Tag Archives: Alternative

Indie, New Music, Singer/Songwriter, Theatrical

Nicola Hardman ‘Just Human’ and ‘Little Fish’

After the successful release of her debut album ‘Full Beans’ back in December 2015, alternative singer-songwriter Nicola Hardman has announced details of her latest double single release comprising of tracks ‘Just Human’ and ‘Little Fish’. Throughout 2016, Nicola Hardman performed across the UK, appearing on radio shows and achieving number 2 in the top 20 chart of Round Sound Radio for her single ‘Little Fish’. She then went on to appear on Made in Liverpool TV and perform at the Liverpool Philharmonic Hall alongside the likes of Ian Prowse ,Tom Hingley (Inspiral Carpets) and John Bramwell (I Am Kloot). Later in 2017, Hardman  was noted for her “kooky avant-garde-ness … her assured voice recalling Regina Spektor or Amanda Palmer at time” by Get Into This for her performance in Liverpool’s Threshold Festival. Based in Liverpool, Hardman is notorious for her theatrical vocals and catchy piano hooks. Not only does the musical content of her material draw people in, but the lyrical content of each song is captivating – discussing both personal and political issues in a way that speaks to many.

‘Just Human’ flurries in with a rushing menacing defined piano feature. It’s an intense swirl of emotion, the instrumentation whirls around a strong chord progression while Hardman continues to fascinate with her enduring vocals that wrap the listener up in a velvet soothing blanket. At times her vocals become sharp and ominous lying in the background with an almost harrowing screaming growl. The music remains fairly light and floaty with dark churning undertones creating a wholly chilling experience.

‘Little Fish’ is a theatrical bouncy swirly eerie track. With animated keys playfully hopping with an elastic mischievous rebound. The track wriggles and hauntingly sways like a spirited ghostly waltz attended by wicked creatures on Halloween, yet it holds an air of solitary loneliness. Evoking images of grandeur and fine dresses swishing in time with the free slowing swing and strong spin of the chords on keys. Hardman’s vocals exude emotion and drama with operatic high-pitched ornamentation lifting each note at the end of certain lines adding a vibrant spring and boost to the track. It’s enticing and tempting with both a spine chilling and joyous vibe. It’s absolutely thrilling. Love it.

Drawing from an eclectic range of influences, including the likes of System Of A Down, Bjork and Incubus, Nicola Hardman presents tracks that are both distinctive and charming. The double header single is set to be released on all digital platforms on 14th October 2017 after her single launch gig held at Studio 2, Parr Street, Liverpool on 13th October. More information about Nicola and any of her upcoming live shows can be found on her social media channels here https://www.facebook.com/nicolahardmanmusic

You can catch Nicola Hardman live at:

Fri 13th Oct – Liverpool – Studio 2 Parr Street

Sat 21st Oct – Northwich – House of Quirk

Friday 1st December – Liverpool – The Epstein Theatre

Sat 2nd Dec – London – Maddens East Finchlay

Stream ‘Just Human’ and ‘Little Fish’ below


Alt- Pop, electro- pop, Electronic, Indie Electro, Indie Pop, New Music

MYA Project ‘Something That Good’

MYA Project is the alternative, electronic/acoustic pop creation from Dalila Mya. Originating from Europe, now based in Los Angeles, this musical creativity comes from a background of classical training combined with a Sound Engineering Degree. MYA Project is a fusion of electronic and acoustic music, where Trip-Hop meets World Music and Pop Rock. Dalila’s background has seen her work as a Live Sound Engineer, working with artists such as Tool, Depeche Mode, Alabama Three and Massive Attack. Besides her live work, she has worked as a Studio Sound Engineer for several studios in England and the U.S.A., including Abbey Road in London and The Village Studio in Los Angeles. She has now released her new track ‘Something That Good’. It is the second single from the album MK. Possibly the most captivating and intense song on the album it was written and recorded in only 3 days. With a sticky flickering beat glooping and slapping against flickering electronics it’s a smouldering dark entrapment of peril. Wobbling soundscapes add a chilling mirage of obscurity, cold and sticky it is almost suffocating. Mya’s luring vocals entice and enchant with a bewitching melody that swallows you up in a confusing delusion of smoke. The melody wisps around like vapours creeping in your ears – you are powerless to its catchy entanglement.  A haunting thrilling second single from MYA Project.

The video for the single was shot and produced in Los Angeles by Dalila Mya, who produced and edited the video in her own studio in partnership with, videographer and visual artist J.F. Brown.

