Djustin - Lusid - Kate Nash - Twilight Fields

Djustin - New Preset.

Background - Djustin "New Preset" - new single. Just two weeks after the release of Te Legends' Nightshift album, Sweden’s Johan Angergård returns alongside longtime American confidant, Rose Suau, to release Djustin's debut album, Voyagers on May 5.

Voyagers is a glittering, sensual exploration into an unchartered and fully-electrified universe. It is a tale of "Future Love", where a newly-conscious, idealized romanticism is propelled by contagious dance beats, synth-driven melodies, and sweetly seductive vocals. The soundscape is sophisticated and visionary, yet the stories are intimate and relatable. "Voyagers" is a journey through a spectrum of emotional highs and lows: from the apex of adult infatuation and desire, to the darkest abyss  of disconnection and existentialism. Every detail from beat, hook, and lyrical lexicon is unveiled deftly. Clearly, Rose and Johan wouldn't surrender anything less.  

Djustin's existence seemed to crystallize due to the forces of quantum entanglement, a pull of energies which was always inevitable. At many points in their personal lives, Johan and Rose had walked separate but parallel paths. The Swedish-American pair were both born as middle children in the same year, exactly 13 days and an ocean apart. Both spent their musical formative years finding footing in remarkably different settings; Johan grew up in pastoral Ǻhus, Sweden, while Rose grew up in suburbs outside the birthplace of techno, Detroit, Michigan. Website here, Facebook here. 

Dazzling synths and a driving beat provide a rich backdrop for the atmospheric vocals on 'New Preset' a song that suggests the album Voyagers will appeal to many, many electronic music lovers.

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Lusid - Plotting A Murder.

Background - Lusid release sublime debut single "Plotting A Murder." Warm, melancholic and dynamic. 10 seconds into ”Plotting a Murder”, the debut single from Stockholm, Sweden, based five piece Lusid, it’s impossible not to get drawn into their dreamy soundscape - a lonely piano, then airy vocals, and so the drums kick in.

With a sound that is reminiscent of what we love most about 60’s and 70’s analogue music, Lusid presents themselves with high quality song writing and sublime vocal arrangements. A new band for a new thing.

A full EP called "Legend" will be released in June 2017. Facebook here.

Whilst 'Plotting A Murder' is not on my one thousand things to do list, it makes for a beautiful song. Musically this is an elegant, fabulously crafted track, that matches the intimate beauty of the vocals. Together they provide a memorable and exquisite modern pop song.

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Kate Nash - Call Me.

Background - Zone 5’s favourite Kate Nash announces a brand new EP ‘Agenda’ and that it will be available digitally on the 21st April and as an exclusive vinyl at this year’s Record Store Day (22nd April) for which she is an ambassador. ‘Agenda’ will be Kate’s first official release since 2013 and features live favourites such as ‘My Little Alien’ as well as new single ‘Call Me’.

Kate says about her new single: “‘Call me’ is about going through a lot of stuff and surviving it, hitting your lowest point and coming back from that. Once you have you can help other people get through it too, it's about pain being useful as it can be used as advice and support and wisdom when other friends/loved ones go through rough patches. Call on me when you go through it.”

Kate has also recently announced the 10-year anniversary of her platinum selling, Brit-Award winning debut album 'Made Of Bricks'. Kate will be touring the album over the summer including a show at London's Shepherd's Bush Empire. A limited run of original pink 'Made In Bricks' vinyl will be available on the tour. A lot has happened to Kate, since the release of ‘Made Of Bricks’ back in 2007 - failed relationships, record label fall-outs, punk record releases, a relocation to the other side of the world...  Despite all this the singer-songwriter-come-activist retains her heroic spirit, possessed of an impervious rebellion and a lightness of being that makes her ‘give-a-f[]k?’ honesty even more contagious. Everything seems to be coming full circle.

In other news, Kate Nash has been confirmed to play Rhonda is the upcoming Netflix Original series “G.L.O.W.” Produced by award winning Jenji Kohan (Weeds, Orange is the new Black), “G.L.O.W” (aka Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling) was created by Liz Flahive (Homeland) and Carly Mensch (Orange Is The New Black) and is a 10-episode comedy inspired by the real story of the 1980s female wrestling league. Tour details on Beehive Candy's tour page, Facebook here, website here.

