We first featured Flora Hibberd in April and she returns today with 'In Violence' an atmosphere drenched song where her imagination and creativity are again notable as is her fabulous voice.
With close to forty thousand views since last Friday the new video from Lola Marsh for 'Echoes' has attracted a lot of attention, not surprising really it's a hook fuelled psych folk piece and the video is fabulous.
Coming out this Friday is the brand new E.P. from Magnetic Skies titled 'Hold On' and along with this they will also release their second single 'Refugee'. As this is our fourth feature for them this year, I think it safe to say we like them (and some).
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Flora Hibberd - In Violence.
Born in East London but currently residing in Paris, Flora Hibberd has been described as ‘intelligent and measured…there is a profound intuition in her work’ and her songs as ‘deeply rooted in the timeless lyricism of Dylan and Cohen.’
With influences as diverse as Nick Cave, Joan Baez and Jacques Brel, she moves effortlessly between acoustic folk traditions and the bruised indie of PJ Harvey, Jason Molina and Cat Power. Her powerfully emotive voice, evocative melodies and poetic lyrics combine beautifully to give her songs a deeply haunting and unforgettable quality.
Flora’s debut single ‘The Absentee’, was released March 2019, was a bold statement of intent and announced her as a powerful newcomer. Follow-up single, ’In Violence’ is Flora’s follow-up single, out July 12th. Flora states that this commanding new song ‘comes from anger, specifically about something that I witnessed happen to a friend, and more generally about all the people that are put in that position every day. It is painful, but I don’t think it is entirely dark. There is power in the anger.’
Her debut single ‘The Absentee’, released by ClearLight Records / Declared Goods, is out now. New single ‘In Violence’ is out now. The Absentee EP is scheduled for release September 2019.
Lola Marsh are pleased to release their new single Echoes, out now, along with a brand new video directed by Indy Hait. Lola Marsh - aka vocalist Yael Shoshana Cohen and multi-instrumentalist Gil Landau - cut an upbeat tone on this new offering, sending the listener on a dizzying psych-folk journey complete with Cohen’s honeyed vocals. The accompanying video provides a visual art feast, featuring Gil and Yael with multiple versions of themselves. The band creates an army with 70’s vintage stylings, and like opposite sides of a mirror, play with energy and urgency both against and towards each other.
“"Echoes is about that feeling you sometimes have when you want to disappear, but at the same time, want to be found. That scary beautiful moment just before falling asleep, when you are the most lonesome version of yourself. And it’s for Maya."- Lola Marsh
Lola Marsh create music that combine clever lyrics with deep warm harmonies. Together with their 5-piece live band, they first made waves at Primavera Sound in 2014, following which the duo immediate gained industry attraction. It wasn't long till the band graced the stages on the festival circuit including Primavera Sound, Exit and Pukkelpop, as well asintensively touring Europe. Following their breakthrough success, their debut album Remember Roses was released in June 2017 (Anova Music / Universal Music Group).
The leading single 'Wishing Girl’ became a fan favorite and was featured in ads for leading brands such as Ebay and California Lottery. The band have made a big impact internationally; featuring in leading publications, gaining positive reviews, climbing to the top of Spotify’s most viral charts, and hitting over 40 million streams that are growing by the day. Their popularity crossed over to Hollywood and they co-wrote a song for the film “Criminal”, and were featured in the hit TV series "Better Call Saul".
Hot on the heels of supporting Heaven 17, synth-rock band Magnetic Skies are set to release their second EP, “Hold On”, in July 2019 via the independent ReprinT Records label. Lead track “Hold On” just came out as a single with a second single “Refugee” to be released on 19 July 2019.
Following on the heels of the duo’s debut EP, “Dreams And Memories”, which received glowing praise, the 5 tracks on the new release showcase the diverse elements of the band’s output, moving from synth pop and rock to ambient soundscapes. The songs feature Kent’s delicate and instinctively melodic vocals set against Womar’s synth backdrops, evoking the emotionally-charged hooks of some of the 80’s defining pop bands, such as Japan, Duran Duran and Tears For Fears.
