The Honeymoon Suite are a 4 piece alt/indie pop band from Derby. Coming onto the scene in late 2017 with the debut track ‘Taste-Less’, the band received backing from the BBC Introducing and have seen themselves take their set around the country supporting a variety of big names including dream-pop leaders JAWS. The band are now set to release their new single ‘Arcade’ tomorrow which was recorded and produced by Alex Greaves at The Nave studios in Leeds.
‘Arcade’ is a breezy bubbly indie number that spreads dreamy soundscapes on top of hefty alternative rock blasts. A driving rumbly bass provides the wobbly elastic foundation for the jaunty guitars to crash and rebound off. The punchy drums and ethereal guitar heights contrast sublimely to create an energetic satisfying listen. With a pop sprinkled melody teamed with sun kissed hazy soundscapes this track showcases the diverse instrumentally rich sound that The Honeymoon Suite do so well.
New Jersey’s The Skullers have returned with a jaunty new summer single, a cover of Richard Hell’s ‘I’m Your Man’. The band is donating the proceeds and raising awareness for a non-profit called Career Gear that helps men in need enter or re-renter the workforce. The band deliver a pristine and respectful cover of ‘I’m Your man’ which was an outtake from Richard Hell & the Voidoids’ 1977 debut album Blank Generation. It’s an undiluted rendition brimming with swagger and class. Jangly guitars stride and breeze through this exhilarating number with steamy effervescence while the smooth vocals caress the carefree irresistible melody with charisma and charm. The guitar solo is crisp and thrilling and the drums punch and pound throughout. It’s a magnificent track to cover filled with buoyancy and bright scintillation teamed with a catchy as hell melody and these guys did a superb job fleshing out the refined unadulterated stomping rock that fills you with good vibes.
The Skullers will perform at Johnny Thunders Birthday Bash on July 15 – a prestigious annual event that takes place at the Bowery Electric in New York.
Reading’s guitar pop maestros Saltwater Sun have released their exhilarating new single ‘Hot Mess ‘. The track is produced by Alex Loring and released via Hand In Hive (Dama Scout, Swimming Tapes, Zuzu). The band comprised of Jen Stearnes (vocals), Joel Neale (guitar), Dan Kingham (guitar), Rob Carter (bass) and Ben Chandler (drums) returned with tenacious offering ‘The Wire’ earlier this year which attracted widespread press coverage and radio play on the BBC Radio 1 and Radio X airwaves (Huw Stephens, John Kennedy) . Thriving on their return to the live circuit with capacity shows at The Great Escape and Are You Listening? last month, the band will be heading out on a UK tour in September.
‘Hot Mess’ is a sultry, retro hued shimmering indie anthem that steams and seeps with stuffy verses before exploding into a fiery infectious chorus. Stearnes’ vocals lure and coo through the dreamy hazy verses as a gently tapping rhythm section softly accompanies jangly zesty guitars weaving between a delicate drum beat. The lush backing vocals add a haunting sweet texture while the twinkling instrumentation soothe and tranquilise you into a euphoric state of bliss. The chorus blasts out a rock hued hefty crash of instrumentation as Stearnes charismatically wails over the psychedelic tinged distorted guitars and punchy drums. Saltwater Sun blend dreamy narcotic bliss with punchy indie rock perfectly to create a wholly enthralling, seriously engulfing number that is just divine.
Our Worth A Listen Track This Week Comes From Miles Kane
Miles Kane has released the new single and title track of his anticipated third album ‘Coup De Grace’. It is the second taste of the album following the release of the Jamie T and Lana Del Rey collaboration ‘Loaded‘ earlier this year. The album which follows predecessor ‘Don’t Forget Who You Are’ from 2013 is set for release on August 10.
‘Coup De Grace’ is a snazzy, disco hued dazzling glam rock display from Kane that is sure to have you shaking and grooving mindlessly. The stomping beat slaps and rebounds off fluctuant jangly glitter-soaked guitars while Kane’s vocals glissade upon the infectious melody with swagger and charisma. It’s 70’s esque foot tapping frenzy as the verses cruise and slide with a luring quality right up to the bursting sing along ready chorus. Doused in funky vibes this track steam rolls in with all its flamboyant trance inducing glory to wrestle your mind with its swanky chicness sprawled on top of glam rock finesse. From the first vocal wail this track has you hooked and transported to a groovy timeless world of dance and fun and lets not forget the fluidity in the lyrics, they flow with such rapidity and molten smoothness – its captivating. The deeply weaved elastic bass adds a thrilling rooted quivering foundation for this track to elevate off. The blending of slinky rock attitude driven guitars with disco soundscapes creates a crisp pristine little world of endless dancing and prancing. It’s very slick indeed.
