LISTEN: Harkin – ‘Nothing The Night Can’t Change’

Inspired by the chaos and the romanticism of a night out in a UK city, multi-talented musician Harkin has shared her latest single, ‘Nothing the Night Can’t Change’. The track is lifted from her debut self-titled album, which is set for release on 24th April via Hand Mirror.

The new single features Warpaint’s Stella Mozgawa, and Bon Iver’s Jenn Wasner. Speaking about her collaborators, Harkin explains: “Jenn and Stella were both old tour friends of mine, but had never met before our recording session together. By the end of day one, they were finishing each other’s jokes. [They] are as good as it gets, and I’m hugely grateful.” Harkin’s talent for collaboration extends even further, as she co-founded the label she’ll be releasing her debut record on (Hand Mirror), with her partner; poet and live arts organiser Kate Leah Hewett.

“What we did by the light of the fridge cannot be undone” sings Harkin mid-way through on ‘Nothing The Night Can’t Change’, prompting a plethora of scandalous images for her listeners. “Anyone that’s been on a night out in Leeds, or any of those places [in the UK] knows all the switches get flipped after dark” Harkin says. She explores these moments over rolling guitar riffs, thudding percussion, and smooth vocals.

Harkin will tour across Europe over the next few months supporting both Sleater-Kinney & Torres. Listen to ‘Nothing The Night Can’t Change’ below, and follow Harkin on Facebook & Spotify.

Photo Credit: Tomm Roeschlein

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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VIDEO PREMIERE: Sea Change – ‘Inside’

Norwegian electronic artist Sea Change peels away her inhibitions on ‘Inside’, the title track from her debut EP which she released last year. Sea Change has now shared a beautiful set of accompanying visuals for the track, directed by Linnea Syversen.

The sparse electronics and self-awareness in her lyrics – “Come with me inside / my skin feels too tight” – alert listeners to the beginning of Sea Change’s journey towards breaking out of her shell. She navigates a personal metamorphosis on this track, and Syversen’s visuals (featuring performer Johanne Børresen) help to poignantly underscore this transformation.

Sea Change explains this further: “‘Inside’ is my favourite song from [my EP]. I knew early that I wanted to work with Linnea Syversen for this video, and when I bumped into her by chance in Oslo while listening to the early mix of this song, I felt it was fate. The song explores a need to peel off your outer layers to show who you really are, to shake off the ‘truths’, expectations and labels that others tend to put on you. We wanted this video to portray the sensuality and intimacy of the record, and for it to balance on the fine line between something slightly uncomfortable and something sexual. Linnea and Johanne Børresen really managed to capture that ambiguous feel of sensuality and uneasiness.”

Watch the video for ‘Inside’ below, and listen to Sea Change’s EP in full here.

Photo Credit: Fotini Chora

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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LISTEN: Dream Nails – ‘Payback’

A rallying cry against the lack of justice for survivors of sexual violence; GIHE favourites Dream Nails have shared their powerful new single ‘Payback’. Taken from their upcoming self-titled debut album, set for release 3rd April via Alcopop! Records, the track is accompanied by a poignant video showcasing the work of UK feminist activist group, Sisters Uncut.

With it’s mantra-like lyrics – “Hey mister, get your hands off my sister” – and abrasive guitar riffs, Dream Nails have created an aural call to arms that vehemently protests the rights of domestic violence survivors. The track is heavy in terms of volume and context, but as is the case for so many of Dream Nails tracks, it’s also tear-jerking because of the depressing reality behind their catchy lyricism.

Vocalist Janey Starling provides further insight: “In the UK, only 1.5% of rape cases lead to a charge or summons. ‘Payback’ is a song about how the UK criminal justice system fails survivors – and we’re angry about it. This is a country where two women are murdered every week by a partner or ex-partner. So many women have lived through sexual and physical abuse, and carry the scars and memories of that – but will never see justice for it.”

Drummer Lucy Katz adds that the single is “fuelled by fury borne from our experiences and the stories we hear from our peers, from the news, and in our day jobs. We are sick and tired of being failed and gaslit again and again by a state and a system that does not care about the continued abuse of women.”

Whilst there is a necessary and underlying rage throughout ‘Payback’, Guitarist Anya Pearson reminds us that it provides time and space to blow off some steam: “This is a tune to mosh to, throw yourself around with your sisters and non binary babes in the pit and scream the chorus: “One day we’ll make you pay””

Dream Nails are a vital force in both musical and activist societies, and their refusal to accept sub-standard treatment for their fans and their allies is why we keep returning to their music time, and time again. Watch the video for ‘Payback’ below, and follow Dream Nails on Facebook & Spotify for more updates.

Dream Nails UK Tour Dates 2020
10 April Cardiff, Wales Goes Pop!
11 April Leicester, The Shed
22 April St Albans, The Horn
23 April London, Oslo – Album Release Show
24 April Bristol, Louisiana
25 April Reading, Are You Listening? Festival
26 April Southampton, Heartbreakers
29 April Leeds, Oporto
30 April Manchester, Castle
02 May Edinburgh, Stag & Dagger Festival
03 May Newcastle, Hit The North
09-11 July Cheltenham, 2000Trees Festival
31 Jul – 01 Aug Oxfordshire, Truck Festival

Photo Credit: Marieke Macklon

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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LISTEN: Jennifer Touch – ‘Chemistry’

A smoldering, dark electro-pop gem; Jennifer Touch‘s latest single ‘Chemistry’ is a seductive, bold new offering. Lifted from her debut album Behind the Wall, which is set for release via FatCat on 24th April, the Dresden-born, Berlin-based musician wrote the track in the midst of a depressive episode.

“’Chemistry’ is the base of all of the songs on the record” explains Touch. “It was created on a Sunday in my studio when I felt kind of depressed with everything, useless and alone. I knew I had the music inside, but it felt like it was stuck. I started by experimenting with some sounds from the Nordlead I had borrowed from a friend. I’m really happy with how it turned it out”

It’s this harnessing of Touch’s nervous energy that makes ‘Chemistry’ such an interesting listen. The restless, looping synths underscore her measured, confident vocal delivery, giving the track its slow-burning power. Touch blends elements of 80’s pop with the techno of Berlin’s underground music scene, creating moody, cinematic soundscapes.

Inspired by her father’s record collection, featuring Human League, Karat and Duran Duran, as well as the likes of The KLF, Karen O and PJ Harvey; Touch’s influences have filtered through into her own sound. Listen to ‘Chemistry’ below, and follow Jennifer Touch on Facebook and Spotify for more updates.

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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