Irish Band VAHN have released their new single ‘Teeth’. This luring number is saturated in dark electronics creating the most tantalizing listening experience. With rhythmic pulses, intense soundscapes of swirling synths and distortion the track is an eerie and frantic tune. ‘Teeth’ is expertly layered and gradually builds, becoming more fuzz filled and frantic as the fizzing electronics and guitars merge into one hypnotic, dazing and psychedelic wall of sound. The haunting whispered vocals coo and lure throughout, allowing the instrumentation draw the listener into the track’s dark abyssal soundscape. With sensual grooves and irresistible melodies ‘Teeth’ ventures between indie, electronic pop and psychedelic with ease. An impressive and satisfying new number from VAHN.
Stream ‘Teeth’ below
Author : Danu
We caught up with Stevie Westwood frontman from classic rock band Bad Touch to talk about the bands fourth album ‘Kiss The Sky’ which was released this year, their writing process and recording in Rockfield Studios
You released your fourth album ‘Kiss The Sky’ this year. It is a powerful, swagger soaked collection of bangers. How do you guys keep your sound fresh four albums in?
We’ve always been and will always be Bad Touch. We play feel-good rock n roll for the soul. Our never ending mission to give you the night you’ll never forget; a break away from the monotony and tyranny of life, and to leave anybody who is awesome enough to come to a gig smiling from ear to ear. That’s our mantra. This album is 110% just that, this is a dancing round your bedroom, annoying your neighbours album; that we hope people will love any bit as much as we do.
Was your music writing process for this album different to the previous albums?
Not much has changed since the early days, we still write and rehearse in the same space we have since day one. We just write about emotions and situations we all feel and have experienced, in a hope that someone else feels the same way and can connect to our music. Our attitude towards writing remains true as well, we’re a melting pot of influences and ideas from every member, not bound by role. Quite often George (drums) will have a vocal line or guitar riff, just as often as I’ll have an idea for a drum beat… it keeps things fresh.
The tracks in the album are full of feel good powerful tunes with shredding guitars, pummeling drums and oodles of soul. Talk us through how you chose the songs for the album?
We took a lot more time, effort, sweat and tears when it came to this album from the get-go. Our attitude to songwriting was a lot more critical. If a song wasn’t cutting-the-mustard, we either changed it until it did, or chucked it in the bin and moved on. No compromises.
Your songs boast some pretty slick riffage. How do you guys come up with these gritty riffs?
When you have two riff-meisters like Rob and Seeks it just comes naturally haha
It’s a swagger drenched album laced in classic rock. I especially like ‘Strut’ it really does fill you with that prancing confidence. Tell us how you wrote and crafted that track?
‘Strut’ was one of the first songs we wrote for ‘Kiss The Sky.’ Seeks (guitar) had that biting riff, and George (drums) had the vocal melody for the chorus, so we took it from there. We always write together and everyone chips in, it’s a real fun way to write.
Do you have a track on the album that you are particularly proud of or enjoyed writing?
Speaking personally, I can hand-on-heart say that I am proud and love every track on ‘Kiss The Sky.’ This album has been the hardest one to write so far, for all the right reasons. We’ve put so much into this as individuals and collectively as a unit, and we’re super proud with the end result. It’s fun, it’s loud, it’s in-your-face, it’s everything that Bad Touch have always been, plus so much more.
You guys got to record the album in Rockfield Studios in Monmouth, It’s where Oasis created their masterpieces, where Bohemian Rhapsody came to life and where Coldplay’s journey into the musical stratosphere took off. A place with such history can do one of two things: fill you with awe and make you strive to bring out the best in your tunes or fill you with shattering expectations and pressure. Did you get an instant shot of inspiration or fear within the studio’s walls?
It was completely jaw-dropping-ly awe-inspiring. We are so privileged as a group of friends to have recorded in a place with such musical gravitas. It really did kick us up a notch as musicians, and just felt so right. Plus I got to sit at Freddie’s piano, the one he wrote ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ on, it doesn’t get much cooler than that.
Is it difficult to get the raw energy you guys bring to your live shows into the recording?
For that we owe a special mention to our producer, (who later became our friend), Nick “Brino” Brine… He deserves a serious pat on the back. Through many tireless hours, he’s managed to capture and refine that raw energy that we’ve always had, but always struggled to get down on recordings up until “Kiss The Sky,” so to him we owe tremendous thanks.
