Saturday, 15 April 2017

The Foreign Resort - Wy - Idiio - Hajk - John K. Samson

The Foreign Resort - She Is Lost.

Background - Danish post-punk trio The Foreign Resort release their new single 'She is Lost' on April 19. This is the first song from the band’s next full length album, marking a return to the analogue sound of their 'New Frontiers' album, only this time the sound is more minimalistic and with plenty of electronics and spacious drums to create a dreamy yet upbeat soundscape full of contrast. The release is timed with a 10-day Canadian tour and a performance in Toronto at the prestigious Canadian Music Week. 

For lead singer Mikkel B. Jakobsen 'She is Lost' is a very personal song about what he sarcastically refers to as “the summer of love”: “It was one of the worst summers in my life. I came out strong on the other side, but this song was written partly when things were looking very bad and I was not doing the right things to get to a better place and partly when I had realized it was not just me who was the problem. Hence the title 'She is Lost'.” 

The band has also contributed the track 'Skyline/Decay' to 'Alternative F?acts: A Shoegaze Resistance Compilation'. Curated by DKFM Shoegaze Radio, this involves shoegaze and dream pop artists in opposition to tyranny, and in support of civil liberties and women's health. All proceeds from this compilation shall be split evenly between American Civil Liberties Union and Planned Parenthood. 

The Foreign Resort are Denmark's finest musical export of post-punk and dark new wave, led by singer and songwriter Mikkel Borbjerg Jakobsen. The band combines the shadowy mysticism of The Cure’s Pornography era with a driving production aesthetic akin to LCD Soundsystem. Intricate reverb-enveloped guitar lines glide over Steffan Petersen’s motorik bass and Morten Hansen’s powerful drumming, all while Mikkel’s taut and sincere vocal delivery demands your attention. Bandcamp here, Facebook here, website here, tour details on Beehive Candy's tour page.

We are featuring the album version of the new single release 'She Is Lost'. With a very tight rhythm and vocals and guitar carrying the melody, this is a gorgeously refined post punk song.

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Wy - Bathrooms.

Background - Wy stands out like a diamond in the rough in the midst of the occurring comeback of the dream pop genre. The duo combines mellow instrumentation with attitude and desperation - incisive guitar melodies in combination with Ebba's powerful vocals make their songs swiftly shift between a feeling of dejection and hope. 

With their floating synthesizers and melancholic guitars Wy do sad pop music where bare emotions are camouflaged by reverbed pop melodies. This young duo serves up a taste of tears in heaven.

With their debut-EP "Never Was" they gave a glimpse of the deep emotion that lays ground for their contemporary sound. Their upcoming first full-length LP "Okay" will seek to arouse even deeper emotions, with the duo continuing their exploration of the doubt and confusion of being a 20-something today. 

Preserving their sound, but in a well-groomed manner, the first single "Bathrooms" from their upcoming album surely will touch some of your inner areas that you might have forgotten about. Facebook here.

Deep, dreamy and slowly flowing 'Bathrooms' is a beautiful soulful and moody sounding pop song. Full of emotion, the video helps convey the feeling further. Keeping a watch for the new album.


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Idiio - One Night.

Background - Raised in Christchurch, New Zealand and now residing on the Gold Coast, Australia, Idiio are known for their passion towards music. They strive to create emotion through music around people, whatever the situation may be. Idiio are keen as biscuits to today release their new single into our ears. After receiving worldwide adornment with their breakout single, 'Holding Me Back', Idiio's new track, 'One Night' is out today via GD FRNDS.

'One Night' is Idiio appearing as their most resolute to date. Distinctly haunting, the song cruises on neo-soul vibes before descending into some cleverly structured, yet weighty and solemn bass dips. Taking cues from contemporaries Sampha and Jarryd James, Idiio craft ingenious and sensual electronica.

Frontman Tyler Vivian said this about the track, "'One Night' is a calling from a higher energy that you are pouring your heart and soul into. You'd grow with that person being the blossomed flowers on the tree that represents you. But the higher energy gives you insight to be weary about who this person really is, under all the roses. Put trust in that consciousness, put trust in your gut feeling."

After a generous heap of lineup shifts and now adding two live members as permanent editions, Idiio retain as a blusterous four-piece format–sparing nothing when it comes to their power of soul electronica. Emotions are high for Idiio's reinventive clench on electronic music and 'One Night' pushes them further into the void. Facebook here, tour details on Beehive Candy's tour page.

Mixing soul and electronic music in a highly creative manner Idiio have delivered a superb song with 'One Night'. Vocals bring the soulful feelings and the soundtrack is rich in content and something to be enjoyed with the volume just a little up!

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Hajk - Nothing Left To Say.

Background - Hajk's new single 'Nothing Left To Say' is out this week on all streaming services. Debut album 'Hajk' out Spring 17 via Jansen Plateproduksjon.

Hajk’s debut album is finally here, and the newest member of the Jansen family dazzles us all. Their beguiling mix of indie and intricate pop smarts has gone straight to the hearts of the listeners and fans.

Their first release, Common Sense, was listed by Norwegian radio stations almost before the band got out of their rehearsal space, and the follow-up single Magazine received a great reception from international media. In the US, Vice picked up the single straight away, and this blazed the trail for the band over there. Indie Shuffle went on to include Magazine in their top 10 songs of 2016.

Considering that they’re such a fresh band, Hajk have been surprisingly quick to adjust themselves. Not long after they’d written enough for a set of music, they played at Slottsfjellfestivalen, Øyafestivalen and by:Larm. They were playlisted by radio before they left the stage at those festivals, and now they’re here – with a confident debut and a collection of songs that any band would have envied.

Hajk are fronted by Preben Sælid Andersen and Sigrid Aase, who share the vocals, while Johan Nord (drums), Knut Olav Buverud Sandvik (bass) and Einar Næss Haugeth (keys) are the band’s backbone. Musically, Hajk are situated in a modern landscape, but looking back to the fine pop of the past, with an emphasis on very strong melodies. The band are influenced by artists like Dirty Projectors, Unknown Mortal Orchestra and Amason, but still they stand firmly on their own feet, with an original sound that also challenges the genre they belong to. Facebook here.

'Nothing Left To Say' might be described as funky indie pop, and as such you can expect plenty of hooks alongside some vibrant music and vocals.



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John K. Samson - Alpha Adept.

Background - John K. Samson has released a new video for “Alpha Adept”, a song from his latest full-length album, Winter Wheat, which was released in October last year, on Anti-.

The video was made by John K. Samson’s good friend and musician/artist Shotgun Jimmie, who made the video for John as a present.

John K. Samson will be touring in Europe and UK in May this year. Website here, Facebook heretour details on Beehive Candy's tour page.

Second time around on Beehive Candy for John K Samson and this time with the new video for 'Alpha Adept'. Another fetching song that is accompanied by some intriguing images that give there own story line to the song.


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Friday, 14 April 2017

Souvenir Driver - HotKid - Peaking Lights - San Mei - Mount Song

Souvenir Driver - Voices Of A Traveler.

Background - Portland-based shoegaze band Souvenir Driver new self-titled LP is out today, April 14th via High School Records. The upcoming album was recorded by Tommy Dietrick (David J, Drinking Flowers) in an isolated cabin (a-la-Bon-Iver) on Mt. Hood in Oregon, the 8-track release showcases the four-piece band’s genre-bending sound that blends indie, psychedelic, dream pop, rock and shoegaze. 

