Indie four piece Sandra’s Wedding have released their new EP ‘Good Morning, Bad Blood’. The Goole based four piece comprised of members Joe Hodgson (Vocals, Acoustic Guitar, Piano), Jonny Hughes (Electric guitar, Mandolin), Tom Hill (Bass Guitar), Luke Harrison (Drums, Percussion) released their debut album “Northern Powerhouse” in February 2017, which was well received by reviewers with the band subsequently invited to perform a BBC Introducing live session on the show. The sepia tinged songs on the album address love, loss and life in industrial towns across the North of England, with guitarist Jonny Hughes telling one newspaper that the group and lyricist Joe Hodgson try to write songs with lyrics that people can identify with, telling stories about residing and experiencing life in Northern, working class areas.’Good Morning, Bad Blood’ deals with similar themes to its’ predecessor with love, the complexities of relationships and the mundane side of romance all running strongly through the four tracks. The album was produced by Dan Foster at Hull’s Element Studios and mastered by Pete Maher.
‘Good Morning, Bad Blood’ is a charming warm collection of tracks that travel at an easy pace unfolding tales of heartbreak and love in a cosy wholesome manner. All four tracks hold a similar thread that confirms Sandra’s Wedding’s Smiths- esque brand however each track maintains its own identity and beautiful hold on your ears. The delicately chiming guitars throughout title track ‘Good Morning, Bad Blood’ teamed with a delicious soothing melody and punchy drums makes for an enthralling opening to the EP. Instantly you are relaxed and settled into the cosy sound of this quartet. Hodgson’s vocals are easy to listen to as his sweet and comforting voice caresses the melody while the jangly guitar laments with warm yet sorrowful tones. Even through the mournful ‘Titanic’Hodgson’s vocals hold a firm grip on your emotions as the elegant piano adds a graceful classy tone to the sweet tune. ‘Saturday Night Television’ brings a foot tapping cheery quality to the lamenting feel of the EP. The trumpet and cello are a sublime addition to the instrumentation, they fill the track with a tender warmth while weaving through a doleful bitter sweet melody that could bring a tear to your eye. ‘Run, Rabbit, Run’ is the most vibrant track on the EP as lively trumpet blasts set a mysterious Mexican Mariachi vibe over buoyant drums and lively guitar strides. It’s a refreshing and striking end to the EP.
‘Good Morning, Bad Blood’ is a collection of four songs that are brimming with sleek guitars weaving their way meticulously through sublime melodies and immaculate moments making for a richly satisfying listen. Each track is so rhythmically appealing and touching that the persistent listener is likely to find themself won over almost,without warning, by its pure honesty and wholesomeness.
Bio:South London’s Big Pagoda features vocalists Matthew Howes and Matthew Osborne, guitarist Joe Pym and drummer Toby Hayter. The quartet played in various bands together in their early 20s and formed Big Pagoda in 2017 after the two Matthews found themselves writing moody electronic shoegaze in a house share in Ealing. Big Pagoda released their debut collaboration with up and coming Producer Duncan Pym in July 2018.
Track:So Uneasy
Why We Like It: It’s a chilled glistening number laced with ethereal guitars soaring and gliding over punchy delicate drums and lush breezy soundscapes. The airy guitars jab and weave through the delicate sweet melody adding flickers of scintillation and a stinging zest to this buoyant gem. The soft vocals and rich rhythmic bounce teamed with glossy guitar injections create a gripping immaculate quality as this vibrant track provides a lush easy listening experience with a snappy darkly coated undertone.
Bio: Los Angeles-based rock artist Jesse Jo Stark has released her highly anticipated debut EP Dandelion. The album was written and produced by Jesse Jo, her guitarist Thomas Hunter and Dan Taylor (The Heavy). Steve Jones (Sex Pistols) also makes a special appearance on guitar for the lead track, “Dandelion.” Her last 5 singles – “Down Your Drain,” “Driftwood,” “April Flowers,” “Deadly Doll” and “Fire of Love” – have generated over 1 million Spotify plays and earned praise from fans and critics alike. Jesse Jo has also secured her place as an emerging voice in rock with her scorching live shows, opening for Guns N’ Roses, Jane’s Addiction, headlining her own month-long residency at The Echo in Los Angeles and supporting indie darlings Sunflower Bean on a six-date domestic tour.
Track: Dandelion
Why We Like It: It’s an enticing haunting track that glides on a bluesy tone with lush country twangs, subtly lamenting behind some classic rock n’ roll elements. Jesse’s mesmerising vocals softly coo and entice, delicately caressing the dreamy brooding melody while a soft beat and warm toned guitars keep the anthemic backdrop with a cinematic crescendo build. Slightly eerie and mysterious this track is emotive and melodically seductive with a hint of Fleetwood Mac in the background.
