Sweater Curse - Moo Malika - Goldray - Shantell Ogden

Sweater Curse are from Brisbane, Australia and they have just released a fabulous, catchy new indie song called 'Close' accompanied by a Zoom filmed video. === Moo Malika shares 'Aziza'  which is a personal song regarding racism, the musical backdrop has some lovable Arabic vibes and the song itself instantly crosses borders with it's charm. === And from one musical style to a very different another, as Goldray serve up 'How Do You Know' a track immersed in psych rock sensations with a video that adds a mixture of Siouxsie and the Banshees versus Grace Slick imagery. === Shantell Ogden released 'On A Haystack' over the weekend and it's a sophisticated modern country song with plenty of heart and feeling.
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Sweater Curse - Close.

Brisbane's loveable indie outfit sweater curse grace us today with powerful new single 'Close', and news of a second EP. Written during a turbulent time with the help of their friend, Alex Lahey, the song premiered via triple j's Home & Hosed last night, and already receiving multiple five-star reviews on their unearthed page. Leading with crisp guitar riffs for melodic texture from guitarist Chris Langenberg, the track immediately follows with hazy vocal harmonies of lead singer and bassist, Monica Sottile and driving percussion accompaniment from Rei Bingham.

Taking on similar notes of their previous work, 'Close' is a poignant and introspective indie-rock track inspired by the human condition as well as another step towards the band's ever-evolving sound. "I think our work will continue to explore those kinds of topics, with more precision as our sound matures," says Monica. Lyrically, the song explores the dynamic of relationships through miscommunication and the apprehension of feeling disconnected as a result. Chris continues: "It talks of the struggles within a relationship (friendship, general or romantic) and at times it explores themes and emotions of self-deprecating."

Co-written with Alex Lahey in a small studio in Marrickville, the band also recruited the production skills of Ball Park Music's Sam Cromack to create a piece that has allowed the band to lean into and experiment with a pop sound. The video also arrives today, filmed entirely via Zoom and thematically compliments the track and relevance in the current COVID-19 climate. "My favourite part of making this video was being able to see all of our friends from other cities that we would usually hang out with when we are on tour. The idea of the video ties in with the concept of feeling close to our friends even when we can’t see them or hang out with them physically," says Rei. The video clip features appearances from a large cast of fellow musicians who all take part in singing 'Close'; notable cameos include Julia Jacklin, Maz Devita & James Gatling (WAAX), Alex Lahey, Sam Cromack (Ball Park Music), Patience Hodgson (The Grates), Phil Jamieson (Grinspoon), Andrew Dooris (The Jungle Giants), Connor Brooker (Bugs), Kieran Lama & Peppa Lane (Spacey Jane) and more.

The band have had an exciting career to date; previously dubbed as a triple j Unearthed feature artistas well as receiving airplay across triple j and unearthed radio. They've been seen gracing stages nationally at music festivals such as St. Jerome's Laneway, Falls Festival, Farmer & The Owl and playing with bands The Jungle Giants, Grinspoon, Violent Soho, Middle Kids, Ball Park Music, WAAX, Bugs and Polish Club.

'Close' marks the beginning of a new chapter for this Brisbane trio with more exciting news, and second EP later this year. Dial-in, bless up and get close (while practising responsible social distancing) with sweater curse.

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Moo Malika - Aziza.

“Aziza” is Moo Malika’s most personal song to date and is about the discrimination of women in the Maghreb states and the problems faced by refugees. The Swiss woman with Tunisian roots only just escaped such a fate. Because Moo’s mother is Swiss and she and her father decided to live in Switzerland, she was born here. Despite this and although she perfectly speaks Swiss German, she sometimes has to face racism because she looks like she is “not from here”.

