Luna Neptune - Paper Hawk - The Bae Beach Club - Second Still

Luna Neptune - Elspeth and Elijah.

Background - Psych folk producer Luna Neptune releases new single 'Elspeth & Elijah’  and accompanying music video for the 2nd single from the artists upcoming EP ‘Next Automated Wave’.  Fully written, recorded and produced by Luna Neptune, mixing and mastering was completed by Alex Fernandes. Jim Gellatly had the exclusive first radio play on his show on Amazing Radio on Sunday 15th April 2018.

Melodic and memorable, Elspeth and Elijah features haunting guitar lines, and glitch beats to make an old folk trope - love lost at sea - contemporary and relevant.

The video, filmed and edited by Luna, was shot around Hastings after a nasty flu sent her looking for fresh air, and so she decamped to stay with family on the English south coast. The video is a dream-like postcard of seaside Britain – kitsch, nostalgic, but also hinting at economic depression. The track is a response to the way in which “Britannia rules the waves” has been mythologised, and the damage that imperalism continues to contribute to our global society.

Luna Neptune is a Scottish psych folk solo artist, based in Clapton, East London. Comparisons have been made to Jesca Hoop, Grace Slick and Sandy Denny of Fairport Convention.

Luna released her debut EP ‘5th Moon’ in December 2016 and gigs frequently around London at venues such as The Dublin Castle in Camden and The Good Ship in Kilburn. The debut EP was well received gaining blog coverage and artist of the week slots on Skowt, District De Capo and Dear Damsels as well as winning plays on international radio stations including New York’s Radio Soho, Roundhouse Radio, Riviera FM, Valley FM (Aus), SHMU FM, Blues and Roots Radio (Canada), 2 Lochs FM, Crystal FM 107.4, Dunoon FM 97.4. FACEBOOK.

The mixture of modern music techniques is beautifully juxtaposed with classic folk vocals on  'Elspeth and Elijah' a fabulous psych folk exploration, where the atmosphere gradually builds and the story unfolds. This is a very impressive song.


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Paper Hawk - Trails.

Background -  Paper Hawk have just released the new single ‘Trails’ from upcoming EP. Crafting an intimate, ethereal sound, inviting you into their private world, Paper Hawk’s debut EP The Tide is set for release on the 2nd May 2018 through Brighton’s boutique record label Folklore Sessions. The 4-track record signals the beginning of a new adventure for this emerging band. Alongside digital distribution on iTunes and Spotify, a limited run of 50 physical copies will be available on the release date. Each record comes with a handwritten thank you letter, additional artwork, and a signed art print. Although new to the scene, Paper Hawk have swiftly left their mark playing across the country with sets at Glastonbury, 2000 Trees, YNOT and the Alternative Escape Festival.

Recorded in the living room of their Brighton flat the record marks a cathartic release from a tumultuous few years. From the defeated notes of ‘Trails’ - a hypnotising whisper chronicling the throes of a volatile relationship - to the comforting promise of support in ‘Northern Sky’ - The Tide is a collection of songs written with a hand-on-heart approach and striking honesty.

Produced by Josh Trinnaman (the brain of jazz-IDM fusion band, Luo), the intimate guitar and vocal arrangements are brought to life with rich soundscapes and electronic ambience, creating a dream-like atmosphere that draws you in and keeps you captivated.

Paper Hawk is an alt-folk duo currently based in Brighton, who combine intricate guitar driven melodies with hushed tones and raw confessional lyrics. A collaboration of two songwriters, Rebecca Brandler and Scott Booth, the project began after the two met a few months after both moving to Brighton to study. Rebecca heard Scott playing a cover of ‘Ocean’ by John Butler and instant musical sparks were ignited and she knew she wanted to write music together. The bond was then nurtured in a cold basement flat with muted rehearsals to avoid complaints from the neighbours but has proven to pay off, being nourished into a harrowingly beautiful EP with layers that muster unique strength, blanketed with velvet vocals. TWITTER.

'Trails' is a richly textured song, where the musical layers ebb and flow beneath some beguiling vocals. The hash-tag states Alt folk, which is as good a description as any other that comes to mind, the track builds both in emotional feel and potency, the EP follows soon.