Bio: California-based Margot Polo is the solo project of David Provenzano,singer/guitarist of Fialta and Sherwood.As a solo artist and producer, Provenzano leans even further into the world of the electro-synth pop, turning to 90s and early-2000s pop and R&B for inspiration while ditching the philosophical in favor of fun, tongue-in-cheek lyrics.In summer of 2017, he released a series of singles to Spotify and iTunes.
Track: Dance With Me
When asked about the lyrics, Provenzano admits that the song is about the night he met his wife at a bar, where his band at the time was playing. “I remember thinking whoa, this is a really cute girl,” he recalls. “I was totally thrown off my game. I was so awkward; I didn’t even ask for her number. I sometimes wonder what it would have been like if I had been more confident in that moment, what would it be like to be one of those guys who can just walk up to a girl and say ‘Fuck it, I like you. Let’s make something happen!’ The song is me rewriting that night from that guy’s perspective.”
Why We Like It: It’s a slinky funky track dripping in swagger and infectious grooves that make you want to get up and dance. Flashing synth swirls add a euphoric vibe while sticky beat slaps and jangly guitar injection provide that feet shuffling zealousness that floods the track with vibrancy and zesty refreshing vibes. Its a catchy number full of charisma and charm with a smooth melody and crisp clean production.
Bio: London based indie-pop trio Old Swing formed in 2016 and hit the ground running, releasing their anthemic, synth-soaked debut single ‘Time’. Produced by Sam Winfield (Fickle Friends, Amber Run) the track premiered following an interview on BBC Introducing with high acclaim. Following the release, they went on to play a long string of gigs across the UK, including O2 Academy shows, supporting indie favourites ‘Sports Team’ and Canada’s ‘The Dears’ on tour
Track: Wonder
Why We Like It: It’s a refreshing glucose filled guzzle of indie pop that bursts with fruity synth swirls over a vibrant sticky beat and velvety smooth vocals. This breezy number slaps, hops and grooves with rich luscious soundscapes while glazing a delicious creamy melody over the top to add a delightful heavenly layer to this toothsome delight. It’s catchy with exhilarating guitar jangles throughout to add a nice edge and refreshing bite to this dreamy track.
Bio:Rising alt-rockers FEVA storm back into the limelight with gripping new single Uneasy, furthering their reputation as one of the North East’s biggest emerging indie talents. The Newcastle quartet have already clocked up impressive supports alongside Anteros, Baby Strange and The Pale White in recent months.
Track: Uneasy
Why We Like It: This is a blistering, adrenaline surge of frenzied alternative rock that feeds you with get up, dance, mosh and just go insane fury. Steeped in slick, rooted groove infested bass lines that can raise your inner demons, this fiery track rolls in, demands attention and takes over your body and soul with one vicious swipe. Shrilling guitars shred, pierce and whine over a mighty pummeling backdrop as the gritty infuriated drums pulverise and whack through the western- esque guitar squeals. The ear worm melody is addictive as the intoxicating backdrop enforces the sweet melody into your ears while frantic vocals call you out of your skin. It’s a thrilling manic anthem that was made to be blasted from your speakers.
Our Worth A Listen Track This Week Comes From Dead Rebel
Dead Rebel is a three piece band from Liverpool England comprised of members Rob on guitar & vocals, Dan on drums & vocals and Dylan on guitar. The band have released their debut single ‘No Reply’ with renowned producer Al Groves at The Motor Museum Liverpool (who famously produced Bring Me The Horizon). ‘No Reply’ is a blistering wallop of alternative rock. Brimming with fever inducing frothing at the mouth instrumentation, this track is one heck of a debut. Laced in slick glossy guitar lines, a shredding solo and pulverising drums the mammoth sound this trio create is one to be admired. It’s gritty, razor sharp and mosh pit frenzy ready as crashing guitars slap and flamboyantly strike off the punchy drums while raspy vocals saunter over the catchy vibrant melody. It’s a meaty ear worm that packs one heck of a punch while still holding an air of finesse and grandeur.
Four piece alternative band Reqs are releasing their debut EP ‘Shades Of Red’ tomorrow August 31st. Reqs, a four piece alternative band from Derby who formed just over a year ago. The band comprised of members Laurence Penna (Vocals, Guitar), Tom Wright (Guitar, Vocals), Dan McGrath (Bass, Vocals) and Ben Connolly (Drums) have supported the likes of No Hot Ashes and Judas, have sold out The Blessington Carriage in Derby, played DPP Festival 2 years running and have also played shows in Nottingham and Sheffield with Vega Bay, The Wired and more.
