Tea Leaf Green - Live at Sierra Vista January 2004

It's been a while since we have featured a live concert and so to end the year, here is a very good recording of a band  some will know, and hopefully many more will get to hear, know and enjoy...

From the Internet Archive (IA) this is Tea Leaf Green live at Sierra Vista on the 9th January 2004. Tea Leaf Green (TLG) is a five-piece jam band from San Francisco Bay Area, comprising Josh Clark (guitar and vocals), Trevor Garrod (keyboards, vocals, guitar, and harmonica), Scott Rager (drums and percussion), Cochrane McMillan (percussion), and Eric DiBerardino.

Tea Leaf Green began in the fall of 1996, when Scott Rager met Ben Chambers on the campus of San Francisco State University (SFSU). Chambers was the group's original bass player but left in 2007; he is featured on the band's first four albums. Rager and Chambers began playing together, practicing in Chambers's bedroom in a back house off Church Street in San Francisco's Castro District. In early 1997, Clark, a childhood friend of Rager, moved from the Los Angeles area to San Francisco and became the third member of the band. Garrod, also a SFSU student, joined soon after.

In the late 1990s, Tea Leaf Green began gigging throughout San Francisco, becoming the de facto house band at the Elbo Room for a period in 1999. The band's first album, eponymously titled, was released that same year and featured twelve original compositions, included songs such as "Professor's Blues," "Asphalt Funk," and "California," all of which remained part of the band's live repertoire for years. Over time, the band pared down the all-inclusive sound featured on the first release and formed a more focused style of songwriting inspired by Garrod's Dylanesque musings and Clark's unabashed, frenetic soloing.

Tea Leaf Green continues to maintain a steady, if often arduous, schedule, playing clubs and other assorted venues across the country. Known for extended psychedelic, rowdy, and exploratory live shows. Other unofficial, but sanctioned, performances are available through archive.org. The group, independent and often on the periphery of the mainstream music industry, continues to rely on grassroots expansion of its music through the diligence of its fanbase, community forums, and web-based music avenues such as jambase.com.

Source: Soundboard.

Sound Quality: Very Good - Full stereo (SBD + 2(Oktava012(Card)) > MOTU828 > Apple iBookG3 Taped by Steven Fabing).

Genre: Rock (in many forms).

Set: Full Set.

Set List:

Hot Dog >
Kali-Yuga
Bootlegger
Vote on Tuesday
Reservoir
Papa's in the Backroom
Precious Stone
Freedom
Been So Long
Who Am I (What's My Name)?1,2
My Bastard Brother
The Invasion
The Garden (Part II)
Professor's Blues
Earth and Sky
Warmup
Loony Bin
Snoop
Tequila
Killing in the Name3
Baseball Jam

Links: Official site here.

Comments: You can stream the concert below. For download files in either FLAC, MP3 or OGG VORBIS format, visit the Internet Archive (here).

Listen:

Weekend Rockers: Fox Medicine - Blonde Summer

Fox Medicine - Financial Elevator.

Background - We are told that Nee rides broomsticks and likes to gypsy around. Vanny likes to tinker and get stuff done. The pair met at a Melvins show in Chicago, and describe their sound is heavy glittery noise. They go on - "We like secluded areas and are rarely social. Our influences are stoner rock, doom metal, post punk, peanut butter and good beer. PS. Reject reality and live life as art".

The most recent release Noise Nurse is a compilation album of songs written by Nee while living in Toronto, Canada in the time frame between 2008-2011. She worked at a psyche/dementia ward as a nurse during the time of those songs, and drew a lot of influence from her surroundings.

Most of the songs were written for projects like My Flea Circus + Goldie Luxx, etc, however little promotional effort was used, as they were mostly just for fun + for friends and were performed at local clubs and venues in Toronto's thriving music scene at the time. Nee's writing style is evident in Fox Medicine and throughout the former projects, but continues to be curiously unique and peculiar. This section is an homage to that timeframe and songwriting phase and comes with visuals + vids! Website here. Bandcamp here.

I have chosen to feature 'Financial Elevator' from Fox Medicine's 'Based on Need' EP, for the simple reason it's my favourite track. Probably the noisiest duo we have featured this year, that's heavy glittery noise for you!
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Blonde Summer - Beer On Ice.

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

The series will launch on Jan. 12, 2017 with a release of a new single from Blonde Summer and live show that same night at Dangerbird Records. “Beer On Ice” was the last single from LA’s sun-bleached slacker-rock outfit Blonde Summer, released via Dangerbird Records back in November.

The A Side “Beer On Ice” and B Side “Sha La La” are both returns to what Chris Pope, the band’s mastermind, does best. Telling stories thru fuzzed out vocals, of Lazy Days, Wanderlust and Liquor Store Romances.  The band’s stripped down approach to the Beer On Ice single is a departure from last years electronic infused Paradise e.p., resulting in a truer brand of rock that Blonde Summer fans have come to love over the bands 6 year, 4 e.p. career.

Blonde Summer’s Chirs Pope admits “there was a bit of hibernation” following the Paradise e.p. A necessary period where the band could get back to their roots. Hang out with their girlfriends, find jobs, quit jobs and get lost.

'Beer On Ice' has a cool almost lazy laid back rock'n'roll feel, that occasionally likes to pack a riff or two of full on energy into your ears.

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Midweek Muse: Peter Joly - Indigo

Peter Joly - Till They Go.

Background - Singer-songwriter Peter Joly was born in Buffalo, moved on to New York and began writing and performing whilst keeping his head above water working as a cab driver. Since the early 90's he has performed in and around Chicago and gaining attention for his work with the bands Big Breakfast and For Pilots.

Peter Joly, released his self titled album in October 2016, an album that features contributions from top local musicians, including Jon Williams, Josh Piet (The Hoyle Brothers), Ryley Walker contributor Charles Rumback, Joe Adamik (Iron & Wine) and Gerald Dowd (Frisbie).

All the songs were written by Peter in the summer of 2016 before recording them at various locations including MINBAL and Strobe Recording in Chicago, and Elecric Lady in New York (All the songs were mixed and mastered by Phil Joly in Brooklyn, NYC). Peter celebrated the release with a packed house at Chicago’s famous Hideout Inn, back in November 2016. Facebook here.

There are some really special and genuine Americana songs on the recently released self titled album from Peter Joly. 'Till They Go' is but a glimpse of the quality to be found across all eleven tracks. Listen to some more here.

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Indigo - Deluge.

Background - Right from the very first listen of opening track and single 'Deluge', you can tell how much love and painstaking detail Perth's Indigo have put into creating their second EP, 'Kumiho'. From its sonic sculpturing of rich, mellow tones, to the band's effortlessly breezy songwriting; 'Kumiho' captures something special.

In their first couple of years Indigo released their first EP, earned their first support slots, entered (and won) the Ampfest and Stagebound competitions, were invited to the Southbound and State Of The Art festivals, played their first live radio set, and found the start of their fanbase beyond their own friends.

