Dose - Ana Egge - Sofia Härdig - Flora Cash - London Plane

Dose - Furniture.

Background - Debut single Furniture by Newcastle, UK experimental noise-rock band Dose is due for release on 27th April via cult indie label A Turntable Friend. Their cinematic amalgamation of discordant melodies, intricate guitars and a strong rhythm- all blended together with an array of obscure effects and samples- has already earned them rave reviews on magazines such as DIY Magazine and The Line Of Best Fit.

Inspired by the experience of playing in their squalid, decaying practice space, Furniture was written by Sean Turland and Ewan Barr and recorded at Suburban Home Studio with MJ from Hookworms. The full band includes bassist Matthew Collerton, guitar/synth/samples from Sam Campbell and drummer Joe Donkin. The group have been together under many iterations since 2015, discovering their unique sound which blends art rock, krautrock and slowcore into one coherent sonic landscape.

The song Furniture is led by a consistent guitar line remaining present throughout the track like clockwork, dipping in and out of view as other parts take precedence. Extreme dynamic alterations ace the song, from the abrasive chorus to the intertwining, mellow middle 8. For the climax, melodic guitar feedback and an Ebow are used side by side; alongside Ewan’s spoken word overlapping Sean’s distant vocals, this invokes a sense of multiple inner voices and opinions, mirroring the lyrics’s theme of abandonment. WEBSITE.

A rhythmic and chunky opening evolves into a smoother flowing song on 'Furniture' where the vocals add intrigue, the band power up and we are off into a sonic blast of dynamic rock and roll.

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Ana Egge - Dance Around The Room With Me.

Background - On June 8, 2018, Brooklyn-based singer-songwriter Ana Egge will release her new album White Tiger via Story Sound Records. This week, Egge shares the lead single "Dance Around The Room With Me", which features Anais Mitchell on background vocals and Big Thief's Buck Meek on guitar.

White Tiger features nine originals and one John Hartford cover, and so amply displays Egge’s singularly articulate and affecting honesty and sensitivity as to once again deserve USA Today’s accolade, "[Ana] can write and sing rings around" her contemporaries.

Ana got bit by the music bug as a teenager, and having grown up with parents who were, as she describes, "motorcycle-riding hippie farmers" raising four children on a farm in North Dakota, Ana took matters into her own hands, building her own guitar and moving to Austin, TX to soak in the vibrant music scene. The striking depth and unusual maturity of her singing, playing, and songwriting got her noticed, and she recorded her debut album River Under the Road (1997) with the legendary western swing band Asleep At The Wheel. The following year, at only 19-years old, The Austin Music Awards named Ana “Best Singer/Songwriter” and “Best Folk Artist”.

Egge soon began hitting the road, opening for the likes of Iris DeMent, Shawn Colvin, and Ron Sexsmith. Later on she got to share the stage with John Prine, Sinead O'Connor, and Lucinda Williams who once said “Ana's an exceptional songwriter, listen to the lyrics…[she’s] the folk Nina Simone!”

Over the ensuing years and eight subsequent albums, Ana has made good on her promising debut, going on to record full albums with The Stray Birds and The Sentimentals, and work with highly acclaimed producers such as Martin Terefe, Jason Mercer, Joel Plaskett, Stewart Lerman, and Steve Earle who’s said “Ana Egge's songs are low and lonesome, big square-state noir ballads which she plays on a guitar she built with her own two hands and sings like she's telling us her deepest, darkest secrets.” WEBSITE, TWITTER.

'Dance Around The Room With Me' opens with an understated acoustic backdrop and is soon accompanied by Ana Egge's melodic and gorgeous vocals. The song picks up pace and depth as the hooks begin to dig in deep.

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Sofia Härdig - My Week.

Background - Sofia Härdig’s new single ‘My Week’, from the upcoming album ‘Changing The Order’ is crafted from new wave, electronica-influenced synths, amongst other live instruments and powerful vocals. Championed by Belle and Sebastian’s Stevie Jackson, Sofia has worked with major Swedish artists including Grammy Award winners The Hellacopters and bob hund. Furthermore, she has collaborated with Yoshimi from Japanese noise-rockers Boredoms and the alternative indie band Free Kitten. Sofia’s experimental nature shines through with her new material that blends new wave and electronic influences.

