Malena Smith - Tent Music - The Velveteins - Motihari Brigade

Malena Smith - 18.

Released today it's Beehive Candy's absolute pleasure to feature 18 the exceptional new single from St. Louis-based artist Malena Smith.

 Malena's music is a coming of age story; her previous/recent single, "Betray Myself," was about realizing some of her habits and coping mechanisms weren't really in her best interest. Her new single, "18," is a look back over the last decade of her life, and asking the question, "If I had the chance, would I relive that decade differently?" We are pressured to figure out what to do with our lives at the age of 18, and often succumb to societal expectations to choose the "safe" options - which we can all likely relate to. The weight of the subject matter is juxtaposed by an airy atmosphere and a pop-funk groove, total ear candy.

Malena, a classically-trained singer who came up in the world of jazz, has sung in lounges from St. Louis to Tokyo and shared stages with the likes of Michael Bublé, Clark Beckham, and the St. Louis Symphony. She's a storyteller, and her music is designed to turn her journey into a shared experience that people can connect with.

She is currently writing and recording a body of work produced by her GRAMMY-winning mentor Brian Owens as a part of his St. Louis ecosystem Life Creative. The project touches on her journey through the struggles and triumphs of a young woman blazing a life and career path in a complicated world.

 

======================================================================

Tent Music - Fade Away.

The first single from Tent Music the name of the project and album by Micaela Tobin (White Boy Scream) and Joshua Hill is "Fade Away" which manages to breaks from dirge into ecstatic pop song within two minutes. It's a wonderful opening salvo hinting at the depths that Tent Music offers.

Tent Music is an album and project by violinist, composer Joshua Hill and Micaela Tobin - widely known for her avant-garde opera White Boy Scream project - that boldly cracks the door open between ritual and music, blurring the line between improvisation and possession, madness and oracular communication, destruction and creation.

Recorded in one night in a tent pitched outside the home of Joshua Hill's father's home, something happened that Hill, Tobin and visual artist Garek Druss (commissioned to provide the album art and sigilization of the album via a beautifully illustrated zine / insert) are just starting to understand the fulness of. While the album is wildly experimental, there are several entry points like the first single - "Fade Away" that recall Akron / Family's ramshackle exaltations while "Closer"  reflects on Coil's ritualized noise.

======================================================================

Photo - Evangeline Belzile

The Velveteins - Athene.

Soaked in the bright psychedelia of the 1960’s and dipped in the indie rock explosion of the new millennium, The Velveteins are best described as a bridge between the two. Inspired after living out of a camper van on the beaches of Australia for a year, frontman Spencer Morphy returned to Canada and started the band with co-songwriter Addison Hiller in 2014. Later joined by Dean Kheroufi, Daniel Sedmak and Cam O'Neill, the fivesome have since made a name for themselves for their incendiary live performances.

“Athene” is the third single to be released from their upcoming sophomore album. The track was inspired by the war goddess in Homer's Iliad with Morphy sharing, “I was exploring through the Iliad at the time, so the lore was fresh in my mind, but I imagined a tale about a woman sort of mirroring Athene in modern life. I drew from great women that I know, and crafted a song that explored developing a relationship with her, and falling under her influence and just being along for the ride.”

Written in the small surf town of Tofino, Canada, “Athene” emits an easy and laid-back tone with warm, effortless vocals, relaxed guitars and a steady beat, creating an overall comforting atmosphere. It’s easy to get lost in the mesmeric sounds of The Velveteins, where you’ll find yourself hitting repeat and staying along for the journey.

Garnering millions of streams for their music to date, The Velveteins have built an ever-growing, dedicated fan base across all corners of the globe. Their vigorous touring schedule has led to international festival appearances (SXSW, and The Great Escape) and opening slots for established acts including Wolf Parade, Hockey Dad and Chad Vangaalen.

======================================================================

Motihari Brigade - Reality Show.

Motihari Brigade's new official short film “Reality Show” explores the struggle to perceive reality amidst the onslaught of corporate-state technological dystopian narrative control. Motihari Brigade partnered with filmmaker Jovana Tomasevic of MLADE Studio who directed and produced this creative cinematic visual story for the song. Jovana envisioned the mysterious hooded figure to represent the spirit of hope itself, encouraging people to break free from the technological filters imposed by an elite. 

For a while, they are able to open their eyes, freely perceive reality, and smile, before all being consumed once again by the system. Appropriately, the video ends with a quote from George Orwell's "1984.”  But hope springs eternal, as they say…

Motihari Brigade’s second album "Algorithm & Blues" features defibrillating electric guitar, tachycardia rhythms on bass, and drums played by an octopus on stimulants. Layered keyboard, horn, and vocal arrangements combine to produce the magic of a highly-caffeinated rock band thumping on all ventricles. Twelve original songs and one cover provide an energetic soundtrack for listeners to more happily navigate the dystopian reality show that we are all now busily sharing on our smart appendages.

======================================================================

Aaronson - Neu Sierra - Erin K - The Velveteins

Aaronson - Where Do You Go When You Disappear?

