PAGES. have released their new single ‘Bubble Brain’. PAGES. are an indie-pop band from the North-East of Scotland. They have performed a 4-date national headline tour and multiple headline shows in their hometown of Aberdeen. Their new single, ‘Bubble Brain’, achieved national airplay on BBC Radio Scotland and has been mixed/mastered by U.S.producer, Rob Murray (Mark Ronson, Britney Spears, Major Lazer).
‘Bubble Brain’ is a smooth hazy indie pop gem that floats delicately upon PAGES. infectious musicianship. With elegant keys creating an ethereal backdrop between the sticky gloopy beat – the track glides effortlessly through a dreamy groove driven soundscape. The zesty guitar injections add a dash of vibrancy and refreshing lift to the candied syrupy consuming track as the smooth vocals coo the melty melody. Richly textured and lushly layered this indie pop delight is a laid back jam that is sure to stick in your head for days.
Broke Casino have released their new single ‘Boss’. Broke Casino are a five piece indie/rock band from Manchester made up of Ralph Schofield, Sam Wilks, Ollie Boon, Sean Savage and Lucas Cook. The band kicked off 2019 with their debut sell out Manchester headline show and a slot at Dot To Dot Festival.
With its strutting soundscapes wrapped in punching indie rock ‘Boss’ boasts Broke Casino’s anthemic and well thought out sound. The band flex their flamboyant muscles with their slinky guitars which glisten and shimmer with luminous scintillation capturing sparkles of light as they stride and majestically soar through the buoyant backdrop. The track prances in filled with kinetic energy as the rooted bass weaves and bends superbly between the pounding drums to create a beefy and hard hitting foundation for the guitars to flourish off while the warm vocals pack in oodles of passion. Each scorching element creates a superb texture with climatic intensity as the band blend and weave their intricate musicianship to create a disco infused indie rock gem sure to pump adrenaline into your veins and have you dancing in no time.
The Bugles have released their new EP ‘What A Time To Be Alive’. The Bugles are a funk punk band consisting of Blade brothers; Jack and Tom, Matt Newell, Mohsin Abbas and Siony Williams.
‘What A Time To Be Alive’ EP present The Bugles’ jubilantly cheeky sound in all its infectious and juicy glory. These guys write tunes to keep you singing and dancing for days as their explosive vibrant energy and enthusiasm radiates from every track on the EP. The listener is hooked from opening track ‘Give up’ with its instant buoyancy, wiggle-ready bass line and jaunty guitar. There is no shortage of refined guitar lines or sprightly bass and rhythm as the band flesh out their fun sound with each engaging, invigorating tune. Title track ‘What a Time to Be Alive’ encapsulates the vibrancy of this band perfectly from slinky guitar flirtations to the party ready sing along chorus the band lay down the track perfectly to keep you bopping and dancing all the way through. Though the bands songs are fun and playful they showcase refined and sophisticated musicianship and instrumental prowess. ‘Fat Cats’ thrives wonderfully on vibrant and zesty guitar flourishes while the lyrical content adds depth and social commentary to their infectious sun sprinkled sound. There is reggae peppering all over the EP through the bass line and drums while the guitar weaves a tropical, indie blend into the mix creating a glorious refreshing sound. ‘Kings and Queens’ bring us to the end of the EP, slowing the tone as The Bugles try their hand at a ballad- esque slow jam. It’s a slow shuffle to start with a sweet pop sprinkled melody and harmony before the band begin the second verse introducing their signature guitar and jaunty rhythm.
‘What A Time To Be Alive’ is a flavoursome EP brimming with danceable party tones, rich rhythms and sublime guitar work as The Bugles blend their luscious indie pop with punk elements to create a punchy, thoughtful and enjoyable collection of songs.
Not I is the project of Dublin based musicians Ian Meagher (drums/vox) and Thomas O’Reilly (guitar/vox). They have released a new music video for ‘Please, No Kindness, Please’, taken from their forthcoming debut album of the same name. The music video, which was directed, produced and shot by Redemption Film’s Niall McCann, Matthew Boyd, and Greg Dunn (the team behind feature films Lost in France, and The Science of Ghosts), sees the band embark on a humorous adventure in (or outside) the realm of Dublin’s bingo scene.
