dreambeaches - El Lago - Line & Circle

dreambeaches - the only reason you want to go to california is that it's the closest thing to heaven in your mind.

Background - Western NY based baroque rock act dreambeaches new single "the only reason you want to go to california is that it's the closest thing to heaven in your mind," is off their new EP Disappearing Act. 

This song is a narrative of a deteriorating mental state. To me, the song is an exploration of what it is to leave a life behind in pursuit of happiness, by way of moving, by way of chasing gold, & even by way of death. The song is set in the Southwest U.S., a place where I’ve spent a lot of time and think about often. There is so much open air and promise. I thought using California as a double entendre for death worked well because they both have a history of attracting those seeking. The main character doesn’t give an explanation on why they left, but they do give every bit of their remaining self to those they’ve surrounded themselves with. I think what I hope to get across to the listener is that the gold in life is what you give and you aren’t going to find it anywhere else.

dreambeaches is an art rock band based in Buffalo, NY consisting of members Corey Bzibziak (lead vocals, guitar), Jacob Peter (bass, vocals), Gabe Wells (drums), & Andrew Kothen (lead guitar, vocals). Since the release of their first EP ‘Habits’ in 2016 the band has been making their way around the Northeastern US and Canada and will be touring to the Southeast this fall in support of ‘Disappearing Act’. dreambeaches comes from an array of influences including Grizzly Bear, Rubblebucket, Hiatus Kaiyote, Pinegrove, Of Montreal, Bombay Bicycle Club & more. FACEBOOK.

OK so the title is quite something, that said 'the only reason you want to go to california is that it's the closest thing to heaven in your mind' is a thoughtful song with an alt rock feel to it. The vocals and harmonies have a west coast vibe, or is that just the title playing tricks with me, either way its a fine track. 

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El Lago - Into The Clearing.

Background - Galveston, Texas might be known as a coastal destination for Texas vacationers, but for the pedal soaked music of El Lago, Galveston is home. Mixing sounds that hint of what would happen if Cocteau Twins and Kate Bush covered the music of Spiritualized, the band has been known to cause a stir with their dreamlike performances. 

The four piece has always crafted plenty of soundscapes to compliment the vocals of lead singer and guitarist Lauren Eddy, and their recent recordings with Austin Sepulvado (Buxton, Dollie Barnes) and Grammy winning engineer Steve Christensen (Robert Ellis, Steve Earle) seem to capture the magic that the band crafts together on what will become their debut full length release.

With the lead single "Into The Clearing," the band gives listeners a glimpse into what's to come from forthcoming debut full length Colors due November 4 from Miss Champagne Records. The band is set to perform and tour in support of the album throughout 2018. WEBSITE, FACEBOOK.

'Into The Clearing' is a combination of exquisite & melodic vocals, refined rock music along with alternating time signatures, that add another dimension to the track. It gives some indication of what the album has to offer, however it is only after listening to all the songs that the above comparisons make reasonable sense. Overall we have eight very strong tracks, each of which possibly made choosing the lead single something of a challenge.

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Line & Circle - Man Uncouth.

Background - Line & Circle announces new EP, Vicious Folly, shares first track "Man Uncouth". Ohio-born, Los Angeles-based Line & Circle will follow up their acclaimed singles and debut LP with their new EP Vicious Folly, due Dec. 1 via Grand Gallop. The bulk of the record was tracked live to tape in one day at Los Angeles’ Vox Studios with Michael Harris (Angel Olsen’s My Woman), with additional sessions in various warehouses, bedrooms, and backhouse studios around the band’s Echo Park neighborhood. The project was mixed with frequent collaborator Jonathan Low (The National, The War On Drugs) at Aaron Dessner of The National’s Long Pond studio in Hudson Valley, New York.

