We have two very fine songs from Emily Jean Flack which feature her gorgeous vocals set against some Celtic musical influences, along with some superb electronic touches. Julia Bardo creatively merges elements of folk, rock and classic pop with her splendid vocals adding even more hooks to this charming song. And The Kids were featured around three weeks ago and return with another track just ahead of their album release, a melodic rocker that builds anticipation for 'When This Life Is Over' even more. IV League have some real edge on 'Lose Me' a notable alt rocker with depth and emotional power.
Emily Jean Flack - Another Year Gone By / Tread Softly.
Canadian, Emily Jean Flack’s passion for traditional Irish music has led to her most accomplished work yet, showcasing her gorgeously pure vocals and the Celtic music she has grown up with, whilst injecting uber-cool electronic textures - a genre-spanning mix which defies expectation and delivers on every level.
Throwing Shapes is the forthcoming EP from Emily Jean Flack, five tracks which see her demonstrating her place as one of the artists to watch in 2019. Bridging the traditional sounds of her homeland in Ontario and those of her current home in Limerick, yet still sounding utterly fresh and contemporary.
Vocalist, musician, songwriter and dancer, Emily Jean Flack, has spent her life being surrounded by music and musicians but has always been keen to express her influences in a way which is entirely her own. Honing her craft whilst studying for a Masters in Traditional Irish Music at the University of Limerick, her musical lineage is impeccable, daughter of Denise Flack, member of the ground-breaking Celtic pop band, Leahy.
“Although I come from a traditional instrumental folk background, I’ve always listened to so many other styles of music. And my own music has always been more personal, more modern and more contemporary. Being in Ireland is wonderful in the sense that it’s so culturally rich, but there is a ferocity and sense of independence within the music. It’s not cute or quaint. It’s quite raw and organic. Ireland has offered me an environment to openly make the music that moves me,” - Emily Jean Flack.
Singer-songwriter Julia Bardo has released the video for her debut single Desire, which follows the release of the single via Someone Great Records/PIAS last month. Manchester based Julia Bardo is one of a kind. An old soul with a captivating mysterious air, her wistful nostalgia-soaked sound pays homage to the introspective pop and folk of the 1960’s but with contemporary lyrics which stem from her romantic daydreams and poetic visions.
Desire balances feelings of discontent with a cheerful melody and silky vocal, rousing conflicting emotions that keep you coming back for more. With its folk, pop and old-fashioned rock ‘n’ roll influences, it’s a modern-day single with a difference.
The retro-tinged grainy video, which features Julia herself singing the track in various locations, is filmed in a Super 8 style by video maker & cinematographer Ed Stone and director Beck Clewlow. Julia says;
“I wanted to make a video that created images for my sound rather than the story behind it – a visual representation of my sound. Me and Beck have very similar taste so it was easy to accomplish my mission”.
And The Kids have shared a new song from their upcoming album When This Life Is Over out February 22 on Signature Sounds (Lake Street Dive, Josh Ritter, Dustbowl Revival).
Known for their scintillating live performances, And The Kids have shared stages with Blondie, Shakey Graves, Lucy Dacus, Caroline Rose, Rubblebucket and more, often times by headliner's personal invitation. The band will embark on a tour with Slothrust this February, followed by a national headlining run in March including two hometown shows in Northampton, Massachusetts.
Today's release follows "Champagne Ladies," an indie rock ode to the impending end of life and "No Way Sit Back," an indie rock attack on the media's effect on minorites.
After smashing airwaves over summer with latest single ‘Lose Me’, Melbourne alt-rock darlings IV League have unleashed an equally badass clip, indulging their penchant for the dramatic and enforcing their reputation for producing “some of the most exciting indie-pop in the country” (Purple Sneakers).
Collaborating with friends to make the clip, the result is an eerie, hypnotic affair that perfectly captures the track's themes of mental warfare and self-identity struggles, while also putting the band's visual aesthetic at the fore.
Front woman Isabella Venutti explains that she fully embraced the chance to take the creative helm - “The inspiration for the music video came from a lot of films dealing with women and the occult such as 'Valerie and Her Week of Wonders' and 'Suspiria' as well as aesthetics that we are drawn to in general.
“We worked in collaboration with two close friends to make the video and I think having creative control was really important as we had a really clear vision for how we wanted the clip to play out. We didn’t focus too much on a narrative arc, we just wanted to play with our aesthetic inspiration and give a sense of emotional turmoil in a theatrical way.
We begin with Katey Brooks who is appearing on Beehive Candy for the third time and once again she is mightily impressive with another exceptional song. Kap Bambino's video for 'Erase' has already gained considerable attention as it drives home the sheer energy and vibrancy of this electro punk blast. Cartoon Lizard share a creative song and imaginative video as the band prove hard to categorise with this track, it's rock of some sort and it's rather addictive. Mags on Earth creativity is notable as is the atmosphere and feeling on 'Tulip Stone' a refined and intriguing song. The duo Sparkling keep today's somewhat "alternative" vibe on track with some classy synths and distinct vocals along with some deep hooks.
Katey Brooks - Never Gonna Let Her Go.
Katey Brooks latest single ‘Never Gonna Let Her Go’ is about being true to yourself and rejecting shame. The singer reveals, "We're all going to walk this planet with different scripts in our heads, different upbringings, experiences and beliefs, and if we want to get along and be peaceful we need to accept that. Hate isn't the answer in any situation - so I believe anyway”. The stunning single exudes soaring vocal harmonies, bluesy guitars and passionate lyrics, essentially becoming a peaceful protest song. Brooks prevails, "Judge me for my true failings, ask me to change those things that actually effect you, and I'll hear that. But one thing I'll never change, and one thing that is definitely not wrong with me, is my love for women”.
