The Barefoot Bandit - Cajsa Siik - Resignation

The Barefoot Bandit - Criminal Damage.

South-West, UK 6-piece The Barefoot Bandit return with the striking new single ‘Criminal Damage’, released at the same time as the band’s debut album Hello Welcome. Blending elements of reggae, dub, electronica and even punk rock and world music the band have built a strong and loyal fan base, as well as a growing hype and are set to take things to the next level with the release of the new album.

Talking about the album, the band explain: "’Hello Welcome’ is a collection of sounds written by The Barefoot Bandit. A pipe dream turned true when we had the opportunity to record the album at the awesome Karma Sound Studios in Thailand. A dub fueled exploration of reggae, punk and world music takes you on a journey from the South-West of England to South-East Asia.”

The album’s lead single ‘Criminal Damage’ is a prime example of the band's work. Tight ska rhythms, infectious brass, choppy piano, driving guitar lines and elegant splashes of atmospherics and electronics create an infectious, musically rich soundscape under the pointed, effortlessly catchy lead vocals. Showcasing a unique and supremely polished approach to creating dub, the single is a brilliant example of the kind of inventive ideas and intuitive songwriting to expect across the new album.

Talking about the new single, the band share: “It is about a true event where someone we know ruined an allotment patch when they were young. The song is basically expressing that mistakes are made and you (hopefully) learn from them.”

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Cajsa Siik - Sometimes.

Stockholm based Cajsa Siik’s fourth studio album ”Ninjō” will be out on January 26th via Birds Records. The album holds everything we’ve learned to love with Siik’s songwriting: strong melodies, sparse intelligent arrangements and lyrics aiming straight to the core of your feelings. It’s both playful and powerful. ”Ninjō”, the album, is the sound of an artist once again reinventing herself, working out the songs and sounds during lengthly sessions with producer Erik Moberg.

Cajsa Siik released her debut album ”Plastic House” back in 2012 and has since followed up with 3 full length albums and 2 EP:s. International praise has been constant with the likes of Q Magazine, BBC6, Line of Best Fit and Nylon all joining in. In her home country Siik’s done critically acclaimed appearances on national TV shows ”Babel” and ”GoKväll” as well as being praised by Sweden’s main music journalist Jan Gradvall for her 2018 lo-fi EP ”Low Light Key Sessions”. Tours with, for example, Mitski has taken her to shows in London, Berlin, Dublin and other key European cities.

”Sometimes”, a new single off of the forthcoming album, is out now. A beat driven track that grows bit by bit into a full blown pop anthem.

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Resignation - Eddie Kingston.

Toledo, Ohio's Resignation will release their You Are More Than Right Now EP via Friend Club Records, February 10. 2023.   Vocalist Wes Allen says, "I wrote this song to my family. It’s an admittance of an intense mental health battle and the fears of watching time slip away. I named it after Eddie Kingston because he’s a collective favorite amongst the four of us (my wife, kids, and I). Additionally, Eddie is a strong mental health advocate and has been very open about his own struggles with mental illness. These are the most personal lyrics I’ve ever put to a song. It’s the most vulnerable thing I’ve ever written, but I’m the most of proud it as well."

Resignation's members comprise two different generations in the Northwest Ohio punk/hardcore/emo scene. The result is an amalgamation of their collective influences creating a message of hope, honesty, and empathy for people living in the strangest of timelines. This approach has found them a home amongst their hardcore comrades having such closely aligned philosophies.

The culmination of sounds that make up Resignation’s music is most often labeled post-hardcore, bringing together the primary building blocks that informed that genre. Their foundational influences are apparent: Grade, Hot Water Music, Fairweather, Samiam, Elliott. However, upon further inspection, one can hear the impact of early '00s emo that would have found them comfortably fitting amongst the ranks of bands featured on the Emo Diaries.

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Cajsa Siik - Grace Gillespie - Anne Malin

Cajsa Siik  hit our radar a few times in 2017 and it's great to have her back with Part 1 of her new album 'NINJŌ PT1' from which we have the first track 'This Is Not Malibu' which is an excellent example of this fabulously crafted collection of music. === Grace Gillespie makes her fourth appearance here this year with 'Hoppers' and once again her creative and melodic music shines beautifully. === Anne Malin has released another song from the forthcoming album 'Waiting Song' this time we have 'Hourglass' where the rich musical backdrop supports heartfelt and superb vocals.

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Cajsa Siik - This Is Not Malibu.

Cajsa Siik is back in force on the new album "Ninjõ". The album, produced by Siik together with Erik Moberg, shows an artist who once again manages to invent herself by being playful, stripped down and powerful. "Ninjō", which will be released in two parts in 2020/2021, has all the ingredients that characterize an album signed by Cajsa Siik: strong melodies, stripped-down arrangements with precision and lyrics that go straight to the heart.

