The Wildmans - Mollie Elizabeth - Jazmine Mary - Mariel Buckley

Photograph by Magnolia Ellenburg

The Wildmans - Autumn 1941.

The Wildmans will release Longtime Friend on July 11, 2025 via New West Records. The 12-song set was produced by Nicholas Falk (Hiss Golden Messenger, Dori Freeman) and recorded by Chris Bittner at Applehead Recording in Woodstock, NY. Longtime Friend’s sound itself is at the sonic crossroads of Americana, Alt-Country, Bluegrass, and Folk with the brother-sister duo of Aila and Elisha Wildman being joined by Dori Freeman, Jeff Hill, Sam Leslie, Sam Fribush, Redd Volkaert, and Nicholas Falk as well.
 
Not far from the tiny town of Floyd, Virginia, surrounded by the Blue Ridge Mountains, is the childhood home The Wildmans. A veritable hotbed of bluegrass, old-time, and mountain music, Aila and Elisha Wildman have been immersed in the rich, vibrant music scenes surrounding them for as long as they can remember. As kids, Elisha picked up the guitar and mandolin, while Aila reached for the fiddle. They became enamored with their instruments, which parlayed itself into a presence at regional festivals and also winning numerous renowned competitions around Southern Appalachia. Both recent graduates of the prestigious Berklee School of Music in Boston, Massachusetts, The Wildmans’ Longtime Friend showcases both their musical virtuosity and the interlacing harmonies which are specifically unique to siblings. The sound itself takes the essence of their intricate musicality in the bluegrass and old-time realms and slides that into more contemporary tomes of Americana and indie-folk.

One of the albums highlight is “Autumn 1941.” The Wildmans said, “We first heard the song when co-writers Roger Brown, former Berklee College of Music President, and Mark Simos, Berklee songwriting professor, brought it to us. They thought we would connect to the story being from our region and this being a part of Appalachian history not often told. It immediately sparked interest. Different versions of this story of eugenics prove to be true across Appalachian regions and more largely other minorities throughout American early-mid 20th century history. Our good friend, Dori Freeman, who is singing the background vocals on this track, told us she had read a book about this same movement in Virginia and communities like Floyd, our hometown. We felt we could take this song and make it our own. Once we got into the studio with it, the song just flowed and out came a haunting authenticity we hadn’t yet discovered in our music.” 

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Photo - Sophia Schrank

Mollie Elizabeth - Until We Meet Again.

21-year-old Washington State-based artist Mollie Elizabeth reveals her third track “Until We Meet Again” via Neon Gold / Virgin Music. Mollie Elizabeth notes: “I think we all have people that we only truly get to visit in our dreams- whether it’s ones we’ve lost through life or love. I find it beautifully devastating to know that our minds will continue to hold them in our hearts and in our souls, even if only a silhouette.”

“Until We Meet Again” is produced by Dean Reid (Lana Del Rey, Marina) and co-written with Reid and GRAMMY-nominated Casey Smith (Olivia Rodrigo, Ashe, Benson Boone). The dusky amour of “Until We Meet Again” is Old Hollywood glamour through and through. Mollie perfumes her music with a rare kind of chic, one that comes with a winking self-assurance and a genuine sweetness.

In January, she first introduced herself with her first viral song, “Vegas Venetian”. Elizabeth adds: “To me, every melody is a tiny world that invites you in—an invitation to be both fierce and delicate, and to celebrate who you are, who you have been, and who you are becoming. My music isn’t just for listening—it’s for wandering, for imagining, and for finding a piece of yourself in a place you’d forgotten.”

Last month, she revealed her second track and a perfectly matching music video (dir. Maya Sassoon) for “Dinner For One”, produced by Dean Reid (Lana Del Rey, Marina) and co-written with Reid and GRAMMY-nominated Casey Smith (Olivia Rodrigo, Ashe, Benson Boone).