Now as they've become more accomplished as a band (recently supporting Tired Lion and The Jungle Giants) and as players, their music is becoming more sophisticated and subtle. A thoughtful approach to writing and recording resulted in Indigo teaming up with fastidious engineer Matt Gio (San Cisco, Abbe May) - putting one of Perth's most promising bands in the hands of one of its most successful producers.

Guitarist Dylan Keirnan explains “We were extremely picky with this one, having quite a few of our past tracks almost fall into different genres, it took us a whole year to find the sound we were searching for, we even completely scrapped two songs on it, and right on the very last track, we sat back in the studio after recording the first few parts and thought, this is the sound we want, so we went back over all the other tracks and changed them to suit.”

'Kumiho' is simply a pleasure to listen to. The sound is layered and detailed, but still easy on the ears. The music is fun, but still carries a bitter-sweet emotion. Due for release at the very start of 2017, Kumiho is perfectly timed for summer, and will kick off a year of touring for Indigo as they steadily work towards the next milestone of releasing their debut album. 'Kumiho' featuring the single 'Deluge' is out January 1, 2017 on CD and via all good digital retailers. Facebook here.

'Deluge' is the single and the first of four very fine songs on the forthcoming EP release. It's refined alt rock that mixes melodies alongside a subtle and developed sound, that said, if the band feel the need to turn things up, they can pack a punch to.

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Quality Not Quantity: Jess and the Bandits - Astari Nite

Jess and the Bandits - I Don't Dance.

Background - When she agreed to open for Boyzone on their BZ20 tour at the close of 2013, Texan singer Jess Clemmons didn’t realise she was about to embark on the tour that would start the next chapter of her career. Taking her new EP, What If, on the road, she bonded with her backing band and by the end of the tour knew that her music career was not going to be continued as a solo artist. Jess and the Bandits was born.

In January 2014, her single Single Tonight broke onto the to Radio 2 playlist and Jess found herself a loyal, dedicated fan in Sir Terry Wogan, who invited her in for her first Radio 2 session. Covering Glen Campbell’s Wichita Lineman, her rich vocal prompted Sir Terry to state, ‘that was the most fabulous song that I’ve ever heard’.

Taking time to focus on writing and recording the band’s debut album, Here We Go Again, Jess focused her efforts on her regular column for Female First. When the band returned in September 2014 with the single My Name Is Trouble, The Daily Mail praised her as ‘the most powerful voice this side of Adele.’

By the launch of Here We Go Again in April 2015, the band had sold out their debut headline show at Little Rabbit Barn and blown the audiences away at Country2Country. The album stormed to #6 in the Official Country Charts. With the album’s lead single You Can’t Stop Me once again on the Radio 2 playlist, Jess had teamed up with Evans to front their #StyleHasNoSize campaign. Recording the music video to Nitty Gritty, the campaign’s official anthem, Jess revelled in following in Beth Ditto and Chaka Khan’s footsteps as an ambassador for the brand.

2016 also marked the band’s debut headline tour, another summer of festival appearances and the release of a deluxe edition of their debut album, which once again entered the Official Country Charts Top 20, while The Boot and Spotify championed the band’s single Ready Set. Website here.

We have featured Jess and the Bandits a couple of times previously on Beehive Candy, the last time was way back in March. The brand new lyric video for 'I Don't Dance' seems like a good enough reason for another mention, needless to say it's of the fine calibre a growing number of folk are getting use to by the band.

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Astari Nite - Lovesick.

Background - Like every year, Astari Nite continues its tradition of releasing new music for the holidays. It is a custom dear to the band and fans alike. This year the band presents “Lovesick” a clean sounding flashback to the celebrated love songs of the new wave and post punk era. The lyrics remind one of The Cure, New Order, while the music is more energetic, with old school guitars and moderns synths.

The single was produced by Rees Bridges who has worked with Dirty Vegas, Pete Doherty and Tears for Fears. The mastering was done by Emily Lazar whose stellar work trajectory includes David Bowie, Depeche Mode, Foo Fighters and Sonic Youth to name a few. "Lovesick is about rejoicing in the memory of those who have passed on in our lives, whether it is someone we know and or admire. I'd like to think of it as a Eulogy or an anthem for saying goodbye." - Mychael Ghost

Formed in 2008, the group consists of Mychael Ghost (lead vocals), Illia Tulloch (Drums), M. Sallons (Bass), Michael Setton (Guitar), and Howard Melnick (Guitar). Signed to (Danse Macabre Records).

Astari Nite has headlined numerous shows, as well as opened up for many national acts such as Peter Murphy, The Psychedelic Furs, ColdCave, She Wants Revenge, Assemblage 23, VOWWS, Modern English, Andy Rourke of The Smiths among many others.

Since forming they have put out five releases; their self-titled Astari Nite (2010), Requiem Mass (2011)Stereo Waltz LP (2014) featuring the singles "Pyramids" and "I.O. 1987", Anonymous (2015) featuring the single "The Boy Who Tried" and Until the end of the Moon LP (2016)

2016 Highlights - The single "Always Like Yesterday" was included in Spotify's Fresh Finds playlist (January). Released a music video for the single "Always Like Yesterday." Released second LP titled Until the end of the Moon (May). Toured the U.S East Coast in support of the album (May). Opened for She Wants Revenge (June). Single "The Boy Who Tried" featured in Everglades Killing Movie. Facebook here, and Website here.

Third time around this year on Beehive Candy for a band who seem to impress me further, with every new song and 'Lovesick' is no exception. Astari Nite again mix tight rhythms and distinct vocals with a simmering power throughout the track.

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Double Delights: Youngsmith - ElectroBluesSociety

Youngsmith - I Will Not Forget.

Background - Otherwise branded as Youngsmith, Dan Smith is usually a man with a guitar and a bunch of ballads. A veteran of the Brisbane local live music scene.

He opened up his latest Australian Tour in August with a show at Brisbane’s Bearded Lady with tracks off his Light EP as well as new tracks ‘Wither’ and big-hitter ‘Red’ — the latter a sweet ditty about his auburn girlfriend which, after its May release date, took on a life of its own on the national radio circuit reaching the US through KPFK 90.7 in Los Angeles, San Diego, Ridgecrest and Santa Barbara, California.

After the tour launch, Smith played all over the country also garnering airplay from national community radio and Triple J’s Root ’N’ All program. New single “I Will Not Forget” for the first time leans Smith towards stadium rock territory, like ‘When I Grow Up’ by Garbage or ‘Everlong’ by Foo Fighters. Catchy hooks and beats surround lyrics speaking of personal demons and learning from your missteps along the way.

