Showing posts with label Lucy and the Rats. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Lucy and the Rats. Show all posts

Lucy and the Rats - Lyla Foy - LT Wade - Ennor

Lucy and the Rats - Melody.

Background - Lucy And The Rats is the new band from now London based singer/guitarist Lucy Spazzy, formerly one third of Australian punksters The Spazzys. 

Once settled in London in 2015, she set about assembling a new band being “bored of playing at home by herself”, subsequently linking up with guitarist Joe To Lose (Los Perros, Johnny Throttle), bassist Mike Cannibal (Animal Cannibal), and drummer Manu (Thee Tumbitas).

A pair of ear grabbing singles followed as the band made a stir on the live scene in the Capitol, in turn nationally and all over the world sharing stages with the likes of Buzzcocks and Paul Collins along the way.

Produced by Johnny Casino and Jim Diamond (White Stripes, Dirtbombs), their first album is an inescapable tap on the shoulder of the broadest attention and recognition, a sweet sounding proposition so so easy to run off with. FACEBOOK.


It was in late 2016 that we first came across Lucy And The Rats, then they disappeared pretty quickly off our radar until now, where the new music video for 'Melody' reminds us of what a vibrant and feisty band they are. Musically there is a punk infused feel, with plenty of hooks and their natural rocker energy.


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Lyla Foy - Far Behind You.

Background From Lyla…. This is Far Behind You, the first single from my new record. It’s about chasing a dream that never happens: an ode to that mission. If creative frustration makes you feel trapped or tiny - keep chasing - or at least write about it.

After finishing the track, I wanted to see if I could get another voice in there with mine, ideally that of Jonathan Donahue from Mercury Rev. 


I managed to get an introduction via email and very quickly he replied complimenting me on the song and agreeing to get in the driver’s seat to record his parts. There was nothing about the way he sung my words that emulated me, it simply became him.

Patrick Wimberly (Chairlift, Solange, MGMT) mixed the single and completely brought it to life with a whole new intensity. So here’s this weird little pop song. Hope you like it! WEBSITE.


'Far Behind You' opens with some distant dreamy vocals and is soon accompanied by some smoothly layered synths and a driving beat. Jonathan Donahue's vocal duet adds a further dimension to what is a refined and charming song.


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LT Wade - My Sun And Stars.

Background - Alternative rock artist LT Wade shares his new single, "My Sun And Stars" off his forthcoming LP, Transient. Transient is the name of the record LT Wade's life has been very transient over the last 2 years. He started recording the album in London, UK before moving to San Francisco where he continued work on the album, then finally finishing it in NYC after his move. 

The album embraces all three cities sonically. It has elements of the West Coast with songs like "My Sun & Stars" and "Lost Angeles." "Hard To Know" and ‘Hell of a Night’ have the more European almost Krautrock feel to them and "This City" and "A Summers Dream" were recorded in NYC this past winter with jazzy saxophones and more industrial tones.

The album was written, recorded, produced and mixed by Wade himself. Wade enlisted one of his best friends Olly Betts of ‘The Duke Spirit’ in his studio ‘The Crows Nest’ in London for the drums. When he moved to NYC, Wade started working with another friend and fantastic musician Grant Zubritsky (Chet Faker's Band) who played sax, keys, and bass on 2 tracks of the album. The “secret” track at the end of the song “This City” is a cut and paste interview Wade recorded and put to music with a friend - it's an extension of the song about the trials and tribulations of NYC. WEBSITE.

Live Date: 07.27 - Pianos (w/ Nosh (Skaters), The Fluids, Tolani - New York, NY.


'My Sun And Stars' has something of a retro rock and roll feel to it, where the vocals are melodic and very engaging, the music is superbly arranged, this is one atmospheric and very catchy song.

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Ennor - West Coast.