Mollie Elizabeth · Until We Meet Again

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Photo - Jim Tannock

Jazmine Mary - My Brilliance.

Flying Nun Records are very pleased to welcome noir folk artist Jazmine Mary to the whānau! Their album, 'I Want To Rock And Roll' is out digitally and on black vinyl LP on 13th June.

'I Want To Rock And Roll' is Jazmine Mary's third album, following on from the critically acclaimed, 'Dog' (2021) and the award-winning 'The Licking of a Tangerine' (2021). Recorded at Tāmaki Makaurau's Roundhead Studios by De Stevens, the upcoming self-produced album features musical contributions from some of Aotearoa's greats: Louisa Nicklin, Cass Basil (Tiny Ruins), Cello Forrester (Womb), Dave Khan (Marlon Williams) and Arahi.

Possessing one of the country's most esteemed and idiosyncratic folk voices, Jazmine Mary's new single 'My Brilliance' showcases their crystal clear vocal abilities that sit atop their signature rhythmic changes; a wonderfully bright, folk gem. Flying Nun Records couldn't be more stoked to have Jazmine aboard our train.

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Photo - Maggie Geis

Mariel Buckley - Vending Machines.

Unapologetically genuine, wry and soft-hearted, Mariel Buckley has planted her flag firmly as a songwriter who’s in it for the long haul. Never one for following the rules, she aims to find herself squarely on the fringes and exactly where she belongs: writing songs for the underdogs. Raised in the heart of Canada’s rodeo and country music scenes, she was destined to challenge the boundaries around her, both in life and in song. With a fearless spirit that’s consistently broken through both genre and personal barriers, Buckley’s unique blend of angst-driven alt-folk has made her a standout artist, offering a fresh and dynamic perspective on modern Americana music.

Her latest single, “Vending Machines”, marks the beginning of a new sonic and individual chapter. While familiar, darker instrumentation and themes are sprinkled throughout. She shares: “I was itching to try something a little heavier than my previous stuff. I wanted to move away from synths and keys in general, citing references from indie rock, pop music, and alt-country.” An avid admirer of his work, Mariel connected with Nashville based alt-Americana producer, Jarrad K (Ruston Kelly, Lucie Silvas, Fancy Hagood, Goo Goo Dolls) for the new single.

Despite having grittier undertones, the writing is intentionally vulnerable and specific, resulting in something inviting and universal. “Vending Machines” explores themes of self-doubt, uncertainty, and questioning one's path. It beautifully captures the feeling of restlessness and being in a constant, seemingly cyclical state of transition, unsure of where things are headed, and trying to find a way forward. Buckley confides, “I was genuinely questioning my career, personal life as a result of that career, my distant-feeling relationships with family and friends, and how I could restart after yet another big change. It should feel looping, liminal and never ending, like an endless travel day.”

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TEOSE - The Hill - Libertino Records Various Artists - Phonosonics

Photo - Aodhan Gallagher

TEOSE - Part II.

Glasgow alt-pop four-piece TEOSE have released their new single, ‘Part II’, which marks a bold new chapter for the band, showcasing a more polished and pop-forward sound while staying true to the raw emotional honesty that has become their signature. 

Formed in 2018, TEOSE, comprising Melissa (guitar/vocals), Sean (bass), Axel (keys) and Jordan (drums), blend four distinct musical backgrounds into a sound that’s earned comparisons to The Cure from the Scottish Alternative Music Awards.

Self-recorded at Chime Studios, ‘Part II’ is the title track from their forthcoming album, capturing the essence of their musical evolution. Compared to earlier DIY recordings laid down in their tiny Dalmarnock practice space, the new material features cleaner production and an infectious energy that hints at their pop sensibilities without losing the heartfelt grit that defines them.

At its core, ‘Part II’ explores the often-overlooked realities of social anxiety. Set against buoyant rhythms and dreamy textures, the lyrics paint a vivid picture of feeling out of place at a party, desperately seeking escape and the solace of home. From a jittery bass-driven intro to an unexpectedly playful and chaotic outro, the track mirrors the emotional rollercoaster of the night it describes.

