Ghostly Beard - Band of Missfits - Post Louis

Ghostly Beard - Going Away.

Background - There is an enigmatic bigfoot-like character that just came out of the woods after 15 years of being lost. He goes by the handle Ghostly Beard, and he’s a visionary artistic entity with a boundlessly creative sweep that encompasses soft rock, jazz, prog-rock, fusion, pop, classic rock, and more.

Ghostly Beard’s kaleidoscopic creativity has garnered him comparisons to such diverse artists as Steely Dan, Pink Floyd, James Taylor, Genesis, XTC, Cat Stevens, Weather Report, Michael Franks and Chicago. He crafts immersive dreamy sonic landscapes that emotionally blur the line between dark catharsis and subtle rays of hope. Now, he lets us into his universe with an eclectic clutch of thoughtfully sequenced EPs and albums to be released in the coming months.

Ghostly Beard will release his third and best album to date. The songs collection forms a unique blend of many influences ranging from classic rock, soft rock, progressive rock, jazz, blues and pop and is the culmination of many years spent defining his own style.

The ten-track album opens with the laid-back “How Does It Feel?” an existentialist tune that grows strong with many guitar tracks, the second track “The Love in Your Eyes” is more up tempo but bittersweet, “Gone” errs in almost Country territory with a tale from the past that grows into an anthem, followed by “Autumn Blues”, a rich blues rock instrumental. “Night Train” tells the tale of a dream with a progressive rock twist, while “Let Go” is a classic soft rock with beautiful guitar lead. “It Doesn’t Matter” which blends Jazz and Rock in a new way while “9 to 5 (Barely Alive)” is the epic of the album with many twists and turns. “Let It Rain” is the perfect chill tune for your ears and the rocking “Going Away” concludes the album with a positive tone. WEBSITE.

'Going Away' is the tenth and final track on Ghostly Beard's new 'Inward' album. The differing influences and creative mixture of genres makes it difficult to pick out any specific track as overly representative of this collection, however the featured song does provide a fine indication of the notable quality found across the album. Vocals are melodic and refined and the guitar work is of a very high standard, if you like 'Going Away' then make sure you dig a little deeper into this album, your in for something very rewarding.


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Band of Missfits - Nothing At All.

Background - Band Of Missfits invent their sound using some unshakable components. The Perth four-piece bear both the smoothness of classic rock and the fuzzier tones of grunge. They can transition from a brooding country swagger to an arena-sized crescendo in a heartbeat. Their latest single, Nothing At All, is the perfect case in point.

Taken from their electrifying EP Higher Passage, Nothing At All makes an instant and lasting impact. Everything is big: the drums, the guitars, the vocals, and especially the hooks. This is due in no small part to producer Sean Lillico (Fur Real Studio), who has done an outstanding job of capturing the band's massive live sound and on-stage energy.

Band Of Missfits have developed substantially since their last offering – 2017's Into The Storm EP. Described by one rock critic as having an 'earthy heavy ethereal feel to it', the band's sound beautifully combines acoustic and electric instruments with a powerhouse lead vocal. Taking things down a grittier path than their debut, Band Of Missfits have found more of their edge on Higher Passage, which delivers its hooks through bitter-sweet melodies.

While Higher Passage shows what Band of Missfits can do in the studio, this is first and foremost a live band. So their plan for the year is to play as many shows as possible, both at home and on the road, as they continuously work their way towards a debut full-length album. FACEBOOK.

Upcoming shows:
Friday April 27 - Bar Four5Nine, North Perth w/ K Ridge, Spudgun, Ultrasound (fb event)
Saturday May 5 - Fly by Night Club, Fremantle w/ Utlrasound, Spudgun, The Ivory Lies (fb event)
Friday June 15 - The Den @ The Civic Hotel, Inglewood w/ The Silent Deeds, Paul McCarthy Band, Kilmister (fb event).

