Friday Five: Feuds - Teddy and The Love Gang - Emily Capell - Manwomanchild - Smoke Season

Feuds - River Of Wine.

Background promo - Brisbane's Feuds herald the dawn of a new musical era in their journey with their unmistakably stadium-worthy single 'River Of Wine'.

Anthemic from start to finish, the crowning glory of 'River Of Wine' lies in its chorus, which is driven by what is arguably one of the most colossal vocal hooks in recent memory. Frontman Jeremy Hunter was inspired by his struggles with using alcohol as a crutch, and never finding the peace he craved. "The bulk of the track comes from the struggles I was having with drinking a couple years back, suffering these awful bouts of depression for days afterwards, in this never ending cycle," says Hunter.

Feuds are a curious beast; not exactly a new band, but not exactly old either. They performed in various forms under a different moniker for years, building up a respectable following and supporting the likes of Bad//Dreems, Holy Holy, Harts, and The Belligerents. Now they're ready for a musical genesis, a rebirth that sees them baptised in a 'River Of Wine'.

Their debut EP in this new, reinvigorated form is due out in late August, with live shows to follow.

'River Of Wine' leans towards indie rock, and as described above has a powerful chorus that really makes the song stand out.

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Teddy and The Love Gang - Childhood.

Background promo - Teddy and the Love Gang is an Oslo based weird-pop band coming to the table with fresh faces, open eyes, a cache full of catchy music and the childlike ambition to take over the world. They combine groovy and catchy melodies and the expression of the child with a dark and moody sound that appeals to an adult audience without taking itself too seriously. 

The lyrics focus on important topics and they ask philosophical questions about our existence, while the sound takes you back to your best memories of your childhood and all of it's early video game glory.

"Childhood" is the first single full of heartwarming nostalgia that makes you want to move and dance with no abandon...just like a little kid. Teddy and the Love Gang want you to experience their musical fairytale beyond what you have experienced before!

'Childhood' is a highly like-able mood lifter. There is something about weird pop like this that just puts me in a good place.

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Emily Capell - Brixton Prison.

Background promo - The refreshing Emily Capell returns with a new EP “The Notorious M.L.E.” and lead single “Brixton Prison”. Catching the eye of legendary music producer Steve Osborne (New Order, U2, Gregory Porter, The Doves), this bright eyed, bushy tailed 21 year old from North-West London has been honing her sound in the Oxford studio under the careful eye of this masterful producer. “Brixton Prison” is the lead track from a new 5 track EP. The track showcases Emily’s bittersweet, gritty lyrics about prison life over a candy-coated, catchy melody. “Joey” is a frisky homage to her then QPR hero, Joey Barton and “Who Killed Smiley Culture?” is a quizzical, sombre tribute to the reggae pioneer. Emily’s influences from her parents record collections (Johnny Cash, The Smiths, The Clash to The Libertines, Blondie and Jamie T) are conspicuous and flattering. Her sound is a mixture of blues, pop, ska and indie. She plays her Gretch Electromatic guitar with aplomb and her storytelling has a ‘real world’ dark edge infliction, doused in a light hearted delivery.
 
Emily began writing songs and playing gigs since she was 14. She is the complete antithesis of her generation – whilst her peers were bingeing on junk TV and finding idols from reality talent shows, Emily was devouring her parents record collections and creating a style and look that represented her character and music.  Previous releases have caught the attention and support of John Kennedy, Gary Crowley, Robert Elms and Steve Lamacq and an endorsement from the Joe Strummer Foundation and Fred Perry has put Emily on the path to success.

Emily plays a regular residency at The Dublin Castle (London), and booked festivals this summer include Secret Garden Party (11am, Where The Wild Things Are Stage and 8pm The Living Room) , Glastonbury (23/6 Strummerville Stage at 7pm and 25/6 The Leftfield Stage at 3pm with Billy Bragg, Will Varley and Lewis & Leigh).

Live Dates:
18/06 - Rhoda Dakar (Bodysnatchers) 100 Club, London
04/07 - Dublin Castle, London (8.30pm)
18/07 - Cabaret Futura
01/08 - Dublin Castle, London 8.30pm
12/08 -  The Elgin (Ladbroke Grove), London 10pm

In my misspent youth I did know a few folk who had the pleasure of the wonderful hospitality of  'Brixton Prison'. Emily Capell's song is absolutely gorgeous, and I highly recommend checking out her new EP.


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Manwomanchild - I Know a Man.

Background bio - Manwomanchild is a rock band from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania fronted by David Child.

