The City and Horses - Bleeding Knees Club - MKB ULTRA - First Hate - Old Sault

The City and Horses - Shades.

Background - Last Friday, The City and Horses released their new album, Ruins. This marks the third album of The City and Horses under Paper Garden - and treats listeners to an array of indie-pop, idiosyncratic songs - fresh, familiar, and all about the funk.

The City and Horses are out to get you. To get you feeling better about your breakups, screw ups and photos needing touch ups. Following in the footsteps of melodic mopers before them, TCAH make music for the disaffected. 

Front man Marc Cantone, who works as a children’s television producer by day, writes idiosyncratic songs that are fresh, familiar and all about the funk (emotional or otherwise).  And the emotional funk is a key aspect of the band. Having spent his adult life in the throes of OCD, Marc has become a dedicated and vocal supporter of mental health rights and issues. Website here, Facebook here.

'Shades' is the first of twelve songs on the brand new 'Ruins' album. The City and Horses have consistently written and produced appealing indie music, and the quality just keeps on coming with this latest release. I simply chose the first song to share because I was spoilt for choice and as it's first on the album it's first on Beehive Candy!

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Bleeding Knees Club - Chew The Gum.

Background - Bleeding Knees Club’s new EP Chew The Gum was released a little earlier this month. Frontman Alex Wall spent time in New York and Los Angeles and released three solo albums as Wax Witches on Burger Records. Upon moving back to Australia, Alex immediately dove back into writing for Bleeding Knees Club and has been working with producer John Patterson of The Grates. The band also just signed with Inertia Music and added Michael Barker (guitar), Gio Alexander (bass), and Nick Leighton (drums) to the lineup to make BKC a full live band for the first time.

The four track EP is the first fresh material from BKC since 2013's anthemic single "Feel." All four songs were produced by long-time friend (and fan) John Patterson from The Grates, and the title track recently received a NSFW visual accompaniment via a music video conceived by frontman Alex Wall and starring band members Michael Barker (guitar), Gio Alexander (bass), and Nick Leighton (drums).

In their time, BKC have notched up an enviable list of shows worldwide with the likes of Wavves, Best Coast, Black Lips, OFF! and more, plus festival appearances at Splendour In The Grass, Falls Festival, St. Kilda Festival and Sounds Of The Suburbs. We are thrilled that they are back in the live game, having just announced a string of Australian headline dates with support from weirdo psych rockers The Pinheads (excl Adelaide, Hobart and Mandurah. Website here, Facebook here, tour dates on Beehive Candy's tour page.

The video is "a little different" for the EP's title track 'Chew The Gum', however it works in a bizarre way. Musically though, everything immediately comes together with some vibrant upbeat no nonsense rock'n'roll that dives from punk to indie and elsewhere on the blistering four song EP.


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MKB ULTRA - Black Ship.

Background - A veteran Seattle musician, Mia Katherine Boyle combines singer/songwriter craft with musical collaborations bringing hints of American folk, soul and experimental. Her musical friends, including Jack Endino complementing her on wild psyche-blues guitar, inspire new directions but she remains grounded in confessional, blues-tinged rock. Their first full length together as a band, the eponymous MKB Ultra, shows them at their sizzling, storming best. 

MKB Ultra’s self-titled third album is made of songs crafted out of power riffs and and pop song structure, then deconstructed into interludes of madness, or rather, controlled chaos. Infused with soul-inspired vocals, it both harkens back to a time when rock was wild, finding a combined sound of magnetic rock riffs and sonic rebellion.
     
Mia says, “Most of the songs were written during a difficult time in this country - Enron, 9-11, the Iraq invasion. Things were not going well politically. Sadly, they have only become more relevant which inspired me to re-record them and add a few more songs that represent my struggle to move beyond political rhetoric and get closer to the spiritual understanding that love is real and personal power is real".
     
The lead track is “Black Ship,”  -- alluding to the journey of slaves, the maritime voyage goes mutinous to rhythmic melodies and a relentless groove. This band's understanding of rhythm is played out perfectly by turning invocations like “Cause & Effect,” “Forever Now,” and “Strange Attractors” into powerful anthems. Bandcamp here.

