Sugarchild - The Konincks - CREO - Lucy & La Mer

Sugarchild - Offering.

Background - 90s Indie darlings Sugarchild are back with an album of dark, sparkling and utterly contemporary rock songs. The new album Dangerous sees the band delivering on its early promise with themes and tunes for the current age. Dangerous is set to shock and awe with epic guitars and vocals that switch between sweet and menacing.

Sugarchild’s prestigious history dates back to when the band were teenagers in the 1990s. A staple live act of the time, Sugarchild supported Jebediah’s national ‘Animal’ Tour, as well as Pollyanna, Effigy, The Rosemary Beads and many more. The band played at Fremantle’s Millennium concert to 20,000 people. They have received airplay on Triple J, RTRFM, RRR and independent radio around Australia, and been profiled in Rolling Stone and national street press.

In 2016, Sugarchild enlisted drummer Tim Jewell, formerly of Humbug, to record an album with Dave Parkin at Blackbird Studios. Dangerous showcases a band finally delivering on its early potential. With themes running the gamut of the zombie apocalypse, suicide in faraway places, the love-rush of parenthood and racism in Australian society, Dangerous is truly an album for our time, delivered by a band who have waited 20 years to make their masterpiece. Facebook here.

One of ten tracks on the new album 'Dangerous' is 'Offering' a natural and distinct rock song. It is typical of the accomplished music Sugarchild create, music that slips across rock genres with ease and is so engaging and refreshing.


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The Konincks – Staring at Walls.

Background - Looking back Julia, Marc, Mike & Phil played nearly all the stages of their hometown, now  they’re taking over the rest of the world. Richie Kotzen was touring with the four piece around Europe. 

And after having released an EP and an album indie-magazines (Rockstar mag), radios (international airplays) as well as rock origins (Metalhammer) found great interest for these four rednecks. 

It might be because The Konincks dash head on and with a fierce heart in poetry and rhytms, singing guitars and hypnotic compositions like there’s no tomorrow. 

The Konincks originated from old souls, now they contribute greatly to the zeitgeist of our time. Vehement, relentless, dew-fresh, approachable; all of this while remaining subtle. A trait that today’s radio often lacks. Website here, Facebook here, live dates on Beehive Candy's tour page.

We featured the song 'Daytime/Nighttime' by The Konincks back in March describing that track as "a swaggering, bluesy rock'n'roll song" and the new single 'Staring at Walls' is another delicious piece of laid back blues rock where the vocals and the band work hand in hand to deliver some timeless sounds.


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CREO - Give Me Yours.

Background - After a successful 2015 off the back of releases, “Suay” and “Light It Up”, CREO spent majority of 2016 working with long-time friend/producer Nathan Sheehy (Birds of Tokyo, Bluejuice, Dune Rats) on what would become the Sydney quartet’s upcoming EP titled ‘Subtitles for X, Y, Z’, due August 25. 

A record that the four piece say is "not afraid to flirt with nostalgia, whilst establishing the notion of hopefulness for whatever the next chapter may be", we first heard EP opener “Behind The Beat” earlier this year, and now they reveal the first official single “Give Me Yours”.

 "I go through these waves of emotions where I want something so bad I’ll kick everything I know and love to get it.  ‘Give Me Yours’ is all about that undying desperation to achieve, love and be loved or in more general terms; whatever it is you long for that nothing else in the world matters anymore, almost to the point of an unhealthy obsession."  - Jorjee Haman (vocals)

Building a reputation for being an incredible live act, CREO’s ability to translate their meticulously textured indie-rock sound into a ferociously loud and energetic free-for-all is one of the key elements that made people sit up and take notice. After gaining some support from national broadcaster Triple J and countless community stations around the country, CREO toured nationally supporting the likes of British India, Tired Lion, Bad//Dreems, Last Dinosaurs and Spookyland, and sold out all of their respective hometown (Sydney) shows.

"Give Me Yours" will be available to purchase/stream on Apple/Spotify May 12. EP ‘Subtitles in X, Y, Z’ will be out on August 25, 2017. Website here, Facebook here.

'Give Me Yours' is a sprightly, upbeat indie rocker, that just manifests passion and charm, through and through! A definite play me again type of song.

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Lucy & La Mer - Honey, Put Your Weapons Down.

Background - Lucy & La Mer is the stunning musical endeavour of Los Angeles based singer, songwriter and activist Lucy LaForge. Lucy’s sound consists of delicate indie folk melodies, alluring pop layered vocals and her signature baritone ukulele. 

