Weekend Wonders: Stiffy Jones - Ofelia K - Heidi Talbot - Gitta De Ridder - Quiet Quiet Band - Dyr Faser

Stiffy Jones - Echoes.

Background promo - Stiffy Jones is back with a brand new album. After the release of their latest EP, the Disconnect Me EP, Stiffy jones has kept on their legacy of loud, sweaty and energetic stage shows to venues all around Sweden. Narrow Road Of Memories is a record full of powerful, melodic and personal punk rock songs that will leave you wanting more. The record is set for release on October 28 CD and digital download.

Since 2009, Stiffy Jones current line-up has invaded the bars and venues of Sweden with their punk rock and constant need to be on the road. Formed in 2005 by four schoolmates in Stockholm without any wider musical knowledge but with the same passion for punk rock and a need to cure boredom. In 2012 their debut album was released and they've since toured Sweden. Stiffy Jones has over the years played with among others; Koffin Kats, Skumdum, Tysta Mari, Strawberry Blondes, Saturdays Heroes and The Friday Prophets.

'Echoes' was on the 'Disconnect Me' EP and not surprisingly has been included on the forthcoming full length album 'Narrow Road of Memories'. It typifies the bands creative mixture of punk rock, with some flavours of celtic and folk twists, never far away. Pretty much energised the whole way through, the new album is a quick cure for apathy.

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Ofelia K - Another World.

Background - Ofelia K.’s voice and compelling songs are worn down to perfection and balance wistful maturity with a certain earnest and eternally young expression.  Not quite pop, not quite anything else, the young singer-songwriter showcases her beautiful symmetry with her music somewhere between an unrepressed journal entry, a comforting arm around the shoulder and her smoky, shimmering glare, her eyes so knowingly staring into you. With spins from Annie Mac at BBC Radio 1, over 2 million Spotify plays, and features on multiple television shows, the world heard her starry eyed songs and asked for oh-so-many more. 

With her upcoming EP release, 'Choas Cave' right around the corner this LA songstress once again sets her sights on capturing the public’s heart with her latest single, "Another World." As Ofelia herself mentions, “Another World seesaws between darkness and light, beauty and pain. My vision for this song was for it to take you through different worlds, as though the listener is traveling and taking in new terrain throughout. I love the visuals that the instrumentation paints, like the sounds are playing with one another and need to be hushed and contained at points. And with Ofelia K, you know that can only result in pure musical bliss.

Regarding the EP, Ofelia adds, "Chaos Cave was recorded at a couple studios in Burbank as well as at my house in Box Canyon. Massive amounts of La Croix sparkling water were consumed. My producer Andy Rosen and I both have some OCD tendencies that get compounded when working together, so there’s a lot of attention to detail throughout. We worked in Ableton, which really influenced the soundscapes we were able to achieve and allowed for quite a bit of creative freedom. My attitude is always that of letting each song go where it wants to and not feeling strictly limited to one genre, so each of the five songs brings a different mood and style to the body of work."

It's the third feature this year on Beehive Candy for Ofelia K, this time with the new song 'Another World'. With such finely crafted music and Ofelia's fetching vocals, can you blame me for taking advantage of the opportunity, to share another gem.

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Heidi Talbot - The Year That I Was Born.

Background - Heidi Talbot's fifth solo LP plays to the tune of quiet skips and giant leaps. It crosses the ages, jumps into the unknown, traverses oceans and musical styles – from folk, through Americana, to classic pop, and back again. The Co Kildare singer / songwriter, who now resides in Scotland with her musical partner and husband John McCusker, is joined by a host of musicians and co-writers on the album, including Louis Abbott (Admiral Fallow), Duke Special, Adam Holmes and Boo Hewerdine.

This sense of family and home is reinforced by the album having been recorded in Talbot and McCusker's self-built studio, housed in a converted eighteenth-century bothy next to where they live in the Scottish Borders. “Recording the album in our own studio was amazing,” Talbot says. “You're in your own environment, you're comfortable, you've got all the time you need, and the kids can come over. It feels like everyone can be a part of it.”