The band was started in Rhode Island in 2008. In February 2010, the band release a self-titled EP recorded at Machines with Magnets in Pawtucket, RI. The band’s lineup for the EP and album consisted of David Child on vocals, guitars, and synths, Mason Neely on drums, and Craig Gifford on bass. In May 2010, Manwomanchild released the song “Chile La Roja” in support of Chile’s 2010 World Cup team. The song was featured in 4 national newspapers and on 2 Chilean TV networks.

The band released its self-titled debut album on 12/14/2010 on West Cortez Records. In 2013, Manwomanchild moved to Philadelphia. In April 2014, they wrote and recorded the soundtrack for Decidedly‘s iOS and Android game “Floyd’s Worthwhile Endeavor“.

In September and October of 2014, the band released the singles “Wedding Toast” and “Recent History”, followed by another, “The Telepath Returns,” in December of the same year. In March 2015, “The Difficult Years” was released. Music blog “Surviving the Golden Age” described the song’s sound as “LCD Soundsystem being fronted by Ben Gibbard” as well as “hybrid glam rock/chamber pop”. Bandcamp preorder (Here).

It was October last year that Beehive Candy first featured ManWomenChild.  'I Know A Man' is from the second album due out on June 28th and is an indicator of the fine music you can expect. You can also hear the first single off the album 'Change The Channel' via the Bandcamp link above.

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Smoke Season - Loose.

Background bio - Ask Smoke Season where they get their hazy blend of psychedelic Americana and electro-soul from and they’ll give you two words: “manifest destiny.”  Los Angeles-based Gabrielle Wortman and Jason Rosen, the duo that comprises Smoke Season, both grew up around the NYC area, ironically meeting in California after their separate musical paths brought them to make the move west.  Their sound stems from what they call “east coast heads and west coast hearts."

From the outside looking in, the first thing one notices about this fiercely independent duo is the buzz that has mounted around them in recent years — earning them a place as "the up and coming band you wish you were in” (Pancakes & Whiskey, 2015).  However, it’s where this buzz is generating from that makes for Smoke Season’s most defining characteristic.

Since forming in 2013, Smoke Season has proven themselves to be in a constant state of artistic fervor, with a flurry of activity and creative output surrounding them at all times.   They’ve independently released 3 EPs, 5+ music videos, toured tirelessly with internationally known acts and become a regular on the stages of nation-wide festivals, such as SXSW and CMJ. 

Judging by their millions of Spotify plays and acclaim from major press outlets (Buzzfeed, Huffington Post, Clash Magazine, LA Weekly, and The New York Times to name a few), it looks like their hard work is finally paying off.  

The duo has consistently (if not stubbornly) foregone traditional routes and branded their artistic output as multi-sensory in nature.  Their live show is a great example of this, employing synchronized light shows, smoke and unique sampling — all of which are programmed and executed by the duo.  “We want audiences to do more than just hear what we’re making.  We want them to see, smell, feel it as a multimedia experience.  Jason and I both studied film scoring as college students so a fully immersive experience was somewhat undeniable,” Wortman explains. 

'Loose' is the second song on the fabulous 'Ouroboros EP'. It's hardly surprising Smoke Season have been noticed far and wide, their highly stylised indie music is so well crafted and absorbing.

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Past & Present: Blonde Redhead - Zeke Finn - Pylon - Brutus Begins

Blonde Redhead - Big Song.

Background Info - Teeming with the energy and grit of pre-Giuliani Manhattan, Blonde Redhead's long out-of-print early recordings have finally crawled their way out of the '90s basement thanks to Numero Group who will issue a 4LP / 2CD set on Sept. 30. Weighing in at 37 tracks, Masculin Féminin compiles the band's first two albums for Steve Shelley's Smells Like Records (self-titled and La Mia Via Violenta), their period singles, extant demos, and radio performances across four LPs or two CDs. Dozens of previously unpublished photographs illustrate two lengthy essays on this essential New York band's formative years.

This is the latest instalment in Numero Group's 200 Line series which has also included releases from Unwound, Bedhead, Codeine, White Zombie and The Scientists.

"These songs combine a raw need, a ready access to neediness, with seemingly incongruous cinematic changes reminiscent of '60s Italian pop music and movie scores. They switch between emotional grandeur and eye scratching immediacy."     -Arto Lindsay.

'Big Song' was an early and quite rare single by Blonde Redhead and it immediately brings back some fond memories of the band for me. Somewhere in my garage is an old PC with loads of their early material on it, time to go and dig it out, in anticipation of these reissues!

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Zeke Finn - Love Song.

