LISTEN: Reverend Kristin Michael Hayter – ‘All Of My Friends Are Going To Hell’

A different character with a commanding rhetoric, but fuelled by the same raw, passionate voice; interdisciplinary artist Kristin Hayter has returned with new music under an updated moniker. Formerly known as Lingua Ignota, she has now re-branded to Reverend Kristin Michael Hayter and shared the cathartic, startling track ‘All Of My Friends Are Going To Hell’.

Lifted from her upcoming album, SAVED!, which is set for release on 20th October via her own imprint Perpetual Flame Ministries, the song is an auspicious-yet-ominous offering that sees Rev. Hayter “rise” triumphantly from the place where they fell. Moving away from the trauma that underscored her previous works, including her acclaimed second album Sinner Get Ready (2021), Hayter’s new work focuses on healing. This emotional exorcism is at the core of SAVED!, which she worked on with long-time collaborator Seth Manchester.

Once again taking inspiration from Christian values – specifically the Pentecostal-Holiness Movement which dictates that one’s closeness to God is demonstrated through transcendental personal experience – Hayter uses her voice as a vessel for redemption, with ‘All Of My Friends Are Going To Hell’ forming her first potent sermon. Her sparse instrumentation allows her idiosyncratic vocal to remain the the centering force as she seeks salvation in direct, unrelenting fashion: “I’m getting up from the place where I fell / Lord please forgive me / I don’t want to be like my friends who are going to hell”.

Described as “an apocalyptic revelation on the complex, sometimes ugly, always nonlinear process of healing,” SAVED! looks set to be Hayter’s most unflinching, raw record to date. High-fidelity recordings of each song were committed to a 4-track recorder, then degraded in a series of small half-broken cassette players. This achieved the atmosphere of timeless decay that Hayter wanted, enhancing the power of her unusual pilgrimage further. ‘All Of My Friends Are Going To Hell’ is accompanied by a video that follows Hayter into a riverside baptism, and was filmed, directed & edited entirely by Hayter herself. Watch it below.

On Friday 13th and Saturday 14th October, Hayter will perform her final shows as Lingua Ignota in London as part of “Perpetual Flame v.2” with some very special guests across each show. Find out more and buy tickets here.

Follow Reverend Kristin Michael Hayter on
bandcamp, Spotify, Twitter (X), Instagram & Facebook

Photo Credit: Rev. Herschel B. Rutherford

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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NEW TRACK: Touch Excellent – ‘Couch Song’

Following on from their debut single ‘Record‘ – a tenacious anthem highlighting the failures of the healthcare system when it comes to treating women, non-binary and transgender folks – Dublin pop punks Touch Excellent have shared their new single, ‘Couch Song’. Full of dreamy vocals, relatable lyrics and melodic riffs, the track is a buoyant musing on introversion and attraction at house parties, and how these dueling states play out in a crowded room.

Describing themselves as “Ireland’s most transgender band (surely)”, Touch Excellent create raw, frenzied, politically-driven cacophonies that are designed to dismantle the systems that oppress us. Together, Lenny (vocals/bass), Ló (rhythm guitar/vocals) and Amber (drums) transform their feelings of hopelessness and injustice into loud, cathartic, catchy anthems that address the issues facing young people today. That was certainly the case for their first single ‘Record’, but on ‘Couch Song’ the band showcase a more tender side. The trio opt for softer riffs and vocals on the new track, but it still retains the enthusiasm and wit of their debut release.

“This one goes out / to the people on the couch, at the party” directs Lenny, making space for those who “don’t want to dance” despite enjoying the rowdy atmosphere. The song shifts in tone, tempo and mood to reflect these conflicting feelings, expressing how joy can still be found in crowded rooms by focusing in on a crush, or simply sitting slightly inebriated on the couch. Described as “a rallying cry for introverts and a sly glance at a beautiful person from across the room,” ‘Couch Song’ is Touch Excellent’s “break from raging against the machine” and a nod to their more intimate, affectionate song-writing style.

Listen to ‘Couch Song’ below.

