Sarah P. - The Desert - Electric Eye - First Blush - Cody & Danz

Sarah P. - Summer Prince.

Background - Berlin-based solo artist Sarah P. just released a dreamy video for "Summer Prince" following her solo debut album Who Am I. Sarah P. states, "Today I’m sharing with you a very special video for “Summer Prince” from my recently released debut album Who Am I. It’s very candid, like the song itself – very spontaneous, summery and Greek, if you please. It’s filmed in Marathon and features me… basically, being me. I hope that you’ll enjoy watching/listening it and I wish for all of you to get the chance to visit the sea this summer." 

In contrast to all those amazing, big productions that come out every day, we went for spontaneity and let the scenery speak for itself. “Summer Prince” is inspired by summer holidays with my parents, while road tripping across Greece (through Crete, especially), seeing the landscapes changing and waiting for the moment I would sneak a peak of the sea – the place where I wanted to be the most.

“Summer Prince” is also inspired by all those vivid dreams I had as a teenager and young adult. I’ve always been a hopeless romantic and during those sensitive years where unrequited love was one of the greatest themes of my life, I used to spend a lot of time alone, by the sea, contemplating about all those ifs and maybes that would make me able to be loved back. Later on, at night, whilst asleep, a summer prince – my summer prince, would come to find me. He would give me all those things I wished for – romantic strolls at the beach, sweet conversations about nothing. He would look me right in the eyes because I was the only one he saw. Then he would leave me, and I would think that my dreams were more exciting than my actual life. I would wait for him to come back again the next night – sometimes he did, some others not. Website here, Facebook here.

Dreamy synth's flow along to a relaxed rhythmic beat and Sarah P's vocals just blend so perfectly with the music and melody. 'Summer Prince' is accompanied by an appealing video, encouraging me to take a seaside stroll sometime soon.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Desert - Just Get High.

Background - The Desert unveil their debut single 'Just Get High', the first track from their forthcoming debut EP called ‘Playing Dead’. The Desert is a collaboration between singer-songwriter Gina Leonard and guitarist & producer Tom Fryer. Tom’s atmospheric production style which plays with big spaces and other worldly sounds, lives in the space between Gina’s honest and poetic lyrics, allowing her songs to shine that little bit brighter. 

The pair first met at the Cambridge Folk Festival in 2014 where Gina played a set for The People’s Front Room, a collective that Tom is a part of. Tom went on to record and produce a few of Gina’s tracks, however it wasn’t until late 2016 that The Desert officially came together to write and record their first collection of songs. 

‘I find it difficult working with other people, it has always just been me and my guitar behind closed doors.’ Gina explains. ‘It was so exciting to find someone I could trust to develop my songs with. We’re pretty different but we work well together’

Lead single 'Just Get High' kicks off with a punchy electro-beat that contrasts with Gina’s reticent vocal delivery. Originally intended to be a demo recorded late one night in Gina's bedroom, Tom time-stretched it into shape and made a kind of down-tempo house beat for it, with a synthesiser part that grows to dominate and take over the whole track. Facebook here.

Gina Leonard's vocals are intimate and reflective and very hypnotic on 'Just Get High' as is the beautifully crafted soundtrack. Combined they create a song that could be late night listening material, provided your energy levels have not sapped completely away.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Electric Eye - Turn Around, Face The Sun.

Background - We’re at Broen Studio in Bergen. Øystein Braut, Njål Clementsen, Anders Bjelland and Øyvind Hegg-Lunde have locked into a groove that never seems to stop. Their bodies are swaying in time with the music, their heads are eagerly shaking to the song that’s pumping out of the room, and it seems like they’ll never get out of it. Maybe they don’t want to get out?

It’s a little more than one year since Electric Eye released their second album, 'Different Eye', and only eight months since their live album, 'Live at Blå', came out. But now they’re standing here again, ready to pull you into a new whirlwind of psychedelic and hypnotic rhythms.

