Genre Wander: Clap Your Hands Say Yeah - The Darts - Vibronics meets Conscious Sounds

Clap Your Hands Say Yeah - Fireproof.

Background - Clap Your Hands Say Yeah’s 2005 self-released debut album set a precedent for how bands might begin to approach making music independently. The record — which vocalist/multi-instrumentalist/songwriter Alec Ounsworth wrote entirely by himself— received widespread critical acclaim and was named one of “The 50 Most Important Recordings Of The Decade” by NPR.

In the ensuing years, Ounsworth has continued pushing himself creatively, releasing three additional Clap Your Hands Say Yeah full-lengths (for which he again wrote all of the music and lyrics) and issuing two solo projects. The group has also grown a robust international fanbase: In 2015 alone, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah toured in Latin and South America, Japan and Europe. All of these experiences have helped Ounsworth refine his vision for Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, as the group heads into its twelfth year and the release of its fifth album, The Tourist.

Like previous Clap Your Hands Say Yeah records, The Tourist nods to Ounsworth’s musical heroes—a group that includes artists such as John Cale, Robert Wyatt, Tom Waits and Nick Cave. However, this album also shows a natural progression from previous records. “Better Off” and “The Vanity Of Trying” are lush, keyboard-augmented songs, while “A Chance To Cure” and “Ambulance Chaser” are rhythmically askew, and the sighing “Loose Ends” is delicate, acoustic-based folk-rock.

No matter what the style, however, The Tourist‘s arrangements are laser-sharp and deliberate, without feeling labored-over. For example, “Down (Is Where I Want To Be)” combines piano flickers with anxious keyboards, gnarled electric guitars and teeth-baring drums—but yet feels cohesive, not chaotic.

The Tourist emerged from a period where Ounsworth was doing a lot of intense soul-searching, and processing personal events that irrevocably shaped his life and future. But although most of these songs came together during this time of reflection, he considers the record to be cathartic—an exhale of sorts, rather than a collection of songs where he was indulging in self-pity or letting things stagnate or fester.

“The album was a type of purge,” he says. “A purge of certain emotional confusion that manifested itself in the last several years. It was not an easy album to make, by virtue of the fact that it was an emotional time for me.”

Having that space and freedom to explore as part of Clap Your Hands Say Yeah is crucial to Ounsworth and a vital part of the band’s identity. As anyone who’s seen him perform a living room show will attest, this mindset also often results in songs with dramatically different arrangements. But as a musician and leader of an independent project, Ounsworth prides himself on honesty across all aspects of the band, from live performances to the studio. Website here and Facebook here.

Clap Your Hands Say Yeah are one of those bands where the wait for new material always seems worth it and 'Fireproof' suggests that remains the case. As for the song well in part it's a juxtaposition of being understated and gentle, whilst the rhythm is funky, fresh and energised. What's more the arrangement is just right for the thoughtful lyrics and there delightful delivery.

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The Darts - Running Through Your Lies.

Background - The Darts (US) are an all-grrrrl garage-psych-rock supergroup featuring Nicole Laurenne (The Love Me Nots, Motobunny, Zero Zero), Rikki Styxx (The Two Tens, The Dollyrots, Thee Outta Sites), Christina Nunez (The Love Me Nots, Casual Encounters, The Madcaps), and Michelle Balderrama (Brainspoon).

The band formed in early 2016 when, after watching each other’s bands from the sidelines for years, Nicole and Michelle realized there was no good reason why they shouldn’t just start writing songs together already. With six songs ready, Rikki and Michelle recorded their tracks in Los Angeles and then Nicole and Christina tracked their parts in Phoenix. Arizona producer Bob Hoag then masterfully stirred the mess together over a piping hot console. The results are two smoking 10” vinyl EPs full of garage riffs, girl-group harmonies, fuzz bass, farfisa organ, badass drum fills, and all-around lo-fi-turned-hi-fi goodness.

Soon after their October 2016 release, the singles “Running Through Your Lies” and “Revolution” enjoyed instant radio airplay and  “Take What I Need” was selected by Sirius/XM’s Underground Garage channel as “The Coolest Song In The World 2016.” The band played its first live show in October, 2016, and signed with London’s Dirty Water Records shortly thereafter. The Darts will tour across the southern US in January 2017 with Oakland’s all-girl rock duo Steel Cranes, and then… The Darts will invade Europe on tour in May 2017. Bandcamp here, Facebook here.

The first of six tracks on the EP and 'Running Through Your Lies' immediately lets the listener know that The Darts have some real depth to their music. Mixed with more feisty garage rock, the collection of songs may be small in number, but they pack a punch and demand your attention throughout!

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Vibronics meets Conscious Sounds - Half Century Dub  - 50 years in the mix.

Background - As Dub Reggae music becomes a global force, Vibronics & Conscious Sounds present an album that celebrates 50 years of dub music. Dougie Wardrop & Steve Vibronics present an album that takes classic music from each decade of dub, starting with 1970s Jamaica music right up 2010s worldwide dub sounds. The two prominent UK Dub producers will take each decade in turn, as the listener is catapulted across half a century of roots rocking Reggae music. This unique dubwise concept album will feature reworking of classic tunes from 1970s, 1980s, new versions of crucial music from the Conscious Sounds & Vibronics back catalogue from 1990s & 2000s and some brand new future dubs for the 2010s. Dubwise music across 50 years.

Vibronics meets Conscious Sounds and Half Century Dub - 50 years in the mix 2 X Maxi 10" includes a Limited Edition Vinyl singles January 2017 and also Vinyl / CD / Digital Album Release January 2017. Website here.

If you go to their website (link just above) there are nine songs to listen to, unfortunately we cannot embed the music here, however to wet your appetite a little, we have Vibronics - Furious Dub & Conscious Sounds Mix (Taken From Personal 10), as an indicator of the quality and musical delights due in January.

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Weekend Wonders: Nevāda Nevada - Rayne - Gregory Clark - The Byzantines

Nevāda Nevada - 900 Days.

Background - Nobody ever really quits music. Not if they ever really loved it. One can try, but it always creeps back, until one day the air is once again being caused to vibrate in the most necessary to actualize being. It is how it should be.

Several years ago, Kathryn Musilek, frontman for Nevada Nevada, was a fixture in the vibrant and close-knit Iowa City, Iowa music scene, playing in numerous bands and just being generally omnipresent therein. In some way, this was the natural result of a life long love and study of music, having learned several instruments. A significant other used Kathryn as an entry point into this world, and once on the inside, spread their lovin' all over, with the knowledge of everyone in town--everyone, that is, but Kathryn.