Background promo - From the backwoods of Ithaca to the brownstones of Brooklyn, Zeke Finn’s journey is as rich and eclectic as his music. And, the multi-talented singer-songwriter and his trio are set to release their much-anticipated self - titled debut EP later this summer, which depicts the realities of both city and country life. “Love Song” has dropped on all digital outlets.

Each song on the EP, is impressively different from the next, elucidating Zeke Finn’s remarkable ability to blend genres and styles.  With spacy rhythms and infectious beats, the band seamlessly combines elements of Hip-Hop, Reggae and Rock to create an unforgettable sound.  Perhaps more importantly, Zeke Finn is dedicated to promoting good vibes and positivity through music.

'Love Song' is like a gentle summers breeze on a sunny warm day. Catchy is an understatement, and with thoughtful lyrics and an upbeat melody, it just works on so many levels.

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Pylon - Volume.

Background - 1983 was a banner year for Pylon. The Athens quartet released their second album, Chomp, on Atlanta-based DB Records, toured the country extensively, and played several opening slots for then-up-and-comers U2. And then, without a hint of explanation, they quit. Their final show at the Mad Hatter in Athens, Georgia, was, as was always the case, a frenzy of minimal disco thud, post-punk guitar scree, and deliriously inspired howl. Oh, and dancing – always dancing – both in the crowd and on stage. The gig was recorded (both audio and video) for a failed PBS pilot called Athens Shows, and the tapes were put away and forgotten. That is, until now.

Around three years ago, after Pylon’s DFA reissues hit the street, Chunklet CEO (and card-carrying member of the Pylon Fan Club) Henry Owings emailed the band bemoaning the lack of bonus material on the CDs, which sparked a larger conversation. “My favorite Pylon is live Pylon,” said bassist Michael Lachowski, with which Henry wholeheartedly agreed. Following a cordial sit-down at Michael’s apartment over the New Year’s holiday of 2015, an exhaustive search began for live recordings by Pylon. More specifically, live recordings from Athens in the early ’80s. Oh, and that sounded as good, if not better, than their proper full-length albums.

Numerous dead ends followed, but finally, and somewhat fittingly, the multitrack recordings of Pylon's final performance at the Mad Hatter in 1983 were unearthed. Once the tapes were transferred and subsequently mixed, the explosive and compelling sounds raised one very significant question: Why in the world did Pylon quit? For a band whose legacy, in their original incarnation at least, was two full-length albums and a handful of singles, Pylon were first and foremost a live band who weren’t as interested in working in a studio. Pylon’s raison d’être was performing for a crowd, and now there’s conclusive validation.

Pylon Live is a double vinyl album recorded on the band’s home turf at the culmination of their powers, and the results could not be more stellar. An all killer, no filler set with nothing left on the cutting room floor, Pylon Live includes powerful versions of the Pylon canon from their first and second LPs and even the hard-to-find song “Party Zone” (previously available only on a DB Rec comp) and their never-before-released rendition of the “Batman Theme.” When compared to the band’s prior body of work, Pylon Live bookends all of it; some might even say it’s a better representation of this Athens quartet, who thrived on bouncing around on stage infinitely more than sitting in a studio. There’s little arguing that the Athens powerhouse trifecta of R.E.M., the B-52’s, and Pylon is peerless. And while all three bands have achieved great critical acclaim, only the first two had the commercial acclaim they deserved. Pylon Live intends to correct that.

'Volume' is just a taste of the raw vibrant energy and passion that awaits the listener with this incredible live album release. I guess if you are going to look backwards, you might as well do it in style. This I feel, is a must have for any post punk fans. Twenty songs of which the featured track comes in as the seventeenth in the set, what a band and what an album!

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Brutus Begins - Flashlights (War For the Girl).
 
Background promo - Brutus Begins is a solo project by Ricardo Temporao, a Portuguese-Canadian musician writer, and director currently based in Toronto (hailing from Kitchener, ON). Elements of folk are resampled and synthesized, blurring the lines between what is real and reconstructed and challenging notions of what is natural.   



Ricardo has fronted bands for over a decade from the New Low, General Staff and Skinny Bitches (which was featured on Alan Cross's blog).  In 2005, he released an album under the name “Rick Temporao & the New Low” which received radio airplay across Canada and earned critical acclaim (see below). He has also composed music for films and television (i.e. short films "Dead Wake", "The Visitor", Bravo television’s "Bravo Playlist" theme song and currently composing for short film "Scales").

