Big Little Lions - Victoria Akua - The Shootouts - Taylor Rae - Esther Rose

Big Little Lions - Nothing Makes Sense Anymore.

Nothing Makes Sense Anymore examines the disturbing new political world in which we are living, trying to understand the madness. The song also pleads for us to keep connecting with each other, to help each other through the daily barrage of new absurdity.

Big Little Lions are an award winning duo who were born out of a collaboration that won them a JUNO Award in 2014. Since then they have been cranking out infectious folk pop songs that are jam-packed with emotion and tight harmonies that sound like the product of two people working side-by-side instead of living in different countries.

They have released 6 albums to date, which have garnered them awards and nominations including the CFMA Ensemble of the Year, Independent Music Awards Americana Sing of the Year and John Lennon Songwriting Competition Song of the Year. Their critically acclaimed music has appeared on the CBC’s Top 20 and featured on shows like q and Vinyl Cafe. The duo consists of Paul Otten and Helen Austin, both hugely prolific songwriters - their music has been placed in hundreds of movie trailers, ads, network TV shows.

Their live show is quite the spectacle with Paul playing drums, bass and keyboard all while singing lead vocals. Helen, who is no slacker either, sings, plays guitar and foot percussion. They use every limb, and then some, to make two people sound like a full band. Their music has been dubbed by Mariposa Folk Festival as ‘a blissful marriage of new folk and sophisticated pop’, and is packed with emotion and tight harmonies.

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Photo - Camilla Vodstrup Øverup

Victoria Akua - Surrender.

We are really pleased to feature Victoria Akua's new single released today for the simple reason that we think it's absolutely exquisite! Victoria Akua on her new single: "It is so easy to get caught up in fears and desires - and both is related to the past and the future, and as I see it, it takes us away from where life is happening - in this moment! “I want to let life surprise me, instead of trying to figure it all out”. This sentence has come to me many times, especially in situations where I’ve been trying to control the outcome — it helps me relax and trust more. Life just feels so much more joyful, creative and alive with that sense of openness to it."

Victoria's music is based on her own journey, which began at a young age, searching for more balance and a deeper peace and understanding within herself. In a hectic world where it is so easy to be pulled in many directions, she wants to find ways to stay centered with an open heart in the hope that her music can support others on their own paths. 

The intention of the music is to have a nourishing, calming and healing effect. Music that comes from the heart and that reflects and creates inner peace, trust and self-love - and connects us. Her music is inspired by the rhythms and cycles of nature, healthy and nurturing connections between people and creating spaces for expression, creativity and loving energy. Through the simplicity of the music, the listener is invited directly into a calm cocoon where breathing becomes deeper and the mind can rest.

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The Shootouts - Trampoline (feat: Lindsay Lou).

Akron, Ohio’s Rustbelt Americana torchbearers, The Shootouts, have announced the May 30th release of their new album Switchback on Transoceanic Records. The forthcoming collection finds the band refining their sound by incorporating elements of roots rock and bluegrass while maintaining their traditional country sensibilities. Their infectious first single, “Trampoline,” featuring ethereal guest vocals from Lindsay Lou is an exciting taste of what's to follow, it's really that good!.

Recorded in Nashville, TN, The Shootouts brought in Dan Knobler (Allison Russell, Lake Street Dive, Bahamas), to produce, mix, and co-engineer Switchback. The collaboration was exactly what the three band members (Ryan Humbert / lead vocals & rhythm guitar; Emily Bates / backing vocals & acoustic guitar; and Brian Poston / lead guitar) had hoped for: someone who shared their vision and brought fresh ideas to the group. The result is the natural progression of a seasoned band whose sound continues to evolve without losing its identity.

Switchback opens with “Trampoline,” followed by the high-energy rocker “The Other Side of My Life.” Lou, Sam Bush, and Mickey Raphael lend their talents to an original take on the 80s pop classic “Only You” by UK duo Yazoo (aka Yaz in North America).