The vocals are passionate and distinct on 'Nothing At All' and benefit greatly from the musicianship that sounds great whether the band are powering up or dipping into a more restrained reprise. Band Of Missfits deliver a hook laden rocker of a song which finishes up as something of an anthem, those who get to hear this live, will be singing along in no time!

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Post Louis - Stress Fracture.

Background - Following their return a few weeks ago with their first track in two years, Little Jack, angular art-rock quintet Post Louis have revealed another brand-new experimental-indie gem, Stress Fracture. The band will also play a headline London show at Paper Dress Vintage (27 April).

Post Louis' music has always addressed fragility. Stress Fracture pushes this interest to its logical conclusion, depicting actual damage, breakage and decomposition. Throughout the infectious track, lead vocalist Stephanie Davin toys with the parallels between physical and emotional damage – how so often they can feel the same and how they can reinforce each other. (“Mainline, please drive in my direction / Plastic wrapping for my protection / Car curl, lamppost, stretch out your veins / We might saloon our hearts in winter”). 

Spikey guitar parts and contrasting male vocals appear from nowhere at different points throughout the song, creating a feeling of relentlessly being ‘on edge’. Yet more unpredictable are the wild tenor saxophone entries, courtesy of rising jazz star Alex Hitchcock.

In Stephanie’s words: “We wanted Andy’s backing vocal and Alex’s saxophone parts to tumble in out of nowhere, like a car falling off a highway. This song tracks the moment when panic sets in, temperature rises and emergency begins - when something fundamental gives way entirely, whether a bone or a belief.” WEBSITE.

'Stress Fracture' is a gorgeous and very addictive song. The vocals are simply fabulous, the band sprightly and slick, whilst retaining some natural rock and roll edge. I just love this song, it packs a whole lot of different and it works oh so beautifully !!!

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YOWL - Ellie Schmidly - Wesley Jensen

YOWL - Warm (in the Soft White Fire of Modern Living).

Background - Peckham five-piece YOWL have announced their new single 'Warm (In The Soft White Fire Of Modern Living)'. The single follows the release of YOWL's second single and video for ‘Dark Room’ and UK tour with label mates LICE including a sold out headline show at Sebright Arms. It was then on to Europe to play Pitchfork Avant-Garde and London Calling Amsterdam.

Alongside the new single, YOWL have also announced two new live dates including a headline London show at Bermondsey Social Club on 31st May 2018 and a show supporting IDLES at the Trades Club in Hebden Bridge on 1st August 2018. The full list of YOWL's forthcoming live dates is as follows:

28th April – Portsmouth Psych Fest
28th April – Sticky Mikes, Brighton (Free entry)
6th May – Sounds From The Other City, Manchester
25th – 27th May – Dot to Dot Festival
31st May – Bermondsey Social Club, London
21st July – Truck Festival, Oxford
1st August – Trades Club, Hebden Bridge w/ IDLES

With an EP and two singles behind them YOWL have earned some impressive critical acclaim from the likes of NME, DIY, AnOther, Loud & Quiet and more. Following the release of 2016's Before The Sleep Sets In EP YOWL released debut single 'My Headache Likes To Speak' in May 2017. Across its noir-laden four minutes, the band marry gnarled razor-wire guitars and a swaggering rhythm section with the sick croon of vocalist Gabriel Byrde. 'My Headache Likes To Speak’ was the second release from London's Big Score imprint, after recently putting out material from Bristol's LICE. The label comes from the minds behind Golden Arm who have watched over the likes of HMLTD, Goat Girl, and The Big Moon.

Nobody’s happy putting up with poor job prospects and a city pricing out the poorest, but the Peckham-formed YOWL capture a frustration of the 9-to-5 London grind like few others. And in frontman Gabriel Byrde, they have someone who can spin poetry on songs about alienation and exhaustion. YOWL are often viciously loud, but Byrde’s fanciful delivery gives them an edge. TWITTER.

