Frankie Davies - Sofie Winterson - Paige Stark

Frankie Davies - High On Love.

Background - Frankie Davies has shared the new video for her latest single 'High On Love' which sees Frankie meandering home ‘the morning after’ around her local streets with the gorgeous landscape of Jersey as a backdrop.

“Wherever I Go is me, encapsulated,” says Frankie Davies, Jersey-born songwriter, on her highly anticipated debut album. This is an important release for Davies, in fact, she has said that “this represents me, my journey and experiences over the last 4 years.” First single, 'High On Love', is a brilliantly addictive tune that showcases Frankie's exceptional songwriting and heartwarming voice.

Frankie has explained the story within the song: "High on Love is an unusual take on a love story, one that follows an optimist with the ability to conjure up a connection that wasn’t there in the first place. By misreading gestures of kindness for ones of affection, we see just how easy it is to run away with our ideas of love. Being high on that ideal blurs the lines of what is real and masks the truth."

2018 marks an important step in her story, the release of ‘Wherever I Go’, Davies’ debut album on the 2nd of November, something fans have been waiting to hear for a long time. Its variety of influences are tied together by Davies’ evocative vocals and addictive melodies that transport listeners through both painful and joyful moments in her life. WEBSITE.

'High On Love' is a charming and lovable song that is now accompanied by a equally pleasing video, as Frankie Davies teases her fans once more ahead of the anticipated debut album due in just over a couple of weeks.


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Sofie Winterson - Half Asleep.

Background - Dutch musician and singer song-writer Sofie Winterson has announced the release of her sophomore album 'Sophia Electric' on 02 November via Excelsior Recordings.

Following the release of first single 'Military Man', Sofie has now shared another track taken from her upcoming album, and a beautifully intimate video to accompany it. 'Half Asleep' "is about holding back out of fear. When you listen to the lyrics, you’ll know what I mean by this.", Sofie says. "The video is directed and shot by photographer Laura Kampman. We were roommates in LA and she shot this video in and around our house. We became good friends and it was special to shoot this video together, since it’s a personal song and it felt natural to let her literally come as close as she does in the video".

Sofie grew up in a house full of music on a small peninsula in the Netherlands called ‘Marken’, just outside of Amsterdam. From a very young age, her father had all four children singing together and, later on, he even formed a band with them and toured in the Netherlands and Indonesia, where he was stationed as a doctor on the Maluku Islands. Her parents always thought that music was an important part of life, but didn't expect all four children would have ended up being musicians. Sofie's sister and brother are in a band called ‘My Baby’ and her older sister is in a band called ‘Blue Crime’. Her whole youth was filled with music and she drew a lot of inspiration from 70’s folk artists as well as soul legends. For her own music, and the latest project in particular, she returned to the folk.

Her new album 'Sophia Electric' is a personal document about love, letting go, change and memory. The music was written and recorded in different locations, namely Los Angeles, Lisbon, Haarlem and Amsterdam, but her guitar was always within reach.

The initial spark that lit the creative fire came when DJ Turquoise Wisdom introduced Winterson to a couple of obscure folk singles during a session on Red Light Radio that she attended. This prompted her to go back to her old love of writing songs in their bare essence on guitar. When she spotted a record player's amplylier saying 'Sophia Electric' on it, she put two and two together. She consumed a lot of music along the way; the deft experimentalism of Arthur Russell, the bare-boned songwriting approach of Big Thief and Elliott Smith, the lush, nocturnal atmospherics of Beach House and Mazzy Star… and yes, the commanding pop aura of Beyoncé too. This confluence of different beats was forged into a singular vision. TWITTER.

The musical backdrop has an intricate and detailed rhythmic feel on 'Half Asleep' whilst Sophie Winterson's vocals have an intimate and personal feel that combine to provide a quite addictive song.


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Paige Stark - Albatross.

Background - Paige Stark is a songwriter, multi-intstrumentalist, & producer from Los Angeles, California.

She has released records with her band Tashaki Miyaki & contributed production to fellow Angelenos L.A. Witch & Cherry Glazzerr as well as her own band, Tashaki Miyaki.

This is her debut solo effort. It was recorded by Grammy winning engineer Cassidy Turbin (Beck) with contributions by Jon Brion.

"among the most lovely pieces of music that I’ve heard so far this year. I wish we didn’t have to wait until at least Spring of 2019 for the full album, but I suppose that does make the saying about the best things in life being worth the wait ring truer than ever." - Marion Hodges, KCRW. BANDCAMP.

