Five Favourites: Maple Glider

Following acclaim for her 2021 debut from the likes of Pitchfork, NME and Rolling Stone, Australian artist Tori Zietsch – aka Maple Glider – released her stunning second album I Get Into Trouble last year, and it was one of my most listened to, and favourite, releases of 2023. Offering a poignant reflection on her Christian upbringing, reflecting on themes of shame, consent and sexuality, it’s a truly stirring collection of starkly honest, yet delicately beautiful, compositions.

We think one of the best ways to get to know an artist is by asking what music inspires them. So, ahead of her upcoming UK tour that starts next week, we spoke to Tori about some of the British artists who inspire her the most. Read about her five favourites below, and then make sure you nab a ticket to see her majestic splendour live!

Nilufer Yanya
I absolutely adore Nilufer Yanya. When Miss Universe came out in 2019 I was obsessed. At the same time I was also unknowingly writing my first album. ‘Heavyweight Champion of the Year’ is unreal – the vocals are incredible. And I think ‘Safety Net‘ was on a playlist I was listening to when I was working on my second album. I’m also really loving all of the new songs being released as well as all the visuals . Especially ‘Like I Say (I Runaway)‘. Runaway bride forever. I can’t wait for the new album!

Bat For Lashes 
I think I may have illegally downloaded (Limewire) Two Suns (or at least part of it) when it came out in 2009. Sorry! I was in grade ten. From that time, I remember it was a lot of this and M83. ‘Daniel’ is the obvious pick, but I also loved ‘Siren Song’ and ‘Sleep Alone’! So spooky. The Haunted Man is another one of my favourite albums, and the video clip for ‘Laura’ is one of my faves. And then I also listened to ‘I Do’ and ‘Widow’s Peak’ from The Bride a lot when writing my second album.

Nick Drake
I got pretty into surrealism when I was in high school, and so I loved the album cover for Pink Moon. Somewhere around the same time I also fell in love with fingerpicking – it’s the only way I’d play guitar. I love the intimacy of the recordings on Pink Moon, and the piano is so cute. And then ‘Sunday’ off Bryter Layter is so dreamy.

Cleo Sol
My manager sent me Mother when it came out in 2021; we’d spent most of the last year in lockdown, and it brought me to tears. It’s one of the most beautiful albums I’ve ever heard. I’d just released my first album and felt more open to writing again. I think subconsciously it inspired me to write my song ‘You’re Gonna Be A Daddy’. ‘Don’t Let Me Fall‘, ‘Know That You Are Loved‘, ‘We Need You’ – all stand out songs; just the whole damn album melts my heart and entire being. I’m a puddle.

Laura Marling 
The first time I heard about Laura Marling, I saw her on a magazine cover; it was black and white, and I think the article said she was 17…? I’ve been following her music for however many years it has been since then and I have deeply loved the journey. Her Song Exploder for ‘Song For Our Daughter’ is unbelievably beautiful – she speaks so gracefully and with so much patience and care. I admire that. When ‘Patterns’ came out I’d just lost an old friend. I can physically feel my heart ache when I listen to it.

Huge thanks to Maple Glider for sharing her five favourites with us. We can’t wait to be immersed in her shimmering allure at The Courtyard Theatre on 5th September!

mariangelicalaneLeave a comment

PREVIEW: All Points East 2024

Annual East London festival All Points East is set to return to Victoria Park over the next two weekends, offering an array of incredible live music spanning multiple genres. Having enjoyed all the good vibes and fantastic music when we were lucky enough to catch Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Amyl and the Sniffers, Angel Olsen and more there last year, we’re super excited about some of the awesome line-ups they have in store for us this year.

Kicking off this Friday 16th August with the captivating R&B of Nigerian artist Tems supporting Kaytranada, there’s a great range of female and non-binary artists playing the festival this year; from the smouldering raw emotion of faves Mitski and Ethel Cain this coming weekend, to the groundbreaking force of queer icons Gossip and riot grrrl pioneers Sleater-Kinney next Sunday 25th August.

Whilst we’re obviously mega fans of bands like The Postal Service and Deathcab For Cutie, in true GIHE style we want to highlight some of the non-male artists that we’re particularly looking forward to – so, we’ve put together a little playlist of a few of our faves who’ll be playing. Have a listen, and nab a ticket to one of the days now.