At a moment when cultural divisions seem increasingly tense and tribalistic, Vicious Folly explores a belief the Romans held centuries ago: homo homini lupus — man is a wolf to man. Whether the conflicts here are romantic (“Man Uncouth”), ideological (“Vicious Folly”), or familial (“Who Runs Wild”), the songs contemplate the disquieting idea that man himself is his own greatest threat. Vicious Folly brings the resulting emotional complexity to life by expanding on the band’s characteristically moody but vibrant color palette. Interweaving bass clarinet pulses and distorted tape loops move underneath minimalist patterns of chiming guitar and bass melody counterpoint. Singer/guitarist Brian J. Cohen’s dramatic tenor pulls across the songs’ brisk rhythmic foundations, which are more unhinged here than in previous releases.

The record’s cover images, Peter Flötner’s 16th century hand-painted playing cards from post-Reformation Germany, offer further support. Flötner used his cards to depict and denounce the perceived greed, gluttony, and folly of his time. That the imagery strikes a chord today — as it surely did then — is either deeply comforting, or incredibly disconcerting, depending on your information filter. Perhaps only one thing is certain — we won’t agree on the answer anytime soon. WEBSITE, FACEBOOK.

The slightly urgent pace of the music on 'Man Uncouth' is set at odds with a more measured vocal delivery. Combined it really works well, a mixture of energy and patience, or mood and excitement.

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Gill Landry - Glances - Woodes

Gill Landry - Denver Girls.

Background - Gill Landry has unveiled a brand new video for ‘Denver Girls’, the second single taken from his latest solo album ‘Love Rides A Dark Horse’. Since making my last record, I destroyed all the pillars of my life intentionally and by accident. I found myself wondering what the hell I was doing, and had to slowly start rebuilding. When you go back to the ground level in any field, with your toes in the dirt, you've got to really want to do it. I already came up through the clubs, playing all the small gigs, busking the streets, and also got the delusions of grandeur that come from playing in much bigger places. When you've been through it and you know how much work it is to start from the bottom, you have to ask yourself if it's truly what you want. Here we are, so I guess the answer is yes.

A little over two short years ago, I was set to be married to a woman I loved very much, had just won my second Grammy with Old Crow Medicine Show, and life was good by all perceivable standards. However, I was deeply unsatisfied artistically and needed to leave the band. After the first year of touring my last album, I swore to myself I wasn’t writing another goddamned broken-hearted love song, but then my lover took flight and I found myself alone, worn out, disillusioned, and heartbroken in a way I hadn’t known before. The future was looking like an exhaustingly long walk through a knee-deep tunnel of shit ending in death, so, it seemed like it wasn’t going to be an overly joyous next record after all. BUT, I wanted to find a light in the darkness. This album is more of ‘a map out of the darkness’ than ‘an invitation to it.’ 

In writing this album, I wanted to paint a vision of the prison of expectations that eat loving relationships at their core and can turn them into a mechanical farce. The premise through most of this album can be summed up by the title “Scripted Love”. The songs reveal characters trapped in scenes they didn’t create as much as rehearsed. Their roles are played through narratives either engrained or sold to them through: Hollywood, social norms, family, fairy tales, etc. Hung up on “what’s supposed to happen” over what’s happening. They find themselves disappointed with the reality of relationships due to their false idealisations. Love becomes a possession rather than a presence. This isn’t to say I don’t think that there aren’t millions of people living in harmonious, real, and loving relationships. I don’t happen to know an overwhelming amount of them, but I know they exist.

'Love Rides A Dark Horse' breaks new ground for Landry with contributions from fiddler Ross Holmes (Mumford & Sons, Bruce Hornsby), keyboard player Skylar Wilson (Andrew Combs, Rayland Baxter), and drummer Logan Matheny (Roman Candle, Rosebuds), the songs explore a more seductive, stripped-down sound built upon a hushed sense of intimacy that calls to mind Leonard Cohen and Tom Waits. The album's tattered narratives cast aside romanticism in favour of reality. WEBSITE, FACEBOOK.

