Tag Archives: BLOXX

Indie, Indie Quick Picks, New Music

Indie Quick Picks – featuring Bloxx, Hook, Color Palette, ‘Cneasta’ and RUE

Bloxx

Genre : Indie pop

Bio : Uxbridge band Bloxx have returned with their new single ‘Everything I’ve Ever Learned’.The song is the first piece of new material since Bloxx released their debut album ‘Lie Out Loud’ in August 2020 to critical acclaim. The track premiered with Annie Mac on BBC Radio 1, and is produced by Rich Turvey (Blossoms, Oscar Lang).

Track: Everything I’ve Ever Learned

Why We Like It: Riding on a driving bassline ‘Everything I’ve Ever Learned’ is an exhilarating new single from Bloxx. Jam-packed with irresistible hooks and dynamic instrumentation the song is an explosive whack of indie-pop. The track showcases the band’s deft musical prowess through a majestic display of soaring guitars, punchy drums and shimmering synths that creates a rich, sonic soundscape for listeners to indulge in. It’s a triumphant and exciting return from the Indie pop wizards.

You can follow Bloxx on Facebook here https://www.facebook.com/BloxxUK

Watch the video for ‘Everything I’ve Ever Learned’ below 

Hook

Genre : New Wave Rock

Bio : Dublin-based new wave rock band Hook are set to release a new music video for, “Best Days,”.Shot and edited by the band. It includes slow shots of Dublin through a disorientating filter. The view is from the eyes of someone wandering the city at night; confused, lost, lonely which compliment’s the song’s message of going through difficult and complicated emotions. Hook are Eoin O’Donnell (vocals, guitar), Morgan O’Brien (drums) Danny Spelman (bass, vocals).

Track: Best Days

Why We Like It: It’s a swagger dipped tune that oozes the 80’s hued rock sound of Hook. The band sprinkle chiming guitars into a punchy drum and rippling bass backdrop to create a groove-driven tune that is a joy to listen to. The tracks laid back mellow melody is coated in Eoin O’Donnell’s rasped vocals while distortion and dark psychedelic undertones create a mysterious and eerie quality throughout. Boasting the band’s tight infectious musicianship, ‘Best Days’ is a tantalising new single from the Dublin-based three-piece. 

You can follow Hook on Facebook here https://www.facebook.com/listentohook

Watch the video for ‘Best Days’ below 

Color Palette

Genre : Indie Electronic pop

Bio : Washington Electro Rock/Synth Pop band Color Palette have released their new single ‘Clear Water Blue’. The song will be included on Color Palette’s forthcoming EP, set to be released in summer 2021.

Track: Clear Water Blue

Why We Like It: It’s an expansive and earthy tune that exudes Color Palette’s refined and lush musicianship. The band drop sweet guitar melodies into a pool of ethereal synths to create a soft rippling soundscape for listeners to indulge in before the song builds and becomes more intense as the band ventures into psychedelic pop tendencies. There is an immersive quality to the song through the use of chiming keys and lush arrangements that weave into one another while a dreamy pop melody and echoed vocals create a space-like atmosphere. Tightly layered and richly arranged ‘Clear Water Blue’ is an exciting new single from Color Palette.

You can follow Color Palette on Facebook here https://www.facebook.com/colorpalettedc

Stream ‘Clear Water Blue’ below 

Cneasta

Genre : Indie 

Bio : Cneasta is a three piece band from Listowel.The band have released their new single ‘Warrior’.the band is comprised of Peter O’Donoghue (singer songwriter), Danny Sparks (Drums) and David O’Connor (lead guitar).

Track: Warrior

Why We Like It: This punchy indie tune is brimming with passion and dynamic musicianship as Cneasta spread biting vocals over a building indie backdrop. With buoyant rhythms riding atop edgy melodic guitar refrains the track has a lush and vibrant soundscape that glimmers with sweet guitar moments and punchy drum progressions. Exuding emotion throughout, O’Donoghue’s warm rasped vocals flow over the bubbling backdrop with ease while anchoring the listener within the track’s kinetic and engaging sound. ‘Warrior’ is a fantastic display of musical prowess from Cneasta.

You can follow Cneasta on Facebook here https://www.facebook.com/Cneastamusic

Stream ‘Warrior’ below 

RUE

Genre : indie pop

Bio : RUE is an Indie Pop Female Singer/Songwriter from Northern Ireland.RUE has released her debut single ‘Into The Woods’

Track: Into The Woods

Why We Like It: ‘Into The Woods’ showcases RUE’s refined and engaging indie-pop sound. Melting a sweet pop melody into a bubbling electronic backdrop of muggy beat slaps the track is a compelling and well-crafted experience for listeners to enjoy. As RUE’s smooth vocals glide over the melody the song ventures from brooding verses to a catchy bright chorus while the subtle electronics maintain a dark undertone throughout. Featuring warm guitar and a clap-along feature ‘Into The Woods’ is an impressive debut that marks RUE as an artist to keep an eye on.

You Can Follow RUE on Facebook here https://www.facebook.com/RUEmusicofficial/?ref=page_internal

Stream ‘Into The Woods’ below 

You Can Follow Our Indie Quick Picks On Spotify Here


Author : Danu

A Chat With, Indie, Indie Pop, Interviews, New Music

A Chat With : Bloxx

We caught up with lead singer, Ophelia (Fee) Booth from BLOXX to talk about the release of their debut album ‘Lie Out Loud’ and their huge UK tour scheduled for spring 2021.