Everyone, on this occasion, means Talbot (voice, ukulele) and producer McCusker (violin, cittern, whistles, harmonium) – plus Innes White (guitar, mandolin), James Lindsay (double bass), James Mckintosh (drums, percussion), Megan Henderson (piano, harmonium), Toby Shippey (trumpet), Andy Seward (banjo), Donald Shaw (harmonium, Wurlitzer, accordion), Michael McGoldrick (Uilleann pipes, whistles), Toby Shaer (whistle), Adam Holmes (vocals), Louis Abbott (vocals, electric guitar), Su-a Lee (Cello) and Sorren Maclean (backing vocals, electric guitar). A barnful, and then some.

The title track is inspired by an old gospel song. “I loved the idea of it being quite uplifting, of it not being a funeral hymn, even though it's about death,” Talbot offers. The same could be said of a bright and beautiful album that touches on grief, depression and love. “It's as sad as you want it to be,” she says, smiling. It's equally heartening, cheering and enlightening. Hope springs eternal.

Heidi Talbot Tour Dates 2016:

Sept 29 Paisley, Paisley Arts Centre
Sept 30th Edinburgh, Queens Hall
Oct 2nd Derby, Folk Festival
Oct 6th Liverpool, Music Room
Oct 7th Barnard Castle, The Witham
Oct 8th Bromsgrove, Artrix
Oct 9th Stroud, The Convent
Oct 11th Cambridge, The Junction
Oct 12th Bristol, St George’s
Oct 13th London, Cecil Sharp House
Oct 14th Newbury, Arlington Arts Centre
Oct 15th Colchester, Arts Centre
Nov 5th Barnsley, The Civic
Nov 6th Bury, The Met
Nov 10th Peebles, Eastgate Arts Centre
Nov 11th Stirling, The Tolbooth

Featured track 'The Year That I Was Born' is a delicate folk song, with Heidi Talbot's vocals soothing, gentle and refined. As I listened without actually watching the video, it felt more intimate and quite atmospheric. The fact that the song is just one dimension of the material she produces, suggests the latest album is a must listen, at the very least.

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Gitta De Ridder - Even If.

Background - Originally growing up in the Netherlands, Gitta taught herself to write and play songs on the guitar from a young age, and cites modern folk artists such as Anais Mitchell as her inspiration. Gitta's folkpop songs, with beautifully poetic but also conversational lyrics, go straight to the heart and are performed on a bed of warm fingerpicked guitar.

Feathers is an album which follows a true creative vision, focused on the words that make stories come to life, it explores relationships, romance, family and cities, and all that makes us human. Recorded mostly in Gitta's London home-studio with one-take vocals and guitar recordings layered with children's toy instruments, cello's and other sounds; Feathers was created intuitively, realising the treasures are in that what comes naturally.

Her debut single 'Mr Yesterday' released in September 2014 gathered attention from BBC Introducing, Amazing Radio and several Dutch radio stations; following up with her self produced EP 'Come Find Me' in January 2015 to shining reviews. The new album Feathers is due for release on September 21st. New single ‘Even If’, a song about friendship – or loneliness, shows Gitta’s lyrical ability in an effortlessly catchy chorus with beautiful vocal harmonies; previous single ‘Alternate Reality’ builds to a crescendo of instruments while first track released 'Lie With Me' closes the album with a gentle lullaby layered over delicate guitar. 

The new single 'Even If' is one of ten really good songs on the album 'Feathers'. In genre terms, the album is highly accessible folkpop, with Gitta exploring different ideas from that starting place. Melodic through out, each song has an individual feel to it, with Gitta's vocals just right for the piece. This is one very fine album.

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Quiet Quiet Band - In The Body.

