Friday Mix: Destrends - Kolumbus - Kid Bloom - Slowcoaching

Destrends - Papa.

Background promo - Outfitted in Dr Martens, tight jeans and glitter, Destrends are a Melbourne based three-piece quickly building a reputation as a distinctly theatrical live band with a sound influenced by early 80s post-punk. Their sound is a unique blend, reminiscent of the new wave sound of the late 70s and early 80s, with a gentle touch of gothic hysteria.

“Papa” is the first offering off Destrends’ forthcoming debut EP, which is set for release in late 2016. The Melbourne post-punk three piece have clocked up a handful of impressive gigs since forming in 2014, including sharing the stage Mark Lanegan (Screaming Trees, Queens of the Stone Age), touring with Stonefield and Apes on their recent national tours, supporting Aussie icons Hoodoo Gurus, and performing at King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard’s inaugural Dawn of Gizzfest.

Recorded by Finn Keane at Head Gap Studios, “Papa” is loud, fast paced and aggressive whilst maintaining pop sensibilities. The track is characterised by a jagged and catchy guitar hook, and the listener is confronted with deep and compelling vocals. The song narrates an honest guilt and desperate plea for a father’s forgiveness.

“The song is about the time I ruined family Christmas”, said lead singer/bassist Matt Savage. “It’s also about finding your identity and learning when to shut your mouth”. “Papa” will be released 15th of July 2016.

Upcoming Shows:
Fri Aug 5 - Mynt Lounge, Werribee
Sat Aug 6 - The Loft, Warrnambool
Fri Aug 12 - Karova Lounge, Ballarat
Sat Aug 13 - The Evelyn, Melbourne
Fri Aug 19 - Transit Bar, Canberra
Sat Aug 20 - Hamilton Station Hotel, Newcastle
Sun Aug 21 - Frankie’s Pizza, Sydney
Fri Aug 26 - St. Kilda Pier, St. Kilda.

With a strong riff delivering upfront vibes, 'Papa' comes across as a timeless new wave song, with something quite goth like about the vocals. It may have something of a retro feel to it, however it's also fresh and very catchy.

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Kolumbus - I Hope You Find Happiness.

Background promo - Irish singer-songwriter Kolumbus has announced a new single ‘I Hope You Find Happiness’ from his forthcoming debut EP 'Give Them Life' on the back of an enthusiastic reception for the first single 'Leave The Light On'.  Kolumbus is a musical project representing the solo journey of Irish songwriter Mark 'Cappy' Caplice. ‘I Hope You Find Happiness’ was written as a lament regarding the droves of Irish people that left the country to find better lives, while looking forward to happier times. "They had to leave family, friends loved ones behind to fly half way across the world. So many of my own friends and close family were among them and I saw first hand how difficult it is, both for those who leave and those who stay," explains Kolumbus. "I would never hold it against anyone for leaving. Life is too short to dwell on anything."

Earlier, Kolumbus' Christmas single 'You Know It's Christmas' hit the No.1 spot on the Google Play Music Charts and Top 20 on iTunes, ahead of heavy hitters Adele and Justin Bieber, with all proceeds goint to Inner City Helping Homeless and Baltinglass Lions Christmas appeal. That song also features the West Wicklow Voices and Chorus Kids Choir. Born in Kilkenny, Ireland, at a young age Mark Caplice moved to Wicklow, where he still resides. His performance name Kolumbus derives from the fact that he has always had a passion for travel and exploration, even from a young age. The 26-year-old believes life is too short to dwell, so his philosophy is to lead an active life.

Kolumbus was also influenced by artists such as Ben Howard, Elbow and Fleetwood Mac. His output exhibits clever craftsmanship both lyrically and melodically, blending several different styles to create his own unique brand of energetic captivating music. Of course it helps that this track was produced by Gavin Glass, the music director for John Carney's new film "Sing Street", and engineered by Scott Halliday, previously a guitar tech with Prince and James Vincent Mcmorrow. Several other notable musicians make contributions here: drummer Graham Hopkins, who plays with Irish folk legend Glen Hansard, and organist Conor O'Reilly, who has recorded with U2 and has had his music performed in Carnegie Hall.

2016 is proving to be a very busy year for Kolumbus, having already toured through Germany and Austria, travelling over 4000 km on 2 planes, 17 trains and 1 bicycle. This year, Ireland, England, Germany and the U.S.A are all set to figure on his tour schedule.

Well the Irish have always been adventurous in travelling, and settling in far off places, and the song 'I Hope You Find Happiness' is a melodic and sincere song that may have been written as a lament, but Kolumbus has such an infectious voice, it also sounds like an upbeat celebration.

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Kid Bloom - Electric U.

Background promo - “Electric U” may derive its inspiration from the disco days of yore, yet in doing so Kid Bloom creates a thoroughly refreshing entry into the world of contemporary music. With the popular trend of musical sound leaning towards dark electronic trap, the jovial horns and violin strings of “Electric U” remind us that music is at its heart layers of instrumentation, or as the band lovingly calls it, “glittery arrangements.” Kid Bloom (a young quintet) says the new track is incredibly fun to play live -- though such is easily inferred from the infectious groove of the pop/disco blend. “Every time I need my fix, I can get it,” repeats Lennon Kloser through the song’s chorus, a sentiment fans will hope is true for them as well, as they clamour for more material from the promising new band. Kid Bloom's upcoming single, Electric U, will be featured on the soundtrack for Independence Day: Resurgence, the sequel to the 1996 blockbuster starring Will Smith.

Kid Bloom is a L.A. quintet engaging in lovingly warped, sneaky-smart psych-pop. They’ve recorded an EP’s worth of tunes at an Atwater Village studio that feel like the ’60s and ’70s in a fun house — theirs is an arty approach to composition, deconstructing and reassembling pop elements seemingly on a whim, judiciously subtracting where others might pile on and shifting tempos and moods like jazzmen. The music is the work of singer-guitarist Lennon Kloser, along with singer/guitarist/keyboardist Jesse Perlman and drummer Josh Conway (both of whom played with Dreamers Dose) and Englishmen Will Reynolds (guitar/vocals) and Max Sterling (bass). There’s no tidy genre that fits Kid Bloom, unless you count the category: Now That’s Different, Is There More?

'Electric U' has a gentle funky feel to it, with vocals that echo a calm summers day where laid back moods come into there own. The band have a natural feel, delivering soulful tight music, and yes as hinted at above, slipping in and out of genres at a whim.

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Slowcoaching - Night Fiction.

Background promo - Armed with a newly minted name and an ever so slightly cynical outlook on international copyright claims, Melbourne man about town Slowcoaching (formerly Slowcoach) rivals musical euphoria with impressive results. Recognising his feats, Slowcoaching aims, and invites you, to relax and float away with his music.

New single, 'Night Fiction' has been garnering wide critical acclaim from reviewers and radio hosts around Australia and internationally. Ready and willing to bring 'Night Fiction' to its prime potential, Slowcoaching is pleased to announce a single launch, and consequently, his debut headline show at Melbourne's Boney, Friday 1st July.

