Whitehorse - Basement Revolver - The William Shakes

Whitehorse - Nighthawks.

Background - Retro psychedelic pop bubbles up on “Nighthawks,” a new song out now from Panther In The Dollhouse that questions the constructs of perpetrator and victim on the streets. “Nighthawks” is a companion piece to the slow-burner “Evangelina,” (from the album Leave No Bridge Unburned), in which the namesake character is a sex worker superhero, in celebration of those who challenged Canada’s prostitution laws at the Supreme Court of Canada in 2013.

As genre chameleons, Whitehorse's brazen sonic breadth encompasses a driving Americana image with psychedelic surf, arid border rock, lo-fi ingenuity and icy 80's sparseness. Panther In The Dollhouse brings another twist to Whitehorse’s studio approach with the addition of NYC hip-hop production duo Like Minds (Kanye West, Snoop Dogg), as well as the return of Gus Van Go and Werner F as producers/engineers.

“Nighthawks” (recently performed live in a 5-star Minneapolis diner of the same name) is one example of Panther In The Dollhouse’s deep dive into body politics. Throughout the album, Whitehorse explore issues of consent, self-determination and, ultimately, freedom, largely from the perspective of women. Alongside “Boys Like You,” the grindhouse ballad of “Die Alone” and the peroxide burn of “Trophy Wife,” Panther In The Dollhouse paints a conflicted picture of domesticity and adulthood. Seedy, slinky and suggestive, the characters that populate Panther In The Dollhouse do what they can, what they must and – often – what they really shouldn’t (but can’t resist).   

In their six years, Whitehorse has been known as a folk duo, a neo-noir Americana outfit, and as live looping mad scientists. Now, Whitehorse lets loose with a brand new full band, on glorious display in Part 1 of their CBC's First Play Live session. See "Nighthawks," "Evangelina" (never before performed live) and other songs here. 

Whitehorse have also just been announced to perform as part of the upcoming Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame induction of Neil Young, Bruce Cockburn and others. Further details of Whitehorse’s role in this ceremony will be released soon. Panther In The Dollhouse will be released to the UK August 4th, 2017. Website here, Facebook here.

There's an addictive feel right from the start on 'Nighthawks' a rhythmic, melodic and psychedelic pop song. The shades and shadows on the video add additional atmosphere to this brooding piece.


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Basement Revolver - Johnny Pt. 2.

Background from Basement Revolver - 'Johnny Pt. 2' follows last year's EP and debut single 'Johnny'. This new track continues the story. Johnny Pt. 2 was written almost directly after I broke up with “Johnny” - it was the heartbreak caused by an end, the wish that I could have been better, and the desire to continue a friendship.

When a friendship wasn't possible, I wanted them to know that heartbreak or not, I would be there if needed - I would put aside all the things that broke our relationship and the things that gave me identity for a chance at friendship. In hindsight, I have since learned a lot about myself, and that I don't need to disappear in order to have people that I care about in life.

The song comes from our forthcoming second EP 'Agatha' out this July 21st on Yellow K Records in the US and fear of missing out in Europe. Facebook here.

Having been bowled over by last years debut single 'Johnny', the arrival of 'Johnny Pt. 2' has expectations set high. The story may continue however this is no copycat piece. The song is alt rock with the vocals carrying the melody and the music adding depth. The band have a distinct sound, they can also pen and perform to a consistently high standard.

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The William Shakes - Leaden Messengers.

Background - The William Shakes Share New Video For "Leaden Messengers" Off Their Debut EP How Goes The Night? The William Shakes is as much a concept project as it is a band. Written, produced, and fronted by Mark McGettrick, The William Shakes decontextualizes Shakespearean prose to the tune of alternative indie pop. The debut release How Goes The Night? EP explores five Shakespearean characters: Banquo (MacBeth), Helena (All’s Well That Ends Well), Horatio (Hamlet), Cordelia (King Lear), and Cassius (Julius Caesar). 