Background - Something has stirred in the darker, lesser-trodden extremities of the UK folk scene. Following 2015’s raucously received (and performed) album ‘Low Noon’, that most carnivalesque quintet, Quiet Quiet Band, have re-emerged into the cold glare. The band’s new EP, ‘Come Home From The War’, released later this year, is a four-song rumination on the aftermath of conflict and, more pertinently, the ways in which humans seek to escape from it. As QQB guitarist Paul Smith puts it: “With society defined by global and personal battles, so many of our pleasures have become tactics for retreat. Pleasures of the flesh, pleasures in a bottle and pleasures of losing your mind inspired this record."

Singing songs of love, death and Tony Robinson, Quiet Quiet Band are the rotting fruits in nu-folk’s verdant pastures. Extrovert practitioners of hillbilly hoedowns, sociopathic shanties and warped waltzes, QQB’s sometimes macabre, sometimes poignant ditties are further animated by a vociferous lyrical delivery, as they channel themes of love, desire, violence and death into wild, witty and wonderfully melodic tunes. “Our songs often evoke fictional characters who are reflecting on their own flaws, regrets, losses and mistakes,” says lead vocalist Tom Purcell. Also comprising Paul Smith (guitar/vocals), Scott Painter (bass), Jon Hare-Winton (drums) and Devon Gillespie (viola), QQB are renowned for their blistering live sets, the ferocity of which was first captured on 2015’s long-player ‘Low Noon’ to all-round praise. Now, a new EP, recorded by Sam Wheat at RekRoom Studios, seems to represent a subtle shift with a more composed, controlled collection. But you don’t need to scratch the surface too hard to know that Quiet Quiet Band still have that wicked glint in their eyes and a shindig in their souls.

Live Dates:
Friday 23 September: The Finsbury, London N4
Saturday 1 October: The Bell on the Green, Devizes
Friday 4 November: The Finsbury, London N4 (official EP launch)
Friday 25 November: Rising Sun Arts Centre, Reading

The first of four songs on the EP 'In The Body' immediately grabbed my attention, and the band held it, all the way through this wonderful EP. Infectious and stirring vocals are accompanied by varying amounts of musical power, sometimes understated, sometimes almost demanding I sit down and listen, to take it all in. Genre wise, it might be folk, rock'n'roll or anywhere in between, for me, it's superb and that's more than enough.

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Dyr Faser - Den Of Sables.

Background - Boston-based trio Dyr Faser have announced they will release their new EP 'Trio' and are teasing this new release with forerunner single 'Estranged'. On 'Trio', the band cleverly blends post-punk, electronic, and psychedelia, often with southern guitar elements. Based in Boston, Dyr Faster is comprised of Eric Boomhower (vocals, guitar, synth, Casio), Thalia Zedek (guitar, slide, backing vocals) and Katherine 'Kate' Murray (synth).

Altough multi-instrumentalist Eric Boomhower originally began Dyr Faser as a solo project, he was eventually joined by indie rock icon Thalia Zedek (Come, Uzi, Live Skull, Thalia Zedek Band). After many recordings, buzz-worthy shows and a successful tour, they were joined by Kate Murray on synth and again head out for additional touring in both the USA and Canada.

Together they make music that is entrancing, hypnotic, dreamy, kraut-rockish, and meditative. On 'Trio' EP, they fuse the European synth avant garde and krautrock leanings of Eric Boomhower and Katherine Murray with the American guitar stylings of Thalia Zedek. "The track 'Den of Sables' is how I imagine it'd be when Soft Cell meets The Gun Club," says Thalia Zedek, whose lengthy career includes founding Come with Codeine's Chris Brokaw and releasing four albums for that project. She has toured with world with Come and Live Skull.

For the first time in the band's history, Eric and Thalia sing together, sharing vocals prominently on 'Hybrid Souls'. Drum loops, synth swirl, dueling guitars, melodic vocals and electronic drum loops make for a hypnotic and inimitable release. "We made this record after years of Thalia and I supporting each other's music. As one time housemates, we talked about music a lot. And unbelievably, I found Kate who shared a love for Krautrock and space rock. With this EP I hope to bring these sounds and talent to the pop world," says Eric Boomhower.

