Heavy Heart have a new release entitled 'Cry Ice'. Combining melodic dream pop with hints of alt rock that gradually builds, this is a gently paced track that begs for a second listen.
'Year Of Rage' by Deux Furieuses is a high octane rocker that packs emotion and power as this duo combine to create some potent rock and roll.
The Ghosts have shared 'We Lie To Ourselves' accompanied by an imaginative video that works so well with the song. Musically there is a fresh indie rock feel, it's no surprise that the band are attracting plenty of attention.
This is our second Curse Of Lono 'Live at Toe Rag Studios' feature, last month we shared 'Blackout Fever' and they return now with 'I'd Start A War For You', which is another refined and mellow Americana styled song.
Earth Girl Helen Brown return for a sixth time on Beehive Candy, this time with an E.P. called 'Uranus' plus a video for 'Oh! What A War' an epic twelve minutes of the band being as creative as ever. Whatever genre the band tackle (and they seem to cross over into plenty), their flare and musical ability is impressive and very engaging.
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Heavy Heart - Cry Ice.
Drifting seamlessly into the spotlight with a combination of vivid songwriting and luscious dream pop, London alt-rockers Heavy Heart showcase their emotional sensibilities to perfection in entrancing new release Cry Ice.
Forming the final part of the band’s 2019 trilogy of singles, mixed and co-produced by Grammy Award-winning producer Gabe Wax (The War On Drugs, Palehound, Soccer Mommy). Cry Ice frankly and unflinchingly documents the breakdown of vocalist Anna Vincent and guitarist Patrick Fitzroy’s 7-year relationship. Whilst there is pain and sadness underpinning all three tracks, the message is one of bittersweet happiness; that what is left after everything has fallen away is friendship. And music. Always music.
Widely touted across the airwaves courtesy of BBC Radio 1’s Phil Taggart and BBC 6 Music’s Steve Lamacq, the rising quartet have become well-known for their dynamic and atmospheric live shows with slots alongside fellow emerging acts Another Sky, Big Spring and Honey Lung already ticked off in recent months.
Speaking on the ideas behind the track, the quartet stated: “Cry Ice is about the end of a love affair; the glacial, slow, final moments of it all. Specifically, the song is about two people dying together on the side of a mountain, frozen forever just out of reach of each other”.
Produced by Patrick Fitzroy and Gabe Wax, Heavy Heart’s Cry Ice is out now and available via all digital platforms. Live Date: 15 Aug – Notting Hill Arts Club, London.
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Deux Furieuses - Year Of Rage.
Newly signed to Xtra Mile Recordings, the ferocious punk duo deux furieuses have announced the release of their new album ‘My War is Your War’ (18 October 2019), the long-awaited follow-up to their critically acclaimed debut album ‘Tracks of Wire’ (2016).
Following its first play on John Kennedy’s Radio X Xposure show last night, Year of Rage - the first single to be taken from ‘My War is Your War’ - is released today and available across streaming services and as an instant free download on all album pre-orders here.
Year of Rage was penned on New Year’s Eve leading into the centenary of Votes for Women and celebrates the #MeToo movement. Its accompanying video features art direction from both Jimmy Cauty (The KLF) and Alannah Currie (ex-Thompson Twins aka Miss Pokeno), with the latter also making a cameo appearance in the video. Currie’s Feel the Rage blog inspired the red flag imagery on ‘My War is Your War’ album artwork. As deux furieuses expand:
“We are honoured to have artists/musicians Dan Donovan and Jimmy Cauty (The KLF) behind the lense for our new Year of Rage video. Artist Alannah Currie (Thompson Twins) and Jimmy Cauty opened up their Doyce Street studio to us providing art ideas, inspiration and red flags!”
deux furieuses are Scottish vocalist and guitarist Ros Cairney and London Greek drummer Vas Antoniadou. Since their beginnings in 2013 they have earned a reputation for uncompromising politically charged rock which has seen them championed by the likes of Q Magazine, Classic Rock, Louder Than War, and Radio X DJ John Kennedy, whose enthusiasm caught the attention of Frank Turner leading to the duo supporting him at the Roundhouse, London for Lost Evenings Festival 2017.
Raised on a fiery blend of Irish and Greek music, 80’s post-punk and 90’s alt rock, and bonding over a love of early PJ Harvey and Kate Bush, their music is a visceral and impassioned call to arms against the world’s inequalities and rising storms.
‘My War is Your War’ lyrically and musically expands on their debut album ‘Tracks of Wire’. It takes the post-punk and Riot Grrrl influences of the predecessor and injects it with a darker rock sound, an angrier sonic energy representing the alarming rise of social injustices and right-wing power since the debut’s release.
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The Ghosts - We Lie To Ourselves.
The Ghosts formed when Alex Starling (Ou Est Le Swimming Pool) was introduced to New York trained jazz drummer Ian Palmer. They began to work with Alex Sharman and Dan Whiffin on what would become their debut album ‘The End’.
Written and recorded in two months the album received rave reviews in both the UK and abroad. The band signed deals in the US, Canada and Russia and began to tour extensively over the next few years.
After a break for Alex to work on writing projects and for Ian to perform a series of sell out concerts alongside legendary drummers Steve Gadd and Benny Greb, they have returned with ‘We Lie To Ourselves’. The single was mixed by Eduardo De La Paz (Arcade Fire, The National, Florence and The Machine).
The video for the single which features an animated mouse taking action against a prey-killing, corporate machine run by cats, has been nominated for the McLaren Award at this year’s Edinburgh International Film Festival.
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Curse Of Lono - I'd Start A War For You (Live at Toe Rag Studios).
Curse of Lono release new single I’d Start A War For You, taken from upcoming album 4am And Counting, recorded live at Toe Rag Studios, due out on July 12th. I’d Start A War For You was recorded with Grammy-winning producer Liam Watson (The White Stripes) and features a guest appearance from legendary pedal steel player BJ Cole.
Curse Of Lono’s forthcoming album '4am And Counting' consists of 11 mellow, rootsier versions of tracks off the band’s first two albums, recorded live at Toe Rag Studios in London with Grammy-winning producer Liam Watson (The White Stripes 'Elephant'), and mixed by Oli Bayston (Boxed In).
The album features guest appearances from legendary pedal steel player BJ Cole (Elton John, Dolly Parton, Pink Floyd, Massive Attack), and harmonica player Nick Reynolds (Alabama 3 and son of the mastermind of the great train robbery, Bruce Reynolds).
“We wanted to capture the vibe we get when we're jamming late at night,” explains frontman Felix Bechtolsheimer. “So we booked a couple of days in the studio, invited a few friends down and pressed record. Toe Rag Studios is an incredible place. There are no computers. There’s no technology to tempt you. We just played everything completely live like we do when we’re messing around in our rehearsal room, so what you hear is exactly what was played.”