Cajsa Siik describes one of the singles ”Gate Keeper” like this - ”Gate Keeper is one of the key songs on the album. Like a little backbone.The melody wrote itself and has an ease about it, yet the lyrics is all about tension and resistance. I guess it’s about the art of trying to be there for someone else. Still be there for yourself.To be someone to count on in life and to trust, despite all your destructiveness and flaws. Maybe it’s when you dare to accept the shit that you carry around that you can fully be there and be loved?When you stop ignoring what scares you the most.”

Cajsa Siik released her debut album in 2012 and has since put out 3 studioalbums and 1 EP. Over the years she’s been praised in international media outlets such as Q Magazine, BBC6, Line of Best Fit and Nylon. Her latest album, ”Domino”, took her on a European tour supporting Mitski added to performing her own headline shows in Berlin and London.

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Grace Gillespie - Hoppers.

Grace just released a new single from the EP, “Hoppers”. The track takes influences from the folk, alternative and dream-pop traditions capturing the frantic energy of life and contrasting it with the stillness of death, providing a backdrop to her intriguing vocal melodies.

Grace Gillespie is a London-based artist and producer originally from Devon, who spent much of 2017 touring as part of the live line-up for 4AD’s Pixx. In 2019 Grace received PRS’s WMM funding and consequently released her debut EP ‘Pretending,’ which garnered support from the likes of The Line of Best Fit, Clash and Earmilk. This year she has received support from the ‘Help Musicians’ ‘Do it Differently’ award, and is using this to release an EP in the autumn. Some of her notable live shows include supporting James Morrison at Dingwalls, Camden and headlining the folk stage at Tipping Point festival in Newcastle. 

 Her first two singles found their way onto Spotify’s ‘Fresh Folk’ playlist and received extensive support from Apple Music, appearing on their ‘A-List’ and ‘Best of the Week’ playlists, as well as backing from NME, Crack In The Road and The Wild Honey Pie. Her most recent singles have been playlisted on Spotify’s ‘Fresh Folk’,‘Garden Indie’ & ‘The Lovely Little Playlist’. She has received radio plays from BBC 6 music as well as being a featured artist on BBC Introducing London. Her early demo of ‘Restoration’ saw her tipped to Q Magazine by Newton Faulkner and brought her to the attention of Kaleidoscope, who worked with her to produce her first solo releases in 2018. Her sound takes influences from the folk, alternative and dream-pop traditions, providing a backdrop to her intriguing vocal melodies, shifting harmonies and introspective lyricism.

Grace Gillespie · Hoppers

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Anne Malin - Hourglass.

Quote from Anne Malin Ringwalt on the track: “Hourglass” started, lyrically, from my sense of detachment from time during the pandemic. When I wrote “somewhere an hourglass stands at night / sand slips by in the moonlight” I was feeling—at the depth of Will and my unemployment—out of control but loving the experience of how dense our days together were, how our days blurred together. I was picturing time as something far away from us. The image of sand inside the hourglass got me thinking about summer, though, and all the ways I’d enjoy my time pre-covid. As I wrote, I moved from this sense of temporal bewilderment to my relationship with Will. We’re getting married late this summer, so when I sing about “last July” I’m singing about Will proposing to me—how time seemed to be opening up for us then, the possibility we felt. How does one enter that sense of possibility from a pandemic? I tried to sing towards that.

Some of you may remember Anne Malin's last record, the atmospheric and intense Fog Area (2018), which I had the honor of working. Since then, the duo has relocated to Nashville from South Bend (they're originally from NC and Kentucky) and, while struggling like the rest of us with the onslaught that has been 2020 (unemployment, pandemic, sickness) has crafted the sublime Waiting Song, a record about what it means for everything to stop, which I'm sharing with you today. This is not a wallowing, though. In their words, they sing "towards a garden they wish to inhabit."

The ghostliness and atmosphere of Fog Area are still present here, as are Anne Malin Ringwalt's distinctive vocals and excellent lyrics (she is also a poet, publishing under the name AM Ringwalt), but there is also a new glow and energy in her partner William Johnson's wonderful instrumental settings (and his increasing use of pedal steel), which add a balancing playfulness and earthiness. Waiting Song stays true to the duo's always idiosyncratic vision while allowing  country and pop influences to creep further in and create some truly memorable songs.

VŌS - Cajsa Siik - Tunabunny - Flamingods - Rudy Stone - Thieves Like Us

VŌS - Patience.

Background - London-based VŌS will self-release their new single Patience on 10th May.

With their influences sat firmly on the electronic and alt-pop spectrum, Dawn and Palmer of VŌS describe their sound as “somewhere between Banks, Sohn and James Blake”. This new track ‘Patience’ is a really strong slice of electro-pop, mastered by John Davis (Lana Del Rey, FKA Twigs, Royal Blood) and mixed by Julian Kindred (Ellie Goulding, James Blake). The pair first came together at a house party jam where they fumbled through a track by shared inspiration, Lianne La Havas and have now been making music for over a year.

Speaking about the track, the duo say: "Patience is about love’s meanderings, specifically when you’re not moving at the same pace as someone. It’s less of an isolated moment, but a moment you’re in because of both your past experiences with others and the present situation. Like all of VŌS’ songs, it is written from a first hand experience." Facebook here.