Since the last time they’ve travelled the world and visited countries like USA, UK, Japan, Italy, Germany, Denmark and many more. They’ve been everywhere to play concerts, which is where you really want to experience Electric Eye. Now they’ve brought all of their concerts into the studio, together with all of their experiences and a bunch of new songs. 

We’re back in Broen Studio, and it’s difficult not to be fascinated. The band will release their third album in November 2017, and now they’re ploughing through their new single, 'Turn Around, Face the Sun'. It sounds like a soundtrack to a movie that hasn’t been made yet, it’s villainy acid prog, it’s ethno jazz, it’s old school hip hop grooves mixed with the easily recognisable Electric Eye sound. Website here, Facebook here.

New single 'Turn Around, Face The Sun' slowly comes into being, with immediate hints of psychedelic vibes, that increase as the vocals begin and the music builds. Electric Eye would appear to be, on something of a creative roll right now!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

First Blush - Before & After.

Background - First Blush on "Before & After": "Before & After is the oldest track on my forthcoming album Monologic and was the song that ended up setting the tone for the whole album. As the title suggests, I think it evokes a sense of transition and flux, the feeling of standing sideways across the threshold of a door and looking in both directions before taking the next step. Sonically, Before & After also influenced the rest of the album with distorted synth bells and pads taking center stage and guitars being used more for accents and atmosphere."

A refresher on First Blush: First Blush is the brainchild of Charles Sekel, a former Julliard pre-college program kid-turned-indie musician. Sekel's music is a reflection of his battle to defeat a continuous cycle of self-destructive behaviour stemming back nearly a decade. From his college days as a classical/jazz musician at the Peabody Institute, Sekel struggled with alcohol abuse and panic attacks, and turned to original music to help with his mental health. Now completely sober thanks to the help of music, a good therapist and assistance from his girlfriend (now wife,) he was able to pull himself out of addiction and confidently release his solo venture.

"Before & After" follows First Blush's previous releases, the single "Wouldn't We All?" and trippy, gif-inspired music video for their track "Gold." Facebook here.

'Before & After' is our second song feature for First Blush this year. Vocals are centre stage as the song starts, and remain a focal point, as the music erupts into a powerfully layered soundtrack. Having only heard two songs from First Blush's forthcoming album, things are looking pretty promising.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Cody & Danz - Make it in America.

Background - Cody & Danz are teaming up to release their debut EP, Only The Hits, on July 14th via Channel 9 Records in the USA and Tugboat Records in Japan. They have now shared their first video, "Make it in America.

The two artists both have burgeoning solo projects: Cody Crump and Computer Magic. Cody lives in LA and Danz lives in NYC. The two artists both have burgeoning solo projects: Cody Crump and Computer Magic. Cody lives in LA and Danz lives in NYC. Consequence of Sound says, "Though about 3,000 miles separate these two musicians, their minds meet on one project, their collaborative debut EP, Only The Hits." 

After playing many of LA’s staple venues - from Soho House to The Roxy to The Standard, Cody Crump has plans to tour in the very near future. His music will be featured in the upcoming film “The List.” He has had music featured on HBO's "Leftovers," Showtime's "Penny Dreadful, and most recently his song "Burn" was in ABC's "How To Get Away With Murder."

Danz has toured North America multiple times with acts such as Neon Indian, Ladyhawke and Chad Valley. She’s played the Primavera Festival in Spain, Martini Art Love Festival in Moscow,  and has toured Japan multiple times. She has many shows locally in LA and New York City, so stay tuned for upcoming dates for Computer Magic, Cody Crump and Cody & Danz. Facebook here.

Our second feature for the debut EP, this time with the new music video for 'Make it in America'. It's already gained plenty of attention, and as vibrant indie rock songs go, I reckon this one will ensure the EP, also gets plenty of attention.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Last Dinosaur - First Blush - The Human Circuit - Deer Tick - Fassine

The Last Dinosaur - Grow.