Brooks has found success recording with the likes of Brian May (Queen), Bill Wyman (Rolling Stones) and Paloma Faith at Abbey Road. She has played some of the world’s biggest festivals, as well as having received an enthusiastic reception from radio stations around the UK and internationally. Brooks has also received acclaim from such prestigious outlets as Billboard, Pride and The Advocate to name a few. Katey Brooks is now ready for the next chapter of her musical journey, with ‘Never Gonna Let Her Go’ out now.
French duo Kap Bambino announce their return with new album 'Dust, Fierce, Forever', out on 12th April on Because Music.
Notorious for their uncompromising live performances, Orion and Caroline bring that raw energy to 'Erase', the first single taken from the upcoming album, and to the riveting video that accompanies it.
Their fifth album is an irresistible whirlwind of sounds, in which the most disparate of elements spin together breathlessly. The record's 13 concise, momentous tracks juggle around familiar sounds, suggestions of Eurodance and a hint of hardcore, creating an acrobatic, incongrous mix that never lacks moments of beauty.
Each year, we dedicate months at a time and set aside our lives to write and record music deep in the woods of Cedar, BC. We live at the studio and immerse ourselves in the process of making music. We’re very particular about the fidelity and character of every aspect of a production, sometimes spending days refining individual elements.
The recording of “Lay of the Land,” our new song, was left dormant for a year before being resurrected in 2018 during our tenure at Risque Disque Records where some extra details were added.
It's been hard not to get political lyrically in recent times, and “Lay of the Land” is definitely a product of that. We've all felt the change in climate and have been questioning our beliefs more so than ever. “Lay of the Land” is essentially motivation to never stop questioning yourself. Nobody has the answer, nobody is perfect. That’s something you have to be willing to accept and acknowledge when you're in the wrong - Cartoon Lizard.
Born in Sweden, raised in Germany, and now living between London and Paris, Mags On Earth combines these geographical influences into her wonderfully crafted, dreamily melancholic, electronic-touched pop sounds.
Inspired by the likes of Lana Del Rey and Bat For Lashes, and shaped musically, lyrically and visually by the city sounds she finds herself surrounded by, new single ’Tulip Stone’ was recorded with producer Jose Manuel Cubides in London, and deals with "wondering what else life could be looking like right now, and the pressure of spending your youth in a certain way and how time keeps passing”.
The single comes backed by a Paris-influenced video that Mags On Earth made herself. She explains "I spent a month in Paris last October and was so inspired by the atmosphere. Paris has that authentic beauty and elegance that I strive for in my visuals, even in its less pretty parts. Paris is always Paris. And to me it feels kind of faded in the colours which really works well with the theme behind Tulip Stone”.
‘Tulip Stone’ is taken from her debut EP “Girl in the City” (available to stream here). The tracks are accompanied by self-produced videos. Talking about the EP, Mags On Earth explains, “I think the whole EP is not about feeling good or bad, it is much more about a mundane in-between-feeling-stuck state of longing for something more, thinking nothing is ever enough maybe. It idealises big metropolis cities as places of potential reinvention and new beginnings.”
Danish duo Sparkling are relishing returning to music after a long break with new single ’Fractions’ which just come out on 4th February following their recent single ’Say Goodbye To The Ragged Tiger’. The latter set blogs and radio stations alight last year and intrigued listeners with its organic yet futuristic sound.
’Fractions’, as the title might suggest is mathy with an electronic basis. However, whilst others may hunt tightness and efficiency - Sparkling insist on exploring the human aspect of synthesizers and machines. Consequently, most of the parts are played by hand and re-amped in the studio to create maximum depth and to bridge naturally to both the vocal and the additional instrumentation.
’Fractions’ is a song about embracing getting older and becoming more aware of your surroundings and inner life. The character in the track is looking back - in fractions he experiences and feels notes from his life. Above all, the track expresses the strong love that transforms someone from a dreamer flying restless in space to a man on earth.
On the recording process, Jens Christian Madsen of the band says “We wrote the song quite fast and laid down the basic tracks in the studio (the dirty intro beat and the synth lead-motif catching up on the choruses are some of the few elements that have ‘survived’ throughout the whole production process). We penned the lyrics in my summerhouse by the northern coast one beautiful late summer evening. And we were so excited and moved by our own words, that we decided to record the vocals immediately; Carsten singing in the open, under the starlit sky at night.”
Shayfer James new E.P comprises of six extremely engaging tracks. The vocals are superb as Shayfer changes styles with ease and distinction. The music is tight and polished adding to the charismatic nature of this addictive material. Hints of Dr John and Nick Cave are present, not copied just referenced to give some guidance, that said it's a whole lot more than that.
We have the video for 'Another Year' from Haint Blue, it's the first of twelve songs on 'Overgrown' which is due for release on February 15th. This is a refined collection of Americana and folk music from a band who produce exquisite musicianship and vocals that are natural and a perfect fit for these genres. Consider the rest of the album as at least as good as the featured song, it really is worth hearing in full.
Shayfer James - Hope And A Hand Grenade (E.P).
New Jersey's rock/pop-noir artist Shayfer James has just released a new EP titled Hope And A Hand Grenade. A dramatic and diverse mix of captivating tunes, he seamlessly weaves between soft-spoken ballads and uptempo social anthems. Combining dark, poetic lyrics and swaggering melodies, James enamors audiences in an emotional and moving performance.
Hope And A Hand Grenade comes as Shayfer James' seventh studio release, showcasing his ongoing growth as a singer-songwriter. His music provides a unique blend of catchy unconventionality; bright pop melodies are interwoven with gothic-tinged lyrics and emotive vocals, all delivered with a splash of whiskey humor, smart quip, and air of dark charm. Applauded for his theatrical live performances, James keeps audiences on their feet, with a hint of mystery and surprise.