'Warm (in the Soft White Fire of Modern Living)' is a laid back alt rocker where the distinct vocals are engaging from the opening moments. The band open with an air of cool slacker vibes but when they power up, they really do power up!

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Ellie Schmidly - Wild is the Wind.

Background - New artist Ellie Schmidly has released "Wild Is The Wind," the third single from her upcoming debut EP, Blossom & Bone. This whimsical cover is from George Cukor's 1957 film of the same name. Arranged and produced by Todd Gummerman (MuteMath), "Wild Is The Wind" captures Schmidly's crystal clear vocals over delicate strings and waves of pedal steel. "Wild Is The Wind" is available today at all digital outlets, with Blossom & Bone following on May 11.

"I first heard the song being covered by Nina Simone, in a very powerful and slow tempo with an obscure jazz piano accompanying," recalls Ellie Schmidly. "I was really taken by the lyrics – they are so expressive and unapologetically in love. I wanted the music to match the brimming-over feeling that the lyrics conjured, and I immediately ran to the Wurlitzer in hopes that I could give it a totally different feel."

Ellie’s journey to this point is a serendipitous story. Starting to write and record this EP was daunting process because she felt so far behind everyone else. She hadn't set out to become a songwriter. She wasn't attending a music program in Nashville, and wasn't considering music as her career path. Instead, her music was discovered by famed producer Charlie Peacock (The Civil Wars, The Lone Bellow) after one of her performances was posted to Twitter.

Peacock was so taken with her Springfield, MO house show performance that he reached out to her the very next day to introduce himself. Peacock invited Ellie to Nashville to partake in songwriting sessions and introduced her to those in the community that could help cultivate her music. She says Charlie’s encouragement was life-changing. It turned out to be literally life-changing because she left her home, friends, family, and school in Missouri where she was studying public policy, to make the move to Nashville. After years of working on her music and continuous writing, Ellie has arrived at this seminal point when she'll unveil her debut, Blossom & Bone. WEBSITE.

It's our third feature for Ellie Schmidly in just a couple of months this time with 'Wild is the Wind'. Previously we have described her vocals as "personable and charming plus enticing and melodic" perhaps that in it's self is reason enough for sharing this track. That it is a fabulous cover of a sixty years old song with a gorgeous musical arrangement is the real purpose for featuring it!

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Wesley Jensen - Everything.

Background - Taking a page out of the Brian Wilson songbook, Wesley Jensen & the Penny Arcade deliver a glistening retro-pop tune that harkens back to the golden age of 60s baroque. "Everything" is the lead single from the upcoming EP Something New.  Both musically and lyrically complex, the track is chalk full of warm textures and orchestral layers all while sounding inherently modern.  Jensen says the track deals with themes "trying to survive in the world and what it means to find success."

Wesley Jensen was born and raised in a quaint Northern CA town, and his music often reflects this small-town upbringing, heavily inspired by the people and scenery surrounding him. After breakout record, Tales of a Wandering Man, and follow-up, Californian, Jensen’s sound has evolved from singer-songwriter into a fully formed heavyweight of indie folk-pop.

His lyrics are honest and music pure, mixing the best of new and old sounds. Infusing 60’s pop with modern production, Jensen finds a way to create something entirely unique, all while remaining true to his roots. He is a consummate story-teller, not afraid to let his guard down and address relatable ideas and imagery with charm and sincerity.

Currently residing in the artistic hub of Denton, TX, Wesley and his band have played with the likes of Deep Sea Diver and the Wild Reeds. While constantly touring in their own right, in 2017 they made their SXSW debut in Austin. The band’s musical presence continues to blossom throughout TX and beyond. Wesley Jensen & the Penny Arcade's new EP Something New will be available worldwide May 25, 2018. WEBSITE.

Vibrant, catchy, and full of timeless musical vibes 'Everything' is both nostalgic and yet fresh and uplifting. It's indie something, perhaps surf, sixties, folk or pop, lets just say it's indie brilliant.

