The Ree-Vahs! are a North East UK folk collective from the borders of Durham and Northumberland. They have recently released their third offering ‘Man Overboard’ which is a tribute to founder member and songwriter, Paul Lee, who tragically took his own life in May 2017. Acclaimed for singing in authentic North East accents, The Ree-Vahs! deliver fresh folk songs about love, life and loss, depicting stories from the former mining and steel towns of the North East borders. After releasing their first album back in 2014 and their second in 2016, both achieving critical and commercial success, the band follow up with ‘Man Overboard’ which is named after a home recording made by the late Paul Lee several years ago. After writing and performing together since their teens, band members and brothers Andy and Paul wrote the album prior to Paul’s death. Recorded in Liam Gaughan Studios, Newcastle, ‘Man Overboard’ features heartfelt lyrics and warming folk instrumentation throughout, with some songs addressing social issues and some dedicated to family members.
‘Man Overboard ‘is brimming with warm melodic tunes that glow like a hearty fireplace on a winters day. From the first guitar twang of ‘Pack Your Bags’ this EP floods with mellow melodies drenched in melancholic tones with light twinkling guitars and soft comforting beats. It’s a pure wholesome collection with oodles of passion. The violin melodies are sweet and delicate adding a tender tear jerking elegance. ‘Stronger Than Me (No Binary)’ is a simple little ditty where the vocals exude so much emotion it takes all the attention. Lush backing vocals coo while airy guitar flickers add a nice buoyancy and feathery light texture to this beautiful track. ’Sing Our Songs In The Dark’ lifts the tone of the EP. Becoming more vibrant and rich rhythmically. It’s a track to wisp you away into a joyous positive dance. It reminds me of a track that could feature in a Disney movie when the main characters are experiencing the beauty of life or successfully building together their plan to stop the big bad. The warm brass feature rushes vibrancy and triumphant cheer into the track while the sing along bridge is instantly likeable and catchy. ’Under The Wheels’ returns to that camp fire sweet sway ready vibe with banjo twangs delicately lamenting behind strong passionate lyrics. ‘Jigsaw’ adds a bit of swagger and a mysterious sultry vibe to the EP with darker guitar melodies while ‘Go See’ closes the EP bright and animated. The honest lyrics narrates the stories of peoples harsh lives while a chummy sway ready chorus evokes images of people coming together hand in hand. It has a sense of positivity contrasting the lyrics.
The Ree-Vahs!’Man Overboard’ gives an honest account of life put to music filled with positivity and hope. Their warm instrumentation is wholesome and pure and their choruses infectious. It a passionate collection of tracks that are soul fulfilling and satisfying.
Hana Brooks is set to release her new single ‘Used To Be’ which was mixed by Nick Bennett (London Grammar/Asgeir/Zak Able) on 12th February. Partly recorded in LA whilst Brooks was visiting the states, the song was heavily inspired by her time there. Having toured the Sofar Sounds circuit in the capital during the summer, Hana released a free download track ‘Leave It’ on her website on November 6th 2017.The song was heavily reviewed by online magazines and was play listed numerous times on radio (featured in USA and across Europe as well as the UK), Spotify and SoundCloud.’Leave It’ received glowing features from two of the most popular and highly regarded fanzines A&R Factory and Music Crowns, the latter of which also promoted the track’s official music video and live internet performance leading to 50,000 hits in a matter of a few days.The release was also supported by a live UK tour which peaked with a storming show at London’s legendary venue The Troubadour at the beginning of December, leading to Hana being offered a monthly residency at the club starting with the USED TO BE SINGLE LAUNCH PARTY on 28th February 2018.
‘Used To Be’ is a glistening summer ready anthem. With urban sticky beats slapping against a glowing sun kissed Californian sound of synths this track is a laid back summer jam. Zealous guitars jingle throughout flooding the track with sparkling facets of bright glorious scintillation while warm heartfelt vocals coo over an infectious glorious melody. Brimming with feel good vibes this track will brighten any day and have you bopping and grooving along in no time.
