Showing posts with label Sofia Härdig. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Sofia Härdig. Show all posts

Chelsea Rose - Sofia Härdig - Certain Animals

Chelsea Rose has released 'Minha Velha Amiga' accompanied by a video. I was trying to come up with an expression that captures the song and the best I can do is bossa nova dream pop, whatever this is gorgeous. === Our third song feature from Sofia Härdig's new album 'This Big Hush' is the new single 'Sucking The Flowers'. Another feisty rocker and one of nine songs on the album Sofia has served up some really fine rock and roll across the album. === Rotterdam's Certain Animals were first featured on Beehive Candy last month and now we have another new song entitled 'Automaton' where this talented trio deliver another refined alt rocker that builds into a highly notable piece.
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Chelsea Rose - Minha Velha Amiga.

Chelsea Rose is a songstress and sorceress of the arts. Channeling through guitar, songwriting and visual arts, she shines an honest light on human truths. Themes of hope, heartache, love and its counterparts are prevalent in her work.

Born and raised in Riverside, CA Chelsea currently lives in Los Angeles. Through songwriting and self producing she conjures a timeless yet modern sound which echoes sentiments of bossa nova, jazz and R&B classics. As a photographer and art director, Chelsea's artistic eye enables her to carefully craft a visual dream world in which one may easily be swept away. The vision is strong; a vibrant perspective often arises from destruction.

The creation of Chelsea Rose began with a flood. A pipe burst in her home studio, causing water to fill the room, covering drums, amps, guitars and other prized equipment. The scene took place the night before her final show as Summer Twins - a band she spearheaded for 10 years, backed by her sister, Justine.

Asking the Universe for a clean slate, she was given just that. With the ending of a chapter she was gifted the opportunity to explore a new identity, to explore what it means to exist and grow as an artist in the modern world. This enlightenment gave rise to a new band in which Chelsea Rose takes center stage on lead guitar and vocals, backed by Andy Moran on guitar, Seamus Blackwell on bass, Charlie Weinmann on drums and Alice Sandahl on keyboard.

This band thrives on a high frequency. Their powerful performance recalls a dream of the past while igniting a hope for the future. Chelsea Rose beckons you to join in and see the world "la vie en rose."


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Sofia Härdig - Sucking The Flowers.

Having released her new album “This Big Hush” earlier this month, Sofia Härdig now captivates with her high-energy track “Sucking The Flowers” that runs with infectious riffs, built on layers of scrappy percussion reminiscent of The Birthday Party or Pixies, and embellished with Sofia’s vocals as she sings “We call us in, to inner crimes, it’s tender, it’s sore, an attempt, to murder, it’s tender, it’s sore”.

With squalling guitars and vivid colours the Swedish-born multi-insturmentalist Sofia Härdig creates a cinematic vignette delivered through the poet’s eccentric palette of post-punk, playing and producing the entirety of the album. Sofia brings chugging energy, intense lyricism and a chaotic presence; she’s heading for a higher status amongst rock’s elite, and comments on the moment she met Patti Smith; “We met backstage at her gig in Stockholm and she gave me tickets to her show. We spoke about art, music and what it means to be an artist. She was generally very supportive and attentive; it was a beautiful moment sharing poetry and words.”

Talking about her fourth full-length, Sofia said “I recorded this album with the band in less than three days live in Tambourine Studios in Malmö. The vocals were all done in one day, a lot of them are even kept from the original live take. Part of the process is that my electronic demo making has become so thorough and time-consuming that they have been good enough to be released. Since they are out in the world and out of my system, I can break free and do something different with the band, and not the same thing all over again. We never play the same tempo, same length, they follow me where I lead them… this is THIS BIG HUSH”.

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Certain Animals - Automaton.

New Certain Animals single Automaton is the opening track of the upcoming album 'Songs To Make You Move' and immediately lets you hear what the band stands for in terms of style and content. The song tells about the uneasy relationship the three band members have with the far-reaching automation and digitization of contemporary life. In their view, nowadays people allow themselves to be led like little lambs to where tech giants and social media lead them.

The trio brings a message to the listener and at the same time a warning that is not merely bad or good, but that gives the listener food for thought. This message is wrapped in a song with an opening riff that seems to have been borrowed from the amplifier-melting arsenal of Neil Young and which then continues the pace with a relentless groove reminiscent of a marching column of robots. When the warning sounds, one arrives through typical "Ringo-fills" and "I Am The Walrus" orchestration to the final round ironically carried out with one of the favorite toys of Electric Light Orchestra: the vocoder (a device that actually is a speech computer).

Rotterdam based trio Certain Animals serves you melodic rock filled with vocal harmonies. The members aren't afraid to show which records they've been listening to. Musical giants from the 60's and 70's are spinning on their turntable on a daily basis. The Beatles, Beach Boys, Neil Young, Crosby, Stills & Nash and Electric Light Orchestra are regular companions in their musical life, but also the fuzzy and phasey sounds of contemporary bands like Tame Impala influence the music of Certain Animals.

Without being stuck in the past and with a critical view on the present, the band brings you their intriguing sound which makes for an energetic live show filled with intimate moments and explosive bursts of energy. In less then three years, the band managed to build a strong live reputation by playing shows on major Dutch festivals in famous venues all over the country. After having played across the border in Belgium, more international gigs in Germany have been confirmed for spring 2020.

While busy touring, band members Thijs van Leeuwen (vocals, guitars), Niels-Jan van Dijk (bass, vocals) and Kees Braam (drums, vocals) managed to build their own recording studio at a former red light district in the port of Rotterdam. At their home base the trio writes, produces and mixes their music single-handedly, working towards the release of their debut album scheduled for spring 2020.


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Sofia Härdig - Poppy Jean Crawford - Emma Charles - The Cordial Sins - Iggy Mayerov - Kerry Hart

Sofia Härdig makes her seventh appearance on Beehive Candy with 'Radiant Star' taken from her forthcoming album 'This Big Hush', and as always her powerful post punk creation impresses. === Poppy Jean Crawford shares 'Same Old Tricks' a track that benefits in part from her musical influences, but only in the sense that she has set her creative standards pretty high. === Folk pop singer songwriter Emma Charles latest single 'Vertigo' is a gorgeous affair, her notable vocals contrasting with a slow beating backdrop. === We featured The Cordial Sins last month and now we have a video for 'You Are A Weight' which is the first track on their superb new E.P 'In Memory'. === From Prague in the Czech Republic dream pop band Iggy Mayerov have shared a video for 'Silence' a song fuelled by melodic hooks and a marching beat. === Kerry Hart has released a beautiful song entitled 'Secret Garden' where her wonderful vocals are supported by a refined musical arrangement.
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Sofia Härdig - Radiant Star.