Following on from the well recieved 'The Great Swells That Carry Us Will Pull Us Under' single Cardiff #Postrock band 'Aaronson' release their epic new 'Where Do You Go When You Disappear?' single via Dirty Carrot Records.

Taken from forthcoming new Album 'The Great Swells That carry Us Will Pull Us Under' due for release on14th July, Aaronson's 'The Great Swells That Carry Us Will Pull Us Under' album is a sonic marvel filled with beautifully arranged ambient post-rock that will season the senses.

Aaronson are a post rock band from South Wales, whose towering layers of melody and epic crescendos have seen them share a stage with Nordic Giants, Coldbones, A-Tota-So and False Hope For The Savage, finish runners up at The Big Gig Wales 2020, be nominated for a Cardiff Music Award and release their cinematic EP You Are Not A Stranger Here.

======================================================================

Neu Sierra - Save Believe Forget.

"It's about sweet, conscious self-deception. About believing in the loving words of the person you are with, even though they were said in a moment of arousal. And about forgetting them too” tells Neu Sierra about her new single ‘Save Believe Forget’.

The lead single from her upcoming EP ‘PARIS’ was based on the French translation of Danish 20th century working class poet Tove Ditlevsen's 'Alene for dig’ and on this next one, ‘Save Believe Forget’, Neu Sierra once again finds herself flirting with the author, as the theme of the new single is borrowed from the poem 'Det sandeste’.

“It is so pure and intimate. It’s almost as if Tove Ditlevsen invited herself right into your bedroom and wrote it directly for you, when you needed it the most!", says Neu Sierra about the close to 80 years old poem.

There are quite a few other references to things that have made an impression on her, but the singer teasingly hints you’ll have to find them yourself inside this “Parisian hotchpotch”. Recordings for the upcoming EP began in Paris the fall of 2022, with the help of Marc Collin (Nouvelle Vague), while long-time friend and collaborator Nick Lee (Ulige Numre) took it across the finish line. To celebrate the release, iconic Freetown Christiania venue Musikloppen has invited Neu Sierra to play a concert on September 23.

Neu Sierra - Save Believe Forget - Official Music Video from FIVE FOOT ONE Records on Vimeo.

======================================================================

Erin K - Goodbye Song.

With a growing audience of over 3 million streams on Spotify, following the fruitful collaboration on 2019s ‘I Need Sound’, the American-born London-resident musician has continued her work with co-producer Kristofer Harris (Belle & Sebastian, Ghostpoet) and recorded new album ‘Sink to Swim’ at his Squarehead Studios in Kent.

Erin’s narrative-driven songs are as forthright and personal as they are engaging, and the candid nature of her often fearlessly self-deprecating lyrics make repeated listens of the timeless songs rewarding. She has toured extensively with her band, most recently completing a successful 20 date Italian tour in March. This is to be followed up with further UK and continental shows in 2023.

The first single to be lifted from the album, ‘Keep Her’, received support from both BBC Radio 6 Music and BBC Radio London and with sessions for BBC 6 Music, Radio 1 airplay and major commercial syncs for Google and LG her left-field songwriting is gradually reaching the wider audience that it deserves.

Following ‘Keep Her’, Erin K is further teasing the new album with ‘Goodbye Song’, due for release on 2nd June. ‘Goodbye Song’ eschews genre categorization as its subtle melancholic grooves build and weave their way under the skin. Dealing with accepting and understanding a break-up, the lyrics conjure up memories of places and times spent together with a partner, as the sounds & production wrap the listener in a twilight atmosphere.

But far from being a gloomy and downbeat affair, the song has an infectious shuffling rhythm that grows and grows on each listen. “Goodbye Song” is accompanied by a video filmed on Erin’s recent tour of Italy, a tour which saw her perform twenty dates across the country with her long-time band.

======================================================================

The Velveteins - Declarations of the 3am Freeway.

Soaked in the bright psychedelia of the 1960’s and dipped in the indie rock explosion of the new millennium, The Velveteins are best described as a bridge between the two. Inspired after living out of a camper van on the beaches of Australia for a year, frontman Spencer Morphy returned to Canada and started the band with co-songwriter Addison Hiller in 2014. Later joined by Dean Kheroufi, Daniel Sedmak and Cam O'Neill, the fivesome have since made a name for themselves for their incendiary live performances.

Their latest single, “Declarations of the 3am Freeway” is the title-track from their upcoming sophomore album. Built upon moody synths and sizzling warbled guitars, the track envelops the feeling of road-tripping at dusk in the heat of summer, when there's no one else on the freeway and it's just you and your thoughts. Narrating driving in a battered motor vehicle on the cusp of a great adventure, Morphy shares, “The lyrics are yearning, and more insightful than our past works. That longing sentiment is relayed perfectly on the title track “It all begins right now / it all begins in the car on the freeway.”

Having moved to Tofino, Canada, a small surf town where Morphy lived for a month and finished the writing, the new single is backdropped by the foggy Pacific Northwest surf allowing the artist to access a diverse palette and find the missing pieces of this song.