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Earth Girl Helen Brown - Uranus / Oh! What a War.
About "Uranus", by Earth Girl Helen Brown: 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 fifth installment of the E.G.H.B.C.P.F.I.B. seasonal planetary series, URANUS. Featuring Heidi Alexander, Jamin Barton, Eric Bauer, Emilee Booher, Brad Caulkins, Bart Davenport, James Finch Jr., Graeme Gibson, Tahlia Harbour, Doug Hilsinger, Warren Huegel, Josh Puklavetz, Sean Smith, Ryan Weinstein and mastered by Mikey Young.
In these times of many changes, URANUS considers the strain and repose of power which balances all things. The common English language word, power, refers to four quantitative properties of physics: energy, work, force, and power. In common use it is synonymous with strength, energy, electricity, vigor, and domination. A boundary between time (t) and energy (E) it is also the product of their division (P) and the great scale by which their separation is measured. How shall we manifest these interactions in our social and physical spheres from the atomic scale to the cosmogonic? F=ma, W=Fs, E=mc2, P=E/t so E=tP and t=E/P.
"Oh! What A War" from MARS / Four Satellites Vol. 1 by Earth Girl Helen Brown (Empty Cellar Records / In The Red) Recorded in Los Angeles by Ty Segall and Heidi Alexander:
Oh! What a War is a production of the Earth Girl Helen Brown Center for Planetary Intelligence Band (E.G.H.B.C.F.P.I.B.) with video synthesizer footage courtesy of Lefty Rybrow (Ryan Browne). The narrative is intended to provide a brief history of American armed conflicts over a 500+ year history however many armed engagements of the United States are not accounted for in this story nor are they in the common historic record. These blank spots are the result of numerous forces influencing the telling of history including discrepancies in the classification of such conflicts as war/not war such as the current global network of US special operations forces and any number of past conflicts funded by the American taxpayer without any official declaration of war.
The 12-year long Cold War-era civil war in El Salvador which claimed 75,000 lives with heavy backing by the Carter and Reagan administrations is one such example of a serious foreign engagement that does not make the official roster of American wars. If your war was not included, we apologize. For those offended by the content of this story please note that the raw timeline and subjects of this narrative were drawn from the common informational sources below. We hope that the lyrical suggestion that there is “really nothing left” of the American Indian does not offend those American Indian populations surviving and thriving today.
This is a lyrical device meant to reflect the relentless and brutal force of the US Military assault on the American Indian in a series of conflicts which dominate the early history of American war from 1775-1923 and which are regarded by many historians and academics as being genocidal in nature. We single out top military contractors as complicit as it is only those individuals and organizations that make war their business who profit off its propagation. All others pay. We believe in peace.
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Showing posts with label Curse Of Lono. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Curse Of Lono. Show all posts
Friday, 5 July 2019
Tuesday, 4 June 2019
Curse Of Lono - Kidsmoke - Dani Taylor - SERA - Go Gracious
It would appear we are averaging an appearance per year with Curse Of Lono, a band who consistently impressed me with their highly refined style of Americana. The latest material recorded in a live setting at Toe Rag Studios is stunning and hopefully will see the band reach an even bigger audience, they deserve that at the very least.
We featured Kidsmoke a couple of times last year and their latest offering 'She Takes You Under' is a refreshing indie song, their melodic hooks are intact and make this song shine.
Dani Taylor has shared 'Hello Dallas' a beautiful country song with some fine roots feeling countered with a more modern singer-songwriter vibe.
'Rabbit Hole' from SERA has an excellent musical arrangement that complements her vocals as both elements sync together on this hook fuelled song, where the momentum seemingly builds and builds.
Go Gracious have a slightly crazy video for 'Solid Influence' a song that stands out with defined and likable vocals matched with a gorgeous musical back drop.
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Curse Of Lono - Blackout Fever (Live at Toe Rag Studios).
UK Americana rock band Curse Of Lono have announced a new album '4am And Counting' which consists of 11 mellow, rootsier versions of tracks off the band’s first two albums, recorded live at Toe Rag Studios in London with Grammy-winning producer Liam Watson (The White Stripes 'Elephant'), and mixed by Oli Bayston (Boxed In).
The album features guest appearances from legendary pedal steel player BJ Cole (Elton John, Dolly Parton, Pink Floyd, Massive Attack) and harmonica player Nick Reynolds (Alabama 3).
Enjoy the first cut from this hazy, late-night record titled "Blackout Fever." We've partnered with Elmore Magazine and Blurt Online to bring you the single and today Performer Magazine premiered the accompanying music video which showcases the vibe of the record: In the studio, live to tape. No breaks, no edits.
“We wanted to capture the vibe we get when we're jamming late at night,” explains frontman Felix Bechtolsheimer. “So we booked a couple of days in the studio, invited a few friends down and pressed record. Toe Rag Studios is an incredible place. There are no computers. There’s no technology to tempt you. We just played everything completely live like we do when we’re messing around in our rehearsal room, so what you hear is exactly what was played.”
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Kidsmoke - She Takes You Under.
What a year it's turning out to be for Kidsmoke! The Welsch band are preparing for their debut LP after a successful US debut at South by Southwest, which caught the attention of Austin label Big Indie.
Known for their trademark ability to write sweet and sunny hooks, this track is no exception. The single is filled with sparkling synths, driving beats and shimmering harmonies, creating a sound akin to the likes of Sunflower Bean or Bombay Bicycle Club’s pastoral pop soundscapes. She Takes You Under once again showcases Kidsmoke’s capability to create crisp, shoegaze-tinged pop that can transport you straight into the sunshine.
The Wrexham four-piece are Lance (Vocals/Guitar), James (Bass/Vocals), Sophie (Guitar/Vocals) and Ash (Drums), who have already made a name for themselves in their native North Wales. They have also already received recognition from across the pond, having played at SXSW earlier this year and their previous single Passenger making it onto the esteemed NPR Austin 100 list. The have also received supported from The Line of Best Fit, Earmilk, Indie Shuffle and BTR Today, as well as BBC 6 Music’s Steve Lamacq and BBC Radio Wales’ Adam Walton to name a few. They have also have a sync-feature on Charlie Brooker’s Black Mirror series under their belts, as well also supporting Supergrass’ Gaz Coombes previously.
Catch Kidsmoke live on 12th June 2019 at London’s Two Tribes Brewery in association with Big Indie Big Nights. "She Take You Under" is available everywhere via Big Indie Records.
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Dani Taylor - Hello Dallas.
Dani Taylor is an Arizona born and raised country singer-songwriter currently residing in Nashville Tennessee.