With gritty biting guitars pulsing adrenaline to the very core of ‘Please, No Kindness, Please’, Not I craft a wonderful exhilarating whir of alternative rock that ferments and curdles with sublime intensity. The pounding drums progress from a steady background thud to an anarchy calling blitz as the track leads to its massive crescendo. With quirky baritone vocal bursts from moody verses to falsetto yelps and shouted exclaims, this track exudes character and swagger. It’s dark and smothered in raw instrumentation and the sharp guitars venture from acute strides to crashing frenzy along with the punchy drum progression, With its minimalist approach the band create a wholly invigorating shattering track. With psychedelic dazzling hues and just sheer gritty rawness ‘Please, No Kindness, Please’ marks Not I as a band to keep an eye on. This track is sure to be epic live.
Watch the video for ‘Please, No Kindness, Please’ below
After their stellar performance at the 2000trees Xtra Mile Recordings takeover in July, Northern Irish five-piece Brand New Friend have released their new single, ‘The Letter A’. They have played shows throughout the UK and Ireland, both headlining and with veterans or peers like Snow Patrol, Ash, Starcrawler, At The Drive-In, Pretty Vicious, RAT BOY, Feeder and Xtra Mile Recordings label mate Seán McGowan – plus a host of festival slots at Reading and Leeds, 2000trees and others.Their debut album ‘Seatbelts for Aeroplanes’, spawned several singles all of which garnered plays on the likes of Annie Mac, Huw Stephens and Phil Taggart shows on Radio 1, John Kennedy on Radio X and 6 Music’s Steve Lamacq as well as sessions and interviews on the Across The Line show on BBC Ulster.
‘The Letter A’ is a punchy track with a smooth melody wrapped in a biting indie rock soundscape as Brand New Friend blister and swarm through the track with relentless stamina and infectious vigor. With jagged striking guitars slicing through the bouncy bass line and snappy drums this track has an infectious energetic buoyancy that is sure to have a live crowd going wild. The pop smacked melody and 50’s-60’s classic melodic hue gives a sentimental familiarity and charm to the song. The vocals exude confidence with a youthful sense of urgency as the band flesh out their tight and dynamic sound. With an explosive chorus, The Strokes- esque verses, sharp instrumental backdrop and gritty crunchy element presented beautifully on guitars, this adrenaline-inducing number is sure to have you singing along in no time.
Dublin’s alternative rock band TOYGIRL have released their new single ‘Reign’. The song’s earliest conception came about in April 2018 when British/French frontwomen, Hannah Worrall, was experimenting with bass and string loops on Garageband. The song wasn’t finalised until much later in February of this year (2019) after the collaborative input of Cork natives Aran Hopkinson (Bass), Cian O’Leary Hegarty (Drums), Ciaran Whelband (Guitar) and Fiachra O’Mahony (Guitar). ‘Reign’ was recorded in Temple Lane Studios with the help of engineers Jack Mulligan and Tadgh Maw. The track was professionally Mixed by Stuart Grey at Jealoustown Studios and Mastered by Billy Farrell at same.
‘Reign’ is a groove driven number that burrows you deep into TOYGIRL’s passionate, crisp sound. Sublime guitar work fleshes out the bands classy, jazz side while the rooted elastic bass weaves warm slinky elements and golden vibes into this refreshing number. With a steady beat and Hannah Worrall’s soulful vocals, this track is a mellowed out delight with refined instrumental backing. Each component part steadily grooves and drifts perfectly into place to create a superb track to immerse yourself in.
According to the band “The single is a sarcastic and passive aggressive presentation of the mask we all wear in order to make others happy, and in attempts to convince ourselves of our own happiness. The regal imagery accentuates the idea that with great (self-induced) power comes great responsibility. We all strive for normality to fit in and from that we lose everything that makes us unique.”
TOYGIRL are celebrating the release of their debut single with an Irish and UK tour, withdates in Levis’s of West Cork (Sept 28th), the Roundy Cork city (Sept 29th), Roisin Dubh in Galway (Sept 30th), McHugh’s of Belfast (Oct 2nd) and the Workman’s Club Dublin (Oct 3rd).
