Background - Gris about the song: "Inspired by a true story – a patient escaped from a local hospital and broke into my old flat overnight, leaving behind a pile of clothes and a nametag that read ‘Muhammad Ali’. This got me thinking about incarceration, whether physical or mental, and the idea that ‘whatever you do to me I will still have freedom of thought’."
Gris-de-Lin is a singer/songwriter and multi-instrumentalist from Dorset. Her music is a heady mix of post-rock, blues and alt-folk peppered with warped electronics. Her debut album, Sprung, comes out on BB*Island in April 2018. The album was recorded in a nursery school and saw her playing virtually all of the instruments herself — from guitars and synths to drums and saxophone. Working with producer/engineer Chris Hamilton (Torres/Kite Base), she also drafted in Rob Ellis (PJ Harvey/Anna Calvi) to play drums on several tracks. Alongside her solo projects, Gris-de-Lin has worked with a number of other artists, including Jim Sclavunos (Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds), Joe Gideon, The Duke Spirit, Tunng and Gemma Ray.
“Gris-de-Lin blends alt-rock, folk, world rhythms, skronky jazz and glitchy esoterica into a beguiling whole on her debut album, balancing strong melody with consistently inventive sonic texture. 8/10.” Graeme Thomson, Uncut Magazine. FACEBOOK.
It's two years and a few days since we featured Gris-de-Lin. I was pretty certain we had, however time flies and I didn't realise just how long ago it was. Anyhow 'Muhammad Ali' was/is more than worth the wait for a second share, as we are treated to some robust post rock of sorts, that cries out for attention, and attention I am most happy to provide, ahead of her much anticipated debut album.
Background - Archie and The Bunkers share their new single "Laura,"Songs From The Lodge Out 4/20 on Dirty Water Records. Cleveland's Archie and The Bunkers -- made up of brothers Emmett and Cullen O’Connor -- play "hi-fi organ punk," drawing influence from jazz organ greats like Jimmy Smith and Richard “Groove” Holmes and punk icons like The Stooges and The Screamers. Since forming in 2013, the duo has shared stages with everyone from Iggy Pop, The Sonics, and Echo and the Bunnymen to Black Lips and Thee Oh Sees, and they've released music on Norton Records, In The Red, and Jack White's Third Man Records. The band will release their sophomore LP, Songs From The Lodge, on April 20th via Dirty Water Records. Today, they share lead single "Laura," which features Cullen’s whirring, over driven organ wailing above the driving beat of Emmett’s four-piece drum kit. WEBSITE.
I am so enjoying Archie and The Bunkers a duo who never cease to delight with their raw energised and stupendous musical assault. 'Laura' is our third song feature and once again the power, speed and sheer vibrancy is here in abundance!
Background - "Hands On The Wheel" is the latest effort by the Miami rockers. The single is now available through Gummdrops Records.
The track is a gentle, piano based song, distancing itself in style from the normal Tremends sound of indie/brit rock. The vocals and piano are performed in their majority by Alejo Rozas (drums), with band members Juan Rozas and Alex Posada providing more of a backing role. The end result is a beautiful and relaxing track to enjoy on a Miami evening.
The video accompanying the track sees the return of double exposures and starts off with footage of the Florida Tri-Rail to then move on to Alejo singing and playing the guitar and piano. The colors of the video are soft and relaxing like the track itself, and remind one of sunset.
"After some time apart anticipation grows,driving back all night towards the dawn of a haunting en counter becomes poetry.Are they coming home to fall in on their arms again? Or is it only the craving of a hopeful dream? Love may be gold but sometimes distance brings despair." - Alejo Rosas. FACEBOOK.
'Hands On The Wheel' is a gently paced song, that is smoothly melodic and full of gorgeous vibes. The piano, vocals and remaining musical parts are perfectly in sync as the tracks restful nature spills out.
