Saturday Five: Liam Bryant & The Handsome Devils - Foster Olson - Mark Thirkell - La Bête Blooms - The Bats

Liam Bryant & The Handsome Devils - Her Name Means Grace.

Background - Accompanied by his trusty acoustic foot stomp box, “Stompy” and his foot tambourine, “Tamby", Liam recorded his debut album, The Pessimist & The Optimist at Airlock Studios in Samford Valley with Producer Yanto Browning (Art of Sleeping, Kate Miller- Heidke). The album has been mastered by the ARIA winning William Bowden (Gotye).

To complete the album, Liam invited a very talented bunch of musicians named The Handsome Devils who each brought with them their instrument of choice (electric guitar, bass, keys and drums). Their contribution brought great power, dynamic and space to the album recording and has certainly given their live show a devilish amount of depth.

The first single, ‘Her Name Means Grace’ delves into a theme everyone in this world can relate to, love, and so when the time came to storyboard for the animated film clip, Liam knew exactly which story to base the animation on, arguably the greatest and most tragic love story of all time, William Shakespeare’s, Romeo & Juliet.

Inspired by both classical guitar training and a love of progressive rock, Liam brings a new sound to the singer songwriter genre. With his catchy melodies and acoustic and classical guitar stylings it's impossible not to be serenaded and moved by his music. Website here, Facebook here.

Liam Bryant has distinct and pleasing vocals that are sensibly upfront on 'Her Name Means Grace' where his natural ability to play the emotional part within the song is evident. Musically we go from acoustic to full on rock, adding even more to this very fine track.

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Foster Olson - Over Me.

Background - "Over Me came about at a really hard time in my life,” states Foster Olson. A student of music and film at The New School in New York, the half-Australian singer-songwriter with a love for jazz rooted musicians like Billie Holliday, creates a ballad about being in an imperfect situation but knowing that the right person is always over you, waiting. Over Me has drawn comparisons to Florence & The Machine along with contemporaries like Bishop Briggs, as Foster Olson showcases her vocal prowess, hitting soulful notes with confidence and class.

The goosebumps-inducing power ballad does shine light on a deeper subject. “My dad was diagnosed with cancer and my boyfriend at the time had just moved in with me when I realized he wasn’t the right fit for me. And then I met this other guy who was so perfect for me, but I didn’t know how to get out of the relationship I was currently in,” Olson states. “Over Me” is really about believing the perfect person might be hanging over you somewhere.

And just like the artist she idolized, Billie Holliday showed Foster Olson that it’s okay not to be perfect, and that humans are imperfect. When it comes to music, artists are always on the quest for the perfect performance and every note has to be right. But sometimes every note in life, just isn’t right. Facebook here.

Another song where the vocals instantly demand your attention. 'Over Me' mixes a powerful soundtrack with Foster Olsen's more than capable voice in a dramatic, melodic and very catchy piece.

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Mark Thirkell - Say Goodbye.

Background - ‘In One Sense’ is a four-track EP - the latest project and debut solo release from Indie Electro vocalist Mark Thirkell.

Having drawn inspiration from a number of Indie bands and performers such as Roxy Music, Joy Division, The XX, Chvrches, The Cocteau Twins, John Foxx, Visage, Bauhaus, Goldfrapp, Jean Michel Jarre, The Cure and Interpol, the influence drawn from likes of Interpol and The Cure is notable on ‘In One Sense’.

The entire EP is accentuated by rich and resonant guitar riffs accompanied by melodic synths alongside Thirkell’s haunting lyrics. The first two tracks ‘Athena’ and ‘Say Goodbye’ feature intermittent rhythmic drum patterns from David Shaw, later taken over by Steve Wattis on track three - ‘The Chime’s’, putting his signature on the leading feature on the song. To end the project, Mark Thirkell has reserved ‘When She’s With Me’, a track that is once again heavily led by his unique and striking vocals. The production and components of the EP ensure its place firmly within the Indie genre and make it a record to watch out for this year.

Mark has worked on numerous previous projects, on one of which he was the lead vocalist for the synth pop band Ultra Arcanum for their debut LP ‘The Silence Inside’. Another being a collaboration with Alex Ford on which they formed the alternative/dark wave outfit Red September and recorded two LP’s. Facebook here.

Taken from the 'In One Sense' four song EP we have 'Say Goodbye'. A vibrant and rhythmic soundtrack with sweeping and melodic vibes throughout, it's a good indicator of an equally strong EP.

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La Bête Blooms - Low Hummer.

Background - Hull post-punk five piece La Bête Blooms kick off the year with their 2nd EP I Know It’s Nothing after gained praise for their single (& EP opener) Breaking In which included support from BBC 6 Music’s Steve Lamacq, playlist and chart action on Amazing Radio, an Xposure Hot One accolade from Radio X’s John Kennedy and excellent reviews from GigSlutz, UberRock and more.

Produced by Matt Peel (Eagulls, Pulled Apart By Horses), 4-track EP I Know It’s Nothing is rife with lacerating guitar riffs and feedback throughout, while gritty lo-fi vocals, unshakable in their sense of belief and delivery, give the listener a no-nonsense shot in the arm that oozes lo-fi anarchism. Lead singer Daniel Mawer says of the EP that its brutally honest subject matter depicts crippling anxiety and loneliness, tackling the subject matter straight on with defiance and an “us against the world” mentality, fuelled by the bands hometown of Hull.

La Bête Blooms have grown in confidence since their inception, and by merging a wall of noise with a keen ear for melody they have developed from their shoegaze beginnings to become a post-punk powerhouse. The band’s desire to prove their worth with a unique take on life up north echoes their home city Hull’s sentiments as it becomes 2017’s UK City of Culture. Facebook here.

The music and the video for 'Low Hummer' captures the overall feel of the EP in the manner that it is totally unpretentious and cuts to the chase. The attention the band are receiving within the UK is more than merited.

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The Bats - No Trace.

Background - The Bats release their new video for 'No Trace' - the second single off their recent album 'The Deep Set'. Out now one Flying Nun Records. Five years after the release of their last critically acclaimed album, The Bats have returned with album number nine, The Deep Set. A band that continues to defy the odds, allmusic.com recently hailed the band as “one of New Zealand's great treasures... anytime they make a record, especially one as good as The Deep Set, it's an event worth celebrating.”

The video is a heartwarming Scooby-Doo styled game of hide and seek, following a group of children around a rambling house on a scorching summer’s day. Directed by Andrei Talili and shot by Scott Jackson, the video beautifully visualises the band’s trademark jangle and bounce and charmingly echoes Robert Scott’s lyrics of landscape and longing - ‘lost in the street / trying to meet / someone to try and help me / faces around look to the ground / wondering what might be’. A blend of planned shots and spontaneous following, it’s a romantic walkabout around the Christchurch house sure to evoke a nostalgic fuzz in the most adult of eyes. The video’s youthful talent appear delighted in each other’s company; the game punctuated by joyous air guitar sessions and culminating in a fort hangout worthy of Little Rascals. Website here, Facebook here.