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The Bae Beach Club - All Day.

Background - St. Catharines, Ontario's The Bae Beach Club is an indie rock group playing songs about daydreaming, the sun, and love. Their ultra-smooth guitar licks and catchy bass lines are sure to provide a quick escape route to an intrinsic beachy dreamland.

The band traveled by train from Toronto, ON to Vancouver, BC to record their soon to be released 'Our Escape' EP at Monarch Studios with Tom Dobrzanski, performing as "Artists on Board" the VIA Rail Canada

Vocalist KiKi Kinaschuk says, "This tune sets the tone for the upcoming EP, Our Escape. ‘all day’ unveils an honest expression of creating your ideal situation introspectively. Ultimately, it invokes a feeling of restlessness when regrouping back to reality.” 'Our Escape' EP will be released on May 18. BANDCAMP.

Upcoming shows:
In the Soil Arts Festival - April 29th
Canadian Music Week (Toronto, ON) - TBD May 7-13th
Our Escape release show @ Warehouse (St. Catharines, ON) - May 19th
My Son the Hurricane @ Warehouse (St. Catharines, ON) - June 9th.

From the opening notes of 'All Day' expectations are set high and the song really does fulfill it's promise. Melodic indie rock and sumptuous vocals are delivered with an easy beat, and the hooks are everywhere on this sun drenched tune.


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Second Still - In Order.

Background - Second Still are back and set to release their second EP Equals on April 20th, 2018 on vinyl via Belgian label Weyrd Son Records, and on cassette through the new tape label Sentimental Records.

After their first full-length record was named “best post-punk debut LP of 2017” by Post-Punk.com, While the songs from this newest release retain the sheer power and intensity of the band’s previous two releases, Equals sees Second Still evolving their sound and progressing forward into sonically uncharted territory. The four main components of the band’s signature sound are still there –chorus and delay-heavy guitar, hypnotic bass grooves, heavyweight drum machine beats, and hauntingly beautiful vocal melodies– but they have added a couple analog synthesizers into the arsenal for Equals, mixing a whole new element into their already uniquely realized style of post-punk. Commanding synth bass, subtle ambient soundscapes, and forceful lead synth hooks now supplement and enhance the distinctive sound that Second Still had already crafted on their first two releases.

The band also explores a more pop-orientated and lighter sound on Equals, especially on the A-side, while the B-side stays true to the band’s more melancholic and gloomy roots. The EP kicks off with “In Order”, an upbeat and throbbing dance-floor anthem with a pulsating arpeggiated synth line driving the song forward. Following that is “Ashes”, a six-minute pop ballad who’s feeling is constantly shifting, at times being tastefully reserved and atmospheric, while at others totally unleashed and unhinged. The B-side offers a nice contrast to the pop sensibilities of side A, with three unrelenting back to back tracks of aggressive and forceful coldwave outpourings.

The EP also has a sixth bonus track titled “Walls”, that is included in the digital and cassette versions of the album, and as a limited edition flexi disc to be given away with the first 100 vinyl purchases. Equals was written over a period of six months, and recorded in various rehearsal spaces and makeshift studios around Los Angeles. Chris King is credited with recording, mixing, and co-producing the EP, and Mike Tierney with the mastering. Jean Lorenzo, a NYC-based graphic designer, created the album artwork, which features a front cover with a die cut design, allowing for select sections of record’s insert to be visible through the openings. FACEBOOK.

Less than a week since our last feature and Second Still are back with yet another single. 'In Order' is the first track on their second EP and continues the bands momentum of turning out powerfully engaging post punk music.

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Juliet Quick - Lou - Second Still - Umbrella Bed

Juliet Quick - Changeling (EP).

Background - Brooklyn-based, alt-folk artist Juliet Quick shares her new release Changeling EP, out now on DSPs.

Changeling is a 3-part song series, using the folkloric trope of the changeling, in which a child is stolen by fairies and replaced with an imposter, to explore feelings of alienation from the self and the familiar that characterize early adulthood. They don’t follow a strict narrative, so much as trace different points in the evolution of that psychic experience.