The record was mixed and overdubbed at Trench Studios with Gregg Williams (Blitzen Trapper, Dandy Warhols, Sheryl Crow) and mastered by Timothy Stollenwerk (Grouper, Dead Moon, Crocodiles).

This new album will be the band’s fourth release and was written during a four month tour hiatus. The band took their cues from a Lou Reed quote and created this new body of work with minimal chords, while putting their focus on the melodies and moods. Themes range from human vulnerability to relationships to nature to… turtles. Yes, turtles - because of their perception and representation of strength and movement. Separating from the prior album’s vibe, this new release will have a more breezy, casual energy. Bandcamp here, Facebook here, website here.

'Voices Of A Traveler' has the relaxed, easy going feel that is found across the new album. The featured track has a guitar driven melody, with the vocals adding some natural feeling to an alt rock type of song.

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HotKid - Caught In The Light.

Background from HotKid - We are pumped to share “Caught In The Light” from our new LP, Late Night Mornings. “Caught In The Light” is about that feeling of escape you get from watching your favourite old movie, or when you’re upfront at a concert. It’s about that longing to be taken outside of yourself, out of the everyday. It also recognizes how we all exist in-between those moments of escape.

Late Night Mornings is our first full length album as a three piece. Adding bass to our previous guitar/drums duo has allowed for a little more space and freedom in the songwriting and production. 

Working with producer Adam King (Lowell, Mad Ones) gave us the opportunity to spend time experimenting in the studio. We also incorporated self-recorded elements, giving the album a range that spans from more produced and experimental, to a little more raw and immediate. The album is out May 5th. Website here, Facebook here. Live dates on Beehive Candy's tour page.

There is something of a psych meets indie rock vibe with 'Caught In The Light'. Energised and vibrant the song is catchy right from the start.

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Peaking Lights - Everytime I See The Light.

Background - Peaking Lights announce new album 'The Fifth State Of Consciousness' out 16th June 2017 on Two Flowers Records. “A  journey thru an alien landscape where the dream world tells stories of lost innocence, finding strength and seeking an enlightened state of being after trials and tribulations all wrapped up in  two syrupy dubbed to the bone balearic pancakes sprinkled with powdered psychedelia.” — Peaking Lights.

Peaking Lights’ fifth studio album, "The Fifth State Of Consciousness", is a 12-track, double LP produced in the band’s Dreamfuzz studio over the course of the last two years. 

Following 2014’s Cosmic Logic LP on Weird World, it marks both a departure from the new and a return to the old, with a whole new twist on the psychedelic dub-pop they’ve become revered for, a listening experience of otherworldly sounds. Through all its peaks and valleys, the larger arc of themes within “The Fifth State Of Consciousness” surround dreams, strength, a loss of innocence, and seeking an enlightened state of being after overcoming life’s trials and tribulations. 

Musically, the album shifts through many states from beginning to end, resembling a car journey through foreign landscapes. A sense of wonderment flows with each track and with every listen, new sounds and eccentricities begin to surface. Bringing together their love of Psychedelic music, House, Electronic and Reggae, each song lives and breathes it’s own life but as an album, remains knitted together by Peaking Lights’ tight, conceptual writing. Facebook here.

'Everytime I See The Light' is a very well crafted track, that is upbeat both musically and vocally, with a lively beat adding extra fizz.

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San Mei - Until You Feel Good.

Background - San Mei returns with a spectacular first release for 2017, with brand new single 'Until You Feel Good' and a national tour to follow . After the success of last cut 'Rewind', the Gold Coast multi-instrumentalist is gathering some serious momentum, heading straight out on a headline tour in Melbourne and Sydney, capped off with a cheeky support slot for North East Party House in Brisbane. 

'Until You Feel Good' takes San Mei's intoxicating vocals and molds them into lush harmonic arrangements, which glide seamlessly over fuzzy guitar riffs. Combined with understated, subtle production from Konstantin Kersting (The Belligerents, WAAX, Tia Gostelow), the track is full of laid back grooves which escalate into soaring alt-rock melodies. 

Achieving quite the list of accomplishments, San Mei has shared stages with Evar Klar, Polish Club, Elliphant and playing The Mountain Goat Valley Crawl just in the last six months. Swiftly amassing followers from across the globe, she's also received props from the likes of  NME, Indie Shuffle, Nylon Mag and triple j - where she also gained spot rotation for previous single 'Rewind'. Facebook here.

Beautiful dreamy and sweeping vocals are supported by a rhythmic indie pop soundtrack making 'Until You Feel Good' very enticing, and with a simmering refrain it gets even better.

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Mount Song - Here it goes.

Background - Mount Song is pleased to share the second single from his new album "Mount Song" this week. Intimate, heavy and explosive, 'Here It Goes' merges dark, hazy atmospherics to create a moving reaction to loss and change. Back in 2014, singer-songwriter Jacob Johansson released his critically acclaimed debut album under the moniker Det Stora Monstret (The Big Monster). In their review, GAFFA (Sweden's biggest music magazine) named it “Swedish debut of the year and it was nominated for both the Swedish GAFFA-award and the Manifest-prize. Now, Jacob is back with a brand-new venture to sit alongside it: Mount Song. 

Together with his band (Karl Vento, Knut Källgren, Lovisa Samuelsson) and co-producer Filip Leyman (Anna Von Hausswolff, Albert af Ekenstam, Det Stora Monstret), Jacob performs songs that describe and question the world we live in with an intensity, sincerity and an urgency so strong, they force you to stop and listen. His songs are poetic, political and have been described by some as relevant on a global, as well as common, existential plane. 

Brought up on grunge, Jacob's influences range from the psychedelia of The Flaming Lips and MGMT to the more sombre likes of Jose Gonzalez, Bonnie 'Prince' Billy' and Jeff Buckley, whose rich influences this debut offers more than a glimpse into. Life, love, death and fear also seep into the subject matter and make for an emotional listen at times, however always giving way to an ultimate message of hope. 
On the album's subject matter, Jacob says: “I write about that which feels urgent to me, the things that knock me out; my encounters with life's monsters. That which feels most urgent for me in the moment becomes the content of the songs.” Facebook here.

There is plenty of power and sometimes restraint provided through some fuzzy guitars, bass and drums. These provide 'Here it goes' with just the right music for some natural and emotive vocals and harmonies. Potent and passionate alt rock, this suggests the forthcoming album, is one to keep in mind.

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Thursday, 13 April 2017

Natalie Bouloudis - Pipsy - Emma Elisabeth

Natalie Bouloudis - Firebird.

Background - About Natalie Bouloudis “My songs tiptoe on the edge of fiction and reality. I like rich melodies, moody skies, dark romanticism, charged atmospheres that tell hard-boiled tales.” 

A native of East Sussex, Natalie Bouloudis first got her musical education in childhood, having played clarinet in jazz bands and had a few guitar lessons at school. From the age of seven she started writing her own music and has been (till recently) a secret songwriter ever since. Having lived in London for the better part of the last decade, she decided three years ago to launch her music into the public sphere under the name Aurora Harbinger. She soon played venues like Servant Jazz Quarters and The Victoria in Dalston, quickly building a loyal fan base that enabled her to successfully crowd fund her debut record. For Natalie, playing live is an important consideration in the songwriting process, a process which focuses centrally on generating atmosphere and intimacy. 

