Bradford’s Mik Davis has created an Atmospheric, Dark-wave, experimental psychedelic sound in his solo project They Called Him Zone. They Called Him Zone’s new EP ‘Miami’ gives you a glimpse at the underground music scene by Incorporating elements of Dark-Wave, Electronica and Goth Rock. The new video and final single from the ‘Miami’ EP is the eerie and sinister ‘Sunset Beach’. The track is a trippy psychedelic journey that is both twisted and claustrophobic. The video is produced and edited by They Called Him Zone creator Mik Davis’ with the dance performance accredited to UK poet/writer – Joolz Denby. ‘Sunset Beach’ is a dark mysterious track that is full of sinister tones that make your hair stand up and your skin crawl. With whisper like breathy vocals that fill you with fear and make you look around you in case you are being watched or followed like in a horror movie. Contrary to what you might expect from the title of this track it has no sunny vibes instead its consumed with a concoction of shadowy haze and chilling psychedelia. With is techno and hypnotic tones it has a trance effect and is almost bewitching. Its dark hypnotic electronic sounds seem to almost lure you down a dangerous road where horror awaits and their is no escaping. The steady beat adds to the entrapment as it is soft and gives a constant feature that your mind almost subconsciously holds on to.
This track is a psychedelic electro Pop/ Rock nightmare- like concoction that is dark and luring yet a fantastic piece of musicianship and is perfect for the underground music scene.
Watch They Called Him Zone’s eerie and sinister ‘Sunset Beach’ video below
Ethan & The Reformation are a Psychedelic Rock/Pop band from Manchester. The five piece Ethan Dundavan Davies (frontman/rhythm guitarist ), Mick Mac (lead guitarist), Samuel Parker (keyboard player and vocalist), James Cordeiro (bassist) and Thomas Oliver Gorton (Drumer) have created a retro pop/rock sound, that pays homage to the 1960’s / 1970’s psychedelic era while giving it a modern twist.
They have just released their new single ‘Hummingbird’ which is a smooth sensual track full of 70’s funky swag. The track features fantastic sleek seductive ” wah wah” guitar and an inviting smooth funky bass with a soft irresistible beat that creates a swaying effect and gives this track a seductive quality. With raspy, husky vocals that add grit and some brawn to this instrumentally steamy track, Hummingbird has dark undertones and a melancholy melody which contrasts to the captivating swag of the instrumentation. This track shows how diverse and talented Ethan & The Reformation are as they give us a refreshing luscious sound that is distinctive.
Looking forward to Ethan & The Reformation’s EP which is set to be released later this year.
You can catch Ethan & The Reformation live at
08 Jul Soup Kitchen Manchester
09 Jul The Dublin Castle Camden
30 Jul Ashtonbury Northampton
19 Aug Glass Butter Beach Abersoch
Velvet Kills are an electro punk, electro rock, post wave duo with Susana Santos on vocals/bass and Harris Iveson on guitar/synths. The group came to life in 2015, beginning with a chance encounter on a trance dance floor where Susana and Harris discovered their mutual love for rock, synths and beige Steinberger guitars. Velvet Kills has since gained a steady following, leading to their debut EP, ‘Memory’, being released in March this year. They are now planning a Europe Tour, followed by an album release this Autumn.
Their debut EP, ‘Memory’, is a striking, rhythmic , seductive EP that exudes a fantastic mix of sounds and textures that explodes the mind with a euphoric atmosphere of full rich sensual music. The EP begins with the track ‘Rain’ which is an electro rock track full of attitude and oozing cool lustful swagger. With trance dance beats and slick guitars this song lures you into a world of dark alluring psychedelia while Susanna’s deep seductive vocal is captivating and inviting. ‘Clog’ follows again with a confused psychedelic atmosphere. The sound is complex and abstract with the instrumentation taking the attention almost as if the vocals are accompanying the music. It gives the feeling that the room is spinning and you are in a haze surrounded by churning electronic sounds or hallucinating in a dessert with no water. ‘Red Shoes’ calms the tone slightly from the intensity of its predecessor. The track appears more cinematic and dramatic with strings playing a main feature. It has a dark “dooms day” feel with the strings and guitar playing in a call and response manner adding deep undertones to the song. ‘Memory’ finishes the EP in a shadowy tone with soft beats and dynamic synths. The vocals are again deep and luring grabbing the listeners attention. This track has a dark dance quality with light synths at times and lustrous guitar to add a refreshing contrast.