The Bats may well have a considerable back catalogue of material, however as the song 'No Trace' demonstrates, they are still more than able to present fresh, and likable songs. Pretty good for a second single from album number nine!

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Weekend Wonders: Be Like Pablo - Happyness - Mad Ones - Calcedon - Mischief Night - Shane Henry

Be Like Pablo - There She Is.

Background - There She Is is the best Be Like Pablo song to date.” says lead songwriter, Ewen Watson, of the mischievous Scottish band. A bold statement to make for a band with a consistent record of quality music behind them, but not an exaggerated one in this case. With influences like The Rentals, and The Cars, the band’s interest in retro imagery and sounds are prominent in the track, yet their trademark Moog synths, and fuzzy power chords help to underline the narrative that runs throughout ‘There She Is’.

The sleek sweet video, produced by the award-winning company, Freakworks, and starring Jerry-Jane Pears (The Royals, Survivor), depicts a Notting Hill-like tale of celebrity vs ‘normality’ and how images in the media blitz society. Watson explains this further,“There She Is tells the story of a high-school crush who left home and grew up to be the most famous person on earth. When writing the song, I could see a music video in my head from the outset: billboards and magazines spectacularly coming to life with their star – a glamourous model - breaking from her still-image form and reaching out to the real world.” Website here, Facebook here.

There is an upbeat indie rock vibe coursing through 'There She Is'. The melody, music and vocals combine to create one catchy song where the hooks come fast and furious.

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Happyness - Through Windows.

Background - When Happyness first burst into the public conscience with debut single “It’s On You”, their spirited take on US college rock was as big a surprise as it was an instant hit. The resulting full length, “Weird Little Birthday”, went on to feature in many End of Year album lists. Worldwide tours, an NME Award, a re-issue on the much-loved labels Moshi Moshi Recordings (Bar/None in US), and millions of Spotify plays later, it is with some anticipation that the band release new single “Through Windows” from 2nd album “Write In”.

Part-recorded at the band’s own Jelly Boy Studios, then finished with Adam Lasus in LA, Happyness shared some thoughts on the new single: "This started as an instrumental thing on guitar and piano. It was about double the speed. We had to name it immediately to save the Logic file and the name just kind of stuck. The song was written later standing around the piano and the recording was pretty much finished the same day. But the chorus started out as kind of a purposeful mishearing of "Ride Into The Sun" by The Velvet Underground - I used to think it could just as easily be heard as "Right Into...", or "Write In To..." - so maybe it's a song sung to a newspaper, we haven't quite decided yet. About a week after the album was mastered it struck me that the fade out sounds like a car driving into the distance which goes nicely with the words.” Facebook here. Live dates on our tour page.

Our third feature for Happyness and I feel that 'Through Windows' is the best song I have heard from the band so far. Vocals and harmonies are superb, the understated soundtrack is still full of detail, in all, this is a fabulous song.

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Mad Ones - End Of You.

Background from the band - “End Of You” is our new track, the first off our upcoming  full length Regretless, out on March 3.

“End Of You” is an existential meltdown played out over the course of a 3 minute rock song. Initially it was set during the industrial revolution and written from the viewpoint of someone contemplating the value of human life and likely speculating on the existence of an afterlife. 

The song is also appropriately suited to the recent rise of right wing populism in the US, the strength of the opposition to it and the sinking feeling we are, as a species, doomed to repeat our mistakes.

In the beginning, the band started out as a duo and we put out our first three records that way. We toured our last album as a trio and it worked out so well that we decided to go into the studio together, Regretless being the result. Website here, Facebook here, tour dates on our tour page.

The band are ultra tight and smooth, the vocals blend in beautifully making 'End Of You' one addictive rock song. Music with a message, delivered in three minutes, and not a moment wasted!

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Calcedon - Sparrow.

Background - Calcedon means "a faulted vein which runs through a gemstone" -- a truth at the heart of humanity, perhaps. Precious as a gemstone, with a fatal flaw running through.

'Sparrow' is the first single from the upcoming album, which you can hear in full on  March 25, 2017. The tracks on this album straddle the line between experimental and mainstream, progressive and popular. Avant-garde and pop sensibilities collide in this first track.

Moments of simple poignancy and beauty exist alongside those meant to push the listener out of their comfort zone to elicit the question, "Why?" 

Ultimately, Calcedon's music is not meant to be easy listening. Instead, it asks the listener to sit with it, trust it, and engage the dissonance. Facebook here.

The vocals are bright and melodic, the soundtrack is a feast of musical sounds that at times seemingly spar with each other, making 'Sparrow' both original and creative whilst remaining highly assessable and most definitely enjoyable.

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Mischief Night - With Me, Now!

Background - Marcus Kitchen formed the psych rock group "Mischief Night" with his partner Mallory after several years of performing in Philadelphia and a relocation to Brooklyn, NY.  

Together, they craft a unique blend of rock, blues, motown, classical, and psychedelia into strong compositions rich with instrumental and vocal layers. 

Their first EP, "Baby Toes" was released in May of 2016 while forming the structure for an upcoming full length political album titled "The Great American Worm," due out in early April 2017.  Mischief Night is also embarking on a week long tour of the northeast and Canada at the end of March.

Often compared with rock bands Neutral Milk Hotel or Elliot Smith, Mischief Night has been working and grinding in the NYC music scene for the past couple years with a growing fan base. They are set to release a full length album in the coming months. Bandcamp here.

If I was to describe 'With Me, Now!' as a wine, I would definitely have to say it's full bodied. Actually the song goes way beyond that, with a superb musical arrangement and wonderful vocals and that extra something that has made it an instant favourite. The video is equal to the task of matching the song, what a treat!

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Shane Henry - Save Me.

Background - Save Me is the new single from acclaimed rock blues infused artist Shane Henry. Henry has racked up an impressive list of accomplishments opening for such artists as BB King, Etta James, Buddy Guy, Edwin McCain and the Destroyers.  His new album is produced in part by in part by David Ryan Harris (John Mayer, Dave Matthews, Santana) and Justin Glasco (The Lone Bellow).  Henry's music has been heard on NBC, CBS, Discovery Channel, Hallmark Channel, and the E! Television network.

Passion and purpose tend to go hand in hand, so it’s little wonder that in the case of Shane Henry there’s an indelible bond that fuses his music to his message. One is intrinsically linked to the other. As a singer, songwriter and guitarist, he’s made it his mission to impart the emotion and inspiration he’s accumulated through the sum total of his life experiences.