'Den Of Sables' is the first of six tracks on the 'Trio' EP. The band seemingly swim through genres, grabbing whatever parts are right, and with the end result of constructing some intriguing and hypnotic music. It would be easy to describe the bands music as experimental at least in part, with reflection though, I would suggest they have already done the experiments, and are at the stage of crafting distinctive and for me, totally absorbing music.

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Two Good Ones: Liam Hudson - Kråkesølv

Liam Hudson - You'll Be Fine.

Background promo - Liam Hudson started writing music from a young age, but didn't begin to hone his skills till his mid-teens when he started writing Jazz, and Baroque and Movie style compositions. Through this time he was heavily inspired by the works of Jazz artists like Dave Brubeck, Bob Mintzer, Ray Charles and composers like Bach, Hans Zimmer, and John Williams. After finishing school, Liam started learning electronic production and recording, writing and recording entirely from his bedroom.

The song ‘You’ll Be Fine’ was written, recorded, and produced all at Liam Hudson’s home. The song came about after a break-up, when Liam’s friends were supporting him, telling him that he will be fine, and everything works out. The song discusses how just because you know everything will be fine in the end, it doesn't make the sadness any easier while you're in that place: “It’s all good to say it'll be fine. Don't tell me what happened to you. I’ve heard your story all before and I know your life’s a bore.”

The song is similar in style to Chet Faker, or Jack Garratt’s ballads, but with electronic elements and vocal play like Safia, whilst still having its own unique sound and tone. “You’ll Be Fine” by Liam Hudson will be released 23rd of September 2016.

'You'll Be Fine' is for me, more of an indie song, than folk. Liam's vocals are such a key component, with the music sensitively placed behind him, in what is one hook laden song.

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Kråkesølv - Lenge sia sist.

Background - Kråkesølv comes from Bodø, and they’re not hiding it. Rock music, Norwegian lyrics and great songs and choruses. These are keywords you’ve heard being used about the band previously, but now they’re releasing their fifth album and it’s time to do something different.

The title track, "Pangea" - the first single from their upcoming album - shows a band who can still write anthems in Norwegian, and that easily can play at both big festival stages and at small village parties.

Kråkesølv’s music is still anchored in two guitars, bass, drums and lyrics written in their own dialect. But this time they’ve forced themselves to paint with a broader brush. "Pangea" shows a band challenging staid frameworks, and they’re moving into landscapes that bands like Dungen and Radiohead have plowed before. But, as always, Kråkesølv land safely on their own Northern Norwegian feet.

The reason why Kråkesølv now are taking a different direction than before, is mainly due to their producer, Lars Horntveth (Jaga Jazzist, Susanne Sundfør). In addition to producing, he has contributed in many ways, with giving good advice, with being a motivator and with playing instruments like piano, mellotron and vibraphone. Throughout the entire recording process, Horntveth has also been offering them fresh coffee and fiery cheers.

Their lyrics have the same melancholy character that has coloured Kråkesølv’s universe since their debut album, and they continue to make connections between interpersonal and universal matters.

So many songs from Scandinavian bands are sung in English, which makes sense considering the size of the potential market. 'Lenge sia sist' remains in the bands native language of Norwegian, and once again demonstrates that, music as art can cross any language border. Full of indie rock vibes, there is something quite attractive about this song, melodic, and with fine musicianship and vocals, that just blend with it all so well.

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Quality Not Quantity: Dear Willow - Heidi Maree - Organised Scum

Dear Willow - When It Burns.

Background promo - Birthed from letters to her older self, Dear Willow is the musical project of Sunshine Coast creative Em-J Dau. Following on from last year's debut single 'Father's House', Dear Willow will be launching the moody new single 'When It Burns' at Sunny Coast's premier live hub Solbar, Thursday September 15.