Background - In its title alone, Ennor’s ‘West Coast’ forms a suggestive link between their roots in the south westerly tip of England and the blissed-out Californian vibes their music emits. In a sense their most traditional song yet, the track wields a melodic sensibility that is timeless to the folk traditions of the UK. Idyllic, romantic, but with a soft rock warmth and edge that would have the late Tom Petty humming along approvingly, ‘West Coast’ is a stunning injection of the rock rhythms and grandeur of Americana into folklore musical storytelling. Bathed in soothing harmonies and abounding in cinematic guitar work, it’s everything we’ve come to expect from Ennor: compelling, boundlessly energetic and matchless songwriting.

With their musical and emotional roots embedded in the far corners of Cornwall, Ennor write songs that have a palpable sense of openness and raw emotion. It’s the culmination both of their journeys across the UK and a nostalgic longing for the Cornish sea. By turns folk and rock, the four-piece’s infectious sound has garnered attention from London to Penzance, as well as the acclaim of BBC Introducing. 


The poeticism and sincerity of frontman Tom Elliott is propped by the blistering work of the rhythm section. Adam Williams’s driving drums and the dexterous string work of guitarist Jack Rennie and bassist James Creed have earned their sound a new moniker: ‘Californwall’ - a fitting epithet to describe the perennial summer communicated in their songwriting. Drawing influence from the likes of Frank Turner, The Gaslight Anthem and The War On Drugs, Ennor spent the summer of 2017 touring their sunshine sounds across the UK to the like of Ronnie Scotts, The Eden Project and Boardmasters, before heading into the studio to record new works ready for 2018 and the turn of the seasons. FACEBOOK.

Cornwall's Ennor make their third appearance on Beehive Candy this year with 'West Coast'. The bands upbeat folk rock sound has a slightly mellower and reflective feel to it this time, however the band remain very addictive to listen to, maybe it's the combination of fresh Atlantic weather and the influences of Pacific coast charm, whatever - it's extremely good music.



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Genre Wander: Jetty Rae - Lucy and the Rats - Lucidalabrador - Loose Buttons

Jetty Rae - Queen of the Universe.

Background - Jetty Rae is a singer-songwriter based out of Northern Michigan. Jetty has been singing, touring, and recording for the since 2005. Her influences include Jennifer Knapp, Brandi Carlile, Cat Power, Ray Lamontagne, Lauryn Hill, Patty Griffin, and many more. If you’ve been to a Jetty Rae show you can agree to the fact that songwriting is her true forte, but how she marries her words to her voice and melodies is a thing to see. 

She has power, and restraint in her voice—the ability to pull at your heart strings delicately. On the other hand she also possesses the power to awaken a passion, a fight in all of us when she really belts it. Her hopes are to eventually start a label for independent artists like herself—that will empower artists to start where they are. She is hoping to give them the tools, studio time, experience, and resources they need to succeed in making great art. Website here, and Facebook here.

Jetty Rae has both a powerful and melodic voice that's just right for some bluesy folk rock. 'Queen of the Universe' is a really fine song, yes the influences are there, however Jetty carves out her own style, and is a natural, for this kind of song.

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Lucy and the Rats - This Situation.

Background - Lucy and the Rats — Lucy from the Ramones influenced pop punk trio, The Spazzys, is the ‘Lucy.’ The Spazzys have made headlines not only in Australia, where they come from, but across the globe. But she didn’t stop there! She assembles together a bunch of deadbeats and outcasts from the punk rock underworld of London and starts rehearsing. Manu, Mike and Joe, who were together in (the punk band) Michael Jackson become the Rats.

Splitting time between recording their debut album and touring all around Europe, (including a tour last month supporting The Buzzcocks)  it has been a very busy time for Lucy and the Rats but they have still managed to record and release a pair of great singles. Lucy and the Rats sophomore single, "This Situation" b/w "Melody" are two more gorgeous slices of their Powerpop - Girl Group hybrid.

