Premiere: Hero Fisher – ‘If I Die And Nothing Happens’

Having collaborated with the likes of Alison Mosshart and Boy George, and opened for none other than The Rolling Stones in Hyde Park, London-based Hero Fisher is now set to release her sophomore album, Glue Moon.

Taken from the album, new single ‘If I Die And Nothing Happens’ is a song about letting loose and enjoying life while it lasts. Propelled by driving beats and the dark power of Hero’s deep, sultry vocals, the track builds to a sweeping, emotion-rich anthem with shades of the likes of Róisín Murphy or PJ Harvey. Oozing a majestic, cinematic splendour, it’s an instantly infectious brooding slice of alt-pop.

Listen to ‘If I Die And Nothing Happens’ for the first time here:

 

Catch Hero Fisher live at The Finsbury on 30th August.

Mari Lane
@marimindles

Get In Her EarsLeave a comment

LIVE: The Joy Formidable – The Lexington, 22.08.18

Almost six years to the day since they last played the venue, The Joy Formidable made a triumphant return to The Lexington to perform to a sold out crowd on Wednesday night. Ritzy, Rhydian and Matt are masters of loud-and-quiet alternative anthems and despite being absent from the London live scene recently, the trio have lost none of their momentum.

Opening their set with the riotous and rarely played ‘Greyhounds In The Slips’, the band tore through the song with impressive precision and energy. ‘I Don’t Want To See You Like This’ followed, before the all-encompassing ‘The Greatest Light Is The Greatest Shade’ took hold, filling the venue with foot-thumping and chants of appreciation. At the close of the song, guitarist & vocalist Ritzy and bassist Rhydian addressed the “familiar faces” in their crowd, and banter about her “mountain troll” clumsiness – as well as drummer Matt’s intake of walnuts and whisky – drew laughs from their loyal fans.

The trio eased into a stellar rendition of ‘Ostrich’, which unlike the recorded version, hosted a calmer intro, reflecting Ritzy’s words about the song’s theme of “moving on and forgiving” people. With their fourth album AAARTH due for release next month, the band then showcased some of their new material, including latest single ‘The Wrong Side’ which rang out with trademark Joy Formidable intensity.

Hitch track ‘This Ladder Is Ours’ thundered through after, before the band briefly left the stage, returning for a knockout encore. Between the blur of ‘Buoy’ – which was given similar treatment to ‘Ostrich’ – and final track ‘Whirring’ the band took time to remind fans that next year marks the tenth anniversary of the release of their debut EP, A Balloon Called Moaning. Ritzy promised the band would be celebrating the occasion with some intimate acoustic shows, then promptly apologised for not playing the acoustic dates she promised last time she was in town, when the band played Oslo in Hackney.

In one final six minute frenzy of riffs and raucous drumming, the band threw themselves and their instruments around the stage during ‘Whirring’, leaving their crowd fired up with the promise of seeing them in town again soon. The Joy Formidable have been on the musical radar for almost a decade, and last night’s performance proved they’ve got another decade’s worth of raw live power in them.

Support came from the wonderful Bryde – who performed with a full band – who TJF heartily praised.

Pre-order your copy of The Joy Formidable’s AAARTH here.
Follow the band on Facebook for more updates.

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

Get In Her EarsLeave a comment

Track Of The Day: Eliza Shaddad – ‘This Is My Cue’

Gentle reverb and gorgeous vocals permeate Eliza Shaddad‘s new single ‘This Is My Cue’, taken from her upcoming album Future, released on the 26th of October via Beatnik Creative.

Recorded in the same studio in Devon where she worked on her Run & Waters EPs with Mercury-nominated collaborator Chris Bond, ‘This Is My Cue’ is an atmospheric break-up song that quietly broods before breaking away from a bad relationship. Speaking about the track, Eliza explains: “This song is about freedom and anguish and trying to find the strength of mind to end things.”

Born to Sudanese and Scottish parents and raised across seven countries, Eliza is the descendant of a long line of progressive artists and academics dating back to the 1800s. She holds an MPhil in Philosophy, speaks four languages and is a graduate in Jazz from the Guildhall School.

Her academic accolades are impressive enough, but Eliza also finds time to run events as part of female arts collective Girls Girls Girls, which she co-founded with fellow musician Samantha Lindo, and which works to empower women within the arts through special cross-disciplinary events across the UK, and to raise awareness and funding for the anti-Female genital mutilation charity ‘Orchid Project’.

With a work ethic this strong, Eliza’s career is sure to blossom in to something wonderful. Listen to ‘This Is My Cue’ below and follow Eliza Shaddad on Facebook for more updates.

Photo Credit: Mel Tjeong

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

Get In Her EarsLeave a comment

Premiere: Inge van Calkar – ‘River’

Having started out creating more folk-inspired offerings, Dutch artist Inge van Calkar has now developed her sound to incorporate a more electronic edge.

Such is the case with new single ‘River’ – an infectious slice of uplifting alt-pop. With shades of the likes of St Vincent, it flows with luscious shimmering hooks and whirring beats alongside van Calkar’s silky-smooth vocals. Oozing a dreamy, effervescent charm, it’s an instantly catchy sonic delight that will demand multiple listens.

Listen to ‘River’ for the first time here:

 

‘River’ is out on 24th August 2018 via Deer and Forest Records. RESET, the forthcoming album, will be released on 29th September 2018.

Mari Lane
@marimindles

Get In Her EarsLeave a comment