Her debut EP is her first proper recording and it was all recorded live at Wax Studios in London and produced by Robert Strauss. For Natalie, getting the EP right was dependent on how precisely she could evoke the feelings she had in mind. Though armed with encyclopaedic knowledge of narrative songwriters across the spectrum of folk, rock and jazz, Natalie brings to the table her own brand of atmospheric storytelling. It’s folky in its arrangements, but in terms of sheer vocal delivery she’s a soulful rock and roller, at times calling to mind the visceral and lurching tones of Patti Smith or Etta James. ‘Burning Pier’ may only be her first single, but already it reveals an artist in the classic sense: thoughtful, precise, and led by instinct and imagination. 

About ‘Firebird’ - I wanted to capture a strong empowering feeling in this song, the protagonist is a femme fatale character.  I wanted it to sound like a 60’s girl group jamming with a 90’s grunge band.  Essentially ‘Firebird’ is about taking charge of your destiny, walking through the fire and coming out the other side just as the mythical firebird or phoenix is the embodiments of obtaining a new life by arising from the ashes of its predecessor this song is about emerging out of darker times stronger than ever and looking forward all the way. Facebook here.

Taken from the five song EP 'Dead Sea Scripts' we have 'Firebird'. Natalie's vocals are the first notable feature, exuding passion and sounding so heartfelt and determined. Musically there is a powerful yet uncomplicated soundtrack that adds to the emotion and feel. Like song equals love EP.


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Pipsy - Why Can’t I Get What I Want, For Once?

Background - Pipsy announces their highly anticipated debut single and video ‘Why Can’t I Get What I Want, For Once?’ is released this week via Melbourne (AUS) label Warhammer Kid.

Originally from Dunedin (NZ), Pipsy is the latest project by Melbourne based artist and producer Paul Pouwels.  Named after the local nickname for the Dunedin New Zealand native, Pipsy follows up Paul’s work with critically acclaimed jangle-pop bands Males and blues-luchadors Julian Temple Band. Pouwels steps out from behind the drum kit as a frontman for the new band – offering up visceral, upbeat punk songs, with a soft and gooey pop-caramel core, written during his years as a sideman for other bands in the Dunedin music scene.

Written as a reflection on past mistakes revisiting him time and again, ‘Why Can’t I Get What I Want, For Once?’ is a surprisingly upbeat, tongue-in-cheek musing on bad relationships, bad choices, and that silly desperation that we all feel from time to time – that little voice that says ‘Why me?’, and the other that answers ‘Because you never seem to learn.’ The track was produced by Pipsy’s longtime collaborator Tex Houston, famous for his work with the historically significant Dunedin Sound bands The Clean, The 3ds, and The Verlaines.

Musically, Pipsy explores new psychedelic and soul-pop territories on ‘Why Can’t I Get What I Want, For Once?’ while further stretching his musical muscles by writing, producing, singing and playing guitars and drums on the new track. ‘I felt that it was pretty personal music, so I liked doing as much as I could – plus I still love bashing the drums, so I thought, if Dave (Grohl) can do it, maybe so can I!’ said Pouwels of his turn to songwriting and being a frontman. 

The band is rounded out by Paul’s brother Cameron on bass, longtime collaborator and hip-hop producer Josiah Cowan on guitars, and new member and childhood friend William Powell on drums for live shows.  Pipsy's debut EP will be released later in 2017. Website here, Facebook here.

I get the personal feeling, that was sought for 'Why Can’t I Get What I Want, For Once?' and the video adds a story line with just a little humour for good measure. Musically it's a slightly laid back indie rocker, one that grows quite quickly into a very likable and re playable track.



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Emma Elisabeth - Where Do Tears Go.

Background - Emma Elisabeth is a Swedish artist based in Berlin. She has one foot in the Swedish pop musicscene and the other foot in the fantasies of the fuzzy underground. Sort of like ABBA jamming with Jefferson Airplane and Fleetwood Mac in a 90's grunge club hosted by Garbage. 

A rather wild mixture, which results in playful, gritty pop songs that fearlessly take on hooklines and bring them into unexpected places. It's a shower of jangly guitars and flowing vocal harmonies filled with both elegance and intoxication. 

The expatriate Swede is currently residing in Berlin where she has teamed up with well-renowned producer Victor Van Vugt (Nick Cave, PJ Harvey among others) to produce her upcoming EP.

She has just released her new video "Where Do Tears Go". Facebook here.

'Where Do Tears Go' mixes melodic pop sensibilities with a slightly understated soundtrack that drives the rhythm and adds just enough content to makes it's mark. All of which allows Emma's tuneful, vibrant vocals to add emotion and passion to a very desirable song.


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Wednesday, 12 April 2017

Olive - Timewarp inc - Narrow Waves - David Philips - Kate Crash

Olive - Changing the World.

Background - Olive announces release of soulful new single ‘Changing the World’, due to be released this Earth Day, April 22nd. 

Olivia Szulgowski, known as Olive, is an independent Australian born artist. Inspired by indie-pop, soul and motown, with a hint of old-skool R&B. Olive has embarked on her own original sound journey, with the essence of the late Amy Winehouse ‘Back to Black’ album, fused with modern-day indie-alt radio hits. “Join me for tea, some afternoon company; we’ll let our fortunes unfurl and talk about ‘Changing the World’”. A big statement from Olive’s debut track titled ‘Changing the World’, the track has a big message and indie-pop, old-soul big band vibe. 

Olive’s debut release is launching this International Earth Day, April 22, to coincide with global consciousness about environmental sustainability for our planet and for us, the humans living on it. Following shortly after the launch of the video, 'Changing the World’ will be relaunched on a worldwide platform by Ear Science Institute Australia, for their global campaign for International Noise Awareness Day, this April 27. 

Don’t be misled by the catchy hook, ‘Changing the World’ delivers a contemporary universal message about each of us doing our small but integral bit. No matter how small the hope, we each have within us the innocence of youth and hope that we can truly make a difference. This soulful message is powerfully portrayed in the head turning music video to be released on the same day. Facebook here.

'Changing the World' starts out simply enough and quickly grows into an extremely catchy song, both musically and vocally. Bright indie pop with some soulful vibes ensures this song gets noticed.

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Timewarp inc - Tropicaliente EP.

Background - The long awaited release from the man behind the label is now true! Timewarp inc returns with a killer new release under the name: Tropicaliente EP. Travel your mind, your body and your soul into the exotic places that Timewarp a.k.a Angelos Stoumpos tried to bring in life through his music. The recipe is simple; all three tracks on the EP are under a common root, that's the Dub, the growing plant births the first twigs, yes that's the funk, and finally we can see the leaves; well yes that's the tropical mood, colorful, happy, sweet, alive and organic! Many great artists participating in this brand new release. 

Half French and half Greek Georges Perin appears on the opening Tropicaliente track with his magical English / French joyful "oh mama" vocals, the lyrics were written with his partner Panagiotis Skraparlis. In this song Al The X-King is responsible for the great performing with his Ukelele. While 7x Greek DMC champion, world finalist legend Sparky T gave his great talented skills, he scratched a few special elements on the track. The rising little star Timewarp Junior appears on the track with his little sweet voice, learning the real word! An instrumental version of the track is also included on the release. 