'Patience' is a pleasing and smooth electro pop song where the music is distinct and produced with clarity, allowing the flowing vocals to standout, above the refined soundtrack.

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Cajsa Siik - Empire Mine.

Background - Following on from her highly acclaimed 2014 sophomore album ‘Contra’, Swedish-native Cajsa Siik returns with her latest full-length ‘Domino’, due out on the 2nd June via Birds Records, and will include the new singles ‘Talk To Trees’, ‘White Noise’, and ‘Empire Mine’.

Much like her previous releases, Cajsa Siik aims to inject a pop sensibility into an avant-garde and experimental disposition. Giving her a sound that is both accessible and atmospheric in the process. Recorded in Stockholm with producer Rolf Klinth, ‘Domino’ sees the songstress embark on a much bolder direction than in her previous material that still manages to maintain her core sound.

The record’s lead single ‘Talk To Trees’ displays her new intentions perfectly as she uses her collaborations with Thomas Hedlund (Phoenix, Deportees), Rasmus Kellerman (Tiger Lou) and Carl Ekerstam to add texture and depth to the single, making it the perfect introduction to the album ahead. Describing the track as a, “colourful dreamy zone where I felt connected with reasons and beliefs. Like a subconscious talk with nature. Like a blessing or a blind spot.”

Speaking about the record, Cajsa Siik explained that, “Domino can be described in two different ways. First I wanted it to represent the fact that we’re all connected to each other and that we have a responsibility towards each other and this world. To shoulder that responsibility is easier said than done, but we must try. Be aware. Not only mind our own business. I’ve given that a lot of thought lately. Secondly, every song on this album depends and relies on the other. Together they create a unit and the unit is supposed to be diverse. I aimed for creating a dynamic album.” Website here, Facebook here, live dates are on Beehive Candy's tour page.

'Empire Mine' is the third single from the forthcoming album and the second track we have featured from the June album release. Once again we are treated to Cajsa's engaging vocals that are supported by a sprightly, rhythmic musical arrangement, that develops into a catchy, danceable groove.

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Tunabunny - Incinerate.

Background - Tunabunny release first new track in three years "Incinerate" and announce the release of their 5th album also a double "PCP Presents Alice In Wonderland JR" released June 23rd on HHBTM Records.  

A 75-minute double-vinyl masterpiece, PCP Presents Alice In Wonderland Jr, the fifth album from Athens, Georgia’s Tunabunny, is the most creatively ambitious album in the band’s history. Featuring singles like ‘Incinerate,’ ‘The Rest of Us,’ and ‘Nevermind the Cobblestones,’ the band takes their experimental rock into a place that is both stranger and more accessible than anything they’ve done before. It’s ferocious, passionate, smart. political, desperate, feminist, and alive. Every song is important. Every song goes someplace the others don’t. There are no accidents; there is no filler.

28 songs structured as a song-by-song response to The Beatles’ White Album (there’s even an experimental track called ‘Revolution None’), PCPPAIWJR is packed w/hits, and packed w/originality. On PCPPAIWJR, Tunabunny proves they can do anything. It takes the sonic breakthroughs of 2014’s Kingdom Technology to a place that’s less claustrophobic and more open. Songs about surveillance, songs about futility; songs about alchemy & winter, metamorphosis & anger. Side Four features a twisting song cycle about motherhood—from pregnancy to birth, through postpartum emotional desolation, to the rebirth of self. Facebook here.

If 'Incinerate' appeals to you, then I reckon you are going to love the cosmic journey that is PCP Presents Alice In Wonderland Jr. The album takes us from psych to indie rock and a whole load of other places. Sometimes it's quite avant garde other times hook laden and sparkling, there is never a dull moment, that's for sure.

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Flamingods - Mixed Blessings.

Background - Flamingods’ art is rooted in a love for the spaces between cultures. They’re cross-cultural magpies, absorbing styles and instruments from the world over into their mesmerising sound. Latest single Mixed Blessings from their new Kewali EP is an atavistic trip through classic psych territory with all the bells and whistles of clever contemporary production.

Accompanying the single is an animated video by Alpaca Animations. It’s a rich dreamscape of primitive artwork that feels like an animated cave painting or the reverie of a brain-fried DMT tripper. In creative protest against the xenophobia which abounds in international politics right now, the video centres around an intrepid explorer on a quest for enlightenment. The narrative takes a nightmarish turn when he encounters strange and terrible looking beasts. When they throw a big party for him, he realises the illusory nature of his judgements. They’re not so bad after all.

Through fearless invention and heady creative abandon in all aspects of their artistry, from recording and composition, to their notorious live show, and their recent surreal Kewali interactive video game, Flamingods have become one of the most exciting outfits in the music scene today. 

Having started as the bedroom project of multi-instrumentalist and singer Kamal Rasool, Flamingods' second incarnation as a cult psych band sprang out of a freeform eight hour jam at ATP six years ago. Now they’re a fully fledged and feral tour-de-force, a well-oiled machine attracting praise throughout the press, festival circuit and airwaves for their peerlessly expansive approach to music. 