Coming quickly off the back of last year’s rousing single ‘Someday’, the Leicester-born, Manchester-raised duo Demons of Ruby Mae are set to begin 2018 in a big way with the release of their new single ‘To Be Adored’.
‘To Be Adored’ is a sparkling gulp of luscious electronic pop. Its dreamy soundscapes create a sweet delicious twinkling of pop heaven while warm passionate vocals soothe throughout. The snappy lively rhythm creates an instant danceable quality and flickering texture to the track. Ethereal guitars jangle while spacey sonic soundscapes swish and swirl with euphoric adrenaline that is heart stopping and thrilling. The track floods through with a spirited sense of positivity and breezy aerial joy. It has a Coldplay feel while still remaining unique and refreshing. It’s all set to be a summer hit for sure.
Public Access TV in The Academy 2, Dublin February 13th
New York’s finest Public Access TV have announced a show next week Tuesday 13th February in The Academy 2, Dublin. The band comprised of members John Eatherly, Xan Aird, Max Peebles, and Pete Star have already a critically-acclaimed debut album under their belt with sold-out tours, and festival slots around the world and they are now back with part two ‘Street Safari’. Their sophomore album was recorded with Producer Patrick Wimberly (Beyonce, MGMT, Chairlift) and we have already had two smashing appetizers in the form of the slinky groovy single ‘Metrotech’ and the funky chic ‘Lost In The Game’. These guys exude swagger with their effortlessly cool persona’s, infectious danceable tunes and slick ear worm melodies they are ones not to be missed. They are a feisty bunch of indie rockers who can lay down some pretty sleek tunes ranging from rock and roll to disco and everything in between.
Indie-rock/alternative group, Old News have released their new EP ‘Castro’ which was mastered by TJ Lipple, who has worked with American Football, Fugazi, Look Mexico, and others. Old News is an indie-rock band based out of Kansas. Inspired heavily by math-rock, emo revival, and jazz harmony, the group combines these influences into a genre defying mix of sounds. Their new EP, ‘Castro’, is full to the brim with off-the-wall grooves, wailing trumpet, and spiraling, slinky guitar passages. Old News is comprised of current and former WSU/Friends University jazz alumni and oddball music fanatics, Beau Harris, Max Abood , Blaine Martin, and Sutton Wilson.
‘Castro’ is a rowdy collection of gnarly rock with some slickness in the form of jazzy elements and the odd trumpet bellow. With the twinkly guitar intro of ‘Everyone’s A Minimalist’ these guys display a knack for intricate instrumentation arrangements weaving fluidly between boisterous drums and grainy vocals. They balance the sweet and soothing with the fiery and powerful seamlessly. The trumpet injections add a touch of vibrancy to the turbulent tracks. When you think they couldn’t get more diverse Old News break into a subtle jingly instrumental that is like a sweet melodic elevator tune before fading out. ‘Disappointed But Not Surprised’ is brimming with energy and golden guitar moments. Crashing instrumentation slams into your eardrums like a cannonball before the lushest slinky guitar melodies and warm trumpet jingles iron out the sound creating an instantly chill dreamy haze. They shift between melty sweet and boisterous so rapidly and fluidly its amazing. ‘Spring Sensibility’ is the instrumental intermission packing a lot of gumption. Delicate soothing trumpet melodies lament with sweet nostalgia before the pounding drums and crashing guitars are introduced. This track slowly creeps into its thrilling crescendo, displaying a band that can keep you blissfully intrigued in their tunes even without vocals. Those guitar quivers and flickers are just sublime and take you to a beautiful scenic state of euphoria. ‘1917 Cherry St.’ is the final track on the EP and returns to the bands math rock heaviness. Sweeter vocals caress the verses while honey melodies on guitar and trumpet twinkle around with an airy feel. The verses then become more aggressive and ferocious.
An impressive EP from Old News. It’s well thought out and meticulously crafted as each detail, melody and flicker adds a new dimension and richness to the tracks. What appears to be a meaty skull bashing math rock EP blossoms into a pure richly layered experience that is pretty special and at times sweetly delicate.