Henry’s stunning new album, Light in the Dark (due for release April 28), conveys that intent without hesitation. Over the course of its eleven songs, it seals the divide between blues and pop, resulting in a sound that boasts elements of both, while also retaining a freshness, spontaneity, and yes, an instantly infectious and accessible sound that expands his boundaries as both a songwriter and a musician. It brings his career to new heights, the accrued accomplishment derived from a fifteen year journey that spans six previous independent releases -- You’re Comin’ Home (2000), Deliverance (2004), The Love EP (2007), Beauty in the Struggle (2011), and a pair of holiday EPs with Maggie McClure, First Thing on My Christmas List (2012) and Happiest of Holidays (2015) -- a steady diet of touring and solo performances, and continuing praise from his peers. Website here, Facebook here.

Shane Henry creates and performs music that has a pedigree you would expect from an artist with a roll call like the one above. 'Save Me' is powerful, passionate and natural. Rock and blues fans should be more than satisfied with this potent new track.

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Five On Thursday: Ruth Carp and The Fish Heads - Siamese - Knife in the Water - Trementina - Ravines

Ruth Carp and The Fish Heads - I'm So Scared.

Background - Last week, Ruth Carp & The Fish Heads released "I'm So Scared," the first single from their upcoming album 'Can Men Like Us Go To Heaven.' The track speaks about the debilitating nature of anxiety, while the video captures Ruth Carp's isolationist attitude at a house party in Sydney's iconic suburb of Newtown.

Ruth Carp & The Fish Heads combine elements of Australiana, with shoegaze and psych rock. 'Can Men Like Us Go To Heaven' is the follow up to the band's debut EP, 'It's This Or The Noose'.

They will be on tour in the US this spring, with dates in Los Angeles, Austin (SXSW), Nashville, Chicago, New York, and more. Bandcamp here, Facebook here. Tour dates over on our tour page.

'I'm So Scared' might be described as lo-fi pysch rock, it's somewhere in that direction. The video and the song really do get across the sense of anxiety and just how much that can impact on any individual.

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Siamese - Older Hands Prevail.

Background - Siamese shares new track "Older Hands Prevail" from their debut EP 'The Mesmerist'. Siamese is the glam rock band of four theatrically inclined friends from Dallas, TX. 

Mixing ominous art pop with opulent set design and deranged alter egos, their live show makes you feel like you could go out and invent a new color, or wear a leotard to work.

The group’s debut release The Mesmerist, tracked with producer Alex Bhore at the studio Elmwood Recording, is set for release March 3, 2017. With two monolithic bookends and a slew of twists in between, the record treks through the charming, soothing and savage, with lyrics inspired by sociopathic film characters and a few shades of identity crisis. Website here, Facebook here.

Our second song feature for Siamese, who continue to offer up original and intriguing art rock music. For the first half of the track 'Older Hands Prevail' it is a little more stripped back allowing the vocals to standout. It gradually develops into a fuller multi layered piece and a catchy one at that.

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Knife in the Water - Sweet Gene.

Background - Knife in the Water began in the summer of 1997 in Austin. From the early stages their dark, quiet, avant-country was welcomed alongside Austin’s louder punk bands, despite the fact that their cinematic sensibilities, desolate sense of space, and woozy tension set them apart.

The Austin scene in the late 90s and early 00s was a hotbed of talent and they established themselves alongside Glorium and American Analog Set, toured with ...And You Will Know Us By the Trail of Dead and Calexico, and released three records and an EP: Plays One Sound and Others (1998), Red River (1999), Crosspross Bells (2001), and Cut the Cord (2003).

On February 24 Sonic Surgery Records (an imprint of Super Secret Records) will reissue the band's haunting 1998 debut, Plays One Sound and Others, on vinyl for the first time. Remastered by Chicago Mastering Service, the album rings truer than ever.

Closely following the reissue of Plays One Sound and Others on February 24, Knife in the Water will be releasing their first new album in 14 years, Reproduction, which will be out on Keeled Scales March 3rd. Website here, Facebook here.

'Sweet Gene' is taken from the new album 'Reproduction' and is a beautiful and gentle track with soothing vocals and harmonies glistening above an indie rock soundtrack. It's from the really fine new album, and for vinyl lovers the reissue of Plays One Sound, deserves checking out at the least.

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Trementina - Please, Let's Go Away.

Background - Trementina have announced theie new single, alongside a debut LP out March 24th On Burger Records, and SXSW Dates.

Trementina create music for lucid dreaming. It’s an intense, yet melancholic conjuring by art students and skaters from the damp forests of Valdivia, Chile, where the rainfall creates faded polaroids out of daily life. 

Valdivian shoegaze emerges from the fissures of their homeland. Isolated from urban static, Trementina has created a dizzying symphony that drowns you with noise, hallucinatory guitars, and beauty among chaos — which can be felt in the ethereal vocals of Vanessa Cea. 

Their third album, 810, is the evolutionary star-child of their sound, which first made contact with the U.S. in 2013, and then again in 2015 when their song “Hazy Youth” appeared on the now famous Ear to Ear Records’ shoegaze comp.

Recorded roughly 810 kilometers south of Santiago, during the cold winter, when the “sky is charcoal gray,” to borrow a line from DIY pioneer Martin Newell, 810 upgrades their sound from My Bloody Valentine-tinged haze on 2013’s Brilliant Noise [Vinyl Junkies], into a meditative experience that’s surreal, a “dream within a dream” — the byproduct of Cristobal Ortiz’s modulated guitar and the thick bass of Lucas Martinic. Facebook here, tour dates over on our tour page.

Now as someone who experiences a considerable amount of lucid dreaming, I hadn't though of a musical accompaniment. 'Please, Let's Go Away' is a little to bright to call shoegaze, it is however a gorgeous track which might just help get my dreams back on track.

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Ravines - Ordinary (EP).

Background - Indie/electronic duo Ravines share the release of their brand new EP Ordinary, featuring the single 'Breathe'. Ordinary is the third release by the band since their debut EP in 2013. Previous records have featured on MTV, TNT, TV3, Edge, ZM, Hauraki, George FM and more.

Ravines (formerly Ophelia) launched their first EP under the new name with a performance at Cassette Nine in Auckland, on February 3rd 2017. Ravines is a name inspired by the channels and routes music takes to reach people, reminiscent of streams of water through ravines. Their most varied release yet, Ordinary is a continuation of their ever evolving sound, showcasing dense electronic textures combined with rich orchestral scoring.

Ravines is the creation of composer/producer Patrick Shanahan and singer/song-writer Alex Louise. The pair began working together in late 2012 recording and mixing Alex’s original folk/acoustic tracks. Changing pace, they began experimenting with dubstep inspired soundscapes, drawing inspiration from the likes of Adventure Club and Purity Ring to begin crafting their ambient, orchestral and beat-driven sound. They produced two EPs as Ophelia over two years and found their niche in the indie/electronic genre. Website here, Facebook here.

