Kate Crudgington

FIVE FAVOURITES: Anna B Savage

Inspired by her reflections on the human condition and all its idiosyncrasies and inconsistencies, Anna B Savage‘s latest album, In|FLUX, is a poetic, cathartic piece of songwriting. Finding peace in the grey areas of life and accepting that change is an inevitable part of it, the British musician has crafted an intricate and emotive collection of songs that compliment the raw honesty she expressed on her debut album, A Common Turn (2021).

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 Anna to ask about her “Five Favourites” – five albums that have inspired her song-writing techniques. Check out her choices below and listen to her new album, in|FLUX, here.

1. Ella Fitzgerald – The Best of the Song Book
The best vocalist in the world, ever, bar none. I have listened to this album over a thousand times and tried to emulate every moment, every run, every breath. I have written a lot about how much I love Ella, and this album was the one for me. Also, Gershwins! They wrote the most perfect songs in the world.

2. Nat King Cole – Unforgettable
This is one of the most important albums to me because it reminds me of my family. I remember we would go to France each summer because my parents would be singing in a festival there – we’d listen to it on car journeys, and in the house we were staying in, and when we got home and… all the time. We each have a certain ‘moment’ we always do when listening, almost like the call-outs in Rocky Horror that those who’ve been in the crowd loads know, but for this album. One of my first memories is listening to this album and dancing around the kitchen.

3. The Beatles – Revolver
I saw a tweet the other day which said that people who say Revolver is their favourite Beatles album are try hards (or something- I’m paraphrasing terribly). It had a lot of likes. Well, whoops – I’ve outed myself again (see my writing about Coldplay’s Parachutes for more of me being resolutely not cool). This album is another important family album: with parents who mostly listen to classical music it was always such a joy when we got to listen to Revolver.

4. Notting Hill Soundtrack
I feel like the way I learned a lot of music when I was younger was through movie soundtracks. This was the first one that I obsessed over – finding a gateway in to Al Green and Bill Withers through this. I spent hours and hours listening to ‘Ain’t No Sunshine’ (the Bill Withers version) and trying to do the “I know” section in just one breath.

5. Bridget Jones’ Diary Soundtrack
Banger after banger on this, and again was my entry point to so many people especially huge female vocalists and musicians. Chaka Khan, Aretha Franklin, Diana Ross, Sheryl Crow, what an education!

Thanks to Anna for sharing her favourite albums with us.

Watch the video for her single ‘Pavlov’s Dog’ below.

Listen to in|FLUX on bandcamp or Spotify

Follow Anna B Savage on Twitter, Instagram & Facebook

Photo Credit: Katie Silvester

March 2, 2023March 2, 2023

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NEW TRACK: ALT BLK ERA – ‘Rockstar: LUNAR’

After sharing their blistering nu-metal inspired track ‘Rockstar’ at the end of last year, genre-defying sister duo ALT BLK ERA are showcasing their softer side on latest single ‘Rockstar: LUNAR’. Beautifully contrasting with the band’s usual visceral, heavy sound, ‘Rockstar: LUNAR’ is an earnest reflection on an unhealthy relationship, gently edging listeners towards acceptance and finding strength in their vulnerability.

Formed of sisters Nyrobi and Chaya, ALT BLK ERA create tenacious alternative anthems designed to express their vivid personalities. Inspired by the likes of Ho99o9, Nova Twins, Hacktivist and Billie Eilish, they blur the boundaries of punk, nu-metal and trap to form their riotous, anthemic sounds. Refusing to be pigeonholed, ALT BLK ERA enjoy exploring their musical dynamic further by releasing ‘SOLAR’ and ‘LUNAR’ versions of their songs. Nyrobi’s Solar energy represents her wild, raucous spirit, and Chaya’s calmer, more introverted energy is represented by Lunar.

