Track Of The Day: NAVA – ‘Sarabe’

A beguiling mix of measured vocals and commanding beats; NAVA have shared their latest single, ‘Sarabe’. Lifted from their upcoming EP of the same name (which is set for release on 12th June via Nettwerk), the track’s brooding electronic instrumentation creates a sound as cinematic as the visuals that accompany it.

Originally from Tehran but now based in Milan, NAVA are formed of frontwoman Nava Golchini and producer/writer Francesco Fugazza. They blend Persian-dance inspired beats, industrial elements and hypnotic vocals to create their intoxicating sounds, and ‘Sarabe’ is a shining example of this.

“I see ‘Sarabe’ in shades of red, white and black, in blue skies, sand and rocks.” explains Golchini about the track. “I think of a vast monotonous landscape much greater than our control, like “Kavir e Lut”, a majestic desert in the heart of Iran. The song expresses that melancholic and homesick feeling I live with. ‘Sarabe’ is warm and familiar, a positive feeling but by nightfall, all of those sentiments are stripped away. Just like the meaning of ‘Sarabe’, which is a mirage, an illusion, a deja-vu which lets you consecutively lose the sense of reality”.

The video for ‘Sarabe’ reflects many of Golchini’s notions about the track. Directed by Simone Rovellini, it was shot in a quarry just hours before Northern Italy’s first Covid-19 lockdown. Watch the visuals for ‘Sarabe’ below and follow NAVA on Spotify & Facebook for more updates.

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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#ThrowbackThursday: GIHE w/ Beckie Margaret 22.02.18

Due to the current lockdown/coronavirus situation, 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 February 2018 show with Essex-based musician Beckie Margaret. Kate spoke to her about being in her third year at the Institute For Contemporary Music, being a DIY artist & producer, and her debut London gig at The Waiting Room. Beckie also performed a beautiful live rendition of her single ‘Woman’. You can listen to Beckie’s most recent single ‘God’ (released via Cool Thing Records) here.

Listen back to the show here:

Featured Artists
Nina Simone
Zoey Lily
Gottschalk
Mellow Gang
The Desert
Amethysts
Magic Island
Beckie Margaret
Banfi
KTEE
Tundra
New Portals
Kadija Kamara
Vulpynes
Pip Blom
ARXX
Becky & The Birds
GHUM
The Orielles
Nirvana

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Track Of The Day: Grizzly Coast – ‘Catch & Release’

Buoyant guitars riffs and feel-good melodies permeate ‘Catch & Release, the latest single from Grizzly Coast. Lifted from her upcoming EP, Party of One, which is set for release later this year, the track is an optimistic look at life without limits or setbacks.

Based in Toronto, Grizzly Coast (aka Alannah Kavanagh) originally began as an acoustic songwriter before fleshing out her sound with a full band under the new moniker. Her previous singles ‘Half Light Boy’, ‘High-Functioning’, and ‘Forever’ focus on the hyper-awareness she has of herself and her relationships, but on new track ‘Catch & Release’, Kavanagh seems to have come to terms with living life with a little less anxiety.

“Classic catch and release” she casually laments in the song’s chorus, over upbeat percussion and uplifting melodies. “A party of one has begun” she muses further, accepting that living life for yourself is not only completely acceptable; it’s also a complete joy. Listen to ‘Catch & Release’ below and follow Grizzly Coast on Facebook & Spotify for more updates.

 

Photo Credit: Hailey Uens

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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LISTEN: Jealous Tina – ‘Interim’

A hazy, lo-fi musing on the energy we pour into those who are sometimes not worthy of our love; Jealous Tina have shared their debut single, ‘Interim’. Taken from the band’s debut EP which is currently in the works; the track is a smooth, jazzy offering from the neo-soul outfit.

Based in Bath, Jealous Tina formed in 2018 and began creating music together. The five piece are influenced by the sounds of Mahalia, Puma Blue and Erykah Badu, giving their tracks a soulful, jazz-inspired sound. Vocalist and saxophonist Rosie Patton fronts the band, and her voice takes centre stage on ‘Interim’.

“You’ve got me wrapped around your finger, is that where I’m supposed to be?” questions Patton, over grooving bass lines and steady beats. “I’ve tried to be anything but yours” she muses further, laying bare her thoughts about what it takes to be an “interim lover”. The track is accompanied by a sweet, nostalgic looking video, shot and directed by Patton herself. Watch the footage below and follow Jealous Tina on Facebook & Spotify for more updates.

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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