Growing up with the arts close to her heart (just short of a family heirloom) has meant that Em-J expressing herself has been a storytelling affair. Dear Willow has been many things, first letters and poetry, then a solo folk acoustic act but it has recently evolved into something bigger than expected. Countless shows, an ever-growing repertoire of material and working with other creative types have helped mould Dear Willow from timid songstress to seasoned performer.

While 2015's offering ‘Father’s House’ saw Em-J dabbling in her folky roots, 'When It Burns' has Dear Willow flexing a much more dynamic muscle, in part to now being backed by a studio band. The indie-pop punch fits like like a glove with Em-J's smoky and heartfelt vocal delivery rounded out with a lively groove and treated with modern day sonics.

As any artist will tell you, experimentation is key and with Dear Willow's songwriting prowess just getting warmed up in the studio, we'll be looking forward to those creative worlds colliding for years to come.

Upcoming shows:
Thursday Sep 15 - When It Burns single launch @ Solbar w/ Taylor Payne
Friday Sep 16 - Brisbane Festival @ Arcadia Activations

There is a smooth folk indie feel to 'When It Burns'. Music and vocals have been matched so well in the mix, and the melody is carried by the delightful vocals of Em-J.

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Heidi Maree - Caterpillar Shoes.

Background - 22 year old Australian multi-instrumentalist Heidi Maree has defined herself as a true artist.

Having spent the last 3 years establishing herself as an influential artist in her Dubbo community, Heidi has now used her unique style as a platform for her rising music career. Creating artworks for her recently release EP, Arctic OK and accompanying music videos, Heidi has developed a dynamic flavour of indie pop music.

With an eclectic background from drumming in Church to lead keyboardist with touring metal band Trollgasm, Heidi’s unique songwriting style has only been magnified through her diverse experiences in music.

Recorded and Produced at The Grove Studios (Empire of the Sun, Silverchair, Xavier Rudd). ‘Caterpillar Shoes’ is a song detailing the naïvety of an open mind and what is initially relied upon venturing out into the world. Combined with a forward moving, musical pulse, lyrics like, “I had many legs of thoughts but only two would walk,” paint the picture of someone tripping, loosing, finding than moving forward again.

What “Caterpillar Shoes’ does so well is to create musical onomatopoeia, matching the lyrics through soaring piano trills, vocal runs and Chorus break downs. “The bridge in the song is my favourite to hear and play live. It strips the song right down to the vocal run ‘I met you’ and piano, than builds that pace up again - I wanted people to feel that momentum the way I do,” says Heidi. “Caterpillar Shoes” by Heidi Maree will be released 23rd of September 2016.

'Caterpillar Shoes' is a lively modern sounding folk song, that musically skips along as do Heidi's adorable vocals. Excellent musical accompaniment as well,  in this lively song.

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Organised Scum - Insane Making Behaviour.

Background - Organised Scum are comprised of songwriting duo Tom Duggins and Sean Canty. The pair met at Corpus Christi College, Cambridge, where they bonded over their questionable reasons for applying there: Tom because ‘Corpus Christi’ features as a lyric in a Pavement song, and Sean because of a Jeff Buckley-inspired equivalent rationale.

After cutting over a dozen demos in a friend’s home studio, Organised Scum came to the attention of Shields bassist John Martindale via an off-air recommendation from BBC 6Music's Tom Robinson when Shields were performing on his show. Martindale offered to put together new mixes of two of their early tacks and invited the band up to his recording studio (Blank Studios) in Newcastle to record their debut EP (forthcoming), with the band agreeing a deal with Shields' management company in the process.

Seem them live Upstairs at The Electrowerkz 7 Torrens St, London EC1V 1NQ - Friday November 18th 2016. 6.30pm-Late. £5.00. Playing alongside  - Desert Mountain Tribe + Howland + Tuska.

I received a promo for the above mentioned gig, and it just happens that Organised Scum are my favourite band of the four (and absolutely no disrespect to the others). It's makes a good enough excuse to feature 'Insane Making Behaviour', and when I get time I'll check out the other acts, so look out for more.

