Toronto-based musician Ben Stevenson has released his new single ‘Yellow Bird’. The track is taken from his upcoming LP ‘Cara Cara’ which will be released on September 22 via Culvert Music. It’s a dreamy melodic song gentle and calm gliding on a soft cloud of bliss. With delicate acoustic accompaniment it wisps around in a feathery light flow of elegance. Slight sweet twangs add a hazy wobble and sharp zest while Stevenson’s velvety vocals coo throughout. With a soft melody it’s honey sweet and sensitive, a beautiful delight and perfect for lazy laid back days.
When asked about the track Stevenson said: “I wrote Yellow Bird in the California desert high above Joshua Tree where I was working with Adam Pavao in his desert hideaway studio. I feel the expanse of the land in the song, a song about freedom. It’s about realizing that reality is undefined, not fixed, and to experience liberation you have to rid yourself of attachment and expectation.”
Bio: Labeled as anything from math to prog to pop but feeling most comfortable in the plain guise of rock, Bend Sinister of Vancouver BC have evolved through numerous styles and absorbed a plethora of influences to become a band that is refreshingly original. Comprised of members Daniel Moxon (Vocals/Piano), Dicky Neptune (Drums/Vocals), Matt Rhode (Bass/Vocals) and Joseph Blood (Guitar/Vocals) have signed to Cordova Bay and are gearing up to put out their new record. Bend Sinister have been touring and releasing music independently for 12 years and this new record is set to serve as a re-introduction of sorts to the band.
Track: Walk The Other Way
Why We Like It: It’s a refreshing burst of indie rock, exploding with an anthemic chorus, sharp zests on guitar and a punchy beat. With bubbly keys adding a mellow jingle the verses are calm and nonchalant. The track builds becoming more dynamic and fiery sweeping you up in a rush of spirited indie rock.
Bio: Sarah Cripps is a singer/songwriter from Toronto. The Toronto Independent Music Award winner has released her lead single off her upcoming self-titled album.
Track: Leave Behind
Why We Like It: It’s a sweet subtle track submerged in dark tones and almost the heavy weight of despair. Cripps softly croons over reverb laced guitar twinkles and soft whines while piano taps add a delicate throb. Light drum brushes caress the track with a feather light touch helping to create a delicate emotion filled ambience. It’s raw and tender with folk hues and psychedelic tinges towards the end.
Stream ‘Leave Behind’ below
Don Broco
Genre: Rock/ Alternative
Bio: Don Broco are an English rock band formed in Bedford, England in 2008. The band consists of Rob Damiani (lead vocals and electronics), Simon Delaney (guitar), Tom Doyle (bass) and Matt Donnelly (drums and vocals).
Track: Technology
Why We Like It: It’s a raw fierce swipe of alternative rock. With savage riffs blasting against fierce brutal drums it’s gritty and blustery. Smooth slick verses creep in with swagger and charm backed by an infectious groove and luscious elastic rhythm. The track explodes into a massive chorus creating a well-crafted song that glides in like a lamb and leaves like a raging beast. It’s catchy and brimming with mosh ready weight. ‘Technology’ is tight and edgy while displaying a refined style of musicianship. It’s pretty slick.