'Call Me' has passion, energy and plenty of that Kate Nash style, which typifies her continued ability to provide top class music whether it be indie pop like this or something a whole lot deeper.

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Twilight Fields - Lost.

Background - Twilight Fields is from Northern Canada and makes a mixture of atmospheric and psychedelic rock and influences from progressive rock, ambient, dream-pop, psych-folk and shoegaze. This music asks big questions about life and loss; it's serious music for serious-minded people.

The second Twilight Fields album "Consolamentum" is a post-rock singer-songwriter album that deals with a number of difficult subjects such as depression, betrayal, loss, and disconnection in an increasingly fractured society but also offers the power of unconditional hope, determination, and love as the solution to these ills. 

The album's musical influences stem from a variety of sources, including post-rock, dream pop, ambient, post-punk, psychedelic rock, acid-folk and progressive rock. Bandcamp here.

'Lost' is one of eleven tracks on the new 'Consolamentum' album. I was very impressed by the previous offering by Twilight Field, and although this sees the music shift towards a more post rock feel overall, the ideas, creativity and variety are there in abundance. 


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System Corporation - Singer Sargent - No Win - Gothic Tropic - Eileen Carey

System Corporation - Dismal Universal Hiss.

Background - New Zealand’s System Corporation Announce Debut Single 'Dismal Universal Hiss'. New Zealand rock outfit System Corporation are releasing their debut single ‘Dismal Universal Hiss’ well ahead of their debut album ‘Fiction Dept.’, slated for release in late 2017.

System Corporation began in 2011, based on a conversation between Phil Somervell (The Datsuns) and their long standing engineer Scott Newth about swapping demos. The two were sharing a flat in Stockholm while The Datsuns were working on their fifth album ‘Death Rattle Boogie’. 

Scott began work on producing the demos, cutting them up, rearranging them, and adding vocals. They became a trio when they enlisted fellow Datsuns’ bandmate Ben Cole (also from The Joint Chiefs) on drums, and then evolved into a five-piece when Scott started working on his own demos for the project, finally enlisting his brothers and bandmates Andrew and Kent Newth (Rumpus Room) to help flesh them out. However, the original trio ended up collaborating on a number of new songs, giving System Corporation two distinct songwriting avenues.  

The band’s debut single ‘Dismal Universal Hiss’ could easily have been written about the rise of Trump or Brexit. But it wasn’t – it was written at the time of the Occupy Wall Street movement and the rise of the so-called 99%, mass protests, and rallying against a broken system that creates ill-gotten wealth and sucks it into a vacuum unattainable by the mere masses. Dismal Universal Hiss will be released on April 28 and will be made available via usual online platforms, but can already be ordered through the band’s Bandcamp here. Website here, Facebook here.

Powerful full on guitar rock, with vocals that glide sky high above the roar of 'Dismal Universal Hiss' makes for a fabulous anthem like song. The track packs commitment and emotion, this is one top class debut single.


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Singer Sargent - Western Life.

Background - You just know it’s real when you hear his voice, one that comes out of a heart that’s been broken more than once. It’s in the raw soul of a singer with a working man's charm that's not afraid of the fierce intelligence behind life’s pain. Singer/songwriter Tim Sargent’s debut song-cycle is superbly produced by Phillip Peterson (Portugal the Man, Shaprece) and comes out June 2nd on new label House of Breaking Glass. 

Working under the banner of Singer Sargent, the songs from  An Ordinary Life were lovingly woodshedded on an acoustic guitar at open mic's in Seattle, near a campfire on the beach and sometimes in the near dark. 

The songs were then brought to Phillip Peterson. They collaborated and exchanged ideas, tracking and sometimes re-tracking until the groove felt right. Tim played the acoustic and electric guitars. Phillip on bass, cellos, organ, horns & percussion. Andrew Barkau had a beautiful turn at the drums, with the legendary drummer Hal Blaine in the talks leading up to the session. Steve Norman took it in a new direction with his pedal steel, which works deftly on the pop songs. Shane McDonald handled the keys, whose understatements speak volumes. 

