Lila Iké - Agora Sci-Fi - Miami Horror feat Telenova - Sofia Härdig

Lila Iké - Too Late To Lie.

Jamaican singer-songwriter Lila Iké opens up a world of vulnerability on her new single, “Too Late To Lie.” The brand new song and music video is from her forthcoming debut album via Wurl Iké Records & In.Digg.Nation Collective under exclusive license to Ineffable Records.

Lila Iké recently announced her first UK headlining shows with her full band. She and Wurl Band will hit the stage in London, Bristol and Manchester from April 8-10, 2025. Prior to that, she heads to Japan to perform a series of dates with their local Home Grown band.

“Too Late To Lie,” features production by Winta James, opening with a crescendo of live instrumentation that goes from a faint crack of snare drums to a dramatic avalanche of sounds. As Lila Ike’s melodic siren coos its way through the intro, every word thereafter is drenched in conviction.

“I know my life will never be the same,” she expresses about the heartbreak and betrayal she feels. In the video directed by Remi Laudat, Lila Ike is flanked by towers of speaker boxes, staples of the foundational sound system culture that birthed the rumble of the Jamaican dub bassline that inspires so much of this single and the many highlights in her discography. 

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Agora Sci-Fi - portals.

The Midwest’s latest lo-fi pop unit Agora Sci-Fi proudly presents their debut single, “portals”. This is the first offering from the upcoming LP Finding It Hard to Explain Something so Obvious.
 
An introspective tune about living in a different world from people you’ve parted ways with, "portals" provides a healing journey that transcends space and time. Whether through dreams or through memories, Agora Sci-Fi analyzes these various paths that connect metaphysically. Wrapped in a melancholic cadence and flowery vocal harmonies, the new track hits deep for those experiencing a fresh loss.
 
Speaking in further detail about the new track is Nathania Rubin herself: “Even if you consciously know that you will never see a person again, it’s not something you can feel in advance. I liked the idea of expressing this by saying “I knew that I’d see you again.” It’s not a thought, because that is too conscious, it’s an assumption. You walk around knowing this until one day you find yourself in a new life - a world without that person. In a way they are still in your world, but you have to pass through unclear portals to reach them.”
 
Recording for the single and upcoming album took place at Eclipse Studios in Normal, IL. Beginning in 2023 and wrapping up in the latter half of 2024, the tracks you’ll hear on the upcoming album are emotionally raw centerpieces filled with irresistible bits of ear candy.

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Miami Horror - We're All Made Of Stars (feat. Telenova).

From Miami Horror we are told “We’re All Made of Stars” is one of our favorite songs and collabs from the new album (just released last Friday), encapsulating many of the album’s core themes in a single track. It’s a song about loss — losing people we love and wondering if we’ll ever see them again.

But it also speaks to a greater idea of cosmic resolution: the notion that we never truly leave, that we are always part of the same universe and infinite cycle of life. The track carries an ethereal, almost otherworldly magic, heightened by the stunning vocals of Ange from @telenovaofficial , whose presence completes a full-circle moment for us with Josh’s new project.

The lyrics reflect on the passage of time, existence and the realization that we all return to the same source from which we came.

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Sofia Härdig - In Silence.

As the release of her 9th studio album Lighthouse Of Glass looms nearer, genre-defying Swedish songstress Sofia Härdig offers fans a final insight with 'In Silence' released via Bark At Your Owner (part of the Icons Creating Evil art family).

Opening with delicate acoustic guitar that gradually builds in intensity, 'In Silence' showcases Härdig's commanding vocals, delivered with a raw, Patti Smith-esque power that cuts through the instrumentation with visceral force. The track found new life when Härdig rediscovered it in her archives, taking on fresh dimensions through careful layering of instrumentation. A chance encounter after a gig led to the addition of Sara Edin's captivating violin work, adding a new dimension to the track. Härdig recalls: "Sara saw one of my gigs and came up and said if you need violin just call me. I love her tone and playing. It's bold and beautiful just as her."