Her first EP has just debuted on the 31st of May with a fresh twist on the traditional country sound.
Hello Dallas is a traditional Texas country song about going back home after the world beats you down.
Hello Dallas is a traditional Texas country song with a fresh sound
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SERA - Rabbit Hole.
'Rabbit Hole' is the first single from SERA's collection of songs for 2019 and from her new collaboration with producer Andi Bonsai.
SERA played a mellow acoustic 'Rabbit Hole' on her guitar to Andi one wet and windy October morning and by the end of the day, that song had transformed into the high energy version you hear today. 'Rabbit Hole' stays true to SERA's Americana/folk style but takes on some bold new ideas.The chorus explodes into Come with me to incredible things, where the oysters march from the sea, inviting you into a world of the fantastic. SERA's new songs will continue to follow in this theme of the mythic-surreal rooted in very real experiences.
'Rabbit Hole' is a journey through an addictive relationship, leading through naivety and self destruction to escape. SERA hails from Caernarfon in North Wales and is a busy bilingual (Welsh and English) performer and songwriter, part of the CEG Records family.
In addition to great support from Welsh media and festival such as BBC Radio Wales/ Radio Cymru, S4C and Focus Wales, support for SERA's music has come from Chris Hawkins 6Music, Claire Blading Radio 2, specialist shows, North American Festival of Wales, How the Light Gets in, Festival Number 6, Henley Festival and more and continues to grow....
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Go Gracious - Solid Influence.
Go Gracious was dragged, kicking and screaming, into existence once their half written ideas had become stadium sized, with razor sharp pop hooks delivered over a fiery growl of heavy guitars and dance beats. Imagine if Dragons did it, yeah?
Morris and Dee first met at a show in Kent where Dees’ performance prompted Morris to declare: "You're a great front-man, but you need a better band".
Morris told Dee he should join forces with someone with an ear for the anthemic, and so he did, although with doubts about one man’s ability to replace an entire band. But when modern technology collides with irrepressible will, miracles and wonders can also happen.
Go Gracious take inspiration from everything they’ve listened to and loved.
With a string of stirring, undeniable singles ready to come out on The Animal Farm label, they should be the only thing you listen to and love. The first of which, ‘Solid Influence’, is a stomping piano driven indie-rock instant classic with a superbly cheeky video featuring a great dancing routine on the London underground.
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We featured Kidsmoke a couple of times last year and their latest offering 'She Takes You Under' is a refreshing indie song, their melodic hooks are intact and make this song shine.
Dani Taylor has shared 'Hello Dallas' a beautiful country song with some fine roots feeling countered with a more modern singer-songwriter vibe.
'Rabbit Hole' from SERA has an excellent musical arrangement that complements her vocals as both elements sync together on this hook fuelled song, where the momentum seemingly builds and builds.
Go Gracious have a slightly crazy video for 'Solid Influence' a song that stands out with defined and likable vocals matched with a gorgeous musical back drop.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Curse Of Lono - Blackout Fever (Live at Toe Rag Studios).
UK Americana rock band Curse Of Lono have announced a new album '4am And Counting' which consists of 11 mellow, rootsier versions of tracks off the band’s first two albums, recorded live at Toe Rag Studios in London with Grammy-winning producer Liam Watson (The White Stripes 'Elephant'), and mixed by Oli Bayston (Boxed In).
The album features guest appearances from legendary pedal steel player BJ Cole (Elton John, Dolly Parton, Pink Floyd, Massive Attack) and harmonica player Nick Reynolds (Alabama 3).
Enjoy the first cut from this hazy, late-night record titled "Blackout Fever." We've partnered with Elmore Magazine and Blurt Online to bring you the single and today Performer Magazine premiered the accompanying music video which showcases the vibe of the record: In the studio, live to tape. No breaks, no edits.
“We wanted to capture the vibe we get when we're jamming late at night,” explains frontman Felix Bechtolsheimer. “So we booked a couple of days in the studio, invited a few friends down and pressed record. Toe Rag Studios is an incredible place. There are no computers. There’s no technology to tempt you. We just played everything completely live like we do when we’re messing around in our rehearsal room, so what you hear is exactly what was played.”
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Kidsmoke - She Takes You Under.
What a year it's turning out to be for Kidsmoke! The Welsch band are preparing for their debut LP after a successful US debut at South by Southwest, which caught the attention of Austin label Big Indie.
Known for their trademark ability to write sweet and sunny hooks, this track is no exception. The single is filled with sparkling synths, driving beats and shimmering harmonies, creating a sound akin to the likes of Sunflower Bean or Bombay Bicycle Club’s pastoral pop soundscapes. She Takes You Under once again showcases Kidsmoke’s capability to create crisp, shoegaze-tinged pop that can transport you straight into the sunshine.
The Wrexham four-piece are Lance (Vocals/Guitar), James (Bass/Vocals), Sophie (Guitar/Vocals) and Ash (Drums), who have already made a name for themselves in their native North Wales. They have also already received recognition from across the pond, having played at SXSW earlier this year and their previous single Passenger making it onto the esteemed NPR Austin 100 list. The have also received supported from The Line of Best Fit, Earmilk, Indie Shuffle and BTR Today, as well as BBC 6 Music’s Steve Lamacq and BBC Radio Wales’ Adam Walton to name a few. They have also have a sync-feature on Charlie Brooker’s Black Mirror series under their belts, as well also supporting Supergrass’ Gaz Coombes previously.
Catch Kidsmoke live on 12th June 2019 at London’s Two Tribes Brewery in association with Big Indie Big Nights. "She Take You Under" is available everywhere via Big Indie Records.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dani Taylor - Hello Dallas.
Dani Taylor is an Arizona born and raised country singer-songwriter currently residing in Nashville Tennessee.
Her first EP has just debuted on the 31st of May with a fresh twist on the traditional country sound.
Hello Dallas is a traditional Texas country song about going back home after the world beats you down.
Hello Dallas is a traditional Texas country song with a fresh sound
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SERA - Rabbit Hole.
'Rabbit Hole' is the first single from SERA's collection of songs for 2019 and from her new collaboration with producer Andi Bonsai.
SERA played a mellow acoustic 'Rabbit Hole' on her guitar to Andi one wet and windy October morning and by the end of the day, that song had transformed into the high energy version you hear today. 'Rabbit Hole' stays true to SERA's Americana/folk style but takes on some bold new ideas.The chorus explodes into Come with me to incredible things, where the oysters march from the sea, inviting you into a world of the fantastic. SERA's new songs will continue to follow in this theme of the mythic-surreal rooted in very real experiences.
'Rabbit Hole' is a journey through an addictive relationship, leading through naivety and self destruction to escape. SERA hails from Caernarfon in North Wales and is a busy bilingual (Welsh and English) performer and songwriter, part of the CEG Records family.