Constructed in a perfect dream-pop atmosphere, 'Night Fiction' pairs sweeping melodies and transcendental instrumentation challenging his contemporaries such as DIIV, the War on Drugs and the Strokes. Together, it produces a brilliantly measured track and an intelligent step forward for Slowcoaching (better known as Dean Valentino to his parents).

Joining Slowcoaching for this evening's performance is fellow Melbourne dream boats and sound pioneers, Fountaineer. More guests TBA.

Single launch Show:
JULY 1st Boney, Melbourne, VIC.

If you were asked to define dream pop 'Night Fiction' would lend a mighty hand. It's bright and breezy and awash with dreamy hazy feelings. Melodic, infectious and full of hooks, it's getting well deserved attention..

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Quality Not Quantity: Divan - Earth Heart

Divan - Sale Of Lakes.

Background promo - There's a lot of life in the city. Growing up in the idyllic Irish countryside and finding a place amid the alien, urban sprawl had a huge impact on Divan. Their music; all pulsating rhythm, soaring vocals and oscillating guitars, draws on a rich tapestry of styles and sounds, which evolves into a real statement of intent: the desire to understand art and its relevance in modern life.

 Singer, Jamie Clarke writes: 'I think always having an innate desire to surround yourself with activity & action when all you've known is peace & tranquillity comes out in our music. It draws me to people, and also to the art that I love.'

The lyrical narrative in Modern Knowledge weaves its way through such themes, affecting not just today's artists and creators but everyone that, like Jamie, is drawn to the bustle of something more than what was known... From experimenting with accessible but unusual time signatures in ‘Shards’ to exploring vulnerability both lyrically and vocally in ‘A Clarity Appears’, the heart and soul that runs through this record is achieved via subtle nods to the likes of Radiohead, The National and Richard Hawley, as well as the band’s own profound voice and subject matter.

There are mournful sparks of looped piano from Brent (Knopf) in ‘Darkened Room’ and dark melodies inspired by the encompassing warmth of Sufjan Stevens…while frontman Clarke’s subtly reedy voice is reminiscent of Benjamin Gibbard in his more delicate moments. Major chords are utilised to strengthen the depths alongside jolting, haunted stabs of guitar and the end result is compelling, intense and overwhelmingly thoughtful; demanding repeated listens.

Going by the song 'Sale Of Lakes' the transition from rural to urban life for the band Divan, has at least at a musical level paid off. Having gone in the opposite direction, I personally think both can help with musical creativity, however the urban sprawl does spark passion and reality, the case in point being this really fine song.

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Earth Heart - Homesick.

And the band say - We're a garage/street rock band from Allston, MA. Our influences range from local acts such as Fat History Month and Krill to the Mouldy Peaches, the Melvins, and Cat Power.

We formed in February 2013 when Katie and Matt met at the old All Asia Cafe in Central Square, Cambridge. She was working on a solo project at the time, as she didn't have a band. She mentioned she needed a drummer and Matt volunteered without having heard her songs. We played a show the next day without rehearsing and have been playing together ever since. We continued as a duo (guitar and drums), playing extensively in the Boston area at venues such as TT The Bears Place, Middle East upstairs, O'Briens, Out Of The Blue Gallery and Zuzu, as well as a handful of basement shows in Manchester NH.

We self-recorded and -released five EPs along the way, and completed our first full-length, professionally recorded album in January 2016 with Shaun Curran at Napoleon Complex in Somerville, MA. The following month (January 2016) we were joined by Natan Keyes on bass. Our plans are to continue playing locally and tour for the first time this summer. 

'Homesick' is a little bit punky and garage, and a whole lot raw unrefined energy. It's good old rock'n'roll with attitude, and it never ceases to please.

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Midweek Double: Ghost Wave - Pip Blom

Ghost Wave - All U Do Is Kill.

Background promo - New Zealand’s Ghost Wave return with their sophomore album Radio Norfolk. Following on from 2013’s Ages the latest album sees the duo explore deeper into their psychedelic sound, while adding a more electronic focus to their sunny warped songs.

From the opening track onwards Radio Norfolk is a series of trippy, psych hooks filled with clashes of keys, organs, and percussion. Taking minimal cues from their previous work, Radio Norfolk’s songs dance through a colourful, hyperactive rhythm sets (All U Do Is Kill), dazed, dub-laden melodies (Honeypunch, Blues Signal ’79), 70s jangle gems (Don’t Ask Why, Slow Cone Descent), the album offers no limit to the duo’s vision.  It’s the album they started a band to make, in the first place. On top of this, they aptly brought on the talents of Spaceman 3’s Sonic Boom to master the record.

With a less serious, yet more focused, approach to their craft and seeking good times only, they created  individual production personas (Malcolm S/ Dr Billy) and huddled up for a year in their Auckland studio, Breeze N Soul (named after the Kool & The Gang song). 

Ghost Wave started life in 2012 as the brainchild of Matt Paul (Vocals, Guitar). What was a initially a project relegated to a small room in Auckland, New Zealand over time the sonic chemistry he was cooking up caught the attention of fellow music maker and soon-to-be collaborator Eammon Logan (Drums). Together they self-recorded what came to be their self- titled EP and followed this up with debut album Ages.

Inspired by skate vids, Persian rugs and the music of Little Richard, you could simply characterise Ghost Wave by jangly guitars underpinned by motor-style rhythms and a unique melodic sensibility. Yet, with Radio Norfolk they have gone further than that, creating something even more captivating and intriguing. In their own words it’s “ ...the countdown to the meltdown.” Radio Norfolk is out in New Zealand on 8th of July and worldwide on 5th of August. The next single Honeypunch drops on 24th of June.

Ghost Wave play their album release show on 8th of July at the Las Vegas Strip Club Auckland - with special guest Peach Milk.

Second time around on Beehive Candy for Ghost Wave this time featuring the song 'All U Do Is Kill'. It's one of ten tracks on the soon to drop album 'Radio Norfolk'. It's worth reading the second paragraph of the promo description above (and it saves me repeating much of it), this is a band who create fine songs, test the boundaries and can musically charm your socks off.

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Pip Blom - Hours.

Background promo - Pip Blom has released her new track ’Hours’ online. Pip Blom is a 19 year old artist from Amsterdam. DIY is in her genes. She writes, records and releases her own indie pop tunes with a twist. Although she just started releasing her material in 2016, her rough diamonds with catchy melodies have already found their way to an international audience. The songs have been featured on influential Spotify play lists with more than 150.000 plays.

When she was 15 years old, Pip started playing a three-string Loog guitar and in a month she wrote 13 songs, recorded them and released them under the name Short Stories. With the album, Pip ended up on the front page of worldwide tech website ’TechCrunch’ as they did a feature of Loog guitars. She writes and records everything on her own but she brings her songs live as a four piece band. Tours in the Netherlands and England are scheduled for the band in the near future for her and the three other Amsterdam youngsters; Tender Blom, Bowie Thörig and Berend Kok, who accompany her on stage.

Two of Pip’s songs, Hours and Truth will be released on a limited edition 7” single via the Norwich based Grunt Grunt A Go Go label on the 1st of July. Hours is now available on all platforms.