"It’s one of my favourite songs we’ve ever written," says Melissa. "It takes you on a real journey—from feeling awkward and out of sync to finding that little bit of peace when you finally get into bed... then right back into the spiral of overthinking every awkward thing you said!"

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The Hill - See You There.

Gearing up for their new album release due this summer, The Hill have released the new single “See You There,” today May 16, 2025. The song and upcoming album are produced by Mike Slo Mo Brenner. Brenner was involved in several notable projects in 2024, including producing Susan Werner - Halfway to Houston (Best Album of 2024 by the Folk Alliance) and playing on Wild Pink’s, Dulling the Horns, (Paste Rock Album of the Year). He also played on several tracks with The Philly Specials, a project that also involved Stevie Nicks and Jon Bon Jovi.

“Mike was juggling some interesting projects, but once we finished the “Let This Storm Pass,” a previously released single (also on the upcoming LP), we got into a flow with the rest of the tracks,” said Jon Kowit, singer-songwriter and founder of The Hill. John Anthony (Solas, The Brothers McMullen, Backstreet Boys) was brought in to engineer the new single and the upcoming LP.

The Hill was featured as WXPN spotlight artist of the week and received terrestrial radio play in the U.S., Canada, Australia and South Africa. Their debut album Get In Line continues to build an audience organically, as it has been saved over 11,000 times on Spotify and routinely gets Shazam’d around the world.

About The Hill: The Hill is an Americana project founded upon the songs of Jon Kowit, a music junkie/former record store employee. The debut album Get In Line released in 2024 was recorded after he reconnected with indie music steel guitar/ multi-instrumentalist Mike Slo Mo Brenner (Jason Molina, Wild Pink, Marah, Susan Werner). The forthcoming album Noble Station is expected in July 2025.

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Libertino Records - SWIGOD! (Vol 1. Various Artists).

As a label, we’ve never been ones to look back. We’ve always been chasing the dreams of our artists, celebrating the now, and carving out space for the futures they’re building. After Covid, we thought briefly about releasing a compilation—but there was so much new music, so much to say in the moment, that the idea was quietly set aside. Until now. WHY NOW? Maybe because it finally felt right to stop for a moment, breathe, and take in what’s been built.

Nearly a decade of storytelling through song, of standing by our artists through every high and low, of staying true to something bigger than ourselves. This is a moment of change—an end of a chapter, and the beginning of something new. SWIGOD isn’t just a compilation. It’s a celebration of everything Libertino has stood for since day one: being fearlessly independent, pushing Welsh music beyond borders, and believing—always—that music is magic, and that the world needs to hear it. This album is a love letter to everyone who’s believed in this journey with us. It’s not a retrospective—it’s a statement of intent. This is only the beginning.

Libertino was born out of a moment of pure inspiration on a dance floor in Carmarthen’s iconic venue, The Parrot. It was a flash of clarity at one of ARGRPH’s and Adwaith’s first live shows that ignited a passion to create a label that would amplify a new wave of Welsh artists, breaking free from outdated expectations. It was a moment that made it clear that there was no other choice but to build something that would champion these voices and give them the platform they deserved.

From the outset, Libertino was founded as a fearlessly independent, bilingual, alternative and progressive label-one that wasn’t just about releasing music but about reshaping the industry itself. We wanted to be a catalyst for change, making the Welsh music scene more open, ethical and supportive-not just for young artists but also for the larger creative community around us. We are deeply artist-centred, creating an environment that feels like a family, where musicians can grow, experiment and explore their creativity in a dynamic and inspiring space. The glass ceiling that has held back so many Welsh artists, especially those singing in Welsh, needed to be shattered. Our mission has always been to take Welsh music beyond its borders, reaching larger UK and international audiences while staying true to the artists’ identities.

Libertino · SWIGOD!: Libertino Cyfrol / Vol 1.

