== CocoRosie have released 'Go Away' featuring Irina Anufrieva today along with a video. Music favorites of ours CocoRosie continue to create and share original and irresistible material and with Irina Anufrieva's contribution this is no exception. 

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Lee Rogers - Haunted.

Belfast songwriter Lee Rogers returns with new single ‘Haunted’, taken from upcoming album Gameblood. Combining gravel-lined vocals, Springsteen-esque storytelling and a penchant for melancholy, the result is reminiscent of the likes of The War On Drugs, and The National.

This release marks something of a phoenix rising from the ashes, having been burnt badly along with his record label by corrupt forces beyond their control.

This will be Zenith Cafe’s first project since their triumphant comeback – taking down the banking entities that forced them to shut down 10 years ago (the story has been bought by Sony and is currently being made into a feature film.

When this happened, Lee took some time to pursue his other life as a tattoo artist. Now that the label have finally got some justice, it’s time for Lee to pick up his guitar where he left off.

A fitting soundtrack to long, dark nights and frosty weather, ‘Haunted’ is a take on the classic Wuthering Heights tale of Cathy and Heathcliff, from the latters perspective.

Lee tells us “The idea of telling the other side of Kate Bush’s beautiful take on Cathys story was something I’d never heard before. My wife Nikita educated me on the book and together we wrote ‘Haunted’. I wanted the music, production and lyrics in this song to echo the darker, twisted love from Heathcliffs point of view.”

Lee Rogers · LEE ROGERS - HAUNTED

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Buzzard Buzzard Buzzard - 30,000 Megabucks.

Welsh four-piece Buzzard Buzzard Buzzard have today shared their cosmic new single ‘30,000 Megabucks’ - the first new music from the hotly-tipped band since the The Non-Stop EP, their debut release on Missing Piece Records / Communion.

The band have also announced a live stream event THE BEAUTIFUL SHOW, which will combine a live performance from Buzzard Buzzard Buzzard with appearances from some very special guests, all from the opulent surroundings of Cardiff Bay’s Portland House - the building where the first ever £1,000,000 check was cashed. THE BEAUTIFUL SHOW will be broadcast live at 7PM GMT / 2PM ET / 11AM PT on December 9th, and available to watch on demand for 24 hours for viewers around the globe. Tickets can be purchased HERE.

‘30,000 Megabucks’ combines the idea of nuclear devastation with stickin’ it to the man, all while bursting with typical Buzzard Buzzard Buzzard rock’n’roll swagger. Frontman Tom Rees explains: “‘30,000 Megabucks’ was inspired by a seemingly ridiculous but very real request from an old publishing agency that I was with, who wanted £30,000 to release me from the deal. It all turned out fine in the end, but back then I was so furious that I decided to put pen to paper to ‘take down the man’ as it were. 

The ‘Mega’ element comes from the total amount of nuclear bombing power required to completely devastate all human life on planet Earth, which is 30,000 megatons. I had been watching a lot of Chernobyl documentaries and also a film called Threads, so a small part of me was quite excited when they asked for £30k because the narrative locked in quite well. For that reason it was sure to be a hit - take that, man! We used to play the riff in sound check just because it sounded like AC/DC and we even played it as one of the walk-on songs on Soccer AM when we were on there. When we play it live it goes on for like fifteen minutes!”

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Fellow Hollow - Dog fence weeds.

The new Fellow Hollow single "Dog fence weeds" is out now. The second single from their upcoming album, Violet Paper Wings - due out December 4th, is a bit of a departure from their previous sound by making use of arpeggiated piano and synth, live drums, and singer Andrew Gavin Williams pushing up into the higher range of his voice.

Luke Elliot Fleeman and Andrew Gavin Williams came together in Columbus, OH in the winter of 2015 to make alternative folk music. After both being members of a punchy six-piece pop-folk band, Luke approached Andrew with a batch of instrumental guitar songs.

Andrew explains that “They were un/finished, gorgeous, melancholy odysseys that had been in his personal canon for years, written in the throes of seasonal sadness.” Luke enlisted Andrew to help complete them -- record, produce, pen lyrics, and sing. This lead to the two working meticulously every Wednesday for over a year to shape all of this work into an EP.

'When You Love the Same People, You Love Each Other' is the result of the first batch of material they finished. Even then, they left songs unfinished still, and have written more new songs in the intervening year since that release.