Her latest single “Honey, Put Your Weapons Down” is produced by Grammy Award-winning Jared Lee Gosselin (India Arie, Eminem, Corinne Bailey Rae). Featuring breathy vocals, poignantly honest lyricism and a stunning string instrumentation, “Honey, Put Your Weapons Down” is the perfect indie pop anthem. Lucy & La Mer succeeds in composing music with a direct and clear disquisition. "The central theme for the single is transitioning, most of my songwriting happens when there’s a change occurring in my life” reveals Lucy.  

Lucy describes how the single was created through experimentation and the breaking down of boundaries. Lucy & La Mer aims to be a constant reminder for audiences to learn self-love, to take a break from something that is wearing you down emotionally and to focus on what’s most important. Her music beautifully blends acoustic sounds with a modern indie pop approach. Website here, Facebook here.

If gentle indie pop appeals to you, then 'Honey, Put Your Weapons Down' is more than worth a listen. This is an elegant song with delightful vocals supported by a sophisticated musical arrangement, wonderful.

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Neil - First Blush - Jade Jackson - AyOwA

Neil - Blank Sheet.

Background - Seahorse Recordings presents the sophomore album from Neil, called ‘Black Flowers’. Recorded on the isle of Sicily in southern Italy with renowned producer Paolo Messere (Blessed Child Opera), these 11 tracks showcase songmanship that mix folk with grunge, and vocals with an uncanny resemblance to Gavin Rossdale (of Bush). 

The first single from this album is ‘Blank Sheet’, which deals with writer's block – that moment when the artist is in front of a white sheet and cannot dial into his muse. 

Written and performed by Neil Lucchetta (vocals, guitar, harmonica). This second album offers a more rock-oriented sound than the previous album thanks to the contribution of Andrea Breda on drums and Alessandro "Ake" Donazzon on bass. Now, during live performances, he is accompanied by Andrea Breda and Alex Michielin (bass).

Originating from the Italian city of Pieve di Soligo (Treviso), Neil began his path as a singer-songwriter, having written his first song in English at the age of 14. He’s been composing ever since, his sonic output infused with folk pop, laden with acoustic guitars and dreamy lyrics.

This new album follows up Neil's debut album 'Apart', released in 2013. This new offering takes the listener on an intimate journey through his personal experiences and stories. The unremitting vision permeating his music presents us with great scenery and breathtaking views of the different facets of his life. Bandcamp here, Facebook here.

'Blank Sheet' is a good indicator of the style and quality to be found, amongst the eleven tracks that make up the new 'Black Flowers' album. Powerful acoustically lead alt rock music, mixes with more understated pieces where Neil Lucchetta's distinct and full-hearted vocals, are rightly the focal point of each song.


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First Blush - Wouldn't We All?

Background - First Blush is the brainchild of Charles Sekel, a former Julliard pre-college program kid-turned-indie musician. A blissed-out blend of lo-fi rock and dream pop, "Wouldn't We All?" is the first single off his forthcoming Monologic EP, expected out this Spring.

Sekel's music is a reflection of his battle to defeat a continuous cycle of self-destructive behavior stemming back nearly a decade. From his college days as a classical/jazz musician at the Peabody Institute, Sekel struggled with alcohol abuse and panic attacks, and turned to original music to help with his mental health. 

Now completely sober thanks to the help of music, a good therapist and assistance from his girlfriend (now wife,) he was able to pull himself out of addiction and confidently release his solo venture. Website here, Facebook here.

Lush, dreamy and rich synth's act as a prelude for the more paced song that is 'Wouldn't We All?' Lo-Fi rock of sorts that is enriched by the continued use of swirling synths, and flowing vocals that help drive the beat.

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Jade Jackson - Good Time Gone.

Background - The track, entitled "Good Time Gone” is from Jade Jackson's debut album Gilded, produced by Social Distortion frontman Mike Ness and out May 19th. “Good Time Gone” is a supremely catchy reverb guitar drenched punkabilly anthem loaded with swagger and a sense of crashed out romance.

As Jackson explains, “I came into rehearsal one day with a song I'd written the night before and we started jamming. Tyler upped the tempo, Andrew and Jake added some chords and I messed with the melody. After we found the groove, I realized the lyrics no longer fit. The following weekend, as I stared out the car window on my way to LA it hit me, I had a story I wanted to tell. On an old, dirty envelope I found under my seat and with a half broken pencil, I scribbled down this hero-less tale of two lovers. When Mike (Ness) heard it he said it was "wild" and wanted it on the record. In the studio, Mike added his flare and it came to be. We are all excited to share "Good Time Gone" with you.”