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Bonnie Li - Easy Ruckus - Rat the Magnificent

Bonnie Li - Décroche.

Background - Berlin based Bonnie Li’s new single ‘Décroche’ tackles addiction, and the way it affects both an individual and those suffering around them. In the band’s words “Décrocher is a French verb which means to pick up the phone. It also means to take down what was hooked, to kick off a habit, to switch off. The song explores the highs and the lows of an addiction and its effect on its entourage.”

The track is sung in three languages – English, French and Mandarin. Bonnie tells us “I wanted to describe the topic using three different languages: the song starts in French showing the poetic and melancholic aspect of the addiction, the chorus is in Chinese Mandarin representing the little cute voice that draws you back to it, the rest of the verses are in English, because it’s a matter that speaks to everyone.”

With crystal clear production, trip hop samples and hypnotic vocals, the song is underpinned by a throbbing bass line that creates intense feelings dread, mirroring the lyrical subject matter. Li punctuates the tension with a piercing scream that sounds like it came from the mouth of Blixa Bargeld himself.

Armed with her megaphone, Bonnie Li is musical polymath. Growing up in Hong Kong, Li’s music has brought her to Montreal and San Franciso, her travels have seen her collaborate with the likes of Al’Tarba and Mobb Deep. In Berlin she combined forces with Elia M, 1990s free party pioneer and founder of Techno label Sycomor. Elia’s background in industrial, dark sounds proved to be the perfect pairing to Bonnie’s vocals. TWITTER.

The vocals on 'Décroche' are magnificent as is the use of three different languages and the intriguing effect this has. The music is detailed and adds to the piece as it creates depth and atmosphere, overall this is one very addictive song.

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Easy Ruckus - Pretty Face.

Background - Easy Ruckus is a Canadian music group out of Golden, British Columbia. Creating all original music with a unique sound fusing between rock, blues, folk, reggae & psychedelic - resulting in a style and feel yet to truly be shaped.

Influenced by The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, Radiohead, The Black Keys, LCD Soundsystem & Current Swell. 

Easy Ruckus has supported groups such as Folk Road Show, Lion Bear Fox, Five Alarm Funk & Boogie Patrol.

Their latest Album "Tango" is set to release early May.  Ahead of this, they have released a single off the album titled "Pretty Face". WEBSITE.

Even the vocals on 'Pretty Face' are hard to put into any one genre as they mix soulful moments with a more potent rock & roll feeling. The band are slick and refined adding a sweeping undercurrent that again refuses to be placed in one particular style, that the track is catchy goes without saying.

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Rat the Magnificent - Up The Street.

Background - Made up of members of Family Manderson, Sunshine Republic, KLLR, Hot Sauce Pony, Modern Men and Brenda, Rat the Magnificent are a heady mix of obstinance and oblivion. Think an overlapping of a Venn diagram made up of Jesus Lizard, Sally Bowles, My Bloody Valentine, Slint, Oxbow and Son House and you’re in the right borough.

The trio’s cacophony of beguiling yet unnerving fuzz-laced experimental noise rock has earned the group a reputation as a must-see live act, having played with the likes of McLusky, IDLES and Adam Betts. Not least, they have also previously recorded with Steve Albini earning the rare would-be plaudits of “I’d have no problem with you being my house band.” Now with an EP and several singles to their name, Rat The Magnificent are set to release their debut LP, ‘The Body As Pleasure’. A collection of 10-tracks that fully encompass the raw, unhinged energy and dark melodic sensibilities that have garnered them much acclaim in the past.

However, like all strong drinks - the whiskey, the coffee - you need balance in strength. The core trio of Anderson’s open blasted guitar checks primitive tradition and bleeds into Davies’ evangelical bass and Dodridge’s fervent drum rhythms, providing a bed for Anderson to belie his vocals. Brooding in white hot intensity, the albums lyrical content tackles personal yet assimilable topics such as the immediacy of desire, animal magnetism, familiar high-stakes anxiety and trial by fire learning. Dexterous vocals layer often voyeuristic glimpses into both the bands misfortunes and success, backed up by oblique and often deceptively catchy instrumentation.