Andrew explains that “The songs and words we write are of a world, surreal and real, hanging somewhere in space, somewhere between fiction and autobiography. They're the blanket, and the cold room begging for blankets. They're somewhere soft, deep in the quiet eye of a violent storm. A dry canopy, a wet floor. Seasonal depression and self-doubt, sleepiness and wasted time, geographical places I've never seen, fake mantras, the wisdom of older people, and mourning for what was taken from us in childhood.”

Diversion Records · Fellow Hollow - "Dog fence weeds"

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CocoRosie - Go Away feat: Irina Anufrieva.

Following PUT THE SHINE ON, released last Spring, and the collaborative anthem “End of the Freak Show” HERE feat. ANOHNI, Brooke Candy, Big Freedia and Cakes da killa, released on October 7, 2020, CocoRosie now release their new single,"GO AWAY!". In response to the rise of fascist dictators around the world, and especially, the current atrocities in Belarus, CocoRosie teamed up with Belarusian artist Irina Anufrieva and producer, friend, and long time collaborator Dave Sitek to create the outraged protest song "GO AWAY!".

After the Belarusian election was stolen by the current dictator, the vast majority of Belarusian people took to the streets to protest peacefully for their livelihood and democracy. In response they have endured being mercilessly beaten, jailed, tortured and even murdered. Many have disappeared without a trace.

The solidarity, strength and integrity of the Belarusian people has moved CocoRosie deeply and opened their eyes to what is possible in the face of violent, tyrannical adversity. The list of countries being terrorized by their own corrupt governments is too long to cite here.

The parallels between Belarus and the United States are evident and highlight the abuse of power and a pervasive unethical system, as well as, the all too familiar image of a single man spitting in the face of his "own" people, threatening to never GO AWAY!

This song also speaks directly to the hateful man currently in the seat of "terror" in the United States and its history of systemic racism resulting in the perpetuation of police brutality against Black People.

"GO AWAY!"  is meant to induce an electric feeling of empowerment and at the same time incite rage. This rage is to be harnessed and danced. We can transform our reality. We can transform our sorrow, grief and rage into art, into power, into action.

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TANDM - Elliott Waits For No One

TANDM have shared 'Earthworm' (2020 Remastered) and it's a refreshingly upbeat indie pop song with melodic hooks and vibrant vocals. ===== Elliott Waits For No One have shared a superb video for 'You Can't See Through Me' along with the release of their self titled debut album. The song is one of thirteen tracks on the new album and gives a good feel for this beautifully crafted collection, where attention to detail is matched by some notable creativity and clear passion for their resulting musical output.

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TANDM - Earthworm (2020 Remastered).

Lead vocalist and guitarist Maxine Beck-Sinderby and drummer Thomas Franklin met serendipitously at a music studio in high school. The duo have since released two back-to-back EPs, titled Reflections, Vol. 1 and Reflections, Vol. 2; achieving them features on CBC Radio, and City TV’s Breakfast Television Toronto. Maxine’s undeniable musical talent runs in her family: her uncles are Grammy-winning Canadian musician Jason Beck known to the world as Chilly Gonzales and prolific Hollywood film composer Christophe Beck, known for his Emmy-award winning work on Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and blockbuster films Frozen, Frozen 2, Ant-Man and The Hangover. 

Franklin honed his craft first with international touring jazz drummer Bill Ransom in the US, and then with renowned Toronto musician Anthony Michelli. Both jazz and classically trained in multiple instruments, Franklin and Beck-Sinderby started writing and performing their music in Canada and Sweden; and both graduated in June 2020 from Toronto’s York University, with Bachelors of Fine Arts Honours in Music.

In early live performances their instrumentation was minimal, and they soon developed a signature sound marked by Maxine’s silky vocals and catchy reverb-filled guitar riffs, driven forward by the energy of Thomas’s drum flourishes. Drawing inspiration from the likes of ALVVAYS, The Black Keys, Foals, Of Monsters and Men, and Daughter, TANDM’s music weaves stories around the complexities of life. From personal pleasures and conflicts to the flaws in society encountered in young adulthood, TANDM’s upbeat sounds, vivid narratives and captivating melodies create a bittersweet and memorable experience for the audience that echoes long after a first listen. 

TANDM · Earthworm (2020 Remastered)

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Elliott Waits For No One - You Can't See Through Me.

Elliott Waits For No One (EWFNO) have released their self-titled debut album on Dark Star Records/Sony/Universal.