Background - Emerging Sydney songstress, Abbey Baker, is set to confidently stun audiences with her endearing indie-pop records. Poised by a passion and skill for songwriting, Abbey’s artistry is propelled by honest and clever lyricism, and her ability to seamlessly transcend genres of soul, indie-pop, funk and jazz. Abbey’s sound is a gorgeous cocktail of heartfelt vocals and delicate piano driven melodies, perfectly complemented by angelic layers of harmonies, soft pop rhythms, and subtle synth productions.
Recently, the singer-songwriter stepped out onto the music scene with her infectious debut track Tell Me How. “The song is about my experience of being in that early stage of a relationship, where I am all in and the other person isn’t. I explore the feelings of frustration and insecurity that I felt, a situation in which many others may have experienced”, Abbey reveals. The track was recorded at Main Street Studios in Wollongong produced by Xavier Lardner. To coincide with the release of her debut single, Abbey shared the official music video, creatively produced by media artist, Jasmine Lee Ryan.
Tell Me How is an epic first release from the young talent, which sets grand anticipation for Abbey’s upcoming debut EP. Abbey is currently back in the studio writing and recording new material for her forthcoming record, but audiences in the meantime can catch the emerging artist performing live at intimate gigs across Sydney.
Abbey Baker grew up on the beautiful South Coast of NSW before moving to Sydney at age 18 to pursue a career in music. The trained pianist and singer, built upon her skill sets and musical knowledge by attending the Australian Institute of Music, recently graduating from the arts college with a Bachelor of Music (Contemporary Performance).
Now at 22 years of age, Abbey is ready to share her music. The singer-songwriter draws musical inspiration from the likes of Joni Mitchell, Meg Mac, Sarah Blasko, Missy Higgins and Kimbra, producing music that is both raw and poetic, just as it is infectious and charming. FACEBOOK.
Abbey Baker's vocals are melodic and alluring on 'Tell Me How' an indie pop song where the musical arrangement has a few genre twists that give a soulful feel as the piece develops.
Background - Norton Records is proud to announce the label debut of infamous Cleveland rockers Archie & the Bunkers with the agitated pairing of original songs "The Traveler" and "Looking". A&tB are brothers Cullen and Emmett O'Connor. Cullen plays "hi-fi organ" and Emmett plays drums. Both sing and compose. These teenage siblings have exploded locally and have taken Europe by storm with their wild live festival and club dates. They have recorded for Third Man (USA) and Dirty Water Records (UK) and have now come home to Norton Records with their most captivating sides to date. All of their influences have resulted in these riveting original comps.
Noted filmmaker Reuben Kincaid shot the band video for "The Traveler" out in the wilds and wastelands of Cleveland, showcasing the key vistas of the city. A few of you know the story of how we were struck cold in our tracks at hearing The Traveler being ground out of an antique wooden pump organ at 3 in the morning at Franklin Castle in Cleveland this past October 13th-- by 16 year old Cullen O'Connor-- those who don't, suffice it to say that it jarred us out of the blue and into the black.
I'm not spreading hype (although I'd love to) in saying this record was meant to be-- and meant to be on Norton. In 1963 Cashbox terms it's a "twin spin destined for chart stardom". In 2018 Norton lingo, it's a "stormy weeper with a will to dominate" b/w a "belligerent teen raver". Music educator Steve Rosen stated that this A&tB release is "teen music at its tormented best"... .we're excited as heck to have a 45 RPM record out there to test everybody's mettle, 'cause this is like Screamin Jay meets the Zombies in a death match. WEBSITE, FACEBOOK.
Archie & the Bunkers first appeared on our radar around a year ago, then promptly disappeared. 'The Traveler' is a very welcome second sitting from this feisty duo, and by this bands standards is almost a ballad, where once again modern meets the past, on this occasion without so much raw rock & roll.