A thumping beat and some funky rock ardour underpins 'Black Ship'. Vocals are naturally blues rock in nature as MKB ULTRA deliver an intense and pleasing alt rock song.

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First Hate - The One.

Background - Danish duo First Hate have shared a video for new single "The One." The track is from their forthcoming new LP A Prayer For The Unemployed, out May 12th on Copenhagen-based label Escho Records. "This is a song for all the lovers who weren’t supposed to be together after all," the duo explain, "And for all the people waiting to find the right one. Patience is not only about being able to wait it’s also about how you behave while you wait, Life is not always about keeping your promises, it’s about following your heart."

First Hate also announces a string of European tour dates in support of the release this Spring. You can find current dates and more info on the band and album below. Stay tuned for additional international tour dates to follow.

Rising from the snake pit into the international spotlight, it’s been a short and steady climb for Copenhagen duo First Hate. Since the release of their self-titled debut EP in September 2014, which featured hit singles “Girls In The Club” and “In My Dreams”, the band showcased early on music that transcends genres, making the underground more accessible through piercing beats. In support of the EP, they toured with both Trentemøller (October 2014) and Iceage (April 2015).

Summer 2015 was spent in the studio which resulted in the follow-up EP The Mind Of A Gemini (released on Escho in March 2016). Headline shows at Lille Vega in Copenhagen and Tape in Aarhus proved the band's steady rise was now hitting a bigger audience, with singles “White Heron” and “Trojan Horse” getting heavy rotation on national radio. 2016 found the band on the road with fellow Copenhageners Lust For Youth around Europe plus tours across Asia and North America and festival dates across the world including a notable triumphant set headlining the Countdown Stage at Roskilde Festival. Facebook here, tour dates on Beehive Candy's tour page.

'The One' isn't just catchy it's infectious. There's a little taste of New Order in the songs structure and delivery, however the band are striking both with the deep and darker vocals alongside a sophisticated musical arrangement that morphs between rock and dance with ease. Fabulous song!


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Old Sault - Sleeping With Danger.

Background - Named as an ‘Artist to watch in 2016’ by triple j Unearthed, Old Sault, releases her first single for 2017 ‘Sleeping with Danger’ on Friday April 29, and also announces her much anticipated debut EP.  

‘Sleeping with Danger’ portrays a dark and mysterious side to Old Sault. Combining an indie folk sound and heavy drum work with her hushed, understated vocals; emotive lyrics breathe real life in to the track. Old Sault has been hard at work in the studio recording her debut EP Mostly Worried, due out May 12, under the guidance of ARIA-winning producer Govinda Doyle (Angus & Julia Stone).

The EP’s first two singles ‘Ghost’ and ‘Sail Home’ were well received with the former gaining local praise from triple j’s Dom Alessio and Richard Kingsmill as well as internationally from Italian tastemaker blog ‘Going Solo’. With two successful singles under her belt and a previously unseen live show, ‘Sleeping with Danger’ is the next piece in musical puzzle in the lead up to her debut EP making 2017 looking to be a break out year for Old Sault.

Old Sault releases ‘Sleeping with Danger’ on all platforms and debut EP Mostly Worried Friday May 12. Live shows to be announced soon. Facebook here.

We featured Old Sault a couple of times last year and the latest song 'Sleeping With Danger' continues the high standard of music we were enthralled with previously. Alt rock that builds from an understated beginning into a more expansive piece, as mentioned above Old Sault is an artist to watch out for.

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Friday Four: Ivey - Mother Leads - Lunch Duchess - Old Sault

Ivey - All Things Good.

Background promo - Fresh faced, born and bred to take on new adventures, Gold Coast's Ivey have been charming the pants off music fans and critics alike since 2013. Remaining just as breezy and young in their delivery but continuing to tighten the screws, Ivey ask nothing more of you, dear listener, than to revel in their indie-pop dream.

With half the band still tending to their high school studies, the young troupe is led by young Millie (15), with Lachlan (18) co-fronting on vocals and guitar. Matthew (17) and Dante (19) fill the rhythm out. With Millie at the front-and-centre, Ivey is empowering young teens, irregardless of gender, to pursue their passions.