You have announced your March/April 2021 UK tour.The 14-date tour includes Norwich, Manchester, London, Cardiff and Glasgow. What have you got planned for the shows?
With the year that 2020 has been, we owe it to our fans and to ourselves to make this the most explosive and fun tour yet, and we plan to do just that. We can’t wait to reconnect with the Bad Touch Family and hopefully make some new friends along the way. (badtouchrocks.co.uk for full tour details)
You guys are known for your energetic and raw live shows. Are you missing the live show energy at the moment?
What a question! It’s like we’ve lost the best part of ourselves, to say we are missing it is a huge understatement. We cannot wait to be back on stage doing what we were born to do, but we won’t until it is safe to do so, for the sake of everyone. Stay safe everybody.
You’ve been doing Facebook videos called “The Isolation Sessions” to stay connected with your fans while everyone is at home.Have you felt pressure to make each one better than the last?
I like to think that some of the beauty of The Isolation Sessions was that it was just me and my guitar playing into my mobile phone. That’s it. It wasn’t about the production or the effects, it’s just me having a go at some songs that have influenced me as a singer. I did one a day for around fifty days, they’re on hiatus at the minute, but who knows, I may dust off the guitar soon!
Have you found time to write and relax during the lull in touring?
We’re still promoting ‘Kiss The Sky’ at the moment, but we’re always writing and looking to the future.
Do you have any advice for someone who wants to start a band?
Just do it, and don’t give up. If you’ve got a band you love, playing music you love, you can make it work, and everything else will fall in place around it. Trust me.
What have Bad Touch got planned for the rest of the year?
Sadly this year seems to be all but written off, nobody knows what’s around the corner at the minute, but know that we’ll be here to rock your socks off when we come out the other side. Stay safe you beautiful people.
Stream ‘Kiss The Sky’ below
Author : Danu
Glasgow/Dundee based singer songwriter,Jamie Button is set to release his second single, ‘Flashbang’ on November 5th. Recorded in Paisley at Jamie McGrory’s (Bay City Rollers) studio JJ Recordings, ‘Flashbang’ involved the help of Button’s live band. Recent iTunes No.1 artist Scott Forsyth provided drums and guitars whilst Gordon Burn (OK Social Club) recorded the bass. The song was produced by Glasgow-based Ross Hamilton (Texas, Saint PHNX, Seafret).
‘Flashbang’ is a dynamic indie rock anthem showcasing irresistible melodies, vibrant instrumentation and Jamie Button’s clever musicianship.It’s sing along ready with a thumping bridge that is sure to be epic live. The track is an instant shot of adrenaline; a punchy rhythmic bounce adds edge to the track while the sharp guitars swirl and soar with a jangly tone. The song’s subject matter focuses on a desire for moments of excitement in a world seemingly gone wrong and how chance meetings can offer a way to feel invigorated again. Button’s warm vocals express excitement and convey the youthful energy within the lyrics with ease creating a relatable indie rock banger.
‘Flashbang’ is set for release on November 5th, for more you can Follow Jamie Button On Facebook here https://www.facebook.com/jamiebuttonmusic/?ref=br_rs
Author : Danu
Jonny Taylor is set to release his debut single ‘Walk Along The River’ on November 5th. Jonny Taylor is a singer/songwriter from Liverpool.His distinctive style echoes the magic and mysteria of the Mersey sound while remaining fresh and exciting for 21st century tastes.
This charming track is a laid back listening experience. Oozing smooth vocals and a psychedelic vibe ‘Walk Along The River’ is surrounded in a relaxed flower power atmosphere while a strident guitar riff provides edge and rock swagger to the song. Taylor layers and crafts the track superbly sprinkling a Beatles-esque tone into his own radiant infectious sound, accompanied by an infectious melody which melts upon a bubbling beat and zest-filled guitar licks with ease. Well crafted and displaying slick instrumentation ‘Walk Along The River’ is a sublime debut from Jonny Taylor.
‘Walk Along The River’ is set for release on November 5th for more you can follow Jonny Taylor on Instagram here https://www.instagram.com/jonnytaylorofficial/
Author : Danu
I caught up with Lizzie Fitzpatrick From Bitch Falcon to talk about the band’s upcoming debut album ‘Staring At Clocks’, how the band record and write their tracks as well as how Fitzpartick has developed and honed in on her amazing vocals. ‘Staring At Clocks’ is set for release on November 6th.