Two country legends accompany Humbert on vocals, starting with Rodney Crowell on the country folk-infused “Half a World Away,” and Vince Gill on an electrifying rendition of “I’ll Be Damned,” a song he penned and recorded as a member of Pure Prairie League in 1980. “Only Good at Goodbye” features a guest vocal by singer/songwriter Logan Ledger, with the renowned Russ Pahl on pedal steel.

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Photo - Barbara FG

Taylor Rae - Telluride (feat. Sierra Hull).

Austin-based singer/songwriter Taylor Rae unveiled today her new single “Telluride” featuring a guest appearance by Grammy-nominated artist Sierra Hull. The latest to release off her new album The Void (due out April 18th), the track arrives on the heels of her debut at SXSW, which prompted NPR Music to name her on their Best of SXSW 2025 list. With a bluegrass-tinge and steady groove, “Telluride” is a windows-down, road-wary anthem that calls to mind the likes of Petty’s “Mary Jane’s Last Dance” or Zeppelin’s “Going to California.” It was featured on Relix who raved “‘Telluride’ is easy listening and an ideal track for a journey on the road or of the heart.”

"I should start by saying that I have never been to Telluride,” stated Rae. “I have, however, been to just about every other corner of that state, and have driven through the Southwest Region of the United States countless times. This song seed came while on a radio tour through Colorado, which ended right before the weekend of Telluride Bluegrass Festival, and I remember feeling so bummed that I wasn't attending. Feeling left out, behind in life, and alone, I drove myself back home to Austin and finished the bulk of the song in the driver's seat. Living life on the road allows much time for contemplation, processing, and accepting. It can be addicting because of this, referenced in the line 'time stands still on the road.' Who wouldn’t be addicted to time standing still? For that reason, it gets overwhelming coming off the road. Things seem to move at a lightning speed making it hard for someone like me, who has a hard time with transitions, to ride the wave.”

She continued, “When I met Sierra, I immediately dreamt of her contributing to this song. Before the song was even finished, before recording this album was even in my head, I knew I wanted her to be a part of it. She brought this song to life, and I thought with the bluegrass/Telluride reference, it would just make so much sense to have the mandolin queen herself grace our presence."

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Photo - Char Klein

Esther Rose - Had To.

Esther Rose will release Want on May 2, 2025 via New West Records. The 11-track set was produced by Ross Farbe (of Video Age) and recorded live-to-tape at the Bomb Shelter in Nashville, TN. Want is the anticipated follow up to 2023’s Safe to Run which was met with wide acclaim from The New York Times, Pitchfork, Stereogum, No Depression, and more. The album features appearances by the singer songwriter Dean Johnson as well as members of Video Age, The Deslondes, and Silver Synthetic.

Following the wide-open serenity of Safe to Run, Rose now leans toward confrontational arrangements full of distortion and full-band spontaneity, never sacrificing a classicist’s gift for melody that makes each song instantly memorable. “For me, these songs felt like revelations,” she explains, comparing the record to a memoir, alive with kinetic storytelling and personal insight. Ranging from stark solo performances to grungy blowouts, the album maintains a steady focus while never staying too long in one place. Vivid and bracing, she has made the most adventurous, hardest-hitting record of her career.

Yesterday, Rose shared the video for the album standout “Had To,” which was directed by Anthony Simpkins of GemsOnVHS. She says, “In ‘Had To,’ I examine my relationship with alcohol, and also my relationship with touring. A long time ago, I heard New Orleans legend Washboard Chaz say this: ‘People are always offering musicians exposure. But you can die from too much exposure!’ Since writing this song, I have stopped drinking, but I have not stopped touring.”

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Speedial - Echo Valley - Lucette - Gelli Haha

Photo - Samuel George Franklin

Speedial - Tourist.

London four-piece Speedial blend melodic post-rock, shoegaze, math rock, jazz fusion and noise-rock into a captivating and distinctive sound, reminiscent of everything from Deerhoof and Big Thief to Radiohead, Faraquet and the atmospheric textures of David Bowie's Blackstar.