In her poetic reflection on the piece, Härdig describes her obsession with silence as "the breaking point of reality where anything can happen," wrapping listeners in what she calls "a cloak of silence that I can wear like a shroud." Her words evoke silence not as absence, but as a living, breathing entity: "the silence I am breaking apart... where the words sleep. And in that silence we rise...". In this transformative space, silence acts as both refuge and spark - a deep darkness where change begins before bursting into sound.

Drawing from a diverse range of influences including Nick Cave, PJ Harvey, and Alan Vega, 'In Silence' emerges as the final preview of Härdig's upcoming album Lighthouse of Glass. The track represents what she describes as "the tip of the iceberg of a long cycle of lyrics, often a novel/short story that I have built in solitude." This approach extends across the album, with each song offering a carefully crafted window into deeper sonic worlds. Self-produced between her home studio and a three-week residency at Visby Center for Composers, Lighthouse of Glass defies easy categorization, moving fluidly between alternative rock, gothic rock, and post-punk. The recording process became a unique blend of creativity and community, with Härdig's kitchen and tin roof serving as unconventional meeting points for an impressive roster of collaborators, including Swedish guitar luminaries Robert Johnsson (Robert Johnson and the Punchdrunks) and long-time collaborator John Essing (Bob Hud). The final polish comes from Grammy-awarded mixer Nille Perned.

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Autumn Hollow - Marathon - Molara - Skinny Lister - Maya Delilah

Autumn Hollow - Wooden Wire.

Boston's Autumn Hollow is excited to announce the release of their new single, "Wooden Wire," the first track from their forthcoming album. The full album, Say No More, is set to release on May 2nd, marking a significant milestone in their musical journey. Brendan Murphy, the Boston-based singer-songwriter known for his commanding vocal presence and incisive lyrics, draws inspiration from storytellers like Bob Dylan, Neil Young, and Warren Zevon. His distinctive voice carries an aura of unfiltered honesty throughout the new material, particularly evident on "Wooden Wire."

Glide Magazine describes the premiere: "'Hot damn' might be used to describe the first few minutes of Boston-based Autumn Hollow's 'Wooden Wire,' a trembly rocker that combines the vulnerable essence of Jason Molina with the cosmic improvisational charm of Zuma era Neil Young & Crazy Horse. Frontman Brendan Murphy brings a commanding presence to the vocals, and an aura of unfiltered honesty cascades in the five-minute-plus song."

The album was produced by Brendan Murphy and Elio DeLuca at the Soul Shop in Medford, Massachusetts. It features the band's new rhythm section with Chuck Vath on bass and Ian McMillan on drums, whose distinct energy has transformed Autumn Hollow's sound. Alongside Murphy and lead guitarist Mike Burke, they've crafted a collection of songs that feel both intimately familiar and daringly fresh—a roots rock record unafraid to push beyond traditional Americana boundaries.

Say No More features an impressive roster of guest musicians, including Elio DeLuca (Titus Andronicus) on piano, electric piano, organ, synthesizers, and percussion; Sarah Leveque on vocals; Peter Zarkadas on guitars; Will Ellis Johnson on pedal steel; and Gabriel Hirshfeld on banjo. Their collective talents have infused the record with a rich sonic palette that builds on Autumn Hollow's core sound.

Autumn Hollow · Wooden Wire

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Marathon - Shadow Raised a Star.

Marathon, a band forged by the raw intensity of Amsterdam’s underground scene, is sharing the last single ahead of the release of their highly anticipated debut album, Fading Image. The album is set to drop on April 11th 2025, via V2 Records, and marks a new chapter for the band, bringing their unique spin to the post-punk revival.

After singles Out of Depth and For the Better, Marathon now shares new single Shadow Raised a Star. They say there's sunshine after the rain. But what’s rarely said is how that rain shapes us — makes us stronger so we can truly enjoy the sunshine.

"Shadow Raised a Star" is the final single leading up to Marathon's debut album Fading Image. A musical journey that takes you through almost every possible emotion. On this track, the band embraces their shoegaze influences like never before — a familiar undertow in their music that now rises to the surface in all its glory.