If Moo is only discriminated against because of her appearance and surname, how hard does it have to hit those who flee in panic, don’t know the language yet and have to start all over again? Moo: “I have the luck to be born here and feel committed to help.” Since Moo Malika speaks Arabic, she volunteers to support a Syrian refugee and helps her to gain a professional foothold and familiarize herself with the culture of Switzerland. In addition, she provides direct aid to Fatima and her two children in Tunisia, who were left on the street by her husband and the police (because the man was “in the right” according to Tunisian law despite his crimes).

Thanks to this direct aid, the children can continue to go to school and therefore have a perspective. “Sometimes I ask myself why I was so lucky and others not. The place of birth can influence so many things. Many have to flee, although they do not want to. Are welcomed in the new country by some with closed arms and hostility and are directly stamped as “foreigners”. I have had conversations where many only make judgments, hearing the saddest, most heartbreaking and unjust stories from a few women. Aziza is inspired by these women. They are so strong, so militant and yet so hurt. That touched me incredibly.”

Aziza means “darling” in Arabic and is the story of a young woman who had to flee alone and often thinks of her mother, who had always called her Aziza and is now no longer with her. The song was written by Moo Malika and Daniel Volpe in Germany.

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Goldray - How Do You Know.

We have a psych-rock release for Goldray (from Kenwyn of Reef)'s new singles 'How Do You Know' and 'Oz' out now and accompanied by a mesmerising music video, with an album to follow on 31st July! Following the release of their critically acclaimed debut album, ‘Rising’ in 2017, Kenwyn House (Reef) and Leah Rasmussen (EMI, Bedrock, Renaissance) AKA Goldray, return with a psych-rock fuelled second album ‘Feel The Change’, released on July 31.

Written and produced by House and Rasmussen. Mixed by Pedro Ferreira (The Darkness, Therapy?, Enter Shikari, Meatloaf, David Gray) at Spinroad Studios in Gothenburg, Sweden. This eight-track album is a development in the duos sound giving a heavier edge but at the same time sounding more accessible than their debut ‘Rising’ whilst still remaining deeply bedded in their psych roots

Their new music exudes their inspiration and passion. They release a new double a-side single on May 29th - ‘How do you know’ which builds through the entirety of its four-minutes demonstrating Rasmussen’s huge range and power vocally, ending with a massive crescendo. And ‘Oz’, a monster seven-minute-plus track driven through House’s incredible guitar playing, the song is an ambitious journey of rock and psych, building with power, then dropping into a feeling of surreal psychedelia only to be slapped back in the face with the thunderous riff!

Sharing a song writing vision blending psych and prog experimental arrangements with etheric yet powerful female vocals, House and Rasmussen first started working together as an experimental side project for the pair that soon grew into an all consuming passion. With a clear identity both musically and visually, Goldray pulls huge inspiration from the late 1960s and early 1970s and are very much at the centre of the emerging psych-rock scene.

The band have garnered a formidable reputation live with performances at Glastonbury, Bestival, Download, Ramblin’ Man, HRH, Camden Rocks Festival and various headline shows over the past three years in the UK and Europe. Live, the band (who tour as a four-piece) ensure the ethos and feel of the show emanates the same feeling as the music. Visually striking with vocalist Rasmussen looking resplendent (described in a live review by Prog magazine in 2018 as “... the high priestess of hard rock”), and House’s playing still powerful and irresistibly hooky but somehow sliding into psychedelic hypnosis that ensures the live shows are a sensory overload!

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Shantell Ogden - On A Haystack.

Nashville-based Shantell Ogden's highly anticipated sixth studio album,Song Sampler vol. 1 & 2, is available for pre-order beginning today, May 29. The album will be released June 19th. It’s a seven-song collection that follows on the heels of the highly successful Road That Drives Me, which was named Americana Album of the Year by the International Music and Entertainment Association (IMEA).

“The women in my family grew up creating needlepoint samplers with vibrant threads and homespun wisdom,” says Ogden. “This album is my version of a sampler - and I hope everyone will enjoy the different musical colors.” The album is already receiving early rave reviews:"As a true artist and major star in the making, this sampler showcases Shantell’s songwriting talents and her ability to capture ears instantly. The theme that runs through all five songs is the same: be open about life’s difficulties, but optimistic about what the future holds. An incredibly honest and beautiful recording." - Alan Cackett, British Music Country Hall of Fame.