"I went into the production of this EP with a totally open mind," James shared. "I worked with producer/mixer/engineer and multi-instrumentalist Jeremy Gillespie who has been one of my closest friends for ten years. I trust him with all my heart. Jeremy knows me and understands my artistic approach and arrangements in a way that I think a lot of independent artists can only hope for. He also thinks I’m out of my mind, which is a bonus." Known for his masterful piano work, James challenged himself on this latest release.
"I love the piano but it had started to bore me a bit last year so I shifted my focus toward electric guitar. I recruited Corby Hewson on drums (who performed on all my previous recordings) and Caitlin Gray (Hooray For The Riff Raff) on bass as well as T. Fortuna on percussion. Jeremy and I played everything else, other than the viola on "Crack A Bottle, Run A Bath", which was performed by Peter Horn." The EP was mixed and primarily recorded at Mike Ferretti's Self Titled Studios, with additional tracking at Magic Door Recording and Kaleidoscope Sound. It was mastered by Kim Rosen at Knack Mastering. James concluded, "Recording this EP was a wonderful experience made incredible by working with some of the best friends I've ever had."
Haint Blue has released a video for "Another Year" - the standout lead track from their new album Overgrown, featuring lush vocal harmonies set against a stark arrangement that shows off singer Mike Cohn's powerful delivery. Cohn had this to say about the song:
Another Year is an interesting one. I started writing the song quite awhile ago, when I was feeling really down on myself on my birthday. I couldn't figure out why I was screwing up every aspect of my life, even though I was getting into a lot of stupid stuff and being a generally selfish person. The song, as a lot of my songs did at that point in my life, lingered unfinished until I picked it back up a few years ago. I was now on the "straight and narrow", so to speak; maintaining healthy relationships, holding onto a job, drinking less, etc. The irony is that I still felt unfulfilled and directionless, for the most part. So the song dances around the same idea, that idea that we disappoint ourselves sometimes, but from two sides of the same coin.
Here are a few lyrics that I think were interesting or meaningful: "and I see growth in all the wrong places/in our guts and in our faces" . It's a tongue in cheek but truthful nod to the simple fact "I ain't getting any younger" while exploring the complacency I have begun to felt as I have aged (but perhaps not necessarily grown). "In the back of my head/an empty space once held the dead/so should I black it out like everyone else?" I think that's one of the funnier lines I've ever written, about going bald and having this back and forth in my head of whether I would do anything about it.
Like I said, the song is interesting to me. There's a lot of rage/frustration in the song, the kind of frustration any adult feels when they grow up and realize that life's not going to be what they thought it would be (and that it has a habit of getting away from you). But there's also this softer, sadder, almost humorously self-aware part of it, too. That's why I like the song so much, it's a great (accidental) allegory to growing up.
Loaver shares a dreamy dark pop song that is beautifully atmospheric and irresistible. Lauren Hibberd makes her fifth appearance on Beehive Candy as the Isle Of Wight artist once again impresses us with a fabulous alt rocker. With the first posthumous album for JJ Cale due in April we have the first track and a really fine video accompaniment for one of musics true legends. Cafe Spice treat us to a mixture of gorgeous vocals & harmonies above a simple and beautifully matched musical backdrop.
Loaver - Out Of Town.
Malmö, Sweden, based singer-songwriter Linnea Hall started her solo project Loaver with a desire to be able to showcase all sides of her experiences and inspirations. The music that will be released as Loaver’s debut EP - experimental, smooth and dark pop at its finest - was written and recorded in Italy during 2017, in close collaboration with artists such as Giovanni Ferrario (PJ Harvey, John Parish etc.), who produced the tracks, and Emanuele Maniscalco. Through the six tracks we’re drawn between the uttermost boundaries of emotions - love, hate, dreams, doubt, chaos and naivety.
Apart from Loaver Linnea is also active in Malmö based band Kluster, a band that released their debut album, ”Civic”, on Rama Lama Records in June 2018.
Last month Loaver released the single "Therapy" - a track that got critical acclaim from Swedish and international media. "Out Of Town", a dreamy, slow building track, is out on all streaming services.
Kicking off 2019 with pulsating new anthem Sugardaddy, Isle Of Wight newcomer Lauran Hibberd sparkles in her latest release, moving further towards the forefront of the UK’s emerging indie landscape with aplomb.
Generating widespread acclaim throughout the online community (The Line Of Best Fit, The 405, Clash) in 2018 with her first few releases, in addition to extensive support at BBC Radio 1 (BBC Introducing Track of the Week), the rising talent’s expertly crafted blend of indie pop has already earned plenty of fanfare with her reputation certain to grow further over the next twelve months.
Recently named as one of Huw Stephens’ Top Tips for 2019 and confirmed to support US indie rockers Hippo Campus on a full UK/European tour this spring, plans are certainly shaping up nicely for the young musician whose off-kilter style has already earned comparisons to Courtney Barnett and Weezer, as well as lyricism reminiscent of acts such as Phoebe Bridgers and Soccer Mommy.
Detailing her upcoming release, Hibberd stated: “There’s a million love songs, but my dream is to live in a world where there’s a million songs about stuff like wanting a sugar daddy. I guess it’s a joke, it’s like wrapping bubblegum around depression. The idea stemmed from life being life, I have sort of a twisted humour so at some point my brain came to this as a comical solution. I wrote this track with Boe Weaver, my trusted day one producers. Don’t be alarmed”.
