Background - Spaceface’s music video for their single “Spread Your Head” is a hallucinatory, head-first dive into the pysch-rock band’s Merry Prankster-esque adventures. It offers a visually fantastical, mind-bending glimpse of the band’s live performance, while featuring a mysteriously bizarre character called Glowworm, dancing throughout. Led by frontman Jake Ingalls (guitarist/keyboardist of The Flaming Lips), Spaceface's “Spread Your Head” comes off the band’s recent album Sun Kids and is the perfect catalyst for their upcoming tour. The music video was shot in conjunction with scenes for the film Extremeophilia, in which the band is featured. It offers an even further look into the touring life of Spaceface, as it follows the journey of Glowworm, played by G’nat. Frontman Jake Ingalls, who also is a member of The Flaming Lips, explained, “Our video is sort of a little glimpse into what it’s like on the road with us. It was shot as a much smaller part in our friends’ movie about an interplanetary glow-worm that withstands brutal conditions and has come to Earth to keep the fabric of spacetime together. Somehow, she crosses paths with Spaceface for about two weeks and engages in endless partying.” Spaceface hits the road this summer, with a Digital Tour Bus sponsored tour in support of the video and their latest album, Sun Kids, released this April. “We booked the tour ourselves a while ago,” Ingalls shared. “I’m hyped because we’ve upped the ante with a bunch of new sound reactive LED’s, and new tunes like the one featured in the video! We’re touring in support of our new record, Sun Kids, which came out just last month. We also get to play with a lot of really great bands such as Broncho, Sugar Candy Mountain, Flaural, and tons of others.” Live dates on Beehive Candy's tour news page. Website here, Facebook here.
'Spread Your Head' is already getting noticed. An expansive psych rock song that gently allows the power to unfold, the video adds some of the bands live capability and the many hooks do the rest.
Background - "Cartoons" is the latest single from the upcoming album Cartoons, due June 23 via Deaf Ambitions. Hollow Everdaze capture the urgency of a band who have traced their own weird, divergent path through the haunted backwoods of songwriting. It shows through in their stunning debut EP, released in 2013 which received rave reviews from Australia’s most highly respected journalists and earned them support spots for international artists including The War On Drugs (US), Unknown Mortal Orchestra (NZ), and Wavves (US), plus saw them join American Football (US) on their East Coast tour of Australia in 2015. Having spent the last year working on the release of their debut full length album, recorded by rising Melbourne producer, John Lee (known for his work with Beaches, Lost Animal, The Ocean Party), mastered by David Walker (NUN, Beaches, GOAT, Jen Cloher) at Stepford Audio, and with video and art collaborations from James Thomson, Niv Bavarsky and Micheal Olivo, the band are set to unveil their newest work to the world. Facebook here.
The second time on Beehive Candy this year for Hollow Everdaze and this time with the title track 'Cartoons' from the album due for release later this month. It's another psychedelic pop/rock song, we mentioned last time that the band clearly have the knack for this type of music, the latest share kind of confirms that massively!
Background - Buffalo, NY-based, cosmic rock band Head North announce their debut LP, The Last Living Man Alive Ever In The History Of The World, due out on June 2nd. The album was produced and mixed by Brett Romnes (I Am the Avalanche) and mastered by Jesse Cannon (Animal Collective, Man Overboard) at Barbershop Studios in Lake Hopatcong, NJ. Head North is currently gearing up for the release of their full body of work and accompanying tour. The concept album revolves around an alternate world where both God and love are forbidden. The personal narratives are told through the perspectives of principal songwriters Brent Martone, Ben Lieber and Alex Matos, whose driving force can be heard through their transition from harder, louder rock driven tracks to the more atmospheric and dreamy second half of the record. Martone's gritty lyricism and the accompanying instrumentals reflect the groups evolution, as they reflect on their previous release and more forward with an air of wisdom and continued understanding of the band's place in the world, and the alternate universe they've created. Live dates on Beehive Candy's tour news page. Website here, Facebook here.
The bands music is described as cosmic rock and a listen to 'Pulse' explains that. It also happens to be deliciously original, the energy and passion really does make the song noticeable, at the very least and a second listen was quite compulsive.