The quartet fill their debut EP ‘Shades Of Red’ with catchy, melodically lush tracks that glide upon funk flavoured grooves and vibrant choruses. There are some golden guitar moments throughout the tracks. The guitars glimmer glorious scintillation through the honey drizzled melody in ‘Both Of Us’ while a soft buoyant drum keeps a steady foundation for the warm sweet toned guitar to lament and gracefully weave around. The vocals are velvety and smooth as they delicately wrap around the oh so sweet melody. These tracks are well paced for mellow easy listening with enough punch to have those feet tapping and heads bopping without ruining the hazy laid back mood. ‘Tapestry’ once again displays tasty guitar lines and a lovable melody to make you fondly nostalgic while you sway about gently. These guys build their background superbly, the elastic bass and drum combinations keep a flexible groovy foundation while this dreamy number floats about with a 50’s-esque delicate charm. ‘Pearls’ closes the EP following on fluidly from its predecessors. The guitar takes on a steamy whine for the verses before building into a heavier chorus. Steeped in funky tones this track has a strut quality to it as the guitar prances about a punchy swaggering beat.
‘Shades Of Red’ is a lovable EP from Reqs. It showcases some fine musicianship. Reqs’ tight sound is clean and crisp without overproduction or excessive fluff – just good, wholesome, chilled tunes to satisfy your melodic indie thirst.
Hungarian chillwave duo Belau have released their new single ‘Breath’ featuring Sophie Lindinger (from Leyya). Belau is one of the most promising electronica newcomers around the European music scene. The debut Belau full-length album, ‘The Odyssey’ was released in 2016, and won the Hungarian Grammy in best electronic music album category. After their US tour they are ready to release their brand new video. Their first song, ‘Island of Promise’ was chosen to the top hits of 2015 at Deezer Hungary, and the biggest Hungarian new portals. Now it counts nearly 500.000 views, appears in HBO’s series, Aranyélet, and also featuring in international commercials for Pepsi (33 countries). In two years they had more than 120 live performances in 19 countries across Europe, they played the biggest festivals of the region, like Eurosonic, Sziget, Reeperbahn, Untold. and SXSW.
‘Breath’ is a chilled luscious number laced in rich rhythms, captivating electronics and feel good summer vibes. Jittery rhythms weave tight fluctuant beats between the ethereal electronics with gloopy sticky slaps and lavish textures doused in glorious Caribbean flavours. Sophie Lindinger’s captivating vocals caress the tasty infectious melody with sweet tones and warm depths.This sublime melody glides upon delicious electronics that wisp and swirl about the track adding a feathery light breezy quality and luxurious texture as the exuberant beat flaps about maintaining the infectious groove. The production on this track is masterful as each heavenly component is perfectly layered and placed meticulously for an enthralling listening experience. ‘Breath’ is an easy going yet buoyant delight filled with rich mouth watering sounds to sink your teeth into.
Dublin-based Dutch folk musician Jane Willow has released her new single ‘Onward Still’. Willow is a Dutch singer-songwriter who moved to Ireland at age twenty-one to pursue music after a stint of studying songwriting at a Dutch Music College. In her music she experiments with folk, jazz and classical elements, whilst keeping her rich, soft and velvet-like voice at center stage.In recent years she has played an incredible amount of gigs, frequenting venues like Vicar Street, Whelan’s, The Workman’s Club and Galway’s Roisin Dubh. In August 2017 she opened for Glen Hansard in Vicar Street. She followed this gig with a full band show in the Grand Social. In November Willow successfully raised over 4000 euro on fundit.ie for her first EP and has been featured on RTE Radio 1, BBC Radio Ulster and was the finalist in many songwriting/performance competitions and ‘Ones To Watch’ showcases. On her debut EP she collaborates with Dave Hingerty (drums: Kila, The Frames), Vyvienne Long (cello: Damien Rice) and regular band members Joanna Marie Burke (backing vocals), Eoin Healy (bass), Derek Copley (mandolin) and Scott Flanigan (keys). Her EP is due for release November 15th and ‘Onward Still’ is the second single from the EP.
‘Onward Still’ is a delicate wholesome number that radiates with simple glowing tones and delightful sun kissed melodies. The lush harmonies soothe and caress the sweet cosy melody while Willows warm vocals ease your mind and coo throughout this vibrant little gem. With soft guitar twangs injecting sparkling luminosity and bursts of zesty refreshing flavours this track is a golden ray of sunshine on a mild summers evening. Soft rhythms cushion and tranquilise you into a blissful swaying state of elation as the track flurries along in a graceful elegant manner. This track warms the cockles of your heart with purity and goodness as elastic bass and buoyant drums wrap you in a comfy cover while the beautiful melody melts upon the moving musical backdrop.Its a snug well crafted little ditty.
You can catch Jane Willow live at her single launch gig on Thursday Aug 30th in The Cobblestone, Dublin.
