Genre Wander: Beauty Sleep - Qlaye Face - Jacob Moore - Oblio

Beauty Sleep - Living Right.

Background promo - Like the changing of the days in Belfast, Beauty Sleep’s new single is very much in a different season to the bands debut back in winter, suitably named ‘The Dark’. As the days are significantly longer right now, new single and sophomore effort ‘Living Right’ drives away from the melancholy tones and melodies of the bands debut effort whilst keeping the dreamy, chorus infused guitars and hazy vocals that are becoming a trademark for this Northern Irish export.

Ryan McGroarty, Cheylene Murphy and Aimee Williamson’s obsession with fuzzy synths and dream inspired pop music continues to show the bands ability to compete in the one of music’s newest trendsetting genres. ‘The Dark’ was described as “a mix of Phoenix and Beach House and occupies the dreamy end of the guitar-pop spectrum.”(The Irish Times) and won the support of a host of tastemaker press and BBC 1 Radio support. The tone was seemingly set for Beauty Sleep.

But if ‘The Dark’ was anything to go by, new single ‘Living Right’ is its nostalgic half-cousin and sets the tempo by jumping straight into a melodic upbeat chorus reminiscent of Washed Out, Teen Daze, and Summer Heart (see what I did there, Summer?). ‘Living Right’ is due for release in all the usual places on Friday 12h August 2016.

The over used term "lush" can be rightly "over used" for 'Living Right' the latest song from Beauty Sleep. It's also a reminder that indie and dream pop are two genres where bands are still creating original and exquisite music, this being a case in point.

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Qlaye Face - Nascence (Radio edit).

Background - Melbourne based prog-rock outfit Qlaye Face are pleased to announce the arrival of their EP ‘Nascence’. Comprised of four intricate and atmospheric tracks that feature complex time signatures and rhythmic ideas, the moody quartet's mission statement is to execute their craft with ambition, precision and integrity.

Conceived out of the friendship of four high school friends and evolving through countless hours of writing and practise, the band chose their surrounds of Melbourne to record at Sing Sing and Rangemaster Studios with acclaimed producer Dave Carr. Vocalist and guitarist Cameron Bobbitt says of the EP, "We wanted to push our creative boundaries and challenge whatever forms or conventions we held about music, while ultimately allowing the songs to grow organically from an emotional place. We came up with sounds, patterns and journeys we had never realised before."

"Lyrics were a direct reaction to the environments the songs were placing us in, perspectives and styles that I had not written within prior. I think through the lucidity and approach to the lyrics, they ended up exposing the honesty and personal relevance needed in the music in the right way. As a listener you should be challenging yourself and the status quo, straightforwardness wouldn't have done the record justice." No strangers to the progressive alt-rock scene in Australia, Qlaye Face have quickly chalked up support slots for Dream On Dreamer, Caligula’s Horse, Closure In Moscow, Voyager and Alithia. The band are set to get busy and hit stages across the country this Spring and Summer, starting with a string of EP launch shows. ‘Nascence’ was out Friday August 5 on CD and via all good digital retailers

Upcoming shows
August 9 – The Zoo – Brisbane, QLD (Tix)
August 21 – Hideaway Bar – Melbourne, VIC
August 27 – The Workers Club – Melbourne, VIC (Tix)
September 1 – Ancient World – Adelaide, SA

We don't get to feature much new prog rock on Beehive Candy these days, however Qlaye Face and the excellent song 'Nascence', has helped to rectify that. In fairness this is pretty alternative and even folk who are turned off by the prog expression, might be pleasantly surprised.  

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Jacob Moore - From Above.

Background - Hailing from Sydney Australia, songwriter/producer Jacob Moore, who has been involved with a myriad of acts for a number of years, is finally ready to shine lighton his first solo musical presentation in 2016. Like a pleasant gust of wind on a hot day, Jacob Moore is drifting into the limelight with ‘From Above’, a pretty taste of his forthcoming EP All In Time. 

Taking time to finely hone his craft; Jacob has merely tested the waters when it comes to his musical endeavours. Fusing 50s barbershop nostalgia and modern soul is not an easy feat, but this is the sonic identity that best describes Jacobs’ previous soft releases ‘Infinity’ and ‘Something in the Water’. Recently Jacob has been hard at work, recruiting a slew of musicians to form his live band, which will be revealed in the coming months, as well as putting the finishing touches on his debut EP at Studios 301 with Jack Prest (Flume, The Preatures, Action Bronson).

All in Time is slated for release on September 9th, but for now audiences will have to suffice with immersing themselves in the tranquillity of ‘From Above’.

With a marching drum beat opening proceedings, 'From Above' quickly morphs into a dreamy, hazy and highly atmospheric song. Jacob Moore's vocals seemingly dance above the music, adding more melody to this creative song.

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Oblio - Days.

Background - On their intriguingly dark new single “Days,” Long Beach alternative rockers Oblio introduce listeners to a nameless character who suffers from autophobia, the morbid fear of being left alone with one’s self. “Days” is the first single from Autophobia, the dramatic and captivating soon-to-be-released concept record from DIY rock reformists Oblio. More information on Oblio and Autophobia is available on the band’s official website.

According to band member Blake Russell, “Days” represents Oblio’s unshakable work ethic in the DIY approach to being in a band: “We wrote, performed, produced, recorded, mixed, and mastered “Days” ourselves. We also filmed the song’s music video on our own, and will be releasing the single (and album) independently on all major digital music platforms, including iTunes, Amazon, Spotify, and Bandcamp.”

Comprised of multi-instrumentalists Russell, Alex Strahle, and Free Hallas, Oblio have toured nationally, appeared on numerous notable indie ­rock radio programs, and performed at many venues in and around Los Angeles. Russell and Hallas toured with the popular UK rock outfit The Big Pink, for which Free is the current drummer. Strahle, meanwhile, is a current member of and lead guitarist for SoCal rock band SVB. He previously worked with Russell in the band Dead Ball Era.

Oblio have their roots in the local Los Angeles music scene, as the band frequently records and produces music for other local artists and assists bands with booking and hosting local DIY shows. The band also hosts a one ­day only local music festival called Pointless Fest.

'Days' is a rootsy, alt rock song, where the music does the rocking, and the vocals and harmonies add something a little softer, and support the melody. It's DIY credentials are a plus, as ther band clearly know there stuff, and the sounds they wan't to create.

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The Beehive Candy Interview: In Letter Form

In Letter Form - Wait Now.

Back in May we featured the song 'Face In The Crowd' taken from In Letter Form's eleven song album 'Fracture. Repair. Repeat'. We commented at the time "this is one very cool album, full of post punk sounds, that at times veer towards a darker Gothic feel, and sometimes a crisper early indie rock feel".

From the album we are pleased to share 'Wait Now' and we were pleased to take the opportunity, to ask the band a few questions earlier this week. Here is the interview in full:

Just what is it that makes the likes of Joy Division, Bauhaus, and Echo and the Bunnymen inspire your music? 
These bands are among the core music we grew up listening to, so it's hard wired, in a way. None of us ever set out to write songs that showcase these influences, it just has a way of emerging. It's a beautiful thing and sometimes a hindrance as reviewers sometime cling to these influences and ironically become just as dependent upon the influences as they suggest we may be. A Very interesting dance, indeed. We try not to overthink it.

As a follow up question, given the choice would you prefer to have been a band during their era, or today? 
With the exception of the direction the industry has taken and the "value" I feel people place or rather 'don't' upon live music and recorded music, I'd have to say TODAY, hands down. We live in our time. It's a tautology. If we were then, we wouldn't be us, now.

What are the obstacles facing bands and artists today, that make being a full time professional in your genre(s) difficult? 
Well here in San Francisco, we've witnessed a massive growth in 'wealth' and perverse income inequality along with a population boom. This has meant the closure and threat of closure of many local live music venues that support/ed beginning bands and artist communities. The Idolatry of money that has become systemically pervasive in American culture and felt no where more than here in SF (the great gold rush city) bring an oppressive amount of homogeneity, dull and bland, no teachers, no scholars, less art, more money, always more money.  Makes getting recognised and creating a true community harder but within that struggle there is fertility in the strife.