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Phonosonics - Everything I Do.

Sung by long-time Phonosonics guitarist Aidan Snider, this sunny breakup tune is the story about an ex you just can't get out of your head (much like the chorus!). This is the first single from the band's forthcoming album, which is almost entirely recorded live, giving listeners worldwide a sense of the band's sensational live sound.

This one gets back to the band’s Rocksteady and Early Reggae roots, and their reverence for vintage Jamaican riddims and recording techniques. The Phonosonics hope this one reminds you of a love from days gone by.

Composed by Aidan Snider and The Phonosonics.
Aidan Snider - Guitar and Lead Vocal.
Spencer Cleave - Backup Vocals, Saxophone, Piano.
Ned Saric - Drums.
Luis Meneses - Bass.
Matt Shamas - Organ.
David Bamford - Trumpet.

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Amanda DeBoer Bartlett - HalfLife - Brian Dunne

Photo by Aleksandr Karjaka

Amanda DeBoer Bartlett - Quick Trips.

Amanda DeBoer Bartlett’s final single “Quick Trips” is out this week. It's the second single we have featured from her forthcoming album and once again we are superbly impressed by the whole thing. Beautiful heartfelt vocals, along with a superbly crafted and melodic musical backdrop, this sets up the new album to be something very special. Written while touring with babies in tow, it’s a tender, road-worn reflection on gas station coffee, fleeting cities, and the disorienting beauty of life in motion.

It’s the last preview before her full-length album Braided Together arrives June 6, a sweeping blend of country, folk, classical, and experimental music, recorded at Electrical Audio with standout Chicago players. Amanda’s work has been featured in The New York Times, Chicago Tribune, Bandcamp Daily, I Care If You Listen, and more.

Braided Together is Amanda DeBoer Bartlett’s second collection of original songs. Blending her roots in country, folk, classical, and experimental music, the album delves into Bartlett’s childhood in Nebraska, her life as a young musician on the road, and the transformations of early motherhood. The songs pay tribute to gas stations and cheap motels, embrace the chaotic sweetness of raising babies, and contemplate reckless escapes into the clouds. With powerful and expressive vocals, Bartlett brings these themes to life through intricately crafted songs, recorded with Taylor Hales at the legendary Electrical Audio and performed by some of Chicago’s most admired players in the folk, jazz, and indie rock scenes.

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HalfLife - Nothing New.

Nothing New is about moving on from people and places, and being able to embrace that while also acknowledging how much you miss them. We wrote this song towards the end of our last year of high school, as we were all preparing to say goodbye to friends and colleagues that we’d known for years.

Artist Bio: We’re a pop rock band, composed of two girls and two guys, who met in high school in Geneva, Switzerland. Now at university, we meet up in the summer to record new music. We released our first song “Never Going Back” in January 2024, a few months before we graduated. In August of that same year we recorded our debut EP “Epilogues”, which was released a couple of weeks back.

For our EP, we drew on a plethora of influences, from Oasis to Bloc Party, from No Doubt to Olivia Rodrigo, as we tried to craft an identity for ourselves. Our EP was written entirely by the band members (plus our bassist’s sister on one track), as well as produced, mixed and mastered by us.

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Brian Dunne - Play The Hits.

Indie singer-songwriter Brian Dunne shares the bittersweet new single "Play The Hits," his first solo release since 2023's Loser On The Ropes, out today on Missing Piece Records. A punchy song about aging and self-destruction built around fatalist drama, "Play The Hits" becomes more of a pep talk as Dunne approaches the main character with so much empathy and humor that you can't help but root for them.

Along with the release, Dunne shares a live acoustic performance of the song, which was recorded at the Red Hook, Brooklyn restaurant Pitt’s.  

“'Play The Hits' is a song about the constant struggle to swim upstream, and the inevitable surrender of your once sanctimonious and youthful idealism," says Dunne. "It’s a bittersweet, humbling day when you have to lay down your sword; when you find yourself in dire straits (the situation, not the band), and there’s only one way out. So play 'em the hits. The odds were against you from the start.”


