Video Premiere: Catgod – ‘Sleep In’

Having previously charmed crowds at Truck Festival, Cornbury Festival and many Sofar Sounds showcases, as well as receiving praise from the likes of Tom Robinson and Lauren Laverne on BBC 6 Music, Oxford band Catgod have now followed the success of last single ‘Keep My Promises’ with an utterly immersive new offering. Lead by sibling duo Catherine Marriott and Robin Christensen-Marriott, the band fuse together an eclectic array of sounds to create something simply captivating.

Inspired by the turbulent feelings of mistrust in a relationship, ‘Sleep In’ flows with the sweeping grandeur of Catherine’s folk-strewn flute melodies alongside sparkling harmonies and a completely bewitching delicate musicality. Oozing a soaring emotion-strewn splendour, it’s an utterly unique and instantly alluring fusion of sounds. Of the track, the band explain:

“It’s about the turbulent feelings you have in a relationship where you don’t quite trust the other person. It’s about wanting to stay in bed with them all day but also having nightmares about them with other people.”

Now, accompanied by a beautifully shot video filled with dreamy pastoral images to match the spellbinding musicality of the track, ‘Sleep In’ showcases all there is to love about this band, and marks them out as truly innovative masters of their craft.

Watch the brand new video for ‘Sleep In’ here:

‘Sleep In’ is out now via Could We Could. Stream it now on Spotify.

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Track Of The Day: Self Esteem – ‘Rollout’

What happens when one of the UK’s most underrated indie performers decides to go pop? You get Self Esteem. Normally known as Rebecca Lucy Taylor, often with the words “…one half of Slow Club” attached to her name, her latest single ‘Rollout’ is the third official release under the Self Esteem moniker, after the ‘Wrestling’ single and Your Wife EP. The track, much like its predecessors, sees the Notorious RLT take things in an RnB direction with a big influence from American pop acts of the nineties and noughties, at first listen a big step away from her regular gig with the Sheffield duo.

With its snappy snare-heavy percussion, ‘Rollout’ opens insistently, and that’s before its lyrical hook kicks in: “I got one more in me / I got one more in me”, sings Taylor. Promising, but weary, sexual, but resigned, it’s a recurring image throughout the track’s melancholic take on the mature pop of the likes of Aaliyah and Madonna. Taylor’s voice is eerily reminiscent of those artists, especially after ‘Rollout’s first and second choruses, but its bitter yet flirty tone is uniquely hers. The chorus couplet of “What I might have achieved / If I wasn’t trying to please”, with its evocation of ideas unfulfilled and time wasted – trying to satisfy someone unsatisfiable – sounds ever more frustrated with each iteration. Backing up Taylor’s voice are organs, a little fleck of guitar here and there, finger snaps and tambourine. If mournful groove is your thing, it’s here in spades.

Taylor has spoken in interviews about her desire to do something pop for many years, even though she’s generally been associated with indie bands during that time. And yet, just as there’s always been an underlying pop seam in those groups – warped glam rock in Moonlandingz, sophisti-pop with Slow Club – ‘Rollout’ is more than just a stab at conquering the charts. Described by its creator as “a simple bloody break-up song”, its clever use of sparse, multi-tracked vocals and construction of a chorus that’ll stay with you for days, makes ‘Rollout’ something more. Coupled with its slick, stylised and self-aware video, it’s the best thing that Taylor has released under the Self Esteem banner to date. Drink it in, it’ll break your heart, in style.

John McGovern
@etinsuburbiaego

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Track Of The Day: Kiran Leonard (feat. Let’s Eat Grandma) – ‘Legacy Of Neglect’

Following last year’s innovative Derevaun Seraun and its absolutely spellbinding predecessor Grapefruit, Manchester’s Kiran Leonard has returned with news of his upcoming album, Western Culture. Following July’s single ‘Paralysed Force’, he has now shared another enchanting single from the collection, ‘Legacy Of Neglect’.

Featuring backing vocals from Norwich duo Let’s Eat Grandma, ‘Legacy Of Neglect’ is another epic creation from the Manchester artist, coming in at just under nine minutes long. A reflection on culture and history, a twinkling cacophony flows with hauntingly impassioned cries from the young duo in the background, as a racing sense of urgency builds. As soaring layers of musicality are interwoven, the track oozes an emotion-strewn splendour as Leonard showcases his trademark rich, lyrical storytelling.

Fusing together multiple sonic elements alongside immense, whirring hooks and the distinctive visceral power of Leonard’s vocals, ‘Legacy Of Neglect’ builds to an intense climax, emanating a sweeping cinematic majesty that captivates the ears, and doesn’t lose focus for a second.

Of the track, Leonard explains:

“Legacy of Neglect is chiefly about two things. Culture, and the weird dual meaning of the word: how it’s a concept necessarily in constant flux, in dialogue with a rapidly transforming society, yet also one that many people regard as some thing static and possessed, a ‘heritage’ you can draw on when the world seems precarious and alien and antagonistic…Secondly, history and class: bad analyses of terrible socio-political developments from people who should know better, invariably ahistorical, patronising, disingenuous, devoid of empathy, etc. Let it be said that fascism never was, never will be, a popular movement; it has always been a creation and servant of the elite and the privileged.”

Western Culture, the upcoming album from Kiran Leonard, is out 9th November via Moshi Moshi. Catch Kiran Leonard live at the following dates:

21 November – Galway, Roisin Dubh
22 November – Dublin, Whelans
23 November – Limerick, Kasbah Social
4 November – Cork, Cyprus Avenue
26 November – Brighton, Green Door Store
27 November – London, MOTH Club
28 November – Manchester, Soup Kitchen
29 November – Birmingham, Hare & Hounds
30 November – Glasgow, Hug & Pint
1 December – Newcastle, Cumberland Arms
3 December – Norwich, Arts Centre
4 December – Bristol, Rough Trade
5 December – Cardiff Clwb Ifor Bach

Mari Lane
@marimindles 

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Get In Her Ears Live @ The Five Bells, 26.10.18

Friday saw our first night at The Five Bells in New Cross, with an immense – and slightly spooky – line-up of Cryptic Street, HAWXX, Worst Place and Panic Pocket.

First up, we’re treated to luscious indie-pop ditties of duo Panic Pocket.

Next, GIHE faves Worst Place deliver the dreamiest of sets as they launch their new double A side ‘Square Eyes’/’Soak’.

Penultimate band of the night HAWXX blow us all away with their frenzied rock anthems.

All the way from Malta, headliners Cryptic Street blast out their utterly immense, riot grrrl infused sounds, wowing us with their ferocious energy.

Huge thanks to all the bands who played for us on Friday. Our next gig is back at The Finsbury with headliners Sit Down on 9th November.

Photo Credit: Jon Mo / @jonmophoto

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