'Denver Girls' is the second track we have the pleasure of sharing from the 'Love Rides A Dark Horse’ album. In the previous feature we commented "high class Americana - vocals and harmonies are heartfelt, whilst the music is understated and pristine". 'Denver Girls' is if anything, even more beautiful and the accompanying video is just right for the track.


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Glances - Later Days.

Background - Glances share the second track "Later Days" from their album 'I feel very close to you right now' which was released a couple of days ago.

There’s more to a story. Glances is a recording project out of Chicago, Il. In 2012 Micah Waldron moved into an artist loft in Chicago’s Pilsen neighborhood where he met Ashley Thompson, cute. About a year later Ashhh spent some time on a farm in Hawaii where she met Christian Whiting (Chin). Through her persuasive nature she convinced Chin to move to Chicago where the three of them started playing music together. Eventually an album started to form. It was an accident.

I feel very close to you right now is a collection of songs that strive to portray the the hidden meaningfulness of impermanence by examining it through the context of a relationship. Before we weren’t close, now we are, soon we will not be. It’s meant to be listened to, preferably together. WEBSITE, FACEBOOK.

Four weeks on & 'Later Days' is our second song share from Glances. This is a group who seem to follow their creative hearts when it comes to writing & delivering music. As mentioned last time around, the album really is worth listening to as a whole, if you like either of the songs we have featured I am more than certain you will love the collection.

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Woodes - Dots.

Background - Acclaimed Melbourne based artist Woodes has released a new single 'Dots'; an anthemic track highlighting why Woodes is one of the most exciting names in Australian indie music. The track is a driving, sonic wonderland highlighted by the incredible vocals by Woodes.

Woodes co-produced the track with Grammy nominated producer Scott Effman, Simon Lam from Kllo and Nearly Ontario worked across the mixing and Grammy nominated Andrei Eremin(Hiatus Coyote) mastered the new single.  

Woodes commented on the writing process. "I wrote this on my first writing week overseas. I was in and out of sessions with new writers and it was a new world to me, working with strangers in another country. This track started with the concept that we’re all connected and quite exposed in our locations through technology. GPS, geo tagging, constantly updating where we are and where we’re going as well as who we’re with. The mystery is taken out. 

The song evolved into a miniature quest, searching for something. When I dream I usually remember narratives from them, for a long time they were presented in a quest format. Most of my favourite films and shows revolve around quests so it made sense to seep into my subconscious. I often feel like things appear like little clues to someone or something. It feels fortuitous when I meet certain people and find out we share common interests and values. When I listen to 'Dots' I see different terrains, different parts of the world. No matter where I am I find little sparks from human connections and landscapes. No matter where I travel to I’m still connected to home."  WEBSITE, FACEBOOK.

I remain consistently impressed by the music Woodes creates. 'Dots' is another gorgeous song, where the passionate & dreamy vocals are immersed in a powerful soundtrack. This is our fifth feature for Woodes in under two years, here's looking forward to the next opportunity.

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On The Wane - Indytronics - Marble Mammoth - Hoult - Ali Horn - Gaffa Tape Sandy

On The Wane - Human Race.

Background - Oscillating between dream gaze and power gaze fusion, Ukraine’s On The Wane brings us their new full album 'Schism', slated for release on November 20, preceded by the first single 'Human Race'.

On the Wane is Daria Maksimova (bass, vocals), Anna Lyashok (drums, vocals), Eugene Voitov (guitar, synth), and Eli Demyanenko (guitar). Together, the four-piece have become a smooth cohesive force in the shoegaze, neo-gothic and noise rock realm.

"Mankind as a race is quite an absurd thing. We strive to survive but we are killing ourselves. We're beautiful and ugly,  lovely and cruel but, anyway, we are not infinite," says Daria Maksimova on this lead track.

In early 2017, the band recorded the 10 tracks that would become the full-length album'Schism' at the studio of the Kyiv-based band Sinoptik (winners of the worldwide music competition Global Battle of the Bands 2016) and under the direction of sound engineer Dima Afanasyev-Gladkykh (a.k.a. Sinoptik). 