It was only a couple of weeks ago that we featured 'Breathe' by the duo Ravines, and now we can share the EP 'Ordinary'. Comprising of five remarkable songs, any one of which could be a single, this is refined Indie electro music, that deserves to be heard.

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Midweek Muse: Sorority Noise - Janet Blair - Uruguay - Nacho Londono - Lost Lakes

Sorority Noise - A Better Sun.

Background - Sorority Noise have shared "A Better Sun", the second single off of their upcoming record You're Not As _____ As You Think. The single follows the highly regarded first single "No Halo" which was released in January.

Sorority Noise write important songs. They go to uncomfortable places, unafraid to let the darkness in – but they’re also not shy at kicking back until the sorrow subsides. They’re songs of confusion, anger, life, death, mental health and, most importantly, hope. They’re what it means to be human.

It’s in this way that the album’s title comes into view, and it only takes inserting a few adjectives – sad, happy, rich, poor – to realize life is all about perspective. Hardships are inevitable, but so is hope. Rather than living in the shadows, Sorority Noise have learned the only way to move past the struggle is by never stopping moving forward into the sun. Website here, Facebook here.

We featured the bands first single a month a go today and the new song 'A Better Sun' tends to confirm that the forthcoming album is one to watch out for. If the first song was highly regarded, then the band have upped the stakes even further with this track.


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Janet Blair - Eternity Grows.

Background - Janet Blair is a captivating singer-songwriter from New Mexico, who built a bridge between her classical roots and pop-influenced songwriting with Songs for the Waiting, her forthcoming debut.

Janet brought her yellow upright piano to the middle of White Sands, NM to capture her single and album art which I love, and hope you do too. 

Blending modern piano-pop and bright melodies "Eternity Grows," channels artists such as Regina Spektor and Ingrid Michaelson.

Janet Blair never fails to explore an array of emotions, taking the listener through journeys of tragedy and triumph. Website here, Facebook here.

'Eternity Grows' is a melodic and delightful pop song. Janet Blair has a tuneful and playful voice that is comfortably matched to the song alongside that extra something. In this case for me it is palpable element of emotion, that became clearer with a second listen.

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Uruguay - Sabrina Segment.

Background - Uruguay is a transient electronic band created by Stepha Murphy and Benjamin Dawson-Sivalia. Their music features hauntingly beautiful vocal melodies atop driving and atmospheric production, and is largely inspired by the duo’s diverse musical backgrounds as well as their experiences since moving to New York City. 

Both Stepha and Benjamin have extensive, and largely self-taught, musical backgrounds. Stepha’s mother was a trained opera singer and began giving her voice lessons at an early age. She then began learning classical piano, by ear, at the age of 11 and continued playing for eight years.

The son of a violin maker and a vocalist, Benjamin grew up playing drums, guitar and piano. He studied jazz saxophone in college, going abroad to London and Barcelona where he began to simultaneously delve into production and classical guitar.

After meeting in North Carolina the two moved to New York City to pursue careers in modeling (Stepha) and music production (Ben). Moving to NYC proved difficult as they were initially scammed out of their savings, leaving them homeless.  They endured further triumphs and difficulties, which laid the groundwork, and need, for creative expression that eventually manifested itself as Uruguay. Website here, Facebook here.

I personally feel that if you can create some atmosphere and intrigue within seconds of a song beginning, then you certainly have a pretty unique and desirable piece on your hands. 'Sabrina Segment' did it for me, what about your wonderful self (as all Beehive Candy visitors are).

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Nacho Londono - Abiertos.

Background - Colombian, singer-songwriter, Nacho Londoño, makes his Miami GrassRoots Festival debut this Friday, February 24 at GrassRoots Live! in Wynwood Yard. The 7:00 p.m. live performance, a blend of folk and experimental pop-rock, includes Nacho Londoño on vocals and guitar, Sammy Gonzalez on bass, Moises (Moi) Linares on drums, and Charles 'Chip' Gardner on keyboards.

Londoño has worked with renowned producers and recording engineers including Matt Knoble (Lenny Kravitz), Tom Dowd (Aretha Franklin, Eric Clapton, Lynyrd Skynrd, Rod Stewart), Doc Wiley (Sonic Verve Studios), Juan Pablo Manzanero, son of singer-songwriter and musician, Armando Manzanero, as well as A.T. Molina (Locos por Juana, Jorge Moreno), and Mark Kondrat and Javier 'lakambra' Delgado (Locos por Juana).

Founder of the band Arboles Libres with which he released the self-titled album in 2010 and sophomore album, Father, in 2012, Londoño launched his solo career in 2014 releasing a series of songs on all major digital platforms. His current single "Abiertos" features Sophy Encanto (Elastic Bond) on bakcground vocals, Mark Kondrat and Javier 'lakambra' Delgado (Locos por Juana) on guitar and drums, respectively, Charles 'Chip' Gardner (Fusik) on keyboards, and Sammy Gonzalez on bass. Website here.

'Abiertos' is one of those songs that comfortably flies above any language barriers, for one reason alone, it is just so catchy. Lets also add in that the music is high class, the melody naturally appeals, and the whole arrangement is pristine.

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Lost Lakes - Give Up The Ghost.

Background from the band - Lost Lakes is a Madison, WI based collaboration between Corey Mathew Hart and Paul Mitch. We met during a songwriting competition held by a local radio station. The first time we played together, we clicked musically and personally. Our collaboration has grown over the last few years developing into a strong songwriting and production team with a focus on well-crafted tunes and tight vocal harmonies. 

We produced the record ourselves and enlisted drummer/percussionist Shane Leonard (Field Report, The Stray Birds) along with our longtime bandmate Rusty Lee on keyboards, and pedal steel player Charlie Rose (Elephant Revival, Aoife O'Donovan). The project was recorded over a ten month period in a shared warehouse space called the Dojo. The Dojo is a 3600 square-foot warehouse filled with eclectic gear from homemade microphones and recording equipment to guitars amps, and drums of all colors, shapes, and sizes.  Being fairly porous to the Wisconsin elements, the temperature in the Dojo ranged from 41 degrees to well over 100 over the course of the project, adding a little chaos and adventure to the sessions.  We enlisted Justin Guip (Levon Helm, Hot Tuna, The Stray Birds) to mix the album. The album is due for release on March 3, 2017. Website here, Facebook here.

Lost Lakes have created a beautiful album and the featured song 'Give Up The Ghost' is but a taste of whats in store. The bands attention to detail and quality musicianship, is matched by an evident desire to develop music to relate to. One thing is clear, there is plenty of life and ideas to be found, in tried and tested musical genres.