Because Music will release 'Stay Around', the first posthumous album by beloved songwriter, guitarist, and singer JJ Cale, on 26th April. 'Stay Around' is compiled by those closest to Cale, his widow and musician Christine Lakeland Cale and friend and longtime manager, Mike Kappus. Because Music today released the official video for the album’s debut single, 'Chasing You', featuring footage of Cale touring (which he seldom did) and performing across the U.S. The video is a breezily bittersweet glimpse at the life of the artist who died in 2013 and left behind a vital, resounding legacy.
Cale spent his career as an “under-the-radar-giant” (New York Times) and influenced musicians as wide-ranging as Neil Young (who wrote in his autobiography, “J. J.’s guitar playing is a huge influence on me. His touch is unspeakable. I am stunned by it.”); Beck (who, speaking to the L.A. Times, referred to his “effortlessness…restraint and underplaying” as “very powerful”); Eric Clapton (who, in his autobiography, called Cale “one of the most important artists in the history of rock, quietly representing the greatest asset his country has ever had”); and many, many others.
All tracks on 'Stay Around' are previously unreleased, a fact that’s not unusual considering Cale’s modus operandi: often Cale would reserve outtakes from one album for later release on another. Mike Kappus, who managed Cale for 30 years and has worked with his estate since his passing, explains, “‘Roll On,’ the title track of Cale’s last studio album, was 34 years old. He would burn me CDs of demos, and one time I said, ‘You’ve got two good albums on here.’ Some of the tracks had detailed information, some of them had nothing. Some songs might be a full band of his buddies, others were him playing everything. These were songs he really did intend to do something with because they were carried to his typical level of production for release.”
Bn2 (short for ‘Ballad number 2’) is the stunning second single to be released from new Manchester trio Cafè Spice. Taking the gorgeous Autumnal harmonies found on their debut single Lauren to a whole new level, the group’s soaring vocals on new track Bn2 are nothing short of exquisite.
Testament to their collective vocal prowess, the startling harmonies contain both a power and a velvety ethereal grace and are layered atop a gorgeous melody, acoustic guitar plucked and gently stirring. The sound is effortlessly sublime indie-folk that brings to mind contemporaries such as The Staves or HAIM.
Equally as emotive as the melody and vocals is the song’s heart-warming message of hope and comfort to a lovesick friend. As Cafè Spice explain: “(Bn2) was written for a friend struggling with unrequited love: a song of sleepless nights and swirling thoughts… ‘You’re half asleep but in your mind your fingers tie and unfold’”.
Cafè Spice are Georgia Gage, Eleanor Lang and Niamh Feeney. After spending time performing live around their hometown Manchester, the trio visited British Grove Studios, London to turn several live favourites into future singles with more to be released throughout 2019.
We start with the title track from Box of Moxie's sixth studio album, the song typifies the quality and beauty of this collection of music. Lola Bates impresses us with a song that packs vibrant energy along with some very catchy hooks. Eyesore & the Jinx mixture of punk, psych and raw rock & roll is infectious to say the least, and finally we have something calm, melodic and full of natural folk vibes from Ian George just ahead of his debut album release.
Box of Moxie - Submission Admission.
A combination of alt-rock, Americana, folksy rock, and avant-garde, Box of Moxie is a manifestation of material that Stephen Jacques gathered throughout his multifaceted professional life as engineer, custom builder, TV host, and actor.
Strumming his acoustic guitar along the way, Jacques' real life experiences reveal their truths in a delicate, dreamy, oftentimes humorous fashion.
Submission Admission, the band's sixth studio effort, is a compilation of love songs revealed through an alt-rock prism, evoking a pureness and sweetness not dissimilar from the honeysuckle scents that enveloped Jacques' childhood walks along paths that straddled Virginia's James River.
17-year-old singer/songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Lola Bates debut album Red Hot is set for release March 29 on Human Made Records. The single ”Red Hot” was released last Friday on all digital platforms and the video release is set for wide release on February 12. Classically trained pianist since age 5, Bates may still be in high school but on her 8-song debut LP, she brings a wealth of professional experience and passion to her album.
Working entirely on her own, Bates wrote the music, lyrics and recorded demos for her debut album which evolved into the album Red Hot via a collaboration with her father, composer/producer Tyler Bates and Grammy-winning engineer/producer/mixer Robert Carranza. It was a familiar experience in this setting as the young Bates was tasked at age 12 to record piano work on the Marvel franchise film Guardians of the Galaxy Vol.1 and again in 2017 recorded her piano work for Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 at Abbey Road Studios in London with the London Symphony Orchestra. It was during these sessions that she expanded her knowledge and artistic expression to the point where she began applying her own musical ideas for her own music. This led to her vision to pursue life as an artist, musician and songwriter. The result is Red Hot.
Commenting on social media isolationism and how this feeds into the Brexit-mentality, with their twitchy, socially minded psychobilly, feels natural for Liverpool trio Eyesore & The Jinx. There’s no plan to be a ‘political band’, it’s purely the result of writing about what they see and feel in their lived experience.
They are surrounded by likeminded musicians in a burgeoning Merseyside scene, fostered by label/collective Eggy Records – pile down to a show here, pick up a bass guitar to fill in there, there’s a messy, organic feel to this community. This however belies the precision and clarity with which one of the scene’s chief proponents deliver invigorating and sardonic post-punk, drawing on Ought, Parquet Courts and murky pioneers The Fall.
From these local foundations their sphere of influence is quickly expanding. New single On An Island was produced by Jonathan Hartley from iconic Liverpool psych-surgeons Clinic, they share a manager with International Teachers of Pop (from the co-founders of The Moonlandingz) and have recently spent time in the studio with Fat White Family’s Nathan Saoudi in Sheffield, as well as recording tracks with Daniel Fox from Girl Band.