First single ”Western Life" is an almost verbatim account of a five year span during his twenties, except there was three boys, not "a boy and a girl." 

The first of thirteen songs that make up 'An Ordinary Life' is the single 'Western Life'. This is an exceptional album that should appeal to lovers of country & country rock, alt rock and Americana for starters. Or if you just like melodic variety, intelligent lyrics and a stylish engaging singer who is surrounded by excellent musicians and vocal harmonies that make you tingle, this might just become your brand new favourite album.

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No Win - Crooked Heart.

Background - No Win shares "Crooked Heart" his latest single which is available via Dangerbird Records. Beer soaked bloody nose broken heart...this is what LA's No Win does best.  The solo project of Musician/Producer/Engineer Danny Nogueiras, is rife with honesty, distortion and great songs!  With a little help from his friends Max Keuhn (Fidlar), Brandon Schwartzel (Fidlar), Marshall Vore (Ryan Adams, Phoebe Bridgers), and David Jerkovich (Kind of Like Spitting).  No Win’s two new singles “Crooked Heart” and “You’ll Be Fine” out via Dangerbird keeps us up to speed with, and wanting more of No Win’s straight up, unapologetic brand of rock and roll. Just imagine if The Replacements got into a bar fight with Teenage Fanclub and somehow Superchunk ends up with the black eye...That’s No Win.

Microdose is a monthly single release and live event series celebrating new music from our neighborhood (LA's Eastside) and beyond. This platform will serve as a launchpad for up-and-coming artists, uniting and expanding our artistic community.  Monthly singles will include an A-side and B-side, and each artist will perform live at Dangerbird's Silver Lake based HQ/event space. "A good old fashioned keg party for the artist, their community and the neighborhood as a whole. Dangerbird Records here.

'Crooked Heart' is one of those songs that just gets a good feeling vibe going, and then digs it's hooks in deep. Likable Alt rock delivered with warmth and feeling.

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Gothic Tropic - Your Soul.

Background - Los Angeles’ Gothic Tropic have shared "Your Soul" the fourth single off the upcoming album 'Fast or Feast' due May 19th on Old Flame Records. 

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. Old Flame records pre-order here. Facebook here.

This is fifth time around on Beehive Candy for Gothic Tropic and the fourth single ahead of May's album release is 'Your Soul'. Clearly their music has won me over, in fact they now hold our House Band status!

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Eileen Carey - Good Bad Girl.

Background - Award-winning singer-songwriter Eileen Carey recently grabbed music industry headlines when New Music Weekly named her its 2017 Crossover Artist of the Year. Gracefully breaking down the barriers between country and pop, Carey is at it once again as she blurs the line between naughty and nice in her flirtatious feel-good new single "Good Bad Girl."

Having recently starred at the Country Radio Seminar in Nashville, TN, Eileen Carey is also thrilled with both the immediate and possible long-term effects of her NMW award: “This award is particularly satisfying because it reflects the opinions of the radio music directors, programming, and industry folks. They’re the ones who can make a big difference in your career.”

Eileen Carey continues to post in her new blog, The Music Mom. The Music Mom reveals Carey's desire to positively impact others via the sharing of her experiences and wisdom: “The world is filled with ups and downs, so I want to help people see things in a more positive light and find a better place in life.” The Music Mom here, Facebook here.

Another slice of country music full of pop sensibilities is 'Good Bad Girl'. No wonder the award mentioned above, this is straight and honest popular music that has feel good tattooed all over it.

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Polar States - The 27 - Nacho Londono - Sleep Party People - The Bandicoots - Future Lives

Polar States - Gold.

Background - Emerging Indie Rockers Polar States from Liverpool are back with a brand new single called "Gold" (Release: 7.4.17) taken from the band's upcoming debut EP "Electric". Championed by BBC Radio 1’s Huw Stephens and BBC 6 Music’s Steve Lamacq, up and coming Indie four-piece Polar States from Liverpool have exploded locally and nationally, selling out the Liverpool o2 Academy twice and completing a 10 date UK tour in support of their previous single Elizabeth, which was added to the BBC Radio 1 ‘Best Of Introducing’ playlist and the Topshop playlist.