This betrayal hurt so bad, it required that Iowa City be left behind in favor of Brooklyn and the creation of music be left behind in favor publicizing the same. It was a sort of "I need to be a new me" sort of deal. As we all know, though, a creator of things as gifted as Kathryn cannot suppress the urge to make things for long. And so there was born Nevada Nevada.

Nevada Nevada is a rock 'n' roll band from Brooklyn with more than a hint of its midwestern roots. It is part Wilco, part Guns 'n' Roses. There is americana and folk, but there is even more rock 'n' roll. Facebook here.

Distinct and melodic vocals drive '900 Days' forward, accompanied by a powerful musical soundtrack that develops into something quite expansive and somehow manages to grows even further as the song unfolds.

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Rayne - Chemicals.
Gregory Clark - The Home Song.
(From the Various Artist Compilation 'This Is Not A Game', released 9/12/16).

Background - Platform Records and Platform Songs (Publishing) will celebrate it's tenth anniversary in 2017.

To mark our first decade, rather than just 'looking back', Platform is releasing a 15-track various artists compilation, including bands, singers and songs very recently signed to our business. The album contains just under an hour of indie-pop and indie-rock music. Platform Records here.

Album Tracks are:
1. Late Hala - 'Good Thing'
2. Warm Winters - 'Prehistoric Skies'
3. Rayne - 'Chemicals'
4. Ross Trigwell - 'Safe Forever'
5. Bobo & The Demeraras - 'She'
6. Gregory Clark - 'The Home Song'
7. Jon Vautier - 'Leave The City Dead'
8. George Diaz - 'Can't Say'
9. Emporium - 'Magical Things'
10. The Ultra - 'Universe in Two'
11. Indiana Foxx - 'Spectre'
12. The Buddha Pests - 'Tanker'
13. James Blames - 'The Bad Old Days Are Back'
14. Voodoo Rays - 'Wider Sea'
15. Liquorice River - 'Back To The Beginning'

Rayne's 'Chemicals' and Gregory Clark's 'The Home Song' are just a small taste of the quality and variety to be found on the new compilation album from Platform Records. If you have a liking for indie pop and rock, then this really is a fine collection of artists and songs, that are well worth getting to know.

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The Byzantines - Jamaica.

Background - Hailing from the great South Australian state that brought you two giant balls, Farmer’s Union iced coffee and Cooper’s Pale Ale come brit pop band The Byzantines. The boys are excited to announce their new EP, set to release via Marshmallow Pavement Records on February 17th, 2017. The band are also announcing an east coast Australian tour during February and March in support of the new EP. The tour kicks off at The Karova Club in Ballarat on Friday Feb 24 with label-mates The Montreals, and Melbourne Garage-Rock darlings BATZ. They’ll make their way up the coast on a 9-date tour, hitting Melbourne, Canberra, Sydney, Brisbane and other cities along the way.

There’s nothing pale about these Adelaide lads and best mates; vocalist Michael Pietrafesa, guitarist David Zammit, Jose Moucho on bass and Johnny Zervas on drums. The Byzantines have incorporated a varied mesh of sounds and layers, all the while feeling organic and staying true to the British sound that bands like The Stone Roses and Primal Scream made famous. 

Using the opportunity to promote their debut EP and supported by the Brit music icons such as Fred Perry Subculture and Liam Gallagher’s clothing label Pretty Green, The Byzantines embarked on a European/ UK trip in 2014. Coming off the success of that international tour, the guys were invited by Rolling Stone Magazine to play a sold out Workers Club show in Melbourne for their Live Lodge event supporting The Delta Riggs.  After copping some abuse from their tour manager for drinking The Delta Riggs rider, The Delta Riggs guitarist and talented engineer and producer Alex Markwell was laughing his head off and a friendship was born. Markwell offered to help produce and engineer the EP so in 2015 the boys decided to hit the recording studio.

Recorded between competing national tours and other commitments, the boys also enlisted the help of friends Dan Crannitch (Love and Other Crimes) to assist with pre-production and Luke Godson (Luke Million/The Swiss) to help capture the more electronic aspects of the band’s sound. The initial session birthed ‘Jamaica', ‘a swaggering hot mess’ (Rolling Stone Magazine), which set the benchmark for the rest of the EP. The first listens from the new recordings are ‘Jamaica’ and ‘She Moves’, available on triple j unearthed, both singles lauded from critics and fans alike. Facebook here. 


The video for 'Jamaica' is part story and part music. Musically the band make the most of Jamaica's reggae vibes, and put their own rock'n'roll stamp on the song. Based on this track alone The Byzantines could well destined for greater attention next year.

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Thursdays Treasure: Red Sleeping Beauty - The Regrettes - Mr. Elevator

Red Sleeping Beauty - We Are Magic.

Background - Red Sleeping Beauty formed in Stockholm in 1989 by singer Kristina Borg, singer/guitarist Niklas Angergård (Acid House Kings), guitarist Mikael Matsson (The Shermans), and bassist Carl-Johan Näsström. They made a huge impact on the international indiepop scene with two fantastic albums and a series of singles and EPs. Their first release was in 1992 with EP Pop Sounds (Marsh Marigold), followed by four 7"s all on different pop labels (Somersault, Motorway, Grimsey, and Sunday) before returning to Marsh-Marigold for the first full length Bedroom. They then signed to the legendary Siesta Records to release their fifth single Sick & Tired, their second album Soundtrack, and a compilation of singles.

Album named after the band’s female singer. On the recent album ”Kristina” Red Sleeping Beauty is a duo consisting of vocalist Niklas Angergård and Mikael Matsson with help from Kristina Borg on vocals on four songs. The album title is a tribute to her. - She’s had a tough struggle with cancer but things are looking brighter now. We expect her back as a full time member on the next album, the band states.

First album in 19 years time - ”Kristina” is the band’s first album in 19 year’s time. But that doesn’t mean the members have been disconnected from making music all these years. Niklas has released numerous albums with Acid House Kings on Labrador while Mikael Matsson has released several albums with both The Charade and The Shermans on Skipping Stones Records and Shelflife. Record label here.

'We Are Magic' has rich synthy vibes and beautifully smooth melodic vocals. The song has something of a timeless feel to it, almost as if the band have picked up from where they left off nineteen years previous.

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The Regrettes - A Living Human Girl.

Background - The band is releasing their debut album, Feel Your Feelings, Fool! a month from now. The Regrettes are Lydia Night's latest project with friends Genessa Gariano (guitar), Sage Chavis (bass) and drummer Maxx Morando. The Regrettes have been tearing up the LA club scene playing with Kate Nash, Peaches, Bleached, Deap Vally, PINS, La Luz and Summer Twins leaving L.A.'s jaded rock critics to write such things as "Everybody was floored by The Regrettes—the new poster children for local teen garage rock." and "The Regrettes rocked with a ferocity and penchant for hooks that schools most indie rockers twice their age. They will surely run an empire in ten years tops."

