Grizzly Coast - Sera - Priestgate - Hannah Georgas

Grizzly Coast makes her seventh appearance on Beehive Candy with a new video for 'Lonely Planet', we've said many positive things about her superb indie rock, this song makes for a solid reminder why. === Sera is another artist who has impressed us on a number of occasions before and the new song 'Switch' continues that trend as the singer songwriter's distinctive style really pleases. === Priestgate recently shared 'Now' and the five piece Yorkshire, England band sound so good, refreshing and powerful that this is a fabulous song to be heard far and wide. === Hannah Georgas new song 'Just A Phase' sees the artist continue to release refined new music, her vocals shining above a sophisticated musical arrangement.
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Grizzly Coast - Lonely Planet.

Late last summer, Alannah Kavanaugh (Grizzly Coast) and her partner bought a Volvo, named it Ducky, and headed west. On their month-long trip, the couple spent time in Badlands National Park, Yellowstone National Park, Oregon, Washington, The Cowichan Valley, Tofino, Vancouver, Banff + more. The footage from this trip was used for the "Lonely Planet" video.

Formerly performing as an acoustic singer-songwriter, the Toronto-based indie rock project (fronted by Alannah Kavanaugh) wears her expansion into full-band territory well. Written in 2018 when Kavanaugh was living alone, not very social, and being tossed about by her mental health, each track investigates solitude from different perspectives.

She never imagined that Party of One would drop during a time where others felt the same way on a mass scale. People need other people, and Kavanaugh hopes that these songs bring anyone who feels like she did a moment of comfort in an otherwise challenging period of disconnection.

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Sera - Switch.

'SWITCH' - The brand new single by Welsh singer-songwriter SERA (Sera Zyborska).

Once again working with acclaimed producer Andi Crutwell-Jones, plus the notable contribution of Nico CJ on violin and Len Whitehead on Electric guitar makes a full-sounding, statement of a song that again blends all SERA's favourite parts of Americana, folk and pop with her storytelling and folklore album theme.

'SWITCH' is a bolt out of the dark, a harsh awakening. Empowerment.

Her album songs are all drawn from folklore and SWITCH is no different, drawing inspiration from Steam-punk, Frankenstein and the 'Freak Lab-accident' trope of the comic superhero. SERA's music is rooted in folk, Americana, singer-songwriter, with this track taking a further leap into energetic pop.

SERA 'When I Wake Up' Album. The brand new album by SERA is out on CD July 31st (pre-orders from July 17th) and on digital and streaming platforms from August 14th. The album is a collection of 11 tracks, all inspired by folklore. This album takes a little bit of folk, Americana, singer-songwriter and pop and mixes it in a musical cauldron!

SERA · Switch

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Priestgate - Now.

Priestgate are a 5 piece indie band from Driffield, East Yorkshire consisting of Rob Schofield (vocals), Connor Bingham (lead), Cameron Sampson (bass), Bridie Stagg (drums) and Isaac Ellis (rhythm).

After a stellar year of experimentation, abstraction and performing to ever more enlivened crowds, they are now constructing something new in their psychoactive soundscape. Keep your ears free of protection, and your eyes covered with your favourite goggles in anticipation for the next time you encounter Priestgate beaming; bright sonics advance your way.

Discussing ‘NOW’, Priestgate explain: ‘NOW’ is our ode to understanding life the way it really stands. As a band and group of friends, we all know we have made our fair share of mistakes. We also know that everyone listening has made their fair share too, and will continue to mess up inevitably along the way in their individual journeys, just as equally as we will too.

Our collective perception of the experiences in our youth have been distilled and refined into ‘NOW’. We have taken inspiration from RIDE, The Cure and Slowdive, curdling them together into a sonic tonic ready for fresh digestion and growth into our styles. The result is pulsing, rhythmic and breathing with young life.

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Hannah Georgas - Just A Phase.

Last month, Toronto's Hannah Georgas announced her new LP All That Emotion (out September 4th on Brassland and Arts & Crafts) with the mesmeric lead single "Dreams." Produced by The National's Aaron Dessner, the album has already attracted an enthusiastic critical response with "Dreams" — along with a pair of pre-announce singles "That Emotion" and "Same Mistakes.

Hannah Georgas is sharing a new offering from the LP, a track called "Just A Phase," a warm, enveloping track that seamlessly melds propulsive electronics with Georgas' measured tones. With lyrics that focus on change, resiliency and anxiety the song finds an encompassing calm while presenting a buzzing hive of sonic ideas.