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Do you come from a land down under: Curbside Drive - The Treehouse Children - Hurricane Fall - The Byzantines

Curbside Drive - Sidelined.

Background - Starting off as a not so secret band within a band, three dudes assembled and bonded over their love of punk rock. Keeping the cliché alive, Jack, Danyon and Zac jammed to poorly recorded drum tracks on Youtube in a small study turned studio room, nicknamed "the toaster shack oven". Never being able to start simultaneously with the internet, Youtube was easily replaced with the arrival of Jedd who completed Curbside Drive.

The Perth based band have been leaving their mark on the local scene through their ‘90s punk inspired riffs accompanied by their happy sad lyrics. Being described as pop punk, punk rock and even grunge at times, Curbside Drive are channeling their inner awkwardness and insecurities through their upcoming debut EP, 'Outside Your Window'. Recorded and produced by John Prosser of Vision Studios in their hometown of Perth and mastering done by James Newhouse of Reel2reel Studios, the EP leaves listeners with powerful driven chords, highlighting short catchy riffs whilst sneaky bass riffs linger beneath it all.

“Sidelined is about being average and not being sure what to do with your life but being okay with it. It follows the realisation that you don’t meet other people’s expectations of yourself and being fine with not being in the spotlight.”

The EP gives listeners the chance to share a collection of relatable experiences the band has gone through growing up, from making bad decisions and dealing with the outcomes. Tracks such as ‘Out of Luck’ and ‘Indecisive’ have captured their ‘90s punk influences through short catchy riffs, happy sad lyrics and been described sounding “like so many of my favourite punk bands, and you do it well.”

Looking to tour the local scene in WA, with hopes of making it over to the Eastern states in 2017, Curbside Drive are making themselves heard, bringing back late '90s and early '00s punk rock, one song at a time. ‘Sidelined’ will be in Digital Stores on 3rd March 2017. Facebook here.

There is a feisty modern punk feel to 'Sidelined'. It's good to hear a natural rock feel rather than any pretentious punk anger, the band have enough drive and the vocals add a touch of melody to make this play me again material.

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The Treehouse Children - Please (EP).

Background - The Treehouse Children's new EP, Please, includes their latest single ‘Woo’. This most recent offering from the Newcastle outfit will have you whistling its undeniably catchy melody and cranking this bouncing, pop-rock rollick.

The band writes: “‘Woo’ came together rather quickly in the studio (The Grove). Edge (drums) and Bes (Bass) smashed through their parts in 2 takes. Allowing us to spend time pulling tones and experimenting with sounds. Nigro (producer) was super keen on making this one explode with riff and backing vocals, we think we achieved this.
Most of our tracks begin with Oz and a guitar and a lyric idea, but this one quickly became collaborative. As soon as the verse was written Oz rang Edge whilst he was on the train excited to show someone. Edge beat-boxed his idea for the beat and they went into their storage unit with Bes the following day and laid down a demo. We injected hooks and catchy BVs, it was a fun writing process.”

In just 12 months they’ve played stages such as; Oxford Art Factory Gallery, Bar On The Hill, Cambridge Hotel NYE Street Party, The Small Ballroom (just to name a few) and often sharing the stage with a number of well known acts including Ball Park Music, The Delta Riggs, Saskwatch, Allday, KLP, Davey Lane, Glass Towers, The Owls, Thundamentals and Steve Smyth.

The band closed out 2016 with the release of their latest single ‘Please’, which received airplay on triple j, and turned the heads of fans and industry professionals alike.

Their latest national tour, saw the band play some of their most successful headline shows to date. Some say it’s their tight live show and polished sound, others say it’s their boyish good looks and cat-like reflexes, whatever it may be, The Treehouse Children have shown that they are a band to watch amongst Australia’s independent music scene. Live dates on our tour page, website here, Facebook here.

'Please' is a fabulous EP where The Treehouse Children treat us to a vibrant collection of songs, often upbeat, occasionally a little more refrained and always catchy and exciting. 

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Hurricane Fall - How We Get Down.

Background - There’s a hot wind blowing: the kind of gale that lays a field of cane down flat against the earth, whips the roadside paperbarks into a frenzy, and buffets the windows of a solitary Landcruiser sailing down a moonlit red dirt track. It’s the kind of wind that heralds the arrival of a ferocious summer storm, and at the eye of the storm is Hurricane Fall.

Tamworth-born-and-raised and now based in Newcastle, Hurricane Fall is comprised of Jesse Vee (lead vocals & guitar), Pepper Deroy (lead vocals & bass), Jimmy Hick (lead guitarist) and Lachlan ‘Dusty’ Coffey (skins & percussion). Hurricane Fall confirmed their arrival onto the music scene last year with the release of their debut self titled EP, which peaked at No.2 on the Itunes Country Music Chart – the bands success was immediate!

Driving home their rock edge country sound, Hurricane Fall now release their new single ‘How We Get Down’, which was recorded at Spinlight Studio’s in Newcastle, and produced by the band.  This is the lead single from their second studio EP also titled ‘How We Get Down’ (out now), which debuted at No.4 on the Itunes Country Chart.

Regulars on the touring circuit, the band have performed at many festivals including Gympie Music Muster, Tamworth Country Music Festival, The Mountain Cattleman Festival and Hats off To Country, live tour dates on our tour page. Website here, Facebook here.

There is a rather intriguing introduction to 'How We Get Down' on the video, before a the music kicks in. The films storyline continues, however the quality of the music takes over, with a fine country rocker, from a clearly talented band.

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The Byzantines - You Pull It (EP).

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 new EP, You Pull It, was released via Marshmallow Pavement Records on last Friday. Following the release of their debut EP and a successful European/UK tour in 2014, the boys head out on 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. Considered ‘Australia’s answer to Kasabian’ 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.

After polishing off The Delta Riggs’ rider and copping abuse for it from them manager whilst supporting them at their Rolling Stone Magazine Live Lodge event, guitarist and talented engineer and producer Alex Markwell was impressed 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 Byzantines 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. Live tour dates on our tour page, Facebook here.

Our third feature for The Byzantines in the space of three months, as we arrive with the new EP 'You Pull It'. This is a marvellous collection of songs from a band who are clearly comfortable and capable of exploring different ideas and genres and do so with style and feeling.

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Monday Mix: Go Fever - Ten Five Sixty - Miccoli - Jason Ayres

Go Fever - United States Of My Mind.

Background - Austin-based band Go Fever have shared "United States Of My Mind," the second single from their self-titled debut album. The track is characteristic of the band's surf pop sound mixed with classic rock and roll influences and front woman Acey Monaro's heartfelt lyrics. On the meaning of the track, Monaro says:

"I wrote this song during a huge personal turning point for me- fresh out of a 7 year relationship that had started in my teens. I was travelling a lot and sleeping around, and experiencing the mind-altering freedom and perspective that those two pastimes arouse. The expression 'what if?' - which makes up the bridge of the song- was a favourite of mine when

I was a kid and I drove my parents mad with weird hypotheticals. This song is about eliminating the 'what ifs' by doing every bloddy thing I felt like doing, after being confined by the limits of my own imagination for a long time.” Website here, Facebook here.