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Twilight Fields - Further Up, Further In (Album)

Twilight Fields - Our Anthem (99).

Background promo - Allister Thompson has led a varied musical life, having been a solo folkie but also a member of cult 70s-style glam band Crash Kelly. He has recorded Krautrock under the project name The Gateless Gate and a psych album as Khan Tengri, as well as several solo folk albums. His 2009 progressive rock album Shadowlands was well-received by progressive rock reviewers. Teri-Lynn Janveau is a classically trained pianist who also has composed and played as a member of The Gateless Gate. Tim Timleck is a veteran Canadian drummer with such playing and recording credits as Carole Pope, Emm Gryner and Universal Honey, amongst many others.

“Further Up, Further In!” is the debut full-length art-rock album by Twilight Fields, of North Bay, Canada. The expansive sound and reflective, philosophical tone of this recording stem from many influences, from psychedelic and progressive rock to eighties neo-psych and alternative, psych-folk, and even ambient and shoegaze.

My way of musical thinking has been strongly affected by early spacy progressive rock acts like Pink Floyd and The Moody Blues, the cosmic psych of Hawkwind or Jefferson Airplane, but also the intelligence, passion and depth of eighties bands like The Waterboys, Midnight Oil, New Model Army, and The Church, the wistful sounds of seventies British folk songwriters and the vocal arrangements of The Beach Boys.

One of eleven tracks on the new full length album 'Our Anthem (99)' is representative of the high quality songs, that can be found on 'Further Up, Further In'. The bands mentioned above, are probably strong influences of many an artist or band, however with this album those influences have helped in the creativity, rather than dominate the end work. This album has so many unique attributes, along with mature lyrics, and beautifully constructed songs and music. For anyone who loves progressive, ambient and even modern folk music (and a fair number of other genres), I cannot recommend this album enough.

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And The Beat Goes On: Ine Hoem - No Monster Club - Neil Brophy Band - Slow Down Molasses - The PepTides

Ine Hoem - Moonbird.

Background promo - Ine Hoem´s voice hits you right in the heart. Her vocal strong sound has elements from both modern electronic music and the jazz universe.

Her debut album "Angerville" received tons of positive reviews, and her single "This year" gained a lot of airplay in her native Norway. That song was also used in the Canadian/US TV series "Degrassi".

Ine Hoem has spent the last 12 months in a studio in Gotland, Sweden, together with producer Tobias Fröberg (Ane Brun, Loreen, Anna Bergendahl) and the musicians Lars Skoglund (Lykke Li) and Robert Elovsson (Robyn).

The result is the album "Moonbird", due to be released February 10th. These nine strong songs creates a dark musical universe, and makes you think of artists like Kate Bush and Lykke Li. The first single, and title track, "Moonbird" is out now.

With rich swirling synth sounds 'Moonbird' grabbed my attention before Ine Hoem had even begun to sing. Once she did, then wow! what a fabulous voice, and vocal range. Melodic through and through, this is one fabulous song.

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No Monster Club - Hippocampus Circus Maximus.

Background - No Monster Club has just released the first track from their forthcoming 7" EP - it's a catchy, tropical-tinged pop march that elicited an impromptu conga-line during its debut airing at Electric Picnic over the weekend.

No Monster Club is the cartoonish art-pop brainchild of Dublin's Bobby Aherne - a project that has already produced around a dozen albums containing "the kind of tunefulness that makes a joke of so much contemporary pop music" (The Irish Times).

Emotional Response are proud to announce the release of No Monster Club’s debut US release, which is also the bands’ debut foray into the 7inch vinyl medium! Skillfully mastered to ensure maximum fidelity, this immediately catchy and classic pop EP contains Four jump-up-and-down solid gold bangers, heralding Aherne’s songwriting as it blossoms into dazzling brilliance.