“For me this album is a transitional state, the first step on the way to something higher. We put a lot of deep thoughts and feelings into this release. A lot of work has been done. This is definitely the best we ever did, and I can only hope that the next release will be even cooler,” says Anna Lyashok. WEBSITE, FACEBOOK, BANDCAMP.

On The Wane move with ease across differing genres and styles with the forthcoming album 'Schism'. Therefore 'Human Race' the first single and one of the ten tracks that make up the collection, doesn't tell the whole story. What it does do is give an indication of the bands power and intensity, where atmospheric sounds and potent musicianship are everywhere.

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Indytronics - Alien Sun.

Background - Indytronics - psychedelic / indie 5-piece band from Kiev, Ukraine. The band started playing in 2015, releasing their debut long play ‘Scintilla Wave’. Indytronics played live presentation show in Kiev club ‘Atlas’ and at several Ukrainian festivals: Woodstock Ukraine, Virtuoso Festival, Tattoo Collection, Master Festival and etc.

In 2016 Indytronics won 2 competitions: ‘Battles Of Students Bands’ and ‘Irish True’ by Tullamore Dew, winning the possibility to play concert in Dublin, Ireland. In summer Indytronics went in Ukrainian tour, playing in 6 cities and at two festivals: ‘Woodstock Ukraine’ and ‘Z-Games’.

Indytronics - musical expeditors of the sun and foggy mountains, sand savannas and oceans, who see beautiful in simple things, creating a dazzling mix of psychedelics, indie and electronics.

In April 2017, Indytronics won huge all-Ukrainian competition 'Indie Fields' - conducted by the recording studio 'Istok', Music Hub and Atlas - the group became number 1 among 500 participants from all over the country. Brand new EP is coming out in Autumn 2017. In summer 2017 Indytronics played at the biggest festival in Ukraine - Atlas Weekend. FACEBOOK.

We featured Indytronics back in March & commented then that they are a band worth checking out further. 'Alien Sun' helps us along the way & it is another engaging, melodic indie rocker. The EP is eagerly anticipated.


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Marble Mammoth - Glitter Amongst Gravel.

Background - Swedish, Stockholm based Marble Mammoth wanders seamlessly between classic genres in a dynamic mix of energetic riff based rock and dreamy, melodic psychedelia. A furious rhythm section, screaming organs and fuzzy guitars greets you on the second single ”Glitter Amongst Gravel” – out October 20th, and give you a taste of what’s to come.

The five track self-titled EP immediately draws your mind to the experimental side of early Tame Impala or even classic rock acts like Led Zeppelin, and we find our self as much in the late 60’s as in the present.

"Marble Mammoth is in many ways defined by an endless search. So it only feels natural that the EP sound the way it does. The songs were written in a state of emotional turmoil, and it wasn't until afterward, with some distance, that I really understood what they were all about." – Tobias Bergholm (singer and guitarist)

With band members that have previously played in bands such as The Unisex, that has shared stage with The Libertines, and Dollhouse, that’s been touring the world and done collaborations with Mike Davis (MC5) and Nicke Andersson (The Hellacopters/Imperial State Electric), this is nothing but a pleasant new acquaintance on the Swedish and the international rock scene.

”Glitter Amongst Gravel” is out on all digital platforms yesterday, with the full EP to follow in November. FACEBOOK.

'Glitter Amongst Gravel' has a deep bass groove that along with the feisty drum arrangement drives the song along. The music builds with power into a full on rocker mixing fabulous rock vocals with some definitive guitar licks. Old school classic rock with a refreshingly modern twist.

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Hoult - Pharmacy.

Background - Hoult has the rare knack of sounding both dreamy and sharp at the same time. This, married with vital yet wistful song-writing, concocts his imaginative brand of guitar pop.

