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Showing posts from August 6, 2017

Smoke Rings - Majken - Ian Randall Thornton - The Max Tribe

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Smoke Rings - Happiness. Background - Yearning for a slice of 'Happiness' Melbourne five piece Smoke Rings plug-in with a bittersweet new single from their double A side 7" Go To Hell and a string of live dates.  Strengthening their penchant for writing incredibly well constructed melodies, 'Happiness' sees the band once again pay homage to 90s brit-pop in three minutes and thirty three seconds of clever instrumentation and cavalier lyrics. Recorded with producer extraordinaire Malcolm Besley (City Calm Down, The Creases), the band take a sonic leap forward from their debut self titled offering while retaining their signature melancholy.  Pricking ears with 2016 single 'Rose Coloured Glasses' from their debut EP, Smoke Rings achieved spins and praise from triple j's Richard Kingsmill and Dom Alessio. With an add to triple j's sister station Double J and love from key community radio stations nationwide, they've been solidifying a strong n

FAERS - Joey Sweeney & The Neon Grease - Prawn - Lunar Hand - Me for Queen - Freedom Baby

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FAERS - Last Of Our Kind. Background - FAERS’ latest single ‘Last Of Our Kind’ is a rousing reflection on the state of modern guitar music, an allegorical love story, and a clear nod to their childhood heroes The Maccabees. Written during a songwriting retreat to the welsh countryside, and recorded in Gothenburg with producer Anders Lagersford, ‘Last Of Our Kind’ is a shimmering example of the bold and brazen songwriting that inspires youngsters to pick up guitars and form bands in the first place. Steven Anderson-Howard’s rich vocals are bolstered by intensely atmospheric and colourful production as the song effortlessly mounts to a heady climax. ‘Last Of Our Kind’ is the sort of song that leaves a lasting impression in the hearts, minds, and ears of listeners long after it’s finished. It’s a clear and powerful indicator that there’s still life left in that old dog we call rock and roll. FAERS’ singer Steven Anderson-Howard met his future bandmates at his popular weekly indie nig

Mo Kenney - Macy Todd - The Vex - Norma - Bunny

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Mo Kenney - If You're Not Dead. Background - This is the year that Mo Kenney plugs in, quite literally. Known for her smooth vocals and fearless lyrics, the Canadian singer is back with her new album The Details, on September 29th, 2017. Mo has released two records with long-time producer and Canadian rock mentor Joel Plaskett since 2012. With her third album, Mo comes fully and completely into her own as an artist; she swaps her trademark acoustic guitar for a Fender Mustang, tracing her own strange, devastating, and ultimately hopeful trip through the trials and tribulations of booze-fuelled breakdowns, clouds of depression, and disintegrating relationships. On each of its 14 tracks, Mo unflinchingly confronts her annihilation and eventual redemption, leaving nothing out. The concept album is her most personal and cohesive work to date. Combining elements of bruising rock ’n’ roll, vivid psychedelia, and haunting, left-of-the-dial pop, Kenney navigates the darkest waters in

Lauran Hibberd - Year of October - Michael Malarkey - Soviet X-Ray Record Club - Kansas Smittys House Band

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Lauran Hibberd - Old Head Young Shoulders. Background - Lauran Hibberd’s low-key, beautifully arranged nu-folk single “Old Head Young Shoulders” seems to drift through eardrums and straight into the listeners’ souls. Innocent, soft and with more than a breeze of fresh air around it, it will warmly appeal to the fans of Lucy Rose, Laura Marling or Billie Marten. In ‘Old Head Young Shoulders’, this Isle of Wight based singer/songwriter manages to convey wisdom and talent well beyond her tender years. At just 19, Lauran is beautifully skewing her love of literature with her ethereal vocal and delicate guitar style.  If The Guardian’s Kitty Empire named Ben Howard ‘a surfing troubadour high on a new wave’, we’d like to hail Lauran Hibberd ‘a truthful spirit high on a low key nu-folk wave’. Why? With the hope this will encourage you to hear this 2:51min sonic window into this genuine teenage girl’s existence. Already supported by BBC Radio 1, BBC 6Music and Radio X, Lauran says: “T

The Sinking Feeling - Broken River

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The Sinking Feeling - One (EP). Background - The Sinking Feeling is testament to the fact that you can take crushing self-doubts and turn them into something else. With three totally unique personalities and backgrounds, the band converge on subjects of depression and loss. Each with their own trials, each member contributing to the unique dynamic that is proof that there is beauty and worth in every tribulation. Hailing from Glasgow (Scotland), the band has already put out four quality releases including a split tape with Nai Harvest. Their own brand of emo punk music has won them fans across the UK and a strong cult following in Glasgow. They’ve toured and supported with the likes of Mineral, Make Do and Mend, Empire! Empire! (I Was a Lonely Estate), Tigers Jaw, Nai Harvest and many more modern emo stalwarts becoming the name on everyone’s lips in the scene. The Sinking Feeling recently finished recording 'One' with Bob Cooper (Nai Harvest, Self Defense Family, Brawler

Sauropod - Sedgewick - WellBad

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Sauropod - By The Tree. Background - Sauropod, Norwegian garage-punk trio made up of – Jonas Røyeng (guitar, vocals), Kamillia Waal Larsen (bass, vocals) and Jørgen Natland Apeness (drums) have announced their signing to Propeller Recordings with the release of explosive new single ‘By The Tree’. With an aggressive intensity and simultaneous pop sensibility, the Oslo based trio are a force to be reckoned with both live and on record.  "Jump on the rocket / stomp on the day” Jonas yelps as the song bursts into life, to a backdrop of pummelling drum work and rolling bass lines - the song then shifts into a more melodic, but equally as untameable assault of punk instrumentation. Speaking on the lyrical meaning behind the new single, frontman Jonas Røyeng explained “By The Tree is essentially about juggling two things at once, not knowing which one you like the most." It’s an almighty amalgamation of sounds and influences, perhaps giving a nod to the likes of The Wytches,

Diamond Thug - Cloning the Mammoth - PLGRMS

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Diamond Thug - Cosmic Dreamer. Background - In 2016 the South African band, Diamond Thug, recorded their debut EP with the help of Dave Minehan (The Replacements) and released it to waves of support, Indie Shuffle calling it ‘…a joy to listen to’. After significant support at Spotify where they have now had several million plays on just one single, and in their home country, Diamond Thug have introduced their music internationally with their last single ‘Eclipsed’. And more comes in the form of their next single ‘Cosmic Dreamer’, and it doesn’t disappoint. The track is available from August 4th via Phonofile. Since their formation, Diamond Thug have continually evolved, always striving to create a unique sound that’s stay true to their perspective. Their music glides through dream-pop, skittish, off-kilter electronica & psychedelic-rock, creating cosmic-influenced ethereal soundscapes, which swirl below Chantel’s haunting, yet beautiful melodies.  The pursuit of an authentic