Madelline gives us her background to 'Ghost' just below, I would add it's a dreamy indie pop song and her vocals are beautifully soulful. We featured Magnetic Skies for the first time in January and they have followed up with 'I Am Your Friend' a smooth lush synth rock piece. With dual vocals and a feisty rock vibe Gaffa Tape Sandy have been getting plenty of attention and 'Headlight' is a good example of why. Andrew Rinehart's 'They Say' is accompanied by a very personal video, a wonderful companion for the nine minutes of absolutely gorgeous music. 'These Wicked Things' is the title track and one of fifteen songs on Beat Circus's new album, an epic collection of tracks as typified by the featured piece, a small glimpse of the whole. JW Riley has released the very impressive 'Homesick' where genres blend together, to create a mixture of rock sensibilities with a clear individual identity. Lucky 757 share some delicious rockabilly music with all the swagger and class associated with this timeless and natural rock and roll music.
Madelline - Ghost.
“Ghost” is an anthem for embracing solitude.
The song was initially formed as I felt overwhelmed by loneliness. It’s about emptiness – being surrounded by people but not feeling understood, listened to, or seen. It’s about social anxiety. It’s about feeling unwanted.
Stefano Pando produced the track, and we arranged it as we went. I went into the studio with a rough melody to freestyle over. I think freestyling is awesome because it lets a lot of things come up from your subconscious.
If you feel anxious or lonesome, I hope that “Ghost” comforts you. It’s okay to be a lone wolf, but remember you are never alone with your feelings. Life is about making peace with your journey - Madelline.
Madelline is a singer and songwriter from Connecticut currently living in Montreal.
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Magnetic Skies - I Am Your Friend.
Synth-rock band Magnetic Skies’ debut EP, “Dreams And Memories”, was released yesterday 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.”.
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Gaffa Tape Sandy - Headlights.
Raucous garage rockers Gaffa Tape Sandy announce their signing to acclaimed indie label Alcopop! Records and share pulsating latest single Headlights, the first track taken from the band’s forthcoming EP dropping this summer.
Marking the start of a whole new chapter for the Bury St. Edmunds outfit, Headlights showcases the trio’s brand of high-octane rock ‘n’ roll in remarkable style, spearheaded by the playful dual vocals of Kim Jarvis and Catherine Lindley-Neilson and ably supported by a relentless rhythm section and crescendo of epic punk riffage.
“We wrote Headlights as an open embrace to anyone who finds it hard to talk about their mental health, and to serve as a reminder to check up on your loved ones in this busy stupid world”, the band stated. “We wanted the back-and-forth vocal play to feel and sound like a conversation, a playful way of communicating a message that we believe in. It’s important to be lovely to one another, and the people who have been lovely to us are the people who inspired this song”.
Heralded as one of NME’s 100 Essential Acts for 2018, the rising trio have developed an impressive live reputation supporting the likes of Indoor Pets, IDLES and Peace, whilst much-lauded displays at Glastonbury and Latitude (BBC Introducing) have lead to a slew of festival appearances (including The Great Escape and Truck) being lined up over the coming months.
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Andrew Rinehart - They Say.
Andrew Rinehart and his former romantic partner Rachel Len Cary had a wildly tumultuous 2-year relationship. After a lengthy separation, and an agreement to stay on their separate paths, the two eventually decided to collaborative on a music video for one of Rinehart’s songs (’They Say’), interspersing actual archival home video / cell phone footage from the early days of their relationship with present day / post-breakup footage shot by their friend Danielle Bartley. The intention behind making the video together was to find some sort of closure.
Video made by Andrew Rinehart, Rachel Len Cary and Danielle Bartley. Cover artwork made by Greg Sheppard.
Rinehart is a Louisville, KY native who has, for the last 5 years or so, paid his dues bouncing around the usual bigger-city zones. He was one of the original 10 founders of the influential Body Actualized Center in Brooklyn, and more recently threw shows at Basic Flowers, a DIY space in downtown LA which Ariel Pink co-funded. Now on the verge of exiting the purgatory of grad school, Rinehart is currently in the process of releasing a series of singles (“Off On A Roll…” being the first), all of which explore the inscrutable ups and downs inherent to that age-old pleasure/torture device: love.
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Beat Circus - These Wicked Things.
These Wicked Things is the fourth release from the determinedly eclectic Boston-based band Beat Circus and the final installment in singer/multi-instrumentalist/composer Brian Carpenter’s “Weird American Gothic” trilogy. The record bridges a number of disparate genres including experimental music, cowpunk, post-punk, Mexican folk music, mariachi music, and Italian giallo soundtracks. The cover and booklet include a 18-page graphic novelette by renowned Croatian artist Danijel Zezelj, best known for his live paintings, multimedia, and collaborations with DC Comics/Vertigo.
Brian Carpenter formed Beat Circus in 2002 shortly after his arrival in Boston and since then, he's been the ensemble's guiding light and sole constant member. He has recorded or performed with Swans, Kronos Quartet, Colin Stetson, Marc Ribot, and Roswell Rudd, and collaborated with producers Martin Bisi (Dreamland, 2008), Sean Slade and Bryce Goggin (Boy From Black Mountain, 2009). Returning on These Wicked Things are drummer Gavin McCarthy (Karate, Thalia Zedek Band), bassist Paul Dilley (Reverend Glasseye), and guitarist Andrew Stern (Brian Carpenter & The Confessions). Relative newcomers include violinist Abigale Reisman (Tredici Bacci), violist Emily Bookwalter (Ghost Train Orchestra), and multi-instrumentalist Alec Spiegelman (Cuddle Magic), all three of whom worked with Carpenter on The Barbary Coast in San Francisco.
These Wicked Things began in Berkeley, California when Carpenter was commissioned by the Berkeley Repertory Theater to compose music and lyrics for Dominic Orlando’s play The Barbary Coast in 2014. Based on the true crime book by Herbert Asbury (Gangs of New York), The Barbary Coast detailed the violent rise of San Francisco in the late 1800s. The play centers around Joaquin Murieta, the real-life inspiration for Zorro, a Mexican who went on a notorious revenge spree after his wife Rosita was killed by gold miners. Two versions of “Rosita” and some incidental music from the play are included.
After recording These Wicked Things with Beat Circus at the legendary Q Division Studios in Boston, Carpenter flew out to Tucson, Arizona to mix the record with esteemed producer Craig Schumacher (Calexico, Neko Case, Giant Sand.) Carpenter worked with Schumacher previously on his singer/songwriter outing The Far End of the World (2015, Accurate.) Special guests on These Wicked Things include trumpeter Jacob Valenzuela of Calexico, bass saxophonist Dana Colley of Morphine, and guitarist Stephen Ulrich of the NYC guitar noir trio Big Lazy.
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JW Ridley - Homesick (Out The Blue).
Whilst co-habiting as a property guardian in South London, JW Ridley had to use what little space and time was available work on his music; as he explains “the building had these strange little rooms so I would go and record demos in them whilst no one was there”. New single Homesick (Out the Blue), the follow up to recent acclaimed single Glass Eyes, was written in such snatched moments.
An Arthur Russell and Radiohead by way of krautrock inspired post-punk shuffle, it’s a track with an emotional density that builds throughout, and another example of the expressive, cathartic song-writing that’s seen him labelled as one of London’s most exciting artists.
Matching the sense of geographical dislocation there’s an element of psychological contrast behind the song’s meaning too, “it’s about the things we hold on to or the things that never really leave us”.
JW (AKA Jack) has slowly built up a canon of emotive and immersive songs. These have caught the attention of Huw Stephens, Zane Lowe, Lauren Laverne and Steve Lamacq on the airwaves, as well as tastemaker tomes Stereogum, DIY, Wonderland and more.
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Lucky 757 - Memphis Sun Feat. Matt's Blues.
Portsmouth, VA-based, modern retro quartet Lucky 757 would make the founding pioneers of early rockabilly proud, aggressively pushing the genre forward with a combination of chops, passion and innovation.
The band formed in 2014 around core songwriting team of father/son duo Danny (rhythm guitar and backup vocals) and Cory (lead vocals and lead guitar). Wielding their twin Gretsch guitars, Danny and Cory deliver the classic hollow body sound, drenched in Copycat tape echo, and aided by the vintage rockabilly rhythm section of Sam Haga (bass) Angel Lopez (drums). Together, they’ve canvased Virginia and traveled down the coast, playing alongside The Screaming Rebel Angels and opening for Reverend Horton Heat, tearing up big stages such as the Gretsch stage at Lake Havasu Rockabilly Reunion (NV), and the Rats Nest Run Inn (NY), and the Americana Music Fest (Virginia Beach).
They released their debut self-titled album in 2015 and quickly followed up with a second LP, tracked in a feverish all night session at Sun Studios in Memphis. Both releases were praised by the rockabilly community and found airplay on international FM stations. Their 2018 release, the Surf Rock instrumental album Lonesome Lagoon, found acclaim among the blogosphere, eliciting hipster hang tens for its deep cultural excavation of banana palms, gogo boots and Ennio Morricone scores.
Feeling their attention sway back to the well-calibrated rockabilly that first got their pistons pumping, the band endeavored to capture the newest embodiment of their evolving sound by heading back to the legendary ‘room’ at Sun Studios. They tracked three new songs, holistically, in raw and raucous live takes, laced with banging piano lines, courtesy of Matt Jordan, the key player for Rev. Horton Heat. The resulting album, Memphis Sun, is a delectable slice of rhythm and ooze. A twangy ode to the long-lost vibes of early rock and roll, distilled into a glowing little EP that begs to be savored, like the sunset over the Mississippi River.
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Saturday, 23 March 2019
Wednesday, 20 March 2019
Porteau - Club Kuru
'Moon Maidens' is the third song from Porteau's debut album that we have featured this year, and the Indie folk couple continue to impress. Club Kuru share some fabulous psych pop/rock in the form of 'By The Windowpane' a dazzling piece of creativity.
Porteau - Moon Maidens.
Vancouver duo Porteau debut album, Water’s Gate has just been released. Heavily influenced by both traditional folklore and the West Coast landscape, Porteau uses this imagery as a backdrop to explore and unearth personal experience.
Porteau is the creation of Victoria Williams and Craig Stevenson. The Vancouver duo’s debut album Water’s Gate transports listeners to a world of pragmatic mysticism. Layers of lush vocals and washes of light, modulated guitar are the foundation of their songs. Pulling the record into diverse moods and through vivid textures, their sound weaves through folk-inspired passages, celestial soundscapes, and electronic flourishes. Ethereal and expansive, Water’s Gate is Porteau’s open space for experimentation, and carves a wave into their own unmapped styling.