Background - Poignant, dreamlike, beautiful: The Last Dinosaur’s The Nothing is a record to swim in. The brainchild of Londoner Jamie Cameron, it’s an album that addresses a tragic event from his teenage years, and transmutes that experience into a cathartic work of art.

At 16, Jamie had met kindred spirit James Macdonald at music college and recorded the 2004 album Good Morning Sunshine… and Goodnight with him under the name When I Was a Little Girl, a well-received debut through the independent label Where It’s At Is Where You Are. But a year later, Jamie was in a car crash that tragically claimed the life of his best friend. Out for the day with one of Jamie’s sisters and another friend, the car aquaplaned and hit another car at a junction. James’ injuries were the worst among the passengers, and when he passed away, Jamie was in a state of shock.

“I’d had a pretty idyllic life until then, nothing particularly bad had happened,” Jamie says. “That was a difficult experience to comprehend. Despite how harrowing it was, I thought came out of it relatively mentally unscathed, although in hindsight that’s a trick you tell yourself.”

Instead, he began recording with another music college friend, Luke Hayden, as The Last Dinosaur. Jamie’s parents split up, he broke up with his girlfriend, and The Last Dinosaur’s debut album Hooray! For Happiness, covered glowingly by the likes of Uncut, The Line Of Best Fit and more, attempted to come to terms with these experiences, while avoiding the real elephant in the room. “I was doing everything to avoid confronting this really big thing that happened at an age when you don’t generally experience death and loss,” Jamie says.

Afterwards, depression took hold of him, but over the course of years, he began writing, recording and amassing songs that addressed his grief and own fear of dying. The powerful The Nothing began to take shape. “It wasn’t an intention of mine to write an album about dying or anything like that, but I realised after I’d written a few songs that they all were about it in some way. It got to a point where I couldn’t really avoid it. I’d done the divorce album and it was all I was left with, trying to make sense of this thing that happened. Halfway through I realised it was profoundly cathartic, it made me felt less scared of dying.”

The Nothing is uplifting, life-affirming. Its lyrics may tackle the subject of mortality, but the gorgeous, overlapping, interlacing melodies are like drifting in a blissful reverie. ‘We’ll Greet Death’, with its strings, piano, saxophone and acoustic guitar is defiant, possessed of an emotional complexity. On ‘Grow’, Jamie’s lovely acoustic plucking forms the basis for a song about the fragility of life, while ‘The Sea’ is a meditative post-rock movement that begins in a hushed place and concludes over five minutes later in a gorgeous string-laden denouement. Although Jamie professes to a childhood love for R.E.M, Tortoise and most of all, Talk Talk, the music here is very much his own, self-penned and performed with close friend Rachel Lanskey providing viola on most of the songs. “I’ve had a very strong sense of never wanting to copy anyone else’s music, I just want to sound like me,” Jamie says.

Created between 2009 and 2016, The Nothing is a stunning, affecting album that is also a touching tribute to Jamie’s late friend. “Someone called it elegiac,” Jamie says. “I quite liked that notion.” Facebook here.

An album that's taken around seven years to create sets expectations high and the song 'Grow' suggests those expectations are going to be rewarded. It's a beautiful track, tender and touching without being self indulgent, and the arrangement and production is superb.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

First Blush - Gold.

Background - First Blush  is the brainchild of Charles Sekel, a former Julliard pre-college program kid-turned-indie musician. Sekel's music is a reflection of his battle to defeat a continuous cycle of self-destructive behavior stemming back nearly a decade. 

From his college days as a classical/jazz musician at the Peabody Institute, Sekel struggled with alcohol abuse and panic attacks, and turned to original music to help with his mental health. Now completely sober thanks to the help of music, a good therapist and assistance from his girlfriend (now wife,) he was able to pull himself out of addiction and confidently release his solo venture.

