Category Archives: Indie

Indie, New Music, Singer/Songwriter

Sarah Munro ‘Say Hello To You’

Sarah Munro is a 20 year old singer-songwriter and guitarist from Hertfordshire who writes jazz-pop songs with a strong emphasis on lyrics and storytelling. She has just released her debut album ‘Say Hello To You’, featuring 10 original songs and a stunning interpretation of the jazz classic ‘Autumn Leaves’. Munro’s music has been championed by Jamie Cullum and Michael Ball, both of whom have played her single ‘For Eternity’ on their BBC Radio 2 shows. She has also received radio airplay on Jazz FM, BBC 6 Music, France Musique, as well as radio stations worldwide and recently supported Paul Carrack on his 24 date UK 2017 tour, playing in prestigious venues including Birmingham Symphony Hall and the London Palladium. She has also supported legendary American songwriter Jimmy Webb, and in January performed a sold-out headline show at The Pheasantry in Chelsea.
‘Say Hello To You’ is the title track on the album and showcases Munro’s beautiful talented knack for charming simple story telling. Displaying her crisp stunning vocal Munro narrates a sweet tender tale of acceptance of ones self. Feathery light guitar accompaniment and twinkling keys lift the track into a flurry of weightless beauty. Its innocent and charming while bringing a tear to your eye. Coated in positive motivational and assuring tones its the track you put on for your sister, daughter, friend etc to tell them be yourself and love yourself. Munro displays a mature voice for her age with control and expression that assures her destiny as a budding star. Whether this is your genre of music or not just Monro’s vocals alone will have you mesmerised and captivated.
Sarah Munro will return to perform at the Cheltenham Jazz Festival, on May 1st, performing in the 600-seat PizzaExpress Live Arena. She will also be playing at the Cornbury Festival on July 9th.
Watch the video for ‘Say Hello To You’ below

Indie, Indie Buddie Introducing, New Music

Indie Buddie Introducing : Dome Hall

Dome Hall are a Newcastle based alternative indie band. Consisting of members Danny Lynd ( Lead vocals), Matty Floyd (Bass guitar, vocals), Olly Brooks (Sax), Matt Edge (Keyboard) and Dom Hall (Drums) they fully embrace the clean indie sound with added quirky components such as saxophone and keyboard. The band have released their debut single ‘Marske Woods’ today.
‘Marske Woods’ is a sweet little ditty, gentle, delicate and oozing warm comforting tones. Rich diverse instrumentation takes this track into a mushy mellow bliss with the glowing snug tones on saxophone really setting a laid back vibe. The soft cushioned beat and bounce on bass give the track a vibrancy and suppleness. With a creamy easy flowing melody it is melt in your mouth good while jazz-like keys glide with elegance and style. Velvety smooth vocals soothe while the sax playfully frolics with a swanky dashing charm. This track exudes fine sharp classy musicianship.
Dome Hall will be playing Hit The North Festival on the 28th April so make sure to check them out.
Stream ‘Marske Woods’ below

Indie, Indie Folk, New Music, Singer/Songwriter

Justin Lacy ‘Sealed’

Justin Lacy has recently released his new single ‘Sealed’ from his upcoming record ‘Control Burn’ out on April 13. Lacy is not your typical singer-songwriter, he is equal parts lyricist, arranger, composer and performer.  His oddball vocal delivery of image-heavy lines, steeped in sweeping orchestral arrangements creates his own little pocket of unique yet captivating indie guitar folk.

‘Sealed’ is a prime example of Lacy’s bright quirky approach to song writing that twists your ears to a blissfully unique blend of sweet melodies and subtle bursts of joy. Featuring a  bouncy and optimistic array of inventive instrumentation. With child-like warm toned flickering on guitar, honeyed lull on backing vocals and luscious ear worm melody, ‘Sealed’ fast warms its way into you mind and heart. The use of the glockenspiel adds a darker bittersweet tone while also creating a rich contrast. The song is almost cinematic and theatrical at times adding a little tension and drama to the fluffy candy coated track. For me Lacy’s nylon-string guitar creates a beautiful delicate sound with a warmth and tone that I cannot stop listening to. Lacy’s quirky vocals adds a dramatic almost striking quality however its perfect for this track and completes the songs blossom into the delightful peculiar track that will put a smile  on your face.

Stream ‘Sealed’ below

https://soundcloud.com/justin-lacy/sealed-1

Alt Rock, Garage Rock, Hypnotic, Indie, indie rock, New Music, psychedelic, Rock

Odd Couple ‘Am I Evil’

Our favourite new garage-rock duo Tammo Dehn and Jascha Kreft from Odd Couple have released their new single Am I Evil’. This follows their previous banger ‘Gone Solid’ which we featured on Indie Buddie last month. Both tracks feature on their debut album ‘Flügge’ which is due for release later this month.