'Hours' is just so delightful. Musically it's a stripped back piece, that gently grows as the melody supports her hypnotic vocals. Wonderful!

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Genre Busters: Prison Escapee - SPC ECO - Closely

Prison Escapee - Gunslinger.

Background Bio - Prison Escapee is the moniker of Erik David Hidde located in Los Angeles, CA. After running the independent record label, Housewarming Records, out of New York from 2011-2013, Hidde has since decided to put all his focus into his original music. Inspired by equal parts post-rock, electronica, lo-fi field recordings, and film soundtracks, Hidde has been investing the hours into his music when he returns home from his day-job until he puts himself to sleep. Both his debut and sophomore albums were written, recorded, produced, and mixed in his living room.

Hidde was raised in Fort Hunter, a hamlet located in upstate New York by a christian family, which is represented in his music. Surround by water, Fort Hunter is also a common subject in his music, which subject matter often includes reflecting back on his childhood. Other subject matter includes loss, which is centred around his close friend's prison cell suicide. Hidde was brought up singing in his church, and all-county chorus in grade school. The first music he ever produced was in college, and was part of his multimedia degree. It wasn't good, but it brought something out in him and also filled a void. He then went on to record short looped songs using a digital camera microphone for his vocals, and later created original music dedicated to his late friend. He was also the lead singer of a five-piece rock band that often played in upstate New York. After years of writing, recording, and practising production, he started Prison Escapee in 2015 and has since been releasing his melancholic electronic, rock songs.

What a delight the song 'Gunslinger' is. In the ever crowded music world, it's always very good to hear music that is made out of appreciation for the art, and that remains unpretentious, moving and so accessible.

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SPC ECO - Out Of My System.

Background promo - SPC ECO  release lead single "Out of My System"  from upcoming album "Anomalies" (Saint Marie Records), August 19th, 2016. It was less than a year ago SPC ECO (pronounced Space Echo, a name that’s part riddle & part publicly-traded stock) released Dark Matter to ecstatic reviews, and here they are back already with Anomalies. Dean Garcia, famously of Curve, and singer Rose Berlin, famously of SPC ECO, are on a creative hot streak. With yet another album scheduled for later in the year, there’s nothing left for Saint Marie records to do but sit back and enjoy the ride.

Anomalies continues the parade of alternate-universe pop hits they’ve come known for, existing somewhere beyond genre, somewhere beyond understanding. Its beats provide the missing link between trap and trip-hoptrap-hop? The sharpest father-daughter team since Ryan and Tatum O’Neal in Paper Moon. And if you’ve never heard of Paper Moon then that must mean SPC ECO is very sharp indeed.

'Out Of My System' is the first taste of the forthcoming nine song album. It only hints at what's in store on the album, where SPC ECO dig even deeper, and create music that fills entire landscapes. Saint Marie Records suggest they are on to something special with the August release, having listened I think it fair to say, that they are not overstating matters.

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Closely - Still Here.

Background words - "An eclectic mix of indie pop / house vibes with bottle taps and other wild percussive elements, "Still Here" is a summer jam with a nostalgic feel."

Closely was formed accidentally. Michael posted on Kijiji looking for a female singer for a project he was working on & the only response he got was a male guitarist (Joel). 

Michael and Spenser were writing slow, dreamy pop and Joel was writing electro jams. After a few practices and a lot of experimenting "Closely" was born.

'Still Here' is my first taste of Closely, and the promo we received does not give much away either. It's a good song, with excellent production, and as summer jams go, a generous offering.

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Genre Wander: Vallens - Shaun Black - Graveyard Lovers

Vallens - Devour.

Background - Vallens debut album Consent (out June 24 via HDD). The songs on Consent are quite dark and discuss important issues to songwriter Robyn Phillips, such as the title track of the album "Consent." The song is about various issues around consent, consent to have a stranger talk to you, no means no, why women have to do something triply better than a man to just be considered, and the ever underlying sense that women only do things for the attention of men.

Robyn Phillips created Vallens in late 2014 to serve as her performance alter ego, secretly constructing her own world of music alone while playing guitar and gigging in various Toronto projects. The Vallens moniker allowed Robyn to introduce her own sound within the scene under the influence of namesake, David Lynch’s Dorothy Vallens.

Conjuring the likes of Rowland S. Howard, Wire, Angelo Badalamenti and Portishead; Vallens has been living deep in the construction of her first record, Consent (Due June 24th, 2016 on Hand Drawn Dracula). The album was recorded and produced by Josh Korody (Beliefs, Nailbiter) at Candle Recording in Toronto, as well as with Jeff Berner (Psychic TV) at Galumium Foil in Brooklyn, NY.  The themes on Consent evoke the tension and stratosphere of Robyn’s early years and what it means to be female in our society.

In the past year Vallens has expanded to a full band (Colin Morgan - drums, Marta Cikojevic - synth & keyboards and Devon Henderson - bass) who have shaped and influenced Robyn’s further writing. The project debuted live in 2015 and quickly captured the attention of music critics, promoters, and the local music scene. Vallens has since been invited to perform at NXNE, Pop Montreal, M for Montreal, and CMJ, as well they've shared the stage with Frankie Cosmos, Freak Heat Waves, Porches, Mourn, Ringo Deathstarr, U.S Girls, A Place to Bury Strangers, Speedy Ortiz, Dilly Dally and La Luz.

'Devour ' is one of ten tracks on the debut album 'Consent'. It's a varied album with sometimes bleak and distant shoegaze music. The featured song sits somewhere in the middle of overall band sound, full of dreamy and haunting sounds, I guess it's pretty representative. Overall this is a good album that breathes some new ideas into the shoegaze genre, Vallens appear to have quite alot to offer.

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Shaun Black - Time.

Background - Hailing from the Yarra Valley in Melbourne, Shaun Black’s influences include Paul Kelly, INXS, Counting Crows and Matchbox 20. His debut album Refraction is a collection of Aussie Acoustic-Rock taking you through a very real, down to earth journey. This eclectic album has tracks ranging from Rock, Roots, Reggae, Country, Pop and Blues-Rock. The first single “Time” is a Blues-Rock ballad with a mesmerising vibe.

“Time” was recorded at Oakland studio in Upwey, a town that sits in the hills surrounding Mt Dandenong, east of Melbourne. It was co-produced by Phil Smith and Shaun Black and features Mike Maguire on lead guitar and Emma Hales with her resonating backing vocals.

“This song is about something we all seem to not have enough of. In today’s world full of smartphones and deadlines I think we all feel at some point in time that we need to get back in touch with ourselves and our own lives,” says Shaun on the creation of the song.

The first single from the album 'Time' is a really well put together bluesy song, with that timeless feel this type of music so often has, when performed well. A great introduction and the promo words above are spot on, I look forward to to hearing more.

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Graveyard Lovers - Storm.