As dark and heavy as it turned out, the music video for Gold started in a pretty silly place: GIFs. I love a good GIF meme, especially if it's well-placed to maximize its comedic effect. But I began wondering if the concept of GIFs could be used in a more serious, dramatic context to invoke feelings of monotony and dread. 

The director, Adio Ash, created a variety of different scenes to explore different aspects of that underlying concept and wove them together in a TV-channel-based narrative arc, to powerful and dizzying effect." Facebook here.

Charles Sekel's vocals are both passionate and powerful when required. 'Gold' is an exquisite song, with a layered lo-fi soundtrack making the perfect backdrop for some wonderful singing. The video is equally artistic and makes for a fine accompaniment.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Human Circuit - Juxtaposition.

Background - Juxtaposition, the second single from The Human Circuit upcoming album, Electric City, straddles the line musically and lyrically. Lyrically about being stuck between two paths or choices, the music itself reflects this dichotomy by its forward propulsion meeting a certain lighter bounce and its jazz-inflected Indie Rock mixed with a darker melody.

Mat, The Human Circuit, on Juxtaposition: Juxtaposition illustrates a very natural state of humanity; uncertainty. The discomfort of feeling caught in the middle, forever being torn between clear choices with elusive outcomes. It so often seems we are teetering on the brinks of our lifes greatest ambitions and utter insanity.

The Human Circuit is a touring Alternative Indie-Rock band from Austin Texas. Their catchy psychedelic grooves range from the mystic vibes of David Bowie to the intricate arrangements of Arcade Fire. Their most recent album, Frequent Seas (2015) independently charted top ten on public and college radio stations nationwide.

The Human Circuit has performed with bands such as The Zombies, The Octopus Project, Boogarins, The Peach Kings, Smoke Season, Calliope Musicals, Ringo Deathstarr, and has been booked by Transmission Events, C3 Presents, among others. The Human Circuit has performed events and festivals including SXSW, 35 Denton, Pecan Street Festival, and more. Website here, Facebook here.

Our second feature for The Human Circuit and this time we have 'Juxtaposition' the bands second single from the forthcoming 'Electric City' album. It's a vibrant indie rocker, with captivating dual vocals and a sprightly musical arrangement.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Deer Tick - Sea of Clouds / It's A Whale.

Background - For the first time in four years the acclaimed and beloved band Deer Tick announce the September 15 release of a long-awaited new album...actually, two. Never a group to stand by conventional protocol, the celebrated Providence, RI quartet will release two separate albums of original material, Deer Tick Vol. 1 and Deer Tick Vol. 2 (Partisan Records), recorded at Ardent Studios in Memphis, TN. The two albums complement each other yet reflect completely contrasting styles, both of which accurately represent the two distinctive musical personalities of Deer Tick — quiet and thoughtful / loud and raucous.

Deer Tick Vol. 1 showcases the folk-driven, roots/rock style with right amount of grit, that Deer Tick is known for. Lead singer/songwriter John McCauley is a masterful introspective and observational songwriter, who documents inner struggles and external conflicts with a perfect balance of heartfelt sincerity and wry wit. The opening track "Sea of Clouds" encompasses all of what brought so many fans to Deer Tick in the first place, and also what kept them there. Guitarist Ian O’Neil’s “Hope is Big” and drummer Dennis Ryan’s “Me & My Man” expand on the group’s already dynamic range.

On Deer Tick Vol. 2, the band turns it up and lets it fly with an injection of punk-inspired garage rock at it’s finest. Clever lyrics, infectious hooks and captivating melodies pack Vol. 2 with bassist Christopher Ryan skillfully laying it down with authority and attitude. The propulsion of opener “Don’t Hurt”, edgy pop of “Jumpstarting” and rowdy punk of “It’s a Whale” reveal that there was an obvious Jekyll & Hyde approach to recording Vol. 1 & Vol. 2. Vol. 2 closes with boisterous “Mr. Nothing Gets Worse”, with all three singers taking a verse on a song that would have made The Replacements proud.