How well do you get on which each other in the creative and recording process? 
We love each other, and I say that with absolute resolve and without caveat. We really are a family and that extends beyond us 'four' to our team of members in family, management, creative and our label Metropolis who believe in what we're doing. The core four disagree from time to time but it makes for better art. It's about compromise and collaboration and trust. We're still learning and that keeps it exciting.

How on earth do you get airplay on major radio these days? 
Some of it is word of mouth, some of it is PR and campaigning, who you know or rather who you pay for access to the people THEY know. You know?

Best/worst gigs? 
Oooh, they're all 'good' gigs and you gotta believe that. The only thing the artist needs to do is be true to the muse, to the piece whether it be for five people in a pub or five thousand on a green. When I feel I had a bad gig, it's usually because I failed to connect with my audience or my band and that's usually symptomatic of me not connecting with myself, or with the muse.

Can music still influence people on mass, like the "protest songs" of the sixties, and if so, in a positive manner? 
Absolutely! I'll share a story, during our BFD performance I made the decision to get the audience to join in on a chant during "Terror (is a state of mind)" it was simple "Fuck Trump." The audience obliged and we connected, united around a common message. He really is a formidable threat to our nation, and humanity which is under constant threat as it is. After we got off stage I was confronted by two "REAL" Trump supporters. They came at me pretty hard at the merch table. "How dare you push your politics on us! You should play the songs we paid to hear without forcing that on us. We thought you were pretty good! You lost two fans today" I could only respond by saying that our music and politics/philosophy are not mutually exclusive and that I respected their right to voice this opinion but in turn they needed to afford us the same respect. Anyway, that was evidence enough that we can still influence, is it positive? I believe it to be when compared to the message of racism and intolerance that Trump and his clan either knowingly or ignorantly espouse.

It's 2016, what year is the mainstream music industry in?
2016, of course. ;)

Our thanks to Eric and In Letter Form for your thoughtful answers!

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Friday Five: Jay Pray - Soft Corporate- The Plastic Attraction - Oh Well, Goodbye - The Regrettes

Jay Pray - I'd Go Anywhere (Do Anything).

Background promo - Brooklyn synth-pop artist Jay Pray is set to release his debut self-titled album on October 21 via Think Thought Records. Justin P. Romanos has had a love for music since was he was just old enough to pick up a guitar. Justin was drawn to performance and songwriting at an early age, and growing up became a regular in the DIY music scene around his rural Connecticut hometown. He and his friends had ever evolving musical tastes and learned more about the process of making music by consistently forming new bands and recording in Justin’s makeshift home studio. This landed him a spot at Drexel University’s Music Industry Program. Here he found a home of like­minded peers and gained a lasting nickname, “J Pré”, short for an early band called the Justin P. Romanos Experiment. He honed his craft by continuously writing and spent much of his time in the close­knit Philadelphia basement community where he fronted the indie rock band SHMNS. After graduating college in 2014, it was time to regroup, refocus, and reinvent himself as a musician.

Justin relocated to Brooklyn, NY and began to combine the best of his musical beginnings into his biggest, boldest, and most colourful pop album yet; as the newly reincarnated Jay Pray. Under the polished production of Brandon Bost, Justin’s new album flourishes into a lush landscape of bright tones in which every detail is carefully slotted in place. A strong but subtle beat propels the collection forward as it dips into sultry shadows and bursts into powerful blasts of sunshine. Intricate synth riffs and Justin’s gentle lilt twinkle amongst the swelling wall of sound, transforming love musings into a tropical sonic escape. Jay Pray is a refreshing arrival in a saturated pop scene with a debut worth diving into head first.

'I'd Go Anywhere (Do Anything)' has been gaining attention these last few days. It's a genuine indie pop song with beautiful synths and smooth vocals pairing perfectly and delivering a melodic hooky song.

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Soft Corporate - Slipped (From the EP Good Things Will Happen).

Background - Based in Melbourne,the indie four-piece  Soft Corporate explore the boundaries of pop with their simultaneously anthemic and intricate compositions. Performing for several years under another name the first three members Troy Sheehan, Madeline Booth and Jack Cross invited Reuben Dyer to join their group. As a collective decision they chose their new name Soft Corporate.

Leading the charge with their first offering ‘Boats’, the song is a blend of haunting vocals, evocative melodies and intelligent musicianship. With such depth to their sound, it's hard to believe that their EP Good Things Will Happen is their debut release. The first single 'Boats' is captivating and a highly expressive piece of music.

Discovered early on with the release by the Triple J Unearthed team as part of Triple J Unearthed High, Soft Corporate made it to the finals of the well-known competition under a previous guise. Reminiscent of their melodic indie rock predecessors, Soft Corporate draw inspiration from contemporaries Death Cab for Cutie and Unknown Mortal Orchestra and comparisons could be drawn to Band of Horses, The Shin and Doves with their slow-burning builds and shifting dynamics. Lead vocalist Troy Sheehan’s lyrics centre on deep reflections, moments of clarity, time and trying to survive the metaphorical or literal end of the world. ‘Boats’ is a lush heady mix, Sheehan’s performance is understated with a disarming charm. 

Written in a their rehearsal space in Melbourne, their debut EP Good Things Will Happen came to life over recording sessions with producer Colin Leadbetter (Sarah Blasko, Whitley) in late 2015. Recorded at Sing Sing South, Leadbetter worked closely with the band unpacking their songs and developing their sound as a unit. Throughout the mixing process, the six songs that they took to the studio underwent several experimental shifts as hazy textures were introduced. The reverberant guitars and floating harmonies support and illuminate what is now their debut EP.

Upcoming Show – Good Things Will Happen EP Launch
6 August – The Toff In Town, Melbourne with Manor & Sweet Whirl
Doors from 8pm, 252 Swanston Street, Melbourne

'Good Things Will Happen' is a solid six song EP of which 'Slipped' is the fifth track and quite representative of the bands enticing indie rock/pop sound. The band create likable atmospheric music, with plenty of hooks and a lush musical background for the fine vocals and harmonies.

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The Plastic Attraction - Holding You.

Background - The Plastic Attraction was hatched in Perth when schoolyard friends – Liam (vocals), Matt (guitar/vocals), Horna (bass/vocals) and Chris (drums/vocals) decided that after many years of talking about it, they would batten down the hatches and write some music, channelling 90s rock with a fresh flavour and less denim. The Plastic Attraction started with a communal sharing of riffs, jamming, experimenting with different sounds and building up a base of demos. Once the band amassed a collection of riffs, ideas and songs, they sifted through them to see what sound worked for the band and which ideas jumped out at them as keepers. Throughout the sorting and sifting process, the band played band nights at pubs and clubs to test their material and hone their live show.

‘Holding You’ is the band's debut single. The track was recorded at Sumo Sound Studios in Perth by Tristan Sturmer (Sparrow, Verge Collection, Make Way For Man) and was mixed by highly acclaimed audio engineer Andy Lawson (Tired Lion, Eskimo Joe). The icing on the sonic cake was the mastering by the inimitable Leon Zervos (Boy & Bear, Art vs Science, Last Dinosaurs).

Lead singer, Liam says, “'Holding You’ was born when Matt and Horna were jamming on some ideas and came up with that opening riff. The whole song stemmed from that intro section and once the drums came in, the song seemed to come together very naturally.” Once you dig beneath the lush harmonies, interwoven bass and guitar and airy-high fidelity sound, you realise that ‘Holding You’ is the classic tale of boy meets girl, girl promises boy everlasting love, boy and girl breakup, boy has extreme difficulty letting go.

Obsession, ego and delusions of grandeur rear their ugly head throughout the song as the lyrics describe the heartbreakee's deeply misguided belief that the ex should have to stick to all those things she said while they were together. “Holding You” will be released 26th of August 2016. 

With a smooth and fast flowing beat, guitars and vocals that glide above, the song 'Holding You' is a breezy blast of melodic charm.