Swedish-born multi-instrumentalist and producer Sofia Härdig returns with her latest album ‘THIS BIG HUSH’. With squalling guitars and vivid colours Härdig creates a cinematic vignette delivered through the poet’s eccentric palette of post-punk, playing and producing the entirety of the album. Sofia brings chugging energy, intense lyricism and a chaotic presence; she’s heading for a higher status amongst rock’s elite, and comments on the moment she met Patti Smith; “We met backstage at her gig in Stockholm and she gave me tickets to her show. We spoke about art, music and what it means to be an artist. She was generally very supportive and attentive; it was a beautiful moment sharing poetry and words.”

Talking about her fourth full-length, Sofia said “I recorded this album with the band in less than three days live in Tambourine Studios in Malmö. The vocals were all done in one day, a lot of them are even kept from the original live take. Part of the process is that my electronic demo making has become so thorough and time-consuming that they have been good enough to be released. Since they are out in the world and out of my system, I can break free and do something different with the band, and not the same thing all over again. We never play the same tempo, same length, they follow me where I lead them… this is THIS BIG HUSH”

Sofia now drops the second single; ‘RADIANT STAR’, lifted from her forthcoming album. Musically, the track is more in the vein of art-rock, and Sofia doesn’t shy away from showcasing her talents as a producer here, as we’re constantly reminded of hazy ‘Unknown Pleasures’-esque angst. “It was made during many endless nights,” Sofia tells us about the single, “on my own and in my studio, and also with the band on some more hectic days. Then a lot of other endless days and nights in the studio producing it. My own take of ‘Twinkle Twinkle Little Star’; a song I learned as a 3-year old on the grand piano we inherited from my grandmother.”

Having worked with the likes of Stevie Jackson (Belle & Sebastian), a few members of Free Kitten, Sofia is no stranger to the live circuit and previously shared the stage with many other experimental musicians such as Ikue Mori, Yoshimi of The Boredoms, John Tilbury as well as Swedish Grammy Winners bob hund and The Hellacopters, among others.

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Poppy Jean Crawford - Same Old Tricks.

“I'm an accidentally good guitarist,” explains Poppy Jean Crawford. “I started playing just because I wanted to have chords to go along with my music.”

Listen to a song by the 20-year-old Crawford, however, and it seems like her preternatural musical ability might be more fate than chance. After all, the tracks on her forthcoming EP JEANJEANIE, out November 1st, show off not only her skill on the guitar but a unique ability to create a mood—swinging from seductive to savage and beyond—through dark, personal lyrics and powerful delivery that ranges from ethereal to unrestrained.

“When people listen to my music, they can feel as though they’re in a trance,” Crawford says. “But it’s more than just that. There’s a wall of noise that brings you in, but beyond that there’s beauty alongside the chaos.”

Delicacy presented side by side with disorder is precisely what Crawford does best. It’s evident in the debut single from the new EP, “Same Old Tricks,” as well as tracks like “Jonsies Gonesies,” which displays a talent for mellow sounds that linger just below haunting lyrics, and “Not Today” and “Better for Me,” which both boast a drive that demands attention. When she talks about the music she herself loves—a diverse selection including P.J. Harvey, Portishead, and Bjork—it highlights the same idea; Crawford is an artist who’s not only at home among different ideas but also one who can draw clear lines between them for anyone lucky enough to follow along.


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Emma Charles - Vertigo.

Folk-pop singer/songwriter Emma Charles is gearing up for a major step in her musical progression as she is set to release her new single “Vertigo,” which has just been chosen as a “What’s Next” spotlight on the forthcoming iconic quarterly compilation album of hitmakers NOW That’s What I Call Music! #72.  “Vertigo” is the follow up to a series of recent singles including “Scorpio” and “Comfort In the Chaos” which were produced by Doug Schadt (Maggie Rogers, Emmy the Great).  On this track, her trademark pristine sound takes a powerful turn with the addition of collaborator and producer Andrew Furze who co-wrote the song and plays guitar.   Charles is the latest in a long line of “What’s Next” featured artists which includes Shawn Mendez, Billie Eillish and Maggie Rogers.  “Vertigo” was released digitally October 18 on Sky Records, the pop unit of the Resilience Music Alliance. NOW! 72 was released on October 25.

Charles has been honing her distinctive brand of songwriting since she began releasing music as a student at the Berklee School of Music (when she was known as Emma Charleston).  Her growing fanbase have always had a glimpse into her personal life as her lyrics have always had their foundations in self-reflection and particularly so on “Vertigo.”  Says Charles: “‘Vertigo’ is about feeling displaced and losing my sense of self. I graduated college, moved across the country to Los Angeles, and then immediately left to go on tour- all in the space of three crazy months. I was trying to write songs while my head was still spinning and I never felt quite grounded- and this is the song that came out of that.”

Emma’s evolution as an artist has never been more pronounced than in 2019 as she’s recently graduated from school, relocated across country to Los Angeles, performed on national tours with Howie Day and Tyler Hilton and most importantly, put 1000 percent of her focus into creating a solid repertoire of songs with collaborators such as Schadt and Furze.  Charles will continue to release singles in 2019 culminating in the release of the first of two 5 song Eps by the end of the year.

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The Cordial Sins - You Are A Weight.

Out on Diversion Records: In Memory by The Cordial Sins - songs about love lost in bad habits. Written in earnest by The Cordial Sins co-founders, Liz Fisher and Corey Dickerson, and lovingly bore by long-time bandmates Kyle Edwards, John Allen and Mike Ortiz, all during the most haphazardly fleeting form of time: tour. In moments on the road — of arresting inspiration, dissembling emotion, and scarce stillness — The Cordial Sins made a grittily fizzing meld of rasping indie rock, melty shoegaze, and raw emotion, almost combative in its strength.

Though the music of The Cordial Sins is conjured and constructed by highly capable instrumentalists, its intention is not to achieve musical perfection, but rather, to tell the stories of its frontwoman. Fittingly titled In Memory, the EP follows Liz Fisher through the familiar process of a heart’s shatter and excruciating rebuild. It’s a melodic confrontation with her past that reverberates and resonates into any who have felt the same experience. Throughout, Fisher leans on lyrical mantras to cope, and at times, survive:

Sonically, Fisher’s training in classical violin offers evocative context for her intensely rock vocal delivery, a fervent belt that could be compared to Sharon Van Etten or The Cranberries’ Dolores O'Riordan. Her string arrangements weave the ups and downs of grief with intention, into one enveloping layer of sound. Just beneath that rippling surface, Corey Dickerson’s impassioned lead guitar drives the whole with force. The self-trained musician grounds the manic fluctuations of Fisher’s sentiment, as well as the audible powers of Edwards, Allen, and Ortiz, steering a beautiful frenzy of vibrations into one unified vision.

Love, loss, and redemption are not new concepts, but The Cordial Sins’ take on their combined effect is wonderfully rampant and stirringly sincere. Collaboration and honest storytelling sit at the core of In Memory, an individual’s examination of life as it is and reimagination of life as it could be.


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Iggy Mayerov - Silence.