Dublin five-piece pop rock band Changing Gears are set to release their new single ‘Leave’ on 22nd June. This peppy energetic number rides in on a wave of vibrant guitar melodies and velvety vocal lines over an elastic rhythmic backdrop. It’s sun kissed irresistible melody floods the track in sweet honey soaked vibes and the guitar injections are just sublime. They playfully weave silky golden strands of bliss between the buoyant foundation and surf-like breezy atmosphere. It’s a glorious glossy number that is infectious and delightful to listen to.
In support of ‘Leave’ Changing Gears will play BelloBar on 22 June make sure to check them out
LOLA are an upcoming indie rock band from the Liverpool music scene. Consisting of front-man Matthew Walker, the lead guitarist Sam Meredith, Bassist Jack Hughes and percussionist Paul “Pablo” Robinson. The four have music influences ranging from classic rock, indie rock, hard-hitting metal, soul, rhythm and blues and hip-hop, incorporating all these styles together to create the concocted indie sound that they have become associated with.Forming in April of 2017, It only took LOLA a few months to come charging onto social media and music streaming platforms, building themselves a dedicated local fan base with their first singles “Won’t You Just” and “Who Do You Love?”, to form their debut EP, “These Words Mean Nothing”. Both tracks have received strong support from Merseyside BBC introducing, being played numerous times and receiving thousands of listens within their first few weeks of being released on Spotify. LOLA have embarked on supporting already established names in the music industry, such as “Bloc Party” frontman Kele Okereke and Superfood, as well as performing in front of thousands of people at prestigious events such as the premier league side Everton FCs 2017 kit launch.The band have now released their new single ‘Against the Tide’.
‘Against the Tide’ is a soaring blistering whack of heart racing vibrant indie. Warm lamenting guitars weave a sweet melody between a flexible rooted bass line and punchy drum combo that packs a hefty stomping wallop. The honey coated melody caresses the mighty enthralling synth driven backdrop with a sugar sweetness and youthful blast of longing. The production is tight as swirling guitars douse the track in ethereal, breezy soundscapes while flickering through with glorious speckles of scintillation. It’s anthemic and gripping as raspy vocals exude emotion into every note. With a catchy clap along feature thrown into the mix LOLA have created a catchy little gem that has all the ingredients to make these guys very popular.
Our Worth A Listen Track This Week Comes From BØRNS
BØRNS is the stage name of American singer songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist Garrett Borns. Borns released his second album ‘Blue Madonna’ earlier this year and I have been obsessed with the track ‘We Don’t Care’ ever since. Joined once again by producer Tommy English, Borns takes the delicious indie synth pop from his ‘Dopamine’ debut and fleshes it out blending in some dreamy, psychedelic, electric pop flavours along with a dash of glam sprinkled rock and roll which we see in ‘We Don’t Care’. Its walloping Bo Diddley rhythm drives the infectious groove creating a Will Young ‘Switch It On’ – esque danceable foundation while jangly guitars slide and glide upon this sublime jittery backdrop. Borns’ nectarous vocals slither between a whisper for the enticing verses and lush falsetto for the infectious chorus. The melody is juicy and sweet honey to the ears. The sugary electronics swirl and seep between the clap along beat and fuzz filled guitar spreading a candied lusciousness throughout this electrifying gem. The layering is sublime and the track slowly builds in intensity to a dynamic feverous crescendo. It’s a slick swagger soaked display that struts with smooth precision in every note making for a consuming, enthralling and enjoyable experience. ‘We Don’t Care’ is an ear-worm you won’t be able to prise out of your mind as you dance and flop around the room.
Isaac Gracie has released the video for his new single ‘Running On Empty’. The track features on Isaac’s acclaimed eponymous debut album, ‘Isaac Gracie’ which is out now through Virgin/EMI. The video is a tongue-in-cheek look behind the scenes at the filming process of a music promo, with reference to some infamous recording stories of yesteryear. It was directed by Stephen Agnew (Wolf Alice, Royal Blood, Drenge) in Hammerwood Park, East Sussex.
The ‘Running On Empty’ album version brings us a more buoyant punchy indie sound than the beloved raw Maida Vale session. The passion still floods through like a tsunami however, Gracie livens things up a bit with a dynamic elastic rhythm bopping a danceable beat while jangly guitars stride and soar over his raw emotional filled powerful vocals. Upbeat and striking this track shreds and electrifies with lush backing vocals and a singalong anthemic chorus that will have a live audience bellowing back at the top of their lungs. It’s a hearty tune that hits you in the chest and fills you with emotion while making you want to dance. His musicianship is timeless and crisp with an intensity and lyrical quality that is striking and has the ability to connect with every listener. ‘Running On Empty’ gives Gracie the chance to showcase how he can take this quality and deliver an energetic blistering facet to this emotional vivid sound.
