EP: Rookes – ‘Liminal’

Rookes is a solo electro-pop project based in London. She has just released her second EP, Liminal, using ’80s synth sounds as a frame for her powerful voice, reminiscent of the best of the Eurythmics or Yazoo. This sets the scene for a four track EP, in which Rookes explores her own love experiences during two years of exploration of her queer identity across the London dating scene. 

‘Salvage’ is a slow, shimmering start dealing with post-breakup feelings, becoming more urgent and uptempo with the chorus, whereas ‘New Lovers’ has an eerie ’80s feel, with spiralling synths. However, the synths gain a harder edge as the song goes on, expressing the fear of a dangerous love (“do me no harm”). 

Lead single, ‘Liminal’, is catchy and poppier, where a lover is asked to take a romantic risk; suggesting both hope and caution, it’s a beautifully uplifting ballad. ‘Constellations’, however, closes the EP on a poetic note, oozing a dreamy warmth alongside soaring strings and shimmering synths.

This EP is polished, dramatic, and features intriguing songwriting. And you can dance to it! The emotions and experiences are completely relatable in songs centred on looking for love; finding it (but not being ready), and then losing it again. A stirring collection that will leave you wanting more of Rookes’ glistening soundscapes. 

Liminal is out now. Stream on all online platforms.

Fi Ni Aicead
@gotnomoniker

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Premiere: Siv Disa – ‘Moths’

New York based artist Siv Disa is now ready to share her poignant new single. Produced by fellow New Yorker, Sam And The Sea, ‘moths’ is a poignant reflection on the captivity of love.

Propelled by eerie, atmospheric hooks, ‘moths’ showcases Disa’s soaring raw vocals alongside a spellbinding majesty. As profound lyrics flow from an ethereal plane, it’s an utterly captivating offering that shimmers with a subtle mystical power. Of the meaning behind the track, Siv Disa explains:

“You see these impossibly large moths trapped in big street lamps, flying inside them and hitting the glass again and again… They must have gotten in when they were small enough to fit, and then grown too large to escape. The amount of time they spend on the wrong side of the glass. It seems so unnecessary from the outside. A whole life spent looking out at the world… For most of my life, love has meant captivity — you are at the mercy of whoever it is you love. After a destructive relationship a few years ago, I removed my emotional self from my physical self. I don’t think people can see moths or what they’re trapped in. I don’t think I can either. I don’t think I’m a lot different than those moths, except I think about them a lot and they probably don’t think about me very much at all.”

Directed by Siv with videography and photography direction from Evan Alexander Moore & Sanchez Murray, watch the hypnotic, yet disconcerting, video for ‘moths’ here:

‘moths’ is out 15th November via Trapped Animal Records.

Mari Lane
@marimindles

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LIVE (Photos): Berries EP Launch, 06.11.19

Celebrating the release of London trio Berries’ new EP, Lies, last Wednesday three of our most favourite bands got together to put on a night of the most exciting live music.

Kicking things off, captors of my heart Chorusgirl treat the crowd to their truly luscious, emotion-strewn dream pop. As Silvi describes set opener ‘In Dreams’ as “a nice song about my hometown”, she revels in “all the familiar faces” in the crowd as the band continue to deliver their effervescent harmonies and impressive driving riffs. From tracks from their first album such as ‘To Be A Defector’ to newer tracks such as the hugely stirring ‘Stuck’, Chorusgirl deliver their shimmering sounds with a heart-rending, cathartic energy.

Next up, The Franklys blast out their energy fuelled rock ‘n’ roll with their immense empowering charisma. From the soaring buoyant power of ‘I’m Not Guilty’, to the swirling grit of ‘Keeper’ and many more riff-tastic anthems in-between, the half Swedish band completely captivate the crowd with their catchily riotous sounds.

And then, the three women of the hour, Berries, take to the stage with their trademark fun-filled energy and sparkling magnetism. Treating the jam-packed venue to dazzling guitar solos, front woman Holly’s distinctive spiky vocals and an all-encompassing life-affirming sense of unity, the trio deliver familiar offerings such as the frenzied force of ‘Discreetly’ and ‘Faults’, amongst songs so new their name is not yet decided – “It’s ‘Trace’, not ‘Once'”, Holly asserts. In between designated swigs of drinks, Berries don’t disappoint, with their admirable raw passion and buzzing charisma, proving them worthy of the highest accolades.

Massive thanks to all three bands for a great night of live music!

Berries’ new EP Lies is out now, via RoseColoured Records/AWAL. Stream now.

 

Words: Mari Lane / @marimindles
Photos: Jon Mo / @jonmophoto

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Introducing Interview: Eliza Shaddad

Having received praise from the likes of Rolling Stone, Mojo and The Sunday Times for her 2018 album Future, confessional artist Eliza Shaddad has also shared stages with big names such as Kate Tempest, Lucy Rose and James Bay.

Creating her unique brand of shimmering dream pop with a gritty edge, Shaddad has just released new single ‘Girls’.

We caught up with her to find out more…

Hi Eliza, welcome to Get In Her Ears! How are you today?
Hi! Thanks – I’m good! Excited as it’s release week!!!

How d0 you initially start creating music?
I create alone initially, I write the songs on guitar, and demo them in logic – programming in drums and trying out ideas for bass and backing vocals, sometimes for strings and horns. And then it’s all about having the right connection with an engineer or producer to bring it to life.

Your new single ‘Girls’ is out now – can you tell us what it’s all about?
Sure – Girls is about growing up really close to someone who has to deal with a lot and is finding it hard to cope, what it’s like to be on the outside of that, trying to get in.  

You’ve been compared to the likes of Julia Jacklin and Marika Hackman, but who would you say are your main musical influences?
I grew up on bands like Hole and Skunk Anansie, and solo artists like Tori Amos and Alanis Morrisette, they’ve had a big influence. Guitar-wise, I guess a lot of folk music like Bob Dylan and Jewel, and then more recently guitarists like John Frusciante have really inspired me.

How is your local music scene? Do you go to see lots of live music?
I’ve lived in London for 10+ years and obviously it’s next level here, especially for seeing new ideas and genres,  but recently I’ve been spending a lot of time in Cornwall writing and recording and am looking forward to seeing some good local stuff there, I’ve seen some great folk so far.

And what can fans expect from your live shows?
Whether it’s solo or full band, it is raw, dynamic and emotional. I think playing live is my favourite part, so our shows are always full of dark fun.

As we’re a new music focused site, are there any new/upcoming bands or artists you’d recommend we check out?
So many! CHILDCARE are a brilliant band who I’m sure you’ve heard of. Emma is the bassist in that, and her solo project Saint Clair is just gorgeous. Liz Lawrence is sick too.

And how do you feel the music industry is for new bands at the moment – would you say it’s difficult to get noticed?
If you’re trying to get noticed by a traditional major label, and you want their help for development then yep I think it’s probably more difficult than ever. But, if you’re mainly aiming to connect with people and know what you want to say and how, then things like Spotify, Bandcamp, and YouTube have made that a lot easier.  You can get noticed much more easily by fans and that’s the most important connection really.

Finally, what does the rest of 2019 have in store for Eliza Shaddad?
We’ve actually filmed a recent live show, which will be the music video for ‘Girls’, and will be releasing the rest of the EP to follow.  I also have some amazing shows to announce, and I’m in the middle of writing LP2 so it’s all go till Christmas!

Big thanks to Eliza for answering our questions!

 

‘Girls’ is out now via Big Indie Records.

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