So I made the mistake of trying to change the layout of the blog and found technology doesn’t like me. Let’s just say it all went wrong. IT people are looking into it now, while shaking their heads at me disapprovingly. We should be up again working soon.
Apologies to any of our subscribers who received strange emails due to the mix up it apparently had something to do with the WordPress premium theme I installed.
Save Ferris is a ska-punk band formed in Orange County, California circa 1995. Their name is a reference to the 1986 film Ferris Bueller’s Day Off. Lead by the inimitable front-woman Monique Powell, the band enjoyed mainstream success in the late 1990s with radio hits, constant touring and appearances on a variety of television shows and movies. Personally I loved these guys when I first heard and saw them in their seminal on-screen appearance in the 1998 cult classic teen film, ‘10 Things I Hate About You’. Save Ferris are back, after 15 years, they are making their long-awaited return to the music scene with a brand-new EP.
Opening track ‘Anything’ exudes all the traits of a Save Ferris signature peppy tune- bright, colourful and dramatic, it’s like they’ve never been gone. Rapid running guitar keeps the speed of the track like a constant treadmill rush. They blast us with lush rich sounds then slow down to a brief breather of slick reggae infused groove. Elastic springy bass and perky warm brass blow triumphantly filling out the sound. Powell’s vocals are compelling and sweet yet powerful, it’s an instant pick me up. I love the running rush of blood to the head that Save Ferris tracks give you. It’s fun with humorous lyrics “My cat thinks you’re the shit.” and ridiculously bouncy – what’s not to like. There is brass for god sake brass! Your not going to get a bigger more spirited sound than that. It made my day.
Stream ‘Anything’ below
Indie Folk singer songwriter Mike Paterson has released his new single ‘Loose Change’. Originally the frontman of the rock group Travis Oaks. Paterson toured Ireland and abroad, playing venues such as The Olympia in Dublin, to the prestigious Dublin Castle in London. Travis Oaks developed a solid reputation for energetic shows, but focusing on solid songwriting, along with performance. Since departing from the band in the Summer of 2016, Paterson has been hiding out in his native county of Cavan, contemplating his role in the music scene. He has taken a stripped back approach to live shows, with live recordings and videos taking priority over studio recordings. His new single is also a live recording from Displace Studios.
‘Loose Change’ is a warm melodic sweet toned passionate track. Peeled back to a bare simple arrangement with just acoustic guitar accompaniment, its organic and wholesome. Paterson’s vocal display is rich with depth and sharp lush highs, there is no need for fuss. Laid back and soothing it’s perfect for summers evenings with a glass of wine, sunset and relaxation. It’s peppy with a nice bounce keeping the mellow tone without becoming sluggish. Patterson has a knack for creating songs that evoke every emotion in the listener and this mellow little ditty doesn’t stray from that emotional connection. Instantly balmy and calm his simplicity is just heaven. With a honey glazed melody ‘Loose Change’ gives a sense of blissful peace and modest purity. It’s honest, nourishing goodness and quite the breath of fresh air.
Mike Paterson has a few shows coming up the first is in Spirit Store, Dundalk tonight then Whelan’s Dublin on the 25th and Workman’s Club Dublin on the 14th of September, make sure to head down and check him out. I had the pleasure of catching him live a little while ago and he’s one not to be missed.
When asked about the track Paterson told us “Loose Change is dedicated to my friends, with the track focusing on the importance of friendship and knowing we have someone there when times are tough.”
Watch his live performance of ‘Loose Change’ at Displace Studios below
Genre: Alt Pop
Bio: Brighton trio Jack Valero (lead vocals, guitar) Callum James (drums and backing vocals) and Miguel Cosme (bass,backing vocals) have only been together a few years and they have made short work of grabbing people’s attention. Making waves on Huw Stephen’s BBC Introducing and John Kennedy’s Shock of the New on Radio X, tipped by 6 Music taste-makers Steve Lamacq and Tom Robinson, taking up invitations to Glastonbury Festival two years in a row, plus scoring ‘track of the day’ features in the likes of Clash, Giglutz, Record Of The Day and more.