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Oh Well, Goodbye - This City To Yours.

Background - Hailing from Liverpool England, Oh Well Goodbye quietly crept into the UK scene with debut cassette release ‘BG092’ through U.S label Bleeding Gold Records. Beginning as a solo project during down time of his 'dayjob' band People//Talk, Philip Rourke (founder of EDILS records/booking) quickly assembled like minded musicians and played a scattering of shows in London and northern England, as well as a 5 date tour of France in late 2015. Oh Well Goodbye, completed by Sam Banks (bass), Peter Seddon (Guitar) and Andy Fernihough (Drums) have continued to push creatively as a unit while fully maintaining their Lo-Fi DIY approach. Three new EPs will be released before the end of 2017 and each one presents a progressive step showcasing Oh well goodbyes bittersweet musical movements that border the edge of collapse. Post punk is murky ground but oh well goodbye given their northern English heritage slot in and out easily. A lush mix of early 90s styled guitars, dance punk beats and hushed almost spoken vocal ride along effortlessly. As beautiful as it is ugly, the nonchalant display masks the chaos and vulnerability underneath.

The first release of the trilogy is a four track EP entitled ‘Swoon’. A step up from the home recording of Rourkes debut effort, ‘Swoon’ was recorded in a Liverpool studio live by the bands drummer Andy Fernihough. ‘Swoon’ is available on pink and grey 7” as well as digitally from September 16th through Bleeding Gold records.The bands next release quickly follows and coincides with a European tour in October. A five track cassette entitled 'Acquiescence' is a co-release between UK labels Hail Hail and EDILS Records (digitally through Bleeding Gold records) will be available from October 16th. A more experimental and ambient collection compared to its predecessor, 'Acquiescence' see's oh well goodbye use drums loops and keyboards for the first time on half of the tracks while still in touching upon the bands pop sensibilities and downbeat 'post punk' sound. This leads nicely into the final release of the trilogy; 'I Know, I Know, I Know' which is a remix EP comprised of tracks from both 'Swoon' and 'Acquiescence'. Hitting the world wide web on November 11th, again through Bleeding Gold Records the digital only release features remixes by a host of acts including Dignan Porch (Faux Discx/Captured Tracks), Gorgeous Bully (Art Is Hard), Moonlit Sailor (Deep Elm) and new comers such as Dayflower and Grave Diggers Union.

The wonderfully understated vocals on 'This City To Yours' typifies the lo-fi and distinctive sound found on the 'Swoon' EP, with the exception of the third track 'Axe The Bay' which takes on a more ambient direction. With more to come, Oh Well, Goodbye appear to be on a  musical and creative roll.

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The Regrettes - Hey Now.

Background - Perfectly imperfect - that’s one way to describe LA based punk act, The Regrettes. Writing songs that proudly bear a brazen and unabashed attitude in the vein of acts Courtney Barnett or Karen O - with a pop aesthetic reminiscent of 50’s and 60’s acts a la the Temptations or Buddy Holly - the LA based four piece create infectious, punk driven tracks.

Lead by outspoken front woman, Lydia Night, and comprised of Genessa Gariano on guitar, Sage Nicole on bass and drummer Maxx Morando, the group have left the LA rock scene floored, managing to capture the hearts of jaded rock critics while opening for acts like Kate Nash, Jack Off Jill, Bleached, Pins, Deep Vally and more. With nothing but demos available online, the group are already beginning to generate hype, from outlets like NPR, and with Nylon already heralding them them as a “punk act you should be listening to”.

From the opening moments on a track by The Regrettes, we’re greeted with a wall of guitars, infectious melodies and a wistful nostalgia that continues right until the final notes. Taking cues from acts like Hinds and Hole, there’s a wistful sense of youth and vulnerability that lies at the heart of each song. A song by The Regrettes is, essentially, a diary entry into Lydia’s life. “My music is a spectrum of every emotion that I have felt in the last year, and you can hear that when you hear the songs. Everything that is happening in my life influences me. It’s everything from boys, to friends, to being pissed off at people, to being really sad. Just everything.”

The most intoxicating draw of The Regrettes is their bashful, heart-on-your-sleeve temperament - writing urgent and fast-paced pop songs with a punk rock mentality. “The way that we write, it’s all based on honesty,” muses Lydia on the group’s punk aesthetic. “If I finish a song, I’ll just leave it - I won’t really go back to it. I like things to feel in the moment and I don’t want it to be perfect. If I work on something too much I lose it and get bored and I want to do the next one..”

Live Dates:
8/5 Santa Ana, CA - The Observatory - w/ Badlands and King Shelter
8/6 – Los Angeles, CA - Save The Smell Fest at The Smell
8/13 – Los Angeles, CA - Smash Club at Junior High
8/18 – Los Angeles, CA - Echo Park Rising at The Echo
Fri/Nov-11 San Diego, CA North Park Observatory *
Tue/Nov-15 San Francisco, CA The Independent *
Wed/Nov-16 San Francisco, CA The Independent *
Fri/Nov-18 Portland, OR Wonder Ballroom *
Sat/Nov-19 Seattle, WA Neumos *
* with Sleigh Bells

'Hey Now' is an explosive and feisty, "get over it" punk song. That said, the song is very catchy and the vocals and soundtrack are edgy whilst leaving enough room for an underlying melody.

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Quality Not Quantity: Happyness - Jake Meadows - The Slang

Happyness - Anna, Lisa Calls.

Background promo - Happyness have announced that a brand new EP, titled Tunnel Vision On Your Part, will be released this September 23rd through Moshi Moshi Records. It can be pre-ordered here. In addition, the forthcoming harmony-packed new single Anna, Lisa Calls appears here as the EP opener, with the band saying; “This is our first phone call song and our 5th song in E major. We wrote it one day in the studio in June and recorded it straight away - I think we were going for a kind of Traveling Wilburys thing. Also we felt like we hadn't put a synth in a song for a while, so there's a synth.”

The EP, which also includes recent single SB’s Truck – a track penned by the band in homage to Samuel Beckett, who famously used to give the beloved, late, 80’s wrestler André The Giant lifts to school in his truck, owing to him being too large for his dad’s car - is announced alongside a run of UK and EU dates in support of Chicago garage-rockers Twin Peaks. Happyness’ last UK stint saw them support The Dandy Warhols up and down the country.

Tunnel Vision On Your Part also provides a rare direct glimpse into the band’s influences as they offer their own interpretation of Club Gaga’s Friend Of The Revolution. Originally featuring on their Suburban Lake album, it’s a record that Happyness hold up as one of their favourites of all time, saying “Most (if not the whole) of the record is findable on YouTube. There were a few different songwriters in the band - but this one's by the great Peter Fancher.”

Prior to the Twin Peaks support dates Happyness have two special EP release shows booked in, the second taking place at London’s Vauxhall City Farm, at which they’ll play a stripped-back set to include tracks from their work-in-progress 2nd album. “Vauxhall City Farm is one of our favourite spots in London & just up the road from where we wrote most of 'Weird Little Birthday'. As part of the release of our new EP, 'Tunnel Vision On Your Part', we're adopting the farm for the evening of October 8th for a stripped back show - playing songs from the EP, and some from our upcoming second album. Tickets are available now exclusively from Music Glue & all come with a download link or limited 12" vinyl of the EP. All Ages Welcome.”

Happyness EP release shows:
Sept 30 Happyness EP release show, The Finsbury, London, UK *
Oct 8 Happyness EP release show, Vauxhall City Farm, London, UK *
Happyness tour support with Twin Peaks dates in full:
Oct 19 Le Point Ephemere, Paris FR
Oct 20 Patterns, Brighton UK [buy tickets]
Oct 21 All Years Leaving Festival, Hare & Hounds, Birmingham UK
Oct 23 Bungalows & Beats, Sheffield UK * - Free Show
Oct 24 Brudenell Social Club, Leeds UK
Oct 25 Sound Control, Manchester UK
Oct 26 Scala, London UK
Oct 28 Botanique, Brussells BE
Oct 30 Merleyn, Nijmegen NE
Oct 31 DBs, Utrecht NE *
Nov 01 Vera, Groningen NE
* = Happyness headline show

'Anna, Lisa Calls' has the feeling of a spontaneous song, that is full of fresh bright vibes. The band reference The Travelling Wilburys as an influence for the direction of this track, however there is no missing the extra energy Happyness bring with them.