Deer Tick defines the term outlier. Their ever-evolving style has never been claimed by any one scene or genre. They encompass key elements of indie-rock, country, punk, pop, Americana, folk and so much more, which is what makes it difficult to nail them down. With Deer Tick Vol. 1 and Deer Tick Vol. 2, the question really is, why would anyone want to? Website here, Facebook here.

Two tracks are shared 'Sea of Clouds' and 'It's A Whale', one from each album. Both have an element of raw and natural enthusiasm, notable vocals and fine musicianship, after that they part ways and genres, and do so with class!



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Fassine - Gold.

Background - Fassine are pleased to share the animated video for 'Gold', taken from their forthcoming second album, 'Gourami' - released 28th July. "The video for the track is just as dramatic. Animated by James Gilleard, it shows the group, or at least a version of them, retreat to a mountain-top mansion where they’re joined by friends for some time off the grid, or so it seems.

Things soon take a sinister turn, and the real reason for the group’s getaway becomes apparent. The video is just as cinematic as the track itself, so we won't give away any spoilers."

The London trio made a name for themselves last year with their icy, cinematic take on electronic music for ‘Dialectik’, a debut album that saw them gain praise & support from the likes of Spin, Q Magazine, The 405, The Guardian, Giles Peterson, BBC 6 Music and more.

The band have a keen ear for the cinematic with their songs featuring on the backdrop of high-profile American TV drama’s including Sky Atlantic’s The Following, Fox’s Lucifer, Sony’s The Art Of More and more...

The band recently featured on artist Robot Koch’s haunting track, Spine and also re-worked his latest single ‘Heart Is A River’ released on Monkeytown Records. Website here, Facebook here.

'Gold' is atmospheric pretty much from the first few chords. The video add's a level of intrigue, whilst the song mixes beautiful vocals alongside an expansive music arrangement.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Neil - First Blush - Jade Jackson - AyOwA

Neil - Blank Sheet.

Background - Seahorse Recordings presents the sophomore album from Neil, called ‘Black Flowers’. Recorded on the isle of Sicily in southern Italy with renowned producer Paolo Messere (Blessed Child Opera), these 11 tracks showcase songmanship that mix folk with grunge, and vocals with an uncanny resemblance to Gavin Rossdale (of Bush). 

The first single from this album is ‘Blank Sheet’, which deals with writer's block – that moment when the artist is in front of a white sheet and cannot dial into his muse. 

Written and performed by Neil Lucchetta (vocals, guitar, harmonica). This second album offers a more rock-oriented sound than the previous album thanks to the contribution of Andrea Breda on drums and Alessandro "Ake" Donazzon on bass. Now, during live performances, he is accompanied by Andrea Breda and Alex Michielin (bass).

Originating from the Italian city of Pieve di Soligo (Treviso), Neil began his path as a singer-songwriter, having written his first song in English at the age of 14. He’s been composing ever since, his sonic output infused with folk pop, laden with acoustic guitars and dreamy lyrics.

This new album follows up Neil's debut album 'Apart', released in 2013. This new offering takes the listener on an intimate journey through his personal experiences and stories. The unremitting vision permeating his music presents us with great scenery and breathtaking views of the different facets of his life. Bandcamp here, Facebook here.

'Blank Sheet' is a good indicator of the style and quality to be found, amongst the eleven tracks that make up the new 'Black Flowers' album. Powerful acoustically lead alt rock music, mixes with more understated pieces where Neil Lucchetta's distinct and full-hearted vocals, are rightly the focal point of each song.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

First Blush - Wouldn't We All?

Background - First Blush is the brainchild of Charles Sekel, a former Julliard pre-college program kid-turned-indie musician. A blissed-out blend of lo-fi rock and dream pop, "Wouldn't We All?" is the first single off his forthcoming Monologic EP, expected out this Spring.

