Grand Band Names: The Amazing - Iconique

The Amazing - Ambulance.

Background promo - Partisan Records is excited to announce the next album from The Amazing, Ambulance, coming out in the UK on August 5th. On Ambulance, the Swedish band composed of members of Dungen & led by Christoffer Gunrup, continues their journey to a place where music is free of restrictions, offering up another collection of densely concentrated melodies and fractured rhythms. Pitchfork summed their sound up well on their last record, saying "discussion of Picture You can only end up with slack-jawed remarks about how goddamn pretty it is."

Gunrup, the band's lead singer, songwriter and one of three main guitarists, has been playing music all his life. He's a serious musician with a self-effacing demeanor who is known for his reluctance to talk about his process, preferring to let the music speak for itself. He refuses to take part in the promotion of the band, never reveals the lyrics, which are often an impenetrable jumble in the mix, and expresses little satisfaction with any of the music he's recorded.

The Amazing came together a few years after Gunrup's former group, Granada [a renowned Scandinavian pop duo w/ his ex-wife], broke up and he asked Dungen's guitarist and former drummer (Reine Fiske and Fredrik Björling) to join him onstage. After a few personal shifts, the line-up settled down with Fiske on guitar; Fredrik Swahn on guitar and keys; bass player Alexis Benson and drummer Moussa Fadera. The band's previous four records have garnered a loyal following & critical acclaim, landing them on Letterman and on a world tour with Tame Impala.

While Picture You was bright, exploding outward to explore the limits of experience, this next instalment, Ambulance, is more intimate, imploding inward to reconnoitre the uncharted distances that exist between us, even in life's most intimate moments.

'Ambulance' the title track from the forthcoming album, has a hazy, dreamy feel to it. The Amazing are a band who have crafted their skills over time and clearly, have a good ear for excellently produced music. The direction of the forthcoming LP is quite intriguing, and on the strength of this song, could well be a fascinating listen.

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Iconique - Sitting Pretty.

Background promo - How can disco be ethereal? Los Angeles-based trio, Iconique, praised by Gawker Media and  featured  on  Hype Machine, creates something otherworldly with their new single “Sitting Pretty.” The retro-inspired song, second from the group who have been noted as “evoking  memories of disco  icons  like  Sylvester,” by Surviving the Golden Age, is a synthesis of influences like Prince, David  Bowie, and Chic. The band’s previous single, “Step Into The Mood,” boasts over 24,000 plays on  Soundcloud and receives regular radio airplay on KUCI and KCHUNG.

“Sitting Pretty” starts small with a bed of warm synths and drum fills, before bursting into a glistening disco groove. Synthesizer arpeggios and staccato guitar soon give way to frontman Leo Paparella’s knowing speak-sing delivery. The chorus heightens the song’s temperature as Paparella’s vocals take flight—and that’s only the first minute and a half. Even at a brisk four minutes and 22 seconds, “Sitting Pretty” transports you to the back of a dim nightclub circa 1980. Though it may seem like it’s birthed from a bygone era, musically and lyrically, the song is as intriguing now as it would have been then.

Iconique's heavy disco rhythms entwine with silky synth highlights to encapsulate the shimmering grit of the Los Angeles music scene. Self-produced and written, their material lures listeners to the dance floor with a medley of genres ranging from dance to art rock. Formed in 2015, the trio consists of brothers Eric Promani (drums / synths) and Greg Promani (guitar), and frontman Leo Paparella (vocals / synths). 

Live - Labyrinth 30th Anniversary Event @ Central Park, Glendale on June 4th, 2016. 

Iv'e got to be honest Disco was never a big thing for me back in the day. 'Sitting Pretty' however is a song that wanders across genres with a clear disco reference point. Vocals remind me a little of Russell Mael, whilst the harmonies veer towards The Bee Gees circa their disco era. It's a good song, simple as that really & I can tick off a number genre covered by Beehive Candy:)

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Rock'n'Roll Saturday: VanDeRocker - Josh Rawiri - NARCS

VanDeRocker - Fly.

