With a lengthy and enviable resume that includes working with such Bay Area bands as Port O’Brien, Release The Sunburst and WATERS, Californian singer/songwriter Caleb Nichols has recently released a new solo EP. Entitled 90 Days in New York, it is a 4 track voyage through an honest and autumnal folk landscape, all based around his experiences of going to, and eventually leaving, The Big Apple. It is a gorgeously rural ode to city life. Belwood Music is proud to premiere Caleb’s latest video for ‘Close My Eyes’. A cover of a track by oft-overlooked experimental singer/songwriter Arthur Russell, it stands as a heartfelt message from one LGBTQA artist to another and fits perfectly with the poignant and peaceful atmosphere of the EP.
top tracks
Top Tracks: Hayley and the Crushers – Jaywalking
There’s a lot to be said in music for charisma and character, something that Hayley and the Crushers clearly have in abundance. With their quirky debut album Jewel Case this Californian trio have created their own unique grit and glitter blend of 50s rock’n’roll with a punk attitude, like an alternate universe inspired by Marty McFly’s wild performance from Back to the Future. Belwood Music is proud to premiere the music video for the band’s latest single ‘Jaywalking’. Equal parts endearing and empowering; the charming tale of frontwoman Hayley Cain’s rush to rehearsals is an unlikely yet perfect match for the frantic drum fills and fierce, full-blooded bass line. Striking the perfect balance between style and substance, and with hints of classic Joan Jett, this slice of garage rock goodness is a sure-fire way to make your day. Get on board and embrace the crusherverse.
Top Tracks: Happyness – Falling Down
After their much acclaimed (if more than a little quirky) 2014 debut Weird Little Birthday, Happyness are back with the brand new single off their as yet untitled forthcoming album. The slow burning ‘Falling Down’ features some gorgeous dream pop guitar melodies, with subtle hints to the softer side of alternative rock icons such as the Pixies and Sonic Youth. Having also announced their biggest London headline show to date at The Dome, Tufnell Park on the 28th April, it seems the future is bright for these curious college rockers. After this sublime taste of what’s to come I’d advise you to keep your eyes peeled for more details about their new album.
Top Tracks: Georgia Ruth – Cloudbroke
After collaborating with Manic Street Preachers on ‘Divine Youth’ from their Futurology album, Welsh multi-instrumental singer/songwriter Georgia Ruth is back with her brand new single. ‘Cloudbroke’ is taken from her new album Fossil Scale, the follow-up to her 2013 Welsh Music Prize winning debut Week Of Pines. Featuring a sparse and echoing electronic ambience and interesting Eastern influences, it creates the perfect backdrop for Georgia’s unique vocals. The track’s curious video features three dancers emerging from their blanket cocoons and writhing on a lonesome windswept beach. The song and its accompanying visuals are full of character and sit worlds apart from anything else released this year. Georgia Ruth has confirmed with ‘Cloudbroke’ that she is one of the most distinctive and important rising stars in the Welsh music scene.
Top Tracks: Oparu – Remember Me
There’s something incredibly moving and dramatic about the debut single from Oparu. This new musical project from LA based singer/songwriter Dianna St. Hilaire, a tireless and dedicated self-taught musician, is steeped in broody atmospheric tones pierced by her chilling operatic vocals. ‘Remember Me’ blends together electronica, dark 80s synth pop and classical styles to create a track that sounds like it should be echoing across some vast expanse of a breathtaking nordic landscape. The haunting and evocative track is brimming with pent-up emotion and gives an intriguing glimpse into the character of the artist behind it. If you’re looking for a stirring song that is simply bristling with passion, and with a tangible sense of catharsis, then look no further. There is an untapped well of beauty here just waiting to be discovered.
Top Tracks: Magic Magic Roses – Dusk
The latest song from San Francisco band Magic Magic Roses surrounds itself with a kind of mystical air of beauty, like a fine veil of mist clinging on in the early morning haze. ‘Dusk’, the title (and closing) track from their upcoming third album out 2nd December, will be sure to appeal to fans of such equally gorgeous and ethereal folk acts as The Staves and First Aid Kit. The sparse and wistful arrangement and the warm layered harmonies create a soothing lullaby to lure you away into a peaceful, dreamlike trance. The song’s aesthetic whispers to you pastoral tales of strolling through golden fields under amber sunsets, and of crackling fires on cold autumn nights. It’s the kind of music that you can get lost in and simply disappear for a while in some better place.
Top Tracks: Apherium – Resolve
Taken from their latest EP Embrace The Fall That Brought Us Here, the new single from Apherium really leaves a lasting impression. With ‘Resolve’ this Yeovil based band create the perfect balance between aggression and melody, like the hair-raising calm at the eye of a storm whilst chaos whirls all around you. The impassioned vocals and thrilling guitar interplay really get your heart racing and leaves you desperate for more. In the band’s own words the song is about “finding your inner strength, letting go of your past mistakes and doubts and moving forward with your life. It’s about learning to feel love instead of hate or fear and reigniting the flame in your heart” which I think is something we can all get behind. This is an undeniably slick and refined example of some of the best alternative rock that the nation has to offer.
Top Tracks: King Washington – My Reflection
With bold and cinematic tracks such as ‘My Reflection’ at their disposal it’s no surprise that LA natives King Washington are quickly becoming one of the hottest indie bands around. This latest single from their aptly named upcoming album Potential, out 27th January, puts a new twist on their signature sun-drenched 60s/70s musical aesthetic. With hints of psychedelica and layered electronic beats it bears some of the hallmarks of bands such as The Stone Roses and Primal Scream, albeit combined with the band’s own soaring harmonies and artful blues-tinged guitar tones. This combination of styles makes for a fresh and invigorating sound that will see the band populating people’s playlists in no time. King Washington are constantly evolving and it would be worth your while to try and keep pace with them, as one day soon they could well be at the forefront of the indie scene.
Top Tracks: The Urban Renewal Project (feat. Gavin Turek) – Armor Love
When it comes to music, bigger is usually better. This 13 piece musical collective, led by multi-instrumental songwriter R.W. Enoch, have created a grand and exhilarating sound with the wealth of musical talent at their disposal. This latest release with soulful pop powerhouse Gavin Turek on vocals boasts some hints of classic jazz from the brass section, an R&B rhythm that wouldn’t sound amiss coming from Booker T. & the M.G.’s, and the kind of infectious fun you would expect from disco legends Earth, Wind & Fire. It’s now wonder that their fanbase is constantly on the rise as this gold standard slice of vintage funk and soul is guaranteed to brighten your day and fill every available dance floor within earshot. Fusing together a range of dynamic and attention grabbing styles this new song from The Urban Renewal Project is the perfect way to banish the winter blues.
Top Tracks: Maggie McClure & Shane Henry – Christmastime Again
I know there are plenty of cynics out there that don’t want to admit it, but Christmas is just around the corner! No matter how much some people may complain, the truth is that we all love Christmas; the people, the lights, the presents, the food, and of course the music. This dynamic duo have put together an addictively catchy hit that celebrates the best Christmas music in a fabulously slick throwback 50s style. Shane Henry started out his career opening for blues legend BB King and Maggie McClure has shown off her songwriting skills by having her music appear in countless US TV shows. Their voices are a perfect match and together this brilliant singer/songwriter team have put their skills to good use to make the most wonderful time of the year just a bit more wonderful.
Belwood Music 