Background - Empty Cellar Records and the Earth Girl Helen Brown Center for Planetary Intelligence Band (E.G.H.B.C.P.F.I.B.) are pleased to announce the fourth and final installment of the first E.G.H.B.C.P.F.I.B. seasonal series. Venus follows Mercury, Mars and Saturn The season is Winter, the planet is VENUS, the topic is Love. Featuring Heidi Alexander, Tahlia Harbour, Graeme Gibson, James Finch Jr., Jamin Barton, Rusty Miller, Kelley Stoltz, Doug Hilsinger, Ryan Browne, Brigid Dawson, Grace Cooper, Anna Hillburg, Meryl Press, Alicia Vanden Heuvel, Lida Vanden Heuvel, Kearin Harlow and Wilder Harlow. VENUS aspires toward a softer more lustrous operation with hearts and minds in the fold of that ever human emotion.
Available from Empty Cellar Records on limited edition 100% post-consumer recycled cassette tape, all proceeds benefit organizations committed to the expansion of love and empathy as an antidote the absurd and vacuous practice of hate.
In step with the executive format the band is on a four-year trajectory of narrative abstraction, economic entanglement, art, information, administration, music, and hopefully a little policy making. 2018 will focus on administration and narrative expansion with the band forming as a CA 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and initiating their MONEY MONEY commerce and lifestyle blog. Expect four follow-up 7”s from In the Red Records and a vinyl compilation, Four Satellites Vol. I, in the Spring. In 2019 they will return to visit another four solar satellites, then onward and outward. WEBSITE.
Over the past year we have featured a song from Mercury, Mars and Saturn, so it's with considerable pleasure that we now arrive in orbit around Venus. 'Language Of Love' continues the impressive collection of music in this series, this time there are hints of soul and blues, and a groove that is hypnotic in the most pleasing of ways.
Background - Raised on an island in South Carolina, singer/songwriter Trevor Hall realized at a young age that music was more than just a passion - it was, rather, his life’s art. At sixteen, he recorded his first album, soon after which he left South Carolina for Idyllwild Arts Academy in California where he studied classical guitar and was introduced to the practices of yoga and meditation, which would greatly influence his life and his music.
Hall’s music, a blend of roots and folk music, is imbued with a deep love of Eastern Mysticism. This powerful symbiosis fostered a deep connectivity with his growing fan base and Trevor quickly matured into a leader of the burgeoning conscious musical community. Along with numerous pilgrimages to India, he has also completed a series of sold-out tours and collaborations with artists such as Steel Pulse, Ziggy Marley, Jimmy Cliff, Matisyahu, Michael Franti, Xavier Rudd and Nahko & Medicine for the People.
His previous full-length album releases, Chapter of the Forest (2014) and KALA (2015), debuted at #3 and #2 on the iTunes singer/songwriter chart respectively and were supported by extensive tours around the US and Australia. Beyond his intention to spread love and healing through music, Hall also collects donations to support children’s education in India and has continuously donated to charities and relief funds.
The Fruitful Darkness is Trevor’s first independent release supported by his fans known as The Villagers has become the #1 Music campaign of its kind in 2017. “There have been many hurdles and triumphs along the way” Hall reflects, after a decade plus recording for established labels such as Geffen and Vanguard. “This album conveys the deep vulnerability of journeying through the unknown, as opposed to playing it safe.” Besides the change in infrastructure, the album itself explores completely new sonic terrain and is being released unconventionally, in three song installments on specific lunar dates, with the intention to buck the trend of fly-by-night releases and hold the conversation for a whole year. WEBSITE, FACEBOOK.
Five songs to feast upon with the new EP 'The Fruitful Darkness part.3' all of which are there to enjoy just below. The music is a blend of natural roots music with excursions in differing directions held together by Trevor Hall's beguiling vocals and musical themes that are always of a very high standard.
Background - British artist Paul Littlewood has announced his forthcoming double A-side single, comprised of tracks 'Today' and 'Television' and set for release via Anklebreka Records. Hailing from Swinton, South Yorkshire and currently based in Sheffield, Littlewood is a prolific songwriter and music producer.
'Today' soothes the listener with an endearing yet hazy musical familiarity with its swirls and blurred sonic edges, hanging in the air with raw emotion, cocooning the listener. The more upbeat 'Television' ramps up the energy with a very real statement on the situation with modern-day TV. Both tracks present perfect pop viewed through a technicolor prism.
