Morganway - Artificial Pleasure - Low Island - Hannah Aldridge

Morganway - Hurricane.

Background - Originating from North Norfolk’s rural outback, Morganway’s fiery, Americana-influenced style is packed full of powerful riffs, charismatic five-part harmonies and compelling, honest song writing. The band was established by twins Callum (acoustic guitar, lead vocals) and Kieran Morgan (lead guitar), and features Yve Mary B (lead vocals), Matt Brocklehurst (keyboard) and Simon Tinmouth (drums).

The Norfolk five-piece pride themselves on the high standard of their engaging live performances, and they have caught the eye of a range of festivals. Subsequently, they recently headlined The Open's prestigious OH1 festival, in their hometown of Norwich, on the Banking Hall stage. Other early 2017 shows include London gigs at The Troubadour, The Islington and The Bedford, as well as a special headline performance at Cambridge’s muchloved Portland Arms.

Morganway released their second EP ‘The Hurricane EP’ a few days ago, following the glowing reception of their debut EP ‘No Tomorrows’ last year. Website here, Facebook here.

We featured Morganway last month and the new video for 'Hurricane' provides us with an opportunity to share the title track from their latest EP. The Americana influences give the band a natural, honest sound and their fine compositions and all round delivery is a delight.


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Artificial Pleasure - Like Never Before.

Background - After just a handful of tracks, Artificial Pleasure have earned plaudits for their dancefloor-friendly, art school-styled electro-pop with many critics placing them as descendents of influential and timeless greats such as Talking Heads and David Bowie.

The latest stage in the quartet’s introductory mission comes with the release of their brand new track ‘Like Never Before’ which also acts as the title track to the band’s debut EP of the same name. While ‘Like Never Before’ echoes the sparkling riffs and vociferous funk grooves of their recent tracks, it’s also a track that’s darker-hued in nature. An almost industrial introduction imbibed with doomy synths sets a cinematic tone before Phil McDonnell’s crooning baritone and an insistent clatter of cowbells switches the tone from apocalyptic to animated.

In addition to ‘Like Never Before’, the EP is completed by the opener ‘All I Got’ - the first of Artificial Pleasure’s tracks to reach a wider audience - as well as the recently issued follow-up ‘The Hand On My Shoulder’.

The band maintain a firm DIY ethic. Almost all of their material is self-produced and self-mixed, with McDonnell and Brennan leading the way with the arrangements before Brennan’s self-taught engineering skills heighten the strength of the finished track. All of the songs are written with live performance in mind – the result being an exertion of raw energy: no tricks or gimmicks, just pure adrenaline. Website here, Facebook here.

We featured the fabulous video for 'All I Got' last month describing the track as "High Octane rock'n'roll that is delivered in an effortlessly cool manner, and head turning vocals". The latest song to be released by the band is 'Like Never Before' which is an electro pop beauty. Powerful synths and a robust beat provide the backdrop for the defining vocals, another magnificent song!

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Low Island - Rest Your Head.

Background - Hot on the heels of landing over a million streams at Spotify, Low Island add to their burgeoning discography by sharing the brand new track ‘Rest Your Head’.

After ‘Holding It Down’ blended menacing vocals, dancefloor intensity and a cacophonous wall of sound, ‘Rest Your Head’ drops down the gears to present a very different angle to this intriguingly multi-faceted band. Its groove is a dreamlike trance in which mellifluous vocal harmonies head a soothing production rooted in hypnotising synths and downtempo beats.

Low Island was formed as an accidental by-product of a theatre score composed by Jamie (vocals/guitars/keys/electronics) and Carlos (vocals/guitar/keys). The pair, who also enjoyed some success in the world of dance music with a residency at The Warehouse in Leeds, called upon bassist Jacob with whom they’d played in an alt-rock band as teenagers. The line-up is completed by percussionist Felix, who previously toured with the Brooklyn jazz ensemble Snarky Puppy.

They introduced themselves to the world with the ‘Just About Somewhere’ EP, which prompted comparisons with the likes of Caribou, Arthur Russell and Grizzly Bear, and it was soon followed by ‘Holding It Down’. Low Island’s radio support to date has included Huw Stephens, Phil Taggart and MistaJam (who picked the band as a recent New Name) at Radio 1, and at 6 Music by Tom Robinson, Tom Ravenscroft and Lauren Laverne. Facebook here.

'Rest Your Head' is very different from a track we featured by Low Island back in January. This is a flowing, dreamy and tranquil song where the melody is warm and hazy. This band have talent and are firmly on my musical radar.

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Hannah Aldridge - No Heart Left Behind.

