headboy - Organ Morgan

headboy - Was It What You Thought (E.P).

London trio headboy release their debut EP 'Was It What You Thought', out yesterday 9th June via Blitzcat Records. Swaying from lo-fi bedroom tones to tumultuous blasts of snarling post-punk, headboy's blend of influences, ranging from Sleater-Kinney and Radiohead to Modest Mouse and Grizzly Bear informs the immediacy of their sound, whilst the band also note the impact of post-punk and no wave acts á la Gang Of Four, Orange Juice, Pixies and Television.

Consisting of guitarist/bassist and vocalist Mars West (they/them), bassist/guitarist vocalist Jess Collins (she/they) and drummer Oli Birbeck (they/them), headboy's debut EP 'Was It What You Thought' was born amidst a period of acute political turbulence. Rediscovering and reflecting on the importance of friendship and loyalty during that time, ending with a heartfelt treatise on loss and vulnerability; ultimately the EP forms a study into the often cyclical, yet always unpredictable nature of life itself.

An examination of knowing and not knowing, 'Was It What You Thought' was written during 2022 and recorded over that summer at Hackney Studios in East London with producer Joe Futak. The EP's four tracks draw on the community-led London scene they've become a key cog in after a year of intense gigging. "We pretty much condensed every emotion we’ve felt in the past two years into 14 minutes. There are moments of anger, fear, and sadness, but also moments of joy, or acceptance, at least," guitarist and vocalist Jess added.

With racing stories of passion, intimacy and connection ("Reservoir"), societal distress and government blunders ("Sheep's Skin") and taking refuge in friendship  ("Cement" and "Jackal Lake"), headboy deliver their shrewd social observations through a lens of deceptively dark, climactic post-punk. 

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

Organ Morgan - The Argument.

Organ Morgan is the moniker of songwriter and guitarist and ex-Blaenavon drummer Harris McMillan. This week he releases new single "The Argument" and announces his debut EP 'Figurehead' will be released on 20th July on London based label Everybody's.

Organ Morgan's debut EP 'Figurehead' was recorded and produced (over the course of 2 weeks in 2022) at Black Bay Studios, an ex-crab processing factory on the Hebridean Island of Great Bernera, Scotland.

Gracefully intertwining Laurel Canyon-esque harmony-drenched passages with intricate, towering indie-folk instrumentals, Organ Morgan's music is spacious, grandiose and romantic all at once. New single "The Argument" opens with McMillan's warm vocal weaving between bowed double bass, before swelling into its bracing folk-rock second section, as he retells and reimagines the stories surrounding a coastal meeting point...

Speaking more on the lyrical inspiration behind the "The Argument", McMillan said: "‘The Argument’ was inspired by a beachfront cafe in Brighton called ‘The Meeting Place’, it was usually deserted on rainy days but would call out order numbers for invisible customers over the tannoy. I started imagining the stories that might lead to a meeting there and one particular idea of two lovers trying to stay cross with each other during the course of an argument became the song."

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

headboy - The South Austin Moonlighters - Meris Gantt - Jeremie Albino

headboy - Reservoir.

London trio headboy have shared their new single "Reservoir" - the latest taste of the band's upcoming debut EP 'Was It What You Thought', out 9th June via Blitzcat Records. In recent months the band have played host to an exhilarating run of sold-out headline shows in the capital, alongside notable support slots with Porridge Radio, Goat Girl, DEADLETTER, Peaness, Melin Melyn, Hotel Lux, Heartworms and THUS LOVE.

Swaying from lo-fi bedroom tones to tumultuous blasts of snarling post-punk, headboy's blend of influences, ranging from Sleater-Kinney and Radiohead to Modest Mouse and Grizzly Bear informs the immediacy of their sound, whilst the band also note the impact of post-punk and no wave acts á la Gang Of Four, Orange Juice, Pixies and Television.

Consisting of guitarist/bassist and vocalist Mars West (they/them), bassist/guitarist vocalist Jess Collins (she/they) and drummer Oli Birbeck (they/them), headboy have already established themselves as a beguiling force to be reckoned with on the live stage, cultivating a devoted following in London and further afield, following press and radio tips from Steve Lamacq (BBC 6 Music), So Young Magazine, The Independent, Gigwise, The Rodeo + more.

New single "Reservoir" tells a story of passion, intimacy and connection in the disorientating aftermath of a breakup; venturing into single life. Delivered through a lens of deceptively dark, climactic post-punk, "Reservoir" tracks those brief, fleeting moments of lust, in a haze of sweaty, dimly lit clubs.

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

The South Austin Moonlighters - Make A Livin'.

Austin, TX - Legendary, Saxon Pub-bred quartet The South Austin Moonlighters were riding high on the success of their 2019 opus Travel Light with top billing on the alt-country charts and festival appearances throughout the U.S. and Europe when the world came crashing to a screeching halt in 2020. Fortunately for the band and their fans alike, the Moonlighters are veterans of Austin’s scrappy, DIY music scene and were never going to let a little loss of momentum stop them. With the help of a wildly successful crowdfunding campaign, The South Austin Moonlighters—Lonnie Trevino Jr., Chris Beall, Daniel James, and Hunter St. Marie—took to the studio with producer Steve Berlin (of Los Lobos fame) and got right back in the saddle, cutting ten tunes that would eventually become their brand new album, From Here To Home.