‘Pharmacy’ builds from an affecting intimacy into a song with a grand scale possessing folk-tinged anthemic choruses: reminiscent of Bombay Bicycle club and Frightened Rabbit rippling with personal lyrics that tap into wider themes: “Pharmacy summarises the feeling of frustration when you cannot help someone you care about.” Says Hoult “Darker themes run through the veins of this track, yet the energetic and cheerful instrumentation represent the mask a lot of people wear on a daily basis.”

Hoult better known as Sam Fowke is a singer-songwriter / producer from Gloucester, now based in Cardiff.He released one single entitled 'Red Handed’  under his own name last year, it quickly racked up over 7000 plays. He now returns under the new moniker Hoult with his most affecting and ambitious song yet. FACEBOOK.

From the opening chords a dreamy vibe mixes with a determined beat on 'Pharmacy' a song that has a whole load of hooks throughout.

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Ali Horn - Bloom.

Background - Ali Horn releases his new single ‘Bloom’ on November 10th via Liverpool based The Label Recordings.  His second single after the release of ‘Days Like Today’ in February, ‘Bloom’ is 4 minutes of spiralling, psychedelic guitars and echoing vocals from the Strange Collective guitarist.  

"It was the first track that I wrote away from Strange Collective in recent years that I actually thought was any good, first taking form in my basement bedroom come studio the original demo was 9 minutes long” Ali explains.  "This was then shortened for our live shows and then even more for this single version that we did last month in Parr Street Studios."

"I guess in essence it's about loneliness, sitting around out of my head thinking about where all my friends and loved ones were, sending them love and good vibes and hoping they were doing the same" FACEBOOK.

I would have been tempted to feature this song simply because of the promotional photo that accompanied it. However 'Bloom' has no need for any props, it's a gorgeously dreamy and multi layered song that just gets better and better as it builds into something quite special.

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Gaffa Tape Sandy - Beehive.

Background - Garage rockers Gaffa Tape Sandy have announced the release of their brand new single Beehive via Antigen Records, the fittingly triumphant finale of their explosive performance on the BBC Introducing stage at this year’s Glastonbury Festival.

Manic, thrilled-packed and seemingly precision-tooled to get crammed in your cranium, Beehive is the sound of every guitar band you’ve ever loved getting hopped-up on mountains of sugary treats, chasing their own shadows down a steep hillside and smashing gleefully into each other.

The Bury St Edmunds outfit’s brand of giddily frantic, high-octane hyper rock ‘n’ roll has already landed them support slots with acts including IDLES, Peace, SuperGlu and Get Inuit, whilst a flurry of upcoming tour dates will see them further establish their burgeoning live reputation.

Produced by George Perks (SuperGlu), Gaffa Tape Sandy’s Beehive was released yesterday via Antigen Records and will be available on all platforms. WEBSITE, FACEBOOK.

Despite sharing half this websites name 'Beehive' is most definitely featured on merit. It's a fabulous melting pot of ideas crammed into three minutes of crazy upbeat music and lyrics that are just amazing. File under Ones To Watch Out For, & do just so.

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Empathy Test - Lusterlit - Mcbaise - Louise Connell - Winter and Trabants - Sophie Morgan

Empathy Test - Everything Will Work Out.

Background - Empathy Test recently shared their latest single "Everything Will Work Out". The track is from their forthcoming EP 'Everything Will Work Out' (out Nov 3rd) and also appears on their new LP 'Safe From Harm' (out Nov 17). The duo explains that their latest single is about "hooking up with your ex and then waking up in the morning and realising you're not going to get back together, but it's okay; it's for the best". On November 17th, the band will be releasing two debut LPs, 'Losing Touch (Remastered)' and 'Safe From Harm', both of which contain remastered versions of previously released material as well as brand new tracks. You can pre-order the EP via iTunes, Amazon and Bandcamp, and pre-order the LPs here.