Background - In literature and in songwriting, the American South is where writers go to face their fears. Hannah Aldridge doesn’t just dip her pen into the well of the South, the Muscle Shoals native embodies it. With every song, she’s facing down demons of a life once lived from substance abuse to failed relationships and scars from the lashes of the bible belt. 

“Gold Rush” is Hannah Aldridge’s second album, a follow up to her 2014 debut “Razor Wire.” While that album launched her career, drew the attention of music writers and sent her touring across the world, “Gold Rush” shows a more mature and introspective artist with more life experience - and music experience - under her belt. The honesty Hannah Aldridge crafts into each track is off-set by her stubborn, maybe defiant, nature, which gives her music a hopeful silver lining. 

“I start writing with ‘this is how I’m feeling and I need to talk about it.’ Doing that helps me sort out my own thoughts on it. My music is an introspective look at the things that happened in my life. It’s me trying to sort through and put feelings into words,” she said. Hannah Aldridge is the daughter of Muscle Shoals legend Walt Aldridge. An Alabama Music Hall of Famer, Walt Aldridge is a prolific and decorated songwriter of countless Number One and Top Ten hits recorded by the likes of Lou Reed, Reba McEntire, Travis Tritt, Earl Thomas Conley, Ricky Van Shelton, Ronnie Milsap, and Conway Twitty.

Mixing her personal life and the sounds of her hometown, Hannah Aldridge’s new album also draws in influences from across the rock genre. Working with people with one foot in country music and one foot in rock, Hannah Aldridge makes a fresh kind of Southern Rock styled by Southern Gothic storytelling. You can hear it in “Gold Rush”’s ode to burning out, or in the yearning of “Burning Down Birmingham”, and anthem-for-the-lonely “No Heart Left Behind” – a track that is shot-through with wild riffs.

Hannah Aldridge shares the video for new single "No Heart Left Behind." New album "Gold Rush" is out in the UK on June 16 via Rootsy Music. July UK tour dates can be found on Beehive Candy's tour page, Website here, Facebook here.

If you fancy a slice of lively, passionate, southern rock then 'No Heart Left Behind' from Hannah Aldridge ticks all of those boxes. If the new album is on a par with this song, then I reckon a considerable number of music lovers will be very satisfied.


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Midweek Muse: Analog Candle - The Captain's Son - Big Wreck - Alexandria - Low Island

Analog Candle - Trier.

Background - Analog Candle are pleased to share the first single from their upcoming EP. Hailing from New York City via England, Chicago, New Orleans and Boston – Analog Candle is an expressionist, avant-garde dream-pop collective formed by producer and songwriter Callum Plews.

Originally from England, Callum was inspired to create Analog Candle after collaborating with an array of musicians while living in the magic and bustle of New Orleans. The project began over six years ago, after Callum realised he was more comfortable with the concept of others performing and interpreting his creations than he was embodying them completely himself. Bringing together performers from the realms of avant-garde, folk and emo, the initial group began recording at Callum’s bedroom studio, and self-released a number of songs online under the moniker, Analog Candle (a reference to the Arcade Fire album ’Neon Bible’).

Influenced by the early albums of Animal Collective and Broken Social Scene, experimental-pop outfit Xiu Xiu (Callum has worked with Angela Seo in the past), acts like Arcade Fire, Beach House and the surrealist and absurdist creations of literary heavyweights like Haruki Muramaki, Franz Kafka and Sylvia Plath - the ‘art-rock’ collective is also largely dedicated to the hybridization of pop music and production technique. In this way, after settling in NYC, the Winter ’15 EP became the culmination of a variety of cultural and musical viewpoints. Facebook here.

'Trier' is a gentle and very atmospheric song where the vocals and harmonies are a delight. Melodic and soothing, this really is a dreamy and warm song.

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The Captain's Son - Walking Around Purposely.

Background - The Captain’s Son combines indie surf pop, beautiful layered harmonies and classic garage rock n’ roll. Taking influence from 60’s artists and modern indie groups, the band have succeeded in crafting a unique sound all their own.

The Captain’s Son is Paige Byrd, Jarred Hayden and William Hopkins. Together they have the ability to blend catchy warm guitar melodies, laid-back harmonizing vocals and upbeat drum rhythms, reminiscent of early California surf pop. Hailing from Springfield, Missouri, the band formed after Byrd and Hayden started playing together as teens. Hopkins later joined the band and after realizing they shared the same passion for music, it encouraged them to continue their journey together as The Captain’s Son.