The accompanying video shares an insider’s view of the album's recording sessions and what came after. Primarily, it’s a tour of Dessner’s iconic Long Pond studio—which is recognizable from its portrayal on the cover art of The National’s Best Alternative Grammy winning album Sleep Well Beast, but also features footage from the year Georgas spent on the road singing in The National's touring band around the release of their 2019 LP I Am Easy To Find.

“We recorded All That Emotion in concentrated periods of time with breaks in between," says Georgas. "I had never made an album this way before. It was also the first time making an album outside of Canada which was a really unique experience. It was nice to make solo road trips to Upstate NY from Toronto knowing that the stretch of time recording will solely be dedicated to being as creative and as open as possible. Then last year, I had the opportunity to join The National on the road singing back ups for them and opening up in a few cities in Europe and North America.”

The video acts as a travelogue and journal of those before times, including footage of her long drives across the Canadian border — glimpses of tour life with the band — and ending with her listening to a test pressing of the forthcoming album.

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Sera - Zoë Phillips - The Just Joans - Frank Mighty's Hotline

Sera is an artist we last featured in June and who has now shared a video for 'Into The Woods'. I loved 'Rabbit Hole' and the new song is truly on a par with that, as the singer songwriters talents continue to shine. === Softly opening the new song 'Numb by Zoë Phillips slowly builds into a melodic, charming and personal sounding affair. === This makes it three songs in three months on Beehive Candy as The Just Joans release 'Wee Guys (Bobby's Got a Punctured Lung)' another fabulous track and teaser for the album 'The Private Memoirs and Confessions of the Just Joans'. === Last Friday Frank Mighty's Hotline released 'What am I to do' an organic and restrained rock piece where John Traboulsi's vocals are just perfect.
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Sera - Into The Woods.

'Into the Woods' is the follow-up to Sera's acclaimed 'Rabbit Hole' single which was released in June to acclaimed reviews, and extensive radio support. 'Into The Woods' is a continuation on the theme of twisted fairytales, and will be released digitally via CEG Records / Pyst Distribution on the 4th of October.

'Into the Woods' is a response to the reoccurring plot-line in stories and films, where women are often chased into the woods by bad men, pursued by monsters or face great peril amongst the trees. Into the Woods instead becomes a place to grow, gain strength and face your fears. Sera's new songs will continue to follow in this theme of the mythic-surreal rooted in very real experiences. The track is taken from SERA's collection of songs for 2019 and from her new collaboration with producer Andi Bonsai.

Sera hails from Caernarfon in North Wales and is a busy bilingual (Welsh and English) performer and songwriter, part of the CEG Records family. Earlier this year Sera was selected as a part of BBC Horizons programme, in which the BBC back a dozen of the freshest acts in Wales and provide them with festival showcases and industry opportunites.

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Zoë Phillips - Numb.

Drawing from experiences within mental health, ‘Numb’ acts as an antidote in which the pairing of direct lyricism and striking vocals creates a sound that is both soothing and instant. Featuring atmospheric guitar soundscapes, and supported by production from gold and platinum record songwriter & producer Jack Gourlay, this emerging sound could be compared to the likes of Billie Marten and Lucy Rose.

This is the first of a collection of new songs inspired by Zoë’s recent solo traveling trip across the world, with further single releases in the run-up to a forthcoming 2020 EP.

With previous features across BBC Introducing, BBC R1 and BBC Radio 6 music, Zoë’s vocals have also been primetime playlisted on MTV Dance. The track ‘Learn To Swim’ reached the iTunes top 50 singer-songwriter chart and a remix of Zoë’s original song ‘Boat’ has clocked up over half a million Spotify plays.

Live performances include the Rabbit Hole stage at Glastonbury Festival, Sofar Sounds and a recent support slot to Hannah Grace at the ‘Never Fade Records’ showcase (Gabrielle Aplin’s label).

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The Just Joans - Wee Guys (Bobby's Got a Punctured Lung).

The Private Memoirs and Confessions of the Just Joans is a deeply personal collection of songs that hazily recall the past and contemplate the futility of the future. At the forefront remain the mischievous lyrics and heartfelt vocals of siblings David and Katie Pope, aided and abetted by Chris Elkin on lead guitar, Fraser Ford on bass guitar, Arion Xenos on keyboards and Jason Sweeney on drums.