Watch the video for ‘Technology’ below
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Rock dare devils Queens of the Stone Age have released their new much anticipated album ‘Villains’. Eager fans have awaited the album nervously. Finger nails have been chewed to a measly stump as they hoped the Mark Ronson produced album wouldn’t disappoint. Mixing the funky pop production we know Ronson for, with the gritty heavy rock that we are used to from Homme &Co, it could have gone either way. But these guys pulled it out of the bag. They shame us for our doubt with the slickest tightest most thrilling album, arguably their best to date
‘Feet Don’t Fail Me’ keeps the suspense with nearly two minutes of a moody dark eerie intro before blasting into a vivid riff that bounces, rebounding off the swagger soaked hair raising sound these guys do so well. It’s slick well-oiled with razor sharp guitar and a tight rhythm that snaps with instant vibrancy and elastic effect. It’s just too cool. Shredding guitar solo blisters leaving burn marks behind. Homme’s vocals coo and wail with sizzling vigour. It’s the perfect start to the album. The strutting hip shaking danceable ‘The Way You Used to Do’ follows. Finger clicking and soaked in a slick bluesy guitar riff it’s insanely catchy and shimmy worthy. This track alone will have you dancing embarrassingly around the room with its ear worm melody and infectious foot tapping beat. ‘Domesticated Animals’ is a punchy dark throbbing track with a nice little clap feature. Its sultry guitar licks and pulsing rhythm create an eerie gliding dramatic atmosphere. With Bowie hints in places and spooky dark tones all wrapped in a cinematic striking soundscape, it’s a scorching dazzler.‘Fortress’ slows the pace becoming sombre and shadowy while still packing QOTSA’s gritty shaded punch.The rock and roll flamboyant swagger stained track ‘Head Like a Haunted House’ follows with a rush of gyrating hip causing grooves. With 60’s surf-like guitar glides punchy drums and Elvis-like vocals this track makes a delightful shift in the album. That running bass is just sublime. The spacey wails give a unique twist while whistles add a cheeky chappy charm to the song. Still remaining heavy, it’s fantastically obscure and diverse. ‘Un-Reborn Again’ follows the rock and roll laced style however with elegant string feature and sharp guitar stings. The track glides with feminine grace while still maintaining a razor-sharp edge. ‘Hideaway’ slinks in, sultry and stealthily with a hush hush manner. It’s scorching guitar blisters with steamy humidity while Homme’s vocals smoothly and enigmatically caress the lyrics. ‘The Evil Has Landed’ is a spray of bluesy groovy rock. It’s a flexing of their rock, psychedelic muscles between crunchy riffs and pulsing beats. Sinister with hints of sweetness Homme stays mostly in his falsetto range as the track builds to an electrifying crescendo. It shifts becoming heavier and mightier and mosh frantic. ‘Villains of Circumstance’ brings us to the end of our journey with the ‘Villains’ album. Delicate and gentle with sweet guitar jingles and breezy soundscapes the song starts tender yet eerie. Building into an almost anthemic bright chorus, they manage to pack so much into this track. With echo brooding passion-filled vocals its moving yet positive. The chorus is very hopeful and vibrant with sonic twinkles throughout and dramatic instrumentation it definitely leaves you wanting more.
Sweet luscious melodies instant danceable grooves and enough heaviness to make a room shake and shimmy at the same time ‘Villains’ hasn’t let us down. Queens of the Stone Age have been shifting slightly since the ‘Rated R’ days but not negatively. ‘Villains’ is sophisticated refined and fun while still packing some gritty punches.
Net artists Pandovisia have recently announced the release of a mini LP titled ‘Gone With The Solar Wind’. The release marks the anniversaries of the Voyager space programme and the cult sci-fi TV series Space 1999. The duo’s second album takes us to the far reaches of the solar system, and beyond. Exploring the ultimate challenge of single-sided communication, this record is conceived as a message in a bottle bound for outer space, including samples from the Voyager golden record and private audio clips. ‘Gone With The Solar Wind’ is a story of reaching out to the unknown in search for love. In Pandovisia’s world, the wandering Voyager probes and forever gone Eagle Transporter spacecraft are metaphors for hope and dreams of scientists, children and artists alike. ‘Gone With The Solar Wind’ was pre-released on 20th August the day of the launch of Voyager 2, and will be officially released on 5th September, 40 years since Voyager 1 left this planet to become the first human-made object to leave the solar system and cross into interstellar space. The album will be available to stream or download from all major digital stores.
The wobbly spacey ‘The Golden Record’ kicks off the mini LP with warm guitar strums swooned in a dreamy atmosphere of soft jingles and drum thuds. The sweet toned guitar is lulling and calming while spaced out alien eerie synths slide in and out creating a haunting tone. The soft flickering ‘Solar Wind’ follows breezy and drenched in mirage like synth delusions. ‘Space 1999,’ Silent Ambassador’ and ‘Outside The Solar System’ are the only tracks that feature vocals. ‘Space 1999’ features both male and female vocals that coo with breathy rasps through fluctuant soundscapes, Asian hints and retro multi textured synth grooves. ‘Outside The Solar System’ is a melancholic tender track thudding with heavy somber tones teamed with warm glimmering guitar and wavy synths. With a catchy groove, sticky beat and repetitive spoken vocals its quite compelling and closes the LP on a thought provoking note.