Reggae on Dope is the next stop. Timewarp tried to give a different breath to his music, approaching reggae & funk with a tropical-mediterranean touch. The result is an amazing non-ordinary track. With his silver flute, Tasos Fotiou is the man behind this great performance. He played precisely the theme melody as Timewarp cached it first on the keyboards, but in the end he gave an extra solo performance with a unique character. Al The X-King is responsible for the great Cuban like chords and the smoked dub and reggae muted guitar riffs. At last Mister Kentro performed the accordion melody line as it was written from Timewarp on the keyboards. Well, that's a dope track indeed! 

Dub in Disco is next, and as the title states it, here you can expect some disco style, slow & down-tempo but yet full groovy with a tropical dub style. Tasos Fotiou participated by providing his great style with a heavy sax section theme score build up. Al The X-King did his thing once again with his dub and reggae style vibes all over the track with his great guitar riffs. The result is a floating dance track, with big dub disco beats and grooves. 

Timewarp inc - Tropicaliente EP will be available on May 12th, 2017 for sale in special edition CDR and digital download at timewarpstore and all mp3 retailers. 

Currently there is a generous twelve minute feature for the soon to be released 'Tropicaliente EP'. The EP is fabulous throughout! Tropically inclined reggae that is uplifting and refreshing.

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Narrow Waves - Letters From Another State.

Background - Boston band Narrow Waves have just released their new EP, Letters From Another State.

All local city musicians, the sextet came together by two degrees of separation, but at times found each other’s beloved record store days separated by ten years. 

Between the metaphoric lyricism of Morrissey and the stadium-indie flush of Arcade Fire, Narrow Waves found their sound. Through listening to one another they have found their voice.

The group worked with producer Jeff Lipton on the EP, whose past releases include Bon Iver, Ladytron, LCD Soundsystem, The Magnetic Fields, Sebadoh and Soul Asylum. Narrow Waves' debut single "Reducer" was premiered on Vanyaland, who applauded it's "beautiful tension and casual urgency." Bandcamp here, Facebook here.

'Letters From Another State' comprises of five well crafted songs that might loosely be described as Indie Rock. There is plenty of melodic feel across the EP and vocals and harmonies are supported by some fresh, breezy music.

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David Philips - Home.

Background - November 2016 to March 2017 David Philips locked himself in his studio and spent the winter months writing and recording new material. Harking back to the full band sound of his debut album, but this time with a grittier sound centred mainly around the electric guitar and his new found love of the drum kit. 

Very much the studio loner David wrote, recorded and produced the whole record himself, playing all instruments and also designing the artwork. David says of the writing process : “With these songs I was experimenting with a new way of writing, something much more spontaneous, organic and immediate, trying my best to keep the inner critic at bay for as long as possible. I was able to centre the songs around what I hope are strong hooks and allowing myself to write with the electric guitar rather than the acoustic gave the songs a different energy.” 

Stylistically sitting somewhere between Ryan Adams and Doyle Bramhall II, yet as ever with his own instantly recognisable sound, Philips mixes pop, blues, rock and a touch of soul on this compact and to the point collection of 8 new songs entitled simply “Winter.” Website here.

'Home' is one of eight songs found on the new release entitled 'Winter'. The song typifies both the quality and superb delivery of each track. Upbeat folk rock, intelligent lyrics and plenty of electric guitar energy makes this a very fine collection of music.

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Kate Crash - Blacked Out the World.

Background - Kate Crash's has shared her newest single/video "Blacked Out The World". It follows her previous track/video "How We Play The Game". Both tracks will be featured on "To You Never Again', which is out 6/16.

Kate Crash is a Los Angeles-based songwriter, producer, filmmaker, entertainer, writer and multimedia artist.  In her teen years she made weird art, wrote poetry books, and played in punk and industrial bands.  After graduating from Cal Arts, she moved to Tokyo where she performed her music in surreal street shows and made avant garde films.

When she came back to L.A. she was discovered and cultivated by legendary producer Nick Launay (Nick Cave, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Arcade Fire).  Launay produced 3 EP’s for Crash that were released under Joan Jett’s Blackheart Records and George Martin’s Grand Master.  She then released a dance-pop EP that she co-produced with various Grammy winners including Jimmy Harry, Jason Evigan, Ethan Kaufmann, and Ryosuke Sakai. Crash now writes, performs, and produces all her songs which are mixed and engineered by Ethan Kaufmann.

On June 16th Kate Crash’s first full length video album “To You Never Again” will be released.  Written, performed and recorded completely by Crash in her apartment, it combines hip hop beats with dark dreamy pop chorus’s and electric guitars.  It is accompanied by raw, hard hitting videos she created with director Ashley Walters, editor Linda Strawberry and actor Brett Grace.  They were shot two days in and around her apartment in order to maintain the vulnerable, volatile, and homemade feel of the album.  It's about a character hitting rock bottom, which causes them to realize that most of what they believe is just programming from childhood, society, and media. Website here, Facebook here.

'Blacked Out the World' has a dark and moody feel to it, that the video tends to expand on. Kate's vocals add some rock'n'roll edge, providing the song with further intensity. With an album on it's way in June, more of the same will be plenty enough.


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Tuesday, 11 April 2017

FAERS - Wes John Cichosz - Saints Patience - Corner Suns - PANGEA

FAERS - Everything You Know.

Background - FAERS’ singer Steven Anderson-Howard met his future bandmates at his popular weekly indie night Club Yuck in Uxbridge in early 2015. Named after his label, the event showcases groups he’s signed alongside guest DJ slots from established bands. A bond quickly formed between the London five-piece and they released their debut EP ‘WAVES’ in October that year. Before long they were selling out shows in London and Brighton and netting support slots with JAWS, Native People and The Cribs. Having sold out Barfly, The Borderline, and single launches at The Water Rats and The Lexington, alongside appearances at the Y Not, Penn and Camden Rocks festivals, 

FAERS are rapidly growing a loyal fanbase thanks to their intriguing melange of afrobeat and psychedelic indie. Staunch wireless support has come from John Kennedy at Radio X and Gary Crowley on BBC Introducing. Throughout the coming year FAERS’ fanbase will undoubtedly grow. Their raw, visceral sound and effortless songwriting is channelled through their electrifying chemistry when they perform together. With a host of new material that will showcase new frontiers for the group, FAERS may well prove to be one of the most vital acts in the capital, and by extension, the nation.

Sounding like an instant summer festival classic with its high-octane riffs and explosive band chemistry, ‘Everything You Know’ is an adrenaline-inducing dance floor anthem. Loaded with hooks that stay with you long after the song has ended, FAERS have lit upon an invigorating brand of psychedelic afro-funk tinged indie rock. ‘Everything You Know’ is the first release from a crop of tracks created during songwriting sessions late last year. After a week of jamming at an undisclosed location far from any towns and cities in the UK, FAERS ventured to Gothenburg to capture the new sounds they’d constructed with alongside Warner-affiliated producer and long-time friend Anders Largerfors. 

Whilst there, they engaged with the thriving local scene and invited Pale Honey vocalist Tuva Lodmark to sing on the song. The result is an infectious and eclectic pop classic that highlights the effortless cohesion of its writers. Website here, Facebook here, live details on Beehive Candy's tour page.

'Everything You Know' combines intense guitar fronted indie rock with a twist of funk, alongside some feisty vocals that sound just right. Fresh and full of hooks.