Jackson’s album Gilded is unapologetically country rock, merging the heartbreak and resilience of Lucinda Williams with the melodic confidence of Emmylou Harris, yet containing the emotional presence of a young musician who cherished albums by The Gun Club and Smiths alongside the works of George Jones and Hank Williams. Website here, Facebook here.

Our third feature for Jade Jackson this year, this time with 'Good Time Gone'. The new song is more alt rock than country rock, or quoting from the above piece punkabilly a term that I really like. Fabulous music from an album that meets this calibre, song after song!

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AyOwA - Fri.

Background - Danish duo AyOwA releases the single “Fri” (out May 5th) leading up to Debut EP “Eremit” (out May 19th). Already confirmed for big live shows at Spot and Roskilde Festival, the Danish duo AyOwA are ready to take on the summer. Armed with modular synths, old reel-to-reels, and a haunting voice on top, they create dark and moving electronic pop songs. Sung in Danish, but with a certain universal and dreamy appeal, this band combines noise pop with vapor wave, and melodies with improvisation, in an evocative and playful mix. 

The single “Fri” leads up to their anticipated debut EP “Eremit” that will follow on May 19th. In a more hopeful tone than ever, AyOwA dreams of the simplicity of being ‘free'. With an uplifting catchy chorus and their signature vocal samples, they swim into the summer on a wave of electronic dream-pop.

After a winter of hibernating in their Copenhagen studio, the duo is releasing their 6 track debut EP “Eremit” (means Hermit) on legendary DJ Kenneth Bager’s own label “Music For Dreams". The EP is a soulful search into the depth of electronic music, and the Scandinavian DNA. With many months of darkness and anticipation for a summer that sometimes never comes, the tone is set for melancholy. 

Under the headline "Danish Never Sounded So Sexy" Huffington Post praises AyOwAs sound, and the language’s unique timbre. And although it isn’t commonplace to hear the Danish language mentioned for its beauty, it bears a strange attraction of the incomprehensible and mysterious to listen to. And sexy or melancholic - AyOwA continues to capture the audience with their unique and moving sound. Facebook here.

'Fri' is the third song we have featured by the duo AyOwA as they continue to impress with their superbly crafted genre defying music.

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VŌS - Cajsa Siik - Tunabunny - Flamingods - Rudy Stone - Thieves Like Us

VŌS - Patience.

Background - London-based VŌS will self-release their new single Patience on 10th May.

With their influences sat firmly on the electronic and alt-pop spectrum, Dawn and Palmer of VŌS describe their sound as “somewhere between Banks, Sohn and James Blake”. This new track ‘Patience’ is a really strong slice of electro-pop, mastered by John Davis (Lana Del Rey, FKA Twigs, Royal Blood) and mixed by Julian Kindred (Ellie Goulding, James Blake). The pair first came together at a house party jam where they fumbled through a track by shared inspiration, Lianne La Havas and have now been making music for over a year.

Speaking about the track, the duo say: "Patience is about love’s meanderings, specifically when you’re not moving at the same pace as someone. It’s less of an isolated moment, but a moment you’re in because of both your past experiences with others and the present situation. Like all of VŌS’ songs, it is written from a first hand experience." Facebook here.

'Patience' is a pleasing and smooth electro pop song where the music is distinct and produced with clarity, allowing the flowing vocals to standout, above the refined soundtrack.

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Cajsa Siik - Empire Mine.

Background - Following on from her highly acclaimed 2014 sophomore album ‘Contra’, Swedish-native Cajsa Siik returns with her latest full-length ‘Domino’, due out on the 2nd June via Birds Records, and will include the new singles ‘Talk To Trees’, ‘White Noise’, and ‘Empire Mine’.

Much like her previous releases, Cajsa Siik aims to inject a pop sensibility into an avant-garde and experimental disposition. Giving her a sound that is both accessible and atmospheric in the process. Recorded in Stockholm with producer Rolf Klinth, ‘Domino’ sees the songstress embark on a much bolder direction than in her previous material that still manages to maintain her core sound.

The record’s lead single ‘Talk To Trees’ displays her new intentions perfectly as she uses her collaborations with Thomas Hedlund (Phoenix, Deportees), Rasmus Kellerman (Tiger Lou) and Carl Ekerstam to add texture and depth to the single, making it the perfect introduction to the album ahead. Describing the track as a, “colourful dreamy zone where I felt connected with reasons and beliefs. Like a subconscious talk with nature. Like a blessing or a blind spot.”