Watch The Interview Below
Author : Danu
Ria Rua recorded a live session for Indie Buddie earlier this week and it’s a real treat. Ria Rua is a female artist and producer from Cavan. She began her musical life as a drummer – drumming professionally in Ireland and abroad – before deciding to shift her focus to songwriting, singing and production.
Ria Rua’s sound is edgy, compelling and executed with mesmerising artistic flair. Her luring songs blend sharp beats with dark intoxicating electronics to create an intriguing and tantalizing listening experience.
Ria went all out for her performance, utilising her deft technical wizardry, musical and visual prowess to provide us with an outstanding, one of a kind, and exciting performance.
Watch the performance below
Author : Danu
Production duo R34L have released ‘WHAT/IS: REMIXED,’ A remix of their 2019 debut album. Restoring fun to the studio, R34L started experimenting with sampling some of the tracks and started to reimagine them in completely different ways. They now present their second album, an alternative version that they could perform at live shows. Formed by Cason Trager and Sarah Hartman, R34L is a production duo from Chicago. They describe their sound as “a journey into another dimension of space & sound.”
Swimming in dark electronics ‘WHAT/IS: REMIXED’ is a dazing collection of tracks. Hartman’s haunting vocals coo with delicate tones as each song delves into a pool of vast synths, sticky beats and rippling psychedelic soundscapes. The rich production and multitude of textures makes ‘Hellow (Sarah’s Atlantis Remix)’ , ‘Undone (Chachuba Remix)’ and ‘Are You Real (k$quid Remix)’ both spirited and soothing all at once as the flashing synth elements and dreamy melodies intertwine and blend. The album continues this diverse and rich display of musicianship as R34L experiment and give a new lease of life to their songs.
‘WHAT/IS: REMIXED’ is a fascinating glimpse into the creativity of R34L as they weave house elements, with hip hop and electronic dance to create an engaging and luring album.
Talking about the process they said “The remix album ended up being super diverse across electronic music styles, which was our goal from the start. This, to us, captured the intent of the original album–as a journey in form.”
Stream ‘WHAT/IS: REMIXED’ below
Author : Danu
Mechner unveils the final part of ‘Club Idem’ with single ‘Ghosts in the Mirror’. With the release of “Ghosts in the Mirror” and its accompanying music video, the continuing narrative which has been seen across Mechner’s previous 4 releases in 2020, finally comes to a close.
‘Ghosts in the Mirror’ is an emotive tune which drifts between 90’s alternative rock and electronic indie as Mechner spreads a catchy powerful melody over a simmering backdrop. Exuding punchy drums and warm guitar jangles teamed with wisps of electronics this rock ballad powerhouse is an impressive final addition to what has been a thrilling journey with Mechner. He never fails to deliver emotion and earnest tunes that pack one hell of a punch and ‘Ghost in the Mirror’ doesn’t disappoint. With a cinematic chorus, brooding verses and flashing dark electronics it’s a compelling, chilling new track and a satisfying listening experience.
About the track Mechner says “Ghosts is about being black out intoxicated on a night out, the feeling of not knowing where you are, but remembering only flashing images and sounds, somewhere in the recesses of your mind you are aware of what’s going on, but you have almost no control over your body, or brain. The idea of being trapped in oneself, it’s actually quite terrifying the idea of what can happen when you are not in control”
The music video is presented in Black and White, and shows one of the main characters going through grief over the loss of his partner to the mysterious Club Idem, though the ending is one you won’t forget in a hurry. Watch the video for ‘Ghosts in the Mirror’ below
Author : Danu
Jack West has released his new single ‘Missing Out’ featuring Pearl Jam guitarist Mike McCready. This passionate rock ballad drifts upon a melancholic melody, mature songwriting and brooding instrumentation. A lamenting guitar, elegant frosty piano and steady beat set up an atmospheric lonely scene as West’s rasped coos ( accompanied by haunting backing vocals ) pine through the verses before the track erupts for the chorus. This power ballad oozes rock swagger and gusto as it leads into the emotive hair-raising chorus with pounding drums and sharp guitar lines piercing the icy biting atmosphere. Boasting an epic guitar solo and passionate crescendo, ‘Missing Out’ is a sublime new addition to West’s catalogue.
Stream ‘Missing Out’ below
Author :Danu