‘My Week’, the third single of the album, takes the post-punk sound expertly exercised by The Cure or Joy Division and Sofia makes something of her own. Thick-layered instrumentation features offbeat semi-quavered synth that bounces on top of syncopated distorted guitar; characteristic of early 80’s new wave. Low, pedaled bass sits under Sofia’s commanding vocals, which are tinged with despair and the desperation of escape, as she sings ‘Saturday, Saturday, Saturday, Saturday, I’m still insane.’

“I wrote this song at a Café in Brussels when I was lost during a tour. The house I was staying at was full of sleeping musicians and I was hungry, so I took a random tram to search the town. The Café I found was alright, their sandwiches filled me up.  I spent some time writing and recording on my portable recorder while looking at people around me. Back home I recorded the song in my studio – guitar, voice, synths and drum programming. Then I recorded parts from some musicians I met on the road; a Canadian bass player and an Australian pianist. The song should be listened to loud when the walls in your room start closing in on you…” – Sofia Härdig. WEBSITE, TWITTER.

It's our fifth feature for Sofia Härdig and the new track 'My Week' from the upcoming album ‘Changing The Order’ is another impressive song. Feisty and fierce, the driving beat is accompanied by some passionately delivered vocals,and a feeling of determination that is almost hypnotic!

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Flora Cash - 18 Dollars.

Background - Flora Cash is a Scandi-American duo made up of Shpresa Lleshaj and Cole Randall. The couple has taken it upon them to sonically explore the diversity of human relationships through minor keys and brooding vocals, they double down on their palette of inky blues and blacks, standing wholly apart from their R&B-Pop peers. Having “met” via SoundCloud and instantly e-hitting it off musically, their “atmospheric in theme and vibe” material had soon after been supported by the likes of Noisey US, Paste, Wonderland, The Music Ninja, Earmilk, The Line of Best Fit, Clash, Impose Magazine and more.

Following the success of their last album, ‘Nothing Lasts Forever But Its Fine’ – most with lead single ‘You’re Somebody Else’, which has had over 6 million plays on Spotify and has also featured in numerous playlists such as New Music Friday USA. The track also went viral on YouTube with 4.8 million views, which was the breakthrough moment for the couple. Flora Cash also have a substantial year of live performances ahead of them; they’re set to be playing across the world, from Hanoi to Miami, and also making their debut at SXSW this year.

Flora Cash now release their new single ’18 Dollars’ where Randall leads the sincerely sublime R&B ballad with husky, reverberating vocals. Minor-keyed guitar wraps Shpresa’s stony harmonies, as they rest on a spine of solemn brass and bass synths. Lleshaj takes centre-stage during the bridge, and the contrast in vocals is poignant. The duo comes together again in the tragically touching closing chorus.

The pair skilfully blend elements of acoustic music with ethereal production, hinting at Mt Wolf, Poliça, Vogue Dots and Kings Of Convenience. The honesty of their lyricism is constantly tinged with dark moments, moments of doubt, of anger, of pain fully present in the sonic backbone of Flora Cash.

‘18 Dollars is a song that looks back on aspects of a relationship that has ended. There’s a stubbornness and a cockiness about it but that’s really only superficial. Beneath the surface there’s a deep longing to fix something that’s broken but a lack of insight as to how that might be possible. There is confusion about where things stand and how bad (or good) things really were. Ultimately, the track communicates the deeply felt ambiguity that often surrounds the ending of a romantic relationship.’ – Flora Cash. WEBSITE, TWITTER.

Flora Cash appeared once on Beehive Candy in 2016 and once again last year, and here we are once again another year on. '18 Dollars' has some personal and intimate feeling vocals that glide above a gradually developing soundtrack. The duo have a clear and individual sound to their music that continues to explore new ground, doing so with notable accomplishment.

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London Plane - New York Howl.

Background - New York City based six-piece, female-fronted rock band London Plane shares the title track and accompanying video off their forthcoming debut LP New York Howl. In their own words, "'New York Howl' is "a love song to New York. Your relationship with the city – especially if you’re newly arrived – can be fraught with uncertainty and fear until, if you give in to it, the city makes you fit its mold."