Manchester Rock/Grunge/Alternative band Manalishi have released their new EP ‘Why Do They Talk To Me’. Manalishi are a guttural plethora of raw energy and attitude. Consisting of lead vocalist/guitarist Dom Strett, bassist Josh Urpi, and drummer Charlie Gough; they concentrate on their music leaving your ears ringing, and a persistent scratchy feeling in the back of your throat.
The self titled EP is a bloodthirsty collection of grunge soaked alternative rock designed to pummel your brain and get those mosh pits in a frenzy. The band accumulate a refined blend of noisy fuzz and groovy sounds to create a wholly immersing fierce wall of sound. With an onslaught of battering drums and gritty, scuzzy guitars crashing and shattering against one another it’s an intense collection of tracks. ‘Why Do They Talk To Me?’ and ‘Brain In A Jar’ display this perfectly as the squealing guitars and raw, splintering backdrop revolt over raspy vocals and a catchy attitude driven melody. The tracks travel at neck breaking speeds that evoke images of hair flailing headbanging while Manalishi chill the frenzy with a moody melody. ‘Punge’ lightens the heaviness of the EP with jagged light guitar jangles between punchy drum whacks. There is a Nirvana vibe about the track as the expressive vocals expel and hiss over the fiery backdrop while wallowing in the sweetened sulky melody. These guys showcase their ballsy sound with an edgy refinement and closing track ‘Not Here…Not There…’ is a fine example of this. Slowly building the track, Manalishi mope and brood over the glum murky verses before bursting into an all out fragmenting heavy chorus. Mighty drum thuds and grumbly destructive guitars make the hair-raising foundation for this explosive track. The doleful verses contrast magnificently with the bruising chorus and make for an exhilarating listen.
This debut EP is a dynamic mix of sizzling power chords, manic energy and sonic restraint. Manalishi erect sturdy melodic structures and sing-along hard rock over a grunge foundation. They then attack their structure with frenzied screaming and guitar havoc. When Strett revs into high punk gear, shifting his versatile voice from quiet caress to raw-throated fury, the decisive control of the guitars and drums is all that keeps the songs from tipping over that thin line to utter chaos. Pretty impressive.
Limerick punk band Static Vision have released their new single ‘In The Summer’, a catchy sun soaked number driven by a meaty punk foundation. Sharp guitars shrill and stride throughout the track weaving their zealous stings and acute whines between a snappy rhythm. Instantly catchy and sing along ready this track swarms in full fury with a peppy pop sprinkled melody over boisterous instrumentation. The charismatic vocals add a charming yet spicy quality with exasperate screams between nonchalant tones. The guitar is the sparkling gem in this track for me as they jaggedly lacerate throughout with rough riffs and shredding solos that make this track pretty epic. Static Vision have whacked out another hyper slick track to go insane to while that sing along “la la la” swirls around your head all day.
Indie rock band Askies have released their new single ‘Mirror’. Formed in 2017 in Leeds, Askies have created an explosive live show, taking them to venues such as Headrow House and The Wardrobe within the first few months of gigging within the Leeds scene. Their distinct sound couples riff-heavy choruses with tight, groovy verses bound to make your feet move. Having created a small following in and around Leeds, Askies have now taken to the studio to work on capturing the energy of their live set on their first release ‘Mirror’.
‘Mirror’ is an effervescent ethereal number that glides and weaves with a winding groove and infectious buoyancy. Breezy airy guitars meander with a sweet toned lamenting melody glistening through the soft beat and raspy vocal delivery. This track wisps about your ears with a feathery lightness and sombre tone while a sweet delicate melody caresses the airy soundscapes.The instrumental bridge introduces the shredding slickness of this band as they inject a touch of distortion and grit while the drums become more punchy leaving the guitar solo to shrill and soar over this intense crescendo. It’s a gripping, wholly satisfying, laid back tune from Askies. Keep an eye out for these guys.
Dublin based singer-songwriter Kryan returns with his new single ‘Alone’. This brooding number is a piano driven emotional track that floats and glides with tender emotion and heart gripping sweetness. Kryan’s vocals command most of the attention as he delivers a passionate vocal performance while an elegant piano twinkles and glides with purity and innocence. The chorus builds becoming more intense and moving as the piano strides behind the gripping vocals creating a perfect hair raising backdrop. This is a sway-able little gem that packs in oodles of emotion and will have those tears flowing and hearts pining from the very start. It’s an honest, pure track that hits hard and shows some real talent and vocal depth. Kryan is set to release his debut EP in the Autumn so keep an eye out for that.
Stream ‘Alone’ below
Indie: (n) an obscure form of rock which you only learn about from someone slightly more hip than yourself.
Photo credit : Annie Feng