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Home Counties - Leslie Jordan

Photo - Luca Bailey

Home Counties - Spain.

With the release of 'Spain', Home Counties return today not with a continuation, but a clear-eyed creative pivot. Produced by Al Doyle (of Hot Chip and LCD Soundsystem), the London six-piece's new single takes aim at the creeping fear of becoming everything you once stood against, a disillusioned version of yourself hiding under the Spanish sun. 'Spain' premiered on Steve Lamacq's BBC 6 Music show last night. The band also today announce a full UK headline tour for November and December, culminating in their biggest headline show to date at Scala, London.

The first music to be heard since the band's acclaimed 2024 debut album 'Exactly As It Seems', new single 'Spain' was written about confronting your own moral decay through the metaphor of a British expat. Built around glowering synths and a darker, more expansive palette, the song captures a volatile internal dialogue between two versions of the same person – one idealistic, the other world-weary. It's a portrait of internal erosion, delivered with a deadpan intensity and a tightly coiled rhythmic pulse that leaves little room for resolution.

Reflecting on the compromises and contradictions of adult life with dry wit and dancefloor-ready conviction, it marks a confident leap forward in sound, tone and ambition for Home Counties. While their debut 'Exactly As It Seems' traded in bright edges and eccentricity, 'Spain' dives into something leaner, colder and more thematically complex.

"‘Spain’ is essentially an argument with yourself,” explains frontman Will Harrison. “It's about growing older and fearing the person you might become, or are already becoming. Taking the form of a conversation between a starry-eyed idealist and life-weathered realist, it imagines watching an argument between a younger and older version of yourself. It’s about figuring out if you can grow up without losing sight of your values or if it’s just a worthless endeavour."

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Leslie Jordan - The Agonist (Album).

Nearly a decade ago, when sent photocopies of her late, wayfaring grandfather’s poetry and short stories, singer-songwriter Leslie Jordan knew that the treasure trove would eventually make its way into her musical story. He wrote short stanzas of evocative poetry, short stories of provocative men and women, and long journal entries about his love affair with alcohol and his brother's wife, Sylvia. With pages of typewritten entries, Jordan pieced together the story and set it to song with her beautifully melancholy Americana and roots sensibilities. This month she released the stunning collection, dubbed The Agonist.

The story of how this record came to be, a granddaughter sifting through a found box of her estranged beat poet grandfather’s musings and turning it into this beautiful project,  is worth the price of admission alone, but Leslie Jordan, per usual, pours out her entire heart, soul, and tear-inducing voice with effortless emotional intensity and mystery...You’d do yourself well to listen to the whole experience top to bottom and enjoy what’s been one of my favorite voices in Americana music... If you’re not part of the club already, take this record for a spin and see what all the fuss is about. - Sean McConnell.



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BCMR - Beehive Candy Music Radio - Update.

Two things - Firstly we have been thrilled with the number of unique listeners whilst we are just setting this up - thank you!

Secondly, we have had to roll back our initial launch date for a variety of reasons, however we hope to considerably expand the playlist in the coming weeks and fix a number of technical issues (sound levels etc). More information will come, but again thanks to everyone who has listened and shown an interest.
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Cassady Southern - Caitlin Cannon - The Family Battenberg

Cassady Southern - One More Chance,

Released at the end of last week 'One More Chance' is one feisty piece of raw rock'n'roll. Cassady's vocals have a little bit of 'don't mess with me' determination to them whilst the guitar driven song has a catchy and timeless feel to it - Beehive Candy.

Fans of rock guitar and vintage swagger, rejoice. Cassady Southern’s new single, ‘One more chance’, delivers a raw, riff-heavy throwback that echoes the sound of one of her biggest musical influences, the Rolling Stones.