 

Watch the video for ‘Something That Good’ which was shot in one day in one of the historical venues in L.A. – the Hollywood Hotel  below

 

 


Alt- Pop, Alternative/Cinematic, New Music

The Screens ‘Jennifer Jones’

Since the release of their first single ‘Avalanche’ which we previously featured on Indie Buddie, in May, The Screens have been locked away writing and arranging tracks for the release of their album in 2018. Included in that batch of new material is their next single ‘Jennifer Jones’ which will be available from Friday 13th October. This sweet blend of theatrical pop swirls and swishes with fine elegant composition. The graceful strings and a delicate piano feature glide along with grandeur and innocence. The lush melody captures your heart as it melts like butter on toast. Though dramatic and oozing romanticised flamboyance there is a dark underlining tone filled with danger and mystery. The Screens lay their tracks out like a narration of a tragic love story, the music expresses a beautiful and naive love that goes sour and treacherous. With light bouncy soundscapes this infectious track skips and hops along though holding a shadowy undertone. With rich instrumentation and sublime melodies, it’s a magnificent composition with a 60’s and 70’s film and TV characterisation. Another stunning track from The Screens.

When asked about the track the band said “its a story of a girl who falls helplessly in love with a guy who manipulates her mind and destroys her independence.”

Watch the video for ‘Jennifer Jones’ below


Alt Rock, Indie, indie rock, New Music, Smooth Rock

Feuds ‘Anything I Wouldn’t’

Wicklow band Feuds have released their new single ‘Anything I Wouldn’t’. The track was recorded in the Hot Spot, Greystones and recorded, mixed and mastered by Eoin Whitfield. A beautiful ethereal guitar melody introduces the track followed by gritty heavy crashing guitars and pounding drums. The track finds the perfect blend between sweet and sour as Feuds seamlessly flicker between  luscious delicate guitar melodies and heavy mosh worthy soundscapes. Light and twinkly they excel with intricate nimble blissful guitar lines and wispy dreamy soundscapes. You could relax safe and comfortable in the hazy sun kissed, honey coated guitar refrains. The rumble elastic rhythm gives the track a rippling quality and adds movement and body. The simple vocal melody lets the music speak for itself as it encapsulates and wraps you in its dreamy state. When it’s heavy it’s striking and powerful yet still maintains that hazy structure however a little more fuzzed and darker toned. An impressive track from the Wicklow lads.

Watch the video for ‘Anything I Wouldn’t’ below


Alt Rock

Delphina Kings ‘Like You’

Manchester-based alternative trio Delphina Kings will release their new single ‘Like You’ this Friday. This slinky, steamy psychedelic smothered track coils and curves with sinister sensual tones between sharp guitars and crashing drums. The verses creep in with eerie spine chilling mystery and crooning vocals. Warped and twisted in a wobbly 60’s psychedelic mirage the track seeps out sensual sultry delusions. With swirling trippy soundscapes that slip through your fingers like quicksilver it’s a hallucinogenic mind-bending prism. Delphina Kings add a rough sharp belt of rock with harsher guitar strides and punchy drums for the thrilling chorus adding a mosh quality to the melty liquefying soundscapes.

Follow Delphina Kings on their socials to listen to the track as soon as it’s released here

Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/delphinakings/

Twitter : https://twitter.com/delphinakings

Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/delphinakings

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/52g02VODwHXGGJw7eV03Z8

 


Album Review, Alt Rock, Hypnotic, Indie, Indie Psychedelic, indie rock, New Music, psychedelic, Singer/Songwriter

Kev Howell ‘Haunting Ambition’ Album

Glasgow based singer-songwriter Kev Howell has recently released his debut album, ‘Haunting Ambition’. After beginning writing original material back in 2014 with an old 8-track machine, some Cubase software, and a lot of ambition and talent, Howell has come a long way. Over the past 3 years, he has grown a solid and dedicated fanbase and gained support slots for the likes of Ben Ottewell and Bill Ryder-Jones. Inspired by the likes of The Beatles, Led Zeppelin and Pink Floyd, ‘Haunting Ambition’ boasts nine alternative rock tracks, driven by melodic guitar chords and a haunting and distinctive vocal line.