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.” Website here and Facebook here.

We first featured The Regrettes in early August, and it's great to be able to share another song, this time from next months album release we have 'A Living Human Girl' the second of fifteen gorgeous, vibrant, punky songs in the collection. Energised and genuine, this is one band to watch out for, come the new year!

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Mr. Elevator - Sunshine Daydream.

Background - Mr. Elevator – formed in Southern California in 2012 by Thomas Dolas and Justin Martinez (and their mutual love of Donovan) – eschews guitars for vintage synthesizers, organs, and electric pianos, distinguishing themselves within the fuzzy, distorted contemporary Psych-Pop scene.

Today on Brooklyn Vegan, Mr. Elevator shares the first track and video "Sunshine Daydream" from their upcoming album.  'When the Morning Greets You,' is scheduled for release in February 10, 2017, on Rad Cat Records.

Under the original name Mr. Elevator and the Brain Hotel, the band began playing shows as a three-piece with bassist Wyatt Blair, and a short-while later, in 2013, relocated to Los Angeles where they released their first album, 'Nico & her Psychedelic Subconscious,' with Burger Records. After a few years of live shows, perfecting their sound alongside acts like Thee Oh Sees, The Fresh & Onlys, The Black Lips, Allah-Las, and more, Mr. Elevator recently completed their second album, 'When the Morning Greets You'.

On 'When the Morning Greets You,' the bands’ love for vintage keyboard sounds, concept albums, and 70s pop remains intact, furnishing an album that entrances listeners and evolves over the course of its run-time into an array of bright, complex patterns and shapes. The upbeat, colorful pop feel of Side A, for example, is slowly engulfed in the lush, synth-heavy soundscape of Side B (pointing in at least two distinct directions in regards to the sound of the next album).

With the addition of a fourth member to the performing band, Mr. Elevator will be supporting the release of 'When the Morning Greets You' with national and international live dates. Facebook here.

If it was not for the more modern production and audio quality 'Sunshine Daydream' could be taken as something from the sixties psychedelic music scene. A little bit quirky and a whole lot gorgeous melodic and catchy, my only complaint is it's over so quickly, still with more on the way who can complain!

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Midweek Muse: Ferlein - Donnie Biggins - The Desert Sea

Ferlein - Forgive Me For Falling.

Background - Forgive Me for Falling is Ferlein’s debut single from her upcoming debut album Poetic Mind.  Ferlein is a singer/songwriter with a gift for poetic storytelling.  Her unique contralto voice with lush velvet tones combined with a mix of delicate and powerful delivery enables her to tell her stories with genuine passion and emotion.

Marcel Yammouni is Ferlein’s music producer and guitarist.  Marcel describes Ferlein's music as fearless and inventive. "Ferlein has a unique sound which I struggle to put in any category all I know is I love it and am thrilled to be working with her".

Ferlein has a very experienced band including Marcel Yammouni, John Salerno, Paul Cecchinelli, Rod Bustos and Phil Turcio.  They have worked with many top Australian artists including Vanessa Amorosi, Kate Ceberano, Olivia Newton John, Guy Sebastian, John Farnham, Jimmy Barnes, Jessica Mauboy, Em Rusciano and Hugh Jackman.  They have also toured and performed with international artists including Suzi Quattro, K.D Lang, Belinda Carlisle, Sting and Richard Marx. Website here, Facebook here.

'Forgive Me For Falling' is something of a classic sounding pop song, with a genuinely timeless feel to it. Musically as you would expect with the calibre of the band, it's one professional piece, which it really needs to be, as Ferlain has such a powerful and melodic voice. With an album to come, if you like your pop in the classical style, this could be something rather special.

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Donnie Biggins - Lula.

Background - Donnie Biggins, founder of Chicago’s The Shams Band and owner/promoter/head of Tonic Room, Harmonica Dunn and the annual Dunn Dunn Fest, dropped his solo debut, Profiles, on Tuesday, Nov 29.

Profiles, which will be available on limited edition vinyl and for digital download, features contributions from Ryan Joseph Anderson, Dan Ingenthron and Jamie Gallagher. All song were written by Biggins, who also handled vocals, guitar and piano. The album was produced by Ryan Joseph Anderson, recorded and mixed by Matt DeWine at Pieholden Suite Sound and mastered by Carl Saff at Saff Masterting.

Donnie Biggins celebrated the release of Profiles with back to back shows at Tonic Room in Chicago, earlier this month. Website here and Facebook here.

The first of eleven tracks on the album is 'Lula'. Oozing laid back charm and original rock'n'roll vibes, it's a good taste of whats to follow on the album. Mixing tempo's, melodies, and rhythm, every piece carries it's weight on this very assessable collection. I'm guessing this must be well worth seeing performed live.

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The Desert Sea - All Mine.

Background - With a reputation for high-energy live performances, The Desert Sea’s unique blend of raw vocal melodies, earthy riffs and chest pounding rhythm’s, serve up a tasty cocktail that’s sure to leave you with a sore head and a vague recollection of what could’ve been the night of your life.

Having built some solid momentum with the release of the EP’s first single ‘Elevator’ earlier in the year, the boys are now ready to drop their follow up single ‘All Mine’; A blues rock thumper with hook laden vocal melodies and a signature guitar riff that’s sure to stick firmly in your brain.

Drawing influences from bands like The White Stripes, Arctic Monkeys, Royal Blood and Led Zeppelin, The Desert Sea have tailored their sound on a fusion of heavy blues and rock. ‘All Mine’ tells a story of personal discovery through observation as the subject struggles to quantify his own worth by society’s measures.

A massive 2015 saw The Desert Sea release their debut Oceanic EP (receiving radio play Australia wide and in the US), score supports with great Aussie acts like Sticky Fingers, The Fumes, Ash Grunwald and Jebediah and leave a trail of sweaty stages and ringing ears in the wake of their biggest tour to date. Finishing off the year at ‘Szyslak Studios’ with Sydney producer Mo Mayhem (Hell City Glamours, The Lockhearts), The Desert Sea knuckled down to record their second EP Steal The Light From The Sun. Look for the whole EP to be released in early 2017. Website here, Facebook here.

Upcoming Shows:
Wednesday, 21st December - The Lass O’Gowrie, Newcastle
Wednesday, 28th December - Frankie’s Pizza, Sydney
Friday, 6th January - The V Room, Noosa
Satuday, 7th January - The Milk Factory, Brisbane
Feb 2017 - Moonshine Manly Residency, every Friday of the month.

