Tag Archives: indie rock

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

The Covasettes ‘Wondering Why’

 

Promising Manchester indie-rock band The Covasettes have released their second single ‘Wondering Why’.Following the success of their debut single, ‘This Feeling’, which we featured as Indie Buddie Introducing the exuberant four-piece have worked tirelessly over the last six months to bring their distinctive, catchy sound to music lovers across the country. Formed in mid 2016, the quartet have gone from strength to strength impressing music lovers and promoters alike with their energetic, anthemic live set.  In 2018 alone they have played sold out shows in Manchester, Derby and London.

‘Wondering Why’ is vivid infectious indie. Tightly weaved ethereal guitars swirl between jagged guitar riffs creating an intense bubbling and boiling effect within the track while punchy drums and nimble bass set an elastic fluctuant foundation for them to rebound off. Instantly catchy and dynamic this track surges youthful adrenaline through your veins while the luscious melody smothers the track in sweet pop wrapped goodies. The soaring breezy instrumentation packs some serious punch and the shredding guitar solo brings a slick swagger soaked quality to the track. It’s a well crafted golden number brimming with blistering instrumentation and some catchy, luxurious, anthemic melodies.

Commenting on the track, the band said: “We are so excited to announce our second single Wondering Why. It is one of the first songs we ever wrote as a band so it is a great feeling to finally be able to share it with the world. We have been working hard in the studio for the last few months creating a song that we are really proud of. To us it has everything that a good song should have, electrifying choruses, huge indie riffs and driving rhythms. Wondering Why is a song that we love to play live and always gets a crowd jumping. We are eager to share it and we hope everyone loves it as much as we do!”

 

Stream ‘Wondering Why’ below


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

The Half Light ‘8th May’

The Half Light are a four piece indie band from London who are returning to the scene in 2018 with new material and a new line up. ‘8th May’ is the first track from their forthcoming EP, Night On My Mind. Since forming in 2011, the band have self-released three records, ‘Friday Night’ EP (2011), ‘Clapham’ EP (2012) and ‘Moscow’ (2015), which will be followed by ‘Night On My Mind’ EP later this year. Their music has featured on radio stations across the country, including BBC 6 Music, BBC London and Amazing Radio and the band were nominated for Best UK Act at the 2015 Pure M Awards. Following these earlier releases, vocalist James Rogers and guitarist Guy Chapman were joined by a refreshed rhythm section, Mike Taylor and Martin Sherbish, to complete the line up and the band entered the studio in late 2017. Influenced by the best of indie rock across the decades, the band has drawn parallels with The Smiths, Interpol and REM. ‘8th May’ will be released on 5th March and was recorded at Musicland Studios, Haggerston and produced by Ian Flynn of Werkhouse. The track will be followed up in 2018 by subsequent releases ‘Night On My Mind’ and ‘Seven Summers’.

‘8th May’ is vibrantly charming punchy pop encased in delicately chiming guitars on top of a catchy shimmy ready rhythm and is likely to win over any listener with ease. It is utterly alluring and infectious with a ravishingly fetching rhythm that would coax you to the dance floor and command your feet to shuffle and bop joyously. Sweet toned guitar takes a tropical warm tone and wisps you into a sway like salsa dance. It’s smooth and delightful with some nice jagged guitar injections to create a slap of roughness through the chorus. Richly layered and sublimely crafted The Half Light have created a catchy gem, brimming with delightful ear worm melodies and glorious instrumentation. A sublime listen.

The Half Light will play The Water Rats, London on Saturday 10th March to mark the launch of 8th May. A series of further gigs and festival appearances will be announced on the band’s website in the coming weeks (www.thehalflight.com).

Stream ‘8th May’ below


Album Release, Album Review, Blues Rock, indie rock, New Music, Rock, Rock and Roll, Soul

Maker ‘DEA’ Album

Kent four piece Maker will release their twelve track debut long-player, ‘DEA’, on Kidda Records on 6th April 2018. Made up of band members Alessandro Marinelli (vocals), brothers Andrew Donaldson (guitar) and Gavin Donaldson (drums) and John Austin (bass) Maker bring a sound brimming with psychedelic bluesy punch and stirred with a fist full of soul. The band have already picked-up fans in one of the world’s most acclaimed guitarists, Rich Robinson (The Black Crowes/Magpie Salute), as well as Simone Marie (Primal Scream) and Tom Meighan (Kasabian). Their debut album ‘DEA’ was recorded at the legendary Rockfield Studios in Wales where artists such as Oasis, The Stone Roses, Queen, Black Sabbath, Kasabian plus many more have all recorded seminal albums. Produced by Nick Brine (The Stone Roses, Oasis, Teenage Fanclub, Imelda May), the album was recorded over just fourteen days and every track was recorded with the band all together playing in the same room.