Dual vocalists Serena and Millie weave intricate harmonies over complex instrumental landscapes, with saxophonist Monarch and drummer Joe's technical ability adding a crucial layer of depth. Produced by Joseph Futak (Tapir!, lilo), new single 'Tourist' - released today - offers a taste of this interplay, with Serena noting the song's lyrics' depiction of "an exaggerated 'evil' version of myself."

Speaking more on new single 'Tourist', vocalist Serena said: "When I'm feeling guilty about something I tend to get quite dramatic and it's easy to spiral into thinking one bad decision makes people think the worst of you. It was cathartic in a way to write all of that negativity down and realise that that isn't really how I am. I wanted the lyrics to be quite bleak and matter of fact. I usually get caught up with flowery language and making my lyrics kind of opaque and hard to decipher but I didn’t want to hide behind that for this song."

A collective of musicians who grew up playing together, Speedial's shared history is evident in their tight-knit sound. Part of London's thriving alternative scene, the band are regulars at The Windmill, The George Tavern, and The Shacklewell Arms, recently sharing stages with acts like Picture Parlour, Camera Picture (black midi), Ugly (UK), Dog Race, The Orchestra (For Now), Deep Tan, Automotion, amongst others.

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Echo Valley - Lies.

Echo Valley is back with a brand-new single from their highly anticipated album, Leave You Behind, set to release this spring. This latest track is a lively and energetic breakup song, blending the band’s signature Bluegrass, Americana, and Country influences with a playful musicality that contrasts its weighty lyrics.

Fiddle player Emily Anderson steps into the spotlight with dynamic lead vocals, bringing both charm and attitude to the song. The contrast between the song's upbeat instrumentation and its poignant lyrics makes for a compelling and unforgettable listening experience.

“I wrote this song while helping a friend going through a breakup.” Says songwriter Lizzy Anderson, guitar player and harmony vocals on the song. “I was helping my friend delete the pictures of her ex off of her phone when I came across a picture that made me laugh. It was a poorly photoshopped photo of a cartoon gravestone with the boyfriend's name. It said “Here lies Billy. He died alone”. I chuckled about it for the next few days till I finally put it down in song.”

Recorded in Nashville, Leave You Behind marks a new chapter for Echo Valley as they continue to push musical boundaries while staying true to their roots.

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Photo - Sebestian Buzzalino

Lucette - Rodeo Clown.

Canadian singer-songwriter Lucette shares the slow-burn single "Rodeo Clown" ahead of her new EP Nice Girl From The Suburbs releasing this Friday. Co-written with producer Soren Hansen (New Politics, Elle King, Sam Palladio), "Rodeo Clown" finds Lucette on the wrong side of the joke as opportunities pass to the steady beat of anthemic dream pop synths.

Lucette will play a special hometown show at Edmonton's Double Dragon on April 24, followed by a performance in Calgary on May 2. "'Rodeo Clown' is about feeling like despite giving it your all, you won’t succeed," says Lucette. "Even if you have the same bruises and failures as the ones that have seen glory. It’s about feeling unseen while still admitting to your faults."

Continuing the musical inclinations Lucette (aka Lauren Gillis) first began exploring on her acclaimed 2019 release Deluxe Hotel Room, Nice Girl From the Suburbs is brimming with self-awareness and a sense of shared humanity. The six-song EP mixes self-pity with clever self-deprecation, as the wry observer in Lucette turns her sharply intuitive eye onto herself. She has previously shared three singles from the EP, including a pedal-steel-filled boot-stomper filtered through a slacker-pop lens called “Back in the Blue” (feat. Mariel Buckley), and “Heading for the End,” which finds her living in the complexity of being human while still resisting people-pleasing stereotypes. The latest single “Too Soon For Sorry” starts out as a yearning love song before building to a frenzy of fuzzed out guitar wails, and Atwood Magazine called it "the kind of cathartic confessional that sends shivers down the spine"

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Photo - Sophie Prettyman Beauchamp

Gelli Haha - Bounce House.

