The time has finally come for Belwood Music’s first ever interview! I caught up with former guitarist and founding member of Catfish and the Bottlemen Billy Bibby to find out more about his influences, the quest for hit singles and his new solo career alongside his backing band The Wry Smiles: Continue reading
This Canadian alternative pop artist is on top form with her latest single. Now based in LA, Maggie Szabo has blended together a range of styles to create an intriguing hit. The heavy blues stomp of the intro, the deliberate piano driven tempo, the soulful backing vocals, the in-your-face attitude and the overarching pop mentality bringing all the disparate elements together create something quite unlike anything else around. With ‘Gold’ being the latest in a long line of soul infused pop hits under her belt, including the brilliant ‘Tidal Waves and Hurricanes’, it’s no surprise that she has already gathered a massive fanbase.
There’s just something so fitting about hazy, genre bending rock that makes it the perfect soundtrack for those long summer nights. The kind of nights filled with all the adventures of youth and trying to find your place in the world. The latest single from Californian band CAPTIONS. is just such a song, equally suited for both exciting escapades and quiet reflection. The nostalgia tinged ‘Bearfights’, the first single from the band’s upcoming debut album ITERATIONS, blends together a hint of 90s alternative with bright indie riffs and harmonies, all set within a billowing cloud of dream pop soundscapes. If the rest of their debut lives up to the standard set by this first track then it’s release will certainly be something to look forward to.
Having caught the attention of music fans across the globe thanks to his stunning cover of Hozier’s ‘Work Song’, multi-instrumentalist Jake Davis is set to follow with his first EP The Valley. Lead single ‘Saying it Right’ is a perfect summer anthem. It plays around with the addictive electro pop mentality, an infectious R&B rhythm and ends on a high with a striking indie pop guitar solo. It’s the kind of airy and upbeat pop that can almost summon a glorious blue sky with it’s catching carefree energy. However beneath the light hearted melodies the lyrics deal with insecurity and struggling to connect, albeit in a cool and collected way. ‘Saying it Right’ displays a level of production and musicianship above what you would expect for such a shamelessly addictive pop song.
London based indie band The Maccabees have announced that they are breaking up after 4 albums and 14 years together. They were one of the most prominent bands in London’s indie scene and earned a nomination for the 2012 Mercury Prize for their album Given to the Wild. In the band’s parting message to their fans they stated that they were parting on good terms and that there would be farewell shows in the near future.
The most prestigious prize in British music has released it’s shortlist for album of the year. The list includes a posthumous nomination for David Bowie for his final album Blackstar, as well for Radiohead’s A Moon Shaped Pool making them the most nominated act in the award’s history. The final awards show will take place on 15th September where the list will be whittled down to a final 6 albums before the overall winner will be announced. For the first time the prize will include a public vote to decide one of the finalists. This year’s nominations are:
Anohni – Hopelessness
Bat For Lashes – The Bride
David Bowie – Blackstar
Jamie Woon – Making Time
Kano – Made in the Manor
Laura Mvula – The Dreaming Room
Michael Kiwanuka – Love & Hate
Radiohead – A Moon Shaped Pool
Savages – Adore Life
Skepta – Konnichiwa
The 1975 – I like it when you sleep, for you are so beautiful yet so unaware of it
The Comet Is Coming – Channel the Spirits
Nothing excites me more than a band that pushes themselves to their creative limits, joyfully embarking on sonic adventures with reckless abandon. Hailing from Portland, Oregon, The Skeleton Keys are just such a band. Though they have grown from indie roots, their music has blossomed into a multifarious marvel. ‘Cannonball’ features elements of funk, a dash of Noel Gallagher and some heavy alternative riffs. Tracks like the light and shade of ‘Blue Sky Believer’ and the effervescent ‘Manic Pixie Dream Girl’ boast colourful melodies that are sure to leave a smile on your face, but also contain plenty of complexity to showcase the band’s superb musicianship. To top it all off their debut EP is adorned with some simply gorgeous artwork, which is always a plus! The Skeleton Keys have hit the sweet spot, the perfect mix between innovation and entertainment, and if their first release is anything to go by then we could have an award winning album in store one day.
Fans of Biffy Clyro, Queens of the Stone Age, Twin Atlantic and The Libertines should check out their debut EP Danger Island.
The Pineapple Thief – Your Wilderness
Lowtide – Lowtide
Blossoms – Blossoms
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