Track Of The Day: Ioanna Gika – ‘Out Of Focus’

Inspired by her Greek heritage and an emotional realisation after unexpected familial grief; Ioanna Gika has shared her new single ‘Out Of Focus’. Taken from her debut album Thalassa, which is set for release on 5th April via Sargent House, the song is a gentle and ornate example of Ioanna’s songwriting talent.

The single is accompanied by a self-directed music video, featuring world surf champion Jake Caster masked as the Greek God Pan. Ioanna’s album Thalassa takes its name from the primeval spirit of the sea, and her unusual treatment of mythical figures makes for a surreal set of visuals. Whilst her music has a strong sense of melancholy to it, her vocals and lyricism are as cutting and powerful as the waves Caster is chasing in the video.

Speaking about her upcoming album, Ioanna explains: “A series of deaths drew me home to Greece. The city of childhood memories was in disrepair. I drove past painted swastikas towards burial sites. I said goodbyes and grieved for those I didn’t get to say goodbye to. Thalassa is about going through change that is unwanted yet unstoppable. It is a document of the dread, the adrenaline, and the surrender in the moments when you realise the only way to survive the wave, is to brace yourself and go through.”

Ioanna will be supporting Garbage across the US in May as part of a Spring tour around the release of Thalassa. European dates will follow soon. Listen to ‘Out Of Focus’ below and follow Ioanna on Facebook for more updates.

Pre-order your copy of Ioanna Gika’s debut album Thalassa here.

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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LISTEN: Ellis – ‘Something Blue’

A melodic reflection on the gift of hindsight, Ontario’s Ellis laments about wanting to travel back in time on her latest single ‘Something Blue’. The track is taken from her recent EP The Fuzz, which will be physically released for the first time via Fat Possum records on 22nd March.

Ellis – aka Linnea Siggelkow – cut her teeth on her local DIY scene as a solo artist before evolving into a 4-piece band in 2018. Her gentle voice hosts both vulnerability and conviction, something which makes her new track ‘Something Blue’ so easy to listen to. Speaking about her new song, Ellis explains: “I think everyone has a moment that they wish they could time-travel back to and have a do-over. This song is about mine. Hindsight can be a real bitch.” We couldn’t agree more!

Ellis will play her first set of UK shows in May this year, which include dates at Glasgow’s Stag and Dagger festival and a headline show at The Islington in London. She will also be performing at SXSW too. With comparisons to Soccer Mommy and Mazy Star, we think Ellis is going to have a very successful 2019. Listen to ‘Something Blue’ below.

Pre-order your copy of Ellis’ EP The Fuzz here.

Ellis UK Tour Dates 2019
5/4/19 – Broadcast – Glasgow, UK (Stag and Dagger Festival)
5/8/19 – The Islington – London, UK

Photo Credit: Josh Howe

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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LISTEN: Tara Tine – ‘The Night Was Cold’

Activist and artist Tara Tine has shared her single ‘The Night Was Cold’, taken from her debut EP Battle Cry. The native Dundalk author & musician is dedicated to putting the arts scene of her hometown in the spotlight of the national and international media, as well as championing the independent warrior spirit in her music.

In the last two years, Tine has balanced writing two novels and a novella alongside playing and writing music. She’s supported the likes of The Pale, The Fureys and Jinx Lennon, and now she’s shared her debut EP Battle Cry – “a rallying call for the would-be warriors of the world”. The release hosts six tracks, which Tine describes as a “patchwork” of musical genres – from Zeppelin-inspired blues, to old-school reggae.

The atmospheric ‘The Night Was Cold’is the lead single from the EP, and it’s accompanied by a gothic set of visuals, which show Tine wandering through the woods and around a graveyard. Watch the video below, and be sure to grab your copy of Battle Cry from Classified Records in Dundalk, or via Tine’s Facebook page.

Photo Credit: David Manning

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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LIVE: Boy Harsher – HEAVEN, London 27.02.19

Jaded electronics, sultry vocals, and 80s inspired beats dominated Boy Harsher‘s sold out show at Heaven earlier this week. The Massachusetts’ duo blended nostalgic percussion with sharp modern production – and a stunning light show – to create an immersive live experience.

Presented by Night Terrors, the evening began with one-man-show Kontravoid. Masked and moving between his synths, the soloist was well versed in the nuances of the cold wave sound, paving the way for Boy Harsher to deliver a set that was designed to ricochet around Heaven’s walls.

Together, Jae Matthews and Augustus Muller played a mixture of old and new material, kicking things off with the aptly named ‘Intro’. The pair played a slow-burning but slick first half, which included the title track from their 2016 album ‘Yr Body is Nothing’, ‘A Realness’ and new single ‘Fate’, taken from their recent album Careful.

Caution was thrown to the wind mid-set as denser beats and more sporadic lighting was introduced, with Matthews fully relaxing in to her movements. The throbbing synths and pounding beats on ‘Come Closer’ were intoxicating, and the grand synthesizers on new track ‘LA’ felt like they could’ve scored an escape from a night-time crime scene. Matthews’ voice was as morose and lusting as it is on record, and Muller’s triggering capabilities were equally as precise.

The pair tore through the remainder of their set list – which included ‘Suitor’, ‘Tears’, ‘Tower’ and ‘Modulations’ – before returning for an encore that included ‘The Look You Gave (Jerry)’ and the pulsating intensity of ‘Pain’.

A cohesive blend of slow-burning and scintillating tunes, Boy Harsher’s live show was an alluring, seductive affair. Their capacity crowd was proof that Matthews and Mulller continue to capture the ears of their loyal fan base after five years together, and we’re excited to see what direction the pair take next.

Follow Boy Harsher on Facebook for more updates.

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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