Now the band is back with a fresh new offering called “Gold” taken from their soon to be released debut EP “Electric”. The song embodies everything Polar States stand for: Huge melodies, sparkling guitar riffs and smart lyrics. According to the band the song is about valuing what you have. 

“The ‘million in my heart line’ was basically a way of saying you should see wealth not in terms of money, but in terms of the people around you whom matter.” – Paul Tong (Vocals/Guitar)

In 2016 the band also appeared at Liverpool Sound City, Tramlines and X&Y Festival in addition to supporting Clean Cut Kid, The Japanese House, We Were Promised Jetpacks and more. Website here, Facebook here, live dates on the Beehive Candy tour page.

Polar States have created a very catchy indie rock song with 'Gold'. The vocals are well up in the mix and could provide the melody alone, however the band are equal in their contribution and give the song additional vibrancy.

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The 27 - All The Time.

Background - With the irrepressible vintage vibes of ‘Call Me A Friend’ applauded by critics, four-piece male harmony group The 27 are now set to release the unforgettable sing-along ‘All The Time’. With the authentic roots driven harmony-pop on ‘Call Me A Friend resonating well with fans, racking up over 100,00 views on Youtube and close to 50,000 on Spotify. The 27 shake up the formula on ‘All The Time’ without losing the core sound that got your hips shaking. Calling on a plethora of influences, ‘All The Time’ boasts the timelessness of The Beatles, the hook of Lord Huron and guitar skills akin to Eric Clapton, all delivered with the harmonies of The Everly Brothers.

Lead vocalist Henry spent six eventful years seeking like-minded musicians, searching for a sound and experiencing the highs, lows and heartbreak you’ll hear in his lyrics. Along the way, he has played covers in pubs on David Bowie’s vintage Gibson guitar, shared stages with country music star Margo Price, travelled to Nashville to write, recorded an ill-fated album in L.A. while living in the laundry room of a hair salon and spent a summer working as a guitar tech, prepping Coldplay’s guitars for a tour.

The Oxfordshire-based group have enlisted the support of The Next Room Productions, and legendary musician Clem Cattini also contributes, having worked with the likes of Nirvana, The Kinks, Paul McCartney and Dusty Springfield and many others across his stellar career.

The 27, comprising of Henry Parker, David Page, Tom Michell, Alex Tschaikowsky, have already received glowing reviews and significant streaming support and are now ready to reveal the full scope of their talent through a versatile body of work due later this year. Facebook here.

This is a modern enough sounding song, however the chorus harmonies on 'All The Time' take us hurtling back to the sixties! The music and vocals are highly professional and thankfully not overly polished allowing room for a natural and lively feeling to shine through.


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Nacho Londono - Abiertos.

Background - Fresh off his GrassRoots Live! debut, Colombian singer-songwriter, Nacho Londoño, will perform this Sunday, April 9th at Morning Glory presented by Craft and Sounds and taking place at Woodfers Cafe in Miami's Wynwood neighborhood. Providing quality entertainment to the local community, Londoño headlines the free event that includes performances by Miami's independent artists, Dama Vicke, and Minimal and top sets by a few of Miami's talented DJs.

The live performance, a blend of folk and experimental pop-rock, includes Nacho Londoño on vocals and guitar, Sammy Gonzalez on bass, Moises 'Moi' Linares on drums, and Charles 'Chip' Gardner on keyboards. Setting the atmosphere at 11:00 a.m. with a DJ set, the all-ages happening will also include crafts, a group of eclectic vendors, a variety of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks as well as organic food provided by Woodfers Cafe kitchen truck. Facebook here.

I have not got a clue what Nacho is singing about on 'Abiertos', that said his vocals are just so charismatic and the music so well crafted, this song had to be included.

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Sleep Party People - The Missing Steps.

Background - Sleep Party People have announced a new album Lingering, due out June 2 2017 through Joyful Noise Recordings. Written, recorded, produced and performed entirely by Danish multi-instrumentalist Brian Batz, Lingering - featuring collaborations with The Antlers’ Peter Silberman & Air vocalist Beth Hirsch - is Sleep Party People’s fourth studio album, and the first release since 2014’s Floating.

