NEW TRACK: Hinako Omori – ’ember’

Following on from her previous single ‘cyanotype memories’ – an ode to surrendering to the unknown and finding peace within that process – London-based artist and composer Hinako Omori has shared her latest single, ’ember’. Taken from her upcoming album, stillness, softness…, which is set for release via Houndstooth on 27th October, the track is an uplifting sonic delight that encourages listeners to let go of the past and relinquish feelings of doubt.

On her upcoming record, Omori retains the soothing, enigmatic qualities of the tracks that formed her debut album, …a journey – which featured on Get In Her Ears’ Albums Of 2022 list – but she expands her use of synthesizers and seraphic vocals further. She continues to trust her intuition and channel her emotions into idiosyncratic sounds, but this time she has leaned into a more contemporary, song-based structure.

Whilst her debut album concentrated on healing others with invigorating, ambient sounds and field recordings, on stillness, softness…, Omori looks inward and gently dismantles the barriers that held her back from finding peace within herself. ’ember’ acknowledges this important on-going process, with its shimmering synths, soft vocals and earnest lyrics offering a glimpse of the respite this can provide.

“The idea behind ’ember’ is noticing that our attachment to the past can cloud our perception of situations,” explains Hianko, “and the importance of breaking through these barriers we place on ourselves to build a healthier, compassionate relationship with ourselves and others.” Urging her listeners to “break free” from their chains, Omori delivers another captivating, altruistic piece of music that resonates further each time it’s listened to.

Listen to ’ember’ below.

Hinako Omori UK & EU Live Dates 2023
24/11 – Teatro Principal, Ourense – Spain
25/11 – L’Archipel, Paris – France
29/11 – Alphabet, Brighton – UK
30/11 – Belgrave Music Hall, Leeds – UK
01/12 – The Deaf Institute, Manchester – UK
02/12 – ICA, London – UK
04/12 – Zonzij, Amsterdam – Netherlands
06/12 – XENON (Huset), Copenhagen – Denmark
07/12 – Volksbuehne (Roter Salon), Berlin – Germany
09/12 – Botanique (Witloofbar), Brussels – Belgium

 

Follow Hinako Omori on bandcamp, Spotify, Instagram, Twitter (X) & Facebook

Photo credit: Luca Bailey

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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LISTEN: Hilary Woods – ‘Where The Bough Has Broken’

A hypnotic instrumental inspired by a deep love for the city she grew up in, Irish artist Hilary Woods has shared her latest single ‘Where The Bough Has Broken’. Lifted from her upcoming album, Acts Of Light, which is set for release on 3rd November via Sacred Bones, the track is an atmospheric ode to communal growth and memory, with an accompanying video that pays homage to the seemingly minor moments that play a role in creating these things.

Following on from her second full length record Birthmarks (2020), and her hypnotic EP Feral Hymns (2021), Woods has expanded and experimented with her sound even further on her upcoming album. Written, recorded, mixed and produced by Woods over the two years she spent between the west coast of Ireland and Dublin, Acts Of Light includes a myriad of idiosyncratic sounds.

The record features choristers of the Palestrina choir together with the voices of the Galway City Chamber Choir, that Woods captured in the Pro Cathedral Dublin. Strings by Oslo-based musician Jo Berger Myhre appear throughout, and all the tracks are interspersed with field recordings that Woods captured during her time spent travelling through the north west of Spain. These influences have culminated into the nine “hypnotic dirges” that make up Acts Of Light, with single ‘Where The Bough Has Broken’ being the first hint of what’s to come.

Shadowy and evocative, the track is a deep rumination inspired by Woods’ memories of living in Dublin, which she captures in the accompanying self-directed visuals, made with footage from RTE Archives. “Made from old newsreels of archive footage, this video muses on the beauty of community and resilience, made to a piece of music that celebrates connection and the specificity and transience of time, space, and human expression,” Woods comments. “This music video is a visual love letter to the Dublin City I grew up in, to the spirit of familial roots and the extraordinary moments in ordinary life that leave their lasting impression.”

Watch the visuals for ‘Where The Bough Has Broken’ below.

Hilary Woods Ireland & UK Tour Dates 2023
25/10/2023 IRL Dublin The Gallery space at The Complex
26/10/2023 IRL Dublin The Gallery space at The Complex
30/10/2023 UK Liverpool Kazimier Stockroom
31/10/2023 UK Brighton Rose Hill Arts
01/11/2023 UK London Cafe OTO
02/11/2023 UK Bristol Cube Cinema
03/11/2023 UK Newcastle Cobalt Studios
04/11/2023 UK Manchester The White Hotel
05/11/2023 UK Leeds Headrow House

Pre-order Acts Of Light here

Follow Hilary Woods on bandcamp, Spotify & Instagram

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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NEW TRACK: BLAB – ‘Hate Love, Make Love’

Following on from her 2022 single ‘Age Gracefully’ – a lo-fi musing on toxic beauty standards – Southend based multi-instrumentalist, singer, songwriter and producer Frances Murray, aka BLAB, has shared her new single ‘Hate Love, Make Love’. Released via Cool Thing Records and self-described as “Something silly and funny and not too serious,” the track explores the burnout that comes with trying to keep up with the requirements of modern day dating, romance and self-love.

