Track Of The Day: Hilary Woods – ‘Orange Tree’

A tentative exploration of inner fears, Hilary Woods‘ latest single ‘Orange Tree’ is an atmospheric, brooding affair. Taken from her upcoming second album Birthmarks, set for release on 13th March via Sacred Bones, the Irish musician has crafted another dark, beguiling soundscape that smoulders with quiet intensity.

“For me, ‘Orange Tree’ is a personal song acknowledging an inner fear of the unknown,” Woods explains. “It’s an exercise in overcoming, becoming more planted and rooted in the earth and in the body.” Woods’ thoughts are reflected in the accompanying visuals for the track, which she created and directed with Joshua Wright.

Written & recorded over the course of two years between Galway and Oslo, whilst Woods was heavily pregnant, Birthmarks looks set to be her most personal and powerful record to date. Inspired by the works of Norwegian experimental noise producer & filmmaker Lasse Marhaug, the images from post-war Japanese and wet-plate photography, to the secret life of trees; Woods’ far-reaching influences are what make her art so mesmerising and transcendent.

Watch the video for ‘Orange Tree’ below, and follow Hilary Woods on Facebook & Spotify for more updates.

Hilary Woods EU/UK Live Dates 2020
April 19, Tilberg, NL @ Roadburn Festival
May 18, London, UK @ Cafe Oto

Photo credit: Joshua Wright

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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LISTEN: LegPuppy – ‘Secret Friend’ (feat. Josefin Öhrn)

A slow-burning, atmospheric new offering; South London band LegPuppy have collaborated with award-winning Swedish musician Josefin Öhrn on their latest track, ‘Secret Friend’. Independently released on Valentine’s Day, the new song is a smoldering four minutes of electro-psych sound.

When LegPuppy first heard Josefin Öhrn + the Liberation’s album Mirage, they described it as “like discovering the Velvet Underground for the first time.” The band instantly knew they wanted to collaborate with Swedish Grammy nominated Öhrn, and ‘Secret Friend’ was the result. Öhrn’s exquisite French accent floats above the band’s moody music, and contrasts well with the accompanying male vocal.

LegPuppy are set the release their new album There’s No Rock Stars later this year, and will be announcing tour, and festival dates in the near future. For now, listen to ‘Secret Friend’ below, and follow LegPuppy on Facebook & Spotify for more updates.

Secret Friend feat Josefin Öhrn (radio edit) by Leg Puppy

Follow Josefin Öhrn on Facebook and Spotify too.

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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Get In Her Ears w/ Wild Weather Ales 13.02.20

Kate and Tash were back in the Hoxton Radio studio this week. They played highlights from the GIHE Galentine’s playlist and some fresh new music from draag, Cheerbleederz, BisonBison, Le Butcherettes and Amaroun.

Ian from Wild Weather Ales joined them for a chat, and brought along some of the brewery’s delicious beer for a live taster session.

Listen back here:

Tracklist
Robyn – Dancing On My Own
TRILLS – Super Blue Moon (remix)
BisonBison – Hover
Le Butcherettes – Tunisia
TLC – No Scrubs (Galentine’s track)
Chromatics – Girls Just Wanna Have Fun (Galentine’s track)
Le Tigre – Hot Topic (Galentine’s track)
Jaguar Jonze – Rabbit Hole
Emerson – A Longing and Needing
Kate Bush – This Woman’s Work (Galentine’s track)
Automatic – Calling It
Cheerbleederz – Sometimes I Cry At Work
Gold Baby – What Party? (Galentine’s track)
Reel Big Fish – Beer
Post Louis – Winter Pollen
Roxy Jackson – Father’s Regrets
Khalla – Sense of Self
Piney Gir – Puppy Love
Amaroun – Perish
draag – Trauma Kit
Personal Best – This Is What We Look Like (Galentine’s track)
Cold Beat – Prism
PINS – Hot Slick
Alanis Morissette- You Oughta Know
Shirley Ellis – Soul Time (Galentine’s track)

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Track Of The Day: Sharon Van Etten – ‘Beaten Down’

Dark synths, atmospheric keys, and sparse echoing beats permeate ‘Beaten Down’, the latest single from Sharon Van Etten. A poignant reflection on “love, patience and empathy”, Etten’s voice smolders throughout the track, which is accompanied by a beautifully shot black & white video, directed by Nicky and Juliana Giraffe (Giraffe Studios).

“‘Beaten Down’ is about making life-changing choices and remaining strong enough to see them through”, Etten explains. This subtle strength permeates the song, in which she transforms vulnerability into sounds that help to strengthen a backbone in the face of adversity.

“Upon hearing the song, our minds automatically drifted into stark black and white, fever dreams, dark silhouettes contrasted against a barren desert landscape”, explain directors Nicky and Juliana. The visuals feature both Etten, and twin dancing duo Allison and Veronica Huber. “Our intention was to give Sharon’s song and performance space to breathe and echo” they explain further. “It was important to us that the dancers were strongly connected.”

This connection between the sounds and visuals makes Etten’s latest single a compelling, intensely repeatable listen. Watch the video for ‘Beaten Down’ below, and follow Sharon Van Etten on Facebook & Spotify for more updates.

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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