"'Today' was inspired by the discovery of a collection of tape cassettes, when I purchased a second-hand tape recorder for making home demos. Each cassette is an audio letter by a young couple in New York to send home to their parents in the UK in the early 1970’s. I managed to discover one of the couple's names using information disclosed on the tapes (they speak of a move to California and the company he'd be working with). The couple also discloses that they are expecting their first child, and I’ve always felt that it would be fantastic to reunite the tapes with the family. The lines of ‘Today’ are adaptions of the tapes' dialogue, and the single cover is an image of audio from the tape," explains Paul Littlewood.
"After discovering the tapes, suddenly the practice of making records made sense to me. The dialogue was so honest and unfiltered due to the nature of their purpose. From then on I resolved to make music this way.” WEBSITE.
'Today' is one of those songs that feels very personal, whilst letting the listener immerse themselves in and imagining that it's their own. The gorgeous hooks do the rest and repeat play becomes compulsive.
Background - Emerald Portal is the brainchild of Thomas Ouziel and Brad Rundblade, two musicians, who at a young age immersed themselves into all aspects of art. As a sound designer and screenwriter, respectively, their music is heavily influenced by their cinematic backgrounds. Emerald Portal seeks to make engaging music that not only tells stories, but transports listeners. Born in Europe, Thomas from Paris, France and Brad from Crete, Greece, both grew up learning how to play piano and guitar. They each spent years playing music before entering the film industry. Upon meeting on the set of a music video in Los Angeles, where the duo currently live, they found they had a mutual interest in creating music and began working on a number of songs. After a period of creative activity they had written enough material for an album. Each song on their first LP, Beyond The Edge of Reason, was a glimpse into different worlds and stories that all culminated into a grander, overall universe. Using their background in film, the duo created music videos for six of the songs from the album. Emerald Portal works in various artistic fields often collaborating with directors, musicians, and artists to expand their vision and sound. They’ve received numerous awards for their music videos (LAIFFA, Orlando Film Festival, Los Angeles CineFest) and have a new EP, Trouble In Paradise ready for release in 2017. The ambitious band is currently working on three separate concept albums, each another glimpse into the many stories populating the Emerald Portal. Website here.
There are a few artists getting a second feature on Beehive Candy tonight of which Emerald Portal are one. 'One Hundred Twenty' is a slick alt rocker, where the smooth vocals are accompanied by an increasingly powerful and atmospheric soundtrack. If they can continue this momentum, I look forward to featuring them a third time.
Background - Americana-singer/songwriter, Joseph Eid has been writing poetry and dreaming of a career in the arts as long as he can remember. He grew up in the suburbs of New York. Raised in a strict and traditional home, the arts were only supported as a hobby and never as a career. During his college years, Eid studied psychology and pre-med. After his first semester at med school, his dream got too big to hold and Eid made the bold choice of dropping out to move to New York City to pursue music. While in New York, Joseph Eid picked up a guitar, joined a band, and the songs poured out of him like rain. His journey then led to Los Angeles where he started playing regularly at open mic nights and showcases. Shortly after, he began working with world-renowned guitarist/songwriter, David Lamar, honing his songwriting at weekly showcases at the Stone Bar. This lead him to write over 30 new songs as well as record a debut EP, Cardiac Output, followed by a full-length LP, Human. Known as a dynamic solo performer, Joseph Eid has brought his one-man live show to many of Los Angeles’ premiere music venues, including stints at Room 5 and El Cid and residencies at The Stone Bar, Crane’s Hollywood Tavern, and Bar Lubitsch. He has also toured the West Coast including a handful of house concerts as a part of the Concerts In Your Home series. Since the release of his Human LP, Joseph Eid has been garnering considerable buzz. He has been featured in American Songwriter Magazine’s “Best New Music” column and was recently named as one of the 100 Hottest Live Unsigned Artists by Music Connection Magazine. His latest EP, Watch It Fall, is released today.Website here, Facebook here.