Ricardo has directed and edited music videos for award-winning musicians Lily Frost, Cedar Park, and Fast Romantics. Recently he has begun his latest and most personal project, Brutus Begins. With influences from Leonard Cohen to Tame Impala and Shuggie Otis to T-Rex, Brutus Begins lives on the edge of a sonic "uncanny valley". The buttons, knobs and wires twist and bleed into something almost human.  Where the copper pierces the flesh is where Brutus Begins. Brutus Begins will be appearing at Canadian Music Week 2016.  His first album "Uncanny Valley" will be released this year. 

I really wasn't sure which song to feature from 'Uncanny Valley' so I went for the last one I played, as I felt it was as representative of the collection as any other. I say this, in as much as I sense Ricardo is always trying to push the boundaries rather than follow a format, something that is pretty much fine with me.

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Down Under Double Play: The Marlenes - Kllo

The Marlenes - My Blue Eyes.

Background promo - The Marlenes are a 3-piece Garage/Indie/Surf-Pop band from the Mornington Peninsula formed in 2014. Drawing on influences from 60’s Soul and Rock ’n’ Roll, as well Psychedelic and Punk, they bring a fun sound that is full of catchy melodies. 

They have just recorded their debut album Crawl Out Your Window at the Creme de la Groove Studio in Langwarrin. It follows their 2015 release Jumpin’ Cliffs, a 5 song EP which managed to get some airplay around the country with their single “Cakewalk”.

My Blue Eyes” is the first single from the new album. Recorded and produced by The Marlenes, the song is reminiscent of the early The Strokes, with a surf vibe thanks to reverb drenched lead guitars, and harmonicas. They will be playing a run of shows throughout Melbourne from June onwards.“My Blue Eyes” will be released on the 17th June and the album “Crawl Out Your Window” will be released 1st of July 2016.

Upcoming Shows:
Sat 25th June – The Last Chance Rock & Roll Bar (Matinee Show), North Melbourne VIC
Sat 30th July – Wesley Anne, Northcote VIC.

'My Blue Eyes' is a good example of what to expect on the forthcoming album. The band have a fairly unique sound identity, and the songs are typically punchy, and with the power you would expect from a three piece rock band. It's a collection of short, sharp, catchy, and enjoyable songs, all of which should appeal to a wide range of tastes, from punk to surf pop fans.

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Kllo - Walls To Build.

Background promo - Melbourne duo Kllo has unveiled a new single from their forthcoming [PIAS] Different Recordings debut EP, Well Worn.  “Walls To Build” melds Simon Lam's synth lines with Chloe Kaul's vapor-trailed verses. It’s the follow up to lead single “Bolide,” which set Kllo storming out of the gates, putting them in rotation at Australian radio, picking up spins on BBC Radio 1 and KCRW, and earning praise from The Guardian, The Sunday Times, DIY, The 405, Complex, XLR8R and more.

Things happen so fast these days that Kllo barely had a Facebook page or a proper song before a wave of interest began to build around their breakthrough EP, Cusp. What a telling record title; in the year since its release, cousins Simon Lam and Chloe Kaul have played sold-out shows and festival slots throughout Australia (Dark Mofo, Splendour in the Grass and Melbourne Music Week among many others) and overseas (The Great Escape, Primavera Sound), racked up millions of plays on Spotify, and landed on several Artists to Watch lists.

Well Worn is out August 5th on Ghostly International (North America), [PIAS] Different Recordings (UK/Europe/Japan) and Good Manners Records (AU/NZ/ROW). Pre-order now (here). 

The new song 'Walls To Build' is really getting noticed with close to 15 thousand plays in the first couple of days. That's hardly surprising as Kllo just ooze quality and skillful production within their music. Keeping it simple, it's a superbly crafted and delightful listen.

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Genre Wander: Consilience - So Below - The Fireworks

Consilience - Soft And Slow.

Background promo - Consilience will transport you to dream worlds with sophisticated pop tunes that sail smoothly under Tasy Hudson's hypnotic vocals, often building to powerful crescendos under soaring lead guitar lines.  Yesterday, Consilience announced their upcoming album, Under Our Beds, and share first track "Soft and Slow".

Multi-instrumentalist Tasy Hudson started performing solo with a guitar, synthesizer and a loop pedal under this name in 2011 and was quick to realize that her music is better suited with a band. Louis Mendez, Dylan Howard (Truthful Work Films) and Aidan Lucas-Buckland (Wool on Wolves, The Whitsundays, Diamond Mind) brought Consilience to life as the band broke into the Edmonton music scene. Consilience released a 4-track EP titled "Walking Through a Dead Night", recorded by Jesse Northey at Riverdale Recorders. The EP is a collection of four songs that give a glimpse of their energetic live shows, described as "all things dusky, dreamy, and just a little haunted" (All Our Blaring Lights). Consilience is releasing their first full-length piano-driven album in the July 1st 2016. Hudson performed vocals, piano, guitar, bass, drums and keyboards, and Northey taking the role of producer. Using a unique blend of organic and synthetic sounds, it is an inquisitive exploration of conflict and contrast within the themes of self-empowerment and vulnerability.