Sleep Party People are trailing the announcement of Lingering with blissful lead single ‘The Missing Steps’. A fragile love song buoyed by a DIY gospel choir (comprised of fellow Copenhagen artists Irah, CODY, Hymns From Nineveh, Disa and Luster), it finds Batz trading in classic SPP uplift, with a pacy, fuzzed-up drum beat liberated from personal Revolver highlight, ‘Tomorrow Never Knows’.

Though Copenhagen-based Batz & his 5-piece live band have become synonymous with the rabbit masks they wear during Sleep Party People live performances, Lingering finds Batz shedding his guard to create some of the most personal and accessible material of his career. Whilst ‘The Missing Steps’ and other moments on Lingering engage demonstrably with bliss (also the woozy, unhurried not-quite title track, ‘Lingering Eyes’), it is nonetheless a record also concerned with anxiety and doubt, and the ways in which we cope with those insecurities that can persist through adulthood. Facebook here.

Second of twelve songs on the forthcoming album release 'Linger' (June 2) is 'The Missing Steps'. Mixing dream pop and electronic music the album is full of appealing songs similar in style to the featured track, each piece has clearly been a labour of love, and totally worth checking out if you like what you hear so far.

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The Bandicoots - Rocky Horror.

Background from The Bandicoots - After self-releasing our first two EPs ('This Is Why We Can’t Have Nice Things' 2015; 'Quarters at the Penny-Arcade' 2016), we've quickly gained recognition in our hometown, finding ourselves playing to sold out crowds.

‘Overnight Innovator’ and ‘Could You Get Me To Tomorrow?’--the singles from our sophomore release--climbed CBC’s Radio 3 Top 30 chart for up to 7 weeks and Even made CBC's best of year-end list. The latter single came in just shy of 250k plays on Spotify since it’s release.  Damn we had a good 2016! 

We've been oiling our gears leading into our third release (due late June ’17). In the meantime, we've been appearing live from city to city across the east coast of Canada. Bandcamp here, Facebook here.

With a slightly laid back groove 'Rocky Horror' is a slice of indie rock, that helps explain the attention the band received last year. The songs melodic and rhythmic hooks make this a track that is hard to ignore.

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Future Lives - St. John's Fair.

Background - Fourteen people played on Future Lives’ debut LP Mansions, but the heart of Future Lives is six major dude(tte)s. King of Prussia songwriter Brandon Taj Hanick sings, plays guitars and orchestrates what Flagpole Magazine calls “a veritable supergroup.” Formerly with The Drive­-By Truckers and now with Mike Mills and Japancakes, John Neff bends his pedal steel lines like sine waves etching hummable tunes into the brain. Memphis­ bred Sarah Robbins stacks layers of rich, crystal­ clear vocal harmonies that would sound at home on a Staple Singers record. 

In addition to arranging the vocals with Smile-­esque wonder, Sarah’s big bro Nick Robbins (Velveteen Pink/Blue Blood) brings musical inventiveness to his complex, but tasteful, drum parts. Patrick Burke (Giving Tree Band), whose Lynchian flow and precision on bass buoys the jams, isn’t shy about picking out a lead guitar part that David Crosby would twirl his moustache to. Cameron Steuart’s string parts are as cinematic as they are down-home; as much canvas as they are ether. The arrangements are dense, but the expert mixing ears and of John Keane (R.E.M., Vic Chesnutt, Widespread Panic) ensure that every part breathes.

On June 27, 2017, Future Lives will release their debut album Mansions on vinyl and digital via Soft Magic Records. The band will hit the road for an East Coast tour in July with Roselit Bone and Hanick will play solo shows between Athens and Portland in July/August. Bandcamp here, Facebook here.

'St. John's Fair' is taken from the album 'Mansions' that comprises of twelve tracks. The album is awash with beautifully developed songs, and although the featured track gives a reasonable flavour of the album, the music does venture into some other creative places along the way. Overall it's a very fine collection of songs delivered by some very talented musicians and vocalists.