‘DEA’ is a timeless swagger filled pure rock album with all the boozy soaked blues, fire loaded soul and leather dressed suave you’d expect from this four piece. From the first shredding riff of ‘Soul’ you know your in for one hell of an album. Its gritty, rough around the edges rock with enough sass and swagger thrown in to create a sleek steamy blazing rock track. With powerful vocals and strut ready atmosphere teamed with passion and soul, it’s an anthemic and fiery start. The debut album’s title, ‘DEA’, comes from the initials of the album track ‘Dead Ends & Avenues’, a track which is about triumph in the face of adversity, making your own luck and succeeding despite life’s hurdles.It’s a foot stomping infectious number that shuffles and prances with a rebellious two finger salute. These guys keep pelting out the sizzling licks brain crashing drums and rugged brawny riffs over infectious melodies and feel good blistering stamina to create an album that is wholly satisfying and invigorating. With shredding guitar solos and oodles of red hot energy this album is locked and loaded and set to scalding temperatures. The Lenny Kravitz– esque ‘Move Your Feet’, bluesy sensual ‘Quick Getaway’ and funky flavoured ‘Curtain Call’ all ooze trade mark shots of their raw, brawny, slick rock and roll. While the sultry ‘Girl Quit Your Crying’ brings a slower tonality with its bluesy and soulful tone and sensual sway -like tempo. Featuring steamy guitar licks and a elegant piano feature before building to a mighty crescendo with punchy drums and expressive vocals this track is passionate and powerfully sharp all while cruising on sultry and sensually smooth swagger. Maker use this album to showcase the versatility in their sound as they whack out the twanging glorious ‘John’s Pharmacy’. With its country- esque twangs and glowing warmth teamed with peppy piano, it’s a joyous little ditty.There is no end to their slick rock and roll, ‘Soaked Up’ floods through reinforcing their golden rock and roll drenched flamboyance that makes you want to dance. Each anthemic track is like an instant shot of confidence and a strut ready soundtrack to boost you with feel good vibes and make you feel like you’re the sh*t. While the smooth tender tracks like ‘Comin In From The Rain’ cools the tone and sets the perfect scene for summer evening chill time. It’s delicate and passionate without becoming sappy. It is tender and emotional in a raspy sweet rock and roll way. ‘She’s On A Replay’ is a sultry dark mysterious track that is worth the wait, slotting in second last on the album it’s a strident laid back swagger laden banger steeped in spine chilling blues that creeps in, all mysterious and eerie before the explosive chorus. The intensity of the verses tease the thrilling chorus to come while slick guitar licks slither around the brawny melody and blistering riffs.The sweet warm twangs of  ‘(Little Bit Of) Soul’ brings us to a calming mellow end to the album. It’s soulful and charming with glimmering guitars behind a melty passionate melody and punchy drums which then builds into a stomping anthem. It’s a euphoric sublime end to an album that packs some mighty beefy punches and swagger soaked kicks.

Maker have already headlined many of the UK’s most prestigious venues (including rocking London’s legendary 100 Club in March 2017 as part of the ‘Best Of British Blues Explosion’), played as special guests to some of the UK’s finest artists (including band hero Wilko Johnson) and shared bills with the likes of The Cribs, Dizzee Rascal and Mark Ronson, to name but a few. The band have a handful of brand new live shows just confirmed (with further dates to be added in the near future).