Speaking about the record, Cajsa Siik explained that, “Domino can be described in two different ways. First I wanted it to represent the fact that we’re all connected to each other and that we have a responsibility towards each other and this world. To shoulder that responsibility is easier said than done, but we must try. Be aware. Not only mind our own business. I’ve given that a lot of thought lately. Secondly, every song on this album depends and relies on the other. Together they create a unit and the unit is supposed to be diverse. I aimed for creating a dynamic album.” Website here, Facebook here, live dates are on Beehive Candy's tour page.

'Empire Mine' is the third single from the forthcoming album and the second track we have featured from the June album release. Once again we are treated to Cajsa's engaging vocals that are supported by a sprightly, rhythmic musical arrangement, that develops into a catchy, danceable groove.

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Tunabunny - Incinerate.

Background - Tunabunny release first new track in three years "Incinerate" and announce the release of their 5th album also a double "PCP Presents Alice In Wonderland JR" released June 23rd on HHBTM Records.  

A 75-minute double-vinyl masterpiece, PCP Presents Alice In Wonderland Jr, the fifth album from Athens, Georgia’s Tunabunny, is the most creatively ambitious album in the band’s history. Featuring singles like ‘Incinerate,’ ‘The Rest of Us,’ and ‘Nevermind the Cobblestones,’ the band takes their experimental rock into a place that is both stranger and more accessible than anything they’ve done before. It’s ferocious, passionate, smart. political, desperate, feminist, and alive. Every song is important. Every song goes someplace the others don’t. There are no accidents; there is no filler.

28 songs structured as a song-by-song response to The Beatles’ White Album (there’s even an experimental track called ‘Revolution None’), PCPPAIWJR is packed w/hits, and packed w/originality. On PCPPAIWJR, Tunabunny proves they can do anything. It takes the sonic breakthroughs of 2014’s Kingdom Technology to a place that’s less claustrophobic and more open. Songs about surveillance, songs about futility; songs about alchemy & winter, metamorphosis & anger. Side Four features a twisting song cycle about motherhood—from pregnancy to birth, through postpartum emotional desolation, to the rebirth of self. Facebook here.

If 'Incinerate' appeals to you, then I reckon you are going to love the cosmic journey that is PCP Presents Alice In Wonderland Jr. The album takes us from psych to indie rock and a whole load of other places. Sometimes it's quite avant garde other times hook laden and sparkling, there is never a dull moment, that's for sure.

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Flamingods - Mixed Blessings.

Background - Flamingods’ art is rooted in a love for the spaces between cultures. They’re cross-cultural magpies, absorbing styles and instruments from the world over into their mesmerising sound. Latest single Mixed Blessings from their new Kewali EP is an atavistic trip through classic psych territory with all the bells and whistles of clever contemporary production.

Accompanying the single is an animated video by Alpaca Animations. It’s a rich dreamscape of primitive artwork that feels like an animated cave painting or the reverie of a brain-fried DMT tripper. In creative protest against the xenophobia which abounds in international politics right now, the video centres around an intrepid explorer on a quest for enlightenment. The narrative takes a nightmarish turn when he encounters strange and terrible looking beasts. When they throw a big party for him, he realises the illusory nature of his judgements. They’re not so bad after all.

Through fearless invention and heady creative abandon in all aspects of their artistry, from recording and composition, to their notorious live show, and their recent surreal Kewali interactive video game, Flamingods have become one of the most exciting outfits in the music scene today. 

Having started as the bedroom project of multi-instrumentalist and singer Kamal Rasool, Flamingods' second incarnation as a cult psych band sprang out of a freeform eight hour jam at ATP six years ago. Now they’re a fully fledged and feral tour-de-force, a well-oiled machine attracting praise throughout the press, festival circuit and airwaves for their peerlessly expansive approach to music. 

Mixed Blessings is further proof that Flamingods’ modus operandi with regards to their art is both fun and thoughtful. Resisting the cliches of political music, Flamingods are intent to show, rather than tell. The engaging imaginative world they build is one of peace and spirituality, eroding the pernicious and constructed prejudice around us to remind us what a joy it is to be alive and to be human. Facebook here, live dates are on Beehive Candy's tour page.

A vigorous beat and some funky bass lines ensure 'Mixed Blessings' hits the ground running. The layers of musical energy, satisfying vocals and overall upbeat nature of this song, gives us a fine track alone, the video really is the icing on the cake!


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Rudy Stone - Rudy's Dream.

Background - Nola by way of Brooklyn band Rudy Stone are releasing their debut full-length on June 16 and have shared  the video for the first single, "Rudy's Dream." 