Background - Indie garage rock band, Graveyard Lovers, announce the release of their album, Past The Forest of the Fruitless Thoughts, just out, June 17th. The band signed a publishing deal with Roundhill Music and their music can be heard in movies, TV shows and commercials, namely on the Season 6 finale of Shameless on Showtime. Graveyard Lovers recorded their two-part album, Past The Forest of the Fruitless Thoughts, in rural Connecticut at The Radar Studio with Will Benoit (Bad Rabbits, Ellie Goulding, Caspian). Part 1 will be released this June, and part 2 is due out later this year. CraveOnline declares, “It's as if the best parts of the Saddle Creek family spent a Summer with the Pixies and burned their White Stripes records in a distancing ritual that only deepened the connection to some of the most viscerally passionate sounds of our time.”

Graveyard Lovers, founded by core members Zach Reynolds (vocals, guitar) and Tricia Purvis-Reynolds (drums), produce "big, loud primal rock and roll...throwback, non-pretentious music.” (Huffington Post) Hailing from New Orleans, Zach Reynolds moved to New York in 2009 to pursue a solo music career.  After meeting drummer Tricia Purvis, the pair found they had both a musical and romantic chemistry. In 2010, they began to co-write songs together in a home studio. The band released their highly acclaimed, debut album, Dreamers, in 2013 and soon after,  recruited Zach’s brother, Joel (Junius, Prosthetic Records, Driftoff), to play bass. Now, the band welcomes their sophomore, two-part album, Past the Forest of the Fruitless Thoughts, this year. 

'Storm' gives you a clear idea of what's in store on the bands new album. Blistering no nonsense indie and garage rock songs demand your attention, along with some less energised but still very hook laden music. Five songs on part one set standards high, however somehow I think the band will maintain this with ease.

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Quality Not Quantity: Renders - Arc Iris - La Legacie - Chain Wallet

Renders - Running Through The Night.

Kelly McMichael (Renders) has this to say about the featured song and forthcoming EP - The song is my 'take back the night' anthem, inspired by Slutwalk, dedicated to empowering those of us who feel vulnerable walking at night, and to protest victim-blaming. It's the first track off my Self-titled EP. The EP is out July 8th.

On this EP, I am looking both inwards towards the emotional core and outwards to the dance floor. I write about the fluid and complex relationships we face - relationships tied to personal growth, inner struggles, and the multi-faceted world of human relations. This debut EP is about claiming space and demanding acceptance. Writing from an emotional intelligence; and singing for the fluid and tangled forces tied to nature. Keeping a keen ear to both classic and contemporary pop music.

There are four really cool songs on the EP and featured track 'Running Through The Night' is the opener. Beehive Candy featured Renders in the latter part of 2015 and we were impressed back then. Her music remains consistently pleasing and there is considerable variety packed into the new EP.

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Arc Iris - Kaleidoscope.

Background - On August 19, the New England based Arc Iris will release a new album called Moon Saloon. Produced by the group and mixed by electronic producer David Wrench of FKA Twigs and Caribou fame, the album showcases beat-heavy melodies and textural, groove-riding rhythms.

Lead singer and lyricist Jocie Adams, Tenorio-Miller, and drummer Ray Belli form the core of Arc Iris, all virtuosic musicians in their own right. Adams spent eight years as a key member of indie darlings The Low Anthem, effortlessly zipping from hammer dulcimer to clarinet to bass to vocals, sometimes barely pausing to take a breath. As the band members see it, Moon Saloon works like a song cycle that parallels the arc of everyman’s passage through modern day dilemmas. According to Adams: “The album is meant to be cathartic. There’s an imbalance in everyone’s lives. When there’s often so much going on, we yearn for simplicity.”

The album starts with “Kaleidoscope”, mimicking a kind of fanciful stroll down the street, and ends with the title track, a delicate soliloquy in a strange, desolate landscape. The album sometimes offers a sharp counterpoint to the mean-spirited nature of current American political discourse. One example is “Paint with the Sun,” a paean to those who help others in need. Soaring over each song is Adams’ ethereal voice, often joined in close harmonies with other members of the band.

Tour dates:
7/5: Brooklyn, NY - C'mon Everybody
7/12: Brooklyn, NY - C'mon Everybody
7/19: Brooklyn, NY - C'mon Everybody
7/21: New Haven, VT - Cafe Nine
7/26: Brooklyn, NY - C'mon Everybody
9/9: Elizabethtown, NY - Otis Mountain Get Down

'Kaleidoscope' suggests there will be considerable quality across the awaited album. Production is superb and the musicianship is quite stunning. Add to this the exquisite vocals, and waiting another couple of months for the rest seems a bit of a tease.

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La Legacie - Dinner.

Background - La Legacie is an award winning band of 5 with Vermillion and SouFire. La Legacie is based out of Northern France and are all English except their drummer, Baptiste who is French and their Lead guitarist and Pro Engineer, Benoit (who is also French, but completely bilingual), making La Legacie a bilingual band.

La Legacie has their our own recording studio which they create classics out of. Originally setup purely for writing and recording songs for the band, but now they are opening it up for others to use. (www.dusktodawnstudios.com) Dinner is La Legacie's latest single, described as a cheeky song.

'Dinner' may be 'cheeky' however it's one really good listen. The band are clearly making good use of their own studio, and there is plenty of room on Beehive Candy for good quality music that can add a smile anytime.

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Chain Wallet - Muted Colours.

Background - You can’t deny that there is something sorrowful behind the Bergen-based, lo-fi dream/psych pop trio Chain Wallet, and you can’t hide that their music suits the environment wherein it was created. It may be a cliché that it always rains in the band’s hometown, but when you play Chain Wallet’s self-titled debut album, it’s not too difficult imagine the mist hanging heavily over their indie dystopian vision of Bergen.

Even though feelings of nostalgia and melancholy lurk in the Scandinavian shadows, it’s not difficult to find indie-pop gold in its purest form, glittering below the heavy layers of synth and reverb. Tracks like ‘Shade’ and ‘Abroad’ have an up-tempo urgency to them which calls to mind bands like Motorama, whereas other dreamy psych ballads like ‘Muted Colours’ and ‘Stuck In The Fall’ occupy a rich and hazy middle ground between Diiv and Wild Nothing.

On their debut album, Chain Wallet explore themes of betrayal, idleness and crushed dreams against the backdrop of an existential breakdown; The album is loosely based in the same universe, and portrays different aspects of the quarter-life crisis, ensuring that ‘Chain Wallet’ hits on a visceral, teenage level, amongst the shimmer and haze of the lo-fi soundscape that they conjure.

Frode Boris from the band explains the band’s ethos and sound - “We want to capture the acute distress of an afflicted character; his self-indulgent pity, gradual loss of touch with reality and his forlorn attempts on returning to normal life. The abrupt disintegration unveils interesting tensions between urgency and inertia. The album is about fragmented memories, unfulfilled ambitions and the quiet whisper of a stranger.” Self-title debut album due out 7th Oct 2016 via Jansen Plateproduksjon.

Having read the bands promo material I was left wondering what to expect. 'Muted Colours' is actually a pretty bright song, with lot's of dreamy vibes and psychedelic leanings. The bands brand of Indie pop, has another fan.

