Track Of The Day: Dead Naked Hippies – ‘Curiosity (Dawn)’

Pushing themselves to create something new without compromising on quality or creativity, Leeds trio Dead Naked Hippies have shared their latest single ‘Curiosity (Dawn)’. Self-produced during lockdown earlier this year, the band have introduced buzzing synths alongside frontwoman Lucy Jowett’s crystalline vocals to create a heavy, infectious anthem that questions what it means to be human.

“‘Curiosity (Dawn)’’ is a question of existence and purpose, how life shapes us & we shape it, and reflecting on it as if it were coming to an end,” explains Jowett about the track. “Society is so focused on moving at pace, achieving, doing, proving that sometimes it feels so ingrained into us, that this is the way we should be. Lyrically, I wanted to explore myself beyond expectation.” Isolated from their practice room and their band mate Jacob, Jowett and her fellow band/flat mate Joe took to the deserted back streets of Leeds to explore this theme further, creating a superbly shot accompanying monochrome video that was completed in one take.

“We were set on the idea of capturing a moment, much like a live show – imperfect, but full of excitement,” Jowett explains. “The video you see was the first & only full take we captured on the day we set aside to film it, it felt really special to approach in this way and was definitely a reaction to the lack of live performance in our lives this year.” Making the best of a bad situation, Dead Naked Hippies’ venture into self-production and new musical territory during 2020 is something we certainly approve of.

Watch the video for ‘Curiosity (Dawn)’ below.

Follow Dead Naked Hippies on bandcamp, Spotify, Twitter, Facebook & Instagram

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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Track Of The Day: Gary, Indiana – ‘Nike Of Samothrace’

Following previous singles ‘Berlin’ and ‘Pashto’, Manchester-based Gary, Indiana have now signed to Fire Talk Records and shared a brand new single.

Propelled by thrashing beats and scuzzy, distorted hooks alongside the visceral spoken-word vocals of Valentine Caulfield, ‘Nike Of Samothrace’ builds with eerily disconcerting undertones to a playfully innovative post-punk soundscape. A wondrous, whirring cacophony, it’s the perfect ode to the chaotic emotions swirling around our heads this year: an intense, cathartic sonic experience. Of the track, the band explain:

“We wanted ‘Nike of Samothrace’ to be like a blunt instrument, both lyrically and musically. It’s purely brute force, gouging away with all dials turned up full, including the gutteral bass line, which was inspired by Thomas Bangalter’s score for Irreversible and Hans Zimmer’s score for Blade Runner 2049. We’re very much driven by rhythm and movement and also wanted to experiment with a Liquid Liquid style percussive breakdown, we love when genres and dynamics are smashed together in an untidy way… we love to butcher things.” 

Directed by Will Shields, watch the immersive new video for ‘Nike Of Samothrace’ here:

‘Nike Of Samothrace’ is out now via Fire Talk Records.

Mari Lane
@marimindles

Photo Credit: Will Shields

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Track Of The Day: Dream Nails – ‘Lonely Star’ (Christmas Song)

The gift that keeps on giving, feminist punks Dream Nails have shared their joyful new Christmas single ‘Lonely Star’. Dedicated to those who may be feeling isolated or alone at this time of year – especially their LGBTQ fans – it’s a poignant punk-infused offering designed to lift everyone’s spirits and raise money for The Outside Project, the UK’s first LGBTIQ+ Crisis/Homeless Shelter.

“This Christmas is going to be a bit different from the usual,” explains guitarist Anya Pearson. “So, we wrote a Christmas song that sends strength and love to anyone finding this time of year particularly tough, especially those who are LGBT or struggling with acceptance and support at home. We see you, we’re here for you and we love you!”

The single is accompanied by a DIY video that shows the band having lolz while recording the track and sporting some lovely Christmas jumpers. “With government failures to respond to the pandemic adequately, we feel strongly about raising money for The Outside Project,” bassist Mimi Jasson adds. You can donate to the organisation by downloading ‘Lonely Star’ from the band’s bandcamp page here. Dream Nails’ values aren’t seasonal – “We see you this Christmas! / We see you the whole year through!” – and their continuous efforts to energise and support their communities is something us GIHE grrrls are always in awe of.

The four piece will be playing ‘Lonely Star’ live for the first time during their special live-streamed Feministmas gig on 6th December (ticket info here.) “After another lockdown near the holidays where we can’t physically come together, it’s important for us to have a space where we can keep in touch as a global punk community!” Mimi explains, so join in if you can!

Listen to ‘Lonely Star’ below.

Follow Dream Nails on bandcamp, Spotify, Instagram, Twitter & Facebook

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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