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Jake Meadows - Lost Entitlement, featuring Daniel Johns.

Background - Jake Meadows is a singer, multi-instrumentalist, and harpist from Sydney, Australia who recently released his debut EP Good Company featuring vocals and production from Silverchair's Daniel Johns on every track. Good Company showcases Meadows' signature sound which has been built from years of experimenting with classical harp, modern electronic techniques, and rich harmonious layers.

Written and recorded in studios across Sydney and Tasmania and a shed on the north coast of Australia, Good Company is a creative collaboration between two old friends, Jake Meadows and Daniel Johns. Meadows returned home from an inspiring trip to Spain and Ibiza to show Johns early versions of what would become a stunning debut release. "Daniel and I have been friends for years and he's always helped me find inspiration. We've always worked well together, on different projects, and this collaboration happened really organically. I showed him the tracks I had been working on for the EP and he offered to produce and be a part of the project, and we just went for it," says Meadows.

Good Company oozes with a hazy tranquility, as mellow electronic production pulses against warm, reassuring vocals and the ethereal sounds of Meadows's harp. Reminiscent of Rhye or Unknown Mortal Orchestra, "Lost Entitlement" showcases Meadows and Johns's ability to combine intricate rhythms, striking melodies, and unconventional instrumentation to deliver a celestial sound that's comfortable on the dance floor. Lead single, "Echo of Tomorrow" is a haunting and foreboding track that captures a sense of bittersweet grace not heard elsewhere on the EP. Good Company is only a small, yet outstanding, taste of what we can expect to hear from Jake Meadows in the future.

We featured Jake Meadows back in March, and did not hesitate to do so again, with the opportunity to share another song, this time 'Lost Entitlement'. This is an upbeat and danceable track, that really does boast an eclectic mix of sounds, welded together beautifully.

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The Slang - Ballad Of Everything.

Background - The Slang is an alternative/rock band consisting of duo John Bobo and John Newsome.  Their musical talents have earned them invitations to several premier music conferences including MPMF, NXNE, and CMJ.  In addition, the sounds of The Slang have been used in various mainstream outlets including HBO, USA network, and Troma Films.

The Slang’s path is anything other than typical for a rock band.  Lead Singer John Bobo turned down becoming an FBI Special Agent in order to focus on music and record the bands debut EP.  The success of that record led to more touring and a desire to record another album.  The follow-up EP’s title (Night and Day) refers to a number of differences the band experienced since the debut EP was recorded.  The band went from a three-piece to a duo and decided to change the scenery from the hustle of NYC to the more relaxed atmosphere of Nashville, TN.  In addition, they used a number of well-known Nashville session players to fill out the more layered sound of the new EP.

The band is set to release the Night and Day EP in the summer of 2016.  Recorded at the Ocean Way Studios in Nashville, TN, it highlights the talents of songwriter, vocalist and multi-instrumentalist John Bobo and Bassist John Newsome.  The album is produced by Russ Long (Wilco, Sixpence None the Richer). The Slang will be on tour in support of the Night and Day EP starting in the fall of 2016.

'Ballad Of Everything' is one fine alt rock song. With a powerful and superbly mixed soundtrack the vocals glide effortlessly above, with enough grit to provide that full alt rock sound.

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Spoilt For Choice: Harts - Pete Gardiner - Oh My Love - Yishay

Harts - Power.

Background promo - With a strutting bass line, velvety vocals and thunderous guitar riffs, the three-and-a-half minute epic sounds like it was written and recorded with the sole intention of being blasted from stadium speakers. The track premiered on triple j’s Good Nights With Linda Marigliano show and has since been added to high rotation on triple j. 'Power' is the first single Harts has released since partnering with Dew Process / UMA last month.

Harts – the brainchild of musical polymath Darren Hart – has already had a huge year following the release of his latest single ‘Peculiar’, which has ruled the airwaves over at triple j and been on regular rotation since its release in March. He has since been touring non-stop both locally and internationally, recently returning from a successful tour of the UK and Europe, including a slot on the Pink Pop Festival in the Netherlands.

In Australia, his outstanding live reputation is already cemented, having wowed the audiences of Splendour In The Grass, Groovin’ The Moo, Byron Bay Bluesfest, and Falls Festival to name just a few, and he returned to the main stage at Splendour last month. 'Power' is available to buy/stream now via Dew Process / UMA.

'Power' has a funky feel, driven by a potent bass line and a rich musical soundtrack. Add Darren Harts really cool vocals and you have one superb funky rock song.

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Pete Gardiner - Pretty Smiles.

Background -  Irish singer songwriter Pete Gardiner unveils his new single ‘Pretty Smiles’  along with a cinematic video inspired by 50’s Film Noir, set for release via NUA Entertainment on 2nd September. The visuals are the testament to the young artist’s love for retro, shot in a 1920’s bar in Manchester by award-winning video director Alex Taylor, the video narrates the story of a young bartender who falls in love with a ghost. Resembling a young James Dean, Pete Gardiner shows off his acting and dancing skills in what is his first professional shooting experience.

Fresh  from  the  success  of his debut single ‘All These Things’  - released earlier this year and supported by the likes of Robert Elms and Radio 2’s Janice Long, and crowned with a ‘Track Of The Day’ feature on Record Of The Day, the talented songsmith has been building a steady following of fans by performing his music across the country.

Pete Gardiner’s recent collaboration with Pól Brennan of Clannad, saw the young artist performing the theme music for the Irish movie ‘Property of The State’ alongside the legendary Irish composer. A powerful drama based on a true event that shocked Ireland in the 1990’s, the film tells the story from the eyes of the sister of a young man who committed murder and deals with the devastating effects of mental illness and domestic abuse. Pól Brennan composed the full score while the lyrics for the closing theme, ‘From Over The River,’ were written and performed by Pete.

‘Pretty Smiles’ is taken from Pete’s forthcoming debut album produced by Mercury Prize winner Tommy McLaughlin from Villagers. The album is due for release later this year and mixed by hit maker Ash Howes - who worked on singles for Ellie Goulding, One Direction, Kylie Minogue and Dido. With a debut album in the pipeline for the end of the year, ‘Pretty Smiles’ continues to cement Pete Gardiner’s position as a bonafide songwriting talent.

'Pretty Smiles is a powerful and beautifully produced song, from singer songwriter Pete Gardiner. There is a maturity and level of quality here, that I would expect from someone with a much longer track record in the music business. The forthcoming album is definitely on the "must listen list".

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Oh My Love - ChaChaCha.

Background - Oh My Love is an Electronic Pop duo out of Madison, WI comprised of Hannah Luree and Christian Lisser. Oh My Love’s sound is driven by powerful vocals, glistening melodies, driving synth, and heavy-hitting, electronic beats.

After two years of writing and performing music together, the electronic pop duo Oh My Love is releasing their debut album “Ghosts & Bubblegum” on May 6th for the world to hear. The 11-track album was written, recorded, and produced by Oh My Love in their home studio and mixed by Joe Mabbott (known for his work with Atmosphere, Doomtree, and Brother Ali). Ghosts & Bubblegum is representative of the idea that yin and yang, or two opposites can attract and become one whole entity. The duality of the album touches on humanity’s struggles with happiness and sadness, dark and light, and death and life. Without one, you wouldn’t have the other.

'ChaChaCha' really makes good use of the synths, with some meaty, deep vibes, that contrast and juxtapose with Hannah Luree's crystal and beautiful vocals. Electronic music fans really should check this song out.

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Yishay - Night Games.

Background - Gritty South Central LA artist Yishay finds beauty in the dirt and darkness on his second release, Trinity Tapes II. Layering live rock instruments and passionate vocal melodies over tight hip hop drums and electronic production, he has etched his way in bridging the gap of organic and electronic.