Our Worth A Listen Track This Week Comes From Tamino
Tamino has shared details of a new deluxe version of his acclaimed debut album, ‘Amir’. The deluxe version of ‘Amir’, released 18th October 2019 through Communion Records, will feature two recordings which originally missed the tracklisting for “Amir”. One of which, ‘Crocodile’, has now been released. The deluxe release will also feature two new live recordings, performed alongside the stunning Nagham Zikrayat Orchestra who also feature on the original album, two demo recordings of ‘Chambers’ and ‘Tummy’, and two stark live recordings from a show at La Cigale in Paris from earlier in the Spring.It’s been a breakthrough year for 22-year-old Tamino Moharam Fouad. The Antwerp based musician of Egyptian and Lebanese heritage has infiltrated the far corners of Europe and beyond.”Amir” is a record that is proving a real word-of-mouth success, ending 2018 in The Independent’s Albums of the Year and finding support on the BBC, NPR, and a variety of high-profile European television and radio stations. It’s not just the media that have been picking up on Tamino’s power, but fellow musicians too. This year Tamino has performed with Lana Del Rey at her request, and he counts Radiohead’s Colin Greenwood as a bandmate now (who also features on a selection of recordings on Amir playing bass guitar).
‘Crocodile’ is a passionate and exceptionally moving track that delves deep into your soul to caress and console your wounds with soft delicate musicianship and magical melodies. With glistening guitars, majestic soundscapes and a steady pulsing beat Tamino encapsulates a multitude of emotions and lays them bare in the most tender and enchanting manner. His warm vocals float and coo gracefully through this wispy sway-able track with elegance as the twinkling soundscape creates a picturesque, beautiful scene of bittersweet nostalgia and melancholy. The depths to this track are immense as Tamino layers the heartbreaking melody with intricate yet simple sounding instrumentation. The track builds superbly growing with illumination and grandeur to create a beautiful blossoming number sure to drag a tear from the most stern eye.
You can catch Tamino live at:
13th September – Theatre Le Patriote, Ste-Agathe
14th September – Cityfolk Music & Arts Festival, Ottowa
17th September – The Drake Hotel, Toronto
18th September – Schubas Tavern, Chicago
20th September – The Moroccan Lounge, LA
22nd September – The Chapel, San Francisco
5th October – Carpe Diem, Tunis, Tunisia
12th October – Jazz Club 610, Cairo, Egypt
17th October – Milyon Performance Hall, Ankara Turkey
18th October – Zorlu Center for Performing Arts, Istanbul
19th October – Soldout Performance Hall, Izmir Turkey
25th October – Rialto Cinema, Casablanca Morocco
12th November – Doornroosje, Nijmegen
14th November – Muziekgieterij, Maastricht
16th November – Lotto Arena, Antwerp
19th November – Olympia, Paris
20th November – den Atelier, Luxembourg
29th November – Silent Green, Berlin
2nd December – The Button Factory, Dublin
3rd December – YES (Pink Room), Manchester
4th December – Scala, London
8th December – Les Docks, Lausanne
9th December – Santeria Toscana 31, Milan
10th December – Monk, Rome
13th December – Festival Mil.Lenni – La (2) de Apolo, Barcelona
Seattle dream pop duo Night Hikes are embarking on a West Coast tour to promote their forthcoming debut studio album, ‘Chalice’, due out later this year. The lead single ‘Avila’ has been released to tease what is to come from the album.
‘Avila’ is a dreamy track laced in hazy euphoric vibes as Night Hikes pay tribute to the glory found in mundane acts of love. With a delicate, soft melody caressed by Olivia Godby’s lush vocals this song drifts along gently and tenderly creating a daydream of sweet nostalgia.The jangly guitar adds a biting zest and refreshing juicy sting to this breezy gem as the subtle swirling synths wisp about the track almost carefree and joyous. It’s a graceful track sure to warm your soul and put a smile on your face.
Indie surf-rock band Blue River are set to release their new single ‘Sugar White Sand’ on the 27th September. After bursting onto the scene, Cornwall’s Blue River are now two albums deep and have firmly won their place amongst some of the most exciting up and coming groups around. Made up of Perran Nicholls (lead vocals/rhythm guitar), Marc Willoughby (lead guitar/vocals), Adam Knuckey (bass guitar/vocals), and Brett Buddy (drums/percussion), Blue River have carefully crafted a formula that has won over the ears and hearts of fans all over the country.