Marathon’s music captures the anxieties of the 21st century, with relentless drumming by Lennart, gritty vocals by Kay, and commanding six-string basslines by Nina, creating a backdrop of tension and release. Expanded live by keys and guitars by additional musicians Sofie and Victor, their sound evolves into an explosive mix of post-punk, shoegaze, noise and grunge—a “wall of sound” that balances darkness with the promise of new beginnings.

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Molara - Ore Mi (Album).

This is a sensation! Molara also known Molara Adesigbin was the singer and original front woman of the legendary ZION TRAIN and finally after more than 30 years tracks from her disappeared solo album which was initially released on SKUNK RECORDS will see the light of day via ECHO BEACH. Molara joined ZT in 1992 and the DUB ensemble became the “example” for the Live Sound System culture which grew around the globe from the 90ties onwards.

The characteristic sound fusion ZT created was very progressive at that time. They merged reggae and dub with dance styles like trance and acid house to create a vibrant and potent mixture. They achieved mainstream success with the album “Homegrown Fantasy”, their first release from a record deal with CHINA Records. The WIBBLY WOBBLY WORLD of MUSIC studio in Manor House, London was the creative home of ZT and a hub for the immense output of releases, productions, remixes etc predominantly on their label Universal Egg, until they re-located to Pembrokeshire in 1998.
 
A solo album by Molara with songs co-written with Colin "Cod" was also created at that time, but not properly released. Now, ECHO BEACH is highly delighted to announce the re-release of some of the lost Molara solo album, along with Space, originally featured on the China Records Grow Together album.

A sky full of dub romantic and magic references…, a naturally hemp celebrating and glorious science piece of Dub with omnipresent influences of low-frequency bass, scrambled fantasies, delays, echoes and reverbs.  

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Skinny Lister - Plough On.

Relentless folk/punk powerhouses Skinny Lister are ecstatic to announce their new album ‘Songs From The Yonder’ due for release on 9 May 2025, via Xtra Mile Recordings. A band who’ve never been afraid to plough their own furrow, they herald in their next era with the joyous new single "Plough On".

An insurgent anthem with shades of classic Billy Bragg or Elvis Costello, "Plough On" is a rousing rallying cry that urges us to roar in the face of adversity. Propelled by the punchy vocal performance of frontman Dan Heptinstall, he says of the track: “"Plough On" is about overcoming those unwelcome obstacles that inevitably get thrown our way now and then. But most of all–it’s an optimistic song about successfully weathering the storm and the hope of reaching ‘good times again’.”

Rooted in the influences that inspired the band’s earliest works, eagle-eared listeners will detect references to the melody of the traditional tune "Speed The Plough", which the band would perform together in their very earliest days. “It’s always fun to revisit uplifting traditional melodies like this, and stay connected to what we feel is the folk soul of the band” adds Dan.

The track arrives complete with a hilarious official video that finds the band tackling all terrain and taking on a bunch of less metaphoric, very real physical obstacles some members more successfully than others...

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Photo - Rae Farrow

Maya Delilah - Maya Maya Maya.

Maya Delilah has released “Maya Maya Maya,” the final single to be revealed from her forthcoming debut album The Long Way Round out March 28 via Blue Note/Capitol. The London-based singer, songwriter, and guitarist was recently named a 2025 Spotify “Artist To Watch,” another sure sign of her rising star after she was named to the Fender Next “Class of 2024.” Maya’s debut album makes good on that promise by bringing all the elements of her art together — the intimacy, the ability, the inspiration, the depth, the lightness — into one striking work.

Following the unvarnished funk of the flirty single “Squeeze,” the endearing soul-pop gem “Maya Maya Maya” shows yet another side of Maya’s musical personality. “It feels like a song to my younger self,” she says. “It’s about not being taken advantage of, not always trying to please people, and making sure I’m living in the right way.”

“This album is a combination of so many parts of me,” says Maya. “I get so influenced by different genres, people, places, and experiences that it’s always felt hard for me to fit my music into a consistent sound or mood. It took me a long time (hence The Long Way Round) to realize that it’s a beautiful thing to have a body of work that explores so many different influences.”