“I wrote about half this track a few years back but the main hook and chorus lyrics have always stayed with me. The starting lyrics ‘My demons, are chasing me, it takes all my will to keep my feet’ always felt like a metaphor for life. Everyone has something that bothers them and it takes effort not to lose your way. The more I remember both the good and the bad, the more I can be grateful for the moment.” - Youngsmith

Smith has worked among the Brisbane music scene for over a decade in various forms, providing an important part to the songwriter and band landscape. Recently working with producers Bryce Moorhead (Violent Soho) and Timothy Carr (Matt Corby) has given Smith a wider audience through singles ‘Red’ and now the latest release. Recording in his home studio and collaborating with producers both locally and interstate allows Smith to progress from singer-songwriter to more catchy territory. Website here and Facebook here.

'I Will Not Forget' is a crisp indie rocker, where the song builds into a powerful almost anthem like piece, with hooks galore running right through it!

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ElectroBluesSociety - Duck.

Background - Two guys and a bunch of junk with a broad taste and an open mind mixing the old with the new. Modern technologies and 30+ years of live stage experience and the musical input ranges from Alan Lomax to Roxy Music and from Charlie Parker to Led Zeppelin. On stage you will find computers, a double bass, foot pedals, vintage amps, midi controllers, an old drumkit and lots of cables. All of this handled by the two band members.

Jasper Mortier – drums, bass, mainly known as bass player but lately he found a new passion: playing drums. Over the last ten years Jasper worked with numerous great artists like Preston Shannon, ‘Sax’ Gordon Beadle, Monti Amundson, Philip Walker, Candye Kane, Melvin Taylor, Sherman Robertson, Terry Evans, Long John Hunter, Eddy Clearwater, Toni Lynn Washington, Paul Oscher, Doug Jay, Boo Boo Davis, Byther Smith, Boyd Small, and many others. Right now is is the bass player of the Jimmy Reiter Band.

Jan Mittendorp – guitar, buttons. Since 1993 touring Europe with USA artists like:  Percy Strother, Smokey Wilson , Byther Smith, Burton Gaar, Roy Roberts, Larry Garner, Boo Boo Davis, Erskine Oglesby, Jody Williams, Roscoe Chenier, Clara McDaniel, Boyd Small, Billy Jones, Hosea Leavy, Percy Strother, Harrison Kennedy and many others.  In 2009 with Boo Boo Davis among others at Montreux Jazz Festival and Peer Bluesfestival. Website here, and Facebook here.

'Duck' is one very addictive track. It is a fabulous blues instrumental that as mentioned above, mixes old and new together, and let me add - the duo do it seamlessly and beautifully.

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BeeVids: Rachel Mason - James Kruman

Rachel Mason - Roses.

Background - Rachel Mason presents the new 'Roses' video from new 'Das Ram' LP. Performance artist Rachel Mason presents the video for 'Roses', a track from her new album ‘Das Ram' LP, co-released by Los Angeles-based Cleopatra Records and artist-run cassette label Practical Records present  new album ‘Das Ram'LP. Comprised of eight tracks, this album conveys the stories of specific characters, who define and delight in their own realities and cosmologies, and individuals who create their own world views, their own religions, and fantasy lives.

'Das Ram' is an inversion of the name of renowned healer Ram Dass, and also a play on Mason's own initials, Rachel Ann Mason. The track “Roses”, produced and co-written by Jeff Hassay, is a powerful anthem with Mason's crisp sonorous vocals and positively loaded drive.

The 'Roses' video was produced and directed by Los Angeles-based artist team BeckandCol. They also contribute costumes and choreography, while Mason created the masks, one of the hallmark features of her live shows. In their work, BeckandCol use humor and chaos to investigate the crisis of human exceptionalism.  “Their work explores alternate universes populated with monsters, who obsess over humanity and emulate its dominant attributes," says Rachel Mason. "Their monsters resist any classification built on hierarchy or a merely binary opposition and instead exposes hierarchical behaviors as absurdities, forcing a rethinking of social and cultural norms.” Website here, Facebook here.

The first of eight songs on the 'Das Ram' album, and the second one featured on Beehive Candy is 'Roses'. Das Ram is a really fine album that I feel deserves a second mention by ourselves. Beyond the visual performance art, musically Rachel delivers some intriguing and very appealing songs, definitely worth checking out.

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James Kruman - Country Sigh.

Background - Manchester (UK) based lo-fi alternative folk inspired artist 'James Kruman' announces the release of his 10 track album 'Twitch'.

Available in digital download or CD format from his Bandcamp page, the collection of tracks forming this independent release is a journey from the sonically bizarre to mournfully beautiful.  Radiating with the subdued vocal-tone delivery of Leonard Cohen, Johnny Cash, Lou Reed and Ian Curtis (Joy Division), the home recorded efforts of Kruman show the artist at is his most stark, humble and organic. Natural performances with an attitude to embrace nuances and imperfections. Lo-fi and minimalist.

Originally hailing from Middlesbrough (UK) James has stood out from the regional music scene as an unpredictable and unique songwriter evolving his own recognisable voice and the 'Twitch' album flows with fascinating and unpredictable directions from trippy 60's psych rock experiments to folk/country blues tinged parodies and new wave electronica. The inability to classify Kruman's music as any specific genre, has led him to share stages with everyone from folk songstress Bella Hardy to indie legend Tom Hingley (Inspiral Carpets). Facebook here, Bandcamp here.

James Kruman's distinctive vocals and the fabulous music of 'Country Sigh' are a wonderful match. This for me is a very addictive song, and the lo-fi alt folk description above saves me from having to work out how best to describe the track. Time to get over to Bandcamp and indulge in more!

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Weekend Wonders: Rosebug - Vertigo

Rosebug - He Doesn't Know.

Background - Rosebug is yet another punk band from Brooklyn, and they want you to hear their album. Perhaps they don't have the most original origin story, but that doesn't mean they're not worth listening to. Their debut LP, Worst Way was released in November through Dazzleships Records, is thirty minutes of distress and pretty petulance—wrapped up in a bow. The great thing about Rosebug, though? They’re in on the joke. By the time the words find the music, lead singer Becca Chodorkoff is already over it. Or, at the very least, she wants you to think that she is. Currently the band is sharing their buzzworthy new single, "He Doesn't Know," the follow-up to the critically acclaimed piece, "I Am The One."

Worst Way was produced by Miles B.A. Robinson at a Bed-Stuy studio called The CRC. The space is owned by indie darlings, Chairlift, and frequented by the likes of Dev Hynes and MGMT. Rosebug's current line-up consists of Becca Chodorkoff (vocals), Chris Nunez (guitar), Tarra Theissan (bass), and Drew Adler (drums). You’ll want to get to know this band, because, with Rosebug, it’s fun to be sad. Facebook here and Website here.

This is the second song from the band on Beehive Candy, following on from our early November feature and this time we have 'He Doesn't Know'. This track is a little more alt rock than punk, and once again positions the band firmly on our radar.

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Vertigo - Get Away.

