Tag Archives: Blues

Blues, Blues Rock, Garage Blues, Garage Rock, Hypnotic, Indie, Indie Blues, indie rock, New Music, psychedelic, Rock, Trance

Val Cale ‘Two People In The Dark’

val cale

Val Cale are a Garage Blues band from Leeds. The band consists of members Tom Lister (Lead Vocals / Lead Guitar), Henry Smith (Rhythm Guitar / Backing Vocals), Shafiq Dufrene (Bass Guitar / Keys / Backing Vocals) and Sam Hamer (Drums / Backing Vocals). The band has quickly made progress through the Leeds city gig scene, and is gaining a reputation for enthralling, atmospheric and groovy live performances. They claim their music is “capable of reducing the listeners mind to the creamy texture of a head of stout” and they are absolutely right.
‘Two People In The Dark’ gives us a taste of what we can expect from their upcoming debut EP ‘Blackstuff’ which is set for release this September. Its a deep dark swirling concoction of gritty blues and rock with a dash of psychedelia. ‘Two People In The Dark’ introduces itself with a massive attention grabbing dirty blues riff. The track becomes more sensual and luring with an elastic bass that adds an enticing lustful quality and burning desire feel to the track. While Lister’s vocals are raspy and emotion filled adding to the longing tone. The drums keep a flexible tempting beat that teases the listener as we wait for the massive crescendo. The shredding guitar solo adds that touch of psychedelia as it screeches with powerful distortion and is performed with slick proficient and nimble skill.
‘Two People In The Dark’ shows Val Cale’s skillful musicianship, looking forward to their EP.
These guys are ones to watch.
Stream ‘Two People In The Dark’ below

Alt Rock, Hypnotic, Indie, Indie Blues, Indie Pop, New Music, psychedelic, Rock, Worth A Listen

Worth A Listen

Our Worth A Listen Track this week comes from Ethan & The Reformation

Manchester’s Psychedelic Rock/Pop band Ethan & The Reformation have decided to release their track ‘Hollandia’ as it is going to be used on a TV advert. As I’m sure you know by now we at Indie Buddie are becoming big fans of Ethan & The Reformation as they have constantly impressed us with every tune they have been throwing at us. So naturally we decided to make ‘Hollandia’ our Worth A Listen Track this week.
‘Hollandia’ is a Psychedelic gritty blues rock track with a slick dirty bass riff that sticks in your head. The steady bendable beat gives a hypnotic effect that lures you into the track. While the zesty psychedelic guitar plays a light melody that swirls in your head giving an intoxicated effect. The vocals are raspy and gritty which adds a brawny quality to the verse. The chorus is lyrically simple and repetitive and sung in the higher range of vocals, this adds to the hypnotic effect and makes this track unforgettable.
Another fantastic track form Ethan & The Reformation you can buy ‘Hollandia’ now on iTunes via their own label, Bohemian Sex Club.
Stream ‘Hollandia’ below

Blues, Indie, Indie Soul, New Music, Soul

Hannah Grace ‘Mustang’

Welsh soul , blues singer/songwriter Hannah Grace released her new single ‘Mustang’ a few days ago. ‘Mustang’ is a sassy bluesy track full of attitude. With its sway like beat this track has a strut effect with slick gritty guitars that give an edgy rock element. Graces’ vocals are soulful and powerful without being over powering. She exudes swagger and confidence while maintaining a tempting seductive tone, teamed with an “i don’t give a damn ” attitude. With catchy chorus and easy to sing along “whoo whoo” bridge this track is an infectious anthem. Graces’ vocals are impressively captivating and draw you in while you listen intently to her amazing vocal capability as she gives us a powerful strong performance that will have you singing along and clapping to this fantastic track.
Stream ‘ Mustang’ below

Alt Rock, Blues, Hard Rock, indie rock, New Music, Rock

New Valley Wolves ‘Trouble’

New Valley Wolves have just released their new single ‘Trouble’ and its a hefty, mean, bluesy track full of attitude. The duo have built a reputation for themselves as the fiercest live act in Ireland through relentless gigging at home and abroad. With a sound bigger than an A-Bomb and energy that borders on psychotic ‘Trouble’ lives up to this reputation. With its robust dirty bass, thunderous drums and howling vocals this track shakes you to your core and is definitely a track to sink your teeth into. Its big, mean and destructive while the flexible bass keep a cool, smooth steamy vibe. The frenzy created in the manic mosh worthy bridge is insane. Its enough to get a crowd headbanging and going crazy in its high energy body pounding sound. The track returns to it slick bluesy style again to finish leaving you wanting more.
This is a band you don’t want to miss live and ‘Trouble’ is a must listen!