In addition to great support from Welsh media and festival such as BBC Radio Wales/ Radio Cymru, S4C and Focus Wales, support for SERA's music has come from Chris Hawkins 6Music, Claire Blading Radio 2, specialist shows, North American Festival of Wales, How the Light Gets in, Festival Number 6, Henley Festival and more and continues to grow....
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Go Gracious was dragged, kicking and screaming, into existence once their half written ideas had become stadium sized, with razor sharp pop hooks delivered over a fiery growl of heavy guitars and dance beats. Imagine if Dragons did it, yeah?
Morris and Dee first met at a show in Kent where Dees’ performance prompted Morris to declare: "You're a great front-man, but you need a better band".
Morris told Dee he should join forces with someone with an ear for the anthemic, and so he did, although with doubts about one man’s ability to replace an entire band. But when modern technology collides with irrepressible will, miracles and wonders can also happen.
Go Gracious take inspiration from everything they’ve listened to and loved.
With a string of stirring, undeniable singles ready to come out on The Animal Farm label, they should be the only thing you listen to and love. The first of which, ‘Solid Influence’, is a stomping piano driven indie-rock instant classic with a superbly cheeky video featuring a great dancing routine on the London underground.
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Saturday, 26 May 2018
Curse Of Lono - The Hanging Stars - The Mobros - Cape Weather
Curse Of Lono - Valentine.
Background - London five-piece Curse Of Lono have announced the release of second album As I Fell on August 17th, and plus new single Valentine. “Valentine is about the kind of murderous jealousy that twists you up until you don’t recognise yourself anymore. The sort of dejection that will make you do things you know you will regret,” says Felix. “I think the vocal harmonies floating over the tribal beat, distorted bass and filthy baritone guitar going through a tiny 1950’s Selmer practice amp, really capture that feeling.”
Second album As I Fell, produced by Oli Bayston (Boxed In) was recorded half at Rancho V, a remote desert studio in Joshua Tree, and half at Flesh & Bone Studios in Hackney; and the album is accompanied by a documentary ‘Somewhere In Their Heads’ by Gregg Houston (Noel Gallagher, Two Door Cinema Club, Michael Kiwanuka, Foy Vance).
Joining Felix in Curse Of Lono, who formed in London in 2015, are Joe Hazell (lead guitar and vocals), Dani Ruiz Hernandez (keys and vocals), Charis Anderson (bass and vocals) and Neil Findlay (drums).
As I Fell is the follow-up to their 2017 debut Severed, and builds on Curse Of Lono’s deeply cinematic blend of harmony-laden Americana and driving, gothic alt-rock. It’s a sound that owes as much to old faithfuls like The Doors and The Velvet Underground as it does to more modern practitioners of the form such as The War On Drugs and Wilco. WEBSITE.
Well we featured Curse Of Lono once in 2016, once in 2017 and now for the first time in 2018, I kind of hope we might get a second crack at sharing some more of their music this year. 'Valentine' demonstrates abundantly that the band have a distinct and highly engaging style and sound, the video adds more, as the band expand on the simmering tension and focus of the song,
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The Hanging Stars - For You (My Blue Eyed Son).
Background - Ahead of their forthcoming tour with kaleidoscopic Californian folk-rock janglers GospelbeacH, The Hanging Stars share their new single "For You (My Blue Eyed Son"). The track is co-written and sung by Richard Olson (The See See/Eighteenth Day Of May) and Patrick Ralla (Alan Tyler Show, Edwin Colilns). It is perhaps the most traditionally country song on their recent critically acclaimed Songs For Somewhere Else album, with two-part lead vocal continuing throughout, supported by finger-picked guitars and classic drum shuffle.
The tour with GospelbeacH starts on 28 May in Brighton and heads through Manchester, Glasgow, Edinburgh and Newport, finishing up at London's Bush Hall on 4 June. The Hanging Stars will also be playing an acoustic set at the Red Rooster Festival.
Channeling the sounds of The Byrds, Big Star and The Flying Burrito Brothers, as well as hints of Mojave 3 and The Allah Las, The Hanging Stars mainline the dying embers of the early 70s psychedelic folk and cosmic country scenes.
Recording was conducted at the legendary Bark Studios in Walthamstow with Brian O'Shaughnessey (The Clientele, Primal Scream, My Bloody Valentine) at the helm. Joining Richard Olson and Patrick Ralla in The Hanging Stars are Sam Ferman on bass, Paulie Cobra on drums and pedal steel courtesy of Joe Harvey-Whyte. They had a collective attitude to performances on the album, with additional input from US friends Collin Hegna (Federale, Brian Jonestown Massacre), Miranda Lee Richards (on the emotive duet “How I Got This Way”), and Christof Certik (Brian Jonestown Massacre, Winter Flowers), as well as Alison Cotton on viola (Left Outsides, Eighteenth Day Of May), Luke Barlow (Nought) on flute and Thomas Wake on clarinet. WEBSITE.
There are plenty of folk and country rock vibes from times gone by, on 'For You (My Blue Eyed Son)' a sumptuous and catchy affair. Whatever comparisons there might be for bands of old, this is fresh and beautiful, and thoroughly deserves the "timeless" seal of approval.
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The Mobros - Carrie Anne.
Background - The Mobros have shared a new video for their single, "Carrie Anne." “Who are we, and where do we go from here?” These were the questions on the minds of Kelly and Patrick Morris in late 2016. After bringing to an end a long but successful two and a half year tour, playing venues and music halls from small to large from coast to coast including festivals such as SXSW (twice), Midpoint Music Festival, Sweetwater 420 fest to name a few, and recording a live session with Daytrotter. Garnering new fans and attention from various press outlets along the way they averaged over 250 shows a year all in support of their 2014 debut release “Walking With A Different Stride.”
In the midst of it all, they found themselves coming to terms with the fact that they were not progressing in the ways they felt they needed to with their songwriting, and recording. Between being on the road and living in Chicago it was hard to find a permanent place to work and move forward with their music in the ways they wanted to do.
The brothers packed up and headed back to their home state of South Carolina to find a space conducive to living, writing, and recording without the limitations and pressures of time and money that commercial studios usually entail. They needed a home, somewhere to recuperate and hone the sound and conceptive direction they wanted to take with their next release. They found themselves looking in the city Charleston, SC, two hours south of their hometown of Camden, and a place they had spent some time between tours in 2014.
A year later they emerge with a collection of songs that embody the writing and production style developed during their time spent at “Leon’s Electric House.” These works follow suit with challenging the same questions they have asked themselves “Who are we, and Where do we go from here?” The first single off the upcoming release is entitled “Carrie Anne.” WEBSITE.