Inspired by David Bowie’s use of the “cut-up” technique for writing lyrics, McGettrick thought it would be fun to test the method on Shakespeare’s words and characters. His “cut-up” process was as follows: Select the character, Isolate their lines, Randomize their lines, Curate into new lyrics, and Compose an original melody. The songs were originally conceived as an acoustic project for the February 2016 RPM Challenge, but he quickly realized they needed the weighty production of a full band.

The William Shakes have now released a new music video for "Leaden Messengers," the second single off their How Goes The Night? EP. The track kicks off with a Hives-inspired drum beat, but interestingly retains the cadence of Shakespeare's prose throughout. "Leaden Messengers" is based on the words of Helena, the protagonist of Shakespeare's All's Well That Ends Well. Lyrically, it explores the feeling of wanting to profess your love for someone, but not being able to find the right words; words are the metaphorical leaden messengers.

Completely self-composed and produced, Mark proudly performs guitar, bass VI, bass, percussion, and vocals throughout the How Goes The Night? EP. It also features musical collaborations with New York, Boston, and Los Angeles artists Carrie Ingber, Rob Sistare, Matt Diekmann, and Jason Dunn. Website here, Facebook here.

'Leaden Messengers' is the second song we have featured by The William Shakes. Vocals are a focal point, however the band ensure the music is crisp and energised and round the song off with some fine harmonies.


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Grieving - Smith & Thell - LuckyandLove - Paloma - Hayride Casualties

Grieving - Brian Emo.

Background - Grieving are a new band from Cambridge whose music is not as immediately morbid as their name might suggest. With a nod towards classic Dischord and anthemic late 90’s and early 00’s indie-rock and punk, their debut EP, released last year saw support from the likes of Stereogum, Alt Press, The FADER, DIY and Upset. 4 of those 5 songs went on to see plays at either BBC Radio 1 or 6 through Huw Stephens, Dan P Carter and Tom Ravenscroft.

After short tours with The New Tusk and Tellison and dates with the likes of Sorority Noise and Muncie Girls, the band have spent the first part of this year writing and recently recorded with Bob Cooper (Citizen, Nai Harvest, Self Defense Family) at his Crooked Rain Studios in Leeds. Ahead of a debut album planned for later this year, the band today release the first of these new tracks - Brian Emo - and will follow up with more new material in June / July. Facebook here, Bandcamp here.

We featured Grieving three times in 2016 and with the new song 'Brian Emo' the band continue to impress. Their brand of indie meets punk is oh so, "in your face" and yet just so appealing. Heart and passion in bucket loads!

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Smith & Thell - Toast.

Background - Swedish duo Smith & Thell release bluegrass-inspired new single  "Toast" , alongside debut album "Soulprints".

"Toast" is an organic tribute to celebrating all aspects of life, is driven by an arsenal of hand-clapping and choir style vocals. the single is quite personal, an ongoing theme with Smith & Thell - the first verse is Maria singing to her mother about how she must be able to experience joy despite the grief she had to live with throughout her life. The second verse is about Victor's father leaving the family when Victor was only a few years old.

"We’ve spent the past two and a half years working on “Soulprints”. It's not just a collection of twelve songs, it is bits and pieces of ourselves and all the ups and downs we have experienced in life. We dug deep into our past trying to find closure and healing, and realized along the way that in order to heal, we had to accept and embrace our emotions, instead of hiding them. “Soulprints” is a celebration of all the emotions that make us human. This album is a true window into our soul and we are so excited to finally share it with you" - Smith & Thell. 

The pair have emerged as two of the most successful new songwriters and producers out of Sweden during the last year or two. With over 20 gold and platinum records to their name for other artists, and over 200 million streams to date, they have been slated as Sweden's "Of Monsters and Men" equivalent, after releasing upbeat, folky pop singles "Statue" and "Row" last year.Website here, Facebook here.