Follow Touch Excellent on bandcamp, Spotify, YouTube, Twitter (X) & Instagram

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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NEW TRACK: Ideal Host – ‘The Resolution’

A tender, synth-led rumination that showcases the evolving nature of their sound, Ideal Host have shared their latest single ‘The Resolution’. Recorded and mixed by Robin Newman at SNUG/JT Soar in Nottingham, the track acts as a bookend to the band’s previous single ‘The Conflict‘, exploring the softer side of their brooding, intuitive songwriting.

Led by Heather Perkins and Sean Hughes – who are both former members of the band Slowcoaches – Ideal Host are dedicated to making music on their own terms. Now joined by multi-instrumentalist Dan Wheeler (Cheap Jazz) and synth and keyboard player Tom Goodwin, the band made their live debut on Marc Riley’s BBC 6 music show back in September 2022, where they also performed ‘The Resolution’ for the first time.

Whilst ‘The Conflict’ had a starker post-punk sound, on ‘The Resolution’ Ideal Host opt for gentler beats and melodies which spotlight Heather’s vocal range in a different way. “I’m not asking you to return / I just hope that you feel better” she repeats, over lilting keys and evocative riffs, a quiet sense of urgency spilling over right up until the music ceases to play. “I really liked the idea of taking one song and presenting it in a completely different way,” Heather explains about the track. ‘The Resolution’ takes the exact same root notes and structure as our previous release ‘The Conflict’ and creates a response to that piece that is entirely different.”

Ideal Host are currently writing and recording their full length album, which they plan to release and tour next year. “We are intent on continuing to play with our approach writing, so that this project always feels new and alive,” Heather continues. “I want to feel that we can pivot in any direction we want to. That the musical landscape is completely wide open to us.”

Listen to ‘The Resolution’ below.

Follow Ideal Host on Spotify, bandcamp, Twitter (X) and Instagram

Photo Credit: Dan Wheeler

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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LISTEN: GIHE on Soho Radio with Maria Uzor (21.08.23)

Tash and Kate were back on Soho Radio’s airwaves playing loads of new music from some of their favourite female, non-binary and LGBTQIA+ artists! Mari offered some of her “musical musings” too. Tash talked about their excitement for Yeah Yeah Yeah’s performance at upcoming East London festival All Points East, whilst Kate shared memories of her day at Bloodstock Festival a few weeks ago. Artists featured on the eclectic playlist included Lauren Auder, Deyah, Kelly Lee Owens, ALT BLK ERA, HAVVK, Mykki Blanco and Gender Chores.

Tash also caught up with Norwich-based electronic artist and GIHE fave Maria Uzor to talk about her upcoming debut album, Soft Cuts. Set for release on 13th October via Castles In Space, Maria spoke about the inspirations behind the tracks on the record, including her latest single ‘Ventolin’. Maria will be playing a headline show at The Windmill in Brixton on 18th October. Tickets are available here.

Listen back to the show below:

We’ll be back on Soho Radio on Monday 18th September from 12-2pm!

Tracklist
The Breeders – Cannonball
Yeah Yeah Yeahs – Spitting Off The Edge of the World
Boygenius – Without You Without Them
Kelly Lee Owens – Throwing Lines
Lauren Auder – the ripple
DROWND – Sinner (KANGA Remix)
Melanie Charles – Petty
Deyah – Heart Status
Amaroun – Dopamine
ALT BLK ERA – Misfits: SOLAR
ZAND – Deliverance
Witch Weather – Don’t Need
shaene – sad
Frances and The Majesties – All Of Time
Mary Lovett – Seven
Maria Uzor – Ventolin
**Interview with Maria Uzor**
Emily Winng – Leave The Grass Grow Wild
GENN – Calypso
Baby Rose – Stop the Bleeding
Hinako Omori – cyanotype memories
Pet Snake – Jacket
Mykki Blanco – Holidays In The Sun
HAVVK – Expiry
Gender Chores – Dysphurious
CHROMA – Woman To Woman
Noga Erez – Quiet
HAIM – Want You Back

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