“Refugee” is an uptempo synth rock track dealing with the nature of reality and the suffocation of anxiety and panic: “I’m drowned in confusion/blind by illusion/I want to find a reason/something to believe in”. The track is a re-recorded and re-worked version of a song Simon had written before the band was formed, and features a video of him as an astronaut taking off from Portsmouth’s Spinnaker Tower, in which the Queen is seen making a guest appearance.
Our third feature this year for Magnetic Skies as their 80's influenced synth pop music continues to shine, this time with 'Hold On' a song with a vibrant upbeat feel and hooks galore.
'Chapter Three' completes a trilogy of EPs from Florida based band Leem of Earth and as we've covered the first two it makes sense to include a song from this one, especially as it's another really fine track entitled 'Wishing Well'.
Ludwig Hart has just released the song 'Rivers, Lakes & Hills' the Swedish artist has a distinct and fabulous voice, and pens some beautiful music as is witnessed with this refined piece.
Kuri describes himself as "an observer" he is without doubt also a very talented musician, songwriter and creative mind. The new album 'No Village' is streaming in full below, it exudes creativity, heart and quality.
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Magnetic Skies - Hold On.
Hot on the heels of supporting Heaven 17, synth-rock band Magnetic Skies are set to release their second EP, “Hold On”, in July 2019 via the independent ReprinT Records label. Lead track, “Hold On”, will be released as a single on 21 June 2019, with a second single, “Refugee”, released the following month on 19 July 2019.
Following on the heels of the duo’s debut EP, “Dreams And Memories”, which received glowing praise, the 5 tracks on the new release showcase the diverse elements of the band’s output, moving from synth pop and rock to ambient soundscapes. The songs feature Kent’s delicate and instinctively melodic vocals set against Womar’s synth backdrops, evoking the emotionally-charged hooks of some of the 80’s defining pop bands, such as Japan, Duran Duran and Tears For Fears.
Opening track, “Hold On”, is all pulsating, vintage analogue synths and bass, with a big, memorable chorus - a song about finding redemption from temptation: “A picture in my hand,/temptation over shifting sand/bring a dream to life/I’m so alone tonight/hold on and save me”.
“We wanted to draw on the feel of some of the great pop songs from the 80s on this track, and also give it a contemporary edge”, Jo explains, “there are deliberate nods to bands like The Human league and Japan, and hopefully that comes through with the synthesizers, the backing vocals and the effects we added to Simon’s voice”.
Chapter Three completes a trilogy of EPs from Florida based band, Leem of Earth. Lyrically the final EP wraps up the storyline of an other worldly character named Leem, sonically it follows its predecessors in treading 90s rock band waters. Though it moves from a definitive synth rock sound into something more fluid ala Sunny Day Real Estate, which is often cited by the band as an influence. There’s a hint of prog-rock, as well, evident on the track ‘Army of Dry Bones’. These 3 tracks were recorded by Chris Taylor and produced by Jeremy Griffith, just as Chapter One and Chapter Two were.
The first track, ‘Wishing Well’, has vocalist LM singing with tense and direct passion in the verses. The chorus quickly builds into a dynamic wail of sounds from the entire band. The lyrics tell of Leem wishing that she was anywhere but the wishing well, a feeling that seems at odds with the traditional fairy tale character, but is right at home on Chapter Three, as the storyteller comes to the end of herself. ‘Dressed For War’ circles the earth with war drums pounding and arpeggiated synths. The guitars are close and the bass holds everything firm. LM sings “…all of this time I’m looking out but blood’s on the battlefield within.” The song ends with the whole band singing out in the final bridge. The closing song, ‘Army of Dry Bones’, is cryptic with ancient and biblical references, it gives melodies to match the spirit of the lyrics: “Our bones are dry, our hope is lost.” The band thunders in a way that is reminiscent of Radiohead circa The Bends, underneath the angelic vocals. As quickly as this whole project began, it also quickly finds it’s close.
Leem of Earth offers this trilogy-ending EP as an other-worldly resolution to Leem’s story: that of a person on a quest, in music and in words.