Velvet Kills ‘Memory’ EP is full of driving beats and bewitching textures that are tempting and enticing, with striking seductive vocals, gritty guitars and abstract sounds this EP is an experience and a really solid debut.
Look forward to hearing more from Velvet Kills
21-year-old Alexandra Savior from Portland, Oregon has already had her demo “Risk” appear in series two of True Detective, and she has collaborated with Tame Impala’s Cam Avery on ‘We’re Just Making it Worse,’ and now has released her new single ‘Shades’ which was produced and co-written by Alex Turner along with James Ford (Florence, Haim). ‘Shades’ is a dark alluring track that’s full of mystery. Filled with smooth cool tones, soft spongy beats and a sensual fuzzed bass line that adds a seductive quality. The flash of electric guitar adds a bite to the track and contrasts with the smooth tone giving a feeling that there is danger ahead, however Savior’s soft enticing vocals eases the mind and has a trance like effect. Her vocals are confident and assuring while having a lull effect that is bewitching and captivating.
This Track is dangerously infectious but its charming, seductive tones will have you fascinated and craving more.
Watch “Shades” below
West Of The Sun are a five piece psychedelic rock and roll band from North London. Band members Luke Ward, Joe Stratton, Michael Howes, Kieran Callinan and Stevie Durkin have recently released their new single ‘Siberian Hysteria’. The five piece self-produced the song alongside engineer Shuta Shinoda (Primal Scream, Spiritualised, The Horrors) at Hackney Road Studios in East London. ‘Siberian Hysteria’ is a dreamy, warm psychedelic track with a hazy desert vibe. The track begins with fast passed striking guitars and a rapid steady beat. It then breaks and becomes a smooth astral psychedelic journey with an Arabian feel. With wah wah psych-guitar jangles and prominent percussion giving a sand like image to the track. The almost spoken main vocals with the soft lull of the backing vocals puts you at ease and sits contently in the back of your mind creating a trance feel. The slick guitar riff adds an intense sun rays feel that you can almost feel burn you. The atmosphere of sweltering heat and exhaustion is created through the loop and repetition as the song spirals to a delirious end.
This is a brilliantly written song that plants a visual image in your mind and takes you on a journey. West Of The Sun are set to release their début album later this year and if ‘Siberian Hysteria’ is anything to go by its going to be fantastic!
You can catch West Of The Sun live at
18 Jun The Soundhouse Leicester
02 Jul The Borderline London
18 Sep The Amersham Arms London
Our Worth A Listen track this week is ‘Ride On’ from Cherryshoes
Cherryshoes is a Psycho-pop band Fronted by the mesmerising El-Jay. They portray a hypnotic blend of dark pop that is captivating. Their single ‘Ride On’ is a well crafted psychedelic rock-pop track that consumes you in a bewitching wave of psychedelia. El- Jay’s soft vocals adds an alluring hypnotic quality to the track that could lead you down a trippy garden path. The soft instrumentation has a relaxing hex effect that places you at ease and perfectly content in this spell – like enrapture. The steady beat gives an eerie seductive tone to the track this is reinforced by the echo backing vocals. It reminds me of a succubus, a highly attractive seductress or enchantress, alluring but dangerous.
Cherryshoes recently performed two sets at latitude festival and are currently recording their first album. Can’t wait to hear more from these guys.