'Toast' is one of twelve songs on the brand new 'Soulprints' album. This really is a fabulous collection of material that might loosely be described as indie pop. In reality I think it is fair to say the album is considerably more than just that. Comprised of melodic and catchy tracks, where both the vocals and musical arrangements are pristine. A sense of natural passion and commitment is there throughout, to say this pair know how to write a fine song, really is, an understatement.

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LuckyandLove - Digging in the Earth.

Background - Los Angeles-based duo LuckyandLove have announced they will release their debut album ‘Lucky + Love’ on June 30. The lead single is ‘Digging in the Earth’, the video for which was directed and edited by cinemaphotographer and animator Steve Barron. 

These 8 electrified tracks were written when bandmates Loren Luck (drums, synths) and April Love (vocals, keyboards, guitar) were living next to a noisy construction site in Glendale, California. Here they successfully incorporate synth-heavy bass with polyphonic harmonies and crystalline vocals, propelling the music into trance-inducing territory.

Inspired by artists such as New Order, OMD, Depeche Mode, Washed Out, Tycho, PJ Harvey and Cocteau Twins, their sound falls beautifully into an everyman’s land between electro rock, dream pop, electronica and synth gaze. Justifiably also described as electrowave or indietronica, this music has, in the words of Loren Luck, “lots of LFO, riveting arpeggiations, simultaneous solos via spacey square waves, with April's smoky vocals”. 

This record is an electronic music record, but comes from a more traditional place, where OMD or Kraftwork came from – one of an unsampled, unprogrammed live recording originally at 192kHz/24-bit quality.

“Musically, as much attention was paid sonically to the organic moog instruments as April’s voice, and we offered the analog synths space in the songs to breathe to their true dynamic potential,” says Loren Luck. Website here, Facebook here.

Taken from the debut album ‘Digging in the Earth’ typifies the rich synthy sounds that exude across the collection. Atmospheric vocals and rhythmic vibes add more, despite the influences cited above, the duo carve out some desirable and distinctive songs with enough originality to claim for themselves.


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Paloma - Fish.

Background - Paloma have shared new track "Fish". The band explains that the song is "a simple piece of art dedicated to an old yet valuable friendship, stay tuned for the LA-psych band's forthcoming new EP, Luna, out soon. 

Paloma was born of the struggle to navigate the harrowing societal construct typical of suburban Los Angeles. It is the answer for learning to balance the need to make ends meet while expressing the irrepressible creativity brooding inside. The band officially began in a small bedroom studio with several ideas being deconstructed over and over again as every artist can relate to. It wasn’t until Nick and Victor invited the masterful keyboardist and local legend Steven Doman to the studio that the band finally grasped the scope of their newly created sound. In a place where one’s inherent value is often picked apart according to attributes of wealth and beauty, Paloma is truly an escapist’s musical paradise.

Luna is a (Tim Burton meets the Future of the Malibu) five track EP. The second release from Paloma is a Gothic blend consisting of psychedelic dance grooves with swampy, sad and warm melodies. It’s perfectly confused. The record was deeply influenced by various sounds born in Southern California as well as ‘Around the World’. Paloma draws inspiration from artists such as: Beach House, Daft Punk, The Weeknd, Tame Impala, Pond, Gum, Dumbo Gets Mad, Fleetwood Mac, Michael Jackson, The Beatles & Earth Wind and Fire.

"We wanted the record to fully express the feeling of living in California," the band says of the EP, "From the mountains of Malibu driving on Mulholland to the Tents surrounding 6 the street in Downtown LA. Hell, even all the people living in their vans on Lankershim Blvd in North Hollywood. We have love for them all. We (Paloma) produced ‘Luna’ alongside Bob Curtin who engineered, mixed and mastered the record in Simi Valley, CA." Paloma is Victor Martinez, Steven Doman, and Nick Mariotti. Facebook here.

Psychedelic in a more refined manner 'Fish' is an addictive song, where the vocals and rhythm are hard to ignore and an underlying funk feel makes the track even more enticing.

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Hayride Casualties - The Catskills Ain't for Sale.