The video for 'Carrie Anne' is a good one as it adds some additional intrigue to the song. That said the song is just as good with eyes closed and taking in the fabulous vocals and refined rock backdrop.
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Cape Weather - Never Say.
Background - Los Angeles-based Cape Weather released their new single "Never Say". This is the follow up to the bands first single "Telephono", which received a great amount of blog love and major support from Spotify being added to almost every major Indie Playlist, as well as a video premiere with NPR Music a couple weeks ago.
The band is a collaboration between Natalie Smith and Eric Jackowitz. They’ve both played in bands for years; Eric playing drums for Nick Waterhouse, and Natalie bouncing around the Oakland scene while silently releasing music under solo monikers. After both feeling like it was time to make something their own, the two best friends who attended Berklee College of Music together decided to start writing songs over the internet while Eric was on tour with Waterhouse and thus Cape Weather was born.
"Never Say" encapsulates the simplicity of 60's pop, a nostalgic throwback whose vocal performance brings to mind Trish Keenan of Broadcast and teases their debut EP for Future Gods later this year. If interested, please feel free to reach out as we will be looking to place three more songs in the near future and obviously, we would love all the support we can get with this one. BANDCAMP.
'Never Say' is a lush and melodic dream pop type of song with some natural sixties feeling coursing throughout the piece. It's classy, addictive and deserves to be heard.
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Background - London five-piece Curse Of Lono have announced the release of second album As I Fell on August 17th, and plus new single Valentine. “Valentine is about the kind of murderous jealousy that twists you up until you don’t recognise yourself anymore. The sort of dejection that will make you do things you know you will regret,” says Felix. “I think the vocal harmonies floating over the tribal beat, distorted bass and filthy baritone guitar going through a tiny 1950’s Selmer practice amp, really capture that feeling.”
Second album As I Fell, produced by Oli Bayston (Boxed In) was recorded half at Rancho V, a remote desert studio in Joshua Tree, and half at Flesh & Bone Studios in Hackney; and the album is accompanied by a documentary ‘Somewhere In Their Heads’ by Gregg Houston (Noel Gallagher, Two Door Cinema Club, Michael Kiwanuka, Foy Vance).
Joining Felix in Curse Of Lono, who formed in London in 2015, are Joe Hazell (lead guitar and vocals), Dani Ruiz Hernandez (keys and vocals), Charis Anderson (bass and vocals) and Neil Findlay (drums).
As I Fell is the follow-up to their 2017 debut Severed, and builds on Curse Of Lono’s deeply cinematic blend of harmony-laden Americana and driving, gothic alt-rock. It’s a sound that owes as much to old faithfuls like The Doors and The Velvet Underground as it does to more modern practitioners of the form such as The War On Drugs and Wilco. WEBSITE.
Well we featured Curse Of Lono once in 2016, once in 2017 and now for the first time in 2018, I kind of hope we might get a second crack at sharing some more of their music this year. 'Valentine' demonstrates abundantly that the band have a distinct and highly engaging style and sound, the video adds more, as the band expand on the simmering tension and focus of the song,
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Hanging Stars - For You (My Blue Eyed Son).
Background - Ahead of their forthcoming tour with kaleidoscopic Californian folk-rock janglers GospelbeacH, The Hanging Stars share their new single "For You (My Blue Eyed Son"). The track is co-written and sung by Richard Olson (The See See/Eighteenth Day Of May) and Patrick Ralla (Alan Tyler Show, Edwin Colilns). It is perhaps the most traditionally country song on their recent critically acclaimed Songs For Somewhere Else album, with two-part lead vocal continuing throughout, supported by finger-picked guitars and classic drum shuffle.
The tour with GospelbeacH starts on 28 May in Brighton and heads through Manchester, Glasgow, Edinburgh and Newport, finishing up at London's Bush Hall on 4 June. The Hanging Stars will also be playing an acoustic set at the Red Rooster Festival.
Channeling the sounds of The Byrds, Big Star and The Flying Burrito Brothers, as well as hints of Mojave 3 and The Allah Las, The Hanging Stars mainline the dying embers of the early 70s psychedelic folk and cosmic country scenes.
Recording was conducted at the legendary Bark Studios in Walthamstow with Brian O'Shaughnessey (The Clientele, Primal Scream, My Bloody Valentine) at the helm. Joining Richard Olson and Patrick Ralla in The Hanging Stars are Sam Ferman on bass, Paulie Cobra on drums and pedal steel courtesy of Joe Harvey-Whyte. They had a collective attitude to performances on the album, with additional input from US friends Collin Hegna (Federale, Brian Jonestown Massacre), Miranda Lee Richards (on the emotive duet “How I Got This Way”), and Christof Certik (Brian Jonestown Massacre, Winter Flowers), as well as Alison Cotton on viola (Left Outsides, Eighteenth Day Of May), Luke Barlow (Nought) on flute and Thomas Wake on clarinet. WEBSITE.
There are plenty of folk and country rock vibes from times gone by, on 'For You (My Blue Eyed Son)' a sumptuous and catchy affair. Whatever comparisons there might be for bands of old, this is fresh and beautiful, and thoroughly deserves the "timeless" seal of approval.
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The Mobros - Carrie Anne.
Background - The Mobros have shared a new video for their single, "Carrie Anne." “Who are we, and where do we go from here?” These were the questions on the minds of Kelly and Patrick Morris in late 2016. After bringing to an end a long but successful two and a half year tour, playing venues and music halls from small to large from coast to coast including festivals such as SXSW (twice), Midpoint Music Festival, Sweetwater 420 fest to name a few, and recording a live session with Daytrotter. Garnering new fans and attention from various press outlets along the way they averaged over 250 shows a year all in support of their 2014 debut release “Walking With A Different Stride.”
In the midst of it all, they found themselves coming to terms with the fact that they were not progressing in the ways they felt they needed to with their songwriting, and recording. Between being on the road and living in Chicago it was hard to find a permanent place to work and move forward with their music in the ways they wanted to do.
The brothers packed up and headed back to their home state of South Carolina to find a space conducive to living, writing, and recording without the limitations and pressures of time and money that commercial studios usually entail. They needed a home, somewhere to recuperate and hone the sound and conceptive direction they wanted to take with their next release. They found themselves looking in the city Charleston, SC, two hours south of their hometown of Camden, and a place they had spent some time between tours in 2014.
A year later they emerge with a collection of songs that embody the writing and production style developed during their time spent at “Leon’s Electric House.” These works follow suit with challenging the same questions they have asked themselves “Who are we, and Where do we go from here?” The first single off the upcoming release is entitled “Carrie Anne.” WEBSITE.