"Entitled The Blinking Light/Peace on Earth and recorded “in fits and starts over the course of a year” at The Bunker back in Williamsburg, this new missive of good vibes is split into two distinct sides — with the A-side (The Blinking Light) devoted to a “seamless collection of songs showcasing his slice-of-life observations and advice to himself about how to be the best person he can be”.

The B-side is Peace on Earth consisting of one “side-long instrumental” that explores his “long time interest in analog synthesizers, echo devices, and drones.” (It should therefore offer a pretty handy accompaniment to kicking-back with your “recreational relaxer” of choice and giving yourself a nice pep-talk on life, and then wordlessly reflecting back on it for a while.) And don’t worry; you won’t have to wait too long to get your hands on it, either, as this wonderful self-help aid will be available in cassette and digital formats on June 16. Facebook here.

'Rudy's Dream' has a measured pace that is quite hypnotic and catchy. The power and layers of sound slowly build reaching a zenith that at first was quite unexpected, however most definitely welcome.


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Thieves Like Us - Dani.

Background - After a four-year hiatus, Thieves Like Us have returned with their fifth eponymously titled record. The Swedish/American band, named after a New Order song, tracked and produced the new record in late 2015. The new self-titled record reinvents the band's cosmic song based aesthetic with the introduction of live bass (Thomas Franklin) and drums (Tore Knipping), steering its songs into more spirited waters.

The first song on the record, Dani, explores the recurring Thieves Like Us theme of seeking completion, affirmation, or distraction "after hours". Dani is a fictitious character -- young, and inexperienced. She lacks co-ordinates to navigate safely through the evening storm. All of her interactions with other people (friendships and relationships) are based on pleasure. She will always fall victim to vampires and vice. Be it drugs, or a love affair. All attempts to escape lead nowhere and only bring her right back to the beginning of the maze. She can never escape herself. She should be locked away in a reading room and simply learn to be (alone). There is a little bit of Dani in all of us.

The new full-length album is out now worldwide via Seayou Records/Rough Trade. The artwork depicts a re-enactment of Hans Conrad Schumann’s iconic jump from communist German Democratic Republic to freedom; by a woman of colour wearing the same pilot suit that singer Andy Grier’s father wore in Vietnam. We leave its interpretation to the listener. Facebook here.

Rich vibrant synths and beautifully contrasting vocals make 'Dani' a scrumptious and moreish song within moments. The retro video contrasts even further, clearly the four year break has done no harm to the creativity of Thieves Like Us.


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WAAX - Kacey Johansing - Lisa Marie Ellingsen - Mira Aasma - Us and Us Only - Midday Swim - Everything Turned To Color

WAAX - Wild & Weak.

Background - Vibe-punks WAAX continue their unstoppable momentum, announcing the release of emotional new single 'Wild & Weak', an impressive new five track EP and their biggest headline tour yet. Exploring the 'internal' for the first time, singer-songwriter Marie De Vita says the band's Wild & Weak EP (out June 2) is the result of an intrinsically cathartic process.

"Our first EP was a lot more external - so, it felt like the next evolutive step to explore my inner workings and coincidentally a timely post-traumatic deep-hole started forming within me. These songs are a step by step documentation of what I went through - the steps of finding peace with my past," she says.

Those steps, they're all there.
Step 1. The Denial ('Wild & Weak')
Step 2. The Disorientation ('This Everything')
Step 3. The Pattern ('Same Same')
Step 4. The Discussion '(Nothing Is Always')
Step 5. The Acceptance ('You Wouldn't Believe')

With each track the band have offered up somewhat of an artistic jigsaw piece with the single art. Those pieces combine to form the cover for the EP - a picture of a lifeline phone near the Story Bridge in Fortitude Valley. It represents and is a lifeline in every sense. It's a way out.

Exploring new sonic territory in the studio on the Wild & Weak EP,  WAAX partnered up with Brisbane/LA producer Miro Mackle (Major Leagues, Jeremy Neale, The John Steele Singers) for a hands-on tweak of their now signature sound. The songs were then sent over to the USA for mastering by Grammy Award Winner Joe LaPorta (David Bowie, Foo Fighters). Facebook here, live dates on Beehive Candy's tour page.

The vocals provide most of the melody on 'Wild & Weak' whilst the band add some vigorous and sustained energy and power, to what is a catchy piece of modern punk with a touch of charm.

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Kacey Johansing - Bow And Arrow.