London Plane's debut album began when David Mosey and Cici James who were introduced by Joe McGinty (Psychedelic Furs) backstage at a tribute show to Lou Reed following his death. After seeing her perform, David approached Cici about giving a go at vocals for a project that had been developing, at least in concept. Eventually, over many months, the correspondence between the two became a musical project driven by the narrative of a stranger; a long since passed Lower East Side scenester who left her diary for David to discover so many years later (see bio).

David asked long-time collaborator Danny Taylor (Collapsing Scenery, The Pains of Being Pure at Heart) to produce the songs. Along with London Plane keyboardist, co-producer and mixing engineer Julian Tulip, and mixing engineer Ashley Stubbert the album came together into a cohesive if not eccentric whole.  Others who contributed to the project include Jennifer Fraser (Raveonettes, The Warlocks, Zaza), McKenzie Stubbert (VE artist Chris Milk), Brian Groux (World Atlas), and Kristofer Widholm (Morex Optimo). New York Howl will be available on all digital streaming platforms on May 18, 2018. WEBSITE, TWITTER.

Tour Dates:
04.15 - Berlin - New York City, NY
05.17 - Berlin - New York City, NY.

There is an expansive and powerful feel to 'New York Howl' right from the beginning. The six piece band provide a tight and cohesive sound behind the soaring and melodic vocals, all done with a sense of drama and anticipation.


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Blitzen Trapper - Flora Cash - Velvet Volume - Veronica Bianqui - To Kill A King

Having just returned from a week away, yesterday I opened the Beehive Candy inbox, where hundreds (& I mean hundreds) of messages expectantly awaited our attention. As editor (well it sounds good) I had hoped to get a couple of updates out last week, but heroically failed to set up any Internet connection in West Cornwall, or take along the various passwords required for others to assist. So a week in a remote wonderful timber chalet in the middle of a beautiful woodland setting, far from any mobile connection, was just right for me, not so for Beehive Candy. That said it really is worth getting totally off the grid and as much as I love music, I would do it again tomorrow if I could. Anyhow let the catch up commence....

Blitzen Trapper - Rebel.

Background - Earlier this year, the Portland, OR-based Blitzen Trapper accomplished a unique feat for a rock band who has been releasing albums and touring for the better part of two decades: a staged musical titled Wild & Reckless that ran for 28 performances at Portland Center Stage. The band is announcing a new album of the same title that was born from the stage production and as a companion to their 2008 breakthrough album Furr.

"'Rebel' is a song about a guy who for the love of a girl follows in his father's footsteps only to find it to be a scam," explains principal and frontman Eric Earley. "After several tries at the American dream he ends up selling cocaine to blue bloods in the Hollywood hills. Something of a lost Raymond Carver story with shambling near-country soundtrack."

The album Wild & Reckless was born from the stage production that the band spent the better part of a year producing. The half musical, half rock-opera dealt with heroin abuse, desperation, true love and western power structures. The story evoked a bygone era of Portland with this sci-fi love story, featuring a rock-and-roll score that paired unreleased songs with favorites from the band’s catalog.

Following the success of the production, the band took 7 original songs from the production and developed the theme further into the 12 songs that comprise the new album Wild & Reckless.

Frontman Eric Earley also sees the record as a companion and extention of their 2008 album Furr. "Wild and Reckless” is something like a cross-eyed stepchild to Furr, in that it chronicles the darker dystopian stories of rural and suburban west coast death-drive via a riffing psychedelic landscape. Ten years after Furr with all its talk of murder and the end of the western world, it seems there's more to tell."

Blitzen Trapper is Eric Earley (songwriter/singer), Erik Menteer (guitar, keyboard), Brian Adrian Koch (drums, vocals), Michael Van Pelt (bass) and Marty Marquis (keyboard, vocals). Wild & Reckless was produced by Eric Earley and Michael Van Pelt and was recorded by Gregg Williams at The Trench, in Portland, Oregon.  It was mixed by James Brown (Foo Fighters, Kings Of Leon, Blitzen Trapper's All Across This Land) at The Union. Website here, Facebook here.