Stream ‘Ride On’ below
RINSE are Josh Hollingworth, Rich Hewitt, Josh Hassall and Ollie McNicholas. This indie quartet from Stoke-on-Trent released their new track on Friday 22nd April.‘Taser Party’ is an explosive dream rock track that has already taken the BBC Introducing from Stoke Record Of The Week title. RINSE describe themselves as Summer Grunge and this song definitely gives that impression. ‘Taser Party’ begins with a delicate soft riff which is repeated throughout and is infectiously psychedelic as it sticks in your mind comfortably and replays over and over again with ease. The bouncy playful drum beat gives us that summer vibe while Hollingworth’s haunting vocals give us that grunge feel. The verses keep the eerie mysterious atmosphere that will give you goosebumps while the chorus explodes with a heavier sound and fantastic guitar work.These guys have a real talent for creating an atmosphere in their songs
Another great song from RINSE
Stream ‘Taser Party’ below
Ardyn are twin sibling duo Rob and Katy Pearson from Gloucestershire.Their band name originates from the Latin word for ‘enthusiastic’. Their music is a blend of psychedelic/folk dipped pop with a “doom” filled ballad vibe. They released their debut EP via National Anthem (Chvrches, HAIM, Wet) in 2015 which gave us hypnotic, melodic tunes that you can just loose yourself in. Their new single ‘Over the River’ which was released Monday is a light airy track that starts with a simple sweet melancholy piano. The song builds as it progresses into vocal rounds which is very effective. The exhaled vocal in the verses with a kind of tribal beat has a dance feel to the song and consumes you in a hypnotic trance that is intense but still holds a light blissful bright feel. Ardyn create picturesque music so effortlessly as you almost get an image of the trickling of water from the soft piano at the start to a rushing river by the climax.
Ardyn have created a warming melodic sound with hypnotic pop elements. A really great track from the twins look forward to hearing more.
Watch ‘Over the River’ below
The Perx are just two buddies from Los Angeles ,Ryan and Jeremy making songs in their basement.Their Indie, Alternative Rock sound with some electronic thrown in is infectious. ‘Hipster Nightmare’ has an electronic dance feel, perfect for your Friday night tune. Really catchy lyrics and crazy synths. This song shows an ambitious, experimental side to them, that works really well and sounds amazing. ‘The Dreamer’ takes us on a mellow, dreamy almost trance-like trip. With smooth west coast style and light instrumental that builds as the song progresses. Its a really well written song that will definitely take you on a journey. ‘Another Minute’ has a Police feel, with a reggae beat before it breaks back into an electronic sound for the chorus. This is an upbeat energetic song with a great electronic reggae fusion with the lovely surprise of a guitar solo. Both these songs were released on soundcloud four days ago and showcase the variety of music these guys can produce. ‘Episodes’ Is a groovy track with a catchy chorus that is full of emotion. This song has a psychedelic vibe in the verses that makes you loose yourself, right up to the amazing chorus. This was the first song I heard from ‘The Perx’ and I was hooked after one listen.‘Alive’ again is a fantastic song with lyrics everyone can relate to, ‘Wednesday pisses me off’ we have all thought that! The whole song runs so smoothly with steady beats ,radiant guitar and strong vocals and melody. Its written in a not quite upbeat tone but a hopeful hang in there tone.
I Really enjoyed these guys and look forward to hearing more from them.
Stream ‘ Alive’ ‘Another Minute’ and ‘Hipster Nightmare’ below
Our worth a listen track this week comes from Little Grim a four Piece band from London their single ‘ Vice’ is a dark ambient track with an intoxicating psychedelic feel. The strong bass line and guitar riff draws you into every beat and note played right up to the climax, where it becomes more grungy to make you automatically mosh until it descends into a trance finish. The Hook pulls you into a story of strong rumbling emotions while the falsetto backing vocals seems to call to you back like a haunting conscience
This band have a tight sound and a bright future ahead hope to hear more from them in 2016
Stream ‘Vice’ Below
Indie: (n) an obscure form of rock which you only learn about from someone slightly more hip than yourself.