‘Am I Evil’ is a fatal blast of ruthlessly sleek infectious garage rock that effortlessly drifts from slinky and groovy to head banging mania. Mind blowing and blissfully obscure this duo know what they are doing as they present us with a septic jaunt back to a time when things weren’t so mercilessly sanitised and lobotomised. Dirty gritty riffs forcefully hook you into their villainous prowl while Odd Couple question their unhealthiest and most intrusive thoughts. Mighty pulverising drums bring the track to that powerful brawny punch and mosh worthy frenzy. With western cowboy-like guitar interjections and incredibly slick guitar licks, Odd Couple gives you mind numbing thrilling opaque fierceness that holds a slithery retro sleekness. It’s sultry silky and packs a mighty punch all while having a retro tint and brutish swagger. These guys are ones to watch.

Stream ‘Am I Evil’ below

Alt- Pop, Indie, Indie Pop, New Music

Island Apollo ‘Hold it Down’

Indie rock band Island Apollo established themselves as one of LA’s hottest bands to watch. Combining a classic surf vibe with funky urban grooves, Island Apollo captures the spirit of a West Coast daydream come to life. With members from Los Angeles, Orange County, and San Diego, Island Apollo is authentically Southern Californian and isn’t afraid to show it. After being named Orange County’s “Best Pop Artist” from the OC Music Awards, Island Apollo has had songs appear on FOX Sports, CBS, PBS, TeenNick, VH1, USA Network, and has even had a song appear in a commercial with 2017 Sports Illustrated cover model Kate Upton. Island Apollo have now released their new single ‘Hold it Down’ which was produced by Eric Lilavois (Saint Motel, Atlas Genius).

‘Hold it Down’ is a mighty blow to the head of richly textured full bodied indie pop. Smothered  in darker undertones this track gives us eerie spine chilling soundscapes cloaked in a bouncy pop exterior. Featuring upbeat funky strutting guitars, this track is sleek and groovy and infectiously catchy. Driving drumbeats and synth bass riffs add that spooky thrilling vibe while smooth layered vocals add a multi texture and delirious quality. Island Apollo demonstrate their unique thrilling sound all wrapped up in fine musicianship. These are ones to watch.

Stream ‘Hold it Down’ below

Indie, Indie Pop, indie rock, New Music

Fears Chella ‘Girlfriend’

Fears Chella are an evocative Stoke/Manchester based band who cheekily blur elements of grunge and pop with sparkles of dreamy and chaotic 90s indie-rock,Having finished 2016 with support from Huw Stephens on Radio 1, Shell Zenner for Amazing Radio, The Unsigned Guide’s ‘Artist Spotlight’ and BBC Introducing along with playing a string of shows, which included support slots for All Tvvins, Honeyblood and PINS, band members Andy Gannon, Dylan Mellor, Tom O’Neill and Ben Tansey have released their infectious new single ‘ Girlfriend.’ The single follows up on the  huge buzz from the bands debut single ‘Cool’.

‘Girlfriend’ is sun soaked blazing indie  dream pop, edgy and punchy yet polished and sleek in all the right places. Bursting with energy and vitality this track is brimming and gleaming with bright hazy luminosity that evokes images of sun and good times. This track is ablaze with zealous fiery guitars that smoulder through the verses exploding with zest and dynamism for the chorus. With a punchy bounce on drums teamed with a spring-like lively bass its a buoyant refreshing blast of indie pop. Infectious sweet melody and smooth vocals are the icing on this delicious cake as Fears Chella prove they have talent to deliver rich mouth watering tunes that you will want to put on repeat. These guys have a bright future ahead.

Stream ‘Girlfriend’ below

https://soundcloud.com/fearschella/girlfriend

Cinamatic, Indie, New Music, Theatrical

Calista Kazuko ‘Daddy Issues’

London based singer-songwriter and multi instrumentalist, Calista Kazuko is set to release the second single from her eagerly awaited ‘Project: Love Me’ EP on iChi Ni Records. Following the success of her recent single ‘Poison’, Calista will unveil ‘Daddy Issues’ together with a beautiful accompanying music video directed by Philip Reinking on the 31st of March. The ‘Project: Love Me’ EP was recorded in London at The Smokehouse in Tower Bridge with award winning film composer Guy Dagul and features five brilliant new tracks. A cinematic soundscape filled with intensity and drama, the music is dark, twisted yet strangely uplifting.
‘Daddy Issues’ is a dark smokey eerie number, theatrically dramatic and haunting yet devilishly thrilling. Feathery light gentle piano twinkles with a spooky elegance while haunting chilling strings add a creepy sway- like floaty feel. With cinematic menacing instrumentation this track creeps with spine tingling eeriness while maintaining a seductive alarming quality. With strong dominant vocals and soft ghostly backing vocals this track hovers over brewing bratty peril and desire. ‘Daddy Issues’ is chilling and thrilling cant wait for the EP.
You can follow Calista Kazuko and have a sneak peek at the ‘Daddy Issues’ video on
Facebook here https://www.facebook.com/CalistaKazuko/
Twitter here https://twitter.com/CalistaKazuko