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Bumper Jacksons - The School Book Depository - Chloe Foy - Bonzie - Hunter & The Bear - Lillie Mae - Louise Lemón

Bumper Jacksons - I've Never Met A Stranger.

Background - 4am, campfire in Your Backyard, summertime. - The firelight bounces off fiddles, horns, guitars, and the faces of the men and women singing together in the deep parts of the night. They might not know each other’s names, but there they are, pouring their hearts out to one another in song, playing tunes older than their great-grandmothers.

A certain magic happens in moments like this where a common thread of humanity, going back thousands of years, is plucked – and strangers become old friends.

Music creates a sort of temporary social apocalypse where the niceties and norms of society are blown away and a radical openness to others is allowed to take it's place.

These are the experiences that birthed the Bumper Jacksons. Our new album "I’ve Never Met A Stranger" is a toast to all the ways in which we humans bridge the divide between our souls. Website here, Facebook here.

Traditional folk music full of Americana goodness makes 'I've Never Met A Stranger' just so likable. The video manages to increase the charm, this is a fabulous example of whats to follow on the new album.


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The School Book Depository - Salvation.

Background - The School Book Depository is an imaginary storage facility where the Swedish musician and songwriter Fredrik Solfors releases his songs and videos. In April The School Book Depository releases it’s first album, a bunch of songs recorded in his home studio in Växjö, Sweden during 2016. The motto for this project has been ”it’s my party, I can do what I want”, in order to embrace all forms of creative outlet both musically and lyrically. The songs range from groovy, psychedelic hip hop to noisy and catchy garage pop and beautiful, atmospheric post-rock.

Humorous lyrics depicting depressing gym-visits, metaphorical micro-analysis of the American presidential election, weird poems and songs about being a rabies ridden stray dog, all fit in The School Book Depository.

Fredrik Solfors started early playing the drums but moved on to vocals, guitar, piano and songwriting in bands as Wagon, The Low Season Combo and Kinetics, appointed best international act by the British Magazine Pure M in 2015. He also played drums in Surrounded, a Swedish band signed by American Deep Elm and British One Little Indian. The first single from the album is “Salvation” released this week.

'Salvation' is a melodic post rock kind of a song, with a laid back vibe and atmospheric feeling running right through it.

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Chloe Foy - Flaws.

Background - Flaws is the first track to be taken from Chloe’s forthcoming EP ‘Are We There Yet?’ which will be released on Friday 12th May. Showcasing her talent for skewed, ambitious songwriting.

Chloe Foy has previously been likened to such artists as Laura Marling and Sharon Van Etten. Her songs are imbued with lyrical and textural inflections evocative of much of the music she loves - taking inspiration as much from neo-classical music as much as wider trends within indie-rock, Chloe’s new EP comprises carefully constructed arrangements that delicately compliment her cryptic lyrics.

Chloe’s last single, ‘In The Middle Of The Night’, received generous support from Steve Lamacq on both his Radio 6 & 2 shows, as well as favourable reviews from mainstream media across the country.

The single has generated over one million plays on Spotify, being featured on two popular playlists ‘Stress Buster’ and ‘The Most Beautiful Songs in the World’. Facebook here.

A very gentle and gradual introduction provides the ideal entry point for Chloe's enchanting and beautiful vocals. 'Flaws' grows in layers of sound adding additional melody, to this charming song.

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Bonzie - Fading Out.

Background - Bonzie shares new track "Fading Out". The song is the first to be released from her highly anticipated sophomore album, Zone on Nine, out May 19th.

The second album from Chicago-based songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Bonzie, Zone on Nine pulls off the sublime feat of feeling both intensely intimate and otherworldly in scope. “All of my songs basically start as a conversation I’m having with myself alone in my room,” says 21-year-old Nina Ferraro, who’s created under the moniker of Bonzie since age 17. “It’s how I process and interpret things that have happened to me or in life in general; it’s my way of trying to understand the world.”