'Rebel' is a fine alt rocker with more than a hint of Americana about it. Getting on for two decades of recording & touring, Blitzen Trapper can clearly still pen and produce some catchy and high quality music.


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Flora Cash - Roses On Your Dress + You Are Healing.

Background - Flora Cash is a Swedish/American couple who formed through a collaboration on Soundcloud. Shpresa Lleshaj and Cole Randall’s shared passion for music fosters their creativity, inspiring them to musically explore the complexity of relationships in their music.

In short, Shpresa Lleshaj and Cole Randall’s shared passion for music fosters their creativity, inspiring them to musically explore the complexity of relationships in their album. The darker side of love is a theme demonstrated in the tone of the “Roses On Your Dress” music video and the lyrical desperation to understand your lover. Listeners will recognize the cinematic qualities of a melancholic Lana Del Rey ballad, accompanied by Cole’s brooding male vocals.  

The music video takes place at a fabulous mansion, where the lovers inhabit two worlds: the modern middle class living outside, and the wealthy aristocracy living inside. The couple only interacts inside the mansion, showing affection until the relationship takes a turn for the worst. The wealthy couple fights as the middle class couple calmly watches them. In the end, the relationship falls apart because money cannot sustain happiness.  But that’s okay, because nothing lasts forever (and it’s fine). They have each other and that’s all that really matters.

“Roses On Your Dress is a track about individuality, struggling to make a distinctive mark upon the world and the ways in which that struggle affects each of us. It also touches on the challenges of being marginalized; an “outsider” …and the brutality with which different societies, including our own, work to shame and strip us of the uniqueness which contributes to our own inimitable vantage points.” - Flora Cash The album is out everywhere now via the Swedish label Icons Creating Evil Art. Website here.

Two songs to share 'Roses On Your Dress' and 'You Are Healing' and both are powerful and imaginative tracks. Flora Cash deliver an expansive, lush sound where emotions simmer and the music adds to the beautiful feeling they create.

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Velvet Volume - Look Look Look!

Background - With their youthful candor, it didn’t take the three rock sisters long to play themselves into the hearts of rock fans everywhere. Even though the latest single Look Look Look! relates to growing up, there is nothing slowing the three Danes down.

The onrushing sisters sing about loafing about and the bad habits. That comes with not yet having figured out how to structure your life. “This track was written at a point in our lives, where we all had to get used to time with restlessness and insecurity” says Noa Lachmi.

In the almost Sofia Coppolan music video directed by Daniel Aude, viewers are invited into the dream world of a young woman holding onto unaccountable playfulness, while also exploring her own true self. The restlessness is so thick you could cut through it with a knife, while sisterhood and self-absorption is embraced wearing shiny whigs. The single Look Look Look! is a taste of the upcoming debut album, which will be released on October 6th. Facebook here.

Some feisty no nonsense rock comes along in the shape of 'Look Look Look!' The three sisters might be wearing shiny Whigs in the video, however the energy & attitude suggests this is all part of the game, not a front to hide behind.


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Veronica Bianqui - Victim.

Background - Vocalist, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist Veronica Bianqui integrates the raw energy of garage rock with the passion of classic soul and R&B, and the pop sensibilities of 60s girl groups while maintaining an intense yet playful edge. Perhaps it’s her background in musical theatre, jazz, classical, and even Indian classical music, or her mother’s propensity for blasting The Beatles and Joe Cocker around the house, but Bianqui’s tastes and influences cross a wide spectrum of sounds. In her live show, Bianqui and her band consisting of up to 10 members—reminiscent sometimes of a revue– combine classic showmanship with a heartfelt directness that keeps the music intimate.

Before breaking out with her solo material, Bianqui made a name for herself in the LA circuit, performing in bands that toured across the U.S. and Europe. As a current member of 1960’s inspired folk/surf/psych rock outfit The Blank Tapes, she balances the two bands, often collaborating with bandmate and co-producer Matt Adams, including on her debut album that is yet to be released.