Background - Kim Free has a new EP 'Goth Blues and Other Hues' which was just released on Spotify and iTunes. It also features a gorgeous remix from Andorkappen. To recap, she’s a classically trained violinist whose love of popular music has compelled her to compose, record and perform the enchanting bewitching music that’s uniquely her sound. Toward the end of the first decade of the new millennium, she embarked on a her first recording project, under the name ‘Black Church’. These avant-goth cassette-only releases and the performances that went with them gave her a small but dedicated cult following.
In 2012, she shed her pseudonym and released Angel Shadow as Kim Free. It was followed a year later by Nevermind the Blue Skies, a 14-song collection of dreamy pop. Kim continues her evolution with her most ambitious project yet - Slips. Slips sees Kim reunited with producer Alex De Groot, who she first worked with while playing violin for the Zola Jesus world tour.
For Slips, Kim has recorded several songs with a full rock band - a first for her. She navigates the delicate balance between these songs and her more familiar violin-based numbers with aplomb. The Slips project will initially be presented to the public through a series of digital EPs. The first, Make Me Yours, was released in December 2016. The second, Malibu, was released March 2017. Bandcamp here.
Kim Free has impressed me twice this year and 'Goth Blues' makes it three. Her superb musicianship and gorgeous vocals, combine to provide a gently melodic and atmospheric song. I do urge you to check out her other material!
Background - Hollow Everdaze have thrust back into gear for 2017 with new single "Catastrophe", an infectious slice of psychedelic-pop carved from their forthcoming album Cartoons (due for release later this year via Deaf Ambitions). Featuring a rollicking, garage-indebted hook, "Catastrophe" trades swirls of violin present in previous single "Still Ticking" for flourishes of keys and guitar-fuzz -- at times recalling moments of Dutch shoegazer Jacco Gardner. Drenched in reverbed lushness, Hollow Everdaze have been reimagining psychedelic pop since they began in 2007 by lead vocalist, Dan Baulch and bassist, Jackson Kay in their small town hometown of Bacchus Marsh in Western Victoria. Having spent the last year working on the release of their debut full length album, recorded by rising Melbourne producer, John Lee (known for his work with Beaches, Lost Animal, The Ocean Party), mastered by David Walker (NUN, Beaches, GOAT, Jen Cloher) at Stepford Audio, and with video and art collaborations from James Thomson, Niv Bavarsky and Micheal Olivo, the band are set to unveil their newest work to the world. Hollow Everdaze capture the urgency of a band who have traced their own weird, divergent path through the haunted backwoods of songwriting. It shows through in their stunning debut EP, released in 2013 which received rave reviews from Australia’s most highly respected journalists and earned them support spots for international artists including The War On Drugs (US), Unknown Mortal Orchestra (NZ), and Wavves (US), plus saw them join American Football (US) on their East Coast tour of Australia in 2015. Facebook here.
The is no shortage of bands enjoying psychedelic pop influences from years gone by and Hollow Daze clearly have a knack for this as 'Catastrophe' demonstrates. With that said there is enough of a modern slant and production to give the song a fresh feel.
Background - The Los Angeles-based duo Tashaki Miyaki will release their highly anticipated debut album 'The Dream' on April 7 via Metropolis Records. This week the band shares the album's second single "City." The cinematic video for the track was directed by Kelsey McNamee. "The song brought to mind the image of a woman who feels disconnected, someone who floats through spaces and life," McNamee explains. "I was inspired by the portrayal of a lonely woman in Barbara Loden's film Wanda and the dynamic in Paper Moon. As well as Los Angeles and the way it can make you feel isolated." Tashaki Miyaki have toured and played festivals across North America, Europe and the UK. The band has also performed at art museums around the world, including The Centre de Cultura Contemporània de Barcelona and MoMA, New York. Tashaki Miyaki has spent the past couple years writing and recording their debut LP, The Dream, produced by Singer/Songwriter/Multi-Instrumentalist Paige Stark and engineered by Dan Horne (Cass McCombs, Allah Las). As a writer for The Fader once observed of the band’s hypnotic sound, “It's so pretty I’m afraid saying anything else might diminish it". Facebook here.
