Catherine Campbell - Phonseca - easyclear - Hook - The Curse of K.K. Hammond

Catherine Campbell - Outline (EP).

Catherine Campbell is an indie/folk singer-songwriter who was raised in Lexington, KY and is now based in Chattanooga, TN. Outline follows the 2019 EP Young One, 2022's Leave No Trace EP, and the singles "Orion" and "Too Late," both of which appear on Outline.

Outline features five Campbell originals and a cover of The Beach Boys' "In My Room." The EP was produced by Rebecca Rego and J. Tom Hnatow, engineered by J. Tom Hnatow at Small Blue, Lexington, KY, mixed by Duane Lundy at Lexington Recording Company, and mastered by Justin Perkins at Mystery Room Mastering in Madison, Wisconsin.

Catherine Campbell is a soft spoken singer/songwriter and indie rock practitioner with a writerly focus on pulling the listener into a romantic world a little apart from hard reality. Her songs are described as dreamy ditties, romantic reflections, twilight ballads. Beautifully orchestrated with her notable nightingale voice in the middle. Campbell was raised in Kentucky and currently resides in Chattanooga, Tennessee where she is working with other local musicians to grow a welcoming music scene.

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Phonseca - Everything Lasts Forever (Album).

Five years after their debut album ‘Between A Dream’, Bristol synthpop duo Phonseca return with ‘Everything Lasts Forever’, an album that sparkles and shimmers.

‘Between A Dream’ was championed in the UK on BBC Radio 6 Music by both Gideon Coe and Steve Lamacq. With Steve Lamacq featuring it in his "Recommends" show. It also picked up lots of airplay and excellent reviews around the world. ‘Everything Lasts Forever’ is a joyous, upbeat record which picks up where ‘Between A Dream’ left off and unashamedly embraces more of a synth pop feel than its acclaimed predecessor.

Phonseca brings together Bristol’s much respected keys/synth player Matthew O’Connor and radiant Swedish vocalist Kristina Sheppard. Matthew’s classical piano training has an influence on his work. In addition to Phonseca, he has composed Library Music where his work has been synched on primetime TV like BBC1’s - The One Show, Channel 5 programs and National TV in most of Europe. This was the catalyst for first writing with Kristina, initially working on songs for a Disney project which followed a chance meeting at a wedding fayre, where they had stalls directly opposite each other. Since its release, the pair have spent the past few years promoting the debut album while writing/recording ‘Everything Lasts Forever’, which is now ready for release via Old Bad Habits Label.

‘Everything Lasts Forever’ happily takes its inspiration from the likes of New Order, The Beloved, Chromatics, The xx, Robyn, Pet Shop Boys and Ryuichi Sakamoto. The range of Kristina’s voice perfectly captures the variety of feelings that the lyrics portray. Putting herself at the centre of songs which cover Love, Grief, Clubbing and Internationalism. Also included is their take, on timeless pop classic Downtown. Alongisde the album release, Phonseca also release new single ‘English Night’ today with an accompanying video. ‘English Night’ is a joyous upbeat electro-pop track that is laced with positive synth moods and soaring uplifting vocals.


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Photo - Artemis Szekir-Rigas

easyclear - Teammate.

easyclear just announced the debut EP Green (April 25th) and shares the radiant new single Teammate. The solo project of London-based artist Luke Deacon, easyclear has begun to make a name for his spirited and elegant sound. Having spent years performing in bands, including Young Khan (a precursor to Sea Girls) and the harmony-rich classic pop outfit Kid Jupiter, Luke Deacon has developed a distinct musical voice.  

easyclear presents a unique blend of organic folk elements, sprawling electronics and indie tendencies, resulting in a sound that defies genre. Comparable to the likes of Westerman and Djo, the new single ‘Teammate’ continues to showcase his unique sonic approach.

Built around tight shuffling drums, warming bass, a fingerpicked guitar and dappled swells of modulated synth, the track summons a palpable world - a platform for Deacon’s emotive vocals to lead the way. Cleverly meeting acoustic storytelling with electronic elements, easyclear’s approach touches on the friction between organic and mechanical worlds.

Speaking about the track, Deacon explains: “Teammate is a song about companionship in its many forms. Through sporting references it espouses the values of trust, commitment and mutual support.

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Hook - The Next Show (EP).

We are really pleased to feature Hook, for us a breath of fresh air, whose music is exceptionally catchy, unpretentious and yet really does resonate with some pretty hefty comparisons.