"A strong confident feminine voice overlaid on some heartfelt personal songs. It’s mostly a mainstream country vibe with some Stones-y rock in the mix. Highlight for me is “Love On The Fast Track.” - Calvin Powers, Americana Music Show. The album release celebration will be streamed lived on Saturday, June 20, on the Center Stage Magazine Facebook page at 3:00 p.m. CDT (https://www.facebook.com/centerstagemag/). Center Stage Magazine is a Nashville-based magazine covering music, comedy, movies, and a variety of entertainers with a unique focus on new, up-and-coming talent.

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Melody - Amaroun - Cat Princess - Grace Gillespie

Melody was raised in a musical family and at sixteen years of age her new song 'Room 111' clearly demonstrates the fruit-age of that environment, with this gorgeous singer songwriter song. === Amaroun makes her third appearance on Beehive Candy with 'Rise' and once again this talented artist develops a unique and rich musical piece. === It's been a year since we last shared some music from Cat Princess however they are back with a cover version of 'These Boots Are Made For Walkin' where they notably put their own stamp on it. === Grace Gillespie returns with her latest single 'HUH' and again she is consistently creative and just wonderful to listen too.
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Melody - Room 111.

Melody recently announced she will release a new EP called Teachers Pet on June 12th via Lauren Records, and she's back with a new track.

Melody Caudill is a 16 year old singer-songwriter from Los Angeles, California. Coming from a musical family, and learning how to play piano at the ripe age of four, she’s been immersed in the creative world of songwriting since before she was in kindergarten. After picking up the ukulele at 13, learning guitar became the natural next step. With inspirations from artists like Priscilla Ahn, Phoebe Bridgers, and Elliott Smith, Caudill writes with a certain sense of vulnerability and confidence.

”Room 111” is about Melody's 8th grade English class/teacher who saw herself in Melody and made her realize the feelings she was experiencing were totally normal and actually really special. Or as Melody puts it, the song is about "the longing for familiarity, but also the desire to move on and not be that awkward, sweaty middle schooler anymore."

Ever since she could remember, Melody was always making up new songs. “It was never a question, I always did that.” Caudill shared about writing her own music. At the age of 12, she became enamored with music in a new way. She decided to record some of the songs she had written at 13 to keep as a makeshift time capsule for herself. After the producer told her she should consider releasing the music she had created, Melody did just that.

At 13, she recorded and released her first EP, Thirteen. Thirteen chronicles the life of a pre-teen navigating new life changes. Now 16, Melody has written her second EP, Teachers Pet. Teachers Pet captures the essence of what it’s like to be in high school dealing with issues of self-confidence and finding a sense of belonging. However, Melody isn’t to be boiled down to another angst-driven teen. Her songwriting touches the core of the emotional turmoil we all go through. Whether that’s feeling smaller than your peers or being afraid to show your true self, there are just some inner-struggles we never grow out of.

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Amaroun - Rise.

Amaroun is back with new single ‘Rise’.  It follows last months release of ‘Alive’, a collaboration with Mansa and produced by Boris Labant, and the March release of the Charles Watson (Slowclub) co-written and Charlie Andrews (Alt J/ Matt Corby/ Maricka Hackman) produced single ’Talk’.

Once again co written with Boris Labant, ‘Rise’ tells the story of a woman who is in doubt and in deep self hate but her inner positive voice breaks through telling her to rise, Jay (Amaroun) explains that "When you fall or get knocked down, do not stay down, do not let them hold you down, rise up, rise up against oppression. If you are marginalised, if you are queer, it’s hard out there! Tell your story proudly, see yourself, your change and your journey as beautiful and as growth. You are an ever changing authentic being so just be exactly that".