Iggy Mayerov is a dream pop band from Prague, Czech Republic. Their sound is build around dominant vocal of the lead singer, and is surrounded by walls of lush and hazy guitar parts.

Iggy Mayerov was formed in the autumn of 2016. Already in spring 2017 they
released debut EP Stardust, and have started performing regularly. Iggy Mayerov most often performed in Prague Clubs as Rock Caf\'e9, Chapeau Rouge, Cross and many others.

In the autumn of 2017 they participated in band contest and managed to get to
the finals. From the total number of 125 band, Iggy Mayerov ended up on the
fifth place. In the spring of 2018 the band showed up in the undiscovered talents chart with the song Stardust, and they were holding on the leading position for five weeks. The same song was also broadcasted by Manchester's radio All FM in Through The Courtains  show.

During the summer Iggy Mayerov were playing in several prestigious festivals
such as Budweiser, Mezi Ploty or United Islands. At the end of the summer they performed at Radio Wave showcase and on Ponton music sessions organized by magazine Headliner.


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Kerry Hart - Secret Garden.

“It’s the secret no one tells you in the movies,” says Hart, “the journey to capture a woman’s heart, and to enjoy the wellspring of her affection and wisdom, only begins once the field has been narrowed to just two. There is a longing she has to be loved, but this longing does not mean there will be a deep and sustained connection. Our heroine, in my cover, the singer of this song, as opposed to the object of affection in Bruce’s original work, tells him quite poetically how he can win her over. But the truth is, the journey only really begins once she has been won.”

Excitement for Hart’s music has been growing since the release of her first single “I Know A Gun” earlier this year. The track premiered on Folk Alley which noted, "Very few artists make a first impression so indelible and wondrous that you know within seconds that they are truly special. In the past few years, Courtney Marie Andrews, Anna Tivel, and Dylan LeBlanc all cleared that bar and even raised it with succeeding efforts. Now comes Kerry Hart making a play of her own to join their ranks." Listeners feel the same as evinced by Hart’s steadily increasing streaming numbers.

Hart joined up with Nick Rosen and Léo Costa, multi-instrumentalists who have worked with the likes of Pharrell Williams and Jason Mraz, to record I Know A Gun at Perfect Sound Studios in Los Angeles. The album finds Hart embedding her lyrics with pieces of hard-won insight, enveloping that wisdom in her endlessly warm delivery.  With its lavishly detailed and largely acoustic sound, the album unfolds in transportive melodies and sweeping arrangements, while bearing an edgy complexity entirely unique to Hart. She will be previewing songs from the album at her upcoming show at Hotel Cafe in Los Angeles on December 14th.

Hart is also passionate about reforestation and has been offering a "Pre-Save To Tree Save" campaign in conjunction with Eden Reforestation Projects. For each pre-save of her album I Know A Gun on Spotify, the non-profit group will plant one new tree. The unique initiative has already led to the planting of 2,500 new trees. "We are excited to have Kerry Hart as a new partner in our efforts to plant trees and save lives," writes ERP. "We know how much she cares about trees and the earth. We love her pre-save to tree save campaign so pre-save away!". Find out more at www.kerryhart.com/tree.

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Sofia Härdig - Hazel Mei - Anna Farrow - B.Knox

Sofia Härdig has shared a new song entitled 'Infatuation'. We've had the pleasure of featuring Sofia a few times since 2016, her feisty and passionate rock always stands out, and with a new album on the way (The Big Hush) it's a welcome return for this energised rocker.

From Hazel Mei we have 'It Is(n't) Real' a highly desirable indie folk song. There is a little hint of jazz and indie rock in the mix which gives the piece some real edge as do the musical hooks.

Franco-Brittanic (that's French-English - but you know that) artist Anna Farrow has just released a video for 'Boys & Girls'. It's a vibrant pop song and charming video, I am guessing the original promo was written in "Franco" and even with a little spell checking by us, it still brings a smile to my face.

B.Knox has a new single 'Corners' which includes the B side 'Stars and Burnt Bridges'. His vocals are just perfect for old time roots music right through to modern Americana, and the musical backdrop really does him justice.
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Sofia Härdig - Infatuation.

Swedish-born multi-instrumentalist and producer Sofia Härdig returns with her latest album ‘THIS BIG HUSH’. With squalling guitars and vivid colours Härdig creates a cinematic vignette delivered through the poet’s eccentric palette of rock & roll, playing and producing the entirety of the album. Sofia brings chugging energy, intense lyricism and a chaotic presence; she’s heading for a higher status amongst rock’s elite, and comments on the moment she met Patti Smith; “We met backstage at her gig in Stockholm and she gave me tickets to her show. We spoke about art, music and what it means to be an artist. She was generally very supportive and attentive; it was a beautiful moment sharing poetry and words.”

Talking about her fourth full-length, Sofia said “I recorded this album with the band in less than three days live in Tambourine Studios in Malmö. The vocals were all done in one day, a lot of them are even kept from the original live take. Part of the process is that my electronic demo making has become so thorough and time-consuming that they have been good enough to be released. Since they are out in the world and out of my system, I can break free and do something different with the band, and not the same thing all over again. We never play the same tempo, same length, they follow me where I lead them… this is THIS BIG HUSH”

With heart-pounding guitar riffs, rock & roll sensibilities and Siouxsie and the Banshees-esque vocals, her latest single ‘Infatuation’ pays homage to post-punk pioneers. Sofia tells us “I built this song on a riff that I really loved, building up a groove and then adding backing vocals and playing percussion with whatever I found lying around in the studio and studio kitchen. I used film reels, a serving bowl from IKEA, egg, yar, a knife and fork, to creating an overall feeling of skating down Sunset Boulevard in a Mohikan with a ghetto blaster on your shoulder”.

Having worked with the likes of Stevie Jackson (Belle & Sebastian), a few members of Free Kitten, Sofia is no stranger to the live circuit and previously shared the stage with many other experimental musicians such as Ikue Mori, Yoshimi of The Boredoms, John Tilbury as well as Swedish Grammy Winners bob hund and The Hellacopters, among others.

At the age of nine, Sofia began playing in bands and shortly started touring, even playing a solo performance in New York’s iconic CBGB’s music club.  Hailed ‘the rocktronica queen of experimental music’ in her native country, Sofia remains truthful to her artistic sound, explaining "I find beauty in flaws and that which is not perfect is what excites me, I love the unusual, the unexpected, untrained and unplanned… I hope my music portrays that in its sound"

New album ‘THIS BIG HUSH’ will be available on all platforms, digital and physical, from the 5th November 2019.

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Hazel Mei - It Is(n't) Real.

Floating down in a breath of fresh air, Hazel Mei's angelic blend of indie folk and alternative shines bright on her new single 'It Is(n't) Real'.

Beautifully eclectic, cozy, and quaint, 'It Is(n't) Real' eases listeners into an introspective depiction of  Hazel's inner struggles. Contrasting the soothing, jazz-tinted underlay, Hazel harnesses a raw expression of vulnerability, lamenting on freeing her mind from the insecurity which affects her ability to admire the beauty of her surroundings.