Catch them on tour later this month:
9/24 Louie’s Back Room, Kalamazoo, MI
9/25 Burlington Bar, Chicago, IL
9/26 Pinky Swear, Chicago, IL
9/27 Stone Tavern at Michel’s, Kent, OH
9/28 Coyote Joe’s, Dubois, PA
9/29 The Dev, Utica, NY
9/30 TBA, NYC
10/1 Our Lady of Perpetual Hope, Hempstead, NY
10/5 New Funky Jungle, Providence, RI

'Hippocampus Circus Maximus' may well have been featured just for the song title alone. That it is a bright and uplifting fun tune, secured it. That pop can still make me smile and feel good, is something pretty special, as is this song.

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Neil Brophy Band - Fear of Fear.

Background - Folk Rock from Copenhagen via Northampton, Neil Brophy Band combine powerful lyrics, upbeat folk guitar and iconic banjo & whistle melodies to deliver an infectiously catchy song with a serious political message in the outspoken new single “Fear of Fear”, out 21st October. Infused with a raw, brash Celtic soul sound that recalls the likes of Billy Bragg, The Pogues and Ewan MacColl, “Fear of Fear” mixes reflective lyrics and driving instrumentation to create a catchy and politically charged anti-anthem, bursting at the seams with defiance.

“Right-wing news channels and politicians feed us with their propaganda machine, breeding hatred and fear, which they use to misguide us. ‘Fear of Fear’ as the title suggests, lays out in black and white the lies we are fed.” - Neil Brophy. Brophy originally from Moulton, Northamptonshire, left the UK in 1990 on a backpacking trip and never made it back on a permanent basis. The prolific songwriter busked his way around Australia, NZ and the States for several years picking up songs and stories along the way, honing his craft by combining elements of his travels with social commentary & revelry and moulding into song.

Led by singer and song smith, Neil Brophy, the band has toured extensively in Northern Europe and Scandinavia becoming firm favourites on the festival circuit including multiple festival appearances in Germany, Holland and Belgium. UK festivals include Beautiful Days, Big Session and Middlewhich Festival. Now based in Copenhagen, Denmark, Folk Rock band Neil Brophy Band has been recording and touring since 1998.  With several releases under their belt, the English-Scottish-Danish band’s last single ‘The Record Collector’, released on Record Store Day, was championed by Steve Lamacq, receiving substantial airplay on BBC 6 Music.

Neil Brophy Band will be returning to the UK in October to play a selection of exclusive shows including dates with Blackbeard’s Tea Party.
                
12/10 The Dublin Castle - London
14/10 Adelphi - Hull - Supporting Blackbeard’s Tea Party
15/10 Telford Warehouse - Chester - Supporting Blackbeard’s Tea Party
16/10 FAC251 - Manchester - Supporting Blackbeard’s Tea Party

Music with a message is alive and well with songs like 'Fear Of Fear'. Musically it's something of a modern day folk piece with a sprinkling of Celtic influences. Melodic and catchy, the lyrics cut to the chase, getting the point across, whilst the harmonies, make it just so likable.

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Slow Down Molasses - Levitation Sickness.

Background - Levitation Sickness is the new single from the bands third studio album 100% Sunshine. This follows up from last years record Burnt Black Cars, the record which helped propel the bands career forward and gained support from Q Magazine, Noisey & Clash Magazine to name a few drawing comparisons to Slowdive, Toy and My Bloody Valentine for their blend of shoegaze and stoner rock. Th album was released 2nd September 2016 via Noyes.

Formed in 2006 in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Slow Down Molasses rank among Western Canada’s finest musical exports. Their third album, 100% Sunshine, will be released on September 2, 2016 on Noyes Records, and forges new sonic territory for the band while retaining their unique hybrid of ’90s Anglophilia and contemporary Canadian rock. 2015’s Burnt Black Cars was hailed as “drug-drenched psych-pop” by Q magazine and “immediately memorable and timeless” by The Line of Best Fit, with the band going on to share the stage with the New Pornographers, Swervedriver, Built to Spill, Preoccupations (fka Viet Cong) and the Besnard Lakes. 

