FIVE FAVOURITES: Hater

Malmö-based indie-pop band Hater said they weren’t expecting to write a bunch of love songs for their new album, Mosquito, but that’s what flowed from their fingertips after a long hiatus. Released via Fire Records, the band capture this disarming combination of reluctance and urgency by seamlessly combining their lush melodies, dreamy riffs and explicit lyrics to tenderly dismantle themes of traditional love, tinged with mythical references to romantic paraphernalia (vampires, Cupid, mosquitoes…?)

We think one of the best ways to get to know a band is by asking what music inspired them to write in the first place. We caught up with Hater’s vocalist Caroline Landahl to ask about her “Five Favourites” and she picked five songs by an eclectic range of artists who have inspired her songwriting. Check out her choices below and scroll down to watch the official video for Hater’s single ‘Angel Cupid’ too…

 

1. Michael Farneti – ‘The River’
This song has been one of my favourites for years. It’s just so sensible and beautiful. Describing how you can’t stop your emotions after all. I feel that it speaks to me. I didn’t know anything about the artist until recently when I found an interview from 2021. Turns out it’s his 12-year-old brother playing the drums on the record and that it was all recorded by Michael. Bloody brilliant drumming!

2. Wilco – ‘Say You Miss Me’
I’ve been a real sucker for Wilco for years and literally eat their songs over and over again. I could mention a trip duplet amount of their songs as favourites, but I’ll choose ‘Say You Miss Me’ for this time. I’ve listened to it a hundred times at least and sung it out loud while driving multiple times. I’ve even forced it on my daughter, since it’s been one of the only CDs I can play over and over again in the car. Car rides with Wilco everyone, a strong recommendation. I would die to see this song live one day. Unfortunately, my luck with making Wilco’s live shows has been incredibly bad, hopefully this summer will be my chance, since I see they’re touring towards us Scandis finally!

3. Credence Clearwater Revival – ‘Up Around The Bend’
When I was about 7 years old, I found a wet tape on the grass on the way to school one morning. Someone had written ‘CCR’ on it and I had no clue what it was. The whole day was just an endless wait until I could listen to it. When I got home, I put it in my tape player in my room, well excited. I remember calling for my sister and then we danced and did funny dance and jump moves around a tiny round mat I had on the floor. I think we did that for what felt like hours. It took years until I found out what band it was, and It’s still some form of comfort music to me. One time on tour I locked myself in in a shower and just blasted Credence Clearwater Revival to calm my nerves down.

4. Jim James – ‘Just A Fool’
He seems to have released two versions of this beauty. I preferred the one that sounds like a demo from the album Uniform Clarity. This song really had me at one point. Still does I guess – “just a fool getting by, just a fool doing alright”. I like how he speaks about ordinary emotions in such an uncomplicated way and holds the song with such presence throughout. I wish I could write a song like that. I’ve done a demo of it once; I even sent it to a crush.

5. Jim O’Rourke – Women of the World: Take Over
I remember I once had this song on a CD. I loved it, it’s just a mantra playing over and over. And now with all evil going on I think it suits the time. The song was originally written by Scottish poet Ivor Cutler, and the original version is just as special as Jim’s. Make sure to have a listen to both of them. I like how Jim is phrasing the words in his melody, but Cutler does it more straight forward which makes the two songs differ a lot in a beautiful way.

Thanks to Caroline for sharing her favourites with us!
Watch the video for Hater’s single ‘Angel Cupid’ below…

Follow Hater on bandcamp, TIDAL, Instagram & Facebook

Hater Tour Dates 2026
02 April – Plan B, Malmö, SE
02 May – Nice N Sleazy, Glasgow, UK
03 May – Sounds From the Other City, Manchester, UK
04 May – The Cumberland Arms, Newcastle, UK
05 May – The Library, Oxford, UK
06 May – Hare & Hounds, Birmingham, UK
07 May – Signature Brew Haggerston, London, UK
22 May – Oceanen, Gothenburg, SE
23 May – Kollektivet Livet, Stockholm, SE

Photo Credit: David Möller

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LISTEN: GIHE on Soho Radio with YAKKIE (05.02.26)

Tash, Kate and Mari were back on Soho Radio celebrating their 11 year anniversary and bringing listeners another eclectic mix of new music tunes from some of their favourite female, non-binary and LGBTQIA+ artists.