Background - A fresh wave of passion, energy and change is coming - and NYC's Hayride Casualties is at the forefront. Driven and defined by the political and ecological crises of our age, they're taking a stand against climate change, greedy corporations, and political discord. Their single "The Catskills Ain't for Sale" takes on the first battle. The song is a punchy, playful dedication to mountain communities in upstate New York and elsewhere, fighting to protect their home turf from fossil energy extraction and pipeline development.

Despite the tune’s hippie rock spirit, its battle cry is far from drug-induced or aimless. Instead, it delivers a cutting rebuke of the Big Oil and Gas industries’ attempts to coerce disadvantaged rural communities. As the first verse states:

You can offer job creation
You can promise reparations
Your shareholders have been patient
But the Catskills Ain’t for Sale

Momentum builds after the first chorus as a vintage organ and fuzzy lead guitar join in this thoughtfully arranged march for clean water and air. DeWald penned "The Catskills Ain’t for Sale" while volunteering with New York’s anti-fracking groups, part of a larger national movement which gained widespread attention with the help of Josh Fox’s 2010 documentary, Gasland. Although some time has passed since then, the lyrical matter finds itself, in many ways, more relevant than ever. DeWald explains how he's been personally impacted, “I have spent a lot of time in the Catskills, in the Shandoken Valley, and I have close friends up there. When I thought about my friends being bullied by these big corporations, I got really angry. I think the song reflects that.” 

Given the single’s politically charged and controversial subject matter, the vibe is refreshingly lightweight, delivered with a tongue-in-cheek bravado that demonstrates DeWald’s breadth of vocal performance styles. With fierce guitar licks, a driving rock rhythm and focused message, "The Catskills Ain’t For Sale" is a three and half minute fireball for the indie rock listener in search of music that reflects the ecological and political crises of our time.

"The Catskills Ain't for Sale" comes as the first single off Hayride Casualties upcoming release, Fossil Fuel Kid, out June 9, 2017.  It was recorded, mixed and mastered at Behind the Curtains Media studio (link) by Michael Abiuso (formerly The Venetia Fair). A number of guest musicians contributed to the record, including drummer Tim McCoy (Darwin Deez, Field Mouse, formerly Savior Adore) and bassist Chris Bordeaux (formerly The Isles and Rahim). Facebook here.

Spirited vocals and a potent beat drive 'The Catskills Ain't for Sale' forward. With intelligent lyrics and a message that is emphatically delivered, it's very pleasing to note that, the rock'n'roll vibe is also up for the task!

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Fruit & Flowers - Clustersun - Vanilla Gorilla - B. Squid

Fruit & Flowers – Out Of Touch.

Background - Brooklyn-based "surf noir" garage psych band Fruit & Flowers announce their debut EP, Drug Tax, due out June 30th via Little Dickman Records. Fruit & Flowers are one of the most active bands in the NYC area, and have been deemed one of "NYC's Hardest Working Bands" by Oh My Rockness. The band embarks on its third tour of 2017 in July to Canada and the Midwest in support of Drug Tax. Fruit & Flowers' exuberant, electric performances draw a local following. Ana Becker's angular, expressive guitar style and Lyzi Wakefield's gritty rhythmic backbone merge a post-punk heaviness with psychedelic warmth. Committed and charismatic front woman Caroline Yoder summons a fervent energy, surrounded by distinct, warm and refreshing three part harmonies, the bedrock of Fruit and Flowers' sound.

Conceived in a Bushwick loft with broken AC during the summer of 2015 by Caroline on bass and Shaw Walters on drums, the band was soon joined by Lyzi Wakefield and Ana Becker on guitars and vocals. The band agreed to play its first show at Northside festival just weeks after formation and wrote the record in a furious fit of hot nights and inspired mornings. The band became fully realized when Shaw handed the role of drummer to Jose Berrio (drummer-cum-art director), whose inimitable style elevates the strong rhythmic character of the band.