Our second feature for Tashaki Miyaki this year with the second single from the soon to be released album. 'City' is a dreamy and lush song with intricate layers of sweeping sound. The video catches the mood and feeling, the album is awaited with interest.
Background - Amsterdam-by way of San Diego, CA-based singer-songwriter Gayle Skidmore is excited to announce the release of her latest full-length, The Golden West. The album will be available nationally on Friday, April 7, 2017. She'll also be touring in support of the album. The tour, and the album release, are the culmination of nearly two years of both heartache and mind-clearing revelations. The Golden West would test her perseverance, but ultimately help her grow as an artist.
"The week before my wedding I was still finishing vocals for the album, which was pretty insane," says Skidmore, discussing The Golden West, her twentieth independent release overall, and her third to feature an adult coloring book with the album, each picture depicting a different song. But, with an impending wedding and a new album on the horizon, Skidmore was able to purge some of her past ghosts and let go of a lot of stuff she was still holding on to. Throughout the ten-track collection, The Golden West details Skidmore's personal journey to leave the past where it belongs, a journey that took much longer than planned.
"I have spent the last several years touring the country in my tiny car, cramming in up to five instruments just for me, making coloring books, baking cookies, and knitting hats for fans. I’ve driven to New York and back several times by myself and have had countless adventures. I was once an opener for a Juggalo show in Buffalo. I played a house show in a basement in Boise and on the same tour played the EMP museum in Seattle for Ninkasi Brewing’s Ground Control Launch. Once I drove fourteen hours from Chicago to Denver to play a show and was certain I had poisoned myself with energy drinks. I’ve slept in my car, been in accidents, been harassed in the South for looking ‘alternative,’ had a few stalkers, and have had all kinds of funny adventures with tour mates. I’ve opened for my musical heroes, performed in a castle in Denver, toured in Europe, recorded twenty independent releases, and been sponsored by a fantastic brewing company [Ninkasi]. The last few years of performing have been an intense and incredible journey and I can’t wait to see where this new album takes me." Website here, Facebook here, tour details on our tour page.
The first of ten tracks on the album due for release next month, 'Pale Ghosts' is a beautiful song where melodic music and vocals equally seek out your attention. 'The Golden West' drifts into differing moods and styles, the constant reference is refined and beautiful vocals alongside considered and intelligent musical arrangements.
Background - Portland, Oregon's Kathryn Claire is gearing up to celebrate the release of her fourth full-length album, Bones Will Last, a ten-track collection of chamber/folk music encompassing her classical music upbringing with her formative folk influences. With five instrumentals and five vocal tracks, Bones Will Last places Claire’s violin and voice at the forefront of the album.
Claire spent years cultivating her own style and approach to music as a violinist, guitarist, singer, and songwriter. The result is an album that features arrangements that are sparse, with the lyrics residing confidently in the music; the violin weaving seamlessly through the album, bringing the instrumental and lyrical compositions together. She will release Bones Will Last nationally on March 24, 2017.
“When I decided to put instrumentals and lyrical songs on the album, I knew finding a cohesive sound could be problematic," admits Claire. “That interweaving was so profound. I have played violin on many albums, and have worked as a side person with incredible performers. Each artist and genre I worked in taught me something. One of the most important gifts I learned as a side person was how to listen. When I made this album I applied that gift to myself. I wanted to capture what I heard in my head with the violin. I went deep within myself to find those melodic or lyrical lines that I kept hearing.” Facebook here, website here.
'Bones Will Last' is a mixture of instrumental and vocal tracks evenly split. I thought sharing 'The Fugue' one of the instrumental pieces would give some idea of the musical quality which underpins the entire collection. Kathryn Claire has a very melodic voice ensuring that the entire collection is one of refined quality.
Henke Wermelin & His New Love - When We Move Back Home.
Background - Swedish americana artist Henke Wermelin dreams of moving out in the countryside and releases the gospel sounding When We Move Back Home as the second single from his forthcoming album Accolades!
When We Move Back Home praises the countryside. A song about yearning to find one’s place in life and strike root. Or to express it as Henke Wermelin puts it in the song itself: “When you walk through towns where people know who you are even if you don’t, that's how it will be when we move back home”.