‘DEA’ is released on Kidda Records on 6th April 2018 for more information head to Makers Facebook page here https://www.facebook.com/Makeruk/

 

Stream ‘Soul’ below

 

 


Alt Rock, Classic Rock, indie rock, New Music, Worth A Listen

Worth A Listen

Our Worth A Listen Track This Week Comes From Bad Hombres

Glasgow classic rock band Bad Hombres have released their new single ‘Manuel!’. Bad Hombres formed in April 2017 and consist of Jack Conlon, Paul Duff and Innes McGarry. The band mix a blend of Oasis, Arctic Monkeys and Franz Ferdinand, and are firm favourites for fans of Kasabian and The Libertines. Having made their debut at the world-famous King Tut’s Wah Wah Hut in August, 2017 proved to be a great introductory year for the band with the release of their first demo ‘Icarus’ being received greatly.

‘Manuel!’ is an exhilarating darkly smeared punchy track which displays that though Bad Hombres are a fresh young band they can flesh out a mature, confident sound with a chunky foundation. From angst riddled vocals to sharp strident guitars and a rooted relentless bass it’s a searing smack in the mouth of smog smothered classic rock. This track is swagger soaked and crisp, without being too slick, retaining enough of a raw edge to keep its classic rock n’ roll spirit intact. The stomping bridge shift is sublime and is a thrilling chant-able crowd ready feature that is sure to be epic live. Keep an eye out for these guys. I’m looking forward to what these guys do next.

Stream ‘Manuel!’ below


Alt Rock, indie rock, New Music, Rock

Novatines ‘Silver Screen’

Bath Based Alt-Rock 4 Piece, Novatines have released their new single/video ‘Silver Screen’. Released through Dirty 38 Records ahead of their UK tour in March, ‘Silver Screen’ is a statement of ethereal madness, beautifully seated in twisted, bitter-sweet detail. Following on from the group’s debut single ‘Medicine’, ‘Silver Screen’ which was recorded live and produced by the band, stretches out a vivid dream and showcases Novatines as something very real. The group have been tipped as one of the ‘hottest new UK guitar bands’ and will be touring throughout the UK this coming spring.

‘Silver Screen’ is a passionate track that builds into a powerful rock anthem. Beginning tender and sweet with twinkling guitars the four piece lull you into a melancholic dreamy state before blasting you back with their fiery instrumentation. Sharp guitars wail and sting over punchy drums while the sweet delicate melody broods throughout as if unaware of the surrounding instrumental turmoil. Shredding guitars shrill over the soft melody with a biting abrasiveness that wounds deep lacerating all in it path while pulverising drums and a hefty bass batters and bruises packing oodles of emotion and passion. It’s a sophisticated, mature offering that lays their heart on their sleeve in an exhilarating true rock and roll manner.

Watch the video for ‘Silver Screen’ Below

 


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

A Weekend Away ‘Irony’

A Weekend Away are a five piece blues/rock band from Limerick, Ireland. Initially formed in 2013, A Weekend Away have become a staple in the regions music scene. Following their win in the UL Battle of the Bands in 2016, They have gone on to record their own self-titled EP. In summer 2017, the band traveled across Ireland touring with their new EP to positive responses from attendees and reviewers alike, playing in such locations as Cork, Dublin, Limerick, Kerry and Waterford. Currently they are focusing on the production of their debut album pegged for release later this year. Starting with their new release ‘Irony’.

‘Irony’ is a striking harsh track delivered in a soaring infectious indie manner. Raspy vocals expel the honest lyrics while jangly guitar melodies and buoyant rhythm sweeten the sourness of the lyrics. Sharp guitar strides inject a refreshing touch of grit and add a rough texture to the song. It’s sublimely layered and intelligently crafted creating a ethereal melodic track that is raw and biting yet packed with glimmers of bright tones with subtle anthemic bursts before the crescendo. It’s a mature savvy track that is sing along ready, hard hitting yet blissfully melodic and refined. I’m liking the direction these guys are taking their sound- sophisticated, honest, animated indie that makes for a great listen. Keep an eye out for A Weekend Away.

Directed by Shane Vaughn (Stanzas) and starring Brian Russo Clancy (The Three Don’ts) the video for ‘Irony’ aims to match the themes of the track by taking advantage of its setting at the popular Limerick heritage centre, King Johns Castle. Bassist Peter Corbett says about the track:“We wrote this song about the conversation we seem to be having everyday about suicide, especially in Limerick. The fact is that our city has a suicide rate twice the national average. Therefore it’s easy to say everyone in this city has a direct or indirect history with mental health, suicide and self-harm”. “I noticed especially that a lot of males refuse to talk about their mental health problems. This seems to be due to the fact that they don’t want to seem ‘soft’ in front of their peers. This is ridiculous social norm considering one in three people have had mental health problems. That’s the equivalent of looking left and right in a lecture. This song explores the mind-set of these males with the hopeful end goal of spreading a small bit of awareness”.