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Wes John Cichosz - Everybody Says.

Background - Wes began playing on the Chicago club scene at age 15 with a variety of jazz and rock acts. Shortly thereafter he received a full scholarship to University of Illinois at Chicago where he won the prestigious Bar Association Music Award. During this time he also had the opportunity to play in the orchestra for the lost Duke Ellington musical, Jump for Joy.

In the 90's he was a part of Chicago's Wicker Park music scene performing regularly with members of Tortoise and Wilco.  As a regular studio musician at Gravity Studios he performed on numerous recordings including the Grammy Nominated, self-titled album Studebaker John and the Hawks. More recently, Wes played a tenor sax solo for Phil Collins on a tribute record for his dear friend legendary songwriter, John Martyn. Wes has played with or opened for War, Ziggy Marley, Maceo Parker, Smashing Pumpkins, Guster, 3 Dog Night, Tony Levin (Peter Gabriel), Adrian Belew, Oz Noy, Dave Weckl, Tony Williams, Umphree’s McGee, Andrew Lloyd Weber, Tributosaurus, Robert Irving and Richard Patterson (Miles Davis), and Rolling Stones sidemen Jack Leavell, Tim Ries and Bernard Fowler (and many more).

A competent multi-instrumentalist, Wes performs in various capacities including solo vocal/acoustic, blues trio, and jazz quartet. Some groups he is integral to include ChiNola (Chicago Blues meets New Orleans Funk and Soul), The Improbable Thursays (Experimental Groove/Jazz) as well as his own progressive-rock-meets-singer-songwriter group, WJC. Chicago DJ Richard Milne of WXRT 93.1 once described Wes's music as "...unlike anything going down in the town." Wes has recorded/produced numerous artists over the years including Dave Tamkin, Scottie Long, Typhanie Monique, and Cameron McGill. A capable arranger, he is currently the music director/guitarist/singer/saxophonist for Arlen Music Productions 17 piece orchestra, Evolution. Wes resides in Chicago and continues to write, record, produce and perform hundreds of dates per year. 

In The Moon Threads a Needle, guitarist/saxophonist/singer/songwriter Wes John Cichosz (Chee-Hoas) seamlessly weaves elements of rock, blues, jazz, and folk into an intensely personal album. Website here, Bandcamp here.

The first of thirteen songs on the new album is 'Everybody Says'. The album embraces so many musical directions, that this track is just a small taste of what follows. The above description that states " Wes seamlessly weaves elements of rock, blues, jazz, and folk" is absolutely spot on. Individual songs can morph across genres, or take on a specific style as an anchor point. Quality and feeling dominate the whole album, it's creative and passionate, and worthy of listening to in full.

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Saints Patience - Taste Of You.

Background - About ‘Taste Of You’. A certified funk-rock fusion treat, ‘Taste Of You’ is a candid declaration of love and lust which, according to Saints Patience frontman Mudibu, is “about opening up to someone and letting them know your secrets and desires; asking them to let go and trust their instinct”. This he expresses in a vocal both hugely soulful and raw – “Heaven knows, forever you’ll be close to me” – while a wonderfully rotund bassline, shuddering synths and wah-wah guitar coalesce into one distinctly disco-flavoured belter. ‘Taste Of You’ is essentially a sexy, catchy pop song with a chorus hook that’s primed for the airwaves. Don’t touch that dial.

About Saints Patience and ‘Weather The Storm’ “We’ve created something epic, something exciting and captivating.” Essentially the project of two London-based musicians, multi-instrumentalist Spencer and vocalist Mudibu, Saints Patience place melody and groove front and centre in a thrilling audio format that mixes the classic and the contemporary by following the lead of such timeless artists as Queen, Otis Redding, Led Zeppelin and The Wailers. Their songs, enhanced live by artisanal musicians taking on rhythm section duties, are cohesive amalgamations of Spencer’s prolific guitar jams and improv sessions in his home studio, which Mudibu, formerly of Mantilla, Lostchild and The Jezebel Sextet, enhances via his rich and powerful voice. 

This intuitive pair – “You know it’s good when you just look at each other and smile” – have now collected the best of their writings into their debut album ‘Weather The Storm’, recorded using valve amps and minimal gear at Spencer’s studio and thus exuding a fresh and dynamic analogue vibe. Indeed, to control the sound during recording the band used loads of old duvets and blankets, covered up the windows and warned the neighbours. Proper old-school! In Mudibu’s words, the album captures “an expression of emotions that are both political and relational in context. It's a sifting through of what really resonates with oneself and the surrounding environment. The same emotions can be individual but they are experienced by many in varied contexts. The notion of bravery in the face of these emotional challenges is implied in the album title "Weather The Storm’. Website here, Facebook here.

Back in July of last year we first featured Saints Patience and without hesitation it's a delight to do so again. New song 'Taste Of You' is a fabulously funky affair which manifests soulful vibes against a soundtrack that is seemingly on fire. Floor filling and mood lifting, this is a band to watch out for.

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Corner Suns - The Rattle In The Room.

Background - Brandon Carr of folk-psychedelia band The Earlies and John Dufilho of experimental pop group The Apples In Stereo and indie rockers The Deathray Davies have joined forces to create Corner Suns.

Combining neo-psych and baroque pop the Dallas based band released their eponymous debut via ??Idol Records in ?January 2017 after Dufilho tempted Carr back into music following a period during which Carr says he'd "given up on it". Corner Suns' memorable melodies, catchy hooks and insightful lyrics, influenced by the likes of The Zombies, Magnetic Fields, and The Shins, are all evident on new single 'The Rattle in the Room', providing ample proof that this is a musical pairing worth coming out of retirement for.

Asked about Corner Suns' sound, John says "To me, Corner Suns sounds like The Deathray Davies, The Apples in Stereo, The Earlies, John Singer Sergeant, CLIFFFS – all rolled into one record. It’s actually beyond that. Dallas bands I’ve played with and loved, recording engineer friends of mine I’ve learned from… I’m lucky to have people like Brandon to collaborate with, as it’s a million times better than on my own. More fun, too." The Rattle in the Room is released in Idol Records on 12th May 2017. Website here, Facebook here.

'The Rattle In The Room' is a vibrant and snappy song, with a tuneful soundtrack providing the back drop for some upbeat vocals and breezy harmonies.


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PANGEA - Something Bad.

Background - “Something Bad represents the self-destructive search for passion. To find a love so consuming that it will drive you to insanity; it’s about wondering how far you can go before you break.” Slye, PANGEA.

Ever felt so intensely about something or someone that you’ve been driven to actions you deeply regret? That’s the consequential dilemma at the heart of ‘Something Bad’, the smart debut release from Liverpool quartet PANGEA. Dropping with a taut groove, punctuated with Nile Rodgers-like guitar chops, tasteful lead licks and on-point vocal harmonies, ‘Something Bad’ is a slice of crisp indie funk blossoming into a deliciously catchy chorus. 

By the time those exuberant riffs kick back in after the tune’s refined breakdown, it’s clear from the dexterous drum fills, full-blooded guitar lines and hook-heavy vocals that PANGEA are four musicians lost in their music – and this is our invitation to join them. ‘Something Bad’, produced by AQ, was recorded and mastered at Liverpool’s renowned Parr St Studios.