At its core, From Here To Home is an album of rebirth and acknowledgement. It’s a recognition of where The South Austin Moonlighters have been, and a peek at all of the exciting places they are going and want to head towards in the future. Take the title track for instance, which is a song that Beall and Trevino Jr. wrote together. It’s a tale of finding oneself on the road, not necessarily lost, but unmoored. Despite this estrangement, the group finds power in the songs they write, carrying them through another day. “From Here To Home is a journey back to rediscovering why we started doing this in the first place,” Trevino Jr. says, before his co-conspirator helps him complete the thought in a way only the closest of collaborators can: “Because that's the only thing we want to do–make joyous music.”

The South Austin Moonlighters recently released their first single from From Here To Home, the bouncing, half-time groove of “Make A Livin’"; a deceptively deep, upbeat song about what it really means to make ends meet for a family. “What should we be providing?’’ asks Beall, who wrote the song with his good friend Rodney Black. He expands, “Surely ‘ourselves’ would be the most important thing, and yet there are multiple generations of parents working so much they rarely see their kids. Lots of folks have to work like that, unfortunately. But could there be a ‘line’ that gets crossed when too much is just ‘too much?’ The TV bill, the new car, the nicer house....maybe we should let go of a few of those things and not have to be shackled to the workplace to pay for them.” Packaged within textures of gritty guitars and vintage bass thump, “Make A Livin’” is one of those rare songs that makes listeners dance and think, and that quality is the Moonlighters’ party piece that runs from beginning to end of From Here To Home.

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

Meris Gantt - Fine.

Meris Gantt just announced the “Fine” single released yesterday. Taking the listener on an emotional journey through grief, loneliness, and acceptance, the song holds a special meaning as it is a conversation with her father, who passed away nine years ago.

Through powerful lyrics, “Fine” conveys a message of reassurance to Gantt’s father and to herself that it is okay to let go and move on. It is also a poignant reminder that we are all doing the best we can in life. The song evokes a feeling of loneliness that many can relate to, especially in a world that is constantly changing.

Gantt reveals that she didn’t realize she was writing this song about her father until a pivotal moment on a hike, where the lyrics to the bridge poured out of her. The song not only reflects on Gantt’s childhood but also provides a global perspective, tying in thoughts and emotions from the Covid-19 pandemic.

“Fine” is a powerful and emotive song that will undoubtedly resonate with anyone who has experienced loss, loneliness, or the struggles of trying to adapt to a changing world.

The single is off Gantt’s upcoming EP, “Forced Revival,” due out June 2. The EP tells the story of a journey mired in strength – a tale of perseverance, passion, and a deep connection to the power of music. Gantt explores life’s journeys with longing, regret, and the silver linings that lie in between through a soulful blend of smoky vocals, Bluegrass Americana, healing melodies, and honest and to-the-point songwriting.

Meris Gantt · Fine

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

Jeremie Albino - You I’m Waiting On.

Buzzy Americana artist-to-watch Jeremie Albino has released a captivating live performance video with his band, The Rosehall Band, for soaring new single “You I’m Waiting On.” Shot and directed by longtime creative partner and collaborator Mark Klassen, the video transports viewers back in time to the historic Owl’s Club in Toronto. The old legion hall, frozen in time, serves as the ultimate backdrop and perfectly pairs Jeremie’s soulful golden sound with the memories painted on the walls.

The artist’s highly anticipated sophomore studio album, Tears You Hide, will be released on June 9th. Lead single “Across the Hall,” released earlier this spring, is a testament to Albino’s visual songwriting style, telling a story of hope and longing in challenging periods. He’s currently on the road with fellow Americana artist Sierra Ferrell for a series of West Coast tour dates, and all shows are sold out.

Recorded entirely live off the floor, Tears You Hide is a catalog of feelings from time passed that serves up an ode to family, resilience, and the road ahead. The deeply personal nature traverses Albino’s development as an artist and captivating songwriter. Experiences with tragedy, grief, and love tumble throughout, grounded in moments of joy and the hope it brings — a house party, a tumbleweed, tears in a mother’s eyes, an open door, a faceless angelic voice.

The artist found support from the team instrumental in the production of his earlier work - The Rosehall Band, his original backing band, and Andrija Tokic (Alabama Shakes), who co-produced his critically acclaimed debut full length. The importance of working with a supportive and collaborative community is something that he knows the value of not only in his music but also from his days as working as a farmer in Prince Edward County.

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

headboy - Tapeworms - PACKS - Black Nail Cabaret

headboy - Cement.

Fast-rising London trio headboy reveal details of their debut EP and release its lead single "Cement". The band's upcoming debut EP 'Was It What You Thought' will be released on the 9th June via Blitzcat Records and follows a flurry of exhilarating sold-out headline shows in the capital, support slots with Porridge Radio, Goat Girl, DEADLETTER, Heartworms and THUS LOVE, along with their three 2022 standalone singles "Televised", "Toothrot" and "Alligator".