Spiritual questions and scientific insights are explored in clever wordplay throughout as exemplified on the opening track "Friend Of Mine," which takes lessons from the tale of psychology poster child Phineas Gage.

Darkness and light. Organic and electronic. Spirit and science. It seems Yishay is bent on unearthing the pole that pierces through polar opposites.

Trinity Tapes II continues his three-song-free-mixtape series that demands a public eye to uncover it from the underground. Yishay seeks to overthrow genre limitations by asking listeners to avoid labels and simply see things as they are. Here's hoping we find what's really there.

Yishay tells Beehive Candy "I am a new, unknown artist so there is no point in writing up some bio - I believe the music speaks for itself". Fair enough, and as it happens the featured song 'Night Games' speaks volumes, as do the other two tracks on Trinity Tapes II. This is a mixture of genre defying, creative music, with a sense of urgency and real passion. I can't help but like all of that!

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Quality Not Quantity: Wyatt Blair - Grog - Glider Pilots - Perpacity

Wyatt Blair - Dancing On A Dream.

Background promo - Record label founder. Recording wizard. Power pop maestro. Wyatt Blair is a man of many disciplines. Blair began Lolipop Records out of his parents’ Laguna Beach garage in 2010 with a simple goal of recording his friends and sharing their music with the world. When Wyatt moved the label to Los Angeles in 2012, he inadvertently started a rock ‘n’ roll revolution — spawning an army of sweet-toothed teens with an insatiable appetite for the sugary garage pop sounds of Lolipop bands — most of them discovered by Blair himself.

However, even as he assumed his role as the hardest working man in LA’s flourishing garage rock scene, Blair continued to write, record and produce his own music at a prolific rate. His debut full-length, “Banana Cream Dream,” immortalised his love of all things sweet and solidified his place as one of LA’s top tune-smiths. An infectious blend of anthemic power pop, tongue-in-cheek storytelling and hilarious interludes, the record has seen multiple re-pressings on Lolipop, Burger Records and Resurrection Records. Blair toured tirelessly behind “Banana Cream Dream,” supporting bands such as Broncho, Froth and Corners, and playing popular local festivals like Burgerama, Beach Goth and Desert Daze.

So, where does one go after assuming the throne of dessert-themed rock ‘n’ roll? For Blair, a musical chameleon and pop music Renaissance man, there was only one option. Hang up the banana suit and bust out the hairspray. Blair’s latest LP, ‘Point of No Return’ (out August 5th on Lolipop and Burger Records), is an unabashed love letter to the arena rock, glam and hair metal heroes that he holds so close to his heart. Channelling the soaring, harmonised guitar solos, lovelorn lyricism and workout-ready rhythms, “Point of No Return” plays like a lost gem from the long player generation.

'Dancing On A Dream' is the first of twelve songs on the new album 'Point of No Return'. It's an unashamed collection of arena, hair and glam rock music, that hurtles at the listener in a wonderful blast, indeed it's not until track six 'Patience' that the tempo really drops, and then not for long. Melodies, smooth vocals and loads of guitar driven songs make for a great album. It's a little retro and and yet also fresh and immediate.

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Grog - In Plain Sight.

Background - 'In Plain Sight' is the debut solo single from LA-based singer-songwriter Grog Lisee, aka singer/bass player and face of cult rock band Die So Fluid.

Finding herself in an intensely inspired creative space [‘cut me and music spills out’], Grog has recently been writing & producing material that flows beyond the framework of the classic Die So Fluid rock sound.

Her ever-widening perspective and a desire to share more personal and experimental offerings have led her to this solo project. With her mantra 'no rules, no limits', we can expect the release of more Grog songs over the coming months.

 "As a Brit living in the US, you can't help but notice the abundance of religions and cults here. I became interested and started researching them. I soon discovered the more extreme side of cult behaviour and was moved to write about what I consider its evil nature 'hidden in plain sight'.

The lyrics seem ever more pertinent in the face of escalating global civil unrest, racial disharmony, and terrorist propaganda. This is a time when surely we need to trust our instincts, strive for peace, and refuse to live in fear." – Grog, 2016.

'In Plain Sight' has a rhythmic, synth driven soundtrack, that complement Grog's superbly matched vocals. The song has a message that is delivered powerfully, in a piece that gradually builds into something of an anthem.

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Glider Pilots - Simple Things.

Background - Glider Pilots is an indie-rock/folk duo formed by brother and sister Benjamin and Samantha Hope. Born and raised in far north Queensland, Australia, their music revolves around the use of delicate guitar melodies, breathy vocals, synthesisers and drum machines. They write, record, mix and master themselves. They even do all the artwork and music videos.

Glider Pilots first released their debut EP In Another World in February 2015. They went on to play shows throughout Queensland, releasing new singles ‘Shoe Box’ and ‘Brand New Day’ later in 2015. Their follow up EP Some Where out There premiered through hhhhappy.com in April 5 to wide praise throughout Australia. The duo released a music video for EP track ‘Sleeping Vision’, and launched the EP at The Drift in Cairns later that month to an adoring audience.

Their upcoming single ‘Simple Things’ was recorded in their own studio and was recorded, mixed, mastered and produced by band member Benjamin. “‘Simple Things’ tells the story of how you get caught in the push and pull of where and who you are and where and who you want to be,” says the band.

Glider Pilots are planning touring throughout Cairns and Queensland this October, with an accompanying music video for the single later this Winter/Spring. “Simple Things” by Glider Pilots will be released 12th of August 2016.

Delightful, gentle vocals and the equally melodic and sensitive musical soundtrack, make 'Simple Things' something quite special. It's one of those songs that leaves me, desirous to checkout far more of their material.

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Perpacity - 9725.

Background - British-Danish synth pop duo Perpacity are releasing '9725', the lead single from their forthcoming second album ‘Arise’, Comprised of 14 tracks, it is scheduled for release in early October, the 14 tracks on this release complement each other well and create a special ambiance. ‘Eternal ft. Nordik Fire’, a track that brings the Celtic element of a violin-charged melody into electronic territory, is being offered as the b-side.

Perpacity is a duo comprised of Ian Harling and Martin Nyrup, who reside in Bristol (UK) and Copenhagen (Denmark) respectively. Their music exhibits a strong command of melody and texture, characterised by unique dark moving electronic soundscapes and vocals to set your heart alight. This is genuine, unconditional love for synthpop or dance-pop.

“When we set out to write the new album we agreed to not try to go for a specific mood, theme or atmosphere - that whether a song or a track made the initial cut depended purely on whether we like it and whether it speaks to us. We purposely allowed other genres to influence what came out of each song,” explains Martin Nyrup. “We get a bit blues-ish here and there, and even go a bit Celtic in one track with an amazing collaboration we had with violinist Bethany Borg of Nordik Fire. We like to think there is something for everybody here.”

“One of the reasons that Martin and I work well together is that we don't have the same tastes in music, often quite the opposite,” says Ian Harling. “The song '9725' was very much like that; it started out as a really gritty instrumental, but every time I listened to it I could hear lyrics and a melody within it. When you work on tracks like that, there’s a feeling that the song is writing itself, and you simply have to help it come out. On the surface it's a standard love song, but there is also a second level of meaning there.”

The ‘Arise’ LP was mastered by Alexander Kretov from renowned dreampop band Ummagma. As of October 7, ‘Arise’ will be released on CD and digital download via the duo’s Bandcamp, Amazon, and elsewhere. It is already available for pre-order on Bandcamp, with immediate download of ‘9725’ and ‘Eternal ft. Nordik Fire’). 

The contrast between the featured song '9725' and ‘Eternal ft. Nordik Fire’ is considerable, and demonstrates that Perpacity can turn their attention to very differing sounds and ideas, making the October album release something to look forward to. '9725' has a timeless electronic feel, with synths and vocals both vying for attention. Comparisons there may be, however I can only think of some very fine ones, so no problems there!