Garnering millions of streams for their music to date, The Velveteins have built an ever-growing, dedicated fan base across all corners of the globe. Their vigorous touring schedule has led to international festival appearances (SXSW, and The Great Escape) and opening slots for established acts including Wolf Parade, Hockey Dad and Chad Vangaalen.

======================================================================

Purple Pilgrims - The Velveteins - Maygen & The Birdwatcher - Alicia Stockman - M. Byrd

Purple Pilgrims - Ancestors Watching.

Sister duo Purple Pilgrims have released the third part of a trilogy of Super 8 films that were made with friend and fellow musician Gary War. ‘Ancestors Watching’ is taken from the band’s album Perfumed Earth which was released via Flying Nun Records in what seems like another world; pre-pandemic. Due to one thing or another the sisters were delayed in releasing the third instalment, then with the emergence of Covid-19, it was temporarily lost to the archives. This is the final piece of Purple Pilgrims’ current story left to share.

“The video is our take on an ancient ritual. We were thinking about folkloric traditions, and of course our ancestors. The song is largely about being kind to oneself, and the idea that muddling our way through life can feel less daunting when we consider all our family branching out behind us, holding wisdom and strength. It’s an idea that can offer comfort when we’re feeling lost. We had this really simple idea loosely based around a maypole dance - the ancient celebration of oncoming warmer weather and new growth. May celebrations are so optimistic, always looking forward - which felt fitting as the song itself is about a new beginning too in a way.”

 this video was filmed by Gary War in the summer of 2019, freely on a hillside in Tāmaki Makaurau, with their ancestors watching on (amused we presume). Concept and art direction by Clementine and Valentine Nixon and makeup by Jessica Hunt.

As Purple Pilgrims, sisters Clementine and Valentine Nixon make music that is at once spacious and sensual, swooning and spellbound. The sisters’ intertwined voices soar and slow dive, radiating a rich spectrum of experience: journeys, homecomings, and great longing.

==========================================================================

The Velveteins - Cosmic Saturation.

Soaked in the bright psychedelia of the 1960’s and dipped in the indie rock explosion of the new millennium, The Velveteins are best described as a bridge between the two. Inspired after living out of a camper van on the beaches of Australia for a year, frontman Spencer Morphy returned to Canada and started the band with co-songwriter Addison Hiller in 2014. Later joined by Dean Kheroufi and Danger Sedmak, the foursome have since made a name for themselves for their incendiary live performances.

Radiating hazy energy, “Cosmic Saturation” has a trippy, laxed aura with a structurally, pop-rock sensibility. The vintage twangs on the guitars surf over an ocean of edgy, quirky melodies and soft drums that lend to a more modern indie feel. The vocals maintain a relaxed feel allowing the subtle, psychedelic atmosphere to stand out next to charming, gritty guitar riffs.

While travelling across the USA, the band were exposed to a colorful palette of sights and sounds, with a fusion of delirium, euphoria and chaos spinning the web of inspiration for their new single. Morphy shares, “Cosmic Saturation was largely inspired by our lives at the time, being constantly travelling and the lifestyle we were living playing so many shows. Driving across the country from the east to west coast, watching the interstates fly by in the dawn.” Keeping the themes of their tracks very much in the present day, their sonic taste buds draw them back to the classic flavours of the 60s, resulting in a throwback sound reminiscent of Babe Rainbow, Foxygen and Deerhunter.

==========================================================================

Maygen & The Birdwatcher - Jigsaw.

Minnesota based folk turned genre-bending Americana-Newgrass duo Maygen & The Birdwatcher, have just released "Jigsaw," the track is an "honest look at the dynamics of what family life really is.

Maygen Lacey is an accomplished, Midwest CMA nominated singer/songwriter with millions of streams on Spotify from listeners around the world. Noah Neumann is a wicked talented guitar virtuoso with a taste for Delta Blues. The combination of the two is Maygen & The Birdwatcher, an indie-folk duo turned genre-bending Americana-Newgrass and Soul experience you need to hear!

In many respects, Maygen and Noah couldn’t be more different. From upbringing and musical taste to the Minneapolis vs Saint Paul debate, there are few things these two agree on. The short list includes: sarcasm, the great outdoors, quality beer, and having a good ‘ol time. Maygen & Noah’s 2018 debut album, “The People We Don’t Choose,” drew on their distinctly different musical influences including Brandi Carlile, Florence + The Machine, and Balmorhea to create a collection of songs that explored family, addiction, loss and navigating the people in their lives. With heartbreak and hope intertwined throughout, it was very well received. Its single, “Comeback” currently spins on local radio, including The Current’s Radio Heartland

==========================================================================

Alicia Stockman - Stay Between the Lines (feat. Mary Bragg).