Recorded over the course of three years with Brad Hemsell, ‘The Body As Pleasure’ also features huge range of inimitable guest musicians, who add even further depth and dynamics to the record. Guests include: Ian Catskilkin (Future Of The Left, Art Brut), Jen Macro (MBV, Graham Coxon, Charlotte Hatherly, Hurtling), Stephen Gilchrist (Graham Coxon, The Damned, The Cardiacs, Vic and Bob), Jeff Fairley (Cheel Ghar) and Caroline Gilchrist (Hot Sauce Pony). WEBSITE.

Sometimes a blast of full on swaggering rock helps clear the cobwebs and 'Up The Street' is all of that. The vocals are immersed in the mix, the guitars dominate with serious intent and the driving rhythm is mesmerising.

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Childcare - Levi Parham & them Tulsa Boys and Girls - Sugar Candy Mountain

Childcare - Big Man.

Background - Pushing beyond the echo-chamber, Childcare follow the slinky art-rock of Put Down Your Pen with the bold and brooding Big Man, an alternative take on dealing with bubble-breaking disagreement and family friction.

The second single from their upcoming ‘Luckyucker’ EP, Big Man seeks to address the difficulties of contrasting world views, immigration and accusations of liberal elitism, all in a tidy 3 minutes and 53 seconds. Frontman Ed Cares explains:

"There's a place for fighting and affirming the values you stand up for, but too often we ridicule and dismiss those we disagree with. I'm bored of broad-brush Tory bashing and of hearing that everyone who voted for Brexit is stupid. This song is a reminder that we need to listen and try and understand those who believe differently from us."

The band will head out on a two week UK headline tour in October to support the release of the ‘Luckyucker’ EP. With a sling of festivals including the legendary Reading and Leeds and a recent Radio 1 Maida Vale session tucked safely under their belts, the band’s vivid and visceral live show shouldn’t be missed. TWITTER.

This is our fifth feature for Childcare, I had not realised they had been on here so many times, so clearly they resonate well with Beehive Candy. At the centre of 'Big Man' are some refined vocals and harmonies that are added to, by a vibrant and punchy musical backdrop. Also a note of respect for the subject matter, that many artists I expect, would shy away from.

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Levi Parham & them Tulsa Boys and Girls - My Finest Hour.

Background - May 18 will see the release of "It's All Good" a brand new album by Levi Parham. One of the most talented Okies around (Jimmy Lafave mentored him and produced his break through album "These American Blues"), Levi gathered an all star Tulsa band and took them to the iconic Muscle Shoals Sound Studio (now called Portside Sound Studio) to record 8 brand new songs. The outcome is an exciting mix of Tulsa swing, Southern grooves and mean guitar battles,  almost bringing Derek and the Dominos back to life.

In Parham's own words: "I’ve always been an admirer of the music that’s come out of Muscle Shoals, from Aretha Franklin to The Allman Bros. After visiting a studio there last year while on tour, I got the idea to bring a group of Tulsa musicians, still carrying the torch of the legendary Tulsa Sound, and toss them in that iconic space and setting along the Tennessee River and see what would happen.

What happened in August 2017, with musicians Paul Benjaman, Lauren Barth, John Fullbright, Jesse Aycock, Dylan Aycock, Aaron Boehler, Dustin Pittsley, Michael Staub, and Lauren Farrah, was a combination of mean soulful guitar riffs and loose vibey grooves, with hints of inspiration and influence from Derek And The Dominos, The Band, The Rolling Stones, The Allman Bros, and even Oasis." TWITTER.