VP of Entertainment Owen Cotter of McGill Media & SciFiction.com says Elliott Waits For No One's new single and music video is a must to checkout! With a mix of Asimov sci-fi style robots dancing in a nature dreamscape combined with alternative rock tunes what’s not more to want. This new single rocks and I highly recommend it!

Tim Roth, director of the video adds, "The first time I heard "You Can't See Through Me" by Elliott Waits For No One, I was immediately struck with images of a slow-motion ballet dancer, dancing among ruins. The haunting, evocative cello, the dark vocals, and the beautiful melody, made this a video that I felt could be quite compelling and poignant, and I was eager to take on the project.  Unfortunately (or serendipitously), no models were willing to work in-person due to the pandemic. 

I then turned to resources that I knew I had ready access to...Computer Graphics. Actors were replaced with 3D models and landscapes were only limited by what I could find online. All four seasons were now at my disposal. Once the smoke finally cleared from the Northern California fires, I was also able to venture out and capture some of the beautiful landscapes that I needed for the "hero" shots. It also didn't hurt that my brother Nick Roth is an ace graphic artist and was always available to answer technical questions...and there were many."

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Violent Vickie - Jasmine Rodgers - Van Plating

Violent Vickie returns with a new video for 'Under the Gun' and once again our favorite Dark Synth-Riot artist is on fabulous form as the song reminds us of just how good her recent album release really is! ===== It's been over a year since Jasmine Rodgers last graced our pages and 'Flies' makes for a welcome return from this talented and creative modern folk artist. ===== Van Plating just released 'Bird on a Wire' and it's a fabulous singer-songwriter piece where her vocals are wonderful and the musical arrangement adds so much more as the layers build.

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Violent Vickie - Under the Gun.

Los Angeles-based Dark Synth-Riot artist Violent Vickie released the Music Video for "Under The Gun" on October 23.

The video was directed and edited by Nick Pagonakis of Underboss Films and shot in a parking lot in Long Beach, CA by Jennifer Miller.  The song is a seductively cold reaction to the pressure to conform and produce in a capitalist society.

Violent Vickie is a Los Angeles based Dark Synth-Riot artist consisting of Vickie and co-producer/recording guitarist E.  Vickie has toured with Hanin Elias of Atari Teenage Riot and shared the stage with Jessie Evans (The Vanishing), Trans X, Them Are Us Too, Aimon & The Missing Persons.  

She has toured the US & Europe and played Insted Fest, Solidarity Fest, Shoutback Fest & Gay Prides and Ladyfests.  Vickie’s tracks have been released by Crunch Pod, Emerald & Doreen Recordings (Berlin), Riot Grrrl Berlin, & LoveCraft Bar (PDX).  Her track "The Wolf“ was featured in a National Organization for Women film and she was interviewed for the documentary “GRRRL”, part of the museum exhibit “Alien She”.  Her LP "Monster Alley” was voted best album by KALX and her tracks have been remixed by 25+ artists.  Vickie's "Division" LP was released on Crunch Pod on September 4.

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Jasmine Rodgers - Flies.

Four years on from the release of her critically acclaimed album Blood Red Sun, Jasmine is back with “Flies”, the first release from her forthcoming EP. The track is set for release on 23rd October.

For anyone that doesn’t already know, Jasmine Rodgers has a rapidly-growing reputation for fusing influences from rock, blues, soul, folk and country into lush musical textures layered with poetic lyrics. Her stripped-back solo shows feature her complex guitar picking styles and intricate vocals, as she shifts effortlessly across her varied musical landscape, from folk to rock.

“Flies” is a lyrical study of survival and mortality and the minutiae of life that signpost hopes and frustrations. Building slowly from its guitar- and vocal-led core, Rodgers gradually and subtly elevates the track through the introduction of piano and layered-reverbs. The latter are used to create the constant ‘buzz’ in the track’s background, with it eventually dying out so that the song’s escalating tension neatly mirrors the message of its lyrical content. In conversation with Jasmine she says:

“People can take life too seriously, but life is so short in the grand scheme of things. But it’s a bit of a double-edged sword, as that is probably why people take it so seriously and make certain choices about the way they want to live”

This track showcases the ethereal beauty of Jasmine’s vocals and is driven by her finger-picked folk guitar technique, unusually deployed in the use of an electric guitar. “Flies” will be released independently on all major digital download and streaming platforms 23rd October 2020.

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Van Plating - Bird on a Wire.

Van Plating wasn’t sure how her self-titled album would be received in 2019 after a nine-year hiatus from music.