PANGEA have a refreshingly direct mission statement for a band of indie inclinations – make the people dance. A supertight unit forged at the University of Liverpool, the four-piece meld slick yet visceral funk grooves with euphonic pop melodics. Slye, Levi, Paul and Kieren bring something new to the contemporary soundscape by channelling the energy of Seventies and Eighties greats into songs of relevance to the fledgling 21st-century. 

Shades of US titans like Prince, Chic and Funkadelic colour PANGEA’s material, as does the dynamic edge of the modern British indie scene, notably bands such as Foals and Two Door Cinema Club. The resultant songs are primed for their listeners to move to – and be moved by – as notions of unity, passion and introspection are transmitted through immersive grooves and intelligent lyrics. Here is a band founded on a policy of arch yet danceable pop, and with their irresistible debut single, PANGEA are taking that message to the masses. Facebook here.

Immediately the song begins, a funky and appealing musical foundation is laid. 'Something Bad' certainly delivers on the bands intention to provide good danceable music, they also clearly have a informed ear, for melody and memorable music.

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Monday, 10 April 2017

Djustin - Lusid - Kate Nash - Twilight Fields

Djustin - New Preset.

Background - Djustin "New Preset" - new single. Just two weeks after the release of Te Legends' Nightshift album, Sweden’s Johan Angergård returns alongside longtime American confidant, Rose Suau, to release Djustin's debut album, Voyagers on May 5.

Voyagers is a glittering, sensual exploration into an unchartered and fully-electrified universe. It is a tale of "Future Love", where a newly-conscious, idealized romanticism is propelled by contagious dance beats, synth-driven melodies, and sweetly seductive vocals. The soundscape is sophisticated and visionary, yet the stories are intimate and relatable. "Voyagers" is a journey through a spectrum of emotional highs and lows: from the apex of adult infatuation and desire, to the darkest abyss  of disconnection and existentialism. Every detail from beat, hook, and lyrical lexicon is unveiled deftly. Clearly, Rose and Johan wouldn't surrender anything less.  

Djustin's existence seemed to crystallize due to the forces of quantum entanglement, a pull of energies which was always inevitable. At many points in their personal lives, Johan and Rose had walked separate but parallel paths. The Swedish-American pair were both born as middle children in the same year, exactly 13 days and an ocean apart. Both spent their musical formative years finding footing in remarkably different settings; Johan grew up in pastoral Ǻhus, Sweden, while Rose grew up in suburbs outside the birthplace of techno, Detroit, Michigan. Website here, Facebook here

Dazzling synths and a driving beat provide a rich backdrop for the atmospheric vocals on 'New Preset' a song that suggests the album Voyagers will appeal to many, many electronic music lovers.

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Lusid - Plotting A Murder.

Background - Lusid release sublime debut single "Plotting A Murder." Warm, melancholic and dynamic. 10 seconds into ”Plotting a Murder”, the debut single from Stockholm, Sweden, based five piece Lusid, it’s impossible not to get drawn into their dreamy soundscape - a lonely piano, then airy vocals, and so the drums kick in.

With a sound that is reminiscent of what we love most about 60’s and 70’s analogue music, Lusid presents themselves with high quality song writing and sublime vocal arrangements. A new band for a new thing.

A full EP called "Legend" will be released in June 2017. Facebook here.

Whilst 'Plotting A Murder' is not on my one thousand things to do list, it makes for a beautiful song. Musically this is an elegant, fabulously crafted track, that matches the intimate beauty of the vocals. Together they provide a memorable and exquisite modern pop song.

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Kate Nash - Call Me.

Background - Zone 5’s favourite Kate Nash announces a brand new EP ‘Agenda’ and that it will be available digitally on the 21st April and as an exclusive vinyl at this year’s Record Store Day (22nd April) for which she is an ambassador. ‘Agenda’ will be Kate’s first official release since 2013 and features live favourites such as ‘My Little Alien’ as well as new single ‘Call Me’.

Kate says about her new single: “‘Call me’ is about going through a lot of stuff and surviving it, hitting your lowest point and coming back from that. Once you have you can help other people get through it too, it's about pain being useful as it can be used as advice and support and wisdom when other friends/loved ones go through rough patches. Call on me when you go through it.”

Kate has also recently announced the 10-year anniversary of her platinum selling, Brit-Award winning debut album 'Made Of Bricks'. Kate will be touring the album over the summer including a show at London's Shepherd's Bush Empire. A limited run of original pink 'Made In Bricks' vinyl will be available on the tour. A lot has happened to Kate, since the release of ‘Made Of Bricks’ back in 2007 - failed relationships, record label fall-outs, punk record releases, a relocation to the other side of the world...  Despite all this the singer-songwriter-come-activist retains her heroic spirit, possessed of an impervious rebellion and a lightness of being that makes her ‘give-a-f[]k?’ honesty even more contagious. Everything seems to be coming full circle.

In other news, Kate Nash has been confirmed to play Rhonda is the upcoming Netflix Original series “G.L.O.W.” Produced by award winning Jenji Kohan (Weeds, Orange is the new Black), “G.L.O.W” (aka Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling) was created by Liz Flahive (Homeland) and Carly Mensch (Orange Is The New Black) and is a 10-episode comedy inspired by the real story of the 1980s female wrestling league. Tour details on Beehive Candy's tour page, Facebook here, website here.

'Call Me' has passion, energy and plenty of that Kate Nash style, which typifies her continued ability to provide top class music whether it be indie pop like this or something a whole lot deeper.

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Twilight Fields - Lost.

Background - Twilight Fields is from Northern Canada and makes a mixture of atmospheric and psychedelic rock and influences from progressive rock, ambient, dream-pop, psych-folk and shoegaze. This music asks big questions about life and loss; it's serious music for serious-minded people.

The second Twilight Fields album "Consolamentum" is a post-rock singer-songwriter album that deals with a number of difficult subjects such as depression, betrayal, loss, and disconnection in an increasingly fractured society but also offers the power of unconditional hope, determination, and love as the solution to these ills. 

The album's musical influences stem from a variety of sources, including post-rock, dream pop, ambient, post-punk, psychedelic rock, acid-folk and progressive rock. Bandcamp here.

'Lost' is one of eleven tracks on the new 'Consolamentum' album. I was very impressed by the previous offering by Twilight Field, and although this sees the music shift towards a more post rock feel overall, the ideas, creativity and variety are there in abundance. 


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Sunday, 9 April 2017

System Corporation - Singer Sargent - No Win - Gothic Tropic - Eileen Carey

System Corporation - Dismal Universal Hiss.

Background - New Zealand’s System Corporation Announce Debut Single 'Dismal Universal Hiss'. New Zealand rock outfit System Corporation are releasing their debut single ‘Dismal Universal Hiss’ well ahead of their debut album ‘Fiction Dept.’, slated for release in late 2017.

System Corporation began in 2011, based on a conversation between Phil Somervell (The Datsuns) and their long standing engineer Scott Newth about swapping demos. The two were sharing a flat in Stockholm while The Datsuns were working on their fifth album ‘Death Rattle Boogie’. 

Scott began work on producing the demos, cutting them up, rearranging them, and adding vocals. They became a trio when they enlisted fellow Datsuns’ bandmate Ben Cole (also from The Joint Chiefs) on drums, and then evolved into a five-piece when Scott started working on his own demos for the project, finally enlisting his brothers and bandmates Andrew and Kent Newth (Rumpus Room) to help flesh them out. However, the original trio ended up collaborating on a number of new songs, giving System Corporation two distinct songwriting avenues.  