Making the album was also a literal journey, from a barn-based studio in Devon, England, to a home studio in Los Angeles, and back to various rooms across London. All with a cast of friends new and old, including producers Peter Miles, Josh Grant, Doug Schadt, Seth Tackaberry, and Aquilo’s Ben Fletcher and Tom Higham, as well as collaborators including Samm Henshaw, Grace Lightman, members of FIZZ, organist Cory Henry, and drummer Aaron Sterling (John Mayer, Taylor Swift).

Maya Delilah · Maya, Maya, Maya

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Avery Friedman - Joan and the Giants - Eidetic Dreams - Shura ft. Cassandra Jenkins - Shealagh Rose

Avery Friedman - Photo Booth / Flowers Fell.

Brooklyn-based artist Avery Friedman has announced her debut album, ‘New Thing,’ for release via Audio Antihero on April 18th. The album features James Chrisman (Sister. / CIAO MALZ) and Felix Walworth (Florist / Told Slant).

Previously, Friedman had always felt that songwriting was just something that other people did until she was pushed by a transcendent live music experience and a traumatic mugging to seek catharsis through music. Playing her first show in July 2024, she soon shared stages with h. pruz, Dead Gowns, and Sister., where she impressed the latter’s James Chrisman enough that he offered to record her debut album.

The result is ‘New Thing,’ a sonically deep and layered debut that sees Friedman explore her trauma and sexuality with a raw open-heartedness inspired by artists like Adrianne Lenker, Squirrel Flower, and Babehoven. Following "Flowers Fell," Friedman's acclaimed debut single, February 28th's "Photo Booth" is a punchy burst of shoegaze and indie music, both singles have impressed Beehive Candy and we really do look forward to the debut album.

“New Thing is a conduit for emotions too frenetic to hold on your own. This record is a collection of the first songs I’ve ever written, after many years of orbiting the music world, but denying myself my own musicianship. Many of these tracks were born of anxiety – from my turning to a guitar to externalize (and organize) a sense of chaos that otherwise felt trapped inside me. We recorded a bulk of it with a live band, as a means to maintain the raw energy at the center of the record. What results is a time capsule for a year of intense personal expansion in my life – and the layers of warmth, wonder, sensitivity and sharpness that come with growing.”  – Avery Friedman.

Avery Friedman · Photo Booth

Avery Friedman · Flowers Fell

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Joan and the Giants - Still Breathing.

Ahead of their very first international shows in Austin, Texas for SXSW, Joan & the Giants return with their first music of 2025: an emotional indie rock single, ‘Still Breathing’, which came out yesterday. Joan and the Giants' collections of accolades expanded exponentially in the past year. Having won Best Rock Song and Runner up Song of the Year at the 2024 WA Song of the Year Awards, touring along Australia’s east coast, playing Sydney's SXSW, and playing alongside P!NK and Tones and I at OPTUS Stadium, 2024 was a productive year, and 2025 is set up to be a fantastic follow-up as they head to the US for SXSW in March.

‘Still Breathing’ is a dreamy and emotional track. Born impromptu from a jam session, this is a free-flowing and heartfelt single and a true reflection of the love and passion that Joan & the Giants put into every song. With two tracks of guitar, a percussive track and melodic track, this song is imbued with an internal conflict. Its echoing instrumentals straddle the line of wistful pop and energetic rock. Frontwoman Grace Newton-Wordsworth’s voice is intoxicatingly authentic and leads the listener on an moving journey.

The emotion of this song comes from a very real place. This single marks the parting of frontwoman Grace Newton-Wordsworth and her long time partner, bandmate and songwriter, Aaron Birch after their nine-year relationship has come to an end. A tumultuous time for both of them, this is a product of their shared pain after their separation, and in that tragedy a passion is captured. This song acts as a farewell to Aaron as he and the band go their separate ways. Grace comments that:

“The lyrics really speak about an inner war, trying to fight for the people you once were but knowing you have to let it all go - “But some things are best kept in the past, and I know we weren’t built to last”.

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Eidetic Dreams - The Truth About My Fall.

Helsinki’s rising dreampop duo Eidetic Dreams returns with The Truth About My Fall a lush, emotionally charged breakup anthem that blends ethereal soundscapes with a fresh pop-rock edge. Featured on Radio Helsinki and praised in Soundi, the band is making waves in the Nordic indie scene. Released via All That Plazz (home to Markus Krunegård, Lala Salama, moshimoshi), this track is their most direct and compelling yet.

