Hermitess - The Charlatans - Pattern Language

Hermitess - Blood Moon.

Background from Hermitess - I’ve just released a video for “Blood Moon”, taken from my upcoming self-titled full length.

I’ve been making a series of artworks alongside the musical compositions: photographs and almost-still videos set against remote landscapes. Each of these settings depict Hermitess as a central figure in a settings that evoke the songs. The Blood Moon video was shot by my friend Tatiana Losev who helped direct the simple performance that the video depicts. The final product is meant to express a feeling: something repetitive, hypnotic, and a tad sinister.

As the name implies, this album came about at a remove from modern life. While isolated in a cabin in northern Michigan, I began to conceive of this character (Hermitess) and a set of songs that would feel at home in the wintry knee-deep snow drifts and creaking trees. Website here, Facebook here.

'Blood Moon' is one of nine tracks on the new album. This is an imaginative collection of material and the featured music video indicates the style and direction of the self titled full length. Natural folk sounds mix with deeper material, sometimes quite stripped back, other times more atmospheric and layered. Overall the music is enchanting, dreamy and desirable.


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The Charlatans - Plastic Machinery.

Background - The Charlatans have released the official video for their first album single "Plastic Machinery," featuring Johnny Marr, from their upcoming studio album Different Days, due out May 26 via BMG. The video was shot in Barcelona by filmmaker and photographer Ewen Spencer, who is also responsible for creating the Different Days album artwork. “It was great fun to make the video," explains Tim Burgess. "Barcelona is such a beautiful city - the song is about finding beauty in uncertain times and we knew there'd be some sunshine there too."

Different Days is the band's thirteenth album. Co-produced by Jim Spencer, the album was recorded at the band’s studio in Cheshire and features contributions from an array of friends... from Paul Weller and Johnny Marr to crime writer Ian Rankin and writer/actress Sharon Horgan. It follows on from the success of The Charlatans' last album Modern Nature, which drew critical praise across the board, and notched up their eighth Top Ten on the album chart, all capped off with a lifetime achievement award from Q Magazine. The Charlatans had a whirlwind 2015, completing two sold-out UK tours, world tours and popping up as unannounced opening act at Glastonbury, and headlining at the Isle Of Wight and Kendall Calling festivals amongst others.

In support of the upcoming album, The Charlatans have confirmed two signings and acoustic performances at the now-legendary Tim Peaks Diner: 05/26 - The Lowry; Salford - 05/28 - Soundcity; Liverpool. Website here, Facebook here, live dates on Beehive Candy's tour page.

The Charlatans are back with 'Plastic Machinery' giving fans of their music a taste of what is to follow. They hardly need our support, however with live dates also on there way, it's a case of any excuse to feature a band of this calibre.


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Pattern Language - By Time We Get There.

Background - ​​London’s Happy Robots Records has announced they will be releasing the ‘Total Squaresville’ mini-album from synth-electronic crafter Pattern Language. From this collection of six tracks, they are teasing the lead single ‘By Time We Get There’ with a catchy retro video by Cheyene Grow at 75 Ohms. Created using obsolete corporate video equipment from the 20th century and generating real-time video landscapes and infinite textures.  This is Pattern Language’s debut release, scheduled for release in June 2017.

Pattern Language is the new project of Chris Frain. Currently based in Boulder, Colorado, Frain was previously keyboard player for the indie-pop band The Giranimals (where he developed a love for the staple sounds of the Minimoog and Melotron instruments) and bassist for the power-prog rock trio Tanuki. In 2013, Frain decided to pursue a solo electronic music career after a chance viewing of the BBC4 documentary “Synth Britannia”, which made him fall back in love with the sound of the synthesizer.

“Each one of the pieces on this album were started from some very basic idea about sound or structure or primary influence, and yet I was surpirsed by all the twists and turns they took through the stages of composition, recording, and mixing," says Chris Frain. "It’s still fun to listen to each piece and how they took on a life of its own to become something new and unexpected, even to me.”

‘Total Squaresville’ is the ninth release on Happy Robots Records and is distributed by Cargo Records, mastered for analogue warmth on digital devices. Facebook here.

'By Time We Get There' is indicative of the layered synthy sounds to be found in this six track collection. Uncomplicated and melodic, each piece is remarkably addictive. Whether you cut your teeth on Kraftwerk or Neu, or similar artists more recent, there is a good chance this will appeal.


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