Background - ‘Get Away’, the debut single for Brisbane band Vertigo, is a spirited song driven by a dynamic bass line, sharp stabbing guitar riffs, powerful drums and an intense vocal line. The layers of guitar create a punchy and atmospheric sound, and the up-tempo beat captures the energy of the band.

The song’s lyrics, written as a group during one of the band’s first formal rehearsals, are a reflection of watching a friend hold onto a poisonous relationship. Referencing The Beach Boys, and teenage love, the song is a plea to leave negative relationships behind.

Vertigo’s music came to life under the guidance of Yanto Browning whilst recording at Airlock Studios over an intense four-day period, where the band recorded numerous songs, but identified ‘Get Away’ as the most appropriate debut. Playing living rooms, backyards and small Brisbane Fortitude Valley stages, progressively growing crowds have come to enjoy the band’s raw love of playing music together and entertaining people of varying musical tastes.

Vertigo are currently writing and playing as much music as they possibly can and are hoping to release more music soon. “Get Away” by Vertigo is available now via digital stores. Facebook here.

With a tight rhythm and lively and fresh soundtrack 'Get Away' has the foundations in place for some fine and feisty rock'n'roll complete with urgent and passionate vocals.

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Friday's Alternative Take: Ezrato - Max Cooper - Totally Dubwise

Ezrato - Noir (ft. Stella Rhymes).

Background - ‘Noir’ is an upbeat jazz/house hybrid track from the young Australian producer Ezrato. Incorporating musical elements inspired from the neo-noir film genre, the song revolves around the dangers of having an addiction to a person one admires and the grave consequences that can occur when things don’t work out. Ezrato (born Eric Christopher) begun his musical journey through taking up piano at age 4.

After developing an interest in electronic music during his teenage years, Christopher grew a passion for producing covers of popular EDM tracks, recreating the sound design elements from scratch and collaborating with local vocalists. The young producer also gained an online following through regularly posting self-arranged piano tutorials for popular new music on YouTube.

Growing up in a family of musicians, Christopher later decided to utilize his musical experience as a pianist and producer to write his own original compositions. ‘Noir’ is an original track by Ezrato featuring vocals from Australian singer, StellaRhymes. Production first started towards the beginning of 2016 in Tasmania, Australia and after being developed intermittently for almost a year, the track was released in December 2016.

“‘Noir’ is a combination of two of my favourite music genres - jazz and house. The idea came to me when watching one of my favourite TV series - Gotham. Centering around a detective assigned to dispel crime from an anarchic city, I was transfixed by the edgy, Chandler-esque and slightly anachronistic atmosphere of the show’s setting. This inspired me to try and embody this neo-noir film approach in a song. Lyrically, I drew from my own experience of addiction with both love and lust. To create cryptic layers and fit with the neo-noir theme, I utilised metaphors using terminology often found in the murder-mystery genre of film and other media. The result is an ambitious and somewhat sultry jazz/house hybrid that sets a very specific atmosphere,” says Christopher on the inspiration of the track. Facebook here.

The introduction of the above promo piece possibly says it all by stating "Noir - is an upbeat jazz/house hybrid track". Well maybe everything, I would add that, the song really does mix these genres and very cleverly, as if both styles have been put in blender and perfectly mixed together, vocally and musically.

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Max Cooper - Order From Chaos.

Background - Emergence is an epic, operatic, ambitious amalgamation between audio-visual show, scientific research project, art installation and IDM record, the debut release on Max Cooper’s Mesh label and his second full-length release.

The record was conceived as a soundtrack to a new series of 11 pieces of video art, each exploring a different facet of the concept of ‘emergence’. The full A/V live show will premiere on the road with the Autumn dates below, including Mutek in Japan. Together the work is a marriage between the cosmic awe of a Carl Sagan film and the musical wonderment of Sigur Ros, made for meditating on the mystery of our emotional connection to fundamental natural form.

Cooper collaborated with film composer Tom Hodge and vocalist Kathrin deBoer to put together a rich piece of music that incorporates post-rock, Warp-y brain-dance, hi-def digital techno and shimmering neo-classical.  Few musicians are as qualified as Max to tackle as profound an idea as ‘emergence’ through electronic music. Emergence is the story of the development of the universe, the way in which, very complex things like human beings where created from the immaterial by the action of simple laws.

Max received a Ph.D in computational biology in 2008 with research on the evolution of gene regulatory networks and was a geneticist at UCL before he switched to music. To this end he collaborated with artists Andy Lomas, Nick Cobby and Henning M Lederer plus mathematician Dugan Hammock from the University of Massachusetts. In each chapter of the AV, the focus is on the beauty of the natural laws and processes in operation, with a mixture of real data visualisation and films. It interprets the deep structures and principles that give rise to the familiar physical universe, such as symmetries, the distribution of the primes, waves, spatial dimensionality, and the action of the physical forces on matter. Later films tackle the emergence of biological forms, thought and eventually a darker turn into the structures and systems of human civilisation.

Max has synthesised his skill as a producer and his deep interests in science to create a Hadron Collider-grade ambient techno world, in the lineage of The Future Sounds of London’s ‘Lifeforms’ for 2016. It’s also one of the most beautiful records you’ll hear all year. Website here.

With 'Order From Chaos' we get a fabulous video that matches the intricate and beautiful music. One of the best examples of music and art (and more) coming together, that I have seen and heard this year. Emergence has become a must have for me.

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Totally Dubwise - "Riddim Up-Rewind & Come Again" (Label: Totally Dubwise).

Skarra Mucci, Sugar Minott, Mr Williamz, Clinton Sly, FleCK, Marcus Visionary, Tippa Irie and more.

Background - With the amazing response we had to "Riddim Up" last year we decided it would only be fitting to sign the year off with another heavy weight LP!

The release features music both old and new as well as a few new remixes of our back catalogue.

Featuring a wicked selection of Producers & Artists from up & comers to straight veterans, making for a refreshing mix of sounds and perspectives on the Roots sound we all love. Facebook here, Bandcamp here.

'Riddim Up-Rewind & Come Again' is a melting pot of  reggae and dub styles and ideas, that lovers of these genres really should check out. To help, you can get a taster of each song and the new remixes below, enjoy!


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BeeVids: David Luning - Bloom Twins

David Luning - Gonna Forget About You.

Background - David Luning was studying film scoring at the Berklee College of Music when he first heard the music of John Prine. As Luning recalls, "A couple of friends invited me over to share some songs at their apartment, and that was the first time I'd ever really listened to Americana music or folk or country or whatever you want to call it. They showed me John Prine, and it just resonated with me so much. I was like, 'Oh my god, this is what I have to do with my life.' I just figured it out in that moment." He subsequently dropped out of school and took to the road as a troubadour, performing at open mics and eventually opening for Dave and Phil Alvin, Jackie Greene and other artists.

