LISTEN: Inland Murmur – ‘Waterline’

A stirring reflection on how interactions with nature can help us move past feelings of grief, Cardiff-based indie band Inland Murmur have shared their second single ‘Waterline’. The group take a gentle dive into difficult emotions through their fluid, atmospheric guitar sounds, rolling rhythms and smooth dual vocals on this latest offering.

Formed of Hannah (bass, vocals), Toby (vocals, guitar & drums) and Alan (guitar), Inland Murmur met in London and were busy playing shows at independent venues when Covid-19 hit last year. During the first lockdown, the band used the time to write and record new music, resulting in new single ‘Waterline’. The track is a restorative and instinctive effort from the trio, who like many of us were forced to re-evaluate things when the pandemic restrictions set in.

“Lockdown gave me some time to reset and I realised how much I enjoy singing,” explains Hannah, who sang lead vocals for the first time on this single. “I realised that a lack of confidence was holding me back and life’s too short! With a supportive band and producer, I felt able to step up to sing lead vocals which has really unlocked a new dimension to the band’s sound.” With her new found confidence, Hannah and her band mates have created a sound that shines with charming authenticity.

Listen to ‘Waterline’ below.

Follow Inland Murmur on bandcamp, Spotify, Facebook, Twitter & Instagram

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

Kate CrudgingtonLeave a comment

Track Of The Day: HighSchool – ‘De facto’

A yo-yoing, infectious synth tune that dwells on the darker side of love, Melbourne trio HighSchool have shared their latest single ‘De facto’. Released via Dalliance Recordings, the track traces the highs and lows of falling into a romantic relationship via its racing beats, brooding bass lines and catchy electronics.

Formed of Lilli Trobbianni, Luke Scott and Rory Trobbiani, HighSchool are inspired by the sounds of New Order, LCD Soundsystem and Future Islands. Through their pulsing beats, catchy synths and Rory’s meandering vocals, the band focus their song-writing lens on the shadowy space between euphoria and melancholy, with new single ‘De facto’ shining a light on the complexities of romance.

“We created ‘De facto’ to shed a mortal light on love,” the band explain. “It presents relationships as being temporary and expected.” This unease around the illusions and fallacies of the sought after emotion are reflected in the track’s accompanying video. Self-directed by the trio, the visuals contrast footage of the band performing with flashes of pagan-like rituals and other paraphernalia associated with love and death, exposing the romanticism and the ridiculousness of it all.

HighSchool are currently putting the final touches to their debut EP which should be melting our ear drums by the summer. Watch the video for ‘De facto’ below.

Follow HighSchool on bandcamp, Spotify, Instagram & Facebook

Photo Credit: Hannah Mckimmie

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

Kate Crudgington1 Comment

Five Favourites: Fable

With acclaim from the likes of The Guardian, Rolling Stone and BBC 6Music’s Chris Hawkins, Brighton based artist Fable has recently made her return to music after taking some time out after suffering from depression and burnout following the loss of a close friend. Now an ambassador for mental health charity My Black Dog, her upcoming debut album is due later this year. Covering a range of poignant issues, the album is filled with heartfelt offerings that blur genre boundaries with a sweeping, dark majesty and hypnotic splendour.

Following the release of spellbinding recent single ‘Orbiting’, we spoke to Fable about the five albums that mean the most to her. Check out her choices below, and watch her video for ‘Orbiting’ at the end of this article. 

Radiohead – In Rainbows
This album crept into my life when I was in my early teens. It grew almost organically in my mind from a whisper of “Ah, this is agreeable, I’ll give it another go” to “I think this is the best album of all time…” Every song paints a picture in my mind – Thom’s delivery of profound nothingness is everything. ‘Nude’ is probably my favourite track with its glittering darkness that literally breaks me every time I hear it, and ‘Reckoner’ offers a cryptically wise piece of lyricism over the beautiful simplicity and a supernatural presence. I remember listening to it on the bus home from school feeling like the music understood me, not the other way around. And, if I could pick more, there are a few Radiohead albums that would make the list. The infinite possibilities of creative freedom that Thom displays in his writing is what I am constantly checking myself for.

