Quality Not Quantity: Kristin Hersh - The Girl Folder - Finlay Leslie

Kristin Hersh - Bubble Net.

Background - Ahead of the North American release of her new ‘Wyatt at the Coyote Palace’ CD/book combo, Kristin Hersh presents her track ‘Bubble Net’.

“Just about everything is a wide open sea if you look closely enough or hover far enough over your landscape/soundscape, bruised and scraped… and when you feel trapped, you could try turning around and pushing at the edges, which turn out not to be solid after all,” explains Kristin Hersh. "I know nothing and songs know everything. Sad happens and sad isn't easy, but it's no less lovely for that. The refrain "there's no tomorrow" became a relief then: no need for fear. Maybe today is all we've got, but it's amazing."

‘Bubble Net’ follows up her first single ‘Soma Gone Slapstick’ and accompanying video, created by Orrin Anderson with photography by Orrin Anderson and Ryder James.

‘Wyatt at the Coyote Palace’ is the third release in the ground-breaking book-CD format that Hersh began with her previous solo album “Crooked” and Throwing Muses’ 2013 release “Purgatory/Paradise”.  As part of her surprisingly successful career as an author, she has published the critically acclaimed “Paradoxical Undressing” in the UK (released as “Rat Girl” in the USA), a children’s book “Toby Snax,” and “Don’t Suck, Don’t Die,” a highly acclaimed personal account of her long friendship with the late Vic Chesnutt. Website here.

UK / Ireland Tour dates:
Nov. 10 - Cardiff, Clwb Ifor Bach
Nov. 11 - Aldershot, West End Centre
Nov. 12 - Louder Than Words Festival, Manchester
Nov. 13 - Manchester, Gorilla
Nov. 14 - Leeds, Brudenell Social Club
Nov. 15 - Birmingham, Glee Club
Nov. 16 - York, Crescent
Nov. 17 - Edinburgh, Summerhall
Nov. 18 - Glasgow, The Mackintosh Church
Nov. 19 - Liverpool, Philharmonic Music Hall
Nov. 20 - Hebden Bridge, Trades Club
Nov. 21 - Norwich, Arts Centre
Nov. 22 - Brighton, Komedia
Nov. 23 - London, St John in Bethnal Green
Nov. 24 - London, St John in Bethnal Green
Nov. 25 - Folkestone, Literary Festival
USA Tour Dates:
Nov 29 - The Triple Door - Seattle, WA
Nov 30 - Mississippi Studios - Portland, OR
Dec 3 - Swedish American Hall - San Francisco, CA
Dec 4 - Echoplex - Los Angeles, CA
Dec 5 - Brick 15 - Del Mar, CA
Dec 8 - Swallow Hill Music - Denver, CO
Dec 9 - Cedar Cultural Center - Minneapolis, MN
Dec 10 - Space - Evanston, IL
Dec 11 - Music Box Supper Club - Cleveland, OH
Dec 13 - Club Café - Pittsburgh, PA
Dec 14 - Jammin Java - Vienna, VA
Dec 15 - Tin Angel - Philadelphia, PA
Dec 17 - Rough Trade - Brooklyn, NY
Dec 18 - The Sinclair - Cambridge, MA  

Following on from the impressive ‘Soma Gone Slapstick’, a song we featured at the end of September we can now share 'Bubble Net' another fine track from ‘Wyatt at the Coyote Palace’.  Bubble Net is the second of twenty four songs in this double album collection, where Kristin Hersh consistently delivers her refined, often understated and on occasionally raw sounding indie rock. There is no ego trip here, everything is about the music, the lyrics and the production, and there is plenty of warmth, intrigue and quality. For me this is a superb collection of natural, assessable and pleasing songs.

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The Girl Folder - I'm Not Talking About Love Again.

Background - Nothing says summer like a harmony driven, catchy pop song and The Girl Folder’s latest release, ‘I’m Not Talking About Love Again’ is destined to become a favourite at BBQs, parties and the beach this summer. An epic, guitar driven pop song with synth lines from an 80s Korg Microkorg, and layers of vocal harmonies, ‘I’m Not Talking About Love Again’ is a live favourite at The Girl Folder’s gigs with a sing-a-long chorus of “I’m not talking about love again, because love blows my mind”.

“We love playing this live. It connects us to the audience more than any other track we have. There is always people singing along. Even if it’s the first time you have heard the song, it has that special quality of climbing into your mind and staying there. The term ear worm was made for this track!” says the band about the track.