In the early months of last year we featured Tashaki Miyaki three times and were very impressed with their music. Now we have Paige Stark's debut solo piece 'Albatross' which as expected has her gentle melodic and tender vocals. The musical arrangement is subtly matched and those hooks are everywhere on this wonderful song.

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Lauran Hibberd - Wooing - ElectroBluesSociety feat Michel Peters

Lauran Hibberd - What Do Girls Want? / Call Shotgun.

Background - Fresh off the back of her heavily coveted single ‘Call Shotgun’, a release that landed her praise at The Line Of Best Fit, Clash, BBC Radio 1, 6Music as well as a spot as BBC Introducing’s Track Of The Week, Isle Of Wight native Lauran Hibberd returns with the release of her new cut ‘What Do Girls Want?’ out now via Be-Known Music.

Continuing her brand of off-kilter indie-pop, ‘What Do Girls Want?’ channels the tongue-in-cheek lyrical flow of Courtney Barnett, as she soars through energetic guitar riffs and ironical content to deliver a wonderfully catchy return to the scene.

With influences stemming from bands like Weezer, the frontwoman’s latest single is a stern slap in the face for conventional attitudes. Treading her own path in the industry, this latest release cements her as one of the most exciting and divisive new names in British’s indie music.

Speaking about the new single, Lauran explained, “For me, ‘What Do Girls Want?’ is a good punch to the mouth. It’s sarcastic, and bleakly honest. It highlights what it feels like to be young, and obsesses over the ideas that come with being just that.” TWITTER.

We featured Lauren Hibberd three times last year and although it's been a while 'What Do Girls Want?' was worth the wait. Actually if we had picked up on 'Call Shotgun' a couple of months ago, this would be our second 2018 share, but better late than never so here are both splendid songs. Once again our Isle Of Wight musical favourite delivers her infectious brand of charming pop with style.

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Wooing - Could Have Been.

Background - Wooing has announced a new 7", The Clouds, due out November 9th via Kanine Records. It features singles "Could Have Been" and "In Her Head," the first two Wooing songs that were written collaboratively by all three members: multi-instrumentalist and lead singer Rachel Trachtenburg, guitarist JR Thomason, and drummer Rosie Slater.

The band have just shared a video for "Could Have Been," a song that examines the disappointment of shallow friendships and the need to move on from them. With a hazy, dream-like quality that matches the song's swirling, psych-tinged vibe.

Trachtenburg has been performing in the New York music scene since she was six years old, first with The Trachtenburg Family Slideshow Players and later in Supercute! (alongside Slater.) With Wooing, her haunting, etherial vocals float above echoing guitars, for a sound that mixes elements of '90s rock acts like Helium and Quasi with the sounds of '60s Syd Barrett. The band has shared stages with San Cisco, Black Lips, Dream Wire, Hinds, and more. WEBSITE.

Wooing has a string of live dates coming up with Wavves, along with a couple of hometown shows.
* w/ Wavves
10/18: Dallas, TX @ Deep Ellum Art Co*
10/19: Austin, TX @ Empire*
10/20: San Antonio, TX @ Paper Tiger*
10/31: Brooklyn, NY @ Elsewhere* (Elsewhere 1 year anniversary w/ Wavves, Beach Fossils & more)
11/6: Ridgewood, NY @ Trans Pecos (w/ Dehd & Patio).

'Could Have Been' is an expansive indie rocker packed with power, emotion and plenty of musical hooks. The trio have a distinct sound where potent rock is balanced with some melody, and a fine hint of psychedelic feel, and just a little loose rock and roll swagger.


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ElectroBluesSociety feat Michel Peters - I Got My Mojo Workin.

Background - ElectroBluesSociety is formed by Jasper Mortier and Jan Mittendorp: two guys and a bunch of junk with a broad taste and an open mind mixing the old with the new.

Modern technologies combined with 30+ years of live stage experience in the European blues / roots music scene. The musical input ranges from Alan Lomax to Roxy Music and from Charlie Parker to Led Zeppelin.

On stage you will find computers, a double bass, foot pedals, vintage amps, midi controllers, an old drumkit and lots of cables. All of this handled by the two band members.

This time they took a classic blues song and invited Michel Peters for the vocals, RECORD LABEL.