It was a case of which song to feature from Joseph Eid's brand new EP 'Watch It Fall' having carried the title track back in February. Thankfully we can embed tho whole piece which comprises of six Americana meets modern folk material, written and performed to a delightfully high standard throughout.
Background - Straight from the city of Cleveland Ohio- the home of The Electric Eels, Albert Ayler, and Screamin' Jay Hawkins- comes the newest sensation in Rock n' Roll. This new sound will make you shake, shiver and smash things up. Teen Punk, by teenagers, for anyone who will listen. This is the real deal, this is HI-FI Organ Punk! "You're My Pacemaker" is a freshly cut track off Archie and The Bunkers' upcoming new LP set to be released in the fall of 2017, on a record label brand that can't be disclosed at this time. To promote their five week European tour next month, they have decided to give the fans a stunning visual taste of the long awaited follow up of their smashing self-titled debut album, released on Dirty Water Records in late 2015. Almost overnight, the band hit a fever pitch that immediately propelled them from a local basement band gigging around Cleveland, into National and International Punk superstars. They embarked on their first ever tour last spring in Europe playing six countries in two weeks, played at the exclusive Gonerfest in Memphis, and were also invited to play at Third Man Records in Nashville. ( Which some selected tunes ended up on a live 7" single just released on Jack White's World famous imprint). The duo will be hitting all the prime Summer festivals and club circuits over the five week journey including appearances at This Is Not A Love Song Festival, Festival Beat, Slap Festival, Relâche Festival, and Eurockéennes Festival. They will be sharing the stage and spotlight with bands such as The Mummies, 5,6,7,8's, The Gories, and even Iggy Pop. Live dates on Beehive Candy's tour page, website here, Facebook here.
I received a promo for Archie and The Bunkers a few months back, and am still puzzling as to why I didn't feature them, at that time. This is savagely potent, raw rock'n'roll. Energised and insane 'You're My Pacemaker' is a vibrant modern punk type song, with a timeless feel.
Background - The Phantom Sound is Marisa Schlussel a Los Angeles native and now London based solo artist whose new song 'Voices' has already been championed by the likes of tastemakers 91X FM in San Diego. The single will appear on Marisa's upcoming second album which sees her working with her long term collaborator, producer Ken Stringfellow (The Posies, Big Star, and R.E.M.). The album features Dale Crover of The Melvins and Nirvana (Bleach album), and Brian Viglione (The Dresden Dolls and Scarlet Sails) and sees The Phantom Sound moving into a harder, edgier territory. 'Voices' provides the perfect introduction to what promises to be a heartfelt, personal and sometimes politically charged Punk Rock record.
Marisa is a musician that rises to a challenge. After taking some time out from music, she returned to songwriting and recording in an industry that in some ways had changed beyond recognition, but her accomplished musicianship and songwriting ability led her to her working with artists who have not only influenced her own work but who have also shaped the creative output of many others around the world. On working as The Phantom Sound Marisa says “My interpretation of it is that it’s a sound that you hear within a mix of other sounds. It may not even actually be there, but your brain just hears it, almost like you are hearing voices… But, in the bigger picture, to me, it personally means a new discovery, something that was lost, and is now found, but in a more beautiful and significant way.” Facebook here.
There are layers of refined sound and emotive and passionate vocals as 'Voices' begins to unfold. Then the whole thing kicks into gear and an earnest rock song urgently demands your attention, and certainly got mine.
Background - Beta Days released their glittery new single, "Settled for Gold", from the upcoming debut album, S.T.T. Beta Days is the one-man project of songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Bill Bierce. The project evolved from Bierce's late night writing sessions that would start around 3 AM, as it was the only time neighboring bands at his practice space weren’t around to drown him out. Sadly, Bierce's mother passed away during the album's mixing, while simultaneously his father occupied a long-term hospice stay from a head wound which had left him in a vegetative state a few years prior. Everything was cast into doubt, but Bierce stayed the course and completed the record mid-2016. The end result is a hazy reflection on idealized youth, relationships, isolation, and the drudgery of adult life. All of this is presented through a prism of evasive lyrics and tightly arranged instrumentation, leaving the listener to draw their own meanings from the songs. Bierce expanded the project into a live band shortly after completing the record, including his ex-Wandas bandmate Keith McEachern on bass. The group has enjoyed the contrast of raw energy with more guitar-oriented live performances. Beta Days debut full-length LP, S.T.T. will be released everywhere June 23rd, 2017. Website here, Facebook here.