Throughout Zone on Nine, Ferraro eschews the confessional singer-songwriter approach and claims her role as a fiercely honest observer and commentator who delivers her lyrics with powerful abandon. That self-possessed artistry has earned acclaim from the likes of Spin, Vogue, and Paste, as well as led to praise in the pages of the New York Times (“Delicacy and drama, surrender and anger, made a riveting combination when Bonzie performed,” wrote chief popular-music critic Jon Pareles of a SXSW performance). At the same time, Zone on Nine finds Bonzie greatly expanding her sonic palette—formed from inspirations as eclectic as Tchaikovsky, Gil Scott-Heron, Judee Sill, and the score to Disney’s Mulan—and creating a more intricately composed take on surrealist pop. Website here, Facebook here.

'Fading Out' achieves a considerable amount. The soundtrack is both intricate and distinctive and yet it carries a reasonably straight forward melody, that somehow has it's own emotions. Add in Bonzie's vocals and the whole song grows into something quite memorable and stunning.


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Hunter & The Bear - Paper Heart.

Background - Hailed as “the heroes British rock needs right now” by the Huffington Post, the band have been featured on Classic Rock, Total Guitar and Punktastic already. They have already toured and  supported Eric Clapton, Van Morrison and Simple Minds.

Brought up on a heavy diet of classic bands like Led Zep, Sabbath and Pink Floyd, they’re equally inspired by modern acts like Biffy Clyro and Royal Blood and have had extensive plays on BBC Radio 6, as well as spots on big stages at Reading & Leeds, T in the Park and Hard Rock Calling. Website here, Facebook here.

Sometimes back to basics rock'n'roll is more than enough to satisfy my ears, especially with a song like 'Paper Heart'. There is a little bit of a stadium rock feel to the song, no problem with that, the band are polished in their delivery, thankfully they also add bags of energy and passion ensuring a more natural feel.


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Lillie Mae - Wash Me Clean.

Background - Third Man Records recording artist Lillie Mae is set to release her Jack White-produced album Forever And Then Some on April 14th. 

Pre-orders for Forever And Then Some are available here, with all digital pre-orders receiving instant downloads of the album's wistful first single "Over The Hill and Through The Woods," "Honky Tonks and Taverns," and  latest track "Wash Me Clean." "Over The Hill and Through The Woods" is also available as a  7" vinyl single -- backed with non-album track "The Last Time" -- at thirdmanstore.com. "Over The Hill and Through The Woods" was praised by Rolling Stone Country for "melding unique old-time vocal breaks, a rich sonic chug that evokes some Seventies rock psychedelia and evocative storytelling".

Lillie Mae will start a run of shows supporting Ben Harper & The Innocent Criminals on April 28th in New Orleans, followed by festival dates this Summer and additional shows, including Canadian dates, to be announced soon. See Beehive candy's tour news page for more details, website here, Facebook here.

I'm sorry Jack White, but I thought Lillie May was the star of the show at your last Glastonbury set. So the new album is a welcome surprise and featured song 'Wash Me Clean' suggest we are in for a fine collection of songs, the producer is pretty good as well!


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Louise Lemón - Appalacherna.

Background - The up and coming death-gospel female artist Louise Lemón hails from Sweden and intertwines the dark, windy and cold Scandi ambiance into her music. Her debut EP ‘Purge’ has the opening track called 'Appalacherna' as the lead single of this release.

The haunted sound on the EP fits right in the isolated space between dream and reality, which stretches endlessly from one melancholy track to the next. In short it is strange that a barometer of youth culture trades in such intensely depressing music.

Louise says: “This record has been a very personal journey, first writing the songs, then getting to records it together with my long time band member and friend Anders Ludwigsson, then expanding the sound with Randall Dunn.“

What’s the outcome? The tracks sound like they belong to a larger canon of Southern California gothic albums because they send the listener into gloomier and rawer territory, giving it that hypnotic and supernatural edge when a scuzzy blend of guitars take over, reminding us of the self-confessed sad girls Cat Power, Lana del Rey and PJ Harvey.

Louise adds: “It is very important for me to be completely involved and to be able to work with people I trust and respect. To then have them colour the music and sound is very rewarding. Working with Randall Dunn was an amazing experience and I chose him because I wanted to expand the sound, make it heavier and darker and at the same time opening it up, letting it be vulnerable The record is called ‘Purge’, and making it has really been a cleansing and growing process, everything I write is deeply personal, and to me the sounds express just as much as the lyrics.”