Drug Tax was born out of necessity, capturing the grit and rush of New York City summer and the newfound chemistry between the bandmates. Weaving together the perspectives and expressions of the band's multiple songwriters, Drug Tax unfolds to present the unique and varied voice of Fruit & Flowers. Lead single "Out Of Touch" is about the ennui of a missed love opportunity, with soaring, sultry vocals, beachy surf rock riffs and fuzzy bass. Album tracks range from the sultry moody and beautiful "Dark Surf" to the post-gothic title track "Drug Tax." 

Drug Tax was recorded at Thump Studios in Greenpoint, Brooklyn. The EP was engineered and co-produced by John Thayer, and mixed and mastered by George Harris. Jose Berrio designed the band's logo and album art. Website here, Facebook here.

'Out Of Touch' is described spot on in the above promo, with it's sultry vocals, beachy surf rock riffs and fuzzy bass. All I would add is that the song is pretty persuasive in demanding a second play.


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Clustersun - Raw Nerve.

Background - Clustersun has just released the psychedelic shoegaze offerings of their sophomore album ‘Surfacing To Breathe’, via Seahorse Recording. Three years after their debut album ‘Out Of Your Ego’, this 4-piece outfit from Catania (Siciliy) have raised the sonic bar, delivering a more complex and layered mixture of gazey reverberations, a massive walls of sound, psychedelic soundscapes and dreamy melodies.

Formed in 2013, Clustersun is Marco Chisari (vocals & bass), Mario Lo Faro (guitars), Piergiorgio Campione (synthesizers, keyboards & backing vocals), and Andrea Conti (drums).

Featuring eight tracks, ‘Surfacing to Breathe’ was produced by Clustersun and Alessio Pindinelli (La Casa Al Mare). Combining shoegaze, psychedelia, post-punk and dreampop, the band’s signature cosmic/spacey dark vibe is still intact with lyrics invoking a dreamlike sense of melancholy and emotional fragility.

“The sophomore album is a very tough step for every band, especially if it comes after a strong debut, as our ‘Out of Your Ego’ was,” says Marco Chisari. “We are so much happy and proud of how ‘Surfacing to Breathe’ came out, mainly because we’ve managed to capture how the band sounds live.” Facebook here, Bandcamp here.

'Raw Nerve' is but a glimpse of the power contained within the multi layered psychedelic shoegaze album that is 'Surfacing To Breathe'. Despite the initial impression of an all out aural assault, the detail and craftsmanship becomes quite apparent as does the dreamier elements contained within.


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Vanilla Gorilla - Rainbow Girl.

Background - Vanilla Gorilla announce the release of their new single ‘Rainbow Girl’, out Friday 19th May 2017.  Vanilla Gorilla consists of 5 young dudes from the Mid North Coast of NSW, they all share a passion for the earth, creating art and music that they share ever so well with audiences all over.

Drawing from influences of their surroundings they create their own salt water infused rock and roll, with every individual adding their own touch to create Vanilla Gorilla.

Vanilla Gorilla started off playing in garages and school grounds in 2012, since then they have toured up and down the East Coast, with their own headline tours and festival slots. With E.P ‘Colour Flow’ under their belt and newest single ‘Rainbow Girl’ due for release this week, the future is looking swell as can be for the boys.

Speaking on the recording process of ‘Rainbow Girl’ the band commented; “We began by playing the song live, where bass, drums and rhythm guitar were recorded. Then Dylan mixed it and added lead guitar and vocals over the top and added effects when needed.” They added “It probably took 2 months all up to complete because we don't see each other very often - some of us have moved away for University” Instagram here. 

The creativity is apparent right from the opening notes on 'Rainbow Girl'. The music and vocals drift around each other as the atmosphere and power unfolds. Forget the radio edit version, this deserves the full six minutes on any discerning station.

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B. Squid - Radio Silence.