It's All Good Tour - NL 2018:
Zo. 29-4 Hengelo - Cactus Cafe (band)
Ma. 30-04 Amsterdam – Paradiso (band)
Di.1-5  Leiden - Qbus (band)
Wo 2-5 Utrecht – Tivoli (band)
Do 3-5 E’hoven – Vunderke (solo)
Za 5-5  Ospel – Moulin Blues (band)
Zo. 6-5  Goes - Buunder Kunst (solo)
Ma 7-5  Oss – Railroad Roots (solo).

'My Finest Hour' is just so good! Lovers of southern rock, blues rock, Americana and the better side of classic rock need to give this album a listen. It's passionate, slick, bluesy and builds on the above cited influences, to a point where it exceeds expectations by pretty much any measurement. Have a virtual thumbs up, this album belongs in many a rock fans collection.

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Sugar Candy Mountain - Crystalline.

Background - Sugar Candy Mountain shares second track "Crystalline" off upcoming album, Do Right. Part travelogue, part response to the current, turbulent climate, Do Right gives voice to the deeply nested anxiety of modern times attempting to offer a balm.  Nature it seems, is where the band often goes to calibrate it’s moral compass so frequently upended by the daily news-cycle. 

Sugar Candy Mountain invites you to join them on this journey singing “There’s a quiet place I go when I need to find my way/ There’s a quiet place inside/ Come on in just knock and a door will open”. Musically, the band remains rooted in 60’s and 70’s rock, with their signature honey sweet vocals. Do Right leans more heavily on synthesizer than the band’s previous records lending the album a more modern feel.  The album pairs the ephemeral orchestral arrangements of The Beach Boys with the pop sensibility of George Harrison on “All Things Must Pass”. 

Oscillating between the hazy psychedelic pop of Mild High Club, the driving energy of Dungen and the danceable familiarity of The Supremes, Do Right is a perfect cocktail of old and new, imploring the listener to take a ride into the sunset with Sugar Candy Mountain. WEBSITE.

Tour Dates:
04/27 - Boulder Creek, CA – DIO Fest
05/02 - Santa Barbara, CA – Soho
05/05 - San Luis Obispo, CA – Shabang 10
06/16 - Leggett, CA – Hickey Fest
06/23 - Miami FL – Miami Psych Fest.

We shared 'Split In Two' just over a month ago and the follow up song 'Crystalline' really does deserve a second feature for this creative band. The dual vocals are atmospheric and enticing, the musical setting adds some real depth, it's a little psychedelic and a whole lot addictive.

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Eliza Shaddad - Becca Mancari - Clare Means - Omni - Mystery Art Orchestra

Eliza Shaddad - White Lines.

Background - Eliza Shaddad is back with 'White Lines', the first preview from her long-awaited debut album Future.

Eliza Shaddad's singular artistry was not formed in any one crucible alone, her work is the flourishing product of modernity without borders. Born to Sudanese and Scottish parents, she’s the descendant of a long line of progressive artists and poets dating back to the 1800s. She also speaks four languages and holds an MPhil in Philosophy and spent a postgraduate year at the Guildhall School studying Jazz Vocal Improvisation. Not beholden to the politics of indie or commercial regionalism, every facet of her music, from vocals to lyricism to performance and production, is the purest distillation of herself.

Even without the fascinating esoteric trivia that radiates from of her unique background, Eliza is a musician fit for the world stage. Having released two EPs on indie label Beatnik Creative, her music has found acclaim amongst the loftiest tastemakers. On the airwaves Shaddad’s slick songwriting has gained followings from all the key tastemakers across Beats 1, Radio X and BBC Radio 1, 2, and 6Music, along with critical support from publications as diverse as FADER, Sterogum, i-D, Nylon, Wonderland and The Sunday Times to name a few.

