ALBUM: HAVVK – ‘Cause & Effect’ (Pt.1)

From the moment Cause & Effect begins, until the last riff of latest single ‘Shifting Shape’ ends, HAVVK have your complete attention… And this is only the first chapter! Never wanting to be conventional, HAVVK have chosen to release their debut album in two halves; with the latter set for release on 22nd November. 

Beginning life in London, HAVVK now consists of Julie, Matt and Sam, who – over the years – have developed their own style of feedback-laden, ethereal alt-rock, resulting in two incredible extended plays: the self-titled HAVVK (2016) and She Knows EP (2017).

Alternating between London, Dublin, and Berlin (the latter where Cause & Effect was recorded with producer Rocky O’Reilly), the trio approach Part 1 unrestrained with a take no prisoners/punk rock attitude. Opening with ‘If I Don’t Tell You’ – a biting social commentary on social media discord – you are instantly captivated by the shimmering guitar riffs, pulsating drum beats and brooding basslines, before being transported seamlessly into ‘Birds on a Wire’.

‘Birds on a Wire’ introspectively analyses a destructive relationship through Julie’s raw, honest vocals and an expansive, melancholic sound – “When I’m trying to speak, are you listening? Do you want to hear me scream?” This is followed by ‘Always the Same’, which confronts female objectivity and toxic masculinity, as we hear Julie challenge men who make women feel unsafe as a result of their gender.

On ‘The Factory’, Julie’s vocals soar as the track ascends into a crescendo of meticulous noise, before transitioning into the post-punk x shoegazing of ‘Tunnels’.

Throughout the album, the contrasting narrative of each song is structured into a cohesive whole with each seamless transition. HAVVK have always explored lighter and louder soundscapes through political and social songwriting, and Cause & Effect is the perfect example of their euphonic activism.

HAVVK continue to agitate societal bullshit with their final track, ‘Shifting Shape’. Armed with an abrasive edge, and a quiet/loud dynamic, HAVVK waste no time in getting straight to the point: Fuck constraints, fuck traditional assumptions surrounding gender, and fuck the unwarranted, unnecessary pressure it causes.

HAVVK craft music to make a statement, and with the first six songs from Cause & Effect the band have covered a lot of ground; from inequality to gender-preconceptions. It can be exhausting, but change is happening, so let’s keep this momentum going. Bands like HAVVK are needed now more than ever.

Cause & Effect (Pt.1) is out now via Veta Records.

Ken Wynne
@Ken_Wynne

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Track Of The Day: Grapefruit – ‘Soak’

Urgent, atmospheric and totally captivating; Maidstone-based five piece Grapefruit have shared their latest single ‘Soak’. Having previously played for Get In Her Ears live at Notting Hill Arts Club, we’re glad the band have shared more of their magnetic sounds with us.

When recently interviewed for Breaking Glass magazine, the band said ‘Soak’ is about “the feeling of dissociating. We live in a world that is so overwhelmingly chaotic and cluttered that you can lose yourself as life rushes past. The song is loud, intense and relentless, which is like the experiencing of dissociating sometimes”.

We’re happy to lose ourselves in Grapefruit’s new music. Listen to ‘Soak’ below and follow the band on Facebook for more updates.

 

Photo Credit: Jon Mo

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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Introducing Interview: Chloé Caroline

Having written and recorded over seventy five songs in Nashville and Los Angeles over the past year, Californian native Chloé Caroline has now shared a catchy new single. Filled with her flawless, impassioned vocals and biting lyrical commentary, ‘Messy’ showcases Chloé’s “New Southern California Sound” perfectly.

We caught up with Chloé to find out all about it…

Hi Chloé, welcome to Get In Her Ears! Can you tell us a bit about yourself?
Hey there, thank you! I’m an LA born and raised singer-songwriter and my music reflects that Southern California sound. I sometimes play live with a band, and most often as a duo with an incredible guitar player who sings harmonies with me.