'Settled for Gold' is a lo-fi rock song where high calibre musicianship and a sophisticated arrangement, make the perfect backdrop for Bill Bierce's enticing vocals and intriguing lyrics.
Background - Natalie Bouloudis goes beyond heartbreak with the bluesy theatricality of Whirlwinds, a captivating cut from her Dead Sea Scripts EP . ‘Whirlwinds’ emerged out of a break-up song which I decided to go back and revisit once feelings had subsided. I liked the idea of looking back at something which had once felt raw but through time and disassociation I became an editor or an archeologist finding dinosaur bones and putting them back together; never knowing what it really was like when it was alive so it takes on it’s own new story. I also wanted to capture the anger and the crazy storm of heartbreak. The vocals swell into highs and lows like the motion of the howling wind. The song is a heavy blues jam and the most dramatic sounding song on the EP. A native of East Sussex, Natalie Bouloudis first got her musical education in childhood, having played clarinet in jazz bands and had a few guitar lessons at school. From the age of seven she started writing her own music and has been (till recently) a secret songwriter ever since. Having lived in London for the better part of the last decade, she decided three years ago to launch her music into the public sphere under the name Aurora Harbinger. She soon played venues like Servant Jazz Quarters and The Victoria in Dalston, quickly building a loyal fan base that enabled her to successfully crowd fund her debut record. For Natalie, playing live is an important consideration in the songwriting process, a process which focuses centrally on generating atmosphere and intimacy. Her debut EP is her first proper recording and it was all recorded live at Wax Studios in London and produced by Robert Strauss. For Natalie, getting the EP right was dependent on how precisely she could evoke the feelings she had in mind. Though armed with encyclopaedic knowledge of narrative songwriters across the spectrum of folk, rock and jazz, Natalie brings to the table her own brand of atmospheric storytelling. It’s folky in its arrangements, but in terms of sheer vocal delivery she’s a soulful rock and roller, at times calling to mind the visceral and lurching tones of Patti Smith or Etta James. ‘Burning Pier’ may only be her first single, but already it reveals an artist in the classic sense: thoughtful, precise, and led by instinct and imagination. Facebook here.
Third time around on Beehive Candy for Natalie Bouloudis this time with the bluesy 'Whirlwinds' a fabulously passionate and rhythmic piece. It's a little like Natalie Merchant with the energy levels turned up, however having heard her other material this Natalie is definitely carving out her own beautiful sounds.
Background - Leather Girls first unleashed their ferocious style of garage rock upon their hometown of Austin, Texas in 2015 after Erik Camacho (guitar/lead vox) and Mike Garrido (guitar/vox) bonded over their shared affinity for Tropicália, Los Dug Dugs, and Billy Childish. Dillon Fernandez soon got added into the mix (drums) shortly followed by Deborah White (bass/vox). Once a fully gelled unit, they quickly garnered a reputation for their high energy live show and blistering fuzz accentuated with a hint of Texas twang - sharing bills with legends like Holly Golightly, The Dictators, Mr. Airplane Man and becoming a favorite show partner with local heavy hitters Ringo Deathstarr and Holy Wave. Their highly anticipated self titled debut album will be released on June 2nd via Yippee Ki Yay Records, and delivers a range of raw, airy, raucous, high energy rock sounds - much like a brick of $8 firecrackers set off in a metal trash can and then shoved in the trunk of a Chevy Nova that had to be saved up for. Facebook here, live dates on Beehive Candy's tour page.
One of thirteen tracks on the forthcoming album and 'Arabian Daze' signals ahead that you shouldn't expect to sleep any time through the collection. Besides the energy levels, the band create some catchy hook laden songs, in a natural, unpretentious and very addictive manner.