This is the second song from Go Fever we have introduced this month. 'United States Of My Mind' is another fine track, the bands hallmark surf pop meets rock & roll sound is really engaging and the emotion in the vocals is notable.

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Ten Five Sixty - You Say.

Background - Ten Five Sixty make music. It is music that can be anything you want it to be. Let them draw you into their world, and they will make you dance with a broken heart.

Others will see them and need them in different ways, but you can make them your own. Because transparency is pointless when you can have magic.

 New track "You Say" is currently available for streaming.  The track, off of the UK duo's upcoming EP entitled E.P., is a haunting track that showcases singer Jenny's soothing voice over 80s synth. Website here, Facebook here.

'You Say' has a stripped back electro start where the vocals are beautifully upfront in the mix. The musical arrangement develops layer by layer, without ever becoming to intense, providing a finely crafted arrangement for a striking song.

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Miccoli - Idle Stranger.

Background - There aren't many bands that can boast a history like Miccoli; they've gigged in LA's Viper Rooms along with every other key rock venue across America, hung out with Motley Crue, performed at the Hyde Park Wireless festival, had music videos featured on MTV, VH1 & ASXTV, lived in their car (equipped with a mobile bar and cooker) had one of their members suffer a near fatal heart condition, and attended the same music production school as Grammy Award winning producer Paul Epworth. They've spent time living in Penang, landed several sponsorship deals, moved back to the UK, and somehow through it all, they've managed to prioritise writing, recording and performing a huge number of songs.

Miccoli, their name taken from the sibling trio's surname, formed in 2010 after spending most of their childhood studying and making music. Growing up in Birmingham, England, they were brought up listening to Simon and Garfunkel, Don Mclean, The Police, Fleetwood Mac and the sounds of Motown, to name just a few of their diverse musical influences.

Twin brothers Adriano (vocal and acoustic/electric guitar) Alessandro (piano, vocal and acoustic guitar) and their younger sister Francesca (vocal, piano and harmonica) have toured extensively, giving the band the opportunity to explore their musical identity and fine tune their live set - a compelling blend of haunting, melodic and eclectic sounds, interlaced with breathtaking harmonies. Facebook here.

A melodic and gentle duet and creative soundtrack ensured 'Idle Stranger' gained my attention. The song flows naturally and put simply, is gorgeous.

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Jason Ayres - Got My Heart (EP).

Background - West Australian, Jason Ayres, releases his brand new EP titled ‘Got My Heart’ on April 1 and is set for a series of launch dates in Sydney, Melbourne and Perth. Having released a string of EP’s since he began in 2007, Jason’s forthcoming EP titled ‘Got My Heart’ delivers a unique brand of alternative country. It is a new style of music that he’s dabbled in for this release but insists that he maintains his grass roots.

“It’s the first time I’ve got the full band back together after seven years of being a solo acoustic artist,” says Ayres. “I’m finally feeling free enough to write what my heart feels and this time it feels alternative country”.

An avid collector of vintage guitars having almost thirty in his collection, Jason recorded the EP in its entirety using a slather of vintage Gibson acoustic guitars that were built back in the 1940’s and 1950’s. He also wrote the EP in pieces whilst travelling the country on his last tour as he dealt with the breakdown of a long-term relationship, the result capturing his intense feelings and inevitably finding a fresh start to his life.

“It’s a record about breaking the pieces only to put them back together again. Albeit stronger, better and more uniform,” says Jason. “I came out of a ten-year relationship that was damaged and irreparable just twelve weeks before the wedding date. I hit the road with my guitar and made music for a while. With space from the chaos, and the damage dissipating in the rear view, I was able to dust myself off and focus on the future. Little did I know that the future held a new love.” Website here, Facebook here, live dates on our tour info page.

The new EP 'Got My Heart' is a collection of five diverse alt country tracks. Mixing up both the styles and the moods, each song is quite individual without losing the overall core flavours. It's a good collection of unpretentious and fresh songs.

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Sundays Finest: Sarah Klang - Loved Ones - Ary - Sipprell - Terra Lightfoot

Sarah Klang - Strangers.

Background - Sarah Klang is an artist that immediately encapsulates you with her voice, an utterly fascinating universe. Since releasing debut single ”Sleep” last year (a track that quickly made it on to Spotify’s taste maker list Fresh Finds) she’s teamed up with producer Kevin Andersson (Troubled Tracks) in native Gothenburg, Sweden. The first result from this collaboration is ”Strangers” – a beautiful next step for Sarah.

- I wrote ”Strangers” during my last days in Gothenburg prior to leaving for Stockholm. It’s about a old relationship that ended. It was hard hanging around in the same town, bump into each other. You know, when you know everything about a person; the dark sides and the bright sides. It’s not so much about missing someone, more about having shared it all and then suddenly act like you don’t know each other.

When you listen to ”Strangers” you get images of old reel tape recordings in your head. Inspiration is found in old brides dresses, Barbra Streisand, ambient electronica, 80’s dads and plastic flowers.

2016 saw Sarah hit the road in Sweden – doing both headline shows and opening slot for acts like Matt Corby. Spring 2017 sees her performing at Swedish festivals for the first time in her career, with Where’s The Music in Norrköping and Umeå Open coming up first. Facebook here.

Sarah Klang has a melodic and passionate voice that is accompanied by a gentle soundtrack and choral harmonies on 'Strangers'. There is something of an Americana feel to the song, something Scandinavians seem to produce on a par with artists the other side of the Atlantic.

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Loved Ones - End Of An Error.

Background - It is said that a change is as good as a rest, so when it comes to Liverpool quartet Loved One’s re-emergence, coupled with their shift in musical direction, things can only bode well for the swell of new material they are set to release in 2017.

Releasing themselves from the lo-fi and ambient rock of their debut album “The Merry Monarch” – having spent much of their recent time involved in soundtrack work - the forthcoming full length “Harness” sets its stall out as a move into an eclectic, but no less focused, sphere of operation. The album’s first single “End Of An Error” offers a first look into what they’ve been working on.

With this track we get a sense of the record’s more anxious moments and themes of escapism, which conspire here to erupt into a dilating and expansive chorus. Lead singer Nik Glover comments; “We tried to turn our traditional song structure on its head in End of an Error, piling all the melodies into the verse and letting the chorus speed past with hardly any vocals. It's a song about naive teenage love and regret, and why sometimes ripping up all your memories of a relationship is better than trying to hold on to it.” Facebook here.