A titular twist on the classic gothic horror novel The Private Memoirs and Confessions of a Justified Sinner by compatriot James Hogg, the new album is the follow-up to 2017’s You Might Be Smiling Now… and contains the kind of melodies and mockery that led Uncut to class the band as the point at which “Stephin Merritt lies down with The Vaselines.”

The Private Memoirs and Confessions of the Just Joans is a veritable smorgasbord of misery, longing and unrequited love; stories of small town resentments, half-forgotten school friends, failing relationships and awkward workplace conversations. As David explains: “It’s a collection torn from the pages of the diary I haven’t kept over the past 25 years. There are songs about places and people I vaguely remember, feelings I think that I once may have felt and the onset of middle-aged ennui.”

Despite entering new territory with the addition of brass and strings, they have nevertheless maintained the DIY ethos that made them darlings of the underground indie-pop scene, with each song on the album recorded and produced by the band in various gloomy bedrooms around Glasgow.

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Frank Mighty's Hotline - What am I to do.

John Traboulsi is Frank Mighty's Hotline. A solo project that started in his bedroom 5 years ago, John will tell you ‘It’s about time I released these songs’. With a classical guitar upbringing and a love for classic and indie rock, John strings together catchy, neo-psychedelic tones with a glimpse of the soulful classic rock on which he was raised.

When offered the opening slot for Said the Whale on their As Long As Your Eyes Are Wide Open tour, John contemplated the idea of a music career. When life brought him to the UK, his love for Brit Pop allowed him to shine as a solo artist playing intimate venues around the U.K. Upon a move to Toronto, John adopted the moniker Frank Mighty's Hotline, and, quickly, the commercial potential drew comparisons to Bon Iver, The War on Drugs, and Glass Animals.

With poignant songwriting, catchy hooks, his gritty, soulful vocals will be available for all ears come the release of his first single, Intertwined, on November 15, 2019, followed by the release of What am I to Do, last Friday.

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Curse Of Lono - Kidsmoke - Dani Taylor - SERA - Go Gracious

It would appear we are averaging an appearance per year with Curse Of Lono, a band who consistently impressed me with their highly refined style of Americana. The latest material recorded in a live setting at Toe Rag Studios is stunning and hopefully will see the band reach an even bigger audience, they deserve that at the very least.

We featured Kidsmoke a couple of times last year and their latest offering 'She Takes You Under' is a refreshing indie song, their melodic hooks are intact and make this song shine.

Dani Taylor has shared 'Hello Dallas' a beautiful country song with some fine roots feeling countered with a more modern singer-songwriter vibe.

'Rabbit Hole' from SERA has an excellent musical arrangement that complements her vocals as both elements sync together on this hook fuelled song, where the momentum seemingly builds and builds.

Go Gracious have a slightly crazy video for 'Solid Influence' a song that stands out with defined and likable vocals matched with a gorgeous musical back drop.
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Curse Of Lono - Blackout Fever (Live at Toe Rag Studios).

UK Americana rock band Curse Of Lono have announced a new album '4am And Counting' which consists of 11 mellow, rootsier versions of tracks off the band’s first two albums, recorded live at Toe Rag Studios in London with Grammy-winning producer Liam Watson (The White Stripes 'Elephant'), and mixed by Oli Bayston (Boxed In).

The album features guest appearances from legendary pedal steel player BJ Cole (Elton John, Dolly Parton, Pink Floyd, Massive Attack) and harmonica player Nick Reynolds (Alabama 3).

Enjoy the first cut from this hazy, late-night record titled "Blackout Fever." We've partnered with Elmore Magazine and Blurt Online to bring you the single and today Performer Magazine premiered the accompanying music video which showcases the vibe of the record: In the studio, live to tape. No breaks, no edits.

“We wanted to capture the vibe we get when we're jamming late at night,” explains frontman Felix Bechtolsheimer. “So we booked a couple of days in the studio, invited a few friends down and pressed record. Toe Rag Studios is an incredible place. There are no computers. There’s no technology to tempt you. We just played everything completely live like we do when we’re messing around in our rehearsal room, so what you hear is exactly what was played.”


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Kidsmoke - She Takes You Under.

What a year it's turning out to be for Kidsmoke! The Welsch band are preparing for their debut LP after a successful US debut at South by Southwest, which caught the attention of Austin label Big Indie.