Bianqui’s past gigs include the main stage at Echo Park Rising 2017, headlining slots at The Hi Hat and The Bootleg, a popular residency at Hollywood’s Harvard & Stone, shared bills with Mikal Cronin, The Coathangers, Dead Sara, Cosmonauts, Capital Cities, and more. She has self-booked multiple UK & European tours, and was hand-picked by bookers to play iconic Los Angeles venue The Echo’s 15 year anniversary party in December 2016. In light of this history behind her, it is easy to see why people are coming out in droves to see the young songstress live.

Her debut album–recorded with Mark Rains (Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, Shooter Jennings, Alice Bag, Death Valley Girls)– is nearing completion, and awaits release in 2018. Website here, Facebook here.

Veronica Bianqui appears to have found a way to merge decades and genres together, the song 'Victim' being a case in point. Hints of differing styles and era's are succinctly put together resulting in one very catchy, timeless song.

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To Kill A King - Spiritual Dark Age.

Background - To Kill A King have today released their new single ‘Spiritual Dark Age’ and announced a headline tour for January 2018. Described by singer Ralph Pelleymounter as "a bit of comfort for the long dark night of the soul," ‘Spiritual Dark Age’ is To Kill A King at their irrepressible best. Marrying memorable, thought-provoking lyrics with dynamic production and outrageously catchy hooks, ‘Spiritual Dark Age’ grabs from the off and never lets up. ‘Spiritual Dark Age’ and recent single ‘‘The Good Old Days’ will feature on the To Kill A King’s third album due early 2018.

The band’s twelve-date UK tour starts at Sheffield Plug on January 11th and will culminate at Islington Assembly Hall on January 27th. "We are so excited to get back on the road and play for you all, it’s been too long since we’ve seen a lot of these parts,” says Ralph. “Roll on 2018!" 

Earlier this year To Kill A King played three consecutive London headline dates (at The Borderline, Oslo, and Omeara), and this week they return to their DIY roots with a European ‘Living Room Tour.’

After releasing two acclaimed albums, 2013’s ‘Cannibals With Cutlery’ and 2015’s self-titled follow-up ‘To Kill A King’, and touring incessantly since 2010, To Kill a King took a well deserved break in 2016, Ralph using the time to write with Rag’n’ Bone Man and Zibra, while keyboardist Ben Jackson produced albums for Childcare and Little White Things. To Kill A King: Ralph Pelleymounter (vocals, guitar), James Ball (bass), Ben Jackson (keyboards), Grant McNeill (guitar), and Josh Taffel (drums), website here, Facebook here.

‘Spiritual Dark Age’ has lyrics that really are food for thought. They are delivered with a tight and punctuated delivery, as the band kick out a fast flowing feast of pleasing music.

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Weekend Wonders: Alexandria - Laurel - Wicklow Atwater - Flora Cash - Philter - Geowulf

Alexandria - Hot Day.

Background - The Stockholm-based band Alexandria muddling through the post-ironic middle class obstinate age. Their semi-electronic pop weaves together playful groove with muffled rhythms. Out of their combination of intoxicated palm tree sensualism, heard in their previous hit ”Secret Beach”, and melancholy influences from job anxiety arises an exciting harmony. In short: umbrella drinks meets ”back to the grind”.

The quintet has found an unconventional and dim world of sound of catchy melancholy, where shimmering synths engulfs the listener in a dream-like state. Alexandria has created their own sound where realism and escapism is in a state of equilibrium.

Alexandria describes ”Hot Day” with the following words: ”Hot day has its bright spots, and we are especially fond of the part after the chorus. Good vibe. We are really in to how the guitars sound the Stones album 'Tattoo You' from 1981 and tried to recreate that.”

The single will be followed up by the album ”Bossa” which is their first full-length. ”Bossa” will be released late January 2017 on Lab259.

Melodic and expansive music supports the smooth vocals on 'Hot Day'. I guess it sits somewhere between indie and synth pop, and it's one of those songs where the vocals and soundtrack are competing with each other for the attention of your ears. Next January's album seems very promising based on this track.

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Laurel - Maybe Baby.

Background - Southampton-raised, 22 year old London-based singer, songwriter and producer Laurel Arnell-Cullen has now shared a brand new track, 'Maybe Baby', taken from her forthcoming Park EP out 18th Nov on Counter Records (an imprint of Ninja Tune).