Sekel's music is a reflection of his battle to defeat a continuous cycle of self-destructive behavior stemming back nearly a decade. From his college days as a classical/jazz musician at the Peabody Institute, Sekel struggled with alcohol abuse and panic attacks, and turned to original music to help with his mental health. 

Now completely sober thanks to the help of music, a good therapist and assistance from his girlfriend (now wife,) he was able to pull himself out of addiction and confidently release his solo venture. Website here, Facebook here.

Lush, dreamy and rich synth's act as a prelude for the more paced song that is 'Wouldn't We All?' Lo-Fi rock of sorts that is enriched by the continued use of swirling synths, and flowing vocals that help drive the beat.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Jade Jackson - Good Time Gone.

Background - The track, entitled "Good Time Gone” is from Jade Jackson's debut album Gilded, produced by Social Distortion frontman Mike Ness and out May 19th. “Good Time Gone” is a supremely catchy reverb guitar drenched punkabilly anthem loaded with swagger and a sense of crashed out romance.

As Jackson explains, “I came into rehearsal one day with a song I'd written the night before and we started jamming. Tyler upped the tempo, Andrew and Jake added some chords and I messed with the melody. After we found the groove, I realized the lyrics no longer fit. The following weekend, as I stared out the car window on my way to LA it hit me, I had a story I wanted to tell. On an old, dirty envelope I found under my seat and with a half broken pencil, I scribbled down this hero-less tale of two lovers. When Mike (Ness) heard it he said it was "wild" and wanted it on the record. In the studio, Mike added his flare and it came to be. We are all excited to share "Good Time Gone" with you.”

Jackson’s album Gilded is unapologetically country rock, merging the heartbreak and resilience of Lucinda Williams with the melodic confidence of Emmylou Harris, yet containing the emotional presence of a young musician who cherished albums by The Gun Club and Smiths alongside the works of George Jones and Hank Williams. Website here, Facebook here.

Our third feature for Jade Jackson this year, this time with 'Good Time Gone'. The new song is more alt rock than country rock, or quoting from the above piece punkabilly a term that I really like. Fabulous music from an album that meets this calibre, song after song!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

AyOwA - Fri.

Background - Danish duo AyOwA releases the single “Fri” (out May 5th) leading up to Debut EP “Eremit” (out May 19th). Already confirmed for big live shows at Spot and Roskilde Festival, the Danish duo AyOwA are ready to take on the summer. Armed with modular synths, old reel-to-reels, and a haunting voice on top, they create dark and moving electronic pop songs. Sung in Danish, but with a certain universal and dreamy appeal, this band combines noise pop with vapor wave, and melodies with improvisation, in an evocative and playful mix. 

The single “Fri” leads up to their anticipated debut EP “Eremit” that will follow on May 19th. In a more hopeful tone than ever, AyOwA dreams of the simplicity of being ‘free'. With an uplifting catchy chorus and their signature vocal samples, they swim into the summer on a wave of electronic dream-pop.

After a winter of hibernating in their Copenhagen studio, the duo is releasing their 6 track debut EP “Eremit” (means Hermit) on legendary DJ Kenneth Bager’s own label “Music For Dreams". The EP is a soulful search into the depth of electronic music, and the Scandinavian DNA. With many months of darkness and anticipation for a summer that sometimes never comes, the tone is set for melancholy. 

Under the headline "Danish Never Sounded So Sexy" Huffington Post praises AyOwAs sound, and the language’s unique timbre. And although it isn’t commonplace to hear the Danish language mentioned for its beauty, it bears a strange attraction of the incomprehensible and mysterious to listen to. And sexy or melancholic - AyOwA continues to capture the audience with their unique and moving sound. Facebook here.

'Fri' is the third song we have featured by the duo AyOwA as they continue to impress with their superbly crafted genre defying music.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------