'End Of An Error' has a sense of urgency about it. Vocals are anxious to convey their message and the band provide a soundtrack that gives a feeling of being in a hurry. It's a splendid and original piece that as mentioned above, seem to bode well for the 'anxiously' awaited new material.

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Ary - Childhood Dreams.

Background - Trondheim-raised, and now Oslo based Ary (real name Ariadne Loinsworth) has been carefully plotting her career path for the past 12 months or so. Debut single ‘Higher’ was released via prestigious electronic label Eskimo Recordings in 2015 and was quickly A-listed by NRK P3 in Norway. That collaboration with fellow Norwegian producer and artist Carl Louis proved to be a fruitful one, with their follow up effort together, 'Telescope’, following a similar trajectory to the P3 A-list.

Following this early success in her home country, new single ‘Childhood Dreams’ stands as an impressive, and exciting step forward - undoubtedly holding the potential to break through to an international audience. Premiered by Julie Adenuga on Beats 1 - lyrically the track deals with Ary’s thoughts on her own development as an artist; how she’s grown as a songwriter and performer. Speaking a little more on the lyrical themes of the new single she said: "The song represents the balance between love, safety and ambition. How I remembered looking back to my childhood dreams, and comparing my expectations to my reality.”

In a recent vote to select a top ten “Ones To Watch", a group of 38 Norwegian insiders comprised of taste makers, festival bookers and music journalists were unanimous in their praise; they all agreed Ary is the most promising new artist to come out of Norway this year. Many foresee a bright future for her, and she might just be exactly what this industry needs. Facebook here.

'Childhood Dreams' begins with a minimalist electro pop soundtrack enabling Ary to take full advantage of utilising her delightful vocals. The song builds into a fuller sound, the hooks dig deeper, this is one very catchy number.

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Sipprell - Trust Issues.

Background - South London singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Sipprell returns with her new track ‘Trust Issues. Beautifully stripped back and soulful, the track was written and produced by Sipprell herself, with additional production by Maths Times Joy.

‘Trust Issues’ follows the stunning track ‘Journey’, produced by Ragz Originale (Skepta, Dej Loaf, Girli), and ‘Broken Ground’ a collaboration with HW&W Recordings’ Melo-Zed, or Radar Radio DJ Ralph Hardy’s new compilation ‘Growing Pains 2’. ‘Trust Issues’ is Sipprell’s first release of the year, which has already seen her perform at The Roundhouse in London, supporting Little Simz at her ‘Welcome To Wonderland: The Experience’ festival.

Since the release of her debut EP ‘Letter D’, Sipprell has garnered radio and press support from the likes of BBC Radio 1Xtra, The Fader, Complex and The 405. Sipprell’s honey textured vocals and honest songwriting continue to enamour taste makers, and see her make waves in 2017 and beyond. Twitter here.

Another artist who can rely on their vocals to deliver both a dreamy and melodic feel, Sipprell also adds a layer of atmosphere on 'Trust Issues', a beautiful and natural acoustic wonder.

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Terra Lightfoot – Lily's Fair (Live).

Background - The new Terra Lightfoot live album "Live In Concert", is out now on Sonic Unyon. Since the release of her acclaimed album 'Every Time My Mind Runs Wild', the soulful roots rocker has wowed audiences across North America, the UK and Europe, playing hundreds of live dates in venues from cafés to coliseums and everywhere in between.

As part of that touring, she collaborated with the National Academy Orchestra of Canada to present those songs in dynamic orchestral arrangements that gave fans an amazing chance to experience the performer’s talent, charm and emotional power as never before.

Those collaborations were staged for two intimate hour-long shows on one memorable night at McMaster University’s LIVELab, joined by special guest John-Angus MacDonald of The Trews. The entire set was recorded and is now seeing release as Live In Concert — a special Valentine from the artist to her fans. Only a handful were able to watch first-hand as Lightfoot and the NAO revisited the sweeping orchestral treatment of songs off her sensational sophomore album. Live In Concert is a fresh chance to discover the remarkable talent that critics have been buzzing about. Website here, Facebook here.

I do wish more artists would release original live material or as the case is here, develop their music further with the National Academy Orchestra of Canada. It gives the featured song 'Lily's Fair' a fresh and imaginative direction. Looking forward to hearing the whole concert.

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Saturday Seven: Wayde - Línger - Jackson Boone - Curse Of Lono - No Joy - Altar Eagles - Hiva Oa

Wayde - Easy (don't be long).

Background - Having only released one previous single (‘Eleanor’), which earned them plaudits from the likes of BBC 6 Music and more, Essex four piece Wayde are now ready to unleash their new Lucky Aide EP. Recorded in guitarist/vocalist Tyrone Foster’s flat in Stoke Newington, in between the banging on ceilings and floors from disgruntled neighbours, Wayde’s sound is an amalgamation of sardonic indie, enveloping shoegaze and psych-infused grunge. There is a nostalgic comfort amongst Wayde’s combination of warm guitars, mid-tempo grooves and vocals, which are lyrically sharp, saccharine and melodically contagious.

Speaking about the themes behind the forthcoming EP, Miles Shawyer (bass) said, “There’s no consciously imprinted themes on the EP, however the songs were all written in a period when we were all just about to finish university and the anticipation of having to become real people and getting jobs was looming. So there’s an almost entirely unintentional coming of age/fear of adulthood theme running throughout the EP.”

It’s this charming yet almost serendipitous honesty that resonates the loudest throughout every track on the EP. The themes come naturally and candidly, whilst Wayde place their focus entirely on infectious hooks, reverb and fuzz, only abating to take rapid turns into hazy garage-punk and feedback-laden grunge. Facebook here.

'Easy (don't be long)' has a slow haunting feel from the very start. Vocals are set deeper in the mix and surrounded by a wall of slowly morphing sounds and some thunderous moments, no wonder the neighbours felt the need to join in with the beats...

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Línger - Downfall (tuple EP).

Background - In late September 2016, Línger released her debut single ‘Flyon’ and has already proven she is a powerful force to be admired. The single, and EP tuple were recorded in her home in Sydney, Australia, produced by fellow Sydney artist, Xavier Dunn. Her latest offering from the forthcoming EP is ‘Avoid’, a lush electronic-pop journey characterised by Línger’s signature vocal harmonies. They provide the foundations for an pulsing and dramatic electronic track, all supporting Línger’s beautiful melodic whimsies.

Línger is a collaboration between experience and emotion that has come to fruition through years of feeling, longing and by simply being. Her words, originating in part through the creation of poetry, seek to make sense of the world which at times mystifies us all. Her EP tuple is inspired by the five elements of air, fire, water, earth and space. Attuned to divinity, each of Línger’s songs is able to insightfully capture moments in time that reflect what it means to be human.