‘Haunting Ambition’ is a swirling dark concoction of alternative soft rock churning and coiling in a sixties psychedelic dissolving fermentation. Smooth and crooney ‘Distance’ sets the mood of the album. The underlying groovy hints present itself through the bouncy rhythm while spooky spine chilling soundscapes wisp around haunting vocals. The smooth melody is delicate,soft and almost fragile while sharp guitars sting with a stabbing shrill creating a goosebump inducing thrilling listen. The shadowy narcotically hazy ‘Kamikaze’ follows. Vaporous and smouldering this sultry track exudes eerie tantalising mystery wrapped in a psychedelic rock mirage. There is definitely a Beatles-eque vibe in the song maybe it’s something about Howell’s soothing McCartney-like smooth vocals or the melty melody smothered in dark creeping sixties psychedelia. Each track flows fluidly into the next bringing you further into Howell’s cloudy dream state. ‘Ode to an Angel’ lightens the mood and tone of the album. Gentle, sweet and delicate with soft accompaniment it’s heavenly and calm. Warm guitar twangs twinkle in and out of the lush emotional vocal melody while glistening soundscapes add a heartfelt sprinkle of affection. It’s an elegant mood shifter. Each track is well layered yet arranged meticulously in such a way so each note, each pluck and strum makes its own impact and striking imprint on your soul. With this album when it’s swoony and dreamy it’s divine but Howell knows exactly when to break that up and add a wobbly mirage of sharp guitar stings. Each song tells an absorbing story which pulls you right into the depths of the track creating a wholly engulfing experience. ‘Nightbird’ brings a shimmy dance quality with an impressive array of instrumentation from banjo twangs to electric and acoustic guitar intertwined with electronic soundscapes. It’s infectiously boppy and very catchy. ‘Grave Lament’ is just simply beautiful and mesmerising. Howell gives you just under a minute and a half of this blissfully sweet relaxing track. Warm guitar takes you to a dreamy island paradise while a gentle snapping beat soothes your mind. It’s mind melting soul fulfilling and oh so good. With velvety vocals caressing a creamy melody it’s like he takes away all your worries and for a brief moment you are in Utopia. ‘Snipers Blues’ closes the album off with a gritty punch of blues rock. Dirty riffs drive the track while kinetic drums bounce and pound with ferocious energy. It’s effortlessly cool, swagger driven and ballsy while also holding an air of breezy laid back attitude. Sultry and eerie with sharp guitar wails it’s a dramatic memorable end to the album.

Kev Howell’s ‘Haunting Ambition’ album blends the brawny fiery punch of rock with sublime smoky poetry and sensual steamy psychedelia, showcasing his refined and proficient musicianship. It’s an album you can put on and will listen to all the way through finding new intricate details each time. He leaves space for thought and contemplation while still layering and weaving fine textures and sublime melodies. An impressive debut.

Watch the video for ‘Kamikaze’ below

 


Alt Rock, Alt- Pop, Dream Pop, Indie, Indie Pop, indie rock, New Music, Pop Rock, Rock, Synth-pop

Wild Youth ‘Lose Control’

Dublin band Wild Youth comprised of members David Whelan (vocals/guitar) Conor O’Donohoe (keyboard/vocals) Ed Porter (guitar/vocals) and Callum McAdam (drums) have released a video for their upcoming new single ‘Lose Control’, which is set for release this Friday 8th September. ‘Lose Control’ is an instantly catchy radio ready surge of indie pop. Sweet vocals caress  a smooth feathery light melody. The rich clap along finger clicking rhythm makes this track danceable and breezy. Twinkling guitars and soft shimmers on keys create a floaty blissful melty atmosphere and rush of youthful adrenaline while the steady beat pulses throughout. This dreamy ear worm will have you dancing and grooving in no time. It’s a sophisticated, intricately layered, sublime track that is sure to be a hit.

You can catch Wild Youth live at

12 Sep Cyprus Avenue, Cork

13 Sep Abner Browns, Dublin

19 Sep Trinity Freshers Ball, Dublin

22 Sep Grand Social, Dublin

23 Sep Roisin Dubh, Galway

Check out the video for ‘Lose Control’ below


Indie, Indie Pop, indie rock, New Music, Worth A Listen

Worth A Listen

Our Worth A Listen Track This Week Comes From Beck

Beck has released his new single ‘Dear Life’. It is the third single from the upcoming album ‘Colors’. The album is Beck’s first full length offering of new material since 2014’s ‘Morning Phase’ took Album of the Year top honors at the 57th Annual Grammy Awards, as well as Best Rock Album and Best Engineered Album (Non-Classical) category. The album also saw him nominated for ‘International Male Solo Artist’ at the 2015 BRIT Awards. In addition to the newly unveiled ‘Dear Life’ Colors includes both of Beck’s singles that preceded it, the new mix of the psych-dance summer jam ‘Dreams’ and the retro-futuristic earworm ‘Wow’.