Mixed Blessings is further proof that Flamingods’ modus operandi with regards to their art is both fun and thoughtful. Resisting the cliches of political music, Flamingods are intent to show, rather than tell. The engaging imaginative world they build is one of peace and spirituality, eroding the pernicious and constructed prejudice around us to remind us what a joy it is to be alive and to be human. Facebook here, live dates are on Beehive Candy's tour page.

A vigorous beat and some funky bass lines ensure 'Mixed Blessings' hits the ground running. The layers of musical energy, satisfying vocals and overall upbeat nature of this song, gives us a fine track alone, the video really is the icing on the cake!


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Rudy Stone - Rudy's Dream.

Background - Nola by way of Brooklyn band Rudy Stone are releasing their debut full-length on June 16 and have shared  the video for the first single, "Rudy's Dream." 

"Entitled The Blinking Light/Peace on Earth and recorded “in fits and starts over the course of a year” at The Bunker back in Williamsburg, this new missive of good vibes is split into two distinct sides — with the A-side (The Blinking Light) devoted to a “seamless collection of songs showcasing his slice-of-life observations and advice to himself about how to be the best person he can be”.

The B-side is Peace on Earth consisting of one “side-long instrumental” that explores his “long time interest in analog synthesizers, echo devices, and drones.” (It should therefore offer a pretty handy accompaniment to kicking-back with your “recreational relaxer” of choice and giving yourself a nice pep-talk on life, and then wordlessly reflecting back on it for a while.) And don’t worry; you won’t have to wait too long to get your hands on it, either, as this wonderful self-help aid will be available in cassette and digital formats on June 16. Facebook here.

'Rudy's Dream' has a measured pace that is quite hypnotic and catchy. The power and layers of sound slowly build reaching a zenith that at first was quite unexpected, however most definitely welcome.


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Thieves Like Us - Dani.

Background - After a four-year hiatus, Thieves Like Us have returned with their fifth eponymously titled record. The Swedish/American band, named after a New Order song, tracked and produced the new record in late 2015. The new self-titled record reinvents the band's cosmic song based aesthetic with the introduction of live bass (Thomas Franklin) and drums (Tore Knipping), steering its songs into more spirited waters.

The first song on the record, Dani, explores the recurring Thieves Like Us theme of seeking completion, affirmation, or distraction "after hours". Dani is a fictitious character -- young, and inexperienced. She lacks co-ordinates to navigate safely through the evening storm. All of her interactions with other people (friendships and relationships) are based on pleasure. She will always fall victim to vampires and vice. Be it drugs, or a love affair. All attempts to escape lead nowhere and only bring her right back to the beginning of the maze. She can never escape herself. She should be locked away in a reading room and simply learn to be (alone). There is a little bit of Dani in all of us.

The new full-length album is out now worldwide via Seayou Records/Rough Trade. The artwork depicts a re-enactment of Hans Conrad Schumann’s iconic jump from communist German Democratic Republic to freedom; by a woman of colour wearing the same pilot suit that singer Andy Grier’s father wore in Vietnam. We leave its interpretation to the listener. Facebook here.

Rich vibrant synths and beautifully contrasting vocals make 'Dani' a scrumptious and moreish song within moments. The retro video contrasts even further, clearly the four year break has done no harm to the creativity of Thieves Like Us.


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Weekend Wonders: Narrow Waves - Cajsa Siik - The Solars - Sunsquabi - Maggie McClure - Analog Monoxide - Katie Buchanan

Narrow Waves - Hear Me Out.

Background - Boston's Narrow Waves have just released their new single "Hear Me Out". All local city musicians, the sextet came together by two degrees of separation, but at times found each other’s beloved record store days separated by ten years. 

Between the metaphoric lyricism of Morrissey and the stadium-indie flush of Arcade Fire, Narrow Waves found their sound. Through listening to one another they have found their voice.

"Hear Me Out" is from the band's forthcoming debut five-track EP, Letters From Another State, due out in March. The group worked with producer Jeff Lipton on the single, whose past releases include Bon Iver, Ladytron, LCD Soundsystem, The Magnetic Fields, Sebadoh and Soul Asylum. Facebook here.

With such a fine vocal duet and harmonies on 'Hear Me Out' it's easy to forget about the music. The band are tight and drive the rhythm and disciplined enough to allow the natural and refreshing vocals to take the limelight on this song.

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Cajsa Siik - White Noise.

Background - Swedish alt-pop singer Cajsa Siik has a new single up for release next month, taken from her upcoming third album Domino set to drop early summer. Following on from her highly acclaimed 2014 sophomore album ‘Contra’, Swedish-native Cajsa Siik returns with her latest full-length ‘Domino’, due out on the 2nd June via Birds Records, and will include the new singles ‘Talk To Trees’, ‘White Noise’, and ‘Empire Mine’.

Much like her previous releases, Cajsa Siik aims to inject a pop sensibility into an avant-garde and experimental disposition. Giving her a sound that is both accessible and atmospheric in the process. Recorded in Stockholm with producer Rolf Klinth, ‘Domino’ sees the songstress embark on a much bolder direction than in her previous material that still manages to maintain her core sound.