Channelling the attitude and allure of Stones classics, like ‘Honky Tonk Women’ and ‘Miss you’, ‘One more chance’ explodes with country rock solos, gritty emotional vocals, rock’n’roll piano and a rhythm section that struts with unrelenting cool. It’s an ode to a golden era of music just as it is about making up and being given the proverbial ‘last chance’.

“We didn’t set out to emulate the Stones with this track but after being infused with this music throughout my childhood it has obviously seeped into my songwriting and performing”, Cassady said. “Luckily I have been able to play and record with great musicians who share a love for this same style of blues, rock, and honky tonk and who helped me bring the track to life”, she said.

CassadySouthern · Cassady Southern - One more chance

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Caitlin Cannon - Love Addict (Album).

Nashville’s Caitlin Cannon has released her new LP, Love Addict. The album, a bold, genre-defying body of work produced by Misa Arriaga (Kacey Musgraves, Willie Nelson), blends dreamy Americana with classic country; think “cosmicana”—a sonic landscape as deep and evocative as Cannon’s storytelling. Its 10 tracks swirl with intergalactic pedal steel, gritty grooves, and raw, unguarded lyrics. Recorded live, the album captures the spontaneity of guitars bleeding into keys, drums, strings, and more, creating a sound that feels both timeless and fresh. While arguably more 'vibey' than some of her earlier work, Love Addict still delivers her signature sneak attacks with a wink.
 
Cannon’s songwriting expertly balances humor and vulnerability, satire and sincerity. Songs like album track “Let It Hurt Some” provide introspective moments and channel the authentic country sound of 60s and 70s Nashville.
 
Album track “You’re Losing Me” captures the quiet panic of losing a lover to apathy. “Not to genderalize, but have you ever known a man who’s stunned when a relationship ends, while the woman’s been emotionally checked out for months?” she asks. “I wanted to put it in simple terms for the guy exiting my life at the time, and give advance notice for anyone who might enter.” “Jesus Is My Lover” is Cannon’s sarcastic and seductively absurd journey into the depths of desire that begs us to take a ride into a world where the only real danger is taking oneself too seriously.

Lead single “Love Addict,” an immersive, slow-burn confession full of intoxication and reckless abandon, is equal parts romantic escapism and raw self-awareness. The video, filmed and directed by Jesse Weeden, features cameos from Pam Tillis, Logan Ledger, Oliver Bates Craven (Sierra Ferrell), along with Cannon’s studio band—Jon Murray (Miranda Lambert), Eddy Dunlap (The Grand Ole Opry Band, The Time Jumpers), and the album’s producer, Misa Arriaga.


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The Family Battenberg - Anteater.
 
Welsh Garage Rockers 'The Family Battenberg' recently released their new single ‘Anteater,’ out now via streaming platforms. This track is an independent release by the South Walian four-piece. Written in just a day, it was recorded at Tom Rees’ (Buzzard Buzzard Buzzard) studio while he was on holiday. To master the recording the group sought out long-time collaborator Eddie Al-Shakarchi (Boy Azooga, Loathe, Swim Deep.)

Aligning with the soundscape that’s signature to them, ‘Anteater!’ is The Family Battenberg finessed. Drenched in fuzzy saturation, spacey vocals ricochet between a blistering guitar, all while a double-tracked mono drum plays like a call to action.

This is an anti-love song. When unhealthy adoration becomes a quest for romance, or approval in this case, we find ourselves doing strange things. In this story, the protagonist justifies total metamorphosis in the name of subservience. “It’s self-humiliation in the pursuit of a potential suitor’s attention,” as frontman Eliot puts it.

Anyone that has seen this band live before is sure to recognise it from past set-lists. The group have played it as an unreleased track amongst their own shows and a host of major festivals, namely, Green Man 2023, Trans Musicales 2024, Reeperbahn 2024 and ESNS 2025. As budding up-comers, the group have also supported the likes of Getdown Services, Panic Shack, Gruff Rhys and the Bug Club.

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