Ian George has released the second single from his debut album Kingdom of My Youth to be released February 15. Titled "The Wild & The Untamed," it's an indie folk ode to love in unconditional form. Atop swirling melodies and evocative textures, Ian sings the pure and precious line, "all I can offer is who I am."
Kingdom of My Youth is Ian George's debut solo album and his first divergence from strictly acoustic music. It's an emotional, eight-song exhaltation of finding sweet childlike freedom in adult life. It was recorded at Labo M, the 17th Century manor originally built for King Louis XVI's nephew in Paris, by invitation and with assistance of French rock legend Matthieu Chadid better known as M. Ian recently relocated from Portland to Minneapolis and will play Icehouse on February 21. More tour dates to be announced.
Sister John may be drawing some interesting comparisons however the new single has plenty of individuality and the video is fabulous. The new single from Threatmantics is refreshingly original with distinct vocals and a superb musical arrangement. We featured Shapes on Tape three times last year and the new song is another hook fuelled affair to enjoy. The Wild State offer a breezy and infectious indie rocker that doubles as a massive tease for their forthcoming album. The Limiñanas exude psych that is addictive, intriguing and atmospheric. Although we have to go back to 2017 for our last taste of Trudy and The Romance, the new song is yet another delicious "mutant 50's pop" song demonstrating the bands modern take on retro sounds superbly. We finish up today with Yacht Punk where some beautiful guitar sounds and refined rock vocals make this song hard to resist.
Sister John - I'm The One.
Sister John formed in somewhat serendipitous circumstances, having all met whilst singing in The Parsonage Choir; from there Amanda McKeown cajoled the others into helping her perform her songs at a one off event and they immediately recognised the intrinsic musical understanding they shared as a group and were soon an inseparable gang.
The first single from the new album, ‘I’m The One’, welcomes comparisons to a post-Nico Velvet Underground and Patti Smith but the overall footprint is unmistakably Sister John’s.‘Lost and Won’ may well be the album’s true masterpiece, a dark sparse sorrowful affair that sees Amanda McKeown's vocals matched with Jonathan Lilley's slide guitar and the harrowing strings of Heather Philipsand Sophie Pragnell.
Shadow On Your Heart is the third album from maverick Welsh art-rock misfits Threatmantics, recorded in Paris and Cardiff by French producer Anne-Sophie Ouvrier.It is their first album to be released on 12” vinyl, with a limited edition, numbered run of hand printed covers by acclaimed Welsh artist John Abell. 'Shadow On Your Heart' will be released via Ffatbyrg Records on 22.02.19.
Threatmantics attempt to crowbar as much into rock and roll as possible. Veering wildly from heartbroken folk, to balls-out rock, to spine-crushing metal, to good-time pop; barely held together by very fine thread and pretty ribbons, they play music that sounds as much like the band they wish they were as possible. Whether they will survive the pits and troughs remains to be seen, but it’s a special thing to be able to soundtrack your own adventure.
Shapes on Tape is a Brooklyn-based Brew-Wave/Ultrapop group whose infectious hook-laden three-minute bangers represent a new era where loud guitars and synthesizers can coexist and even party together. A band that once made L Magazine implore U2 to "move over and let Shapes on Tape seize the thrown(sic)," Shapes on Tape asks the question, "What if Walter Mondale had won?"
Genre-hopping producer/multi-instrumentalist/90s groovebox enthusiast Adam Kruckenberg, formerly of Midwest glam legend Vibralux, and guitarist/poet Jason Matuskiewicz, a veteran of beloved Lexington, KY band Candidate, began collaborating in 2014, but they didn't complete their sound, best described as a sonic assault of feels, until they expanded S on T to include drum savant and overall swell guy Justin Heaverin of Noisebody and The Silver Tongues.
Matuskiewicz’s lyrics and straightforward style walk the line between high and low concept with an abrupt 3-chord frankness that never takes itself seriously, while Kruckenberg’s powerful vocals and synthetic re-imaginings take the songs to epic proportions. Combined with Heaverin's unstoppable groove, you could be forgiven for wondering when The Boss had time to do a secret collaboration with Erasure. With the help of Grammy-nominated producer and Hedwig alum Justin Craig, SoT's forthcoming album Legends in The Process is sure to be a supersonic, beer-fueled dreamscape littered with the carcasses of waves and cores.
The Wild State are an enigmatic new band from Brighton, UK. Following their time studying songwriting together at BIMM, they began to create their ethereal debut album, which occupies a place between The National and Bon Iver. From the strength of their initial demos, the band signed a publishing deal with IAMSOUND Music and have now returned from recording their forthcoming debut LP 'Light Along The Waves' in Connecticut, with legendary producer Peter Katis (The National, Interpol, Kurt Vile). The first single from this unique and beautiful offering, 'Air Runs Out’, will be released on 1st February via US label Beverly Martel.
'Air Runs Out' is an epic and emotionally rich introduction to the Brighton band, who are already garnering excitement industry wide for their impeccable live show. The song is written about the break down of a suffocating relationship ("The ground we share is breaking / And the air we breathe is poison"). In singer/lyricist Josh Difford's words, "it's the horrible process of love turning stale and about why we sometimes tolerate it for routine and security".
To mark their live return to the UK in February with a tour which includes a sold-out London headline show at legendary 100 Club on the 13th February, French psych duo The Limiñanas has shared a new video for 'Trois Bancs', a track taken their latest album 'I've Got Trouble In Mind Vol. 2', a collection of rare recordings, 7" singles and unreleased materials, out now on Because Music.