Utah-based country meets Americana singer-songwriter Alicia Stockman has released her new single "Stay Between The Lines." Conceived during a long journey home on the highway from New Mexico, the song is a reflection on how we all can sometimes “dance between right and wrong and personal limits and boundaries to keep life interesting.” Featuring a twangy Americana melody, reverb-drenched guitar, and dynamic vocal harmonies, this is the perfect tune to get lost in during your summer road trip.

Alicia Stockman is a Utah-based folk-meets-Americana singer-songwriter whose music pulls back the veil to reveal everyday vulnerability. Her songs are written like intimate moments, drawing listeners into a relatable emotional journey.

At a young age, Alicia Stockman began her deep love for music, compelled by the vivid storytelling of powerhouse songwriters including Patty Griffin, Brandi Carlile and Jewel.  After performing in a loud rock n’ roll band playing bars with sticky floors and belting out Stevie Wonder tunes, Alicia began writing her own music more seriously.  Realizing her new songs didn’t have a place in a loud bar with a party atmosphere, she branched out and started playing more intimate venues, quickly finding her home in the folk and Americana scene. Her whisky-dipped soulful vocals and creative takes on day-to-day realities soon sparked the interest of “Nashville’s Americana Queen” Mary Bragg who began collaborating with Alicia on her new album.

Her upcoming debut 10-track full-length album is entitled These Four Walls and is a collection of  "songs to make you feel and feel seen." The album says, “I see you. I've been there. I understand.” Written over a three year period, These Four Walls is a luminous roots release  infused with gritty blues rock guitar licks and attention worthy melodies.

==========================================================================

M. Byrd - Orion.

After his two singles "Mountain" and "Morning Sun", M. Byrd now releases his first EP titled Orion - four songs full of vastness and warmth, carried by the feeling of passing trees outside a backseat car window and the melancholic homesickness that sometimes goes along with. Just one year ago, the first sign of life appeared with "Mountain" and the interim summary is impressive: M. Byrd has become one of the most exciting newcomers on the European music scene, counts 3.5 million streams on just two songs, was recommended in the French Rolling Stone as well as in American blogs. This summer he plays at tastemaker festivals like Immergut, in September at the Reeperbahn Festival and next year he will support indie dance king Roosevelt on his full European tour.

Wafting reverb tails, the casually stoic drums - Byrd's music sounds like Guadagigno's "Call me by your name," at times reminiscents of Tom Petty, Sufjan Stevens or Kurt Vile, while the guitars first sound like Sonic Youth and then fade away like The War on Drugs. In the title single, "Orion" M.Byrd remembers a long-time-nameless turtle that lived with his family for years - without anyone being bothered by the fact that it has no name. In the end, it is named Orion. "It's living in the past, you held me in your hands and never called me Orion". In the accompanying video, director Constantin Timm accompanies the artist and turtle on a journey through the desert.

M.Byrd’s timeless songs shine with a feeling of strength and self-understanding that can be rarely found at the beginning of a young musician’s career - they transport the listener to the American west coast, emitting a sense of melancholic future and euphoric youth, urging them to trust their intuition and find their inner-self. “I spent many years soaking up personal and musical experiences and I’ve been learning a lot in different studios and touring situations. The music I make is thus inspired by being on the road, moving on and allowing growth to happen. I realized that the experiences on my path might also inspire other people and I hope that this will continue in the future with the songs we release.”

==========================================================================

Sunshine & the Rain - Sam Rochford - Gitta de Ridder - The Velveteins - Woods - Katie Laffan

Sunshine & the Rain - I'm Not Your Girl.

Background - New York's Sunshine & the Rain new album is set for release on May 12th. Recorded in Sonic Youth’s Echo Canyon West studio with the legendary Jon Spencer, 'In The Darkness Of My Night' is full of pop gems with sugary hooks and dirty Ramones grit.

Sunshine & the Rain is a duo consisting of husband and wife Ashley Morey (vocals, bass) and Justin Morey (guitar), both formerly of critically acclaimed psych rockers The Black Hollies. Formed around the same time as the 2014 dissolution of their former band, Sunshine & the Rain kicked things off with the Jesus & Mary Chain vibes of their debut 7? 'Can’t Stop Thinking About You b/w Pale Blue Skies' in late 2015.

Early 2016 saw them heading into Sonic Youth’s Echo Canyon West studio with the legendary Jon Spencer to begin work on their debut LP. Eschewing some of the more lengthy psych leanings of their earliest days, Spencer coaxed the band towards a more immediate sound, cutting down track lengths and leaving nothing but pointed pop gems with sugary hooks and a dirty Ramones grit cutting throughout.

Alongside direction from Spencer, and engineering from Grammy Award-winning Engineer Ted Young, Sunshine & The Rain spent the majority of 2016 fine tuning the songs that ended up on 'In The Darkness Of My Night'. From the instant gratification of singles like 'Let’s Go' and 'I’m Not Your Girl' to aggressive earworms 'Take Me Out Again' and an unexpected cover of Fugazi’s 'Merchandise', this debut record is a statement that never strays from its point. Facebook here.

