LISTEN: The Other Ones – ‘On Top Of Me’

Why should a song about feeling sad make you feel bad? With ‘On Top Of Me’, The Other Ones have created a storming pop-punk anthem about struggling with their demons. 

The lyrics explore the band’s feelings of despair and being utterly overwhelmed. Yet, when coupled with bouncy guitars and soaring vocals, the result is empowering and uplifting. This is the song I needed to hear in my teenage bedroom; it’s about owning your feelings and showing them who’s boss. It’s like a suit of armour, or a battle-cry, for anyone who’s having a tough time.  

Of the track, the band explain:

“It’s about getting it out in the hope that you will feel less alone in this… We are all feeling it, and sometimes, you ask yourself ‘what is wrong with me?‘”

Having been in the band’s set for over six months, the band were keen to release ‘On Top Of Me’ now to reach even more people at what is a really difficult time. They will celebrate the release with a charity show for Mind UK as soon as they can – and we can’t wait. If they can capture so much energy on record, their live show is going to be a treat!

Listen to ‘On Top Of Me’ here:

 

Vic Conway

Photo Credit:  Keira-Anee Photography

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Introducing Interview: Koza

Having made the move from Istanbul to London in order to follow in the footsteps of her musical idols, emerging pop artist Koza recently released her second, dreamy single ‘Hold My Breath’.

We caught up with Koza to find out about her journey so far… 

Hi Koza, welcome to Get In Her Ears! Can you tell us a bit about when you initially decided to start making music?
Hi, thank you for having me! My passion for music and writing goes a long way back. If I had to pinpoint a defining moment, I would say definitely my high school years when I first joined a band and performed on stage. It was the scariest moment of my life, but also the most amazing experience. I had already been writing songs, but there was something about being able to perform them and connect with an audience. That became the dream. 

What inspired you to make the move from Istanbul to London in order to pursue a career in music?
After graduating from high school, I really didn’t know how to proceed to a career in music. All I knew then was that I wouldn’t be satisfied with doing gigs with function bands at weekends, or just singing covers. I wanted to write and sing my own songs, about things that mattered to me – I wanted to sing my own truths. I started writing in English, which came naturally to me because of all my influences growing up. This was part of the reason why I wanted to move to London, so I could explore music in a specific language. The music industry in Turkey didn’t have many established artists writing original songs, and nothing in English, so it didn’t make much sense to me. London, on the other hand, had everything that I was after; the writers, the venues and the culture which I had grown up listening to and loving. The decision to leave my studies in Istanbul and move to London was a tough one but I’m so glad I did it. It’s been tough trying to adapt to a new culture, but it’s helped me grow in ways which I would have never imagined.

Which bands or artists would you consider to be your biggest musical influences?
Growing up I found myself drawn to songs which gave me new perspectives on storytelling or song structure; I really loved Alanis Morissette for this reason. She is an amazing lyricist and her songs are so powerful in their vulnerability. Madonna is another big influence – I mean, I think we can all agree that she is one of the ultimate pop-stars. Then of course Kate Bush – she’s my number 1! I think she’s so eccentric, effortlessly cool and such a talented musician and poet. Her musical language is unique to her and that makes her an amazing artist. My other favourites growing up included Fleetwood Mac, Alicia Keys, Duman, Teoman, No Doubt, Prince, Depeche Mode and The Cure. 

You recently released your dreamy second single, ‘Hold My Breath’. Can you tell us a bit about the inspiration behind the lyrics?
The inspiration was the feeling which I got every time that I thought I was maybe falling in love. I mean, maybe I did fall in love every time… “there are all kinds of love in this world, but never the same love twice.” I don’t know if that makes sense, but every moment of love feels so magical. It’s like that feeling you get when you meet someone and think “maybe?”. These lyrics might be my rawest ones yet, I didn’t change them at all after I wrote them. They were written in a very authentic and joyous moment, and I wanted to write down that feeling and make a song which reflected that.

In ‘normal’ times, how is your local music scene? Do you have a favourite local venue?
I live in Notting Hill and yes, we have a small but very satisfying music scene. Notting Hill Arts Club has always been a favourite. Another place that’s been around for a couple of years now is Laylow, our cool neighbourhood hangout; it’s introduced me to many new artists.