'All Mine' has a delightfully wacky storyline video (story might be pushing it a bit), however once the music starts your in for one feisty and potent rock song.

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Quality Not Quantity: Erin Pellnat - The Plastic Attraction - Tallisker

Erin Pellnat - Dream in Color.

Background - Erin Pellnat is currently an unsigned singer-songwriter based in Brooklyn, NY. Her new EP Dream In Color includes songs that range from colorful acoustic, to accordion waltz, to Bossa Nova.

Erin is also a member of Brooklyn band Caretaker, however her solo material takes her in a number of  very different directions.

If you want to play detective then Beehive Candy featured a relative of Erin Pellnat earlier this year, no prizes for guessing, it's a small world. The EP was recorded in the fall of 2016. Bandcamp here.

'Dream in Color' is the title track and the first of four really fine songs in this EP collection. Although the songs take differing directions, Erin's vocals consistently stand out. Musically melodic, there is considerable attention to detail within the soundtrack which adds that little extra and makes this EP pretty special.

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The Plastic Attraction - No Foresight.

Background - The Plastic Attraction is the lovechild of four childhood friends from the southern suburbs of Perth, Western Australia - Liam (vocals), Matt (guitar/vocals), Horna (bass/ vocals) and Chris (drums/vocals). They grew up together on a diet of gratuitous guitar solos, pop anthems and late nights singing harmonies at house parties.

The band released their debut single, ‘Holding You’, in August 2016. The single was met with critical acclaim by radio stations, blogs and the band members’ parents. Sounds of Oz reported that the band had “hit a home run with its debut single” and Eat Sleep Breathe Music similarly praised the band’s release, saying “with its first melodies you are instantly attracted to their 90s vibe”.

‘No Foresight’ is the band's follow-up single to its August debut. And, like the debut, the band was supported in its production by industry heavyweights: recorded by Tristan Sturmer at Sumo Sound Studios (Sparrow, Verge Collection, Make Way For Man); mixing by Andy Lawson at Debaser Studios (Tired Lion, Eskimo Joe); and mastering by the master himself, Leon Zervos at Studios 301 (Boy & Bear, Art vs Science, Last Dinosaurs).

‘No Foresight’ is a mix of frenetic beats and a fuzzy-buzzy meld of guitar and bass. Set against this backdrop, the lyrics spin a story of angsty pain – it’s a melodic push back to the persecutor, the bully, the tormentor – it’s catharsis on the dance floor! In anticipation of the release of No Foresight, The Plastic Attraction will be playing at Four5Nine (North Perth) on Sunday 18 December 2016 (doors at 8:30pm). Facebook here.

'No Foresight' mixes some feisty alt rock sounds with fine vocals and harmonies. Add in the energy and melody and you have one very catchy piece!

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Tallisker - Astraea (Instrumental Edit).

Background - Parisian producer and electronic artist, Tallisker is pleased to share the video for new instrumental track 'Astraea'. This new video follows the story of an androgynous heroine, Astraea, who is stuck in an endless Matrix-esque loop of life and death… Tallisker is the DIY solo project of French artist Eléonore Melisande, 28. A former cellist and guitarist with a classical and folk background, she is now a full-time DJ, producer and performer with electronic, post-folk & rave aesthetics. Winning the Inrocks Lab Award (2014), the Booster Award (2015) and performing every weekend helped her take off pretty quickly and now she's pleased to celebrate the release of her debut EP 'Heliotrop'.

Baroque aesthetics are a major driver to her work: movement, expansion, tumult, ostentation, super-emotion, drama and tension. Her introspective universe often draws comparisons to artists like Björk or Fever Ray while her epic, soaring string sections are reminiscent of post-rock and neo-folk bands like Sigur Ros or Woodkid. The arrangements also feature rough drumkits and nasty sub-bass unveiling a full allegiance to trap & rave culture.

On 'Heliotrop': "Most of the tracks were written in Glasgow, Summer 2015, while listening to a lot of classical Music, mainly Baroque & Romantic-era masterpieces, plus techno and trap music! It was my purpose to explore these extreme genres, from the most traditional to the most recent forms of music to accelerate the genesis of something hybrid and awkward. Heliotrop is also a manifest."

"The artwork reveals this hybridity too. I’m wearing a costume that stands for tradition -religious, aristocratic, sacred. But this costume has been distorted and alienated thanks to contemporary, forward-thinking devices and tricks - Photoshop or other software. So in the end it looks like a ghostly, electronic silhouette full of mystery. You couldn’t say whether the portrait comes from the Tsardom of Russia or from a spaceship. It pictures how you can turn heritage into innovation, and vice versa."

The video storyline for 'Astraea' may be intriguing enough, however for me, it's the sublimely original music that I am fascinated by. With and without the imagery a story unfolds, don't get me wrong the video really is something quite artistic and original, however so is the music. I guess it's a case of having your cake, and eating it (hopefully that old saying crosses borders).

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Monday Double: Expanda Fuzz - Hand Habits

Expanda Fuzz - Flavour : Zombie (Bleuets EP).

Background - Expanda Fuzz is a caustic homing device for wayward spirit animals. Have you ever had a ripped speaker that sounded so killer you didn't want to fix it? Or how about the excitement of that raw distortion sound that rips through a guitar part like a divining rod and makes your heart skip a beat?

Those are some of the sweet ingredients that inspire Expanda Fuzz to write catchy, trance-inducing, garage pop songs. The songs are a dark cuisine of droney hooks, garage spunk and muddy pop, all crushed with a Velvet Underground spirit, Helium flavour and Suicide daydream.

Find the first sampling of those tracks in the first official release from the band: Bleuets! Now available for download and for record collectors, it is also available on gorgeous black and white splatter vinyl. Limited to 100 copies only, website here, Facebook here.

The first of six tracks on the 'Bleuets' EP is 'Flavour : Zombie' a song that typifies the raw energy that drives this collection of songs. Sometimes some stripped back rock'n'roll is just enough, add in the darker garage edge, and that's enough boxes ticked for me!

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Hand Habits - Flower Glass.

Background - "Meg Duffy, aka Hand Habits, is a singer, songwriter and guitarist from Upstate New York. She has been putting her time in on the road and in the studio over the past two years with  pacific northwest band Mega Bog, and the Kevin Morby Band, making an impression on everyone she comes across with her natural charisma and uncharted talent as a multi-instrumentalist. But let Wildly Idle (Humble Before The Void) be her open invitation to the world to step inside and take a much deeper look into who Duffy actually is. Tracked in an Upstate New York living room, then finished in her current home in Los Angeles - it is appropriate that this album was recorded by Meg herself - for Meg, who has an acute ear for detail, has touched every corner, has seen every vision 'til its end.