"The lyrics are written from the hopeful side of myself as I prepared to take on the next chapter with more confidence, whilst romanticising the new relationships and experiences that awaited me," Hazel describes.

It seems Hazel was always destined to become a singer/songwriter; from an early age, she was glued to the piano with The Beatles and Norah Jones for inspiration. Now looking to the likes of Thelma Plum and Gretta Ray, her captivating storytelling is a stunning bi-product,  with the maturity of her sound proving to be particularly stirring considering this is only her second release.

Captivating audiences with complex instrumentals, commanding stage presence and a clearly defined sound, listen to this modern songstress' charming new release.


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Anna Farrow - Boys & Girls.

We can now share the latest music video "Boys and Girls" by the French-English singer Anna Farrow.

"In her ambitious new venture with a pristine repertoire the Franco-Brittanic Anna Farrow cares little for convention.

Her natural approach to this heart felt music allows her to choose not to choose : blending exotic perfumes with swaying rhythms, instinctive jazz/folk, neo nude. Anna is smoothly accompanied by the perfectly synchronised trio. The young lady lavishes in vibrant light for her moving after hours presentation."


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B.Knox - Corners / Stars and Burnt Bridges.

B.Knox didn’t just have a hidden talent; he was a hidden talent, until now. A school teacher, who wrote songs for himself, only in 2019 did he consider a career switch to music.

His first single Deep Dark Love gained international attention with airplay on SiriusXM, CBC Radio, placement on top streaming playlists and future in-store airplay in stores like Starbucks (worldwide). He returns this summer with his new single ‘Corners’, a reflection on life and the choices we make. The B-side, ‘Stars and Burnt Bridges’ continues on the thematic and poetic themes of love, loss, and life.

With his debut album Heartbreak & Landscape, a rootsy, imagistic, alt-country masterpiece set for release later this year— a new Canadian storyteller has emerged.


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B.C.M.R. - Beehive Candy Music Radio.

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Currently streaming 24/7 everywhere with all the music featured on Beehive Candy from the last twelve months and the occasional eclectic oldie!
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Dose - Ana Egge - Sofia Härdig - Flora Cash - London Plane

Dose - Furniture.

Background - Debut single Furniture by Newcastle, UK experimental noise-rock band Dose is due for release on 27th April via cult indie label A Turntable Friend. Their cinematic amalgamation of discordant melodies, intricate guitars and a strong rhythm- all blended together with an array of obscure effects and samples- has already earned them rave reviews on magazines such as DIY Magazine and The Line Of Best Fit.

Inspired by the experience of playing in their squalid, decaying practice space, Furniture was written by Sean Turland and Ewan Barr and recorded at Suburban Home Studio with MJ from Hookworms. The full band includes bassist Matthew Collerton, guitar/synth/samples from Sam Campbell and drummer Joe Donkin. The group have been together under many iterations since 2015, discovering their unique sound which blends art rock, krautrock and slowcore into one coherent sonic landscape.

The song Furniture is led by a consistent guitar line remaining present throughout the track like clockwork, dipping in and out of view as other parts take precedence. Extreme dynamic alterations ace the song, from the abrasive chorus to the intertwining, mellow middle 8. For the climax, melodic guitar feedback and an Ebow are used side by side; alongside Ewan’s spoken word overlapping Sean’s distant vocals, this invokes a sense of multiple inner voices and opinions, mirroring the lyrics’s theme of abandonment. WEBSITE.


A rhythmic and chunky opening evolves into a smoother flowing song on 'Furniture' where the vocals add intrigue, the band power up and we are off into a sonic blast of dynamic rock and roll.

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Ana Egge - Dance Around The Room With Me.

Background - On June 8, 2018, Brooklyn-based singer-songwriter Ana Egge will release her new album White Tiger via Story Sound Records. This week, Egge shares the lead single "Dance Around The Room With Me", which features Anais Mitchell on background vocals and Big Thief's Buck Meek on guitar.

White Tiger features nine originals and one John Hartford cover, and so amply displays Egge’s singularly articulate and affecting honesty and sensitivity as to once again deserve USA Today’s accolade, "[Ana] can write and sing rings around" her contemporaries.

Ana got bit by the music bug as a teenager, and having grown up with parents who were, as she describes, "motorcycle-riding hippie farmers" raising four children on a farm in North Dakota, Ana took matters into her own hands, building her own guitar and moving to Austin, TX to soak in the vibrant music scene. The striking depth and unusual maturity of her singing, playing, and songwriting got her noticed, and she recorded her debut album River Under the Road (1997) with the legendary western swing band Asleep At The Wheel. The following year, at only 19-years old, The Austin Music Awards named Ana “Best Singer/Songwriter” and “Best Folk Artist”.

Egge soon began hitting the road, opening for the likes of Iris DeMent, Shawn Colvin, and Ron Sexsmith. Later on she got to share the stage with John Prine, Sinead O'Connor, and Lucinda Williams who once said “Ana's an exceptional songwriter, listen to the lyrics…[she’s] the folk Nina Simone!”

Over the ensuing years and eight subsequent albums, Ana has made good on her promising debut, going on to record full albums with The Stray Birds and The Sentimentals, and work with highly acclaimed producers such as Martin Terefe, Jason Mercer, Joel Plaskett, Stewart Lerman, and Steve Earle who’s said “Ana Egge's songs are low and lonesome, big square-state noir ballads which she plays on a guitar she built with her own two hands and sings like she's telling us her deepest, darkest secrets.” WEBSITE, TWITTER.


'Dance Around The Room With Me' opens with an understated acoustic backdrop and is soon accompanied by Ana Egge's melodic and gorgeous vocals. The song picks up pace and depth as the hooks begin to dig in deep.

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Sofia Härdig - My Week.

Background - Sofia Härdig’s new single ‘My Week’, from the upcoming album ‘Changing The Order’ is crafted from new wave, electronica-influenced synths, amongst other live instruments and powerful vocals. Championed by Belle and Sebastian’s Stevie Jackson, Sofia has worked with major Swedish artists including Grammy Award winners The Hellacopters and bob hund. Furthermore, she has collaborated with Yoshimi from Japanese noise-rockers Boredoms and the alternative indie band Free Kitten. Sofia’s experimental nature shines through with her new material that blends new wave and electronic influences.

‘My Week’, the third single of the album, takes the post-punk sound expertly exercised by The Cure or Joy Division and Sofia makes something of her own. Thick-layered instrumentation features offbeat semi-quavered synth that bounces on top of syncopated distorted guitar; characteristic of early 80’s new wave. Low, pedaled bass sits under Sofia’s commanding vocals, which are tinged with despair and the desperation of escape, as she sings ‘Saturday, Saturday, Saturday, Saturday, I’m still insane.’