The Park EP was written, performed, recorded, produced and mixed by Laurel in her East London bedroom based studio. The first taster; 'Hurricane' demonstrates a maturity of sound beyond her 22 years, her breathy vocals sitting atop exquisite melodies with heartfelt, intimate delivery.

It follows the release of singles 'Life Worth Living' and 'San Francisco', which Laurel released on her label Theia earlier in the year. The tracks saw her garner a wealth of support from BBC Radio 1, Beats1, Apple, Spotify, New York Times, The Guardian, i-D, DIY, The Line of Best Fit and many more, reaching Top 3 on Hype Machine's Popular Chart and surpassing half a million plays in under a month - her Spotify listener figures are in excess of 300k every month.

With a debut album scheduled for early 2017, Park EP further enhances Laurel’s position as a phenomenal new talent, mixing raw organic production with striking yet touching songwriting and powerfully enchanting vocals. Website here.

Live Dates:
23rd Nov - Crofters Rights, Bristol
24th Nov - Green Door Store, Brighton
25th Nov - Eagle Inn, Manchester
26th Nov - The Attic @ The Garage, Glasgow
27th Nov - Think Tank Underground, Newcastle
29th Nov - Brudenell Games Room, Leeds
30th Nov - Servant Jazz Quarters, London
16th Feb - Sebright Arms, London

Our second feature for Laurel and the new song is 'Maybe Baby' released ahead of next weeks 'Park' EP. With her stand out vocals and a powerful and stripped back soundtrack, this is another very catchy and superbly produced song.

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Wicklow Atwater - I Wanna Be Yer Man.

Background - Wicklow Atwater is an American band. They formed and remain based in Atwater Village, Southern California. Being born and raised in the same neighbourhood all five members have been the best of friends since childhood which has created an unbreakable bond that some describe as brotherhood, in turn this has created a unique energy between the group that you can sense off and on stage.

Although its impossible to label Wicklow Atwater as a single genre it is safe to say they play a brand of acoustic music known as Americana which encompasses a blend of bluegrass, old time, country, folk, and blues. The group consists of array of multi-instrumentalists who have been recording, producing and releasing their own music independently without the aid of a record label. Wicklow holds nothing back and jumps to the occasion to grace stages, bar rooms and festivals where ever there are open ears and open minds. Growing up with big dreams and humble beginnings the boys have gotten by on a supportive fan base and a do it yourself mentality that goes hand in hand with an old fashion punk rock ethic.

The Ultimate goal of the band is simple, to serenade the nation and to live and experience the beauty that this country has to offer through touring and performing on road. With that said Wicklow Atwater does not wish to set the world on fire, they just want to reignite the fallen flame in America's heart. Facebook here.

One of seventeen songs on the new album 'I Wanna Be Yer Man' is wonderful in it's own right, and yet has to fight for it's place in the collection. Even when the band slow things down a little, there is a sense of energy and passion just waiting to burst through again. Seriously, if you like the featured song, you will love the album. It's Americana that explodes in so many different directions, it's fun and foot stomping, and deserves to be heard in full!

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Flora Cash - Sadness Is Taking Over.

Background - Flora Cash are a Scandi duo that have taken upon themselves to sonically explore the diversity of human relationships. They go straight to places where tears are shed, chairs are thrown, discussions of parting are present, but the music is created regardless. Having “met” on Soundcloud and instantly e-hitting it off musically, their “atmospheric in theme and vibe” material had soon after been supported by the likes of Noisey US, Paste, The Music Ninja, Earmilk, Interview Magazine and more.

With the release of their upcoming new album, containing the “Sadness Is Taking Over” single, Flora Cash face their most challenging moments to date sewn deep into the music. They instantly share this uneasy and raw kind of anxiety with the listener, the type that affects one’s mind, body and then somehow manages to creep into every aspect of one’s life, soon to be in control of it. Topping the song with the backing vocals, in the style of Bon Iver and Fleet Foxes, Cole and Shpresa are not only conveying their feelings but also examining them with each sung harmony.