Although it is rather difficult to be making plans at the moment, what are you hoping to have achieved by the end of 2020?
Like you mentioned, it’s a bit tricky right now! My plan was to release two more singles before the year ends. However, quarantine has been very fruitful for me and I am now considering finishing an EP in the same time frame. Either way, I will continue to release music and hopefully start doing live shows from late September. I am very excited to sing my new songs because they’re really special in a way that they will allow me to connect with more people than I ever have done before as an artist. It will hopefully lead to some collaborations with musicians/writers I have not yet had the chance to work with.

Thanks so much to Koza for answering our questions! 

‘Hold My Breath’ is out now. Listen here:


 

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PLAYLIST: June 2020

At Get In Her Ears, we’re still sharing all the new music we can to help distract you from the day-to-day reality of lockdown life. Our June playlist is filled with some pop gems, alternative electronic sounds, and a healthy dose of indie guitar tunes too. Take some time to scroll through our track choices below, and make sure you hit play on the Spotify playlist at the end of the page.

 

Foxgluvv – ‘Don’t Text Back’
“Whether you’re waiting for a response to a text-argument, flirty messages or receiving news, we can all relate to that feeling in the pit of our stomachs when we’re not quite sure how somebody is going to reply” explains Foxgluvv about her latest single. She’s transformed that feeling in to another funky, bittersweet “hungover pop” tune. The single is also accompanied by a colourful video directed, filmed and edited by Foxgluvv during self-isolation. (Kate Crudgington)

Chinwe – ‘Sin’
East London’s Chinwe’s latest single showcases her rich vocals over gently rolling beat, that leave you mesmerised and wanting more. Speaking on the track, Chinwe states: “Sin is about how one mistake can lead to everything falling apart in a relationship. You both want it to work and would do anything for each another, but no matter how hard you try you still can’t make it right.” (Tash Walker)

Amaroun – ‘Rise’
The fifth in a string of new singles that Amaroun is releasing each month this year, ‘Rise’ flows with shimmering hooks and glitchy beats alongside her rich, emotion-strewn vocals. Continuing the theme of being a queer woman, which has run throughout each of the tracks she’s released this year, it oozes a stirring, effervescent power, juxtaposed with a gritty energy; a truly poignant reflection on rising up against oppression. (Mari Lane)

feeo – ‘Yeti’
“’Yeti’ is an exploration of the multiplicity of the human ‘self’ and its relationship with our concepts of ‘other'”, explains Oxford producer and songwriter feeo. Reared on a combination of Jazz, Folk, Reggae, and the 2002 Ibiza soundtrack, feeo blends elements of each to create her captviating sounds. (KC)

Fears – ‘two_’
A poignant meditation on some of her darkest hours; experimental pop artist Constance Keane – aka Fears – has transformed her struggles with self harm into a gently cathartic offering, specially commissioned for the Northern Ireland Mental Health Arts Festival. Fears’ determination and honesty in the face of adversity makes listening to ‘two_’ all the more poignant and necessary. If you’ve been affected by any of the issues explored in the song, please reach out to Mind or other mental health charities. (KC)

Jessica Winter – ‘Chasing Nightmares’
We’ve featured a Jessica Winter track on our last two monthly playlists, and I’m not going to apologise for the repetition. I’ve been playing her debut EP Sad Music on repeat since she released it in May, and this track is definitely one of my favourites. (KC)

A. A. Williams – ‘Melt’
I missed A. A. Williams performance at Southbank Centre just before we went in to lockdown, but I’ve been atoning for it by religiously listening to ‘Melt’ ever since. I was lucky enough to have a Skype chat with her about her upcoming album Forever Blue (soon to be published on GIHE) and her long-haired dachshund Geezer (who you should all immediately follow on Instagram.) (KC)

Bugeye – ‘Blue Fire’
Following their last uplifting single, ‘When The Lights Go Out’, GIHE faves Bugeye have now shared another offering from their upcoming debut album. Raging with Angela Martin’s gritty, sultry vocals and whirring electro hooks, ‘Blue Fire’ is perhaps more disco and less punk than previous releases, but maintains all the colourful pizzazz and magnificent vibrant energy that we’ve come to know and love from the band. A perfect uptempo blast of life that we all need right now. When The Lights Go Out, the debut album from Bugeye is out 10th July via Reckless Yes. (ML)