The Captain’s Son’s latest self-titled release found inspiration from self-discovery, growth and the realization of having freedom to create your own path even in a time of chaos. Lead vocalist Byrd describes how the music was influenced by time, place and everyday experiences. He confesses, "anything from the culture, the weather, the scenery, or the people you're with will influence what we write”. The laid-back and care free approach to the EP was designed to encourage their fans to feel free, "free to do what you want and be who you want, realizing your mistakes and accomplishments, and embracing all of the ups and downs and uncertainties life brings you”. The group explain how the whole process of recording was a fun and loose-hinged pursuit, during a period where they would listen to underground and analog recordings, which ultimately resulted in the desire to capture that exact sound. Byrd explains, "If there wasn't vinyl on the record player, the radio was on or there was a tape in the tape deck. The warmth of that old analog sound constantly filled the room”.

The leading 'Walking Around Purposely' captures the three-piece’s signature sound with jangling guitars, catchy melodies and upbeat, driving drums. In ‘For Free’ the elements of fuzzed out psych rock are paired perfectly with soul pop harmonies. The Captain's Son self titled EP is set for release March 10th. Website here and Facebook here.

'Walking Around Purposely' is a delightfully uncomplicated track with the band coming across as laid back and comfortable. Well that's the case until around the halfway mark, when the energy levels are stepped up and the bands garage rock capabilities are put squarely in the listeners ears!

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Big Wreck - One Good Piece Of Me.

Background - Multi-platinum selling Canadian rockers Big Wreck are set to return with “Grace Street”, an album that continues to build on the creative momentum of their two previous JUNO-nominated releases, “Ghosts” and “Albatross”. The first single to be taken from the new album is “One Good Piece Of Me”.

Co-produced by Garth Richardson (Rage Against The Machine, Red Hot Chili Peppers), the sonic diversity on “Grace Street” is indeed stunning. Heavy grooving tracks such as the lead-off single “One Good Piece Of Me” and “Digging In” rub shoulders with the atmospheric “A Speedy Recovery” and the epic seven-minute instrumental “Skybunk Marché,” while other tracks feature added touches such as Miles Davis-style muted trumpet, wine glasses, a sample of a child’s heartbeat, and a Leslie speaker guitar solo recorded on a mountainside adjacent to Richardson’s B.C. studio. Facebook here.

Taken from the forthcoming 'Grace Street' album 'One Good Piece Of Me' sees the band demonstrating their rock'n'roll credentials with a mixture of power and melody. The album explores differing ideas with the band testing new boundaries and seemingly stepping up a gear or two on the creative front, and in fairness carrying this off with real style and passion.

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Alexandria - Home.

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 band 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.

- "Most good videos we've seen involve dancing in some way, so we figured we should also give it a shot. We told Adam Tonér about the idea and he transformed it into this super nice video."

The single will be followed up by the album ”Bossa” which is their first full-length. ”Bossa” will be released January 26th 2017 on Lab259. After that, the band will embark on a tour of Sweden. Facebook here.

We featured Aexandria last November describing their music as melodic and expansive. 'Home' continues that trend, with some cleverly layered sounds that surround the vocals and drive the melody. 

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Low Island - Recent.

Background - In the space of just three tracks, Oxford quartet Low Island have inspired glowing comparisons with the likes of Caribou and Radiohead, as well as earning Radio 1 airplay courtesy of Huw Stephens and Phil Taggart, and they’ve been added to Spotify UK’s Fresh Finds and New Indie Mix playlists.

Although still in their early twenties, Low Island share a rich and varied musical background which informs their current synthesis of styles. Carlos (vocals/guitar/keys), Jamie (vocals/guitars/keys/electronics) and Jacob (bass/keys) first played in an alt-rock band together in their teens before Carlos and Jamie instead embraced dance music with some success: they held a residency at The Warehouse in Leeds; DJed at festivals such as Glade and Gottwood; and their original productions received Radio 1 airplay.

Drummer and percussionist Felix adds another dimension to his bandmates’ background in live bands and electro. In addition to touring with the Grammy-winning jazz/rock/soul fusion collective Snarky Puppy, Felix has also performed with the band’s found member and pianist Bill Laurance.

Such reference points operate as a waypoint en route to a richer palette of sounds which encompass electronic and live elements while also balancing raw performances with carefully nuanced productions. Their influences include Arthur Russell, Caribou and Grizzy Bear. Facebook here.

Deep rich vocals are accompanied by a stripped back and potent rhythmic rock soundtrack. 'Recent' has the sound and calibre I would expect from a more seasoned band, it would seem fair to state that Low Island are ahead of the game in that respect!

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Six Of The Best: Ping - Low Island - White Room - The Megaphonic Thrift - Soft Lions - Rosebug

Ping - Something Worth Saving.

