You should all know by now that -whilst I love a bit of raucous or textured indie/rock music - I am also very electronically inclined. In fact I'd go to say that I ♥ electro, especially of the layered kind; sometimes minimal electronics just sound... sterile, don't you think?
However, here is a band that is most definitely not sterile. Welcome Feathers, a New York based four-piece that specialise in synth pop. Their song- 'Land Of The Innocent' - brings to mind a warmer, more welcoming Ladytron, with singer Anastasia Dimou hearkening to a lost innocence before a pretty dystopian and barren sci-landscape. And that's before the pounding drums kick in.
Yup, I thought I'd switch it up a bit! Occasionally on this blog, there will be guest posts from other writers of the musically inclined. If you class yourself as such and would like to get involved, drop me an email (electragrrl@gmail.com) with the subject title of 'Guest Post', a little about yourself, writing examples or your own blog and what you'd be planning on talking about, and I'll get back to you!
For now I'll leave you with my lovely boyf Huw, who blogs over at The Go-Slow. Over and out!
Ta Kay! If you aren't familiar with Smith Westerns, you could be quite easily forgiven. The Chicago trio may have slipped past most of the indie-obsessed crowd, especially those on this side of the Atlantic. UK tours have never existed for the band (unless you count a short support slot for UK giants Arctic Monkeys). Not to worry though, I've got you covered ;)
After a somewhat below-the-surface debut album in 2009, the band didn't really catch any (semi)mainstream media attention until their 2011 sophomore effort Dye It Blonde, after catching the eye of infamous US indie label Fat Possum Records. The sudden success seemed to base itself around two factors: 1. The band's strikingly young average age (with all 3 members yet to turn 20), or 2. 'Weekend'.
The track (and band) seemed to emerge from nowhere, becoming a sudden indie radio hit with pop hooks galore. With a recipe of guitarist Max Kakacek's George Harrison-esque riff of the insanely catchy variety (WARNING: Will have you humming it for the rest of your life) and Cullen Omori's romanticised lyrics 'Weekends are never fun, unless you're around here too', "Weekend" is a delicious piece of indie pop. Garnished with dreamy synths and a youthful video that sees the Chi-Town trio strolling around their hometown in jeans so tight your balls may cringe, it became a brief staple in indie disco playlists.
With third album Soft Will released last month, the band have taken their penchant for 80's tinged pop songs with mega riffs to all new grounds. Though critically acclaimed, the album hasn't picked up the interest of its predecessor, hopefully not a sign of the band fading away. For those interested, check out the band's latest singles "Idol" and "Varsity".
Huw Woodward is a music writer, musician and lead singer/guitarist of the band Hollow. He has a somewhat obsessive knowledge of music trivia, Christopher Nolan films and Johnny Marr riffs. When he's not frightening elderly neighbours with late night drum sessions, he's most likely frightening his loved ones, friends and cats with his o̶v̶e̶r̶b̶e̶a̶r̶i̶n̶g̶ passionate musical debates. With regular single reviews and dogmatic feature articles, Huw maintains his own music blog at the-go-slow.blogspot.com.
Drenge are only a very recent acquisition of mine. I'd been aware of the press buzz for a while - along with a few other bands - however, I just hadn't happened across their music.
Until now! This here is there latest song, 'Face Of A Skull', which is set to be included on the band's self-titled debut, and it personifies what the band are about beautifully:-
Loud.
Rowdy.
Scuzzy.
Grungey.
Rawk!
'Face Of A Skull' - whilst still loud - feels marginally more streamlined than their previous songs (hear 'Backwaters'/'Necromance Is Dead'/Bloodsports' on the band's Soundcloud), where the energy of brothers Eoin and Rory Loveless can only be described as unbound and borderline crazed. This is rawk! And talking of 'rawk'(rock), it feels rare that you get a band these days that does it well; so many seem to fall into the - 'meh' - mediocre category, Drenge are primal!
I have now set my efforts into seeing this band live. Drenge are about to take off on an extensive UK tour, mixing in some dates on the festival circuit.
'Face Like A Skull' is out on 26th August.
Drenge's self-titled debut album is out 19th August.
Yup, I've started taking on interviews for Renowned For Sound! It was something I was a little tentative about, especially as I have been known to be quiet shy in previous years, however this is in the process of being ironed out. Though all that is of little importance in this instance, as due to time difference, this was an email Q+A aha..
I'm fond of Tracer. I was originally introduced to the band by a friend who lent me their first album, Spaces In Between, a few years back. This band love to make rowdy noise and apparently their live show is a riot too. Below I've embedded some of my fave songs, and also their latest single - the title track from their second album, El Pistolero (which is available to buy if you click this shiny link). Linkylink time, go check the full interview here!