Background - Kacey Johansing shares the second track "Bow and Arrow" from her upcoming album The Hiding. “It seems great opportunities come in blessings as well as tragedies,” Johansing sings on the title track of her third album, The Hiding. After the breakup of her band Yesway, and an abrupt falling out with her closest musical collaborator, Johansing set out to record a new batch of songs that resulted from the sea change in which she had now found herself.

Instead of drawing from her regular band, Johansing pulled from a wider cast of players that she’d come to know in the community of musicians throughout California and the West Coast. The resulting sound is one based wholly and unabashedly in pop. Nods to Christine McVie and Fleetwood Mac can be heard, but Johansing brings these sounds to a modern stage, blending her ethereal vocals with effervescent synthesizer washes and reverberating open-tuned guitar.

Recorded at Panoramic House in Stinson Beach, where Kacey worked as caretaker, as well as at home in Bolinas, on a ridge above the cloud layer in Big Sur, and at a friend’s studio in Portland, the album also serves as a document of Kacey’s time spent traveling in search of the sound she was after. After finishing initial tracking, and still reeling from the heartbreak of losing her musical community, Johansing found a necessary move was in order. Landing somewhat-blindly in Los Angeles, she continued to work on the album and hold it close. The end result is The Hiding, a tone poem about loss, growth and “leaving the insular beauty of a tight-knit community,” as Johansing describes it. The release of The Hiding comes at a time when Johansing is deeply longing to emerge from her extended absence and reconnect with her desire to create and share her music.

“The Hiding” is set for release June 2 on Night Bloom Records, a brand new label Johansing founded with Real Estate’s Alex Bleeker and longtime-friend and songwriter Jeff Manson. Website here, Facebook here.

Kacey Johansing's beautiful vocals are accompanied by some refined and skillful musicianship on 'Bow And Arrow', a dreamy, melodic and gorgeous song.

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Lisa Marie Ellingsen - Rodeo of Broken Dreams.

Background - Lisa Marie Ellingsen, is currently sharing her new single "Rodeo of Broken Dreams."

Singer-songwriter Lisa Marie Ellingsen’s alt-Americana sound has a timeless quality. Combining accomplished guitar playing with clear, heartfelt vocals, Ellingsen’s music is influenced by many uniquely American styles, including rock n’ roll, blues, folk, and country. 

Lisa Marie Ellingsen has been playing guitar since the age of 15 years old. A lead guitar player for rock and Americana bands, Ellingsen did not begin writing her own songs until her mid-twenties. Often compared to one of her musical heroes Lucinda Williams, Ellingsen’s multiple geographic influences shine through. A native of Southern California she immersed herself into the music scenes of New Orleans and New England. Her blend of Americana draws upon rock n’roll, blues, folk, and country. 

A compilation of both old and new original songs, the upcoming Lisa Marie Ellingsen album “Nola to Noho” (slated to be released in May 19, 2017) is a tribute to the circuitous route the songwriter took as a musician. Website here, Facebook here.

Musically 'Rodeo of Broken Dreams' has a strong rock'n'roll feel to it, whilst Lisa Marie Ellingsen's vocals add some Americana flavour's to this uptempo and sophisticated song.

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Mira Aasma - Mirrors.

Background - Since releasing debut single ”Ghost” in December 2015 twenty year old Gothenburg native Mira Aasma has taken giant steps towards the stars. Follow up ”Stereoscope EP” got praise from The 405, Noisey, Bon Magazine and Nordic By Nature, and she did a full Swedish summer tour, including gigs with current Swedish superstar Miriam Bryant. Since then Mira’s been working in classic Gothenburg indie studio Music-A-Matic, producing what is now her forthcoming debut album for Birds Records.

We find ourselves in between the experimental, dark and dystopia, just as much as in the playful, cheerful and welcoming state of mind. Contrasts. Pounding bass meets violins and choirs. Vocal sounds taken from everyday life finds its way through samplers and gets out in completely different shapes and forms. Digital and mechanical sounds clashes with the warmth of analogue.

Mira’s been writing, producing and recording this material by herself, also playing the main share of the instruments on the album. The album was mixed and mastered in Stockholm by Robin Rudén. Facebook here.

It's a month to the day since we first featured Mira Aasma, and she has quickly followed up on her last share with 'Mirrors'. The latest song is a delicious indie pop song with electro overtones adding an extra layer of hooks, to a very polished track.

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Us and Us Only - Bored of Black.

Background - On Us and Us Only's debut album, Full Flower, out July 14 (Topshelf Records), the Baltimore band deliver a rapturous collection of intricate indie rock. This week they shared the album's lead single, "Bored of Black".