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Genre Wander: Highland Kites - Club Kuru - Jasmine Rodgers - Hiva Oa - Harpooner

Highland Kites - This War Inside.

Background - Highland Kites’ confessional anti-folk could easily be misconstrued as indie rock. With their angular grooves, new wave leanings and sharp-witted lyrics, the LA-based twosome exude an off-the-cuff coolness that is effortlessly backed by a hard earned substance.  The band is the brainchild of singer-songwriter Marissa Lamar who spent the majority of her 20’s very ill with Lyme disease. As the symptoms progressed, Lamar medication increased and she found herself stagnating as the years passed her by. She watched friends fall away and became resigned to her predicament; not entirely sure she was going to make it. Music emerged as her saving grace; giving her a reason to persevere and ultimately share her life-affirming strength as she overcame her illness.

By weaving hope, positivity and closure into her songs, Marissa was able to create compelling and often dark content that ultimately felt uplifting. She still maintains her “goal with music is to make people feel better even though most of my songs are themed around painful experiences.” With a few original tunes under her belt, Lamar began gigging solo around LA and finally formed Highland Kites in 2014 with drummer Neil Briggs. Their first EP, So Vicious, caught the attention of producer Raymond Richards (Local Natives, honeyhoney, etc) who reached out to the duo about working together. They all clicked immediately and Richards ended up producing their first full length album All We Left Behind which climbed the college radio charts in 2015, with over 70 stations putting it in heavy rotation, and garnered notable mentions in local press including a glowing article in Buzzbands LA.

Marissa and Neil have again teamed up with producer Richards for their newest EP, Let Me Run, due out July 23rd. While the duo felt free to dive into a more into varied pallet of sounds, Lamar is admittedly a staunch purist about her work; keeping it is as close to its original state as possible. “I feel like parts of my past that I have had trouble talking about come out in waves and end up resulting in these songs and albums” Lamar asserts. “It's a form of closure for me and after writing Let Me Run I felt like a million bricks were lifted off my shoulders.”

'This War Inside' is the third of five songs on what is a splendid EP. Consistently melodic and varied in pace and direction, it's a fine collection of songs that deserve to be noticed.

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Club Kuru - Tonight.

Background - With the recent BBC Radio 1 and 6Music approved single 'Not Fot Me' signalling a shift in their musical direction and line-up, London five piece Club Kuru are excited to share more of their mesmerising psychedelia in the form of brand new cut 'Tonight'. The track will hit download stores yesterday (here).

What was previously the "languid R&B/bedroom producer" solo project of Laurie Erskine, Club Kuru evolved into a full band set up after he and some musical friends built their own studio in north east London. In the process, the group realised a collective love of 60's and 70's American RnB and soul, and a mutual obsession with analog synthesis and classic songwriting. Thus the reincarnation of Club Kuru was born.

All self-written, recorded and produced, 'Tonight' melds hazy melodies with soulful vocals and gliding guitar riffs, inviting the listener on a journey into a sexy and sinister dream land. Through modern production and psych-leaning undertones, the revived formation is aligned with the likes of Unknown Mortal Orchestra, Tame Impala and Connan Moccasin, or in the words of the band as having "the backbone of Shuggie Otis, the head of Serge Gainsbourg, and the cinematic aura of Vangelis".

Club Kuru will be showcasing their very special live show at the forthcoming dates, with more to be announced soon:

12/09 - The Castle, Manchester, UK
13/09 - Sunflower Lounge, Birmingham, UK
15/09 - Corsica Studios, London, UK
16/09 - The Louisiana, Bristol, UK

'Tonight' is a gorgeous song. The various instruments seemingly melt into each other as the ethereal vocals fly above. Indie psychedelia, now that's one good genre.

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Jasmine Rodgers - Icicles.

Background - Produced by two-time Mercury nominee Dan Carey (Kate Tempest, Nick Mulvey), the infectious melodic resonance of ‘Icicles’ calls on trad sounds of Anglo, Celtic and Middle Eastern origin. Its pirouetted string-pickings, sustained bass notes, measured percussion and mystical ambience form an intimate folksy backing for Jasmine’s gleaming harmonies as she draws the listener into an impassioned quest for emotional rescue.

Born into an artistic family – her mother a Japanese poet, her father the legendary vocalist Paul Rodgers (Free, Bad Company, Queen) – Jasmine Rodgers knew her way around both keyboard and fretboard before she even enrolled at secondary school. But given her love for art and zoology (in which she has a degree), music was initially a passionate pastime rather than a full-time pursuit. This changed when her older brother Steve, on hearing the ethereal beauty of Jasmine’s voice, asked her to sing with him and they formed the group Boa. Boa went on to record two albums, achieving renown in the Americas, France and Japan, after their single ‘Duvet’ featured in the anime series Serial Experiments Lain. The group disbanded in 2005, but Jasmine continued her association with the anime/manga genre, writing songs for the soundtrack of Armitage: Dual Matrix, which starred Juliette Lewis.

Jasmine continued rehearsing, writing and recording, releasing an EP of self-penned alt-folk nuggets and collaborating with artists including Indian classical musicians Mendi Mohinder Singh and Waqas Choudhary. She found inspiration for new material in the exploits of her travels (live performances led her from the Royal Albert Hall to the Venice Biennale and the Edinburgh Fringe). It was one such journey to the Joshua Tree desert in California that inspired Jasmine to capture the best of her material on a full-length album. She enlisted producer Sean Genockey (Tom McRae, Futureheads), whose experience working at Joshua Tree’s Rancho de la Luna studio made him ideal for bringing forth the material’s widescreen yet rootsy vibe. Blood Red Sun, to be released later in 2016, was recorded at Black Dog Studios in London and is the sound of an exceptional artist drawing deep from global musical experiences to craft a set of inventive, euphonious 21st-century folk.

'Icicles' is a delicately crafted folk song, that is rich in textures and beautifully delivered, it's also highly addictive.

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Hiva Oa - A Great Height.

Background - New material from Hiva Oa has been a long time coming. Sometimes, it seems, a period of inactivity is better for a band than one of constant creation. With the release of their forthcoming EP mk2 (part 1), core members Stephen Houlihan and Christine Tubridy departed Edinburgh, returning to their native Ireland seeking renewed inspiration. Hiva Oa retain the mystery and ambition of their former incarnations, but inject a heavy thrum to their intricate patchwork style, and turn their attentions to themes of fear, loneliness, abandonment and awakening.

On lead single A Great Height the band continue their controlled experimentation by marrying primal, dizzying electronica and a swelling bass hum, with minimal guitar patterns to create a tightly wound, suffocating and intense atmosphere that sets the tone for the EP. Somewhat appropriately it’s an anxious listen, the influence of Thom Yorke on vocalist Stephen Houlihan here provides the forlorn, and almost hopeless, punctuating refrain “…and I fall from a great height.”  Elsewhere Seskinore demonstrates their skill in developing percussive motifs that flit from the suspenseful and shuffling, to eruptive, deafening, conclusions. A powerful resolution to each composition is never far from the minds of Hiva Oa.