Collaboration between the couple came about by happenstance. Victoria saw a painting of Andromeda by Gustave Doré and was instantly captivated. She asked Craig if he could help her write music that sounded like the painting looked – cold, urgent, yet liberating. A mutual understanding and inspiration was found from this piece of art. It was a driving and unifying force that was the genesis of Porteau. Using this as a catalyst, a record naturally revealed itself. Sounds which had been independently cultivated now flowed together and a confluence of ideas began to occur. They were heavily influenced by both traditional folklore and the West Coast landscape. Porteau uses this imagery as a backdrop to explore and unearth personal experience.
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Club Kuru - By The Windowpane.
Club Kuru have shared their new single 'By The Windowpane'. Following on from the release of ‘Cherry Bloom’ earlier this year, which earned plaudits from the likes of BBC Radio 1 and more. Both singles are taken from the band's new highly anticipated sophomore album 'Meet Your Maker'.
Following on from the band’s critically acclaimed 2018 debut LP ‘Giving In’, which featured their BBC 6 Music B-listed single, ‘The Memory Junkie', the duo’s new material sees them further explore their multifarious and eclectic sound, developing new textures and further pushing the boundaries of their meticulous and far-reaching brand of psych-pop.
Speaking about the single, Erskine says: "I spend time each day sitting at my first floor window and watching the people going by in the street below. ‘By the Windowpane’ was inspired by the times I sat there. Every now and then, I’d catch a reflection of myself in the glass, so I was looking through the glass and at myself at the same time. I felt sometimes that I was caught there: trapped in the windowpane. It made me think about the people who have disappeared from my life and how I couldn't see them anymore. And sitting there, rather than missing those people, I became content to watch the world go by and accepted how all things change."
Having recently completed a short run of dates with Jungle, Club Kuru are also planning further headline dates for 2019, with a Paris and London date already confirmed for May the band will be announcing further details in the coming months.
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Porteau - Moon Maidens.
Vancouver duo Porteau debut album, Water’s Gate has just been released. Heavily influenced by both traditional folklore and the West Coast landscape, Porteau uses this imagery as a backdrop to explore and unearth personal experience.
Porteau is the creation of Victoria Williams and Craig Stevenson. The Vancouver duo’s debut album Water’s Gate transports listeners to a world of pragmatic mysticism. Layers of lush vocals and washes of light, modulated guitar are the foundation of their songs. Pulling the record into diverse moods and through vivid textures, their sound weaves through folk-inspired passages, celestial soundscapes, and electronic flourishes. Ethereal and expansive, Water’s Gate is Porteau’s open space for experimentation, and carves a wave into their own unmapped styling.
Collaboration between the couple came about by happenstance. Victoria saw a painting of Andromeda by Gustave Doré and was instantly captivated. She asked Craig if he could help her write music that sounded like the painting looked – cold, urgent, yet liberating. A mutual understanding and inspiration was found from this piece of art. It was a driving and unifying force that was the genesis of Porteau. Using this as a catalyst, a record naturally revealed itself. Sounds which had been independently cultivated now flowed together and a confluence of ideas began to occur. They were heavily influenced by both traditional folklore and the West Coast landscape. Porteau uses this imagery as a backdrop to explore and unearth personal experience.
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Club Kuru - By The Windowpane.
Club Kuru have shared their new single 'By The Windowpane'. Following on from the release of ‘Cherry Bloom’ earlier this year, which earned plaudits from the likes of BBC Radio 1 and more. Both singles are taken from the band's new highly anticipated sophomore album 'Meet Your Maker'.
Following on from the band’s critically acclaimed 2018 debut LP ‘Giving In’, which featured their BBC 6 Music B-listed single, ‘The Memory Junkie', the duo’s new material sees them further explore their multifarious and eclectic sound, developing new textures and further pushing the boundaries of their meticulous and far-reaching brand of psych-pop.
Speaking about the single, Erskine says: "I spend time each day sitting at my first floor window and watching the people going by in the street below. ‘By the Windowpane’ was inspired by the times I sat there. Every now and then, I’d catch a reflection of myself in the glass, so I was looking through the glass and at myself at the same time. I felt sometimes that I was caught there: trapped in the windowpane. It made me think about the people who have disappeared from my life and how I couldn't see them anymore. And sitting there, rather than missing those people, I became content to watch the world go by and accepted how all things change."
Having recently completed a short run of dates with Jungle, Club Kuru are also planning further headline dates for 2019, with a Paris and London date already confirmed for May the band will be announcing further details in the coming months.
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Tuesday, 19 March 2019
I am BOLEYN - Beverly Kills - Zinnia
I am Boleyn serves up some intimate synth pop, her melodic vocals drift above a thoughtful soundtrack, this is hard to resist music. Gothenburg's Beverly Kills share a feisty indie rocker, the band are tight and refined and the vocals add even more hooks. Zinnia's brand of art pop is quite addictive, she sings with real feeling above a musical arrangement that slowly builds into a magnificent backdrop.
I am BOLEYN - Limit Of Love.
London based Synth-pop singer-songwriter I Am Boleyn is poised to release her new single with the arrival of ‘Limit of Love’ and follows on from her recent release 'Too Much'.
She says: "Limit of Love is about the secrets that we all keep, the dark feelings or guilt that we hold very close but one day have to show someone to really love them and let them love us. What is the Limit of Love? What could we find out about someone, or reveal about ourselves what would push those limits too far? In the end the honesty of sharing our real selves is liberating and leads to a deeper connection".
I Am Boleyn spends her time shuttling between London and Stockholm, working with Swedish based music production collective FMLY STHLM. Influenced by Robyn, Mo, Goldfrapp and MS MR, her take on electro-pop brims with hints of neon lit 80’s Berlin bars with a futuristic twist of Blade Runner.
I Am Boleyn grew up in St. Petersburg, Russia, went to Oxford University to study history and has been writing songs and singing in bands since she was young.
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Beverly Kills - Revellers.
Beverly Kills are creating an impressive name for themselves as one of Gothenburg’s up and coming bands to watch. Last year saw the band release ‘Fourteen’, ‘Melodrama’ and ‘Dreamless’, gathered great acclaim from both local and international press including being mentioned as one of the “Best Swedish Indie Debuts 2018” by HYMN and being nominated for the" Breakthrough of the Year” in the Gaffa Awards.
This also saw the band playing Gothenburg music showcase festival Viva Sounds and a side show at this years by:Larm Festival along with shows supporting Agent blå, Moaning (USA- Sub-pop) and Västerbron later this March. The release of Beverly Kills brand new single ‘Revellers’comes with the announcement of their debut physical release ‘In This Dim Light/Melodrama’ limited edition 7” vinylthrough Australian Indie label Hell Beach.
‘Revellers’ encapsulates the very essence of Beverly Kills, emotionally charged and full of energy, as they seemingly blend driving, raw and catchy sonic landscapes with dark and complex lyrical content. The energy of the song is set by a punchy and aggressive rhythm section laid down by Viggo Mattson and Hampus Höggren, which is perfectly matched by John Jonsén tight rhythm guitar playing. Dreamy synths and atmospheric guitar tones act as points of relief throughout the song as Alma Westerlund’s vocals float effortlessly throughout the track delivering catchy vocal melodies and most importantly the lyrical content.
The idea behind the lyrics came out of a spiraling, weird thought that John had after reading about the increasing numbers of the ‘Bystander Effect’ in Sweden. This got Johnthinking about a potential world where we’ve killed off everything and everyone just to satisfy our need to see deathand chaos, “until there’s nothing left to kill but ourselves”. ‘Revellers’ clearly demonstrates Beverly Kills song writing prowess and further establishes their emergence in the ever-exciting Gothenburg indie scene.
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Zinnia - Bullets.
Zinnia is the Toronto-based art pop project of Rachael Cardiello. With layered synth and driving beats, Zinnia brings an explosive range to Cardiello's writing, equal parts intimate and fierce. Zinnia’s debut album Sensations in Two Dot is due out in 2019.
"There are statistics that had always seemed far fetched and distant when I was young. As I've gotten older I've watched those statistics very much become a reality for the women in my life.
Bullets was written four years ago on an old upright at my mom's house in Montana. I've carried it with me since then and sifted it through many arrangements and band settings.
Though written in response to specific events, it has been heartbreaking to see the song remain relevant over these past years as the same struggles appear in the lives of those close and far.
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I am BOLEYN - Limit Of Love.
London based Synth-pop singer-songwriter I Am Boleyn is poised to release her new single with the arrival of ‘Limit of Love’ and follows on from her recent release 'Too Much'.
She says: "Limit of Love is about the secrets that we all keep, the dark feelings or guilt that we hold very close but one day have to show someone to really love them and let them love us. What is the Limit of Love? What could we find out about someone, or reveal about ourselves what would push those limits too far? In the end the honesty of sharing our real selves is liberating and leads to a deeper connection".
I Am Boleyn spends her time shuttling between London and Stockholm, working with Swedish based music production collective FMLY STHLM. Influenced by Robyn, Mo, Goldfrapp and MS MR, her take on electro-pop brims with hints of neon lit 80’s Berlin bars with a futuristic twist of Blade Runner.
I Am Boleyn grew up in St. Petersburg, Russia, went to Oxford University to study history and has been writing songs and singing in bands since she was young.
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Beverly Kills - Revellers.
Beverly Kills are creating an impressive name for themselves as one of Gothenburg’s up and coming bands to watch. Last year saw the band release ‘Fourteen’, ‘Melodrama’ and ‘Dreamless’, gathered great acclaim from both local and international press including being mentioned as one of the “Best Swedish Indie Debuts 2018” by HYMN and being nominated for the" Breakthrough of the Year” in the Gaffa Awards.
This also saw the band playing Gothenburg music showcase festival Viva Sounds and a side show at this years by:Larm Festival along with shows supporting Agent blå, Moaning (USA- Sub-pop) and Västerbron later this March. The release of Beverly Kills brand new single ‘Revellers’comes with the announcement of their debut physical release ‘In This Dim Light/Melodrama’ limited edition 7” vinylthrough Australian Indie label Hell Beach.
‘Revellers’ encapsulates the very essence of Beverly Kills, emotionally charged and full of energy, as they seemingly blend driving, raw and catchy sonic landscapes with dark and complex lyrical content. The energy of the song is set by a punchy and aggressive rhythm section laid down by Viggo Mattson and Hampus Höggren, which is perfectly matched by John Jonsén tight rhythm guitar playing. Dreamy synths and atmospheric guitar tones act as points of relief throughout the song as Alma Westerlund’s vocals float effortlessly throughout the track delivering catchy vocal melodies and most importantly the lyrical content.
The idea behind the lyrics came out of a spiraling, weird thought that John had after reading about the increasing numbers of the ‘Bystander Effect’ in Sweden. This got Johnthinking about a potential world where we’ve killed off everything and everyone just to satisfy our need to see deathand chaos, “until there’s nothing left to kill but ourselves”. ‘Revellers’ clearly demonstrates Beverly Kills song writing prowess and further establishes their emergence in the ever-exciting Gothenburg indie scene.
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Zinnia - Bullets.
