Friday Five: Wojtek the bear - Twin Graves - Tiergarten - Brooklyn Doran - Ranch Ghost

Wojtek the bear - Dead from the waist up.

Background promo - Glasgow four piece wojtek the bear release their debut single “dead from the waistup” on 17th June. Their debut offering marries quintessential indie pop songwriting with melodies and hooks as big as mountains.

The single was recorded and produced by Chris McCrory of band catholic action and is accompanied by a video shot in the wilds of South Lanarkshire by Beth Chalmers whose recent clients include Low and Martha Ffion.

The band will be playing a number of shows in the coming months to support the release including a launch gig on 16th June at Govanill Baths in Glasgow and 19th August at DF Concerts catapult showcase at the Record Factory in Glasgow.

'Dead from the waist up' is my introduction to Wojtek The Bear. It's a breezy indie pop song and for me it's just a delight. Catchy and with lyrics worth taking in, it's a fine way to get to know a bands music.

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Twin Graves - Strife.

Background promo - After emerging last year with debut EP ‘Walk In Circles’ and singles ‘Love You To Death’ & ‘No Future’, Irish/Blackpool duo Twin Graves return with brand new single ‘Strife’ which will impact 17th June.

‘Strife’ is taken from the bands forthcoming second EP ‘Exiled’, produced by Matt Peel (Eagulls, Bad Breeding) and recorded at The Nave studios in Leeds. ‘Strife’ is about reaching a crossroad in life and questioning the choices in front of you but ultimately following your heart rather than head. ‘Strife’ captures the post punk attitude of previous releases but also nods to the avant-garde pop sounds of bands such as Talking Heads.

Twin Graves are: Jeremy Aris Polychronopoulos (vocals/guitar) Zarah Lawless (vocals/bass/synth).

The duo Twin Graves create quite a powerful sound with the new song 'Strife'. Vocals are really good and a key feature, as the song develops they are slowly engulfed by the ever growing soundtrack.

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Tiergarten - Der Zorn Gottes.

Background promo - It was late 2013, when Mats Rybø, a songwriter for the girls in the famous band Katzenjammer started to get serious attention for forming the band Tiergarten. His delicate vocals may garner much of the attention but the electronic sound wrapped in an effortless power-perormance is what unifies the sound's entirety.

Tiergarten has refined and perfected their style into a new sound that they feel encapsulates the essence of pop music with a rock dynamic, alternating between moments full of drama and a delightful energy. The Oslo based band members are: Mats Rybø, Anne Marit Bergheim, Odd Kristian Svedal, Stian Sveen and Trine Skullestad Hølland.

The first single, "Der Zorn Gottes", is driven by the two lead vocals and its perfectly balanced synths. The topic concerns megalomaniacs, the driven and twisted individuals who think they act on behalf of higher powers. It fuels a passion within the person that is simultaneously righteous and reviled, a dangerous dichotomy that plays perfectly into the strengths on display within the song.

According to the band 'Der Zorn Gottes' "concerns the megalomaniacs, the angry and twisted avengers who think they act on behalf of higher powers". They then add that "catchy synth pop" follows. Well I completely agree with the song being catchy, in fact it's something of an epic. Very impressive!

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Brooklyn Doran - Paper Wings.

Background from Brooklyn - “Paper Wings” is the first single from my forthcoming album “These Paper Wings”. The song began as a poem that I wrote several years ago, that I revisited when writing for the album.

The single and the album were recorded over 2015 and 2016 at Catherine North Studios in Hamilton Ontario. Produced, mixed and recorded by Dan Hosh (City and Colour, Arkells, Rose Cousins) and mastered by Elliott Brood's Stephen Pitkin at Modest Heights Recording. 

The track tells the story of Icarus, but is told from the perspective of the sun. I feel like this song, while still in the realm of indie-folk is a truer representation of where I feel I am musically right now.

A big part of the process for me is creating a conversation through music. And it's something I am incredibly interested in. It's one of the main reasons that I make music and put it out into the world. 'These Paper Wings' is set for release in September 2016.

'Paper Wings' is a gentle song, that demonstrates just what a really fine voice Brooklyn Doran has. Musically it's a quite laid back, acoustic piece, just right and in all a delightful song.

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Ranch Ghost - Ragged Mile.