Hook is Eoin O’Donnell on vocals, guitars, Niamh Carmody vocals, bass and Morgan O’Brien on drums. Described as new wave indie rock, lovely comparisons have been made with Pixies, The Smiths, Big Thief and the Velvet Underground.

They play direct, honest music about the small moments, the brutality of love and finding the beautiful in the simple. Their new EP “The Next Show” was just released (21 March 2025) and features three new songs “No Surprises”, “Circles” and “Slip Away”. “No Surprises” A contradictory personality, the ability to compartmentalise, trying to find who you are in the constant push and pull of modern life

“Circles” A song about loss and moving on, a relationship is gone and now you have the pay the price with heartbreak. “Slip Away” A relationship is gone and the singer has lost all hope. The person they have lost was the world and now they know that they can never regain the happiness they had previously.

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The Curse of K.K. Hammond - Walk With Me Through the Fire ft. Ian Davidson, Kaspar 'Berry' Rapkin.

Celebrated for her unique spin on Delta Blues and evocative Southern Gothic storytelling, UK-based slide guitarist and singer-songwriter The Curse of K.K. Hammond is back to captivate audiences with her much-anticipated single, “Walk With Me Through the Fire.” The track debuted globally on March 21, 2025, available on all digital platforms, and is complemented by a visually striking music video that channels the bold, cinematic spirit of Spaghetti Westerns.

“Walk With Me Through the Fire” is a foot-stomping, slow-burning ballad imbued with deep mood and intensity. The single showcases collaborations with renowned musicians including Ian Davidson on cello and Kaspar ‘Berry’ Rapkin on slide guitar. Together, they fuse traditional Delta blues with elements of country, folk, and gothic Americana to create a modern, blues-rock masterpiece. The arrangement is further enriched by Lewis Taylor, who brings a mariachi-style trumpet flair that nods to the legendary soundtracks of Ennio Morricone and the classic vibe of the Western genre.

The official music video—led by Hammond in collaboration with Rapkin and Davidson—is a dark Western dream. It perfectly marries Hammond’s haunting aesthetic with the raw allure of gun-slinging cinematic narratives, featuring gothic visuals set against a backdrop of deserted ghost towns, and weaving a compelling story of fire, destiny, and redemption.

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better joy - Glazyhaze - Frog - Phonseca

better joy - quiet thing.

Following her first new music of 2025 with ‘waiting on time’, Manchester-based Bria Keely, better known as better joy, has shared her new single ‘quiet thing’ taken from her forthcoming debut EP ‘heading into blue’ released on 28th March.
 
Building through gritty guitars and honeyed vocals to a euphoric chorus, new track ‘quiet thing’ is a captivating and buoyant new track. A reflective and personal song, lyrically it illuminates the understated beauty of the normal and quiet times in relationships.  
 
Bria says, "’Quiet thing’ is one of those songs that has taken on so many different lives since its original conception. I was originally inspired by someone close to me, who at the time was describing the quiet type of love he needed from his partner when going through a tough time. It got me thinking how important it is to not take the quiet moments in relationships for granted. I suppose I wanted to write an ode to those moments, but I didn’t want it to be sweet-sounding; I wanted the lyrics to be against music that had a bit of grit to offset the sweetness.”
 
New single ‘quiet thing’ is taken from better joy’s forthcoming debut EP ‘heading into blue’, produced by Mike Hedges (The Cure, U2, Manic Street Preachers). The 6-track EP features previous singles ‘waiting on time’, ‘carnival’ and ‘what a day’ alongside new single ‘quiet time, as well as two brand-new tracks, ‘couldn’t run forever’ and ‘can I land the plane?’. It is the first full-length project from better joy and is both a perfect introduction to better joy’s alt-pop sound and an exciting taster of more to come this year.

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Glazyhaze - Nirvana.

Glazyhaze will release their second album 'SONIC' on 21st March. Now they share new track 'Nirvana', which offers a blend of fresh pop energy and dreamy feels. The heart of 'Nirvana' is the interplay of two distinct vocal lines: one raw and direct, the other soft and melancholic, creating a contrast that adds depth and emotion to the song. Built on shimmering guitars and playful rhythms, it explores the complexities of desire, the inner struggle between longing and letting go, and the bittersweet, fleeting nature of perfect moments.   
 
The accompanying video, set in a greenhouse transformed into a cosy library, features two protagonists playfully interacting and exchanging books. The video's light-hearted, dreamlike atmosphere complements the song's warm sound. 'Nirvana' follows previous single 'Forgive Me', a haunting shoegaze ballad that explores the bittersweet of love and heartbreak.
 