The Girl Folder started with singer songwriter Matthew West relocating to Newcastle, NSW. Originally from London, Matthew gained extensive airplay on alternative London radio stations XFM (now Radio X) and Total Rock radio with his band Mobster, who also got the coveted ‘Single of the Week’ from Record Collector magazine. After relocating, he then proceeded to start an open mic night for two reasons: one, to showcase his songs, and two, to meet musicians.

A year later, The Girl Folder was born. Plundering time and space for musical meaning, The Girl Folder create original, lyrical and above all melodic songs: “Theres melody in everything we do. It’s the only rule, well unwritten rule that we have as a band. Anything goes as long as it works, but it has to be melodic.”

‘I’m Not Talking About Love Again’ was written, recorded produced and mixed by Matthew West and The Girl Folder at the bands studio, Sonic Mountain Studio in Newcastle, NSW. Written in 2015 and recorded June 2016, and will be released 11th of November 2016. Website here.

I love Australian promos this time of year, when they just have to mention summer, beaches, parties and BBQ's whilst half the world is slipping into winter and the cold, nothing like rubbing it in eh! So down under 'I'm Not Talking About Love Again' will be just right for all of that (it is indeed catchy and sing-a-long material). The rest of us can sit back and take in the darkness of the video, and wonder what kind of parties they actually have in Oz.

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Finlay Leslie - Waiting On Your Goodbye.

Background - Fresh from supporting TV & solo star Heather Peace on her UK tour, Finlay Leslie showcases her captivating and honest vocals with emotive guitar playing that lashes more passionately than the tides against the iconic white cliffs of her hometown of Dover, in the addictive “Waiting On Your Goodbye”, released Friday 4th November.

Leslie brings the heart breaking new single “Waiting On Our Goodbye” with her emotions laid bare. The young singer/songwriter flaunts her poetic storytelling, creating an anthem for those times when the heart aches. Finlay combines reflective lyrics and moving vocals with upbeat guitar playing displaying songwriting talent exceeding far beyond her years.

Finlay Leslie makes up for what she lacks in height with a big voice and a markedly vast range of song writing inspiration. Drawing experience from break-ups, trust, love and revealing what she would say to her twelve-year-old self, this gifted self-taught storyteller already has a wealth of experience at her song-writing disposal.

Nineteen-year-old Finlay Leslie’s talents were discovered when quickly racking up an impressive 80,000 YouTube plays, providing an early indication of her raw songwriting abilities with distinctive versions and arrangements of well-known covers before posting incredibly well received live versions of her original compositions.

Following shows with the likes Radio 2 backed Blair Dunlop, Mishka Shubaly, Blackbeard’s Tea Party and TV & Solo star Heather Peace, Finlay has been chosen to support The Sons of Pitches, winners of BBC2 TV’s “The Naked Choir” at a selection of sold out shows. Festival appearances in 2016 include Tramlines, Harvest Festival, The Great Escape and “Heather Peace Presents” at Manchester Pride. “Waiting On Your Goodbye” is now released and taken from the debut album out next year. Facebook here.

We had the pleasure of featuring Finlay Leslie back in April this year and I am now delighted to share 'Waiting On Your Goodbye'. Another melodic acoustic song, where the vocals seemingly fly and skip above the energised guitar work, whilst the lyrics let the story unfold. It's creative and natural sounding manner, demonstrates quality and a real knack for songwriting and performing.

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Genre Wander: Kristin Hersh - Slow Hollows - Fabels - Brandish - Glenn Meling

Kristin Hersh - Soma Gone Slapstick.

Background promo - The incredibly gifted singer/songwriter and author Kristin Hersh has announced the first single "Soma Gone Slapstick" from her forthcoming solo effort “Wyatt at the Coyote Palace”. This double CD/ book combination will be released by Omnibus Press in the UK, Australia and New Zealand on October 28, 2016 and in the USA and Canada on November 11, 2016.

"I heard Soma move through seasons: fall on the rebound, a manic spring, a cruel winter, and through places: California, Chicago, New Orleans, a protest march in Koreatown. When I finished, it was dawn, my engineer and I had coffee and I walked home through fat flakes falling down instead of sideways. Goofy + falling + precise + muscular = soma with a healthy dose of slapstick," says Kristin Hersh, who currently resides in Rhode Island.

‘Wyatt’ is the third release in the ground-breaking book-CD format that Hersh began with her previous solo album “Crooked” and Throwing Muses’ 2013 release “Purgatory/Paradise”.  Since sharing essays and tour diaries on her own website, she has published the critically acclaimed “Paradoxical Undressing” in the UK (released as “Rat Girl”in the USA), a children’s book “Toby Snax,” and “Don’t Suck, Don’t Die,” a personal account of her long friendship with the late Vic Chesnutt, which earned her rave reviews.