In the video of the song Wermelin takes help from a psychologist in order to come to terms with his craze and longing for the countryside – of little use however… Is it just an illusion that the countryside is better!? Is it all just a naïve dream that will fall together as a house of cards? Henke Wermelin ignores all of the objections made and sings the lead motive of the song as a mantra and continues his hunt for a rural life.
Henke Wermelin from Gothenburg, Sweden made his debut in 2013 with the album The New Black Is Blue which received fine reviews and was mentioned as rootsy indie, americana and 70s inspired pop. Henke Wermelin performs live with His New Love - a band occasionally including as many as nine musicians! When We Move Back Home is the second single off of forthcoming album Accolades due out later this spring. Facebook here.
I think I might have run out of original things to say regarding Swedish Americana. Perhaps it's a case of stating that once again just how good these artists are at making such fine music and songs this time the case in point is 'When We Move Back Home', or maybe I just say it's Scandinavian Americana, and everyone knows that means very good.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Man From Managra - Saviours Of This World.
Background - The Man From Managra is the Athens based Alternative/Folk project of Greek musician, composer, sound engineer and music producer Coti K. He began his career in the mid-80s and he has played with various bands such as Film Noir, In Trance 95, RAW, Mohammad and as a producer he has worked, among others, with: Raining Pleasure and Tuxedomoon. As a film and theater composer, he has worked with directors such as: Dimitris Papaioannou, Yorgos Lanthimos.
Three years have passed since the release of the first album "The Man From Managra". During this time Coti turned fifty (half a century of life), became a father, haven’t managed to learn surfing yet and continued to write songs, this time with a more extrovert attitude and with an expanded number of guest musicians.
The album was written and recorded over a period of two years (2015, 2016) somewhere between Tinos island and Athens. Besides his close collaborator, Panos Galanis, on drums, the album features: Jim R. White (Dirty Three, Peaches) on drums, Blaine L. Reininger (Tuxedomoon) on viola and vocals, Hristos Lainas on bass and guitar, Rena Rasouli (Venus Volcanism) on vocals, James Whylie and George Avramidis (G.Aggelakas and 100º) on wind instruments.
"The Man came a long time ago from Managra island. It was a small forgotten isle in the backwaters of the Mediterranean, or was it somewhere in the Indian sea? No one seems to remember, or care. Some say a nearby volcanic eruption wiped all traces of the Man's homeland." Website here, Facebook here.
'Saviours Of This World' is taken from the latest album 'Half A Century Sun' and what an album it is.The featured song, is just a small taste of something very special, alt folk at it's finest with original, moving and melodic songs throughout.
Background - The Holiday Crowd debut second video "Cheer Up" from their current LP "The Holiday Crowd" (Shelflife). Following the debut of the record's first single "Cheer Up," Shelflife is proud to release The Holiday Crowd's self-titled full length -- the sophomore offering from the finest indie-pop band north of the border. The past few years kept the group occupied with various projects ranging from gigs like Berlin Pop Fest in 2012 and a European tour in 2013 to covering Duran Duran's 1981 track "Friends of Mine" for the charity tribute album Making Patterns Rhyme.
Now, at last ready to follow up their debut Over the Bluffs, you'll soon be reminded that The Holiday Crowd is carrying on the jangle-pop torch of the eighties' premier bands better than anybody else. Their new album will be released this fall on limited clear vinyl and classic black vinyl with download code, and won't fail to both win over new fans while making longtime listeners fall only deeper in love.
The Holiday Crowd finds singer Imran Haniff embracing a cool swagger that highlights just how tight the band's songwriting is from cover to cover. Tracks like "Cheer Up" and "Of All Places" feature some of Roberts' most fun and punchy basslines to date, while "Rosy Lies"- which pays clear homage to Johnny Marr -- has some of the most memorable guitar work written on this side of the eighties.
It's rare that a band sounds this comfortable in and in tune with its sound so early in their discography, but upon hearing The Holiday Crowd's origin story it begins to make more sense: "Lead singer Imran Haniff first met Colin Bowers in high school, where a conversation about Colin's Stone Roses t-shirt developed into a strong bonding friendship and songwriting partnership." It seems that from the very inception of the group there was a shared vision for where their sound would explore, and now, six years after the band's formation, it's paying off in the biggest of ways. Facebook here.