Veterans of festivals across North America (SXSW, CMJ, NXNE, Sled Island) as well as European (Incubate, End of the Road, Liverpool Sound City, Great Escape, Reeperbahn, Nouvelle Prague), the band are renowned as a euphoric live experience, with Exclaim praising their “huge, stadium-ready sound and colourful presence”. Slow Down Molasses are singer/guitarist Tyson McShane, drummer Jordan Kurtz, bassist Chris Morin, guitarist/keyboardist Aaron Scholz, guitarist Levi Soulodre and keyboardist/singer Jeanette Stewart.

Live Dates:
6 Sept @ Club Kukuun ­ Hamburg
7 Sept @ Culture Container - Berlin
8-11 Sept @ Incubate Festival, Tilburg, NL
16 September @ Amigos, Saskatoon - record release show.

'Levitation Sickness' is the second song we have featured from Slow Down Molasses new album. The bands distinctive sound, remains quite hypnotic, with lush powerful music and vocals packed tightly into the mix.

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The PepTides - Don't Believe in Love.

Background - Hailing from Ottawa, Canada, The PepTides is a nine-member band with a distinctive larger-than-life pop sound. The five vocalists and four instrumentalists draw on funk, electronic and disco influences. They have been described by the Ottawa Citizen as “the B52’s crossed with The Manhattan Transfer backed by Arcade Fire.”

A snapshot of Canadian diversity, The PepTides is a collection of women and men with a kaleidoscope of identities: English, French, Ukrainian, Mexican, Guyanese, Cree, Acadian, Armenian, Scottish and Lgbtq. The group is noted for its extravagant live performances featuring thick vocal harmonies, theatrical choreography and colourful visuals. The PepTides’ songs juxtapose upbeat music with lyrics that comment on far-reaching themes like love, hate, revenge, sex, religion, war—and getting ready for dates.

In 2013, The PepTides garnered national attention by producing a full-length album in collaboration with Stuart McLean of CBC Radio’s Vinyl Cafe. They performed selections from the album live on the 20th anniversary recording of the show. Their 2014 release Love Question Mark was lauded by Exclaim! as “an ambitious collection of fun, daring, unadulterated, true blue art.” For Those Who Hate Human Interaction (2010) was named best album of the year by the Ottawa Citizen.

The PepTides EP, released in September 2016, features all-new recordings of the band’s greatest hits—including the summer single “Don’t Believe in Love,” which aired on commercial radio from coast to coast in Canada and received positive reviews from DJs internationally. The band has charmed audiences at major music festivals (RBC Bluesfest, Ottawa International Jazz Festival), bars (Blacksheep Inn, Horseshoe Tavern), showcases (NXNE, Folk Music Ontario), and theatre festivals (SummerWorks, Undercurrents).

M3TV’s take on The PepTides says it all: “Mixing their stunning vocals with funk beats underneath a soulful sound, an abundance of theatrical dance moves and kitschy quirks, they defy any genre or description. One must simply see them to believe them.”
 
Upcoming Fall Tour dates (with more to come):
 Sept 9 - Thyme and Again - Ottawa, ON
Sept 10 - Live on Elgin (matinee & evening shows)- Ottawa, ON
Sept 15 - Queens Univeristy - Kingston, ON
Sept 30 - Junction City Music Hall - Toronto, ON
Oct 22 - Gallery Studio (CS Art) - Ottawa, ON
Nov 1 - venue TBD - Montreal, QC
Nov 11 - Heartwood Concert Hall - Owen Sound, ON
Nov 12 - Old Town Hall – Almonte, ON.

Beyond being a vibrant and colourful live act, The PepTides create melodic and hook laden songs as the featured track 'Don't Believe in Love' demonstrates. One of six on the bands latest release, it's a consistently creative collection of music that mixes funk, pop and soul vibes with a huge element of energy.

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