The video for 'Carrie Anne' is a good one as it adds some additional intrigue to the song. That said the song is just as good with eyes closed and taking in the fabulous vocals and refined rock backdrop.
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Cape Weather - Never Say.
Background - Los Angeles-based Cape Weather released their new single "Never Say". This is the follow up to the bands first single "Telephono", which received a great amount of blog love and major support from Spotify being added to almost every major Indie Playlist, as well as a video premiere with NPR Music a couple weeks ago.
The band is a collaboration between Natalie Smith and Eric Jackowitz. They’ve both played in bands for years; Eric playing drums for Nick Waterhouse, and Natalie bouncing around the Oakland scene while silently releasing music under solo monikers. After both feeling like it was time to make something their own, the two best friends who attended Berklee College of Music together decided to start writing songs over the internet while Eric was on tour with Waterhouse and thus Cape Weather was born.
"Never Say" encapsulates the simplicity of 60's pop, a nostalgic throwback whose vocal performance brings to mind Trish Keenan of Broadcast and teases their debut EP for Future Gods later this year. If interested, please feel free to reach out as we will be looking to place three more songs in the near future and obviously, we would love all the support we can get with this one. BANDCAMP.
'Never Say' is a lush and melodic dream pop type of song with some natural sixties feeling coursing throughout the piece. It's classy, addictive and deserves to be heard.
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Saturday, 18 February 2017
Saturday Seven: Wayde - Línger - Jackson Boone - Curse Of Lono - No Joy - Altar Eagles - Hiva Oa

Background - Having only released one previous single (‘Eleanor’), which earned them plaudits from the likes of BBC 6 Music and more, Essex four piece Wayde are now ready to unleash their new Lucky Aide EP. Recorded in guitarist/vocalist Tyrone Foster’s flat in Stoke Newington, in between the banging on ceilings and floors from disgruntled neighbours, Wayde’s sound is an amalgamation of sardonic indie, enveloping shoegaze and psych-infused grunge. There is a nostalgic comfort amongst Wayde’s combination of warm guitars, mid-tempo grooves and vocals, which are lyrically sharp, saccharine and melodically contagious.
Speaking about the themes behind the forthcoming EP, Miles Shawyer (bass) said, “There’s no consciously imprinted themes on the EP, however the songs were all written in a period when we were all just about to finish university and the anticipation of having to become real people and getting jobs was looming. So there’s an almost entirely unintentional coming of age/fear of adulthood theme running throughout the EP.”
It’s this charming yet almost serendipitous honesty that resonates the loudest throughout every track on the EP. The themes come naturally and candidly, whilst Wayde place their focus entirely on infectious hooks, reverb and fuzz, only abating to take rapid turns into hazy garage-punk and feedback-laden grunge. Facebook here.
'Easy (don't be long)' has a slow haunting feel from the very start. Vocals are set deeper in the mix and surrounded by a wall of slowly morphing sounds and some thunderous moments, no wonder the neighbours felt the need to join in with the beats...
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Background - In late September 2016, Línger released her debut single ‘Flyon’ and has already proven she is a powerful force to be admired. The single, and EP tuple were recorded in her home in Sydney, Australia, produced by fellow Sydney artist, Xavier Dunn. Her latest offering from the forthcoming EP is ‘Avoid’, a lush electronic-pop journey characterised by Línger’s signature vocal harmonies. They provide the foundations for an pulsing and dramatic electronic track, all supporting Línger’s beautiful melodic whimsies.
Línger is a collaboration between experience and emotion that has come to fruition through years of feeling, longing and by simply being. Her words, originating in part through the creation of poetry, seek to make sense of the world which at times mystifies us all. Her EP tuple is inspired by the five elements of air, fire, water, earth and space. Attuned to divinity, each of Línger’s songs is able to insightfully capture moments in time that reflect what it means to be human.
Flying on to the Australian music scene in late September 2016, Línger has already proven she is a powerful force to be admired. Línger has been featured on Acid Stag’s Australian artist to watch list, and received glowing reviews throughout the blogosphere. Línger will meet you in your world and her song will carry you upwards to a sky filled with ethereal beauty that is forever unfolding and everlasting. Facebook here.
This is our second feature for Linger following on from sharing 'Avoid' a few weeks ago. The new EP 'tuple' comprises of five tracks and I have chosen the final song 'Downfall' this time around. This is a refined collection of music and is well worth checking out.
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Jackson Boone - Mystic Winds (from the East).
Background - Jackson Boone is a songwriter who quietly emerged from the misty magic of Portland, Oregon. His lo-fi folk rock sound is comparable to Kevin Morby, Kurt Vile, or Damien Jurado.
With the help of producer Riley Geare (Unknown Mortal Orchestra), bassist Randy Bemrose (Radiation City), and Violinist Patti King (Radiation City), Jackson recorded his first solo album, 'Starlit,' in the basement of a green house in NE Portland. Immediately after his release, Boone, his five piece live band, The Ocean Ghosts, and Riley Geare, packed up their equipment and took off to the Oregon Coast. They spent two weeks by the beach tracking his sophomore record, 'Natural Changes' (2015).
On March 10th, Jackson Boone will release his third full length studio album, 'Organic Light Factory,' which features Jackson’s most realized and mature songwriting to date.
Boone and his band, the Ocean Ghosts, have honed their performing skills at festivals such as SXSW, Treefort Music Festival, Pickathon, and CMJ. They'll be on tour this March, including a stop in Austin for SXSW. Live dates on Beehive Candy tour page. Facebook here.
As lo-fi music goes, there is no shortage of atmosphere and content in the song 'Mystic Winds (from the East)'. The vocals are one of the key attractions, as is the gentle melody in this imaginative piece.
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Curse Of Lono - Pick Up The Pieces.
Background - Acclaimed new London five-piece Curse Of Lono will release their debut album ‘Severed’ on Submarine Cat Records on April 7th. A sumptuously cinematic record that combines spaced out, harmony-laden indie-folk with driving, gothic alt-rock, ‘Severed’ was produced at Gun Factory studio by Oli Bayston (Boxed In).
Founded and fronted by Felix Bechtolsheimer, formerly the singer-guitarist in British roots pioneers Hey Negrita, Curse Of Lono formed in early 2015, though the songs on ‘Severed’ were written over a 14-year period.
They range from the perky, Paul Simon-ish new single ‘Pick Up The Pieces’ to the more lugubrious ‘He Takes My Place’, the almost jazzy ‘London Rain’ and the rootsy, rhythmic ‘Send For The Whiskey’. The album belongs as much to the Americana tradition and old faithfuls such as Little Feat as it does to more modern, playful practitioners of the form such as Beck. Website here, Facebook here.
It was last summer when we came across Curse Of Lono and the new track 'Pick Up The Pieces' immediately grabbed my attention with the lively riffs and overall vibe. Album eagerly awaited.
