It’s not all that long since that I was admiring the vaudevillian theatricality of The Lavender Scare’s previous single, and now they are back to show a whole other side to their sound. This LA based band formed from a shared love of Radiohead, and that influence is clear and present throughout as ‘Buried Behind Monet’ would sound right at home on Hail To The Thief. The downcast soaring guitar tone, blaring out like an air-raid siren, creates an ever-present tension that sets the scene for the foreboding world the song depicts. The unrelenting march of the rhythm section and piano sounds determined and defiant against the bleak backdrop, particularly when paired with the bittersweet riffs ringing out. This darker side to The Lavender Scare sounds like a different band entirely, and any band that can change their colours so convincingly is one to pay close attention to, as you never know what else they may have up their sleeve.
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Top Tracks: SAHARAS – Shake My Fever
There’s power in names, sometimes names can reveal more than you think. Take the latest single from Windsor based band SAHARAS, which shimmers like a mirage in the desert, calling out to some something deep within to lure you in closer. Reminiscent of Foals at their very best, ‘Shake My Fever’ immediately grabs you with its danceable groove and bright inviting melodies. The psychedelic air that pervades this track makes it feel like the soundtrack to some vibrant fever dream. Mixing enticing indie vibes with a dash of surreal dream pop, SAHARAS are on to a winning formula here. Much like the simply stunning single artwork, the song is for the most part real and grounded, but is aglow with a fantastical haze that makes the whole thing that bit more magical.
Interview: Caleb Kopta
Though album releases have been a little inconsistent thus far this year, 2018 has been proving to be the strongest year for singles since this site started. Some of the best examples have come from Pennsylvania based artist Caleb Kopta and his synth tinged Americana, evoking the likes of Ryan Adams and Bear’s Den. His latest track ‘Anything’ is the kind of song that you could look back on one day as an important part of the soundtrack to the best days of your life. I had a quick chat with him about how his enthralling Americana sound came about and where it may lead him next: Continue reading
Top Tracks: Kane Miller – All We Need
Sometimes the simplest songs can be the most moving, and this latest track from Canadian singer/songwriter Kane Miller is a prime example. There’s no need for big flashy production as the song’s powerful message speaks for itself: “all we are is all we need”. When times are tough, such as when going through a breakup, sometimes all we can do is scrape together enough inner strength to see a new day. This is reflected beautifully in the stripped back video of Kane and his guitar in a worn down old room, with just a single lamp to fend off the darkness. It’s not pretty to struggle on when everything feels like it’s crashing down, but it’s still important to cling on to what small joys and little victories you can to keep going, so that you can see brighter days further down the line.
Top Tracks: Edward and Jane – Hold Your Own
I’ll let you into a little secret: no one has a clue what they’re doing. We’re all facing our own demons, and we all struggle to maintain this facade and convince the world that we actually have our shit together. All too often we look up to those that bottle everything up and present their life as some perfect bubble, when really we should take inspiration from those that don’t shy away from their problems. Just think how better life would be if we were brave enough to tear all our walls down and be there to support the people we care about, rather than pretend we’re strong all on our own. That’s the kind of loving community depicted in this new single from Edward and Jane, taken from their upcoming EP Too Early To Tell out 28th September. Recalling the likes of The Lumineers with their blend of classic Americana and contemporary pop hooks, ‘Hold Your Own’ offers gorgeous melodies, inspiring lyrics and a glimpse of a better world.
Top Tracks: Larry And His Flask – This Remedy
Oregon based band Larry And His Flask are back with their first new music in five years with ‘This Remedy’, the title track of their forthcoming album out 12th October. With the soft acoustic intro of the first 30 seconds I can picture walking alone through golden fields beneath a glorious sunset. When the spirited mandolin and banjo, and the uplifting harmonies, burst onto the scene breathing new life into the song, suddenly you’re no longer alone. That empty field is now the site of some joyous celebration with everyone that you hold dear. This is a song that’s made for sharing, the kind of song that feels as though it’s been passed down for generations. There’s an age-old magic here made to bring people together and put a smile on every face. Mixing rollicking gypsy folk with a dash of swing, ‘This Remedy’ is the perfect cure for whatever is bringing you down.
Top Tracks: Valley Maker – A Couple Days
If you could capture the sensation of daydreaming in a single song, this would be it. Mixing introspective indie with a dash of Americana, this latest track from Seattle based singer/songwriter Austin Crane, aka Valley Maker, carries a subdued yet cinematic feel. Taken from his forthcoming album Rhododendron out 12th October, ‘A Couple Days’ recalls the likes of Manchester Orchestra and The Amazing. Setting the perfect mood for the indrawn autumn nights that will soon be upon us, it carries a soft spoken melancholy that is tinged with a faint glimmer of hope. This song feels like taking an evening road trip when life gets a bit too much. Like leaving the world behind for a while and retreating to a quiet space, all the while chasing the last slivers of the fading sun on the horizon.
My Top 5 Record Labels
Photo by Snapwire on Pexels.com
It’s easy to think of terms like “the music industry” and “record labels” in the same vein as some evil faceless corporation that plays the role of the villain in a spy thriller. In fact, there are probably plenty of big labels that are thoroughly deserving of such infamy. But it’s not all just businessmen in suits looking to make money, there are plenty of smaller labels out there that are dedicated to helping artists grow and sharing great music with the world. Normally I don’t pay too much mind to labels, but when you see the same name pop up time and time again besides artists you love you suddenly start to sit up and take notice. I spend plenty of time writing about the music I love and the artists I admire, so I thought it was high-time I gave a shout out to the labels that keep the wheels turning and make sure all that great art reaches our ears. Continue reading
Top Tracks: Jonas Källstrand – The House My Parents Later Sold
There are plenty of nostalgic tracks out there, but few as moving and bittersweet as this latest release from Swedish singer/songwriter Jonas Källstrand. It’s easy to have a rose-tinted view of days gone by, but while we may look back on the carefree days of youth as the best time of our lives, when living in those moments it often doesn’t feel that way. What makes ‘The House My Parents Later Sold’ so refreshing is that it places equal weight on the struggles and demons that our younger selves face. It’s easy to forget that the hard times and the mistakes that we make play just as important a role in making us who we are. ‘The House…’ seems to look upon both the good memories and the hard times with a measure of fondness and reverence, as both are responsible for setting us down the path we end up taking in life.
Top Tracks: Mercury Machine – Aurora
This latest track from Manchester quintet Mercury Machine has a deeply cinematic feel. To be specific, it reminds me of Blade Runner… not the film itself perhaps, more the world it depicted. A world of colourful neon, of bright and inviting distractions; all just a glamour that hid the dark underworld lurking just beneath the surface. The aptly named ‘Aurora’ lights up the sky with vibrant swirls of 80s synths, but beneath the enticing retro aesthetic beats a dark heart born of post punk, giving the track a more mature and thought-provoking appeal. ‘Aurora’ is like the musical equivalent of putting on a brave face, and pretending everything is perfect, when in reality it feels like it’s all crashing down. The track interweaves the light and shade brilliantly so that no matter what you’re looking for, shimmering synths or poignant post punk, it never fails to deliver.
Belwood Music 