“Wyatt” is a collection of true stories and songs of love and loss, combining Hersh’s humour with the pains and travails of a life spent constantly in motion. Defined by potent guitars, addictive melodies and poignant lyrics, this release is a serious sign of strength and depth, bringing the listener into what the BBC calls Hersh's "dark and dizzy world."

In November, she returns to the UK and Ireland for a rare solo acoustic tour in support of her new release, with an additional date just added in London due to popular demand. Her subsequent U.S. tour kicks off in Seattle on November 29. “An Evening with Kristin Hersh” celebrates her endless creativity with readings and songs spanning her entire career. Full tour details here.

Kristin Hersh continues to be a creative and fascinating artist. 'Soma Gone Slapstick' mixes acoustic and understated indie rock in an intriguing manner, one that provides the ideal backdrop for her vocals, and a fine teaser for the next release.

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Slow Hollows - Last Dance.

Background - Slow Hollows have shared the second track "Last Dance" from their upcoming album.  Romantic is due November 4 on Danger Collective Records.

Romantic is the forthcoming release from Los Angeles based post-pop band Slow Hollows. Written over the span of a few months between 2015 to 2016, Romantic is meant to serve as a response to the previous record Atelophobia. Austin Feinstein, the creative influence behind the project, wrote the songs from the album during his senior year of high school. Facebook here.

Upcoming Tour Dates
10-09-16 - Seattle, WA - Chop Suey*
10-11-16 - Reno, NV - Holland Project*
10-12-16 - San Francisco, CA - Rickshaw Stop (early/late shows)*
10-13-16 - Santa Ana, CA - The Observatory*
10-23-16 - Orange County, CA - Beach Goth
11-04-16 - Los Angeles, CA - Teragram Ballroom
* = w/ Beach Fossils.

We featured Slow Hollows at the beginning of the month however follow up song 'Last Dance' is a good one and well worth the share. There are some additional tour dates now as mentioned above. The track is a nicely paced alt rock song and again the vocals impress as does the bands really tight feel.

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Fabels - Silent Language.

Background - Following on from 2013’s experimental debut album ‘Zimmer’, Sydney art-rock duo Fabels have just released ‘Hi’, a collection of eight eclectic songs intended and guaranteed to take the listener down a path less travelled.

Highly original and sonically challenging to describe, Fabels main stock in trade could be painted as intense guitar-loop based atmospheric electro-psyche-pop. But beneath the haunting vocals, the sonic squalls, the thoughtful vignettes and at times evocative refrains, lurks an authentic old-school punk ethos. Not the clichéd mass-marketed music of recent times, but an artful individuality and innovation that lies at the heart of the true ethic.

With recent Australian shows tucked under their belt, Fabels have now set up camp in Berlin as they prepare for their upcoming European tour. Already boasting a diverse short history of overseas adventures, Fabels have performed at venues across Germany and Sweden, at art galleries in Milan, former Soviet spy bases in East Berlin and at much loved dope cafes in Amsterdam. Fabels are well on track to keep stamping their individuality on psyched-out experimental music globally. ‘Hi’ featuring the single ‘Silent Language’ is out now via all good digital retailers and CD via Bandcamp. Facebook here. 

'Silent Language' slips and slides between genres and with an overall psyche-rock feel to it. It's a deliciously non conformist piece of music that seemingly just kicks off and wanders where it feels is right, love it!

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Brandish - Running.

Background - Two years after Brandish registered a momentary blip on the radar with ‘The Ellyse Perry Song’, the Launceston comedy band has returned - with slightly more attitude and some sexy activewear.

The band’s first offering from their forthcoming debut Self-Titled EP is ‘Running’, showcasing long-time mates, Hamish Geale (vocals, guitar, keys) Brent Jacobson (lead guitar), Rob O’Brien (drums) and Ryan Goodger (bass) at their creative best. ‘Running’ pairs jangly guitar riffs with juicy urban imagery.

Recorded, mixed and mastered by part-time producer Doug Briton in a bedroom studio in Launceston, ‘Running’ sees the band step away from its fondness of guitar-driven alternative pop to explore the foreign world of hip-hop. "The lyrics have a bit of attitude so we were keen to put some hip-hop vibes into this one," Geale said. "We'd always used traditional drums up until now so it felt like this song was the perfect track to try out some electronic percussion for a change."

Deciding that the song needed female vocals to make the chorus sparkle, the band considered names like Beyonce and Taylor Swift before eventually settling on Geale’s sister Victoria, who also happens to be quite good at singing. "We tossed around names like Sia and Adele but in the end my sister was the best option and also was the only one who returned calls from our manager,” says Geale.