Kate Bush – Hounds Of Love
Kate Bush is my inner child, she lifts my spirits and always tells the truth. My mum had the cassette and I would rewind ‘Cloud Busting’ for the line “… just saying it could even make it happen” – the open endedness and desperation in her voice is so moving, it’s hopeful and hopeless at the same time. I’ve definitely drawn from her work subconsciously, especially in my 4th release from the album that’s due out in the Autumn.

Gorillaz – Demon Days
The first album I ever bought on CD – I fell in love with it instantly. The theatrics of the intro setting the stage to drop straight into that filthy drum machine on ‘Last Living Souls’ is superb and the contrast between organic sounds and electronic are perfectly balanced. I love it when an album plays with the flow of time and really takes you on an adventure like this one does. I think Damon’s concept was to begin at dusk, take you to meet his demons with the last track representing the sun rising. When I heard that it all made sense. I used to go to countryside raves frequently and the last track ‘Demon Days’ would be the song I’d bang on the car speakers at sunrise.

David Bowie – Black Star
I’m still here wondering how this is possible – how someone can create such a relevant and stunning piece of work at 69, put on a staged musical production of the album, all whilst battling cancer. If anyone can, it’s Bowie, but it must have been exhausting. There is an urgency to the album which really breaks my heart. Here is a poet’s experience of mortality, documented in song. This album will always remind me of loss -I saw Lazarus the musical the night after hearing about the death of my friend and the music had such an impact on how I remember that time. It’s been really hard to pick a single Bowie album but this one will always be sentimental. 

Portishead – Dummy
There’s something really special about this album and it features in one of my earliest memories: I was 4 in my parents’ kitchen when I heard ‘Numb’ on the radio. Even at that age, this track completely enchanted me. Everything about it is an unsettling contradiction – it’s kinda like marijuana, in how it gets you loose and comfortable before unveiling the dark truths. Beth’s vocals are deliciously heartbreaking and reminiscent of Billie Holiday, who I also adore, along with the jazz influence. From that moment in the kitchen, they’ve been a huge influence on my writing. Their use of space and sonic contrast is so inspiring, it’s blunt yet silky and holds your hand through the haunted house of comedowns and urban decay. Everything about it is beautiful. My most recent single ‘Orbiting’ has had Portishead comparisons drawn in the press, which didn’t surprise me – I guess we’re having another societal comedown that needs a soundtrack.

Huge thanks to Fable for sharing her Five Favourites with us! Check out the video for recent single ‘Orbiting’ below:

 

Get In Her EarsLeave a comment

Track Of The Day: Christine Sako – ‘Sediments’

Shimmering droplets of electronic chimes and personable percussion make for a reassuring comfort in San Diego-based Christine Sako’s ‘Sediments’. Beginning with a clean yet glossy guitar riff, delays tease of nostalgia the moment ‘Sediments’ dawns. A simple, satisfying drum beat enters effortlessly and carries on with a particular catchiness in its minimalistic demeanour.

Natural and feather-like vocals feel earnest as Sako shares a story that feels well steeped in. She explains directly – “It’s been a longtime coming around” – and her intimacy with her experience creates an emotion-driven and immersive listen. ‘Sediments’ are reminders of what we know to be comfortable and true, though in their absence there certainly is a loneliness that arises.

Indie-pop production is casted over the lush electro vocal in a sentimental way that feels naturally creative. And, whilst Sako has apparent influence sourced from a wide taste of genres both acoustic and electronic, she fuses them together with twinkling melodies to create something that is uniquely her own; both heartfelt and poignant. 

With a genuine disposition that emulates lyrically and sonically, Christine Sako displays an earnest knack for songwriting that is intriguing for her listeners. ‘Sediments’ is a stirring snapshot into her world that feels like an honest conversation with a friend.

 

Find out more about Christine Sako on her website or Facebook now.

Jill Goyeau
@jillybxxn

Get In Her EarsLeave a comment