“The ‘Trois Bancs’ (Three Benches) of this song are those from a French school in the 80s. With all the cliques from that period: the mods, the skins, the punks, the rude boys", says Lionel Limiñana, "It’s a trip. We don’t really know what happens to the main character. He’s probably dreaming. He comes across all the other characters of the story through a lysergic prism. He finds himself in a series of familiar situations, in which he meets all the important people in his life. The video by Sylvain Rusque tells that story. He’s done a huge, meticulous and highly dedicated work. I gave him very few information, only certain elements about the story and the people in it. We were very impressed when he showed us the film and so we’re very proud to release it today.”
Director Sylvain Rusque added: "I introduced myself to The Limiñanas and expressed my motivation to collaborate. I showed them some of my work and they really liked it. They told me about the ‘Trois Bancs’ and trusted me. The freedom to create I enjoyed creating this video really reflects their mindset. Additionally, I decided to introduce some references to their career and their last album.”
Trudy and the Romance - The Original Doo-Wop Spacemen.
Bustin’ out of Liverpool, UK, Trudy and The Romance are ready to woo with the mutant 50s pop and self-declared alligator rock-n-roll of their eagerly-anticipated album Sandman. They preview its first cut, ‘The Original Doo Wop Spacemen.’
The new single drives forth the dreamboat pop of their recent “Junkyard Jazz” EP through its Spector rhythms, whilst incorporating the album’s nods to Jonathan Richman, Louis Prima, Brian Wilson’s wall of sound, film composers Henry Mancini and Bernard Herrmann, and the golden age of Disney. “We directed this like a blockbuster, with characters and a story,” Trudy’s singer Olly explains. “We worked with a pianist, 1940s Disney choir, county pedal steel guitar player, film score violinist and harpist. It’s heart-warming and gently creeps up on you. It’s not tugging but just kind-of-there; Alligator Rock’n’roll!”
Recorded with producer David Pye (Wild Beasts), Sandman draws the listener further into the trio’s colourful world, and follows the latest escapades of its central protagonist, little Johnny, and his inner turmoil. “It’s a coming of age tale about asking for your innocence back. It’s a breakup album and loosely based on the hero’s journey,” Olly says. Rocking and reeling through dreamy harmonies and dazzling guitars it’s everything good pop music should be – catchy, clever and brimming with curiously wonderful characters in Trudy’s inimitable realistic-cartoon narrative.
"The video was shot entirely on a vintage Super 8 camera during the summer of 2018. Each roll of film only has 3.5 minutes of footage, so you have to be really precise with the shots, which I wasn't. I wanted to capture an organic feeling of the end of summer and the nostalgia that goes along with it. I let a lot of my friends try it out and shoot whatever they wanted, so it kinda turned into a group project. We shot in Sequoia National Forrest, Venice Beach, and at a mansion a friend was house-sitting in Bel Air. Absolutely no magic mushrooms were involved in the making of this film."
"Laying on the floor of his unfinished basement studio in Beachwood Canyon, Graham Bockmiller realized it was time to go out on his own. The LA-based band Great White Buffalo had run its course, leaving him unsure what would come next. Graham spent the next year holed up inside his studio by himself; contemplating life, writing, collecting nude calendars of Eastern European women suggestively holding large trophy carp, and experimenting with the raw recording skills he had taught himself. He began exploring new sounds and textures outside of the traditional rock staples of guitar, drums, and bass – testing the limits of his DIY recording chops in search for a more interestng, vibier sound. These songs would later become the beginning of Yacht Punk.
Wild Rivers is both beautiful and emotional, a song from the heart, where both the band and the harmonies naturally and skillfully connect. The new song from Magnetic Skies is a taster for three E.P's due this year and bodes well with it's subtle melodies and lush musical arrangement. The Indica Gallery have a style that spans decades and yet is fresh as the band carve out a distinct and highly likable sound.
Wild Rivers - Moving Target.
2018 was an incredible gift. We toured North America extensively and met people who share a connection to our music. However, the reality of being touring musicians means that we often find ourselves in unfamiliar situations, far away from the things – and the people – that provide love and comfort.
Our new song, “Moving Target,” is the message you leave for the person back home. It’s about what we do to protect ourselves when relationships get difficult, and the realization that cutting yourself off can do more harm than good.
“Moving Target” was recorded live off the floor with our producer, Dan Hosh. After playing it night after night on the road last year, we really wanted to hone those sensations of vulnerability and earnestness.
We’re back home now, busy writing for our next project and gearing up to headline some shows (dates below!) around Canada and the States. As we sink our teeth into some new songs, our excitement to build on what’s next grows.
Synth-rock band Magnetic Skies’ debut EP, “Dreams And Memories”, is released on 22 March 2019 via ReprinT Records.
Magnetic Skies formed in early 2018 when singer-songwriter Simon Kent and vocalist/programmer Jo Womar were commissioned to collaborate for a one-off arts/charity live show. During rehearsals the pair discovered that they had a common love for electronic music and mapped out dates to experiment with writing songs for a potential band project. Simon’s latest solo album had received airplay on national radio, and live shows included touring with established artists like Echo & The Bunnymen, Emma Stevens and The Christians - but things went so well that he decided to take a hiatus to concentrate on the new project.
Simon says, “the Magnetic Skies songs took on a life and direction of their own, everything just flowed. Although I had a great band and backing at radio, sometimes you just have to follow your instinct and your heart. And this is where my heart wants me to go.”
Songwriting over the summer resulted in a selection of songs ranging from melody-driven electronic pop to atmospheric ambient songs which form the basis of 3 EPs the band will release in 2019, with a full-length album to follow. Jo says, “writing the songs has been a really exciting adventure! I have a really cool collection of analogue and digital synthesizers, which are the foundation for the tracks. Simon can play a bit of everything, so he was able to contribute keys, guitars and bass to finish everything off.”.