Building on the warm familiarity of previous single, 'Smell of Smoke' but also daring to tread new grounds, 'All Things Good' both sways and wallops with its charming delivery of honest lyrics that imbed in your brain. 'All Thing Good' was recorded with the helping hand of producer extraordinaire Konstantin Kersting (Yes Sir Noceur, the Belligerents, WAAX) at Brisbane's Airlock Studios and mixed by both Kersting and Gold Coast's own George Carpenter (Waxhead, Jimmy the Saint & the Sinners, Karl S. Williams).

Ivey are not only maturing as musicians, but are doing it with style and ease. Continuing to further their shimmering, indie-pop sound that fans have come to adore just reaffirms the group's much deserved, unremitting success.

Single Launch Shows:
July 8 - Elsewhere - Gold Coast, QLD*
July 16 - Foundry Records - Brisbane, QLD (All Ages)
August 19 - NightQuater - Gold Coast, QLD*
August 27 - ShakaFest - Gold Coast, QLD
* w/ Peach Fur & Lotus Ship

'All Good Things' runs the risk of too many age related comments, because it's such an excellent and well developed song. So lets just say if you love beach pop, then it's happy days all round (including teenagers).

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Mother Leads - Lost Cosmonauts.

From the band - This is a new song about leaving it all behind. About leaving that place or person..or thing.

Sometimes leaving it all behind means that you end back up where you started. We've found that music is best set against the vacuum of space... the never-ending expanse that begs to be flooded with all that your imagination can conjure, until the inevitable return to Terra Firma.

'Lost Cosmonauts' or 'Lost Cosmos', whichever you prefer, is a soundtrack for your imagination. It's the dream of loss and rediscovery that we've all experienced. Wether it be your town or city,  job or family, boyfriend or girlfriend...or even your metaphorical 'space ship'...we hope this track will guide you back home.Stay in tuned for more and keep your imagination alive. -- Mother Leads.

With a funky alt rock soundtrack and suitably fine and punchy vocals, 'Lost Cosmonauts' is an immediately catchy and very solid song. Ontario band Mother Leads have a well developed and tight sound, that's nicely shaken up by their enthusiastic playing, ensuring those old rock'n'roll vibes come through.

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Lunch Duchess - Cry.

Background - The Minneapolis, MN grunge-pop band Lunch Duchess have headed out on their first US west coast tour. Their EP “My Mom Says I Have A Rich Inner Life” was released in March 2016 and quickly garnered enthusiastic praise from local radio and local press. The band will soon be recording their debut full-length album for a planned 2017 release.

Tour Dates:
7/1 Kansas City, MO – House Show
7/2 Denver, CO – Club Scum
7/3 Provo, UT – Studio Studio Dada
7/5 Bellingham, WA – Alternative Library
7/6 Vancouver, BC, Canada – TBA
7/7 Seattle, WA – Lucky Liquor
7/8 Spokane, WA – Baby Bar
7/9 Missoula, MT – The Palace
7/10 Billings, MT – Railyard
7/11 Rapid City, SD – Black Hills Vinyl.

'Cry' is the first song off the four track EP (on Bandcamp) released back in March. The band have a wonderfully distinct sound, that is very infectious, and pretty hard to pigeon hole in any one genre.

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Old Sault - Sail Home.

Background promo - ‘Sail Home’, the haunting second single from Gold Coast “bandless band” Old Sault aka Angie Farr, was borne out of an existential crisis. Rich in eerie imagery, Farr penned the track after coming to a realisation that much of humanity has struggled with. ‘Sail Home’ unpacks the epiphany that no “grand ark” was ever going to arrive to sail her to her dreams in style – that she simply needed to “get in my shity inflatable boat and start the trek right now.”

This new glimpse into Farr’s ponderous soul follows the success of Old Sault’s debut single ‘Ghost’. The track received triple j airplay as well as praise from influential taste makers, from Italian blog Going Solo all the way to triple j's Richard Kingsmill himself. Both singles were recorded with the help of the ARIA-winning Govinda Doyle (Angus & Julia Stone). Old Sault’s debut EP Mostly Worried is set for an imminent release.

We featured Old Sault's first single back in March and the new song 'Sail Home' is equally delightful. It's an atmospheric composition, that allows Angie Farr to create a stirring mood with her fine vocals, whilst the soundtracks melody unfolds. Looking forward to the next. 