Known for their trademark ability to write sweet and sunny hooks, this track is no exception. The single is filled with sparkling synths, driving beats and shimmering harmonies, creating a sound akin to the likes of Sunflower Bean or Bombay Bicycle Club’s pastoral pop soundscapes. She Takes You Under once again showcases Kidsmoke’s capability to create crisp, shoegaze-tinged pop that can transport you straight into the sunshine.

The Wrexham four-piece are Lance (Vocals/Guitar), James (Bass/Vocals), Sophie (Guitar/Vocals) and Ash (Drums), who have already made a name for themselves in their native North Wales. They have also already received recognition from across the pond, having played at SXSW earlier this year and their previous single Passenger making it onto the esteemed NPR Austin 100 list. The have also received supported from The Line of Best Fit, Earmilk, Indie Shuffle and BTR Today, as well as BBC 6 Music’s Steve Lamacq and BBC Radio Wales’ Adam Walton to name a few. They have also have a sync-feature on Charlie Brooker’s Black Mirror series under their belts, as well also supporting Supergrass’ Gaz Coombes previously.

Catch Kidsmoke live on 12th June 2019 at London’s Two Tribes Brewery in association with Big Indie Big Nights. "She Take You Under" is available everywhere via Big Indie Records.


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Dani Taylor - Hello Dallas.

Dani Taylor is an Arizona born and raised country singer-songwriter currently residing in Nashville Tennessee.

Her first EP has just debuted on the 31st of May with a fresh twist on the traditional country sound.

Hello Dallas is a traditional Texas country song about going back home after the world beats you down.

Hello Dallas is a traditional Texas country song with a fresh sound


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SERA - Rabbit Hole.

'Rabbit Hole' is the first single from SERA's collection of songs for 2019 and from her new collaboration with producer Andi Bonsai.

SERA played a mellow acoustic 'Rabbit Hole' on her guitar to Andi one wet and windy October morning and by the end of the day, that song had transformed into the high energy version you hear today. 'Rabbit Hole' stays true to SERA's Americana/folk style but takes on some bold new ideas.The chorus explodes into Come with me to incredible things, where the oysters march from the sea, inviting you into a world of the fantastic. SERA's new songs will continue to follow in this theme of the mythic-surreal rooted in very real experiences.

'Rabbit Hole' is a journey through an addictive relationship, leading through naivety and self destruction to escape. SERA hails from Caernarfon in North Wales and is a busy bilingual (Welsh and English) performer and songwriter, part of the CEG Records family.

In addition to great support from Welsh media and festival such as BBC Radio Wales/ Radio Cymru, S4C and Focus Wales, support for SERA's music has come from Chris Hawkins 6Music, Claire Blading Radio 2, specialist shows, North American Festival of Wales, How the Light Gets in, Festival Number 6, Henley Festival and more and continues to grow....

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Go Gracious - Solid Influence.

Go Gracious was dragged, kicking and screaming, into existence once their half written ideas had become stadium sized, with razor sharp pop hooks delivered over a fiery growl of heavy guitars and dance beats. Imagine if Dragons did it, yeah?

Morris and Dee first met at a show in Kent where Dees’ performance prompted Morris to declare: "You're a great front-man, but you need a better band".

Morris told Dee he should join forces with someone with an ear for the anthemic, and so he did, although with doubts about one man’s ability to replace an entire band. But when modern technology collides with irrepressible will, miracles and wonders can also happen.

Go Gracious take inspiration from everything they’ve listened to and loved.

With a string of stirring, undeniable singles ready to come out on The Animal Farm label, they should be the only thing you listen to and love. The first of which, ‘Solid Influence’, is a stomping piano driven indie-rock instant classic with a superbly cheeky video featuring a great dancing routine on the London underground.


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Sundays Finest: Sera - Emma Elisabeth - VACAY - Mount Song

Sera - Doctor.

Background - Sera, an alternative pop/rock band from Brisbane, are proud to announce the release of their upcoming EP Call Me Up. The band debuted in February 2016 with their first single “Doubt Around Me”, a swing-pop track that got people singing and earned rotation on 4ZZZ and attention with 96.5FM.

Since their launch, they have released 3 singles and in late 2016 returned to the studio to record their debut EP, Call Me Up. The EP was recorded at Airlock Studios with producer Yanto Browning of The Medics, Kate Miller-Heidke and Art of Sleeping fame and was named for the EP’s focus on confidence and encouraging people to step up and make it happen.