The band’s debut single ‘Dismal Universal Hiss’ could easily have been written about the rise of Trump or Brexit. But it wasn’t – it was written at the time of the Occupy Wall Street movement and the rise of the so-called 99%, mass protests, and rallying against a broken system that creates ill-gotten wealth and sucks it into a vacuum unattainable by the mere masses. Dismal Universal Hiss will be released on April 28 and will be made available via usual online platforms, but can already be ordered through the band’s Bandcamp here. Website here, Facebook here.

Powerful full on guitar rock, with vocals that glide sky high above the roar of 'Dismal Universal Hiss' makes for a fabulous anthem like song. The track packs commitment and emotion, this is one top class debut single.


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Singer Sargent - Western Life.

Background - You just know it’s real when you hear his voice, one that comes out of a heart that’s been broken more than once. It’s in the raw soul of a singer with a working man's charm that's not afraid of the fierce intelligence behind life’s pain. Singer/songwriter Tim Sargent’s debut song-cycle is superbly produced by Phillip Peterson (Portugal the Man, Shaprece) and comes out June 2nd on new label House of Breaking Glass. 

Working under the banner of Singer Sargent, the songs from  An Ordinary Life were lovingly woodshedded on an acoustic guitar at open mic's in Seattle, near a campfire on the beach and sometimes in the near dark. 

The songs were then brought to Phillip Peterson. They collaborated and exchanged ideas, tracking and sometimes re-tracking until the groove felt right. Tim played the acoustic and electric guitars. Phillip on bass, cellos, organ, horns & percussion. Andrew Barkau had a beautiful turn at the drums, with the legendary drummer Hal Blaine in the talks leading up to the session. Steve Norman took it in a new direction with his pedal steel, which works deftly on the pop songs. Shane McDonald handled the keys, whose understatements speak volumes. 

First single ”Western Life" is an almost verbatim account of a five year span during his twenties, except there was three boys, not "a boy and a girl." 

The first of thirteen songs that make up 'An Ordinary Life' is the single 'Western Life'. This is an exceptional album that should appeal to lovers of country & country rock, alt rock and Americana for starters. Or if you just like melodic variety, intelligent lyrics and a stylish engaging singer who is surrounded by excellent musicians and vocal harmonies that make you tingle, this might just become your brand new favourite album.

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No Win - Crooked Heart.

Background - No Win shares "Crooked Heart" his latest single which is available via Dangerbird Records. Beer soaked bloody nose broken heart...this is what LA's No Win does best.  The solo project of Musician/Producer/Engineer Danny Nogueiras, is rife with honesty, distortion and great songs!  With a little help from his friends Max Keuhn (Fidlar), Brandon Schwartzel (Fidlar), Marshall Vore (Ryan Adams, Phoebe Bridgers), and David Jerkovich (Kind of Like Spitting).  No Win’s two new singles “Crooked Heart” and “You’ll Be Fine” out via Dangerbird keeps us up to speed with, and wanting more of No Win’s straight up, unapologetic brand of rock and roll. Just imagine if The Replacements got into a bar fight with Teenage Fanclub and somehow Superchunk ends up with the black eye...That’s No Win.

Microdose is a monthly single release and live event series celebrating new music from our neighborhood (LA's Eastside) and beyond. This platform will serve as a launchpad for up-and-coming artists, uniting and expanding our artistic community.  Monthly singles will include an A-side and B-side, and each artist will perform live at Dangerbird's Silver Lake based HQ/event space. "A good old fashioned keg party for the artist, their community and the neighborhood as a whole. Dangerbird Records here.

'Crooked Heart' is one of those songs that just gets a good feeling vibe going, and then digs it's hooks in deep. Likable Alt rock delivered with warmth and feeling.

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Gothic Tropic - Your Soul.

Background - Los Angeles’ Gothic Tropic have shared "Your Soul" the fourth single off the upcoming album 'Fast or Feast' due May 19th on Old Flame Records. 

The brainchild of Cecilia Della Peruti, Gothic Tropic keeps the vibe playful and punchy, bringing audiences into a new era of female rock nobility, nodding to stars like Debbie Harry, and Chrissie Hynde. 

Delivering a blend of Richard Lloyd and Nile Rodgers on guitar, Gothic Tropic’s Della Peruti has won sponsorships with Fender, and leading pedal manufacturers, and works professionally as a touring and session player for Charli XCX, BØRNS, and more. Old Flame records pre-order here. Facebook here.

This is fifth time around on Beehive Candy for Gothic Tropic and the fourth single ahead of May's album release is 'Your Soul'. Clearly their music has won me over, in fact they now hold our House Band status!

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Eileen Carey - Good Bad Girl.

Background - Award-winning singer-songwriter Eileen Carey recently grabbed music industry headlines when New Music Weekly named her its 2017 Crossover Artist of the Year. Gracefully breaking down the barriers between country and pop, Carey is at it once again as she blurs the line between naughty and nice in her flirtatious feel-good new single "Good Bad Girl."

Having recently starred at the Country Radio Seminar in Nashville, TN, Eileen Carey is also thrilled with both the immediate and possible long-term effects of her NMW award: “This award is particularly satisfying because it reflects the opinions of the radio music directors, programming, and industry folks. They’re the ones who can make a big difference in your career.”

Eileen Carey continues to post in her new blog, The Music Mom. The Music Mom reveals Carey's desire to positively impact others via the sharing of her experiences and wisdom: “The world is filled with ups and downs, so I want to help people see things in a more positive light and find a better place in life.” The Music Mom here, Facebook here.

Another slice of country music full of pop sensibilities is 'Good Bad Girl'. No wonder the award mentioned above, this is straight and honest popular music that has feel good tattooed all over it.

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Saturday, 8 April 2017

Polar States - The 27 - Nacho Londono - Sleep Party People - The Bandicoots - Future Lives

Polar States - Gold.

Background - Emerging Indie Rockers Polar States from Liverpool are back with a brand new single called "Gold" (Release: 7.4.17) taken from the band's upcoming debut EP "Electric". Championed by BBC Radio 1’s Huw Stephens and BBC 6 Music’s Steve Lamacq, up and coming Indie four-piece Polar States from Liverpool have exploded locally and nationally, selling out the Liverpool o2 Academy twice and completing a 10 date UK tour in support of their previous single Elizabeth, which was added to the BBC Radio 1 ‘Best Of Introducing’ playlist and the Topshop playlist.

Now the band is back with a fresh new offering called “Gold” taken from their soon to be released debut EP “Electric”. The song embodies everything Polar States stand for: Huge melodies, sparkling guitar riffs and smart lyrics. According to the band the song is about valuing what you have. 

“The ‘million in my heart line’ was basically a way of saying you should see wealth not in terms of money, but in terms of the people around you whom matter.” – Paul Tong (Vocals/Guitar)

In 2016 the band also appeared at Liverpool Sound City, Tramlines and X&Y Festival in addition to supporting Clean Cut Kid, The Japanese House, We Were Promised Jetpacks and more. Website here, Facebook here, live dates on the Beehive Candy tour page.