The song captures the moment after a breakup when unspoken words finally surface—sometimes as sharp remarks, yet with a lingering sense of respect for what once was. "Breakups are full of contradictions and bittersweet emotions—they hurt, but they can also help us grow as people," says vocalist-songwriter Siiri Kähönen.

Writing the song was quick, but the arrangement took time. "We experimented with different approaches for over a year and a half before realizing that simplicity was the key. We stripped away anything unnecessary to keep the song’s intimacy intact," Kähönen explains. The track’s depth is built on lush vocal layers, an atmospheric synth, and a melodic guitar theme that ties it all together.

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Photo - Charlotte Croft

Shura - Richardson ft. Cassandra Jenkins.

British singer-songwriter and producer Shura shares her new single "Richardson" ft. New York singer-songwriter Cassandra Jenkins. It is the second single taken from her recently announced album I Got Too Sad For My Friends, to be released on May 30 via Play It Again Sam.

A lyric on “Richardson” cuts to the core of the album’s solitary feeling. “I got too down around my friends,” Shura sings over a laid-back groove adorned with soft guitar licks and flurries of keys. It was the first song written for the record, and it was also – by circumstance, but also fittingly – the first song she’s written at home alone on an acoustic guitar since she was a kid. Featuring Cassandra Jenkins, whose album An Overview on Phenomenal Nature was one of the few Shura could listen to during that period of high stress, the track brings her sadness full circle; Jenkins’ voice accompanying hers in lush harmony the same way it did back then.

Shura says: “I fell in love with Cassandra's record at a low point in my life. It felt like an armchair I could crawl into. It accompanied me on long walks I took around my apartment in Greenpoint. I always knew I wanted to work with Cassandra on something. After a few conversations it became obvious to the both of us that it had to be this song. That Cassandra would accompany me here. A song about walking, thinking, and trying to find comfort somewhere, as Cassandra’s voice accompanied me on those walks then.”

Cassandra Jenkins says: “I was drawn to Richardson because it captures a mood that's hard to place, in part because it's so much about place, and a kind of limbo we bring with us wherever we go. I love that this collaboration developed into a meta conversation between me and Shu about the ways we communicate with our loved ones when we are apart, whether by circumstance, time, or geography. It makes me think we were cosmic pen pals long before we ever met.”

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Photo - Calm Elliott-Armstrong

Shealagh Rose - Safe in Our Silence (EP).

Shealagh Rose, a multi-instrumentalist and singer-songwriter from Hamilton, Ontario, releases her captivating new EP, Safe in Our Silence, a collection of songs reflecting themes of vulnerability, growth, and emotional resilience.

The standout focus track, "Perth," is a transcendental and calming piece that celebrates the comfort found in deep, silent connections with loved ones. It embodies a hopeful sentiment, exploring the beauty of letting people into our lives despite the baggage we carry.

"Perth" was recorded in an intimate setting, with Shealagh tracking the piano at the music studio where she teaches, using rented Rodes mics. The process was a learning experience, pushing her to apply her knowledge of mic techniques in new ways. Contributions from friends like Murray Heaton (guitar on "Radio Silence"), Sam Goswell (drums on "Radio Silence"), Dan Minchom (bass on "Radio Silence"), and William Lamoureux (strings on "Games") recorded remotely, added rich textures to the EP.

The EP takes you on a journey. While the first three tracks deal with loss, apathy, loneliness, and bitterness, the last track, "Perth," turns a corner. It is a much more hopeful piece about letting people into our lives despite whatever baggage and scars we may have. – Shealagh Rose.


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Billy Idol - Soot Sprite - Winter Gardens - Adore - Jo Schornikow

Photo - David Raccuglia

Billy Idol - Still Dancing.

Rock legend Billy Idol is set for the release of his first full-length album of new music in over a decade. 'Dream Into It' is out on 25th April on Dark Horse Records, featuring appearances by Avril Lavigne, Joan Jett and Alison Mosshart of The Kills. In anticipation of the forthcoming record, today Billy Idol is debuting the new single 'Still Dancing' alongside a video directed by Steven Sebring.
 