The new single from Liverpool quintet The Indica Gallery ‘Wait For Your Love’, came out Monday via Someone Great Records/PIAS.
Formed in early 2018, The Indica Gallery have a blossoming sound that blends 60s and 70s pop with modern psychedelic overtones and poetic Northern grit.
‘Wait For Your Love’ is a love letter personified in a 50’s-esque torch song.
Having spoken highly of her music on a number of occasions, along with sharing a good few of her songs, it's a pleasure to feature Rosie Carney once again, this time with the brand new album 'Bare'. Coco Bans mixture of synths, rhythmic guitar and gorgeous vocals works beautifully as this addictive song demonstrates. Twain's inviting voice and carefully matched musical backdrop ensures everything stands out with refined clarity, the piano adding even more. Our last inclusion today are Freedom Fry who have a three song E.P with plenty of variety and a whole load of hooks to enjoy.
Rosie Carney - Bare (Album).
Building on over 30 million Spotify streams and 1.8 million monthly Spotify listeners, breakout singer-songwriter Rosie Carney’s long-awaited, deeply personal debut album Bare is out now via Akira Records.
Bare is already receiving early rave reviews from the likes of Mojo Magazine who calls Carney’s music “haunting” and “the sound of a troubled soul finding her voice” while Earmilk describes it as “astonishingly beautiful,” “delicate but unwavering.” The Irish Times praises the record as “a gorgeous cycle that runs the whole gamut of life, love and loss.”
In support of the release, Carney will embark on a 26-date tour of the U.K and Europe with Benjamin Francis Leftwich.
Of the highly anticipated record Carney says, “I hope these songs encourage people to go into themselves. I hope they somehow find parts of themselves when listening to them. I definitely found parts of myself when writing them. I hope they experience that—that intimacy with themselves.”
From Iowa to France, the voice of Coco Bans weaves around the globe with pop anthems and intimate hybrid folk songs – the effects of which stay with you long after listening. The American singer-songwriter, having already collaborated with some of the biggest and most promising artists (Lil Wayne, Julian Perretta, Fakear, Kiddy Smile, Jabberwocky), stormed onto the scene in October 2018 with debut single “Make It Up” and a packed MaMA Festival show in Paris.
Coco Bans’ debut EP ‘Fantasy & Parables’ will be released on February 28th, 2019. A collection of songs that explores the internal worlds we cultivate and the stories we tell ourselves to survive. A narrative of 6-parts, ‘Fantasy & Parables’ documents struggle, determination and triumph over a magical folk-gospel landscape. With support from Rolling Stone and Pop & Shotamong others, Coco Bans is set to be one of the key breakout artists of 2019.
‘Fighting Feathers’ opens with airy vocals and synths which create a dreamy sonic landscape, accompanied only by snappy lead guitar which gives the track percussive momentum from the outset. The verse instrumental stays restrained, making room for a lead vocal that commands the listener’s attention. Coco Bans lures you into a magical trance before a distorted bass kicks into add punch to a musically inventive outro that builds to a soaring height and fades out slowly, practically demanding you to press repeat.
Twain's highly anticipated double EP is out now on Keeled Scales. Titled 2 E.P.s, the 13-track collection represents two distinct moments in the artist's recording history. Side A is New Miami Sound, unreleased material from the Rare Feeling album sessions.
Side B is Alternator, an intimate recording of Davidson performing a selection of his songs in a van; it is the first fully solo Twain music to be released on vinyl. Since its announcement, 2 E.P.s has garnered fervent attention from tastemakers including NPR, Brooklyn Vegan, Hype Machine and more.
Twain will tour this spring, first with critically acclaimed label-mate Buck Meek then with art pop legends Rubblebucket.
Freedom Fry have just released their first of the year - The Seasons EP. The title track might be their most “radio-friendly” song to date, whilst “A Beautiful Day” is another original to set the year off and “Hey Moon” is a beautiful cover of Molly Nilsson’s original.
"The Seasons" is about how people's moods are more up in the Summer and down in the Winter. It's also about time passing and watching the seasons of your life go by.
We wanted to write something upbeat with a strong bass-line. The verses are dark like Winter and the choruses are feel-good and bright like Summer.
Hobby Club serve up a bright indie pop song with some fabulous vocals and a crisp musical backdrop. Rue Snider has impressed us in recent years, his ideas and musical creations are always met with keen anticipation. London alt rockers Heavy Heart mix melodic vocals with some natural rock vibes. From Italy Amycanbe have a distinctive sound, with plenty of detail in the musical arrangement and soft enticing vocals gliding above. Last today we have our second track share from Lily & Madeline ahead of next months album release and it's another beautifully crafted and hook laden song.
Hobby Club - For Maurice.
London based indie-pop duo Hobby Club release their debut single ‘For Maurice’ from their first EP ‘Video Days’ released 8th March on Manchester tastemaker label Heist or Hit (Her’s, Pizzagirl).
Beth Truscott and Joe Rose’s sound is as unique as their vision of the world – sharing an unusual eye condition they only discovered after meeting each other. Inspired by Arthur Russell, The Beach Boys and Kate Bush, the duo craft a lyrical domesticity that evokes harbours and mills towns, polyester and chip wrappers, bus tickets and slate grey skies.
‘For Maurice’ is Hobby Club’s anthem for leaving home, named after a local celebrity in Joe’s hometown Barrow, the “brash and absurd, yet sensitive and creative” Maurice G. Flitcroft, who “at all times was striving for something more than his humble origins would allow by studying art and literature and becoming the self-professed best at anything he put his mind to.”