It doesn't take long to find record labels interested. Monster Zero release their first 7", "Girl"; Surfin' Ki the second one, "This Situation" with Dirty Water Records taking on the digital duties for both singles.

When you listen to Lucy and the Rats, the melodies become power pop tunes and after a few rehearsals (if you could call it that) they start recording them. There you go, what you get from that is Lucy and the Rats, a kick ass punk band playing Lucy's catchy melodies. Website here and Facebook here.


With a feisty beat, jangly guitars and Lucy adding some no nonsense vocals 'This Situation' is a sub three minute blast of raw sounding punk rock. With just enough melody to make it standout, the track remains a little rough around the edges, keeping it real and relevant.

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Lucidalabrador - Zelia.

Background - Lucidalabrador is the musical moniker of Pedro Caetano Leite, a new emerging act from the vibrant scene of South-East London, who crafted a sound that pays homage to early 2000’s synthpop-rock.

A recent Goldsmiths University graduate (Blur, James Blake); the Brazilian born composer united forces with a multi-cultured live band that originates from Germany, Italy and Czech Republic. The band now looks forward to releasing their new EP: 'Today Is A Good Day For Friendship' for which they drew influences from classic songwriters such as Grandaddy, Sparklehorse, Jeff Buckley, Tom Waits as well as modern acts such as Father John Misty and Kurt Vile.

Working as an audio engineer across different studios in London, Pedro chose to explore a hybrid between using high budget studio facilities and his bedroom’s 8-track tape cassette recorder. The result is an EP with an intimate bedroom flair, and an incisive precision.

Mastered by Mikko Gordon (Atoms for Peace, Squeeze, Travis), the EP counts collaborations of two other local musicians: Bunki in “Yesterday Was A Good Day For Friendship” and Leiik in “Hurt you”. 'Today Is A Good Day For Friendship' was released on December 5th on Spotify. Facebook here.


Smooth and flowing vocals are supported by a melodic soundtrack on 'Zelia'. As the song develops the genre becomes even less clear with some alternative and original musicianship, that just adds to the intrigue. Once you think it's settled down the song takes even further twists, wonderful!

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Loose Buttons - Milk & Roses.
    
Background - "Breakups may suck, but they can be songwriting gold. NYC-based band Loose Buttons prove just that with their single “Milk & Roses,” from their upcoming EP Sundays, due in February.

The promising quartet met while playing for different local bands as teens, eventually coming together and releasing their debut EP, Damage Gallery,in 2014. Since then, Loose Buttons have honed in on a blend of new wave and pop that is all their own.

Drawing from the pain of a recent breakup, lead vocalist Eric Nizgretsky channeled it all into Sunday. "Milk & Roses,” the EPs closer, acts as the last step of the foursome’s aim to get you through every stage of a breakup.

“After copious amounts of sushi and ramen with my bandmates, I had the realization that it was time to move on and stop dwelling on my breakup,” said Nizgretsky. “There is a restaurant in Greenpoint called “Milk & Roses” and it was the last spot my ex and I went to before we broke up. It felt like the best lyric to signify moving on.”

As Nizgretsky deftly delivers lyrics like, “So it goes/ As in that book you know/ Our worlds, they will resume,” the beguiling melody carries you along; resolving the chaos of a breakup for you so you can move forward. And with Loose Buttons on the rise, it only makes sense to follow their lead. Facebook here.


Striaght down the line indie rock is taken up a notch or two, with some melodic guitar work and vocals that just draw you in. 'Milk & Roses' is one catchy unpretentious rock'n'roll piece and suggests next February's EP should be a good one.

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Bumper Catch Up featuring: Rubblebucket - Mollie Elizabeth - Lilly Hiatt - The Kearns Family - WILDES and St Francis Hotel - Lucette - Caroline Strickland - Mon Rayon - Lala Salama

Keeping the comments a little shorter so we can cram a few more songs in than usual, this is our first bumper catch up of some really fine r...