Us and Us Only formed as a trio in Baltimore around 2009. After self-releasing four EPs that vary between acoustic arrangements to a warped vision of indie rock that features chopped and sampled vocals alongside more dense and distorted soundscapes, the band has settled into a groove that manages to distill all of those sounds into their first LP entitled Full Flower.

Full Flower is an exercise in letting the light in - the result of a band exploring sonic space throughout its thirteen tracks, weaving smaller, more production intensive vignettes into the larger fabric of Us and Us Only’s trademark see-sawing dynamics. In allowing its home in bedroom ambiance to work in harmony with high fidelity studio prowess, Full Flower is a rock album viewed through the morning haze of half-open eyes. Bandcamp here, Facebook here.

'Bored of Black' is an indie rock song that gently begins and allows the music to expand and refrain along the way, as if the band are teasing out the song. Smooth vocals and some thoughtful musicianship ensures the July album release is clearly on our radar.

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Midday Swim - Hold on Tight.

Background from Midday Swim - We’ve just released a video for “Hold On Tight”  - the heart of our upcoming EP Climbing Out of Caves.

The surrealist-fantasy feel of the video came from the director, Pedja Milosavlijevic, and our mutual admiration of films like "The Secret Life of Walter Mitty", "Pulp Fiction", and "The Grand Budapest Hotel", as well as the general work of directors such as David Lynch, Wes Anderson, Emir Kusturica and some classic Spielberg.

When writing this song we made an effort to capture the spirit of childhood - a time when one’s imagination can run wild. Through a child’s eyes the world looks like magic and the song suggests that even now we should try to recapture that sense of youthful wonderment. There is a spirit of perseverance both in the instrumentation and the lyrics that we also wanted to reflect in the music video. Website here, Facebook here.

Midday Swim gradually allow 'Hold On Tight' to unfold with some smooth indie rock music and vocals. As promised the video and song work together and do so very well. Melodic and full of hooks this is a fine track in it's own right, add in the video, and it's a winner.



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Everything Turned To Color - Invisibility.

Background - Everything Turned to Color share their third single, "Invisibility," from their forthcoming, debut album, Life Imagined, due out June 23rd 2017. 

Everything Turned To Color includes brothers Bryan and Kyle Weber, two ex-alt-rock bandmates who co-own DIY tour booking website IndieOnTheMove.com (which services nearly 100K members) and their classically trained neighbor, Neha Jiwrajka, who left a tech job at Google to pursue a Masters in Jazz and vocal performance (her mother is a classically trained Hindustani singer). Starting March 25th, the trio will hit the road for a 24-date tour through NY, CA, PA, VT, MA, ME, CT and NJ. 

Inspired largely in part by Bryan and Kyle's foray into parenthood, Life Imagined plays heavily on the bittersweet dualities of life and the big questions we all must ask. While much of the music exudes a whimsical lightheartedness in mood and melody, the lyrics dive deep into the fragility and innocence of childhood, the significance of enduring friendship, and the inevitable moments of love and loss that haunt us all. Website here, Facebook here.

'Invisibility' is an elegant and cultivated modern folk orientated song, where graceful vocals are accompanied by some delicate and exquisite music and subtle harmonies.

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Sarah Jane Scouten - Rory Lavelle - Honeymoon Disease - HOTT MT

Sarah Jane Scouten - Bang Bang.

Background - Two-time Canadian Folk Music Award Nominee, Sarah Jane Scouten has announced the release of new album When The Bloom Falls From The Rose on June 16th, including the new bluesy-rockabilly single Bang Bang.

Observant, outspoken, and at the top of her craft, the new album is a luminous body of work; one that shines a light on the wind-whipped highway of Scouten’s life as a gifted songwriter, scholar of roots music history, and travelling musician. With flavours of Lucinda Williams, Nanci Griffiths, Old Crow Medicine Show and a wealth of old-time and bluegrass music, Sarah Jane’s songs are faithful to a long-standing folk music tradition, but often spill over into modern themes that are outspoken and edgy, from homelessness to midwifery to tongue-in-cheek heartache songs and unabashed Canadiana. 

First single taken from the album Every Song I Sing (released in 2016) exposes the classic country soul of Sarah Jane, equally deeply personal and written for the listener, an anthem for when you’re sad, every sad song becomes about you. New single Bang Bang scales up the beat combining the retro feel of country-folk with bluesy rockabilly; bombastic, irreverent and smutty behind a thin veneer, Bang Bang may not make sense, but it plays in the lyrical freedom that comes with the blues. Website here, Facebook here.