Polar States have created a very catchy indie rock song with 'Gold'. The vocals are well up in the mix and could provide the melody alone, however the band are equal in their contribution and give the song additional vibrancy.

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The 27 - All The Time.

Background - With the irrepressible vintage vibes of ‘Call Me A Friend’ applauded by critics, four-piece male harmony group The 27 are now set to release the unforgettable sing-along ‘All The Time’. With the authentic roots driven harmony-pop on ‘Call Me A Friend resonating well with fans, racking up over 100,00 views on Youtube and close to 50,000 on Spotify. The 27 shake up the formula on ‘All The Time’ without losing the core sound that got your hips shaking. Calling on a plethora of influences, ‘All The Time’ boasts the timelessness of The Beatles, the hook of Lord Huron and guitar skills akin to Eric Clapton, all delivered with the harmonies of The Everly Brothers.

Lead vocalist Henry spent six eventful years seeking like-minded musicians, searching for a sound and experiencing the highs, lows and heartbreak you’ll hear in his lyrics. Along the way, he has played covers in pubs on David Bowie’s vintage Gibson guitar, shared stages with country music star Margo Price, travelled to Nashville to write, recorded an ill-fated album in L.A. while living in the laundry room of a hair salon and spent a summer working as a guitar tech, prepping Coldplay’s guitars for a tour.

The Oxfordshire-based group have enlisted the support of The Next Room Productions, and legendary musician Clem Cattini also contributes, having worked with the likes of Nirvana, The Kinks, Paul McCartney and Dusty Springfield and many others across his stellar career.

The 27, comprising of Henry Parker, David Page, Tom Michell, Alex Tschaikowsky, have already received glowing reviews and significant streaming support and are now ready to reveal the full scope of their talent through a versatile body of work due later this year. Facebook here.

This is a modern enough sounding song, however the chorus harmonies on 'All The Time' take us hurtling back to the sixties! The music and vocals are highly professional and thankfully not overly polished allowing room for a natural and lively feeling to shine through.


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Nacho Londono - Abiertos.

Background - Fresh off his GrassRoots Live! debut, Colombian singer-songwriter, Nacho Londoño, will perform this Sunday, April 9th at Morning Glory presented by Craft and Sounds and taking place at Woodfers Cafe in Miami's Wynwood neighborhood. Providing quality entertainment to the local community, Londoño headlines the free event that includes performances by Miami's independent artists, Dama Vicke, and Minimal and top sets by a few of Miami's talented DJs.

The 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. Setting the atmosphere at 11:00 a.m. with a DJ set, the all-ages happening will also include crafts, a group of eclectic vendors, a variety of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks as well as organic food provided by Woodfers Cafe kitchen truck. Facebook here.

I have not got a clue what Nacho is singing about on 'Abiertos', that said his vocals are just so charismatic and the music so well crafted, this song had to be included.

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Sleep Party People - The Missing Steps.

Background - Sleep Party People have announced a new album Lingering, due out June 2 2017 through Joyful Noise Recordings. Written, recorded, produced and performed entirely by Danish multi-instrumentalist Brian Batz, Lingering - featuring collaborations with The Antlers’ Peter Silberman & Air vocalist Beth Hirsch - is Sleep Party People’s fourth studio album, and the first release since 2014’s Floating.

Sleep Party People are trailing the announcement of Lingering with blissful lead single ‘The Missing Steps’. A fragile love song buoyed by a DIY gospel choir (comprised of fellow Copenhagen artists Irah, CODY, Hymns From Nineveh, Disa and Luster), it finds Batz trading in classic SPP uplift, with a pacy, fuzzed-up drum beat liberated from personal Revolver highlight, ‘Tomorrow Never Knows’.

Though Copenhagen-based Batz & his 5-piece live band have become synonymous with the rabbit masks they wear during Sleep Party People live performances, Lingering finds Batz shedding his guard to create some of the most personal and accessible material of his career. Whilst ‘The Missing Steps’ and other moments on Lingering engage demonstrably with bliss (also the woozy, unhurried not-quite title track, ‘Lingering Eyes’), it is nonetheless a record also concerned with anxiety and doubt, and the ways in which we cope with those insecurities that can persist through adulthood. Facebook here.

Second of twelve songs on the forthcoming album release 'Linger' (June 2) is 'The Missing Steps'. Mixing dream pop and electronic music the album is full of appealing songs similar in style to the featured track, each piece has clearly been a labour of love, and totally worth checking out if you like what you hear so far.

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The Bandicoots - Rocky Horror.

Background from The Bandicoots - After self-releasing our first two EPs ('This Is Why We Can’t Have Nice Things' 2015; 'Quarters at the Penny-Arcade' 2016), we've quickly gained recognition in our hometown, finding ourselves playing to sold out crowds.

‘Overnight Innovator’ and ‘Could You Get Me To Tomorrow?’--the singles from our sophomore release--climbed CBC’s Radio 3 Top 30 chart for up to 7 weeks and Even made CBC's best of year-end list. The latter single came in just shy of 250k plays on Spotify since it’s release.  Damn we had a good 2016! 

We've been oiling our gears leading into our third release (due late June ’17). In the meantime, we've been appearing live from city to city across the east coast of Canada. Bandcamp here, Facebook here.

With a slightly laid back groove 'Rocky Horror' is a slice of indie rock, that helps explain the attention the band received last year. The songs melodic and rhythmic hooks make this a track that is hard to ignore.

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Future Lives - St. John's Fair.

Background - Fourteen people played on Future Lives’ debut LP Mansions, but the heart of Future Lives is six major dude(tte)s. King of Prussia songwriter Brandon Taj Hanick sings, plays guitars and orchestrates what Flagpole Magazine calls “a veritable supergroup.” Formerly with The Drive­-By Truckers and now with Mike Mills and Japancakes, John Neff bends his pedal steel lines like sine waves etching hummable tunes into the brain. Memphis­ bred Sarah Robbins stacks layers of rich, crystal­ clear vocal harmonies that would sound at home on a Staple Singers record. 

In addition to arranging the vocals with Smile-­esque wonder, Sarah’s big bro Nick Robbins (Velveteen Pink/Blue Blood) brings musical inventiveness to his complex, but tasteful, drum parts. Patrick Burke (Giving Tree Band), whose Lynchian flow and precision on bass buoys the jams, isn’t shy about picking out a lead guitar part that David Crosby would twirl his moustache to. Cameron Steuart’s string parts are as cinematic as they are down-home; as much canvas as they are ether. The arrangements are dense, but the expert mixing ears and of John Keane (R.E.M., Vic Chesnutt, Widespread Panic) ensure that every part breathes.

On June 27, 2017, Future Lives will release their debut album Mansions on vinyl and digital via Soft Magic Records. The band will hit the road for an East Coast tour in July with Roselit Bone and Hanick will play solo shows between Athens and Portland in July/August. Bandcamp here, Facebook here.

'St. John's Fair' is taken from the album 'Mansions' that comprises of twelve tracks. The album is awash with beautifully developed songs, and although the featured track gives a reasonable flavour of the album, the music does venture into some other creative places along the way. Overall it's a very fine collection of songs delivered by some very talented musicians and vocalists.

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Cactus Lee - Sons of Sevilla - Gwenno

Cactus Lee - Got A Heart Like Rainwater Blues. This spring Cactus Lee released a new self-titled album (with R. Crumb artwork) via the este...