Promoting and Supporting Women in Music
Tash was flying solo in the studio this evening with a show jam-packed full of new music from the likes of Soap&Skin, CIEL, Amaal and Gulls.
She was also joined in the studio by Hattie Whitehead who kicked things off with a breathtakingly beautiful rendition of ‘More Than That’. They talked about her upcoming EP Old Soul, which is out in May, as well as her next gig at The Old Blue Last on April 17th – a date for the diary.
Listen back:
Chromatics are a band with a lot of history and, as such, their music has gone through a series of incarnations, ranging from noisy and chaotic sonic experimentations in 2001 to the slick, hypnotic electro-chill-dreamscape we have here.
‘Time Rider’ starts with the click-y minimalism of electro drums before slowly building towards full blown electro-pop, accompanied by beguiling vocals. It is a grower in that it might, on the first listen, appear to be a slight piece of work, but listen again and the track’s sonic complexities and cleverness become more apparent. A slightly mystical seeming slice of dreamy Utopian post disco, its lyrics make use of a motorcycle metaphor as an “Inter dimensional bridge between the future and the past”.
With all this in mind, it comes as no surprise that Chromatics have featured in the most recent incarnation of Twin Peaks. Their music is similarly unsettling, slightly eerie and beautifully subtle.
‘Time Rider’ is out now, and Chromatics are about to embark on a North American tour.
Cazz Blase
@CazzBlase
A joyful poke at the dynamics of power; Seattle pop-punks Tacocat have shared their latest singe ‘Hologram’. The track is taken from the band’s upcoming album This Mess Is a Place, set to be released on 3rd May via Sub Pop.
We’ve been waiting for new Tacocat material since 2016 (when the band released their second record, Lost Time) and if their new single is anything to go by; This Mess Is a Place is set to be another buoyant, reassuring listen for these misguided and politically turbulent times.
“Just remember if you can, power is a hologram ” sings Emily Nokes during the chorus for ‘Hologram’, which dismantles the translucent nature of power via pop hooks and catchy lyricism. Tacocat excel at taking difficult political concepts and dismantling them in to bubble-gum sized chewable pieces.
Speaking about the new record, Emily explains: “We can examine some hard stuff, make fun of some evil stuff, feel some soft feelings, feel some rage feelings, feel some bitter-ass feelings, sift through memories, feel wavy-existential, and still go get a banana daiquiri at the end.”
You heard her – grab yourself a banana daiquiri and Listen to ‘Hologram’ below. Follow Tacocat on Facebook for more updates.
Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut
An understated, captivating listen: Berlin-based trio Varley have shared their new single ‘Phantom Studies’ released via Seahorse Music. It’s an introspective, atmospheric alt-folk gem that explores the breakdown of communication in a relationship.
Formed of vocalist Claire-Ann Varley and multi-instrumentalists Matthias Heising and Joschka Bender, Varley won us over with their stripped back live set at our at Notting Hill Arts Club gig last year. On their new single, the trio continue to give us goosebumps by delivering pitch perfect vocals over a hypnotic, dreamy soundscape.
Speaking about ‘Phantom Studies’, Claire-Ann explains: “Was it real? Did it actually exist and if so, did it exist in the way it appeared to me? ‘Phantom studies’ looks at the dynamic between two people who, although have the same daily routine, see things in a completely different way. It shows how memories can be warped and changed over time and how one person’s reality is not the same as another’s. It shows the breakdown in a relationship and communication and how sometimes even when we communicate our feelings they are not taken seriously”
If you’re a fan of Bon Iver, London Grammar or Daughter; then Varley’s music is definitely worth investing in. Listen to ‘Phantom Studies’ below and follow Varley on Facebook for more updates.
Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut
Get In Her Ears 