‘Lie Out Loud’ has been a long time coming for the Uxbridge four piece, and follows a glorious ascent since BLOXX exploded onto the scene four years ago with their definitive brand of confessional, relatable indie pop. The album features the huge singles ‘Go Out With You’, ‘Coming Up Short’, ‘Thinking About Yourself’, ‘Off My Mind’, alongside a wealth of new material that showcases the band’s journey so far, which has seen them play huge shows, build an army of fans and amass over 30 million Spotify plays.

You guys have released your debut album Lie Out Loud. You guys burst onto the scene four years ago. Why did it take four years to bring out an album, were you crafting your sound, readying for this release to make it as cohesive as possible?

We really just wanted to build a bit of a name for ourselves with singles and Ep’s. Crafting an album can be a long thing when you’re brand new to the industry. It feels good to not have rushed it all.

Talk to us about the title, why did you choose to call the album ‘Lie Out Loud’?

It came as a bit of a shock when i said it out loud, and I didn’t actually think it made much sense until I dwelled on the idea that it actually does. We spend, as humans, a lot of time convincing ourselves that we’re being honest with ourselves, when we can just be lying. The act of lying out loud is the idea that we’re so unaware that we’re lying, we’re doing it out loud. A lot of the tracks on the record deal with personal things for me, and the feeling of the above. 

It’s an album of cracking energetic indie tunes with shredding guitars, driving rhythmic sections and oodles of energy. How did you guys approach the writing for this album?

I think it’s important for me to write as if I’m trying to write a song for the stage. I love the idea of a crowd in my mind when I’m writing. 

You have a wonderful knack with writing earworm melodies. Talk us through how you come up with these melodies. Do you spend time ruminating on them or does it just come naturally? 

A lot of it is patience, listening and feeling the music. But I am always singing to myself, sometimes around supermarkets I’ll have to grab my phone and record a melody that I’m singing. I listen back most of the time and it’s absolute nonsense.

To coincide with the album release, You have unveiled a new single ‘5000 Miles’. It’s an unconventional love song that perfectly encapsulates the feelings of love, lust and growing up in a British satellite town. Tell us about that song and what sparked you to write it?

It is about my girlfriend at the time whom I met in the US. When I left I was really upset and penned half of the lyrics for this tune on the flight whilst drinking red wine. The music came later in this case, which is unusual for me. 

Do you write your songs from personal experiences? If so do you ever feel anxious that the people you are singing about will know the song is about them? 

Yes sometimes but I usually send a text explaining that there’s no hard feelings. In some cases people think it’s about them when it’s not at all. I find that quite funny, but if the glass slipper fits I say! 

How did you choose which tracks you were going to put on the album?

It was a bit hard but most of them were no brainers. I rarely hate a song that I write. Except for ‘Lay Down’. Bin that one.

‘It Won’t Work Out’ is one of my favourite songs on the album. Tell us about that track and how you crafted it?

Oh right, amazing! Me and Steph Marziano spent a hot hot day in the studio just writing and this happened! The four on the floor really makes that tune for me, and the way it opens up with guitars in the second part. It’s a cool one.

Do you have a track that you are particularly proud of?

 I think it has to be ‘Coming Up Short’. We were totally able to completely capture my energy and my song writing style in that song. I’d love to think that’s my sound down to a T. 

Fee your vocals are strong and emotive while oozing attitude and swagger have you always been a confident singer?

Oh no, I used to be awful really. Confidence is so key to performance, and I didn’t have any, but I’ve taught myself that feeling strong makes you act stronger so I’m not nervous anymore.

You have constructed a solid reputation through touring extensively with the likes of indie giants Two Door Cinema Club and The Wombats, hitting up major festival stages and rapidly churning out anthemic crowd explosive tunes. I bet you were gutted that you haven’t been able to tour the album this year?

Yeah! We’ve been really lucky actually! We were really gutted yeah. Having to cancel loads of shows really hit us hard, and I’m sure it’s hit everyone! Just can’t wait to get back on the road.

What tips have you picked up playing these shows with Two Door Cinema Club, The Wombats and Sundara Karma, as well as the festivals like Reading, Leeds and The Great Escape?

I think it helped us grow up a lot. We got to live on the road for a bit and being away from home and family when you’re young is how you learn to be independent I think. All of the bands we’ve toured with have been amazing to us, and it’s been so great to learn things like etiquette and also how to perform better! 

You are set to celebrate the album’s release with a huge UK tour scheduled for spring 2021. What have you got planned for the shows?

So many great things. We want to make those shows the best we’ve ever played. Getting to play album tracks for the first time in front of people will be the best feeling. I penned some of these tunes to be live anthems, so we want to bring everything to the table next year for all the fans.

Do you have any advice for anyone watching who wants to start a band or career in music?

Keep going, write a load of music, stay true to your ideas and your sound, and never stop dreaming big. 

What’s next for you guys?

More music, more shows, energy and some cool surprises early next year!

‘Lie Out Loud’ is a tight, vigorous album and an impressive debut. BLOXX pack oodles of energy into these passionate tunes and the result is a hook laden album which evokes the raw energy of a live gig as well as providing a refined satisfying body of work locked and loaded for repeat listens. 

BLOXX are set to head out on tour in 2021. Check out the dates below 

APRIL

15 – The Rescue Rooms – Nottingham

18 – Riverside – Newcastle

19 – King Tuts – Glasgow

20 – Brudenell Social Club – Leeds

22 – Academy – Manchester

23 – The Bullingdon – Oxford

26 – Thekla – Bristol

27 – Heaven – London

Stream ‘Lie Out Loud’ below


Author : Danu