Director Agnew explains about the video: “Isaac is a really interesting artist with a timeless quality, both to his music and aesthetic. This is paired with a very English sensibility. I thought it would be fun to highlight these things whilst exploring the more esoteric elements musical heritage, in a manor that wasn’t too self-regarding or dark, whilst playing with the stories that surround the recording process. This video is basically that. It draws its inspiration from all over the shop.The location is a house that Led Zeppelin owned and that actually featured in ‘The Song Remains The Same’. The video itself is comprised of references and vignettes inspired by the stranger, more esoteric moments in rock music recording history. Some are contrived, some are direct references to pretty infamous anecdotes and characters.”
Following the release of his debut album, Gracie headed out on the road across Europe and the UK in support of it. The tour stopped at his biggest show to date at London’s Hackney Empire. Gracie is now readying himself for a busy Summer of festival appearances, detailed below.
9th June – Best Kept Secret, Hilvarenbeek
23rd June- i-Days Festival, Milan
6th July – Rock Werchter, Werchter
10th June – Montreux Jazz Lab, Montreux
14th July – Gurten Festival, Bern
15th July – Citadel, London
20th July – Curious Arts Festival, South Baddesley
3rd August – Belladrum, Inverness
5th August – All Together Now, Ireland
11th August – Boardmasters, Newquay
12th August – Summer Well Festival, Bucharest
22nd August – Bellahouston Park, Glasgow
24th August – Leeds Festival
26th August – Reading Festival
1st September – Tuckerville, Enschede
Manchester’s The Masons are set to release their new single ‘Bed’. Formed in October 2017, the band is made up of Aiden (guitar/vocals), Connor (drums), Kyle (guitar) and Mathew (bass). ‘Bed’ is a slick, compact display from this four piece. Sharp melodic guitar floods the track with a golden vibrancy while punchy drums and groove infested bass lines keep a movable sleek foundation. The melody is sublime as it cruises upon this glorious laid back backdrop with ease and a fluidity while the raspy vocals whack on a touch of grit and swagger. The guitar is just magnificent as it ventures from sweetly warm and euphoric to sharp, blistering and steamy all while maintaining a cool mellow dreaminess that is just superb. It’s a very proficient, tightly bound track with some slinky ornamentation embroidered within to add vivid flecks of colour. This is a cool swagger soaked number blending gritty edgy rock with a dash of smooth indie pop to make it infectious and delicious. These guys are ones to watch.
The Gallery have released their new single ‘Wounded Knee’ which is about the corruption of power in the music industry and the anger felt towards profit driven promoters. The lyrics are politically motivated, with references to the Battle of Wounded Knee and the Berlin Wall. Since their birth out of Wakefield in 2016, The Gallery have gone on to impress audiences around the country with their captivating live performances, destructive guitar sounds and snarling vocals.The band have made appearances at festivals such as Live At Leeds Leeds, Tramlines and Great Escape. Their debut EP, ‘A Safe Approach to Being’, was recorded by Mike Heaton of Embrace at Squirrel Studios and it’s closing song, ‘Force Fed Plans’, was made This Feeling’s ‘Track of the Day’, whilst ‘Black Teeth’ also received airplay on BBC Introducing. After back-to- back sell out headline shows in early 2017, the band embarked on their debut tour in December. Overwhelmed by the response, they quickly organised a follow up to this in April, which included a sold out Nottingham show, emphasising the bands significant progress in the past year.
‘Wounded Knee’ is a scorching indie track that packs some serious punch.An elastic bass line tightly weaves between a resilient drum beat while crashing guitars thrash and shred cutting into the infectious melody. The dynamic vocals rapidly spit and splurge over this fantastic high powered backdrop as this track surges through at a rapid thrilling speed. It’s a compact number that builds in intensity for the smouldering verses before exploding into a mammoth chorus. These guys have shown their mature vivacious musicianship through this high powered instrumentally dense track. Exuding swagger in a chilled cool manner their sound is captivating and enthralling with an energy that is sure to ignite your spirit. The Gallery are ones to watch out for.
Stream ‘Wounded Knee’ below
Indie: (n) an obscure form of rock which you only learn about from someone slightly more hip than yourself.
Photo credit: Rosie Florence