Background promo - Lookin was recorded almost entirely live and produced by Mitch Jones (Fly Golden Eagle, Thunderbitch, Majestico) at his studio in East Nashville. This album was Ranch Ghost's first endeavor into recording the sonic incarnation of each of its member's thoughts, inspirations, and creative energy. The band has been audibly molded by the vibrations of Link Wray and Captain Beefheart's Magic Band, while the influence of Nina Simone, Hank Williams, and Miles Davis remains slightly obscured underneath the murky surface.

Jones helped bring forth into the world a musical apparition, simultaneously bearing the primal growl of The Velvet Underground and the punctured speaker cones of The Kinks. Deliberately injected within this chaos, there lies the necessary space for singer Joshua Meador’s prose to be able to stand comfortably, but with canines bared.

Upcoming Ranch Ghost Tour Dates:

6/18 - Nashville, TN - The East Room (album release show, w/ Clear Plastic Masks and Sun Seeker)
7/15 - Memphis, TN - Mud Island Amphitheater (w/ Alabama Shakes).

There's plenty of energy and rock'n'roll vibes in 'Ragged Mile' a song that thumps along, taking the listener with it. The band do indeed have a live feel about them, and the music is all the richer for that.

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Quality Not Quantity: Em George - Brooklyn Michelle

Em George - Blues Lady.

Background bio - Em George is a singer-songwriter from Sydney. Em began to be interested in songwriting after discovering the sounds of Carole King, Lou Reed, The Beatles and Leonard Cohen.

Teaching herself the guitar, Em began to play around with melodies and sounds, combining her love of poetry and writing with music.

Writing about personal experience, or about the absurdities and observances of life, Em’s songs display an introspective quality that is unique to her as an artist. Drawing from influences of all genres of music, her melodies help to express the true meaning of the lyrics. Her first single Murderers On The Inside was released in 2013 and was played on FBi radio, Triple J Unearthed and Home Brew Radio. The single was featured on blogs such as Mad Mackerel and Made Static. In November 2013, Murderers On The Inside was optioned by HBO for use in film and television. This was followed by the track being remixed by L.A based producer Stephen Kozmeniuk (Madonna, Kayne West).

In June 2014, Em released Truth which received airplay on radio across the country such as FBi, Inner FM (Melbourne) and reached gold rotation on digital station, Traxx. It was also featured on Mood Media. The track was also featured on several blogs such as Mistree Magazine (U.K) and the United States, drawing comparisons to Regina Spektor and Beth Orton. In 2015, Truth was featured in the soundtrack of Unplanned America season two which premiered on SBS 2.

Em was featured in The Music Network alongside artists such as C.W Stoneking, after her third single Paper Hearts, released in early 2015, spent two weeks in the AMRAP Metro and Regional charts reaching number three. It was featured on Triple J Unearthed, Mercedes Benz Fashion Week, Mood Media and was SYN Radio’s track of the week alongside Aerial Love by Daniel Johns (Silverchair). It was also released to radio in the United States, achieving airplay in New York, California and Texas. She was also selected for industry judging in the second round of the APRA Professional Development Awards 2015.

“Blues Lady” is the second release from Em’s debut self-titled EP. The song was written about Billie Holiday and was selected as a semi-finalist for the International Songwriting Competition 2015. "Em George" EP will be released 27th of May 2016.

Beehive Candy included Em George a few months back and the new single from her self titled EP is well worth another feature. 'Blues Lady' continues the intimate modern folk feel. As singer song writers go Em George has certainly struck a chord with me, to the point where I genuinely check her new material out with a fair amount of excitement, and certainty that I'm going to at the very least, appreciate it.

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Brooklyn Michelle - Stick Up.

Background bio - Brooklyn Michelle is an artist and music producer from San Antonio, Texas. Brooklyn's greatest childhood hero and role model is her "Paw Paw", who gave her the endless desire to create something extraordinary from scratch all by herself, just as he could. His ability to build or fix practically anything alone from cars to entire houses amazed Brooklyn and set an example of what hard work really looked like. Her grandfather, Rodney L Kirk, also shared Brooklyn's love for music with her. He was very persistent in keeping up with their after dinner guitar sessions, always demanding to hear the new songs she had learned or written. Brooklyn's Paw Paw is without a doubt her biggest fan and the sole purpose in dedication to her music career. At 13 years old Brooklyn went through her first heartbreak when she lost that number 1 fan to Pancreatic Cancer. She has chosen to revolve everything she does in her life around and her guardian angel's passion to create.