The imagery is heavily grounded in the landscape of the Hudson Valley, where the artist was raised. It was recorded in Carmel, NY, where it was engineered and co-produced by Rees Shad in his own studio. The orchestral strings were arranged in a collaboration with Juliet Quick, Rees Shad, and Nathan Kamal. WEBSITE.

We featured 'Changeling Part 1' back in February and I am very pleased to be able to now share the whole EP. Regarding our last feature we commented "Part I' is a gorgeous and quite unique indie folk song, where Juliet Quick's vocals are quite beguiling and the musical arrangement adds a chamber folk dimension to this sumptuous and almost epic piece". Having now listened to the three tracks together, it's worth noting how each is a distinct piece, they share the same name but the differing attributes of each tune is notable, this is a fabulous EP.

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Lou - Beaten.

Background - Singer-songwriter Lou shares her poignantly arresting first single "Beaten." With this first release, Lou’s powerful voice and emotional delivery stand out and offer a glimpse into the first page of her story; that suffering and aloneness can be turned into a force. 

The song is a raw and unfiltered journey into her world. A definite talent to watch, Lou performs around LA and can often be heard at No Name on Fairfax.

Lou says of "Beaten" - "I originally wrote “Beaten” as a poem about being betrayed by love. The pain and the rage that band together to abandon you at the bottom of a dark hole. With nothing around, the only way out is to create light from within and hope that it saves you.”

Growing up in a musical household, Lou started singing at a very young age. As an only child, when her parents separated, Lou found a sanctuary by escaping into herself. She wrote a lot through her teens and, after a life changing moment, decided to share her voice with the world. Lou's debut EP is slated for release later this year. WEBSITE.

Lou's vocals are beautifully passionate and soulful on 'Beaten' a song that exudes feeling and emotion throughout. The slow paced rock orientated musical backing adds even more to this striking song.

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Second Still - Echelons.

Background - Second Still announce their second EP due this month and share the single "Echelons".  This EP is due April 20th on Sentimental Records.  The band is also set to release their sophomore EP Equals that same day.

After their first full-length record was named “best post-punk debut LP of 2017” by Post-Punk.com, While the songs from this newest release retain the sheer power and intensity of the band’s previous two releases, Equals sees Second Still evolving their sound and progressing forward into sonically uncharted territory.

The four main components of the band’s signature sound are still there –chorus and delay-heavy guitar, hypnotic bass grooves, heavyweight drum machine beats, and hauntingly beautiful vocal melodies– but they have added a couple analog synthesizers into the arsenal for Equals, mixing a whole new element into their already uniquely realized style of post-punk. Commanding synth bass, subtle ambient soundscapes, and forceful lead synth hooks now supplement and enhance the distinctive sound that Second Still had already crafted on their first two releases. BANDCAMP, FACEBOOK.

Our third feature for Second Still this time with the new single 'Echelons'. Previously we have said "the band create unique material, that challenges referencing including some classic punk vibes, alongside a hint of shoegaze and a swathe of catchy hooks." The new song is a darker, brooding track, with a hypnotic rhythm and a musical arrangement that builds into a powerful crescendo.

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Umbrella Bed - Rotate.

Background - Picking up on a 2-Tone ska sound might have seemed like a strange choice in the summer of 1995 when Umbrella Bed first assembled itself into existence; after all, the 2-Tone ska sound was a very short-lived period 15-years earlier and, without a doubt, in '95 the newly reborn ska genre "third wave" was creating a much harder-edged ska sound.

Third-wave ska was very much guided by the rise of the alternative music scene and infused ska with a more punk/grunge bent. It moved the "ska sound" pretty far away from 2-Tone's inherent pop roots. But, 2-Tone's shorter life had also left a lot of room to explore. Six full-length releases, hundreds of wildly energetic shows and two European tours later, doing anything but build on 2-Tone's legacy would have been a tragic loss.

As a live act, Umbrella Bed have also played a support role to a who's who in the ska/reggae world including The Skatalities, The Specials, English Beat, The Toasters, Mustard Plug, King Chango, MU330, Mad Sin, The Selector, and many others.