This is our third feature for ElectroBluesSociety this time the vocals are provided by Michel Peters on 'I Got My Mojo Workin'. Once again the mixture of timeless natural blues is performed with passion and the modern electro influences add another fabulous dimension to the song.

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Leonie Kingdom - Mr. Koifish - Rosie Carney - The Trials of Cato

Leonie Kingdom - So Much More.

Background - So Much More is the second track from Leonie Kingdom’s debut EP Night Terror’s. So Much More is exactly how it sounds. It’s a song written to remind people that although times may feel unbearable and dark, you will get through it and there is so much more to keep going for. So Much More is about learning from mistakes and life experiences, learning and growing along the way.

“I’ve always taken experience from the darker side of life. This is where most of my experience in song writing comes from. I like to write about things that are important, and people can relate to. I thought it would be refreshing to put a bit of a lighter and positive feel into a song with a big meaning. Encouraging people to keep going when life gets tough and remember there are other people going through their own struggles in life. We are not alone”. – Leonie Kingdom

The song structure for So Much More is quite simple with guitar picking and simple piano. The track was recorded and produced by Robert Mackay in Pacific International Studios with mixing and mastering by Levi Dunn. Pacific International Studio is located in Leonie’s home town, Hervey Bay, QLD.

Leonie has been performing live and entertaining crowds for around eight years. From playing at pubs, to festivals and specials events. To date, Leonie has performed at Tamworth music festival, The Gympie Muster, Heart of Gold International film festival, Queenscliff Music Festival, Spirit of Bundaberg Festival and Hervey Bay Ocean festival. In 2017, Leonie took the winning title in Hervey Bay’s Unplugged competition. This awarded her the production of Night Terrors, her debut EP. WEBSITE.

Leonie Kingdom's prepossessing vocals quickly gained my attention on 'So Much More' a charming and uncomplicated singer songwriter piece, where personal feeling and natural emotion resonate beautifully.

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Mr. Koifish - Hang Our Coats.

Background - Mr. Koifish is Morten Køie’s new band. It’s all about kicking back and taking it easy - letting the stress flow off your back. You might remember Morten from Danish ‘Best Live Band’ Turboweekend, where he brought a smile and a raised eyebrow to a packed festival or concert hall on his bass - now he’s going to show you his new vibe with songs written during the Turboweekend years and produced by Hot Gills with a new collective of musicians, family and friends.

Hang Our Coats is the second single by Mr Koifish, and is a bitter sweet song that urges you to sacrifice everything to live your life with no regrets and to feel the blood pumping in your veins. You need to leap on the table and give exactly no fucks. Maybe life is only so so sweet because there isn’t all the time in the world - there’s only now. So get to it!

Mr. Koifish also feartures on Blvk Iris first single “put it on” and has contributed to LMOCPCAOPWH a new art publication curated by Jir Sandel that was published in August.   

Morten says: “…Mr. Koifish is the place where I can fit all my inspirations, personality and my sweet friends in music into one big family of sounds. And in this track I talk about standing your ground and doing the best you can with what you got before you hang your coat up for good” FACEBOOK. 

'Hang Our Coats' is subtly engaging at first and after a couple of listens quite compelling to play again. Musically there is plenty packed into this song, it's clever but not showy, and the vocals are a natural ingredient in the piece such is their match with the music.

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Rosie Carney - Orchid.

Background - Rising Irish singer-songwriter Rosie Carney’s new single, “Orchid” is now available. The song follows last month’s release of  “Thousand,” featuring Lisa Hannigan, which has already been streamed over 1.3 million times on Spotify. These tracks appear on Rosie Carney’s highly anticipated album, Bare, which debuts January 25 via Akira Records.

Of “Orchid,” Carney notes, “As the song developed, I saw the opportunity to really expand beyond my usual production and it’s now the most layered song on the album, with strings, drums, tremolo guitar etc. I could just hear the strings while working on the demo and when it came time to actually track them, we used Radiohead’s ‘Nude’ and some of Lana Del Rey’s dreamier tracks as a reference—two artists that are huge influences on me.”

With her full-length debut album still to come, Rosie Carney’s music has already been streamed over 18 million times, and she currently has over 1.4 million monthly listeners on Spotify.

Carney was born in Hampshire, England and at 10 years old moved to Donegal on the northwest coast of Ireland. Inspired by the rugged and picturesque landscapes of her new home, she began writing music. At 15 she left school in Donegal to showcase her work in New York and Los Angeles, and was signed to a major label shortly thereafter. In 2013 she received widespread attention with a performance on Ireland’s leading live music TV series “Other Voices.” TWITTER. 