Because of this, Wildly Idle feels incredibly intimate, like a secret between her and the listener. It hits soft, like warm water, and before you know it it is all around you - a bath, and Meg's whisper has made its way inside you. Like many bedroom-debuts before it (The Microphones, Jessica Pratt, Little Wings, Grouper)  let this be the first of many to come, for Meg has music in her touch - and this is only the beginning. But let us not look to the future now, but instead stand alongside her, our trust in her will, both humble before the void, with her first chorus as the mission statement; 'hold you like a flower, hold you like an hour glass'."- Kevin Morby. Facebook here.

Live dates:
01/18 Brooklyn, NY - Music Hall of Williamsburg *
02/10 Brooklyn, NY - Baby’s All Right #
02/11 Philadelphia, PA - Everybody Hits #
02/12 Cambridge, MA - Lily Pad #
02/13 Portland, ME - Apohadian Theatre #
02/14 Winooski, VT - The Monkey House #
02/15 Montreal, QC - La Vitrola #
02/16 Albany, NY - House Show #
02/18 Washington DC - Songbyrd DC #
02/19 Asheville, NC - The Mothlight #
02/20 Louisville, KY - Zanzabar #
02/21 Chicago, IL - Schuba’s #
02/22 Columbus, OH - Rumba Cafe #
* = ACLU / PP Benefit show w/ Kevin Morby, Sharon Van Etten, Beirut, Daniel Rossen
# = w/ John Andrews & The Yawns

We featured Hand Habits back in October and 'Flower Glass' is most definitely worth a second share on Beehive Candy! Once again we are treated to some gorgeous dreamy pop music, that just oozes beautiful vibes. Wonderful!

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Genre Wander: Jetty Rae - Lucy and the Rats - Lucidalabrador - Loose Buttons

Jetty Rae - Queen of the Universe.

Background - Jetty Rae is a singer-songwriter based out of Northern Michigan. Jetty has been singing, touring, and recording for the since 2005. Her influences include Jennifer Knapp, Brandi Carlile, Cat Power, Ray Lamontagne, Lauryn Hill, Patty Griffin, and many more. If you’ve been to a Jetty Rae show you can agree to the fact that songwriting is her true forte, but how she marries her words to her voice and melodies is a thing to see. 

She has power, and restraint in her voice—the ability to pull at your heart strings delicately. On the other hand she also possesses the power to awaken a passion, a fight in all of us when she really belts it. Her hopes are to eventually start a label for independent artists like herself—that will empower artists to start where they are. She is hoping to give them the tools, studio time, experience, and resources they need to succeed in making great art. Website here, and Facebook here.

Jetty Rae has both a powerful and melodic voice that's just right for some bluesy folk rock. 'Queen of the Universe' is a really fine song, yes the influences are there, however Jetty carves out her own style, and is a natural, for this kind of song.

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Lucy and the Rats - This Situation.

Background - Lucy and the Rats — Lucy from the Ramones influenced pop punk trio, The Spazzys, is the ‘Lucy.’ The Spazzys have made headlines not only in Australia, where they come from, but across the globe. But she didn’t stop there! She assembles together a bunch of deadbeats and outcasts from the punk rock underworld of London and starts rehearsing. Manu, Mike and Joe, who were together in (the punk band) Michael Jackson become the Rats.

Splitting time between recording their debut album and touring all around Europe, (including a tour last month supporting The Buzzcocks)  it has been a very busy time for Lucy and the Rats but they have still managed to record and release a pair of great singles. Lucy and the Rats sophomore single, "This Situation" b/w "Melody" are two more gorgeous slices of their Powerpop - Girl Group hybrid.

It doesn't take long to find record labels interested. Monster Zero release their first 7", "Girl"; Surfin' Ki the second one, "This Situation" with Dirty Water Records taking on the digital duties for both singles.

When you listen to Lucy and the Rats, the melodies become power pop tunes and after a few rehearsals (if you could call it that) they start recording them. There you go, what you get from that is Lucy and the Rats, a kick ass punk band playing Lucy's catchy melodies. Website here and Facebook here.

With a feisty beat, jangly guitars and Lucy adding some no nonsense vocals 'This Situation' is a sub three minute blast of raw sounding punk rock. With just enough melody to make it standout, the track remains a little rough around the edges, keeping it real and relevant.

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Lucidalabrador - Zelia.

Background - Lucidalabrador is the musical moniker of Pedro Caetano Leite, a new emerging act from the vibrant scene of South-East London, who crafted a sound that pays homage to early 2000’s synthpop-rock.

A recent Goldsmiths University graduate (Blur, James Blake); the Brazilian born composer united forces with a multi-cultured live band that originates from Germany, Italy and Czech Republic. The band now looks forward to releasing their new EP: 'Today Is A Good Day For Friendship' for which they drew influences from classic songwriters such as Grandaddy, Sparklehorse, Jeff Buckley, Tom Waits as well as modern acts such as Father John Misty and Kurt Vile.

Working as an audio engineer across different studios in London, Pedro chose to explore a hybrid between using high budget studio facilities and his bedroom’s 8-track tape cassette recorder. The result is an EP with an intimate bedroom flair, and an incisive precision.

Mastered by Mikko Gordon (Atoms for Peace, Squeeze, Travis), the EP counts collaborations of two other local musicians: Bunki in “Yesterday Was A Good Day For Friendship” and Leiik in “Hurt you”. 'Today Is A Good Day For Friendship' was released on December 5th on Spotify. Facebook here.

Smooth and flowing vocals are supported by a melodic soundtrack on 'Zelia'. As the song develops the genre becomes even less clear with some alternative and original musicianship, that just adds to the intrigue. Once you think it's settled down the song takes even further twists, wonderful!

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Loose Buttons - Milk & Roses.
    
Background - "Breakups may suck, but they can be songwriting gold. NYC-based band Loose Buttons prove just that with their single “Milk & Roses,” from their upcoming EP Sundays, due in February.

The promising quartet met while playing for different local bands as teens, eventually coming together and releasing their debut EP, Damage Gallery,in 2014. Since then, Loose Buttons have honed in on a blend of new wave and pop that is all their own.

Drawing from the pain of a recent breakup, lead vocalist Eric Nizgretsky channeled it all into Sunday. "Milk & Roses,” the EPs closer, acts as the last step of the foursome’s aim to get you through every stage of a breakup.

“After copious amounts of sushi and ramen with my bandmates, I had the realization that it was time to move on and stop dwelling on my breakup,” said Nizgretsky. “There is a restaurant in Greenpoint called “Milk & Roses” and it was the last spot my ex and I went to before we broke up. It felt like the best lyric to signify moving on.”