Background bio - VanDeRocker is a Los Angeles based indie-rock project led by lead singer and guitarist, Adrienne VanDeRocker. Raised in Austin, Texas by a family of classical musicians, Adrienne got her start in music playing piano. She was always more captivated by the music of Bowie, Prince and Kate Bush and quickly began writing her own songs on guitar. By the age of 12, she was sneaking in to local bars to perform with her older sister's band and had eventually decided to pursue a music career of her own.

After exploring the performance scene in Seattle and New York City, Adrienne relocated to Los Angeles where she developed the five-piece alternative rock band, VanDeRocker. Recording with talents like Chris Chaney on bass (Jane’s Addiction, Alanis Morissette), Tim Pierce on guitar (Bon Jovi, Rick Springfield), and Jamie Muhoberac on keys (Backstreet Boys, The All-American Rejects, The Rolling Stones), VDR’s latest album, Jupiter's Kiss, has been well received by fans and press alike. The song, “Cupid’s Sting” was recently licensed by AT&T. VDR has played impressive venues on L.A.'s Sunset Strip, including The Roxy, The Viper Room, House of Blues and the band held an extended residency in Silverlake. Jupiter’s Kiss is now available on iTunes and you can learn more about VanDeRocker and their upcoming shows by visiting: VanDeRocker.com.

'Fly' breathes life into indie rock. VanDeRocker delivers a feisty, upbeat and mega tight song with the vocals delivering the melody as much as the band. Short, sharp, in your face and designed to be played again.

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Josh Rawiri - My Call.

Background promo - Years of widespread regional touring have delivered Josh Rawiri’s tunes to stereos across every nook and cranny of the country - his intriguing live performances spilling out of venues and festivals from North to South. Early in his career, Rawiri gained recognition for his heartfelt song writing and powerful live performances – quickly falling into a diligent schedule of national touring. The first two singles from Rawiri’s second album Molecular Teleportation received widespread radio play across Australia (including triple j, ABC, triple R). “Follow the Road” was a #1 Blues AIRIT radio pick and reached #2 on the Great Southern Charts. The highly acclaimed film clips took out five silver Australian music film awards and aired on Rage, Channel V and MusicMax.

In 2013 Josh formed three piece band Moroccan Knights with a sound that ventured between hearty deep south surf rock and electric blues dipped in the 70’s. Moroccan Knights played a packed out debut festival and headliner shows, toured the east coast twice, had music placed exclusively as the soundtrack of 'Riptide' international summer DVD. In 2014, Moroccan Knights released “The One For You” (single). The catchy, retro-laced single received national airplay including triple j and ABC Radio National, as well as picking up numerous international TV placements.

The last 18 months have seen Josh Rawiri touring with an evolving musical mob, turning heads at popular festivals and crafting a handful of new singles for an upcoming album. Rawiri’s new single “My Call” is an alluring blend of sultry vocals and soulful rock sounds-tackling the brooding themes of temptation, trust, infidelity, touring and long-distance relationships.

“I wrote this song driving late at night, after many weeks on the road away from family. No mobile phone, my only point of contact the odd phone booth - so much relies on trust when you live two separate lives, it’s easy to let our vulnerable imaginations run wild,” says Josh on the story of the track. For the latest touring activity in 2016 visit Josh’s Facebook page. “My Call” will be released 3rd of June 2016. 

Josh Rawiri presents a bluesy, soulful song with 'My Call'. From the opening chords I get the feel of a mature well practised musician, and a band who instinctively know just how to deliver any style demanded of them. This is timeless music and when performed with the passion that we have here, will appeal to rock lovers of any age group.

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NARCS - Bullingdon Boys.

Background promo - Pouring fury on driven-alternative-indie noise, Leeds quartet NARCS create a unique blend of passionate lyrical incisiveness with powerful, spine-cracking intensity and the occasional shaman-like rantings of a possessed mad man. Following on from their dark and tense recent single ‘Pig’ the band are now gearing up to release their new album ‘A Thinking Animal’, which will be released via Clue Records (home to the likes of: Allusondrugs and Forever Cult).