I think it's probably fair to say that when Rosie Carney releases a song and we can feature it, then the result is, it gets featured. 'Orchid' continues that trend for no other reason than it's gorgeous.

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The Trials of Cato - Gloria.

Background - The Trials Of Cato have just shared their new single "Gloria", the first to be taken from forthcoming debut album "Hide And Hair." Guitarist and vocalist Tomo Williams comments on the track; “When the band first returned from Lebanon we travelled around the folk clubs of the UK in our van and came across an inspiring individual that we couldn’t resist writing about. It’s a story of self-discovery and a celebration of being true to oneself. Lots of old folk songs talk about women dressing up as men for financial or personal gain, and we wanted to write a song about someone doing this simply because they want to! This is a song about the emotional journey of a person who comes to terms with their own identity and learns to take pride in it.”​

The Trials Of Cato, a band that arrived fully formed and functioning from Beirut in the winter of 2016, have since torn a shape very much their own into the canvas of the UK folk scene. Originally from North Wales and Yorkshire, whilst living in Lebanon they spent a year boiling down the roots of their sound into a sweet hybrid of traditional influences that intrigued Lebanese audiences in the country’s biggest venues. They moved back to the UK to quickly produce their self-title debut EP at the Abbey Road Institute in London. The recording was well received – BBC Radio 2’s Mark Radcliffe hails them as “one of the real discoveries on the folk circuit in recent times.” Their musical development in the run up to their debut album proper, has been swift and sure.

This winter the trio release Hide And Hair, after a year of near-vertical ascent from a standing start. The trio may inhabit the folk genre with a grateful respect for its history but with this album they twist its old bones into something febrile and contemporary. Stunning instrumental technique hooked to an innovative presentation of traditional and original material leads to a sound where a seventeenth century widow’s lament for a lost soldier lover (My Love’s In Germany) can segue into a stomping dance tune – transporting us from the gloom of the Thirty Years War to the vibrant bounce of beckoning festival main stages. 

With a clear nod to the musical revivals of the sixties and seventies, Hide And Hair is rooted in the folk traditions of Ireland and Britain but the themes remain decidedly contemporary and questioning. Recorded in the spring of 2018 at Penylan studios in mid-Wales, the array of material is hugely diverse, the album almost being treated as a journey across both time and continents. WEBSITE.

The Trials of Cato provide a sophisticated musical tapestry for 'Gloria' however it's the vocals and harmonies that really impress. This is highly addictive folk music (I never though I would describe more traditional folk along those lines) where the band carve out a timeless sound doing so in a very talented manner.

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Wild Earp & The Free for Alls - Micra - KAYAM - Belle Mare

Wild Earp & The Free for Alls - Killin' Time.

Background - Wild Earp & The Free for Alls have released their first full-length, self titled album which is available now on all major streaming sites and digital music stores.

The album is a blend of old school country & western, rockabilly, and folk, and the band breathes new energy into a classic sound. Their new release takes you on a road trip across Americana, borrowing liberally from influences that span several decades and thousands of miles.  Listeners might hear hints of Jerry Lee Lewis, June Carter Cash, Loretta Lynn, Dwight Yoakam, and Roger Miller, among other past masters.

Wild Earp has been performing old school, new fangled, funky country western rocknrollabilly since 2014. He’s assembled a talented and handsome team of musicians from various musical backgrounds in the Chicago music scene. They tour often all around the country, and can be found every month at the California Clipper. The new album showcases 10 original examples of their wild Americana music. WEBSITE.

Sometimes when I listen to a band one of the first things that strikes me is that they love what they are doing and want you to share that enjoyment too. 'Killin' Time' the second of ten tracks on the new album conveys that feeling. The band are up-skilled, confident  and absolutely immersed in their own sublime take on all things Americana, so much so that pretty much every song is infectious. Classic old time sounds with a modern twist for good measure, if your not sure about the genres they cover, dive in and hang around for a while, and enjoy the show!

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Micra - Plastic.

Background - The Triple J-tipped, Sydney-based indie-rock duo, Micra, have just shared their scintillating debut single, ‘Plastic’. Following support in their home country based upon debut performances and early demos, the band, comprised of Bulgarian born and raised singer-guitarist, Ivana Kay and Australian multi-instrumentalist, Robbie Cain are making their debut proper with ‘Plastic’ ahead of more new music and UK live dates in early 2019.