Background - LA based vocalist and lyricist B. Squid announces the release of her music "Radio Silence", the # 1 track from her November 2016 album Cloud 9. "Radio Silence" takes you into B. Squid's world, and most of the video takes place in the recording studio. B. Squid fuses together elements of lyrical flow, jazz, and indie to create her own new, creative and forward-thinking new independent genre. The music showcases B. Squid's larger than life persona. She definitely seems to sparkle and shine.  The music video for "Radio Silence" was featured on an independent pilot about a bulimic girl called "Binge the Series. It is the opening track for the pilot and has received more than 400,000 plays.  

Ohio born, Squid was raised in Ypsilanti, MI, Cleveland, OH and Miami, FL.  Upon graduation from film school at the University of Miami, she pursued film production work in New England and NYC before relocating to her current home in Los Angeles where she resides and works for acclaimed production companies and film/TV directors.

After debuting her first recording alongside a no-budget, self-made video on YouTube, Squid was invited to screen the video at an event but refused, positing that a 30-minute hip hop set would have a far greater impact.  Two months and five new songs later, B. Squid performed her first-ever live show to a full house at O'Brien's Irish Pub in Santa Monica.  Squid was immediately invited to return the following month marking the start of her first residency.   

Six months later, camera in hand, Squid introduced herself to a legendary and actively prolific lyricist named Abstract Rude.  She entered his famed SBRC (sixteen bar rap competition), proved her chops and their partnership was born.  Within two months, a bevy of nationwide Keep The Feel tours began featuring Squid as an opening act and her sound has been evolving on stages before live audiences ever since.  True to her film side, Alyson "B. Squid" Bruno has now directed over twenty music videos and photographed more than six tours and dozens of stages for Abstract Rude as well as many other KTF and Rhymesayers artists. 

In 2015, Squid paired up with local New Orleans composer Ratty Scurvics to record her debut LP Cloud 9 which dropped in November, 2016 on Keep The Feel Ent. Website here, Facebook here.

Funky and feisty 'Radio Silence' mixes melodic rap vocals with a genre straddling arrangement, that is both vibrant and catchy.


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Humble Fire - Wall of Ears - Matt Maltese - Major Love Event - Annie Angel

Humble Fire - Taliesin.

Background - Humble Fire’s second album Builder (out July 14) explores physical and emotional experiences around loss and reconstruction, from family deaths and failed romances to the shocks and stresses they have navigated as a band. Through those experiences, they’ve come to appreciate that reconstruction isn’t something you can tackle on your own: it requires an entire crew. Builder, then, is as much about that process of putting yourself back together, as it is about the relationships that can help or hinder that process. Since Humble Fire’s members have known each other over the past five or so years, they’ve all shown up for each other in different ways as part of that reconstruction crew. They’re lucky to have found family in each other in that way.

Somewhat accidentally, the album also ended up being about working out questions of identity. ‘Who am I now, in this world without my parents in it’, for example? ‘How can I take care of others without losing myself?’ When the band first listened back to the fully assembled album, they realized it had become a sort of therapy in working out some of those questions. More broadly, Humble Fire’s collective identity is also something they try to be very intentional about. As a DC-based band, they’re immersed in and identify with the tradition of DIY independence and social awareness typically associated with the politics of hardcore punk (despite not working in the genre). They strive to embody those values as a band as much as in their personal lives.

Humble Fire owes its origins to Craigslist, which first brought guitarist Dave and singer Nefra together through another project and later recruited Xaq, bassist, who responded to Dave’s ad with a purposeful manifesto that will forever go down in band history. While not the band’s original drummer, Jason had long been a friend and active musician in the DC DIY music circuit before signing on in 2016. In its current form, the band celebrates the diverse musical influences that each member draws from–from bluegrass and classical, to punk and hip hop–weaving addictive rhythms and vulnerable vocals through tightly wound guitar and bass melodies. Facebook here.

Giving some flavour for the bands second album 'Builder' we have the song 'Taliesin'. In terms of refinement and quality it's a fine example of the bands output, however the band draw on a considerable amount of ideas and styles making for a fabulously varied and desirable collection of material.

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Wall of Ears - Floating Off the Line.