With lyrics such as "I'm born to win, I ain't born to lose, if life's a 10k I'm Hicham El Guerrouj", ‘Running’ doubles as a quasi-motivational backing track to all those times you managed to hustle into something you thought you'd be too late for. “Running” will be in Digital Stores on the 30th of September Brandish’s Self-Titled EP will be released 14th of October 2016. Facebook here.

Lyrically superb and musically melodic (and very catchy) 'Running' mixes humour and fine pop, and does it to a very high and impressive standard. The video adds to the charm and in all honesty I'm left wanting more!

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Glenn Meling - Brother Jonathan (Album Version).

Background - Glenn Meling, 44,is an independent artist, songwriter and producer from Oslo. He has lived in Australia, United Kingdom and Norway, making music from an early age. Whilst living in London studying and performing solo gigs, he met sound engineer Steve Honest and made the album ‘Sometimes a Bigger Heart’ (2009). He had previously made the album  ‘Melingrad’ (2007) in a Norwegian boathouse in one of the fjords near  Bergen. ‘Minnesota’ will be his third album.

Glenn became interested in the journeys of his countrymen after travelling extensively in the States  where the influence of the Norwegian settlers continues to this day.  In the 1800s the American midwest became a popular destination for the settlers and today you’ll find collages like St. Olaf in Minnesota which is an institution that studies Norwegian heritage and immigration. Also, the famous Joel and Ethan Cohen-film Fargo, has been inspirational and something that sparked an interest in the subject.

Lead single "Brother Jonathan" is about migration to America in the 19th century, when Brother Jonathan was a term used by immigrants to refer to the USA. Brother Jonathan, which predates the more widely known phrase Uncle Sam, personifies the spirit of the new nation in the eyes of the Europeans who left their homelands behind for a fresh start across the Atlantic. The album Minnesota release date: October 14,2016. Website here.

'Brother Jonathan' is a powerful and very beautiful song. Musical production is of a very high standard and the vocals and harmonies just add so much more. Totally impressed and looking forward to hearing the album.

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Kristin Hersh - Live in New York 2007 (Internet Archive)

Internet Archive Replacement - We only tend to feature audience sourced recordings that are rare, collectors items, or very good in terms of audio quality.

This is Kristin Hersh live at The Bowery Ballroom, New York, NY on the 25th April 2007.

In terms of the above statement this is a very good quality audience recording with very little audience 'noise' between songs and a good level and clean overall sound that captures all elements of the show. I guess it is also a collectors item for any fan of Kristin, it's a cliche we probably use to often here at Beehive Candy, but you won't be disappointed.

This was the first show on the North American tour to feature the advertised string section of The McCarricks. They had suffered unforseen visa problems and finally flew into New York during the day of the show and after performing their own opening set, they performed along with Kristin, the resulting additional dimension to the music is stunning.

The tour was in support of the 2007 album release 'Learn To Sing Like A Star' and the concert includes seven songs from that album.

Source: Audience matrix.

Sound Quality: Very good  mp3@192kbps 

Genre: Alternative rock, folk, pop.

Set: Full Set.

Set List:

01. intro
02. Wild Vanilla
03. Day Glo
04. Nerve Endings
05. Under The Gun
06. In Shock
07. Gazebo Tree
08. Your Dirty Answer
09. Winter
10. The Cuckoo
11. Your Ghost
12. Sugarbaby
13. Listerine
14. The Thin Man
15. White Bikini Sand
16. encore break
17. Me And My Charms
18. The Letter
19. Hook In Her Head

Website: Official Site HERE.

Comments:

Born in Atlanta as Martha Kristin Hersh, she was raised in Newport, Rhode Island. She learned guitar at age nine from her father, and started writing songs soon after. As a teenager, she formed Throwing Muses in the early 1980s with stepsister Tanya Donelly and other high school friends.

Kristin Hersh began singing and writing most of Throwing Muses songs in changing tempos, with Tanya Donelly also singing and writing some of the songs. The group was signed by the British 4AD Records label in 1986 and, after one album, signed a U.S. deal with Sire/Reprise Records in 1987. They began touring around the U.S. and Europe while recording critically-acclaimed rock albums, with Kristin Hersh writing most of the songs.

In 2003, she formed a power rock trio called 50 Foot Wave, when Throwing Muses drummer David Narcizo was unable to tour on a full-time basis due to other commitments. Her touring appearances and recording efforts in 2004 and 2005 centered around both 50 Foot Wave and her solo career.

Internet Archive Stream - download from the archive (here).