Co-produced by the band alongside emerging Sydney producer/mixer, James Christowski, ‘Plastic’ mines wistful atmospherics that cut between Air and Zero 7, whilst turning head to dream-pop sensibilities attuned to the likes of Ariel Pink and fellow Australian, Kevin Parker. Speaking about ‘Plastic’, Cain says: “‘Plastic’ was the original piece of music I sent to Ivana as a demo over email, convincing her to work on music with me. We tracked the initial vocals in our friend’s basement after meeting in a cafe for the second time.”

The pair initially met - as if by serendipitous fortune - when were coincidentally sat beside each other at an Unknown Mortal Orchestra show after both arriving alone. That chance encounter would blossom into a musical alliance that culminated in the formation of Micra in early 2018. TWITTER.

Opening with a dreamy feel 'Plastic' adds depth as layers of synth's and an intriguing rhythmic backdrop unfolds. The result is a dream pop song which occasionally moves towards shoegaze, as the duo explore and create a luscious sound.

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KAYAM - Midnight.

Background - KAYAM is the musical duo of siblings Kim and Mike Rauss, playing what they affectionately label Falafel Pop; a fusion of the genres they enjoy, a near obsession for chickpeas and much love. 

The brother and sister enjoyed a cross-cultural upbringing living at various stages in England, Germany and Israel and the wanderlust they experienced in their early years has no doubt left an impression on their approach to music making and live performance.

Kim sings and plays the Celtic Harp, Mike plays guitar, sings and builds the loops with guitar percussion and the occasional beatboxing. 

KAYAM’s songs are atmospheric and instantly compelling offering room for improvisation on stage and a poised studio approach that makes their songs stick out. “Midnight” is the first release from their upcoming debut album and represents a great introduction to KAYAM’s imaginative and sincere sound. BANDCAMP.   

Before I started listening to 'Midnight' I was already curious as to what the duo meant by Falafel Pop. Well this might not be a Middle Eastern dish as such, but it is appetising (if you excuse the awful pun). There is a clever mixture of singing and spoken word and the musical backdrop is uncomplicated, yet it increases the richness of the piece considerably. Imaginative and beautiful, KAYAM have set expectations high with this song. 

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Belle Mare - Goodbye Horses.

Background - Brooklyn duo Belle Mare is gearing up for the release of their new EP, Liars, next Friday, October 19th. It features five tracks of shimmering, mid-tempo dream-pop from longtime collaborators Thomas Servidone and Amelia Bushell, showcasing Bushell's etherial vocals above lush layers of instrumentation. The band previously shared a taste of the EP with two of its singles, "Liars" and "Spain."

While they await the new release, Belle Mare is sharing a cover of the Q Lazzarus hit "Goodbye Horses," a favorite of Servidone's. He was inspired by the recent news on Lazzarus -- who emerged after two decades of silence -- finding it refreshing that she's chosen to live a life of relative obscurity in a culture obsessed with endless self-promotion.

From their humble beginnings recording songs in the confines of a Brooklyn bedroom to the expansive sounds produced at the famed Electric Lady Studios, Belle Mare has managed to maintain their stark minimalism in conjunction with the sincerity and fragility of Bushell’s vocals. Their dreamy guitar-pop has racked up praise from the likes of SPIN, Interview Magazine, T Magazine, and more, and they've shared stages with acts like Night Beds, Widowspeak, and Savoir

The band will celebrate the release of their new EP at Brooklyn's Baby's All Right on October 24th. TWITTER.  

We don't feature many cover versions on Beehive Candy but Belle Mare's take on 'Goodbye Horses' is just to good to let pass. Dream pop with a distinct and lovable vibe, the duel vocals are sublime, and the E.P. is only days away.

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Elza - Pearla - Magic Bronson - Velvet Starlings - Polly Panic

Elza - Endeavor.

Background - Elza is a true maverick spirit who writes and produces all her own work, and isn't afraid to venture to the dark side seeking wisdom and sonic communion. Russian-born, Elza relocated to Israel at the age of 15. It was there she discovered her passion for singing and playing guitar, inspired by a litany of genres mainly composed of 90s alternative acts that fuel her sound today, mixed in seamlessly with her classical piano training in her arrangements.