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Genre Wander: The Medicine Hat - Leslie Doll - The Tigerlilies - Gothic Tropic

The Medicine Hat - St. Cecilia.

Background - There's no mistaking Nabi Sue Bersche's unique, raw and emotive vocals. Here's her thoughts on the song:

"St. Cecilia is a song for all the men who have ever harassed me. It's a song for all the long stares and salacious grins, all the licked-lips and hey-sweethearts, all the shadows that walk a little too close behind me. It's about the thick skin I put on when I walk alone or I'm on stage. 

I love the power of that skin, but I hate that I need to be tough to feel safe. Now a brief glance in the mirror turns to a thousand eyes ogling me up and down, unkind hands fussing with my appearance. They impair a kindness I used to carry so easily. St. Cecilia is my constant companion. The patron Saint of music, she's with me in every dark bar, on every walk home. Watching my drink, watching my back, whispering a sweet melody in my ear." 

'St. Cecilia' is the second song we have featured by The Medicine Hat, and it's another gorgeous one. There is a quite intriguing video that has also been produced and can be seen over on our BeeVids page.

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Leslie Doll - Electronic.

Background bio - From the home of innovative pop music - Nub Country Records - comes the new Album from Leslie Doll. Leslie is a versatile producer, musician and songwriter - a passionate and soulful creator and performer who takes listeners on a journey through a musical world where fun and joy balance introspection and sometimes sorrow. His music is a reflection of deep expression and a bit of urban perspective. A member of the Vermont music writer’s society he has performed with a number of bands playing bass and keyboards and has recently received a publishing contract with music delivery in Brazil.

Leslie is a self taught musician and producer, his influences teaching him everything he knows about songwriting  - Mozart The Beatles, Billy Joel, Bach, Beethoven, Henry Mancini, Glen Miller and so many more.  He has written and produced over 150 songs within the past three years in his home studio with no limits in genre as he is comfortable writing in any style of music including classical compositions. What’s next for Leslie? He is looking to write an Opera and more classical pieces as well as more of his own unique beat driven tracks as shown on Durick 104.

 “This is now a passion for me, and will be with me for the rest of my life. Being an artist and writing music is what I am and always will be. This is something I must do and is not simply a hobby, or part-time work. I firmly believe that I have a gift that needs to be worked as best I can and heard by people that enjoy my sounds and new audiences as well”. Leslie Doll. 

Durick 104 is a really adventurous collection of electronic musical compositions, of which 'Electronic' gives a flavour. Melodies and tempos vary considerably, the one constant is the quality.

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The Tigerlilies - Easy As It Seems.

Background - The style set forth by the Buzzcocks, Cheap Trick and The Ramones is alive and well in the hands of The Tigerlilies - Cincinnati’s sole practitioners of post punk power pop.

Brothers Pat (vocals, guitar) and Steve (vocals, drums) Hennessy spearhead the band which includes Brian Driscoll (bass) and Brendan Bogosian (lead guitar). Together they have played countless shows around Ohio, serving as support for Violent Femmes, Joan Jett, Paul Weller, Guided By Voices and Superchunk, and attaining a sizable and appreciative following along the way. The past decade has seen the release of many singles and albums on independent Midwestern labels such as Atavistic, Violently Hip and Mono-cat 7, chalking up a total of four full lengths which showcase The Tigerlilies economic blend of punk, 60’s soul and garage rock.

Holding together the band through the years proved challenging with certain harsh memories developing into positives and others leaving lasting scars. Their practice spaces through the years are often rich with hilarious subterranean anecdotes – from their underground “keg room” which had to be accessed through a grate in the sidewalk to their current vintage junk store which they have lovingly named “the lily pad”. A tour van crash in Dallas years back is a more painful chapter in the bands history; killing their manager, Craig Falbe, and injuring all of the band members. They stayed together, helped each other through and kept on playing.

Resolve seems to be a constant theme in the bands work and has never been more apparent than on their newest EP, 123456, which delves into subject matter as varied as loss, alienation and space travel. It even includes a timely tribute to David Bowie, written a year before the superstar’s death. “These things are important to us because they represent a shared human experience” asserts Pat. “Hearing them reflected in song can bring people together, make them feel uplifted, reflective and just better.” This is a sentiment which has been echoed by their fan base who have expressed how The Tigerlilies music has helped them through depressing and even suicidal times. It’s seems the band’s retro, revved up rock, which often comes with a care free veneer, has a deep effect on people’s lives.

Their newest EP, 123456, is out September 2nd, and the featured song 'Easy As It Seems' kicks the collection of six songs off. It demonstrates the "post punk" side of the band off, however as this collection of songs demonstrates, they are capable of slower and gentler material, giving the listener a well rounded and highly enjoyable collection of tracks.

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Gothic Tropic - How Life Works.

Background - Los Angeles' Gothic Tropic introduces a new brand of female fronted, guitar-driven indie rock. Gothic Tropic have also shared a new track "How Life Works," as they announce the upcoming album 'Fast or Feast' due for release on Old Flame Records with a street date: October 28, 2016.

The brainchild of Cecilia Della Peruti, Gothic Tropic keeps the vibe playful and punchy, bringing audiences into a new era of female rock nobility, nodding to stars like Debbie Harry, and Chrissie Hynde. Delivering a blend of Richard Lloyd and Nile Rodgers on guitar, Gothic Tropic's Della Peruti has won sponsorships with Fender, and leading pedal manufacturers, and works professionally as a touring and session player for Charli XCX, BØRNS, and more.

Another act where it's second time around on Beehive Candy this year. 'How Life Works' showcases the quality of their brand of indie rock. Layers of melodic guitar driven music, support the dreamy vocals, on what is a very fine song and taster for the forthcoming album. 

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Five For You: Palace - Grieving - Divan - Ofelia K - NervousTwitch

Palace - Have Faith.

Background promo - Palace's latest release ‘Have Faith’ is the second track to be taken from their hugely anticipated debut album ‘So Long Forever’. According to the band the song, “plays with the idea of a kind of self analysis of one's emotional strength, but it's also addressed to someone else. It's that need to find a foundation of confidence and belief so that you can both grow as people - that you need to be strong for each other, and not self sabotage yourself on a daily basis. It's the everyday struggle to find strength based on a lack of faith.”

Palace’s first show of 2016 was at the ICA in June and, just like their show at Scala last October, sold out at speed. They have just announced a November UK tour to coincide with the release of ‘So Long Forever’ on 4th November that includes a London date at Brixton Electric on 23rd November. Full details below. Ahead of this they will be playing Reading & Leeds festivals.

They began writing ‘So Long Forever’ last autumn in The Arch - a creative nerve centre in deepest, darkest Tottenham packed with young artists, designers and musicians. It has been produced by Adam Jaffery (Beach Baby, Dev Hynes, Francis Lung) and mixed by Cenzo Townshend (The Maccabees, Florence + the Machine, Wild Beasts). The album artwork - as with all previous artwork - has been painted by Wilm Danby.

In late 2014 Palace released their debut EP ‘Lost in the Night’, which garnered an overwhelming amount of critical and fan support, with the NME proclaiming, “the award for the fastest rise of 2014 goes to Palace.” 2015 saw them embark on two UK and European tours that book-ended the release of their second EP ‘Chase The Light’, which received continued support from Radio 1’s Huw Stephens and Annie Mac, 6Music’s Steve Lamacq and Radio X’s Georgie Rogers, Maz Tappuni, John Kennedy and Jo Good. They spent last summer in a whirlwind of festival performances including Live at Leeds, The Great Escape, Liverpool Sound City, Blissfields, Kendall Calling, Green Man and Bestival, to name just a few. Palace are Leo Wyndham (guitar, vocals), Rupert Turner (guitar), Will Dorey (bass) and Matt Hodges (drums).

Live Dates:
27th Aug - Reading - Reading Festival
28th Aug - Leeds - Leeds Festival
21st Nov - Brighton - Patterns
22nd Nov - Bristol - Exchange
23rd Nov - London - Brixton Electric
24th Nov - Leeds - Belgrave Music Hall
25th Nov - Manchester - Deaf Institute
26th Nov - Glasgow - King Tut’s Wah Wah Hut.