Describing their sound as “guitar-centred alt-rock aimed at Tory scum”, ‘A Thinking Animal’ is a visceral attack on political apathy. It’s a passionate yet desolate onslaught on topics such as misogyny, greed, nepotism and self-loathing. However, this shouldn't be taken as en-vogue right-wing sledging or liberalism, the content is both intelligent and sincere. Speaking on the new album Joe (guitarist) said, “This album came out the way it did because we’ve always used music as an outlet for the darker stuff that we needed to vent. At the moment, the way things are, we just got drawn back to the root of our anger and frustration time and time again: the ruling class, the political class, Etonites, whatever you want to call them. In a better time, we’d never have written this album. Hopefully we never need to write another one like it.

Having said that, we are unapologetic about absolutely everything we are saying on this record. We want to see things change, we want people to feel anger instead of apathy; we’re under no illusions of being any kind of revolution leaders but we’re definitely of the opinion that music changes mood and just being able to connect your frustration to that of a band/song/lyric can make sht a bit easier to get through. Ultimately we wanted to aim this at the people who actually deserve it. There’s nothing more pathetic than artists of any type striving to seek popularity through attacking small fry.  Everyone outside of the ruling class is so busy bickering over small details that we’re still stuck in some sort of feudal system that we’ve been duped into thinking is a democracy.

2015 saw the band play Leeds & Reading Festival, Long Division, Tramlines, complete a full UK tour, whilst picking up acclaim from BBC 6 Music, Amazing Radio, Noisey and more. This year has already seen the band play the DIY stage and Live at Leeds, and Leicester’s Handmade Festival, with 2000 Trees, Tramlines and a number of other dates confirmed for later this year. As a whole body of work ‘A Thinking Animal’ is a punishing yet driving album, which mercilessly fires on all targets. It is the product of both dejection, vexation and resentment for the shape of current affairs, and is both a battle-cry and a wake-up call, which urges you to stand up with the band and scream along with them.

'Bullingdon Boys' now who could they be ? (UK folk ought to know for certain). This is gritty, determined music, that cuts out the waffle and gets to the point. Politically charged, the bands frustrations with our 'wonderful' modern society, are at the fore. Perhaps the dumbing down of so many, keeping them preoccupied with drivel, will hit home with a few more bands. Passion and gutsy rock in abundance, it's also a very good song.

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Quality Not Quantity: The Goldhearts - Me & Mark

The Goldhearts - Rise And Fall.

Background promo - If it not for Kenny Rogers advice to bass players to write and sing their own songs, this catchy album of grunge, hooks, harmonies, and twang may never have seen the light of day. With a batch of original songs in hand, Bass Player/Songwriter Margy Joughin (Dream Poppies) gambled on the wisdom of Kenny Rogers, sage to all bass players. Intending to record a few songs, producer Govinda Doyle (Big Jet Plane) gently coaxed Margy across the line from backing to lead vocalist to accidentally record an album. The Goldhearts came to life with with ex-Brisbane mates Tracey Kick, (Dream Poppies) Claire Harris (Razel, Dream Poppies, Godnose, The Shortfall) and Daren Williams (Haba Dudes, Secret Assasins).

The Goldhearts’ debut album, “The Rise and Fall of the Goldhearts” draws inspiration from the female led indie bands of the 90’s, and the melodic traditions of Australian music. The album is tweaked with twang and leaves a tasty grunge hangover. Be warned, legendary DJ, Rodney Bingenheimer on KROQ in LA, won't play those catchy Goldhearts tunes last in his set for long, as they keep him awake at night.

The Goldhearts have been playing for a year and have released 2 singles through The A&R Department, quirky alt-country swagger “On the Run” in April 2015 and straight ahead indie pop/rock infector “Here’s the Thing” in November 2015. Both songs received national and international attention. Reviews and references have been made to PJ Harvey, The Kills, Nirvana, The Breeders, Garbage and The SuperJesus. Released in conjunction with the Album is next single “Rise and Fall”, a sweet anthem of redemption and triumph for the broken, broken hearted or broken up.