Background - Something Worth Saving is the first single from Dublin singer Ping aka Ingrid Madsen.

Whilst the name might be new to people, her voice certainly won’t be. Not long after being a contestant on The Voice of Ireland, Ping was asked to join the Dublin Philharmonic Orchestra on a sold out 10 week tour of the USA on their “Women of Ireland” project. Since then she has been performing constantly throughout Ireland enhancing her reputation as one of Ireland’s finest vocalists.

 Written by PictureHouse songwriter Dave Browne with Lasse Anderson and recorded between Dublin and Sweden by Adam Kviman (Eagle Eye Cherry, Jewel, The Wannadies et al) the track will be released via PHRC on November 25th. Facebook here.

'Something Worth Saving' is a pleasing pop ballad that gives Ping the perfect opportunity to showcase her melodic and engaging vocals. For me it's a real sense of emotion that brings the song to life and gives it enough edge to stand out.

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Low Island - Anywhere.

Background - Blending disparate influences such as Arthur Russell, Caribou, Warpaint and Grizzly Bear into a cohesive yet left-of-centre sound, new Oxford quartet Low Island are set to release their self-titled debut EP this January on Kobalt Music.  They preview the EP’s release with their debut London show at The Sebright Arms on November 28th.

Although still in their early twenties, Low Island share a rich and varied musical background which informs their current synthesis of styles. Carlos (vocals/guitar/keys), Jamie (vocals/guitars/keys/electronics) and Jacob (bass/keys) first played in an alt-rock band together in their teens while Carlos and Jamie also embraced dance music with some success: they held a residency at The Warehouse in Leeds; DJed at festivals such as Glade and Gottwood; and their original productions received Radio 1 airplay.

Drummer and percussionist Felix adds another dimension to his bandmates’ background in live bands. In addition to touring with the Grammy-winning jazz/rock/soul fusion collective Snarky Puppy, Felix has also performed with the band’s founding member and pianist, Bill Laurance.

Carlos and Jamie discovered Low Island’s sonic style while working on a score for a play. Together with their long-time collaborators Jacob and Felix, they continued to explore their possibilities in their garage-based studio, a space they have filled with electronic, acoustic and found sounds. This combination of elements provides the foundation for their first EP, which was entirely self-produced. Facebook here.

The gentle and bright vocals fit so well with the developing soundtrack of 'Anywhere'. Melodic, very well crafted and produced, the song builds in power without losing any of the clarity and hooks.

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White Room - Stole The I.V.

Background - White Room have announced the upcoming release of their brand new single ‘Stole The I.V.’, a full throttle, lung-bursting, rock n’ roll anthem that’s sure to propel the Brighton outfit to ever greater heights over the coming months.

With an impressive summer of festival appearances under their belts, including performances at Isle Of Wight, Reading & Leeds and Dot To Dot alongside the likes of Black Honey, The Vryll Society and YAK, the five-piece regrouped in the studio with esteemed producer Adrian Bushby (My Bloody Valentine, Muse, The Maccabees) to record another blistering number that serves as a real statement of intent going into 2017.

The quintet’s rapidly developing live reputation has already earned them plenty of plaudits across the country, and this latest psychedelic-tinged effort showcases frontman Jake Smallwood’s incredible songwriting prowess amongst a sea of soaring guitars and killer riffs that hint further at their exciting potential.

Recorded at Vada Studios and produced and mixed by Adrian Bushby. White Room’s Stole The I.V. is released on 18th November and will be available via Spotify, iTunes and Apple Music. Website here.

Live Dates:
05 Nov – The Lending Room, Leeds*
11 Nov – Sofar Sounds, London
12 Nov – Nambucca, London*
25 Nov – Maze, Nottingham*
*This Feeling Club Night

With a confident and powerful musical opening 'Stole The I.V' comes further to life as the perfectly matched vocals take hold of the song. There is that timeless feel with the track, which indeed does build into something of an anthem as mentioned above. Whats more it's very catchy and should get noticed.

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The Megaphonic Thrift - Pilene.

Background - On 11/11, Bergen, Norway-based band The Megaphonic Thrift will release their album Få meg til verden i tide via Old Flame Records.

Earlier this year, the band won a Spellemann Award (equivelant of a Norwegian GRAMMY Award) for best indie album. Få meg til verden i tide is The Megaphonic Thrift's fourth album, and it's the band's first to feature lyrics in Norwegian. Much less guitar orientated than previous albums, Få meg til verden i tide is filled with synthesizers, and it's their first with new collaborators Njål Paulsberg (neo Tokyo/Young Dreams) and Emil Nikolaisen (Serena-Maneesh).