This shimmy-grooved, sun-soaked, surf rock number drifts effortlessly on a smooth laid back melody and warm vocals while the jagged guitars and punchy rhythm create a gritty, rock-infused backdrop. With equal doses of mellow bliss and swagger-dipped indie rock ‘Sugar White Sand’ is locked and loaded for live show sing-along’s and easy listening lazy days in the sun. The melty melody and spaghetti western guitar injections make this track charming and liquid euphoria ready to brighten any day. A perfect new addition to Blue River’s sound.
On producing the track, the band said:“Sugar White Sand’ came from a bad night’s party, where one person became everything I hate and was the loudest person in the room! So, I started a chant with a group of lads, the famous ‘Oggi oggi oggi’ chant (being from Cornwall everyone instantly joined in)-it seemed to shut this person up for a bit. Then I wrote this tune! “I don’t wanna be like you” is a powerful line I think. As well as Cornwall vernacular, ‘Oggi Oggi Oggi’ is also a very well-known Welsh chant, used at international rugby matches to rouse the Welsh team forward and popularised by folk singer Max Boyce.”
Bio: Pacific are making a name for themselves with their blend of alternative rock and indie nuances.This year has seen strong radio support, with 10 BBC Radio plays, a 30-minute, live-on-air gig on BBC Introducing, as well as a live session on XS Manchester. The band also joined All Tvvins as support, performed at Dot to Dot Festival in May and Blackthorn Festival in July.
Track: Time to Forget
Why We Like It: It’s an effervescent indie pop anthem swirling with fermented, sparkling synths and glorious jangly guitar while the buoyant rhythms create a vibrant foundation for this sublime wall of sound to rebound and playfully ricochet off. With a refreshing peppy piano feature this track is instantly likeable and brimming with vigor. The catchy melody bops its way into the brain with ease as the smooth vocals exude confidence and passion. It’s a vibrant and an engaging track from Pacific.
Bio: Lithuanian native Dj / Producer Jovani has announced the release of his latest single “Figure it Out” available on all digital retailers now. As one half of the acclaimed Dj duo Radistai, it’s safe to assume that Jovani has already had his fair share of success. Despite millions of downloads, his own radio station, and countless sold out arenas, the young Dj decided to take a leap of faith and try his wings as a solo artist. ‘Figure It Out’ is the follow up track to the hit single “Keep it to myself” featuring Jazzu that charted in several countries and earned him a “Song Of The Year” nomination at the Lithuanian Grammys. The track feature a performance by up and coming group “Youth Appeal”
Track: Figure It Out
About the track Jovani says :“This new single is about mending a broken heart, it’s a concept that I can really relate to, and so can my fans.”
Why We Like It: It’s a sun glazed EDM anthem with lush melodies and rich production. Featuring Youth Appeal on vocals, this track splashes tropical house and trap into its sugar coated melody to create a wholly satisfying listening experience while the sweet vocals floods passion and tender tones into the track. It’s a catchy number, well written and meticulously crafted to have you singing along and dancing to this bitter/sweet ditty in no time.
Bio: Insolace, an Alt-rock band from London, released their debut single “Calm” on the 6th of September 2019. The band consists of Millie Cook (Vocals), Regan Wharton (Guitar), Conor Hyde (Guitar), Sam Bryant (Bass) & Onyi Olisa (Drums). Penning their tracks around the daily struggles of negative thoughts, addiction and self-medicating, they aim to offer hope and positive guidance to their fans.
Track: Calm
Why We Like It: It’s a blazing, gritty alternative track that travels on a fire ball of fury as scorching guitars shrill and pine between a brawny rhythm and crashing wall of sound. The band blend tender twinkles with blistering instrumentation effortlessly to create a refreshing and powerful track. With attitude soaked vocals and aggro riffling through the refined backdrop it’s a compelling and emotive track to wrap your ears around.
Bio: Five piece Indie Rock band Rivers consist of Cathal (vocalist), Ciaran (guitarist), Shauna (vocalist), Oscar (drummer) and Vince (bassist). Their first single ‘Runaway’ is out now.
Track: ‘Runaway’
Why We Like It: It’s a jaunty indie track featuring soaring ethereal guitars pounding drums and an airy wall of sound. The tight intricate guitar work weaves between the buoyant backdrop adding a dash of zest and giving a biting quality to the song while the infectious melody and smooth vocals give the song a slinky coating. The anthemic chorus and creeping verses contrast beautifully as Rivers create a tight and well developed track.