Photo Credit: Chris Hornbecker

mariangelicalaneLeave a comment

LIVE (Photos) Deer Shed Festival 2024 (Day 2, 27.07.2024)

Having fallen in love with Deer Shed when I attended for the first time back in 2022, and then going on to have another dreamy weekend at the North Yorkshire festival last year, I was very glad I got to go again this year. Highlighting a real family focus, whilst hosting a range of exciting new artists, it oozes the warmest of vibes and – being smaller in size than most other festivals – creates a space that feels comfortingly intimate; an inclusive safe haven for artists and fans of all genres and ages. Whilst providing a child-friendly environment, this does not take away from the quality and array of performances on offer for everyone to enjoy. Although I’d say I’m in the minority of attendees who does not have children (or isn’t a child themselves!), I in no way feel this to be hindrance – there’s still plenty of adult fun to be had, just in perhaps a slightly less intense, and more safe, environment than most other festivals. Which is no bad thing, in my opinion! 

Amongst those performing, a fantastic amount of female, non binary and queer performers are represented, and. I was lucky enough to catch lots of these over the weekend – a good balance of artists I already knew and loved, and those who I had not had the chance to see before. Following our thoughts about Friday evening at the festival, find some words and photos about our highlights of Saturday below…

Waking up to the sound of children kayaking along the stream on Saturday morning at Deer Shed feels pretty idyllic; almost as idyllic as it does to sit in the sunshine whilst the glistening Geordie folk tunes of Frankie Archer float through the crowd at the Lodge Stage for our first music of the day. From songs endorsing lie-ins, to tales of peacocks showing respect to the hens in their lives, Archer treats us to her beautifully lilting offerings; seamlessly fusing together traditional folk melodies and storytelling with sparkling electronic soundscapes.

Having been scheduled to play earlier in the morning, London-based Blue Bendy now take the afternoon time slot of Chalk, who weren’t able to make it up to Topcliffe in the end – something that front person Arthur Nolan playfully draws attention to by introducing the band as the absentees they’ve replaced: “Hi, we’re Chalk”. This playful, somewhat whimsical, attitude remains apparent as the set goes on; as the swirling, shimmering cacophonies created by the other five band members interweave with the seething raw emotion of Nolan’s vocals, a subtle tongue-in-cheek air lingers throughout. Oozing a stark, poetic realism with a droll charm, each fuzzy soundscape immerses the ever-growing crowd, and – personally (no offence to Chalk) – I’m glad of the band’s later time slot; it’s meant I’ve been able to watch their full set, nicely lubricated by a half of Brass Castle Sunshine IPA, and discover a new favourite band.

I’ve heard a lot of good things about Picture Palour, and so am pretty excited to be able to catch them on the main stage whilst the sun continues to shine on this glorious Saturday afternoon. And they don’t disappoint. Oozing an alluring swagger as they take to the stage, the Manchester indie-rockers maintain this engaging confidence throughout the entirety of the set. Whilst front person Katherine Parlour’s vocals ripple with a smooth romanticism and crooner-level charm reminiscent of Tranquility Base era Alex Turner, with each offering they build with a soaring gritty splendour alongside fierce hooks from guitarist Ella Risi. One of the most charismatic stage presences I’ve witnessed for a long time, Parlour and co. deliver their epic, cinematic anthems to a captivated crowd, no doubt sparking adoration and inspiration in many young fans (and some old ones, like me).

I’m not sure why it’s taken me three years of coming to Deer Shed to visit to the Wilderwild stage, but I’m grateful to have discovered it in time to catch a gorgeous set from London-Cornwall songwriter Lily Lyons. With an endearing charm, each glistening offering flows with a lilting musicality as her soulful jazz-infued vocals resonate with an exquisite grace. With songs artfully inspired by Wendy Cope poems and Mark Rothko paintings, Lyons treats us to a blissfully uplifting thirty minutes.

After having a bit of a dance to the deep groove of Baba Ali as the duo emanate swathes of immense coolness, we stay under the cover of the In The Dock stage for Personal Trainer. Pretty much the opposite of the previous band, the seven members of the Dutch collective take to the stage in a flurry of frenzied energy. Complete with trumpet, saxophone and extra percussion, their quirky indie offerings combine twinkling harmonies with a gritty emo edge as front person Willem Smit writhes and bounces around the stage with a refreshing enthusiasm. With a vivacious spirit, the whole band ooze a swirling colourful chaos with each enlivening song, and I’m utterly transfixed by their jubilant charm.