‘Dear Life’ is a peppy piano driven little ditty. The cheery piano jingles flutter between a slapping beat and a lush pop melody. Drizzled in a 70’s Elton John- esque vibe Beck gives us a hip wiggly track rounded off and coated in hazy dreamy soundscapes. Soft backing vocals lull with sweet luscious tones creating a smooth blissful heavenly atmosphere. It’s laid back and calm with some nice sharp guitar zests squirted in to add a bit of edge and sharpness to the track. Beck layers this track seamlessly creating a contemporary swoony song with an almost jazzy foundation. Well crafted, refined  and so tightly bound it seems simple and laid back. With winding twists and turns  Beck proves when it comes to meticulously combining all the components of a track he is a master.

Watch the lyric video for ‘Dear Life’ below


Alt Rock, Hypnotic, Indie, Indie Buddie Introducing, Indie Psychedelic, indie rock, New Music, psychedelic, Rock, Trance

Indie Buddie Introducing : Cloakroom Q.

Alternative rock band Cloakroom Q have released their debut two singles ‘Don’t Come Home’ and ‘Wankman2000’. Hailing from Newry, Daniel Havern (Drumer), Conall Coulter (Guitarist), Dan Monaghan (Bassist), Ryan Elmore (Vocals) and Sean Hickey (Synth) formed after two of the members (Conall and Sean) saw LCD Soundsystem during their live set at Electric Picnic 2016. This influenced them to start a band which had many musical similarities to LCD. Of course, with the advent of Cloakroom Q they followed less of these musical influences as the sound developed with the additions of Dan, Ryan and Danny. Influences of the band “Slint” are present with both tracks due to the spoken word vocals featured. However, the influence of LCD soundsystem is still ever present with these tracks due to the synth arrangements.

‘Don’t Come Home’ is an intense spine chilling ominously dark trip. Twinkling creepy sinister synths create an almost horror movie like start. The steady pulsing beat creates a menacing foundation for the track while ghoulish haunting falsetto “ooh”, between anguished shaky vocals. It’s chilling and obscure smothered in simplicity as the feathery light melody on synths glisten, interweaving playfully and eerily against the harsh striking emotional lyrics. The track builds in intensity as drums pound and guitars crash becoming heavy and mosh ready, ending with the piercing shrill of distortion. This track is weighty both instrumentally and emotionally. It’s agonising, harrowing and brilliantly crafted. These guys build to a fury bursting crescendo while still holding back on some of the emotion. Its like a controlled explosion that is held taut so the intensity and torment remains throughout the fierce blow up.

‘Wankman2000’ is a pulsing psychedelic trip swirling in hypnotic soundscapes and flickering synths. A strong beat once again acts as a constant as the track wobbles and warps around it. Becoming heavy the track builds into fury infested headbang rock smothered in psychedelic delusions. Spoken vocals become aggressive and shouty. Dripping in acid-like illusions with dark eerie tones and pounding rhythms it’s another dense staggering track from this five piece.

Cloakroom Q have presented two chilling throbbing heavy hitting tracks with arrangements that take you on a roller-coaster ride of lurching and rolling with raw anguish and intensity. These two tracks whack these guys into the ones to watch list.

Stream singles ‘Don’t Come Home’ and ‘Wankman2000’ below

 

 


Alt Rock, Alt- Pop, Indie, indie rock, New Music

Anna Tosh ‘Weightless’

London born and bred, Anna Tosh has released her new single ‘Weightless’ which was produced by Anna and bassist Herman Stephens, and recorded at Cafe Music Studio in Bow, East London, by Mark Sutherland. Tosh has been lending her considerable six-string skills to a varied roster of bands since she was a teenager, among them Wildhood, Love Nor Money, Hey Gravity and Shotgun Venus. But with her own collection of striking self-penned songs demanding attention, and the assistance of Herman Stephens (bass) and Jeremy JayJay (drums) she decided it was high time to make her mark as a solo artist.

‘Weightless’ is a strut like flexy groovy track that oozes cool swagger and seeps chilled chicness. With a sticky snappy beat and soul soaked sleek bass groove it’s skin tight hot and well-polished. Glossy as a waxed car this attention-grabbing fluid track boasts slick musicianship and competent construction. The pulsing rhythm infectiously worms its way into your head while Tosh’s emphatic vocals lull you into a stupor. Swirling in mystery and obscurity with melodic guitar embellishments playfully weaving in between a catchy pop chorus it’s a throbbing, sweetly sprinkled edgy indie rock delight.

Stream ‘Weightless’ below