Vulgarians - The Buoys - The Arthur Brothers
Background - Hull’s Vulgarians are now sharing the Radio 1-supported new single, ‘Dead People Are Easier To Love’. Produced by Alex Greaves (Avalanche Party, The Orielles, Bo Ningen) at The Nave, Leeds, this is the first new music from the band since their 2017 EP, ‘Almost-Instinct, Almost True’. A bullish indicator of what's to come from Vulgarians through 2019, the band will support 'Dead People Are Easier To Love' with a string of dates through autumn 2018, including a stop at The Macbeth, London on September 27 - all tour dates below.
‘Dead People Are Easier To Love’ marks an assertive step forward for the group’s sound, turning to 80s synthesisers and the likes of Cold Cave and John Maus for inspiration. Penned just 72 hours before the band were set to record with Greaves, the new single captures a sonic and lyrical urgency that is hard to counterfeit. Speaking about the single, frontman RW Preen says: “After wandering home from wherever I had been, I noticed a blank billboard, which rather amusingly someone had tagged. I guess we live in a time where culture is so celebrity-driven and popularity accounts for happiness, it’s easy to romanticise that a blank billboard appeals to you. There’s truth and guilt in that we don’t appreciate something or someone until they’re no longer present.”
Since the release of 2016’s ‘Life’s Successful Death’ and 2017’s ‘Almost-Instinct, Almost True’, the Hull quartet have gone on to win support from Huw Stephens and Steve Lamacq (performing on Lamacq’s Introducing stage at The Great Escape), as well as touring alongside the likes of fellow Hull band, LIFE (whom they supported throughout June 2018), TRAAMS, The Wytches and Weirds. In addition, they have appeared at 53 Degrees North (Slaves, The Horrors, Dream Wife) and Another Fest (Yassassin, Heavy Lungs), ticked off a headline slot at Humber Street Sesh and secured further spots with HMLTD, Lady Bird and Protomartyr. FACEBOOK.
We have to go back around eighteen months to our only other feature for Vulgarians who impressed us then with their "anxiety and oh so close to the edge, feast of punk panic". The new track 'Dead People Are Easier To Love' is a more cohesive affair with the band producing a tight and more melodic post punk sound. The vocals remain passion filled and a tad manic in a wonderfully addictive kind of way.
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Background - Equal parts sweet and savoury, Sydney femme 4-piece The Buoys are gearing up to release their sophomore EP, after their debut Soft Boy received airtime on FBi and Triple J Unearthed, backing up shows with Aussie outfits such as Big White, Pist Idiots, Julia Why?, Georgia June, Breizers, Cakewalk and Tupperware Party.
The Buoys have a lot to send to your ear holes by way of unrelenting fuzzy guitar tones and honest raw lyrics so keep your ears out. Arm Wrestle is their latest single and has already been featured on the likes of Triple J and Fbi Radio.
"Arm Wrestle came to be when I had to address the reality of a situation. I had to explore if my thoughts were rational, or if I was making things up in my head and self sabotaging. It details that inner voice argument of, ‘something really bad is going down’ vs ‘don’t be silly, it’s all in your head, you’re crazy’. It’s an exploration of what it’s like to gaslight yourself really, only to find out your gut was right and you weren’t paranoid after all.” - Zoe
Forged in the flames of a failed tinder date, Sydney femme 4-piece The Buoys came to be when singer Zoe was introduced to drummer Tess, the cousin of said date. Next came Anthea, shredder guitarist sourced from none other than Gumtree. Then comes bassist Ros to complete the family portrait (no sponno to mention here).
Six months later and The Buoys have recorded a sophomore EP Split Lip to follow up the previous line-up’s DIY EP Soft Boy. Inspired by a workplace feud and a tonne of bad dates, Split Lip explores themes of uncertainty, disappointment, curiosity and self love. Described by Zoe as her “diary dumping ground” The Buoys writing style is just an extension of everyday relatable experiences.
Influenced by anything fuzzy, loud and fast, The Buoys have been making noise across Sydney to celebrate the release of their latest single Arm Wrestle. With the release of Split Lip at the end of the year and the inevitable return to the studio, they have plenty to send your way. BANDCAMP.
Musically 'Arm Wrestle' is a solid indie rocker that powers along with swirls of guitar and rhythm. The vocals add some emotion and further strength to this very catchy rocker.
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Background - The Arthur Brothers began life as a recording project and quickly grew into an artistic alliance centered around the biological brothers Matt and Danny Arthur and the producer/songwriter and multi-instrumentalist J. C. Wright.
Their music is inspired by a mutual obsession for inventive song-craft and a cross-generational love of classic albums with dramatic, bold and intriguing productions. Driven by a devotion to the recording process and a passionate desire to make a record full of mystery, melody, diversity and depth - the Arthurs and Wright, along with a coterie of talented contributors have been on a long and challenging creative expedition.
Their first single release, ‘Ninth’, is the opening stage of the nine part musical adventure that will eventually be unveiled as The Arthur Brothers' debut album....Prepare to be transported through a wormhole en-route to a Westworld-style vacation, accompanied by a soundtrack of cold pianos, dark drones, tribal drums and mantra-esque vocal lines. Imagine distant echoes of Ennio Morricone, Peter Gabriel, Tears For Fears and The Velvet Underground holed-up in a prospector’s mineshaft in space, digging for gold..
'Ninth' was released at the end of August and passed me by first time around, so sometimes a follow up "pestering" by the promo agents works. A creative indie song, The Arthur Brothers have a very definitive sound, where the musical arrangement is imaginative and superbly executed, whilst the vocals add even more character and individuality to a very fine first single.
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