Consilience has shared the stage with notable acts such as Library Voices and Calvin Love in addition to being invited to play at Pop Montreal in September 2015. They're currently focusing on touring across Canada to promote their music while laying the groundwork for their upcoming full length. The members of Consilience are active in the local and national music scene having performed individually as members of Wool On Wolves, Doug Hoyer, Born Gold, Faith Healer, The Whitsundays, and many others. These opportunities have allowed them to gain crucial experience while performing at major festivals and opening for marquee acts like St. Vincent, Warpaint, and Chad VanGaalen. This emerging group of musicians is determined to make art that matters.

Tour Dates
07/08 Edmonton, Canada @ 9910
07/23 Victoria BC, Canada @ Copper Owl
07/28 Calgary AB, Canada @ Broken City with Jesse And The Dandelions

I have to say I really do like the song 'Soft And Slow'. It's musically so full of varying sounds and the vocals are a delight. It is almost a mini opera as the song twists and turns and the pace varies. The album 'Under Our Beds' will definitely be on my personal radar.

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So Below - Far.

Background promo - Since making her musical debut with her single ‘Drift’ and attracting over 60,000 SoundCloud plays in just a few short months, So Below has become the mysterious goth pop chanteuse that everyone can’t stop talking about.

After leaving her native New Zealand, Madeline North began exploring her vocal talents inspired by her new surroundings. Layering heavily processed vocals and harmonies over simple yet dark laptop beats, North began to formulate her style into what would so uniquely become So Below. Wanting to carry on this darker, moodier style of electro-pop, North reached out to fellow Kiwi musicians Aaron Short (The Naked And Famous), Sam McCarthy (Kids Of 88) and Leroy Clampitt (Taste Nasa) to help her produce her demos and ultimately complete what has become her debut self-titled EP.

Having a combined 165,000 plays on SoundCloud with her singles ‘Drift’, ‘Sleep’ and ‘Luna’, the support of notable sites such as as V Magazine, HillyDilly and Neon Gold and receiving high rotation on New Zealand alternative radio, So Below is poised to be one of 2016’s artists to watch. Don’t say you weren’t warned…

'Far' is a goth pop song that occasionally morphs into a dance track, (and then back out again). Vocals are intriguing as Madeline North adds layers, that really do complement the soundtrack. Having checked some of So Belows other songs, I reckon the one to watch label is fair, to say the least.

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The Fireworks - All The Time.

Background promo - Shelflife is proud to bring you the Black and Blue EP, the first release by London and Brighton-based group The Fireworks since their debut LP, 2015's Switch Me On. The heavily anticipated four-track EP will be out July 15 on limited 10" blue vinyl and digital formats.

Following a handful of fantastic 7" singles and a self-titled EP, the quartet exceeded already high expectations on their debut album. Switch Me On's 13 tracks soar by in a blur of warm, fuzzed-out feedback, infectious hooks and pure unadulterated energy. One reviewers comparison of their sound to "the Shangri-Las after eight pints of Harvest Pale" is a telling testament to both their pop songwriting prowess, and also how flat-out fun their music is. Fans old and new of The Fireworks will not be let down by their new Black and Blue EP.

The release may only be four tracks long, but you'll be needing to take a breather after it's done. These songs mark the most rocking we've heard The Fireworks thus far, while still keeping the catchy melodies and pop sensibility we've come to expect from them. The driving opener "All the Time" is an instant favourite, and the dynamic track tells listeners right off the bat that this is no mellow, passive listen. "The Ghost Of You" features jangly guitar work and fantastic dual vocals from Matthew Rimell and Emma Hall, making the track a shimmering pop gem. Of course, the distortion that smattered Switch Me On is still present, and tracks like "Bury Me" will have you jumping around in a fit of uncontrollable vigor (perhaps why they chose to name this the Black and Blue EP?). The band touches down on all bases on this new release, making it an essential listen whether or not you've been a fan in the past.

'All The Time' is most definitely a power packed and pretty potent punky song (try saying that three times quickly). Raw energy and passion by the ton, based on this song the band are most aptly named.

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