Amaroun has appeared at The Great Escape, Standon Calling, Liverpool Sound City, Dot To Dot, Hit The North, Live At Leeds, Deer Shed Festival, and Curious Arts Festival, and been played by Huw Stephens (BBC Radio 1), Chris Hawkins (BBC 6 Music), Lal Mattock (BBC Introducing), Amazing Radio and Radio X.

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Cat Princess - These Boots Are Made For Walkin'.

Uppsala quintet Cat Princess formed at a New Year's party and debuted only days after playing at guitarist Robin's birthday party. Singer Nils joined the gang after the band heard him sing that same night. Just as spontaneous as the band's birth are their music. Last year Cat Princess' long-awaited debut album Forbidden Items was released on all platforms and limited vinyl. The album contained singles Rocko's Theme, Silver Socks and Sweet which have all received praise from as well Swedish media and international blogs.

The band is now back with a cover of Nancy Sinatra classic These Boots Are Made for Walkin’. A version that embodies the spirit of Cat Princess perfectly. Intense changes in tempo, aggressive guitar riffs and the unique voice of Nils Krång. When performed live the audience have quickly embraced the stomping beat and danced themselves sweaty.

The band tells the story behind the cover: “For every Rama Lama party we play we usually do a special cover. So just by tradition we did a surf version of this track for their third birthday party. We immediately felt that our version took this iconic track to a new level and simply felt we just had to record it ”.

Cat Princess' sound have been crafted since their 2016 debut EP Please Me which received positive reviews from Swedish magazines GAFFA and HYMN, stating that their explosive combination of modern indie pop and 80's art-pop channeled the spirit of David Bowie and Talking Heads. The band later signed to Rama Lama Records which re-released the EP on cassette. The quintet has since the EP shared stage with acts like OMD, Pale Honey, Magic Potion and Cloud Nothings as well as playing frequently on the Stockholm indie scene and a international appearance in Copenhagen and London.

Fly on Your Wall and b-side Marxist with a Twist followed in 2017, two fine representations of the band's live intensity and a powerful showcase of their uniquely flavoured indie pop which have been compared to the energetic early days of Franz Ferdinand. Front man Nils Krång's thrilling, almost psychotic, vocal performance adds something even more special to the band's unique sound. A sound which during the band's young career already has developed from the more standard indie pop-ish early singles to a fusion of 80's art rock and modern indie influences resulting in the danceable chaotic sound that's shown on the debut album.

Forbidden Items showed every side and aspect of the always renewing Cat Princess. From instant sing-a-long live favourite Silver Socks through mysterious Rockefeller Phoneline to dance-friendly and summery Sweet. The album took a majority of 2018 and a lot of obstacles had to be overcame to make it. The result is an eclectic art rock mix consisting, equally put together by the bands' influences spanning from 80s new wave to contemporary greats.

These Boots Are Made For Walkin’ is out now on all platforms via Rama Lama Records (Melby, Steve Buscemi’s Dreamy Eyes, Kluster B, Chez Ali etc.).

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Grace Gillespie - HUH.

Grace Gillespie is a London-based artist and producer originally from Devon, who spent much of 2017 touring as part of the live line-up for 4AD’s Pixx. In 2019 Grace received PRS’s WMM funding and consequently released her debut EP ‘Pretending,’ which garnered support from the likes of The Line of Best Fit, Clash and Earmilk.

This year she has received support from the ‘Help Musicians’ ‘Do it Differently’ award, and is using this to release an EP in the autumn. Some of her notable live shows include supporting James Morrison at Dingwalls, Camden and headlining a stage the folk stage at Tipping Point festival in Newcastle. Her first two singles found their way onto Spotify’s ‘Fresh Folk’ playlist and received extensive support from Apple Music, appearing on their ‘A-List’ and ‘Best of the Week’ playlists, as well as backing from NME, Crack In The Road and The Wild Honey Pie.

