Track Of The Day: Pink Kink – ‘Bubblebutt’

For the last couple of years five-piece Pink Kink have been making a name for themselves in Liverpool and out into the north west, their live performances but lack of recorded music online meaning the band’s reputation has spread by word of mouth more than social media shareables. This alone is an interesting premise in the current day, but when you do hear them (or even better, see them) it becomes mundane in comparison to their sound and aesthetic.

Diversity is at the heart of the band – from each member hailing from a different part of Europe to the subjects they sing about and the genres they clash together. Hugely creative, wide-eyed and glitter-strewn, the band don’t limit themselves nor pay much heed to any expectations you might have.

And now, finally, they are sharing a little of their sound online. First track ‘Bubblebutt’ has now made its way onto the internet; a 1 minute 46 second fierce, playful-sounding, brilliant attack on everyday sexism, all wrapped in psychobilly-infused pop, whirling echoing keyboards and playground chants. Individual and immediate, this track is just a teaser – Pink Kink are truly a band to get excited about.

Catch Pink Kink live:

12 October – The Boston Arms, London (w/ Dead Pretties)
21 October – SWN Festival
21 October – Simple Things Festival, Bristol
4 November – Music Week Closing Party, Liverpool

Sarah Lay
@sarahlay

LIVE: DOLLS – The Shacklewell Arms, London 06.10.17

London duo DOLLS brought the house down at Shacklewell Arms at their single launch show on Friday night, and our cassette copy of ‘Armchair Psychiatrist’ hasn’t left our tape decks since. Presented by Roadkill Records & We Can Do It Promotions, the night was a showcase of impressively raw talent, culminating in a knockout headline set from the pair.

Balloons and Barbie dolls littered the stage throughout the sets of supporting bands Gaygirl, Krush Puppies & Projector and the room stayed packed with supportive spectators for the duration of their performances. Projector in particular were something to behold, their alternative GOO era Sonic Youth inspired sound was delivered with impressive precision and energy.

Both naturally charismatic performers, headliners DOLLS (aka Jade & Bel) were a joy to watch on stage. Combining grunge & blues sensibilities with garage rock attitude, songs like ‘Kid Kannibal’ and ‘Killing Time’ were impossible not to sway too, and the same can be said for the pair’s latest single ‘Armchair Psychiatrist’. Played mid-way through their set, guitarist Jade switched seamlessly between sweet and snarling vocals, whilst drummer Bel smashed away on her kit, singing the seminal chorus line “feeling good / just worried about everyone else”.

At the close of the set, Jade broke the fourth wall and entered the crowd to deliver the last few minutes of DOLLS’ grunge laced anthems. Their time spent relentlessly gigging across the capital over the last year has clearly paid off and thy were rewarded with waves of appreciative applause as they left the stage.

Order your copy of ‘Armchair Psychiatrist’ on cassette here, and follow DOLLS on Facebook for more updates.

Photo Credit: Keira Cullinane

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

Track Of The Day: Weaves (ft. Tanya Tagaq) – ‘Scream’

Almost a year after they released their incredible debut EP, Toronto band Weaves have now released their brand new album.

Taken from the album is powerful new single ‘Scream’, featuring the eerie force of Inuit throat singer Tanya Tagaq’s vocals alongside the husky, soulful splendour of front woman Jasmyn Burke. Filled with Weaves’ trademark disjointed hooks, it’s a truly compelling offering oozing a captivating warped power and majestic sense of female unity.

Of the track Burke explains:

“On tour we meet so many people, and often I meet young girls and women of colour who say they’ve never seen someone that looks like them represented in a rock band. I just wanted to say, ‘hey, we’re here, we’re strong and we deserve to see ourselves reflected more often in the world.’ Female identifying people regardless of race are not just one person — we have different ideals, passions, friends etc. and yet we get pigeon-holed or are systemically dismissed and treated as less.”

Watch the striking video for ‘Scream’ here:

Wide Open, the new album from Weaves, is out now via Memphis Industries.

 

Mari Lane
@marimindles

Introducing Interview: Femke

Grammy Award winning producer and multi-instrumentalist Femke returns with her first solo release since 2008.

Written about that moment when you realise passion has developed into love, ‘Call This’ is a shimmering pop delight. Flowing with Femke’s honey-sweet vocals alongside glitchy hooks and twinkling soundscapes, it’s a truly infectious ballad oozing a delicate, emotion-strewn charm.

We caught up with Femke to find out more…

Hi Femke! Welcome to Get In Her Ears! Can you tell us a little bit about your latest musical project?
Hi!! Thanks for allowing me to chat with you for a little bit! I think my biggest musical project is the start of my label LV Music. I decided to create a platform to help my artists release their music – it’s been a pretty awesome adventure and it’s only been a month, but we’ve already had a ton of press, and Belle Mt’s Hollow reached a remarkable 300.000 streams in 3 weeks, LIEZA has just finished a video clip and I just released my own song.

What initially inspired you to start creating music?
It just seemed to be in my blood. I never touched an instrument, but my uncle had a piano and I would just sit down and play complete classical pieces I would hear from my parents. After that I started playing accordion and from there on, I was just hooked. I learned to play a bunch of instruments and ever since then, I’ve pretty much had every creative career you could have in the music industry.

We’re loving the new single ‘Call This’ – what’s it all about?
I wrote it when I realized I was in love with my boyfriend. It’s about that moment when you think it’s time to say “I love You”. However, during the writing/production process, I figured out it’s a little bit more than just a love song. It actually talks about how we should be able to add more love into our lives and also into other people’s lives!

You’ve been compared to the likes of Zara Larsson, but who would you say are your main musical influences?
Inspiration wise, I’d say Paul Simon, Bon Iver, but I’m also a big fain of Jose Gonzales. I think it’s just a big pot of everything that I love.

As a Grammy-award winner, you must have had many great experiences throughout your career, but what would you say has been the main highlight?
One day I got to sit in on an orchestral session with David Foster. It was amazing to see him work, they were working on an old Barbra Streisand song and they were adding a real orchestra and some singers to it; they laid out the old tracks on the board so they could solo them and recorded the orchestra with it. It was just amazing to be in a room with such history and such musicality. Honestly, it kind of made me cry to be able to just sit there.

What can fans expect from your live shows?
My band has 3 drummers so it’s always quite the show. They will surely dance!!

And if you could play live anywhere in the world, where would it be and why?
Mmmm….Royal Albert Hall, without a doubt!!

As we’re a new music focused site, are there any other new/upcoming bands or artists you’d suggest we check out?
Check out UK based Belle Mt, and the Scottish band Dancing on Tables. Also, Nashville based LIEZA with her song ‘Eyeliner’!!

And how do you feel the music industry is for new artists at the moment – would you say it’s difficult to get noticed?
Yes and no, there are so many artists everywhere, so you really have to be findable. The thing that I notice a lot is that artists don’t understand the power of social media and interacting with their fans or potential fans. It will never be easy, otherwise everyone would do it, but it’s also not that hard that it’s impossible.

Finally, what does the rest of 2017 have in store for Femke?
Lots and lots of music releases. But also… secretly, I’m hoping for a little vacation!

‘Call This’ is out now via LV Music.