Track Of The Day: HAVVK – ’52’

Having completely mesmerised us on many occasions with their immersive live shows, and captivated our ears with a number of incredible, politically driven offerings, total faves HAVVK are back with a brand new single.

Oozing a stark, stirring emotion, ’52’ is about the extreme political dynamics in the run up to the Brexit vote in 2017. With the soaring, celestial splendour and gritty raw emotion of front woman Julie’s vocals, it’s filled with a glistening musicality juxtaposed with a frenzied, angst-driven climax alongside its all-too-relevant subject matter. Showcasing why we need voices like theirs now more than ever, with their unique euphonic activism and the deeply affecting plea “we’ve got to get over it…”, HAVVK offer a poignant soundscape with necessary meaning.

Of the track, Julie explains:

“… we lived in London at the time of the vote and I don’t think any of us will forget the day the result came out. It felt like the campaign was designed to leverage a divide between people. At times, it felt like every spokesperson for or against Brexit was willing to put a short-term win ahead of opening a genuine conversation about people’s safety and futures. It drove a chasm between people which only seems to getting wider, with a rise in racism and hate-crime, and the constant out-pour of hateful language in online media.”

A montage of footage showing Donald Trump, Barack Obama, and protests erupting in violence, watch the affecting new video for ’52’ now:

’52’ is out now via Veta Records, followed by HAVVK’s debut album, Cause & Effect, due for release on 22nd November.

Mari Lane
@marimindles

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Get In Her Ears Live @ The Finsbury w/ Chorusgirl, 13.09.19

Following a host of amazing bands playing for us lately, including Witching Waves, CLT DRP, Crumbs, Mammoth Penguins and ARXX, we were back at The Finsbury on Friday with another dream of a line-up, for a jam-packed night of the best new music.

Kicking things off is the energy-fuelled power of Swimsuit Competition. With raging riffs, immense pounding beats and the soaring gritty force of Amber Scott’s vocals, the band radiate a sense of frenzied fun and vibrant passion.

Next up, adults charm the ears with their ‘tweecore’ indie-pop goodness. Despite guitar issues (soon remedied with the help of Chorusgirl!), their emotion-strewn scuzz, jangly uplifting energy and candied, dreamy harmonies leave me feeling all the feels and a bit more in love with this South London group with each fuzzy note.

Penultimate band of the night, Tape Runs Out, deliver their genre-defying soundscapes with a joyous energy. Filling the stage with seven incredible musicians, each showcasing a sparkling musicality, they create rich, textured offerings, complete with folk strewn strings and the twinkling tones of a hammered dulcimer (a first, I think, for a GIHE night!).

Closing the night, Chorusgirl return to the GIHE stage, nearly three years after playing for us at our first ever night at The Finsbury. It’s pretty special to have them back, having been solid faves for so long, and they certainly don’t disappoint. Treating us to their dreamy garage-pop, effervescent harmonies and impressive driving riffs flow as Silvi’s distinctive, lush vocals soar throughout. Delivering tracks from both their albums, with their utterly unique, shimmering sounds and endearing modest charm, they ooze a heart-rending, cathartic energy. And no more so than when Silvi dedicates my most favourite song to me; as the poignant emotive power of ‘Stuck’ fills the room, I feel my eyes gently moisten, as I’m filled with a wave of joyous pride at how far both this band, and I, have come.

I’m so grateful to be able to bring like-minded people together each month to share their love of great music, and show support for each other, and Chorusgirl remind me of just how important this is.

Huge thanks to all four bands who played for us on Friday! Join us next month, on 11th October, back at The Finsbury with headliners GENN (fka Cryptic Street).

 

Words: Mari Lane / @marimindles
Photos: Jon Mo / @jonmophoto

 

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Get In Her Ears Live @ The Finsbury w/ Witching Waves, 12.07.19

Following a host of amazing bands playing for us lately, including CLT DRP, Crumbs, Mammoth Penguins, ARXX and Wolf Girl, we were back at The Finsbury on Friday with another dream of a line-up, for a jam-packed night of the best new music.

The immense, soaring power of Hubert’s Friend gets the night off to an energy-filled start. With frenzied riffs and the seething emotion of front woman Elly’s vocals, songs about everything from depression and false economies, to rabbits of doom, are blasted out with an impassioned force.

Next up, Finish (“not as in the country”, we’re reminded by the band) Flag charm us all with their dreamy lo-fi indie pop. Flowing with twinkling hooks and luscious harmonies, their angst-driven offerings – interspersed with welcome Love Island banter – cement them as new firm favourites.

I can’t help but fall a little bit in love with Milk Crimes‘ catchy scuzz. Propelled by driving beats and whirring jangly hooks, each offering is delivered with a sunny, uplifting energy, marking them out as definite ones to watch (and listen to, at every opportunity!).

Having been a fan for a couple of years now, it’s a real honour to have Witching Waves headline for us. Propelled by Emma’s frenetic racing beats, their energy-fuelled post-punk packs out the venue and lifts our spirits. With an infectious, visceral power, each offering showcases perfectly in-sync musical layers, as Estella’s driving bass and Mark’s metallic melodies accompany propulsive rhythms, and raw impassioned vocals.

Massive thanks to all four fantastic bands who played for us on Friday, making the night so special. We’re actually taken a break next month (who knew weddings took up lots of time?!), but will return to The Finsbury on 13th September when faves Chorusgirl will be headlining.

Words: Mari Lane / @marimindles
Photos: Jon Mo / @jonmophoto

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Track Of The Day – deep tan – ‘Air’

Currently making a name for themselves across the London live scene with their immersive live shows, Hackney trio deep tan have now shared their spellbinding new single.

Flowing with alluring, swirling hooks and rich, swooning vocals, accompanied by pounding beats, ‘Air’ is a beguiling slice of alt-pop, sparkling with a delicate hypnotic grace. With shades of early Warpaint, it interweaves layers of dreamy sounds, leaving it impossible not to become completely hooked on deep tan’s effervescent charm.

‘Air’s sparkling haze is depicted perfectly in the beautifully shot accompanying psychedelic video. The video’s directed by audio-visual sister duo Waterbaby, who explain:

“The film captures the essence and free-spirited nature of the band and shows their strength, individuality and beauty prevailing in a world that often feels like a hoax… In a void like vacuum, the desire for truth is illustrated through movement, colour and feeling.”

Watch the new video for ‘Air’ here:

Catch deep tan live at Hate Zine’s Issue 6 Launch Party on 20th July at The Ivy House.

Mari Lane
@marimindles

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