Whatever genre or style Sarah Jane Scouten chooses to write and perform in, she does it with real class. 'Bang Bang' is a feisty rockabilly blast, it's one of a dozen high calibre song that range from folk to country and more, sometimes with timeless character, other times with a more modern slant.

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Rory Lavelle - All These Horrors.

Background - Belfast based alt-rock singer/songwriter Rory Lavelle boasts a vocal so rich in soulful storytelling that is impossible not to be moved. With his debut album Waves scheduled for release in June, his distinctive breed of brooding, melancholic but uplifting acoustic alt-rock showcases his diverse musical influences, which include Bill Withers, David Kitt, Nick Drake and Radiohead.

From opening for Ian Brown to a packed Ulster Hall to spending long cold winter nights sleeping on the floor of a Ford Transit van at this stage Rory has done most of it if not it all. The level of prestige may peak and dip but the passion remains. “I suppose it’s just a hobby more than a job for you these days?” a fan and friend once asked. It’s neither. It simply is.

Growing up in a small border town in Ireland there was little to do but nurture an already burgeoning obsession with 60’s pop-rock. A hum and a foot-tap led to a voice and a guitar which in turn led to Rory Lavelle’s first forays into what would become a life-long career in music. Having experienced previous successes with his bands Indigo Fury and Sparks Fly Rory is soon to release his first solo long-player “Waves”. Heading up the release riotous charge of All These Horrors. With a haunting chorus that will make you want to shamelessly shake your hips in time, Rory says of the single,

A DIY artist to the core, Rory is channeling all his experiences and influences to date to craft something truly unique and mesmerizing. Website here, Facebook here.

The first of ten songs on the forthcoming 'Waves' album is 'All These Horrors'. The featured track veers toward the indie rock genre whilst the album as a whole mixes understated folk rock with more passionate and expansive pieces. Overall it's a distinctive collection of songs that work well together whilst ensuring plenty of variety throughout.


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Honeymoon Disease - Electric Eel.

Background - Honeymoon Disease are back with their new single and seven inch vinyl 'Electric Eel'. The Swedish boogie-woogie rock bands new single got all the hooks, catchiness and melodies to make an instant rock n roll classic. Electric Eel is the first new original song to be released from the band since their debut album 'The Trancendence' was released in 2015. Since then endless tours have turned the band into one of Swedens hardest working rock n roll machines. The video for Electric Eel is produced by Max Ljungberg. The band is touring Spain starting 4th of April.

"Electric Eel is about when your heart is overloading and pushes you to the limit. So settle for the shock and get ready for the take off!" - Jenna

Electric Eel gives a first glimp of what the future holds for Honeymoon Disease. The band will be entering the studio this summer together with Ola Ersfjord (Tribulation, Dead Lord, Night) to record their new album to be released in the fall of 2017 on The Sign Records. The band debut album 'The Transcendence' was released in 2015 on Napalm Records and was co-produced by Nicke Andersson (the Hellacopters, Imperal State Electric and Death Breath). The seven inch vinyl is limited to 700 copies and is available through Freight Train in bundles with patches and t-shirts. Get the record here, website here, Facebook here.

We featured Honeymoon Disease just over a month ago, and the brand new single 'Electric Eel' deserves a share. Once again the band demonstrate that they can turn up the power with some unashamed full on rock'n'roll.


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HOTT MT - Tranceforming.

Background - LA-based experimental pop duo, HOTT MT, have shared their video for "Traceforming". The song is from their forthcoming new album 'AU' (Alternate Universe,) out today Thursday, May 4th via their own label, Mutation Records.

The video was shot at their own warehouse space in Los Angeles, Non Plus Ultra, which was recently shut down. The duo says of their recent loss, "All of us at Non Plus Ultra have been together for years. Our ideals brought us together, and we built a space and a business on them. Non Plus Ultra showed us that we aren't alone in our desires. There are so many people in this town who share our values. We've made and lost spaces before, but this time we've got an incredible support system."

LA Weekly just named HOTT MT #25 on their list for "The 30 Best LA Rock Bands from the Past Decade, " and said, "They're the most ambitious psych-rock band in L.A., who stalked Flaming Lip's Wayne Coyne into a collaboration in 2012, and quietly dropped a track last year they produced for Kesha, without permission from Dr. Luke. They referred to the leak as "musical terrorism," a bold statement by the landlords of L.A.'s most interesting art space, Non Plus Ultra." Website here, Facebook here.

Our second feature for HOTT MT and again we have a rich synthy song, this time entitled 'Tranceforming'. The vocals are dreamy and melodic and the atmosphere builds as layers of music unfold.


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