Flying on to the Australian music scene in late September 2016, Línger has already proven she is a powerful force to be admired. Línger has been featured on Acid Stag’s Australian artist to watch list, and received glowing reviews throughout the blogosphere. Línger will meet you in your world and her song will carry you upwards to a sky filled with ethereal beauty that is forever unfolding and everlasting. Facebook here.

This is our second feature for Linger following on from sharing 'Avoid' a few weeks ago. The new EP 'tuple' comprises of five tracks and I have chosen the final song 'Downfall' this time around. This is a refined collection of music and is well worth checking out.

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Jackson Boone - Mystic Winds (from the East).

Background - Jackson Boone is a songwriter who quietly emerged from the misty magic of Portland, Oregon. His lo-fi folk rock sound is comparable to Kevin Morby, Kurt Vile, or Damien Jurado.

With the help of producer Riley Geare (Unknown Mortal Orchestra), bassist Randy Bemrose (Radiation City), and Violinist Patti King (Radiation City), Jackson recorded his first solo album, 'Starlit,' in the basement of a green house in NE Portland. Immediately after his release, Boone, his five piece live band, The Ocean Ghosts, and Riley Geare, packed up their equipment and took off to the Oregon Coast. They spent two weeks by the beach tracking his sophomore record, 'Natural Changes' (2015).
 
On March 10th, Jackson Boone will release his third full length studio album, 'Organic Light Factory,' which features Jackson’s most realized and mature songwriting to date.

Boone and his band, the Ocean Ghosts, have honed their performing skills at festivals such as SXSW, Treefort Music Festival, Pickathon, and CMJ. They'll be on tour this March, including a stop in Austin for SXSW. Live dates on Beehive Candy tour page. Facebook here.

As lo-fi music goes, there is no shortage of atmosphere and content in the song 'Mystic Winds (from the East)'. The vocals are one of the key attractions, as is the gentle melody in this imaginative piece.

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Curse Of Lono - Pick Up The Pieces.

Background - Acclaimed new London five-piece Curse Of Lono will release their debut album ‘Severed’ on Submarine Cat Records on April 7th. A sumptuously cinematic record that combines spaced out, harmony-laden indie-folk with driving, gothic alt-rock, ‘Severed’ was produced at Gun Factory studio by Oli Bayston (Boxed In).

Founded and fronted by Felix Bechtolsheimer, formerly the singer-guitarist in British roots pioneers Hey Negrita, Curse Of Lono formed in early 2015, though the songs on ‘Severed’ were written over a 14-year period. 

They range from the perky, Paul Simon-ish new single ‘Pick Up The Pieces’ to the more lugubrious ‘He Takes My Place’, the almost jazzy ‘London Rain’ and the rootsy, rhythmic ‘Send For The Whiskey’. The album belongs as much to the Americana tradition and old faithfuls such as Little Feat as it does to more modern, playful practitioners of the form such as Beck. Website here, Facebook here.

It was last summer when we came across Curse Of Lono and the new track 'Pick Up The Pieces' immediately grabbed my attention with the lively riffs and overall vibe. Album eagerly awaited.

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No Joy - Hellhole.

Background - No Joy recently announced the Creep EP, which will be released on Feb. 24 on the brand new label collective Grey Market, and this week shared the second single from it, "Hellhole".

For most listeners, No Joy are a standout from the shoegaze revival, that wall of noise lead by its two female band members Jasamine White-Gluz and Laura Lloyd and their long headbanging blonde locks. In a 2011 Blackbook piece on the band’s detached yet visceral live show, the writer coyly commented “they are playing with their backs to the audience…shy girls.” 

As the principal writer of their past catalog, White-Gluz steers the material on Creep in new directions, drawing on varied influences ranging from Industrial to New Age. With co-writer and producer Jorge Elbrecht, the pair create a soundscape that is both familiar and fresh. Tracked in Montreal at Hotel 2 Tango and in White-Gluz’s Little Italy apartment, the sound is huge. Dynamic juxtapositions of dark and light, feminine and virile are cemented together with their signature earworm hooks. No Joy are challenging themselves by distancing from the traditional rock band formula, creating a new live show to accompany the release. Live dates on our Tour page, Facebook here.

We featured the first single a little while back and the new song 'Hellhole' is of equal stature, and one that makes the forthcoming EP even more enticing. Plenty of atmosphere and energy works so well against dreamier vocals.

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Altar Eagles - What Are You Coming To?

Background - Quote: "'What Are You Coming To?' is a song about hindsight. Basically about looking back on a relationship and trying to own up to your own mistakes while realizing you don’t even recognize the person that you thought you knew so well. Kinda like that line about listening when people tell you who they are, but in this case you didn’t. All past tense."

Bio:Erik Alcock has been a professional songwriter since he was 17 years old.  He talked his way into a live audition with EMI Canada in his native Toronto and then proceeded to cut himself on his guitar, bleed all over the auditioning executive’s office, and play terribly. He was signed on the spot.

After getting signed Erik left home and school and spent the next two years living in a jam space.  While the experience was not all that conducive to his songwriting, Erik was able to develop his chops by playing constantly.

His quality of life improved substantially when he joined a band and spent the next few years on tour. When the band broke up he started working with DJ Khalil, Chin Injeti and Liz Rodrigues, forming The New Royales. Since then they've written songs for  Eminem, Kanye West, Pink and a host of others, which led to several Grammy wins, having the theme for  Mission Impossible 4, the Call of Duty video game, and Jake Gyllenhall’s movie “Southpaw.” Facebook here.

It's the sort of song that John Lennon could have written, asking deeper and searching questions. 'What Are You Coming To?' is however very much Alter Eagles work, and it's a pleasing and superbly delivered song and a fine showcase for his song writing skills.

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Hiva Oa - So Many Lies.

Background - Belfast duo, Hiva Oa are pleased to share their brilliant new single 'So Many Lies'. The track is taken from their forthcoming EP, mk2 (part 2) - out April 7th.

'So Many Lies' stays central to the ideals and themes presented within previous EP 'mk2 (part 1); however, it takes to the fore principles of accountability where there has been a catastrophic loss of control. It's about a personal frustration against the misuse of power in all its forms; be it introspective or a wider shared communal disapproval.

‘We have suffered all this while, for your lies.’ The track also harnesses a counterbalance, where one can look at their own guilt by association or inaction in a situation. ‘You stole it all in front of our eyes, wasted enough to gather it all for your lies.’ Hiva Oa are: Stephen Houlihan & Christine Tubridy with Matthew Collings and Daithi McNabb. Facebook here.

Our third feature for Hiva Oa who consistently deliver really good alt rock music. 'So Many Lies' is notable for the emotive almost pleading vocals. The soundtrack gradually builds into a formidable and expansive piece that adds even more potency to this really fine song.

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