The latter part of mk2 (part 1) begins to bring subtler intricacies to the fore. Christine is awash with swathes of gentle guitar, gifting the four-minute piece a transcendent quality that, coupled with another yearning vocal, offers the listener a brief glimpse into one of the EP’s more intimate moments, in this near-fearful, dream-like, serenade. Closing track Jonny Brazil again shifts unassumingly from sinewy indie-rock before revealing a raft of squalling guitars and inter-playing vocal melodies. Hiva Oa have become masters of developing atmospheres proving that, for them, a visit to old pastures has worked wonders.

Intense and swirling music drives 'A Great Height' along and the bare vocals work perfectly alongside. It may not be easy listening, however there is something quite compulsive here, that has me dipping back in for another play.

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Harpooner - Hush Up.

Background - Nashville three-piece vivid-pop band Harpooner will release their debut full length Rose Park on June 24th. Two years ago Harpooner migrated to Nashville from Indiana in search of better opportunities and a change of scenery. Since the move they have already shared the stage with Caitlin Rose, Margo Price, Cory Chisel, Water Liars, Future Birds, and Promised Land Sound.

Frontman Scott Schmadeke (vocals, piano, Mellotron, guitar, organ, synthesizer) formed the band in 2013 in Bloomington, IN with fellow former Indiana University students Max Mullen (bass, background vocals) and Josh Morrow (drums). Bloomington's rotating tight-knit community of musicians, artists, and writers gave Harpooner a freedom of expression and fertile ground to form a network of basement-show locations close to the IU campus. Recorded in Bloomington by Schmadeke and Andy Beargie, Rose Park digs into strange voicing and textures as an homage to the work of artists like Leon Russell's Carny, Harry Nilsson's Nilsson Schmilsson, and Wings' Speed of Sound. Andrija Tokic (Alabama Shakes, Benjamin Booker, Natural Child) was enlisted for mastering duties at The Bomb Shelter in East Nashville.

Seated and singing close-up on the microphone, sometimes underneath a brimmed hat, Schmadeke delivers his cosmic awareness with a tenderness toward sensitive issues and big questions—like a Jeff Lynne that grew up in the suburbs of Indianapolis in the 90s. On “All I Get Back” and “Bigger Thoughts” he weaves the band in and out of sophisticated movements that shimmer and punch right on time—the kind of arrangements traded-in long ago by popular music for high-gain marketing strategies. He grapples with racial inequality on songs like “Carolines” and “Immigration” but not so that the songs become fodder for corporate social campaigns. Many of the songs on the album spring from a small fictitious midwestern town that Schmadeke imagines as a canvas for the ideas he and the band have picked-up along the way.

Morrow’s drumming is fierce and solid as a forging hammer made of electric current. And when performing live, Mullen, who stands between the other two, is the only one facing the crowd night-to-night—like a totem to calm confidence. Morrow cut his teeth on math-rock and has toured internationally with acts like Austin Lucas and Memory Map, while Mullen quietly makes furniture out of reclaimed wood in his basement to make ends meet. Schmadeke also plays keys in the band of Nashville singer-songwriter Andrew Combs.

Upcoming Shows:
June 18: Vinyl Release Party @ Blockhouse - Bloomington, IN
June 23: Vinyl Release Party @ The Basement - Nashville, TN
June 25: King's - Raleigh, NC
June 27: Petra's - Charlotte, NC
June 28: Soul Bar - Augusta, GA
June 29: Palmetto Brewery - Charleston, SC
June 30: Jack of Cups - Folly Beach, SC
July 1: Flickr Theatre - Athens, GA
July 2: Marty's PM - Birmingham, AL
July 23: BK @ Alphaville w/ Lord Youth, Horse Eyed Men and CVS at Night
July 24: NYC @ Bowery Electric w/ Girlyboi and Alice K
July 27: Lancerster, PA @ The Single File
July 28: Philly @ Ortlieb's w/ Pine Barons
July 29: Ann Arbor @ Luther Fest

Harpooner describe their music as vivid pop and having only heard 'Hush Up' so far, I think it makes for a pretty good description, that or vivid rock. This is an imaginative and powerful song, I would describe it as driving music, but only if you want a speeding ticket!

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Friday Five: Feuds - Teddy and The Love Gang - Emily Capell - Manwomanchild - Smoke Season

Feuds - River Of Wine.

Background promo - Brisbane's Feuds herald the dawn of a new musical era in their journey with their unmistakably stadium-worthy single 'River Of Wine'.

Anthemic from start to finish, the crowning glory of 'River Of Wine' lies in its chorus, which is driven by what is arguably one of the most colossal vocal hooks in recent memory. Frontman Jeremy Hunter was inspired by his struggles with using alcohol as a crutch, and never finding the peace he craved. "The bulk of the track comes from the struggles I was having with drinking a couple years back, suffering these awful bouts of depression for days afterwards, in this never ending cycle," says Hunter.

Feuds are a curious beast; not exactly a new band, but not exactly old either. They performed in various forms under a different moniker for years, building up a respectable following and supporting the likes of Bad//Dreems, Holy Holy, Harts, and The Belligerents. Now they're ready for a musical genesis, a rebirth that sees them baptised in a 'River Of Wine'.

Their debut EP in this new, reinvigorated form is due out in late August, with live shows to follow.

'River Of Wine' leans towards indie rock, and as described above has a powerful chorus that really makes the song stand out.

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Teddy and The Love Gang - Childhood.

Background promo - Teddy and the Love Gang is an Oslo based weird-pop band coming to the table with fresh faces, open eyes, a cache full of catchy music and the childlike ambition to take over the world. They combine groovy and catchy melodies and the expression of the child with a dark and moody sound that appeals to an adult audience without taking itself too seriously. 

The lyrics focus on important topics and they ask philosophical questions about our existence, while the sound takes you back to your best memories of your childhood and all of it's early video game glory.

"Childhood" is the first single full of heartwarming nostalgia that makes you want to move and dance with no abandon...just like a little kid. Teddy and the Love Gang want you to experience their musical fairytale beyond what you have experienced before!

'Childhood' is a highly like-able mood lifter. There is something about weird pop like this that just puts me in a good place.

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Emily Capell - Brixton Prison.

Background promo - The refreshing Emily Capell returns with a new EP “The Notorious M.L.E.” and lead single “Brixton Prison”. Catching the eye of legendary music producer Steve Osborne (New Order, U2, Gregory Porter, The Doves), this bright eyed, bushy tailed 21 year old from North-West London has been honing her sound in the Oxford studio under the careful eye of this masterful producer. “Brixton Prison” is the lead track from a new 5 track EP. The track showcases Emily’s bittersweet, gritty lyrics about prison life over a candy-coated, catchy melody. “Joey” is a frisky homage to her then QPR hero, Joey Barton and “Who Killed Smiley Culture?” is a quizzical, sombre tribute to the reggae pioneer. Emily’s influences from her parents record collections (Johnny Cash, The Smiths, The Clash to The Libertines, Blondie and Jamie T) are conspicuous and flattering. Her sound is a mixture of blues, pop, ska and indie. She plays her Gretch Electromatic guitar with aplomb and her storytelling has a ‘real world’ dark edge infliction, doused in a light hearted delivery.
 