Zinnia is the Toronto-based art pop project of Rachael Cardiello. With layered synth and driving beats, Zinnia brings an explosive range to Cardiello's writing, equal parts intimate and fierce. Zinnia’s debut album Sensations in Two Dot is due out in 2019.
"There are statistics that had always seemed far fetched and distant when I was young. As I've gotten older I've watched those statistics very much become a reality for the women in my life.
Bullets was written four years ago on an old upright at my mom's house in Montana. I've carried it with me since then and sifted it through many arrangements and band settings.
Though written in response to specific events, it has been heartbreaking to see the song remain relevant over these past years as the same struggles appear in the lives of those close and far.
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Monday, 18 March 2019
Wasuremono - Hafdis Huld - Julia Rakel - Junaco
Wasuremono continue to ramp up interest in their June album release with 'Are You OK?' where synth textures and layered vocals combine with melodic hooks. Hafdis Huld's fifth studio album is a collection of thirteen incredible cover versions, where she reinterprets some classic songs in a really imaginative manner. Julia Rakel's new E.P. is shared in full, it's a creative affair as she digs into relationships, doing so in a very individual and colourful way. 'Willow' from Junaco is a desirable indie song where the vocals are beautiful as they drift above a clever musical backdrop.
Wasuremono - Are You OK?
Wasuremono have announced their new album 'Are You OK?' will be released on June 14th, they have also shared the title track from the album after teasing the news with previous single 'Lonely Type'.
In 2018, Wasuremono made quite the impression; with the release of their self-titled debut album, Steve Lamacq’s invite to record a live session for BBC 6 Music at the legendary Maida Vale Studios, Lauren Laverne describing them as a “favourite”, supporting both the The Flaming Lips and Phosphorescent on tour, and playing at iconic venues such as Shepherd’s Bush Empire.
New album, ‘Are You OK?’ was written and recorded by multi-instrumentalist William Southward in his shed. On the newly released title track, Southward has said that the song, "seemed to turn into a pep talk to myself, with themes and sounds of the seaside and clearing the mind asking yourself or someone else ‘Are you ok?’. It’s got a really 80’s vibe to this song with the help from the Linn Drum Computer pounding through the song backed up with synth sounds played on an old Yamaha Dx7."
With the enlistment of friends Madelaine Ryan, Isaac Phillips, and Phoebe Phillips, Southward’s songs come to life. Wasuremono will be performing across the UK this summer in support of 'Are You OK?', with stops at festivals including Live at Leeds, The Great Escape, Bluedot, and Dot To Dot, as well as a headline show at the Sebright Arms in London on June 19th.
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Hafdis Huld - You're the First, The Last, My Everything.
Hafdis Huld’s fifth studio album 'Variations', is a collection of her own versions of songs by other artists. Consistently different, she and producer Alisdair Wright devised simple arrangements that focus attention on the lyrics, often revealing stories with surprisingly dark and twisted undercurrents beneath the smooth surfaces.
In another twist, tracks will be digitally released, two at a time between 1st February and 26th April, building into a full album. With typical consideration for her fan-base, members of Hafdis’ mailing list were able to buy pre-release copies of the physical album two months before the digital releases began.
Fearless covers of power ballad giants Dolly Parton, Tina Turner, Queen and Whitney Houston sit remarkably comfortably alongside more eclectic choices. Unexpected songs from The Divine Comedy and Loudon Wainwright III, songwriters’ songwriter Boo Hewerdine and the Walrus of Love himself, Barry White, serve to underscore the fact that Hafdis loves to shake things up.
She explains: “Stories are what interest me and each one of these has a great story to tell. When you’re not distracted by musical fireworks, a surprisingly different message can emerge from the lyrics.”
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Julia Rakel - indie fEELz EP.
Umeå-via-Malmö Swedish musician and producer Julia Rakel is the latest addition to Stockholm indie label Rama Lama Records' (Melby, Steve Buscemi's Dreamy Eyes, Chez Ali etc.) roster. Singles PDFILWM and People was released early 2019 and have since grabbed the attention from influential Swedish media as well as international blogs, calling them "lo-fi gems". Debut EP 'indie fEElz', the first collection of and look into Julia's peculiar bedroom pop, is out now on all platforms and limited vinyl.
The EP is the result of hours of music making in the lonesome bedroom. Julia works at the well-known Malmö studio Tambourine and her credits include sound design for the award-winning short film Plankton. With her expertise as a producer she's refined her stripped-down sketches to a daydreaming beautiful soundscape that develops with every listen. This, put together with Julia's individual vocals and often ironic lyrics, create an intimate and memorable sound.
Julia Rakel says that "indie fEElz” is an EP where I try to describe the very different kinds of relationships we have with each other - and ourselves. This with a lot of irony, drum machines and way too many choirs parts. People is about forced acquaintances, A love letter is of course about love, You’re not getting it a desperate attempt to be understood, PDFILWM a sad celebration of friendships, Evel Knievel how we feel about our ego, and Moviestars - a flirt with how ridiculously we’ve all tried to be somebody we’re not."
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Junaco - Willow.
Junaco is the foundation of Shahana Jaffer and Joey LaRosa. Born in the unincorporated mountain town on the outskirts coastal Northern California, the duo found an escape from musical conventions. Fleeing the rituals of rushing through songs, away from the nonsense of worrying, a budding partnership was found based equally on half-parts progression and melody. Mellow bursts of epiphany and pleas of gentle seduction give way to driving grooves in Junaco’s music, leaving the immediate fan with a delicate, instantly familiar and completely unassailable batch of songs.
Jaffer, a natural talent whose limbs were too long to dance, met a counterpart in LaRosa, a guitarist and percussionist’s dream who from a young age had been told that “musician” wasn’t an achievable career. Though conventionally unlikely on the global scale that a Pakistani songstress would find her way into the creative adventures of a drummer from Indianapolis, they found in their partnership a desire to make music for music’s sake; to write honest songs that meant something true enough for themselves, that someone else might be able to take it and make it true for them, as well.
The forthcoming EP helmed by Omar Yakar (War on Drugs, Perfume Genius) from Boulevard Recording, whose engineering and production prowess brought this young and refreshing outfit’s mountainous incubations to life. The duo initially set out with the intention of nothing but creation and expression and resulted in a stunning collection of tracks detailing the emotions of freedom. Jaffer reveals, “The underlying theme is about coming to terms with experiences and hardships we have faced and finally putting them out there. It’s very healing”.
Leading single ‘Willow’ features warm dark tones, ominous instrumentation and soulful vocals which glide gently atop the jangly guitars. The single emits an accurate and organic feeling through its use of storytelling lyricism and atmospheric soundscapes. Thematically ‘Willow’ is inspired by emotions. “Emotions are often intensified by our surroundings. We rarely separate the two - when we are inspired by a feeling it is all encompassed by the environment we are in. The message of this music is to except those feelings rather than trying to mask them”, confides Jaffer.
Junaco hope to create music that will leave listeners feeling a sense of connection and closeness to. With the aim to remind others of our innate human emotions, Junaco’s debut EP highlights just how similar we are at our cores.
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Wasuremono - Are You OK?
Wasuremono have announced their new album 'Are You OK?' will be released on June 14th, they have also shared the title track from the album after teasing the news with previous single 'Lonely Type'.
In 2018, Wasuremono made quite the impression; with the release of their self-titled debut album, Steve Lamacq’s invite to record a live session for BBC 6 Music at the legendary Maida Vale Studios, Lauren Laverne describing them as a “favourite”, supporting both the The Flaming Lips and Phosphorescent on tour, and playing at iconic venues such as Shepherd’s Bush Empire.
New album, ‘Are You OK?’ was written and recorded by multi-instrumentalist William Southward in his shed. On the newly released title track, Southward has said that the song, "seemed to turn into a pep talk to myself, with themes and sounds of the seaside and clearing the mind asking yourself or someone else ‘Are you ok?’. It’s got a really 80’s vibe to this song with the help from the Linn Drum Computer pounding through the song backed up with synth sounds played on an old Yamaha Dx7."
With the enlistment of friends Madelaine Ryan, Isaac Phillips, and Phoebe Phillips, Southward’s songs come to life. Wasuremono will be performing across the UK this summer in support of 'Are You OK?', with stops at festivals including Live at Leeds, The Great Escape, Bluedot, and Dot To Dot, as well as a headline show at the Sebright Arms in London on June 19th.
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Hafdis Huld - You're the First, The Last, My Everything.
Hafdis Huld’s fifth studio album 'Variations', is a collection of her own versions of songs by other artists. Consistently different, she and producer Alisdair Wright devised simple arrangements that focus attention on the lyrics, often revealing stories with surprisingly dark and twisted undercurrents beneath the smooth surfaces.
In another twist, tracks will be digitally released, two at a time between 1st February and 26th April, building into a full album. With typical consideration for her fan-base, members of Hafdis’ mailing list were able to buy pre-release copies of the physical album two months before the digital releases began.
Fearless covers of power ballad giants Dolly Parton, Tina Turner, Queen and Whitney Houston sit remarkably comfortably alongside more eclectic choices. Unexpected songs from The Divine Comedy and Loudon Wainwright III, songwriters’ songwriter Boo Hewerdine and the Walrus of Love himself, Barry White, serve to underscore the fact that Hafdis loves to shake things up.
She explains: “Stories are what interest me and each one of these has a great story to tell. When you’re not distracted by musical fireworks, a surprisingly different message can emerge from the lyrics.”
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Julia Rakel - indie fEELz EP.
Umeå-via-Malmö Swedish musician and producer Julia Rakel is the latest addition to Stockholm indie label Rama Lama Records' (Melby, Steve Buscemi's Dreamy Eyes, Chez Ali etc.) roster. Singles PDFILWM and People was released early 2019 and have since grabbed the attention from influential Swedish media as well as international blogs, calling them "lo-fi gems". Debut EP 'indie fEElz', the first collection of and look into Julia's peculiar bedroom pop, is out now on all platforms and limited vinyl.
The EP is the result of hours of music making in the lonesome bedroom. Julia works at the well-known Malmö studio Tambourine and her credits include sound design for the award-winning short film Plankton. With her expertise as a producer she's refined her stripped-down sketches to a daydreaming beautiful soundscape that develops with every listen. This, put together with Julia's individual vocals and often ironic lyrics, create an intimate and memorable sound.
Julia Rakel says that "indie fEElz” is an EP where I try to describe the very different kinds of relationships we have with each other - and ourselves. This with a lot of irony, drum machines and way too many choirs parts. People is about forced acquaintances, A love letter is of course about love, You’re not getting it a desperate attempt to be understood, PDFILWM a sad celebration of friendships, Evel Knievel how we feel about our ego, and Moviestars - a flirt with how ridiculously we’ve all tried to be somebody we’re not."
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Junaco - Willow.