As Nizgretsky deftly delivers lyrics like, “So it goes/ As in that book you know/ Our worlds, they will resume,” the beguiling melody carries you along; resolving the chaos of a breakup for you so you can move forward. And with Loose Buttons on the rise, it only makes sense to follow their lead. Facebook here.

Striaght down the line indie rock is taken up a notch or two, with some melodic guitar work and vocals that just draw you in. 'Milk & Roses' is one catchy unpretentious rock'n'roll piece and suggests next February's EP should be a good one.

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More Weekend Wonders: Grammar - Colin Onderdonk - Artificial Pleasure - American Dreamer - The Blinding Lights

Grammar - Michigan.

Background - “Michigan” is the second single from Massachusetts-based Grammar. Barrie Lindsay played and recorded all the parts in her bedroom studio in the summer of 2016. She started writing the song after rewatching the Virgin Suicides, and she was thinking about what the movie would sound and feel like as a song. She wanted to capture the movie’s saturated, dreamy, 1970s-inspired production. After she finished the song and took it to New York to work with the producer Billy Pavone, they ran the tracks.

The track was produced written and recorded by Barrie Lindsay, produced by Billy Pavone (Wet, St. Lucia, Delorean) and Barrie Lindsay, and engineered by Josh Bonati (Mac Demarco, Sufjan Stevens)."

Grammar is an alternative pop group created by multi-instrumentalist Barrie Lindsay of Boston in 2015. The band started as a home recording project of Lindsay, who writes, records, and produces the music.  The band’s first release, the single “Americana”, was featured on Spotify’s New Music Friday playlist in August 2016. Grammar have opened for Rhye, Marian Hill, Beacon, Reptar, and others. Facebook here.

There is a rich synthy feel, and as the band kick in, everything goes up a gear on 'Michigan'. The smooth and dreamy vocals glide above, on what is a fine atmospheric song. Beware the hooks, for they are everywhere...

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Colin Onderdonk - Tidal Bomb.

Background - 18-year-old, Texas-based singer songwriter Colin Onderdonk is not concerned with his music referencing pop culture or appealing to trends. Unlike most of his contemporaries, the subjects he approaches through his deeply introspective songwriting carry immense philosophical weight.

His debut EP, Proximity Effect, references the effect a source of sound has on its receiver; i.e., the closer a vocalist is to a mic, the fuller his or her voice sounds. Colin maintains that this concept can be expanded into a more tangential metaphor, saying “As people get closer to God along their spiritual journeys, the more they feel connected.”

Onderdonk’s distinctive songwriting is influenced by Marcus Mumford and Kendrick Lamar as well as the work of Steinbeck, C.S. Lewis and the Cohen Brothers. His young age betrays his refined taste and tendency to process things in a conceptual manner. Ambitious songs like the EP’s “Prologue” attempt to sonically portray the creation of the world while “Foreign Home” encourages the listener to not settle for ephemeral beauty when there is so much more beyond the earth plane. Proximity Effect is out now. Facebook here, website here.

'Tidal Bomb' has a funky and potent vibe that is there throughout. Colin Onderdonk's vocals are beautifully distinct and the strings add another dimension into this very catchy and original song.

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Artificial Pleasure - I’ll Make It Worth Your While.

Background - London-based trio Artificial Pleasure earned a rush of acclaim for their debut single ‘I’ll Make It Worth Your While’ which inspired comparisons with the likes of David Bowie, Talking Heads and The 1975. They’re now set to add to that initial rush of attention with a strange and compelling new video for the track.

Directed by Dylan Holmes Williams (Huntar, O Chapman) and produced by Ailsa Vanessa Tapping (Sundara Karma, Biffy Clyro), the video for ‘I’ll Make It Worth Your While’ moves in surprising directions with body horror, camp theatricality and vibrant dance moves all contributing to its surreal visuals. Dancer, actor and choreographer Tiago Gambogi stars as a patient who is trapped in a hospital while suffering with a very peculiar ailment.

‘I’ll Make It Worth Your While’ bursts from the blocks with an irrepressible energy powered by riffs that feel like Gang of Four playing disco alongside effervescent flourishes of synths and vocalist/guitarist Phil McDonnell’s persistent and rhythmic cry of ‘Let me out!’. Set to a tightly hypnotic groove, the track recalls elements of Artificial Pleasure’s influences such as Talking Heads, Deutsch Amerikanische Freundschaft, LCD Soundsystem and Atlantic Records’ great soul era.

Friends since childhood, McDonnell and Brennan previously worked together with drummer Lee Jordan in the band Night Engine. Following a split from other band members and a renewed focus on their sound, which evolved into something bolder and brighter, the three redefined themselves with the new moniker Artificial Pleasure.

Artificial Pleasure’s songwriting is always informed by how the material will work in a live setting. As a result, their intense energy means that their songs flow with a rush of adrenaline without the need for any tricks or gimmickry. They recently played their first show at London’s Electrowerkz as guests to German electro duo Lea Porcelain, which they followed with a date as support to The Bay Rays. Website here, Facebook here.

A fabulous song becomes even more spectacular with the new music video for 'I’ll Make It Worth Your While'. It's not often the stuff of nightmares can put a huge smile on my face, wonderful!

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American Dreamer - Words Do The Walking.

Background - American Dreamer, an Austin, TX based orchestral folk ensemble, specializes in approachable, yet sophisticated fretless pop. Their topical and politically driven material is couched in intimate chamber music, sonically falling somewhere between Sufjan Stevens and Yo-Yo Ma, Chris Thile, Edgar Meyer, and Mark O’Connor’s Goat Rodeo Sessions.

Band spearhead Sasha Klare-Ayvazian first got a taste of the lush combination of folk and classical music when his roommate began playing cello along with his songs during his freshman year at Oberlin College outside of Cleveland, OH. Sasha attempted to capture this sound through multi-tracking American Dreamers’ self-titled EP, released in 2014, and continued ruminating on the power of this tradition until he returned to school to get his master’s degree. There he connected with new friends who turned out to be classically trained string players.

The newly formed line-up released the live EP, Winding up a Dream, in 2015 and began performing across Central Texas, snagging a Global Music Award along the way. As a band with four fretless instruments, the challenges associated with intonation forced the band members to become highly attuned to each other and after a solid year of writing and performing new material, American Dreamer was beginning to realize the sound Sasha had been envisioning for years.

Earlier this year, American Dreamer entered Austin Signal Studios and, with the help of engineer/producer Andrew Oedel, recorded their first LP Restless Nights. “Calling the record Restless Nights is a reference to our band name” Sasha reflects. “The American Dream doesn’t seem to be doing so well at this time, so we wanted to offer a form of respite and spent a lot of time exploring the space we wanted to create.” Website here, Facebook here.