Says Luning, "Originally, this song was actually going to be a happy party song... 'Gonna shine my shoes and go out on the town'... But I never finished it in that vein. A little while later, when I was in a low place, I revisited this song and rewrote it from the perspective of a man who is trying to convince himself that he is moving on, though it is clear that he hasn't."

John Prine forced David Luning to drop out of college. Not at gunpoint or anything-the two had never even met-but the effect of hearing the songwriting legend's music for the first time had an equally compelling effect on Luning, who was studying film scoring at the Berklee College of Music in Boston at the time. Now an accomplished artist in his own right, Luning is preparing to release his most dynamic and gripping collection to date, 'Restless,' and he can trace it all back to one fateful night that changed everything.

"A couple of friends invited me over to share some songs at their apartment, and that was the first time I'd ever really listened to Americana music or folk or country or whatever you want to call it," remembers Luning. "They showed me John Prine, and it just resonated with me so much. I was like, 'Oh my god, this is what I have to do with my life.' I just figured it out in that moment."

His self-released debut album, 'Just Drop On By,' garnered acclaim from both critics and fellow musicians alike, with country megastar Keith Urban hailing Luning's "staunch originality." Songs from the album landed numerous film and TV placements, most recently on NBC's 'Grimm,' and Luning's reputation for exhilarating live performances earned him dates with luminaries like Jackie Greene, Dave and Phil Alvin, and Elvin Bishop, along with a slew of festival performances up and down the West Coast. Website here.

With the John Prine references in the above promo, I hoped David Luning would live up to expectations and with 'Gonna Forget About You' I reckon he does. His vocals are just so right for Americana type music and the soundtrack is gentle and understated making this a very addictive song.

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Bloom Twins - Set Us Free.

Background - Born and raised in a small town outside of Kiev in the Ukraine, 20-year-old identical twins, Sonia and Anna Kuprienko, were both classically trained. After releasing their debut track ‘Fahrenheit’ in 2013 Bloom Twins had a double impact on both music and fashion, opening the doors to profile pieces in publications such as Vogue, i-D, Wonderland, Hunger, The Guardian, Daily Mail, and The Sunday Times.

Over the last two years, Bloom Twins have continued to build their global presence in both music and fashion, playing live shows around the world and releasing a number of tracks – the most recent of which, ‘Amnesia’ was championed by The Independent. Bloom Twins also completed arena tours of both the UK and Italy with Duran Duran in 2015 and 2016 respectively, and – newly signed with Models1 – they have just returned from Tokyo where they completed fashion shoots for Vogue, Elle, Harpers Bazaar and Numero Japan.

The exciting plot, which takes the viewer through a series of breathtaking extreme sports scenarios, features Go-Pro headcam footage from skiing, bungee jumping, scuba-diving and zip-wiring to name a few, and was shot in several countires around the world including the USA, UK, Italy, Japan, Lithuania, Poland, the Maldives and of course, Ukraine.

20-year-old identical twins, Sonia and Anna Kuprienko co-wrote this track with talented Fiona Bevan and Max McElligott, then handed it over to Greg Fitzgerald for some production magic. It was the first track they wrote after returning from Ukraine where they got stuck for half a year during the uprise. The track is not political at all, rather a call for freedom, but it was certainly influenced by everything that was happening in Ukraine and the fact that they couldn't return to their new home - London.

On the making and narrative behind the video, Bloom Twins say; "We tend to forget about the simple pleasures in life that make us happy. The world is our oyster. It’s only needed to be prized open to be enjoyed, with the pearl as the prize. Life should be about love, peace, happiness and freedom, and a home for it all is our beautiful planet.”

Their debut album, which has been recorded and produced by Duran Duran’s Nick Rhodes, will be out in 2017. Facebook here.

'Set Us Free' is a fine electro pop song that like the twins, is already getting a lot of attention. Vocals are good, however for me it's the soundtrack that makes the track a little more special and worth a share (honest!).

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Double Take: Pink Milk - The Vernons

Pink Milk - Drömmens Skepp.

Background - Hailing from Sweden, Pink Milk are a captivating rock concoction. Influenced by the dreamy shoegaze and gothic minimalism of 90s acts like The Jesus and Mary Chain, Cocteau Twins and Cranes - as well as cult movies and series like Twin Peaks and True Romance - the band’s gloomy, glittering sound casts a languid, moody spell that invites addiction and demands repeated listens...

This latest track ‘Drömmens skepp’ (Ship Of A Dream) is their tortuously dark take on a traditional Swedish folk song…(Staffan Percy’s 1979 version of a Bo Setterling poem). Originally commissioned by Swedish Television, Pink Milk's natural first interpretation was deemed too unhinged, too subversive for prime time consumption and thus was banished to the realm of the underground before resurfacing today to bewitch listeners once more…

Swirling and crashing like a twisted fairytale lullaby or a mermaid siren calling from the cavernous ocean, the band have managed to transform this sweet, traditional song into an apocalyptic assault of syrupy, existential noise. The song describes a heavenly, ghost ship glimmering on the horizon and Pink Milk themselves take a devilish turn across thunderous waters with this one, their first since finishing their Swedish tour and the first before playing a number of select UK shows in early 2017. Website here, and Facebook here.

'Drömmens Skepp' is just something else. Dark and brooding does not come into it, and to describe it as atmospheric would be a case of over simplification. I just love this uncompromising song, they have observed their influences in detail and taken the music further, more please.

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The Vernons - She's Not Mine.

Background - Fresh off the back of a return run of shows, Gold Coast blues rockers The Vernons have just unveiled their video for pensive new single 'She's Not Mine'.

While the clip paints an expressive picture of love gone wrong, this isn't your ordinary break-up song. Front man Jonny Nyst explains, "A break-up can spur a roller-coaster ride of emotions and that's really what the song is all about. One minute you can feel completely regretful and the next minute you can feel utterly betrayed. She's Not Mine really emphasises the darker times of all of that."

First hitting stages in 2012 and quickly notching up a well deserved 2014 Big Day Out slot, The Vernons have since supported the likes of Hoodoo Gurus, Wolfmother, Stonefield, The Rubens, Gang of Youths and more. With three EP's under their belt that include the Queensland Music Award winning track 'To The Sky' and sizzling single 'White Wine' (which is now set to crack 300,000 YouTube hits), The Vernons are crafting a genuine catalogue that offers up classic feeling modern blues.

Bunkered down in the studio for most of 2016, writing from a darker palate as first taster 'She's Not Mine' showcases, The Vernons are set to storm into 2017 and release their most focused material to date in the form of EP #4. 'She's Not Mine' is out now via all good digital retailers. Website here and Facebook here.

With a funky and feisty feel throughout 'She's Not Mine' packs a whole load of power and energy, in what is one very cool and unpretentious piece of rock music.

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Tuesday's Two: Quiet Boy - December's Children

Quiet Boy - Redeem.