If you haven’t heard of Ludwig Hart yet then now is the time. From Örebro, Sweden, his full-length debut album drops late August. He describes his own music as “get-in-the-car-and-just-drive”-rock. But it is so much more than that. The stunning arrangements, with soaring guitars, synths, and a grand cinematic atmosphere, are reminiscent of 1980’s Jackson Browne and Fleetwood Mac. Singer Michaela Holmberg, the constant duet partner to Ludwig, strives for an inner sense of sincerity in her expression, with a raw and romantic voice akin to Stevie Nicks.
Ludwig Hart is also comparable to contemporary American indie bands, but with a distinct melodic immediacy - and an incredible voice - all of which we think will carry him towards an all-embracing global audience. As if The War On Drugs had idolized Don Henley instead of Bob Dylan.
Several record labels and publishers have wanted to sign him, but the honor fell on newly started Argle Bargle, which is run by the songwriter/producer Stefan Örn together with the artist Tomas Andersson Wij. During last winter, Ludwig opened for several successful swedish artists around the country.
Ludwig Hart has during this year released two singles - “A Dream I Keep Returning To” and “Cowboys” with great reviews. The Swedish blog Rockfarbror describes the artist as “...one of this year’s greatest surprises”. The single “Cowboys” was premiered on the Swedish magazine Savant Musikmagasin and added on Bands of Tomorrow’s weekly Nordic hits list.
On June 7, the third single “River, lakes & hills” was released by Argle Bargle with the debut album releasing in August.
“A couple of years ago I fled town and bought a house out on the countryside. It might be the best thing I've done. Maybe the worst. River, lakes & hills is about daring to let go and to trust your feeling. My very own Streets of Philadelphia.”
Though he may be a singer, multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, and producer, Kuri chiefly describes himself as “an observer.” His keen insight and sonic curiosity thread together an intriguing framework of carefully constructed and composed alternative on 2019’s debut album No Village [Nevado Music]. The foundation remains rooted in organic performances, classically infused orchestration, jazzy freeform spirit, cinematic ambition, and ultimately inspired observation. “I like to watch, analyze, and create systems in my brain,” he affirms. “As a solo artist, I enjoy the freedom to express exactly what I want by drawing on what I see.”
Born and raised Scott Currie in the city of Abbotsford, British Columbia, he found himself constantly looking outward. The small Mennonite community he grew up in incited “a sense of questioning everything to figure out why we do what we do.” As the youngest of four brothers, mom bought him a drum set to jam with his guitarist siblings. Soon, he transitioned from behind-the-kit to an old piano in the house by the age of twelve.
Scott began writing under the name Kuri in 2017. Galvanized by influences ranging from Robert Glasper and Radiohead to Africa’s Tinariwen and composer John Cage, he arranged an expansive sonic palette informing his signature sound. It’s comprised of an ever-growing arsenal of instruments, including piano, drums, congas, strings, horns, bass, guitar, and more. “Every instrument has its own language,” he goes on. “I try to hone the language of each one. It helps articulate the overall goal.” After entering the CBC Searchlight competition, his songs caught the attention of Nevado Music, and Kuri signed to the label during 2018. Now, No Village strains emotionality through his analytical approach.
Madelline gives us her background to 'Ghost' just below, I would add it's a dreamy indie pop song and her vocals are beautifully soulful. We featured Magnetic Skies for the first time in January and they have followed up with 'I Am Your Friend' a smooth lush synth rock piece. With dual vocals and a feisty rock vibe Gaffa Tape Sandy have been getting plenty of attention and 'Headlight' is a good example of why. Andrew Rinehart's 'They Say' is accompanied by a very personal video, a wonderful companion for the nine minutes of absolutely gorgeous music. 'These Wicked Things' is the title track and one of fifteen songs on Beat Circus's new album, an epic collection of tracks as typified by the featured piece, a small glimpse of the whole. JW Riley has released the very impressive 'Homesick' where genres blend together, to create a mixture of rock sensibilities with a clear individual identity. Lucky 757 share some delicious rockabilly music with all the swagger and class associated with this timeless and natural rock and roll music.
Madelline - Ghost.
“Ghost” is an anthem for embracing solitude.