A fascinating video deserves at least a good song and 'Cheer Up' goes beyond the call of duty. Distinct vocals and punchy rhythmic music run alongside intriguing lyrics, what else do we need for a song!
Background - Hana Oceans has released her first, highly acclaimed single 'Invincible Borders' from her forthcoming EP. Hana from Gothenburg, Sweden, started making music after gaining inspiration whilst travelling the world at a young age. Hana is fiercely passionate about art, and committed to inspiring people through her music, Hana began studying at Berklee College of Music in Boston prior to releasing her critically acclaimed debut EP “Dust” in 2015. Hana's incredible voice coupled with her ability to write powerful and melodic songs led to Spotify announcing her as one of their featured artists within their 'Spotlight 2016' campaign. Hana now has a growing international fan base which has contributed to over 2 million digital streams on Spotify alone. Up until the day that Hana started making music she had felt lost at sea with all of her ideas, emotions and creativity. On finding her calling Hana has developed a strong commitment to raising awareness of environmental and social issues through her music. Hana takes in inspiration from pop, cinematic music and electro with influence from ranging from artists Ane Brun, Highasakite and Florence and The Machine.
‘Invincible Borders’ showcases Hana's enchanting vocals as she turns the attention of her lyrics in a more sinister direction than on the critically acclaimed 'Dust EP'. 'Invincible Borders' tackles the Immigration crisis that Europe is still struggling to come to terms with.
Hana says: “I can't be happy in a world where people have to risk dying at sea for the hope of a better life, only to be blocked by borders if they are lucky enough to reach dry land. It upsets me that over 60 million citizens of the earth are fleeing from conflicts. Nobody should have to live in fear and the more that people start to organise the more chance we have of affecting the politics that have led to so many people facing uncertainty every day. However, I want people to know 'Invincible Borders' is not about all of the negativity surrounding this political crisis. This song is a reminder that there is hope in the world, and that hope is represented by unity only.” Facebook here.
I think the expression atmospheric pretty well summarises the opening part of 'Invincible Borders'. A song with a message, the video brings this further to life, and Hana Ocean's vocals are so well suited for the piece. A juxtaposition between negativity and hope it may well be, sometimes music is a good place to challenge our thinking, whatever the issue, and a song as good as this really helps engage the heart and the brain...
Background - Australian band Hollow Everdaze have shared their new video for "Still Ticking". The band explains that the song has "themes of brutal honesty, romance and patience." It's off their upcoming debut album 'Cartoons', out early next year.
Drenched in reverbed lushness, Hollow Everdaze have been reimagining psychedelic pop since they began in 2007 by lead vocalist, Dan Baulch and bassist, Jackson Kay in their small town hometown of Bacchus Marsh in Western Victoria.
Having spent the last year working on the release of their debut full-length album, recorded by rising Melbourne producer, John Lee (known for his work with Beaches, Lost Animal, The Ocean Party), mastered by David Walker (NUN, Beaches, GOAT, Jen Cloher) at Stepford Audio, and with video and art collaborations from James Thomson, Niv Bavarsky and Micheal Olivo, the band are set to unveil their newest work to the world.
Debut single and title-track, "Still Ticking" is soaked in woozy twang and Myles Anderson’s signature swooning violin. It perfectly captures the Australian indie rock ensemble’s delicate melodic layering, while it reintroduces frontman Daniel Baulch’s raspy romanticism and Sixties-style craftsmanship.
Hollow Everdaze capture the urgency of a band who –after settling into their current five-piece line-up – have traced their own weird, divergent path through the haunted backwoods of song-writing. It shows through in their stunning debut EP, released in 2013 which received rave reviews from Australia’s most highly respected journalists and earned them support spots for international artists including The War On Drugs (US), Unknown Mortal Orchestra (NZ) and Wavves (US), plus saw them join American Football (US) on their East Coast tour of Australia in 2015. Facebook here.