“‘Still Dancing’ is really a reflection of my whole journey,” explains Idol. “From the punk rock period through to now. And I’m still looking towards the future, still living the life I set out to live. At the start of the song I’m recalling the early times in London, when I was living in squats or at friends’ apartments, all my belongings in a plastic bag. Everybody at home or work told you what you were doing was never going to happen. But punk rock gave me an opening. I was surrounded by people who loved the music as deeply as I did and you were going to throw caution to the wind, believe in what you were doing and grab on for dear life. “As the song says, there have been many moments along the way where I’ve been self-destructive. But what’s seen me through is that unflinching belief in the music that started all those years ago. That’s been the greatest gift of all.”
 
Additionally, Idol is returning to the road for It’s a Nice Day To…Tour Again! Produced by Live Nation, the run of arenas and amphitheatres kicks off at the Talking Stick Resort Amphitheatre in Phoenix on 30 April and will see him return to the UK for a very special date at the OVO Wembley Arena on Tuesday 24th June. This show comes two days after Billy’s appearance at the Forever Now Festival at The National Bowl, Milton Keynes. These are Billy’s only UK appearances in 2025. He will be joined by special guests and post-punk legends New Model Army.

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Soot Sprite - All My Friends Are Depressed.

Rising Exeter, England trio Soot Sprite have announced that their debut album, Wield Your Hope Like A Weapon, is set for release on May 16th via Specialist Subject (FRESH, Jeff Rosenstock, Doe, Muncie Girls). Alongside the announcement, the band have shared new single 'All My Friends Are Depressed', is a reflection on the widespread mental health crisis.

Since the release of their debut single in 2018, Soot Sprite has grown from a one-woman lo-fi bedroom pop project to a fully-fledged touring alt-indie shoegaze outfit. Their debut album sees Elise Cook (lead vocals/guitar), Sean Mariner (bass/backing vocals), and Sam Cother (drums/backing vocals) fully embrace the dynamic highs and intimate lows that define their sound.

Of their new single, Cook says: "This is my observation of the mental health crisis we’re in, how widespread it feels and how sociopolitical factors are playing such a huge part. It’s also a reminder to myself that I need to stop distracting myself from my issues and try and change something or face things or nothing will happen and I’ll never shake off the episode,"  

Sonically, Wield Your Hope Like A Weapon takes influence from many alt-indie greats, creating a sound that blends shimmering melodies with raw, visceral energy. “When I started Soot Sprite I was hooked on Clean by Soccer Mommy and Hovvdy’s Cranberry but with this record I was listening to a lot of Sweet Pill’s catalogue, Ovlov & Wednesday,” explains Cook. Written over a span of four years - some tracks taking shape just weeks before recording - the album was captured in September 2024 at The Bookhouse in London, with the help of former lead guitarist Abi Crisp and production by Tom Hill.

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Photo - Fern Rose

Winter Gardens - Anthropocene.

Brighton-based quartet Winter Gardens return with their new single, ‘Anthropocene’ (today), the final stand alone single to be taken from their forthcoming EP Uncomfortable/Unlovable (March 26th). Engineered & mixed by Luke Marsden and mastered by Andy Miles at Star Delta, ‘Anthropocene’ layers synths, pianos, and electronics with the punching live drums and biting shoegaze influenced guitar riffs to create a soundscape which is atmospheric and dark. Led by dual vocals from Ananda Howard and Jasmine Ardleys, the celestial harmonising takes listeners on a journey through an eclectic ray of dynamic, disparate sounds. A kaleidoscopic assembly of ethereal shoegaze atmospheres glued together with a pulsing post-punk attitude and a brooding gothic undercurrent creates a stylistic and instantly recognisable sound topped with lyrics evoking a sense of cryptic intimacy.

Speaking about the track, the band adds: “The Anthropocene reflects our growing sense of entitlement to pleasure and satisfaction, often at the expense of everything else. In an era dominated by over consumption, materialism, and insatiable greed, we rarely stop to consider the true cost of our indulgences.