'I'm Not Your Girl' is a good indicator of of the power and passion to be found right across 'In The Darkness Of My Night'. Mixing full on punk attitude with some pop sensibilities makes for a roller-coaster ride, the duo hardly ever drop the rock energy, however the hooks are there song after song, making this one very decent rock'n'roll album.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sam Rochford - So Easy.

Background - Americana newcomer, Sam Rochford celebrated the release of her debut single, "So Easy," on March 26, 2017. With a mellowing, acoustic introduction, Sam Rochford showcases her beautiful voice, revealing a vulnerable side that will allow every listener to imagine a love, that even though it isn't perfect, it is real. If you have ever fallen in love, or even thought you were, you know there will be hurdles ahead. The only thing you can do be willing to face them together, and together you can conquer all. That's what this single is all about. Sure, there are times when the others imperfections may be too much for some to handle, but for you, it's those imperfections that make them so perfect.

While preparing for this release, Sam Rochford created a video that is accompanying the release of "So Easy." The video is an artistic look into someone's heart, showing Sam with a handmade scrapbook, revealing the lyrics in time to the song. "You're always sorry for who you are, but you don't have to apologize" is just a small phrase of lyrics that makes "So Easy" incredible. With the rolling acoustic guitar, mixed with a little dobro, Sam's earthy voice blends perfectly and this love story comes to life.

After interviewing countless country music stars as part of the WSM Radio Nashville team, singer-songwriter Sam Rochford steps into the spotlight with her debut single and video release, "So Easy." Website here, Facebook here.

Totally natural Americana, where the vocals add some emotion, and the music gives a roots flavour, pretty much ensures 'So Easy' arrives as a very engaging and delightful song.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Gitta de Ridder - Till the Day That I Die.

Background - Following the release of album Feathers in late 2016, Gitta De Ridder has announced new single ‘Till The Day That I Die plus a string of UK and Europe tour dates.

Originally growing up in the Netherlands, Gitta taught herself to write and play songs on the guitar from a young age, and cites modern folk artists such as Sufjan Stevens and Anais Mitchell as her inspiration. Gitta's folk-pop songs, with beautifully poetic but also conversational lyrics, go straight to the heart and are performed on a bed of warm fingerpicked guitar.

'Till the Day That I Die is a song about allowing space within ourselves and our relationships. About allowing life to take it's course realising we are not always in control and that for every conscious decision we make we have made a hundred subconscious ones that lead the way. And that underneath it all, love, regardless of outcome, will always stay. Website here, Facebook here, tour dates on Beehive Candy's tour page.

Having featured Gitta a couple of times towards the end of 2016 it was a pleasant surprise to receive the new single & music video for 'Till the Day That I Die'. The video may be a little minimalist, however that's just fine as the music is gorgeous and worth full attention. Live dates on our tour page.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Velveteins - Midnight Surf.

Background - The Velveteins have shared their newest track “Midnight Surf” for you. It comes off of their upcoming debut full length "Slow Wave" which will be released this May 12th.

Describing the new song the band commented "Midnight Surf” was thematically inspired by slow wave sleep - the deepest stage of sleep you can reach in the evening. The song came to us while we were discussing deep sleep and disconnecting from reality. An ode to sleeping, “Midnight Surf” has a sort of glazed feel with a lot of experimentation in the recording process".

The Velveteins will also be heading on a US/Canada tour around album release - full list of dates on Beehive Candy's tour page. Website here, Facebook here.

There is a dreamy surf rock meets indie pop feeling that for me makes 'Midnight Surf' pretty special as a starting point. On top of that the emotion in the vocals builds to a rousing point, where everything else has to stop. As a teaser for the debut album, I think this band have cracked the code.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Woods - Love Is Love.

Background - "We walked down streets and crammed onto trains, our faces masks of fear. Unsure how to react, we, collectively, did not react. We grieved for a country and an ideal we never thought would die. We grieved for a loss of certainty.

We argued about what we thought would happen. We preached understanding. We advocated for anger. Some people said that we’d at least get some incredible art, other people said that was a small view of a world we were quickly realizing we’d misunderstood. Everyone was right. Everyone was wrong. Art made in precarious times matters as much as we let it matter.

But what are we looking for from the art we enjoy? Escapism? A reckoning with harsh reality? A temporary shared hallucination? Music can heal because it presents the pain of being human as universal.

Love is Love was written and recorded in the two months immediately following the election, but it’s not a record borne entirely of angry, knee-jerk reaction to what America is becoming. Instead, it’s a meditation on love, and on what life means now. Taking cues from last year’s City Sun Eater in the River of Light, it feels very much like a record made from living, shoulder to shoulder, in a major city: weaving psychedelic swirls of guitar between languid horns reminiscent of the best Ethiopian jazz—Love is Love is a distinctly New York record. It is a document of protest in uncertain times and an open-hearted rejection of cynicism in favor of emotional honesty. It is bright, and then, unexpectedly, a little dark sometimes too. Website here, Facebook here.