“I wrote this song at a Café in Brussels when I was lost during a tour. The house I was staying at was full of sleeping musicians and I was hungry, so I took a random tram to search the town. The Café I found was alright, their sandwiches filled me up.  I spent some time writing and recording on my portable recorder while looking at people around me. Back home I recorded the song in my studio – guitar, voice, synths and drum programming. Then I recorded parts from some musicians I met on the road; a Canadian bass player and an Australian pianist. The song should be listened to loud when the walls in your room start closing in on you…” – Sofia Härdig. WEBSITE, TWITTER.


It's our fifth feature for Sofia Härdig and the new track 'My Week' from the upcoming album ‘Changing The Order’ is another impressive song. Feisty and fierce, the driving beat is accompanied by some passionately delivered vocals,and a feeling of determination that is almost hypnotic!

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Flora Cash - 18 Dollars.

Background - Flora Cash is a Scandi-American duo made up of Shpresa Lleshaj and Cole Randall. The couple has taken it upon them to sonically explore the diversity of human relationships through minor keys and brooding vocals, they double down on their palette of inky blues and blacks, standing wholly apart from their R&B-Pop peers. Having “met” via SoundCloud and instantly e-hitting it off musically, their “atmospheric in theme and vibe” material had soon after been supported by the likes of Noisey US, Paste, Wonderland, The Music Ninja, Earmilk, The Line of Best Fit, Clash, Impose Magazine and more.

Following the success of their last album, ‘Nothing Lasts Forever But Its Fine’ – most with lead single ‘You’re Somebody Else’, which has had over 6 million plays on Spotify and has also featured in numerous playlists such as New Music Friday USA. The track also went viral on YouTube with 4.8 million views, which was the breakthrough moment for the couple. Flora Cash also have a substantial year of live performances ahead of them; they’re set to be playing across the world, from Hanoi to Miami, and also making their debut at SXSW this year.

Flora Cash now release their new single ’18 Dollars’ where Randall leads the sincerely sublime R&B ballad with husky, reverberating vocals. Minor-keyed guitar wraps Shpresa’s stony harmonies, as they rest on a spine of solemn brass and bass synths. Lleshaj takes centre-stage during the bridge, and the contrast in vocals is poignant. The duo comes together again in the tragically touching closing chorus.

The pair skilfully blend elements of acoustic music with ethereal production, hinting at Mt Wolf, Poliça, Vogue Dots and Kings Of Convenience. The honesty of their lyricism is constantly tinged with dark moments, moments of doubt, of anger, of pain fully present in the sonic backbone of Flora Cash.

‘18 Dollars is a song that looks back on aspects of a relationship that has ended. There’s a stubbornness and a cockiness about it but that’s really only superficial. Beneath the surface there’s a deep longing to fix something that’s broken but a lack of insight as to how that might be possible. There is confusion about where things stand and how bad (or good) things really were. Ultimately, the track communicates the deeply felt ambiguity that often surrounds the ending of a romantic relationship.’ – Flora Cash. WEBSITE, TWITTER.


Flora Cash appeared once on Beehive Candy in 2016 and once again last year, and here we are once again another year on. '18 Dollars' has some personal and intimate feeling vocals that glide above a gradually developing soundtrack. The duo have a clear and individual sound to their music that continues to explore new ground, doing so with notable accomplishment.

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London Plane - New York Howl.

Background - New York City based six-piece, female-fronted rock band London Plane shares the title track and accompanying video off their forthcoming debut LP New York Howl. In their own words, "'New York Howl' is "a love song to New York. Your relationship with the city – especially if you’re newly arrived – can be fraught with uncertainty and fear until, if you give in to it, the city makes you fit its mold."

London Plane's debut album began when David Mosey and Cici James who were introduced by Joe McGinty (Psychedelic Furs) backstage at a tribute show to Lou Reed following his death. After seeing her perform, David approached Cici about giving a go at vocals for a project that had been developing, at least in concept. Eventually, over many months, the correspondence between the two became a musical project driven by the narrative of a stranger; a long since passed Lower East Side scenester who left her diary for David to discover so many years later (see bio).

David asked long-time collaborator Danny Taylor (Collapsing Scenery, The Pains of Being Pure at Heart) to produce the songs. Along with London Plane keyboardist, co-producer and mixing engineer Julian Tulip, and mixing engineer Ashley Stubbert the album came together into a cohesive if not eccentric whole.  Others who contributed to the project include Jennifer Fraser (Raveonettes, The Warlocks, Zaza), McKenzie Stubbert (VE artist Chris Milk), Brian Groux (World Atlas), and Kristofer Widholm (Morex Optimo). New York Howl will be available on all digital streaming platforms on May 18, 2018. WEBSITE, TWITTER.

Tour Dates:
04.15 - Berlin - New York City, NY
05.17 - Berlin - New York City, NY.


There is an expansive and powerful feel to 'New York Howl' right from the beginning. The six piece band provide a tight and cohesive sound behind the soaring and melodic vocals, all done with a sense of drama and anticipation.


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Sofia Härdig - Once & Future Band - Varvara

Sofia Härdig - Let Me Fall.

Background - Sofia Härdig’s new single “Let Me Fall”, from the upcoming album “Changing The Order” is crafted from new wave, electronica-influenced layered synths, amongst other live instruments, and powerful vocals. Championed by Belle and Sebastian’s Stevie Jackson, Sofia has worked with major Swedish artists including Grammy Award winners The Hellacopters and bob hund. Furthermore, she has collaborated with Yoshimi from Japanese noise-rockers Boredoms and the alternative indie band Free Kitten. Sofia’s experimental nature shines through with her new material that blends new wave and electronic influences.

“Let Me Fall” is a thickly textured, four-to-the-floor synth-focused electronica anthem. Sofia repeatedly sings ‘infatuation’ – each syllable on beat, but reverberating around the track, creating sonic space, drawing vocal influence from 90s house music. Deviating heavily from her previous single “Illuminate”, “Let Me Fall” features synth arpeggios throughout as the main focal point of the song. “Let Me Fall” can be described as fitting with synth-influenced new wave, comparable to Depeche Mode or New Order but the fact that the track draws more influence from 90s dance music makes it unique and a stand-out single.

‘I laid down the bass line for this song using a borrowed, broken, hopeless, but fine old synth during a tour in England. I continued building ‘Let Me Fall’ with other synths and programming, and then brought these recordings with me on tour and added recordings with other musicians I met. Amongst them were a classical pianist in Berlin, a synth player in Copenhagen and a cellist from the opera. John Essing (bob hund) and I recorded the guitar parts in a shed – these parts were added also. I smashed the new recordings into pieces and rebuilt them; deconstructed and reconstructed. At the end, I brought in Jari Haapalainen to produce the song. The bass line from the old, broken synth I used in London, is the main focal point of ‘Let Me Fall’ – a song from London, Berlin, Copenhagen, Stockholm, and Malmö.’ – Sofia Härdig. WEBSITE, FACEBOOK.