She has received radio plays from BBC 6 music as well as being a featured artist on BBC Introducing London. Her early demo of ‘Restoration’ saw her tipped to Q Magazine by Newton Faulkner and brought her to the attention of Kaleidoscope, who worked with her to produce her first solo releases in 2018. Her sound takes influences from the folk, psych and dream-pop traditions, providing a backdrop to her intriguing vocal melodies, shifting harmonies and introspective lyricism.

Grace Gillespie · HUH

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Market Junction - Certain Animals - The Brave Faces

Market Junction will release their latest album, 'Burning Bridges', on August 7 and ahead of that they have shared 'Nebraska' a song where the vocals are fabulous and the musicianship comfortably on a par. === As this is our sixth feature for the Dutch band Certain Animals I guess it's safe to say we like them and new song 'TV' sees them keeping up the momentum with another fine rocker. === We featured their debut single back in March and Brighton based band The Brave Faces are back with 'Lots Of Nights Out' which is another solid indie rock song, that stands out both musically and vocally.
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Market Junction - Nebraska.

Of the song, Matt says: "Home is not a place. It is a connection to another person. When you lose those people, you feel uprooted, disconnected, and lost. Being out on the road is hard on a relationship, yet the constant war inside us wages between the dreams we chase and the people we love. Sometimes the road wins and we are left with nothing but our own wanderlust."

Market Junction. Not a place as the name implies but rather the name of a band that has engaged fans with their songs of love and loss since 2012 when they released their freshman effort, Heroes Have Gravestones.

In 2011, Matt Parrish gifted friend and fellow songcrafter Justin Lofton a vinyl pressing of Ray LaMontagne’s God Willin’ & The Creek Don’t Rise for his birthday and the fires of inspiration were ignited. The pair set out on a journey to create the kind of music they not only loved to listen to but music that they loved to play. Since those early days, the band soon expanded its lineup to include Taylor Hilyard on bass guitar and Michael Blattel on drums, sharing stages with Cory Morrow, Ray Wylie Hubbard, Jack Ingram, Radney Foster and more.

“We’ve done nothing the conventional way”, says Parrish. “It’s taken us nine years to figure out who we are and what direction we want to take our careers,” adds Lofton. The combination of lyrical prowess and Lofton’s fretboard mastery has resulted in a sound that is rooted in place and time, but that transcends both. While the band has found success in their beloved home state of Texas, they are ready to show the rest of the world what they can do.

The wait will have been well worth it for Americana music fans across the country - Market Junction will release their latest LP, Burning Bridges, on August 7, 2020. This collection of songs tells one story, one of a young man learning about love and its consequences. Sometimes the heartbreak spurs the traveling, and other times the traveling is the cause of the heartbreak. Either way, Burning Bridges will break your heart in the best kind of way, and have you reaching for the keys.

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Certain Animals - TV.

The new Certain Animals single TV opens with a phaser-turned drum fill, followed by an epic double guitar harmony with a battery-powered fuzzbox set to the max. Flanked by a rhythm section consisting of congas, bongos and grunting bass that wouldn't look out of place on an obscure soul record, Certain Animals are telling a story about two sides of the media medal. On the one hand, uptempo and full of bravado: the media magnates and internet giants who look forward to a glorious future where your sins are forgiven, as long as you stick to the screen. On the other hand, harmonious and melancholic: the memory of simpler times, with two or three television channels and a more sincere look. With their single TV, Certain Animals capture the ambivalent feelings they have about the contemporary media in just under five minutes.

Dutch band 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 titans from the '60s and '70s are spinning on their turntable on a daily basis. The Beatles, The 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, and they also performed across the border in Belgium and Germany.

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.

The album release had to be postponed until September, but no worries, Certain Animals got you covered this summer! The last two singles of Certain Animals were picked up by UK's Amazing Radio - the only station in the world playing 100% new and emerging music. Single 'Tangerine' even made it to #5 in The Amazing Chart!