You can see New Valley Wolves live at:
Jun 24 Sea Sessions Donegal
July 30 Crane Lane, Cork
They are also playing at Electric Picnic and Rockathon.
Stream ‘Trouble’ below

Blues, Indie, Indie Blues, New Music

Jackie Venson ‘Next Life’

Image result for singer

Jackie Venson is an Indie Blues artist from Austin, TX. She has released her video for her new single, “Next Life.” The track is about Unrequited love which is a universal theme and is easy to relate to.
‘Next Life’ begins as a gentle melodic track with soft instrumentation and steady piano that holds a strong foundation for the track. Venson’s vocals are strident and strong. This track has a laid back atmosphere and a cool calm vibe. The track is a slow burner that gradually builds to a fiery guitar solo and abrupt end. The track is presented in a precise manner, and every note and strum has its place but blends well forming a melodic track that shows superb musicianship.
Watch , ‘Next Life’ below.

Album Review, Alt Rock, Blues, indie rock, New Music, Rock, Rock and Roll, Uncategorized

Skunkmello ‘Hot Chicken’

Brooklyn-based rock and roll band Skunkmello have released their new album ‘Hot Chicken’ today. Matt Bartlett (vocals, guitar, harmonica), Ed Cuervo (guitar, vocals), Jay Holt (bass,vocals) and Jono Ori (drums, vocals) have created their sound which blends the influences of classic rock and blues artists, such as Creedence Clearwater Revival, Towns Van Zandt and The Rolling Stones. The group’s three previous releases, Whiskey & Oatmeal EP (2012), 2013’s Lowlife Dreams EP which were produced by the band and mastered by Grammy Award‐winner Brian Lucey,( The Black Keys’ Brothers and El Camino albums) and 2014’s Stars & Stripes, have all met with critical acclaim and ‘Hot Chicken’ follows with in the same manner.
‘Hot Chicken’ pulls together the best of classic rock and roll with country twangs and refreshing blasts of blues to make a solid smooth album full of swagger. ‘Cardboard Box Disguise’ kicks things off in a true rock and roll style with husky vocals, luscious guitar twangs and a sick drum beat that pulls you to the dance floor. With it’s catchy chorus this fun upbeat track is infectious and starts the album off on a high with added cowboy “woooh” mid guitar solo its full of 50s rock and roll swagger.
‘Ridin’ The River’ follows with a heavier sound to start. The country twang features strongly again while the song takes a swing persona as the harmonica becomes predominate. The bridge is finger clicking and foot tappingly good. Its feel good vibe is infectious and makes this track so easy to listen to.
‘Prime Time Hero’ takes a blues form with a sensual sway/strut effect. The guitar plays a light springy melody to soft bouncy beats. Skunkmello take blues and make it light and fun in this track. The chorus is simple with “wooo yeah” lyrics and trust me you will be singing by the end. This track is full of sass in a smooth seductive style.
‘Rhinestone Shady’ brings us a rock and roll blues with heavier beats and stronger vocals full of attitude. With a crisp slick guitar solo and clever lyrics this song is energetic and yet a true narrative telling a story relative to their lives.
‘Highway 17’ slows the tone down a little with a country almost whiskey drowned ballad. It is beautifully melodic and smooth and gives a driving on a hot summers evening feel. Its full of nostalgia and melancholy tones with lush sweet harmonies in backing vocal, while the main vocals are slightly animated and emotional.
‘ Slaughterhouse Blues’ brings back that “turn it up loud” rock and roll feel while ‘ Alligator Coat’ gives us some distorted sliding guitars and shakes up their sound a little. ‘Cash Flow Blues’ deals with the problem of money or lack of, which we can all relate to. Skunkmello deal with this problem in an upbeat manner full of humour and an almost speaking vocal in the middle. This song is full of clap along beats and definitely is one to get an audience up and dancing.
‘Sweet Delight’ closes the album in a raunchy blues style. The steamy guitars and soft beat gives a longing sway vibe to the track. While the vocals become rough and husky in places. With “ohhh” feature on vocals that begin soft and build to become intense and louder up to the massive guitar solo and an almost shout in vocals and roll on drums. This softens until the guitar plays us out with a kick ass solo and pounding drums to a sudden end. Leaving you wanting more.
Stream ‘Slaughterhouse Blues’ and ‘Highway 17’  below