Track: ‘Things I Forgot To Do’
Why We Like It: It’s a bubbling can of catchy hook driven indie pop. With an infectious bass groove, a relentless finger clicking beat that bounces back with snappy vitality teamed with strut quality guitar strides. it’s an effortless cool smooth track that flows in on a wave of good times and peppy attitude. This trio have created a slick warm tune polished, sweet and sunkissed.
Watch the video for ‘Things I Forgot To Do’ below
Genre: Piano Pop-Rock
Bio: Glass Hour is a pop-rock band from Montreal comprised of members Caleb Smith (Bass), Joey Reda (Guitar), Will Bennett (Drums) and Keegan Boulineau (Vocals, Piano, Guitar). With a generous incorporation of piano combined with a signature guitar sound, their music ranges from massive arena rockers to intimate, soul-warming songs. Their debut album entitled ‘Minute Hand’ is set for release today August 18th, 2017.
Track: Burn
Why We Like It: It’s a sweet elegant blend of soaring electronic soundscapes and delicate piano twinkles. Lush vocals and heavenly harmonies create a graceful passionate and highly emotional track that lifts to new heights as the song progresses. With thumping clap along bridge and anthemic arena ready chorus, it’s a sparkling firework erupting into the sky with majestic magnificent beauty.
Stream ‘Burn’ below
Genre: Alternative/Grit Pop
Bio: Vertebrae is London based trio Daire Mulvihill, Josh Clark and Jonny Rogers. They have previously been involved with numerous festivals around the U.K including Tramlines in Sheffield, Great Escape in Brighton as well as Camden Rocks in London. They have also been busy building up a loyal following by working with some of the UK’s top promoters and playing some of it’s best venues including O2 Academy Islington, The Old Blue Last, Birthdays, Seabright Arms and The Black Heart among others. Vertebrae have just released their exciting new single ‘Half The Time’ (which is already receiving much attention including radio airplay and numerous features in respected music publications, webzines and blogs) and was produced by the renowned Neil D Kennedy who has worked with many up and coming bands on the U.K Alternative scene including Creeper, Milk Teeth, Trash Boat and Bad Sign to name just a few
Track: ‘Half The Time’
Why We Like It: It’s a thrilling gritty kick ass rock track complete with raspy vocals punchy drums and slick guitar. Passionate and emotional with a Nickelback-esque nostalgia with guitar melodies and bass rumble reminiscent of Kings of Leon this hard-rock anthem is a throbbing head nodder. Building as the track progresses becoming a little heavier and mosh ready Vertebrae know when to hold a tender gentle tone and when to overwhelm with raw heavy moving melodic longing.
Watch the video for ‘Half The Time’ below
Inner Tongue has released his new single ‘Dig Deeper’ taken from his forthcoming debut album, which will be released early next year. The song is about the adrenaline you feel before take off, the seconds in weightlessness and the eventuating Netflix-boredom, that can be ultimately freeing. It’s a light floatable swish of sweet lush elegance. Fluttering and free this track is weightless and dainty with smooth velvety vocals melted on a honey drizzled melody and warm mellow toned keys bouncing with floaty buoyancy. It’s a dreamy hazy bubble to loose yourself in where everything is gentle, soft and painless. The sticky beat and wobbly soundscape adds a psychedelic dream-like opiate state of ecstasy. Each musical movement carries a sense of depth as if intricately thought out and crafted with care and precise detail. It’s poetically beautiful, unbinding and silky. It’s lush heaven for the ears.
When asked about the song Inner Tongue said “I recently bought an old Roland Space Chorus and had a good time experimenting with it in the studio. The moody drum sound I’ve created with it, was somewhat inspiring, so I recorded a few chords and vocals over it. That’s how Dig Deeper started. With the video I wanted to visualise the effortless character of the song. The filming was more like a party with wild lights and smoke. Random fact, at around 2 AM we put on a few Bowie songs and danced to them instead. Some of that also ended up in the video.”
