Indie Quick Picks Featuring Gizmo Varillas, LongDayLateNight, Robert O’Connor, Victoria+Jean, DYAD, The Peach Fuzz and Koala Club

Gizmo Varillas

Genre : Indie Pop

Bio : Gizmo Varillas kicks off his 2020 with new single ‘Love Over Everything’. The follow-up to previous single ‘Saving Grace’, which featured an appearance from the legendary Tony Allen on drums.Response to Gizmo’s three 2019-released singles was spectacular, with plays received on BBC Radio Two (Jo Whiley), BBC 6 Music (Lauren Laverne, Chris Hawkins & Tom Robinson), BBC Radio Wales (Huw Stephens, Janice Long & Adam Walton), BBC London (Gary Crowley & Jess Iszatt), and Amazing Radio.  A live sessions was recorded for BBC London (Gary Crowley), and “Out Of The Darkness” was added to the BBC Radio Wales A-List. He has surpassed 30 Million Streams, with over 13 million streams on Spotify alone (with 300,000 monthly listeners & 750,000 monthly streams).He had a sold out headline show at London Assembly in November 2019, and supported Rodrigo Y Gabriella, Jack Savoretti, and Seu Jorge, as well as making appearances at Montreux Jazz Festival, Zermatt Unplugged, Latitude Festival, The Reeperbahn Festival, and Eurosonic,

Track: Love Over Everything

Why We Like It: It’s a luscious swirling mirage of indie pop bliss as zesty guitars create an ethereal soundscape through the tight bass groove and intricate Afro-beat drums.The track twinkles and chimes with a euphoric dreamy texture. As the song blossoms it becomes more rich and wonderfully ornate. Smooth soothing vocals caress the melty melody while delicate backing vocals lull with a narcotic sweetness. ‘Love Over Everything’ is a graceful and fun number sure to charm its way onto repeat.

Talking about the track, Gizmo explains its inspiration; “Although we can’t always choose what happens to us, we can choose how we react. Choosing hate is much easier and loops back in a vicious cycle.  The only way to truly heal is to choose love over everything”.

You can follow Gizmo Varillas on Facebook here https://www.facebook.com/GizmoVarillas/

Stream ‘Love Over Everything’ below

LongDayLateNight

Genre : Indie

Bio : For the last two years LongDayLateNight have been attracting mass attention from the likes of BBC Introducing and This Feeling with their quirky cynical lyricism and catchy choruses. Their infamously chaotic live show has earned them a growing fanbase, taking to the stage at big name festivals such as Isle of Wight and The Great Escape Brighton.

Track: Useless Complaints 

Why We Like It: This jangly indie track drifts on a bittersweet candy floss melody and intricate instrumentation. This song is irresistibly soothing and nectarous as lamenting delicate guitar meanders over a buoyant punchy drum foundation. The band blend a soft surf rock element with a do wop tonality and modern indie edge to create something quite wholesome and honest while remaining engaging and energetic. 

You can follow LongDayLateNight on Facebook here https://www.facebook.com/longdaylatenightband/

Watch the video for ‘Useless Complaints’ below 

Robert O’Connor

Genre : Singer Songwriter

Bio : Dublin-born singer/songwriter Robert O’Connor. Robert’s first release of 2020, ‘Older ‘20’ sees him collaborate with EDM artist Skynem GT for the second time, after the Peruvian producer won a remix contest run by Robert to remix his single “Real Good Fight” last summer.

Track: Older ‘20

Why We Like It: It’s a heartfelt number embellished with flickering electronics and suspenseful soundscapes. Robert’s warm vocals hold a country tone while the twinkling keys and wispy atmosphere create a soaring gripping quality in the track. The dazzling beats and intense brooding soundscapes provide a pulsing rush of emotion while the catchy melody drifts elegantly upon this bubbling backdrop. It’s a wholesome passionate track backed sublimely by lush intricate electronics.

You can follow Robert O’Connor on Facebook here https://www.facebook.com/iamrobertoconnor

Watch the video for ‘Older ‘20’ below 

Victoria+Jean

Genre : Indie Electronic pop

Bio : Critically acclaimed Swedish/Belgian duo Victoria+Jean will return with their second album ‘UNDERDOG’ in the spring of 2020. They kick off this new decade with new single ‘Imbecile’. The song features vocals from French singer Romain Humeau.To accompany the track there is a Sebastien Alouf directed video.

Track: Imbecile

Why We Like It: This sultry track ferments and festers beneath an ominous bass line while the luring guitar weaves and coils masterfully with sweltering swagger. The duo simmer this dark brooding track sublimely as they smear sticky bubbling electronics through sinister soundscapes to create a chilling and utterly thrilling number. Victoria’s striking vocals haunt and entice as the track creeps and crawls to its powerful chorus. The band flesh out their rock n’ roll grit and swagger through the sharp jabs and slick flourishments on guitar while the persistent beat hooks the track firmly into the darkest membrane of your mind. The contrast between Romain Humeau’s gravel-rumble on vocals and Victoria’s crisp shrills makes for the most engaging listening experience. 

 You can follow Victoria+Jean on Facebook here https://www.facebook.com/victoriaplusjean

Watch the video for ‘Imbecile’ below 

DYAD

Genre : Post grunge/garage rock

Bio : DYAD are a high energetic post grunge/garage rock band from County Tyrone, Northern Ireland comprised of Matthew Ryan onGuitar & Vocals, Ciaran O’Kane on Drums and Peter Curry on Bass.

Track: Guilty, Not Guilty

Why We Like It: It’s a brawny blast of moody grunge rock as DYAD use heavy thick bass lines to drive the track into a gritty storm of mosh mania. The verses set the track’s sinister tone as the ominous meaty bass, slaps and weaves between the steady beat before the song erupts for the chorus. With raw guitar riffs and pummeling drums the track has a sinister quality and blood thirsty presence. There is a chilling intensity within this track that is so satisfying and edgy.The catchy melody and rasp filled vocals curdle the tracks lean mean outburst as DYAD create a blistering dark number that is sure to be epic live.

You can follow DYAD on Facebook here https://www.facebook.com/dyadband1/

Stream ‘Guilty, Not Guilty’ below 

The Peach Fuzz

Genre : Alternative pop

Bio : Liverpool’s The Peach Fuzz return with their new single ‘Softie’ via Skeleton Key Records/Warners.The Peach Fuzz worked once more with producer James Skelly (Blossoms, She Drew The Gun) at Liverpool’s Parr Street Studios, having also collaborated on previous singles The Outside Looking In and Pieces. The band have received strong radio support already, with BBC Radio, Radio X, and BBC Introducing championing the band, in addition to influential editorial playlist inclusions such as Spotify’s New Music Friday.

Track: Softie

Why We Like It: It’s a sweet fizzy slice of indie pop wrapped in a sweet marshmallow coating of bliss. The band present a zesty soundscape of sharp juicy guitars, shimmering vintage synths and elastic bass grooves over a buoyant spongy beat while the soft sugary melody coats this bubbling backdrop in a dreamy softness. With velvety vocals and lush backing vocals The Peach Fuzz present a wholly invigorating track to indulge in. Their up tempo and passionate electronic indie creates a rush of intensity that is just sublime while the soothing lyrics and honesty adds a refreshing edge.Described by the band as “an exhausted, teary-eyed rant that came to life when the macho bullshit became too much”, the single kicks back at conformity and stereotypes while being irresistibly catchy.

You can follow The Peach Fuzz on Facebook here https://www.facebook.com/ThePeachFuzzUK/

Stream ‘Softie’ below 

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Author : Danu