The band's primary line up has rotated some over the years but has remained largely intact. Lead vocalist Hellrocket, drummer Mitch Thompson, trombonist Al Teagarden and ska's (if not rock and roll's) premier French Horn player Eva Washburn have been around from day one. Trombonist Joy Judge and saxophonist Scott Wilcox have been with the band nearly a decade completing the "Horns of Mass Destruction". Although hardly new to the band anymore, Umbrella Bed's most recent addition Francisco Guerra on bass and Kabel Lefto on guitar bring a youthful element to a band just wrapping up its second decade -  proof that there a lot more fuel in the energy tanks. WEBSITE.

The new full-length album from American ska band Umbrella Bed is entitled 'Rotate' of which we feature the title track. The bands take on Ska & 2 Tone is vibrant and upbeat, with hints of rock and roll along the way. The band have a fine live performance pedigree, that said they certainly can and do record some fabulous tunes in the studio, as this latest collection of music ably demonstrates.

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Hero Fisher - Let's Mars - Allman Brown - Second Still

Hero Fisher - Lonely.

Background - “Lonely is about self delusion. We all wear blinkers to hard truths in one way or another. A common condition people have is loneliness or feeling secluded. I think it’s a sentiment a lot of people can relate to, if they don’t, then they may have mastered self delusion.”

Hero Fisher’s new song ‘Lonely’ is a masterclass in reinvention. Rich in ambience and with a slow crawling beat, Hero’s subtle and tender vocal performance evokes a deep sense of isolation amidst the cluttered mysteries of daily life. Drums, pianos and synths all work in tandem brewing a restless sonic tempest as the song subtly crescendos to its cathartic conclusion. ‘Lonely’ could be the soundtrack to a deeply arresting and sad movie, long expanses of sound create a panorama over which Hero lays some of her deepest and most internal lyricism yet. As her career progresses onwards it’s anyone’s guess where her sound will travel next, but if ‘Lonely’ is any indicator, she’s already one of the most unique new offerings this year.

British-born, French-raised and London-based, Hero Fisher (yes, that’s her real name) is returning to release her sophomore LP Glue Moon. Hero’s career has so far seen her collaborate with Alison Mosshart and Boy George in the Mark Ronson-scored ballet Carbon Life, open for The Rolling Stones and Neil Young at Hyde Park, and get shortlisted for the 2014 Glastonbury Emerging Talent Prize. In 2015 she released her debut album, the critically-appraised Delivery which won her fans in The Horrors and Blur. 

By turns a blistering rock and roller in the vein of Patti Smith and PJ Harvey, and an experimental folk storyteller à la Jeff Buckley, Hero Fisher resists easy generic categorisation with her protean and cinematic musical storytelling. Able to expertly strike a variety of different narrative poses, she is at once the spurned lover and the fired-up rabble rouser, predator and prey. With Glue Moon previous singles ‘Sylvie’ and ‘Push The Boat Out’, Hero’s lyrical imagination proved unique and bountiful. Her matchless new single ‘Lonely’ is the latest chapter in her development as an artist. She’ll reach many more milestones yet on her creative journey. WEBSITE, FACEBOOK.

See Hero Fisher Live:
March 15th: St Pancras Old Church, London, NW1 1UL
May 19th: The Great Escape Festival

We featured Hero Fisher a couple of times last year and now she makes a welcome return with the new song 'Lonely'. The pace is slow and the musical arrangement understated to begin with and then the layers gradually build. This makes a very fine backdrop for some sultry and alluring vocals that add melody to the track, along with a beautifully personal vibe.


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Let's Mars - Dedicated.

Background - Dark indie-electro duo Let's Mars are set for the International release of their second single "Dedicated". The band says of the single: “We decided to record “Dedicated” because we felt it carries a combination of melancholy and happiness that was ideally suited to our aesthetic. We chose to release it as our next single because it brings Oren back to his youth and we both agreed it was a good way to pay tribute to the Tel Aviv scene where we met and started our partnership”

The duo’s uniquely personal, effortlessly accessible music is the result of the seemingly unlikely songwriting and recording collaboration of American singer Talia​ ​Londoner​, a Los​ ​Angeles​ native who previously harbored no ambitions of a musical career, and Israeli​ multi-instrumentalist Oren​ ​Emanuel​, a seasoned musician and producer with an extensive resume in the realm of electronic music.