The songs chosen for the EP were their favourites from the newest material, and ‘Doctor’ is the lead single and first taste of the EP. As close friends, they have been playing together for a decade, initially playing a sound resembling Regina Spektor crossed with Paramore. Their songwriting has developed since the band’s inception, and they’ve been able to create a defined pop/rock sound, far removed from where they started. Having played various festivals including the Teneriffe and Caxton Street Food & Wine Festival’s music and performance has become a staple for Sera reaching new audiences. ‘Doctor’ will be in Digital Stores on the 3rd of March Call Me Up EP by Sera will be released 17th of March 2017. Website here, Facebook here.

Fresh and upbeat pop and rock combine to make 'Doctor' stand out in a crowd. The overall production adds depth and detail to the song. It might be a tried and tested musical style, but the band ensure their own personal mark is definitely there, and pretty certain to be noticed.

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Emma Elisabeth - Dying Inside You.

Background - Emma Elisabeth writes effortlessly flowing popmelodies covering them in a jangly, organic sound. Her sound is distinctive and playful with a very classic approach to songwriting. Her heart is beating for fuzzy rock and country, while pop music is pouring out of her soul. Elegantly intoxicated and somewhat channeling elements of 90's melancholia and 70's vocal arrangements. 

Her crush on women like Stevie, Debbie, Dolly, Patti and Marianne is a source of inspiration. As is her fascination with dirty old New York, West Coast Rock and heroes like Lou, Bob and Neil. In a world where everything seems to be so polished and perfect, she's got a thing for imperfections. Because that is what makes someone or something interesting. And why should it be any different in music?

Dying inside you - "To me this song is bittersweet. It's got a smile on it's face but sad eyes, which I guess I had at the time it was written. And it's about not fully being able to understand someone, and getting lost in their beauty, which can quickly turn into a maze which you can't find your way out of. Like a haunted house in an amusement park" Facebook here.

Immediately catchy and with a warm melodic feel throughout 'Dying Inside You' is a pop song with enough rock vibes to give it some additional edge.

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VACAY - Shoes.

Background - The inspiration for “Shoes” came from a girl that I worked with. I had a massive crush on her and we connected really well, but she was getting married. I wrote this song to get the jealousy and pain off of my chest.

The silver lining to going through pain is what you learn through the situation and of course, the honest songs that come from it. Based on my past experiences, the songs that speak the most to me are the ones that are saying the words I felt but couldn’t find. My hope is that this song will relate to many people’s situations. If they are going through something similar, that they’d find comfort in knowing they are not alone. Facebook here.

It's the vocals that struck me first on 'Shoes'. There is considerable quality within the musicianship, and the melodic feel is quite catchy, however VACAY makes the song, with striking and extremely pleasing vocals.

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Mount Song - Halo.

Background - Jacob Johansson (Det Stora Monstret/The Big Monster) is pleased to share the first single from his new project 'Mount Song' today. Intimate, heavy and explosive, 'Halo' is a dark yet optimistic track that explore the sadness that accompanies dealing with life’s demons. Back in 2014, Sweden's biggest music magazine named the self-titled album of Jacob's previous project Det Stora Monstret, their ”Swedish debut album of the year”. The single ”Kolibrins Vingar” (The Hummingbird's Wings) then went straight into rotation on SR P3 and Det Stora Monstret was nominated for both the Swedish GAFFA-award and the Manifest-prize.

Together with his band, consisting of co-producer Filip Leyman (Anna Von Hausswolff, Albert af Ekenstam, Det Stora Monstret), Karl Vento, Knut Källgren and Lovisa Samuelsson, Jacob's songs describe and question the world we live in with an intensity, sincerity and an urgency so strong, it forces you to stop and listen. Both poetic and political, Jacob's songs have been described as "personal and relevant on a global and common existential scale."

Brought up on grunge, his influences range from Nirvana and Pearl Jam to the psychadelic leanings of bands like Flaming Lips and MGMT and he's  equally inspired by the more sombre likes of Jose Gonzalez, Bonnie 'Prince' Billy' and Jeff Buckley. The forthcoming album offers more than a glimpse of these rich influences and with this first track, comes the promise of great things. 'Mount Song' is due out on May 5th via Suncave Recordings. Facebook here.

'Halo' begins in an understated manner, just vocals and acoustic guitar. In fairness the passion within the vocals and a sprinkling of additional backing music is more than enough to ensure another listen (or several) on my part.

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