Another band that sneaked under Beehive Candy's radar earlier this year, and who are so worth a feature are American Dreamer, on this occasion with the song 'Words Do The Walking'. Beautifully creative music, you can hear a whole lot more via the website link above.

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The Blinding Lights - Can't Get Enough.

Background - UK old-school rockers The Blinding Lights are excited to share their debut music video “Can’t Get Enough”. The video gives an intimate glimpse into the bands recording sessions, perfectly capturing the bands unrelenting youthful energy. It also compliments the songs devil may care attitude, which describes a young man’s bedroom adventures with his amorous girlfriend, all to the accompaniment of catchy hooks and electrified piano riffs.

In the band’s own words: "Can't Get Enough was written to give people an escape - it's letting everything else go and just living in that few minutes of rock'n'roll. It may not be about a lot, but what it is about is embracing that feeling of giving yourself over to a particular moment, where all that matters is that moment.'"

Written in early 2016 by bandleader Callum Lury, the track came about as he gorged on the songs of songwriter-producer Jim Steinman (the man behind Bat Out Of Hell and so much more), plus The Wild, The Innocent & The E Street Shuffle-era Springsteen. Playing around with riffs which would not have been out of place in the golden era of Motown, and shaking it up with a top layer of Steinman-style piano lines, he took it to the rest of the band who worked it up into a frantic rumbling rhythm & blues number, given a further flourish with a horn arrangement to drive it along. Together, the band stands as a throwback to the R&B inspired, fast and poppy tunes from a time when rock was still in its youth. Their goal is to rekindle the abilities of the genre’s heroes to excite, to elevate and, even, to anger – but above all, to make you feel alive. Facebook here, website here.

'Can't Get Enough' is one gritty and powerful rock'n'roll song. Stripped back to the basics the band create a classic and timeless sound, and with the roaring sound of horns coming in, it's energy unleashes even further.

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Weekend Wonders: Elouise - The Tiger & Me - Honeymilk - Gutxi Bibang - Eleven North

Elouise - Silent Night.

Background - Fueled by a sordid real-life backdrop of good old fashioned suicides, murders, and alcoholic depravity followed by church on Sunday, Elouise is an eccentric collaboration of Los Angeles-based musicians who came together to create an ominous, raw and cinematic genre of music they identify as Blackgrass.

It is the sound of sin and salvation mixed in a dark cocktail with a taste of Bluegrass, a black symphonic sound and weary emotional vocals that tell original tales of struggle and re-imagine songs from our collective Americana consciousness.

Elouise is back with their menacing Blackgrass rendition of the Holiday classic “Silent Night” and are offering a free download for the month of December. Website here.

Move aside seasonal slush, no room for sentimental songs here today. This is how you do 'Silent Night', followed by a large measure of Bourbon and ice (I'm guessing that's an acceptable brew for alcoholic depravity)...

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The Tiger & Me - Sleep The Night Alone.

Background - In anticipation of their forthcoming third album, Melbourne quartet The Tiger & Me have announced the release of their new single ‘Sleep The Night Alone’ and its accompanying clip.

Intrepid by nature, with three lead singers and a multitude of instruments, The Tiger & Me is a sound that refuses to sit still. Produced by ARIA-nominated Steven Schram (San Cisco, The Cat Empire), ‘Sleep The Night Alone’ is a dance pop track about the corner of the life you abandoned, and how you got there in the first place.

‘Sleep The Night Alone’ is out through ABC Music imprint “Four | Four” (Tim Rogers, Melbourne Ska Orchestra), who also guided the release of the band’s second full-length album, The Drifter’s Dawn, which took out album of the week on PBS and racked up airplay across JJJ, 4ZZZ, Triple R, Edge Radio & RTRFM.

To accompany ‘Sleep The Night Alone’, The Tiger & Me have released a clip for the track as well as b-side ‘When All The World Went Dark’, originally an acoustic folk song written by Tobias Selkirk (vocals & guitars) on a ukulele while travelling through South America. Website here.

'Sleep The Night Alone' mixes really fine vocals and harmonies with a melodic and slightly understated soundtrack, resulting in a likable and danceable indie pop song.

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Honeymilk - The Nothing New.

Background - Sweden's Honeymilk has been around for 4 years but just recently scaled down to a duo (from a previous four piece). We all have our ups and downs and the story of how the two main figures Marcus Admund and Nikki Nyberg hold on to each other since meeting in a scout cabin back in 2009 is one full of fighting spirit and love for the music they're creating.

At the moment they're in studio working on the follow up to critically acclaimed 2013 debut "Lean on The Sun" (and 2014's "Sanguine Skies EP"). Their shoegazy Britpop has gained supporters all over the world - notable ones are KEXP, Q Magazine, Jajaja Music and Music Week.

In June 2016 their latest effort "Time Will Kill You" soon turned into their most succesful single to this date - with playlists adds and media ravings flowing in to the HQ. The band play a sold out show at The Finsbury in London and the single soon hit 140k+ streams on Spotify.

'The Nothing New' could be about finding yourself in an age and situation where the demands that hunts you are increasing; the same that it takes more alcohol to get drunk, it takes greater and greater everyday explosions for the static line that life has gradually turned into to be moved. It could also be a pretentious and unclear salute to both Samuel Beckett's book Murphy or Spacemen 3. Or it could be a very good pop song that means nothing.

With a slick beat and distinctive vocals 'The Nothing New' builds into a fine and refreshing indie piece with enough hooks to guarantee another play for my ears.

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Gutxi Bibang - System of a Gun.

Background - Gutxi Bibang is an unlikely candidate to carry the rock n’ roll torch, a second-generation African from the Basque county of Spain. On the heels of his debut single, Gutxi shares an incredibly powerful video for "System Of A Gun" after his debut U.S. performance last night at Communion NYC.

His family emigrated to the tiny coast town of Algorta outside of Bilbao, but native son Gutxi Bibang has more in common with larger-than-life musical icons than he does his Basque countrymen. Even his unique moniker speaks of his cultural clash heritage – Gutxi, a common nickname in his Basque homeland, and Bibang, from his roots in Africa. 

With his distinctive manner and impeccable style, Gutxi Bibang exudes charisma - not just a reminder of when rock was a socio-cultural force for change in the ‘60s and ‘70s, but a glimpse into the music’s global future.

It's strange how sometimes a music video can add clarity to a song. 'System of a Gun' came my way a couple of weeks back in audio form, and for whatever reason it didn't register with me. Watching the 'live' video made things click, the band are feisty, Gutxi is a natural rock'n'roller, and the songs home is in a hot and packed venue, where the music plays all night long, simple really!