'Love Is Love' is both a fine song and the title track for this equally fine six song collection. As a non American, I have struggled with what on occasion appears to have been something along the lines of "at last we have something to protest about again" occasion. I may well be wrong. That said the motivation and reasoning behind this song collection really does appeal, as does the music, which is superbly produced.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Katie Laffan - Tastemaker.

Background - Katie Laffan has never been an artist to stand still. From a debut EP of lo-fi bedroom funk pop to last year's subtle, affecting 'Trophy', the Dubliner delights in taking influence from a wealth of genres. Along the way, she and her band played a series of prestigious shows across Ireland - including Cork Jazz, Electric Picnic, K Fest, Canalaphonic, Body & Soul and Townlands Carnival, before finishing the year with two gigs at Other Voices, the acclaimed music gathering that takes place in Kerry every December.

New single 'Tastemaker' sees her take another left turn, this time into the world of disco and pop. Produced by Liam Caffery of Music for 18 Machines and mastered by John Flynn, who worked with Björk on her 2015 album Vulnicura, the song is her most polished release to date - while never losing her uncanny skill for a sharp lyric and a memorable melody.

Having been invited by Other Voices producer Aoife Woodlock to play Dublin's National Concert Hall in Dublin as part of the St Patrick's Festival Young Blood event (alongside Hare Squead, Rusangano Family, Kojey Radical and a number of Ireland's most acclaimed spoken word artists), Katie has recorded recent sessions for RTE 2FM and Today FM ahead of the 'Tastemaker' release. The track will also see her first ever video, directed by Sean Clancy and starring her 82 year old grandfather.

Katie is getting all the right attention in Ireland with national press, radio and festival appearances and is now venturing over to the UK. Facebook here.

'Tastemaker' is a massively catchy pop tune with just enough retro disco feel to make it appeal to young and not so young alike. Catchy, melodic and escapist, it's a delight to share.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Weekend Wonders: Rome Is Not A Town - Billy The Zombie Kid - The Velveteins - OhBoy! - Billy T Band - Varick

Rome Is Not A Town - Blood And Secrets.

Background - 4 piece Gothenburg, Sweden unit Rome Is Not A Town released their debut 7” “Stupid” in late 2015. With their noisy postpunk they soon found a special place in the hearts of everyone with a fondness for cracking guitars and some furious drum beating. Swedish media got excited and the biggest ones such as Festivalrykten, Hymn and Gaffa soon compared them Sonic Youth. As a match made in heaven Rome Is Not A Town got the chance to tour a few dates with the Thurston Moore band soon there after.

Since that initial success the band’s been on tour with fellow label mates Tiger Lou in Sweden and Germany as well as recording a new EP, "Careful Like You Cared" with Per Stålberg (Division of Laura Lee) in Welfare Studios, Gothenburg. The EP consists of four brand new tracks, and six minute masterpiece “Blood and Secrets” as a b-side. All released by Startracks – home of Fireside, early Refused and so on. Guitars go in the family, they say. Facebook here.

'Blood And Secrets' rounds off the new EP in style. The four new tracks are consistently good, with a consistent and definitive sound throughout, in what for me is a mixture of alt rock, indie rock and some delightful post punk moments. Good stuff !!!

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Billy The Zombie Kid - Are You Dying Just Like Me?

Background - Billy The Zombie Kid is an alternative pop/rock band from Borlänge, Sweden. Billy the zombie kid started as a no name solo project by lead singer & guitarist Stefan Altzar back in 2013. He had written a bunch of songs containing a unique mix of pop, rock and electronic elements, and to be able to take the songs from digital format out to the live stage, Stefan began putting a real band together. His longtime friend, Janne Korpela, joined the band on guitar.

They had been playing together in several different bands for many years, so it was an easy decision to make. The band also needed someone that could play keys, and that's where Max Björk came to be the perfect fit. Being a diverse musician, Max became a great asset to the band, not only as an instrumentalist, but also as a contributor to the vocal department. Finally, the band needed someone who could bring all of the computer programmed beats to life. Stefan reached out to Fredrik Olsson, who he knew from previous collaborations, and Fredrik was more than happy to join the band as the drummer, and also as a backup vocalist.

Their music was well received by the online community, and during the spring and summer of 2014 the band played several live shows and festivals around their hometown. During the fall of 2014, the idea of creating a full length album occurred, and that became the band's main focus. New songs were composed, and old songs were rearranged, and during the spring of 2015 the recording process began. From September 2015 until april 2016 videos and singles were released and in August the album “We’re always right” was finally released by the label Alternative Alien Baby. Website here and Facebook here.

The video for 'Are You Dying Just Like Me?' is something of a mini epic, which is just right for what is, a very impressive piece. More rock than pop, the band mix strong vocals with soaring guitars and a solid thumping beat that pushes the song along. Ones to watch out for.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Velveteins - Don't Yah Feel Better?

Background - The first single off of The Velveteins' debut LP Slow Wave is Don't Yah Feel Better?