After taking a year off from publicly sharing her music, BLAB has returned to reaffirm her staunchly DIY attitude and anti-establishment, anti-ego message. On ‘Hate Love, Make Love’, she playfully confronts the difficulties that come with seeking genuine romantic connections via her glitchy, punchy ’80s synth sounds and direct lyrics: “Being in love is really hard / loving myself is even harder”.

“This song was super fun and quick to write and record for me,” explains BLAB about the new track. “I think the whole thing only took about two days total. I have this Yamaha PS-20 from the ’80s that my friend sold to me, and it’s got so many wacky sounds on it. It has a built-in bass arp and as soon as I tried that out, I knew I was onto a finished song. I kind of wanted to write a song that felt like it could be on the Austin Powers soundtrack, a pastiche of the ’60s but with a Ramones-eque bite to it.”

BLAB has been busy writing and recording her debut album, which is set for release next year. She will be playing a show at The Old Blue Last in East London on Friday 10th November, as part of a Cool Thing Records label night supporting Asylums and A Cause In Distress. Grab a ticket on DICE.

Listen to ‘Hate Love, Make Love’ below.

Follow BLAB on Spotify, TikTok, Instagram, Twitter (X) & Facebook

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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LISTEN: GIHE x Morning Glory takeover on Soho Radio ft. NYX Drone Choir and Brenda (21.09.23)

Tash and Kate were back on Soho Radio’s airwaves for a second time this month, taking over their Morning Glory show – LIVE from the studio! They played an eclectic mix of new music from some of their favourite female, non-binary and LGBTQIA+ artists and Mari offered some of her “musical musings” too. The pair also had a “spotlight” section dedicated to tunes from bands and artists who have been a part of the GIHE journey from the early years, featuring ARXX, Big Joanie, Nova Twins, Problem Patterns, Fraulein and Maria Uzor.

There were two guests on the three hour takeover show. In the first half, Tash played her chat with Glasgow newcomer Litty, who fronts Brenda. Litty spoke about the inspiration for the band’s recent single ‘Pigs Pigs Pigs’ and shared many funny anecdotes about how they originally came together to form Brenda.

In the second half of the show, Alicia and Philippa from the NYX electronic drone choir came into the studio to chat live on air. They spoke to Kate and Tash about their collaborative album Deep England, their contribution to the Diablo IV video game soundtrack, and the instinctive ways in which they use technology to enhance the power of the human voice. They also set aside plenty of time to fangirl over Gazelle Twin too.

Listen back to the show below:

 

We’ll be back on Soho Radio on Monday 16th October from 12-2pm!

Tracklist
Jackie Shane – Sticks and Stones
Rainy Miller ft. Mica Levi – Maybe Time To Lay Down The Arms
1000 Beasts & Tomike – Cherry Delight
Midwife ft. Nyxy Nyx – it’s okay 2 lie 2 me
NewDad – Angel
Pixie Cut Rhythm Orchestra – Empty Envelope
Baby Rose – Stop the Bleeding
Mitski – my love mine all mine
Brenda – Pigs
**Interview with Litty from Brenda**
Erasure – I Want To Be With You
Bee Asha – Shy Guy
Baby Cool – The Sea (Qubuz Track Of The Day)
Afromerm – held
Nova Twins – Choose Your Fighter
Problem Patterns – Lesbo 3000
Problem Patterns – Poverty Tourist
ARXX – Ride Or Die
Fraulein – Big Cool
Big Joanie – Fall Asleep
Maria Uzor – Sometimes They Look At You
CIRCE – Riot Of Sunlight
AVR – A Closer Touch, A Plan Of Art
Trouble Wanted – Lonely Cowgirl
CMAT – Stay For Something
SPRINTS – Up And Comer
Hot Wax – Phone Machine
Lauren Auder – The Ripple
Gazelle Twin & NYX Drone Choir – Deep England
**Interview with Alicia and Philippa from NYX Drone Choir**
Gazelle Twin – Black Dog
TSHA ft. Ell Murphy – Bloom
Yay Maria – L’Appel Du Vide
Small Crush – Rumblin’ Tummy
Panic Pocket – Get Me
The Vanity Project – Eureka!
Julia-Sophie – dial your number
And Is Phi – Double Pink
Scrounge – Starve
O Hell – I Watch The Women
Noga Erez – NAILS

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