Watch the video for ‘Dig Deeper’ below
Michael Shuman the multi-talented multi-instrumentalist has taken on a new solo project, between releasing a new album with Queens Of The Stone Age which is due out August 25th and working on the third Mini Mansions album, he has turned his hand to soundtracking the movie ‘Feed’. The film which was directed by Tommy Bertelsen, and written/produced by Troian Bellisario (of ‘Pretty Little Liars’, who also plays the film’s lead) has an entire album worth of music with original songs composed and recorded by Shuman, some of which feature vocals from Z Berg (of The Like, JJAMZ, and Phases) instead of his own. The 10-track album shows the diversity of Shuman’s musicianship with even a treat of two original Christmas songs on there. The track that we have chosen from the soundtrack for our worth a listen this week is ‘Heaven’s Gate’.
‘Heaven’s Gate’ is a dark eerie track smothered in sticky gloopy beats slapping against a sonic flickering backdrop. Shuman’s vocals creep in with a spine chilling shudder. Soft for the verse his vocals soothe and lure you into the shadowy eerie soundscapes while the chorus flash dizzying hints of psychedelia. The body grooving beat wriggles its way into your brain while light twinkles on keys add a sweet elegant tone to the multi-faceted track. ‘Heaven’s Gate’ is sublimely layered with a slick entangled production that creates an almost narcotic blinding bewilderment and stuffy claustrophobic atmosphere. The track builds in intensity creating a sense of danger before it fades to a whining finish. ‘Heaven’s Gate’ is smoky with thick intricate production and entrapping soundscapes that prove Shuman is one of the best musicians of our generation.
Stream ‘Heaven’s Gate’ below
Leeds rock five-piece Neon Dolls have announced the release of their new ‘Black’ EP with the release of the new single ‘Creep Inside’ set for release Friday 8th September. Since forming three years ago, Neon Dolls have been busy perfecting their hybrid of muscular Alt-Rock whilst blowing away audiences on the buzzing UK music scene. Formed from the ashes of defunct bands on the scene, the boys quickly developed a sonic formula influenced by guitar greats Oasis, Foo Fighters, Green Day and Led Zeppelin, as well as more recent grunge and rock bands from the USA. With a growing fanbase affectionately dubbed the Neon Army behind them, tracks from their debut album Imperial (released 2015) and 2nd Album When It Strikes (released 2016) were playlisted on BBC Introducing and their sold out live shows led to Fred Perry Subculture hailing them as one of the best new bands in the country.
‘Black’ is an EP brimming with raw ruckus causing rough and tumble rock and roll. The guys slap up a plate of frantic gritty no nonsense rock to sink our teeth in to, and boy it is good. The shrilling oh so thrilling new single ‘Creep Inside’ kicks off the EP. Slick razor sharp riffs pierce throughout while elastic bass bounces against punchy drums creating a hair raising coarse wall of sound. Sneering raspy coated vocals add an aggressive compelling swagger while irresistible seizure inducing guitar licks cause a rush of blood to the head. It’s a bitter bite but satisfying start to the EP. ‘Invincible’ follows just as raw and bloody but perhaps with a little more sweat and leather. Gravelly vocals scream while slick steamy guitars crash and stride throughout the track leaving burn marks behind. It’s a punchy aggressive beast, rugged and fuzzed but exuding fire and brimstone strut quality and swagger. ‘Nasty Habits’ brings us to a groovy end to the EP. With Kasabian hints and anthemic chorus, this one is sure to go down well at a live show. It’s jagged and bristly soaked in attitude and brawn with nimble silky slick guitar and infectious groove, its sensual, punchy and a little pouty.