The artistically poignant ‘Purge’ EP is out NOW through Icons Creating Evil Art. Website here, Facebook here.

'Appalacherna' takes us into a slightly darker and melancholic place and at the same time has a level of warmth due to the emotional commitment and the richness of both music and haunting vocals.

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Down On Maddy - GRMLN - Second Still

Down On Maddy - Wake Yourself.

Background - Down On Maddy mines enigmatic groove music swathed in majestic synth ambience, funky guitar, rugged beats, and infectious rubbery bass lines. 

Down On Maddy evokes the immersive qualities and ambitious arrangements of Pink Floyd, Yeasayer, The Doors, and MGMT. It’s a credo indie producer/multi-instrumentalist Patrick Kleven lives and creates by through the dream funk project Down On Maddy.

To produce this cryptic and cathartic music, Patrick has had to confront Loneliness. Demons. A Tumultuous (or Roller Coaster) Past. With Down On Maddy’s debut, he brings listeners light by sharing the passage through darkness. Facebook here.

The video provides us with a visual story, whilst 'Wake Yourself' provides a cool soundtrack. Take a second listen without the visuals and the song really does have quality and character in it's own right. Refined alt rock with attention to detail and enough passion to entice another listen.


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GRMLN - Red.

Background - California rock outfit GRMLN is set to release their latest musical offering, the 'Discovery' EP on April 7. Today the band shares album track "Red." GRMLN is the musical project of 24-year-old, Yoodoo Park. He was born in Kyoto, Japan and moved to southern California at a young age (though he currently resides in Japan). Yoodoo started playing music at the age of 13 when he was given a bass guitar and has been playing music ever since.

During the summer of 2010, Yoodoo started recording relaxing songs for himself to listen to in his car during lazy summer afternoons. 2012's The Explore EP captures this time in Yoodoo’s life with clean sounding guitar rhythms and a mixture of drowsy melodies. Yoodoo’s 2013 full-length, Empire, was less of a follow-up and more of a departure. Empire’s upbeat rock songs and ‘90s pop-punk influenced sound eventually led to the alternatively stormy and peaceful tunes of 2014's Soon Away.

The Discovery EP is perhaps GRMLN's most ambitious and anthemic album to date. Park veers away from his pop-punk roots and delivers a darker, more refined sound. Park's commanding vocal delivery along with his sharp lyrics demand immediate attention from the listener, and the album's earworm melodic hooks are potent enough to hang your hat on. Facebook here.

Having heard a couple of other songs from Friday's (7 April) EP release 'Red' really does provide a good example of the overall direction and sound of the new release. The musical production has clarity and style allowing the vocals to standout, and the hooks to dig in.

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Second Still - Strangers.

Background - Second Still is a three piece band from Los Angeles. Though strongly influenced by No Wave and French Cold Wave, their electronic drum sounds, unconventional bass and guitar lines, and strange vocal melodies still set them apart from any traditional categorisation.

Bassist Alex Hughes and guitarist Ryan Walker met in 2007 and spent years combing through 80s underground records, the most memorable being Xmal Deutschland, Asylum Party, Garlands-era Cocteau Twin, and Opera De Nuit. It wasn’t until after moving to New York and meeting Suki San, (a classically trained violinist and former shoegaze vocalist), in late 2014 that they finally became a band.

Early Forms, the band’s debut EP, was released in March 2016 as a limited edition cassette. They recorded those four songs while snowed in, in a barn in upstate New York over three days in the dead of winter. Before re-locating to Los Angeles in January 2016, Second Still hunkered down in the studio and recorded their entire self-titled debut album in just two days.

The album is out April 7th, 2017 on Paris-based label Manic Depression Records, and in support of the release the band is hitting the road for their first US tour kicking off March 30th at the Acerogami in Pomona, CA. Facebook here.

There is a fresh individuality to 'Strangers' an atmospheric post punk song that has hints of bands as diverse as Siouxsie and the Banshees through to earlier Cocteau Twins material. Confused? well good, as they are simplistic indicators, in part because Second Still create unique material, that challenges referencing.  

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