Junaco is the foundation of Shahana Jaffer and Joey LaRosa. Born in the unincorporated mountain town on the outskirts coastal Northern California, the duo found an escape from musical conventions. Fleeing the rituals of rushing through songs, away from the nonsense of worrying, a budding partnership was found based equally on half-parts progression and melody. Mellow bursts of epiphany and pleas of gentle seduction give way to driving grooves in Junaco’s music, leaving the immediate fan with a delicate, instantly familiar and completely unassailable batch of songs.
Jaffer, a natural talent whose limbs were too long to dance, met a counterpart in LaRosa, a guitarist and percussionist’s dream who from a young age had been told that “musician” wasn’t an achievable career. Though conventionally unlikely on the global scale that a Pakistani songstress would find her way into the creative adventures of a drummer from Indianapolis, they found in their partnership a desire to make music for music’s sake; to write honest songs that meant something true enough for themselves, that someone else might be able to take it and make it true for them, as well.
The forthcoming EP helmed by Omar Yakar (War on Drugs, Perfume Genius) from Boulevard Recording, whose engineering and production prowess brought this young and refreshing outfit’s mountainous incubations to life. The duo initially set out with the intention of nothing but creation and expression and resulted in a stunning collection of tracks detailing the emotions of freedom. Jaffer reveals, “The underlying theme is about coming to terms with experiences and hardships we have faced and finally putting them out there. It’s very healing”.
Leading single ‘Willow’ features warm dark tones, ominous instrumentation and soulful vocals which glide gently atop the jangly guitars. The single emits an accurate and organic feeling through its use of storytelling lyricism and atmospheric soundscapes. Thematically ‘Willow’ is inspired by emotions. “Emotions are often intensified by our surroundings. We rarely separate the two - when we are inspired by a feeling it is all encompassed by the environment we are in. The message of this music is to except those feelings rather than trying to mask them”, confides Jaffer.
Junaco hope to create music that will leave listeners feeling a sense of connection and closeness to. With the aim to remind others of our innate human emotions, Junaco’s debut EP highlights just how similar we are at our cores.
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Saturday, 16 March 2019
Mags On Earth - FEVA - Julie Kember
Around six weeks back we featured 'Tulip Stone' by Mags On Earth and the video for 'Old Ford Road' is a welcome follow up, as once again we are treated to another inventive and alluring song. It's our third feature for FEVA in a couple of years, this time with 'Undone' a potent and mesmerising alt rocker. Julie Kember is a fabulously soulful singer and yet adds so much more in her music, whether it's folk, rock, or blues, as 'Lived A Million Lives' helps demonstrate.
Mags On Earth – Old Ford Road.
Following the January release of her debut single ‘Tulip Stone’, Mags On Earth today releases her second single ‘Old Ford Road’. It’s another example of her delightfully crafted, dreamily melancholic, electronic-touched pop music, drawing inspiration from the sultry pop sounds of artists like Lana Del Rey and Lorde. And just like her debut single, ‘Old Ford Road’ comes with another self-produced video, which Mags shot in London.
Recorded with producer Jose Manuel Cubides in London, Mags explains the inspiration behind the single “My whole EP is very self-judgemental as it deals with pressure of youth, and pressure of the concept that you are the designer of your own life. To think we can all be anything is a beautiful thought, but it has a very dark side too. It places so much emphasis on self-fulfillment and comes hand in hand with feeling like a failure if you can't live up to your own expectations”
“All songs on the EP address these feelings, but in Old Ford Road there is self-compassion, self-forgiveness and a sense of enjoying life in the imperfect present. Being in London definitely plays a role in those hopeful emotions for me. Big cities do something to me, they free me. I like the rush and anonymity. I love just walking around for hours in different areas of the city, stopping for a coffee somewhere, watching people passing by, maybe checking out some second-hand-shops and just keeping walking. It’s one of those things that make me feel very grounded in myself, like it’s just me and the city. That’s the sentiment that ‘Old Ford Road’ is dealing with”.
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FEVA - Undone.
Hauling themselves right back under the indie spotlight, Newcastle’s Feva share scorching new anthem Undone, a relentless rocker that only further cements their status as one of the region’s most exciting emerging acts.
Fresh from supporting fellow Geordie risers The Pale White on a sold-out UK tour, the quartet are firing on all cylinders and demonstrate their trademark anthemic qualities in this latest effort, providing more evidence of their unbridled potential.
“Undone is another step towards us finding our sound”, the four-piece stated. “From the beginning we’ve wanted to write huge, heavy tunes that remain upbeat and have a hook, not dissimilar to soul and pop songs, and we feel as though we’ve done that here and hopefully have a chorus that’ll be stuck in people’s heads for days”.
With festival dates alongside Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds and The Vaccines already lined up this summer, the band’s widespread tastemaker approval and radio support (BBC Radio 1) is sure to increase in the coming months with further new material in the pipeline.
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Julie Kember - Lived A Million Lives.
With critical acclaim, chart success, international TV syncing and awards a-plenty, it is hard not to see Australian songstress Julie Kember as a bona fide overachiever. The beating heart of all her wild success is wonderful music that touches the soul. Built around the gorgeous timbre of her voice, Kember's songs are majestically poetic, cinematic and relatable – providing her with a passport to tour the world. From Tamworth and Boyup Brook, to Nannup and Nashville, Julie Kember's music is at home anywhere it touches the ground.
Capturing her story in all its globetrotting glory, Julie Kember is proud to announce her album, Million Lives. As the title implies, Kember has woven her experiences throughout the album, documenting her trials and triumphs over the years through honeyed melodies and honest yet inviting lyrics. The album's somewhat title track Lived A Million Lives is wonderfully autobiographical – a musical retrospective diary. Driving the song is the same power that fuels all of Kember's work: love.
Commercial success has flowed effortlessly for Kember, whose list of musical accomplishments spans the live arena, recording, film and TV. A true storyteller, her songs paint a vivid picture that has won the hearts of people far and wide. Her talent has been recognised all over as Julie has continued to tour the planet – from the global hubs of country and folk, to the Middle East, Solomon Islands and Australian outback. From her hometown of Eneabba to the stages of the world, Julie Kember has joyfully committed herself to the life of a troubadour.
With a WAM Award for Outstanding Regional Artist, and several coveted WA Country Music Awards in her trophy cabinet (including 2019 WA Songwriter of the Year at Boyup Brook Country MF), it would be easy for people to assume Julie Kember is a genre specialist. Alas, the multi-talented songwriter is better known for a more sophisticated, nuanced sound. Incorporating the best aspects of blues, soul, folk and pop, her music is versatile and creative – expanding beyond one style into a wondrous new thing all its own. Sewn throughout all of Julie Kember's deeply personal songs, this beautiful uniqueness is what makes Million Lives an exceptional work of art.
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Mags On Earth – Old Ford Road.
Following the January release of her debut single ‘Tulip Stone’, Mags On Earth today releases her second single ‘Old Ford Road’. It’s another example of her delightfully crafted, dreamily melancholic, electronic-touched pop music, drawing inspiration from the sultry pop sounds of artists like Lana Del Rey and Lorde. And just like her debut single, ‘Old Ford Road’ comes with another self-produced video, which Mags shot in London.
Recorded with producer Jose Manuel Cubides in London, Mags explains the inspiration behind the single “My whole EP is very self-judgemental as it deals with pressure of youth, and pressure of the concept that you are the designer of your own life. To think we can all be anything is a beautiful thought, but it has a very dark side too. It places so much emphasis on self-fulfillment and comes hand in hand with feeling like a failure if you can't live up to your own expectations”
“All songs on the EP address these feelings, but in Old Ford Road there is self-compassion, self-forgiveness and a sense of enjoying life in the imperfect present. Being in London definitely plays a role in those hopeful emotions for me. Big cities do something to me, they free me. I like the rush and anonymity. I love just walking around for hours in different areas of the city, stopping for a coffee somewhere, watching people passing by, maybe checking out some second-hand-shops and just keeping walking. It’s one of those things that make me feel very grounded in myself, like it’s just me and the city. That’s the sentiment that ‘Old Ford Road’ is dealing with”.
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FEVA - Undone.
Hauling themselves right back under the indie spotlight, Newcastle’s Feva share scorching new anthem Undone, a relentless rocker that only further cements their status as one of the region’s most exciting emerging acts.
Fresh from supporting fellow Geordie risers The Pale White on a sold-out UK tour, the quartet are firing on all cylinders and demonstrate their trademark anthemic qualities in this latest effort, providing more evidence of their unbridled potential.
“Undone is another step towards us finding our sound”, the four-piece stated. “From the beginning we’ve wanted to write huge, heavy tunes that remain upbeat and have a hook, not dissimilar to soul and pop songs, and we feel as though we’ve done that here and hopefully have a chorus that’ll be stuck in people’s heads for days”.
With festival dates alongside Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds and The Vaccines already lined up this summer, the band’s widespread tastemaker approval and radio support (BBC Radio 1) is sure to increase in the coming months with further new material in the pipeline.
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Julie Kember - Lived A Million Lives.
With critical acclaim, chart success, international TV syncing and awards a-plenty, it is hard not to see Australian songstress Julie Kember as a bona fide overachiever. The beating heart of all her wild success is wonderful music that touches the soul. Built around the gorgeous timbre of her voice, Kember's songs are majestically poetic, cinematic and relatable – providing her with a passport to tour the world. From Tamworth and Boyup Brook, to Nannup and Nashville, Julie Kember's music is at home anywhere it touches the ground.
Capturing her story in all its globetrotting glory, Julie Kember is proud to announce her album, Million Lives. As the title implies, Kember has woven her experiences throughout the album, documenting her trials and triumphs over the years through honeyed melodies and honest yet inviting lyrics. The album's somewhat title track Lived A Million Lives is wonderfully autobiographical – a musical retrospective diary. Driving the song is the same power that fuels all of Kember's work: love.
Commercial success has flowed effortlessly for Kember, whose list of musical accomplishments spans the live arena, recording, film and TV. A true storyteller, her songs paint a vivid picture that has won the hearts of people far and wide. Her talent has been recognised all over as Julie has continued to tour the planet – from the global hubs of country and folk, to the Middle East, Solomon Islands and Australian outback. From her hometown of Eneabba to the stages of the world, Julie Kember has joyfully committed herself to the life of a troubadour.
With a WAM Award for Outstanding Regional Artist, and several coveted WA Country Music Awards in her trophy cabinet (including 2019 WA Songwriter of the Year at Boyup Brook Country MF), it would be easy for people to assume Julie Kember is a genre specialist. Alas, the multi-talented songwriter is better known for a more sophisticated, nuanced sound. Incorporating the best aspects of blues, soul, folk and pop, her music is versatile and creative – expanding beyond one style into a wondrous new thing all its own. Sewn throughout all of Julie Kember's deeply personal songs, this beautiful uniqueness is what makes Million Lives an exceptional work of art.