Neon Dolls ‘Black’ EP is a rough rugged blow of sharp bruising rock and roll. They know what they are doing and these tunes are staggeringly electrifying.
Neon Dolls will embark on a UK tour this Autumn – for more dates and info head to http://www.neondolls.co.uk/
Stream the new single ‘Creep Inside’ below
Indie rock band The Girl Folder have announced the release of their newest single ‘Once More Into The Night’ which is set to be released on 25th August. The five-piece indie rock outfit formed after lead vocalist and singer-songwriter Matthew relocated to Newcastle from London. After performing at an open mic night weekly in order to meet like-minded musicians The Girl Folder was born a year later, comprising of Matthew (lead vox, acoustic/keys), Scott Clayborough (guitar/backing vox), Dave Evans (guitar/keys), Adam Gathercole (drums) and Dan Cordery (bass guitar). Inspired by the likes of Arcade Fire and Boy and Bear, their newest single offers a uniquely soothing sound whilst remaining true to their indie rock roots and incorporating influences from all over the world with band members all hailing from different locations.
‘Once More Into The Night’ is a soaring dreamy euphoric indie rock track. Breezy and chilled with an impressive groove laced in ethereal glittering synths, its delicate and moving and extremely emotive. The massive anthemic chorus is arena ready and sing along friendly while the sublime sharp sting on guitars ground the track and break up the aerial hazy atmosphere. Smothered in nostalgic tones the track swirls and flows with graceful elegance and a youthful freedom while strong warm vocals add rawness and passion. It’s hard hitting tender and exploding with emotion. The Girl Folder have carefully crafted this track. They hold back just enough to keep the tension throughout, building it and layering it slowly before bursting into a passionately emotive crescendo that evokes images of a large crowd swaying, bellowing out the lyrics with lights in their hands and perhaps quietly sobbing to themselves. It’s that moving and expressive.
Watch the video for ‘Once More Into The Night’ below
Ivy Nations are an indie-pop band from Dublin set to play their first overseas show at the Notting Hill Arts Club in London, August 10th. Described as having a “new wave 80’s sound” and now three singles deep, the group have been highly praised for their refined sound – which they have established with producer Phil Magee (Kodaline, The Script, Miles Kane). 2016/17 saw the band perfecting their live show with performances with coveted support slots for acts like The Academic, Kodaline, The Strypes and The Blizzards. Latest single “Live By Design” which we featured previously on Indie Buddie holds faithful to the energetic, dreamy sensibilities of the band’s previous releases. Singer Joe Kiernan says of the single: “[Live By Design] deals with the pace of modern life, where we live out our fantasies while existing on the outer edges. The song reflects frustration, an inability to change the inner discourses that hold us back, and a desire to remove oneself from the race.” The single received widespread national airplay in Dublin and has seen them added to all major Irish festivals this summer.
“London’s been somewhere we’ve all wanted to play for years,” says the band. “To be finally coming over is a big deal for us.
The follow-up to “Live By Design” will be released in late September so keep an eye out for that.
Tickets for the show are available from NHAC here
https://www.nottinghillartsclub.com/events/nhac-presents-ivy-nations-guests
Stream ‘Live By Design’ below
Manchester five-piece Circus Wolves have released their new single ‘Judas’. Band members Guy Aled Wynn Davies, Jim Ker, Jack Taylor, Ben Lawton and Cameron Tetlow are making a name for themselves with their sound that captures indie rock and roll reminiscent of the late 90’s, early 00’s.
‘Judas’ is a soaring indie anthem. It’s raw and emotional with sweet stinging guitar melodies that bleed nostalgia and passion. Lush harmonies, powerful vocals and sing along fist pumping energy gives an arena worthy vibe. Pulsing drums and rich soaring soundscapes build to a massive crescendo showcasing the hearty full sound of this five piece. These guys were made for big shows and large crowds bellowing out their lyrics at the top of their lungs. A solid anthem from Circus Wolves.
Stream ‘Judas’ below