Internationally, The Goldhearts’ two digital singles have caught the attention of LA's KROQ being featured regularly on the famous program,Rodney on the ROQ. “On the Run” charted at 20 in the USA Submodern Charts. “Here’s the Thing” earned spins in Tokyo and Spain, charting in Lima, Peru, and the Netherlands. Nationally the band has received regular airplay on community radio, including 4ZZZ, SYN Radio, InnerFm, Coast Fm, Harvey Community Radio (Track of the Week), 2SER, FBi, and Radio Adelaide.

Upcoming Shows:
Sat 28 May - The Bearded Tit, Sydney NSW (4-7pm)
Fri 24 June - The Back Room, Chardons Corner Hotel, Annerley QLD
Sat 25 June - New Tatts Hotel, Lismore NSW
Sun 26 June - The Gap Farmers Market, Brisbane QLD
NightQuarter - Gold Coast QLD (album launch) TBC.

We featured The Goldhearts back in November last year and were impressed on hearing just one song. Fast forward to now and we were right to be so. The debut album “The Rise and Fall of the Goldhearts” from which the featured song 'Rise And Fall' is just one of thirteen tracks, is a real good collection of hooky, guitar driven music, and spot on vocals throughout.

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Me & Mark - When Rich Find Gold.

Backgrond promo - Mia & Mark have a wide range of experiences in music and have grasped a new sound they call "story-pop". All the songs are written by Mia and the stories she tells are all based in real experiences.
  
Mia is an amazing talent. Energy to spare and a voice that can only be described as "generational" . She captures your attention with her voice but it is the delicate songwriting that keeps you mesmerised. With experience on the stage, both musically and theatrically, since the age of 5, Mia brings a veteran's poise to everything they do.

Mark Axiak has collaborated with some of the worlds best producers, artists and institutions, including touring the world with world famous bands as a bass guitarist. He also works as a producer at Urban Sound and is looked up on as one of the finest engineers in his field.

This is one fine song. 'When Rich Find Gold' is described by the band as story-pop, which makes sense and adds additional interest to their music. It has all the vital ingredients, melody, hooks, superb vocals and tight exciting music. Another description might be pop music with heart, soul and intelligence.

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Thursday Two: The Iron Horses - Kwesi Foraes

The Iron Horses - Any Other Way.

Background promo - The Iron Horses formed in early 2015 after numerous late night boozy jamming sessions. With a great enthusiasm for cheap bourbon and nothing but time to kill on a Friday night, a group of songs began to emerge. Duncan (vox/rhythm guitar), Ciaran (lead guitar/vox), Raul (Bass) Pete (Drums).

There was no shortage of ideas and the songs came through thick and fast. After months of gigging each and every one of Sydney’s bars, the boys had accumulated enough money to completely fund their debut EP. The energy that hits you is immediately captivating and none of this is by chance. With two albums of balls out Rock & Roll already written within a year, the hardest part was deciding which songs made the cut for the Stop To Start EP.

Each song tells a story, every harmony and riff reverberates inside you. The energy that hits you is immediately captivating and none of this is by chance. With almost two albums worth of material already written, songs were handpicked for the Stop To Start EP. The hardest part was deciding which ones made the cut. The easiest part was “where to record?” and “who with?” The bands second home House Fox Studios was the studio of choice, recording with the owner Ryan Miller. After several recommendations the choice of producer was a no brainer, ex-Thirsty Merc guitarist Sean Carey.

The live performance is a hard hitting, guitar slamming, melodic Rock & Roll spectacle. 2016 looks like it will be a huge year for The Iron Horses.

Fri 27/5 - The Reverence, Melbourne VIC
Fri 3/6 - Oxford Art Factory, Sydney NSW (EP Launch)
Sat 2/7 - The Lass O’Gowrie, Newcastle NSW
Sun 3/7 - Frankies, Sydney CBD NSW

First of four tracks on the EP, 'Any Other Way' is fully energised, however it's anything but a live jam, where the band started out from. With a good ear for melodies the band deliver exciting well played (and sung) songs. The 'Stop to Start' EP will be released 27th of May 2016.

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Kwesi Foraes - Heroin. 