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Friday, 15 March 2019
Melby - Skand
We featured Melby a couple of times last year and now ahead of their debut album due in April we have 'VCR'. It's an expansive indie rocker from the band and gives a glimpse of the album which packs some real variety driven by their distinctive sound. Skand have shared a new video today for 'Down To My River' a refreshing and uplifting modern folk song from this refined duo.
Melby - VCR.
Since debuting with catchy single Human early 2016 things have moved steady for Stockholm psych pop act Melby. The 2017 debut EP received praise from both Swedish and international sources such as Amazing Radio, Ja Ja Ja and Line of Best Fit, making Melby one of the most exciting names on the Swedish indie scene. The band returned with Reject and Overthinking last year, a year which then saw tour dates in London and Berlin, as well as all over Sweden. Debut album None of this makes me worry is yet another piece to the exciting puzzle that is Melby's music and another step in what is forming to be one very promising career.
The album is out April 12th on all digital platforms and limited vinyl via Stockholm label Rama Lama Records and Sinnbus.
The band often gets comparison to fellow swedes Dungen and Amason but Melby’s dynamic sound, with influences from folk, psych, indie and pop, stand out. The quartets light, semi-psychedelic folk pop is led by Matilda Wiezell’s enchanting voice which fits perfectly with Melby’s unique musical landscape - a sound that's been called "otherworldly, and wholly brilliant" by The Line of Best Fit. The band consists of Wiezell, Are Engen Steinsholm (back-up vocals, guitar), David Jehrlander (bass) and Teo Jernkvist (drums) and formed while living together in a Stockholm shared housing.
None of this makes me worry catches all of Melbys many qualities in a way that truly represents the bands musical expressions. Beautifully intertwined song and guitar melodies are often in focus and ranges between catchy pop to emotional melancholy. From childish, playful opener VCR to the closing dynamic live favourite Stalker there is a common theme, even if the inspiration comes from a wide variety of directions.
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Skand - Down To My River.
The duo band Skand from Marseille, France is releasing its first music video, Down To My River, from their album Dive an "Intimist Rock" album with a touch of blues.
Probably the most introspective and Folk track of the album, Down To My River asks us to dig deep within, to turn our gaze towards our own sensations, emotions, memories and projections.
It is about (re)-connecting to the present moment, and, in the midst of our inner chaos, to experience a feeling of peace.
For this track, Skand chose to use natural and organic sounds (leather, clay, wood...) and tribal voices evoking links with nature and roots. Gospel influences also elude to a sense of spirituality.
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Melby - VCR.
Since debuting with catchy single Human early 2016 things have moved steady for Stockholm psych pop act Melby. The 2017 debut EP received praise from both Swedish and international sources such as Amazing Radio, Ja Ja Ja and Line of Best Fit, making Melby one of the most exciting names on the Swedish indie scene. The band returned with Reject and Overthinking last year, a year which then saw tour dates in London and Berlin, as well as all over Sweden. Debut album None of this makes me worry is yet another piece to the exciting puzzle that is Melby's music and another step in what is forming to be one very promising career.
The album is out April 12th on all digital platforms and limited vinyl via Stockholm label Rama Lama Records and Sinnbus.
The band often gets comparison to fellow swedes Dungen and Amason but Melby’s dynamic sound, with influences from folk, psych, indie and pop, stand out. The quartets light, semi-psychedelic folk pop is led by Matilda Wiezell’s enchanting voice which fits perfectly with Melby’s unique musical landscape - a sound that's been called "otherworldly, and wholly brilliant" by The Line of Best Fit. The band consists of Wiezell, Are Engen Steinsholm (back-up vocals, guitar), David Jehrlander (bass) and Teo Jernkvist (drums) and formed while living together in a Stockholm shared housing.
None of this makes me worry catches all of Melbys many qualities in a way that truly represents the bands musical expressions. Beautifully intertwined song and guitar melodies are often in focus and ranges between catchy pop to emotional melancholy. From childish, playful opener VCR to the closing dynamic live favourite Stalker there is a common theme, even if the inspiration comes from a wide variety of directions.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Skand - Down To My River.
The duo band Skand from Marseille, France is releasing its first music video, Down To My River, from their album Dive an "Intimist Rock" album with a touch of blues.
Probably the most introspective and Folk track of the album, Down To My River asks us to dig deep within, to turn our gaze towards our own sensations, emotions, memories and projections.
It is about (re)-connecting to the present moment, and, in the midst of our inner chaos, to experience a feeling of peace.
For this track, Skand chose to use natural and organic sounds (leather, clay, wood...) and tribal voices evoking links with nature and roots. Gospel influences also elude to a sense of spirituality.
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Wednesday, 13 March 2019
Drahla - Dylan LeBlanc - Tempesst
A semi-surreal music video accompanies 'Stimulus For Living' from Drahla but it's the bands creative mixture of punk and art rock that makes it's mark in a big way. Dylan LeBlanc's vocals are fabulous and 'Renegade' is one hook filled rocker, ahead of his next album due out in June. Tempesst make a much welcome return to Beehive Candy, their stylish alt rock has a fresher indie feel on 'Is this all that there is?' a catchy and very likable tune.
Drahla - Stimulus For Living.
Leeds-formed three-piece Drahla have announced their highly-anticipated debut album 'Useless Coordinates' will be released via Captured Tracks on May 3rd 2019. The band have shared the arresting first single 'Stimulus for Living' as a taster of the album along with a video.
‘Stimulus For Living’ is the second track taken from ‘Useless Coordinates’ following the release of ‘Twelves Divisions Of The Day’ last summer. The album was recorded in Yorkshire in the second half of 2018, and sees the band’s sound continue to evolve with the addition of saxophonist Chris Duffin across the record. Since finishing ‘Useless Coordinates’ the band have spent their time touring the US and Europe, including stops at Eurosonic and La Route Du Rock this winter.
Blending wiry, dark post-punk with unpredictable art-rock, Drahla have established themselves as a formidable and distinctive band across their three sold out 7” singles and 2017's Third Article EP. Formed in late 2015, Drahla quickly found their identity in Yorkshire’s fertile music scene with their minimal yet robust bass-heavy sound. Their reputation as a fervent live act is ever-growing, with the band being asked to share stages with the likes of Parquet Courts, METZ, Ought, Buzzcocks, The Cribs and multiple festival appearances - including Meltdown at the request of The Cure’s Robert Smith. (Photo - Sam Joyce).
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Dylan LeBlanc - Renegade.
'Renegade', the new album from acclaimed musician Dylan LeBlanc, will be released on 7th June through ATO Records. Produced by Grammy Award-winning Dave Cobb, the album features ten new songs including the first single and title track, which is out now.
Recorded at Cobb’s RCA Studio A in Nashville, the 10-song album features LeBlanc and his longtime band, The Pollies. Of the album, LeBlanc shares, “I wanted to write the same type of songs that matched the atmosphere the band and I were bringing live. So, I started with ‘Renegade,’ which was fitting since I felt myself going in a new, more intense direction with this record. In the studio, I let go almost absolutely and let Dave Cobb do his work. It was a different experience for me—how focused Cobb was and how quickly we would get live takes down. Mostly in one or two takes. Never more than three. It left me spinning at how quickly it all came together. With beautiful gear and a keen ear, it was fun to work with my best friends alongside Cobb. Over the course of ten days 'Renegade' was complete and ready for mastering. And I couldn’t be more excited to share it with you.”
Born in Shreveport, LA with time spent in Muscle Shoals, AL, LeBlanc has released three full-length albums including his most recent, 2016’s Cautionary Tale, which featured Brittany Howard (Alabama Shakes) and was produced by John Paul White (The Civil Wars) and Ben Tanner (Alabama Shakes). Of the music, NPR Music praised, “The third album from the Muscle Shoals singer-songwriter unfolds with the wariness of a social and spiritual outsider who broods his way to graceful defiance,” while No Depression declared, “There’s not a single song that deserves to be skipped on Tale—it’s a near flawless record, cohesive and self-assured.” Since his debut in 2010, LeBlanc has toured extensively worldwide including shows with Bruce Springsteen, First Aid Kit, Drive-By Truckers, Lucinda Williams, Alabama Shakes, Anderson East, The Wood Brothers and many more.
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Tempesst - Is this all that there is?
London-based indie-psych quintet Tempesst have released a new single entitled 'Is this all that there is ?' Recorded in Melbourne, the new single was written whilst frontman Toma was back in Australia in January. "I was at Little Cove, a beach in Noosa," he recalls. "It’s a little stretch of beach near a national park, it was totally filled with people. I just sat there in this ideal setting and realised how strange people are, especially when they’re at the beach. I wrote about what I saw and how it made me feel."
Continuing to expand on their '60s and '70s influenced psychedelic rock roots on 'Is this all that there is?' - their expansive instrumentals, sumptuous pop melodies, and progressive songwriting offer a welcoming breath of fresh air to the genre.
"What a bore to be obsessed with dying, like I'm the only one to put up a fight" they pose in the chorus, before questioning "Do I give up? Is this all that there is?". This single follows their widely acclaimed previous EP 'Doomsday' - which covered themes revolving around the band's daily anxieties, as well as the overstimulation and constant temptation that exists when living in a metropolitan city like London.
Originating in Queensland, Australia on the Sunshine Coast, the now London-based outfit – made up of twin brothers Toma (vocals, guitars) and Andy Banjanin (vocals, drums), and rounded out by Eric Weber (guitars), Kane Reynolds (keys), and Blake Misipeka (bass) – have been going from strength to strength over the past 12 months.
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Leeds-formed three-piece Drahla have announced their highly-anticipated debut album 'Useless Coordinates' will be released via Captured Tracks on May 3rd 2019. The band have shared the arresting first single 'Stimulus for Living' as a taster of the album along with a video.
‘Stimulus For Living’ is the second track taken from ‘Useless Coordinates’ following the release of ‘Twelves Divisions Of The Day’ last summer. The album was recorded in Yorkshire in the second half of 2018, and sees the band’s sound continue to evolve with the addition of saxophonist Chris Duffin across the record. Since finishing ‘Useless Coordinates’ the band have spent their time touring the US and Europe, including stops at Eurosonic and La Route Du Rock this winter.
Blending wiry, dark post-punk with unpredictable art-rock, Drahla have established themselves as a formidable and distinctive band across their three sold out 7” singles and 2017's Third Article EP. Formed in late 2015, Drahla quickly found their identity in Yorkshire’s fertile music scene with their minimal yet robust bass-heavy sound. Their reputation as a fervent live act is ever-growing, with the band being asked to share stages with the likes of Parquet Courts, METZ, Ought, Buzzcocks, The Cribs and multiple festival appearances - including Meltdown at the request of The Cure’s Robert Smith. (Photo - Sam Joyce).
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dylan LeBlanc - Renegade.
'Renegade', the new album from acclaimed musician Dylan LeBlanc, will be released on 7th June through ATO Records. Produced by Grammy Award-winning Dave Cobb, the album features ten new songs including the first single and title track, which is out now.