Background - Redeem is the first single to be revealed from Quiet Boy’s debut EP Earwig, due for release in Spring 2017. The track showcases a bold song writing and vocal approach that comes directly from the heart. It's hooky, infectious, heartbreaking dream-electronica.

Quiet Boy is a solo project produced by Nick Trepka. Envision Scott Walker soundtracking Stranger Things: This is a visionary reimagining of childhood led by one of the UK’s finest musical creatives. Quiet Boy's multi-instrumentalist band are: Russell Ditchfield, Emily Sills, Alexandra Braithwaite and Stuart Roberts.

Quiet Boy describes his music as a ‘coming of age symphony’. Drawing on his vast musical memory from nursery rhymes through to contemporary electronic music, he chews up and spits out influences, creating something utterly new. Quiet Boy is a project born out of nostalgia, but far from throwback. Website here, Facebook here.

'Redeem' mixes intricate music with more rhythmic vocals and just unfolds from there. Changing tempo and style along the way kept me intrigued and leaves me looking forwards to more.

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December's Children - Waiting Room.

Background - “Waiting Room” is a re-imagining of Fugazi's hardcore classic in December’s Children’s unique Americana style. The Waiting Room EP has received strong early support from commercial and public stations in the U.S. that supported the last album, radio play in the UK and Canada, and regional print press coverage. The band has two television appearances scheduled for 2017, including a full episode feature on Prairie Musicians on PBS. A tour in support of the new album is scheduled for spring of 2017, building on their very successful 2015 tour in the upper Midwest.

December's Children saw tremendous success in 2015 with their debut album, Skeletons with over 100,000 streams and downloads, airplay in over 20 states and three foreign countries, and is still growing at a progressively faster rate. Waiting Room follows it up with a wide ranging EP that is led off with an Americana style cover of Fugazi's seminal classic. The album also includes four originals - "Suit of Gold", "Dogs of War", "Infinity + 1", and "Fallout". The group's third Brink Records release will be out next summer. Thank you for your support of this truly unique group!

Two versions of the video for "Waiting Room" were produced. One has been released and the other, a colorized variant of the original, came out on December 16, 2016. The video for "Suit of Gold" comes out in January. Website here and Facebook here.

If your going to re-imagine a song then an Americana makeover seems as good a place to go as any. December's Children have done just that with 'Waiting Room' whilst retaining the energy and passion of the original.

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Quality Not Quantity: Miss Chain & The Broken Heels - Colette Kavanagh

Miss Chain & The Broken Heels - Uh Uh / Standing The Night.

Background - It’s been quiet for some time for Miss Chain and The Broken Heels, the extensive touring after their second album (The Dawn, released by Burger, Bachelor and Tre Accordi), band members went their own way to persue solo careers, starting a booking agency, buidling a studio, and just taking a breath, italian style. After few months things started to get togetheragain, they did some shows in the spring of 2016 and baboom: Here is their new classic two song single, fresh and new, as if there hasnt been some kind of hiatus. 

You can easily hear it exactly 1 second after you let the needle drop on the Side A track, after few chords Miss Chain and the gang ooozes a warm feeling into your head and heart! Hell, they are back, with all the goodtime melodies enriched with their typical melancholy vibe. While the first track is a classic uptempo powerpop tune, the flipside presents a slower hipshaker, and although the velocity has been taken out this one is still a fine, mellow mood maker that leaves you hungry for more!
 
This single has been pressed in limited edition, so you should hurry to snatch a copy. Both albums has been sold out as did most of the other releases of their meanwhile huge discography. A couple of shows are planned for the last two months of 2016, a bigger tour through europe is in the works for 2017, as well as a third full length. Bandcamp here and Facebook here.

'Uh Uh' and 'Standing The Night' are a couple of upbeat Rock'N'Rollers that just groove along, with a classic and oh so pleasing feeling, from start to finish.

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Colette Kavanagh - Hold On.

Background - Colette Kavanagh is a singer-songwriter originally from Blessington, Co. Wicklow.  She now lives in Calverstown, Kilcullen, Co. Kildare in Ireland.

She attended the Holy Faith Convent in the Coombe, Dublin 8 where she was taught singing and dancing from the age of 7 by the Holy Faith nuns and grew up with her father playing piano and her mother singing along while encouraging all the children to join in Sunday afternoon singing around the piano.  
  
In 2007 Colette was asked to be a guest singer on a 10 day tour of Ireland with Johnny Cash’s guitarist, Bob Wootton from Nashville, Tennessee.  This tour gave Colette the confidence to begin writing and recording her own songs eventually leading to her debut album ‘Further Down The Line’ drawing on many country influences. Colette has been regularly performing in Dublin and the surrounding counties as well as having many requests to sing at numerous events including RTE television’s ‘Franc’s DIY Brides’. 
  
In 2014 Colette’s song “Rebekah’s Lullaby” was used in a short film “Skunky Dog” written and directed by James Fitzgerald of OIC Media and has won 13 awards to date to include Winner of Best Short Drama at the Royal Television Society Awards in RTE. In November of 2015, Colette started working and recording her new songs with Martin Quinn Producer and Owner of Jam Studios in Kells, Co. Meath which are getting extensive radio and internet airplay on BreezeFM, EastCoastFM, SpiritRadio, SouthEast Radio to name but a few and all across the USA.

Her music videos, including fan-favorites “Hold On”, “Someday” and her latest release “Last Kiss”, have received an especially warm reception in the US market. These videos have appeared on television screens spanning from New York City to Los Angeles and everywhere in between via music video outlets such as Bongo Boy TV, THECOOLTV, R n R TV, Video Diversity and H2O Television, to name a few. Website here.

Colette Kavanagh is another artist who slipped quietly under our radar earlier this year, and the song 'Hold On' is just to fine a piece to ignore. A gentler more middle of the road ballad, may not be the first type of song you might expect here on Beehive Candy, however Colette has such a dreamy melodic voice, so why not!

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Sunday Double: Anousheh - Tobin Sprout

Anousheh - Get to You.

Background - Electro-Pop artist Anousheh has just launched newest buzz-worthy single, "Get To You," for your listening pleasure. Anousheh's fresh style combines Pop sensibilities that offers a unique, and slightly nostalgic sound for your ears. The songstress has been garnering the praise of fans and critics alike who can't get enough of her hypnotic vocals and captivating instrumentation.

Anousheh is known for her epic melodies, and the Grammy-nominated songwriter has captivated audiences both overseas and in her hometown of Richmond, Virginia. Drawing early influences from some of her 90's music idols like Tori Amos, Bjork, and Radiohead, her songwriting style has always been rooted in introspection and metaphor. As an adult, Anousheh's love of pop music, hip hop and indie rock has focused her songwriting into hook-driven, thoughtful pop songs-- and in line with artists like Tove Lo, Ellie Goulding and Halsey. Facebook here and Website here.