Whether it’s human exploitation, the suffering of animals, or the degradation of the environment, our immediate gratification consistently takes priority. The relentless pursuit of personal desires has led to a world where we expect comfort and convenience, disregarding the long-term consequences. In this age, the planet and its inhabitants—who ultimately pay the price—are pushed aside in favour of short-term satisfaction.”

Since the band’s inception, Winter Gardens have secured support slots for a number of high-profile names including Echo & The Bunnymen, Gary Numan, Modern English, Piroshka and Pale Blue Eyes. The band have also been regular festival favourites, most recently playing Rockaway Beach in January alongside the likes of OMD, Self Esteem and Peter Hook & The Light. Through the last few months, the band has had a number of European performances (Left Of The Dial, Supersonic) as well as playing live for John Kennedy’s The Remedy and Season and packing out countless shows in their home city.

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Photo - Paula Trojner

Adore - Stay Free Old Stranger.

 Irish trio Adore today release new single 'Stay Free Old Stranger,' ahead of three nights supporting Chalk in Belfast. Adore today also announce their debut headline shows in the UK with stops in Southampton, Hull and London in May. Adore's music is crystallised in its dichotomies; emotional, dynamic, loud, sensitive. Hailing from Dublin, Donegal and Galway respectively, the trio consisting of Lara Minchin (guitar, vocals), Lachlann Ó Fionnáin (bass, vocals) and Naoise Jordan Cavanagh (drums) possess an innate understanding of one another - "We are three feens with guitars and drums. We make music that feels right to us," the band say.

Produced by and recorded with Gilla Band bassist Daniel Fox, new single 'Stay Free Old Stranger' explores an acceptance of detachment, delivered with an urgency that is distinctly Adore's. "I wrote Stay Free Old Stranger when I was 16 years old with my best friend Lauren, and sonically was inspired by a lot of what I was listening to when I was a teenager: The Jam, Misfits, Frank Iero, Sleater-Kinney, Le Tigre," says singer Lara Minchin.

With its scorched guitars, energetic drums and an unexpected jazzy interlude a fitting precursor to the song's explosive, chaotic finale, 'Stay Free Old Stranger' embraces the idea of peaceful coexistence with "old strangers" who drift in and out of your life, and ultimately celebrates the "freak" within.

Speaking more on the song's inspiration, Lara says: "It was written at a time of great social anxiety which was seemingly breaking into a carefree disregard for small talk and empty relationships which I had once harboured to make myself feel wanted. I was badly bullied throughout my childhood and into my teens and because of that I was so eager for people to like me -and I would give time to people who didn’t have my best interests at hand. I had always been a freak and I had grown up in an unconventional manner. And although I didn’t change my interests and my way about life, I definitely covered up parts of myself to make myself more palatable. The lyrics are juvenile. They are telling the story of being aware that some people might not care for you and that’s okay because you don’t have to care for them either. You don’t have to be everybody’s friend."

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Photo - Emily Dorio

Jo Schornikow - Upstream.

Jo Schornikow shares the new single “Upstream,” the first track from Quiet Excerpts. The EP is a collection of meditations– instrumental pipe organ pieces, ambient washes, and downright hooky pop songs collected as Quiet Excerpts. Schornikow writes about “Upstream”: “I was sitting with the ache of wanting something out of reach. And thinking on the time I saw a ghost. What exactly is energy, anyway?”

The EP follows her 2022 album ALTAR, which burst at the seams with joyful talismans of love and relationships. The longtime Phosphorescent keyboardist recorded these songs in the Nashville church she plays piano and organ at and in her mate's Melbourne, Australia living room. It's a document of a musician's life, basking in moments of calm between motherhood, studio recording, and Phosphorescent tours.

“For me, Quiet Excerpts is like hearing music in the far-off distance. Walking toward the sound, a huge old wooden door slowly creaks open. I find myself in a sacred space.” Since releasing ALTAR, Schornikow has delved deeper into community in Nashville, recording albums and performing live with Sunny War, Sean Thompson’s Weird Ears, Tré Burt, and William Tyler and the Impossible Truth.

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