TCBYML · Certain Animals - TV

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The Brave Faces - Lots Of Nights Out.

The Brave Faces, Brighton post-punk/indie band, have released their second single, ‘Lots of Nights Out’. Influenced by 80s post-punk, shoegaze and contemporary indie, The Brave Faces push forward bristling melodies and sweeping soundscapes. Wiry, melodic guitars layer driving industrial drums.

The band’s new single, 'Lots of Nights Out', bursts straight out of the gate with two intertwining guitar lines. Complementing and competing, the two create a frantic indie soundscape while bass and drums combine to keep the peace. The chorus’ catchy hook is deceptively bright and poppy, distracting from the tension and exhaustion expressed in the lyrics. In the track’s penultimate offering, the lyrical tone switches up and delivers a mantra to reassure: ‘just give it time, time will heal, it’ll be okay’. The song sets out to take you through many different headspaces before setting you up to do it all again.

“‘Lots of Nights Out’ is about getting to an age by which you’d always thought you’d have it all figured out, but you still haven't. You're in pain, you’re worried about getting old and you feel directionless.” says the band’s lead vocalist, Darrell.

“It explores and critiques the only ‘medication’ I had at my disposal at that time of my life: going out and getting drunk. It’s from the perspective of someone reflecting on their lifestyle, talking about the time they spend trying to escape and impress other people. This track is about taking a step back and seeing this mentality for what it was to me — fun, but ultimately exhausting and damaging. The end of the song tries to encourage anyone in a bad spot that things can and do get better”.

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Meggie Lennon - Katy Kirby

Meggie Lennon shares 'Mind Games' which is a dreamy indie song, where her smooth flowing vocals are immersed in an equally melodic musical backdrop. === Katy Kirby new song 'Tap Twice' gently unfolds adding a few musical layers moving from a folk vibe into a refrained indie rock song, her fine vocals keeping the flow going.
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Meggie Lennon - Mind Games.

Somewhere in the land of uninhibited love and playful sins, Meggie Lennon is both the game and the rule that begs to be broken, crafting her songs through spirals of unrepentant escapism.

Following the release of GAMIQ nominated EP Endless Dreams and Dreamlike Mornings in 2017, under the name Abrdeen, the singer-songwriter wasted no time making a name for herself, taking her music across the province alongside well-established acts such as Good Morning, The Dears, Julie Doiron, Sugar Candy Mountain and Laura Sauvage.

Now working under her own name, Lennon teamed up with producers Samuel Gemme (Corridor, Anemone) and Jules Henry to work on her new release Sounds From Your Lips, which is due in 2020.

An original take on modern music where dream pop and make-out psych rock become the soundtrack to whatever comes next.

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Katy Kirby - Tap Twice.

"Tap Twice is about the formation of unspoken agreements in a new relationship, the process of silently negotiating with someone what you might mean to each other, and what happens when negotiation turns into an arm wrestling match over how much you’re willing to reveal. About the weird rapport that develops as you’re circling each other this way (unless it’s all in your head?), triangulating data from small gestures and two-word texts, analyzing the face smiling at you from a profile picture, reading into the murky details of an internet persona. It’s about sooner or later accepting all this as part of the territory--learning to live in that spooky interpretive space with someone, respecting it as a part of the deal you’ve struck up."

Katy Kirby is a songwriter and indie rock practitioner with a writers focus on unspoken rules, misunderstandings of all kinds, and boredom.

Kirby was born, raised, and home schooled by two ex-cheerleaders in small-town Texas, where she started singing in church amidst the soaring, pasteurized-pop choruses of evangelical worship services. After high school, Kirby moved to Nashville, where she managed to graduate college with a rapidly expanding circle of artistic allies, an amorphous collection of leftist beliefs, and a few handfuls of songs.

After a series of painful failures to complete a record that reflected the temperament of those songs, Kirby finally turned to dear friends and co-conspirators to form a band capable of constructing a satisfying full length.

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