PS. My fave Tracer song is 'Devil Ride' - but you already know that, because you read the interview.... ;)
The eternal question folks: what have I been listening to this week?
Or should I say month, with that summer holiday/laptop malfunction/ridiculous shifts/no sleep debacle. I can sure get away with a lot atm, hehe.
This past week, I've been getting into some of The Horrors, a band that - I admit - I had readily dismissed as all style and no substance a good few years back. They looked far too art-school and/or pompous for me to take them seriously, after all, who really needs a mushroom hair cut with a fringe down to their nose (ever practical, me!), however falling in love with 'Still Life' a year or so ago and taking my fine time to get my grubby mitts on their albums, I can declare myself more than pleasantly surprised!
'Who Can Say' is probably one of their best known songs. Taken from their second album, Primary Colours, it is what can only be described as a tuneful cacophony of noise, laced with slightly eerie synths, and with singer, Faris Badwan's sombre recounts of 'And when I told her I didn't love her anymore, she cried' (actually a lyrical lift from Jay And The Americans' 'She Cried'), this is almost an experimental, indie interpretation of a modern day sonnet.
Higher, the deluxe edition of The Horror's third album Skying, featuring reworkings and rarities is out now.
I feel so far behind. I noticed on my newsfeed (Facebook, private) that this - CHVRCHES' Gun EP - was released last Friday. That was definitely sprung upon me, especially as I had never even heard of the song or its impending release (the cave, the cave!).
But anyway, what's important is that I'm listening to it now, and I.M.O it is the best thing that CHVRCHES have released to date. Which is impressive, as I loved their Recover EPwhen it was released in March (!?), however, 'Gun' ups the ante as they say; it is more immediate, more commanding, though no less sparkling than the electronic alt. pop that the band have become known for. As always, singer Lauren Mayberry's cute voice is on top form, with revenge being a dish best served very cold, it appears, the singer warning 'You better run so, hide, hide - I have burned your bridges; I will be a gun, and it's you I'll come for'.
It's this sort of song that makes me excited for an album - and low and behold, there it one! Their debut album, The Bones Of What You Believe is due September 23rd, pre-order it here (recommended via the band's FB).
Ladies and gents, what is this? A post? An actual post!?
Alas, I am back from the wilderness, and what better way to get us back on good, loving terms than giving you some of the loverly Swim Deep. The "B-Town" (can we just say 'Birmingham/Brum' yet?) band have unveiled the bonus track from their forthcoming debut album, Where The Heaven Are We. I admit, I find myself asking this question of Swim Deep myself, for that album appears to have been pushed back; I'm sure it was due out in June? Ah well, who cares, when we have a new nugget of noise to whet out appetites.
'Crush' is the sort of Swim Deep affair that made us latch onto them in the first place; this isn't the emotional and atmospheric sister of 'She Changes The Weather', this is the slightly awkward adolescent brother squeezed somewhere in between 'King City' and 'Honey' that is attempting to be sultry and vying to get himself noticed. Austin and Co are on top form here, with the singer stating 'Take my breath and make me crush, talk real slow so I won't rush, take me some place I won't wanna be' over an intensifying, glimmering guitar. If this is the bonus track that they're willing to share now, I'm looking forward to the rest of the album!
The bonus track itself is available when you pre-order on iTunes. Where The Heaven Are We is also available in CD and vinyl direct from the Swim Deep Store.
Ah, the glorious wonders of blogging on the run or, as is currently the case, blogging from the creature comforts of my snuggly duvet whilst chillaxing to the Gold Edition of Jessie Ware's Devotion and about to dive into Caitlin Moran's Moranthology. Wild life, is me.
You may have noticed, those supposedly regular and avid readers of this blog (if you exist, let me know, I am eternally grateful!), that there hasn't been much bloggy action on these shores as of late. It's a combination of things, I'm afraid. First of all, I went on holiday with my family to the Cotswalds a few weeks ago (who knew a place could be so expensive!?). Second, soon after, the laptop broke and I've been forced to write on the frustratingly sluggish desktop instead - it's not used for a reason guys! And third, I've been so pinned down with work and trying my hardest to get my Renowned for Sound articles done on time that I've not had time to think about content for this blog, let alone write it. It's not something I'm happy about, but something has to give, I'm afraid. Realistically, regular features won't be happening again until the laptop is fixed, at least; blogging via app may be great for quick updates, but it makes imbedding content next to impossible!
So I'm afraid you'll have to bear with me for now. Hopefully things will straighten out soon!