‘Gone With The Solar Wind’ isbrimming with some sweet toned melodic guitar moments that are simply divine while blending that among a rich spacey mirage of wavy synths, whiny jangles and slapping beats. It’s a unique LP and an experience all to its own.
After lighting up stages across North America and around the world this summer on a sold out tour and teasing eager fans about upcoming music releases, Thirty Seconds To Mars have released a new song for the first time in four years. “Walk On Water” marks the first single from the multi-platinum selling band’s highly anticipated forthcoming fifth studio album.
‘Walk On Water’ is a stomping adrenaline rushing anthem. With synth flickers between pounding march ready drums, it’s a mighty powerful statement. Leto’s strong raspy vocals resound over a booming soundscape. Exuding optimism and hope it’s a stand together and fight for what you believe in anthem. It’s a catchy tune with a synth rock surge that is sure to be epic live.
Next week, “Walk On Water” will have its world television debut in a can’t-miss performance on this year’s MTV VMAs on August 27th, 2017. Frontman Jared Leto first hinted at new music in a dramatic teaser video unveiled on his Instagram in June. The band then confirmed the new single in August with another video. The record follows the band’s 2013 studio album LOVE LUST FAITH + DREAMS, which debuted inside the Top 10 on Billboard’s Top 200 as well as official charts across the UK and mainland Europe.
Our Worth A Listen Track This Week Comes From Adventures in the Underground
Adventures in the Underground is a new band from LA made up of collaborators Kevin Hinman and Luke Richmond. They have released their new single ‘Streetlight’ which was produced by Mario Borgatta and Steve Pagano from the band thanks.’Streetlight’ is a sleek stretchy delight that fuses honey drizzled pop melodies with classic rock punches. The first thing that hits you with this track is its instant likability and sweet toned catchy hook melody. The sticky beat slaps while a funky groovy rhythm adds a strut quality and swagger soaked confidence to the track. Powerful vocals with raspy hints give a swanky rock infused prance while guitar strides and ear worm chorus add that fist pump classic rock anthem vibe. Slick and cool it flows with glossy grandeur and polished smoothness. Seamlessly layered and oozing oodles of panache mixed with explosive passion, this is a tune that makes you feel something. With sweet subtle shifts that create nostalgic tender moments to mighty dynamic bursts these guys know what they are doing. It’s smooth with just enough flamboyance to make you groove while packing some indie rock punches and edgy splinters along the way.
Leed’s Post-Punk trio Dead Naked Hippies have released their new single ‘I Can’t Wait’. The band which consists of members Lucy Jowett (Vocals), Jacob Marston (Drums) and Joe Clarke (Guitars) have stormed the Dork stage at this year’s Live At Leeds festival to a packed out crowd and have blown the minds of all in attendance at Hit The North Festival. The band have already garnered critical praise from the likes of Dork, DIY, Gigslutz and BBC Introducing. This is the first release from the upcoming Dead Naked Hippies EP #1.
‘I Can’t Wait’ is a blistering briery track loaded with heavy percussion and a mighty punch of rawness. It’s lean and mean while holding an air of slick sensuality. The well-oiled groove driven foundation is layered with sharp stinging guitar lines that pierce through the track creating the most thrilling acute biting sound. With a swagger soaked emotional vocal delivery pitted against shredding dead -cool guitar and punchy drums, it’s a savage spunky display. These guys deliver a slick sound oozing steamy tension, explosive scorching energy and powerful instrumentation.
Enigmatic frontwoman Lucy Jowett candidly explains, “I Can’t Wait is our gut reaction to those who are sucked so far into the system they’ve forgotten they’re alive. It’s an optimistic outlook on leaving them behind. We’re constantly being told to sell ourselves short to the point that we’re scared stiff to move. Creative outlets are deemed insignificant and unproductive because they serve no purpose to the system.”
You can catch Dead Naked Hippies live at
15th Sept – The Old Blue Last – London (Free Entry)
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.
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
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
Glass Hour
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
Vertebrae
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
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Indie: (n) an obscure form of rock which you only learn about from someone slightly more hip than yourself.