They also celebrated the launch of Tash’s new book! Published via the esteemed Faber, The Log Books is an “intimate exploration of inter-generational queer heritage, charting four decades of LGBTQ+ life in Britain through the call logs of a charity helpline.” Tash spoke about the launch event at Royal Vauxhall Tavern and their upcoming UK book tour – full details of which can be found here.

Janey and Robin from independent punk band YAKKIE also joined them live on air to talk about their highly anticipated debut album, Kill The Cop Inside Your Head – due on 13th February. A heavy album for heavy times, Janey spoke eloquently about the inspirations behind the record and how it’s important to remain hopeful and support each other in the face of oppression and injustice. Robin also discussed the “sick riffs” that soundtrack YAKKIE’s manifesto and they both performed acoustic versions of their latest single ‘He Sleeps Alone’ and new album track ‘Secrets’.

YAKKIE will be playing a London headline show at The Victoria in Dalston on 21st March to celebrate the release of Kill The Cop Inside Your Head. Grab a ticket here.

Listen back below:

 

We’ll be back on Soho Radio on Thursday 5th March from 16:00-18:00
Make sure you tune in via DAB or download the Soho Radio app.
You can also listen at www.sohoradio.com

Tracklist
Tom Rasmussen – There’s A Lot To Be Happy About
Planningtorock x Bronski Beat – Smalltown Boy
deary – Seabird
Sade – Young Lion
Pixie Cut Rhythm Orchestra – I’ve Been Here Before
The Echograms – Lovesick
pem – milk, blue
Gretel – Squish
Lucky Iris – fall in love with the DJ
Lauren Auder – Praxis
Frances Murray – Adults
VERO – Dead Train
DJ Sophie Stirling – The Log Books mix
YAKKIE – Kill The Cop Inside Your Head
** Interview with YAKKIE **
** YAKKIE acoustic performance of ‘He Sleeps Alone’ & ‘Secrets’ **
Upchuck – Freaky
1-800 GIRLS ft. Council – eye contact (Tash’s Track Of The Show)
dayydream – Proximity (Kate’s Track Of The Show)
Fightmilk – Sounds Like A You Problem (Mari’s Track Of The Show)
HAWXX – Resistance Is Justified
Scarebears – Scapegoat
Junk Whale – Lime n Soda
Radhika – Starry Eyes
Tenderness – The Salt Flats

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FIVE FAVOURITES: Ailbhe Reddy

A raw and relatable record about existing in the emotional ether at the end of a relationship, Dublin-born artist Ailbhe Reddy’s upcoming third album, KISS BIG, is a wholehearted affair that continues to spotlight her talent for empathetic songwriting. Set for release on 30th January via Don Giovanni Records, across nine tracks she dismantles the cyclical nature of love and the ways in which we persist and resist, but ultimately succumb to romance once again when the breakup cycle is complete.

We think one of the best ways to get to know an artist is by asking what music inspired them to write in the first place. We caught up with Ailbhe to ask about her “Five Favourites” and she picked five albums by an eclectic range of artists who have inspired her songwriting techniques. Check out her choices below and scroll down to watch the official video for Ailbhe’s latest single ‘That Girl’ too…

 

1. Fiona Apple – When The Pawn…
I heard this for the first time when I was working an office job in my early twenties. ‘Paper Bag’ came on the radio and I felt like it was written just for me. I was immediately hooked. I went and bought the album that same day and spent months obsessed with it. I, of course, went through Apple’s entire back catalogue and was so inspired by her as an artist and individual. The production, lyrics and vocal delivery still blow me away every listen.

2. Julia Jacklin – Crushing
After I recorded my first album, I got a lot of comparisons to Julia Jacklin (what a compliment!) but I had never heard her. ‘Don’t Know How to Keep Loving You’ came on while I was driving in my car one day and it destroyed me! I pulled over and put the whole album on and listened from start to finish. What a journey. So simple. So perfect. I’ve been a fan ever since and think she’s one of the best songwriters around.