After attending Florida Southern College and majoring in violin and voice, Plating spent her 20s immersed in the indie rock scene, playing violin and singing with her band Pemberly (named after the country estate in Pride & Prejudice). The band was poised for success, receiving warm receptions while on tour with the likes of Copeland, The Postmarks, Matt Pond PA, and Margot & the Nuclear So and So’s. Things were going great — until they weren’t. The band broke up and she decided to take some time off. A year turned into three, which turned into six, and before she knew it nearly a decade had passed.

Plating woke up one day and wasn’t sure where she fit in musically anymore. The music business isn’t known for being kind to women after they reach a certain age — and she no longer had a band to blend in with. She knew if she took another shot at it, she would be front and center, and would rise or fall alone. Either way, she knew she wanted to try again, and cast any fears aside.

Plating recently confessed about 2019’s Van Plating, “A year and a half ago, I thought I was going to write a little acoustic record to give to my friends, but that’s not what it turned out to be at all.” Instead, the album took on a life of its own, blossoming into a collection of songs indebted to the confessional folk tradition whilst embracing forward-thinking pop song structures, harkening to celebrated offerings from Lilith Fair icons like Paula Cole, Aimee Mann, Natalie Merchant, and Shawn Colvin. Plating also dipped her toes into the Americana world with songs like “Standing Still” and “Mountain” — both of which received praise from Americana-focused media outlets.

“I was literally in the studio experimenting and trying things,” she recalls. “Where I landed, which has been really cool, is in that Americana world, which I love a lot. And that just sort of happened organically after the record was released. I had a lot of momentum coming into the spring with a festival booked, and a lot of shows were coming in before they all got canceled, and they were good opportunities.”

It was the reception to her new sound that gave her the confidence to lean into a more singer-songwriter vibe on the songs she’s recorded during quarantine.

“The album I put out last year really helped me find my way,” she affirms. “Now I feel like I don't need anybody else to tell me or help me kind of uncover who I am anymore; I know that I'm a strong singer and a strong songwriter. That record taught me who I am.”

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Les Flâneur - The Sonder Bombs - Imogen Mahdavi

Les Flâneur brand new album 'A Long Season' is simply breathtaking. Comprising of eight rich and creative songs featuring a variety of guest vocalists this really is impressive, touching and engaging music that will appeal to a wide range of music lovers, as it takes us from dream pop moments, through to more dramatic pieces ===== The Sonder Bombs return just a month since we shared 'What Are Friends For?' with another new single entitled 'Crying Is Cool' where the melodic hooks are again everywhere on this refined alt rocker. ===== London-based singer-songwriter Imogen Mahdavi has just released 'Some Things Are Best Over Said' a song that showcases her distinctive falsetto vocals wonderfully, this is one highly addictive track.

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Les Flâneur - A Long Season (Album).

Five years of working, three languages, artists from many different countries, and even Continents. So this album was born, not out of ambitions, but out of a true Flâneur attitude, which led the producer Alex Marchetti to involve friends and singers from Italy, Sweden, Brasil into his project.

Friends and artists who added their talent and voices to the tracks he'd been writing aside his main project, the band Il Disordine delle cose. Some, as Alice Greco, were found by lucky chance, during an evening out with friends at a local gig. Others, as Hanna Turi, played at the house concerts he used to organise in his country house. There are many reasons why this is a relevant album to listen to, right now.

The fluid electronic texture, the sincerity of lyrics, the catchy songwriting. But most of all, this album comes out of people joining souls in music, out of human exhanges, out of travels. In a time when we're all stuck, due to circumstances, it's important to remember how much beauty travels, and encounters, can bring.

Le Flâneur is a dynamic figure: he can sit in a bistro observing the world that flows in front of him, but he is also a tireless walker, covering great distances, travelling random routes. A condition that allows him to observe everything that happens around him, without haste. A kind of involuntary hero, who fights against the approval of costumes and reaffirms his personality. He just wants to save himself.

The project: Les Flâneurs is an idea of producer Alessandro Marchetti, who's also a member of the indie band Il Disordine delle Cose. They released 3 albums (Quite Please, Warner Chapell). The full-lenght "La Giostra" was recorded in Iceland with the sound engineer of Sigur Ros and "In the Right Place" in Scotland in the studio of Mogwai and Belle and Sebastian.