While in Tel Aviv, she studied audio engineering and sound design while developing her guitar and vocal style inspired by artists like Tori Amos, PJ Harvey, Beth Gibbons, and Anneke van Giersbergen. After moving to Vancouver, British Columbia in 2011, Elza began exploring the vibrant local open mic scene, where her music received a warm welcome. She also began experimenting with recording at home with a small computer setup, producing demos and developing her sound, musicianship, and vision gradually and organically.

Finally, though, Elza decided to commit some of her explorations of texture and composition to physical form, spending six months writing, arranging and producing each and every part of her five-song debut EP entitled ‘Glories’, a deeply intimate and personal exploration of harmony and rhythm, with dark melodies haunting each track like chain-rattling ghosts desperate for release from their unfinished business.

‘Glories’ was released in September 2014 to glowing reviews from the local press and showed up on community and college radio charts soon after. From there, she assembled a 7-piece live band to bring her studio-born dreams to audiences around Vancouver, dazzling crowds with her rich, dark grooves. In June 2017 Elza debuted her first instrumental single 'Clear' - an ethereal composition layered with lush strings, keys  and guitar effects.

Elza's debut full-length album is the boldly titled "Nothing's Wrong", due Nov 2nd, 2018. Elza went through an involved process creating the record to achieve her specific vision for the songs. WEBSITE.

'Endeavor' is one of ten tracks on 'Nothing Wrong' Elza's debut album set for release early next month. The featured song gives some insight into the album, the musical production is consistently pleasing, with plenty of variety in the arrangements and a constant flow of melodic hooks. Above all of that are the vocals, which ooze feeling, sometimes with emotional sensitivity, other times with charm or more upbeat energy. Expect originality, intrigue, lyrics to ponder over and more, the album promises all of that.


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Pearla - Forgive Yourself / Pumpkin.

Background - Brooklyn-based musician Pearla has released two new singles. The songstress enchanted a packed house at New York City's Mercury Lounge earlier this week and will play Rockwood Music Hall on November 4.

Today's offerings follows "Somewhere," an independent debut that organically stirred a slew of Hype Machine praise for Pearla's gentle power. Pearla is currently working with producer Tyler Postiglione (Rektagon, Strange Loops, Mizuna) and mixer and producer Phil Joly (The Strokes, Ryan Adams and Lana Del Rey) on a full-length album. News to come.

Pearla is the music project of Nicole Rodriguez; she cites her late grandfather, musician Jeff Pearl, as the source of her homage-paying moniker. Fresh but deliberate, she blends elements of tender folk, infectious indie pop and playful psychedelia to create a vivid soundscape for listeners. Her dynamic voice delivers dreamlike lyrics with a delicate whisper one moment and an unwavering belt the next. Equal parts personal experience and imagination, her inventive approach incorporates sonic artifacts from all edges of the world — Tibetan sheep bells, screaming baboons, lap steels, synths and more. The result is a whirling balance of whimsy and emotion, a new world all her own. WEBSITE. 

'Forgive Yourself' the first of the two singles is gentle, uncluttered and allows Pearla's vocals to shine and enchant as they melodically flow before the piece adds layers of sound and power. 'Pumpkin' is intimate, peaceful and slowly develops with a gorgeous musical backdrop, this really is a delightful pair of songs.


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Magic Bronson - Electrify.

Background -  Following up on the release of their dark but strangely sweet previous single "Evil Plans", LA Dynamite Duo Magic Bronson is back with a powerful new release by the name of "Electrify". The song  itself deals with the intensity and  conflicting emotions of fully falling in love while confronting the idea that this new relationship could just sink at any minute; all punctuated by the music in such a way this might as well be party anthem.

Michael Nicastro, from Thousand Oaks, has been Matt Lieberman’s musical other half since they ran into each other at a neighborhood dive bar in 2012. They knew each other by sight: Matt, raised in Agoura Hills, had been playing in a hip hop band, and Michael, a drummer by trade, was in another local group. “We were both looking for something new to do, and his dad is a musician and had a home studio, so we decided to get together and use his dad’s jam room,” Lieberman says.