Alternative rock band Liberty Lies are celebrating their 10th birthday this year and to celebrate they’re reissuing a three track retrospective of previously released tunes and it all kicks off today with ‘Day in the Sun’. Liberty Lies have achieved so much on their own merit, without contacts, without money or any helping hands. Tours with the likes of Shinedown, Soil, Halestorm, Magnum, Heaven’s Basement have all come and gone so a nice trip down sweet nostalgic memory lane is well due. This year will see a follow up to the 2013 album ‘Reflections’. It promises to be the album that smashes the glass ceiling for the band and see them draw the attention they have worked for over the years. In preparation for the future, Liberty Lies are shining a light on the best of their past by re-releasing three tracks, from their three previous releases.
In 2010 Liberty Lies released their debut EP ‘New Addiction’ which was a low budget affair recorded in a studio near enough to be dropped off by their parents with money they saved from playing covers in local boozers. The jewel in the crown of this EP was its final track ‘Day In The Sun’. This power ballad displays oodles of passion, fire and potent musicianship. The lyrics tell the story of someone who has given everything they possibly can in a relationship. The character is holding their hands up saying I have tried my best and if that’s not enough, then I have nothing else to give. It’s hard hitting stuff with sweet melancholic sharp guitars lamenting over punchy drums and an emotional vocal display that pulls hard at the heart strings without becoming soppy. It’s raw true and pure rock and roll emotion. These guys put forward heart on your sleeve emotion but kick-ass doing it. Pretty impressive for a band starting off. With their mature sound sparkling through with anthemic power this track marked a band that had massive potential. Just listen to that guitar melody its pure warm mellow gold. The track was produced by Mark Stuart who has previously worked with the likes of Magnum and Phil Lynott. Like the rest of the EP, ‘Day In The Sun’ was never put forward to the press. It never gained any radio play or notable coverage at all. It merely exists as the beginning of Liberty Lies that was able to win them any support slots, garnering fans along the way.
During February, March and April, the band will be celebrating their releases by unveiling a whole host of content based around each specific track. Themed pod-casts, guitar play throughs, redux’s, new artwork, acoustic covers, and much more so keep an eye out for that.
Formed in 2015 Blank Parody, a bunch of noisy lads from Birmingham, began with a year of songwriting and recording. After a year of gigging up and down the country they have supported the likes of Vukovi, Seprona, Tigercub and Electric Six! and played slots at festivals such as London’s Camden Rocks, Sheffield’s Tramlines and Birmingham’s ValeFest. Following the recent release of their highly well received debut EP ‘A Tension’, which featured tracks such as ‘Dark Pretenders’ and ‘Marching Through The Smoke’, the band now present their biggest offering from the record yet ‘Underachiever’, before playing a string of dates across the country.
‘Underachiever’ with its subtle explosive bursts is an indie anthem all rolled up in a tight little package ready for live show sing-alongs. These guys are no strangers to meaty hefty instrumentation that bashes with thrilling adrenaline and this track is no different. However ‘Underachiever’ does offer a little more emotionally. This track wallops out a melancholic melody drenched in enough nostalgia to hit you right in the chest and force out that little tear you’ve hidden for years. This is a track for the down trodden, displayed through ethereal guitars and a rumbling bass. Its one everyone can relate to and sway along mournfully to, but these guys let you have that tear then whack you through it with some shredding rugged guitars and punchy drums filled with hopefulness and powerful fist pump indie rock. These guys are relentless in showcasing their versatility as a band and ‘Underachiever’ displays this perfectly- they can be melodic and sentimental yet still pack a mighty meaty punch.