Just weeks after featuring Sofia Härdig’s 'Illuminate' earlier this month we now have another track 'Let Me Fall' to enjoy. We described the vocals as intoxicating last time around, this time they are potent and immersed in a fierce synth driven soundtrack that demands our attention.

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Once & Future Band - Destroy Me.

Background - Once and Future Band are hitting 2018 with a belly fresh with fire. After attacking the auditory senses of those in need of slick and expertly crafted psychedelic pop with their 2017 self-titled LP release on Castle Face Records; the group has reached into their vault of older material to bring back their Brain EP. The group has teamed up (again) with John Dwyer's label Castle Face Records to re-release this aural gem, which had a vastly limited run in the past.

2017’s “Once & Future Band” landed upon our brains like the birth of a starchild - fully formed, otherworldly, yet comfortingly familiar in its contours…Floyd, ELO, Queen, Steely Dan, and Beach Boys rearranged into an unapologetic poignant pop moment, underpinned by 4 guys that could play their way out of a Faustian bargain.

While we await whatever warlock’s potion they are brewing up next, they’ve pulled a maxi-EP Brain from the vaults for a moment in the sun. All of the mastery you’ve come to expect is at play here; enough chops to make a vegetarian’s mouth sweat, songs that tug at the heart while they play tricks on your mind, and with the steady hand of a of studio wizard sprinkling stardust around the edges just so. It’s out on Castle Face Records March 9th. FACEBOOK.


'Destroy Me' has some timeless pop/rock sensibilities to it, as it drifts amiably along. The comforting vibes, melodic hooks and relaxed atmosphere, make this a play again song within moments.

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Varvara - Gone.

Background - Varvara release their new new single 'Gone'. Varvara have unleashed their fourth full-length album ”Go” released under their own Haminian Sounds imprint. The new album ”Go” as a whole is about that moment when summer turns into autumn. This reality hits you right in the face reminding that the calm and relaxation of summer is over. From time to time there is a strong contrast between energetic rock tracks and gloomy lyrics.

Produced and mostly recorded by the band themselves ”Go” offers an intriguing mix of aggressive garage and melodic rock sounds. The album was mixed by the leading underground rock, indie, and punk scene producer in Finland Lauri Eloranta and mastered by Brad Boatright.

Varvara's beginnings were humble, but the band quickly became more than a friendly pastime as demo releases became picked up on by various sections of the Finnish music media. With the help of an old friend Tommi Muhli, Varvara helped establish Haminian Sounds, a collective of musicians which releases music from local acts including Varvara and organizes events to cheer up the small town’s nightlife.

Since then Varvara's output, three albums and an EP, has slowly been recognized as a distinctive collection that harnesses diverse influences into a unique sound. The 2016 album ”Death Defying Tricks” was the bands first release actively promoted outside Finland. The album represented a self-confident band with an exceptional sense of melody amongst a series of quirky details. Combining off kilter rock shapes to straight-up rock, Death Defying Tricks collected nothing but praise in domestic and international rock media. Following the release the band also made their first shows outside the Finnish borders. FACEBOOK.

Our second feature for Vavara's latest album 'Go' this time with the new single 'Gone'. The bands brand of powerful & kicking rock is given distinction by the addictive vocals and a band where every chord resonates with vitality, the album is a good one!

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Late TV - PBSM - Sofia Härdig

Late TV - Losin’ It.

Background - Amidst the cultural detritus of television’s after hours rises a freaky new street beat played by London’s Late TV. Culling influences from jazz cats and art rockers, B-movies and trash television, via Lynch and Tarantino, Late TV are the moonlighting house band for a surreal all-night dream club where the intangible dance floor shifts and folds to become the set piece of a talk show beamed onto the farthest reaches of your channel selector. Helmed by Luke J Novak, who hails from the slabbed post-industrial backwater of Kidderminster, Late TV originates from a folk noir group formed by Luke and Richard ‘The Showman’ Bowman, a drummer whose restless search for groove quickly outgrew their genre.

Joined by Chicago’s jazz fusion obsessed Ryan Szanyi on bass, Parisian keyboard maestro Martin Coxall, tenor sax player Evesham Nicholas, and Matthew Halsall (whose bionic heart valve’s separate mic-detectable rhythms occasionally cause problems in the studio), their new outfit Late TV harks back to a time when music was all fearless fusion and intractable improvisation. In the postmodern wastelands of pop they’re the high-brow/low-brow mutant junk dwellers, collecting the shards of our fragmented culture and building something both irresistibly dangerous and dangerously irresistible.

"It came together as an abstract meditation on that element of the human condition that’s always searching for something unattainable, possibly because it doesn’t exist. But we are playing a game, and we are destined to lose it.”

After the triumph of last year’s ‘Citizen’ single, Late TV have crafted a thematic companion of sorts in ‘Losin’ It’. The rhythm section’s grooves will seize your jiving body back into their neon dreamworld, a lurid post-pop-culture dystopia where the fundamental human quest for the ineffable is realised in surrealistic paranoiac lyricism and jazz parlour instrumentation. Sonically, ‘Losin’ It’ can best be described, in the words of the late Bowie, as ‘plastic soul’ - the Thin White Duke’s epithet for the kind of jazzy avant-garde funk & roll of Young Americans. As Late TV’s recent output suggests, there’s still a space for organic ensemble songwriting in a growingly disposable sonic landscape. Maybe that’s their grand irony. Named after the most disposable form of entertainment for the pre-internet generation, they’re here to remind us that everything has the potential to live on indefinitely, whether that’s trash TV, or a song you can really lose it to. FACEBOOK.


A funky riff is quickly followed by additional layers of Jazz rich instrumentation. The vocals liven the song up even further and 'Losin’ It' is quickly pummelling hooks galore into my ears, upbeat and gorgeous hooks.


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PBSM - Dance Floor (feat. Adrianne Haslet).

Background - Danish alt-rock duo PBSM recently dropped their second EP 'Dance Floor' - a five track release that has given them a staunch reputation as a contemporary danceable, dark and cold duo offering a perfect soundtrack for going clubbing incognito. PBSM are now ready to reveal the video for the EP’s title track which features TED Talk star and Boston Marathon survivor, the All-American dancer, Adrianne Haslet. Adrianne perfectly complements the theme of the song that revolves around going to your happy place, and portrays her battle in getting back to the dance floor after losing her left leg in the tragic Boston Marathon bombings in 2013.

The song initially took form in a basement in Kreuzberg, Berlin where the duo had arranged for a jam and recording session with British, drummer Joe Dilworth (Stereolab, Cavern of Anti-matter). Upon returning to Copenhagen PBSM finished up the recordings and further assistance on the drums was provided by Lasse Herbst (Fallulah, Spektr, Choir of Young Believers).

The film production company Mellow CPH got involved and the idea of bringing in a dancer as the main character telling the story of the song was born. PBSM explain, “We reached out to American dancer Adrianne Haslet to hear if she by any chance would consider flying out to star in our music video. Which she did. And since being told that there was a one in a million chance of ever dancing again after she lost her leg in 2013 she has been struggling to get back to the dance floor - determined to beat the odds. Which she did.”