Their original single ‘Rockstar’ was a volatile, all-consuming wall of noise, but on ‘Rockstar: LUNAR’, the duo filter the heaviness of romantic infatuation through a different lens. Full of tender vocals, evocative piano sounds and confessional lyrics, the track is a poignant rumination on an emotionally harmful relationship. The pair find solace in opening up about the difficult reality of loving someone who is bad for you, and have showcased their impressive, seamless ability to move between music genres in the process.

Listen to ‘Rockstar: LUNAR’ below:

ALT BLK ERA UK Live Dates 2023
Mar 18: CH Hirscheneck, Basel
Mar 31: UK Bodega, Nottingham
Apr 05: UK Hare & Hounds, Birmingham
May 25-28: UK Bearded Theory, Derbyshire

Follow ALT BLK ERA on bandcamp, Spotify, Tik Tok, Twitter, Instagram & Facebook

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

March 2, 2023March 2, 2023

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NEW TRACK: Earthlung – ‘Joy¿’

A raucously relatable post punk tune that questions the mundane nature of everyday life, Brighton-based Earthlung have shared their latest single ‘Joy¿’. Full of sardonic spoken-word style vocals, cutting lyrics and distorted riffs, the band search for meaning and relief amidst the mind-numbingly ordinary tasks we undertake in order to keep living our best lives.

Formed of Ebony Grace (vocals & synth), Charles Backer (drums), Folly den Toom (guitar & production) and current bassist Alex Rushmer, Earthlung decided to experiment with their usual 80s-influenced pop sound on their new single. “Although our existing catalogue takes influence mostly from Ambient/Pop, with this track we fully embraced a Post Punk sound,” the band explain. Recorded in the Netherlands at Folly’s Low Road Studios, inspiration for ‘Joy’ sprang from moments of playful ridicule, and evolved into a sound that the band all wanted to embrace. Armed with a distorted riff and a disruptive energy, vocalist Ebony was quick to flesh out lyrics for the track.

“It was a matter of minutes before Ebony started mumbling words (whilst basically rolling on the floor),” the band continue. “She quickly grabbed a pizza box (still warm from the pizza consumed just moments earlier) and a pen, writing out most of the lyrics within minutes. In this moment we encouraged her to make it as cynical as possible. This gave such a clear direction to the track that we all instantly knew we didn’t want to over-complicate things. When we tracked it, the vocals were actually recorded through a harp mic with Ebony inverted hanging off a big leather chair.”

Earthlung channeled the track’s manic, direct energy into an accompanying video, which features vocalist Ebony prowling the streets of Brighton, trying not to choke on an insane amount of cornflakes and rum. The visuals perfectly encapsulate both the cynical and the silly sides of ‘Joy¿’.

Watch the video below.

Follow Earthlung on Spotify, Instagram, Tik Tok & Facebook

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

February 22, 2023March 19, 2023

Kate CrudgingtonLeave a comment

NEW TRACK: REWS – ‘Misery’

A riotous ode to resilience and self preservation in the face of adversity, REWS have shared their latest single ‘Misery’. Despite the pessimistic title, the track, released via Earache Records, is an empowering blend of heavy riffs and defiant vocals that urge listeners not to let life’s more difficult moments make them question their own abilities.

“This song was written when I was feeling…miserable!” laughs Shauna Tohill, who is the creative force behind REWS. “It is a representation of the many battles us creatives go through when trying to figure out if all the blood, sweat and tears are worth it. i.e. whether you should make that next album, or spend hours making an Instagram reel, or whether we should just throw the towel in and do something else completely! And, you know, its okay to do whatever is right for you!

But, I realised through writing this song, that sometimes misery comes when you’re plain burnt out and just need a change of scenery! Taking that break can teach us about ourselves and helps us find the reasons and energy to keep fighting and doing the things that make us happy – because that seems to bring the magic into life!”

Tohill has taken her overwhelming feelings of exhaustion and indecision and transformed them into a brooding, cathartic rock anthem on ‘Misery’. The Northern Irish songwriter’s vocals are the lifeblood of the track, her voice as commanding in its quieter moments during the verses as it is during the riotous chorus. The song is accompanied by a video featuring Tohill, which you can watch below.