'Have Faith' is an exceptionally refined song. It's melodic, with both the vocals and the bands music, sounding polished and very natural, something quite amazing for a band who only released their debut EP in late 2014. I'm highly impressed.

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Grieving - Warmest Jets.

Background -  Grieving are a new, unsigned band from Cambridge, playing direct, twisting art-punk. Their first demo was debuted by tastemakers The Fader in March and their second track - the raw, dual vocalled post-hardcore / 90's indie-rock of "Ownership" - saw them pick up their first Radio 1 play from Dan P Carter. Their third track, the more direct and anthemic sounds of "My Friend, The Ghost", saw support from Huw Stephens on Radio 1.

Earlier this month they debuted "Little Armoured", the title inspired by a book of poetry by Rebecca Perry, a leftfield track, off-kilter in places and melodic in others. Showing once more a diverse set of influences at work here, it takes another sharp turn in its final third. Their fifth and final track from “Demonstrations”, the brief, melodic rush of “Warmest Jets” was debuted today on Punktastic.

The band have played their first shows over the last three months, alongside the likes of Tellison, the much buzzed about Muncie Girls and Three Trapped Tigers and have recorded five songs as an EP release, "Demonstrations", on July 29th. They join The New Tusk and Pet Grief for a handful of tour dates in late September and will announce further shows for November in the coming weeks.

In debt to the likes of Les Savy Fav, Television, Spy Versus Spy, Bear vs Shark, Dismemberment Plan, Fugazi and elsewhere the lo-fi pop and fully charged punk of Guided By Voices, Pylon, Samiam, The Lemonheads, Bob Mould etc.

August 04 London The Lexington w/ Young Legionnaire & USA Nails
August 15 London The Old Blue Last w/ Cassels & So-Crates

September 22 Norwich Gringos w/ The New Tusk, Pet Grief & Algae Bloom
September 23 Cambridge The Blue Moon w/ The New Tusk & Pet Grief
September 24 Brighton The Green Door Store w/ The New Tusk, Munez & Pet Grief
October 30 Norwich Podstock @ The Owl Sanctuary

Grieving have been featured by Beehive Candy twice this year already, so perhaps regular readers may think I have some bias towards the band. Well last time I thought to myself, that's enough for this year, and then they come up with another song, that I cannot help but feature. Obviously there is something that really connects with myself, maybe it's the raw, genuine and passionate feeling, that is just so rock'n'roll.

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Divan - Shards.

Background - Their music; all pulsating rhythm, soaring vocals and oscillating guitars, draws on a rich tapestry of styles and sounds, which evolves into a real statement of intent: the desire to understand art and its relevance in modern life.

 Singer, Jamie Clarke writes: 'I think always having an innate desire to surround yourself with activity & action when all you've known is peace & tranquillity comes out in our music. It draws me to people, and also to the art that I love.' The lyrical narrative in Modern Knowledge weaves its way through such themes, affecting not just today's artists and creators but everyone that, like Jamie, is drawn to the bustle of something more than what was known...

From experimenting with accessible but unusual time signatures in ‘Shards’ to exploring vulnerability both lyrically and vocally in ‘A Clarity Appears’, the heart and soul that runs through this record is achieved via subtle nods to the likes of Radiohead, The National and Richard Hawley, as well as the band’s own profound voice and subject matter.

There are mournful sparks of looped piano from Brent (Knopf) in ‘Darkened Room’ and dark melodies inspired by the encompassing warmth of Sufjan Stevens…while front man Clarke’s subtly reedy voice is reminiscent of Benjamin Gibbard in his more delicate moments. Major chords are utilised to strengthen the depths alongside jolting, haunted stabs of guitar and the end result is compelling, intense and overwhelmingly thoughtful; demanding repeated listens.

We featured Divan just over a month ago, and so far I have just loved everything I have heard by the band. I guess the Irish musical styling is a key part, however the band put a very definitive slant on their songs, and are happy to test out ideas rather than just take the safe path.

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Ofelia K - Killing Me.

Background - Ofelia K.’s voice and compelling songs are worn down to perfection and balance wistful maturity with a certain earnest and eternally young expression.  Not quite pop, not quite anything else, the young singer-songwriter showcases her beautiful symmetry with her music somewhere between an unrepressed journal entry, a comforting arm around the shoulder and her smoky, shimmering glare, her eyes so knowingly staring into you. With spins from Annie Mac at BBC Radio 1, over 2 million Spotify plays, and features on multiple television shows, the world heard her starry eyed songs and asked for oh-so-many more. 

With her upcoming single release, "Killing Me," right around the corner this LA songstress once again sets her sights on capturing the public’s heart with her  tunes. As Ofelia herself mentions, “Killing Me is about the strange paradox that those who love you the  most can also hurt you the most. Loving deeply makes you vulnerable and the highs  and lows can be extreme.”  And with Ofelia K, you know that can only result in pure musical bliss.

'Killing Me' is getting considerable attention after just a few days, and that is not surprising, as this is a delightful and massively catchy song. Sometimes that's all that's needed!

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NervousTwitch - So Rock'n'Roll.

Background - Odd Box Records are re-issuing Nervous Twitch’s incredible LP Don’t Take My TV on vinyl for the first time, with an official release date of August 26th. Nervous Twitch are a Leeds based band who serve up “catchy, effervescent punk-pop” Louder Than War, one that’s angst-ridden and dining on an ode to Riot Grrl, surf and garage-rock.

Don’t Take My TV is the bands second album but comes from a pretty expansive back-catalogue of singles and EPs, one which has seen them acquire significant praise and a recent radio session onMarc Riley’s BBC 6 Music show. The band will be performing at this year’s Indietracks festival.

'So Rock'n'Roll' is the opening song, and one of eleven wonderfully punk pop tracks, on this first time on vinyl release. The featured song reminds me in part of Blondies first album, which remains my favourite, because it had a genuine rough around the edges feel to it. Likewise the Nervous Twitch album 'Dont Take My TV' has that vital ingredient for anything punk orientated, along with alot of enthusiasm and charm. Love It! 

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Six Of The Best: Dreamers - Blaenavon - CJ Hooper - Places Erupt - Future Generations - Rakunk

Dreamers - Sweet Disaster.

Background promo - Dreamers  first broke out in the scene when their track, "Wolves (You Got Me)" made it's way into the Top 18 - where it stayed there for months! their new single, "Sweet Disaster" has been added to Advance Placement! They have toured with acts like Atlas Genius, Zella Day, Stone Temple Pilots

Dreamers spent nearly two years on the road, touring and near homeless - living out of their practice space. Now, after bouts of vagrancy, nomadism, and vigilant attempts at normalcy, Dreamers calls Los Angeles home, committed to its collective vision of artistry, inclusion, and idealism. Their debut was recorded at the iconic Fairfax Recordings (formerly Sound City) - the same studio artists like Nirvana, Fleetwood Mac have recorded.

'Sweet Disaster' is one of twelve songs from the "This Album Does Not Exist" album, due August 26th via Fairfax Recordings. It's pretty typical of this energised collection of tracks, many carrying enticing hooks along with an overall positive feel. As debut albums go, this is one solid effort, full of good tunes that deserve to get noticed.

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Blaenavon - Let’s Pray.

Background promo - Transgressive-signed teenagers Blaenavon have unveiled ‘Let’s Pray’ the second track from  their much-anticipated debut album with Grammy-winning producer Jim Abbiss (Arctic Monkeys, Adele, Bombay Bicycle Club, Catfish & The Bottlemen, Bjork), alongside news of their biggest headline show to date, further festival dates, and a lengthy UK support tour.

‘Let’s Pray’ is a massive, emotive and bold statement of intent from the Hampshire three-piece on top of their game, Blaenavon’s dark romanticism exudes lonesome warmth - reminiscent of The Smiths and The Cure - and self-assured, mellifluous tendencies.