Consisting of guitarist/bassist and vocalist Mars West (they/them), bassist/guitarist vocalist Jess Collins (she/they) and drummer Oli Birbeck (they/them), headboy have already established themselves as a beguiling force to be reckoned with on the live stage, cultivating a devoted following in London and further afield.

The trio's much-anticipated debut EP 'Was It What You Thought' tracks a period of political turbulence; rediscovering and reflecting on the importance of friendship and loyalty, ending with a heartfelt treatise on loss and vulnerability. Ultimately a study into the often cyclical, yet always unpredictable nature of life itself, newly released single "Cement" specifically zeros in on that significance of friendship, amidst a backdrop of bright, intricate indie-rock.

Speaking more on the lyrical inspiration behind new single "Cement", the band said: "In the heat of a turbulent summer, misrule reigned. Cement is about taking stock and refuge in the comfort of your friends and the people around you; and the rediscovery of friendship. It includes advice from Mars’ grandfather ‘don’t count the days it slows them down’ - a warning against wishing away life."

"Cement" lyricist Mars West went on to say: "When things are difficult I often find myself thinking 'how long before this will end?' Then I think about my grandfather's warning - 'don't count the days it slows them down'. Sometimes you have to absorb yourself in whatever chapter of life you are in, instead of spending all your time wishing for the next one. Cement is very much about that."

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

Tapeworms - IRL.

Arriving right in time for Spring, known as the season of rebirth, “IRL” is a melting pot of sparkling sounds that blend digital string sections with warped sample solos.

Following on from their debut album ‘Funtastic’, released in 2020, the new track sees Tapeworms build their own innovative bridge between sugary synth-pop and contorted indie. Pushing their sound in new and exciting directions, “IRL” brings a steady tempo and lush production that connotes images of surrealistic dreamlands.

The acronym for ‘In Real LIfe’, a phrase born on social media to distinguish ‘virtual life’ from ‘real life’, ‘IRL’ was heavily inspired by Japanese light novel ‘Haruhi Suzumiya’. Blending ethereal vocals with wonky pop beats, the track explores the relationship between dreams and real life and phantasm and reality.

Accompanied by an official video and dazzling new imagery inspired by livecam websites and early lifecasting macro-stars such as Jennicam, “IRL”’s accompanying visuals play with a variety of narratives and captures the band living out their day-to-day lives. A promising new addition to the Tapeworms catalogue, “IRL” is set to open a new chapter for the band — one full of never-ending pop exploration.

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

PACKS - EC.

In a little under two weeks, PACKS will be releasing their sophomore LP Crispy Crunchy Nothing on Fire Talk Records. The follow up to their acclaimed 2021 debut Take The Cake, which earned accolades from outlets like The FADER, Stereogum, NYLON, Paste, BrooklynVegan, NME, Gorilla vs Bear and Bandcamp, who called the LP "the sound of classic indie rock as delivered by a promising new voice," the album has seen the release of two singles "Brown Eyes" and "4th of July", earning best of the week nods from outlets like Uproxx, Consequence and Alt Press who called it "a delight".

PACKS' new LP sharpens the laid back appeal of the band's debut, displaying a newfound flair in its arrangement and production that heightens the subtle strangeness of leader Madeline Link's songwriting. A collection of bright, imaginative vignettes of loneliness, yearning and confusion, under-pinned by Link’s distinct sense of humour, and her writing has found a new emotional register, which is exemplified by the album's final single "EC", which is out now.

The writing of the album was tied up in Link processing the death of her aunt, who was killed in a hit and run incident in Seattle near the start of the pandemic. While "EC" was not written directly about that loss, it addresses the way that grief can strike in unexpected ways and with surprising weight, and has an emotional rawness that's only been hinted at in Link's songwriting to this prior to this album.

"The unexpected death of a coworker I had never met struck me like a brick wall," Link explains. "I had been in charge of packing up all of his electronic hardware and shipping it to him just months before. As I found myself preparing shipping labels for his mother to place on the boxes to send back, a lasting sadness set in."

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

Black Nail Cabaret - Sister Sister.

Black Nail Cabaret unveil the lyric video 'Sister Sister' as the first single taken from the forthcoming experimental album "Woodlands Memoirs". Under the banner Black Nail Cabaret and Friends, the Hungarian duo and three closely befriended musicians have created a one-off rather analogue and organic project that is different from their usual avant-garde synth pop style by transforming their own songs into thrilling cover versions. Please see below for more information on this album. 

The release date has been scheduled to May 26, 2023. Black Nail Cabaret comment: "For us, 'Sister Sister' has long been a favourite from the 'Dichromat' album", singer Emèse Árvai-Illes remarks.

"The original track has a cold wave vibe that we now somewhat unintentionally turned into a sonic entity that rather resembles a 'Twin Peaks' score. It is a beautiful representation of what we have aimed to accomplish by covering our own songs."

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