With a deep bubbling synth soundtrack Anousheh's vocals melodically glide effortlessly above the soundtrack of 'Get to You'. It's a catchy Electro pop song where both vocals and music compete to hook you in.

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Tobin Sprout - Future Boy Today/Man Of Tomorrow.

Background - How do you bring a child’s curiosity to life? For Tobin Sprout, formerly of indie rock icons Guided by Voices, the answer is to revisit it with the wounded tenor of an aging piano man; someone searching, desperately, for his place in the cosmos. The Universe and Me is Sprout’s sixth solo album; hatched during a seven-year gestation period that included unearthing lost recordings (the single, “Future Boy Today/Man of Tomorrow” for one, was being saved for GBV), and digging through a treasure chest of memories in his home studio in Michigan, where Sprout composed behind his shambling grand piano and trembling, boyish voice. Each home recording was captured live with Sprout’s new band — which led to marvelous imperfections.

The Universe and Me takes  a deliberately primitive approach that focuses on feeling, as opposed to production. The result is a vague bridge  between the ballads of psych-era Beatles,  and the haunting vulnerability of Daniel Johnston’s Hi, How Are You?. It’s no surprise, then,  that Sprout penned and illustrated his own magical children’s books as The Universe and Me  plays like a deceptively dense reimagining of simple subjects like comic books, finding your purpose in life, and growing old.

Many of the 14 tracks acts like a diorama of a boy’s imagination, like “Future Boy/Man of Tomorrow,” which was inspired by Sprout's fascination with superheroes from his childhood. The wistful "When I Was A Boy" is a short, stunning ballad relating childhood grounding to adulthood. “Walk Across the Human Bridge” is a heavy-hitting rocker driven by shredding and lyrics describing the decline of humanity. “Tomorrow From Heaven” is about dealing with the sadness that follows death. Pasted together as a collage, as opposed to a rigid whole, and we have  the soundtrack to Tobin Sprout’s life.

The Universe and Me will be available on Burger Records on February 3rd, with a limited pressing of a baby blue vinyl for the first 300 copies. Following the release, Sprout and his new band will embark on a nationwide tour. This will be his first tour in over a decade, supported by Burger Records, who’ll be reissuing Sprout’s mid-'90s Matador albums — Carnival Boy and Moonflower Plastic — in the months ahead. Website here.

'Future Boy Today/Man Of Tomorrow' is an honest rock song with swirls of psychedelic overtones adding a real richness to the piece. This is one of the more energised "full on" songs from the forthcoming album, which mixes the styles and pace of material, whilst delivering fourteen individual and very solid tracks. 

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Genre Wander: Clap Your Hands Say Yeah - The Darts - Vibronics meets Conscious Sounds

Clap Your Hands Say Yeah - Fireproof.

Background - Clap Your Hands Say Yeah’s 2005 self-released debut album set a precedent for how bands might begin to approach making music independently. The record — which vocalist/multi-instrumentalist/songwriter Alec Ounsworth wrote entirely by himself— received widespread critical acclaim and was named one of “The 50 Most Important Recordings Of The Decade” by NPR.

In the ensuing years, Ounsworth has continued pushing himself creatively, releasing three additional Clap Your Hands Say Yeah full-lengths (for which he again wrote all of the music and lyrics) and issuing two solo projects. The group has also grown a robust international fanbase: In 2015 alone, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah toured in Latin and South America, Japan and Europe. All of these experiences have helped Ounsworth refine his vision for Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, as the group heads into its twelfth year and the release of its fifth album, The Tourist.

Like previous Clap Your Hands Say Yeah records, The Tourist nods to Ounsworth’s musical heroes—a group that includes artists such as John Cale, Robert Wyatt, Tom Waits and Nick Cave. However, this album also shows a natural progression from previous records. “Better Off” and “The Vanity Of Trying” are lush, keyboard-augmented songs, while “A Chance To Cure” and “Ambulance Chaser” are rhythmically askew, and the sighing “Loose Ends” is delicate, acoustic-based folk-rock.

No matter what the style, however, The Tourist‘s arrangements are laser-sharp and deliberate, without feeling labored-over. For example, “Down (Is Where I Want To Be)” combines piano flickers with anxious keyboards, gnarled electric guitars and teeth-baring drums—but yet feels cohesive, not chaotic.

The Tourist emerged from a period where Ounsworth was doing a lot of intense soul-searching, and processing personal events that irrevocably shaped his life and future. But although most of these songs came together during this time of reflection, he considers the record to be cathartic—an exhale of sorts, rather than a collection of songs where he was indulging in self-pity or letting things stagnate or fester.

“The album was a type of purge,” he says. “A purge of certain emotional confusion that manifested itself in the last several years. It was not an easy album to make, by virtue of the fact that it was an emotional time for me.”

Having that space and freedom to explore as part of Clap Your Hands Say Yeah is crucial to Ounsworth and a vital part of the band’s identity. As anyone who’s seen him perform a living room show will attest, this mindset also often results in songs with dramatically different arrangements. But as a musician and leader of an independent project, Ounsworth prides himself on honesty across all aspects of the band, from live performances to the studio. Website here and Facebook here.

Clap Your Hands Say Yeah are one of those bands where the wait for new material always seems worth it and 'Fireproof' suggests that remains the case. As for the song well in part it's a juxtaposition of being understated and gentle, whilst the rhythm is funky, fresh and energised. What's more the arrangement is just right for the thoughtful lyrics and there delightful delivery.

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The Darts - Running Through Your Lies.

Background - The Darts (US) are an all-grrrrl garage-psych-rock supergroup featuring Nicole Laurenne (The Love Me Nots, Motobunny, Zero Zero), Rikki Styxx (The Two Tens, The Dollyrots, Thee Outta Sites), Christina Nunez (The Love Me Nots, Casual Encounters, The Madcaps), and Michelle Balderrama (Brainspoon).

The band formed in early 2016 when, after watching each other’s bands from the sidelines for years, Nicole and Michelle realized there was no good reason why they shouldn’t just start writing songs together already. With six songs ready, Rikki and Michelle recorded their tracks in Los Angeles and then Nicole and Christina tracked their parts in Phoenix. Arizona producer Bob Hoag then masterfully stirred the mess together over a piping hot console. The results are two smoking 10” vinyl EPs full of garage riffs, girl-group harmonies, fuzz bass, farfisa organ, badass drum fills, and all-around lo-fi-turned-hi-fi goodness.

Soon after their October 2016 release, the singles “Running Through Your Lies” and “Revolution” enjoyed instant radio airplay and  “Take What I Need” was selected by Sirius/XM’s Underground Garage channel as “The Coolest Song In The World 2016.” The band played its first live show in October, 2016, and signed with London’s Dirty Water Records shortly thereafter. The Darts will tour across the southern US in January 2017 with Oakland’s all-girl rock duo Steel Cranes, and then… The Darts will invade Europe on tour in May 2017. Bandcamp here, Facebook here.

