LISTEN: MAVICA – ‘Ada Road’

“You ask me how I feel about it, I feel it’s time to burn it down” MAVICA tentatively reveals on her latest track, ‘Ada Road’. Taken from her upcoming EP, Send Me To The Water, set for release on 24th April via Hidden Track Records; the London-based, Spanish songwriter explores feelings of doubt on this latest offering.

Originally from Cartagena in Spain, MAVICA (aka Marta Casanova) blends elements of indie, pop, and folk to create her emotive, smooth sounds. Since the release of her debut EP Gone in 2019, she’s performed at Mad Cool and Vida Festival, as well as supporting the likes of Roo Panes, Blanco White, and Alice Phoebe Lou on their tours. Now, with a second EP on the way, MAVICA is concentrating on moving forward, and accepting that change isn’t always a bad thing.

She explores this beautifully on ‘Ada Road’, as she eloquently explains: “I wrote ‘Ada Road’ when I was moving out of my old house. I was desperate for a new home, and felt very lost. It felt like I was jumping into an abyss of nothingness and it was a really scary time, where I didn’t know if it was worth staying in London or not. Because of this uncertainty, I felt like my creative output was changing and I didn’t quite understand where it was going, where I was going. I was born in a small town in the South of Spain where the sea is a big part of life there. In this song, I talk about sending me back to the water. When everything was going wrong in London, all I wanted was to go back home to the sea. That anxiety almost crushed me and I wrote this song to get it out, like I needed to expel it in some way.”

MAVICA’s talent for turning personal difficulty in to ear-melting, honest tunes is what makes her music so captivating. Her moving vocals and considerate lyrics, fused with both folk and pop elements in the chorus make ‘Ada Road’ an affecting, but enjoyable listen. Watch the accompanying video for the track below, and follow MAVICA on Spotify and Facebook for more updates.

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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LISTEN: Hannah Cameron – ‘Backsliding’

“I want to teach a lesson I don’t want to learn” Melbourne artist Hannah Cameron reluctantly muses on latest single, ‘Backsliding’. Released via AWAL, this latest offering sees Cameron delicately, yet candidly hold herself accountable for past mistakes.

With a sound described as “indie noir”; Cameron weaves elements of folk, blues and indie in to her music to create her emotive, beguiling sounds. “I want to start a fire just to feel the burn” she sings, over brooding guitar, steady beats, and cinematic strings; pulling listeners in to her vivid narrative.

“In July last year, I wrote a song every day for a week”, Cameron explains. “‘Backsliding’ was the first song to come out of that writing period, and it’s about finding yourself in the same situation or the same relationship over and over again, and realising that it’s a choice you’re making. It’s about taking responsibility and making yourself accountable for your decisions and your actions.”

It’s this self-awareness that marks Cameron as an intriguing, relevant songwriter. When she’s not busy writing and performing her own material, she plays with various Melbourne-based bands and musicians; including On Diamond, Clio, Grand Salvo, Brain Romance, Brian Campeau and Husky Gawenda. These combined experiences prove Cameron’s adaptability, and ingenuity as a musician.

Listen to ‘Backsliding’ below, and follow Hannah Cameron on Spotify and Facebook for more updates.

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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Track Of The Day: Something Leather – ‘Trip To The Sun’

A smouldering, psych-tinged, existential exploration of where we are, vs where we want to be; Brighton three-piece Something Leather are pushing the boundaries with their latest single, ‘Trip To The Sun’. Released via We Can Do It Records, the track is loosely inspired by the character of Icarus from Greek mythology.

Formed of Phillie Etta Jane (vocals/organ), Greg Pass (guitar) and Mike Nussbaum (drums), Something Leather have been cutting their teeth on the London & Brighton live circuits for a few years now. Their dark creations are a captivating blend of old and new sounds; the vintage organ that Phillie plays combines perfectly with Greg’s distorted guitar noises, and Mike’s rhythmic drum beats.

The band articulately describe the context of new track ‘Trip To The Sun’ as “a sarcastic take on the “Fall of Icarus”. It deals with our constant desire to escape from a deadly routine, and the fear that pushing too far might consume you. It has a frenetic pace, western B-movie shootout feel and layers of post-punk and psychedelia on top.”

Something Leather are set to release their debut EP Midnight Reverie on 17th April, and we’re psyched to hear more of their altruistic, alternative sounds. Listen to ‘Trip To The Sun’ below, and follow Something Leather on Spotify & Facebook for more updates.

Photo credit: Jessie Morgan

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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FIVE FAVOURITES: Song Sung

Formed of twin sisters Georgina and Una McGeough, Song Sung grew up in Ireland, before moving over to New York a decade ago. Since then, the pair have been dabbling in music software, creating their own atmospheric electronics, and are set to release their debut album later this year. The duo recently worked with David Holmes (Unloved), who co-wrote and produced their EP, I Surrender, along with his bandmate Keefus Ciancia. The pair have previously worked on scores with Holmes too, including The Fall and Killing Eve (for which they won a BAFTA).

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 Song Sung to ask about their “Five Favourites” – five albums that influenced their song writing techniques. Check out Song Sung’s choices below, and scroll down to watch the video for their single ‘Come To The Water’ at the end of this post.

1. Plaid – Reachy Prints
I was at friends exhibition opening one night in Berlin, and Barry Burns from Mogwai was DJing at the after party. He played a mixture of electronic beats, with some IDM. I remember he played ‘Hawkmoth’ and all of a sudden I could no longer hear the person I was talking to. I proceeded to dance my way over to Barry to ask “who is that?”. The entire album is incredible. We had a chance to see Plaid in December at Elsewhere in Brooklyn, which was fantastic.

2. Casino Versus Japan – Whole Numbers Play the Basics
This album was introduced to us a few years ago. It was on heavy rotation during the writing and recording of our album. The dronescapes and lush melodies are exquisite. It’s one of our favourite records.

3. Jon Hopkins – Immunity
Our album was made between NYC, Berlin and Belfast and in each of those cities, Jon Hopkins walked with us. It’s a miraculous listen. There is so much emotion and space in this album and there is a real feeling of warmth to it.

4. Boards of Canada – The Campfire Headphase
It’s difficult to choose which BoC album to feature, because we listen to them non-stop. I think The Campfire Headphase album was the one that got the most spins during the making of our album. It was an escape from our dream into another dream. Trans Canada Highway is another escape. The albums are quite different, but there is something unique about siblings making music together.

5. Aphex Twin – I Care Because You Do
I feel like this album was always playing somewhere when we were at art school in Belfast, quite possibly ingrained in the walls of every art school on the planet. It’s haunting, meditative and really emotional. The opening track, ‘Acrid Avid Jam Shred’ gently transports you and captures your attention right until the end of the record. It’s mesmerizing, melancholic and masterful from beginning to end. An absolute favourite.

Listen to Song Song’s EP, I Surrender, here. Follow the band on Spotify & Facebook for more updates.

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