Madame So – ‘Generation Y’
Bathing in a discordant sea of scuzzy riffs, ‘Generation Y’ builds the tension with a raging sense of urgency. As her Madame So’ vocals ooze a gritty power with a blazing raw emotion, she reflects on how millenials’ youth culture is perceived by older generations, and how this cycle of judgement is snowballing into generations to come. With shades of the frenzied cacophonies of Kim Gordon’s solo material, it’s a soaring slice of immense punk-pop; an impassioned and compelling listen. (ML)

Janelle Monae & Wondaland Records – ‘Hell You Talmbout’
With lyrics consisting of the names of black Americans who have been killed by the police/state, this deeply poignant offering from Janelle Monae with the Wondaland Records collective really needs no introduction. (ML)

Emma Kupa – ‘Nothing At All’
Taken from Emma Kupa’s upcoming debut solo album, lead single ‘Nothing At All’ flows with her distinctive luscious vocals, oozing a subtle gritty raw emotion, alongside twinkling folk-strewn melodies. Filled with a reflective, heartfelt lyrical storytelling, it’s impossible not to become utterly immersed in the song’s subtle passion that shines through amongst its effervescent uptempo musicality. As it builds with shimmering harmonies, the beauty of multiple voices coming together, uniting, creates a truly heartwarming slice of stirring indie-pop. (ML)

Happy Accidents – ‘Grow’
Taken from Happy Accidents’ brand new album Sprawling, ‘Grow’ is lead by Phoebe Cross’ honey-sweet vocals alongside Rich Mandell’s swirling jangling melodies and a heartfelt, gentle emotion. Building with luscious harmonies and the reflective, relatable honesty of the lyricism, it’s perhaps a more mellow, but equally more-ish, offering than some of the band’s uptempo previous releases. (ML)

Seraphina Simone – ‘Cherry’
I don’t think I’ve heard a track of Seraphina Simone’s that I’ve not loved. This is her latest single, dismantling the American dream with her mesmerising vocals and subtle lyrics. Of the track Seraphina says: “‘Cherry’ is the voice in our heads telling us we don’t have enough, telling us to want more, buy more, be richer, be thinner, be prettier, be better than everyone else. It’s that sarky bitch who’s really mean to you and you hate her, but you also kind of want to be her best friend because she’s perfect and you’re a mess. It’s the voice fueled by consumer culture and jealousy and insecurity and myths like the American Dream. It seems harmless enough even though it fucks up the planet and makes us miserable no matter how much we have. Maybe in a weird way, Covid-19 will make us realise we don’t need so much shit to be happy.” (TW)

PELA – ‘South Of’
Electronica always has a solid place on any playlist I contribute to, and South London duo PELA’s latest single is my addition to this one. Reminiscent of early LAMB records, this track with it’s textured beats and piano keys is a new favourite of mine. All the revenue from Bandcamp sales for ‘South Of’ will be split between the Black Lives Matter UK fund and the Justice for Breonna Taylor fund. (TW)

Cafe Spice – ‘She Loves and Leaves’
Manchester based Café Spice return with their first single of 2020 ‘She Loves and Leaves’ via Snide Records. Having crafted a reputation among the country’s key folk tastemakers, the trio hailing from England, Scotland and Ireland now push the boat out into the mellow waters of indie-pop. Starting with a beautifully harmonised acapella introduction, ‘She Loves and Leaves’ is as a gentle as it is heartbreaking. (TW)

GIRLHOOD – ‘The Love I Need’
London duo Girlhood return with banging new single ‘The Love I Need’, out via Team Talk Records. The first taster from their debut album, the first song to be written and the last to be finished, the result is a gospel and blues-tinged explosion of cut and paste joy which Tessa describes as being about how “we’re rooted in our need to communicate, understand and be understood.” I have played this track consistently on repeat since first hearing it, samples mixed with Tessa’s lyrics, nods to 90s neo-soul and a song that just fills you with so much joy – exactly what we all need right now. (TW)

Nijuu – ‘Blue’
Korean DIY dream-pop artist Nijuu has released ‘Blue’ the opener to her upcoming debut EP nijuu in the sea, out independently on June 25th via State51 Conspiracy. This track has all the sounds of a deep sea dream; reverb heavy vocals, electric pianos and sparse drums make for quite the musical bath. Looking forward to hearing more of this water themed ethereal dream pop. (TW)