You can catch Blank Parody live at:
11th February – The Black Heart, London
22nd February – The Giffard Arms, Wolverhampton
8th March – The Shed, Leicester
30th March-1st April – Your City Festival, Stoke On Trent
Cork based Indie-pop four piece Dry Roasted Peanuts have released their second EP ‘Former Child Stars’. Following on from the success of their debut ‘Sometimes I’ll Stay In/Sometimes I’ll Go Out’ in May 2017, Dry Roasted Peanuts are back with another barn-storming effort. Marc O’Cearnaigh (Vocals/Rhythm Guitar), JJ Lee (Bass), Robert McDonnell (Lead Guitar/Vocals) and Chris O’Sullivan (Drums) have conjured up a two-track compilation of indie-pop bliss, tinged with punk-rock sensibilities.
One thing I have come to love about this band is their sound has begun to reach a maturity beyond their years and ‘Former Child Stars’ displays this perfectly. ‘Honey + Lemons’ with its depth and musical precision pierces like a proficient swordsman at an unsuspecting opponent. The track progresses slowly with sweet toned guitar and steady rhythm leaving the dramatic effect to the compelling vocals. The lyrics are striking and the bands ability to hold the listeners attention through the narration with subtle instrumentation is remarkable. When the track finally does reach its crescendo it is phenomenal. Warm hazed wobbly guitars stride through a buoyant punchy rhythm creating the ultimate dazed blissful peak to the track. Second track ‘Upstanding’ fleshes out their swagger-soaked strut worthy sound. Once again euphoric golden guitar lines flood the track with sparkling luminosity while a spongy beat cushions you in their dreamy tranquilising soundscapes. With its sweet, delicious tone, for me the guitar melody is the highlight of this track. It’s light, nimble, zesty and infectiously calming. This short little ditty is a gem for sure. I could listen to both these track all day on a loop. This four piece are getting better and better with each release. I’m looking forward to what they have planned next.
Joshua KYEOT (pronounced kye-oh-tee) is a British-Ghanaian singer/ songwriter from South London who writes soul songs with a timeless quality and has a tone that is instantly recognisable. He has recently released his new single ‘Playground Sweethearts’. Taking jazz, pop, classical and rock as inspiration, he cites Stevie Wonder, Sisqo, and Michael Jackson among his top influences. Driven by music as a primary means of expression Joshua KYEOT is steadfast in his pursuit of becoming an all-around entertainer. Joshua has spent the past few years earning his stripes by playing various stages including ILUVLIVE hotlist and Sofar London. Generating some buzz within the industry he has opened for acts such as Izzy Bizu off the strength of his live sets.
‘Playground Sweethearts’ is a delicate passionate track filled with pure wholesomeness and oodles of soul. Twinkling guitars and soft drums create a timeless classy sound that is so sweet and luscious to the ears. The plucked guitar creates a simple start to the track and floods the track with an elegant tender warmth that is beautiful. A creamy honey coated melody caresses the graceful subtle instrumentation as Joshua’s vocals exude passion and emotion. Sublimely crafted the track builds into a steamy sharp guitar solo and fiery affectionate crescendo. Filled with romance it’s a beautiful refined track from Joshua KYEOT.
Bio: Anglo-French newcomer Marrius is an indie electro pop artist who mixes modern electronics with a bluesy classic songwriting edge, Marrius has released his new single ‘Small Talk’ which is the lead single off his debut EP which is out now on Station 5 records. The self titled EP was recorded in Brixton with producer Livingstone Brown and in part with Andy Hall in East London, then mixed in Malaga, Spain and London. He has recently headlined London’s Servant Jazz Quarters and supported wonky indie pop legends Alt-J at the Scala in London.
Track: Small Talk
When asked about the track Marrius Said: “If you’re bored of the same small talk then this is your song. Not being afraid to address these taboo topics to strangers.’ He describes the EP as the result of him, ‘Mixing genres and influences for the last two years. Each song brings you a different side of my influences, whether its Soul, Rock, Hip Hop, Electronic or Pop.”
Why We Like It: It’s a sleek swagger-soaked track saturated in sensual bluesy steaminess with a healthy dose of electronics splashed on top. So cool and laid back with an infectious groove and hip swaying sultry melody cruising between a sticky beat and vibrant swirling soundscapes this track is one for those swanky strutters for sure. I would recommend checking out the EP too.
