LISTEN: Dream Nails – ‘Kiss My Fist’

An aural uppercut to those who antagonize the LGBT+ community, punk witches Dream Nails have shared their latest track, ‘Kiss My Fist’. Lifted from their self-titled debut album – due for release on 4th September via Alcopop! Records – the single is a riotous stand against homophobic violence.

“You fear us more than we fear you” vocalist Janey defiantly chants, after several ripping choruses and poignant verses that highlight the hypocrisies often prevalent in homophobic behaviour. The band penned the track days after they saw the news that queer couple Melania Geymonat and Christine Hannigan, were attacked by a group of teenagers for refusing to kiss on a London bus in 2019.

Guitarist Anya Pearson speaks poignantly about how the news affected her: “As a queer woman, I live in fear of violence every day because of my sexuality and the way I look…In the UK anti-LGBT hate crime has surged in the past five years. On the one-year anniversary of the [attack against Melania & Christine], we are releasing ‘Kiss My Fist’ in honour of all the queer people of this world trying to get from A to B without getting beaten up. Our message to homophobes and transphobes is clear: ask us to kiss again, and we will eat your brain”

We stand in solidarity with Dream Nails, and urge you to do the same. Listen to ‘Kiss My Fist’ below, and follow the band on Facebook and Spotify for more updates.

Photo Credit: Marieke Macklon

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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Track Of The Day: Harkin – ‘Up To Speed’

Recorded with Stella Mozgawa (Warpaint) and Jenn Wasner (Wye Oak & Bon Iver), Harkin‘s latest single ‘Up To Speed’ is a rolling, atmospheric tune that tries to appreciate the feeling of “going nowhere fast”. The track is lifted from her self-titled debut album, which is set for release on 24th April via Hand Mirror.

“I was a pest” sings Harkin at the beginning of the song, over buoyant riffs and steady beats, exploring the feeling of what it means to be constantly on the move. It’s a feeling Harkin must be intensely familiar with, as in addition to her own bands, she’s been a touring member of bands such as Sleater-Kinney, Wild Beasts, Flock of Dimes, and Kurt Vile and Courtney Barnett.

Speaking about ‘Up To Speed’, Harkin explains: “[It’s] a song about going nowhere fast. I’ve been on the move for a long time now and I know it’s been something of a coping mechanism. It’s easier to feel like a tourist somewhere you actually are one. It’s about trying to convert a desire to escape into genuine propulsion rather than just a sprint into the void.”

Listen to ‘Up To Speed’ below, and follow Harkin on Facebook and Spotify for more updates.

Photo Credit: Tomm Roeschlein

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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Track Of The Day: Bang Bang Romeo – ‘You & I’

Following the release of their much acclaimed debut album A Heartbreaker’s Guide To The Galaxy, GIHE faves Bang Bang Romeo are back with another empowering offering.

A poignant, impassioned anthem rallying against the injustices faced by the LGBTQ+ community, ‘You & I’ blasts into the ears with the soulful, emotion-strewn vocals of front woman Stars, oozing an immense fiery power alongside catchy frenzied hooks and a driving energy.

Confronting Stars’ anger and heartbreak about the Florida shootings at Pulse nightclub and at violence against the LGBTQ+ community in general, it’s a heartbreakingly stirring anthem; a true cry for solidarity by the out and proud artist, that we all need now more than ever. Of the track, Stars explains:

“I was sat at home when the news came through about the shootings at Pulse. Someone who was being interviewed explained that there were two people in there that had just got engaged to one another. Their lives were about to begin together and someone took that away from them, purely because they were gay. So I wrote this song. It’s a Romeo and Romeo tale, with some personal bits in there too. It’s me at my angriest and most protective of my sexuality.”

Watch the poignant new video for ‘You & I’ here (Trigger Warning: Explicit content and images of violence):

Tickets for Bang Bang Romeo’s tour are out now. Though, in these uncertain times, keep an eye on the band’s social media for all updates.

Mari Lane
@marimindles

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WATCH: Girlpool – ‘Like I’m Winning It’

A sultry exploration of lust, fleeting desire, and power dynamics; Girlpool have shared their latest single, ‘Like I’m Winning It’. The L.A. duo’s new offering is a smoldering, dark, electro-pop gem and it’s accompanied by a provocative video, directed by friend of the band Amalia Irons.

Formed of Avery Tucker (he/him) and Harmony Tividad (she/her), Girlpool blend elements of indie, pop, and electronic music to create their alluring sounds. New track ‘Like I’m Winning It’ is a shining example of this, with its hushed vocals, buzzing synths, and seductive beats.

Speaking about the track and the song’s new video, Avery Tucker explains: “‘Like I’m Winning it’ is about power and lust: how can the weight of someone’s attention feel so heavy just because of its scarcity? This is a song about playing with that line – the line between the electricity in receiving attention, and what’s unattainable. I sent this song to our friend Amalia Irons a couple of days after I made a demo at home. I knew she would create a video for this song that was charged, psychedelic, and romantic.”

Watch the video for ‘Like I’m Winning It’ below, and follow Girlpool on Facebook & Spotify for more updates.

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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