Her latest single ‘White Lines’ is the first to be taken from her upcoming album Future, which is produced by her Mercury-nominated longtime collaborator Chris Bond who also worked on her Run and Waters EPs. With it’s chorus-soaked guitars and throbbing leviathan bass grooves, it grips with a vitality and cleverness that’s rarely seen in indie of any period. Nothing feels spare in Eliza’s impassioned performance as she voraciously co-opts a nostalgic love of classic melodic-pop songwriting into her effortless alt-rock soundscapes. On writing the song during a spell of solitary travelling up Australia’s east coast Eliza says: "White Lines is about the jubilation felt on finally being brave, making the right decision, and heading into the great unknown." TWITTER.

Eliza Shaddad's vocals are melodic and smooth on 'White Lines' whilst the music arrangement is faster paced as it adds layers of instrumentation and ups the energy level. Indie pop/rock with plenty of hooks.

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Becca Mancari - Golden (Acoustic).

Background - Becca Mancari has released a new recording of her song "Golden" that originally appeared on her 2017 debut album Good Woman. The new version was produced by Juan Solorzano and features harmonies from Mancari's Bermuda Triangle bandmates Brittany Howard and Jesse Lafser.

"'Golden' is one of those songs that just keeps coming back. The story lives on. For this version, I wanted to recreate the song in way that focused on the vocals and felt dreamy like a memory," explains Mancari. "Juan Solorzano produced and wrote the most beautiful strings on this song which help bring the listener to such a special place.

I have been singing 'Golden' on the road with my other band, Bermuda Triangle, and I was thrilled to have my band mates and best friends, Jesse Lafser and Brittany Howard, on harmonies. It's just such a special moment for me, tracked in the same room at Trace Horse Studies. I could not be more excited to share this stripped down version of 'Golden!'" WEBSITE.

The new acoustic version of 'Golden' is gorgeous. The vocals are pristine, the harmonies beautiful, and the music is both calm and arranged to a very high standard. A perfect unwind song to dream away to.


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Clare Means - Hollywood Zoo.

Background - In today's world, the definition of a Folk/Americana artist is constantly evolving. Finding roots in the politically turbulent 60s, folk artists used their platform to highlight hypocrisies and expose wrongdoings whether they be social or political. Los Angeles singer-songwriter, Clare Means, is bringing the activism back to folk music with her new single, "Hollywood Zoo." 

She is using her voice to express how she feels about the endless misogyny that is circulating around the city she calls home. "Hollywood Zoo" brings to light the constant state of sexism and mistreatment women in entertainment have had to deal with. Clare knows firsthand saying, "I've had experiences that were unsettling as have many women I know in the industry."

Clare Means is known in the LA music scene for her smoky voice, memorable melodies and thought-provoking lyrics. She’s about to release her fourth studio album, Sidewalk Astronomy, a cohesive patchwork of musings on life in Los Angeles, love, forgiveness, and the recent loss of her estranged father. As Clare says,

"Most of the songs were written over the course of a couple years and were sparked by a variety of moments in my life... the day I found out my father was sick, when I fell in love, when I knew my relationship was doomed, when I got my heart broken, the day my father died, and when I woke up from a strange dream about sheep." Clare’s quirky take on life is fresh and comforting at the same time. She’s a true underdog’s champion. WEBSITE.

Clare Means vocals are earnest, passionate and have plenty of power on 'Hollywood Zoo' a song with a message that is clearly delivered. Indie pop meets rock in a very catchy manner!!

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Omni - Confessional.

Background - As the good fortune of Omni continues to soar, Chunklet is fortunate to release yet another single by this Atlanta three piece. Omni now shares the second single from Chunklet, "Confessional" on Immersive Atlanta.  

"Confessional" follows the release of "Sunset Preacher".  Recorded exclusively for this single, “Sunset Preacher” and “Confessional” are a resounding one-two in the gut reaffirming, yet again, that Omni are far and away one of the best bands going right now.

Frankie and Phillip continue to tighten the screws in their song writing and effortlessly bounding further down the path started by their masterpiece records on Trouble in Mind. Why is it every time you hear new Omni, it just makes you reach out your bowl and say “yes, I’ll have more please!” BANDCAMP.