Over those years Alessandro recorded some songs with a different soul, now collected under the name Les Flâneurs, involving collaborations with several artists he met in these years.  The sound ranges between indie, electronic and folk, with a significant use of synths, drum machines and orchestral sections.
He liked the idea of working with different singers, especially girls. It's a sort of collective project, with Alessandro working as "director" as well as producer, in which everyone has brought their talents helping to improve the songs. The songs feature artists from different countries: from Italian Carlot-ta, to Swedish Hanna Turi, to Brazilian Priscila Ribas. There is also a featuring (clearly unauthorized) by Edith Piaf.

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The Sonder Bombs - Crying Is Cool.

Midwesterner upstarts The Sonder Bombs have today announced their new album Clothbound, out January 29th on Big Scary Monsters (UK/EU) and Take This To Heart (US), and share new track / video ‘Crying is Cool’. Produced in Philadelphia during quarantine with Joe Reinhart (Hop Along, Beach Bunny), their new record captures a band burning at both ends.

“Crying is Cool” could be considered a spirited highlight reel of Willow Hawks’ voice—the melody dips into doo-wop cool before it reaches for the rafters. The single is also The Sonder Bombs at their most earnest and educational, teaching listeners of all ages that it’s okay to hole up with your feelings as long as you give them room to grow and bloom. The band operates on a singular syllabus, where feeling is fine, as long as you’re letting yourself feel at all.

“Crying is cool” is all about validation and vulnerability” says lead singer Willow Hawks. “Being there for friends when they need it as well as being cared for. That solidarity is such a beautiful thing and we really wanted to capture the goodness in that with the video! Our director Ben Lieber had the brilliant idea of a weekend cabin getaway with friends which fit so perfectly with the message of the song and then our genius stylists Chlo & Mick just brought the full vision to life! We’re so excited to share “Crying is cool” and this next chapter of The Sonder Bombs with the world!”

For The Sonder Bombs, self-confidence starts when it crosses paths with self-analysis. Their debut defined a new era of socially conscious, unapologetic pop punk. The alt-folk quartet began as a duo in 2016, with Hawks and her writing partner Jimmy Wilkens trading off abrasive and melodic punches against a DIY universe which places gender politics at the bottom of a list of priorities.

Now, the Cleveland quartet have doubled down on their second record. 2018’s debut MODERN FEMALE ROCKSTAR was their first bet: an all-caps attack against a male-dominated scene brandishing a ukulele and dry wit as chosen weapons. A year and some change passed, where their relentless touring ethic and tough love caused a homegrown fan base to explode worldwide. Clothbound, like the title suggests, weaves a different narrative—one of loss, letting go, and losing patience with losers. If the first record introduced unapologetic sensitivity, Clothbound searches for the root causes of other key elements.

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Imogen Mahdavi - Some Things Are Best Over Said.

London-based singer-songwriter Imogen Mahdavi releases her new single, “Some Things Are Best Oversaid.” Featuring Imogen's distinct, falsetto vocals dance elegantly atop floaty melodies and twangy, country style guitars, creating a hypnotic release. Reminiscent of Lana Del Rey, Imogen’s simple and minimalist arrangements, combined with echoing harmonies give you an uplift feel to cleanse the soul.

Imogen Mahdavi is known for her unique and rich vocals, which tell a thousand stories. With a slew of wistful indie-pop releases under her belt, the musician has forged her own path, carving her name with her beautifully introspective creations. Radiating with sincerity and grace, Imogen is unlike anything you’ve heard before.

Following the success of “Crowd of Thoughts”, a hauntingly epic track produced by Grammy Winner Eddie Serafica (Hamzaa, James Bay, Buddy Guy), Imogen is unveiling the incandescent “Some Things Are Best Oversaid”. Her distinct, falsetto vocals dance elegantly atop floaty melodies and twangy, country style guitars, creating a hypnotic release. Reminiscent of Lana Del Rey, Imogen’s simple and minimalist arrangements, combined with echoing harmonies give you an uplift feel to cleanse the soul.

Inspired by the likes of Joan Baez and Anita Carter, Imogen wanted to reignite the old romance of country songs, whilst simultaneously creating something for people to dance to. “Some Things Are Best Oversaid” narrates wearing your heart on your sleeve, not only romantically, but also with your friends, family and creative passions. The songwriter confides, “Life is short and I am not one to be coy about my love for someone. If you make me happy I want to shout it from the rooftops and show my appreciation. I think we get too fixated on being too much for others, not being cool enough, but there is nothing more dope to me than an honest heart and someone who isn't afraid of being judged for showing it.”

Imogen Mahdavi · Some Things Are Best Over Said

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