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No Joy - Hellhole.
Background - No Joy recently announced the Creep EP, which will be released on Feb. 24 on the brand new label collective Grey Market, and this week shared the second single from it, "Hellhole".
For most listeners, No Joy are a standout from the shoegaze revival, that wall of noise lead by its two female band members Jasamine White-Gluz and Laura Lloyd and their long headbanging blonde locks. In a 2011 Blackbook piece on the band’s detached yet visceral live show, the writer coyly commented “they are playing with their backs to the audience…shy girls.”
As the principal writer of their past catalog, White-Gluz steers the material on Creep in new directions, drawing on varied influences ranging from Industrial to New Age. With co-writer and producer Jorge Elbrecht, the pair create a soundscape that is both familiar and fresh. Tracked in Montreal at Hotel 2 Tango and in White-Gluz’s Little Italy apartment, the sound is huge. Dynamic juxtapositions of dark and light, feminine and virile are cemented together with their signature earworm hooks. No Joy are challenging themselves by distancing from the traditional rock band formula, creating a new live show to accompany the release. Live dates on our Tour page, Facebook here.
We featured the first single a little while back and the new song 'Hellhole' is of equal stature, and one that makes the forthcoming EP even more enticing. Plenty of atmosphere and energy works so well against dreamier vocals.
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Background - Quote: "'What Are You Coming To?' is a song about hindsight. Basically about looking back on a relationship and trying to own up to your own mistakes while realizing you don’t even recognize the person that you thought you knew so well. Kinda like that line about listening when people tell you who they are, but in this case you didn’t. All past tense."
Bio:Erik Alcock has been a professional songwriter since he was 17 years old. He talked his way into a live audition with EMI Canada in his native Toronto and then proceeded to cut himself on his guitar, bleed all over the auditioning executive’s office, and play terribly. He was signed on the spot.
After getting signed Erik left home and school and spent the next two years living in a jam space. While the experience was not all that conducive to his songwriting, Erik was able to develop his chops by playing constantly.
His quality of life improved substantially when he joined a band and spent the next few years on tour. When the band broke up he started working with DJ Khalil, Chin Injeti and Liz Rodrigues, forming The New Royales. Since then they've written songs for Eminem, Kanye West, Pink and a host of others, which led to several Grammy wins, having the theme for Mission Impossible 4, the Call of Duty video game, and Jake Gyllenhall’s movie “Southpaw.” Facebook here.
It's the sort of song that John Lennon could have written, asking deeper and searching questions. 'What Are You Coming To?' is however very much Alter Eagles work, and it's a pleasing and superbly delivered song and a fine showcase for his song writing skills.
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Hiva Oa - So Many Lies.
Background - Belfast duo, Hiva Oa are pleased to share their brilliant new single 'So Many Lies'. The track is taken from their forthcoming EP, mk2 (part 2) - out April 7th.
'So Many Lies' stays central to the ideals and themes presented within previous EP 'mk2 (part 1); however, it takes to the fore principles of accountability where there has been a catastrophic loss of control. It's about a personal frustration against the misuse of power in all its forms; be it introspective or a wider shared communal disapproval.
‘We have suffered all this while, for your lies.’ The track also harnesses a counterbalance, where one can look at their own guilt by association or inaction in a situation. ‘You stole it all in front of our eyes, wasted enough to gather it all for your lies.’ Hiva Oa are: Stephen Houlihan & Christine Tubridy with Matthew Collings and Daithi McNabb. Facebook here.
Our third feature for Hiva Oa who consistently deliver really good alt rock music. 'So Many Lies' is notable for the emotive almost pleading vocals. The soundtrack gradually builds into a formidable and expansive piece that adds even more potency to this really fine song.
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Sunday, 17 July 2016
Quality Not Quantity: Curse Of Lono - Black Surf - Alphabetic
Curse Of Lono - Five Miles.
Background - Curse Of Lono was formed in London in 2015 by singer Felix Bechtolsheimer following the breakup of British roots pioneers Hey Negrita. The five-piece have been busy recording their debut album with producer and Boxed In front-man, Oli Bayston. What started as a casual jam with a few friends quickly yielded a stunningly cinematic record, with the dubut EP due for release this October.
The band have also created 'The Doghouse Sessions' and will be releasing one each month, Felix explains:
On April 10th we invited our friends form Ont’ Sofa into ‘The Doghouse’, our rehearsal room in London, to record and film us for an afternoon. We wanted to capture what our songs sound like when we’re playing them live in the room where we get together every week and where many of them were conceived, with no overdubs or studio trickery. We managed to get ten tracks down and we will be releasing one of these a month for the next ten months as ‘The Doghouse Sessions’.
Live - Wednesday 20th July @ The Old Queen's Head - Angel.
'Five Miles' is pretty representative of the quality, craftmanship and hook laden, alt rock music Curse Of Lono create. The Doghouse sessions are going to be a real treat by the look of things and we will dip in and out of them on BeeVids, starting with the song 'London Rain'.
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Black Surf - Sink.
Background - Black Surf return with blistering new surf-grunge track "Sink" from upcoming EP "Let's Pretend It's Summer", Out August 26th on Cowboy Records.
Black Surf have an unusual backstory having formed in 2014 through the wonders of FaceTime and Dropbox. The fruits of their exchanges between Leeds, UK and Sydney, Australia have come to form their debut EP Let’s Pretend It’s Summer, recorded at Greenmount Studios (The Cribs, Pulled Apart By Horses, The Vaccines).
Black Surf specialise in the kind of fuzzed-up, adrenaline-shot indie-rock that’s straight to the point and doesn’t outstay its welcome. The reckless pace of new track Sink’s synth-flecked bubblegum buzz is matched only by its enthusiasm and wild abandon. Talking of the track, vocalist Ali Epstone says;
"Sink is essentially a song about the conflict and battle of harnessing the stillness within us, in this fast-paced whirlwind of life. We have become Human-Doings and lost sight of the Human-Being. Most people are experiencing either attraction or aversion in any given moment, either wanting to be somewhere else for pleasure or relief in the future or stuck dwelling in the past. Being present, finding peace in the space between the constant need for sensations in this day and age can be a rarity, so I wanted to document that in some way and spread the love maaan."
As the song winds up to start, you are right to expect an explosion of musical pleasure and 'Sink' delivers. Surf Grunge is an apt description, however the energy and emotion really carries the song.
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Alphabetic - French Boyfriend.