How did you initially start creating music?
I have been writing by myself since I was eleven. When I moved to Nashville at eighteen for university, I began collaborating with all sorts of writers/producers/musicians of all ages and levels. I spent seven years based there, splitting my time between there and LA, writing hundreds of songs and figuring out what sound was most authentic to me. 

Your single ‘Messy’ is out – can you tell us what it’s all about? Are there any themes running throughout the track?
‘Messy’ is about finding acceptance for the ups and downs in life and is a reminder to celebrate just being alive despite the BS. I wanted to tell two stories, one focusing on the very relatable comparison to social media following this girl Jane who hates her job. The other is following Ricky, a former college star who gets addicted to opiates. Both stories are super conversational and rather blunt because I wanted it to be relatable. They are both fictitious characters, but we all know a Jane and we all know a Ricky of sorts. We might be them. I wanted a song that brought some positive light, but in a way that wasn’t cheesy or preachy – just honest. The track has that combo of organic old school feel and electronic pop that thematically kind of represents not only my roots, but also our warped perception of reality and false perfection. 

 

You’ve been compared to the likes of Taylor Swift and Jewel, but who would you say are your main musical influences?
Those are pretty awesome artists to be compared to! I’d say a huge part of my influence comes from the ’60s and ’70s like Stevie Nicks, Carole King, Prince…etc. But I’m also influenced by artists from the early noughties when I was growing up; power female artists like Nelly Furtado, Avril Lavigne, Alanis Morissette and Michelle Branch were massive inspirations, with those great honest lyrics and pop melodies. 

How is your local music scene? Do you go to see lots of live music?
Between LA and Nashville, there is SO much music it’s ridiculous. I love seeing new artists especially in really intimate venues. I also love seeing artists that are nothing like me, it’s always a great learning experience. 

And what can fans expect from your live shows?
They are really personal, I love talking to crowd and telling the stories behind my songs. 

As we’re a new music focused site, are there any new/upcoming bands or artists you’d recommend we check out?
Yes! I’m a huge fan of Andreas Moe, such a chill vibe. 

And how do you feel the music industry is for new artists at the moment – would you say it’s difficult to get noticed?
There’s definitely a lot of noise and it’s not easy to break through the mould especially with social media’s algorithms, advertisements, etc. But, if you can find a select group of people that are true fans and cater to them/talk to them/remain authentic, it may be small and slow at first but it’ll be far more long lasting than trying to “buy” people on board. 

Finally, what does the rest of 2019 have in store for you?
Music, music, and more new music. I want to give my fans consistency with my releases, music they can count on on a regular basis and the good news is, the music is ready! I also think it’ll be a lot more global of a year – I hope to travel to create more music and also play shows. 

Huge thanks to Chloé for answering our questions! 

‘Messy’ is out now via AWAL.

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Track Of The Day: Gold Baby – ‘500/1’

Originally from Nottingham, London-based artist Siân Alex, aka Gold Baby, has been charming us with her sunny charisma and catchy offerings for some time. Now, with Gold Baby having gone through several incarnations, Siân has stepped up to lead guitar, the Sylvia Plath inspired band-name becoming a source of strength for her – “I am the pure gold baby. Out of the ash I rise with my red hair and I eat men like air.” Currently consisting of Siân and Scott, with other musicians stepping in to help with live shows, Gold Baby has shared a shimmering new single.

Flowing with luscious, crystalline vocals and gentle glistening melodies, ‘500/1’ sees Siân in conversation with a younger, doe-eyed version of herself, bitterly measuring up the years that have passed between them: “All I’ve learned is duller ways to waste my time”. Oozing a delicate romanticism and layers of jangling guitars, the track builds to an anthemic, emotion-strewn chorus, showcasing Gold Baby’s ability to create perfectly catchy, confessional indie-pop.

It’s simply impossible not to be swept off your feet by the silky smooth allure and subtle emotive power of Sian’s vocals, and I can’t wait to hear what Gold Baby have in store for us next.

 

‘500/1’ is out 10th July. Catch Gold Baby live at The Shacklewell Arms on 15th July.

Mari Lane
@marimindles

Photo Credit: Sarah Currie

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