The song was initially formed as I felt overwhelmed by loneliness. It’s about emptiness – being surrounded by people but not feeling understood, listened to, or seen. It’s about social anxiety. It’s about feeling unwanted.
Stefano Pando produced the track, and we arranged it as we went. I went into the studio with a rough melody to freestyle over. I think freestyling is awesome because it lets a lot of things come up from your subconscious.
If you feel anxious or lonesome, I hope that “Ghost” comforts you. It’s okay to be a lone wolf, but remember you are never alone with your feelings. Life is about making peace with your journey - Madelline.
Madelline is a singer and songwriter from Connecticut currently living in Montreal.
Synth-rock band Magnetic Skies’ debut EP, “Dreams And Memories”, was released yesterday via ReprinT Records.
Magnetic Skies formed in early 2018 when singer-songwriter Simon Kent and vocalist/programmer Jo Womar were commissioned to collaborate for a one-off arts/charity live show. During rehearsals the pair discovered that they had a common love for electronic music and mapped out dates to experiment with writing songs for a potential band project. Simon’s latest solo album had received airplay on national radio, and live shows included touring with established artists like Echo & The Bunnymen, Emma Stevens and The Christians - but things went so well that he decided to take a hiatus to concentrate on the new project.
Simon says, “the Magnetic Skies songs took on a life and direction of their own, everything just flowed. Although I had a great band and backing at radio, sometimes you just have to follow your instinct and your heart. And this is where my heart wants me to go.”
Songwriting over the summer resulted in a selection of songs ranging from melody-driven electronic pop to atmospheric ambient songs which form the basis of 3 EPs the band will release in 2019, with a full-length album to follow. Jo says, “writing the songs has been a really exciting adventure! I have a really cool collection of analogue and digital synthesizers, which are the foundation for the tracks. Simon can play a bit of everything, so he was able to contribute keys, guitars and bass to finish everything off.”.
Raucous garage rockers Gaffa Tape Sandy announce their signing to acclaimed indie label Alcopop! Records and share pulsating latest single Headlights, the first track taken from the band’s forthcoming EP dropping this summer.
Marking the start of a whole new chapter for the Bury St. Edmunds outfit, Headlights showcases the trio’s brand of high-octane rock ‘n’ roll in remarkable style, spearheaded by the playful dual vocals of Kim Jarvis and Catherine Lindley-Neilson and ably supported by a relentless rhythm section and crescendo of epic punk riffage.
“We wrote Headlights as an open embrace to anyone who finds it hard to talk about their mental health, and to serve as a reminder to check up on your loved ones in this busy stupid world”, the band stated. “We wanted the back-and-forth vocal play to feel and sound like a conversation, a playful way of communicating a message that we believe in. It’s important to be lovely to one another, and the people who have been lovely to us are the people who inspired this song”.
Heralded as one of NME’s 100 Essential Acts for 2018, the rising trio have developed an impressive live reputation supporting the likes of Indoor Pets, IDLES and Peace, whilst much-lauded displays at Glastonbury and Latitude (BBC Introducing) have lead to a slew of festival appearances (including The Great Escape and Truck) being lined up over the coming months.
Andrew Rinehart and his former romantic partner Rachel Len Cary had a wildly tumultuous 2-year relationship. After a lengthy separation, and an agreement to stay on their separate paths, the two eventually decided to collaborative on a music video for one of Rinehart’s songs (’They Say’), interspersing actual archival home video / cell phone footage from the early days of their relationship with present day / post-breakup footage shot by their friend Danielle Bartley. The intention behind making the video together was to find some sort of closure.
Video made by Andrew Rinehart, Rachel Len Cary and Danielle Bartley. Cover artwork made by Greg Sheppard.
Rinehart is a Louisville, KY native who has, for the last 5 years or so, paid his dues bouncing around the usual bigger-city zones. He was one of the original 10 founders of the influential Body Actualized Center in Brooklyn, and more recently threw shows at Basic Flowers, a DIY space in downtown LA which Ariel Pink co-funded. Now on the verge of exiting the purgatory of grad school, Rinehart is currently in the process of releasing a series of singles (“Off On A Roll…” being the first), all of which explore the inscrutable ups and downs inherent to that age-old pleasure/torture device: love.