Recorded at Cobb’s RCA Studio A in Nashville, the 10-song album features LeBlanc and his longtime band, The Pollies. Of the album, LeBlanc shares, “I wanted to write the same type of songs that matched the atmosphere the band and I were bringing live. So, I started with ‘Renegade,’ which was fitting since I felt myself going in a new, more intense direction with this record. In the studio, I let go almost absolutely and let Dave Cobb do his work. It was a different experience for me—how focused Cobb was and how quickly we would get live takes down. Mostly in one or two takes. Never more than three. It left me spinning at how quickly it all came together. With beautiful gear and a keen ear, it was fun to work with my best friends alongside Cobb. Over the course of ten days 'Renegade' was complete and ready for mastering. And I couldn’t be more excited to share it with you.”
Born in Shreveport, LA with time spent in Muscle Shoals, AL, LeBlanc has released three full-length albums including his most recent, 2016’s Cautionary Tale, which featured Brittany Howard (Alabama Shakes) and was produced by John Paul White (The Civil Wars) and Ben Tanner (Alabama Shakes). Of the music, NPR Music praised, “The third album from the Muscle Shoals singer-songwriter unfolds with the wariness of a social and spiritual outsider who broods his way to graceful defiance,” while No Depression declared, “There’s not a single song that deserves to be skipped on Tale—it’s a near flawless record, cohesive and self-assured.” Since his debut in 2010, LeBlanc has toured extensively worldwide including shows with Bruce Springsteen, First Aid Kit, Drive-By Truckers, Lucinda Williams, Alabama Shakes, Anderson East, The Wood Brothers and many more.
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Tempesst - Is this all that there is?
London-based indie-psych quintet Tempesst have released a new single entitled 'Is this all that there is ?' Recorded in Melbourne, the new single was written whilst frontman Toma was back in Australia in January. "I was at Little Cove, a beach in Noosa," he recalls. "It’s a little stretch of beach near a national park, it was totally filled with people. I just sat there in this ideal setting and realised how strange people are, especially when they’re at the beach. I wrote about what I saw and how it made me feel."
Continuing to expand on their '60s and '70s influenced psychedelic rock roots on 'Is this all that there is?' - their expansive instrumentals, sumptuous pop melodies, and progressive songwriting offer a welcoming breath of fresh air to the genre.
"What a bore to be obsessed with dying, like I'm the only one to put up a fight" they pose in the chorus, before questioning "Do I give up? Is this all that there is?". This single follows their widely acclaimed previous EP 'Doomsday' - which covered themes revolving around the band's daily anxieties, as well as the overstimulation and constant temptation that exists when living in a metropolitan city like London.
Originating in Queensland, Australia on the Sunshine Coast, the now London-based outfit – made up of twin brothers Toma (vocals, guitars) and Andy Banjanin (vocals, drums), and rounded out by Eric Weber (guitars), Kane Reynolds (keys), and Blake Misipeka (bass) – have been going from strength to strength over the past 12 months.
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Tuesday, 12 March 2019
The Empty Threats - Ted Kennedy
Australia's The Empty Threats have a new E.P. 'Ablutions'. Described as exploratory rock, it's a description that actually makes sense having listened to all four songs, what's more the individuality of each track doesn't dilute the quality or the overall vibe, this is one very fine E.P. Ted Kennedy's new song 'Forty' showcases his distinctive and very engaging vocals, the electronic musical backdrop is equally striking and the melodic hooks do the rest.
The Empty Threats - Ablutions (E.P).
Exploratory rock comes in many shapes and forms, though leave it up to The Empty Threats to fully embrace a cataclysmic sonic earthquake. The Adelaide four-piece declare a pretence of maligned, experimental rock and visceral psych embellishments.
The Empty Threats are proud to release their new EP into the world. After turning plenty of heads with a string of singles including 'Heavy', 'Loss Of Breath' and 'Magnolia', The Empty Threats' new EP, 'Ablutions', is out now via GD FRNDS.
Recorded, mixed and mastered by two-time ARIA Award-nominated producer, Matt Hills, at Hillside Studio, 'Ablutions' is a four-track masterpiece about cleaning oneself from negative and upsetting memories in the hope to move into a positive, more fulfilling future.
'Ablutions' sees the outfit put together a concoction of prog and psych rock, expertly blended to form four huge tracks that all compliment each other ever so smoothly. The body of work is filled with drenched guitar tones, booming, yet intimate, vocals, rolling electric clarinet solos and tight drum and bass lines to help bring the contemporary madness all together.
The EP is an internal look at a band who's changed and developed considerably. Further, it's a comment on remaining positive in the crushing reality of being a musician. Guitarist, Matt Schultz, explains.
"It's a reflection from the band about the change that we have been through over the past year or so. Commenting on our personal mental states, the state of society and trying to have a positive headspace moving forward."
Over the last year, The Empty Threats have really honed in on what makes an audience click. Their extremely energetic live performance has been put to hard work since embarking on their first national tour in early 2018. They've since been performing regularly to ever-growing crowds, including a main support slot for The Babe Rainbow.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ted Kennedy - Forty.
It’s a brutal truth that you can’t help someone who doesn’t realize they have a problem. All your energy, support and love isn’t enough. Their addiction is out of your control. No matter how much it hurts, sometimes you have to let go.
My new song, “Forty,” came to me when a close friend relapsed after many years of struggling with opioid addiction. I remember thinking how the cycle of addiction and denial wears people down.
There were just so few people left around my friend that it dawned on me –the ones who remained, the ones who loved him most, were just the last ones to say goodbye.
I have an album’s worth of material that I’ll be releasing throughout 2019. I’m looking forward to performing these tracks live. I plan on growing Frequencies (a monthly concert series that I curate) this year, expanding to more cities and putting on larger events in Toronto. There is just so much going on in electronic music right now, and I feel lucky to be apart of it - Ted Kennedy.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Empty Threats - Ablutions (E.P).
Exploratory rock comes in many shapes and forms, though leave it up to The Empty Threats to fully embrace a cataclysmic sonic earthquake. The Adelaide four-piece declare a pretence of maligned, experimental rock and visceral psych embellishments.
The Empty Threats are proud to release their new EP into the world. After turning plenty of heads with a string of singles including 'Heavy', 'Loss Of Breath' and 'Magnolia', The Empty Threats' new EP, 'Ablutions', is out now via GD FRNDS.
Recorded, mixed and mastered by two-time ARIA Award-nominated producer, Matt Hills, at Hillside Studio, 'Ablutions' is a four-track masterpiece about cleaning oneself from negative and upsetting memories in the hope to move into a positive, more fulfilling future.
'Ablutions' sees the outfit put together a concoction of prog and psych rock, expertly blended to form four huge tracks that all compliment each other ever so smoothly. The body of work is filled with drenched guitar tones, booming, yet intimate, vocals, rolling electric clarinet solos and tight drum and bass lines to help bring the contemporary madness all together.
The EP is an internal look at a band who's changed and developed considerably. Further, it's a comment on remaining positive in the crushing reality of being a musician. Guitarist, Matt Schultz, explains.
"It's a reflection from the band about the change that we have been through over the past year or so. Commenting on our personal mental states, the state of society and trying to have a positive headspace moving forward."
Over the last year, The Empty Threats have really honed in on what makes an audience click. Their extremely energetic live performance has been put to hard work since embarking on their first national tour in early 2018. They've since been performing regularly to ever-growing crowds, including a main support slot for The Babe Rainbow.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ted Kennedy - Forty.
It’s a brutal truth that you can’t help someone who doesn’t realize they have a problem. All your energy, support and love isn’t enough. Their addiction is out of your control. No matter how much it hurts, sometimes you have to let go.
My new song, “Forty,” came to me when a close friend relapsed after many years of struggling with opioid addiction. I remember thinking how the cycle of addiction and denial wears people down.
There were just so few people left around my friend that it dawned on me –the ones who remained, the ones who loved him most, were just the last ones to say goodbye.
I have an album’s worth of material that I’ll be releasing throughout 2019. I’m looking forward to performing these tracks live. I plan on growing Frequencies (a monthly concert series that I curate) this year, expanding to more cities and putting on larger events in Toronto. There is just so much going on in electronic music right now, and I feel lucky to be apart of it - Ted Kennedy.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Monday, 11 March 2019
Hannah & Ben - Fafa Galoure - Izzie Walsh
Hannah Sanders and Ben Savage share a near flawless folk song where every component is just wonderful. Fafa Galoure's live session includes 'I Am The Sun' a refreshingly natural rocker that is full of hooks from the opening moments. Izzie Walsh's vocals are gorgeous on the melodic country song 'Sidelined' a vibrant and pleasing piece.
Hannah & Ben - Hidden Things.
Hidden Things is the first in a trilogy of singles by Hannah Sanders & Ben Savage. After widely touring for the past few years 2019’s singles reflect the duo’s relationship to the spirit of place; all three songs were written and arranged in different counties whilst they were touring their critically acclaimed album Awake in 2018.
The first in this trilogy, Hidden Things, takes its inspiration from a time spent in northern Sweden. Hannah says “I was reading my friend Francesco Dimitri’s novel “Book of Hidden Things”. I was sitting on the coast of Stockholme’s Archipelago reading a novel set in Southern Italy and I was moved by the idea that landscapes hold dreams - love, mystery, loss… Dimitri’s book is about how stories become part of our connection to landscape. Like stories, songs can be a way of bringing the land’s dreams to life…”
Huddled round a single microphone, singing intimate duets with just mountain dulcimer, dobro and guitar, Hannah Sanders & Ben Savage are an acoustic duo that look & sound classically timeless, yet their music is unique. Fleetingly, they may evoke a memory of Gram & Emmylou, Shirley & Davey, or Gillian & Dave but their distilling of musical influences from both sides of the Atlantic produces a refined sound that is decidedly their own.
Their unique unplugged presentation creates a widescreen, cinematic soundscape with open spaces and atmosphere, giving their beautifully pure vocals room to share the songs’ emotion and narrative. The material is as joyful and fun as it is intense, but the common factor is the duo’s warmth and confidence in each other; their natural ease and connection is clearly evident on the recorded music, and a genuine pleasure to witness on stage.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fafa Galoure - I Am The Sun - Live Spring Sessions - 2019.
Fafa Galoure is set to release the brand new single “I Am The Sun”, the first track to be taken from the band’s upcoming ‘Live Spring Sessions’ EP. An unconventional love song, “I Am The Sun” bursts out of the speakers with a flare of adolescence and playfulness and represents an intentional back-to-basics approach,
Fafa Galoure is an intriguing Israeli "Deep Dive Rock" band fronted by vocalist and songwriter Efrat Cohen. The band debut album ‘As You Are’ was released at the tail end of 2017 and was backed up with numerous shows in their home country as well as a European tour.
.