Based in the emerging creative mecca of Tel​ ​Aviv​, Let's Mars​ ​​makes music that’s bright and uplifting yet possesses a dark twist, combining catchy melodic songcraft, inventive sonic settings and heartfelt, emotionally rich lyrics that resonate with insight and humanity. Their expansive sound merges the D.I.Y. digital sampling techniques, timeless R&B grooves, propulsive bass lines and Londoner​’s intoxicating, expressive vocals. WEBSITE, FACEBOOK.

'Dedicated' opens with rich driving synths that give way to some gorgeous vocals that take over before both elements merge together and the melodic hooks really do kick in.

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Allman Brown - Moonlight.

Background - “Moonlight” is the visceral new single from Allman Brown’s new Bury My Heart EP. The London songwriter is releasing the EP on March 16th while he’s in the US for SXSW. Produced by his frequent collaborator Liz Lawrence (Cash + David), the EP incorporates lush, subtle electronic elements to his atmospheric sound, with his dynamic voice always at the forefront. Following the EP’s lead single “Bury My Heart”, “Moonlight” is no exception, with ambient, reverb-laden guitars set against Brown’s dynamic vocal harmonies and sparse percussive elements.

According to Allman Brown, the song is also about how the epic and the intimate go hand in hand, and attempting to capture the sensation of how small intense moments can have an impact on your entire life. If you like what you hear, I hope you can keep Allman in mind for Beehive Candy in the coming months - same goes for any playlist or SXSW opps, if you happen to be going?

Coming off a breakthrough year that saw the release of his debut full-length 1000 Years, Brown’s 2018 is already looking bright. Known for his compelling live performances, last year also saw him selling out shows all over the UK and Europe, sharing stages with the likes of Julien Baker, Palace and Siv Jakobsen along the way. After his stint of shows at SXSW, he'll be back later this spring for more US dates. FACEBOOK.

Live Dates:
3/11 - Dallas, TX - Deep Ellum Art Co. (Skate or Die Fest)
3/13 - Austin, TX - Seven Grand (Reverb Nation x Killing Moon Live SXSW showcase, 8:15pm)
3/17 - Austin, TX - Barracuda (AGI x Xtra Mile Recordings SXSW showcase, 7:45pm).

It was back in late 2016 that we featured Allman Brown, time flies by and now we have 'Moonlight' a gentle song that slowly unfolds into something very special. The vocals and harmonies are stunning, the understated musical arrangement allowing them to shine and charm the listener, this is one magnificent song.

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Second Still - Opening.

Background - Second Still are back and set to release their second EP Equals on April 20th, 2018 on vinyl via Belgian label Weyrd Son Records, and on cassette through the new tape label Sentimental Records  This week they share "Opening".

While the songs from this newest release retain the sheer power and intensity of the band’s previous two releases, Equals sees Second Still evolving their sound and progressing forward into sonically uncharted territory. The four main components of the band’s signature sound are still there –chorus and delay-heavy guitar, hypnotic bass grooves, heavyweight drum machine beats, and hauntingly beautiful vocal melodies– but they have added a couple analog synthesizers into the arsenal for Equals, mixing a whole new element into their already uniquely realized style of post-punk. Commanding synth bass, subtle ambient soundscapes, and forceful lead synth hooks now supplement and enhance the distinctive sound that Second Still had already crafted on their first two releases.

The band also explores a more pop-orientated and lighter sound on Equals, especially on the A-side, while the B-side stays true to the band’s more melancholic and gloomy roots. The EP kicks off with “In Order”, an upbeat and throbbing dance-floor anthem with a pulsating arpeggiated synth line driving the song forward. Following that is “Ashes”, a six-minute pop ballad who’s feeling is constantly shifting, at times being tastefully reserved and atmospheric, while at others totally unleashed and unhinged. The B-side offers a nice contrast to the pop sensibilities of side A, with three unrelenting back to back tracks of aggressive and forceful coldwave outpourings. FACEBOOK.

