Track Of The Day: Dott – ‘Extra Introvert’

A tender, buoyant guitar tune that helps to playfully shake off feelings of social anxiety; Dott have shared their latest single, ‘Extra Introvert’. Self-described as a “sombre summer bop”, the track confronts the “Lockdown Anxiety” many of us have been dealing with during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Galway-based dream-poppers Dott were in the middle of recording their third album, the follow up to 2018’s Heart Swell, when the pandemic put an abrupt stop to proceedings. ‘Extra Introvert’ was recorded in a cottage in Leitrim with Frankie Pollard (Oh Boland) and mastered by Steve Fallone (The Breeders, Alvvays), and provides a breath of fresh air for anyone who’s been feeling apprehensive about re-joining their social circles.

The accompanying video features the band’s vocalist Anna using her smart phone to interact with friends again, and by “friends” we mean some very, very cute dogs. Most people have been extra reliant on their devices to help them socialise during the lockdown period, so the video is shot vertically and best appreciated on a phone screen. The visuals compliment the upbeat nature of the track perfectly, proving there’s still space for joy and distraction even when you’re not feeling your best.

Watch the video for ‘Extra Introvert’ below and follow Dott on Facebook & Spotify for more updates.

Photo Credit: Kim McCafferty

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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EP: Elsa Hewitt – ‘Ghostcats’

Whatever your mood, electronic artist & producer Elsa Hewitt has a tune to diffuse it. What she achieves through improvisation many would struggle to create with the most calculated intentions and her dizzying blend of looped synths & vocals on new EP Ghostcats beautifully showcases her intuitive talent.

Described by Hewitt as an “opener” for her next release Lupa (due later this year), Ghostcats is a collection of minimal electronic compositions that have a soothing, almost translucent quality to them. Filled with celestial looping vocal harmonies, the ambient ‘Godly’ opens the EP, followed by the equally ethereal ‘Massive Charade’. It meanders in to brief but beautiful tracks ‘Wave State’ and ‘Mounting Up’. On each of her tracks, Hewitt’s breathy vocals and spacious synthesizers merge together to create a soothing, fuzzy atmosphere reminiscent of a lucid dream.

There’s a pleasantly jarring quality to tracks ‘Still’, ‘Kevlar’ and ‘Easy’, whilst ‘Raspberry’ is sweet and breezy. On ‘Velvet Scrunchy’, it feels like Hewitt is toying with the soft accessory the track is named after; gently opening and closing her palm around the garment. The twinkling sound of ‘Rebird’ closes the EP, which from the opening loop provides a soothing sonic head rush.

A much needed distraction in these strange times, Elsa Hewitt’s Ghostcats is a blissful electronic offering, designed to leave you reassuringly lightheaded.

 

Buy your limited edition Ghostcats cassette via Bandcamp here.

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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#ThrowbackThursday: GIHE w/ Ms Mohammed & Basement Revolver 06.09.18

Due to the current Covid-19 pandemic, we’re unable to make it in to the Hoxton Radio studio to broadcast our weekly live new music show from 7-9pm. Instead, we’re sharing previous show recordings as #ThrowbackThursday sessions, so you can still enjoy 2 hours of new music & chats with some of our favourite artists each week.

Today, we’ve picked our September 2018 show with the wonderful Ms Mohammed. She joined Tash & Kate live in the studio to chat about her performance at Loud Women’s all-day Festival at The Dome in 2018, and the Clitrock events she hosts. Tash also played her phone interview with Chrisy Hurn from Canada’s Basement Revolver. Chrisy talked about the band’s album Heavy Eyes and what influenced them to write it (please forgive the dodgy phone connection.)

Listen back to the show here:

Featured Artists
Le Tigre
Planningtorock
Geowulf
Menace Beach
Glossii
The Wild Things
Basement Revolver
Tallies
Starling
Barrie
Skating Polly
NO NO NO
Ms Mohammed
Raja Kumari
CHINAH
Ah! Kosmos
Caswell
Monique Barry
JDA
Little Mix

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Track Of The Day: The Ghost of Helags – ‘Chemistry’

Smooth vocals, echoing beats and sultry synth textures disarm listeners on ‘Chemistry’, the latest track from The Ghost of Helags. The Berlin-based duo penned the track after a late night drive from Vienna to Prague, reflecting on their feelings of loneliness and longing.

Formed of Swedish born Teresa Woischiski and John Alexander Ericson, The Ghost of Helags combine sharp production with their love of dream pop and David Lynch’s shadowy film scores to create their brooding electronic sounds. “There’s nothing left out there that makes me scared, nothing” sings Woischiski on ‘Chemistry’, which centres around both the intimate power and fear of being completely by ones self.

“The song was written in January this year on a foggy late night drive from Vienna to Prague” reflects Woischiski. “We didn’t meet many cars and it was a very dense fog so it felt a bit like driving through outer space.” This feeling of other-worldliness permeates the track, allowing momentary escape from all earthly doubts and fears.

Listen to ‘Chemistry’ below and follow The Ghost of Helags on Facebook & Spotify for more updates.

 

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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