Omni Tour Dates:
04/26 - Jackson, MS - Space Camp -- 04/27 - Dallas, TX - Deep Ellum Art Company
04/28 - Austin, TX - Levitation @ Barracuda -- 04/30 - Mobile, AL - The Merry Widow
05/8 - Bloomington, IN - The Bishop Bar -- 05/9 - Chicago, IL - Empty Bottle
05/10 - Toronto, ON - Horseshoe Tavern -- 05/12 - Montreal, QB - Bar Le "Ritz" P.D.B.
05/13 - Brooklyn, NY - Baby's Alright -- 05/14 - Philadelphia, PA - PhilaMOCA
05/15 - Washington, DC - Songbyrd DC -- 05/16 - Raleigh, NC - Kings Raleigh
05/22 - Atlanta, GA - 529 -- 06/1 - Barcelona, ESP - Primavera Sound
06/2 - Bordeaux, FR - Ahoy! Festival -- 06/4 - Ravenna, IT - Beaches Brew
06/6 - Lyon FR, - GRRRND Zero -- 06/7 - Cologne, GER - BUMANN & SOHN
06/8 - Gottingen, GER - NÖRGELBUFF -- 06/9 - Hilvarenbek, NL - Best Kept Secret Festival
06/11 - London, UK - The Lexington -- 06/12 - Leeds, UK - Hyde Park Book Club
06/13 - Manchester, UK - Deaf Institute -- 06/14 - Coventry, UK - Tin Music and Arts
06/15 - Ramsgate, UK - Ramsgate Music Hall -- 06/16 - Nantes, FR - Fumetti
06/17 - Paris, FR - Espace B -- 06/19 - Wurzburg, GER - Cairo
06/20 - Vienna, AT - FLUC -- 06/22 - Krakow, PL - Klub RE
06/24 - Halles, GER - Pierre Grasse -- 07/7 - Roskilde, DK - Roskilde Festival
07/28 - Binic ,FR - Binic Blues and Folk Festival -- 07/29 - Binic, FR - Binic Blues and Folk Festival
08/17 - Becons Brecons, UK - Greenman Festival.

Feisty and with of plenty of hooks 'Confessional' is hard to pigeonhole. The songs musical arrangement reminds me a little of Television, I think it's the guitar style, however the band carve out a fresh energised sound that is very much their own. Music like this is made to perform live, something the band plan to do very soon.

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Mystery Art Orchestra - Awake.

Background - So the world did not end in 2012 after all – but that same year, the German singer and guitarist Tino Bogedaly was drawn to Berlin to discover a new one. The city's rock 'n' roll underground, centred around the legendary 8mm bar, provided what he’d been missing out in the sticks. Inspired by the local music culture – he founded the Mystery Art Orchestra.

What started as a warmer psychedelic sound turned cooler when André Wlodarski joined the band on keyboards and has since evolved into a modern interpretation of post-punk - but without losing sight of its roots. Drummer Bastian Müller is the driving force, giving minimalistic rhythm to varied guitar arrangements while electronic bass and synthesizer add another dimension, echoing and observing the musical scenery from an ethereal distance.

The result is sometimes disruptive and sometimes strangely familiar, almost as if different musical decades have been torn apart and stitched back together in unexpected ways. After several live shows in Germany, England and Portugal, Bogedaly, Wlodarski and Müller have produced the debut album "Prismatic Dream", which will be released on 25 May 2018 on their own label robojim. It seems we can be lucky the apocalypse has been postponed for now. WEBSITE.

One of eleven tracks on the forthcoming 'Prismatic Dream' album, 'Awake' is a very good indicator of the bands style and musical direction. What's more the overall quality of this collection is consistently impressive and very addictive. I am confident to say that if 'Awake' is your thing, the album will be a massive delight. Mystery Art Orchestra are unpretentious, solid and just get on with being a notable rocker of a band.

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