Background bio - Twenty-three year old Kwesi Foraes, a folk-soul singer-songwriter, grew up in Long Beach California where he submersed himself early into the music scene studying, folk, rock n roll, and blues.  Foraes spent years experimenting with different music styles and bands.  But after a surge of 3 family deaths all within a year, Foraes faced a hard internal battle while struggling to overcome his personal demons that almost took his own life. 

Foraes at a point with few options of release searched for an escape & sense of truth in his music and found it like never before in darkest and most raw pockets of folk, expressing himself at the most vulnerable and visceral levels, embracing all truth and confronting all ills head on.  Writing in trances of personal experiences and vivid encounters with spirits of his past, Foraes dedicated the last 4 years to bringing a perspective that is rooted far beyond just the music.

Kwesi Foraes - 27 EP, Street Date, May 27th, 2016, Self-Released.

I was so blown away by the the song 'Pentacle 13' featured here back in early April, that the opportunity to feature another song from the excellent forthcoming six track EP is irresistible. 'Heroin' demonstrates the exciting talent that Kwesi clearly has. It also shows he is capable of developing and delivering quite inspiring music on more than one occasion. Clearly one person to watch out for.

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Genre Mix: Josh Flagg - Wailing Loons

Josh Flagg - The Floor It Shakes.

Background bio - After two EP’s, 2011’s full-length Devastate Me and relentless touring, New York City’s own Josh Flagg releases Tracing Shapes on June 3, 2016. It’s a record focused on small moments with enormous consequences. Marriage, friends, birth, rebirth, alienation, intimacy, art, compulsion, loneliness and history are themes mined and explored throughout Tracing Shapes ten tracks and they take the listener on a ride not easily forgotten.

Flagg focuses on the humanity of the characters and versions of himself in these songs. He’s looking for the right words, even when he knows they’ll hurt…especially when they hurt. It’s a darker, harder, more complex set of songs featuring a three pronged guitar attack, soaring vocals and asymmetrical songwriting.

Produced by Kieran Kelly (Sufjan Stevens, Better Than Ezra), Tracing Shapes’ sound pulled together as Flagg added a third guitarist to his live show. The three driving guitar lines allowed him to experiment with different rhythms and textures and encouraged him to push lyricism. On “The Floor It Shakes,” Flagg sings about the need to persevere through one’s faults and reoccurring mistakes. The single delivers exactly what Tracing Shapes is about - guitar driven modern rock with catchy hooks and melodies.

Of Josh Flagg's last EP (Lights Out) we said "Lush powerful guitar hooks and an equally powerful voice compete and compliment wonderfully throughout. Indie rock with a punch". The forthcoming full length 'Tracing Shapes' continues in that catchy mode, with ten more modern rock songs all demanding your attention, as they follow on from the potent opener 'The Floor It Shakes'.

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Wailing Loons - Death Canoe.

Background bio -  Wailing Loons create Music for Good, driven by a mission of writing and performing music that reflects and transforms society. The Loons are now six strong, with Dan on guitar and vocals, Emilie on vocals, Casey Pavek on banjo and vocals, Nick Neylon on upright bass, Erin Manlove on viola, and Matthew Marshall on drums.

2016 will be a huge year: in partnership with Eat for Equity and Oxfam America, the band returns to play #MusicForGood on the Solar Powered Stage for two nights of Bonnaroo. The Loons also headline the Wild Springs Festival, immerse in community at MBOTMA Festival, and return to raise money for local YMCA Camps at the 2nd Annual Prairie Burn Festival in Wisconsin.

Wailing Loons just released their debut mini-LP "Fire in the Cold" in April of 2016 after recording with Neil Weir at Old Blackberry Way. Here's to building a stronger community through music together!

Minneapolis based folk/bluegrass/rock band Wailing Loons, released 'Fire In The Cold' a wonderful album last month (April). Featured song 'Death Canoe' was also a single release. This is a band who come across as just loving to play, you can feel it in the songs. Musicianship is top class as are the delightful vocals and harmonies. If you are unsure about folk or bluegrass, tip your toe in the water with this album, there will be no looking back!

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