Empathy Test was formed in 2013 by childhood friends Isaac Howlett and Adam Relf. Sharing a mutual love for all things sci-fi, the London-based duo draw inspiration from ‘80s movie soundtracks, ‘90s guitar bands and underground dance music. Their name, borrowed from Ridley Scott’s 1982 sci-fi masterpiece, Blade Runner, gives a clue to the DNA of a band that, since its conception just three years ago, has self-released a string of meticulously layered, life-affirming Synthpop tracks that have won them both critical acclaim a legion of dedicated fans worldwide.

‘Everything Will Work Out’ represents a bold new sonic statement from Howlett and Relf, who, in a now wholly oversaturated synth scene, have used their considerable talents to form an enthralling, standalone identity. Shedding the dark, melancholy nightscapes of early tracks like their debut, ‘Losing Touch’, which has now had over half a million plays on Spotify, this new single finds the band stepping into the light, rocking the kind of chorus you wouldn’t be surprised to find on a new Haim album. Packed full of hooks and constantly evolving, Everything Will Work Out is the perfect final taster for new LP, ‘Safe From Harm’.

Fiercely independent, the band remains unsigned, having already turned down their fair share of record deals in favour of crowdfunding their twin debut albums via PledgeMusic. The hugely successful campaign is now 575% funded and counting, showing the huge weight of support they have behind them. Despite the lack of label-backing, they’re also turning in the kind of Spotify streams you would expect from the latest industry-backed buzz band, with their last single Bare My Soul already having racked up 70K+ plays. WEBSITE. FACEBOOK.

The vocals are notable from the beginning as they drift above a rich synth layered musical soundtrack. 'Everything Will Work Out' is a refreshing electro pop song with bags of feeling.

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Lusterlit - Flight.

Background - Lusterlit today share thier new video for the song Flight from the List Of Equipment EP. Directed by Deb Magocsi, it is inspired by The Fortress Of Solitude by Jonathan Lethem and is filled with images that conjure the magic, the Brooklyn, and the altitude of the story, not to mention Ms. Josephine Baker.

Lusterlit is having a video release show today Friday October 20th at 7PM at Communitea (11-18 46th Rd, New York, New York 11101).  They will be sharing the bill with Frank Olson Twins, Neil Kelly and Jheremie Jacque, all of whom will also be premiering new music videos as well as performing. 

With their songs created for Bushwick Book Club, BBC founder, Susan Hwang and BBC contributor and producer, Charlie Nieland, have joined forces to perform as the new, literature-inspired duo—Lusterlit. 

Both vocalists and multi-instrumentalists, Charlie and Susan alternate lead vocals and harmonies while supporting each other on guitar, bass, synth, traditional Korean drum and accordion. WEBSITE, FACEBOOK, BANDCAMP.

The brand new music video for 'Flight' adds further character, interest and identity to what is a funky and fabulous song. We featured the EP earlier this year & really recommend a listen at the very least.


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Mcbaise - 610.

Background - "Mcbess is an illlustrator and musician originally from the south of France, living nowadays in London. 

From playing drums, saxophone and percussion in a jazz band in Cannes as a teenager, to being part of multiple rock bands in London, it’s been quite the journey.

During the winter of 2014 Mcbess recorded Seabass in the south of France, between two family dinners, a way to capture the almost post-apocalyptic mood that resides in Cannes during the rest of the year in this dormant resort. 

Giving birth to “mcbaise”, becoming a sandbox to create some smooth tunes with the right amount of 'weird.'" BANDCAMP, FACEBOOK.

There is a gentle and lazy feel to '610', a cool and laid back rocker that mixes melodic hooks with some bluesy vibes. If you like this track then check out the other twelve songs on their album 'Windowsill', I think your in for a very welcome surprise.


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Louise Connell - Ilo.

Background - Louise Connell is a singer-songwriter from Airdrie, near Glasgow. Previously performing and releasing her music under the name Reverieme, she has earned a considerable reputation as an outstanding songwriter, with a particular knack for framing intelligent, literate lyrics in haunting and beautiful melodies, delivered by “a voice that would melt iron” (Ravechild).