A shapeshifter, a sonic acrobat, a performer with one foot in the cosmos and the other in arthouse theatrics, Gelli Haha (pronounced Jelly Haha) is a space for pure creative chaos.

For the opening trick, Gelli Haha presents her debut album, Switcheroo. Gelli’s music thrives on duality: playful but profound, tongue-in-cheek but sincere. Switcheroo is the soundtrack to the Gelliverse, a sensory adventure sphere created by Gelli.

Her debut art pop single “Bounce House” flashes back to youth-like innocence with high upbeat energy, turning the dance floor into a playground. The track’s accompanying music video rockets viewers straight into Gelliverse. This live revue is an invitation into a world of choreography, dolphin balloons, flutes, mini trampolines, and a stage bathed in the project’s primary color, red - bold and full of mischief. The  360 experience was shot all in one take by director David Gutel.

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Fishing 4 Compliments - The Moonlandingz - City Cycles - Baba Pen & The Bim Bam Band - Lavinia Blackwall

Fishing 4 Compliments - Hard To Please.

The female fronted indie-folk-pop Fishing 4 Compliments new single 'Hard To Please' is released today March 18th, and it is simply wonderful! Fishing 4 Compliments are a quirky Huddersfield-based female fronted indie-folk-pop band which emerged organically around lead singer Eileen’s emotive & enigmatic songs. 

The songs began to be steadfastly encouraged and brought to life initially by Ashley (rhythm guitarist) who gradually reeled in Jim (lead guitar & backing vocals) and Steve (bass guitar & backing vocals) with all three being part of a 60s band at the time. Jim initially played drums on the songs but made the game changing decision (which was to be pivotal to shaping the band’s unique sound) that he’d like to switch to playing lead guitar. Before joining the band officially Steve had long been in the background supporting the songs and had always been their dream bass player and was also to become the group’s guru of harmonies.

All four have long shared a passion for developing and creating a sound they like to call their own which has developed naturally through the eclectic mix of influences from which they draw which include; The Beatles, XTC, Tom Petty, Mark Knopfler, The Cure, The Smiths, The Sundays and The Cranberries, to name but a few. 

Over the years the four core members of the band have much appreciated times shared with their initial drummer Ben and later David on drums and percussion and his daughter Fenella who has been a brilliant dep drummer/percussionist for the band on many occasions. Beckoning pastures new and changing life circumstances have dictated that for now the Fishing crew continue their journey as a four piece outfit with these three star contributors remaining close to their hearts. 

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Photo - Rachel Lipsitz

The Moonlandingz - Roustabout.

The Moonlandingz that's Adrian Flanagan, Dean Honer and Lias Saoudi share a new single this week titled “Roustabout”, a third preview of their long-awaited second album No Rocket Required, out April 25 on Transgressive Records. “Roustabout”, with Nadine Shah, is a yearning, gothic duet, the Nick Cave and Kylie Minogue two-way for our times. The accompanying music video sees the band collaborate with “The Sign of A Man” director Jeanie Crystal again for another brilliant video.

On the track Johnny Rocket (aka Lias Saoudi) says, “It’s a fictional re-imagining of the complexities, stirrings and courage that appeared to dwell within an unnamed celibate moon faced indie icon from the 80’s!” Nadine adds, “I hope to see this song added to the list of the greatest karaoke duets. Up there with Dolly Parton and Kenny Rodgers ‘Islands in the Stream’”.

The Moonlandingz have returned, seven long years after their debut. When they first emerged from Valhalla Dale they were a semi-fictional band bringing us sticky squelchy pop songs to offer solace and punishment in the months following the Brexit vote and Trump’s first victory. The Moonlandingz conspired with Yoko Ono, Sean Ono Lennon, Rebecca Taylor, Phil Oakey and the Cowboy from The Village People to make one of the great albums of 2017, and we needed it. Interplanetary Class Classics was a dose of unreality equal to the unhinged times we were stumbling into. The Moonlandingz have finally returned – not when we wanted them but now that we need them – galloping in on their four horses, bareback and howling.