Watch the Video for ‘Irony’ below

 


Indie, indie rock, New Music

Runaway Hounds ‘Sophie’

Runaway Hounds  are an indie rock band from Wolverhampton comprised of twin brothers Owen Stavenuiter  (vocals/guitar) and Kent Stavenuiter (lead guitar), Dan Glover (bass) and Callum Ford (drums). In just over a year, the band have played several headline sets in venues across the West Midlands and are soon to take their sound across the UK, performing to crowds as far as London. It was in October last year when Runaway Hounds truly began to gain momentum with the release of their debut single ‘Rattlesnake’, gaining airplay and support from the likes of BBC Introducing and amassing over 2,000 listens on Spotify alone in its first few months.The band have now released their new single ‘Sophie’ which was produced by Ryan Pinson and recorded across two days at RML Studios in Wolverhampton.

‘Sophie’ is a zealous shot of guitar laden indie rock glowing with glorious sweet guitar lines that twinkle about the track flooding it with radiant scintillation. It’s a youthful burst of infectious indie rock that displays the bands knack for sublime radiant melodies and intricate instrumentation. The punchy drums and elastic bass slap a nice bit of grit and heftiness into the track but for me those soaring ethereal guitars lift it to breezy anthemic heights. With passionate vocals adding a raspy texture this song is instantly likable and exuberant. Though Runaway Hounds wear their influences on their sleeves they have made an impressive tune that makes these guys ones to keep an eye out for.

Stream ‘Sophie’ below


Alt Rock, Alt- Pop, Ambient Music, Atmospheric Music, Electronic, EP Review, Indie, indie rock, New Music

Motions ‘The Late Night Calls’

Dublin’s alternative rock band Motions have released their new EP, ‘The Late Night Calls’ is a superb majestic EP to indulge in. Title track ‘Late Night Calls’ flows in with a beautiful melody on top of cool flicking electronics. With ethereal guitars providing a breezy sting, it’s an airy richly textured track that packs in oodles of passion into a fluttering danceable number. The snappy ‘Back & Forth’ follows. It’s a catchy track filled with buzz swirling electronics while a sputtering rhythm injects between lush backing vocals. This track is dipped in darker tones as harsher vocals exude swagger and attitude. My favourite track on the EP ‘Back & Forth’ showcases a rich depth and musical proficiency that keeps the listener hanging on to every gripping note. Its sway like tempo and jangly guitar are just the icing on this delicious cake. It’s the sublime little gem of the EP. A trickling ‘Interlude’ breaks up the sticky intensity before final track ‘Waiting To Tell You’ reintroduces their mellow fluid sound. A creamy melody glissades upon a fluctuant beat while aerial guitars twinkle around with a sweet blissful tone that holds a sense of mind relaxing freedom. Its dreamy and light yet Motions mix a bit of grit into the mix for the bridge.

Motions prove that they can create a passionate wholly satisfying collection of tracks that submerge you into a universe created completely by them. Each track is catchy, intricate and well layered while maintaining its own identity. ‘Late Night Calls’ is a sublime listen.

Stream ‘Late Night Calls’ EP below


Album Review, Alt Rock, Funk, indie rock, New Music, Punk Rock, Rock and Roll

Public Access T.V. ‘Street Safari’ Album

Public Access T.V. are back to provide some infectious tunes to wrap your ears around with their highly anticipated sophomore album ‘Street Safari’. It’s an album that hones in on their sound, refines it, uncoils all the intricate details and arranges them in a neat matured compact production of finesse.