Hailing from sunny Edmonton, Canada, The Velveteins are a rock 'n' roll band consisting of primary songwriters Spencer Morphy (vocals, guitar) and Addison Hiller (percussion). Their latest work 'A Hot Second With The Velveteins' was produced by Lincoln Parish (Cage The Elephant) and has been described as "... a collision of the Kinks and the Libertines, rollicking  garage, moody surf [...and] pop classicism with a rough edge". The single is coming ahead of their debut full-length Slow Wave, which they are releasing with Fierce Panda Canada in 2017.

“I had been listening to a lot of traditional Indian music and i think that’s where the guitar melody came from. After the music had appeared so easily I decided to write the lyrics about how everything you need is there, you just have to stop and listen for it.” - The Velveteins. Facebook here.

It was back in May that we first came across The Velveteins, and it is without hesitation that the new song 'Don't Yah Feel Better?' gets a feature! The band craft music that mixes genre styles that makes the most of the rock'n'roll spectrum. Looking forward to the debut album.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

OhBoy! - Dirt.

Background - This week Northampton 5-piece OhBoy! released the video for “Dirt” the B-side to a new single. It follows up on "Hey Princess." Both tracks are out now via Canvasclub (US) and Alcopop (UK).

Hailing from "a town that was once known the world over for being the home of British shoe manufacturing (the local football team is still know as The Cobblers),” OhBoy spent much of summer '16 on the road, playing Truck Festival Camden Rocks, The Great Escape, and the BBC Introducing stage at Glastonbury. Fans include Steve Lamacq, Huw Stephens and John Kennedy.

Website here and Facebook here.

'Dirt' is a feisty indie rock song that as B sides go, makes a wonderful A side (if you get my point). I'm not sure about the videos, elephant in the room, but the song is just right.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Billy T Band - Reckoning

Background - Billy T Band's 4th album "Reckoning" is out on CD, streaming and download (LP in March 2017). It’s filled with more of Billy T’s blues drenched rock ‘n’ soul. According to Billy T himself it’s the band’s best effort yet!

Their 3rd release won the Norwegian Grammy “Spellemannprisen 2012" for the best blues album. ”L.OV.E. (just a silly notion)” (released in 2010) also received Norwegian Grammy “Spellemannprisen 2010" for the best blues album. All of Billy T Band’s releases are filled with songs steeped in Classic American Soul, Blues, R&B and Swamp Rock. It’s a mix of original songs written by Billy T and the band and a few cover versions of obscure nuggets from Billy T’s ”wasted youth” as a hippie in Upstate New York. 

Bill was born and raised in New York City, and played and recorded with Eddie ”Bluesman” Kirkland for 12 years, and the Tom Russell Band for 10 years. Along the way, he worked with such diverse artists as Lightning Hopkins and Nancy Griffith. After moving to Oslo Norway in 1997, Billy T ran the house band at the ”Muddy Waters” blues club for 7 years, helping to launch the young Norwegian talents Amund Maarud and Chris "Kid" Andersen (now with Rick Estrin & the Nightcats). Website here and Facebook here.

Title track and the first of ten on the new album 'Reckoning' is a very good example of the quality you can expect throughout. Melody plays a big part ensuring a whole load of hooks along the way. Mixing guitar driven blues and rock, fine vocals and remarkable harmonies, Billy T is right to be pleased with the result of the obvious effort put into the album, it's a good one and deserves to be noticed when released.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Varick - Illusions.

Background - Varick has shared a video for his track "Illusions". The video was directed by Shomi Patwary (The Weeknd, Mark Ronson, A$AP Rocky) and stars actress Judy Sabin.

Keith Varick has been interested in ancient spiritual teachings since he was in his youth. These philosophies introduced Varick to meditation, oneness and enlightenment. When Varick started writing songs he found himself writing about these themes subconsciously. Varick began modernizing these ideas, by using his own experiences, to create songs that express the philosophies of non-duality, Hinduism and Advaita. Varick moved to NYC to develop his music and teamed up with producer David Sisko to release his first EP “Boundless”. 

The single “Boundless’ was included in print and online in ‘Under the Radar Magazine’ and also in their quarterly download mixtape. “We All Know the Rest” the second single off the ‘Boundless’ EP was included in CMJ’s monthly mixtape. Varick’s full album ‘Veda I’ is out now, with second album ‘Veda II’ out early next year. Website here and Facebook here.

There is a haunting vibe running through 'Illusions', a song full of atmosphere and depth. The video matches the layered sounds, and highlights the sense of angst and feeling that the song delivers.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Tuesday &: Polarheart - Grace Joyner - The Velveteins

Polarheart - Enigma.

Background promo - Hailing from Sydney, Mary and Chris are Polarheart. The duo began writing together in early 2013. They found a strong chemistry, and a year later Polarheart was born.

Their combination of dreamy vocals and abstract soundscapes, makes for a captivating listening experience. After four successful singles and months of writing and recording, the Sydney duo are set to release their much anticipated self-titled debut EP in mid-2016.