Background - For such an ostensibly uncomplicated song, Alphabetic’s smooth new single ‘French Boyfriend calls to mind a veritable trove of melodies and feelings, some contemporary, some classic. The lead single to their debut album Touch (released July 15) features velvety riffs and chords that hint at a musical affinity with the luxurious side of pop music, perhaps a nod to The Cure. But lyrically the song is creepy and voyeuristic - a kind of modern retelling of the Talking Heads hit ‘Psycho Killer’ without the murder. Guitarist and co-vocalist Walter Heale’s verses project him into a car outside an ex-beau’s house in Paris wondering ‘what’s so great about french boys anyway?’ as he sees her going to bed with another man. Rebecca Lever's charming voice (lyrically in character as the object of his affection), rebukes him as she thinks ‘about calling the police again’. Fun and totally flippant, it’s also a love song to Paris - a city which the band hold dear in their hearts, and listening to the buoyancy of the music, it’s also an influence which seems to have seeped into the cracks of their songwriting.
The seeds of Alphabetic were first sown when Raph - bassist and producer for upcoming debut album Touch - took a break in the Caribbean after a long stint on the road. Upon deciding to get together his teenage jam buddies they set about revisiting some of their old songs as adults. Though they reside in London, Alphabetic have always been rootless. The first time they made music together was in the mountains in Italy - in a rented house almost getting snowed in. But three weeks later they emerged with the seeds of an album and a live set. Their first rehearsals took place in a converted barn out in the countryside before they relocated to studios around London. Alphabetic’s music resists categorisation - as at home on the dance floor as they are in headphones, they evoke the art-school eccentricity of timeless groups like Talking Heads and Roxy Music, but they also belong firmly in the present. Their playful lyricism and musicality calls to mind LCD Soundsystem while their smooth and bright sensibilities achieve a similar end to the critically overlooked Talk Talk. In a nutshell, Alphabetic are experimenters, and they aren’t beholden to space and time. With tunes as colourful as theirs, today’s often monochrome indie scene gleams that much brighter.
'French Boyfriend' is melodic and rather catchy. Musically it's bright and breezy and the vocal interplay works a treat. It's a good taste of the album, in as much that, this is the quality of music to look forward to.
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Background - Curse Of Lono was formed in London in 2015 by singer Felix Bechtolsheimer following the breakup of British roots pioneers Hey Negrita. The five-piece have been busy recording their debut album with producer and Boxed In front-man, Oli Bayston. What started as a casual jam with a few friends quickly yielded a stunningly cinematic record, with the dubut EP due for release this October.
The band have also created 'The Doghouse Sessions' and will be releasing one each month, Felix explains:
On April 10th we invited our friends form Ont’ Sofa into ‘The Doghouse’, our rehearsal room in London, to record and film us for an afternoon. We wanted to capture what our songs sound like when we’re playing them live in the room where we get together every week and where many of them were conceived, with no overdubs or studio trickery. We managed to get ten tracks down and we will be releasing one of these a month for the next ten months as ‘The Doghouse Sessions’.
Live - Wednesday 20th July @ The Old Queen's Head - Angel.
'Five Miles' is pretty representative of the quality, craftmanship and hook laden, alt rock music Curse Of Lono create. The Doghouse sessions are going to be a real treat by the look of things and we will dip in and out of them on BeeVids, starting with the song 'London Rain'.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Black Surf - Sink.
Background - Black Surf return with blistering new surf-grunge track "Sink" from upcoming EP "Let's Pretend It's Summer", Out August 26th on Cowboy Records.
Black Surf have an unusual backstory having formed in 2014 through the wonders of FaceTime and Dropbox. The fruits of their exchanges between Leeds, UK and Sydney, Australia have come to form their debut EP Let’s Pretend It’s Summer, recorded at Greenmount Studios (The Cribs, Pulled Apart By Horses, The Vaccines).
Black Surf specialise in the kind of fuzzed-up, adrenaline-shot indie-rock that’s straight to the point and doesn’t outstay its welcome. The reckless pace of new track Sink’s synth-flecked bubblegum buzz is matched only by its enthusiasm and wild abandon. Talking of the track, vocalist Ali Epstone says;
"Sink is essentially a song about the conflict and battle of harnessing the stillness within us, in this fast-paced whirlwind of life. We have become Human-Doings and lost sight of the Human-Being. Most people are experiencing either attraction or aversion in any given moment, either wanting to be somewhere else for pleasure or relief in the future or stuck dwelling in the past. Being present, finding peace in the space between the constant need for sensations in this day and age can be a rarity, so I wanted to document that in some way and spread the love maaan."
As the song winds up to start, you are right to expect an explosion of musical pleasure and 'Sink' delivers. Surf Grunge is an apt description, however the energy and emotion really carries the song.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Background - For such an ostensibly uncomplicated song, Alphabetic’s smooth new single ‘French Boyfriend calls to mind a veritable trove of melodies and feelings, some contemporary, some classic. The lead single to their debut album Touch (released July 15) features velvety riffs and chords that hint at a musical affinity with the luxurious side of pop music, perhaps a nod to The Cure. But lyrically the song is creepy and voyeuristic - a kind of modern retelling of the Talking Heads hit ‘Psycho Killer’ without the murder. Guitarist and co-vocalist Walter Heale’s verses project him into a car outside an ex-beau’s house in Paris wondering ‘what’s so great about french boys anyway?’ as he sees her going to bed with another man. Rebecca Lever's charming voice (lyrically in character as the object of his affection), rebukes him as she thinks ‘about calling the police again’. Fun and totally flippant, it’s also a love song to Paris - a city which the band hold dear in their hearts, and listening to the buoyancy of the music, it’s also an influence which seems to have seeped into the cracks of their songwriting.
The seeds of Alphabetic were first sown when Raph - bassist and producer for upcoming debut album Touch - took a break in the Caribbean after a long stint on the road. Upon deciding to get together his teenage jam buddies they set about revisiting some of their old songs as adults. Though they reside in London, Alphabetic have always been rootless. The first time they made music together was in the mountains in Italy - in a rented house almost getting snowed in. But three weeks later they emerged with the seeds of an album and a live set. Their first rehearsals took place in a converted barn out in the countryside before they relocated to studios around London. Alphabetic’s music resists categorisation - as at home on the dance floor as they are in headphones, they evoke the art-school eccentricity of timeless groups like Talking Heads and Roxy Music, but they also belong firmly in the present. Their playful lyricism and musicality calls to mind LCD Soundsystem while their smooth and bright sensibilities achieve a similar end to the critically overlooked Talk Talk. In a nutshell, Alphabetic are experimenters, and they aren’t beholden to space and time. With tunes as colourful as theirs, today’s often monochrome indie scene gleams that much brighter.
'French Boyfriend' is melodic and rather catchy. Musically it's bright and breezy and the vocal interplay works a treat. It's a good taste of the album, in as much that, this is the quality of music to look forward to.
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