The record’s lead single ‘Talk To Trees’ displays her new intentions perfectly as she uses her collaborations with Thomas Hedlund (Phoenix, Deportees), Rasmus Kellerman (Tiger Lou) and Carl Ekerstam to add texture and depth to the single, making it the perfect introduction to the album ahead. Describing the track as a, “colourful dreamy zone where I felt connected with reasons and beliefs. Like a subconscious talk with nature. Like a blessing or a blind spot.”

Speaking about the record, Cajsa Siik explained that, “Domino can be described in two different ways. First I wanted it to represent the fact that we’re all connected to each other and that we have a responsibility towards each other and this world. To shoulder that responsibility is easier said than done, but we must try. Be aware. Not only mind our own business. I’ve given that a lot of thought lately. Secondly, every song on this album depends and relies on the other. Together they create a unit and the unit is supposed to be diverse. I aimed for creating a dynamic album.” Website here, Facebook here.

A synthy start that develops with layers of musical warmth, provides the backdrop on 'White Noise' for the dreamy and melodic vocals of Cajsa Siik. It's a good enticement for the awaited album, and a test of our patience as it's not out until June!

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The Solars - Potter’s Field / Dockery.

Background - The Solars are thrilled to release their new single, "Potter's Field / Dockery," and announce their East Coast record release tour. "Potter's Field / Dockery" is the second single from The Solars' debut EP Retitled Remastered, available April 21st via independent release. The track is a brooding psych folk track that recognizes the humor in an existential relationship crisis. With traditional folk undertones and modern pop sensibility, "Potter's Field / Dockery" is one part Neil Young, one part The Arcs.

The Solars are Boston's latest up and coming band led by Miles Hewitt and Quetzel Herzig. In December 2016, the indie folk outfit released their debut single "Old K.B." to much local acclaim and quickly found themselves playing to packed rooms along the East Coast. The Solars will be hitting Boston, New York City, and Montreal this April in support of their Retitled Remastered release. Check below for all tour dates!

Still early on the rise, The Solars create a startlingly modern folk sound, melding elements of Brian Wilson post LSD and CSNY's luxurious harmonies with synthesizers and various digital effects. Their forthcoming EP Retitled Remastered is filled with expansive instrumentation, blossoming harmonies, and bottomless layers of old school production trickery. It's clear that The Solars obsessively sweat over every detail of a recording, highlighting their unconventional instrumentation, form, and songwriting. Retitled Remastered EP will be available on Friday, April 21, 2017. Website here, Facebook here.

'Potter’s Field / Dockery' is a fascinating song and a highly likable and listenable one as well. At just under six minutes it's a musical journey of sorts, mixing pysch folk with more traditional moments. Vocals are notable and wonderfully melodic, the music fabulous, the EP a definite must have.

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Sunsquabi - Dexter (feat. Nick Gerlach).

Background - Standing at the forefront of the epicenter of the electro-funk scene, Colorado trio Sunsquabi have championed the thriving genre as one of the culture's integral live acts. In 2016, Sunsquabi took their live show across North America, to festivals from Electric Forest to Camp Bisco, or their local world renowned amphitheater- Red Rocks. Gearing up for a massive 2017, Sunsquabi are kicking off the year with their highly anticipated sophomore EP 'Deluxe' still to come via GRiZ's All Good Records.

Before the full EP drops, the band are giving us another glimpse of the record with EP cut "Dexter" feat. jam scene staple Nick Gerlach out this week Yet another laid-back funk production, "Dexter" sees Sunsquabi fuse both organic and electronic instrumentation through the use of synth, drum kits, keyboard, guitar strums, Gerlach on saxophone, and more. An ample follow up to the EP's thriving first singles "Pygmy Up" Feat. Russ Liquid, and "Cinnamon" Feat. Late Night Radio, "Dexter" will be an insta-favorite among fans of a more classic jam based Sunsquabi sound.

Looking ahead to the remainder of 2017, anticipate additional tracks from the full 'Deluxe' EP prior to the project's full release. In addition, fans will be able to catch the Sunsquabi experience live at Brooklyn Bowl Las Vegas, a return to Red Rocks in Morrison, Colorado, Summer Camp Music Festival, and a series of North America tour dates outlined on Beehive Candy's tour page, website here, Facebook here.

The track 'Dexter' is getting noticed in a big way after just a couple of days and rightly so. It's a feast of funk and rumbling bass vibes. The musical arrangement and musicianship is fabulous and massively addictive, leaving me wanting more, can we do encores with words?

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Maggie McClure - Coming Home.

Background - The Norman, Okla-bred, Los Angeles-based singer/songwriter/pianist Maggie McClure has spent a good amount of her career placing her songs on TV shows such as Dr. Phil, Cougar Town, The Real World, The Vineyard, and The Hills, as well as in feature films like Cowgirls N’ Angels. Her smooth, confessional songwriting has made her a natural for these formats. Maggie has performed more than 1000 shows throughout her career in over 40+ states in the U.S. at iconic venues such as The Hotel Cafe in Los Angeles to Rockwood Music Hall in NYC, and everywhere in between. Her original piano-driven songs empower and inspire listeners with a positive message of hope, love, and faith.