The track becomes the duo’s rebellion of limited small-town life: “Like my own Dad,” Joe describes, “Maurice begrudgingly worked in the shipyard but never let the narrow opinions of others corrode his delusions of grandeur.” Subverting this tradition, Joe now uses an abandoned canteen in the shipyard to record the jangle-pop of Hobby Club, proving “that no matter how absurd your goal is, you can just tell yourself you’re the best and that everybody else is wrong”.
Rue Snider - Tripping On a Raft With Girls/Go Back To Carolina.
Go Back To Carolina is a brand new track by Brooklyn, NY based singer songwriter Rue Snider that has an indelible hook punctuated by biting electric guitars and organ reminiscent of the louder side of early alt country favorites like Uncle Tupelo, Whiskeytown, and Vigilantes of Love. The lyrics address the concept of psychological triggering, which in this story comes in the form of an Avett Brothers song.
“'Go Back To Carolina' is an attempt to illustrate the idea of psychological triggers in a funny, sort of profane way that most people will be able to understand even if they haven't been introduced to the concept before. Once I started to grasp the role that my past plays in my current life and began to have compassion for myself for some of my triggered responses, and once I started to really identify what those triggers were, I was able to begin the process of rooting them out."
Tripping On a Raft With Girls celebrates the need for community that feels built into human DNA. It details a psychedelic experience that the narrator undertakes with a group of friends. The lyrics are his inner monologue. It features Jon Estes on guzheng.
Both songs have lyrics that make a stab at humor and are a bit absurd but dig into serious topics. They fit together sonically as they're both loud rock songs and lyrically as they both take place inside of someone's brain.
London alt-rockers Heavy Heart share deeply emotional new cut Bed Bug, the first of three tracks mixed and co-produced by Grammy Award-winning producer Gabe Wax (The War On Drugs, Fleet Foxes, Soccer Mommy).
Starting out as a bedroom project in a tiny South London flat, the quartet have since capitalised on their early promise with widespread praise throughout the online community (NME, The Line Of Best Fit) and across the airwaves (BBC Radio 1, BBC 6 Music, Radio X), with their introspective and intimate soundscapes earning plenty of fanfare.
Touching on profoundly relatable themes of love, loss and finding happiness, Bed Bug showcases elements of Alvvays and Wild Nothing nestled deep within their sound, coupling luscious melodies and cascading guitars with a vivacious blend of dreamy, atmospheric noise.
Detailing their upcoming single, the band stated: “Bed Bug is a nocturnal love song exploring obsession and lethargy, sex, blood and dirty sheets. It’s about staying in bed all day and staying awake all night, feeling your skin crawl and your nerves itch. It’s also about the beauty and agony of loving someone to the point of self-destruction; picking the wounds open again just to feel the way it felt the first time”.
Born and based in Cervia, Italy, Amycanbe was formed by Mattia and Marco until 2005 when they decided to add Francesca and Paolo to the lineup, and this the quartet Amycanbe was born. Amycanbe has had some slight lineup changes throughout the years, but they currently consist of Francesca Amati (vocals), Mattia Mercuriali (bass, guitars, keys), Marco Trinchillo (drums, keys) and Mattia "Matta" Dallara (keys). With 3 albums and several EP’s behind their name, their 2011 album ‘Mountain Whales’ garnered significant success with their hit ‘Buffalos’ gaining a lot of traction from fans and critics alike.
Inspired by legendary acts across the genre spectrum such as Nina Simone, Radiohead, Pink Floyd, Portishead, Aphex Twin, and David Bowie, it is clear that Amycanbe prefers to surround themselves with only the best influences. With dream pop being rooted in elements of alternative and psychedelic rock ‘n roll with a blend of pop, it’s evident that any fans of The xx, The Naked and Famous, or The Cocteau Twins will enjoy Amycanbe’s music as part of their collection.
‘White Slide’ reimagines the ethereal song with hard hitting bass while the wobble in the bassline ensures a groove between each bar. Francesca’s tender voice is only complemented by the intricate, yet subtle production elements that can be heard throughout. ‘White Slide’ demands multiple listens as the undiscovered concaves of this track are revealed to the listener upon every repeated listen. A stellar track that aims (and succeeds) in transporting the listener to a cosmic realm where Amycanbe controls every facet of this musical plane. True performers by nature, this live version is a testament to their electrifying performances.
US sister duo Lily & Madeleine are pleased to share their new single "Analog Love", which is taken from their forthcoming album Canterbury Girls - out on 22 Feb via New West. The album was recorded in Nashville and produced by Daniel Tashian and Ian Fitchuk, the team behind Kacey Musgraves' Golden Hour. Although the bulk of the album's songs are burdened by personal angst and the weight of expectations, "Analog Love" is a sweet romantic plea.
As Lily and Madeleine explain: "We wrote "Analog Love" with our dear friend, songwriter Lucie Silvas. The song is an attempt to capture the feeling of an uncomplicated and reassuring romantic relationship. Being on tour a lot of the time, nearly all relationships we have become long distance at some point. Communicating over the internet is a great way to continue to share your love, but after a while, its monotony makes you wish you could just be face to face with the person, communicating without any distractions. In the studio we wanted the song to feel whimsical and nostalgic with lap steel, acoustic guitar, and soft, tender vocals. We don't write many love songs, but "Analog Love" was written so easily with Lucie, and captures a special feeling of uncomplicated love."
Lily and Madeleine Jurkiewicz explore the conventions of 21st century womanhood on the ten-track Canterbury Girls, named after Canterbury Park, located in the duo’s hometown of Indianapolis, Indiana. The songs were all written or co-written by the sisters, which, despite the album's poppy veneer, boasts some of Lily & Madeline's densest and most intense lyrics to date.
Emily Jean Flack - Another Year Gone By / Tread Softly.