Background - Wall of Ears is a Seattle-based psychedelic pop band, centered around the ongoing musical vision of CW Lott. Wall of Ears performances are collaborative and immersive experiences, drawing from a number of artistic genres. Each Wall of Ears project seeks to create a surreality we can all live in together. 

After releasing two acclaimed and well-received records as guitarist for As Cities Burn and playing in prog-glam outfit Moon Honey, CW Lott wanted to start fresh and locate his own vision. Wall of Ears was birthed in 2009 as a way to documents Lott's unhinged lo-fi homemade experimental recordings, made on drum machines and loop stations and eternal layers of cheap radio shack synthesizers. This eventually swelled into the material that ended up on the debut record Perfect Organ Assembly (Broken Circles, 2013) which showcased a wild palette of influences, from ambient pop weirdness to uncompromising forays into noise and texture. 

Lott left Louisiana to dive into his other life of writing literary fiction and moved to Western Massachusetts to work on a novel about the alien mind. He got sidetracked and ended up composing Hello Beautiful Nothing with the poet / guitarist Jon Ruseski over dense winters and moon-lit snow walks. Lott decided to move to Seattle to dive into the thriving psych-scene and find a full band, which happened just three weeks after relocating to the Soggy City. With a four-piece lineup consisting of Bryant Hammonds, Tony Pettigrew and Derrick Wright, Wall of Ears finished the record in their home studio known as The Sound Shrine. 

Hello Beautiful Nothing is both a reflection and a mantra on disintegrating the boundaries between ourselves and the hyper-complex world humming around us. This record furthers WOE's musical evolution with engaging pop and layers texturized so densely they move through one's ear like a dream. Facebook here.

'Floating Off the Line' has some classic psychedelic nuance, coupled with an expansive pop/rock soundtrack and suitably matched vocals. The video completes the circle with colours and images that seemingly live out the song.


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Matt Maltese - No One Won The War.

Background - Matt Maltese has shared, his second single of 2017 entitled "No One Won The War", produced by The Maccabees Hugo White. When speaking about the track Matt states,"We lovely humans seem to be on an eternal hamster wheel of conflict and reparation. And nobody wins. Not the people at the bottom or the people at the top." "No One Won The War" is the B-side of a Café Bleu Recordings / Atlantic Records release alongside the previously released A-side "As The World Caves In".

At the age of 20 years old, Matt Maltese is already fully embedded in South London’s thriving music circle. Last year alone, he hosted his own residency in Brixton whilst playing alongside hotly-tipped local acts such as HMLTD, Goat Girl, Fish and Shame. The latter add to an already eclectic collection of artists who have influenced Matt Maltese in some way - the heavy tones of Leonard Cohen, the dirty wit of Jarvis Cocker, and the social commentary of fellow Londoners King Krule and Loyle Carner. These influences place further emphasis on the sense of political unrest that underpins Matt's rich and undeniably accessible songwriting. Facebook here.

Matt Maltese's rich vocals and a distinct piano lead musical arrangement ensure 'No One Won The War' is striking from the outset. Add in the intelligent lyrics and we have a thoughtful, worthwhile and beautiful song.

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Major Love Event - Sandy Sound.

Background - Founded in Athens, GA and based in Portland, OR, Major Love Event is an indie pop duo comprised of long-time friends Rebecca Van Damm and C.k. Koch.  Rebecca writes, sings and plays whimsical, lovelorn, evocative songs amplified and enriched by C.k's dynamic and eclectic multi-instrumental stylings and production. 

Though they met as teenagers, it was over a decade before Van Damm and Koch joined musical forces. Playing in separate projects for a number of years, this is the duo's first endeavor as Major Love Event.

On May 12, Major Love Event just released "Sandy Sound," the first single off of their self-titled album released on June 16th. The DIY record, which was recorded in their homes, brings a playful and enticing sound to your ears and will have you quickly falling in love with the band. Facebook here.

Crisp indie pop where expressive and pleasing vocals are accompanied by an imaginative musical soundtrack. 'Sandy Sound' is all of that, produced to a high standard and extremely catchy.