The foundations for the band were set in 2011 when Efrat returned from an extended trip to India and began shooting ideas back and forth with longtime friend and collaborator Asi Ashkenazi. The two began processing the materials Efrat had been accumulating and the compositions began to take on a life of their own. "For me the core of the song; the words, the content and the meaning come before the musical arrangement, I love this process in which we try to give the music different arrangements and expressions".
Following various iterations, today Efrat and Asi are joined by Omer Hershman handling live and studio production, Karni Postel in cello, Ofer Prion in the guitar, Ran Yakobovitch on drums and Adi Gigi on bass and double bass.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Izzie Walsh - Sidelined.
Manchester singer songwriter Izzie Walsh has announced the release of her new single Sidelined. With a unique sound that blends country, bluegrass and folk, Izzie Walsh has built an impressive organic fanbase over the last couple of years, following the release of her debut EP The Curse and successful single Take Me Back. Not only does she have two BCMA Awards and an Indie Week UK award under her belt, Izzie is also a former BBC Introducing Artist of the Week and recently performed on ITV’s Cold Feet. She will be releasing new material this year following new single and live favourite Sidelined.
The melodic and rhythmic Sidelined showcases Izzie’s powerful and wide-ranging vocal, accompanied by catchy banjo and Mandolin to create a modern country track. She will be releasing a live video of the track soon, filmed out in Canada late last year. She says;
"Sometimes life doesn't work in your favour and Sidelined is a song about that. It’s about working your hardest, even though you might come out second best, and still following your dreams even if they seem impossible; there's always another day to achieve them."
Izzie has been performing around the world over the last year, including a support slot with Curse of Lono, festival performances at the likes of Dot to Dot and Bluedot and her own sold out headline shows at Manchester’s Deaf Institute and London’s The Slaughtered Lamb.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hannah & Ben - Hidden Things.
Hidden Things is the first in a trilogy of singles by Hannah Sanders & Ben Savage. After widely touring for the past few years 2019’s singles reflect the duo’s relationship to the spirit of place; all three songs were written and arranged in different counties whilst they were touring their critically acclaimed album Awake in 2018.
The first in this trilogy, Hidden Things, takes its inspiration from a time spent in northern Sweden. Hannah says “I was reading my friend Francesco Dimitri’s novel “Book of Hidden Things”. I was sitting on the coast of Stockholme’s Archipelago reading a novel set in Southern Italy and I was moved by the idea that landscapes hold dreams - love, mystery, loss… Dimitri’s book is about how stories become part of our connection to landscape. Like stories, songs can be a way of bringing the land’s dreams to life…”
Huddled round a single microphone, singing intimate duets with just mountain dulcimer, dobro and guitar, Hannah Sanders & Ben Savage are an acoustic duo that look & sound classically timeless, yet their music is unique. Fleetingly, they may evoke a memory of Gram & Emmylou, Shirley & Davey, or Gillian & Dave but their distilling of musical influences from both sides of the Atlantic produces a refined sound that is decidedly their own.
Their unique unplugged presentation creates a widescreen, cinematic soundscape with open spaces and atmosphere, giving their beautifully pure vocals room to share the songs’ emotion and narrative. The material is as joyful and fun as it is intense, but the common factor is the duo’s warmth and confidence in each other; their natural ease and connection is clearly evident on the recorded music, and a genuine pleasure to witness on stage.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fafa Galoure - I Am The Sun - Live Spring Sessions - 2019.
Fafa Galoure is set to release the brand new single “I Am The Sun”, the first track to be taken from the band’s upcoming ‘Live Spring Sessions’ EP. An unconventional love song, “I Am The Sun” bursts out of the speakers with a flare of adolescence and playfulness and represents an intentional back-to-basics approach,
Fafa Galoure is an intriguing Israeli "Deep Dive Rock" band fronted by vocalist and songwriter Efrat Cohen. The band debut album ‘As You Are’ was released at the tail end of 2017 and was backed up with numerous shows in their home country as well as a European tour.
.
The foundations for the band were set in 2011 when Efrat returned from an extended trip to India and began shooting ideas back and forth with longtime friend and collaborator Asi Ashkenazi. The two began processing the materials Efrat had been accumulating and the compositions began to take on a life of their own. "For me the core of the song; the words, the content and the meaning come before the musical arrangement, I love this process in which we try to give the music different arrangements and expressions".
Following various iterations, today Efrat and Asi are joined by Omer Hershman handling live and studio production, Karni Postel in cello, Ofer Prion in the guitar, Ran Yakobovitch on drums and Adi Gigi on bass and double bass.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Izzie Walsh - Sidelined.
Manchester singer songwriter Izzie Walsh has announced the release of her new single Sidelined. With a unique sound that blends country, bluegrass and folk, Izzie Walsh has built an impressive organic fanbase over the last couple of years, following the release of her debut EP The Curse and successful single Take Me Back. Not only does she have two BCMA Awards and an Indie Week UK award under her belt, Izzie is also a former BBC Introducing Artist of the Week and recently performed on ITV’s Cold Feet. She will be releasing new material this year following new single and live favourite Sidelined.
The melodic and rhythmic Sidelined showcases Izzie’s powerful and wide-ranging vocal, accompanied by catchy banjo and Mandolin to create a modern country track. She will be releasing a live video of the track soon, filmed out in Canada late last year. She says;
"Sometimes life doesn't work in your favour and Sidelined is a song about that. It’s about working your hardest, even though you might come out second best, and still following your dreams even if they seem impossible; there's always another day to achieve them."
Izzie has been performing around the world over the last year, including a support slot with Curse of Lono, festival performances at the likes of Dot to Dot and Bluedot and her own sold out headline shows at Manchester’s Deaf Institute and London’s The Slaughtered Lamb.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sunday, 10 March 2019
Holly Abraham - The Wild State - John Southworth - Alf Hale
'Refine In Fire' by Holly Abraham exudes atmosphere as the acoustic guitar and soft layers of electronic sounds combine to make a sophisticated backdrop for her beautiful vocals. We featured 'Air Runs Out' by The Wild State just over a month ago, and 'Youth' is a contrasting follow up, the bands musicianship is striking and the vocals add real character. John Southworth shares a memorable song where the simple key changes, understated musical arrangement and his personal and tender vocals are just splendid. We have two of the eleven songs that make up 'The Rainy Season' album due out in May, between them they give a good flavour of what to expect within this very fine collection of songs.
Holly Abraham - Refined In Fire.
Refined in Fire is the 2nd single and the captivating title track of Holly Abraham’s forthcoming debut EP. Haunting vocals accompanied by melancholic acoustic guitar, and intricate electronic details create an atmospheric track that maintains both vulnerability and power.
Regarding the single, Abraham says: “Refined In Fire is inspired by a difficult season a group of friends and I went through a few years ago. It’s a reminder that though we never desire painful life experiences, they are necessary for growth and change to occur in us as people. Though it can be raw and messy, it is always worth the gold found on the other side - we just have to remember to look for it.
Holly Abraham is a mellow indie folk singer/songwriter originally from Wales, now based in Bristol. Combining deep, soulful lyrics with raw, misty vocal tones, Holly creates mesmerising melodies which will leave listeners both captivated and enamoured.
After spending the first half of 2018 on a soul-searching trip to Australia and Cambodia, Holly solidified her ambient sound and developed her identity as a solo artist. Inspired by musicians such as Novo Amor and Of Monsters and Men, Abraham began working closely alongside Norwegian producer and lead singer of indie-pop band Firewoodisland - Stian Vedoy. Together they produced Abraham’s debut single “Shore”, which picked up love from BBC Introducing in the West, Indie playlist-curators like Alex Rainbird Music and Indie Folk Central and have accumulated over 18.000 streams on Spotify in only 3 months.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Wild State - Youth.
With the release of their powerful debut single 'Air Runs Out' last month, enigmatic new Brighton band The Wild State were instantly earmarked as ones to watch, garnering high praise and comparisons to likes of The War On Drugs and Bon Iver. Today they have shared their follow up track, 'Youth'; a beautiful, melancholic and orchestral ode to juvenescent love.
Speaking about the track, the band's drummer and one of two lead vocalists Oliver Spalding explains "The whole song is viewed from the perspective of someone looking back on their youth, and the intense, desperate and very real love that comes with naivety. Those feelings we experience when reminiscing are rose tinted and dreamlike and that's exactly what we wanted to re create in music".
The Wild State began making music together whilst studying songwriting together at BIMM, and worked in earnest to create their beauteous debut album. 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 two singles released thus far are an epic and emotionally rich introduction to the British band, who are already garnering excitement industry wide for their impeccable live show.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
John Southworth - I Loved My Girl.
John Southworth is an archaeologist of love, sifting through relics and artefacts, the compost of this world’s memory, revealing stories that feel caught in slow motion, in mid-air, no beginnings or endings. Everything has always existed in this chaotic present; once distant stars now the altars of Tin Pan-Schubert Alley. Today, the prolific artist shares 'I Loved My Girl', the beautiful first single from his new album, Miracle in the Night.
Out 3rd May on Tin Angel Records (Nicholas Krgovich, Crack Cloud, Trembling Bells), the songs of Miracle in the Night read like a stoic’s recital of an untraceable lieder. Carefully, each is a gradual, unfurling cadence. You may recognise his long-time band ‘The South Seas’ - gentle and steady, calm and restrained, playing just before dawn, a solstice cabaret in a megalithic tower. The endless red curtains from the Lynch dimension rise and fall around you.
Talking about the album, Southworth said: "The songs exist in a kind of inner dimension I like to regularly visit, outside the bubble and the babble. They only really work at night. And only can be really sung in the still of the night. Each a kind of nocturnal prayer. Each containing a little miracle. A little spell. Designed to get you across the almighty swinging bridge, from here to eternity!"
In this world, John Southworth lives in Toronto with his family, teaches the art of song, appears in films and wanders the parks looking for clues. This is his 12th full-length release, arriving on the hooves of 2016’s Small Town Water Tower, which crosshatched a glam-pop ooze into the rigorous comparative mythology of 2014’s epic Niagara. Similarly rich with symbol and folklore and pristine melodies, Miracle in the Night offers us a delicacy of fantasy, focusing our attention into a state of constant revelation, alive in song.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alf Hale - My Lover's Arms / Naive (from The Rainy Season Album).
"The Rainy Season" is the second full length album from singer/songwriter Alf Hale which is due for release May 10th.
Having spent almost a decade in the wilderness, Singer / Songwriter Alf Hale had a spectacular return to the music scene with his EP 'Misanthrope' which chronicled his remarkable journey from the depths of alcoholism to his eventual redemption.
This was swiftly followed up by his debut album 'City on a Hill' which saw Alf, accompanied by fiddle player Jade Morris, channel the dark underbelly of Southern American Country, Folk and Blues infused with his unmistakable English charm.