Maggie’s third and newest album, Time Moves On, produced by Justin Glasco, whose work includes Dan Wilson (songwriter of Adele’s hit “Someone Like You”), Gary Jules, Tyler Hilton, and Cary Brothers – chronicles her move from Oklahoma to L.A. and centers on the mental and physical bravery it takes to push yourself in an unknown city and make people pay attention and convince them to be part of your dream.

'Be Right Here For You' is the leading piano driven single off of Time Moves On and features Maggie McClure's infectious pop vocals and an unforgettable upbeat chorus. While ‘Coming Home’, is a beautiful, nostalgic and uplifting story of returning to a place which is close to your heart. Maggie explains how the song was written in less than half an hour, whilst visiting Oklahoma after being away for a while. “It was most definitely a scenario of a stream of consciousness writing" Maggie confesses. ‘Coming Home’ fuses driving drum beats, catchy vocals and melodic guitar rhythms, creating a happy and endearing song that we can all relate to. ‘Coming Home’ will be featured on the soundtrack to the film ‘A Cowgirl’s Story’, which will be released on April 18th. 'Do It Again'. Website here, Facebook here.

Maggie McClure has warm, melodic vocals that are just so well suited to a song like 'Coming Home'. Full of unpretentious modern folk vibes and a beautiful musical arrangement this is catchy by just about any measurement.

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Analog Monoxide - Playing Tag.

Background - Nestled along the winding west coast of Norway is the small town Ørsta, where multi-instrumentalist Stian Høyberg creates genre-bending electronica under the banner of Analog Monoxide.

​Stian has been in a constant state of creation since he was young, developing his musicality by playing whatever instrument he could get his hands on and taking music classes where ever he could find them. Upon expanding into the realm of electronica, the use of computers opened up a new sonic territory, and evolved into an essential piece of his unique writing process.

His upcoming release, Songs For the Road, is a true hybrid of Jazz improvisation, funk, experimental electronica, and tried and true blues. Falling somewhere between Portishead and Tom Waits, Analog Monoxide could never genuinely be pegged to a specific genre. Stian alone provided keyboards, guitars, drums, drum machines, synths and vocals, and if he wanted to include an instrument he wasn't familiar with, he would practice night and day until he could play it perfectly.

Songs For the Road (due out April 15th) is Analog Monoxide’s second album, but his first to include such heavy diversity. His work is based largely on personal, emotional, and human events. His upcoming single, "I Would Do It All Again" is one of his most personal, and he hopes to help heal his audience the way music has helped heal him. “It’s dark, but there’s a light at the end of the tunnel” Stian remarks. “Perhaps I’m communicating from the midpoint…we’re all here sometimes” Website here, Facebook here.

Electronic musical sounds move around each other and the beat and vocals are in unison as 'Playing Tag' unfolds at it's own cool pace. The layers slowly and constantly build, adding atmosphere and a sense of mystery. Hypnotic music that oozes cool.

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Katie Buchanan - Floating.

Background - NYC-based, guitar-driven singer and songwriter, Katie Buchanan, shares "Floating" the first single from her new LP. She is gearing up to release her sophomore album, Who We Are When We're Standing, on June 9, 2017. The record is written and produced by Buchanan, mixed by Doug Schadt (Maggie Rogers, Wet, Emmy the Great) and mastered by Heba Kadry (Neon Indian, The Sea and Cake, The Mars Volta, Trust).

The Kansas-native grew up surrounded by music, having been born into a long line of musicians. With childhood memories of learning the blues around a campfire, you could say that songwriting is in Buchanan’s blood and comes almost as a second nature.

Fans of Katie Buchanan’s ability to seamlessly combine her signature blues-rock style with modern production techniques will not be disappointed by her forthcoming effort, Who We Are When We’re Standing. Her unique style of music also shines through in her live performances.

While listeners are being swept up in the album’s guitar driven pop anthems with that signature electro spin, they can find a message at the core: to stand still and stand tall, Facebook here.

'Floating' mixes upfront vocals and a rhythmic backdrop, that keeps you waiting a short while until the song explodes into a more powerful and driven piece, with some clever tail end electro flavours slipped in.

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Saturday Seven: Mr. Elevator - Klô Pelgag - Salt Petal - Ephixa & Laura Brehm - Cajsa Siik - Woodes - Our Man In Berlin

Mr. Elevator - Ending.

Background - Mr. Elevator – formed in Southern California in 2012 by Thomas Dolas and Justin Martinez (and their mutual love of Donovan) – eschews guitars for vintage synthesizers, organs, and electric pianos, distinguishing themselves within the fuzzy, distorted contemporary Psych-Pop scene. Mr. Elevator shares the second track "Ending" from their upcoming album. 'When the Morning Greets You,' is scheduled for release in February 10, 2017, on Rad Cat Records. 