With a light and refreshing acoustic start the song 'Still Ticking' soon develops into a very fine track, where vocals and violin dance around each other and the psychedelic vibes are never far off.
Background - Cleopatra Records will be releasing the long-awaited 'Trax! Rarities' double album by industrial-alternative rock legends Ministry, led by the outspoken super talented Al Jourgensen. This is a special limited edition double LP collection of early rare tracks and versions from Wax Trax!-era Ministry, as well as several previously unreleased gems from Al Jourgensen-related side projects - namely Revolting Cocks, PTP, Pailhead and 1000 Homo DJs.
Scheduled for release on December 9th, this new Ministry collection will be pressed on clear vinyl with a printed inner sleeve. Super fans will also be pleased to learn that this double LP includes the very rare Revolting Cocks track 'Drums Along The Carbide!' For over 30 years, Al Jourgensen has proven himself to be the undisputed king of industrial music, godfathering a genre that millions have grown to love. He is the only original member of Ministry remaining since the band’s formation in 1981.
Originally a new wave synthpop band with melodic and stylized output compared to to the more aggressive music for which they would eventually become known, as embodied in such tracks as ‘The Game Is Over’, ‘Let’s Be Happy’ and ‘Same Old Madness’. Ministry ultimately changed their style, resulting in them becoming an industrial metal pioneer in the mid-1980s. This 'Trax! Rarities' release celebrates hidden gem from their early days.
Ministry inspired numerous groups, including Nine Inch Nails, Marilyn Manson and KMFDM. Jourgensen continues to influence and morph, both in his style and music. While the latter is deeply rooted in Industrial, he is still creating new forms as most recently can be heard in his latest project SMM (Surgical Meth Machine). A multi Gold and Platinum selling artist, his drive to entertain has seen him play the part of producer, musician, author and composer. Website here, Facebook here.
'I See Red' is but a toe in the water, regarding the 'Trax! Rarities' collection, now being released as a limited edition vinyl double LP. Still it's a massive excuse to share a song, on this occasion that's enough!
Background - There is a fierceness, an intensity here woven through the soundscape that is Samson's Delilah, that pulls you in to the depths of your soul and that resonates long after the last note has been delivered. Utterly captivating, Samson’s Delilah is heavily influenced by Latin guitar, reggae, rock opera and other world music and driven with thought provoking songwriting. The thread of the "guroove" runs deep, and you will not be disappointed by the fusion and spell that they weave.
Seth Macdonald and Shara Gustafson, are well known on the Northern Alberta and B.C. festival scene having made their mark in the funk/rock/reggae/world groove high energy dance band "Mamaguroove”. With Samson’s Delilah, Seth & Shara have ventured into new musical territory.
The dream team band behind and beside them is Dan Barton (every single band in Red Deer, Alberta) on drums, Tim Bennett of Adelaide, Australia ( Aurora Jane & Formidable Vegetable Sound System, Digging Roots) on bass and third part harmony vocals as well as sought after "beast of the fiddle" from Calgary, Scott Duncan on violin.
They have opened for Alex Cuba, Matt Andersen, Sultans of String and Oscar Lopez. They have shared the stage and performed with Rachelle Van Zanten, Linda McRae, Digging Roots, Jack Garton, Pharis Romero, Don Alder, Delhi To Dublin, Adrian Glynn, Maria in the Shower, Lester Quitzau and more.
In their "spare" time, they are the organizers of the annual Robson Valley Music Festival. Shara and Seth are actors & musicians in the Robson Valley Theatre Collective & Wishbone Theatre productions that produces a show every Fall. They are also bio diesel producers and forestry contractors, music makers, and gardeners living in the rural hamlet of Dunster B.C. The band's full length album. "Unfinished Humans" was released in June 2016. They will be performing at the Cold Snap and Tongue On The Post Winter Music Festivals this coming January ’17 and February ’17 as well as a few smatterings of shows in Alberta, B.C. and Saskatchewan.
'Mr Gorey' is the eleventh and final track on the album 'Unfinished Humans' an album that somehow passed us by in the summer. Still better late than never, I would suggest that liking the featured song, equals check out the whole album.
Spaceface - Spread Your Head.
Head North - Pulse.