Forthcoming album 'Sonic' was written and recorded between Italy and London, produced, mixed and recorded by Paolo Canaglia and mastered by Maurizio Baggio, the album explores the complexity of love, narrating a journey of self-discovery and emotional contrasts. It is a more ambitious and mature album, characterized by a more personal sound and writing that embraces shoegaze, post-punk and alt-rock sounds.

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Frog - 1000 Variations on the Same Song (Album).

Following the critical and commercial success of 2023's ‘Grog,’ cult New York duo Frog return with ‘1000 Variations on the Same Song,’ their sixth album, which features their recent singles.

An eclectic, emotional, and lyrically vivid collection, the songs see Daniel Bateman refer to My Chemical Romance, Gucci, Stillwell deals, fatherhood, and the 6 train (“I was listening to a lot of Mozart, Kodak Black, and Prince, but it doesn't really sound like any of those.”). Musically, songs like “TOP OF THE POPS VAR. I” and “DOOMSCROLLING VAR. II” touch on the agitated Indie Rock that defined their earlier work, while the Alt. Country of ‘Count Bateman’ and ‘Grog’ can be heard on ‘WHERE U FROM VAR. III’ and ‘ARTHUR MCBRIDE IN THE LOWER EAST SIDE VAR. X.’ Elsewhere, singles like ‘JUST USE YR HIPS VAR. VI’ and December’s ‘DID SANTA COME VAR. IX’ introduce a smoky lounge element to Frog’s sound, but as Bateman explains it, these are all just variations on the same song:

“1000 Variations on the Same Song is a theme and variations—there are times in your life as a songwriter where you'll start a bunch of stuff that all sounds alike, which can be a problem, something that you want to excise from yourself. This time I decided to embrace it and take it as far as it could go.”

Since Frog returned in 2023 with the addition of Daniel’s brother Steve Bateman on drums, they’ve received significant critical acclaim and enjoyed sold-out shows in the Tri-state area. Their 2025 dates will see the band joined by Frog co-founder Tom White on bass and will take them to new cities for first-time-ever shows, as well as to the KEXP studios for a session with Larry Mizell, Jr. on March 25th.

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Photo - Paul Stevenson, Visual Hybrid

Phonseca - When Night Equals Day.

‘When Night Equals Day’ is the superb new single from Indie Synthpop duo, Phonseca, which brings together Bristol’s much respected keys/synth player Matthew O’Connor and radiant Swedish vocalist Kristina Sheppard.

Matthew has a rich musical background, bringing his talent to bands across the musical spectrum from House to Shoegaze, Psyche to Soundtrack, Electronica, Britpop and Rock. Both touring and featuring on albums released on labels as diverse as Rocket Recordings, Invada Records and Dishy Recordings, his creative input has featured on many projects. Inevitably the urge to form a more personal musical landscape saw him starting to write his own music. This began the process which resulted in ‘Between A Dream’, the debut Phonseca album, which came out in 2019.

The album was championed in the UK on BBC Radio 6 Music by both Gideon Coe and Steve Lamacq. With Steve Lamacq featuring it in his "Recommends" show. It also picked up lots of airplay and excellent reviews around the world. Matthew’s classical piano training has an influence on his work. This was the catalyst for first writing with Kristina, initially working on songs for a Disney project which followed a chance meeting at a wedding fayre, where they had stalls directly opposite each other. Since its release, the pair have spent the past few years promoting the debut album while writing/recording the second ‘Everything Lasts Forever’, which is now ready for release via Old Bad Habits Label.

‘When Night Equals Day’, the second single to come from the new album, captures the emotional heartbeat of Phonseca’s indie synthpop, electronica sound. The track’s unhurried pulsing beats, icy ambient synths, desolate piano and sweeping drones make for a deep, contemplative listen. A wintry, never ending glacial atmosphere pervades the track, conjuring lonely and dark winter nights. What begins as a fragile cry for help, evolves into something more resilient. Then by the refrain ‘When Night Equals Day’, it’s realistically introspective again.

“As with the whole album, these songs have a nocturnal feel and this one is no exception”, says O’Connor. “Lyrically I was inspired by classic songs like Kraftwerk - Computer Love and Soft Cell - Bedsitter and other songs too that are so evocative the images freely play out in your mind. The title refers to the Spring equinox, and by complete coincidence this was when we were recording the vocals at Invada. It’s my favourite lyric and possibly my favourite song on the album and another amazing vocal from Kristina, completely embracing the song and meaning”, he further reveals.

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