Emily began writing songs and playing gigs since she was 14. She is the complete antithesis of her generation – whilst her peers were bingeing on junk TV and finding idols from reality talent shows, Emily was devouring her parents record collections and creating a style and look that represented her character and music.  Previous releases have caught the attention and support of John Kennedy, Gary Crowley, Robert Elms and Steve Lamacq and an endorsement from the Joe Strummer Foundation and Fred Perry has put Emily on the path to success.

Emily plays a regular residency at The Dublin Castle (London), and booked festivals this summer include Secret Garden Party (11am, Where The Wild Things Are Stage and 8pm The Living Room) , Glastonbury (23/6 Strummerville Stage at 7pm and 25/6 The Leftfield Stage at 3pm with Billy Bragg, Will Varley and Lewis & Leigh).

Live Dates:
18/06 - Rhoda Dakar (Bodysnatchers) 100 Club, London
04/07 - Dublin Castle, London (8.30pm)
18/07 - Cabaret Futura
01/08 - Dublin Castle, London 8.30pm
12/08 -  The Elgin (Ladbroke Grove), London 10pm

In my misspent youth I did know a few folk who had the pleasure of the wonderful hospitality of  'Brixton Prison'. Emily Capell's song is absolutely gorgeous, and I highly recommend checking out her new EP.


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Manwomanchild - I Know a Man.

Background bio - Manwomanchild is a rock band from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania fronted by David Child.

The band was started in Rhode Island in 2008. In February 2010, the band release a self-titled EP recorded at Machines with Magnets in Pawtucket, RI. The band’s lineup for the EP and album consisted of David Child on vocals, guitars, and synths, Mason Neely on drums, and Craig Gifford on bass. In May 2010, Manwomanchild released the song “Chile La Roja” in support of Chile’s 2010 World Cup team. The song was featured in 4 national newspapers and on 2 Chilean TV networks.

The band released its self-titled debut album on 12/14/2010 on West Cortez Records. In 2013, Manwomanchild moved to Philadelphia. In April 2014, they wrote and recorded the soundtrack for Decidedly‘s iOS and Android game “Floyd’s Worthwhile Endeavor“.

In September and October of 2014, the band released the singles “Wedding Toast” and “Recent History”, followed by another, “The Telepath Returns,” in December of the same year. In March 2015, “The Difficult Years” was released. Music blog “Surviving the Golden Age” described the song’s sound as “LCD Soundsystem being fronted by Ben Gibbard” as well as “hybrid glam rock/chamber pop”. Bandcamp preorder (Here).

It was October last year that Beehive Candy first featured ManWomenChild.  'I Know A Man' is from the second album due out on June 28th and is an indicator of the fine music you can expect. You can also hear the first single off the album 'Change The Channel' via the Bandcamp link above.

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Smoke Season - Loose.

Background bio - Ask Smoke Season where they get their hazy blend of psychedelic Americana and electro-soul from and they’ll give you two words: “manifest destiny.”  Los Angeles-based Gabrielle Wortman and Jason Rosen, the duo that comprises Smoke Season, both grew up around the NYC area, ironically meeting in California after their separate musical paths brought them to make the move west.  Their sound stems from what they call “east coast heads and west coast hearts."

From the outside looking in, the first thing one notices about this fiercely independent duo is the buzz that has mounted around them in recent years — earning them a place as "the up and coming band you wish you were in” (Pancakes & Whiskey, 2015).  However, it’s where this buzz is generating from that makes for Smoke Season’s most defining characteristic.

Since forming in 2013, Smoke Season has proven themselves to be in a constant state of artistic fervor, with a flurry of activity and creative output surrounding them at all times.   They’ve independently released 3 EPs, 5+ music videos, toured tirelessly with internationally known acts and become a regular on the stages of nation-wide festivals, such as SXSW and CMJ. 

Judging by their millions of Spotify plays and acclaim from major press outlets (Buzzfeed, Huffington Post, Clash Magazine, LA Weekly, and The New York Times to name a few), it looks like their hard work is finally paying off.  

The duo has consistently (if not stubbornly) foregone traditional routes and branded their artistic output as multi-sensory in nature.  Their live show is a great example of this, employing synchronized light shows, smoke and unique sampling — all of which are programmed and executed by the duo.  “We want audiences to do more than just hear what we’re making.  We want them to see, smell, feel it as a multimedia experience.  Jason and I both studied film scoring as college students so a fully immersive experience was somewhat undeniable,” Wortman explains. 

'Loose' is the second song on the fabulous 'Ouroboros EP'. It's hardly surprising Smoke Season have been noticed far and wide, their highly stylised indie music is so well crafted and absorbing.

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Past & Present: Blonde Redhead - Zeke Finn - Pylon - Brutus Begins

Blonde Redhead - Big Song.

Background Info - Teeming with the energy and grit of pre-Giuliani Manhattan, Blonde Redhead's long out-of-print early recordings have finally crawled their way out of the '90s basement thanks to Numero Group who will issue a 4LP / 2CD set on Sept. 30. Weighing in at 37 tracks, Masculin Féminin compiles the band's first two albums for Steve Shelley's Smells Like Records (self-titled and La Mia Via Violenta), their period singles, extant demos, and radio performances across four LPs or two CDs. Dozens of previously unpublished photographs illustrate two lengthy essays on this essential New York band's formative years.

This is the latest instalment in Numero Group's 200 Line series which has also included releases from Unwound, Bedhead, Codeine, White Zombie and The Scientists.

"These songs combine a raw need, a ready access to neediness, with seemingly incongruous cinematic changes reminiscent of '60s Italian pop music and movie scores. They switch between emotional grandeur and eye scratching immediacy."     -Arto Lindsay.

'Big Song' was an early and quite rare single by Blonde Redhead and it immediately brings back some fond memories of the band for me. Somewhere in my garage is an old PC with loads of their early material on it, time to go and dig it out, in anticipation of these reissues!

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Zeke Finn - Love Song.

Background promo - From the backwoods of Ithaca to the brownstones of Brooklyn, Zeke Finn’s journey is as rich and eclectic as his music. And, the multi-talented singer-songwriter and his trio are set to release their much-anticipated self - titled debut EP later this summer, which depicts the realities of both city and country life. “Love Song” has dropped on all digital outlets.

Each song on the EP, is impressively different from the next, elucidating Zeke Finn’s remarkable ability to blend genres and styles.  With spacy rhythms and infectious beats, the band seamlessly combines elements of Hip-Hop, Reggae and Rock to create an unforgettable sound.  Perhaps more importantly, Zeke Finn is dedicated to promoting good vibes and positivity through music.

'Love Song' is like a gentle summers breeze on a sunny warm day. Catchy is an understatement, and with thoughtful lyrics and an upbeat melody, it just works on so many levels.

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Pylon - Volume.