Hoping to build on the success of his first two releases comes "The Rainy Season", which sees Alf yet again take on a new musical direction. Unlike City On a Hill, a more stripped back affair, The Rainy Season saw Alf take to the studio with a full band in tow delivering a fuller, darker sound.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Holly Abraham - Refined In Fire.
Refined in Fire is the 2nd single and the captivating title track of Holly Abraham’s forthcoming debut EP. Haunting vocals accompanied by melancholic acoustic guitar, and intricate electronic details create an atmospheric track that maintains both vulnerability and power.
Regarding the single, Abraham says: “Refined In Fire is inspired by a difficult season a group of friends and I went through a few years ago. It’s a reminder that though we never desire painful life experiences, they are necessary for growth and change to occur in us as people. Though it can be raw and messy, it is always worth the gold found on the other side - we just have to remember to look for it.
Holly Abraham is a mellow indie folk singer/songwriter originally from Wales, now based in Bristol. Combining deep, soulful lyrics with raw, misty vocal tones, Holly creates mesmerising melodies which will leave listeners both captivated and enamoured.
After spending the first half of 2018 on a soul-searching trip to Australia and Cambodia, Holly solidified her ambient sound and developed her identity as a solo artist. Inspired by musicians such as Novo Amor and Of Monsters and Men, Abraham began working closely alongside Norwegian producer and lead singer of indie-pop band Firewoodisland - Stian Vedoy. Together they produced Abraham’s debut single “Shore”, which picked up love from BBC Introducing in the West, Indie playlist-curators like Alex Rainbird Music and Indie Folk Central and have accumulated over 18.000 streams on Spotify in only 3 months.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Wild State - Youth.
With the release of their powerful debut single 'Air Runs Out' last month, enigmatic new Brighton band The Wild State were instantly earmarked as ones to watch, garnering high praise and comparisons to likes of The War On Drugs and Bon Iver. Today they have shared their follow up track, 'Youth'; a beautiful, melancholic and orchestral ode to juvenescent love.
Speaking about the track, the band's drummer and one of two lead vocalists Oliver Spalding explains "The whole song is viewed from the perspective of someone looking back on their youth, and the intense, desperate and very real love that comes with naivety. Those feelings we experience when reminiscing are rose tinted and dreamlike and that's exactly what we wanted to re create in music".
The Wild State began making music together whilst studying songwriting together at BIMM, and worked in earnest to create their beauteous debut album. 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 two singles released thus far are an epic and emotionally rich introduction to the British band, who are already garnering excitement industry wide for their impeccable live show.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
John Southworth - I Loved My Girl.
John Southworth is an archaeologist of love, sifting through relics and artefacts, the compost of this world’s memory, revealing stories that feel caught in slow motion, in mid-air, no beginnings or endings. Everything has always existed in this chaotic present; once distant stars now the altars of Tin Pan-Schubert Alley. Today, the prolific artist shares 'I Loved My Girl', the beautiful first single from his new album, Miracle in the Night.
Out 3rd May on Tin Angel Records (Nicholas Krgovich, Crack Cloud, Trembling Bells), the songs of Miracle in the Night read like a stoic’s recital of an untraceable lieder. Carefully, each is a gradual, unfurling cadence. You may recognise his long-time band ‘The South Seas’ - gentle and steady, calm and restrained, playing just before dawn, a solstice cabaret in a megalithic tower. The endless red curtains from the Lynch dimension rise and fall around you.
Talking about the album, Southworth said: "The songs exist in a kind of inner dimension I like to regularly visit, outside the bubble and the babble. They only really work at night. And only can be really sung in the still of the night. Each a kind of nocturnal prayer. Each containing a little miracle. A little spell. Designed to get you across the almighty swinging bridge, from here to eternity!"
In this world, John Southworth lives in Toronto with his family, teaches the art of song, appears in films and wanders the parks looking for clues. This is his 12th full-length release, arriving on the hooves of 2016’s Small Town Water Tower, which crosshatched a glam-pop ooze into the rigorous comparative mythology of 2014’s epic Niagara. Similarly rich with symbol and folklore and pristine melodies, Miracle in the Night offers us a delicacy of fantasy, focusing our attention into a state of constant revelation, alive in song.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alf Hale - My Lover's Arms / Naive (from The Rainy Season Album).
"The Rainy Season" is the second full length album from singer/songwriter Alf Hale which is due for release May 10th.
Having spent almost a decade in the wilderness, Singer / Songwriter Alf Hale had a spectacular return to the music scene with his EP 'Misanthrope' which chronicled his remarkable journey from the depths of alcoholism to his eventual redemption.
This was swiftly followed up by his debut album 'City on a Hill' which saw Alf, accompanied by fiddle player Jade Morris, channel the dark underbelly of Southern American Country, Folk and Blues infused with his unmistakable English charm.
Hoping to build on the success of his first two releases comes "The Rainy Season", which sees Alf yet again take on a new musical direction. Unlike City On a Hill, a more stripped back affair, The Rainy Season saw Alf take to the studio with a full band in tow delivering a fuller, darker sound.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Friday, 8 March 2019
Julia Rakel - Paige Stark - Hush Pup
Julia Rakel's music might be described as lo-fi, however it's also packs a dreamy punch with the layers of gentle sounds and her seductive vocals. We've featured Paige Stark once before as a solo artist, along with several Tashaki Miyaki appearances, and she continues to really impress with her latest offering 'Depression Song'. It's less than a month since we first shared 'The Hours' from Hush Pup, 'Oasis' is a very welcome follow up where their experimental pop is once again blissful and endearing.
Julia Rakel - You're Not Getting It.
Umeå-via-Malmö Swedish musician and producer Julia Rakel is the latest addition to Stockholm indie label Rama Lama Records' (Melby, Steve Buscemi's Dreamy Eyes, Chez Ali etc.) roster. Debut single PDFILWM was released in January and have since grabbed the attention from influential Swedish media as well as international blogs, calling it a "lo-fi gem", followed by People in February. New single You're Not Getting It is out now and is the third and final look into Julia's peculiar bedroom pop before her six track debut EP on March 15.
Just like previous singles You're Not Getting It is the result of hours of music making in the lonesome bedroom. Julia works at the well-known Malmö studio Tambourine and her credits include sound design and music for the award-winning short film Plankton. With her expertise as a producer she's refined her stripped-down sketches to a daydreaming beautiful soundscape that develops with every listen. This, put together with Julia's individual vocals and often ironic lyrics, create a intimate and memorable sound that there will be plenty more of during the upcoming months.
Debut EP indie fEElz lands on March 15. A six track creation that according to Julia is a try to deal with the very different kinds of relationships we have with each other and ourselves through "a lot of irony, drum machines and way too many choir parts". The tracks treat universal topics such as forced acquaintances, love, desperate attempts to be understood, how we feel about our egos and a sad celebration of friendships.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Paige Stark - Depression Song.
Paige Stark (of Tashaki Miyaki) releases "Depression Song."
Paige Stark is a songwriter, multi-intstrumentalist, & producer from Los Angeles, California. She has released records with her band Tashaki Miyaki & contributed production to fellow Angelenos L.A. Witch & Cherry Glazzerr as well as her own band, Tashaki Miyaki.
This is her debut solo effort. It was recorded by Grammy winning engineer Cassidy Turbin (Beck) with contributions by Jon Brion.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hush Pup - Oasis.
Inspired by the films 3 Women and Paris Texas, "Oasis" is about a feeling of blurriness. Sometimes the blur feels blissful and sometimes it feels like a loss of identity. Going in and out of this blur, occasionally you find something to cling to, that's the oasis. Sonically the track is inspired by dusty landscapes and Danny Elfman's music in Pee-wee's Big Adventure.
Hush Pup makes experimental pop music that sounds a lot like driving at night through the board game Candy Land, soft cotton candy trees brush up against the windows of your glass car as you ride toward a friend’s cabin nearby the molasses swamp. Forming for a show in 2012, they have since played across Canada, the U.S. & Europe.
Their EP ‘Flower Power’ & LP ‘Panacea’, a romantic film-inspired album, will be released on a double cassette with Lone Hand (lonehand.xyz) in March 2019.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Julia Rakel - You're Not Getting It.
Umeå-via-Malmö Swedish musician and producer Julia Rakel is the latest addition to Stockholm indie label Rama Lama Records' (Melby, Steve Buscemi's Dreamy Eyes, Chez Ali etc.) roster. Debut single PDFILWM was released in January and have since grabbed the attention from influential Swedish media as well as international blogs, calling it a "lo-fi gem", followed by People in February. New single You're Not Getting It is out now and is the third and final look into Julia's peculiar bedroom pop before her six track debut EP on March 15.
Just like previous singles You're Not Getting It is the result of hours of music making in the lonesome bedroom. Julia works at the well-known Malmö studio Tambourine and her credits include sound design and music for the award-winning short film Plankton. With her expertise as a producer she's refined her stripped-down sketches to a daydreaming beautiful soundscape that develops with every listen. This, put together with Julia's individual vocals and often ironic lyrics, create a intimate and memorable sound that there will be plenty more of during the upcoming months.
Debut EP indie fEElz lands on March 15. A six track creation that according to Julia is a try to deal with the very different kinds of relationships we have with each other and ourselves through "a lot of irony, drum machines and way too many choir parts". The tracks treat universal topics such as forced acquaintances, love, desperate attempts to be understood, how we feel about our egos and a sad celebration of friendships.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Paige Stark - Depression Song.
Paige Stark (of Tashaki Miyaki) releases "Depression Song."
Paige Stark is a songwriter, multi-intstrumentalist, & producer from Los Angeles, California. She has released records with her band Tashaki Miyaki & contributed production to fellow Angelenos L.A. Witch & Cherry Glazzerr as well as her own band, Tashaki Miyaki.
This is her debut solo effort. It was recorded by Grammy winning engineer Cassidy Turbin (Beck) with contributions by Jon Brion.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hush Pup - Oasis.
Inspired by the films 3 Women and Paris Texas, "Oasis" is about a feeling of blurriness. Sometimes the blur feels blissful and sometimes it feels like a loss of identity. Going in and out of this blur, occasionally you find something to cling to, that's the oasis. Sonically the track is inspired by dusty landscapes and Danny Elfman's music in Pee-wee's Big Adventure.
Hush Pup makes experimental pop music that sounds a lot like driving at night through the board game Candy Land, soft cotton candy trees brush up against the windows of your glass car as you ride toward a friend’s cabin nearby the molasses swamp. Forming for a show in 2012, they have since played across Canada, the U.S. & Europe.
Their EP ‘Flower Power’ & LP ‘Panacea’, a romantic film-inspired album, will be released on a double cassette with Lone Hand (lonehand.xyz) in March 2019.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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Penny & The Pits - Electric Litany - Lydia Luce - Ketch Secor - The Happy Fits
Photo - Nicole Cecile Holland Penny & The Pits - Headcrusher. Penny & The Pits have just shared "Headcrusher" along with ...