Nayana Iz – ‘TNT’
‘TNT’ is the latest single from Nayana Iz whose track ‘How We Do’ hit the ground with a force in 2019. Self-proclaimed born in London but made in India, Nayana Iz’s music and spirit is described as an amalgamation of those two cultures. As soon as she could start creating her own music, Nayana knew she wanted to mix the spirit of Indian language and dance (she is currently learning Hindi as well as classical Indian dance) in with the different music she had been raised on, and empower young girls (particularly from her native land) to find their own authentic voice and too express themselves. I am becoming nothing short of obsessed with this artist and cannot wait for the release of her debut EP Smoke + Fly, due on June 26th. (TW)

Sit Down – ‘Told U So’
Taken from their new EP Nice One, Sit Down’s ‘Told U So’ is a perfect example of the Brighton duo’s ability to create magnificent other worlds through their unique and imaginative lyrical prowess. Based around the idea of an opening night at an ornate ballroom, the story of ‘Told U So’ is told from the perspectives of two women, who lure in rich predatory men and proceed to lock them in, trapping them in a show of revenge. As Katie Oldham’s swirling gritty vocals are accompanied by a driving, scuzz-filled energy, a magnificent raging cacophony is created. Read about the meaning behind each track on Nice One, from Katie herself, here. (ML)

Coolgirl – ‘Gaussian Blur’
Coolgirl is the solo project of Bitch Falcon’s guitarist & vocalist Lizzie Fitzpatrick. Self-described as “music and weird shit” she’s experimenting with electronics, and ‘Gaussian Blur’ is an instrumental that twists and turns in ultra cool style. (KC)

 

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EP: Death Valley Girls – ‘Breakthrough’

Los Angeles five-piece Death Valley Girls have made their name in evoking a certain kind of late ’60s/early ’70s rock and roll – the point where the raw power of The Stooges and the MC5 meets the horror glam of The New York Dolls and The Cramps, with a hefty dose of the era’s psych flavour laid on-top. 

But one of the lesser known outfits of the period – or certainly, where this writer is concerned – is Atomic Rooster, an offshoot of The Crazy World of Arthur Brown, whose track ‘Breakthrough’ is being covered here. And even though that would normally be on-trend for DVG, the song actually found them via a cover by ’70s Nigerian rockers The Funkees. If that wasn’t circuitous enough, the single’s PR also cites the band’s contact with Damien Echols as another inspiration for the EP of the same name – specifically the development of his powers as a magician, master meditator and expert on astral projection, whilst serving eighteen years on death row, when wrongfully convicted as part of the West Memphis Three.

That complexity aside, the track is a rip-snorter. Initially built around a full minute of pulsing organ chord and riff-tastic guitars, the song really kicks into gear with lead singer Bonnie Bloomgarden’s vocals, echoey and ethereal, but powerful with it. Its chorus verges on stadium anthemic, with the phrase “I gotta make a breakthrough!” on repeat, before the word “NOW!” brings in its middle eight organ reprise and funky guitar licks. 

At a full five minutes and twenty-six seconds, this is no latter-day to-the-point banger, but the kind of old-style garage rawk experience that you can really live in, with a rhythm section that starts simple but builds in intensity towards its crescendo close. Its foot-stomping is most reminiscent of fellow psych-revivalists GOAT – perhaps unsurprising given that both bands have come to their sound via Afro-rock – although here it’s served with a quintessential US growl and underscored by a mix of Cali trippiness and Southern fried fretwork.

The reference to Echols’ experience is made pretty clear by the song’s lyrics, with their reference to breaking out of the prisons, both visible and invisible, in which we find ourselves.

The EP’s other side is another cover, albeit from a very different source. Having gigged briefly with the late alt-indie great Daniel Johnston, DVG have covered his ‘Rock ‘n’ Roll / EGA’ from the 1994 album Fun by way of a tribute. 

Clearly, for the group, there’s an emotional resonance to both tracks and it’s no coincidence, perhaps, that the EP’s release comes at a time when individuals are looking for sweet relief at a difficult time. The Johnston song, with its refrain of “That rock n roll / It saved my soul”, coupled with the EP’s title track, is a clear indicator of where Death Valley Girls currently find themselves – looking back to the past, for some guidance of where to go next. A little bit of retro-rock might just be what we all need to break through.

 

Breakthrough is out today via Suicide Squeeze Records. Order here. Or listen on Spotify.

John McGovern
@etinsuburbiaego

Photo Credit: Abby Banks

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