A Chat With, Alt Rock, Blues, indie rock, Interviews, New Music, Rock

A Chat With : Jack Berry

After reviewing Jack Berry’s new album ‘ Mean Machine’ earlier this month, we decided to have a chat with him about his new album and to get to know him a little better.

How Did ‘Mean Machine’ come about?
I had a bunch of songs I was working out and I got a call to use an old track (“Kiss Like”) for a Showtime show but I had to re-record the instrumentals. We went in, recorded it in an hour and the engineer just says, “Well, you’ve got the studio for the day…want to record anything else?” Three days later we had Mean Machine.
Did you find it difficult to decide what tracks you wanted on the album and what order to put them in?
Which songs were already set, but the order I treated like a concept album. Lyrically everything is correlative and the story carries itself throughout and I arranged the tracks to justify that.
The songs on the album all keep in with the same theme of conflicting emotions only portrayed in different ways was it difficult to keep the same theme through all the songs?
I certainly didn’t plan it to be that way, so it wasn’t difficult to stick to it. It’s more difficult to just stay out of the way of the flow. Let it breathe.
Your songs are full of swagger and confidence does this reflect on your personality?
Most of the figures I placed as heroes growing up had bravado in spades. Like Clint Eastwood or Muhammad Ali – but I wouldn’t say I walk the streets like Shaft. I’m a lot more laid back than what my music suggests…til I’m not.

Which of your songs are you most proud of?
I’m really proud of The Bull. The storyline alone was a fun thing to create and everything fell into place from there. I never planned for it to be so heavy but that’s what I love about it – the rise and tension. Parts of other songs still give me chills which is weird I reckon, to get that feeling from your own songs but I’m pretty good at detaching myself from the project as a person and artist.
There are some really great riffs in this album, were they difficult to come up with or did they come naturally?
Thank you for saying that. Naturally I suppose. The difficult part was refining them. I could hear them in my head but I’m only a sub-par player so it took time to do the riff justice.
Do your songs draw inspiration from personal experiences?
I like to use the content or vibe as a sort of score or soundtrack to my personal experiences so in a way yes, but not verbatim.
From your album you get a sense that these songs would be epic performed live, what is your Favourite song to perform live and why?
The live show brings the ruckus, I can tell you that much. I try to bring the energy of a punk show in rock form. We’re all dropping in sweat by song three. “Bad Dog” is typically the closer and for good reason.
What advice do you have for people who want to start a career in music?
Once you commit to starting that road, don’t turn back – only way you’ll make it is being relentless. Especially these days. It’s a beautiful thing to have so many artists among us, but it makes it a bitch to survive and get noticed.
What has been your biggest challenge in the music industry so far? Have you been able to overcome that challenge? If so, how?
Keeping my mouth shut about other genres or artists that receive so much fame and attention. There’s just no point but I’m so opinionated and certain things like country, which is just pop music with shit lyrics these days, not at all a candle to what it use to be but…ah dammit. See. Shut my mouth.
Any Plans to come to Ireland in the future?
By order of the Peaky Blinders I assume.
What is next for Jack Berry?
Shows, shows, more shows. Then back to the drawing board. Scatter some whiskey and tacos in there and that should cover it.

Whiskey and tacos sound good! might do that myself! stream ‘Mean Machine’ below.

https://soundcloud.com/jackberrymeanmachine/sets/mean-machine