Under the original name Mr. Elevator and the Brain Hotel, the band began playing shows as a three-piece with bassist Wyatt Blair, and a short-while later, in 2013, relocated to Los Angeles where they released their first album, 'Nico & her Psychedelic Subconscious,' with Burger Records.
After a few years of live shows, perfecting their sound alongside acts like Thee Oh Sees, The Fresh & Onlys, The Black Lips, Allah-Las, and more, Mr. Elevator recently completed their second album, 'When the Morning Greets You'.

On 'When the Morning Greets You,' the bands’ love for vintage keyboard sounds, concept albums, and 70s pop remains intact, furnishing an album that entrances listeners and evolves over the course of its run-time into an array of bright, complex patterns and shapes. The upbeat, colorful pop feel of Side A, for example, is slowly engulfed in the lush, synth-heavy soundscape of Side B (pointing in at least two distinct directions in regards to the sound of the next album).

With the addition of a fourth member to the performing band, Mr. Elevator will be supporting the release of 'When the Morning Greets You' with national and international live dates. Facebook here. Mp3 from 10 February here.

'Ending' has a sweeping powerful feel, right from the opening moments. Vocals are dreamy and immersed well into the mix, in what might be described as a psychedelic dream song, that doesn't wanna subscribe to any specific genre.

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Klô Pelgag - Les ferrofluides-fleurs.

Background - Klô Pelgag welcomes 2017 with a new video for Les ferrofluides-fleurs. It is the second single from L’étoile thoracique, her sophomore album to be released in Europe on February 3rd. The record is already available in Canada.

The video, directed by her long time collaborator BAZ, reveals an otherwordly and childish trailer park where we follow the meandering of a girl with a wan face as she smokes cigarettes, plays with plush toys and dogs, dances on fries and hamburgers. 

Partially shot on VHS, the video shows us once again Klô’s uniqueness as she displays her boundless creativity. 

Live dates on our tour page. Website here, Facebook here.

OK so the video is a story within itself that adds some intrigue, to say the least. 'Les ferrofluides-fleurs' is just so melodic, upbeat, catchy, delightful... hopefully you get the picture.

Perhaps anyone fluent in French could let me know what the lyrics mean, and if they relate to the videos storyline.

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Salt Petal - Telephone.

Background - Los Angeles-based collective Salt Petal is invigorating audiences and critics alike with a tropical surf-dance sound in a category all its own. A cross-border combination of Argentinian folk, Brazilian tropicalia, cumbia and up tempo surf rock blurs ethnic and musical boundaries, bringing to mind Blondie, Os Mutantes, Gal Costa, and 60′s rock and roll. The band’s sound is one of the freshest to come out of Los Angeles, showcasing deep South American rhythms with vibrant indie pop harmonies and textures.

Founding members, Autumn Harrison and Rodrigo Gonzalez started the band after a trip to Buenos Aires, where their late night singalong sessions turned into the beginning of their first record. After performing in small cafes and receiving positive responses from musician friends, they began to play bigger stages and soon became one of the most sought after festival bands in Los Angeles.

Salt Petal’s latest release, Rare Hearts was recorded at the famed London Bridge Studios in Seattle with producer Eric Lilavois (Saint Motel, Atlas Genius) and mixed and mastered by Raymond Richards (Local Natives, Avid Dancer). The album aims to be a constant reminder for humanity to have faith and love in ourselves, in order to continue to get through difficult moments.  The central theme is “exploring the fight everyday against yourself to be able to see what you have around you” reveals Harrison. Website here, Facebook here.

To describe Salt Petal's sound as tropical surf-dance makes eminent sense having listened to 'Telephone', a fabulous tune. Vocals are bright and pleasing, the music dynamic, if this song doesn't lift the spirit, I'm not sure what will.

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Ephixa & Laura Brehm - Losing You.

Background - Featuring two renowned names in the Monstercat community, it’s no surprise that a collaboration between Ephixa and Laura Brehm emerges with a fair amount of anticipation amongst their collective fans. Coming together for the track, “Losing You”, the pair have honed in on an emotion that everyone can relate to, creating the melancholy and heartbreaking feeling of a relationship starting to fall apart. The track’s calming and ambient atmosphere takes listeners to a headspace of going through a bad breakup; providing an emotionally-charged lyrical base (like below) that listeners can feel just as much as they hear.

Breathe in, What is happening?
Walls are in the way
How do I escape losing you?
Fading out of view now
Losing you feels like the earth is falling through..

Singer/Songwriter and Colorado native, Laura Brehm is revealing more of her true potential with each song. As she continues to work with international producers and artists, Laura is bringing back her solo music allowing her to showcase an increasingly sophisticated style of her own.  Combining her experience of different realms of music so far, her new folk/electronic sound will bring the best pieces of her background to the forefront.  Laura’s innovative approach to songwriting and way of singing will continue to win over her steadily growing fan base. Ephixa Facebook here, Laura Brehm Facebook here.