In 2015, Adrianne danced the foxtrot on the Boston Marathon finish line, in 2016 she crossed that finish line as a runner, and now she appears in PBSM’s music video for their new single “Dance Floor.” In the video, Adrianne shows off her talent, but doesn’t shy away from the difficult (but necessary) parts of healing. When sharing her story, Adrianne is very open about her struggles with the anger and depression that come along with the grieving process, along with her constant striving for progress. These themes come across clearly and poetically in the video as we see Adrianne’s low points intersperse her beautiful, graceful movements. FACEBOOK.


There is an inspiring story line that accompanies 'Dance Floor,' so much so that, the song and video are intrinsically linked. The music is refined and flowing in it's own right, the vocals add additional feel, collectively this deserves to be seen and heard.


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Sofia Härdig - Illuminate.

Background - Sofia Härdig’s radiant new single, “Illuminate,” is a fitting addition to the 80’s-themed Drive soundtrack.  Deep glowing synths and echoing vocals take the wheel on a late-night cruise. The track builds with subtle guitar rhythms that scream at times like screeching tyres. Lyrically, the song explores loneliness and a seemingly endless search for “another heart”. Driving through the night, she looks skyward to navigate the road to a new love. It’s a contemplative rocktronica song that demonstrates Sofia’s tight control over her craft.

Sofia Härdig lives up to her “rocktronica” reputation with her new single, “Illuminate”. Championed by Belle and Sebastian’s Stevie Jackson, she has worked with major Swedish artists including Grammy Award winners The Hellacopters and bob hund. Furthermore, she has collaborated with Yoshimi from Japanese noise-rockers Boredoms and the alternative indie band Free Kitten. Sofia’s experimental nature shines through with her new material that blends rock and electronic influences.

“I worked with the song Illuminate alone in my studio for many long, lonesome nights. It was just the studio, the stars and I, while I played all the instruments, made the soundscape and recorded the single in solitude. Later, I invited over some friends to improvise over the track. Guitarist John Essing and bass player Mats Hellquist, both from the band ‘bob hund’, but also a classical pianist and cellist respectively, added parts to the soundscape of Illuminate. I brought all the new recordings back into the studio - tore them apart, rebuilt them and made arrangements, as if I was a mad scientist in my lab. I then brought in Jari Haapalainen to produce the songs. The solitary fashion in which Illuminate was crafted reflects the mood of the single.” – Sofia Härdig. FACEBOOK.


We featured Sofia Härdig a couple of times back in 2016 and she makes a welcome return with  'Illuminate'. Powerful synths and a determined beat make a gorgeous backdrop for her intoxicating vocals, as the song merges elements of rock with swathes of electronica.

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Saturday Triple Play: : Carrington MacDuffie - Sofia Härdig - Gregory Alan Isakov with the Colorado Symphony

Carrington MacDuffie - Crush On You.

Background promo - Seattle local and Americana singer-songwriter Carrington MacDuffie will be performing songs from her newest EP, Crush on You, at Bob’s Java Jive (2102 S Tacoma Way, Tacoma) on September 17, with doors at 9:00 PM. Carrington will let her independent spirit fly as she shares songs about love, loss, and her little guitar in the historic dive bar shaped like a teapot. There will be a small cover charge at the door. Established first as an acclaimed voiceover actor, Carrington is following her passion for music as the singer-songwriter uses her music to create a full and free expression of herself that combines poetic lyrics with an infusion of Americana, folk, and rockabilly. Her newest EP, Crush on You, exemplifies this in its five original tracks.

Crush on You was produced by Rob Halverson at his studio, Halversonics Recording, which has produced tracks from multitudes of artists, including Grammy winners James Fenner and Adrian Quesada. Crush on You has been featured on KAUZ-TV, Middle Tennessee Music, and Mostly Folk. When talking about working with Carrington, Halverson says "Carrington writes thoughtful, smart, fun and eccentric songs reflecting her views of the journeys we are all on. It is a delight to hear her ideas come to life!" Carrington will be accompanied by her guitarist, Kim Deschamps, who has worked alongside Carrington during this journey. He’s played with her on KAUZ-TV and in The Sugarbaby Room at the Folk Alliance Conference. He also played alongside other noteworthy artists such as the Barenaked Ladies.


Sep 10 - Kana Winery Taproom Yakima, WA             
Sep 16 - Emerald of Siam Richland, WA             
Sep 17 - Bob's Java Jive Tacoma, WA    


Carrington MacDuffie's latest EP has been around for a few months, however it passed us by at the time of release. Anyhow a few live gigs, seems a good enough reason to feature the title track from the EP 'Crush On You', particularly as her varied, melodic and sometimes intriguing brand of Americana, is just so fine.

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Sofia Härdig - Streets.

Background - Sofia Härdig has shared new video for Streets from latest EP - praised by Belle & Sebastian's Stevie Jackson. The multi-instrumental Sofia Härdig is the latest example of another world class Scandinavian export that’s been dominating the music scene for a while now. Sofia has worked with household Swedish names like the Grammy Award winners The Hellacopters and Bob Hund. Additionally, she has collaborated with Yoshimi from Boredoms and Free Kitten. After sharing the stage with well-known artists like Lydia Lunch as well as Stevie Jackson from Belle and Sebastian, the result comes in the shape of ‘Streets’, the Sonic Youth, The Kills, Pixies and Le Tigre- inspired track filled with attitude, vibe and raw emotion.

Hailed “the rocktronica queen of experimental music” in her native country, she remains truthful to her artistic vision. "I find beauty in flaws and that which is not perfect is what excites me, I love the unusual, the unexpected, untrained and unplanned… I hope my music portrays that in its sound”. In order to keep the authenticity and imperfection alive, her new 2-part EP collection called The Street Light Leads To The Sea was recorded only in three days with a few musicians specifically known and hand-picked for their improvisational skills. The moment the record button was on, each musician was encouraged to simply go wild and free.

Quote: "A video taking place during one day in a beautiful garden. We wanted to catch the spontaneity from our improvised take on the song. With an as improvised and on the go video. With all the beautiful things that we call flaws and errors kept. Catching a super 8, filmed on vacation atmosphere. The video includes a map where the world been torn apart and glued together again. Leaving Brazil next to Stockholm, London intertwined with Amsterdam.. Denmark swimming in the middle of the pacific ocean and so on. We rearranged the world. Like using old cliches tearing them apart throwing them in the air finding something new. In a DIY fashion. Instructions on the map: Move to the left. 1000 miles and 3 millimeters.   4pm yesterday 10 min and 2 centimeters away. 4 millimeters further then Yesterday .10026 backwards.…. Etc"


We first featured Sofia Härdig back in February, and I could not resist putting the new video for 'Streets' on Beehive Candy. The video is pretty creative in it's own right, however in truth the song is the real reason for the feature. It's one powerful, emotive and intense piece, instant play again for me.