The success of their previous single, “Dystopia”, launched them into the speakers of a captive international audience, it has hit over 1M plays on MrSuicideSheep. They took their songs to the stage, filling venues with a successful tour of Australia’s East Coast in October 2015. The previous songs have all received multiple spins on triple j, and radio play throughout the US, UK, and the Netherlands and 280k plays on Spotify. You’ll be able to catch Polarheart’s music on the upcoming Cameron Crowe and J.J. Abrams produced TV-series Roadies, airing this June on HBO.

Now comes “Enigma”, the latest offering from Polarheart. The track greets the audience with an new intimacy; fresh territory for the listeners of the electro-pop duo to explore. Buzzing synths, mammoth drums and a sparse piano characterise the vast scope of this single. This track owns the latest hours of the night, the last moments of wandering before the morning.

“We wrote this about that moment when you’re trying to move on from someone, but you can’t, because you realise you never fully knew them. They were always holding back a part of themselves, and its that wondering, its that knowing you couldn’t quite solve the puzzle that keeps you fixated on them.“ - Polarheart.

We featured Polarheart back in June last year and were impressed along with plenty of other people. 'Enigma' continues the story with the quality of their electro pop going from strength to strength. As the promo rightly states there is a more intimate feel to the song, however the band still create an expansive room filling sound.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Grace Joyner - Real.

Background promo - Following a long stint in the role of harmony singer for several bands in Charleston, South Carolina, Grace Joyner made the decision to move to center stage with the release of her EP Young Fools in the Spring of 2014. Grace Joyner on her EP – “Young Fools serves to reflect on a difficult, yet incredibly important time in my life.  I think there is something valuable in admitting your mistakes, as well as recognizing the power within you to leave them behind.  

Somewhere in the middle of learning that getting hurt does not make you weak, I started the healing process – I started writing music.”Where Young Fools served as Joyner’s introduction to songwriting, a chance to explore her musical muse and tread her own artistic path, her debut LP, Maybe Sometimes in C is here to reveal what she has found along the way. Teaming up again with producer and engineer, Wolfgang Zimmerman, Joyner uses Maybe Sometimes in C to further define her musical perspective and showcase her maturation as a songwriter. Addressing unrequited love, meeting yourself in a moment of failure, and most notably the importance of taking action, Maybe Sometimes in C reflects on moving on from the time of heartbreak and into a place of independence and self-assurance.

'Real' is the first single from Grace Joyner's new upcoming album, 'Maybe Sometimes in C (slated for release on Friday, May 20th, on Charleston-based label Hearts & Plugs). The album comprises of nine classy indie pop songs, some gentle and delicate pieces along with more pacey uplifting songs. As a collection, there is not one passenger, these are all fine songs that hopefully get heard far and wide.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Velveteins - Hanging From The Ceiling.

Background words - Canadian psych-rock outfit The Velveteins have a new single 'Hanging From The Ceiling'. The track is off the reworked EP 'A Hot Second With The Velveteins' which was produced by Lincoln Parish (Cage The Elephant), soon to be released by Fierce Panda Canada (on May 27th!)

The band tell us - Hanging was one of the first songs we wrote collaboratively. Spencer was working with this cool 3/4 groove when I heard the sideways breakdown section. We ended up with this sort of psychedelic doo-wop number about things turning upside down. We've been working on our debut album and we hope to have that out by late this year. We're hitting the road with an extensive run in North America and the UK.

MAY 19 (Thursday) - BRIGHTON (UK) - THE GREAT ESCAPE
MAY 21 (Saturday) - BRIGHTON (UK) - TGE AB MUSIC SHOWCASE
MAY 23 (Monday) - LONDON (UK) - AB MUSIC SHOWCASE
MAY 24 (Tuesday) - LONDON (UK) - Fiddlers Elbow
MAY 26 (Thursday) - LONDON (UK) - THE ISLINGTON
May 28 (Saturday) - LIVERPOOL - LIVERPOOL SOUNDCITY
MAY 29 (Sunday) - LIVERPOOL - ECHO ARENA (Liverpool Soundcity)
JUNE 2 (Thursday) - WINNIPEG - THE HANDSOME DAUGHTER
JUNE 4 (Saturday) - CALGARY - Palomino
JUNE 5 (Sunday) - EDMONTON - Almanac
JUNE 6 (Monday) - EDMONTON - Rockin For Dollars
JUNE 7 (Tuesday) JASPER - WhistleStop
JUNE 8 (Wednesday) - VANCOUVER - Biltmore Cabaret
JUNE 9 (Thursday) - SEATTLE - The Rendezvous
JUNE 10 (Friday) - PORTLAND - ANALOG PDX
JUNE 11 (Saturday) - SAN FRANCISCO - VELO ROUGE
JUNE 15 (Wednesday) - SAN DIEGO - 710
JUNE 16 (Thursday) - LOS ANGELES - LOST ROOM
JUNE 17 (Friday) - SAN JOSE - ART BOUTIKI 

'Hanging From The Ceiling' is the new single and one of six delicious songs on the EP. The bands description of the song as a "psychedelic doo-wop number" is pretty much spot on. This is a classic case of if you like the song, you'll love the EP!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------