The first of six tracks on the EP and 'Running Through Your Lies' immediately lets the listener know that The Darts have some real depth to their music. Mixed with more feisty garage rock, the collection of songs may be small in number, but they pack a punch and demand your attention throughout!

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Vibronics meets Conscious Sounds - Half Century Dub  - 50 years in the mix.

Background - As Dub Reggae music becomes a global force, Vibronics & Conscious Sounds present an album that celebrates 50 years of dub music. Dougie Wardrop & Steve Vibronics present an album that takes classic music from each decade of dub, starting with 1970s Jamaica music right up 2010s worldwide dub sounds. The two prominent UK Dub producers will take each decade in turn, as the listener is catapulted across half a century of roots rocking Reggae music. This unique dubwise concept album will feature reworking of classic tunes from 1970s, 1980s, new versions of crucial music from the Conscious Sounds & Vibronics back catalogue from 1990s & 2000s and some brand new future dubs for the 2010s. Dubwise music across 50 years.

Vibronics meets Conscious Sounds and Half Century Dub - 50 years in the mix 2 X Maxi 10" includes a Limited Edition Vinyl singles January 2017 and also Vinyl / CD / Digital Album Release January 2017. Website here.

If you go to their website (link just above) there are nine songs to listen to, unfortunately we cannot embed the music here, however to wet your appetite a little, we have Vibronics - Furious Dub & Conscious Sounds Mix (Taken From Personal 10), as an indicator of the quality and musical delights due in January.

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Weekend Wonders: Nevāda Nevada - Rayne - Gregory Clark - The Byzantines

Nevāda Nevada - 900 Days.

Background - Nobody ever really quits music. Not if they ever really loved it. One can try, but it always creeps back, until one day the air is once again being caused to vibrate in the most necessary to actualize being. It is how it should be.

Several years ago, Kathryn Musilek, frontman for Nevada Nevada, was a fixture in the vibrant and close-knit Iowa City, Iowa music scene, playing in numerous bands and just being generally omnipresent therein. In some way, this was the natural result of a life long love and study of music, having learned several instruments. A significant other used Kathryn as an entry point into this world, and once on the inside, spread their lovin' all over, with the knowledge of everyone in town--everyone, that is, but Kathryn.

This betrayal hurt so bad, it required that Iowa City be left behind in favor of Brooklyn and the creation of music be left behind in favor publicizing the same. It was a sort of "I need to be a new me" sort of deal. As we all know, though, a creator of things as gifted as Kathryn cannot suppress the urge to make things for long. And so there was born Nevada Nevada.

Nevada Nevada is a rock 'n' roll band from Brooklyn with more than a hint of its midwestern roots. It is part Wilco, part Guns 'n' Roses. There is americana and folk, but there is even more rock 'n' roll. Facebook here.

Distinct and melodic vocals drive '900 Days' forward, accompanied by a powerful musical soundtrack that develops into something quite expansive and somehow manages to grows even further as the song unfolds.

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Rayne - Chemicals.
Gregory Clark - The Home Song.
(From the Various Artist Compilation 'This Is Not A Game', released 9/12/16).

Background - Platform Records and Platform Songs (Publishing) will celebrate it's tenth anniversary in 2017.

To mark our first decade, rather than just 'looking back', Platform is releasing a 15-track various artists compilation, including bands, singers and songs very recently signed to our business. The album contains just under an hour of indie-pop and indie-rock music. Platform Records here.

Album Tracks are:
1. Late Hala - 'Good Thing'
2. Warm Winters - 'Prehistoric Skies'
3. Rayne - 'Chemicals'
4. Ross Trigwell - 'Safe Forever'
5. Bobo & The Demeraras - 'She'
6. Gregory Clark - 'The Home Song'
7. Jon Vautier - 'Leave The City Dead'
8. George Diaz - 'Can't Say'
9. Emporium - 'Magical Things'
10. The Ultra - 'Universe in Two'
11. Indiana Foxx - 'Spectre'
12. The Buddha Pests - 'Tanker'
13. James Blames - 'The Bad Old Days Are Back'
14. Voodoo Rays - 'Wider Sea'
15. Liquorice River - 'Back To The Beginning'

Rayne's 'Chemicals' and Gregory Clark's 'The Home Song' are just a small taste of the quality and variety to be found on the new compilation album from Platform Records. If you have a liking for indie pop and rock, then this really is a fine collection of artists and songs, that are well worth getting to know.

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The Byzantines - Jamaica.

Background - Hailing from the great South Australian state that brought you two giant balls, Farmer’s Union iced coffee and Cooper’s Pale Ale come brit pop band The Byzantines. The boys are excited to announce their new EP, set to release via Marshmallow Pavement Records on February 17th, 2017. The band are also announcing an east coast Australian tour during February and March in support of the new EP. The tour kicks off at The Karova Club in Ballarat on Friday Feb 24 with label-mates The Montreals, and Melbourne Garage-Rock darlings BATZ. They’ll make their way up the coast on a 9-date tour, hitting Melbourne, Canberra, Sydney, Brisbane and other cities along the way.

There’s nothing pale about these Adelaide lads and best mates; vocalist Michael Pietrafesa, guitarist David Zammit, Jose Moucho on bass and Johnny Zervas on drums. The Byzantines have incorporated a varied mesh of sounds and layers, all the while feeling organic and staying true to the British sound that bands like The Stone Roses and Primal Scream made famous. 

Using the opportunity to promote their debut EP and supported by the Brit music icons such as Fred Perry Subculture and Liam Gallagher’s clothing label Pretty Green, The Byzantines embarked on a European/ UK trip in 2014. Coming off the success of that international tour, the guys were invited by Rolling Stone Magazine to play a sold out Workers Club show in Melbourne for their Live Lodge event supporting The Delta Riggs.  After copping some abuse from their tour manager for drinking The Delta Riggs rider, The Delta Riggs guitarist and talented engineer and producer Alex Markwell was laughing his head off and a friendship was born. Markwell offered to help produce and engineer the EP so in 2015 the boys decided to hit the recording studio.

Recorded between competing national tours and other commitments, the boys also enlisted the help of friends Dan Crannitch (Love and Other Crimes) to assist with pre-production and Luke Godson (Luke Million/The Swiss) to help capture the more electronic aspects of the band’s sound. The initial session birthed ‘Jamaica', ‘a swaggering hot mess’ (Rolling Stone Magazine), which set the benchmark for the rest of the EP. The first listens from the new recordings are ‘Jamaica’ and ‘She Moves’, available on triple j unearthed, both singles lauded from critics and fans alike. Facebook here. 


The video for 'Jamaica' is part story and part music. Musically the band make the most of Jamaica's reggae vibes, and put their own rock'n'roll stamp on the song. Based on this track alone The Byzantines could well destined for greater attention next year.

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