‘Safari (In My Head)’ brings on their chilled disco shift and introduces the album with a little touch of chicness. With its strut ready shuffle inducing rhythm and jungle like injection mixed with sharp jagged guitars subtly wailing and stinging behind the most mellow soundscapes this track introduces ‘Street Safari’ with class. Melodies are the secret ingredient in Public Access T.V.’s delicious brew and ‘Shell No. 2’ displays this perfectly. Luscious backing vocals coo the last word of each line while a catchy melody drifts upon vibrant guitars and an infectious buoyant rhythm. A fluttering keyboard feature hops along its merry way making this track instantly likeable and fun. With an intro that grabs you by the ears, fastens itself securely in your mind and entraps you, ‘Your God and Mine’ is the creme de le creme of the album. The intro alone has the aroma of Depeche Mode, New Order or INXS with a nice slap of Prince sass on top and that melty melody is just sublime. Their ability to surge swagger into a track without coming across over done is magnificent and they back this panache up with a healthy dose of slick laid back instrumentation which takes its time and glides with an unhurried sense of space. This album fleshes out the different groovy facets to this four piece. The funkadelic bravado of ‘MetroTech’, with its running elastic sensual bassline and rich jittery rhythm contrasts sharply to the brooding R&B- esque slow burner ‘Told You Too Much’ and displays the bands fine musicianship and rich musical depth.

From smooth melodies sliding and gliding on top of slicked back flaunty flamboyance to the exhilarating intensity and punchiness of ‘Rough Boy’, Public Access T.V. keep the album interesting. ‘Lost in the Game’ will lure you to the dancefloor for sure with its flaunty melody and buoyant rhythm. This shimmy ready number hits all the right spots. How can you refuse that funky guitar hook in ‘Wait it Out’? Each track whacks out another infectious melody, bass line or guitar hook for you to blissfully indulge in. ‘Meltdown’ has an 80’s power anthem feel to it while flooding you with youthful exuberance. With its thrilling driving bass line, breath-taking synth feature and golden guitar moments this is a powerful little gem. The band choose the dizzying electronic ‘The Quicksands’ which blinds with its hypnotic, revolving groove and spacy soundscapes to bring us to the end of the album and leave you craving more.

‘Street Safari’ is another smashing album from the four piece. The tracks are clearer, more crisp and confident. Public Access T.V. have defined their sound, its precise and is the soundtrack you need for strutting down the street.

Stream ‘Street Safari’ below

 

We had a chat with John Eatherly and Max Peebles about the ‘Street Safari’ album check out what they had to say below 

 


Alt Rock, Hypnotic, Indie Psychedelic, indie rock, New Music, psychedelic, Trance, Worth A Listen

Worth A Listen

Our Worth A Listen Track This Week Comes From Strange Cages

Brighton trio Strange Cages have returned with a series of live dates and another dizzingly impressive new single ‘Hypothalamus Blues’, out now through Vallance Records.With a frenetic, snotty, psych-surf rock ‘n’ roll sound in the vein of The Cramps or Ty Segall, Strange Cages have already been making big strides in their short existence, quickly gaining support from the likes of Clash Magazine, NME, Q Magazine, The 405 and The Line of Best Fit, whilst tearing up stages in support of King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard, Night Beats, and Boogarins. Having followed up their Theo Verney produced debut ‘Desert’ with the single ‘Pony’, Strange Cages went on to release their head-spinning EP ‘The Cracks’ last year, and now the trio return with ‘Hypothalamus Blues’.

‘Hypothalamus Blues’ is a feverous whack of dizzying psychedelia wrapped in a neatly bound concoction of krautrock and post-punk. This trippy mind melting number will lure you in with a smooth snappy effortless cool vocal line and western-esque twinkling guitar before submerging you in a swirling delusion inducing narcotic soundscape. The track begins dreamy and sweetly euphoric as a hazy melody melts upon soft laid back mellow soundscapes. It then builds into an electric shock of blinding shrilling distortion and heavy fuzzed psychedelia. Before settling again slowly easing the skull bashing mania only to build that frenzy back up again. This schizophrenic bewildering track is a thrilling and spine chilling experience which was carefully crafted for the perplexing trip of a life time.

Strange Cages will also head out to perform a series of UK live dates in support of the release catch them live at

22 Feb – CARDIFF – The Full Moon

23 Feb – BRIGHTON – Green Door Store

01 Mar – LONDON – The Lock Tavern

Stream ‘Hypothalamus Blues’ below

https://soundcloud.com/user-848745196/strange-cages-hypothalamus-blues