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Gregory Alan Isakov with the Colorado Symphony - The Stable Song.

Background - Gregory Alan Isakov is pleased to share his brilliant new single 'The Stable Song' taken from his current album with the Colorado Symphony. We're also pleased to share that he'll be hitting the road with Passenger this winter for a string of UK and European dates.

UK & Ireland tour dates with Passenger are as follows:

Sun, 20 Nov 16 UK Brighton Dome
Tues, 22 Nov 16 UK Plymouth Pavilions
Weds, 23 Nov 16 UK Bristol Colston Hall
Sat, 26 Nov 16 UK London Eventim Apollo
Tues, 29 Nov 16 UK Birmingham O2 Academy
Weds, 30 Nov 16 UK Manchester O2 Apollo
Sat, 3 Dec 16 Ireland Dublin Vicar Street
Sun, 4 Dec 16 UK Belfast Waterfront Hall
Weds, 7 Dec 16 UK Edinburgh Usher Hall
Thurs, 8 Dec 16 UK Glasgow Barrowland Ballroom

The beauty of Gregory Alan Isakov’s latest album is realizing how much it surprises and rewards the listener. It burns slowly, not unlike a campfire that blazes one moment and then crackles the next. A song might begin with the barest of bones, with Isakov’s resonant voice closely synched to his acoustic guitar. But then the orchestral layers begin to pile up, transporting the songs to cinematic heights.

Gregory Alan Isakov with the Colorado Symphony marks a milestone for the singer-songwriter, who’s beloved for the spectral intimacy of his recordings and live shows. Set for release on June 10 on Isakov’s own Suitcase Town Music label, the album finds Isakov cracking his catalog wide open to see what else he—and we—can learn about them. The album features songs from Isakov’s previous three studios releases, along with the debut studio recording of “Liars,” a fan favorite that’s been a staple of his concerts for the past few years. The album will be released on limited-edition LP, CD, and digitally.


OK so eagle eyed Beehive Candy regulars will know this is the third song from the fabulous album Gregory Alan Isakov recorded with the Colorado Symphony. The thing is, as long as we can share singles released from the album, it is hard for me to resist.  'The Stable Song' continues this trend and I unreservedly do not apologise for featuring it.

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Genre Wander: Ben Mauro - Vorsen - Sofia Härdig

Ben Mauro - She's Beautiful.

Background promo - Last year singer, guitarist and songwriter Ben Mauro was part of a major European tour with pop/funk icon Lionel Richie.  It was a two month tour of sold out arenas across Europe. Ben’s extraordinary musical skills and dynamic stage presence has been the reason that he has remained a core member of Lionel Richie’s band for over fifteen years.  Ben has also worked with many other artists including Kelly Clarkson, Britney Spears, Don Felder from The Eagles, John Fogerty, Christina Aguilera, Toni Braxton and also worked on projects produced by Peter Frampton and Prince.

But with Ben it’s not just about the music, it’s also about giving back.  On every trip to Syracuse he goes to his old high school (West Genesee HS) and college (Onondaga Community College where he studied classical guitar) to talk with students.  Ben gives them advice on how to have longevity in the music business and gives clinics to teach them the basics of music theory.  In 2014, he started the Ben Mauro Endowment for Music Education at West Genesee; over the next four years he will make a donation to the school’s music department.  He wants every kid to have every advantage to be able to play if that is their passion.  Ben grew up playing the clubs of Syracuse then eventually moved to NYC where he landed the gig with Lionel Richie.  Ben now lives in Los Angeles, California.

Ben Mauro, has a new EP called From NY coming out next Tuesday 23rd February.

'From NY' is a refreshing collection of songs of which 'She's Beautiful' gives just a little hint of what to expect. Some songs are country rock orientated, some quite funky, and some more contemporary pop. All are delivered with style and a real sense of warmth.

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Vorsen - Hurricane.

Background promo - Perth four-piece Vorsen have hit the ground running, entering 2016 with a blistering debut EP in hand after a solid first year of writing and performing under their belt. While single 'Hurricane' is doing the rounds at radio the 'Vorsen EP' is officially out through all digital retailers yesterday Friday 19th.

Initially formed by singer/songwriter Oliver Halvorsen, the scope of Vorsen's music soon grew beyond that of a solo project and led to Halvorsen recruiting three of his fellow WAAPA graduates – guitarist Chris Mackenzie, bassist Brad Roberts and drummer Drew Williamson. As a quartet, the band quickly found their feet, enabling each member to add their own unique touch to the band's highly dexterous musical capabilities.

As you would expect from WAPPA graduates, the level of musicianship in Vorsen is outstanding, but rather than this being a band of individual virtuosos, everyone's greatest musical strength is their ability to work together. And that's where the true magic of any great band comes from... their chemistry. Already a formidable live ensemble by the time they entered the recording studio, Vorsen's natural chemistry on stage is the backbone of their EP.

Vorsen's four track EP kicks off with the featured track 'Hurricane'. It's a solid blues orientated number, with skillful playing and just the right type of vocals. The band are clearly not a one trick outfit, they can funk up numbers and with the third song you see a softer side.

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Sofia Härdig - Sitting Still.

Background promo - The multi-instrumental Sofia Härdig is the latest example of another world class Scandinavian export that’s been dominating the music scene for a while now. Having worked with household Swedish names like the Grammy Award winners The Hellacopters and Bob Hund, as well as having collaborated with Sonic Youth’s Kim Gordon and Pussy Galore’s Julia Crafitz on Free Kitten, she is now ready to expand onto the world with the release of her upcoming new single Sitting Still.

Hailed “the rocktronica queen of experimental music” in her native country, she remains truthful to her artistic vision. "I find beauty in flaws and that which is not perfect is what excites me, I love the unusual, the unexpected, untrained and unplanned… I hope my music portrays that in its sound”. In order to keep the authenticity and imperfection alive, her new 2-part EP collection called The Street Light Leads To The Sea was recorded only in three days with a few musicians specifically known and hand-picked for their improvisational skills. The moment the record button was on, each musician was encouraged to simply go wild and free.

The result comes in the shape of Sitting Still, the Sonic Youth, The Pixies and Le Tigre- inspired track filled with attitude, vibe and raw emotion. It is fast, it is bold and it will be out everywhere 26th February 2016.

'Sitting Still' is a blistering, wall of sound, rock'n'roll, two and a half minute, blow out. Guaranteed to remove the most stubborn cobwebs, if you need a wake up call that works, this is it.

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Bumper Catch Up featuring: Rubblebucket - Mollie Elizabeth - Lilly Hiatt - The Kearns Family - WILDES and St Francis Hotel - Lucette - Caroline Strickland - Mon Rayon - Lala Salama

Keeping the comments a little shorter so we can cram a few more songs in than usual, this is our first bumper catch up of some really fine r...