These Wicked Things is the fourth release from the determinedly eclectic Boston-based band Beat Circus and the final installment in singer/multi-instrumentalist/composer Brian Carpenter’s “Weird American Gothic” trilogy. The record bridges a number of disparate genres including experimental music, cowpunk, post-punk, Mexican folk music, mariachi music, and Italian giallo soundtracks. The cover and booklet include a 18-page graphic novelette by renowned Croatian artist Danijel Zezelj, best known for his live paintings, multimedia, and collaborations with DC Comics/Vertigo.
Brian Carpenter formed Beat Circus in 2002 shortly after his arrival in Boston and since then, he's been the ensemble's guiding light and sole constant member. He has recorded or performed with Swans, Kronos Quartet, Colin Stetson, Marc Ribot, and Roswell Rudd, and collaborated with producers Martin Bisi (Dreamland, 2008), Sean Slade and Bryce Goggin (Boy From Black Mountain, 2009). Returning on These Wicked Things are drummer Gavin McCarthy (Karate, Thalia Zedek Band), bassist Paul Dilley (Reverend Glasseye), and guitarist Andrew Stern (Brian Carpenter & The Confessions). Relative newcomers include violinist Abigale Reisman (Tredici Bacci), violist Emily Bookwalter (Ghost Train Orchestra), and multi-instrumentalist Alec Spiegelman (Cuddle Magic), all three of whom worked with Carpenter on The Barbary Coast in San Francisco.
These Wicked Things began in Berkeley, California when Carpenter was commissioned by the Berkeley Repertory Theater to compose music and lyrics for Dominic Orlando’s play The Barbary Coast in 2014. Based on the true crime book by Herbert Asbury (Gangs of New York), The Barbary Coast detailed the violent rise of San Francisco in the late 1800s. The play centers around Joaquin Murieta, the real-life inspiration for Zorro, a Mexican who went on a notorious revenge spree after his wife Rosita was killed by gold miners. Two versions of “Rosita” and some incidental music from the play are included.
After recording These Wicked Things with Beat Circus at the legendary Q Division Studios in Boston, Carpenter flew out to Tucson, Arizona to mix the record with esteemed producer Craig Schumacher (Calexico, Neko Case, Giant Sand.) Carpenter worked with Schumacher previously on his singer/songwriter outing The Far End of the World (2015, Accurate.) Special guests on These Wicked Things include trumpeter Jacob Valenzuela of Calexico, bass saxophonist Dana Colley of Morphine, and guitarist Stephen Ulrich of the NYC guitar noir trio Big Lazy.
Whilst co-habiting as a property guardian in South London, JW Ridley had to use what little space and time was available work on his music; as he explains “the building had these strange little rooms so I would go and record demos in them whilst no one was there”. New single Homesick (Out the Blue), the follow up to recent acclaimed single Glass Eyes, was written in such snatched moments.
An Arthur Russell and Radiohead by way of krautrock inspired post-punk shuffle, it’s a track with an emotional density that builds throughout, and another example of the expressive, cathartic song-writing that’s seen him labelled as one of London’s most exciting artists.
Matching the sense of geographical dislocation there’s an element of psychological contrast behind the song’s meaning too, “it’s about the things we hold on to or the things that never really leave us”.
JW (AKA Jack) has slowly built up a canon of emotive and immersive songs. These have caught the attention of Huw Stephens, Zane Lowe, Lauren Laverne and Steve Lamacq on the airwaves, as well as tastemaker tomes Stereogum, DIY, Wonderland and more.
Portsmouth, VA-based, modern retro quartet Lucky 757 would make the founding pioneers of early rockabilly proud, aggressively pushing the genre forward with a combination of chops, passion and innovation.