It's around ten months since we featured Second Still stating at the time that "the band create unique material, that challenges referencing." Now we have 'Opening' a song that has some classic punk vibes to it, alongside a hint of shoegaze and a swathe of catchy hooks.

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Down On Maddy - GRMLN - Second Still

Down On Maddy - Wake Yourself.

Background - Down On Maddy mines enigmatic groove music swathed in majestic synth ambience, funky guitar, rugged beats, and infectious rubbery bass lines. 

Down On Maddy evokes the immersive qualities and ambitious arrangements of Pink Floyd, Yeasayer, The Doors, and MGMT. It’s a credo indie producer/multi-instrumentalist Patrick Kleven lives and creates by through the dream funk project Down On Maddy.

To produce this cryptic and cathartic music, Patrick has had to confront Loneliness. Demons. A Tumultuous (or Roller Coaster) Past. With Down On Maddy’s debut, he brings listeners light by sharing the passage through darkness. Facebook here.

The video provides us with a visual story, whilst 'Wake Yourself' provides a cool soundtrack. Take a second listen without the visuals and the song really does have quality and character in it's own right. Refined alt rock with attention to detail and enough passion to entice another listen.


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GRMLN - Red.

Background - California rock outfit GRMLN is set to release their latest musical offering, the 'Discovery' EP on April 7. Today the band shares album track "Red." GRMLN is the musical project of 24-year-old, Yoodoo Park. He was born in Kyoto, Japan and moved to southern California at a young age (though he currently resides in Japan). Yoodoo started playing music at the age of 13 when he was given a bass guitar and has been playing music ever since.

During the summer of 2010, Yoodoo started recording relaxing songs for himself to listen to in his car during lazy summer afternoons. 2012's The Explore EP captures this time in Yoodoo’s life with clean sounding guitar rhythms and a mixture of drowsy melodies. Yoodoo’s 2013 full-length, Empire, was less of a follow-up and more of a departure. Empire’s upbeat rock songs and ‘90s pop-punk influenced sound eventually led to the alternatively stormy and peaceful tunes of 2014's Soon Away.

The Discovery EP is perhaps GRMLN's most ambitious and anthemic album to date. Park veers away from his pop-punk roots and delivers a darker, more refined sound. Park's commanding vocal delivery along with his sharp lyrics demand immediate attention from the listener, and the album's earworm melodic hooks are potent enough to hang your hat on. Facebook here.

Having heard a couple of other songs from Friday's (7 April) EP release 'Red' really does provide a good example of the overall direction and sound of the new release. The musical production has clarity and style allowing the vocals to standout, and the hooks to dig in.

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Second Still - Strangers.

Background - Second Still is a three piece band from Los Angeles. Though strongly influenced by No Wave and French Cold Wave, their electronic drum sounds, unconventional bass and guitar lines, and strange vocal melodies still set them apart from any traditional categorisation.

Bassist Alex Hughes and guitarist Ryan Walker met in 2007 and spent years combing through 80s underground records, the most memorable being Xmal Deutschland, Asylum Party, Garlands-era Cocteau Twin, and Opera De Nuit. It wasn’t until after moving to New York and meeting Suki San, (a classically trained violinist and former shoegaze vocalist), in late 2014 that they finally became a band.

Early Forms, the band’s debut EP, was released in March 2016 as a limited edition cassette. They recorded those four songs while snowed in, in a barn in upstate New York over three days in the dead of winter. Before re-locating to Los Angeles in January 2016, Second Still hunkered down in the studio and recorded their entire self-titled debut album in just two days.

The album is out April 7th, 2017 on Paris-based label Manic Depression Records, and in support of the release the band is hitting the road for their first US tour kicking off March 30th at the Acerogami in Pomona, CA. Facebook here.

There is a fresh individuality to 'Strangers' an atmospheric post punk song that has hints of bands as diverse as Siouxsie and the Banshees through to earlier Cocteau Twins material. Confused? well good, as they are simplistic indicators, in part because Second Still create unique material, that challenges referencing.  

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