 Now involved with the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, Brooklyn holds the position of PurpleLight Chair for the San Antonio Affiliate. This meaning she hosts this Affiliates annual ceremony, PurpleLight, "An evening to honor and remember those affected by Pancreatic Cancer". Brooklyn has exciting long-term plans of turning the local event into an annual music festival in San Antonio with the proceeds going towards the cause. An impressive artist line-up along with the sundown ceremony remaining the main event (and more spectacular at that) could lead to a significant increase in awareness to the disease and people wanting to get involved.  Brooklyn aims to use her and her grandfather's passion for music to draw the enormous amounts of attention the deadly disease demands towards San Antonio's PurpleLight and ultimately skyrocket funds to fight it. For Brooklyn to build something so simple into the extraordinary, for this cause especially will be her Paw Paw's ultimate creation.

Stick Up is the single off of San Antonio artist, Brooklyn Michelle's upcoming album, Lithium. This witty song is for all of those who have been stood up before and wish to seek revenge. Lithium is an original alternative hip hop LP written and produced by Brooklyn Michelle. Each song tells a story from a past experience that may contrast in mood from one song to the next, hence the reference to the bipolar medication, Lithium. The album is to be released worldwide fall of 2016.

'Stick Up' has been around for a little while and remains an enticing teaser for the keenly awaited album 'Lithium'. Brooklyn Michelle delivers a highly accessible alternative hip hop style, that should appeal well beyond the core genre's audience. This is creative and for me quite original material, I look forward to hearing more this autumn/fall.

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Alternative Take: Hologram Teen - I Am Karate - WAZA - Kolidescopes

Hologram Teen - Marsangst.

Background promo - Hologram Teen is releasing a 2-track single on 7" vinyl via London's Happy Robots Records. This is the solo electronic motorik disco project of Morgane Lhote, former long-term keyboard player of Stereolab.

Originally from Paris, Morgane moved to London when she was 20 and spent 12 years there. Then she moved to NYC and, nine years later, moved to Los Angeles. Her name is known to many for her work as keyboard player in the seminal indie kosmische act Stereolab, having recorded and performed with the band during their imperial phase between 1995 and 2001, when they released a series of career defining albums including ‘Emperor Tomato Ketchup’ and ‘Dots and Loops’. Fans of Common will also be able to find Morgane on the Sgt Pepper inspired sleeve for his Electric Circus album. She followed her time in Stereolab with a stint in The Projects and, from 2005, played in Garden with members of Simian Mobile Disco before starting the Hologram Teen project.

The Hologram Teen sound, although embracing electronica and pop, does so in a way that is more evocative of a prog rock disco horror soundtrack than the soulless EDM that fills the pop charts. "It's like Fabio Frizzi meets Grandmaster Flash," says Morgane Lhote. Her debut sold-out single 'Post-Apocalypteacakes' was released on London's Deep Distance label and mixed creepy vintage library effects with bouncy dancehall synths and disco beats. Following its release, Pulp's Jarvis Cocker came to be among her many newfound fans.

"With Marsangst, I wanted to write a minimal techno track that still retained groovy, more dance-like elements, with a splash of Krautrock and a futuristic vibe," explains Morgane. "Kyaputen Fyucha is also on the cover, rescuing stranded space explorers one at a time with his magic pink disco vinyl, while Disco Démon gets serenaded by four-eyed cats. Never a dull day in the Hologram Teen galaxy!"

Written by Morgane Lhote and co-produced with Jonathan R. Freihofer, both tracks were mixed by Jonathan R. Freihofer and mastered by Adam Gonsalves at Telegraph Mastering.The single’s glorious sci-fi artwork is by Alex Smith. This single is limited to 300 copies and distributed worldwide by Cargo Records. It is also available direct from the label at www.happyrobots.co.uk

'Marsangst' is a wonderful piece. Have to agree with Morgane's above description of this track, and for me the "splash of Krautrock" is the icing on the cake. Totally addictive music.

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I Am Karate - Bitter (plus Gabriel Gassi Remix).

Background words - DIY duo I Am Karate consists of Erika Soldh and Marta Pettersson, who are known for their contemporary sound of indie electro-pop. Some of their recent success includes a nomination for Best Unsigned in GAFFA along with reaching over 700,000 streams on Spotify. Some of their incredible live performances have led to comparisons to artists including Kloe. The single Bitter has had a very good reaction in their native Sweden, and have already been compared to the likes of The Knife and Young Galaxy.