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City Cycles - Futurist.

Meet City Cycles, a fab six-piece of musical maestros, all talent! They've set up shop in always-buzzing London, adding their unique rhythm to its already pulsating music scene.

City Cycles continues to carve out their distinct place in the indie pop rock scene with their latest single, Futurist. Building on the foundation set with previous tracks, this new release marks a bold progression in their sound. Futurist is poppier, more epic, and undeniably catchier, showcasing a newfound energy and dynamism that pulls listeners in from the very first note.

Lyrically, the song delves into deep, thought-provoking themes, posing questions about our origins and the uncertain future we face in an increasingly digital world. The lyrics strike a perfect balance between introspection and a call for clarity, as the band explores the crossroads between where we’ve come from and where we’re headed. The evocative line, “Anunnaki of the digital age, Futurist, they write the page”, encapsulates this existential journey, suggesting both the mystique of our past and the unknown potential of our digital future.

With Futurist, City Cycles has crafted a track that not only captivates with its infectious hooks but also invites listeners to reflect on the rapid technological changes shaping our lives. It’s a song that challenges, questions, and ultimately calls for understanding in a world where the future seems both promising and uncertain.

TCBYML · City Cycles - Futurist

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Baba Pen & The Bim Bam Band - I Can't See You Cry.

Bastian Pen, lead singer of the band Tricklebolt, steps into new creative territory with a fresh project under the moniker Baba Pen. Collaborating with a group of talented friends, they form Baba Pen & The Bim Bam Band, a collective destined to make waves. Their debut album, set for release on October 10, 2025, blends 60s-inspired psychedelic rock with hints of folk and cosmic country, all wrapped in the lush, intricate production style of Jonathan Wilson.

The first single, "I Can't See You Cry," introduces Baba Pen as the new spiritual leader from the East. This track unfolds like a medieval love story gone awry, with its unconventional chord progressions leading us through baroque-inspired garden passages. But as the chorus kicks in, the song takes a turn, signaling that things are unraveling within the love-stricken walls.

Featuring members from Grand East, Money and the Man, Tricklebolt, and Jimmy Diamond, is "I Can't See You Cry" a captivating taste of what’s to come, offering a glimpse into the diverse sonic landscape of Baba Pen & The Bim Bam Band. It's a brilliant first step into an album that promises to explore the many shades of Baba Pen's musical world.

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Lavinia Blackwall - The Making.

Lavinia Blackwall, the celebrated voice behind Trembling Bells, is set to release her highly anticipated new album The Making on May 30th via The Barne Society, and has just shared what we can justifiably describe as an exceptional title-track accompanied with an intriguing video. A rich tapestry of folk, rock, and psych-power pop, the album showcases Blackwall’s unparalleled vocal prowess and evocative songwriting, further cementing her reputation as one of the most distinctive voices in contemporary music.

A classically trained soprano, Blackwall first gained recognition as the lead singer of Trembling Bells, a Glasgow-based psych-folk outfit known for their ambitious blending of folk traditions with rock and baroque influences. Over the course of seven albums with the band, she honed her signature vocal style - often compared to Fairport Convention’s Sandy Denny - and collaborated with legends such as Bonnie Prince Billy and Mike Heron of The Incredible String Band. Stepping out as a solo artist, Blackwall released her debut album Muggington Lane End in 2020, which was met with widespread acclaim for its lush arrangements and intricate songwriting.

Following the success of Muggington Lane End, The Making is a deeply personal collection of songs that have evolved over time, shaped by both hardship and joy. Written over a four-year period and recorded at The Barne Studio, the album reflects Blackwall’s journey through personal loss, artistic exploration, and renewed creative energy.

“The whole process took much longer than intended,” says Blackwall. “Life seemed to happen around it. There was a lot of darkness - my partner and collaborator Marco lost his mum in 2021 and very nearly his dad shortly after. I lost my dad in October 2023. But there was a lot of light too, a lot of time spent in Italy and up at our cabin at Carbeth, all of which leaked into the songs on the album,” she continues.