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Quality Not Quantity: Polyenso - Jenny Broke The Window - Old Sault

Polyenso - 17 New Years.

Background promo - Building off of 2013’s cult-acclaimed “One Big Particular Loop,” Polyenso — Alex Schultz, Brennan Taulbee, and Denny Agosto — has spent the past two years working extensively with producer Jason Pennock. Evolving their particular flavor of indie-rock to include elements of hip-hop, neo-soul, and experimental electronics, they pull influences from acts such as Flying Lotus, The Roots, Bright Eyes, and Bjork, half-jokingly referring to their medley as “urban indie progressive.”

Possessing an unrestricted vision for the musical quality in all things, the band operates like sound designers, pairing synthesisers, pianos and guitars with organic noise and everyday objects like spatulas, wooden bowls and packing peanuts. Polyenso’s visionary production is equalled by the freshly unlocked vocal dynamics of Taulbee and Schultz. Led by Taulbee’s soothing and provocative melodies, Schultz is tagged in to bring the sexy back on harmonies, occasionally leading himself.

Releasing their first new tracks in 2014, “17 New Years” and “Moona Festival” provide listeners with a taste of the depth and scope of the band's ever-expanding sound. The upcoming album, Pure In The Plastic, serves as a challenge to music as a whole, proving that there is room left for originality in the popular. Carrying forward their intrinsically spiritualistic character, from start to finish, their music captures listeners in a moment of transcendence, feeling as much a part of the future as it does the present.

The soon to be released album 'Pure In The Plastic' is an adventurous and exciting work. The band may have a core sound however they are not afraid to explore different styles and genres. '17 New Years' is the first of ten songs on the album. It provides some insight into what's to come, but with so mush richness and variety, expect to be spoilt, with a lot more.

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Jenny Broke The Window - Airport Love.

Background promo - Jenny Broke The Window deftly evoke that lump-in-your-throat feeling we all get when waving goodbye to a loved one at the gate in their new single 'Airport Love', produced by Tony Buchen (Bluejuice, The Preatures, Andy Bull).

Swelling, wistful, and atmospheric, the song's rhythm echoes the beat of a heart that's had just about enough. Hushed vocals are juxtaposed over bubbling synths, strings and cruchy guitar riffs that add just the right amount of drama. 'Airport Love' is the perfect catalyst for your moment of 20/20 hindsight clarity - just keep the tissues handy when it hits.

The Sydney quartet's forthcoming EP has two radio hits under its belt already - 'Skinny Dip' and 'Black Skeleton', the latter of which was the #43 most played track on triple j in 2015. The band themselves are no strangers to notoreity, having shared the stage with the likes of Sticky Fingers, Bluejuice, The Fratellis, Gang of Youths,  Harts and Kingswood. With a string of tour dates now announced, Jenny Broke The Window are poised to break free from the pack and straight into hearts across the country.

Sat Apr 09 - Moonshine, Manly
Fri May 06 - Newtown Social Club, Sydney
Sat May 14 - Penny Black, Melbourne.

The opening heartbeat rhythm slowly morphs into a very catchy song, with vocals leading the way and the music steadily building. It's a really well produced song allowing all the key elements to shine through, as the hooks work there way under your skin.

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Old Sault - Ghost.

Background promo - A darling display of maturity, a plea from a lonely bedroom. Debut single from Old Sault, 'Ghost', is awash with contemplation. Accompanied by an expertly shot music video (here) featuring a rabbit, a victim and his bullies, 'Ghost' is a heartbreaking reminder of how life's moments can return to the mind in an instant.

Currently a bandless band from the Gold Coast, Old Sault is more the moniker for singer, songwriter and guitarist Angie Farr. Produced by the ARIA-winning Govinda Doyle (Angus & Julia Stone), 'Ghost' is but a snippet of the work the two have been working on together, with another single just around the corner and a debut EP not far behind it. Pricking the ears of triple j and taste makers already, Old Sault is a raconteur, ready to realise her place on the national music stage.

Sometimes when I'm trying to describe a song all I really want to say is "This is a really good song" and just leave it at that. Maybe I should, but that always seem a little unfair considering the work that goes into so much of the music we feature here. Anyway, this really is a good song... oh just play it!


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