The two remixers for the track include Gabriel Gassi and Illien, who remixed Mavrick’s single. Both pieces are outstanding examples of the spectrum of sound throughout I Am Karate’s music and prove that the pair can conquer different genres successfully. During both remixes, the melody feels familiar with powerful electronic beats, layering of vocals and a tropical house style; therefore the production has similarities to Jungle and even Major Lazer. Vocally, we can instantly draw comparisons to Purity Ring with a hint of FKA Twigs from the soprano tones. 

Partly to demonstrate just how different and creative the remixes are, I have chosen one remix to compare with original release of 'Bitter' (well that's my excuse for featuring both - nothing to do with just loving them both...). So feast your ears (twice).


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WAZA - Rocks And Bones Feat. Aquila Young.

Background promo - Sydney’s most ambitious beat maker Waza has just premiered single 'Rocks and Bones' over at The Au Review, foreshadowing a spectacular upcoming LP release.

2015 saw Waza's ‘The Art and Techniques Sessions’ come to light, an experimental story told through music in three parts. Such an aspirational project naturally attracted an impressive musical rap sheet, drawing love from all across the nation’s airwaves, with adds and appearances on triple j’s Breakfast Show and The Hip Hop Show, FBi, 2SER, 3RRR and Unearthed.

Shedding his hip-hop roots, “Rocks and Bones” sees Waza getting back to something a little more straight up sonic. Emphasising synth and melody the song is a treasure trove of lush production, polyrhythmic melodies and a massive beat that feels like it’s swinging from a pendulum. The cherry on top comes in the lavish vocals of a dreamy new talent: Aquila Young. “Rocks and Bones” is just a taste of Waza’s upcoming LP Crooked Jaw slated for release in 2016.

'Rocks And Bones' is a creative song with Aquila Young's vocals well up in the mix, where they belong. At times the soundtrack is quite laid back, and seemingly sparse as it teases with the vocals, yet somehow this just seems so right. 

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Kolidescopes - Memory Lane.

Background (brief & to the point) - Kolidescopes is the duo of Dan Dare and Yeah Boy. Dare is a hit producer for the likes of Charlie XCX, Wiley, Juelz Santana and Marina And The Diamonds whilst Yeah Boy hails from Australia and has already seen wild success with Parachute Youth, having reached platinum record sales.

According to Kolidescopes and to quote them "We got all your summer music needs". Well featured song 'Memory Lane' just oozes summer vibes. Hooky, melodic and sun drenched, it's one fine mood shifter, and some...

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A Couple Of Rockers: Gothic Tropic - Self Talk

Gothic Tropic - Stronger.

Background promo - Los Angeles' Gothic Tropic introduces a new brand of female fronted, guitar-driven indie rock. The band will be playing a single release show today May 30th in Los Angeles at Resident.

The brainchild of Cecilia Della Peruti, Gothic Tropic keeps the vibe playful and punchy, bringing audiences into a new era of female rock nobility, nodding to stars like Debbie Harry, and Chrissie Hynde. 

Delivering a blend of Richard Lloyd and Nile Rodgers on guitar, Gothic Tropic's Della Peruti has won sponsorships with Fender, and leading pedal manufacturers, and works professionally as a touring and session player for Charli XCX, BØRNS, and more.

'Stronger' has something of a classic indie rock meets power pop, feel to it. Punchy drums and bass lines drive the song forward with pace, and the vocals and guitars dance melodically above. Good song!

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Self Talk - Clean Washing.

Background promo - Surprise! The talk of the town, Melbourne’s Self Talk have dropped a short sharp single 'Clean Washing' ahead of their upcoming debut EP.

The fresh faced five piece had a lot of eyes on them in April when they released single 'Hypocrite'. Drawing praise and high fives from the blogosphere as well as radio lords triple j, not to mention sharing bills with the likes of Luca Brasi and Ceres. On the back of this success the band are pleased to announce their debut EP Seeing What I Want to See due June 18th, with a new single available right now.

'Clean Washing' is Self Talk's catchiest crowd pleaser yet, blending gripping hooks with tight instrumentation and disarmingly honest lyrics. Coming in at a tidy two minutes thirty it's an abrupt mosh anthem set to throw crowds into an joyous uproar at their EP launch on June 18th. 

'Seeing What I Want to See' EP launch at The Grace Darling Hotel June 18th.

We featured Self Talk not that long ago and then along comes a nice surprise in the shape of  'Clean Washing' the new single. Last time around we said they were “Catchy as hell and buzzing with energy”. This time I would just repeat the diagnosis and add that the band just keep getting better, this is a sparkly no nonsense rock song, just what the doctor ordered...

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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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