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Chad Price Peace Coalition - Oslo Twins - Lunar Vacation

Photo - Lindsey Lu McGuire

Chad Price Peace Coalition - "A.M."

Chad Price Peace Coalition shares their new video for "A.M." from the forthcoming debut, A Perfect Pearl, due out on Double Helix and SofaBurn Records. An artist entering his staggering fourth decade writing and performing music that weaves in and out of seminal pop-punk, alt-country, metal, and a fascinating indie folk-prog hybrid, Chad Price has made the most of his time.

All those miles and artistic transformations have now led to the welcome arrival of a new project: Chad Price Peace Coalition and the album A Perfect Pearl. Price unpacks the group’s origin story: “A year or so ago I did a show singing with an ALL cover band. I really liked the guys and we bonded over our love of prog-rock. The idea of expanding the sound started influencing my writing.” Cory West (drums, lead guitar, and keys) and Anthony Medici (bass, lead guitar, and vocals) were the perfect partners in fleshing out Price’s latest ten songs. While A Perfect Pearl certainly delivers Price’s signature rough-hewn vulnerability, the limber trio format kicks up some sublime musical moments that feel distinctly inspired by prog giants like Jethro Tull and Yes.

Deep on side two, “A.M.” nudges up the tempo a bit, but instead of retreating into basic rock and roll, it coils into a menacing circular repeating pattern, threes over fours–or maybe vice versa.

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Photo - Freya Davies

Oslo Twins - Tresor (E.P).

Bristol-formed, London-based outfit Oslo Twins just released their new EP 'Tresor' via Half-Normal Records. Produced by band members Eric C. Davies and Claudia Vulliamy in their east London studio, new EP 'Tresor' follows keen airplay from BBC 6 Music (Nick Grimshaw) and glowing press support from tastemakers including NME Magazine, The Line of Best Fit, DIY Magazine, Far Out Magazine, 1883 Magazine, Under The Radar Magazine and more.

The new EP highlights a rejuvenated sonic depth for Oslo Twins - drawing influence from Nation Of Language, Angel Olsen, This Mortal Coil, Everything But The Girl, Lamb, Chromatics, Grace Ives and Ladytron. Exploring new territories both in their recorded sound and live performances, new EP 'Tresor' introduces electronic drums and clean synths to the forefront, venturing into more expansive territory.

From the thudding and transportive 'I Wake Up Slowly', to the chilling synth-pop of 'Sally' and the towering electronics of 'I See Mountains', singer Claudia expands on the EP's lyrical themes: "I think there’s a running theme of subconscious places in this EP. I was inspired by things seen and felt in dreams and daydreams, images that come to mind for a moment and are just out of reach".

The previously unheard 'Be Free' is another song inspired by Claudia's literal dreams. "There's also inspiration drawn from a strangely romantic fantasy of having to drive off somewhere after committing a crime, leaving everything behind. To get a sense of this narrative I wanted a quiet sense of drama in the sound, with a slightly funereal tone that I think we managed to get with the timpani and synths."

OSLO TWINS · Tresor

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Photo - Brandon McClain

Lunar Vacation - Lights Off.

Atlanta indie-rock powerhouse Lunar Vacation release a new single today "Lights Off."

The self-produced track follows their sophomore album Everything Matters, Everything's Fire, released in September, which was produced by Drew Vandenberg (Faye Webster, Toro Y Moi) and introduced by a music video directed by Finn Wolfhard (of Stranger Things).

Singer/guitarist Gep Repasky says, “This song feels like an open letter. Naturally, I have my own meaning tied into it but whether or not it's a letter of adoration or the final farewell, it's not for me to say. Whether it's about something physical or intangible, it's also not for me to say. It could be about both or neither. It is up to the listener to create their own meaning, take what resonates with them, and use it to be the kindling wood in the growing fire of feeling, creativity, thinking and understanding."

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