Singer Ben Gregory said the following about the new single: "When the best songs have all already been written, order yourself a smile and a steak - equally as rare - chew with your mouth closed and your hands in your pockets and wait... Wait for sanity. She'll settle up."

‘Let’s Pray’ and previous single ‘I Will Be The World’ are the first new tracks from Blaenavon since their acclaimed 2015 "Miss World" EP. ’I Will Be The World’ caught the attention of Zane Lowe at this year’s SXSW, who convinced label Transgressive to let him play an unfinished version of the track on his Beats 1 show and declared them "one of the most talked about, breakthrough bands” playing the festival.
 
Following an epic debut US trip in March, which included a visit to SXSW where the band were tipped by the likes of The Fader, Esquire, NME plus many other taste makers, Blaenavon have announced a run of new festival appearances - including Glastonbury, Latitude Festival, Reading & Leeds, and Electric Picnic. The boys have spent the last four months on the road supporting bands such as Foals, Bloc Party, Sundara Karma and The Sherlocks as well as sell out headline shows at The Lexington, Dingwalls and around the country.

'Let's Pray' is the second song we have featured by Blaenavon, and deservedly so. This is a quality indie rock song, with a smooth flowing feel, it's both melodic and full of great harmonies.

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CJ Hooper - Need To Know.

Background - Here’s the latest offering from a truly talented songsmith, ‘Need To Know’ is a classic track from CJ Hooper, reminiscent of the singer-songwriter heyday of the 70’s! The new single mixes elements of John Lennon's take on Pop-Rock with CJ Hooper's own lush harmonies and thoughtful lyrics. Piano accompanies a delicate acoustic guitar, guiding the slow build of the track through reflective verses into a captivating chorus bound to absorb the listener.

“I lost my dad a few years back, which made me question many things. A yearning to know what’s ahead of us and reflecting on the reality of still being here is what lead to writing this track,” says CJ Hooper on the genesis of the track.

CJ Hooper’s debut independent single ‘By My Side’ launched him into the radios of Australians everywhere, making its triple j premiere on Roots n’ All with Sarah Howells. ‘Life Feels Good’ followed the success of his debut, releasing earlier this year, and featuring yet again on triple j. It found its way onto playlists at a number of big indie stations across Australia, including 2RRR FM, SYN FM, Pulse Radio, Inner FM, Radio Adelaide, Valley FM, Homebrew Radio, being played amongst the likes of John Butler Trio, The Waifs, Dan Kelly & Nick Cave.

‘Need To Know’ is the latest independent release from the talented CJ Hooper, who’s personal and diverse approach to music is resonating with audiences worldwide. “Need To Know” by CJ Hooper will be released 12th of August 2016.

Another artist featured some time ago on Beehive Candy, CJ Hooper's new song 'Need To Know' is a beautifully delivered piece. I can understand the John Lennon reference in the above promo, it's definitely not a copy, however the songs construction does bare some of Lennon's hallmarks. That said this song stands on it's own merits and really does build into something quite wonderful.

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Places Erupt - Mayday.

Background from the band - Our latest entitled, 'Mayday' is about the difficulty of shaking things off. It’s also about the desire to compartmentalise things that trouble you and the difficulty of actually accomplishing it.

Lee was experiencing heart palpitations at the time of writing this song and was required to wear a heart monitor for a few days to monitor his heart activity, thus the words: Checking on the pulse/ Beat reporter/ Plastic tentacles/ Reaching in.

A few years ago, Greg and Lee started writing songs in their grimy College Street apartment, with no real vision of creating a full band. Several years later, what was once a casual folk tandem had turned into a quintet.

We're not classical, we're not folk, and not rock but our sound combines all three genres. As a band we've toured extensively throughout Ontario and Eastern Canada, formerly under the name The Benefit of the Free Man. This is our first full length as Places Erupt. Look for the album out August 19th. 

'Mayday' does suggest a band that are comfortable to explore differing genres to deliver the right overall sound. This is a fairly gentle song, that is cleverly layered so that the fine vocals and variety of instruments and sounds all have clarity. The album 'Breathe A Storm' takes their musical ideas even further, in a collection of eight wonderful songs. If you like the single, then I whole heartedly recommend the forthcoming August release.

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Future Generations - Thunder In The City.

Background - Future Generations will be releasing their self-titled debut album today Friday, July 29 via Frenchkiss Records. In advance of the album's drop the band are sharing “Thunder In The City”, the new single from the record. The band's Eddie Gore says "We are extremely excited to be finally releasing this out to the world. We've grown so much through this process and I have to say that is probably the biggest theme through the whole thing: Growth.”

“Thunder In The City” is one of the last songs written for the record, and it best embodies the band’s feelings about the upcoming release. Eddie adds “I don't want to get too specific about meaning behind the song because it's not supposed to be specific, but it's definitely about being happy in a moment and about looking back and being happy with yourself”.

In the style of MGMT, Friendly Fires and FUN, Future Generations have excellent pop-sensibilities and know just how to draw a listener in. Apart from the hooky vocal and melodic components making “Thunder In The City” a rich sonic experience, they also know how to provide sufficient variety of sounds pulling off the track’s all-important hooks.

On the eve of their debut's release Future Generations will be playing a record release show at NYC's Mercury Lounge (July 29), and it is a great starting point for any NY listeners to check out what all the fuss is about. In addition, they are playing the following dates this summer with more to be announced:

Live Dates:
7/29 - Mercury Lounge - New York NY
8/5 - Tropicalia - Washington, DC
8/12 - Johnny Brenda's - Philadelphia, PA
8/18 - Great Scott - Boston, MA
8/26 - Fete Lounge - Providence, RI.

'Thunder In The City' is the tenth and final song on today's album release. As a guide, it gives an absolute flavour of the bands music, which I guess is loosely defined as pop orientated Alt Rock. They can and do mix up the tempo's, and the promotional piece above is pretty much straight down the line. It's looks like some New Yorker's are in for a good gig tonight!

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Rakunk - Trillionaire.

Background bio - "Just when we thought we knew where we were going / I learned I never had it right," rasps Jonathan McIntire, over staccato guitars and pulsing keys. The opening lyrical salvo to Rakunk's self-titled EP is ironic, however--McIntire and company clearly know exactly where they're going, and have been doing it well since the band's inception.

Formed by McIntire and guitarist Tames McTigue in late 2014, the duo wasted no time recruiting bassist Taylor Briggs and then drummer Thomas Benko, booking shows and recording two demos and an EP, which tracked at the top of Soundcloud's trending sections, drawing the attention of labels and management firms. After a few membership changes (including Tames' departure to move to Qatar), Rakunk's lineup has solidified into McIntire, Briggs, guitarist Mike Maneechotte and drummer Brian Dunk and the four-piece has never sounded bigger.

Augmenting the band's huge, guitar-driven rock sound are elements of hip hop, EDM, hardcore, even some Krautrock, all guided by McIntire's cutting vocal and production work. "I think I write music that has an empowering big sound," he said, "and even though our all of our influences aren't modern in a sense, we are trying to get away from classic/nostalgia/dad-rock that dominates a lot of what you'd call rock."

The new EP highlights that modern edge, bursting out of the gates with "Writing With a Knife," a guitar-and-synth-heavy rocker with the soul of a dancefloor banger. "Wicked Bible" features a sludgey guitar riff dripping swagger, Maneechotte's nimble guitar floating over Dunk's muscular drumming. "Banged Up" is an arena-ready monster of a track, with Briggs' thundering low end dominating the proceedings.

But album closer "About to See the Light" is the real surprise, taking every ounce of inspiring, atmospheric songwriting on display in the other three songs and stripping out the heaviness in favor of acoustic guitars and a heartfelt vocal that would do Oasis proud. "Hey, I know times have been / Like playing the piano with broken hands / It's a night to fail," McIntire intones, his voice imparting more hope to the song than the lyrics might suggest. 

'Trillionaire' is a feisty in your face rock song. The song erupts with a wall of energy both musically and with gritty vocals, so much so, that the short reprise around three quarters of the way through, is quite unexpected, before the songs thunderous end.

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