Background - 1983 was a banner year for Pylon. The Athens quartet released their second album, Chomp, on Atlanta-based DB Records, toured the country extensively, and played several opening slots for then-up-and-comers U2. And then, without a hint of explanation, they quit. Their final show at the Mad Hatter in Athens, Georgia, was, as was always the case, a frenzy of minimal disco thud, post-punk guitar scree, and deliriously inspired howl. Oh, and dancing – always dancing – both in the crowd and on stage. The gig was recorded (both audio and video) for a failed PBS pilot called Athens Shows, and the tapes were put away and forgotten. That is, until now.

Around three years ago, after Pylon’s DFA reissues hit the street, Chunklet CEO (and card-carrying member of the Pylon Fan Club) Henry Owings emailed the band bemoaning the lack of bonus material on the CDs, which sparked a larger conversation. “My favorite Pylon is live Pylon,” said bassist Michael Lachowski, with which Henry wholeheartedly agreed. Following a cordial sit-down at Michael’s apartment over the New Year’s holiday of 2015, an exhaustive search began for live recordings by Pylon. More specifically, live recordings from Athens in the early ’80s. Oh, and that sounded as good, if not better, than their proper full-length albums.

Numerous dead ends followed, but finally, and somewhat fittingly, the multitrack recordings of Pylon's final performance at the Mad Hatter in 1983 were unearthed. Once the tapes were transferred and subsequently mixed, the explosive and compelling sounds raised one very significant question: Why in the world did Pylon quit? For a band whose legacy, in their original incarnation at least, was two full-length albums and a handful of singles, Pylon were first and foremost a live band who weren’t as interested in working in a studio. Pylon’s raison d’être was performing for a crowd, and now there’s conclusive validation.

Pylon Live is a double vinyl album recorded on the band’s home turf at the culmination of their powers, and the results could not be more stellar. An all killer, no filler set with nothing left on the cutting room floor, Pylon Live includes powerful versions of the Pylon canon from their first and second LPs and even the hard-to-find song “Party Zone” (previously available only on a DB Rec comp) and their never-before-released rendition of the “Batman Theme.” When compared to the band’s prior body of work, Pylon Live bookends all of it; some might even say it’s a better representation of this Athens quartet, who thrived on bouncing around on stage infinitely more than sitting in a studio. There’s little arguing that the Athens powerhouse trifecta of R.E.M., the B-52’s, and Pylon is peerless. And while all three bands have achieved great critical acclaim, only the first two had the commercial acclaim they deserved. Pylon Live intends to correct that.

'Volume' is just a taste of the raw vibrant energy and passion that awaits the listener with this incredible live album release. I guess if you are going to look backwards, you might as well do it in style. This I feel, is a must have for any post punk fans. Twenty songs of which the featured track comes in as the seventeenth in the set, what a band and what an album!

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Brutus Begins - Flashlights (War For the Girl).
 
Background promo - Brutus Begins is a solo project by Ricardo Temporao, a Portuguese-Canadian musician writer, and director currently based in Toronto (hailing from Kitchener, ON). Elements of folk are resampled and synthesized, blurring the lines between what is real and reconstructed and challenging notions of what is natural.   



Ricardo has fronted bands for over a decade from the New Low, General Staff and Skinny Bitches (which was featured on Alan Cross's blog).  In 2005, he released an album under the name “Rick Temporao & the New Low” which received radio airplay across Canada and earned critical acclaim (see below). He has also composed music for films and television (i.e. short films "Dead Wake", "The Visitor", Bravo television’s "Bravo Playlist" theme song and currently composing for short film "Scales").

Ricardo has directed and edited music videos for award-winning musicians Lily Frost, Cedar Park, and Fast Romantics. Recently he has begun his latest and most personal project, Brutus Begins. With influences from Leonard Cohen to Tame Impala and Shuggie Otis to T-Rex, Brutus Begins lives on the edge of a sonic "uncanny valley". The buttons, knobs and wires twist and bleed into something almost human.  Where the copper pierces the flesh is where Brutus Begins. Brutus Begins will be appearing at Canadian Music Week 2016.  His first album "Uncanny Valley" will be released this year. 

I really wasn't sure which song to feature from 'Uncanny Valley' so I went for the last one I played, as I felt it was as representative of the collection as any other. I say this, in as much as I sense Ricardo is always trying to push the boundaries rather than follow a format, something that is pretty much fine with me.

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Down Under Double Play: The Marlenes - Kllo

The Marlenes - My Blue Eyes.

Background promo - The Marlenes are a 3-piece Garage/Indie/Surf-Pop band from the Mornington Peninsula formed in 2014. Drawing on influences from 60’s Soul and Rock ’n’ Roll, as well Psychedelic and Punk, they bring a fun sound that is full of catchy melodies. 

They have just recorded their debut album Crawl Out Your Window at the Creme de la Groove Studio in Langwarrin. It follows their 2015 release Jumpin’ Cliffs, a 5 song EP which managed to get some airplay around the country with their single “Cakewalk”.

My Blue Eyes” is the first single from the new album. Recorded and produced by The Marlenes, the song is reminiscent of the early The Strokes, with a surf vibe thanks to reverb drenched lead guitars, and harmonicas. They will be playing a run of shows throughout Melbourne from June onwards.“My Blue Eyes” will be released on the 17th June and the album “Crawl Out Your Window” will be released 1st of July 2016.

Upcoming Shows:
Sat 25th June – The Last Chance Rock & Roll Bar (Matinee Show), North Melbourne VIC
Sat 30th July – Wesley Anne, Northcote VIC.

'My Blue Eyes' is a good example of what to expect on the forthcoming album. The band have a fairly unique sound identity, and the songs are typically punchy, and with the power you would expect from a three piece rock band. It's a collection of short, sharp, catchy, and enjoyable songs, all of which should appeal to a wide range of tastes, from punk to surf pop fans.

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Kllo - Walls To Build.

Background promo - Melbourne duo Kllo has unveiled a new single from their forthcoming [PIAS] Different Recordings debut EP, Well Worn.  “Walls To Build” melds Simon Lam's synth lines with Chloe Kaul's vapor-trailed verses. It’s the follow up to lead single “Bolide,” which set Kllo storming out of the gates, putting them in rotation at Australian radio, picking up spins on BBC Radio 1 and KCRW, and earning praise from The Guardian, The Sunday Times, DIY, The 405, Complex, XLR8R and more.

Things happen so fast these days that Kllo barely had a Facebook page or a proper song before a wave of interest began to build around their breakthrough EP, Cusp. What a telling record title; in the year since its release, cousins Simon Lam and Chloe Kaul have played sold-out shows and festival slots throughout Australia (Dark Mofo, Splendour in the Grass and Melbourne Music Week among many others) and overseas (The Great Escape, Primavera Sound), racked up millions of plays on Spotify, and landed on several Artists to Watch lists.

Well Worn is out August 5th on Ghostly International (North America), [PIAS] Different Recordings (UK/Europe/Japan) and Good Manners Records (AU/NZ/ROW). Pre-order now (here). 

The new song 'Walls To Build' is really getting noticed with close to 15 thousand plays in the first couple of days. That's hardly surprising as Kllo just ooze quality and skillful production within their music. Keeping it simple, it's a superbly crafted and delightful listen.

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