Together, they turned out to be greater than the sum of their parts.  A classic pairing of opposites, they’re a match made in music heaven. Nicastro is the eternal optimist, and bubbling over with ideas; Lieberman is “grumpy and sensitive” and plays devil’s advocate. “I always tell Michael, ‘Just show up and look pretty’,” Lieberman laughs. Influenced by a gaggle of artists, from Kanye West and The Strokes to Bear Hands and breezy Brit popsters Years & Years, their policy from the start was to ignore genre boundaries.  (Even the band name is a mash-up: “Magic”, from Magic Johnson and “Bronson”, from Charles Bronson – not the actor, Lieberman hastens to explain, but the English criminal.) FACEBOOK.

Fabulous vocals that immediately register with energy and commitment ensure that 'Electrify' is off to a potent start. Rather than ease off the track just builds with passion, intensity and feeling.

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Velvet Starlings - Sold Down the River.

Background - The new single from indie rock singer/songwriter Velvet Starlings, is entitled "Sold Down The River". The track features 60s inspired Hammond B3 organ, jangly guitars and raw blues inspired vocals.

Velvet Starlings is Christian Gisborne a 15 year-old indie rock singer/songwriter, producer and multi-instrumentalist.  He is known for a powerful 60s era Eric Burdon influenced vocal style combined with a commanding stage presence.  Velvet Starling's unique performance style has invited media and industry insider comparisons to Jack White, Cage The Elephant, Alex Turner and Ty Segal.  Grisborne's early musical influences were The Beatles, The Who, The Doors, The Kinks and the Rolling Stones which is apparent in his music. 
Already making a name for himself at such a young age, Velvet Starlings has garnered attention from Los Angeles powerhouse KROQ as well as Sirius XM.  His fusion of gritty garage blues coupled with Brit inspired rock has led to high profile festival bookings including SXSW and Summerfest Milwaukee. 

Velvet Starlings’ long awaited self-titled EP on Sound x 3 Records is set for release Fall 2018 and is co written by producer Roger Gisborne and mastered by Brian Lucey Cage The Elephant, Artic Monkeys, Beck, Black Keys.  The six track EP kicks off with leading single and video, “If Life Ain’t Getting You High”.  The single features vintage guitar sounds, driving drums and hard hitting rock vocals.  With introspective lyricism detailing living in the moment, "If Life Ain't Getting You High" is an anthem for the youth of today.  Second single, "Sold Down The River” showcases soulful Hammond B3 organ, gritty guitars and raw blues inspired vocals. TWITTER.

With a spectacularly sixties Hammond B3 organ sound (think The Doors earlier material) 'Sold Down the River' hints that we are in for a retro ride. Well cancel that and think powerful anthem, bags of emotion and a chorus line that will drill deep into your head. Two words - mightily impressive!

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Polly Panic - Losing Form.

Background - Cello-shredding rock siren Polly Panic is back with her third studio album 'Losing Form', to be released on CD and digitally via Write Hook Records on November 20. This is Polly Panic's first album in six years, following 'Fragment' (2012) and 'Painkiller' (2006).

Polly Panic is Jenette Mackie, who wrote and recorded the 10 songs comprising this album in 2016-2017, sandwiching the process around time spent rehearsing and touring both coasts with her cello-driven band Rasputina, founded by Melora Creager and formerly including Zoë Keating and Julia Kent.

Arguably the best Polly Panic album yet, this also represents a turning point for this artist, having joined forces with Write Hook Records on the heels of touring as part of Rasputina. Inspired by PJ Harvey, Tom Waits, Tori Amos and Nirvana, this is cello-driven art rock with intense, powerful vocals and lyrics that take center stage.

Driven by a nucleus of cello, drums and vocals, these tunes are woven from tales of lustful obsession ('Side Piece'), co-dependent addiction ('Losing Form'), joy in realizing you don’t need who and what you thought you needed ('Hollows'), and a scorned lover’s lethal revenge (the anthemic rocker 'Annie', an ode to Annie Oakley and to women everywhere who live life and experience love on their own terms). 

Polly Panic's uniquely dark and theatrical chamber rock has a sound that’s much larger than one would expect from just one vocalist playing a cello along with a drummer.

“I knew the cello could be everything. Of all the instruments, the cello is closest to the human voice and its capacity for expressing emotion is unparalleled. It was the most fierce and yet the softest most sorrowful instrument I had ever heard," says Polly Panic. WEBSITE.

Raw, determined, committed and with varying levels of passion that at times seem to indicate we are heading for a full meltdown, 'Losing Form' is a roller-coaster of musical imagination that is hard not to be swept away by. The title track goes someway to explaining what I am on about, as the cello and vocals demand you stop everything and engage with Polly Panic.


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