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Eleven North - Words From The Wise.

Background from the band - Words From the Wise is about the roads that life sets before us, and the choices we make to define ourselves. 

As a band we are currently wrapping things up in studio and we are excited to be releasing a full length album in the new year. The single, “Words From The Wise” with the same title was an easy choice for the band with its big sound, explosive energy and a message that reminds us to be more selfless in our choices.

We've been working on creating an unparallelled and highly entertaining live show that we can share with our listeners. This year we have had the privilege of sharing the stage with artists such as: Juno winner Dear Rouge, Australia's The Lazy’s, West Coast Music winner Michael Bernard Fitzgerald, East Coast Music winner Andy Brown, and Edge Next Big Thing winner Ivory Hours.

Overall we have tallied up over one-hundred shows this year from coast to coast and we don't plan on stopping anytime soon! Website here and Facebook here.

'Words From The Wise' is an energised alt rock song (or maybe indie, or whatever, it's hard to pin down). Vocals add depth and the musicianship is tight and funky. Forthcoming album most definitely on my radar now!

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Triple Treasure: Asia i Koty - Every Kid Knows - Circus Devils

Asia i Koty - I'm Gonna Use My Claws.

Background - The second album entitled “Sing” was released on 2 April 2016 on Nasiono Records label that Bielawska has been associated with from the very beginning of her career. As the title indicates, this album is about singing and vocals play a major role in it. Asia i Koty intertwines various musical inspirations here, among which one can sense the spirit of Angel Olsen, Cat Power or Julianna Barwick. The music is based on the sound of an electric guitar but Joanna Bielawska also reaches for an acoustic guitar, piano, loops her instruments or enhances them with a subtle beat. The artist states that this album is about the importance of singing songs in her life and about a constant struggle with herself, about the barriers we create for ourselves:

“Sing” is a chronicle of my battle with depression, pathologically low self-esteem and persisting lack of faith in myself. The songs were written without any prior planning – they are the result of spontaneous home recording sessions which occurred when I had a chance to turn my self-loathing into creative energy. The song “Sing” is about a constant state of self-doubt which paralyses and prevents from doing anything most of the time. “Miracle I Hate” is presenting my fascination with how the state of depression can totally distort the perception of oneself. Because how is it possible to relish the world that surrounds you and at the same time thoroughly hate yourself and your life which after all is a miracle too? “In the Morning” is about the strokes of hope and life energy – and how quickly they tend to slip through your fingers. “All I Ask Take My Hand” is about the things a depressed person expects from their loved ones. Depression destroys not only the person suffering from it but also the loved ones who tend to take responsibility for the illness. Even though they are not to blame in the slightest. In most of the cases, depression has nothing to do with whatever is happening around us. It comes and goes without any notice. In a slip of a second it can take the whole meaning of life away, but not forever. That’s why sometimes it’s enough just to hold each other’s hands and to wait for the meaning to come back. Facebook here.

During December we receive a good number of messages from various agencies and record labels reminding us of their releases for the year. This is where we come across the odd gem that has slipped past us, and 'I'm Gonna Use My Claws' by Asia i Koty, is one such example. This is a gorgeous song from the equally delightful album 'Sing'.

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Every Kid Knows - Dandelions & Valium.

Background - Every Kid Knows are a set of musicians led by band leader JT Johnstone. From the heaven-sent sounds of psychedelia reminiscent of peak Lennon with a twist of Beck you will find a) side ‘Dandelions & Valium’ released at the start of 2017 bringing a message of hope and peace after what was a tumultuous 2016. b) side ‘Runway Song’ is one of those classic B cuts that offer humorous insight into a band of pals bantering around in the studio before breaking into a most delicate lilting lullaby that sustains its title, as you envision the plane you’re on gathering speed along the runway as you peer out the window, contemplative as you take to the sky in pursuit of some newfoundland.

Both tracks take on the twisted acoustics and alien electronics to infiltrate their heady 70s tinged mix, courtesy of classic Roland TB 303s and Korg synths and it’s plain to see some key influences for this record along the totem pole of John Lennon Plastic Ono, Ween, A Guy Called Gerald, New Order/Electronic and John Denver.

Every Kid Knows recently soft launched their debut album ‘Defenders Of The Nish’ on Spotify/iTunes etc. Lead singer Johnstone describes the LP as, “the ‘Bleach’ to Nirvana’s ‘Nevermind’ which is soon to be recorded in 2017 at Sawmills in Cornwall.” This comes across either as the ramblings of an egomaniacal cult curator drawn from the mould of Anton Newsome (Brian Jonestown Massacre) and Ian Brown (Stone Roses) or maybe even the zeitgeist of Kanye West. Arrogant and cocksure or just knowingly brilliant? Time will tell.  Website here and Facebook here.

'Dandelions & Valium' has more than a little psychedelic flavour to it, and the above mentioned influences are clearly there. That said' it's a fine, peaceful and dreamy song, and there is still plenty of room for songs of this calibre.

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Circus Devils - Do The Nixon.

Background - Robert Pollard’s freak-rock trio Circus Devils says farewell with a pair of simultaneous releases for 2017. First is their 14th and final album Laughs Last, along with a best-of, double LP collection titled Laughs Best: The Kids Eat It Up (with DVD included).

On Laughs Last, Pollard and the Tobias brothers take a breathless romp through multiple styles, starting off with the brash hotdogger, ‘Get Out Of My Way When I’m In Town.’  Along the way we’re treated to the R.E.M. inflected ‘I Do the Nixon,’ the organ-fuzz stomper ‘Teenage Rooster,’ and the defiantly conventional ‘Crucified by The British Press.’   Full of high humor and low drama, Laughs Last is the bold exclamation point at the end of Circus Devils’ 16-year run.

Laughs Best (The Kids Eat it Up) – a collection of 30 speedy deliveries from rock and roll’s Twilight Zone – will leave you exhausted, satisfied, and ready for another spin.  Circus Devils’ entire mind-bending catalogue is represented here, including three songs from the brand new album Laughs Last.  While there is an emphasis on friendlier numbers, there is still plenty of the trio’s prog psychedelia on display. Release date for both albums: February 24, 2017.

'Do The Nixon' gives just a little insight into the final Circus Devils album due in February 2017. It's one of seventeen tracks where keeping things under three minutes and two if possible is the norm, and yet each track is packed with enough to keep the listener engaged. A best of album will also be released on the same date. So another band says enough! and as we have noted here already this year, going out on a high, seems the best way to wrap things up, something I feel Robert Pollard's trio have done with ease.

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