The synths slowly emerge and build into layered and vibrant energy. Add in the dreamy and calming vocals and 'Losing You' is alive with feeling, rhythms and addictive hooks.

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Cajsa Siik - Talk To Trees.

Background - "Talk To Trees is a song about madness, brawls, truth and illusion. Top to rock bottom and the dance in between".

Umeå, Sweden, native Cajsa Siik released her debut single ”Was I Supposed To” back in 2012 and soon got heavy rotation on national radio in her home country. Since then she’s released two critically acclaimed albums. Her 2014 hit ”Higher” took her to a new audience with a remix by Lakechild, soon reaching #8 on the German college radio charts.

Since then Cajsa’s been working on her third studio album, named Domino, with producer Rolf Klinth in Stockholm. Guesting the album this time is, among others, Thomas Hedlund (Phoenix, Deportees) and Rasmus Kellerman (Tiger Lou) – both appearing on the album’s first single ”Talk To Trees”. With its 8 tracks the album takes Cajsa into a soundscape that’s both bigger, bolder and braver, without leaving out her signature laid back pop sound from previous releases.

"I've stared myself down, letting the words roam free - feeling like a superhero as well as my own worst enemy. I had a feeling of wanting to explode. Bombs and cannons. Riding the high in every way, shape and form. I then realised that even a discouraged whisper is of itself an explosion. The name Domino stems from every story having its own part to play, yet partaking in summing up the whole. I want Domino to shimmer and chafe". Website here, Facebook here. Buy mp3 here.

'Talk To Trees' is a very catchy pop song, with Cajsa's melodic vocals adding some emotion and commitment to the track, above a refined, yet uncomplicated soundtrack.

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Woodes - Bonfire.

Background - Taken from the Melbourne artist/producer Woodes acclaimed debut self-titled EP, her new single ‘Bonfire’ released this week combines her love of percussion with a quirky enthralling melody - combined to draw you into the Woodes magic. The track was produced on Woodes recent songwriting trip to the US and is co-produced with Rob Kleiner –  a long time Sia collaborator. Woodes also this week announcing her signing a global publishing deal with Universal Music Publishing Group Australia, as well as being named on the Official SXSW Lineup for 2017.

Woodes said 'Bonfire' was inspired by the tales of growing up, "I grew up as the daughter of a Park Ranger & a Marine Biologist on the coast of the Great Barrier Reef. We lived in a national park when I was in primary school and we used to have giant fires for birthday parties on our property which were pretty well known among my friends. Fire was a great way of celebrating turning 8 years old. During those nights we’d race around feeling fearless. Chasing one another and feeling the heat on our faces.

A little while ago I went back to where our house once stood. This time as a young woman. It’s been quite a while since the house and all the sheds were relocated. My dogs and I walked through the tall grass trying to map out where everything once stood. In the back yard where all the work sheds and the pig pen were there was a giant tree that had branches in a spiral all the way up that were perfect for climbing. As kids we’d climb to the top and feel it sway as we looked out over everything.

On the way back to the car with my old dog in my arms I started to form this song. There’s something so special about that one giant patch of earth, completely hidden to any car driving by. I worked on the track with Rob Kleiner in LA and we had so much fun reconnecting with the idea of being a child and being fearless. Children they have the most beautiful imaginations, worth celebrating and fuelling. This is one of my favourite tracks to play live in that all of those adventures come flooding back." Website here, Facebook here.

Well we featured Woodes three times last year and the new single 'Bonfire' is another delight that is to good not to share. I kind of think if Woodes was to sing a bus timetable or shopping list, she would make it sound incredible.

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Our Man In Berlin - A Lightbulb Mind.

Background - Our Man in Berlin new single 'A Lightbulb Mind' out this week. Perth's Our Man in Berlin have been unassumingly doing their thing for the past 4.5 years. Never quite fitting neatly into any one genre their blissful, hypnotic music has always sat on the fringes of the organic and the processed.

After two very well received EP’s, 'Is It Right?” (2014) and 'Spirit Down' (2015), the band took time to regroup in 2016. Singer Haydn became a father, whilst Trevor, Dan, and Cain took time out to travel and explore the world. As life pulled the band members in different directions, rushes of creativity would consistently remind the four-piece that music making is non-negotiable.

'A Lightbulb Mind' is the first of these rushes to reach completion. The track primarily discusses the methamphetamine addiction and related psychosis of somebody whom is a close family member of frontman Haydn Mansell. A much more honest and organic offering than what has come before, 'A Lightbulb Mind' is a driving, swirling, cinematic slice of dream rock.

Thanks to support from national radio and alternative stations in the UK, Canada, Greece, Italy, Germany and USA, along with widespread blog acclaim, the band are humbled to see their Soundcloud spins near the 250,000 mark. With four national tours, shows in Singapore and 2017 launches on the way, Our Man in Berlin are impassioned and ready to continue the next phase of their musical cycle. Facebook here.

There is a bright and dreamy vibe running through 'A Lightbulb Mind' despite the serious subject. The energy is kept up across the song where the vocals and musicianship are refreshingly natural and fine.

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