Her first studio album, Straw Woman (2016), was released to consistent critical acclaim and overwhelmingly positive reviews, and was the featured Album Of The Week on several BBC Radio Scotland programmes as well as receiving general airplay on Radio 2, Radio 6 (Lauren Laverne’s “Headphone Moment”), Radio 4, Virgin Radio and Amazing Radio. 

Recently, her work has come to the attention of legendary artist and designer James Marsh. Famous for his wonderful illustrations for records by Talk Talk, Jamiroquai and many others, James drew inspiration from Louise’s newest songs to create a series of beautiful designs for her forthcoming releases, which will be the first records released under her own name Louise Connell.

These will be a series of three 6-track EPs, each of which will reflect a slightly different aspect of Louise’s writing and performance. The first EP, Squall will be released on October 20th, with parts 2 and 3 (Echo and Rale) following in January and March 2018 respectively. WEBSITE, FACEBOOK.

We featured Louise Connell in February last year when she was using the Reverieme moniker & it's a pleasure to share another beautiful song from her with 'Ilo'. Her gorgeous vocals are accompanied by a refined musical arrangement and the good news is that there is plenty more to follow.


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Winter and Trabants - Just Stay.

Background - LA-based (by way of Brazil) dream-pop band Winter recently wrapped up a tour opening for another female-fronted LA act, Cherry Glazerr, a show supporting Colleen Green, and a show at the Desert Daze Festival in Joshua Tree in Oct. Their stand-alone single "Just Stay" featuring Trabants has just been shared.

Winter is a dreamy indie rock band whose sound was conceived in Boston. The current tour finds Samira Winter backed by Justine Brown, Chelsea Brown, and Anders LaSource of fellow LA band Summer Twins.

The quartet released their first full-length album, Supreme Blue Dream, via Lolipop Records in 2015. The aptly titled album floats on with a youthful sense of nostalgia and romanticized segues into adulthood. Influences include most of the 90s holy grail of grunge/alternative music (Dinosaur Jr., Smashing Pumpkins, Sonic Youth, Pixies, etc.). Winter aspires to connect others with their inner child by making blissful, beautiful and ethereal pop music. FACEBOOK.

'Just Stay' is a soothing and lush dream pop meets indie rock song. Melodic and flowing, it's very catchy and the accompanying old home movie footage (I'm guessing that's what it is) is fabulous.


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Sophie Morgan - Hey Annie.

Background - Twenty-year-old singer-songwriter Sophie Morgan released her debut EP Annie recently and the video for lead track Hey Annie is available to watch now. 

Born in Liverpool and raised in Rainhill and Widnes, Sophie began playing piano aged 6 and wrote her first songs aged 9. Brought up on an early musical education of Nick Drake and Van Morrison, and later introduced to Joni Mitchell and Carole King, Sophie released her first single Marionette last year and followed this with Quietly, picking up BBC Introducing and BBC 6Music support along the way.

After a chance meeting with The Verve’s Simon Jones, whilst singing in church at a friend’s wedding, Sophie began recording in Simon’s Chester studio alongside Davide Rossi (Goldfrapp, Coldplay, The Verve) and it was there that the Annie EP was produced. 

Hey Annie is the perfect introduction to the EP. It is a folk-tinged track with a delicate animated melody and a warming honeyed vocal. The EP is shaped by Sophie’s musical influences and is a body of work that is ahead of her young years. The video is a relaxed affair and shows Sophie and her tight-knit group of musician friends performing the track together in retro inspired footage. Sophie says;

“It encapsulates my earliest musical years, marking the end of the first chapter and the beginning of the next. The EP features the playing of all the musical friends I have made so far and is a real family affair recorded between all of our houses. I can feel that warmth and homeliness in the imperfections of the recordings - like the squeaking of my old piano stool or the creaking of the floorboards in my living room.” WEBSITE, FACEBOOK.

'Hey Annie' is a gently melodic song where Sophie Morgan's vocals are full of feeling. The band deliver a superb soundtrack, with high quality musicianship, as can be seen (and heard) on the 'live' music video.


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