The band formed in 2014 around core songwriting team of father/son duo Danny (rhythm guitar and backup vocals) and Cory (lead vocals and lead guitar). Wielding their twin Gretsch guitars, Danny and Cory deliver the classic hollow body sound, drenched in Copycat tape echo, and aided by the vintage rockabilly rhythm section of Sam Haga (bass) Angel Lopez (drums). Together, they’ve canvased Virginia and traveled down the coast, playing alongside The Screaming Rebel Angels and opening for Reverend Horton Heat, tearing up big stages such as the Gretsch stage at Lake Havasu Rockabilly Reunion (NV), and the Rats Nest Run Inn (NY), and the Americana Music Fest (Virginia Beach).
They released their debut self-titled album in 2015 and quickly followed up with a second LP, tracked in a feverish all night session at Sun Studios in Memphis. Both releases were praised by the rockabilly community and found airplay on international FM stations. Their 2018 release, the Surf Rock instrumental album Lonesome Lagoon, found acclaim among the blogosphere, eliciting hipster hang tens for its deep cultural excavation of banana palms, gogo boots and Ennio Morricone scores.
Feeling their attention sway back to the well-calibrated rockabilly that first got their pistons pumping, the band endeavored to capture the newest embodiment of their evolving sound by heading back to the legendary ‘room’ at Sun Studios. They tracked three new songs, holistically, in raw and raucous live takes, laced with banging piano lines, courtesy of Matt Jordan, the key player for Rev. Horton Heat. The resulting album, Memphis Sun, is a delectable slice of rhythm and ooze. A twangy ode to the long-lost vibes of early rock and roll, distilled into a glowing little EP that begs to be savored, like the sunset over the Mississippi River.
Wild Rivers is both beautiful and emotional, a song from the heart, where both the band and the harmonies naturally and skillfully connect. The new song from Magnetic Skies is a taster for three E.P's due this year and bodes well with it's subtle melodies and lush musical arrangement. The Indica Gallery have a style that spans decades and yet is fresh as the band carve out a distinct and highly likable sound.
Wild Rivers - Moving Target.
2018 was an incredible gift. We toured North America extensively and met people who share a connection to our music. However, the reality of being touring musicians means that we often find ourselves in unfamiliar situations, far away from the things – and the people – that provide love and comfort.
Our new song, “Moving Target,” is the message you leave for the person back home. It’s about what we do to protect ourselves when relationships get difficult, and the realization that cutting yourself off can do more harm than good.
“Moving Target” was recorded live off the floor with our producer, Dan Hosh. After playing it night after night on the road last year, we really wanted to hone those sensations of vulnerability and earnestness.
We’re back home now, busy writing for our next project and gearing up to headline some shows (dates below!) around Canada and the States. As we sink our teeth into some new songs, our excitement to build on what’s next grows.
Synth-rock band Magnetic Skies’ debut EP, “Dreams And Memories”, is released on 22 March 2019 via ReprinT Records.
Magnetic Skies formed in early 2018 when singer-songwriter Simon Kent and vocalist/programmer Jo Womar were commissioned to collaborate for a one-off arts/charity live show. During rehearsals the pair discovered that they had a common love for electronic music and mapped out dates to experiment with writing songs for a potential band project. Simon’s latest solo album had received airplay on national radio, and live shows included touring with established artists like Echo & The Bunnymen, Emma Stevens and The Christians - but things went so well that he decided to take a hiatus to concentrate on the new project.
Simon says, “the Magnetic Skies songs took on a life and direction of their own, everything just flowed. Although I had a great band and backing at radio, sometimes you just have to follow your instinct and your heart. And this is where my heart wants me to go.”
Songwriting over the summer resulted in a selection of songs ranging from melody-driven electronic pop to atmospheric ambient songs which form the basis of 3 EPs the band will release in 2019, with a full-length album to follow. Jo says, “writing the songs has been a really exciting adventure! I have a really cool collection of analogue and digital synthesizers, which are the foundation for the tracks. Simon can play a bit of everything, so he was able to contribute keys, guitars and bass to finish everything off.”.
The new single from Liverpool quintet The Indica Gallery ‘Wait For Your Love’, came out Monday via Someone Great Records/PIAS.
Formed in early 2018, The Indica Gallery have a blossoming sound that blends 60s and 70s pop with modern psychedelic overtones and poetic Northern grit.
‘Wait For Your Love’ is a love letter personified in a 50’s-esque torch song.