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Annie Angel - Strange.

Background - How does one introduce a Swedish artist and producer who due to her transcending music and artistic vision has rapidly become one of the most anticipated new acts across the entire Stockholm music scene? Perhaps we can begin by repeating what everyone is saying already…

This multi-talented artist called Annie Angel with debut single Strange is already sounding like an established artist who is bound to explode any minute now. This is what Swedish National Paper SvD had to say about one of her performances at Södra Teatern: ”Annie Angel has a very strong artistic expression. The music varies, it stands on classic pop-rock-soul-ground and is still independent towards music history." All the while Noisey DK calls Annie "a superhuman that goes above and beyond most human capabilities" it is clear that she has a unique spot in the international pop music scene today and is ready to claim it.

Strange - called an escape route through Manchester, California, the 70's New York new wave-scene to Stockholm - is Annie Angel's debut. Her writing, arranging, recording and producing - also produced with Nille Perned (Kent, bob hund) - with as well as her striking vocals, comes to life in 5 minutes of music that could be Talking Heads as well as Amy Winehouse.

Since Annie Angels’s music is on its way out of Sweden and into the world now, we’ve decided that the best way to properly introduce her to the public is to simply let the music and the voice speak for themselves.

The song title might be 'Strange' however the song is anything but. It's creative, sits comfortably across genres, and has emotion, depth and vital musical ingredients that ensure it's many hooks dig deep. Deserves to be heard!

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Edie Green - Quin Galavis

Edie Green - Smalltime Viticulturist.

Background - Influenced by the diversity of artists such as Hiatus Kaiyote, The Pixies and Radiohead, Perth indie-rock outfit Edie Green have put forth their swirling second EP The Sea It Binds You, featuring new single Smalltime Viticulturist.

Lovingly crafted by four kindred souls and expertly captured by engineering guru Dave Parkin (Jebediah, Abbe May), the final product is a tantalising swirl of fuzzy riffs, world and jazz inspired beats, topped with sweet and sultry vocals - designed to quicken the heartbeat and sooth the mind.

Of Smalltime Viticulturist vocalist Sophie Wiegele says "Smalltime Viticulturist stemmed from one of our more abstract jams, with a quick, jutting verse that contrasts with a smooth refrain where the silky guitars and spacey vocals take over. As a band that's creatively influenced by their surroundings we based the track on a time when touring, on a day off we set-up in the middle of a large vineyard in Margaret River and just jammed all afternoon!"

Having recently supported San Cisco while notching up slots at the Fairbridge Festival, Hidden Treasures Festival and Festival of the Winds, Edie Green are set to launch their new
EP May 26 at Jack Rabbit Slims in Perth. Facebook here.

'Smalltime Viticulturist' is a vibrant indie rock track, with a fabulous rhythm arrangement that helps spice things up. Vocals add the melody and change the pace on this catchy song.

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Quin Galavis — Question.

Background - Quin Galavis has been an active participant in the Austin music scene for the last fifteen years. A founding member of critically acclaimed bands The Dead Space, and False Idol, Quin also performs under his own name.

His sophomore solo album, 2016's immersive, ambitious double-LP, My Life in Steel and Concrete, appeared on multiple end-of-year top ten lists and was spotlighted in an Austin Chronicle feature story.

The record's soundscape is as varied and challenging as the themes it explores, and it features a host of Austin’s diverse musical elite: Thor Harris (Swans/Shearwater), Sabrina Ellis (Sweet Spirit/A Giant Dog), Graham Low (A Giant Dog), and Ian Rundell (Ghetto Ghouls), to name a few.

June 16th he'll release his third LP, The Battery Line, (Super Secret Records) which will be supported with local shows, and an album tour. Bandcamp here.

One of ten tracks on 'The Battery Line' album and 'Question' is a good example of what to expect with this new collection of material. A constant flow of alt or indie rock songs where delivery is tight and paced, the expertise is there in abundance, as are some finely penned songs.

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