3. Jeff Buckley – Grace
This is a formative one for me. I learned a lot about playing guitar from a book of music from this album. I definitely spent a long time shoehorning nice jazz chords into my songs as a result. I was a kid when I first heard this album — my mum had a copy in her car that she used to listen to. It wasn’t until I started playing guitar that I started really listening to the songwriting properly. By then YouTube existed and I spent hours finding every single video I could of Jeff playing the songs from this album. I got to sing a few songs from this album at a show celebrating the 30 year anniversary of this album a while back, and it gave me a whole new appreciation for his vocal performance.

4. Sufjan Stevens – Illinois
I saw the dance/musical version of this in New York City two years ago and cried my little eyes out. Not just because it was beautifully performed, but because no album reminds me of the pure love I had for music as a teenager as well as this album. When I was 15 or 16 I got a little 8-track and recorded my own version of ‘Chicago’ on it. Still, whenever I hear that song it brings me back to that time. Pure love and awe and discovery. The song itself is rich with imagery and feels like a full novel, and my own memories on top always make it a joyful listen.

5. Big Thief – Capacity
‘Mythological Beauty’ was my introduction to Big Thief, I heard it playing in a friend’s kitchen and was immediately grabbed by it. There was something so mesmerising about Lenker’s vocal delivery and also the lyrics are pretty daaamn perfect. Again – it feels like a novel in a song. How can someone sum up their mother? Such a complex, deep relationship. Yet, she nails it. I got to see the album live in Dublin and was blown away by the band live which kicked off my journey as a long time fan. ‘Mary’ is another song from that album that I think is spectacular, and part of its charm is how different it is from the rest of the band’s discography. I’ve seen it a few times live in different iterations and it’s always been so special.

Thanks to Ailbhe for sharing her favourites with us!

Ailbhe will be playing a London headline show at The Lexington on 21st April to celebrate the release of KISS BIG – tickets are on sale now!

Watch the video for her latest single ‘That Girl’ below.

Follow Ailbhe Reddy: website, bandcamp, TIDAL, Instagram & Facebook

Photo Credit: Su Mustecaplioglu

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LISTEN: GIHE on Soho Radio with Whitelands (08.01.26)

For our first radio show of 2026, Tash and Kate were back on Soho Radio bringing listeners an eclectic mix of new music tunes from some of their favourite female, non-binary and LGBTQIA+ artists. Mari offered some of her “musical musings” too!

Etienne, Jagun & Vanessa from London-based shoegaze band Whitelands also joined the team live on air to talk about their highly anticipated upcoming second album, Sunlight Echoes – due on 30th January via Sonic Cathedral.

The trio reflected on how far they’ve come since they were guests on our show back in 2024, as well as the the many ways in which the band have developed and expanded their sound over the past two years. They also shared the poignant inspiration behind their latest single ‘Blankspace‘ and spoke openly about the themes of friendship, grief and memory which heavily influenced the songwriting on Sunlight Echoes.

Whitelands are currently gearing up for their first ever UK headline tour, including a show at Moth Club in East London on 26th February. Grab a ticket here.

Listen back below:

 

We’ll be back on Soho Radio on Thursday 5th February from 16:00-18:00
Make sure you tune in via DAB or download the Soho Radio app.
You can also listen at www.sohoradio.com

Tracklist
Dolly Parton – Dumb Blonde
Hercules and Love Affair, Hips & Lips – That’s Not How to Love
Silk Daisys – nervous wreck
VERO – Calico
Whitelands – Blankspace
Whitelands – Glance
TTSSFU – Upstairs
Maddie Ashman – Seraphim
AE MAK – We Came From Stars
Ailbhe Reddy – So Quickly, Baby
Kareen Lomax – idea of you
Alice Costelloe – Move On With The Year
Mi.el – Grains Of Sand
Softcult – Queen Of Nothing
Robyn – Dopamine (Jamiexx remix) (Tash’s Track Of The Show)
YELF. – loud (Kate’s Track Of The Show)
Midori Jaeger – Dark Green (Mari’s Track Of The Show)
Hadda Be – New To The Office
Ms Mohammed – Ring The Alarm
YAKKIE – Kill The Cop Inside Your Head
Maria BC – Marathon
Elin Hall – As The World Falls Down
Aether Speaker – End Credits
SOFIA ISELLA – Hot Gum

Kate Crudgington1 Comment