The duo skilfully blend their deep love for acoustic soundscapes and layer it with just the right amount of ethereal production hinting at Mt Wolf, Poliça, Vogue Dots and Kings Of Convenience. Through the painful dialogue between Shpresa’s observations and Cole’s suffering, the duo succeeds at designing an inter-dimensional delicate yet mighty piece of music. 

“Sadness Is Taking Over” creates a sonic desire for tranquillity and emotional freedom which despite the heartbreak, loss or destruction, aids one with the ability of personal growth and moving on. The single is now out via the Swedish label Icons Creating Evil Art. Website here.

The vocals and harmonies exude atmosphere and melody on 'Sadness Is Taking Over'. The soundtrack is equally fine, mixing gentle beats and intricate patterns, the duo have something pretty special going on here.

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Philter - Katana.

Background - When you step into the Philter universe, his self-described cinematic electronica makes up only a portion of the experience that spans beyond the music into film, merchandise, animation and video games. With a dedicated and growing fanbase worldwide, Philter is positioned to catapult to international stardom. Behind the curtain, you find a very charming and humble guy named Magnus Gangstad Jørgensen from Molde in Northern Norway nicknamed “The Town of Roses”. 

Growing up with long dark winters and summers of light, Magnus was influenced at a young age by this duality. This manifested itself in many ways as a youth, but it was not until he moved to Bergen on the Western side of Norway that his interest in music production would become his destined choice. His first album The Beautiful Lies became a success upon arrival and resonated with a much larger demographic than a typical electronica album. His follow-up, The Blossom Chronicles, capitalized on the success of TBL and continued the journey of Blossom, Floyd and The Bunny Man, characters that create the trilogy’s universe and are the creative influences behind the music.

The new album, The Campfire Tales, brings his trilogy of albums (including The Beautiful Lies and The Blossom Chronicles) to a conclusion with an experience enhanced by the presence of the Apollon Quartet. The foursome has performed at Carnegie Hall (NYC), The Louvre (Paris), Tonhalle (Zurich) and many other prestigious locations around the world. Their magic helps set the album mood, providing Philter with a prepped canvas for his work. Each contributor adds their own stamp, yet the album maintains the sound and feel of Philter that keeps his fans clamoring for more. 

With music used in a variety of features, ski-films from Field Production, sporting events, documentaries and advertisements, with clients ranging from Discovery Channel to Norwegian broadcasting station NRK, Philter’s appeal crosses over to a mainstream audience regularly. His music is often used in major international DJ sets and Avicii made a remix of Revolver. Website here.

I chose 'Katana' from 'The Campfire Songs' as I think it gives a flavour of the quality found across all twelve tracks and also because I think it's a fabulous instrumental. You can sample more via the website, it really is a musical feast.

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Geowulf - Don't Talk About You.

Background - Following the incredible success of their debut single 'Saltwater', dream-pop duo Geowulf have now unveiled a brand new track; the melodic and reflective 'Don't Talk About You'. On writing the track, Star comments: "This song went through a geographical & creative metamorphosis over almost two years... We originally wrote it in Copenhagen, demo'ed it in Stockholm and then revisited it recently when Toma & I were both in London. I guess the song speaks for itself but ultimately it falls in the good ol' "wanting-something-that-ain't- good-for-you" vein ..." The band returned to the studio with producer Duncan Mills at the end of the summer to record the song.

The band's first release 'Saltwater', which dropped this summer, was an instant hit - the single has now exceeded 1.5 million plays on Spotify, reached the Top Ten on Hype Machine's Popular Chart and peaked at #4 in the Spotify US Viral Chart (it was #6 in the Worldwide Viral Chart).
 
This week also marks the launch of the band's new creative portal online, for regular musings, lyrics, personal photos, insights and original content direct from Star. The site will be regularly updated.

Geowulf will be performing live as part of The Line of Best Fit's annual Five Day Forecast festival of new music in January. They will play the sold out opening night, on Monday 9th January at The Lexington in London. Dagny and Ider are also on the bill. Geowulf is Star Kendrick (vocals) and Toma Banjanin (guitar/production). Website here.

It was back in July when we featured the debut single 'Saltwater' and it's a delight to now share 'Don't Talk About You', which from my point of view is another dream pop come beach pop gem. It could well be another big hit, how many artists would settle for that twice in a year!

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