Monday Marvels: Firebug - Thom Worth - Allo Darlin'

Firebug - Strange Days.

Background - More than ever, Americans are searching for the type of escapism that can rescue them from the polarising economic, political, and social chaos of today’s world. Luckily, New Orleans psychedelic indie rockers Firebug have provided a most welcome refuge with their optimistic and soaring new single “Strange Days.”Set for a December 2 release, “Strange Days” is the third song taken from Firebug’s upcoming full-length album, Homeostasis. Co-produced by Chris Goss (Queens of The Stone Age, Arctic Monkeys), Homeostasis is set for a late December release. More information on Homeostasis and Firebug is available on the band’s official website here.
 
Frontwoman Juliette Tworsey describes “Strange Days” as “the perspective of an onlooker who has a strong desire for escapism from the daily woes and struggles of the average person.” The song is a “step back from a world that appears, on the surface, to be increasingly polarized.” With typical Firebug optimism, Tworsey also notes that “Strange Days” encourages listeners to “push on and do the best we can.”

Fueled by Tworsey and multi-instrumentalist Jules Shapiro, Firebug embrace a variety of musical genres, including soul, ’60s/’70s rock, ’90s alternative, and modern rock. Tworsey’s charismatic presence helps the outspoken singer stand out, earning her comparisons to rock icons Chrissie Hynde and Grace Slick.

Based in New Orleans, Tworsey and Shapiro are inspired by the city itself and its rich musical history. Upon their arrival in New Orleans from Los Angeles, the duo performed as street musicians in the French Quarter. “We met so many talented musicians on the street,” Shapiro remembers. “It was a real awakening for us. New Orleans has inspired new ideas that we’ve incorporated into our sound and our songwriting.” Bandcamp here and Facebook here.

'Strange Days' is a good blast of rock energy, with Juliette Tworsey's bluesy vocals giving the piece some real feeling. Whether it's enough to escape from today's mad world is open for debate, however for just under four minutes you can get your 'air' guitar out and lay downs some riffs....

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Thom Worth - Oh! Lucinda.

Background - With it’s floaty slacker riffs and sugar sweet melodies, Thom Worth’s new single ‘Oh! Lucinda’ is three minutes of finely crafted pop perfection. Essentially exploring the age-old tension between the hot-flushes of a new relationship and the cyclical melancholic torment of heartbreak, ‘Oh! Lucinda’ is both a celebration of young love and a lament on the deceptiveness of it. Worth’s falsetto, doo-wop backing, and angelic chorus-soaked guitars make for an immediately gratifying listen. The composition originally began shortly after Worth returned from working abroad in 2015, and he wrote it with a view to making the most infectious song he could. Recorded live with members of London-based band The Lodgers, it was produced by Worth himself and Dan Joseph Clarke. It’s an incredibly accomplished single from the young melody maker with the sort of effortless zest for songwriting that recalls heroes like Paul McCartney and Morrissey. “My music is inspired by many of the great melody makers from the from the past 5 decades, rich and instant in melody and colourful in progression. I like to get into people’s heads”

An encounter with an amateur local musical was to be a formative experience for the ten-year-old south-west Londoner Thom Worth. The show instilled in him a love for performance and a desire to take to the stage himself. His mother eventually secured an audition for him with the theatre company and through that Worth took his first tentative steps into performance, spending many years performing in a variety of different lead roles. After training as an actor, Worth then became an autodidactic musician - teaching himself guitar, drums, bass and piano along the way. By age 16 Thom was writing music and consuming it voraciously as he made for himself a kind of curriculum of popular music.

Locking himself in his room to sing along to the back-catalogues of artists like Bob Dylan, Neil Young, The Smiths, The Beatles, Bruce Springsteen, The Chili Peppers, Manic Street Preachers, Radiohead, Leonard Cohen, and Elbow, Thom developed himself as an artist to the point where he felt comfortable to launch his career. Still only at the start, Thom has nevertheless played at the IOW, Green Man and Victorious festivals. After collaborating with engineer and producer James Welch of Masterlink Productions, Thom released his first EP on March 2014 to a sold-out show at The Half Moon in Putney. Now Thom is poised for acclaim, his latest single ‘Oh! Lucinda’ is a pop masterstroke, and the sound of an artist reaching the height of their craft. With infectious writing like Thom’s there’s no doubt he cuts one of the more invigorating paths on the indie circuit today.

Live: Saturday 10th December, The Finsbury. Website here, Facebook here.

Thom Worth has a very natural singing voice, one that retains a little roughness, which in turn adds edge and commitment, something that really lights up a melodic song like 'Oh! Lucinda'.

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Allo Darlin' - Hymn On The 45.

Background - Allo Darlin’ are all set to release a final single to coincide with their sold out farewell shows in December. Comprised of two brand new recordings by the band, “Hymn On The 45” and "Wanderlust", it's due out as a limited edition gold vinyl 7” on the 12th December via Fortuna POP! and The Hangover Lounge, and will be available exclusively at the sold-out London gigs on the 10th December at Moth Club and the 11th December at Scala. The tracks will also be available to purchase digitally via the band's Bandcamp.

The A-side “Hymn On The 45”, weaves Elizabeth Morris’ heartfelt lyrics about starting afresh in a new city with guitarist Paul Rain’s signature stylings, ending with a heartwarming sing-a-long. The B-side “Wanderlust”, about missing people and places whilst embarking on your own adventures, is classic Allo Darlin’ fare, blending poignant melancholia with bright and sunny pop melodies.

The band have also announced the supports for their three sold out London farewell shows: Night Flowers play the all-ages matinee show at Moth Club on the 10th December, with The Hayman Kupa Band supporting at the same venue in the evening, while Allo Darlin' bassist Bill Botting and his band of indie allstars The Two Drink Minimums open at Scala on Sunday 11th December, with the main support being comedian Josie Long. Facebook here.

Another band who have chosen to go out on a high with the wonderful new song 'Hymn On The 45'. It's a delightful indie pop track that oozes melody and hooks both musically and with the so fine vocals and harmonies, love it!

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