headboy - The South Austin Moonlighters - Meris Gantt - Jeremie Albino
London trio headboy have shared their new single "Reservoir" - the latest taste of the band's upcoming debut EP 'Was It What You Thought', out 9th June via Blitzcat Records. In recent months the band have played host to an exhilarating run of sold-out headline shows in the capital, alongside notable support slots with Porridge Radio, Goat Girl, DEADLETTER, Peaness, Melin Melyn, Hotel Lux, Heartworms and THUS LOVE.
Swaying from lo-fi bedroom tones to tumultuous blasts of snarling post-punk, headboy's blend of influences, ranging from Sleater-Kinney and Radiohead to Modest Mouse and Grizzly Bear informs the immediacy of their sound, whilst the band also note the impact of post-punk and no wave acts รก la Gang Of Four, Orange Juice, Pixies and Television.
Consisting of guitarist/bassist and vocalist Mars West (they/them), bassist/guitarist vocalist Jess Collins (she/they) and drummer Oli Birbeck (they/them), headboy have already established themselves as a beguiling force to be reckoned with on the live stage, cultivating a devoted following in London and further afield, following press and radio tips from Steve Lamacq (BBC 6 Music), So Young Magazine, The Independent, Gigwise, The Rodeo + more.
New single "Reservoir" tells a story of passion, intimacy and connection in the disorientating aftermath of a breakup; venturing into single life. Delivered through a lens of deceptively dark, climactic post-punk, "Reservoir" tracks those brief, fleeting moments of lust, in a haze of sweaty, dimly lit clubs.
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Austin, TX - Legendary, Saxon Pub-bred quartet The South Austin Moonlighters were riding high on the success of their 2019 opus Travel Light with top billing on the alt-country charts and festival appearances throughout the U.S. and Europe when the world came crashing to a screeching halt in 2020. Fortunately for the band and their fans alike, the Moonlighters are veterans of Austin’s scrappy, DIY music scene and were never going to let a little loss of momentum stop them. With the help of a wildly successful crowdfunding campaign, The South Austin Moonlighters—Lonnie Trevino Jr., Chris Beall, Daniel James, and Hunter St. Marie—took to the studio with producer Steve Berlin (of Los Lobos fame) and got right back in the saddle, cutting ten tunes that would eventually become their brand new album, From Here To Home.
At its core, From Here To Home is an album of rebirth and acknowledgement. It’s a recognition of where The South Austin Moonlighters have been, and a peek at all of the exciting places they are going and want to head towards in the future. Take the title track for instance, which is a song that Beall and Trevino Jr. wrote together. It’s a tale of finding oneself on the road, not necessarily lost, but unmoored. Despite this estrangement, the group finds power in the songs they write, carrying them through another day. “From Here To Home is a journey back to rediscovering why we started doing this in the first place,” Trevino Jr. says, before his co-conspirator helps him complete the thought in a way only the closest of collaborators can: “Because that's the only thing we want to do–make joyous music.”
The South Austin Moonlighters recently released their first single from From Here To Home, the bouncing, half-time groove of “Make A Livin’"; a deceptively deep, upbeat song about what it really means to make ends meet for a family. “What should we be providing?’’ asks Beall, who wrote the song with his good friend Rodney Black. He expands, “Surely ‘ourselves’ would be the most important thing, and yet there are multiple generations of parents working so much they rarely see their kids. Lots of folks have to work like that, unfortunately. But could there be a ‘line’ that gets crossed when too much is just ‘too much?’ The TV bill, the new car, the nicer house....maybe we should let go of a few of those things and not have to be shackled to the workplace to pay for them.” Packaged within textures of gritty guitars and vintage bass thump, “Make A Livin’” is one of those rare songs that makes listeners dance and think, and that quality is the Moonlighters’ party piece that runs from beginning to end of From Here To Home.
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Meris Gantt just announced the “Fine” single released yesterday. Taking the listener on an emotional journey through grief, loneliness, and acceptance, the song holds a special meaning as it is a conversation with her father, who passed away nine years ago.
Through powerful lyrics, “Fine” conveys a message of reassurance to Gantt’s father and to herself that it is okay to let go and move on. It is also a poignant reminder that we are all doing the best we can in life. The song evokes a feeling of loneliness that many can relate to, especially in a world that is constantly changing.
Gantt reveals that she didn’t realize she was writing this song about her father until a pivotal moment on a hike, where the lyrics to the bridge poured out of her. The song not only reflects on Gantt’s childhood but also provides a global perspective, tying in thoughts and emotions from the Covid-19 pandemic.
“Fine” is a powerful and emotive song that will undoubtedly resonate with anyone who has experienced loss, loneliness, or the struggles of trying to adapt to a changing world.
The single is off Gantt’s upcoming EP, “Forced Revival,” due out June 2. The EP tells the story of a journey mired in strength – a tale of perseverance, passion, and a deep connection to the power of music. Gantt explores life’s journeys with longing, regret, and the silver linings that lie in between through a soulful blend of smoky vocals, Bluegrass Americana, healing melodies, and honest and to-the-point songwriting.
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Buzzy Americana artist-to-watch Jeremie Albino has released a captivating live performance video with his band, The Rosehall Band, for soaring new single “You I’m Waiting On.” Shot and directed by longtime creative partner and collaborator Mark Klassen, the video transports viewers back in time to the historic Owl’s Club in Toronto. The old legion hall, frozen in time, serves as the ultimate backdrop and perfectly pairs Jeremie’s soulful golden sound with the memories painted on the walls.
The artist’s highly anticipated sophomore studio album, Tears You Hide, will be released on June 9th. Lead single “Across the Hall,” released earlier this spring, is a testament to Albino’s visual songwriting style, telling a story of hope and longing in challenging periods. He’s currently on the road with fellow Americana artist Sierra Ferrell for a series of West Coast tour dates, and all shows are sold out.
Recorded entirely live off the floor, Tears You Hide is a catalog of feelings from time passed that serves up an ode to family, resilience, and the road ahead. The deeply personal nature traverses Albino’s development as an artist and captivating songwriter. Experiences with tragedy, grief, and love tumble throughout, grounded in moments of joy and the hope it brings — a house party, a tumbleweed, tears in a mother’s eyes, an open door, a faceless angelic voice.
The artist found support from the team instrumental in the production of his earlier work - The Rosehall Band, his original backing band, and Andrija Tokic (Alabama Shakes), who co-produced his critically acclaimed debut full length. The importance of working with a supportive and collaborative community is something that he knows the value of not only in his music but also from his days as working as a farmer in Prince Edward County.
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