"The four members in Megaphonic have become more unison for each record we’ve made together," says guitarist and vocalist Richard Myklebust. "After the third record, making new music felt like giving each other a hug. We wanted to bring in someone who had a more radical approach to making music. We needed disagreement, and boy did we get it."

A lot has happened since the summer of 2015 when The Megaphonic Thrift filled a car with synths and boxed wine, isolating themselves in a cabin far up in the Norwegian desolate mountains to write what would become Få meg til verden i tide.

"We thought we were just heading into the studio to make the final adjustments and thought it was going to be easy. All the songs were ready. It didn’t turn out easy at all," says bassist and vocalist Linn Frøkedal. The band describes the studio process as a long road trip, where a new driver can take the wheel at any moment. "Nikolaisen is based in Oslo (on the other side of the mountains), and guitarist Clementsen was on a Japanese tour with his other band Electric Eye, so sketches and new ideas were thrown back and forth on seemingly endless mail threads," says guitarist Njål Clementsen. "This record is proof that it is possible to make a really cool record in a really hard way. It doesn’t have to be easy!" Website here.

'Pilene' is a dreamy indie rock song, where the vocals are smooth and atmospheric (whatever the lyrics might be), and the crisp musical backdrop adds melody and depth. I have heard it said many times, that your native language, is the language of your heart, which might explain the passion and feeling that comes across in this song.

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Soft Lions - Digital Girls.

Background - Soft Lions have shared their new video "Digital Girls". The video was directed by Chris Maroulakos and features appearances by fellow San Diego artists including Dustin Lothspeich (Boy King, Diamond Lakes, Chess Wars, Old Tiger), Brian Reilly (The New Kinetics, The Hiroshima Mockingbirds), and Emily Reilly (Birdy Bardot, The New Kinetics). Soft Lion's new EP, XOXO, is now available.

The San Diego trio Soft Lions was dreamed up by songwriter Megan Liscomb (guitar / vocals) in 2013. She is backed by Jon Bonser (drums) and Ana Ramundo (keys/ vocals). The band has previously been described as post riot-grrl, noise pop, beach grunge, or psychedelic garage rock.  On their latest release XOXO, they lean a bit more into a punk style, while staying true to their weird garage roots. Influenced by bands like Blondie, Modern Lovers, Jesus and Mary Chain, and Alvvays, Soft Lions love blending vintage sounds together to create something fresh.

XOXO was recorded at Tiny Telephone in San Francisco, with John Vanderslice as the producer and engineer. The band met him previously on tour, and knew instantly they wanted to work with him at his all analog studio. The result is a more confident and refined version of what the band did on last years Spellbreaker EP.

The songs are a pathway for Liscomb to lay out lyrics that are both intensely personal and deeply relatable. In these songs, freeways and city streets become surreal emotional dreamscapes set to jangly guitars and keyboards. Tracks on the new EP deal with everything from a friend break-up, objectification and catcalling, coping with depression, and falling in love. Website here.

One of six songs on the 'XOXO' EP and 'Digital Girls' gives a good feel for what the collection of songs are all about. Comparisons with early Blondie music is perhaps inevitable, however I think Soft Lions have a more gritty and stripped back, natural feeling going on, in effect blending old and new sounds, as they set out to do.

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Rosebug - I Am The One.

Background - Brooklyn-based punk-pop band Rosebug share their debut single,"I Am the One". Their debut LP, Worst Way out November 11th via Dazzleships Records, is thirty minutes of distress and pretty petulance wrapped up in a bow. The great thing about Rosebug, though? They’re in on the joke. By the time the words find the music, lead singer Becca Chodorkoff is already over it. Or, at the very least, she wants you to think that she is.
 
Worst Way was produced by Miles B.A. Robinson at a Bed-Stuy studio called The CRC. The space is owned by indie darlings, Chairlift, and frequented by the likes of Dev Hynes and MGMT. Rosebug's current line-up consists of Becca Chodorkoff (vocals), Chris Nunez (guitar), Tarra Theissan (bass), and Drew Adler (drums). You’ll want to get to know this band, because, with Rosebug, it’s fun to be sad. Website here.

Live dates:
11.11 - Release Show Part 1. - Barranquilla - Brooklyn, New York
11.12 - Release Show Part 2. - Berlin - New York, New York.

One of nine engaging songs on the forthcoming album and 'I Am The One' is a hint of whats in store. The band mix melody, punkier vibes and some fascinating lyrics. Sometimes a little gentle and occasionally quite potent, the mixture really works. There is no padding with this album, it's thirty minutes of honest music, which does for me!

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