Bio: Formed at University of Leicester in 2012, the group built a cult following culminating in a support slot at the Leicester O2, alongside Rudimental and Wretch 32.They soon re-located to London, playing a string of shows and festivals, sharing the stage with the likes of The Fratellis, Reef and Reverend and the Makers. Backed by a slew of singles and two EPs, the releases of which were all met with acclaim, this four piece comprised of members Harry Sullivan, Max Hutchins, Charlie Hawkins and Aidan Wickham have returned with their latest single ‘Eclipse’
Track: Eclipse
Why We Like It: This little indie gem sparkles with dazzling guitar lines which add flashes of bright scintillation through the punchy beat and dynamic vocals. Tightly wrapped in a melancholic intense melody this track is carefully crafted and polished to perfection with a luscious rhythm section and glorious breezy soundscapes. It’s refreshing, sun kissed and a sublime juicy burst of pop flavoured indie. A strong mature track from the four piece that is so infectious and luscious it’s one to put on repeat.
You Can Follow Bengal Lancers on Facebook here https://www.facebook.com/bengallancers/
Stream ‘Eclipse’ below
https://soundcloud.com/bengal-lancers/eclipse
Black Lizard
Genre: garage/psych-pop
Bio: Since forming back in 2008, Finnish garage-rockers Black Lizard have been busy leading the charge in the ever-fruitful Scandinavian underground with their relentless gig schedule and a constant stream of releases. They’ve collaborated with the likes of Anton Newcombe and Sonic Boom (Spacemen 3/Spectrum) and toured Europe several times, appearing at a number of festivals including Great Escape as well as sharing the stage with everyone from Brian Jonestown Massacre, DIIV, The Men, The Horrors, Allah-Las and Veronica Falls. On February 23rd Black Lizard will be releasing their third album, Celebration Of A New Dawn, on London imprint Fuzz Club Records. Recorded in the basement of a rundown 50s movie theatre turned recording studio, the new album is a sublime excursion into Sixties-indebted, washed-out garage-pop. To announce the release, Black Lizard are sharing the video for ‘Window In Time’, the first single to be taken from the new LP.
Track: Window In Time
Talking of the single, the band explain: “Window In Time is psychedelic pop song about enjoying your life the way it is. Most of their lives people seem to look for things they don’t have and spend their time trying to be like someone else, then there might be a point where you realize that you have everything you need right here and right now.”
Why We Like It: It’s a vibrant dreamy haze of blissful psychedelic pop that leaves you tranquilised in a cloud of ecstasy. With bright guitars swirling into a steady rhythm and swoony melody this track is glorious narcotic bliss. Lo-fi velvety vocals echo adding a dreamlike vibe to this calming mind melting track while the woozy sting on guitars add that 60’s garage psych feel that is just simply magnificent.
Bio: Following a string of big dance bangers during summer 2017 and the BBC 6 Music plays of “Massif Anthem” late last year, Dublin-based indie dance artist Donal Quinn has announced that his new single ‘Precious’ will be released on Feb 8th.’Precious’ which is a live favourite at gigs, was recorded in Hackney, London with top producer Tom McFall (Kasabian, Snow Patrol, Bloc Party) and will be available on iTunes, Spotify, Deezer and all other digital distribution outlets.
Track: ‘Precious’
Why We Like It: ‘Precious’ is that wiggle and shimmy track that could coax the most stubborn person onto the dance floor. Get your sunglasses out, cocktails at the ready Mr. Quinn has brought the summer early. Tropical beats and zesty guitar strides introduce this dazzling track with feet shuffling zealousness before the verses and vibrant soundscapes trap you into this luscious infectious tune. Snappy electronics are tightly packed into this jubilant number with a samba feel which creates the most satisfying exuberant track. This fruity song will blast away those cloudy days and abolish all glum thoughts. It’s the definition of a feel-good track. Try not to sing along it’s damn near impossible.