BC Camplight offers a nice accompaniment to our vegan hot dogs before we head back into the In The Dock stage for London-based international band (and GIHE faves) Los Bitchos – one of the bands I’ve been most looking forward to seeing all weekend. Making their entrance to ‘Heaven Is A Place On Earth’, they go on to create a pretty heavenly atmosphere inside the jam-packed tent; emanating a swirling joyous charm and colourful charisma throughout. Propelled by racing melodies, funk-fuelled hooks and jangling rhythms, they treat us to “some oldies and some newbies”, their playful eccentricity and effervescent energy illuminating the intricately woven layers of sound. From epic drum offs to dancing together in sync, and from songs about Tequila to “penguins fluttering around on a beach”, Los Bitchos take us on a thrilling fun-filled journey; leading us to discover a rousing sonic euphoria we didn’t know we needed. 

All in all, a beautiful day of live music was had. Stay tuned for photos of, and words about, of Day 3 at Deer Shed, plus some special thoughts about the kids’ activities at the festival from next generation GIHE gal Orla….

Words: Mari Lane / @marimindles
Photos: Paul Dawes / @GRNDglass

mariangelicalaneLeave a comment

LIVE (Photos): Deer Shed Festival, 2024 (Day 1, 26.07.2024)

Having fallen in love with Deer Shed when I attended for the first time back in 2022, and then going on to have another dreamy weekend at the North Yorkshire festival last year, I was very glad I got to go again this year. Highlighting a real family focus, whilst hosting a range of exciting new artists, it oozes the warmest of vibes and – being smaller in size than most other festivals – creates a space that feels comfortingly intimate; an inclusive safe haven for artists and fans of all genres and ages. Whilst providing a child-friendly environment, this does not take away from the quality and array of performances on offer for everyone to enjoy. Although I’d say I’m in the minority of attendees who does not have children (or isn’t a child themselves!), I in no way feel this to be hindrance – there’s still plenty of adult fun to be had, just in perhaps a slightly less intense, and more safe, environment than most other festivals. Which is no bad thing, in my opinion! 

Amongst those performing, a fantastic number of female, non binary and queer performers are represented, and I was lucky enough to catch lots of these over the weekend – a good balance of artists I already knew and loved, and those who I had not had the chance to see before.

After our seven and a half hour journey, and settling into our pre-pitched tent (a revelation saving so much time and energy that I will be doing it at every festival going forwards!), we make it to the main stage just in time to catch Liz Lawrence. A GIHE favourite and one of the first ever guests on our radio show, she combines a twinkling emotion with deep funk-fuelled hooks as her distinctive syrupy vocals narrate each reflective offering. From songs such as 2019’s ‘USP’ and ‘None Of My Friends’ to recent single ‘Strut’ (at the request of “the lad that said ‘can you play Strut for my mum?’”), and everything in between, a gritty splendour flows throughout, as the sun shines upon our first taste of live music of the weekend.

Next up, we head to the In The Dock state to witness the fierce power of OneDa. Declaring that “pussy power is a way of life”, she launches into a set of immense hip-hop infused drum ‘n’ bass anthems, all delivered with a ferocious swirling energy and seething passion. 

Following some tasty vegan gyoza, we wander over to The Lodge stage to catch some of the colourful “digital voodoo” of Nana Benz Du Togo. Emanating a majestic grace, as their voices and unique instruments combine to create uplifting anthems like ‘Liberty’ and ‘To Be Free’, their message remains clear throughout: as lyrics like “I wanna make my own decisions” resonate with a stirring poignancy, a deep empowering spirit oozes from the stage. Declaring that “women should be free to be what they want to be”, and describing their aim as being to “recover the place that our mothers lost to the patriarchal society”, Nana Benz deliver a wonderfully invigorating set; uniting the buoyant crowd in a resolute drive for change with a glistening joyous energy. 

To end the night, I swap from my usual position of spectator to ‘artist’… If you can call DJing that. Either way, I was on the In The Dock stage, playing tunes to a tent that ended up being full of people for the Silent Disco. Lurking in the shadows without being noticed is generally more my vibe, so needless to say I was quite nervous about it. But, despite the cursor key on my laptop deciding to stop working at just the wrong time, causing a few clunky ‘mixes’(and with most of my set clashing with Liverpool legends The Coral on the main stage), it was really lovely to see so many people dancing and singing along to the music I was playing. Noticing the number of young people who seemed to be enjoying it – making up dances with their friends and getting excited by certain songs – was particularly heartwarming, and I’m really grateful to have had the opportunity to do it. So, massive thanks and love to Deer Shed for letting me unleash my danceable queer tunes onto the crowd (and hopefully my laptop cursor won’t break next time!).

Stay tuned for photos of, and words about, of Days 2 & 3 at Deer Shed – including some special thoughts about the kids’ activities from next generation GIHE gal Orla….

Words: Mari Lane / @marimindles
Photos: Paul Dawes / @GRNDglass

mariangelicalane1 Comment