Alt Rock, Blues Rock, Fuzz Rock, Garage Blues, Garage Rock, Indie, indie rock, Worth A Listen

Worth A Listen

Our Worth A Listen Track This Week Comes From Crushed Out

Crushed Out is husband-and-wife team Frankie Sunswept on guitar and Moselle Spiller on drums. Crushed Out’s songs have been featured in VICELAND’s King of the Road, MTV’s Finding Carter, web clips by Clifbar, ESPN, Big Star Jeans, and heard in skateboard videos by Thrasher Magazine, The Berrics, Element Skateboards, and Nike. They’ve toured with Shakey Graves, Band of Skulls, Jon Spencer Blues Explosion, Social Distortion and Joan Jett. We have chosen their single ‘Love Howl’ from the album ‘Alien Ocean’ released last year, as our worth a listen track this week.
‘Love Howl’ is a riff driven weighty track that roars bluesy gritty rock with a curvy sensual sleekness that is alluring. Fuzzed guitars and thumping almost primal beat gives the track brawny hefty power and muscle. With funky tactile elements that add a steamy gliding slither, its a carnal silky track that glissades with hair-raising swagger backed with mighty thrusting force. Crushed Out manage to blend rough garage rock with slinky seductive bluesy narcotic psychedelia. With smooth luring vocals that develop into yelping and howling its a wild feverous taste of what Crusted Out can do.
Crushed Out are embarking on a UK/European tour you can catch them live at:
Wed 19 Apr Sebright Arms, London, UK
Thu 20 Apr The Shed,Leicester, UK
Fri 21 Apr Box Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
Sat 22 Apr The Grand Social,Dublin, Ireland
Sun 23 Apr Crane Lane Theatre, Cork, Ireland
Mon 24 Apr Bannerman’s,Edinburgh, UK
Wed 26 Apr The Monarch, London, UK
Wed 26 Apr The Thunderbolt Bristol, UK
Thu 27 Apr Maguire’s Pizza Bar, Liverpool, UK
Sat 29 Apr The Full Moon, Cardiff, UK
Watch the video for Love Howl’ below

Indie, New Music, Singer/Songwriter

Charlotte Eriksson ‘Black Rose’

Charlotte Eriksson, is a singer, songwriter and author from Sweden. When she was 17 she moved to London to dedicate herself wholeheartedly to her music. Since then she has started her own record label ‘Broken Glass Records’, released 3 LPs, 5 EPs, had her single ‘I Will Lead You Home’ reach #2 on the Swedish iTunes chart and toured all over Europe. Eriksson has been played on major radios such as BBC6 (UK), Sveriges Radio (Sweden) and 3FM (Netherlands). She’s published three books, telling stories about her wandering ways, life as an artist and travel essays about love and loss. Following the release of her 3rd full-length album ‘Under Northern Skies’ last year she has now released a new single called ‘Black Rose’. This is the second single released from her forthcoming new EP ‘This Silence Now’, which is due out April 21st.
‘Black Rose’ is sublime smokey poetry set to delicate refined music. Emotionally charged this track bleeds tender tones and raw emotion. Light piano accompanies with elegance and beautiful fragile twinkles. Eriksson’s passionate vocals are moving and expressive teamed with heavenly harmony on backing vocals its tear wrenching yet graceful and eloquent. Building with warm tones on acoustic guitar the track is extremely expressive yet simple. With a melancholic sweet melody its compelling. A stunning treasure.
Stream ‘Black Rose’ below

Alt- Pop, Indie, Indie Pop, New Music, Synth-pop

Heir ‘I’ll Pick You Up’

Heir are an alt-pop band based in Leeds. The band consists of members Tom Hammond, Sam Luca, Harry Vernon, Ste Fisher and Samuel Newham. The indie pop quintet have been selling out venues in their hometown.They have also enjoyed support from the BBC, and completed a European tour following the release of their debut EP last year. They have also supported the likes of Honne, The Dunwells and Karima Francis and have now released their new single ‘I’ll Pick You Up’.
‘I’ll Pick You Up’ is an ebullient zippy track that bursts with refreshing zesty vibes, cooled with smooth vocals and shimmering synths. Funky buoyant riffs give the track an infectious groove and bounce. Smothered in effortlessly cool swagger and a strut-like glide the track is chilled yet packed with upbeat feel good vibes. The punchy ductile bass adds animation and spring while the subtle twinkling synths add a laid back drift and cruise mellowing out the effulgent boppy track. Sweet lush harmonies glide along adding a delicate silky texture to the track. ‘I’ll Pick You Up’ is a catchy clap along refreshing glass of indie pop sprinkled with funky zealous blends and radiant vibes chilled with cool tones.
Stream ‘I’ll Pick You Up’ below

https://soundcloud.com/heirtheband/ill-pick-you-up-private/s-8eK9C?in=heirtheband/sets/ill-pick-you-up-single-1/s-L6nZX